Lab pe aati hai dua

lab pe aatii hai duaa banake tamannaa merii

zindagii shammaa kii surat ho Khudaayaa merii

ho mere dam se yuuN hii mere watan kii ziinat

jis tarah phuul se hotii hai chaman kii ziinat

zindagii ho merii parawaane kii surat yaa rab

ilm kii shammaa se ho mujhako mohabbat yaa rab

ho meraa kaam Gariibon kii himaayat karanaa

dardmandon se zaiifon se mohabbat karanaa

mere allaah buraaii se bachaanaa mujhako

nek jo raah ho us raah pe chalaanaa mujhako

This is a gem from Allama Iqbal and my favourite dua. When I was a kid, my Ami used to sing for all of us in a melodious, sweet and effective way. I just love it till today.
She learned it as a morning assembly prayer in her school at Aligarh Muslim University. When I entered AMU, I was straight into college and missed this oppurtunity. :-(
This soulful dua has been embedded so deeply into my heart & I cherish each word of it.
For some technical reasons I could not load the video here, but it is available at youtube.com
Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvBd_F-Fn3w
Please have a pleasure to listen it full atleast once..... its a blessing to ears and soul...
Little Siza Roy's voice will mesmerise you ! Album - Cry For Cry by Jagjit Singh

sms

Friends come and go by. Some leave a long lasting impression & others just pass by.

Here I share this sms, which appreciated my jesture & just passed by:

Chehre ki hasi se har gam ko chupao,

Bahut kuch bolo par kuch na batao,

Khud na rutho kabhi par sabko manao,

yahi raaz hai zindagi ka bas jeete hi jao.....

yeh!... It seems I am on a right track..... living a valuable life... for me and for others! :-)

clicked the above photograph on Sept 11th 2007

An Extraordinary life: Princess of Rampur Mehrunissa Khan

Recently I was watching an interview of Mehrunissa Khan, Princess of Rampur, on NDTV. It was not that this lady of 75 years attracted my interest, but it was her life and the way is lived caught my attention.

It is said we have ONE life to live and love. I was slowing getting this feeling inside me as the interview was progressing. Who on this earth can stop you to live if you have a motivation to live life a full?

Mehrunissa Khan is a Princess, born from unofficial third queen of the Nawab of Rampur & was brought up in 14 palaces of Rampur (princely state, now in Uttar Pradesh, India). Most of her childhood days were spent being part of grand lunches and dinners among 100's of Guests and prominent personalities including Pandit Jawarhal Lal Nehru and others.

Like many princess in India she too was married and had two children. It would have been a normal life like most women have in India, but that was not destined to her. She opted divorce and had to give up the custody of her children. She was not allowed to meet or see her two children aged 5 and 3 then.

A mother who nurished 9 months a child in her womb with her blood was not allowed now to see them ever. Irony it is!

As I learned from the interview, she migrated to London then. Here she met and fell in love with a Pakistani Group Captain Rahim Khan. Soon she got married and lived in Pakistan, giving up her country and substancial inheritance in India. Rahim Khan was made Commander in Chief of the Pakistani Air Force, second in charge to the President. With this marriage she realised her dreams of travelling all over the globe, lived a comfortable luxirious life, meeting various dignitaries from Kings and Shahs, attending official parties etc. etc.

But not much, things went bad between the Air force commander, her husband and President Bhutto, and the family had to take political asylum in the US, having there absolutely no money or support. Her family could not bear this. Husband went into deep depression and turned alcholic and their son into drugs. Her love died later during a kidney transplant and the son in a car accident at the age of 23.

She a born fighter, bounced back into life, this time teaching Urdu and Hindi at the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington DC. Though she lives in debts and a morgaged house now, her zeal for life is still alive.

In her own words, "I can make things move. I don't give up easily."

At 75, she still likes to dance, wants to study further & learn classical music. She wrote her autobiography "An Extraordinary life :Princess Mehrunissa of Rampur" & said with this, "My idea is to share with all women that one can do what one wants."

There is always lessons to be learned while encountering such personalities & I too learned many from this interview. Life is certainly unpredictable!! It has mysteries and miseries at every corner. It is you to discover how you would like to honor it.

To me best option is: Love to live!

"ONE LIFE TO LIVE AND ONE LIFE TO LOVE... LIVE EACH MOMENT FULL"

Photo courtesy:

Links: http://www.harmonyindia.org/hportal/VirtualPageView.jsp?page_id=955

Be Humble

Whatever be the extent of virtues or power which one may acquire, these would be of no avail unless accompanied by humility. Humility and pleasant speech constitute one’s ornaments; others don’t count.

All knowledge and study attain their fulfilment only when accompanied by humility. True knowledge confers humility. It is said, “a pot which is full of water would not make gurgling noise”. Indeed only those who are possessed of mere superficial knowledge attempt to conceal their lack of fulfilment or real self-respect through vain boasts, loud talk, self-righteousness or egotistic chatter. In contrast, peaceful countenance and simplicity mark those who are authentic and truly fulfilled.

By being humble you would always sustain, stand tall, and progress toward true riches and endearing growth!

Cartoon courtesy: CartoonStock

Cartoons are added to make the reader humbily smile!!

Jalta howa

Jalta howa mujh ko yun choda
Sisakta howa dhunva mujh se jo nikla
uski bedard ankhon se jisne aanso nikala
tapka yun ke bhujha diya
woh shola kabhi jo jalta howa choda
Na jaana chaha usne yeh kabhi
Khak bane mujhe bhi
bahut der huyi…..

(c) kagaz ki kashti

Kya ho raha hai?

Maine jo likha hai, chap gaya hai
Shayri thi na, per chaa gaya hai
Kya mai samjhon, kya ho raha hai?

Saheli meri mujhe se number puche
Maanga kahe, mai dena tarsun jisse
Kya mai samjhon, kya ho raha hai?

Khush hon mai itna, udhna mai chahon
Ghonsulon me jhanku ke pankh chura lun
Kya mai samjhon, kya ho raha hai?

Pakka pakka lage wada jhota bhi
Chutki bhar khushi inme jo dekhon bhi
Kya mai samjhon, kya ho raha hai?

Neela amber yon jhuk gaya hai
Samundar se milta ke pyasa lage hai
Kya mai samjhon, kya ho raha hai?

Teddy bechara dur pada hai
Aj taqiya bhi mujhe sula raha hai
Kya mai samjhon, kya ho raha hai?

Badal banke udhti ja rahi hon
Chalke jiya Pyasi mai jo barson
Kya mai samjhon, kya ho raha hai?

Pariyan khole kitaben meri
khawab adhure, banaye yeh kahani puri
Kya mai samjhon, kya ho raha hai?

(c)kagaz ki kashti

Karo zara rangeen

in nanhe podhon ko dekha hai tumne
Jab subha pheli aos ki bundain inhe rangegi
tab chatkegi ik sundar si kali
aur bhikregi muskaan bagiya ki

jab phoolon ki madhu me dubega mali
tab mehkega har maala ka phool
aur sajega yuwan shuq jode ka

jab raat ki chandni sharmili mehkegi
tab sang hoga yaadon ka saath
aur shenai dur kahin bajegi

jab dekhegi kali yeh naya savera
tab ithalake bolegi in bundon se
jao dhond lao koi nanhi kali

jo aas lagaye dekh rahi subha ki
tab tumne mujhe ranga tha
aj fir sajao aos ki hiron jessi bundoon ko
aur karo tum in pyase podon ko zara rangeen....

(c) kagaz ki kashti

Holi hai !!!!

Eid Milaad

Some images I captured on the ocassion of Eid Milaad on 21st March 2008 at Byculla and Ray Road, Mumbai.

Sunset at Juhu beach

Shaam hoti hai to mai diye bujha deta hun

Mere dil me lagi aag hi kafi hai roshni ke liye...

Sailing in Arabian Sea

The GATEWAY OF INDIA, Mumbai, India
My wish... (my yacht....) :-)
The Dockyard
The Taj Mahal Palace and Hotel, Mumbai

sagar kinare sang tumhare
chal diye maujoun sahare

kashti dole tu mujhe chede
mai liptoun hawa thithore
kahe na samjhe aao suniye
aa leja mujhe ab kahe tarse
teri kasam sagar se
gherrah pyar mera
tu kion na jaane
pagli kahe duniya mohe saare

sagar kinare sang tumhare
chal diye maujon sahare

dur koi desh tumhare
kion kashti tez na jawe
dushman bane majhi chahe
mai sang sagar tumhare galiyare
desh pani laage khaare khaare
aa laut chalen sahej hamare
meet tum saath kahan re
teri aas ab na rulaye

sagar kinare sang tumhare
chal diye maujon sahare

(c) kagaz ki kashti

Photos clicked on 9th Feb 2008

Kaisa fasana....

Khusiyon ka kaisa hai yeh fasana
palko pe hain moti
aur ease mai pyar ka dastakana
khawabon ka kaisa hai yeh fasana
karvaton pe hain na chain
aur needon mai gharonde banana
umeedon ka kaisa hai yeh fasana
raatein sayah hai kali
aur zindagi mai rangon ka barasana
chahaton ka kaisa hai yeh fasana
madhos akele hain chale
aur manzilon ke khatir Kahan jana ....

(c)kagaz ki kashti 23rd Sept 2007

mai kissi ke kaam na aa saka........

Mujhe iska koi bhi gham nahin ke kissi ne mujhse wafa na ki

mai kissi ke kaam na aa saka mujhe sirf iska malaal hai...

--Tariq Hashmi

Waqt ne fir pigla diya...

Waqt ne fir pigla diya
woh barf pe kadmo ke nishaan
jis per manzil ka na tha koi makaan
Barf ko bhi na tha hamesha rahena
Usse bhi manzil nayi pahunchna

Aaj fir dekho yeh barf padi hai
Jesse keh rahi ho
Aj bikhra hai maine naya canvas
karo tum ik nayi painting
Ya likho tum ik nayi ghazal
Per dekho yuhin safed na rahene dena
Karna tum unhen zaara rangeen….

Waqt ne fir pigla diya…

(C) kagaz ki kashti 21st Jan 2008

Ehsaas

hawaon ki gustakhiyon me ehsaas uska
pattiyon ki sarsahaat me aahat uski
aasmaan me toote taare me bayaan uska
aankh mundh dekho to jaadu uska
jisse dundh rahi kahin dur mai
paas hai, pyar dil me uska...


(c) kagaz ki kashti

Happy New Year!!

As the new year dawns...

May it bring for you all

the beginings of....

NEW HOPE

HIGHER ASPIRATION and

GREATER POSSIBILITIES.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!!

You don’t need expensive toys to give you happiness…

The National Science week which ended recently proved this. On the grand opening of this week celebration & to welcome APJ Abdul Kalam for its inauguration, I was present along with a curiosity filled child of age six.
The narration of my past undoubtedly must have increased her curio. These stories included my encounter with APJ Abdul Kalam during my training days when he used to visit our training school hostel and my photographs with him.
On the 11th evening we stood there, to have the glimpse when his convoy would stop for the welcome. Plenty of school children from all over India were performing the cultural programs to welcome him. The main road of my colony was adorned up with his large life size photographs, the children on horse back giving him a salute. The traditional music been played in the background to make the atmosphere more pleasant on this occasion.
The curiosity soon turning into smile of appreciation on the face of this six year tot which was the highlight of the whole show for me. And prompt was the reason, “I want to be APJ Abdul Kalam…”

Many exhibition stalls that put displays from all over India’s scientific & research developments, displayed advanced development and products and the one that stood out for me was the display of “Bhabhatron”, made by my division & recently been commissioned & dedicated to the nation. The various Indian schools were not far behind in displaying their scientific activities and development.
Among these highly advanced technology display stood one out of them was the Yusuf Meharally Khadi & Village gram udyog stall. This stall was not only displaying its achievements but also was showing how things could be made.
The pottery was the one that attracted us. The small curious and creative hands took on the wheels, and no wonder that this first attempt was not bad, infact it was amazing! The more amazing was the smile and happiness associated with the every shape that this clay was turning into. What was even more wonderful that this happiness that was more than when her plays were with the Barbies dolls. How can this earth replace that wonder??? Really… mitti me kuch aur hi khoshboo hai….!!!
Finally a small pot was made. With those muddy hands she did not shy to carry it all along the various stalls showing her master piece to everyone and carry it on her hands back then home. The nonstop smile & the happiness as if she was flying in the air with wings of clouds…. I can never forget that moment in all my life.
I cannot stop thinking; that it does not take costly thing to give you happiness…. It can be the most unrecognizable thing which we can ever imagine…..
Two day later when I returned home, there was even more surprise in store for me. That small pot had been more beautiful than I could imagine, with 3 flowers blossoming inside it.
And I smiled finally………….. with happiness!!

Awazon ke shor me

In awazon ke shor me
chat toota dil mera, kya suni tumne awaz?
kaisi thi yeh awaz
kya isme cheekh thi ya pukaar?
kion isme na thi itni taqat
ke khinche pal bhar dhyaan apni aor..

In awazon ke shor me
chat toota dil mera, kya suni tumne awaz?

kion khulti pyar ki dukaan
jahan bikta dhokh fareb beshumaar
muskurate mukhoton ki aor
kion kare lutna pasand har koi

kion pyar per lagi boli me na thi itni taqat
ke badle kisi ka woh imaan

In awazon ke shor me
chat toota dil mera, kya suni tumne awaz?

kion baras baras kar tham gayi
yeh suni si ankhiyain
ik doundla sapna dekh
kion taras gayi woh dedaar
kion in moti me na thi itni taqat
ke pighla de patthar ko jesse moum

In awazon ke shor me
chat toota dil mera, kya suni tumne awaz?

kion rupaiye ki khanak
dikhla rahi raste rishton se dur
kion chamak dekh bhatak raha musafir
US duniya ki aor
kion is mithi me na thi itni taqat
ke raah banaye apne ghar ki aor

In awazon ke shor me
chat toota dil mera, kya suni tumne awaz?

kion tan daud raha subah savere
jahan man hai na mol
kion kare pachtawa bhi woh
jab peth pyas khoob sataye
kion is bhukh me na thi itni taqat
ke zillat se yeh bach jaye

In awazon ke shor me
chat toota dil mera, kya suni tumne awaz?

besharm houn kaho na tum mujhe admi
bandh kar di maine apne dil ke kaan
han na sun saka mai mujhboor

woh cheekh ya pukaar
yun mar kar bhi to zinda hon
ke jeeta sang tanhai mai bundh bundh

In awazon ke shor me
chat toota dil mera, kya suni tumne awaz?

(c) kagaz ki kashti, Nov 19th 2007

Inspiration

These ashairs from Allama Iqbal are really inspirational, thought to share with you all.

Dhoondne wala sitaron ki guzargahon ka
apni afkar ki duniya ka safar kar na saka

(The one who is exploring the Universe is unable to explore his own self)

Another Allama's relevant shair

Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain
Abhi Ishq ke imtehan aur bhi hain
Tahi zindagi se nahin yeh fazayen
Yahan sakaron karwaan aur bhi hain
Qana'at na kar aalim e rang o boo par
Chaman aur bhi, aashian aur bhi hain
Agar kho gaya ek nasheman to kya gham
Mukamat e aah o faghan aur bhi hain
Tu shaheen hai, parwaz hai kaam tera
Tere saamne aasman aur bhi hain
Isi roz o shab mein ulajh kar na reh jaa
Ke tere zaman o makan aur bhi hain
Gaye din ke tanha tha main anjuman mein
Yahan ab mere raazdaan aur bhi hain

When I came across this, honestly it changed something inside me. Brilliant work by him!

Small gesture...

This lane has been over crowded today than when they came here last. They were peeping through all those colourful windows of each shop, having a glimpse of what’s new on display. Their hands were full with shopping bags, but not their appetite for shopping.
Both of them were giggling & trying to rush and be the first to get the hands on something favorites of theirs. This was Diwali time and most of the street shops displayed the lights, lamps, diyas, sweets etc.

“Don’t you need anything?”, she asked to this sweet girl with her, trying to hold her small hand tightly scaring to loose her grip in this busy rushing lane.

“Would you buy for me those stars?”, the girl pointed to a pack of neon stars & moon.

“But those are not the stuff that has to be put for Diwali, you can have this wonderful Diya or this China lightings… Wow! Look at these candles so beautiful & artistic. Would you like to have these?”, she suggested her.

“No, those stars seem beautiful to me, I would like to have them”, she pointed at them again.

At the home later…
“Have you packed your bracelet, rubber-bands, clips?.... Why don’t you take these shoes instead of those sandals? Let me see what else you kept in your bag?”, digging inside her bag...she was murmuring most of the things herself, than asking this little girl.

“When do I have my train?”, the small girl wondered.

“Tomorrow evening… but make a point you won’t trouble your grand dad during the journey”, she was teaching her.

“Now put your remaining things in your bag.. Come on ..soon”, she smiled looking at her, rubbing her hand on the girls hair at the same time.

“Not now I am doing some work”, speaking this the girl rushed back to the bedroom.

After a long silence…she peeped into the bedroom to get the latest. Maybe the sixth sense invited her to this room. She observed a wooden stool on the bed and the small girl on it, trying to reach the ceiling to put those stars & the moon there.

“Ouch”….the caring arms caught her… she would have fell to the ground.

“My God!.. Have mercy!!… what are you doing here with this stool on bed? You would have broken your leg if I were not in time.”, she sounded harsh on her.

They together then filled the whole ceiling with those night glowing stars & moon.

That night….
The room was dark & those beautiful stars & moon started glowing on the ceiling. It seemed that they both lay under an open sky, gazing & admiring the wonderful world God had created.
“Twinkle twinkle little star
DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE?
Up above the world so high
Like a DIAMOND in the sky”

Cuddling her she said, “Oh! sweet sweet girly… it is HOW I WONDER WHAT YOU ARE?....”

“hmm, those lines are for you. You are the diamond in this whole universe”.

That line from this little girl made her eyes wide open in disbelief, this effort only to make her feel so loved so precious. She admired this small gesture of hers throughout the night.

The girl jumped from one berth to another in the train compartment. So playful & so happy. She bought some chip packets, chocolate, water for the little girl. Kissed her holding her tear back.
And they waved goodbye to each other.

She lay on her bed again that night… alone….staring those glowing stars & moon on the ceiling, the little girl left for her... echoing those words again and again….
DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE?....
LIKE A DIAMOND IN THE SKY……
Remembering this little girl and her unique yet so wonderful and lovable gesture, she closed her eyes with peace and a smile.

Some small gestures are so charming so unforgettable……. Isn't it??