Decked In Kohl

Decked in Kohl,

Your eyes did roll.

Your beauty it extolled,

You had me bowled.

Lost in the dark eyes,

Only to see them shining bright.

As a moonrise on a dark night,

They lit up, much to my delight.

Lost in your sight,

Deep and seductive.

Passion it did ignite,

And held me captive.

You left me dazed, 

On you as I gazed.

You left me dreaming,

In your stars blazing.

Decked In Kohl

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

My Queen

Back from the corporate jungle,

Past the mad urban streets.

You almost made my feet crumble,

My heart missed some beats.

Full of innocence,

Brimming with love.

A clear conscience,

White as a dove.

Dear you were pure,

With a warm glow.

Indeed did you allure,

I said a soft hello.

Talking like a kid small,

I blabbered words garbled.

For your love did I befall,

Smiled as you chortled.

In you did I lose,

In a moment found myself serene.

Your warmth did effuse,

I love you my queen.

My Queen - The Little Baby Girl

P.S. The company of innocent, pure and lovely children is the most pleasing. They make me lose in the world of their own, devoid of the realities. Ultimately, they transfer me into a world full of Love!! 

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

I Miss You

Happy Me,

Happy You.

You are a beauty,

Smart and lovely.

Principles strong,

Promised to hold them lifelong.

Profession noble,

You are an angel.

Shared your worldy knowledge,

You are a girl vintage.

For you, I did yearn,

You are a lady modern.

Your company is pleasing,

Loving and basking.

I love our musing,

You are a girl charming.

A dame dutch,

A persona nonesuch.

You impressed me much,

Your aura was such.

A miss hebrew,

If only I could pursue.

Wish I could be your beau,

Oh dear, I miss you.

P.S. This is for the mystical girl. What is it about you, that made me miss you?

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

One Two Three

Blogging is an interesting experience. It allows you to give air to your views and thoughts, ideas and opinions - on just about every topic under the sun. And importantly, you can hide reality in the realm of fiction.

By God's grace, today, I am writing my 300th blog post. :-)

From starting my blog in October 2007, to completing 200 posts in October 2010, this journey to 300 blog posts has been exciting and fun filled. 

Off late, one thought has been running though my mind - We are, what we are, because of our experience. 

And sharing these experiences, reflecting on them, understanding their finer points have helped me to grow. Life has provided an opportunity to meet wonderful people, experience interesting and difficult moments, and feel different and varied emotions. All of these have made their way into my humble blog.

It would be worthwhile to have a look at some of the interesting blog posts penned down in the last 8 months. I am myself surprised to know that I had written those words.

She came. She saw. She conquered. Who Was She?? . She was a little innocent girl who captured my heart. She was someone who I hadn't met in real. 

Another little girl, just 6 months of age, captured my thoughts - to strike a chord Between Her and Me. It would be worthwhile to note that I had met her for just about 3 hours - and for most practical purposes, would not be seeing her again - for the rest of my life.

The last post on little children which was close to my heart was - Save The Girl Child. The recent census in India has revealed a declining child sex ratio and important steps need to be taken to prevent foeticide.

Moving on from graver matters to some nice music which caught my attention. Don't You Want Me Baby was not a cheesy pickup line but an interesting song from the 1980's which caught my attention.

Sports too found its way. And turned out to be huge traffic pullers - especially after India won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

The world witnessed some interesting political moments and movements. The release of Aung San Suu Kyi in Vietnam to the liberation movements in the Arab World to Operation Odyssey Dawn found its way into the Political category.

Surprisingly, I took to writing poetry. I'm not sure about the quality of the output. However, they all are close to my heart.

Dark poetry too figured in it. Dark Times, Stabbed and Outcast were some thoughts right from deep within.

Life is always lived in black and white, and in color too. Such moments too were reflected - surprisingly through the eyes of a Two Tigress.

And then there were offbeat topics - like Two, The Vowel Brigade and Affection.

A blog post on Hair Color - was a major traffic spinner - given the need to sport a different hair color and style in these changing days.

Choosing is not always easy. And it is better to stop here itself. But you can always go back to the archives to read more.

All in all, it has been a pleasant experience in giving words to my deepest thoughts, and worldly and not-so-worldly experiences. And I pray to God Almighty to help me in writing.

Keep visiting. Share your feedback and opinion. Finally, it is for you - the reader - whom I am writing.

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

The First Rains

Walking through the first rains is always a pleasant experience, something which we have cherished and will admire for ages.

~~~~

The earth sizzled,
The air simmered.
The heat rattled,
Everything around smoldered.

The water dried,
Leaving the earth parched.
The leaves died,
As the summer onward marched.

One fine day fair,
The winds started to blow.
Calmed down the air,
Someone was saying hello.

I thought it would rain,
To wash away the pain.
Only it did abstain,
Skilfully it did feign.

One calm evening,
When everything seemed timeless,
It was a blessing,
To experience a drizzle temptress.

The wet land,
The soaked grass,
God's design grand,
I experienced it alas.

I walked through the rainfall,   
Got myself a bit drenched.
It didn't fail to enthrall,
My thirst had finally quenched.

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Wane

I was arraigned,

Almost birdbrained,
Behaved very constrained,
My mind was drained.

My thoughts were enchained,
I acted feigned,
I wondered what I had gained,
I was harebrained.

Fundamentals ingrained,
False persona maintained,
Nothing that I ordained,
Everything hurt and pained.

Tears it did rained,
My psyche just sprained,
My soul was stained,
My life only waned.

However sad and disappointing may be my thoughts, I take solace in the fact that after every eclipse, the sun and moon always glow in full glory!! 

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Churning Thoughts

Summary of my thoughts from the last couple of days!!

The shortest distance between two people is a smile.  
 ~~ Author Unknown

A story to me means a plot where there is some surprise. Because that is how life is - full of surprises. 
~~ Isaac Bashevis Singer

Winning isn't everything...it's the only thing. 
~~  Vincent van Gogh

If you learn from defeat, you haven't really lost.
 ~~ Zig Ziglar

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Value

~~ Understanding Value through the eyes of a Banana

Everything has its own value at a particular time. Including me.

The same value is not applicable before its time and is not understood after its time, or so they say. 

Before its time, it does not consider itself fit for consumption. And later, it is too ripe for consumption. 

What does someone with such a small shelf life do? 

Most importantly, Take pride in its existence. 

Secondly, understand that value is relative. What is valuable for someone is not valuable for someone else. And what is not valuable for one person is invaluable for another person.

And last but not the least, consider itself good enough for consumption at all times. 

After all, there can be someone in this food chain who can devour a raw item or relish a extremely ripe stuff. 

And the ones that consume can be the best in their league.

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

The Jan Lokpal Bill

"Lokpal" is the buzz word these days in India. The second biggest buzz word is "The Civil Society". Till yesterday, I was referred to as a citizen of India. Today, I'm a member of the Civil Society. Definitely, times are changing. 

This blog post aims to discuss my views and opinions, thoughts and ideas on the Jan Lokpal Bill. The views presented here are with due respects to your opinion.

In April 2011, social crusader Anna Hazare went on a fast to insist on the passing of the Lokpal Bill. The main aim of The Lokpal Bill is to provide a better legal framework to work against corrupt officials across different public organizations and in the Government.

Anna Hazare

Taking cognizance of his fast and views, and the tremendous support that he generated across India, the Government of India has setup the Lokpal panel. It is consisting of five members of the Government and five members of the civil society. They are responsible for formulating the Lokpal Bill till 15^th August 2011.

What is the Jan Lokpal Bill? Well, for people with limited knowledge of Hindi - The Jan Lokpal Bill literally means The Citizen's Ombudsman Bill.

And who exactly is an ombudsman? Since the matter has been discussed greatly in public sphere, it would be worthwhile to understand a few definitions.

• An ombudsman is a government appointee who investigates complaints by private persons against the government.
  
  
  
• A government official who hears and investigates complaints by private citizens against other officials or government agencies.
  
  
• A commissioner who acts as independent referee between individual citizens and their government or its administration.

Let us understand the step by step argument put forth by the proponents of the Lokpal Bill.

The proponents say that there are two mechanisms to work against corruption in the functioning of the Government and other public organizations.

• The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Departmental Vigilance (DV) - responsible for managing vigilance aspect of the corruption cases.
  
  
  
• The Central Bureau of Investigation - responsible for managing the criminal aspect of the corruption cases.

Certain drawbacks are highlighted in the current mechanisms. The drawbacks highlighted are quite true and need to be addressed.

Regarding the CVC

• Lack of adequate resources - limited to less than 200 people.
  
  
  
• Just an advisory body - cannot enforce or ensure action.
  
  
• Cannot initiate independent action or inquiries against people beyond a certain level.
  
  
• Cannot register criminal cases.
  
  
• Cannot have any power over department vigilance wing.
  
  
• Appointment to the CVC is done by the ruling party.

Regarding the Departmental Vigilance Wings

• Officers responsible for vigilance are a part of the same department. This impacts their independence.
  
  
  
• Similar to the CVC, it cannot initiate independent action.
  
  
• No powers against politicians.

Regarding the CBI

• It is overburdened.
  
  
  
• Under the control of Central Government of India.
  
  
• Assumed to be unfair - since it works under orders of the Central Government.

Corruption in Judiciary

What does the Lokpal Bill Propose?

• Setting up the institution of the Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayukta in each state. It will be independent of the government. They will not come under the purview of the any minister or bureaucrat.
  
  
  
• Cases will be completed in one year.
  
  
• The loss caused by the corrupt individual to the state will be recovered.
  
  
• The common man can approach the Lokpal if some of his work related to the Government is not done. Lokpal will be responsible for getting this done and the guilty will be punished.
  
  
• Corrupt Lokpal officers will be punished in two months.
  
  
• CVC, Departmental Vigilance and the Anti-Corruption Branch of the CBI will be merged with the Lokpal.
  
  
• Lokpal can initiate independent proceedings.
  
  
• Lokpal will be responsible for providing protection to the people who are victimized for raising a voice against corruption.

At a face value, all these seem very promising initiatives. Most people will think that this bill will be very helpful.

However, at this moment, I would like to recollect a thought I had read somewhere – India and Indians are good at planning, poor at execution. 

This thought has rumbled through my mind every time I have failed in execution. I look back only to look with awe at my plan, only to shudder at its execution.

What is my opinion? 

With the Lokpal and Lokayukta, we are creating more institutions. Why not look at strengthening existing institutions? Why not look at empowering them to do the work they are supposed to do?

Let's take it step by step.

Addressing "The Lack of Resources".

• The lack of resources in the vigilance departments is a challenge. Staff strength of 200 to have vigilance control over an entire nation is not possible. The Lokpal Bill will not address that challenge in any way.
  
  
  
• The solution is simple. It is necessary to staff these organizations adequately. And staffing is to be done with the right kind of people, the professionals who are trained to do this duty appropriately.
  
  
• This way you will bring in more people to do the required investigations. And this will implicitly resolve the problem related to long time required for execution of the cases. With more honest people at work, the investigations can be prompt and so can be the subsequent judgement.
  
  
• As an offshoot, the Government will be generating employment.

Addressing "The Lack of Independence"

• The drawback highlighted is that the CVC and DV Wings do not have teeth. Let's give them teeth. Let's give them the power to investigate independently.
  
  
  
• Let's have a tree structure of the organization where the DV wing reports to the CVC Wing. This way the CVC can direct and have control over the DV wings. This resolves one problem mentioned earlier.
  
  
• The CVC wing in turn will report into the Prime Minister. This proposal will draw criticism from people who think that such a vigilance team should be independent of the politicians.
  
  
  Yes, that argument holds good. But you always need a leader. You cannot have a headless organization. A leader who has the responsibility and authority. And in my opinion, the Prime Minister of India is the supreme leader in India.
  
  
• The Prime Minister can appoint an individual or a team responsible for managing this entire show. And they will be responsible for its execution – end to end. The ultimate responsibility will be the Prime Minister. If the PM fails, he will be responsible to the Parliament and effectively to the country.
  
  
• The members of the DV wing will not be a part of the same department. They will be independent functionaries working under directly under the CVC.
  
  
• These vigilance commissions are to be given an authority to lodge criminal cases if the need be.
  
  
• Let us not set any boundaries on the people who can be investigated by these authorities. Everyone who is the citizen of India, including the Prime Minister and the Judges, is supposed to function under the same sphere of law and hence should be investigated by the same set of authorities.
  
  
• We will of course need to address the chance of corruption by the very people responsible for managing corruption. This will require setting up an independent control mechanism which can serve as a deterrent against corruption.
  
  
  Haven't we heard of ACB sleuths catching someone from the ACB itself taking bribes? We will need a similar structure.

The Prime Minister

Addressing "The People Question"

Let's now come to the question of the people who will be working in this anti-corruption process. The Jan Lokpal Bill suggests that these people will be elected by a transparent public participatory process.

• With due respects to everyone, we need to remember that India is a country of 120 crore people spread across a land mass of 3.2 million square kilometers. We cannot have an election to select a Lokpal and a Lokayukta. It is simply too expensive.
  
  
  
• And if indeed we need to select such people, what will form as a basis of it? Will there be some campaigning, with its associated expenditure of money? How will people know who is good and who is bad? It's simply not possible.
  
  
• What we can do instead? Well, the team can be selected by the elected representatives of the people. And when I say the elected representatives, I mean the all the members of the Parliament – cutting across party lines. This way, each and every elected representative will be responsible for choosing the vigilance team member.
  
  
• A thorough background check of the candidates must be done to ensure that they themselves are not black sheep.

Addressing "The Time Question"

Without doubt, the time required for execution is huge in corruption cases. This means that in many of the cases, the intent of the proceedings is lost. How do we resolve this problem?

• Setup goals. The Lokpal Bill says that the Lokpal should resolve cases within one year. Well, that is ambitious in some cases while extremely liberal in some cases.
  
  
  
  But yes, it's a good time line. Let's set the same timeline for the Vigilance Commissions. What's the harm? 
  
  
• Importantly, they should be empowered to execute such tasks.

Well, I may have tried to answer some of the questions which the Lokpal Bill is trying to answer. And if you have read intently till now, you might have understood my opinion. 

Summarizing, I'm not in favor of creating a parallel structure for addressing the cases of corruption. Instead we should look at strengthen existing systems and frameworks to address the situation. 

Most importantly, we are missing an important point here. We are looking at addressing the situation after corruption has taken place. Why don't we go a step back?

Why don't we evaluate why corruption take place? Corruption is social phenomenon and the causes of that problem need to be addressed. We should think about what causes people to be corrupt. 

Example of Corruption

Many a times, it is the limited salary offered in the job which causes people to be corrupt – because this gives them an opportunity to get that extra penny. This is a problem which should be resolved. 

On a long term, India should look at creating better opportunities of work and for better equitable distribution of income. This could possibly nip the corruption in the bud.

There have been cases where the well-off people and politicians are found indulging in corruption. They need to be punished strongly so that it can serve as deterrence for occurrence of such cases in future.

Net in net, I will summarize my opinion as below

• The problems highlighted by the proponents of the Lokpal Bill are correct and need to be resolved.
  
  
  
• The Lokpal Bill structure would not resolve those problems.
  
  
• The existing anti corruption organizations need to be enhanced, and empowered. Frameworks need to be created to address this enable them to work independently to yield the required results.
  
  
• The root cause of corruption needs to be addressed.

Well, different people will have different opinions. Mine might agree with yours or might be opposite to your opinion.

What do you think? What is your opinion?

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Outcast

The box colorful opened,
Out rolled some marbles priceless.
One of them was darkened,
Very ordinary and aweless.

They gathered a lot of steam,
Gelled together like a team. 
She barely managed to roll,
Fell behind with her simple soul.

What did she lack,
Only to wander side track?
What did she possess,
Only for her to digress?

Like termites small,
This ate into her confidence.
By the time it was nightfall,
Killed was her conscience.

Going into a shell,
She became a recluse.
For long did she dwell,
On what made her lose.

She tried to reflect,
The more she felt abject.
Nothing seemed to be perfect,
Not surprisingly did her they reject.

Moist eyes gave her company,
The world left her aghast.
A soul weakened and bleary,
She was an outcast.

Outcast

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Give Me Wings

Two questions.

Have you been a part of a team which has built a beautiful and elegant castle, only to have someone else live in it later?

Elegant Castle

Well, how does it feel?

Gut wrenching? Or heart breaking? Or Simply disappointing?

Have you been part of a team which has built a super jumbo air plane, only to have someone else fly it, up in the air, later?

Majestic Super Jumbo

Well, how does it feel?

Full of pride? Brimming with happiness? And amazing exhilaration?

Similar question. Different answers.

Go ahead. Convert your elegant castle into a majestic airplane.

Give them wings. 

And I pray to God Almighty, to give me wings.

Give Me Wings

Last picture courtesy - This site.

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

A Girl A Lady

Simple without aim,

Intriguing was the dame,
Modesty she could claim,
Ravishing was the gem,
Artistic beyond fame,
Nothing I wouldn't acclaim.

All I could do was proclaim,
She was a girl beyond exclaim!!

A Girl A Lady

Stylish was the lady,
Intelligent and chirpy,
Mesmerizing and friendly,
Rational and brainy,
Astonishingly choosy,
Nostalgically glitzy.

A rock hard and toughie,
She was a lady smarty!!!

P.S. Lady under the sequin - You know - This is for you.

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Dazzled In Fuschia

Beauty Mystical,
I know not your name.
Classy Angel,
You are a bright flame.

Today you were special,
Glowed as a sun.
You are a stylish damsel,
A lady silken.

You beamed,
I felt your warmth loving.
I deemed,
You are a God's blessing.

I admired your style,
Appreciated your grace.
Did you see the smile,
Written on my twinkling face?

For a while our eyes met,
We exchanged a short smile.
Will it be our kismet,
To make our life worthwhile.

Dressed in silk,
Dazzled In Fuschia.
Nobody is of your ilk,
You are a charismatic enigma.

Dazzled In Fuschia

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Bed On The Beach

The air was calm,
With a hint of moist.
The water was warm,
On the sand it did foist.

Kissing the shore,
Touching the sand.
The waves did soar,
The scenery was grand.

The sand was soft and white,
Castles around were numerous.
As it was almost twilight,
The earth looked as if an empress.

Sunset

 In a moment the sun went down,
Only to rise tomorrow morning.
The revelers headed for the town,
Leaving behind someone beaming.

The moon rose on the horizon,

The sparkling stars adored the sky.
The lighthouse shone its beacon,
The vivid canvas caught my eye.

The temperature dipped,
It was lovely and cold.
I rolled and flipped,
On the sand old.

The view stretched till infinity,
The ships sailed in the distance.
Oh world, you are such a beauty,
You awe me with your brilliance.

The water roared softly,
Kissed the sands sweetly.
Touched my legs gently,
Sleep descended on me quietly.

On The Beach In The Night

P.S. Sleeping on the beach in the night has been one of my dreams - yet unrealized.

Picture 1 Courtesy - This Site.

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Love And Motivation

Time - 2.20 PM

An empty seat says it aloud :-

Nothing motivates you better than doing something for your love. Nothing inspires you greatly than achieving something for your love. 

Love Is Our Motivation

Time - 9.10 PM

SRK's voice rings through my ears.

Ho bas agar tum humaare sanam,
Hum to sitaaron pe rakh de kadam,
Saaraa jahaan bhool jaaye,
Bas nagmein tere pyaar ke gaate hi jaaye.

Inspired By Love

Motivation is infinitely proportional to the love. 

My motivation. Your love.

P.S. 

I miss you. I missed you a few days back. I miss you now. This time I know, it will be long... really long. Maybe... I fear to say... forever.

Heart Breaking,
Mind Shattering,
Your Absence is Aching.

Would we meet,
Or each other greet,
Only Time will tell.

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?