In the NEW YEAR

While many of the existent Indian people in the world would have celebrated the Hindu New Year with lights, some visiting their near and loved ones, some going about making trips to macau, singapore or greece for that matter, some dozing off to let out the whole year’s stress and perhaps some who say they did supposedly nothing than sit in front of the TV and check out the daily soaps, i made a quiet trip to NATHDWARA.

Rashee bhabhi had come home for the diwali since the last fortnight and we had been visiting various places in and around the city, although perhaps archeologists, historians and ethnic city dwellers wouldnt be happy with the places i showed her. Parents are the key to all the things, prizes and problems, and so it came again to mom who had since long made a wish to visit Nathdwara and show bhabhi of what is perhaps one of the busiest, crowdiest and chaotic pilgrim place in the world. So, we made a journey to the place in the morning of the new year.

When you see, around 10000 or more tribals, ‘bhils’ as people call them,

all sitting on wall tops, road sides, cowering in the slight early winter chill, making funny obstreperous crypted noises, coupled with devotees from all round the state- nay, the world pouring in for the DARSHAN, although you’re devoted and have immense religious power, you do feel the heat. “To describe the night of ANKUT na darshan, where hundreds of mishtans, sweets and farsan are placed on HIS feet for blessings, IT WAS A CHAOTIC but an amazing SPECTACLE.” The Ankut darshan generally happens in the night at around 8.30-9. and would ideally stay till 11.00 pm. But that day, the line for Men to enter was like a sea wave, like the doll faces one sees in Jagannath puri rathyatra or Mecca pilgrimage in saudi. When a wave would come, it would sweep many in the forward plunge or kick backward in the other way round. Amidst all these, loud chants and calls for Giriraj Dharan and Shyam, Dwarikanath echoed the ever bustling streets. The heat due to the commotion or the chilly warly winter breeze didnt seem to affect many, apart from the those agnostics and new comers. I still believe its a really strange and serene feeling standing there amidst all the pushing elbowing and yet not feeling anything less than the love for HOLY GOVARDHAN. For according to the legend, even aurangzeb was blinded by Govardhan prabhu’s powers and Mughal dynasty would prior would regard Vaishnavas with reverence. Earlier in the day, we had GAU KHEL and GOVARDHAN PUJA where century old traditions of teasing and playing with cows by the cowherds and the puja of the holy Govardhan mountain would happen respectively to all spectators’ eyes looking with awe.

Later at around 12 midnight we finally got a chance to enter the mandir, get HIS ALMIGHTY’s madhuram glimpse and get the chance to view something of sorts that could be experienced once a lifetime. According to the tradition, the tribals or bhils are allowed to enter the mandir premises only one day in a year and that on the day of Ankut for the great loot. Well, no its not the great loot retail outlet, nor a bank robbery, its a custom where tons of hot steaming rice or SAKHDI as its known is kept in HIS chamber and the bhils get the permission to enter, gather/ steal or snatch the rice, have darshan and take as much as they can for them and their families. The twist in the tale is, the temple authorities hide a golden ornament in the rice and the one to find it is regarded as very lucky. Its the only day perhaps in the history where we socialized, educated and cultured people beg the bhils to give a handful of the rice or even try and steal from them a pocketful for it is considered that if we get the rice and save it in our financial saving deposit, it brings luck and goodwill. And so, the world saw the temple bath in the rice, mud, fun, stealing for love and rich stealing from deprived. Where would you see that?

In this land of  sands and desert, Rajasthan, all kinds of people are found. Mirages turning up and moving around like ghosts, sometimes acting as helpers and sometimes vices and problems. In this land of sands and sweets, of scent and droughts i went to the town of Nathdwara to get blessings, perhaps not religiously but for that spiritual journey, for like all agnostics i question nature and existence of supreme being but like all theists and believers i believe in existence of a power and a light that beams in all directions always to help us and guide us.

So that was the beginning of the New Year for me, a time starting the season of fall, and perhaps a time i came to know more about my newly found Bhabhi for my elder brother.

PS: They got engaged 3 months back in what was the most unrealistic manner and quickest of engagements. That story later.

The CHANGE as we see it.

“

For nature beats in perfect tune,
And rounds with rhyme her every rune,
Whether she work in land or sea,
Or hide underground her alchemy.
Thou canst not wave thy staff in air,
Or dip thy paddle in the lake,
But it carves the bow of beauty there,
And the ripples in rhymes the oar forsake.  - Ralph Waldo Emerson. (Woonotes)

You were born together, and together you shall be forever more.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. - Khalil Gibran (Prophet)

”

 

Its strange, isnt it. Life is about moments.

One moment there is nothing, as if there is bright sun shining in the sky, soft breeze blowing across the lush green garden grass, grasshoppers playing around while the cuckoos coo and the pigeons flutter, while the squirrels run about gathering nuts and the butterfly flies with its wings flapping profusely, immaculately in the rhythm of nature.

The other moment, that very butterfly giving away its effect, life runs into chaos; there is rain, though its the most wonderful shower of nature’s love one would ever see; there is a peacock dancing and the birds rushing every direction to their homes, that too if i believe would be to discover the naked, blatant nature; the breeze turning into strong winds and blazing gush of that monstrous mouth, but isnt that power the one that makes us breath?

However absurd the above piece may seem to you, it does really remark the difference in moments in life, from eventless and boring to exciting; from lonely to having the best companion; from loss to win and from death to life.

LIFE IS ABOUT MOMENTS!!    But also, it is the discovery of those moments, which isnt possible unless we live it full.

Thr and bak agn.. Again.

Hey all…

“We are less than atoms, I say, because the atom obeys the law of its being, whereas we in the insolence of our ignorance deny the law of nature.” – MK GANDHI.

To be true… I lost touch of myself. The last month or so hasnt been completely the usual in personal neither has it been too remarkable.

I finally achieved what i wanted to since the last 2 months. I feel proud enough to say that in my Engg. life, i have done something substantial and something where i have affected the lives of people. We distributed 30 cycles to the needy students. Repairing most of them and getting several donations, it was one hell of hard time and me altogether being completely single handed in all the stuff. Still i had huge amount of consolation with the support given Dr. Shailendra Kumar and Hostel section in all. I also thank Nirzaree for her support and my friends for their encouragement and ideas at the right times.

Further, i feel the time for me to move on and learn from this thing. This may not be a big objective accomplishment and certainly wont be something in the eyes of the reader from my college, but i would be content with whatever i learned.

Cycle Project

Secondly, Exams having been postponed due to most unfortunate circumstances in my institute, i offer my condolences and respect for the boy who suffered and his friends and family who would suffer in his absence.

Sometimes, things happen and they arent in the best interest of the mass.

Sometimes, things do not happen and they are in the better interest.

But Sometimes, things just happen and there is no reason or objective from it.

I leave now, for i write in midst of Diwali where my father needs my help and we have lots of pooja and celebrations to do in the family.

To all,

HAPPY DIWALI AND A Enlightening NEW YEAR..

PS: For the less fortunate.. Have a better New Year. For me, I hope for a busier and more successful New Year.

JSK.

The Cycle Project

Cycle Donation

It all started 2 months ago, in a journey to Rajkot. I was reading how a business professional turned into a social entrepreneur cum worker. It started as a novel piece of story which soon turned into an inspiration and finally into a motive.

I really wanted to do this, i thought. As soon as the college reopened, I contacted RAI sir, talked with an NGO in ahmedabad, got some basic knowledge and finally thought, let me try.

H-8 has quite a few old cycles which have been orphaned by the students who stayed here since the last 2-3 years. Last year, the HOSTEL SECTION had asked all owners to take them back, but since no one claimed, those were prized into the stock of Hostel Section ownership. Since then they have been lying there. Unwatched, unclaimed, unwanted.

So sum all the things up and you see, i am trying hard to accumulate the cycles and finding the students worthy for them. Nirzaree is my partner and she’s being the creative mind behind all. I have learnt many things i wouldnt have otherwise if not for the experience i got and am getting.

We still need the students, although we on the way to know them. We yet to get donations, although the CHW and Rai Sir has been warm and cooperative. We need the enthu and respect which SVNIT and its students lack mutually. Finally, i need this experience and idea to succeed for it will help me form my thoughts

Still lots to do, quite some time before things get materialize and many a stones to turn for the shelter to be built.

Godspeed and Good Luck.

Get Inspired!!