Progress Nevertheless

Neighbors house was also our house. Today, one misses a dearly neighborhood.

Once upon a time we were also acquainted with their extended families. Today we don't know exactly how many members actually stay, next door.

We exchanged love, shared happiness, supported each other in sorrow. Today an occasional smile is hardly visible.

We could blindly trust our neighbor by leaving our keys at their house. Today we fear even if we are their in our own house.

One phone connected so many families. Now there are many phones but it allows to block people rather than bring them together.

Being a Maharashtrian, I still loved south Indian pulav, chicken and paysam since childhood. Coz we exchanged our culture with whole heart. Those days when we were specially invited if our favorite item was cooked in their kitchen. Now you find discrimination in housing complex on basis of religion and Veg-NonVeg eaters.

Festivals were celebrated in true spirits together. Environment filled with different colours, lights. Traditional display of our culture. Today its main intention is photo shoot.

Bonding with neighbors was natural. Today it seems to be done out of obligation.

We had less carpet area, still everyone was welcome as they were big hearted. Today its vice versa.

There were actual people living around us. Alive. Lively. Now we are surrounded by robots.

Yes we did progress, nevertheless. But something was lost in the process. The price paid seems to be heavy sometimes.

-SR.

 

Deep Blue Sky

We look up to search answers
We look up to express frustration
We look up to seek explanation
We look up and demand justification

Just gaze at its beauty once
Split by lightning, crushed by storms
It has seen day, it has seen night
Still it never wonders why

Tells us how small we are in the cosmos
Life is too big to be consumed by petty setbacks
Spread your wings fly high
Arise again like the deep blue sky

-SR.

Woh7Din

Long time it has been I raised a toast for myself
Lifetime it seems the fat lady may have resigned herself.

Plenty is at stake on the outcome of August, this year
Won 7 Din had lot in store to instil fear.

Status quo unchanged when first result were declared
Nightmare had come true mind said it is unfair.

Err must be from my side I consoled
Fingers crossed eyes set on remainder goals.

Stooped further down the rate of growth
Speechless was I in the corner only to loathe.

Second outcome didn't change things
Trembled with the thought what third brings.

Finally heard the voice of cheer
Hand to cling in the darkened sphere.
 

Seventh day paved the way to winning post

You only live once, so
Bring a roast, raise a toast and Make the Most.

-SR.

PS: Written in August, 2014.

Walk On...!!

Just the beginning, struggle is far from over
For one rejection, I should cry never.

Myself to be blamed, reasons are not new
Yesterday's cheer can be today's gloom.

Failed expectations rising steadfast,
Taste of success seems a distant past.

Darkness roams around in broad day light,
Pathway seems to be lost in sight.

Still I can't give in,
I can't stop to try.

Can't let failure sweep me in the wave,
To see it through I have to be brave.

Whatever happens in the fight,
Have to push forward with all my might.

For the sun will rise after the storm,
New light, one day, will illuminate the dark.

-SR.

खेळ हे मनाचे

राग इतरांचा नेहमी माझ्यावरच का निघतो
प्रत्येक वेळी मीच बुजगावण्याच्या पत्रात का अडकतो |

युद्धाचा निकाल शेवटच्या क्षणातच का फिरतो
विजयाची आशा उंचावते तेव्हाच सुर्य का मावळतो |

खोटं बोललो कि कोंडीत सापडतो
खरं म्हटलं कि रेजेक्टं होतो |

कमवायच्या वयात फुकटचा गिळतो
रीटायरमेंटच्या वयात घरच्यांवर नोकरीची पाळी आणतो |

प्रत्येक चेहऱ्यावर एक प्रश्न दिसतो
उत्तर देताना मात्र मी हथबल होतो |

कधी कधी डोळ्यांन समोर मीठं काळोख होतो
भीती ने जीव कासावीस होतो |

गपचूप काही क्षण रडतो, डोळ्यातलं पाणी पापण्यांच्या आताच लपवतो
मग हळूच स्वत:लाच सावरतो
मनातली भीती पानावर उतरवतो
आणि पुन्हा कामाला लागतो |



-SR.

एका मैत्रीची गोष्ट

आज आठवली म्हणून सांगतो एक गोष्ट,
गोष्टीमध्ये एक होती ती आणि एक होतो मी |

आजही आठवतो कॉलेजचा तो पहिला दिवस,
पुढच्याच बेंच वर बसली होती ती |

शांत, निरागस हाताची घडी तोंडावर बोट,
मला वाटला जास्त बोलकी नसावी ती |

सत्य मात्र वेगळच होतं,
आणि अवघ्या काहीच दिवसात,
पूर्ण क्लास ची लाडकी बनली होती ती |

क्लास मध्ये असं कोणीच नाही
जो तिला ओळखत नसे
नुसता मित्रांचीच नव्हे
तर टीचेर्सची सुद्धा फेवरेट होती ती |

समाजसेविका होती ती बीकॅफ ची
कोणासाठीहि निस्वार्थ मदत करण्यास कायम तत्पर |

पाणी गिला है आणि तेल ओईली है असं तत्वाञान शिकवणारी
मूर्ती तशी लहान पण खोड्या करण्यात कीर्ती तिची महान होती |

तिच्यातला बिंदासपणा कायम आकर्षित करायचा
तिच्या बद्दल मुलांन मध्ये असलेला रेस्पेक्त पाहून खूप बरं वाटायचं |

तिची अदा इतर सर्व मुलीन पेक्षा निराळी होती
तिच्या सारखी ती एकुलती एकचं होती |

चेहऱ्यावरचे तिचे भाव कायमच हसरे असतं
मनातले मात्र कायम लपवून ठेवायची ती |

काय जादू होती तिच्या डोळ्यांमध्ये माहित नाही
एकदा पाहिलं कि पाहताच राहावं असं वाटायचं |

तिला हसताना पाहिलं कि दिल गारडन-गारडन व्हयाचं
तो काळ ती वेळ तशीच थांबून राहावी असं वाटायचं |

त्या एका क्षणात काळजाचा ठोका नक्की चुकायचा
जेव्हा चेहऱ्यावर आलेले केस मागे टाकून ती वर पहायची |

तिच्या गोड मिठीत सारं काही स्थब्ध व्ह्याचा
आभाळाच्या कुशीत असल्यासारखा जणू मी स्वतालाच विसरून जायचो  |

आठवत नाही पहिल्यांदा केव्हा बोललो
सेकंद ईअर मध्ये मात्र आम्ही बेस्ट फ्रेय्नड झालो |

दिवसातला एक क्षण नाही जेव्हा तिची आठवण नसे
आयुष्यात घडणारी प्रत्येक गोष्ट तिला सांगण्याची घाई असे |

मनाच्या कोपर्यात दडलेल्या गोष्टी सुद्धा तिच्याशी शेयर करायचो
तिच्या सोबत असताना मी, मी म्हणूनच वावरायचो |

शब्दांची गरज फारच कमी वाटे,
अवघड वळणाचे शब्द सुद्धा अर्थासह डोळ्यातून एकमेकांनं पर्यंत पोचायचे |

हे नक्की मैत्री होती कि प्रेम ते कळतं नव्हतं
पण जे काही होतं त्याने आयुष मात्र खूप सुंदर झाला होतं | 



-SR.

Budget Synopsis

The Union Budget presented by FM Arun Jaitely received mixed reactions across the spectrum. Its not something new, of course. Opposition can never support the Rulings. Lot of things attracted many attentions. The biggest, for me, was the rise of Service Tax to 14%. It surely is going to make huge holes in every pocket. Almost entire salaried class monthly budget will have impact of this rate increase. Alongwith this another cess namely Swach Bharat Cess is to be introduced on certain services. The other big thing was reduction of Corporate Tax from 30% to 25% in the next 4 years. Whereas no relief was given of any sorts in the Income Tax slabs. Abolishing Wealth Tax by adding a surcharge of 2% too the Super Rich is an appreciable move. GST yet to see daylight as FM promises its rollout next year. There was no mention at all of the Direct Tax Code implementation.

I am not any economist or expert to provide any guidelines or here to decode the budget. This is just a brief synopsis of the important aspects mentioned in the Budget Speech.

- FM began his speech by describing the changes in the economy since NDA took over the reigns in May 2014. Consumer Price Index, which is a tool used to measure inflation, came down to 5.1% from 11.2% in November 2012. Similarly the Current Account Deficit is also expected to be below 1.3% of GDP. Estimated GDP for the year 2014-15 is 7.4% according to the revised estimates while for the year 2015-16 is 8.4%.

- Financial Inclusion
Jan Dhan Yojana launched by PM Narendra Modi, as a necessary step to achieve financial inclusion, has been a huge success. In 100 days, over 12.5 crore bank accounts have been opened across the country.

- Monetary Framework with RBI
The understanding between RBI-Government is to keep the Inflation rayte below 6%. I am a bit sceptical about this understanding between the government and the our Central bank, RBI. Government involment in Monetary policy is not a good sign with reference to the indendence of RBI. Government intentions will always be motivated by political sentiments which is not good for our economy in the long term.

- Amrut Mahotsav
The vision of PM Modi led Team India for 2022, when our country will be celebrating 75 years of freedom:
    >Roof for each family. To build 2 crore houses in Urban areas and crore houses in Rural areas.
    >24 hours Water, Electricity. Toilets in every household & connected roads.
    >At least one in the family will be employed.

- Cooperative Federalism
In order to empower states with more resources the government has developed a 42% share of the divisible pool of taxes for the states which will result in transfer of Rs.5.24lakh crore in the year 2015-16. Whereas further Rs.3.04lakh crore will be transferred by way of grants and plan transfers taking the total share of states to 62% of the total tax receipts.

- MUDRA
SC/ST/OBC entrepreneurs are owners of 62% of small business houses. They are deprived of finance and find it difficult to find access to the system of credit. Hence government has proposed the formation of MUDRA i.e. Micro Units Development Refinance Agency with a corpus of Rs.20000crore and credit guarantee corpus of Rs.3000crore. MUDRA will refinance the Micro Finance Institution through Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana where lending priority will be given SC/ST owned enterprises.

- NBFC
Non banking Financial Companies registered with RBI having asset size of Rs.500crore will be considered for notification as Financial Institutions in terms of SARFAESI Act, 2002 in order to bring parity between NBFC and Financial Institutions.

- Jan Suraksha
  >Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana will cover accidental death up to Rs.2lakhs with a premium of Rs. 12 per year
  >Atal Pension Yojana will provide a defined pension depending upon the contribution and its period.
  >Pradhan Mantri Jyoti Bima Yojana will natural and accidental death within the age group 18-50 up to Rs.2lakhs with a premium of Rs.330 per year.

- Atal Innovation Mission(AIM)
AIM, under NITI, will provide an innovation promotion platform involving academics, entrepreneurs and draw upon national and international experience to foster culture of R&D and scientific research.

- SETU
Self Employed & Talent Utilisation will be setup, under NITI, to support all aspects of start up businesses and other self employment activities in technology driven areas.

- Gold Monetisation
FM has proposed a scheme which will replace present Gold Deposits and Gold Metal Loan Schemes. This new scheme will allow the depositor of gold to earn interest in their metal account. Also an alternate financial asset or Soverign Gold bond will be developed for purchasing metal gold. Bond will carry fixed rate of interest and will be redeemable in cash.

- Act East Policy
Government plans to cultivate extensive economic and strategic relations with South East Asian countries. Private sector, through SPV, will set up manufacturing hubs in the CMLV countries i.e. Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos & Vietnam.

- AIIMS IIM IIT & Others
In the year 2015-16, government has proposed to establish AIIMS in J&K, Punjab, TamilNadu, Himachal Pradesh, Assam & Bihar. An IIT is proposed in Karnataka while the present Indian School of Mines in Dhanabad will be upgraded into IIT. Horticulture Research Institute will be built in Amritsar. Two IIMs are proposed in J&K and Andhra Pradesh. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education is proposed in the states of Maharashtra & Rajasthan. Centre for Film Production, Animation & Gaming is proposed in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

- Governance of PSBs
In order to improve the governance of public sector banks it is proposed to establish an autonomous Bank Board Bureau. It will help in developing differential strategies & capital raising plans through innovative financial method and instruments.

- Tax Proposals
  >GST to be implemented from next year.
  >Corporate Tax will be reduced to 25% in the next 4years. Exemption will also be reduced in phased manner.
  >Service Tax will be charged at 12% in order to bring it closer to GST rate which is expected to be 16%.
  >Comprehensive law is proposed to be established on black money to specifically deal with money stashed away abroad.
  >Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Bill to be introduced to curb domestic black money.
  >General Anti Avoidance Agreement implementation is deferred by 2years to resolve certain contentious issues.
  > Wealth Tax to abolished and additional surcharge of 2% will be added on the super rich who have taxable income over Rs.1crore.
  >Contribution made to the Swacch Bharat Kosh will be 100% exempt.
  >Swacch Bharat cess of 2% or less on all or certain services to be introduced for financing and promoting Swacch Bharat Abhiyan.
  >Health Insurance Premium deduction increased from Rs.15000-25000. For senior citizens the amount will be Rs.30000 and in case of super senior citizen not covered in Health Insurance, Rs.30000 will be allowed as deduction towards expenditure.
  >Transport Allowance limit increased from Rs.800-1600 per month.
  >Additional deduction of Rs.25000 proposed in Section 80DD and 80U.

- Among Others
  >Defence budget for the year 2015-16 will be Rs.246727crore.
  >Establishment of Public Debt Management Agency to bring external borrowings and domestic debt under one roof.
  >Proposal to merge Forward Market Commission with SEBI to strengthen regulation of commodity forward market & reduce wild speculation.
  >Soil Health Card Scheme to be launched to improve Soil fertility.

-SR.

Zindagi ज़िंदाबाद

ज़िन्दगी तो जीने नाम है,
सोचने में तू वक़्त जाया न कर
कल जो होना है होकर रहेगा
उसकी फिक्र में तू अपना आज बरबाद न कर

राह ज़िन्दगी की आसान  तो नही होगी
मुश्किलें हर मोड़ पर टकराएंगे
रात के बाद सुबह जरूर होगी
उसके इंतज़ार में तू चांदनी का मजा किरकिरा न कर.

जिसने हार नहीं देखि वह जीत का मोल क्या जानेगा
जिसने अँधेरा न देखा वह सूरज की पहली किरण क्या समजेगा.
यही तो ज़िन्दगी की रीत रही है,
जीत तोह हमेशा हार के बाद ही मिली है

अगर हो वक़्त मुश्किल तू सपने देखना मत छोड़
एक बाज़ी हारने से तू जीतने की उम्मीद न छोड़
ज़िन्दगी तो चलने का नाम है, मेरे दोस्त
उसे युही तू बीच राह में मत छोड़

दिल से न कहो तो वह दुआ किस काम की
प्यार में नशा न हो तो आशिकी किस काम की
ज़िन्दगी की कश्मकश में खुद को न भुला देना
वरना जिस ज़िन्दगी में तुम खुद न हो
वह ज़िन्दगी ही किस काम की



-SR.

वेळ लागतो

वेळ गेली कि सगळं काही बिघडतं नाही,
कधी कधी सर्व सुरळीत होण्यासाठी वेळ जाऊ द्यावा लागतो |१|


सरळ रेषे प्रमाणे आयुष्यात सगळ्या गोष्टी घडत गेल्या तर ते कसलं आलंय आयुष,
रहस्य तर चाक्राव्युह्चा प्रवास केल्यावरच उलघडतो  |

सुखानंतर दुःख येते आणि दुखानंतरच सुखं,
म्हणून कधी कधी सर्व सुरळीत होण्यासाठी वेळ जाऊ द्यावा लागतो |२|


दु:खाचं डोंगर कितीही कोसळं तरी थबकून चालणार नाही,
लांबचा पल्ला गाटायचा आहे, अर्ध्या वाटी थकून चालणार नाही |

कोंबड किती हि झाकलं तरी सुर्य हा उगवतोच,
म्हणून कधी कधी सर्व सुरळीत होण्यासाठी वेळ जाऊ द्यावा लागतो |३|


अपयशाच्या काळोखात आयुष असह्य वाटू लागते,
कधी कधी तर आपल्या अस्तित्वावरच प्रश्न चिन्ह उगवतात |

भरती नंतर आहोटी आणि आहोटी नंतर पुन्हा भरती या निसर्गाच्या नियमास कोणीच अपवाद नसते,
म्हणून कधी कधी सर्व सुरळीत होण्यासाठी वेळ जाऊ द्यावा लागतो |४|



-SR.

Checkmate

Another day carries another failure,
Beacon of hope turns more fainter.

Like a pawn, I have come too far to turn back,
Standing in front of bigger pieces waiting to be sacrificed.

Knight marched ahead backed by Rook & Bishop,
Only to find the Queen waiting for her turn to take revenge.

The board was heated as the battle turned fierce,
Leaving a mark in blood & bruises on flesh with every tear.

A sudden hole is found and the flood breaks loose,
All the pawns were slaughtered, causing our Queen a bruise.

The King was watching his army get slaughtered,
Standing in his chariot he was weeping in pain.

Knight's had fallen & Bishop's were dead,
Queen took on the mighty with a thunderous flair.

To guard the honor she painted them blood red,
Broken and overwhelmed when her death knell conveyed.

Ahead in No Man's land I watched this in despair,
Started my run to save the King while the Queen embraced a warrior's death.

Kingdom was falling as enemies were now at the gate,
And without noting my presence, they called it CheckMate.



-SR.