‘Coz Independence is sweet! 😀
#literally #iatemyindependence
16 December, 2012.
Two years ago, India was shook by the Nirbhaya rape case. The brutal nature of the attack had struck a nerve. And in thousands, Indian citizens– both men and women–took to the streets in protest.
16 December, 2014.
Two years later, what transpired in Peshawar has shaken Pakistan more than an earthquake or a war could have.
Irrespective of the country or the date, the world mourned two years ago and the world mourns now for the 141 lives that have been extinguished.
The militants did not enter the school to take hostage or to negotiate with the government. They came to kill.
The principal of the school was burnt alive in front of the children to fill them with terror. The children were duped and asked how many of them belonged to army families and were shot. Those cowering under desks and chairs were pulled and dragged and killed.
Eight hours. Eight hours of defenceless children without the protective cover of their mothers or fathers.
Why was the school targeted? Because it was a symbol of everything the Taliban was against.
I do not write to make suggestions. I know not why I write this piece. Right now, as I write, my hands shiver and eyes tear up.
Bruised and bleeding, gone are the children.
Forever gone. Dreams destroyed.
Imagine the lives of those who survived! Their precious innocence shattered. Life will never be the same for them.
This heartrending incident has unsettled and disturbed me more than the Nirbhaya case had. The faces of those innocent angels haunt me.
And yet, I find around me, people who read the facts, utter words of sympathy and proceed to movies and shopping and dates.
With time, apathy and forgetfulness will take over.
Humanity will fall, once again, into the depths of slumber.
Until another tragedy hits. Then we’ll hold candle light vigils again.
Perhaps we’ll make a movie on this and give it an Oscar.
Maybe I am not strong enough. Maybe I’m weak. I write to get the pain out. I write because my heart cries in aguish.
I write to reveal that–
Evolution is a myth. People are still animals.
This was one of my favourite sights during childhood. 🙂 Remember those childhood memories when you went to a fair or a carnival and saw this bag with fluffy pink gigantic cotton on a stick? Remember how you pulled a piece and popped it in your mouth and it immediately melted? Dissolved! Disappeared! Soft clouds that you could eat! Rainbow colours! And you wanted more but your parents refused. Oh cotton candy, I still love you! 🙂
Because I was bored. And because I wanted to attempt this since many days.
Here’s how I would introduce Taj Mahal to someone (probably an alien) who doesn’t know The Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal means “Crown Palace”. It was built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess.
When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor: first, that he build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary.
He kept the first and second promises.
So exquisite is the workmanship that the Taj has been described as
“having been designed by giants and finished by jewellers”.
Different people have different views of the Taj but it would be enough to say that the Taj has a
life of its own. As an architectural masterpiece, nothing could be added or subtracted from it.
I love my India! 🙂
Take a look at the people of India……their faces, their pride…their lives.
Street food vendor in Agra market
Volunteer in Delhi Sikh Temple kitchen preparing food for 1100 people a day
School girls leaving Ghandi shrine in Delhi
Snake charmer in Amber Fort in Jaipur
Little girl who started following us in Jaipur
Craftsman in Agra inserting semi-precious stones into marble
School boys, courtesy of Nancy Leung
Doorman, courtesy of Nancy Leung
Jaipur woman, courtesy of Nancy Leung
Receiving the blessing, courtesy of Nancy Leung
Guard at Unknown Soldier, India Gate, Delhi
kids on a team, courtesy of Nancy Leung
Shop by the road, courtesy of Nancy Leung
Street food vendor, courtesy of Nancy Leung
On a motorcycle, courtesy of Nancy Leung
Climbing up, courtesy of Nancy Leung (I think this is the winner of the being ready at the right time prize!!)
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I wrote this piece way before the elections. I truly believe that we – the people – are responsible for our country more than the elected politicians. When we can fight for our rights, we should also remember our duties. So now that we have all voted, let’s begin helping the sarkar we have voted for.
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