RAMESH Manvati 
Exactly a decade earlier…..New Delhi, September 2010. A delegation led by Panun Kashmir, including two members from KSD, called on (then Finance Minister of the country), former President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee one late evening at his residence. The veteran leader received the delegation, with all courtesy, in his working chamber – surrounded by … Read more
Another Pandit* becomes a victim today,Not, because of the virus of Corona,But, because of the virus of terrorism,Let loose by champions of Islamism.For he refused to shun Hinduism,Continued to follow Indian secularism,In his homeland, once known for mysticism;The fountainhead of Kashmir Shaivism,Land of Lal Ded, and, they claim, Sufism. Dedicated to the memory of *Ajay … Read more
Sanitizing of hands, wearing a face mask,Maintaining physical distance and hygiene,Now becomes an essential outdoor routine,Thanks to contagious pandemic of Covid -19,Infecting nearly six million of humanity,And, over quarter of a million-the death tally.Sparing, a woman of thirteen plus a century,But, sadly, not a baby of just two days hardly;Or the one, in third day … Read more
To fetch life’s essentials,Like a few litres of milk,Delivered at door-step, daily,Just two months back, previously;And grocery items, ordinaryOr medicines when required,From a nearby market, deserted,And some vegetables – as of nowDelivered under lockdown conditions,Within complex, arranged by authority,Twice or thrice a week, hardly,Has become a big venture –Much important and dare,To be executed with … Read more
Happy Chaturdashi*To my friends, here, all.Blessed may we be,With the capability, To emulate Sri Ganapati ;And, pray, may He –The Lord, protect us all,Day, night, spring and fall. * Chaturdashi : Fourteenth day of lunar fortnight of Vaishak month of Hindu calendar dedicated to lord Ganapati / Ganesha.
“Time and Tide,Wait for none”They say,It is time for us to run,Running could be a ‘mission’,For some, merely a fun.Euphoria may have begun,Beware of any hidden gun;Check your steps, emotion. Centuries’ old suffering,Not to be undone,Ground realities can’t be shun;Remember the resolution,The ‘Margdarshan’!Of December, Ninety One,Our own place under the sun! Protect thy illustrious roots,O, … Read more
Sacrificing her siesta and hours, nearly three,Mother, hand stitches a cloth mask for my safety,After hearing Prime Minister of the country,Address the nation, 14th of April, twenty-twenty. Not that, I didn’t use any *face mask, earlier,But, then, how can a mother be surer.The mask, a piece-unique in design and quality,Another specimen of her skills and … Read more
Fell asleep, reportedly,In a New York crematory,A worker, exhausted, on a ‘bed’ –Meant to carry the dead. Reduce the increasing line,Quickly shifts, fellow worker,The ‘dead’ into chamber,For victims of Covid -19. Switches are put on,Screams the ‘dead’,Woken from slumber, deep.Within seconds, just fifteen,Reduced to ashes, shining red;The worker put to eternal sleep ? ( Dedicated … Read more
Face Book vs Life’s Look Have been inactive on ‘face’ book,Trying to understand the life’s look.A period of nearly three years,For nothing special to add, toAny one’s intellectual layers. Come, they insist, ‘out in open’, dear,It is a “good past time” of the year,Under lockdown, due to corona fear;My thoughts, many would like to hear. … Read more
Amidst the corona global scare,Morning, Durga Ashtami– the day,On a fresh hand towel, faaka-chai, waiting in a tray,Comes another news of fear,From a friend, so dear,Just eight kilometres away. ‘Mother, serious, on ventilator,Not able to resist any further, Doctors advise,Be prepared for the eventuality;Leaving for home…..,Pandit Ji of ……Vihar , Not willing to perform the … Read more