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Manisha Bhatia
Manisha Bhatia is the author of book, When My Father Cried, a romantic fiction novel released on 4th September by Story Mirror at Oxford Bookstore :)
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Being a Girl~II






In my previous write-up I mentioned that yes a girl, a woman is the most beautiful and graceful creation on earth because as a girl I feel so and have regard of being a girl in my eyes before anyone has on earth. But as I come across the harsh reality of this cruel world I also realize that the most wonderful and beautiful creation comes with equal challenges and litmus tests which she has to go through each day and every moment in whatever she believes or performs. It is not easy being a girl any moment and any day. History is evident that she has been giving evidence at every step to prove the purity of her character and justification of her actions.

Be it a queen, a princess, or an ordinary woman from a normal family they all face the similar assessments, sufferings, and examinations at every stage of life. Though this society is completely incomplete without her but still this mean world has made a yardstick to measure her at every step and juncture. Being a girl myself I have experienced this now and then and I am sure all my female allies must also have gone through similar experiences now and then. I also believe many of my male allies would also agree on this because they are also associated with females in their life somewhere and else. Just because they know that she is the epitome of strength so they always use callous ways to suppress her strength and dignity.

I can challenge men can never be like a woman, they will not be able to handle the role of a woman just even for a day. My poem will say it all~


Is it an easy task to being a girl some day?
Just try to exchange the role for a day

To put up with those ogling eyes
To maintain your dignity all while

To place it on the roof top high
Clutch the integrity of your soul tight

If you have the guts to fight
Just being the girl your way

When you believe you are right
It’s a blend in your character

There is no other way
You are born this way

While you dare to follow your heart
Interrogations will hound you

On every step day and night
It’s not easy being a girl any day

Plethora of challenges
Paved in streets for her everyday!!!


To be continued...
@Copyright 2012-Manisha Bhatia
WHEN I WAS LOST IN ME...

Being a Girl~ I


Being a girl.....sometimes I feel that she is his most wonderful and beautiful creation in this whole world. He has crafted a “COMPLETE CREATION” with his own hands. He has given her a soft facade but at the same time she is also gifted with a very strong and big heart equivalent to the depth of an ocean. She is a magical union of all kind of characteristics. She has numerous shades and her each and every shade encompasses so much meaning and holds so much importance at every stage not only in her life but also in the life of all the relationships held by her.
She always leaves a special affect and trace in everything she does be it in her personal life or even if she is a working professional and that personal affect and trace makes things looks beautiful and different. Things have always been beautiful, they have always been perfect but it is her touch which makes them magical.

You can find this beauty in small things you do not need to go very far or think very big. Just give her a room and do not even ask her to turn it into beautiful but since it is blended in her character she will at least arrange things right in the room and make it like never before. That is why the old and wise people always say: “A woman makes a house “The Home”.
It is not about her beauty or it is not about the softness of her facade or voice it is more about the intensity of her character which turns things magical which were ordinary before. Since ages the depth of love in her heart and the integrity of her character has neither been nor do I believe it can ever be measured. When they say –“You cannot understand a woman” they are right because this statement in itself holds so much truth and deep reality. You can never unveil the beautiful secrets of her heart.
Since Bryan Adams has always been one of my very favourite singers so I could not resist myself to recite a few lines from one of my all time favourite song “Have you ever really loved a Woman?”
To understand her you gotta know deep inside...
Hear every thought and see every dream...
Give her wings she wants to fly~~~


Her soft facade
The alluring aura
Charm of supple voice
Her magical hues
The caring intentions
Depth of her heart
Innocence of her soul
Just being HER
Reflects the beauty
Of her uniqueness
In this entire world
She is HIS
Most graceful creation !!!


WHEN I WAS LOST IN ME...

@Copyright 2012-Manisha Bhatia

ENIGMATIC EVENINGS...


The old

Coffee bar

Lover’s abode

Lit by candles

On the hilltop afar

Mysterious evening

Gently adorns us

In the enigma

Of her arms

Lost in the

Melodic chats

When your

Lips move

More I feel

Dissolved in you

Icy breeze

I freeze

In your charm

Lost I cease

Emotions

We concealed

Very deep

Bit by bit

Our innate

Love discovered

Hidden mysteries

When...

Silence proceeds

Eyes speak

Smile recedes

Emotions beat

Your love exceeds

Throbs increase

Radiant flames

Ablaze passion

As the night

Creeps in

Spreads its embrace

Your love slowly

Intoxicates

Enigmatic evening

Spellbound senses

 Mesmerized and lost

We get carried away

In love waves!!!


WHERE WAS I WRONG?


Sometimes you are so deeply hurt that no matter what happens around you and no matter the major responsibilities you are shouldering at that point of time in life you just do not care. You are so high on emotions that you are ready to toss anything and everything in life to set things right but all you can do is nothing and have never felt so helpless. You may have realized that no matter what plans you make, what dreams you follow or what if you are a very successful and filthy rich person on earth you have to bow your feet in front of powers of someone who is above all our ALMIGHTY.
You are not in your control because your SOUL is hurt. You are so shaken by the unexpected betrayals of LIFE that nothing just nothing in this world can calm you down at that point of time. No hugs, no condolences, no empathy works out in your favour at that time because you are in the control of events and emotions. I don’t know that who was the scholar who once said that TIME is the biggest healer and I thoroughly believe that person was absolutely right, when nothing heals leave it on time and let the time heal.
No one in this world can ever answer that why THIS happened with you. You interrogate yourself thousand times and try to find your mistakes even though intentionally you are never and nowhere wrong. You try to push yourself hard to forget those events or moments or the person related to those events. But, are you successful? No. You are not. More you push yourself to be out of something you are actually pulling yourself deeper into the emotions and pain related to that event and you actually end up hurting yourself more.
You get sage advices and sympathies from the plethora of relatives and allies but I feel none of them can ever do well to your situation because they all will leave to their respective places and on their respective work after few hours or days. Because they all understand your pain and problem but they do not feel it with the similarly intensity your soul is hurt.
So who is left?  Have you ever pondered over this?

There is an old adage by Sant Kabirdas of Indian origin- “ Jaa Tan Laage Vo Hi Jaane aur Naa Jaane Koi”.  Meaning- “Only the body or soul which is hurt knows and feels and no one else can”.
Everyone can cry for you for sometime or they can sympathize or empathize or in addition, they can lend you some help but they can never do anything more than this for you and if they see you are continuously grieving even they will turn their back to YOU.
I believe it is time, you, and someone who is forever with you whether anyone is there with you or not. GOD! Did you ever realize you are getting closer to God and your belief is getting much stronger because those events have drawn you closer to HIM. 
Again I would like to mention a wise saying by Sant Kabirdas- “ Rahiman nij man ki vyaatha man hi raakhe goye, sun aithlahein log sab baant naa leve koi”
Meaning- You should keep your grieves hidden in the corner of your heart and should not portray in front of everyone because this world is very mean they will not share it rather they will make fun of your grieves”
Yes I believe in this so much because as my moments and events of happiness are mine so are my moments of pain and events of failure. Both are equally my treasure. They are just not to be shared with anyone and everyone. They are very special to me.
With the passing of time HE gives you a real insight of all the happenings in life and how each and every small event was so well planned by him and related to each other to mould your life and take out best in you. You need to take in charge of your emotions and nurture your pain yourself to give your life the new direction...
As an old adage says- “ Aag mein tap ke hi sona kundan banta hai” which means- “ When gold is continuously smouldered in fire then only it turns into precious treasure”.
More you dwell in HIM more he will develop and discover the wisdom in you and your growth will be so profound that the worldly charms will not be able to touch its height easily.
Needless to mention a saying by Shri Shri Bhagwat Geeta- “Whatever happens is for good”. This line has a very deep meaning as it is related very deeply to our lives. Whatever happens is for good yes and it includes all the good and bad events because behind every pain there is a lot of gain. All you need is to explore.
I can sit and write on this for whole night but I would like to continue about this in the next part of my article but before I end I would like to share something small from my personal experience.
Born and brought up under the watchful and always careful eyes of my parents, they have inculcated great vales in me and I always take pride and wear them on my sleeves. My mother always listens to devotional songs early morning and as I too get up for my daily chores, I am grateful to her that my day also starts by taking HIS name. 
That day a line stuck with me and it was as follow: “My child! Do not worry so much about your worries because I am more worried than you. O! How beautiful was that and now these golden words stays with me forever as I know someone is more worried than me about my problems.
With each passing day my love for him is increasing only because I know he is the only TRUTH is this world which is devoid of all logical reasoning and questioning.  

The dark night
Scars on soul
Were shining bright
Clueless and dismayed
 By LIFE’s
Impetuous betrayal
My feet carried
To the cathedral
 On next turn
In the profound
Graceful silence
I cried my heart out
Wounds were green
I was blue
In our fight
I continually
Interrogated YOU
Every path I traversed
My eyes were set
On the destination
I came across turns
Look at my love
For you GOD
Instead to blame
I always asked YOU
Where was I wrong?

WHEN I WAS LOST IN ME...

@Copyright 2011-Manisha Bhatia

When You Met "YOU"


Has it ever happened with you, that you are smoldering your pain in your heart and churning your emotions continuously within because all you can do is nothing. You have to go with the flow. You get a real face-off with life. Life has left you baffled and you are shattered. This is the time when you are dwelling deep inside you, searching within and come across with YOU. You realize you have lost yourself somewhere in meeting the demands of others, losing yourself truly and madly in love of someone, trying to prove yourself to family and society (may be you don’t realize it at the process of doing it but you are actually doing it) or constantly chasing other things in life and at a snail’s pace the real YOU is diminishing.

The unexpected and unplanned events of life, moments of disdain and pain start pulling you deep in self-realization. I am not sure about the moments of happiness but I am confident about the painful events and moments as your energy level is so high that you want, no not just want rather I should say you crave to accomplish high in life. All you aspire is to touch the highest echelon in your life. The energy behind your pain is so deep and extreme that even you do not realize that when the moment arrives when slowly you start slipping into something you were never aware about yourself. It can be anything, singing, painting, writing or over indulgence in your work and you derive results which were like never before.
This is a very natural reaction, you may not even realize that you have achieved something like this unless until your near and dear ones bring your action and achievement into your notice. This is never planned by you rather LIFE has planned this for you. You are amazed at yourself how you did this, how come you never realize this about yourself? This is just a natural process of utilizing the accumulated energy of uncontrolled emotions inside you. You do not want to do it for accolades but you do it because it soothes your soul and gives you deep satisfaction. It gives your emotions a dwelling.

And now pain is not the only reason or it is not the only energy associated with the similar. Now synchronization of different energies like the admiration for your work from you allies, the growing realization within yourself, and energy you derive from your accomplishments coalesce together to give birth to a dream or rather I should say your passion or the love of your life.

Ever wondered or realized that now you are sinking deep into yourself and the pleasure you derive from your performance is something beyond this world and with each passing day you want to immerse more in you.
Your dreams become your passion and then they become your mission. You know why? - Because you perform those actions with your heart and soul. They are slowly inventing the real YOU..

The accolades and accomplishments just follow YOU; you no longer follow these things in life because you have moved ahead of them in life.

You realize that while chasing some things in life, a void has been created in your heart and the path of self-realization has made you devoid of all these things in life. They no longer lure you...They no longer appear fascinating to you!


You have met “YOU”!
Emotions soaked past midnight
Heart nourished throughout with pain
Wedged them from soul to path of gain
Like the depth of several oceans merge
Soul was in depth flourished
Engrossed deep within me
With the slow elapse of time
In the process of renaissance
I experienced immense ecstasy
No glory and admiration can ever define

Fear slowly diminishing like fumes

Joie de vivre holding hands at every step

Lost deep in me miles I crossed

Every stride of self realization I traversed

As an individual I moved a step ahead

Gains now do not matter

And loss no longer shatter

Like a river I go with life’s flow

I am basked in glory of my unique glow

Every day appears to me as new dawn!!!


LOVE CHORDS...

Every chord your strings blew
My soul dances to the tune
My heartbeats sing
The chords of my heart
Your dreams touch
Twine of my heartbeats
Your love plays
Whisper of magical rhymes
 Fuse in my ears
You pick the words leisurely
From my trembling lips
Your love tunes
Consistently they sing
When our distinct colours
Blend together eternally
Unique glow they discover
Love makes souls radiate
Diffused in me very deep
Every passing second
Your LOVE I breathe
The love that I cherish
The profound innocence
And graceful silence
The eternal purity
Swathes my essence
My soul is nourished!!!


WHEN I WAS LOST IN ME...

@Copyright 2011- Manisha Bhatia

NO MORE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - SAVE WOMEN AND CHILDREN


It was past midnight and in this chilled and numb weather I was restless in bed and disturbed in sleep. After a usual hectic day at office I had slipped deep in sleep as I had hit the bed. Leave alone restless now I was so baffled as I couldn’t figure out whether the squeals I was hearing in my sleep were due to some bad dreams or they were coming through some exterior source. With the increasing intensity and loudness of the squeals now I could also hear the noise of door banging, throwing of utensils and footsteps from one place to another.

With so many disturbances in sleep, I suddenly opened my eyes and astounded to find I am sweating in this chilled weather and now all the distant squeals and noise were more clearly audible. To my surprise, the noise was coming from nowhere but from our very own next door neighbour Mr. Jane Johnson’s house. Again a shrill scream from a woman and howling from a child and my heart was taken aback. I rushed out of my room to the balcony to check what was wrong at this point of time in such cold weather. To my surprise, I saw the shadow of a woman and child being abused and beaten by a man on the closed window of the room at top floor.

I shivered in me and called my father immediately who was already awake and ready to go for help but my mother stopped him saying that we are new here and since nobody is out and at the same time it is their personal matter and we should not intervene past midnight as we do not know anything about them. They can harm us as well.

Damn! We don’t know anything about them mom. So what! My voice was choked with mix of anger and emotions. You should come upstairs and have a look at the severity with which the woman is being abused and beaten. I almost yelled entering the room of my parents. But she was indifferent and rather commanded me to be back to my room and bolt the door and my father though willing to help agreed my mother in the matter. I again tried but all in vain rather I got scolding from mom for trying to be courageous all the time for nothing.

I left their room in anger but stood beside to eaves-drop their conversation. Mom told dad, that she came to know from other women in the neighbourhood, that Mr. Jane was once a very rich businessman but being a drunkard and a slave of bad habits he has lost everything in gambling and though his wife being very educated and noble lady was being forced into the flesh trading to fulfil his demands. She was doing this under duress because her husband tried to sell her daughter once to the brothel.
O! I couldn’t believe my own ears today. I rushed towards my room as I had heard enough now and could not take it anymore. I was already very disturbed. How could, a man on earth be so cruel to force his own wife into flesh trading? I could not second with the thought itself so was pondering over the plight of the poor woman herself. How a man could on earth can be this slave of bad habits that to fulfil them he can force his wife into flesh-trading and tried to sell his own daughter.
I have always read in newspapers, seen in news-channels, and heard different stories from friends and relatives about woman and child abuse but for the first time in my life I have seen it live before my eyes. Now, as the noise had turned into diminishing sobbing and with my head so full and tired, I don’t know when I too closed my eyes. Reflection of all pictures from the incident were hovering in my sleep.

Tring! Tring! Damn! The morning alarm was yelling on top of its voice as though snarling to get up before I am once again late for my office cab. O! How I hate to get up early morning. I switched it off and was on my feet now, rushing like a fast pace android to get ready on TIME. I was out to catch my cab and saw a woman coming out from Mr Jan’s house to fetch daily groceries from the local vendor.  She was limping and while she was trying to hide her scars under the wrap, it caught my attention.  Seeing her plight, it was obvious the lady is Mrs. Jane. I sighed, God! Have some mercy. How can you even see all this silently?
Tears were shining in my eyes now, how could a man be so cruel leave alone a man, what about humanity? No he is not a man, he is a devil. As I moved towards her so that I could talk to her and gather some information or ask her if I can help her she moved away very fast and my phone started ringing.  The cab driver was calling me as cab was waiting for me and others were getting late. Stupid, cab driver is what I uttered in my mouth. I rushed but whole day I was disturbed as those scars on her body were hovering in front of my eyes.  I felt so helpless and whole day was thinking about the ways and means through which I can help the poor woman and her child.
Laid back on my chair, I gave a deep sigh as I could not comprehend how much bad effect the child must be having on her mind and sadly it was a girl child. What impression the child must be carrying in her mind about men when she will grow up? Will she ever be able to love a man through her entire life? Will people ever understand the pain of her childhood she must be carrying behind her erratic behaviour and actions when she will grow up? These questions were striking me continuously and the yearning to help them grew stronger inside...
But how? I was afraid my mother will not allow. I understand her reasons and concerns but they were not bigger than the pain of the poor woman and child. Her silent and painful eyes were screaming for help when we crossed our paths in the morning.
This has become an everyday story. I was wondering how could people ignore and be so busy with their own lives? Is there some morality and humanity left on earth?
Today again the similar thing was being repeated and I could now not control myself. I rushed down the stairs and I myself could not figure out how fast my steps carried me to Mr. Jane’s house. The door was open, because there were two other well-built and devil looking men standing inside trying to pull the little girl child away from her mother. They were continuously saying, your husband has sold her for a big amount to our brothel. Have I heard it right? Brothel? Is it? Is he a father? , selling his own daughter?
The child was continuously weeping profusely. I stepped inside the house as it has now got on to my nerves. No, not with the child no way! I said to myself or I will never be able to forgive myself throughout my life.
Don’t you dare touch the child, stay away from her! I yelled at the top of my voice.  Mr Jane full drunk was barely able to walk came to me and said: Who are you girl?
What are you doing here? Stay away! This is my personal matter.
Shutup! You bastard, I shouted back rather you stay away from me. You devil, you are selling your own daughter. I feel contaminated even if you are standing next to me. Get lost and take that corner seat and you better do not intervene.
Phew! Happens with me when something surpasses my patience and limits, even I don’t realize how angry and emotional I get at the same time.
But this was not going to be easy I know. So, now the other two men came to me and said listen girl, just stay out of this. We have given this man a hefty amount for this girl child and you better do not mess with us.
But I don’t know from where I have gathered so much courage, I shouted back- You better stay away from the child and dare if you touch her, I will call the police now and here and not only you will be arrested but will also be charged severely for this heinous crime.  Now that the verbal fight has escalated so much that with so much noise not only my parents have wake up but also many lights were on in the neighbourhood and people started moving out to see what the matter was all about.
My mother who already had a doubt that I will someday take this action rushed to Mr. Jane’s house with my father to check whether I am safe or not. As one of the man from them tried to harm me, my father caught his neck from back and gave him a hard blow on his back. He fell on the ground trying to get back to senses. My father had by the time not only called up the police but has also called up the society head and other esteemed members so that matter can be resolved once and forever. He knew how headstrong I was.
He was on the spot now and shouted back at the men and Mr. Jane that if they dared to harm his daughter as everyone was with her as well as his wife and daughter. He warned him that no more nonsense will be taken by him in the neighbourhood.
I snatched the child from their grasp. She was shivering and hugged me very tight crying and pleading me to save her from the grapple of these demons. I assured her everything will be fine and she is in safe hands and ask my mother to keep the child in her custody till the matter is solved.
Now the police was on the spot and they arrested the two men. I narrated the whole story to police and requested them to arrest Mr Jane as well for such a heinous crime.
The drunkard, though scuffled is still abusing his wife and to my surprise while passing by my side started abusing me very badly and tried to harm me, O! God! I just moved aside on time and he banged his head against the wall, I turned back, picked up the jug full of cold water and splashed with full force on his face so that he can come back to his senses. I was in so much fury now, that I slapped him hard on his face and all I remember I was yelling how dare, just how dare you even thought of selling the child you bastard. Just get lost. Off from my sight now! I can’t stand you even for a second now. I requested inspector to take him out of my sight and punish him with all the possible charges so that he becomes exemplary for others and they think thousand times before they conduct such crimes. They need to learn to respect women and all they deserve is no mercy.

Though my parents very proud but still angry with me because they are always worried about me as they know these dirty men could harm me but I assured them that everything is fine and I am safe and we should not be scared of such bastards rather voice against such evil crimes in the society.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Jane came to me crying and pleading to save her child. I assured her everything will be fine and I will do my best to help her as well the child but I was angry with her on the same.
I told her, you are an educated woman and you cannot stand against a drunkard who is never in his senses only. Why women always make them helpless and why she has never stood up against her rights? What is the use of such a man in your life who is good for nothing? She narrated her story how she pleaded for help from everyone in the society but not even once anyone came for help. Though not convinced by her reasoning but still seeing the fear in her eyes, I was calm now and told her to accompany me to my home and assured her that I will introduce her to many NGOs who will give her and her daughter a new and better life.
But the matter was not ended here. The so called great society members have gathered on the spot with their different and dim-witted opinions about the incident and Mrs. Jane presence in the society and what effect their children will have on their upbringing and blah blah blah!!
I knew the second part of fight will be tomorrow morning. I called up my friends and other NGO members with whom I am associated since long time to be at my place tomorrow morning at 10 AM sharp and requested my father to discuss the similar with other society members and call a meeting tomorrow morning to wrap up the matter and get Mrs. Jane justice.  I had already spoken to them on this matter before and have gathered information to help out Mrs. Jane.
When you believe in something and you know you are right, you get the confidence yourself. So after the midnight palaver tomorrow is going to be a new day and new beginnings, I was quite sure in my heart.
At the meeting tomorrow, I had a hard time convincing members of the society that Mrs. Jane will be very much in our society as no law can move them out from their own home and why should they leave when they are not criminal rather victim. I requested  everyone to help them as much possible through”Society Welfare Fund” and rest will be taken care by the NGO I am associated with and instead of taking negative actions and passing dim opinions, we should help her and make her stand on her feet so that they can live a normal,healthy, and respectable life. Am I asking a lot? I questioned all of them? After a long discussion, logical reasoning, and humble requests finally the decision was taken in favour of Mrs. Jane and her daughter. I expressed my humble gratitude to the society members, NGO members and my colleagues for all help and support.
But the final moment arrived, when I took the opportunity to express love and gratitude to my mom and dad for inculcating in me the great values. I finally did it, because I always lack the beautiful art of verbal expression. I told them I am proud to be their daughter and love them in a choked voice full of emotions. The best moment of my life bigger than any award and honour, in the echoes of applaud, my dad came and hugged me and told me that he is very proud to be my father and someday I will definitely fulfil my dream of establishing my own NGO.
So this is my story of a fiery event when my wit, upbringing, and boldness not only helped to improve the life of a woman and child victim of severe domestic violence. Thankyou, Indibloggers for this contest where I can share my story and highlight this burning issue of our society where every lakhs of women are not only victims of domestic violence, physical and mental abuse but also set on fire or are forced to commit suicide.
PLEASE STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE! I AM AGAINST IT! ARE YOU?
WHEN YOU SEE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CANNOT DO ANYTHING! THINK OVER AGAIN! PLEASE LEND A HAND! THEY NEED YOUR HELP!!
She is woman; you should derive her importance from the fact that only she has the ability to bring a life on earth. Can something be greater than this? She is a creator. She is a WOMAN. I am proud to be a WOMAN. How can my story be completed without a poem so here it is. J
Four seasons she crossed
Ocean of life she walked
Numerous relations she held
Abundant ways she expressed
Various roles she played
In some she sparkled
In various she excelled
Sometimes distressed
She is a WOMAN
Your complete world
Revolves around her
Bestow and bestow
Is what almighty
Blended in her nerves
Bequest to bring
LIFE on earth
Since birth for the first feed
You count only on her
Almighty bows himself
Place her before HIM
Her nature equivalents him
By saying- “Heaven lies in her feet”
Never take her tenderness
As her weakness
Her inner strength
Is her biggest ASSET!!



This creation is written for the Indiblogger KFC Fiery Grilled Contest "Set You On Fire" and any characters resembled in this creation is purely a matter of coincidence.

@Copyright 2011-Manisha Bhatia
 

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