Long lost friends

“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” - Marcus Aurelius

It is one of those nights- long and lonely, dark and quiet. But beautiful and mysterious. It has something to say.

She keeps to herself and walks upstairs. The open terrace seems embracing. "Nothing happens inside your comfort zone", but comfort is what she needs at the hour. She finds a corner place and sits. 

She looks up. 

And in a trice remembers how often she would do that as a little child. "Can you imagine a night sky without stars?", she had innocently asked once, and pondered years later, "No, you cannot imagine a sky not lit with the stars, just that is how your presence should be in others' life, unimaginable and inseparable". 

She carefully looks at each of the bright stars, slowly taking their name turn by turn, no she does not need an 'app' for that. 

The years have failed to fade the brightness of their names. She has to only blow away the cobwebs in her mind, of matters far trivial. As if by a miracle, all stars reverberate her name, in recognition of an old friend! 

The moon hides behind the wispy clouds and playfully says, "I was always here to hide, you never came to seek". "We always kept a watch on you, ever since you were born, and will continue to do so", said Sirius seriously.

Canopus seemed slightly displeased even in the happiness of seeing her, "Why did you not look up at us, what made you so distant from us?"

"Remember how you would wake up in the middle of the night to see me in my full charm", said the huge Scorpius."I continue to be beautiful if you glance at me through the huge eye of the scope, and even otherwise" said Saturn, more glorious than ever.

The stars are alive and breathing. They have a fire within, which makes them so brilliant! And yes, they are 'faultless'.

In no time, a conversation lights up the silent night. The night is indeed long, but no more lonely.

She drifts into her world- a world of starshine and moonshine. The stars never judge you, though they have seen your each move. here will be city lights, but don't forget the stars that lit up your night sky!

"No, you cannot imagine a sky not lit with the stars, just that is how your presence should be in others' life, unimaginable and inseparable". 

Setting Twenty- Fifteen

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending" ~ Carl Bard.

As we all get ready to bid adieu to 2015, a  lot of random thoughts play in my mind, I thought I should pen it down.

While at times, the year seemed to whiz by, at times it slowed down to edge of stopping. But Time doesn't wait. And Life moves on. I realized that no one is going to wait for you in the past, and moments cannot be frozen, (except of course photographs!). 

The things that we chase down may never be for us. And some times, ironically the very things we chase are right beside us. Just when you think, it the end of some things, Life will turn around and hand it over to you as though you deserve it.

Realized that a bit of encouragement and appreciation will not harm, and that gratitude should be genuine. Set goals, but don't forget to live! People will come and go, but you will be with yourself forever. Be kind to yourself.

There is no place called a destination, it is all now, a journey. Live it as it is. Each. Single. Day. Without any expectations. There will be happy days. And sad too. It is a game even nature plays of light and dark! Never a year has been so full of all possible ingredients of emotions.

A big THANK YOU, to all those who have been there for me, and made me stronger each day, 

to all those who were not there, you'll taught me to live more independently than ever, 

to all those, who gave me the greatest gift-their 'time'. 

Wishing you all a happy and cheerful Twenty-Sixteen!Embrace the future <3

Wanderlust

Ever felt freedom?

I do, with each newer road I travel to.
The long journeys are liberating,
each new bend is a new opportunity, 
a new window for a beautiful view.

The greens of field bring freshness,
the magnificent mountains are awe-inspiring,
the blue sky is enchanting.
The rivers so vibrant as they call you along with a song,
the ocean waters instill in you a sense of minuteness,
the waves wash away all the sorrows with the sand.

And at night, when the stars take over,
each little bright point offers you a bit of hope,
assuring you of their existence, 
today and always
even in the stillness of the night 
they care for you like a silent secret.

Discover yourself as you travel along the Life path!

Monsoon Blues and Festive Hues

A cool breeze blows, a light drizzle begins, soon turning into a heavy shower! Welcome Monsoon. Four months of rain and rain transforming beautiful landscape. The green carpet is laid. Farmers rejoicing, dams filling and maintaining the cycle of seasons. The picture of India welcoming the Monsoon. 

But not this time.

The word monsoon is derived from the Arabic word 'Mausim' meaning season. It is the seasonal wind that brings rainfall to India. A complex phenomena involving several factors-moisture laden winds, droplet formation, orographic barriers, and even the El Nino effect. With around 60% of land area being agricultural land, India is heavily dependent on the monsoon. The farmers obviously planning their crop cycle accordingly. I'v been in Pune since birth. This city is blessed with a modest climate and sufficient rainfall. The Sahyadris revamp into exceptionally beautiful landscape after the rains. The water supply comes from the reservoirs on the city outskirts throughout the year. The scene this year is way different. 

It's mid September and the monsoon is set to withdraw from the country. The outlook seems grim. With several regions in state and country facing a severe rainfall shortage. Water cuts have begin. Even the Koyna dam (this region usually receives very heavy rainfall during monsoon), one of the largest in state is at critical water storage. While we continue frolicking for festivities, our fellow farmers harm themselves irreversibly. They are forced to move out from their villages to cities, which are already heavily populated facing employment crisis. 

I am no economist or a weather scientist, nor any technologist. 

I may not know the ways in which our State's or country's economy could be affected. Or in predicting the monsoon accurately. But I understand this is to change. It is already changing. The coming years will not be the same with monsoon beginning in June and ending in September. It may not be a normal or an average one either, filling the reservoirs comfortably. It may be delayed. It may be excess, erratic or sporadic. Are we prepared to tackle such erratic changes?

On the other hand, when you see around, the people seem ignorant and unaffected. We continue to waste water, harm the natural cycle 

(all the more during the festive time), we continue to spend lakhs on 'Dahi Handi' or 50 feet Ganesh statues. We continue to use plastic, thermocol for the 'decorations' to please the God. Our expenditures include a lot of festive fun and frolic for the ones that are already blessed with food (a lot of it) and shelter, in the name of 'Vargani'. I am not against the celebrations nor in hampering this festive spirit, flavour or colour. But, have we lost our sensitivity or is our emotional quotient subdued in realizing the desperate situation we are about to face? Can you be happy while several people fight for water (literally, people protect the water stored from water thieves encountered in drought hit regions), commit suicides, migrate to different regions and more. 

But if we could be a little more aware, giving and concerned, and channelize these bits, by one and all, in a place where required, won't the people's God be happier too? Even if you put 10% in the right place at the right time, things will change marginally. May not be drastically, but slowly and surely. It can be money, time or resources or even something as simple as spreading awareness. Let our choices be more green, clean and social. Let us try to redefine the way we celebrate festivals and come together for a cause rather than just for entertainment. 

Beyond statistical modeling and prayers, lies a much complex story of the monsoon, which turns blue every single year. Are we ready to face the change? I have done my part, and strive to improve each day. Do you?

Koynanagar during peak monsoon, August 2013.

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May the Lord bless you All! Happy festivities :)

HUBBLE, our Cosmic window!

HUBBLE !

The astronomy community worldwide celebrated the birthday of very dear- the out of the world-Hubble Space Telescope, this year in April. But Hubble is no ordinary telescope. It is a revolution. It has been there, seen it, far and sharp! All through the 25 years of its existence. Yes, 25 years! Faithfully sending ignorant Earthlings several thousands of pictures. It is definitely one of the most powerful astronomical instrument ever made yet. It orbits the Earth, more than 500 kilometers high above its atmosphere and takes its name after the astronomer Dr. Edwin Hubble (who confirmed an 'expanding' Universe, the foundation for Big Bang theory).

Hubble began its adventurous journey in 1990. It is a space based observatory. Hubble can see visible, infrared and ultraviolet light. Hubble has seen both near and far beyond. Spectacular planets, dynamic nebulae, giants stars, graceful galaxies are just a few wonders to name.It has so much to its name and so many profound discoveries, that naming a few is a seemingly difficult task. It has changed the face of astronomical research. 

From the concept of accelerating Universe, to Hubble deep field picture showing over 3000 galaxies, in being a key to answer the age of the Universe question, spying the monstrous black holes, collecting evidences for evolution of galaxies, or discovering worlds beyond our Sun, the exoplanets; Hubble has contributed to every branch of astronomy from planetary to cosmology.

Hubble is a giant eye up there!  The magic of Hubble will mesmerize generations to come.

With some one like Hubble to take a click, even the Universe gloriously poses! 

Don't forget to see the Hubble portfolio, a journey to fall in love with the stars again.

Thank you Hubble, for showing us the Universe we never imagined.

http://hubblesite.org/

http://hubblesite.org/gallery/wallpaper/

https://www.spacetelescope.org/about/

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/

Hubble, stay blessed! <3

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The legacy of Hubble will be carried forward by JWST, exploring light of the Universe!

http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/

Rainbow

Spanning the spectrum of colours
High in the sky
& meeting the Earth
Lasting only momentarily
Behold, a rainbow appears!

Enjoy the rain and the sunshine
for it brings out the rainbow of your life!

:) 

Rainy night

She sat quietly in the corner of her room. Not stirring any emotion, rarely a blink. The curtains fluttered and the breeze that gushed in got the fresh monsoon smell. She liked that smell. So pure, just like her.It was her favorite season.

If you don't enjoy the rain, you miss a divine experience of your life. 

The raindrops she felt on her face would liven her up. Now no more. A steady pitter-patter had began. She hardly realized. Her face blank, suppressing the turmoil that arose inside her. A cyclone was building. 

Do not blame others for the situation you put yourself in, she had said once. Her heart raced to blame the fate. Deep inside she knew she had put herself in a canyon too deep to come out on her own. It was a canyon of trust and understanding. 

The more you trust, the more it pulls you towards it, enticingly. Only time can tell whether you remain hooked because of the trust, or a hypnotic habit. 

At any given time and situation, nobody knew exactly what she would be thinking, how she would be feeling. Except One. She reminded herself, except One. A sudden awkward frown, she became uncomfortable with her own thoughts. 

Aren't thoughts supposed to be your deeper self, you should be attuned too?  Why do my own thoughts trouble me? She gasped. Are my perceptions too idealized? Am I incompetent to face the reality? The harsh reality. Why me? All the questions raised at the same time, made her even more lost. 

She took a deep breath. It was too much to handle for a single day. She sighed, wondering why did she ever start accepting the very things she ran away from. The world had always been a bit harsh on her. 

It was thundering, the rain incessant by now. She could not make out what time of the day it was, or many hours she sat there. She felt a sudden urge to eat something. She could not remember which meal of the day she had skipped.

Embrace weakness with a smile, it gives you the energy to face it. She was too tired to smile. She wept, the night was lonely, the rains kept her company. 

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Learning creative writing, this one a piece of first attempt.