From Darkness to Light

There was scarcity
Of food, water, comforts
Roads were narrow
So were the minds
The rich grabbed
The poor envied
Eyes were on others
Counting the wonders
God had blest them with
Leaving them in tatters.

Fifty years since then
We are happy, amen
We travel, we have fun
We eat well
Everything at fingertips
Just ring the bell
And yet our eyes
Hunger for more
Counting the joys
That come to others

The roads are wider
But packed to the core
So is our mind
Cluttered with chores
With thoughts that muck up
And confusion galore
Through luxury and comfort
We are but beggars
Craving, yearning
Demanding for more

Grabbing always
Pushing others
Showing off
Our empty riches
Yet not happy
Pondering always
If the other man isn't happy
A teeny weeny bit more
And losing sleep
To catch up sooner.

Science and research
Have given us progress
In material things
Increasing our comfort
Who will find out
Where that button is
To lifelong contentment
That rests within us
From darkness to light we travelled
But left our minds behind in dark ages.

Anubavangal: Ayyo paavam, kadavul

Anubavangal: Ayyo paavam, kadavul: "என்ன நினைத்தாய் நீ மனிதனை படைக்கும் பொழுது உன்னைப்போல் ஒருவன் உன் உருவம், உன் குணம் என்றெல்லாம் திட்டமிட்டு ஆறறிவையும் கொடுத்து நிறைய வள..."

Full Circle?

May 21, 1991: A national leader killed gruesomely and the local government suspected of turning a blind eye deliberately.

The same party becomes a partner at the national level, with the party whose leader was killed. The national party's real head is the wife of the killed leader, but she smiles through it all. The local party even dictates terms, and she bides her time.

May 20, 2011: Two decades later, the local party leader's daughter faces corruption charges of unheard of magnitude. She is sent to jail without bail.

Is this divine justice, revenge time or just plain political gimmickry?

Meeravin Mudal Prayatnam: Chennaiyil Pasumai

Meeravin Mudal Prayatnam: Chennaiyil Pasumai: "மவுண்ட் ரோட்டில் இப்படி ஒரு இடமா என்று எல்லோரும் கேட்கும் பொழுதே தெரிந்திருக்கணம், யார் கண்ணாவது பட போகிறதென்று. பல்லை இளித்து, ஆமாம் என்று ..."

The Geese Fall Silent

We will get a new metro
Maybe in years two or three
Meanwhile they have taken
Away all the geese
Soon they will come down
To cut all the trees
But even before that
Oh where are all the deers?
Only the birds still come
And sing a few songs of cheer
Making me come out
Once in a while to peer
But will I ever get to see
Another new bird, dear?
Sigh, we should be happy
About the new metro that will be here.

Had posted before: The Silence of the Geese

Power Struggle

The people may have given a clear verdict in the elections, but they are still the losers. There is no power in the state!

On any day, between 11 and 4, none of the traffic signals seem to be working, even on main roads and important junctions.

On some pretext, there is going to four hour power cut during the day, staggered into one hour each. Though it was shelved indefinitely, since yesterday, it is going to be two hours - one hour each, twice in a day. Today, 9-5 maintenance.

Well, well, AC all the rooms, or even put air conditioners, build skycapers and have multiple lifts. Where is the power to keep them going?

Inverters and generators, you say? Well sir, petrol and diesel don't grow on trees exactly.

Back to dark ages soon? Aah, we won't need the time machine at all! Isn't that comforting?

Getting Used to the Luxury; Turtle Walk

The Regal Look - Wasted

Peeping out to see how many saw his humiliation

Five white tigers in an enclosure. Standing at a safe distance, we were still awed by the majesty and the beauty of the regal animals. One walked down the slope to the ditch dug around the enclosure, next to the ditch, separating the humans from the carnovores.

We stood admiring each when we heard the gates of the cage being opened and shut from the rear of the enclosure. Food time, we realised.

A man came out to the outer wall on the rear and called out harshly, "Po (go)!" All the tigers looked. One of them instantly sat up. Another glared at him regally. He threw a stick at it to get it moving. He shouted again and again to get them to pick up their food. Slowly one went in, another followed. The stubborn ones were egged by the man to get moving.

Even the most stubborn one finally got up, went in, had its fill and came out. It was a sad sight.

But, I couldn't help wondering - is this what is happening in Tihar jail right now? The one with the power is the one outside, making those inside dance to his (her) tunes?

The Kind Lord; Hobson's Choice; Animal Farm