To Be Or Not To Be

One moment I feel I am the king

And the next I feel like questioning my Existence

Each day feels like a burden

I wish to break free but can't find a channel

Every house I visit is litten up with their dreams

Not sure why only mine is, a clouded minefield

So much I want to talk or

Make them understand

Cannot find any ear to listen or

A shoulder to cry

That feeling of being alone in the crowd

Seems to be turning into reality

Cannot create anymore façade

For the ground below seems to be shaking

Feels like running away from all this mess

As a way out is still not visible

Though I don't wish to 

But end up pouring my troubles

In someone else's vessel

I hope I do find a way

Before I loose touch with self

Until then, I have to be silent

As for sure I do not wish to add

Anything more in the bargain

-SR.

आयुष्याचे कोडे

नक्की प्रश्न सुटले की गुंता अजून वाढला

हेच समजत नाही

पसरलेली ही शांतता सुखाची आहे 

कि येणाऱ्या वादळाची चाहूल

तेच काही कळत नाही

श्वास आहे म्हणून आपला काही तरी करतोय

पण आत्मा जणू हरवल्या सारखं भासते

कोणाशी कसा आणि काय बोलू 

तेच काही कळत नाही

व्यक्त केलेल्या भवनांने मन तसं हल्कं झालं पाहिजे

पण तसा आनंद मला काही जाणवतच नाही

जे करतोय ते योग्य आहे कि अयोग्य 

ह्याचं देखील काही ठाम पत्ता नाही

मोकळा श्वास मिळेल कि अजून कोंडी होणार

हेच समजत नाही

कारण प्रश्न नक्की सुटले कि गुंता अजून वाढला

हाच पेच काही सुटत नाही

-SR.

The Journey Continues

You always lose something when you win
And win something when you lose

Life isn't a perfectly planned template
Nor any plan is executed to perfection

World is woven by a billion lives
Each strand of life calling the shots

One cannot come to a conclusion
For any happening in their lives

Coz the movement of this entire web
Is what we define as our Present

Every story ending has multiple characters
Who contributed to it's end
Even by not being visible in it

Acceptance of the outcome is the only option
You will be left with
When the trying period is gone

Crying for what you didn't get is folly
For, in the bargain, you will lose on
What you truly deserve

Head Up. Stay Strong. Fake a Smile. Move On.

-SR

PS: May The Force Be With You !!!

The Art of Moving On

Practical pessimist sometimes I call myself
Take pride in inventing that term

But wonder where do those shields vanish
When it comes to moving on from certain situations

Not everything is going to be as per our thoughts
Is the harsh reality of life

Then why doesn't heart accept that fact
Instead keeps holding on to
Even a filament of hope

When it's almost clear you are a failure
Why don't just walk on, instead of lurking behind
To see some sort of magic
Unfold in front of your eyes

How can I be practical when I can't be one
And holding on to fake optimism
How can I term myself a pessimist

Such a tragedy life seems to be sometimes
You have to let go those things
Which were part of you for a fair amount of time

Wonder when will I live up to my tag
For The art of moving on is still not on my side

-SR.

PS: May The Force Be With You !!!

Jigarbaaz

She talks too much, like a chatter box
And takes it very seriously
When you say Laugh Out LOUD

Sometimes she is a walking example of chivalry
Whereas on some occasions she will firing from her AK 47

Has a knack of doing some cartoongiri
That turns the spot light on our group
So be it banging the table while laughing
Or the volume of her White tooth speaker

Mostly visible in her bedroom chappals in office
But she also does dress for the occasion on other days

She is a good cook that I must say
But when it comes to eating herself
She doesn't have a universe beyond
Sada Dosa and Dry Gila Bhel

My one of the Sources of information *Sshhh*
Though she doesn't drink, but she knows many things

Apart from all the masti, indeed a cheerful soul
Always ready to help, even if you don't ask for

A Strong headed and no nonsense Aurat
A friend with a heart of GOLD

-SR.

PS: May The Force Be With You!!

Deadman

Something is changing I can sense it
But feels like I ain't in control anymore

I do not wish to do it
But some force is making it evident from within
And I can't even stop it from doing so

Not able to fake it, even when truth is impacting
Totally clueless on how to deal with it

Silence cannot be a weapon now
For I am in the middle of a battle

But historically, I have never been effective
When I am not silent
Have spoiled the pie more, than being the cherry

First time I have no words to express
My inner turmoil
Nor do I feel I have any ears around
Who can understand

I just don't feel anything anymore
Neither the status quo nor the consequences

I don't know what to write further
For I can't sense life in me

-SR.

PS: May The Force Be With You and Please With Me Too.

ते प्रेम

त्याला शोधण्याचा प्रयत्नं मी खूप करतो
पण प्रेम आहे कि सापडतच नाही

डोळे आणि कान नेहमी उघडेच ठेवतो
पण त्याला मी, ना ही दिसतो कि ऐकू येतो

कसं आणि कुठे शोधू मी तुला
हा प्रश्न मला सारखा पडतो

अजून कुठला प्रयत्नं करू
की तू हि येशील माझ्या वाट्याला

आपल्या माणसांच्या गर्दीत सुद्धा हरवल्यासारखं भासतं
एखादं पाऊल चुकीचं तर नाही पडणार 
याची सतत भीती असते

लोकं विचारतात मला, "काय व्याख्या काय तुझ्या प्रेमाची ?"
तर माझी उत्तरं अगदी सोप्पी असतात

आयुष्यातल्या प्रश्नां ना हि जगायचं उमेद देतो
ते प्रेम

नात्यामधील गुंते सोडवण्याची गम्मत ज्याला कळते
ते प्रेम

जे सहज हाती येत नाही आणि आल्यावर ही रोज कमवावं लागतं
ते प्रेम

आयुष्याच्या काळोखात जे मशाल पेटवून जातं
ते प्रेम

प्रत्येक क्षण त्या व्यक्ती सोबत जगण्याने आपल्यात जी ऊर्जा निर्माण करते
ते प्रेम

म्हणून कदाचित माझ्या वाट्याला येत नसावं
कधी कधी वाटतं आपण प्रेमासाठी बनलोच नसावे

पण तसं असला तरी हार काही मी मानणार नाही
खडतर आहे हा प्रवास पण काही  तरी मार्ग निगेल
असा विश्वास आहे माझ्या मनी



-SR.

To Princess Consuela Banana Hammock

Without actually teaching, you taught us a lot
Without preaching, you enlightened our path

Your words were true, for your struggle was real
Only an empty stomach can show you
This worlds true layers

Your emotions were raw, for your feelings were true
The spark in your eyes, when Ross gave the first bike
Portrayed the innocence, a childhood you never had

Your tears were real, for your heart was pure
Be it for David or Mark, the love was true
For it had the warmth, you had waited all your life

You taught us to not pity your own past,
Never take sympathy for the war scars

You thought us not care about the world
To Run the way your heart wished to
And not surrender to some stupid world order

You taught us how to love and hold on to it
For everyone isn't lucky to be loved or
To have attention and respect
Or be someone's lobster

You taught us to live in the moment
For that is whats in our control
So make the full of it

You gave us a reason to fight
No matter what comes our way
To always be weird and smile all the way

-SR.

PS: May The Force Be With You !!!

Words Flow

When I lose
Words flow
When I win
Words flow

When I cry
Words flow
When I smile
Words flow

When I try
Words flow
When I fail
Words flow

When eyes glow
Words flow
When eyes flow
Words flow

When I feel low
Words flow
When my feelings soar
Words flow

When heart craves more
Words flow
When it cries on the shore
Words flow

When emotions doesn't finds a voice
Words flow
When heart is filled by its tide
Words flow

When healing process begins
Words flow
When no ears to hear
Words flow

When I have nothing to hold on
Words flow
When the bucket is full
Words flow

-SR.

PS: May The Force Be With You !!

Winter FTW

Winter is the real thrill
For it makes you shiver from within

Winds of winter turns the chaos
And restores orderliness
For peoples teeth chatter more than their tongue

Winter is the real deal
Like a silent death axe
It cuts you with a flick

But that doesn't make winter bad
With the right amount of warmth
Winter is the best season to have

A hot tea on the chilly November morning
The warmth from the cup and heat from the beverage
Perfect dose to lift the blanket

A song of Ice and fire to read
In your armchair near a fireplace
A perfect blend for an indoor weekend

A touch of whiskey
Surely won't be that risky
To create a fire within

And to make way for this heatwave
The arms of your partner to make you sweat
Just the right ingredient to retire for the day

-SR.

PS: May The Force Be With You !!!

Seeds Within

How much should one feel bad
For the mind games that play inside

Of course when you actually hurt someone
One does and should feel the pinch

But what when you just have thoughts
Which never got implemented

Should you feel bad for criticising someone?
After you realise, you were wrong all the way

Should you apologize for holding a grudge against someone?
When reality is the opposite of your assumption

Should you publicly feel bad when you blame someone?
For a frustration they never actually triggered

Yes, for sure, all this happened only inside your brain
But isn't there a possibility, that those thoughts
Can take a shape tomorrow in the outside

Maybe not publicly, but do spare a thought in acceptance
That you were wrong
So next time you have control
On what seeds you plant in the inside

-SR.

PS: May The Force Be With You !!!

Fall is eminent

Innocence is losing its place
In these lights and chaos

Today everyone wants to touch the sky,
Achieve the impossible.
Weren't some lines, meant to be not crossed?

What was the top some time ago
Now acts as the base camp

Agree, progress is essential
But balance needs to be maintained
Why wait for a 26th July, to wake us up

With the rising heights, our egos are inflating too
Once neighborhood was considered an asset
Today we treat it as an obligation

A simple law of nature, we all choose to ignore
When the pace gets higher, the fall has already begun

-SR.

PS: May The Force Be With You !!!

Regret - A Cross Forever

Regret is one of the worst feeling
For it hits you from the inside

Heart cries out loud and no one can listen
While the one you may have hurt
Sometimes pinches more hard
Adding further fuel to the fire

Regret, no matter how much brutal it is
Mostly comes, only after you did something intentionally

Among all the nails that pierce you in the inside
The worst one that hits is the feeling
That things cannot be undone now

For at some moment in the past
While trying to prove your point
You crossed the line, either by action or words

That being said, in some cases
You yourself are the victim of your own actions

For you don't regret coz you hurt someone
But some action or words that weren't suppose to happen
Were spoken in the heat of a moment

So the only thing that remains to be done now
Is learn to Move On, as the timeline can't be changed
And it's a cross you will have to bear, forever

-SR.

PS: May The Force Be With You !!!

George - The Man who Brought Country To Standstill

The moment I heard the news of George Fernandes passing away, two incidents immediately came in front of eyes as a flashback. Though none of family members are into politics but somehow it is an inseparable part of my life. And history being my favorite subject, which unfortunately I realised very late in life, so reading through the lives of people who left a mark on this subject books' pages always gives me a feeling to read as much as I can, till I am able to shape my own opinion about that chapter.

First incident was somewhere in the 90s, when there was a political rally organised near our building. I was just walking with few of my friends towards home after school. Seeing the political parties flags flying around near the grounds, I too joined in to check who was the guest. After hearing the roar and excitement I came to know it was the then Defence Minister of our country, George Fernandes, himself in Bhandup, Mumbai. From far away where I was standing, I could see a lean man with big spectacles wearing a khadi type formal shirt and trouser walking towards the stage with some people around him (who were his security). Being a school kid, reaching home on time was fixed and any fluctuation in the same might result in wrath of the parents. So I left the ground even before his speech had started. And those weren't the days when you had the luxury of YouTube wherein you can reach home and check in to the Live Streaming or watch an uploaded speech later. 

Second incident must be a decade or more back from today, when the Railway Unions had given an ultimatum to the then establishment about their intention to go on a nationwide strike. Being a normal college going student, commuting by train was daily affair. At the end of each day of college when we use to bid each other the traditional good byes, the final line used to be, "Kal Miltey Hai, 7:12 Main". That was the local trains time which each of us would board at their home destination ensuring we reach college in the same train. So watching all the banners of the Labour Unions at all stations was a regular affair. Though we weren't that concerned about the strike as that would lead us to more holidays. But I remember over hearing conversation among the working class as to how this strike will impact the day-to-day lives of the entire population. If the Railways come to a halt then it means, technically, the country will come to a halt. Also people had started drawing parallels to the famous 1974 Railway strike which had halted the Indian Railways for a total of 20 Days. This is where the Man of this Blogpost comes into picture.

Born in a Mangalorean family during the time of the great depression, George Fernandes as his parents wanted him to be, was on his path to become a priest. However the basics that any political leader should have in his/her blood is not allowing injustice prevail, was there in the case of George. Due to some unfair food habits in the seminary where he was being trained to become a priest, he had tried to raise his voice against such practices. But when his voices fell in deaf ears, he finally carved his own path by leaving the seminary and also giving up on his priesthood. I couldn't help but draw parallels with another person, few decades before George gave up on becoming a priest, who also had given up on this path of becoming a priest and later on turned into one of the most powerful person of the 20th Century and who also altered the geographical history of the world forever. He was none other than, Adolf Hitler. Thankfully, George didn't turn up as the Fuhrer.

Georges first hand into social activism was when he tried to unite the workers in the local restaurants in his home town before turning his eyes towards Bombay. The country had just become independent and power centres were now being shifted from Mountbatten to Nehru. Apparently, the entire political career of George was such that he never adopted or supported any 'isms. But the only 'ism to which he was always opposed to since the start till the sunset of his political life was Nehruism-Gandhism. From Jawaharlal Nehru till Rahul Gandhi, all the four generations. As the new country was taking shape so were its new problems. George initially started with his stints as Union Leader for labours in restaurants, small scale industries etc. Back then Mumbai was the Land of mills. With over 60 Mills in Central and South Mumbai, huge chunk of labour force was employed in these industries. Spending his first decade in these mill lands, George tried to unite all the unions under one banner to ensure the labours got their rights and there will be no divided opinion amongst them which will, indirectly, serve their masters.

After this came the era of 60s. There was huge shift in geopolitics within the country as the Bombay Presidency was split into two and resulted in the formation of two states Gujarat and Maharashtra. With this new opportunity, George finally took the plunge in to active politics. He was offered a party ticket by Samyukta Socialist Party from the South Bombay Constituency against the mighty S.K. Patil from the Congress. George, nevertheless, won this election thus getting the name tag of Giantkiller. The aftermath of the election result was a new sun had risen in the labour movement in Mumbai, Whereas for S.K. Patil, this election ended his political career. The Mangalorean boy had noe become the essence of labour activism in Bombay textile mills in the area of Lalbaugh and Parel. However with the rise of private companies in the 70s, George failed to make in roads.

Then came the big year, 1974. By now Indira Gandhi had tightened her hold on party as well as country. And that when the Railway strike happened which went on shake the entire establishment. The 1974 strike forced political parties across the spectrum to spell out their stand clearly. Labour unions are mainly the intermediaries between the labours and employers.In this case the Indian Government turned out to be the employer whereas All India Railway mens Federation was the union who under the leadership of George Fernandes was leading the strike. Now many people then didn't knew the fact that though the Railway Board was supposed to work under the Government, but they had more autonomy in carrying out the day to day affairs. Hence most of the labour reforms in Railways even if genuine remained in the back burner on account of the bureaucracy. After all the unsuccessful meetings with the establishment the labour unions under the leadership of George Fernandes announced a nationwide strike on 8th May, 1974. 

Over 17 lakhs employees participated in the strike pan India, thus bringing the entire nation to a standstill. The strike which went on for 20 days finally culminated on 27th May 1974 and is one of the largest recorded industrial action in the world. Many current employees in the Railways who today enjoy good working conditions, more than decent pay scale and a comfortable life. Much of the credit goes to the 1974 Railway Strike. I am not not going to write any details of the strike as there is already lot of facts and readable content on the internet. The intention to write here is just to share my perspective. 

It takes more than something for one person to achieve the peak which George Fernandes achieved in his life time. When we look at the things happening around today, such strikes for demanding the rights of labour can never happen. Because each politically affiliated union is formed with vested interest. There main intention, today, is to cater the needs of the employer and make the employees slog for them. In today's corporate world where labour unions are banned, the people appointed to do this task for the employer are branded as Human Resource Department. Leaving apart the BEST buses strike which happened in Mumbai in February 2019, rarely will you find the labours also united for a cause. The fighting spirit in each of us has turned into a surviving spirit. It is difficult to survive in the cut throat competitive world. Who is going to waste the energy in fighting for the rights against the employer and end up being a collateral damage in such wars. 

Those times will never return back now. There cannot be another George Fernandes in the 21st Century who can rally the labour class against the establishment. He had earned the tag of "Bandh Samrat" for this stint. Later on he had also become the Railway Minister for a year during the V.P. Singh Government where he played a crucial role in providing finance for the most crucial project of Kokan Railways. He also was the Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayees government during the Kargil War. 

There is one incident that deserves a mention as an endnote which gives a complete opposite view of this mans life. Maragaret Alwa from the Indian National Congress had mentioned this incident when she had visited George when he was diagnosed to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. What she had seen had shook her completely and inspite of being a political opponent she couldn't hold back her tears. As she went inside the ashram where he was undergoing the treatment she saw the firebrand politician playing with toy building blocks which was meant to improve his eye-hand coordination. 

-SR.

PS: Late post due to some unavoidable circumstances

PPS: May The Force Be With You !!!

Fire Within

Difficult it is to explain each of the thing
Silence is a better way

Not easy to zero down what troubles you
Or who troubled you
Silence is a better option

Answers are not always served on your plate
Whilst cracking the nut you may hurt someone
Or self inflict an injury in the bargain
Here, silence is a better path

No one is here to solve your problems
People are either curious or may care as per their conditions
Hence silence is a necessary act

Never give other person the control of your life
Future is uncertain,
And the weight of regret is always heavy
Hence sometimes, silence is the only way

So keep digging till you reach the core
Channelise the fire within where it is needed more
For being silent, doesn't mean just being idle On the shore

-SR.

PS: May The Force Be With You !!!

Walk On

Not all can understand your reality
Let it be

Not all will be comfortable with your actions
Don't try to please everybody

Like you, everyone is fighting a battle of their own
Always be aware of it

Some days may just pass, while sometimes
Even few moments may feel they'll everlast
Live through it

Hope might not be a right thing to suggest
For someone who is hanging above a deep valley
Still, hold on to it

Sometimes, one battle decides the fate of the war
This may be it

No one will understand your struggle
So wear a smile and keep walking on

-SR.

PS: May The Force Be With You !!

Heartbreak

Just when I thought it was my time
Fate turned the tide

Ship was about the reach the shore
And suddenly the wind swept it aside

Heart was about to glide in the sky
When someone burst the balloon

At least hoped the landing will be safe
But the fire of the parachute went cold and dry

Love was ringing the bells in front of my eyes
24 by 7
But when the defining moment came
It got pierced in the middle, never to heal again

Just when things were feeling like falling in place
The entire castle came down in the blink of an eye

PS: May The Force Be With You !!

-SR

House of Cards

Such is life these days
Like a house of cards
One blow of wind
And everything falls apart

So much we feel
We are in control of things
When actually we are just
Moving with the wind

Such is our view
That we feel we are on the right path
One blow of darkness
Even our shadows leaves us, lonely in the dark

Even a small victory
We celebrate with great pomp
But that noise is actually for that victory
Or to suppress those voices, that we choose to keep unheard of
Not that I can be sure about

I don't know in what I am doing
Whether I am right or wrong.
Taking one moment at a time
But sometimes just that one prick
And the entire balloon bursts apart

Every step is taken with caution
To not spoil or ruin of what is still left
But such is life these days
Like a house of cards
One blow of wind
And everything falls apart

-SR.

The Paradoxical Climb

Lot many questions play in my mind
But I wasn't sure how to zero it down
To explain them in one line

I have been in search of it for quite sometime
But in vain, with each new find

Maybe to an extent, I may have found
A night before I am going to burn my ass off
I feel I can explain it in One Line now

What is Marriage?

When you read it, it appears
A mere question for the crowd
But, truly, a nightmare for the sane lot

Though if you ask me today, I will say
Marriage: A Paradoxical Climb

For what you may perceive as End
Will actually be a new Beginning

Coz the beginning is initiated after yesterday's end
And todays end will be tomorrow's beginning

Every step you take to reach a destination
Turns out to be just the next step
For a new journey

Every day is a new day, a new climb
Which you have to make

And when you retire at the EOD, beneath the starry skies
It's actually a warm-up, for the next climb

So if someone is promising you a rosy future
Trust me, it's a white lie

For they haven't thought it through, of the micro pebbles
That later may turn into a landslide

None can be sure what the end will look like
But the exploring part, that's where the beauty lies

Intentions is all that matters to stick together
When things will be dry
Coz in the highs, even an unknown will come
And give you a high-five

A parallel support is all you need, to walk hand in hand
And not a pole, to hold upon and support your clan

Respecting your No's by allowing that space
To ensure your own identity thrives
And not someone who'll want to subsume your "I"

For the story isn't nice coz the end is going to be happy
It is nice, coz the characters in it had the ability
To make you smile

-SR

PS: Though the rail tracks (Above metaphor) are parallel always. But there does come an intersection point, if you know what I mean 😉

May The Force Be With You !!!

Getting Lost, To Be Found

Sometimes I wish to runaway
From all this chaos

Sometimes I wish to runaway
From this life of merely
Breathing In and Breathing Out

Sometimes I wish to runaway
From all the unnecessary questions
I am forced to talk on

Sometimes I wish to runaway
From people, who I can't hurt
But sometimes, I cant take them along

Sometimes I wish to runaway
From happening of predictable events
Where we are forced to act surprised in and out

Sometimes I wish to runaway
From these masked people
Who act as if they care a lot

Sometimes I wish to runaway
To see who will try and track me down

Or sometimes I wish to runaway
To ensure no one ever finds the path
I treaded upon

Difficult it is, actually, to zero it down
For the list of reasons to run away
Might turn out to be a mile long

I guess, sometimes I just wish to runaway
Only to be found

-SR

PS: May The Force Be With You !!

You Are The Reason

Everything happens for a reason
You make up afterwards

How we always feel it was planned
But choose to ignore that only we did it

It won't move until we move
But we pin it on a Superpower
That the wheels were already in motion

It is what we do that defines us
Not what you can be or what you are beneath

Each setback if it leads to introspection
Then the process to carve a new path
Has already begun

It is essential to stay humble in success
Coz success and respect don't come together
They are mutually exclusive

But in the dark corners of the room
Where you cried once when chips were down
Do pat yourself, for your own efforts

-SR.

Pain

Pain is the new breather
Pain is soothing

Coz until we aren't in pain
We allow our body to drain

No matter how much we gain
We will still be left with something to attain

No Pain No Gain, agreed
But to what extent, we fail to ascertain

Outside pain, still, it can be restrained
But when it hits from the inside
That's when it is difficult to be contained

How far we go, hurting people in the lane
We don't realise until we are left alone in pain



-SR

Knock Knock

Why being alone isn't acceptable
Sometimes it can be out of choice too

Why being in a company, only, makes people feel better
What guarantee does it have, that the company is happy
Many a times it is forced upon or obligatory

Why is it necessary to invade someone's personal space
Is it to gain a moral victory, of not leaving someone alone?

Each one has their own battles to fight
Everyone have their own way to deal with their plight

What right do we have to intervene in that process
Is it necessary to be a Messiah in everyone's distress?

Self Introspection, you need to be alone
To decide upon a situation, one needs to be alone
Sorting out the life's puzzle, you need to be alone
Clearing the air on your beliefs, one needs to be alone

Among the many, I mentioned a few of them above
So atleast next time when you see someone alone
Make sure you knock, instead of barging from the back door

PS: Even to write, you have to be alone.

-SR.

Master of Self

Keep walking, chart your own path
No one is going to alter their course for you

Only you can be excited about your life
Rest all will have limitations, to the extent they can bear you

Being together or surrounded by people, is merely a state of mind
As even Alone is a great company to have many a times

Keep believing in yourself, Keep your Dreams alive
Others will ask you to change per their comforts

Only you know your strengths and weaknesses
Set your own targets, don't get intimidated by others goals

Day you accept you are your only competitor
No one will ever be able to hold you back

And Most Important...

In the journey, always remember to breathe
Take a step back and relax or be a couch potato

Just to remind ourselves
That we are humans, not machines

Like other people can't drive our lives
So should not some timetable or hands of clock

Be the Master of your own life
For that is the only thing that is your OWN
From your First Breath, until the Last.

PS: May The Force Be With You !!

-SR