Pinku-Enchanted Life

Background: Have been conferred the Brilliante Award 2008 by Mampi . She has given it to me “ For bringing out the innermost turmoils of human soul, for offering a myriad view of all that she witnesses around her ”. So I am sitting at my desk, gloating over this award and wondering what the best things to say are. Ok here goes: “Mampi thank you very much for this award, since it my first ever on blogsville it truly feels awesome. When you say I bring out the ‘innermost turmoil of human soul’ I am a little dumbfounded cause such a huge exercise I had never attempted or even thought of attempting. Whatever I have written on the blog are thoughts and feelings that have touched me. If they are able to showcase something larger it can only mean that finally under the diversities of colour, creed, region, language, gender, religion and world views all human beings are essentially the same.” ( I am leaving out the part about thanking friends, family, colleague and most importantly enemies fo...

She is the one who gave birth me merely the one who wishes I had to her it was the result of a night of carelessness for me it would be the fruit of utmost care for her life's possibilities came dashing down when the news broke for me life would take wings if I could but just get that message for her she is the by product of her quest for social security and acceptance for me, she is the symbol that God hasn't forsaken mankind she tries to rule mind and soul I just want a bit of heart space She frowns at questions I wonder at her wonder and the wonder that she is she is the mother I am but the woman who would have given anything to be one she bore her for nine months I have lived with the hollowness within for nine years How can my love ever compare with a mother's love?

As we see the images of Kashmiris asking for separation over and over again. It hits home that all this hullabaloo is actually because they find their homeland under threat. The threat is real or imagined can be a matter of debate however the fact remains that having your home turf under attack is not a easy feeling to live with. So what am I trying to say? Well just that the Kashmiris are not the only one clamouring to be heard through their many parades and leaders, some dumb creatures too are crying out and asking for our support. The Olive Ridley Turtles are going to lose their breeding grounds soon thanks to a port that the Tata’s are planning at Dhamra, one of the last natural habitats of these endangered species. I wrote a letter to Mr. Ratan Tata today through GreenPeace an organization which is fighting on behalf of the turtles and their right to live. Here is my letter: Dear Mr.Tata, It would be nice to know that apart from a lot of steel you also have a heart. Money can...

Thanks all of you for answering the questions I put forward in the last post. Now here are my answers to my own questions: Independence to me is the ability to grow as an individual and be responsible for my own life The most important freedom, is free speech and the right to endeavor to make a better life for myself without reservations of any kind binding me. For me my country is my greatest pride and I blindly love it. And my greatest moment of pride was when India's first man in space Rakesh Sharma answered while orbiting the earth, " Saare jahan se acha " to the question by then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, " mera bharat kaisa lag raha hai?" And the moment in my own life which best symbolises freedom is when I decided to write this blog and air my views on my own forum without fear. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ONE AND ALL!!!

In a few days time it will the 61st anniversary of India’s independence from the British Raj. We celebrate this day as a national holiday and thanks to multiple channels are not even bound to hear the speeches being made from the ramparts of the Red Fort if we happen to switch on the television. The fact that most markets are closed however is a nuisance since we can’t exercise our freedom to shop. And even catching a movie is not always possible either because we didn’t book in advance or the shows are houseful or cause we live in a metropolitan city and are afraid of a terror attack on an important day such as this. So what do we do? We laze about at home, have something nice to eat and drink (provided we were smart enough to stash away booze beforehand, it being a dry day and all that). And if a neighbor or friend happens to drop by we discuss the completely pathetic state of affairs of the country. How it’s being led by donkeys and it can only lead to ruin. How we are planning to g...

Love, they said is pure and innocent. Love, they said gives wholeheartedly, simply Love, they said made you kind and gentle Love, they said was sublime and subtle What is this then? This tumultuous sensation that fills me when I think of you The jealousy I feel when I see you absorbed in anything but me The fierce waves of pain and pleasure that you unleash in me Are these then not love? Love, they said happened when boy meets girl Love they said was the first kiss, the first touch Love they said was eternal What then do we call what we share? We met after meeting and loving others Amongst our most precious memories are those that we don’t hold in common Our temperaments are different, so is our world view at times Yet inspite of it all we have dared to share dreams, hopes and desires Yet inspite of it all we have decided to be co-travelers on the road of life We have shed tears of joy and sorrow for each other; we have lived in each others smiles But is that enough to call it love? Sh...

A well planned city, a lovely day, laughter and good hearted chatter for company. With people you have met for the first time but feel you know so well. A wholesome lunch in the Punjabi tradition of ‘the guest must not lack for anything’. A visit to the city’s beautiful lake side and the chance to quickly through snippets bring each other up to date on one’s life and plans. A very upset young boy with strangers who are intruding on his time with Dad. A young girl who doesn’t know what to make of a woman who is mom’s friend but behaves more her age. Two husbands, amused participants to their wives latest crazy plan. A meeting that ended too soon. A friendship I am hoping will survive and thrive.