छोटी -बड़ी जिंदगी

कहते है बहुत बड़ी है ये जिंदगी 
पर है बहुत छोटी

लम्बी इतनी कि बच्चे से बूढ़े बन जाए 
और छोटी इतनी कि बचपन की यादें आज भी हँसा जाए 

लम्बी इतनी कि बाल तक सफ़ेद हो जाए 
और छोटी इतनी कि शाम तक दाढ़ी उग आये 

लम्बी इतनी कि स्कूल कॉलेज ऑफिस सब में हो आये 
और छोटी इतनी कि एक प्याली चाय की सुकून से भी ना पी पाए 

लम्बी इतनी कि साथ के लिए एक हमदम ले आये
और छोटी इतनी कि उसका ठीक से साथ भी ना निभा पाए 

लम्बी इतनी कि सैकड़ों शुभचिंतको से मिल आये 
और छोटी इतनी कि नए पडोसी से मिल भी ना पाए 

लम्बी इतनी कि पैसो की बोरी भर जाए 
और छोटी इतनी कि उस पैसे से ख़ुशी न खरीद पाए 

लम्बी इतनी कि पोते - पोती के साथ खेलने लगे 
और छोटी इतनी कि बेटे - बेटी से दो लफ्ज़ भी ना कह पाए 

लम्बी इतनी कि पेटी भर ली कपड़ो से 
और छोटी इतनी की सारे भी ना पहन पाए 

लम्बी इतनी की भर -भर के दान दे आये 
और छोटी इतनी कि नुक्कड़ पे उस बूढ़े की मदद भी ना कर पाए 

लम्बी इतनी कि दांत भी गिर गए 
और छोटी इतनी कि उनसे एक गन्ना भी ना खा पाए 

लम्बी इतनी कि पूरी दुनिया घूम आये 
और छोटी इतनी कि अपने ही घर ना जा पाए 

जनाब ! अब आप ही बताएं कैसी है ये जिंदगी ?


Gracias!
 

उम्मीद

उम्मीद का तारा दूर गगन में , है सबको दिखता
लेकिन क्या वो तारा है मुझको तकता ?
जब भी देखूँ टिमटिमाते उसको 
आस करे गुदगुदी मुझको 
मानो आस हो उम्मीद की सखी 
संग संग जो खेले आँख मिचौली |

थाम कर हाथ आस का, जाऊं मैं उम्मीद को पकड़ने
चालाक उम्मीद बैठे छिप के खिड़की के पीछे 

खोल दरवाज़ा आहिस्ता , जाऊं मैं धीमे -धीमे 
दबे पाँव आस संग ढूँढूं मैं उम्मीद को 
बैठे जो दूर गगन में खिड़की के पीछे 

ज्यों ही खोलू मैं खिड़की 

त्यों ही उम्मीद मुस्कुराये 

और आस हिलौरें खाए |

तकूँ जब मैं दूर बैठी उम्मीद को

जानू मैं कही तो है इसको देखा पहले 

घुमा के नज़र देखूं जब आस को

तो पाऊँ ये तो है कुछ उम्मीद-सी 

आस लगे उम्मीद की परछाई |

समझ आये कुछ देर के बाद 

ओ बुद्धू ! ये उम्मीद ही तो है आस 

जो आस है, वही तो है उम्मीद 

जो लगे दूर वो सच में है पास 

बस नजरिये की है बात |

आज मिल कर उम्मीद-सी आस से

या यूँ कहूँ आस-सी उम्मीद से

हो रही है बहुत ख़ुशी 

क्यूंकि जिसको ढूंढा गली गली

मिली वो मुझको अपनी गली |

Öbrìgadò!
JJJ
 

Compassionate Clowning : Silly Smiles Take You Miles

The tagline of my blog says, Silly Smiles take you Miles... it's wonderful to live your saying, your belief and perceive it in real. It's actually inexplicable how you feel when your words become alive with their real meaning and make you dance to their tune. 

Since my childhood, I had always been fascinated by Clowns. When we used to play cards, I always used to wonder why the joker is always left out. I used to feel very bad for that Joker card being sequestered and instead used to keep it in my deck. Whenever there was a circus show in the town, I was all excited not to see the lions and elephants dancing but the clown juggling the balls and deliberately making fall his red nose or colorful curls instilling laughter in the air. I always thought how difficult it is to make someone else laugh, to make them forget about their pain and misery and soak them in the wave of joy and laughter. This very thought always provoked me and apparently brimmed in the form of my maiden poem Spreading Smiles.

I had never thought that the joker so much playful in my subconscious mind will attract me to play its role one day. These lines are popping up in my mind from James Allen's , "As a Man Thinketh",

Mind is the Master power that moulds and makes,

And Man is Mind, and evermore he takes

The tool of Thought, and, shaping what he wills,

Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills: —

He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass:

Environment is but his looking-glass.

So, I became a clown. Yes, I did. I dissolved my identity to embark on the journey of spreading love and happiness. And the first lesson I learnt was to be compassionate. Yes, in the world where we are all confined to our tiny cubicles unaware of the person sitting at our backside but communicating to unseen souls through social media, are we compassionate enough to hear the sob of the person sitting beside us. Have we ever noticed why the person who was coming regularly, occupying the seat next to us has suddenly stopped coming. Do we ever bother to ask a person how he is doing after a long sick leave. Are we really compassionate or we have forgotten what being compassionate means.

I became a Clown, not just a clown but a compassionate clown to heal the tiny souls undergoing excruciating pain with a little love and happiness. As my doctor friend says, "laughter helps in fighting stress. It reduces pain by releasing endorphins (the body's natural painkiller), boosts the immune system by increasing the level of T cells & lowering serum cortisol levels, thereby promoting a positive outlook. Laughter helps people to cope with difficult situations and create loving and helpful bonds which aids the healing process."

Compassionate Clowning is an initiative taken up by compassionate clowns to visit hospitals and help the doctors and patients in their battle with their sword of laughter fighting away the pain and distress. Compassionate Clowns is a group of volunteers where anybody and everybody is welcomed with warmth and love. The volunteers gather every weekend in different cities and visit the nearby hospitals to infuse the air of ailing pain with refreshing laughter and happiness. This clowning activity is carried out in different cities of India like Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Rajkot. You can easily connect with the nearest clowning group at their facebook page and volunteer for the noble cause -https://www.facebook.com/CompassionateClown

I took the new year resolution to be more compassionate and became the clown with a red nose and pink cheeks at Gujarat Cancer Society Hospital, Ahmedabad. The clowns are regularly visiting the children suffering from cancer being treated at this hospital. Every saturday it seems as if the entire children ward awaits their arrival. From parents to doctors to hospital staff to the anxiously waiting tiny tots.

There's nothing more contagious than the laughter of young toons. 

As the clowns dress up, paint their faces, the passing-by patients and visitors curiously look at us for being so colorful and vibrant at a morbid place. And we greet them with our vivacious smiles and joy.

Clowns with the Hospital Staff

As this was my first time being a clown, we started off with painting our faces red and yellow. Then we made a circle holding hands to share the positive vibes amongst ourselves and take the oath to spread it forward with everybody we come in contact with.

Clowns taking the pledge

I was the engine of this session. Yeah, the chhuk chhuk gadi engine ;) We entered the children ward like a vibrant colorful train. The children resting in their beds woke up and smiled. So, finally the jokers are here. We were late by half an hour and one child was very angry. See the receptivity of the child for warmth and happiness that he refrains to wait by even a few minutes.

Why are you late today?? Can't you see me waiting for you with this mickey specs?

The clowns are in action now. They have dissolved their identity of a student, of a job seeker, of a tired professional. They are just the clowns saying sorry to the little child by dancing to his favourite song.

Acchi Nani, Pyaari Nani, Maan jao na ;)

As it was the new year, so we had carried new year hand-made cards for all the children wishing them a bright and healthy new year. We chatted with them like our own siblings and asked them to write down their goals. "What would you like to be??" See, we are giving them a hope to achieve their dreams irrespective of the disease they are suffering. If you wish you can, then you surely can!

Happy New Year Princess!

We blew balloons, we sang with the children, we told them stories, we chit-chat with them. They love us as clowns and we love them more and more. Some children are very naughty. Afterall how can one disease take away their innocence and we make sure that never happens. 

Inky Pinky Ponky

The little energy packets energized us more than we had expected. They make us the child again and take us back to our golden days. They forget about their pain and get lost in our stories and magic tricks. 

And when you find a cute child dreaming to be SRK, the clown teaches him how to be SRK. And the entire ward becomes a movie theatre with dialogues of SRK, Bacchhan, Kapoor falling around.

Click me fast! I'm the new SRK ;)

The doctors also find it refreshing to laugh heartily and enjoy with their little patients. They always say, "I pray this child lives his dream of being a pilot."

Dr. Uncle! See my mustache, I have grown up now :P

More surprisingly, its the parents who participate in the games and feel joyful. They enjoy us as clowns and we enjoy seeing them laughing and cuddling with their kids in all joy and happiness.

A happy Tigress mum with the SherKhan :)

As we leave for the day, we share our experiences with each other and there's always a lesson learnt. We always complain of trivial things, of being deprived of this and that. But as we see the little guns fighting against all odds, we are charged up. One clown said it so rightly, "I dont come here to make them happy. I come here because they make me happy. "

All colorful Clowns:)

This is all possible with the energy of togetherness. No one clown has the strength to go alone inside the room full of pain and agony. Sometimes we too break down on seeing our brothers/sisters in such tormenting pain. But together we vibrate in symphony and blow the breeze of triumphant happiness.

We are a Happy Family :)

Smiles are contagious and we are its brand ambassadors. We spread it, gather it, spread it more and blow it around creating a peaceful happy aura. We believe in making people happy together. We are #SpreadTheVibe. Come, join us in spreading this vibe all across.

Clowns in Caps!

Öbrìgadò!
JJJ
 
This post is written for #SpreadTheVibe by youthkiawaaz

Look Up Story !

It is almost two years since we met. Everything was beautiful, everything seemed colorful. Happiness blushed and laughter accompanied. All appeared vibrant and cheerful. The different hues of a happy perfect life unfolded and splattered us with the joyous moments of never-ending days and nights. As the old had said, love makes life beautiful. Ours had indeed turned into super beautiful. From morning rush to look more charming than yesterday to awaited twilight to count stars in each others' eyes set butterflies each day. So enticing, so bewitching never appeared the regular life. But suddenly this regular had turned into a roller-coaster ride charging us up each day. All wondered how can they be at cupid's target. Even we too wondered but the arrow had struck and we were wounded in love. Flying in the sky, weaving dreams together, we lived together in a whole new world where everything seemed possible because we were together and felt the immense power of two. The duo was admired for their mutual understanding and trust, the two essential pillars of a relationship. 

Unfortunately, came an earthquake and the pillars got shattered. A little doubt, a bit of insecurity and one's ego shook the pillar. The roller-coaster ride all of a sudden came to a halt. The morning rush turned drab and evenings became lifeless. The power of two broke down. Both broke down, shattered into pieces looking at the half-broken pillars. Both of them wanted their 'togetherness' back but none wanted to remove the debris. It's often in darkness, a ray of light find its way. The overwhelming social media buzzing with daily feeds of love and breakups occupied their brains. Just then their common trait became their saviour. The Badshaah was the favourite of both. It's often when we are depressed and sunk into gloomy dark room, the history of someone we admire serves as a motivation to us. It was SRK's birthday. News channel were crying loud of his success and his famous love story. No success became a hinderance, no religion came in way, it was just their love which won all the way. They gave a thought if it has happened back then at the old time, why can't they be together now. They buckled up to remove the debris, erect the pillars in place and be together to be TOGETHER forever. 

Sometimes little stories and faith in something better are the ones you need to look up to rise high and rejuvenate the dragging life into a happy running life.

Öbrìgadò!
JJJ
 
This post is written for activity organised for housing.

A New Hope

The vapors from the Coffee mug were visible against the dark painted wall.The room appeared hollow,devoid of any noise,destitute of any aroma,no chattering suspended in the air, no naughtiness peeking from behind the doors. Silence sitting in the royal space like a queen restricted all the lively motions.The dangling curtain dared to sway around in a vague attempt to fill the void.But the queen's supremacy reigned.The living room appeared free of any clutter.Yet occupied by the empty sofa and innocence staring from above it.The still pictures which captured the splattering moments were the only alive frames whose warmth kept Mehak going. She missed Aditya everyday, from the moment he parted away. She had always hooked to hope after every despair. Whenever she felt like quitting, it was Aditya who gave her hope to strive and thrive. Her own trace left her six months back, whom she had loved earnestly.Every nook of the house had imbibed his imprints. The entire house echoed with his laughter even when no one was there except her.The killing silence made her feel dizzy.She went out to breathe easy. The newly bloomed flowers in the lobby spread their fragrance making the morning fresh and pleasant. A paper peeking from the letter box caught Mehak's sight. She went to pick it out. The envelope carried a familiar handwriting addressed to her. She tore apart the envelope to pull the letter enclosed in it. Her heart palpitated. Her hands trembled to hold the letter. Her eyes went moist and she breathed with mouth to ease her choked nose. 

Its a new sun today. A new hope has shone today. I wish you a promising and fulfilling new year ahead. I know you are missing me and awaiting my arrival. I'm also missing you badly. I'm missing papa also. As you say, he twinkles every night to see me. Today I waited for the morning  to mark a new beginning and am waiting for tonight to meet papa in a new year. I will soon be there to hug you. You are my strong mumma. I Love you. You know I will give my annual exams for class five on Monday. After that I will be home. Please make my favourite pudding. And yes don't cry under the pillow. I hate it when you cry. I promise I will become an army officer like papa. And mother of an army officer should not cry. When I will come in vacations ,we will go to Garden also and will go for a long drive also and will click lot of snaps. As Papa used to say, "Keep hopes alive. A better tomorrow awaits you." So with all the good wishes and hopes of happiness, Happy New Year.

Loads of Love Mumma

Adi.

¡Salud!
JJJ

 

Colorful Mirror

The girl out there

Waved at me

Bright and Galvanic was she

Appeared vapid and tepid me

Waived a Hello at me

I wavered and looked around

Yes You! The specky in blue

You look so blue in Blue.

You look pretty pink in pink, I zapped whew

I put on the color to whole me, bragged she

Not like you who just wrap the color around

Excuse me! Who are you??? I grumbled

Oh Common! Put aside your colorful etiquette

Talk to me straight and loud, rumbled I

Yes! Talk to me loud and clear, she repeated the same

Before could I howl at her, the driver honked high

Seated was I at the back peeping into the rear mirror

I got down, paced ahead cutting the crowd

Welcomed was I after such a long

You look pink in blue.

¡Salud!

JJJ

 

IndiChange - MILAAP in Bangalore

IndiChange is known for bringing up some very potential issues with a simple solution. This time Indiblogger organized its meet on 15 December 2013 in Bangalore at Microsoft Research India Labs Pvt. Ltd. and the name for this meeting was MILAAP. It literally means unity. I reached the venue almost half an hour late searching for this lab in the corners of the city. I entered there half soaked in sweat asking for the way to Indimeet. As I entered, I was authenticated as Surbhi with a badge stuck to my arm. The venue was jam-packed with over 100 bloggers along with me crouching at the last seat.

My IndiChange Badge

It was my first Indiblogger meeting. I was pleased by the ambience and suave aura. The organizers were pretty cool quickly making us drop our corporate garb and bringing out the social animal out of us. The rockstar video of Anoop- the Zombie and Nihal's birthday celebration made everyone at ease.

Soon the introduction round began with a timer running on the screen. Speaking about yourself for 60 seconds seemed a herculean task to many including me too.  

                               

We were asked to describe our wish for a better world in just one word. While most of us wished for a secure, happy and peaceful world, some thought out of the box and came up with very good ideas wafting an air of change in the room.

                    

The real agenda of this Indiblogger meeting was discussing about MILAAP and carrying out Hope Project.

Milaap

Milaap is a mission driven company changing the way people fund and impact communities in need. Every day, they connect hundreds of hardworking borrowers looking to start a small business, pay for education, install better facilities in their households, and more - with people around the world willing to lend and rally their friends and family with as little as Rs. 500 ($25).

See how it works here.

                                         

The Hope Project

The Hope Project is a campaign that aims to inspire urban masses towards empowering rural women entrepreneurs through small contributions. What makes this project special is that the women in this case are ex-Devadasis and the possibility of self-reliance is a ray of fierce hope for them. Within the Devadasi system, young girls are “married” to the temple goddess. This merciless practice, though illegal, still exists in small towns of India. 

Milaap is trying to change their lives in the best and only way that we know - empower the people to empower them! The Hope Project seeks to shed some myths about this practice and invites small loans for the micro enterprises of these women. With these small loans, the women can set up small businesses and escape from this cycle of hopelessness.

The Brave Akka

A real Devadasi came up to share her journey so far with all of us. It was really shocking to listen to the ruthlessness faced by her. She appreciated the efforts of Milaap and encouragement she received to move on in her life. Today she is out of this evil system and helping other women like her to come out of this puddle and lead an independent life. We all pledged to blow the wave of change through our voices.

                                         

It was the time for some fun. Anoop asked to form groups, actually weird groups each with one member wearing a collar-shirt, one round-shirt and the rest I dont remember. The challenge was to arrange the pieces, solve the puzzle, identify the lady and answer a few questions. All the teams were set into action. Arranging the pieces, eyes, nose, grass, walls, windows... huffff , a tough job but yeah! my team made it and we were amongst the winners. Soon after that we all headed for the high tea. The table discussions over snacks, listening to fellow bloggers, getting to know more about the ground realities was altogether an amazing experience.

                                                             Lady in the Puzzle

The meeting ended with a photosession round. All bloggers with a confident ray of hope dispersed to carry the journey forward.

The Changemaker IndiBloggers

                                      

Milaap helps the individuals with micro finances. It aims at increasing opportunities and self-empowering the individuals.

Aims of Milaap

Success Stories

   

Be a Changemaker

You can also contribute to this social cause just with a click. It's very simple and secure.You are assured that your money is being used for the betterment of someone. You are paid the entire sum back within time and this is how you are called a Changemaker.

¡Salud!

JJJ

Happy 2014 Year

The earth reaches the starting point to revolve again

The moon backs the sun with the twinkles again

The dusk follows the dawn

And the clock ticks back twelve again

To mark a new year again.

New hopes, new aspirations

All are set on track

Be  righteous , Be just

Be receptive , Be determined

To mark something new 

To blow the trumpet

That has never been blew.

Today will become yesterday

Yesterday will follow today

Just do that which will make every day

A memorable day.

Compile a year which you will look back

Everytime as the best of your Life.

¡Salud! JJJ
 

MOVING ON

I was born silent in the dorm room

My life started racing soon.

I was enjoying in the cradle

When my life started pedalling the tricycle.

I was sent to the school

My life carried the bulky bag blue.

I went to the exam-hall each time

When my life scribbled the answer sheets in time.

I stopped seeing the hurdles hurtling my way

My life kept them all at bay.

I snapped when my friend turned foe

Then my life befriended my soul.

I cried when I lost my love

My life smiled making me love my heart.

I craved for happiness in my bag

When my life bought me some gags.

I went to the pool so cool
Where my life poured out all my blues.

I sat for a while to look at the sky

When my life chuckled to sail high.
 
One day I asked, “What do you want my Life??”
My life said,” I’m so smooth to slip away.
I’m so fragile to break away.
Don’t just sit, Don’t just pinch.
Move with me, Dance with me.
For I may not be with you tomorrow.”

That day I said,” Life is all about moving on.”

When my life was breathing hard at the ventilator ON.

Hioy'oy Hoi Polloi

JJJ

Listen to your heart..

                       This post has been selected amongst the Blogadda’s WOW posts of the week.
 

 
A bright sunny day with my yearning eyes to see her nearly after a week and my heart lost in the past impressions gave me the strength to stand for an hour while waiting for her train.

With headphones plugged in my ears, some music striking the ear drums, my mind was asking my heart “Why ??? why???”

And heart was trying its best to mollify the indignantly stubborn mind.

Mind- “Why did she broke the parapet of trust??”

Heart- “It just seems she has broken. Perhaps she is just checking the endurance of trust??”.

Mind- “What rubbish?? Is this the way to check something so fragile??.

Heart- “If trust is fragile, then make it strong like diamond so that it embellishes your bonding”.

Mind- “ Cease the stream of your gyaan. She has spurned my love, my care for her.”

Heart-“ Who in this world disdains true affection?? It’s just another of your illusion”.

Mind-“People like her are born to hurt, born to mock, born to kick off selfless hearts.”

Heart- “She is good at heart. Give her another chance”.

Mind-“Even a murderer is good at heart. Give her one more chance to hit me. One more chance to aggravate the bruises. Sorry Boss!”.

Heart- “Then why are you here? You are here because you still care for her.”

Mind- Silence… silence.

Heart-“You are here to catch her glimpse. You are here to quench your eyes which missed her from a week. You are here to welcome her. You are here because she is still your best friend.”

 

Mind- “Grrrrrr… Shut up! I’m here to break off all relations with her. I’m here to never meet her again.”

 

Heart- (chuckles) “You are here just to meet her again”.

Mind- (getting red with blood seething in anger).

The vendors buzzed at the highest of their pitch to sell their eatables.

Chaiii ! Chaaii ! Kachori ! Samosa!

 

My heart and mind put a hiatus to the debate as the train reached platform no. 5.

The passengers were stepping in and out. Some were rushing to get a free space for their hereafter journey. Some were grappling with their luggage to get off the board. A hullaballoo all around.

She was nowhere to be seen.

 

“But she was to come today only. I had heard her new roomie talking over the phone while I was stirring the coffee”, my heart worriedly said.

 

“There she is”, mind said after searching and scanning thousands of faces and luggage.
 She carried here blue bag as usual- her trace mark.  She looked pretty as always. Her tresses were flowing in the gentle breeze with her one hand wrestling with the luggage, while the other adorning the new i-phone.

“The model is back. Look how is she walking as if doing catwalk on some ramp”, mind angrily said.

“She always carried herself this way only, didn’t she??”,Heart was ready with the answers.

I hid myself behind a zombie man just to elude her vision.

“It seems as if you are stalking her”, heart quipped.

“Why would I stalk her?? She is no Middleton”, mind retorted back.

She headed towards the stairs to cross the junction. I appeared behind her and walked coolly as if I’m in some public park. The music was still buzzing but I hardly remember which song the music player was playing.

 

Just then a goon looking more of a sub-urban followed her closely. She was still treading carefree. The lummox nudged her at the elbow. She just avoided and quickened her steps.
 

My heart was saying “Yes” but my head was saying “No”.

The boy started whistling.
 

My heart was saying, “Go help her”.

My mind was saying, “No ! don’t jump in the fire. You too can get burnt. After all you are also a girl”.

The goon started taking the advantage of the hustle-bustle and teased her again, tickled her again.

At this moment, my mind and my heart joined hands and I moved ahead pushing  behind the fish market. Now I was close enough to both of them. The nuisance oaf touched her beautiful hair this time. She cringed and I fumed. I got hold of his very hand and slapped his rough cheek.

Slap! Slap!Slap!

Silence!

The fish market around us froze. Everyone was looking at three of us.

“Dare not to stalk her again”, I yelled at him.

She turned behind. And looked straight into my eyes but I just stepped down without meeting her for the last time. I was out of the station within a few minutes. I called for an auto. As I sat, way back to my hostel, this time I actually listened to the song playing in my ears.
 

There are so many temptations in the crazy world today,

And there are so many people tryin' to lead you astray,
Whenever you're confused about all the things you see,
You can't tell a friend from the enemy.
Listen to your heart,
 
It knows right from wrong,
Let it guide you,
Listen to your heart,
It will make you strong,
Look inside of yourself and listen,
Listen to your heart,
Listen to your heart.
¯¯¯
 

Hioy'oy Hoi Polloi
JJJ

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda