Dear Diary#3 Gyanodaya IV- An Educational Trip: We Are One!!!

I first came to know about this from my close friend just prior two days before the selection date. I searched about it and got myself selected in the lucky fifteen students(YIPPEE) chosen for this trip from our college. On 11th march, we were flagged off by hon'ble vice chancellor Dr. Dinesh Singh from the safdarjung station. We were told that the theme of the project is "Urbanization- Now and Then". We are to visit five cities, which once used to be small, but today managed to be one of the best urban models of the country because of their various attributes. We chose our project topic as 'Temple, Trade and Urbanization', as the cities we are to visit possess these aspects. 

Ganga bank in Kanpur

Landfill, to be processed

IIT Kanpur

Our first stop was Kanpur-The Leather City. After visiting a bank of Ganga, which was so polluted by the human and animal waste (GROSS!!!), we visited what seemed to be the mountain of waste. It was a Waste treatment plant, which daily process 900 tonnes (GASP!!) of waste and recycle it for further purposes. This was an impact of the rapid urbanization of the city, as these numbers are increasing month by month. Later, we were shown a presentation in the auditorium of IIT-Kanpur (YEAH!!) about how one classroom grew to be one of the premier institute of technology of India. There many industrialists also made us familiar with the various industries connected with this development. That was for Kanpur. 

Banaras Hindu University

Sarnath Temple, Varanasi

Bhainsasur Ghat, Varanasi

Next stop was the spiritual city of Varanasi. After visiting the BHU, Sarnath temple and Ganga Ghats and various museums showcasing the ancient treasure of the city which promoted so much tourism, as tourism is important for urbanization and growth, we came to know few things. First, that the city is of national importance because of the Ashoka Pillar, secondly the buddhist monks though appreciative of the culture, still wants the city to be further developed. And lastly, that the city is itself a portal, through which you can look on the past, and have a glimpse of future. You should visit this city once. (I should left out the great BEE-ATTACK, which gave us a bitter memory, and also taught us that we should not interfere with nature) 

Bhoj Lake

Sanchi Stupa

Bhimbetka Cave Paintings,Bhopal

Bhimbetka Caves of bhopal have brought the whole early men era right in front of you. These caves have paintings on wall, of cows, sheeps and horses, made by early men. These caves were on mountains, and such construction at that time at this height left us amazed. Sanchi Stupa was the best place according to me, as the serenity of the place penetrated right through my heart and needless to say, others' too. Bhojtaal, which was believed to be build by the King Bhoj, in 'OM' shape, though distorted now, was something to observe that how well has the city authorities maintained it. There was not a single waste product in the water, and again TOURISM!!! 

Lothal Desert, Once a port, Gujarat

Lothal Signboard

Then we entered the Gujarat. The Ad in which BIG B always say,'Kuchh din to gujariye Gujarat mein', flashed. Oh and that was the HOLI day, and yeah that how the day went, you can guess. Full of fun, joy and dance. I realized that my team-mates, as well as of other colleges', we became more than just friends in this trip. We were FAMILIES, and when you are with family, you are right at home. This trip taught us that no matter where you came from, and what may have been the conditions of one's birth, it's irrevelant. What we do as a part of community, that what matters in the end. 

Diamond Industry, Surat

Sabarmati Ashram

Well Surat's diamond industry really sparkled our eyes. The process of diamond making from rough ore to the final product was truelly amazing. I am sure you all now wanted to experience it too. Well, better luck next time. (HAHAHAHAHAHA)

The last visit was one of our prominent freedom fighter's house; the Sabarmati Ashram. Yes, you guessed it correct, Mahatama Gandhi. Whole premises of Ashram was decorated with artifacts of Gandhi. Whether it was his spectacles, his staff, or his charkha. River Sabarmati, one of the cleanest rivers in India, was constantly chanting the great words; Satya, Ahimsa, aur Tyaag. With these teachings of Gandhi, we wrapped up our bags, it was time to make the return journey.

Jokes apart, what I really want to say that the return back journey from the Gujarat to Delhi was something which really taught me something. When I was sitting besides window, and gazing at the vast emptiness of the desert, the scarce settlements and when I turned my head and saw my friends having enjoying themselves, the one who hardly knew each other despite being in the same college for months, I realized that this is what life is about. It is like a journey, on which you meet new people, and complete tasks with them. And at the end of the day, you sit back relaxed and looked across the window over the mountains and think that these all was WORTH IT....!!!!!! I can only end this by my favourite author's few lines.

"I was sad yesterday. I may be sad tomorrow. But today I know that I am happy. And this one lifetime, however long, cannot satisfy me." - RUSKIN BOND

A girl I knew

Very sweet girl there was,I once knew,
(It wasn't a 'was', when this poem I drew)
Brave, kind, simple, funny, no fear
Hundred worries, still she lend an ear,
And proposed solutions new.

Wise she was, no doubt,
And when all the friends were about,
Dare to say,
Happiness wouldn't stay.
And when I hear her cry
Welling up in whisper,
All the world seemed a dark place to try,
Nice she was, my little friend-sister.

Ladybug

One fine evening, strolling through grass,
Sweaty and tired my feet, I paused to rest.
Stretching my legs upon grass,
I looked up horizon,
to the swarms of birds,
to the train whistling in distance,
to the cars honking,
to the kids playing,
lonely people, walking, with earplugs,
calming, soothing, stirring.

Suddenly, my hand crept.
A creepy crawler was the guest.
Small and oval
and red with black polka dots.
My mind raced back to years, when I had her.

Was her first day of college, I was sophomore.
Shy, yet radiant;
Calm, yet curious.
Notes were exchanged, so were the eyes.
Sitting long hours in park was our time.

One day, she lifted a ladybug, from the grass.
and put it on my skin, I crept,startled.
She was laughing, I was embarrassed.

Days,weeks,months, flew away and away.
Just like the little ladybug.

It was my last day, in college,
and in my hands, tickets were flapping
to a far off university.
I had to go.
Leave her, here.
The park,the college,the ladybug.
She was ears, 
She was tears.
Me standing, holding silence in my eyes.
I left without saying anything.

Suddenly a gentle tap on the shoulder
brought me back to the present.
'Hey, you found a ladybug. Aren't they cute?'
'Yes, they are. Now lets go home,
Millie will be waiting.'
She is still radiant. 

A Smile

What's the most beautiful thing you have seen?
So beautiful,it made your eyes gleam.
A flower, in the morning dew,
Rose perhaps, Pink, maybe blue?
A moon, in it's glimmering light?
A Starry Sky, in a dark night?




What's the purest thing you have seen?
So pure, it made your mind serene.
A seedling sprouting, struggling for surface?
A new wave of brook, in its grace?
A PRAYER of a toddler, a wish of an infant?
First ray of the sun, from horizon distant?



What's the sweetest thing you have seen?
So sweet, it made you heart went lean
The first word of a baby, calling her mumma?
A help to a needy friend, in his dilemma?
The first gift of a lover to her mistress?
A wishing phone call, a letter, a message?

Now,have you seen all these, together?
The sweet, The pure, The beautiful? Never?
Well, I have seen it, all in one.
A curve of a lip, by definition.
A smile, of someone, for whom you care
A smile, the greatest gift, you can spare
A smile, filling your inner void.
A smile, which you can't avoid.
A smile, for everyday, till the eternity
That's all I ask, a smile for me. 


-Dedicated to a Special Friend, and her Precious Smile :)

My Childhood Tree

I was visiting my village, after a long, 
My mind was singing the childhood song.

I came out of bus, and walked to the village,
but the feet changed the direction, to my amaze.

I was going to the forest, to my old tree,
the one which we all used, when free.

On my way, remembering the good ol' days
playing with my friends, on the tree, we say

'Let's never forget our friendship, and the tree,
will keep it in alive in our memory's sea.

We used to climb it, sit on top;listening,
birds chirping; wind's voice; blossoming flower, water flowing.

But when I reached it, it was not there,
I was shocked, and searched for it everywhere.

Then something caught my eye, A burnt tree,
Struck by lightening, my eyes weep.

How cruel time is, nothing left of my memory,
remembering the good old days, I hugged the tree.

But as I was about to leave, something I heard,
I went in the direction of voice, across the fields of mustard.

What I saw, touched my heart deeply,
some children were playing beneath another tree.

But they didn't see me, I was hiding,
in the memories of past, my heart was gliding.

I turned and went back, carrying all my memory,
It will always be alive in my heart, my childhood tree.

The Broken Flute

**************************************
"Can you get me some old clothes,
from the chest, in the attic,
don't lay like a bunch of slothes,
get up fast, or I'll use the stick.

I got up and went straight upstairs,
in the room, and in the attic.
Things were lying there which nobody cares,
boxes, broken glass, old furniture, a candlestick.

I opened the chest, to found some cloth,
but what i found, was a broken flute.
Suddenly my memory took me to grade fourth,
sitting next to a girl, i liked, 'so cute'.

I was really great at playing te flute,
and everyone was so spell-bound.
But i like to play only for the girl 'so cute',
and she too like to hear the sound.

Then memory took me to last day of school,
when there was, everywhere, mixed kind of feeling.
But i was only sad, to never see her again, a fool,
that i never told her, my emotions, my feeling.

She was going somewhere far, and i was alone,
standing there, with my flute, and some tear.
My heart was thumping, my mind was gone,
i was blank, but what to do next ,was clear.

I sat on to become the greatest flute player,
for it was a way to both, remind her and forgot.
I held shows everywhere, just to see her,
but for seven years, i didn't get a shot.

"Honey, why are you taking so long?"
"Look, what i found, this broken flute."
"Oh! It remind me of the fourth grade song"
Why! This was the same girl, You remember, 'So cute'.
******************************

Adieu!

Today, I was cleaning my shelf.
Suddenly an old pal peeped at me.
I was startled, 'who are you', i asked.
It replied,'I'm your pal, the Geometry box'.

Remember the time, we spent together.
You threw me here, You threw me there.
And for revenge, I hid your things in me, when you search.
And reveal them after you was frustrated enough.

'Yes, I do remember. And once when you was badly torn,
I ran to my mom to sew you instantly.
She kept saying to buy me a new one,
But i insisted for you, you was my buddy.'

We laughed and I hugged it closely.
Tears came from my eyes, it was time to part.
You have served me enough, my LOYAL SERVANT,
its time for you to take a rest.

And then i packed him in the big box for roof,
And Bid my Best friend Adieu....!!!!!!!

:')