Visit to Uttar Pradesh (Post 4)

19.3.17,  Sundiay

Today my mother returned from her native village in Uttar Pradesh. During my upbringing, I never really visited my village. Even when I did, I wasn’t very keen on village life. However, today having seen city people and the experiences I have had, I find the life on the other side more intriguing.

My mother and I got into a hearfelt session which went on for six long hours. A discussion which was a rewind into the past. Time like ice just melted away and memories like water flooded in. A space where present stared at past.

We discussed how much her village got changed, condition of education, infrastructure, roads, civic facilities, neighbourhood, food, farming, besides my maternal Aunt and Uncle. My mother was all praise for her niece and nephews who have done well for themselves despite limited resources.

What particularly stood out in her experiences was the simplicity of village people and generous heart. Unlike city people, they are warm, helpful, trustworthy and honest fellows. Life is much simpler there. What they sow, is cooked and eaten together. The joy is unbeatable. Nothing compared to a restaurant meal, or a meal eaten in front of TV. We complicate life and then cry about it.

   

My Uncle is a farmer. All his life he has lead a simple life. His life stories were served along with the supper which made the meal more delicious. She also loved going to the fields and harvesting mustard seeds. The freshness of the farms just filled in the void a city life dents in. The same neighbourhood where she grew up along with my grandparents was an emotional experience every time she pays a visit there. She says “there is magic in the soil. Something inside comes alive. It’s my turf.” 

Often, we got question in English exam  where we would be asked to contrast city life from the village. Back then, I didn’t understand the depth of the real difference which I do now.  It lies in big heart. People in city are more smart which causes problems within which they get embroiled. Village people are simple and sweet. They enjoy in the moment and live for today. Isn’t life just about the passing moment? Then, why fret so much and waste so much energy over things which are beyond our control.

Do read my next post. Bye for now.  

The first step (Post 3)

Today my baby took the first step. Just like any other milestone, it was a great feeling  when he lifted his tiny feet up to walk some distance. There have been months of anticipation behind his first move. Everyone had been talking about the first step. Indeed, I understood why is the first step is always the hardest to take. Rest is easy. 

If you are thinking of something, go ahead take the first step. Hardest it may be at first, but the journey ahead becomes easy. 

check out my next post. 

Clamour for undivided attention (Post 2)

My son is about to turn 11-months-old. Till now I have been his world. He turns to me for comfort, looks at my face for approval, turns back to notice my expressions. In short, I command a significant role in his brand new Universe.

Sometimes, it gets exhausting. I feel like telling him to go and explore life beyond me. But then he is a baby. And where have these 11 months gone. I truly have no idea. They seem to have passed in a jiffy. Soon, he’ll a grown up boy who would need his own space. And I will be the one who would pine for these very moments where he can simply look at me.

Thank you my son. You mean the world to me.

Mumma

Blog Marathon (Post 1)

Hi all,

The Blog Marathon is on! I will be writing in total 15 posts, one per day.

Here goes the first one!

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One word.

All it takes to weave in rich tapestry of magical world is words. There is a website called One word. They display a word on which you are to write in flat 60 seconds. After you submit your entry, you can also read what others wrote.

My word for today was Contracts. Here is what I wrote:

Life is not a contract. It's not rigid as a piece of document listing rules and regulations. It is more flexible with all twists and turns thrown in at every turn.

Have fun with words. Keep writing folks :)

See you tomorrow with another post.  

Few lessons life teaches you

Today is Holi. It is not the way it used to be. When your own relations betray you, then no festival seem like a festival anymore. I have learnt one lesson: People cling to you when you are rising and shining. So always shine, No Matter What! And always remember who stood by you in times of need. Be there for that person as well. Rest all is a big lie which life plays on you. Keep moving ahead towards betterment.

Also people can just pass judgements and make fun of the person in problem. Even nearest relations pass jibes instead of being a support in crisis. It takes a big heart to understand the core problem and a patient ear. Sometimes being silent and support is all one needs. Nevertheless, it is you who have to stand for yourself every single time.

Few lessons which I feel like writing are:
1. Always rely on yourself. Trust yourself.
2. Stop expecting from people that they will understand you. The truth is nobody does. They just use that as an opportunity to pass wisdom.
3. Keep working hard. God will reward you.
4. Stop comaprison. It never does anything good.
5. Your mother is the only person who will never leave you. Come what may. It is true in 90 per cent of the cases. LoVE her, respect her, listen to her every single day.
6. When your opinion becomes a burden for others. Be silent. A dignified silence goes a long way in restoring your lost persona.
7. Keep working hard. Each second is your own. You can still do wonders and create a life nobody ever thought you could lead.

Mommy moments

When I was carrying,  I had spent a lot of time with my mother. She made me appreciate things which otherwise I might have overlooked. One such nature's miracle was the nesting process. I observed from day one how a bird builds his nest to the rearing up process. You can read the short story here. Have you ever observed any such incident? 

Drop in comments :)

My poem gets rewarded!

I wrote a poem in memory of the four-month-old girl who was stabbed to death by her own mother in Jaipur. Questioning the regressive thinking, the poem dwells on female infanticide as the main theme. This poem got listed in the Exceptional Poem category by Writer's Ezine Magazine for December'16 issue. Happy to know that!

You can read the poem here:

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Blood tears of a broken soul

     By Priyanka Chauhan

Barbaric, psychotic, demented,

Why did you kill me?

I was your tiny angel, O Mother,

Nurtured for four months,

Strangulated, the next moment!

Wrapped covertly in towel- soaked blood,

That blood was yours!

How could you lift your hands to smother me?

Stabbed me 17 times!

17 times! you struck me; painting me black and blue and RED.

 Your hands did not shiver with this brutality,

What was my fault? Born a girl, just like you are, your mother- my grandmother was,

What did I ever do wrong?

Had god asked if I wished to be girl?

Thinking of this massacre, my answer would be ‘No’.

Cold blooded murder!

blind, consumed with your desire for son,

I would have given you what a son can’t: love, respect, care, friendship for life.

You scarred my sister,

Your blood stained hands,

gave me life, only to take away my ‘right to live’

In a country, where women are worshipped

You did this to me!

humanity is ashamed today!

Beyond forgiveness is your act.

When a daughter kills a daughter,

What to expect from a man?

What thoughts you had, when you sharpened your axe? Tell me…

: butcher her mercilessly, conceal her body from the world, bury her...

O brute, my tiny hands, toes didn’t cringe your soul?

When you ravaged me with sharp knife,

What a disgrace to human race!

Animals are still better,

For they kill for hunger,

You stabbed me for mere gender!