37

Dear Readers, 

                    How little do we know about the things that we mostly take for granted? All these years, I was proud of the fact that I belong to Marwar, India's desert and am well-versed with its every nook and corner, its each dialect, its varied customs and demographic web. However, recently, I had to rectify my views when  I discovered an altogether new dimension to this glorious and beautiful landscape. 

                     On my visit to a tiny hamlet nestled in the middle of the Thar desert, Meghaniyon ki dhani, I saw something which bewildered me. I traveled through spectacular country covered with different colors sparkling under a warm and crispy winter Sun. The drive to the destination took me through interesting places: Korna, the famous medieval barony of Uhar Rathores( I was elated to see its kot or castle from a distance), Madli, Sarekhiya Purohitan and Patodi, famous villages en route. I was thrilled to drive along the famous Pathankot-Kandla Mega Highway, a smooth silky road promising loads of pleasure to bike enthusiasts.
                  The countryside is full of surprises and treats to the eyes. Sometimes, you come across lofty sand dunes which entice you to tread upon them. At other times, rocky outcrops give the impressions of miny mountain ranges. The natural depressions caused by rainwater flowing from these high lands are the most picturesque. The little water collected henceforth, results in the formation of oasis around which grow lush green fields of mustard,  wheat or Pearl millet. If you have any imagination, it would be an artistic pleasure to paint a picture in your mind of the intricate drainage pattern of Luni, that mighty river of our desert, which meets the Rann of Kutch..... South-west Thar! lets start a fresh love affair babes........

                     

36

Dear Readers,

                     I happened to be in Jaipur during the last weekend. The pink city was clad in tricolors. Not the tricolors of our national flag but those of the oldest political party of our India, the Indian National Congress. The entire stretch of road right from airport to Birla Auditorium was decked up with INC flags and huge portraits of the triumvirate. There were huge bill boards displaying images of Rahul Gandhi and thanking him for his visit to the state capital. In India, even a democracy sometimes lets you feel the majesty of monarchies. 

                  It is beyond contention that under the present circumstances, a certain degree of dynasticism has become a stark political reality of our nation. It is indeed a dangerous phenomenon which should be a cause of concern for those who wish well for our Constitution. However, this post talks about a somewhat different topic: the 'historic' speech delivered by the Yuvraj. I speak as an aware and highly skeptical citizen and not as a die-hard fan of Nehru-Gandhi family.

                 Rahul Gandhi speaks with a voice that sounds honest. Even during the speech delivered on the eve of the Nuclear Agreement, he was calmly trying to drive home his point in the face of rowdy hooting from the opposition. This time, he spoke with a candid outlook and his content was brisk and meaningful and most importantly, original. As a prospective national leader, he did not shy away from laying bare his inner fears. It would be whimsical to crown the Prince as an Emperor just at this trivial pretext of sounding basic. For this, he will have to tread upon vast lands from sea-shores to troublesome jungles of Central India, from the lost bastions of Gangetic valley to grain-baskets of the country. None the less, his charm lies in his simplicity and graceful conduct. It may be no surprise if his success comes out of an appreciation of this innate trait by the farmers and workers of our land.... .             

35

Dear Readers,

                   Bikaner is like a fairy tale full of palaces, colors, dust and camels. Like any fairy tale, it does get painfully slow, lazy and frustrating, some times. Well! 'sometimes' would be an under-statement. Actually, most of the times and here lies the challenge for rash dudes and jumping jacks. How to survive and not loose your nerves?

                 Every morning on my way to work, I face a similar situation. A tough situation if you hate history and think that it is a useless subject. I have to wade my way through camels and camel-carts. They bring your jeep to a grinding halt from a speed of over 60 kms an hour and then you have to wait till they finish their lethargic turns. It is they who decide the traffic rhythms and you are left with no other option but to enjoy the music on air. 

                   Today was a different day, however. While negotiating my way up to the Uni, for a change, I decided to mould myself according to the city-pace without complaining. I attempted to look at the people through the prism of historical observation. To my surprise, I saw so many things that amused me. Behind all the rickety and cumbersome chaos, there lay poetry. Fine sand  from across the border displayed mirage images of Bahawalpur, Multan and Kabul; Smiles of slender girls radiated the warmth of winter Sun; soothing farts of lazy afternoons sounded the happiness of Marwari banias relishing home-stay after years of struggle in Calcutta or Guwahati or Chennai..........A thousand lives will be less to live the magic of history and imagination........ 

"Kim dived into the happy Asiatic disorder which, if you will only allow time, will bring everything to you that a simple man needs", - Kim, Rudyard Kipling.

34

Dear Readers,

                    Watched two videos in the evening and wonder what they had in them that made me feel so superb about life. I believe there is some magic in art which touches our soul and then gives us that vital energy so much necessary for carrying on with life. Any form of creativity is just a mirror that shows us into the souls of people and quite often but not, into our very soul itself. 

                      There are songs and there are videos( from music albums) that hit us. They make us think of special persons in our lives; special moments and special feelings. Speaking certainly about my own experiences, I can  imagine how happy do I feel when even a remote association is made with the subject. The pangs of loneliness, the splurge of delight, smothered emotions being let out, bonds of trust and faith solidifying, love oozing out and being reciprocated and millions of such delicate feelings. All this flows out right at the time when the precise chord is struck just like when acupuncture needles trace origin of pain inside a patient's body.....