It was the best of times. An early morning drive to Paris. Long endless highways. Unceasing green spaces enclosing the never ending roads. Early morning sun, kissing goodbye to the crescent half sleepy lunatic moon. The warm rising sun coloring the azure blue, mystic dark sky with her sanguine orange & red. Dreamy is an understatement.
There was just one wish. If the three hour drive could last forever. Stopping mid-way at a highway café, smelling the growing lavenders in the nearby fields, munching croissant and drinking green tea, I could sense the beginning of a beautiful long weekend. It wasn’t the first time we were in Paris. But there is something about the place that having seen it all, done it all, one wants to see it again, be there again. Is it the brand Paris, the excellent PR or the immaculate harmonious architecture or the high fashion street of Champs-Élysées, Paris is fascinating for the traveler, the lover, the seeker, the shopper and the fashionable alike.
We began our day with a long aimless walk at Champs-Élysées. Seeing the long impatient crowd eagerly waiting to get inside the Louis Vuitton, it almost felt that it was not a luxury but a necessity store. Further, down the street, trying and sitting in new concept car of the future at the Toyota showroom, I felt it was the embrace of a robot, not the touch of a car. Cute! Mignon!! as the Parisians call it.
Exorbitantly expensive, unaffordably high rentals going up to Euro 8,500 per meter square, Champs-Élysées is nonetheless, the must-present place for Luxury, cosmetic, perfume & premium brands. Window shopping through the lush & luxurious stores, we reached the Arc de Triomphe, the unceasingly burning flame, dedicated to the known, unknown spirits of martyrs. Thousands of hearts, seated besides the flame, expressed their undying flame of love for their someone special in this beautiful set-up of Champs-Élysées sandwiched between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde.
Les Bouquinistes selling second class classics, antiques, paintings and CDs are another prominent feature on the scenic banks along the river Seine. A collection of eternal classics by Edith Piaf and Charles Aznavour is simply an irresistible purchase. We too succumbed to our materialistic desires. Reasonably price at around Euro 5/-, the collection of over twenty songs was a good bargain for the evergreen classics.
Having acted in the Hindi adaptations of Molière, my great dream was always to see the play in the ‘langue de Molière’, french. This trip it seems was a time to fulfill my desires. So when we got tickets for Molière’s ‘Le Médecin malgré lui’, I simply refused to sit anywhere but in the first seat in the first row! Being the only ones(& that too non-Francophone) in the front seat, it seemed a little bizarre, but I could not accept anything coming between Molière & me! A take on the French aristocracy of his times, Molière’s play are the classics that the French look-up to this day. Seeing the humour & the satire, it is aptly said that the french is indeed the ‘langue de Molière’.
Passions might take us anywhere. But its difficult to change tastes. So an opportunity to eat good traditional South Indian at Gare du Nord was on top of our itinerary list. Krishna’s vegetable dosa, Sarvanna’s South Indian Thali(& not to forget the dishes I got packed to take away), we savored on the delicious, healthy & sumptuous South Indian platters.
A moment to pray in this life full of adventures, ups & downs is never too much, but never too little either. A moment’s candid prayer, an honest intention, a small charitable act, a beautiful heart is far more spiritual then all the prayers followed by incompatible acts. Prayers have to be not just in words, but in thoughts and action as well. The place does not matter. It could be ‘Le Tour de Eiffel’(Eiffel Tower) or the ‘char dham ki yatra at Gangotri & Yamnotri’, it can be Bethlehem or it could be Mecca Medina, a beautiful prayer from a pure heart reaches the Divine for sure. With that honest & pure thought, we prayed the Divine, holding hands at the Eiffel, thanking Him for all that we have and praying for it everyone. And in bliss or in sorrow, in good or in bad, never to forget to thank the Divine for the beautiful showers of blessing that He forever showers on us.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Inter-Faith Marriages: Made in Heaven, Hell broken on Earth
Marriages are special. A promise to be together for a lifetime. But when they are inter-faith, in an Asian sub-context, they are even more special. Special because they are almost impossible. Fighting against all odds: the nature, the people, the family & often the very judgmental society at large, it is a difficult choice in action. And when they finally get married, they like to believe that the troubles have come to an end. Whereas the problems, might have perhaps begun. Everything from conversion of the unfortunate love struck lady to the children’s religion to management of assets is a difficult question. Grappled with personal difficulties, begins the intervention of the prophetic extended family and in-laws, who like to believe that their religion is the best.
So when two love-lorn, attractive young lovers Payal & Omar decided to marry in 1994, little did they imagine that one day this beautiful relationship that defied against all odds of religion & culture, will eventually end in an ugly divorce.
Whether two people decide to remain married or fall apart, is definitely a private question, not to be governed by the media or public at large. But, alas, not so in the case of an Inter-Faith marriage! And that too of one of the most high-profile family ruling the ethnically cleansed Muslim majority state Kashmir in India. A conservative Muslim majority state ruled by a Muslim leader born of mixed parents(Omar’s mother is a British Christian), Omar’s decision to marry a Hindu girl was never well taken by the conservatives. And when Payal refused to convert, she lost all possible opportunities of any favourable public opinion.
17 years and two sons later, the cracks in the marriage started to surface. Apparently not because of societal pressure, but because of some internal conflicts. Or perhaps an Outsider, an extra-marital. Those unhappy with Payal-Omar alliance, rejoiced on the prospects of Omar’s another marriage to their liking. Those unhappy with Payal’s decision to not to convert, felt it getting even with her.
If it were a normal divorce between two same faith couples, it could have perhaps been like any other divorce. But not so when it is a question of faith. Different faiths when they get together create controversies. But when they fall apart, they create masala for media, gossip for the town and a trailing track of tragedy for the lonely spouse cheated by the world and embittered by the one she loved more then her own self.
Questions of Right to Privacy & Freedom of Life in this charged up atmosphere are wishful thinking at best. A tragedy for the system as a whole.
Inter-Faith marriages that are Divine’s way to bridge the divide between two faiths ends up creating further divides. It is beautiful how people from different religions come together and fall in love. They defy all the existing norms of the society to create a new world order. It is God’s way of showing a way beyond the existing system, closeted people. But when such beautiful dreams fall apart(for whatever reason), it is more then just a divorce. Perhaps that’s why it occupies so much media space, TRP ratings and irresponsible statements.
Time to introspect, when responsibilities on the shoulders of Inter-Faith couple is so high, should they not re-define their relationship and responsibilities? And perhaps also think a little beyond themselves: of the society at large. And the children they make in the process… symbolic of their love.. do they deserve to be poisoned by their spitefulness of separation??.....
So when two love-lorn, attractive young lovers Payal & Omar decided to marry in 1994, little did they imagine that one day this beautiful relationship that defied against all odds of religion & culture, will eventually end in an ugly divorce.
Whether two people decide to remain married or fall apart, is definitely a private question, not to be governed by the media or public at large. But, alas, not so in the case of an Inter-Faith marriage! And that too of one of the most high-profile family ruling the ethnically cleansed Muslim majority state Kashmir in India. A conservative Muslim majority state ruled by a Muslim leader born of mixed parents(Omar’s mother is a British Christian), Omar’s decision to marry a Hindu girl was never well taken by the conservatives. And when Payal refused to convert, she lost all possible opportunities of any favourable public opinion.
17 years and two sons later, the cracks in the marriage started to surface. Apparently not because of societal pressure, but because of some internal conflicts. Or perhaps an Outsider, an extra-marital. Those unhappy with Payal-Omar alliance, rejoiced on the prospects of Omar’s another marriage to their liking. Those unhappy with Payal’s decision to not to convert, felt it getting even with her.
If it were a normal divorce between two same faith couples, it could have perhaps been like any other divorce. But not so when it is a question of faith. Different faiths when they get together create controversies. But when they fall apart, they create masala for media, gossip for the town and a trailing track of tragedy for the lonely spouse cheated by the world and embittered by the one she loved more then her own self.
Questions of Right to Privacy & Freedom of Life in this charged up atmosphere are wishful thinking at best. A tragedy for the system as a whole.
Inter-Faith marriages that are Divine’s way to bridge the divide between two faiths ends up creating further divides. It is beautiful how people from different religions come together and fall in love. They defy all the existing norms of the society to create a new world order. It is God’s way of showing a way beyond the existing system, closeted people. But when such beautiful dreams fall apart(for whatever reason), it is more then just a divorce. Perhaps that’s why it occupies so much media space, TRP ratings and irresponsible statements.
Time to introspect, when responsibilities on the shoulders of Inter-Faith couple is so high, should they not re-define their relationship and responsibilities? And perhaps also think a little beyond themselves: of the society at large. And the children they make in the process… symbolic of their love.. do they deserve to be poisoned by their spitefulness of separation??.....
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Question to learn.....
What is it that we learn in schools? Numbers, alphabets, equations and equilibriums ... But how much of it is relevant when we step into the school of life? Ever wondered, what is this system meant to produce? An unlimited supply of skilled and unskilled labour that can easily fit into the labyrinth of the mundane modern day life.
Education is meant to enlighten the mind, brighten up spirits. Why do not we learn just for the joy of learning? Why is there this constant pressure on our heads to study to get good grades; to get good grades to get good subjects and to get good subjects to get a well paying career?
Aristotle once said, if I choose the job I love, I will never feel the burden of work in my life. But how many of us have chosen the jobs we loved? Ever thought if am doing that what I really want to do? What's wrong if I like to teach the challenged and not become a doctor, what's wrong if I choose to be a home maker and raise healthy children, rather then working as a well-paid Investment Banker?
Nothing wrong, except that neither our system nor our education teaches us to question. No questions to make choices, no questions to learn. One who is afraid to ask is afraid to learn. And afraid we are to learn. Newton saw the falling apple and questioned its falling down rather then going up. And the result was the three Universal laws of gravitation. Einstein questioned the relation between mass & energy and gave us the quintessential E=mc square.
A generation questioned the Middle Age darkness in Europe and what was born, was what gave light not just to Europe, but to the world, The Renaissance.
A generation questioned the British Rule in India and what was achieved was freedom on 15th august 1947.
The Chinese questioned the US hegemony and the world fears if the sleeping dragon has finally woken up to change the world order.
When was the last our generation questioned? Or did we ever question? We are all fighting, struggling with every day life, to accept and implement the solutions that the Generation last has passed on in the form of antiquated books to generation next.
Imagine the power of questioning if we the future, begin to question! And not just lost in question, begins to seek an answer to those questions! In the heart of every question, lies an unsolved mystery to a new road, a new solution.
Education is meant to enlighten the mind, brighten up spirits. Why do not we learn just for the joy of learning? Why is there this constant pressure on our heads to study to get good grades; to get good grades to get good subjects and to get good subjects to get a well paying career?
Aristotle once said, if I choose the job I love, I will never feel the burden of work in my life. But how many of us have chosen the jobs we loved? Ever thought if am doing that what I really want to do? What's wrong if I like to teach the challenged and not become a doctor, what's wrong if I choose to be a home maker and raise healthy children, rather then working as a well-paid Investment Banker?
Nothing wrong, except that neither our system nor our education teaches us to question. No questions to make choices, no questions to learn. One who is afraid to ask is afraid to learn. And afraid we are to learn. Newton saw the falling apple and questioned its falling down rather then going up. And the result was the three Universal laws of gravitation. Einstein questioned the relation between mass & energy and gave us the quintessential E=mc square.
A generation questioned the Middle Age darkness in Europe and what was born, was what gave light not just to Europe, but to the world, The Renaissance.
A generation questioned the British Rule in India and what was achieved was freedom on 15th august 1947.
The Chinese questioned the US hegemony and the world fears if the sleeping dragon has finally woken up to change the world order.
When was the last our generation questioned? Or did we ever question? We are all fighting, struggling with every day life, to accept and implement the solutions that the Generation last has passed on in the form of antiquated books to generation next.
Imagine the power of questioning if we the future, begin to question! And not just lost in question, begins to seek an answer to those questions! In the heart of every question, lies an unsolved mystery to a new road, a new solution.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Thirty & Thinking! : Will you still need me, when am Sixty-Four?
Not too old to question, not too young to answer. Not too young to be married, not too old to love! Not too young to be serious, not too old to laugh!!
Thirty is, undeniably a turning point. A point where all young age confusions end and the old life crisis have not yet begin. Yes, there is this weird upcoming concept of 30+ or mid-life crisis. But why kill the beauty of this beautiful thirtieth birthday!
Looking around, seeing everyone treating me on different scales of life, based on the relationship we share, is amusing!
That beautiful statue of the Divine, that loving Krishna, whom I have always held in my hands, or have always wanted to be held by Him in His hands. As a child, I thought he was my sibling; as an adolescent a friend, I saw him as a lover and as an adult, He looks like a child to me. To him, every birthday, I send every year my wish lists. From cycles and frocks as a child to Porsche and Lamborguines, the wish list is increasingly both in value and volume. But my sweet Lord, every year, looks with the same intent, passion and love into my eyes and says that He will always provide me with what I need the most, rather then what I want the most.
Ma & Pa calling early morning, wishing the thirtieth birthday, as though it was matter of fact ‘only the third’, made me feel so small. ‘You know, when you were born, your dad scattered away all the salary as tips to the staff at the hospital! You know when, your pa said, you are his dream, that you are Indira Gandhi!’ And also those same words, same tone, same endless love that I have heard from those lovely parents each every year on this day.
And then the friends, who still believe in the eternal existence of college days! ‘You know how we celebrated your 16th, 18th, 21st birthday.’ Alas, as if it was only last year!
But I was worried about my hubby dear. He has for over sixteen years made me feel like sixteen and the only birthday I remember celebrating was when I turned sixteen, the rest are like some memories! So when he lovingly wished me the birthday, the only question that still lingered in my eyes was, ‘Will you still need me when I am sixty-four?’ or should I have asked, ‘Will you still make me feel 16, when I am 64?’
Thirty is, undeniably a turning point. A point where all young age confusions end and the old life crisis have not yet begin. Yes, there is this weird upcoming concept of 30+ or mid-life crisis. But why kill the beauty of this beautiful thirtieth birthday!
Looking around, seeing everyone treating me on different scales of life, based on the relationship we share, is amusing!
That beautiful statue of the Divine, that loving Krishna, whom I have always held in my hands, or have always wanted to be held by Him in His hands. As a child, I thought he was my sibling; as an adolescent a friend, I saw him as a lover and as an adult, He looks like a child to me. To him, every birthday, I send every year my wish lists. From cycles and frocks as a child to Porsche and Lamborguines, the wish list is increasingly both in value and volume. But my sweet Lord, every year, looks with the same intent, passion and love into my eyes and says that He will always provide me with what I need the most, rather then what I want the most.
Ma & Pa calling early morning, wishing the thirtieth birthday, as though it was matter of fact ‘only the third’, made me feel so small. ‘You know, when you were born, your dad scattered away all the salary as tips to the staff at the hospital! You know when, your pa said, you are his dream, that you are Indira Gandhi!’ And also those same words, same tone, same endless love that I have heard from those lovely parents each every year on this day.
And then the friends, who still believe in the eternal existence of college days! ‘You know how we celebrated your 16th, 18th, 21st birthday.’ Alas, as if it was only last year!
But I was worried about my hubby dear. He has for over sixteen years made me feel like sixteen and the only birthday I remember celebrating was when I turned sixteen, the rest are like some memories! So when he lovingly wished me the birthday, the only question that still lingered in my eyes was, ‘Will you still need me when I am sixty-four?’ or should I have asked, ‘Will you still make me feel 16, when I am 64?’
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