Showing posts with label Indiblogger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indiblogger. Show all posts
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Wom-Ba-I
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Wom - Women
Ba - soul (Egyptian mythology)
I - the nominative singular pronoun, used by a speaker in referring to himself or herself
Wom-Ba-I: Women are the soul of Mumbai
A world without women would be like a body without a soul. Human beings were created to coexist in mutual harmony. Humanity CANNOT survive without either men or women. Increasing number of crimes in our country has fostered feelings of hatred and dislike for the opposite sex.
Willingness - to accept each other as human beings and to work towards a better society
Open-mindedness - to tackle issues without prejudice against any gender
Maturity - to accept others and treat them as you treat yourself
Boldness - to say no when necessary
Awareness - about what's happening in the society and always being on your guard
Inculcating - feelings of respect towards women from childhood
Ba - soul (Egyptian mythology)
I - the nominative singular pronoun, used by a speaker in referring to himself or herself
Wom-Ba-I: Women are the soul of Mumbai
A world without women would be like a body without a soul. Human beings were created to coexist in mutual harmony. Humanity CANNOT survive without either men or women. Increasing number of crimes in our country has fostered feelings of hatred and dislike for the opposite sex.
Considered as one of the safest cities in India, Mumbai is feminine in its essence. Mumbai stands for: Mumba: the name of a goddess and Aai: mother. But do women really feel safe in this metropolitan of myriad dreams? And is any place in India really safe for women?
For people like me who live in Delhi, Mumbai is a Utopian city - a place where dreams are nurtured, developed, and allowed to mature. But the underbelly of Mumbai has a different story to tell. It isn't immune to crimes against women. Sad stories do lurk behind closed doors. Open roads do not always lead to expected destinations. Be it home or a public place - safety isn't guaranteed anywhere. But change is possible.
Change begins at individual level. It is very easy to criticize the society as an armchair critic. Turning a blind eye to social evils depicts nothing but pusillanimity. Taking action is important and perhaps the only solution.
You too can bring about change through WOM-BA-I:
Change begins at individual level. It is very easy to criticize the society as an armchair critic. Turning a blind eye to social evils depicts nothing but pusillanimity. Taking action is important and perhaps the only solution.
You too can bring about change through WOM-BA-I:
Open-mindedness - to tackle issues without prejudice against any gender
Maturity - to accept others and treat them as you treat yourself
Boldness - to say no when necessary
Awareness - about what's happening in the society and always being on your guard
Inculcating - feelings of respect towards women from childhood
I recently attended an IndiChange Meet organized by IndiBlogger and Times of India in Mumbai. I realized that even one step towards positive change can bring about a revolution. On my part I am posting the train helpline number shared by TOI at the meet: 9833331111. Now your duty is to save this number and share it with at least five people. Make it viral so that no woman ever feels unsafe while travelling in Mumbai Local.
This post has been written for IndiChange: Mumbai for Women organized by Times of India and IndiBlogger. To know more, click on the banner:
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Love Weds Arranged
This post won an Amazon Kindle 6" in the Indiblogger and Sony Entertainment Television 'Love Marriage or Arranged Marriage' Contest
Life is a bagful of experiences, filled with the souvenirs of new beginnings. Marriage is one such new beginning filled with beautiful moments. It is in fact a voyage undertaken by two individuals. Through hope and happiness, smiles and laughter, love and affection, the two travel together, hand in hand through life's ups and downs.
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| The two travel together hand in hand |
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| Shaadi ke laddu |
This is how it read:
'Here's the thing about 25. Do not marry anyone for any reason other than the right ones...Your spouse is the most important choice you can make in your life. Careers come and go, and passions wax and wane, but a spouse can be the number one determining factor in your happiness. Life is too short to be miserable, there's too much crap in the world for you to ever have to deal with it at home. Pick a spouse that (cliche alert!) completes you. Pick a spouse that supports you. Pick a spouse whose nose you can pick.'
Funny but true, isn't it? Life is already full of problems. So why would anyone want to come back home to deal with more? I know picking a spouse whose nose you can pick is a little tricky, but it shouldn't really matter if you actually love the person. It's all about affection.
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| Your spouse is the most important choice you can make in life |
parents' advice. I fail to understand such people. They are still shrouded in the darkness of ignorance and immaturity.
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| Let their be light |
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| Marriage means acceptance, love, and mutual understanding |
Before you take a step ahead, pause for a moment and ask yourself, is this what I want to do? Am I getting married under any kind of pressure? Is this the person I truly love? Your fate is in your hands. Nobody is going to decide what you want in life. You need to be sure of your decision. Love marriage or arranged marriage, as long as you are happy and satisfied, nothing else really matters.
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| Your fate is in your hands |
Do not take any decision in haste. If arranged marriage is your choice, do think about your preferences too. Do not go for it blindly or without thinking. On the other hand if love marriage is your choice, take the first step and talk to your parents about it. They might have numerous issues, they might not even agree, but if you really want something, talk it out and make it happen.
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| Take the first step |
If you have found your true love and want to marry that person, handle the situation wisely. Conversation is essential. Talk to your family. Be frank and express your feelings. If you are 100% sure, try convincing them. A decision once taken cannot be undone, so think twice before choosing your life-partner. That person should be someone who respects you and your individuality. Someone who loves you the way you are.
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| Handle the situation wisely |
And if you have decided to go for an arranged marriage and are getting married as per your family's choice, do not rush into things. This life is yours. Your parents can only be happy if you are happy. Have faith in yourself and your parents' decision. Look at the pros and cons. Do not hesitate to talk to your to-be-spouse.
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| Look at the pros and cons |
Marry someone who you would want to grow old with. Someone whose happiness will mean the world to you. Whose wrinkles would never deter you from kissing her goodnight. Whose sagging body will never affect you from loving him. Whose pain will hurt you as much as your own. Whose happiness will fill you with joy. A married couple should not only support one another through thick and thin, but also learn to appreciate each other's choices.
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| Someone who loves you the way you are |
A perfect marriage would be one where differences would never matter. Where love and arranged would marry one another in perfect harmony. Love shall be arranged, and the arrangement shall be loved. Here's a beautiful video that describes a perfect marriage proposal:
This post has been written for Indiblogger and Sony Entertainment Television's contest Love Marriage Or Arranged Marriage?
To participate and know more about the TV show, click on the picture below:
To see my post and vote for it click on the picture below:
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
A Traveller's Train of Thoughts
"If I am not for myself,who will be for me?And if I am not for others,
With each sip I think of people who have made my travels worthwhile... Would my trip to Lonavala be the same if there was no Lalita to bring me corn pakoras and 'cutting chai'?
Would Kerala be as exotic, if there was no "Baby" to drive us through the land of spices? Wouldn't Varanasi's ghats seem morose, if "Mishraji's" Hindi poetry didn't enchant me while sailing through the Ganges?
Would my trip to Goa be as musical, if I hadn't met "Prashant Malhotra" - a talented singer from Dehradun? Would Badrinath's majestic Himalayas seem so beautiful, if I hadn't met "Mamta Kulkarni", the little girl who sold beads to travellers? Would Kota-Delhi Jan Shatabdi seem the same if a newly wed couple (Ashu and Sangeeta) didn't narrate to me their romantic love-story?Every traveller I have come across shared something with me... something that connected me to him/her... And that something was - love for life.
A little three-year old peeps from the adjacent berth. He smiles at me and happiness spreads over my lips. A charming, cherubic face - beautiful smile juxtaposed against small dewy eyes. I play with him from a distance. The baby claps his hands and chuckles with glee. All I want is to make friends with him - talk to him, and let this interaction last forever... But a black coat comes in between and my train of thoughts comes to a standstill. He asks for ticket...I show him mine. It reads - Date - 26 February, 2012
Time of departure- 16:40
Train - Mumbai - Delhi Rajdhani Express
Class - 3AC
Passenger Details - Anukriti Sharma, 25F
Coach/Seat no. - B3, 32 (Side Upper)
I take my bag and climb over to my seat. Lying down on the spotless white pillow,I close my eyes and plug in the earphones."Anand" - Kahin door jab din dhal jaaye (Somewhere faraway when the day ends...) plays on my phone. The last few lines go deep within my heart -
"Kahin To Yeh Dil Kabhi Mil Nahin Paate,
Kahin Pe Nikal Aaye Janmon Ke Naate"
(In some cases, hearts in love never meet,
and in others,old relations awaken to life..)
Like a movie, thoughts flicker in the depths of my mind - Meandering down memory lane, I see an archive of fragments...forgotten tales, lost memories, beautiful people and enriching experiences...
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.... .... ....
July, 2010
I am back in Malabar Hills... At home
Mumbai...the city is drenched...swept by a ceaseless cloudburst...its drizzling since morning...the roads are jammed...high tide has anchored the sea...the temperature has ebbed... raindrops slip between my fingers...
the earth is wet... its smell is intoxicating, invigorating, inspiring...a cup of soup revives a few forgotten tales, poetry that was consigned to oblivion comes to life... I wish to compose them again...!
December 5, 2011
I am in a scenic village near Nashik...
Sharing chocolates with four tiny tots, who live in an unknown, sleepy village of Maharashtra... Omkar, Gayatri, Pappu and Amu... Having awesome dinner - home-made chicken curry garnished with love... cooked by a boatman's mother and served in a countryside hut... Pure bliss! What better way to celebrate my 25th birthday! Amidst innocent children, my country's tomorrow... In rustic villages... The essence of India. For most birthday means 5-star hotels and late night parties... But there are somethings money can't buy... the memories, smiles and happiness I take back with me to Mumbai - priceless!
25 February, 2012
I travel through the fascinating streets of Mumbai's Colaba Causeway - a colourful place, dotted with shops of artificial jewellery, handicrafts, scarves and whatnot. I stop at Leopold Cafe, a well-known joint for foodies in Mumbai. I'm with Beth - who has come to India for the first time... she is from my sister's University. I discuss a lot of things with her over huge glasses of Mango Lassi.
Her kaleidoscopic description reminds me of a short story by Anton Chekhov. I feel like the young lawyer of "The Bet" who discovers the world's beauty through words written in books - "I have climbed to the peaks of Elburz and Mont Blanc, and from there I have seen the sun rise and have watched it at evening flood the sky, the ocean, and the mountain-tops with gold and crimson."
December 4, 2011
Bhandardhara, Maharashtra
I am with my parents at a tea-stall... An old woman clad in tattered clothes walks by... Her saree is tied tightly across her waist... thighs are bare. She carries a huge vessel on top of her head... she seems older than history... wrinkles obscure her indistinct facial features... people fondly call her "mad". They say she waters the plants in the area - from early morning till late at night... incessantly... Climatic changes can't weather her spirit... Nobody pays her a paisa for what she does... Nobody pays any attention to what she does.
She is insane for the world. But for me, she is a role model... A woman who serves the humanity... If I ever go to Bhandardhara again and find green plants blossoming in the area...I will think about this old woman... her perseverance has germinated the seed of life in the area...
The train halts at Surat. I put a neatly folded fawn-coloured blanket on my lap. The satin edges seem like my experiences - beautiful against a rough life.
I take out a pen and paper from my bag and write down:
But then I realize...
Isn't it strange-all our lives we strive for permanence - a permanent residence, permanent career, permanent happiness, permanent love... Not realizing that we are mere travellers traversing this world. Why do we seek permanence when life itself is temporary?The cries of the cherubic boy jerks me to reality. He is crying with affliction... I look at him trying to do my best to lessen his pain... His parents seem distraught. The family sitting opposite me, nudge one another and mutter in hushed tones, "Don't you see, that child is mentally challenged... "
Ruskin Bond's lines resound in my ears again as a tear trickles down my cheeks -
"If I am not for myself,
who will be for me?
And if I am not for others,
what am I?
And if not now, when?"
This post has been written for Indiblogger's Around the World with Expedia Contest - Tell us about the interesting people you've met when you've travelled.
To participate click on the picture below:
You can see my post and vote for it here... Click on the picture below:
To explore the world of Expedia and travel with the World's largest online travel company, click on the picture below:
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| "What I am:", Jaipur |
what am I?
And if not now, when?" ~ Ganga Descends
Trees blur into the inky, violet-blue sky as I pour over the pages of Ruskin Bond's picturesque writing. I travel with him through the alleys of Landour Bazaar visualizing in my mindscape the 'livid purple' clocktower. Walking hand in hand we reach the market's dark, windy corner, where an old man sits 'hunched up over his charcoal fire, roasting peanuts'. Faint landscapes greet my eyes as I quietly sip piping hot ginger-tea.
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| Faint landscapes - Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
My life has been a montage of experiences. Having lived in seven different cities, I have met a variety of people and travelling has always been a fascinating experience for me...
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| Ginger-Tea - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
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| Rail experiences - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
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| Lalita in Lonavala - Picture Credit - Aakriti Sharma |
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| Sailing through Varanasi - Amarnath Sharma Photography |
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| Me travelling in Train; Goa - Picture Credit - Rushali Khandelwal |
Time of departure- 16:40
Train - Mumbai - Delhi Rajdhani Express
Class - 3AC
Passenger Details - Anukriti Sharma, 25F
Coach/Seat no. - B3, 32 (Side Upper)
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| The spotless white pillows - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
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| Sunset at Aksa Beach - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
Kahin Pe Nikal Aaye Janmon Ke Naate"
(In some cases, hearts in love never meet,
and in others,old relations awaken to life..)
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| Wave-like memories - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
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| In conversation with myself - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
I am back in Malabar Hills... At home
Mumbai...the city is drenched...swept by a ceaseless cloudburst...its drizzling since morning...the roads are jammed...high tide has anchored the sea...the temperature has ebbed... raindrops slip between my fingers...
the earth is wet... its smell is intoxicating, invigorating, inspiring...a cup of soup revives a few forgotten tales, poetry that was consigned to oblivion comes to life... I wish to compose them again...!
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| With Radha in Maharashtra - Picture Credit - Abha Sharma |
I am in a scenic village near Nashik...
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| Tiny Tots - Gayatri, Omkar, Pappu and Amu - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
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| Beth at home - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
I travel through the fascinating streets of Mumbai's Colaba Causeway - a colourful place, dotted with shops of artificial jewellery, handicrafts, scarves and whatnot. I stop at Leopold Cafe, a well-known joint for foodies in Mumbai. I'm with Beth - who has come to India for the first time... she is from my sister's University. I discuss a lot of things with her over huge glasses of Mango Lassi.
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| Cloudy land, Lonavala - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
She has been a traveller... She takes me places through her narration... From the clear blue waters of Fiji I travel to the magnificient monuments of Rome... The cold snow of Rapid City brush under my feet as Japan's volcanoes come to life...
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| Golden Crimson Sunset - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
December 4, 2011
Bhandardhara, Maharashtra
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| Green Maharashtra, Clean Maharashtra - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
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| Having Tea in Bhandardhara - Picture Credit - Abha Sharma |
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| Even Gods reside here, Maharashtra - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
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| Nurturing the seed of life - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
I take out a pen and paper from my bag and write down:
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| Tales of the open Road |
Har reh-guzar pe chalne wale...
Mahv-e-safar hain hum.
(The one who walks on every path...
Such a traveller am I.)
Ahl-e-duniyaa hai badi khoobsoorat...
Gar waqt-e-karam hai kam.
(The people of this world are extremely beautiful...
But time for benevolence is less.)
~ Anukriti
Soon dinner is served... Chicken curry mixed with dal and rice reminds me of the delicious tales of Satyajit Ray. I think about all the people I have met so far... They have been such wonderful companions... I wish I could talk to them forever... Learn new things from them... ~ Anukriti
But then I realize...
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| Seeking permanence in a temporary life - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
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| A cherubic boy at India Gate - Anukriti Sharma Photography |
"If I am not for myself,
who will be for me?
And if I am not for others,
what am I?
And if not now, when?"
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| A tear trickles down my cheek; Picture Credit - Sambuddha Jash |
To participate click on the picture below:
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Tranquil Time...
This Blogpost won a 32GB Blackberry Playbook in a contest organized by Indiblogger, HUL and Surf Excel Matic's Get Smart Contest... I have also added a snapshot of a personal letter which I recieved with the award.Click on it to reach Surf Excel Matic's Facebook Album which talks about this post :)
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| Indiblogger Winner Badge |
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| Letter from Surf Excel Team |
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| Anukriti Sharma Photography |
January - Dawn... Clouds of fog and mist surround the windows... Blurred buildings fade into oblivion...
Our cup of tea is still warm with love...Bits of Bourbon biscuit lie scattered on a plate ...
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
My Kafka touches your novel with playful innocence... reposed on the bed, between the sheets, they wink at us knowingly... Smiles kiss our lips as we hum inaudible songs...
Your name is embossed in my palm... Written with a red pen in your beautiful handwriting...
Silence echoes all around... The smudged kohl in my eyes... speaks a thousand words...
History can boast about the stories of kings and knights... They are too cheaply scattered and known to all...
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
But our stories...those fragments of stolen seconds spent together are curled in time's box like a precious solitaire... The dust of present cannot tarnish it... It can only add to its brilliance... The stories of those beautiful moments... Only two people know of it... Only two people will ever know of it...
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
In my stream of consciousness I see and experience various memories... like blotches of light flickering in the distance... Like the tunes of a flute being played in some faraway land... Memories real and unreal flock around me... They sing forgotten verses in my ears. Like poetry in motion they rejuvenate me... inspire me... My will power, the motivation to live is based on these flights of fancy, the world of imagination...I can travel places in my world of thoughts, explore unexplored regions, experience beauty all around... Every moment is precious and if I get two hours to myself... I would spend it on myself... To sit back, relax and think... To plan the day and sway away... in the world of fantasy and tranquil meditation... Spend a little more time with myself... Even two hours would seem like Amaranth - the imaginary flower that never loses its colour... unfading, undying...
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
Two hours... I would leaf through the pages of a book, write my musings in a little diary.... Have a warm cup of tea, observe people around me... Kiss the flowers that bloom in my garden, smell the intoxicating essence of raindrops on my beautiful motherland... Listen to the melody of birds twittering in the distance, or the tunes of waves splashing against my feet...
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
Follow my footprints and paint this magically enchanting world in the colours of life... Two hours spent on experiencing the beautiful things in life will bring inner peace and satisfaction... And when a person is at peace with himself he can cause no harm... he can cause no pain, no hurt... he can utilize his time in such a way that he knows and understands the binaries of life... he understands the truths of life and accepts them gracefully.
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
"...And indeed there will be time...
...There will be time, there will be time...
....Time for you and time for me,
....Time for you and time for me,
And time yet for a hundred indecisions,
And for a hundred visions and revisions..."
- T.S.Eliot, The Love Song of J.Alfred Prufrock
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
The world around me is constantly changing... Every day I change... I grow older by a few minutes, a few hours... Physically, mentally and spiritually i am changing... With time comes experience... I have traversed from the world of innocence to the world of experience... I cannot change the entire world.... But I have the power within me to change myself... To become a better human being... Who is compassionate and empathetic... who can spare some time to help the man who lost his family in the floods... can bring a smile on the face of little girl who cries herself to sleep every night...Who values people and understands the relationship between God and life...
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
All around me I see people who have... No time for family, no time for love... no time for friends, no time for happiness... And then there are others who have all the time in the world, but have no clue how to spend it... Idleness is the only key to their locked up minds.
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
Everyone is born lonely, but nobody is ever alone... One is always immersed in thoughts and reflections... People tend to observe and understand life better when they are alone...
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
Solitude is accompanied by contemplation and contemplation by thoughts which indeed are the best companion one could ask for... they sparkle in the form of memories, they flicker in the form of dreams and desires. Two hours of contemplation... Twenty four hours of implemenation and bringing about change... Change in oneself, in the lives of people... Being responsible, being earnest... Time for family, time for friends... time for the good things in life... To dissolve sadness in the sea of life, and open the oyester of happiness... If one has time to think and contemplate over things that really matter, wouldn't life become more beautiful? Wouldn't life become worth living?
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
समय की देहलीज़ पे कई लकीरें खींच आई हूँ...
Samay ki dehleez pe kayi lakeerein kheech aayi hun...
कुछ कल की, कुछ आज की...
Kuch kal ki, kuch aaj ki...
उन्हें समेट के रखना है अपने पास
Unhe samet ke rakhna hai apne paas...
खोने से पहले...
Khone se pehle...
बांटना है...
Baantna hai...
अपने साथ
Apne saath...
तुम्हारे साथ...
Tumhare saath...
~ अनुकृति
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
Translation:
I have drawn many lines at the doorstep of time...
Of yesterday and today...
I have to gather them and keep them safe with myself...
Before they get lost...
I have to share them...
With myself..
With you...
~Anukriti
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| Anukriti Sharma photography |
"Only through time time is conquered."
- T.S. Eliot, Burnt Norton
This post has been written for Indiblogger's Surf Excel Matic Get Smart Contest - If you had two extra hours in a day, how would you spend it? To Participate click on the picture below...
You can see my post and vote for it here: Click on the image below...
