SUBURBAN COMMUTERS

In the peak hours

of the morning

Church gate railway station is

a reservoir in spate.

Commuters from all walks of life

get down at the station

and are in a hurry

to flow like water

to the outside world.

For the convenience of the commuters

in other words for

the out flowing commuters

there are three exits

left, right and centre.

Ticket examiners in black and white

reminding one of penguins of Antartica

with their sharp piercing eyes

can be seen at three exits

for nabbing the ticket less commuters

and forcing them to remit the charges with fines

failing which they are brought to justice.

An oracle’s melodious

voice can be heard

from somewhere upstairs

informing the commuters

of the timing of arrival and departure

of local trains.

Indicators exhibiting times and destinations

continue to glimmer in yellow lights all through the day.

That which baffles always me

is the undue hurry of the

commuters hailing from various suburbs

rush into the compartments risking their lives

and rush out of the trains

at their destination points

walking and running to their workplaces

while agreeing to the fact that

the city is overcrowded

what benefits each of them

to walk or run all through the way

to reach their working places?

Seems like the citizens of the suburbs

are unnecessarily creating chaos

by rushing to their destinations.

MUMBAI – THE COSMOPOLITAN CITY

In the cosmopolitan city of Mumbai

genuine lovers are

rare and invaluable

barring a few.

Affairs among young men and ladies

which last two or three months are common

after which each one among them seeks

affairs with another young lass and handsome youth

while genuine lovers

show declining trend

affairs among the youth

are showing an upward trend in the city.

In the cosmopolitan city of Mumbai

the number of genuine couples are rare

like exorbitant commodities

as they too are displaying downward trend.

Instead

in the place of genuine couples

two opposite sexes fall in love

believe in live-in relationships

no tying of nuptial knots

no temples or churches,

no auspicious moments

no registration and no witnesses

knowing fairly well that

within a  short-span

at the most six months

they would get fed up with living together.

Most of them get

separated after genuine handshakes

in an atmosphere of camaraderie

with only a few entering into a wedded life.

The majority who get separated

go in search of greener pastures

fish out others

who too are on the hunt

for the company of somebody

again take decisions to

enter live-in relationships

that too for a short period.

In the overcrowded and congested

cosmopolitan city of Mumbai

and for that matter any metros

familiarity is an alien word

except a few who know each other

not fully but partially.

Feels like alienation

is the hallmark of the

city of Mumbai and other metros.

In the cosmopolitan

city of Mumbai

homosexuals, lesbians,

heterosexuals, transgenders, paedophiles,

call girls, prostitutes(male and female)

and eunuchs are dime a dozen.

Still love Mumbai

like I love Kerala

genuine love ofcourse….   

THE UNCEREMONIAL OUSTER OF L K ADVANI AND MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI FROM BJP PARLIAMENTARY BOARD

Old age homes are mushrooming across the nook and cranny of Kerala, which is popularly known as God’s Own Country the world over. With age catching up and diseases spreading  among them they become helpless and naturally turn out to be a burden to their children who are grown up, educated and have entered the mainstream of life with well-paid jobs either in India or abroad, get  married and become parents, the latter without even a moral prick dump their parents in the so-called old age homes where many a old one spends his/her twilight of their life and the aged ones are helpless and disillusioned and to escape from boredom and painful memories, mingle with each other and share their feelings of their sombre existence with deep sighs. Sometimes forgetting the surroundings they go to the extent of shedding tears recalling the ingratitude of their children whom they fed with love, affection and care and whom they sent to schools and colleges and tried their level best spending huge amounts to find jobs for them. With their children getting married and in due course become parents, their parents gradually become a burden to them and mull day in and day out about disposing their parents in old age homes. They don’t have any reluctance to make payments to the authorities of the old-age homes to cater to the needs of their parents. These sons and daughters often pretend to forget their parents who raised them to greater levels and provided them with love, affection and care are left in the lurch with the sunset of their life hovering over their parents. These are not the cases of old people in distress. Let’s for a moment think about those parents who are harassed, tortured and thrown them out of their houses and leave them in the premises of temples, churches or street sides wherever they like.

This is the case of old age parents of Kerala, the so-called God’s Own Country.

Let’s ponder over the wretched way the old cattle are dealt with while they were young and were beneficial to the man like cows, buffalos and goats which produce milk, the young ox are used to plough the fields or to pull carts especially bullock-carts and goats etc on entering old age and turn helpless, skinny and sick these animals are left at the abattoir.

This is the case of trees like mango trees, jack fruit trees, guava, cashew trees or rubber plants. These trees upon ageing turn less productive and they too turn out to be the victims of the tree-cutter.

We have already mentioned the aged men and women, aged animals and aged trees.

In this period of murky politics across India too the aged political leaders who deserve respect and reverence who even in their old age are blessed with vigour, strength and high spirits are shown the door by the  middle-aged political leaders and allocate the posts of the aged leaders mentioned earlier to familiar faces.

Take for instance the recent dropping of  L.K.Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi from the BJP (Bharathiya Janata Party) from the all powerful Parliamentary Board by Party President Amit Sha after holding consultation with Narendra Modi, Prime Minister.

L.K.Advani, who was instrumental in building up the party from scratch and enabled and ensured the  growth and victory of the party which later headed the National Defence Alliance govt from 1998-2004 which was led by A.B.Vajpayee who is incidentally ill.

Likewise Murli Manohar Joshi, who held the post of BJP President first and Human Resources Development Minister, later has also been thrown out.

In this world where age alone is the criterion to measure the worth of anyone and nothing less than that getting older is something painful but natural even if Amit Shah, Narendra Modi, Janardan Dwivedi (Congress) and anyone for that matter. It would be a better thing if we are aware of this universal truth.        

AN UPHILL TASK

Hills always fascinate me.

In my childhood

in my teenage

in my youth.

The more I climbed up to the top

the more happier I felt.

The speed with which

I ran up the hill

and reached the top

and looked around

was a thrilling experience to me.

I enjoyed the beautiful landscape

all around me

including my house

at the bottom of the hill

and upon noticing my near and dear

roaming around the house

everything filled my mind

like a reservoir reaching its brim.

The more I grew up

the sooner I felt tired

conceding defeat like an army on the run

fearing its enemy country’s soldiers

go on conquering more and more land.

On my way up

mind you, when I am walking across the bridge

of my middle age

to my upper middle age

I am forced to take

rest at several places

before accomplishing my mission of reaching the top.

In case I reach the

sunset of my life

walking up the hill

always makes me shudder

what would I do

if I dream about

climbing up the hill to the top…

An uphill task, an impossible task, no doubt…. 

MIND AND NATURE

With the Sun rising

in the east and welcomes us

caress and embraces us with his warm rays,

my Sun of delight

also rises on the eastern horizon of my mind.

With the Sun getting

eclipsed by dark clouds

my sun also gets

eclipsed by dark clouds of despair.

With the infinite, azure sky

wearing the ornaments of golden moon and stars

in the limpid blue sky,

my transparent mind is embellished with

the lights of scintillating jewels of

serenity, peace and tranquility.

With the Sun taking

a bath for the day

in western horizon of the sky where

the Sun and the Sea meet

my Sun also takes a dip

in the western horizon of

my mind of drowsiness also takes a dip

in the sea of musical silence.

THE DEPLORABLE EXECUTION OF THE MASTERMINDS OF TIANANMEN SQUARE STRUGGLE IN CHINA

As a citizen hailing from a democratic nation, on hearing the news of execution of eight persons who masterminded historic Tiananmen Struggle in 1989 and the subsequent developments, it was natural that I was appalled and angry against the Chinese leaders. Now that 25 years have passed by the massacre is still etched on the walls of my mind.

The Tiananmen Square uprising was for the cause of democracy by the then youth of China which was mercilessly suppressed by the forces loyal to the Chinese govt under orders of the latter which was condemned by the nations owing allegiance to democracy.

After the era of Mao-Tse-Dong, under whose tenure the iron curtain stood as blockade by which the developments in China were unknown to the nations the world over. It was said that the Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) ensured that no news leaked out of that nation and as a consequence how the citizens come to know about the developments going on in that country.

Deng-Sio-Ping, who was his successor, upon ascending the ‘throne’, as a first step in the right direction after demolishing the iron curtain opened up its economy for the foreign nations and appealed them to invest in China on a large scale. During Mao’s time Chinese economy was in a shambles which was made known to the world only after Deng-Sio-Ping succeeded him.

Deng, who is called the ‘architect of modern China’ was criticized by a few countries mostly authoritarian nations, for opening up the economy was learned to have responded that ‘whether the cat is black or white what matters ultimately is whether it is capable of catching the mouse’.

Thus gradually Chinese economy progressed step by step with other nations trailing behind it. Following Deng those who succeeded him like Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao and Xin-Jing-Ping China has turned out to be the second largest economy, the first being USA.

Deng-Siao-Ping and his followers though granded economic freedom, individual freedom is still a mirage.

It was the freedom lovers who were in the vanguard to fight for the cause of individual liberty. The masterminds who mobilized the former grouped under one umbrella upon the Chinese govt rejecting their repeated demands, decided to fight head on against the govt forces at Tiananmen Square in 1989 who braved the Chinese forces and unfortunately hundreds of freedom fighters attained martyrdom after facing guns, grenades, tanks, teargas shells and such sophisticated weapons.

A number of freedom fighters were caught and imprisoned and many of them are still languishing behind bars.

Another unfortunate fact is that today’s generation – students and youth alike are unaware of the 1989 struggle and with the economic progress in full swing many who might have read about it or heard about it from their guardians and teachers are not at all interested in even discussing it.

These Gen Xt have no tears to shed for the freedom fighters who were massacred and who still languish behind the bars. 

Even these youngsters if not en-bloc, a few of them have no qualms in justifying the Tiananmen Square struggle. Its something mind-boggling, blood-chilling and heart-breaking….          

STIFLED SPIRIT AND OPTIMISM

Confined to my room

lying on the mattress

spread over a cot

under the speeding fan

spending my time

reading a lot,

thinking over the strange

ways of the world

civil wars, wars, genocide,

corruption, malnutrition

deaths, unemployment,

natural calamities like floods,

droughts, stifling the spirit and optimism of the mankind,  

with agony and pain piercing my heart,

seated on my chair,

I scribble a poem,

fiction or non-fiction

on the white sheets

during the nights

with the world lapsing into silence

the silence of the graveyard…….

BEYOND ONE’S IMAGINATION

Scene 1 

Somewhere close to

Iraq and Syria

in a vast sprawling desert

under the burning sun,

a terrorist clad in deep dark

wearing an equally deep dark mask

ostensibly to hide his identity

standing beside him was

a flowing orange dressed journalist

with a shaven head

devoid of all hopes

resigned to his fate

his eyes reminded one of

blank dead white sheet.

Scene 2

The assassin

who must have been smiling

with a sharp sword

speaking English

with British accent

perhaps to his victim

perhaps asking to bend the journalist’s neck down.

Scene 3

With the assassin

placing the sharp

sword over the victims neck

shutting my eyes

I ran to my room

with a thudding heart

slumped into my cot

with tears streaming

down my cheeks.

With the blood-chilling act progressing

my friends watching the video

unable to withstand the cruel deed

with their eyes full to the brim

followed me to my room.

*Dedicated to James Foley

THORNS AND FLOWERS

We are a group of thorny plants

bearing a variety of flowers.

We, the flowers and thorns

are the legacy left behind

by our predecessors,

since times beyond remembrance.

Upon watching the thorny

plants with variety of blooms

I often ponder over the

lives of us, the human kind.

‘Life, is not a bed of roses’ – it is often said.

True……

Still I wonder, in course of time

‘whether a day would arrive,

with thornless plants

appear on earth with

different flowers like ornaments

providing a variety entertainment

but it is a foregone conclusion that

we,the mankind will have to

tread the path spread by

the agony and delight

viz thorns and flowers

till the very end of the world

if at all such an end is inevitable…….   

THE MEANING OF EXISTENCE

It was neither any

onion nor a guava.

But the size and shape

were those of an

onion or guava

I was seeing such a fruit

the first time in my life.

Like that of an onion

it too was multi-layered.

Curiosity prompted me

to remove the layers one by one.

I did have a feeling that

with the removal of layers

unto the very end

there must be

an edible fruit, a sweet and juicy.

A mouth watering feeling overcame me

thanks to my salivary gland

and to my shock and embarrassment  

but for the layers

there was nothing,

nothing, nothing………

A sense of vacuum like a vast desert

melting under the sun showering fire

drained away me spirits

since all my expectations

went awry.    

WILL INDIA-PAKISTAN PROXY WAR ESCALATE INTO A FULL FLEDGED WAR?

If I am correct, it was late Aldous Huxley, renowned writer and thinker, who in one of his essays had pointed out the fact that internal conflicts in a country on getting aggravated, under some pretext or another invents an issue or two to declare war on the neighbouring country, inorder to distract the attention of its civilians by injecting patriotic feelings into the blood-stream of all the conflicts-ridden country's citizens resultantly the civilian groups are poised to gather under one umbrella to take up cudgels against the victimized nation thereby forgetting the reasons for its internal conflicts.

Narendra Modi, before assuming the Prime Ministership of the nation took an unprecedented step of inviting the leaders of SAARC nations to take part on the august occasion of his swearing in ceremony which surprised and alarmed many a citizen of India. Former diplomats, intellectuals, international observers and citizens across the spectrum while welcoming and appreciating his historic stand but with a rider that the neighbouring nation of Pakistan with which India keeps a love and hate relationship upon partition of United India from which Pakistan was born in 1948.

The world witnessed four wars between the two nations, the bone of contention being the Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan still sticks to the position that Jammu and Kashmir belongs to it and continues to assert that unless and until J&K becomes its property it is determined to fight for J&K to the hilt.

Though it couldn’t win any of the four wars it has not backtracked from its stand on the ‘core issue’ of Pakistan.

After four defeats at a stretch, Pakistan came to the conclusion that taking straight on India is an ardous and herculean task, it started encouraging militants to infiltrate into the disputed territory of J&K from across the border and by providing the hard-core militants financial assistance and also arming them with sophisticated weapons. By the army providing them support under cover of darkness the militants belonging to Lashkar-E-Taiba, Hisbul Mujahideen, Jaish-E-Mohammed, Tehreek-E-Taliban Pakistan and a number of fringe groups infiltrated to J&K and which played havoc killing hundreds of civilians and destroying properties worth huge amounts.

In Pakistan, at present a democratic government under Nawaz Sherif whose party Pakistan Muslim League is in the saddle. Before Sherif, another government led by Asif Ali Sardari belonging to Pakistan People’s Party was holding the reins. But for namesake.

Frankly speaking, the so-called democratic govts were and are being run by the army and the militant outfits, Pakistan Peoples’ Party then and Pakistan Muslim League now, are under the remote control of the army and Inter Service Intelligence.

Upon the invitation of Mr.Narendra Modi to attend his swearing in ceremony Nawaz Sherif had reported to have reached a consensus by meeting the army head General Raheel Shariff and ISI (Inter Service Intelligences) head Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam to clear their misconceptions and misunderstandings.

After the swearing in ceremony, Mr.Modi and Mr.Sherif discussed various issues relating to bilateral relations. The bonhomie between the two was but short-lived. They had reached an understanding that the foreign secretaries of both nations would be meeting at Islamabad shortly and after discussions and deliberations the meeting was scheduled to be held on August 25.

In the meanwhile, Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and separatist leaders of J&K – Sayed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Omar Farooq to the annoyance of the govt of India decided to meet and discuss the issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir, which prompted the govt of India to cancel the meeting between Foreign Secretary level talks at Islamabad on August 25 forthwith.

Adding fuel to the fire since the last ten to eleven days Pak soldiers fired at Indian soldiers without provocation and the firing continues with India retaliating in the same coin.

In Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf led by former cricketer Imran Khan and a so-called priest Musheerul Khadri’s organization are holding a march to Islamabad demanding the resignation of Nawaz Sherif alleging that the elections held in 2013 in which Nawaz Sherif won a landslide victory was allegedly rigged.

That must be the cardinal reason behind the deliberate provocation of Pakistani soldiers to continue engaging in intermittent firing from across the border. Perhaps the govt of Pakistan may willy-nilly aiming another war against India fearing a military coup in order to divert the attention of the citizens owing allegiance to Imran Khan and Musheerul Khadri and join forces with Nawaz Sherif’s govt. 

THE LARGE VOLUME OF LIFE

Words to me are

invaluable, priceless jewels.

Upon leafing through the books

I often have to

keep a dictionary beside me

which as far as I am concerned

is a basement of priceless jewels.

True,

But for a few

each word carries

different meanings.

All words which according to me

continue to be jewels

and hence such words as

nasty, dirty, grimy, nausea etal.

Are jewels to me

precious jewels like life

which is a bundle of

exquisite, magnificent, ludicrous, grime and dirt .

Life is like a dictionary with

a collection of different words

with different facets

in other words multifaceted….

TIME MACHINE

Heart pounding

adrenalin flowing

She was waiting

with bated breath

for the arrival of Her kids

from the nook and cranny of Kerala

since the last one month.

Barring a few

who are on assignments abroad

Her kids arrived

before the clock struck 4PM.

Parking their cars and bikes

horizontally and vertically

on the sprawling ground

all alighted one by one

everyone glancing around to have

a first-hand experience

of the changes She underwent

with the flow of times

after a prolonged gap.

Marveled and elated

at the developments undergone by Her

with exclamation and joy

reflecting on their faces

each of them moved

ahead to the verandah

corridors and empty class rooms

the verdant hill behind  

heaving deep sighs

recalling their yester years

at their beloved institution

recalling the principal and professors

recalling the love and affection

the faculty showered on them

they recalled with tear-smeared faces.

Barring a few of their faculty

who are no more

their pain and agony knew no bounds.

With the time ticking fast

all were in a hurry to renew their

friendship and like kids playing pranks

they recollected the

pranks each played on the other.

Seeking their present status

addresses and contact numbers

enthusiastically and with delight

they obtained from each other.

Former love-birds

the ones who turned life-partners

the ones who were

forced to get separated

for no fault of theirs

and about those

who are serving abroad

and saving hard-earned money

for the good of their loved ones at homes

far away in Kerala

all matters came in the course of their remembrances.

With the clock ticking 5PM

all moved to the meeting hall

their first gathering after a long span of twenty five years

at their beloved Alma-Mater

and got seated filling the hall.

With the organizers seated on the stage

it seemed the photograph

of Tagore with his

flowing beard, deep and

hypnotic eyes

was conversing silently

with each of them.

After the customary prayer

the speaker after speaker spoke

like fast-flowing rivers

the reminiscences

of the previous years flowed.

Humour, sorrow, agony,

pain and rejoice

all combined together

getting everyone in

the gathering drowned in the deep sea of

mixed feelings.

Everybody was seen comforting the other

when the speakers on

the dais recollected

the agonizing events of the past.

With speeches, songs,

dances performed by the kids of

a few of the gathering, mimicry

and monoact progressing

one after the other

everyone was oblivious

of time machine fast running…

BUTTERFLIES IN MY STOMACH

Butterflies keep on

merry-making inside my stomach.

From the very day

memories took birth

in the basements of my mind,

butterflies started merry-making

inside my stomach

upsetting my peace and tranquility.

As long as butterflies continue their hobbies

peace and tranquility would continue to be

mirage to me.

But with the passage of time

butterflies would turn out to be

my friends banishing their enmity. 

THE WORLD DRIFTING TOWARDS THE ABYSS OF A THIRD WORLD WAR?

We, the world citizens are in a state of despair, fear and anxiety with more countries drifting towards wars and the castle of dreams of a peaceful world comes crashing down.

The so-called ‘jasmine revolution’ the seeds of which was sown across African nations, right from Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen are getting embroiled in civil wars against the dictators in whose hands the rein of power lay for a long time were challenged by the citizens of the latter countries - though much blood did spill along the streets of respective nations didn’t cow down, displayed their grit and determination and finally ensured ouster of those ruthless dictators.

Unfortunately, the euphoria which spread far and wide across those nations died down after a short spell. To their despair and disillusionment the democratic rule which they aspired for didn’t last long since the ones who succeeded the ousted leaders had no compunction to turn authoritarian within a short span and resultantly the citizens had to come out of their homes to the streets in thousands and gather under one umbrella, raising slogans against the former ones but the shining star of democracy remained beyond their reach.

Take for example, the situation prevailing in Egypt. After Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power who ruled with an iron fist for more than three decades and the Egyptian Brotherhood was elevated to the throne which had joined hands with the civilians who had fought against Mubarak. Mohd. Morsi of Egyptian Brotherhood stepped into the shoes of the former who promised early elections. But the wily leader of Egyptian Brotherhood who became the President but the dream of early elections didn’t materialize to the disappointment of civilians. The angry citizens once again appeared on the streets protested and demanded the resignation of Mr.Morsi, who declined to concede their demand. After repeated protests by the citizens the army took the plunge to oust Morsi and successfully threw out Mr.Morsi from power and was kept under detention. The army leader – Gen Abdel Fattah el-Sisi took over the reins of power promising to hold elections within a short period. After installing an interim govt he appointed himself as the Defence minister who promised early elections in Egypt. Whether General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi would keep his promise to the citizens is a million dollar question.

In Libya, a civil war is going on among various ethnic groups claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people including foreigners. A democratic government in Libya has turned out to be a pipe- dream.

Imbibing inspiration from a few African nations, Syrians too jumped to the fray and demanded the abdication of power by Dr.Bashar-Al-Asad in 2011 and an adamant, stubborn and stupid Azad has refused to budge and at present Syria has evolved into a burning cauldron. Syrians drawing inspiration from the sweet smell of ‘Jasmine Revolution’ has fallen into the hands of a dictator who is very much there and now terror outfits like Al-Queida, Al-Nusra, ISIS(Islamic State of Iraq and Syira) have turned Syria into river of blood.

These are the mind-boggling, blood-chilling stories of certain African nations.

Now that United States has once again ventured to intervene in Iraq and has already begun bombarding the terror infested areas. US President Barack Obama has made it clear that US is poised to continue its mission in Iraq until the last terrorist is wiped out.

It was a conclusion foretold that US which was watching the phenomenal growth and influence of the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syira) under the leadership of Abubaker-Al-Baghdadi, a hard-core terrorist whose irresistible charm attracted a number militants to his fold  and went on a killing spree of Yazidis, Iraqi and Kurdish citizens unnerved United States which could in future pose a threat to US in future like the Al-Queida under Osama Bin Laden which created ripples the world over and in the history of US it was the first terrorist attack and they got panicky and angry. The Al-Queida elements struck terror in the minds of US citizens by reducing the World Trade Centre to a pile of rubble. A cautious US apprehended trouble from the part of ISIS since similar threats could affect US in future under the control of Al-Baghdadi who proclaimed himself the Caliph of Islamic State (ISIS).

United States, as a pre-emptive strike have unleashed its attack by bombarding IS controlled areas not only to rescue the Iraqi citizens but for its own sake. That was the reason behind Barack Obama’s determination that US would not withdraw from Iraq until the IS Islamic State is exterminated once and for all.

Iraq’s President Nouri-Al-Maliki has been removed from his post behind which is the hands of US and Iran and has chosen Hyderali Abadi, one of the Shia leaders replacing Nouri Al Maliki. Nouri Al Maliki has so far declined to step down but ultimately he will have to oblige the dictates of US authorities.

All said and done the situation in Iraq too is in a state of volatility.

In comes Ukraine a part of the former Soviet Union. Now that Soviet empire is a thing of past with Ukraine becoming a separate nation which too is mired in a crisis. The Pro-Russian citizens forming a big chunk of Ukraine which too has turned out to be a pain in the neck of Ukraine authorities. Crimea, formerly a part of Ukraine where Pro-Russians constituted a majority wanted to merge with Russia defying the Ukraine authorities held a referendum and to the delight of Russia, the Pro-Russian citizens secured a majority and became a part of Russia to the consternation of the then govt of Ukraine and the western nations. But Russian President Vladimir Putin stood firm and the threats of Western nations, US, Germany, France, Britain et al slapping sanctions didn’t have any effect.

After the successful annexation of Crimea the Pro-Russian citizens of Ukraine forming a major part of the latter especially those in the North and Eastern regions wanted to be an integral part of Russia.

In the meanwhile the former government of Ukraine which was formed on a temporary basis resigned and a new dispensation under the leadership of a strong man, the chocolate baron Petro Porshenko was sworn in who took a pledge not to allow another part of Ukraine going to be a part of Russia.

But the Pro-Russians of the North-Eastern parts of Ukraine vowed to merge with Russia.

Petro Porshenko who ordered his army to go on the offensive and launch ruthless attacks against the Pro-Russians owing allegiance to Russia especially the rebels of Donetsk and US and European nations offered massive support to the new leader. Those nations unanimously declared sanctions (in the words of former US State Secretary Hilary Clinton ‘crippling sanctions’) and had already been removed Russia from the G8 group of nations.

Of late, after discussions with the US and European nations Vladimir Putin has given assurance to them that his forces won’t enter Ukraine but on the condition that the Pro-Russians on the other side of the border are allowed to live peacefully. Anyhow the situation reminds one of a ‘Timber Box’. 

Almost one month has gone since the Israeli-Palestine conflict erupted. Israel without any compunction has already killed more than 2000 citizens of the Gaza strip under Hamas except for the intermittent ceasefires the situation remains volatile. Decades old rivalry – to be exact six decades continue to fester and still there is no sign of a permanent solution in sight. With both refusing to recognize each other intense clashes and wars are still on the cards.           

      

HER GIFT

I haven’t kept any

record of the number of days

you gifted me the red roses.

‘My heart’ – you told me the first

time you gifted me the red rose

sorry ‘your heart’.

I haven’t kept any

record of the number of days

we kept our lips locked

enjoying honeyed moments.

I haven’t kept any

record of the number of stories I had told you

and depending upon the various moods and themes

the stories conveyed

I could read the moods

reflected on your face

smiles, laughs, love, agony and sorrow

while you were listening

in rapt attention and with deep interest.

I haven’t kept any record

of the number of times we melt into one.

I haven’t kept any record 

of the number of times

the dusk of gloom conquered you

the reason for which you refused

to reveal with teary eyes.

Now that you are beyond my reach

I am very well aware of the

reason behind the shadow of darkness

falling over your face.

THE BITTER ENMITY OF ISRAEL & PALESTINE STILL CONTINUES

Ever since Fatah movement led by Mahmood Abbas and Hamas led by Khalid Mishael joined hands and decided to fight for a common cause, ie the establishment of a strong Palestine state, the existential angst of Israel which was formed in 1948 grew more and more worse. It was Israel which celebrated when the West Bank and Hamas turned bitter enemies in the year 2007.

The ire of Hamas leaders naturally went against Mahmood Abbas when he decided to befriend Israel. The enmity lasted for several years which ended recently with both factions deciding to bury the differences and cement a strong relationship between both.

With them reaching a rapport Israel sensed danger and was looking for a pretext to enter into a war thereby crippling the hard-core Hamas elements and they got it in handy when three Israeli teenagers were alleged to have been kidnapped and were found murdered.

Israel which always believe in the dictum ‘eye for an eye’ pledged to go on a confrontation with Hamas since it was very much certain that the culprits were Hamas elements. The alleged kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers occurred when they after attending their bible classes at Jerusalem returned to their residences at West Bank settlement. Though Hamas played innocence and denied any role in the kidnapping and killing of the Israeli teenagers the latter was ‘cent percent sure’ that the wicked murders were committed by Hamas people.

Soon after the ruthless act a teenager belonging to Hamas went missing and Hamas authorities went on a war footing to trace the boy and later found the charred remains of the teenager. From there began the build-up of a showdown between the two enemy countries. It is worth recalling that Israel has not yet ventured to recognize Palestine as a sovereign country albeit a number of nations have already recognised Palestine.

It was Hamas which went on launching rocket attacks which angered the already belligerent Israel. Within no time Israel started aerial bombings killing innocent Palestine civilians. Compared to Hamas Israel’s defence preparedness is lethal with sophisticated weapons and it even posses nuclear weapons.

Before venturing to direct rocket attacks which were intercepted by Israeli missiles thereby neutralizing the rockets minimizing the death toll of its citizens should have recalled that Hamas’s ability to take on Israel was nowhere near Israel.

Each day Israel went on bombarding Gaza strip killing hundreds of civilians and destroying properties worth huge amounts. Thousands of civilians have already fled and sought refuge in the make-shift tents built up by United Nations. Israelis had no qualms to even pummel those areas too and kill the refugees who have lost all their belongings. Ceasefire and ceasefire violations have become the order of the day. Still peace talks continue at Egypt by renowned ambassadors of peace who are genuine aspirants for a durable peace. 

Now that more than 2000 Hamas civilians including children have been ruthlessly killed, a long lasting solution seems to be elusive.

Israel, a nation formed in 1948 which was carved out a substantial portion of Palestine from the very outset of its establishment knows no peace. The paranoia lingers on with Arab nations surrounding it launched several attacks against it and one is compelled to recall the historic 1967 war. It is true many former Arab countries have ended their enmity and established diplomatic relations with it.

Still Hisbollah like elements, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Syria are waiting in the wings to rise against it.

US from the very beginning have extended a helping hand which is often called the God father of Israel and financial assistance worth billions of dollars is willing to provide assistance to Israel in cash and kind and ready to reach to its succour. With United States providing liberal assistance, Israel has built up a strong nation. Yet the paranoia still lingers on….                   

THE WOUNDED INNOCENCE

The previous day

it was the same.

Today it is no different

Tomorrow it seems to

prolong unabated.

Sorrow,

agony,

apprehensions,

and fear

likely to persist

with no end in sight.

Both neighbours

crossing swords with another since years

spilling blood on both sides

from across the borders

claiming lakhs and lakhs of lives

mostly innocents

except for a minority of troops

the drama goes on

with no hint of

the curtain is about to fall down.

Though the Dove of Peace

with olive branch

between its peaks

bringing hopes of a new dawn

it’s forced to withdraw

with injured mind and soul

wounds, despair and disillusionment reflecting on it’s face.

Will there be an incarnation of a Messiah

who could find and cure - eternal cure -

for decades old festering sores

none can nurture hopes

and dreams of never fading flowers

never wilting flowers

at a time the heartless world is drifting

towards wars between different nations. 

LIFE-CYCLE

He came alone.

The very day on which

he made his presence felt on Earth

by screaming aloud.

Besides his claimants, his

close relatives and neighbours

eagerly, enthusiastically and with boundless joy

rushed to the home

to have a close look  at the new born baby

and share rejoice with his parents.

After his arrival on earth

his relatives, neighbours and well-wishers

brought with them colourful

babasuits and expensive gifts

and handed them over to his parents.

In his early days at home

sucking his mother’s breasts

and sleeping were his main hobbies.

To draw his mother’s attention

his technique always was screaming aloud.

Like the proverb

‘charity begins at home’ 

he started learning lessons from

his parents and others at home.

They introduced themselves to him

Dad, Mom, uncles, aunties and siblings one by one.

Though it seemed his learning process

was harsh and hard initially

with days progressing

months progressing and years progressing

he learnt to pronounce

each one with clarity and style.

Besides calling his near and dear

he was taken to kindergarten to learn more

and the teachers there taught

him and his colleagues more and more lessons

with more and more love, enthusiasm and encouragement.

Then came LKG, UKG, primary school,

upper primary school, secondary, higher secondary and so on.

With time ticking by

he grew from a baby

to childhood, teenage, youth, middle age

and in between he got a  job and got

married followed by becoming

the Dad of his children.

After middle age

one day he would grow old

would spend his retired life happily

with his wife and grand children

and one day, he too

would go alone

to his heavenly abode…

HOLY RIVER

Like a diseased person

since a long time 

with none to take care of

his/her immediate needs 

he/she is literally unable to wake up

urinates and defecates

on the dilapidated crater-filled floor of a hut

with none to look after his/her needs.

Holy river Ganges like the dying patient

is a diseased river since decades

with chemical factories on both sides of the river

‘defecating’ effluents sending a nasty odour

forcing us to throw up   

under the very nose of those

who are entrusted with looking

after Holy river and taking care of her

and moving towards the verge of extinction

with foul smell spreading a vast area.

Despite its plight and predicament

pilgrims and worshippers rush to the Holy river

and with rock-solid faith

in her supernatural powers to heal and wash away their sins

take dip in her

and attain salvation. 

TRACKS OF LIFE

Held upon the tracks of life

I am impatiently waiting for the red signal to turn green

to forge ahead.

Like an athlete jumping hurdles

to reach his/her finishing point

I am forbidden to jump

the hurdles which reminds

me and warns me of dire consequences.

Sometimes only for seconds or minutes,

sometimes for hours together,

I am condemned to

wait for the red to turn green.

I’ve lost count of the red signals

so far in my life and how many left ahead

for them to turn green

to reach my destination, no idea.

The inordinate delay

for me to pursue my

onward journey often gets on my nerves,

since the delay begets

impatience and boredom.

I can’t recall any smooth journey

in my life without red signals

which always play obstruction tactics.

Red and green intermittently do have

prominent roles to play

in this drama called my life. 

THE CORRIDORS

Like walking down the

corridors of life

like walking down the

corridors of your alma mater

after a lapse of several years

like walking down the

corridors of a fortress like bungalow

we are being  overwhelmed

by bitter and sweet memories

the colours of which cannot be wiped out

even if you go to any great lengths

since they are deep and engraved  

on the soft walls of your mind

or indelibly imprinted.

That much memorable they are

or try to fathom the depths of your mind

you can bring to the fore

those which lay dormant since a long period.

Even if you like it or not

we people dive deeper into the depths

of the sea of memory.

True,

in the  recesses of your mind

countless of fresh memories are

arranged which can easily be remembered

unlike those of the distant past.

RHYTHM OF UNIVERSE

You must be feeling that

like a peripatetic

I am travelling

from one country to another, everyday

or like a person snaking

along from one TV channel

to another one 24X7

or

like a monkey jumping

from one branch of a tree

to another branch.

I am always on the

move from one place to another

or that I am inconsistent always.

Believe me I am always consistent

and continue to be consistent

but you, yes you

who are always on the move

and continue to move around me.

A never ending process

which prompts you to believe that I am

like a peripatetic

or like a monkey

or a TV browser.

To the accompaniment of

Universal Rhythm

you keep on moving

from one place to another.

Illusion, delusion, hallucination,

so to put it precisely.  

INNOCENCE AND CRIME

Like a child

indulging in merry making with his toy car

his prized gift which his father presented to him

on his birthday.

Like an iron-fisted ruler

dominating his subjects

with the sledge hammer

of arrogance and hubris

thereby terrorizing them

with a mistaken notion that he is

the Super power

who reigns supreme

seems like, we the world citizens

have something to experience delight

and boast about.

And a lot more to shed tears.

While the child’s happiness

reflects his innocence

that of the iron-fisted ruler

pushes us to undergo

a long chain of nightmares over the

wicked deals of the dictator.

FROM THE WAR-FRONT

Holding her lifeless baby

close to her bosom

she was weeping uncontrollably.

My dear,

I did have a dream for you

I did have countless dreams

exclusively for you from the very day of your birth.

I built multi-storeyed skyhigh dreams

which I nurtured and nourished

for you, my gem.

Never, ever I did have any

premonition that eagles

the friends of death

the perpetrators of death

would fly around us to pick your life away,

still, I like a hen

keeping her chicks under her wings

upon espying a red signal from near or afar

you were always under my care.

Yet,

my honey,

the determined, mindless,

heartless, soulless

eagles would fly around us

and forcibly squeeze away

the life of my beloved one, my pretty love

my one and only pretty love, overpowering me.

It would have been

better if those forces of evils

had snatched away my life too…..

I would have offered no resistance…..

WANDERING EYES

Driving down the street

along with her husband she knows

He is very much in the town.

While the car is speeding along

her eyes get wider and glistening

and wander along the streets to have a

glimpse of Him.

Always she fails to spot Him.

While they were lovers in a faraway city

discussing future plans,

He used to tell : ‘ In case you become

the property of another person in future

there ends our relationship.

However you will continue to

shine like a gem in my soul throughout this life’.

She knew the chance of Him becoming

her life-partner was a distant possibility

since both of them were children of different communities.

It would be an ardous

task to break the barrier separating them.

He could measure the depth of her heart and dilemma.

With the car speeding along the streets 

with her eyes getting wider and glimmering

while they wander down the streets around one day

with blanket of dusk clearing the way for the approach of night

the street lights open their

eyes and banish the darkness.

Her husband was saying with a smile

‘I shall bring Him in front of you one day

Don’t worry’

with her husband patting her back

she remained stunned.

How come he came to

know of her love-life?- her eyes turning moist. 

A PRICELESS GIFT

Loneliness can be a penetrating pain

for us sometimes.

But it could be a blessing in disguise occasionally

especially for those engage

in writing, reading or meditation.

No wonder

in this city of sound and fury

loneliness is a priceless commodity for all of us.

True

loneliness breeds boredom but

helps and inspires the citizens to come out of their

shells and melt in the faceless crowds

or mingling with friends or colleagues

thereby keeping away from boredom.

With the approach of night 

and with the citizens going for sleep

until the next dawn awakes them

the citizens lay stuck to their pillows

they could enjoy and listen to the

music of local trains

moving ahead through the suburbs with

rhythmic music

kind of music ie. the kissing of

the wheels over the rails

otherwise the music of iron.