Longings of Life

It happened just a few moments back, when I was having tea at one of the roadside dhabas on Ansari Road, Daryaganj, near my office. We normally take a small break and go out to have tea on the roadside dhabas in the evening. Numerous small shops are also aligned on the roadside, which primarily include automobile technicians, welders, and others alike, who work on denting, painting, and repairing of automobiles. The dhaba in which we have tea is next to a welding shop. I found two people discussing something interesting in this welding shop. One person was saying, “ Humein hi rokte hain; koi topi wale ko zara rok kar dekhayein .” [They always stop us only; they dare not stop the people wearing caps (implying Muslims).] The other person says, “ Haan, musalmanon ko kabhi na rokeinge bina helmet ke, hum Hinduon hi rokte hain aur phir fine maarte hain. Unhein to bolte hain aye jaane de, bachche hain ”. [Yes! They never stop the Muslims who do not wear helmets. Only stop us Hindus, and then...

I have not been writing much recently; due to various professional reasons [no time for leisure writing!!]. Then, my personal space on MSN, which I had been using for scribbling my poignant thoughts, was lost. Since I would probably not have access to modify it further, I decided to create a similar blog on blogspot itself!!! I would be transferring my articles from MSN space to this blog soon. Will also be writing my heart out more on this blog; insha Allah [God willing]. Was also thinking of giving a more relevant name to this blog. Longings of Life appears to be pretty apt – Longing being a translation of my pen name Arman!! Let me; however, start with my English translation of the famous nazm [poem] by Sir Allama Iqbal – “Lab pe aati hai dua banke tamanna meri”… My longings and desires adorn my lips as supplication; May my life, Oh Lord, be the face of the pious illumination; May my persona ornament my homeland with elegance; As the flowers ornament the garden with their fragr...