Saying the Unsaid

Yesterday, I was travelling by Vande Bharat Express. There is a specific kind of pride that comes while traveling on India’s semi-high-speed marvel.  Unlike the Chhapra/Siwan route which has hundreds of trains, my route (the Gorakhpur–Muzaffarpur line via Narkatiaganj) had almost no premium trains until the Vande Bharat arrived.  So, I feel secure with the ambience and the security it gives to its passengers.  So as I settled into my seat, adjusting the table and pulling out my laptop, a thud was heard. It was a violent that sounded like a gunshot. I was startled and frozen. Other side of the window was hit by a rock.  The ticket examiner rushed over. Other passengers stood up, craning their necks, phones out, clicking pictures. Luckily, no one was hurt. But it could have been anyone—any child, any woman, or any elderly person, traveling with a valid ticket expecting a safe and comfortable journey, not knowing what could happen at any moment ! The cracked window was ...

November 26th is a sacred day for each citizen.  It’s  the day when the architects of modern India gave their whole heart and mind to frame this Constitution. This document which took 2 years 11 months and  18 days is not just a book of laws, or mere papers but the soul of our nation.  We celebrate its wisdom, its checks and balances, and moreover the power it gives us and to the state. But can I be blunt for a second? Celebration without introspection is just a noise. Even Ravindranath Tagore argued that the real India will only be realised when our “mind is without fear” and the “world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls.” The introspection we need today is to compare the reality of our current divisions—the linguistic wars, the regional bias, the communal hatred incited for the political gains. Today most of us will see this date with pride in their eyes. But I feel the sadness coupled with sense of responsibility and introspection re...

It was the year 2016 at the end of the summer holidays. And I still remember when papa, maa along with some of my relatives returned from the Kashmir trip, I was sitting in the corner with my frowned eyes.  I was angry because they didn't take me and my elder brother to jammu & kashmir which is called as the heaven on the earth. But that anger soon turned into tears as soon as papa told us something that shook me from inside.  They had open firing and pelting of stones on their tourist van. Everyone lied down under the seat protecting themselves. The window pane got smashed. Thankfully Indian military was quick to respond at that time. They controlled the chaos and rescued them to a safer place near a military camp. He then added "I didn't take you there for a reason. it's not safe there. Things are not under control."  As he spoke, my heart sank. Each word painted a scary scene infront of my eyes. The thought of what could have happened gripped me with silent...

The Meerut blue drum murder case shook the conscience of the entire nation. It was not just another crime story—it was a a horrific incident of human cruelty and betrayal. This was real. Chilling. Tragic. But what’s more horrifying is how this tragedy is being used by some in the Bhojpuri industry. Songs with vulgar lyrics. Scenes recreated with mocking tones. Cheap thumbnails and clickbait titles. They have chosen to turn this tragedy into a circus This isn’t art. It’s exploitation. What has happen to the basic human decency?  The Bhojpuri industry, unlike any regional cinema is always tend to be in controversy for its vulgar songs. But isn't the entertainment industry address and reflect society, challenge norms, inspire change, or simply entertain. They shape opinions, influence behaviors, and can shift cultural perceptions. The motive here is to create an emotional bridge between content and audience. To glorify or sensationalize violence—especially when it's recent, raw, ...

The issue of language politics is a complex interplay of cultural preservation, regional identity, governance and inclusivity.  Recently some articles and few clips surfaced which made me ponder over things like... "Is this really the civilized version of us?" "Where are we actually heading?" Article 1: Article 2 : Article 3 : There are many such incidents happening all around India. While the promotion of local languages is important for safeguarding linguistic identity, the enforcement of such policies sometimes create chaos which is quite clear through these articles.  But ain't the language suppose to be the medium of exchange of thoughts and ideas. It's a form of an expression, right? How come it has become the subject of " Regional Gundagardi" ! Let’s critically analyze the key aspects of this issue. 1. The Need for Language Preservation vs. Imposition : Regional languages like Marathi, Tamil, Kannada, and others have rich histories and play ...

First time, he holds you, a promise is made, for a man to change. He knows, the next part of his life is going to be tough. Each day he will be facing his back against the sun. But he's never going to complain about it. He'll just smile, which will make us believe it's all fun. When you open your eyes, you see the world and in that world you'll encounter your very FIRST MAN, in your life. And slowly he will become your hero. You will think being a man is so worthy and so tough. He becomes the rock you lean on, making sure all his jagged edges are chiseled to Smoothness for you to lie with comfort.  He becomes the Ladder for you to step on, so that you catch those dreams nestled high up in the sky.  He becomes your biggest admirer , dancing in glory for all your victories. When circumstances shove you, he steps in front of the world, shielding you from things you ain't ready for. We have the habit of taking him for granted, overlooking his efforts, not realizing, tha...