LIFE TRUTH (VBM)

BANYAN TREE Mannu resided in a village in Himachal. At the age of twelve, he yearned to live life on his own terms. He was in the sixth grade and had a deep appreciation for the hilly landscape, often dreaming of exploring the nearby forests. His parents owned four cows, which provided him with endless joy and entertainment. His two greatest passions were wandering through the hills and playing with the cows.  Mannu's interests consistently strained his relationship with his parents. He often felt that they were imposing their wishes upon him. His desire was to spend his entire day exploring the mountain trails, finding solace only in the company of his four cows. His parents consistently encouraged him to focus on his studies and consider his future career. They were quite concerned as they observed the neighbors’ children studying rigorously, with some having already moved to the city. Their desire was for Mannu to become a successful man. In their village, opportunities for earn...

                                                    HOSTEL MESS The temperature was beginning to drop as winter set in. Darkness enveloped the surroundings by approximately 6:30 PM. I was enjoying a cup of tea on the balcony of my campus room. I secured this flat on the college campus due to my job in the city. Initially, I was reluctant to move to another city, as I wished to remain close to my family in the village. My wife graduated and began providing tutoring to children in our village. I had also been working in the village for 7 to 8 years, but I was not finding satisfactory salary options. The moment our child was born, concerns about his future began to weigh heavily on us. We have spent our lives in the village with limited opportunities, as my parents preferred that the family remain close together. My parents have a strong attachment to their vill...

 FORTUNE Manorama embodies faith, trust, and unwavering commitment. In my lifetime, I have never encountered a woman quite like her. She was my neighbor during my time in Banar, a village situated in the Mandor tehsil of the Jodhpur district in Rajasthan, India. She had been a resident of a nearby village and moved to Banar approximately 35 years ago after her marriage. She possessed a remarkable talent for creating small handicrafts, while her son Mohan took on the responsibility of selling these items in the market. She managed the production of the handicrafts alongside her household duties. Manorama was a single mother who managed her household with great intelligence. Although she was illiterate, she was highly capable of making decisions. Her son, Mohan, was a very obedient young man. She organized his marriage when he turned 24, seeking a traditional girl who would be a good match for their family. For the first seven or eight years, everything was going smoothly; however, t...

WATERFALL Gargi, born in the contemporary era, possesses all the essentials needed for a fulfilling life. She resides in a beautiful home equipped with all the luxuries one could desire. Now, at the delightful age of 15, she has transitioned into the 10th grade. Gargi’s parents held successful positions in large organizations and earned a substantial income. Despite this, Gargi experienced frustration due to the necessity of waiting for them until approximately 9 PM after school. When they finally arrived, their conversations often escalated into arguments, which frequently resulted in fights, creating a distressing routine for her. She was dissatisfied with her home environment and often sought happiness outside, away from home. Gargi faced similar challenges at school. Her friends often shared stories about their mothers and sometimes their fathers, discussing outings like picnics, movies, and family dinners. However, for her, these discussions were mere fantasies, as her own parents...

Thinking Threat (Part - 2)  Engaging in purposeful thinking can lead to meaningful outcomes. In contrast, thoughts lacking direction tend to be unproductive. The challenge lies in discerning whether a thought is driven by purpose or not. Ankit's nightly routine typically involved lying in bed, feeling frustrated and unable to sleep until morning. He began to believe that he was experiencing a mental illness. Although he had faced challenges with his thoughts since childhood, the situation became markedly worse at the age of thirty-two. He thought back to the insightful words of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, stating, "Dream is not that which you see while sleeping; it is something that does not let you sleep". He was in a state of confusion, struggling to determine if he was facing a dream or just a fleeting thought. Whenever he gazed upon successful businesspeople, notable defense personalities, or top executives in prestigious organizations, his mind would be in constant motio...

Old Lady In a quiet corner of the park, I took a moment to reflect on my future. This peaceful setting was the perfect backdrop for introspection, especially given my busy work life and the stress of navigating joint family issues. The park, positioned approximately 2 kilometers from the metro and conveniently located between my home and the station, served as an ideal retreat. A wine shop was conveniently located near the Metro station. It became a part of my routine to buy a beer and then stroll to the park. I would spend approximately 20 minutes there in quiet reflection, allowing myself to recharge. This time was dedicated to bringing peace to my fatigued mind, which frequently felt like it was pulled in multiple directions. Most evenings, I found myself arriving at a similar time, between 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM, and I noticed that another person was also quite punctual. For the past few days, I had been observing an elderly woman, who appeared to be around 70 years old. She had a pro...