14.Lost

A lot of soul searching yet no conclusion.
Alienated from tranquility yet musing over the same.
Fulminating strange oaths
Peculiar and lugubrious at doleful existence
Remote possibilities of a come back  for rainbow tinted dreams.
Lost to be found perhaps to be lost again.
Education your state makes me trample with vitriol
Sanity flits and flinch my integrity and intellect.


By Binita Jha

Kutch A Land of Unsung Beauty

It was a memorable trip to a land of unsungbeauty.........kutch.We traveled to 'Nakhtrana' a remote town by night bus.And for the first time ever we had the pleasure of travelling by sleeper bus.O! May I say it felt like being on a caravan.There were cubicles in the bus with well laid carpet covered bed and curtains to give privacy.And as the bus embarked on its journey we laid down to rest .At first the excitement did not allow us to sleep and we kept peering out of the window.But as the night progressed sleep over took us.We were not used to travel of this kind and I often found my daughter asking if we were all on bed when the bus overtook another vehicle or turned round the corner.

We reached Nakhtrana at 7.30a.m .On day one, we headed for Mandvi beach.The virgin beaches with unspoiled beauty was all we needed at that hour.Lazing on the beach with sea crashing at our feet and wild sea gulls flying over us was a sight to beckon. Later we moved to Vijay Palace,a beautifully maintained palace with a past and a present.I say present as still the palace is used by the royal family.The first floor is closed for the public but the rest of the area is open for all.Many films are shot here on regular basis and the palace guide was more than happy to show us around.Later we moved to Godhra and visited Ambaji temple and Rudreshwar temple.It was evening and we were tired so we headed for early dinner and bed.

Day two,we visited Bhuj a district famous for its handicraft all over the world.And how could we forgo our chance to shop.The bright color of kurtas, Sarees, Blouses and Torans kept us enthralled for hours.Driver's voice 'sahab palace baand ho jayega,jana hai kya' made us realize that we also wanted to see it.We moved towards the palace whose large part had been destroyed by the massive earthquake Bhuj had suffered.The Victorian architecture of theRamjas Palace was captivating.There was a clock tower just like the Rajabhai Tower in Mumbai and Aina Mehal with a huge collection of relics from the past.Each with its history standing tall in glory.

Post lunch we started on our journey to white desert............Rann Of Kutch.The local have a tale about this place.It is said, once a saint Dhoran Nath Maharaj sat to meditate by balancing a beetle nut on his head for twelve long years.he had been fasting for all these years.and when it was time for him to come out of meditation,he called his disciples and told them that they should make him sit in the direction where there was nothing, before he opened his eyes.For the glow from his eyes would burn everything,as far as twelve kilometers.The disciples did just that.They made him sit facing the sea as all other direction were inhabited. When the saint opened his eyes in the direction of the sea,the water ran dry and as far as the eyes could see there was white sand............Rann ie.Desert.

This was the most remarkable and most enjoyable journey.We saw several small hamlets.The colourful Raebaris with their herd of cows and flocks of sheep.In no part of India we had seen such a large number of cows.There were permanent milk tanks on the roadside where the nomadic Raebaris deposited the milk from their cattle's,which were later collected by the various milk co operatives operating in Gujrat.It truly appeared like a land of white revolution. As we moved towards the Rann habitation dwindled.At the last check post of kutch we were advised by the police not to travel further as the white salt had almost dissolved with rain. However we did not want to go back and hence moved ahead to try our luck. The beauty of Rann was amazing.We had reached the last check post of India where the BSF jawans were posted.the jawans were surprised to see us at that hour and in that season when most of the white salt was dissolved .Yet looking at our enthusiasm they gave us permission to move ahead and advised us to avoid the wet muddy patch. Boy O Boy!! On reaching there we realized it was a chance well taken.There was white salt in some parts the sea lay behind us and the sun set was breathtaking.It will live in our memories forever.

The last day of the tour had us visiting several temples like Mata ki Maath, koteshwar, Narayan Sarovar where we could see devotees dressed in bright colours as it was also Navami that day.Later we traveled Lakhatia Fort ,which was falling apart due to negligence .Yet inside the fort, was a small village with one of the most splendid mosque we had ever seen.Later we climbed thousand steps to reach the top of a mountain where there was a Shiv temple.We could see from the hill top, small villages of Pakistan and lights from Karachi.

One trip was over.We saw a lot and thanked our local driver who took pleasure not only in providing us information about the land but also introduced us to local hospitality and kept us entertained with his bag of jokes.He was as good as the trip itself.Truly Kutch is A Land of Unsung Beauty worth exploring.

वो

वो सब कुछ जीत  के भी हार  गये या यूँ कहू की उनके  हार मै ही उनकी जीत थी  |सारी दुनिया उनके  मुठी मे थी,पर उन्होने उसे जाने दिया | उनकी जगह कोई और होता तो  शायद ऐसा कभी   नहीं होता | आज की दुनिया मै जहाँ   लोग सिर्फ सांसारिक सुख के पीछे भागते है, वहां अपने आप पर  निरंतर रखना बहुत ही कठिन रहा होगा |लेकिन उसी कठिनाई का सामना करने वाला व्यक्ति तो  मन  को भाता है |आम लोगो से अलग, वो अपनी पहचान दिल की गहराई मै छोर जाता है| जहाँ भले ही उसे कोई      न देख पाये  पर उसके  होने का  एह्सा  जीवन काल   मै सदा बना रहता है | कभी कभी मचल जाता है         मन ,शब्दों क लिये, पर अब एहसास है  "हम्म "  मै भी संवाद रहता है | दूर बैठी दुआ करती  हूँ  ,"वो कभी ना बदले "|

13.janae kyu

जाने क्यों  बैठी रहती  हूँ 
यह  विश्वास  लिये की वो कुछ बोलेंगे 
जब की जानती  हूँ 
वो खामोश ही रहेंगे ।

उनकी ख़ामोशी को स्वीकार करना मैने सीख लिया 
फिर भी ना  जाने क्यों  तरसती  हूँ  उनकी आवाज़ सुनने को
दीदार हो ना  हो  अलफ़ाजो  का श्रंखला  तो हो 
जाने क्यों बैठी  तरपती  रहती  हूँ 




janae kyu baithi rehti hu
yea viswash liya ki wo kuch bolenga
jab ki janti hu
wo khamosh hi rahenga

unki khamoshi ko sweekar karna humnae seekh liya

phir bhi na janae kyu taraste hu har lamha unki awaz sunnae ko

deedar ho na ho alfazo ka shrinkhla toh ho

janae kyu baithi tarapti rehti hu

12.mera kaanha

har k man mera
mera kaanha rula gaya
bikhare k pyar apna
wo mujhe haansa gaya
jo wo hai
toh sab kuch hai
jo wo nahi
toh kuch bhi nahi
kaanha kaanha
mera kaanha

11.Dua hai......

दुआ है..........


दुआ है उनकी ख़ुशी बनी रहे 
वो चाँद तारो का सफ़र करे 
और हम उनके इस सफ़र को देखा करे 
इस जीवन में बस इतना ही 
हम दुआ करे और वो जीवन पथ पर आगे बढ़े 
उनके पथ पर न कोई कांटा हो न कोई अर्चन 
जो  तो सिर्फ फूल  बिछे
और हमारी  दुआओं  का असर बना रहे |




Dua Hai..........

Dua hai unki khushi bani rahae 
Wo chand taro ka safar karae 
Aur hum kisie konae sae unkae eis safar ko dekha karae 
Eis jeewan mai bas itna hi 
Hum dua karae aur wo jeewan path par aagae badhae 
Unkae path mai na koi kantae ho na koi archan 
Jo bichae toh sirf phool bichae 
Aur humari duao ka asar bana rahae.

बिनीता झा 

10.Tear Drops

Tear Drops
Tear Drops
Don't you dwell
There is no space for you to swell .


Incessant thoughts delve my being
In me the agony of emotions string
Tearing me apart
Yet you must depart.

Tear drops
Tear drops
Just be rare 
For unkind hearts will never care.

By Binita Jha

9.Desire

                                                     We look forward
                                                          To a Day
                                                       And the Day
                                                    Smiles back at us.
                                           We are innocent in our ignorance
                                            It is powerful in its knowledge
                                          "The knowledge of our destiny".
                                                      One moment 
                                                We can be selected
                                                 Another moment 
                                               We may be rejected
                                                      Hence
                                     In life neither be elated nor dejected.             
                                   To get what we desire, is always more difficult
                                           Then to give, what we desire.
                                                    Blemishes of life
                                             Are the results of self desire,
                                                      Discard them.
                                                        Start giving
                                     And let life give you  what you deserve.

8.Acha lagta hai

Kuch khwab bunti hu
Acha lagta hai
Ein khwabo k saharae
Zindgi saachi lagti hai

Wo jo hai dur
Toh milnae ko tarasta hai maan
Wo jo aya kareeb
Toh yaa Raab humae saansae dae

Gagan mai bikhri
Swarnim rekhaiya yaad dilati hai mujh ko
Agar abhi raat hai toh kal
Savera bhi hoga

Jiska hai mujhko intezar
Wo kabhi mera bhi honga
Bas ek ye khwab bunti hu
Acha lagta hai

friends

It is not that we love a friend more on a particular day .Yet we love to dedicate a day to our friends.It may not be part of our culture .But what is good in the world around us can always be adapted.With time friendship grows deep as we learn to understand each other better.But friendship does not depend on the length of association.A stranger can become your friend sooner than one who has been associated with you long.The vibes created by almighty cannot be ignored.Yet, you will find people around you think, O! that was fast!When did they become friends? Well all I have to say to them is, "Dear I have been lucky".

It is not about what you give and receive.
It is all about what you have and preserve.

People who think they can part friends, have perhaps not experienced this special bonding or Dear,they would never Try.For I feel, what grows in the heart cannot be separated by the contemptuous attempts of our so called well wishers.Love is an adhesive that binds only two hearts.Whereas friendship binds infinite hearts.It adds meaning to our life beyond language.Who but ALL MIGHTY I thank for bestowing upon me the gift of Lovely Friends.

HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY !!!!!!

2nd July

We meet many people in our life.Very few remain with us life long.And those who remain are perhaps the ones who matter in our life.They may not interact with us daily yet we know they are there.They are our loved ones.Whatever little we interact with them are the key moments etched in our memories.They are part of our life with unrehearsed moments .Where spontaneity rules.Where what they thinks is important but equally important are our thoughts.Where there is no force to be someone.Rather an encouragement to be what we are,I bless myself for one such moment "2nd July".

7.First Showers

The first showers of monsoon
Trickles down on earth.
To bring out the unmitigated
Virgin smell of soil.

The fragrance is so intoxicating,
That even the busiest being,
Rushes towards the window sill,
To get a fill of this smell so daunting.

For they know,
If they pretend to be busy,
They will miss it so easy.
Move around as if crazy.

By Binita Jha

May be....

Last few days have been great with regards to experiences shared by people around me.May be you will also enjoy,what I have to share.

It was 1st Jan, My son and I were travelling back from Delhi by train. The journey would have been boring but for our co passenger.He recounted, how as a person from small town, Bokaro, comming to Delhi was a world of experience. Everything was new right from the first ride to college by bus.Friends had advised him to take certain bus number to the university.But bus by that number did not seem to come.The world of mobile phone did not exist for the kids in those days though it had made it's entry.His friends waited for him at the university. And finally came to search for him.They found him waiting at the bus stop.On being asked why he had not boarded the bus, he very innocently replied, " yaar no bus with that number has come . I am here from past three hours." The friends were surprised.He told them that all the buses that came to the bus stop had number with Dl-............His friends broke out in laughter.They just could not stop.He was perplexed.His friends realised that he had been looking at the number plate instead of the bus number which is displayed at the top.He felt sheepish yet that was his first lesson of life in a metro.Today not only does he laugh recalling his past innocent youth but he also made us laugh sharing his experience


I was chatting with a friend in Restaurant .Their was so much to share and time as usual was scarce.We had our lunch and when it was time for the finger bowls my friend recalled his first experience with the finger bowl.He had come from the village to town for the first time.He went to a hotel for lunch .After he finished a hearty non veg meal the waiter took away the plates and placed finger bowl.He took the lemon squeezed it and drank up the mixture.He knew that his mom would appreciate it because it would aid digestion.That is what he thought about lemons after meal.All the waiters were looking at him in surprise. Of course they did not utter a word.But he could see the twinkle in their eyes.Today he knows the reason,and can't stop laughing himself.

Life is so beautiful if we our ready to listen to others.

6.Parting

A sudden flush of sorrow
Creeps into my heart
Hurting my ardent sentiments
I try my best to strangle my tears
But my voice gives me away
Lolz!! All secret attempts to be sane are in vain
Parting is always a pain.


By Binita Jha

My Dear Students

By Binita Jha · Thursday, February 24, 2011
Your loving looks
Your searching eyes
Your gleeful smiles
Your naughty pranks
Delights me no end.

Each one of you is the origin of strong sentiments within me
I fondly think about each one of you
You live with me in all the conscious and unconscious hour
Without you my life is defunct and insignificant
A mere jiff in the breeze.

5.Dawn

The Dawn unveils
The radiant countenance of the sky
By spreading its glorious unmitigated love
On each one alike.

By Binita Jha

Indulge

Life can be one beautiful symphony after another if we only know how to seek and pick up the best.Every day has it share of beautiful surprises with beauteous moments to cherish and store in our memory.What we get from unexpected quaters gives us utmost joy.Pleasures can be so simple if we allow it to be.Truth and love from friends go a long way...


By Binita Jha

Fight For Your Self

People generally accept the injustice meted out to them silently.Specially if it is done by one's senior. They are reluctant to open their mouth.As a result they suffer silently forever.But this is not just.Each individual must love him/her-self so much that he/she is at least able to speak against the blatant egoistic approach of his/her senior.

If we are true and stand by our principles we will definitely win the the support of everyone in the long run .It may take long to convince people.We may not be able to please our seniors.But truth works.I don't know if you agree but that has been my experience.

Once in my teaching career I was introduced as, "hailing from Mumbai" to CBSE officials.Immediately I corrected by saying,"sorry I belong to Bihar though I have completed my education from there."The official had no problem.But once they left my boss had all the problem. A meeting was called.I was summoned to the office and in front of the panel,I was reprimanded for being foolish.I was told, instead of improving my image I was trying to bring it down myself.

The self respect in me did not allow me to to keep quite.I did say Sorry,"Sorry boss but you can't change the place I belong to." I was prepared for a...... Get Out!!! But what I heard was music to my ears.There was applaud from all the members of the panel.Boss was stumped but to save face agreed ,we are all Indians before anything else and that is important.Oh! How manipulative!!But I was happy for I had learnt a lesson for life.We have to fight for ourself.

Encourage The Children

Parents ,students and teachers , all are unhappy.I look at them and wonder why?But then it dawns upon me that the chief cause of their unhappiness is their marks.How silly I feel when a child scoring above 90% is also sad.Going back to our young days I remember , how happy each one used to be with whatever they scored.For we knew only fools don't put in their best during their boards.It is not that people don't know it today but it is a way of life to keep on adding stress not only in their life but also on one around them.As a teacher if my students gets poor marks I should be more responsible than him . For he came to learn but I was not capable of teaching him.Stop uselessly harassing the children .Let them bloom.There is a lot to learn in life and marks are just one of them and not everything.Before you scold your child analyse whether you are just in scolding him.Giving money for tution and sending them to the best school is not the only duty that one has to perform as a parent.There is a lot more to it.Be there for them when they need you most .Hear what they have to say.Be their friend not just their mentor.Don't let them wilt before their age.I have found from my analysis there is always an increase in the % of a child's performance in boards than what it was at school level.Sometimes even weak students put in their best and get almost 30% more marks than what they did in school exams.If you reflect and think I am sure you will agree a child getting 80% at school can't jump by 30% in boards. So dear readers I request all of you to be rational. Encourage the children do not demoralize them.