Gangaa meri....

Aye Gangaa Meri...

Hazaron Saal se Isi  Muqaam se Beh kar 

Jaane Kaise Kaise Manzar Dekhen Honge
Sukh ke, Dukh ke aur bhi bahut

Aur phir

Kisi Sugadh Aurat ki Trah Tum ne

Un Sab ko Apne Seene main Samo Liya hoga

Jaise ke Kuch hua hi Na tha...

To Phir us Manzar ko Bahaa kiyoon na Le gayin?

Jab Ek Joda Kinaare Tumhare Utra tha

Jab Mehndi ke Rang Taaza the

Aur Armaano Ka Dera Tha

Jab Kehkahye aur Sargoshiyon ne

Kitne Khwabon ko Ghera tha

Jab Kisi ki Muskurahat ne

Noor Thumhare Chere pe bhi to Bikheraa tha!

Itne Baras baad Woh Manzar 

Aaj bhi wahin Pe Rehta  hai

Main Khud Use Dekh Kar Ke lauta hoon

Meri Mano to, Aye Gangaa Meri

Jis Trah Waqt Ke Bahao ne 

Us Jode ko Alag Alag Kinaro Pe Utaara hai

Tum bhi Us Manzar ko bahaa  Le Jao 

Aur Is Raaz ko aur Raazon Ki Trah

Apne Seene main Samaa Jaane do

Ab Is Manzar ko Beh  bhi Jaane do!!

(C)Shahid Parvez Sayed, April 13th, 2013

Parveen...

Name: Parveen, age 19, Education: school dropout
Father: Paased away when she was 10, Mother: Lost her senses
Brother: a retard, Occupation: Embroidery worker since age 10.
Earnings: Rs 50 a day ($1.15 a day). I repeat $1.15 a day.

She lives in a 50 sft corner of someone else’s house. She is the only bread earner of the family. She cooks and does household work herself as her mom cant do anything.

Her day starts at 6:30 as makes breakfast and lunch for her brother and mom and then she goes off to work. She comes home, cooks dinner and feeds them before calling it a night. This is every day, 365 days a year rain or sunshine.

I wonder what makes her get up in the morning each day? Knowing well that it will be another day when she would not be able to even communicate with her mother or brother.

I wonder why she is not jumping off a bridge or into a river to end this un-ending tragedy? Living with two half dead relatives cant be fun.

And I wonder why she is at least not bitter about life and its gruesome treatment of her? Why she never complains? What makes her smile even in these circumstances? What dream she cherishes, if any?

Her optimism and confidence inspires me as I begin my day.

Her story will inspire you too as you end a bad day at Emmanuel’s or at the nearest watering hole with bud light and a bunch of friends by your side.

Yet, your story will not help her in any way nor she is aware of your existence. She is not even aware that I am writing about her on the internet or what the hell internet stands for.

So people, while you may be having a bad day, someone 9000 miles away is having a bad life, for no fault of hers. Yet, she is keeping her chins up and her head high as she struggles in this life – all alone.

Have a good one!

Ps: I would be glad to be a conduit if someone wants to help her in any way.