Showing posts with label Mumbai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mumbai. 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 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...
....
....
.... .... ....
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:
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Remembering the Martyrs...Mumbai Terror Attack 26/11
[Hotel Taj Mahal, Mumbai; Picture Credit:Internet, Edited by Anukriti Sharma]Yellowed pages of a book...
Hatred lies in every nook.
Like petals of withered flowers;
Darkness envelopes Mumbai for 59 hours.
Tears devoid of all pain...
These clouds refuse to rain!
Beautiful eyes veiled in hate...
Love that can only suffocate!
Hatred lies in every nook.
Like petals of withered flowers;
Darkness envelopes Mumbai for 59 hours.
Tears devoid of all pain...
These clouds refuse to rain!
Beautiful eyes veiled in hate...
Love that can only suffocate!
[Hotel Taj Mahal; Picture clicked by Anukriti Sharma]
The flames are silent...
Peace is violent...
The tears are frozen....
Death instead is chosen...
Death instead is chosen...
[Kasab; Picture Credit:Internet; Edited by Anukriti Sharma]
Terrorists attack Oberoi Trident and Taj Mahal Hotel,
Helpless people lifelessly bid the world farewell!
Nariman House, Vile Parle, Napean Sea Road...
Under the sieges of bombings explode...
Cama Hospital, Leopold Cafe, Mazgaon, CST...
Broken walls and struggling lives form a deadened debris!
[Cafe Leopold, Colaba; Clicked by Anukriti Sharma]
Thousands injured, hundreds dead...
Dead bodies form a human pyramid!
The innocent have died...
Leaving their shadows behind!
[Nariman House after the attack; Picture Credit: Internet]
The bodies need a place to bury...
Bullets and bombings consumes them in fury!
Their ashes are gathered and collected...
Though their souls are eternally rejected!
Hatred, anger, greed and desire...
Ignites in terrorists a corrupt fire!
[Martyrs of the Attack; Picture Credit: Internet; Edited by Anukriti Sharma]
Karkare, Kamte, Salaskar...martyrs of the attack...
Can anything ever bring their lives back?
Uniformed men, civilians and hotel staff fight,
Against the hatred that these terrorists ignite...
NSG commandos, ATS officials and policemen,
Fight for our lives against those ''Ten''!
[The Ten Terrorists; Picture Credit: Internet]
Terrorists, LeT and Kasab still live on...
Though Unnikrishnan is dead and gone!
No place to love, no place to live in,
Life itself has become a sin!
Death instead finds solace...
Defaced forever is our face!
[CST devastated after the attack, Picture Credit: Internet]
Faces splattered with blood...
War has found a New World!
Shards of old glass bangles,
This world lies in tangles!
Abandoned streets, Stinking little alleys...
Terrorism now lies beyond the valleys!
[Bullet Shot, Leopold Cafe, Clicked by Anukriti Sharma]
Chaos, crime and confusion...
Lack of cultural diffusion!
The sea has turned eternally red!
Every God is lost and dead.
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Dislocated Locations
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Delhi lies behind me, Mumbai lies before me... These places lie within me. A sense of detachment embellished with the enamel of attachment is what I find in my experiences...the experience of living in both these places. I am dislocated in every location. Shadows form silhouettes of the past...enchanting, entrancing, engrossing past... a memoir of memories, a diary of dreams... some met with, some that flowed away with time.
I can see the sea from my window... a cool breeze camouflages me...transporting me to a sublime world... I wonder how wonderful would Delhi be had it been an assortment of tiny islands surrounded by the sea?...just like Mumbai...
This world is a not a universe but a multi-verse...peopled with people everywhere...with regions of illumination and regions of darkness. To me people seem omnipresent...People walking on the streets, travelling in the bus, rushing across the metro stations and local train platforms... hundreds, thousands, millions of people. We know some, we are ignorant of others. We share similar dreams, different lives; Similar lives, different dreams...As I try to imagine these people a blurred image appears before me... it appears like blotches of different paints merging into one another on a naked canvas...
Where is my home then, I ask? Mumbai or Delhi? Both I believe... They both lie within me...I have a soulful bond with these places... even in my dislocation these places are firmly located within me...in my happiness, sorrows, my life... I belong here, I belong there...
Mumbai is mesmerizing, miraculous, magical; and Delhi is dynamic, delightful, dream-like.
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Mumbai Terror Attack - Allegory of Abhorrence and Annihilation
As I close my eyes to sleep flashes of gory blood, dark fire, parched tears and malformed bodies oscillate in my mind and forces me to wake up... The cacophony of relentless bombardments hammers in my head! 59 hours of cruel, compassionless, callous killings... hatred, anger and pain transfused with detestation and death! 1407 kms away, I as an Indian and an individual feel vulnerably infirm, devastated, disabled and enraged! 15 hours in front of the television and newspapers made me realize just one thing-the horror of terrorism has left all of us completely insecure and wobbly! All of us have become insignificantly anonymous - yes, I am talking about you and me! Politicians blabber about taking action! What sort of action are these people talking about? Pronouncing a few verbs and adjectives and doing nothing about terrorism will not help anymore! Its time we as Indians ally against terrorism, since we are the sole victims!How many more innocent lives will be lost? For how long can we tolerate such injustice and infringement?
My heartfelt condolence to all the martyrs and heroes and my sincere tribute to all the people who went through this traumatic attack...
Mumbai 26/11/08 - 29/11/08 is the wake up call for us!
