Life of i

I never put the things i consider 'work' here, but this was something hopeful that i wrote after ages, and i guess there's nothing wrong with spreading a little hope as the new year begins...

Come mothers and fathers

Throughout the land

And don’t criticise

What you can’t understand

Your sons and your daughters

Are beyond your command

Your old road is

Rapidly agin’

Please get out of the new one

If you can’t lend your hand

For the times they are a-changin’.

So sang Bob Dylan in his 1964 hit song, The Times They Are a-Changin’. It is strange how, after all these years, the lyrics still reverberate through time. If one is to place these words in the context of India, the world’s largest democracy having the largest group of youngest people, it rings truer than any other nation. As the fear and hoopla around the Mayan prophesy passes, the old order gives way to a new age and one thing becomes clear — the future belongs to the youth. Information technology breakthroughs, innovative entrepreneurship, incubating startups — aren’t just accomplishments of the old and wise, the young guns of our country now continue to persevere in such fields. The internet, a phenomena mirroring the various possibilities of the future, has helped the GenNext erase boundaries of religion, caste, creed and colour and connect like never before. Painters, poets, new age artists playing around with digital codes and algorithms, continue to pour out their ideas, their thoughts — their very souls — on the worldwide web. Thanks to the same, people have come together, no matter how burdened the times may be. The conscience of the youth has awakened a fervent spirit in India and the youngsters know staying silent would be cowardice, so they are making their voices heard. Not surrendering to the rigid, iron will of those who don’t want to change, the youngsters have ensured the future shall not be quiet — it will comprise of voices speaking as one. Man may have affirmed his carbon footprint on the planet thousands of years ago, but now our digital footprints fill the landscape of our lives like a river making its way through time. There is, undoubtedly, a humbling feeling as we traverse through time, one where we tend to feel small and sometimes, a little uncertain. Letting go of anchors is never easy, as one is left to paddle aimless, but we have learnt to find our own way. The waves never rest and our little vessel traverses through troubled waters — a little shaken and stirred, learning important lessons, growing stronger and more aware of the tides and giving back what it can on the way. But never before have we felt so alive, never have we had such an ability to break old shackles and shape our lives to make them the one we always wanted to have. We have conquered unimaginable grief and now its time to break the mould and carve all the knowledge we have gained in the contour of tomorrows. And as our humanity strives forward, looking beyond the horizon, knowing it’s always dark before the coming of dawn, there are a few lines we can go forth with:

Flower wither not

Brave the flames of the sun

Take the spears of the rain

Spread your roots and shine.