The voice within

Of all the fatuous concepts, terms and ideas that Rahul Gandhi is given credit to, my favorite has to be the all-pervasive ‘Women Empowerment in India’. In his interview at a show, he recited the word as diligently as one would recite God’s name during exams. He gave the women of India a new tool, an enormously empowered one, that they could use (and are using) to get away with anything. All their brazen wishes are now justified in the shadow of women equality or women empowerment. Women empowerment has taken a new definition for some, which is to be given unconditional freedom. I come from a relatively liberal family wherein I have enjoyed a limited independence all my life. I say limited independence because though my family sent me to study abroad and live my life independently, I am still instructed on the dresses I should or should not wear (at least when I am in India), what pictures to upload on my Facebook profile, whether to have a night out with my male friends and many...

I can’t imagine today of anyone who would not know the context of this article. The AIB Knockout video was a huge hit in last couple of days. Like most of the people around, I too watched the video though I must confess I am not a very big fan of such genre of comedy. Ever since the video was posted on YouTube, numerous discussions, arguments, questions, answers followed. Love it or hate it but one could not ignore the topic and I am no different. Many people came to the support some against and I was just trying to know different perspectives on the topic. News pieces, posts on Facebook, video by another channel TVF, I followed them all and after everything, here’s something that I want the AIB team, people for and people against it to ponder over.  Despite my dislike for the genre, I am not against it, and I definitely am not one of those against sex education in India. So sorry to disappoint the people who thought this is another rant on AIB team for making the video. Wh...

Malala Yousufzai, a name rather unknown till yesterday is one of the most talked person today. At the tender age of 17 when most of us are battling between Maths and Science, which stream to choose for our career, this Pakistani girl has become the youngest Noble Laureate for Peace. Her journey hitherto is a source of inspiration for all of us. At this age she is able to do what would take a whole lifetime for some. There is so much that I, you and everybody can take from Courage is the first thing that strikes our mind when we read about her. She is an icon of bravery and audacity. She made me believe that if your intentions are pious, you do not need to fear anyone but God. ‘Himmat e marda madade khuda’, if you are determined in your efforts, God will help you. I remember when once I went to a shooting range and I was terrified on seeing an actual rifle. It took me sometime to get over the fear and hold it. That was when I knew that the rifle isn’t meant to hurt me. I was 24 then, ...

A few months back, I had a heated argument with one of my closest friends. I was angry at him for calling me a racist. I had hundreds of examples and reasons to prove that I was not one, but he won’t budge. Little did I know that it wouldn't be long till I realized this fact on my own. As much as I would hate to admit this, but yes, I have a racist person dwelling somewhere inside me. Famous American Actor/Comedian/writer/singer, Denis Leary, says  ‘Racism isn’t born folks, it’s taught. I have a two year old son; do you know what he hates? Naps. End of the list!’.  How true. Caste, Religion, and Race – I don’t remember knowing these words when I was eight. Then how and when did I become someone who calls herself a racist today? And it’s not just me; every second person I meet has some traits of racism in them. What is it that makes even the educated,  ‘elite’  people, racists? What is it that even our education could not teach us? Being an Indian...

उन पलों उन लम्हों को याद करें  जब हम तुम नादान बच्चे थे  हर बात पे लड़ाई होती थी  और दांत हमारे कच्चे थे  कन्धों पे बस्ता टंगे  जब साथ साथ पढने जाते थे  और जब दिन भर झगड़ा करने पर  मम्मी की डाँट खाते थे वो घंटे भर तक खाना  और पढने से जी चुराना  लेकिन घडी में पांच बजते ही  झट से खेलने को भाग जाना   वो ख़ुशी और मासूम मुस्कान  जो तेरे चेहरे पे आती थी  जब नन्ही सी तेरी कलाई पे  'सबसे आगे' मेरी राखी सज जाती थी  कुछ लम्हा बीत गया  कुछ साल निकल गए  जाने क्यों आज लगा  हमारे 'रोल' बदल गए  तुझसे हर चिंता बांटने की अब  आदत सी है हो आई  जाने तू कब सयाना हो गया  ये बात समझ न आई  तेरा समझाना मुझको अब हर पल  और तेरी बड़ी बड़ी बातें  तेरे 'ज्ञान' भरे सब 'लेक्चर' मुझको हैरान कर जाते  तेरे मुझसे ये कुछ सवाल  मेरे लिए ये तेरी फिकर  'दीदी तू खुश तो है ना' का जवाब  मै क्या ...

 वो प्यार थोडा ज्यादा, वो लाड इक तुम्हारा  बाबुल तुझसे तो बस माँगा था, मैंने एक सहारा  फिर तू क्यूँ मुझको यूँ छोड़ गया ........... एक साथी छोटा नाटा, मौज मस्ती, सैर सपाटा   तुझसे झगडा तुझसे प्यार, कभी झप्पी कभी एक चांटा  भाई तू ऐसे मुंह मोड़ गया .......... तेरी शिक्षा तेरा ज्ञान, तुझे देती थी मैं सम्मान  छोड़ गया बिलखता राह में, फिर तू कैसा महान  गुरु की गरिमा को तू तोड़ गया .............. बनी मैं कभी तेरा वो कन्धा, जिसपे सर रखकर तू रोया  पर जब थी मुझे मदद की आस, तू था ग़ुम कहीं पे खोया  दोस्त तू भी विश्वास झकझोड़ गया ........... छोड़ा घर तेरे संग आई, तेरे नए बसेरे में  तेरे प्यार की थी चाहत, उजाला था तू अँधेरे में  पिया तू तो दिल ही तोड़ गया ........... समाज के दरिंदों ने मुझको घेरा था  उनका खिलौना बना देह मेरा था  तब दिल था रोया, तुम सबको पुकारा  सुनी न आवाज़, न दिया कोई सहारा.  एक लड़की बन दुनिया में आई  माँ क्या ये था मेरा कसूर...

As I closed my eyes to sleep; I felt like time has taken a leap. Cos when I woke up from my nap; I was in mummy's loving lap. I saw papa angry on me; saying "its already late, get up mini". Cursing young generation as he read paper; and mom all ready with milk and wafer. I took my bath half asleep half awake;  and was off to college as it crossed eight. I saw my friends waiting in parking; planning and plotting for mass bunking. Bunked the class, we went to a movie; and then a cold coffee at CCD. We were fighting, laughing and having fun; thrashing each other and then escape and run. And as I ran someone caught my hand; I turned around to see it was my friend. "Finally caught you", he exclaimed I closed my eyes as he raised his hand NO!!!! I shouted and got up and sat; and found nothing but my sleeping mat. Where did all vanish I sat thinking; and then I knew I had been just dreaming. Getting up I lo...