Revive

I penned this poem years ago. Revival is not only inevitable but it is necessary as well. Everything stagnant rots. Shedding off emotional baggage is an important step of this process.

Heal

An injured and depressed Mother Nature is healing herself; Water is clearer and grass is greener. Good for her that the dark forces and demons are locked up for some time. This is a conceptual artwork. 

Medium- Soft pastels and FC Pitt Pens on A5 pastel matt paper.

Dream

World has everything for those who dream and keep hope afloat. This conceptual work conveys that no matter how dark it is, even if time has lost its pace and days and nights pass like sand in fist, even if dust on the windowpanes make it difficult to look far ahead, one can still dream. Be it a desire to be in snow capped mountains or in a quiet country cottage, of a river in a pine forest or lying under starry open sky, just remove the dust of hopelessness for the fire of hope gives light and warmth from within.

Medium: Soft Pastels and White gel Pen on Black Card paper

Ocean

'The Ocean has its silent caves,
Deep, quiet, and alone;
Though there be fury on the waves,
Beneath them there is none' 

--The Sea is History by Derek Walcott

This work is done in Camlin Soft Pastel on black Brustro A5 Pastel Matt Paper.

Earth

Medium- Color pencils and soft pastels on black card paper.

Grapes

 

Done with mixed media on 5*7" watercolor paper  

Help Kerala

It seems God is livid with His own country. With extreme floods all around Kerala, over 373 people lost their lives within a fortnight, while at least 280,679 people have been evacuated. The state is on a high alert. It is a time for us to donate as well as pray for the people stuck in such a painful situation.

White gel pen on black card paper

Little Chikadee!

Medium- Sketch pen and white gel pen

We Owe Not Own

Have you ever wondered why of late most scientists have been keen on discovering water on other planetary bodies like the fiery Mars or one of the Jupiter’s moons called ‘Europa’? It is because the simple transparent liquid we take for granted is the first step towards life. History states that all civilizations started near rivers. We are nothing without water and dehydration is far worse than hunger pangs.

A few days back, a friend while searching for a rented accommodation told me that his only criterion was availability of water notwithstanding a higher rent. This is today’s reality- areas that boast of a good water supply are considered ‘premium’ compared to others. However, the real picture is much dark and ugly. India’s water tables have been depleting fast and in many areas- as fast as more than one meter every year in NCR, and in some areas near Ghaziabad, people have no option but to drink arsenic laden poisonous water for survival. We have taken water conservation so casually that it is now hitting us right in our faces. Already, thousands of people from Indian plains are migrating to places with water availability. Many rivers have dried up and the rest are badly polluted. With major rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Krishna and the like turning into sewers and dumping yards, fresh drinking water has become a precious commodity. The ‘World Health Organization’ estimates that in the developing world, around 80% of all diseases are water related. Sadly, the revered river Yamuna is technically dead; its oxygen content is zero and it has little aquatic life. Lakes too have become extremely filthy. Looking at the world as whole, only 2.5 % of the water on Earth is drinkable and most of it is getting polluted faster than we can even imagine. Formation of water-mafia, quarrels, gang-wars and even murders over water have become ubiquitous.

Link

We need to understand that we do not ‘own’ but ‘owe’ resources to our coming generations, just as we preserve the property in a school or college for it to be used by the forthcoming batches. Not just our country, the whole world is facing water crisis of one type or another.

To combat the problem effectively, little steps taken at home and office will be very helpful-

1.  Saving Leftover Water- The leftover water in glasses at home and office can be collected in a bucket or a container and can be used for various mundane activities like for plants, car washing and floor mopping. In my home, one person uses one glass throughout the day and glasses are kept covered so the unfinished water is not wasted.

2.  Car Washing- Wasting gallons of tap water in car washing is one thing I openly condemn. Wiping with a damp cloth works well too.

3.  Fixing Faulty Faucets- Leaking faucets are a leading factor in water wastage which can be massive in the long run. Fixing them will result in much conservation over time.

4. Avoiding Frequent Washing- Using washing machine only when load is full and avoiding garments that require much water to wash has become a must now.

5. Low Flush- Using half-flush or low flush toilets that use only 4-5 litres  of water per flush helps in reducing water wastage.

6. Cutting on Meat- Reports suggest that a vegetarian diet decreases per capita water consumption very much because it take gallons of water to rear animals for meat.

7. Rainwater Harvesting- This idea, though not new, is indeed the most brilliant and important idea for water conservation and can be applied in residential societies and even individual houses. The concept is simple- the rain water is collected through pipes in a pit or tank for reuse. This has worked well everywhere it has been applied. In fact, it is a part of life in many North Eastern states in India.

8. Spartan Baths- I suggest the bathrooms should be used not for long luxury baths or elaborate beauty procedures, but quick baths. Use of bathtub should be avoided as it leads to colossal water wastage.

Link

On an average, 150 liters of water is used per person per day and 70% of all freshwater is used in producing food. For this we can add more efforts like, keeping taps off while brushing teeth.  If per-capita water consumption decreases on a macro scale, it will surely help a lot in marathon. Another important thing is to teach our children to save water right from a tender age. Such a generation will grow up and conserve resources in far better ways.

I personally believe that concrete pavements do not allow water to percolate down to ground hence negatively affecting the water tables. Also, city sewage must not be discharged into rivers directly but only after a proper treatment in sewage plants. This will help a lot to keep our rivers clean and alive.

Livpure that started under the SAR Group, is India most trusted brand of water purifiers in India and aims to spread the message of #CuttingPaani wherein the unfinished water must be collected and used. This is just one initiative by Livpure; there are millions of ways in which we can save water. Before venturing out on far away planets in search of water and life, we need to focus on our planet by conserving water, for water is life and life begins only with water.

I will leave you with this little poem by writer and parliamentarian, Shashi Tharoor in which he emphasizes importance of water-

पेड़ों के बिन यूं लगती है जैसे धरती नंगी है

कैसे होगी वो हरी भरी? जब पानी की तंगी है

मातृ भूमि की सेवा को हमें अपना फर्ज़ निभाना है

जितना पानी बच सकता है उतना हमें बचाना है!

Check out this awesome video- 

I have contributed to this cause and you can help too 

by signing this wonderful petition@ https://www.change.org/p/cuttingpaani

#CuttingPaani  
#IndiChange

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Leaves

'Under the quiet dead leaves,

A new season breathes'

Colorpencil on 130 gsm paper

Pic by Sally Robertson

Haiku Horizons- Sink

This is for Haiku Horizons and this week's prompt is 'Sink'

Barren sun-burnt hills

Rivers rotting of flotsam

Even God’s heart sinks

5-7-5 

Truly Together!

In these technical times, we have achieved a lot but on the cost of togetherness and heart-to-heart bonding. Now we see far more cases of elders spending long afternoons alone, waiting for their ever busy professional office going children to remember them once in a blue moon and kids who have a life of their own and are consumed by electronic gadgets  and television. Also, with urban colonies coming up, every inch of land is covered with concrete. In such times, it has become a task to come together to enjoy each other’s company and spend time in the lap of nature. However, every problem has a solution and one important catalyst that can make us achieve this goal can be the nature itself. Spending time in nature is not enough; rather, taking up a project can solve both the issues.

We can find a patch of raw land, or simply take two or three planting pots and start off! Seeds are available in the market and even online very easily and I would love to recall what the ace writer Late Khushwant Singh once said, that there are few things that are really therapeutic and gardening tops the list! Watching a plant grow is to unlock your emotions and feeling one with nature. For example, we can plant small household plants like tomatoes or ladyfingers that are easy to maintain. For this we can come together and this way every day or every other day, plan a small tea party as well. Growing flowers and sharing tips with neighbors and friends is also a great way to come together and experience warmth and bonding.

I remember an incident where an old couple, on their front yard, sort of exhibited their cactus collection for the colony to see how amazing it was! Not many of us know that cactus plant gives beautiful flowers and is one of the most beautiful plants. Many people shared tips and some took photographs even when there were no digital cameras but only the traditional film-roll ones. Their socialization popped up suddenly and I saw them smiling more often.

In the digital era too, we can blog and form groups with like-minded people and come together for gardening or improvement of a colony park. I think this will not be necessary even, because real closeness is to be found with our neighbors and friends. However, another relevant point is the involvement of children. They must learn to open their hearts and break the ice and feel how deeply and beautifully one can find solace with nature even in the midst of an urban life.

I planted tomatoes once and along with my family members, I tended to the plants. However, the crop wasn’t bumper but still we loved tending to it and the desperate wait for that little green raw thing to become a full grown red tomato soon was awesome. Try doing such things, you will never forget or regret!
(Real pic of our tomato plant)

To find how you can come together, do visit www.kissanpur.com

I agree to ensure (to the best of my abilities and circumstances) that this blog post remains accessible in an un-altered state for a minimum of one year.

The Squirrel And The Bird!

On one huge tree, lush and wide

With leaves green, flowers white

And branches dancing in breeze

A tiny squirrel was at slight unease

As this was the third time this week

When she had peanuts for snack

Too bored, she ran to her shack

High upon the tree, on a bough

Next to the office of Mr. Crow

Who was also the Chairman

Of company ‘Jet Black Aviation’

He looked at her and gave a grin

To which she said a hello to him

And knocked at her round gate

Made totally out of walnut case

She went in and asked her mother

“Why peanuts for snack and supper?”

But momma squirrel was a bit busy

And that made the little one edgy

She again rushed outside in a jiffy

Before momma could solve her query

There she saw her buddy, the bird

Who was of the same age as her

Eating quietly her butter-popcorn

At her glanced the squirrel little

Both had fought over a matter trifle

Birdie teased one popcorn at her

And she threw her peanuts in anger

Old Rev. Sir Parrot when saw all that

Slowly flew down putting on his hat

He called both, squirrel and the bird

Adjusting his red necktie, said-

‘To share is friendship

A thing most precious

Have snacks together

To stay buddies forever!

A friend is a lovely thing

And is God’s blessing!’

He smiled at the squirrel and bird

And then went back to his work

The little squirrel and her friend

That day had their soreness end

After that they shared the meals

And always stayed best buddies!

Images from- here and here

Life (Haiku)

New dawn after storm

Another bud opens up

Life has to go on

Image- thumbs.dreamstime.com

Toil

A long walk in blooming greenery

With wild oak trees for company

Wind whispering secrets to lilies,

And streams humming tunes lazily

Isn't a solitary long walk catharsis

Relieving soul of many a menace?

Hold on! There is to it another face

Real truth is that life is a mad race

Toil is fated for us all, you and me

We have to work, quite inevitably

Be in office or in dust, we've to see

That kitchen fires burn comfortably

And this slog sucks each second

Of our rhetoric mundane being

Years pass and leave most of us

With mere dreams of walk-in-woods

Image- patheos.com

Two Acrostics

Slowly to earth arrive the flakes

New and spongy as bits of cakes

Over and over I watch the scene

White delight is just so serene!

Blues and reds flicker in sun 

Innocent chirps boom in lawn

‘Robin’ I’ve named my tiny bird

Dear friend of mine it has become

Image from- animals.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/967344/

A LUNCH TO REMEMBER

I once had an opportunity to visit a village deep inside Gujarat, with 3 of my team mates as a part of my rural dissertation project. I would call visiting a village an opportunity because what I felt there was a peculiar feeling of purity and rawness that’s always absent in metros. That village was quite unapproachable and we had to walk a lot and also take local modes like makeshift autos and carts.

The serenity and tranquility there was capable enough to cast its spell on anyone; I too fell in love with the pristine nature. The view was quite scenic and very beautiful. We interviewed a farmer as a part of our project. That old farmer and his wife were very courteous and requested four of us to stay back for lunch.

The food was freshly prepared. The chapattis were made on an earthen tava (hot plate), the menu consisted of baingan ka bhurta, kacche chane ki sabzi, bajre ki roti, achar (pickle), gur (jaggery) and chhachh (thin salted curd). The taste was as wonderful as that village itself. Flavor coupled with loving hosts made that lunch truly memorable. No cuisine in this entire world could match that taste and flavor. I still long for that tadka! The spices were far more aromatic than all those packaged ones available in the cities.

Also, there was a cotton tree in their backyard. With their permission I collected lots of pure cotton in a plastic bag; I still use that for my puja-path.