खामोश सी नज़र वो

खामोश सी नज़र वो,

कुछ खोई सी, कुछ ढूंढती सी, दुनिया से बेखबर,

तूफानों को रोकती, भर आती जो रह-रह कर,

खामोश-सी नज़र यूँ ही तो नहीं ठहरी थी मुझ पर...

खुलती थीं आशाओं में, बंद होती कई सपने लेकर,

कह जातीँ जाने क्या-क्या बिलकुल चुप रह कर,

गुमसुम-सी नज़र वो, जाने क्यों ठहर जाती थीं मुझ पर...

खुश थीं वो अपने-आप में, हर किस्से से बेफिक्र,

कुछ पाना चाहती थीं सब कुछ खो कर,

बेबाक सी नज़र वो, ठहर जाती है आज भी मुझ पर...

 

A progressive nation...

A progressive nation...

This happened somewhere in a village near UP-Bihar Border, a village which still does not have access to hospitals, schools and transport.
A funeral going on where some 'untouchables' (untouchability still exists) are invited for the last rituals in a Brahman Family as per the custom. The kids in the upper-caste family gather around and during the ritual almost everybody touches them. One of the Pandits (the one who has mugged up entire Vedas and Purans and profoundly calls himself the "Pandit") starts screaming at them right after the ritual saying, "you have touched everybody here and everybody needs to take bath and sprinkle "GangaJal" as part of purification process."
A 50-year old, 10th pass Lady (deprived of education and married at 14) from the Brahman family comes forward and questions everybody loudly, "Who said they are untouchables? Who declared it? Why are they untouchables? Aren't they made up of the same flesh and bones as you and I? How many times have you dared asking your co-passengers their caste while travelling in a train/bus/public transport? Why such things arise only when you're in the premises of your house?" By now, everybody was staring at the lady looking for an answer. "Stop hypocrisy", she demanded this time.

I was standing there, looking at that Lady, admiring her courage to speak up amongst those people who were more educated and much more qualified than her, at least they'd be presuming that they are!

I was speechless, felt like clapping and she deserved it. All that I could do was to walk up to her and hug her. 
I am proud of you Mother! You're the mirror of Progress! I love you!

Blinding Love

Love happens once, I had believed so far, 

But your touch was healing my deepest scar...

Your presence so binding, I forgot all the pains, 

I felt something setting me free from the worldly chains...

Was it just a coincidence or the Almighty was leaving cues?

You were filling the void or I was painting your life with my hues?

Your words were casting a magic spell on me,

Blinded by the aura; mesmerized, I followed thee...