Happy Independence day?? Really?

"Happy Independence day" is a mainstream status I found in whatsapp & Facebook today. Some status also read: "Proud to be an Indian", "Let the flag fly high in the sky", Jai Hind" and many more..
But let me ask you, how many among us did feel that zeal? That zest? That happiness? How many of them did attend the flag hoist and felt proud by singing the National Anthem & watching the tricolor flying high in the sky? None!!  Not even one among hundreds!
We as Indians are good only at showing off! Some of them even have no idea of how many years of Independence our nation is celebrating. Its just another holiday for us! Nothing more than that.

Its sad that I saw none of my classmates today except a friend of mine at the flag hoisting ceremony. Absolutely none.
If a movie star, a business tycoon is visiting our college people gather in thousands. We cross so many hurdles to watch their shows. But when it comes to fulfill our duty being the very citizen of the country? None cares.
When great men have sacrificed their family & lives for the sake of us, for the sake of Motherland we aren't even bothered to sacrifice an hour of sleep once in a year! Isn't it a matter of shame? People at the borders are still sacrificing their own happiness, families lives and what not? And that's the reason we are able to have a morsel of food peacefully.

What are we doing as a citizen of this very country? Nothing. Just a show off!

Yes! Its the duty of every citizen to love & respect our motherland the way we all love our mothers. But how many of us really do? We all know how great men fought to achieve freedom. I need not elaborate.  Can't we do a small deed at least for the courtesy that our motherland has given us birth?

"Our country will never change", "It will never improve", these are the most common statements we youngsters make. I personally hate such statements & hate people who make such statements even more. Take a few seconds to think: We all know about the domestic violence, crime, corruption and what's going on in our country. The first step we take is- Yes! India bhand, strike, candle march and rally holding banners with great slogans and roaming every nook & corner of the city. But at the end of the day what do we do? Nothing. Just have an awesome wholesome food and sleep. We speak about big things. But the very next day even if we a see a pick packet-er in a local bus we don't stop him. Instead we are the first one to take a step back. We are neither bothered nor we give a damn about it. The mentality of Indians is: We want our surroundings, our society our nation to change while every individual wants to sit idle.
We never realize that- Yes, its ME who must take the first step towards progress, towards the change.
Why? Why is it so?

Another ordinary day!

Looking her best in her red bridal wear

Bangles clinked as her small hands joined him to pray

She is neither happy nor sad

She knows no reason for family's glad

Time to bid adieu to her family and depart

A new life, new hopes & dreams yet to start

She is a kid, a child of only twelve,

To marriage, her family had propelled

Ready to spend her life with a sheer stranger

Fate had won, she could do no favor

Neither the tears of joy nor a shy smile,

Stepping into a new world within a while

An opening bud, yet to conquer life

But life had played, she is now someone's wife

While she knew no meaning of marriage,

A single knot had taken her life's joyful carriage

Her marriage was no merry, no gay

For her it was just an usual, another ordinary day!

This post is written for Day 21 of The Ultimate Blog Challenge, and Poetry Jam for the prompt "Something Ordinary"

Love you too!

She was sitting at the table with tears in her eyes, rolling the chopsticks between her thumb & her Index finger staring at the food. 

He got up from his chair, came to her & whispered: “Sorry. I know you are hurt.” She was angry. She ignored him.

“We had a pact. Right? No matter how much we fight, at the end of the day, we shall have food in a single plate? Love you” he whispered & kissed her forehead.

He dragged his chair beside her & fed her  the Maggie he had prepared.

“Love you too”, she  smiled.

Word count: 100

This post is written for Friday Fictioneer-25th July,2014 and also for Day 20 of The Ultimate Blog Challenge.

How I learn't to cook! :P

My mother is one of the most amazing & ideal person I have ever seen in my life. A perfect daughter, a perfect wife, an amazing mother, a wonderful sister and more of all a perfect woman. And she wants me to be the same, which is seriously a difficult task for a girl like me! :P

She tries real hard to make me like an ideal Indian woman. (If you know what I mean.) She is a typical Indian mom, where most of the times our conversation goes like this:

Scene:
Morning around 11 a.m after having a stomach full breakfast, I sit with my eyes glued over the lappy browsing or watching a movie. The neighbor aunt comes home. (Aah! Neighbors. There are so many problems in my life & neighbors are one of the biggest :P). They give mom, some sample of delicious food prepared in their home. 
Hell! Along with the food, this Aunt brings some violence to our  peaceful home, I say to myself. Then starts the conversation of typical Indian mom & her daughter:

Mom: See,learn something from her. She is of your age and she knows everything, how to manage the home even if her parents aren't there, she knows to cook, keep the house clean & what not. I too have a daughter, who knows nothing else to do other than sitting in front of idiot lappy & spoiling her eyes. 
Me: Mom! I know to cook. Though I'm not a good cook, at least I am better than my friends :P (Sorry friends :P)
Mom: Is this the way you cook? Cook like this in your mother-in-law's home, they will kick you out of the house.
(Aah. I don't understand the connection between me learning to cook & the mother-in-laws. Whatever mistake I do, my mom asks how will you manage in your in-law's home. )
Me: Mom, cool. I will learn everything. Still there's time.
Mom: You should have a practice of it. You can't learn all of it overnight. While I was in your age, I was a responsible woman. I was married to your dad when I was 18. I knew how to keep home clean, cook & take care of everything.
Me: (Gets angry) Mom. Please! (I can't argue with her because its the truth)
Mom: (Ignoring me, mom continues) I don't know how you will survive in your in-laws home. They question us, is this the way you taught your daughter to cook? We should be blamed for no fault of ours.
Me: Mom! Now, this is enough. (My eyes still glued over handsome Ranbir :P)
Mom: I wish I could bury that lappy. This is the one which is spoiling this generation.
Me: Mom. Why do you yell at my lappy without any reason? Please! Tell me what should I do now.
Mom: There's hell lot of things to do. Throw that lappy away & come to the kitchen. (God! Mom is really furious with me!)
Me: (Silently shuts down the lappy making a puppy face)
Mom: I said come right now.(Shouts from the kitchen)
Me: Coming Maa. Shutting down the lappy.
Mom: Dare you touch that lappy until your done with cooking.
Me: (Angry+sad, silently whispers) Ok :(
Mom: Wash and chop all these vegetables finely. I will teach you to prepare bhaji & salad.
Me: Hmm (Can't help! Like a Pomeranian, I get into work)

Actually this is how, I learnt to cook. This is the daily episode of our home during holidays. :P
But thanks to my mom, else I wouldn't have learnt. Now, I am so happy to say I am a better cook! :P If not special dishes, I can at least cook the regular food well! Yay!
The irony is my mom still complains I don't know to cook! :P :D

Pursuit of happiness

Happiness! Who doesn't wanna be happy? Everyone wants to be happy!

Yesterday, I asked a friend of mine, why she would always curse things and looked so unhappy. She told she was tired of leading such life. 'Such', I asked her to elaborate. She remarked, if one needs to be happy, they must have, the latest smart phone, trendy bike etc. I was damn shocked at her response and thought to myself what foolish people do I have around! I tried to explain her all I could, but of no use, her mindset was fixed. Only if money, wealth & richness was the root of happiness, then the richest ones should be the happiest people. Right? They might add quality to life & living style, but I don't think in either way they are the source for true contentment.

Happiness? Where is it?
Happiness is something which cannot be sold or purchased. The real happiness, joy, peace, contentment, everything lies within us. We are so deeply immersed, in sense-life, that we have lost power of our inner peace and harmony. Happiness is not always materialistic. Its abstract. Materialistic happiness, that's neither real nor lasting. When we are true to ourselves and do what our heart says, do what we love and do what makes we satisfied, happiness is ours! Yes. 'Contentment is the true happiness!'.I would say, "The quest for happiness itself is the real cause for unhappiness".

Looking at the blue - grey sky, a walk with nature, cuddling a new born baby, nap on your mom's lap, enjoying your favorite music, feeling the cold whisper of the morning breeze, enjoying the nature, fun with friends, being in arms of your loved ones, taking challenges, forgiving someone, helping the needy etc, aren't these sublime? 

To be happy, 'Use things and not people; Love people and not things.' 
"Don't be happy for a reason, It ends when it’s over;
Be happy without any reason;
So that it remains for all seasons"
So stop seeking, Start living!
This post is written for Day 17 of The Ultimate Blog Challenge

The treasure lies within!

"Go, find your treasure",an unknown voice said

I started soon, a million thoughts in my head

I searched everywhere, I didn't drop

The hunt for treasure never stopped

I looked for it hard, for day & night

But all in vain, there was no delight

After a long try, when I sat with a sigh

An unknown voice echoed, I couldn't spy

"It isn't money, wealth silver or gold

But its something which cannot be sold

Real treasure is without any measure

Something which gives an at most pleasure"

"It isn't something in hands you hold

Neither new or old", the voice told,

"Happiness, power & talents lying deep in your heart

Never worldly, doesn't leave you apart"

"Within you, you need to visit

To quest for inner happiness essence & spirit

Untie your worldly tether

The untapped potential you must endeavor"

True! I thought, my true treasure lies within

Its me a fool, whose hunt must now begin

This post is written for Day 17 of The Ultimate Blog Challenge, and Poetry Jam for the prompt "treasure or trash"

100 Happy Days: Day 21-30

1. Writing a poem An Unexpected call of different genre, made me so happy. First time, I penned down a spiritual poem on life and death. Happy with the responses too!

2. My very first attempt in writing a story. Usually stories, rants and articles are not my cup of tea. Poems are something which are close to my heart. Though it hasn't come out that well, I loved writing it. I was happy with the results. First is always the best you see! :P

3. My post, "A letter from Orkut", got WOWed by BlogAdda. This was my first take on the prompt. Yippee! Thank you BlogAdda :)

4. Though my dad says he wants to see my poems in print, he was so happy to read my poems & read my blog. My dad was happy, so I was more happy than him :D

5. Finally! Happy to get drenched in rain. Aah! There's no greater joy than playing in rain. When people try to hide themselves under their umbrellas, I come out of the house just to feel His blessings! I love rains! :D

6. I am on cloud nine when someone appreciates my poems. I want people to read them. One of my cousin, said he loves to read my poems. It made my day :) Appreciation & feedback for my poems encourages me to pen more.

7. An awesome food prepared by Mom! :D How I love it!

8. My birthday! My mom had prepared my favorite food. The best wishes from friends & relatives made my day! Party? Naah. I personally don't like parties or celebrations! :D

9. A day out to my fields. I spent more than an hour at the fields. The cool gentle whisper of the breeze uplifts my soul. I enjoyed looking at the small shrubs sprouting.  How I love to be with nature! :D An awesome evening! :D

10. Happy to help my dad with his work. I always feel happy when help someone.