My nation awaits 'Moral Renaissance'

The Delhi gang rape on 16th December' 2012 along with a series of incidents that followed this barbarous act, have drawn a very shabby image of our country's state of law and order in front of the whole world. The brutal act of six men raping a 23-year old girl and assaulting her along with a male companion on a moving bus has not only shaken the entire nation but has galvanized mass protest against 'crime against women' in India. 

The Indian youth stood unitedly for the safety of the women of the country. The policemen across the capital and the higher authorities could not adapt to the outrage. They were not sensitive or empathetic towards the youth who was out on the streets of Delhi, supporting and protesting against this heinous crime. While I pen down my views, I feel a cold shiver as this thought strikes me, "What if all this happened with me?"

Quite honestly, we can not even imagine this villainous offence with ourselves, our sisters, our mothers or our female friends. But deep inside our hearts we know, it could have been any one of us in place of that 23-year old girl. A hero in true sense, she fought with fortitude and unfortunately passed away this morning after undergoing emergency treatment in Singapore for brain and gastrointestinal damage from the assault. 

Including the top government officials of our country, the entire nation has mourned her saddening demise. She is in the prayers of one and all, may God rest her soul in peace and give strength to the bereaved family to deal with the loss of their beloved daughter.

What haunts the protesters and the women of this country still is, the accused are still alive, although their death would have not cured the victim or pacified the masses. It is high time and justice must be given. The police officials, committee personals and the ministers were seen promising to the nation via media of better laws and governance. It would be seen in the coming year when all these suggestions would be implemented or when "you" go out and let your daughters go out without the fear of being raped or assaulted by anyone.

Real Celebrations of Life

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 33; the thirty-third edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. The theme for the month is 'Celebrations'

If we were to go by the dictionary meaning for Celebration it says, "to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities or to make known publicly or proclaim or to perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies; solemnize". 

Need I say the moment one reads these words, images of the respective meanings take us down the memory lane to our favorite festivals, our birthdays, our promotions, achievements, targets met, house-warming, new assets, a new born in the family, foot-tapping music along with dance, delectable delicacies and last but not the least weddings! 

"Celebration" in simple words signifies manifold joy and triumph in numerous ways. Behind all these special occasions goes a lot of preparation, hard work, sincerity and mostly a lot of purchasing. Would it be appropriate if I call it a journey? A journey of anticipation. With each passing day you are one step closer to exuberance. We all know what awaits us. A special day over-flowing with smiles, near and dear ones around, aroma of joy in the air, rosy-cheeks with glistening eyes, plentiful camera-clicking, guests dressed to perfection, ceremonies/festivities/achievements/additions elevating the present state of being. 

A moment when you are uninhibitedly enthusiastic. 

But this reminds me of the childhood joys, when I used to play with my friends and the excitement that followed with the winning score. It reminds me of the grey clouds and rains on a winter night. How can I forget the act of bunking college for movie plans with friends. My first kiss reminds me of how my heart skipped and tickled at the same time. The moment of getting a surprise from someone. Being appreciated. Receiving compliments. Praying and wishes fulfilled. First bike ride. Ironically these moments do not require any preparation and are little celebrations of life without any decorations. They can not be artificially created or planned. They can be felt as we live each day, as we grow old.

But how many times have we paid any heed to the these little celebrations? How many times have we clicked ourselves candidly and admired it? Ever looked at your childhood albums? I am sure you will find many such moments captured. 

As we grow older, our heart gets lured with the grand celebrations in life. Which is absolutely not wrong, the nature of "celebration" is such that as years pass by we eagerly wait for these significant days in our lives. Undoubtedly they are memorable and popular. But what we overlook is that the "real" and spontaneous joys(celebrations) of life are unlimited and can be relished anytime without any anticipation or preparation. They are as special as our festivals, as our achievements, weddings, new assets. They are gala in nature too if rejoiced effusively!

So this festive season, I have a sweet and simple wish - May we celebrate the festivities of life and not just the festivals/days in a year. 

Happy Celebrating!

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. Introduced By: Google, Participation Count: 02

Tears of Joy

"I think you are just feeling low, Ishika", said he.
Hearing this tears rolled down her face and she thought to herself - I have been feeling low from I don't-remember-since-when!

And she immediately cracked a joke and they both started laughing!

Oh Fish!

Have you ever attended a party without any will?

stayed there to enjoy and told yourself to chill..

Have you ever eaten a dish served below your expectation?

ate it to fill yourself and gauged the level of satisfaction..

Have you ever forcibly met someone again and again?

yet spoke to them at length and couldn't refrain..

Have you ever compromised on the clothes you bought?

only to tell yourself they are not that bad; as you thought..

Have you ever half-heartedly danced to a song?

and told yourself to forget for how long..
Honestly tell me, have you ever faked a smile?
and convinced yourself it is going to be just for a while..

But have you ever nonchalantly lived against your wish?

only to realize each day life is - cry and drink the same water like a fish!

An Untold Story

Overwhelmed to share this post won the Gold Batom at the October 2012 BAT 32!

• 
  
  
  This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 32; the thirty-second edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. The theme for the month is 'An Untold Story'
  

Riya was trying her new clothes when Ashish Bhaiya opened the door.
"Oh! I am so sorry, I am sorry!" Ashish Bhaiya apologized and closed the door.
She cursed her bad luck one more time and was thought aloud - "Why me again?" and hoped in vain that Ashish Bhaiya might have not seen anything.

Within minutes she was downstairs with her family and Reena Auntie's family. She behaved as if nothing happened, but she could still feel the goose bumps. 

Ashish Bhaiya behaved as if he had not even met Riya till now. Later, both the families had dinner and Reena Auntie and Riya’s mom continued to talk till they called it a night.

The day passed and Riya returned home with her family, she was in a fix and was trying to decide if she should tell her mother about this embarrassing incident. The answer was NO because, her mom would have scolded her for not bolting the door properly. She dropped the idea of sharing this incident. Riya didn't write her daily diary that day.

It was Sunday afternoon and both the sisters were too engrossed in discussing their lives since they were meeting after a month. Like always Riya didn't want to come to Reena Auntie’s house but had to accompany her mom, she was not willing to leave her comfortable couch next to the television when unfortunately, Reena Auntie asked her to get the newly bought pressure cooker from the kitchen to show it to Riya’s mom. As Riya crossed the lobby, she noticed Ashish Bhaiya was studying in his room. She was making an attempt in reaching out for the top most shelf, when Ashish Bhaiya entered the kitchen and stretched his arm and helped her fetch the new Pressure Cooker. Riya got a little uncomfortable with the abrupt closeness they shared for that moment, while Ashish Bhaiya's body rubbed hers and his pelvic area touched her back. She changed her posture as soon as she could. It was the very next moment when Riya was stepping towards the door when she felt Ashish Bhaiya's hand on her waist. He pulled Riya towards the kitchen slab and picked up an Almond from the bowl kept on the slab. Riya was clueless about what was going to happen today!

She tried to open her mouth to say, I want to go. But all she could utter was.. "Aaai" when her wide open mouth was sealed with Ahish Bhaiya's lips. She tried to resist and felt that he was too powerful for her. Before she could say anything, now he picked up an almond and planted it on Riya's lips and started biting both her lips and the almond. Ashish Bhaiya's hands were exploring Riya's body. Riya was too zapped and helpless to even shout or make any noise. When she gasped for a breath she pushed Ashish Bhaiya, hurried towards the door and left from the kitchen.

She could hardly say anything when her mom questioned her about being so callous and not bringing the pressure cooker. On the way back home, Riya yet again dropped the idea of speaking about what happened today thinking her mom would judge her and probably not allow her to go out of the house to play with her friends. Riya didn't write diary that night.

"Riya get ready, we are going for lunch to Reena Massi ji's house", screamed Riya's mom. 

Riya just couldn't muster up the courage to tell her mom why she hated going to Reena Massi's house. Unwillingly, she got ready and they drove to Reena Auntie’s house. “Hello Pinky! Hello Riya!” welcomed Reena Auntie. Riya greeted and met everyone in the family except for Ashish Bhaiya. He was not in the living area, so Riya was too relieved and comfortable to be at Reena Auntie’s house only until her mom interrogated, "Where is Ashish? Is he not at home"?  To which Reena Auntie replied, "Pinky, he is upstairs preparing for his exams."  Riya was disappointed with her mother’s interrogation. 

It was very difficult for Riya to kill time now. She asked Reena Auntie, "When are we having lunch I am hungry"? And she regretted initiating this conversation the very next minute!

Reena Auntie replied, "Within 10 minutes, why don't you go and tell Ashish to come downstairs for lunch".

Riya wanted to simply answer back and say- "NO, I will not go!" but all she could say was, "I want to watch this movie." It was not a substantial excuse and her mom immediately yelled at her, "Riya stop being such a TV addict"! Go right away!

Like a school child Riya, counted the steps on her way upstairs. When she entered Ashish Bhaiya's room, she found him studying. She was so desperate to just pass the message and leave the room in seconds. But Ashish Bhaiya was too overjoyed to see her and he exclaimed, "When did you guys come"? Riya didn't want to talk to him, but she had to reply, "An hour ago, I think". He asked her to sit and she didn't sit. 

Riya signposted him why she was there in his room and conveyed the message, "Reena Massi asked me to tell you that lunch is ready." 

Okay we will have lunch together, at least sit down, he answered. "Are you not going to give me a hug"?

Riya was not ready. 

In few moments he pushed her against the wall and started crushing her body. She tried escaping his powerful grip, but he bolted the door this time. Riya, realized if she will revolt he can get nastier. Ashish removed his pants and tried to show his manhood to Riya. 

Her eyes were closed. He offered her to feel him and make him feel good. Riya could have never imagined things would come so far and while she was just thinking how to make an excuse she was shocked to feel his hands on her skirt. He slid her clothes down and watched her with hungry eyes. Riya didn't make an eye contact and absolutely wanted to run away. He touched her and felt that she was too young and he uttered, "Oh! you are just 13"! 

Riya thanked God when Reena auntie shouted, "Ashi the lunch is ready, hurry up"! 

She found an excuse to get up, dress and reach out for the door. Ashish opened the door for her and she ran as if she ran for life. Riya wrote diary that day:

"Dear Diary, 

I want to tell you something, it is very bad and it is about me. I am very scared. I am very hurt and I want to die. But mom will scold me so I cannot die. I cannot explain it to you today, but one day I will tell you, "An untold story". 

Please keep it as a secret with you.

Your princess Riya”

***************

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. Introduced By: GOOGLE, Participation Count: 1

"Leisure of Life"

As one grows up, he starts to set goals and gets trapped in the vicious circle of responsibilities and expectations. No doubt, life offers a lot of opportunities to celebrate and rejoice. But the frequency of such occasions varies from one individual to another or may be at our perspective. A carefree state of mind is difficult to attain. Since the time of birth, a person starts learning. The learning continues till he dies. While you learn to do things, you realize time flies and you are an adult. Other phases of life demand a lot of decision making and a grown up you. Either life changes or we change ourselves with time. The word leisure is remotely related to being carefree, like a child. It is only subject to things like watching television, surfing Internet, listening to music or may be talking to friends over phone. Materialistic things, outings only give us momentary pleasure and satisfaction.

It is not the distortion which prevails in one's life, but in one's mind which steals away the enthusiasm and charm from the adult. Not always you will come across people who are trapped in this lifestyle and who are busy with a monotonous schedule. There are some exceptions who not only believe in living life to the fullest but also in rejoicing each and every moment of it. Being stress-free and uninhibited becomes a natural act for such people. After a little bit of introspection, we would all agree that the "little me" is alive in all of us. We just need to connect and bond with our inner self. A healthy mind and an easy going full of life attitude will drive any individual with great zeal. But, after this realization do we really go for a makeshift? Are we really going to condition our stubborn and reluctant brain to become 'carefree' and experience a leisured life? We don't have to try any of these mind-tactics to enjoy or experience joys of life. It can be derived and felt from ordinary moments of life. It is the peace of mind, sense of being content and the urge to relish life which leads to inner happiness or leisure in whatever we do. A happy heart does not require extraordinary thinking or planning to enjoy life; it just needs an innocent, curious and excited you. 

Redemption

Desires were only wishes described in words,

which never came true & were never heard..

Disgust takes over when regret surmounts,

when failure strikes, how much you tried doesn't count..

Futile explanations and justifications impress none,

wasted opportunity & time can never be undone..

A brutal murder of hopes so high & faith so strong,

a withered self trying to believe how can she do so wrong?

Like a permanent tattoo which can not be wiped-out,

some actions, decisions from your life can not be ruled out..

Genuinely Single

He called up last night and I was busy dreaming about him,

can you believe that? is what in morning I text back in a whim..

I talk to myself in the dark bedroom at midnight,

sometimes with eyes open and sometimes catching the street light..

The questions with obvious answers chase my mind,

like a moron I try to brainstorm to get nightmares unkind..

While I chit chat the day out with friends and evening with family,

I return to bed with the same challenge of not thinking of the 'he'.. 

To utter disgust I lose again, I can't refrain 

what else, I am still playing the same challenge game!

P.S. I wonder how many of us who claim to be "single and available" are actually single in their heart or detached from their past. 

Hum aapke hain kaun?

"chadar vo maili si..maine odhi hi kyon thi,

leke udaasi mann me..uski parchayi chodi kyo nahi?

jab bhi dekha apna chehra..sawal jawaab karta raha main,

murda rehkar kaise roz jeeta-marta raha main?"

It took me, 34 restless days to finally record my very first post of year 2012. Well! ....what kept my grey cells occupied was a lot of complicated stuff. Yes, I had too much to say and too much to discuss. I simply could not decide to express all that in a verse or a dairy entry. To be honest, I was so confused about what exactly do I want to talk about? I am already sounding so messed up, lol! First of all, I was wondering that do our past relationships, change us as an individual? For me the answer is Yes it does. Also I came across this quotation somewhere- "A person always thinks about his past, when he sits alone." I recently finished reading two novels by Indian authors, Revolution2020 by Chetan Bhagat and Can Love Happen Twice? by Ravinder Singh. Both of them were woven around relationships, life, career and love. I am a delighted Bhagat follower now. 

Coming to some brainstorming, I had never thought so much about relationships, or people who make or break one..but last few months have been no less than a tormenting period for me. It is never easy for you if your relationship status is: "It's complicated" .. There must be a team of wise-understating-experienced people who have included these 2 words as a category on Facebook under Relationship status. I wouldn't be surprised, if any of my close friends tell me he or she is dating, or if they tell me they 'made-out' even if the person they recently mingled with is a complete stranger. The point that m trying to make is, these days the 25-30years age group, (which is my age group now) is quite easy going about meeting, hanging out together and being close to each other as per their convenience and mood. The word "commitment" only exists in the dictionary. Loyalty is already extinct. It is not about infidelity, or disloyalty I wonder if is promiscuity come fashion statement or cool quotient these days? Are we no longer innocent and honest towards our loved ones and dear ones? Too many questions I think! Well since I have an idea the answers are not pleasant, I left it for time to tell me. I truly believe in this old adage- "What goes around, comes around." So, eventually sooner or later we get to taste our own medicine. 

Wishing everyone a very prosperous and successful year ahead! 

Megha :-)