ULTIMATE TRUTH

Sometimes is Life

We get so used to

pitying ourselves

That we forget

the beauty of expressing

The moment we come to know

that we are loving too much

we stop and analyze

we re-think our closeness

& Re-calculate our approaches

And start living a planned life

With all it’s heartaches and pains

Destiny becomes a burden

We know nothing will remain the same

so we keep on avoiding attachments

Still at some point

we bind to people

to leave behind relationships

And shed tears

for a past

that should be long forgotten

Change remains the

only certainty

of our existence

And we curse and grumble

Yet accept the reality

‘coz that’s the only sane thing to do

Ultimately the only truth that remains is-

For the fear of future yet to come,

We stop living the today that is our very own……

AM I DIFFERENT?

I always wonder whether I am NOT normal.

Sometimes, I feel so cut-off from other people, that it makes me think whether I am human at all.

I agree, basically we all belong to the same species but there is something unique in each one of us that sets us apart.

Still, I am way different.

I don’t think, what others think.

For them, I am a MYSTERY.

I am Stubborn. I have my own way of doing things. I don’t listen to everybody.

But then, who the hell is perfect in this world???

Is it my fault that my views differ from all?

Is it my fault that I value different things than others?

Is it my fault that my principles compel me to take a different path?

I listen to only one person in this world.

Only one person takes me as I am.

Only one person who makes me believe in myself.

Only one person assures me that I am not a freak.

My culture beckons me to behave in one manner.

My mind wavers between uncertainty.

My soul is pure but gets contaminated with baseless thoughts.

My heart is true yet confused.

AM I DIFFERENT?

Yes, I am.

But, not in the way you think.

I am different even basically.

I am an ENIGMA.

I will listen only to what I feel is right.

I will obey that which appeals to my inner self.

I will keep quiet and let others make assumptions.

And, in the end, I will follow what I have faith in…..

IF ONLY…

If only I could know things-

before they happened here.

If only I could love people-

at least those who are near and dear.

If only I could radiate mirth-

and banish every fear.

If only I could stop talking for a moment-

and sincerely hear.

If only I could understand-

and stop a falling tear.

If only I could forget my worries-

and do nothing but cheer.

Life is truly a mixture of-

never-ending “ifs”

Of deep great valleys-

and of high and strong cliffs.

Of high and low periods-

of sunshine and of rain.

Of obvious joys and sorrows-

mingled with happiness and pain.

If only I could fill colors-

and brighten someone’s day.

If only I could help easily-

and show someone the right way.

If only I could make others laugh-

and along with them smile.

If only I could make this living-

a little worthwhile!!!

AS YOU SOW, SO SHALL YOU REAP

WHAT GOES AROUND,COMES AROUND!

We learned this saying long ago in school. We were fashioned in such a manner that we have believed all through our lives, how what you do now, will balance itself later on.

What can be a better example than the current India-Australia cricket series.

After a devastating second test match for the Indians, the unsure morale of the Indian team seemed meek before the towering Australian confidence.

A draw was foreseen and on a ground like WACA, Perth; the Australians seemed mighty. Shaun Tait, the newly included fast bowler was already boasting, how he was going to crush Indians and Australia truly were on the verge of their 17th consecutive test victory; a feat no team has achieved yet.

Years before, when the Australian side, won 16th consecutive tests under Steve Waugh’s captaincy, it was the Indians, who put an end to their winning streak and this time, yet again, the Indians toppled the Australians with a 72 run win in the third test.

In spite of Harbhajan Singh’s absence, the confidence level in Indian team was tremendous. Everything, that they did, the bowling, the batting, the fielding was excellent.

The most beautiful thing about the game was, the animosity levels present in the 2nd test match were not openly displayed here and the Indians showed the world, yet again, HUMILITY is the greatest virtue conferred on mankind.

HUMILITY that so easily brushed aside the Australian OVER-CONFIDENCE.

The wrong umpiring decisions of the 2nd test, manifested here too, but this time more in the favor of the Indians. ‘Each day’ was an maginficient treat to the Indian cricket fans. AND, finally, within 4 days, the much awaited win was achieved.

If you are an Indian, you’ll know, what the Indian-Pakistan rivalry means. Especially during cricket matches, it is at its peak. However, during recent times, a more friendly atmosphere has developed between us and the Pakistanis.

But, a new rivalry in the game is coming up, the “India-Australia” one!

Rivalry or no rivalry,there are so many things, all of us can learn from the events of last two test matches.

Whereas, Ricky Ponting refused to discuss the “Harbhajan-Symonds” spat with Anil Kumble initially and proceeded to make complaint; Anil Kumble very humbly let go of the matter about Brad Hogg calling him a ‘bastard’.

Whereas Ricky Ponting, took a very defensive stand and talked about integrity and got agressive; Anil Kumble judged the entire situation well and was assertive in his approach.

Whereas the Australians, ignored the faults of the second game and exhibited the same “we are the best” and “there’s no one like us” and “you are inferior” attitude; the Indians, let their game do the talking and proved themselves better than the Australians, not only as players but as good sportspersons too.

You do wrong and it comes back to you.

Right now, it wouldn’t bounce back, but some day it will.

Injustice happens, we all saw that in the second test, but finally, justice prevailed.

In the third test, the Aussie cricket team was paid back in their own manner.

It is so very true, AS YOU SOW, SO SHALL YOU REAP…..

THE KITE FLIER

The kite flying festival just finished in India. It’s lot of fun. It is known as “Makar-Sankranti”.

Even after 2 days, you can still see kites dominating the sky; adding their own beauty to it….

When we were kids, we used to round up all our cousins and friends in the nearby area and fly kites, this time of the year. We knew every little shop where they sold kites; which one was the best, which one was the cheapest, which one was the nearest…..

Now, if you ask me about it, I’ll say, “I don’t know…..”

I don’t remember how to string the kites, how to fly it high, how to cut other kites. It seems I have forgotten everything. I have even forgotten how the kite feels like!

It’s evening and I’m looking outside through the window while typing this out. I can see the bluish-orange sky lined by dozens of kites. Kites of all sizes, some small, some big, some very huge. And some, so far, that they look very tiny and you cannot even make out their color.

Kites of so many colors….. Orange, red, green, yellow, pink, blue,….some dazzling multi-colored ones too.

Some with long tails that are wrestling with the wind…….Some made of paper and some latest ones made of thin plastic.

Kids are running helter-skelter. Some of them, flying kites from their terraces, some from the ground itself. Some boasting, how many kites they have cut. Others running all over the road to catch the falling kites.

Some kids are lucky enough to grab falling kites. Others are dejected as few kites get stuck on the high branches of trees.

AND, there are so many trees like that. Beautifully laden with “kites”. They will remain so, until the wind blows the kites away or the sun fades their bright color or a bird rips them off to pieces…..

Has one forgotten to be a kid while growing up?

Forgotten….

The pride of flying the kite higher than the others.

The feeling of triumph when you cut someone else’s kite.

The satisfaction of spending a rupee on something you really love to do.

Society, rules and regulations, limitations of our age has turned us into nothing but “kites”. Just brightly colored, put on a display in front of the world. Flying high and getting cut just when we think we are on the epitome of success.

It’s high time we turned ourselves from inanimate KITES to lively KITE FLIERS…….

IDENTITY

I am a traveler-

A focused one.

Traveling through long roads,

to reach an unknown destination.

I am a dream-

A wonderful one.

That transports you,

to the world of happiness

I am a shadow-

An invisible one.

Not to guide you,

but be by your side always.

I am a mystery-

An interesting one.

That makes you,

ponder about Life for hours.

OR Lets say…..

I am just an Illusion!

You try to get close to me

and you’ll know,

I was never there.

It’s all in your mind.

Perhaps, I am just your IMAGINATION!

FAKE (A personal view)

(My view-point on the poem I have written.)

Many have come to me personally and said that “FAKE” resembles them very much. What happened in their lives and what is still happening. It’s a sad thing but true that we have become slaves of our fate and have forgotten that we still can hold the reins of our life and guide it to a more self-satisfying cause.

When our relationships are nothing but a formality for us, we have to stop and think, where exactly the humanity in us, has gone? How much ever the world progresses…. we cannot become machines and let our sentiments down.

All of you, who think, that life is really not what it used to be, that you are living for the sake of it, that people around are more of your enemies than friends, that true emotions don’t react with the “human” in you and that you have FORGOTTEN life…….Please don’t think so…

It’s not that you have forgotten life……You are just afraid to try it out….

Try once….there is at least ONE person in the entire world who appreciates your efforts….

For HIM, for HER…….Let this be the greatest battle you have undertaken against your own self….

FAKE

Oh what a fake world

And what a fake YOU

You started as a curious traveler

And look where you have reached

Is this what you had dreamed of?

To be one among the millions

You wanted to stand out from the rest

But you joined the usual rat race

You run around in mazes now

You compete for the common cheese

Are you happy with what you have?

Are you surviving from day to day?

Has money become your sole aim?

Power and prestige your food today

Is your laughter genuine?

Or do you hide behind a cheap mask?

Do you show what you really feel?

Or have you killed your feelings long ago?

Look back and tell what you have lost

Left behind only broken hearts

Repenting souls and forgotten relationships

Unfinished tales and incomplete businesses

What are you today but a mere hypocrite?

Is this what you hoped for?

Have you traded your soul to gain nothing?

Are these the goals you aimed for?

You paid a PRICE

You fought with your people

You still hold grudges of the past

It cost you, your love, your trust, your faith

You never could make it last

Hey is this your own world

Or just an illusion?

You could have mastered your fate

Why blame it on God

He gave you the opportunity

But you were going down at a fast rate

Now find a pair of truthful eyes

And put your life on rewind

What made you take those decisions?

What had made you so blind?

Someone cares for you still you know

And doesn't bother what others say

Even if one person thinks you are worthy enough

You deserve much more

Send your doubts away

Now drown yourself in thoughts

Answer good and answer true

Where is the innocence you had as a child?

Where is the ambition you had in your youth?

Is survival the only cause of your existence?

Have you really forgotten how to LIVE???

Oh what a fake world

And what a fake YOU

TAKING SIDES

Normally, in any argument that doesn’t involve you directly, whose side do you take???

It’s quite natural for us to support our relatives, our friends, our community and our country as whole.

We might have a hell lot of internal conflicts within us, but when our loyalty towards what is our own, is tested, we certainly “back” our near and dear ones.

For example, take the very recent controversy of the second test match between India and Australia. I conversed with few Australian people. And, as an Indian, I know the views of my people.

There a vast difference in the way of thinking. But, I doubt, whether anyone really thinks in such matters.

It is but obvious, that we as Indians will support our country and they as Australians, will support theirs.

BUT, what is the real truth?

How many people know that?

In this case , since most of the world has condemned the Australian cricket team, for their unsporting behavior, we can make some judgments.

But, is it right on our parts to condemn those Australians that are supporting their team? I know, perhaps, we would have done the same thing. What happened was wrong……but it happens that our sense of understanding and reasoning does take a back seat in matters concerning the integrity on a global scale.

What confuses us is the fact that whose side do we take? It wouldn’t be wrong if we support our country or our people.

On the other hand, what about personal ethics?

Is patriotism or love for one’s people great? Or are your values and principles as a human being are great?

It becomes increasingly difficult to take sides. By supporting one and ignoring the other, you cannot do justice to either of them. Any decision you make, is going to make you regret at a certain point.

So tell me, TWO sides, ONE supportive decision……

What is important?

The sense of what is right OR immense love for something belonging to you???

AND I THOUGHT I LOVED CRICKET…..

I have loved cricket more than any other game. But what happened, in the light of the 2nd test match between India and Australia in Sydney, is not only shameful but enraging.

First of all, Harbhajan Singh, is being accused of racism, which is a downright lie.

Helloooooooooo. We Indians are one of the most racially abused people. Its ridiculous to think, we’ll act so stupidly considering how important the game was.

Symonds should know better. Aussies have never played fair. And yes, we do question their integrity!

In the most controversial final day of the 2nd test, Sourav Ganguly was actually given out, not by an umpire but the Australian captain Ricky Ponting himself!

Since when did the umpires listen to the players and give their decisions???

Moreover, even Dravid and R.P.Singh were the victims of absolutely wrong umpiring decisions.

If at all, the ICC accuses Harbhajan and bans him from playing further matches, then I think its wise enough for BCCI to tell players to pack their bags, cancel the series and head home.

I urge all cricket lovers to follow this controversy.

Support the Indian team. If ONE Symonds was abused by Harbhajan, then in reality, our ENTIRE team has been abused, disgraced in their country.

As, Anil Kumble, summed up the situation, “Only one team played in the spirit of the game..”

AND, we all know who the team is.

I doubt, whether anyone in India has any respect left for the Aussie cricket team.

I guess, http://www.cricinfo.com will keep you updated on most of the things.

So, just be aware!