Category: Uncategorized
The edge of madness…
“My heart is a mess ” by Cold Play was an ear worm today. It is echoing in my ears. Non stop!
It is strange how life throws out on us, what we fear. We fear – fear!
And out there it stands. At every step. The mind is intricate and complex. Thoughts arise, fly high and sink to depth. Along with these thoughts are the heart and emotion attached. These thoughts pain, strain and depress. One minute I am happy and planning ahead. The next minute, the emotions are intense.
Clouds rise in the brain. It heavily rains. The water flows through my eyes, yet I manage to smile. There is immense pain. Oh, what is this game? Why can’t I go back in time? Why can’t I adjust my pace? Why can’t I breathe with ease? Thought like threads intertwine. They entangle and they strangle.
I wish I would get up one morning with my mind as a clean slate. A blank mind…a blank life.
What would I now create? With my heart in dumps and head in mess! It might end up in the same plight.
I fear, my fear is pushing me to the edge… Alright!
Perspective
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| Sukhna Lake Chandigarh |
Isn’t it a biased lens that you are wearing today?
Why are you judging me in your way?
If I don’t meet your criteria of success,
Or the present social norms,
If I don’t dress the way you want,
Or choose not to respond to your taunt.
To you I am either noob or wrong!
I refuse to take it any more!
I don’t need any validation,
For being who I am!
I belong to myself and my timeline!
My journey is unique in every way,
So, ponder and reflect before you say.
It would be wonderful for us,
And the world would be a better place.
If we respect each others opinions and space!
It’s the perspective we need to re-set
Drop the stereotypical thinking and accept-
Ourselves and others in every aspect!
~ Monika
Himalayan Dream
The restlessness that sometimes sets in, disturbs me! There is an unexplained connection between us that intrigues me… There is part of my heart that rebels. It wants to break free from all the social norms… I wish either this heartache is gone or I begone!
~ Monika
Travel
Jihbi
My search for peaceful hill station brought me to a small town of Jibhi in Himachal Pradesh. Unlike Shimla, Manali and Mclodeganj, it is lesser known or offbeat. There is hardly any crowd on the roads and no traffic jams.
Location : Jibhi is a small village in Kulu district of Himachal Pradesh about 277 km from Chandigarh and around 500 km from Indian capital state of New Delhi.
How to reach: Bhunttar is the nearest airport with flight connecting it with New Delhi.
We started our journey from Chandigarh at 5 am on NH 3 towards Manali. Soon we joined NH302. If one is traveling on own vehicle, on reaching the tunnel at Aut, one needs to take the right turn downwards towards Banjar valley. If travelling on Bus, cross the Tunnel and get off at Aut market for bus or taxi for Banjar or Jihbi. This road leads to village Banjar. All along the way parallel to the road runs the bubbling river with rapids at several places. It is truly treat to the senses. After about 8 km from Banjar is the village of Jibhi.
It has many picturesque sight seeing location in and around it.
Best Time to Visit : The best time to visit is between March to May and from October to January.
Where to stay: Since it is not very commercialized yet, there are no hotels. There are small
camping sites, homestays and hostel in this area for logging. Ranging from INR 500 – 800 to INR 2000. We stayed at Shivang Homestay at Gadagusheni. It is run by Mr. Heeralal.
Jibhi waterfall :There is a waterfall about 200 meters from the zero milestone of Jibhi. There is a proper road to drive up-to 100 meter or you can trek. After that, there is a small walk to a beautiful waterfall. On the way there are four small beautiful bridges.This place is very calm and rejuvenating. Nature in its unspoiled beauty mesmerizes the senses. I would say that having been to Campty falls(Masourie), Neel waterfall(Rishikesh), Jogini waterfall (Manali), this is the most easy and an accessible trek, yet the most beautiful small waterfall.
The Shesh Nag Temple: Near the main market, an up hill short trek is the Shesh Nag Temple. It is a beautiful and colorful wooden structure. It has a revered local deity. The walls have wooden carvings and vibrant colors make it very attractive.
Other attractions are the Chaini fort trek, Jalori pass and Serolsar lake. Most places one needs to trek to. We were not able to visit any of these as our dog who was at hostel (as there are no pet friendly homestays) fell sick and we returned home next day.
Some tour groups conduct a weekend trip to this area. However the stay should be for at least 3-4 days if one wants to visit all places around Jalori pass and Jibhi.
Jihbi waterfall is undoubtedly the most indelible, wonderful and enjoyable experience that I will always cherish in my heart.
What does it matter- Black or White?
by Monika
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| Photo credits: Shutterstock |
There are seven colours in a rainbow. While it is believed that some animals see only black and white, humans have this ability to see different colours.
The scientists are divided on their opinion as to consider black and white as colours on the basis of light wavelength and pigment theories. It is believed, that white has presence of all colors and black absorbs all colours and reflects none.
Black and white are colours forming contrasting combination.They are significant, symbolic and important. The zebra looks so attractive with it unique stripes. The youth enjoys his charm, however, when black color of his hair is lost, it is considered old and lacking vigor. The Chessboard and the chess pieces are in black and white and never in blue or green.
In a recent visit to the court, the sight of all men and women dressed in back and white made me wonder why the advocates and judges dressed in black and white. I found out some interesting stuff. Centuries ago the British lawyers and judges wore black and white along with wigs to mask their true identity. Black was chosen as it was easy to dye, in those days when resources were limited. Today, the lawyers wear black as it symbolizes authority and to uphold supremacy of justice. White is symbolic of purity and integrity.
In some countries people were called “Blacks” derogatorily. The so called “Whites” cast atrocities on humanity on ground of race, colour and appearance.In some religions black is the colour of grief and white of happiness. At times Black depicts darkness of the night and is considered shady, mysterious and notorious. While white is pure, innocent and trustworthy.
Figuratively speaking, coloured vision shows a bias. Just as putting it in black and white means to pen down clearly.
However, not everything cannot be viewed as black and white. No person or situation is completely good or absolutely bad. There are always shades of grey. Good has traces of impurities. What may generally be considered evil, may also contains goodness in it.
The Taoist symbol Yin-Yang depicts this interconnectedness of things.
We may then debate like scientists about black and white to be colour-pigments or light-wavelengths or we may accept them as being just perceptions!
Time Flies
Time Flies
Hitting was his style of showing that he was in control.
He was the authority in here! She was to be tamed- not because she was wrong, but because she was a woman. A mindset many Indian males harbor. Hurling abuses at her, he punched her in the face. Pushed her out of the door and locked her out. She stood staring at the closed door and crying. She was angry and hurt. She walked towards the road in rage, leaving her child behind. It was a frequent pattern. She struggled to exit this loop. The more she tried, the more she found herself caught in the quicksand of circumstances. This time he had hit and locked her out of the house.
Out in the dark night, it was pouring heavily. For once she could cry loudly, for sound of rain drowned her cries. For once she need not hide her tears, as they got camouflaged on her wet face.
The water soaked her clothes, her body and penetrated deep in her soul. She could feel the shivers as they rose to her spine. She was drenched in pain. The emptiness of the roads sank into her heart. It felt very heavy. Not knowing where to go she went and sat on a bench in the park.
It was sad and dark rainy night. Still and desolate. Rain continued to pour heavily. A shrilling pain in her arm reminded her of the bruiser. She touched it. Blood oozing from it was continuously getting diluted by rain water. The bump on forehead reminded her of its presence. To her zapped mind her pain was the proof of being alive.
It is the strange property of pain… Intense pain numbs, and numbness in turn decreases its intensity. Its is the mechanism God has devised for humans to cope torture.
Her blank state of mind disturbed as she saw two shadows walking towards her. She sprang to her feet and ran towards the unfamiliar by lanes with shadows chasing behind her. Two men were fast catching up with her. She saw the gate of a house slightly open. She entered and hid in the shadows of the plants in the veranda. Her heart pounding fast. What if someone came from inside and asked her why she was trespassing their property. The men stood there for about five minutes and left. She heard a dog barking form inside. She came out of her hiding carefully keeping in the shadows, walked in the direction of her rented one room accommodation. Her body stiff with pain. When she reached the house, the door was not locked. She entered. Her husband was holding the four month old baby girl, trying to rock her to sleep. Taking a quick shower she took the baby in her care. She wondered how God trusted her with so much responsibility. She thanked God for that tiny bundle of joy as she held her in her arms!
She awoke with the announcement for fastening seat belts. Her eyes were moist. Now her bundle of joy had grown up to be a fine young woman, whom she was visiting at Vancouver. The flight was about to land at the airport in no time.
God has his own way to lead those who believe in him.
1942 : An Ode to Love (Story A Day Challenge of Prose Sonnet )
1942 : An Ode to Love
by Monika
by Monika
She was rushing hurriedly across the dark lane.
Not noticing the young boy, in blue uniform she collided with him and he fell into the open drain running parallel to the street.
“I am sorry” she said, as she looked at him in the mess.
She knew from the uniform that he was an intern at the college where her father was a Dean, under the British.
“Let me help you, I can lend you my father’s clean clothes”, she offered.
Not wanting to enter his hostel smelling like sewer he accepted the help that was being offered.
“Dad it was all my fault”, she explained apologetically, as the Dean eyed his favourite student covered in filth.
“Take a shower and wear these clothes then come down for dinner, I will inform the hostel warden that you will stay with me tonight”, instructed the Dean.
He had a memorable evening, enchanted by her smile and smitten by the dimple on her left cheek.
Soon their wedding was announced and preparations started with enthusiasm.
The beautifully adored Indian bride awaited her groom.
He did come, thought not alive as his car met with a fateful accident.
The news she couldn’t survive, in death did they unite.
Instead of the holy fires, to witness promises for ever, there lit the two lovers’ pyres.
The news she couldn’t survive, in death did they unite.
Instead of the holy fires, to witness promises for ever, there lit the two lovers’ pyres.
Parade – Thoughts Masquerade
My thoughts gain kinetic energy ready to blow out like the stream from the pressure cooker…..Ssshhhhh……. whistle blows!!!
And out comes all of them running in different directions. Hold on. Don’t run. I yell….You are too many for me to handle. Why do you have so much momentum? Pause. Wait. Let me catch up. Before I realise, they are all over the place. Taking different forms and shapes. The good ones become birds. They fly up in the sky, making amazing formations. They are too high for me to capture their pictures. The sad thoughts become wriggling creatures. They are the snakes.They wriggle and hide under my furniture. Waiting to get me sooner or later. Then, there are the thoughts which are new to me. They are the strangers who invaded a territory. They are armed with ammunition. They sneak carefully to avoid my attention. As I relax. They attack. Overpowering me in all this confusion.
Some thoughts are random emotions they become musical and burst into loud commotion. They are guile. They are knave. They tease and they threaten. They shout to deafen my senses. They acquire a form. They can again transform. They are not stable, they are mutable. Just like human nature, they change. They are untrustable! They are masqueraders!
As I seem to notice these thoughts, they began to weaken. Yes, as I become more aware. They loosen their hold. Finally, I am back in control!
Paradox…….Nothing? by Monika Kathuria
My Paradox
Where reality ends, imagination begins.
Just a perception – it is your vision.
Blending of light and night…
As I climb up, I sink in depth.
I greet the obsolete.
I walk the paradox!
Nothing ?
Everything must have started with a zero…
When there was nothing.
Was there ever a time,
when there was nothing?
Nothing doesn’t exist…
It is contained in everything.
Yet, everything leads to nothing!
Musings - An Endeavour to writing 
