Momentary Moments

There are times in our lives, when winds blow against us, when we feel crushed and our backs are placed against the wall. There are moments when the self within us becomes overwhelming and the boat of our life seems to go on rudderless, bouncing with the tide of time. There are also times when we get entrapped in the web of mediocrity (or chalta hai attitude) and the zeal within, goes for a holiday. These are testing moments in life. Narrating our painful times and showing our wounds to the world, are symbolic of vulnerability. Strength lies within, not outside. Let not the gales of times shatter us. As a poet once said:

Jinke dil mein hai auron ke liye pyaar ka jazba,
wo log kabhi toot kar bikhra nahi karte

(People who care for others, do not succumb to defeat easily!)

Some people even say, happiness is just a brief interlude between periods of grief and struggle. But, from another perspective, happiness is just a state of mind whether in relaxation or struggle. Down we may be, but certainly not destroyed. Though it is easier to say than to practice, but pain it is said, can also be enjoyed. The beauty of silence holds in its bosom much more than what a thousand words can mean. Silence is evidently the highest form of protest as well. Another poet says:

Wo mazaa kahaan wasl-e-yaar mein,
Lutf jo mila intezaar mein

(What pleasure lies in embrace and reunion,
than in the endless wait of the beloved!!)

We need to move ahead of these tougher times. The flickering light of hope should never be allowed to die, come what may. Cynicism, despondency, loneliness are some of the challenges, we need to overcome. The spirit of man is all-powerful and immortal. Let us respect it and not fall prey to the challenges that are going to come our way. We are all committed to our service – the IAS. More than that, we need to be committed and proud of the human spirit – characterized by unflinching faith, strong resolve and a phoenix-like instinct…!!!

ZUHAIR BIN SAGHIR

Lessons of life....

Human beings were never born alike…never in the annals of history. Each one of us is different and at the same time, important in a distinct way. We have our own thoughts and feelings, likings and prejudices, moments of laughter and gloom. Individualism is an inherent characteristic of the human being. But certainly, there are moments when we lose ourselves unto others. It’s as if, our thinking n feeling gives way to that of the other person. Our attitudes are shaped by things around us. Some of us might remember, our grandmothers feeding ‘dana’ to the little birds which used to flock on lazy winter afternoons; or the lukewarm admonitions our parents used to give when we ate candies out of the money that was to be given as alms; or staying back for the night at a friend’s place when s/he was down with high fever; or perhaps, as simple as standing up and offering the seat to a frail old woman who boards the crowded bus. These are instances which one takes by the stride and life moves on. However, these moments build our lives slowly, brick by brick. This was the learning all of us had throughout our lives….and suddenly, when we don’t even know what’s going around, these lessons come alive. We react in the way, we have perceived those lessons. From here, arise the fundamentals of caring and sharing…Wildlife conservation, preservation of natural resources, the ethics of social sector, the ideals of social welfare and many many more aspects develop in our minds first…remember the birds, the alms, the fever, the seat….! This is just a hint…when we turn back the pages of our life, wouldn’t we find a plethora of such small little things which have principled our life all along…?

ZUHAIR BIN SAGHIR