Surkhiyaan

 सुर्खियां

I really like to thank God as it keeps the temperature of my dinning place always intact . Actually it’s the real thermometer of my rather calm house. Surkhiyaan  of the newspaper dominates my eating place as it’s not only to have food but also place to share our uninterrupted  and uncensored views on the happenings around nationally or internationally. Approximately an year back around this time we were relishing Sunday special lunch suddenly I was quizzed ……. “Are you serious Maa ? ,I don’t believe that you want Trump to be re-elected as US President”. My younger son asked me in complete disbelief. Although he has a very democratic attitude and independent view point, but his bewildered look, gave me a four forty volt shock, that, now even we have to voice our opinion according to their views point.  But it also assured us that at least they are interested beyond their world of cell phone. 

Sunday’s lunch normally take long to finish as it comprises of special dishes which we savour and egos which we had to eat and strong words which we gulp as it is thrown towards each other while discussing the current topic. I don’t know why on earth we criticise specifically Arnab Goswami for his chaotic discussion on topic which needs least debating. Similar scenes are enacted in my house during regular family dinner where  we all are forced to face each other in the late evenings. 

Aptly been propagated the millennial mind has a sense to look over their shoulder and change colours like chameleons. And why not?  They are brought up in the nuclear families having protective environment. So for them it’s difficult to trust other then their close circle of friends as well as relatives. And I do agree for their insecurities as, even, after the Nirbhaya case happened years back and the society reacted to it so violently still one more brutal case has surfaced in mumbai. And many more had taken place during this time some are reported some gone unnoticed. Are we only  interested in surkhiyaan? This question keep pondering in my mind every now and then . It’s good we learn from the natural untimely demise of a celebrity but yes we are also glued to our news channels for some juicy details of the mishaps. Kabul and Afghanistan has already topped the chart by showing some of the worst pictures of misdeeds of mankind. It’s pathetic but what else could be done other than looking at those pictures in complete bewilderment. My morning cup of tea is not as hot as my newspaper. Just like to voice my opinion through my verse ….

ढूंढती हैं निगाहें

सुर्खियाँ

राहजनी की

तख्तापलट की

बलात्कार की

भेदभाव की

काली सफ़ेद सुर्खियां

जीत की

हार की

उन्नत व्यापार की

दलितों के उत्थान की

महिलाओं की उपलब्धि की

समाज के निर्माण  की

वैज्ञानिक आविष्कार की

सुर्खियां,

खिसक गयीं हैं

चौथे पन्ने के चुनिन्दा

कोनों में

कच्ची पक्की सुर्खियां

सुर्ख़ियों के बाजार में

खड़ा हैं इक्का दुक्का

आम आदमी

कल के अखबार में

देख अपनी तस्वीर

आम से सरेआम

बटोरता चन्द दिनों

की सुर्खियां

कभी इज़्ज़त लुटवाने से

बेबस

कभी इज़्ज़त लूटने से

बेशर्म

बेपरवाह ज़माना

ढूंढता है लाल लाल

सुर्खियां

कुर्सी का फैसला

आज करती हैं सुर्खियां

एक मृत्यु को ख़ास

बनाती

अनजान पक्ष की

बेबुनियाद सहानभूतियाँ

क़त्ल का क़त्ल करतीं

सत्य के अवशेष

विसर्जित करतीं

सुर्खियां,

कुचल देतीं हैं

शोक संतप्त अनुभूतियाँ ।

मृतप्राय वृक्ष की

शाख से लिपटी हुई

रक्तरंजित सुर्खियां

ढूँढती हैं

विपरीत

विस्तृत

विलक्षण

प्रतिभा का आसरा ।

बैसाखियों के सहारे

रेंगती

ढूँढती हैं निगाहें

सुर्ख़ियों के समंदर

में समाहित

गर्भ

गर्वित

सुर्खियां ।

.....मंजरी