Save Panki - Hanuman Mandir at Kanpur.

After almost 7 years or more, I don’t clearly recall, it suddenly struck me to visit Panki, the abode of Shri Hanuman in Kanpur. I had visited this temple frequently as a child and it somewhere, played a role in my growing up. I wanted to visit the temple with my two years old to give him the same experience which I recalled used to be ecstatic with the long drive, the serenity of the place, the aarti sounds echoing in and around the temple, the monkeys all over the place, the bhog of besan ka ladoo and the numerous stalls of flowers and other offerings for Baba (like they call him) and of-course the wonderful pratima of Hanuman covered in sindoor.

We planned to leave early morning so that we avoid the rush hours and also to get some fresh air on our way. As planned, we left on time at 5 am. I was being very naïve when I told my driver to switch off the AC and roll down the windows so as to inhale some fresh morning air. There was a continuous lingering stink which accompanied us through our trip and finally when we couldn’t take it anymore, we had to get back to our AC car with all windows rolled up to breathe normal.

Kanpur has forever been like this. I have stayed away from home too long and was too hopeful of the change I guess, which of course never comes. And so the normal discussion on how polluted and dirty the city is, happened amongst all the members in the car and we continued on our way.

We finally reached our destination, the Temple at Panki. ‘The outsides are always dirty’ is what I told myself. My hopes of finding a changed and better Hanuman mandir at Panki were still high. As we entered, it was quite like never before. 6 in the morning and we were the first ones to visit? Never mind I thought, it’s always better to avoid the rush in Indian temples. 

Found only a single shop open which was selling the offerings. We purchased whatever we were given with no options around. We started walking towards the temple and the closer we reached, the dirtier it got. That stink from the roads of kanpur was still in the air.

Polythene was ruling the floors, the surroundings were dull and dirty like they had not been touched or cleaned for ages. There was no sounds of mantras or aarti outside the temple. We continued walking and as we entered the main campus, horror struck me to see the condition of the temple that was once a grand structure.

 Whole compound was full of filth, polythene and plastics, stinking water and cowdungs and had not been cleaned for very many days. The offerings of flowers and garlands were piled up right outside and that stink took my life away for a few minutes. Walking on that sticky, dirty and stinky floor with my son was the hardest part for me. I was face to face with the truth but my son was still awaiting the excitement I had been preparing him for, from the last night.

I was sad and disheartened and had nothing to really show my son. The main Idol as well was unkempt and shabby. We walked out and I clicked as many pictures as I could with just this thought that I am not going to stop at just a share on Facebook. I am going to make sure this temple gets back what it deserves. I am going to make an effort and I am going to Question.

Who is responsible for this situation? I so don’t want to bring in the Politicians or our respected government officials into this. We all know how hardworking, honest and worried they are for our welfare. ‘Sawch Bharat Abhiyan’ is a great example of the same. But I want to question us. What about us? What are we doing to our own surroundings? Why have we learnt to live in filth and unhygienic surroundings believing, its normal?

I sincerely urge, to give back this temple its right place and importance. It’s our heritage, and we have to preserve it. 

I am open to do whatever it takes to bring this place back, are You?

P.S: If you have read this, kindly share it as much, to help me achieve what I have started. 

Life - You are simple in your ways.

Life, you are simple in your ways,
All I need is to stop and reciprocate.

Where I am walking to, is anyhow my fate,
But then, I am the one fighting my own case.
Life, you are simple in your ways.

You give me an option and it is for me to take,
Nothing is truly real and nothing is really fake.
Life, you are simple in your ways.

It's a long treacherous walk to the gates,
One step at a time and its easier to crack the maze.
Life, you are simple in your ways.

When I look back and the past lights up my face,
When I start to walk for myself and not to race,
And when I am content with my own pace.
Is when I realise, Life, you are indeed simple in your ways.

PRIYAMVADA.

For my Little boy ... who turns 9 months old in a few days.

You are 9 months old….

You are 9 months old..

You entry would turn my world upside down, I wasn’t told.

You gaze amazes me, your blabber confuses me.

I must be a mystery to you and so are you to me.

Your tiny little hands, when they reach out to hold

I catch you in my arms, and you are my only Gold.

You are just 9 months old.

You are 9 months old..

I can’t take it, if you are tiny bit cold,

You are teaching me the toughest lessons of life,

Patience, love, innocence and strive.

For you, into a mother I had to mold,

Staring into my eyes, my heart you stole,

You are just 9 months old.

You are 9 months old..

Slowly learning the hard ways of life you are turning bold.

From faraway land you traveled to this life,

You took your time to leave your past behind.

In this life, may you lead a better role

In prayer, my hands I fold.

You are just 9 months old..

A lot is being said about woman empowerment and their rights. My take on that, through this poetry.

Woman to Woman

Woman, there is much injustice around.

You are not respected and you are objectified.

 You are not treated right and you are traumatized

Your father ignores you and your husband controls you.

Your society misbehaves and your family vitiates.

There is a constant fight for your right.

But……

Are you truly justified?

Are you absolutely right?

Do you not trust too much?

Do you not give in without putting up a fight?

Are you not mocking your own kind?

Do you not make yourself an easy target?

Do you not easily forget?

And …

Are you being true to your existence?

By not wanting to be a mother....

By not being caring and gentle

By throwing away the virtue of kindness

Are you not being less marvelous?

The New City

Third day in the city, Pune. Sitting in Hard Rock Cafe all by myself, Rajiv although has accompanied (but then work after all is work) is on a con call. I have been sitting listening to this Rock band playing and was suddenly struck by the thought that its been a more than a year that I was not intimidated or nervous to be by myself in public. I don’t have any eyes staring or probing into me. Even when I met someone’s eyes ones in a while, it doesn’t scare me.

After One year and a month of living my life in a hell hole (Gurgaon), have now moved to a city (Pune) which in just a day of my stay has given me peace of mind and has calmed down all my sense organs. My eyes are pleased with the Greenery around. My Ears are enjoying the Honk free roads, My nose is joyous as it doesn’t have to breathe in the dust all the time. My tongue... well it’s in high spirits as my taste buds are enjoying the new cusinie. And My skin.... It seems bright and shining with the wonderful weather around.  

It might be too early but I love Pune for probably the same things which most of the people would not like it for. Its Old feel, its lack of big cars and big shots showing off around, it’s not so mature, carefree and young crowd.

I am looking forward to being here and becoming a part of the city as it gives me a homely feel, being quiet similar in taste and culture to Bangalore. I am in awe with pune. The cherry on the cake is the fact, Our new home is overlooking a hill. My excitement seems no bounds.Cant wait to settle in.    

Heil Hollywood

84^th Academy awards and 57^th filmfare awards, was an ardent spectator of both and honestly, hats off to the Oscar nominated movies, the nominees, the host and the show. Till very recently I was being over confident about my country I belong to and the people and the advancement and the heights we have reached in the recent years , but watching the Academy Awards brought me back to the real ground where I truly belong.

57^th Filmfare awards was a SHAME, it was all about cheap humour/thrill and jokes being cracked on  our own movies and stars, of our own home productions and hard works of too many individuals so to say. It was all about Sharukh khan trying to still be the king of Bollywood (which sadly but true , he never really was (this coming from once a very big fan of his)) and Ranbir kapoor trying to be the next (sad but true, he never really will be (just coz, times have changed, if you didn’t really notice)).

I don't deny and I am not questioning our talent, but what's the point if we are not acknowledging and awarding the real work and talent like " I am Kalam" or "Aarakshan" for that matter? Why is it so necessary to reward Sharukh khan each year for his unnecessary not at all required and waste of money movies?

Coming back to the Oscars, what a display of class and hard work and men and women truly dedicated to their line of work. Unlike ours who have turned into pimps and whores just to earn big bucks (Munni and Sheela and Jalebi bai’s to top our charts).

Who says that cinema doesn’t define our culture, our current existence? it does, it always has and always will. I am writing this blog coz i’m internally frustrated and I have been questioning myself that even if I am the single most person in my country trying to bring about some change, how the f***k do I go about it,  when a 3 year old when asked about his fav song sings “hudd hudd dabangg” actions personified ofcourse.. my dear celebrities  (All of U), forget the politicians (U are today’s Icon) where are U leading this nation???? Mr. Salman Khan “Sorry if I’m questioning your so called image”, if U r so great hearted, why don’t you give a thought to this before inacting out a dance sequences such as munni and Dabbang in your f***ing movies????

Mr. Sharukh Khan.. if u really consider and want to be remembered as a legend I think doing movies like “chakk de” would help you better that portraying “silk smita” or whatever that was in the history of BOLLY WOOD.

Heil HollyWood.

The lessons I learnt at The City of Ruins- Hampi

The tallest rocks at Hampi - called Sister Rocks

Recently visited City of Ruins- Hampi. City of ruins is not the official name but Hampi is popularly called so.. and very rightly indeed. As a child, I was always interested in old monuments and palaces and the lifestyle of kings and queens and the rich heritage of our country. As I grew up, the interest got shadowed by nature, and greenery and mountains... And then came along a plan, of visiting hampi, with a group , who was quite unknown to me. I decided to do the trip, more so from the point of view of spending some quality time with myself, knowing some new people and most importantly trying to see if that old interest and passion was still alive inside, somewhere. Figured out, It sure was...

I dont want to describe my trip here.. and how and what I did. But I want to talk about what I have taken along with this 2 day recluse to the ruins.

What I learnt, being among the ruins:

• The thing that clicked me while in those ruins somewhere was that, whatever you do in life will somewhere be talked about, and that holds good for a king or a popper. Now what should be talked about is left onto You.
• One should never give up on the things one likes doing and one must surely not postpone it to the next day or week or month or year. If you want to do something, do it now.
• The marks and stories you leave behind are not just stories, it’s You, your entire existence is in that tale being told, though you might not be specifically mentioned, but that doesn't change the fact that, if not for you, the tale would not exist.
• A perfect plan, with a perfect execution, results into perfect outcome. (I was amazed at the planning done to finally come up with those structures that stand tall even today).
• If you have the competence, the world will visit you and all the other factors will be put aside. (the fact that the city is in the middle of a village, the weather is at its extremes through the year has not really stopped the fascinated from visiting the place) 

What I learnt from the group of people I went with: 

• Don't be afraid or don't think too much to be in a new set of people, even if you don't end up being best of buddies, you surely learn a lot from all the different kinds... and even if you don't learn anything (you surely meet a new kind of human arrangement, and that surely is worth it).
• Not everyone enjoys your way, so don’t try to push people to do that.
• Everyone you know or meet has and will have some good and some bad, how to balance that, is your proficiency.
• Travel and travel, as much as possible, coz that’s one way of giving time to yourself and your thoughts.