is there a guiding light when you are lost in the jungle of life ..???????
depends.....depends on whether you can "See" that light.
so, if you are lost....in life...and need a guiding light, it is up to you to be able to track that light and help it guide you.
so everyone could be your "GURU", that is IF you can learn something from him.
it is actually, entirely up to you yourself. if you see a Guru in someone, he CAN be the desired light.
so actually, it is upto you to place someone in the category of a Guru. it is actually you yourself guiding yourself....through this maze of life.
so go right ahead and find your guiding light !!!//best//mg
Friday, December 16, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
The Happiness Plumber.........????
can a plumber be the cause of your happiness?? well, read on (my latest article published in the December-2011 issue of "The Focus Global Reporter") to find out...//happy reading//best//mg
Need a Plumber……..for Happiness !!
Manisha Gupta
What do you do when your bathroom drain is clogged? You probably take a vacuum pump and start pushing it hard, harder… still...harder….. What happens in the beginning? The harder you push, the dirty water inside the pipeline along with all accumulated trash comes out, towards you. The further you try pushing, the further distance the dirt spreads outward from the drain. It may even soil you.
Now you’re left with only two options. One, you give that one last push before you finally give up. If that does the trick, you’ll notice the water suddenly starts flowing down the pipes. This is signaled by the quickening, spiraling circles the water makes at the drain mouth. It is also accompanied by the gurgling sound it makes, while flowing freely through the line. The drain is finally cleared, much to your comfort.
But if that last push still doesn’t do the job, then what do you do? Simple, silly! Call the plumber. He has all the equipment including that special pump, wire, pipe and what not. He assesses the situation and accordingly uses the appropriate tool to clear the blockage. Most of the time, that special pump, which can go deep within the drain right to the bottom, can fix the problem. He pushes at this pump when it has gone right inside the drain. Gives it four or five hard jerks and Viola! The drain is cleared. At other occasions, he may make use of the other implements.
Now think about your choked emotions through the pipeline of your heart and stagnant thoughts in your mind. When you try to push hard at these with the intent of clearing them, in the beginning, they seem to come out towards you, with much greater force. After you have tried your best to clear this heart-line and mind-line, and the problem still remains, all you need is a heart-mind- plumber. He knows the tricks of clearing your heart and mind of the emotional and intellectual baggage that is clogging the line.
Once this done, “your” drains are clear and this is signaled by the quickening, spiraling circles your emotions and thoughts make over your heart and mind, while they go with the flow of life. And, of-course, you can actually hear this clear feeling …….in your happiness.
So, don’t delay if your emotional drain is choked. Go right ahead and call the ….Happiness Plumber…!!
ManishaGupta©2011
Need a Plumber……..for Happiness !!
Manisha Gupta
What do you do when your bathroom drain is clogged? You probably take a vacuum pump and start pushing it hard, harder… still...harder….. What happens in the beginning? The harder you push, the dirty water inside the pipeline along with all accumulated trash comes out, towards you. The further you try pushing, the further distance the dirt spreads outward from the drain. It may even soil you.
Now you’re left with only two options. One, you give that one last push before you finally give up. If that does the trick, you’ll notice the water suddenly starts flowing down the pipes. This is signaled by the quickening, spiraling circles the water makes at the drain mouth. It is also accompanied by the gurgling sound it makes, while flowing freely through the line. The drain is finally cleared, much to your comfort.
But if that last push still doesn’t do the job, then what do you do? Simple, silly! Call the plumber. He has all the equipment including that special pump, wire, pipe and what not. He assesses the situation and accordingly uses the appropriate tool to clear the blockage. Most of the time, that special pump, which can go deep within the drain right to the bottom, can fix the problem. He pushes at this pump when it has gone right inside the drain. Gives it four or five hard jerks and Viola! The drain is cleared. At other occasions, he may make use of the other implements.
Now think about your choked emotions through the pipeline of your heart and stagnant thoughts in your mind. When you try to push hard at these with the intent of clearing them, in the beginning, they seem to come out towards you, with much greater force. After you have tried your best to clear this heart-line and mind-line, and the problem still remains, all you need is a heart-mind- plumber. He knows the tricks of clearing your heart and mind of the emotional and intellectual baggage that is clogging the line.
Once this done, “your” drains are clear and this is signaled by the quickening, spiraling circles your emotions and thoughts make over your heart and mind, while they go with the flow of life. And, of-course, you can actually hear this clear feeling …….in your happiness.
So, don’t delay if your emotional drain is choked. Go right ahead and call the ….Happiness Plumber…!!
ManishaGupta©2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Expiry Date of Relationships...!!
experiences just made me wonder if relationships in this world come with expiry dates..???
do relationships last only as long as the people involved have something or the other to take from each other? in fact, that brings in the question of the base of relationships on this earth. do people make relationships with others only if and when they want something from the other person? only when each has a need,a purpose, an agenda? can relationships not take place if there are no agendas involved? if the need for the relationship is just a simple social or emotional need to know people and remain known to them.
do such relationships exist? and if they do take birth, then do they last forever? well, deep thinking gives me the logical answer as a big "YES". because, this kind of a relationship is perhaps the purest form. where the people concerned are only interested in the emotional need for the relationship. but, life's incidents & experiences depict otherwise.
people today have become so selfish that the general trend is of relationships with
defined agendas. and so it lasts only as long as the the mutual agendas are satisfied. even if there happen to be people who don't have agendas while forming a relationship, others see "hidden" agendas and keep presuming or rather expecting that sometime or the other, the person is going to ask for a favour. and that is the reason he is continuing with a particular relationship.
at other times, people may not remember a particular relationship till the time they seem to "need" something from it. and then suddenly, they want to revive it, only till such time that their agenda is satisfied and then again they disappear into oblivion, only to resurface again for another agenda.such relationships that are based purely on agendas/selfish motives of getting work done, are not true relationships actually in the first place. and they do have an expiry date.
but, does that mean that any relatiopnship that takes birth in this world is looked at from this "agenda coloured eye"??
actually, the world has changed so much today, or rather people have changed, that since nobody calls anybody without any work/motive, one tends to see all relationships with a coloured eye.
The other way round too is true. people don't seem to recognize someone at certain ocasions, though ofcourse they may know the person very well. and it is pretty shocking to have people who know you well, just walk past you, as if looking through you, with not even the remotest sign of recognition. and the same people, who don't or didn't recognize you in public/at certain times, may "appear" or "pretend" to be the best of friends with you when alone or at places where nobody knows them.
and if there happen to be such "abnormal" people existing, who do recognize you and want to keep the relationship going,inspite of "no agendas", you firmly "see" a motive behind it. sadly, then you are unable to recognize the few pure relationships, ones that exist only for the sake of relationships and nothing else!!!
but ofcourse, you need to have that insight and that feeling and that "emotional intelligence" to grasp such a relationship!! and for that you also have to see it without any "filter" of any colour.
//best//mg
do relationships last only as long as the people involved have something or the other to take from each other? in fact, that brings in the question of the base of relationships on this earth. do people make relationships with others only if and when they want something from the other person? only when each has a need,a purpose, an agenda? can relationships not take place if there are no agendas involved? if the need for the relationship is just a simple social or emotional need to know people and remain known to them.
do such relationships exist? and if they do take birth, then do they last forever? well, deep thinking gives me the logical answer as a big "YES". because, this kind of a relationship is perhaps the purest form. where the people concerned are only interested in the emotional need for the relationship. but, life's incidents & experiences depict otherwise.
people today have become so selfish that the general trend is of relationships with
defined agendas. and so it lasts only as long as the the mutual agendas are satisfied. even if there happen to be people who don't have agendas while forming a relationship, others see "hidden" agendas and keep presuming or rather expecting that sometime or the other, the person is going to ask for a favour. and that is the reason he is continuing with a particular relationship.
at other times, people may not remember a particular relationship till the time they seem to "need" something from it. and then suddenly, they want to revive it, only till such time that their agenda is satisfied and then again they disappear into oblivion, only to resurface again for another agenda.such relationships that are based purely on agendas/selfish motives of getting work done, are not true relationships actually in the first place. and they do have an expiry date.
but, does that mean that any relatiopnship that takes birth in this world is looked at from this "agenda coloured eye"??
actually, the world has changed so much today, or rather people have changed, that since nobody calls anybody without any work/motive, one tends to see all relationships with a coloured eye.
The other way round too is true. people don't seem to recognize someone at certain ocasions, though ofcourse they may know the person very well. and it is pretty shocking to have people who know you well, just walk past you, as if looking through you, with not even the remotest sign of recognition. and the same people, who don't or didn't recognize you in public/at certain times, may "appear" or "pretend" to be the best of friends with you when alone or at places where nobody knows them.
and if there happen to be such "abnormal" people existing, who do recognize you and want to keep the relationship going,inspite of "no agendas", you firmly "see" a motive behind it. sadly, then you are unable to recognize the few pure relationships, ones that exist only for the sake of relationships and nothing else!!!
but ofcourse, you need to have that insight and that feeling and that "emotional intelligence" to grasp such a relationship!! and for that you also have to see it without any "filter" of any colour.
//best//mg
Thursday, November 10, 2011
True Enlightenment...!!
Hi all !!
am finally back after a long time.
i don't know how many of you read the Times of India supplement "Speaking Tree". i just read the article “Unlearn to Learn” which appeared in the "Speaking Tree" of November 6, 2011.
I totally agree with this thought. In fact it is such a coincidence that I had arrived at the same concept through life’s experiences and have written about it in my book “You Connecting With ….YOU!!” (YCWY) published sometime back.
Here are some relevant quotes from my book.
“This enlightenment, what I have come to realize, is nothing but unlearning everything you learnt. Sounds stupid, isn’t it? But think deeply. And, I am no “Guru” or something trying to teach. This realization has dawned on me as a result of different incidents and happenings in life. Because to live life in the true sense, you need to unlearn all that you had learnt and what is left after that is your actual knowledge gain. So in a way enlightenment can be equated to emptiness, but one that came only after extensive learning.” (chapter 9- YCWY)
“Keep learning but a stage will come when you have to begin unlearning everything you learnt. But this does not mean that all the learning accumulated by you throughout life was a waste, because this stage of unlearning will never come if you have not learnt enough. It is as simple as you will not know what an empty glass is till you have filled it and seen what a full one means. Once it is full, you can empty it out and refill it with something else.” (epilogue- YCWY)
“Then, having made that space free, you could add your new form of learning, the higher form, where you begin to understand life better.” (epilogue- YCWY)
//best//mg
am finally back after a long time.
i don't know how many of you read the Times of India supplement "Speaking Tree". i just read the article “Unlearn to Learn” which appeared in the "Speaking Tree" of November 6, 2011.
I totally agree with this thought. In fact it is such a coincidence that I had arrived at the same concept through life’s experiences and have written about it in my book “You Connecting With ….YOU!!” (YCWY) published sometime back.
Here are some relevant quotes from my book.
“This enlightenment, what I have come to realize, is nothing but unlearning everything you learnt. Sounds stupid, isn’t it? But think deeply. And, I am no “Guru” or something trying to teach. This realization has dawned on me as a result of different incidents and happenings in life. Because to live life in the true sense, you need to unlearn all that you had learnt and what is left after that is your actual knowledge gain. So in a way enlightenment can be equated to emptiness, but one that came only after extensive learning.” (chapter 9- YCWY)
“Keep learning but a stage will come when you have to begin unlearning everything you learnt. But this does not mean that all the learning accumulated by you throughout life was a waste, because this stage of unlearning will never come if you have not learnt enough. It is as simple as you will not know what an empty glass is till you have filled it and seen what a full one means. Once it is full, you can empty it out and refill it with something else.” (epilogue- YCWY)
“Then, having made that space free, you could add your new form of learning, the higher form, where you begin to understand life better.” (epilogue- YCWY)
//best//mg
Monday, October 17, 2011
Monitor fee Structure of Pvt. Schools...??
Q:
Should there be a Govt. cell to monitor the fee structure of pvt. schools ?
Yes, that’ll do a whole lot of good to bridge the “monetary divide” in the education system. We propagate the “right to education”, while at the same time there are schools making sure this right be limited to those with tones of money to spare for educating the child.
Education, in India today, has become a lucrative business. Government should intervene to make education in good schools affordable. Certain norms and regulations are a need of the hour to promote education only on the basis of ‘intellectual capacity’ of the student and not on the ‘monetary capacity’ of the parent!
Manisha Gupta
(published in "The Central Chronicle" on May 17, 2008)
Should there be a Govt. cell to monitor the fee structure of pvt. schools ?
Yes, that’ll do a whole lot of good to bridge the “monetary divide” in the education system. We propagate the “right to education”, while at the same time there are schools making sure this right be limited to those with tones of money to spare for educating the child.
Education, in India today, has become a lucrative business. Government should intervene to make education in good schools affordable. Certain norms and regulations are a need of the hour to promote education only on the basis of ‘intellectual capacity’ of the student and not on the ‘monetary capacity’ of the parent!
Manisha Gupta
(published in "The Central Chronicle" on May 17, 2008)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Reduce qualifying age of motor driving license to 16 ....????/
another one from the past !!!
this was published in the Indian Daily News Paper - "The Central Chronicle" - of 12th July,2008, in their OPEN FORUM column.
In fact this opinion of mine was even ANNOUNCED to be in the list of prize winners with this being adjudged for a SECOND PRIZE.
Only, that as usual "The Central Chronicle" HASN'T TILL DATE (ie: even 3 years and 3 months later....) paid me my prize money !!!!
I feel, people/publications think it their birth"RIGHT" to do WRONG to writers. //mg
Views on the question
“Bring down qualifying age of motor driving license to 16?”
Definitely not! You don’t want to compound the already existing problems on the road? Do you? As it is we have enough variety of everything, right from rash driving to drunken driving to violent driving to wrong driving to callous driving. What more do you want? When the so called mature people, older than 18 years, of this country, can’t drive properly, lowering the qualifying age of motor driving license to 16 will only add to the woes. You wouldn’t want to add to the innumerable hit & run cases that flood our already unsafe roads.
Just read in the papers yesterday about a 27 year old in Noida, driving with such callousness, over-speeding, overtaking vehicles wrongly, finally hitting a youth on a motorbike from behind and as if that was not enough, dragging the victim for more than 300 metres, killing him. And the driver doesn’t even seem to have realized his folly. Two more cases reported next to this news have a truck driver hitting from behind and killing a man while an overspeeding crane killed a man crossing the road in the Delhi-Noida region. Utter negligent driving.
Neither would you want to add to the cases of boys and girls getting themselves killed in the prime of their youth just because of lack of maturity and sobriety needed to control a vehicle. Driving license is not a license to be brash. It is to empower for ease in commuting. But one should have the maturity. And maturity does come with age. In fact instead of thinking of reducing the age to 16, how about hiking it up to 20? Probably that will save many lives from their tragic premature end!
Manisha Gupta
this was published in the Indian Daily News Paper - "The Central Chronicle" - of 12th July,2008, in their OPEN FORUM column.
In fact this opinion of mine was even ANNOUNCED to be in the list of prize winners with this being adjudged for a SECOND PRIZE.
Only, that as usual "The Central Chronicle" HASN'T TILL DATE (ie: even 3 years and 3 months later....) paid me my prize money !!!!
I feel, people/publications think it their birth"RIGHT" to do WRONG to writers. //mg
Views on the question
“Bring down qualifying age of motor driving license to 16?”
Definitely not! You don’t want to compound the already existing problems on the road? Do you? As it is we have enough variety of everything, right from rash driving to drunken driving to violent driving to wrong driving to callous driving. What more do you want? When the so called mature people, older than 18 years, of this country, can’t drive properly, lowering the qualifying age of motor driving license to 16 will only add to the woes. You wouldn’t want to add to the innumerable hit & run cases that flood our already unsafe roads.
Just read in the papers yesterday about a 27 year old in Noida, driving with such callousness, over-speeding, overtaking vehicles wrongly, finally hitting a youth on a motorbike from behind and as if that was not enough, dragging the victim for more than 300 metres, killing him. And the driver doesn’t even seem to have realized his folly. Two more cases reported next to this news have a truck driver hitting from behind and killing a man while an overspeeding crane killed a man crossing the road in the Delhi-Noida region. Utter negligent driving.
Neither would you want to add to the cases of boys and girls getting themselves killed in the prime of their youth just because of lack of maturity and sobriety needed to control a vehicle. Driving license is not a license to be brash. It is to empower for ease in commuting. But one should have the maturity. And maturity does come with age. In fact instead of thinking of reducing the age to 16, how about hiking it up to 20? Probably that will save many lives from their tragic premature end!
Manisha Gupta
Friday, September 30, 2011
Eco-Friendly (NEEM Pesticides)
Hi !!
have been out of action for quite sometime.
anyway, till i get down to writing something fresh, here's something from the past.
this was a letter to the editor published in the Development magazine "DOWN TO EARTH", in their June 30 issue of 2004.
this lo...n..gish letter was actually in response to a pretty short query to the editor of DTE by someone on the issue of chemical pesticides and wishing for an eco-friendly alternative.
here's it.//mg
published/DTE/ June-30,2004
Neem pesticides.
There was a letter in the April-15-2004 issue of “Down To Earth” where somebody was concerned about the use of chemical pesticides which are harmful, and wished if there were some eco friendly alternatives such as Neem pesticides or Neem distills.
I believe Neem insecticides/pesticides are already in practice. Only thing is that they are a little different in the sense that they do not kill the insects/pests directly and immediately but do so indirectly which leads to the removal of the pests. These are definitely much slower in contrast to the instant results offered by chemical or synthetic ones. However, the neem based ones are undoubtedly much safer for the people as compared to the regular ones.
I remember when we lived in Bombay, we used to get the pest control people over regularly and they used to spray the pesticide all over the house- in kitchen cupboards, bathrooms, book shelves, under the mattresses etc. etc. and the whole house used to smell for almost 2-3 days. When my son was born, we kept skipping the regular pesticide spray and told them no to do it for at least a year. Somehow, when those people turned up for their next regular visit, we told them there was a new born baby in the house so we will skip the schedule. We were surprised to hear that they had come up with some eco friendly stuff which would neither smell nor be dangerous for small children. It was a white powder and they made a thick paste out of it and stuck it in cupboards, under tables and chairs and beds, even under the refrigerator and other places in the house.
There was no smell and it was supposed to be safe. The effect was off course a bit delayed and slower as compared to the regular ones. Also I just came across a news item which says that Neem leaves may soon be used as fertilizers and pesticides . This would entail the use of some technology which has been developed at the centre for pollution control at pondicherri university. So just like the powder / paste neem pesticide, there can be a solution form which can be sprayed at various places infested with the menace of cockroaches and flies and the like, without having any harmful implications for the public.
Manisha Gupta
have been out of action for quite sometime.
anyway, till i get down to writing something fresh, here's something from the past.
this was a letter to the editor published in the Development magazine "DOWN TO EARTH", in their June 30 issue of 2004.
this lo...n..gish letter was actually in response to a pretty short query to the editor of DTE by someone on the issue of chemical pesticides and wishing for an eco-friendly alternative.
here's it.//mg
published/DTE/ June-30,2004
Neem pesticides.
There was a letter in the April-15-2004 issue of “Down To Earth” where somebody was concerned about the use of chemical pesticides which are harmful, and wished if there were some eco friendly alternatives such as Neem pesticides or Neem distills.
I believe Neem insecticides/pesticides are already in practice. Only thing is that they are a little different in the sense that they do not kill the insects/pests directly and immediately but do so indirectly which leads to the removal of the pests. These are definitely much slower in contrast to the instant results offered by chemical or synthetic ones. However, the neem based ones are undoubtedly much safer for the people as compared to the regular ones.
I remember when we lived in Bombay, we used to get the pest control people over regularly and they used to spray the pesticide all over the house- in kitchen cupboards, bathrooms, book shelves, under the mattresses etc. etc. and the whole house used to smell for almost 2-3 days. When my son was born, we kept skipping the regular pesticide spray and told them no to do it for at least a year. Somehow, when those people turned up for their next regular visit, we told them there was a new born baby in the house so we will skip the schedule. We were surprised to hear that they had come up with some eco friendly stuff which would neither smell nor be dangerous for small children. It was a white powder and they made a thick paste out of it and stuck it in cupboards, under tables and chairs and beds, even under the refrigerator and other places in the house.
There was no smell and it was supposed to be safe. The effect was off course a bit delayed and slower as compared to the regular ones. Also I just came across a news item which says that Neem leaves may soon be used as fertilizers and pesticides . This would entail the use of some technology which has been developed at the centre for pollution control at pondicherri university. So just like the powder / paste neem pesticide, there can be a solution form which can be sprayed at various places infested with the menace of cockroaches and flies and the like, without having any harmful implications for the public.
Manisha Gupta
Monday, August 22, 2011
Of Friend “SHIPS” !!
here's something published on the ocasion of Friendship Day in the Focus Global Reporter, August,2011 issue//best//mg
Of Friend “SHIPS” !!
Manisha Gupta
I still remember, as a school student long back, in the beautiful Nainital, when our Moral Science teacher asked us to collect writings on “friendship” for our scrap-book. I had found a lovely poem by some great man whose name I should be excused for not remembering over the years, but the first four lines are at the tip of my tongue.
“It never is a one-way traffic
To friendship that we treasure
There is give as well as take
Within the fullest measure”
Even then, though quite young to understand the deep meaning of friendship, I thought these lines summed up and described the phenomenon completely. These in fact give the essence and the entirety of the word friendship. The basic fact being that it can never be a one-way street for this relationship, so if it’s one-way, it simply doesn’t exist. As I think back over the years and visualize different people and their different friendships, I feel the truth encompassed in these lines even more fundamental.
That was then! Over the years I feel the dilution inherent in the environment has percolated to this relationship too. And after SRK’s mega hit “Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai”, friendship now has taken a turn and is more about friendship “days” and friendship “bands”. The friend himself seems to have taken a backseat. The depth of the relationship is perhaps measured by the quality of the friendship band. In this era of quick changes in environment, climate or economy, friends too seem to be following suit.
The age-old concept of friends being likeminded people with similar interests, value- systems and morals has undergone a tremendous change. Now, even value-systems and morals in the so called “seat of cultural values” that was once India, everything is susceptible to malfunction, right from car to machinery to humans to wardrobes. So much so that I feel we’re undergoing a serious and severe ‘Indian values malfunction’ in every sense of the term. In contrast to earlier times, meaning and depth of friendship, automatic core feelings of giving, sharing, “being there” in times of need, genuine concern and even sacrifice existed, today it’s different. Then friends were probably made for life even though no ceremonial vows are taken to enter into this relation. There were no hidden agendas or motives to “be friends”. Friends were treated well and one wouldn’t ever trample on the dignity, self respect, feelings or emotions of friends.
But change, as they say, is inevitable. Friendship then was about “bOnds” but now it’s more about “bAnds”!! Moreover, now people make friends with a hidden agenda. They may not like a person nor be at the same wavelength or emotional level, but still make friends with that person because they want to use him, his position or his contacts. Nowadays friendships are made with selfish motives and hidden personal agendas in mind and so aren’t long lasting. In some cases they probably last as long as the Velcro or hook of the friendship band! In others they may last as long as the professional interests of both are intertwined and the mutual benefits satisfied. In yet others they may last still longer if both keep moving ahead in their interrelated career paths and each is in a position to keep showering personal favours on the other in the guise of professional work and at the cost of the organization. These days friends are selfish, self-centered people who pretend to be the nicest and the sweetest people on the surface of this earth when they need something from you and can be capable of just looking through you and walking past without so much as even the slightest sign of recognition or the blink of an eye.
Such is the status of friend “SHIPS” today. They are perhaps “ships” with a fate worse than that of the Titanic because they have no solid anchor in the form of genuine bonding. My dear friends just remember “bOnds” may last longer than a life time even without fevicol but “bAnds” of friendships may give in, inspite of fevicol, at the very first shower rain. So don’t let your friend “SHIP” sink anywhere else apart from your heart!!
ManishaGupta©2011
Of Friend “SHIPS” !!
Manisha Gupta
I still remember, as a school student long back, in the beautiful Nainital, when our Moral Science teacher asked us to collect writings on “friendship” for our scrap-book. I had found a lovely poem by some great man whose name I should be excused for not remembering over the years, but the first four lines are at the tip of my tongue.
“It never is a one-way traffic
To friendship that we treasure
There is give as well as take
Within the fullest measure”
Even then, though quite young to understand the deep meaning of friendship, I thought these lines summed up and described the phenomenon completely. These in fact give the essence and the entirety of the word friendship. The basic fact being that it can never be a one-way street for this relationship, so if it’s one-way, it simply doesn’t exist. As I think back over the years and visualize different people and their different friendships, I feel the truth encompassed in these lines even more fundamental.
That was then! Over the years I feel the dilution inherent in the environment has percolated to this relationship too. And after SRK’s mega hit “Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai”, friendship now has taken a turn and is more about friendship “days” and friendship “bands”. The friend himself seems to have taken a backseat. The depth of the relationship is perhaps measured by the quality of the friendship band. In this era of quick changes in environment, climate or economy, friends too seem to be following suit.
The age-old concept of friends being likeminded people with similar interests, value- systems and morals has undergone a tremendous change. Now, even value-systems and morals in the so called “seat of cultural values” that was once India, everything is susceptible to malfunction, right from car to machinery to humans to wardrobes. So much so that I feel we’re undergoing a serious and severe ‘Indian values malfunction’ in every sense of the term. In contrast to earlier times, meaning and depth of friendship, automatic core feelings of giving, sharing, “being there” in times of need, genuine concern and even sacrifice existed, today it’s different. Then friends were probably made for life even though no ceremonial vows are taken to enter into this relation. There were no hidden agendas or motives to “be friends”. Friends were treated well and one wouldn’t ever trample on the dignity, self respect, feelings or emotions of friends.
But change, as they say, is inevitable. Friendship then was about “bOnds” but now it’s more about “bAnds”!! Moreover, now people make friends with a hidden agenda. They may not like a person nor be at the same wavelength or emotional level, but still make friends with that person because they want to use him, his position or his contacts. Nowadays friendships are made with selfish motives and hidden personal agendas in mind and so aren’t long lasting. In some cases they probably last as long as the Velcro or hook of the friendship band! In others they may last as long as the professional interests of both are intertwined and the mutual benefits satisfied. In yet others they may last still longer if both keep moving ahead in their interrelated career paths and each is in a position to keep showering personal favours on the other in the guise of professional work and at the cost of the organization. These days friends are selfish, self-centered people who pretend to be the nicest and the sweetest people on the surface of this earth when they need something from you and can be capable of just looking through you and walking past without so much as even the slightest sign of recognition or the blink of an eye.
Such is the status of friend “SHIPS” today. They are perhaps “ships” with a fate worse than that of the Titanic because they have no solid anchor in the form of genuine bonding. My dear friends just remember “bOnds” may last longer than a life time even without fevicol but “bAnds” of friendships may give in, inspite of fevicol, at the very first shower rain. So don’t let your friend “SHIP” sink anywhere else apart from your heart!!
ManishaGupta©2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Book Cover Design
have you written a book? but are worried about the book cover?
or you think that your book is quite good and so the book cover design doesn't need much attention?, well, it may not be so. however good the book maybe, still, to get a customer to come and even have a look at it, depends solely on the cover. if you have an attractive book cover, it increases the probability of people reaching out for the book manyfold.
Truly,then, as they say, A book is judged by its cover !! well, almost always.
so,in case you are a publisher, self publisher, writer, author...anyone and want an attractive, unique book cover design for your lovely piece of creation, you can get in touch here (through the comments section).
your problem can find the right solution. //
or you think that your book is quite good and so the book cover design doesn't need much attention?, well, it may not be so. however good the book maybe, still, to get a customer to come and even have a look at it, depends solely on the cover. if you have an attractive book cover, it increases the probability of people reaching out for the book manyfold.
Truly,then, as they say, A book is judged by its cover !! well, almost always.
so,in case you are a publisher, self publisher, writer, author...anyone and want an attractive, unique book cover design for your lovely piece of creation, you can get in touch here (through the comments section).
your problem can find the right solution. //
Thursday, August 4, 2011
How to publish your first book..???
any writers, first time authors wanting to publish their books, are most welcome to send in their queries.
being a writer, wanting to turn author is a difficult journey. whether you go (...and keep going...without reaching !!) for traditional publishing or resort to the slightly better option of self-publishing, the road is not easy.
even for writers going in for self-publishing need to be aware of many things they don't understand at this stage and it seems all rosy to them.
you know how it is. the creator (writer, poet,artist) and the businessman (publisher..etc) always look at different sides of the same coin , that is -publishing, with opposing view points and ofcourse interests.
take the advantage of experience & knowledge.
the task may be made slightly more ..t'readable' !!//best//mg
being a writer, wanting to turn author is a difficult journey. whether you go (...and keep going...without reaching !!) for traditional publishing or resort to the slightly better option of self-publishing, the road is not easy.
even for writers going in for self-publishing need to be aware of many things they don't understand at this stage and it seems all rosy to them.
you know how it is. the creator (writer, poet,artist) and the businessman (publisher..etc) always look at different sides of the same coin , that is -publishing, with opposing view points and ofcourse interests.
take the advantage of experience & knowledge.
the task may be made slightly more ..t'readable' !!//best//mg
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
New Initiative
here's starting a new initiative on this Blog.
any writers/poets/artists out there wishing to send in their creative pieces are most welcome to do so.
the work will be posted here on this Blog, along with their names & locations.
please feel free to use this platform to display your creativity//best//mg
any writers/poets/artists out there wishing to send in their creative pieces are most welcome to do so.
the work will be posted here on this Blog, along with their names & locations.
please feel free to use this platform to display your creativity//best//mg
Monday, July 25, 2011
"YOUR" Eiffel Tower...!!
Hi all !
here's my piece, an edited version of which is published in the Indian National Daily - "The Hindustan Times" today, 25th July, 2011, under the title "HOW TO LOOK AT LIFE". it appears in their "Inner Voice" Column on page 11.
Happy reading...!!!//mg
"Your" Eiffel Tower
Manisha Gupta
I just got back from a quick tour of Europe. While on our way to Paris, the tour guide narrated a very interesting episode. On one of his tour groups to the Eiffel Tower, he took the group up to level 3 of the tower. The student group was awe struck by the mesmerizing view of the entire city of Paris below them. But one young girl was worried and sad. She questioned the guide- “But I came to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. Where IS the Tower?”
He was amused at her ignorance as he replied -“But you are standing ON the Eiffel Tower at level 3”. The girl, still worried and hassled looked at him in dismay with her large questioning eyes –“But I can’t SEE the Tower ?”. The guide was only just more amused at her “stupid” question.
As he finished telling us his story, I wasn’t the least amused and did not think that girl to be “stupid” either. This had set me thinking. Isn’t it so true! When you are standing inside the Eiffel Tower, obviously you don’t SEE the Tower. You can see it only when you are removed from it and at a distance from it.
Simple, yet so complex! And that’s precisely what happens in your life. You don’t see the potential, the qualities, the positives in yourself simply because you are inside yourself. Therefore, to know your full potential, you need to step out of yourself and stand away to actually see what beauty, what quality lies within you. To appreciate anything, you need to observe it from far. So also for God! Since He is deep within you, you never see Him. Therefore to know either yourself or God, you need to step out of yourself and see yourself as another, from far. To view anything holistically, you have to observe it from a little distance. Seeing it from too close quarters may not give you the real idea.
Use this concept to not only take good photographs of huge, famous attractions such as the Eiffel Tower but also to get a real, proper understanding of people who matter to you and also to take a good look at life itself.
The ‘Tower of Life’ is the biggest tourist attraction for the most important tourist in the world…… MAN !!!
ManishaGupta©2011
here's my piece, an edited version of which is published in the Indian National Daily - "The Hindustan Times" today, 25th July, 2011, under the title "HOW TO LOOK AT LIFE". it appears in their "Inner Voice" Column on page 11.
Happy reading...!!!//mg
"Your" Eiffel Tower
Manisha Gupta
I just got back from a quick tour of Europe. While on our way to Paris, the tour guide narrated a very interesting episode. On one of his tour groups to the Eiffel Tower, he took the group up to level 3 of the tower. The student group was awe struck by the mesmerizing view of the entire city of Paris below them. But one young girl was worried and sad. She questioned the guide- “But I came to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. Where IS the Tower?”
He was amused at her ignorance as he replied -“But you are standing ON the Eiffel Tower at level 3”. The girl, still worried and hassled looked at him in dismay with her large questioning eyes –“But I can’t SEE the Tower ?”. The guide was only just more amused at her “stupid” question.
As he finished telling us his story, I wasn’t the least amused and did not think that girl to be “stupid” either. This had set me thinking. Isn’t it so true! When you are standing inside the Eiffel Tower, obviously you don’t SEE the Tower. You can see it only when you are removed from it and at a distance from it.
Simple, yet so complex! And that’s precisely what happens in your life. You don’t see the potential, the qualities, the positives in yourself simply because you are inside yourself. Therefore, to know your full potential, you need to step out of yourself and stand away to actually see what beauty, what quality lies within you. To appreciate anything, you need to observe it from far. So also for God! Since He is deep within you, you never see Him. Therefore to know either yourself or God, you need to step out of yourself and see yourself as another, from far. To view anything holistically, you have to observe it from a little distance. Seeing it from too close quarters may not give you the real idea.
Use this concept to not only take good photographs of huge, famous attractions such as the Eiffel Tower but also to get a real, proper understanding of people who matter to you and also to take a good look at life itself.
The ‘Tower of Life’ is the biggest tourist attraction for the most important tourist in the world…… MAN !!!
ManishaGupta©2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
ये ज़माना उसी का है.......
meri kavitaon ki kitaab se kuchh panne........aaj ke baare mein!!.//mg
ये ज़माना उसी का है.........
ये ज़माना उसी का है........
जो अपनी सफ़लता के लिए दूसरों के इरादों को मसलना जानता है
जो अपनी जीत का स्तम्भ दूसरों की आशाओं की कब्र पर बनाना जानता है
जो अपने स्वार्थ के लिए दूसरों को बलि का बकरा बनाना जानता है
जो दूसरों की मजबूरी का फ़ायदा बख़ूबी उठाना जानता है
जो दूसरों की शराफ़त का नाजायज़ फ़ायदा उठाना जानता है
जो दूसरों की भावनाओं के साथ खिलवाड़ करना जानता है।
ये ज़माना उसी का है.......
जो सिर्फ़ अपने लिए जीना जानता है
जो सिर्फ़ अपने लिए मरना जानता है
जो सिर्फ़ अपने लिए देना जानता है
जो सिर्फ़ अपने लिए लेना जानता है
जो सिर्फ़ अपने लिए करना जानता है
जो सिर्फ़ अपने लिए करवाना जानता है
ये बेदर्द, बेरहम ज़माना उसी का है
...........सिर्फ़ उसी का।
मनीषा गुप्ता
ये ज़माना उसी का है.........
ये ज़माना उसी का है........
जो अपनी सफ़लता के लिए दूसरों के इरादों को मसलना जानता है
जो अपनी जीत का स्तम्भ दूसरों की आशाओं की कब्र पर बनाना जानता है
जो अपने स्वार्थ के लिए दूसरों को बलि का बकरा बनाना जानता है
जो दूसरों की मजबूरी का फ़ायदा बख़ूबी उठाना जानता है
जो दूसरों की शराफ़त का नाजायज़ फ़ायदा उठाना जानता है
जो दूसरों की भावनाओं के साथ खिलवाड़ करना जानता है।
ये ज़माना उसी का है.......
जो सिर्फ़ अपने लिए जीना जानता है
जो सिर्फ़ अपने लिए मरना जानता है
जो सिर्फ़ अपने लिए देना जानता है
जो सिर्फ़ अपने लिए लेना जानता है
जो सिर्फ़ अपने लिए करना जानता है
जो सिर्फ़ अपने लिए करवाना जानता है
ये बेदर्द, बेरहम ज़माना उसी का है
...........सिर्फ़ उसी का।
मनीषा गुप्ता
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
"Heart Breaking".... News !!
Dear all
another shattering blow has been dealt to Mumbai by this recent incident.
but, more than the incident, at times it is the breaking news that breaks and destroys much more than that already broken & destroyed.
following article published in the July-issue of "Focus Global Reporter" brings to light this fact//manisha
‘Heart Breaking’ News
Manisha Gupta
Whether you switch to news channel 1 or 10 or 100 or any other number, there’s only one caption that’ll catch your eye. And that is - “Breaking News”. Whether it is about a car running without a driver or a child trapped feet under the ground in a well or crossfire between two superstars or a scandal involving some well known personality or a natural calamity or a man-made disaster like bomb blasts or heinous murders etc. It is breaking news at break neck speed and ‘break-head’ repetition that will glare at you from all news channels. And whatever be the news in question, it is brought to you with the same energy, excitement and enthusiasm.
Now ain’t this really heart breaking? Because when you are bringing out news about a juicy scandal or a word fight involving high profile people or about something as mysterious as a “car without a driver”, your enthusiasm and excitement are but natural because of the nature of the news. But when you are bringing news about a natural calamity or about a gruesome murder or killings or serial bomb blasts killing and injuring lives apart from other destruction of property, how can you even dream of delivering that news with the same enthusiasm? And every news channel wants all viewers glued to “their” channel for that news and so bring out and show repeatedly, the goriest details and the most heart rending photos or scenes from the site of the incident?
Showing the most gruesome and bloody site again and again, showing the worst hit/injured victim’s close ups and repeatedly narrating how the bombs ripped apart somebody’s body. Again and again excitedly showing how an accident occurred, how badly the victim was hurt /died and questioning his family and relatives on how they feel at the moment?
Come on somebody has just lost a family member / relative and you want to use his emotions of the moment to increase your TRPs?
Isn’t this a most insensitive way of earning TRPs? How can one even think of such an inhuman and heartless gesture? You want to earn ratings even in someone’s life shattering tragedy?
Also, like in the Arushi murder case, the news channels have literally glamourized the murder, contemplating various relationships between various characters involved, maligning and character assassinating at the first hint of a possibility and reversing their claim the very next day as per the circumstances.
I guess it is high time “somebody” do “something” about such insensitive, breaking news breaking the hearts of viewers across the nation. Shouldn’t there be a sort of a “code of conduct” for ‘news breakers’? Shouldn’t they be delivering such tragic news with a soft heart, composed tone sensitive to the item being brought to the viewers? Shouldn’t they make people feel better rather than make them feel more tense and angry? Shouldn’t they for once forget whether and how many viewers are going to be watching “their channel” news and focus more on giving the necessary details relevant and more importantly urgent for the affected ones or relatives of victims? Shouldn’t they show and feel sympathy and forget about “how well” they’re breaking the tragic news but focus on how well they can make the viewers feel comfortable in the face of such tragedy ???
another shattering blow has been dealt to Mumbai by this recent incident.
but, more than the incident, at times it is the breaking news that breaks and destroys much more than that already broken & destroyed.
following article published in the July-issue of "Focus Global Reporter" brings to light this fact//manisha
‘Heart Breaking’ News
Manisha Gupta
Whether you switch to news channel 1 or 10 or 100 or any other number, there’s only one caption that’ll catch your eye. And that is - “Breaking News”. Whether it is about a car running without a driver or a child trapped feet under the ground in a well or crossfire between two superstars or a scandal involving some well known personality or a natural calamity or a man-made disaster like bomb blasts or heinous murders etc. It is breaking news at break neck speed and ‘break-head’ repetition that will glare at you from all news channels. And whatever be the news in question, it is brought to you with the same energy, excitement and enthusiasm.
Now ain’t this really heart breaking? Because when you are bringing out news about a juicy scandal or a word fight involving high profile people or about something as mysterious as a “car without a driver”, your enthusiasm and excitement are but natural because of the nature of the news. But when you are bringing news about a natural calamity or about a gruesome murder or killings or serial bomb blasts killing and injuring lives apart from other destruction of property, how can you even dream of delivering that news with the same enthusiasm? And every news channel wants all viewers glued to “their” channel for that news and so bring out and show repeatedly, the goriest details and the most heart rending photos or scenes from the site of the incident?
Showing the most gruesome and bloody site again and again, showing the worst hit/injured victim’s close ups and repeatedly narrating how the bombs ripped apart somebody’s body. Again and again excitedly showing how an accident occurred, how badly the victim was hurt /died and questioning his family and relatives on how they feel at the moment?
Come on somebody has just lost a family member / relative and you want to use his emotions of the moment to increase your TRPs?
Isn’t this a most insensitive way of earning TRPs? How can one even think of such an inhuman and heartless gesture? You want to earn ratings even in someone’s life shattering tragedy?
Also, like in the Arushi murder case, the news channels have literally glamourized the murder, contemplating various relationships between various characters involved, maligning and character assassinating at the first hint of a possibility and reversing their claim the very next day as per the circumstances.
I guess it is high time “somebody” do “something” about such insensitive, breaking news breaking the hearts of viewers across the nation. Shouldn’t there be a sort of a “code of conduct” for ‘news breakers’? Shouldn’t they be delivering such tragic news with a soft heart, composed tone sensitive to the item being brought to the viewers? Shouldn’t they make people feel better rather than make them feel more tense and angry? Shouldn’t they for once forget whether and how many viewers are going to be watching “their channel” news and focus more on giving the necessary details relevant and more importantly urgent for the affected ones or relatives of victims? Shouldn’t they show and feel sympathy and forget about “how well” they’re breaking the tragic news but focus on how well they can make the viewers feel comfortable in the face of such tragedy ???
THUNDERSTORM.....Within...or.. without..???
hi!
here's another heart touching creation from an anonymous reader.should i call it " The Anonymous Thunderstorm "....????
ANONYMOUS 3
Thunderstorm !!
A powerful storm in the sky
ripping though a calm, peaceful night
Only, I am not sure
if it is outside in the night ..
or deep inside within me
Heaps and heaps of clouds
which were probably calm a few moments before
Though who knew
what they were carrying within them
a quiet, serene look from outside
or a real big storm inside
Lightening, ripping through the universe
time and again, and then again
sudden, unannounced, unpredictable, powerful,
but I am again not sure
if it is outside
or ripping through, inside my whole system
Thunder
Loud, very loud
Very, very loud
Shaking the entire neighborhood
Or, probably, just about every cell in my body
Blinding rains
pouring down through the skies
making the night so very wet
though, is it really outside my window
or fully inside my chest
Tipper, tapper, tipper, tapper
Raindrops and flowing water
who knows, though, whether it is outside our house
or deep within me, probably unstoppable tears
Wet, very wet surroundings
Pools of water
Flowing and gushing
or, is it just those several million
random thoughts and feelings within me
Cool, very cool breeze
smashing windows,
tearing the coconut trees
or, only my whole system within
And finally
When calm descends
When everything is quiet again
Rains have stopped, clouds have gone
Can we say the same thing
for my storm within
****
here's another heart touching creation from an anonymous reader.should i call it " The Anonymous Thunderstorm "....????
ANONYMOUS 3
Thunderstorm !!
A powerful storm in the sky
ripping though a calm, peaceful night
Only, I am not sure
if it is outside in the night ..
or deep inside within me
Heaps and heaps of clouds
which were probably calm a few moments before
Though who knew
what they were carrying within them
a quiet, serene look from outside
or a real big storm inside
Lightening, ripping through the universe
time and again, and then again
sudden, unannounced, unpredictable, powerful,
but I am again not sure
if it is outside
or ripping through, inside my whole system
Thunder
Loud, very loud
Very, very loud
Shaking the entire neighborhood
Or, probably, just about every cell in my body
Blinding rains
pouring down through the skies
making the night so very wet
though, is it really outside my window
or fully inside my chest
Tipper, tapper, tipper, tapper
Raindrops and flowing water
who knows, though, whether it is outside our house
or deep within me, probably unstoppable tears
Wet, very wet surroundings
Pools of water
Flowing and gushing
or, is it just those several million
random thoughts and feelings within me
Cool, very cool breeze
smashing windows,
tearing the coconut trees
or, only my whole system within
And finally
When calm descends
When everything is quiet again
Rains have stopped, clouds have gone
Can we say the same thing
for my storm within
****
Monday, July 4, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Kahan Hai Dilli Ka Kanoon Aur Kaida …..???
here's an article published in "Focus Global Reporter",( May-June-2011 issue) under the title "Wither Law & Order in Delhi"
Article
“Kahan Hai Dilli Ka Kanoon Aur Kaida …..
Kyon Hai Zurm Yehan Kuch Zyada …?”
Manisha Gupta
Going by the astronomically increasing figures of all kinds, types and varieties of crimes committed in Delhi alone, thrust into our faces each morning as we pick up the newspapers, I think this city is all out to set a ‘capital’ record of sorts.
From daring daylight robberies & murders to evening eve-teasing to midnight road rage cases, we have just about everything, anytime. The murders committed are in most cases more mysterious than the most mysterious Agatha Christie mysteries. The police have to really rack their brains in order to completely crack such complicated cases. The long pending Arhushi murder case isn’t yet anywhere close to a close and there is no trace of who actually was the culprit.
The newspapers said that this May may be much hotter than previous ones. Well, very true………in every sense. Because, going by the crime rate in this month, even if the Global Warming villain does spare Delhi of rising temperatures, May-2011 will still make it to the hottest mark…..in crime. From robbers striking a finance firm to the Bed-Box murder to the girl stalking & murder case to bike-borne thieves stealing over Rs 20 Lakh worth of Silver from a jeweller’s employee to the highly innovative MBA student who finally stole girls’ valuables but first stole their hearts to make his job easy,…… the list is long…. And scary.
It is not that crimes weren’t committed in the earlier days, but these days it seems to have become more a ‘norm’. Has it become so easy for the wrong doers? Aren’t they anymore afraid of the law? And is there any ‘law’ left? I guess our country- specially Delhi, being its capital, is leading by example -it no more sticks to rules, is not any more afraid of the law, which in most cases, it takes into its own hands.
When the capital of a country becomes so devoid of “Kanoon & Kaida” or rule & discipline, what else would prosper but crime? The authorities should probably come out with some very strict rules & regulations, and more importantly make sure that they are adhered to and followed. For those not following them, there should be strict fine or punishment. It is the laxity in enforcement of rules and law and allowing flexibility, ‘the chalo theek hai’ attitude, that is breeding crime and the wrong doers are becoming bolder by the day.
And this uncontrollable situation is showing its ill effects on other fronts in society. Due to so much crime all around, the citizens, specially the younger generation, are being addicted to crime thriller serials like CID, Surya-The Super Cop et al. Probably, this is a side effect of the prevalent situation. The serial and movie makers are churning out such stuff because in the current era, such incidents seem very real and life-like and thus are able to attract a huge number of viewers. And, the people are watching these for the same reasons, maybe also with the intention of probably becoming more alert and “qualified” to deal with such a situation……in case there does arise one.
Why can’t we become strict followers of discipline and rule and religious abiders of law just as they do in Singapore…?? But then, will our life become dull and boring or will we have more time for constructive and creative work……? Well, these and many more questions need our attention much more and we have to now start thinking- about the complexities of life, of relationships, of frustrations, of equations, of balance, of society- rather than just being glued to crime based serials…!!
Because, I strongly feel that life is all about relationships and, strange as it may sound, crime is also all about relationships. Only, in the latter case, it is about relationships gone sour.
Article
“Kahan Hai Dilli Ka Kanoon Aur Kaida …..
Kyon Hai Zurm Yehan Kuch Zyada …?”
Manisha Gupta
Going by the astronomically increasing figures of all kinds, types and varieties of crimes committed in Delhi alone, thrust into our faces each morning as we pick up the newspapers, I think this city is all out to set a ‘capital’ record of sorts.
From daring daylight robberies & murders to evening eve-teasing to midnight road rage cases, we have just about everything, anytime. The murders committed are in most cases more mysterious than the most mysterious Agatha Christie mysteries. The police have to really rack their brains in order to completely crack such complicated cases. The long pending Arhushi murder case isn’t yet anywhere close to a close and there is no trace of who actually was the culprit.
The newspapers said that this May may be much hotter than previous ones. Well, very true………in every sense. Because, going by the crime rate in this month, even if the Global Warming villain does spare Delhi of rising temperatures, May-2011 will still make it to the hottest mark…..in crime. From robbers striking a finance firm to the Bed-Box murder to the girl stalking & murder case to bike-borne thieves stealing over Rs 20 Lakh worth of Silver from a jeweller’s employee to the highly innovative MBA student who finally stole girls’ valuables but first stole their hearts to make his job easy,…… the list is long…. And scary.
It is not that crimes weren’t committed in the earlier days, but these days it seems to have become more a ‘norm’. Has it become so easy for the wrong doers? Aren’t they anymore afraid of the law? And is there any ‘law’ left? I guess our country- specially Delhi, being its capital, is leading by example -it no more sticks to rules, is not any more afraid of the law, which in most cases, it takes into its own hands.
When the capital of a country becomes so devoid of “Kanoon & Kaida” or rule & discipline, what else would prosper but crime? The authorities should probably come out with some very strict rules & regulations, and more importantly make sure that they are adhered to and followed. For those not following them, there should be strict fine or punishment. It is the laxity in enforcement of rules and law and allowing flexibility, ‘the chalo theek hai’ attitude, that is breeding crime and the wrong doers are becoming bolder by the day.
And this uncontrollable situation is showing its ill effects on other fronts in society. Due to so much crime all around, the citizens, specially the younger generation, are being addicted to crime thriller serials like CID, Surya-The Super Cop et al. Probably, this is a side effect of the prevalent situation. The serial and movie makers are churning out such stuff because in the current era, such incidents seem very real and life-like and thus are able to attract a huge number of viewers. And, the people are watching these for the same reasons, maybe also with the intention of probably becoming more alert and “qualified” to deal with such a situation……in case there does arise one.
Why can’t we become strict followers of discipline and rule and religious abiders of law just as they do in Singapore…?? But then, will our life become dull and boring or will we have more time for constructive and creative work……? Well, these and many more questions need our attention much more and we have to now start thinking- about the complexities of life, of relationships, of frustrations, of equations, of balance, of society- rather than just being glued to crime based serials…!!
Because, I strongly feel that life is all about relationships and, strange as it may sound, crime is also all about relationships. Only, in the latter case, it is about relationships gone sour.
Monday, May 16, 2011
"You Connecting With.........YOU!!"
"You Connecting With.........YOU!!"
here's a review for my newly published book "You Connecting With ...YOU!!"
the reader "mysteryofzero@gmail.com" has written::
[[Good
The topic taken by you is great. By seeing first 10 pages of your book I can tell that your book has enough potential to take out attention of readers if you done a good promotion of It. keep it up.
Once again it’s a Great Work.]]
well, thanks for your encouraging comments "mysteryofzero@gmail.com".
PS: this review was posted on www.pothi.com website, where my book is listed.
Happy Connecting ...!!!//manisha
Saturday, May 14, 2011
"You Connecting With ......YOU !!"
hi all!
here's my new book "You Connecting With .....YOU !!", published recently.
An innovative book on Self-Empowerment, self-transformation .. and......... much more. you even get to see a new series of my paintings in each of the chapters of this bk.//best//mg
Thursday, May 5, 2011
"Haiku For Japan " Contest
Due to the recent terrible turn of events in "The Land of The Rising Sun" , Japan, there was a "Haiku For Japan" contest conducted by "Om-Times Magazine"
& Humanity Healing International".
Selected Haikus from this Global contest were chosen to be published in the May-1, 2011 edition of "Om-Times Magazine" and Video.
my Haiku (below) was one those published. here's sharing it with you!//best//mg
This year Sakura mightn’t bloom,
To full extent, but surely by next,
Cherry Blossoms will visit again
~Manisha Gupta, New Delhi, India
& Humanity Healing International".
Selected Haikus from this Global contest were chosen to be published in the May-1, 2011 edition of "Om-Times Magazine" and Video.
my Haiku (below) was one those published. here's sharing it with you!//best//mg
This year Sakura mightn’t bloom,
To full extent, but surely by next,
Cherry Blossoms will visit again
~Manisha Gupta, New Delhi, India
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gam........................?????????
Kabhi "Pyaari Chhotee Khushiyan" to Kabhi "Gamon Ki Saugat" !!!!
enjoy reading the newly published books according to your mood.
and...........keep waiting ..........for the next book........beyond
Khushi & Gam !!!!//best//mg
Yeh Kaisa Bharat Mahan….....?????
FGR April-2011 article//mg
“Time Out” Dilemma for Board Students
Manisha Gupta
Recent CBSE boards for classes X & XII throw up an important issue, that of lack of time. A couple of papers later, trend shows that papers are “too lengthy” and many students are unable to complete them, inspite of knowing the answers.
Time Out ??
Well, in a country where “time” is hardly a priority even where it’s an absolute necessity, and where even a slight delay may lead to terrible mishaps, why, pray, do the examination systems pressurize children to huff-puff, rush and answer 30 odd questions in 3 hours? Would the heavens fall if they’re given a fewer questions or a little more time, so that they can perform to their best potential? Why this “Time Out” dilemma?
Competition… one would say. And speed is the essence of competition. Things must get finished in time, on time. Oh! In a country where an official can stay at a post for 3 years without doing much, where courts may take 14 years to decide a case which gives a punishment of 7 years, where a terrorist like Kasab, having created havoc in the 26/11 incident can live on for an indefinite period as the “proceedings” are still on even after two years and four months, students are stressed into performing the most important exams of their lives in 3 hours. In a county where clear cut landlord-tenant cases to hand over the house to its rightful owner can take the whole life time of the person, where a young criminal can live happily to old age before his case can be solved and he punished, where Governments can sit for 5 years and not answer even 15 simple questions, forget HOTS type questions, or provide solutions to even 15 pressing problems of society, what is the great ambition to traumatize young teenagers to complete 30 tough questions correctly in just 3 hours ?
Otherwise …….. “Time Out”!! paper taken away, and perhaps a career opportunity too. The poor child comes out of the examination hall dejected and hassled because he knew the answers but ran out of time.
Time bound competition and perfect peak performance under severe stress is perhaps the only way to judge competency or genius. Well, when with the Commonwealth games 2010 just round the corner, pray tell me how many of the projects had been completed on time? And was the Government or other agencies responsible in any way traumatized that time was running out? How and when the CWG infrastructure was completed, we all know. And we had the prestige and the image of the nation at stake. How competitive do we call our “Bharat Mahan” then?
Where trains, buses, flights, doctors, hospitals, emergency services……. nothing runs on time. Where Reliance tells its consumer, plagued by 15-20 marketing calls a day and that too during one’s child’s board exams, that it will take at least 45 days for them to activate a “Do Not Disturb” for our line, isn’t it ridiculous. There’s no “Time Out” for all these people.
Where India is losing heavily on revenue for not having yet registered the “Basmati” Rice as a Geographical Indication, there’s no time out? There are all kinds of “Basmati” being sold all over the world and we, inspite of having a relevant Act enforced for the past 7 and a half years, haven’t been able to register our most important export item. No time out??
Well, I am not advocating that children shouldn’t be tested for their genius, competency and caliber in exams. But can we not have an examination system where to test these and much more, we do not pressurize the children. Many may be geniuses but not necessarily jet speed performers. They surely can be given tougher questions but enough time to be able to write the answers comfortably. If this country can give an official 3 years on a posting or the Government 5 years and still not expect much results, isn’t it grossly unfair to expect board students to answer a lengthy paper in 3 hours?
Because……………… even if they do and reach the highest positions in this country, they may not end up doing anything for years together! Yeh kaisa Bharat Mahan…???
Even as I write this, there is news that the Delhi “Right of Citizen to Time Bound Delivery of services Bill, 2011” is in the offing. Once this is cleared, then government servants failing timely delivery of certain services may be liable to pay a fine per day of delay. Well, let’s hope… and wait…. and watch…!!
ManishaGupta©2011
“Time Out” Dilemma for Board Students
Manisha Gupta
Recent CBSE boards for classes X & XII throw up an important issue, that of lack of time. A couple of papers later, trend shows that papers are “too lengthy” and many students are unable to complete them, inspite of knowing the answers.
Time Out ??
Well, in a country where “time” is hardly a priority even where it’s an absolute necessity, and where even a slight delay may lead to terrible mishaps, why, pray, do the examination systems pressurize children to huff-puff, rush and answer 30 odd questions in 3 hours? Would the heavens fall if they’re given a fewer questions or a little more time, so that they can perform to their best potential? Why this “Time Out” dilemma?
Competition… one would say. And speed is the essence of competition. Things must get finished in time, on time. Oh! In a country where an official can stay at a post for 3 years without doing much, where courts may take 14 years to decide a case which gives a punishment of 7 years, where a terrorist like Kasab, having created havoc in the 26/11 incident can live on for an indefinite period as the “proceedings” are still on even after two years and four months, students are stressed into performing the most important exams of their lives in 3 hours. In a county where clear cut landlord-tenant cases to hand over the house to its rightful owner can take the whole life time of the person, where a young criminal can live happily to old age before his case can be solved and he punished, where Governments can sit for 5 years and not answer even 15 simple questions, forget HOTS type questions, or provide solutions to even 15 pressing problems of society, what is the great ambition to traumatize young teenagers to complete 30 tough questions correctly in just 3 hours ?
Otherwise …….. “Time Out”!! paper taken away, and perhaps a career opportunity too. The poor child comes out of the examination hall dejected and hassled because he knew the answers but ran out of time.
Time bound competition and perfect peak performance under severe stress is perhaps the only way to judge competency or genius. Well, when with the Commonwealth games 2010 just round the corner, pray tell me how many of the projects had been completed on time? And was the Government or other agencies responsible in any way traumatized that time was running out? How and when the CWG infrastructure was completed, we all know. And we had the prestige and the image of the nation at stake. How competitive do we call our “Bharat Mahan” then?
Where trains, buses, flights, doctors, hospitals, emergency services……. nothing runs on time. Where Reliance tells its consumer, plagued by 15-20 marketing calls a day and that too during one’s child’s board exams, that it will take at least 45 days for them to activate a “Do Not Disturb” for our line, isn’t it ridiculous. There’s no “Time Out” for all these people.
Where India is losing heavily on revenue for not having yet registered the “Basmati” Rice as a Geographical Indication, there’s no time out? There are all kinds of “Basmati” being sold all over the world and we, inspite of having a relevant Act enforced for the past 7 and a half years, haven’t been able to register our most important export item. No time out??
Well, I am not advocating that children shouldn’t be tested for their genius, competency and caliber in exams. But can we not have an examination system where to test these and much more, we do not pressurize the children. Many may be geniuses but not necessarily jet speed performers. They surely can be given tougher questions but enough time to be able to write the answers comfortably. If this country can give an official 3 years on a posting or the Government 5 years and still not expect much results, isn’t it grossly unfair to expect board students to answer a lengthy paper in 3 hours?
Because……………… even if they do and reach the highest positions in this country, they may not end up doing anything for years together! Yeh kaisa Bharat Mahan…???
Even as I write this, there is news that the Delhi “Right of Citizen to Time Bound Delivery of services Bill, 2011” is in the offing. Once this is cleared, then government servants failing timely delivery of certain services may be liable to pay a fine per day of delay. Well, let’s hope… and wait…. and watch…!!
ManishaGupta©2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Imperfect Haiku
Here's a piece from my Column "The Second last Word" published in the Magazine, SME WORLD, April-2011 issue.
for all those sharing my grief and concern for Japan and the Japanese, here's a Unique and Innovative Haiku which is a combination of several Haikus . this creation came into being simply because what my heart wanted to say just could not be contained within the 17 words- 3 lines format of a perfect Haiku (but that’s not the only reason I call it “The Imperfect Haiku”…!!!!!).
and so my heart just went on and on and…....…..on and….. so did my fingers…..…..till they stopped.
And here’s the result!!//mg
The Imperfect Haiku
The article I had scheduled for this issue of SMEW can wait but the issue on which I am writing cannot!!
Here’s a piece dedicated to Japan and the Japanese. I share the grief of destruction with the country which showered on me tonnes of happiness and loads of pleasant memories during my year long stay in Japan. It is the country of Perfection, of Precision, of Persistence, of Patience, of Politeness! It is sad to note that God probably doesn’t like perfection or is it that He feared competition?? Why else did He take to destruction …of the ….Perfection?????
Here is a series of Haikus (a 5-7-5 words Japanese form of poetic expression of 3 lines) making one big Haiku depicting the current scenario.
Earthquake shook land below feet
Tsunami dared, the Nuclear reactor too flared
The sea stirred in anger
The volcano glared, everyone stared
Cars, trains, ships, planes engulfed by waves
like toys in water-tub drowned
Land, sea-waves and the fire
Showed simply no politeness, but only ire
To land of politeness personified
Land of the Rising Sun
Is one such which can never set
I am willing to bet
Rising everytime from the debris
Rebuilding from destruction isn’t an easy task
Cannot be done by everyone
Japanese- you’ve done it before
Can do again, build a much better
More perfect Japan than before
Like Edison, his lab burnt
When years of research went-up in smoke
Said coolly, at least now
All mistakes were burnt up
So that he could again start afresh
Attitude of hard-working, never-tiring greatness
Ye Japan, get-up, rise again
Rethink, rebuild and regain, build a Japan
World will love to gain
Feel God doesn’t like perfection
Could also mean that he fears competition
Why-else this destruction of perfection??
This year Sakura mightn’t bloom
To full extent, but surely by next
Cherry Blossoms will visit again
To enthrall tourists from world-over
To feast their eyes on the grandeur
Of country, beauty, its people
And you have “Fuji’ Yama
Which means mountain of “No Death” (Fu-Shi)
No destruction can put end
So be born again and
Again for that is what’s nature’s cycle
To learn, learn and unlearn
Then unlearn and relearn again
The Momos (Peach blossoms) shall again flower
Spreading fruit, beauty and fragrance
The Kinkakuji temple shall shine
In its Golden gleam forever, spreading light
In the darkness of weather
In the magnificent Todaiji temple
The Great Buddha there will reside forever
And spread knowledge and enlightenment!!
It is worth emulating from the Japanese, specially for M/SMEs, how to keep at it no matter what. Persistence and patience lead to perfection, even perfection of the courage to rebuild and restart after every destruction!
ManishaGupta©2011
for all those sharing my grief and concern for Japan and the Japanese, here's a Unique and Innovative Haiku which is a combination of several Haikus . this creation came into being simply because what my heart wanted to say just could not be contained within the 17 words- 3 lines format of a perfect Haiku (but that’s not the only reason I call it “The Imperfect Haiku”…!!!!!).
and so my heart just went on and on and…....…..on and….. so did my fingers…..…..till they stopped.
And here’s the result!!//mg
The Imperfect Haiku
The article I had scheduled for this issue of SMEW can wait but the issue on which I am writing cannot!!
Here’s a piece dedicated to Japan and the Japanese. I share the grief of destruction with the country which showered on me tonnes of happiness and loads of pleasant memories during my year long stay in Japan. It is the country of Perfection, of Precision, of Persistence, of Patience, of Politeness! It is sad to note that God probably doesn’t like perfection or is it that He feared competition?? Why else did He take to destruction …of the ….Perfection?????
Here is a series of Haikus (a 5-7-5 words Japanese form of poetic expression of 3 lines) making one big Haiku depicting the current scenario.
Earthquake shook land below feet
Tsunami dared, the Nuclear reactor too flared
The sea stirred in anger
The volcano glared, everyone stared
Cars, trains, ships, planes engulfed by waves
like toys in water-tub drowned
Land, sea-waves and the fire
Showed simply no politeness, but only ire
To land of politeness personified
Land of the Rising Sun
Is one such which can never set
I am willing to bet
Rising everytime from the debris
Rebuilding from destruction isn’t an easy task
Cannot be done by everyone
Japanese- you’ve done it before
Can do again, build a much better
More perfect Japan than before
Like Edison, his lab burnt
When years of research went-up in smoke
Said coolly, at least now
All mistakes were burnt up
So that he could again start afresh
Attitude of hard-working, never-tiring greatness
Ye Japan, get-up, rise again
Rethink, rebuild and regain, build a Japan
World will love to gain
Feel God doesn’t like perfection
Could also mean that he fears competition
Why-else this destruction of perfection??
This year Sakura mightn’t bloom
To full extent, but surely by next
Cherry Blossoms will visit again
To enthrall tourists from world-over
To feast their eyes on the grandeur
Of country, beauty, its people
And you have “Fuji’ Yama
Which means mountain of “No Death” (Fu-Shi)
No destruction can put end
So be born again and
Again for that is what’s nature’s cycle
To learn, learn and unlearn
Then unlearn and relearn again
The Momos (Peach blossoms) shall again flower
Spreading fruit, beauty and fragrance
The Kinkakuji temple shall shine
In its Golden gleam forever, spreading light
In the darkness of weather
In the magnificent Todaiji temple
The Great Buddha there will reside forever
And spread knowledge and enlightenment!!
It is worth emulating from the Japanese, specially for M/SMEs, how to keep at it no matter what. Persistence and patience lead to perfection, even perfection of the courage to rebuild and restart after every destruction!
ManishaGupta©2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Can you Hear the Silence...??????
here's another creative expression from an Anonymous reader of my Blog.it seems to be a silent questioning of the heart.
the poet in this case was probably too involved with the composition, to give a title to his creativity. well, i am taking the liberty of filling that up.hope its ok with the Anonymous ......and hope he's not going to sue me for it????
all of you, all over the world, do read and get back with any comments or reactions!! .......or maybe with more creations in response?? //best//mg
ANONYMOUS 2.
Silent Questioning......!!!
Beginning of the end of a starry, lonely night
Infinitely calm, and quiet
The Sun not yet anywhere in sight
The day just deciding to get bright
Calm and gentle breeze
Flowing though the ruffled hair
Caressing, touching
the wet cheeks, the cool air
Thoughts far away
reaching far into infinity
And yet, so little solace
from Nature's simplicity
And here is this soul
trying to put together pieces
Deep down in that lonely corner
where nobody reaches
For, the very one who could offer solace
created this, in the first place
And yet, the strange paradox
gets deeper with every instance
Where are we going
where are we headed
who knew, who knows
should not be asked, cannot be said
And while one thinks, and thinks
and ties oneself in multiple, strange knots
gets confused, frustrated
and infinitely saddened with unthinkable thoughts
Though the answers are simple
realization not that straight
What will be, is not here today
what is, will not be
Such is the destructibility
of each single moment
a madly burning fire today
gone tomorrow, leaving behind no trace, in an instant
And same way, the night will go away
followed by a bright day
but will that remain with us always
who can say
//////
the poet in this case was probably too involved with the composition, to give a title to his creativity. well, i am taking the liberty of filling that up.hope its ok with the Anonymous ......and hope he's not going to sue me for it????
all of you, all over the world, do read and get back with any comments or reactions!! .......or maybe with more creations in response?? //best//mg
ANONYMOUS 2.
Silent Questioning......!!!
Beginning of the end of a starry, lonely night
Infinitely calm, and quiet
The Sun not yet anywhere in sight
The day just deciding to get bright
Calm and gentle breeze
Flowing though the ruffled hair
Caressing, touching
the wet cheeks, the cool air
Thoughts far away
reaching far into infinity
And yet, so little solace
from Nature's simplicity
And here is this soul
trying to put together pieces
Deep down in that lonely corner
where nobody reaches
For, the very one who could offer solace
created this, in the first place
And yet, the strange paradox
gets deeper with every instance
Where are we going
where are we headed
who knew, who knows
should not be asked, cannot be said
And while one thinks, and thinks
and ties oneself in multiple, strange knots
gets confused, frustrated
and infinitely saddened with unthinkable thoughts
Though the answers are simple
realization not that straight
What will be, is not here today
what is, will not be
Such is the destructibility
of each single moment
a madly burning fire today
gone tomorrow, leaving behind no trace, in an instant
And same way, the night will go away
followed by a bright day
but will that remain with us always
who can say
//////
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Awaken Ye “Little India”…... India’s Intellectual Capital!!
hi all!!
here's an article published in the March issue of "Focus Global Reporter".
and mind you, this one is really hard hitting (hitting both the head and the heart at the same time) and provocative.
actually it was written some 5 years ago, but still holds water.
it was done for a magazine which wanted a very realistic, provocative and hard hitting article , but probably it hit too hard and the magazine refrained from publishing it.
anyway, those of you who can tolerate it are most welcome to read it!! //best//mg
Article
Awaken Ye “Little India”…... India’s Intellectual Capital!!
Manisha Gupta
Come on dear NRIs, it is time to now think a little and wake up to the fact that you are not just a “Little India” in a huge expanse of some foreign land, but a huge part of the “Major India” on this side of the globe! Non-Resident-Indians, Non-Returning-Indians, Not-Reliable-Indians, Not-Required-Indians or whatever else has been coined for the acronym NRI, I define them as “Non-Returning-Intellect” or “Non-Returning-Intellectual-Property” of India. The Brain-Drain has drained away our precious intellectual capital.
I firmly believe in the adage “pen is mightier than the sword”. For the sword only pierces through the physical body but the pen can pierce your heart. The sword kills the body at once and once and for all. The end! But the pen pinches the heart, kills the negatives and awakens one to a new thinking and a new beginning. And of course, since giving “life” is greater than giving “death”, the pen emerges victorious, serving a much higher purpose. This piece may be hard hitting- both intellectually and emotionally- hitting hard on the head (read “mind”!) and the heart at the same time.
You’ve proved beyond doubt that you have talent, mind, intellect and an intellectual capacity that can delve into beyond the so many beyonds. But isn’t it time now to prove that you have a heart as well. India is a very activity oriented country and so “motion” in every sense of the term is an integral part of India and Indians. Be it commotion or emotion, motion is there writ allover us. So where are your emotions? When your old mother slips in the bathroom, are you there to pick her up and carry her to the bed? When your aged father stays up all night due to an asthma attack, are you there to sit up with him in the scary night? Where are you? On the phone, on the e-mail, on the web camera? That’s it!! But they were very much there for every fall and every scary night of yours.
Think with your heart for once, because the mind is very smart. The heart is what makes you take the right decisions. The art of living is just fine but what about the art of “giving”? Don’t come here just as guests- part of a Diaspora to attend the “Pravasiya Bhartiya Divas” or a conference delegation- on a whirlwind tour to tire all your loved ones in trying to catch up with all the missed moments of the innumerable years since you last came. Even now it is they that give, with you at the receiving end as always. Whether its love or emotions or giving you every favorite dish of yours in that long awaited 3-4 day trip. So aren’t you still “taking” in the guise of “giving”?
Don’t you want to be part of “The Real India”? And help make it so attractive that we can have “little….whatever country” right here? Why try getting patents and royalties on your own country’s Traditional Knowledge base such as “Haldi”, “Neem” or “Yoga”? This doesn’t sound “Royal” in any way. And after all you should be crusading against misuse and exploitation of our ‘National Intellectual Property’, which you too are a part of. Why should someone else earn royalties from exploiting ‘Indian Intellectual Property’? All those talented Indian doctors out there, are you “really needed” where you are? And talking of community service, which community would you like to serve? Then why not come serve the people in your motherland who desperately need your medical expertise and dexterity. And don’t worry India is rich enough to compensate you for your services.
And neither does this sound loyal .Because it’s not just a question of royalties alone, but a bigger question of loyalties. Where do your loyalties lie? If they lie with the country that you are living in, that is giving you your bread & butter and honey & money and all the other materialistic pleasures, then you are not Indian. If things materialistic are your first and only priority, how can you call yourselves true Indians, because India is all about spiritualism, which other parts of the world are embracing?
And yet another question mark is loyalty in relationships. Living in the age of fast foods and instant gratification, there are some who apply the same rules in their relationships also, jumping from one marriage to another to another, generally in each case with a foreigner. At times it may be for a Green Card or for a foreign passport or for some other selfish motive but seldom for love or passion. Has living away from your homeland also reduced your level of selflessness, patience and tolerance and increased your level of self-oriented narrower virtues in life?
Why come to your own home as a guest. If you are Indian, you are the host here. And do you realize that wherever you are at present, there too you are just at best a guest. So what do you get being a guest in both countries? This only reinforces the fact that you have become “rootless”. NRI or PIO or whatever, but your roots are not grounded in “any soil”.
And why do you consider the NRI community as “Not Respected Indian” because they’re not given some special treatment by the “local Indian community” even though they pay fares at different flights, hotels or tourist spots in dollars? Because when you say you are “Indian”, then you are treated just like any other Indian. As per the Indian tradition-“Atithi Devo Bhavo”- and that’s why foreigners are respected more. On the one hand you want to be an NRI and a “real Indian” and on the other you want to be “respected” like the foreigners. If you really are an Indian, as you proclaim from all rooftops of the world, then why be hurt at being meted out the same treatment as we Indians do day in and day out and still stick to our “origin”, and don’t keep switching from one to the other for selfish purposes. We are Indian and remain so, for better or for worse. I think you yourself are quite confused about your identity. Aren’t you going through an “origin identity crisis” of sorts? For different selfish motives you want different privileges at different places in different circumstances. So if “being” Indian has its advantages of shelling out lesser notes or paying in rupees instead of dollars while traveling in India, you assume that role, when being an NRI gets you mileage and benefits of the Diaspora community, you assume that role. And since you have acquired the acronym “NRI”, it is always going to begin on a negative “N” note. Now whether it stands for non or not, or whatever, much can’t be done. Had you remained just an “I”ndian, you would have had the advantage being “I” all your life. Life can be what you choose it to be- simple or complex – “samajhnewalon ke liye ishara hi kafi hai, aur jo na samjhe wo ‘aNRI’ hain”!
India can do without NRIs but the big question is can they do without India? Experiences in Australia, Great Britain, Malaysia et al have highlighted the naked truth. India has always been a sleeping giant elephant, with long memories, patience and the ability to take sustained deprivation. But the giant is now up and about, moving with the energy, grace, pace and agility so truly the trademarks of a wise elephant.
It has “arrived”, driven by its own native resources and intellect, its own sweat and youth, not to forget the sleepless nights. It is an economy which has evolved with deprivation, scarcity and shortages but retained the fabric of tolerance and happiness. It is a thriving democracy on the threshold of becoming a global super power, the fastest growing economy in the world and soon to be a part of the select nuclear club and member of the UN security-council. We are proud when we go abroad as tourists, respected for being one of the highest spending community. Foreign universities pitch to attract us and, unlike the past, we seldom stay back. We want to be part of the Greatest Drama – “A Super Power India”. Indian companies have started attracting foreign students because they want to see the future global corporations from inside out and have the Indian experience on their CV.
There is no dearth of any form of capital in our country. We were a rich country, we are a richer nation. Whether its natural resources capital or human capital or heritage capital or Intellectual Capital, we are well endowed and a tough competition for the globalized world. And if you, the “Non Returning Intellectual property” of India do finally return, I think the whole world will be no match for our massive wealth of Intellectual capital.
How about a ‘reverse brain drain’ phase taking the globe by storm………???
here's an article published in the March issue of "Focus Global Reporter".
and mind you, this one is really hard hitting (hitting both the head and the heart at the same time) and provocative.
actually it was written some 5 years ago, but still holds water.
it was done for a magazine which wanted a very realistic, provocative and hard hitting article , but probably it hit too hard and the magazine refrained from publishing it.
anyway, those of you who can tolerate it are most welcome to read it!! //best//mg
Article
Awaken Ye “Little India”…... India’s Intellectual Capital!!
Manisha Gupta
Come on dear NRIs, it is time to now think a little and wake up to the fact that you are not just a “Little India” in a huge expanse of some foreign land, but a huge part of the “Major India” on this side of the globe! Non-Resident-Indians, Non-Returning-Indians, Not-Reliable-Indians, Not-Required-Indians or whatever else has been coined for the acronym NRI, I define them as “Non-Returning-Intellect” or “Non-Returning-Intellectual-Property” of India. The Brain-Drain has drained away our precious intellectual capital.
I firmly believe in the adage “pen is mightier than the sword”. For the sword only pierces through the physical body but the pen can pierce your heart. The sword kills the body at once and once and for all. The end! But the pen pinches the heart, kills the negatives and awakens one to a new thinking and a new beginning. And of course, since giving “life” is greater than giving “death”, the pen emerges victorious, serving a much higher purpose. This piece may be hard hitting- both intellectually and emotionally- hitting hard on the head (read “mind”!) and the heart at the same time.
You’ve proved beyond doubt that you have talent, mind, intellect and an intellectual capacity that can delve into beyond the so many beyonds. But isn’t it time now to prove that you have a heart as well. India is a very activity oriented country and so “motion” in every sense of the term is an integral part of India and Indians. Be it commotion or emotion, motion is there writ allover us. So where are your emotions? When your old mother slips in the bathroom, are you there to pick her up and carry her to the bed? When your aged father stays up all night due to an asthma attack, are you there to sit up with him in the scary night? Where are you? On the phone, on the e-mail, on the web camera? That’s it!! But they were very much there for every fall and every scary night of yours.
Think with your heart for once, because the mind is very smart. The heart is what makes you take the right decisions. The art of living is just fine but what about the art of “giving”? Don’t come here just as guests- part of a Diaspora to attend the “Pravasiya Bhartiya Divas” or a conference delegation- on a whirlwind tour to tire all your loved ones in trying to catch up with all the missed moments of the innumerable years since you last came. Even now it is they that give, with you at the receiving end as always. Whether its love or emotions or giving you every favorite dish of yours in that long awaited 3-4 day trip. So aren’t you still “taking” in the guise of “giving”?
Don’t you want to be part of “The Real India”? And help make it so attractive that we can have “little….whatever country” right here? Why try getting patents and royalties on your own country’s Traditional Knowledge base such as “Haldi”, “Neem” or “Yoga”? This doesn’t sound “Royal” in any way. And after all you should be crusading against misuse and exploitation of our ‘National Intellectual Property’, which you too are a part of. Why should someone else earn royalties from exploiting ‘Indian Intellectual Property’? All those talented Indian doctors out there, are you “really needed” where you are? And talking of community service, which community would you like to serve? Then why not come serve the people in your motherland who desperately need your medical expertise and dexterity. And don’t worry India is rich enough to compensate you for your services.
And neither does this sound loyal .Because it’s not just a question of royalties alone, but a bigger question of loyalties. Where do your loyalties lie? If they lie with the country that you are living in, that is giving you your bread & butter and honey & money and all the other materialistic pleasures, then you are not Indian. If things materialistic are your first and only priority, how can you call yourselves true Indians, because India is all about spiritualism, which other parts of the world are embracing?
And yet another question mark is loyalty in relationships. Living in the age of fast foods and instant gratification, there are some who apply the same rules in their relationships also, jumping from one marriage to another to another, generally in each case with a foreigner. At times it may be for a Green Card or for a foreign passport or for some other selfish motive but seldom for love or passion. Has living away from your homeland also reduced your level of selflessness, patience and tolerance and increased your level of self-oriented narrower virtues in life?
Why come to your own home as a guest. If you are Indian, you are the host here. And do you realize that wherever you are at present, there too you are just at best a guest. So what do you get being a guest in both countries? This only reinforces the fact that you have become “rootless”. NRI or PIO or whatever, but your roots are not grounded in “any soil”.
And why do you consider the NRI community as “Not Respected Indian” because they’re not given some special treatment by the “local Indian community” even though they pay fares at different flights, hotels or tourist spots in dollars? Because when you say you are “Indian”, then you are treated just like any other Indian. As per the Indian tradition-“Atithi Devo Bhavo”- and that’s why foreigners are respected more. On the one hand you want to be an NRI and a “real Indian” and on the other you want to be “respected” like the foreigners. If you really are an Indian, as you proclaim from all rooftops of the world, then why be hurt at being meted out the same treatment as we Indians do day in and day out and still stick to our “origin”, and don’t keep switching from one to the other for selfish purposes. We are Indian and remain so, for better or for worse. I think you yourself are quite confused about your identity. Aren’t you going through an “origin identity crisis” of sorts? For different selfish motives you want different privileges at different places in different circumstances. So if “being” Indian has its advantages of shelling out lesser notes or paying in rupees instead of dollars while traveling in India, you assume that role, when being an NRI gets you mileage and benefits of the Diaspora community, you assume that role. And since you have acquired the acronym “NRI”, it is always going to begin on a negative “N” note. Now whether it stands for non or not, or whatever, much can’t be done. Had you remained just an “I”ndian, you would have had the advantage being “I” all your life. Life can be what you choose it to be- simple or complex – “samajhnewalon ke liye ishara hi kafi hai, aur jo na samjhe wo ‘aNRI’ hain”!
India can do without NRIs but the big question is can they do without India? Experiences in Australia, Great Britain, Malaysia et al have highlighted the naked truth. India has always been a sleeping giant elephant, with long memories, patience and the ability to take sustained deprivation. But the giant is now up and about, moving with the energy, grace, pace and agility so truly the trademarks of a wise elephant.
It has “arrived”, driven by its own native resources and intellect, its own sweat and youth, not to forget the sleepless nights. It is an economy which has evolved with deprivation, scarcity and shortages but retained the fabric of tolerance and happiness. It is a thriving democracy on the threshold of becoming a global super power, the fastest growing economy in the world and soon to be a part of the select nuclear club and member of the UN security-council. We are proud when we go abroad as tourists, respected for being one of the highest spending community. Foreign universities pitch to attract us and, unlike the past, we seldom stay back. We want to be part of the Greatest Drama – “A Super Power India”. Indian companies have started attracting foreign students because they want to see the future global corporations from inside out and have the Indian experience on their CV.
There is no dearth of any form of capital in our country. We were a rich country, we are a richer nation. Whether its natural resources capital or human capital or heritage capital or Intellectual Capital, we are well endowed and a tough competition for the globalized world. And if you, the “Non Returning Intellectual property” of India do finally return, I think the whole world will be no match for our massive wealth of Intellectual capital.
How about a ‘reverse brain drain’ phase taking the globe by storm………???
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
My Dear Japan..........
i have been too shocked by the turn of events at Japan in the past one week!
too shocked to even express the shock.
it pains me to see the country and the people so dear to me, undergo such wrath of nature.
since i have lived in Japan (Sapporo- the capital city of the northern most island-Hokkaido), i feel really pained. the country and its people have given me many many happy moments and happier memories to cherish forever.
this series of disasters just shouldn't have happened.
have been trying to contact all my friends there to find out if they are fine.
i do sincerely hope that The Land of the Rising Sun shall once again rise from this calamity and come out a still better nation.
all my best wishes for my Daisuki Nihon!!
//best//manisha
too shocked to even express the shock.
it pains me to see the country and the people so dear to me, undergo such wrath of nature.
since i have lived in Japan (Sapporo- the capital city of the northern most island-Hokkaido), i feel really pained. the country and its people have given me many many happy moments and happier memories to cherish forever.
this series of disasters just shouldn't have happened.
have been trying to contact all my friends there to find out if they are fine.
i do sincerely hope that The Land of the Rising Sun shall once again rise from this calamity and come out a still better nation.
all my best wishes for my Daisuki Nihon!!
//best//manisha
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Young Poet's First Book...!!!
here's the book cover of a young poet's first book -“Pyari Chhotee Khushiyan” - on hindi poetry. this is a collection of 30 of his poems written over the last 6 yrs. and by the way, don't miss the fact that this cover, which very aptly depicts the overall theme of the book, is a painting done by the little poet himself.
Congrats ! Atulya Gupta for publishing your first book at 11!!
great achievemnet!!
keep it up !!
Gambatte Ne !!!!
//best//mg
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Patent the "JUGARH" Technology of India ...............
Here's a humourous little piece written way back in 2004.it is actually a narration of a real incident. hope you enjoy reading it!!
Patentable Idea
I was in Bangalore to speak at a seminar on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). In contrast to this summer, Delhi that year was terribly hot with temperatures soaring to new heights, but when I landed in Bangalore in peak afternoon, it was simply great to hear them announce the outside temperature a pleasant 26 degrees Celsius. It rained a lot that night making the next morning, the day of my presentation, really breezy and chilly.
I went into the bathroom, looking around for a geezer or in case of a hidden one, at least some sign of a switch. Couldn’t find trace of either. Presuming a central water heating system, I coolly turned on the hot water tap and waited confidently for some nice warm water to start pouring into my cold bucket. Water did come but icy cold. I checked the cold water tap, tightened it further and opened the hot water one a little more and again waited expectantly, but what I had before me was a big bucket full of chilled water. I had no intention of foregoing a bath but all the same, definitely didn’t intend to bathe with that icy water and worsen my already severe cold and cough.
I kept thinking, analyzing and thinking more logically. There had to be a hot water system since there were distinctively two taps with relevant indicators for hot and cold water. Perhaps they’d decided against providing it that day. But with so many guests in the guest-house and it being quite a coldish day of Bangalore, they can’t do such a thing. I was getting late for the seminar and all my logical thinking was taking me nowhere. Then suddenly something flashed through my mind. I remembered one of the speakers in the previous day’s session mentioning something about the “Jugarh Diplomacy” in India. I started racing my mind in search of some “Jugarh” that could get me hot water. At the same time, a part of my brain was busy reviewing some key points of my presentation. “Highly innovative approaches” was one phrase where something clicked. I took off my shower-cap and put on my ‘thinking-cap’ and was blessed with a brilliant idea. This was my last bet. I closed the left-hand hot water tap and opened the right-hand cold water tap, and ..…EUREKA! Steaming hot water began gushing out into my bucket. Gr..e..at !
I’d finally found a ‘Jugarh’. Innovative thinking and approaches help not only in complex IPR issues like the one I was going to speak on, but also come in handy in such minor but crucial issues as acquiring a bucket of hot water to bathe with on a cold morning.
This taught me a valuable lesson in life. Don’t always depend on traditional norms as it limits your thinking and potential be innovative in your thinking if the set rules don’t yield results. It’s not necessary that the left tap with the red dot will always give hot water and the right one with the blue dot, cold.
On second thoughts, I think I should get this brilliant idea of mine patented, but probably that will have to wait because, as of now, ideas are not patentable!
Manisha Gupta
Patentable Idea
I was in Bangalore to speak at a seminar on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). In contrast to this summer, Delhi that year was terribly hot with temperatures soaring to new heights, but when I landed in Bangalore in peak afternoon, it was simply great to hear them announce the outside temperature a pleasant 26 degrees Celsius. It rained a lot that night making the next morning, the day of my presentation, really breezy and chilly.
I went into the bathroom, looking around for a geezer or in case of a hidden one, at least some sign of a switch. Couldn’t find trace of either. Presuming a central water heating system, I coolly turned on the hot water tap and waited confidently for some nice warm water to start pouring into my cold bucket. Water did come but icy cold. I checked the cold water tap, tightened it further and opened the hot water one a little more and again waited expectantly, but what I had before me was a big bucket full of chilled water. I had no intention of foregoing a bath but all the same, definitely didn’t intend to bathe with that icy water and worsen my already severe cold and cough.
I kept thinking, analyzing and thinking more logically. There had to be a hot water system since there were distinctively two taps with relevant indicators for hot and cold water. Perhaps they’d decided against providing it that day. But with so many guests in the guest-house and it being quite a coldish day of Bangalore, they can’t do such a thing. I was getting late for the seminar and all my logical thinking was taking me nowhere. Then suddenly something flashed through my mind. I remembered one of the speakers in the previous day’s session mentioning something about the “Jugarh Diplomacy” in India. I started racing my mind in search of some “Jugarh” that could get me hot water. At the same time, a part of my brain was busy reviewing some key points of my presentation. “Highly innovative approaches” was one phrase where something clicked. I took off my shower-cap and put on my ‘thinking-cap’ and was blessed with a brilliant idea. This was my last bet. I closed the left-hand hot water tap and opened the right-hand cold water tap, and ..…EUREKA! Steaming hot water began gushing out into my bucket. Gr..e..at !
I’d finally found a ‘Jugarh’. Innovative thinking and approaches help not only in complex IPR issues like the one I was going to speak on, but also come in handy in such minor but crucial issues as acquiring a bucket of hot water to bathe with on a cold morning.
This taught me a valuable lesson in life. Don’t always depend on traditional norms as it limits your thinking and potential be innovative in your thinking if the set rules don’t yield results. It’s not necessary that the left tap with the red dot will always give hot water and the right one with the blue dot, cold.
On second thoughts, I think I should get this brilliant idea of mine patented, but probably that will have to wait because, as of now, ideas are not patentable!
Manisha Gupta
Friday, February 25, 2011
Mera Bharat Mahan.................??
here's my latest article published in The Focus Global Reporter, Feb-2011 issue //mg
ARTICLE
Bharat .…...Highly Inflammable??
Manisha Gupta
As I left the Film City road to turn into the western express highway, an oil-tanker parked by the road side caught my attention. Boldly written in red on the cylindrical body of the tanker was the warning HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE! What was amusing was that just above these words printed in green bold letters was the slogan “MERA BHARAT MAHAN”.
As my Maruti glided smoothly along the newly repaired highway, my train of thoughts too seemed to speed up. “Mera Bharat Mahan”……Highly Inflammable! This kept recurring before my mind’s eye. The more I thought about these words, the more sense they seemed to make. Someone had unknowingly expressed the current situation of our country very aptly. “Mera Bharat Mahan” had indeed become highly inflammable.
That was when I was in Mumbai in the 1993 onward period.
Be it a Mandal scandal or an Ayodhya drama, they were enough to spark violence and let our country flare up in flames. While the debate on the Mandal issue was still hot and burning, series of immolations flared up to protest against the reservation policy. The youth truly went berserk. Surely this was no way to make oneself heard. What the burning issue consumed in its fire was nothing but just innocent lives.
Next came the Ayodhya issue. The “Hindu-Muslim Bhai Bhai” slogan was forgotten in no time and friends of yesterday suddenly turned foes of the day and maybe the future. Once again there were flames all around and in the fire that ensued, people burned, houses burned, old and strong bonds of friendship burned. Almost everything burned in this fire but what it failed to burn was the hatred sowed in the hearts of the people in the name of caste and religion.
Man had stooped so low in his values that he didn’t spare even God, The Creator. He didn’t hesitate even a wee bit in breaking up even God into many parts with darkness resulting everywhere. If there was any light at all to be seen anywhere, it was just that of the fire of anger & hatred which was engulfing the whole nation. While people were busy fighting over petty issues, some anti-social elements were taking advantage of this chaos, creating further panic in the already troubled country by blowing it up with bombs.
The serenity of the so far peaceful hills of Garhwal and Kumaon too had not been spared and even the remotest hill areas were engulfed in flames. With the latest addition to the list of burning issues –The Uttarakhand issue. Once again we had flames flaring up, violence and arson, burning and killing, people and property being unnecessarily subject to untimely death and destruction.
More than a decade and a half down the line, my residence changed from Mumbai to Delhi, my car from a white Maruti to an SX4 of the same colour. A lot has changed but one thing remains constant. “Mera Bharat Mahan” still is….. Highly Inflammable!
As if the terrible bomb blasts rocking the quiet and peaceful Pink city weren’t enough to frighten the spirits out of our countrymen, the Gujjar violence began its frightful fury. This only added to the already burning scenario. Though three years ago the heat of global warming spared India and was good enough to give us quite a cool and pleasant summer, but the Jaipur blasts followed on the heels by the Gujjar agitation made sure we had a “hot” summer. Then came the 26/11 blasts of 2008, to shatter not only the country but the whole world with the scale and magnitude of destruction. Spreading fear and terror in the minds and hearts of citizens of the entire Global Village, life has become the cheapest commodity of this age. Though ofcourse things once cheap, like onions, which were supposed to be a main component of the poor’s combo food pack or say the poor man’s “happy meal” of roti, namak aur pyaaz, have now become so pricy that even the rich have to think twice before buying them. Onions really make everyone cry out these days. Anyway!
With the Bombay Taj terror attack episode, more flames, more fire. And, who, I repeat, just who benefits from this fire? It is that tiny percentage of anti social elements that is being able to achieve its mischievous goal of destabilizing the nation. This situation of mistrust, hatred, fights over God and religion, people wanting more and more rights, lack of faith in the system and total confusion is eating away the country.
The result? Further flames. Innumerable innocent lives and property worth crores and crores of rupees just goes up in smoke to nobody’s advantage. That’s where the role of an individual comes in. Each of us can help build a better place by just being honest and sincere at every level, by being more tolerant, more open towards others ideas and beliefs, at the same time not being too overly rigid about one’s own. Being solution oriented rather than trying to outdo others in making a mountain out of a molehill, not fighting over petty issues and letting frustrations an outlet in violence instead of channelizing it to some productive directions. We want more reservations, we want more rights, we want more this and more that, fine, why not compete and work to deserve it rather than sit in dharnas, block rail or road traffic and stop the whole nation from working and create nuisance. If we want to put forth a demand, why not do it without wasting national time and property?
There is a need for each of us to think rationally as well as nationally, because if we make our own nation weak and wreak havoc, we don’t need enemies. Shouldn’t each of us contribute our bit to the making of a strong and lasting Bharat which is indeed Mahan!!!
ManishaGupta©2011
ARTICLE
Bharat .…...Highly Inflammable??
Manisha Gupta
As I left the Film City road to turn into the western express highway, an oil-tanker parked by the road side caught my attention. Boldly written in red on the cylindrical body of the tanker was the warning HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE! What was amusing was that just above these words printed in green bold letters was the slogan “MERA BHARAT MAHAN”.
As my Maruti glided smoothly along the newly repaired highway, my train of thoughts too seemed to speed up. “Mera Bharat Mahan”……Highly Inflammable! This kept recurring before my mind’s eye. The more I thought about these words, the more sense they seemed to make. Someone had unknowingly expressed the current situation of our country very aptly. “Mera Bharat Mahan” had indeed become highly inflammable.
That was when I was in Mumbai in the 1993 onward period.
Be it a Mandal scandal or an Ayodhya drama, they were enough to spark violence and let our country flare up in flames. While the debate on the Mandal issue was still hot and burning, series of immolations flared up to protest against the reservation policy. The youth truly went berserk. Surely this was no way to make oneself heard. What the burning issue consumed in its fire was nothing but just innocent lives.
Next came the Ayodhya issue. The “Hindu-Muslim Bhai Bhai” slogan was forgotten in no time and friends of yesterday suddenly turned foes of the day and maybe the future. Once again there were flames all around and in the fire that ensued, people burned, houses burned, old and strong bonds of friendship burned. Almost everything burned in this fire but what it failed to burn was the hatred sowed in the hearts of the people in the name of caste and religion.
Man had stooped so low in his values that he didn’t spare even God, The Creator. He didn’t hesitate even a wee bit in breaking up even God into many parts with darkness resulting everywhere. If there was any light at all to be seen anywhere, it was just that of the fire of anger & hatred which was engulfing the whole nation. While people were busy fighting over petty issues, some anti-social elements were taking advantage of this chaos, creating further panic in the already troubled country by blowing it up with bombs.
The serenity of the so far peaceful hills of Garhwal and Kumaon too had not been spared and even the remotest hill areas were engulfed in flames. With the latest addition to the list of burning issues –The Uttarakhand issue. Once again we had flames flaring up, violence and arson, burning and killing, people and property being unnecessarily subject to untimely death and destruction.
More than a decade and a half down the line, my residence changed from Mumbai to Delhi, my car from a white Maruti to an SX4 of the same colour. A lot has changed but one thing remains constant. “Mera Bharat Mahan” still is….. Highly Inflammable!
As if the terrible bomb blasts rocking the quiet and peaceful Pink city weren’t enough to frighten the spirits out of our countrymen, the Gujjar violence began its frightful fury. This only added to the already burning scenario. Though three years ago the heat of global warming spared India and was good enough to give us quite a cool and pleasant summer, but the Jaipur blasts followed on the heels by the Gujjar agitation made sure we had a “hot” summer. Then came the 26/11 blasts of 2008, to shatter not only the country but the whole world with the scale and magnitude of destruction. Spreading fear and terror in the minds and hearts of citizens of the entire Global Village, life has become the cheapest commodity of this age. Though ofcourse things once cheap, like onions, which were supposed to be a main component of the poor’s combo food pack or say the poor man’s “happy meal” of roti, namak aur pyaaz, have now become so pricy that even the rich have to think twice before buying them. Onions really make everyone cry out these days. Anyway!
With the Bombay Taj terror attack episode, more flames, more fire. And, who, I repeat, just who benefits from this fire? It is that tiny percentage of anti social elements that is being able to achieve its mischievous goal of destabilizing the nation. This situation of mistrust, hatred, fights over God and religion, people wanting more and more rights, lack of faith in the system and total confusion is eating away the country.
The result? Further flames. Innumerable innocent lives and property worth crores and crores of rupees just goes up in smoke to nobody’s advantage. That’s where the role of an individual comes in. Each of us can help build a better place by just being honest and sincere at every level, by being more tolerant, more open towards others ideas and beliefs, at the same time not being too overly rigid about one’s own. Being solution oriented rather than trying to outdo others in making a mountain out of a molehill, not fighting over petty issues and letting frustrations an outlet in violence instead of channelizing it to some productive directions. We want more reservations, we want more rights, we want more this and more that, fine, why not compete and work to deserve it rather than sit in dharnas, block rail or road traffic and stop the whole nation from working and create nuisance. If we want to put forth a demand, why not do it without wasting national time and property?
There is a need for each of us to think rationally as well as nationally, because if we make our own nation weak and wreak havoc, we don’t need enemies. Shouldn’t each of us contribute our bit to the making of a strong and lasting Bharat which is indeed Mahan!!!
ManishaGupta©2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Beautiful Creation !!
here's a beautiful creation by an anonymous reader.do read & get back with any comments.//best//mg
Anonymous 1.
ओ राधिके !
परिभाषाएं अपर्याप्त
समय स्तब्ध
दूरियां असामान्य
वे शब्द, अकथित
तब भी तुम हो, यहीं तो हो
आज, जब तुम
संभवतः नहीं हो
या, यहीं तो हो
हम हैं
भावनाएं हैं
अकथ्य, अकथित
अन्तरंग तरंग
'शांत' कोलाहल
जीवन के तट पर
झकझोरें, अशांत
फिर भी थाह नहीं
इस अथाह जीवन की
और चारों ओर के
इन बंधनों से दूर,
सुदूर
जब ये कदम चल दिए
जैसे अनगिनत यह लहरें
तट तक पहुँच कर
न जाने कब, कहाँ
अथाह, अनंत सागर में
चुपचाप विलीन !
पर किसे पता, कब,
धीरे से फिर
दूसरी-सी लहर सी
उद्वेलित, आलौकिक
उठती, गिरती,
जीवन तट पर आ जाए
और हम
अपने ही तानों बानों
में घिरे हुए
अभिमान, आकांक्षाओं
और ओछी भावनाओं से
आप्लावित
तुम्हें न दे पायें
वही सब
जो दे ही नहीं पाए
एक जीवन भर
****
Anonymous 1.
ओ राधिके !
परिभाषाएं अपर्याप्त
समय स्तब्ध
दूरियां असामान्य
वे शब्द, अकथित
तब भी तुम हो, यहीं तो हो
आज, जब तुम
संभवतः नहीं हो
या, यहीं तो हो
हम हैं
भावनाएं हैं
अकथ्य, अकथित
अन्तरंग तरंग
'शांत' कोलाहल
जीवन के तट पर
झकझोरें, अशांत
फिर भी थाह नहीं
इस अथाह जीवन की
और चारों ओर के
इन बंधनों से दूर,
सुदूर
जब ये कदम चल दिए
जैसे अनगिनत यह लहरें
तट तक पहुँच कर
न जाने कब, कहाँ
अथाह, अनंत सागर में
चुपचाप विलीन !
पर किसे पता, कब,
धीरे से फिर
दूसरी-सी लहर सी
उद्वेलित, आलौकिक
उठती, गिरती,
जीवन तट पर आ जाए
और हम
अपने ही तानों बानों
में घिरे हुए
अभिमान, आकांक्षाओं
और ओछी भावनाओं से
आप्लावित
तुम्हें न दे पायें
वही सब
जो दे ही नहीं पाए
एक जीवन भर
****
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Calling Budding Writers & Poets
Any budding writers & poets out there??
you're most welcome
to post your creations here!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Words Unsaid...........!!
just sharing a composition done a couple of years ago.
Those Words Unsaid….
Manisha Gupta
Every expression has value
Every expression of love has lovely value.
That smile on the lips
Works wonders if it slips
That twinkle in the eye
Brightens up the sky
That slight little touch
Says more than much
That care
That tease
That fun
That ease
That single little word
May the world freeze.
Every expression has value
Every expression of love has lovely value.
But………….
Those words unsaid
Are immeasurable
And invaluable!!
ManishaGupta©2008
Those Words Unsaid….
Manisha Gupta
Every expression has value
Every expression of love has lovely value.
That smile on the lips
Works wonders if it slips
That twinkle in the eye
Brightens up the sky
That slight little touch
Says more than much
That care
That tease
That fun
That ease
That single little word
May the world freeze.
Every expression has value
Every expression of love has lovely value.
But………….
Those words unsaid
Are immeasurable
And invaluable!!
ManishaGupta©2008
Monday, February 7, 2011
calling all "Entrepreneurs to be..."
Any “Entrepreneurs to be...” out there??
Do write in with your queries & problems.
Will help provide solutions
//best//mg
Do write in with your queries & problems.
Will help provide solutions
//best//mg
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Global Readership
hi all !
its great to know that my Blog is being viewed by people from accross the globe. the pages have been viewed by readers from 15 countries. The United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Russia, Malaysia, Australia, Croatia, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Korea, China, Pakistan, Germany, Denmark, . Apart from these, ofcourse there's a huge number from my home country- India.
Thank you all from everywhere !!
//best//mg
its great to know that my Blog is being viewed by people from accross the globe. the pages have been viewed by readers from 15 countries. The United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Russia, Malaysia, Australia, Croatia, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Korea, China, Pakistan, Germany, Denmark, . Apart from these, ofcourse there's a huge number from my home country- India.
Thank you all from everywhere !!
//best//mg
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A Unique Combination of Poetry & Painting!
A unique book of Hindi Poetry combining Poetry & Painting.
it consists of paintings (done by the author) accompanying each theme.
enjoy the "straight from the heart" poetry and soothing paintings.
Valuing Values !!!!
2011 issue of The Focus Global Reporter //best//mg
Science, Technology & Human Values
Manisha Gupta
Science, Technology & Human Values
Manisha Gupta
Thursday, January 20, 2011
My Hindi Poetry Book OUT !!!!
Book Title :
Gamon ki Saugat
ग़मों की सौग़ात
Pages: 70
Type:
Hindi Poetry
About the book:
This book is a collection of Hindi Poetry written by me right from school & college
days to some recent ones.
order your copy now !
enjoy reading!!
//best//mg
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
My First Book (Hindi Poetry)
Hi everybody!!
today is a great day for me. My FIRST book is out. A collection of Hindi Poetry written over the years. in case you wish to buy, order your copy!!
can have a look at the book cover image here!!
//best//mg
today is a great day for me. My FIRST book is out. A collection of Hindi Poetry written over the years. in case you wish to buy, order your copy!!
can have a look at the book cover image here!!
//best//mg
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Nothing Lasts Forever.............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan-6-2011
Hi & Happy New Year 2011 to all!!
But that reminds me of something.
Nothing in this world lasts forever
Neither the new nor the old year
Neither relationships nor the relations
Neither friendships nor the friends
Everything has its expiry date
One doesn’t remember the date of manufacture
But, the date of expiry however
Is fixed in one’s memory forever!!
One doesn’t tend to remember
The day one gained something
But again, the day it is lost, however
Is ensconced in you forever!!
Neither commitments nor the non-commitments
Neither promises nor “com”promises
Neither passion nor “com”passion
Nor “zyada” passion, for that matter
Nothing in this world lasts forever
You are recognized today, but
Tomorrow you are just not
And not just by people in general
But also by friends, quite good
That’s how this world works
No wonder then you are all alone
Whoever you may be, or
Whoever you may strive to be, for
You alone will know you
You alone shall live with you
You alone shall be your friend
You alone shall be your support
You alone shall be your happiness
You alone shall be your sadness
You alone shall be your victory
You alone shall be your defeat, for
Nothing in this world lasts forever!
Old becomes even the new year
And once old, it disappears, every year
Then comes another one
And in a year’s time, it is over
Thus life goes on and on……………
Every year giving way to another
And another……………
And another……………
You keep waiting
You keep working
You keep creating……………………
New new…new….and newer
But…………………….
Does not the one earlier
Leave you with some baggage
Tangible, intangible, emotional, intellectual????
That’s all you have for yourself
To last you and help you further
Go through another year……
And another……
And another…………….
And another
But for how long??
Maybe you want to travel light
Maybe you want to end a fight
Maybe you want to keep a sight
Maybe you want to let a sigh
Maybe you want to run and fly
Maybe you want to sit and cry
Maybe you want to just soar high
High……high………..and higher
And higher………
And higher…………..
So you let go
You don’t bother
Though ofcourse you do bother
But don’t really want to be heavy
On attachments
On belongings
On emotions
On heart
On mind
On self!
So you travel
Alone
All alone
Because
It is only you who will last
For yourself!
Forever…..
And ever…
And ever……
No one else will
Be with you forever
No one else will be by your side forever
No one else will ever
Support you forever
No one else will ever
Love you forever
No one else will ever
Be friends with you forever
They may just know you one moment
One year
One decade
And may be more
Much more
And then
Suddenly
One day……….
Forget you forever…………….
No one will ever be attached to you forever
Be there for you forever
There may be just emptiness
Plain and simple
That’s what’s this world
For
In this ever changing world
You can’t ever be sure
Of even the weather
Forget about things other
Nothing in this world lasts forever
Except of course this world itself!!!
manisha
Hi & Happy New Year 2011 to all!!
But that reminds me of something.
Nothing in this world lasts forever
Neither the new nor the old year
Neither relationships nor the relations
Neither friendships nor the friends
Everything has its expiry date
One doesn’t remember the date of manufacture
But, the date of expiry however
Is fixed in one’s memory forever!!
One doesn’t tend to remember
The day one gained something
But again, the day it is lost, however
Is ensconced in you forever!!
Neither commitments nor the non-commitments
Neither promises nor “com”promises
Neither passion nor “com”passion
Nor “zyada” passion, for that matter
Nothing in this world lasts forever
You are recognized today, but
Tomorrow you are just not
And not just by people in general
But also by friends, quite good
That’s how this world works
No wonder then you are all alone
Whoever you may be, or
Whoever you may strive to be, for
You alone will know you
You alone shall live with you
You alone shall be your friend
You alone shall be your support
You alone shall be your happiness
You alone shall be your sadness
You alone shall be your victory
You alone shall be your defeat, for
Nothing in this world lasts forever!
Old becomes even the new year
And once old, it disappears, every year
Then comes another one
And in a year’s time, it is over
Thus life goes on and on……………
Every year giving way to another
And another……………
And another……………
You keep waiting
You keep working
You keep creating……………………
New new…new….and newer
But…………………….
Does not the one earlier
Leave you with some baggage
Tangible, intangible, emotional, intellectual????
That’s all you have for yourself
To last you and help you further
Go through another year……
And another……
And another…………….
And another
But for how long??
Maybe you want to travel light
Maybe you want to end a fight
Maybe you want to keep a sight
Maybe you want to let a sigh
Maybe you want to run and fly
Maybe you want to sit and cry
Maybe you want to just soar high
High……high………..and higher
And higher………
And higher…………..
So you let go
You don’t bother
Though ofcourse you do bother
But don’t really want to be heavy
On attachments
On belongings
On emotions
On heart
On mind
On self!
So you travel
Alone
All alone
Because
It is only you who will last
For yourself!
Forever…..
And ever…
And ever……
No one else will
Be with you forever
No one else will be by your side forever
No one else will ever
Support you forever
No one else will ever
Love you forever
No one else will ever
Be friends with you forever
They may just know you one moment
One year
One decade
And may be more
Much more
And then
Suddenly
One day……….
Forget you forever…………….
No one will ever be attached to you forever
Be there for you forever
There may be just emptiness
Plain and simple
That’s what’s this world
For
In this ever changing world
You can’t ever be sure
Of even the weather
Forget about things other
Nothing in this world lasts forever
Except of course this world itself!!!
manisha
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