Happy Ganesh Chathurthi - 2021

Ganesh Chathurthi is here again,

A year of strife, a year of strain.

The remover of obstacles reminding us

We have not yet learnt to focus

On issues important.

We will likely regret.

Climate change and hostile takeovers,

Children neglected, the poor lacking even leftovers.

While Bezos' and Ambanis' losses and rises recorded

And mindless WhatsApp messages forwarded.

Ekdanta did not proceed without understanding

Every word of the Mahabharat that he was scribing.

Vignaharta will not just wash away our troubles,

Sarvasiddhantha will wait for us to learn from our foibles.

So this year, Vinayaka, enable us to understand and act:

Prioritise lives and quality over dry economic fact.

Kripalu, help us feel for our fellow-beings,

Muktidaya, help us a lead a life of purpose, of meaning.

~ Anusha Ramanathan

Happy Ganesh Chathurthi, everyone.

- Written on 10 September 2021 and posted on Facebook.

- Self-Explanatory.