Henry and Mama

She kept weeping in the dark. The warmth of her tears melted the white Christmas snow on the cemented ground. Why after so many years I had to face this situation...she thought in herself and tears kept rolling.
'Mama you are here and I have been searching for you since evening' little Henry stood in front of her.
'My child, my son, I am so sorry, I am not a good mother. I lied to you, this is a sin that I have committed' she said with a heavy heart.
'Mama, you never lied to me. You always wiped my tears when I cried, you always laughed with me, you scolded my friends who made fun of me, you take care of me and give me my warm hugs, you are the best Mama in this world. Let's go home, daddy is waiting' Henry hugged her tight and tried to make her comfortable.
'No son, I won't, I broke the promise, but believe me it was all unintentional. I never wanted you to know the truth and break the promise that I had made to your dad, now I have lost both of u' she kept weeping.
'You didnot break the promise darling, it was all God's will and it happened. Me and Henry are incomplete without you. It is good that Henry got to know who was Martha. He is a big boy now and understands everything. Martha gave birth to him, but you have nurtured him like a flower, he is your son only. Come honey, let's go home' she could hear her husband's voice and feel the warmth in his voice, he was kneeling down in front of her.
She couldnot stop herself and hugged both of them.
They lighted candles and offered flowers on Martha's grave just like every year. It was Christmas and Henry's 10th birthday. 

Yes I am a Girl

If I would not have been a GIRL….

Life would have been so different…….

No door to stop me…..no Clock to guard me……

No relation to worry about…….

No one to remind me “hey you are a GAL”………

No one to stare me at………..

No taking scarfs & dupattas…………

No dad & brothers for my guard……………

No chik chik of parents to make me mad………….

No attendance in kitchen 24*7………………

No In Laws to treat as real parents…………

No cumin home early from office & Party………….

No one to say that my habits are dirty…………….

No one to look me a “PREY”

“Girl u better be at home” as they say………..

But then YES…I am a girl……….

A Mother, a wife, a daughter, a colleague, a bahu………

A home to take care and attend an Office too……….

I am a doctor at home, a cashier on 1st of every month………..

A chef in the kitchen and manager when needed………..

I don’t have any off days ……….

I am found in kitchen even on holidays………….

Early to rise and late to BED…………

That is how my day ends……….

 BUT....

HEY PEOPLE even I have a heart…….

I do cry alone…………

Feel like taking a break…………

Lots of agony and tons of pain……….

But all in my heart and never to be shown…………

I am blamed for all the mishappenings………..

And I am always the victim……….

STILL I STAND AND START AFRESH

COZ………..I AM A GIRL AND NO NONSENSE……………."

A Tribal Conclave - Talent that needs recognition

When I left my small town Noamundi Iron Mines in Jharkhand to pursue my dreams and aspirations, I had never thought that my culture and my state would call me back to witness an absolute mindblowing programme called 'Samvaad - A Tribal Conclave'. The whole concept of Samvaad is to bring different tribal groups of India and abroad at one place, where they exhibit their talent to the mass. Organised by Tata Steel in the lush green field of Gopal Maidan of Steel City Jamshedpur, this conclave is under tight security, drone cameras, volunteers, acute cleanliness and hygiene with separate washrooms. Use of bottles was prohibited and one had to either carry a bottle or drink from the tap.
Be it their cuisine, medicines, handicrafts, costumes or they themselves, every tribe brings with them their unique identity. Why a conclave of Tribes? To answer this question, let's walk through Samvaad. The entire exhibition was mesmering, but my eyes got stuck on the handicraft items brought by these tribes.
I knew jute is a wonderful item but when I saw the Jute handicrafts, I was left dumbstruck. Tribals from Birbhum (West Bengal) had brought masterpieces made of paperpulp base and jute over it. They had items such as flower vase, Lord Budhha, penstand, horses and many more home decor items. The perfection in their work is not only worth appreciating but also keeping them in our homes. Every stall was decorated with their handicraft items, narrating the story of their culture and existence, with their uniqueness and perfection. Naming them below:
Paddy Jewelleries from Birbhum by Shantal Tribe
Organic Soaps, creams, litions, mosquito repellants by Sumi Tribe, Nagaland
Sheep fur items and copper items from Ladakh by Bota Tribe
Lah Bangles from Jharkhand
Home Decor items by Kondh Tribe, Odisha
Bamboo Craft by Maurya Tribe, Chattisgarh
Wood Craft by Santhal Tribe, Jharkhand
Cane products, stolls, shawls, woollem items from Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Shillong, Naga Jewelleries all under one roof.
To add more to the flavour paintings of different art forms were also present such as Saura Art from Odisha, Oraon and Gond Art from Madhya Pradesh, Warli Art from Maharashtra,
My next stop were the medicinal stalls where tribes from Srilanka, Mexico, South Africa and Uganda were present alongwith Indian tribes from different states. These international tribes brought with them century old medicines derived purely from herbs, trees, plants, flowers.
Four Doctors from Srilanka with expertise in Snake bite treatment, bone setting, astrology were present with their medicines and giving advise to the people present over there.
His Majesty Bekano from Cameroon was himself present to share his wide knowledge of tribal therapies and medicines. I bought a herbal tea from Jharkhand Stall that was a mixture of different types of herbs, is said to cure paralysis, cancer, and even gynaecological problems.
And when the guests get tired after purchasing the stuffs, the aroma of tribal food is enough to attract them towards the food stall. The food was being prepared there only and served hot to the guests. The evening follows with cultural programme where different tribal groups show their dance forms. The evening becomes so colourful and full of happy vibes and energy that it is difficult to leave and go.
Be it an Indian tribe or International Tribe, their fight is for their recognition that is being lost because they are not getting their recognition that they deserve. Today when we talk about Ayurvedic medicines, we end up in spending lots of money buying them. But who are real source for these medicines? It is our tribes. Be it the dreaded disease cancer, asthma, jaundice, arthitris, they have herbs to cure for every disease.
It is their art that is originally being made by them but sold at exorbitant price in the market and intetnationally.
Samvaad was an eye opener for me to see amd appreciate the real talent hidden somewhere. These tribes are the real creators and healers who deserve to be recognised by the world. Organised every year in the month of November for 5 days, this tribal conclave is a must visit and make their talent reach to other parts of country and abroad.

Birth of a Writer

When I walked thru the lanes of life....

I wanted to smile...I found you smiling...
I wanted to dance..  I saw you going crazy...
I wanted to cry....I kept weeping on you...
I wanted to shout..I shouted on you...
I wanted to give a hug...and I hugged you...

I kept coming to you..
and you never said 'no'...
Rather gave me a reason to shine...
And power to grow...

Yes 'U' are my heart and soul...
Yes 'U' my pen and paper....
How can I forget that day...
When I was born as a writer....

The Ant ride

Mama, see it's raining...
So beautiful are the raindrops.
There's a small river flowing...
And also there's a small pond..
Let's make some paper boats
One, two, three and four...
Let's put them in the small pond
And they shall sail thru...
 Mama see the ants are going to my boat
I think they want a ride...
But Mama, the wind is blowing...
My boats are drowning..
So let me put some pebbles...
Arrange them at the pond side..
My boats shall be safe..
And ants can go on ride...

Just Once Today...

Just Once I touched the rains today
Just Once I touched the rains today
Just Once I touched the rains today
Just Once I touched the rains today

With a promise to have this 'once' everyday
I close my beautiful eyes tonite..
The stars twinkle, the moon sings lullaby for me..
The fairies cradle my bed and I say goodnite.

A Child's Imagination

Rainbow Rainbow up in the sky..
Where is your home? I really wonder..
Shower your colors and paint me..
And mom shall not be able to find me.

You green Trees, why are you so tall
Are you not scared that u may fall
Lift me in ur arms and shake me.
Isnt it fun playing with me??

Butterfly Butterfly all around me
Do u want to race with me???
I on my cycle you on wings.
Lets race and also sing.

You little birds how do u fly.
Can I also do that if I try.
Hold my hands and take me along
Together shall we fly and sing a song

But I keep wondering day and night
In the dark they go and cum in the light
To play and dance and sing with me
Thank u God for such beautiful friends to give me