Happy Women's Day

"Women should stay at home and stay protected." 

Not that that would make a woman safe from abuse, be that of a father or mother or brother or sister or husband or father-in-law or mother-in-law or the various other relatives and friends, but she would stay safe from strangers, well maybe not the courier delivery person or the milkman, or the vegetable vendor, or the sundry salespersons, but she would be safe. Yes, indeed safe. 

"Women should not deck up and go out. It is an open invitation to rape, molestation, abuse and degradation."

Not that fully decked women, women in the 'ultimate Indian attire', the Sari, are never molested, but at least she would have society's sympathy and outrage and who knows maybe the abusers would be reminded of other women they like and spare these women, whom they probably abuse or have mutely witnessed being abused anyway, but "decently clad" women needing to venture out would be safe. 

Yes, indeed.

"Women should go out alone. Women should be accompanied by men who are relatives when going out."

Of course, because random strangers will immediately recognize that you are related and will not pull you up and ask you bizarre questions as to who you are and where you are going and why you are out at all. Women will be then safe. 

Yes, quite. I do see your point. 

"One cannot expect the police to keep you safe. They are so overburdened. Just do not tempt. Do not question. Do not flash. Do not advertise. Do not hide. Do not be quiet. Do not be loud. Do not laugh. Do not reject. Do not agree. It is your responsibility to keep yourself safe and your family 'honour' intact."

Yes. That is why when houses get new paint and get robbed, the owners deserve it. That is why when one buys jewellery, perhaps diamonds, and the house is broken into, one is told that one 'invited' the crime and the criminals, sorry the 'dogs'. That is why when flashy cars are stolen, the owner is chided for the thirst to show off and not  be satisfied with a 'safer' option. That is why someone late at night is knifed outside the ATM, the government should ban ATMs and such, the cause of all such crime. 

Yes, indeed. I agree wholeheartedly. 

Happy Women's Day all! 

I hope for a day when we can celebrate ALL genders equally and every day. 

- Written on 8 March 2015

- I am still reeling with India's Daughter, reactions to the same, counter reactions to the same and on and on it goes.

Remains

In between pages of a diary peeps a half capped pen, 

As if the writer had left in a hurry, it forgotten.

Thoughts it recorded of a mind senseless

Words it spewed as venom most poisonous. 

Harsh, condemning those left behind, 

For not doing more to help, to be kind.

24 years of love, of bonding, of joy, all erased

Because that 1 person was the one who strayed? 

Parents, family, friends all who you encouraged, 

All you heard were taunts, where none were, as you raged.

Love comes in all forms, and joy is around sorrow's roundabout,

You knew this, said this often, but under duress you forgot.

But when unhappy, one is wont to say

"It is my way or the highway".

But not this one way street, not this pain,

Not this end, not just this memory of you to remain.

27 Feb 2015

- Self-Explanatory.

No Chance for Redemption

Received news today 

A student has death embraced

From the 7th floor house, a supposed cucoon,

High on alcohol he fell down to ever doom 

His parents to question themselves, to wonder

"What could I have done to stop this blunder?" 

Do people who let go ever pause to think

How many more they drag with them to the brink? 

The mother lamenting she had done not more

The father staring, unable to bring his sorrow to the fore.

Listening to the mother bewildered, in pain,

Thinking of 24 years of love come to pass in vain. 

Sharing her grief, shuddering as she weeps, 

But filled with rage, for the loss for keeps.

A girlfriend ditched you, a promotion passed you by, 

I sympathised then, but NOW, I am antagonised.

Yes, bad things happen, so work through them, 

Or reach out. Friends, even strangers, would not abandon. 

Everyone makes mistakes, we may have too, 

But no chance of redemption, why bestow this gloom? 

You who said your parents were the best, 

Have ensured they only stay atop grief's crest. 

Sorry, I am too angry to cry. 

Why? Why? Did you commit suicide? 

- 27 Feb 2015

- Self-Explanatory.

ADOPTED

It has been a bad day today in some ways. 

I got into an argument yet again. 

But this one hurt me deeply, 

Someone said an adoptee has no family.

A student I know is one such

Who has been denied so much

His parents love him a lot, he says

But their families even now walk away. 

A loving touch, a gentle word, a joyous smile, 

Is it so hard to be be kind to a child? 

Genes are touted so much by people,

But really the difference is so miniscule. 

Did you know for instance that human DNA differs by 0.1% or less

From another human, origin regardless? 

That mtDNA inherited from the mother is the same composition

For all that belong to a wide continent region? 

Yet we distinguish, we need to know

The origin of child to place him high or low

In our rankings of love and respect

Based on prejudice, and some fear, I suspect. 

Do we not have in each of our familes,

Some killer, some thief, some secret we would like to keep? 

Yet what we protest is a member of another creed or community

And worse a person, an infant, with no known identity! 

Does it make sense when we know less of death and life hereafter

To embrace it so, but to shun a child because it knows not its gene provider?

I grew up on stories of the rearing of Krishna and Moghli, 

And I would rather be with a wolf than such specimens of 'humanity'. 

- Written on 23 Feb 2015

- Self-explanatory. Plus a similar argument with someone else on the possibility of TOTAL acceptance of adoptees by ALL. 

- The conversation took place after I showed a documentary in class 'The Human Spark: Episode 02'. The kid wanted to ahow this to his "family", more so his parents would not be reviled any more than for himself. I think he is more evolved than that extended FAMILY of his, but whatever. 

- Today has just been that kind of day. :( 

- I hope tomorrow brings a brighter thought being adopted. 

Happy Kiss Day

May each day be a kiss day :)

Kisses smacking of joys,

Kisses shared by the eyes,

Love filled kisses, 

Comforting kisses, 

Flying kisses, 

Gesture kisses, 

French kisses, 

Tickling kisses,

Air kisses, 

Blown kisses,

So many types, so many ways, 

So light a touch that was placed, 

So deep a connection that caress for years stays, 

So joyous a celebration

That it begs repetition,

So varied and so much emotion

In this universal form of expression.

A mother's cracked loving lips, 

A father's bearded scratchy lips

A child's drool filled lips, 

A friend's laughter spilling lips, 

A lover's romantic lips, 

And on and on goes the list. 

I wish you kisses galore

May love ever replenish its store. 

Happy Kiss Day! 💋💋💋💋

- Written on 13 Feb 2015

- Self-explanatory :) Happy Kiss Day everybody. 

Class in the Open

The electricity plays havoc, 

My students' presentations cut short, 

Too dark in the classroom with only AC,

We proceed to the open Amphi,

An hour and more of holding forth,

With no PPT, or chalk or board,

With just games and discussions, 

And role enactments, 

A fun 2 hour session, 

Going back to class seemed torture even, 

But another 3 hours of lectures done, 

I even learnt a lesson, 

What seemed initially a mess, 

Is now what makes my day seem a success.

- Written on 24 January 2015.

- 

Sometimes words

Sometimes the words come out

Wrong and what is intended 

Is not what is spout. 

Sometimes the words you spoke

Hurt those whom you

Love the most.

Sometimes you know the tears might stay

For some inner fears, doubts, 

They then betray. 

Sometimes these words cannot be back taken

Howmuchever you 

Wish them unheard, unspoken. 

Sometimes then all you can wish for

Is what you have always relied on

Through Life's furore.

Sometimes then the mercy of friends

Makes you feel relieved, 

Small yet big, and shaken.

Sometimes words hurt in the aftermath

The 'sayer' as much as the one

They consigned to a bloodbath. 

Sometimes words spoken 

Test bonds of love, hopefully strengthen, 

And teach a valuable lesson. 

Sometimes words make you dig deeply

For courage to apologise abjectly

For love to accept the 'I am sorry'.

Sometimes words show you

How unthinking you are in taking for granted

The love of those closest to you.

- Written on 23 January 2015. 

- I spoke without thinking what was to be a joke, the words though hurt my closest friend. 

- Made me anew realise, 

How often I speak before I analyse. 

Not an excuse that I meant not the joke,

Never a good reason to another's hurt poke. 

But I have good friends who forgive easily,

With such friends I am blessed indeed. 

Conflicting Missions, 1 Victim

[18:28, 10/01/2015] Anusha Ramanathan:

 Mommy Tip no. 192837465: 

-Call daughter rushing out with slight urgency. 

-Dishevel said daughter's hair (even more) 

-Say nothing as she looks aghast.

-Daughter remembers umpteen other times of being told to check hair before leaving.

-Daughter whips out comb on her way down stairs. 

-Mission Mommy 192837465 accomplished. 😂

[18:37, 10/01/2015] Anusha Ramanathan:

 Mission Auto 459:

-Have a really low side fringe for roof top cover so Daughter with newly combed hair has to duck really low to protect said hair. 

-Then have really low roof, double rexined with foam cushion on the top cover??, to further mash said combed hair. 

-Then whip through lanes as breeze blows to further restyle combed hair, with jerks and halts galore to give not just hair, but the spine a new fashion style. 

- Charge more than a parlour for new hairstyle that sort of represents the mommy mission 192837465 stage 2.

- Written on 10 January 2015.

- Whatsapp conversation pasted herein. 

2014 for me

The year is past, 

As usual, a mixed lot. 

Some achievements (like I got published) 

But so much more on my 'To Do' list.

I learnt anew to fear mortality. 

But also renewed ties with family. 

Every smile of mine had my determination's measure,

Each moment of laughter - a cherished treasure. 

My dreams I, again, deferred, 

But my compromises I have preferred. 

I feel so much more tired this year,

But I am still in my fighting gear. 

I feel I have lost all my spark,

But even then life's not all that hard. 

My blessings: Family, friends, and colleagues

Hey! Not bad, this reality. 

- Written on 31 December 2014

- Self-explanatory

Happy New Year! 2015!

2014, Good or Bad, scripted a new History.

The Saffron Regime was hailed from Kashmir to Kanyakumari!

The emphatic victory of the strategist Modi, 

The utter ruin of a political dynasty. 

Greetings across nations from an unusual coterie, 

A Hebrew leader learns Hindi!! 

Proposers become opposers, opposers proposers,

Look no further than the GST and like blunder-wonders. 

Education is myth, 

Just look to Sanskrit. 

Aviation is history, 

Just look to our Ancient Technology.

"The more things change, the more they remain the same",

Is this going to be India's shame? 

New regimes: the order of the day, 

Another daring captain gives way

With a similar abruptness that has marked his course

To new aggression, a new force.

Resilient, defiant, nothing extra-ordinary, 

PK: an argument against "Ghar Vaapsi".

More Internet spoofs than ever

Celebrities, politicians - all torn asunder. 

Respect will be earned, not commanded, 

The young and old have together banded.

Just as Malala and Kailash won the Nobel Peace Prize

The famous and the nameless have all tried to end strife.

Behold, our country got new equipment for our Army and Navy.

While terrorists and calamities struck, we proved our humanity.

Though Health weighed less than Wealth this year, 

Sports, Science and MOM did make us cheer.

We were many times behind, we were at times ahead,

Yet there is HOPE overriding the dread. 

In 2015, may this hope materialise,

May 'a better tomorrow' this year arise.

Strength in body, strength of mind, 

A kind spirit that will all people bind.

Prosperity shared, Wealth multiplied,

Health enjoyed, Ignorance destroyed. 

Dreams achieved, Success rejoiced,

Environment conserved, Peace realised.

2015, this is what I visualise,
I wish, I pray, may this actualise.

- Written on 31 December 2014

- Self-explanatory
- For future reference:
Modi tweeted in Hebrew Hanukkah greetings and got a reply from the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Hindi!
Smriti Irani of the HRD Ministry makes Sanskrit compulsory in CBSE schools as the 3rd language. And the 102nd Indian Science Congress had topics on Ancient Indian aviation (from  Mythology) as one of its key papers along with new technology. 660+ scientists on a signature campaign against such regressions in the name of cultural preservation.
We also got INS Vikramaditya, the biggest and heaviest ship of the Indian Navy. $13 Billion sanctioned for new equipment for the Defence that includes Israeli Spike MR missiles for the army and 6 new submarines.
MS Dhoni abruptly announced his retirement from Tests. And Pankaj Advani (Billiards), Mary Kom (Wrestling) and Sania Mirza (Tennis) did India proud as did ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) - the least expensive Mars mission and the made India the FIRST nation, among 4 so far, to land on Mars on the first attempt. 

Being Ill

Somedays it gets so difficult to take even one more step,

The more the work the piles on as the more you fret. 

You want to just pull the blanket over your head

And escape this world and its demands; pretend that you're dead. 

You want to curse yourself for giving up, 

Is this how one behaves as a grown up?

You sigh! You trudge up another step,

You hope that at least what you deserve you now get.

You wonder why today is when you want to cry,

Why nothing seems possible how muchever you try.

And then your mother asks "Are you ill?"

And your thermometer shows 102°and is climbing still...

- Written on 9 Dec 2014

- Self-Explanatory.

The Dropouts

Have you ever seen the angst he hides
As into his wrist a blade he slides?
The girl on that 7th floor sill,
Crying, "No more, no more", in a voice shrill,
Have you seen the tears
That even then to shed she fears?

What systems we breed
That make kids bleed?
What is this greed
That only marks can feed?
What is this creed
That blots out any other need?

No fun and games.
No leisurely days.
No patience for mistakes.
Are these really childhood days?

School, tuitions, classes even
Oh! So very carefully chosen,
Each adding to the 'value' of a person,
That will aid to secure some deemed admission.

Then a good job, then a better pay,
Then a better lifestyle, then a place to stay,
Then a family to make, then kids to entertain,
Then all these to maintain.
When, who will stop this train?
When will from blindly following 'success' we refrain?

Dropouts! I salute you for taking a stand
For your attempt to follow your heart, not the lay of the land,
For inspiring a few more to follow your lead,
For spreading the syndrome of a 'bad seed'.
'Be happy' - your sucess mantra,
Thank you for showing the blade boy and the sill girl a new vista!

Bravo!

- Written on 7 December 2014
- Irritated by multiple conversations in the past week about tuitions, marks, resume profiles. Even NGO work is done for an SOP, not society!!!
- And yes, dedicated to Karthik too.
- BTW, so many students approach so many a time (at least it seems that way to - frustrated with my helplessness - me). How does one help them, how does one counsel thwir families, for they often are the ones in need of a reality check, how does one change the system - one admires, promotes the intrepid daredevils.

Salaam!

Commute: An Education

Travel: a bane they say.
I agree. Sometimes, it is a pain.
But spare a thought to all that we gain,
As to a destination we make our way.

An aunty next to me is counselling
The new bride on MIL tackling.
A 70 year old is us informing,
How her will leaves her offspring nothing.

She goes on to grouse,
That she gave them education, food and house,
They expecting more is just unfair,
When so many orphans are in despair.

Where to find new bags, shoes, clothes,
Deals to skip and what to NOW foreclose.
Candies for a crying child magically appear,
Just as the 5th one on a 3 seater adjusts her rear.

Even as the stench of sweat stultifies
The train picks up speed and a breeze revives.
Tolerance, camaraderie, confidence, passion,
Aggression, isolation. Commute: an education.

- Written on 4 December 2014.
- While commuting in the train I received yet another Whatsapp message from a cousin commisserating about the amount of travel we Mumbaikars have to do. While I crib too, something in me also wanted to defend our way of living: travelling.
I had more lines, but my station was coming up and had to alight. Now, dunno. :) 

Happy Diwali 2014

I wish you crackers:
In Diwali Sale deals, not pollution makers.
I wish you sparklers:
Your loved ones' laughter.

I wish you sweets, aplenty:
Of life's moments, not obesity and disease.
I wish you savour:
The gift of life, the gift of love, not just food with spice and flavour.

I wish you light soft as a breeze
That gives even as it receives:
Solar, Wind, Clean Energy,
Not conventional that does actually deceive and fleece.

I wish you new
A mentality, a promise, a practice to recycle, to replenish, to renew.
I wish you wealth and success
That cherishes life and nature, not excess.

I wish you prosperity
Not built on the defeat of humanity.
I wish you bright
A future that only spreads delight.

I wish you knowledge and wisdom
That works and prays for, not preys on, others' freedom.
I wish you joy
That if waves of sadness crash will be your and others' buoy.

I wish you most love and peace
That grow and bloom the more you share these.

Happy Diwali 2014!

Cheers,
Anusha

- Written on 22 October 2014
- Self-Explanatory

Hold me

Hold me in your arms, comfort me,
Take me away from this madding crowd, console me.
Nothing angers me, nothing excites, I am bogged in worry,
I want to leave everything behind right now, please hurry.

The pain, the breathlessness, I can't take anymore,
Those who can I admire evermore.
Getting up is so ennervating, I would just like to sleep,
Death, can't you me to you keep?

- Written on 9 June 2014
- Am so tired. 

To Aju

No matter what you do,
Someone will be annoyed with you,
So to only yourself stay true.

No matter what you desire,
People will rouse your ire,
So console yourself that this is but a gyre.

But no matter what, no matter why,
There will be some who will never you decry,
Focus, take strength from these and your limit is the sky.

- Written on 8 June 2014
- First day of Aju papa's work tomorrow. My baby cousin is a bona fide professional now!

Amith, Happy Birthday

This day commemorates
The herald of Amith the great
The one who walks ahead and then for you waits.

The one who from college days has a bit changed
The one who can't eat anything spicy
The one who now knows what it is to be moderate.

The one who is still sensitive, but has learned to hide,
The one who inundated us with mails, but now no longer writes
The one who got into scraps, but now abides.

Happy Birthday Amith!
You have grown, certainly. But please let's just grow up not grow apart.

 keep in touch dude. While I am grateful for the absence of those fwds, I do miss your salvos. Write more Birthday boy.

- Written on 8 November 2013

The Moon Cherishes

The moon a silent guardian
Faithfully accompanies me
On this lonely journey
Towards the solace of home.

Yellow, yellow, night lord of light,
Outshing stars invisible in smog,
Peeping, assuring. I am all agog
As through buildings it charts its flight.

As I look up, I feel heaven's blessirng,
A breeze blows, gently caressing.
No worries now, it admonishes.
Bathing me in peace, it cherishes.

- Written on 27 March 2013
- on the way home from work obviously. The yellow fullish moon kept winking at me.

Mythology - Woman Power Unlimited

Be like Sita
Follow your heart
Be like Draupadi
Challenge authority
Be like Kunti
Imbibe her power and dignity
Be like Gandhari
Invert duty
Be like Satyavati
Change the fate of a dynasty
Be like Yashoda
Love selflessly, endlessly
Be like Ganga
Do your duty ruthlessly
Be Kausalya, be Kaikeyi,
Be Tara, be Mandodari,
Be Radha, be Rukmini,
Whatever you desire, choose to be,
But above all Woman, be happy.

- Written on 9 March 2014

Adi-Adu

Aditya, the Explorer
May all that you seek be within your reach
May all that you find bring you joy
Dream, Discover, Prosper
Be ever blessed with love and laughter.

Advait, the Socializer
May you befriend the Universe
So that it be the Cosmos' happiness
To grant you all that you desire.
May from sharing your gleeful smile you never tire

- Written on 2 December 2012