Syaahi ki Awaaz

Not long ago I was venturing through my ancestral land in Bihar. It was not just any time of the year. It was during a peculiar festival that I was roving through my village. It was the time of the Panchayat ( local body) elections. The colorful streets with flags hoisted at every corner, the untamed enthusiasm of people and the uncanny slogans and marching bands were no less festive than what Times Square is during Christmas and new year.  Elections in Bihar is a mega event and undoubtedly the most awaited one. Albeit the democratic purpose behind elections, the real deal in these elections is not so pious. Our driver knew exactly how many votes each candidate will win. He was no soothsayer but still, he knew it all. How? Well, voting in these villages is not based solely on the work of candidates or popularity or even their intentions or vision for development. The people cast their votes based on caste. I know it rhymes! This melody however is a malady that the country i

She blossomed this spring Flushed, cherubic and timid at first Waking from the oblivion Waiting to digress from her roots She dreamt, as a bud, to adorn the gods Or garland the bust of a hero Or be kissed by a bumble bee And be a mother tomorrow But alas! She caught eyes of a hedonist His deeds masked by a sham disguise She screams, she fights,  she is hurt so she cries That gut-wrenching night was long And she was left with a marred face On the ground, amid the decay Waiting for death's embrace -Kaush  If you want to get the complete picture behind this story, just remember, the flower is a 'she '

14th March was the day when I discovered that 2 most significant scientific personalities Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein were connected to one another and not just by science. Dr. H was born on the same day as Einstein died. And undoubtedly they had many things in common.  An idea struck me like lightening. What if I was also related to someone like this. With the services of Mr. Google I found out that I was born on the same day as Jinnah died. Yes, that same Jinnah who wanted a Pakistan. And yeah that's the same day the unfortunate twin towers terror attack took place. The very next moment I found myself trying to shove the stupid stigma stricken thoughts out of my dumb head. I just wanted someone else to relate to. Why? I don't know. And I don't want to answer even if I know because of the horrors of what could come next. (But if you still want to know, here is my answer- I HATE politics.) Well, I searched and searched and finally got another popular nam

In the midst of 'right-eous' world order under the wings of leaders like Modi and Trump, the entire planet seems to be rebellious. Nature is protesting against humanity and citizenship worldwide has become a matter of debate. With all this commotion, it is hard to believe that there was a time when intelligentsia mooted the possibility of sustainability and global citizenship. The borders have become rigid and even more so in the wake of Corona virus. This is the card that nature has played as if saying "Now it's my turn". The Corona virus and its anti - midas touch is a health emergency that is causing panic attacks. What is needed right now is a little faith and common sense. To undo our follys we have to stop our leanings towards extremes, be it religiously or otherwise, and stay aloof from the myths that social media spreads.

I woke up one fine day In a form the earth called 'man' I, with no roots to bind I, with no name to carry Wondered whether I will have a place On this land, amongst this race But what happened next  Truly left me perplexed For the world wanted me to have a name The world wanted me to have a faith An identity to judge,  whether to be kind or hold a grudge Fine! I said, My name shall be bubble And my faith, love For I'm naive and a newborn And not yet corrupt Fragile as water, clear like so And with the wind I shall flow They rebelled at the thought  That I might be a pagan in disguise, or worse, a nullifidian  For there was no faith as love  And no name as bubble And if left to float, my faith shall be trouble They gave me one last chance To defend the body I own From the spears, blades and stone Choose a faith, they said A faith from the pano

Long slender fingers piercing thy' womb The rings hidden from plain sight Perhaps symbolising it's marriage, With nature , as bride in a green gown The cusp of life from a dead tomb Hail! The king with the green crown Hail! The king of the jungle town Hail! The king who fought without iron Almost submitting as an act of penance Hail? For now the king is dead The victor feast upon thy body And all that is left is a stump All that is left is the decay And land fertile to bear a new child