FORTY WINKS

शिकायत नहीं है मुझे , न ही दस्तूर बदलने की हिम्मत  , अस्थिर नही  हूँ , अधीर नहीं , अवसाद शायद , उदास शायद  , कहना  है बस , आसान नहीं , यूं अकेले रहना।  दीवार  पर टंगी  बेटी की बनाई, हैप्पी फैमिली  की पेन्टिंग,  अलमारी में लटकी तुम्हारी साड़ियां , कुछ बंद  मैगी के पैकेट , कुछ खुले बिस्कुट , बेटे का क्रिकेट का बल्ला, कह गया  था  रख लो , अगली छुट्टियों  में फिर जो खेलना है।  तुम्हारी लगाई गेंदे की  क्यारी सुनहरी हो चली , तुल्सी  भी हो गयी हरी पूरी , कमरा खाली ,दिल भरा भरा सा , आसान है क्या , यूं अकेले रहना ? टेक्नोलॉजी के साधन  अनेक है , नहीं प्रतिस्थापित कुछ भी कर पाया , तुम्हारा साथ।  चाहता हूँ लौट जाना घर, बच्चों को देखूं पढ़ते बढ़ते ,  माँ का बनू    सहारा , दूँ तुम्हे तुम्हारे हिस्से का प्यार  ,   किस से जा कर कहूँ   मन  का कौतूहल    , ...

What More ? He looked in the bathroom mirror and grinned. A few months above 50 and not a strand of grey hair ,fine lines near the eyes had begun to show presence though . He was proud of his salon styled looks and his body built on supplements. He always opined that a man needed just two things to lead a good life - looks and bank balance and in his case an unsuspecting wife too. “What more Ravindra Khosla”? he winked at  his reflection. “Jess, jess , jessica” he called out her name agitatedly but she seemed fast asleep. “Damn the new gen drinks” he said exasperatedly and began to pack his overnight duffel. He didn't bother to look twice at the petite figure sleeping face down on the hotel bed her cheap flea market dress lying on the floor. He checked himself out in the full length mirror one more time and marvelled at the ease with which he could still charm women half his age.  “What more”? he chuckled. “Check out on time and don’t add anything to ...

Name Speaks ! " Just Because You Know My Name,  Doesn't Mean You Know My Story " My name generates inquisitiveness.Acquaintances say it is  a bit difficult to pronounce, doesn't give away my religion or region I belong to and is atypical for a person belonging to the 70's generation of Punjab.   My mother named me after the female protagonist of a novel she had read during her MA English days - the name of the novel she is unable to recall! It may sound  self glorification - I am yet to meet my Namesake ! My name resonates Mightiness Magnanimity & Mythology. I am a practising Hindu but my name  has roots in Buddhism, its a derivative of 'Avalokitesvara' - the Bodhisttava of compassion.There are sixteen   recognised  Bodhisttavas .  I always had a yearning to understand the interpretation of my name.Whenever a chance arose i visited Buddhist monasteries and temples. I googled , I read articles on Buddhism, I sought answers...

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...