My dense black hairs are loosing ground,
Plenty of it shinning like a silver crown,
Grace to see this time in life,
A luck all I need to remain in sight;

The day looks near when I leave the plight,
Time will tell then the course of flight,
A harsh sunshine in the summers to come,
Or a snowy touch in the winter months;

Some of you will touch my noble soul,
Like a deep imprint on a rocky shore
It's all I carry, when I fly next
Leaving the sum in some safety chest;

Remind me oh God please plenty of time,
Starting with the first rays of morning shine,
whole day then goes like a silent stream,
Each drop soaked in some noble theme;

Yashpal 28/12/17

कौन सही, कौन ग़लत

सन 1959, 19 साल कि उम्र औऱ हसनपुर (पलवल, हरियाणा) में अध्यापक कि पहली नौकरी।

रविवार, आज स्कूल की छुट्टी थी, इसलिए समय भी बहुत था। सोचा, चलो आज वर्ज़िश के बाद मन्दिर के पास वाले कुएँ पे नहाया जाए। गरमी के दिन, नीम के घने पेडों की हवाएं और उसके उपर कुएँ का ठंडा पानी, ऐसा लगा की किसी ने स्वर्ग देखा होगा तो शायद ऐसे ही सुख का अनुभव किया होगा।

घर के हालात, नई नौकरी और अविचल सुख के ख्यालों में कदम बढ़ाये ही थे, कि देखा एक बाबाजी मंदिर के प्राँगण में समाधि लगाए बैठे हैं। घंटा, 2 घंटा बड़े धयान से उस समाधिसिथत इंसान को देखता रहा।

बाबाजी ने जब आंख खोली तो मेरा परिचय लिया और मैने भी आग्राह किया कि अपना चेला बना लें। बाबाजी ने सब जानकारी ली - घर, परिवार, नौकरी, माली हालात, और एक ऐसी बात समझाई जो 58 साल बाद भी एकदम सही बैठती है।

"देखो बेटा, इस तरफ बहुत से लोग किसी न किसी निराशा की वजह से कदम बढ़ाते हैं, मगर यहाँ कोई विरला ही सच्चा मिलता है। तुम निर्भय, निरबैर और बिना किसी लालच के अपने कर्म करते रहो - स्कूल और घर बस यही तुम्हारी कर्मस्थली हैं,  इन सबसे जब थोड़ा समय मिले तो प्रभु का सिमरन अकेले बैठ, खुद ही कर लेना"।

"Such a simple & profound advice - only a man of pure heart can give this"

यशपाल 27/08/17, after a brief with Papa, over panchkula incidents...

Lovely Forty

Easy to go for the wish you do,

It's 40 and you know that too!!

Long are the days and no one to prove,

It's 40 and you know that too!!

Only a handful of friends now stick to you,

It's 40 and you know that too!!

Life is short and you clearly see that too

It's 40 and you know that too!!

Nothing is important than the time, you invest to,

It's 40 and you know that too!!

Love the way you are, and let other change, perception too,

It's 40 and you know that too!!

.......Yashpal 22/07/17

वक़्त

जिंदगी को समझने कि कोशिश मे, उसे ही सताने लगे हैं,
मेरे कुछ दोस्त अब, बूढ़ाने लगें हैं!

जिनकी क़ुर्बत (closeness) से डरा करते थे तूफानों के मंजर,
वही नाव किनारे लगाने लगे हैं,
मेरे कुछ दोस्त, अब बूढ़ाने लगें हैं!

हर बेवजह बातों पे जो महफ़िलें सजाते थे,
वही आज ख़ामोशी से, घर जाने लगे हैं,
मेरे कुछ दोस्त, अब बूढ़ाने लगें हैं!

कभी जिसे मुठी में लियेे चला करते थे,
आज वही वक़्त से मार खाने लगे हैं
मेरे कुछ दोस्त अब बूढ़ाने लगें हैं!

उनके दिलों कि धड़कने, चुरा लिया करते थे कभी
वो आज खुद से ही नजरें चुराने लगे हैं
मेरे कुछ दोस्त अब बूढ़ाने लगें हैं!

यशपाल १७/०७/१७

सफ़र

पानी  की एक लहर थी बस,....... यूं ही चल पड़ी थी !
हिम शिखरों से होते हुए,घनी कंदराओं से गुजरते हुए,..... चल पड़ी थी !!

ना मंजिल थी ना ही कारवां था, और ना ही कुछ, होने का गुमान था!
डरना सीखा ना था मरना पता ना था, जीने का एक सुरूर था बस,.... उसी से चल पड़ी थी !!

रास्ते बढ़ते गए, कारवाँ गुजरते गए, नए विचार नए एहसास फिर वो भी मिलते गए !
कुछ यूं हुआ की मैं, मैं ना रही, इक दरिया बन गयी!!

दरिया से अलग अब जी ना पाऊँगी, मुश्किल है, उसके साथ चल भी न पाऊँगी !
और दरिया को बदलने की जद्दोजहद में अपने अस्तित्व को मिटा भी न पाऊँगी !!

क्यों न कुछ ऐसा करूँ, दरिया में बहते हुए एक मूक दर्शक बनूँ!
अठखेलियाँ खेलती हुई चुपचाप से सागर में जा मिलूं!!

कौन जाने,,,,, फिर एक वाष्प बनके उड जाऊं!
और जा मिलूँ उस सीपी से, फिर आग़ोष में खो जाऊँ !!

यशपाल ०२/ ० ८ /१ ४

Now or Never

ज़ुस्तज़ू जिसकी हो, शिददत से कर गुजर!

कुर्बत से रुह भी निकलेगी तो बड़े इत्मिनान से!!

यशपाल १८/०१/१७

Padharo Mhare Desh Re (Welcome to Jaisalmer)

The time we reached Jaisalmer fort, it was looking as strange to us as must be to foreigners. It was bright yellow colour everywhere, the temples, the houses even the water tanks. 5000 families’ lives inside the fort since ages and it’s a lively fort compared to the others in India which are nothing but hotels or museums.

The day went exploring the streets inside the fort, museum and the room for the night stay. Desert festival was going on and the folk songs and dance in the Poonam singh stadium gave the glimpse of what is going to happen in the Sam sand dunes on the last day of the festival.

Next day, we booked the camel safari. There were 8 people in the group, Me and Pasha (Delhi), Camilla and Jenifer (Austria), Wahid and Emma (Sweden) and two girls from UK. We started at 8:30 am, reached some place, 40 km from Jaisalmer on the way to Khuri by jeep. Few guys were waiting for us with their camels, quilts and food. So without wasting time we got on to our camels, it was a bit difficult in the start but as the time passed, it was nothing but all fun.

Guides with us were all multi functional; they were the guides, cook and singers too. During lunch time, as it was getting hot, we took a break for about two hours when those guys cooked for us. Me and Pasha helped them in cleaning the vegetables and cutting them into pieces too. Jennifer helped in making the chapaties. Others took a nap, it was like a family. We reached sand dunes by evening. First experience of being near the dunes was amazing. Sand was shining like a gold and inviting us to travel across, sit on to see the sunset, cool the beer in the sand when it gets cold, take rest on it looking at the stars and praying that no snakes would come out from near by bushes. Camels were chewing all night and they sounded like someone is coming near you. It was all windy in the wee hours, so one needed sleeping bag and a quilt.

So once the sun sets in, we started with the drinks and dinner. Guides turned into singers now and sung few folk songs for us. They are the smart people, never been to school but know how to impress a foreigner. One of the song they played on the tunes of `I am a Barbie girl`.. was `I am a camel man, in the bloody sand…its fantastic` ha ha. It was nice.

It was nice to see the sunrise too, seeing the changing colour of the sand. Guides woke up late and they covered the distance in hurry. So it was fun to be on running camel but with gritting teeth.

In the evening, we headed towards Sam sand dunes. There were folk songs and dances on the dunes in the full moonlight. Ghazi Khan Barana, the famous and internationally renowned musician played some really good folk songs. It was good to hear the instruments, one such was `Khadtal`, it was really astonishing. Kalbelia, ghoomar and few other folk songs were quite good.

Tip: Do not miss a camel safari, I would recommend one and a half day one. It’s a tourist friendly state, so no risk even if you are alone. Other includes visiting fort, haweli etc. It’s a small place, so you can cover most of it on foot.

Moyteh Mizoram

`Moyteh`, a Mizo word stands for beautiful girls in the region but it has the potential to refer the whole Mizoram by itself. The natural, untouched beauty and the people friendly culture attract to explore the rather un-explored area.

The moment my flight landed on the Lengpui airport, the scenic beauty outside was giving an indication of the coming days around Aizawl. I stayed in youth hostel and spent three days in trekking to know the region by myself. The `Reaek` village and its hilltop were the most fascinating attraction to me. During my one week journey, even to the remote villages, I found the place extremely peaceful and very clean.

You would hardly find the so called `tourist attraction` places because of the low exposure and connectivity. Mizoram has miles to go before it harnesses its true tourism potential. The best thing you can do there is by yourself. Browse through the region, meet people and know their culture. People are really friendly and honest; they have the similar level of interest as that of tourist to know about. They might even call you for a chat, take you in to their homes for a cup of `Thingpui` (Tea) and even to the extent of stay. This reminds me of my casual chat in the bus and there two college students offered me for a walk. That whole day I spend with unknown people, getting into their college, meeting their friends, market, K.V. Paradise (someone made for his beloved) and end up having dinner at their home and meeting with their family.

I went to see the Tamdil Lake; a beautiful lake amidst the virgin forest is just 85 km from Aizawl. I found the nearby village Saitual, a very peaceful and scenic place. I cancelled my return ticket of that day and rather stayed there for one night. `Fortunately` the tourist rest house was full and I end up staying with one Mizo family after the youth hostel secretary – Ms Muani helped me in that. That stay turned rather more pleasant, living in a village like a local person. A local guy from that village took me to various places there, meeting with new people, having coffee with his principal (from Manipur), walking on the streets and chewing `paan`. It was just fantastic.

The unplanned trip rather turned more pleasant and there was nothing I could expect more out of this. Someone truly said “The best things in life come free.”

When to go:September to March, weather is good throughout the year as tropic of cancer passes through Mizoram.

How to go:
By Air: From Guwahati/ Calcutta to Lengpui airport. This is 35 km from Aizawl.

By Bus: From Guwahati -> Shillong -> Aizawl (Overnight journey)

Things to see and do
Around Aizawl: Town, Reaek village and its peak, Falkon, Tamdil.
Other places: Blue mountain national park (Phangpui),

Best is to do un-planned travels and walks.

http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2008/jan/14sld1.htm

Dalhousie-Kalatop-Khajjiyar-Chamba

I went for trekking in Dalhousie region (Himachal Pradesh), organized by Youth Hostel Association of India (www.yhaindia.org). This NGO works towards a wonderful aim of national integration and give youth a chance for adventure programs. People come from various places and soon you find yourself in energized place where everyone is enthusiastic about the activities inc. camp fires (I’ll name it Candle Fire, a chance to perform or share your experiences. I think whole idea is to easily mix with people), trekking, nature etc.
The first day trek was Dalhousie-Kalatop (height 8000 feet, 8km). Nice trek with beautiful view of the `Peer Panjal Ranges`. Kalatop named after the dense forest there, clouds in the mountains looked as if dam was over-filled and the water is flowing out of it. We were able to see two foxes but no bear. Night was freezing and temperature dipped down to -4 degree (C).

Second day trek was Kalatop-Khajjiyar (11 km) through the forest. Imagine the taste of Maggie noodles along with a cup of hot tea near the water flow. It was amazing, thanks to the hawkers. We celebrated the New Year eve in Khajjiyar and went to sleep around 3 am.

Third day, Khajjiyar- Chamba trek (10km) was even more beautiful, walking along the lush green meadows.

Last day, we came back to Dalhousie by bus and enjoyed singing over the top, tried to enjoy each n every bit of the nature. YHAI distributed the certificates to the whole group and we came back with new friends, nice memories and enthusiasm to go for next trek.