FORTY WINKS

ताज कल भी आज  भी  ताज जिसे मैंने कई साल पहले देखा था। पिताजी की केन्द्रीय सरकार की नौकरी का सबसे बड़ा फैयादा   l t c था जिसके रहते साल दो साल में यहां वहां घूमना हो जाया करता था। उस साल पिताजी हमें दिल्ली , जयपुर आगरा का golden triangle घूमाने ले गए थे।  सर्दी की सुबह थी , धुंध थी चारों ओर! मशहूर "lady diana "  संगमरर स्टूल पे बैठे तस्वीरें खींचना जोर शोर से जारी था। कभी भाई ,कभी पिताजी फुर्ती से  'खचाक  खचाक ' तस्वीरें खींच  रहे थे।   मैं चुपचाप था। शायद वो चारबाग़ ,मुग़ल बाग़  ,फुहारे, रंग बिरंगे फूल , आस पास के  लाल बलुआ पत्थर  के मकबरे,शाही द्वार  मेरे युवा मन को लुभाने में असफल थे।  फिर कुछ ऐसा घटा मानो   पर्दा छटता हो जैसे । मद्धम मद्धम सूरज की कुछ सुनहरी  किरणे ताज पे पड़ी और पूरा नज़ारा बदल गया।  वो जिसकी तस्वीर सिर्फ किताबों में देखी थी जिसके बारे में केवल सुना था मेरे सामने ,बिल्कुल सामने था । अद्भुत , आलो...

Beginning a new segment on my Blog. "कुछ स्वाल कुछ बातें" in Hindi. For reasons unknown,  English has always been my first choice of writing, though it's not even my mother tongue. I'm sure many of you can relate to this unique language journey. The convent schooling I received facilitated thinking and writing in what is often referred to as the 'Queen's Language, a term used to describe the standard form of English as it is spoken and written in the United Kingdom. English certainly has a broader reception and a large reader base, but I fear human emotions get lost in translation if they are not conveyed the way they are felt and dealt with.  This is a significant concern that I'm sure many of you share. I hope my tribe likes my Hindi articles!

  lets Do something interesting this Summer ! lets take a Road Trip ! Stay Connected Tribe .

Gulabo "hello,hello mama" "hello , Jasveen ! how are you my child? where are you? weren't you to leave for Malaysia? "mama , mama listen" "ya i am listening, all OK?" "yes all good.we are  at New Delhi  airport through with all the formalities.The flight for Kaula Lampur leaves shortly." "i understand! hope you are liking this new phase my child . where is Yudhveer?" "my in-laws seem genuine and caring but  i miss you a lot.  i am in the rest room and Yudi is getting currency exchanged.  mama i have something to ask". "what ?" "do you by any chance know where Gulabo could be?" "Gulabo? i don't know what you are talking about.....wait that old pink diary of yours that looked like an ancient journal of mysticism?" "yes,yes and for me it will always remain Gulabo, my buddy,  my confidante" "hm mm.mm.mm. i saw you keeping it in your small pink s...

Gift (The inspiration behind this short story is an actual life incident I witnessed many years ago  while staying at The Leela, Goa.) "I don’t think I am ready for this," she confessed, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "Don’t you start again? You have wasted enough years already." "I look obnoxious in this dress......" "No, you don’t. And it is not a dress." "Everyone is going to laugh at me." "Let them. I am there to hold your hand. Now is probably the last chance. Do what you always wanted to." "What if something happens?" "I am not answering that. Don’t you trust me?" "I do. I do." With a brave heart, she took his hand and stepped out, her confidence shining.  He led her towards the hotel swimming pool, his smile a beacon of joy.  Today, on their 30th wedding anniversary,  He will teach her how to swim.  She will learn —their gift to each other.

Forty Winks: Caterpillar <iframe src='http://www.blogadda.com/rate.php?blgid=62197' width='170' height='75' frameborder='0' scrolling='no'></iframe>

Dear Miss D Congratulations! Today, you turn thirteen. Motherhood wasn’t serendipitous; I chose you, my child. You will forever remain my most loved one for reasons known only to a mother’s heart. Believe me, there haven’t been many blissful instants, Like the one when I first held you in my arms. Hang around my little caterpillar; metamorphosis is imminent. Approach womanhood confidently; your body is nothing to feel mortified about. With raging hormones playing the game, persuasions will be hard to resist. The commotions outnumber the moments of mental repose. Friends will seem fun, family will be uncool, and you will wish to do it all. I pray the teen aches are less painful and heartbreak a few. Hang around my little caterpillar; metamorphosis is Imminent. The world is not entirely virtuous. Ironically, society is censorious. Be wary of silver-tongued slimes; never let your guard down. Decision-making will be more challenging than ever before,  Choose your goals realistically...