Happy International Women's Day! Shakti Ho Tum!

 

                           

Shakti Ho Tum!  (Click the Link for the poetry!)https://youtu.be/9ObIQKIihhs

                                 

 I dedicate my poem 'Shakti Ho Tum' to all the women for making this wonderful world so amazing with their indefatigable energy, piousness, prowess, sensible nature, love, enthusiasm and so many other qualities that make them special, very special! While I have written and given voice to the poem, my younger daughter has made it presentable in the current form.

 

The poem is in Hindi, I have made an attempt to translate it into English as under - for the benefit of non-Hindi readers.

 

You are the Power!

  You have been the one

Endowed with true power of yore,

Even 21st century is yours!

 

 You have never been weak,

Taking the form of Durga and Kaali,

You have always come to the rescue

And won over the enemies!

Nurturing new lives

You kept alive the humanity

For centuries!

 

You are the epitome of knowledge,

Wealth and prosperity

You become the holy Ganges

Where we mortals wash our sins!

 

There have been innumerable incidents and attempts to violate you,

But you fought all valiantly

And stood as the protector

For the Helplee too!

 

Among all the creations

You have been the best creation forever,

The highest place is yours!

 

Still, we ridicule,

And Humiliate you,

This misfortune is ours!

This misfortune is ours!​

 

Yes, You have been the one

Endowed with true power of yore,

Even 21st century is yours!

 

#internationalwomensday2021 #womenpower #women #shakti #empoweringwomen #empowerwomen #ftii #SRFTI #editing

I Have Tested Positive! 21st Day of the Lockdown!

As I opened the doors and stepped onto the terrace for my morning walk, I saw four crows sitting on the terrace railing. I passed by them keeping some distance, they didn’t fly away, instead they started cawing and in no time about 40-50 crows perched on the nearby peepal tree started hovering over me in circles. It looked dangerous and I stepped back to the entry door. They settled down. After waiting for a while, I stepped out to continue my walk, in no time they were again flying over me. This mobbing behavior of the crows is known, they do it if a crow is killed and they attack the suspected predators. Maybe they were disturbed with me on the terrace or they might have been in some kind of distress. But I am taking this incident as a message being conveyed to me directly by the nature itself - to not disturb the fabric of the nature with our irresponsible actions – post 21 days of the lockdown that ends today! With very little human interference and minimal pollution across the globe, the nature is healing itself. It needs some more time to heal itself and get enough strength to be ready to bear the brunt of the mankind once again!

Coming back to the current scenario in India, in the last 21 days we have seen the growth of COVID-19 positive cases rise up from a mere 500plus to a whopping 10000plus! However, had there been any delay in implementing of the lockdown, this number would have grown exponentially and the situation would have been beyond control by now. The number of COVID-19 patients rising in other countries very well demonstrates that we are in much better control. In this regard, today’s decision of PM Modi to extend the lockdown period till 3^rd May 2020 is again a brave and welcome step.

During this second phase of the lockdown, stricter rules should come into force. Those who are not cooperating should be punished and those who are purposely spreading Corona virus by the way of spitting, running away from hospitals, exhibiting indecent behavior with the nurses and medical staff or are throwing infected currency and polythene bags on public places must be treated like a murderous criminal and should be put behind bars. There can’t be any mercy on people who are trying to play with national safety and security.

Today our country is celebrating the Birth Anniversary of the great son of soil Dr. B.R. Ambedakar. Greetings to each of you. I feel that this Birth Anniversary has special significance and message for us, as we are going through the troubled times and it is affecting more to the down trodden classes, the have nots! We should be taking care of them through our resources in the best possible way to cater to their immediate requirements. In the longer run, we can help them in a better way. There must be a sizable population in our country who, despite more than seven decades of Independence of our country, do not know the importance of education, they must be unaware about the provision of reservations and other constitutional policies that might help them in coming out of their lives full with miseries. They need the support of us all - who have established ourselves in a much better position. Can we lend a helping hand to provide them education, can we voluntarily leave our quota of reservation for them and help them in availing it, can we lift them to a level which can help them in chartering a course on their own! It is time to reflect, as they need more support today than ever before.

As the first phase of lockdown ends today, let’s prepare ourselves with positivity for the next phase till 3^rd May 2020! It is not tough, if you set some daily goals for yourself. I did set personal goals for the first phase. I tested myself by making promises to myself! I had promised myself to creatively write every single day, to workout daily, to read, to entertain myself and also to keep pace with my official obligations without complaining! I am happy to share that I wrote one blogpost each day since the lockdown began, did morning and evening walks daily on the terrace averaging more than five kilometers a day, read short stories in Hindi and watched movies which I had been thinking for the last so many years. On the official front, I can say that it had been a new experience and hectic too – working from home! While I am staying alone and my family is thousands of kilometers away, it is not easy. But, talking to them, listening to their problems and appreciating all their efforts in these challenging times have kept me and them positively engaged. I am in better shape today physically and mentally than pre-lockdown days! Yes, I have tested myself during the lockdown, I have tested positive - to my positive approach!

I am happy that we are half way through and though the next half is going to be more challenging, let’s promise that we shall be traversing our path keeping our health, family, society and the nation as the focal point.

I have a new itinerary ready for the second phase of the lockdown, I hope to complete them all by 3^rd May 2020!

You make yours! Get set, go!

#coronavirus #covid19 #narendramodi @PMO #pmo #lockdown #india #lockdownindia @india #covid2020 #corona @pmoindia  #ordinary #indian #anordinaryindian #indiafightscorona #coronavirus #fightcovid-19 #helpfightcorona #madhukarmohan #pandemic #tablighijamaat #coronawarriors #beinghuman #socialdistancing #worldhealthday #WHO #wuhan #philosophical #bee #bees #picnic #ambedkarjayanti #eintein #alberteinstein #reservation #ambedkar

Change in World Order Post Covid-19! 20th Day of the Lockdown.

What would the world be after World War III! Experts on the subject have different versions of their own, based on how they perceive the scenario. And Albert Einstein didn’t talk about World War III, but was sure of its consequences and the way World War IV would be fought. I would like to quote him verbatim. He had said, "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." This shows that he believed the weapons used in World War III would be so devastating that civilization as we know it would be gone!

How would you compare today’s situation vis-à-vis World War III? During Corona invasion, there’s no firing of missiles and N-Bombs, no physical destruction of any facilities, no alignment of countries against each other and no exchange of vitriolic dialogues between the heads of the nations. The world which has had been traditionally divided seems to have forgotten all the big talks and each of the countries is now busy in protecting themselves against COVID-19, an invisible enemy of barely a few Nano Meters that has challenged even the mightiest nations and has brought them to their knees into submission.

However, there are two major similarities when we compare the consequences of COVID-19 invasion and the consequences of World War. They are the innumerable deaths and the economic slowdown faced by the countries. Who would have thought just a few weeks back that an invisible virus can play such havoc and be so ruthless in taking lives and ruining the greatest economies? In fact, this silent devastation is much more than what a world war would have brought!

In my opinion, this pandemic has the potential of decimating the nations – more so to the developed economies. It is very much plausible that the current ranking of the nations in the pre-COVID-19 era based on their economic might may change post-COVID-19 era. Their rankings may change and it would primarily depend on the resilience of the individual countries to make a comeback. The more resilience the country displays in its response post-COVID-19, brighter the chances for it to recover, consolidate and reclaim its position. During this phase, it is very much possible that a lesser country may overtake the rank holders!

India as a nation has that strength and resilience. With the youth population on our side, the technical fraternity coming together for engineering, designing and producing innovative products, strong and focused leadership at the helm of affairs; we are certainly going to emerge stronger from this crisis.

India needs to look back to its roots for finding simple answers to the complex issues at hand, to frame policies for inclusive growth, to charter its development plans paying due respect to the nature and executing them in harmony with it. The current challenge of COVID-19 should be taken up as an opportunity to re-define ourselves, our priorities and the philosophy of life.

I have the confidence to say that better days are waiting for us, the only condition is we should be able to catch this opportunity. We all should get engaged creatively to give our best. It is time to transform ourselves and transform the nation.

Let’s do it!

#coronavirus #covid19 #narendramodi @PMO #pmo #lockdown #india #lockdownindia @india #covid2020 #corona @pmoindia  #ordinary #indian #anordinaryindian #indiafightscorona #coronavirus #fightcovid-19 #helpfightcorona #madhukarmohan #pandemic #tablighijamaat #coronawarriors #beinghuman #socialdistancing #worldhealthday #WHO #wuhan #philosophical #bee #bees #picnic

A Tough Journey Lies Ahead! 19th Day of the Lockdown.

COVID-19 pandemic has spread its tentacles around the globe and is tightening its grip more viciously with every passing moment. The wide geographical areas it has covered and the mayhem it has created is unparalleled in the history of mankind. It has not differentiated the countries on the basis of their financial powers, religion, colour or superiority of their race! It has been equally merciless to all.

The only concession COVID-19 is giving is to the people who are cautiously avoiding it by way of social distancing and taking all-important protective measures. In the absence of any vaccines at this moment and since no vaccine is expected to be ready anytime earlier than six months from now, to knockdown Corona, lockdown is the only way. I wish that vaccines are developed sooner than later.

We have seen the total number of positive cases of COVID-19 climbing to almost 2millions now and the death toll has crossed 100,000 mark with the US topping the list constituting a whopping twenty percent of these figures. In case of us, India still appears to be in control but the way the number of cases is climbing up sharply and densely populated areas like Dharavi in Mumbai is being taken over by Corona; this pandemic is going to test us ruthlessly and it shall leave scars so deep that it might take a decade or more to emerge out of this tragedy emotionally as individuals and financially as a country.

Every single day of lockdown is adding a heavy burden on the government coffers and individual’s savings alike. The day is not far when we may have to make a compromise between life and money. May be much before the COVID-19 pandemic slows down, businesses may have to re-start, factories may have to be re-opened, wheels may have to roll again and at a faster rate – to sustain life, to fulfill the bare minimum requirements of the healthy as well as the sick. A compromise may have to be made; a line may have to be drawn.

As a nation, we are fighting valiantly and we shall be victorious. But a tough journey lies ahead!

#coronavirus #covid19 #narendramodi @PMO #pmo #lockdown #india #lockdownindia @india #covid2020 #corona @pmoindia  #ordinary #indian #anordinaryindian #indiafightscorona #coronavirus #fightcovid-19 #helpfightcorona #madhukarmohan #pandemic #tablighijamaat #coronawarriors #beinghuman #socialdistancing #worldhealthday #WHO #wuhan #philosophical #bee #bees #picnic

Braceup for more! 18th Day of the Lockdown.

Taking a cue from the experience of other countries in containing the spread of Corona Virus, the Indian Government took the timely measure of countrywide lockdown. Looking into the dire strait in which USA, Italy, France and other countries are, the wisdom of the government in taking timely decision has proved to be very effective. Despite the irresponsible behavior of certain section of the people here and there, the resolve of the state governments and the central government in containing the spread of COVID-19 at all cost has kept the numbers still under control, has so far kept the situation under control.

The increasing number of patients in the cities like Mumbai, Bhopal and Indore is a cause of concern. The doctors, nurses, police officials and other corona warriors are at high risk and some of them have unfortunately lost their lives which too is worrisome. It is hoped that by now, most of the hospitals are now have adequate stock of PPE for their workforce and the patients who are being admitted.

It is heartwarming to see that many innovative and practical designs have come up for the much-needed ventilators and the PPEs. Our scientists, engineers and doctors are coming up with many creditable solutions which is praiseworthy and it is time to take actions for producing them immediately to fulfill the projected demand. It is also the time to market our innovations to foreign lands – which would help the countries in meeting their immediate requirements. In the long run these innovations are going to create a creditable reputation and good business opportunity for us.

While the scheduled 21-day lockdown period was supposed to end on 14^th April, the same is on the verge of extension upon the review of the situation in different states. The increasing number of hotspots leading to ever climbing up numbers of COVID-19 patients is necessitating it. We all need to make much more concerted efforts now to end this lockdown. It is now going to be pretty long lockdown. We need to be more responsible in every way.

Let us do our best in every way to stay active and emerge out much stronger mentally and physically after the lockdown. Remember, so many people are giving service to us and they are also risking their lives for us in this challenging time; we need to support them now and let’s pledge to sweat with sincerity – once the lockdown is lifted. We have lot to do. Let’s prepare ourselves to give our best!

#coronavirus #covid19 #narendramodi @PMO #pmo #lockdown #india #lockdownindia @india #covid2020 #corona @pmoindia  #ordinary #indian #anordinaryindian #indiafightscorona #coronavirus #fightcovid-19 #helpfightcorona #madhukarmohan #pandemic #tablighijamaat #coronawarriors #beinghuman #socialdistancing #worldhealthday #WHO #wuhan #philosophical #bee #bees #picnic

The Bees and the COVID-19! 17th Day of the Lockdown!

My mornings start consciously knowing that I have to be at home and I have to be with myself. I need not rush, for anything. This pandemic has given us an opportunity to redesign our lifestyle, to make it simpler and healthier than pre-Corona days. To give priority to our own lives.

While contemplating about the activities for today, a bee caught my attention that had found its way into my room and was now trying to find an exit through the glass window, but kept on hitting the glass panel without success. I opened the door and with the help of a newspaper guided it slowly towards the door. It went out, I shut the door to avoid its re-entry. But, in the process it reminded me of an incident of our college days, in-fact an accident due to the bees. It taught us a few lessons, and today the bees remind me again that laying down motionless makes one safer from their stings!

We were then in the second year of our engineering course. For celebrating Makar Sankranti, we - the students from Bihar, had planned for celebrating Makar Sankranti by going out for a picnic to the picturesque jungle around the Kerwa Dam, Bhopal. All the arrangements were perfect and the picnic started with a round of tea. We got divided into small groups as per our interest. We got busy in various activities like Antakshari, swimming in the river flowing adjacent to the picnic spot, playing cards, badminton or just simply engaging ourselves in the gup-shup.

We had carried gas cylinder and stove also for cooking. However, after reaching there, in order to get the real feel of the picnic; some of the friends decided to use firewood and makeshift chulha for cooking instead of the gas stove. We were at some distance from the place where the makeshift kitchen was operational. Everything was going well and we were enjoying the winter sun. All of a sudden, the friends who were near the kitchen started shouting and running while trying to escape the bees chasing them. In no time, the swarm of bees reached us and attacked us too in vengeance. They were in very large numbers and were of bigger size than we usually get to see hovering on the flowers. Their sting was fiery and painful.  Each of us had taken a number of stings, beyond counting. That day I discovered that bees leave their sting stuck in the body of the victim and they themselves die later on.

It was such a fast and deadly attack that one of our senior fell unconscious with pain– he was stung by more than two hundred bees. I was stung mostly on my face and neck only, thanks to my full sleeves jacket. Me and many of my friends had to jump in the river to save ourselves from the bees. It was mere luck that we were alive, didn’t drown! The picnic was a disaster and we ended up in hospital as many of us needed pain killers, anti-allergic medicines and saline too.

When we reached hostel, the incident spread like a wildfire. However, it didn’t deter our friends from UP who too planned a picnic trip on the next Sunday at the same venue. We had warned them, not to use firewood as the smoke rising from it disturbs the bees and they might attack again. But, the mistake was repeated and they too had to bear the brunt of the bees with the same fury. This time too some of our friends jumped into the river to save themselves from the attack. After some time, when the bees started thinning out, frantic search for one of our friend started who had also jumped into the river along with others. Everyone who had jumped into the river came out, but he was not so lucky. On jumping blindly into the river, he had got stuck between the heavy rocks and he couldn't make it to the surface. He was drowned! The worst had happened. Local villagers helped in fishing him out. We had lost a dear friend on that fateful day.

We had learnt some lessons, the hard way. Firstly, do not disturb the wild life, it can be very dangerous. Secondly, lay down motionless on the ground covering ear and nose with hands – the bees won’t bite – they will at the most sit on you for a while and fly away. But, the moment you move your body – they won’t spare you. Thirdly, as the old adage states, never jump into an unknown river or water body – as you never know what lies beneath!

I find a similarity with COVID-19. You are safe from it till you are in your favorite hideout – your home! Don’t venture out! Be safe!

#coronavirus #covid19 #narendramodi @PMO #pmo #lockdown #india #lockdownindia @india #covid2020 #corona @pmoindia  #ordinary #indian #anordinaryindian #indiafightscorona #coronavirus #fightcovid-19 #helpfightcorona #madhukarmohan #pandemic #tablighijamaat #coronawarriors #beinghuman #socialdistancing #worldhealthday #WHO #wuhan #philosophical #bee #bees

Being Philosophical! 16th Day of the Lockdown!

Covid-19 has very well demonstrated that even inactivity can be of such great value – that it can save millions of lives, rejuvenate nature, bring us closer to ours inner selves. It has also taught us that most of the things that we aspire for in our life has either very little value or no value at all! While we give away our lives to such petty things, we do not value our own life. But,this pandemic has taught us a great lesson – every life has great value. Let’s honour our life and let’s give some respect and meaning to it!

It must be happening for the first time that while entire humanity is in pain and suffering; other species are leading normal lives, rather a better life due to non-interference by us human beings. It is being said that nature is reclaiming itself – many wild species are being seen venturing out and exploring the areas free from human activities. Air quality has improved, ozone layer is repairing itself and the rivers have become cleaner! Is the nature punishing us for all the damage we inflicted on it in the last so many decades? May be!

We have experienced it ourselves that we don’t need truckloads of things to live and laugh. Let’s reflect to re-prioritise. Let’s try to unburden ourselves by getting free of the meaningless race with each other. Let’s make distinction between our essential needs and the wasteful desires. We need to focus only on the needs, let’s live the desires. When we step out of our homes after COVID-19 is defeated, let’s take every step in the direction that will bring us more and more closer to the nature. Let’s live in harmony with it.

Let’s learn to live now!

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