tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136289612024-03-17T12:21:41.716+05:30ki-jaana-main-kaunThis is a random personal blog - covering everything from poetry to politics. Views presented are strictly my own. How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.comBlogger1581125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-92216333927232770142024-03-16T19:23:00.004+05:302024-03-16T19:23:54.168+05:30इन रंगों को जानते हैं? <p>इन में से कितने रंग पहचानते हैं आप? </p><p><br /></p><p>धानी </p><p>कत्थई </p><p>प्याज़ी </p><p>सुरमई </p><p>फिरोज़ी </p><p>मेहंदी </p><p>तोतिया </p><p>सलेटी </p><p>आसमानी </p><p>सुर्ख </p><p>सिंदूरी </p><p><br /></p><p> Scroll down for answers: </p><p>धानी - Bright green - the colour of the rice crop </p><p>कत्थई - brown </p><p>प्याज़ी - magenta</p><p>सुरमई - dark black </p><p>फिरोज़ी - turquoise </p><p>मेहंदी - Henna </p><p>तोतिया - parrot green</p><p>सलेटी - grey </p><p>आसमानी - sky blue </p><p>सुर्ख - blood red </p><p>सिंदूरी - Vermillion red </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-41531937388898881622024-02-24T13:04:00.002+05:302024-02-24T13:04:18.118+05:30Book Review: Unofficial Crimes by Nupur Luthra <p>I have a weakness for going to bookstores and picking up indie books. </p><p>This has led to the reading of many good books. </p><p>Unofficial Crimes by Nupur Luthra is a book of short stories. Most of the stories have a component of the supernatural. It would have been nice to put that more prominently on the blurb, instead of a passing reference in the last line. </p><p>The stories are intriguing, for the most part. The book is short and you can decide quickly whether or not a story is working for you. The writing style is good. </p><p>Unfortunately, for me, this book is an avoidable miss. The plots did not speak to me at all. The first story started with two murders and completely side-stepped into a ghostly adventure for the girlfriend of one of the victims. From there, it kind of went downhill. If some plots held promise, that promise was soon washed out by quickly glossed over solutions. But the pace was excellent. The stories were not slow. If anything, they were, at places, too fast-paced to allow the reader to get the scene before moving on to the next event. </p><p>The book is available on Amazon India and has decent reviews. </p><p>https://www.amazon.in/UNOFFICIAL-CRIMES-COLLECTION-SHORT-STORIES/dp/B0B6SK6G6T</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibcyLuq7ik0uSfkjGy8dged7zbvfnD9cf64pYqaEfXXg23PVqMnjhxCI0cWxGLa1OvNmuHjOzxINDfrNL57mtCVLgxbt2U2EzdMs-ddhNZfdKRwxRPyAHef_ygyzC00qaQ3nFfFfTCeWKOddZZLUxQoGad205LMc8l5SY2NrZ4Jns3Zxuqe60W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="288" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibcyLuq7ik0uSfkjGy8dged7zbvfnD9cf64pYqaEfXXg23PVqMnjhxCI0cWxGLa1OvNmuHjOzxINDfrNL57mtCVLgxbt2U2EzdMs-ddhNZfdKRwxRPyAHef_ygyzC00qaQ3nFfFfTCeWKOddZZLUxQoGad205LMc8l5SY2NrZ4Jns3Zxuqe60W" width="153" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-62328447681285356282024-02-21T02:09:00.002+05:302024-02-21T02:09:57.283+05:30A lifetime of being judged <p>I have a condition. I don't know what it's called, but it has often been called laziness, lack of personal discipline, and other judgmental names. </p><p>The condition is simply this - my body needs to be asleep at a certain time every day. </p><p>You might find this familiar - there are many people who say that they fall ill if they are not in bed by 10 pm. Many people who turn down late night parties because their bodies just cannot deal with the late nights. And also, they have to be up at 4 am, because that is when their brains feel brightest. We at least now have a name for this - every body's natural rhythm where the body and mind peak at a certain time of the day. </p><p>So, you know the condition. But why am I called lazy, disruptive, and not disciplined at all for my condition? </p><p>Because in my Circadian rhtythm, that time is 10 am to 11 am. And the time I need to be awake because my brain is the most active at that time - is 11 pm to 2 am. </p><p>I am 47, and have fought this labeling of being lazy for at least 36 of those 47 years. I have suffered from migraine, allergies, fever just because i was not able to rest my body when it needed rest. Because I needed to be in school or at work. How do I know that it was because of not resting? Because when I woke up feeling unwell and went right back to bed, then woke up after 11 am, i was fine. Hundreds of times. <br /></p><p>A quick Google turns out a term - Type 2 Narcolepsy - the inability of the brain to choose the time of sleep. But here is the thing - Narcolepsy is only a disorder if the person wants to sleep during the day and stay up at night. Inability to sleep at night is also a disorder - insomnia. It is not a disorder if the person wants to go to bed by 10 pm. </p><p>BUT, what if some bodies are naturally wired to sleep - not with the sun, but against it? If so many people have that as their "natural" situation, then surely, it can't be abnormal? </p><p>If I remain healthy just by following my body's circadian rhythm, should i still feel that i am lazy or sick? (Narcolepsy)? If you look at it, these labels are not disorders - they are just labels. You only have narcolepsy if you need to sleep during the day. Not if you need to be in bed by 10 pm. Both conditions indicate a lack of control over when to sleep and wake up, but only one is a disorder. </p><p>Why am I writing this now? Because my son has the same condition, and he is starting to internalise the same labels that I have internalised for years. He is starting to get the same smirks that I have got for decades. </p><p>"You are so intelligent and so committed. Your work is always complete. Why don't you just wake up on time?" </p><p>"There is no reason for you to be late to work. It is nothing but lack of personal discipline."</p><p>********* </p><p>It is so bad that until 5-6 years ago (after I turned 40), I didn't even know what time of the day was the most restful for me. Because every day since childhood had been a mad rush to get to work on time. </p><p>Only after leaving a regular office job did I realise the time at which I get the most restful sleep - 10 to 11 am. Can you imagine that level of lack of self-awareness? </p><p>And I can't even start to talk about the sheer judgement and self-loathing that one goes through. </p><p>Why can't I just get up on time? Why do i need to sleep during the day? </p><p>"The early bird gets the worm."</p><p>"By the time you wake up, half the market is done and dusted. How will you make money on the stock market like this?" </p><p>"You are just lazy. There is no other explanation for this. If you lie in bed at 9, you WILL be asleep by 11. It's a guaranteed thing." (No, it wasn't. I went to bed every single day at 9, and then tossed and turned till 2 am. Every single night. For years. And now, my son does the same thing. He is tossing and turning till 1 am at least.) </p><p>So, people, finally, I am saying this - we cannot help it that our bodies have a Circadian rhythm that is not aligned to the sun, but against it. That does not make us bad people (Rakshasa, as my grandmother would say - only rakshasas get active at night). It does not make us lazy. And it definitely does not mean we have no personal discipline. </p><p>I do not want more people to fall ill because the world does not understand something as simple as a different Circadian rhythm. So, I have to talk. And hopefully, someone out there will benefit because someone understood. </p><p>Peace. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-31406194242943551342024-02-06T14:12:00.005+05:302024-03-17T12:09:42.953+05:30तिल- मूली <p>छोटे थे, </p><p>तो माँ तिल मूली छकाती थी </p><p>हम नाक भौं सिकोड़ते थे </p><p>मुंह बनाते थे </p><p><br /></p><p>माँ ने तिल मूली चखाना बंद कर दिया </p><p><br /></p><p>बड़े हुए, </p><p>पिता बने. </p><p>माँ को फोन किया </p><p>"माँ, वो जो आप तिल मूली की रस्म कराती थीं, </p><p>वो कैसे करते हैं?" </p><p> </p><p>We were young. </p><p>Mom used to make us eat</p><p>Til and Radish </p><p>We hated it </p><p>Made faces </p><p>Mom stopped</p><p><br /></p><p>Then, we grew up </p><p>Had a baby. </p><p>One day, </p><p>Called Mom, </p><p>"Mom, What was that til and radish thing </p><p>that you used to do for us?" </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-82982825569947651142024-02-04T23:35:00.023+05:302024-02-06T01:32:13.454+05:30Dil nu Lod <p> ਦਿਲ ਨੂਂ ਲੋੜ </p><p>ਆਪਣੇ ਆਲੇ ਦੁਆਲੇ </p><p>ਨ ਉੱਚੀਆਂ ਕੰਦਾਂ ਦੀ, </p><p>ਨਾ ਮੁੜੀਆਂ ਕੰਡਾਂ ਦੀ </p><p><br /></p><p>ਦਿਲ ਨੂਂ ਲੋੜ </p><p>ਆਪਣੇ ਆਲੇ ਦੁਆਲੇ </p><p>ਸੱਚਿਯਾਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਦੀ</p><p>ਨੀਗੀਯਾਂ ਜੱਫੀਆਂ ਦੀ </p><p><br /></p><p>Dil nu Lod </p><p>Apne aale duaale </p><p>na uchchiyaan kandaan dii </p><p>na muDiyaan KanDaan dii </p><p><br /></p><p>Dil nu loD </p><p>apne aale duaale </p><p>Sachchiyaan gallaan di </p><p>nigiyaan Jaffiyaan di </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The heart is not saved by </p><p>high walls </p><p>or turned backs </p><p><br /></p><p>The heart wants</p><p>to be enveloped by </p><p>real conversations</p><p>and warm hugs. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-32042872793750151642024-02-03T15:43:00.001+05:302024-02-03T15:43:27.599+05:30Katran<p>I am scared of love. </p><p><span style="color: #800180;">I know. That's why you have built these high walls around your heart. </span></p><p>And? </p><p><span style="color: #800180;">I am here to break down the walls, then use the bricks to build a home together. </span></p><p>********* </p><p>An English katran is rare for me. But this one, I think, can best be expressed in this language. </p><p> </p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-63885054441850893362024-01-24T01:21:00.002+05:302024-01-24T01:21:16.902+05:30How do deity based energies heal? <p>To heal I, I reached out to the energies of Shiva, Panchmukhi Hanuman, and Durga. </p><p>So, a question that keeps coming is - What are these energies? How do they fit in the overall spiritual domain? This is the first time I have actually experienced these energies. </p><p>While various answers were coming, I was aware that the brain is befuddled and not really processing all inputs. </p><p>Today, as things sorted a little bit, the answer I got was clearer: </p><p><br /></p><p>Each energy has its own wavelength and medium. They exist for specific purposes. Think of them as light waves or other waves that you are familiar with. The energies co-exist with other spiritual energies. There is no "leveling" between these energies. </p><p>It is possible that you might experience the energy of Ganpati, Jesus, or any other name from any other part of the world. The names are for us to identify the energy. The energies are owned by conscious entities. That is why praying to specific entities helps. This is the logic behind ancient civilizations having Gods for everything. We were invoking energies owned by conscious entities capable of directing energies. </p><p>What are these conscious entities like? </p><p>You cannot imagine them. Because you have not been on that plane yet. Just know that these entities are eternal and conscious. At this time, that is all you can know. </p><p><br /></p><p>How does this interact with the overall spiritual energy of aura, healing, etc.? </p><p>They co-exist. It's a vast domain and you are only just starting to get to know more about it. Think of it as a new world. There are many, many things in this world. You will encounter many things. Some, you will be able to compare to concepts, ideas, and things in your physical world. But many, many others, are very new to you. Be open to learning. There is a LOT to learn. As each portal opens, new things, new concepts will be gradually revealed. You will learn the lessons you are ready for, and be confused by the others. That is the most human way of explaining this. But it doesn't come close to what you will *know* a little later in this journey. </p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-25867929718862821012024-01-09T03:19:00.002+05:302024-01-09T03:19:31.899+05:30Film Review: Vaccine War - Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri's film <p> <span class="xv78j7m" end="11" start="0" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;">#VaccineWar</span><span data-offset-key="2pete-1-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> on </span><span class="xv78j7m" end="23" start="15" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;">#Hotstar</span><span data-offset-key="2pete-3-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p><span data-offset-key="2pete-3-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6SSs58hxSxBJ9A_iit-Q_MPTx--UiL6VrYzP0y5CbiIIKY9IDseUrE_YQ5wR95LmY01MJS-uDtKR6x4Kn53SNnFnSLcxGHc_bGeRbXRyod4GY30ALbYBE_PQ9OJLFT3fg0e-nEWc-KKvXAYkJDa9F7K9kdegdncmzePqezZpkSgfPWy8dRmmS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="278" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6SSs58hxSxBJ9A_iit-Q_MPTx--UiL6VrYzP0y5CbiIIKY9IDseUrE_YQ5wR95LmY01MJS-uDtKR6x4Kn53SNnFnSLcxGHc_bGeRbXRyod4GY30ALbYBE_PQ9OJLFT3fg0e-nEWc-KKvXAYkJDa9F7K9kdegdncmzePqezZpkSgfPWy8dRmmS" width="160" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="4fltt-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4fltt-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="4fltt-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Just finished watching this film. (kind of late to the party) </span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="an1sk-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="an1sk-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="an1sk-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">This is that </span><span class="xv78j7m" end="29" start="13" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: var(--text-highlight); font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">#NeverForget2020</span><span data-offset-key="an1sk-2-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> kind of film. </span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="cqj7q-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cqj7q-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="cqj7q-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Apart from the acting, the perfect casting, the taut storytelling, this was a very emotional film for me. </span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="8jaji-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8jaji-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="8jaji-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">mRNA was being developed since 2012 but had NEVER been approved for human use. And suddenly, on a virus we didn't know, a tech we had never used before was approved for human use. </span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="2n15o-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2n15o-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="2n15o-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><br data-text="true" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;" /></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="fku1a-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fku1a-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="fku1a-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">I read the CDC submissions of Moderna and Pfizer. Both companies had NEVER tested anyone - neither the control group nor the vaccinated group - for the actual presence of the virus after vaccination. The success rate was based on absence of symptoms. Let that sink in. Absence of symptoms. Not absence of virus. Much less proven antibodies to virus. </span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="8tq0d-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8tq0d-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="8tq0d-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><br data-text="true" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;" /></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="a3foe-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="a3foe-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="a3foe-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">All foreign companies were given indemnity against adverse reactions to the virus by the US, and made that a precondition to giving the virus to any country globally. India refused to give this indemnity. For many countries, the choices were between Sputnik and China's vaccines. </span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="8tk9k-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8tk9k-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="8tk9k-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><br data-text="true" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;" /></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="1cn3l-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1cn3l-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="1cn3l-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">There are two proven vaccination techs - dead virus and weakened virus. Because the virus was new and lab-enhanced, I relied on the dead virus tech (Covaxin). At that time, everyone around me laughed at me. The propaganda against Covaxin was at its peak.</span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="8dvq0-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8dvq0-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="8dvq0-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><br data-text="true" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;" /></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="bapvh-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bapvh-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="bapvh-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">But in spite of all this, I had never spared a thought for the scientists who would have spent days and nights getting this vaccine out so quickly - until this movie came out. This truly was a war that could only be fought by science - and it was. </span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="3791d-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3791d-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="3791d-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><br data-text="true" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;" /></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="5ko5s-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5ko5s-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="5ko5s-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">The film made me realise that this war was unique for two reasons: </span></div></div><ol class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd" data-offset-key="ft8sh-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><li class="x1e56ztr x1xmf6yo xzj9hkj _3kp_ _3kq0 _3kq1 _3kq6" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="ft8sh-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; counter-reset: ol0 0; direction: ltr; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 1.5em; margin-top: 8px; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ft8sh-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="ft8sh-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">It was the first bioweapon based world war. </span></div></li><li class="x1e56ztr x1xmf6yo xzj9hkj _3kp_ _3kq1 _3kq6" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="9jm87-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 1.5em; margin-top: 8px; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9jm87-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="9jm87-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">It was also the first world war fought through fake news, misinformation, and institutional manipulation by nation states. </span></div></li></ol><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="ag252-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ag252-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="ag252-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">If that's not worth remembering, I don't know what is. </span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="dom15" data-offset-key="41svr-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="41svr-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative; transition-property: none !important;"><span data-offset-key="41svr-0-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"> </span><span class="xv78j7m" end="17" start="1" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: var(--text-highlight); font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">#NeverForget2020</span><span data-offset-key="41svr-2-0" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">. </span></div></div>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-69787061951070681612024-01-07T03:44:00.003+05:302024-01-07T03:44:27.465+05:30A rental house <p>किराये के घर हर शहर में मिल जाते हैं। और उतने वक़्त के लिए, वे हमारे पूरे घर होते हैं - जिन्हें हम दिवाली पर सजाते हैं, जहां रात को परिवार के साथ खाना खाते हैं, और बेतकल्लुफ़ी से बगलें खुजाते हैं। </p><p>किराये के घर की झिक झिक भी कहाँ होती है? न 20 साल बाद ज़ंग लगे पानी के पाइप बदलवाना, न बोरवेल को हर चौथे साल गहरा खुदवाना। कुछ नहीं करना पड़ता। </p><p>पर मन के पिछले कोने में एक चिट सी रखी रहती है, जो ये जानती है, कि ये घर बस मियाद भर का है। </p><p>किराये के मकान में हम झूले नहीं टाँगते। और बाग़बानी गमलों में करते हैं। </p><p>*************** </p><p>Postscript: </p><p>अपना घर हर किसी का सपना नहीं होता। किराये के मकानों में जीवन काटा जा सकता है। सुख से। </p><p><br /></p><p>This piece is in response to a small poetry discussion on a poetry Whatsapp group. Will copy paste the two original poems tomorrow with credits to the poets. </p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-86632822167460156572024-01-05T14:19:00.001+05:302024-01-05T14:19:57.289+05:30Boys will be Boys <p>लड़के कहाँ देख पाते हैं </p><p>अपने जूतों से गंदा होता हुआ फर्श </p><p>खा कर वहीं रखे जूठे बर्तन </p><p>या पूरे कमरे में फैले उनके गंदे कपड़े। </p><p><br /></p><p>पर पति </p><p>झट से देख पाते हैं </p><p>टीवी पर जमी धूल </p><p>धुले ग्लास पर पानी का धब्बा </p><p>और कमीज़ का वह हिस्सा</p><p>जो इस्तरी होना रह गया। </p><p><br /></p><p>Boys can never see</p><p>the mud marks their shoes leave</p><p>on the carpet </p><p>or the dirty dishes on their side tables </p><p>or the laundry strewn all over the room. </p><p><br /></p><p>But husbands </p><p>can immediately notice</p><p>the dust on the TV </p><p>the water mark on a washed tumbler</p><p>and the un-ironed part </p><p>of the shirt collar. </p><p>******** </p><p>After a long time, wrote a poem that i really liked writing. </p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-34307865107352497132024-01-01T14:57:00.003+05:302024-01-01T14:57:59.576+05:30Happy New Year 2024! <p>इक ब्राह्मण ने कहा है, के ये साल अच्छा है </p><p><br /></p><p>पुराने दर्द, रोग, और लड़ाई का </p><p>इस साल होगा खात्मा </p><p>पुराने प्रेम, पत्र, और अफसर का </p><p>इस साल होगा सामना </p><p><br /></p><p>अवसाद गया, अवसर आया </p><p>भंडार थकें भर-भर माया </p><p> </p><p>अकेले हो तो पाओ साथ </p><p>थकेले हो? बन जाओ खास </p><p><br /></p><p>जो भी हो मन की आस </p><p>इस बरस आए तुम्हारे पास </p><p><br /></p><p>भीतर देखो, तो पाओ के मन बच्चा है </p><p>इक ब्राह्मण ने कहा है, के ये साल अच्छा है </p><p>With Apologies to Sabir Dutt, whose ghazal was sung by Jagjeet Singh ji. </p><p><br /></p><p>I started this year with that song in head, but on hearing, realised its a sad song. so, took the first line and converted it to a positive wish for the year. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg0ZfXdc8eiuttfbVagbt44KF8e-hODp9bZv_p5rrkc-3IiZmfENgpmsY-fxNbKPXKRRmK5HpzUfhJg3brtzId03ucV6EEls9oyD9ygnKsVoMwP2hCa3m9JTPf4WjfPO_2Q17XA1YGQBIN6EV5hkcJoHjPngU-IQIekQL3KWiQe6Ac0CGBg1yV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg0ZfXdc8eiuttfbVagbt44KF8e-hODp9bZv_p5rrkc-3IiZmfENgpmsY-fxNbKPXKRRmK5HpzUfhJg3brtzId03ucV6EEls9oyD9ygnKsVoMwP2hCa3m9JTPf4WjfPO_2Q17XA1YGQBIN6EV5hkcJoHjPngU-IQIekQL3KWiQe6Ac0CGBg1yV=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-72748494028447013672023-12-23T14:37:00.007+05:302023-12-23T15:14:41.161+05:30Punjabi Words that are not so popular any more <p>These are words that I heard at home, but are not in popular use any more. </p><p>ਤਰਖਾਣ - तरखान - Tarkhaan - Carpenter </p><p><br /></p><p>ਬਜਾਜ - बजाज - Bajaj - Cloth Seller </p><p><br /></p><p>ਹੜ - हड़ - Hadd - Flood </p><p><br /></p><p>ਲਾਊਡੇ ਵੇਲੇ - लौडे वेले - Laude vele - Dawn</p><p><br /></p><p>ਤਰਕਾਲਾਂ ਵੇਲੇ - तरकालां वेले - Tarkalaan Vele - Dusk </p><p><br /></p><p>ਮਾਹੀ/ ਮਾਹੀਵਾਲ - माही/माहीवाल Mahiwal / Mahi - Goatsherd / Shepherd / Cowherd </p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-71060601145226252542023-12-23T00:44:00.002+05:302023-12-23T00:44:17.473+05:30<p>ਜੇੜੀ ਸੱਟ ਦਿਸਦੀ ਨਹੀਂ </p><p>ਓ ਦੁਖਦੀ ਡਾਡੀ ਹੈ </p><p><br /></p><p>JeDi satt disdi nahi </p><p>O Dukhdi DaDi hai </p><p><br /></p><p> जेड़ी सट्ट दिसदी नहीं </p><p>ओ दुखदी डाडी है </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tLQcHOeaXEfI3llWlDU2zBcwrJ54UASTPpQYv7kjcWTfn2lPrateNzvyLehRTGIzvzzmI0ai7-lZ7W-s4LC4XTb9SFlVfDNiGNNUFLxhhfzOmYa4hkjzECVPv5awQUe4gsutuBAYpw-Ctm0fWOYOpAtuBtoHLJtVcb9Cu6hgvibQ_lSPOuXe/s1080/bruiises.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tLQcHOeaXEfI3llWlDU2zBcwrJ54UASTPpQYv7kjcWTfn2lPrateNzvyLehRTGIzvzzmI0ai7-lZ7W-s4LC4XTb9SFlVfDNiGNNUFLxhhfzOmYa4hkjzECVPv5awQUe4gsutuBAYpw-Ctm0fWOYOpAtuBtoHLJtVcb9Cu6hgvibQ_lSPOuXe/w640-h640/bruiises.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-7872013172211448802023-12-22T00:24:00.004+05:302023-12-22T00:24:37.704+05:30Series Review: Unforgotten <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjC1GFlY_laRnzliCKIXZNcSzRBjl3a2t9zTWvTIPvRreS2WR9C7Xy4iUIreg0dnGWrwIblML23v52ld4J1zfIIvSjmK730PbtjSxJBKZVzjeDL38dYe0o8nakyCBcVIpUkfYvP9c-tdMszKbt2IZs4sunbPl29IIdoPTzAe35Y2K_LYTShak1I" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1062" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjC1GFlY_laRnzliCKIXZNcSzRBjl3a2t9zTWvTIPvRreS2WR9C7Xy4iUIreg0dnGWrwIblML23v52ld4J1zfIIvSjmK730PbtjSxJBKZVzjeDL38dYe0o8nakyCBcVIpUkfYvP9c-tdMszKbt2IZs4sunbPl29IIdoPTzAe35Y2K_LYTShak1I=w453-h640" width="453" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is not possible to do an unbiased review of the 6-episode series. (Season 1)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The entire series is based on Nicola Walker's belief in the human-ness of a skeleton that is found in a basement. She wants to bring justice to the family of the victim, and to the person that this victim was. One cannot remain untouched by that much humanity in one person. The dogged pursuit of justice, not for the sake of justice, but for the sake of the person - this difference in focus is very, very important. Most of the cold case series and films are based on a policeperson's need to "restore justice". This one is not. And therefore, that aspect of the storytelling must necessarily colour the rest of my review - positively. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The screenplay is adequate. I am a sucker for great writing and great dialogues. While the series is very well written, the brilliant dialogues are conspicuous by their absence. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">My other grouse with the series is how uniform the characters are - even their visuals. They come from very diverse socio-economic segments, yet one cannot even tell them apart from dress and hairstyles! </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Their emotions follow a template, almost. There is no diversity. After a while, the mishmash becomes so weird you can't tell the characters apart. You can't think, "Oh, Philip would do this." or "That's not like Robert." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The lighting would have to take the third brickbat. The series is dark as it is, some great cinematography would not kill the makers. In fact, it is almost criminal to have great locations and then show them in such poor light - literally and metaphorically.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Having done the brickbats, one must now come to the bouquets. The editing should take a bow. It is not easy to stretch a single crime across 6 episodes, spanning multiple threads, and still keeping the reader engaged (with no help from costumes, writers, cinematographers, music directors, and the like). The editor and the writer have achieved this feat. The storytelling is taut and every scene matters. It adds to the plot in some way. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The multiple plots are woven together - not brilliantly, but well enough. Some things are unclear to the viewer till the end, but that's ok. If a viewer were to die at the end of this series, it would be out of boredom, not curiosity. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If I were to do this my way, I would completely remove some of the sub plots (Philip and Beth, for instance), focus on the 2-3 main players and their families, draw out the individuality of these characters, give some of them that great British sense of humour, and make the series at least two episodes shorter. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Should you watch this? </div><div style="text-align: justify;">For the superlative acting by Nicola Walker and Frances Tomelty (she plays Maureen). If you generally like dark suspense kind of content. Sure. Do watch.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-65619393853416344222023-12-20T23:56:00.001+05:302023-12-20T23:56:06.717+05:30On the end of abuse <p>और फिर मैंने </p><p>तुम्हारी नाप के कपड़े पहनने छोड़ दिए </p><p>और अपना नाप </p><p>दर्जी को दे आई। </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>And then </p><p>I stopped tailoring myself </p><p>to fit you. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-19146729732791165522023-12-20T20:50:00.002+05:302023-12-20T20:50:08.298+05:30Maachis <p>तने से तीली बनी </p><p>तीली से दियासलाई </p><p>दियासलाई माचिस भरी </p><p>टके-टके में पाई। </p><p><br /></p><p>तना </p><p>कुछ भी बन सकता था </p><p>मूर्ति, कुर्सी, बिस्तर </p><p>पर वह </p><p>माचिस बना। </p><p>यह किस्मत का सोना नहीं </p><p>भाग्य का उदय होना था। </p><p><br /></p><p>माचिस </p><p>बहुरूपी अवतार की कोई देवी है </p><p>जो वह रूप धारण कर सकती है </p><p>जिसकी आवश्यकता हो </p><p>क्रांति</p><p>आशा </p><p>प्रकाश </p><p>विश्वास </p><p>माचिस </p><p>कुछ भी बन सकती है </p><p><br /></p><p>बच्चों का खेल </p><p>तिनकों का घर </p><p>किसी तस्वीर का </p><p>मनोहर पुल </p><p><br /></p><p>आरती की प्रथम क्रिया </p><p>अर्थी को अंतिम प्रणाम </p><p>माचिस </p><p>सब हो सकती है </p><p><br /></p><p>घर बसाने वाला चूल्हा </p><p>घर उजाड़ने वाली बीड़ी </p><p>दोनों </p><p>माचिस पर निर्भर </p><p><br /></p><p>माचिस होना </p><p>किस्मत का सोना नहीं, </p><p>भाग्य का उदय होना था। </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Rough translation </b></p><p>The trunk </p><p>could have become anything </p><p>a comfortable chair </p><p>a bed </p><p>but it became </p><p>a matchbox. </p><p>It was not </p><p>the end of life </p><p>It was </p><p>the rise of destiny. </p><p><br /></p><p>A matchbox </p><p>is a Goddess </p><p>that takes the form </p><p>that is needed </p><p>by the world. </p><p>it can be </p><p>a revolution </p><p>hope</p><p>light </p><p>faith. </p><p>A matchbox </p><p>can be anything. </p><p><br /></p><p>Children's matchstick riddles </p><p>and tiny matchstick houses</p><p>or the beautiful bridge </p><p>on a painting sublime </p><p><br /></p><p>The start of the arati </p><p>the final goodbye </p><p>to a cremation pile </p><p>A matchbox </p><p>does everything. </p><p><br /></p><p>The hearth that keeps a home</p><p>and the cigarette that destroys it </p><p>Are both no use </p><p>without the match. </p><p><br /></p><p>Oh, to be a matchbox, </p><p>And rule the world! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-37168525207841676762023-12-20T00:10:00.001+05:302023-12-20T00:10:22.092+05:30The Getaway <div></div><div>रोज़ रात को </div><div>"कैसा रहा आज का दिन? क्या क्या हुआ?" </div><div>- ऐसा कुछ मत पूछना। </div><div><br /></div><div>कमरे का दरवाज़ा बंद कर देना भीतर से </div><div>और चुपके से कहना, </div><div>"मैं तुम्हें बचा लूँ?" </div><div><br /></div><div>फिर एक अलमारी के कपाट से </div><div>एक जादुई दुनिया का रास्ता खोलना </div><div>वहाँ ले जाना </div><div>सारी रात - बस परियाँ, लतीफे, और मीठी गोलियां। </div><div><br /></div><div>सुबह दबे पाँव </div><div>वापिस कमरे में ले आना </div><div>बिस्तर पर पैदा करना सलवटें </div><div>और तब </div><div>दरवाज़ा खोलना। </div><div><br /></div>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-6254451619739227752023-12-17T14:18:00.001+05:302023-12-17T14:18:01.449+05:30Book Review: The Naked Face by Sidney Sheldon<p>The date on the book reads - 3rd July, 1977. That was the year i was born! Someone was reading this book that year! </p><p>The book is a thriller from the word go. It is perhaps his second book or something, because the cover mentions another book. </p><p>The plot revolves around a psychoanalyst who is marked for death and a classic case of hunted becoming the detective to find out who is behind the attacks. </p><p>The various threads come together. Some of the maturity that we see in later works is missing, but the crisp dialogues and one liners to live by more than make up for it. </p><p>I would recommend this book. It can be read in one go, and its wonderful. </p><p>Oh yes, there is some criticism of the fact that the book believes in curing homosexuality, but pls remember.. this is 1977. </p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-37862622533205397972023-12-15T00:46:00.002+05:302023-12-15T00:46:50.436+05:30<p>Today, I worked as if i am going to die tomorrow. </p><p>You know, that distinct feeling u have when you just know something very bad is about to happen? </p><p>That one. </p><p>So, I washed (by hand, in Delhi winters) a 8 kilo polyfill duvet. </p><p>Ran 2 loads of laundry. </p><p>Cleaned up the spice cabinet (mostly bcs i was looking for the red chilli powder that the cook was not supposed to have but was distinctly present in my dal tonight). </p><p>And also, cleared up my accounts. </p><p>And now, Waiting for Tomorrow. </p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-78729829197446047782023-12-10T20:09:00.001+05:302023-12-10T20:09:04.487+05:30Katran: फौजी प्रेम की डायरी <p>एक बार, बहुत दिनों तक तुम्हारा कोई खत नहीं आया। उन दिनों फोन नहीं हुआ करते थे। मैं तुम्हारे परिवार से नहीं थी, तो तुम्हारे मुतालिक कोई तार भी मुझ तक नहीं पहुंचना था। पता नहीं था कि तुम लाम पर जीते हो या मर गए। </p><p>पर एक दिन मुझे समझ आ गया - न तार चाहिए, न फोन, और चिट्ठी भी ना आए तो कोई बड़ी बात नहीं। तुम जीते हो या मर गए, ये जानने के लिए किसी तीसरे की कोई ज़रूरत ही नहीं है। </p><p>बहुत महीनों बाद, तुम्हारी चिट्ठी आई। तुम जिस काम पर भेजे गए थे, वहाँ से कोई सन्देस भेजने या पाने की इजाजत नहीं थी। </p><p>"तू डरी नहीं?" तुमने चिट्ठी में पूछा था। </p><p>"डरना क्यूँ था?" मैंने जवाब भेजा। </p><p>************** </p><p>There was this time when there were no letters from you - for a long time. This was before we had phones.</p><p>I was not a part of your family, so no telegrams about you would reach me. Nor news from your family. </p><p>We had no idea if you were alive or dead. </p><p>And then, one day, I realised - I don' t need a phone call, telegram, or even letters from you to know if you are alive or dead. </p><p>We finally got a letter from you - after months. You were alive (of course), and were on a project which required zero contact with anyone. </p><p>You explained this in your letter, and then asked, by way of placating, "I hope you did not fear for me." </p><p>I wrote back, "Why would I fear?" </p><p>************ </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-8645954814184017112023-12-09T23:05:00.001+05:302023-12-09T23:05:29.427+05:30Silent Conversation/ Shaant Sanvaad <p>इक बड़े मज़े की बात है, ज़रा सुनियो जी </p><p>मीठे मीठे जज़्बात हैं, ज़रा सुनियो जी! </p><p><br /></p><p>तुम देती हो पूरणपोली, मैं खाता मीठी रोटी </p><p>तुम देती हो ताना, मैं पाता प्रेम का बाना</p><p>तुम लाज से होतीं गुलाबी, मन हो जाता नवाबी,</p><p>बस ऐसे हों दिन रात जी, ज़रा सुनियो जी! </p><p><br /></p><p>जब होती कभी लड़ाई, तुम करने लगतीं कढ़ाई </p><p>जब होता प्रेम संवाद, तुम बिछा देतीं अनुराग</p><p>सुबह को झिड़की शाम को, मेरी पसंद की साड़ी जी </p><p>बस ऐसे हों तकरार जी, ज़रा सुनियो जी! </p><p><br /></p><p>इक बड़े मज़े की बात है, ज़रा सुनियो जी </p><p>मीठे मीठे जज़्बात हैं, ज़रा सुनियो जी! </p><p><br /></p><p>This lyrical poem is written in response to a prompt given on a poetry group. The prompt is - Silent Conversation. </p><p>This is a new format for me. I don't usually write lyrical content that can be recited (not sung) to a meter. </p><p>Only in one place is the meter broken, but I am happy with it. If a better alternative comes to mind later, will change. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-79442711854031418022023-12-08T02:21:00.000+05:302023-12-08T02:21:04.718+05:30North India vs South India <p>Since the CONgress got voted in Karnataka and Telangana, there has been hajaar debate in India on North and South Indian voters and how North and South Indians are inherently different. </p><p>So, I thought I might as well list a comparison between north and south Indians. </p><p>Here goes: </p><p>*****************</p><p>North Indians depend on their sons to take care of them in old age. </p><p>South Indians depend on their sons to take care of them in old age. </p><p>*********** </p><p>North Indians do not educate their daughters so they can be married off easily. </p><p>South Indians educate their daughters so they can be married off easily. </p><p>********** </p><p>North Indian films have women doing pelvic thrusts and gyrations to bawdy lyrics. </p><p>South Indian films have women doing pelvic thrusts and gyrations to bawdy lyrics. </p><p>********* </p><p>North Indians believe that South Indians are strange. </p><p>South Indians believe that North Indians are strange. </p><p>*********** </p><p>North Indians give dowry to their daughters. </p><p>South Indians give dowry to their daughters. </p><p>******** </p><p>North Indians follow the caste + religion system. </p><p>South Indians follow the caste + religion system. </p><p>***************** </p><p>North Indians believe in Mother Goddess in many forms - Vaishno. Durga, Amba... </p><p>South Indians believe in Mother Goddess in many forms - Minakshi Ammal, Chamudeshwari, Mariyamma...</p><p>********** </p><p>North Indian dalits+ converted buddhists want reservations. </p><p>South Indian dalits + converted christians + converted buddhists + converted muslims want reservations. </p><p>************ </p><p>North Indians believe South Indians are space scientists or IITians. </p><p>South Indians believe North Indians are businessmen or crooks. </p><p>************* </p><p>North Indians know Hindi and want to learn English. </p><p>South Indians know English but don't want to learn Hindi. </p><p>************* </p><p>North Indians want daughters-in-law to adjust to their family and culture. </p><p>South Indians want daughters-in-law to adjust to their family and culture. </p><p>********************</p><p>North Indians love South Indian food as a specialty. </p><p>South Indians love North Indian food as a specialty. </p><p>******************** </p><p>North Indian women wear sarees. Men wear dhotis. </p><p>South Indian women wear sarees. Men wear veshtis (also a wraparound lower garment like the dhoti, but the South Indians think it is somehow more dignified than the North Indian version of wraparound). </p><p>********* </p><p>North Indian parents get their self-concept from children being obedient and successful in life. </p><p>South Indians parents get their self-concept from children being obedient and successful in life. </p><p>***************** </p><p>North Indians spend lavishly at weddings and funerals, but the bulk of the expense goes towards feeding others. </p><p>South Indians spend lavishly at weddings and funerals, but the bulk of the expense goes towards gold necklaces that are longer than the bride and groom. </p><p>*********** </p><p>North Indians go to a wedding to eat and gossip. </p><p>South Indians go to a wedding to eat and gossip. </p><p>************* </p><p>North Indians break traffic rules when they can. </p><p>South Indians break traffic rules when they think they can. </p><p>************** </p><p>North Indians are loud because they think they are God's gift to mankind. </p><p>South Indians are soft-spoken because they think they are God's gift to mankind. </p><p>************* </p><p>North Indian men beat their wives. </p><p>South Indian men beat their wives. </p><p>********* </p><p>North Indians vote for 'people like us' </p><p>South Indians vote ONLY for 'people like us'. </p><p>(Regional parties are far stronger in the Southern states) </p><p>***************** </p><p>North Indians think South India is hostile for young adults and North Indian young people. </p><p>South Indians think North India is unsafe for women. </p><p>************ </p><p>North Indians think South Indians are well-educated. </p><p>South Indians think North Indians are illiterate. </p><p>****************** </p><p>In short, they are both hypocrites, shallow, and generally xenophobic, racist, and painful. </p><p>Being an Indian, I have lived in both - North and South. </p><p>And my experience of both has been good or bad, independent of location. It has always been about the people. </p><p>On a more serious note, i think the fact that South Indians only read English media, which is funded extensively by George Soros, and they have a much higher religious conversion rate than North India, has a lot to do with the victory of the Congress than any real manifesto reading. No one put that education to use reading any manifestos. </p><p>************ </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-91319225026667604692023-12-03T16:50:00.004+05:302023-12-03T16:50:51.908+05:30Question - Answer <p>There is someone who hurts me and other people - intentionally, and all the time. </p><p>I feel vindictive. I want to stop their toxic behaviour. What should I do? </p><p><br /></p><p>Answer: </p><p>If they are only inflicting pain on everyone around them, imagine how much torment there must be in their own soul? Even sadists who actually feel happy after torturing others, depend on that torture to feel happy. For a very basic emotion - happiness, they have to depend on others! </p><p>Let me give you another example. A dog that is biting anyone that approaches it, is itself in pain. A dog at peace will not bite. It will take food, reproduce, and sleep. </p><p>So, if someone is biting everyone's head off, hurting other people, they are not at peace at all. No greater torment can be wished upon them than they are already suffering. </p><p>What is the only way to make a biting dog stop biting? </p><p>It is to stop its pain. When the pain is over, then it will see that all it needs to be happy is food, water, sleep, reproduction. It is the same with sadistic, toxic people. The only way to stop the hurt that they are causing others is to wish that their own hurting stops. Only then can they realise how useless hurting others is. </p><p>Let me give you one more example. We might think that a terminally ill patient would be very grateful to their caretakers - because those people are letting go of their healthy lives just to provide care and pain relief. Usually, work like that takes a lot of love. But what really happens is that the person being cared for is usually irritable, grumpy, and all round pain to be with. Why? Are they not aware of the sacrifice of the caregiver? Of course they are! But they are in pain 24*7! That pain makes them detest the whole world and their own lives. It all comes out on the caregiver, who is closest at hand. </p><p>What is the way to end this abuse? It is for the patient to be pain free. That is the only way. No amount of explanation or realisation will change the behaviour of the patient while they are in constant pain. You might reduce caregiving to "teach them a lesson." What effect will that have? The exact opposite, no? </p><p> </p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-19441073454474995712023-11-20T14:36:00.001+05:302023-11-20T14:36:02.324+05:30Why to not interfere when someone we love is going through pain <p>When someone is going through suffering or tough times, it is a result of their karma, or part of their destiny - या कर्मफल या नियति। </p><p>When we try to help them, it can be for two reasons - 1. It is part of their karmic balance with us that we have to step in and help at that time. Very rarely is this the case with healers. 2. We are trying to alter their karma or their destiny. </p><p>But as we do know, it is not possible to alter either the karma or the destiny. A temporary reprieve from pain will only add more karma debt to the person. </p><p>पर हम जानते हैं, कि कर्मफल और नियति, दोनों बदले नहीं जा सकते। इन्हें बदलने की चेष्टा करने का अर्थ है, अपना भार और बढ़ाना। </p><p>कठिन है उस समय मदद न करना जब हम किसी को तकलीफ में देखें। संवेदनशील हृदय के लिए और भी कठिन है। </p><p>परंतु उसे निष्ठुर होना नहीं, तटस्थ होना कहते हैं। </p><p>पीड़ा क्षणिक है, यह जानना एक बात है, और पीड़ा का अनुभव करते हुए इस बात को समझ पाना, बिल्कुल दूसरी बात। जब पीड़ा उन्हें होती हो, जिनसे हम प्रेम करते हैं, तब और भी कठिन है, उनके कर्मफल में हस्तक्षेप न करना। इसी लिए हम सिद्ध हो कर भी अपने घर वालों के लिए सिद्धि का प्रयोग वर्जित करते हैं। </p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13628961.post-76103809765490714742023-11-19T16:55:00.001+05:302023-11-19T16:55:03.825+05:30On Miracles<p>We think that miracles are rare events - perhaps happening once or twice in a lifetime. </p><p>We might even think that this is an understanding based on data. </p><p>Let's sit and think, shall we? </p><p><br /></p><p>When we shave or wax, remember that one stubborn hair that refuses to come out? In a massacre of hair from roots, that one remains ... alive. If not a miracle, what is it? </p><p>The child who stands up to answer the teacher, and suddenly, as soon as s/he stands up, the answer comes to them in a flash... how does that happen? </p><p>The person who gets up in the morning with a song in the head - randomly, boards the bus, and finds the same song is playing - how? </p><p>You crave a dish and miraculously, that dish reaches you. </p><p>The paper goes bad but the marks are good. </p><p>You fall but escape with just a few scrapes. </p><p>You tend to all plants equally, but some blossom, and some wither. Why? </p><p>A child in a house turns out to be a prodigy. </p><p><br /></p><p>The truth is, life is full of miracles. Some, we observe. But most others, we take for granted. </p><p>If we think of miracles as rare events, the solution is not to learn spiritual powers. <br /><br /></p><p>It is, my friend, a very simple solution - Observe more. Be more mindful. Be more present. </p><p>And slowly, you will find yourself living on a planet that is full of miracles of all kinds. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>How do we knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10997565750098001380noreply@blogger.com0