A Voyager

Another Patriotism Test....

2006-09-07T17:47:00.000+05:30

The song Vande Mataram , composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji, was a source of inspiration to the people in their struggle for freedom. It has an equal status with Jana-gana-mana . The first political occasion when it was sung was the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. The following is the text of its first stanza :

" Vande Mataram!
Sujalam, suphalam,
malayaja shitalam,
Shasyashyamalam, Mataram!
Shubhrajyothsna pulakitayaminim,
Phullakusumita drumadala shobhinim,
Suhasinim sumadhura bhashinim,
Sukhadam varadam, Mataram! "

The English translation of the stanza rendered by Sri Aurobindo in prose 1 is :

" I bow to thee, Mother,
richly-watered, richly-fruited,
cool with the winds of the south,
dark with the crops of the harvests,
The Mother!
Her nights rejoicing in the glory of the moonlight,
her lands clothed beautifully with her trees in flowering bloom,
sweet of laughter, sweet of speech,
The Mother, giver of boons, giver of bliss."

Courtesy :www.indiaimage.nic.in

Why I Love Mom.

2006-06-30T15:13:00.000+05:30

Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, "I'm tired,and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed."

She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the nextday's lunches. Rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of thefreezer for supper the following evening, checked the cereal box levels,filled the sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning.

She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes into the washer, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button.She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger and put the telephone book into the drawer.She watered the plants, emptied a waste basket and hungup a towel to dry.

She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom. Shestopped by the desk and wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a text book out from hiding underthe chair.She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store. She put both near her purse.

Mom then washed her face with 3 in 1 cleanser, put onher Night solution & age fighting moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and filed her nails.

Dad called out, "I thought you were going to bed." "I'm on my way," she said.

She put some water into the dog's dish and put the cat outside, then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was on.She looked in on each of the kids and turned out their bedside lamps and TVs, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the hamper, and had a brief conversation with the one up still doing homework.

In her own room, she set the alarm; laid out clothing for the next day, straightened up the shoe rack. She added three thingsto her 6 most important things to do list. She said her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals.

About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular. "I'm going to bed."And he did...without another thought.

Anything extraordinary here? Wonder why women livelonger...? CAUSE ! THEY ARE MADE FOR THE LONG HAUL ... and they can't die sooner, they still have things to do !!!!

P.S. Thanks to the wonderful Dad who sent this to me.

Tribute

2006-01-27T12:32:00.000+05:30

This day that age...I walk down the memory lane reminiscing some glorious moments since my childhood , associated with the republic day celebrations of our beloved Motherland.

As a small girl , born and brought up much away from her native state , the stories of gallant warriors who fought and won the war of 1974 were my favourite bed-time tales . True Indianism runs in my veins ever since I was a little girl . Papa would tug me along everywhere to either be a part of a special occasion or to witness it.Most such occasions were the ceremonious Republic day and the Independence day parades . We were close to the airbase and it was a feast to witness the air-shows there on such days. I still remember waiting for the grand day to arrive .My routine for the day would always begin with the flag hoisting at the school where I was studying .This was followed by the "march pasts "- as they were called then - by the students of most schools in the town , the police and the various other groups in the region . The memories still remain a thrilling experience to me ; the bandwagon and the colourful marchers who followed them saluting the National Flag , a sight never to be missed specially since I lead my class-mates in those "march-pasts" . Then around noon , braving the sun , we would reach the airbase which was close by , to witness the gallant of the warbirds . Zig- zagging , criss-crossing , the combatant warriors would pilot the fighter birds all across the clear blue skies showing off their prowess as fierce guardians of the nation .The show would go on till the evening . A grand finale : The war planes left behind a colourful trail of fumes in saffron, white and green whizzing past the spectators stunned at their tremendous performance . The exhilarated crowd , the soldiers in their green battle dress , the thunder of the war machines ...all stirred up patriotism even in a coward's heart . With a little tricolour badged to our chests and holding our heads high with pride ,we would sing out aloud : " Sare jahaan se achha ,Hindustan hamara hamara ....." in chorus . Anybody would go patriotic at the courage of the soldiers flying up there with the country's national flag pinned to their war planes ! I recall the moments when I had desired to become one like them some day when I grew up, just to hold my country's flag high in the world .So intense are my evergreen and everlasting feelings to serve the nation as when the need arises.

The evenings would be set aside for the sumptuous yummy "masala dosas"-a rare delicacy in that part of the country then , the mention of which still tingles my taste buds .

Time flies . The 80s paved way to the 90s . Destinations changed with Papa's transfer to the south of the country . The lifestyle was vastly different here but yet the spirit of nationalism remained the same . Here too , the parades were colourful and the marchers just as wonderful .I still lead my batch-mates at the "march pasts" saluting the tri-colour for a year or two during my college days as a student . But each passing year , the updated version of the celebrations followed which soon saw us just wearily attending the flag hoisting and singing the national anthem like puppets.But ofcourse ,the inborn spirit of patriotism for my beloved motherland never ceased an inch in me.

90s paved the way to the new millennium . I changed homes ,made myself a nest too :)).Yet the spirit of 26th January never dies in me.Though with a difference , I still attend the flag hoists, pin with dignity, the ever-sacred Tri-colour on the chest of my little ones too who care for it with the same pride as me . I listen to the 1st citizen of this great country address us all n watch the grand parades live but again with a difference -- all from the comforts of my living room -- on TV set .I do miss braving the sun on this day now.

This day brings in lots of memorable moments in my life ,some pleasant and a few sour too . It is the day my country declared itself a republic within 3 years after its independence ! It is this day on which I began my life as a wife to my wonderful husband ! It is on this day that scores of young future citizens of this nation, the little angels , marching and singing the praise of their motherland were swallowed by the devasting quake at Bhuj .Yes , that's life I suppose...sometimes high and sometimes low and always nostalgic down the memory lanes -- like this day ~ the 26th of January !
So , summing up here , is me wishing us all a very happy Republic Day with a special mention to the uncountable lives that were and are forsaking their todays for our tomorrows . Let us all join hands, pledge solidarity to Bharth Mata and pray for all those gallant lives out there, braving all odds to uphold the sanctity , honour , pride , peace and integrity of our beloved India . Let the world know that each of us in this country is a patriot with a true sense of nationalism in our own ways .Once again , as I walk back with time to the present perfect ,up the memory lane, I salute the " Tiranga " with my heart singing -- " Sare Jahaan se achha , Hindustan Hamara Hamara......." and " Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara . Vijayi Vishwa Tiranga Pyara......." .

Life

2006-01-20T22:04:00.000+05:30

Here is a nice poem from 13th century that challenges the very concept of life what we perceive till now ! A nice pal shared this piece with me .Hope you will also enjoy reading it and share your comments and feelings ; let us open ourselves for a poetic argument here.

I've come again

like a new year

to crash the gate

of this old prison

I've come again
to break the teeth and claws
of this man-eating
monster we call life

I've come again
to puncture the
glory of the cosmos
who mercilessly
destroys humans
I am the falcon
hunting down the birds
of black omen
before their flights

I gave my word
at the outset to
give my life
with no qualms
I pray to the Lord
to break my back
before I break my word

How do you dare to
let someone like me
intoxicated with love
enter your house
You must know better
if I enter
I'll break all this and
destroy all that

If the sheriff arrives
I'll throw the wine
in his face
if your gatekeeper
pulls my hand
I'll break his arm

If the heavens don't go round
to my heart's desire
I'll crush its wheels and
pull out its roots

You have set up
a colorful table
calling it life and
asked me to your feast
but punish me if
I enjoy myself.

A Ghazal (Ode) written in 1375, from Rumi's "Diwan-e Shamsi" ("The Collection of Shams"), in a poetic translation from Nader Khalili, and in a literal translation from Prof. William Chittick.

Woogly Woogly Woo

2005-12-13T21:49:00.000+05:30

Hi , hello ! How do you do?
Fine here and expect the same from you .

Days roll by and so do the nights,
Life ticks on , the stars shine bright .

Winking at you and me ,
As we sip the herbal tea .

Taking me back to the memories ,
When the mind was restless 'bout life's unknown queries .

I remember the day you walked in to say :
" Hi dear , you always make my day !"

Since then , you brought in the sunshine even at twilight ,
Making life such a delight !

Months rolled by and then one day ,
You said the words I longed to hear you say :

"Will you be my wife ? ;

The only one I wanna have in this life."

With open jaw and a tear in the eye ,
I could only feel all my sorrows die .

"Yes ", I passionately wail ,
" When will you walk me down the aisle ? "

With the tightest hug and the warmest kiss ,
You said : "Right in a while ,oh my Sweet Miss ."

Thus my transformation from "Ms." to "Mrs." ,
Soon came true just as our wishes.

"God bless the young couple ;
Let their lives bubble ,

With joy and prosperity ,
Always , till eternity..."

People sang with toasts raised ,
Some remained silent , yet many praised .

Ofcourse , life is sometimes low and sometimes high ,
But still our love for each other does , very much thrive .

Together we walk since that May ,
And only pray thus we march on, till the last day .

They say :" Rolling stones gather no mosses " ,
But hey , we now have two bosses !

Long live the little Brats ,
God bless them without any lacks .

Life is sweet and life is sour ,
Yet , in unison , we live it with joy ,every hour .

With glowing smiles on lips , and love so deep ,
Mutual respect in our hearts , do , intact we keep .