My Calender, 2023

And its time for my calendar 2023. Frankly, it was no better than 2021. A little worse I would say. I am glad, its over. I don’t know what is in store for me in 2024 though I am hopeful it shall be better than 2023. So let’s see just how bad it went through.

January

For the first time in so many years, I bought some stationary . I used to buy things almost every week, a few decades ago. But then I didn’t have a computer back then. Everything was on paper. I loved the feel of the paper and the smooth running of the ink on it. My brain storming helped me get ideas while the hours spent in the stationary and music shops in South Extension market, Delhi gave me immense happiness . I couldn’t wait to use my stuff once I returned from my shopping.

So this year for some weird reasons I went shopping some stationary for myself which had never happened for so long because I had switched to digital writing. However, since I had joined Akashwani I had to document my script with a paper and pen. So, yeah I went to the stationary store here in Raipur. I was in for a disappointment because this city is more of “babus”, as in government official’s city rather anything else and they have the habit of purchasing everything in bulk. So the retails were not up to the standard with what I was used to. And those that were, usually cratered to the needs of the students most of the time.

Anyways, I did find myself one which was a small shop but they allowed me a walk-through to checkout their stuff. Yes, I was pretty amazed since a lot have changed since I last bought any stationary. Some smarter kits had replaced the old ones. I got two organizers for myself – one for my writing work and one for my other obligations. I was so happy when I was making plans for the entire year. Never once it crossed my mind that time had other things in store for me.

However, January held both good and bad moments for me. We went out with family friends to Chilpi Ghati to enjoy the New Year eve. The first day of the year was a visit to ancient Shiv temple, Bhoramdev. So the start was fantastic. However, came across a bad news very shortly.

Later, our Bindiya department had our first Akashwani official get together. We came to the conclusion that we needed more of such good times together since we hardly got a chance to meet each other during work.

Also I had a fabulous outing with all my female friends the same month. The picnic was arranged by New Hope Society.     

February

BLANK MONTH

March

I had two special occasion this month at Akashwani. First, I had the opportunity to interact with our listeners on phone directly and second, my special program on Holi festival was scheduled for broadcast. As an RJ, getting to interact with the audience is always a very warm experience, especially when they recognize you through your voice. And I interacted with a very elderly lady who happened to be a regular listener of our Bindiya program on the radio.

We went on road trip to Varanasi.

The trip was planned by hubby so for a change, I took the back seat, relaxed and enjoyed every bit of the stay. From ferrying in the holy Ganges, to visiting the temples and banarasi saree factories we did it all and not to forget the mouth watering street food which is available even very late at night. We stayed there for two nights before moving to our next destination.

April

From Varanasi we went to Gaya, the Moksh Dham, enroute Bodh Gaya.

Stayed there for a night in Bharat Seva Ashram and performed the last rites of our ancestors in the ancient Vishnu Temple. From Gaya we went to Jhumri Taliya and stayed the night in a fabulous five star accommodation. It was a big surprise for all of us. Very budget oriented yet with all the five star amenities. We went to see Taliya Dam the following morning and after spending an hour set off for Raipur. Since it was late in the evening so we halted in Sundergarh, Odisha. Next day we set off again homewards. The road trip was very refreshing for all of us. I vowed to learn driving but haven’t till date .

May

BLANK MONTH

June

BLANK MONTH

July

Took admission in Kamladevi Music college in Loksangeet course.

I was invited in book launch organized by the literary club of Krishna Public School. It was a fantastic experience to interact with young authors.

Celebrated Hareli festival with Akashwani team mates.

Team Akashwani

I got an opportunity to make a special documentary program on Munshi Premchand for Akashwani on occasion of his Jayanti, “Kalam ke sipahi, Munshi Premchand”. 

August

On occasion of Friendship day, my Special program, “Dhai Akhar Prem ke,” was aired in Akaswani.

Friendship Day Program

Our small club, New Hope Society got an opportunity to celebrate Independence Day with the elders in one of city’s oldage home. We were also invited in Saawan event organized by Mahila Mandal Kurmi Samaj.

September

Blank Month

October

Went to enjoy Durga puja in Bangalore. It was a road trip till Nagpur and then we took flight. The road from Raipur to Nagpur was terrible and we were very concerned that we had to come down the same route on our way back on our return journey and that too at night time. My hubby was cursing me for not learning to drive.

November

BLANK Month

December

And my this year’s last program on Akashwani.

Once the summer set in my days just passed by without my knowledge. And before I knew the year was gone. I have lost many dear ones this year. May their soul rest at peace where ever they are. Even my health took a toll this year. Mishaps kept occurring. Maybe I need to take good care of myself now. Me first should be the attitude. Lots of this that I loved doing has taken a back seat this year. All my planning drowned in the drain. Not a very promising year for me. I Don’t know what to expect in 2024.

However, I wish you a fantastic 2024. May all your dreams come true and have a healthy and peaceful life. Thank you.

Vote India, Vote

I got the opportunity to cast my right to vote a few days ago during Vidhan Sabha Elections in the state where I now reside. The experience of feeling so important had never subsided within me since I cast my first vote couple of decades ago. I am least interested in politics. However, little things of my daily life do make me think about whats going around.

It was the morning of our voting day and I was going through the newspaper over my cup of morning tea. I was very pissed off to see the front page that carried a huge poster of vote appeal of a political party. In the consecutive pages the case was similar with different political parties asking for vote. My question as a voter is when the campaign has ended the earlier day then why it is still going on in the media? Shouldn’t it be prohibited from all social platforms both offline and online? How will a voter decide what is good for him or her if the parties are always up on their face day and night.

Visuals are the best way to brain wash a person. Showing a person the same or similar visuals day and night will make the person dull, inactive to think properly. Do you think such a person will be in a good state of mind to decide for the future government. Ferrying a voter to the polling booth, political party booth camps outside the polling stations are also similar gimmicks to lure the voters which should be stopped on the polling day. A political party can help a voter by allowing them to vote without any manipulations.

Also as a voter, it’s my duty to choose the right person to run the government. But I have never got the chance to meet the candidate in person to whom I was casting my vote. My vote was more to a political party rather the individual in the local area or maybe the other way round. However, most of the time we choose by looking at the big picture which these parties paint forgetting the actual facts and figure. Most of the hoardings on rooftops and roadsides announce the benefits a voter will get if the party wins. But what about the previous promises? Were they fulfilled? Did the person really take the initiatives to address the issues that a voter was facing in his her locale? I regret that I had cast my vote without even meeting the candidate. What if he falls short of the promises made? What if he isn’t what was portrayed of him? I would regret my action taken then.

In the polling booth I waited for one and half hour for my turn. No the queue wasn’t big at all. The volunteers inside the room were taking time. When it was finally my turn I went inside the room and saw couple of people working together to execute the process of voting. One person was checking the identity card of the voter and announcing the serial number on the list. One person was taking down the number along side the voter’s name in another assigned sheet and then providing a small chit with all the details to the voter. Three people were verifying the voter details in their assigned sheets. Another person was collecting the given chit from the voter and applying the ink on the voter’s finger before sending the voter to the polling machine. The entire process was manual and took hardly a couple of seconds. However, I found out that our queue was taking so long because the volunteer who was providing the chit was incompetent. She was a senior and probably not that well trained for the job. In fact, I found her nervous and confused. Another person was standing over her head and repeating the numbers for her which she was still not able to write. Now who should I blame for this? The lady or the people who considered her fit for the election duty? And who actually suffered because of it? Along with me there was a young mother who had come with her toddler and she was having a tough time managing the child standing in the queue in the sun outside. There were seniors who were capable of walking but not capable of standing for too long in the sun. I suggest for them there should be a separate queue.

And in the end I would like to mention about the voting age in our country. 18 years. As a parent do you really think your kid is grownup enough to choose a government? Is the child even allowed to participate in the family decisions or is he or she old enough to pay their bills ? If not then how are they allowed to vote? If the right marrying age has been revised from 18 to 21 years then shouldn’t the voting age be reconsidered? Choosing a government is about a mature mind and not about age factor.

It’s about time we think about it and enjoy democracy in its true self.

Bas Ek Din (My thoughts)

ये सत्य है के संस्कारों का ज़िम्मा हम महिलाओं पर ही आता है I फिर चाहे वो तीज हो या करवा चौथ I हर त्यौहार में अपने परिवार के लिए मंगल कामना करना , पति की लम्बी आयु के लिए व्रत रखना, बच्चो के लिए व्रत रखना जैसे कई पर्व है जहाँ ज्यादातर स्त्रीयां ही भागिदार होती है I पंडितजी भी अपनी हर बात यजमान के घरवाली को ही करने को कहते है I उचित भी है I आदमी पैसे कमाकर कर लता है और औरत उसे घर गृहस्ती में खर्च करती है I ये तो हुई ताल मेल की बात I मगर क्या महिला को ये अधिकार नहीं है की कोई पर्व उसके कल्याण के लिए भी रखा जाय ? दुर्गा माँ , सरस्वती माँ, लक्ष्मी माँ, काली माँ, संतोषी माँ, जैसे और भी कई माताएँ है जिनकी पूजा हम करते है अपने कल्याण के लिए I एक व्रत अपनी अर्धांगिनी के नाम भी यदि पुरुष रख ले तो शायद उस महिला का भी कुछ कल्याण जीवन में हो जाय I

वय्तिगत रूप से मुझे सभी त्यौहार अच्छे लगते है और जमकर हिस्सा भी लेती हूँ I मगर, अपनी तरह से I मेरे लिए, इश्वर से कुछ मांगने के बजाय यदि उनका धन्यवाद् किया जाय तो वही सही पूजा है I मानव जनम देकर , बुद्धिमती बनाकर  उन्होंने सब कुछ दे दिया I अब ये मुझ पर है की में कैसे उनका स्मरण करती हूँ I मेरे लिए मेरे इष्ट मेरे मित्र है , मुझे समझते है I फिर उनसे कुछ मांगकर उनके दिए हुए जीवन का अपमान नहीं कर सकती I मित्रता ही मेरी भक्ति है I ये तो रही मेरी बात I मगर आज जिस कार्य से ये पोस्ट बना रही हूँ उसके विषय में बात करते है I

महिलाओं को भी कल्याणकारी जीवन जीने का अधिकार होना चाहिए I उनकी भी मंगल कामना का कोई दिन नियुक्त हो जहाँ उनके पुरुष उनके लिए अपने व्यस्त जीवन में से थोडा समय निकाल कर उनके लिए दुयाँऐ करें I और वो भी पुरे सज धज कर I फिर इस्ताग्राम और दुसरे सोशल साइट्स में अपनी फोटोज अपलोड करें, रील बनाय I अखीर महिलाओं को भी मौका मिले उन्हें देखने का I खैर ये सब बातें तो आज की हकीक़त है I सोशल मीडिया में अपना अपडेट बताना बहुत ही ज़रूरी हो गया है नहीं तो लोग क्या कहेंगे? आजकल तो आइस क्रीम खरीदकर खाने के बजाय उसकी सेल्फी पहले लेते है फिर चाहे आइस क्रीम पिघलने क्यों ना लग रहा हो I

सबकुछ एक तरफ और श्रधा आस्था एक तरफ I आज से बीस साल , तीस साल, चालीस साल पहले भी लोग करवा चौथ मानते थे और आने वाले सालों में भी मनाएंगे I बस पहले सब इतना दिखावा नहीं करते थे I बस पूजा ही होती थी I आज के ज़माने में हम जेंडर  इक्वलिटी की बात करते है तो पर्वो में भी साझेदारी होनी चाहिए I जहाँ महिलाए अपने अपने पति के लम्बी आयु के लिए व्रत रखती है वही पुरुष भी अपनी अर्धांगिनी के मंगल कामना के लिए व्रत रखे I तभी साझेदारी अच्छे से पूरी होगी I

प्रेम का भी आजकल डायरेक्ट कनेक्शन व्रतों के साथ हो गया है I अगर तुमने व्रत नहीं रखा तो तुम प्रेम नहीं करती, कल्याण नहीं चाहती I लेकिन क्या व्रत रखना मात्र, प्रेम दर्शाता है ? प्रेम किसी पर्व का मोहताज कभी नहीं हो सकता I जो प्रेम करते है, चाहते है,वो तो हमेशा ही अपने प्रियजन का कल्याण ही चाहेंगे I किसी पर्व का इंतज़ार नहीं करेंगे I हर रोज़ उनकी सलामती की दुआ करेंगे I हर लम्हा उनके भलाई की सोचेंगे I दिखावा नहीं करेंगे I श्रधा पूजा कभी दिखावा नहीं होना चाहिए I वो तो एकदम निर्मल निष्पाप होना चहिये I अपने इष्ट के करीब जाने का मार्ग होना चाहिए I आत्मा की शुधि का मार्ग होना चाहिए I छल कपट से परे एक शिशु के निष्पाप ह्रदय की भातीं होना चाहिए I तभी सही मायने में कोई भी पूजा सफल हो पायेगी I मन शांत हो पायेगा I सुखदायी होगा I

Wo Sham: Hindi Poetry

After a long time I have tried my hands in poetry. Hope you enjoy it.

Friendship Day Special Program @ Akaswani Raipur

The Silence – Excerpt (Mirror 2)

The Silence

Everything was going fine. They were eagerly waiting for their wedding day when finally they would be pronounced man and wife in a holy matrimony when fate took a U-turn. They had no clue what was in store for them until the time arrived when their relationship was put to test. The call came uninvited and unannounced. Thankfully they had had enough good memories to keep them going strong during the crisis. But will they survive the challenge was the question.

Mirror 2

#comingsoon #loverelationshipquotes

Mirror 2 – Love stories & love quotes (Coming Soon)

Sharing with you all short story teasers of my upcoming book MIRROR 2. #ebook #kindle #coming Soon

A CUP OF TEA #shortstory #shortread

The Silence #shortstory #shortread

Please stay tuned for the book cover reveal . Thanks.

Excerpt: Mirror 2 (Coming soon)

Here is a brief excerpt of my upcoming book #mirror2 #love #relationship #quotes and other #lovestories

So What Do You Think?

Hey guys. Taking the liberty once again to share my viewpoint . DO let me know what do you think?

#women’sday #equality #balancingenergies

What am I doing?

This post is for self.

I want to know what I want from myself. A very harsh statement indeed for after so many years of writing I still don’t have a clue where to start from. It seems like my think tank fuel has come to a halt or I might be redirecting it elsewhere. Whatever be the case, I can concentrate on one thing at a time. Since corona time my writing career has taken a back seat. Its not that I am not writing anymore. I am. Everyday. Little by little. But I am not taking the pain to publish it. It is so fearful. Like my fingers freeze the moment I choose the publish button. Why this ambiguity? Maybe it is the fear of being judged. Of late this syndrome is taking a toll on me. People’s reaction. It was something that never bothered me earlier. I was always doing what my heart wanted me to do. However, now I have started pondering whether it will be wise enough to go ahead or not. As if waiting for someone’s approval. But it never came. And my ideas kept taking back seat. Is this the way I dream of 2023?

No I don’t think so.

This year I have promised myself a lot of things and my books is certainly on top of my priority list. I have a couple of them that are waiting to see the light of the day. My books are me and I can’t let me die so soon so easily. Let me tell you about my writings.

I love writing for those who are unheard of , uncared, emotionally deprived, with a huge turmoil inside, those who don’t voice their pains. Yes I write pain. Pain that aches the soul even if the wound outside has healed. There still remains a scar. That pain one goes through every night when they finally get off to sleep. When they have just themselves to speak to. Just them to hear.

Even if you are surrounded by people, even if you are are sound professionally, even if you are a public figure, even if you are the topic of all the gossip, the moment you hit your pillow it’s just you and your soul, a soul session. Where nothing is veiled and your wounds are as naked as they have always been. A pain that doesn’t let you sleep at night. A pain that always take you back to it’s origin every damn night. You struggle alone every night for it to be over. Only to relive it the next night.

I want to write about it. I have written about it. I am writing about it.

You can portray to be very strong to world but you are a helpless child within, looking for warmth, looking for a secure home and happiness. I want to be there for you. I want to write for you. I want to share this pain to the world. Maybe it gets a chance to get healed.

My upcoming work is

MIRROR 2

50, Love and Relationship Quotes & other stories.

Due in February 2023. Stay tuned for more.