Thursday 24 December 2020

Paying the Price











This story was written in response to a prompt received during a weekly meet of the writers club Bangalore in December 2020  

Deepak walked into the office at 9.30 AM.As usual he was late He kept his things on the desk in his cubicle. There was no one around. What had happened? Where have all these people gone he wondered. After what appeared to be  ages, which was in fact,  half an hour later, they started to troop in. He called out to his friend Rahul. But he seemed to sort of avoid him or had he not heard him?  When Richa whose cubicle was next to his, came he asked her why everyone had disappeared. She said that a new member has joined the team and the manager had called a meeting to introduce her.  

Oh okay Deepak said casually and then turned around to see the new girl walking in He did not know what hit him. He stared at her unabashedly. No girl had affected him in this manner. The first thing that caught his eye was the gorgeous figure. But once he looked at her face, her beautiful wide dark eyes with velvety eyelashes monopolized all his attention. That was before she flashed her lovely smile that blossomed like a flower radiating in the morning sun.

Hello I am Chetana”  She stretched her  hand. “ Looks like we didn’t meet at the introductory meeting. I joined this morning as the assistant manager. I have three  years of experience.”

Deepak felt weak in the knees. He found that his mouth had gone dry and he had literally become tongue tied. It was very rare that he was placed in such a situation as he was known as the guy with the gift of the gab. But now, he just managed to nod and say a feeble “Hi”.   

He found his friend  Rahul staring at them  from his cubicle  across the room.  Others had begun to get down to the routine  work of the morning. Rahul ‘s eyes appeared sullen and glowering at the same time; was there also  a tinge of insecurity? Why such an overreaction? he wondered  After all, the girl had only just joined  the office.  However, when he thought of it over at lunch time, he felt he knew why Rahul was behaving the way he was. After all,  Chetana had affected him, knocked the winds out of his sails in the same manner.

 In the four years they had served the company , he could not remember a day when Rahul and he haven’t eaten lunch together. Today however, he said he was busy with some urgent stuff and that he Deepak could go ahead with lunch. Deepak had known Rahul right from their college days and it was a happy event when they both got campus placement in the same company.  Others had got married one after the other. Presently, it was only him and Rahul who were the remaining eligible bachelors in the office. Looks like his dear friend would soon become a foe!  After all, lovely Chetana was too good to lose. He could not imagine a life without having this angel by his side.  “If that is the price, so be it” thought  Deepak as he pushed his plate aside and  got up to return to the routine of the second half  of the work  day. 

Sunday 20 December 2020

Instant Gratification







Good or bad, sensible or foolish 

the need, the desire, craving

or  if you prefer, the malady

of instant gratification is real and alive! 


It is besieging one and all 

some faster, some a little later

but succumb we all do

to the charms of instant gratification  


After all, who wants to wait that long 

in anticipation, expectation 

"Give it to me now" they say

or tell me if I don't fit the bill 

so that I can bask in the happiness

or swallow if a bitter pill, and move on..."  


For all the teachings of the Gita 

exhorting action with no expectations of fruit 

we now live in different times 

why, even a twentieth century born me 

struggle for immunity against

the twenty first century phenomena 

instant gratification!    

I  recited this poem in the 5th  Dignagar International Poetry meet (Online)  fest organized by Shri Gobinda Bishwas on 20th December 2020. 









Wednesday 16 December 2020

Intention to Reality













When man started out 
to make the world a better place 
armed with the new tools of engineering 
science, technology, entrepreneurship 
he thought he was doing
the world a favour... 

Years later, we now know 
his contribution is more 
to the disruption of biodiversity
resulting in  problems of habitat loss, 
climate disruption, air pollution
global warming, water pollution 

Greed had long consumed initial intentions
of making world a better place
it was all about the need for wealth 
possessions, image, status 
meaning change in focus to competition 
shareholder interests, extraction, optimization 
biodiversity, universal well being be damned! 

Burying your head in the sand 
outright denial, defensiveness, take you nowhere 
quick action on natural resource conservation 
recycling waste, reusing things  
avoiding use of paper to save trees 
supporting environment friendly practices 
 are all the need of the hour! 

It's all about acting now
before it is too late
yes, Act fast or perish!       

Thursday 10 December 2020

A poetic Bio data

This was an  interesting request by the editor Anju Kishore to write "Poetic Bio data"  by  all  the 45 poets who contributed  to the  4th annual anthology titled "Ruminations" of the India Poetry circle (IPC),- "Confluence- 4"  has  14 poems created  from  few lines contributed by each of the 45  poets.  This is my poetic bio data.

There goes Rajeev
He used to write while in school, college 
the rumble and tumble of day to day living
and working in  the corporate meant 
the old phase was all but  forgotten...   

Eight to ten years back,
he resurfaced, started with prose, 
now writes a lot of poetry too 
loves engaging in his twin passions
of teaching/training,  and writing! 

Couple of books-one each in prose and poetry
and contributions to national & international publications 
to literary groups on FB , Indi-blogger
is  a proud  member of IPC and BPC 
covers  just about all you can tell about him!   

NB:   IPC refers to India Poetry Circle and BPC to Bangalore poetry circle      


IPC also suggested that the poetic Bio of one poet be read by another poet. My bio was read  by poet Padmini Janardhanan  the link to which is given below:-   

Wednesday 9 December 2020

Best Recipe











The grand recipe to handle dissent

those who disagree with you 

is to call them incompetent fools 

traitors or some other abusive name

doesn't matter which one

the aim being to  discredit them!  


Arrange that this be done from all sides 

by those already agreeing with you 

want more?  - Buy them! troll, arm twist,

entice, whatever it takes for getting

the disagreeing to relent or flee

with the tail between their legs!  


Soon they, and everyone watching

liked caged parrots, wouldn't dare 

to disagree with you! 


Is it the 'best' recipe for success though? 

you bet, it is tried and tested 

at the highest level 

and have struck jackpot each time

so many times now!  



Sunday 6 December 2020

സത്യവും മിഥ്യയും

I recited this Malayalam poem in the second online international multi lingual poetry meet organized by  Kavya Kaumudi on 6th December 2020.

സത്യം , സത്യം ,സത്യം
ആരുടെ സത്യം ? എന്നുടെ സത്യം?
നിങ്ങളുടെ  സത്യം ? 

സത്യമെന്നാൽ  ഒന്നേ ഒന്നോ ?
സത്യം, ഒരേ ഒരു  സത്യം മാത്രമോ ?
കാലത്തിന്  അതീതമോ സത്യം ?
ഇന്നലത്തെ  സത്യം ,ഇന്നത്തെ സത്യം
നാളെയും അതു തന്നെ സത്യമായി കരുതുമോ ?

സത്യ ശീലമെന്നു എടുത്താൽ 
ഇന്നില്ല , ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു പണ്ട്‌ 
മാവേലിയുടെ കാലത്തു മാത്രമെന്നോതുമോ ?

"ഇന്ന് സത്യമേ ഇല്ല" എന്നു  ഓതുമ്പോൾ  ഓർക്കു   
അന്ന് പതിനഞ്ചാം നൂറ്റാണ്ടിൽ
കന്നഡ  കവി പുരന്ദർ പാടി
" സത്യവൻതരികെ കാലാവല്ല
ദുഷ്ട ജനരകിതു  സുഭിക്ഷ കാല " 

സത്യം , സത്യം ,സത്യം
ആരുടെ സത്യം ? എന്നുടെ സത്യം?
നിങ്ങളുടെ  സത്യം ? 
സത്യമെന്നുണ്ടോ ?  അല്ല , എല്ലാം മിഥ്യയോ ? 

രാജീവ്  മൂത്തേടത്   


Poet Note:  Poem is about Truth and  delusion/ Sham. Is truth  the same ? yours and mine. Does truth remain the same over time lines or does it change with time? Is there nothing called absolute truth? 


Wednesday 2 December 2020

Human Container

 

Acid or poison spilling over 

or directed to others from a container 

burns, harms the victim  

but how much more harm 

does it do to the container itself ? 


Human body accumulated with

acids of hate, enmity, prejudice and violence

seemingly helps some vested interests, short term 

but does little for the container itself  


Its destiny of  being destroyed in macabre fashion

long before the natural death

is sealed and dusted the moment

it allowed itself to be used as container... 

Monday 23 November 2020

Tiny tot to Accomplished Adult



Today is the birthday of our first born 

to us, it doesn't seem so long ago

yet, he has come a long way

from tiny tot to accomplished adult!   

 

Memories take me back 

to times when this bundle of energy

was here, there. everywhere

on his first birthday with prior training from mom

he surprised and delighted guests 

blowing his candle himself 

to the chants of happy birthday! 


His  antics and adventures included 

putting clothes clips on both ears

of the friendly neighbourhood  dog

he got away with it a few times 

till one day the dog felt "Enough was enough" 

as he chose this time to also sit on it  

like a man on a horse!  


A nice friendly bite meant, us

anxious parents, scrambling  to hospital 

it was the same outcome he produced 

 when he jumped into water tank , pursuing a toy 

while mother's  attention diverted, for  that split second! 


From first birthday to this day 

you have come a long way, son 

early successes in career,  material gains

whether car and now a home  

and the cherry on the cake

a compatible loving partner!


Proud parents wish you

a great day today and everyday 

my prayer for you son on this sweet happy day  

"May you have many more feathers in your cap

May you always have your head firmly on your shoulders

and feet firmly on the ground" 

God bless you!  

Sunday 22 November 2020

From Flame to Fire
















The flame was always bright
in the hearts and minds of many
in the pre-independence days

Rekindled every time it flickered
with doubt or despair
by so many stalwarts
Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Bose
and many unsung patriots
at the district, taluk levels!

Though independence was only the beginning
many saw it as the end of journey
mission accomplished- now, bask in the freedom
each for his own, run to the finishing point
of wealth, glory for self, one's own

What about the masses?
the majority of the citizens
illiterate, ignorant, unaware of their rights
" Well, just keep them where they are
how else will we lord over them
as we always have, with assistance
of super weapon, feudalism"

73 years of freedom- India claims progress
technological advances, success
even in big space pursuits
yet, for the vast majority living in rural India
or in slums of urban India
nothing seems to have changed
it is business as usual!

Who will light the flame of freedom this time
freedom for all of India, not just pockets of India
freedom from poverty, illiteracy, indignity?

We no longer have leaders
of the stature of stalwarts of yore
only Aaya Rams and Gaya Rams
who neither have the willingness
or the ability for the long haul

"The only way is for all of us
to look for and draw from deep within
the strength, inspiration, passion
to rekindle love for our motherland

May the rekindled flames, in millions of hearts
ignite a fire so bright, so powerful
that it swallows up all challenges, obstacles
giving us a prosperous, educated India
an abundant India , its abundance
visible in each and every home
of our great nation!    

NB: I recited this poem on 22nd November 2020. at the Yercaud (online)  Ignite poetry fest 2020   







Wednesday 18 November 2020

New Playground

A new parliament building 

at estimated cost of 971 crores 

for our MPs to discuss and  debate 

or is it for howling, shouting, intimidating 

for brawls, violence in the well of the house? 


Now, they will have a new playground

After all, at stake is the prestige 

of a rich nation with a great heritage...


Tuesday 17 November 2020

Freedom of Expression

"There is too much milk 

ruins the coffee"
muttered the man
under his breath

"Muttering, not becoming of a man"
called out his wife
"Speak out, don't be a woman"

"It's nothing to do
with being a man or woman
he thought to himself
the spouse who is scared
of the other for whatever reasons
feels it safer to mutter
or simply say nothing at all....

Monday 16 November 2020

Poetic Justice

 









It was 8 PM in the evening. Prof  Natarajan was  still in his official chambers. Everyone had left between 5 and 6 pm. He could not bring himself to go home. He was not sure how he will be able to face his wife and tell her that from tomorrow he was without a job. From Director to no body; from a hero to a zero-  a person with an uncertain future at least in the short run. With Covid 19 still going strong and  no signs of abating, he wouldn’t be able to run around freely  in search of other job opportunities.  The secretary of the Rajhans college, an institution which he had served for 15 years now, five of them as Director,  had called him in to his chambers that morning at around 11 AM and told him the bad news.      

 As he sat dazed at his chair, memories came flooding from the past. It was the year 2005 and he had just joined the college and was warmly welcomed by the Director of the college Prof Rajamanickam.  Shortly thereafter,  the Director  called a staff meeting and introduced him, Natarajan to the other colleagues. It  was interesting to meet  a  professor couple among the staff . Later on, he realized that both of them were very bright and often received invitations to visit universities abroad in the US , Australia  and Europe.

The Director also had a great respect for the distinguished couple and felt that they were the pride of the college. Although initially Natarajan was also impressed and appreciative about the Rajan - Geetha duo, he soon began to feel that one or both of them could become a thorn in his ambition to occupy the chair of the Director. He reckoned that the Director  Rajamanickam  had another five years before retirement after which he could become the Director.  But then, Rajan and Geetha could stand in his way.  

Slowly and steadily Natarajan began to put into action a  detailed plan he had devised. He started putting into the ears of Prof Rajamanickam  thoughts that the duo were not bothered about the growth and well being of the institution. They were more concerned about making some money through the foreign travels  converting  the saved dollars  into solid Indian money. Now and then, he gave a hint to the Director  that Rajan and Geetha thought of themselves as more valuable to the college that the Director himself. He  told of stories that he had  overheard... Rajan had told a group of students at the canteen " You know guys, the respect that the college enjoys amongst the public is mainly because of the reputation Geetha and I  have, as highly sought after visiting faculty abroad."

 In the beginning,  the Director, Prof Rajamanickam dismissed such  suggestions and assertions from Natarajan. After all he knew the couple for a longer period than he had known Natarajan. But slowly an inkling of doubt began to enter his mind as to whether Rajan was in fact getting too big for his boots? He began to confront Rajan  on some issue or the other.  The next time an opportunity came up  for a short term  assignment of one year at a university in Europe, he directed  Rajan not to take it up  as it affected the effectiveness of the  classes here.  After, some argument , Rajan had to turn down that opportunity.  However, he began to become withdrawn at work and three months later, he put in his papers. An year later Geetha also followed suit. She was feeling cornered and  unhappy in a set up that she had so loved not very long ago.

The office attendant  came in and peeped. "Sir, it is already 8.30 PM”.

"I told you to go long ago Murugan! Why are you still here? I will lock up the office and hand over the keys at the security."  Natarajan said.

The boy had come and broken his train of thought. Anyway, he must leave in at least another half hour or else his wife would be anxious. 

 With both Rajan and Geetha out of the way, Natarajan thought that his ambition of becoming Director would be achieved in another two years. But to his chagrin, Prof Rajamanickam  who was enjoying very good rapport with the board  was getting extensions to his tenure. He had already managed it  three times. That was when Natarajan felt that enough was enough. He began to organize tea party discussions and later booze party meetings with other faculty members and got them convinced that Rajamanickam was a threat to the careers of all of them. 

  " This guy will never allow any of us to grow!" he asserted  in each of these  meetings.  A quiet signature campaign followed highlighting the in-competencies and old ways of working of Prof Rajamanickam.  Srinivasan was his right hand and played the biggest part  in mobilizing the campaign. Soon  their efforts bore fruit and prof Rajamanickam was ousted. Natarajan became the new Director.

When he met the secretary in the morning, he was shocked to learn that the person whom he had thought  his right hand, Sreenivasan had a big hand in getting him sacked. It appears he had been working for it for the past one year. Traitor! Natarajan yelled in his mind. How could the rascal do this to him after all the support he had given him , providing him the juiciest of opportunities to excel..

 As he carried his brief case and got into his car,  a very sad face of Prof Rajamanickam  appeared before his face. “You got me to get rid of two of our gems who had served this college sincerely for years!”, his face seem to say. It was already 9.15 PM. It would be 10 PM by the time he reached home. Then, he has to break the news to his wife…. Or perhaps he would postpone it for tomorrow? 

Monday 2 November 2020

Devil











Are you fearful of the devil?

scared of the dark alleys? 

of horror films and things evil? 

Nothing strange considering

we are  frequently told 

to embrace the good, keep evil at bay 

embrace God, shun the devil!     


The only irony is that, the evil 

or devil is not something,

someone out there!    

just look within for the negative thoughts

of jealousy, of hate, of fear

for inadequacies, of not 'being enough'  

they are all shades of evil

epitomes of the devil!   


Banish these  from the insides 

kick them, punch them

throw them out for good

and you would have seen

the back of the devil once for all!  


ചെകുത്താൻ   

ചെകുത്താനേ  പേടിയുണ്ടോ ? 

ഭാർഗവി  നിലയംപോൽ  വീടുകളെ ? 

പ്രേതങ്ങൾ ഉള്ള  സിനിമകളെ?  


ഉണ്ടെങ്കിൽ  അത്  സ്വാഭാവികം 

ചെറു  പ്രായം തൊട്ട്  കേൾകുന്നതല്ലേ 

നന്മയെ  അണക്കു, തിന്മയെ  ദൂരെ നിർത്തു 

ദെയ്‌വത്തിനെ പുണരൂ , ചെകുത്താനെ  അകറ്റി  നിർത്തൂ    


വിരോധാഭാസം എന്തെന്നാൽ 

ഈ ചെകുത്താൻ , ദൂരെ എങ്ങോ ഉള്ള 

പൊരുളോ , ജീവിയോ അല്ല 


ശ്രദ്ധിച്ചു നോക്കിയാൽ കാണാം 

നമുക്കുള്ളിൽ  തന്നെ വസിക്കുന്നു  ചെകുത്താൻ 

അസൂയ , വെറുപ്പ് ,ഭയം, " ഞാൻ പോരാ " എന്ന തോന്നൽ 

ഇതൊക്കെയല്ലേ  യഥാർത്ഥത്തിൽ  ചെകുത്താൻ ?  


ഇവയെ ഇടിച്ചു പുറത്താക്കു 

കരണത്ത്‌  അടിച്ചു പറഞ്ഞയക്കു 

കൂടെ പമ്പ കടക്കും സോദരരെ 

നം ജീവത്തിൽ നിന്നും ചെകുത്താനും !     

Bio of poet in Malayalam   

ശ്രീ  രാജീവ്  മൂത്തേടത്  ഹ്യൂണ്ടായ്  മോട്ടോർ  ഇന്ത്യ ലിമിറ്റഡിൽ   അസിസ്റ്റന്റ്  ജനറൽ  മാനേജരായി  വിരമിച്ചതിനു  ശേഷംഇപ്പോൾ   തന്റെ ദ്വി താല്പര്യങ്ങളായ  കോർപ്പറേറ്റ്  ട്രൈനിങ്ങിലും, കവിത / ലേഖന  രചനയിലും  സമയം ചിലവഴിക്കുന്നു

 രാജീവിന്റെ  ആദ്യത്തെ  (ഗദ്യ) പുസ്തകം   " സ്ട്രൈറ് ഫ്രം ദി ഹാർട്ട്ജൂൺ 2015    Cyberwit.net   പ്രസിദ്ധികരിച്ചു . രണ്ടാമത്തെ  പുസ്തകം  " കോർപ്പറേറ്റ്  പോയംസ് - സ്ട്രൈറ് ആൻഡ് സിമ്പിൾ " ആമസോൺ  കിന്ഡലിൽ  ഡിസംബർ  2019   പുറത്തു  വന്നുഇദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ  കവിതകൾ പല  ദേശിയ - അന്തർദേശിയ  ആന്തോളജി കളിലും  ഇടം  പിടിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട് .

Saturday 31 October 2020

Robots in Human Forms











Robots in human forms
are on the increase
they have long lost
the ability to think  

Poor things, have become like this
key wound puppets of yore 
or programmed modern ones, who
just keep repeating the same lines  

Can never change positions
based on the light of new facts 
analyse, interpret or introspect
lost that ability long ago ..

After all, they are merely automated attendants
in the interactive voice response (IVR) 
mouthing lines of their ideology, party, other rigid
forums to which they have succumbed 

They now have neither the will or desire 
to climb out of the deep pit 
It is total surrender and submission...

Tuesday 27 October 2020

Return of the Prodigal Daughter








Sharadha was returning to India and to her remote village Perinkulam in Palakkad District, Kerala, after 15 years. All this while, she had not kept in touch with the family. Now, she had no other choice but to return on losing her job as a receptionist at a company in Dubai. The business closed down after Covid struck. Sharadha opened the gate to the house. It somehow looked different. The two jack fruit trees on either side which was the hallmark of her house was missing. As she walked towards the front door, she noticed that changes had been made at the entrance area as well. 

She stepped on to the steps leading to the front door. Her elder brother appeared as if from nowhere and positioned himself firmly between the door and her. 

"Yes, what do you want?" he asked 

" Chetta (elder brother), I came this morning from Dubai" 

" Chetta who?  Who are you? what do you want here?  

"Chetta, please don't speak like that." 

"All these years you did not remember you had a chettan, parents, a sister, nephew and niece. Now you have the audacity to come here! 

"Chetta.... I had my problems." 

"You did not come even when our father died. Go away Sharadha. We have nothing to do with you! 

Sharadha had left her village after a failed love affair and bitter fights with her own family. They had called each other all sorts of names. While in Dubai, whenever she thought of home, it was always the stinging words and insults that came to her mind and she simply could not bring herself to contact them. Even when she got information about her father's death through a Malayali friend, her bitterness had prevented her from going home. 

Now, Sharada shifted from one leg to another. Her brother's eyes were rock hard and adamant. There was not even an iota of kindness in them. Her mind was in a whirl; she was not  even able to think properly.  What could she do. Where will she go? She saw only darkness all around her. She had at first thought of staying back in Dubai and waiting out  the Covid 19 problem . But for how long? The virus which many thought would go away in two weeks had continued for days together. Her savings were running out. With no income and an uncertain future, living any longer in Dubai was nonviable.  Her brother was continuing his rant. Most of what he was saying was not registering on her mind. She just knew that she had no place to go Perhaps, the only option for her was to  jump into well  behind the house...   

At that time, the front gate opened and her mother came inside. She seemed to have aged a lot. From her attire and the sandal paste ( Chandana) mark on her forehead, it was obvious that she was returning from the temple. Their eyes met and her mother stared at Sharada in shocked amazement. Suddenly, tears began to flow from her eyes and there she was hugging her daughter tightly. After all, she was a mother who gave birth to Sharada  and was now meeting her after 15 long years. She was unable to hold on to any resentment.  Sharadha was also now sobbing. Her brother, slowly moved away from his domineering position  at the front door . He knew that his mother's was the last word in the house. 

 Far away, a dog barked. A few children were seen walking down the road. It appeared as if life was as usual in that sleepy Kerala village. 

Saturday 24 October 2020

The meteoric Journey

 In our Writers' club Bangalore, meet  on 17th October the moderator introduced the idea of writing stories based on the concept of "Alternate history". This story was written on the said prompt.

  Alternate history (or alternate timeline or alternate reality) is a fictional setting where one or more historical events occur differently. These stories usually contain "what if" scenarios at crucial points in history and present outcomes other than those in the historical record. The stories are speculative fiction but often based on fact. 

There was a lot of excitement in the house of ten year old, Ramadas. His father was a staunch supporter of his leader Subhas Chandra Bose. Papa’s leader had won  the congress presidential elections in 1938 and 1939. But now there was a lot of disagreements within the party as to the policy and approach of Bose. His father being around the same age as his leader fully supported a stronger resistance to the British. That day was the D day when a decision would be taken  after debates,  as to whether the party will stand by Bose or ask him to step down. 

 It was late in the evening when his father returned home. Even at that late hour about twenty to thirty people accompanied him. Ramdas ran to the door to ask his father whether his leader had prevailed. But there was no need to ask. The jubilation on their faces said it all. Mother and sisters rushed to the kitchen to make tea. Nobody minded doing so,  even as there was a lot of bonhomie  and happiness. It was at that point that Ramdas decided he would follow in his father’s footsteps. He would embrace his father's leader as his own leader and imbibe his ideals for a free and fearless India!   

 In the days that followed many in his class were talking about the  magnificent wedding that took place in the household of the Nawab of Pataudi. But Ramdas was not interested. He  was excited  to talk to Jaggu, the only classmate who would listen to him about how his leader Subhash Chandra Bose managed to prevail on his colleagues and retain leadership of the party. Two to three Years rolled by.  When he was in the eighth class, Ramdas joined the Quit India movement.  The movement turned violent in many places. Ramdas was one of the many youngsters arrested and jailed for three months. He fortunately had his father’s support for all his actions. After all, it was his father who was the first freedom fighter in the family. Jaggu on the otherhand faced lot of difficulties from his family. But he was always willing to be a right hand to him,  prepared to join him  in everything he did.  

After retaining control of the party, Bose was in the process of developing a harder line toward the British. He was putting this  in place when it was obvious that the second world war impacted the British adversely both economically and in terms of their  ability to retain colonial administration & control  all over the world. The focus of the nationalist leader Bose changed around this time from fighting for independence  to planning for effective administration of independent India. When the Labour party won the British elections in July 1945, they decided to handover power to India. 

Gandhiji advised his followers to dissolve the congress party, the primary aim of  the party having been achieved.   The top leaders agreed to the suggestion and five major parties were formed- The Nationalist party led by Jawaharlal Nehru, United India Party of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Justice for All party of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Republican party of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Forward March Party of Subhash Chandra Bose. It was agreed  that Nehru would be the interim PM who would take charge from the Governor General on 15th August 1947. A Lot of water had flowed under the bridge since then.

 It was  the swearing in ceremony  after the  declaration of results in the1972 General elections . In the press meet the youngest Prime Minister of Independent India  Ramdas Khare, at 33 years of age , was recalling his journey from  a  student freedom fighter to the position of the PM. Mr Khare said that he was grateful to his leader, the great patriot Subhash Chandra Bose for grooming him over the years. He expressed his sorrow that neither his father nor his leader who passed away in 1968 and 1969 respectively were able to witness the historic moment.  The new Prime minister introduced his cabinet starting with his Home minister, a long time right hand Jagadish Thakur. The whole of India from Karachi to Kanyakumari participated in the excitement and expectations from a new Government. 

Thursday 22 October 2020

Photographic Memories










The picture brings back memories 

of the good old days, of no worries 

happy go lucky days- our school days! 


Now, this here is a solemn occasion 

everyone so serious

the school leader in a suit! 

yet on normal days , school assembly 

is all about scurrying to be on time

or face the wrath, cane of PT master!   


Personally didn't mind the assembly

loved our school prayer that was 

preceded by a few quotes from the vedas 

and ending with om shanti, shanti, shanti!  


There were quite a few of us though 

who simply hated the assembly time 

particularly those days of long speeches! 

they came up with innovative ideas 

conspiring with friends...   


one student would 'faint' 

presumably because of the heat 

and others would come to his aid 

support and carry to the class room 

Ha, five to six boys saved from long speeches 

and the summer sun above an open ground...  


These, and other little mischief 

within and outside the classroom

harmless pranks made up 

the school days of our times... 


NB:  In our literary what's app group (IPC) ,it was suggested that we write a poem based on an old photograph from childhood. This is my response to the call.

Sunday 11 October 2020

In Search of Maturity








A friend Neelakanthan Gopalan suggested a prompt "Maturity" and exhorted me to write a poem.  In this regard he shared some teachings of Adi Shankaracharya as well. This poem emerged from it....


 "You immature fellow" chided father

He  felt  Arun was a vagabond 

with no aim in life

wasting away hours with friends

who themselves had "No purpose"

no job, living on the earnings of their fathers

long after they have all become adults! 


Having heard for the umpteenth time 

father's  tirade of 'immaturity' 

one day the words struck a chord

That morning, instead of going to usual meeting place

a modest coffee shop in town 

Arun headed for the public library... 


Then, the next day and the day after that 

and many more days that followed

Arun found himself at the library 

when it opened in the morning 

and spend a lot of time there

to the annoyance of his friends.  


One day  when father as usual mocked "this immature fellow" 

Arun surprised himself and his father to say " Yes I am immature

but you are immature too! Let us both work on our immaturity" 

Then he reeled off  wise words from books in the library 

picked up from teachings of  Adi shankaracharya 

"The mature accept people as they are 

they stop trying to change others! 

drop expectations from a relationship 

learn to let go! 

stop comparing with others 

maturity is being at peace with yourself"   


After the outburst, he was drained of all emotions

totally exhausted and a little ashamed

Arun touched his father's feet, said he was sorry for all troubles 

wanted to learn a computer application course

would turn over a new leaf... 


A stunned father gave him money for course

as he left home to pay fees and join for program 

father shook his head "Yes maturity is required " he mused

not for just one but both of us

from now on, it would be all support and no complaints!   


Mother smiled happily

caught in the conflict between two dear ones

this was  her first smile 

in many days....      



Saturday 3 October 2020

Triumph of the Spirit











On 29th August 2020, I attended a webinar on happiness in the name and style of "happyness conversations" organized by a Chennai couple Avis Viswanathan and Vaani Anand who call themselves the "Happynesswalas". At the outset the hosts explained the background to their organizing the monthly events  which were  happening physically at the  Odyssey book store Chennai. Presently it is organized online due to the Covid pandemic. 

The hosts said that the basic aim of this exercise was to have conversations with people who have faced difficulties or heavy odds in their lives but have managed to triumph over their problems and are contributing  successfully to the society. The Happyness Walas themselves had encountered problems of financial instability and bankruptcy but came out of the ordeal as better people who wished to do something to raise the  happiness levels in society. The happiness conversations is an initiative aimed towards  this end.   

I was attending the "happyness conversation" for the first time and  had primarily registered for the event as the person featured to share her experiences for the day was none other than a poet friend Vidya Shankar. We are members of a What's app group of Indian poets called The India Poetry Circle (IPC). I am also a member of a literary group on face book namely Kavya-AdiSakrit of which Vidya is an administrator. I knew Vidya as a poet who is a published author of two books (1) The Flautist of Brindaranyam and (2) Rise of Yogamaya. I was curious to know more about Vidya, the human being and what life lessons she was going to share in a "Happiness conversation".  

As the conversation progressed we got to know how and why a happy go lucky young woman's life turned topsy turvy one year into the marriage. One may be surprised or even shocked to learn that it was on account of the pressure exerted on her to become a mother - not by her husband  but  by all and sundry around her. People asked all sorts of questions about her pregnancy on all possible occasions be it a family function or get together during a festival. Pushed by the constant badgering Vidya and her husband Shankar started consulting one Gynec  after another . Initially she thought just popping a few pills would do the job. But as it turned out,  she had to go through hormone injections which were very expensive. Other treatments like insemination followed. Every month, she had to undergo special scans that violated her personal space. The artificial insemination took an emotional toll. 

If all these concerns weren't enough, you get unsolicited advice from even casual acquaintances who would like to give you advice such as "Go without salt for a while"  or "Go around a banyan tree" or that "Palli dosham"  was the cause for which remedies need to be performed etc. Vidya was encouraged to attend "Valaikappu"  functions (This is a ritual performed widely throughout Tamil Nadu in preparation for a woman's first delivery and its primary objective is to satisfy the pregnant woman's desires, bless her, and ensure a safe delivery and a healthy baby)  of pregnant women in the vicinity. All rituals done were performed for Vidya  as well. A stranger could come up and ask " Are you not ashamed that you are not able to bear a child?" This ordeal and associated trauma had to be experienced every month for 10 years till the year 2000. 

During the conversation Vidya was asked as to why she allowed others to manipulate and control her in this manner?  She said "I could not have put my foot down as we women , right from childhood are mentally conditioned to accept the rule of the society. You are reminded in subtle ways that you are only a girl".  This is a very important aspect that needs to be addressed by Indian society. It is high time that we stopped discriminating between boys and girls. The girl child should be empowered right from childhood  to express herself confidently.

To a question on handling the trauma and exploring alternatives, Vidya said that after their seventh wedding anniversary, they did discuss the option of adoption. However, at that point of time there was not much awareness and it was generally believed that the adoption process is very tedious and long winding. It was years later that they came across  a couple from a respectable family who had adopted . The next question was "So when did you accept the reality of not being able to conceive and put an end to the 'tamasha' of  regular visits to gynecologists?"  The answer given by Vidya was very touching and insightful. She said " We had reached a stage when  we  no longer wanted  the baby for ourselves. It had become a job that needed to be done 'for their sake'. We had stopped attending family functions."  

" One day while returning from a consultation with doctor, I had this feeling of "enough is enough". I told Shankar and he also agreed."  Soon after, the couple got an opportunity to live and work in Colombo and there was some respite from these issues during the time they were away. However, when they returned to Chennai in 2006 the second phase of the pressure started. The people around her convinced Vidya  to give it another shot. She went for treatment to a specialist for around 6 to 8 months to find that the expensive treatment had  left them with zero bank balance.  Subsequently they went to Dubai and it was here that a  formal final decision was taken to not pursue the goal of becoming a mother.  Vidya admitted that it was a difficult decision to take.   

At this point a question was asked as to the role played by poetry during the process of coming to terms with the situation. Vidya said that she had always been in love with poetry since childhood- to the extent that she could not help writing poetry lines in the answer sheets during examinations. It was later with marriage and other responsibilities that she had been writing less and less.  However poetry came back into her life in a big way when she needed it most. 

Vidya said that on that day in Dubai when the decision was taken or rather the acceptance happened that she may never become a mother, her first few lines of poetry burst forth after many years of not writing anything. She titled the poem "Wait for sunshine" and it was published in an international journal. Vidya said that she subsequently realized  she did not have to "Wait for sunshine", She was the sunshine! Since then she had no problem of writing and poetry flowed freely from her pen and the first book "The Flautist of Brindaranyam" was ready for publication.  

Another interesting question that was put to her was " Did you find poetry or did poetry find you?" Surprising all of us,  Vidya answered "I am poetry!" It was  poetry that made her what she was and moving away from  poetry had  meant moving away from herself. 

The next question was " Soon after you first book was published,  you underwent a hysterectomy surgery.  After the surgery, you went into a prolonged depression. How did you come out of it?"   Vidya said that although a decision was taken to move on with her life, the actual  physical removal of the uterus was something that caused a lot of emotional turmoil. This was not understood by most people who had no time either to listen or understand what she was going through.  People whom she thought were very close had no clue. They would say things like "What is your problem? Now that your mother in law is also no more, you can have a jolly life. Go on a second honey moon." In fact she had  blocked out a "so called friend" totally  from her life, including from social media accounts. 

 Vidya said that within a week of the surgery, she began to cry every now and then for no particular reason.   To take her mind off from things, she was persuaded by a  friend to participate in a book launch function. During the launch, a lady spoke about depression and how one needs to be vigilant about it. Listening to the talk convinced Vidya that something was amiss and she decided to meet a couple of psychologists. But here also, she met with disappointment as these professionals had a typical traditional response to her problems. As for example, they noted that she was dressed very well and concluded that a person under depression wouldn't be motivated enough to dress well. 

However, at this point she was determined to address the issue  and come out of it for the sake of her husband who had been with her shoulder to shoulder whole through her trials and tribulations.  Vidya  met with her yoga master who was very supportive. He welcomed her to resume yoga and was willing to give her the space and freedom  to go about it at her pace. The yoga teacher allowed her to simply cry during the first four classes. Practicing yoga with renewed interest helped her in slowly limping back to normalcy. She was able to write and release her second book "Rise of Yogamaya".

The next question posed was regarding the role of Shankar in her journey to recovery. Vidya replied that Shankar was always there for her. He cooked the meals, ensured that she was properly fed and took care of her like a mother, her baby.  He would accompany her wherever she went. Vidya  related an incident  after the recovery when they went out for dinner. When the time came to pay the bill, she insisted that she would pay it.  After paying the  bill, Vidya quipped "Happy Mother's Day Shankar!". It was Mother's day and it was her way of acknowledging all the love and support that Shankar had given her throughout the trying period  and whole of her married life. 

Vidya was asked whether she felt vulnerable sharing her story and whether it is painful and embarrassing to do so in public before an audience. She replied that reliving all the negative incidents in one's life can be painful. But, she believed that there is a  purpose and reason why she had to go through all those hardships. It has now become her mission to educate young women and let them know that their body is their own and it is for them to decide what they want to do with it- to decide whether they want to become a mother or not. 

" There should be no more Vidyas!" doomed to suffer unnecessarily. People should be educated to the fact that the only purpose of marriage is not child rearing A child should come into this world not because there is pressure from anyone but because he/she is lovingly desired by the parents as an epitome of the love that the couple feel for each other. "The universe has chosen me to do this" she said. The last question posed to the lady of the day was " What is your idea of happiness?' Vidya replied that it was about living in the now,  in gratitude, forgiving and stress free. Surely, this was a great way to end a conversation. 

As for me I was  moved by the proceedings of the evening. My regards and respect for this wonderful couple of Vidya and Shankar went up by so many notches! There was so much of pain and drama in the story on the one hand. On the other hand, it was a tale of so much positivity- the will to  overcome one's hardships  and  willingness to pass on the learning and insights so that others do not suffer in a similar manner. This was one conversation that lingered in the mind for long.   This blog is my bit contribution to the mission of Vidya. Her amazing and inspiring story needs to be spread in all possible ways! 

NB:  During the conversation, the hosts at frequent intervals drew attention to insights  from the discussion such as " Acceptance is the key" for moving forward. Readers can access the whole 'happyness conversation' here:  https://youtu.be/VKXEeEJYWNU