Who you should be?

Should you always be what you pretend to be?

We have always pretend to be someone or atleast tried to be similar to a particular genre as per the society. What I mean to say is that we have all accustomed to a particular profession and also have aligned our life style with it. Even if we are actually not the person whom we are pretending to be, we have so much accustomed ourselves to a particular genre of the society that we have actually forgotten what we actually are.

Let me  elaborate.

We all live in a society with most of us dragging ourselves in the 9 to 5 rat race. We have a perfect yearly schedule. On most days we wake up to reach our workplace tired with hopeful dreams and we end our day without any productive work for ourselves. On festivals, we come out wearing traditionals, click selfies with fake smiles and that's how our years are ending. Haven't we ever thought of giving up pretending to be someone and really be ourselves?

We, who are dragging ourselves to work every morning have forgotten that their lives a different person in us with a different hidden dream. If we all go back to our childhood, do we remember saying that our dream was to work 9 to 5? I am sure nobody would have said that. We wanted to be a musician, a traveller or a writer. Perhaps a few of us also wanted to be fire fighters, join the army or play soccer. We have already given up on our dreams or are shattering it everyday and by that it shall be destroyed itself. Is it right? We are working hard to fulfill somebody else's dream. We are all afraid to put our job security at minimal risk just to pursue what we always wanted to do. We are dragging ourselves to work 40 hours a week denying our dreams which would need perhaps 80 hours a week at the beginning. The double effort will yield exponential happiness. 

It would cost a little to be yourself but the effort is worth it.

Submitted for Indispire

Silver Hair Sins - Review

Buy Here - Amazon

Genre - Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

Silver Hair Sins is a fiction thriller and the story goes ahead to the time of 2088 AD - 2205 AD. Imagine the barriers and differences that we have today. Hasn't it multiplied in last few decades? Haven't it dug differences amongst us on the basis of religion, caste and other social scenario? If this is the sscenario today then imagine the world about a hundred years from now. The Author, Mr. Saumick Pal takes us exactly to the era when religio-political differences amongst us would be at the peak and technology would take over us to save humanity.  The Author takes us to such a stage where we would be guided through artificial intelligence. However, the evils inside a human mind is such, they do break codes and guidelines with such ease that even the creators would be amused. The author points towards the aspects of today where religion and religious views are moulded by religious leaders in such a manner that they take advantages of the differences and exploit our beliefs only for their interests. The author uses cinematized photographs to take us to the Dystopian world. He uses his narrative skills to create an image of augmented reality, hovercrafts, silver chips embedded into humans and also shows the human greed for power.

The story revolves around a small family - Meera, Aasma and Akbar. The story describes how artificial intelligence takes on human beings and how the balance of sin and holy is maintained in the world. The narration and portray of the charecters are such that throughout the book there has been a curiosity regarding what next would come up. The growth of an innocent child to a matured girl amidst the various religio - political differences portrays the different faces of our society.

Initially the book shall compel you to think that it is about the scince fiction. However as the story goes on gradually, various social isses like patriarchy, hypocricy, fanatacism, intolerance and politics are highlighted. The issues  are drawn from todays point of view and its imapct on future is well depicted by the author.

However, the author could have elaborated more in the climax. After reading the book, I am still inquisitive on a few how's and why's. However, the author's attempt to maintain brievity while depicting so many social issues on a future reference is also remarkable.

The author Mr. Saumick Pal is an engineer and has also been a script writer. The book is his of attempt of fictional window to social commentary.

In a nutshell, I would recommend this book for people who love reaading thrillers and science fiction. The book would also be interesting for those who are associated with social causes. The use of pictures builds a strong visual impact. The vocabulary and concept is easy to understand and relatable.

I would rate the  book 4.5 out of 5. 

Panei - Jonki

Panei - Jonki is the story of a girl named Panei and a boy named Jonki. They hailed from Lakhimpur, Assam and belonged to the Mising tribe of Assamese community. Panei was born to Niroma (mother) and Tamod (father) who were farmers from a poor family. Jonki's parents had expured since he was kid and he grew up in the village amongst other village families. They were residents of the Subansiri Miri Gaon which was based besides the river Subansiri. 

The Mising tribe is tribe originating from the hills. However continuous warfare has bought them to the plains. They worship clouds, thunder, moon, sun, stars and land. They offer wine, pork and chicken as a offering to the nature. 

Panei, who was then about 8-9 years old was playing besides the river. Jonki, who was then 14-15 years old was also there. Suddenly a bear came out of the forest. The duo got afraid and ran away from there. Panei stumbled upon the rocks. Jonki came back and helped her get up and both of them fled together. 

After some years, when it was the seventh day of Kati Bihu and there was a feast at the village with pork and chicken. While taking the blessings from the priest, Panei-Jonki sat together. Even during the feast when the group got divided on the basis of gender, they sat in oppositie to each other. After the feast, the Priest was asked about the well being of the village and then there he gave an indication that something untoward might turn up for one of the village couple. The village youth danced Bihu till late evening, when Jonki called Panei near him and asked her to meet him as he had something to discuss with her. Panei agreed to  meet him besides the river Subansiri. Accordingly, they met by the banks of river Subansiri. 

Jonki was eager to know if Panei has any likeness for him. He was also confused whether she had anything for Komud (the village Headman's son). Panei confessed that she like Jonki and denied of any likeness towards Komud. Jonki wanted to know if Panei's parents would allow them to get married. Panei asked him to work hard and earn and some money and only then she would be able to convince her parents for Jonki. 

Panei's parents were also worried for her wedding as she was growing old. Niroma wanted her to get married to Jonki but Tomud didn't. Tomud wanted her to get married to Komud as her future would be secured and he would get handsome money as offering. Niroma insisted Tomud to take Panei's consent to which he disagreed. Instead he asked Niroma to speak about Komud to Panei as she would probably grow some affection towards him. Panei, who had gone to fetch water from the river heard her parents discussing about Komud as she returned.

Panei met Jonki and asked how much had he earned by then. Jonki could earn only twenty bucks and said it would take him another six months to earn twenty bucks more and only then he would be able to talk to her parents about their marriage. 

Niroma discussed with Panei regarding Komud. Panei disagreed to the marriage offer and insisted on remaining unmarried. 

Six-seven days later, Komud reached to ask for Panei's hand and offered some monetary offering and seeked blessing. 

Jonki had left the village and was staying at Ghunaxuti, at his maternal aunt's place. His proficiency with Bihu and musical instruments made him famous amoung the young folks of Ghunaxuti. Dalimi, was one of the best Bihu dancers of Ghunaxuti. They started dancing Bihu together. Whenever Jonki would go to the banks of Subansiri to know about the how-abouts of Panei, Dalimi would be sad. Although she knew nothing about Panei, yet Jonki's absence left her sad. Gradually Jonki said Dalimi about his stay at Subansiri Miri Gaon and Panei. Dalimi was heart broken as she had started developing liking towards Jonki. 

Niroma and Tomud often insisted Panei to get married to Komud. However, she always denied. They even left the young couple alone at times so that they could start a conversation but seeing Panei's anger Komud never dared to speak a word. On several attempts, finally Panei said about Jonki. Tomud got furious and he went to the extent of saying that he would disown her as his child if she ever spoke of getting married to Jonki. 

Dalimi's father had few boats. Jonki asked Dalimi to lend him a boat as he intended to elope with Panei. Jonki said about Panei's sufferings and that left Dalimi in tears. She arranged for the boat.

Panei-Jonki eloped. They stopped near a dense forest. They parked the boat by the bank and stayed in the forest for the night. The let the boat go and wandered by the forest. At evenings, they would take shelter in a forest near Ghunaxuti. The villagemen who were in search of Panei went to Ghunaxuti and found Jonki missing. They were sure that the duo had eloped together. Jonki would gather vegetables and eatables with the money that he saved from Ghunaxuti and they managed to stay in that manner for a month. 

One evening while they were sitting beside the bonfire, Komud along with fifteen other villagemen appeared and they caught the duo. Jonki was taken in to custody by Tomud. There was a tremendous fight between Jonki and Komud. However the tribesmen attacked Jonki and only then Jonki settled. Dalimi's father arrived there with other viillagemen and stopped the fight. Even after being surrounded by such a huge mob, Jonki warned Komud to stay away from Panei or else he would have to face dire consequences.

The matter reached  the court of Lakhimpur. Numerous charges of theft, robbery and kidnapping were levied upon Jonki by Komud, Tomud and other villagemen. The court took Panei's statement and could find out that all the charges were false. The court however asked Panei's parents to take her and added that during her stay with her parents, neither Komud nor Jonki could disturb her. Panei's parents assured that they would settle the matter amongst themselves.

Panei was taken by her parents. Jonki returned to Ghunaxuti. Panei was greeted by her friends on her return. Some villagemen also insulted her. Panei's parents again insisted her to get married to Komud. She said that either she would stay unmarried or would marry Jonki. If forced, she would die willingly.

Komud's father also decided that either he would take the offered money back or would get Komud married to Panei.

Dalimi said Jonki that she has seen his villagemmen go towards the jungle and then she sent her father with a few villagers of Ghunaxuti to save them. She did the best to save the couple. 

Panei eloped again. She learnt that her parents were planning to forcefully get her married to Komud.

The viillagemen again came to Ghunaxuti in search of Jonki at his maternal aunt's home. Jonki got angry and said that Panei had eloped only because of the forceful attempts made by her parents to get married. The villagemen left. Dalimi heard the news and bought whatever money she had saved to Jonki. Jonki also said that he would go in search of Panei. 

Panei's parents realised their mistake. Niroma would often blame Tomud. Tomud, who has hard-hearted all the while was now feeling sad for his daughter. Jonki reached their place asked for their blessings. Panei's parents requested him to bring her out if he had hid her anywhere. Jonki denied, took their blessings and left in search of Panei.

After two days of wandering Panei, reached a Hindu village nearby. They lived a young gentleman whom Panei approached for water. By evening he insisted her for some wine and taking advantage of her intoxication he tried to molest her. Panei was a strong Mising girl and she successfully resisted his attempt. She was about to leave when he got back to his senses. He apologised and asked her to stay overnight. She forgave him and stayed there. 

Jonki was was also searching Panei reached the same place two days later. By the time he reached there, Panei had already left. He again left in search of her. On the way, he was kidnapped and they took his money. After three days and three nights of walking they reached a village above a hill. They gave him dry meat to eat. He could understand that he was taken as a captive and that  he had to stay there as a servant. He stayed there for four months.

One day, while he was working he saw some men bring few women as captives. He could see Jonki in them. They met and decided to elope. They were caught by the villagemen. They were decorated to be thieves. A village court comprising of the village elderly prove them to be thieves. They were tied with a single rope. Jonki prayed that Panei should be spared as she was pregnant. The villagemen gave no ear. They were pulled to the river banks.

It was already six months since Panei had left. Niroma would often blame Tomud. One day, she saw Panei-Jonki in her dream who were in a mountain. They refused to come down. They said it was impossible. They were happy. After Niroma woke up she went to the bank to fetch water. She spotted two bodies grabbed in each other arms flowing with the river. As the villagemen pulled the bodies they could make out it was Panei-Jonki. They were stabbed by sharp bamboos. They left the world in each other's arms.

The eternal love  story of Panei-Jonki shall be forever remembered by the people of this part of the country.

Joymoti Konwori - The Unsung Lady

Between the years of 1671 to 1681, the state of Assam, then under the Ahom rulers was under the rule of many incompetent kings who were puppets at the hands of their Nobles and Prime Ministers. The Prime Minister to the Lora Raja or boy king Sulikhpaa, Laluksala Borpukan had ordered for all the princes of the Ahom dynasty to be mutilated, a period known as the Purge of the Princes of 1679 to 1681. The aim was to keep his puppet king on the throne, and so would his power over the ruling of the state. The soldiers were unable to find Prince Gadapani who had fled to the Naga hills. To find Gadapani’s whereabouts, his wife, Joymoti was arrested and brutally tortured. She was tortured for a period of fourteen days, in ‘Jerenga pathar’ in Sivasagar. She was tied to a thorny plant and inhuman physical afflictions were inflicted on her body. She never got weak and instead faced all tortures although she was pregnant then. Gadapani, on learning about the tortures about his wife, reached Jerenga Pathar incognito. He signalled her to speak out the truth. She didn’t and instead signalled back at him to escape. She wanted her husband to be the king and build an empire which would be free of all socio-economic problems. A mother of two, Lai and Lechai, aged 14 and 12. Later after 14 days of inhuman torture she died.  The tremendous sacrifice of Joymoti for her state brought about a ‘renaissance’ in the history of Assam. Given the title of “Sati” because of her valiant fight, Joymoti remains immortal. The first Assamese film, directed by Jyoti Prasad Agarwal, Joymoti, was a biopic of Joymoti Konwari released in March 1935. Her elder son, Sukhrungphaa, or Lai built the Joysagar tank, the largest of all tanks built by the Ahom Kings and also the largest man-made lake of India, stands on the very place in Sivsagar, where Joymoti was tortured three centuries ago. 

Joymoti died on the 13^th day of the Hindu month of Chaitra. 27^th March 2019 is celebrated  as Sati Joymoti Divas.

Joymoti is a perfect exemplar of feminism where she devoted her entire life for her dream of an empire which would be free from socio-economic problems. The kind of persecution she faced has no other parallel in the history ever.  

Munmun's Mom's Way of Parenting

I am sharing a small story from 5th or 6th standard.

There used to  be a young kangaroo named Munmun. Munmun was very attached  to his mother. As days passed by, he chose not to grow up and be a joey forever and stay in his mother's pouch. His mother insisted him to start learning to  leap but he defied everytime. He was fond of his mother's care and that defied him from growing old. One day his mother decided  to teach him a lesson. While Munmun was asleep, his mother left him beneath a tree and was watching him from a distance. As he woke up, he was shocked to be alone. He looked for his mom everywhere but he couldn't find her. He felt thirsty and searched for water. He remembered the way to river where his mom used to carry him in her pouch and he started leaping towards the river. His mom followed him. While he reached the river and was about to drink water, he saw his mother.

Munmun's Mom teaches a lot about how parenting should be done. Every mammal is scientifically concerned about the child. The concern sometimes goes so far that parents even forget to let  their kid grow up. Kid's today are so spoon fed that they have forgotten how to do household chores even. Freedom and responsibilities will both make a kid grow up. Yes, however that needs a strict eye like Munmun's Mom. However the kid shouldn't realize that he is being watched up. This also will let you know how your child behaves in your absence. If he behaves matured, then it is you who is not letting him grow up. If  he is homesick, then you must let him realize the world outside your home. If he does something wrong, then probably he needs some more nurturing or even strict eye.

I grew up in a similar environment and I am thankful to my parents for that. I was never spoon fed. I had to figure out solutions by myself to some of my problems. If that was beyond my scope, then only my parents would interrupt. I was not scolded for studies everyday but was also questioned for my marks which compelled me to make my own study plan. I was not restricted of television. The luxury of parents escorting to the school bus-stop always remained a dream. If ever there was any community event or a Bihu function in the neighbourhood I always returned late night. However, the day my Dad found out I was learning to ride a bike without proper license he warned me about all the consequences and also ensured that I got my license to ride. Even after I started working and earning he found out once that I was riding without a helmet. He reminded me of the benefits of wearing a helmet. I had to do household chores. No excuses were entertained for skipping household chores. My parents had no discrimination of a male child or a female child. They always taught me to live doing my own chores from cooking to cleaning and perhaps that has helped me to stay away from home. 

Parent's in my generation were also involved with their children. However, they also knew the disadvantages of spoon-feeding the child. I have seen today's generation parent's doing their way of parenting. One of the parent keeps waiting outside asking the school bus driver to wait while the other carries the child in lap feeding him tiny bits and bringing to the bus stop. If they haven't taught them punctuality now, they will never be able to see a future gentleman in them later now.

Submitted for Indispire

Priortizing Life First

You realize how beautiful your life is only when you are inches away from death. Your complaints never end. You are in a race to prove how pathetic your life is and that nobody has a more pathetic life than yours. You never compare our life what is today with what it was previously. Instead you keep comparing your life that you dream to live and that you are living. You might have started your journey on a bus and perhaps have bought up a car now. However, the only regret that you have is why you aren't able to own that SUV which that rich brat friend of yours rides around the city. When you are on your deathbed or have somehow escaped an accident you suddenly realize how far have you come. It is perhaps because from your schedule of office, selfie's and EMI's you hardly have any time for introspection. You just keep rolling in the wheel of desires without even realizing that where you should have stopped.

You realize how beautiful she is, only after you see her with someone else. You somehow fail to remind her how beautiful she looks even today. You forget to appreciate her for all the things she does to keep things calm and composed. She is the same girl for whom you once bought a teddy bear, saved pocket money for a gift and suddenly when you have married her, you have forgotten to make her feel special. She still expects some special moments. If she has decided to be with someone else it is only because someone else has made her feel special. Had you been taking some time out of your busy office schedule for her everyday, nobody would have definitely got a chance. Someone is in only because you have left a void.

You will realize the value of your parents only after they have passed away. You have had some dreams with your parents. It can be going out for a family meal at an expensive restaurant, buying some clothes for your parents or taking them out for a vacation. However you keep delaying with the hope for a perfect occasion or a office leave. You never realize what would the delay cost you. You repent only after you lose your parents. Were you so busy? Really? Did office matter so much? Was the month end sales closing so vital? Don't you repent on how transformed are you today that a presentation holds more importance to you than your parents?

Perhaps we should start with priorities. You might not be working with the same company after two yours but your parents, spouse, children and your health is of utmost importance to you and that will matter to you in the long run of life. You might spend the golden time of life working for someone but when you will be old then won't even bother to give you a 'hello! how are you?' mail. The only people who will be beside you are your near and dear ones. Taking some time out for them is not a bad deal.