Rainy days have their own charm
Though they are sultry and warm
Skies draped in thick cloud,
Pour rain with thunder loud.
Raindrops falling on the ground
Create a lovely musical sound.

Morning scene from my balcony
Is like a treat for the eyes
Leaves of different colours and size,
Borne by trees of various kind
refresh and rejuvenate my mind.

On these trees
with dark leaves
and branches strong,
variety of beautiful birds throng

Nesting together mynas,crows, pigeons and squirrels

Live together without quarrels.

Shades on grassy lawn
depict the daily dawn
Filled with energy

from the unrelenting sun

The radiant rays of the sun
shoo away the  mosquitos
While bees and  butterflies
get busy enjoying nectar
from the trees
with silent frolic and fun.

My opinion
May 2019

Just likeMahatma Gandhi emerged on indian politics in 1915. to steer the nation out of poverty and injustice and became an internationally acknowledged figure.
Similar is the case of Modi to have emerged on Indian political scenario when  matters are different.
We can call it the second phase of struggle.
It involves change via govt.policies,  genuine upward mobility away from caste and class politics.
It is well said, 'there are two classes.One the poor and uneducated and the others who will help these poor to steer out of poverty.
 Government has the task to empower both. The poor to be empowered to embrace change  themselves  with the support of entrepreneurs.
 The others_ get the support of govt.laws to implement their progressive plans inclusive of environment and human health issues.
Sudha

First Morning after Retirement

1st April 2014 at the dawn ,
life became so different for me.

Never had I felt so free

As a bird to venture in my own domain,

For the whole day at home I would remain.

Unbound by hectic time schedule ,

decided to live by my own rule.

Watched the school bus drive past 

for a while waiting for me,

While I sipped my tea morning tea 

sitting with the newspaper in my balcony.
I wasn't there to meet the lively  tiny tots
wishing- 'good morning ma'am' in the school bus

No more morning assembly, no more attendance
but watched the birds chirping and butterflies dance.
Instead of moving up and down the stairs  to reach the classes
I was engrossed in solving crossword wearing glasses.

So many years had gone by in the company of the young
and now the time had come to care for those who cared for me when I was young.

Childhood : A unique and unforgettable phase of my life. At Melrose Cottage

Childhood : A unique and unforgettable phase of my life.

At Melrose Cottage

During my early childhood days 

Spent in Melrose Cottage, Life was different.All siblings lived together.These were the days of our schooling and education, playing, teasing,laughter and enjoyment.

We grew up with Arya Samaj system of thought and of course a life of discipline associated with it. For  everyone, elder or younger we used the suffix ‘ji’ .This tradition still continues.

Pitaji the head of the family was too busy with his legal profession to care for the household chores with at least 8-12 members including relatives.But still ensured perfect control.

Mati ji was a very dedicated and hardworking woman .

To ensure division of household labour each member was assigned duties according to his or her abilities.

The extraordinary or unique feature of our family tradition was the family meeting on Sunday evening.It began with a prayer 'Ab saunp Diya is jeevan ka sab bhaar tumhare haathon mein', and the Gayatri Mantra.

I being the youngest , insisted on standing on the table for singing.

It was a meeting with an agenda and all reporting to pitaji as presiding person.Maiji as vice President and if I am not mistaken Navin ji as the secretary who would note down the minutes.Non performer of duties was taken to task.All important matters were reported and discussed.

The Arya Samaj Tradition : 

Every Sunday morning there was hawan and chanting of Vedic mantras hymns for which we had small booklets.The aroma of hawan samagri filled the surroundings and there's purification of air too as offerings were available in pure form.

Daily Life:

Life was enjoyable together. Since there was very less sunlight on our side  we went to a ‘pahari’ (as we called it) on the opposite side to dry clothes and basking in the sun.

Every morning  a bread Wala would come with a tin trunk on his head.It contained loafs of bread and bakery products.

I relished his milk biscuits, taste of which still lingers on in my taste buds.Since I was the youngest he jokingly scared me with his lond knife with while he made slices of bread in our presence.

Few incidents of Melrose life I recall quite often:

• Annandale ground / helipad was visible from our window.So annual Dussehra celebration we enjoyed watching from our home.Crowds of people went down the road below our house.They returned in the late hours with burnt Rawan ki lakdi.
• There was a steep slope below our house leading towards Kaithu.During winters we enjoyed and laughed at the people skidding and falling down on snow..(Of course it was morally wrong)
• Sledges were also used there.
• We used to play with snowballs.Navinji was quite adventurous and naughty. Once his snowball hit a respectable old person,Tiwari ji who reported to pitaji who had reached home .
• On holidays Bhupji and me also went to a pahari opposite State Bank with bhuna chana and makki ke dane.We collected banakshe ke phool ( Which were used as an ingredient for herbal cure for cough and cold)
• Once Rakshaji and her neighbourhood friends like Bhuma collected in an empty building opposie to our house for a get-together.They prepared halwa but if I am not wrong it was like what we named and teased as (leti)As ingredients were not properly cooked.
• We were quite close to Sharma family. Bhuma,Radha Ramesh?and Babbi the youngest friend of ours.
• We played cricket with the bat (dabotni) the equipment for washing clothes.Ball was made out of scores of old socks.
• Rakshaji and Bhupji studied in Lady Irwin school just above our house.we could hear the prayers etc.in our house.I was in St.Thomas.
• Others studied in Sanatan Dharam School.
• Once in the rainy season I wore a raincoat and forgot my schoolbag at home.
• Since it was a Christian missionary school, I would sing loudly my Christmas Carols and all others got chance to tease me.
• I remember Dev ji usually came to my school for payment of fees.On request there was double promotion in class one.
• Once I got less marks and out of fear I didn't get my report card signed from Pitaji
• (A confession) I think I tried to sign myself and was then teased by Navinji.( He was quite intelligent as well as naughty)
• I am told (though I didn't remember) that once I ate lot of sweat purus( I was fond of sweets) and jumped on the pile of quilts.(sugar rush?)Then fell down.
• Another confession of a secret which me and matiji knew.
• I also remember going often to school teachers lodge where I played with my friend Lata Ratnam.I had be called back home.

Now I would  invite inputs by my elders for their memories about Melrose Cottage.

Yesterday morning while travelling from Noida to Patparganj I was so dejected to see continuous heaps of garbage all along the way.

Rain water puddles and stink outside the village area. It's not only a serious health hazard,but cause of traffic jam.Hundreds of people walk over these dumps to reach the main road and cross at their own will.

Above all it gives such negative impression in the mind of the onlooker who wishes to start the day with clean clear thoughts.

The question in mind was who throw this garbage and how can this be controlled?

Most of the people literate or illiterate are responsible for it because they are nor educated in the real sense.Inspite of clean India campaign,this is uncontrollable.

Cleaning drive for just a day or a week is no solution.It needs a permanent and constant follow up.

Now the question of finding the solution.

1.The local governing departments like MCD NDMC and Noida Authority etc. Should prepare policies and proper planning with budget and equipments needed.

2.The areas should be earmarked to cover entire urban or suburban  habitations.

3. Written orders should be passed for commercial centres and residential societies to follow norms of garbage disposal and clearing of drains, clearing unauthorized encroachments.

4.Management of Sanitation should be outsourced to startups to ensure that residents are educated on the issue of segregation of garbage and dire consequences of negligence.

*Strict watch on hotels and eating joints in market places

*To provide coordination , cooperation,and provision of workforce authorities should continuously collaborate with some start ups who adopt fixed areas.

*Defaulters to be fined.Money thus collected should go to funds for payment to the workforce.

 *Business magnates of the areas should be associated for providing funds.

*Sweeping/cleaning etc.to be followed up on daily basis and payments on daily or weekly basis.

*Cleanliness drive on every Sunday.

There is no dearth of manpower.The large workforce can be arranged from beggars and very poor people who can be hired with proper planning and guidance.Food for work is also a good option.

       *   Hospital and private doctors should join in for prevention of mosquito  breeding, healthcare activities.       

*Plantation drives to be carried on.

Small medicinal plants ,fruit trees like papaya, banana, mulbury jamun along boundary walls of the parks within colonies .

*Social media  newsletter should be used to make people aware of the programme and contact persons of their area.

*Incentives to good performers on monthly basis.

सुनहरी यादें जो सदा है अपनी

सुनहरी यादें जो सदा है अपनी

यूं तो महफिल में , पुराने दोस्तों की,
अनगिनत किस्से कहानियां
दोहराई जाती हैं बीते दिनों की,
मगर सबसे प्यारी तो यादें तो वह  होती है
जो अपने आस पास सदा रहती है ,
और कभी सपनों के रूप में,
अपनों के साथ कुछ पल गुज़ार देती हैं।

अकेले में अपने आप उभर आती हैं ,
ज़िंदगी के पलों को फिर से दोहराने
दूर ले जाती हैं दिल को बहलाने।
वो यादें जो ले जाती हैं बिना थकाए
बिना कोई कार,रेल या बस मैं बैठाए
परिवारों, गुरुजनों, साथियों से मिलाने।
उन लोगों के साथ सुनहरे पल बिताने
जो हम से दूर हो गए किसी बहाने।

कभी कभी उभर आती हैं
सुनहरी यादें, नई जगह की,
नए परिवार के नए लोगों नए रिश्तों की ।
बहुत दूर नई ज़िन्दगी बसाने की
जीवन साथी और बच्चों के साथ
बिताए अनगिनत अनमोल  पलों की।

बहुत खुशनुमा है यादें
उन दिनों की।
जो हज़ारों बच्चों के साथ
पढ़ने पढ़ाने में गुज़रे
अलग अलग चेहरे,अलग अलग अंदाज़।
कुछ भूल गए कुछ अचानक  आते  हैं याद।

याद आते है अलग अलग स्कूल
अलग अलग प्रोजेक्ट  और टूर ।
मॉक पार्लियामेंट, स्काउटिंग, मॉडल यू एन्न।
एग्जाम  और चीटिंग केसेज और कॉपी चैकिंग।
खट्टी मीठी यादें उन थकान भरे दिनो की जब काम का होता भार।
क्लास में की गई शरारतें
और फेयरवेल में मिला प्यार।

बहुत अनमोल होती हैं ये सब यादें,
रिटायर्ड ज़िन्दगी में खुशियां भर दें।
दूर कर देती हैं यह थकान।
मुश्किलों में ना आने देती
चेहरों पर कोई शिकन।
यादों के सहारे भर दें
ज़िन्दगी में ऊंची उड़ान
जैसे डोर कर सहारे पतंग की उड़ान।

बढ़ती उम्र को घटा कर
आधा कर दें यह यादे।
यह यादें हैं जो सदा अपनी है,
बहुत अनगिनत,बहुत अनमोल हैं।
इन को सदा दिल में संजोए रखना है
अगर अंत समय तक खुशहाल रहना है।

MY MOTHER

She had innocent smile on her beautiful face

She lived her life with Grace

Born during our freedom struggle

She witnessed partition and related trouble.

Her life was tough

specially when weather was rough.

She worked day and night 

No day she got respite.

Toughest chores without machines

to  grind,cook,or wash clothes.

Knitting sweaters and stitching dresses

Washing and ironing crispy cotton uniforms.

Our home was the centre of activities

 with frequent visits by friends and relatives.

While Father was busy in court and office

She managed all the household activities

At the orchard she cooked

Sumptuous dal, curry and rice

Even in the oven she baked

cakes yummy and nice.

She made Chips,badiyan, papad and pickles 

fruit jams, jellies ,and toffees too

She had the rifle training 

and was expert in knitting and stitching.

She loved singing bhajans and songs

Reading holy scriptures and the stories.

As an eldest sibling she cared well

for her brothers and sisters.

nieces and nephews.

Jagat Mami ji as she was known

with her love and compassion

 all have grown 

You will be missed

your memories will remain

with us forever

Ek kavita doston ke naam

कहीं खो ग‌ए थे बचपन के साथी

पहाड़ों की गोद में अनोखी थी वो जिंदगी।

जिसमें अल्हड़पन भी था और सादगी भी।

छोटी छोटी खुशियो की यादें

अनोखे मैमोरी कार्ड में

चुपके से बटोर रही थी जिंदगी।

बचपन ना जाने ‌कब बीत गया

और बिखरे बचपन के साथी।

जुट गए मेहनत से अपनी

 तकदीर संवारने में।।

फिर आया इक नया मोड़ 

पीछे छूटे अपने , 

बंधी नई जिंदगी की अनजान डोर।

नई राह पर चल पड़े 

पहाड़ों को पीछे छोड़।।

अपनी अपनी दुनिया मे बसेरा बना के
अपने अपने अंदाज से परिवार को समेटे।

घिर गए जिन्दगी की बेशुमार उलझनों जमे

समय गुजर गया
बच्चों की परवरिश मे।
उम्र ढलती रही धीरे-धीरे

 जवां हुए बच्चे
उनकी  इक नई दुनिया बसी ।

समय ने ली फिर अंगडाई,

मेमोरी डिस्क उभर कर सामने आई

अचानक बचपन की घड़ी याद आई
बेचैन हो उठा मन उन पलों को उजागर करने को
पीछे छूट गए  यारों से मिलने को।
सुन ली हमारी दुआ ऊपर वाले ने।
पुराने यार मिले इक नए रूप मे।
ऐसा मिलन दिलों का हुआ
कि पहले से भी मजबूत हमारा बंधन हुआ।
अब ये आलम है कि
आँख खुले या दिन ढले
यारोँ के चेहरे नजर आते हैं
इंतजार रहता है
मिलने का बार बार
जैसे
ऊम्र भर की बाते करनी है
किस्से सुनाने है।

दिल से लिखी कविता  स्कूल के यारों के लिए
सुधा

https://sudhasmjn.blogspot.com

Transformation of my religious beliefs

Transformation of my religious beliefs

Now when I have crossed more than sixty years of my life,I look back and realize how the ideas and beliefs have completely changed during the journey of my life.

During the early years till about early sixties there was complete influence of Arya Samaj .Respected father had spent years in Lahore ,that might be the reason that we adopted Arya Samajis way of life.

Performance of havan,and chanting of Vedic hymns with great fervour.

There was complete discipline in our lives.I really enjoyed the hymns and prayers without much understanding the meaning of Sanskrit shlokas.

Then came the change towards Sanatan Dharam. Aartis,bhajans, religious festivals fasts and rituals.

Purnima Katha, hariyali,shivratru,Janmashtmi, Navratras,Holi, Diwali, ahoiashtmi,all were celebrated with complete tradition and fervour.

Chakradhar Pandit ji became part and parcel of family pujas.

Mother kept regular fasts,Daily morning puja after bath and Aarti at night before dinner .

Mantras and aartis we're sung with full pitch and fervour.Father blew shankh, Krishna Janmashtmi and midnight bhajans were thoroughly enjoyed. Birth of Krishna was symbolised with brass idol taken out from cucumber.

Visits to temples with full faith was part of life

Then came a big change in my life.

Marriage in a family with Radhasoami background.Though bauji was Krishna bhakt,he had passed away much before I became the part of the family.

My mind was utterly confused.

Simple satsang path any time for which taking early bath was not essential.

Though I had freedom of following my beliefs yet all the zeal and enthusiasm had gone away.

I attended satsang on Sundays at Dharamsala.Though I enjoyed satsang,I could not convince myself to adopt Radhasoami way.

At home I continued my Aartis and shlokas  but gradually with the passage of time my mind began to question the worship of idols.

I never enjoyed the mythological part of Hindu culture.

Through 1990s my enthusiasm for performance of puja began to fade away..Though I had full faith in chanting of Sanskrit slokas and had the small temple in the corner ,yet I began to give up  performance of rituals and puja.Ligjting agarbatti and singing aarti in mind continued.

Going to temples where there is commercial influence no more attracted me.

Yes I loved to visit Chattarpur temple,Gurudwaras where social service is done .

Serving the kanjaks on ashtmi too seemed to be irrelevant.

Keeping fast with craving for food through out the day and then cooking vrat food too didn't convince .

Sudden upheavals in life from 2015 gradually made me realise the relevance of fate and stars, and the devotion to the Supreme.

All this while I have been a strong believer,and  a theist I have complete faith in one supreme God or the ultimate divine metaphysical force that governs the whole universe.

Yes there are some temples and religious places which have been constructed and governed with true divine sanctity which I definitely yearn to visit, irrespective of the religious background.

I believe in theory of Karma and importance of the purity of soul.

I remember the supreme Almighty in the mornings.

Bhajans and hymns that worship supreme lord and forces of nature appeal to me.

Yes there is some scientific significance behind true traditional observances,.

2017 My ailment began to transform my ways. I restarted.to think about horoscope, astrological phenomena ,vastu shastra, sanctity of Vedic shlokas, coupled with the idea of daan, and vegetarianism

Faith in the Almighty has become all the more strong.
I have strong conviction that there is one supreme power that controls the entire universe . Astrology and metaphysics affect our lives and actions. What is happening in our lives is pre ordained.

Righteousness and charity are now the basis of my religion.

.

My inner voice

MY INNER VOICE
A REALISATION

When I fall sick

or caught by an ailment

I take it as a divine message

of the Supreme God,

The supreme soul, of which 

we are microscopic fragments.

It's a warning

for not taking adequate care

of the physical body 

in which the ‘Divine Soul’ rests.

So we are directed to the hospitals

Where there is an encounter

with piercing needles,sharp instruments ,

the strong  fluids and potions 

that pass through our veins

We then decide to atone our ways

But ------

There's an alternative therapy

which the Almighty provides

 to keep us  happy and healthy.

Positive thoughts,love, laughter and smile, 

proper routine, and healthy lifestyle.

Lets widen the circle of friends

for mutual support and care

to share positive thoughts

and ennoble our minds.

Sitting and gossiping with them,

Listening to music, 

singing favorite  songs

Playing  games of 'our times’

Lets share with our friends and family,

memories of the days gone by

to experience an immense joy.

Let's be close to nature

or go for an adventure, 

Let's devote our energy

to help those who need care.

Forget the shady moments of the past

or fears of the future unknown 

Live fully each moment 

which is our own.

Let  creativity  and the little child 

within us kindle our lives 

an ultimate  therapy that heals our body and mind.

Celebrate life

Celebrate life each  day
Fear not about the future unknown
Repent not over failures
Unfulfilled dreams or tasks.
Live each day with a new plan
Celebrate each day
 as much as you can.

Make the most of the resources at hand
Make your life worthy
 and exemplary
Believe in yourself .
Uprightt you stand
Facing challenges
 exploring opportunities
For little changes
Towards a happier world.

Make sure you are
Living your  life, not just existing
Touching the hearts of others
Sharing their feelings.
Making a difference
With your positive thoughts.
For you may not meet them again
But your words may
Resound in their minds
Like  everlasting memorieshttps://sudhasmjn.blogspot.com