माँ मैं जीना चाहती हूँ...

       

" माँ मैं जीना चाहती हूँ "... यह शब्द, आज भी रातों में गूंजते हैं मेरे कानों में ...

दामिनी ...नहीं, "निर्भया" नाम था उसका . २३ साल की एक अनजान लड़की जिसका मुझसे कोई रिश्ता नहीं था. जिसको मैं जानता तक नहीं था. मगर अब उससे पूरा देश जानता है. अपने नाम के अनुरूप ही लड़ने वाली लड़की निकली वो. उसके साथ जो हुआ उसको तो सोचते हुए भी रूह कांपती है. १३ दिन तक मौत से लड़ती रही वो बहादुर और लड़ता रहा देश का हर इंसान उसके लिए . शांति मार्च निकला , पुलिस वालों से जमकर लड़ाई भी हुई , उसके लिए लोग रात रात भर सड़कों पर खड़े होकर उसके ठीक होने की दुआ भी करते रहे. रेडियो पर आंसुओं से रोती उस लड़की की आवाज़ मुझे अच्छी तरह से याद है जो उसके दर्द को सोचते हुए बुरी तरह बिखर सी गयी थी. भावनाओं का बाँध भीगी पलकों का भार नहीं सह पाया और बस रो पड़ी वो लड़की.. कलप कलप कर रोई थी वो . 30 सेकंड तक उसके रोने की आवाज़ आती रही रेडियो पर. इस देश में लोग अपनों के लिए कुछ नहीं करते वहाँ एक अनजान लड़की के लिए इतना कुछ. क्या दिल्ली , कोलकाता, लखनऊ , बैंगलोर, पंजाब.... सब जगह एक ही नज़ारा....सड़कों पर गुस्सा और प्रार्थना उस लड़की के लिए जो कुछ ही समय में एक बेहतरीन डॉक्टर बनती..

वो कहते हैं न कि कभी कभी ज़िन्दगी में ऐसा इंसान आता है जो आपकी ज़िन्दगी को पलट कर रख देता है...ऐसी थी निर्भया...औरों का तो पता नहीं मगर मेरी ज़िन्दगी में तो एक तूफ़ान ला गयी वो, और शायद मेरे दोस्त संतोष की ज़िन्दगी में भी. इन 13 दिनों में क्या कुछ नहीं किया होगा हमनें, एक एक पल की खबर रखते थे उसकी सेहत की, ठीक होने की खबर मिलती थी तो ख़ुशी मिलती थी हमें, बधाईयाँ देते थे एक दूसरे को , खराब होने की अफवाह से ही दिल बैठ जाया करता था हम दोनों का, डॉक्टर्स नहीं हैं हम दोनों ,  मगर पूरी दुनिया से जानकारी इकठ्ठा कर रखी थी की उसके ठीक होने के लिए कौन कौन से ऑपरेशन किये जा सकते हैं.. मिलेजुले भाव थे हमारे...उन दरिंदो के लिए बेइन्तेहा गुस्सा और उसके लिए बस दिल में एक उम्मीद. 13 दिन हमारी सांसें जैसे रुक सी गयी थी. सब परेशान थे. मुझे याद है की हर सुबह उठते ही सबसे पहले उसकी सेहत की खबर भेजते थे एक दूसरे को. दिन भर यह ही हिसाब चलता था हम दोनों का. रात में सोने से पहले उससे याद करके ही नींद आती थी शायद. 

एक दिन संतोष का सुबह 7 बजे ही मेसेज आया की वो कैसी है बता... सुबह 9 बजे उठने वाला बन्दा इतनी जल्दी यह सवाल करे तो अजीब सा लगा. वजह पूछने पर उसने कहा की सपने में उसकी चीखें सुनी तो नींद टूट गयी और जाग गया. आँख खुलते ही उसका ख़याल आया. इतनी बुरी तरह छाई थी निर्भया हम दोनों के ज़हन में. वो जीना चाहती थी और उससे ज्यादा हम चाहते थे की वो जिये. पहले से ज्यादा , दिल खोल कर ......मगर..... यह हो न सका.  उसके जैसी हिम्मत वाली लड़की न मैंने कभी देखी है और शायद न ही कभी आगे भी देखूँगा . आज वो नहीं है... पता नहीं क्या रिश्ता था मेरा उसका कि ऐसा लग रहा है जैसे मैंने अपने किसी को खो दिया है. मेरी आत्मा चुप है, दिल रो रहा है और दिमाग कुछ भी कहने से इनकार कर रहा है. 

शायद यह तीनो कुछ न कहें मगर कुछ कुछ पल बाद भीग जाने वाली मेरे पलकें कुछ न कहते हुए भी बहुत कुछ कह जा रही हैं. तुमने ज़िन्दगी का डट कर सामना दिया, हौसला रखा और एक ऐसी दुनिया में चली गयी जहां भगवान भी तुम्हें हमेशा अपनी गोद में बिठा कर रखेंगे. तुम जीना चाहती थी मगर हम तुम्हारी यह इच्छा पूरी नहीं कर सके. गुनाहगार हैं हम तुम्हारे... अपना तो माफ़ी माँगने तक का हक नहीं बनता तुमसे. अपने घर वालों का घर छोड़ कर गयीं मगर पूरे भारत में हर एक इंसान के दिल में अपने लिए जगह बना गयी. मैं सर ऊँचा करके सलाम करता हूँ तुम्हारे घर वालों को जिन्होंने तुम्हें इतनी अच्छी शिक्षा दी और इस काबिल बनाया. तुम्हारे  परिवार के शब्द तुम्हारे जाने के बाद , " हमें उम्मीद है की हमारी बेटी के जाने के बाद चीज़ें इस देश में महिलाओं के लिए और बेहतर हो जायेंगी ".  क्या कहूं अब मैं निर्भया , और क्या कहूं अब मैं ?? 

बस इतना ही की जिस जगह तुम अब गयी हो , लोग उससे जन्नत कहते हैं....हमेशा खुश रहना वहाँ.... अलविदा निर्भया.... अलविदा... आप तहे दिल से बहुत याद आओगे....बहुत ज्यादा याद..

That unknown girl..a stranger but feels like someone close

Its very rare that i write something for somebody else, a total stranger. In this case , an unknown 23 year old girl whom i have never met before or heard. Unknowingly , more than her life , she has touched mine and countless others. We are aghast by what has happened, with her. The details and events are so much gory and inhuman , that the mind shudders at the mere thought of it.

Logic has taken a backseat and the heart says just one thing- death for the wolves and nothing else. What you did girl was exemplory courage and i salute your fighting spirit. My emotions and heart go into a whirlwind whenever i think of you. For you and your good health, here are a few lines which i wrote-

अजनबी हूँ तेरे लिए , फिर भी पता नहीं क्यों तेरा दर्द अपना लगता है 

रिश्ता कुछ नहीं तेरा मेरा , फिर भी कुछ अपना सा लगता है 

दर्द तुझे होता है तो एक आह सी निकल जाती है

तेरी सलामती के लिए हाथ खुद -ब -खुद हर मंदिर , मस्जिद , गुरूद्वारे की तरफ उठ जाते हैं

आँखों की नमी भी दिल का दर्द बयान नहीं कर पाती है

ज़िन्दगी भी रोज़ हमें धिक्कारती सी चली जाती है

तुझे हुई तकलीफ का तो एहसास भी नहीं है मुझे

ऊपर वाले से यह ही पूछ सकता हूँ की क्या शिकायत है मासूम लड़कियों से तुझे ?

माना की घाव बहुत गहरे हैं तुम्हारे , मगर हिम्मत मत हारना ऐ दोस्त 

ज़िन्दगी की जंग जीत कर आना , बहुत सारे दिल इस वक़्त तुम्हारी धडकनों को सुन रहे हैं

एक नया सवेरा होगा , इस एक उम्मीद की राह देख रहे हैं

बस ठीक हो जाओ तुम, हाथ जोड़ कर यह ` अजनबी ` बस उस पल की राह देख रहा है बस लौट आओ तुम सही सलामत , बस लौट आओ ऐ दोस्त .... 

I salute you and wish that you recover well and be with us, between us, all hail and hearty. We`ll make sure that the demons get a punishment which would make even the wildest animals scared. Take care stranger, take care.

Can girls really love ??

Can girls really love?  That’s one question which haunts and ponders all. Romantic movies and books are ok but the reality is quite different. Rarely would you find girls choosing love over money when it comes to settling down with someone. Its not about loving someone, its about marrying your love inspite of his financial standing. Majority of cases the mantra remains- love the one of your choice, marry the richest of the boys. The love shuv goes out of the window. It’s a total ball game now compared to the earlier times when love was sacred. Yep , the word is correct – GAME , this is what love has come down to now with both being players. But when it comes to serious things like love and marriage, why do girls back off??

Why do they think about money then? Ok, financial security is must but at the cost of feelings you harboured for someone? These are not hypothetical situations…these are true incidents I witnessed personally. A friend of mine earns a handsome amount and so does his girlfriend but for the girl`s family members- it just wasn’t  enough for a nod.  Kudos to the girl who kept her stand and her firm decision. After that storm, I hear that now both families have agreed. But that is just one silver lining among dozens of dark endings. One was in love with a boy and she said that she`ll be with him for long. After sometime she called me up to say that she was getting engaged to a boy her family had chosen and she has  agreed. The boy was a wealthy businessman, her relatives had chosen. She left her love because “ he has tons of money” and the love? “ money is more important yaar”, she said to me.

That day it just got me thinking that what is more important for girls? Settling down with love or money? I understand the pain of the boys when they cant get the girl they love just because the money factor comes in between and they loose the race of love to the match of wealthy fiances. In my master`s days, I had seen about 8-10 of my batchmates as couples in college. Now years down the line, I remember only 3-4 of them who entered wedlock with the same person whom they loved…the rest?? They became history. Rather than going for love, the girls married the more financially secured guys(whatever be the reasons). Then where the hell did the love go? Only to vanish in the aisles of tough times. Compromise is a word which they used and chose a different life.. what did they leave behind for the guy? – shattered dreams , his feelings, his ability to trust people. The girls just couldn’t stand up to their original decision of protecting their love…and this happens all around.

Is love all about experiencing only in the courtship days when the whole world seems secured? Why not carry out till the destination of being together as partners? Money cant buy love. A girl might get a wealthy husband but its not sure that he would be loving as well…a loving partner might not be as wealthy but he can be the most affectionate person in the world a girl can get. It’s a choice between feelings and finances….a tough one I must say… years down the line and through that memory lane I don’t know whether the girls would be happy with the money they have or would they trade in all that for love after years.. love seems a tough choice….

A boy loved a girl. Over the course of the years , he told her that he loved her very much and would like to spend his future with her. External circumstances didn’t go in his favour and he could not make the start he would have liked professionally. Even though the girl had feelings for him, she chose to go with her family`s decision of choosing the boy for her even though she knew that the feelings, emotions of the boy are way much more strong alongwith the passion he has for her care that no amount of money can equal that. She was given a choice…she chose the family… obviously for practical reasons they saw the financial standing of the boy … the guy who loved lost. She couldn’t stand up to love… Last heard, the boy decided he wont love anyone now… He cant quantify his love in money. He loved her and lost her to money inspite of his trying his hardest.

   

This money vs love debate will never end as love would be chosen very less when the future ahead is full of trying times. Money majorly wins as it’s the solution to most of the problems…or is it? A materialist thing against one of the most purest  feeling in the world… girls cant make the choice and cant take love…  that’s a fact in today`s world… there are exceptions to this rule…but very few….

Some hard realities speak for themselves when there is a topic of marrying your love  despite his financial standing vs getting hitched to a more prosperous boy chosen by the family… girls cant love….thats for sure... any different cases?? I don’t know because it rarely happens.. very rarely..

*all incidents narrated here are true…

5 Things a man will never ever tell his girl.....

There are somethings that a man will never tell you. But these things might help you understand your partner better and improve your relationship. These are things which need not be spoken or reminded but just understood.

* We want you to like our friends, but not love them: A man would want his girlfriend to get along with his friends, but he may not like you hanging out with them all the time. Don't make statements showing your love for his friends. Afterall, you are his girl and guys are bound to get protective and possessive...everytime..

* We don't like it when you go gaga over anyone else: Be it Brad Pitt or Salman Khan, we don't like it when you drool over their bulging biceps or six-pack abs. Don't be surprised if we start praising our celeb sweethearts out of the blue. Teasing is fine upto a limit, but comparing?...definitely no ... No no.....

* We worry that you will find someone better: It's not just women who worry about losing their guy to some hotter chick, even men suffer from the same pangs of insecurity. Just that they are better at hiding it than most women. If your guy is one of the jovial types but you have been seeing him a bit serious, trust me majority of times he`s worried about you....about loosing you to someone better....Guys dont admit but they are scared about these things.They can let go of material things, but not love.

* We don't cuddle hoping for sex: It's not just women who like to just hold hands or relax in her partners' arm. A guy will never admit to this but he loves cuddling too. It doesn't mean that he doesn't have naughty things on his mind, but there are some exceptions. Even he is romantic and loves those moments of relaxation where he just holds you in his arms. 

* Don't expect us to tell you what we do on a boys' night out: Whether it's girls, sports, cars or bikes, don't expect a guy to reveal any of the things that he has discussed with his buddies. It's probably better that way!!

Heroes: Soldiers, a radio station , and a Thank You !!

Radio city at Kargill

Surprises come in various forms and sizes and especially when you are least expecting them to happen….Out of the blue as they are called…it all started with a initiative on a occasion, transformed into a phone call and ended which left smiles and tears on many faces and thoughts in the hearts.

On this independence day, Radio city started a initiative – to go and personally thank the soldiers posted at the border. The whole city ( Delhi and neighbouring areas) was asked to send in their wishes to the real men out there- the form of gratitude and thanks were various and fully upto the people. The promos were different – it looked like they really meant it. Rather  than chatting one line on air that day of “ Happy independence Day” in their ac studio, the difference was when their RJ Aadi went in person to Kargill to meet and honour the men in Olive green at rugged terrain, freezing temperatures, biting cold, inhospitable conditions… the gesture that would put those people in touch with the common people out here during peacetime, their families, their wishes, their feelings…  Regularly seeing TV crews up on those heights on these occasions must have been common for the soldiers – reviewing the situation on those borders , but getting a radio station crew up there with so many presents from the same unknown people whose lives they protect everyday must have been a pleasant surprise.

RJ Aadi with Brig. Shammi Raj

It was just by chance that I got a hold of all this- resting while ill. My very first instance on hearing the promo was- Are they really doing this?? The next thought was to check all this online and the results really showed up the pics at facebook…The various presents , gifts, gratitude told me that this independence day was going to be different….for a lot of people…right from hand made cards from 5 year old children to people from the various walks of life told me that it was just phenomenal. I knew that I had missed out the opportunity to contribute something- but destiny had other plans. In my free time, while listening to the radio I used to catch up on the updates – all the people at RC delhi used to be  enthusiastic and happy about this whole thing, it was all evident in their voices. My chance came when the team was supposed to return to delhi. It was a small gesture on my part. Just the heart wanted to say thank you…to the soldiers, to the RCD team. It was probably to everyone who was involved with the conception of the idea to the final execution. With trembling hands, a chocked throat due to weather change and a slight temperature,the mind said to back off and let it be but the heart just pushed me to go. I had no words written, no script, nothing, not knew what I would say on a live  programme  on radio. Had never called up a radio station. All I had decided was to call up the RJ – Khurki ( the person left behind and anchoring the show in absence of Aadi) and just talk. The timing was just right- call connected when 4 songs played back to back , giving me around 20 minutes of estimated talktime.

The call was surely picked up by a lady and on my inquiring about Khurki, she must have thought that I must have been just another person trying to get a conversation or having a song dedication. Must would not have thought what I had in mind. When she asked me, “ Are you going to give the traffic update?”, my reply came instantaneously… “ No. not for that…I have actually called up to say thank you to each and every member of RC team for their initiative in Kargill….”. God knows what happened and in around 45 secs she politely asked me to be on hold so that she could transfer the call to the man whom I wanted to talk to. In less than half a minute I was talking to Khurki. Debriefed or not , after the customary greetings and hi hello he asked me what I wanted to say. I knew this was my chance and I just started saying what I meant to say. Something might have got him thinking because the talk with him went non stop for some 5-6 minutes.. I just bared my thoughts out. About the whole initiative, what I thought , what I felt, how much difference this will do… I knew my throat was giving up on me and I would have to stop soon but thought to give it all I had, like a sprinter running the last few mtrs. of the race. With just 7 mins. of a call, I knew I had accomplished my objective. It felt good…real good. But things changed.

Just 10 minutes afterwards, the whole call was replayed on the radio and now I was clueless.. Things changed a lot the next day… I heard this last promo….featuring my voice.  In just one night they took my call as a feedback and made a promo of around 70 seconds- totally unexpected. During the whole day I heard myself on the radio so many times that I lost count. The whole experience was overwhelming. Right from the thought, the call, the end result everything. They acted as a bridge between the people and the soldiers, the persons who bring the soldiers closer to their families and their loved ones, a medium by which we could know and feel their hardships everyday, to look and think that they are deprived of the basic luxuries we enjoy, to tell them that they are forever remembered…we are just devoid of a medium to reach out to them.

It might have been just 70 secs of my fame but what mattered most to me were those 7 mins I talked to the RC delhi team… I have forgotten what I said then, there might be no more record of my talk that day but I am sure my gratitude and thoughts must have been somewhat etched in the minds of the people whom I talked to . My this post, this experience is truly dedicated to Radio city Delhi, without  whom this not have been possible…ever…

I combined all the promos to remind that this was truly something unique. You guys gave me a chance to share my thoughts and maybe somebody must have agreed to what I said... Your concept team deserves a special pat on the back for coming up with such a brilliant idea. Thank you guys…. 

The Radio clip for all of you to hear.....

This next clip will give you an idea how soldiers control what they feel, how do they control their emotions, what it takes to set aside your personal loss and do your duty....it takes exemplary courage..they are not ordinary people, they are heroes, angels who have no parallel.. 

Get a small insight into their world.

Want to hear what happened that day?? Go here.. 

मुझे याद हैं वो ......

मुझे याद हैं वो रास्ते जो लेट जाते थे ज़मीन पर जब हम चला करते थे..

मुझे याद हैं वो पेड़ जो अपनी छावों फैलाते थे जब उनकी गोद में हम सोया करते थे ..

मुझे याद है वो पत्थर जिनकी ख़ामोशी ने हमारा हर एक राज़ जाना है, कभी अपनी जुबां नहीं खोली..

मुझे याद हैं वो समंदर जिसकी लहरों ने ख़ुशी ख़ुशी हमारे आँसूं अपना लिए जब हम रोये थे ..

मुझे याद हैं वो फूल जो मेरे कहने पर अपनी खूबसूरती तुम्हें दे गये ..

मुझे याद हैं वो बादल जिनकी बारिश में हमारे सारे बुरे दिन बह गये ..

मुझे याद है वो हवा जो मेरा पैगाम तुम तक पहुंचाया करती थी ..

अब तुम नहीं हो तो रास्ते , पेड़ , पत्थर , समंदर , फूल , बादल और हवा भी अजनबी से लगते हैं ..

Delhi dairies: Those 70 minutes of pure hockey

“ Bharat maata ki jai, jo bole so nihal”…………these are not war cries on the battlefield, but these were the shouts and prayers of 15000 people on a different battlefield altogether- the Astroturf….The war was all about a berth in the London Olympics, it was the chance for the national sport to redeem its past glory and the only chance, it was the final of the qualifiers.

Its always said that you give it your best when it’s a life or death situation..27 th feb, 2012 was one such day when I knew I needed to back up the 11 soldiers on the battlefield… Apart from F 1 , I don’t think I have ever kept my eyes and mind glued to the schedule of any tournament..when the pride and honour of hockey was at stake, could I be behind? Naah…..

I knew very well that the night before on the 26th I was attending a party by my seniors, being late I had to stop at a friends house and then in the morning had to rush back home. I reached home early in the morning and in a few hours made the announcement that I would be watching the match from the stadium. Family members thought that I had gone mad…roaming on the roads too frequently now. But I had my own fears, knowing about the sudden craze of delhites during CWG 2010. In one minute you can be the only one in the stadium and in the next you could be one of the thousands in the arena. With the cricket team getting thrashed at that time, I knew hockey might be the perfect receipe for that perfect Sunday dinner. I set off from home around 4 in the evening with just a cup of tea in a hurry to catch the match start at 8. With the ticket to be bought, I knew I had to do a lot in very few time. Thanks to google, I knew the price of the ticket and the location of the entrance where tickets would be sold.

All through the metro route, I rang up each and every possible delhi wallah , asking about the area closest to the stadium where I could get down and save valuable time. I just did not wanted another F 1 happening with me where I could not enjoy everything from the start. When I got down at the metro station, I just did not had to ask much as the CISF team posted there had an fairly good idea where everyone headed that night- National stadium. Even before I could speak National, the man pointed the way. On the way I saw what normally is not associated with hockey- people boarding autos in hordes, carrying drums, face paints, tricolours in huge counts and the roars of Bharat maata ki jai even on the roads. The nearer I got to the stadium, the broader my smile but…my jaw dropped the moment I saw the rush at the stadium. I never expected so many people, my eyes could easily see around 4000 people at that moment on the roads. A cricket crazy nation going the Chak de India way….well that was a first for me…with the clock ticking by and only 40 minutes left until the start and tickets to be bought , I felt panic rise underneath. But somewhere I knew that if I really cared about this game, I would really get what I wanted tonight. Easily forgetting my way in the crowd of people, I scanned the ticket counter and there I saw a huge rush with people claiming “sold out”… As with my fate and luck of buying tickets , I knew until I hear the sold out from the counter man himself, I wont bulge an inch. As fate would have it, I noticed a small line of around 5-6 people which until then had been unnoticed by others. Quite a few people had to bail out from the line ( they had 100/- bucks short with tickets being priced at 400 instead of the regular 300 on other days), this was the final, the big day…..if india made it through , It would be the money well spent till the last penny, I thought. Buying the ticket took less than 30 seconds. When I got the ticket in my hand, I pumped the air as if I had won a date with the most gorgeous woman on earth..Scanning around the line to the entrance I saw people of all age groups there- 3 month old babies to 70 year old senior people, friends, families, teenager gals, just like everybody was there…

Now just 20 mins were left and I had to get a entry. I noticed 3-4 gals busy talking among themselves and they had not noticed that the line had moved forward. I made full use of the opportunity and stood in the gap, they hardly noticed…I saw a gate to my left which was locked…I wished it to be open. Hardly had a minute passed, I noticed few people break off from the line and rush to the gate- it was opening….i made a dash for it…it took me 10 mins to get into the stadium gate and I made a dash from the main gate to the stadium entrance like my life depended on that stretch I ran. While running in the corridor, I knew I was about to witness something special…when I saw the entrance to the seating places, I just stood there in the doorway for a few seconds. The environment was electric, the air was all chill, the adrenaline just kicked off automatically and u got transported in a different world altogether. The feeling which I witnessed that day , I cannot explain that in words, even the F 1 experience cant match it…everywhere I looked, I saw people dancing, tricolours being waved and prayers for a victory being said.

That feeling was phenomenal. I quickly took my seat behind the goalpost. The ceremony started a avalanche of celebrations with people cheering every minute. When the team introductions ended and the national anthems started, I don’t think I have ever witnessed such atmosphere. French anthem started and ended, a loud cheer for that…when the Indian anthem came, there was a complete transformation. People stood up, tricolours began waving and each and every soul in the stadium prayed in such a way which would put even school children to shame. In full attention, right hand to the heart , everyone sang like feeling every moment of those 52 seconds. The loudest cheer I heard when it ended and the Indian team was welcomed on the field with a huge cry of “ jo bole so nihal”….it was our way of starting the battle against the French. Believe me, hockey looks better live. Tv cant capture the emotions everytime the ball either lands up in the opposite half or is dangerously close to own goalpost. Nobody was seated for the entire duration of 70 minutes. After 6 minutes , the French defence was breached and india scored…after that there was no turning back. Although the French scored once and there were some brilliant saves by the Indian goalie, there were a lot of anxious moments. All aggressive moves were cheered, all saves celebrated. The whole stadium was behind the 11 on the field. The only respite came in halftime when the score read 3-1 and the people finally settled n the seats. The best 35 minutes came in the second half when the French goalpost came directly in front of me…I witnessed the best attack, penalty corner and scorching drag flicks in those 35 minutes. The board was sounded 5 more times in that time.

Although it eliminated the competition in the match but it provided the speed in a game which cant be matched by cricket. It was fast, it was furious. It was something I never witnessed before. In that chilly feb. night , I had a bad throat but that didn’t deter me from shouting throughout 70 minutes…the end result….i could only talk in sign language for the next 2 days. I left the stadium at around 10 in the night after the closing ceremony and a London Olympic berth. I didn’t realize that I reached home at 1.30 in the night, all hungry, the single cup of tea finished in all that shouting…unfourtunately my cousin had to listen to my match story so late in the night. That ticket is still in preserve mode with me. 

That match was the chak de match for me…it made me realize that given a chance, the people of the country support other games also with the same vigour as cricket…you need support? Give them a call and they`ll be right behind you….like I was that night..in a battle which was fought with a ball and the magic sticks…for those 2 hours the world of 15000 people was confined to the space between the goalposts and it meant people from all walks of life. I heard one telling his friend,” this game is so fast and good that i`ll watch each and every match in delhi now”. Fathers bringing their children along to show them the magic of stick and ball. Saw one father making his 1 year old boy sit on his shoulders and dancing his way to an indian victory... he cheered every beat of the drum , every sound of the ball hitting the post....it was a heart rendering sight.

Major Dhyanchand must be smiling from the heavens that day….it was the day when the country was behind the sport which was once ruled by his magic…Hockey…

Wo 70 minute…..

This is love.......

EVERY HUSBAND SHOULD READ THIS:

"♥Love her …when she sips on your coffee or tea. She only wants to make sure it tastes just right for you. 

♥Love her…when she "pushes" you to pray. She wants to be with you in Jannah (Paradise). 

♥Love her…when she asks you to play with the kids. She did not "make" them on her own...

♥Love her...when she is jealous. Out of all the men she can have, she chose you 

♥Love her…when she has annoying little habits that drives you nuts. You have them too.

♥Love her…when her cooking is bad. She tries.(But Yours is just awesome) 

♥Love her…when she looks disheveled in the morning. She always grooms herself up again. 

♥Love her…when she asks to help with the kids homework. She only wants you to be part of the home. 

♥Love her...when she asks if she looks fat. Your opinion counts, so tell her she's beautiful. 

♥Love her…when she looks beautiful. She's yours so appreciate her. 

♥Love her...when she spends hours to get ready. She only wants to look her best for you. 

♥Love her…when she buys you gifts you don't like. Smile and tell her it's what you've always wanted.

♥Love her…when she has developed a bad habit. You have many more and with wisdom and politeness you have all the time to help her change. Love her…when she cries for absolutely nothing. Don't ask, tell her its going to be okay 

♥Love her…when she suffers from PMS. Buy chocolate, rub her feet and back and just chat to her (trust me this works!) 

♥Love her…when whatever you do is not pleasing. It happens and will pass 

♥Love her…when she stains your clothes. You needed a new kurta anyway

♥Love her…when she tells you how to drive. She only wants you to be safe. 

♥Love her…when she argues. She only wants to make things right for both 

♥Love her…she is yours. You don't need any other special reason!!!! 

All this forms part of a Woman's Character. Women are part of your life and should be treated as the Queen. 

• Treat the women well

Kargill : Freedom at inhospitable terrain

Kargill , drass, batalik, kagsar – a decade ago these were just names in the Indian terrain of jammu and Kashmir and then things were never the same again. These names are now synonomous with sacrifice, honour, pride, respect earned by hard means and the supreme sacrifice of 531 brave men of the Indian army.

“ फ़ौज में कमीशन लेते वक़्त भी मैंने कसम खायी थी , इस मिट्टी की कसम भी खायी थी जिसमें खेल कर मेरा बचपन जवान हुआ है , उन 84 करोड़ भाई बहनों की भी कसम खायी थी जो मेरे साथ साथ बड़े हुए हैं और उस हिमालय की कसम भी खायी थी जो पिछले 5000 सालों से मेरे वतन की सरहदों की हिफाज़त कर रहा है ” – Sunny deol , border

What do you do when the same defenders are threatened? You answer the call against external aggression beyond your own capability. Kargill was one such “ war” which united the nation and maybe it made me what I am today – the person with a single belief “Nation first”. I remember very well that I was in class 10th when kargill happened. First of all it all seemed like the small firing which goes on between border outposts. Simply put I had no clue as to what was going on. These were just unpronounceable names to me then. Things and my world came crashing down when I first heard and read reports of soldiers returning home wrapped in tricolours. 

One thing which made my mind go into an overdrive- induction of the air force. These lethal flying machines, my biggest weakness , made me realize that something was seriously wrong. With helicopter gunships evading stinger hits, mig 21s being shot down, mirage 2000 striking ordanance at icy heights, rockets being fired in perfect harmony with the big daddy of all field guns- the 155 mm bofors shells. It was all getting messy at the most hostile of terrains. Live tv brought the images like never seen before and the first time in my life I felt my own existence threatened. It was my chemistry teacher who had asked the practical files to be covered with only newspapers. A move that I do not understand even today. 

And this image was what was there at the front of my file. 155 mm shells and rockets being fired at enemy positions at night. In my free time, whether be at the school or at home I used to just gaze at this picture and thoughts just used to flash by – whats happening to the soldiers?? will they ever return to their homes?? Will they be alive?? Will some of them be able to live their normal lives as before?? Why I am so helpless that I cant do anything for them?? Only god knows that how I spent those days and nights. When victory was achieved , I was the happiest of the lot but a firm resolve had grown in my mind – I am against every nation that’s against my country. Names aside but I don’t talk to the people from those countries even today, let alone try for friendship. Might seems to be a childish thought but that would remain with me till I live. I tried everything I could on my part – depositing all my savings into the defence fund, raising funds for the soldiers, you name it and I have done it all. Monetary part aside but I always wanted to tell the families of the martyrs one thing “ I am thankful to you and your son`s sacrifice as its because of him that I am able to breathe free air”.

I tried in vain contacting the families of the soldiers but really did not knew where to start. Then came a blessing in disguise 10 years after kargill. 

“ Mummy papa by the time you get this letter I would be observing you all from the sky enjoying the hospitality of the apsaras.” 

These famous lines are from the letter Capt. Vijyant Thapar wrote to his family before going on a mission. These remain etched in my mind all these years alongwith the famous lines during that war. In 2009 , on the occasion of the decade of kargill war, a hindi newspaper published the interview of the father of capt. Vijyant. This gave me a chance to reach out to him and I wrote a 12 line email to him ( the toughest 90 minutes of my life as my eyes would not dry up and I just kept on crying) telling him what such sacrifices meant to me. Not expecting any reply I was satisfied that I had reached out to the family of one such braveheart and let them know that supreme sacrifices do not go waste. But god had other plans, the next day I received a reply from the couple. I was overjoyed and that letter is “the most” treasured item I have in my life. My life is still going on the same mission – I wish to personally thank the families of each of the remaining 530 bravehearts.

Every night just a few lines go through my mind before sleeping . “ I am sleeping peacefully because somebody out there is waking up for me”. Its not just the infantry I am thankful to. Its every branch of the defence services to whom I cant reach out. The nation takes priority over everything for me. I guess that’s where my patriotism comes from – the gratitude towards some people. For the soldiers from me – “if you feel somewhere that you are alone and you need support, look behind and i`ll be standing behind your back”.

There are some unspoken emotions and feelings which I cant express in words. I can simply get up, salute them with utmost respect and just say , “JAI HIND”.

Jaipur diaries: The republic day which created history

"Jaanta to hamesha tha magar pata nahin kyun maine pehle kabhi is tarah socha nahin tha ki main hindustaani hoon. I am an Indian.” – Hrithik roshan , Lakshya.

This feeling dawns on you on only 2 occassions – either you don the olive green uniform ( white or sky blue as the case may be) or be within the vicinity of the tricolour. Raise your head, see the flag fluttering and you realise the power and magic of this piece of cloth coloured in saffron, white, navy blue and green. Numerous bravehearts have given their lives to safeguard the honour of this flag.

People say that sometimes somethings just start from somewhere and things just happen. My hostel 4/107 was famous for being just different. We had 8 people with 8 different personalities living under one roof. Our unanimous decisions were final. They never changed. I still remember vividly that it was a Sunday on the 25th of January 2009. Ajay(singh), Prashant(lal), Me (Shwetabh) and Charan (Ratish) were sitting in my room. In between some talks, ajay came up with a line, “Kal jhandaa fehraate hain hostel mein”. All of us looked at each other and although neither of us spoke anything, our eyes conveyed that one word which our heart was speaking loudly- YES…. Deep down inside I thanked Bobby Jindal for making the dream possible for every Indian to hoist the flag. Just to let everyone know what we were planning , ajay went to Bengali (Ritwik) , yogesh and Taufeez bhai to let them know that it was going to be done.

I was damn pleased to be a part of history and do something which never had been done in the history of the hostels of IRM. We would be the Trendsetters, something which no one had thought before and done. The excitement or patriotism as I should put as the most appropriate word was sky high. We knew we had to do it. There was no backing off. A rough draft was planned for the next morning – hoist the flag on the terrace, dress up and then go to the flag hoisting at the institute. Our flag had the priority. Our hostel was meticulous and a bit tight when it came to contri , but surprisingly for this one thing we surely had no limits on our wallets and we didn`t mind spending. Like in reality , there is a difference between drawing board planning and final execution. When the initial euphoria simmered down a bit, I realized that things might have to be aborted a bit because of the general lazy attitude of my hostelmates. I knew that talking and taking a consensus would be something that would take time. The best way was to just do that. I just took out my phone and called up my cousin sister and asked her about the nearest Khaadi Bhawan, the only authorized govt. outlet to sell the tricolour.

The location which she told me was in the main city market, some 20-25 kms from my hostel although I knew that I had seen a khaadi bhawan nearby , some 5-7 kms from my hostel when I used to come by bus from my relatives house. Another fear was that it being a Sunday , it might be closed. Carrying a prayer on my lips I called up Prashant and told him straight , “ Lets go and get the flag, now that my mind is made up about the ceremony, I would not back off and would surely give you the curses of your lives if the others do that.” He grabbed the bike keys , I hopped on to the pillon and made an announcement to the hostelmates , “ Hum jhanda le kar hi wapas aayenge”. We started off amidst the shouts of “Vande mataram” from ajay and charan shouting from behind. The size of the flag might prove to be an issue but we thought that we would see that once we reach the store. Much to the joy of us both, the nearest Khaadi bhawan was open. The next burning question, “ Kahin khatam to nahin ho gaya??”. With republic day the next morning we were not the only ones seeking flags. We entered the shop as if it was a temple or a shrine, with high hopes. The moment the shopkeeper said “ We have the stock”, both prashant and me just smiled to each other.

Confused about the size, we asked him to show us the 3 immediate sizes stating that it was to be hoisted at the terrace, lest it should give him the idea about the size we were looking. Choosing the medium size we left the shop and began looking the next big requirement- the pole for the flag. We decided that the best place for this would be a hardware store where we might find the pole of a suitable length. We found a hardware store in the main market near our institute. With no idea whether we wanted a plastic one or a bamboo, I went up to the shop keeper and asked him to give us a pole . When he heard that the purpose was for hoisting a flag, he showed us a bamboo pole which was just perfect, and he didn’t charge a penny…. Next stop – a general store to buy some Roli for the teeka for the next morning. While I waited for prashant near the bike while he made the purchase, holding the bamboo and the flag , I noticed some known faces of girls approaching me. When they came near then did I realize that it was Nandita and her hostelmates. Seeing me cluthing the pole, the obvious question was “whats happening?” and I felt proud when I told them, “that’s the flag and its gonna be hoisted tomorrow at our hostel”. Wishing me luck, they went away. When prashant came back an idea just came into my mind and I just blurted out , “Lets make some arrangements for sweets”. We had a sweet shop in the main market and we had to request, even bribe the shop owner to prepare fresh sweets and give it to us specially 7.30 the next morning considering the market opened at around 9 in the morning. 

Mission accomplished. We drove off back to the hostel considering all that we had achieved in these 2.30 hours. Plus it was about time for our 5 p.m. daily cricket match at the hostel. We reached the hostel with huge grins on our faces and shouted , “Mil gaya…….”. Both Bengali and charan came rushing out from the room and they were all smiles. My and prashant`s work of getting all necessary things was done and it was left to the rest of the team to deliver now. Charam found out some spare metallic J hooks which would hold the pole in place. 4 of us – Me, prashant, charan and Bengali came up the terrace and started scouting the perfect place for the flag. We decided a side wall would be great. Once we tried out the preparation, all hoped for the next morning. Later on that night prashant dug out his mp3 collection and took out all patriotic songs he had. Even I had decided the dress code for that day. An orange t shirt, bottle green pants, topped with a blue denim jeans – the colour combo of the tricolor. I knew that I would be questioned at the insti the next day , it was all left for the next day. We all played our match with an increased rigour. The next morning I woke up without the need for an alarm. Much earlier by our “holiday” standards – 7 a.m. I started getting ready and in the meanwhile jolted all of them awake- “Utho be, time ho gaya hai. Chalo taiayaar hona shuru karo”. 

Had it been any other day I would had been subject to angry glares but not this time. We all got ready by 9 and in the meanwhile prashant went and got the “sweet” delivery. The real shock came 15 minutes later on when we had our neighbours dropping by – the hostel wallahs of 4/191. Sanjay and his hostel showing up. They all had come for the flag hoisting. Later on I came to know that quite a few of the hostels had decided that they would all come to our hostel , attend the ceremony and then proceed to the institute. 

Wanting to treasure the moment I setup the recording of the ceremony on my laptop capturing as much as possible and informed ritwik that he should be mindful so as to not obstruct the view the webcam. The teeka happened to everyone coming for the ceremony. A few moments later, all of them joined in the mood. Nirmal and prashant began setting up the playlist just like sound technicians do at the wedding. In the meantime all the others started posing with the flag.

Amit showed up followed by Madhukar and Nitesh. Our neighbours started watching the proceedings with awe- so many people at a single hostel, songs playing in the background, they knew something was up for the first time as we rarely had such a huge gathering. The songs were an awesome lot.. We used up quite a few-

Desh mere desh mere from the legend of bhagat singh to start off the proceedings

Zindagi maut na ban jaye from sarfarosh

Nanha munna rahi hoon

Maa tujhe salaam and a host of others…

After the national anthem we ended on a high cry of “Bharat maata ki jai” on the top of our lungs , ready to prove to the neighbourhood that we had an awesome ceremony. Glancing at the watches, we rushed on the bikes to the institute ready to attend another one. By the time we got there it was all underway but we didn’t care as our private small gathering was much good than this grand function. When it all ended, I was asked a simple question by a faculty “ Shwetabh, your dress”…and I was ready with a answer, “ My clothes resemble the colours of the flag and nobody should have problems with the flag…I wear the love for the nation up my sleeve, Jai Hind”…. The faculty knew that it was impossible to argue with me on some issues.

The day of 26 january 2009 went down in history. Ours was and is probably the only hostel to have a flag hoisting ceremony. It was an initiative of 107 and we did it. Everyone had their bit in contributing to the history….Me, prashant, ajay, ritwik, charan, yogesh, taufeez bhai and the people who attended it with the same zeal and enthusiasm as we had planned the whole thing- sanjay and his hostelmates, amit, madhukar, nitesh. It was a proud moment for all those who attended it. Those preparations , shopping of the previous day, the proceedings of the next morning and those valuable 16 mins captured in a video film….all. Word spread like wildfire to the other hostels who could not attend the ceremony that we had accomplished something. The flag was removed properly before sunset in accordance with the respect it deserved. The flag is with Prashant all these years. Its an exclusive property of us and would keep on circulating between us – till eternity. The video film remains with me in multiple locations in my pc , laptop so I may never loose sight of it. Due to some technical problems it would never be published.

Who said that only defence personnel understood the meaning of the flag?? Ask us and we`ll tell you in your own way..JAI HIND…..

Jaipur diaries: A "Special" movie which brings smiles till date

“Abey mummy ka phone aa gaya to??Main kya kahoonga? Mujhse mummy se jhooth nahin bola jaa sakta.main nahin aa raha”. This is not a line from any movie between 2 people regarding anything….you surely thought about that one. Didn`t you?? Ha ha ha …so wrong. That’s a real life situation which happened. The one speaking this line is Anshul and it was spoken some 3 years back during the first day night screening of Rab ne bana di jodi. This movie has so many memories that we both laugh over it so many times, everytime, eachtime.

The situation was most deadly dangerous equally. 3rd sem exams just one week away , prep leave going on, preparation overall 0 % , forget about the first paper preparation. The starter was a dangerous Consumer Behaviour. Jab apna behavior hi samajh nahin aata to consumer ka behavior kya pata chalega? Bhagwaan bharose.Even a studious ( labeled by others) student like me had no preparation. I just dint know what to do and all. So the story started with 3 people initially(more to join later)- Anshul(Sharma), Sushant (Mandal), Me(Shwetabh Mathur) and indirectly Prashant (Lal). It had been just a week or so since he had downloaded the songs of Rab ne bana di Jodi.One song was played day and night in the hostel – “Tujh mein rab dikhta hai”…agreed, the song was melodious but repeat mode mein bhi dimaag to kharaab to ho hi jaata hai. I was seriously tired of listening to the song over the last few days but was curious to know how was the movie once it released . Me and mandal had made plans to watch the movie in the night show over numerous cups of evening tea. Both wanted a stress buster. The movie hall was just 5 mins walking distance from our hostel gates. We chose the night 10 o clock show, neither late, neither early. Then came anshul ki call and he too came on board. At night we all 3 met at the hall entrance. Anshul was a bit late at that time and we had purchased the tickets already. When we told him the time , he said “Abey mummy ka phone aa gaya to, kya kahoonga?? Daant padegi….nahin nahin mujhe nahin dekhni picture”. I and mandal both looked at each other and burst out laughing…An mba student saying such things… it was a hearty laugh.

The movie started and we all started watching it. Then came a call which anshul had been dreading- Aunty had called. His face had turned so white , it looked like he had seen a ghost. On the screen he was seeing a girl he had fallen in love with at first sight ( Anushka Sharma) and on the other hand he had a call. God knows what he told his mother but he came back within 2 mins and we enjoyed the story as it progressed. In between came the comments between him and me..”Kya lag rahi hai bhai, dekhte hi pyar ho gaya apun ko to”. I knew I was deviating from my Katrina but I was totally spellbound by her. She looked a total stunner. We thoroughly enjoyed it…around 12.30 we all came out analyzing the songs and anushka. Me and mandal reached the road from where we would turn left towards our hostels and anshul had still a long way to go (some 750 mts) via some shortcuts through residential colony. We said good night to him and he just stood there….the next line which we both heard, “arrey yaar mujhe mere room tak chodd kar aa jaa yaar. Darr lag raha hai”. Now this was 2 in 2 in a singe night from him. I could have escorted him had it been daytime but at night in the coming January chill I was not in the mood to walk 1.5 kms. Plus I wanted to get back to sleep and dream about Anushka. I said goodbye to anshul and started to walk. He just kept on calling me. I could sense the fear in his voice. 

The next day we both met at a coffee joint along with some other friends.4 days were left and we had some progress with preparations. But still we had Anushka somewhere on our minds. The songs were melodious, the performances good and the romance sweet. Me and anshul and were discussing the movie and that caught the attention of Ajay (Khanna). We heaped such genuine praise of the movie that he became interested in watching it.

We got another opportunity to watch it and we both got ready once gain. Haath aaye mauke kaun chodta hai? I came back and informed my hostel mates that I might be late in returning. They were bit surprised that what I was upto in this time of the exams when all hell would loose in 4 days. So the situation became – The same movie back to back in 2 days, with me and anshul remaining the same companions while the other people kept on changing. Anshul`s room mate dheeraj also came along to watch it.This time anshul had the bike with him so he was not afraid this time around. I stayed at Khanna`s room that night, Too tired to walk to my hostel. In the morning when I reached my hostel , I faced the same ques. from the hostelmates which normally a girl faces from her parents when she arrives late. I promised myself no more movie anymore otherwise I will flunk. Sems went underway and we had cleared 4 papers (back to back exams are tough). The paper was on a Saturday and so I was relaxed and instead of rushing to the hostel went to the computer lab to check the mails. Some mischievious thought crept into my mind and I messaged anshul knowingly very well that he was smitten by Anushka, “ RAB NE BANA DI JODI once again?”. It was fun but damn….20 mins later he called me up and said that he is ready….Apun ne to mazaak kiya tha, yeh to saala sach mein serious ho gaya. Tried talking to him and khanna but both were not ready to listen and I thought ki ab to baji band..now the excuse of paper wont be handy as the next day was a Sunday. So we got ready to go- Once again. Our team comprised of Me, Anshul, Khanna, Kg(Kumar Gaurav). As we had all visited the same movie hall 2 times for the same movie a change in venue was needed. The winner was EP which was within a 5-6km radius which meant bikes had to go. We had no helmets for any of the 4 people, the bikes were on reserve fuel, just enough cash to buy a bit tad expensive tickets as compared before, no cash for petrol and fine if got caught by traffic police.(the jaipur police is really hard on the helmet rule). Khanna and anshul were on one bike and me and kg on the other. So at night you have 2 bike going to a movie hall with nothing working in our favour. We used all possible bylanes to bypass the main roads, traffic signals, intersections where we could land in trouble with the cops.

Navigating and we reached our destination and waited for the other bike to come. Both of them arrived 10 minutes later finding shortcuts through roads. When it came to tickets, I gave my share and my wallet went empty with just 20 bucks left. Anshul had to go into the mode where he had to really dig into the last note and coin to make up for the whole amount of the 4 tickets. Khanna, Kg had also had just about 10 bucks left in their wallets and we had just enough to pay for the bike parking. Once inside the hall we 3 laughed (KG not included) and shared a joke that a time will come when the whole of IRM will see this movie and we ( Me and anshul) would be the common people at all those movie screenings. After the movie got over, we all prayed that the fuel lasts until we get back and if the tanks go dry in between we would have just enough amount to buy a total of just 1 lt fuel and that too at such a odd time. Thank god we reached with no fines, no dry tanks.

The final tally read for that movie at 3-0 within a week of its release with me and anshul both being constant at screenings and the other people changing. Such was the craze or the effect that whenever we had to say “Phir milenge”, the other person used to say “full version” and we had to complete the sentence from the movie. “ Hum hain raahi pyaar ke, phir milenge chalte chalte”. This sentence is used still between anshul and me….the memories of this craziness linger on..Me, the guy who used to sense flunking in sems got my highest marks in those exams across all 4 exams I gave in those 2 years..Still don’t know how this magic happened, but it happened. This movie is treasured for these specific crazy incidents specially.

Years down the line anshul told me that the night he had to walk back alone to his room he was damn scared and prayed that no dog should go after him thinking him to be a thief…he ran like hell. What he told aunty when her call came, “Dost ke room par hoon, padne aaya hoon”(Yeah…anushka`s beauty!)….

This whole incident comes out from the fab treasure of some fond irm memories….anshul scared, coming up really funny lines, me going crazy over a movie, recruiting people to watch a movie, drooling over beauties, finding ways to get past possible obstructions, everything to make it a cool stress buster to laugh out, and relive those moments......