Video edit of the book launch of ” Dard E Dil Likhoon Kab Tak”, a book of poetry and Shaaeri, penned by Mohtarma Rukhsar Kamaal Amrohi ( Rukhsar E Zehra).

This book has been published in 2 languages for now – In URDU & in Hindi.
The URDU print has more content than the Hindi version – Photographs, Letters, Excerpts,

References & Profiling by various scholars of the Urdu Language in India.
This book is published my Mr.Anees Amrohvi of Taqkhleeqar Publishers, Delhi.
It will be available shortly at select bookstores across
India.
For now, you may order one by writing to quissey@rediffmail.com or rukhsaramrohi@gmail.com.

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Last month I was discussing with a publisher about a book on dreams. In reply, he showed me a quotation, ‘There are two kinds of dreams. There are dreams that we have while asleep and dreams that we have while we are awake. What is the connection between the two types?

Both kinds of dreams are about the yearnings that are held deep inside us. Some of these desires are so secret that we dare not share them even with our closest friends. Those of us that dare to put our dreams down on paper are showing the courage and faith that they will come true.” So, I decided, then and there, to write something on the subject.

Being a hopeless flop in almost every sphere of life except where God’s unseen hands pulled my life to a respectable survival, I have always been a dreamer by choice. I believed that a bed of solitude and a room with a ceiling fan is heaven upon earth. Unfortunately, as the famous Urdu poet Joun Alia has said, “Apne ander se ab nikal aao, ghar men saman ki zaroorat hai.” Come out of your self-imposed habitat, home needs something to satisfy the basic needs. So, like a reluctant traveler who have had no specific purpose for his imposed terrestrial journey I searched and did spend some reasonable time to make the both ends meet.

But bed had always been the heaven and the best rendezvous, an escape from all the worries, ugliness and frustrations of life. I dream and love to dream as this is only one avenue where God is not asking my choice. Here is a diorama played by no one but God and I just have to watch without moving in my bed with my eyes closed. Then you see good dreams, pleasant dreams, mysteries, bad dreams and of course horrible dreams.

However, after dreaming the whole span of life, for me dreams still remain a mystery and we still don’t know as to why we dream, where dreams come from and what is a dream. Is it a physiological or a psychological phenomenon? How we dream? Is it the spontaneous self activation of brain which swings our thoughts to-and-fro into different zones of our past, present and future? The Holy Books communicate some make-believe ideas about dreams and their interpretations which could be acceptable to a dreamer in proportion of his religious zeal and faith.

It is my habit that I discuss every issue and every plan of my life with my wife as it is the most durable trusted safety valve in case of failure. You can always blame her if the situation is discomfited. So, when I discussed with her that I wanted to write a book about ‘dreams’ her guards of wisdom were alert. In this state of physical debilitation what is that much left in you and who is coming to your dreams? Having assured that no one had ever appeared in my dreams except Her Majesty she came with a better idea.

First who will buy your book?” She is also ardent admirer of poetess Parveen Shakir and narrated her couplet spontaneously – “Neend jab khwabon se pyari hon to aise waqt men, khwab dekhe koun aour khwabon ke de tabeer koun.” In times when people prefer sleep over dreaming, who will dream and who will interpret the dream. I reminded her that that old saying ‘behind every successful man there is a woman’ was corrupted by powerful women of past and the original one was – ‘behind every unsuccessful man there is a woman.’ She was not bemused but refused to give up. She came with an instant new advice – “Better write a short essay about SLEEP, may be some people would care to read.” I had another chance to confirm that she was still wiser and the following passages are to be credited to her persuasion and my pen was just a catalyst.

When we put ourselves to bed we don’t know when sleep would visit. It just happens and we have no say in it. Even an ordinary zhola chap doctor could tell you that a sound sleep is necessary for a good health. However, according to science sleep helps to consolidate our memories. It deletes unnecessary information which clutters in the day. In sleep most of our senses come to full stop. It is the time when mind takes stock of the happenings and helps consolidate the most needed events. It invigorates and charges our batteries.

The studies of brain in Electroencephalography (EEG) reveal that in deep sleep low frequency Delta waves  are generated which produce life and mood enhancing chemicals. This phenomenon is assigned to the freshness we feel when we get up after the deep sleep.

In deep sleep most of the peripheral neuron activities of brain are reduced and almost shut down. Only the central portion of the brain-seat of the autonomous nervous system works. According to science it is the area where our long term memories are restored. As the peripheral brain shuts down unnecessary memories get dissolved.

When we are disturbed in our deep sleep we feel like assaulting the intruder. Why ? The cycle of dissolution of memory process is broken while the memory knots keep growing. It creates irritability and short tempers.

At present I have something to save for the future project of my dreams as too much material is not available in this nebulous field. Here I conclude with the following poem written by Michelle McGath:

As I lay here and try to sleep

My body is tired, my mind races

As I lay here and try to sleep

My mind races with thoughts of you.

As I lay here and try to sleep

With thoughts of you, my heart beats

As I lay here and try to sleep

My heart beats so hard with these thoughts of you

As I lay here and try to sleep

These thoughts of you make me sleep

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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On a dismal gloomy day of 1661 AD, in the Capital of Mughal Empire, Dilli (Delhi), history witnessed a macabre and ghostly dance of death. The town folk saw a naked, emaciated but content heretic being mercilessly dragged by the royal police towards the execution ground. There he was forced to sit in the posture of genuflection; his hands tied back crosswise to his feet; his head was lowered; and a shining sward fell upon his slender neck with all the brute force of executioner. Spurting blood all around his head flew in the air and then began the gruesome dance of death in its earnest. The headless body whirled violently and frantically in all gyrations. It refused to cool down. On looker were terrified at this ghastly TANDAV – a reminder of Natraj. Other than the minions of Aurangzeb there were many who were the followers and disciples of the prisoner. They cried, prayed and bowed to the ground to beseech the body to come to rest. History fails to record the time gap between beheading and cooling down. He was Sufi Sarmad Kashani, the naked, mystic poet and saint who commands the universal reverence and love even today.

Charges against him: Violation of Sahriah Law and public display of heresy. He had refused to don any cloak to cover his body and he, like his disciple Prince Dara Shikoh, the heir of Mughal Throne, refused to accept the concept of physical Meraj of Prophet (PBUH). They both believed that the Journey of the Prophet (PBUH) was a spiritual and not physical. However, these were the apparent reasons. Since time immemorial ‘political correctness’ has been the most desirable attribute to climb the greater heights. Historians of all ages have generally suppressed the fact to suit the rulers fancy. They were also conscious of their interests and prejudices. Exact causes of the execution of Sarmad were never known. The people believe that it was the vicinity of Sarmad with Dara Shikoh which finally landed him on the chopping board. Sarmad was the spiritual mentor of Dara and he had denounced Aurengzeb for the killing of Dara and other royals from the ramparts of Jama Masjid, Delhi.

In his narration ‘Stories of Sarmad’ famous chronicler Bilal Tanweer describes the last horrifying incidence of Saramd’s life before his execution in the following words:

“As  Aurengzeb’s procession was passing through the streets of Delhi, he saw Sarmad sitting on the roadside. The king ordered the march to halt and demanded the mystic to cover himself. The king looked at him with wrathful eyes and said,’If you think I need to cover my nudity so badly why don’t you cover me yourself?’ When the Emperor lifted the blanket on Sarmad’s side, the king saw the blooded heads of all the family members he had secretly murdered. Aurengzeb looked at Sarmad who said,’Now tell me what should I cover – your sins or my thighs?”

According to historians Sarmad was born to an Armenian Jewish merchant’s family of Iran. Having come to know about the enormous admiration of Fine Arts in India he decided to do business with Indians. He embarked upon a journey that changed the direction and destination of his life. He brought with him many valuable objects which could have fetched him rich returns. It wasn’t destined to be. He reached Thatta (presently in Pakistani Punjab) and forgot about his errand. Instead he fell in love of a local girl and in the aftermath lost every possession including the local girl. The impact of unrequited love persuaded him to give up his clothes for ever. He would walk the streets of Thatta in the dress of nature. However, even in this state of absolute renunciation Sarmad achieved the sublime heights of spiritualism. People took him in great reverence and the fame of his piety spread every corner of the globe. One boy Abhi Chand decided to become his disciple and this new relationship did something to soften the bruised contours of Sarmad’s persona. Scholars favored by the royal court of Aurangzeb and even now the professors of school of bigotry use this relationship to tarnish the impeccable image of Sarmad. They forget the platonic relationship of Mehmood Ghaznawi and his slave Ayaaz (eulogized by famous poet Iqbal – ‘Ek hi saf men khare ho gaye Mehmood-o-Ayaaz, na koi banda raha na koi banda nawaz’ and in much bolder statement by the same poet – ‘na woh Ghaznawi men tarap rahi na woh khum hai zulf-e-Ayaaz me’; they push under the carpet the relationship between Amir Khusro and his master Hazrat Nizam Uddin Awalia. The famous couplets of Amir Khusro – “Khusro Nizam ke bal bal jaihyoun…” Khusru died within few weeks after the death of his master and lies in eternal sleep only forty feet away from his master. The finest depiction of this relationship is made by Kabir Das – “Guru Govind douo khare, kake lagoon pai, Balihari Guru aapne Govind diyo batay.”

There is no relationship more enduring than between God and human being; there is no relationship more pious than between the son and mother; there is no relationship more sacred than between Teacher and Taught.

Aurengzeb has deputed Mulla Qawi, the Chief Justice to persecute Sarmad whose fate was known to everyone before the trial.

Moulana Abul Kalam Azad referred the Pro-Aurengzeb historian Sher Khan Lodhi who described Sarmad in his book “Miras-ul-Khyal” in the following words:” Sulatan Dara had an affinity to mad people so he became friend with Sarmad.”

Moulana Azad commented:” He (Lodhi) doesn’t know that there is set of scales in which this madness would outweigh all wisdom in the world. Dara was probably fed up with the pernicious wisdom of the likes of Aurengzeb that he preferred the company of Sarmad.” Sarmd suffered the same fate as Dara. Moulana adds – “Dara Shikoh had a unique mind and temperament and all should mourn the unfortunate day when his enemies triumphed.”

Today, there is large Neem tree opposite to the eastern gate of Delhi Jama Masjid which provides the peaceful abode for the holy saint who spoke the common language between all religions. In the cacophony of busy Delhi – 6 the moment you enter of the red-walled dargah you leave behind all your heavy burdens; you feel a complete peace of mind and in unison with God – no matter the faith you follow.

Sarmad had challenged the religious fanaticism in his life and defeated the bigotry in his death.

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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Few stray thoughts, some point of views…and a slice of realism.

Meer Taqi Meer has said:

“Kya bood-o-bash pucho ho poorab ke sakinon,

hum ko haqeer janke huns huns pukar ke.

Dehli jo ek shaher tha alam men intakhab,

hum rahene wale hain usee ujre dayar ke.”

It is a dismal evening. As I’m writing this article thousands of demonstrators are clogging around the India Gate to express their anger, frustration and despair. A 23 – year old college girl was raped yesterday in a moving bus by six men. They savagely beat her and her companion with iron rods as the bus passed through several police check points on its excursion trip around the city. At the moment the victim is lying in critical condition in the hospital with fatal injuries. She is battling for life.

A lot of crocodile tears are shed by politicians of different hues and they have already made their feelings known in louder tones. The cameos of sympathy will be there on exhibition for some more time and then we will go for next headlines. Sonia Gandhiji visited the victim and wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mrs. Sheila Dikshit. It says: “It is a matter of shame that these incidents recur with painful regularity and that our daughters, sisters and mothers are unsafe in our capital city.”

I feel that this horrific incident should become a turning point in country’s history and  a clear message should go to authorities that society would no longer tolerate their sloth and inaction. They must answer as to why the bus remained unnoticed on the streets of Delhi for so long? Why the authorities have failed, time and again, to give protection to the ordinary citizen?

However, blaming authorities would not suffice. We  as members of civilized society  must do introspection – are we fulfilling our responsibilities as we ought to do? For about one hour two  human beings, you and me, were lying naked, shivering and bleeding, seething in pain at the road side while both male and female members of civilized society passed by  indifferently, didn’t help…. even failed to throw a sheet of cloth upon them. WE collectively failed. Shame on us! Today we have no right to make the photo-tamsha  protest for what has happened.  The rapists were not human beings, not animals but beasts – the worst and cursed creation upon earth. No amount of punishment would heal the wounds. The society of animals would have done better than us in such a situation.

Sometimes back a website ‘Good Men Project’ put up a post by writer Alyssa Royce titled ‘Nice Guys Commit Rape Too.’ The editor of website published the first hand account of an admitted rapist who really enjoyed the life of a reprobate. The project classified rapes as Date Rapes, Acquaintance Rapes and Predators Rape. The first two rapes were defined as situations where the perpetrators knew the victims and often ran in the same social circles. Rape was incidental. The criminals defend their acts in courts and society as sort of mistakes and blunders by a nice guy who was in a wrong place at a wrong time. They try to gloss over their pitfalls and often society believes in them.

In the Indian context, it could be argued that we are trying to imitate and emulate the western culture without proper safeguards against the flip side of that society. It took them centuries to empower women.  The fair sex there possesses the necessary attributes to face the challenges of the developing scenarios. In India, we are still fighting the old ethos, prejudices and traditions. For our male society the company of women is desirable as long as the name and prestige of family is not at stake. Women are also ambitious and they are in a rush to bridge the gaps of ages. Today, we are slowly but surely turning into a promiscuous society. Our women enjoy more freedom than ever before. They are free to pursue their intellectual and instinctual ambitions as it helps them to share the new-found prosperity and liberties with their families. Men folk look the other way as they also want peace of mind and a fat purse. Some compromises are acceptable as long as their standard of life gets a pep and pop. But there is a dark side of the story also. You can’t have your cake and eat it also. To achieve their goals our Women folk have to go out and face the predators who are ready at large to pounce upon them. These predators come in different garbs, hues and from different segments of society. Some of them are very powerful, tactful, talented intellectuals, experts and some are desperate destitute. Some of them also carry few grudges against society that make them psychos.

We appreciate that Women are equal partners of our new society. They often tower over man in mental and material achievements. Let the men-folk realize that marriage, motherhood and rearing kids are desirable virtues and milestones even today but they are just OPTIONS for womanbeing in contemporary India. This may or may not be the flip side in every situation.

The society had never reacted the way it should have when the innocent females were raped in Gujarat and elsewhere. Video films were made and circulated. Today  we are glorifying the very individuals who failed to protect those innocents in those horrific situations. We remained heartless, unmerciful, unrepentant and apathetic in the least. The politicians connived with the criminals. In the present day India any criminal who can win an election is nominated by any political party and we condone meekly to their choices.  We get what we deserve; we reap what we sow. Our own deeds are coming home to roost.

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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London Olympics bronze medalist shuttler Saina Nehwal said the other day – “It’s tough to be a champion and it gets lonely at the top.” That reminds me what the super star Shahrukh Khan has once said, “I’ve a beautiful family. I’ve a few friends with whom I spend lot of time. I don’t like to die like my father. I don’t want to be unknown. I would like to be just successful. Believe me it is very lonely at the top.” He revealed that he was constantly fighting with the emptiness. “There is something wrong in me. I sense it. I feel it but I don’t know what it is.”

These were few revelations that compelled me to put on my thinking cap. I believe success is the integral element of progress without which either we become stagnant and sink into oblivion or begin to lead a life not very different from animals. Animals have lost the battle upon this planet against humans because they had limited goals. Nature had endowed them the virtue of complacency and their weapons of preservation were weak. We the humans have another story to tell. We have infinite goals and we harbor ambitions beyond imagination. We are exploring the kingdom of creativity and curiousity. We look for success. It is a different matter if success has different connotation in different situations. Often rising tide raises all the boats. Many enjoy the reflected glories. Success has many fathers and several children.

Success brings the plethora of issues with it. The faster and higher you climb the ladder the lonelier you feel. Sitting at the top of pyramid may be majestic but it is really lonely. How long this splendid isolation helps you to stay where you are. The leaders of business, politics, religion and sports often suffer distraction from the heroes of similar fields. It is the simple phenomenon – similar poles repel each other.  You find hard to attract the people who have been successful in your field. Often you are envied or disparaged by those who had been successful in different fields of similar magnitude. The space at the top shrinks without announcement. There is an inherent fear that someone is going to stomp your head.  A Domocle’s sword hangs over the head – you might lose POWER.

According to Adan D. Galinsky of Kellogg Graduate School of Business – “Power is a coveted, sought, and tightly held onto. From the animal kingdom to all human societies, power is the currency of success.”

However, it is universally accepted that power also leaves the powerful very lonely at the top. Power perverts relationship. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The immediate impact of power on your attitude is the implosion of suspicion in your life. You begin to doubt the magnanimity and generosity of others. In your subconscious you are to lead to believe in ulterior motives to their kindness.
Power also reduces commitment. It becomes paramount and relationships drift to insignificant territories. Warmth and sincerity are replaced by pretensions and outwards demos which are plastic. Power weaves jaundiced and cynical webs and strangulates the feeling of reciprocity.
To conclude this article I feel that describing and emphasizing a problem is not enough. There should be some way out for correction. What they are supposed to do to encounter this splendid but excruciating isolation? I think that they should often climb down to take a whiff of fresh air. They could occasionally share their bounties with those whose shoulders they had used to speed up. They should never forget that success never comes without reason. It needs support. Your environment, your family, your friend, your society are the corner stone of the edifice of your success. Never ignore them!

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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