Dear Zindagi.... Ek Kursi Chahiye... Wtf !!

Dear Zindagi.... the film....Jug the healer....Kursi...

I liked the film. Its good. Its about looking inwards....looking at our problems and tackling them. Engaging tale of human mind....but only till the time I am not told to look at relationships like furniture. Yes.

Well its a film and comes with a disclaimer but tell me if a relationship between men and women is actually like buying a piece of furniture. A chair...a Kursi... I mean seriously?? Should one go check out prospective partners like Kursi? She fits? He fits? And fits what? Comfortable? Hard? Soft? Cushioned? Like Kursi? I do not know how do the modern girls n boys look at it. May be its a very good idea to check out people before we zero in on someone but it is certainly not my idea. I could never think of relationships like materialistic things. Certainly not Kursies.

And why do we feel that only conjugal relationships between men and women have to be like choosing a kursi. Your relationships with mother, father, brother, sister or even your children who come through that bond with a stranger are not tried and tested like a kursi. Whether one loves or hates, one never goes on trying to find that perfect father or mother or brother or sister or child. We accept the loved ones we have in our life (by blood) and accept them as they are. When it comes to loving a man or woman for a 'relationship' we are aware that this is replaceable... if it works fine, well... if it does not... and so on. That is why acceptance becomes difficult. We all know there is a way out if it does not work. Sadly it is this mindset which is causing 'complicated' relationships and divorces and moving on. I hear these terms a lot these days.

There is neither acceptance nor surrender in conjugal relationships. These are lacking depth and respect. Sex is confused with love. Love is confused with commitment. It is a complete mess when two people are trying out partners to see who fits best. This is happening not just amongst 'single ready to mingle' but even in the 'already married but not committed' people.

What about love at first sight and that going weak in the knees feeling? Are those the things of the past? Hopping into beds, trying out sleeping partners is confused with search of love. If sex could be sole source of happiness whores would have been the happiest.

And yes, a relationship between two people evolves over a period of time. No one can find that perfect partner even after trying many. It is just that after every break up one learns to own up at least one mistake of his/hers and improves upon that.

I would say just shut the external noise and listen to your heartbeat. A flutter will alarm you when love knocks at your door. Say "Dear Zindagi" and do not let it go.

And forget that "Jug head"and ....Forget the bloody Kissa Kursi Ka !!

Disclaimer: The views expressed are personal and not to preach morality. Those who disagree can go on trying Kursies.

Hare Krsna !!! ISKCON shows the right way !!

Yesterday visited the #ISKCON temple at Girgaum. Everything was so beautiful. The arrangement was simply the best one has seen in any temple ever. 'Beauty'.... everything lived in the essence of this word. It was simply awesome. No chaos, no noise, no pushing, no filth, no nonsense.... it was prayers, chanting, smiles and fragrance of flowers decorating the mandir. Wonder if all other temples could learn a thing or two about it.

I really wish people go and see for themselves. ISKCON temples have a wonderful way to conduct the rituals and everything is done in the most enchanting way. Visit one.... #ISKCON visit will change the way you look at going to temple. The experience is more spiritual than religious.

Here's more.  RadhaGopinath !!! Hare Krsna.

Ban those Billboards outside the city limits.

Scenic #Nevada is doing a great job trying to preserve nature and banning billboards. I had a chance to meet these people at Washoe Valley in Nevada and I admired their conviction and the work they had already done. I remember that on my road trip from Leh while crossing over Barlachala from the Lahol Spiti end and entering Rohtang near Manali I witnessed the annoying change in the landscape. Damn every mountain alongside the road was painted with advertisement. Including the rocks in the flowing streams. Commercialism had overtaken the nature. It was heartbreaking. 

What Scenic Nevada is trying to do in Nevada would seriously make sense anywhere in the world. Of course in India too... God has created a beautiful world around us. Billboards kill the joy of beauty of nature. Billboards stick out like sore reminders of man's hunger and greed and selfishness. Billboards are an annoying mind pollution and are driving away the birds and animals away. Do we really need them? Frankly it is an encroachment on nature's territory. I think it should be dealt with seriously.

http://www.scenicnevada.org/wp/reno-to-discuss-billboard-ban/

@writingdoll #writingdoll is with #ScenicNevada and for #Eco preservation.

No Prescription For The Illiterate?

Case: A domestic help earning a small salary, suffers itching on her feet. Could be due to many things including excessive use of cleansing agents and bare feet walking. She goes to this doctor (with credentials to boot.... consultant to Kaya Clinic and Jaslok) who gives her medicines to eat and ointment to apply. His fees is rupees 500/= for each visit, this includes the cost of medicines.

Beena (name changed) has been there three times. All she has is this doctor's visiting card, where he writes the dates when she has visited his clinic (on the reverse of it). He does not give her any prescription or case sheet. In fact he does not give her any receipts/bills for the medicines or any document that can explain her diagnosis or his treatment. Even the tablet he gives her are pre-cut and without label or any proper packing.

Where are ethics of medical profession? Here is his card and the medicines he has given her.

Whether or not the person understand it, shouldn't it be the duty of the doctor to make a proper prescription. I seriously wish you to share this post and tag #IMA to take necessary action against such #medical professionals. Also please take some time to educate the less educated #helpers around you.

Hindi, the missing link

कितनी आग लगा रखी है सोशल मीडिया पर हिंदी के विरुद्ध. आज पहली बार हिंदी की पैरवी करने का दिल करता है. इतनी खूबसूरत भाषा जिसे विदेशी भी सीख जाते हैं और दिल से पसंद करते है, अपने ही देश में नफ़रत और हीनभावना की शिकार हो रही है. बच्चे अंग्रेज़ी फर्राटेदार बोलते हैं. हिंदी बोलना गन्दा माना जाता है और बच्चे हिंदी की ट्यूशन लेते हैं क्योंकि स्वाभाविक तौर पर हिंदी उन्हें मुश्किल जान पड़ती है.

सबसे अधिक विरोध दक्षिण भारतीय कर रहे हैं. यह देखिए. और उसमे भी तमिल भाषी.

என். சொக்கன் ‏@nchokkan 5h5 hours ago

Hindi is yet another Foreign language for me.That's all.It deserves as much respect as Kannada,Telugu,French etc. #StopHindiImperialism

44 retweets 26 favorites

 என். சொக்கன் ‏@nchokkan 5h5 hours ago

Hindi is yet another Foreign language for me.That's all.It deserves as much respect as Kannada,Telugu,French etc. #StopHindiImperialism

44 retweets 26 favorites

वाह ! इसमें अंग्रेज़ी का नाम नहीं है. अंग्रेज़ो ने भाषा से प्रान्त बना कर देश का सबसे बड़ा नुक्सान किया है. तमिल सुन्दर भाषा है पर पूरे देशवासियों को तो नहीं आती। हिंदी सबसे अधिक बोली समझी जाती है. अब समूचे देश को जोड़ने वाली कोई तो कड़ी होनी चाहिए. हिंदी वही कड़ी है. संस्कृत भी हो सकती थी पर हिंदी का पतन देख कर लगता नहीं कि लोग संस्कृत बोल समझ सकते. इसमें दिक्कत क्या है? दक्षिण भारतीय या फिर कोई भी प्रान्त के लोग रोज़ी रोटी के लिए दूसरी जगह जाते हैं तो वहाँ की भाषा सीख ही लेते हैं न तो हिंदी के प्रति इतनी नफ़रत क्यों?

एक ट्वीट मिला नहीं जिसमे लिखा था कि हम तमिल लोग बिना हिंदी जाने पूरे देश पर राज कर सकते हैं. क्यों नहीं ? काबिल इंसान कहीं पर भी राज कर सकता था पर मैंने उन श्रीमान जी को लिखा था की भाई साहब आप के यहाँ से महान हस्तियाँ जैसे कि चिदंबरम, श्री श्री रवि शंकर, जग्गी वासुदेव और रजनीकांत बेहतरीन हिंदी बोलते हैं।  ख़ैर, अगर दूर की सोच हो और दूर तक पहुँचना हो तो ऐसी भाषा तो सीखनी ही पड़ेगी जो आपकी आवाज़ को दूर तक ले जा सके.  मैंने हिंदी में लिखा था पता नहीं उन्हें समझ भी आया कि नहीं। 

बात ख़त्म नहीं हुई है.... यह तो एक शुरुआत है. हिंदी के लिए मैं तो लड़ूँगी क्योंकि हिंदी और सिर्फ हिंदी से ही यह देश जुड़ेगा.  

My Independecne Day

Just now saw the Tricolour being unfurled in the school next door. It conjured up emotions. I love this moment when Tiranga opens up and showers its petals all around ..like blessings and then sways proudly. I thank God for sending me to this Great Nation. Its an amazing feeling to be Bhartiya, Hindustani.

During childhood my mother ensured that we made this day special. Her nana was a freedom fighter and so our mom had lot of stories to tell. She was a five year old when the country was divided. Though our family was rooted in Punjab my mom had heard/seen poignant stories including that of a Muslim family staying with them as tenants. So we kind of knew the price we Bharatwasis paid for this freedom. And we value it. Thanks to all that she shared with us.

I still remember myself, an eight year old, singing patriotic song... 'Desh de Tirangaya' at Azad Chowk.. a prominent city chowk for official Independence Day celebrations. In my school it was the most beautiful ambience. We sang, we paraded and we ate ladoos. Yes, we always got two ladoos on this days... the sweetness of those is lingering till this day.

After school days got over, my youngest brother Vineet used to wish all of us.. "Happy Independence Day" and make our day so special. It was amazing when the expected D day for my second child was marked as 15th Aug. Mostly the actual date of delivery changes. On 14th my doctor said, "Ma'am, we will induce on 16th Aug" .......as 15th Aug is a national holiday. The doctor came for a short round on the morning of 15th August and was taken aback seeing a baby next to me. "Yeh kab hua?"
"Wee hours... last night...early morning of 15th August."
He smiled. I smiled. My child was born on the most wonderful day when there is festivity and joy in the air. Always. Year after year. The ladoos are distributed.

Happy Independence day... !! Lets hear our great PM from the Lal Quila and feel that pride in our hearts.

Jai Hind!!

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam...People's President

In the year 1991, in DRDO, Kanchanbagh campus where we had gone visiting an uncle (an army officer who was posted there) we saw one maverick missile scientist taking an evening walk. We were told that he works on missiles and is very unique kind of a person. I found that long haired man very interesting looking. It was getting late and we could not meet him.

He went on to become India's most revered and most loved President. The one and only #Dr APJAbdulKalam. I could not meet him but I read his biography 'Wings of Fire' and felt connected with him. I am sure he touched the hearts of those he crossed in any way. The news of his death at 84 came like a blow to many like me. We never wanted him to go... isn't it? Even as a President. India's people wanted him to come back as President again but the corrupt politicians did not. He stood apart like a lotus in the dirty pond. Every time I read about him or re-read his books I was awed by his personality. He was nearly a flawless creation. He was so inspiring. That is why his words are timeless. He read Gita and Quran and lived a very pious life. That is why perhaps he goes back on this day of Ekadashi completing this round of life on this earth.

Dr ‪#‎APJAbdulKalam‬ was an institution, an icon, an idol.... a leader with a difference, with principles, with integrity. No one can ever come close to the stature he rose to, the reverence he earned. He will remain People's President....will live in the hearts of millions of Indians. No one can ever take his place. May his soul rest in peace.

I am in tears as millions of Indians. A million salutes to you Kalam Sir !! India will never ever forget you.

(Pardon any mistakes..writing with blurred eyes and mind and stream of tears... )