MODERN GENOCIDE IN FULL SWING UNDER PRIME MINISTER DR. MANMOHAN SINGH (9th September 2010, 1025 Hrs)

So it is official! Now that the Prime Minister of India has opened his mouth after more than 58,000 crores worth food grains were allowed to rot in open-air so-called FCI godowns by the government. Yes, my dear citizen of the world, the food grains were made to rot with the proper knowledge of our honourable Prime Minister while he promised the poor of the nation before and after coming in power that – “We have enough stock of food grains and no Indian will die of hunger.” The fact, however, is contrary to his pre and post election promise to the nation as hundreds of poor are dying in the nation because of hunger. The statement by Dr. Manmohan Singh that the Supreme Court should not interfere with the realm of policy formulation has proved to the whole world that he was aware that such a huge amount of food grains were allowed to rot, so the Agriculture Minister can sell it to all the near and dear ones of most of the political leaders at Rs. 2/- while procuring wheat at Rs. 16/-, so they can make costly liquor to flow in the five-stars for the rich and famous to get drunk while thousands are dying without food.

Honestly, I don’t have words to describe the insensitivity of our Prime Minister... yes, it is quite impossible to distribute food grains free to 37% of the poor of the nation but without even making an effort, Dr. Manmohan Singh has revealed his weakness and inability to lead the nation towards a healthy progress. I would like to ask the PM, is policy only made for the 311 billionaires of India while killing the other billion plus population? I am appalled that such a learned person can be so-so callous in his approach because he heads the nation and everything in his home comes free or ex-gratia for being the PM!!! I am angry that instead of finding a solution to feed the hungry poor, the PM had the audacity to issue such a statement during a media meet. Modern genocide is in full swing under Manmohan Singh’s UPA – II...

Almost in every single state of India, fertile lands of farmers are being acquired for various industrialists’ ambitious multi-crores projects... while the poor farmers are being paid a pittance for their land. What will happen Dr. Singh when all the fertile lands will be owned by the rich industrialists, who speak the only language of development and growth and all the farmers will become landless? From where will food grains come then for the billion plus population Dr. Singh? Obviously, you really don’t care about others because you have few years left to live but what about the child, who has been just born? What will happen to all those children, who have just opened their eyes in this world Dr. Singh? One among these children will also be your great-great grand children... You have become so callous in your approach because of all the problems among your own party members that it is reflecting in your statements you are making nowadays in the media.

The poor farmers toil hard in the hot sun and heavy rains, come drought or else floods, they are still growing food grains for the nation while their own families goes hungry... yes, farmers of Bundelkhand have no option left so much that they are selling their wives to money-sharks to feed their children... obviously your NCW Chair person Girija Vyas must not have even informed about such a pathetic state of your country’s farmers... farmers in Bihar have to protect water for irrigation with guns leaving their sickle and plough, so they can grow food grains for the nation... farmers in Vidarbha are committing suicide because of various government policies and no infrastructure for irrigating their farm lands... farmers in Kerala are also committing suicide because of WTO policy... well, the list is endless Dr. Singh and you have the audacity to allow food grains to rot and then admonish the Supreme Court not to interfere in policy formulation... WOW!

Truly, you have proved that all your ministers are equally involved under your own wings to rob the nation’s wealth and kill the poor with whatever means you have to be in power... it is THE NATIONAL SHAME DR. SINGH that we have a Prime Minister, who is inhuman in his approach to claim to the world that Indian Economy is growing @ of 8+ GDP... in reality under your callous leadership modern genocide is in full swing where in the poor of the nation are being killed by starving them to death!

एक मुस्कुराता जहान (8th September 2010, 1420 Hrs)

हर माँ जिस तरह ममता से

अपने बच्चे को संभाल कर

अपने आगोश से लिपटा कर रखती है

ठीक उसी तरह...

ठीक उसी तरह

दर्द ने मेरी ज़िन्दगी को 

अपने आगोश में संभाल कर रखा है

मैं दूसरों का दर्द समझ सकूं,

एहसास कर सकूं

जैसे उनके दुःख अब मेरे हो चुके हो 

ये अनुभूति अचंबित करती है मुझे

दर्द से रिश्ता जोड़ कर

ज़िन्दगी ने हमेशा-हमेशा के लिए

मेरी आँखें खोल दी है

ज़िन्दगी का ये चौराहा

कुछ इतना व्यस्त है कि

हर तरफ बस भीड़ ही भीड़

नज़र आती है अश्रु छलकाते

कोई अपने नसीब को कोसता हुआ,

तो कोई रोटी के दो टुकड़े को लेकर,

कोई अपने बर्बादी का मातम मनाता हुआ

तो कोई अपने प्रेमी से रूठ जाने पर

हर कोई...

हर कोई बस यूँ ही 

आंसू बहाता हुआ मिलता है यहाँ 

हर एक की बस वही कहानी

हर एक का बस वही रोना

क्यों ज़िन्दगी इतनी बेरहम है?

क्यों ज़िन्दगी इतनी मतलबी है?

क्यों हर जगह बस रोना ही रोना लिखा है?

मैंने ज़िन्दगी के दौर में

बहुत ही देर में ये जाना

और समझा है

कि दर्द दूसरों का हो या फिर अपना

दर्द, दर्द है

और इसका आज मुझे एहसास है

जिस तरह मैं अपने दर्द का इलाज 

दूसरों कि मदद से हल्का कर पाता हूँ  

ठीक उसी तरह... 

ठीक उसी तरह 

अगर मैं किसी के काम आ सकूँ

किसी के अश्रु को रोक सकूँ बहने से

दुनिया में दर्द कम हो होगा ही होगा

और दर्द के उस चौराहे में...

दर्द के उस चौराहे में 

मुझे रोने कि नहीं बल्कि

हँसने कि आवाज़ सुनाई देगी

क्यूँकि मेरी ही तरह... 

क्यूँकि मेरी ही तरह 

हर एक, दूसरे के दर्द को 

अपना दर्द समझ कर 

आंसू को मुस्कराहट में बदल रहा है 

ख़ुशी की एक नयी लहर 

बहा रहा है 

क्या ऐसी ज़िन्दगी बेहतर नहीं है 

उस ज़िन्दगी से 

जहाँ हर कोई...

जहाँ हर कोई

एकांत में या किसी के कंधो पर 

बस अश्रु छलकाते हुए नज़र आतें है?

मैंने तो उन अश्रु भरे नैनो में 

एक नयी चमक देखी है

एक-एक चेहरा... 

एक-एक चेहरा 

मुस्कुरा कर...

मुस्कुरा कर 

बस यही कहता हुआ मिला

आओ हम सब मिलकर 

दुनिया को एक मुस्कुराता हुआ जहान बनाएं 

इस मुस्कुराते हुए चौराहे में 

आपका स्वागत और इंतजार है

क्या आप अभी भी उस चौराहे पर खड़े हैं

जहाँ सब अश्रु छलकाते हुए नज़र आते हैं?

८ सितम्बर २०१० 

हर एक विधवा की यही है दास्तान (6th September 2010, 1800 Hrs)

अब वे खेत से वापस कभी थके हुए नहीं आयेंगे
न ही वे सुबह मुर्गे की बांग सुनकर, बैलों को हांकते हुए खेत जायेंगे
मेरे बिस्तर में, न ही उनके पसीने की सुगंध कभी और आएगी
न ही सुबह-सुबह वे मुझसे कभी और चाय बनाने को कहेंगे
सूनी मेरी ज़िन्दगी, बस बच्चो की ख़ुशी में कट ही जाएगी
हर दिन हज़ार मौत मर रही हूँ मैं लेकिन
मेरा दोष क्या है, हे भगवान?


क़र्ज़ से तो उन्होंने मुक्ति पा लिया
पर हर रोज मर कर मैं क़र्ज़ की ऋणी हो चुकी हूँ
बच्चे जब कभी एकटक मुझे देखते है शून्य में निहारते हुए
बिना जवाब दिए मेरी आँखों के अश्रु भी अब बहने से डरते हैं
अगर मैं टूट कर बिखर गयी तो उनका क्या होगा
कौन संभालेगा उनको, कौन समझेगा उनकी भोली बातें
बस यूँ ही सर हिला कर मुस्कुरा देती हूँ मैं उनकी ओर


ज़िन्दगी में संघर्ष ही लिखा है अब
मानो उनके रहते जीवन मेरी परियों जैसे थी
एक मैं ही नहीं हूँ विधवा इस संसार में
मेरे जैसे कई ओर बहने है
जो रोज जीते जी हज़ार मौत मर रहे हैं...


६ सितम्बर २०१० 

THE GURU I WORSHIP – PART II (5th September 2010, 2145 Hrs)

.... Cont’d from Part - I...

I never realized then why he did what he did to spend time so devotedly with me while neglecting all the other students. Many years later, when circumstances of hunger made me a journalist by fluke and destiny, he was the first person I remembered when my first article appeared in The Times of India, ten years ago. I remembered the red ink in my home work copy and deep in my heart thanked KK Roy Choudhury Sir from the bottom of my heart... and yes, that was the day I realized why he devoted so much time on me...

Even though I have contributed articles in various topics and subjects in more than 60 National & International Publications of repute, I still do commit silly mistakes while writing English and then I remember my English sir hehehehehehe... After X th, I did my XII th Board from Kendriya Vidyalaya Manauri, Allahabad... Among all the three batches (Arts, Science & Commerce), I was the only student to get ‘distinction’ in English subject... I got another ‘distinction’ in Geography but failed in Maths... the only student in the whole school to score two distinctions and a compartmental... I have no regrets whatsoever, though I had to struggle in life later.

I wrote to Roy Choudhury sir that I got ‘distinction’ in English & Geography but failed in Maths... he was so ecstatic to read the news that he went to all his classes to tell proudly that his student had scored a distinction in English... Now such wonderful teachers are very rare to find and I am truly blessed to come in contact with such a loving Guru in shaping my destiny towards a perfect path. After a year or so, life’s rigmaroles take a toll and I lost contact with my beloved teacher. However, when I became a journalist, I felt so-so grateful to Roy Choudhury sir that I wrote to the Principal of my old school in Panagarh, requesting him to kindly provide me with his address and contact number.

Ten days later, I received letter from the Principal with sir’s contact details. I thanked the Principal for his kindness. Well, my happiness knew no bounds and I called sir to tell that his student has become a journalist... oh, the joy we both shared that day is as fresh as if it was just yesterday... however, only after eight long years I managed to meet Roy Choudhury sir when I visited Calcutta in 2008 on work... nothing had changed between us and I felt like a tenth class student once again...He had retired from active teaching but still teach students at his home. Such a long fruitful journey... well the experience have been worthwhile and finding my Guru once again is the gift I thank Sai Baba so much.

I spend two days with his loving family enjoying delicious Bangla lip-smacking cuisine and we shared so many things to catch up for the lost time. He always used to tell me, “Johnny write about issues that are so prevalent in the society, do something good for the affected society and the poor. What will you get by writing about celebrities?” His words used to always haunt me and when I started serious blogging in 2008 raising issues plaguing the nation, there was immense peace within self... the blog (http://johnnydbombay.mid-day.com) was followed by leading dailies and news channels and international news channels BBC, Pakistan News, Nepal TV, White House and others... it felt good.

So when finally I decided to leave everything to start this movement on 12^th March 2010, I called Roy Choudhury sir to ask for his blessings. Today, he is proud of his student’s decision to devote life for the farmers’ widows and their children... Honestly, I feel I am blessed to find such a loving GURU in life... Thank you so very much SIR for everything you have done for me... Happy Teachers’ Day!

P.S: Yes, I did called Sir to talk over phone today...

THE GURU I WORSHIP (5th September 2010, 1515 Hrs)

I still remember how every student used to wait for Teachers’ Day year after year, especially the senior most class... for the simple reason that on 5^th of September one gets to come in civil dress (other than school uniform) for acting as a teacher for the day... the kick is ultimate really! I had to wait long but when my time came, I was made a Primary Teacher... nevertheless, the joy of being a teacher for a day, is an experience that every student enjoys in his / her school days.

Guru in our Indian context is considered to be the SUPREME because he guides to show the path to meet the almighty God. Great poet Kabir’s doha (couplets) says –

“Guru Gobind duho kade, kaake laagon paay

Balihari Guru aapne, Gobind diyo milaay.”

(Both the Guru and God are standing in front of the student. The student is perplexed and wonders to whom he should bow first. The student bows to the Guru first to thank him by saying thank you for making me meet God!)

The majestic stature of Guru really cannot be compared with anyone in the universe. Like every student in the world, I too dreaded my teachers during my school days. They were strict, loving, jovial, wonderful, amazing and at times they were funny too! I was studying in Kendriya Vidyalaya Panagarh (W.B) in IX th standard. We had Mr. K K Roy Choudhury, our English Teacher. Since I was good in sports, he used to like me. In physical stature I was small as compared to other students, yet because of my calibre to play better, I always ended up in School Team in most of the sports (Cricket, Football, Hockey and Volleyball – I was the service specialist.

Mr. Roy Choudhury is well-known for his impeccable knowledge of the subject... every student in the school knew that Oxford can go wrong but not sir, when it comes to his English. In fact, he has the credit to correct some of the well-known English Grammar Writers

1. Revered English Grammar Author Dr. Palmer, who died in 1949, committed a mistake and Roy Choudhury sir pointed out the mistake in 1976. The Reference Book Editor of Longman Group Limited Miss Gillian A Rathbone noted down the correction and it was implemented in the next reprint of the book;

2. Oxford University Press acknowledged one mistake in their published book ‘The Teaching of Structural Words and Sentence Patterns’ in 1978 pointed out by my sir;

3. Cassell And Company Ltd Publishers London acknowledged one mistake in their book ‘Oliphant’s General Certificate English Course’ pointed out in 1969 and was corrected accordingly in later editions;

4. Mr. Jonathan W Price from Oxford University Press acknowledged Roy Choudhury sir’s ALD definition of ‘coordinate clause’ in 1978;

5. In 1979, amendments were corrected accordingly in the dictionary by Oxford University Press and it was published in 1980 with sir’s correction;

6. Well-know English author R A Close acknowledged sir with a personal letter in 1988 for a point made in his Reference Grammar Book;

7. Jonathan Crowther, Managing Editor, OALD Unit, ELT Dictionaries, Oxford University Press London acknowledged sir in 1989 for making a point;

8. English Author Michael Swan was grateful to Mr. Roy Choudhury for a point made and with all due respect a correction was made by him in his second edition in 1989;

9. English author Mr. Eastwood acknowledged sir’s point in 1998;

When we graduated to the X th class, he became our Class Teacher and soon after the morning prayer, he used to storm in without a second’s delay in the class. The first day, he made me to sit right in the front bench (I was a very mischievous student of the class). Every day, he used to give us a topic to write a paragraph as home work, which we all dreaded. The next day, I was the first to put my copy on his table, followed by all the others 35 classmates. He called me and asked me to take out the copy and lo... there comes out his black fountain pen with red ink from his white shirt pocket... fear gripped me because I was a horrible student in English ( I am still...). There it goes, what is a sentence? Where is the predicate? And what about the subject... his stern eyes and tone made me shiver all through the year every first period... and my blue page would turn completely red hahahahahaha.... I really cannot tell you how scared I used to be of the first period!.... 

                                                                                                                               Cont'd in next part...

A DARLING ANGEL (4th September 2010, 1400 Hrs)

Some angels don’t stop at anything and I feel so-so blessed and thank Baba for giving me such loving angels... trust me it feels so wonderful to be surrounded by a group of dedicated, devoted and loving angels all the time.

You all must be wondering who is this darling angel and why I have titled this post in such a manner... hai na? Well, yesterday as a big surprise a parcel of 15 kgs arrived from Mumbai for our small paper envelopes making unit. It was sent by Nausheen Ali Sardar... honestly, she has already done lots to support me as one of the ‘Ten Beautiful Angels’, not to mention spreading word among her friends’ circle about the movement. She is always there and I know she will always be there with all her support... she always tells me – ‘wish I can do a lot more and give time and do all that is required.’ These are not mere words folks because she means every single word of what she is saying... and you will be reading a lot more about her contribution in coming months and years to come by.

I have been writing about all the beautiful angels who have come forward with whatever they could do or are doing to stand behind me as ‘the strong pillar of strength’ to keep me moving ahead without any fear. The support system strengthens my will to do more every single day for the farmers’ widows and their children, so they all can lead wonderful lives like most of us. 15 kgs of old magazines is a boon for our unit and I wish to thank the darling angel for being so compassionate to support us with her valuable contribution. Thank you Nausheen for the old magazines, we are truly grateful to you for all you are doing for this movement. We need many more kilos of old magazines because once the unit starts its production it will be an ongoing process.

Little Sheetal Ramji Barde’s request for ‘One Old Magazine Per Month Per Individual’ seems to be unheard so far... so far, only one magazine was received from SAREGAMA company... I have full faith in all of you who are reading this post or else who have seen Little Sheetal’s Request... will come forward to send one old magazine in days to come, I know you all will for sure... it is just about time you all angels out there will realise how this unit will impact the global environment through the victimised farmers’ widows, who will earn small amount with their hard work but will play a major role to save the environment with this act. The environment belongs to all of us and only when all of us chip in a little, the impact will be real BIG!

So with the BIG Hope from all of us here in Vidarbha to all of you out there... one old magazine per person per month is all we request from the bottom of our heart...

Cuidate :)

सड़ता अनाज, अंग्रेज़ी शराब और हमारे नेता (3rd September 2010, 0920 Hrs)

किसान तो मरने के लिए जनम लेता है 
उसका भाग्य बस यही कहता है
कड़ी धुप हो या फिर जोरो की बारिश
अपने खेत पर वह खून के आंसू बहाता है


उसकी गरीबी उसके पसीने की कीमत है
उसका एक मात्र सहारा बस भगवन ही है
जिसने उसका भी साथ छोड़ दिया आज के दौर में
क्यूँकि भगवन आज कल वास करते हैं सिर्फ महलों में


अपने परिवार को भूखा रखकर भी
किसान अपने देशवासियों का पेट भरता है
अनाज मगर खुले में रखकर हमारे नेता उसे सडातें हैं
ताकि सड़े अनाज से अंग्रेज़ी शराब बन सके


५८००० करोड़ का अनाज सालाना सडाया जाता है
ताकि नेताओ के सुपुत्र करोड़ कमा सके बनाकर शराब
जिसे पांच सितारा में बहाया जाता है पानी की तरह 
चमचमाते हुए ग्लास्सों और पार्टियों में


यह विडम्बना नहीं, हकीकत है भारत की
मेरा प्यारा भारत, हम सब का भारत
क्यों हमने ऐसा होने दिया है मेरे दोस्तों
जब कभी खाना खाने बैटो, तब ज़रूर विचार करना इस पर


किसानो की विधवाहो वः बच्चो की कहानी रुला देती है
बस जी रहे हैं वे किसी तरह भूखे नंगी हालत में
क्यों, मैं पूछता हूँ आप सब लोगों से
आखिर हम कब जागेंगे अपनी नींद से?


कब हम सब मिलकर किसानो को 
उनका हक अदा करेंगे?
कब हम उनके मेहनत का सही भरपाई करेंगे? 
या फिर अपनी बंद आँखों से बस
सड़ता हुआ अनाज, अंग्रेज़ी शराब 
और नेताओ की झूठी बातें सुनकर
चुपचाप यूँ ही ज़िन्दगी गुजार देंगे?


३ सितम्बर २०१० 

AN EARLY MORNING IN WARDHA (1st September 2010, 2055 Hrs)

Life in Wardha starts very early, especially for students, who have to catch up with their early morning tuition. Very few from the older generation wake up for their customary early morning walk to keep the old saying still intact – ‘Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” The generation today surely has forgotten this old saying long time ago. If not for tuition, no child likes to wake up early in the morning... even I hated to wake up early morning when I was a kid.

The early morning run is so-so refreshing and makes me feel rejuvenated all day long. Now, most of the old people recognise me and just smile when we pass each other with a nod. I salute them for still loving their early morning walk, which I know they love with an undying passion. That is also the sole reason why they are still healthy unlike their predecessors. Students, fresh from their early bath cycling their way to their respective tuition classes is just a beautiful sight with their smiling faces and discussions about various things. Some of them are on two-wheelers whizzing pass by me... It refreshes my school going days... we didn’t even had the luxury of a bicycle and these young students are on two wheelers.

Oh yes, the enchanting chirping of various birds in the ambience is soul touching in the early morning. Even though hundreds of local sparrows chirp in tandem but those sounds in the morning make you wonder about the soul stirring musical creation of nature. I am really enjoying my daily morning run in such an enchanting atmosphere and the rejuvenation is truly blissful. When I started my run, I used to wonder why few village men with sack on their head or on the bicycle carrier shouts ‘bel’ every 10 seconds in the early morning darkness... however, the secret was revealed to me after a few days. These men sell ‘bel’ leaves to people early morning so they can use the leaves in early morning prayers. Hats off to these villagers, who have used their intelligence to make money for the laziness of city life!

The exception of Wardha’s early morning life doesn’t stop here... newspapers come in as late as 6.45 to 7.15 am... tea stalls near the station starts early and so also the paan dabbas... but one will be surprised to note that the vegetable mandi starts very late here... sometime around 8 or 8.30 am... wonder of wonders, early morning breakfast in Wardha starts around 7.30 am with poha, aloo bonda, samosa and kachori with spicy moong tari and a cup of hot adrak ki chai... I often wonder how people eat samosa and aloo bonda so early in the morning with spicy moong tari? But like every place has a speciality, Wardha’s lies in these delicious snacks’ items. Oh, yes! Tuition classes start as early as 6 am...

After my morning run is over, a hot cup of black coffee and few marie biscuits for me and three newspapers constitute usual breakfast... then the planning starts for the day...

HOW THEY KILL POOR FARMERS... (31st August 2010, 0000 Hrs)

Was there really a genuine shortfall in grams and pulses or in that matter food grains in the country’s stock last year? Well, how can it be? Nation’s Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar proudly proclaimed in the parliament that India wastes as much 58,000 crores worth of food grains every year. So the question in everybody’s mind is or should be, why did the prices of food grains rose last year to new heights that the poor man’s dal was snatched away from his plate as the rich relished the delicious dal as their priceless cuisine?

The answer is very simple and not so complicated to understand as it has been projected by our able ministers, be it the AM, FM or even the prominent economist Dr. Prime Minister of the nation. As usual, simple solution to control the market’s price is to create an artificial shortage so that all the rich traders would reap the benefits of the situation and their coffers will overflow in the name of natural calamities, crop failure and what not. However, the poor farmers from both the ends lose to commit suicide – if there is bumper crop, the prices fall and if there is crop failure, his debt will kill him, while the traders and politicians enjoy the situation to stash away more black money in their Swiss Banks Accounts.

Take for example, each time there is an increase in international rates of crude petroleum per barrel, the ruling government, be it Congress or BJP, immediately increases the rates of all the petroleum products to punish the poor so that the few billionaires will make more money from the situation. However, have you ever seen when the international rates fall, there is a long silence and only a small column in dailies will state the obvious and many will not even bother to read that small piece of important information. The government never reduces the prices of the petroleum products when the international rates fall, why?

Similarly, during the sowing season an artificial scarcity of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides are created by greedy market forces so that the poor farmers have to shell out more money to buy their required needs. And when it is time for the harvesting season, government immediately announces that since there is enough buffer stock of food grains, the market is quick to decrease the buying rates of the farmers’ produce, killing them either ways. Honestly, one really doesn’t need rocket science or calculus to understand such a simple reality of life... but then, things are made to look complicated by respective ministers, experts in the fields, market forces and columnists... all hands-in-gloves to force the farmers of the nation to die... if he doesn’t die a natural death due to shocking news, the fear of not able to pay their debts will surely make the farmers hang themselves from a tree or else drink that poisonous pesticides... to let their poor widows and children find means to survive life’s drudgery.

Now that in Vidarbha the rain god has smiled this year with more than 30% rainfall so far, the green fields are blooming to farmers’ delight and prayers to save them from their miseries. However, yesterday when I read in the papers that – “Pulses Prices to fall below Rs.  60/- per kg” – the indication for man-made disaster is all set to rule as it has been since ages as a normal practice for the rich and greedy. And yes, you, I and all of us will have to just pray for the prices to fall, which in no case is going to fall with the ever increasing petroleum products ruling the marquee.

The bumper crop will see the nation exporting pulses and cotton to Western countries at cheaper rates, what with the fall in procurement rates that will be governed by market once the harvesting is done. And once, the buying is over, the farmers will have no choice whatsoever to die in their miseries and destiny. Production this year is expected to go up by one million tonnes in Kharif crops as per Importers Association of India’s President K C Bhartiya. Please read this very carefully, all these while the global prices were higher when the nation was procuring essential food grains from various countries... remember, India exported Sugar at the rate of Rs. 16/- a kilo and at the same time was importing sugar from other countries at Rs.30/- a kilo... when the sugar prices touched Rs. 50/- a kg. I wish to share with you all that my local grocery shopkeeper in Mumbai used to tell me godowns of all the traders were stocked to the brim since the rates were high but the rich traders always created the shortage by giving retail shopkeepers half the quantity of what they demanded... thus the poor customers were and will always be made to shell out more to survive the ever-increasing price rise.

Mr. Bharitya reveals that prices in the international markets have fallen by 15 to 20 per cent in the last two months. Agriculture Ministry Data shows the area under pulses till August 26^th 2010 has increased by 22 per cent to 10.9 million hectares because of good rainfall in the country. In the calendar year 2009 – 10 (July – June) pulses production was 14.59 million tonnes and out of that 4.3 million tonnes were in the Kharif season. Wonder of wonders for those who don’t know the fact that India is the largest producer of pulses in the world (and there is no dal available for the poor... who used to eat only dal-roti) and the nation’s requirement is 18 to 19 million tonnes against the current output of 15 million tonnes.

Simple mechanism how they kill the poor farmers of the nation...

एक नयी कहानी लिख रहा हूँ मैं... (30th August 2010, 1135 Hrs)

एक नयी कहानी लिख रहा हूँ मैं

एक नयी कहानी लिख रहा हूँ मैं
दुनियावालों की जबानी लिख रहा हूँ मैं
हर किसी को चाहिए बस थोडा सा प्यार
हर किसी को मिलता है पर दुखों की भरमार
है अजीब यह भी दुनिया की ऐसी रीत
एक नयी कहानी लिख रहा हूँ मैं...


यह नयी कहानी है बड़ी पुरानी
सदियों से चली आ रही है गरीबों की ग़ुलामी
चंद पैसेवालों के खातिर यह दुनिया है मेरे दोस्त
जो बचा कूचा है वह भी नोच डालते है गरीबों का गोस्त
एक नयी कहानी लिख रहा हूँ मैं...
दुनियावालों की जबानी लिख रहा हूँ मैं


नहीं है कोई ऐसा जो कह सके कभी
दुनिया में है वह सचमुच बहुत ही बहुत खुश
चाहे अगर उसे सारा दुनिया मिल भी जाये
फिर भी खलेगी जीवन को दे दुहाई
एक नयी कहानी लिख रहा हूँ मैं...
दुनियावालों की जबानी लिख रहा हूँ मैं


यह अनोखा सफ़र ख़तम हुआ न था कल
यह दर्द का सफ़र न होगा ख़तम आज भी
यह सिलसिला तो बस चलता ही रहेगा
अंजामे ज़िन्दगी ख़तम हो जाये भी तो क्या
एक नयी कहानी लिख रहा हूँ मैं...
दुनियावालों की जबानी लिख रहा हूँ मैं 


३० अगस्त २०१० 

अनोखे चेहरे विदर्भा के (29th August 2010, 1920 Hrs)

अनोखे चेहरे विदर्भा के

क्षितिज की छोर तलक हरयाली की भरमार

लहलहाते हुए खेत, हरे-हरे पेड़ चारो ओर

विदर्भा का यह सौंदर्य रूप, मन को मोह लेती है

आखिर क्यों विदर्भा इस सौंदर्य से वंचित होकर

जाना जाता है किसानो की आत्महत्या के लिए?

क्यों किसानो की विधवाहो वः बच्चों 

का दर्द सुनाई देती है इन लहलहाते हुए खेतों से?

सवाल पर सवाल उमड़ पडतें हैं दर्दे दिल में मेरे... 

अश्रु छलक जाते हैं विधवाहो की कहानी सुनकर

यह जानकार की छोटी रौशनी को 

अपने पिता तक की छवि याद नहीं है अभी

पिता ने जब आत्महत्या की मज़बूरी में

तब रौशनी मात्र तीन साल की नन्ही कलि थी

क्यों यह भयानक तांडव विदर्भा से लुप्त

नहीं हो जाती हमेशा-हमेशा के लिए?

ताकि विदर्भा की सुन्दरता विश्व विख्यात हो

जहाँ लहलहाते हुए हरे-हरे खेत क्षितिज का सौंदर्य बढ़ाते हैं...

२९ अगस्त २०१०