The screen of his laptop lay slanted, inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal surface of the table with sunrays fighting their way through the cluttered branches of the trees and through the grill fixed in front of the window to reach the top-right corner of the screen, producing a vague, yet intense yellow dot. The quiescence of the screen seemed unreal and eternal. The ‘ocean mist’ visualization of the ‘windows media player’ had unruly blue bars dancing all over the screen, synchronized with the repercussive music being played at the background, much to his engrossment.
Surroundings looked completely disorganised, bizarre. Nothing could get his thought ride, which was going totally astray, to a fruitful conclusion. He could hardly meet any new ideas in that hour characterized by abstraction. His frustration grew. The result of some futile attempts of covering up his disorderly mind was frustration; plain and simple frustration. There was absolutely no creativity involved in that session as if it were demonically blocked. In fact, nothing was involved at all except for a deafening silence that could be heard vividly. It was challenging him in all possible ways. He fought, but couldn’t win. “Is disorder the ultimate truth of life?” He forlornly asked himself as his desperate struggle to achieve stability had consistently gone in vain.
He started speaking to himself. When will my struggle end? When shall I find solace? Will I ever find the much desired and much sought-after emotion, contentment? Will I ever find stability, order?
“No, never,” answered a sharp voice, “Not until you rest in peace!”
- Mihir chitre
mihirmumbaikar@gmail.com
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The Battle
I just caught a seat,
It’s a fight every day,
I finally feel the breeze,
I feel the oxygen intake.
About half a minute goes by,
And then it halts again;
A mob of ladies goes out,
to let another mob make its way.
A mother stumbles and comes in with the mob.
Her baby attached with a cloth to stay,
I stare at her in awe,
I want to get up and give her my place.
Just when I am about to do that,
I see her hand goes in the bag and she says,
“Chains for fifteen bucks,
Hair bands for ten”.
I am shocked; I just don’t know what to say.
She’s here to work I thought,
She’s not here to travel the way.
She’s here to earn I thought,
Her battle is not just the place.
It’s much tougher,
It’s much deeper,
And it grows with every day.
Her battle is to survive her way,
Her battle is to make her baby stay.
- Priyanka Talreja
priyankatalreja@yahoo.com
It’s a fight every day,
I finally feel the breeze,
I feel the oxygen intake.
About half a minute goes by,
And then it halts again;
A mob of ladies goes out,
to let another mob make its way.
A mother stumbles and comes in with the mob.
Her baby attached with a cloth to stay,
I stare at her in awe,
I want to get up and give her my place.
Just when I am about to do that,
I see her hand goes in the bag and she says,
“Chains for fifteen bucks,
Hair bands for ten”.
I am shocked; I just don’t know what to say.
She’s here to work I thought,
She’s not here to travel the way.
She’s here to earn I thought,
Her battle is not just the place.
It’s much tougher,
It’s much deeper,
And it grows with every day.
Her battle is to survive her way,
Her battle is to make her baby stay.
- Priyanka Talreja
priyankatalreja@yahoo.com
Imagine
We all grow up, a little by little. Somewhere in the process, we lose something most precious, most important. We lose our power to dream, dream all those impossible things. And we start believing that our imagination is just imagination.
When I was 10, I used to believe in miracles, used to believe in a number of things. All were mere fantasies, but the best fantasies I’ve ever known. We used to play hide and seek, at Vani aunty’s house. It was my chance, I was lacking by two dips behind my brother. I knew I had to find everyone, else I would lose. I found everyone apart from my brother. He was still hiding. He was faster than me, so I could not outrun him to the dip. Then I saw it, a glimpse of his heel. He was running upstairs towards the terrace. The terrace was locked. I thought I would find him at the top of the stairs. So I ran up the stairs just a little, but enough to see anyone on top of them. I glanced but he wasn’t there. In the split second that I realised he wasn’t there, he raced behind me and reached the dip. I could not understand how he had done it.
Then it struck me, as kids we all had agreed that he had ninja powers, he could teleport. He was the oldest of the lot. He used to tell us stories of how he'd battled aliens and fought against Shreder without the help of turtles. We believed him, he was my hero. I told everyone what I’d seen and we all agreed that it was not fair for him to teleport. None of us had learnt how to do it yet (he told us he'd teach us someday). He gave me a smile that day and took the dip upon himself. I won and I was so proud!
When I think back to that day, I know he could not have teleported. Yet, he did not argue. Be it for making us believe, but I think that day, he did it for me. Today, when I think about it, I realise how important it was that we believed him. How important it was that we could live in a world of fantasy; how important it is to live in a world of fantasy.
I still live in that world and go to the places that I haven’t been to, in a long time. Sometimes, just sometimes, I still go back to my kingdom, where people miss me, where I can fly, where love and fun are the only two laws and slaying dragons and dark wizards are still a daily routine for me; for me, The King!
- Tapas Chitre
tapas.chitre@gmail.com
When I was 10, I used to believe in miracles, used to believe in a number of things. All were mere fantasies, but the best fantasies I’ve ever known. We used to play hide and seek, at Vani aunty’s house. It was my chance, I was lacking by two dips behind my brother. I knew I had to find everyone, else I would lose. I found everyone apart from my brother. He was still hiding. He was faster than me, so I could not outrun him to the dip. Then I saw it, a glimpse of his heel. He was running upstairs towards the terrace. The terrace was locked. I thought I would find him at the top of the stairs. So I ran up the stairs just a little, but enough to see anyone on top of them. I glanced but he wasn’t there. In the split second that I realised he wasn’t there, he raced behind me and reached the dip. I could not understand how he had done it.
Then it struck me, as kids we all had agreed that he had ninja powers, he could teleport. He was the oldest of the lot. He used to tell us stories of how he'd battled aliens and fought against Shreder without the help of turtles. We believed him, he was my hero. I told everyone what I’d seen and we all agreed that it was not fair for him to teleport. None of us had learnt how to do it yet (he told us he'd teach us someday). He gave me a smile that day and took the dip upon himself. I won and I was so proud!
When I think back to that day, I know he could not have teleported. Yet, he did not argue. Be it for making us believe, but I think that day, he did it for me. Today, when I think about it, I realise how important it was that we believed him. How important it was that we could live in a world of fantasy; how important it is to live in a world of fantasy.
I still live in that world and go to the places that I haven’t been to, in a long time. Sometimes, just sometimes, I still go back to my kingdom, where people miss me, where I can fly, where love and fun are the only two laws and slaying dragons and dark wizards are still a daily routine for me; for me, The King!
- Tapas Chitre
tapas.chitre@gmail.com
A Moment of Magic
Trance.
There lay a moment,
fallen from the skies.
The moment looked embellished with joys
and polished with a heavenly delight.
It was a moment that exuded ebullience,
a moment that went beyond the darkness of the past,
and a moment that outplayed the uncertainties of the future.
My eyes - eager to capture it ingenuously;
My heart - beating with an increasing flamboyance;
And my psyche - emanating a noble feeling of gratification.
I wished, the moment to last; perhaps, forever.
Impracticable, as my wish turned out to be,
at least in my memories, I wanted it to be preserved;
this time again, forever.
Now,
Trance again, yet another.
But the moment lies in my brains,
with quaint reminiscences of its existence,
Making themselves heard loud and clear,
Making themselves exude the timeless ebullience,
and making themselves worth being treasured,
Yes, forever. Indeed, forever!
- Mihir Chitre
mihirmumbaikar@gmail.com
There lay a moment,
fallen from the skies.
The moment looked embellished with joys
and polished with a heavenly delight.
It was a moment that exuded ebullience,
a moment that went beyond the darkness of the past,
and a moment that outplayed the uncertainties of the future.
My eyes - eager to capture it ingenuously;
My heart - beating with an increasing flamboyance;
And my psyche - emanating a noble feeling of gratification.
I wished, the moment to last; perhaps, forever.
Impracticable, as my wish turned out to be,
at least in my memories, I wanted it to be preserved;
this time again, forever.
Now,
Trance again, yet another.
But the moment lies in my brains,
with quaint reminiscences of its existence,
Making themselves heard loud and clear,
Making themselves exude the timeless ebullience,
and making themselves worth being treasured,
Yes, forever. Indeed, forever!
- Mihir Chitre
mihirmumbaikar@gmail.com
Population
This thought has been in my mind from quite some time over population as personally I'm a person hating crowded places and places with chaos. India is a land which is gifted with a lot many natural resources, but still India's GDP is one of the lowest in the world, thanks to our ever increasing population. The GDP index is increasing somehow in the last few years but we won't achieve a radical progress because of the mighty population we possess. In fact going one step ahead, I believe that population is the worst problem faced presently by India. Forget GDP, but there are innumerable problems arising out due to this which can't be listed in words. Like, I was frustrated on not getting railway reservation few days ago for Bombay, and the wait in the queue (for an hour) had only added in the mess. If we consider the cases of few developed nations, it’s clear that they have advanced because of their less population and good governance. Logically, good governance is achieved if population is less! Just look at examples like Luxembourg, Norway, Australia, NZ, UK and maybe Antarctica after few years? People don't tend to care much for each other, as we got multiple human options. Not only this, but too many children brought up at a home, which does not have a strong financial support, yield few uncivilized citizens for the nation. At any place, the pressure of competition experienced is high if a large crowd exists. Simply to put, it becomes 'Quantity More, Quality Less'. Just look at the rush in medical, engineering, CAT and other courses. Many hard-working and deserving students miss what they want by a few ranks. Other side effects can be more traffic, longer queues, no reservation availability, and may be no oxygen, or even an earthquake?
As I said, there are many problems that can't be listed; I just got a few in words.
But, yes some plus points of it as mentioned by our respected President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is the number of educated youngsters, which we will get (considering good education is provided) if they are shaped in a proper way. It can work wonders and that’s the real challenge that lies in front of the young generation.
- Ameya Waghmare
ameyawaghmare@gmail.com
As I said, there are many problems that can't be listed; I just got a few in words.
But, yes some plus points of it as mentioned by our respected President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is the number of educated youngsters, which we will get (considering good education is provided) if they are shaped in a proper way. It can work wonders and that’s the real challenge that lies in front of the young generation.
- Ameya Waghmare
ameyawaghmare@gmail.com
The Loser
“Give up!” Raj screamed. “Bravery is better supported by prudence,” he added in an attenuated volume, vacillating around Nikhil.
“Isn’t prudence subjective?” retorted Nikhil.
“It might well be, but this pseudo optimism shall lead you nowhere but to hell. Start accepting the unacceptable aspects of life, my friend. Don’t play games that you are almost certain to lose,” said Raj resting a hand on Nikhil’s shoulder.
“Do I always mold myself at life’s will? Every other day, that bitch comes at you, demanding you to be what it wants, hungry for your peace of mind like a starved dog, and stabbing your happiness gruesomely” said Nikhil intensely. “If I give myself up to every new misery that dawns on me and behave as the situation demands, I would rather be faking personalities. It would be an unbearable identity crisis,” Nikhil articulated.
“If you don’t adapt, be sure of getting terminated,” Raj.
Nikhil smiled, rather sarcastically and said, “The ‘real you’ was terminated right when you changed yourself and adapted to life for the first time, friend. This is probably the zillionth version of Raj that I’m talking to.”
“Perhaps, you are right! But this perennially transiting Raj has always been happier, wealthier and more popular than the constant you, hasn’t he?” countered Raj.
“Well,” said Nikhil with a cryptic grin.
“My friend,” Raj broke the silence. “My dear friend, please revisit your thoughts and refrain from what you plan to do tomorrow. I don’t want to lose you. Please, for my sake.” Raj pleaded, completely changing his tone.
“I know I shall die. Even a miracle is unlikely to act as my savior tomorrow. But as you know, I hardly care. I want to fight for what, I have always believed, is right,” Nikhil said in the same tone and got off his chair. “Nonetheless, my bloody optimism silently hopes for a more capable miracle,” smilingly said Nikhil, stepping towards Raj. And for the first time his voice dampened.
“I shall miss you in heaven’s delight; I shall miss you in hell’s torment. I shall miss the 25 years of the most sacred bond called friendship that we have shared. Where ever they take me, I shall miss you, my friend!” he said. “I wish we could stay as we are for eternity, but it’s just that the destiny is not on my side. Perhaps, I can’t prevent this change from taking place. Perhaps, I’m the loser between the two of us,” Nikhil added as he winced back, shed a couple of dry tears, and then tightly hugged Raj.
“Hallowed be thy name!” Raj stated, without much of an emotion, and left the room, without gathering the courage to look into his best friend’s eyes, probably, for the last time.
- Mihir Chitre
- mihirmumbaikar@gmail.com
“Isn’t prudence subjective?” retorted Nikhil.
“It might well be, but this pseudo optimism shall lead you nowhere but to hell. Start accepting the unacceptable aspects of life, my friend. Don’t play games that you are almost certain to lose,” said Raj resting a hand on Nikhil’s shoulder.
“Do I always mold myself at life’s will? Every other day, that bitch comes at you, demanding you to be what it wants, hungry for your peace of mind like a starved dog, and stabbing your happiness gruesomely” said Nikhil intensely. “If I give myself up to every new misery that dawns on me and behave as the situation demands, I would rather be faking personalities. It would be an unbearable identity crisis,” Nikhil articulated.
“If you don’t adapt, be sure of getting terminated,” Raj.
Nikhil smiled, rather sarcastically and said, “The ‘real you’ was terminated right when you changed yourself and adapted to life for the first time, friend. This is probably the zillionth version of Raj that I’m talking to.”
“Perhaps, you are right! But this perennially transiting Raj has always been happier, wealthier and more popular than the constant you, hasn’t he?” countered Raj.
“Well,” said Nikhil with a cryptic grin.
“My friend,” Raj broke the silence. “My dear friend, please revisit your thoughts and refrain from what you plan to do tomorrow. I don’t want to lose you. Please, for my sake.” Raj pleaded, completely changing his tone.
“I know I shall die. Even a miracle is unlikely to act as my savior tomorrow. But as you know, I hardly care. I want to fight for what, I have always believed, is right,” Nikhil said in the same tone and got off his chair. “Nonetheless, my bloody optimism silently hopes for a more capable miracle,” smilingly said Nikhil, stepping towards Raj. And for the first time his voice dampened.
“I shall miss you in heaven’s delight; I shall miss you in hell’s torment. I shall miss the 25 years of the most sacred bond called friendship that we have shared. Where ever they take me, I shall miss you, my friend!” he said. “I wish we could stay as we are for eternity, but it’s just that the destiny is not on my side. Perhaps, I can’t prevent this change from taking place. Perhaps, I’m the loser between the two of us,” Nikhil added as he winced back, shed a couple of dry tears, and then tightly hugged Raj.
“Hallowed be thy name!” Raj stated, without much of an emotion, and left the room, without gathering the courage to look into his best friend’s eyes, probably, for the last time.
- Mihir Chitre
- mihirmumbaikar@gmail.com
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