My travels is all about... My views, thoughts and experiences on/about/at/with random places of interest, persons, things, events, issues etc,. I am an eternal student with a restless mind and a tumultuous heart!

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Lucky

(Poem - On our Pet, Lucky {2004-2015}) 


"
When I was in 9th class, my father brought a pup home, and we were all very happy.
A fluffy little female Pomeranian, we named her 'Lucky'.    
A loyal and lovable creature we had, a bright bragging right before relatives and friends -
It was a great joy to watch Lucky, that's where all the tension ends.

A cheeky constant in my mother's kitchen and a companion to my father's walking, 
A playful knight of my brother, and welcoming me always with eyes so shining!
With a fearsome bark, she acts funnily as if to protect us from dangerous cats,  
One egg and a cup of milk for one day - she cared for diet unlike other dogs!

Always so disciplined yet full of fun, she was one of life's big joys.
Wonder how dogs are so selfless, there's music in their barks even if it's just noise.
Even if it was midnight when I reached my home after long trips from office,
She greets me with infectious bliss - all just for a gentle pat and rub - maybe a dog's solace. 

And so for 11 long years, it was a picture perfect joy...
But all great things do come to an end, O boy...! 
Farewell my canine companion, what did we do to deserve you?
As is said - 'Don't be sad that it's over, Be happy, it has happened'.  Bark and Smile, wherever be you!
"


References (If any)

1. Place and Date -
@ - Palakollu, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh.
On -29th of July, 2017

2. Subject - "Lucky" (Poem)
Lucky (c.2004-2015) was our pet dog - she was a female Pomeranian and a bundle of joy for our family members. After 11 long and memorable years, she passed away due to old-age, exactly on this day, 29th of July, two years ago (2015). 
Picture on top - Lucky in 2014, taken by me.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Always the People's President

(Reminiscence/Memory - APJ Abdul Kalam)


"
One of my greatest bragging right is that I have seen him. I had the pleasure of listening him speak inspiring words. It was during the 93rd National Children's Science Congress, held in January, 2006 at Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad. And he was his excellency, the then President, Sri APJ Abdul Kalam. As a 16 year old kid, I was enthralled as he spoke endearingly to us all, eagerly taking questions, very humble and patient.

Sample this question. Someone asked him why he had chosen Science over other subjects. He explained how one day, he asked his Science teacher about how birds fly and the later took him to a beach, elucidating the principle of aerodynamics and practically showing him birds in flight. Then he said, quite famously, to a roaring audience, slowly , - 'And, then I fell in Love with Science'. 

Dubbed as the 'Missile Man of India', this Scientist turned Statesman is a classic & rare role model for the youth of the country. And, as I read his 'Wings of Fire', I understood and admired great qualities of the man himself, mostly his respect of elders & seniors (Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan), the way he dealt with failure (SLV-3 Launch). And as President of India, I remember with awe the way he reacted during the infamous Indian Ocean Tsumani of 26th of December, 2004 (defining them as 'Shock Embedded Tidal Waves'), and his principled opposition to the Office of Profit bill during the first term of UPA rule. And who would not remember his inspiring speeches (like the one at the European Parliament, where he quoted extensively from 'Tirukkuraal'.)

It is not an irony that one of India's greatest sons is remembered as People's President!   
"


References (If any)

1. Place and Date -
@ - Home Sweet Home, # 16-7-16, Sree Bhramara, Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh - 534 260
On -27th of July, 2017

2. Subject - "Always the People's President"- Remniscense/Memory - APJ Abdul Kalam
Two years ago this day, his excellency, the 11th President of India, Sri APJ Abdul Kalam passed away. He was  a towering personality in his own right - a great, patriotic Indian, a scientist and brain behind India's 2nd nuclear tests, the man who made 'Agni missile' possible, and a true and never before/never after kind of People's President of the Republic of India. 
Wherever you are sir, rest in peace!

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

They spilt their blood so that...

(Tribute - Poem -18th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas) 


"
A shepherd brought a shuddering news - another silent betrayal by the neighbour,
We forgot to verify the trust, and time now to pay the price of this backstabbing saber.   
As men descend with blessings from Rawalpindi, towards the valley of Kashmir,
And an Asian giant is drawn into an unwilling battle, there was always a chance of nuclear threat, damn here.

Slowly but surely, plans were drawn to beat the repeated intruders untamed,
Because of the sacrifice of the brave, the territorial sovereignty was reclaimed .
An aggrieved nation rose in fury, for once all petty differences were ditched.
But battles were won by strategy and sacrifice, not by passion or propaganda stitched.

As the Gurkhas sang 'Ayo Gurkhali', and the Howitzers fired tirelessly,
The National Highway to Srinagar was targeted by the foes, most dastardly.
As we waited in bated breadth, the select few made us hold our heads high,
The fighting was fierce, death was imminent to many, but they never said 'Nahi'. 

And the armed forces fought, for every inch, like every time...
The Tricolor flew high - At Dras and Kargil, On the peaks of Tiger Hill and Tolo-Ling. 
That just meant another decisive victory attained within two months.
Every year this day, we salute the heroes of Kargil....
They spilt their blood so that we may have tears of joy, and not sorrow.
"





References (If any)

1. Place and Date -
@ - Palakollu, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh.
On -26th of July, 2017

2. Subject - "They Spilt their blood so that...!" (Tribute - Poem - 18th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas)
26th of July, 2017 marks the 18th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, which commemorates India's famous and decisive victory in the Kargil War (May-July 1999). Facing International diplomatic pressure and the capable strategy and tactics employed by the Indian Army (Operation Vijay, more popularly affiliated with the entire Kargil Operations) and Indian Air-Force (Operation Safed Sagar), Pakistani paramilitary forces and insurgents withdrew from Kargil and other occupied areas.

The war was anxiously observed all the world over, because, perhaps, for the first time in Human History, two nuclear-armed countries were engaged in a conventional war, and thankfully, the conflict did not escalate.

However, a terrible price had to be paid by India, in the form of loss of lives of brave soldiers (c. 527 causalities). To them, this poem is dedicated. Jai Hind!


For further details  -
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kargil_War


Picture on top - Indian soldiers during the war at Batalik Sector https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37865373
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kargil_War

Sunday, July 2, 2017

For the Scape-Goat, At the Least!

(Tribute - Poem) 

 


"
At the turn of the 90s, the double digit inflation was a persistent reality, 
The nadir of macro-mismanagement evident as the economy's an amputee.
Even before the Sickle and Hammer fell, a minority government's in order,
Will the reforms be a reality, that is the question, more hard than the word 'harder'.

Then in the Durbar of Delhi, one man organized a team of mis-fits,
To borrow from IMF and join the global village, the beginning was just in bits.
Amidst the dust of political bickering, the wheels of the Indian Economy started moving,
The License Raj was slayed as the doomsday pundits of India stopped mocking.

Let there be competition, however small the beginning, 
Let there be fair play and celebration of private innovation, but no skimming. 
The Great west took notice, as the Elephant marched on,
Alas, the one man responsible was forgotten, seems the nation moved on.

He was neither a messiah, nor incorruptible, But when an old dynasty...
needed a scape-goat, he was the answer, a perfect mis-match finally!
A few words of respect and a few moments of remembrance....
A few acknowledgements and a few thank yous....
Would suffice for the scape-goat, At the least! 
"





References (If any)

1. Place and Date -
@ - Vijayawada, Krishna, Andhra Pradesh.
On -28th of June, 2017

2. Subject - "For the Scape-Goat, At the Least!" (Tribute - Poem)
Pamulaparti Venkata Narasimha Rao (28 June 1921 – 23 December 2004) (Telugu: పి.వి.నరసింహ రావు) was an Indian lawyer and politician who served as the 9th Prime Minister of India, from 1991–1996.[3] His ascendancy to the prime ministership was politically significant in that he was the first holder of this office from a non-Hindi-speaking region, belonging to the southern part of India. He led an important administration, overseeing a major economic transformation and several home incidents affecting national security of India.[4] Rao, who held the Industries portfolio, was personally responsible for the dismantling of the Licence Raj, as this came under the purview of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.[5] He is often referred to as the "Father of Indian Economic Reforms".

Today is his birth anniversary (Jayanthi), and his role and legacy is often understated in the context of Indian Politics and Indian Economy. However, it is rather reassuring to note that things have started to change, at least now. This Poem is a tribute to him,especially during the famous Macro-Economic reforms in 1991, when India was forced to go for a conditional loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and grudgingly accept Globalisation, Liberalisation and Privatisation in the wake of the notorious License & Inspector Raj, Double Digit Inflation and overall mismanagement. And on top of it, the sad reality that he is remembered for all the wrong reasons, as a scape-goat.

For further details and due credit to the first para supra in 'subject' -
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._V._Narasimha_Rao


Picture on top - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._V._Narasimha_Rao