Anaahat

The face in the picture stares at me. A cry erupts from the deep recessions of the heart. I am taken by surprise by the sheer emotion it evokes I stare back at the face with all that it stirs. Satisfied to, I shoot daggers How much I loved you. Or perhaps still do. How much I ache in places I didn't know existed. The picture blurs. And I think - this is where love meets hate.

Terror has struck again. Again the lives of millions are affected; hatred spread and images that will continue to haunt our memories. Melodramatic news channels report fictionalised news to attract more viewers, without considering the impact their melodrama will have on the person with no connection to the outside world except the television. They are doing what they do best: minding the business of people's lives. Inappropriate, insensitive. This is the ‘n’th time that I see these images. That I sit holed up in my house when others decide my fate. I am not one of the hostages stuck in the hotels. But I am the hostage of terror. I locked my door twice yesterday, got up to check the locks on the middle of the night, and prayed to my God that everything will be fine in the end. Then, as a citizen I witness the power game and the politics of people running my country: I hear undue remarks on religion. And even if I don’t believe in making religion the reaso (because I believe tha...

Yes, Yes, I know that scent New plastic covers and brown paper sheets. New books with lots of stories New chapters and new workbooks, New bags and fancy water bottles New shoes with snow coloured socks Freshly sharpened pencils In a colourful pencil box. Yes, yes, I remember what it means It means new beginnings, ‘Leave yesterday beneath that tattered History text book’, it screams And open new doors, And rest on new seats, In new classes And new hiding places to seek Oh, I so wish I could go back, For day, Not more. And I would still like to play with abandon and go bone-tired to bed.

Obama looks calm and composed as he sits to be sworn in. The quotes of coloured skin, the fight of millions for equality has finally opened the eyes of the nation to the character underneath the dark skin. He sits like a common man, he speaks in an honest and genuine voice. He even faltered a little while taking the oath: like a common man. And corrected himself. It was a reaffirmation of the journey where the common man reached. And his voice reaches millions. It was a moment similar to the one when our parents' parents must have watched 'when the clock struck midnight' speech by Nehru, a moment when a leader reaffirms his and his land's place in the world. A moment when history takes a turn. I don't care as much for how he performs. For we all know that he has taken charge of the country which already has one and a half foot in the grave. How much of it he can save and how much 'change' he can bring is not difficult for anyone to imagine. Yet, it was a tri...

Idle mind in search of answers, Idle mind with the time to ponder and wonder Idle mind to capture time Idle mind to keep it still. And the new red hues. What do you think of the new red hues? I think it adds some life, colour to the black and white world of Disquiet. It adds a fiery sense to the world of words. This mind, though is not idle. There are unsaved conversations about ethics, democracy, frauds, changing light bulbs, relationships and a few swears at the rickshawwallas and taxiwallas. Slowly these random conversations are taking shape of a single opinion. A single opinion on life, on God, on things beyond our control. Like money, fame, satisfaction, contentment. Perhaps the mind is maturing, with many summers to grey a few hair on the scalp, to keep a wrinkle permanent near the eyes. As if with every year that you pass, you travel away from this earth which gave birth to you, you travel up towards the sky and slowly as you gain objectivity. The different and diverse pieces of...

After the events of the 3 terrorising days, a sheet of anxiety hung in the air. Not like being in a war; in a war you know the enemy is, he is identifiable. Here he was faceless. Someone standing next to me? “Let us start something. A non-cooperation movement. Something to show we are not taking this lying down. Something that can tell the leaders and politicians that we want our safety. A nameless, leaderless movement. Lets show them how many we are and how angry and tired and frustrated we are. Let us all come togehter at the gateway of india - on Wednesday, Dec 3 rd @ 6pm. Please spread the word if you agree it's time we send a message too!” This message blinked on various cell phones, emails, networking groups in the days that followed. Quite rightly catching on the general mood: anger, the feeling to do something, to voice out confused voices, somewhere. And, hoping someone hears them: politicians, terrorists or perhaps “we – the people”. I was ticked too and...

Thinking I feel disheartened, disappointed, let down, helpless as I watch this political game unfold. Do they really think I am dumb or blind? Do they think resignations are a solution? I want to scream: take responsibility of what happened promise and work for change. Travelling I travelled in the city today, as many others Each and every face was shadowed with fear and apprehension. Eyes were widened at every person carrying a rucksack No security at the stations, three days after the massacre The security at the entrance of a building checks my bag not knowing what to look-out for. And, While my peace is far away, news channels are busy locating Dawood and they aide in sacking a few ministers. Do they have the agenda for change right? Should the change begin from killing Dawood Or Should we look at our security? Analysing Perhaps, I feel so strongly because I bore the brunt of the attack this time I watched horrified as my familiar places turned into a battleground. Perhaps I feel s...