India

The serenity of the cold mountains in the North

The tranquility of the backwaters in the South

The glorious culture and the magnificent monuments in the East

The breathtaking beaches in the West

And the sanctity in the heart of the Country

Clad with the greenery of the flora and fauna

Tempered with the sleekness of the smoky clouds

Her tender lips clinquant red resonating the richness of the soil

The irenic wind breezed her flowy hair imitating the transcendental rivers

The mystical fragrance of her breath elated the dormant spirits

She walked gently on the moist turf embracing every facet

Her soul scintillating, esprit emanating the vitality to every being around

The Mother she is, to the land of beauty, diversity and vivacity – India.

The Shining Star

The clouds aren’t pitch black yet. The Sun hasn’t disappeared totally from the far end yet. The Moon isn’t shining with its complete glory yet. But there is one star in the sky that has already started shining. The only star amidst the gray clouds tinted orange by the valor of the mighty red Sun.

The only star shining in the whole wide sky that does house countless other stars too. It was solus but its grandeur was gilt-edged, something that can’t be left unnoticed.  

I can see it, feel it from some light years apart and I can talk to it as well.

I asked the star, “Why are you the only star shining and visible while there are also jillion other stars in the sky?” 

The star shined brighter. I assumed that it smiled hearing my question. 

I could hear it talk to me. It said, “The sky as it appears to me and the other stars, is dark, tough and angry, thundering at the entire world. We were scared to come out of our places. We were scared that we would get lost in this cosmos. I have spent a major part of my life succumbed to this fear of being lost. One day I saw a star like me shining for the last time as it exploded just to end up in smoke. That day, I gave a deep thought about what my life is meant to be in this voluminous space. Is it to shine and spread my light over the space or is it to hide and spend my entire lifetime fearing the risk of being lost and waiting for my turn to reduce to dust like that star just did? After few days of self-questioning and reasoning, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try to see and experience what it is like to live and shine in the sky. I have always known and seen that the sky does have a lot of shades. It is not always dark and thundering. It is also blue and welcoming, orange and warm, white and soothing. And finally, one day I moved out of my safe spot and came out into the sky to shine with all my might and to spread all my light. My fellow stars didn’t appreciate my move and advised me to come back to my very own space where I was safe and without fear. But I couldn’t heed to their words because I liked the way I appeared to the world. I liked the feeling of fearlessness. I liked the feeling of being noticed. Yes, finally I was living and I liked the newly gained life. It felt nice and worth living a life without fear.”

As the star unfolded the story behind being the brightest and the bravest star in the whole dark sky, I could see the moon smiling as well. It was feeling proud to share the sky with a star like this who deserves to be noticed for being brave, strong and fearless. Now I see and now I know that some risks are worth taking.

A letter from a Daughter to her Daddy

Dear  Daddy,

Tomorrow is going to be a big day for both of us. It is the time that my life is going to take a big turn. I will be tied in a knot with a guy of your choice, and I believe your choice is the best!! I have always wished that you select my life partner because it’s only you who knows what I want, better than me.

Today, as I am just a few hours away from the moment when I would become someone’s wife, my heart is filled with gratitude and my mind is filled with memories of 23 amazing years of my life that 

I spent with my family. 

My life till today, as a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, a friend, a student has been great and I have put all my sincere efforts to play my roles perfectly. I could do this only because you were with me, to guide me, to protect me and to encourage me.  Without your support and guidance, it would have been difficult for me to understand how to balance myself playing such varied roles as a single person at a single time. Thank you, Daddy, for teaching me to maintain a balance between various roles.

Childhood has been the most beautiful phase of my life. You gave me all the freedom to do whatever I wished to do. You let me free to play till I was tired, to read till I felt bored, to eat till I was full and to sleep till I came out of my dreams. You never compelled me to do anything. Thank you, Daddy, for letting me do everything I wished to do.

The big Teddy Bear that you bought for my birthday!! I still have it on my bed, because it comforts me. I know it is not the Teddy that comforts me, but it is you whom I see in the Teddy that puts me to sleep every single night, assuring that I am safe in its hands. You have gifted me umpteen number of such things in which I see you. I never asked you what I wanted, but you always knew it!! You bought me every little thing which I wanted, even before I knew that I wanted it. Be it storybooks, girly stuff, mobile phone, Scooty or even the car that you gifted me on my 21^st birthday. You never gave me the chance to ask for something. Thank you, Daddy, for reading my heart and for fulfilling all my desires.

Every time I had to go out to some place, you were there with me to accompany me and to ensure my safety. But you have also made sure I went out and explored the world alone, to teach me to deal with the world. Giving me this opportunity to go out by myself, you helped me shape into a strong and independent individual. Thank you, Daddy, for giving me freedom and for making me independent.

You took care of me when I was sick. You caressed me when I fell off my bike and injured my leg. You encouraged me to perform well when my grades were low. You celebrated my success more than I did. You surprised me with lovely gifts. You did many things for which I will always love you.

Today as I see my would-be husband, I wish and pray that he should be like you. His love for me should be conditionless and pure. He should accept me as I am and should be with me in every phase of my life like you did.

I know we won’t be together from now, Daddy. But I will always be your daughter. You will always be in my heart. I promise I will be a good wife, a good daughter-in-law, a good sister-in-law and also a good mother. I promise I will fulfill all my duties and responsibilities towards my in-laws. I promise I will be with you and mother when you need me. I promise I will make you feel proud of me.

Now I want you to promise me that you won’t miss me, you will always take care of yourself and mother, you will always smile when you think of me and you will always love me the same way as you did till now.

I know that my surname would change from now. But my first name will always reflect my identity as your daughter. I am entering a new family for sure, but from now on I have two families to share my happiness with.

My heart is heavy, not with sorrow but with happiness. My eyes are full, not with tears but with dreams. It's time I say goodbye to my family with whom I grew up. You will all be in my heart, my thoughts and my prayers.

Always your daughter,

Daddy's Girl