Yes Man

Government, once, at its whimsical best decreed to abolish the word "Yes" from the world. It said that, when people say "Yes", they invite misery to themselves (and uncomfortable questions for us). Thus, a society based on "No" would make everyone happier. That is, after all, the grandest objective of good governance. Having to say "No" for anything new alleviates the confused lot from thinking. It reduces ventures into unknown  resulting in less accidents; less number of failed marriages and unclaimed children. It will free up intelligent people from start-ups to work for bigger corporations which know for sure how to succeed and thus a better economy. They quoted Geeta that desires are the source of all agony. Desires, if nipped in the bud by a "NO" would ease everyone of despair. Fear protects.

A section of populace, by default in a democracy, revolted and banded to form a group called "Yayers". Their motto was "My YES is the proclamation of I". Their leader "Yes Man" addressed their first congregation in the following words, "My Yes is the proclamation of 'I'. I am a rock in the river and not a rolling dime. I, who is different from you, or you there. I want you to know that 'Yes' I am different and I chose to be so. It was the ability to choose with which God cast us in his image. By bowing to the government decree, we give up our faith in ourselves. We surrender our freedom to fail in love, to fall and learn. We surrender our growth, our inner strength. We embrace boredom disguised as safety. The ennui, which snatches away our ability to live our desires. We willingly allow the devil to collect our souls". He was greeted with clarions of "Yes, Yes, Yes" after which he added, "Go, mingle with the sheep to save them from wolves".

Sensing smoke, to douse the blaze, government was quick to declare the group illegal and ideological vandals who sought to unharmonize the smooth fabric of the universe. They formed a council called "Nayers" who would help emanate the message of  'No'. Their motto was "No is the new Yes." "Go, mingle with the sheep to save them from wolves", they were told.

Nayers went on and multiplied. Yayers found it difficult to sell risk against promises of ever lasting happiness. Centuries passed and once epic struggle continued behind the contrived camouflage of terms like "enterprise, risk-taking, adventure etc." which once upon a time really meant what they meant. The rule was forgotten but the followers remained. The famed bell curve played out and a doubting 'Nayer', realized their bluff and decided to say "Yes" to everything thrown at him to make up for the lost opportunities.

He tried everything from deep sea diving to sky diving, even love. He even dared to face his fears. Failure broke his heart but he emerged stronger. And the exhilaration of growing and achieving what was once beyond, left him wanting for more. "Its the test I can put my confidence to which YES symbolizes.  My YES is my confession of my love for myself ", he thought. He was a convert, feared 'Yayers', for now he would have to stand up to his biggest test of character and faith. He went on to propagate his experiences to fellow 'Nayers' as the one who had stumbled upon the elixir of life. He preached, argued and begged, only to be drown his frustration.

"It won't work, trust me it won't."
 "I am more experienced."
 "I am your senior."
"Its a great idea but its not perfect."

was what he got and he heard

"We cannot afford to try and fail."

As so many 'Neos', before him. He decided to follow the sun when it sets, wait for the utopia. 'Yayers' welcomed him into their fold and presented him with a Badge saying "Yes is a realization, not a religion".

Dasvidaniya

Death is not an antonym of birth. It cannot be. Birth is a beginning, death is not the end. Birth is a realization of a thought, so is death. Birth is an event, death is a grander one . Birth is the beginning of life as we know it, death is the beginning of life as we would have liked it.

Chores and mundane things in life are so prevalent that we sometimes forget we are breathing. Is it the air of freedom? does it have the fragrance of future? Does it have the mellows of the past? Or is it something we just do to survive?

We are scared to breathe the spring. We are scared of the goosebumps of fulfillment. We are scared... to dare. To dare to be happy, to dare to be different than what every day expects from us. We are scared to think anything else but our plan for future. Alas, life is not subservient to our whims. Ah! whims, those we comfortably ignore to risk life as it is.

Death emboldens us to do just that, to take risks. Death frees life from shackles of security. Death makes us live each moment as much it deserves and to treat every person of what he is worthy of. Death teaches us to live for ourselves, it teaches us that true value of love is in giving it generously. It frees us from the pain of the need to have it. Death brings out the true spirit of love - self-gratification.

Death brings about people in a new panorama where the emotions of apathy, regret, guilt and rage melt down to show their naked feelings. Death brings to surface the frozen love lying at the bottom of the heart. Death kills and saves at the same time.

Just as birth is painful, so is death. Just as birth propels a baby from the security of womb to the world galore, so does death frees us from security of life. Its a process of growth which need not be mourned for. To mourn for a person who lived life so ecstatically is blasphemous to the deceased and to the creator himself. To demean death is to demean birth, to demean life. Its a day to celebrate that crossed us from list of the half-alive.

Those who cry,
Cry for selves,
For me cry not thou,
to bliss am off
to a novel life

Rock On

Everyone, at one or other time
Discovers secrets of friendship sublime
In pursuit of the highest summit,
Each promises to do his bit

Legs are light and heart seems to fly
When we succeed as we try
Time passes like the sea under the boat,
While the waves make it sink and float.
The ups and downs along the path,
concoction for nostalgia years apart.

Some fall in the beginning, some hold on for long
some make it big, some are not that strong
As we inch closer to our aim unabated
was everyone there when we celeberated?

Somewhere we lost who once mattered the most
At some time they took a different road,
We waved to each other as we see them gone
Night long conversation reduced to hi's on phone

As life picks up pace
As we inch ahead in the race
As we increase our medals tally
As we blossom our own family
As we find new things to be happy about
As we laugh and dance and sing aloud

Still, when someone asks about our best time
We speak of our friendship at prime
At some time in life we realize
Money, fame, success are all lies
Best time was when we were unknown
When with friends we rock on !

To some though, life is not as unjust
They get a second chance as good as first
When all those friends again come together
Life is once again the same great affair

Then realizes one and all
It wasn't the goal after all
We just enjoyed doing it together
Which we still do, what? no matter

My friends, once again
Come lets sit on bhujia and pepsi
Pass the night on planchette frenzy
Lets play cricket and beat the seniors
Lets hang out on the lake-side
and for once, forget careers.

But, not everyone is so lucky
getting together is still too tricky
Sometimes in movies like these
a tear rolls down the cheeks
Though I know those days are gone
my heart still lives for another ROCK ON!

Taare Zameen par

Human society works on inclusion. If people are not included in the society, it will cease to exist. If people are allowed to digress, the institution will lose its importance and may be life. Thus, the society from being a conglomeration of ideas has now become a single idea which is hell-bent on protecting its existence. Its become a organism, whose organs we all are. The sole purpose of the organs of the body is to serve it. The organ which is not able to serve the body is thrown out. The organ which serves it best is promoted (for its own evolution). Luckily organs of the body do not have brain of their own unlike the organs of the society.

The main function of the society is to provide security. Security from the external threats to those who cannot defend themselves. Just like it was shown in the best video on youtube - Battle of Kruger
where a herd of buffaloes save a calf from the jaws of lion and crocodiles - society should be a protection net for those with lesser talents or abilities. The irony of society is that they claim to do it. As long as the person with amputated abilities craves for sympathy, there is no dearth of people willing to come forward. Hundred of charities are run to help those who live with limited means physically and mentally. This sympathy, on the other hand, vanishes when these people try to establish themselves in the mainstream. They are called names, they are not given the space to be themselves and they are insulted with the meanest comments and mirth. This would be best described as sympathy by convenience.

Life is not a hundred meter dash where who takes the lead always leads. Life is a marathon, or in fact a car rally where everyone has to go through ups and downs. One who is left out in one phase of life can catch up in the next. Everyone has his own weaknesses and strengths and a rally (and life) tests all these one by one. Society though doesn't let this thought to be cultivated. Like a true organism only supports those who serve the need of the hour, while the main function of the society was to rise above these animal instincts and serve the humanity. At the time of the war only soldiers are acknowledged, at the time of prosperity only those with superior intellects are respected, at the time of calamity those who help are respected. That may be called myopic magnanimity.
This stifles the flight of creativity of people. When someone is told to do something under rules or expectations, those who succeed are the ones who try to devise ways to do that with the best efficiency. The scope of creativity dies a natural death under so many rules. Those who do not confirm to these rules are seen as rebels and they are sent to be coached as more like blind men following a sound. The so called institutions are prisons of the spirit, soul and creativity. Some people lose heart and confirm to the rules. Those who are not able to, see themselves as outcast . They lose the confidence, interest and finally their most prized creativity and what differentiates them from the crowd . They are lost into oblivion without the society realizing its loss.

The hypocrisy of the whole situation is evident from the fact that the same society hails people who come out victorious from this struggle. As if it was an obstacle course set up check endurance. Helen Keller is respected throughout the world, but so many like her still languish in the lanes of guilt of our society. Lance Armstrong is regarded the best example of a resilient soul when so many of such people suffer without the same sympathy. People of this society like to idolize rather than practice. This pretense is only worth hatred.

But nature is liberal enough to provide all kinds of people in the world. Those who have beaten the society do come up to help those with lesser means. There is a saying which summarizes this loathsome attitude of society - jaaki fati na biwai woh jaane na peer parayi (Unless the pain is felt, empathy cannot be natural) They are able to fight and find rightful place in society for such subjugated souls, with loads of talent. The talent which may not be required for prosperity of the society but still make it more beautiful. Talent which adorns the otherwise plain theory of prosperity which society is running after. Most of all, it gives inspiration to all those who are fighting their own families, their teachers, their society. How much of them is really theirs!

What is the point of bringing to being such incomplete bodies into the world? Are they a failed natural experiment? Or are they byproducts of the super humans that prowl the world? An emotional answer is found in the following story -
Every once in a while nature gives us a chance to show how she has tried to make us better than the animals. My son was severely anemic from birth. His marrow cells failed to produce enough RBCs. He was to die sooner than later. He also was a football enthusiast. Naturally I kept him away from places where kids play football. Once on our evening walks we saw a couple of boys playing football in a small park. My son asked, hesitatingly, if he could play. I knew that he loves football and did not have the heart to refuse in his last days. I went to the boys and explained them about my son. I also asked if they would let him play with them for a while. Though they agreed, I did not know how he would be able to play with older fitter boys. Would his self-esteem go for a toss? I would be very ashamed to bring him to that if so happened. I thought of guiding my son away but while I was lost in my thoughts, he had started playing with them. He was guiding the ball through every guy in front of him, he dodged one, two, three guys and held on until he reached the goal and pushed the ball into it. His teammates had him on his shoulders. Tired, naturally, as he was, we moved on. After a while I looked back, the guys playing football gave me a 'wink' smilingly. I smiled and thanked in return.
The next day my son died. The note beside his bedside read. "Dad, yesterday was best day of my life. See, I always told you how good I was at football!"
Did we ever give that happiness and confidence to someone who needed it?

Jab we met

Love is not an emotion or it would fade away like anger. Love is not a mood or it would change the next day. Love is not a response to a stimuli or it would vanish after the cause. Love is not a state or one could come out of it. Love is not a disease or it wouldn't be a reason for living. Love is not life or it would not be something to die for. Love is not religion or it would bind its followers. Love is not tangible or it could be locked and never be lost. Love is not intangible or one would never be able to give it. Love is not a destination, or the traveler would look for a new one when one's reached it. Love is not a journey or traveler could change his destination.
Love cannot be looked for, neither does it finds you if u are not looking for it. Love is not permanent, but it never seems transient. Love cannot be bound, neither will it stay if you do not hold onto it. Love cannot last without commitment, but commitment cannot guarantee love. Love leaves as subtly as it comes. Love is best felt when it has left.

Love is a disease, the worst affliction when not returned. It lingers on and on for years to come eating away the happiness around you. It eats away the optimism and the reasons to live begin to fade.

Love is an emotion when it appears. Its the rush of chemicals in every corner of the body. Its that ecstatic feeling which cause goose pimples from head to toe. Its the flow of optimism which makes this world beautiful all of a sudden. Its the confidence that nothing can go wrong with the life.

Love is the medicine of its own affliction. Only love can cure itself. Although, like all diseases it fights the medicine. Only when the individual is ready to defeat the misery, the medicine works and affliction is cured. The reasons to live emerge stronger than ever; Optimism starts running in the veins. The medicine though may have its own side-effects.

Its also a state when her relentless senseless talks keep you entranced. Its also a state when her smiling face is all you want to keep warm. Its also a state when you go out of the way to help her. Its also a state when you alter your plans to be with her a little longer. Its a state when you help her fulfill her dreams when you know this might take her away from you forever.

Love is a religion for it gives you a way of life, it sets you free to be yourself but you return to it on your own. You do what she would have liked you to do, you act the way she would have liked it. She may not be there to watch you but you owe it to your goddess of love.

Love is intangible for you can feel it so close to you but cannot reach it. It warms your heart but its source is not close anywhere. Its the aroma in the gardens but the flower is hidden. Its the wind cooling sweat but you cannot grasp it.

Commitment cannot guarantee love. Once the love is lost, no amount of commitment can restore it. Its the emotional dependence which keeps her hooked on to love. Its not love but the one's weakness, the pessimism which makes her keep trying for the lost love. Love cannot last if he doesn't hold onto it. Love cannot be bound.

Love is a response to the stimuli to feel anger when you see her tattered soul. Its also a response to feel that pain in heart when she cries. Its also the response when your hands suddenly brush hers. Its also a response when for no reason she touches you. Its a response to hold her when she falls in your arms.

Love is also a mood which is at its best when you are with that special someone. Love is a different mood when you are thinking of her. Its a different mood when someone is talking about her. Its a different mood when someone is getting too close to her. Its a different mood when you run hand in hand in a cool clear sun.

Love becomes such a tangible thing. It becomes so easy to shower it on her. She enjoys every moment of it and you fall in love with her every smile and every laugh again. Love seems a journey with no destination. When the journey is so beautiful who would like it to end. Loving her become the end to all the means, destinations to all the journeys, result of all the effort.The time seems to have stopped, everything seems to be there for ever. Love seem to linger in the air.

Love leaves as subtly as it had come... why hang onto the lost love? Why not welcome a new feeling? Why not fall in love again? Why not honor a love which honors her?

Love is best felt when love is lost! Hold onto it while you can! Don't miss this train...

Rang de Basanti

Dreams, the essence of living is dreams; the better half of the passion is dreams; the drive of doers is a dream. Such are the dreamers. Then there are the dreamless. The unfortunate beings who do not know what would give them happiness and fulfillment in life. Such are the people who's favorite quote is to take life as it comes. These people are comfortably numb. The time, as it passes through their lives, they try to hold on to it, prevent the dawn of tomorrow, for they know not what to do with it. They look for the comfort in their friends, for they know not how they could survive among strangers. They look for familiar grounds for they not not how they would fare in unfamiliar territories. Such people seem to be enjoying the most, making the most of their lives because it takes discipline to follow your dreams - which is not so pleasant to look at.

These two opposites, when meet, try to neutralize each other's attitudes - much like the electricity cracking through air, opposite tides crashing into each other - chaos follows. One of the two win over another and lives change. The metamorphosis has begun but the inertia confuses the nascent dreamers.This couldn't be happening to them - they enter the denial mode. They are aghast at the new change, which is pulling them from their comfort zones, forcing them to realize that life could have a purpose - there could be a tomorrow - a purpose to get up tomorrow. aaah! purpose. They need purpose in their lives which would make their galvanization into dreamers complete.

Purpose in itself is incomplete. Purpose to succeed needs inspiration in addition to courage and determination. Inspiration is required to know that what you are doing, no matter how difficult it may seem, has been achieved by mere mortals before. Courage to move into that unfamiliar territory. Courage to chose between right and easy. And the determination to stand up when you have fallen. Determination is the trust you have in your dreams, in your purpose. The new dreamers will fall and rise, fall again and rise again and again. They will survive the transformation.

These new dreamers will achieve success. Only the success commands a price, a high price. They may be required to give the thing they value the most, but they are not scared anymore. They are not scared what tomorrow may hold for them. They are not scared to venture into unfamiliar territories - for they have discovered their calling. They have come to know the purpose of their life. They have become the doers. They have become the courage and determination of dreamless. They have become the inspiration.

Chak De India

Dream. Every thing great starts with a dream. A nation's independence, a business empire, a great invention and a overseas tour win for cricket team. But a dream is hardly self-fulfilling. If you are wondering if I will go into the banter of working hard and determination and overcoming obstacles - I offer a difference of opinion. All these things are ends and not the cause of what I am going to mention. Dream, it all starts with a dream, breaking. Breaking to pieces, self confidence ruined by the mysterious, ridiculous mirth on the faces of nay-sayers. It starts with a bruised pride - a rising rebellion - the feeling to slap people in their faces who refuse to believe in you.

Then starts the herculean task to recruit people to your cause. They will come with you for their own selfish motives, for the bruises they have been given. Never for a moment make this mistake that they will follow you, until you have had your vengeance. They are following you until they have had their own.

After recruitment, starts the next task of uniting, not them, the people, but their goals. Making them rally behind a single goal, make them believe that achieving this will help them have their retribution against the world, against all those who did not believe in them and if possible mean it.

So far things go very logical, but the kind of animal humans are, they tend to mix emotions with almost everything. Quite good, for a leader emotional followers are a god sent army. Next, toy with their emotions, make them see something great, something grand, make them imagine the moment of triumph and then let them fall on the hard, cold stone of reality. Do this again and again and they will emerge stronger. Like a fractal, reproduce the same process on every step which you are fighting against, which they are fighting against. The anguish, the boisterous mirth, the slap in the face attitude. On every step make them feel the same. But this time its against someone who do believe in them. They will take some time to come to know that, and during that time they will hate you, but they will and then they will worship you.

Then you will have the army, of 300, of Alexander, of the rakshas!!! and you will have your retribution, only the retribution will feel so much smaller than what you would have finally achieved!