Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Only Duty Can Save the World By M.A. Rathore

 An Essay

Only Duty Can Save the World

 By M.A. Rathore

Human life is valuable. It is accepted without any refutable reason. Time has its own importance in life. When we do not have sufficient time to love each other how can we deduce time to hate people. According to scientific researches all the muscles are contracted when we show hate and anger while the time when we are happy and delighted we win over the contraction. The change that is life occurs each and every moment everywhere in and outer space. A thing that was lively a few minutes before is now inanimate and dead absolutely. The thing that is famous for its glittering glints expresses its sorrow on its luck. All the things of universe, whether it is movable or motionless at its place, cannot escape from time's adverse effects. Time destroys the entire ego and proud of all things and man. So having known the secret of time we should fall in love for each other madly so that unknowingly time would come and show his trick drawing the curtain of life.

Love has a quality that it spreads when someone shows it. If a person does not get proper and genuine love from his parents, brothers and sisters, brothers - in - law an sisters - in - law, uncles and aunts and friends it spreads for all the public on account of his aloofness in particularly and this current of love not being oozed on the particular person but it flows all over the world equally without any difference of age and sex. With this instinct the man being motivated begins to start behaving all his fellow men as if his own brethren and the entire organism whether of animals or trees regards his own inseparable member of his family. Love lessens the fear of death. We all know the fact that we have to migrate from this world permanently.

Every man has his yearnings to be remembered after his death. He perceives his own replica in his posterity who will provide him some solace in the threshold of his future. This type of man cannot execute great deeds, for he is worried about the future of his off-springs. On the other hand there are some great persons who have the ability to create a number of fantastic literary pieces, get fame as the great poets and writers such as Shakespeare, Bacon, Milton, Leo Tolstoy, Kalidas, Abdul Rahim Khankhana, Mirza Gaalib, Mahrishi Vedvyas and Valmiki and more over who got birth in the world and became great by composing a number of great literature.

The universal and worldly things have the attraction of being enchanted that we feel less motivated to absolve our wrong deeds. It is not so easy to win over it as one thinks. The work being done above to the worldly actions is included in spiritualism. Those gifted persons who are away from worldly things have a brilliant beam like personality that even kings and knights prostrate in front of them. By nature they are holy, well - behaved, mild in search and with calmness and purity of heart. No worldly avarice can pierce their celibacy. They do not fear against death but regard it a way to cross the known world to the unknown world easily.

The importance of religion has been increased in the present context. Religious persons should be behaved properly in our society. It does not much matter the person belongs to which religion or faith he practises. Religious person does not think ill of anybody with his own words and actions. Acceptance of good and absolute good and discard of bad habits and practices is the real religion in its true sense. There is no religion in the world which preaches to widen the gap between man to man but suggests us to be free from all the vices and ill - practices prevalent in the society by increasing life's value. It is be desirous to spread brotherhood in the entire world if we want to save the universe. This is the only mantra or the secret of solving all the most burning issues of the world. So it is hoped to apply human virtues for resolving all the biggest or the pettiest matter by the mild search of God Himself serving your duty. Copyrighted. 

Sunday, January 15, 2023

THE WORLD IS FUTILE. A Poem by Mohan Lal Verma

THE WORLD IS FUTILE

A Poem by Mohan Lal Verma©®

There was a disciple
Who served his guru with head and heart;
One day he was engaged to a beautiful girl;
With happiness, he wanted to see his guru instantly
So he came there to let him know 
All about his engagement; 
The guru said:
"You have gone away from me now."

After some days he was married
The guru was worried and told him,
"You have gone away from your parents too;
For you haven't accepted my mantras any longer.

After some days he became a father,
With happiness and enthusiasm
He came to inform his guru
He had a duckling face in his arms;
"Now you won't be able to eat properly," said his guru.

Days rolled with each crescent  moon 
His parents were happy;
His wife and son were happy but the disciple was not;
Even though he had forgotten to see his guru
But as soon as he remembered him
He went to him and said, "I am not happy.
For all have made me busy."
The guru told him to play the game as it went.

He reached his home;
Ordered his wife to make a delicious dish;
No sooner did he ask than the dish was ready;
All the family enjoyed the dish;
Lo! what happened to the disciple?
He went into a fit and fell unconscious.
His wife began to cry so high.

Soon the news broke into the village
The guru heard and instantly he came there
He had taken no time to understand the disciple's game;
Sitting beside him he made them fetch some milk;
Chanted some holy Mantras over that milk;
Asked his father to drink for the cause of his son's life
"You are sad for your son.

It will bring life to your son but in place of him
You shall die." the guru said.
His father made an excuse for his old age;
The mother passed it over to her daughter-in-law.
Each one of them declined 
Making some and the other excuse.

Now the guru himself drank the milk;
And asked his disciple to come in a normal situation,
Begging pardon from the guru the disciple said with devotion,
"I am mistaken to consider the world true and faithful
Now I've understood the secret of the world."

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

भाई poem by गुंजन यादव

भाई

पिता की परछाई होते हैं भाई,
छोटी-छोटी बातों पर लड़े वो होते हैं भाई।
हमारे पहले रक्षक होते हैं भाई,
अपनी हर बात हमें बताये वो होते है भाई।।

माँ के लाडले होते हैं भाई,
घर का चिराग होते हैं भाई।
रक्षाबंधन की कलाई होते हैं भाई,
भाई दूज का नाम होते हैं भाई।।

दादा को प्यारे होते हैं भाई,
खानदान का वारिस होते हैं भाई।
बहनों को बहुत सताते हैं भाई,
बहनों की गुड़िया छिपाते हैं भाई।।

सबकी आंखों का तारा होते हैं भाई,
बहन की शादी में जो खुद रोये वी होते हैं भाई।
सरहद पर शहीद होते वो भी हैं भाई,
सबसे प्यारा उपहार होते होते हैं भाई।।

बहन के लिए जो जमाने से लड़े वो होते हैं भाई,
बहनों की शान होते हैं भाई।
छिप-छिप कर रोते हैं वो होते हैं भाई,
बहनों को प्यारे होते हैं भाई।।

- गुंजन यादव ©® कक्षा-9th,
महात्मा गांधी राजकीय विद्यालय (अंग्रेजी माध्यम),
कोहला, हनुमानगढ़ (राजस्थान)

MATHS A poem by Atul Baweja

MATHS
A poem by Atul Baweja ©®
You know what is Maths?
Children use to afraid of Maths
While it is an interesting game,
When it is taught by our ma'am.

You know what is Maths?
Children find it tough
But it is a mystery,
Not less than learning the facts of history.

You know what is Maths?
Children use to play many games
But it is the game you play everyday
When you go to sleep or down you lay.

You know what is Maths?
Children use to get it solved
But it is a task you want to fulfill,
You can overcome all fears at your will.
~ Atul Baweja, 8th (Std.)
Mahatma Gandhi (English Medium) Govt. School,
Kohla (Hanumangarh)

बहनें poem by गुंजन यादव

बहनें 

माँ का दूजा रूप होती है बहनें, 
घर की रौनक होती है बहनें।
पापा की लाडली होती है बहनें, 
सबसे प्यारी होती हैं बहनें ।।

प्यार से हमें डाँटे वो होती है बहनें,
हमारे लिए सबसे लड़ जाए वो होती हैं बहनें।
गुड़िया जैसी सुंदर होती है बहनें, 
घर की शान होती है बहनें ।। 

रक्षा-बंधन का त्योहार होती है बहनें, 
भाई-दूज का प्यार होती है बहनें।
चिड़िया सी चहके वो होती है बहनें, 
सबकी राजदुलारी होती है बहनें।।

आँखों का तारा होती है बहनें, 
नदी की धारा-सी होती है बहनें।
खुली किताब-सी होती है बहनें, 
सुख- दुःख का सहारा होती है बहनें।।
 
फूलों-सी कोमल होती है बहनें,
जो सूरज-सी दमके वो होती है बहनें।
बाबुल के आँगन में चहके वो होती है बहनें,
घर की लक्ष्मी होती है बहनें।।
-गुंजन यादव ©® कक्षा 9 Std.
महात्मा गांधी राजकीय विद्यालय, 
कोहला

पापा poem by गुंजन यादव

पापा
अंगुली को पकड़ कर चलना सिखाया, 
चरणों में पापा के मैंने जन्नत को पाया। 
बेटी को बेटे सा सम्मान-दर्जा दिलाया, 
छीलकर हाथों से बादाम खिलाया।।

दुःख में भी आँखों से अश्रु नहीं आया, 
कंधे पर बैठाकर सारा संसार घुमाया। 
जो जो माँगा वो ही खिलौना दिलाया, 
पापा ने मुझे प्यार से खूब पढ़ाया ।।

विद्यालय को उन्होंने पवित्र मन्दिर बताया, 
मुझे मेरे हक के लिए लड़ना सिखाया। 
स्वतंत्र होकर आकाश में उड़ना सिखाया, 
अपने हाथों से उन्होंने खाना खिलाया।।

तर्क से फर्क मिटेगा रहस्य यह बताया, 
कलम पकड़कर लिखना सिखाया । 
गोद में बिठाकर क्या क्या नहीं खिलाया , 
चाँद-तारों को मेरे कदमों में सजाया।।

पिता के रूप में मैंने सच्चे ईश्वर को पाया, 
मेरा सपना उन्होंने पूरा करना सिखाया।
हर वक्त उन्होंने मेरा हौंसला भी बढ़ाया, 
अपने पैरों पर अडिग खड़ा होना सिखाया । 

बेटी के लिए हीरो हैं उनके पापा, 
दुनिया में मुझे सबसे प्यारे हैं मेरे पापा।।

~ गुंजन यादव, कक्षा 9 ©®
महात्मा गांधी राजकीय विद्यालय, कोहला।

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Part 2: Whisper in December By M.A. Rathore

Part 2: Whisper in December

By M.A. Rathore


(1)
icy storm-
a silent ghost comes to
hover the rooftops

(2)
a snow drifted land-
I can only see the bright eyes
of the white kitten

(3)
December sunrise-
the bathroom geyser chocks down
with ice

(4)
December sun set-
the cricket forgets to sing
the lyrics of love

(5)
December hailstorm-
Grandma asks for more blankets
and a cup of tea

(6)
chilled December-
she asks for a skin care cream
to protect her body

(7)
stormy December-
her white lips require
a lip guard

(8)
snowy winter-
a kitten tries to sit
beside the heater

(9)
snowy winds-
my mother peels the skin of
a sweet potato

(10)
December sunshine-
she spreads clothes and makes
stand her baby outside

(11)
holiday season-
my father suggests me to
cover the syllabus

(12)
December closing-
a tailor bird makes a nest
before the sunset

(13)
heavy snowfall-
a woodpecker forbids to
fallout from its nest

(14)
Winter drizzle-
am just enjoying my days
with a paper boat

(15)
dense fog-
a snail mistakes
the lane

(16)
foggy morning-
my mother carries me to
shower

(17)
Winter sets in-
she reminds me of weekend
in her close company

(18)
icy city-
she gathers flour
while kneading

(19)
after snowfall-
the sun breaths
in the open

(20)
sad demise-
the son finds no alternate
of mother

(21)
A heavy loss-
destiny closes the
calendar

(22)
a heavy loss-
the calendar closes
at the end

(23)
winter snow-
the cook coughs outside
the kitchen

(24)
winter twilight-
Grandma keeps close
her specs

(25)
Winter night-
snow falls slowly,
slowly…

(26)
December ends
with success and sadness-
memories influx

(27)
December 31-
a bride bids farewell to attend
her new abode

(28)
heavy snowfall-
Christmas tree bears no stars
for decoration

(29)
dense fog-
a snail reaches
nowhere
                                                                                                            Copyrighted 2023
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AN INTERVIEW WITH THE POET M.A. RATHORE By Bipul Kalita

 

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE POET M.A. RATHORE

By Bipul Kalita

[With Team Writers’ Mirror, Assam]

Good morning dear Sir. Please respond to the following questions specially designed for HAPPY SATURDAY WITH AN EMINENT POET, a weekly interview program organized by WRITERS' MIRROR, ASSAM, INDIA. Questions for Happy Saturday with an Eminent Poet.

Q1. Good morning dear Sir. I'm happy to have you as our guest of honor today. You are already a popular poet of international repute. Our adorable readers will be happy if you say in brief about yourself.

Rathore- Very good morning all of you, my dear friends and followers! It’s my pleasure to have a talk with you here in this portal. I congratulate all the members of WITERES’ MIRROR, ASSAM. Let me introduce myself first. My name is M.A. Rathore. I come from Rajasthan which is the land of sands, saints, and warriors. Professionally I am a teacher at Mahatma Gandhi Government (English Medium) School at Kohla in Hanumangarh. I am the author of more than half of dozen books including Pathless Woods, Pearls of Repose, The Voice of Silence, The Essence of Life, Worlds Fail When Silence Speaks, and The Voice of Humanity. I have been awarded many national and international awards including World Icon of Peace, felicitated by the World Institute for Peace, Nigeria in 2017, Enchanting Muse Award 2017, Hyderabad, ‘Kalam ka Sipahi’ Samman 2017, The Best Poet of World by WUP Cultural Form, Germany, Poetography International Contest Winner 2016, The Best Poet of the Week by so many Facebook Groups. My poems have been published in many national and international anthologies and magazines, including some of the online portals viz. atunispoetry.com and Writers’ café.

Q 2. Why do you write?

Rathore- As a poet, what inspires me to write poetry is only to search out the potentiality in man and the question of redemption of man’s soul. Poetry has a closer voice to reach the depth of the hearts of the readers.

Q 3. Who/What inspired you to be a poet?

Rathore- My poems are the notes of Vedanta philosophy which I can understand while reading Indian and Western Philosophy. Especially Osho inspires me. I am an avid reader. What I read, I write with the thought. Each of my poems is the product of the blend of thoughts and emotions together.

Q 4. How would you like to define poetry?

Rathore- Poetry cannot be described well. It is felt and smelt when something eatable is put side by side and we are unaware of the thing where it is. For me, poetry is the discovery of man’s soul which is closer to the heart than the use of intellect as we often do in writing a piece of prose. It is also the music of pangs of heart. I often find myself hopeless to make people understand life which results ultimately in the form of poetry.

Q 5. Who are the Classical, Romantic, and contemporary poets that you like the most?

Rathore- My first interview was with Shakespeare, Milton, and Donne. Keats and Shelley impress me. Wordsworth paves my way to think about nature and the general themes of my poetry. In the contemporary poets, I use to read Dr. Jernail Singh Anand’s poetry.

Q 6. What do you prefer- rhymes or free verse?

Rathore- When I started to write poetry I used to try to rhyme. Two of the books which I wrote at the beginning of my career as a poet were written in rhyming form entitled The Winged Seeds and Divine Love which was inspired by John Donne. Later I learned to write haiku from Jen Walls, Minnesota, and Caroline Cecile, California, USA. Both the poet's friends and mentors inspired and taught me how to write haiku poetry which resulted in my haiku poetry book entitled Drizzling Dales. These books are still to be published.

Time changes with the band of the striking notes. I came across the poetry of Dr. Jernail Singh Anand and became his friend on Facebook. This friendship got a name and fame also. In my college days when I started to write English poetry Professor L. K. Sharma, sir inspired me to write poetry in free verse but I was a budding poet at that time and was suffering from the basic knowledge of the English language, Later this inspiration got a shape in the hands of Dr. Jernail Singh Anand. He always inspires me to write in free verse with a particular thought. Most of my books are written in free verse. Rhyming poetry bars the running thoughts which otherwise throughout the free verse.

Q 7. How does Facebook poetry differ from the others?

Rathore- A great deal of people uses social media especially Facebook these days. Facebook poetry gives way to instant recognition and there are so many friends like Dr. Anand who inspire budding poets a lot to be successful writers. Most of the writers show their inner conflict or the stuff they are stuffed with. Facebook is just like a rough notebook where they can write their thoughts and feelings without fear of what people say about it. In between such thoughts, there comes a noble and elevated thought in the form of modern poetry. Time has been changed. People prefer online study or reading to print. With the revolution of thoughts, a great class of writers has come into effect. In the olden days, they had the rare opportunity of being a writer or expressing themselves in so high with such great openness.

Q 8. Would you say in brief about your published books? What about your upcoming books?

Rathore- As I have told you. More than half of a dozen books are in my credit including Pathless Woods, Pearls of Repose, The Voice of Silence, The Essence of Life, Worlds Fail When Silence Speaks, and The Voice of Humanity. I am now working on my 7th poetry book entitled The Wings of Poesy and Bhatner Duaggatha, a book of my Hindi poetry.

Q 9. Please share one of your latest poems.

Rathore-

1: THE SONG OF ETERNITY

 

I am a withered leaf;

When the breeze blows

It carries me far away in the distant lands

And drops me there;

I arise with the blow of the winds.

 

I am a paper boat;

When the breeze blows

It carries me on the splashing waves

Which push me towards the bank;

I float on the surface of the ocean.

 

I am a stream;

Though it is not easy to flow

Against the obstacles of the mountains

Yet I try to be simple and innocent

Like a three year child.

 

I am a child of innocence;

When the breeze blows

It carries me into the land of mermaids

And in the realm of Albatrosses

Where the mariner sings the song of eternity.


2: DIVINITY

 

The smell that I could inhale

Was unidentified passing through my nose;

I travelled far and wide

To know the fragrance;

The fragrance of the flower of meditation.

 

The flame was lit yet I could not see

The light of knowledge;

It was just like a dazzling spark

As if my eyes were blind

Which could not observe, though burning.

 

The earthen lamp of self-recognition

Was under the flame

When I beheld it while the day broke

And yet the sun was about to rise;

The rising sun of hope and bliss.

 

I needed eyes to see the unseen;

I tried to search all the ways conscientiously;

I made all the best I could;

I found it was all my ignorance

While being silent I felt the divinity.

Q 10. Do you think that Facebook poets and their poems have been properly appreciated? How do your appreciators have inspired you to keep writing?

Rathore- There is some literary groups such as Philosophique Poetica, headed by Dr. Jernail Singh Anand from India and Ade Caparas Manilah from Sydney where we had critics like Cijo Joseph Chennelil from India who had made intensive research on reviews and criticism. They appreciated their fellow poets and writers. Writers’ Mirror, Assam is also one of the best platforms for literary reviews and motivation. The critics like Bipul Kalita have done great reviews of eminent poets and writers around the world.

 

Q 11. Do you think that govt. and non-govt. organizations have done their best to promote world-class literature?

Rathore- Yes. The Ministry of Culture and Resources has time to time published its journals and books and anthologies to assist the literature of almost all languages. There are so many other non-government organizations that try their best to preserve world-class literature. They promote writers and poets to compose their best works. So many awards and certificates have been given.

Q 12. Do you think that Facebook and other social media have challenged print media?

Rathore- Yes. Of course. Facebook and other social media have challenged the print media but it also provides the base and stuff for budding writers. Thousands of trees have been cut to prepare a sheet of paper but still, print media has sustained its existence in the modern world.

Q 13. What is your opinion on the awards and certificates issued by various Facebook groups?

 Rathore- Facebook groups are formed to assist the works of fellow poets and writers and thus they encourage each other by reading their poems and articles at the same time; commenting and reviewing instantly which ultimately provides them good counseling, and when they work well with their matter and manner they are encouraged with awards and certificates until it becomes a game of making money and all other such issues and misuse of belittling the other fellow writers in any way.

Q 14. How do you feel when you interact with poets from different countries, especially through Facebook?

Rathore- I joined Facebook in 2012. It was the time when I was appointed as a government teacher far from my hometown. I was alone and had no way to interact even with my family members besides phone calls. My son made an email account and Facebook Id to spend time on it. This gave me the opportunity to see through the world. I had made so many friends around and across the world. I preferred older friends to young ones for the reason they had a lot to guide and share their experiences. I got an elemental change in my style of thought and writing. I would like to tell you about some of my best friends and mentors who have devoted their time and love to the development of my soul and style of writing. I can’t help remembering my close friends like Caroline Cecile Godgal from California who introduced me to how to write haiku poetry with and without a particular syllable of 5-7-5 pattern,  Sister Jen Walls from Minnesota, USA who taught me how to count syllables for haiku writing. She used to check and cross-check my haiku. When I used to make mistakes she rebuked me to have my duty done with dedication. Dr. Jernail Singh Anand is my all-time mentor and checker of each of my poems without caring much about the time of the day or it is night.

Q 15. Do you experiment with your own poetic creations?

Rathore- Not any special but I think every poet has the experiment with the way and style of composing poetry creatively. He gets his stuff from around his life, scriptures, and mostly from the extensive reading of the authors, philosophers, and thinkers. Following one and the other styles of composing poetry is just like creating a barricade in thoughts and feelings.

Q 16. Do you think that Facebook poets have contributed to bringing peace to war-prone zones?

Rathore- That’s a fine question indeed. Yes. No doubt. Facebook posts have contributed a lot to bringing peace and harmony to the world. Through their creative works, they have appealed to the people who have prolonged to face the world under threat of war.  Poetry has the voice of heart and appeals much more than words of prose.

Q 17. Do you have any suggestions for our group?

Rathore- As for as your group, Writers’ Mirror, Assam is concerned; all the members of the team have been working with dedication to uplift the flavour of literature worldwide. They are appreciating and motivate the seasoned as well as the budding poets and authors to compose more and more creative pieces.

Q 18. What suggestions do you have for your co-poets?

Rathore- I would like to suggest to the co-poets that they should read more and more books before writing a piece of poetic creation. Reading makes them aware of the general facts of composing poetry and other creative arts. They should keep in mind that what they had read has been expressed and now it’s their duty to add more flavour to literature.

I would like to thank all of the members of the team Writers’ Mirror, Assam for giving me time to share my thoughts and feelings here with you. Thank you very much. (Copyrighted)

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

FOREWORD TO PATHLESS WOODS by Dr. J. S. Anand

 FOREWORD TO PATHLESS WOODS 

By Dr. J. S. Anand


M. A. Rathore is a growing voice gaining intensity with every flick of the pen. When I met him around two years back on Facebook, I found him writing a lot of haiku poetry. He said it is my dream to be a poet. It seems the river of consciousness flowing below our conscious actions has taken his resolve seriously.

Pathless Woods is his first work of poetry, in which he has expressed himself admirably. The poems are well crafted and matured in meaning and treatment to leave a soulful message behind. The way he wields his pen sometimes shows his extra carefulness. The easy flow of poetry like a rivulet is still waiting, but his control and his versatility are enough to prophesize a rich feast of poetic harvest in the coming days.

I congratulate Rathore on the publication of his work which brings out the various concerns that bind him to this earth. Certainly, he is not an escapist, although he romances endlessly.

"Man lives in dreams 

Fostering his arguments 

Not accepting the reality 

That has ever been there" 

[Remove the Veil]

In "Mystery of Not Being", one can find him decoding death in a very temperate language, no less persuasive:

"Imagine you're being deprived of 

Your sources of mind and knowledge 

Obliterating the whole being with a bang 

Made passive altogether as if your body 

Has no longer in the entire person"


What has highly impressed me is his growth into a visionary. The instant is not in his passion. The immediate is not what matters to him. It is the ultimate; the larger context of reality, which gives him meaning. 

In "what am I?" he very clearly shows how a leaf is related to the tree and a wave to the ocean;

"I am a leaf 

The huge tree 

Standing stately 

From olden times


I am a wave

The unfathomed ocean 

While retreating

Having touched the shore"

Amid deeply embedded in poetic creed often starts dabbling with philosophy. And there we find Rathore discussing the ultimate questions of existence:

"What is my destination?

A rotten grave 

or a constant journey 

Not knowing where I come from 

And where to go at last"


The poem I find in this collection is "Freedom" which reflects on the human condition as a songbird caged in a golden prison:


"I am a singing bird

Caught by the royal courtiers

Flying through their provincial states 

Accusing me of my limitless fly


I am a singing bird

Put behind the golden bars 

Accusing of my truthful songs 

And a hilarious yearning to live free"


The poet expresses prophetically

"In case truth prevails with worthy crown 

All the wrong will be made to be guillotined 

Whoever talked about the truth then?

For I am a bird singing victorious songs"


Rathore's narrative in "Broken Beauty" turns him into an insightful postmodernist:

“Chilly summer nights 

Drifting droplets like 

A lovely shower


Life being treated 

A game of cards 

Looking back I smiled 

Over broken beauty” 

In all, I have no hesitation in asserting that Rathore, the poet, has arrived; Let us attune our ears to listen to his prophetic verses.

- Dr. J.S. ANAND 


COPYRIGHT 2015

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THE ITINERANT A Story by M.A. Rathore

 THE ITINERANT

A Story by M.A. Rathore

It was my first posting as a teacher in Nagaur district in 2012. I had never lived away from my family and parents except when I went to J&K to pursue my B.Ed. Degree; I had to stay in the hostel of the college where I used to drink milk as if I was a child then. Of course, I had the experience of spending a whole year out of my home, especially during the day time or sometimes I was too late to come to my home so late in case we were busy in some meetings in a private company. But this was a great experience in my life. I had so many opportunities to interact with strangers and friends worldwide. Very soon I was promoted to a higher rank in my company. I enjoyed my projects at my company more than my colleagues and fellow leaders. I could not follow being a continuous part of my company because it was a tradition in my family to serve the country as a government employee, so I had to leave my company and go to have a degree in education; because my father wanted me to be a teacher.

I confess it was not easy for me to get a job because I had to go through so many mental and physical distractions and inner conflicts in my life. As my father was a staunchly religious person; he wanted me to perform all the rituals and religious activities along with my study but it was a challenge for me to follow the two activities simultaneously. In the name of moral support, there were negative enforcements I used to receive from my elder brother and uncle who was a Tehsildar at that time.  Once I asked my uncle what to do, and he suggested polishing shoes if I could not get some esteemed job. This was painful for me to bear all insults yet I could digest the sorrows and suffering as it was an almost helpless condition for me. I thought I was living as an itinerant in my own father’s house. However, it was a great inspiration for me to change my life and all aspects afterward. I confess I had never opposed my elder brother because in every condition he used to motivate me to fulfill my dreams. He just said and I did according to his wish. His way of motivation was strange yet it is behind my major successes.

The day came when I was selected for a good rank. I told my friends and family members about my selection but nobody could believe it, for I had forgotten to access my career. I became calm and quiet. All my inner conflicts and grievances had disappeared and I complained against anybody whom I thought was against my decision.

Joining Nagaur was not so enchanting for me because I was not trained to live outside my house. I was not a professional cook, though I was an expert in all of the arts and other creative aspects which make life easygoing. A boy used to come to take coaching from me. It was a wonderful chance for me to get his service. He used to bring food for me; this went on for one and a half years smoothly. But the fact of the matter was that he stopped this service, as soon as his target was achieved. Here comes again the strong motivation from my brother. He suggested to me that I should prepare my food if I wished to enjoy the real taste. I could not oppose my brother’s counseling, for they were always helpful in my life.

This was the first chance I had to make my food; learning by myself I made chapattis and vegetables; sometimes being online I got my spouse’s help in the making of vegetables, rice, and other normal dishes. With time I became an expert in cooking as well. I was no longer in need of anybody except my own in the circle of life. Though I was living alone at the place where I was appointed as a teacher yet I had many opportunities to retreat to myself. My loneliness enhanced my power to meditate; I used to sit for hours and then try to compose poems on my daily experiences and reading of literature. I wrote six books among three that had gotten published.

The place where I used to live cost me Rs. 1000. It was not away from struggles; the struggle for the supply of drinking water as well as water for home usage; the struggle for proper electricity; proper passage of air and hygienic conditions. The walls of my house were not very well plastered; they were old and eroded day by day; the plaster used to fly here and there all the time; the roof leaked when it rained. The water flowed through my ceiling fan which was my best friend of mine in the struggle of my life.

Who cared for an itinerant? I put the matter of some repair work but the owner of the house never paid any attention to my sufferings. I tried to have good relations but I had no right to nurture any relations between an owner and an itinerant. These relations could not be defined based on ground-level faiths, behaviour, and other things; the itinerant was an itinerant and the owner was an owner. The other people in the community were amiable and supportive but not the owner. The son of the owner used to come to my room and demand meat and liquor otherwise I had to evacuate the room instantly. He threatened me to raise the fare of the house now and then. I had understood that no itinerant could create good relations in the world. © 2018

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