सुना है मैं ख़तरे मे हूँ

मुझे रोज़ बताया जाता है मुझे रोज़ समझाया जाता है कि मैं ख़तरे में हूँ 

नहीं नहीं मुझे ख़तरा बेरोज़गारी से नही है, मुझे ख़तरा उसके विरुद्ध आंदोलन करते छात्रों से है 

जो कथित रूप से भटक गये हैं

और मुझे ख़तरा लोकतांत्रिक देश में बिना विचार विमर्श के संसद में पास होते एक के बाद एक बिलों से भी नहीं है,

मुझे ख़तरा उनमे से एक बिल के विरुद्ध आंदोलन करते उन किसानो से है जो कथित रूप से आतंकवादी या खालिस्तानी हो गये हैं

मुझे ख़तरा मेरे धर्म के ठेकेदारों द्वारा मेरे धर्मस्थलों की गरिमा धूमिल करने से भी नहीं है,  मुझे ख़तरा मेरे बच्चे के स्कूल मे पथराव करते, उन्हे आतंकित करती भीड़ से भी नहीं है, मुझे ख़तरा उन लोगों से है जो कथित रूप से उस स्कूल मे धर्मपरिवर्तन को अंजाम दे रहे थे,

मुझे ख़तरा कोरोना मे बिना दवा बिना ऑक्सिजन के मरते लोगों से हुई त्राहि से भी नहीं है, मुझे ख़तरा धरना देते उन डॉक्टरों से है जिनके लिए कभी हमने तालियाँ बजाई थी पर अब जो कथित रूप से भटक गये हैं

मुझे ख़तरा बढ़ती महँगाई के दौर मे रोते लोगों के बीच आलीशान रैलियों पर होते खर्च से भी नहीं है, मुझे ख़तरा है उन लोगों से जो देश हित में होते इन खर्चों पर सवाल उठाते हैं

मुझे ख़तरा मुझसे जुड़े मुद्दों को नज़रअंदाज़ कर, पाकिस्तान और निम्‍न दर्जे की पत्रकारिता कर रहे बड़े मीडीया से भी नहीं है, मुझे ख़तरा है उन लॅपटॉप और माइक हाथ मे लिए कुछ पत्रकारों से जो कभी कोरोना काल में मजदूर पलायन, कभी पेगासस, कभी मिड डे मील की खामियों को दिखा हमारा मिजाज़ खराब करते हैं 

दरअसल वो मुझे बताना चाहते हैं कि मुझे ख़तरा हर उस इंसान से, हर उस संस्था से है जो मेरे जनता होने के हक़ की वकालत करता है, जो मुझे बताता है कि मैं देश प्रेमी होते हुए अपने देश मे ग़लत हो रहे मुद्दों को उठा सकती हूँ, कि मैं अपने सांविधानिक हक़ों को जी सकती हूँ

Unlearn & Relearn : Conditioning of Women in Indian Society

"That reflection in the mirror is YOU. I encourage you to love her, flaws and all! Be kind to her, take care of her, see the best in her, and celebrate her.”  ― Stephanie Lahart

No matter how many #women-empowerment, #self-love, #BeYourself #YouAreBeautiful etc. trends on social media, the condition of woman has not changed much in terms of her acceptance as an equal individual, as a decision-maker. 

 I am fully aware of the fact that it takes generations to make a visible change in society.  I am not going to discuss the patriarchal structure, role of men, society as a whole and politics in contemporary times. 
What I want to discuss is the role of a woman, herself. Why wait for others' acceptance?
Especially if you are educated, then what stopped you from learning, exploring the different subjects, societies?
First, let's face some questions-

1. Why do you keep seeking validation from others? Be it your body structure, skin colour, career choices or your family choices. 
2. What makes you start working towards reinstating the old-age, obsolete mindset? 
3. Why do you aspire to be a perfect woman? And what is a perfect woman? Why do you want to be perfect when others around you are not? Why every time you feel that it's only your duty to make everyone happy?
4. Why do you feel that you can't make a decision alone? Is it fear of taking responsibility for the outcome of the decision or is it self-doubt? 
5. Why saying "No" feels a big deal? Why clearly explaining what you want feels a big deal?

Every woman should introspect and then start the process of unlearning the old age idea of a woman and then relearn the actual qualities, aspects of womanhood and life as a whole.
The most important thing is making yourself a priority without any guilt. Self-Care, Self-love is a must. Everyone has 24 hours in a day, so set your priorities and you should be on that list. 
Work on your skills, your physical and mental health and let your all family members be part of all this. 
Give it all to your relationships, family and career, that is important, But also communicate what you want and what you need.
Learn to say NO, unlearn your habit of being available for everyone, every time by compromising your happiness. Show them you love and care but also show you love yourself too and you need to be treated the way everyone expects you to treat them. Most importantly, treat yourself the way you wants others to treat you.
Never agree on anything I repeat anything which you don't want to continue for the rest of your life. Because once you do that you are always expected to do the same. Going back will take lots of work, pain and creates a big mess. So avoid that in the first place itself. Facing awkwardness for a few days is better than facing broken relationships and people.
Be unconcerned of other's unrealistic expectations and biased opinions. Do consider constructive criticism/feedback. Learn to see things as it is. Stop getting flattered by appreciation without the support and sorry without changed behaviour. 

Be fearless. It is very liberating. And to be fearless, you should know yourself completely.
Don't seek validation from others, don't try to please everyone. Even if you die of trying to meet other's expectation, there will still be someone not satisfied. So stop that.
Try to be a better version of yourself each day, but love and accept yourself and always have high self-esteem. 



  

सोच कर कि महफूज़ हूँ

बाहर थी भगदड़ मची, मैं घर मे रहा, सोच कर कि यहीं तो महफूज़ हूँ
औरों के घर उजड़े तो दुख हुआ मुझे, पर मैं घर में रहा, सोच कर कि यहीं महफूज़ हूँ
मैं चुप रहा कभी जाने में कभी अंजाने में, सोच कर कि यूँही महफूज़ हूँ
मेरे सामने बिछड़े अपनो से अपने, मैं थोड़ा घबराया पर चुप रहा सोच कर कि यहीं महफूज़ हूँ
फिर एक दिन वही आग वही दर्द मेरे आँगन में था,
उसकी दस्तक से हर बीता लम्हा किताब के पन्नो की तरहा मेरी नज़रों के सामने पलट रहा था, जब जब मैं चुप था
और फिर मैं दरवाज़ा खोल कर चुप ही खड़ा रहा, सोच कर कि अब कहाँ ही महफूज़ हूँ

When Society justifies the Injustice and Oppression

As a society, we have come very far from what we were. It has been a long journey and a commendable one. Raja Ram Mohan Rai, Jyotirao Phule, Savitribai Phule,  Baba Amte are only a few names from a very long list. These were the people who questioned the so-called "tradition and culture" of their times. Some of these people challenged the caste system, some challenged the oppression of women in society, some challenged the religion and some challenged their own family's working style. 

And we, in the 21st century, living in a democracy, having access to all kind of resources to know past and present still justifying injustice and oppression. We have a justification for everything.

Recently, our ex-CJI made a statement at an event that "Marital Rape in India should not be criminalised because it will create absolute anarchy in villages". Surprisingly, he is also one of the judges who decriminalised Homosexuality in 2018. It was a historical judgment.  

I remember one line of Javed Akhtar where he said, "All religious people are 90% atheist/rational because they judge other religion rationally but not theirs". What a clear, crisp and thoughtful one-liner. It is true not only for religion but for every type of segregation in society.

I have friends who support "Hindu Rashtra" in India and support diversity when they settle abroad. This is tragic. What are we becoming? Have we lost our senses?

We support amendments/laws for the betterment of one section of the society and leave the other in distress to suffer and later to laugh at.  

When women come forward to support injustice I feel sorry. When someone says I like to be like this, It's my choice. Really?? (From Triple Talaq to Padmavat case they became a propagator)

What exactly is a Choice?? A bird born in a cage when asked to leave and fly in open sky chooses to stay. Is that a choice??  Yes, it seems but is it really a choice?? Give it a thought.

We justify murder, we justify domestic violence and we justify communalism. We justify Curbing speech, we justify hate towards open dialogues, we justify hatred towards disagreements.

I have heard discussions on domestic violence. These are of type "Yes, beating your wife is wrong but you don't know what she did"??  Amazing!!! 

Mob lynching is bad but.......

Inequality is bad but.........

Eve-teasing is bad but..........

The minute we add "but" in our statement while talking about injustice or oppression, the former part of the sentence has no relevance.

We have normalised these things. "Ye to hota hai, Are pehle se yhi chlta aaya hai etc. etc."

But for how long?? When we are going to take strict action and a firm stand on these??
We should start with self-correction. Unlearn the things which we wrongly accepted in the name of culture and tradition.
Continuous and consistent Self-Correction!!!!  

  

महान होते है ये लोग

महान होते है ये लोग
बहादुरी, समझदारी और संयम की एक बड़ी मिसाल होते है ये लोग
युध के मुह पर खड़े होकर भी संतुलित बात कहने वाले जाँबाज़ होते है ये लोग
देश पर मर मिटने की खवाहिश दिल मे लिए होठों पर मुस्कराहट रख कर जीते है ये लोग
सच मे .....महान होते है ये लोग
पर हम क्या करते है हम क्या कहते है क्या सोचा है कभी
तारीफों के पुल बाँध कर उनको महान बताकर
बात बात पे जज़्बाती होकर जंग जंग चिल्ला कर
मौत के मुह मे धकेलकर बस बाते बड़ी बड़ी कर कर
माहौल बनाते है हम लोग
क्या सचाई से वाकिफ़ है हम,क्या जंग के मायने समझते है हम
हम कायर नही हम बहादुर है ये दिखाने के और भी तरीके है
दुश्मन देश को सबक सिखाने के और भी सलीके है
वो जो जिसकी हम चिल्ला चिल्ला कर तारीफ़ करते है
जी हाँ हमारी सेनाए और ख़ुफ़ियाँ एजेन्सीस इसीलिए बने है
पर हम ये जो जज़्बातो मे बहकर उतावले ब्यान देते है
राजनेताओं पर दबाव बढ़ातें है और वो जनता को लुभाने के लिए फ़ैसले कर देते है
हमारी राय बहुत ज़रूरी है इसमे कोई शक नही है
पर हम ना फ़ौजी है ना सुरक्षा के जानकार
हमारे इस ज़ज़्बातिपन से फ़ायदा किसका ये जानने के लिए
ज़रा किताबें टटोलिए और बहुत से आँकड़े भी
इतिहास के पन्ने पलटीए, राजनीति और कूटनीति की किताबें भी
किस देश का हथियारों का कितना व्यवसाय है और किस देश ने युध मे कितना गँवाया
जब बड़े फ़ैसले हमारे और आप जैसे लोगों को खुश करने की लिए हों
उसके क्या असर और क्या मायने इसकी भी हमे जानकारी हों
क्यूँ बरसों पहले भारत के न्यायालयों से ज्यूरी सिस्टम ख़तम हुआ
कुछ पढ़िए कुछ समझिए ज़ज़्बातों से उपर उठ कर संयम से काम लीजिए
अपनी संस्थाओं का अपनी सेना का मनोबल बढ़ाइए
उनके जीते जी भी उनके लिए आवाज़ उठाइए
अपनी सरकार का साथ दें उसे बेहतर बनाने के लिए बेआवाज़ों को आवाज़ दें
एकता का संदेश दें बहादुरी और समझदारी की मिसाल दें

So we have an opinion?

From facebook to twitter, from print media to television channels (national media (not regional)), all are reporting and propagating the same news (or perception) on same subjects repetitively that you can count on your fingers. Every issue cut down to anger/rage/nationalism/army. If you detach yourself emotionally and pay attention, they are no longer serving news, they are serving us emotions and filling their own pockets by sensationalising every single issue.

The list is topped by Kashmir, Pakistan and our Army.

There is no doubt that Kashmir is an integral part of India.

We don't have any idea how is life there, most of us never been to Kashmir and many of us never talked to local Kashmiris but still, we have an opinion about Kashmir. On what basis? On the basis of TV channels reports? Many of whom don't even have local correspondents? And those who project their opinions as the news (facts)?

If you really want to know but can't go there, at least read about Kashmir from different sources, read local stories from local people, know the views of people who were posted there in all these years(civil servants, police,local correspondents), check the backgrounds of all the stakeholders and then have an opinion and then show your nationalism.

Kashmir is a very complex and sensitive issue and all the stakeholders know about it. They want this problem to continue. If we think Kashmir issue is going to solve anytime soon then we are wrong, it is not going to solve, at least not in our lifetimes and there is a strong reason behind it. There is a whole ecosystem that will never allow this problem to get solved. Many people will be jobless. Just feel bad about the normal Indian citizen there. There can be temporarily peace and provocation like it always has been. It's all politics, make public emotional and get votes without showing any work on the ground.  Got the point? No?

Let me explain.

Just imagine, there is no Pakistan and Kashmir issue, there is no Naxalite and Hindu- Muslim issue, Imagine how much work politicians have to do to get votes from the public to come to the power. Poor guys!!! Then they must provide clean water, food, hospitals, education, employment and what not. And for every upcoming election, they must show improvement in these services. Poor guys!!!!!!

And not only politicians, what about our poor TV channels? What will they do?? Then they have to send their reporters to investigate the story, collecting evidence. But now they just have to get six, seven people in the studio that can increase their TRPs and one sensational issue on which all can shout and project to the public how much they care about us, our national security.

True Nationalists!!!!

Tears in my eyes !!!!!!! So much love for the country everywhere.

दौर

ये खामोशियों के शोर है,ये मदहोशियों के दौर है   
ये वक़्त कुछ नासमझ तो दिल भी थोडा चोर है
ज़हन मे कुछ चल रहा लबों पे कुछ और है
ये बचपने को तोड़ कर परिपक्वता का शोर है
कभी हँसी कभी नमी कभी ये मुख मौन है
मुझमे ये जो नया कोई बन रहा ये कौन है
ये वक़्त का ही हेर है या ख्यालों का ये फेर है
ज़हन मे उठते सवालों का इस दिल मे एक घेर है
सवालों के हैं बढ़ते सिलसिले पर जवाबों मे अभी देर है
समझ सके ना उलझनों को समझ का मेरी फेर है........