Die-hard dreamer

सपने भी कभी चुभते हैं आंखों में? ऐसा सुना तो नही था पहले कभी. क्यों उसकी आंखों से खून रिसता है फिर? टूटे सपनो ने खरोचा है शायद. सुकून अगर सपनो के ख़त्म होने पर नही, तो क्यों नही करें एक बार फिर कोशिश? हिम्मत हार कर तो होंगे हताश ही, हिम्मत को आज़मा कर ही देखा जाय.

Realize the importance of W. H. Davies' poem, Leisure today. WHAT is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare? No time to stand beneath the boughs, And stare as long as sheep and cows: No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass: No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night: No time to turn at Beauty's glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance: No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began? A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

ईश्वर, अल्लाह, तेरे जहाँ में नफ़रत क्यों है, जंग है क्यों? तेरा दिल तो इतना बड़ा है, इंसान का दिल तंग है क्यों? - From the movie 1947 Earth Another series of blasts, and we already seem to have recovered from the trauma. In fact, these things do not seem to affect us at all, because they happen to others . Are they really happening to others? If the people in pre-independent India also thought that things were happening to others, would India have united against the British rule? So, what can we do, you would ask. I don't know. I am as clueless as you are. Something burns inside me. Help me know what I can do.

In response to my last post, a friend said that she is afraid that the donations won't reach the needy. I know that she is one of those people who are eager to help but the thought of the money not reaching the needy makes her a bit sceptical. Still, I know she will help. On the other hand, some of us stop ourselves from helping because we think our help will land in the wrong hands. I believe most of us are good at heart but the cynicism overcomes the humanity in us. If all of us think this way, will we be able to help ever? The many 'destitutes' turning up at the door narrate the same tear-jerking story, conning us over and over again. We have grown to distrust people. Yet, we know that we may be turning away some people who are in the real need. Should we stop trusting people completely? How can we ever make use of our existence then? We cannot possibly do everything ourselves. And even if we could, we would need the support from others - financial or otherwise. Would o...

A cousin, who is a doctor, reached Bihar today to help with the flood relief. Some people I know are eager to go to Bihar to contribute physically to the efforts. However, doctors and swimmers can be of more help than others. But all of us can contribute in some way or the other, nothing being any less significant. And it's not only about sending money, but sending medicines, milk powder, clothes, and other items. I came across a couple of blogs while looking for a way to contribute. One of them is called the Bihar Flood Relief - 2008 . The people involved are contributing more than money. They have an idea of what is required there and they are passing down the information to us and even transporting the collected items to the flood-affected regions. For the ones in Benguluru, you can send money and other items through an NGO called Prayaas. The NGO's details are available in the blog. You can get in touch with them about sending essential items. Here are the details for sendi...

The combination of a packet-full of potato chips from Dhanbad's Little Stores and a Nandan, Champak magazine or a Chacha Chaudhry, Billu or Pinki comic-book Pure bliss lies in such things. The disappointment at people's fear of the word 'idealistic' for the times in the future Why do they make idealism equivalent to failure? The inability to hold on to thoughts that are dear The exorbitant price of poppy seeds The confusion between what is there and what can be Why is it difficult to let go of anything, whether it is a crushed piece of paper or an old set of sofas? The confidence of doing something good for the world It is in small things that lies the path for the great deeds. I can start small. The inability to continue a routine after seven successful days I will begin it again tomorrow. It will be a new day. The happiness at completing a deadline and the tragedy of facing another Time-up! When will I be able to do that? The underlying, unflinching happiness within ...