The Moonless Night - A five sentence Fiction.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

The Moonless Night - A five sentence Fiction.

There towards the end of the marriage party lawn Kavya stood in glistening blood red surrounded by friends, dancing, laughing , hugging and chanting, all so innocent yet enticing. 

Giggling from there she turned and ran towards the stairs for our eyes to meet leaving me with a pleasant ache and follow her to the dark terrace despite the fact that I had left her with the broken heart at the airport, and moved to US to pursue my MBA three years back and never tried to know about her further.

The sky glittered with the uncountable stars in the dark moonless night and so did the thumps in the heart as I stretched my hand and switched on the light - thud - oh! my heart sank and I shouted as I saw her jumping from across the terrace.

I ran towards her screaming incoherently stating what I saw  to the crowd that had gathered from the party lawn by now.

Kavya! , but she died three years ago exactly the way you narrated, her friend Archana said from the back. 


Aditya Sinha

Sweet Memories of Holi

I have lived across Northern India - from Bengal to Himachal and enjoyed Holi – the festival of colours with different groups – different culture and in different ways. But the memories of child hood of this festival are still fresh especially when we shifted from our ancestral home to our new house Raza Bazaar.

We had shifted from a joint family to this house of our only in December and were fairly new to the colony. More over the area was new and had very few houses. The nearest otherwise developed colony was Samanpura – a fully Muslim inhabited area. And most of our friends were Muslims too.

Holi in Patna till now had meant a full day filled with fun for us. With very few neighbours here we didn’t know if we could enjoy the same way as we enjoyed in our old house. So we planned after playing with some colours with the neighbours we would go to our old house to play with all there.

Next day early morning we four siblings took our colours and were ready to move to the few Hindu neighbours in the colony. But hardly had we reached our lawn and what we see – a whole group of our new friends from the Muslim area decked in all colours. Our joy had no limit. So our Holi started and we started moving with the toli. From one lane to the other – one house to the other – Singing – dancing – playing – colouring and getting coloured. We enjoyed the utmost and returned to home by 2:00 pm. On reaching home we found that our parents were drenched in colours too. Especially, my father – who hardly ever played wet holi. When we kids had left there had been groups of my father and mother too who had come from the same muslim area and played holi.

Every following year the neighbours increased and toli continued to grow, but the memories of the first year which saw new friends playing Holi and no religion coming in between always remains alive as a sweet memory.

Aditya

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

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Ramayana – The Game of Life - Shattered Dreams by Shubha Vilas - A book review

Ramayana – The Game of Life

Shattered Dreams

Book2

This is the second book of the series by Shubha Vilas.

                                                                                – A book review

Books have always fascinated me. And the moment I get time I love going through novels that flow easily and have lessons embedded. Recently there had been series of books on mythology and mythological characters. I had been through some of these so there was always a question how would this book do justice to the epic Ramayana. A perpetual question was there if there is play with the plot and the characters to suit the present modern society?

And last week the book arrived from BlogAdda for the review. I was elated. Right I was elated as this was the first book I was getting as a free copy for review.  The first page with the praise of the book made me assured that its going to be worth.  And the joy perpetually increased as I went through the book. Despite the entire busy schedule I finished the book within a week. This is itself to say how gripping the book was.

The details of the book:

Title:                            Ramayana – The Game of Life  - Shattered Dreams – Book 2

Author:                       Shubha Vilas

Publisher:                  Jaico Publishing House

Year of Publication:   2015

ISBN :                        978-81-8495-531-6

Binding:                     Paperback

Number of pages:      387

Price:                         Rs 350

(In this series 1^st Book -  Ramayana, The Game of Life  - Rise of the Sun Prince Book 1)

I had read Valmiki Ramayana once but could not get much from it. But, I have read Tulsidas’s Ramcharitramanas quite a number of times as we read it in every Navratra (as Navahparayan). So the epic is well in my veins. 

About the Book:

The book is all about the Ayodhya Kand of Tulsidas Ramcharitmanas, beautifully presented as a narration keeping intact all characters and plots. Keeping the essence of the mythology intact, it is very lucidly narrated and made understandable for the modern society. The third person narration with link to modern principles of life makes you awe for the wonderful understanding of the original books and rewriting with modern approach. From the stage “Dasaratha” having nightmare in dreams – the “Kaikeyi” episode - Rama leaving Ayodhya - on to chitrakoot – Bharata coming to Chitrakoot to take Rama back, Anusuiya Mata and story – all are so vividly retold. You easily figure the live episode. And the best part is the fore linking and back linking of each act with future and past makes you understand how the universe works.

I must mention here the foot notes that are present in abundance on each page are gems in itself. If you miss the essence of the line or word in the novel reading, the foot notes make you realize how true and applicable it is.

e.g. (the paragraph ends with – “Wasn’t this what life was all about”⁴ )

And the foot note reads: Life is a combination of hope and despair the one dominates you carves your personality.

There is innumerable of these and a must read.

Adding to these are special pages especially highlighting the learnings and principles. These are so true and so practical that it should be incorporated in modern studies.

Just to quote: When Bharat comes to Chitrakoot to request Rama come back to Ayodhya – Rama gives the Management Mantra – The 5 Management Concepts –

Respect Management, Decision Management, Reputation Management, Team Management & Character Management - so relevant to your day to working.

There are many other in the book. It makes you understand why Ramayana is an epic.

My take:

I had loved the book for the sheer that it maintains the fragrance of the epic and has originality in presence with abundance of relevance to modern life. This book has made the epic reach to the modern youth society maintaining its originality and establishing its relevance. A must read for the youths. It makes you yearn to wait for the next in the series.

I would like to add on the personalised letter and the bookmark has just added to the sweet experience of reviewing the book.

This review is a part of the biggest <a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2011/05/04/indian-bloggers-book-reviews" target="_blank"> Book Review Program </a> for <a href="http://www.blogadda.com" target="_blank">Indian Bloggers.</a> Participate now to get free books!

Aditya Sinha.

Re-living the love moments

 Re-living the love moments

 “I am participating in the #SoundOfLove activity atBlogAdda in association with Bluestone”.

Love” is in the air. It all started with the rose day… And both the real as well as virtual world started looking rosy. SMS’s with Rose, WhatsApp with Rose, Calls with rose and in the city the shops with rose – All Red. The heart which had started losing its sense of romance started throbbing. The mind said you are still young. And the Heart started responding in situ.

Me at Aligarh and she in Dharamshala …. 1000 kms apart. Both gripped in one’s own world – the job.

So,  how?

Normally we meet in the last week. Either I go or she comes. Why not on 14^th this time? - I thought.

And there was the rush of adrenaline.

Mind and Heart attuned.

-       Let’s go to Barot … On the top of the mountain – below the clear sky – The world beneath – lush green – and moments of togetherness – only two of us.

No, she would not enjoy the long driving…..

-       Better I should reserve a seat in the nightclub at McLoad – dance out the energy. Go all out – whole night wander together – wine and dine and shake.

Sounds stupid.

-       Let’s just buy a Diamond Pendant. Women always love jewellery at any time. And may be order a dinner at home.

It’s the regular activity – like any other year.

So, what to do new? I wanted to do something new. BlogAdda has come up with this prompt and ignited the wish to will.  Sound of Love…. . Let’s be crazy this time… Let’s be young again.

It’s been now 16 years of marriage, I thought. We have drifted with time all along. Gifted as well - from cards to clothes, jewellery and dinner, everything.  Another set of gold or a diamond peck below the neck … it would just add to the wardrobe.

Let’s go back 16 yrs. or rather 17yrs … When I proposed. Those sounds of love. That night becoming alive again. And may be the same place, – Vasundhra Enclave.

I need to get that house vacated for one day. I called the tenant and asked him for the favour. He agreed when I booked him a room in Noida and also a dinner table in its restaurant.  In turn he would arrange his living room as per my specifications.

And the plan is finalised. It would stay a surprise for her. I would call her to Delhi on the pretext that she would be coming on 14^th morning for the admission transfer formalities of kids. Also reach myself and the day would remain as usual.

In the evening I present her a set of pink and white Anarkali suit. The same I gave her on that day. We would move out for a dinner together. And I take her to my old house in VE. She is surprised - wants to go to some decent restaurant. But I persuade. Move to the 2nd floor. Open the room B-56. And its dark inside. I switch on the light. Dark all around with a solitary chandelier spreading red light. In the centre is laid a small table with fragrance candles. A very soft instrument is playing in the background. There is only one chair. And she is made to sit. Same as I had done 17yrs back. I hold her from the back and ask softly  ….. So you are ready to spend your life with me …

(No it should be – Thanks for making my life beautiful. I would love to have you again and again in my life. Are you ready for it)

And bending on the knees I put the blue stone ring on her ring finger. This complements the old one already there.

She blushes and I seal her lips with mine. I know the response from her melting body in my arms. The souls are meeting. The sound of love is in air. It needs no more words.

Aditya Sinha

11.02.2015

Aligarh

This is live as - 

 “I am participating in the #SoundOfLove activity at BlogAdda in association with Bluestone”.

You may like the following on similar theme :

    

Social Media on Mobile Vs Web

‘Social Media on Mobile Vs Web – How has it impacted your life?’

“I am participating in the #SMWBangalore activity at BlogAdda in association with Social Media Week Bangalore“

“Social Media on Mobile vs Web” – every time there is a change in the normal movement of society we start debating on its benefits.

I can recall times when there was strong debate on print vs electronic media on advent of TV. Computers yes or no when there was switching to its mass implementation. Benefits of social media became a hot topic in corporate world among the HR and Brand Managers, when it started penetrating the working cabins. And now we are moving to social media on mobile vs web.

In all above situations and any other technological advancement that has taken place in the past – we have found that it not only makes its own niche but also adds to the effectiveness. Here too, the movement of social media is creating its own mark and providing a platform to move to the next level.

If I need to enumerate the benefits categorically let me start from basics i.e. as the name specifies in the words of Wikipedia “Social media are computer-mediated tools that allow people to create, share or exchange information, ideas, and pictures/videos in virtual communities and networks ....….”

So the soul of the word is in creating, sharing or exchanging. I am sure you would agree that the smart phones with enhanced data storage capacity and cameras give us the best platform to create best real time activities. Further, if we have created a real time story, be it in words, pictures or tweets why not share immediately. This is only possible through Mobile and not on Web. Today, we are enjoying a party, attending a marriage or sitting in a conference, we just click / record or pass a tweet to all concerned in one go. No need to carry a camera, click first and then wait till evening to transfer to the computer and then send it. By that time may be there are 10 more things you feel like sharing. 

So social media actually helps us in

1.    Real time handling (as explained in the above paragraph)

2.    It actually aligns with the present approach to life i.e – available 365 days - 24 Hrs. So you are with your social network always. If we really want a help, it can actually be available immediately through Mobile not a laptop. Imagine you face an accident on a highway – pass on a message on the WhatsApp – a click of accident and need immediate help – see the response. Is it possible with Laptop

3.    Above also signifies that it makes an easy accessibility and easy to handle. No need to carry a laptop and a camera separately and then look for places to keep it safely. Just put a good smartphone in your pocket and the world of connectivity is in your pocket.

4.    Now as you have multiple social media sites working on different themes we tend to have multiple profiles as well. Connecting with family and friends on Facebook, sharing professional expertise on LinkedIn, reacting instantly on twitter, chatting continuously on WhatsApp and so on. So once you synchronise all this on mobile it integrates with the numbers saved on your mobile and thus makes world still small.

5.    As all data are synchronised you can search the person easily and more widely with a mobile than on the net. It gives a broader scope of search and identification.

6.    Time Management is an integral part of all planning. Once you have the social media on your Smartphone or tab it just slips in all time management. You don’t need to open face book to see upgraded statuses or linked in profiles or even check mails. It just pops up on your mobile and you pass on eye on the same without disturbing your works. It actually makes you work multi-dimensional.

7.    To add to the above point – I would say it helps you manage your ideal time in the best way. Imagine you have gone for a meeting with your client and he got busy in some meeting. Sitting in the conference you open your tab and write a blog on your favourite topic that relieves your stress.

8.    It helps you stay with your family unlike TV or Biwi concept, or a fight for checking your fb profile first. Here, all of you have a handset separately and thus check the popups separately. So enjoy with the family. No fight at all.

9.    In most offices the social sites are blocked on their band with. So, once you are connected on the mobile you don’t have to depend upon the office internet connection. You actually stay connected ethically.

10. And above all the credibility increases as it is linked with numbers and easier to track a mobile when any wrong activity occurs. It can be tracked to the last step.

So what do you say more. It’s clear its impact is more progressive and helps you being more social. I am sure it would help in moving to the next level of connectivity and accessibility.

Aditya Sinha

10.02.2015

The above post has been written in reference to the SMWBanglore activity on BlogAdda viz. “I am participating in the #SMWBangalore activity at BlogAdda in association with Social Media Week Bangalore“

SMW Bangalore is centred around the theme of ‘Upwardly Mobile – The rise of the connect class’.

Winner of mid week passes for the Social Media Week Bangalore

I told you so...

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Not even 10 minutes back I saw from the balcony – “She was playing downstairs with all the kids.”

Mamma narrated frantically as she could not locate my four years sister Pinky, anywhere.

“They all were playing here and I was busy preparing the food for the puja” She tried to explain the situation to all the uncle’s and neighbours. 

"She must be in the house itself", One of them said.

“Did you see her going anywhere?” – Another asked from us - the kids.

“Did any one come here?”

Questions were bombarding and we were just negating our heads not understanding the fuss.

They started running here and there. Big brothers and aunties tried to look in all corners, under the bed, behind the doors….

Some ran to the terrace.

Few toward the right side of the road … few towards the left….

One returned … not in this lane ..

No…

Mamma was crying regularly.

Everyone else was worried.

Almost half an hour passed and then we saw the big uncle coming from one corner of the road. With him clasped to the chest was Pinky. And there was someone else. Yes, he was holding the hand of an old lady and pulling her along.

He handed her to Mamma.

“Where had you gone” She asked weeping and clasping Pinky to her chest.

“She told me she would give me Toffee but she just took me away…”

“I told you so… I told you not to go out of this gate”

“Mamma ab nahin jaungi” is all she could speak.

Where is the Budhiya- “the old lady”. Someone asked

We looked around.

She had managed to creep into one of the lanes and run away.

We entered the house realizing why Mama told us so.

Aditya Sinha

01.02.2015.

(An instance almost 40 yrs from now …. When kids were stolen like this in small cities)