An aeroplane had to make an emergency landing at a remote airport in an istand due to deteriorating weather. Dr. Vinay, a well known heart surgeon was in tension, as he was in hurry to attend an important function which he was where he was going to be awarded for his contribution in the field of medical science. The receptionist informed him that the next flight to the destination was after 10 hours and adviced to rent a car and drive himself.

 

Despite his hatred for driving long distances, Dr. Vinay agreed to the idea as he never had no other choice. However, destiny had some other plans for him as the weather condition became too bad and he eventually lost his way and ended up

in a remote village. After hours of driving, he was too tired and began to look for any signs of humans. Finally he came across a small tattered house and he left no time to get out of the car and knock the door. A beautiful lady in her late 10's opened the door. The doctor described his condition to the lady and enquired whether she had any telephone which she replied she neither have any telephone nor electricity in her house, however invited him to have some tea and stay till the weather improves. The doctor accepted her offer and went inside.

 

While sipping tea, doctor noticed that the lady is praying in the dim light of candles as she prayed next to something appeared to be a small baby crib. She would start another one every time she finished a prayer. After watching it for some time, the doctor was amused and felt that she needed some help. In between the lady asked whether he want to join the prayers, which he replied he believe in hard work only.

 

As soon as the lady finished her prayer, the doctor siezed the opportunity to ask her what exactly she wants from the god and enquired whether the god will ever listen to her prayers, he also enquired whether it is for that small child in the crib, which she is making a lot of prayers. After listening him, the lady had a sad smile on her face and she said the child in the crib is her son who is suffering from a rare heart disease and there is only one Dr.Vinay who can cure him, however she doesn't have money to affrod his fees and more over the doctor lives in a very far town. She said that the god has not answered her prayers so far, however she was sure that the god will create some what way one day and she will not allow her fears to overcome her faith.

 

Dr. Vinay was stunned and speechless after hearing this and tears were rolling out down through his cheeks. He recollected the sequence of events... the deteriorating climate which resulted in aeroplane's emergency landing, the weather condition due to which he lost his way ite whispered: God is great... All there happened as the God did not just answered her prayers, but also gave him a chance to come out of the materialistic world and help poor people, who have nothing, but rich prayers...

 

One

 

I stood there, bewildered. I could not remember how I arrived at this place.

 

The sky was clear and starry. The place was deserted except for an object that stood at a small distance from me. I walked towards it.

 

It was an astronomical telescope.

 

I leaned, adjusted the telescope, and started exploring the sky. Jupiter got my attention first. I enjoyed the magnificent view of Jupiter and its moons.

 

Then there was Saturn. I savoured the sight of the beautiful rings that encircled the planet.

 

That was when I noticed another planet. At first, I could not recognize it. I focused my telescope and zoomed in.

 

As I kept looking, I felt a chilling sensation! 

 

I couldn't believe my eyes!

 

I was looking at the earth!

 

 

 

I woke up to the sound of the alarm. It was 6 AM in the morning.

 

 

 

Two

 

"So, another dream?" Rekha asked, holding my hands as we walked through the beach.

 

I nodded.

 

"Ok. Tell me about it." She demanded.

 

I felt relieved that Rekha was with me. Perhaps, she was the only human being who believed that I was not crazy.

 

"This time, the dream was very clear and vivid. I was at a deserted place, observing the sky through an astronomical telescope. I could find earth in the sky." I said.

 

Rekha walked along, listening with attention.

 

"Jupiter and Saturn were much bigger and closer than how they would appear from earth. One more curious thing was that I could not find Mars in the sky." I said.

 

Rekha nodded, realizing the implication of what I just said.

 

"So, putting the pieces together, most likely I was standing on Mars in the dream". I concluded.

 

Rekha faced me and said, "You are an imaginative guy, Anand. It is great to be able to see such vivid and diverse dreams. I hope this will inspire another Science fiction work from you."

 

She was right. Most of my fiction work was inspired by my dreams. But I had a gut feeling that these were not ordinary dreams. Though it did not make any logical sense, my intuition kept telling me that these were real memories. I had a nagging feeling that the incidents I was seeing in dreams actually happened at some point of time. 

 

"Rekha," I said. "I know I am sounding crazy again. I still have that feeling that I do not fully belong here. I had a forgotten past, in which I lived somewhere outside of our planet."

 

Rekha held my hand again and chuckled. "Yes, you are sounding crazy again, but don’t worry. I know you are not crazy."

 

She added in an assuring tone. "Anand, you can talk to me any time. I will help in keeping you grounded."

 

"But you need to connect one more dot, Rekha." I said, "Remember what I told you about my past? I was found unconscious in a forest as a small boy. I had no memory of who I was when they found me." 

 

Rekha nodded.

 

I said. "That means, none knows who I was, or how I ended up in that forest. So, we cannot rule out the possibility that I had an extra-terrestrial past."

 

Rekha would not give up. "Think again Anand. You know about Mars. You know that the Martian atmosphere is not suitable for human life. So, there is no chance that you could have lived in Mars."

 

I said. "Well. Mars is not habitable now, but it might become habitable in future. Some scientists have envisioned a process called Terraforming, which aims at conducting controlled nuclear explosions on the Martian surface to transform its atmosphere in such a way that humans can live there. This might become a reality in the next century."

 

"But that is in the future." Rekha argued. "But you are referring to a past memory."

 

"Who knows," I pondered with a grin, "that my memory is actually a memory from the future?" 

 

"What do you mean?" Rekha frowned.

 

I said. "What if I time-travelled from a future point of time where Martian life is possible?"

 

Rekha held my hand again and said. "Anand, what you are looking for, is a sense of belonging. I can understand the pain of being an orphan and growing up as a loner. Your subconscious mind is making up such vivid stories so that you can escape this pain."

 

After a pause, she said reassuringly. "But I want you to know that I am always there for you. If you choose to embrace reality, you will never be lonely again. There is no need to escape into a make-believe world to ease your pain. You are being loved in the real world."

 

 

 

Three

 

I stood before the telescope, still bewildered. I knew that I was dreaming.

 

That was when I noticed that my body was smaller than usual. I was not the grown-up man I used to be in the real world. I was a small boy. I checked my reflection on the steel plate that was part of the tripod that supported the telescope. There was my ten-year-old self looking back at me! 

 

I turned my attention from myself to the telescope once again. I started zooming in the telescope and appreciating the beauty of earth's oceans and continents.

 

"Beautiful. Isn't it?" A voice said from behind.

 

I turned back in shock. There stood a tall lean old man wearing round spectacles.

 

"What sight is more beautiful than viewing our long-lost home from an unreachable distance? What longing is stronger than the longing to get back to the warmth of home?" The old man spoke poetically.

 

"Who are you? What is this place? Why am I here?" I asked

 

"So many questions." He remarked as he walked towards me.

 

Extending his arm towards the telescope, he asked. "May I?"

 

I let him grab the telescope. He zoomed in and looked.

 

The man said. "It all started when the ice caps in earth's poles melted due to global warming, causing the sea level to rise everywhere on earth."

 

He continued speaking, while taking effort to look through the telescope. "Oceans swallowed many major cities. Many islands disappeared into the ocean. In every continent on earth, people from coastal areas flew to inlands as refugees."

 

I listened in shock. The old man was speaking about incidents that happened on earth as if they happened in the past tense.

 

He continued. "But the inlands were not safe either. Sharp increase in temperature made living almost impossible in tropical regions close to the equator. So, there was another migration of people from equatorial regions to north and south. Poor souls had to leave everything behind and travel to lands where they were not welcome."

 

Looking towards me, he said. "And that triggered the climate wars. Instead of working together, countries invaded other countries in desperate attempts to gain more land and resources for their people."

 

"To add on to the misery," he continued, taking his attention back to the telescope. "Air and the oceans became so polluted that many animal and plant life forms became extinct."

 

His face became grave "The final blow to humanity was delivered when a country misfired a nuclear warhead. The country on the receiving end retaliated with another nuclear warhead. The allied countries who had nuclear power joined the brawl and the situation escalated to a nuclear holocaust which eliminated half of the human population."

 

He came near me and put his hand on my shoulder as he said. "The dust and smoke covered the earth's atmosphere blocking sunlight, thereby triggering a Nuclear winter. Those who were left, eventually died. And trust me boy, they had painful deaths."

 

He concluded. "Mars had been terraformed and made habitable. I am the descendent of the people who migrated from earth and settled here in Mars. While every human being on earth perished, we, the Martian humans survived."

 

The man became silent.

 

Slowly, I gained my composure and I asked him. "What year is this?"

 

"As per the earth calendar you follow, the year is AD 2322." He replied calmly.

 

Then I unleashed all the questions that I had suppressed in my mind.

 

"Who am I? Is this a dream? Or is this a real memory stored in my head playing out as a dream? If this is a real memory, does that mean I am a Martian human? If yes, how did I travel back in time and lived in the 21st century?"

 

Old man stood up with a thoughtful face. He said. "You deserve an answer. Don't you?"

 

 

 

Once again, the alarm bell woke me up. The time was 6 AM.

 

"Oh...no! Damn it, damn it, damn it!" I yelled.

 

I wanted this dream to continue. I wanted to hear what the old man had to say. I felt desperate.

 

 

 

Four

 

Impatience and helplessness took over me. I paced through the bedroom.

 

I found my mobile phone, and dialled Rekha. Rekha's energetic voice answered the call. I guessed she might be in the middle of her morning workout.

 

I gave her the full account of the dream I just had. I described the encounter between my ten-year-old self and the mysterious old man in vivid detail.

 

Rekha was silent for a while. Then she asked. "Anand, do you remember how we fell in love?"

 

Before I spoke, she answered it herself. "It started when I read your science fiction Novel "The pale blue home".

 

I listened intently.

 

“The pale blue home” was a novel into which I had put my heart and soul. I chose that name for the novel as a tribute to the famous photograph of earth taken by the Voyager 1 space probe in 1990 which is named “The pale blue dot”. 

 

She continued. "Apart from presenting a thrilling plot to the readers, the novel delivered a touching message to humanity that, in this vast universe, our earth, our mother planet, is and will always be our true home. Amidst all weirdness and injustice in this world, your story stressed the imminent need for human beings to unite and work together to solve the common problems that threaten the very existence of our species."

 

I felt touched by Rekha's words.

 

"You have a gift, Anand." Rekha said. "These dreams are nothing but whispers from your heart. Don't let those whispers go in vain. Capture them. Write them down. Share it with the world. That is what you need right now. And trust me, the world needs it too."

 

I felt happy after my conversation with Rekha. I made myself a cup of tea, took out my laptop and sat on the couch with the intention of writing down my dream.

 

But in a few minutes, I drifted off to sleep.

 

 

 

Five

 

The old man and I sat on two adjacent chairs. It was the same desert, but the telescope was at a distance. The old man was pouring me a cup of tea.

 

With shivering old hands, he extended the cup to me. I accepted it. He settled himself with another cup.

 

He spoke. "My name is Roger Bernes. I am an Astrophysicist. My area of research involves developing the technology to create artificial wormholes."

 

I nodded.

 

I recalled that wormholes are portals that could connect different places and times in the universe. For example, suppose there is a wormhole connecting Delhi in the year 2022 with Athens in BC 300. The Delhi end of the wormhole would appear as a mysterious dark circle. You might just walk into it, and onlookers will see you disappearing without trace. But you will reappear on the other end of the wormhole, and you will find yourself in Athens in 300 BC.

 

In the 21st century, a wormhole was just a theoretical concept which had its foundation on Einstein's theory of general relativity. But apparently, in the 23rd century, Mr. Roger Bernes is talking about creating a real wormhole!

 

I once again regained my focus and asked my burning question. "Who am I? And is this just a dream, or a real memory?"

 

Old Roger zipped his tea and said. "I am sorry my boy. I know you partially, but not fully."

 

I asked in a confused tone. "What do you mean?"

 

Mr. Bernes pondered what to say for a moment. Then he said, "Well, I do not know who you are in my world. But I know who you were in the 21st century."

 

He looked at my further puzzled expression and went on explaining. "There is a high chance that you are a Martian boy born in the 23rd century who travelled to 21st century earth through the wormhole I created. Other end of my wormhole opens up to the forest where they found you unconscious as a ten-year-old boy."

 

I felt goosebumps in my stomach when I sensed that the dots were slowly getting connected by themselves!

 

I asked in excitement. "So, you know who I was in the 21st century? Then tell me about it, so that I can be sure that you are telling the truth."

 

Mr. Bernes shook his head and said. "Who you are matters so little my dear. But what matters are the gifts you gave the world. What matters are the lives you touched with your work. What matters is the positive impact you created on the progression of human civilization."

 

I was growing impatient hearing old Roger's poetic, but unhelpful answer.

 

Roger continued. "You touched many lives, Mr. Anand Kumar."

 

I was shocked hearing him uttering my name. But Roger continued, ignoring that. "Especially, you touched the life of a Martian boy who read your book and got curious about decoding the mysteries of our vast universe, so that he grew up to become the Astrophysicist who created the first artificial wormhole."

 

I shouted out loud, "You mean, you...."

 

While I was searching for words, Mr. Bernes took out a paperback book from his small duffle bag. With shivering hands, he handed it over to me.

 

It was a copy of "The pale blue home"!

 

Mr. Bernes put an arm on my shoulder and continued. "But it is a pity that you wrote only one book. I wish you had written more. Maybe if you did, a million people could have read it. Out of the million, a thousand could have realized the urgency of doing what they can to save planet earth by fighting climate change, by choosing clean energy, by not polluting land and oceans and above all by treating our fellow species on earth with compassion."

 

He concluded in a shivering voice. "If that happened, maybe, I wish, maybe, the tragedy that hit earth could have been avoided, or at least delayed a little."

 

Mr. Bernes sighed deeply and leaned back on his chair. My excitement gave way to an unusual calmness that my mind had not experienced in years.

 

There were a few minutes of silence.

 

I stood up and said. "Mr. Bernes, I still do not know who I am. But I know what I need to do."

 

He looked at me with hope in his eyes.

 

I asked. "Where is the wormhole you and your team created?"

 

Roger pointed his hands towards his right. I looked in that direction and found a two-dimensional shape floating in the atmosphere. It was a giant dark circle.

 

"Goodbye, Mr. Bernes" I bid him farewell.

 

"Goodbye, my dear boy." Mr. Bernes greeted me back.

 

I started walking towards the giant wormhole. But I stopped halfway and turned towards Mr. Bernes and said. "I promise Mr. Bernes. "The pale blue home" won't be the only piece Anand Kumar would be writing."

 

Mr. Bernes nodded. His eyes reflected hope.

 

I turned and walked towards the wormhole. I knew that I would reappear in the 21st century earth. The Forest guards would find a boy lying unconscious in the middle of the forest. Everything would start over again.

 

 

 

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. Display in my phone read "Rekha calling".

 

I answered the phone.

 

"Hello Mr. Dreamer," Rekha teased. "I’m off work today. Why don't we meet?”

 

"Sure. We have a lot to talk about." I replied.

 

THE END

 

Kiran was thinking he was dreaming when the mobile rang. It was 2 A.M and he was deep

in sleep when the mobile started its loud country music ringtone, breaching the silence.

Kiran noticed his colleague and HR Deepak's name on the mobile display and he attended the call;

calls at these times are usually escalations or bad news, so he was tense.

"Hey Deepak, what happened?"

"Sorry Kiran to call you late, but Anish had an accident on the highway and is admitted in hospital.

Just wanted to let you know. He is in a bit of a critical stage."

"Our director Anish right?Oh God, it's so tragic."

"Yeah, so tomorrow you may have to take care of the client call in the morning. Anish won't be available and clients may not be able to postpone"

"Yeah sure, I will take care."

"Okay thanks..let me get to the hospital as his family may need some help. We will assess the situation and keep you posted"

 

Kiran held the mobile for a few moments as he was getting the impact of the news. Anish was the company director for their section

and the clients had high respect towards him and so did the people in the office. He was a leader in all ways and was really good

in language and could handle any tough situation with a smile, making him able to get many new clients/projects every year for

the company. Now the "biggie" has fallen and won't be able to come to office for a few weeks at least. Are there chances that

he won't recover? Then the director position will be open for fulfillment and the most experienced person in the company

has chances to get the same. Kiran knew that he was one of the fore runners if such a case rose and that would mean his salary

and social status will drastically improve. Soon he brushed off the feelings and got up to switch on his laptop to work on

the presentation for the clients in the morning as Anish won't be able to present the same. Kiran knew what was at stake.

 

He was sure by morning what all he had to keep in mind during the presentation, he must project himself capable enough to'

be the next director of the company. It was not easy to get a promotion with all massive layoffs and economic crisis that is

happening around the world, so this must be a chance that God has given him to prove himself, or that is what he wanted to

believe. He was thinking and rethinking the choice of words he would use and not use during the presentation to

make an impact, even while brushing his teeth.

 

Also, he reached the office before time and went to the board room for the presentation setup. Shirley was already arranging her

laptop and she was also a senior candidate who joined after a week from when Kiran joined the office. She was pretty close

to Anish and they used to go for lunches together and many had called her "Dummy Director" for her close friendship with

Anish; they had worked in another company together and their spouses also knew each other.

"Ah Kiran..I hope the presentation is ready right? I have a meeting with Charlene just after this. Anish would want me to

be very careful with the new project as it will be our biggest deal yet."

Kiran was not very happy to see Shirley but he smiled and nodded. He knew he had competition for the promotion.

 

Right then the board room door opened and Cyril came in. Cyril was the manager of few projects and his projects were doing

extremely well and making profit but his attitude was hated by many as he had a go getter nature and never thought about how

his colleagues felt and just wanted the work to be done, no matter the cost.

"I had gone to the hospital, they have done a major surgery and he is still in a critical stage. Not sure whether we can hope."

Cyril blurted out as soon as he slouched on the office chair. Shirley was nodding but she didn't seem very pleased. Cyril

was a few years junior to her but his ambitions were high and this made her worried. Kiran was feeling anxious, not just

about the meeting but possibly about the number of candidates who might be aspiring to be the Director in Anish's absence.

 

After the meeting, when Kiran came out of the boardroom, he could see heated discussions among his colleagues, some were

hoping that Anish recovered, some were worried about his family while a majority were already picking their favourites

for the next director post. Although hushed voices, sometimes the employees were in such good spirits to clear and clarify

their points that Kiran could hear part of their arguments." Anish was perfect, but mostly God calls the perfect people

first. The company would never be the same in his absence" sighed one person. "I think Kiran would replace him as he

knows the clients and has a good name in the management side. He has also been with this company for longer." Kiran understood

that the replacement for Anish was a hot topic among everyone right from pantry to the restroom. He closeted

himself in one of the cubicles of the restroom, sitting on top of a closed water closet. He could hear the doors of the

restroom opening and many people entering, using the wash basin and the dryer and almost everyone was discussing the same.

"Cyril is showing he is a better manager by going to hospital as well as maintaining office work. He might be good as a

Director as he is young and enthusiastic. I don't think Kiran will make it this time", someone was telling in the washroom, the

sounds felt like a bee buzzing to Kiran. "Shirley also is there, she has been on very good terms with Anish. Many trade secrets

she only may know, it would be hard for both Kiran and Cyril. If Cyril becomes director, then the others will be shocked

as he is bit junior to them, I hope whoever it is , they increase our salary; house rents are skyrocketing and so are

the living expenses", the other person was telling.

 

By the time Kiran was out of the restroom, he was feeling suffocated. Deepak was standing outside talking on

the phone and he signalled Kiran to wait for him to finish and he needed to talk. He quickly ended the call.

"Hey Kiran, the man of the hour. It was the MD on the phone, he has asked to give you interim duties of what Anish used to

do while they decide who will be replacing Anish. Even if he recovers, there will be some time before he can resume work."

Kiran nodded, he didn't know whether to be happy or sad. By the time he reached his cubicle, he saw Shirley going to the

board room with her laptop; she made an awry smile and closed the board room door. Soon he realized the tension Anish must

have been going through every day, we all had just seen the positive sides of the job and never thought of the envy his

colleagues had towards him. Now that he is hospitalized also, everyone has resumed work, including him, like 'the show must

go on."

 

Kiran logged in to his system again though he was sure he would not be in a position to fully concentrate on work. He thought

whether to visit the hospital like Cyril did, but somehow felt he was not mentally ready and all the work in Anish's

absence was on his shoulders and though it looked like a great achievement, he was carrying an interim cross. Soon the news would

spread that he is taking Anish's role even if temporary and this will add fuel to fury for everyone and he would be "Undesirable Number 1"

in the office. He realized that the very job he aspired for is literally burning him and he had flown to the

lamp just like a firefly.

Some new hope, some new dreams

Rays of an intense desire gleaming from the far

Behind those walls, I still hear

Someone greedily calling me back,

I'm not so keen on counting my own footprints

I can't be alone, I can't wait when nothing to share

My ears numbed by the cries for justice

No time to confess, I'm leaving everything behind

I've got to go; I keep moving on ...

 

The rays turned blue!

Like, I'm standing where an ocean begins

This can be a change, for better or for worse

I need to be more conscious of this

No moments to lose, as we're all passing through

An escape from those bitter past!

Till no more lessons are left incomplete

I wish to keep moving on ...

 

No blossoms, no blooms,

The rays turned so brown!

No shade, none to pamper

These torn shoelaces, these broken bottles,

reminds me of those who struggled like me in the past

It's all red; blood stains on my flag!

When these pains survive, rays of hope sprout!

These sharp grasses can't hurt me anymore

I'm too late; I keep moving on ...

 

Rays turning flambeaus, far away those crowd

A fire flaming in my goals, slogans ahead

darkness runs like a coward,

tends to flee when the rays flash!

I'm feeling burnt, like I am closer...,

Too close to my destiny!

Dark were those days.

The days, bars were my companions

Yet calm was my ocean,

Still sweating for another scream.

 

My mind was loud, sitting in silence.

Deep silence, piercing my ears

Delicale was she, my lass, my little girl,

Whose petals withered, behind those mighty arms.

 

In lieu of laving her mind and body,

Let go of her own breath and beats.

Massive were them, gleaming with eyes of content,

Aught remorse of crumbling my beloved.

 

Strolling free in the streets,

In search of their next victim.

Black fire raving in their eyes,

Rumbling thunder beating in their steps.

 

Embracing my flawsome self,

Marked myself as their next victim.

Chaotic joy rushing through my veins,

Poisonous vengeance erupting in my eyes.

 

Transforming from my tranquil self,

Here I am with a macabre gaze!

Deep wrath of yore piling up,

To sacrifice life for my loved one.

 

Impersonating deep passion and lust,

I open my arms for my invaders.

Divine rapture echoing in my mind,

To witness my foes crumbling in pain!

 

Beautiful are these days.

The days bars are my companions.

Relishing mindful freedom in the dungeon.

Serene freedom of revenge!

Between the tubes and noises,

I could hear the voice of nurses,

I could feel my insides burning,

That's the pact of love that's churning.

 

What's that feeling in my throat?

My minds like a sinking boat,

Could the juice I drank be poison,

My mind is clueless and all I see is crimson.

 

The giggles that made me smile all day,

Turned me up in tubes, withering all day.

The hand that held me deep in hugs,

Has given me death, her mind like the thugs.

 

The message she sent made me cry.

Her voice was deep and about to cry.

Still I trust the smile and words she told,

Dreaming life, shining as gold.

 

My hands are numb, the needles prick

Her acts and deeds, which side to pick?

Smiling and holding me on an end of the rope

Asking me to leave, the other end of my hope.

 

My heart pumps hard, the monitors beep,

Millions of flash, averting my sleep.

My thoughts are quite vivid or am I sinking,

The pain is rising, my eyes are blinking.

 

Flashes of anger, words of despair,

Words of my family, in it so much fear.

The burning in my stomach has grown again,

like a small flame, beginning to reign.

 

Still feeling the sting on my tongue,

I was naive about love, cool and young.

When asked to taste the bitter juice,

I had it all as she was my muse.

 

The blinking eyes, forerunner of death,

Excited I was, giving way to mirth;

When we roamed the roads, under the sun,

My mind was free and ready for fun.

 

Ridiculed by all, I cared for none,

All I want now is to feel the sun;

Is it dark or is it day?

Am I to be the darkest prey?

 

I can feel my life lifting away,

Breath is trembling, body just sway,

My prayer was to make hers come true,

Now when they turn true, my body is turning blue.

 

When love was on a side of the balancing scale,

Money and luxury creeping on the other scale,

Adamant as I was to prove the love I had,

Never once I thought, intentions were bad.

 

With every loving word, a scorpion hid,

To strike at the chance, waiting for its bid;

The world is for winners, with money and fake,

The rest of us are losers, always ready to break.

 

I thought of the dreams till death do us part,

But in her heart, she was already apart;

Killing me softly with bottles of juice,

Never did I know that it was a noose.

 

No blames, no words, as I part the world,

For I leave to you the joys of the world;

Hope the rest will think my plight,

Before they jump in love, which is a fight.

അടയാളമില്ലാതെ അകലുന്നു പകലുകൾ

തുഴയെടുത്തെറിയുന്ന അലകൾ പോലെ 

അനുവാദമില്ലാതെ അലയുന്നു മാനസം

ആശ്വമേധത്തിലെ കുതിര പോലെ

 

ഉറ്റവരെല്ലാരും ഒറ്റ തിരിഞ്ഞുപോയി

എത്തുകില്ലാരും ഇനി ഒത്തൊരു കൂരയിൽ

അർദ്ധബോധത്തിന്റെ വന്യമാം പാതയിൽ എത്തിയോ മറ്റൊരു അന്യനായ് മാറി ഞാൻ

 

അടുപ്പം പറഞ്ഞെന്റെ അരികത്തു വന്നവർ

അടക്കം പറഞ്ഞു തിരികെ നടക്കവെ

കണ്ണെത്തുമകലത്തു കാഴ്ച്ചക്ക് നിന്നവർ

എന്തോ പറഞ്ഞു പൊട്ടിച്ചിരിക്കവെ 

 

ശൂന്യമാം കീശയിൽ തപ്പി തടഞ്ഞൊരു

കാലണയെങ്കിലും കിട്ടുമെന്നാശിച്ച് 

ഒട്ടികിടക്കുന്ന വയറും തലോടി ഈ

പൊട്ടിപൊളിഞ്ഞ വഴിയേ നടപ്പൂ ഞാൻ..

അനുഭവങ്ങളുടെ നീരുറവകൾ അവർ

അറിവിൻറെ ചിത്രജാലകങ്ങൾ അവർ

പോയ കാലത്തിൻറെ രസമറിയുവാൻ

നമുക്കായ് തുറന്നിട്ട കിളിവാതിലുകൾ

 

സ്‌നേഹത്തിൻറെ നിറകുടങ്ങൾ അവർ

കരുതലോടെന്നും…. തണലായവർ

പുതിയ കാലത്തിൻറെ കാഴ്‌ച കാണാൻ

എന്നോ തയ്യാറായ ദൂരദർശിനികൾ

 

ഏറാത്ത കൊടുമുടികൾ കീഴടക്കാൻ

ശബ്ദവേഗതയിലോ പായുന്നു നാം

ഇതിനിടക്കെന്നോ മറന്നു പോയ് നാം

അവരെ – തണലും മധുരവും നല്കിയൊരെ..

 

അവർ വൃദ്ധരെന്നും, വ്യർത്ഥരെന്നും പറഞ്ഞു നാം

പക്ഷേ നമ്മളിൽ പലരും മറന്നു പോയോ

അവർ – കാലചക്രം ചവിട്ടി ക്ഷീണിച്ചവർ

പക്ഷേ നമുക്കിന്നും തണലേകും വൻമരങ്ങൾ

 

വേഗവിമാനങ്ങളിൽ നിന്ന് നാം തെല്ലിറങ്ങണം

ഒരു കൈസഹായം അവർക്കു നൽകാൻ

ഒരു നുള്ളു മധുരം അവർക്കു നൽകാൻ

ചിറകു വിരിക്കട്ടെ അവരും നമുക്കൊപ്പം

എത്തിപ്പിടിക്കട്ടെ ഒരു പിടി സ്വപ്‌നങ്ങൾ

എന്നോ നമുക്കായ് ഉപേക്ഷിച്ച മണിമുത്തുകൾ…

 

നല്ലൊരു നാളേക്കായി കൈകോർക്കണം നാം

എന്നോ നമ്മളെ പിച്ചനടത്തിച്ച കൈകളോട്

അരങ്ങൊഴിഞ്ഞവർ പോകുവാൻ നേരമാവുമ്പോൾ

താപഭാരങ്ങൾ ഇല്ലാതിരിക്കട്ടെ നമുക്ക്

അറിവുകൾ പകർന്ന പാത്രങ്ങൾ നിറയുമ്പോൾ

എന്നും.. നിറമനസ്സായ് ചിരിക്കട്ടെ അവർ….

കുറവുകളേറെ തിരിഞ്ഞൊരു കാലമെന്നറിഞ്ഞു ഞാൻ നിനയ്ക്കുന്നു തിരികെനടക്കണം

 

പിഴവിൻറെ വളവുകളതെല്ലാം തിരഞ്ഞവിടൊരുവട്ടമെങ്കിലും പതറാതെനിൽക്കണം

 

കരുത്തിൻറെ ചുമരിൽ ഞാൻ കരുതാതെ കോറിയ കപടതകളൊക്കെയും കഴുകിക്കളയണം

 

കരണീയമെന്തെന്നതറിയാതെ കാലുഷ്യം കലർത്തിയ ചിന്തയിൽ തിരിച്ചറിവേകണം

 

പതിരുകൾ മാത്രമെന്നറിഞ്ഞു ഞാൻ പരതിയപ്പാടത്തിന്നോരത്തെ പടവുകളുടയ്ക്കണം

 

മാറ്റമുൾക്കൊള്ളാതെയിനിയും നിലകൊള്ളും താന്പോരിമതൻറെ മതിലുകളിടിക്കണം

 

അലിവാർത്തിരമ്പിയ പുഴകളുടെ നദികളുടെ ഗതിയതു തടഞ്ഞൊരാ തടയണമുറിയ്ക്കണം

 

നേരിന്റെ കാണാനേർവഴികൾ തടുത്തോരാ കൂർത്തമുൾവേലികൾ ചുവടേ തകർക്കണം

 

അന്നിരുളിൻറെ തീരാക്കയങ്ങളിൽ തരംപാർത്ത യക്ഷഗന്ധർവ്വൻമാർ മറഞ്ഞുവോ അറിയണം

 

നിലാവെള്ളിശകലങ്ങൾ ദിനം കാത്തു പരതിപ്പിടഞ്ഞൊരാ വഴികളിൽ നിർഭയം നടക്കണം

 

കാഴ്ചമറച്ചു വെയിൽ കാണാതിടംകൊണ്ട കാർമേഘപാളികൾ ചുരന്നുവോ അറിയണം

 

കണ്ണുനീർപുഴയിൽ ഞാൻ തുഴയാനൊരുക്കിയ കടലാസുതോണികൾ നനഞ്ഞുവോ നോക്കണം

 

വിളവിന്റെ കാലത്തു വീതുളിയെറിഞ്ഞു മുറിച്ചൊരാ ചില്ലകൾ തളിർത്തെങ്കിൽ കാണണം

 

തണലേകാനപ്പോഴും മടിയൊട്ടുമില്ലെങ്കിൽ തിരികെ ഞാൻ ചെല്ലുമ്പോൾ വിയർപ്പൊന്നകറ്റണം

 

നേർത്ത നൊമ്പരത്തിന്റെയുൾക്കാമ്പുകൾ തൊട്ടു തഴുകിത്തലോടിയാ മുറിവുകളുണക്കണം

 

വീര്യം തികയാതെ വിഷംവീണ്ടുമിറ്റിച്ചു നീലിച്ച ചുണ്ടിൽ തേൻതുള്ളികൾ പകരണം

 

ചീറിത്തിമിർത്തൊരെൻ പൊയ്യാട്ടക്കഥകളിൽ കാമ്പില്ലായിരുന്നെന്നു കാറിക്കരയണം

 

നെഞ്ചകം നീറ്റിയ മോഹഭംഗങ്ങളതിലൊന്നിനു പോലും കഥയില്ലെന്നു പറയണം

 

നുണകളുടെ ചതികളുടെ കാണാപ്പുറങ്ങളിൽ കരുനീക്കമാർക്കെന്നു കണ്ടൊന്നറിയണം

 

പിഞ്ചുകാലടികൾ പിഴച്ചുവീഴാൻ കൂർത്തകന്മുനകളാരങ്ങു പാകിയെന്നറിയണം

 

പിൻകാലടികളിലൊന്നുപോലും ഒട്ടുമിടറാതെ വിറയാതെ ചവിട്ടിത്തികയ്ക്കണം

 

ഇനിയും മരിക്കാൻ വിധിയില്ലാതോർമകൾ വഴിയരികിൽ പുഴുവരിച്ചുണ്ടെങ്കിൽ നീക്കണം

 

ജീർണ്ണിച്ചു മണ്ണായ് മറയേണ്ട ബോധ്യങ്ങൾ നരകിച്ചു കാണുകിൽ സംസ്കരിച്ചീടണം

 

കാക്കതീണ്ടാത്തൊരാ ബലിച്ചോറുരുളകൾ മനസ്സിന്റെ ഓരത്തു വീണ്ടും ഒതുക്കണം

 

അരവയറിന്നവധിമുടക്കാൻ പാഞ്ഞോടിച്ചെന്നച്ഛൻറെ കാലൊച്ച കാത്തൊന്നു നിൽക്കണം

 

അമ്മക്കുമാത്രം വിളമ്പാനറിയുമാ തണലിന്റെ മടിയിലെ മണമൊന്നു മുകരണം

 

എന്നും ദഹിക്കാതെ ശേഷിച്ചിടാനായാ മണ്ണിൽ നിന്നൊരുതരി വായിൽ നിറയ്ക്കണം

 

തലമുറകൾ തളിരിട്ടു പടരാനൊരുക്കിയപ്പടിവാതിലിൽ ഒരു പൊൻതിരിയെരിക്കണം !

 

**ഭൂതകാലത്തിൽ സംഭവിച്ചുപോയ പിഴവുകളൊക്കെയും ഒരു അവസരം കിട്ടിയിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ തിരുത്താമായിരുന്നു എന്ന് നാം പലപ്പോഴും ആഗ്രഹിക്കാറുണ്ട്. ഒരു തിരിച്ചു പോക്ക് അസാധ്യമാണെങ്കിലും, കഴിഞ്ഞുപോയ പല സന്ദർഭങ്ങളും അതിലും മികച്ചതായി കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യാൻ കഴിഞ്ഞിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ എന്ന് ചിലപ്പോഴെങ്കിലും ഓർക്കാറുമുണ്ട്. ഒരു "തിരിഞ്ഞോട്ടം" സാധ്യമായിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ ... 

 

 

തുളസിത്തറയിൽ തിരി തെളിച്ചൊരാ-

മുത്തശ്ശി ഉമ്മറത്ത് വന്നെന്നോട്,

"ത്രിസന്ധ്യനേരം മയങ്ങുന്ന കന്യക

നാടിനും വീടിനും ശാപം!"

 

എന്താണ് ശരി?

 

ആർത്തവനേരം സ്വാമിയാം അച്ഛനെ

തേടി നടന്നപ്പോൾ അമ്മ എന്നോട്,

"പാടില്ല സ്വാമിയെ തൊട്ടു തീണ്ടുവാൻ,

മഹാപാപം! അശുദ്ധം!"

 

എന്താണ് ശരി?

 

യാത്രക്കിറങ്ങുമ്പോളാ കരിമ്പൂച്ച

പാഞ്ഞത് കണ്ടെൻ അച്ഛൻ,

"ഇനിയിന്നു വേണ്ട, ഈ നശിച്ച

നേരം ആപത്തു സുനിശ്ചിതം!"

 

എന്താണ് ശരി?

 

ജാതകം നോക്കി തലകുനിച്ചു

ജ്യോൽസ്യൻ എന്റെ പ്രിയപ്പെട്ടവരോട്,

ചൊവ്വാദോഷം! ഇനിയീ ജന്മം

വിവാഹം കഠിനം! മുജ്ജന്മപാപം!

 

എന്താണ് ശരി?

 

തേടിയിറങ്ങി ഞാനെൻ ശരികളെ

അന്ധമാം മൂടുപടങ്ങളെ ഛേദിച്ചു

തേടിയിറങ്ങി ഞാൻ മാറ്റങ്ങങ്ങളെ

എന്നിലെ ഞാൻ എന്നോട്, "ഞാനാണ് ശരി!"

Kerala has emerged recently again in the top position of the Performance Grading Index (PGI) for Indian States
and Union Territories, a study released by the Union Ministry of Education. In terms of education quality,
access to learning, infrastructure and facilities, Kerala has been a forerunner for many decades, even with a
title of the most 'literate' state, where even the oldest people know how to read and write and education is
given prime focus.

A common question that arises now is whether education and common sense are inter related and whether with
education alone, people would be ready to let go off all their superstitions and beliefs that are not based on
anything scientific. These superstitions are either passed down from generation to generation, stem from some
incidents that have happened in our lives (as it is easy to relate bad things to bad omens than finding the real
reason behind it) or a misconception/greed that arises as part of the human mind. A highly educated and politically
aware state like Kerala is expected to be far from all superstitions and work towards scientific knowledge, which
empowers our younger generations to be future ready. Even the state school science fair (2022) held recently was inaugurated
by boiling of the milk (considered auspicious) and was criticized by many as it was a 'science' fair and not a
religious ceremony, which shows the superstitions are in the mind of people and are here to stay longer unless strict
actions are taken. Whenever we buy a car, a lemon is squeezed first under the tyre for good fortune and to 'avoid'
any mishaps or accidents. Irrespective of caste,creed or religion, rich or poor, Kerala is one of the most fertile lands for
superstitions.

The main cause for such superstitions is the lack of awareness among the common public and a lack of efforts to bring
this awareness from the relevant authorities. The laws against superstitions are almost not there and with the recent

advent of uncensored online/digital platforms, people tend to believe whatever is shown and sometimes believe in
superstitions and rituals that can harm themselves and others. The recent ritualistic sacrifice followed by brutal
killing of two women in the otherwise calm Elanthoor of Kerala has sent shockwaves across Kerala and we as a society
should be held responsible. The reports had even suggested the accused consumed human flesh based on the advice of
a sorcerer, which shows mentally we have not reached the state of development that Kerala always boasts about.
Usually Keralites accuse North Indians to be superstitious but with so many recent events, it is clear that even with
high quality education, we have lost the mental growth that is needed to understand how to live together as a society,
where the benefit of all is what matters. The pursuit of happiness, pleasure and spirituality has made people eager
to believe and act up on any heinous crimes/superstitions and this is a grave danger that we are facing.

Many people with illogical beliefs try to paint a picture in society that they are quite socially inclined but this is
actually a mask to protect themselves from social scrutiny about their secret activities. They find pleasure that they
got away with such superstitious acts which build their confidence to go to the next level of acts. These people
may have antisocial and narcissistic personalities, with severe self-love and a lack of empathy which makes their belief
and superstitions very hard to break and they consider it a do or die situation. People have always been intrigued by aspects
of heaven or hell, near death experiences, astral projections etc. and when they try to make sense of this half cooked
knowledge along with whatever information they get from the internet, they fall deeper and deeper into superstitions. The
law that was drafted against superstitions in Kerala almost 10 years back has not been taken forward, as confirmed by
A Hemachandran, one of Kerala's former director general of police-rank officers and this shows why miscreants go on a
rampage and are more confident once they make up their minds to do any superstitious acts. The Kerala Exploitation By Superstition
(Prevention) Act, 2014 which awarded penalties for superstition and made them cognizable and non-bailable has not reached
fruition, giving miscreants a free run in the state.


As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, out of the six human sacrifice cases reported in the country in 2021,
two were in Kerala which is indeed shocking for a culturally forward and educated state. A 6-year-old boy was hacked to death by his mother purportedly as a human sacrifice at Palakkad district in Kerala last year, which is shocking as even parents are ready to sacrifice their own kids for petty beliefs. Many times superstitious rituals are easily passed of as a traditional ritual and hence
it goes unnoticed, unless a crime happens and is uncovered. The so called astrologers and quick healers are easily
advertising themselves on media and getting lots of publicity. There are channels dedicated to these "gurus" and primetimes
are allocated by reputed Kerala medias to showcase miracle artifacts that can heal, attract wealth, make all wishes come true etc.
which all take advantage of the insecurity of people and their wish to prosper in life, no matter what happens. The lack of
adequate laws and limitations of the police force add more seriousness to the same. We have to understand that this is against
the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act and hence illegal and non sensical as well.

Violent exorcisms still claim to happen in different parts of Kerala to get rid of the Djinn/ yaksha/demon etc. based on the
corresponding religious practices. People on a large believe in maadan (a demon that attacks at night) and often aspired many
heart attack related deaths to this demon, which is still believed by many (some even calling the demon Marutha). It is pretty
evident that sorcery is ingrained in Kerala culture itself. Kerala is supposedly created by Parashurama, who is said to have
selected six Brahmin families to perform sorcery (the current Malaya tribe claiming they are original sorcerers in Kerala).Many tales in Kottarathil Sankunni's Aithihyamala, which is Kerala's Arabian Nights, have sorcery and black magic as their backdrop. Even the
folk practices like 'theyyam', 'theeyattu' and 'padayani' of Kerala are all based on one or other form of sorcery/superstition,
with movies like Kantara adding more collections from Kerala showing how much we still trust on all these superstitions to help us
in life. Most Malayalam films with a rural backdrop features an oracle and superhits like Manichithrathaazhu show how exorcisms can help to cure mentally unstable people just by giving them belief, which many think as reality.

The hopelessly faithful group of Kerala who still clench themselves to supernatural elements to calm their anxiety even go for
exploring weird and dangerous ways like Chathan seva, a kind of devil worship that involves animal/bird sacrifice. This custom
is still prevalent in many parts of Kerala even after the enactment of Kerala Animals and Bird Sacrifices Prohibition Act of 1968
that has prohibited the killing of animals and birds to please a deity. The Godmen and Godwomen of Kerala (self proclaimed God/Goddess or avatars/clairvoyants) are even promoted by religious factions, celebrities, politicians and as a whole the society silently accepts them and their superstitions. Their ashrams even after repeated violations or cases from even foreign nationals claim
to be 'heaven' and this shows how deep rooted the evil is and how hopeless we are as a society against superstitions. There are even swamis/self proclaimed deities who have cases in Kerala (smuggling, swindling gold etc.) who control the rural folk from abroad and cause tensions in Kerala.

Justice Devan Ramachandran of Kerala High Court has wondered and has stated in the courtroom: “Some of the things happening here(in Kerala) are beyond the limits of absurdity. Today it is human sacrifice. I wonder where Kerala is going.” Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery and Black Magic Bill, 2019 is also in cold storage as of now.

In March 2019,Thushara, a 27-year-old woman, was killed by her husband and mother-in-law, who had been practicing ‘black magic’. Thushara weighed only 20 kg at the time of her death, as she was fed just soaked rice and sugar syrup as instructed
by a sorcerer, according to the police. In August 2018, Krishnan, an occult practitioner, his wife and two sons
were killed by his assistant and helper who started an ‘independent’ occult practice. The accused killed his mentor
and family, suspecting that Krishnan’s magical powers inhibited his own success in occult practice. In 2017, Cadell Jeansen Raja
did multiple murders when he killed his parents, sister and a relative as part of his experiments with so called astral projection
in Trivandrum, which not only shocked the state but the whole country. Medical cases like schizophrenia can add more belief in such
superstitions and thorough medical care and evaluation may also be needed for such cases. Thus evil openly prevails in 'God's own country'.

Proper education along with awareness against such superstitions and strict laws that are enacted from the grass root levels may help Kerala society in the future. We
may not be able to change those who already have made up their minds to believe in superstitions, but there is still hope in the future. The society,
politicians need to act fast irrespective of any other differences before this menace becomes a huge fire and consumes the moral values of the majority.