To Kuzhoor

Kuzhoor, not the sea, but our Kochi

Once will gulp the sea;

Concrete beams will grow up from the sea,

Holding hyper markets and smart city to the sky;

It is our only queen – the queen of Arabian Sea

Free Talk

Barkha Dutt was not a role model for me, but of course Vir Sanghvi has been since his Sunday/Blitz days. I had chanced to express my comments about their articles (Blitz, Sunday, Hindustan Times, NDTV etc) earlier. I always respect the journalists in a democracy, because they are the real people who can stand with the common people when all the other institutions pathetically cave in. Corruption is sky-rocketing in India. Every citizen is well aware of it. In a recently published book review (The God Market…), writer Meera Nanda unravels how religions are exploited by the so called Gurus and Swamis for the corruption in the Corporate. Even the spirituality has become an indispensable stuff of lucrative businesses in India, what else can be spared from corruption? Where does a common man then depend on? A common man can afford to buy a news paper or flick the remote control of an electronic media to get the truth. In that context, an iota of lopsided or biased views from the dedicated journalists cannot be tolerated by a common man.

Reply to J. Gopikrishnan

Press is one of the great pillars in democracy. Gopikrishnan has proved that. Let all patriots serve like this even if the looters usurp power. We should not be pessimistic that the government will save the culprits at last. What we want to do is that: fight against the corrupt Netas and Babus. Patriotism is not a delicious stuff sold through the fast food outlets. What Gopi has done is called true patriotism. Of late I was very much disappointed by our press because some parts of which were tainted by the paid news syndrome. Our press is still vibrant. That is what Gopi's efforts echo worldwide. The so called stalwarts of media are still in the second phase of Kumbhkarna- sleeping for six months. It is at least a jolt to wake them up.

No Smoking Please

Smoking kills more people than what road accidents do. In addition, the smokers are the root cause of giving their family members some kind of smoking related diseases. It has been observed that as soon as some people finish their meals, they will rush to have a puff, as if they were so impatient during the meal time. Also, I have noticed a particular thing in some of the healthcare seminars: speakers more often emphasize about what we want to eat and what we have to avoid or minimize. Do not eat meat, do not eat butter avoid oily food etc. but not a single word for stressing how injurious the smoking is. A person who is having a mixed diet in limited proportion can well maintain his health if he has no smoking habit. Also, ads for cigarettes should be banned. Simply printing statutory warning in small letters on the cigarette pack does not make any sense. Whatever economic losses occurred for eradicating this habit is not at all a loss but the reasonable domestic expenses to carve out healthy citizens. So, any laws, suggestions or initiatives which are instrumental in curbing smoking are welcome. Yoga and breathing exercises will also help one come out of this habit. But he/she must follow it sincerely. Any argument that a smoker cannot give up this habit is superficial. Determination to stop it is very important

Acrostic of IROM SHARMILA

It is for anyone who is proud of being a

Responsible citizen of the Republic of India ;

Of course, it is for our Honourable President to

Members of all governing bodies in India



Since a decade, not Irom, but one of our fundamental rights

Hangs on the nasogastric tube in one of our own states;

Article 4 and 6 of ICCPR, and 21 of our constitution were

Replaced with an act of killing and raping with impunity;

Making a new page in the history of tolerance and non violence,

Irom Sharmila writes a simple question on the conscience of the

Largest democracy: is it right to deny the right against exploitation?

An emphatic NO is my answer, so I express my solidarity for her mission.








In 1991, the United Nations Human Rights Committee questioned the constitutionality of the AFSPA under Indian law and asked how it could be justified in light of Articles 4 and 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 4 of the ICCPR limits the rights of states to curtail the civil liberties of people living in those states. Article 6 prohibits the taking of human life without due legal process. The AFSPA very obviously disregards that provision, making the UN complaint an extremely valid one.



Article 21: Protection of Life and personal Liberty .

O N V Kurup

One pinch of salt, if we
Never find in the beads of sweat and tears,
Very insular our minds are….
Kerala and Malayalam language
Unanimously salute your achievements;
Returning once more to the courtyard of memories
Unsung heroes who were consigned to the oblivion may sing:
Pelt not your eye sights at the crescent of the golden sickle…

(Congrats to Shree O.N.V. Kurup who won the Janpith for 2007)

(Acrostic of ONV KURUP)

..hmmm, I agree, dad

1
son,
that is not big aapam
that is the full moon
my dad taught me

son
that is not the big light
that is the sun
he taught me

son
that is not the big bee
that is aero plane
he taught me

son
that is not big pond
that is the sea
he taught me

son
that is not the big fan
that is called wind
he taught me

2
Doctor woke me up
I entered into the room
he was on the bed
I noticed his clothes
and bed sheets were wet
I patted on his back
and said “naughty boy”
I changed his clothes
the same way he had changed
my pampers long ago

I fed him
with the spoon
as if it still contains
my nostalgic baby food flakes
he was so comfortable
for he is my new born baby

“dad”, I called him
he did not recognize me
but I clasped him like a child
I caressed his bald head
he pointed afar
and said: “that is aapam”
hmmm I agreed
“that is big light”
hmmm I agreed
“that is big bee”
hmmm I agreed
“that is big pond”
hmmm I agreed

he looked at me
I did not disagree anything
I don’t.. I can't..
Alzheimer’s disease
shall interchange our relations
to return our love and affection
to the source of origin
as part of its medication

Krishna

Inspired by Mallick ji’s write-up on Janmashtami and Varanasi sir’s poem the nectar…

Krishna is a small poem
Reading from the past to the
Infinite future
Similes and metaphors
Harmoniously and richly blended in it
Nectar of everything visible,
And everything sensible weaves in it.
_________________________________
Acrostic of KRISHNA
________________________________________

Prem ji, I am deeply touched by your great gesture to capture the Lord by acrostics! You have admirably succeeded. Thank you.

Kumarendra Mallick, Hyderabad
Sep 02, 2010
________________________________________

Nicely done. Dear Prem, thanks for your poetic response which made me joyful. Best wishes.

V Ramabrahmam, Pondicherry
Sep 02, 2010
________________________________________

Happy Onam for All

History or myth, the concept of Onam is good:
A generous king known as Mahabali had ruled Kerala
People were content, happy and harmonious then;
Pilfering, betrayal, hording and empty promises were unknown
Years went by, heavenly people got annoyed and envied

One dwarf Vamana, incarnation of Lord Vishnu,
Nicely approached Mahabali to test his devotee’s generosity;
A land of three-foot-long was Vamana’s kind request,
Mahabali agreed; Vamana grew up in his original form

First and second steps of Vamana measured the Earth & Heaven
Of course generous Mahabali went in dilemma for the third;
Requested by Vamana, he offered his head for the 3rd step

A generous king was thus pushed down to the nether world
Leaving time, the King appealed to his Lord, Vishnu, for a boon
Letting him visit his people once in a year; that marks ONAM

(Acrostic of HAPPY ONAM FOR ALL)
Onam is a festival that keeps together all the Keralites worldwide. It is a perfect symbol of Unity in Diversity.
________________________________________

Prem Nizar Ji, thank you for the Onam wishes. I am a Keralite too and love the spirit of Onam. Happy Onam wishes to all Muse India family members.Regards.
Preeta Chandran, New Delhi
Aug 24, 2010
________________________________________

Greetings to all on Onam.
Kalyani Kapur, Gurgaon
Aug 23, 2010
________________________________________

Happy Onam to you and all other Keralite friends. Kudos, Prem.
Seshu Chamarty, Hyderabad
Aug 21, 2010
________________________________________

Happy Onam!, Prem Nizar Hameed and all Malayalee Muse Indians.
V Ramabrahmam, Pondicherry
Aug 21, 2010
________________________________________

Happy Onam dear friend , and to all !
Raj Nandy, New Delhi
8/21/2010
________________________________________

Hindustan Hamara

We sing: Saare jahaan se achcha Hindustan hamaara…
But we are least bothered to hear from others:
Saare jahaanse achcha Hindustan TUMHAARA…
Between these two lines lies a sea difference
First one is self praise, and the second is real praise
Let us introspect to make others sing.

What do we lack? ideologies? or resources?
Are those not the ones
others timely outsource from us?
We are happy to give them potatoes
And delighted to take French fries in return
They take our Yoga
To design fitness apparatuses for us
(there is a saying here:
Buy milk in the morning
by going by Mercedes
and shed fat in the evening
by walking on the treadmill)

Money? Is it not the same common wealth
(not the Commonwealth games)
Our politicians play with Swiss bank?
“Why do you cut our developments?”
I asked the tailor
He replied: “to stitch the sizable pockets
Of Netas and Babus”

Traditions? Cultures?
Make a round trip in India
And find what we have not found
Courtesy to Kabir Das
We are like musk deer
Searching for what we have in
Only thing is that all the tributaries
Have to confluence at one point

Fellow citizens, here is my freedom message:
No one should divide us, wake up, wake up to the sense of
Unity in diversity, the quality of Hindustan hamaara…
________________________________________

You may be well aware of the fact that in the present India Kabir Das is a Muslim for some and a non-muslim for others. So neglected. Why?

Nasarudheen.P., Kasargod.Kerala.India
Aug 17, 2010
________________________________________

Chandra Mouli ji, Rajaram ji, Atreya ji, and Kalyani ,
Your love and lovely words made my independence day graceful. The slogan has that much power, because we make it as the way of our life. Love and warm regards,

Prem Nizar Hameed, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Aug 17, 2010
________________________________________

Very well said, if only all of us could unite with that ideology, nothing else would be needed. Share your sentiment.

Kalyani Kapur, Gurgaon
Aug 16, 2010
________________________________________

Prem, what you've spoken out is the heart's yearning of every Indian. A poem of wise and profoundly felt words.

U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad
Aug 16, 2010
________________________________________

I also agree with your views that none can divide us. "Unity in diversity" is our National slogan.

Rajaram Ramachandran, Juhu, Mumbai
Aug 16, 2010
________________________________________

Energetic appeal, Prem ji. We love it. Cheers.

TS Chandra Mouli, Hyderabad
Aug 15, 2010
________________________________________

Energetic appeal, Prem ji. We love it. Cheers.

Unknown,
Aug 15, 2010
________________________________________

ENT Specialist and I

I was sitting in front of an ENT specialist
Who asked me whether I was in snooze,
Or in booze
To have accommodated such an insect in the ear?

Little Jackson is dead now
Its “thrill” is no more felt in me
Last night when it entered the stage
Before my ear drum
It was doing its final rehearsal
Giving me a whole sleepless night

I used to keep the insect killer
Every night nearby my bed
Like a UN resolution
To just warn them.
My friends used to say
That my stand against
Creature rights violation
Was somewhat outstanding
Like Mahatma’s non-violence

I was the person who fostered them
And I was the victim, too.
(For sure, none of them
Going beyond my border
Will come back alive
My friends are not UN like me
They press the button of baygon
Like war on invertiberate animals
To make the days of insects bygone)

My friends are right
The UN is a publishing house
Issuing out new editions of resolutions
As long as I was not affected by an insect
My non-violence was valid
But when affected,
I was forced to knock on the door
Of an ENT specialist, to take it out,
Dead or alive
________________________________________

Liked it, Prem.Thanks and Kudos.

Seshu Chamarty, Hyderabad
Aug 14, 2010
________________________________________

Prem, You’ve poked fun at the UN resolutions, naturally – the way they’re done and observed – more in violation than in effectuation. Perhaps your innovative poem also takes a dig at the double standards in international relations. Well done.

U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad
Aug 14, 2010
________________________________________

Mutton Biryani Weds Mixed Vegetable

This is something special for the day
This is not a full story
But a thread for every one to develop:
A country known as cholesterol nation
Where the ruler was King Mutton
His only son was mutton biriyani
They were very rich in calories
One day on his container journey
Biriyani met the mixed vegetable,
A beautiful girl but poor in calories
They loved each other like Salim
And Anarkali
That was why the King Mutton
Was rocked like Akbar in Mughal-e-azam
When the news of love affair was spread out.
He screamed in the palace:
Biriyani, you are the one who is supposed
To maintain our cholesterol lineage
But the biriyani was adamant
He wanted to get rid of his fatty life
For living a healthy one with mixed veggie
They eloped at one night

The King’s honour was shattered
And he finally decided to eliminate the veggie
By giving a quotation to Kabab House
The Kabab House sent two hired killers,
Boti kabab and chicken Tandoor,
To safeguard the King’s honour

At any time the couple would be
Barbecued or sent into tandoori ovens
Biriyani and veggie knocked at
the door of Indian cuisine,
where they secretly got married

Time went by
Their first child was born
They happily named it:
VEGETABLE PULAV

Acrostic of FRIENDSHIP

For my friends around the world,

Relax for the day; friendship is like a ship;

It may sail through any weather

Even hurricane may not shake it

Nevertheless, a small hole is enough to make

Divert the journey into devastation.

Screaming wind or towering waves may come

Here we take a pledge we don’t make a hole

I wish all of you a happy friendship day

Peacedoves may spread their wings from us

Shayari

Separation is the best inspiration to

Have sorrows in an ink bottle;

A pen with a long nib

Yields into it;

And stand around me broken dreams;

Removing a layer of the heart,

I write a few lines for you

Some times, you call it Shayari…

Free Talk

Here I blame the system, whether it is religious or social, for everything. A jobless man has 20 children from many wives. He made his wives machines of producing children. Shame on the system first! Again the children’s other sister has same fate in different method. He is not only unemployed but a drunkard also. How he gets money to drink? His wife was compelled to pay him. She also did not allow the children to register a case against him. All to protect the pati parameshwar or polygamy syndromes. People are allowed to misuse many verses in the name of religions. If we don’t look at crux of the issue, we don’t reach proper solution.



Look at the orphanage where the children were supposed to be rehabilitated. The management of the orphanage may get sufficient donations. Even then they serve a single meal a day for the poor children. Sheer exploitation is visible.



The rich brother-in-law is a victim of avarice. At least he could have arranged a better orphanage where the children could survive. Relation has no value when it is listed in the share markets. Ultimately, the sufferers are always hapless and helpless.

Lab test

I am still in the lab

With my microscope;

Slides are many

With blood samples;

Colour is same

But in different groups;

That is the usual test result

But today,

I have some new samples

From all the continents;

The microscope gets bored

And my eyes wonder

To see the same features

On all the slides

No groups, nothing different!

That is the result of tears!!!

Some Weakenesses

I may be an atheist
Or an agnostic
But,
I wake up on the right side
I enter the places by right leg
I give out anything by right hand
I touch the feet of elders
For a new thing to start;
I stand up in respect
As and when my teachers pass by;
I vacate my seat for elders
When I see them as standees
Don't you think
That some peculiar things
are still deep rooted in me?
Maybe all branches of science are unfit
To take out such things from me
These are some weaknesses
Which galvanize my strength..
________________________________________

Culture is the strength of the individual and the society. Cultural living is aesthetic living. Best wishes.

V Ramabrahmam, Pondicherry
Jul 24, 2010
________________________________________

Mallick ji, There is no such character as Sakuni in the Mahabharat, but there is Goofi Paintal with his game of dice. . If I read or hear about the name Sakuni now a days, straight away Goofi Paintal comes into my mind with his body language and sterling performance. Thank you for sharing his famous dialogue. However, the ultimate victory goes to the truthfulness of Yudhisthir, negotiating the temporary disadvantages. That is required, because of sambhavaami yuge yuge…

Prem Nizar Hameed, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Jul 24, 2010
________________________________________

I love your weaknesses, Prem ji. Your poem remind me of a statement by Sakuni in Masoom Raza Rahi's Mahabharat, 'Bhanje, truthfulness of Yudhisthir is his weakness. Let us take advantage of it.' It rings in my ear to this day. Best regards,

Kumarendra Mallick, Hyderabad
Jul 23, 2010
________________________________________

Neerali

The cartoon inspired me to write some more.







Now a days I charge in Dollars”, said the palmist

Excuse me, I was not aware of this”, replied the fortune seeker

Earn more and more by fooling people”, said the parakeet in depression

Reaching the card, the octopus told the parakeet:

All of a sudden you became a moralist by blaming your boss.”

Look at me, if it was all true, I would not have held such a placard now

I mean, I could have foreseen to save my bread from you”, said the parakeet.

To whom it may concern

God orders:

“Give him a hand”

They cut off a hand

Give him a hand means

Help him

They don’t know

Even the meaning

Of the phrase

Then how will they be able to know

The meaning of the holy verses…?

Lesson is for them,

Who don’t take lessons

From the book of conscience

Sparks

Police jeep....
a blind witness
that sees many injustices
Police van....
a deaf approver
that hears many screams
School bus....
a foster mother
that bears labour pain
Ambulance....
a dedicated nurse
that serves outside ward

To Nandisengupta

My opinion is that: Anyone can post any articles with analytical depth. No subject is spared under the Sun. However, religious matter is always vulnerable. It will slip into a communal strife, if it is not handled with equanimity. We are not in the same environment as we were in the earlier days. I remember my teachers always invoked our sense of humour by mocking some mythological characters as part of their teaching skills. It gave some innocent relaxations while we were getting bored with the continuous study materials. To be perfectly frank, they were Hindu teachers and most of the characters they linked were from Hindu mythology.



Although I have nothing to do with any religions, I respect all religions only for the sake of harmony in the world. And I sternly reject all types of religious fanaticism and superstitions for the sake of my liberal mind. Such nutrition is, I think, essential for liberal society which carves out broad minded people. Our world should not get into the tentacles of fundamentalism. I can caricature some characters in Indian mythology to a great extent, but I am not able to do with other religious characters. So I always leave the unwanted arguments in the religious subjects. We can do so many other things if we utilize the word COMPROMISE in the real sense. We need civilized nations in the world.



Our technology is so advanced that even the Sun God does not know when our missiles reach his proximity (take it as good sense of humour). But the saus-bahu syndrome and the dowry system have no solutions yet. How can we claim that we are in the booming when such incidents make blot on our conscience? I expect from you, Nandita, a powerful blog in this regard. This is a cancer in our society. Sita is a great symbol of Indian woman. Sita even faced an ordeal with fire. How many sisters live with such fires, and how many sisters go up in flames every now and then?

Veto Power

If the world leaders sincerely put their efforts to remove the veto power, that will be a great achievement in the world of democracy. If this one problem, problem? Yes it is a problem, is solved, some of the long standing issues will automatically come to an end. More often the United Nations gives the impression that it is a mere publishing house under the ownership of the United States, which keeps on issuing new editions of resolution. Veto power is, in my view, a mockery to democratic credentials we preach every now and then. The veto power actually violates article 1 to 30 of the UN. I had once requested Mr. Tharoor when he was the candidate for the post of UNGS to clarify whether he could justify to his duty as long as the big 5 wield the veto power. We have to live in the real world was his reply. Same question I had put up with some of my friends who post comments along with me on the Washington post, New York Times, BBC, ABC, the Independent, the Guardian etc. Many were, all of them from the US and the UK, opposed to the undemocratic system of the veto power. I think it is a subject that should come in the focus of world arena.

Love Has No Bar

Scene one:

Qaiz (Majnu) wandering in the desert
faints,
Juliet brings a jar of water
from the nearest oasis
and sprinkles it on his face;
He opens his eyes,
she holds him in her arms

Scene two:

Laila comes from the other side
and glances around the desert;
Depressed, she flicks the mobile,
Romeo comes on a rescue plane
and airlifts her

Scene three:

I enter into the Vrindavan
Where the great musician resides,
Composing evergreen melodies
for Qaiz, Juliet, Laila and Romeo
He smiles at me as if he knows
the scenes one and two:
idiot Devdas is still in the BAR,
when will he understand
that love has no bar?

Madhavikutty

My story
As told by you
Delves into the infinite;
Hisses at the serpent temple
Aroma of the literary scent
Vanished into the oblivion;
In the lamp of love
Kindle some desires still
Up above the sensual feels;
Tales & poems fold hands
To pay tribute to the golden hand
Yet, the pomegranate tree blooms….

(Acrostic of MADHAVIKUTTY)

Free Talk

To inject the illiterate minds with prejudices is the main feature of terrorism. But the life blood of terrorism has always been money. With money, terrorism can hire anyone as its CEO. As long as poverty and avarice are in the world, money plays a key role. So the subject of terrorism should not get any lame excuses under the pretext of poverty. This is not the universal problem of the rich and the poor.

To lure them with mod cons and better life is another one. To fetch them with 72 Houris in the Heaven is believed to be one more. If some modern messengers of God are bestowed on illiterate minds, it is the result. It was reported that Ajmal was given lavish treats soon after his return to home after completion of training to kill Indians. It was a shining proof a tribe still living in the medieval age with blood thirst of innocent and defenseless people. This is sheer exploitation. And the remote controllers get the life blood – MONEY – from the vested interest for that.

The world lacks principled politics. Power mongers design some monsters at times and pass on to the vested interests. The other so-called decent democracies will keep a criminal silence or render indirect support or show their weaknesses or servitude towards it. Such monsters will later grow up and will eat peace of mind from one side to other. The peace favourite common people from all countries well understand this.

Most of the leaders in Pakistan have always been nurturing a hate India policy to stay in power since partition. That is why Pak government cannot allocate much time for its internal affairs. As long as Indo-Pak relations should not be kept out of religious spectrum, Pakistan will suffer a lot and is not able to reach any solutions for the burning issues like terrorism. Also, Pakistan more often misses the chances to mend the fences with its neighbors so that India can stop the cross border terrorism. Since religion is misused by vested interest in Pakistan, the government cannot get out of the tentacles immediately. All peace loving people unequivocally urge terrorism is the greatest menace of our time. And the brains and hands that work behind terror attacks belong to those who have no claim to call themselves human beings. Those who bring death to innocent people could not have had human emotions.

However, it is wrong to argue that there is good terrorism and bad terrorism and that it is OK for one party to indulge in it while it is immoral for another. The previous US govt. had committed the worst crimes of terrorism under the pretext of war on terrorism. As we can see, those actions have not defeated terrorism. Instead, they have bred and encouraged more terrorism.

Equally responsible for the growth of terrorism has been the silence of many of our Muslim scholars and institutions. There should be no lukewarm attitude toward such crimes. They must condemn in no uncertain terms the heinous crimes that holders of Muslim names commit in the name of Islam. Evil will not go away by itself, it has to be driven away by iron fist.
The misguided souls who fell sympathy for the terrorists because they claim to champion causes dear to Muslims must learn from the experience of these past years that terrorists will never achieve any goal. History is witness that they suffer humiliating setbacks. That was inevitable because what they set out to do is create fear. That rouses public anger, which no force on earth can defeat. It is high time for both the governments and the opposition to wake up to make a united strategy to eradicate this menace.

(Part or full of this letter was published by a number of major international news papers and news websites, that include: Arab News, the Saudi Gazette, the Gulf News, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the India Today, the Indian Express, the Hindustan Times, The News, The Guardian, UK Telegraph, Deccan Chronicle, Deccan Herald, the Times of India, Pioneer Daily, Reuter, the News Week, ABC, BBC, CBS, CNN, CNN IBN live, Asianet, Zee News and many other blogs by prominent writers and columnists that include: Larry King, Mitchell(US state dept website) etc.)

Bhopal

Believe it, people here take care of the polluted water
How can they hold breath, till filtering the whole city?
On the air, still there is toxic methyl isocyanate,
Poison Plant stores tones of chemical waste and
A range of diseases from blindness to cancer;
Law & Justice seem to be the first victim of the tragedy here.

(Acrostic of BHOPAL)

In Sharp Contrast

During the Gulf war, I was one of those who stayed with my company in the Kingdom. The management had taken all security measures for us. And they provided us with gas masks, too. One day an official from the US Embassy called our chief accountant and advised him to collect a gas mask from the embassy for his wife, who is of US origin.

Since she had already been provided a mask by the company, she had not availed it from the embassy. Later we came to know this: When the embassy people matched the number of masks against the US citizens residing in the Kingdom, they found somebody had not collected the mask. They checked the records and found the wife of our chief accountant was one of them. This is how America and other Western nations take of care of their citizens!

And India? Bhopal gas tragedy tells us everything we need to know, doesn’t it?

Air India Mourns

A skid on the tarmac shocked me
I, IX 812, plunged into the valley
Rifting and rolling into a fireball

I confess I turned many dreams to ashes
Never will they come true; sorry, the bereaved
Death has no black box in its cockpit
In order to prevent errors from repeating
And remember, I too have no more flights to take off...

My beloved fellow travellers
Our journey to final resting place is over
Unfasten all belts of momentary life
Rest in peace and rest in peace forever
Next of kins and near and dear of my fellow travellers
Sad indeed, what a pity! I express my deep sorrow

The Cost Of Life And Peace

I never lit an oil lamp
At dawn and dusk
I never repeat any hymns
By holding the rosary
I never bow down on the floor
Five times a day
Yet I feel someone is nearby me

He, or She, or It?
I fail to envisage that
But it moves with me
It eats with me, it plays with me
It talks, laughs, cries with me
It sleeps and dreams with me
Like the smell in a flower
It preaches:
Peace will not come through
The flash of sword
It preaches:
Peace will not come through
The sharp ends of trident
It preaches:
Peace will not come through
The invasion of cruise missiles
Because it teaches me:
The cost of life
And that of peace are same...
________________________________________

a very touching and meaningful composition. peace within, peace without.

mamta agarwal, Noida- UP
May 15, 2010
________________________________________

Prem saheb, yes there is some one always with us — our conscience. One, in fact, murders one's conscience before shooting an unknown, often harmless and innocent. And as regards peace, it too takes root within every one.. peaceful act is just a flower for every one's view. Thank you for a good composition.

Kumarendra Mallick, Hyderabad
May 15, 2010
________________________________________

As war gets born first in the minds of men, of Peace too the abode lies within our own selves. An insightful poem. Peace be with all!

G.Kannan, Anchal
May 15, 2010
________________________________________

True, peace cannot be found by one elsewhere outside. It is part of one's life and one should search for it inside his or her heart.

Rajaram Ramachandran, Juhu, Mumbai
May 15, 2010

Are they all Kafirs there?

The unknown nurse,
Who had held me first
When I was slipped to her hands;
Is she there?

Ashatti (Asha teacher),
Who wrote Harisree with my finger
On the ricefilled plate;
Is she there?

Mamma teacher,
Who had a nursery school
Of thatched roof and cow-dung floor;
Is she there?

Mathew Chettan,
Who took me on his cycle rickshaw
to the school;
Is he there?

Rappai Chettan,
Who used to replace him
Whenever he was sick;
Is he there?

Doctor Kuruvila,
The first bald head in my life
Who frequented me with his syringe;
Is he there?

Sudheesh, Rajani and David,
the three fallen flowers in the heavy rain
under the tattered upper primary;
Are they all there?

And many more guiding lights,
who had lived with me in different ways,
prayed and thought in different ways;
Are they all Kafirs there?
If they are not there,
I don’t need your heaven,
take it back, my God!
__________________________________
Chettan: elder brother
________________________________________

When the heart is filled with warmth for the near, dear and those on the edge, what use of Book. Premji, soul elevating muse. Regards,

K V Subba Rao,
Mar 17, 2010
________________________________________

Bold, beautiful, grateful, noble, sublime, humanistic.

U Atreya Sarma,
Mar 17, 2010
________________________________________

________________________________________

Dear Prem Nizar, this is the clearest humanitarian and secular voice I have heard in this forum in a long time. Kudos to your civilised outlook. Warm regards,

G S P Rao,
Mar 16, 2010
________________________________________

Very elevating thoughts.. underneath all the faiths there is a strong current of purity of mind, humanity, compassion and love. Your poem stands out with a strong message that Kafir is man-made whereas love has the elements of the Creator. May your thoughts spread as forest fire to burn all the superstitions to ashes and cinders. May Lord, the Merciful, shower peace on the earth. Best regards,

Kumarendra Mallick,
Mar 15, 2010

My name is man

My profile has no glow
My poetry has no flow
My rank stands far below
But, you love me

My god is nondescript
My religion is invisible
My colour is nontraceable
But, you hate me

My house has no roof
My land has no fencing
My love has no border
But, you are skeptical

I take your love
Your hatred
Your skepticism
Because my name is man
who has no clan

APRIL winners

APRIL winners

After an interval, I am Coming home with Changing Signals
Share your Umbrella, even If I did not agree with you
I am a lover of arts who can enjoy Karupumpuli & Kathakali
What else can I ruminate under this Dawn Light?
(Names of winning titles are included)
*******
Avril, Shernaz, Shigufta, Sandra, Ibohal and Lovita
Poets and prize winners of the month, congrats…
Really Muse Indians make Your Space our space
I am blessed as part of the comity of good poets
Love to Surya, Mallick, Ambika and all the beloved ones
(Acrostic of APRIL)
________________________________________

Dear Prem Nizar, Enjoyed your verse so cleverly and beautifully crafted. Quite a unique way to congratulate the winners.
"Share your umbrella, even if I didnot agree with you" - this line contains the best philosophy for peaceful and secular living. Thanks,

ambika ananth, bangalore
May 13, 2010
________________________________________

A warm and generous response. As poets, we are all standing on the Friendship bridge appreciating each other without regard to culture or creed.

Sandra Fowler, United States
May 12, 2010
________________________________________

The team of editors, particularly, Surya, Mallick and Ambika, are doing their best to encourage all the writers through this popular website. We are thankful to them for having created this forum wonderfully.

(Thanks Rajaram for your warm words. - GSP Rao)

Rajaram Ramachandran, Juhu, Mumbai
May 12, 2010
________________________________________

Interesting acrostic.

Hema Ravi, Chennai
May 11, 2010
________________________________________

Saudi sponsors and Runaways

The president of Fokasa has addressed one of the long standing issues in Saudi Arabia in the right perspective. Slavery appears to be abolished from the world, but the mentality to make the weak as slave is always there as the hidden agenda of the strong. Article 1 of the Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948 says: “ All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” But, in Saudi Arabia, such spirit of brotherhood is more often invisible when it comes to expatriate workers. Even though the Saudi press brings in focus the pathetic conditions of the expatriate workers now a days, the result-oriented settlements or solutions do not arrive in full swing. The sponsor is the determining factor to the destiny of the workers. The Saudi Labour laws guarantee many benefits to the expatriate workers. But the nexus between the sponsors and the vested interest sabotage them to exploit the workers here. This is the issue to be taken care of by the top authorities in the government. The government has to issue stringent directives to punish the sponsors and their accomplices as and when they breach the existing labour laws. And it has to appoint a special wing to monitor such human violations so that the workers can fearlessly approach for their benefits.

Another child marriage victim

This has reference to your news report – another child marriage victim – 22/04/10.



Some people have a deep-rooted and biased concept about the Kingdom: The whirl winds may come and go every now and then here, but the change of wind will never come. It is untrue. Over the years, we have seen many changes like the rain in the summer. We have also seen the same rains, thunders and lightning in this desert which we used to experience in our countries.

Similarly we heard some voices which we had never expected to be heard in the Kingdom. The thoughts of some Saudi writers still echo. Khaled Al Maeena’s open page editorial on 9/11 – catch the criminals- is still vibrant. Tariq’s article –fanaticism- was a true revelation of the liberal Saudi mind. And many more. Such voices played a great role to focus the menace of terrorism in the Kingdom. Now it is crystal clear that the Kingdom is the only country that conquered it with iron fist. And the efforts of Nourah Alkhereiji, Nimah Ismail Nawwab (well known Saudi poet), Lubna Hussain etc to stand for woman rights and human rights are commendable. They are instrumental in order to streamline the society. What a powerful article Nourah wrote earlier in Arab News regarding the child marriage – Mufti has spoken against it - (23.08.08). Her article was there to light such dark minds. I fully agreed with her points of view then: the people who have no concern about the under-aged are mentally sick and of course need psychological treatment at any mental asylums. Two years later, we still listen to pathetic condition of children. Children of 10 or15 years are not at all matured enough to shoulder family life. They are still children being looked after by their parents. A concerted movement from both the government and the good hearted people is the need of the hour to deter such crimes.

Acrostic of ARAB NEWS

Written for Arab News for its 35th anniversary and published today with comment.



A few lines on the evergreen pages

Recall my memories in the eighties;

An oasis in the desert, Arab News

Belonged to all the voracious readers



No barren land had such hornbills

Eagerly waited for a drop of news;

With many nationalities sharing pages

Symmetrically, it transcended races and ages…

Volcano sneeze

This has reference to your news report -Volcanic ash could blanket air travel for 5 more days(17.04.10)
No worry about the consequences on the economical or political side due to this volcano sneeze. The humanitarian side is very important, especially the organ transplant and medical treatment. There were news reports of organs having been delivered regionally by surface transportation available. And some of the poor patients who had a time frame of appointments to reach the operation table were held up. Here every single penny or every single second is lost is a loss which cannot be easily retrievable. However, nature more often teaches lessons to prepare for the future. Many who had been enjoying a bird's view since very long had gotten the opportunity to realize the ground reality, at least for a few hours. Many approached surface transportation to reach their destinations. Journey through the surface travel is more creative and thought provoking, because it always reminds us how to safe guard environs and nature. If the natural calamities do not make any human losses, it seems to be necessary to sit and think with equanimity about situations of the common man in the world.

Vishu Day

Vivacious memory in my childhood:
I used to sleep at my neighbour’s home on the eve
Silently I had to return home just before the sun rose
Hugging me, my parents opened their eyes to see me first
Unimaginable still what was their notion behind such a KANI
Deep faith in their god must have accommodated all in oneness
An equal attachment to all faiths grew up in me in due course
Yellow flowers and the melody of the reed thus became part of me
(Acrostic of VISHUDAY)
_______________________________________________________________
PS: Kani: Auspicious sign to appear
Kani Konna (Yellow flowers): A species of Cassia whose flowers are considered an auspicious sight (Source: C. Madhavan Pillai’s dictionary)

The Thick Coating of the Milk

She held me in her hands
my palms clasped her left breast
my lips sucked the nipple
my legs kicked her belly
and she kept on patting on my back
sitting on the wooden stool
under the chimney lamp at home

Many years later,
my palms grew up
to hold a plastic jar
containing her left breast;
my legs were long enough
to reach the pathological lab;
my lips learned to bear
the pains of her long sufferings:
the sharpness of the surgical knife
the heat of radiation
and the agony of chemos
but still the coating of her milk
was as thick as before on my lips
like my closeness to her;
that was the best medication
that makes her heart
still throb behind the flat chest

Spark

love affair…

plane journey in the

bad weather.



smooth landing…

good weather in the

love affair.


one mouse click…

time between human

life and death


one hang up…

a small boon between

life and death

Organ Donation

As a first step, the donors must have the bounden duty to convince their family members to fulfill their wishes promptly and immediately. Recently a sixteen year old Indian boy, Stanly, died after fighting a prolonged disease. His wish was to donate his all organs to the needy. While he was alive, he used to convince his parents his last wish. And his beloved parents immediately made arrangements for that. Not one, five patients could benefit from his different organs. That boy’s determination was commendable. Such determination is inevitable from every donor. The donors must always keep their cards attached with their very important documents while travelling so that the authorities can realize, in case of an accident, the bearer is an organ donor and take necessary and immediate action for donation. Otherwise time frame for preserving organs intact will lapse. There are also some blind beliefs about donating organs. That should be eradicated by counseling and seminars. This is one of the great human virtues.



However, as a donor card holder with SORT (Society for Organ Retrieval Transplantation) in India and SCOT (Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation) here in Saudi Arabia, I am against the concept of offering any organs against monetary benefit No one can belittle a great segment of humanitarian ethics for a few coins. If the donor is dead and his or her family is under poverty line, the government or the concerned authority has to take a firm step to rehab them as a good gesture. That is different and welcome. If money is in the focus, trading in organs may be flourishing. On the other hand, to donate an organ to his/her own family members or intimate friend always depends upon the situation and attachment to the needy. There is no exploitation is involved here. Proper enlightenment is necessary to aware more people to donate spontaneously.

Acrostic of KPAC

KS George hums: chillu medayilirunnanne kalleriyalle….enne…

Paramus say “you made us communists and you became something else”

Almost all the proliteriat united, but some leaders yet to learn that…

Comrades again sing: thalakku meethe soonyaakaasam thaazhe marubhoomi…

The Stone Walls of Anarkali

My first love was for Meena Kumari
When her Pakeeza was on the silver screen
She accepted my love and sent me a gift pack:
A feeding bottle with a tin of baby food

Then came Waheeda Rahman
To guide my jeene ki tamanna;
Her presentation kit included
A set of baby dress and a toy gun

As Sarada was the epicenter
of sorrows and the pipe line of tears,
Sharmila Tagore was my next choice,
Her gift of tricycle was my first vehicle.

When I was at the age of dreaming,
Hema Malini became the girl in my dream,
With Rekha always accompanying her,
Every morning I swept away my broken dreams

I myself arranged Romeo
To elope with Laila
And Majnu (Qaiz) with Juliet
Now who would be my love bird?

Pyar kiya tho darna kya…
I am not matured enough to hear that line
Coming from my childhood Anarkali;
she is still behind the stone walls of social evils
________________________________________

Mallick ji, nostalgia makes me cry. If I want to cry, I will cry like a woman. I have no hesitation. That gives me relaxation. I am afraid of amnesia which will eat up my nostalgia. Thanks for your comments. With regards,
Yes Atreya ji, you are right. Every Anarkali has to be saved by breaking the stone walls of social evils. Soul mate becomes stale mate if the necessary step is not taken timely. Thanks for your comments. With regards.

Prem Nizar Hameed, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Mar 27, 2010
________________________________________

Dear Prem sahib, you bring tears in many eyes by remembering the artists who raised the bar in acting and projecting India's art and culture. They thrilled millions by their sterling performances. Best regards,

Kumarendra Mallick, Hyderabad
Mar 25, 2010
________________________________________

Prem, though your poem appears to be light-hearted and witty on the surface, the concluding line, “she is still behind the stone walls of social evils,” tells it all – serving as a pointer and delivering a message.

U Atreya Sarma, Secunderabad - 500 056
Mar 25, 2010

For a Malayalee woman who helped Indian prisoners

Frequently knock the doors

One will open somewhere;

Kudos to her good gestures

And wishing her son, a complete

Speedy recovery;

A timely knock for the closed doors!

The Swami and the Actress

Lust was born before the so called civilized man was born. As long as the living things exist in this world, it will be here. Some will tame it as a domestic animal, and others leave it as wild beast. The domestic animal supports the bodily function to serve the domestic affair better. The restive wild beast will rampage. It is a continuous process. Self control is the only thing that can prevent adultery. And this kind of swamis particularly must stand for that. But the result is often juxtaposition.



The Swami cannot cure any congenital breathing problem overnight, as the actress proclaimed here. Breathing exercise can gradually heal it. No man god can heal anybody. It is the suppressed mind that springs up some times by certain psychological impulses. That is what a psychiatrist more often or a medical practitioner some times does to his patient.

The people who worship Rama or Krishna as god can easily brush aside these types of exploiters and their baseless explanations. Devotion is a lucrative business in the world now. Since the prostitution at some corporate business houses has been dignified by the grace of globalization, the prostitution behind the god men will be sanctified in due course.



I remember the wordings of late Kaniyapuram Ramachandran: KAALAA KAALANGALIL DHARMAM PUNASTHAPIKKAN AVATHARANGAL ETUKKUMENNU BHAGAVAN SREE KRISHNAN BHAGAVAT GITAYIL PARANJATHU KAARANAM, ETHU ANDANUM ATAKODANUM IPPOL DAIVANGALAAKAAM.



Rational movements are mainly there for bringing forth the exploiters who do anti social elements in the name of god and religions. To my surprise, even the left movements at times try to side line the rational movements in India for the electoral adjustments.

Mohanlal and TA uniform

Do you think Sukumar Azhikode's view is justifiable?

Sukumar Azhikod is correct here. It does not mean that I agree with his earlier comments on Mohanlal. TERRITORY ARMY uniform is used to instill confidence and boost patriotism on our soldiers. It is not a commodity to promote any corporate businesses. Hon. Antony must give an explanation or indicate the provision in the law that enables the actor to utilize his uniform in such advertisements. If it is wrong, Mohanlal has to apologize and withdraw from such ads in the future.

Water

One hand lits

The lamp of harmony;

And other extinguishes it

By pouring water on it;

“Oh! my drinking water,

Not even you

Free from the clutches

Of communalization.

Can you tell me

Your race, caste or religion?”

The drinking water says:

“It is written on my forehead”

I fail to read…

Can any one read

The writings on the water?

Acrostic of UTHRALI

Uppermost in every eye is the procession of the glorious and majestic elephant,

Thechchikkattu Kaavu Ramachandran, with the famous Natapura’s

High orchestra of five instruments accompanying to the Uthrali Kaavu;

Regal Pandel, where PARA pours out rice, stands above wadakancherry town

An exhilarating view of the elephants standing eastward to face Bagavathy is remarkable

Lovely fire works then begin to feast the eyes to wind up the daylight celebrations

It is by all means not over, the night celebrations wait for repetition, I miss all this….

Memories in the Amul tin

I still remember
the Amul tin
with a cute baby
smiling on it

My mother said
my little sister was in it
when she left me at two,
to stop my crying

I used to say
she was in the tin
whenever someone asked,
and the tin was with me
day and night

I dropped a portion of biscuits
and the other baby foods in it
for my little sister
as and when my mother fed me
(my mother would take away
those things later
to keep me impressed
that my vive was still there
and was having them like me)
I continued my feeding…

I also put on the tin
her baby dresses
(mother used to sprinkle
water on them
for keeping me engaged
to change her dresses
as and when she did for me)
and I took the tin under my blanket
whenever arrived the rain with thunder bolts

My mother used to apply
kaajal and bindiya on her
and on me as well
(I prevented my mother
from those beautifications
when I was promoted
to Upper primary)

Many years went by
One day mother asked me
about my childhood obstinacies
my memory failed to reach there
but my mother
kept on working
her strategy behind me
as I grew up,
but in matured way:
she still conceals the baby dresses
somewhere in my pillows
and somewhere in my mattress
to keep my memories in the Amul tin afresh
and her baby dresses still intact…

From Carpathian to Kalliyankaatu- Part 2

“Don’t worry, I will get you something:
a nail proof garment for Neeli
and a cross proof overcoat for you”
“From the same manufacturer
that made the bullet proof for Mumbai cops?”
“No.. no.. no.. it is corruption proof”
“Why can’t you request the government
to provide me security cover?”
He implored.
“Everything has been allocated
for the VIPs and the VIPs alike”
“excuse meee….,
what the other VIPs stand for?”
“Vested Interest Personnel”
“Oh I see, that is why
they dish out all the absurdities
in the public with no fear”
His statement surprised me
“Have you had the blood
of an Indian journo recently?”
“Not at all. why?”
“Good knowledge of Indian politics, too;
Anyhow, I cannot request the government,
shortage of letters is the problem”
“I don’t get you,”
“After Z, there is no letter in English”
“Then the govt. should think well
to categorize under regional alphabets”
shsh… slowly,
regional politicians have many ears”
“yes, you are right,
but the categories can rise up
to more than twenty six”
Suddenly his mobile rang with:
Nisheedhineee…nisheedhineeee…
Oh! what a mellifluous song
rendered by the skylark Janaki Amma!
He seemed to enjoy the transition:
from the electrifying English BGM
to the melody.
This is called real love
With this ringtone download,
I sensed his deep love for Neeli.
Now it is my turn
to make their wish fulfil
I asked:
“When you changed to melody?”
That question was not expected
He was shocked
“The day Christopher Lee died”
He took the tissue paper
and wiped his eyes
“Yes dear, Lee was the real promoter
and the Ambassador of your empire”
“Even Ramsay brothers
could not make any impact,
many horror characters created though.”
He heaved a long sigh
“She was on the phone
and was concerned about me
since I arrived in Bombay”
“No, say Mumbai, tigers are there”
“I like your dedication
towards wild life conservation”
“according to numerology,
changes in name bring in fortunes”
“but progress and prosperity
come by a dedicated team work”
He showed me a video clipping
on his mobile:
I saw, around the world
people dilute their doctrines
to suit every human being
to survive as human beings…
“you are taking lessons
from human beings, too?”
“There are good human beings
in the world, a lot;
else, I could have conquered
the world;
look what Neeli has mailed,
while living on the palm
she found something:
the essence of democracy
in the coconut”
I read her mail:
... democracy is like coconut,
go through the green and hard shells
only to reach the tender coconut
and sweet water.
To reach real democracy
one needs hard work and tolerance
(continued…)

From Carpathian to Kalliyankaatu Part 1

At midnight
Somebody knocked
At my door
I opened the door
And pointed at the left side:
“Calling bell is there
just press it
instead of hammering on”…
“You know, I am Dracula”
He said
“So what?” no manners for Dracula?
“May I come in, sir”
“Hmmm”.
He sat against me
in the sofa
“Sir, this is my schedule
to reach Kalliyankattu Neeli”
He showed me his file
with many e (vil) mails
between him and her
“How can a devil like you
enter into Gods own country”
“I know Neeli is still
nailed to the palm tree there”
“and remember, it was done by
the famous Namboothiris”
“at any cost
I have to celebrate with her
this Valentine day, sir”
I took the map of the cemetries
From Mumbai to Kerala
“it is very far
and you have to adjust with
the dilapidated graves
on the way for daylight rest
and no harm to people, ok"
“of course, see the locations
of the blood banks in India”
“oh I see, food centers are already
stored in detail”
“I just wonder about
your fearless attitude”
He said
“are you out to flatter me”
“No, sir”
“Hey Count Dracula,
do you know
that I am living with
daylight draculas here?”
“Daylight draculas!!!”
“Yes they do in the light what
you do in the dark”
“From the throat
by both the teeth?”
“from the whole body
by all the teeth”
“oh horrible”
“at least you drink
but they shed”
“Oh that is cruel”
“imagine, if they die
and become ghosts,
how frieghtening their images
would be!”
Dracula looked at the mirror
and heaved a sigh:
“I am still handsome”
“but they will be in
unimaginable figures
yet to be included
in the lexicon”
Dracula seems to be scared
“sir, who are they?”
“the fundamentalists”
then I have to leave
before the daybreak,”
“why”
“they don’t even spare me, sir”
(continued…)

The Great Betrayer

Repenting,
Judas Iscariot sits on the rock,
shifting looks at the coins
scattered around him;
I did the great betrayal
he whispers;
no one could offer me
thirty one silver coins
to hire me to save His life

I intervened:
Relax, Judas
Peter never says
that if he had known about
the roost crowing three times,
he would have cooked it
before the last supper began;
something prewritten
cannot be rewritten;
see, I can also hire you
with a few more extra coins,
because you are in front of me,
but beware of him:
the all time great betrayer,
no one knows when and how
he comes behind us.

Judas relaxes,
and packs his things
to go to Akeldama
before arrives Brutus…

Conscience

Mary Magdalene runs amok
and finally reaches where Jesus stands;
Jesus Christ looks at the crowd
and says:
Whoever has committed sins
shall throw the stones;
People one by one
drop their stones.

Wondered, I kneel before Jesus:
Oh! Jesus Christ,
What prompted you
to alter your old statement?
My dear son, if not changed,
She would have been buried
by the stones by now;
the alliance between
the people and their conscience
then and now
are entirely different;
now I know very well,
that they hardly admit one thing:
their mistakes, my dear son…

Mother

My rational thoughts
and emotional blabbering
are silent before her;
To her selfless love and care
the Heaven opens her door;
Embryo to her chest
then craddle to the grave,
the real visible God
is my mother, the great

Elements of survival

Mother, and her sweet milk
Motherland, and heer sweet breeze
Mother Earth, and her mysterious charm
Can a man survive without these elements?

Writer and Reader

Poetry is
Writer's pearl
in reader's soul

Compromise

Here I show some frames for you:
Ayodhya is a place where we see
a rare combination of Ram and Sita;
It is not their hours in the palace
that we nourish and care for that matter;
It is every thorn they cross over,
and every emotion they spend together
through the thickest forest that we focus;
Honey moon left in the palace though
married life is there in the forest,
if flowers of compromise bloom in the hearts!

Nude Artist

Nude artist
takes the remote
to switch off the eyes

Love and Hate

The man who knows
The meaning of love
Will never look for
The spelling of hate

Unity in Diversity

I asked my soul:
"Where would it go
soon after it leaves me?"

"Nowhere
other than Hindustan hamaara"
it replied me

"do you like this land that much"?
"in the Hell
or in the Heaven,
there is only one kind to live together
and here,
we have Unity in Diversity
the quality of Hindustan hamaara"

Muse India

My vocabulary is very weak to
Use a proper defintion for you;
Sea of knowledge beckons me, with
Erudite people sitting on the shore;
It is a land of love and optimism
No one knows what hatred is;
Divine and rational thoughts live
In harmony, and the gifted rivers flow
Among the talented tributaries..

At the feet of the Mother Poetry

My head went down
At the feet of the Mother Poetry
Looking for some melliflous lyrics;
"Listen" she hindered me half way
"If I have something
Certainly it is everywhere
Keep on having until you feel no thirst"
Even a slight movement
Of the blade of the grass
Makes me uncap my pen...