Insipid Interview ??

April showers bring May flowers...

The words kept echoing in her mind....nervous to the point of sweaty palms, this wasn’t doing her any  good.

The sheer number of ties and jackets in her peripheral vision sounded the death knell in her guts....what was she thinking, turning up?...the entire city had landed up here, well all graduates from the top colleges at least.

The interview surpassed her expectations, the panel of seven did intimidate her but fumbled across to the finishing line....

Until  asked how soon she could join...blurted out without a second thought, “April”. Blushing at the puzzled faces , realised it was almost September.

Hunger Strike - My Take

The occasion called and many rose to it...not all could tamper their schedule to represent...the ones that did, were splendid and articulate...bringing to its knees...an adamant, corrupt serpent of a government was no mean achievement...

They fasted under camera glare...I skipped my dinner in the unseen confines of my den...raised slogans, placards, held candlelight vigils...I applauded quietly forming the backdrop...

The goals achieved, the promise proclaimed before millions of witnesses...they parted, extolling the virtues of meeting again...

I wondered if things would indeed change how many of those raddled, weary denizens could withstand the urge to take the easy way out of bribe and scribe....or stay steadfast on the moral high ground they preached from, to one and all.

Girl Child - An Alternate Reality

Burned to ashes...

Never to be held to the warm bosom.

As I watched, weak and helpless,

The comforting embrace of known arms 

Enclosed in their hold, not for long.

Mud I smelt, wet, dust caused sniffles

Calloused hands unwrapped the blanket

Shivering  body laid to rest...

The billowing earth, burning lungs,

Choked cry stuck in the chest

Wriggled, twisted in agony,

The ochre colours blinding the vision,

Left to breath my last.

The heavens sadly smiled,

Warm burrowing hands desperate in their search

Burning tears of rage, echoing growls from deep within

My saviour stood fearful

Till my feeble cries of thanks he heard.

Grandfather never minded

Was his daughter's last thread left

You murdered me almost, father

Your own flesh and blood

Wouldn’t it have made a difference 

 Had I been a born a boy??

Friends - Love Them Or Leave them - Here To Stay

I came, I saw, They conquered 

Anxious

Ballistic

Charming

Diffident

I came, I saw, They conquered

Enriching

Fierce

Gullible

Honest

I came, I saw, They conquered

Inspiring

Jealous

Kempt

Lovable

I came, I saw, They conquered

Miserable

Nerdy

Opinionated

Popular

I came, I saw, They conquered

Querulous

Restless

Sacrificing

Temperamental

I came, I saw, They conquered

Unique

Versatile

Worldly

Xenophobic

I came, I saw, They conquered

Yesterday’s

Zenith

We met, We lingered, We parted, We reminisced.

Enterprising - Breaking Male Street Bastions

The dawn filtered through the flimsy curtain.Time to hit the road again...a quick breakfast....morning ablutions completed, the door to her tiny tenement locked.The drizzle made her glad at fixing the shades last week.Taking her usual spot at the stand, she awaited the call...kick starting with ease, drove at a comfortable speed...obvious.with kids in the back seat. Dropping them off to school 4 kms away, she parked near the gates....early morning meant that she never lacked company. Soon it was noon, busy more often than not...home, a leisurely lunch later; she left for the weekly meeting at the tiny shed. Two hours of advice and tips later, an urgent call to the railway station had her rushing off.The meeting always brought back old memories of her violent marriage, her escape to Delhi, her house and job hunts and to the curious path life had taken her..

Being the first female autorickshaw driver in North India hadn't been easy. The lack of funds, uncooperative, disgruntled male drivers had made the first few years miserable...her commuters,specially women had made her stick on...now 9 years after her first ride, she was a proud owner of her own vehicle.