True Or Views Of a Few?

 Sunday Times edition dated June 25, 2023 had this question on the cover page-

"True or views of a few?"

Sunday Times is the Sunday edition of the Times of India- "India's largest English newspaper".

Times of India is "India's Most Trusted Newsbrand."

The question in question here made me think of all the possible answers.

Many times, views of a few have been imposed on the vast majority.

Over the years, those views and those cunning stories and concocted tales have been accepted as the reality.

Truth has gone for a toss, and people do not even know or realise or bother about their loss!

Leading media have been publishing wrong information based on the previous fake news or incorrect data.

For example, the recent Manchester Marathon- Khandua Saree worn by Marathon-runner Ms Madhusmita Jena Das. Despite corrections being made, updates have been few, wrong info exists on cyberspace and the saree is still being erroneously referred to as- "Sambalpuri Bandha".

Rasagola (Rasgulla) has been a part of the age-old cultural tradition of Shreemandira i.e. the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri, Odisha.

Ultimately Truth Is Truth

Truth is truth even if no one believes in it.

Lie is lie even if everyone believes in it.

Ultimately truth is truth & its power is here to stay.
Truth will emerge and kick the lies out of its way!

Truth wins! Truth will win at the end and be known to all.
Lie will be defeated as truth will conquer and stand tall.

Then, why do people queue to lie & resort to lies feeling it's fine?
Why the numbers of supporters are so less in the truth line?

Stranger Than Fiction

This is set in the 1930s in a village in Ganjam, Odisha, India.
-----

Thak-Thak! Thak-Thak! 

Thump! Thump!

Hearing the banging on his window, Hariprasad was woken up from his slumber. 

His friend, Natu, often did this at dawn to awaken Hariprasad.

The two would then set out to plow their agricultural land.

But, that particular dawn no-moon (Amavasya) night, it appeared Natu had arrived earlier than usual as when Hariprasad opened his window, it was still dark outside. It appeared darker as there was no moon. It was a cloudy night & there were no stars too.

"Natu, you don't sleep or what? It's not yet dawn and you woke me up!" 

Natu just mumbled, "Hmmm."

Natu was walking at a faster-than-usual pace and a still-drowsy Hariprasad followed him to the field.

"Natu, Let's draw the water from the well first. But, it's pitch-dark & still we have to fill the pitchers."

So saying hardly had Hariprasad handed a pitcher, when Natu had filled it in a jiffy!

Hariprasad found it pretty unusual.

All the pitchers were filled in no time.

Graceful Style Of My Own

Ever since I learnt my name- Anita's meaning,
My confidence shot up & I started grinning :D
I believed that as my name means 'Graceful',
I can carry off any & every style & be blissful!

Jeans or Leggings with a simple top or Kurti,
Traditional Lehnga, Salwar-suit or Saree pretty...
Mix and match Indian with Western wear & fusion,
I carry off styles; charting new paths with no confusion!

Picture Prompt- Poets United - Hidden Paths

Fabrics, prints and colors all are wonderful.
The choice is amazing; the range is soulful!
I pick whether its cotton, silk or chiffon!
Deciding my style as per occasion is real fun!

Whether it's to a party, office or amusement park,
I choose my own style and happily embark!
I'm willing to change, experiment & do lots more!
I earn cool compliments when I enter any door!

Pic with permission- Photo Prompt- Magpie Tales

Tempted

http://forum.blogadda.com/discussion/314/wow-tempte

 
I always looked forward to visits to my Granny's place during my School's Summer-holidays. It was real fun as all my cousins also came and we had a gala time.

What I Saw! See More!

I have decided to be more aware & to ‘see’ more!
To be more conscious & open my mind's door!

I did not fiddle with my phone during car-journey,
Today, I earnestly made an effort to ‘see’...

I was rewarded with a sight that's rare!

I saw a Parrot sitting on an electric wire!

Image Courtesy

I was so thrilled; to click a picture I forgot!

I asked my kid, "Did you see the Parrot?” 

But, as we had already crossed it, it was too late...

The sight of this particular Parrot was just in my fate.

I learnt that in the journey of life we need to ‘see’ more!

Enjoy the drive, the experience & improve our life-score!

Note- A True Poem-Story!

Today what did you see?
Did you miss anything/anyone on your journey?

The Cake-Drive

I call my daughter Supergirl as she has super-powers! Like my Superman husband, she also supports me and encourages me to achieve more and more and improve my score! I feel I can take on the world with them by my side! Seeing their unwavering faith in me & lots of admiration for my skills, makes me feel powerful & like He-Man, I say- ‘I HAVE THE POWER!’

Recently I learnt driving at Driving School. Supergirl was most insistent that I drive our Car! She wanted to display her ‘Cool-Driver-Mom’ to her friends! I got my Driving License too, but was yet to drive our Car! 

Today morning, I was dusting our Car's interiors, when Supergirl resolutely sat down on the front seat and said, "Mamma, Let us go for a drive! Long drive pe chal!" 

I laughed it off as I had no guts to drive our Car! I was scared and hesitant to do so without an instructor or hubby dear by my side... The fear that bogged me down was- “What if I scratch our Car?” I myself was surprised at this thought as such a positive person like me had this negative thought! Hubby dear, Superman, had already assured me that he wouldn’t be the least cross if I ever did scratch our Car! 

Supergirl was persistent. "Mamma, Let us go NOW! You already have your License, please use it!" She had more faith in my capability! 

“Call Papa!” I implored.  

Soul Sisters

"Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Naata Koi, Yuhi Nahi Dil Lubhaata Koi,
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Maane Tu Ya Maane Na..."
-Lyrics of a Hindi Song from the Film- 'Aa Gale Lag Ja' that mean- 
"You must have a previous bond/relationship with me, One can't touch the heart just like that…
Either you know or you don't know, Either you believe or you don't believe..."

Life presents many pains & blisters…
Not to worry coz I have my Soul Sisters!
When they appear like stars in my sky,
It’s no longer tough to walk, I’m ready to fly!
Their friendship is precious to me.
They fill me with joys and ecstasy...
Can’t pick just one Soul Sister for this piece,
Would so like to share many of their stories…

Twitter Handles of some of my Soul Sisters:

@cityslicker_me – One of my good Twitter friends, previously she had her Twitter name as ‘Bumblebee’. We connect well and chat happily. In the initial stages of our friendship, I logged on to Twitter just to hear from her! As she is friends with all, I thought the best name for her would be ‘Miss Congeniality’. You won’t believe how surprised I was to see her new name set as per my thoughts the very next day! I shared with her that even I was thinking that it would be a befitting name for her! This was another proof for me that our minds are indeed connected! Just yesterday, I learnt her real name…

@lacimou – Fatima & I met on Twitter owing to our love for Hindi films and for ShahRukh Khan! Fatima stays in Belgium, yet loves all things Indian. What was amazing for me is that crossing International Borders is as easy as A-B-C! When we wish one another on special days, we know we share a special bond…

@iShilpa_ - One fine day we became friends & then all seems fine! Shilpa’s warm personality touches me. Must mention the counseling sessions I’ve had with her! She sets interesting Twitter Names- ApniFavorite, Miss ChittarChatter…now PancakeMix! Yummy!

@goolmohar – Rach as she named herself, is a bubbly girl. She recently changed her name to Rachh, said it was trying to get lucky! That’s when I asked her if her name was Rachna! We took part in a Travel contest & then I was confirmed! Rach misses me when I am not on Twitter!

@MiniSunami – I found Sunakshi posting very profound & heavy tweets. That time her handle was @KhaaliBrain. I tweeted to her that she did not deserve that handle! Such insights are of a very wise person! She had asked me to check out her Blog months ago. When I finally did, I found that she had posted a story that eerily completed the story that I had posted! Her Blog had the first half of the story, while mine had the second half. We completed the story together!

Time is short and I cannot possibly name all my Twitter friends with whom I have connected pretty well…It may be noted that I have many Soul Sisters! The following is my dedication to all:

All the Wonderful Girls & Ladies & Women – whom I have encountered in so many places. You have touched me with your smile, your gesture, your sacrifice, your trials…your touch…everything is worthwhile. Thankyou! I am grateful for the experience. That one or more moments that we have connected, you have touched my Soul…You are all my Soul Sisters…

What matters is that I know that I have a bond.
And I love their ways and style- Yes, I'm very fond!
An instant connection, a subject of great fascination.
Baffles my imagination as some belong to different nations!
Faces unseen, yet look familiar, I feel strongly about them...
They sparkle in my thoughts & reality like polished gems...
Remembered all my Soul Sisters; but have not wished them on Friendship Day
Many Happy 'Friendship Day' Wishes & Blessings- for a lifetime everyday!



 

Visit: contest page



I am writing this as part of Soul Sisters Contest - A Friendship Day Contest
Thanks to Women's Web & zivame.com

My Do Right Stories

Many Do Right Stories waiting to be told...

Stories that have their weight in Gold!

Tata Capital & BlogAdda's Do Right initiative

Is sure to make us learn, grow & relive. 

For me this was a childhood self-discovery trip,

Like gathering nectar from the pool to sip! 
Sharing some true stories with Honesty,
Respect, Kindness, Compassion, Integrity...!

When I was a kid, I had been invited to a Birthday Party. When my Mom went to pick me up, my friend’s mother told her, “Your kid is so well-behaved! She did not jump on the bed or on the Sofa like the others! Rather, she asked everyone to stop jumping by saying, “Ganda hojayega, Aunty ko jyada kaam padega” (It’ll get dirty and Aunty has to do extra work) Back at home, my Mom had hugged me & told me how proud she was of me. I had actually thought in the other person's shoes and had deeply felt and shared how tough it would be for her. That's Compassion- when we walk ahead of our selfish interests and think of other's needs or problems. Jumping on the bed would give us a high, but would make Aunty sigh! My Mom always cited this proudly to everyone. Now when I think of this, I give the credit to my parents for my upbringing. 

When I was in school, I was thrilled when my first story was published in Tinkle magazine. I earned a princely sum of Rs 80 for that! It was great to start 'earning' thanks to Uncle Pai, who had started accepting most of my stories, after sending me a series of rejection letters, rather 'motivation' letters with stories about the King and the Spider! 'Never Quit' has always been my mantra. My Papa opened a bank account for me where he deposited  all my earnings that arrived by cheques and Money Orders! Thereafter, I won Rs 500 when my film-review of the film 'Mohra' was published in Filmfare magazine. Everyone demanded a treat from me as I was a rich lady! Then, on a serious note, they asked me how I was going to spend all the money I had earned. I informed that I planned to donate it to the organization, CRY- Child Relief and You. Listening to this, my Mom had tears in her eyes... When I asked her, she said that Kindness always has such a touching effect. That was yet another reason for her to feel proud of me! To fulfill my wish, my Papa dispatched a cheque to CRY by contributing an extra amount on his behalf so as to make the total amount substantive; also he loves round figures! 

One afternoon, when I was in Std-IV, my Uncle (Mamaji-my Mom's younger brother)  visited our home. We had just had our lunch a short while ago and my Mom had gone for her afternoon siesta. Neither I nor my Uncle wished to disturb her sleep. It was lunch-time and I sensed that my Uncle must be hungry. Then, I actually went to the kitchen and did something that I had never done before...I served food! As I had never done it previously in my life, it was an adventure for me! My Mom had prepared extra quantity that I neatly served on a plate for him. Boy! Was he impressed! He had finished eating, when Mom entered the scene and learnt about the 'great task' I had accomplished! I had demonstrated my Respect for both of them. Even today my Uncle proudly cites this incident as an example to all!

My Honesty has earned me many titles & certificates from friends in School! They used to call me ‘Raja Harischandra’ & ‘Yudhisthir’ ! On the last day of School, our English Ma'am, one of our strictest teachers, asked a question to the Class- “What change would you like to see in me?” We all knew what change we wanted in her, but no one really dared to express. Just when I was planning to actually share my views as she was so keen to know, she actually called out my name to do so- “Anita, You tell me!” I said, “Ma’am, we would like you to smile a lot more everyday!” The whole class cheered and we got to see Ma’am’s smile for the first time ever! Just imagine Ma’am picking only me out of the whole class…She was a great teacher to have identified her students' character traits! I reflect on this incident with great pride that my reputation has always reeked of honesty! I have always earned everyone's trust for the right judgement and honest opinions.That is a precious treasure...

When I was in Std-V, I was selected for an inter-school sports event. I was to represent my school in the 100 metres and 200 metres running race. There were 3 groups as per the Class we studied in- GroupA- Classes 1-IV, GroupB- Classes V-VIII & GroupC- Classes IX-X. I was eligible for GroupB. However, seeing the tough competition with the higher Class girls of other participating schools in the same group as me, one of my teachers suggested that I fake my Class and write Class-IV instead of Class-V...and compete in GroupA. That would give me a better chance to win the races. I felt very uneasy with the idea and did not oblige at that stage. I had my Integrity at stake even at that age! I filled up my correct details and did the right thing. I ran the races in my right category. No, I did not win... Our School had missed certificates. The same teacher asked me why I hadn't listened to her....Isn't everything fair in love and war? As I always was tall and ran very fast, I could have easily won in GroupA. But, there are some races that we feel we have won even after losing them! I still give myself a pat for this! For me, I am always the winner of every race as even my name Anita means 'grace'!

"Be Proud of who you are,
Respect who you have been &
Be grateful for who you are yet to become.
This journey is yours to learn from & grow through."
- @EvergreenQuotes on Twitter

"My mission in life is not to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, compassion, humour, and some style."
-M.Angelou

I am sharing my Do RIght Stories at BlogAdda.com in association with Tata Capital.

 

Your views are most welcome!