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!