Prashant Ivaturi

There were days when I used to compose poems on a regular basis. But now, as time has passed on and I lead a very busy life (that's an excuse which is easy to use), I write poems very rarely. Therefore this composition of importance to me. I composed this when I was in a dual state of mind over a girl. I missed her sorely (I was unable to decide then whether it was love or a crush). And for some unknown reason, as a coincidence, I wanted to bring out the creative instinct within me at the same time. Here's that composition. Its in Hindi (for the benefit of those who dont know it) Tumhara noor dekhne ko main taras gaya saawan aaya aur baras gaya tumhara noor kahin nazar nahi aaya dekhte hi dekhte ek baras gaya main tumhare khayalon mein khota raha tumhaari yaadon ko sapnon mein pirota raha tumhari wafai ka har ek wada yaad hai mujhe tum kya jaano ki tumhari yaad mein kaise rota raha ab judaai ka gam mujhe aise sataata hai har lamha dil teri har ek baat yaad dilaata hai ek pal ab...

"My father asked me never to eat with my hand. I had to use a fork and a knife - always. And it is for this same reason that I like to break the rule" (smiles...). This is what a South African friend of my cousin said when he had come home to eat Indian food. It is a general notion that people should follow the customs of the place they visit. Atleast we Indians try to do that and I dont know the reasons for that. Every country has its own cultures and traditions. People do not change their culture or traditions so easily. It is indeed a matter of pride that makes us different from the rest. Yes, it is definitely worthwhile to try one's hand at a new style of eating. But to change it altogether, is a totally different issue. This holds good not only for eating styles but for everything else that speaks about one's culture. There are certain qualities of a culture (or shall I call them trademarks?) which distinguish it. These trademarks are unique and convey a lot abou...

My friends believe in the old adage – “Boys and girls can’t remain friends. The friendship will someday convert into love” and I used to argue for hours together quoting many examples from my own life. However, I knew that one example against me could weaken my argument or even worse, defeat it. And its sad to start off a blog this way agreeing with my friends that they were true and I have lost the argument. You ask me why should I start with such a topic and I wont have an answer. The only thing that I would be able to say is that this was one of the most striking things that came to my mind to write about. Moreover such occurrences are commonplace and there would have been numerous instances to prove this. To find evidence, go to any college and ask the final year students. I am sure one would find at least one such instance (I am being a pessimist in this case) in every single co-ed college. To begin with, I always believed in boys and girls being equal in every way. So, my friend...