ODE TO PACIFIC

 Pacific O Pacific

 The pride of San Francisco

 Standing on this Golden Gate Bridge

 As far as my sight goes

 Your audience I rejoice. 

The mist so dense, pure and pristine

 Veils you around, so thick and high;

 touching the sky--- 

I feel the cold winds touch my face, 

But the barrier is there between you and me.

 How I wish to be face to face,

 Dear Pacific!

 My hands reach out to touch you 

I breathe hard to feel you

 But all I see is nothing but the mist

 No ocean, no sky,

 but only the mist;

 for all to see.....

 Where are you O Pacific ?

So boundless and magnificent 

Hiding behind the veil of mist 

You are there, I know for sure.

 How I wished to have wings to fly

 Reach up to you , touch you,

 feel you and kiss you 

The grandeur, hues, pristine beauty

 I bow to Thee who made you so..........

Practice Session

15th July 2010 

Commonwealth games have created quite a fervor among Delhiites. For the past few months our Deer Park has been in for makeover for the better. Everyday we found some new activity happening; signboards erected advising various excercises, pathways made, flower- beds created along the road, etc. On our regular walks in the morning, some new additions did meet our eye, like a welcome surprise.

A little over two months ago, practice sessions were held at Dlt Khanna stadium. The entry was through the district park of mostly known as Deer Park. Police posted, banners for rules erected, screening of participants and so on…Lot of hustle and bustle so to say!!

 What to talk about the human beings, even the 

animal world got impacted by its fervor. As I was taking my usual rounds alongside the lake, to my surprise saw all the white ducks come out on the inclined bank and marched past the concrete path in neat rows of fours. I stood there at a safe distance in dumb silence watching this breathtaking scene. A neat marching past practice! Grappling with my camera as I got ready to take pictures, a man came rushing from the other side scaring the ducks to retreat. Before they got inside the water, I was just in time to click few pictures. I would like to share it with you. The sight is still so vivid and fresh in my mind.

Brave-hearted Indians

20th August 2011

These days, it seems whole of Delhi is disheveled like nobody’s business. Infrastructure is in its lifetime makeover it seems. To narrow down, our green park area is in for never ending face-lift, so to say. Somewhere manhole is open in the name of repair or the road dug for some insertion of cable wires. A pavement is half finished in wait of completion. One day, a patch on the right side of the road gets repaired, next day the left side . In all this heap of mud ,sand, rubble, cemented bricks ,hoardings to be put,  are a common sight.

Poor commuters! In cars , buses, Autos ,cycles, and people on foot ; everyone generously have to eat the dust pie, whether they like it or not. In the name of patience we Indians are the best and put up patiently a brave front in all this. Every discomfort, grudge, frustration, groan, is bottled down the throat, with a strong brainwash to the mind, that all is well and all will be well. Thanks to the on coming Commom wealth  games, that we have to bear all this. Waiting anxiously and eagerly for it to be over!! Good Luck ! Good luck! Good luck!

Kya ye hai 'Dilli Dill Wallon Ki?'

There are two sharp contrasts of Delhi that I have recently witnessed. On one hand metros, flyovers, airport, and landscaping uphold the city’s progressive outlook to be proud of, on the other hand the attitude of Delhi Govt, the MCD, is a stark glare into our eyes.

 My daily visit to Saket, in past ten days, has prompted me to write this. On the opposite side of PVR cinema, alongside the road at every furlong there is a huge dump of nullah muck, some dried and some fresh. If counted there are more than ten such heaps reaching up-to the boundary wall. I’m sure the RWA of Saket must have brought it to the notice of MCD of that area. Even otherwise is the footpath a dump yard? Or is it not seen by the road cleaners who would inform the authorities?Or will this writing make a difference?

Seeing the whole stretch I felt like vomiting. It makes me wonder, ‘Is this our progressive Delhi?

When will the Govt wake up?

When will our civic authorities be responsible and get things done and be worthy for their posts?

Really ashamed of such a sight!

Such a sight does not go well with the maxim, ‘Dilli dil walon Ki’

Action Packed Stroll

12^th April 2011.

The good thing about Green Park Market is that it has a nice and broad  walkers’ pavement on either side of the market. People walk around this market with a carefree gait, to shop, eat savouries, or just enjoy the market feel.

The other day, I along with my friend decided to go to Green Park Market and have quick and tasty dinner at Evergreens. The weather being nice we strolled to the market enjoying the whole environment.

We had just crossed one block, when all of a sudden heard a commotion. A policeman was running after a man and few furlong away was able to nab him. The man had eve teased a girl, and on her complaint the beat constable had sprung into action. A girl stood flustered, but the prompt action of the police had reassured her. We walked away with a feeling of ‘all is well now’.

It was quite heartening to see for once the police in prompt action. We appreciate their action for it goes a long way, instilling confidence in the public. 

Simple Pleasures

 Nature has its own way, delivering simple pleasures, for the eyes to savour and music to the ears. Today we went to Lodhi Garden for picnic with my daughter, her in-laws family and grand children. There we went for nature walk. Walking on the stone laid path in a little while reached near a small canal type of water body. Fish swimming in the shallow water, ducks and geese majestically gliding on the water was treat to the eyes. Moving further saw a net enclosure—a natural habitat created for the ducks to move around. From the little opening we entered inside and witnessed a pen. Two three ducks sat on the eggs and three little chicks hobbled around, trying to get some food. Instinctively, the mother duck without moving craned her neck, picked up soft grass and threw beside the fledglings. We watched all this with great delight.

Moving further ahead, we saw a bed of green patch of non flowering plants. Inside this patch there was another delight waiting for us. In between the plants the ducks lay there enjoying their afternoon siesta. They were unmindful of anybody watching. Their necks rested on the plumes of their body serving as pillows. I had never seen ducks sleeping like this. Savouring everything we reached back to our places.

Looking around it seemed as if the whole town had come to the park to enjoy the afternoon sun. So much so, a family had come to celebrate birthday of their child. From one tree to the other, they tied a rope with placards hanging from it written—Happy Birthday. Cluster of balloons, like pillars, were placed on either side of the tree trunk. A table was spread with tasty goodies.

What a beautiful way of celebrating a birthday in the open lawns of the garden—making children learn to enjoy nature. What a novel way of celebration, far from the maddening craze of lavishly spending and showing one’s wealth as an ego boost!

Vishrut’s remark said it all, “Aunty, This has been my best picnic in Delhi.”

The Metro Joy- ride.

20^th Oct’10

The metro, which passes through Green Park, is a great blessing for all the residents of the area. Recently I boarded the metro to go to Dilli haat. It took me barely 5 minutes to reach there... such a welcome surprise. Though so near by, I always shied away visiting it. The thought of traffic jam, parking problem would haunt and diffuse all interest.

With the metro ride the visit to Dilli haat was a real delight. We saw the cultural show, feasted our eyes with whole lot of various crafts from different regions and satiated our stomachs with tasty savouries. The evening well spent! The return journey also finished in exactly 5 minutes. Now most of the times I’m there with my friends—Thanks to the metro. I am also thankful for the special ladies compartment. It gives the feeling of security and comfort. I think its name should be magic train than the metro.

The face of Delhi is really changing fast and for the better. Kudos to the Govt  for it.