कृति - अंजलि गुप्ता
व्याख्या - नीतू गुप्ता, आशुतोष गुप्ता
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एक बार की बात हैं, सोने की चिड़िया नाम के देश के एक छोटे से शहर में रहने आयीं एक प्यारी सी लड़की। उसका नाम दिवाली थी। दिवाली रोज सुबह उठ के तैयार हो स्कूल जाती व मन लगा के पढ़ती। पर वो अकेला महसूस करती थी, आस पास में कोई सहेली ही नहीं थी। फिर एक दिन उसने देखा पार्क में हरे रंग के झुमके व् शरारा पहने एक सुंदर सी लड़की खेल रही हैं। दिवाली का भी मन हुआ उसके साथ खेलने का तो उसने पुछा तुम्हारा नाम क्या हैं ? शरारा पहने लड़की ने बताया मेरा नाम ईद हैं। दिवाली ने  कहाँ मेरी सहेली बनोगी,  तो ईद ने भी झट से हाँ करदी। फिर तो दोनों पक्की सहेलियां बन गयी। रोज साथ में पढ़ती व खेलती । छुट्टी वाले दिन पार्क में पिकनिक होती, दिवाली हलवा पूरी लाती तो ईद माँ से मज़ेदार बिरयानी बनवा लती। दोनों झटपट सब ख़तम कर देते। दिवाली चटपट बिरयानी खाती तो ईद पूरिया। दिन बीतने लगे। पड़ोस में एक नया परिवार रहने आया। उनका एक बेटा था सतगुरु नाम का। उसने खडकी से देखा पार्क में तो खेलने का मन होने लगा। सतरंगी रंग का कुरता और पग पहने हुए हिलता हुआ पार्क में जा पहुंचा जहाँ दिवाली व ईद खेल रहे थे। दोनों ने झट से उससे दोस्ती कर अपनी टोली में मिला लियां। अब तो गुरु सबके लियें रोज शाम को माँ से शरबत बनवा के लेके आता व तीनो मिलके पीते। दिन सपनो से सुहाने बीतने लगे। तीनो क्लास में पढ़ रहे थे, घंटी बजी तो खाने के लिए माँ का दिया हुआ टिफिन खोला खाने के लिए। गुरु ने देखा एक बच्चा रो रहन था, उसने पुछा क्या हुआ। वो बोला माँ बीमार हैं टिफिन नहीं दे पायीं और भूक लगी हैं बस थोडा सा केक दिया हैं कल का। गुरु झट से हाथ पकड़ के अपने दोस्तों के पास ले आया और तीनो ने अपने टिफिन उसकी तरफ बढ़ा दिया। तीनो ने मिलके पूरी, बिरयानी खाई और शरबत पीकर केक खाया। गुरु के पूछने पर उसने अपना नाम क्रिसमस बताया। अब तो चारो पक्के मित्र बन गए और बचपन हंसी खुसी परियों की कहानियो सा बीतने लगा।

इस बार दिवाली ऐसे मनाये
थोड़ी खुशियाँ और बदाये

मिले जो कोई बंधू बड़ा
छूकर चरण आशीष पाएं
चाय वालें छोटू को भी
इस बार नाम से बुलाएँ
इस बार दिवाली ऐसे मनाये

जो समाज की सबसे निचली
सीढ़ी पे संघर्ष करें
ये दिवाली उसके घर भी
खुशियों की सोगात परिवार परिवार
इस बार दिवाली ऐसे मनाए

त्याग निराशाए व् कुंठाए
मन में उमीद की लहर जगाये
रूठे हो जो कहीं कभी के
गले मिलकर उनको मनाये
इस बार दिवाली ऐसे मनाए
- नीतू गुप्ता
परिवार सहित

Scholarship for Mom

Yesterday, Anjali my daughter requested something that seemed little strange to me. She wanted me to recite some tale(s) of my childhood and her nani. I thought a bit and shared the one appropriate for her age. Anjali went asleep, but left me in the ocean of past memories. One I pick today to share.

Mom tried her best to keep her children involved in various activities and competitions since childhood. There used to be a district level scholarship exam for the fifth grade students. On that basis selected students were to be awarded with some annual or monthly incentive for their studies. Mom filled the scholarship form and worked hard to teach me math, general science and social science. Three subjects were to be asked in sequence; if a candidate could not clear the first one - was not allowed to sit into next. This was their filtration criteria. Social Science was considered toughest and hence the last paper. With mom’s unending efforts I reached to the last level and did well. The result was about to be out by five in the evening. We all were waiting in anticipation, Then came the announcement and my name was called for. Of course, there were tears were in mom’s eyes. Undoubtedly it was hers victory.

Story did not end here. She applied my name for Navodaya Vidayalaya as well. With this my education with all expensive till senior secondary were to be funded by government in a boarding school. I appeared for the all India level exam and got selected. The complete procedure took around few months. I joined boarding in October 1988 in sixth standard. Before that I was in local school where my scholarship had already started from April 1988. As per the policy the scholarship ended in October as I moved to Navodaya Vidayalaya. In my absence, Mom got the money for the months from april to September.

To my surprise, Mom sent me the all money - around 135 rupees by a Money Order in boarding. That was the moment - when I signed the received slip in the principal’s cabin carried by the postmaster and he handed over me the amount. Thank you mom.

Tale of trip to Rishikesh

T(hrillful) A(dventerous) L(evish) Event


Trip to Rishikesh was a memorable event. It started it with a family photograph and an intro. Antakshri was great time pass and Rachna the RJ leaded the same. Some heard her singing even while she was sleeping in the bus. When I introduced Amitabh to my daughter; she kept thinking that he is actually the celebrity “Amitabh Bachhan” with beard shaven off.

The day started with 500 Mtr. trekking from roads to camp; and bachelor’s were the first to complete it. Every one enjoyed in Ganga after Breakfast. Mayank along with Deepak and Ketan enjoyed swimming the most. Mayank had to be reminded that he actually has to move to the camp before night. Vishwa and Manindra acted as life guard and saved Deepak. Neeraj was seemed enjoying his bachelor’s life. Some went ahead for trekking. The day finished with lunch (not dinner) followed by antakshari as a team building exercise.

The very next day Yoga Guru (Amit) was seen taking the yoga classes. Jatin was trying to make the postures hoo-ba-hoo .Vaibhav was seen playing Volleyball with ex-GL persons. Everyone was wondering how come he learnt the game overnight. People did find the motivational factor. Rohit was busy in chilling coke for everyone. He invented a refrigerator which could run without electricity. Shobhit was busy with his future plans which might need some re-planning after coming to office. Randhip kept a nab on Shobit there also. Rafting was an adventure for everyone. Deepak was re-saved this morning too while rafting. Bala’s sight got blurred and he thought he has lost some of his friend (including Vishwa) at roller coaster rapid. Prabhat was hit by a rock and he actually saved his spine.

Harjot had a Nirvana; this was his knowledge day. He shared this knowledge with everyone. After this everyone realized that rafting activity was equivalent to their project; with guide acting as Manager (i.e. just giving command and not working ) and everyone playing as a team in case of rapids (i.e. hurdles). Great analysis Harjot.

Manindra tried to jump “thrice” from majnu ka teela; every time in vain. He left the efforts after that. Everyone was trying to find out what is forcing him to do so. After having Maggi at cliff point the raft moved to Ram jhoola. Ram jhoola was actually bigger than Lakshman jhoola. It was time to finish off and everyone was in the bus after having evening lunch.

Thanks to everyone for making this trip wonderful and memorable. Organizing committee had put a tremendous effort to make it a success. Some might not be knowing; they actually kept fast to make others feast. Special thanks to Tilak. All in all an unforgettable experience.

Building your house

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked!
What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.
But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow.
Therefore, Build wisely!

The wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about grandfather," said the son. I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.

For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day that building blocks are being laid for the child's future.

Let us all be wise builders and role models. Take care of yourself, ... and those you love, ... today, and everyday!

Do Bheegha Jameen

A Long time ago, there was an Emperor  who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered.
Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could.
He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry, thirsty or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible.
Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying.
Then he asked himself, "Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area?
Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."  
The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard every day to make more money, to gain power and recognition.
We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love to do.  
One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.  
Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. Life is definitely not about work!
Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. 

Lessons to Learn from the Story:

Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time. You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts.

Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence.
So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balance lifestyle and enjoy Life!

Past is Experience...!
Present is Experiments....!
Future is Expectations...!
Use your Experience in your Experiments to achieve your Expectations...!!!