Rape: A social evil.

Rape is a social evil that has reached explosive proportions. It has ruined many lives and continues to do so at a frenetic pace. No one is immune, and age is no bar. From infants to senior citizens to corpses, rape has become a diabolic symbol of power in an iniquitous world. 

A rape occurs in India, every 54 minutes. 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3739958

It’s a really sad day for all of us, talking about the case of this girl who was gang raped.

Well, that’s how they address it, “the gang rape case” forgetting all about how she would be feeling, how her entire life has come down in just minutes, how her future is nothing but scarred and blurred because of a few men who couldn’t control their urge or frustration.

Talking about the safety of women, well I would doubt that any woman in Delhi would be feeling safe right now, seeing how the streets have become, it feels more like a society in which the word gentlemen has lost its real essence, as if they were never given/taught the values of ‘respecting the opposite sex’ or ‘family values’.

The values we have been boasting about, the culture that we say we are proud of has been losing its ‘charm’ for there still exist loopholes in the entire machinery. Be it the thinking/approach of people who still say that it might be the girl’s mistake, she must be shabbily dressed or would be wearing provocative clothes, I wonder why then do we claim that India is a developing country, not just in economics but its real sense too, why do we proudly say that the times have changed and we are living in the 21st century where equality and freedom of expression is awarded to each and every individual?

What about the westernization we say we have inhibited for good, do they teach us that we should probably rape somebody who according to us is not wearing proper clothes? What happened to ‘minding our own businesses?

This is not the first time that we are boiling in anger; remember Jessica Lal case, the Guwahati group molestation, the Mangalore pub attack?

For a few days there is anger, there is media coverage, everybody is down on streets protesting, our governments promise us that strict action would be taken and we having no other choices, believe them and go back home, go back to our normal lives, everything moves on, change being the only constant remains and we all forget what we were fighting for.

Every time we need a case for us to get our blood boiling, instead of dealing with it in the first go why do we wait for such heart breaking tales to take place?

Tales of young innocent girls who are awarded death punishment for their lives become nothing but a shame, where the society comes, cries, pities, sympathises and walks away while the guilty roam freely on the streets without any fear?

What would a mere fine do? Why not stricter punishments for violating the basic human requisites, the respect for one’s own body?

It’s saddening to see that our government has still not taken any action while each and every individual is out on the streets, raising their voices, in terms of protests and candle light marches.

A lot has to be done for the improvement of this city if not the world in entirety. We need to ensure basic equality to women affected by such heinous crimes, speedy trails, fast track courts, cooperating police who is well versed with basic morals of how to treat women instead of increasing their never ending pain, the society has to ensure that the government is doing what it is supposed to, instead of lingering around, there is work which has to be completed.

Not talking about an ideal state where there would be happiness everywhere but a state in which we will not be worried of being murdered/raped on the road and no action would be taken against those guilty?

Reading through the net I happen to read this and it caught my eye, for we are also looking for possible punishments if not Death Penalty or Castrating them, as the popular demand it may seems, considering we also belong to a community in which broken justice system where barely any survivors see justice served.:

http://stavvers.wordpress.com/2011/08/14/when-not-reporting-a-rape-seems-like-a-sensible-option/

In her fantastic book Cunt: A Declaration of Independence, Inga Muscio proposes a solution: Cuntlovin’ Public Retaliation:

The basic premise of C.P.R. is publicly humiliating rapists. Since rapists count on a woman’s shame and silence to keep them on the streets, it seems to me an undue amount of attention focused on rapists would seriously counter this assumption.

C.P.R. can be employed when a woman is sure of her attacker’s identity. Since most attacks are not perpetrated by strangers, this is a highly relevant factor.

There is safety and power in numbers.

A group of two hundred women walking into the place of employment of a known rapist would have an effect. If each of these women were in possession of a dozen rotting eggs which were deposited on the rapist’s person, the rapist might well come to the conclusion that he had committed a very unpopular act, one which was not tolerated by the community. If a rapist had to walk through a crowd of angry, stating, silent or quietly and deadly chanting women to get to his car in the grocery store parking lot, he might feel pretty uncomfortable.

This technique would require a vast degree of solidarity among women and allies. Were it to happen, though, it would feel a damn sight more like justice than the current shambolic system.

The risk to survivors is considerably lower in Muscio’s admirable proposition. Here, they do not risk further invasion with no justice served. They do not risk imprisonment for daring to report a rape to a morally bankrupt police force. They do not become passive pawns in a game of patriarchal power. It is justice for survivors, by survivors.

Muscio stresses non-violence, and I thoroughly agree. Violence is not a solution to violence. Showing a rapist that such behaviour is thoroughly intolerable, reminding him that his behaviour is thoroughly unacceptable, through a supportive network of the community–that is more like what justice looks like.

Were this to happen, rape culture would topple. For this to happen, we need to fight rape culture. Then, perhaps, we will see true justice.

Possibly there is more to read, the anger, the outrage, the possible solutions and much more.

A few links which I went through are:

http://stavvers.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/the-anatomy-of-rape-apologism/


http://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-gangrape-nypd-and-london-might-offer-some-solutions-561803.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?Rape---Problems-and-Solutions&id=3739958

http://news.oneindia.in/2012/12/18/delhis-rape-shame-twitterati-express-anger-disgust-1116250.html

Hoping that something comes out of this, believing in “the best comes out only when we are exposed to the worst” not forgetting to ask “how many times do we need to get exposed to the worst before we come out with something which we expect to be the best”

-A girl who fears getting raped. 

A path less travelled.

After almost 8 months,  today I tried sketching. I tried to draw the emotions running through me, the emotions that couldn't be described by words. It strange for me, for I couldn't write but I am glad that I could draw them, like they were in my head. They lack perfection but I am happy with my interpretation. 

Shades of Darkness

Though this is simple but I like how shading has enhanced its beauty. 

Impressions 

Impressions, we leave a lot of impressions by the things we do. Some impressions are hard to forget for they get craved in our hearts while some leave marks in the head, making it impossible for them to leave. 

Leaves of Grass

Mr. Walt Whitman, gave me this name. His book, leaves of grass has moved me in a lot many ways. 

Into the Darkness

A lily, outlined by darkness. It is shining its way to glory, to hard to ignore its beauty. 

Two-faced

For when we meet someone, we never let our intentions surface. 

Skies of Lust

Confusions, dilemmas and disarrays, a lot is suffered under these skies of lust, which make us lose our head and run for our hearts. 

 A lot of books and blogs inspired me to draw these specific sketches for they hold an important place. 

A few old ones, no names, no interpretations. 

Kuch pal...

Aaj yeh gustakhiya, 
Kal ki kuch tanhayein, 
Kuch ankahe baatein, 
Aur yeh kuch suni sunaye kahaniyan, 
Yeh dil ka rona, 
Aur aankhon ka muskurana,
Yeh kashmakash mein zindagi jeena, 
Yeh pal do pal ki berukhi sehna,
Yeh har rukh pe thokar khana,
Zindagi ke haazaron rang dekhna,
Kabhi thamna toh kabhi bhag jana,
Himmat, sahas aur prernao ko jhinjhodna, 
Uss khoye hue ehsaas ki talash mein,
Kuch naye lamho ki paalki sajana. 
Yeh zindagi, ek kachi door, 
Yeh rishton ke badalte rang. 

A disarray of impressions..

I don't know what's been up lately?
I don't know how do you do?
I don't know if it’s the sun that's shining or if it’s the moon?
I don't know if the earth is spinning or it’s just me in my room?
I don't know if a lot has been done already or if there is a lot more to do?
I don’t know if it’s the emotional turmoil speaking or it’s the turmoil in my emotions letting lose?
I don’t know if it’s a bad hangover or if it’s the break they said I needed?

I sit idle for long hours thinking what to do, wondering if there is anything which can get me out of this phase,
I try to write to realize how miserably I am failing at it, 
I try to sketch, and see if I can make sense to any of it, 
I try to dance and feel the pain in my ankle growing worse, 
I take long walks, walking amongst these strangers, 
I look at them if they’d recognize me, any longer, 
This cornucopia, this profuseness, of the details, 
My microscopic vision can scoop, 
It’s all going haywire, 
No entailing, no detailing, no meanings what so ever,
It’s a "a disarray of impressions",
It’s a state you’d never what to be in. 

Happy Birthday Prerna Bang-a :p

Hello prettiness,

I generally write long messages about all the special people in my life, starting from how we met and how it all progressed but this time I don't want to go deep in the details, you know it all don't you?

We met, clicked, argued, discussed, debated, shared, cried, smiled, giggled, zoned out, hated, stopped talking, met & got back again.

I respect you for all the things you did & you do, for the amazing aura which you create when you are around, for being such a joyful yet simple person at heart, for all the fun & amazing moments we have spent together in Hyderabad, Chennai, Pondicherry & Delhi, for all the upcoming craziness, for all the splendid suns you have shown, you are a beautiful person and you I love.

Sorry for being mean and for jumping all around, for kicking and tickling and for the n number of things that I keep on repeating, you are truly adorable and I cant thank you enough for all what you have done till date, without taking away the credits ofcourse :p


I love you Bang-A.

Lalalalalalalalalala, Happy Birthday pretty ladki :* 

Happy Birthday Shrisha :*

Happy Birthday Shrishuu <3

It’s your Birthday today and trust me you have been one person who has been sweet enough to tolerate me and my random calls and the mood swings EVERY single day. 

I crib, I cry, I silently weep, I laugh, I go mad, I giggle, I bitch, I take advices, I shout, I go crazy, you listen and love me nonetheless. 

You have supported me, you have answered all my questions, you have scolded me for not taking care, you have given me advices which nobody has ever given because you love me a little too much, you have always been with me through all the ups and downs life has thrown at me. 

From singing ‘Hey Jude’ that night to the ‘so-not-tolerable Anu Malik’ songs, from bitching about Manan to pulling his legs together, from the conference calls to the video calls, form the Sherlock Holmes stories to the Big Bang Theory, from the ancient Greek mythology to the creepy Purvasha’s logic, we have covered all the random topics one could ever discuss about. 

To the marriage proposals, to the cake stories, to the point where you wanted me to marry a Doctor who could fix my troubles, I have always loved you and there are no second thoughts about that. 

It’s funny how it all started in Bangalore, that scary creepy night where we had met for the very first time and then never met/talked until the same time last year in Hyderabad and since then there has been hardly any day where we didn’t speak, or hardly any problem that we didn’t discuss. 

From all the guy/girl/college/life problems to all the nonsensical, usual gay talks, the comfort level that I share with you has always been so magical. 

Remember Chennai, where you were helping me and I was clicking pictures all the while?

Remember talking late in the night & not sleeping because we had to solve a fight?

Remember making plans for Fatehpur Sikri and the Bangalore Street shopping and then a trip to Ooty & Mysore?

Remember how I cried when the news came down to my ears?

Remember how we have stood by and passed all the tests of time & distance?

This friendship couldn’t have survived without your love & care, they way you have taken everything in the right stride, I know it’s difficult to handle me with all the crises I generally have, I know how difficult is to put a tape on my mouth & calm me down, I know if it weren’t you, I wouldn’t have been half as healthy/happy/positive/non-violent/non-abusive as I am now and it’s all because of you. 

I promise to be here forever, I promise to listen to all what you have to say, I promise to come to Bangalore atleast once a year & meet and chill and EAT with YOU, pakka se:p 


I love you Shrish and will always do. 
Thank you for everything like everything you have done for me till date and hope that you’ll have a blast there, I miss you :( 

Misbah (:

It was October 2011 when I first met you during DUMUN, I knew a lot about you through our mutual friends but you were way prettier than they had described. We had this instant connect which I can never forget, you were too sweet & too genuine to be found in this century, like a piece of pure gold isn’t stable and requires some metals to make it stable, you existed in your native and pure form without any impurity. 

Your heart was too comforting, I remember how you heard my blabber and then tried to calm me down. 

You have seen me cry, you have seen me dance and go mad at times, you have seen me trying to act normal when things aren’t right, you have seen me falling in love & even falling out of it. You have heard my deepest and darkest secrets and never let them out. You have given me those fancy fashion advices which I am yet to work on. 

You have given me a ray of hope, I have learned so much from you. You always impart happiness & good vibes wherever you go, nobody can remain upset when they are with you. You make sure everybody is high on life when you step up the dance floor, your laughter still echoes in my ears, your hugs and your kisses still make me cry, I remember how we bid goodbyes, I remember how much we cried, I remember it now and will always do. 

Misbah, you are a gem and I am never letting you go. 

I love you a little too much and writing this brought me tears & shivers, I remembered all those moments, DUMUN, GOLA’s,1CAFE, Soni’s house, LSR fest, MOCHA, Chennai etc. 

I miss you a lot, I wish there was a way to get you back here, right in my arms. 

Happy Birthday babie, you are loved a lot more than you'll ever know:*

Happy Birthday Daven : )

Daven,

It was 8th standard, 13th December 2005 where I had first met you. You were as you are today, the same care, the same concern and the same love. 
It’s been a long journey from that day, from the time where we never talked to the time where we talk and share each and everything. The past few months have been very crucial in defining our relationship, we have fought, argued, stopped talking and then got back again, I guess that is what matters. 

We have met approximately 5-6 times in the entire span of our friendship and yet this was never something which could stop us from being this close, as we are today. There were times where at 1 in the night I’d call you up & cry my heart out and tell you from a to z and you’d calm me down and make me feel as if nothing had happened. 
There were times that we’d disagree and act a bit immature, but I guess it’s a part of growing up. You have been one of those silent constants, always ready to back me up, always ready to give it all, always present around me without any demands or complaints. 

This bond is really special to me and there is no way that I am gonna let this go, maybe I can’t be with you on your special day but I am sure you know what you mean to me, much much more than I can ever show. 

This one is for you & for the bond that we share, 

From a stranger to a friend, 
From the initial awkwardness to all the care & concern, 
From all those immature talks to the ones which make sense, 
To a person who has no demands but fulfils each one, 
You are a gem, the finest of the lot, 
The magic that spreads around you and the aura which lasts long, 
There is something about you which keeps us hanging, 
Is it the love or some of your spell which is enchanted? 
You are special in every respect, be it a friend, a guide or a mentor at heart, 
You are somebody who is loved not just by one but by all. 
An angel sent from up above :) 

Thank you for everything Daven, thank you for all what you do and for all what you have done. 

May this Birthday be as special as you are, wishing you the best of everything. 
A very Happy Birthday fool, I love you :*

Happy Birthday Nikunj (:

Its been more than a year that I know you, you are a terrific person, extremely sweet & helping.

From the very start, your sparks have been clearly visible to each one of us, they way you treat your friends and make each & every one feel special. The way you sing them songs and put them to sleep, how you ignore your health & take care of them. How you make those padaku students feel one amongst us & treat them with  so much care & caution, its lovely to see that people do such things today as well.

Remember the time that we spent, singing like mad men, dancing like nobody’s watching, talking about our fears, our goals, our most valuable things & people, thinking and making things worse, over working, spoiling our health, taking care and making sure we set ourselves right. 


There have been these ups and downs where we have fought & cried, where we have argued and hated each other for not being able to make things work. Where one of us tried to initiate the conversation but failed miserably, where all those moments of happiness seemed to take a back seat. 

But what happens has a reason, they might be not the best ones but they turned out to be in our favour in the end. 

Those brilliant pictures that we clicked, those moments where you did all the drama in the world, posing, pouting, filmyness, you have conquered & captured it all. 

A person who knows how to keep profession and personal life different, a person who can fix all the things in this world.

 A person who is loved by each one of us. 

A person as sweet as you deserves the best of everything in this world, especially on your birthday  :)

May you see the world,
May the world see you,
May your joy keep growing,
With each day that's new.

Happy Birthday Neeekuuuunjjjj! :)

Megha (:

You are the best, the best thing that could/can ever happen to me <3

This one is to the girl who has been a constant. 

You were there when nobody was, in the limelight, 
You were there when people took over, sidelined, 
You were there comforting me when the time wasn't right, 
You were there laughing with me over those insane jokes I cracked, 
You were there answering the questions I asked my self, 
You were there when life had taken those sharp turns, 
You were there on the soft edges, smiling with me, 
You there whenever I needed you and even when I didn't. 

Many came, many left, the friendship that developed in 12th standard is still as strong as it has been and continues to cement everyday. I don't know how can I repay or thank you for all what you have done, for accepting me as the way I am. For always coming over with chocolates & flowers, for writing those letters to make me smile, for the photos hoots and the crazy shopping & going to domino's just to change our mind :p

For publically embarrassing me by laughing at me, for hugging me so tight that next time I might choke & die, for making sure that m secrets are confined to your walls, for listening to my songs, to my sad stories, from solving my problems and crying with me to fighting with me. for all the drama we have done & promise to do, I love you :*

For tolerating me with all my tantrums and the usual shouting and the mood swings and all the "JOKES" :p 

You never demanded anything, never said a word, like a pillow by myside you always cushioned me and my life, you watered the sapling which now has branches so many, you nurtured me with the thoughts which have been with me all throughout. I may not be as comforting or as caring but be rest assured, I am here for much longer than you can think of. 

This one is because I respect & love you to bits. 

An eonian era of pain ):

After crying days & nights, 
After working on all your time, 
After you left me all alone, 
In that overcrowded street where all what I could do was weep, 
Looking at you walk ahead, leaving all those memories with me, 

You shut that door and locked it with a spell, 
A spell that no wands could crack, 
You promised to be here, with me, in my arms forever, 
You promised to hold my hand & never let go, 
You promised that you won’t be like them, those who had left, 
You made me believe in it all, 
But now, look how it rolls, 
You are without that guilt or shame, 
While I cry & moan at the loss which causes me so much pain, 
You walk head on with your priorities set straight, 
Your explanations never got through me, no logic what so ever could I see, 
But you decided that your happiness is what you wanted, 
How could I not foresee? 
When my heart pours that blood out while I try to speak, 
I choke myself to death with those tears stopping me, 
It’s all done & gone forever, 
You no longer are a part of me, 
No longer shall you stay. 

Happy Birthday Kshitjoo!

Happy Birthday Kshitij :D 


For years have come & gone, 
But you have stood by like a constant,
Fights, arguments we had it all,
But nothing overpowered our will to be together & strong,
For misunderstandings may have risen,
But together we put them off.

We have seen all those phases life could show, 
From secrets to those ugly truths, 
From happiness to dullness & gloom
From moments of silence to shouting like a mad man,
From bunking classes to studying together, 
From abusing & cursing to loving and caring for each other, 
Life might take turns, 
We might drift apart
But remember here lives a friend who will stand by forever. 
A promise I shall make today, I am forever here to stay! 


Happy Birthday Kshitijooooo! 
Thank you for all the things you do, you are truly special :D

To someone whom I loved (:

Here in darkness I sit, wanting to decipher the meanings of all what he said, intentionally he never meant a word, never tried to hurt me nor did he ever allow a frown sit on my brows for long, but today when I see, walking back those memory lanes, re-reading those old letters, watching those pictures, having these flashes of the time we were together, I am sure nobody can fake that genuine care and that stare in the eye. 


He, always held my hand, strong and tight, making sure I wouldn't feel alone or out of his sight, his attention was always on me, on the problems I had in my life, sitting right next to me he'd sort them one by one and then all. 


His presence always made me smile; for there was somebody I knew who would always stand by my side. He was that friend who made me believe in those stars and those wishes again, he made me believe that in each one of us we have a stronger someone. He made sure that all those troubles, problems, sadness and all the negativity wouldn't stay anywhere near me. 


He was somebody who'd guide me like a light above my head, leading me to a place safer & towards success. He knew what was right for me and what wasn't. He had made me fall in love with his heart which I would never regret. Though he is not with me today but his memories are still pretty strong in my head. Though I can’t hold his hand nor can I hug him that way, we don’t talk that often nor do we meet every day, the awkwardness had brought us closer and now its forever here to stay. 

In the memory of whom I truly loved, a person who has a heart of gold but who couldn’t keep me in his heart for long enough. A person who has always been close to my heart & who always will be a part of my soul. Yes, he engraved a craving in my heart which shall last forever. I miss him every day, every minute & every second, but there is nothing else that I can do. 


To those good old times, 
Those hugs, to make each other smile,
The constant jokes, 
The never ending stares, 
Those moments where we would laugh and then kick silence for a toss, 
To those amazing rides, 
And to the brilliant tasting times. 


Thanks for standing by, for making sure that happiness kisses my feet. For never letting me work, for getting me into this habit of yours and then making sure that I’d gracefully accept this pitfall.




I can’t do much but accept it and move on, for there lies a tomorrow which shall show us what it’s got :’) 

Photos with secrets a many :)

Photo Credits for all the above pictures : Dipankar Gupta 

International Youth Forum 2012

International Youth Forum 2012


It was held in Sharda University, Greater Noida. A forum simulated by 'just' the youth and for the youth. Working with difficulties in getting sponsorships, in making people believe in us & our work, we had faced a lot before the actual starting of the conference. 


From the venue correction to arranging what all we had promised, everything seemed like a fight but we had never given up. The team did face challenges but never did we quit, we kept moving, we kept sailing, we kept crossing hurdles, one by one, leaving our personal issues aside we decided to join hands and work for what we had initially come together. 


With a welcoming heart, sound mind and lots of dreams we inaugurated the event with the kind presence of Mr. Shashi Tharoor and other deemed dignitaries, we started this journey with more than 300 delegates coming from all across the globe to deliberate on the Role of Youth in Indian Renaissance' with discussions, seminars and competitions based on Social Entrepreneurship, Model Governance and Citizens' Participation. 




It was an experience of its own kind, working with people you haven’t met before, meeting people from all across the world, knowing their culture, hearing them speak about their nations, from events ranging from Global Village, Cultural Night,  Fashion Show, Musical Performances , Dance and Drama Performances.



We had bands like Rishi Inc who had us all for them. 


I met so many people who had varied talents, some could manage anything and everything and handle all the crisis, people like Raghav Garg, Raj Singh Nimbalkar, Hitesh Bachani & Dipankar Gupta. People, who left impressions, people like Sanket Verma, Abhishek, Nishant Mandal, Piyush & Sohail. People who made sure that work never got onto our nerves, Shaily, Shwetank, Nikita, & Apoorva Khera, thank you for all those moments. 


A special thanks to Aditya Singh, Vibhanshu, Anilesh, Abhishek, Gazal, Atulesh, Ayush, Vikas sir, Abhijeet, Aditya Singh, Premankit, Daksh, Prateek Pandey, Jatin Garg, Umesh sir, Aashish Birgi, Aditya Kumar, Shyam Bansal, Gaurav, Siyali, Mehak Sir, Dheer Sir, Ishan, Saurabh Gupta, Simran Sehgal, 


Room no 404 was and will always be special, from the balcony sightseeing to sleeping in a mess, from all the bitching sessions to our secret sacred parties :p 


From all the heart to heart talking sessions to being thorough professionals, to those walkie talkie talks, from discussing our lives before & after IYF, to making sure that the night meetings would solve all our issues, from the dancing sessions on the stage to the drama behind the scenes, from those sleepless nights to the eventful days, from the constant chitter-chatter to sitting quietly bruised & unwell, from hating a few to loving so many.  


IYF taught me lessons so many, from hearing what people had to speak on my back, to meeting a few who’d really come up front and speak it on my face, from meeting people who are fair to those who can cross limits of being biased, from the delicious food to the all the more needed morning teas. 


This forum will ofcourse get better the next time with many a people joining in, new nations coming in, a venue as brilliant as Goa but I am sure, nothing can be better than Room no 404, that balcony & that open ground where we let our hearts out. 


This one is to those late night walks, to those random people, to my favourite people, to the people who don’t matter and those whom I am never gonna let go. 


Thank you for taking care of me during those health peeps,  those breaking down sessions, for talking to me and setting me straight, for never letting me quit, for making me behave like a professional when I wished to slap a few, thank you for all what you guys have done. 


I won’t regret quitting my internship for IYF, for I met you & I have memories that will do me good forever. :) 

Happy Birthday Manan :D

I never knew there exists a person by the name of Manan Vithalani, till the time Shrisha & I went nuts to execute that plan. 

Since then there has been no looking back, we talk like close friends, never met, never hesitated to talk. We share our deepest, darkest secrets, we talk everyday even when we have nothing much to say. We speak nonsense without thinking that the other person will judge; we’ve had these crazy fights and arguments but nothing has stopped us from talking. 


It’s been just 6 months but looks like I know you from years long ago, I know so much about you in such a short time. 


I know you are crazy, stupid, idiotic, never make sense, can’t make sense ever, mad, a person who is perpetually in the sky, a person with a strong will power, a person so clean & clear from his heart, a person who makes me realize my mistakes, a person who gives me lectures on all my bad habits, a person who has made me a better myself, a person who has stood by without any demands or expectations, a person who has made sure that I smile even during those times of troubles. 


And then with all that modesty in you, you say you can’t do anything to make me feel special?


You have done way more than you can even imagine, here is wishing you a crazy 21st Birthday. Thank you for all the times you have brought a smile on my face with those stupid jokes, those crazy comments, that Urmila Matondkar crap too :p 


Haha, I love you & thanks for making a difference <3 

Random Realizations, Part 6: Doomsday

So, I was sitting besides my window, looking outside where these kids were playing. My neighbour was taking dance classes in the parking area, the younger kids were on the swings and some were playing badminton, the weather that day was just so amazing, these clouds which promised not to trickle down till these kids were safely home. 


There were so many thoughts running in my head, I was just wondering how did the time pass so quickly? 
I remember I was just a kid then, playing & enjoying my life. That happy face that I wore every minute, no matter how many times I’d hit the ground, no matter how many times I’d be running around that same old tree to get answers and then sit quietly. 


That swing was like my second abode, I’d sit there for hours & hours straight, blankly stare the sky, look at the birds cross by, dance to my own tunes, nobody would matter, nobody would care. 
Just me and I, with those dreams which promised to act as wings and make me fly, it was all so good. What happened to the way it used to be?


When was the innocence replaced by such ill thoughts and feelings? How did it all start? Why is it like this now? Too much pressure I was putting on my nerves, just when I had a clear view of it all. 


I saw this; this kid pushed a girl off the swing because he wanted to sit. 


Well, we might just think of it as a very normal view where kids would be fighting, but for me it was more like “this is where it starts”. 


That point was like an inception, today he pushed a girl off a swing, tomorrow it will be a cliff. 
Well exaggeration, yes, but I guess it’s required. 


That’s how the world moves, you want something, and you crush somebody & get it. There is too much cruelty spreading around, too much negativity & too much of “self thinking/obsession/admiration”


I was moved, I was taken aback. I joined those beads and made a necklace, a necklace which chokes you to death, a necklace which holds you so strong; it’s made of hatred, dislike, regret, grief, sorrow, darkness, broken hearts & promises, aches & failures, distress, stress, hurt and negativity. 


The darkness has taken over, there is this dullness in the sky, stars don’t shine, the swing doesn’t pleases me anymore, the birds don’t want to be around, nobody to trust, no wishes, no dreams, it looks like the end is here. 


Well, to end this as they all say, ‘It’s a mean, mean world’. 

Facebook for MUNs; As they call it!

So, with the increasing number of MUN’s in our country, the rate of students becoming MUNer’s is touching the sky. With MUN’s ranging from ABC to XYZ, from sponsors varying greatly, to the newly added/formed/created committees, the levels of MUNs has risen in a way & fallen deep down in another.


The new hot topic that seems to be is the Brainwiz network, which is popularly called “The Facebook for MUNs”, which not only keeps a database & lets the kids interact but in a way it links them and makes them a family before the actual happening of the event. 


With the number of people connected already, it makes sure that nobody can fake the MUNs they have attended, for each one of them can have an easy access to everybody’s MUN resume, their updates & remarks about the MUNs they have attended. It also gives serves as a platform for the upcoming MUNs to learn the do’s & the don’ts after being the spectators, it even registers the MUN societies, helps in voting, keeps everybody updated, leaving us with less notifications on facebook. So, overall this website is quite user friendly, less spamming, lesser unwanted notifications, a place meant to create a fine balance between the MUN work & the sidelines. 


A new idea, a new step, let’s see how far can they take it. 

DDUCMUN'11, A memoir (:

DDUCMUN’11 

The work for the inaugural issue had started 3 weeks prior to the MUN, the meetings, the conference calls, everything was so much fun. The ice-breaking sessions with the team helped us so much during the conference, the comfort level, the working atmosphere, our IP room, the continuous dancing (only last year’s IP team would know what we are talking about), our little after parties :p 




The never ending gossip sessions, the seriousness during the work and an entirely different view during the free time, the endless photo sessions, the arguments on how to make the newsletter more interesting, THE AUNT MUNNI’s brilliant fashion pieces, our constant pickups on our dearest Secretary General, the oh-so-amazing conversations with our Executive Board members, the last minute changes, our revolt, their apology. 


Sorting out 10,000s of pictures for the closing video, serving people with huge smiles. The best Organizing Committee coming together and putting up a show as brilliant as this. 

Devesh being a pillar of strength for all of us, for clearing each and every issue, for not losing his calm, for listening to everything & for keeping all the secrets, he is somebody who will always guide you with the best of advices, the stupid most jokes and the worst routine ever, please don’t learn anything from him other than being a leader. 


Remember the tears & the joyous faces on that stage, during the closing ceremony where each one was awarded for their work, there they promised to be back with a greater bang and making it bigger than before, yes they are back with their bag full of surprises, be a part of a MUN which will change your life, as it changed mine last year. I went back with friends, who never hesitated to help me and who always treated me as a part of their family. 


This one is for the family I made last year. 


I expect brilliant debate, with the best Executive Board members heading their respective committees, newsletters which you shall cherish forever, friends that you will never let go, memories that shall never fade away.

With Srishti Kapoor, heading the team this year we have lots of surprises, good food promised, the best beverages, the best of everything in short. With her presence in the room, everything feels so light, for there is no tension because she can handle it all with her awesomeness: D 


Don’t give it a miss, or you shall regret. 

Barish (:

Kuch pyaar bhari baatein, 
Kuch mulakatein, 
Woh hathon ka milna aur kabhi na bichadna, 
Woh nazron ka yu takrana, 
Woh hasna aur muskurana, 
Saath mein chalna, 
Aur kabhi peeche mud kar na dekhna, 

Unn yaadon ko sambhal kar pirona, 
Uss kagaz ki kashti ko paar lagana, 
Haste haste uss sabh ko bhul jana,
Ek naye duniya, ek naya sapna,
Ek naya vishwas, ek naye lehar, 
Mitti ka paahad aur who barish ka pani, 
Woh sehmi si sondhi khushboo, 
Woh naye khilkhilate ful, 
Woh shehad ki firak mein bhinbhinate bhawre, 
Woh rangeen nazaarein, 
Woh titliya, 
Woh aasmaan ka garajna, 
Aur barish ka hum sabh ko khush kar jana, 
Yeh mausam ke badlaav, 
Yeh naye umeedo ka jagna, 
Naye armaano ka ek naye kiran jagana, 
Ek naye zindagi, ek naye rah, 
Ek naye dhoop, ek naye chav,
Naye aashayen, naye kirane.