Ramblings..of hope..of change..post "16 dec"

Its been an year, post an incident that shook me as an individual. Yes have read about a lot of rape cases, about the atrocities committed not just on women but on children and on men. But this incident did shake me as an individual, for the first time in my life I felt fear at a personal level, the situation seemed so frighteningly close to my everyday life. I have traveled in buses at 9 PM, can’t even call that late, if faced with a similar situation would have fought on the same terms. But what happened to that brave girl, Is beyond imagination, I never thought in my nightmares that humans could do this to another human just because they got agitated when she fought back.

I have always felt about women rights, not that I have ever faced discrimination be it at home, school, college or workplace. Yes I know a lot of good men around me, men who have guided me to understand right and wrong through my lens of understanding, men who have voiced their pain and anguish alongside me and I respect those men;

But there are prejudices that do exist, there is inequality at lot of levels that does exist so let’s accept that. Incidences like rape at some level are about controlling women, as the famous line goes “showing them their place”. It is of course a bigger malice which stems from many sick mindsets and I do not think I understand many of them.

But my point over here is, after that incident I began to think about the change that we need to bring about and I feel when we sometimes talk about change we do not need a revolution to bring about a change, It can begin with you and me. It can begin within my immediate group of people, Yes I might seem mad, challenging everyday things that I should not but then If I won’t do it then I am a part of it. I need to question some of the rituals, need to question some of the everyday things, need to question certain aspects of mass media that show women in certain light.

I can’t stop a film from screening, but I can voice my opinion to whatever number of people that will listen to me, that a song cannot and shouldn't glorify stalking, and million such things. I know there are prejudices that I hold, that I need to correct and that participation in change needs to be much more than just that, someday I hope I will be able to break free and work towards that.

Image source: marklovefurniture.com

But till then, every time I remember the incident I pray for her and I hope that things will change, they need to change otherwise as a society we will be facing a situation which will question the existence itself.  We need to give our girls, first the right to life, then the choice of education, choice to choose their life partner, their career and ensure safety and equal opportunity. There are brave women who have come out in the open and there are brilliant  people who are working towards this collective dream, today I salute the determination and the courage of all of them..

Change the Metaphor of “Better tomorrow”

Mention the word change and some of the first responses- “why?, its better like this” or “I do not understand what for, things that are there are there for a reason, why change them?” and the most often heard, “you are mad, you think you can change the world?”

Source: crackmodo.blogspot.com

                                                 

Big or small, all actions result in change and one day all such sparks ignite the fire.  This is my post for “Stay free and Healthy day”.

There are a lot of issues that we as a society and; that we as a species are facing and all of them require attention from each one of us. Here I take up a cause that is very close to my heart, the issue of women education which by itself results in women empowerment in majority of situations. Women education doesn't only limits itself to women being able to read and write but gives them freedom of CHOICE.

Choice, is an opportunity that is available in a very limited quantity for majority of our women. Choice to:

a)      Determine what they want to do, who they want to be with

b)      Choice to choose a healthy lifestyle for themselves

c)       Choice to be a mother and when to be

d)      And lastly choice to voice themselves

Women education is not just limited to empowerment and a better life for women themselves but for all that are around them and their family. Also, a lot of health related issues would have an immediate solution if we are able to educate and empower our women even in the smallest way possible.

How is the bigger and more momentous question to the problem, the why answers a lot of problems that are staring at us but it is the question of how that needs more attention and that too an how that is workable, possible and for that we can be motivated to initiate.

To start with, the first step comes in choosing the area, adopting one territory and understanding the issues that are troubling women there. Post that holding makeshift classes that can address some of the daily issues that women face so that they are interested to come and join, and encouraging them to send their daughters and sons to schools that are there. Working with the local schools in to getting some practical points on daily living and working with them on their curriculum to make it more robust one of the best examples of the same is an organization called 17,000 feet which has done the same in high terrains of Ladakh.

 The change might be slow but I am sure one day it will bring about the change I look for..

This is a dream that I have dreamt..and One day I will embark on my journey to seek change and spark change to dream a better future and to see the smiles spread across many faces!

When Mr.Squirrel left the Banyan tree..

        Mr. Squirrel's Moment of Truth..

The post has been selected as a WOW post by blogadda
                                     

The story is about breaking shackles, leaving behind fear and being free!! Discovering new things..


Mr.Squirrel had lived in the old brown banyan tree throughout, he was a simple man with little needs and his parents were now wanting him to get married.

 The monsoon season had arrived and the squirrel family was happy as they had saved enough throughout the summer, they watched from the window of their little hole as the big drops of rains fell with a big   "Splash"   on the dry cracked earth..as the new green leaves started to bloom. 

Suddenly, Mr squirrel saw an old mouse trying to cover himself as he ran, making "thudding" noises as him bog boots splashed water everywhere. Realizing he might need shelter, as he rested under the tree, Mr squirrel called out to him, 
"Dear Mr.Mouse come up, you can rest here while the rains stops.." Mr.Mouse looked up gratefully, and quickly climbed up as his big bag made "thud thud" noise against the old tree. 

Inside Mr.Mouse drank his warm tea "slurrp slurrp", as Mr.squirrel asked him, "How come you are outside with this bag and boots?? Don't you know rains have started Mr.Mouse?? "

Mr.Mouse looked at the simple Mr.Squirrel and cleared his throat, "grrr, grrr, Dear Mr.Squirrel, first thankyou for great hospitality, I am a traveller, I dont know now which season is when, I was actually going towards the yellow forests." 

His eyes twinkled with enthusiasm, as evening dusk spread its orange light through the white clouds and the cuckoo bird sang "kooh..kooh..kooh".

Mr Squirell was wide eyed with amazement, "But don't you fear Mr.Mouse, you will get killed or die of hunger, being away from loved ones??" He said that in one breath.."poof..phew" Mr mouse smiled at him, "Dear son, discovering life is the biggest risk we take, make full use of your file, dont let these questions tie you down, have a good life" With that he climbed down the tree as the wind made the leaves rust against each other.."Screeeech..sheeesh".

The entire night Mr.Squirrel thought and thought, in the morning he wrote a big letter to his parents, took his bag and set out..without any questions..as his big yellow boots clashed with the wet frozen mud.."tip..tap..tip tap"...

 This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

My delhi..my wishlist of changes..

                            My Delhi..My Manifesto

Delhi, the city of battles, the city which was ravaged 7 times and rebuilt. A city which is often characterized as "unsafe for women", a city which gives employment to million, a city which is teeming with cars, pollution, reducing green cover and high expectations. Its My city, I was born here..I grew up with the dry arid summers, and the cold bone chilling winters..a city which made me dream, a city which made me cry when heart was broken..a city which gave me independence.. a city which embraced me as its own child..

It has the fortune and misfortune of being the city of power, today when I look at my city..and when I hear people looking at with fear, not wanting to live there, I feel sad, sometimes ashamed..here is my 5 point manifesto for making my city a better place:

Image source: www.journeymart.com

1. The safety of women should be the biggest priority. Changing the society mindset is a long process, but which should be initiated right from school, all girls should be provided with self defence classes as a part of school curriculum. Sensitizing our police force when handling reports of such crimes, with swift action against accused and safe public transport for women.

2. The Second biggest concern is protecting our forest and river Yamuna
- Launch a program with clear deadlines borrowing learning to clean yamuna- Invite international and national NGO's to take up the task
- Identify the forest area lost- and start work towards identifying and afforestation of area
- Limit the number of cars a family can own- reducing vehicle pollution- increase metro coverage and provide more public transport

3. Third priority would be education- making our government school education standard as good as public schools. Free education to girls, providing better facilities and increasing the number basis increased population figures.

4. One of the biggest evils plaguing the governance is "Corruption"- Pass the lokpal bill, anyone with record of any corruption, crime should not be given seat. Publish the details after closure of every public scheme.
Punish any public servants taking bribe and ensure timeline bound closure on such cases.

5. And lastly create more employment opportunities both for men and women, promote tourism, give special incentives to self employed, revive handicrafts and provide selling opportunities. Give easy licenses to hawkers and introduce checks on maid placement agencies to stop human trafficking.
- Also open more rehabilitation centers to provide for a better living and counseling.

“A city is not an accident but the result of coherent visions and aims.”
― Leon Krier, The Architecture of Community 




This is My Delhi Manifesto in association with BlogAdda.com

Easy Doodle recipe - Happy Chilli Pataka Sandwich

                   
          HAPPY CHILLI PATAKA SANDWICH!! 

This is one of my favorite quick recipes..whenever hunger strikes this is my one of the quick solutions!!

 
So here goes the story:

One day Miss Chilli and Mr. Onion were working late into the night, writing their new bestseller cookbook:

Miss Chilli yawning: "Dear Mr. Onion, I am tired and very very hungry..I am becoming red."

"Hmmm madam chilli, you have absolutely hit the nail on head..but umm there are very few ingredients in kitchen, you know I have been so busy..that's why I have been wearing blue suit with orange tie..fashion disaster!! "

Miss Chilli rolling eyes, "Ohh onion you are such a ... watever..we are celebrated chefs..we can definitely make something, come wear those ugly brown shoes and lets see what you have got."

As Mr.Onion put his spectacles down on the wooden table, and messed his hair, he looked at the old photograph of his mom, and he went screaming to Miss chilli in kitchen, "I know, I know..my mom's recipe."

Annoyed and hungry, Miss Chilli was turning redder, "very well, I am verrry hungry, be quick"

And Mr.Onion Started, "One cup semolina(sooji), and I will add water in it to make a thick paste, one teaspoon salt, One teaspoon chilli powder."

Miss Chilli now started getting interested, "what next", Mr Onion cleared throat and said, "Hmm difficult part, but no problems, Add one finely chopped onion and green chilly and whip the mixture, I will use a mixer to get the froth."

And off went the mixer.."zrrrrrzrrrzrrr" and "how hungry are you Miss Chilli?", Still wiping her tears for the cut onion and chilli, she replied "hmmm like more than hungry", Mr onion then took 4 bread slices and cut them into neat little triangles. 

"Miss chilli, 2 minutes more, I will now dip the bread slices in the mixture and cover from both sides, will you please heat up some oil in a pan??" , In the heated pan he put the slices and toasted them from both sides till they were brown..he took out his homemade tomato sauce and neatly decorated them with some coriander on top!!

Miss chilli looked at the watch to realize it took only ten minutes!! She took one bite and was so happy that she gave Mr.Onion a peck on the cheek!! Mr.Onion was smiling all through the night!!

Hope you like the recipe..do try it!! It's fun :)

My Doodle recipe is a part of Easy Doodle Recipe contest at BlogAdda.com in association with TastyKhana.com

7 days with Mother Nature..

This is my post for day 6 of the write tribe festival. .this is 7 stanza poetry, each stanza representing one day as the mother nature puts her pain across..

7 days with mother nature

Day 1
I walked along with her with light footsteps..
As she bathed in the glow of warm sunlight;
she kissed the yellow sunflowers and,
she danced as she walked to the silent river,
and she cried as she saw the dark black water
and prayed for the deceased soul of her beloved daughter..!

Day 2
The white clouds scattered across the warm blue sky,
and we walked silently with heavy steps...
towards the mysterious dark dense forest;
she prayed in her heart and stopped suddenly
as she saw the mutilated body of her son..
the gentle elephant lay dead shrouded by the weeping trees!

Image source: www.manataka.org

Day 3
We shivered as the hazy white mist enveloped us and
the big raindrops of the moody drizzle covered us;
she smiled after a long time as she watched the faraway rainbow
We halted at the barren patch, with the remains of the tree trunks
Her tears soothed the raw tree trunks, as she sat at each and prayed,
she simply said, "O, why, why did you murder them?"


Day 4
The clouds changed their colour to the menacing black
and thundered as the lightening blazed across the dark sky;
Her eyes were swollen red as we climbed to the summit,
of what was once her newly born strong mountain;
she looked at how it was ravaged, blasted and hurt,
it was dying a slow death, asking for forgotten mercy!!

Day 5
she walked with her dark black hair flying across,
her red eyes blazed with unconstrained anger ,
we walked slowly and heard the roar of the waves,
they splashed helplessly at the oil ridden shore
and carried with them heaps of dead fishes
who she lamented angrily did not want the oil that spilled..

Image source: abstarct..desktopnexus.com

Day 6
The hailstorm started and the hard ice balls crashed
on the barren grounds with deep cracks;
the noise clashed with the noise of heavy machines
she stared blankly as they took from her womb,
the precious minerals as they said and left her torn..
poisoned with harsh chemicals that burned her..

Day 7
She stared hard at me, as the oceans roared and
the rivers tried hard to break free from the shackles of dams
the animals and the birds shrieked with anger
I loved you too once, she said softly
till you turned murderers, without any love, compassion
I still hope one day, you weep with me at the loss of
Everything....!!

Aspects of love: 55 word mini stories!

After long hours of contemplation on theme seven here is my entry for the write tribe festival.

 I decided to attempt seven 55 word stories centered around the theme of Love, its various aspects- separation, longing, rejection, wait, reunion, first love, friendship..

Separation

I waited long after you were gone, staring at your fast disappearing footsteps; longed for you to come back. I walked and rested at the faraway bench. In the deserted park I cried, “you can’t be dead”; I looked up and saw you sitting right beside me; I smiled knowing you will never leave me. 

Longing

He watched as she carried the wet clothes to dry, “You look beautiful” he wanted to say, but he hesitated; it’s been only two days since they were married but he knew he loved her. She smiled as she watched his hesitation, she longed for him to hold her and simply say “I love you..”

Rejection

She looked at herself in the mirror carefully and applied the kohl again, combed her long black hair again and smiled to herself. She waited for the sound of his motorcycle and rehearsed her words again, she saw him come from the window with another girl on the backseat and she simply washed her face.

Wait

He anxiously looked at his watch, she never took this long. Dark thoughts engulfed him, and he decided to find himself, he walked past the crowd searching for her amongst the many faces.  Finally he saw her and smiled as she sat peacefully lost in prayer inside the temple, “Ma,come we need to go”.

Reunion

He waited at the small railway platform with a bunch of wild purple flowers tied with a small string. The train halted and she walked out, searching with expectant eyes and found him staring at her, and ran toward him; he got up and smiled after long years, “thankyou grandpa for coming”, “welcome back home.”

First Love

He ran to the park, with his shining new bat in the hand. At the entrance he saw her and stopped in his tracks, forgetting the bat, he smiled at her and she smiled back. He offered her the chocolate, she accepted and gave it to him, his first love, the beautiful big yellow bike.

Friendship

He heard silently as she shared the news of her marriage. She described her fears and anticipations and he held her hand comforting her. She saw his moist eyes and simply said, “I will miss you always”,  and he smiled back saying, “I am not your brother, but your best friend, and will always be.”