राम और रावण

Note: 

"एक राम दशरथ का बेटा, एक राम घट-घट में लेटा।"

यह कविता प्रयास है उस घट में लेटे राम को समर्पित जिसे हमारे विचार और आचरण बनाते हैं 

Ram and Ravan, the most famous characters from hindu mythology. Both opposite of each other. But both have so many similarities. I think it was not the birth or the character that made Ram whom we all worship and Ravan who is despised by generations.Rather it was the choice of actions and the life they lived that decided who gets what status in the eyes of generations to come.Many a times i see we are at that crossroad in our mind where the action we chose will define our life ahead.The poem below is a humble attempt to keep the mind focused while making the choice of action. Please read and comment.


मर्यादा पुरषोत्तम राम और 

हठधर्मी मायावी रावण 

दोनों ही हर मन के भीतर 

लड़ रहे युद्ध निरंतर 

राम भक्त शिव भोले के 

शंभू का उपासक रावण भी 

राम शौर्य की मूरत तो 

वीरता का धारक  रावण  भी 

राम का त्याग अनुकरणीय तो
रावण का तप भी दृष्टांत योग्य

भरत, लक्ष्मण का बंधुत्व उल्लेखनीय  तो
कुम्भकरण का भ्रत्रिप्रेम भी दृष्टांत योग्य

बस दंभ अगर न करता तो 

रावण भी राम सा हो सकता था 

जो सीता को न हरता तो 

रावण भी राम सा हो सकता था 

शिव के वर को पा कर जो 

मन में अहम् न आने देता 

श्रूप्नखा का सत्य जानता 

न स्वयं को छल जाने देता 

धीरज से अगला पग धरता 

बात से स्तिथि को हल जो करता 

तो न राज्य  और कुटुंब गवाता 

तो न अपमानित हो मृत्यु पाता 

संयम मन में हो तो राम है 
निरंकुश दंभ रावण समान है 
मन मर्यादा में रहे तो पुरुषोतम
मर्यादा टूटे मन में तो रावण

Nuances of Being: देश का नेता कैसा हो?

Nuances of Being: देश का नेता कैसा हो?: With elections just around the corner and most of the people just making opinions based on what media wants them to believe or what some s...

देश का नेता कैसा हो?

With elections just around the corner and most of the people just making opinions based on what media wants them to believe or what some shrewd politician (ruling or opposition) may say. I think we the well-read folks should look at the resume and not the speeches of the politicians or reports from media which are more media opinions than real reports.... tried to sum up that sentiments in a poem below...hope you like it!!

एक सवाल, साल दर साल, पूछ रही है जनता तो 

कौन जवाब दे इस सवाल का? कौन करे इस फैसले को?

देश का नेता कैसा हो, आखिर किस के जैसा हो  ?

जनता अब खुद जिम्मेदारी  ले 

वोट डाल जिताते जिनको, उनको भी तो जा कर पूछो , 

ऐसा कौन सा काम किया जो, फिर से तुम्हे चुन पाए हम?

कब हमारे काम हो आये, के अब तुम्हारे काम आये हम?

रावण के दस सरों का जैसे, दसों दलों से हो आते तुम 

भीतर से तो सब रावण ही हो , फिर क्या हमको बहलाते तुम?

खुद तुम सब सत्ता के लोभी,  एक दूजे पे लांछन  करते  

आपस की गन्दी शतरंज में, जनता को मोहरे सा वापरते 

हम को तुम बस मुर्ख न समझो, और न हमें बहलाओ तुम 

दूजो की कमी के गीत न गाओ, अपना गुण तो समझाओ तुम?

तुम में ऐसा क्या अच्छा है, कि जनता तुम को नेता वर ले?

पिछले वाले के बदले में, क्यों तुम को कुर्सी पे धर दे?

जीत के तुम भी  तो रावण से, अपनी असलियत  दिखाओगे 

भोली सीता (जनता) को बहला कर, जब रेखा पार ले आओगे 

तो हर कर उनके विश्वास को , दंभ से भरी अट्टहास भरोगे 

लोगों के भरोसे की लाश गिरा कर , उस पर सालों राज करोगे 

आज ने बोलो दूजे की कमियां , आज ना झूठ से बहकाओ तुम 

क्या करने का है दम तुम में , अपना परिचय तो करवाओ तुम 

आज तुम्हे बतलाते है कि देश का नेता कैसा हो 

हम में से ही कोई एक; बस हमारे ही जैसा हो 

राशन की कतार  में घंटो  लग कर ही अपना चूल्हा जलाता हो 

अपने बच्चो को सरकारी स्कूल में इमान  के पैसे से पढ़ाता हो 

चोरी और बेईमानी को मन से जो पाप मानता हो 

पढ़ा लिखा हो, देश-विदेश की नई  पुरानी बहुत सी बातें जानता हो 

जब जाये दूजो के देश तो सबका  मन गर्व से भर जाये 

अपने देश को (सच के भरोसे) फिर सोने की चिढ़िया कर जाये!!

LockDown Drill

Monday was the Lockdown Drill* at my son’s school.

Lockdown drill a concept that I have never heard of till very recently. As a father I understand the need for preparedness for the safety of my child and all the children. I respect the schools for thinking and doing such drills. However I can never understand how a human being can become so vile that phenomenon like lock down drill become a necessity.

My son came back from school and asked me a question, “Papa is it true that someone can come to my school and kill children?” I was shocked to hear that, “No son, your school has safety programs and such a thing cannot happen.” I replied; not knowing what else to say. No parent can be rightly prepared for such a conversation. How can one tell one’s own children that the world is a horrid place these days? It is not the same beautiful and wonderful place that our generation inherited from our parents. Somewhere over the years it has been tainted at all levels. 

Sorry; I diverted from where I was; anyhow I wanted that difficult conversation to end but my son further asked, “the school in Connecticut was not safe where someone killed so many children?” My immediate reaction, “who told you about that school?” “My new friend from 4^th grade did.” “I don’t know about other places but I know your school is safe my son, don’t be scared.” I wanted to end the conversation. I know he always thinks about things deep and always have questions, and he remembers; I hope he forgets this. I don’t know if that makes me a bad parent; but honestly I am much unprepared to have a conversation like that with my children.

I am an old fashioned father who would rather talk about studies, sports, movies, books, any mischiefs he has done in school, any new game he has learnt and all that stuff. I can make plans like going to the mall, to the beach, to the zoo, visiting museums, libraries, fly kites, read story books and text books. I may run around playing with my children, Laughing, giggling, getting angry at them not having finished their food or homework or not having put their toys in the bin before going to bed. I want to tell them stories about giants and fairies and dwarfs and sailors and players and animals’ even wizards and witches living in strange places and kings and queens living in big palaces. I do not want to talk about someone crazy out there with a weapon trying to kill people or someone losing a friend or family to a war or a terrorist attack.

I want him to prepare for his homework and the school tests and even learn how to cook for himself. I want him to learn how to swim, how to make fire when camping, how to hold the cricket bat to play the right shots. I am talking to him about planting trees (we also have a small mango plant in a big clay pot that hopefully will become a tree in a year or two), about getting close to nature, about our role in improving the global warming situation. Good, easy talk and I think it is very useful. I don’t know how we can be back in a world where teaching these things should be enough and lock down drills are not needed.

My reaction that day was to divert his attention from that conversation by asking him to choose between a soccer game (him Vs. me) in the park or a trip to the mall where he and his younger brother can play in the play area. And I was praying that no one in his school tells him about the park in Chicago* or the Mall in Kenya*

I hope soon we are back in a world where lockdown drills are not needed. I hope for a world where kids can ride their bikes to the parks and country side and play games without their parents acting guards in the same way that I have done when I was a kid. I hope for a world where safety comes naturally and no preparedness is needed. I hope for a world where children can retain their innocence without the fear of them becoming vulnerable. I hope……

References:

*Lock Down Drill

wikipedia - Lockdown_drill

About.com Lockdown drill Article

Chicago Park

Yahoo- Chicago Park Shooting

Kenya Mall

Yahoo- Kenya Mall Seige

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockdown_drill

http://childparenting.about.com/od/healthsafety/g/What-Is-A-School-Lockdown-Drill.htm

http://news.yahoo.com/chicago-police-search-suspects-shooting-hurt-13-024559048.html

http://news.yahoo.com/one-day-many-dead-start-kenya-mall-siege-211427469.html

How was vacation?

How was your vacation? I have answered this question a few hundred times in last week. Mostly I answer, it was great or it was good or it was fun. But any of those answers don't do complete justice, I wished someone asking this question had hours of free time to really hear how the vacations were and I would love to tell. Below is a teaser, a collage of some snapshots on how the vacation was.

Snapshot 1 à

A journey, Many miles on a hilly road with sharp turns, narrow lanes, pot holes and steep inclines.  Sitting in the 3^rd row of a 7 seat SUV. There are 6 adults and 4 children in total in the car. Not packed at all, just comfortably cozy. From the back seat I am enjoying every minute, every turn, and every word that is spoken by any one. Even enjoying the occasional (and at times frequent) shocks caused due to the car moving through an unavoidable pothole or due to unplanned braking to allow the top speed incoming (and at times insane) vehicles to pass by. Enjoying because the 9 others with me make my family. My parents, my kids, my wife, my brother, my sister –in-law and my nephew and niece.  6 days of travelling, living in hotels, stopping at some ethnic road side joints to eat a meal or snacks or just a cup of tea. Those 6 days defined how serene and beautiful life can be.

Snapshot 2à

One restaurant, 4 friends meeting after many years. Their kids meeting each other for the 1^st time, but developing an instantaneous bond, as if the friendship was coded in their DNA. Their respective Spouses gelling so well, in spite of not knowing each other well in the past. And all 4 friends lost in the memories of the good old college days. Remembering past, discussing present and sharing future plans. Shedding off all the social and professional identities that they otherwise carry day in day out; in the name of being professionally successful. Laughing their hearts out, playing pranks like they used to do many years ago. Those 4 hours defined how innocent and wonderful life can be

Snapshot 3à

And then another friend and his family, different date, different place but similar experience. Lots of unrestricted fun and lots of uninhibited laughter. The time flew by, many hours and we didn’t even notice. Those uncounted hours defined how uninhibited and carefree life can be.

Snapshot 4à

Small roadside joint, no place to sit; standing with cousins and eating snacks that have been a favorite many years ago. Everyone extremely busy in their day today life but still making time for that rendezvous. Talking loud (that is family signature) and giggling about silly things that we once did as children. Those 90 minutes defined how simple yet marvelous life can be.

Snapshot 5à

Old house, almost in ruins, looking at the stairs, the rooms (whose roofs are giving in against the rain) and the corners. Thinking of the days many years ago when I was living in this house. Living those memories. Meeting with my uncle who has always been there and missing the two who no longer live there. The cousin who left the weak structure with the hope of finding better prospects outside and the aunt who had been the foundation of this structure for many years and who recently left this world for a better heavenly abode. Those 60 minutes defined how memorable life can be.

These and many more, small things yet too big to fill the heart, that is how the vacation back home was. Hundreds of instances making me feel blessed and grateful for what life is….

PS: I hope to share some details in the next posts. Like always it was awesome to be back with family and friend. There were some deeply cherished times and feelings that I would love to share, if my pen and my heart listen to each other J

Insensitive or Insane??

“Go home you Brats, if I see you on streets I will call the cops.” I heard a female screaming while I was stepping out of my community for an office dinner.  I turned back and by the time I reached the place the kids were all gone and she was sitting in her car with a victorious smile on her face. She really thinks she has won?

Just 10 minutes before this happened; I had stepped out of my house to walk to the dinner venue which was not too far from my house.  The first site was the little bikers. 8-10 kids all in the ages of 5-9 years riding their bicycles in the community. Our community which is a very safe, walled and gated complex and very kid friendly (well! usually). I walked few steps and they caught up with me, I could hear their voices. I kind of eves dropped on the conversations to know what they were talking about. I was obviously interested as my 6 year old son is a part of this group.

“What? you think earth is the first planet after Sun, NO YOU ARE SOOO WRONG, it is Mercury.” I could hear my son tease one of his friends. “No it is earth I don’t care where mercury is.” His friend replied. “That is because you may not know how to spell mercury.” One of the slightly older kids teased.

“Okay, all of us will name the planets together in the order of distance from Sun” the same kid commanded.  “Mercury, Venus, earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus Neptune.” They all screamed in chorus. “ Hey guys we missed the asteroid belt, so where is the asteroid belt?”  I could hear one of the kid say but then I was too far to recognize the voice. However the site of some happy kids riding their bikes and contrary to my thoughts having a very meaningful chat was so awesome that it lifted my spirits. I am going to narrate this to my wife and my friends, which was my instant thought. In this happy mood I reached close to the gate of the community when I heard the commotion and then the screams from this lady who was obviously annoyed at the kids. And to my surprise her annoyance was based on nothing but the fact that kids were playing.

I was getting late so I had to return to my dinner appointment but before that happened I called my wife and gave her a 1 minute version of the commotion and asked her to step out on Balcony to ensure that the kids are taken care of at the same time no feathers are roughed for the bird from the neighborhood flock.

Couple of hours later when I returned home,  I found that the lady had gone ballistic on the kids and the parents after I left. She totally ignored the fact that kids need to play and the fact that all the kids in the neighborhood were small and extremely well-mannered and ignored the fact that there are ‘drive carefully; children playing’ signs all over the community. She was just angry to see kids. Sadly we all parents found that it was not the first time she has done something like that. It has been her attitude in the past also. Some of the high-schoolers were smiling and remembering how the same lady had screamed on them when they were in the elementary school age for playing, running and screaming in the park and things like that which for most are naturally kid like things.

I also found that she had threatened some of the parents about dire consequences if kids are seen on the community street riding their bikes. No one could think what she meant by that, but after that episode she allegedly drove her car in the community a few times staring at the kids and the parents. So all that resulted in finally calling the cops to report the insane behavior. Which we all did.

The cop arrived spoke with all of us and calmed us down, cracking some jokes and pitying her for not being able to see the divine beauty in the playfulness of kids. Especially when they have been showing some great behavior like respecting the elders, taking care of kids younger than them, talking about solar system and other good things. I have seen them Stopping at anyone’s house to drink water obviously showing camaraderie beyond their age.

CASE DETAILS:

9 kids 5 years to 9 years of age,  various religions (Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Jew), hailing from all over the world (India, Pakistan, central Africa,  Eastern and western Europe, South America,)

Vs.

1 lady Mid Forties.(origin un-known, religion unknown as she doesn’t speak much with the neighbors)

VERDICT- Unclear if the lady was insensitive or plainly insane to miss the divine beauty of seeing children playing.

My 2 Cents to kids: Kids there will be mean and unfriendly people in the world who can’t stand the happiness and purity that you all symbolize. But you have to know, people like that are not too many. So do not be afraid. Our community has at least 150 adults living in and only one such person. Like one such person spoilt the game and mood for the whole community in the same way each one of you have power to lighten up the lives of hundreds of people. One other big lesson to learn;  when you grow up and be an adult, however good or bad your life situation is please remember this lady and this episode and use this as a beacon for what behavior is wrong and must be avoided. So now that you see there is a teaching that you can get from this lady’s behavior today (How NOT TO Behave) so you should be slightly thankful in your hearts and pray that she gets peace of mind so that she doesn’t get into this mood again.

Now what are you waiting for? Kick the stands up and ride your bikes and by the way did anyone answer where the Asteroid belt is?

UNCLUTTER

If you ask me one way of doing things in the right way in all aspects of life, My simple answer will be UN CLUTTER.

This may sound naive, too simplistic or even absurd. But I have tried it in many situations home, kids, school, work, relationship... Almost everywhere 

Many a times when I experience a sticky situation; this seems to be the solution.

I believe in this so much now that I started calling it my ‘Clean the Wardrobe’ theory.

We all have seen that with too many things in the wardrobe even if they are top brand, expensive or any ethnic way, still they make the wardrobe cluttered. Worse than that when you have lesser needed items occupying closet space, usually your more needed items will be lost or will be hard to find when they are required the most. So the only way is to unclutter. Get rid of the unwanted, stow away the lesser wanted and keep only the absolutely needed in the visible range. Even on that, ensure that the quantity of these is limited to the needed count, or close to that. One spare wheel for the 4 running on the road is always a good strategy (I have a spare wheel theory as well that helps me unclutter confidently, details may be some other day). I was so sure that this helps the wardrobe situation that I started observing the same in other areas of life and so far this has successfully applied to everything.

Apply that to the refrigerator, have you never noticed that the quality of your refrigerator contents is dependent on one thing that is, how you deal with your leftovers. If you didn't think of it before, try it now, no harm in trying, right? All you will see is either I was right in making that statement or I was not, nothing to lose, right?

If you agree then the solution is as simple as the problem, get rid of what is not needed. If you didn't eat it when it was fresh, the chances are you will not eat it when it gets old, so think before you pack the leftovers, do they need a space in fridge, or do they belong to the trash can. Not all should be thrown, but not all should be saved too. Save what is worth saving. Get rid of what is not. Get rid of the clutter. Or Simply ‘Unclutter.’ The beauty of it is that this simple solution fits everywhere, be it your closet, your refrigerator, your desk at work, your computer folders, your time, your vacation plans, your evenings, your family life, meetings, mail box, and what all you can think of. This can be one of the strongest and May be the least acknowledged theory that fits all management scenarios, from managing closet to managing time to life to anything else you think of. Have you ever over packed for a vacation, or build extra slides for an office presentation? If yes then I’m sure you know what I mean.

Are you a parent or a project manager, or may be both like me? You may already are starting to relate to your experiences to the power of a clutter free life.

Unclutter and release the power that was always there but buried under a pile of …Clutter.

Enjoy life "UNCLUTTERED" !!!