Are We Insensitive or Are We Selfish?

How comfortable life is for people like us. We have a secure environment,access to good education,all comforts are within are reach,umpteen recreation activities to choose from and for all our problems we have caring parents to rely on. All our necessities are fulfilled at the drop of a hat. Our demands,sometimes not so reasonable,are more often than not taken care of. Food and shelter have never ever been a matter of concern for us,but what has been our concern is to be updated with latest gadgets,latest trends and to be one step ahead of our friends at any cost. And this cost is not often but always borne by our parents. And god forbid if our wishes are not fulfilled we are brave enough to curse our parents for being our parents. In a moment we forget about the pains and sufferings they have undergone to give us a comfortable life. We forget that what we are today is because of them. We forget that there are hundreds of children who will sacrifice everything to have parents like us for they never got an opportunity to enjoy their parents' love and affection.

We take for granted everything that we have got. We very conveniently ignore the fact that there are children struggling to find shelter and two square meals a day. When on the dining table we refuse to eat a particular vegetable, we don't recall the children on streets who sleep on empty stomach. When we demand for a new car we forget the fact that at red light there are children walking bare feet on hot road selling merchandise to earn a living. When we force our parents to buy us new trendy clothes , we fail to remember those who bear the chilling winter naked. When we curse the system of education ,we ignore the fact that if given an opportunity there are children who will put their heart and soul to benefit from this very system and secure their future. When we get a little sick, we have access to best of medication and our parents to take care but how many of us give a thought to those for whom every single breath is an effort. For us even a slight hurdle in our lives is unacceptable but do we know that there are people who are able to walk a step ahead only after crossing plenty of hurdles that too without any help from anyone. Even a slight deviation from our routine life shakes us but there are people for whom every day is a new challenge. When we get up in the morning we are assured of a good night's sleep that evening but there are people who at the crack of the dawn open their eyes hoping that they are not forced to shut them forever because of acute hunger and poverty.

Its not that we don't know or we haven't seen the other aspect of life and the people who lead such a life but its just the fact that we so religiously believe in the saying ,"Ignorance is Bliss" and that all we take into account is we ourself. We turn a blind eye to all the hardships faced by anyone and everyone except us. Its not that we dont feel sad by the misery around us but just the fact that when our own interests are not fulfilled nothing bothers us. The question of our being insensitive or selfish is never answered because we never get time off our own self interests!

Every Dog Needs a Home!

How often when you switch on the T.V.and see a cute Pug following a sweet girl everywhere saying the network follows you wherever you go,do you get the urge to welcome that beautiful dog into your home! How often when you watch shows on infotainment channels and in fact any show related to animals, do you wish to have a non-human yet more loving more caring and ofcourse more selfless than any human, as your friend! And how often do you search the net or scan the newspaper to find if any pup is on sale. Very often,isn't it?
Not an ordinary pup though but a pedigreed one. Its indeed nice to adopt these pups like the German shepherds, Labradors, pugs and the like. But in this quest why do we forget our indian dogs. Why our love is biased only towards the foreign breeds and why our we apprehensive of adopting Indian dogs. Do you know that Indian dogs being borne in India are best suited to climate here and have a far more better resistance to diseases. Do you know that if we spent even a meagre amount of what is spent on the vaccines of foreign breeds is spent on the initial vaccines of the Indian breed, they would serve us much longer and with much more enthusiasm and energy. And do you know that like its pedigreed friend Indian dogs too can be properly trained and groomed.
The belief that Indian dogs are meant for streets and do not need homes is a highly misconceived notion. Everyday many dogs lose their lives under the wheels of speeding vehicles. And much worse there are plenty of those who lose their limbs in such accidents and are left handicapped for the rest of their life.
But everything is not lost yet. There are still some rays of hope which will come to the fore if you and i together take a small step ahead and take initiative to adopt these street dogs. If every household in the country adopts even a single dog imagine the kind of good we would be doing to our four-legged friends! And these canines who are best suited for all weathers in India would surely pay tribute to our endeveour by showering their immense selfless love on us. And if you want to help these dogs but cannot welcome them into your home, then don't be disheartend. Because you too can do your share of good just by feeding the cute canines waging their tails right in front of your house!
So go ahead and help the stray dogs to lead a better life and I assure you the pleasure you will derive from this venture is immense and unparallel !

My Journey Through the College Lanes

Three different individuals,one common destination.
First time they met was on the Hansraj campus.
Had different personalities, yet had something common.
For them,meeting each other was they best omen.
That day started the bond which was to last forever.
Studies were important but fun was ignored never.
Choices varied,tastes differed.
But idea of bunking the class was always favored.
Chocolates were always bought by the one who never ate them.
Coffee from nescafe was the one common thing amongst them.
Campus life was not much explored in first year.
Seedhe -sharif bacche they, so books were the only thing near.
Moving from completing notes to hanging out at LP.
Life changed pretty fast and the first movie wathched together was Heyy Babyy!!!!!!
Bunking classes became a norm and studies took a back seat in second year.
Not that they lost interest but pleas for a late entry, Micro sir would never hear.
An all new life was discovered.
Attendence was something less bothered.
Lunch would be opened in the very first class.
Right under the teacher's nose, between the three of them it would pass.
Each and every shop of KNags was visited.
McD, Nirulas and CP were also frequented.
Without realising,the term came to an end.
Exams were such a bouncer, they feared they had 2nd year classes to reattend.
Thankfully,Fortunately or Luckily, say whatever
They passed their exams and entered the final year.
Final year! yes, just one more year of togetherness.
They pledged to enjoy every moment to the fullest.
Everyone was single, so linking-up was the best time pass.
Each had a long list of qualities,their "someone special" must posses!
Someone got hitched and search is still on for some.
So they had more jokes to crack and lots more Fun!
They hated college in First year.
But things are different in the final year.
Their bond of friendship would not break after the college gets over.
Yet the thought of not being together made them shiver.
They all had different aspirations,different dreams,different destinations.
They have taken their respective paths and success awaits them on the horizon.
Well these three individuals are:
Anushree Gupta..........the all rounder
Shweta Dalal............the painter
Sumita Yadav........the writer
.....................................................................

"We wish each other the best in life. And may our friendship always thrive."

The Growing Disparities within our Society!

The comments of the Village elders and their attempt to save their accused sons in the recent Noida rape case and putting entire blame on the girl is a mere depiction of how women are still ill treated and not given due respect in many parts of the second largest growing economy of the world. On one hand the growth of our country has been so phenomenon that even foreigners are taking lessons from our achievements and progress.And on the other side this growth is so uneven that it creates two different segments of the society altogether and mind you this disparity that i am talking about is not in monetary terms but the one which questions the very definition of morality. There is a segment of society which is deeply attatched to the traditional value system and is finding it difficult to adjust to the changing customs and traditions. And side by side exists a segment which has moulded itself into these new so called western traditions.

No doubt the old values and tradition define the Indian culture but to seek shield under those very traditions to malign the image of girl or suppress women in general is not part of our culture.

Today women are walking shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts in every sphere of life then be it driving an autorichshaw or flying an aeroplane. And if men have the freedom to do whatever they want to, from how they dress to what profession they chose, then why should women be denied this right? And the segment of society with the new traditions have indeed accepted this fact and are helping women to climb up the ladder of self dependency.

But the segment with the old values and also narrow thought process fails to appreciate this fact.The male dominated society of this segment find it insulting if women try to do anything other then what they want them to do! For them women should stay behind closed doors and perform only household chores and should have no dreams and aspirations.

But is this what our tradition and values teach us?

Does the other segment which moves with the changing world have no values..so to say?

Should women actually stay behind closed doors if they want to protect themselves?

The answer to all the above question is a strict "NO".

Firstly, in our tradition and culture a daughter is given an equal respect as Goddess Laxmi. Nowhere do they preach to suppress or ill treat women. Secondly, the new segment of society does indeed follow the values and tradition but they do side by side adopt to changing surroundings ie the changing world. So if they work in multi national companies on one hand they also respect their elders and celebrate all customs and also festivals. And lastly , why should women stay indoors to protect themselves. Why in the first place should her freedom to walk freely, dress as per her choice and enjoy the benefits of education and to work to fulfill her dreams be curtailed.? Why does this need to protect even arise? Isn't it in our culture to provide a peaceful environment for existence! Don't our very own custom tell that eyeing other women is a sin! And isn't freedom the right for all!