अल्फ़ाज़

सुना है यहाँ लोग कुछ अच्छे हैं

रूठीं मायूस कुछ यादें, कुछ अनकही सी सुर्मयि बातें,

कुछ आँखें जो नम हैं, कुछ जज़्बात थोड़े कम हैं,

याद दिलाते हैं कुछ अल्फ़ाज़, जिन्हे छोड़ आगे आ चले हम

ढूँढने फिर से, उन यादों की दुनिया, जहाँ थी मेरी खुशियाँ और गम

 

जाते जाते वो पल अपना एहसास छोड़ गया

ज़ोर से थामा उसने मुझे, और फिर झकझोड़ दिया

उसकी खुश्बू के सहारे अब उसकी ओर बढ़ता हूँ

फिर उसे एक दफ़ा थामने, उसकी तरफ चलता हूँ

 

पूछा था उससे की किस तरह मुझे छोड़ पायेगा

जो प्यार उसने दिया, वो फिर कौन दे पाएगा?

"तुम्हारे जाने के बाद हमसे प्यार कौन करेगा?" आख़िरी लफ्ज़ थे

उस दिन उसके पास कोई जवाब न था, सिर्फ़ बाहों का सहारा था

 

बीते हुए कल में आने वाले कल के लिए वो आज में जीने कहता था

मैं रहता था जज़्बातों बिन वो मेरे दिल में रहता था

अब जीता हूँ आज में पर उसके बिन जीवन फीका है

तो अब भी रहता हूँ कल की याद में जहाँ उससे रिश्ता मीठा है

भूला सा यादों की ख्वाहिश में, भटके प्रेमी से तुलना होती है

आख़िर प्रेम के लिए क्या, एक सही लम्हा ही तो ज़रूरी है

एक याद, एक मुस्कान, थोड़ी-सी चमक आखों की

एक हँसी, एक घाव, एक बातों की रात

 

वो कहते हैं पागल हूँ मैं, मैने कल को नही देखा है

पर सच पूछो तो आज तक, मैने तो सिर्फ़ कल को ही देखा है

नन्ही अटखेलियों को, मैने डग-डग चलते देखा है

कल को संवारने के ख्वाबों में, आज को जलते देखा है

 

पुरानी वास्तविकताओं को अब मैं डोर छोड़ आया हूँ

अब कल्पनायों का जीवन संगीन सा लगता है

दूर कुछ छूटी टिमटिमाती रोशनियाँ नज़र आती है

सोचता हूँ अब वो दूर ही अच्छी दिखती हैं

 

हड़बड़-गड़बड़ के अतीत में, जल्दी जीने की होड़ थी

मौत को दूर खड़ा किए, ज़िंदगी एक पागल दौड़ थी

कभी सोचा ही नही की जीवन धीमा और मौत तेज़ आनी चाहिए

बीते कल में जीवन तो तेज़ बीतता था, और मौत धीमे से रोज़ आती थी

 

तो चलते चलते पहुँचा उन गलियों में, जहाँ उसकी खिलखिलाहट आज भी गूँजती है

तोड़ा गरम किया इन गलियों को, तो कोहरा आज भी उठता है

कुछ सुनी-सुनी सी, देखी सी हैं ये, ऐसा मुझे भी लगता है

सोचता हूँ क्या इन्हे भी मेरा नाम पता होगा?

कभी इन्होने मेरी तस्वीर देख, उसे नाचते देखा होगा?

भूले से मेरे मुख को देख, कोई खैरतिया आकर पूछ जाता है?

"अमा यार, किसे ढूँढते फिरते हो? क्या लेकर आए थे और क्या लेकर जाओगे?"

मैं मुस्कुरा कर उससे कह देता हूँ, की खुशियों की परच्छाइयाँ ढूंढता फिरता हूँ

क्या उसने देखी है? उससे पूछ पड़ता हूँ. कुछ नाता सा था उनसे, थोड़ी रूठ सी गयी हैं

"खुशियाँ तो शहरो की अमानत है," वो कहता है, "यहाँ तो सिर्फ़ चन्द लोग बस्ते हैं"

मैं हंस के कह देता हूँ, "वही तो बात है ना जनाब, सुना है यहाँ लोग कुछ अच्छे हैं"

 

विशाल गुप्ता

२९ अक्टोबर २०१५

Shattered Panes

Through shattered panes in the cocoons of life

Faint lights of memories slowly seep in

Afraid he is, to open his eyes to them

to acknowledge what he has hidden within

Flashes of a beautiful smile, the touch of the last kiss

memories, of a desperate hug, of a pillow found wet in the morning

Haunted by a question, again and again day and night

“If you leave, then who will care for my being?”

Charred he was, not by hatred, for hatred too is a manifestation of love

No, hatred can be felt, caressed, held, thought upon

Charred he was by indifference, hers, which she conjured to save herself from anger

Charred he was by regret, for cursed never to find love again he was

Once he was able, tall, and strong, a commanding presence who owned the world

His breath was an order to the winds, his voice a warning to foes

Now he looks a shadow of his formal self – obedient, still, unthreatening

Weakened, by thoughts he owned in his own mind

Shivering hands, vacant eyes, thinning hair, and slow movement

Hard to tell if still alive or already dead

A dog does stay near, the last remaining bit of life

The last companion, never to strive and never to fight

He smiles at a memory of a long forgotten distant dream

A memory from another life, he sees lights and drapes and colors and smiles

He sees himself dancing, embracing his lovely cohort

Now only ghosts remain, of a maiden voice divine

The scent of her last kiss still lingered on his lips

The touch of her being still felt in frail hands

Life had snatched much from him, but not this memory

Whether to comfort or not haunt, he knew not still

He stayed away from feelings, knowing they end in despair

He thinks but what else did, he in the end get to bear?

He lost loved ones and he lost those who loved him

He saw the future and lost everything to it

Lose he did himself and lose he did his soul

Why? To what end? For what purpose, he didn’t know

Destiny brought him this far, he never intended to come

Swayed by the drift, he went along with the run

Always about to reach his goal, always missing, always trying harder

Now he realizes, there was no goal all along

It was always all about the run, always running was the aim

And so he writes, his last words, to tell the world of this secret

Broken pieces of memories let him see the future

For never did he learn, to cherish the present, to love in the now

Spent a lifetime, to earn a few moments from time

Which he remembered about the world, which the world would remember about him

And now he looks ahead, silent, calm, still as a stone

And now he falls, no tumbles, to the ground

No one but a dog makes a sound

And none cares about the soul lost to time

Vishal Gupta

12 October 2015

7 Types Of Companies In India

In recent times, I was exposed to the (not so) secret knowledge of the types of companies there are in this great nation of ours. I realized that as companies grow, they face a trade-off between legal liability of owners (risk) and compliance cost (return). So I thought, ‘hey! That sounds a lot like something else I know of.’ Even in relationships, the more you tell people about yourself, you become vulnerable to them and obliged to do the “right things”. But then, that’s the only way to live together. Isn’t it?

1. Proprietorship Firm – The Teenage Boy

Much like a Teenager, this is a carefree company which has no obligations to any partners, because there are none! This company is still trying to make a mark and a name for itself, asking partners out, mostly getting rejected. The company is liable for whatever it does and no one else shares the blame. The company has a lot of secrets as well, which are mostly irrelevant so no one bothers. All in all, it’s a happy adolescence.

2. Partnership – Live in Relationships

Partners are agents of the firm. Whatever happens to one, the other shares the brunt of the burn. They may choose to leave whenever they want; and sometimes the departures are very violent. But mostly everyone understands that everyone’s here for themselves. And while we’re together, why not have a little fun?

3. Limited Liability Partnerships – Friends with Benefits

You don’t need to share your living quarters with someone, and full disclosure may not be mandatory, but then be prepared to know who runs the show here. Because that person will call the shots and pay the price. You may have a good time while it lasts, but you always be prepared for an imminent dumping.

4. Private limited company – Marriage

You own the show, but you might not control it any longer. Here for the first time in your life you realize the difference between “taking the blame” and “being responsible” for something. And they might be unrelated. And that does screw with you, but that’s the world you were born it. All you can do is to subtly diffuse the tensions you see springing up every now and then. Sooner or later, the people responsible for the trouble will be revealed, all you’re asked for is a thorough interrogation.

5. Public limited company – Marriage, in a joint family, in a small village

Everyone knows you. And everyone has a stake. You might be mistaken in your thought that it’s you who got married but in reality everyone in your village (and in the neighboring ones) knows more about your marriage than you do. You’re swarmed with advices and questions and you wonder when the hell would you get time to really what you do, rather than justifying what you do is the right thing to do. Often, you do not have any say in the matter and you wonder who the hell is running the show. Adam Smith perhaps.

6. Listed PSU – Family Life

You have stopped existing for yourself. Anyone can have a right on you, whether they have a stake in you, or are your friends, or are the people you work with, or none of those people. No one apart from you is to be blamed for what happens in your life while everyone seems to have a good control. On the bright side, everyone wants a piece of you (if you can look at it that way). Yes, anyone can screw with you.

7. Foreign Subsidiaries – Extra-marital affair

This is the one place where you get a minimum compliance and low legal liability. A great haven, but takes some investment before it starts paying for itself. You reap the benefits and mostly people choose not to question you about your activities in these foreign trips. If only you could spend the rest of your time there…

10 Types Of Funds (and Girls) Found In Mumbai

Recently I was exposed to a lot of Funding Mechanisms, and a lot of girls. And somewhere at the back of my mind, the corrupted writer started ticking.

 

1. PSU Banks

 

This is the girl next door who smiles at you as you pass by, asks you to help her out with some studies and some car problems. She’ll even go out with you for a chat over tea. But you dare not take any step further unless you wish to unleash the “Pavitra Nari” she internally embodies. She has a long list of rules about what’s wrong and what’s more wrong. And as in real life, it’ll take you some great ratings from people you don’t like to get with her. Then she asks for a guarantee that you’ll be with her, puts certain restrictions on you, monitors you day in and day out, and then she’s yours.

 

 

2. NBFCs

 

This is the “sweet innocent unlearned” girl who ended up dating 6 guys in her freshman year, and got labelled as a… you know. Then she grew to lose faith in the world and was sharp as an eagle in her… “Investments”. She has a keen eye and is aware of what can be extracted from whom. Simpletons have either known to be wise enough to avoid her, or are desperate enough to pry her. But as old habits die hard, every once in a while she’ll make that dumb mistake which will make life miserable for her and everyone around her (especially everyone around her). Well, then she just gets more cocky, and nearby a heart (or at times, a nation) bleeds.

 

 

3. Strategic Equity Partner

 

She is your ideal spouse. Unless you married under pressure in which case you’re condemned for the rest of your life to bear with each other whether you like it or not. Unless you decide not to and get divorced in which case you pay her off in alimony till the end of your days. Unless she dies first which might be your only unlikely respite whilst you live.

 

 

4. Junk bonds

 

You know she’s bad for you. You know you won’t be able to hold on to her for long. You know you really shouldn’t be going in that direction. But you will, for the simple thrill of it. You’re not looking for a stable life anyway. What you want in life is the extreme emotional turbulence which only she can provide. She looks hot, she’s easy, she’s eyeing at you, and you know you can’t help yourself but to have a go at her. Yes you’re not thinking with your brain anymore.

 

 

5. Hedge Funds

 

You know you’ve worked hard enough to get invested in them, you deserve them, but at times you can’t help but think to yourself, “what the hell am I doing?” She’s the Latin American whose language you barely understand, but she’ll accompany you on your private yatch when you’re having a feud with your girlfriend. Well, a little hedging never hurt anyone. Right?

 

 

6. AA Rated Bonds

 

She’s the hot and smart favorite everyone wants to date but only a few have ever been able to. She doesn’t come easy and she doesn’t get into affairs. She’s the most reliable, smart, funny, beautiful, enthusiastic, interesting, enigmatic, and graceful girl you know of, as told to you by everyone who knows her. You wonder if that was so, why anyone ever broke up with her…

 

 

7. Angel Investors

 

You’re a dashing new guy on the block and she’s a charming young girl. She’s taken it upon herself to show you everything beautiful about the neighborhood, and everything ruthless about it as well. Slowly, she’s training you to be with her, watching you grow. All she wants in return is a small promise. Would you just please make a small signature on the dotted line? Thank you. Congratulations. Now your soul has been sold to the devil.

 

 

8. Bill Discounting

 

Of course she’ll date you! That’s what she’s wanted all her life. But just in case you seem to be inadequate financially… or otherwise, she wants you to take the responsibility of arranging someone who will assure her of her expectations. As long as the other person seems good enough to take care of her, you don’t need to worry. That only seems fair right? After all, she’s dating you. Isn’t that what you wanted in the first place?

 

 

9. Loan Against Property

 

This is the simplest date you could hope for. All you need to do is be a decent guy and she will lie in your arms for eternity. Just a small clause. You should be from around her neighborhood, since the commute might be too much for her to assess you. And speaking of that, you must stay close to one of her acquaintances so that she can have the ease of assessing you. And also you must wear good clothes, so that you look good to her acquaintances who will assess you. And lastly, everyone should like you and want you, so that she can get rid of you as and when she likes.

 

 

10. Equity Dilution

 

She’s the toughest one. For her you need to let go of everything you hold dear. If you want to date her, you’ll practically have to sell your soul for a one she likes, at the moment. She might say for now that she likes you the way you are, that is why she’s with you. But sooner or later, that’s not going to be good enough, and you’ll need to change. And once you change, she’ll leave you because you’re not the one she wanted. And now you’re just pathetic. No one wants you. Screw you! Goodbye.

 

Poetess

Oftentimes, I open a blank MS Word document

or would seldom bring out a paper and pen

and stare, for minutes, or hours,

Constantly putting it aside and then opening it again

Be it the quiet of the night or the heat of the day

I answer the call whenever it comes to me

But seldom, it does so happen,

that the thoughts in my mind refuse to take shape

I’m unable to write a single letter

or I keep cancelling what I wrote, in pursuit of better words

But none come, and I wonder

did I lose the art I thought I was born with

My one gift that I neither won nor earned

but was simply bestowed upon my breaths

And that scares me, for a moment though

Because I once the words come and pass through me onto parch’

I realize I was never the writer all along

The words simply passed through me, perhaps in search of an empty soul

that wouldn’t dare to soil them, and would put them to paper pure

The writer was someone else, someone pious and pure

For it wasn’t in me to have such thoughts and words

The poetess was beautiful, unworldly, and immortal

I was but a mere mortal, scum unworthy

The words written were her doing, not mine

And on days when I couldn’t write, she was the one who had failed

Or perhaps chose not to caress me that night

Perhaps my soul wasn’t pure that night

But once she calls, it was impossible to let her be

And the guilt would kill me if I ever did ignore her,

tearing me apart, limb for limb

ripping out my heart, clutching my throat

wrestling me, till I had tears in my eyes and found respite in dreams alone

The Poetess wrote, and I found joy in her victories

And danced with her, for twas the only joy I had ever known

 

No mere mortal she is, but a Goddess

for she fires up the spirit

she bursts a sad rotting soul into embers of creativity

The mere brush of her hair makes a lethargic man sit up

The ashes of her doing lighten up the eyes of the deadest of people

Who praise, chant, and worship

They wish to cherish the artist, such are the customs of the world today

But in essence, the artist is I, the wielder of a pen for a flickering moment

The source is much greater, larger, grander

And in the afterglow of that spirit my soul lingers, gathering words of praise

Yet, the man receiving the praise was not the one who earned it

To the poetess goes all my glory, and from her comes more

For I will not be a poet, when I’m not writing, I’m one in this moment alone

The moment that cloaks and crafts itself upon me

And absorbs me into its own time and space

into an environment, not unlike one being created by my own words

I let lose, and flow, entering into the heavenly world

The fiery world, the calm, the anger, the sadness, the joy

the screams, the lights, the dark, and the agony

of the moment when I feel a lump in my throat and take my pen

I earn a moment of oneness with her, at-one-ment

I become, the Poetess