Sunday 30 December 2018

Book Sharing- ' Zorami ' by Malsawmi Jacob

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Our  book Lovers club called "Bring your own Book", based out of Bangalore, meet periodically to share the gist of a book we have read and liked. Everyone brings a book he/she liked and talks about it. Great conversations follow!"Participants are encouraged to read a few lines from the book as well.  The best part of the exercise is that you get information and snippets from more number of books than you have actually read and you may be motivated to get hold of a book that impressed and actually read it yourself. Further you get exposure to a variety of books be it fiction, self help, classics, health, economics, spirituality, mystery or adventure!

When we met in November 2018 at the Takshashilla Foundation premises, I shared about the book "Zorami" the maiden novel of author Malsawmi Jacob, who is also an accomplished poet. The book,  tells about the life and times of the protagonist Zorami, from her childhood in the sixties to the year 2004. Parallelly, it traces the chequered history of the freedom movement of the Mizo people who were also part of British India.

 At the time of independence however, the Mizo people were not happy to be included with Independent India. Majority of the population felt that traditionally in terms of culture and as a race (Mongoloid), they were different and distinct from the mainland (Vai) people. They also felt that New Delhi was not bothered or concerned about the misfortune or difficulties experienced by people living in far flung areas.  In 1959, the Mizo Hills were devastated by a great famine known in Mizo history as 'Mautam Famine' . The cause of the famine was attributed to flowering of bamboos which  resulted in a rat population boom. After eating up bamboo seeds, the rats turned to crops, infested the huts and houses, causing plague in the Villages. 

Many people died on account of the famine and the administration did not seem to care. In chapter four of the book titled "A plague of Rats" , a character laments "They are eating up all the food. At this rate,we will all die of starvation" The local people formed a society called Mizo National Famine Front (MNFF) which  gained considerable popularity as a large number of Mizo Youth assisted in transporting rice and other essential commodities to interior villages. Later on the word "Famine" was dropped and MNF under the leadership of Pu (Mr) Laldenga was formed in October 1961 with the specified goal of achieving sovereign independence of Greater Mizoram.

The movement that had turned violent, was mercilessly crushed by the Indian army and MNF was outlawed in 1967. Many activists were tortured and their families and homes destroyed. In this regard some of the Mizos played the role of informers and assisted the army. The problems were finally sorted out through negotiations and Mizoram became a union territory and later a state. But the period of the struggle was a nightmare for the ordinary citizens and this has been effectively brought out in the novel. It is painful for a reader to read of brutalities by a state on its own people. It must have been all the more painful for the author to write about it, being a Mizo herself . 


Although there is the story of the movement in the background, 'Zorami' is not all dark and dreary. It is enlivened with stories of day to day life of the various characters who live in the town. Beautiful caricatures of  personalities abound in the book whether it is of the shy, diffident, quiet Zorami, her  high spirited friend Kimi or the kind hearted soldier Sardarji. It is delightful to read the small little pleasures of community living, and social life that is so universal- "When not in school, the girls played house, climbed trees and dug out dung beetles.But the greatest fun was sliding down a hill side on a mound of freshly dug earth. Then they'd forget to go home until dark. That brought on scolding,of course. But the fun they had was worth it." 

The bitter sweet life of Zorami with its secrets, joys, longing and concern are all brought home dramatically by the author and then there is the sweet climax  when  Zorami and Sanga  are together again in spirit, sans the misunderstanding. 

Utilizing the opportunity to read a few lines from the book, (instead of opting to read traumatic details of the Mizo agitation) I chose to read the part that had a big impact on the relationship between Zorami Pari, the protagonist and her spouse Lallian Sanga. 

Exercept

" Dinpui, Dinpui, wait for me, Don't leave me! Sanga mumbled

A startled Zorami put down the book that she was reading and gazed at her sleeping husband. She sat up and awoke her husband " U Sang, what is it? Who are you calling? 

He sat up and rubbed his eyes.She put a hand on his shoulder and asked " What is troubling you?" 
" A sad dream."
" Who is Dimpui?"
After a long silence, he told her. Dimpui is the girl he loved. He can't forget her, though he has tried. 

Zorami felt like she's hurtling down into a black abyss. And then she felt nothing.No anger, no grief, no emotion at all.Only a heavy deadness. "No wonder there is no spark of romance in our life together.He's a burnt out stub, poor guy!" She thought. 

At last,in a flat,listless voice she managed to ask " where is she now?"
" Dead."  

  After I shared about the book, I was happy that it elicited  excited discussion..One member shared his experience of a time when he was working in the north east region. There was  apathy from Delhi to a disaster faced by the region. We also discussed of what the reputed television anchor Rajdeep Sardesai had said about mainstream media  knowingly or unknowingly tending to pay less attention to incidents that happen far away from the Capital city. As for example, he admitted that the devastating  Chennai floods were nor given adequate coverage by the media in the initial days. Rajdeep has opined  that the media needs  to be consciously and constantly vigilant to ensure that this does not happen. 

Even as I write this post, fifteen  miners trapped in a rat hole mine in Meghalaya since 13th December  are yet to be rescued although more than two weeks have lapsed. There has been apathy and delay in mobilizing the high pressure pumps essential for the rescue. Contrast this to the Thailand Cave rescue operation wherein young children and their football coach were successfully rescued by the concerted efforts of many agencies including the Government.

 During that crisis, the Pune based pump maker, Kirloskar Brothers had contributed by sending machinery and teams of engineers to assist in the Thai rescue operation. Unfortunately, the same has not happened in Meghalaya. Given the number of days lost, a survivor says that "There is no way the trapped miners will come out alive. My only hope is to see that their bodies are pulled out and last rites be carried out as per traditions.".

At a time when  there are so many divisions being created in the minds of people by vested interests in terms of language, region , race, religion or caste (that hit at the very concept of a single nation and unity in diversity), the novel 'Zorami', reminds  and exhorts us to love and respect all countrymen living in any part of our great nation, be it  east, west, north or south!  

( Readers may like to read an earlier blog reviewing Malsawmi Jacob's book- "The Messiah"  

  https://rajeevianlinesandverses.blogspot.com/2018/07/a-book-review-messiah-by-malsawmi-jacob.html )

Wednesday 19 December 2018

Keeping at Bay

I am ready
to keep eyes wide open
be ever vigilant
and keep at bay
any lurking fear

After all Fear is simply
False Education Appearing Real
with focused will and gumption
you and I can tie it down
send it packing
to where it belongs

Far far, up in the sky
out of sight and away from us!

Saturday 15 December 2018

Captivating Lines from here and there- 24

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  • A promise is an agreement we make with the world. A commitment is an agreement we make with ourselves- Shiv Khera, Motivational Speaker 
  • A true artist doesn't really care about whether there is anyone who can create as well as or better than he. He is too busy expressing himself purely for the purpose of expressing- Anita Moorjani, Author of the book "Dying to be me"
  • Definition of Good Health: Having no fatigue, having a good appetite, going to sleep and awakening easily, having a good memory, not being clumsy, being honest,humble,grateful and loving. How healthy are you?- Louise Hay, metaphysical healer and Author
  • In the grand scheme, being right is insignificant compared with being happy. Stop attaching so much weight to being right- Dr Deepak Chopra
  • Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die- Buddha
  • The antidote to loneliness is to be prepared to connect with anyone. Open your eyes to the wealth of people- Dalai Lama
  • We don't need time management.What we need is time revolution. We need to spend more time on most of what we consider valuable - Richard Koch, Management books Author    
  • Men will argue because they do not feel trusted, admired or encouraged and are not spoken to with a tone of trust and acceptance. Women will argue because they are not listened to or not put high on a man's list of priorities - John Gray, Author 
  • Those who seek, knock at the gate. Those who love find it open- Rabindranath Tagore 
  • A person convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still- Benjamin Franklin, US scientist, inventor, politician

Saturday 24 November 2018

Dilemma in Adversity

During an illness, divorce, misfortune
well meaning people move in
with advice, tips and more advice
overwhelming the poor victim 

While moving in a direction for solution
some tell you to do it differently
others are horrified by the 'bizaarre' alternative
more and more conflicting views
confusing, agonizing and debilitating the poor victim
mentally, physically, emotionally...

The best you can do, in such times
is simply share your thought
and leave it to them, to listen to their heart 
instead of insisting, "My way or the high way"!



This poem was included in the 4th anthology of multilingual poems "poetic prism" edited by Ms Padmaja Iyengar for the Cultural centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati(CCVA)

Wednesday 14 November 2018

സെൽഫി ഭ്രമം ( Selfie Craze )


മലമുകളിലെ അതി മനോഹര കാഴ്ച 
താഴെ അതി രമണീയം, അതി സുന്ദരമാം താഴ്വര 
പക്ഷെ അജയൻ ദൃശ്യം പൂർണമായി ആസ്വദിച്ചില്ല ...

അവൻ്റെ ശ്രദ്ധ മുഴുവൻ ക്യാമറയുടെ പല കോണുകളിൽ
ചിത്രം എഫ്ബിയിൽ, ഇൻസ്റ്റാഗ്രാമിൽ, സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയയിൽ 
 വരുമ്പോൾ ഉള്ള കോളിളക്കം! 

ആ നിമിഷത്തെ ഓർത്തു , താലോലിച്ചു 
സെൽഫി എടുക്കുമ്പോൾ 
കാലുകൾ തെന്നിയതോ 
താഴെ,  താഴെ, താഴേക്കു വീഴുന്നതോ 
അവനറിഞ്ഞില്ല ...... 

This  Malayalam  poem titled "Selfie Brahmam" (Selfie Craze) was contributed by me to the Poetic Prism organized by the The culture center of Vijayawada and Amaravati (CCVA) in November 2018.


The English version titled " Exciting Selfie" which was published earlier in my blog is reproduced below:-


From the cliff top
exquisite, stunning view
of the landscape, the valley below
Ajay thought it beautiful
but couldn't dwell on it

He was busy adjusting camera
for better n better angles
visualizing the impact, it's thunder
on FB, instagram,other social media
this pleasant thought and feeling lingered
even as he slipped and fell into valley
down, down, down below....


Danger in a click:  ( incidents in the state of Karnataka alone)


Feb: 12,2016: Three medical students drown in Visveshwaraya canal, Mandya

Jul 18, 2016: Two drown after falling into Alekhan waterfall in Charmadi Ghat, Chikmagaluru
Jul 25, 2017: Man dies while trying to take sekfie with captive elephant in Banneghatta National park
Sept 26, 2017 Student drowns in temple tank in Ramanagaram during photo session
Oct 3, 2017: Three students run over by train while trying to take a selfie
Oct 18, 2017: Man slips off Channagiri peak while taking a photo of himself 
Jul 15,2018: Two software engineers fall into Kaveri river during a group photo session

Thursday 8 November 2018

Dealing with the Cowards

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Like cowards who pelt stones
hiding behind women and children
the trollers throw things more vicious
hiding behind anonymity

Giving themselves strange names
like "Wise man", "Free man" or  "Nation's man"
they use language that would shock
outrage their own parents,
ancestors would turn in their grave
if posted in their real names!

Some victims give them back
in their own coin
others take pains to find and shame...

The best way perhaps
is to ignore these specimens
with all the contempt they deserve!
After all you never paid any attention then
nor give a damn now, to the filth written
behind doors of public toilets...


Tuesday 6 November 2018

Banana Republic?

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One by one they come
tumbling down....
sacred institutions meant for the rule of law
from a pedestal to being "caged parrots"
to abysmally low places...

The plight of the average citizen is akin
to the ancient tale of the frog and Sri Rama
Ram while in forest noticed his legs
had been on the frog which was in acute pain

"But why didn't you let me know?" asked Rama
"when others trouble me I call out to Rama for help
but if Rama himself is the cause of my pain
whom do I turn to? "

Tuesday 30 October 2018

Captivating Lines From Here and There- 23

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  • I define materialism as putting the value of money and things above fundamental principles, such as love, balance, or wisdom- Ellen Tadd, Author,Counselor & Educator 
  • We are separated from the world by "Six degrees of separation. It means that a very small number of people are linked to everyone else in a few steps and the rest of us are linked to the world through those special few- Malcolm Gladwell in the book "Tipping point" 
  • Golden Banana principle of motivation: Recognize someone's success promptly from the depth of your heart.
  • A brand is a promise to customers that a specific level of value, quality and service will be received. The promise is usually communicated through mass media advertising.
  • Align the behaviour of your people with the brand promise.The brand promise is delivered by the people, not the lines in the advertisement. 
  • The Law of Control: You feel happy to the degree to which you feel you are in control of your own life. You feel unhappy to the degree to which you feel you are not in control of your own life. 
  • Rephrase your definition of "Success" from success to significance, from making money to making a difference, Celebrate other's success if you wish to have success in life- From the book " Corporate Soul" by Moid Siddiqui 
  • We do not manage better, we manage less and that is better- Jack Welch Former Chairman & CEO, General Electric.
  • Managing a big country is like cooking small fish. The more you stir them, the less their shape can be maintained- Lao Tzu, Philosopher  
  • The inaccuracy of generalizations lead to much confusion in our attitudes, which then translates into inappropriate actions-  Ellen Tadd, Author,Counselor & Educator 

Tuesday 2 October 2018

Captivating Lines from here and There- 22

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  • The one you feed  will take over your life.  The choice is between  joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, faith  and fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment,inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, ego. 
  • Charity is fruitful when there is joy before giving the gift, it is given gracefully and there is a lingering pleasure afterwards.
  • When you are passing on information about a third person make sure that it passes the triple filter test:-  (1) That it is true - make sure absolutely that it is true (2) Filter of Goodness- It is something good (3) It is going to be useful to the one receiving the information. 
  • Have a mind that is open to everything- thing, place, person. Resist being a pessimist; a closed mind seals off creativity and growth. Opening your mind to limitless possibilities enables participation in miracles- Wayne Dyer, Author 
  • Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony- Mahatma Gandhi
  • Sometimes there are stones thrown at you and you convert them into milestones.It is a great feeling- Sachin Tendulkar, cricketer. 
  • Efficiency is all about how the "Producer" has felt and Effectiveness is all about how the "User" has felt about it. It is not efficiency Vs effectiveness but efficiency and effectiveness.
  • We create recessions, we turn small ripples into a tsunami.Don't get panicky. Use this time to re consolidate your business by spending your time and energies for grooming managers.It is the most opportune time- Moid Siddiqui, Management Guru & Author 
  • Work as though you would live for ever but live as though the world would end today.- Og Mandino, Author
  • Indian scientists must move from "Publish or perish" to Patent, publish and prosper" - R.A. Mashelkar, Former Director General, CSIR.

Sunday 23 September 2018

Hope

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The 11th Edition of the Guntur International Poetry Festival was organised at Guntur, AP from September 20 to September 22, 2018. I recited my poem "Hope" which is included in the anthology "Tranquil Muse" edited by Prof Gopichand and Prof Nagasuseela.

Look into the eyes of our countrymen
Look deep within and you will see hope
hope that survived, over 5000 years
hope that couldn’t be erased
by physical or mental invasions, aplenty!

The essence of our cultural ethos
our great civilization- of inclusion and acceptance
is so powerful,  so strong...
that It remains the bedrock
for our people, who never give up hope
for their hope is not built on one man
on one or other faith, or ideology

It is built on a belief in universal love
and  hope in mankind!



Thursday 13 September 2018

Polarization

Has the polarization flu, of all hues,
spread its tentacles, across the globe-
with groups of people, preferring ignorance
not exposed to alternative views, perception
closing their eyes, to create darkness?

Reading only, those newspapers/seeing TV channels
that trumpet one's own views
interacting socially, mostly with
those similar, and shutting out
all contrary opinion,viewpoint...?

No wonder, there is a lot more
hate, suspicion and despair today!

It is easy, to hate someone,
you hardly know...

Wednesday 12 September 2018

Choosing a Motto for Living

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Living within one's means
the old fashioned dictum
replaced today with the
motto of "Living on credit"-
"beg, borrow or steal" but live!
You only live once! 

Old, they say is gold
every old saying had a meaning
a golden reason-
credit card living add up
before you know it, the legitimate means
fall short of illegitimate needs
or rather nonessential needs

The new motto, maxim for living
drives one to a life of waywardness,
away from one of righteousness,
peace and happiness...

Tuesday 4 September 2018

Handling the Seesaw of Life

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The life of the guy next door
the average, simple,ordinary person
may seem riddled with cycles of "Hope" & "Despair"
with one endlessly following the other...

yet, perhaps,we can all shorten
the cycle of despair, by dwelling
more and more on "Hope"
and less and less on "Despair"...

Wednesday 29 August 2018

Silly, Sweet Memories

Middle aged and grey haired
he went back in time for a moment
to his teen age and its silly thoughts
Smiled, recalling the silly stuff
he had written in her book, bidding farewell
on last day of college....

"I live and relive images
of your tender face on my bosom
as I gently cup your delicate shoulders
-images that give me strength
to keep going- come rain,come sun...."

Yes, silly, perhaps 'immature' as well
yet, its sweetness lingers

to be recalled once in a while
as respite to an aging, tired life...

Thursday 23 August 2018

The Worst is not Over- It is only the beginning....

Kerala, in late July 2018 went through a very traumatic and  harrowing experience, facing its worst floods in nearly a century, that  necessitated all  the 14 districts of the state being placed on high alert (Chengannur, Pandanad,Aranmula, Aluva, Chalakudy, Kuttanad and  Pandalam  being the worst hit in terms of people stranded)  More than 373 people died within a fortnight, while at least 2,80,679  persons were evacuated. More than 8.00000 people were housed in  4000 relief camps.

  Thirty-five out of the forty-two dams within the state were opened for the first time in history and all five overflow gates of the Idukki Dam, were opened at the same time after a gap of 26 years. Heavy rains in Wayanad and Idukki have caused severe landslides and left the hilly districts isolated.

373 deaths , loss of property worth crores, not to speak of the psychological trauma of some who lost dear ones; many who have lost everything they owned and have to start from the scratch- people who have lost houses that they had painstakingly built over the years. People who have lost their small business like a tea shop which was their only source of livelihood.  




The calamity brought people together and they helped each other in the hour of need.We have seen how brave fishermen left their own famillies to relentlessly engage in saving people and getting food packets for those marooned, Our defence forces as usual did a great job saving many lives. Emergency food, clothes and other materials came from all over the country and continue to pour in. The rains have now stopped but the worst is not over...   

We have seen people returning from the shelter homes to find their house filled with slush, damaged in many places, electricity and plumbing systems completely damaged. It will take months to get it back into shape. The burden is all the more for those who have now lost their livelihood because of the floods.In Kuttanad, the farmers have lost their agriculture and domestic animals and birds like cattle, goats, hens etc.  The state also has to do a lot for rebuilding the infrastructure severely damaged in the landslides.  

The actual impact of the disaster will be known only in the days to come. Whatever little in whatever way we  can donate will go a long way  to alleviate the suffering caused by the calamity. After all, as they say, little drops of water make the mighty ocean.There are many organizations including newaspapers, TV channels, banks etc who are engaged in collecting donations from their subscribers/ customers so as to give a substanial cheque to the authorities handling relief. One can also contribute directly to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). Infact, I saw the link attached to a picture posted by a fellow blogger Joshy Daniel on Indiblogger and had used that link to make a contribution.

As many others were urging on FB and other platforms also for donations to the cause, it had not occured to me to write a blog myself  until  Indiblogger made the appeal : Help Rehabilitate Kerala #Blog ForKerala. I salute Indiblogger for the call. Sometimes we stop short of action just for want of that little prodding/ reminding. So dear fellow citizens of our great country, let us together donate whatever we can-  show that "we care" for our brothers and sisters. Let us prove that we, as a nation can surmount any difficulty, win over any setback!

 Here is the link for contributions to CMDRF. The donations are exempt from income tax and FCRA 2010 


Saturday 18 August 2018

In the silence of one's being...

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Chirping birds, other sweet distant sounds
awakened him to a new dawn
quiet contemplation brought clarity
he no longer felt afraid and alone....

He now knew what to do
where to go,when life throws up
difficult problems, challenges
"I will never again let opportunities by
will see the challenges as opportunities
will embrace them, to keep spirits ever high
 and attain, become all that I was meant to be!"

Tuesday 14 August 2018

Not Anymore...

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Listened to sweet words
seemingly inspirational words
for quite some time
but not anymore....

Lies, false promises
even if eloquent, sugar coated
are at the end of the day
just lies, mere plain lies!

Not anymore.....

Saturday 11 August 2018

Love

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Love, pure love, intense love, could mean
different things to different souls
yet in its highest form-
it is all encompassing, inclusive, soothing
the pure essence,beyond gender
race,other worldly divisions....

Wednesday 8 August 2018

Drivers of Life

Life is driven
by the twin forces- Love and Fear
Many take action out of fear
most of the times
and out of love, some of the time...

While both the drivers ensure action
and perhaps results as well
one gives you, a sinking feeling
as you do them
the other, an elated, enhanced experience....

Choose, as the driver, love over fear
each time, every time!
and you are sure to be happy, wise

and at peace with the world... 



NB: During the Bangalore Poetry Fest, Bookstalkist took the initiative to record recitals of poets under the theme"One world Million recitals". I was happy to present this poem on the occasion

Tuesday 31 July 2018

Cynicism of the Times

Kindness after a long time
the cynic in me asks "Why?"
"What does this person want from me?"

Natural exchange of kindness
so rare today that
in every action everyone seem to ask
"What's in it for me?"

Friday 27 July 2018

A book Review-" The Messiah" By Malsawmi Jacob


The Messiah is the story of the messenger of God who was born a Jew, lived and died a Jew but in whose name was born a new religion, Christianity. The Bible being the most read book in the world (3.9 billion copies sold over the last 50 years), the story of Christ is familiar to most people. Yet, there is a freshness in the simple narrative style of the author Malsawmy Jacob that makes it engrossing and informative- informative in terms of the little details which may not be known to the readers, of other faiths.

A unique aspect of the book is that, the original (Hebrew/ Aramaic)  Jewish names like Yeshua,Yosef and Mariam are used throughout instead of their anglicized forms. The story right from or rather prior to the birth of Yeshua till his death,burial and resurrection is told in an engaging manner. In fact, those who are quick readers would find it difficult to put this book down once started until the last word is read..I  however, chose to take breaks couple of times to savour and linger on the lovely narration that the author has conjured up for us, readers!

In the blurb to the book Prof L.Balagopal of EFL University has opined that the conversational, yet elegant style of Malsawmi "turns the reader into a listener,engrossed in a story told by a master story teller." One cannot agree with him more! The initial doubt and apprehensions of Yosef at the prospect of marrying a pregnant Mariam, the ardous journey of Yosef and Mariam to Bethlehem, Yeshua's defiance of the hypocritical priests are all dramatically brought alive before the readers.

As a teenager/ young man, I remember seeing short advertisements in newspapers as a "Thanks giving for blessings received" wherein the person refered to himself/herself as "Born again". I used to wonder what this meant. This little book (172 pages) clarified for me that you get born again when you give up the misdeeds of the past and start on  a clean slate with a resolve to live a spiritual life imbibing the teachings of the Messiah. Love and compassion is the underlying message and teaching of Yeshua that one gets to see throughout  the book. The fact is that all religions teach the right and noble values; the reinforcement of this core teaching in all religions is the need of the hour as people are increasingly becoming chauvinistic and intolerant of those having beliefs or ways different from their own.

The "Messiah" in view of its simple narration, would be a great book to initiate children to the life and teachings of Yeshua. It would also be an interesting, informative and insightful read for adults as well, particularly for those of other faiths. I had mentioned earlier about the use of Jewish names as a distinct feature of the book. Interestingly though, as an Indian, the author has employed the word "Guru" a number of times in the book. I was also happy and delighted to see its use, particularly in the initial stages. However, in the interest of maintaining the mood of the narration, perhaps the word "Messiah" itself, could have been used in some places.

In conclusion, one can confidently state that "Messiah" is a book that is worth not only  a read  but many rereads. So much so, one would do well to have it in his/her book shelf at home for reference and for lending to relatives and friends.


Information about the Author of the book: Malsawmi Jacob is a poet, short story writer, and novelist. She was a teacher of the English language by profession. She has written seven books, which include a novel, books of children’s stories, poetry and narrative nonfiction.

The Link for purchase of the book "Messiah"-   http://glsindia.com/product/the-messiah/

Friday 13 July 2018

Deadly Kali Yuga

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Bharat that is India
is quickly and steadily
showing characteristics of the deadly kali Yuga
swiftly moving towards its final stages....

Man hating man
for all the superfluous reasons-
food, dress, the God he prays to
Trolling, gangraping & strangely rejoicing,
posting it as a celebration on social media!

The depths of the pit reached
when school kids take videos of rapes
commited by them on classmates
and then the princi, teachers, on complaint
use it to commit violations themselves!

All this perhaps, no surprise in a land
that no longer trusts its own police
its priests or the leaders
to safeguard their interests
and let them live in peace....

 
Note:
Kali Yuga (Devanāgarī: कलियुग [kəli juɡə], lit. "age of Kali") is the last of the four stages (or ages or yugas) the world goes through as part of a 'cycle of yugas' (i.e. Mahayuga) described in the Sanskrit scriptures. The other ages are called Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, and Dvapara Yuga.

Hindus believe that human civilization degenerates spiritually during the Kali Yuga, which is referred to as the Dark Age because in it people are as far away as possible from God.

Saturday 23 June 2018

Captivating Lines from Here and There-21

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  • He who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything- Arabian proverb 
  • Effective time management is about managing ourselves- Managing our attention; first things first! 
  • When you visualise not only must you see your most wanted desires but more importantly you must feel your most wanted desires- Law of Attraction tip 
  • I think that perhaps this global economic crisis on another level is a call for us to change our values and to become more compassionate, more gentle, caring and sincere- Wayne Dyer,Author 
  • Stop overthinking on life. Live in the moment and appreciate everything that is around you- From the book "Peaceful warrior"
  • Fortune favours the prepared mind- Louis Pasteur, French biologist,microbiologist & chemist 
  • The image of rowers in a boat is a perfect metaphor for an organization ( unique collaboration of stake holders reaching goals & objectives that none of them could have achieved by themselves)-  Frank Buytendijk, VP, Oracle 
  • In life there is a time to be aggressive and a time to wait and watch- Wu Wie concept in Taoism
  • When something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into its writing- Enrique Jardiel Poncela,Spanish Playwright & Novelist 
  • Be gentle and you can be bold,be frugal and you can be liberal, avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men- Lao Tzu, Chinese Philosopher

Tuesday 29 May 2018

Deception, Second Nature

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We have heard the old adage
that some can be fooled all the time
but  not all the people all of the time

Yet the shrewd and the cunning know
a little time is more than enough
to fool the gullible to do their bidding
 achieve their goal, have their way! 

So the battered wife is pacified
by  a few minutes of profuse apology
and sweet little nothings like 'my milk' and ' my honey'
only to get battered again sooner than later

Similar is the plight of the voter
at election time- fooled
by promises of wealth,  health, safety
infrastructure  and well being
only to be ignored, disregarded
for the next five years....

until it is time to fool once again!

Friday 18 May 2018

Captivating Lines from Here and There-20

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  • No institution can possibly survive if it needs geniuses or supermen to manage it. It must be organized in such a way as to be able to get along under a leadership composed of average humanbeings- Peter Drucker, Management Guru
  • Heaven is a state and not a place- Anita Moorjani, Author 
  • Argue for your limitations,and sure enough they are yours- Richard Bach, Author 
  • Problems remain as problems because people are busy defending them rather than finding solutions Stop wasting time defending your problems and work on addressing them instead.
  • Law of Expectations: Whatever you expect with confidence, becomes your own self fulfilling prophecy.Successful people expect to be successful in advance. Happy people expect to be happy. Popular people expect to be liked by others.They develop the habit of expecting that something good will happen in every situation.
  • If you do not deliberately plant flowers in the garden of your mind, weeds will grow automatically with no encouragement or support.
  •  When you are born, you come into the world with two natural qualities- (1) You are completely unafraid (2) You are completely spontaneous- From the book " Million dollar habits" by Brian Tracy.
  • It is so hard when "I have to" and so easy when "I want to"- Annie Gottlier
  • Invariably an organization takes on the personality of its top leader, providing that individual is in touch with the members of the organization. If the leader is petty,the subordinates will be petty, But if the leader is encouraging,optimistic and courteous,then the vast majority of the workers in the organization will be as well- From the book " Lincoln on Leadership"
  • It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself -Ralph waldo Emerson,Poet & philosopher

Friday 11 May 2018

Resources

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"I will waste resources- water, food, electricity
it is my right. I can afford it!"
Did you bring any of these when you came?

wasting, appears a national disease
look at weddings, food left on restaurant plates
Tvs, fans running in empty rooms
water flowing from taps as you brush or shave...

Nature's resources belong to the universe
not just to man or mankind
least of all to a self centered specimen
who proclaims "I can afford it!"

 Recitation of the poem:
 https://www.facebook.com/rajeev.moothedath/videos/2328069840553773/

Tuesday 8 May 2018

On your Wedding Anniversary

On your second wedding anniversary, dear son, daughter
I wish you all happiness
happiness and love  that is ever blooming, blossoming,
ever growing , never withering.....

Like a teacher wishing students, better and greater heights
something that he himself, may have never attained
here's a  father's blessing- ardent wish,  straight from the heart
for  love, happiness and peace, sweet couple
for now and  and for all times!

NB: May God be with you always  as you celebrate many more anniversaries!.

Sunday 29 April 2018

Disappointment

Spoiling for a fight
she was disappointed
he wasn't taking the bait any more
25 years of marriage had changed him
after all, it takes two to tango....

Thursday 26 April 2018

Twin books,Same Author: A peek into the works of Poet Saranya Francis

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On 4/11/ 2017, I attended a book release of " Ambedo" by Saranya Francis at the Sapna Book House, Residency road, Bangalore. It was an interesting evening of passionate recitations from the book with insightful comments from the panel. .One thing clear to those present was that the poet Saranya Francis was equally comfortable before a mike as she was in  writing. She fielded questions from the panel and the audience effortlessly and passionately. After all, she is also a trainer and teacher apart from being a poet. The program was followed by the book signing. I was perhaps the first person to purchase the book and get it autographed by the author. I left soon after, the experience of a pleasant evening lingering in my mind....

Cut to 20th September 2017. I am on a train from Bangalore to Guntur to attend the Guntur International Poetry Fest. Couple of stops later, a lady entered and occupied a seat next to me. Initially, I felt her presence a bit intimidating and therefore did not speak to her. However, a little later I ventured to ask whether she was Saranya. I had been told that a Poet Saranya Francis was also traveling from Bangalore to attend the fest.It turned out that she was infact Saranya and  it was an interesting coincidence that we ended up as co- passengers! 

From then on,we got chatting and time simply flew. One thing that came across clearly was that Saranya was a very open and transparent person. She talked freely about various topics and aspects of life including bold personal decisions that she had taken in her life. One could see that she was proud of being a woman and valued independance a lot. By the end of the journey, we had become friends and Saranya presented me her maiden book "Being Purple" with a remark " Here's to more such conversations". She also informed me that her second book was also ready to be launched with just the final touches remaining.

The free spirit and independance of the poet can be seen in both her works, "Being purple" and "Ambedo", Based on the tone  and tenor of her writing, Saranya could be described as  a 'feminist'. Ofcourse she writes on other varied subjects as well including nature and spirituality. My own understanding from her books/conversation with her is that, she is very protective of her individuality and independance, but  does not bear a grudge or have resentment towards the other sex. It is more about coexistence with equal rights and mutual respect rather than one sex  having an upperhand over the other.

 I have chosen to write about both the books together, as they are slim in size and in a way one book is an extension of the other, expanding on the basic nature, thoughts and feelings of the poet. Although the dedication in"Being Purple"simply states "For Appa", the book begins with a tribute by the poet to her mother Meenakshi. The lines that  particularly catches one's attention are:

"In her I lose my raging doubts,
my fears and those vile scars aghast
wanderer me, she binds with the world
in her she gives me a home so vast "   

As it is with most of us who go through the rumble and tumble of life thoughts arise as to where we are going? what is our purpose ? or as the poet asks in her poem "Who am I ? "

"Youth's lost radiance and
childhood's remnant birches
unceasingly ask me-Who am I"
vast compelling roads
where indecision perches  .
unceasingly ask me " Who am I"

We live in a word of lonliness even while being in a crowd. We are more attached to cell phones than human beings, I liked this poem called " Hugs".

"To a day of joy or a gloomy morn
you never know what a hug can do
To a spark of love, or a heart forelorn
you never know what a hug can do

Do you need to be told to take me in your arms?
Let go, let me know and see what your hug can do! "


These satirical verses in the poem"Confirm Or Perish" clearly bring out the poet's take on the subject:

"Be mum, say yes!
wait for your turn, submit!
Don't read, don't disagree
don't reason, be a dimwit "

There are many more lovely poems in the book like "Whimsical rain", "Tell me", "Rape of the lover", " scream of Silence". But in the interests of brevity of this blog, I am moving on to the second book " Ambedo". You will have to contact the publishers- Partridge, if you wish to savour all the poems!

The term "Ambedo", according to the Dictionary of Obscure sorrows is "a kind of melancholic trance in which you become completely absorbed in vivid sensory details- briefly soaking in the experience of being alive, an act that is done for its own sake". The book is divided into sections such as "Divine and I", "She". "Love" " Hope, Peace and other good things", "Angst and travel", Form and Formless" "Stray verse" and "duets". However, I am simply going to discuss those verses that captivated me irrespective of the section they belong to.

Apart from her other interests, the poet started out as a big devotee of  Lord Krishna which I believe, she still is. Let us take a look at these lines from the poem "Sukshma Krishna"

"In him I see master, my philosopher in disguise
 In him I find meaning and in his smile my failure's reprise
 In him I see the one truth he causes falsehood's demise
 In him I sense divine reckoning he is life's very premise"

Talking about the divine in another poem (don't stop looking for me here) she says

" Compassion, inclusion, acceptance and love
   is all it takes- nothing more!

The fiercely independant nature of the poet that we discussed earlier is brought out in full measure in the poem "Don't Foot my Bill"

"Don't care to pull me a chair
 Don't help open my kitchenware
 Don't think my time is always spare
 Don't think I'm born only to cook n care

Dont seat at the window sill
Don't you ever- ever foot my bill!

Some lines about a friend from school days in the poem " She and I" catches one's attention. Retaining frienship for such a long time is rare these days.

" I retreated from a bullying school ground
dusty,broken and esteem south bound
jest and mockery did menacingly resound
she reached out unmindful, I came around

Yet a pride lives unnecessary to flaunt,
Our friendship lingers like a flavoured chant."

In the poem "She", the poet talks about herself in the candid manner that she is in real life:

"Yes, I am flawed, imperfect, and slow
Unfinished and coarse, got no one to bow
but my flaws aren't coloured with falsehood's glow
My coarseness holds nothing I'd rather not show

Ranks and green wads no longer define me
one and zero diplomacy isn't all that I see
Don't threaten me with your labels of 'ought to be'
I am that, I am you, What's more? I am SHE!

Now, let us a take a look at the poet's approach to life, as articulated in the poem "Every Day":

"Everyday I find a new note of promise and truth
and the world plays to despair and gloom;
yet I rehearse my note with joy

Everyday the world fields my yesterday's deaths
yet, everyday I choose my everydays to live   " 

There are many poems I like in this collection on varying subjects such as the one on "Grand parents", " Bengaluru", " Midnight rain', " words are not enough" " This is not the train I know" and more...

Yet, all good things have to come to come to an end and  before signing off  I am quoting below  a few more impactful lines from Ambedo.

How Soundly He Sleeps

How soundly he sleeps my gentle beloved
unaware that I pine for his waking,
how soundly in my heart he's safely coved
unaware of the hours lost in aching

In him flows a philosophy of knowing,
in me the sheer burden of being
in him the peace of a 'just rained sky'
in me the mayhem of a wronged firefly"

Outcaste

Yes! I am an outcaste and proudly so
An outspoken woman who always want more
opinions aplenty and a will to do the chore
I prioritise self esteem whilst earning a decent score

Yes! I have no child yet- no biological motherhood
A vagabond who loves strangers, the way only a child would
I give without thinking in return, what the other should
I've learnt that a lioness can shelter a stray for good.

A Little Verse 

Love is a wonder that ceases to cease
and it shines so ready in your eyes.
like an infant's clasp it binds you to me
and gifts my soul to the skies...

Just Me

"There is an uncomplicated joy in being me
No pretence, no excuses just me
There's freedom in being myself
No make up, no tuck ins just by myself

There's life in being all that I can be,
No more, no less, just all I can be"   

I have had the pleasure of knowing and interacting with the poet Saranya Francis, as a fellow member of the India Poetry Circle and Bangalore Poetry circle. Often times when we actually meet people whom we have only seen on the celluloid or whose books we have read, we find that the actual person is so different from the person we had imagined.. There is no such disappointment when it comes to Saranya, poet / author,  for she is as authentic in real life as she is in  her writing.

It is this genuiness, openness, transparency and passion that is showcased in the two books- Being Purple and  Ambedo; books designed to steal the reader's hearts!


  Link  for book purchase on Amazon :

https://www.amazon.com/Being-Purple-Saranya-Francis/dp/1482821176 

  https://www.amazon.in/Ambedo-Saranya-Francis/dp/9383770279 

Tuesday 24 April 2018

Societal clichés

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We hear and see cliché  images all the time
of woman always controlled by the male
father in chilhood, husband after marriage
and sons in old age....

No one bothers, cares or believes
of the boy being controlled by women
from boyhood through manhood
by grandmom, mom and wife
and daughters in later life...

Yet they also form part of population
they can't even show their true selves
their true feelings or plight
for fear of being ridiculed "Sissy"
after all, boys don't cry!

Saturday 21 April 2018

The Change

One can no longer be
the unique self that
humans were meant to be

A place for everyone
the extrovert and the the introvert
the bubbly, the shy
and the quiet ones too

Now the norm, expectations
is sameness, read boring
everyone pulsating, raring to go
else be left out, unnoticed
like a piece of furniture
in the background.....

Even poets, singers, behind the scene artists
who once valued privacy, change for survival
its not about their lines being read or heard

To be of any value, to be noticed
people  have to be seen! not just heard.....


Sunday 15 April 2018

The Politician and the Priest

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Beware of the priest and the politician,
says Osho
both want to control, convert
free willed, lively beings
into docile, impotent ones
brain washed, white washed
sanitised, to become
toys of their bidding! 

Wednesday 4 April 2018

Captivating Lines from Here and There-19

  • The therapeutic successes of non-medical healers throughout the ages must be evaluated in the light of the capacity for self healing that exists in all living forms and particularly in human beings - From the book " Anatomy of illness" by Norman Cousins 
  • The answer to helplessness is not so very complicated. A man can do something for peace without having to jump into politics Each man has inside him a basic decency and goodness - Don Pablo Casals, Musician 
  • Shop burnt! House burnt!Goods burnt! but Faith not burnt! Starting business tomorrow!
  • Never depend on your genius. If you have talent,industry will improve it; if you do not, industry will supply the deficiency- John Ruskin, Art critic
  • Far too many people short circuit their chances of success due to a low self image- Paul.J. Meyer, Author & success Guru 
  • 'Complex' means there are many parts to the problem. ' Complicated' means you cannot distinguish one part from the other. When you become egotistical in a situation, you complicate it.
  • If you see a situation as 'complicated' you will remain lost. If you see it as 'complex' and analyse the various parts, you will find several simple obvious answers.Put them all together and you will have your solution.
  • "The feeling of fear" seems complicated until you take it apart- eg. Are you afraid of flying or are you afraid of crashing?
  • The digital world is pretty biased in that way. Your failures are personal and your success is public.If we constantly live in such a biased world, our expectations from life also become biased, where small failures become massive and big successes look small.-
     Sathyarth Priyedarshi, Head of marketing, Jio chat.
  • If man  listens to the goodness and acts on it, he is giving a great deal of what it is the world needs most. It is not complicated but it takes courage. It takes courage for a man to listen to his own goodness and act on it. Do we dare to be ourselves? This is the question that counts.-  Don Pablo Casals, musician 

Sunday 11 March 2018

People Pleasers

You can please some people most of the time
all of the people some of the time
but all people at all times?
'people pleasers' beware!
you are not God
Can't please everyone at all times
perhaps even God wouldn't want to do that!

In the mad frenzy to please
many lose physical health
mental and emotional health
so much easier and healthy it is
to just be yourself, do what pleases you
and in that bargain if some are pleased
so be it, It is a bonus.....

NB:Anita Moorjani, cancer beater and author of the book "Dying to be me" credits her then nature of 'people pleasing' as the cause of the  cancer.leading to a near death experience (NDE).

http://www.conversationswithmaria.com/new-york-times-best-selling-author-anita-moorjani-interview-bonus-interview/

Thursday 15 February 2018

Captivating Lines from Here and There- 18

  • Revealing your business means educating people about what you do. Reveal the business nobody knows by telling people what you are all about. You still have to be brief, clear and interesting of course. But if you tell your story,you will win more loyal customers than if you don't- From the book "The 7 lost secrets of success by Joe Vitale, 
  • People are logical and emotional.You have to appeal to both sides to capture their loyalty.
  • People love experts.Authorities are more easily listened to because we assume they know what they are talking about. Become an authorized expert in your field and you are seen as a type of God-  From "The 7  lost secrets of success"
  • Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things.... I am tempted to think...there are no little things- Bruce Barton;Author & advertising executive
  • Martin Seligman's (Father of positive psychology) research suggests that people get a boost in personal happiness when they use their signature strengths regularly and in new and creative ways- Dave and Wendy Ulrich, Authors
  • Form a mental image or picture of yourself as being well, imagining a perfectly strong and healthy body- Spend sufficient time in contemplating this image to make it your habitual thought of yourself- Wallace.D.Wattles, Author " Science of being well"
  • Any one who can't think of a story about their company culture or customers is spending too much time in their office and not enough time with the real people who live in the world he or she wants to influence- Annette Simmons, Author of  "Who ever tells the best story wins"
  • Graphics tidy up reality whereas stories reveal the mess. Avoiding messy reality keeps your message clear but shallow- Annette Simmons. Author 
  • The four deadly horsemen are criticism,contempt,defensiveness and stonewalling. Spouses, bosses and friends can go a long way to improve the emotional climate in a given setting by avoiding the four deadly horsemen- Dave Ulrich, Author
  • Leaders who are shaming,critical or grumpy may evoke a lot of action, but not necessarily a lot of learning and real productivity-  Dave and Wendy Ulrich, Authors

Sunday 11 February 2018

Insult

When you insult me
ignore, belittle,misbehave
it looks like you have
won, made a point

Yet before it reaches me
all the negatives taking birth
and passing through you
do more harm to you,
than it will ever do me;

It is you who end up
drinking a lot of water
for diluting the darkness inside!

NB: This poem is inspired by the teachings of BK (Brahmakumaris)

Thursday 8 February 2018

Winter and Spring

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I have a friend
he has his problems
both personal and professional
yet the tagline on his profile reads
" This too shall  pass"

Wallowing on the winter state, versus
expectantly awaiting the spring
makes all the difference
if it is winter now
can spring be far behind?

Tuesday 30 January 2018

Some Thoughts on the Book- Nature at my Doorstep

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It is not often that you come across books that showcase more than one talent. In the blogging circles, artists like Mallika Chari, Deepa Gopal Sunil and Sethi Krishan Chand also write verses. However, their first passion is their art. In respect of the author of "Nature at my Doorstep", Latha Prem Sakhya, I believe her first love is poetry followed by painting. Her maiden book "Memory Rain" was a poetry collection published in 2008 by Roots and Wings. She has published subsequently a third book "Vernal Strokes" through Partridge publishing.

In the book under discussion,the author has chosen to include prose also along with poetry and painting. The one thing that is clear even on a cursory glance of the book is that it is steeped in nature. There is a narration by the protagonist  Kanaka, tracing her life from childhood, adolescence and later years. She grew up amidst nature with plenty of flora and fauna. Seeing the sheer authenticity of the narrative, one suspects that there is an autobiographical streak in the narrative of the author.

The reader can be initially confused. Does one read the book page by page or focus first on the poetry or should it be the narrative followed by poetry and painting? As for me, I started reading the story of Kanaka and was hooked. I had no choice but to read the narrative fully before biting into the poetry and relishing the painting. Another reader may choose differently. After all when a feast is laid out, some instantly go in for the sweet while others prefer to save it for the last.

The narration about the life and times of Kanaka is full of anecdotes featuring the naughty times of childhood, the joint family scenario and Kanaka's love for plants and animals. This excerpt gives an idea of the content of the prose "Belonging to a large family, with grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins, her home was full of people.Life was always filled with excitement, fun and laughter, sometimes tinges with tears and sorrows."

Now lets us also take a look at Kanaka's thoughts in later life- "Kanaka had always been haunted by the other self that resided deep within her. A wild, wild self, curbed and imprisoned within the inner space of her sophisticated self."

Moving on to the poetry, the poet's sensitive nature can be seen in the poem titled "Why are you so crazy"?

Why are you so crazy?
Matters negligible to others
Trouble and torment you
What makes you so sensitive, lassie
To others' as well as your problems?

In the poem "New Nest" she writes

In a tiny nest, the she birds's pride-
Geared up for her first flight,
with mounting excitement
Wings gathering balance

The relationship of the poet with birds and nature in general is revealed by the lines

Landing gracefully
On my kitchen veranda,
He pecks on the rice daintily,
While I watch with awe and wonder,
Nature at my door step. 

Now, for a glimpse of the poet's love poems:

Intimacy
The azure sky,
Streaked with gold-
In an orange -blue sari,
Made me yearn to drape it
And waltz down the street,
Showing off to my friends
Our intimacy.

Your Love for me

Your love for me
Is like the air I breathe,
I do not see but I feel.
It keeps me sailing

Softens my speech.
Fills me with generosity,
To forgive and to forget-
Even soul hurts.

There are many more impactful poems in the book including "The Lord of the Night". However, I will finally quote a few lines from a poem that caused an ache in my heart. It discusses putting away of a sick animal/ pet (mercy killing?)

Shall I Let her Go? 

My heart bleeding for her,
I threw the noose around her neck
The animal trust and love unconditional

A Judas, I betrayed her
With the lethal shot
Whimpering she fell down
Her large eyes fixed on me.
Tears pouring down my cheeks
I hastened away, cursing my life, my job.

The paintings in the book are a combination of those on oil on canvas and the black & white caricatures of nature in all her splendour. I am not reproducing any of those here; you will simply have to grab a copy from the publishers to savour them.

To conclude,"Nature at my Doorstep" is a wonderful treat satisfying the pallet and tastes of  most readers as it  makes available a heady mix of prose, poetry and painting. Readers of all ages are bound to find the book interesting and engaging. One can have an eventful journey amidst nature while at the same time enjoying  the varied hues of life.

Nature at my Door Step : Published in 2011
Author: Latha Prem Sakhya
Publisher: Roots & Wings
ISBN :  978-81-909900-3-5

Wednesday 24 January 2018

Respectability

In an earlier time, the anonymous
with poor self esteem, craving some attention
wrote and drew on public spaces- walls, desks,
toilet doors of passenger trains...

Response to them from the general public
was at best aversion, contempt or disgust
covering their noses to escape
from the stink they eminated

Now, the very same people
rather their current versions
are seemingly being noticed
getting respectability in the
current new world of social media

So there you have, plenty of trolls
memes and  the like, hiding behind
the safety of anonymity, hitting out
particularly at women, political rivals
and those having independant viewpoints

But will this last, will anyone care
after the intial curiosity & interest wears of ?
Most likely, most people will turn away
and  the spineless specimen
will end up with what they have always had

and  always deserved
aversion, disgust, contempt
and finally, total indifference!

Thursday 18 January 2018

What are we coming to?

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Messages with frequent use
of words like "Awesome", "Super" "Fantastic"
followed by ten exclamation marks!
and five or more heart symbols....

If coming from the heart
wouldn't a simple "loved it"
followed by a single exclamation mark do?

With so much  phoniness all around
how does one know, how much
of what's said is genuine, how much pretence?
Wonder where we are going,what are we coming to? 

Saturday 13 January 2018

Captivating Lines from Here and There- 17

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  • For every letter we write, you want to keep the audience in mind, the people who are going to be  receiving the letter. speak in their language and keep their concerns in mind and you want to merge with that to the best of your ability- Bruce Barton, Author, advertising executive & politician 
  • In good times people want to advertise; in bad times they have to- Bruce Barton 
  • The real tragedy of life is when people are are afraid of the light- Plato, Philosopher 
  • Appreciative inquiry can be as simple as having a conversation asking people to tell you their stories of what is working and respond with interest and enthusiasm- Sue Harris Hammond, Author of the book "The thin book of Appreciative inquiry" 
  • A person's way of doing things is the direct result of the way he things about things- Wallace.D.Wattles, Author 
  • You will have to acquire the ability to think the way you want to think- Wallace. D Wattles (सोचकर सोचना - Read my post:  https://rajeevianlinesandverses.blogspot.in/2017/12/blog-post.html 
  • Guard your speech. Never speak of yourself, your affairs or of anything else in a discouraged or discouraging way- Wallace. D Wattles
  • The leader of the past knew how to tell. The leader of the future will know how to ask- Peter Drucker, Management Guru 
  • Thw world will not become a better place because we learn; the world will only become a better place only when we do- Marshall Goldsmith, Author and Executive coach 
  • He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how - Fredrick Nietzsche, Philosopher & Scholar

Tuesday 9 January 2018

Alarm

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In line with the times
anything and everything
is getting the 'ignore' treatment
this is true even for
beings and things you
yourself, invited in to your lives

So the obedient, helpless alarm
keeps ringing and blaring
initially, and at frequent intervals
only to be ignored, paid the least heed

if not interested, why set the poor alarm
in the first place...?