Rosesn'Grey

घर लौटना जरूरी है।

आज शाम,
कुछ परिंदो को देखा,
सारे दिन की जद्दोजेह के बाद,
उनको घर लौटते देखा।
सोचा, ये परिंदे,
ऐसा क्यों करते हैं?
हर आज़ादी के बाद भी,
ये रोज़ घर क्यों लौटते है?
ये परिंदे बताना चाहते है,
या सीखना चाहते है,
कि सारा दिन जहां भी रहो,
हर शाम, घर लौटना जरूरी हैं।
शायद,
हम इस बात को भूल चुके हैं,
अपने सपनों के लिए,
सब कुछ छोड़ चुके है।
अपनी आजादी के लिए,
अपनो का साथ छोड़,
मीलों दूर,
उड़ चुके हैं।
कभी पीछे मुड़कर,
थोड़ा रुक कर,
देखा ही नही कि,
घर को कितना पीछे छोड़ चुके है।
शायद ये परिंदे,
रोज़ शाम यही याद दिलाते है,
पर रातों की चकाचौंध में,
हम शामो को भूल चुके हैं।

आज एक नया दौर आया हैं,
जिसको एक आपदा,
एक प्रलय कहा है,
लगता है ये भी,
घर की याद दिलाने आया है।
सपनों के लिए,
निकले थे घर से,
पर आज,
वापस घर लौट आए है।
यह शायद एक संकेत है,
हमे याद दिलाने को,
सब जग में सबसे महफूज,
यह घर ही है,
और इन परिंदों की तरह,
एक दिन का वक्त पूरा करके,
हर शाम को,
घर लौट आना जरूरी हैं।

Playlists

For a long time,
I did not listen,
To any new music,
I kept a playlist,
And played it over,
And over,
Again and again.
Until I remembered,
The sequence,
Of each song,
To be played,
After another.
I relied on it,
To be my place,
Reassuring me,
That things are still,
The same.
Until one day,
I, unknowingly,
Mistakenly,
Tapped on shuffle,
And the randomness,
Came to me,
From my place,
The one,
I was most assured from.
Oddly enough,
After a moment,
My heart,
Picked up the beats,
And my fingers,
Moved with the rhythm,
And my mind,
Started to find easy,
In the uncertainty,
In the hope,
What is to happen next.
Since that day,
My playlist is,
Always on shuffle,
Surprising me,
In every few minutes,
And I am loving it.
To the point,
Where I have,
Started listening,
New music,
New songs,
New genres.
Although I keep,
Adding these,
New songs,
To my old list,
And listen to it,
On shuffle,
And dance to it too,
Sometimes.
I am,
Gradually,
Accepting,
And welcoming,
The changes,
Dancing,
With the ones,
I love,
And letting go,
The ones,
I don’t.
Be it in,
Music,
People
Or anything
In life.

Dear 2021,

Dear 2021,
I have some promises,
To make,
To you,
And to myself.

I promise,
Not to hard,
On you,
And on myself,
To make this year,
The best one.
We shall live through it,
One day,
At a time,
To the fullest.

I promise,
To be more brave,
And accept every change,
That you will offer me.
And I will learn,
Something,
Each day,
From each situation,
From every person,
With warmth.

I promise,
To be a more resilient,
Not to be stuck,
With the strings,
Of the past.
And move ahead,
To the new beginnings,
Cherishing moments,
That we create,
All along the way.

Dear 2021,
I promise,
To keep close,
All the lessons,
2020 taught me.
And to live,
Every moment,
For me,
People I love,
And the ones,
Who have never left me.

Lessons learnt from the Books I read in 2020

Year 2020 has been very different which has opened up and given the time to explored. I too did that. I didn’t read much but I read a variety of them and learnt certain things. They turned out to be helpful for me. I wish to share them:
1. MRITYUNJAYA by Shivaji Sawant:
Our identity is what we make of ourselves. Many people will see to us with different lens and if we try to fit according their vision and what see of us, then no amount of accomplishments and successes will be enough to be satisfied and content with ourselves. Thus, having trust in oneself is important.
Another thing important is that to have atleast one friend, who believes in our strengths. With such people around , one can achieve anything.

2. BECOMING by Michelle Obama:
Our stories define us and it is our stories that makes us unique. It is important to put up out story because we don’t know that amongst the one who are listening might find their way through it. We have a voice and it is our duty to use it for us as well as to everyone who is listening us.
Another thing Mrs. Obama says that our reasons happiness shouldn’t be dependent on other people. We have to find things makes us happy and live up to it.

3. TURNING POINTS by APJ Abdul Kalam:
We are the youth. We are the power. We are the future. Kalam Sir saw us as the most powerful resource to transform India to a superpower. Kalam Sir says that if each one of us do our part right and lift and cooperate with each other, we are unstoppable. Our hard work and our dedication has the power to transform our dreams to reality.

4. THE LEGEND OF SUHELDEV by Amish Tripathi:
Our history, our culture is the roots of our existence. We should hold pride in it and safe guard it at all cost.

5. GUNAHO KA DEVTA by Dharamveer Bharti:
Love, in the most purest forms is nothing but care and respect and not always romantic. The person who loves us truly is our greatest power. The power that can make or break us.

6. DIVIDED BY PARTITION, UNITED BY RESILIENCE by Mallika Ahluwalia
Opportunities comes to people who look out for it, no matter what the situation arises. The attitude to never give up and keep looking out can take us to the heights of success.

Books we read are not just the stories. They are voices of empowerment. They are stories of encouragement. They give us so much to think and reflect upon. They teach us important lessons of lifetime.

//Looking at the Past//

I love revisiting,
To the places,
I have been before,
To the songs,
That have been on the loop,
In my playlist,
A long time back now.

I love going back,
To the old memories,
That I once lived,
To the conversations,
That never ended,
With goodbyes,
And they are a history now.

I love rewatching,
The old photographs,
I kept as my priceless possessions.
To the perfect moment,
That I once dwelled,
In the laughters and smiles,
But it’s all been a while now.

I love looking at the past,
Because, in its unusual way,
It reassures me,
To accept,
The changing People,
And their promises,
This would always be the same now.

The Art of Listening!

We clearly never were and never will be over Sushant. First crushing over him and inspired by him and now crushing under the fact he has left us. We were his fan, stalking him and following him on several platforms. Still it feels that it is a personal loss. More we think, read or hear about it, it becomes more and more unbearable. The reason behind this connection we all are experiencing is because he was the man who had a journey to reach to his dreams. Being a rank holder in engineering entrance exam, getting into a dream college, leaving behind the comfortable life to pursue his dreams and then actually getting to a point where he was doing what he loved. We all have dreams and we all are in a journey to reach to our dreams. And that’s what makes us feel connected to him and inspired by him. He is not a hero, he is a star, both literally and metaphorically.

Lots of people who have known him in his reel as well as his real life, are now saying that he could have talked to his family and friends or they should have been in touch with him. But is this the complete solution of the problem? According to me, this is just a part of it. Another important aspect is listening. And it is the time when it is needed more than ever to listen to people around us. Listen to them when they look both happy and sad because no one has the idea of what’s going inside. Because listening comes first and then comes understanding and judgment. It’s quite easy to say phrases like “Be Positive”, “Everything will be okay” and leave. But it puts someone in a very difficult situation because they know that everything will be okay if they stay positive but they don’t know how to do that. If someone is opening up to us, it is more of a responsibility for us to listen and not just go around giving advice. They might take your advice and go but they will loose their trust in process of opening up about the things that is hurting them and would never talk about it.

Everyone is talking about the importance of mental health and reaching out to closed ones. This is very necessary specially in the conditions that are in front of us. So, why not start with listening to what each one of us has to say. Listening to what we can’t say but is in our actions. Listening to the voices and silences. Listening without the opinions and advices. Just Listen. It is so rare. So let’s make it an art, an art of listening. Let’s practice this as the first step in becoming kind and then we can be anything we wish to be.

Today, I promise Sushant,
Instead of shouting out, “Be kind” I pledge that I will be kind.
Instead of telling people to be positive, I will make sure that they have their heart out in front of me and feel a little lighter.
Instead of telling people that they can talk to me, I promise that I will listen to them everytime they have anything to say.
I, genuinely and honestly, promise.
~rosesngrey

Dear Sushant Singh Rajput!

Dear Sushant Singh Rajput,

When I read “The Fault in our Stars” by John Green, I came across a very touching quote “Pain demands to be felt.” But I never thought it would be you who would make me understand its depth and unfortunately, not by your acting but by your unexpected demise.

I am your fan, completely intimidated by your energetic personality, your goofy cute smile and your charming personality. But when you shared a list of your 50 dreams, you inspired me. You made me your follower and not just on Instagram but in life. I started following you and started to believe in my dreams when I saw you saying and believing “Living your dreams, Loving your dreams.” Your dreams spoke in a very different way in which “DREAMS” are usually told to be as. You taught me that your dreams can be anything, being it to play poker or to fly a plane, untill you believe in them and work hard to achieve them. And then you welcomed all of us to the place where your heart is, to your home. It felt as a complete reflection of you and dreams. There were just little things about you that are motivation to me and to all of us.

But maybe we failed you. We failed in feeling your pain. Being your fan, we were unable to tell you that we look up to you as an inspiration. We failed in telling you that we not only wait for your movies to come around but to see your dreams turning into reality. We failed to tell you that you were more than just an actor for the young people with big dreams. We failed to tell you that you gave us power to dreams with your commitment towards your dreams.

You are a brilliant actor. You have brought life to many characters and they will be with us forever. Just like you. You are not gone. You are here, enacting death this time and again your performance has left us all speechless. You were a star. You are a star. And you will always be with us. ALWAYS.

Your Fangirl,
~rosesngrey

Journey to the Untouched Paradise : Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Chapter 1: Take off✈️

In 2017, during Diwali vacation, Papa asked us if we can take a vacation in winter break. We all immediately said yes because it was almost 6-7 years since we had a full planned family vacation. We were already thrilled with just having a vacation, Papa said he wished to go to Andaman!! A fresh smell of salty endless sea and moisty wind just rushed across us while we started packing.
A month later, we all took off, for the “Journey to the Untouched Paradise : Andaman and Nicobar Islands.”

Chapter 2: Touch down 
With two layovers and three switch of flights, our sleepiness was vanished when we caught the glimpse of what is an Island.
Endless sea shining in the morning sun. Clouds as white as snow hovering as we landed over the small piece of land in the middle of nowhere.
On stepping out, the sea winds and clear sky was just mesmerising. With a lot of excitement packed with us, we left for our residence for coming days.
This was the view from our balcony of our guest house which felt like home.

Chapter 3 : Let’s Go!!
Imagine any famous movie scene where there is long smooth road. The car on it moves in high speed with green coconut trees on one side and ocean waves hitting the shore on the other. This was exactly how our ride to the beautiful sea shore; Munda Pahad! It was a very small spot but indeed a Paradise. Most unique thing about this place was that the trees that fell down were carved out to make benches and seats for the visitors. Isn’t it amazing!! Spending about an hour on that peaceful place. We moved to next one.
It was Chidiya Tapu! As the name says it was a home of birds. There was only one music, The tunes of birds chirping with the beats of waves banging the sea shore. It was pure bliss.
With the half day spend in the lap of nature, we looked forward to what’s next this place has to offer.

Chapter 4 : The story of struggle.
There is a famous saying “दिया तले अंधेरा”, this is what defines this place perfectly.
Long before Andaman became a major tourist attraction in India, it was famous, rather infamous for what was known as “Kala paani ki saza” in Cellular Jail. There is a plight, a pain in that place which is felt as you stand beneath the tree that has seen our brave freedom fighters cry in pain to the heartless and ruthless punishments of the Britishers.
The structure of the Jail was such that there is a central watch tower and seven spokes like cluster of cells in three stories. Each of the spoke was of different length because it helps in better surveillance. Each spoke had small dingy cells with locks such that they cannot be opened from inside in any case whatsoever. Standing on top of the watch tower all you can see is the endlessly ocean. It was a painful beauty to witness.
Currently four out of seven spokes have been torn torn down because of maintainace issue. After the sunset there is light and sound show, a painful conversation between the tree and the hanging house. The show ended with wegoosebumps, heavy hearts, mind filled with the gratitude for our brave freedom fighters and huge respect for Vir Savarkar Ji who spent a long time facing “kale Pani ki saza”.

Chapter 5: Islands in the Island
Day 2 of our trip was visit to small islands nearby Port Blair. First one was Ross Island. It once used to be the colony of high ranked officials of the Britishers. We reached there via motor boat and we had couple of hours to check out the place. It was a complete township with cottages, market places and even water filtering system. The island was very beautiful. There were tall trees all around and little animals like deer and rabbits roam about freely on this small island. It was itself a masterpiece.
Capturing the immense beauty, we moved to next destination which was Viper Island. It was a small deserted island which has only one thing there, The Hanging House. When cellular jail was under construction, the official hangings were done on this lonely Island. The remains of that place are still horrifying.
With the bitter sweet memories our day came to an end.

Chapter 6 : A home on the beach.
Our next destination was the very famous Havelock Island.
We were asked to report at jetty. A jetty is what we have a bus stand but for the boats and ships. We boarded the ship and as soon as the ship was in the sea, our ship turned into “Kaho na pyar hai” deck party. It was fun.
We reached there and moved to our resort. It wasn’t just a wooden cottage, but our very own personal beach with white beautiful sand and tall coconut trees all around. After a long party in the sea, it was a silent beautiful serenity to cherish.
Already thrilled with the beauty that we step our foot on, we awaited for the next adventure on the way.

Chapter 7 : Beachy waves
Havelock Island has one thing more beautiful than any other places, it’s beaches. In the noon we headed to Elephanta Beach. The clear waters of the beach held us in awe. It was so crystal clear that it was hard to believe that the water is salty, but it was. It was the place for the water sports. Beneath the crystal clear waters of the oceans there was a beautiful life of corals and we vitnessed it while enjoying snorkeling.
Our noon went by in the waves and there was evening waiting for us to with more beautiful surprises.

Chapter 8 : Serenity of Sunset
Radhanagar Beach, the name itself was so beautiful as was the place. The white sand beach surrounded by the green hills and the ocean spreading till the horizon. It was a beauty so mesmerising that no wave could wash away that picture imprinted in our minds. And then came the sunset. And it felt like after a long tiresome day, sun is on its way back home. The sky was filled with colors so vivid that it was hard to blink eyes even for a moment. Slowly and gradually the sky started to turn dark as the sun starts to meet the Sea at the end of horizon.
Is was certainly the most beautiful ending of an exciting day.

Chapter 9: Ticking off the Bucket list.
It was 5 in the morning and I woke up way before the time I was asked to report. I wasn’t on cloud nine but deep down in the sea of excitement. It was the day for scuba diving. Me and my brother reached there well before time as we didn’t want to miss out. We collected our diving gears and waited for our guide to take us to the beautiful world beneath the clear waters. The complete session was of 1 hour which included 15 minutes of breathing training. We quickly completed our training and were among the first one in our batch to enter the deep sea. With heavy weight along the waist and oxygen tanks on the back, slowly we started to move towards the seabed. If I use any adjective to define the beauty of what I witnessed then it would be an understatement. The coral reefs were spectacular and so were the fishes that moved around them. We saw the famous “finding nemo” fish and we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of rare puffer fish. It was all so magnificent that looking on one particular direction meant missing out on another direction which is also filled with wonderful creatures.
Those 45 minutes went away very fast and we were back in our resort with mind full of the world we have just been to.

Chapter 10: Rains and Rainbows
On our way back from Havelock Island to port Blair, it rained. Everything became even more than beautiful. And our destination was Wandoor beach. It wasn’t much famous, but was beyond words to describe.
It was bit far away from the main lands and it’s route went past the small villages. The narrow road with greenery on either sides and small huts in between. After the rain it felt like a little bird has taken a dip in water and came out with all her feathers drenched in the little droplets. It was that serene. And then we reached that beach. It was very small one with few local shops. It was a big surprise wrapped in small package. Adding to our surprise was the rainbow that came after the light drizzle. And then was sunset, quietly going back to its home and spreading its beauty all around.
We came back and as always our guest house owner, Rajan uncle asked us how it was and we all were blabbering about what we saw. He simply smiled and said that he was a civil engineer and he was the one to develop the route till the beach and turn into a tourist attraction. And probably that we have witnessed Wandoor in its best form, which not everyone gets to see.

Chapter 11: To the Native Andaman.
“Safar khoobsoorat hai manzil se bhi”, that’s exactly was our trip for this day. We were all set for a long journey for the day. It started with 4 hour long drive in the dawn to the gateway to the deep forests of the island. There were certain rules for entering the protected forest. For each slot there are only 200 cars with pre-approved permits and trained drivers were allowed to enter. The details of each person in each car was to be submitted. Cars were not allowed to stop anywhere in between and in any case breaking of line was not allowed. The entire convoy was lead and backed up by police force. All this was because we were about to enter the dense forest and home of native Andaman Tribes. After the 4 hours of journey and another hour of waiting at the gate we finally entered the dense forest. It was the kind of desiduous forest we read in text books which doesn’t allow light to fall on the ground. We also saw the tribes, the typical ones with the big spears made of stone and wood. On reaching the other end we took a motorboat and traveled an hour more to reach a beautifully crafted wooden passage inside the mangrove forest. It was a short trek of about an hour in between the swampy land which opened on the green fields. At the end for that was a narrow lime cave formed naturally. Although this was supposed to be the main attraction but the journey leading up to here was the treasure never seen before. It was a pure bliss to witness the same path again but it was hard to accept that this day is coming to an end. And not just this day but our trip has come to an end. It was nothing less than an untouched paradise.

Chapter 12 : Special Edition.
Andaman is special. Although Distance of Andaman from Sri Lanka is less than that it is from nearest point in India, there are certain things that make it not a tourist attraction but a home.
1. Andaman is in the east of India, hence, the sun rises around 4:30-5 am and sun sets around 5pm.
2. The Andaman airport doesn’t have any flights after 5pm.
3. Andaman has the naval base of Indian Army.
4. The place is not commercialised with some very common initiatives like Ola and Uber. Hence there is a little less rush.
5. Maximum of the beaches have banned carrying plactic. For each plastic you carry, a refundable deposit of rs 200 is taken. Bring back the plastic and take the money back.
6. The only network that works there is BSNL, Vodafone and Airtel, so all the moments were lived a little more enjoying and a little less on social media.
7. Andaman’s original habitants are only tribes. Rest of them are migrants from Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar and various other parts.
8. You will get one of the best Pani Puri in port Blair, that too in street style and street prices.
9. People there believe in integrity. They stop at each and every traffic signal when there is no other vehicle or the policeman.
10. “वासुदेव कुटुंबकम्” is not just the their slogan but their belief. Entire island community celebrate each others’ festival like a family.

And here ends the trip to the Untouched Paradise : Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Photos shot on Redmi note 3

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I have a question!

I have a question.
To all my friends out there,
Posting our national flag over their instagram and Snapchat feeds,
To all my beloved relatives,
Who are proudly sharing the long patriotic messages over the whatsapp groups.
How many of you exactly have actually saluted our tricolor.
Sang the national anthem with all your heart.
Remembered the struggles of the mytryls,
And the deaths of the uncountable innocents,
Who marked our independence with their blood.
I want to ask that how many of you, exactly wish to serve our nation with pride,
And not just by uniform,
But by humanity,
For the unnoticed and the unprivileged.
I want to know,
From each and every single person out there,
What exactly independence mean to you?
What does it feel to shoutout “HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY”?
Does this come from the very depth of your heart,
Or is it filtered according the social media you are on,
Or may be it is also pretentious like most of the things today.
Or may be we don’t have to answer this, rather need realise by our selfs.