Mesmerizing Mountains Calling

MESMERIZING MOUNTAINS CALLING

I wanted to go on a Himalayan trek for the longest time

to experience the wondrous beauty and the freezing cold

I booked the Kedarkantha summit trek with Indiahikes

After convincing my family to let me go solo and be bold

This trip would give me the solitude to sort out my head

It would allow me to travel solo and mingle with strangers

I wanted a break from the boiling Bangalore summer heat

and bring back the old energetic me through new adventures

From Delhi, I traveled to Dehradun and met our trek group

After introductions, we started for Sankri on our long road ride

Got to know everybody better over breakfast and lunch

Witnessed a beautiful rainbow & even stopped by the riverside

We were welcomed at Sankri with a sudden drop in mercury

After initial briefing, our trek leader advised some rest

We slept soundly and ecstatically started trekking next morning

Amidst gorgeous views, our stamina level was put to test

We ascended from 6455 ft to 9100 ft with many short breaks

And managed to reach Juda ka Talab, our first camp site

We took in the breathtaking view of the tents by the lake

With mixed feelings of hunger, accomplishment and delight

After having delicious lunch, we enjoyed playing Frisbee

With team games & crazy walks, the day soon passed by

Loved star gazing while sleeping on the grass at night

Inside the tent, snuggled up cozily in sleeping bag with a sigh

Next day we started the short trek to the KK base camp

All the way surrounded by beautiful backdrop of snow caps

The sunset was fabulous against mesmerizing mountain views

Played numerous fun-filled games and took countless snaps

At 3 am we started our ascend to the KedarKantha peak

Wrapped up in layers and our torches shining bright

We slowly trekked up along the ridges against the cold wind

Saw the most beautiful sunrise at the crack of daylight

The peak approached near, yet stood tall and mighty

Slow and steady, we helped each other hike up the way

We came across patches of snow and felt the adrenaline rush

Finally reached the mountain summit and screamed out yay!

With a sense of victory, we relaxed at 12500 feet up top

Relished delicious parathas and captured the moments historic

Soon after we started the descend which was a little tricky

Did snow sliding along the way, felt energized and euphoric

Exhausted after the long trek, we relaxed and had lunch

Soon after we descended to Hargaon, our final camp site

We enjoyed playing Lagori, Cricket, Cards and Dumb Charades

Couldn’t get enough of the fantastic star gazing at night

Next day we returned to Sankri while singing with joy

Received our certificates after a much awaited hot shower

Everybody shared their trek and summit climb experience

Applauded our team spirit and the doctor duo's healing power

In few days, we had all bonded well and become so close

To part ways & return to urban routine felt like a sad crime

We all headed home with fabulous memories to cherish forever

It had indeed been a wonderful experience of a lifetime!!

Quarter life

QUARTER LIFE

When I reminisce the past beautiful 25 years

there is a gleam in my eyes and some tears

For an incredible journey, I feel immense gratitude 

Rich experiences brought in me a positive attitude

Met some amazing people with a stroke of luck

Through all times, who have beside me stuck

They have enriched my life in many a way

Boosted my confidence with each passing day

For numerous achievements, I look back with pride

Feel humbled at my talent recognition alongside

With every sour incident, my strength has grown 

Each of which had a little learning of its own

However, there is a certain restlessness now

and an urge to prove my worth anyhow

I feel a weird calling out of my comfort zone

To set up my legacy and become well known

Slowly settling in is a disturbing frustration

To follow passions crazily, there is temptation

Dreams are ever changing and wild every year

Purpose of life is still unsure and unclear

I want to follow my heart and continue to excel

So success comes to my door and rings the bell

I wish to tick every item on my bucket list

and live life to the fullest till I exist

As the quarter life mark I will very soon cross

I want to break all rules and be my own boss

With adventure & happiness woven in my life thread

Give back to the planet and inspire others ahead!

Letting you go

LETTING YOU GO

I had let you go

I had accepted that it can never happen

I had given up on you completely

Why did you come back into my life then?

I had the best times with you

I had tried but failed to grab your attention

I had even known that you were too good for me

Why did you come back and ruin my condition?

I had lost faith in affection

I had buried all the fond memories deep in my head

I had forgotten what it felt like to be loved

Why did you come back and make me tears shed?

I had diverted all my thoughts about you

I had decided to keep a distance and somehow cope

I had convinced myself that you weren't the one

Why did you come back and give me false hope?

You don't seem affected by any of this

You don't understand that I'm more broken now than ever

You don't have to pick up the pieces and move on

How did I let you get close & think I would lose you never?

You don't realize I can't be anyone else's now

You don't believe that for each other we are perfect

You don't want me and think I don't belong with you

How did I not realize I can't ever get over your effect?

You don't care that every little thing reminds me of you

You don't know how your inspiring words echo in my ears

You don't stop your handsome face haunting me in dreams

How did I let you control me and unleash my deepest fears?

You don't notice how difficult this is for me

You don't see why I want this so bad

You don't get how much you mean to me

To let you go again, makes me so sad!

Pleasure in Pain

PLEASURE IN PAIN

You would have seen how perfect we are together

If only you had tried and given us a fair chance

We think alike and share the same interests

There's a spark that makes us feel alive in just a glance

Those few amazing times we had together

I can never forget the fond memories we shared

That's all I have left of you now 

My tears don't stop because you never really cared

I want another hug and another kiss

And then yet another, don't ever stop

Make me tremble from head to toe

So that I cry out loud with pleasure and drop

You were so gentle and loving

You made me want you more than ever

You evoked in me emotions that I had long forgotten

I wanted to stay in your arms forever

I reminisce every single crazy moment with a smile

I close my eyes and imagine being with you

It induces a strange feeling of happiness and serenity

Along with pain, loneliness and a weird sense of déjà vu

Your presence has such a strong effect on me

I get lost in thought and all tongue tied

A million words are waiting to come out but none do

That you might think less of me, I get terrified

I stumbled in the darkness for answers

Wishing every moment that it would happen in the long run

But you completely refused to accept it

& left me hanging onto false hopes with reasons none

You were the only one who fulfilled my desires

And satisfied my cravings like no other

I'm frightened that I might spend the rest of my life

chasing the high you gave me altogether!

Vithika Didi

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIDI

Right from childhood I looked upto you

I admired and adored you even more as I grew

You have influenced my life in a very positive way

I try to be more like you with each passing day

Reminisce the times I tried out your fancy footwear to impress

I loved to model in your clothes & create a makeup mess

As a young girl, I used to always follow you around

I was so proud when as Miss India you were crowned

You have spent hours entertaining and taking care of me

Introduced in me the craze for the Christmas tree

You have spoilt me endlessly with gifts and goodies

Right from toys and scarves to chocolates and cookies

You got me interested in Harry Potter and jigsaw puzzles

And made birthday celebrations memorable without any troubles

You are smart, talented and a sexy supermodel

And a really sweet, sensible and confident role model

Under your guidance, I loved writing articles on fashion

Helping you organize weddings and events brought out my passion

Trip to Jodhpur with you was an experience simply amazing

I was exposed to learning, designing and a different way of living

You have always been independent and achieved your goals

In your journey of 40 years, made a difference to many souls

May all your dreams come true and your amibitions never die

Here’s wishing you continue living life king size and fly high!

Day of Death

DAY OF DEATH

If we all came into this world, knowing the

number of days we have here, would we be distraught?

Would we live life any differently than our present?

Something we should think about, is it not?

Imagine you were born knowing when you would die

It could be a year later or two or even a decade

The exact number might vary for each individual

Nevertheless it would be very real and accurately made

You would come across your death anniversary every year

Would it be depressing or more challenging?

Would we be able to set goals and live life in a better way?

Or would it destroy our dreams and be too baffling?

Sometimes not knowing can be a real blessing

Our days here are numbered, so delete all vanity

While we are here, let’s make a real difference

to our planet, our loved ones and to humanity…

Breaking Free

BREAKING FREE

Like a moth to a flame, I was attracted towards you

I completely fell for you without realizing it ever

Knew you were too good and way beyond my reach

But this stupid heart of mine stopped hoping never

You sketched the perfect persona in my head

No matter what, I couldn’t stop fantasizing from afar

Tried to get you out of my head but failed miserably

The thoughts in my head became weird and bizarre

Once you started showing interest, I was your prisoner

Had no control over what I was doing anymore

Followed you blindly without thinking about it

Stupidly set out to help, ‘You need me’ I swore

Little did I know it was a trap for my shattered heart

You were fine on your own and never really needed me

But you got what you wanted from me anyways

Because I was gullible enough to give it to you for free

I thought you knew exactly how I felt about you

But the depth of my feelings, you never understood

Even when I confessed and cried in front of you

Your expressed words never made me feel good

I couldn’t believe how insensitive you were being

After all those amazing nights and days we had

You completely messed up my head with negativity

I have lost control and am in a daze, broken and sad

But I won’t let you ruin my life anymore

I have tolerated enough of this nonsense now

Very soon, I will come out stronger and more awesome

I shall break free out of this hell in my head somehow

You have lost an awesome gem in your life

Because you truly deserve to have it withdrawn

Maybe one day you will realize my true value and worth

But I ain't gonna wait, as by then I will be long gone!

Betiyaan

BETIYAAN

लक्ष्मी का स्वरूप, जनम लेती बेटियाँ घर में जब
माता पिता के हो जाते है, पुर सपने साकार तब
रीति रिवाज़ से होता आया है विधि विधान सब
बेटियाँ को जाना होगा, दूजे घर ससुराल अब

करते है लालन पालन, देते है शिक्षा संस्कार और ग्यान
करेगी दूजे घर जाकर, कुल का नाम रोशन और सबका सम्मान
आपस में बेटियाँ मिलाती है, दोनो परिवार अंजान
ममता की छवि दुलार, बेटियाँ हर परिवार की होती है शान

ज़िंदगी के बाघ की नाज़ूक डाली होती है बेटियाँ
माता पिता और सारे परिवार के दिल की रानी होती है बेटियाँ
विदाई बेटी की, दुख की नही, खुशी की मधुर बेला है
सब प्रियजानो का आशीर्वाद जीवन में नया सवेरा लाता है

Lakshmi ka swaroop, janam leti betiyaan ghar mein jab

Mata pita ke ho jate hai, poore sapne saakar tab

Reeti riwaaz se hota aaya hai vidhi vidhaan sab

Betiyaan ko jaana hoga, dooje ghar sasuraal ab

Karte hai laalan paalan, dete hai shiksha sanskaar aur gyaan

Karegi dooje ghar jaakar, kul ka naam roshan aur sabka samaan

Aapas mein betiyaan milati hai, dono parivaar anjaan

Mamta ki chavi dulaar, betiyaan har parivaar ki hoti hai shaan

Zindagi ke bagh ki naazook daali hoti hai betiyaan

Mata pita aur saare parivaar ke dil ki rani hoti hai betiyaan

Vidaai beti ki, dukh ki nahi, khushi ki madhur bela hai

Sab priyajano ka ashirwaad jeevan mein naya savera laata hai

Shradhanjali

SHRADHANJALI

(Mahavir Prasad Agarwal)

वे कहते थे, मोज करो मेहनत करो
जीवन में हमेशा खुश रहो, आगे बडो
ज़िंदगी जैसी भी है, वो दोबारा मिलती नही
शिकवे कितने भी हो, पर हस्ते रहना यही

उन्होने पुराने रीति रिवाज़ को हटाया
और पूरे परिवार के साथ समय बिताया
जीवन भर संग्राम किया, कभी हस्कर कभी रोकर
जगह जगह व्यापार फेलाया, कभी पाकर कभी खोकर

कॅमरा, आईपाद लॅपटॉप आसानी से सीख लिया
युवा से बेहतर फ़ेसबुक का उपयोग किया
कुछ नया सीखने में दिलचस्पी लेते
हमेशा सभी को प्रेरणा और बड़ावा देते

ज़िंदगी के हर पल को जोश और उत्साह से जिया
आँखों में प्यार भरके, विदेश का अनुभव किया
अपनो के ज्नम दिन और सालगिरा कभी ना भूलते
हमेशा दूसरो की प्रशंसा करके, खुशी से झूलते

मेहमान दारी में कभी छोड़ते ना कोई कसर
उनके महान व्यक्तित्वा का हमेशा रहेगा असर
जवान दिल पर कभी ना कोई बाधा डाला उमर ने
बदलते समय में मेल बिठाते आसानी से

उनका दयालु स्वाभाव और स्नेही मुस्कुराहट हमेशा रहेगी याद
हमारे दिल में उनकी उत्साह की आग ज़िंदा है, जाने के बाद
अक्सर कहते माफ़ करो और भूल जाओ और कविता भी लिखते
दूसरो की मदात और सच्चे दिल से चिंता करते दिखते

सारथिक जीवन बिताने वाले, नेक इंसान थे
जो सभी के लिए अनुकरणीय व्यक्ति और पिता समान थे
उनके आदर्श और प्रेरणा से हम जीवन में सफलता पाएँगे
हमेशा हेस्ट रहने वाले की शानदार छवि कभी ना भूल पाएँगे

Ve kehte the, moj karo mehnat karo

Jeevan mein hamesha khush raho, aage bado

Zindagi jaisi bhi hai, vo dobara milti nahi

Shikve kitne bhi ho, par haste rehna yahi

Unhone purane reeti rivaaz ko hataya

Aur pure parivaar ke saath samay bitaya

Jeevan bhar sangram kiya, kabhi haskar kabhi rokar

Jagah jagah vyapaar phelaya, kabhi pakar kabhi khokar

Camera, ipad aur laptop aasani se seekh liya

Yuva se behtar facebook ka upyog kiya

Kuch naya seekhne mein dilchaspi lete

Hamesha sabhi ko prerna aur badava dete

Zindagi ke har pal ko josh aur utsah se jiya

Aankhon mein pyaar bharke, videsh ka anubhav kiya

Apno ke janamdin aur saalgira kabhi na bhulte

Hamesha dusro ki prashansa karke, khushi se jhulte

Mehmaan dari mein kabhi chodte na koi kasar

Unke mahaan vyaktitva ka hamesha rahega asar

Javaan dil par kabhi na koi badha daala umar ne

Badalte samay mein mel bithate aasani se

Unka dayalu svabhaav aur snehi muskurahat hamesha rahegi yaad

Hamare dil mein unki utsah ki aag zinda hai, jaane ke baad

Aksar kehte maaf karo aur bhool jaao aur kavita bhi likhte

Dusro ki madat aur sachche dil se chinta karte dikhte

Saarthik jeevan bitane vale, nek insaan the

Jo sabhi ke liye anukarneeya vyakti aur pita samaan the

Unke adarsh aur prerna se hum jeevan mein safalta payenge

Hamesha haste rehne vale ki shandaar chavi kabhi na bhool payenge

A Free Soul's Plea

A FREE SOUL’S PLEA

We are in that stage of life

Where we are expected to settle down

To get married to a stranger and

If we do argue, society does frown

Is marriage the ultimate aim of life?

Do we have no identity of our own?

What kind of absurd ritual this is where

We have to forcefully move out of our hometown?

All our lives you told us to be careful

To avoid hanging out with boys and be alert

Now suddenly you want us to sleep with a stranger

Regardless of the consequences, if we get hurt

How can you just let us go suddenly?

After bringing us up for more than 20 years

Why do we have to start our lives all over?

& give up all our beliefs and choices in silent tears

Our unmarried existence feels like a heavy burden

Our freedom is being snatched away like a blind man’s sight

It feels like our career and dreams have no value

How is this fair? How is this right?

Don’t be so traditional, times are changing

Stop getting so obsessed with match making

Let us live life our way and stop judging

Being independent is not a poor way of living

Quit forcing us to find a companion

We do not need a man to complete our life

We want to establish our own brand value

And not only be referred to as someone’s wife

We do not wish to become a maid in someone’s house

And get stuck in the kitchen all day

Give us a chance to pursue our passions

Stop worrying about what others might say

Pause the mad rush of finding the right guy

Don’t expect us to accept traditions like you did

We are different souls, we need our freedom

It’s not your place to nag us about having a kid

It’s hard to leave behind everything we grew up with

Unlike olden days, your arguments don’t make sense to us

Not all of us may be okay with the concept of marriage

Put an end to this crazy obsession and all the fuss!