Abhivyakti

अनलिखा ख़त

2012-01-09T09:50:00.000+05:30

कल आधी रात पढ़ा वो ख़त
जो तुमने कभी लिखा ही नहीं
आंसुओं की स्याही भला
क्या कोई रंग लाती है!

फिर भी
आज सुबह से मन भारी है
लगता है
ज़माने भर की धुंध मेरे कमरे में जमा है
तुम नाराज़ थीं
तो बता दिया होता यूं ही
इतने कड़े ख़त की
आखिर क्या ज़रूरत थी!

रोज़मर्रा की तरह
जाते हुए मंजिल को
अपने जूते ही देखता रहा
कई दिनों से
बग़ल में तुम जो नहीं हो!

है अभी भी वो ख़त
मेरे दिमाग की जेब में
पढ़ रहा हूँ बार-बार
हर अनलिखे हर्फ़ को
तुम्हारी लिखावट
कुछ बिगड़ गई है
लगता है
कई दिनों से तुमने
ऐसा ख़त लिखा नहीं!

घड़ी की लाल सुई
रात को हरा कर रही है
है एक अच्छा इशारा
घर जाकर फिर से
ख़त पढने का
समझने का
ये सोचने का
इतने दिनों बाद
मेरी किस याद ने
तुम्हे लिखने को मजबूर कर दिया!

मुक़र्रर पढ़ कर
मैंने भी तैयार किया है
एक जवाब
फर्क ये है
मेरा लहजा कुछ नरम है
पर कमबख्त
ना मिल रहा कोई पोस्ट बॉक्स
ना नया पता तुम्हारा "पता" है
कुछ चलन है ज़माने का "अशांत"
दिल आज कल
पते बहुत बदलते हैं!

अशांत

इलाहाबाद

2011-12-30T12:33:00.000+05:30

तेरे पास था तो इतनी कद्र ना थी

आज जाना तू सिर्फ शहर नहीं

कुछ और है

इमारतों पर चढ़ ये मुल्क

शायद ऊंचा हो जाए

पर इलाहाबाद!

तेरी रूह सिरमौर है

कुछ बात तो है तुझमें

कि कैफे की महंगी कॉफी

तेरी चाय से हमेशा हार जाती है

कि तेरे यहाँ

सर्दी में इश्क अमरुद सा निखर जाता है

थोड़ी गिरावट तो हुई है

फिर भी तू सिरमौर है

क्यों आदत पड़वा देता है अपनी

उसको जो तेरे पास आता है

इतना पूजा तो गया है तू

क्यों को खुद को और पुजवाता है

क्यों हवा है तेरी ऐसी

दूर होकर

मेरा दम घुटा जाता है

सफलता की आस में

छद्म जीवन की धूप में

सत्य आभासित हुआ है आज

तू शहर नहीं नशा है

नाराज़ हो सकता हूँ तुझसे

खरी खोटी कह सकता हूँ

पर तुझसे अलग नहीं हो सकता

ऐ इलाहाबाद!

तेरी रूह सिरमौर है

अशांत

कहाँ तुम चले गए?

2011-10-11T01:35:00.000+05:30

तुम चले जाओगे तब सोचेंगे,हमने क्या खोया हमने क्या पाया

आज संगीत की विधा ने एक चमकता हुआसितारा सदैव के लिए खो दिया. ग़ज़ल-ए-आज़म जगजीत सिंह के लिए आज की सुबह उनके जीवनकी आखिरी सुबह साबित हुई. उन्होंने इस नश्वर जगत को तो अलविदा कह दिया किन्तु अपनीमहानता के परिचायक ऐसे असंख्य गीत छोड़ गए, जो आने वाली कई पीढ़ियों तक उन्हें दिलों में जिंदा रखेंगे. जगजीत औरों के लिएमात्र एक गायक और संगीतकार हो सकते हैं. किन्तु मेरे लिए वो एक ऐसे साथी के समानहैं जिसने मेरे अच्छे-बुरे वक़्त में हमेशा साथ निभाया और कभी दगा नहीं दिया. हरअवसर पर गुनगुनाने के लिए और दुःख एवं दुविधा के क्षणों में खुद को संभालने के लिएएक ऐसा जखीरा छोड़ गए जिसकी चमक कभी धूमिल नहीं होगी.

आलोचक उनकी और गायकों के साथतुलना कर सकते हैं. किन्तु मेरी पीढ़ी और मेरे लिए जगजीत अद्वितीय हैं और हमेशा रहेंगे. जगजीत सिंह से मेरा रिश्ता सन २००३ में उनकेप्रसिद्ध गीत "होठों से छू लो तुम" के माध्यम से जुड़ा. पहली बार इस गीतको ध्यान से तभी सुना था. हर बार सुनने पर एक नया मतलब समझ आता था. इस सेपहले जगजीत सिर्फ अखबारों और लोगों की बातों द्वारा ही मुझे ज्ञात थे. इसगीत के हर एक शब्द पर की गयी "मखमली हरकत" दिल को जैसे सहला सा देती थी.मुझे ये नहीं पता कि ये मेरी उम्र का असर था या संगीतका जादू, पर हाँ, इस एक गाने मुझे हमेशा के लिए बदलदिया था. मेरी सोच को विस्तृत करने के लिये इस गीत ने -जिसका वजूद जगजीत सिंह केबिना कुछ भी नहीं है न होता- चिंगारी का काम किया. उस समय इन्टरनेट सुलभ नहीं थाइसलिए मामा से निवेदन कर कई सी.डी. में जगजीत की ग़ज़लों का इंतज़ाम किया, और सबको कई बार सुनते हुए एक सफ़र पर निकल पड़ा, जो आज तक जारी है. बहुत से कठिन शब्द समझ नहीं आते थे,फिर भी सुना और वो सुनने समझने की प्यास आज भले ही दब गई होलेकिन बुझी नहीं है.

यह कहना अतिशयोक्ति नहीं होगी कि"धूम-धडाका" संगीत के दौर में हमारी पीढ़ी की माधुर्य से वास्तविक पहचानजगजीत द्वारा गायी गयी ग़ज़लों ने ही करवायी. आगे चलकर ग़ुलाम अली,मेहँदी हसन,तलत महमूद की लाजवाब अदायगी से भीवास्ता हुआ. तब एहसास हुआ की किस शिद्दत से काम कर,इनबड़े नामों के होते हुए, जगजीत ने "जग" को अपनी"ग़ज़लों" के जादू से "जीत" लिया. आखिर ऐसा क्या था जगजीत मेंजिसने लुप्त होती ग़ज़ल शैली को दुबारा मुख्यधारा में ला खड़ा किया? इसका सीधा उत्तर है "सरलता"! जगजीत ने अपनी सरलअदायगी से भारी अर्थ वाली रचनाओं को जनमानस तक पहुँचाया. अभिजात और माध्यम वर्गमें तो जगजीत जीवन का एक हिस्सा बन गये. ग़ालिब और फ़िराक को गाया तो बहुत सेनामचीनों ने,लेकिन उन्हें लोगों के दिलों तक पहुँचाया और उनकी रचनाओं काअर्थ समझाया सिर्फ जगजीत ने. यह सरलता ही तो थी जिसने सिर्फ बड़ी महफ़िलों की शानकही जाने वाली ग़ज़ल को भागदौड़ की आधुनिक ज़िन्दगी के बीच लोकचेतना में आत्मसात करदिया.

आधुनिक भारत के हर सच्चे आशिक ने जगजीत की ग़ज़लों को ज़रूर जियाहोगा और कई कई बार जिया होगा. ना जाने कितने ही होस्टलों के कमरे इस मखमली आवाज़में डूबे उतराए होगें. मोहब्बत की मासूमियत को इसी आवाज़ने "प्यार का पहला ख़त" जैसी ग़ज़लगाकर बरक़रार रखा. बचपन की यादों को "ये दौलत भी ले लो ये शोहरत भीले लो " गाकर जैसे फिर से जिंदा कर दिया. आवाम ने भी इस फनकार कोतहेदिल क़ुबूल किया और बेपनाह मोहब्बत से नवाज़ा. ये बात सही है की जगजीत की आवाज़शास्त्रीयता के पैमाने पर शायद उस ऊंचायीं को ना छू पाई हो जिसके वो काबिल थी.लेकिन जो कुछ भी इस आवाज़ ने अपनी कला के द्वारा पाया शायद ही किसी को मिला हो.

जगजीत की ग़ज़लों ने ना सिर्फ ग़ज़लों की दुनिया का गूढ़ तिलिस्मतोड़ा, बल्कि एक ऐसे प्रवेश द्वार का काम किया जिसके पार हर कोई जासकता था. एक ऐसी दुनिया की ओर जहाँ सिर्फ मोहब्बत और इबादत थी और इंसानियत कीखूबसूरती. मेरी(या फिर हम सभी की) तन्हाईयाँ के साथी जगजीत आज हमारे बीच नहीं हैं.पर ऐसा विश्वास करना मुश्किल है. मेरी उनको साक्षात सुनने की इच्छा अधूरी ही रहगयी. लेकिन आप जो कुछ हमको देकर गए हैं, उसे संजोकर रखना और कभी ख़त्म नहोने देना बेहद ज़रूरी है. "लोक-ग़ज़ल" की जो आवाज़ आज ग़ुम हुई है, उम्मीद करता हूँ कि फिर पुनर्जीवित होगी.

तब तक जगजीत जी आपकी याद और सम्मान में कोटि कोटि नमन!

तकनीकी विकास का बच्चों पर दुष्परिणाम

2011-10-09T23:26:00.001+05:30

विकास एक ऐसी दोधारी तलवार है,जिसका अगर विवेकपूर्ण उपयोग ना किया जाए तो वह हमारी उन्नति एवं आत्मरक्षा का साधन होने के बजाय विनाश का कारक भी बन सकता है.

विकास एक ऐसी प्रक्रिया है जो मनुष्य के जीवन की सार्थकता को सिद्ध करती करती है. मानव जाति को विश्वास दिलाती है कि वो इस पृथ्वी की सबसे शक्तिशाली प्रजाति है. वैकासिक प्रक्रिया सदैव से ही मानव सभ्यता का अंग रही है. विकास के कई प्रकार होते हैं. आत्मिक विकास, आर्थिक विकास, निज विकास इत्यादि कुछ उदाहरण मात्र ही हैं. किन्तु निस्संदेह! २१वी शताब्दी द्रुतगति से हो रहे तकनीकी विकास की साक्षी है और आने वाले कई वर्षो तक रहेगी. ऐसे में एक प्रश्न का उठाना बड़ा स्वाभाविक है; आखिर प्रगति के पथ पर ले जाने वाली विकास की प्रक्रिया हमारे बच्चों को दिशाहीन कैसे बना रही है? आज आवश्यकता है कि यथाशीघ्र इस प्रश्न का उत्तर खोजा जाए. हर चीज़ के दो पहलू होते हैं- अच्छा और बुरा. विकास की सार्थकता तभी है जब वह हमारे लिए हितकारी हो.मानवीय मूल्यों को हाशिये पर रख कर किया गया विकास, उन्नति नहीं अपितु अवनति का माध्यम है.

विकास कोई एकसूत्रीय योजना और कार्यक्रम नहीं जिसके निष्पादन के उपरान्त किसी भी प्रकार के रख-रखाव की आवश्यकता न हो. इसके सर्वव्यापी प्रभाव की परिधि में समाज के कई पहलू आते हैं. तकनीकी विकास द्रुत गति से आगे बढ़ता है; और उस से कदम मिलाने के फेर में हम कभी कभी उसके दुष्प्रभावों को नज़रंदाज़ कर देते हैं. तकनीकी विकास का सबसे बड़ा एवं बुरा असर समाज के नींव हमारे बच्चों पर सबसे ज्यादा पड़ रहा है. बड़ों की अपेक्षा विवेक की कमी बच्चे तकनीक-सृजित छद्म वस्तुओं एवं वातावरण को जीवन की सत्यता मान कर दिशाहीन हो रहे हैं.

इसके असंख्य उदहारण हम अपने समाज में जर तरफ देख सकते हैं. चाहे वह अदनान पटरावाला हत्याकांड हो या 'शक्तिमान' से प्रभावित हो, उनके "महामानवीय" कारनामों को दोहराने के प्रयास में मृत्यु की गोद में जाने वाले बच्चे. इसे हम दिशाहीनता नहीं तो और क्या कहेंगे!

सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी के क्षेत्र में आये आकस्मिक एवं असीमित विस्तार ने हमें (मुख्यतः अभिभावक) उस से जुड़े सामजिक और निजी जीवन पर पड़ने वाले प्रभाव को समझने का समय ही नहीं दिया. गिल्ली डंडे की जगह कब "वर्चुअल क्रिकेट" ने ले ली पता ही नहीं चला! टी.वी. पर आने वाले हिंसक एवं अश्लील कार्यक्रमों का बालमन पर अमिट प्रभाव पड़ता है. इन्टरनेट के माध्यम के दुरपयोग के किस्से अब आम हो चले है.मोबाइल और सोशल नेटवर्किंग की लोकप्रियता ने किशोरों के बीच कई समस्याओं को जन्म दिया है. खेल के मैदानों के बजाय आज कल बच्चे कम्प्यूटर स्क्रीन पर मिलते है. यह बचपन की मासूमियत के खून से कम नहीं. विकास की इस अंधी दौड़ में, टूटते परिवारों और माता पिता की ढीली पड़ती पकड़ ने हमारी बाल पीढ़ी को बहुत दिग्भ्रमित किया है.

किन्तु मेरे इस मत का का यह अर्थ कतई नहीं है मैं विकास विरोधी हूँ. विकास हमारी निजी, सामजिक एवं राष्ट्रीय प्रगति हेतु अत्यंत आवश्यक है. किन्तु इसके लिए हमें यह ध्यान रखना होगा की विकास आखिर किस रूप में हम तक पहुँच रहा है?उसका समाज की मूल इकाई - बच्चों- पर क्या प्रभाव पढ़ रहा है? तकनीकी विकास,आवश्यक है, किसान की सुन्दर फसल की भांति बढे और ना कि घातक जंगली झाड़ी की तरह!

यह हमारा कर्तव्य है कि हम संसाधनों का समुचित उपयोग राष्ट्र-निर्माण हेतु करें. इसके लिए बच्चों का सर्वांगीण विकास नितांत आवश्यक है. बच्चे भारत की आबादी एवं आत्मा का अहम् हिस्सा हैं. अगर हम उनकी क्षमता को बाजारवाद-प्रायोजित अंधे तकनीकी विकास के कारण दिशाहीन हो, नष्ट कर देंगे, तो यह हमारी पूर्व पीढ़ियों के प्रयासों का अपमान एवं उनके स्वप्नों पर घोर कुठारघात होगा.

बच्चे हमारी सबसे अनमोल पूँजी हैं जिसका हमें संचय एवं विकास करना होगा. इस लक्ष्य की प्राप्ति हेतु आवश्यक है कि हम तकनीकी विकास कि चमक-धमक से प्रभावित हो, उसके प्रतिकूल प्रभाव भूल इस प्रक्रिया के ग़ुलाम न बनें. बल्कि हम अपने राष्ट्र के बच्चों को इस भेंड़चाल से बचाते हुए, ऐसे विकसित करें कि विकास की प्रक्रिया उनकी प्रतिभा एवं क्षमता की ग़ुलाम हो. तभी हम सही दिशा में चलकर अपने लक्ष्य को प्राप्त कर सकेंगे. और तभी हमारा राष्ट्र सही मायनों में विकसित राष्ट्र कहलायेगा.

अशांत

घाव अभी ताज़ा है

2011-09-09T22:51:00.002+05:30

कल ही की तो बात है

मैं गिरा था अपने घर के आँगन में

बस हलकी सी खरोंच ने

माँ को रुला दिया था

उस दिन दिल्ली में घायलों को

टी.वी. पर देखा तो सोचा

क्या बीती होगी इनकी माओं पर

मेरी चोट तो हल्दी से ठीक हो गई

पर यहाँ

घाव अभी ताज़ा है

दिल्ली की वजह से शायद

घटना बड़ी हो गई

कैमरे संसद की तरफ जाते हुए

हाई कोर्ट की तरफ मुड़ गए

नहीं तो इस देश में इंसानों;

खासकर गरीबों की क्या कीमत

मांस के लोथड़े है

जो कभी बम में फटते है

कभी ट्रेनों में पिसते हैं

या यूं ही गुमनामी में खो जाते हैं

पर कोठरी में बैठी उस माँ का क्या

जिसका बेटा इन्साफ की चौखट पर

बेमौत मारा गया

जिसकी मौत को रोकने के लिए

कोई अनशन नहीं हुआ

उस माँ के

घाव ताज़ा हैं,

और रहेंगे हमेशा,

जिसको सरकार कुरेदेगी रोज़

जांच के नाम पर

नहीं पड़ने देगी कोई पपड़ी

जिससे "आँसूं" रुक जाएँ

ना हो भरोसा तो जाकर देख लो

उस रोते घर को

घाव वहाँ अभी ताज़ा है

अशांत

2011-07-22T22:35:00.000+05:30

वो लुभावनी बातों से शुरू हो,अचानक वफ़ा जो ज़फ़ा में तब्दील हुई

मैं इत्तेफाक समझता था जिसको,उनकी सोची समझी साज़िश थी

ज़िन्दगी से तुम जा चुके हो जो,मेरे सपनों से भी चले जाओ,
बड़ा मुश्किल है खुली आँखों से,अब 'अशांत' को नींद आना

अशांत

मैं जिंदा हूँ

2011-07-22T18:41:00.000+05:30

सोते हुए बीच रात आज आँख खुल गई

माथे पर था पसीना

सांसें भी कुछ तेज़ थीं

भागती धड़कन से एहसास हुआ

मैं जिंदा हूँ

एक सपने में अभी-अभी

देखी बीते सालों की पहाड़ ज़िन्दगी

जिस पर चलते,चढ़ते

थक गया था मैं

रुक गया था मैं

पैर फिसला, हवा में कुछ गोते खाए

नीचे गिरकर हुआ यकीन

मैं जिंदा हूँ

आँखों के आईने में शख्स वो कौन था

जिस तक पहुँचते ही

वो पानी सा छिटक जाता था

कितना भागा मैं उसके पीछे

ये जानते हुए कि भीड़ के दरिया में

उसको खोना ही है और

मुझको रोना ही है

वक़्त के सागर में जब

पैरों तले ज़मीन खिसकी

नीचे गिरकर हुआ यकीन

मैं जिंदा हूँ

ऊब गया खुद से ही मैं

आखिर कब तक उदास रहूँ

दूसरो कि ख़ुशी के खातिर

क्यों खुद से दूर,औरों के पास रहूँ

ठंडी होनी ही है एक दिन ज़िन्दगी

क्यों ना मैं गर्म आज़ाद रहूँ

आज खुद ही गिर जाता हूँ

हमेशा उठ कर जीने को

तब ये जहां कहेगा मुझसे

हाँ, तुम जिन्दा हो!

अशांत

रुखसत

2011-04-23T14:25:00.000+05:30

उर्दू के मशहूर शायर फ़िराक गोरखपुरी ने कहा था-

" अब तुमसे रुखसत होता हूँ, आओ संभालो साज़े ग़ज़ल,

नए तराने छेड़ो मेरे नग्मों को नींद आती है"

B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)
Pioneer Batch
(2006-2011 )

पांच साल का सफ़र ख़त्म होने की कगार पर है. डिग्री के रूप मे हम सब को इल्म का एक पुलिंदा मिलेगा, जो कि तकरीबन सभी का एक सा होगा. पर मै यकीन से कह सकता हूँ कि हर शख्स जिसने १२ नवम्बर २००६ से यहाँ सफ़र शुरू किया था खट्टी मीठी यादों की अलग सौगात लेकर ही २१ अप्रैल २०११ को बाहर निकला होगा. हमने इस मार्फ़त बहुत कोशिशें की और संघर्ष किया कि इस नए कोर्स को अलग पहचान मिले. कुछ हद तक शायद सफल भी हुए, बाकी जो काम बचा है वो हमारे उन दोस्तों के ऊपर है जिनका कुछ समय इस जगह पर बचा हुआ है. और कहीं न कही भरोसा है कि हमारे नग्मों को कभी सोने नहीं दिया जाएगा क्योंकि नए तराने छेड़ने वाले आये है और हमेशा आते रहेंगे!!

अपनी भावनाओं की अभिव्यक्ति हेतु कुछ पंक्तियाँ लिख रहा हूँ. कविता तो नहीं कहा जा सकता इसे, पर शायद मेरी बात सब तक पहुँच जाए. कहते हैं की बरगद के पेड़ के नीचे कोई और पेड़ नहीं उगता, लेकिन विधि संकाय के वट वृक्ष की छाया में बहुत से पौधे पनपे है जो बढ़ेगे, बहुत आगे तक बढ़ेगे.....

कुछ नया सा था उस दिन

जब पहला कदम रखा था इस जगह

एक शुरुआत का भरोसा था

छोटी सी क्लास में

बड़ा समय काटना था

नए चेहरों में

नए दोस्त तलाशना था

आज़ाद फैसलों का वक़्त था

जो लेने थे मुझे

संयोग था या साज़िश खुदा की

सब कुछ सिमटते हुए

आखिर २३ पर जा रुका

पुरानी सी जगह में सब

नया सा करना था

ज़िन्दगी की खाली ग्लास में

थोडा सा पानी भरना था

कितना शोर था

जूनून था जब सब शुरू हुआ

गाड़ियों के काफिले थे

सजावट थी

बहुत लोग थे

लग रहा था की सच में

कुछ बड़ा हुआ है

इतनी बड़ी यूनिवर्सिटी में

नया कोर्स शुरू हुआ है

पहला "बैच"

तमगा मिला आते ही यहाँ

सबने कोशिश भी भरसक की

इसको भरपूर चमकाने की

किताबो के इतर

दुनिया बसाने की

इधर उधर जहाँ से भी

जिसे जो मिला

चाहे अनचाहे सबने बांटा सबसे

अलग अलग जगहों से

आये सब

अलग था परिवेश

फिर भी सब मिले जुले

कुछ जुड़े

फिर टूटे

फिर से जुड़े

साल दर साल का

खाका सा खिंचता गया

सब साथ थे पहले

कुछ दूरियां हुई

फिर पास आये

शायद फिर से दूरियां हुई

सीखा यही सभी ने

ज़िन्दगी एक सी नहीं रहती

बदलते हालातों में

खुद को ढाल लेना ही

ज़िन्दगी है

याद आएगा सब

जो कुछ भी किया यहाँ पर

पुरानी लकड़ी की कुर्सियां

बिना "डायस" वाली क्लास

एक पोडियम जिस पर

कुछ नहीं लिखा था

सारे पंखे और लाईट्स

जो सिर्फ एक स्विच से चलते थे

पुरानी डेस्क्स जिन पर

हमने बहुत कुछ लिखा था

"पीस" और "वार" से शुरू

हुई थी पहली क्लास

बहुत असर पड़ा शायद

"वार" और "पीस" के बीच

नाचता रहा सब

कम्प्यूटर लैब का इंतज़ार

कांफ्रेंस रूम की लम्बी मेजों

पर लाइन से बैठना

शाम ६ बजे तक क्लास में बैठना

सब कुछ अनोखा था

वाकई में नयापन था

बरगद के पेड़ के पास

तब कच्ची मिट्टी थी

जिस पर बारिश में चलना

मुश्किल होता था

पर पता नहीं क्यों

तब बुरा नहीं लगता था

कोई निराशा भी ना थी

उम्मीद थी की सब बेहतर होगा

बदलाव हुआ

किताबों के पन्ने बदले

रिश्तों के समीकरण बदले

राग द्वेष इर्ष्या क्रोध सत्य असत्य

सब एक मंच पर खूब उछले

बस अच्छा यही था कि

ये हालात एक सबक से

आगे कुछ भी ना बने

बहुत कुछ सीखा कि

ज़िन्दगी इतनी भी आसान नहीं

जितनी कि लगती है

पर मज़ा भी इसी में है

कि चलते रहो राह में

और राहगुज़र कुछ सिखाता जाए

नम्बरों से मोह ख़त्म ही था

उसका ज़िक्र क्या करूँ

फिर भी बदलते हुए रिसल्ट्स

आशा और निराशा का मेल

सब कुछ कितना अजीब था

तब बुरा लगता था

कल शायद यही सब

याद आएगा

और कुछ पता नहीं

पर हाँ मजबूत तो हुआ हूँ मैं

राहुल के वो फर्जी मज़ाक

हर बात पर हँसना

एक्साम के दिनों में

"हाउ मच" वाला मेसेज

उसकी बाईक पर टहलना

एक दुसरे को "चूतिया" साबित करना

बहुत अलग होते हुए भी

इतने साल साथ रहना

आज झूठ नहीं बोलूँगा, याद आएगा

इशिता का स्टाईल

उस से बेहिचक बात करना

हर बात पर राय लेना

उसको कुछ समझाना

उस से कुछ समझना

इस बात का विश्वास होना

कुछ भी हो हालात

एक दोस्त तो हमेशा है

आज झूठ नहीं बोलूँगा, याद आएगा

अभिजीत को वो चिल्लाना

फिर कहना कि मैं ऐसा ही हूँ

कुछ कहना, फिर तुरंत पूछना

भाई बुरा तो नहीं माने ना

हमारे निरंतर वैचारिक मतभेद

आज झूठ नहीं बोलूँगा याद आएगा

बप्पा का हमेशा देर से आना

बिन सोचे कुछ भी बोल जाना

समर्थ से एक्साम से पहले पूछना

यार तुमने कितनी देर में ख़त्म किया

शुभम के घर होली की शाम

मूट के दौरान किया हर एक काम

अक्षत का वो सबकी फ़िक्र करना

संयुक्ता का जोश में आकर गर्दन झटकना

आज झूठ नहीं बोलूँगा, याद आएगा

आस्था का लेट आना

औरों के साथ प्रोजेक्ट मैच हो जाना

दिव्या का बेफिक्र अंदाज़

और वो हलकी सी बनाई हुई आवाज़

गौरव के साथ बीती लखनऊ की रातें

हॉस्टल में की हुई अनगिनत बातें

जय का एहतियातन थोडा सा नशे में होना

उस नशे में कोई नाम को लेना

चाहे जो भी हो दिन चाहे जो भी समय

बस फैकल्टी फैकल्टी कहना

आज झूठ नहीं बोलूँगा, याद आएगा

धवल के वो ऐतिहासिक संवाद

शुभम को देना वो जूनियर जी का खिताब

कृष्णम के साथ हुई क्रिकेट की हर बात

और हाँ उसके वो घुंघराले लम्बे बाल

सौमित्र का वो मस्ताना मिजाज़

मनीष भाई की मतवाली चाल

रजनीश बाबा का दीवाना माहौल

आज झूठ नहीं बोलूँगा, याद आएगा

प्रगति का पहला महिला अध्यक्ष बनना

मूट के दौरान वो बटर स्कॉच फेंकना

गरिमा का किसी का "चिट" फाड़ना

नम्रता का ज़िन्दगी की तरफ फोकस

पारुल का वो झट से हँसना और फिर रोना

स्वाति की वो अजीब से ना रुकने वाली हंसी

आज झूठ नहीं बोलूँगा, याद आएगा

बहुत कुछ बदला है

इन पांच सालों में

कुर्सियां बदल गई

डेस्क्स हट गईं

पंखे अब अलग स्विच

से चलते हैं

बरगद के पास

घेरा बन गया है

ज़मीन भी अब पक्की है

पहले सिर्फ एक क्लास थी

अब बहुत हैं

एक नई इमारत भी बनने को है

पहले एक पोडियम था

अब कई हैं और सब पर

कुछ लिखा हुआ है

और कल से एक चीज़

और बदल गई है

२३ लोग जिनकी

खिलखिलाहट से गूंजता था कैम्पस

जिनकी लड़ाइयों को सुनती थी दीवारें

कल वो आखिरी बार बैठे थे

अपनी क्लास में

बहुत कुछ बदला है उनके लिए

अब टेस्ट एक्साम की चिंता ना रहेगी

कोई किसी से ना पूछेगा

प्रोजेक्ट जमा किया कि नहीं

पेपर खराब होने पर साथ हंसने वाला

कोई ना होगा

ज़िन्दगी के एक्साम में

वैसे भी कहाँ मौका मिलता है

सोचने का

कोई किसी के अफेयर

के बारे में ना पूछेगा

सुबह उठते ही

ये चिंता ना होगी की

ड्रेस साफ़ है या नहीं

आखिरी समय पर प्रोजेक्ट

नहीं बनेगा

कोई नहीं पूछेगा दोस्त से

क्लास ख़त्म हुई की नहीं

लेट होने पर दरवाज़े के बहार से

कोई इशारा नहीं करेगा

सुनील की चाय की दूकान तो रहेगी

पर कुछ लोगों की आवाज़

वहां फिर ना सुनाई देगी

हमारी क्लासों की बोरियत से

बचने का अड्डा रहेगा तो

पर हाँ

पहले जैसा ना रहेगा

कोई बहाना ना होगा दिल को मनाने का

कि इस बार नहीं तो अगली बार सही

कोई शायद फिर किसी को

घर पे उठाने नहीं आएगा

नहीं चिल्लाएगा

"जल्दी चलो बे, क्लास के लिए देर हो रही है"

हर फंक्शन के बाद वो मस्ती ना होगी

अब तो इमारत भी बन जायेगी

उसकी कमी को जताने के लिए

हमारा तबका ना होगा

वो उम्र वो जज़्बात हमारे ना फिर आयेगे

क्रिकेट तो देखेंगे

पर सचिन अच्छा या पोंटिंग

ये बहस ना होगी

शाहरुख़ या आमिर? इस पर

लड़ाई की नौबत ना आएगी

किस से बिना हिचकिचाहट कहेंगे अब

यार सच में कुछ नहीं आता

बेफिक्री तो अब गई यारों

बस यही यादें रह जायेगी

आज झूठ नहीं बोलूँगा, सब बहुत याद आएगा

बदला है

ज़रूर कुछ बदला है मेरे लिए

शायद आज के बाद मुझे कोई

वैसे ही

अच्छा बुरा नहीं कहेगा.......

मेरी खताओं को माफ़ करना यारों

एक रज़ा बस मेरी मंज़ूर करना

मुझसे ना कभी कोई गिला शिकवा रखना

दोस्त ना ही सही फकत इंसान ही समझ

किसी ना किसी बहाने मुझे याद रखना.....

अशांत

Personal ambitions in Group activities

2011-03-15T10:13:00.000+05:30

Human being is a social animal evolving continuously. Apart from various Darwinian factors of evolution, there are some abstract occurrences of daily life that lead to gradual development of human beings. Everyone wishes to achieve something in proportion to his capacity and capabilities. It can be termed as "individual ambition" by virtue of which a person works towards attainment of a particular goal. As far as the efforts made in this direction are personal there is no problem. Conflicts arise when personal ambitions are to be accommodated in group activities. There exists a general theory stating that personal ambitions in a group help in increasing the output of the group as whole, owing to the incessant urge of its members to excel. It might be true on papers, but I personally feel that such is not always the case especially when the group consists of assorted members. Practical reality is far away from the conceived postulations.

Here arises the need of analysing the role of personal ambition while working in a group. Generally, personal ambition is confused with egocentric behavioural tendencies wherein "my" or "I" blatantly precedes "we." This inherent dichotomy vitiates the very essence of formation of group deviating it from the goals it ought to achieve. Megalomaniacal search for getting the credit of doing the work generates dissatisfaction amongst the group members and the peers who are largely affected by it. Chaos is natural consequence in such situations which has very low ignition point. Once incited its hard to douse off!! Nothing is more detrimental than internal conflicts which results in implosion of the system. It is a universal fact that every person differs in attributes and capabilities and works accordingly. Naturally, someone will be better than other and vice-versa.

Group work ideally requires balancing of these conflicting interests only. It requires proper accommodation of diverse streams. Utilisation of varied talents and specialties should be done in a way which satisfies the requirements of the task as well as fulfils the ambition of all. Participatory approach, therefore, is the best option which must be adopted sagaciously. A leader should never project himself as if he is the sole repository of the authority. Decentralisation of power coupled with wise division of labour infuses a sense of satisfaction and a sense of dignified involvement in the process. Such an approach inoculates the whole series of events with phenomenal amount of energy which obviates possibility of dissent. Output received in such condition is much more beneficial than one received working amidst the cacophony of dissenting voices- both active and passive. Moreover, it induces faith in every person to work in group to produce optimal results by harnessing the individual ambitions. Hence, personal ambitions should be a medium to achieve a goal. It must not become so large so as to engulf the task at hand as well as belief of the people associated with it.

उलझन

2011-03-10T22:55:00.000+05:30

इमारतें, कुर्सियां जिंदा हो जातीं हैं

जब उन पर इंसान बैठते हैं

दिमाग सन्नाटे से भीड़ में आता है

जब कहीं विचार उबलते हैं

इश्क वही सच्चा है

जो आग को बुझने ना दे

कर मायूस न कभी और

मंज़िल से पहले रुकने ना दे

कमरों में कब तक चलेगी लफ्फाज़ी

घूमते रहेंगे कब तक चक्करों में

कुछ तो अपनी बोलो

कहो कुछ ऐसा, जो किसी ने कहा न हो

कागजों के पुलिंदों से

काबिलियत को निकलने दो

अटैची में बंद दम न घुट जाए

कुछ नहीं तो सुराख ही करो

थोड़ी हवा तो आने दो

शीशे में बंद फूलों से

आँखों ने बहुत ठंडक ले ली

तोड़ दो इस "शो-पीस " को

कोई नयी कलि पनपने दो

मसलना मत, आँखों से पानी देना

एक नया फूल खिलाना कोई

जो हो चटख, लुभावना, महकदार

अशांत

कुछ पल

2011-03-08T20:30:00.000+05:30

कुछ पल के बस ये दिन हैं

कुछ दिन की बस ये बात है

फिर समाँ बदल जाएगा

बेफिक्री के इस जहाँ में

फ़िक्र का बादल आएगा

कुछ पल के बस ये दिन है

वो शरारतें याद आएँगी

बिन बात हँसना याद आएगा

वो डाटें याद आएँगी

यारों संग बीता वक़्त याद आएगा

मस्ती की सुबह जायेगी

कुछ पल के बस ये दिन है

ख़्वाबों की बातें भूल जायेगी

वो मंजर सब मिट जाएगा

दोस्तों की बाहें छूट जायेंगी

यादों का गलियारा रह जाएगा

अकेलापन हमको सताएगा

कुछ पल के बस ये दिन है

जवानी की गल्तियाँ कुछ हंसाएगी

कुछ यादें बहुत रुलायेंगी

इश्क का पहला एहसास याद आएगा

और फिजाओं को हमेशा महकाएगा

ये पल दिल में कहीं छुप जाएगा

कुछ पल के बस ये दिन है

इन लम्हों का गुलदस्ता बन जाएगा

आगे भी पुरानी कहानी दोहराएगा

जब उदास तू हो जाएगा

तो बीता हुआ कल हंसायेगा

वो इमारत बहुत याद आएगी

कुछ पल के बस ये दिन है

अशांत

हे प्रेम

2011-02-15T00:36:00.000+05:30

Valentine's Day (प्रेम दिवस) पर "प्रेम" को मेरी श्रद्धांजलि!!!

हे प्रेम!!

कहाँ तुम छुप गए

क्यों दुबके हो तुम

दिखावे के छोटे वस्त्रो में

क्या इतनी आती है तुम्हे शर्म

मत शरमाओ

कुछ यूं फैलो

कि समा लो स्वयं में

उन "दो" चकवा चकवी को

जिनकी आत्माएं

शरीर के बंधन तोड़

एक हो चुकी हैं

फिर मिलन हो या न हो

तुम्हारा अस्तित्व अमर रहेगा!!!

अशांत

हम वहां हो

2011-02-04T09:34:00.000+05:30

आप मुस्कुराएँ और हम वहां हों

सारे आलम हो हुस्न के और हम वहां हों

नहीं तमन्ना हमें ताज महल की

छोटा सा घर हो आपका और हम वहां हों

पतझड़ में गिरी पत्ती फंसी हो बालो में

उसको हटाने के लिए बस हम वहां हों

किताबों से थक जब आँखें आराम करें

उन पर से चश्मा हटाने को हम वहां हों

कुछ यूं खास रहे सोने का सफ़र

सुबह सिलवटें बनाने को हम वहां हों

कोई कितना भी कहे कि बुरे हो
तुम्हे सुकून भरोसा दिलाने को हम वहां हों

चाहे जितना हो कठिन ज़िन्दगी का सफ़र

हर शब हर सहर साथ आपके हम वहां हों

अशांत

मेरा ज़िक्र

2011-01-20T09:46:00.000+05:30

मेरा ज़िक्र कहीं किया न करो

ये मुमकिन है

तुम्हारी बातों से मुझे

कोई चुरा न ले

क्या ज़रूरत मुझे दुनिया

के परदे पर लाने की

कहीं ऐसा न हो

तुम रहो यहीं पर

और मुझे कोई चुरा ले

बेशक! इंतज़ार है मुश्किल

पर है हकीकत भी

वस्ल में चिलमन का

अलग है मज़ा

इसे यूं ही रहने दो

बस ये ख्याल रहे कि

मुझे कोई चुरा न ले

फितरत कुछ अपनी भी है "अशांत"

मरासिम हो ऊब जाने की

ये तो उनका जिम्मा है

कुछ यूं करे आशिकी

कि मुझे कोई चुरा न ले

अशांत

Dimensions of Justice in India post Dr. Binayak Sen Judgment

2011-01-19T00:27:00.000+05:30

This write-up is 'a priori' response of a law student to the existing distressing circumstances, with no intent whatsoever of showing any solidarity with any ideology or organisation or malice towards anyone.

The Constitution of India opens with a Preamble which assures "Justice- social, economic and political" to "We, the people." Justice is the crowning glory of all the virtues. Being an abstract concept it is provided several connotations. However, the tangible manifestation of this concept is witnessed in form of judgments delivered by the courts of law. Justice in the simplest terms can be defined as an outcome of the process adopted for the minimisation of conflict of interests between subjects of the society. Right from the outset, judiciary has been imparted the responsibility to accomplish the onerous task of dispensation of justice. The sacrosanct nature of the value of justice increases manifold within the constitutional ambit, owing to its comprehensive inclusion in the whole scheme in its social, economic and political incarnations.

Administration of justice has been subject of stringent scrutiny and harsh criticism in recent times. Most flagrant illustration is the conviction of human rights activist Dr. Binayak Sen. He has been awarded by many reputed organisations and associations for his altruistic and meaningful contribution towards the amelioration of the health related problems of the poor. Moreover, his active participation in upholding the regime of human rights as an active member of PUCL (People’s Union for Civil Liberties) - the bandwagon organisation in field of human rights- has been commendable. His recent conviction for commission of offence of sedition and other anti-national activities (under local laws) has received unanimous disapproval throughout the country. The fact that, a doctor who sacrificed an easily available lavish life so that he may serve the poor in the remotest areas of our country, has been the only melodious note amidst the cacophony surrounding the whole issue. Society at large is facing the soul-stirring question regarding the recognition of morality and simplicity within its framework.

General perception which exists about reasons of his arrest is that he dared to raise his voice against the state’s oppression in garb of eradication of Naxalite and Maoist groups. Role played by him as a dissident of the state backed vigilante group of Salwa Judum may also have been the guiding factor. It is in this background, that when he visited the ailing prisoners accused of having committed anti-national acts, in his capacity as office bearer of PUCL and most importantly as doctor, that he was allegedly framed under the offence of sedition and relevant provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The purported reasons which form base of accusations against Dr. Sen are that of acting as middle link in exchange of letters between the members of antinational organisations. This charge is levied upon even when all his visits were under the scrutiny of jail officials. Availability of various anti-national literatures has also been attributed to him.

Arrested in 2007, he was denied bail for inordinate period of two years and more. His persecution of incarceration continued and came to a brief halt, when eminent personalities worldwide started a campaign in his favour claiming him to be righteous in his conduct. It is then that the Apex Court granted him bail. Non granting of bail to an innocuous human rights activist in, in absence of sufficient evidence was blatant violation of the general principle “bail is a right and jail is an exception” expounded by Supreme court in number of decisions. The sojourn of his hard earned release from the bars came to an abrupt end with his conviction by the Raipur Sessions Court. He was held guilty of sedition (dealt under section 124 A of Indian Penal Code, 1860) and relevant provisions of UAPA. This conviction seems to be due to many reasons. First of all, law pertaining sedition is a colonial relic which is not in consonance with the constitutional principles which govern the democratic set-up. Even if one sticks by the provision of sedition as contained under s.124 A, the offence seems to have not been committed so as to attract the aforesaid provision. None of the actions of Dr. Sen resulted in incitement of violence which is a sine qua non for conviction under the charges of sedition. Given the interpretation as followed in the present case, every disapprobative act against the government shall amount to sedition; which will be nothing less than heinous murder of democratic foundations upon which the monument of Constitution stands.

Moreover, the evidences, based on which the verdict has been reached upon are seemingly enshrouded in the blanket of “doubt”. The letters which are being termed to be pivotal in conviction do not successfully constitute seditious materials. The allegations are also rife that certain evidences were not obtained in accordance with the specified procedures. Evidences were planted for false implication. Some of them in unsealed manner were admitted. Conviction despite presence of so many dubious factors is clear violation of the tenet of criminal justice administration that “crime must be proved beyond reasonable doubt”. Dr. Sen has been sentenced to life imprisonment which is unabashed betrayal of the principle of proportionality which guides the process of ascertainment of quantum of punishment for commission of any offence. Life imprisonments in lieu of efforts for the restoration ad conservation of human rights by a dedicated activist having unblemished record hitherto is indeed an exaggeration.

Preceding paragraphs are based on perusal of various reports published in esteemed newspapers and magazines. However, I sincerely feel that this case is just a small part in a big scheme. What perturbs me the most is distortion of the dimensions of justice from its original position on the axis of Preamble within the constitutional sphere. Independence of India was hard earned. It incurred innumerable sacrifices, with sole motive of making available to the erstwhile trampled common souls a system benign and just in its traits. On paper we succeeded also, by means of enactment of a magnificent Constitution which attempted to establish a “rule of law and justice” devoid of any anomaly. Lately, however it is reprehensibly observed that the judicial system is not serving the ends of common man. In fact “clout” has emerged as the supreme governing factor. I am not a cynic attempting to paint insipid picture of the system! In fact, I want to stress upon the continuous neglect in the field of implementation of the laws in just and fair manner sans any indifference.

Present case of Dr. Sen in its aftermath has shaken the faith of people in the system of administration of justice. Not because the person convicted belonged to any organisation or that he is perpetrator of a particular ideology, but for the reason that it diminished the light of hope for the grass root people. This case underlined boldly the general prevalent opinion that law plays in the hands of the rich and powerful and to the disadvantage of the common man. Biggest damage which is done by this apparently fallacious judgment is that, if it is affirmed by the appellate court then the assiduously built structure of human rights will suffer a shock, strong enough to crumble it. On the other hand, if the decision is reversed image of the lowest tier of judiciary will be irreparably tarnished. This will be the most latent harmful effect having far-reaching consequences.

Points raised herein assume enormous importance for the reason that judgments like these do not only reflect degeneration of some routine general values, but that of “JUSTICE”- most sanctimonious of all. Judgments, it is to remembered, are not delivered merely by the officers of the court in their official capacity, but they emanate from those who are considered as embodiment of justice. Slightest aberration causes inconceivably huge adversarial repercussions. It is hence expected from the “noblest of the trinity” of governance that, justice is not only done by them but it must also seem to be done. Time has come when we need to galvanise the legal milieu towards attainment of the constitutional goals in real sense rather than enjoying a disparaging pachydermic existence. Perhaps, then only would we be able to save the constitutional dimensions of justice from distortions and deviations which place precariously the libertarian principles imbibed deeply in every word of the momentous document called the Constitution of India. May be then, can “We, the people” proclaim with utmost fervour and belief that “JUSTICE” indeed is the crowning glory of all virtues.

a NEW perspective

2011-01-06T15:38:00.000+05:30

Novelty infuses enthusiasm in a nondescript life. An urge to do something new accompanies occurrence of a new phenomenon.

Recently, we witnessed the advent of a new year and a new decade. The past decade started with a lot of buzz - the Y2K syndrome, a new century, a new millennium, a harbinger of the giant leap of humankind. It has not been long, since the euphoria about the new millennium , the Y2K effect inter alia grasped the whole world. The noughties witnessed plethora of significant events. Events that retained an eternal imprint in the pages of history. Rise of terrorism in its high-tech avatar, rise in living standard and dissemination of cosmopolitan culture, intrusion of internet in the daily routine of people causing unbelievable magnitude of information exchange, unprecedented rise of media having 24 x 7 presence, detrimental climate change, decline in value system etc. - in short a mixed bag of good and bad happenings. Good ones provided us the moments of pride and happiness and bad ones an opportunity for introspection.

The new decade in this background emerges as an important value on the time scale in many aspects. 2015 - the year fixed for achieving the MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS - is well nigh. Scourge of poverty is still unrelenting in its role of deadliest bane for the humanity. Despite so many years of civilisation and numerous resolutions passed and enormous number of bodies formed, basic problems plaguing the humankind stand firm and unchanged.

Human being as a dynamic entity needs to redefine its existence and role in the changing milieu. Life is not so simple as it used to be. It is in this regard that evolution of a new perspective and inoculation of novelty in the basic ingredients of life is an indispensable need. A need which cannot be obviated using any mechanical equipment. Creation of an environment which acts as blooming ground for innovation and formulation of new ideas is required. Stung by consumerism and unruly desire to develop on any cost, we have numbed our basic humanistic tendencies. Happiness has become an obscure intangible entity hard to discover. Amidst the galore of fake existences, reality is being smothered to its last breath. Pure sentiments have been metamorphosised into formalities and status symbol.

Novelty appears as the only saviour from this blitzkrieg of mundane desires followed by actions to fulfil them. New ideas and new dimensions of perception can surely usher the era of change. An outlook stimulated by an altogether new perspective can only change the otherwise hopeless situation. A major factor of human survival is optimism which has been the hallmark of human race. Its time to show unprecedented optimism sans which the system may collapse or worsen. Unification of efforts rather than fragmented application of thought process is must. Development without human progress is nothing but a sham. It is necessary that the sun of human spirit should shine in its most brilliant fervour to penetrate scandalous cloud of not-so-human existence. The erstwhile motive to succeed should transform into humane accomplishment of tasks without damaging the intrinsic human traits.

Happiness, equality, friendliness must rule the roost in the new perspective thereby creating a vantage point from where the human civilisation can approach the real progress. Monotonous rat-race should be replaced by the valour of humanity to move towards a real progressive system ensuring goodness "of, by and for" the people.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

LETS MAKE OUR EXISTENCE WORTH RECKONING!!

मिट्टी की तलाश में

2010-11-24T22:45:00.000+05:30

मन में जो आया बस उसे लिख रहा हूँ... पता नहीं ये कविता है कि नहीं!! ना ये पता है कि ये साहित्य किसी भी वर्ग में स्थान पाने के लायक भी है या नहीं.. परन्तु इसका पूर्ण विश्वास और संतोष है कि ये रचना एक सच्ची हार्दिक अनुभूति का प्रतिफल है!!

रात को चमकती लाइट में

कंक्रीट की सड़क पर

मै निकला हूँ एकांत में

मिट्टी की तलाश में

अपनी मिट्टी

जिसे बचपन में

ना जाने कहाँ छुपा दिया था

आज उसे फिर से चखने का मन है

अपनी मिट्टी मिल जाए

तो आँधियों में उड़ सकता हूँ

अपनी मिट्टी मिल जाए तो

तो बारिश में महक सकता हूँ

पर ना जाने कहाँ खो गई है वो

कहीं माँ के आँचल में तो नहीं

या पिताजी के बटुए में

या किसी दोस्त के पास

कैसी निरर्थक आशा है

मुझमें भी उसे पाने की

किसको वक़्त है कि

मुझे बताएगा कहाँ छुपी है

और क्या पता

माँ ने आँचल में फंसी मिट्टी

पिता ने बटुए में फंसी गन्दगी

दोस्त ने मामूली सी धूल

समझ कर झाड़ दिया हो उसे

आज उद्विग्न हूँ जिसके लिए

ना जाने किसके पैरों तले

रौंदी गई हो बेरहमी से

दोष उनका भी नहीं लेकिन

क्योंकि लापरवाही तो मेरी ही थी

इस जहान के रंगों को

समय से समझ नहीं पाया

सफ़ेद को सफ़ेद समझा

लाल को लाल

थोड़ी चालाकी आती अगर

तो अपनी मिट्टी

का रंग बदल कर

उसे बचा लेता

और आज ये हालत न होती

मैं भी

जीवन को महसूस कर रहा होता

क्योंकि मिट्टी के बिना

सब हवाई है

प्रेम, आदर्श, मित्रता, त्याग

सब खोखले हैं

इसलिए निकल पड़ा हूँ

रात को चमकती लाइट में

कंक्रीट की सड़क पर

मिट्टी की तलाश में

बस डर ये है

कंक्रीट पर गिरने से चोट लगेगी

अगर अपनी मिट्टी पर गिरता

तो वो मुझे ज़रूर संभाल लेती....

अशांत

बहुत रंजिश है

2010-10-23T20:08:00.000+05:30

बहुत रंजिश है तेरे शहर में ऐ दोस्त मगर है सुकून
उसमे ईमान अब तलक बाकी है
क्या बयान करूँ हाल अपने शहर का
हमारी आस्तीनों में पलते यहाँ सांप बहुत हैं

पर ये न समझना कि तुम्हारे यहाँ सब ठीक है
ईमान डिगते अब देर नहीं लगती
चाहे किसी का भी हो वो
तलवारें तो बस खून की प्यासी हैं

आज रंगों का मतलब सिर्फ ख़ुशी नहीं
अब तो झंडों के रंग का जलवा है
रंग से इंसान भी पहचाने जाते हैं
सफेद केसरिया नीला लाल बदलते देर नहीं लगती

इंसान बन पैदा हुए जहान में
मुल्क तक तो गनीमत थी
जाति मजहब की भी आदत सी हो गई थी
पर रिश्तों का बटवारा सहा नहीं जाता

किसपे यकीन करे कौन कब दे दे दगा
ये यकीन की मुफलिसी का दौर है
पागल सा ही तू अच्छा था 'अशांत'
अब तो तेरी रूह भी खुदा से मुखबिरी करती है

बहुत रंजिश है तेरे शहर में ऐ दोस्त मगर है सुकून

उसमे ईमान अब तलक बाकी है

अशांत

अच्छा होता

2010-09-25T23:33:00.000+05:30

मेरी कल्पना सत्य हो जाती तो अच्छा होता

मनुष्य मनुष्यता सीख लेता तो अच्छा होता

भावनाएं ह्रदय से निकलती तो अच्छा होता

प्रेम प्रदर्शनी न बनता तो अच्छा होता

बातें मुंह पर होती तो अच्छा होता

प्रकृति दुही ना जाती तो शायद अच्छा होता

मित्रता व्यवसाय न बनती तो अच्छा होता

शिक्षा ज्ञान देती तो अच्छा होता

समता सत्ता में होती तो अच्छा होता

मेरी कल्पना सत्य हो जाती तो अच्छा होता

धरती बाटी न होती तो अच्छा होता

स्वतंत्रता 'सबको' मिलती तो अच्छा होता

पंचायती 'न्याय' ने जिस स्त्री को रुला दिया

वो स्त्री अगर न रोती तो अच्छा होता

खेल बच्चों तक ही रहते तो अच्छा होता

प्रतियोगिता मूल्यरहित ना होती तो अच्छा होता

'गुरु' अगर 'शिक्षक' ना बनते तो अच्छा होता

जीवन 'कारखाना' ना बनता तो अच्छा होता

मेरी कल्पना सत्य हो जाती तो अच्छा होता

वो बम न गिरता तो अच्छा होता

अहंकार किसी को ना डसता तो अच्छा होता

वो वायुयान हवा में ही उड़ता तो अच्छा होता

तेल सिर्फ सिर में लगता तो अच्छा होता

उस से पैसा ना उपजता तो अच्छा होता

मानव संघर्ष रक्तपिपासु न होता तो अच्छा होता

ईश्वर 'एक' ही होता तो अच्छा होता

ह्रदय स्वयं प्रार्थनास्थल होता तो अच्छा होता

मेरी कल्पना सत्य हो जाती तो अच्छा होता

नैतिकता के ठेकेदार ना होते तो अच्छा होता

भावनाओं का कोई दिन न होता तो अच्छा होता

चिट्ठियां दिल से लिखी जाती तो अच्छा होता

आकर्षण स्वाभाविक होता तो अच्छा होता

रक्त अगर कम बहता तो अच्छा होता

धन अगर जेब तक रहता तो अच्छा होता

प्रगति परस्पर होती तो अच्छा होता

सत्यता प्राथमिकता होती तो अच्छा होता

अशांत

मुझको पता है

2010-09-08T20:02:00.000+05:30

मुझको पता है
तुमने मुझे मुस्कुराते हुए देखा है
ये बात और है कि
भीड़ के परदे में छुपकर
तुमने खुद को छुपा लिया
पर रोक न पाई अपनी आँखों की चमक
जो पार कर झिझक की दीवार
मेरे मन का एक कोना
रोशन कर गई
दुपट्टा आज भी संभाला था तुमने
लेकिन खुद को संभालने के लिए
ना कि अपनी रोजाना की आदत की तरह
उभरते हुए भावों को
फिर तुमने बाँध लिया
ऐसा मैं नहीं
तुम्हारी तेज़ सांसें कहती हैं
मै सब कुछ जानकर भी
दूर ही बैठा रहा
इस भय से कि मेरा सामीप्य
तुम्हारे मृदुल भावों को
कहीं दूषित ना कर दे
स्वीकार है मुझे आजीवन ये वियोग
जब तक वह सघन गुलाबी रेखा
तुम्हारे मुख पर शोभित है
ये बात और है कि
भीड़ के परदे में छुप कर
तुमने खुद को छुपा लिया
मुझको पता है

तुमने मुझे मुस्कुराते हुए देखा है

अशांत

I never had a dream!!

2010-08-21T08:16:00.000+05:30

As a child I never had a dream
I grew up
Taking life the way it came
Scolding never made me upset
Going school was always a fun
I slept in peace
Waking every morning super fresh
So bright were the days
Unlike the ones I experience today
I have become more sane
Perhaps more prudent too
But I suffer nights full of murky dreams
Pile of my unfulfilled desires
Requiem of my incompleteness
Nature's beauty now not soothes me
Its so nonchalant my innocent past
Haunting my present leaving me aghast
Can't I learn to be careless again?
Just like the times when
As a child I never had a dream!!!

Prashant

Government should negotiate Terrorism!!

2010-08-08T16:34:00.000+05:30

World is a theatre and terrorists are using it not for enthralling the audience, but for spreading the terror. The scourge of terrorism is a ubiquitous entity in present times. Plethoras of steps have proved futile in controlling this menace or even mitigating its effect. Something is wrong somewhere! It’s high time that concrete steps must be taken before it’s too late.

There has been considerable upsurge in the terrorist activities throughout the world in the past decade. Whether it is history changing 9/11 attack on World Trade Centre, explosions in Bali, attacks in Madrid – the list is endless- one thing which is common is the casualties caused more than that pervasion of fear in the mind of common people. India is no exception to this problem. In fact it is among the most adversely affected countries of the world. Right from early 1990’s when the Pakistan aided mercenaries raised the hood of terrorism in Kashmir, India has been harping over the need to tackle this problem at all the international forums, with no affect on the silent ears. However, the ominous speculations of India became an omnipresent testimony, post 9/11 attacks in America.

The biggest question, which therefore arises my dear friends, is that what is the cause of the uncontrollable growth of the terrorist activities? Apparently very simple, this question has very complex answer. I strongly feel that terrorism is creation of the so-called sane minds which govern us. Now, when this creation is has transformed into a FRANKENSTEIN then everyone is seeking shelter in the retaliatory violence and ineffective rhetoric. Most glaring example which strikes my mind at this point is the creation of Taliban which presently provides a strong ideological base to the terrorists worldwide. Taliban is the creation of USA, when it facilitated its growth to counter the Russians during the Cold War era. Tasting one own medicine is never a pleasant job. Therefore, what followed 9/11 attacks was a paranoia of a superpower which trampled innocent people in Afghanistan and Iraq, on the pretext of restoring democracy. But what it achieved was everything but democracy. Newspapers and news channels are full of suicide attacks and rebellions in these regions.

It is in light of this background that I firmly assert that Government should negotiate terrorism rather than trying to obliterate it mindlessly. Eradication of the root cause of the problem is required rather than palliative treatment of the problem. State is all powerful but undue exercise of power will only cause havoc. For example, if we analyse the case of Kashmir, we can easily infer that terrorist organization active there, utilize the anti-state feeling to perpetrate their ideas. Hence, this problem does not exist at the logistics level but involves perpetuation of ideology which presents terrorism as a panacea to all the problems. Any drastic step which ignores the plight and feelings of the people will only increase the influence of the hostile ideologies. Kashmir in the recent times has been under the cloud of violence, clouds so dense that even the mighty Sun of the STATE has failed to permeate through it.

Situation is bad, but not hopeless. In my opinion it is the wrong approach of the Government which has indirectly helped the terrorist ideologues to strengthen their base within the country. Moreover the acute perennial shortage of civic amenities and employment has led to erosion of faith of people in the authorities. Conditions have worsened due to the indiscreet actions of the security forces present in the terrorism affected areas. Kashmir is just an example, the problem is now not only concentrated there but its branches have sprouted and covered the whole country and whole world. Hence it would not be wrong to say that terrorism is now a global phenomenon.

Negotiation literally means to reach to an agreement with mutual consent. We should always be wary of the fact that terrorism is not an isolated phenomenon. It has social, economic, political and most of times religious rooting which has to be dealt in most careful manner so as not to damage to delicate structure of society and nation. It is impossible to compartmentalize the causes of terrorism. Moreover any hasty action such as encounters or mass arrests of people belonging to particular community or religion will only backfire.

State must bear an amenable approach to the hostile parties and try to gauge the severity of the other side of the situation. Confidence building measures must be promoted rather than indulging violent means abruptly. However this does not mean that we should compromise with our national security. Instead we should make special policies for the terrorism affected regions and assimilate their results to the people. This will result in increase in the confidence of people in the State and its policies. It can stimulate the process of attracting the deviant youths to join the mainstream rather than handling the guns. Negotiation and diplomatic overtures can bring positive change as it has possibility of changing the hearts of the master minds and their followers. The policy of “lets talk’ rather than “might is right” should be at forefront.

We cannot afford beating around the Bush (pun intended)! Concrete actions are required. Issue of terrorism should not be reduced to the bytes of news channels and subject matter of movies. Humankind is facing one of its biggest threat and we cannot afford to turn it to a frivolous issues which acts as a fodder of thought for the intellectuals! Geopolitical considerations should be measured in light of various factors such as employment, access to basic amenities, protection of rights of the people etc. We cannot afford to lose generations after others wielding guns on whims of others and gaining nothing.

A properly worked out negotiation strategy which involves a humanitarian approach and deals with the problem at ideological level is necessary. Palliative treatment which suppresses the problem shortly will not preclude the disaster which is waiting for us. Moreover, the governments throughout the world must try to forge a nexus to build a world free of terror. It’s difficult but not impossible. We should take the first sincere step. Efforts to bring the vulnerable classes which act as potential soft spots for the terror ideologues must be brought to mainstream. Moreover where there has been injustice met to the people which has forced them to resort to violent means must be undone. Violence cannot be cured by violence.

I am optimistic enough to state it firmly that, given a genuine chance, we will curb this problem. What it requires is a strong and prudent political will coupled with people’s support. Is it such a tough choice to make???

MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH!!

त्रासदी

2010-06-19T21:03:00.000+05:30

पच्चीस साल पहले यहाँ एक दुर्घटना हुई थी
कहते हैं कारखाने से निकली गैस ने
हज़ारों का दम घोंटा था
हज़ारों आज भी मर रहे हैं घुट घुट कर
याद में उनकी जो बदनसीबी से
उस वक़्त भोपाल में थे
पर ये महज़ दुर्घटना नहीं थी
एक सोचा समझा षड़यंत्र था
पूँजीवाद के राक्षस ने
लोकतंत्र के दलालों से हाथ मिलाकर
बेगुनाह जिन्हें रोटी की आशा थी
मौत की गोली खिलाई थी
कोई भी निर्णय त्रासदी की क्षतिपूर्ति नहीं कर सकता
पर यहाँ तो औपचारिकता भी निभाने में
पच्चीस साल लग गए!!

महज़ दुर्घटना नहीं है ये
एक प्रश्नचिंह है हमारी व्यवस्था पर
जिसका उत्तर अर्धविराम पर ही ख़त्म हो जाता है
लोकतंत्र के मूल्यों को उद्देशिका से निकल कर
आम आदमी के जीवन का भाग बनना होगा
पर ये करेगा कौन??
वो, जिनके लिए अर्थ हेतु
हर अनर्थ जायज़ है?
विचारधारा आज मात्र अखबारों के सम्पादकीय
सजाती है, मानव दर्शन को शायद मुंह चिढाती है!!
उस त्रासदी को शायद मानव स्मृति भुला देगी
पर मूल्य हरण की इस त्रासदी के लिए कोई
कौन मुआवजा देगा???

अशांत

सन्नाटा

2010-05-14T08:31:00.000+05:30

मैं सन्नाटा चीरना चाहता हूँ

चिल्लाता हूँ पूरे जोर से

पर आवाज़ ना जाने कहाँ खो जाती है

रह जाता है पसरा हुआ बस

चारों ओर सन्नाटा

पर यहाँ सब लोग तो हैं

हर दिशा में फैला हुआ शोर

बताता है कि लोग जिंदा हैं

पर मुझे होता आभासित

कर्कश ध्वनि समूहों में लिपटा हुआ

ह्रदय बैठा देने वाला सन्नाटा

मैं सन्नाटा चीरना चाहता हूँ

पर उस तरह नहीं जैसे

दुशासन ने द्रौपदी का मान चीरा था

मुझे तो सिर्फ पानी में पत्थर फेंकना है

क्योंकि ठहरा हुआ नीर सड़ जाता है

विद्रोह करना है अगर बेतुकी बात

तो मुझसा कोई बेतुका आदमी नहीं
प्रहार व्यक्ति नहीं व्यवस्था पर
आघात ऐसा तत्पश्चात प्रतिघात की क्षमता न रहे
गलियों गावों कस्बों शहरों कुनबों
लोकतंत्र के लाल फीतों में
आभासित होता है सर्वव्यापी
ह्रदय बैठा देने वाला निरंकुश सन्नाटा

अशांत

Note: The picture is designed by Rumman Rizvi, student of NIFT Kangra.

पल भर में

2010-04-10T08:13:00.000+05:30

पल भर में कभी कुछ दिनों के फासले में
कोई ख़ास बन जाता है
कल तक जो दबा सा था हसरत में
वही रूमानी एहसास बन जाता है
लिख लिख कर जिनकी याद में
मेरी कलम की स्याही सूख गई
जिनके जाने से मेरी बंधी हुई
सारी उम्मीदें टूट गईं
वो अपना ही जब अनजाना
सरेआम हुआ जाता है
तो किस अदालत में
रखूँ मैं अपनी दलील
हर मुंसिफ उनका दीवाना हुआ जाता है.

कुछ दिनों की ही तो बात है
मुझे इबादत का जूनून चढ़ आया था
खुदा को ढूँढने निकला मैं जो
तो तेरे दर पर कुछ पल ठहर आया था
एक वो दिन था और आज है
मेरी छूटी न तब से कोई नमाज़ है
वो सुर्ख लाल सा चेहरा तेरा
ये हया है तेरी या बेकद्री मेरी
कुछ समझ में नहीं आता
आखिर मेरी दुआओं का
कोई जवाब क्यों नहीं आता

अब किस अदालत में

रखूँ मैं अपनी दलील

हर मुंसिफ तेरा दीवाना हुआ जाता है.

मेरा इल्म था या महज़ धोखा था

तुने ही तो मुझे उस दिन रोका था

वो इकरार तेरा ही तो था

मोहब्बत कि उस शाम को

मेरा दिल ही गवाह है

उस पल की तस्वीर का

और कोई सबूत नहीं मेरे पास

तेरी उस तहरीर का

फिर भी आज तोड़ कर हर वादा तुम

मुझसे तक़रीर की आस रखते हो

अब किस अदालत में

रखूँ मैं अपनी दलील

हर मुंसिफ तेरा दीवाना हुआ जाता है.

अशांत

पतंग

2010-03-07T22:54:00.000+05:30

कोरा कागज़ जब हाथ से छूटता है तो हवा में असंख्य करतब दिखाने के पश्चात अंत में धरती से आ मिलता है. एक ऐसा मिलन जिसका पुनर्ज्ञान शायद उसे उसी क्षण होता है जब वो किसी सहारे से अलग होता है. वही कागज़ जब आकार पाता है, उसे किसी डोर से जोड़ा जाता है जिसका एक सिरा हाथों की उँगलियों में निरंतर गतिमान रहता है, तो वही कागज़ पतंग बन जाता है. एक ऐसी पतंग जिसकी कोई सीमा नहीं. एक अवलंब कागज़ का टुकड़ा थोड़ी से सहायता से हवा के साथ उड़ने वाली पतंग बन जाता है. मानव जीवन भी तो एक पतंग ही तो है. अगर संसार की भौतिकताओं से अलग कर दिया जाये तो जन्म से ही मानव का अस्तित्व क्या है? शायद कुछ नहीं! असली रंग तो तभी चढ़ता है जब आत्मा का कोरा कागज़ अपनी शाश्वत यात्रा प्रारंभ करता है. एक ऐसी यात्रा जहाँ उसका ध्येय होता है एक आकार प्राप्त करना, मनभावन रंगों से साक्षात्कार करना, एक अदम्य इच्छा स्वयं को मजबूत डोर के एकसूत्रीय बंधन में बाँधने की, एक हाथ जो की उसे दिशा दे सके. दिशा जो की सिर्फ उत्थान की ओर गमन करे, निरंतर उत्थान की ओर, हवा के झोंकों से सामंजस्य स्थापित कर सदैव उत्थान की ओर.

जीवन की क्या सटीक उपमा देती है पतंग! अद्भुत ! वस्तुतः मात्र एक खिलौना जो की मन बहलाने के लिए बना है, परन्तु न जाने कितने गूढ़ जीवन रहस्य छुपे है इसकी पतली सी काया में. प्रेम, इर्ष्या, हर्ष, विषाद, क्रोध और न जाने कितने अनगिनत भाव प्रतिलक्षित होते है एक पतंग में. ऐसा लगता है कि मनुष्य की समस्त भावनाएं एक डोर से होती हुई आकाश में उन्मुक्त हो रही हैं. सर्जना हो जाती है एक बंधन की जिसमे घुटन नहीं खुलापन है, असीम आकाश का खुलापन.

बचपन शुरू होते ही ना जाने कितने समीकरण समझा दिए जाते है हमको,जिसके अनुसार हमें अपने जीवन को स्थापित करना होता है. स्थापित मानदंडों से थोड़ी सी असमानता भी हमें अवांछित बना देती है. दबी हुई भावनाओं का ज्वार मानव जीवन के अंत के साथ या तो अंतिम सत्य को प्राप्त हो जाता है या फिर किसी ऐसे वीभत्स रूप में अभिव्यक्त होता है जिससे मानवता कलंकित होती है. ऐसी स्थिति में पतंग का अस्तित्व कितना व्यावाहारिक लगता है. एक चरखी ली, डोर को पतंग से जोड़ा और दौड़ गए. कुछ क्षणों बाद हमारी भावनाएं पतंगों के साथ चूमने लगती हैं गगन को जिसका विस्तार अनंत है. प्रतिस्पर्धा किन्तु वहाँ भी है, मदमस्त हवा के साथ उड़ती पतंग से होड़ लगाने को कई पतंगे लहराती रहती है. और कभी कभी तो आकाश पतंगों के मकडजाल से ढक जाता है, या यूँ कहें प्रतिद्वंदी भावनाओं का अखाड़ा बन जाता है. फिर शुरू होता है खेल दांव पेच का, जिसमे अंत में कोई खिलाडी तो कोई अनाड़ी बनता है.

बचपन से लेकर आज तक कभी पतंग उड़ाई नहीं है. घर में हमेशा सिखाया गया कि पतंग उडाना गन्दी बात है. पतंग न उड़ाने से समय कि तो कोई ख़ास बचत नहीं हुई क्योंकि बारजे पर या छत पर खड़े होकर घंटो पतंग को उड़ते देखा है. हाँ!एक सुखद अनुभूति अवश्य होती थी नीले आकाश की पृष्ठभूमि में पतंगों की रंगोली देखने में. सामान्य से भिन्न ये रंगोली निराकार होती थी, जिनका रूप प्रतिक्षण बदलता था. इस से ये समझ में आया कि प्रसन्नता दूसरों के कार्यों से भी पाई जा सकती है.

अंत में बस यही विचार आता है कि क्या हमें वास्तविक जीवन में उन्मुक्त वातावरण नहीं मिल सकता, जहान हमारी भावनाएं भौतिक संसार में आकाश में अठखेली करती पतंग की तरह मदमस्त रहे. हमें कुछ ऐसे रिश्तों की कभी ना कटने वाली डोर मिले जिसको पकड़ कर हम अपने पतंगी जीवन को नयी उड़ान दे सके. या कहे की खुद को एक नया जीवन दे सके!! स्वछन्द और सुन्दर!!

NOTE: Picture designed by my friend Rumman who is student of NIFT, Kangra.

The Prerogative

2010-02-12T21:13:00.000+05:30

Wish you all a very Happy Mahashivratri!! Right from my childhood I have always been fascinated by the character of lord Shiva. There is something unique in him which provides a sense of assurance and confidence upon thinking of him. Bam Bam Bhole!! However the irony lies in the fact that he is said to be the mighty destroyer. Why? How can ascetic like him has to assume this responsibility? This question has always plagued my mind since childhood. Watching various mythological serials provided me the information about him, but the actual reasons behind them are unfolding to me with advancement of my age and mind. Its all his PREROGATIVE!! A prerogative which he exercises to nullify the special rights exercised by the so called esteemed people who assume it nonchalantly. He exercises this prerogative of destruction so as to balance the negativities existing in this world, by giving chance to novelty. Negativities which have the potential to uplift the undesired and vanquish the desired.

May the day come soon when the prerogative descends to give chance to equality because even those who otherwise vie for equality breed nepotism on gaining power. Sad state of affairs! May lord Shiva obliterate it eternally!!

रिश्ते

2010-02-11T09:07:00.000+05:30

क्या ज़रूरी है कि हर रिश्ते का इकरार हो
ये ज़रूरी नहीं हर इकरार का इनकार हो
इतने नाम सुने हमने इस जहान में
क्या ज़रूरी है हर रिश्ते का कोई नाम हो

एक मुलाकात रिश्ते बना जाती है
इबारत कोई नयी लिख जाती है
मीठा सा लगता है सब कुछ हद तक
हलकी सी खटक सब खट्टा कर जाती है

दिखाते है कुछ और करने को कुछ और होते है
अकेले छोड़ने वाले ये प्यारे कोई और होते है
हमारा क्या हम चमकते गर्दिश के सितारे है
सदा चमकने वाले रिश्ते शायद कोई और होते है

इरादों से मुकम्मल जहान कुछ और होते है
जज्बातों की कसौटी पर खरे कुछ लोग होते है
कोशिशें एकतरफा कभी पूरी नहीं होतीं
हर डोर के हमेशा दो छोर होते हैं

रिश्तों की ज़मीन पर अहमियत खून की है
पर दिल से कमाए रिश्ते अजीज़ होते है
शतरंज की बिसात बिछती कई बार है
पर रिश्ते के खेल तो बस एक बार होते है

अशांत

FATALITY OF MONOTONY

2010-01-07T23:31:00.000+05:30

Quite an eerie topic to write about at my age, but compelled by the circumstances to virtually scribble my mind out. Pessimism is what is generally attributed to such creations. However I find it unjust to categorize the brainchild of a thinking mind as something pessimistic. Instead I would prefer to call it reflection of a tumultuous state of the most energetic phase of every human life. Personally, I have always strongly felt that whole world is the flow of energy. Hence proper channelization of these energy levels is essential for maintaining the equilibrium. Therefore, any energy which does not finds appropriate vent damages the source itself. Danger is too high and damages unfathomable in case of dealing with vigours of the uncontrolled and imploding energy levels of an underutilized youth.

Monotonous lifestyle can be safely accorded the blame for such a pernicious state. Fettering the human mind in its most fertile stage by using the chains of monotony is perhaps the biggest torture which can be inflicted without any signs of physical pain. It is equivalent to smothering a person using a silk pillow. Issue which arises automatically is pertinent to involvement of the psyche of the person so affected. Possibility of contributory negligence cannot be ruled out completely, especially in our system which handles mediocre in brutal way. Success is the parameter of ascertaining the utility of one's life. Success sans joy enjoys priority over innovation including happiness. Here comes the bottom line that perform or perish. Even before the advent of infancy human life is taught to adjust to monotony. majority succumbs to it. Those who dare to dare are really rare.

A pot once moulded finds difficult to adjust to the demands of the originality of life. It is in this contortionist state that monotony seems to be the only refuge apparently providing comfort. Growth , development and other similar vocabularian delights rule the roost with the so-called most developed of all the animals homo sapiens descending in the background. What a pity!! The super'man' entangling itself to death in the fatality of monotony. But isn't it very natural that stagnation is bound to lead towards death if not real then symbolical. Certainly it is. A river forced to flow on a specified path is bound to become a drain. A bird not allowed to fly is bound to become a dodo. A free soul constrained and controlled by worldly needs is bound to become a materialistic evil. A young mind untrained to think is bound to become a garbage of informations. Monotony hence could turn out to be severely fatal.

Like all hazards then what is the most feasible solution for this one,which can save the very essentialness of the humanness? I feel spontaneity along with honesty can be the best antidote. A fresh thought arising out of a ignited mind has the potential to create new. Novelty thus brought can enlighten the world and inspire others to innovate too. This nexus of innovative ideas can invigorate the very essence of the human life wholesomely, thereby paving way for the much desired change. Enjoying every moment of life though cliched is perhaps what makes the life eventful. We need to resist the urge to become monotonous. Turning into slaves of circumstances will only lead us to the hackneyed experiences and activities. Daring to be original we need to create an environment where an average does not precludes making creative efforts from the fear of failure, or most importantly public ridicule. If successful and upright, human spirit will be surely successful in making the fatality of monotony have taste of its own dose.

CHEERS LIFE!!!
HAPPY 2KX!!

Junior Ji Anthem

2009-11-17T00:33:00.000+05:30

JUNIOR JI ANTHEM

This anthem is to acknowledge every moment which I along with all my friends have shared with dear Shubham. I relished them and will cherish them forever. My attempt to write this anthem is genuine and in no way intends to mock or offend Shubham whom we all revere as Junior Ji. This anthem has been written on the demand of each and every lover of Junior Ji. Each of us hopes that Junior Ji will admire our effort and accept our good wishes in form of this anthem. May he achieve enormous success in life!!

दिखने में तो छोटे हैं
पर दिल के बहुत बड़े हैं जी
छोटे छोटे क़दमों से
बड़ी साख बनाते जूनियर जी

पहले साल ही इन्होने
अपना सही रंग दिखलाया था
"हिस्ट्रीशीटर" का इल्ज़ाम लगा तो
इन्होने सबको गलत ठहराया था
आज बड़े बड़ों की वाट लगाते है ये जी
हम सब जनता के आदर्श जूनियर जी

अपनी फैकल्टी सुधारने को जब ठाना था
निष्काम कर्म को अपना हथियार माना था
अपनी सोच ख़त्म होती जहाँ पर
वहाँ इनकी शुरू हो जाती है
क़ानून की खान में तपता हीरा हैं ये जी
सदा चमकता कोहिनूर अपना इदोल जूनियर जी

जिस जगह पर कभी वीरानी छाती थी
जहाँ आने से स्वयं सरस्वती घबराती थीं
हम लाचार से नोट्स में डूबे रहते थे
वहाँ ताजा हवा का झोंका बन छाये ये
RRA मूट कोर्ट रुपी पारस पत्थर ले आये ये
नतमस्तक हम सब चरणों में आपके जूनियर जी

"कंट्रोवर्सी" की बातों से हंसाया है
जीवन के रहस्य सरल कर समझाया है
नम्रता का असली मतलब बतलाया है
बातों से अपनी हमको अपना बनाया है
लक्ष्य की तरफ नित गतिमान है ये जी
नित्य भरे नई उड़ान अपने प्यारे जूनियर जी ...

जूनियर जी!! जूनियर जी!! जूनियर जी!!

I woke up at midnight

2009-10-25T17:04:00.000+05:30

I woke up at midnight
I saw you in moonlight
I felt a nice sensation
Rising all my expectations
You were wearing white negligee
Night making you beauty's effigy

I woke up at midnight
I saw you in moonlight
I followed your feet's trail
To experience beauty frail
I wished it becomes real
From far what seemed surreal

I woke up at midnight
I saw you in moonlight
Breaching all my limitations
I drew wild imaginations
There was on elegant flair
In your black flowing hair

I woke up at midnight
I saw you in moon light
I saw your smiling face
My feet lost their base
My heart is so spacious
Occupy it Ms. GRACIOUS

I woke up at midnight
I saw you in moonlight
Now hands were in hand
And our relations expand
Got my first 'wintery' kiss
Not going to tell how it is!!!

I woke up at midnight
I saw you in moonlight
We rushed through the night
Extinguishing the moonlight
Feeling the fear of dawn
I cherish your sketch drawn

I woke up at midnight!!
I saw you in moonlight!!

I feel crazy!!!!

2009-10-25T16:54:00.000+05:30

In a 'Sunday' class
On the second bench
Listening preaching words
In the notes I drench
Law violates my 'holy' holiday
But what to do & what to say??
I feel crazy!!!!

Testing my shy 'intellect'
On a bright Sunday morn
Monotonous lecture bores
And forces me to mourn
Law violates my 'holy' holiday
But what to do & what to say??
I feel crazy!!!!

Pen shooters are on charge
Shooting ink on notebooks
But my pen obeys no bars
Setting drowsy tones for rest of the day
Law violates my 'holy' holiday
But what to do & what to say??
I feel crazy!!!!

Prashant

Going away from me

2009-10-23T18:34:00.000+05:30

You are going away from me
Showing no regard for my feelings
Erasing every mark I cherished
Leaving all the love without trailings

Every breath I smelled of you
Every finger touch I felt of you
My moments which witnessed you
For the love of life I liked you
Shared my bits with you
I love you!!!!
You are going away from me...............

Tearing apart my heart you go
My mobile even missess you
My inbox is nowdays blank
I can feel emptiness surrounding me

If you had to do this
Why did you take so long
Ignited the fire
And then threw water on
Evidences are in great number too
I love you!!!
You are going away from me................

Classes are not at all amazing
College sucks and I feel leaving
You doubted self and now doubt I
Cannot decipher you did it why?

World was cruel
But I was with you
You had to gruel
But I was with you
I think that was not enough to show
I love you!!!
You are going away from me.............

Everyone asks me about you
My placid face tells the tale
I try to sustain every pain
Can't let go things in vain

Woman gets hard
With the breaking of bond
Its art of man to bear it all
Can't you change
This monotonous trail
I love you!!!
You are going away from me..........

My eyes are dry but heart is wet
You are ruining what is already set
There's nothing which forces you
And about that I can bet

Read the lyrics which I never wrote
Hear the songs which I never sung
Appreciate the pics which I never drew
Travel the places where I never went
Perhaps you may feel
That love is to be felt and not to be showed
But, You are going away from me..............

Prashant

असल ताकत आदमी के इरादों में होती है

2009-10-23T07:28:00.000+05:30

ना भीड़ से ना लुभावने लफ्जों से
ना तक़रीरों से ना दबे जज्बों से
दौलत की शोहरत की उम्र भी थोडी होती है
असल ताकत आदमी के इरादों में होती है।

बैठना चार पायों पर है फकत आसान
इल्मों का पुलिंदा आदमी है बड़ा नादान
कमी खुदा में नही मगर बन्दों में होती है
असल ताकत आदमी के इरादों में होती है।

मै निकम्मा हूँ मेरी आदत ये कहती है
मेरी आजमाईश पैमानों पर रोज़ होती है
क्या करें जवानी की उम्र 'अशांत' होती है
असल ताकत आदमी के इरादों में होती है।

अशांत

4th Alumni Meet, 2009

2009-09-25T09:45:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends,

Memories are most precious intangible entities that exist by our side forever. Eternity in the strictest meaning of the term is perhaps an utopia, if sought to be achieved in this mortal world. But, we can surely affirm our allegiance to the memories which are and shall remain with us - our golden school days!! All these thoughts cropped up in my mind when I visited the website of MPVM Alumni Association(http://www.mpvmalumni.com/). At that point of time, I realised that attachment with one's alma mater is undeniable and perhaps indispensible.

I still remember the selfless camaraderie which blossomed in the campus of school amongst us. I still remember the eagerness to share our thoughts uninhibitedly during the recess or during the class irrespective of the presence of a teacher or in the cycle stand or in the bus or anywhere where it was possible. I still remember the jubilations amongst our friends when any one of us got recognition in any form. I still remember the adventure of peeping out of the class or innovating the ever novel modes of interaction (perhaps not thought by the present day intelligence agencies even)!! The list is endless and I wish it always remains so. Conclusion which can be safely drawn is that 'whether sweet our sour, it is OURS.'

So let us make it an annual ritual to celebrate our association with the institution where we have spent most ebullient times of our lives. Some amongst us have taken an initiative by forming an alumni association namely MPVM Alumni Association. Let us support them to flourish this endeavour in the best possible way. It will not consume anything but will only confer an opportunity to rejuvenate ourselves from the otherwise tardy proceedings of our lives.

A platform has been created. Let us decorate it with exquisite confetti of our cherished memories, creativity and most importantly the miasmic feelings which never die and cannot be refuted by anyone of us. Once again I repeat 'WHETHER SWEET OR SOUR, BUT IT IS OURS.' Let us avail this opportunity to retrace our roots of learning and friendship, which makes us what we are!! Let us make this association and our connection with it an archetypal phenomenon.

NOTE: - This year's alumni meet is being held on 18th October, 2009. Try to be part of it and enrich it with your talent and reminiscence of the incidents which bring smile to your faces!!!

RESERVATIONS:Minority Appeasement/Exclusion of Majority!!!

2009-09-03T01:58:00.000+05:30

Human resource of a country is key to its development. Irony manifests itself in superlative form when it comes to the practical analysis of situation as existing in India. Resort to fake optimism has become order of the day. Apparently India has been shining since the advent of 21st century but its lustre fails to luminate the houses of common man. Genesis of this problem lies in the whole systematic set-up adopted here. At this point I am reminded of an observation by my friend Dhawal which he made while having a casual discussion with me. It goes something like this, 'in democracy those who deserve are mostly doomed.' Although I am staunch supporter of democracy, this particular point forced me to rethink about my ideological orientation. In this process I found solace in Sir Winston Churchill's opinion deeming democracy to be the worst but best available form of Government. No where have been exemplary democratic constitutional principles murdered on the altar of electoral gains as in India. Most glaring example is RESERVATION.

Casteism is an anathema which the founding fathers of Constitution sought to obliterate. Promulgation of the Constitution was an effort to eradicate the spectre of casteism which haunted the Indian society for centuries. They commendably succeeded by the providence of 22.5% reservation to extremely trampled human classes which came to be known as SC/ST. However, abrupt implementation of Mandal Commission Report by V. P. Singh led Janata Dal government resurrected the old monster again which is now breathing comfortably in every college, university, office and workplace. Society has again been divided on the basis of caste with the only difference that people are seethingly accepting it. In reality this does not ameliorate the natural feelings because an attempt of treating alike as like that too by compromising with efficiency of administration is huge price which our country is paying and may have to pay at greater scale in future.

In this direction I am hereafter reproducing the making of the present scenario and how the greatest lawyer of India, Nani A. Palkhivala opposed it. Before recounting the arguments placed before the apex court let me give you the background of the whole process. Kaka Kalelkar Commission- eponymous of its Chairman- was the first commission appointed by the government of India to ascertain the status of backward classes. Report submitted by the Commission in 1955 listing 2399 castes or communities as socially and educationally backward was not accepted by the government and hence abandoned thereafter.

In 1978 Janata Party on displacing Congress from the power riding on the goodwill generated post emergency, raised the issue of preferential treatment to backward classes. Second Backward Caste Commission under the Chairmanship of B. P. Mandal himself belonging to backward caste was constituted for this purpose. The commission worked quite expediently. It commenced working on 21 March 1979 and submitted its report on 31 December 1980. The main issues which were referred for solution to the Commission were:-
(i) to determine the criteria for defining the socially and educational backward classes (SEBCs);
(ii) to recommend steps to be taken for the advancement of the SEBCs of citizens so identified;
(iii) to recommend the desirability or otherwise of making provisions for the reservations of appointments or posts in favour of such backward classes of citizens which are not adequately represented in public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the union or any state; and
(iv) to present the president a report setting out facts as found by them and making such recommendations as they think proper.

Commission submitted its report in two parts wherein it listed 3,743 castes under the category of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) based on the 1961 census. These submissions were based on eleven indicators. Following the inherent trait of in application of the reports the Mandal Commission Report also went in cold storage with the change in the power from Janata Dal to Congress.

The wheel of time turned and in 1990 V. P. Singh, the prime minister in order to mitigate dissent in Parliament very unreasonably played the 'caste' card. Now following are the excerpts from the book 'Nani A. Palkhivala - A Life' by M. V. Kamath.
'Trouble started when the government of India issued an office memorandum (OM) on 13 August 1990 purporting to extend reservations for SEBCs in its services with effect from 2 August 1990. The OM reserved 27% seats for the SEBSs, in addition to those already reserved for SCs and STs. Reservations were to apply to direct recruitment. SEBCs recruited on merit in open competition were not to be counted in 27% quota. SEBCs were to comprise castes and communities common to the state-wise lists in the Mandal report and a state government lists...

The Mandal Commission may have intended to do good, but it did not go down well with the people. There were cases of ghastly self-immolation by young men in different parts of the country. There was damage to both private and property. Writ petitions were filed as PILs in the Supreme Court questioning the OM. A 3 judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Rangnath Mishra, And Justices K. N . Singh and M. H. Kania reviewed its order of 11 September 1990, and in paragraph 8 of this judgment, refused to interfere on the ground that the matter was apolitical one. The court also made an appeal to the nation that the mater was being adjudicated upon and everybody's rights would be worked out.

The situation not being improved, a petition on behalf of the Supreme Court Bar Association was moved and a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, by its order dated 1 October 1990, stayed the operation of the OM dated 13 August 1990 till the final adjudication.

Unable to break the ice with agitating students and now facing another serious crisis, the V. P. Singh government sought to defend its decision to implement the Mandal report when the Supreme Court was convened on 25 October 1990. There was jubilation among students when Nani agreed to argue on behalf of the students of St. Stephen's College, New Delhi. Apart from Nani, the anti-Mandal argument was mainly put forward by the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, K. K. Venugopal.'

Everyone reading this entry kindly be ready to race the horses of your mind and appreciate the illustrious legal acumen displayed by legendary Nani Palkhivala. Those with sane and reasonable mind, I am sure, shall become aware of the sanctity of law process and role of lawyers in shaping the society irrespective of win or loss.

'As hearings began on the 42 petitions challenging the government’s decision to reserve jobs for backward classes, the court listened in rapt attention to Nani's argument that the step vitiated the very scheme of the Constitution. Nani, who was also speaking as counsel for Common Cause, a registered society, said that casteism was anathema to the makers of the Indian Constitution. They had envisaged reservations only for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and that, that, too from time for just 10 years. But this had been extended, Nani said, from time so that the scope then stood at 50 years. 'Instead of moving forward we are moving backward,' Nani said.

Nani insisted that the Mandal Commission had no legal authority to recommend reservation for backward classes in government service on the basis of caste. In fact, he said, the commission had suffered from the mistaken notion that it could make recommendations under Article 16(4) of the Constitution on the paramount ground of caste or social backwardness. 'Under Article 16(4) social backwardness is irrelevant for appointment in public service.' said Nani. And this, he argued was the fallacy that had trapped the commission.

Justice P. B. Sawant intervened to say that Nani seemed to be arguing for reservation for the poor Brahmin. Nani replied: 'I am against all reservations.' he quoted the Preamble, the directive principles of state policy and Articles 14, 15, 16, 330 and 332 to emphasise that while the Constitution was totally against discrimination, it talked of equal opportunity for all. This was precisely what reservation denied.

Nani said that the Constitution was clear on the point that the efficiency of the administration could not be sacrificed even to favour SCs and STs, much less the backward classes. The Mandal report, he said, completely overlooked this vital constitutional requirement.

Nani pointed out that what the report had done was to perpetuate casteism in the country. 'There have been scores of self-immolations over the issue and if I were young I too may have tried to immolate myself,' said Nani.

Nani said that by emphatically ensuring a fresh lease on life to the canker of casteism for a long and indefinite future, the Mandal report had fractured the nation and violated the basic structure of the Constitution.

Nani said that the Mandal report virtually rewrote Article 16(4) by substituting caste for class. Every other test, economic or non-economic had been wholly rejected. Nani quoted from the Mandal report to say that it had observed that the substitution of caste by economic tests would amount to ignoring the genesis of backwardness in Indian society. The commission had ignored the basic point that they were not concerned with genesis of social backwardness for the purpose of Article 16(4).

The Mandal Commission, Nani held, had deliberately shut its eyes to the fact that there were crores of backward individuals in forward castes and crores of forward individuals in backward castes.

The Mandal report, he further argued, made an irrational classification by which the children of the wealthiest families, and of Mandal himself who was a rich zamindar, would be entitled to preferential treatment because they sprang from the so-called backward classes.'

This was what perhaps the brightest legal mind of the nation perceived about the reservation. He vehemently opposed the move unjustifiable from all angles. Nani pointed out the paradox that, in name of deploring casteism Mandal report instead glorified it, making people tread a retrogressive path by ascertaining it to be sole criterion for reservations in employment, admission and promotions. Moreover it created caste foes even among non-Hindus, regardless of the fact that such a non egalitarian set up was discarded by Christianity, Islam and Sikhism.

Whatsoever it be despite of perspicacious advocacy by Nani, much to his disappointment the majority judges affirmatively decided that reservations on the basis of caste were permissible under Article 16(4). The two official memoranda were held with important qualifications that
(a) the 'creamy layer' of backward classes should be excluded, because they would otherwise lap up all the benefits of reservations meant for that class;
(b) the inclusion or exclusion of a caste or a section of a caste would have to be periodically reviewed to take care of changing circumstances;
(c) the armed forces and higher civilian posts to be selected by the government should be outside the purview of caste reservations;
(d) reservations cannot be applied to promotions on the ground that 'crutches cannot be provided throughout one's career.
This is the gist of the Mandal case which is the genesis of the present date reservation scenario. The present law as it stands is result of the later case célèbre Indira Sawhney case which specifically lays down the mode and guidelines of application of the affirmative action i.e., reservation. Detailed analysis of these cases shall be made in next entries. As for now, I would aptly conclude by paying homage to Nani-saviour of our Constitutional principles for many times. His furious reactions against the judgments as published in TOI (25 and 26 November 1992) are; 'Never before in history, and nowhere else in world today, have reservations been prescribed for the overwhelming majority of the population of any country.'
He further wrote: 'I am sure that Mr. V. P. Singh was sincere when he said that after the Supreme Court judgment in the Mandal case he could die in peace. But his policy has ensured that the nation will not live in peace. The poisonous weed of casteism has been replanted "where it will trouble us thousand years, each age will have reconsider it".' While concluding Nani was of the view:
By persisting in reservations, the government will get deplorably enmeshed in unending litigations and waste the nation's resources, time and energy on an unimaginable scale. In law, the government is entitled to say that having regard to the conditions and qualifications imposed by the Supreme Court, it is not in the national interest to persist in the system of reservations. Such a stance would require courage and statesmanship of the highest order, and would mark a turning point in the history of a country which has been too long content to run a third-class democracy under a first-class constitution.

As presciently opined by Nani, the country is not in peace the situation being aggravated by reservations in higher institutions too [Article 15(5)]. Just imagine what would have been the present situation had Nani been able to garner narrow margin of victory as in Kesavanand Bharati case!!!!!!!

Right to Information

2009-08-31T08:34:00.000+05:30

Evolution of Right to Information And Critical Analysis of the Working of the Right to Information Act, 2005 in India

Introduction
In Government of responsibility like ours where all the agents
of the public must be responsible for their conduct, their can
be but a few secrets. The people of this country have a right to
know every public act, everything that is done in a public way
by the public functionaries… The responsibility of officials to
explain or to justify their acts is the chief safeguard against
oppression and corruption.
- Justice K. K. Mathew, Supreme Court of India (State of UP v Raj
Narain, AIR 1975 SC 865.)
Enactment of Right to Information Act, 2005[1] has ushered a new era leading us towards the development of the participatory democracy. It has led to a series of debates among the intellectuals and has also stirred common masses. Right to Information[2] implicitly forms part of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India. Article 19 (1) (a) dealing with freedom of speech and expression is deemed to contain the basis of RTI. Democracy in real terms requires public to act as a sovereign force. Abraham Lincoln in his famous Gettysburg Address said that democracy is government ‘of the people, for the people and by the people.’ This postulation can be materialized only by an informed citizenry.
The conceptual roots of democracy lie in Articles 23 and 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 and in Part III and Part IV of the Constitution of India. These provisions generally guarantee some rights like right to life, liberty, dignity and decent conditions of life and development. In this regard, RTI is part of the constitutional framework enshrined as freedom of speech and expression. Explicit exercise of this right was not possible due to its derivative and implicit existence within the Constitution. This facilitated the need of a specific legislation enabling the citizens to enjoy the right available to them. The same message echoed in the juristic exposition by Justice Mathew in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala[3] stated in these prominent words like:
“Fundamental rights themselves have no fixed content, most of them are empty vessels into which each generation must pour its content in the light of its experience.”
Access to information held by a public authority was not possible until 2005. Lack of information precluded a person to realize his socio – economic aspirations, because he had no basis to participate in the debate or question the decision making process even if it was harming him. Official Secret Act, 1923 acted as a remnant of colonial rule shrouding everything in secrecy. The common did not have any legal right to know about the public policies and expenditures. It was quite ironical that people who voted the persons responsible for policy formation to power and contributed towards the financing of huge costs of public activities were denied access to the relevant information.
This culture of secrecy resulted in prolific growth of corruption. In face of non- accountability of the public authorities and lack of openness in the functioning of government, abuse of power and unscrupulous diversion of the public money was the order of the day. Under such conditions, public and various NGOs demanded greater access to the information held by public authorities. The government acceded to their demand by enacting RTI Act, 2005. This project will trace the evolution of the RTI at large in one part. In another, an attempt towards analyzing the provisions of RTI Act, 2005 will be made which will help us realize the real status and will also highlight the areas requiring improvement.

Part A – Evolution of Right to Information
A.1 International Position
RTI which is the cynosure of this discourse is not something new. In fact there is a long history at international level towards the attainment of this right and mobilization of the masses for achieving it. With development of human ideals and establishment of democratic governments in most of the civilized countries, this topic came to the fore. Many international organizations and regional groups recognized this right to be part of their systems.
Swedish Freedom of Information Law (a literal translation of the native term indicates the Freedom of Printing Act) passed in the year 1766 is considered to be the oldest and earliest legislative recognition of RTI.[4] This law was passed by Sweden. A large number of countries have followed the same line and have enacted access laws after it. For example, Finland in 1950, Denmark in 1950, Norway in 1970, and United States of America in 1966 enacted such laws in order to facilitate information access. Before discussing the various international instruments, let us first analyse the status of RTI in the two most developed democracies of the world U.S.A and England.
A.1.1 Position in England
Democracy has been the basic tenet of England since ages but ‘secrecy’ is emphasised rather than openness. This is due to the innate tendency of legislature and executive to enshroud policies instead of making it transparent. England has enacted Freedom of Information Act, 2005[5]. But basically, the present law is contained in the Official Secrets Acts of 1911, 1920, 1939[6]. Judiciary in England has approved of openness in Government. The same is reflected in the decision of House of Lords where it established its jurisdiction to order the disclosure of any document[7]. However, it was also emphasized that balance between conflicting interests of secrecy and publicity should be maintained.
Importance of freedom of expression in English law can be ascertained by the observation of Lord Steyn in a case[8] which goes as following:
“Freedom of speech is the lifeblood of democracy. The free flow of information and ideas informs political debate. It is a safety valve; people are more ready to accept decisions that go against them if they can in principle seek to influence them. It acts as a brake on the abuse of power by public officials. It facilitates the exposure of errors in the governance and administration of justice of the country….”
A.1.2 Position in U. S. A.
America and democracy are generally synonymous. America apparently proclaims it to the torchbearer of the plethora of democratic rights that ought to be the part of a true democratic framework. The same applies on the dispensation of information too. Antipathy towards the inherent secrecy is therefore not a surprising attribute exhibited by the Americans. Schwartz observes, “Americans firmly believe in the healthy effects of publicity and have a strong antipathy to the inherent secretiveness of government agencies.”[9] The Freedom of Information Act, 1966 and The Administrative Procedure Act, 1946 are two main statutes which confer RTI.
The Constitution of America does not deal specifically with RTI. However, such right is considered to be corollary of the First Amendment freedoms[10]. A provision of a statute was held to be a restriction on the unfettered exercise of First Amendment Rights[11] and hence was declared invalid by the Supreme Court. Similarly in Stanley v. Georgia[12] it was observed that freedom of speech necessarily protects the right to receive information.
A.1.3 RTI and International legal instruments
Various international instruments such as treaties, charters etc have recognized RTI as right that ought to be available to the people. All the citizens have a right to decide, either personally or by their representatives, as to necessity of the public contribution, to grant this freely, to know to what use it is put; and to fix the proportion, the mode of assessment and of collection and the duration of taxes[13].
United Nations
United Nations accepted RTI right from its beginning in 1946. The General Assembly resolved that: “freedom of information is a fundamental human right and the touchstone for all freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated.”[14]
Universal declaration of Human Rights, 1948
Article 19 of the Universal declaration of Human Rights of 1948 states that, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1968
Article 19 of the Covenant states as following:-
(1) Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference;
(2) Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression, this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art or through any other media of his choice.
The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth- association of 54 countries- affirmed the existence of RTI by emphasizing the participation of people in the government processes. The law ministers of the Commonwealth at their meeting held in Barbados in year 1980 stated that ‘public participation in the democratic and government process would be most meaningful when citizens had adequate access to official information’.
Organization of American States
American Convention on Human Rights was adopted by the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1969. This international treaty is legally binding in nature. Article 13 of the convention reads as follows;-
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and expression. This right shall include freedom to work, receive and impart information and ideas, of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing, in print, in the form of art, or through any other medium of one’s choice.
Clause 2 states that exercise of such right may sometimes be subject to liabilities or restrictions if it compromises the national security or contravenes the right available to others.
European Convention on Human Rights
Clause 1 of Article 10 of the Convention states that, ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions, and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and irrespective of frontiers’.
However, clause 2 provides that such right is subjected to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or such penalties as are prescribed by law, and are necessary in a democratic society, and if it harms the national interest or territorial integrity.
However European Court of Human Rights interpreted Article 10 strictly[15]. That is to say it was held that freedom to information prohibited the Government from restricting a person from receiving information. But, at the same time it does not provide any positive right to a person for obtaining the information. This interpretation was based on the difference between ‘freedom’ and ‘right’.
Most of the above discussed international instruments do not deal with RTI directly. Their role however is not diminished at all by this fact. Like a first step they showed the world community a direction to be explored in order to materialize the democratic value of RTI, thereby making the systems transparent and world more amicable for the people.
A.1.4 Constitutional provisions of various countries recognizing RTI
Constitutional recognition stands paramount specially when relating to the fundamental human rights such as RTI. In this regard various countries have given place to RTI in their respective constitutions. Some of them are as following:
§ Article 20 of the 1987 Constitution of Austria;
§ Article 32 of the Constitution of Belgium as amended in 1993;
§ Article 41 of the Constitution of Bulgaria;
§ Article 23 of the Constitution of Albania;
§ Article 38 of the Constitution of Croatia;
§ Article 44 of the Constitution of Estonia;
§ Article 10 (3) of the Constitution of Greece;
§ S. 32 (1) of the Constitution of Republic of South Africa pursuant to The Constitution Act 106 of 1996.
A.1.5 Statutory provisions of various countries enabling RTI
Apart from the constitutional recognition, specific statutes are sometimes necessary to be formulated in order to effectuate proper exercise of rights. This is so because mere recognition sometimes is not sufficient to provide results. Statutes here come to the rescue by providing optimal output through an elaborate mechanism. As stated earlier that Sweden enacted the first legislation in this regard. The Freedom of Information Act is now part of the Constitution of Sweden. Therefore, let us now see some of the important statutes providing RTI to the people. They are as following:
§ 1888 Code of Political and Municipal Organisation of Columbia enabled the individuals to request documents held by the government;
§ The Freedom of Information Act, 1966 of U.S.A.;
§ The Freedom of Information Act, 1982 of Australia;
§ The Access to Information Act, 1983 of Canada;
§ The Official Information Act, 1982 of New Zealand;
§ The Freedom of Information Act, 2005 of England; and
Legislations passed by many Asian countries such as The Philippine, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, etc.

A.2 Constitutional perspective of Right to Information in India
Rights are the interests which are recognized and protected by law. The sanctity of right enhances if it is adopted by the Constitution of a country. In Indian context, where the common people were subject of negligence for centuries, constitutional principles are the only messiahs that can ensure freedom of all sorts. Information has a pivotal role in strengthening public by making them knowledgeable.
Accessing information, however in a developing country like India is a cumbersome task to be accomplished by majority of less educated and illiterate citizenry oblivious of its rights. Red tapism and bureaucratic supremacy is highly hesitant in empowering people. Moreover the colonial legacy which was copious with policy of secrecy still haunts the system. Here the Constitution of India comes to the rescue of the ‘little man’ by bestowing upon him certain fundamental rights within Part III. These rights can not be violated except the procedures laid down by the law, which are in consonance with spirit of Constitution. Similarly, RTI is a right imbibed within Article 19 (1) (a)[16] of the constitution.
The right to information has not been expressly provided in the constitution. It is derived from the Article 19 (1) (a). That is to say, it is implicitly imbibed within the constitutional framework. However, judiciary in several landmark cases has expressly held RTI as natural concomitant of Article 19 (1) (a). Let us now see some important cases which raised RTI to the status of a constitutional right because of the juristic interpretation of the learned judges. Judicial activism has carved the sculpture out of Article 19 (1) (a) - which is the bedrock of democracy.
Upon a thorough analysis it can be safely stated that direction towards the realization of RTI within the constitutional ambit incepted right from the verdict in Hamdard Dawakhana v. Union of India[17]. Supreme Court for the first time declared RTI to be part of Article 19 (1) (a) in Bennett Coleman v. Union of India[18], where it held Newsprint Control Order of 1972-1973 issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to be ultra vires Article 19 (1) (a) of the constitution. Ray, CJ in the majority judgment opined that, “It is indisputable that by freedom of the press is meant the right of all citizens to speak, publish and express their views. The freedom of press embodies the right of the people to read.” Here what is refereed as ‘right of the people to read’ refers to the right of the readers to get the information.
The strongest exposition in this regard came from Justice K. K. Mathew in State of U. P. v. Raj Narain[19] who emphasized that in ‘government of responsibility like ours where all the agents of the public must be responsible for their conduct, their can be but a few secrets. The people of this country have a right to know every public act, everything that is done in a public way by the public functionaries.” The facts of this case were that Raj Narain who challenged the validity of Mrs. Gandhi’s election required disclosure Blue Books which contained the tour program and security measures taken for the Prime Minister. Though the disclosure was not allowed, Mathew, J. held that the people of country were entitled to know the particulars of every public transaction in all its hearing.
The major breakthrough was attained in S. P. Gupta v. Union of India[20] when the apex court imparted constitutional status to RTI. The point of contention in this case was again with regards to the claim for privilege laid by the government of India in respect disclosure of certain documents including correspondence between Chief justice of India and the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court in connection with the confirmation of Justice Kumar who was an additional Judge of the Delhi High Court. Justice Bhagwati, in his ever humanistic tone advocated the concept of open government stating it to be the direct emanation from the right to know which seems to be implicit in the right of free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution. It was held by the learned Judge that, RTI or access to information is essential for an ideally successful democratic way of life. Hence, it is imperative that disclosure of information regarding the functioning of Government must be the rule and secrecy is justified only where the strictest requirement of public interest demands.
Liberal approach of apex court towards the disclosure of information is discernible in Sheela Barse v. Union of India[21] where court issued directions for release of information to her relating to under trials kept in different parts of country. Point to be noted here is that such direction was not issued by invoking Article 19 (1) (a). Therefore, it can be inferred that a person having proper stand can seek information from the government. Similarly, the court was unequivocal of the importance of people’s participation and upheld their right to know in Pune Environmental case[22].
Supreme Court further in a historic decision provided the voter’s right to know the antecedents of the candidates[23]. Scope of Article 19 (1) (a) was widened and it was affirmed that the right to know of the candidate contesting election to a House of Parliament or a state legislature or a panchayat or a municipal corporation is a pre- condition to the exercise of a citizen’s right to vote. Thus people have a constitutional right to know the antecedents of the candidates contesting election for a post which is utmost importance in democracy. Later Government brought an ordinance followed by an Act to nullify effects of the judgment. The Act was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in People’s Union of Civil Liberties v. Union of India[24]. An important observation was made by the court that “the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution…. have no fixed contents.” “From time to time, this court has filled in the skeleton with soul and blood and made it vibrant.”
Freedom of speech and expression and its relation with RTI has been vividly described by the apex court in Secretary, Ministry of I & B, Government of India v. Cricket Association of Bengal[25] in the following words:
“The freedom of speech and expression includes right to acquire information and to disseminate it. Freedom of speech and expression is necessary, for self-expression which is an important means of free conscience and self – fulfillment. It enables people to contribute to debates on moral and social issues. It is the best way to find a truest model of anything, since it is only through it that the widest possible range of ideas can circulate. It is the only vehicle of political discourse so essential to democracy.”
We may end this succinct analysis of the judicial decisions which have played a major role in granting RTI constitutional status via interpretation of Article 19 (1) (a) and assimilation of the spirit with which framers of the Constitution dedicated it to the people of India. Democracy thrives on RTI which is the foundation of democracy. The same is aptly echoed in the words of apex court as; true democracy cannot exist unless the citizens have a right to participate in the affairs of the policy of the country. The right to participate in the affairs of the country is meaningless unless the citizens are well informed on all sided issues in respect of which they are called upon to express their views. One –sided information, disinformation, misinformation and non-information all equally create uninformed citizens which make democracy a farce when medium of information is monopolized either by a partisan central authority or by private individuals or oligarchy organizations. This is particularly so in a country where a large bulk of the population is illiterate.[26]
A.2.1 RTI in Constitution except Article 19 (1) (a)
RTI is not exclusively traceable in Article 19 (1) (a) only. There are some other provisions too, which in some or the other way provide right to access the information or to obtain the information to concerned persons. Article 22 (1) of the Constitution of India entitles every person who is detained to know the grounds of his/her detention. Similarly, Article 311 (2) of the Constitution provides that a government servant is entitled to know why he/she is being dismissed or removed or reduced in rank and to be given an opportunity to make representation against the proposed action. The horizon of RTI has expanded so much so that Supreme Court in a recent judgment has considered RTI to be the offshoot of Article 21 of the Constitution of India[27].

A.3 Movement for Right to Information in India
Paradoxes are galore in our system. But movements by the masses for a right to which they are entitled by the virtue of bring the part of democracy is a disturbing aspect. However it is true that, while the common public has been aware of the importance of RTI, those wielding the political clout have been reluctant in transforming the right into practical legal reality. It all began in 1990 when the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), a collective of farmers and labourers, was formed in Devdungri, a Rajasthan hamlet. Members of the collective were working for a state employment generation scheme, yet were being paid significantly less than the guaranteed minimum wage[28].
This enticed them to demand their legal entitlement. In response they got an answer that the official documents are not consonant with the necessary work that ought to be done by them. Such official documents were wrapped in the walls of bureaucratic ‘secrecy’ unavailable even to the persons, to which they were related. However, some clues by the sympathetic officer indicated towards enormous anomalies. Tackling these discrepancies required some unique medium to sensitize the people directly and easily for this purpose, MKSS adopted the means of placing the disclosed information (whatever could be elicited) in the public domain through live wire village based public hearing colloquially referred as jan sunwais. This movement raised famous slogans like hamara paisa, hamara hisaab (our money, our accounts) and hum janenge, hum jiyenge (we will know, we will live). Overall it can be safely asserted that transparency and accountability were the two pronged demands of the movement, which they wanted to be instilled in the system as whole.
Dawn of the RTI ushered with this movement, which made people realize that secrecy enabled corrupt officials to siphon off minimum wages and other entitlements of the poor. A movement demanding the RTI was thus born and its first champions were the disempowered rural workers in the remote rural area of Rajasthan[29].
Movements for RTI cannot be seen as isolated events. They are coextensive with a movement to make democracy real and functional. RTI was demanded as the right to work, the right to obtain famine relief, or the right to receive minimum wages. Secrecy and national interest were some excuses which were heavily used by the power wielders to wrap information insulating it from reach of the masses. Corruption, therefore, was breeding prolifically in face of lack of accountability and an open government. Importance of open government was observed by eminent juristic mind of the nation, Bhagwati, J. in the following words: “Open government is the new democratic culture of an open society towards which every liberal democracy is moving and our country should be no exception.”[30]
‘Loksatta’, an NGO in Andhra Pradesh has undertaken mass awareness campaigns across the State and through a ‘post card campaign’ made representations to the Prime Minister of India demanding the enactment of a right to information law. The Rajasthan experience on demanding right to information was echoed in other States.
In response to the pressure of the grassroots movements as well as to satisfy the international money lending institutions to borrow the loans, some of the State Governments such as Goa (1997), Tamil Nadu (1997), Rajasthan (2000), Karnataka, (2000), Delhi (2001), Assam (2002), Maharashtra (2003), Madhya Pradesh (2003) and Jammu, Kashmir (2003) introduced the Right to Information Act. Among all these Acts, Maharashtra Right to Information Act was considered as the model act in promoting transparency, accountability and responsiveness in all the Institutes of the State as well as the private organizations which are getting financial support from the Government. Tamil Nadu Act was considered as the most innovative one in how to refuse the information to the seekers.
The growing demand for a right to public information from various sections of the society, led by civil society organisations in these States could no longer be ignored. The need to enact a law on right to information was recognised unanimously by the Chief Ministers Conference on “Effective and Responsive Government”, held on 24th May, 1997 at New Delhi. The Government of India, Department of Personnel, decided to set-up a ‘Working Group’ (on the ‘Right to Information and Promotion of Open and Transparent Government’) in January 1997 under the chairmanship of Mr. H. D. Shouri, which submitted its comprehensive and detailed report and the draft Bill on Freedom of Information in May 1997. The Press Council of India, the Press Institute of India, the ‘National Campaign for People’s Right to Information’ and the Forum for Right to Information unanimously submitted a resolution to the Government of India to amend the proposed Bill in February, 2000.
The Government of India introduced the Freedom of Information Bill, 2000 (Bill No.98 of 2000) in the Lok Sabha on 25th July, 2000. The Bill, which cast an obligation upon public authorities to furnish such information wherever asked for, was passed by the Parliament as the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, 2002. However, the Act could not be brought into force because the date from which the Act could come into force, was not notified in the Official Gazette.
National Advisory Council (NAC) was set up by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government which came at the centre in 2004. FoI Act was a very weak law and did not confer the deserving status of constitutional status to RTI. NAC recommended various changes to be incorporated in FoI Act. The central government decided to make changes which would make the Act more participatory and meaningful. But later on the government decided to repeal the FoI Act, and enacted a new legislation, the Right to Information Act, 2005, to provide an effective framework for effectuating the right of information recognised under Article 19 of the Constitution of India.
Prime Minister of India, emphasizing on the importance of RTI in the governance of country, reflected the culmination of what was a sporadically vehement movement initiated by the otherwise disempowered masses. He said, “Four years ago I said to you that an important challenge we face is the challenge of providing good governance. We have taken several steps to make Government transparent, efficient and responsive. The Right to Information Act was one major step. We have initiated reform and modernization of Government.’[31]
This is in very brief a humble effort to trace the evolutionary odyssey of RTI in India. The detailed analysis along with the salient features of the RTI Act, 2005 will be done in the next part of the project.

Part B – Critical Analysis of the working of the Right to Information Act, 2005 in India
Till now, we have traced the procedure and what went into the enactment of RTI Act, 2005 in India. Rationally, nothing is foolproof and nothing is completely wrong. Same applies on the aforesaid statute too. Undoubtedly it has ushered in the new era the democratic culture of India, but it suffers from certain loopholes too, which may be obviated in future.
B.1 Objectives of the Act
Objective of the Act is to establish “the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commission and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.”[32]
Transparency and accountability of the public authority therefore are two main objectives which the Act seeks to achieve. Provisions are therefore society centric aiming towards the empowerment of people making them participate in the country’s democratic process. Survival of a democratic government is highly dependable on the accountability of the public functionaries. Absence of it breeds unrest and generated apathy in masses against the system. Accountability can be achieved by providing information to the people about the functioning of government. It is a prerequisite towards a real participatory democracy. People can play important role in a democracy only if it is an open government where there is full access to information in regard to functioning of government.[33]
The major objectives of the act can be summed up as following:-
i) Greater Transparency in functioning of public authorities.
ii) Improvement in accountability and performance of the Government.
iii) Promotion of partnership between citizens and the Government in decision making process; and
iv) Reduction in corruption in the Government departments.
Passing of this Act has been result of strivings of the public spirited citizens like H. D. Shourie, Aruna Roy, Arvind Kejriwal and many NGOs working for the betterment of people. The objectives stated above need to be fulfilled in order to justify the sovereignty granted to the “people of India” by the Constitution, in real sense.

B.2 Important provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005
RTI Act, 2005 contains provisions which impart it the nature same to that of a code. It elaborately deals with the necessary definitions, constitution of the Information Commissions both at the state and central level, imposition of penalty, rule making power conferred upon appropriate governments etc. It is not possible to deal with all the provisions in detail. Therefore, some of the important provisions are discussed as following:
B.2.1 Scope of Application
Perusal of the Act clearly signifies that it is applicable both to Central and State governments and all public authorities. A “public authority”[34] which is bound to furnish information means any authority or body or institution of self-government established or constituted (a) by or under the Constitution, (b) by any other law made by Parliament, (c) by any other law made by State Legislature, (d) by a notification issued or order made by the appropriate Government and includes any (i) body owned, controlled or substantially financed, (ii) non-government organizations substantially financed, - which, in clauses (a) to (d) are all, directly or indirectly funded by the appropriate Government.
B.2.2 Meaning of ‘Information’
Section 2 (f) of the Act defines information as any material in any form, including the records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, log books, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any law for the time being in force.
This makes it very clear that the Act regards only that as information which is in written form. An opinion is not information until it is written. Therefore, the definition of information as postulated by the Act does not include oral expressions.
B.2.3 Definition of ‘Right to Information’
The “right to information” statutorily refers to as a right to information accessible under the Act which is held by or under the control of any public authority and includes a right to (i) inspection of work, documents, records, (ii) taking notes, extracts, certified copies of documents and records, (ii) taking separate samples of material, (iv) obtaining information in the form of diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printouts where such information is stored in a computer or in any other device.[35]
B.2.4 Maintenance and Publication of Records
Proactive disclosure of information by the public authorities has been provided under s.4 (1) of the Act. The provision castes a duty on public authorities to maintain records for easy access and to publish within 120 days of enactment of the statute the name of the particular officers who should give the information and in regard to the framing of the rules, regulations etc. For this purpose, s. 4 (3) states that for the performance of subsection (1), all information shall be disseminated widely and in such form and manner which is easily accessible to the public.

B.2.5 Request for information
s.6 permits persons to obtain information in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area from the designated officers. The person requesting for information is not required to give any reason for the request and personal details.
B.2.6 Disposal of request
Section 7 of the Act requires the request to be disposed of within 30 days provided that where information sought for concerns the life or liberty of a person, the same shall be provided within 48 hours.
Before any decision is taken for furnishing the information, the designated officer shall take into consideration the representation, if any, made by a third party under s. 11.[36] A request rejected shall be communicated under s. 7 (8) giving reasons and specifying the procedure for appeal and the designation of the appellate authority. Information is exempted from disclosure where it would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or would be detrimental to the safety and preservation of record in question.[37]
B.2.7 Exemptions from the disclosure of information
There are certain sorts of information which are exempted from disclosure. Such an exception has been incorporated within the mechanism of the Act, in order of not compromising with national security and integrity. Their disclosure might hamper the very existence of the state as well as detriment the national interests. Section 8 exempts from disclosure certain information and contents as stated in sub clauses (a) to (j) thereof.
Information expressly forbidden by any court of law or tribunal or the disclosure of which may constitute contempt of court[38]; information which could impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders[39] are some of those which are exempted from disclosure.
Section 8 (2) provides that a public authority may allow access to information if public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm to the protected interests. Moreover s. 8 (3) exempts information regarding matters or events which happened 20 years before the date of application seeking information.
It is significant to note that the Act is not applicable to certain intelligence and security organizations contained in the Second schedule of the Act[40] (such organizations may be omitted from the schedule or new organizations may be added by the central government[41]). However proviso to s. 24 (1) provides that in case the demand for information pertains to allegations of corruption and human rights violations, the Act shall apply to such institutions.
B.2.8 Other important provisions
§ ss. 12 and 15 provide for the constitution of Central Information Commission and State Information Commission respectively.
§ s. 18 deals with powers and functions of the Information Commissions.
§ s. 20 provides penalties for non – furnishing information as required by the Act in a sum of Rs. 250/- per day but not exceeding Rs. 25000.
§ s. 21 states that no suit or prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is done in good faith or intended to be done under the Act or rules.
§ s. 22 overrides the Official Secrets Act, 1923 or ant other law for the time being in force insofar as they are inconsistent with the Act.
§ s. 23 bars all courts from entertaining any suit, application, or other proceeding in respect of any order made under the Act and every order under the Act should be first appealed against.
§ s. 25 imposes an obligation on the Central Information Commission[42] and the State Information Commission[43] to prepare an annual report on the implementation of the provisions of the Act in that year and forward it to the appropriate government.

B.3 Salient features of the Right to Information Act, 2005
Specifically, the main objectives of the law on RTI are: to operationalise the fundamental right to information; to set up systems and mechanisms that facilitate people’s easy access to information; to promote transparency and accountability in governance; to minimize corruption and inefficiency in public offices and to ensure people’s participation in governance and decision making.[44]
RTI can be said to be based on two main concepts:
(a) The right of the public to access the information and the corresponding duty of the Government to meet the request, unless specifically defined exemptions apply;
(b) The duty of the Government to proactively provide certain key information even in absence of a request.
The RTI Act, 2005 basically has two parts- (a) substantive law, and (b) procedural law. Section 3 coupled with some other provisions like ss. 8, 9, 18, 19 and 20 of the Act deal with substantive law while s.6 along with some other provisions like s.7 of the Act deal with procedural law. Thus the Act is a code in itself.[45]
These are some of the main features which make this legislation a positive step towards the realization of tenets that have been conceived by the founding fathers of the Constitution.

B.3.1 Deficiencies in the Right to Information Act, 2005
Improvements are always possible in a statute, because shortcomings are perceivable only after implementation process starts. Problems can occur both at the drafting or implementation level. RTI Act, 2005 is undoubtedly a progressive step towards the just and equitable environment. It has been marred by some shortcomings which has impeded successful implementation of the Act and resulted in its under-performance.
Some of the shortcomings are as following:-
The Act provides for appointment of Public Information Officers[46] in each of the public authority institutions at different levels, for free flow of information. There was delay in such appointments unfortunately even after the lapse of the time limit mandated by the Act. Moreover, sometimes there is not specific mention of the Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers by the departments thereby confusing the people about whom to address and serve request seeking the information.
Obligations of public authorities[47] as conceived by the Act in form of proactive disclosure of the information have not been carried out satisfactorily. Various NGOs and public spirited citizens have raised easy disclosure of relevant information by the public authorities themselves, so that common people are saved from resorting to the statutory way for seeking the same.
There have been grievances of the applicants that information is not provided to them in their regional language. This is against the statutory spirit contained in s. 6 (1) of the Act which makes it clear that information is to be provided in Hindi or English or in the official language of the area in which the application is being made.
It might be feasible, but the provision of taking fees[48] for disclosing the information seems to be against the spirit of the right and the Act too. It is quite paradoxical that a person has to pay for availing information which is a fundamental human right, which has been consecrated even by the Constitution. Being a legislation which is socially oriented, it strikes wrong chord at this place, by creating a hiatus between people on the economic basis. Information can be easily accessed by the affluent classes whereas same is not so comfortable for the students and lower strata of middle class.
Logical reasons for the rejection of the requests seeking information are not being provided as required by s. 7 (8) of the Act. Moreover, exemption clause contained in s. 8 of the Act is being misused to veil the misdeeds in the name of secrecy essential for national security, integrity etc. Although the inclusion of a public interest override is a huge step forward, the fact that the exemptions only contain a low level harm test requiring that relevant interests are only ”harmed” or “prejudicially affected” could be used to block a lot of applications at the initial stages[49].
One more difficulty is required to be solved at earliest. Rule making power is conferred on the Central Government and State Government simultaneously and independently. The RTI Act is a central legislation and it has to be enforced uniformly throughout India. When such is the case, the rule making authority granted to the State Governments should have been made subject to the rules which may be made by the Centre and any rule when made by the State if it conflicts with the Central rule shall have a prior approval of the Central government. The dichotomy created in the field of rule making power shall be removed by making the power of the State Government to make rules subject to Central approval either prior to making the rule or thereafter seeking ratification. Glaring example of the same possibility has been the recent order of the Uttar Pradesh Government including some important public authorities in the Second Schedule by using the power granted under s. 24 (2) of the Act.
Although the Act bestows power upon the CIC and SIC to impose penalties[50] of Rs. 250 up to Rs. 25000 on erring officials indulging in unreasonable non disclosure of information. But it does not have such a deterrent effect on the power wielding officials. However, recommendation for disciplinary action is seemingly effective but even it is not sufficient for the strict implementations of the RTI Act, 2005. Lack of such teeth which may bite the officials through the rigours of law and enable the establishment of an accountable and transparent regime.
There is no specific safeguard for the protection of person from the harm he may suffer after seeking the information through the Act. It should not be forgotten that if a person seeks information which is potentially harmful for the authorities superior to him, he can be subjected to ill treatment later. For example, if a student asks for information from the school or college or university in which he, she is studying there are ample of chances that he could be made to suffer in future because of such a step taken by hi. There should be promulgation of some safeguard in this regard, so that one can resort to using the Act fear free.
B.3.2 Achievements / success stories of the Right to Information Act, 2005
I deliberately placed the shortcomings/deficiencies prior to the achievements/success stories because it is always better to end on a good note. That is to say, it is quite natural that some loopholes remain in the process towards advancement. Situation is more cumbersome when efforts are centered on the realms of law striving to realize the rights which the system is not willing to yield to the common people. In this regard, the mere passing of the RTI Act, 2005 is a humongous achievement in itself. There have been several success stories too which corroborate the claims of the good done by the Act.
All citizens shall have the right to information.[51] This statement heralds the novelty which RTI Act has succeeded in bringing to the fore. Various provisions such as disposal of request within a specific time frame i.e. 30 days[52] reflect the importance of the right. Simultaneously it also emphasises on the responsibility that need to be shown by the authorities. Similarly, imposition of penalties[53], reporting and monitoring by the Information Commissions[54], are commendable efforts which will fructify if implemented sincerely.
Let us now see some of the success stories which also display the change that RTI has brought in the lives of the people. Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti in Assam used Right to Information to expose diversion of food grains from PDS allotted to the poor.[55] Women in a small village, Banakhandi, in West Bengal filed more than 100 Right to Information applications to force the administration to start work on supply of drinking water.[56] Students forced Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to disclose cut-off marks, scaling method and model answers.[57] CIC in a recent decision gave access to, not just your answer sheets, but also your class mate’s answer sheets, after evaluation.[58] These are just some of the few incidents which reveal the betterment brought upon by the enactment of RTI Act, which would have not been possible in the absence of the state.
It should however be kept in mind that, under the Act, where a citizen has exhausted the remedy of appeal or second appeal, the finality given to the orders of the commissioners and appellate authorities is only for the purposes of the Act and the citizen has a right to approach the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India or where it refers to a fundamental right, he may even approach the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution of India.[59]

B.4 Right to Information and Good Governance
Success of a democratic framework depends on good governance. It can be achieved by efficient and effective administration. As per a paper prepared by the Human Rights Initiative, good governance has eight major facets. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. RTI is one of the most important methods of attainment of good governance, which is necessary for ensuring sustainable human development.
Corruption is major hindrance in the growth of any system. Dangers are more in a democratic system, where development of people who have reposed their faith by electing the government to power does not takes place. Conditions become more aggravated when basic information related to the people is not disclosed in the garb of maintenance of secrecy. In fact this culture of secrecy breeds nepotism and increases corruption to an obnoxious level. Information therefore is an antidote to corruption[60]. It limits the abuse of discretion and protects civil liberties.
The whole relation of RTI and “good governance” finds its mention in the address of the Prime Minister of India, who, while piloting the Bill for its passage by the National Parliament, stated, as under, on May 11, 2005:
“I believe that the passage of this Bill will see the dawn of a new era in our processes of governance, an era of performance and efficiency, an era which will ensure that benefits of growth flow to all sections of our people, an era which will eliminate the scourge of corruption, an era which will bring the common man’s concern to the heart of all processes of governance, an era which will truly fulfill the hopes of the founding fathers of our Republic.”

B.5 Performance of the Right to Information Act, 2005
The passage of RTI Act has up to a certain extent infused transparency and accountability in the working of public departments. This has increased the efficiency of decision making process. This has led to reduction in corruption in the country as evident from the following:
i) The Transparency International (TI) has reported that perceived corruption in India (a score of 3.5 out of 10)has declined at the rate of about 15-20 per cent per year, due mainly to the implementation of the RTI Act.
ii) The Centre for Media Studies in collaboration with TI has recently accomplished an all India survey study (un-published) of the poor below the poverty line. The views of the poor have been elicited in respect of all the flagship programmes that have been implemented for alleviation of poverty. At least 40 per cent of the respondents have reported that corruption has declined.
iii) It has also been observed that wherever NGOs are actively involved in the development activities, the perceived corruption is abysmally low.
The progress of RTI Act has been studied by PRIA (Society for Participatory Research in Asia) in August 2006. In order to track the progress of RTI Act in 12 states (Himachal Pradesh, Haryana Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat and Bihar), PRIA decided to conduct a study on a set of indicators namely the constitution of State Information Commission and its role, role of Nodal agencies, appointment of PIOs, experience of seeking information from PIOs, mandatory disclosure under section IV of RTI Act and role of government in educating people under Section 26 of the Act. The study indicated the following results, which are discussed in very brief manner as following:-
The constitution of SIC in some states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, the constitution of SIC was delayed by several months.
Inadequate infrastructure and working staff has been provided to the SIC.
There has been a general tendency of non imposition of penalties on the PIOs[61] who have indulged in dereliction of duty.
People belonging to rural areas feel that appeal process is very expensive.
Public Information Officers have been appointed in most public authorities in the states. The process of accessing information by people has started slowly through Right to Information Act. However, there exits great confusion in definition of public authority.
Most of the PIOs at state level and district level are not cooperative and they sometimes threaten applicants to withdraw applications. PIOs should be given more training so that they are sensitive to people’s need and PIOs who are guilty of deliberate denial of information should be penalized.
Most of the ministries and directorate level offices in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and Andhra Pradesh have disclosed information about their activities on their website, while some are still lagging. Department of Agriculture (Rajasthan, UP, Uttaranchal, AP) has done well in self disclosure, have covered most of the items of Section 4 of RTI Act.
It is surprising to find that self-disclosure at district, block and panchayat level have not started in the twelve states, so the departments, which are closer to the people are still lagging behind in the implementation of s.4 of the Act.
It is quite striking that unawareness about RTI in rural areas is very highly. The applications within the Act are mostly file the educated classes and urban people. The percentage of people still oblivious about provisions of the Act and more importantly about their right is very high.

Part C- Conclusion
“The Right to know is not meant for gratifying idle curiosity
or mere inquisitiveness but is essential for the effective functioning of democracy.
Transparency and accountability are sine qua non in a genuine democracy.”[62]
Soli J. Sorabjee
Importance of the information is very aptly echoed in the words of James Madison who said, “Knowledge will for ever govern ignorance and people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. A popular government without popular information is or the means of obtaining it, is but a prologue to a force or tragedy or perhaps both.” India now can proudly proclaim that its citizens today have been conferred with specific RTI, which will surely lead them towards the path of development. Although there are still some shortcoming but it can not be allowed to dominate the growth of a healthy democratic atmosphere- especially in a country which happens to be the largest democracy in the world.
Harsh Mander and Abha Joshi in their study titled “THE MOVEMENT FOR RIGHT TO INFORMATION IN INDIA: People’s Power for the Control of Corruption” opined that “information is power, and that the executive at all levels attempts to withhold information to increase its scope for control, patronage, and the arbitrary, corrupt and unaccountable exercise of power. Therefore, demystification of rules and procedures, complete transparency and pro-active dissemination of this relevant information amongst the public is potentially a very strong safeguard against corruption.”
Combating corruption which has been a major concern for our country for decades has a solution potentially in the hands of RTI. It is therefore, quite safe to assert that RTI is a means as well as end to achieve democracy in its truest meaning. This can be achieved by development of a comprehensive information management system and by the promotion of information literacy among the masses. This will positively lead to ultimate realization of the objectives of RTI viz. transparency and accountability. An informed citizenry is a condition precedent to democracy.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Kumar Dr. Niraj, Treatise on RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005, Bharat Law House, New Delhi (2007).
2. Chandra Dr. U., Human Rights, Allahabad Law Agency Publications, Allahabad, 7th Edition (2007).
3. Rao Prof. (Dr.) S. V. Joga, Law Relating to Right to Information, First edition (2009).
4. Sathe S. P., Right to Information, Lexis Nexis Butterworths.
5. Das P. K., Handbook on The Right to Information Act, 2005, Universal Publication, 2005 Edition.
6. Shukla V. N., Constitution of India, Eastern book Company, Lucknow, 10th Edition.
7. Frontline magazine.
8. Nyayadeep.
Online research
§ http://www.humanrightsinitiative.org
§ http://www.freedominfo.org/
§ http://www.parivartan.com/home.asp
§ http://www.rti.org.in
§ http://www.rtiindia.org
§ http://www.pudr.org
§ http://www.google.co.in/

[1] The Right to Information Bill, 2005 was passed by the Lok Sabha on 11th May, 2005 and by the Rajya Sabha on 12th May, 2005 and it received the assent of the President on 15th June, 2005. But all the provisions came into force with effect from 12th October, 2005.

[2] Hereinafter referred as RTI.
[3] AIR 1973 SC 1461
[4] Prof. (Dr.) S. V. Joga Rao, Law Relating to Right to Information, 1st Edition (2009)
[5] S.P. Sathe, Right to Information, Lexis Nexis Butterworths.

[6] Avinash Sharma, “Right to Information : A Constitutional Perspective”, Vol. VIII Nyayadeep, see at pg. 121

[7] Conway v. Rimmer, (1968) A. C. 910.

[8] R. v. Secretary of State for the Home Department Ex P. Simms, (2000) 2 LR 115 (AC).
[9] Schwartz, Administrative Law, p.129, (1984).

[10] Thomas Emerson, Legal Foundation of Right to know, Washington University Law Quarterly, p.2 (1976).

[11] Lamont v. Post Master General, 14 Lawyer Edition 2d. 398 (1965).

[12] 22 L. Ed. 2d. 24. 542 (1969).

[13] Article 14 of the Declaration of the Rights of Man, cited in S. P. Sathe, Right to Information, pg. 11.

[14] United Nations General Assembly, resolution 59(1), 65th plenary meeting, 14 December 1946.
[15] See 9 EHRR 433, para 74, cited in S. P. Sathe, Right to Information, pg .15.
[16] Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.- (1) All citizens shall have the right-
(a) to freedom of speech and expression….
[17] AIR 1960 SC 554.

[18] AIR 1973 SC 106.

[19] AIR 1975 SC 885.
[20] AIR 1982 SC 149.
[21] AIR 1986 SC 1773.
[22] Bombay Environmental Action Group v. Pune Cantonment Board, SLP (Civil) 11291/1986 (13th October, 1986), unreported, but reproduced in A. Rosencranz (et al ed.), Environmental Law and Policy in India, Cases, Materials and Statutes, p.149 (Tripathi Publication, Bombay, 1991) cited in Avinash Sharma, “Right to Information: A Constitutional Perspective”, Nyayadeep, Vol VIII, Issue 3.

[23] Union of India v. Association for Democratic Reforms, AIR 2002 SC 2112.

[24] (2002) 5 SCC 399.
[25] (1995) 2 SCC 161.
[26] People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India, AIR 2003 SC 2363.
[27] Essar Oil Ltd. V. Haldar Utkarsha Samiti, AIR 2004 SC 1834.
[28] Tarunabh Khaitan, “Dismantling the walls of secrecy”, Frontline, 44 (February 27, 2009).
[29] Supra footnote 28.

[30] S. P. Gupta v. Union of India, AIR 1982 SC 149, p. 234.
[31] The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, addressing the Nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 62nd Independence Day.
[32] The preamble to the RTI Act, 2005.
[33] People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India, AIR 2003 SC 2363.
[34] s. 2 (h) of RTI Act, 2005.
[35] s. 2 (j) of RTI Act, 2005.
[36] s. 7 (7) of RTI Act, 2005.

[37] s. 7 (9) of RTI Act, 2005.
[38] s. 8 (1) (b) of RTI Act, 2005.

[39] s. 8 (1) (h) of RTI Act, 2005.

[40] s. 24 (1) of RTI Act, 2005.

[41] s. 24 () of RTI Act, 2005.
[42] Hereinafter referred as CIC.

[43] Hereinafter referred as SIC.
[44] M. M. Ansari (Information Commissioner), Impact of Right to Information on Development: A Perspective on India’s Recent Experiences, An invited lecture delivered at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France, on May 15, 2008.

[45] Dr. Niraj Kumar, Treatise on Right to Information Act, 2005, 530 (First edition, 2007).
[46] s. 5 of RTI Act, 2005.

[47] s. 4 of RTI Act, 2005.
[48] ss. 6 (1) and 7 (1) of RTI Act, 2005.
[49] Slough, P and Rodrigues, C (2005) India’s Right To Information Movement Slough, P and Rodrigues, C (2005) India’s Right To Information Movement Information, Volume 1 Issue 1 Published 21 March 2005.

[50] s. 20 of RTI Act, 2005.
[51] s. 3 of RTI Act, 2005.

[52] s. 7 (1) of RTI Act, 2005.

[53] s. 20 of RTI Act, 2005.

[54] s. 25 of RTI Act, 2005

[55] Samudra Gupta Kashyap, After Right to Information disclosure, raids reveal PDS rice in godown,

[56] Business Standard, Village women use Right to Information to get drinking water,3 Oct.2008.

[57] 354/IC(A)/2006-13 Nov. 2006.

[58] CIC/MA/C/2008/00221, 9 June 2008.
[59] Justice Y. K. Sabharwal, “Right to Information and Good Governance”, Vol. VII, Issue 4, Nyayadeep, 23.
[60] Justice Y. K. Sabharwal, “Right to Information and Good Governance”, Vol. VII, Issue 4, Nyayadeep, 29.
[61] Public Information Officers.
[62] B. N. Kirpal, Ashok H. Desai, Gopal Subramanium, Rajeev Dhawan and Raju Ramchandran (Eds.), Supreme But Not Infallible- Essays in Honour of the Supreme Court of India, p. 354 (Oxford University Press, 2004) cited in Avinash Sharma, “Right to Information : A Constitutional Perspective”, Vol. VIII Nyayadeep, see at pg. 119.

तुम तन्हा

2009-08-04T09:27:00.000+05:30

तुम तन्हा कहाँ छोड़ गए

बस इतनी सी बात पर मुंह मोड़ गए
कल ही तो किया था तुमने इकरार
और आज ही अपना इरादा भूल गए।

ग़म है मुझे इसमे कोई शक नहीं
इस अंदाज़ से तुम दिल तोड़ गए
नाज़ुक सी सिसकी की जगह
बेवफाई के झटके से झंक्झोड़ गए।

इश्क बराबरी तो नहीं चाहती रसूखों की
तुम तो चाहत का तकाजा दे छोड़ गए
जितने सलीके से बनाया था सब कुछ
उतनी ही बेदर्दी से सब कुछ छोड़ गए।

अपनी राख से भी ना उठ पाता है
'अशांत' की कुछ ऐसी हस्ती छोड़ गए
अजनबी भी क्या आज बन पाऊंगा
मेरी रूह तक भी तो तुम निचोड़ गए।

ना ग़म है तन्हाई का
ना ही तेरी रुसवाई का
समझ न पाते हैं ख़ुद को
ये कैसा मुझे तुम छोड़ गए??

अशांत

इतना आज वक्त नहीं

2009-08-04T09:13:00.000+05:30

दूसरों के लिए सोचें ज़रा

इतना आज वक्त नहीं

दिल से रो और हँस सके

इतना आज वक्त नहीं

दूसरों को दिखाने से फुर्सत कहाँ

कुछ सच्चा सोचने का वक्त नहीं

जिस्म के आगे बढ़ सकें हम

इतना आज वक्त नहीं

आँसू बहता है तो बहने दें

रूमाल देने का आज वक्त नहीं

दोस्ती जरिया काम बनाने का

दोस्ती के जज्बे का वक्त नहीं

पैसे की अहमियत बढ़ी इस कदर

घर की मिठाई का आज वक्त नहीं

रिक्शे पर बैठते हैं चढ़ कर

पैदल चलने का वक्त नहीं

'मैं' कुछ इतना बड़ा हो गया

'हम' का आज वक्त नहीं

दो मिनट में हो जाती है बातें

चिट्ठी लिखने का वक्त नहीं

उल्फत रसूख का जरिया है

सच्ची मोहब्बत का वक्त नहीं

मन ही रख सकता है अशांत

चैन से सोचने का वक्त नहीं।

अशांत

ढूँढता रहा!!

2009-07-28T22:46:00.000+05:30

बादलों में सूरज ढूँढता रहा
रास्तों में मील के पत्थर ढूँढता रहा
जिसकी ज़रूरत थी वो पास ही था
और मैं उसे कहाँ कहाँ ढूँढता रहा।

सामने रह कर भी ना नज़र आया
मैं यहीं था ना जाने वो कब आया
बाहें पकड़े बगल ही बैठा था
और मैं उसे कहाँ कहाँ ढूँढता रहा।

डूबे हुए सूरज में कुछ ऐसा डूबा रहा
दिन का उजाला ना कभी नज़र आया
वो मुझे हरदम देता रहा हौसला
और मैं उसे कहाँ कहाँ ढूँढता रहा।

उलझनों में उलझ गया कुछ इस कदर
नए रिश्ते न कुछ बना पाया
एक बेनाम सा जो था साथ में
ना जाने उसे कहाँ कहाँ ढूँढता रहा।

तू माने या ना माने 'अशांत'
तू कातिल है अपनी ज़िन्दगी का
जो कभी तेरा था ही नहीं
उसे तू कहाँ कहाँ ढूँढता रहा।

अशांत

टापर (TOPPER)

2009-07-19T21:09:00.000+05:30

भारतीय सामाजिक एवं शैक्षणिक पृष्ठभूमि में एक भिन्न भांति की व्यवस्था है जो की साधारण मनुष्यों में से कुछ सौभाग्यशालियों को ऊंचा दर्जा प्रदान करती है। जैसे ही कोई साधारण मनुष्य अपने प्रयासों, कयासों, या पहुँच के कारण इस वर्गीकरण में स्थान पाया है, तब उसका अतुल्य महिमामंडन अकल्पनीय होता है। पूर्व का साधारण सा मनुष्य क्षण भर में अभूतपूर्व बन जाता है। इन प्रकार के मनुष्यों को जनसाधारण 'टापर' के नाम से जानते हैं।

हर बड़े शब्द की परिभाषा अवश्य होती है। पर समझ नही आता कि इतना महत्त्वपूर्ण शब्द कैसे छूट गया। अब अगर बुद्धिजीवियों से भूल हो ही गई है तो मई ही उसका परिमार्जन कर देता हूँ।
परिभाषा- मनुष्यों की एक ऐसी प्रजाति जो कि परीक्षाओं में सर्वोत्तम अंक पाने में अभ्यस्त होती है और जिसके फलस्वरुप उसका सामाजिक जीवन में उत्थान होता है, उसे टापर कहते हैं।

मेरे विचार में टापर 'मार्क्स'वाद ('Marks'ism) की देन है। असली मार्क्सवाद तो काफ़ी अव्यवहारिक सिद्धांत प्रमाणित हो चुका है। इस सन्दर्भ आम राय भी बन चुकी है। किंतु मैं जिस मार्क्सवाद की बात कर रहा हूँ उसकी जड़ें भ्रष्टाचार और आतंकवाद ही की तरह काफ़ी गहरी जमी हुई हैं। असमानता और असंतोष पैदा करने वाला टापरीकरण सिद्धांत प्रबलतम रूप में ऐसे परिणाम लाने में सक्षम है।

वर्तमान परिप्रेक्ष्य में शिक्षा के हर एक स्तर पर हर कोई टापर के तमगे के लिए निरंतर संघर्ष कर रहा है। जिसे मिल गया है वो उसी गुमान में मस्त है और जिसे नही मिला है वो बदगुमानी में बदमस्त है। यह एक प्रकार की अभिजातीय व्यवस्था है जहाँ ज्ञान और शिक्षा से कोई वास्ता नहीं है। यहाँ एक मात्र गुण की महत्ता एवं पहचान है और वो है तथ्यों की पकी पकाई मलाई का भरपूर सेवन करना। अत्यधिक मात्र में इसके सेवन से टापर को बदहजमी तक हो जाती है। परिणामवश वो हल्का हो जाता है और उसके पैर ज़मीन पर नही पड़ते। ज्ञान का हाजमोला भी नोट्स की गैस को कम नही कर पता। किंतु प्रशंसनीय रूप से सतही ज्ञान की भण्डार इस प्रजाति ने छद्म बुद्धिजीवी आवरण पहनने में असोचनीय विशिष्टता प्राप्त कर ली है।

श्रीलाल शुक्ला जी ने अपने कालजयी उपन्यास 'राग दरबारी' में भारतीय शिक्षा व्यवस्था पर कटाक्ष करते हुए कहा है कि हमारी शिक्षा व्यवस्था सड़क पर बैठी हुई कुतिया के समान है, जिसका मन हुआ उसे लात मार देता है। टापरीकरण के अनन्य समर्थकों को यह एक करारा जवाब है जो कि इस व्यवस्था को प्रतियोगिता के नाम पर उचित बतलाते हैं। पर बेशर्मी की हद तो ये है कि इसका भी काट कुछ लोगों ने ढूँढ लिया है, जो कि इस कुतिया का आयात निर्यात करके इसे ऊंची नस्ल की होने का दावा करते हैं। भारत में कई जगह उच्च स्तर पर शिक्षण संस्थाओं ने इस बला से मुक्ति पाने का प्रयास किया है। किंतु इतने वृहद् पैमाने पर फैली अव्यवस्था का अत्यन्त ही केंद्रीय प्रयास द्वारा उन्मूलन असम्भव है। और वैसे भी अपवाद अपवाद होता है,सिद्धांत तो जनसाधारण ही निश्चित करते हैं। विडम्बना ही है कि जिसके पास सब बदलने की शक्ति है वो ही शक्तिहीन,विचारहीन और अवलंबित होकर ख़ुद को दुर्व्यवस्था की चक्की में विधिवत पीस रहा है। टापर की विशेषताएं बताने में मैं अपना समय नष्ट नही करूँगा क्योंकि समझदार को इशारा ही काफ़ी है। फिलहाल हम गांधीजी के देश से सम्बन्ध रखते हैं और उन्होंने ही न्यूटन के सिद्धांत का एक विरोधी सिद्धांत दिया है। उसका उल्लेख नही करुंगा किंतु यह स्पष्ट करना चाहूँगा की उस नियम का पालन हमारा देश यथाशक्ति कर रहा है। हर प्रकार विद्या और ज्ञान का शोषण कर रही टापरीकरण व्यवस्था जब हमारे गाल पर तमाचा मारती है ( ना जाने कितने छात्र पढ़ाई के दबाव में आत्महत्या कर रहे है और अनगिनत छात्र रोज़ घुट घुट कर परोक्ष एवं अपरोक्ष रूप में मर रहे है)तो हम स्वतः अपना दूसरा गाल आगे बढ़ा देते हैं(एक और नयी परीक्षा पहले से ही बोझिल कन्धों पर डाल देते हैं)। हमारे मन में शायद ये आशा बलवती है कि इस सिद्धांत के प्रयोग से जब शक्तिशाली अँगरेज़ भाग गए तो क्या ये व्यवस्था न जायेगी। आख़िर हर फल के लिए कर्म ज़रूरी तो नही है ना। टापरीकरण ने हमें अवनति की धुरी में बाँध कर हमारी चिन्तन्शक्ति को कुंद कर दिया है, जिसके कारण हम सुधार करना तो दूर, ऐसा करने की सोच भी नही रहे।

अब तो ये लगता है कि 'टापर निषेधक अधिनियम' (Topper Abolition Act) द्वारा ही प्रतिभा और मौलिक चिंतन को टापरीकरण के 'रटीले' विषैले वातावरण से बचाया जा सकता है। शायद तभी समानता का मूल अधिकार मूर्त रूप ले सकेगा। और तभी शायद वास्तविक मेधा चिंतन करके पुरातन काल के समान भारतीय ज्ञान से विश्व को आच्छादित कर करेगी। अन्यथा वर्तमान स्थिति तो पूर्ण रूप से माता के अभिजात आवरण, सिफारिशवादऔर छिछले ज्ञान के कोहरे के माध्यम से वास्तविक प्रकाश से वातावरण को आलोकित करने से रोक रही है। दम्भी और स्वकेंद्रित टापरीकरण व्यवस्था हर प्रकार से मौलिक विचारों का हनन कर रही है। वास्तविक विकास हेतु मौलिक अभिव्यक्ति को आगे लाना होगा और विभिन्न धाराओं की विचारों के निषेचन द्वारा उन्हें प्रगतिशील बनाना होगा। समानता तभी आएगी और यह हमेशा याद रखना चाहिए कि जो उच्च है वो सदैव उच्च रहेगा। और उसी स्थिति में प्रतिभा एवं मौलिकता किसी मोहर, अंकतालिका या प्रशस्तिपत्र कि मोहताज़ नही रह जायेगी। 'मार्क्स'वाद ('Marks'ism) तभी प्रतिभा और उसके यथार्थपरक परिणामों के लिए रास्ता छोड़ेगा। और अंततः तभी विशुद्ध चेतना का संचार होगा।

अशांत

आशिक कई बने है तेरे

2009-07-08T19:28:00.000+05:30

आशिक कई बने हैं तेरे
तेरी मासूमियत के वार से
नज़रें इनायत कीजिये तो ज़रा
हम भी खड़े है इस कतार में।

अपनी नजाकत न है इल्म तुझे
हर अदा दिल पर असर करती है
शबाब पर होती हैं आँहें जब
हया से तेरी नज़रें झुकती हैं।

वादे करने की रस्म है कोई
तो चलो हम पूरी कर देंगे
यकीं यूँ तो नही है इन पर
तेरे लिए ज़मीर झूठा कर देंगे।

यूँ तो बहुत है क़द्र हुई होगी
लाखों तारीफें भी मिली होंगी
पर जिन नज़रों से देखा है हमने
वो खूबसूरती न किसी ने देखी होगी।

अनजान हम है तेरे असर से
कोई दावा न मिली दर्द की
एक रहम की फरियाद है
कुछ कद्र करिए इस नाचीज़ की।

अशांत

Lease and Licence

2009-07-06T09:25:00.000+05:30

Distinction between Lease and Licence[1]
Before distinguishing the concept of lease and licence, first of all, let us see the definition of both these terms.
* Lease- Lease is the transfer of a right to enjoy an immovable property for a certain period, in consideration of price paid or promised to be paid in cash or kind.[2]
* Licence- Licence is a right to do or continue to do, in or upon the immovable property of the grantor, something which would in the absence of such right does not amount to an easement or an interest in the property.[3]
Keeping in mind these definitions let us now go through the points which distinguish a lease from a licence:
1. Lease is a transfer of interest, but licence is not.
2. Lease can be assigned, but a licence cannot. A lease being a proprietary right is a transferable interest. Licence on the other hand cannot be transferred by virtue of it being a personal right. However, there exist certain exceptions such as movie tickets.
3. Lease results in the creation of a demise or leasehold estate. It is a proprietary right in respect of the land. Licence is personal right of a person to use the land of another. It is in the nature of permission.
4. An action against the trespasser can be maintained by the lessee, because he has interest in the demise. Trespass is the violation of such interest. A licensee cannot institute any action against the trespasser, owing to the reason that he has no interest in the land of the grantor.
5. Revocation of lease can take place in any of the ways provided by the law. It is not revocable before expiry of the term and without breach of any express condition by the lessee. A licence on the other hand comes to an end by death of either party, or by alienation of the property in question. Licence is revocable at the pleasure of the grantor.
6. Lessee is required to have exclusive possession of the property for its proper enjoyment. But, a licence is created without transfer of possession. A licensee is required to share the possession with the grantor (who is still the owner) and has not parted with the interest.
7. Lease is heritable in nature. Licence is not heritable because the right extinguishes with the death of licensee.
8. In lease exclusive possession is obtained and hence lessee has exclusive control over the property. Normally in licence possession remains with the grantor.
9. Consideration is must in case of lease. But word consideration is absent in licence.
10. Lease is generally for a longer period, while licence is generally for a shorter period.
In spite of the above mentioned difference, there exists a point of similarity between a lease and licence. It is that both of them deal with immovable property.
Apparently, there is clear cut distinction between the lease and licence. But in daily course of things, it sometimes becomes very difficult to demarcate between the two. Whether an instrument creates a lease or licence, is matter of substance rather than form. A mechanism of making a licence and not a tenant by giving him possession is in vogue, in order to evade the provisions of the Rent Control Act.
It is in this regard that the following guidelines were laid down by the Supreme Court of India for the purpose of distinguishing between lease and licence.[4] They are as following:
1. Whether a document creates a lease or a licence, the substance of instrument must be referred rather than the form.
2. The real test is the intention of the parties.
3. If a document creates an interest in the property, it is a lease. But if it only permits another to make use of the property on which legal possession continues with owner, it is a licence.
4. If under the document, transferee gets exclusive possession of the property he is prima facie a lessee. But circumstances may be established which negative the intention of parties to create a lease. Therefore, difference between exclusive possession and exclusive occupation cannot be disregarded.
The emphasis on investigating the operative intent was laid by apex court again in Rajbir Kaur v. M/s. S. Choko Siri and Co.[5]. Similarly, gathering of intention of parties from the terms agreement construed in the context of surrounding antecedents and circumstances were given importance by the court in Poonam Singh Sahani v. Sundari Bhagwan Das Kriplani[6]. Nomenclature was not regarded s the final proof of the creation of lease or licence in M/s. S. A. A. Pvt. Ltd. v. Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay[7]. For this reason, installation of poll advertisement on footpath and road was held to be a licence, although words like tenancies and rent were used in agreement.
Conclusion
Based on the principles and references provided in the preceding paragraphs, it can be safely asserted that, where the transferee is entitled to have exclusive possession of property, it is a lease. Permission to use the land without right of exclusive possession results in creation of licence. However these principles are subject to various nuances already discussed in the form of judicial pronouncements and the basic points of difference.

[1] Written by Prashant Mishra, B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) – VI Semester, Faculty of Law, University of Allahabad.
[2] § 105 of The Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (hereinafter referred as TPA).
[3] § 52 of The Indian Easements Act, 1882.
[4] Associated Hotels of India Ltd. v. R. N. Kapoor, AIR 1959 SC.
[5] AIR 1988 SC.
[6] AIR 1991 SC.
[7] AIR 1990 Bom.

MJ Dead!!!

2009-07-04T09:03:00.000+05:30

Well... Well... Well... It has been quite a long time since I have expressed my self on this blog. "Project' projected me into such a tardy schedule which was further aggravated by eccentric internet facility so much so that virtual appearance became difficult task to be accomplished. However, it helped me in a way that I was able to complete my project within 1 week- quite an impresive job!! I'll be uploading he same on this blog as soon as it gets checked. But the biggest happening in the meantime was sad demise of Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson epitome of versatility was a cultural phenemenon with an unprecedented global appeal that his eternal evanescence is impossible. I liked his song "lot of days have gone...". Dancing was given a new definition by him. Number of classical dancers have dawned upon this planet, but the way in which he inspired the masses and generation of dancers is unbelievable. A person in India unable to stand a word of his song was siply overawed by his 'moonwalk'. May his soul rest in peace. He belonged to category of people who materialise the concept of change!!

Amen!!

नारी

2009-06-15T21:22:00.000+05:30

एक दिवस एक जीवन का
विभिन्न रंगों का समन्वय
ऊपर से बस खुशी दिखे
पर भीतर मानव पराभव है
ये बात है उस जीवन की
जिसकी सुबह औरों की रात है
औरों की सुबह उसकी रात है
हम मानव है, ये बड़ी शर्म की बात है।

वीभत्स रूप वासना का
पदार्पित उस प्रांगन में
पतन होता चरम पर
उसका साक्षी वो प्रांगन है
पुरूष वही जो वास्तु वास्तुसे
निर्मल प्रेम को कहता पाखण्ड है
और स्वयं वो वासना हेतु
एक नारी आत्मा करता विखंड है।

जग के इस बाज़ार में
हर चीज़ का जब मूल्य है
मानव ने अँधा होकर
बंधकर तुच्छ भावनाओं में
कुछ ऐसा है कर डाला
चूर नशे में हो हाला
उस भावना को भी ख़रीदा
सहस्त्र काल से जो अमूल्य है।

नारी है पर्याय प्रेम का
उदगार जिसके निश्छल हैं
परिभाषित क्यों है सीमा
जिसका अतित्व स्वयं अनंत है
विभिन्न रूपों की जो दाता है
स्त्री ही भार्या स्त्री ही माता है
विदित है ये सत्य जीवन का
मानव तब भी नारी चीत्कार में मग्न है।

हम मनुजों ने स्वयं सुविधा हेतु
इन कुप्रथाओं को निर्मित किया है
वो हम ही है है जिन्होंने जग में
कसी को बही किसी को वेश्या रूप दिया है
असमानता का उद्भव भी है हमी से
इश्वर सृष्टि को हमने दूषित किया है
समानता का संदेश देती प्रकृति को
हमने ही माता से कुमाता किया है।

हर नारी आज सशंकित है
हांय! समाज कितना कलंकित है
बाज़ारों में जब देह बिकती है
किसी के घर तब रोटी सिकती है
एक नारी जो दुखों से पिघलती है
वाही एक कोठेवाली से चिढ़ती है
ये न कभी वो सोचती है की
बदनाम गली उसके ही घर से निकलती है।

अशांत

2009-06-13T01:50:00.000+05:30

इस जहाँ में हमने सुना है

इबादत का कुछ ऐसा ही दस्तूर है

इंसानों का मोल कुछ नहीं

पर पत्थरों का मोल ज़रूर है।

इबादत मैंने भी की थी किसी की

वो जो शायद जहाँ में सबसे पाक था

पर उस खुदा ने भी धोखा ही दिया

मैंने सजदा छोड़ा तो फ़िर बुरा क्या किया?

अशांत

कोई बिखरा सा ख्वाब

2009-06-13T01:47:00.000+05:30

कोई बिखरा सा ख्वाब
मेरी नींदों में अब अब भी आता है
वो तो साथ छोड़ गया
पर उसका साया अब भी तड़पाता है।

हर सुबह वादा ख़ुद से होता है
कि आज से उसको भूल जायेंगे
ऐसा करने को आँखें बंद करो तो
उसका साया फ़िर तड़पाता है।

अशांत

मोहब्बत ज़रूर कीजिये

2009-06-13T01:42:00.000+05:30

अगर निभा सकिये तो मोहब्बत ज़रूर कीजिये
और अगर न हो बस में तो तौबा हुज़ूर कीजिये
अगर है जुर्रत तो ये इम्तिहान ज़रूर दीजिये
और अगर न हो बस में तो तौबा हुज़ूर कीजिये।

ये वो तालीम जो मुकम्मल नही नतीजों से
ये दिखती पूरी ख्यालों के दरीचे से
नाप लो इसको ये ऐसा इल्म नहीं
इतनी गहरी है मिलती जल्दी ज़मीन नहीं।

इसके पन्नों पर लफ्ज़ हजारों हैं
इसके पन्नों पर किस्से हजारों हैं
पर जो आसानी से समझ आए
ये वैसी है कोई किताब नहीं।

और कुछ चमकदार हो न हो
इसकी निशानी होती सुर्ख है
एक ऐसा तजुर्बा है ज़िन्दगी का
जिसमे चेहरा या आँखें होती सुर्ख है।

अशांत

कसक दिल में.....

2009-06-13T01:31:00.000+05:30

कसक दिल में उठती है
उँगलियाँ काँप जाती हैं
साँसे बेचैन होती है
बेखुदी खूब सताती है
ऐसा तब होता है जान
जब तुम्हारी याद आती है।

तेरे दर को मेरा सलाम जाता है
मेरे दिल से तुमको पैगाम जाता है
फिजाओं के एहसास रूमानी होता है
हर एक नज़ारा ख़ूबसूरत बन जाता है
ऐसा तब होता है जान
जब तुम्हारी याद आती है।

साँसे मेरी थम जाती हैं
ज़िन्दगी भी रुक जाती है
इश्क में तेरे इतना डूब जाता हूँ मैं
अपनी न कोई फ़िक्र रह जाती है
ऐसा तब होता है जान
जब तुम्हारी याद आती है।

तू औरों से बात करती है
मेरी आँखें पर तेरे लिए तरसती हैं
शायद वो तेरे अपने हैं
पर मेरे भी तो कुछ सपने हैं
ये सितम दे कर ना हमें आजमाया करो
हम क्या नही तुम्हारे अपने हैं?
ऐसा मई तब सोच जाता हूँ जान
जब तुम्हारी याद आती है।

अशांत

Cinderella Man

2009-06-08T22:15:00.000+05:30

The celluloid narrative of James J. Braddock- A Great Boxer

Analysing certain things disparages their beauty. but, I strongly feel to share a beautiful movie- Cinderella Man. Phenomenal performances by the protagonists. Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger made the emotions look so original that one could easily relate with the characters. I myself having no interest in boxing could feel adrenaline rush within me at decisive moments in the flick. Pugilism is what is imbibed in the whole film connected brilliantly with daily life. Concern and support of a loving wife is easily discernible through the subtle and sobre performance of Renee.

Quite interestingly the movie is based in the backdrop of The Great Depression, which is synonymous with the 'recession' of these times. Mention of FDR and Hoover indicate the thoughtful connectivity between Hollywood and politics. This type of inter connectivity makes such movies a treat to look upon. recession today has transformed itself from an economic jargon into a word quite familiar in general parlance. But one thing which strikes me hard, specially after watching the movie is that, are we today still left with values which can sail us through the difficult times? do we have such strong nexus with the family which stands besides us in turbulent times? The answers to these questions are hard to be elicited!!!

Resurgence is attainable through grit and determination. But it must also be backed by an honest effort, a pure heart, a lot of love and a mentor in form of Joe Gould. Yes., this movie has further strengthened my belief that a teacher must for success. Talent alone is not the panacea in this brutal world. If you have to choose a path among many a truthful advice telling you the right direction is inevitable. loads of talent combined with honest effort gaining its outlet on a wrong path can never propel one towards his/her goals.

Similarly, friendship has turned out to be such a rare entity that its rediscovery is need of the hour. Pursuing of self interest can never result in friendship. Altruism coupled with unconditional love is required for it. Something like this is available to rare people in today's extremely materialistic and megalomaniacal world. Rarity is what makes men succeed. And successful are those, who have the ability to seek this rarity and convert them into a generality in their life. All this was available to the Bulldog of Bergen.... the pride of New Jersey.. James J. Braddock!!!! He came as an underdog famished by the poverty caused by The Great Depression and overcame all the injuries to become World Haevyweight Champion.

In this way, Cinderella Man- a man which is the dream of everyone- is a title quite apt for the story. James J. Braddock was the dream of every person who was suffering from the sting of depression. He symbolised comeback from the adversities without compromising with his ideals and values. But how many 'Cinderella Men' do we have in this world today? Is it not a question to be pondered upon!!

Resile O Man!

Defeat is not the ultimate result

You have every right to resurge

Success is not got in favourable times

It is achieved amidst thorns of adversity

Resile O Man!

You are bestowed with bounty of courage

Be determined to vanquish your weakness

Really sweet are fruits of harder times

Your toil is best nutrient they can get

Resile O Man!

Do not give up that last desire to come again

Never extinguish the fire within you

Be strong and keep striking hard

The wall of bad luck will break and not YOU!!

Resile O Man!

नहीं है!!

2009-05-24T09:05:00.000+05:30

साकी तू मेरे ज़ख्मों को ना आज भर सका
तेरी शराब में आज वो पहला सा नशा नहीं है
ज़िन्दगी में मेरी न पहले से कोई फर्क है
आज तेरी ही अदा में वो जवानी नही है।

जाम हाथों से तूने आज भी है पिलाया
जो ग़म को भुला दे वैसी आज उसमे रवानी नही है
दर्द से डूबा है हम दोनों का ही अफ़साना
पर मय में आज तेरी आंखों का पानी नहीं है।

अंजुमन में हम तेरे सिर्फ़ दिल को है बहलाते
इश्क जैसी पाक कुछ अपनी खानी नहीं है
ज़माना तो अरसे से हमें बदनाम कर चुका
हम भी बेबस हमारी पास देने को कोई सफाई नहीं है।

अंधेरे में जुल्फों के हर दर्द करते हैं बयान
उजालों में दिन के अपना कोई साथी नहीं है
जानता है तू अगर जिंदगानी मेरी
कर दे गुम मुझेक्यों वो आज मदहोश जवानी नहीं है?

जानता है तू मुफलिस हूँ मई तेरे घर का
पर आज तेरे दिल में मुरव्वत की निशानी नहीं है
आज औरों सा तू भी बेदर्द हो गया
ऐ संगदिल अपने पेशे की ये निशानी नहीं है।

अशांत

ये बारिश

2009-05-24T08:55:00.000+05:30

ये बारिश मुझे तेरी याद दिलाती है
इसकी ठंडक ना मेरी तन्हाई बुझा पाती है
सोचा था इस मौसम में सुकून मिल जाएगा
पर हालातों की बिजली बहुत डराती है।

तनहा इस मौसम के नजारे देखता हूँ
रुसवा है जो किस्मत उसे ढूँढता हूँ
सामने ज़िन्दगी की नदी दिखती है
मिले तू जहाँ वो किनारा ढूँढता हूँ।

शायद सोचो जैसा चीज़ों को
वैसी ही न वो मिलती हैं
प्यार, वफ़ा, की सब जो बातें हैं
अपनी उन बातों का असर तुझमे ढूँढता हूँ।

शादाब पत्तों की हथेली पानी से भीगी है
पलकों की चिलमन के पीछे आँखें गीली हैं
इस मौसम में आँखें बंद ही रहने दो
मेरे आंसुओं को पानी होने डर लगता है।

बाहर से तन भीगा है बरसात में आज
तेरे प्यार से मन भीगा हुआ हमेशा मेरा है
फ़िर भी फुरकत की ऐसी जल रही है आग
तुझे ना पता तड़पता कितना दिल मेरा है।

अशांत

बंदिशें कारगर ना हुईं इश्क में!!

2009-05-23T17:54:00.000+05:30

बंदिशें कारगर ना हुईं इश्क में
मैं फना हुआ तुझमे मेरी जान
लाख कोशिश की अपनी हस्ती बनाने की
आख़िर में तुझमे हुआ फ़ना मेरी जान।

हर ख्वाहिश में बस यही होता है
कि मेरी चाहत का तू इस्तेकबाल करे
बातें परेशानी अपनी तू कहे मुझसे
कुछ ऐसा तू मेरा इस्तेमाल करे।

कोई ऐसी दवा काश देता खुदा मुझे
हर दीवार में मिलता तेरा दीदार मुझे
हर हवा में मिलती तेरी महक मुझे
हर ज़र्रे में काश देख सकता तुझे।

अपनी तड़प अगर नाप सकता मैं
तो उसकी हद तुझे दिखा देता मैं
इस जहाँ कि फ़िक्र अगर न होती तुझे
तो तुझे सबसे चुरा लाता मैं।

दूर अब तो ना कोई कर सकता है
इस तरह तू मुझमे समा चुकी है
मैं सच में तुझमें फ़ना हो चुका हूँ
तेरी हर साँस मुझ पर चा चुकी है।

अशांत

तेरी गली!

2009-05-21T22:29:00.000+05:30

तेरी गली मुझ पर शक कर रही है
आज मुझे देख सब से कहती है
तू कल भी यहाँ आया था
पर मैं कब गया था मुझे पता नहीं
जो वहाँ था शायद मेरा साया था।

ऐ मेरी जान तू बता तुझे क्या लगता है
क्या मैं सच में बता वहाँ आया था
अब अगर सच ही बोलना है तुझको
तो इकरार तू ही कर मेरे जुर्म का
जो मैं तेरे ख़्वाबों में आ, कर आया था।

अगर तुझे भी ना हो यकीन मेरी आमद का
तो गवाही ले अपने घर के हर ज़र्रे की
जो साबित ना कर सका अपनी सफाई में
वो बेजान से बुत साबित कर देंगे
कल जो वहाँ था वोमेरा 'साया' था।

ऐ सनम तू ही मेरा मुंसिफ बन जा
और ये इल्जाम हट दे मुझसे
बता दे इस जहाँ को तू ख़ुद ही
की है मोहब्बत और न खता कोई
और जो कल वहाँ था तेरे सादिक आशिक का साया था।

अशांत

तेरी हर बात मुझे याद आती है!!

2009-05-21T22:10:00.000+05:30

तेरी हर बात मुझे याद आती है
ज़िन्दगी होती मेरी शुरू जब दुनियासो जाती है
इस पागलपन का तुझे भी है इल्म सनम
तभी तो तू हर रात मेरे ख़्वाबों में आती है।

बेलिबास मेरी हर आरजू होती है
जब तू मेरी बाहों में होती है
तू भी बता कुछ अपना हाल-ए-जुस्तजू
जब तू जानेमन मेरे साथ होती है।

तेरी खामोशी यूँ तो बहुत बोलती है
तेरी मदहोश निगाहों में मेरी शराफत बेहोश होती है
मई तब ख़ुद का ना रह कर तेरा हो जाता हूँ
जब तू ख़ुद मेरे हाथ को थाम लेती है।

काबू न रहता है ख़ुद पर सब तेरे हवाले होता है
जब तेरी जुल्फों की गर्म खुशबू रगों में होती है
बड़ा जालिम है नशा तेरी महक का
इसी से तो सारी शरारत होती है।

संभाल कर रखना मुझको मैंने तुझे है पी लिया
ऐसे मतवाले की ना दुनिया में कोई पूछ होती है
दिल डूब चुका तुझमे इसका कोई वजूद नहीं
हम मयकशों की बस महबूब से ज़िन्दगी होती है
नहीं तो तुम जानती हो और मैंने भी सुना है
हर रोज़ बहुत शराबियों की मौत होती है।

अशांत

निकलो ना इस धूप में!!

2009-05-21T21:45:00.000+05:30

निकलो न इस धूप में
कुछ पीला पहन कर
कहीं सूरज ना छुप जाए
बदली में तुझसे घबरा कर।

तेरी रूप की शमा है जो
नही है मामूली बड़ी ख़ास है
जल जाएगा वो हर कोई
जो मुझे छोड़ तेरे पास है।

ना मुस्कुराना तुम खुल के
कहीं ये फिजा ना बहक जाए
बुझ गए थे जो इरादे जवान
कहीं ना फ़िर दहक जाएँ।

चेहरे की सुर्खी अपनी छुपा लेना
ये कमसिन जवानी ना तू गवां देना
तेरी खिदमतगार जो हवाएं हैं उनसे
मेरे लिए अपनी खुशबू बचा लेना।

ये तुम पर है चाहे जो
नेमत दुनिया पर लुटा देना
पर सारी कायनात का इश्क
बस मुझ पर ऐ जान लुटा देना।

अशांत

कब तलक

2009-05-21T19:59:00.000+05:30

कब तलक तेरे संग दो लम्हों को तर्सूंगा मैं
न जाने कब मेरे आगे तेरे जज़्बात बेपर्दा होंगे
पर ये उम्मीद है की वो शाम भी आएगी
जब कोई महफ़िल ना हमारी मुलाकात- ऐ-गवाह होगी।

ये तूने ही लिखा था मुझको जानम
की खुल के ना हुई गुफ्तगू अब तक
पर ये समझ में ना आए मुझे
की अफ़सोस है ये या ही शिकायत तेरी।

यूँ तो आंखों की जुबां बहुत कुछ कहती है
पर ये भी तुम समझो कि मोहब्बत की दूरी
तेरे कुछ लफ्जों का सहारा मांगती है
न जाने किस पल ये ख्वाहिश मेरी पूरी होगी।

अशांत

क्या क्या भुलाओगे?

2009-05-21T19:57:00.000+05:30

कितनी दूर मुझसे जाओगे
कितनी कसमें तुम भुलाओगे
हम तो बस डरते हैं
क्या तुम सच में छोड़ जाओगे?

कितने पलों को कहो भुलाओगे
कितनी यादों को कहो मिटाओगे
कितने एहसासों को छुपाओगे
अब तक कुछ न बताया है तुमने
क्या औरों जैसे तुम भी रिश्ता निभाओगे?
क्या तुम सच में मुझे छोड़ जाओगे?

अशांत

तुम आईने के सामने बैठे हो!!

2009-05-21T19:49:00.000+05:30

तुम आईने के सामने बैठे हो
बताओ न तुम्हे क्या दिखता है?
तुम्हारा चेहरा, मेरा अक्स, हमारा वजूद
बताओ न तुम्हे क्या दिखता है?

तुम आईने के सामने बैठे हो
तुम्हारे हाँथ बाल बनाते हैं
काली घुंघराली जुल्फों के सिवा
बताओ न तुम्हे क्या दिखता है?

तुम आईने के सामने बैठे हो
अपने हुस्न पर इतराते हो
क्या असर है मेरे एहसास का?
बताओ न तुम्हे क्या दिखता है?

तुम आईने के सामने बैठे हो
अपनी नशीली मुस्कान सजाये हुए
तेरी इस अदा में मेरा ज़िक्र कहाँ है
बताओ न तुम्हे क्या दिखता है?

तुम आईने के सामने बैठे हो
अपनी नफासत का न पता है तुम्हे
क्यूँ आईने पर ज़ुल्म करती हो
बताओ न तुम्हे क्या दिखता है?
मेरा अक्स, हमारा वजूद
बताओ न तुम्हे क्या दिखता है?

अशांत

काली घुंघराली जुल्फों से

2009-05-20T21:45:00.000+05:30

काली घुंघराली जुल्फों से
होठों का तिल छुपाओ न
इतनी दूरी आज क्यूँ है
मेरे पास आओ ना।

तेरी मदहोश आंखों को
आज तो पी लेने दे
किसी साकी को आज
मोहब्बत के बीच लाओ न।

आज हर अदा बेपर्दा कर दो
तकल्लुफ की चादर गिराओ न
तेरी हया पर हयात कुर्बान है
दो दिलों के बीच इसे आज लाओ न।

तेरी मासूमियत भी लाजवाब है
मुझे एक पल में तेरा महकूम बनाती है
यकीं है सच्चा इश्क है तुझे मुझसे
इसे जताने को अपनी आंखों में आंसू लाओ न।

ख़ुद को हम दोनों ने
एक दूजे के नाम किया
प्यार की राहों में ख़ुद को गुमनाम किया
यूँ तो तुम हमेशा के लिए मेरी हो
पर हम दोनों की हसरतें अंजाम चाहती हें
इसलिए ऐ जान मेरी बाहों में आओ न।

अशांत

कोई ख्वाब छुपा रखा होगा!!

2009-05-20T21:37:00.000+05:30

अपने सिरहाने तुम ज़रा देखो तो
कोई ख्वाब छुपा रखा होगा
वो सब सवाल जो तेरे में हैं
उन सब का जवाब रखा होगा।

यूँ तुम्हारे इस जहाँ में
हमारी मुलाकातों का कोई ज़िक्र नहीं
पर यकीं है की ख़्वाबों की उस जहाँ में
अपनी हर मुलाकात का हिसाब रखा होगा।

मेरी याद में जो बाहें है आँसू तेरे
'उनका' तेरे चहरे पर कोई निशाँ नहीं
पर ज़रा गौर से देख दिल को अपने
दुनिया से छुपा 'उनका' निशाँ रखा होगा।

अपने सिरहाने तुम ज़रा देखो तो
और कुछ वहाँ हो न हो
मेरी पहली छुवन की सिहरन
का यादगार कोई ज़रूर रखा होगा।

अशांत

ये मेरा अपना शहर है

2009-05-20T21:22:00.000+05:30

ये मेरा अपना शहर है
गवाह मेरी ज़िन्दगी का
इल्म है इसे मेरी हर बात का

जो छुपे है उन जज़्बात का
फ़िर भी यहाँ सुकून नहीं
जैसे हो कोई गैर और अपना नहीं।

ये मेरा अपना शहर है
यहीं पर बाचपन मेरा बीता है
इसी की सड़कों पर चलकर
जीवन का सबक मैंने सीखा है
फ़िर भी यहाँ सुकून नहीं
जैसे हो कोई गैर और अपना नहीं।

ये मेरा अपना शहर है
गवाह मेरी शोहरत का
कद्रदान मेरी गुरबत का
पर अब यहाँ मेरा कोई वजूद नहीं
जाने क्यों यहाँ सुकून नहीं
जैसे हो कोई गैर और अपना नहीं।

ये मेरा अपना शहर है
सौतेला है अब जिसका अपनापान
मेरे जज्बातों को न ये समझता है
हवाओं में भी इसकी है बंदिशें
जाने क्यों उनमे सुकून नहीं
जैसे हो कोई गैर और अपना नहीं।

अशांत

आशिक कई बने है तेरे!!

2009-05-20T19:42:00.000+05:30

आशिक कई बने हैं तेरे
तेरी मासूमियत के वार से
नज़रें इनायत कीजिये तो ज़रा
हम भी खड़े है इस कतार में।

अपनी नजाकत का है न इल्म तुझे
हर अदा दिल पर असर करती है
शबाब पर होती हैं आहें जब
हया से तेरी आँखें झुकती हैं।

वाडे करने की रस्म है
तो चलो हम पूरी कर देंगे
यकीन नही है यूँ तो इन पर
तेरे लिए ज़मीर झूठा कर देंगे।

यूँ तो बहुत कद्र हुई होगी
लाखों तारीफें भी मिली होंगी
पर जिन नज़रों से देखा है हमने
वो खूबसूरती न किसी और देखी होगी।

अनजान हम हैं तेरे असर से
कोई दावा न मिली दर्द की
एक रहम की फरियाद है
कुछ कद्र करिए इस गुलाम की।

नज़रें इनायत कीजिये तो ज़रा
हम भी खड़े है इस कतार में।
अशांत

खून खंजर से ही नही!!!

2009-05-20T08:25:00.000+05:30

खून खंजर से ही नही
लफ्जों से भी होता है
सीधे चेहरों के पीछे भी
कई बार कातिल छुपा होता है।

मोहब्बत का खेल है जहाँ में
जिसके कई कच्चे खिलाडी हैं
दो लफ्जों के बदले लिख दी ज़िन्दगी साड़ी
देखो सब कितने अनादी(anaadi) हैं।

मासूम से दिल है सारे
अपनी सी सबकी नीयत दिखती है
गुलों से जिसने अपना महबूब पूजा
उसे दूजों के हाथ छुपी कटारी कहाँ दिखती है।

नादानी समझो या बचपना कहो
सच्चाई समझो या आडम्बर कहो
ख़ुद की पहचान डुबो दी है
इसे जुर्रत कहो या इबादत कहो।

सिला सच्चा सा न मिला मासूमों को
सीदेहे चेहरों ने नकाब उतारा है
महबूब बन जो कल तक थे बाहों में
आज उन्होंने प्यादों को खंजर मारा है।
खून खंजर से ही नही-------------

अशांत

2009-05-18T22:13:00.000+05:30

दुनिया के इस बाज़ार में कई खिलौने बिकते हैं
बड़े लोग है आप कोई भी खरीद लिया होता
जान थी उसमे जिस खिलौने से आपने ये सलूक किया
ज़रा यूँ मारने से पहले थोड़ा रहम तो किया होता!!

दुनिया जिसको सुनती थी तबियत से
आज ऐसी एक कहानी ख़त्म हुई।

कल तलक जिन्हें बेपनाह मोहब्बत करते थे
आज उनकी कहानी ख़त्म हुई।

खता है मेरी ये, मुझे ख़ुद से गिला है
मेरी वजह से मासूम कहानी ख़त्म हुई।

मैं जानता हूँ न मानोगी इन बातों को
पर सच है मेरे संग तेरी खुशियाँ ख़त्म हुईं।

अफ़सोस मुझे है अंजाम का, पर साथ दिलासा है
मेरे जाने से तेरी दुनिया की कमी ख़त्म हुई।

दौलत थी न संग, तुझे छोड़ और ना कुछ चाहा था
दर्द है की अपनी चाहत इस तरह ख़त्म हुई।

रहम नसीब न हुआ, शायद इश्क निभा न सका मैं
पर सच है जब आपने चाहा ,तब अपनी कहानी ख़त्म हुई।

अशांत

ज़िन्दगी और क्या है ?

2009-05-18T22:02:00.000+05:30

ज़िन्दगी और क्या है
मौत का सफर ही तो है
ज़िन्दगी और क्या है
एक घुपा हुआ नश्तर ही तो है
ज़िन्दगी और क्या है
एक टूटी आरजू ही तो है
ज़िन्दगी और क्या है एक लडखडाती लौ ही तो है
ज़िन्दगी और क्या है ----

सपना अकेले कोई देखता नही
आरजू तो जोड़े में चला करती है
नसीहत ज़माना देते थकता नही
उनको जो न ज़मीन पर चला करते हैं
इन्सान बदल सकता है जिस पर उसका बस होता है
उन चीज़ों का क्या जिन पर न किसी का बस होता है।
ज़िन्दगी और क्या है --------

एक लौ आख़िर कब तक लडेगी
वक्त के साथ और कमज़ोर पड़ेगी
बत्ती हिम्मत की आख़िर कब तक जलेगी
मोम मासून सी आख़िर कबत तक न पिघलेगी
इतने पतंगों को जलाया है 'जालिम' ने
उसकी कीमत तो चुकानी ही पड़ेगी!
ज़िन्दगी और क्या है
मौत तक का सफर ही तो है-----

अशांत

नीलाम ऐ मोहब्बत

2009-05-18T21:54:00.000+05:30

मैं अपनी मोहब्बत नीलाम कर आया
बहुत दिनों से जान अटकी थी
कत्ल आज सरेशाम कर आया
ऐ खुदा तेरा बंद हूँ मैं
काफिरों सा काम आज कर आया।

मैं अपनी मोहब्बत नीलाम कर आया
दर्द सालता है आज तक मुझको
न मिला इलाज हर हकीम दिखा आया
ऐ खुदा बता दे खता मेरी
पिछला कौन सा बुरा काम कर आया।

मैं अपनी मोहब्बत नीलाम कर आया
कुछ निशानियाँ जो अब तक पास हैं
चाह कर भी उन्हें ख़ुद से अलग नही कर पाया
ऐ खुदा कुछ पुरानी चिठ्ठिया मिली मुझको
उस घर से जिसे नीलाम आज कर आया।

अशांत