'Campus Writing'

Arjun caught her by his hands and pulled her close to him and whispered, ” I Love you ” and reply was not formal , she kissed  his frolic lips and soon both were engulfed in ecstasy that camouflaged the imageries of Tahiti , this being a French island public display of affection was no sin as in India.

Their thirty day long honeymoon was coming to an end . They were waiting at the Heathrow to board a flight back to India . In the flight , she found herself beside an Indian and from the looks he bore he appeared to be in the late 20′s and was a little stout . He was too busy with his laptop to take notice of her .

They were asked to fasten their seat belts and remain in their seats and that was when she took notice of  the guy next to her and saw his face clearly . She was startled and realised he was no stranger but her classmate sometime back. They had been classmates for 4 long years after which they had lost contact  or to put it straight they forced themselves not to stay in touch as things had turned sour between them .

That didn’t seem to bother her now as she stretched her gleaming hand  towards him and that took him by surprise, it just took him a moment to realise that it was Pooja , the girl he had loved for four years . All his memories came flashing by, the telephonic conversations they had, the romantic texts they had exchanged and the jokes they had shared , things that were burnt to ashes and carried away by the winds of destiny .

He didn’t want to ignore her so he waved back with a weak smirk , that didn’t bellyache her much as she deserved this kind of response from him , for what she had done six years back . She started off by apologising , but it was irrelevant at this juncture of time as both of them had moved on with their lives , at least that was what Pooja thought .

Pooja leaned back against her seat and found herself in a new world , at the entrance of IIT Bombay . Things started getting familiar and  there was Ashwin sitting in the second last bench of the class and she started walking towards him and that was when she realised a younger version of herself sitting beside him . He was holding her hand and was trying to console her but all his efforts seemed to bear no fruit , she told him ” we could never be together as my parents are totally against me in partnering you  ” and all of a sudden she saw herself moving towards her followed by a sudden glitch and there she stormed out of the classroom .

“Honey what happened , you have been sleeping straight five hours ? ” said Arjun . She replied with an impeccable smile which spoke for itself . She immediately turned to see if Ashwin was still there, he was reading a novel and her focus now changed to the cover of the novel and to her surprise it was the book she had gifted him and she was taken aback when she noticed that he was still using the Parker she had gifted him on his 20th birthday and what not , the same tie she had got him on his 21st birthday . She felt as if she was caught under quicksand , pulling her down slowly with guilt . All these things  portrayed her as a despicable person and put her off totally .

 Every seed of respect she had for him now nurtured into love and the blossomed flowers whining out  his name; she lost control over her emotions as she leapt to kiss Ashwin on his cheeks . Arjun with an uneasy feeling of thrust got to his feet and came closer to Pooja and pulled her back . The Stewardess came running towards Arjun and asked him to take his seat as the flight was going to land  and with a rude snub he went back to his seat , his eyes still filled with anger and remorse .

The three were up at the Indira Gandhi International Airport entrance where , Pooja explained everything to Arjun which left him in state of shock and that awkward moment when he realised that his wife no more loves him  just made him feel belittled . Arjun had truly loved her and now she was asking him to sacrifice his love for her . Arjun stood silent laughing at the parody of life , he was just after a honeymoon and now his wife was ready to leave him and the sole reason being Ashwin . Arjun walked furiously towards Ashwin on the verge of hitting him but rather patted his back and asked  him to  take good care of his wife and he said he would sign the divorce papers soon .

Arjun turned back immediately but that didn’t stop Ashwin from noticing the small tear trickle down  his cheeks and understood that he was just a mole in front of his mountain of love . Ashwin could see that  Arjun and Pooja were like fire and air and without air to breath the fire would die off soon.   Ashwin walked to Pooja and told her,” I’m sorry Pooj you know how much I love you and I have no problem in taking you  with me, you are in a state of dubiousness so I want you to close your eyes and think twice about Arjun and the sacrifice that he has done now just for the sake of loving you , NO normal person would do this and should you really do this to him ? I don’t want my love to make the same mistake every other girl would do , “Understand HALF , Think ZERO and React DOUBLE ” .

Ashwin removed his tie and gave it to Arjun and asked him to wear it to his wedding  and promised Pooja that he would always be there for her in times of need .  

 PS: It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped .

Sandesh Bhaskar

“I want to be famous; I want to earn riches, I want to live like a queen…”

Like all, these words resided on my tongue tip as well. Such dreams filled my existence. I had seen the world like this. I had seen the people running behind money and careers, bidding their present for a bright green future, kowtowing in front of their authority for favors… I had heard my elders blessing me with the words, “May god gift you with fame name and money…”

Knowingly, unknowingly, when this fame, name and money became part and parcel of my dreams I never realized and like all I started running in the gold hunt of life, looking for my ways to excel… I soon got admission in a medical college. So things were going smooth. Though frustration, anger, depression and sadness filled my being but these are all integral components of today’s life. So all in all things were normal…

Once we were sent to ‘Life’s Good hospital’, a known cancer hospital of our city. Here we were briefed about cancer, recent advances in treatment, and then we were made to meet the patients. Dr. Aadi led us. Seeing so many young patients on death bed my soul was shaken and uncontrollably words busted off my mouth, “This is so sick of you god!!!”  Dr. Aadi heard it. She smiled and said, “God is never sick, not to any one…” Humbly I opposed her saying, “But isn’t this unfair of god snatching life at such young age? I mean before the age of thirty you don’t even build a good career or get a job. Seeing death at this age then means living a life without happiness…”

Laughing on my perspective Dr. Aadi explained it to me, “See the problem lies here. The sickness lies in your thoughts and not in life or god. But it’s neither your fault.

This is what today’s world is all about – competing and succeeding… Failures have become a big stigma today and success glorifies your being like a gem studded effigy. So afraid of failures every one follows this rat race without any prior thought. You get busy in achieving your ambitions now. You start sacrificing– first your sleep, then your happiness and finally your present, just in hope of ‘Someday’, thinking someday I’ll buy all pleasures and that day I’ll live for me…  But what if that ‘someday’ never comes??? This cancer, this ail has freed my patients from this unyielding run. You call this disease unfair but at least these people know they have one, two or five more years to live. So they in real sense live their life, they celebrate their today and try to fulfill all those desires which we normally burry due to our tight monotonous schedules. They live a day of pleasure before seeing the date of end. But poor you, what if a car hits you as you step out of this place? All your dreams, your ambitions would remain here and you would die with a heavy heart and unsatisfied soul. You may call my patients sick but my patients now out of this sick world are normal. World pities on the ail of my patients but my patients pity on the sickness of this world…”

Her words shook me deeply… Yes she was right… We people are unknowingly caught in this time trap. Competition runs continuously in our minds. We are those vagabonds who run continuously in the desire of that bait which we are not sure of getting and forget to collect the accessible small coins on our way. This race is ruining our life. We have forgotten the beauty of a moment of void and sweetness of silence. Today we have big friend circle but no friend in real sense. We love our goals and gadgets but not our companions. Relationships are nothing more than give and take deals now. We may not know all about our best friend but we surely know all strategies of our competitors. We may not have time to help a friend in need but we surely have time to pull our competitor’s shoe lace.

But does this mean I forget all my ambitions??? Does being normal in this sick world mean living like a man without desires???

Finding the answer took my peace for several days. I felt like banging my head somewhere. Finally I found a way. I asked to myself, “How would I live if I had one month of life left with me???” The answer showed me the way to normal life…

I would have stolen small moments of happiness. I would have taken time to see my mom dad smile, to sleep on my mom’s lap, to listen to my dad sing, to discuss all shitty things with my sister and do all crazy stuff, to hug my friend and say “I care”, to confess in front of  all my loved ones—yes I loved them truly, to live out my way, to dress the way I like, to walk, to speak, to behave the way I like and not as the way society wants to see me, to sing, to dance, to enjoy, to hold balloons and run on seaside, to build my dream castle on beach, to sit eye in eye with my love holding his hand and whispering, “I love you too.”

Being normal in this sick world doesn’t mean forgetting your ambition. It means – not forgetting your life. What we people today have mistaken is we have made our ambitions our purpose of existence. But this is not true. Our ambitions are only a part of our existence. The purpose of existence of each soul on this land is to enjoy and live its share of happiness. Your degree, post, money or name would never give you satiety on your death bed. The moments of love, rejoice and having people around you who really care make even your journey to death peaceful.

So people leave this sickness for a while and try leading a normal life for a change. Work for your ambitions but don’t forget your now. Be true to someone, become the helping hand for someone, be the smile on someone’s face and hug a needy with a healer’s love and grace. And then see each step toward your goal would become more enjoyable. The quota of dejection and depression would diminish from your life and life would become a journey on roses…

Enough of quoting ‘Shakespeare’ and ‘Wordsworth’ fellows lend your ear now to me –

Steal little joys from life’s treasure,

The gangplank between life and death would then become full of pleasure.

No regrets of past and no planning future,

Present lies in your hand live it today and make it dearer.

Remember this secret of life

 This would make your living wonderful,

There’s no place here for tears and roars

Life, my friend, is really beautiful….

Bhagyashree Deshmankar

bhagyashree_deshmankar@yahoo.co.in

Jo Main Na Sota, To Khawab Na Dekhta
Jo Main Na Muskrata, To Khawab Na Dekhta
Jo Dar Ke Bhag Jata, To Khawab Na Dekhta
Jo Karta Shikayat, To Khawab Na Dekhta…

Yu Milata Nazare Agar Me Na, 
To Aasma Ko Na Dekhta…

Jo Dil Me Halahal Na Hota, 
To Sapno Ko Na Bunta…

Sunta Agar ye Kolahal Bazar Ka, 
To Aaj Man Me Shor Nahi Machta…

Na Chalta Gar Nange Paav Main,
To Manzil Tak Nahi Pahunch Pata…

Hoti Raah Bhi Aasan, 
To Me Kyu Kasth Uthata?

Jo Me Ro Deta, To Khawab Na Dekhta
Jo Na Chunta Sach Ki Kathin Raah, To Khawab Na Dekhta
Jo Harta Himmat,To Khawab Na Dekhta

Jo Main Na Sota, To Khawab Na Dekhta….
Jo Main Na Sota, To Khawab Na Dekhta….

Prateeti Rawal

Sir Padampat Singhaniya University,Udaipur

prateetirawal@gmail.com

“Err… My life sucks!”

“I doubt if God exists, and if he does, why doesn’t he have pity on me?”

“Why me? Always?”

Yes! Most of us, at some point in our lives, have said something similar. Haven’t we?

And why?

Perhaps ’cause …

“I flunked my exam dude! I’m going to commit suicide. Or wait, my parents are gonna kill me anyway!”

“Bloody ****, I saw her with this another guy! She ruined my life”

“Today I lost whom I can’t even begin to imagine life without.”

All of us often crib about our lives, how worse could it get? And as if God is being cruel to me, while that jackass is having all the fun!

Hang on in there!

Not that I don’t do the same, of course I have, in the past! But, amidst all of this, I was fortunate to have an encounter with a certain person, which changed me as a person. It did!

My friends and I, had been literally craving to visit a NGO, for some time now. So, with the help of favorite teacher, Ms Shalini, we chalked out the NGO- Salaam Baalak Trust and planned a school trip for our batch lined up for July 13, last year.

As it is, nocturnal much I be, and the excitement of going there, resulted in keeping me wide awake imagining how it will be the next morning, google-ing related stuff … in short staying awake most of the night.

Suddenly, I saw a ray of bright light enter my room through the window. Yes, it was the crack of dawn.

Whoa! The usual routine of getting ready for school followed.

Just as we reached school, we boarded the bus to visit the NGO. And then the much awaited city walk (the city walk is a tour through the station making us familiar with the life of children living on the station. It was across enchanting streets of the inner city of Paharganj and the New Delhi railway Station area) started about which none of us had much idea about.

And that’s when I met Brijesh Bhaiya.

10 March 1984

Today, the almighty blessed me the life of a human, on the contrary, to my parents, another burden. Yes! Our family was poor and could barely manage a proper meal each day. And in such a scenario, I was indeed another child to take care of. However, they did their best to assure I get what I needed, for the next few years.

10 march 1990

Exactly 6 years ago from this day, I was born. Today, I know who my mother is, my father is. It was my birthday! Like any other child, I was super excited! I was unaware of what was awaiting … it was perhaps the worst gift anyone could ever get.

At around 2 in the afternoon, in the scorching heat, I heard some noises from outside. It was my uncle’s family who had

come over. I was told to go out and play with my cousins, while my parents yapped for about 10 minutes, with my uncle’s family. That ten minutes chat was to change my life forever.

Whatever few torn clothes, second hand books I had … my mother began to pack ‘em up in a bed sheet. Tying one corner of the sheet to the one opposite to it, and the 3rd corner to the 4th. By now, she had begun to shed a few tears, but within moment gathered herself.

My mother hugged me tightly, I could feel her warmth (not knowing I’d never be able to feel it ever again), handed over

the sheet to me and told me I was supposed to spend the next few day at my uncle’s house. What fun! “YAY,” I exclaimed! I knew my uncle was much more well off than we were and I was about to have a gala time for the next few days. After all, it meant proper meals, lots of play!

13 may 1991

I was washing the utensils, when a glass slipped off and broke into several small pieces and a few big ones.

I heard my aunt shout, “You are good for nothing!”

By now, it was crystal clear to me, I was SOLD, yes sold by my parents for some money.

I was used to regular verbal and physical violence I faced from my aunt. Besides badmouthing and beating me, she used to engage me in household and petty work while my cousins went to a local school for basic education.

At the age of 8, it was pretty natural for a dark skinned, lean boy, perpetually dressed in that torn white vest and brown shorts – work all the time. This made my uncle and aunt cuss me several times in a day. Initially, I loosened myself up by shedding tears for nights, but a time came, when my tears literally dried up. And I accepted the harsh reality. A lot of times, the thought of running away popped in my mind, but I never had the courage to. Besides, I had decided I will NEVER face my parents ever again. And there was no place I could go to.

But today, an unusual strength built up in me, and I had an immense urge to run away. Without much ado, while no one was at home, with absolutely no money, I ran away. I ran away in my torn white vest and brown pair of shorts.

2 hours later

I was standing at the Kanpur Central railway station. Since I had no money to buy the ticket, I decided to board whichever train I could and hid myself in the train’s washroom so that the TC or the police couldn’t get hold of me.

During the journey, several times someone knocked on the door, and each time I got hell scared of getting caught and hence, I didn’t dare to open the door.

Again, someone knocked and went on knocking repeatedly. I got curious to know who it was so I slightly opened the door and quickly shut it. Phew! I sighed!

It was just an old lady who wanted to use the washroom. I opened to door for her and when she was done, in a flash, I locked myself up inside until the train stopped.

When I got down, I had no clue as to WHERE I was going to land up, WHAT will I be doing, HOW WILL I SURVIVE? I had no answer to any of my questions.

My stomach was as empty as a newly made bag! I began to cry. Just then, a boy in a torn black shirt, full of dust, noticed me.

He was of about the same age as I was and sold water bottles at the station. He offered me a roll to eat, and when I was done, he got me an old torn tee. In the evening, he taught me the 3 easy steps to earn:

When the train arrives,

1. Get in!

2. Collect the empty water bottles

3. Fill them up with the tap water available at the station premises and then, sell it for 5 bucks!

We did it together; we ate together; we played together! He was a savior! He gave me a whole new life. Just when I thought my life was gaining momentum, we were caught by the police and put behind the bars. Why?

’cause it was illegal to sell anything without any permit.

They’d let us out in 2 weeks and imprisoned us again after 1 month, this time for 4 weeks.

Again, we were set free, but we decided to quit the water job. Instead, we took up cleaning inside the train. People gave us whatever they’d wish to.

From stealing money, snatching stuff and running away, to smoking fags, inhaling drugs et al became a part of our daily routine.

For 5 YEARS we did the same. This way, I managed to make around 50 rupees a day.

I spent them all the same day ’cause:

A. If my fellow mates at the station found out I had made some money, they would threaten me with knives blades etcetera and take away my money, and,

B. By now, I was addicted to drugs. I bought them and I’d spent the rest on food.

One fine day, I heard about one of the contact points of Salaam Baalak Trust. I was urged to join their shelter homes where I would be provided with food, education and shelter of course!

But, I refused! “Shelter home mein toh DAL milegi hum toh yahaan biryani khate hain!”

However, I had a keen interest to study, hence, whenever I felt like, I went there for the same.

Sooner or later, I realized my aunt used to rightly say, “You are good for nothing!”

All these 5 years, I’ve resorted to all the bad things. But I decided to clean my act and I joined the shelter home. I stayed there, studied, and worked hard, learned English.

Who am I?

.

.

.

My name is Brijesh.

13 July 2010

Today, my hard work has paid off. I’m currently pursuing a course in Travel and Tourism and I hope to become an entrepreneur in the same field some day.

16 July 2011

I am studying in US on a scholarship because I want to learn how to open my own tourism agency.

—————————————————————————–

Before I called the day off that day, I brainstormed for over 2 hours.

Often more than not, all of us like to crib about something or the other. But, how many times do we take a minute to thank the almighty for the ways he has blessed us? Do you ever think whether you will be able to get the next meal or not? No, you don’t! Did you have to earn for your living at the age of 8? No, you didn’t! Were you SOLD by your parents? No, you weren’t.

And yet, you like to blame them, don’t you?

Next time, think before you say…

“Mom! YIKES! How bad could this DAL taste? “

“Dad! I want a new Ipod! My friend got one, too”

“I haven’t been on a vacation this summer. My parents don’t love me.”

“Give me a break you both! It’s MY life. You have no right to interfere in my personal matters.”

Thank them.

Tell them, how much you love them and care for them.

Thank the almighty for the luxuries and comforts made available to you even when you didn’t do anything to deserve it.

Nishtha Lohani

Delhi University