Crust of life

उम्मीद

2011-12-17T08:26:00.003+05:30

हर वक़्त निगाहें टिकी रहती है आसमान पर
काश वोह आसमान मेरे पिंजरे में आ जाए

हर वक़्त खोया रहता हूँ वोह बचपन की यादों में
काश वोह खुशहाल बचपन वापस मेरी ज़िन्दगीमें आ जाए

हर वक़्त सर रखता हूँ मरहूम तेरी कबर पर
काश तेरे बेजान जिस्म में वापस जान आ जाए

क्यूँ नहीं? आखिर सूरज और चाँद ने भी तो मनमानी की है!
उसने भी तो आसमान से अपनी दीवार और छत बनाई है!

क्यूँ नहीं? बारिश की वोह बूँद ने भी तो
सूरज की किरण को चूमकर बादलको गले लगाया है!

क्यूँ नहीं? सूरज भी तो सारी रात रूठकर
सुबह मुस्कुराता हुआ वापस आता है?

क्यूँ नहीं? केहते है मांगो तो खुदा भी मिल जाता है
तो फिर मरहूम की जान कौनसी बड़ी बात है?
- Musten Jiruwala

Muharram and the Battle of Karbala

2011-11-27T15:21:00.001+05:30

Muharram is the first month of Islamic Hijri Calendar. Today is 2nd of Muharram of Hijri year 1433.

Muharram is one of the most significant month for Shia Muslims because it marks the martyrdom of Husain Ibn Ali (A.S), grandson of Prophet Mohammed (SAW). During this month there are special congregations for the first 10 days where the life and time of Husain Ibn Ali (A.S.) and his family is narrated.

Let me limit this note to Muharram for Dawoodi Bohra community of which I am a member.

For Dawoodi Bohra community, who are followers of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS), month of Muharram is very significant. People of the community would travel long distances to listen to the sermons by Syedna (TUS). This year, Syedna(TUS) is presiding the congregation in the city of Mumbai (India) and people from all over the world are pouring in there. Resident Bohras of Mumbai would make comfortable arrangements for stay and food for people coming from outside of Mumbai.

Apart from Mumbai, in every city and town where there are community members, special congregations will be held between 10am to 1pm. People would keep their shops and offices closed to attend the Wa'az (sermons) where followers will be introduced to moral lessons by way of narrating life and time of Prophet Mohammed(SAW), his son-in-law Ali Ibn Abi Talib(AS) and his grandsons Hasan Ibn Ali and Husain Ibn Ali.

Most significantly, the Battle of Karbala, in which Husain (AS) along with his members of the family attained martyrdom is narrated in finer details. Each detail inspires us to live a life of simplicity, charity and unity. Narratives from life and time of Prophet and his family inspires its followers to tell the truth, earn rightfully, refrain from malice, respect everyone and many more such morals that help in peaceful coexistence.

The listners are addressed as "Mumenin ane Mukhleseen", people of faith and sincere people. They are addressed thus because they put aside their important activities and daily chores to come and listen to the sermons and apply these learning sincerely in their life.

Do share this note with your friends.

Here are some of the links to shed more light on Muharram and its importance for Shia Muslims.

About Muharram

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muharram

Battle of Karbala

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Karbala

Family tree of Prophet Mohammed

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_tree_of_Muhammad

Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Burhanuddin

Dawoodi Bohras

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawoodi_Bohras

Ritual that 'sacrificed' the spirit

2011-11-07T12:51:00.000+05:30

Eid-ul-Adha is the festival in Islam that marks the end of annual Hajj pilgrimage. The ritual of sacrificing an animal is in fact an irony of this festival!

This ritual has its roots in an event that supposedly took place 4000 years ago. Prophet Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice something that is most dear to him. For Abraham, his son Ismael was most dearest since after several decades of yearning and prayers he was blessed with his son Ismael. So, he chose to sacrifice Ismael. Ismael, as an obedient son, consented to his father's wish and willingly chose to give up his life. God, supposedly pleased with this devotion, spared Ismael's life and happily accepted sacrifice of a lamb instead.

The spirit is that the believer must give up something that is dear to him/her for the needy (personifying God). The spirit also highlights the willingness and obedience of son in fulfilling his father's wish. In today's material world it is very much applicable where father may want to sacrifice something precious that son may not want him to or vice-versa.

The ritual of sacrificing an animal has sadly 'sacrificed' the spirit itself. Today, one goes and buys the animal, kills it and distributes it amongst the needy, friends and family.

What would you really give up to uphold this spirit? In today's material world, material possessions are most dearest. Instead of an animal, even if I give up fraction of my material possession for the needy, it would be upholding the spirit of this Eid ul Adha.

Eid ul Adha Mubarak to you all.

Do share this with your friends to make this world a better place.

- Musten Jiruwala

प्रतिबिंब

2011-10-27T12:29:00.003+05:30

किसीके सामने बड़ा, तो किसीके सामने छोटा

किसीके सामने दुबला, तो किसीके सामने मोटा

किसीके सामने लम्बा, तो किसीके सामने नाटा

किसीके सामने अच्छा, तो किसीके सामने बुरा

तरस गया हूँ में

अपनी असली सूरत के लिए

ढूंढ रहा हूँ वोह आइना

जो दिखा दे असली सूरत मुझे

जब कभी आईने पर डाली रौशनी

और धुंधला गयी सूरत मेरी

गुस्से से तोड़ दिया वोह आइना

चकना चूर हो गयी सूरत मेरी

तनहा महसूस कर रहा था

कोस रहा था हर आईने को

अचानक दिल की गहराई से

जानी पेहचानी सी आवाज़ आई

'बेवक़ूफ़, सूरत गर देखनी है तुझे

डाल रौशनी अपने आप पर तू

क्यूँ बेवजह कोस रहा है आईने को?

हर किसीका भी तो आइना है तू!

गर देखनी है तुझे सूरत तेरी

ठीक कर पहले सीरत को तेरी

दिखा साफ़ सूरत सबकी सबको

तब देख पायेगा तू सूरत तेरी'

- Musten Jiruwala

Vijaya Dashmi - The Celebration

2011-10-06T13:15:00.002+05:30

Vijaya Dashmi or Dashara marks a milestone in one's life by celebrating victory of Good over Evil. I am sad that I don't have anything to celebrate for since I have not attained any victory over evil.

Lord Rama is known as Maryada Purushottam, (The Greatest Man of Self-Control and Patience) owing to his victory over Ravana, the ten-headed rakshasha (devil) who personified ten evils - Krodh (anger), Ahankar (ego), Irshia (jealousy), Vaasana (lust), Lobh (greed), Moh (attachment), Ahamm (pride), Manas (mind), Ichchha (will) and Matsara (intellect).

This festival reminds us of these evils present in our life and Lord Rama inspires us to fight these evils in a way depicted in Ramayana. When we defeat these evils in our own person, what will emerge is Rama-Rajya.

As I look at myself, I am governed by many of these evils big time. This Vijaya Dashmi has inspired me to think, introspect and work towards defeating these evils in coming year so that I can also celebrate next Vijaya Dashmi like every one of you do.

Wish you all a very Happy celebration of your victory over these evils.

कल

2011-07-21T16:37:00.002+05:30

जब कल नहीं था, पछतावा भी नहीं था
जब कल नहीं था, कोई उम्मीद भी नहीं थी
जब कल नहीं था, कोई मायूसी भी नहीं थी
जब कल नहीं था, कोई ख्वाइश भी नहीं थी
जब कल नहीं था, कोई तड़प भी नहीं थी
जब कल नहीं था, कोई फखर भी नहीं था
जब कल नहीं था, कोई गुस्सा भी नहीं था
जब कल नहीं था, कोई अफ़सोस भी नहीं था

जब कल नहीं था, बहुत मोहब्बत थी
जब कल नहीं था, बहुत ख़ुशी थी
जब कल नहीं था, बहुत सुकून था

अफ़सोस की आज "कल" है
इस लिए
मोहब्बत की शदीद ख्वाइश है
ख़ुशी के लिए दिल तड़प रहा है
सुकून की तो सिर्फ उम्मीद ही है

आज "कल" में जैसे की खो गया है
- मुस्तन जिरुवाला

Yearning

2011-07-06T19:01:00.004+05:30

In the beginning

of the universe,

I was one.

There was no one

to call me

names

There was no one

to classify me

as male or female

There was no one

to label me

as Hindu or Muslim

Nobody was there

to make me

rich or poor

Nobody.

None.

Just me.

I yearned for

someone

to talk to me

I yearned for

someone

to acknowledge me

I yearned for

someone

to notice me

So, I decided

to divide me.

Again and again.

More and more

I divided me,

yearning multiplied

Now,

I am no one.

I am Yearning.

- Musten Jiruwala

Akela, Tanha

2011-06-12T11:35:00.001+05:30

Mehez ek...

2011-06-12T11:33:00.000+05:30

Titli - Khushi ka ek lamha

2011-06-12T11:30:00.001+05:30

Who cares? The Answer

2010-02-15T17:37:00.001+05:30

I am Body
caught between
the tug of war
of Mind and Soul

Mind has concerns
Soul has desires
I have feelings
Who cares?

I want
to feel
happy and
peaceful

Help me!
I plead
with my mind
and the soul

Mind thinks
and says
"first handle
my concerns"

I turn to
the soul
with the hope
in my eyes

Soul chirps
"all you have to do
is fulfill
my desires!"

I buckle
under the weight
of concerns
and desires

I become numb
I let it go
let it all
just go

I stop listening
to the mind
I become deaf
to the soul

they
shout
yell
threaten

I remain
numb
silent
devoid of life

after a while
there is
a deafening
silence

no shouting
of the mind
no chirping
of the soul

all there is
is just
a void.
Nothingness.

I start
to like
this
state

tentatively
I dare
to smile
a little

I start
to feel
the life
again

I start
to feel
the strength
within

And a
realization
dawns
onto me

Despite
a million
concerns
of the mind

Despite
countless
unfulfilled desires
of the soul

I can choose
to feel
happy and
peaceful

I am
the master
of the mind
and the soul

I feel
what
I choose
to feel

I care.
- Musten Jiruwala

Who cares? The Question

2010-02-15T17:33:00.002+05:30

I am Body
caught between
the tug of war
of Mind and Soul

I am a slave
to these
two masters
of finicky nature

who should I
listen to?
The mind?
or the soul?

Mind is clever
has memories of past
and visions of
future

Soul is naive
has no sense
of time or
place

Mind has many
tricks
to save me
when I am down

tricks like
lie, cheat,
blame,
accuse

soul is dumb
has only desires
that lands me
into trouble

desirous of
joy, love
peace,
passion

only one thing common
in them
both are
attention seekers

I listen to one
and other
yells for
attention

I am a slave
to these
two masters
of finicky nature

Who should I
listen to?
Who should I
ignore?

Mind has concerns
Soul has desires
I have feelings
Who cares?

Who cares?
- Musten Jiruwala

Wind and Fire

2010-01-28T13:47:00.000+05:30

five feet below the ground
with logs of wood all around
burning happily round the clock
with loved ones poking to stoke

wind got a whiff of my joy
determined to douse me with a ploy
started to play with me like a toy
with a strong intention to annoy

I smiled and let it play
since it didn't bother me in anyway
I am the fire of faith
wind of malice can't bring me death

as the wind of rumor gets stronger
I start burning brighter and longer
wind, in its fury and anger
ends up playing an encourager!

I am the fire of faith
wind of malice can't bring me death
nor can it sway me away
into revenge or wrath

I am what I am
I am faith

- Musten Jiruwala

Sitting by the side of the river...

2010-01-15T18:14:00.001+05:30

limping lifelessly

burdened by thousands of thoughts

I collapsed by the side of the river

Shunned and pushed

by one and all

I lay there

depressed, dejected

sound of the river

seemed to drowna

in the chaos of

my mind

cool breeze

mischievously and

persistently

irritated

I gave up

and let the breeze

caress my face and

the river sing to me

after a prelude

of flowing sounds

the river started its

lullaby

"I am a drop

from the sky

fell on a leaf

pleaded to hide

leaf just smiled

and gently

pushed me

aside

I fell on the rock

clung to it for my life

with a tear in my eye

pleaded to hide

with a gentle smile

the rock too

pushed me

aside

I fell from rock to rock

and leaf to leaf

pushed and shunned

yet no relief

thousand other drops

joined me in my grief

together we struggled

with some deep belief

we kept moving

we kept leaping

we kept flowing

we kept growing

now, we move the rocks

and give life to leaves

we are unstoppable

we find alternatives

thanks to the leaf

and to the rocks

who pushed me aside

and gave me life

I move on

I keep leaping

I keep flowing

I keep growing

I am a drop

from the sky

shunned by the leaf

pushed by the rock

I am a part

of a flowing

river"

for the first time

in my life

I woke up from

a deep slumber

since then,

I keep flowing

I move on

and I feel

magical

ecstatic

alive

Every moment

- Musten Jiruwala

What to do...

2010-01-13T16:08:00.000+05:30

Not so long ago
I used to be surrounded by
circumstances

Desires burnt out
on the back-burner
while I wrestled with
surviving in this society

I was blurred
in my own focus
while I focused on
lifeless surroundings

One fine day,
I gathered some courage
and did what my
heart desired

I felt
magical,
ecstatic,
alive!

Next moment,
the world
seemed to have
crashed on me

I regretted quietly
for my foolishness
and vowed never to
have any more desires

Suppressed
like a caged bird
I went about
the chores of life, again

Until one fine day
not so long ago
sitting by the side
of the river

I realized
what life is
all about

Today,
I first do
what my heart
desires

And
I feel magical,
ecstatic,
alive

Every moment.

- Musten Jiruwala
(dedicated to my love)

You and Me

2009-12-18T11:41:00.002+05:30

I have been looking for you

But everytime I thought I found you

it so turned out that it was only me

Other day, I saw someone sulking

and I thought, I found you

But, it so turned out that it was only me

When I saw that little child enjoying on the swing

I thought, I found you

But, it so turned out that it was only me

This morning, when I confronted that arrogant person

I thought, I found you

But, it so turned out that it was only me!

Every other person I saw who was

Jealous, righteous, loving, caring, selfish, generous and what not

I thought, I found you

But, it so turned out every time that it was only me!

I am so desperately looking for you that is not me

Where are you?

Are you there?

Or is it just me?

I think you are all screwed up.

Or, is it me?

- Musten Jiruwala

Walk a Mile

2009-12-15T13:29:00.005+05:30

Love makes you walk a mile in your loved one's shoes. Seldom its a comfortable mile.

Unspoken Wishes

2009-12-14T12:53:00.000+05:30

A little surprise party on a birthday or an anniversary. A small note of appreciation. A gift of new expensive watch. A surprise vacation plan. These are some of the unspoken wishes one has. Its an acid-test for my loved ones. I set this unspoken wish to be an indication of their love and care towards me. If they(loved ones) do it, I feel they care for me. If they don't (regardless of countless other things they do for my joy), I feel that they don't love me/they don't care for me.

Ofcourse, I would feel hurt and let down if they don't do it. So, I rub it in. I tell them my expectation after the event has passed. And express my hurt. This way, all they can feel is guilt. Do I get pleasure out of it? No! But, why should I feel the pain alone? At least, next time they will know what is expected of them on such occasions, if they really love me, care for me.

So called "wise" people say that, "You must express what you want", "You must be a demand on your loved ones", "You must respect their choice after they know what your wish is". Rubbish, I say! They should know what is expected of them. Why do I have to mention it?

I know very well that its a double edged sword. If they do it, I would feel ecstatic! If they don't, I would feel let down and depressed. If I say it, there will be no fun, no thrill. Yeah. For a while, I would feel miserable and unloved (and enjoy their attention ;-))

Context

2009-10-12T13:21:00.001+05:30

Context that you operate from gives you the perception of the person. This perception is responsible for the way you behave with that person. When you change your context, that same person will appear different to you.

Stress

2009-10-06T17:09:00.002+05:30

Stress is caused by fear of change or desire to change.

Fear of change causes resistance to change while desire to change causes resistance to the present.

Both results in resistance and hence stress.

God Exists!!

2009-08-20T12:57:00.000+05:30

Ofcourse, God Exists!!! Afterall, God is created by man!

Let me just give you some out-of-box perspective on this...these are my thoughts only.

Existence of God is in the human mind. Human mind thrives on knowledge. Most part of this knowledge is aquired knowledge. Each one of us process this aquired knowledge and create new knowledge that we call our own. We all share this knowledge with others in varied quantities. Thus the knowledge spreads.

Psychology is a science of human mind. Sociology is science of human relationships or science of collective minds. The prophets and the saints who established religions were sociologists who understood collective human mind. They used the knowledge given by psychology to establish order in human relationship. They used two fundamental aspects of human behaviour, fear and desire, to bring order in human relationships.

The origin of God dates back to few thousand years when human beings were savage. They were organized in clans and they were warriors, hunters and farmers. It was a true jungle raaj where the might was right. (Not that things have changed much since then).

Human mind could overcome the fear of anything that could be projected in space and time, in other words, in conscious state of mind. So, there was a need to create fear in the sub-conscious state of mind. Thus, the image of super-natural, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscent was created and was called God.

This fear was used to restrict people from doing things that caused harm to other individuals in the society.

This image of God, the super-natural, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscent, was induced into sub-conscious state of mind by way of rituals, sermons, miraculous stories and creating some physical evidence (footprints, icons etc).

Thus, The God was created. First, as a fear to restrict people from doing harmful things.

Later, there were refinements after understanding more psychology. They understood that better results can be achieved by guiding or inspiring people to do something rather than restricting people from doing something. They saw that restrictions generally caused rebellion.

So, these refined sociologists used the desire and some imaginary places like heaven which is controlled by God to inspire people to do good things.

This God was shared thru generations in varied quantitites. Daily rituals, festivals and periodical sermons made sure that this image of God was kept alive in the sub-conscious mind.

Psychology, the science of human mind allowed the sociologists to create this image. Later on, the existence of god was explained by way of philosophy and metaphysics.

Yet, human mind never gives up violence. It can find ways and means to prove its might. Today, this human mind is trying to prove that their image of God is mightier than others. Muslims say Allah is mightier, Hindus say Bhagwan is mightier, Christians say, God is mightier. And, we find reason to fight.

Then we fight over the existence of God. Today, we call it faith. We defend this faith by saying that absence of proof is not proof of absence.

To conclude, God is a necessary 'evil' to keep human existence in check!

Philosophizing life

2009-08-20T12:55:00.004+05:30

Love, Joy, Peace can travel greatest of the great distances at faster than the fastest speed in shortest of the short time. The only thing it cannot penetrate is thinner than the thinnest wall of arrogance, anger, lies and suspicion.
Demeaning and ridiculing others will elevate you fast and high on a bubble of false pride. Just that the bubble of false pride doesn't last too long.
The person on whom you fix the responsibility for things happening in your life becomes more powerful. For happenings in my life, I fix the responsibility on myself.
For you, it IS what it MEANS to you. Fact is, it doesn't mean anything. It is what it is.
I feel what I choose to feel.
I am learning to attach my perception with your feelings.
When you look at hurdles as problems, you avoid them. When you look at hurdles as opportunities, you overcome them.
if you can't appreciate something that you have, its better to lose it. if you are going to regret losing it, better appreciate it.
When I focus my energy on where I want my world to go, my world will not end up where I don't want it to go.
By nature, I am chaotic. Adapting myself to a system or a process is against my nature.
When the child in you dies, childishness will remain.
Maturity is to overcome childishness while remaining a child.
Ignoring myself often results in finding fault with others.
Friendship is free from all relationships. Only a relationship can be broken.
What, when, where, who, how gives you facts. Why gives you perceptions. Truth is beyond facts and perceptions.
When you want something or someone to change, be ready to deal with your frustration.
I dominate those against whom I feel weak and helpless.
Deeds matter. Dress doesn't.
Significance is merely in your perception, otherwise everything is mundane.
Failing after giving your best is a sign of bigger success.
Perception from conveniently altered past can brighten the future and diminish the present.

Anger

2008-05-27T14:29:00.002+05:30

When I am angry
I scream, shout, sulk
I feel powerful
My son fears me
My daughter is scared of me
My wife feels frightened
And then,
for days, I am alone
at my home
with my own family.
- Musten

Reflections

2008-05-27T13:47:00.003+05:30

Aage, peechhey, daaye, baaye, upar neechey,
harr taraf dushman zamana tha
Gaur sse dekha tto mei akela aur
harr taraf sirf aaina hhi aaina tha
- Musten (27th May, 2008)

(In front or back, on left or right, up or down,
I found only foes
when I looked closer, I was all alone
with mirrors all over)

Ekspressions of a bird...

2006-03-25T13:48:00.000+05:30

Birds!
We are so fortunate to be
birds!

We can fly as high
as we desire,
as far as
we want!

Quench our thirst,
at any pond, river, stream
of our choice,
at our time!

Sit on any branch,
of any tree,
of our choice,
and eat its fruits
to our heart's content!

Birds!
I am so fortunate to be
a bird!

SO WHAT, if I am caged?
This cage is so
meticulously crafted,
and so lovingly painted
with different hues of
my Master's choice,
especially for me!

My Master!
Sure is very loving,
very caring!

He carefully plucks
his choice of fruits
and feeds them to me!

To quench my thirst,
he places clean water
in a silver bowl,
lest I catch that dreaded
Bird Flu!

My Master!
Sure is very loving,
very caring!

Only one wish though,
Oh My Master!
To have a little
bigger cage,

to stretch my wings
and fly a little,
play a little,
have a little bit
taste of those
free birds' life!

- Musten Jiruwala
As felt by the bird in me (unrevised)

Seeker, Seeker

2005-10-18T14:02:00.000+05:30

Why you have to be so possesive
and yearn to take away my freedom?
I am a free bird,
your world is my kingdom!

Seeker, seeker
seek something else.
Love, that is not binding,
will get plenty, not any less.

I am generous
don't need to woo me
you already have me
just open your eyes and see!

- Musten Jiruwala

~ Innocent ~

2005-10-18T13:58:00.000+05:30

Morning mist with light breeze
clinging dew on grass and leaves

riot of saffron far away in the sky
chirping birds just about to fly
crickets at rest and the roosters at their best
welcoming the rising ball of hot air in haste

just then, wakes up this man...

his heart filled with venom of hatred
with virus of revenge, his blood infected
weapons of mass destruction, in his hand
churning out devilish schemes, from his brain

the alarm goes off, wakes up the child
far away somewhere,
innocent.

- Musten Jiruwala

Rise and Fall!

2005-10-18T13:55:00.000+05:30

The kid hit Qad(ir) for a huge six
And Azhar thought it was best to fix

Kapil and his men planted on World-cup a big kiss
Ganguly, as usual, managed to give it a miss

Sachin provided much needed pain to Shane
As McGrath walked in proudly in the Hall-of-fame!

- Musten Jiruwala

Successful?

2005-10-18T13:52:00.000+05:30

First time,
when I saw her clapping,
and patting my shoulders
with that hint of joy in her eyes...

I made up my mind
that I want to experience this moment
again and again...

So I practiced well and
succeeded to fail again and again!

She never gave up.

- Musten Jiruwala

Your Eyes...

2005-10-18T13:50:00.000+05:30

why is it that my imagination
is full of tragedy!

I look into your eyes
and my imagination
triggers off...

I walk along with you
on the narrow trail,
hand in hand.

I climb up,
I extend my hand
and pull you up

smiling, laughing,
walking, talking,
we keep climbing up

this goes on for a while
until we reach the pinnacle
of a scenic mountain top

you are in my arms.
I can see clouds
hugging the mountain below

force of the wind is such
that I am unable to keep
my balance

here is beauty
along with fear

I want to be here.
I want to be near.
Yet, I fear
to be here

I look away.
Yet,
I want to look
into your eyes.

why?

- Musten Jiruwala

What if...

2005-10-18T13:43:00.000+05:30

It is early morning.
Once again, sun is hesitatingly making its appearance, guilty of disturbing peacefully sleeping beasts, birds and human beings. However, to its amazement, sun found most of the human beings awake and making their way to Janpath singing joyfully, waking up the sleeping dogs and the birds.

Unlike every year, today there will be no army parades or display of might in weaponary. Today, the leaders of each country (except for one) from the entire world have gathered here to witness the historical announcement. The announcement, which will be remembered for thousands of years to come.

Leaders of all countries (except for one) are present in their best regional attires. Large or small, every country is represented by its apex leaders, presidents and prime-ministers. Leaders of every religious body are here too.

Media personnels from every nook and corner of the world, be it Television, Radio or Print Media, every one of them are setting up their equipments on the specially designed semi-circular hanging platform, about 30 feet above ground.

The announcement will be made by the UN Security Council Chief at exactly 08:15 AM.

At the moment, there are huddles of leaders mingling around with people, drinking their morning tea from paper cups. There are no barricades, no commandos, no uniformed guards, no policemen and no weapons in sight.

The sun, baffled by all these happenings, looks on.

08:15 AM
Cameras are already focused; wireless microphones are already thrust in their best available slots on the podium. Leaders and the public are standing in full attention. There is light breeze and the sky is clear (quite unheard of during this time of the year in this part of the world). Pin drop silence.

As the UN Security Chief slowly takes a step forward and briskly strides towards the podium, the audience, barely able to contain their excitement, is cheering loudly along with their joyful singing. The atmosphere is fully charged with excitement.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!", Chief of the council starts off! "The historical moment is here!".

"It is with great joy and excitement...", she pauses, perhaps choking, unable to contain the excitement.

"I declare this world to be completely free of any terror!". There is loud cheer from the crowd!
"I declare this world to be completely free of any weapons!".
Another loud cheer from the crowd!
"I declare this world to be completely free of any boundries!". The crowd is now ecstatic!
"Now, you can work anywhere you like! You can do your business anywhere you want to!", she thought it needless to add "except for one country".
"Now, you are truly free from any authoritative governance!".
"At last, after decades of consistent efforts, our world is free of Dictators!".
Married men are dancing with joy. Married women are smiling.
Tears of joy run down the cheeks of the leaders of the world as if washing away all their sins.
Sun smiles quietly, thinking "Once Again, it is the morning of August 15th , that has made history!
"What if that one country...

- Musten Jiruwala

Christina's World

2005-10-18T13:36:00.000+05:30

Tears swell up in my eyes,
when I cut the cake
on my 75th Birthday!

Friends, relatives and well wishers
all gathered in throngs
on this fateful Wednesday

Sixty years have past since
I experienced reality of life,
for the first time, on that day

The sky was lit up with
fires of the enemies
everyone were running helter-skelter
in an effort to protect their
offsprings and ponies

in a few moments,
life came to a complete halt
with deathly silence
and fading lights

There I was,
in the field
sitting alone
looking for the signs of life
fearing that they are all gone

Sixty years hence,
Here I am
lots of things changed
around me,
The buildings, the roads,
the computers and the telephones

I am looking for the
small small clues
to see whether
they have changed...

Same way, as I looked
for the signs of life
on that fateful day...

- Musten Jiruwala

Why? Because...

2005-10-18T13:32:00.000+05:30

One day,
I decided to play God for me
because,I saw pandemonium and chaos

Then, I decided to dry up the oil from the well,
because,I saw you fight like hell
for a small little oil well

Some sanity restored,
I felt encouraged to go on,

I decided to destroy the weapons,
because,I wanted to bring equality between you and the strong
to stop you from any brawl

However,
I was again proved wrong
by you, my own creation!
You kept the fight going for pretty long

I looked closer for some clue
I searched every soul, black and blue
because
I desperately wanted to bring peace, that was true

Finally,I decided to give you back the oil,
because,
that was not the cause for any spoil,

I decided to give you back the weapons,
becauseI wanted you to realize on your own
Thatyou fight
because
you fear

And if anyone can destroy that fear,
it's not me,
but the creator.
You,
Musten,
you.

- Musten Jiruwala

Courage

2005-10-18T13:29:00.000+05:30

~~~ Courage ~~~
Sun was about to disappear
far away in the ocean

Birds were hurrying to their nests
in an orderly fashion

sky was preparing itself to change its colour
from orange to purple to black

cool breeze was blowing across her face
blowing her hair ever so softly

I kept looking at her,
she kept looking at the sea
as if waiting for that eternal moment to reappear

this was perhaps the hundredth time
in last one week,that I wanted to tell her...

sun disappeared, time ran out, she left...
this time forever.

- Musten Jiruwala

2005-10-14T16:12:00.000+05:30

Musten Jiruwala
As Manoj in Kavyanjali...a tribute to Indian poetry. Kavyanjali was staged at CFD Nani Arena and was directed by Rahul George of Join-The-Dots theatre group.

Where is love?

2005-06-17T15:50:00.000+05:30

Where is love?

One fine day, in the winter
I stepped out, in search of love.

Hoping to find it everywhere,
so, I looked here, there, everywhere

I looked for it in my children,
in my wife and my parent,
in my brothers and my sisters
in my friends and my well wishers

all in vain,
I returned with empty hand.

I expanded my search,
far and wide
looking for the place,
where love could hide

searched the depth of the oceans
and pinnacle of the mountains,
Searched jungles and the cities
villages and the towns,

searched roaring seas, and the flowing rivers
while the december chill gave me shivers

all efforts down the drain,
I returned empty handed, once again.

Then, there is this last place
am afraid to look,
for the fear that, all hopes
I would lose

I need courage and strength
to look for love in this last place,

deep down
at the bottom
of my heart.

Crust of life

उम्मीद

Muharram and the Battle of Karbala

Ritual that 'sacrificed' the spirit

प्रतिबिंब

Vijaya Dashmi - The Celebration

कल

Yearning

Akela, Tanha

Mehez ek...

Titli - Khushi ka ek lamha

Who cares? The Answer

Who cares? The Question

Wind and Fire

Sitting by the side of the river...

What to do...

You and Me

Walk a Mile

Unspoken Wishes

Context

Context that you operate from gives you the perception of the person. This perception is responsible for the way you behave with that person. When you change your context, that same person will appear different to you.

Stress

God Exists!!

Philosophizing life

Anger

Reflections

Ekspressions of a bird...

Seeker, Seeker

~~~ Innocent ~~~

Rise and Fall!

Successful?

Your Eyes...

What if...

Christina's World

~~ Why? Because... ~~

~~ Courage ~~

Where is love?

~ Innocent ~

Why? Because...

Courage