For My Eternal Valentine

By: Sharon Supriya


As I sat down to watch the rocky beach on an unstable broken tree,
a gush of warmth wrapped me, whispering my own love story.
The enchanting rhythm of the waves trying to wrap around the rocks with a desperate hug...did wet my eyes.

The wave tried to enchant the rock with a rhythmic music, elegant dance and a soft song.
She desperately leaps towards the rock, to cuddle it, love it, kiss it... and make it all hers.
The rock doesn't deny her, when she rushes towards him.
He welcomes her but then with its hard fist pushes her back to her own world.

She asks him why? He says that's just his way of loving her. He doesn't stop there.
He sings, an ode to his land. He says, "I need u. Yes I need you, to cuddle me, to love me, to kiss me, to cleanse me... But, I can't be yours. You may leave your world for me, but I can never. This is where my clan is. I am bound to my fellow siblings lying around me. I am rooted to my Earth. But I need u, may be for my own selfishness. But, I Need You."

Wave was hurt. She cried, lamented for few seconds, and then with the same rhythmic music, elegant dance and a soft song, rushed back to his arms,

For centuries now, she has never stopped loving him and he has never stopped denying her. They will keep wrapping each other with love, but will never ever be in each others arms for more than a moment.

Suicide- Life's Bitter Expression

By : Sharon Supriya

Are you going through the difficult phase of depression, rejection, fear, and failure? Are you trying to end your life with the banner, "I am unwanted"? Have you thought of SUICIDE ever? Then read an exclusive report of suicide that includes an interview with the Bangalore based suicide help line called 'Sahai' volunteer Teresa.

A number of suicide help lines have emerged to lend a helping ear in recent years in India. One of them is Bangalore based suicide help line 'Sahai', a project of Medico-Pastoral Association. An honorary volunteer Teresa opens up her view and fate of the people who try to attempt suicide. A self-retired middle-aged woman begins the conversation, " I enjoy this line more than my nursing. I have the opportunity to make a difference in some ones life".

When asked about the most memorable case ever Teresa recollects, " It is about a boy called Rahul (name changed with request) who fled from his college to find refugee in ISKCON after attempting suicide twice. Well! The story begins thus he had a relationship with a guy from his college. When the secret was disclosed in college he wished to die of shame. I believe the death had not called for him yet. His friend called Sahai and gave his number. He asked me to help him. When I rang back, I heard a chirpy kids voice who was desperate for help. He came to meet me personally from the other end of Bangalore to share his story. He needed a helping ear, when he found one he poured out his heart. After some days of counseling he went back to his native to complete his education. That day he wrote this letter to me which I carry wherever I go". She handed the delicate letter, which read:

"Dear mom (Teresa)
I am going back to complete my education and to be the best person on earth. Thanks a lot! I will never forget you mom"

The letter had just few words but had described his whole renewed life. He wanted to live a new life of difference in the same college where he would be put to shame every second. This is courage.

In Bangalore city, every year nearly 1500-1800 people commit suicide with an estimated 20,000 hospitalizations. Sahai helpline works only from Monaday to Friday on specifc times from 10am - 1 pm and 2pm - 5pm. The calls that come after these hours are recorded and called back by the volunteers next day. Sahai trains atleast 30- 45 new volunteer almost every 4 months, only one or two remain for 6 months or a year. The help is not stretched although the calls that keep ringing here have come from other states too. The law ones showed its rage by arresting people who wished to suicide but the law undermines to help those people who desperately seek for help.

Children of the age 9-18 desperately call suicide helplines. A couple of students commit suicde every year during the peak days of examination in every metropolitan cities. The stress, confusion and pressure lead them to something unknown but for the moment it is the need of the hour.

Teresa says, a girl of 6th std called Sahai and said " I am worried, I want to commit suicide". The girl who hasn't seen anything in life called trauma or distress want to quit life as it seems a great challange to survive. This happens when parents compare their children with superior students who have done extremely well and try to persuade their children to reach those heights. The act may be motivative to some but; it leaves an inferiority complex to many. Parents fail to realise that every being has his/ her own level of understanding. The seemingly high pressure will lead them to quit the game of life in utter shame. Parents celebrate successes, but fail to tell children how to take failures and losses in their stride

Interesting Facts

• World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about one million people commit suicide each year
• It is the eight leading cause of death for all the US men and the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15-24.
• Its rate increases with age and is reported very high among 65 years and older people.
• "Sahai," a suicide prevention helpline project of Medico-Pastoral Association, a voluntary organisation working in the field of mental health, gets maximum calls from students during the Board exams of X th and XII th.
Men are four times more likely to die from suicide than women. However women report attempting suicide during their lifetime about three times as often as men. The stronger sex has designated to be the victim of failure. If you would like to help the distressed then read the protective factors.

• Distressed need a heeding ear, try to smile and encourage the near and dear ones who have gestured to attempt suicide.
• With a little support from parents and the right counselling about the opportunities available to them, students can be prevented from taking the extreme step, say counselors.
• People who try to attempt suicide need emotional support. If you could provide one you will be their angel for life.
• Try being a part of the suicide help lines to stretch help. They just need four hours of your time in a week.

To end with read an extract of my friend's life. This is especially for the one who thinks life is a waste and it has to be ended.

"I sneaked into the dark blanket and wished nobody ever would find me. I was ashamed of my failure. The whole world looked like a war zone and I was the only victim. My eyes were red; I rolled on the wet bed. I was wrong. I had no forgiveness. The thought of suicide struck me, but I didn't have the courage to knock the death door. In the mixed perplexed feeling my Father uncovered me. He could sense my deepest fear. He touched and said, "Your are a failure and you are responsible for all your fate, but I also believe you are the brightest shining star ever. Would you like to bring my faith into a reality?" I held his stretched arm and asked "Are you with me?" He answered, "I am till eternity" The sense of a partner walking with me in the dreary desert paved a path to success. People look up to me today and say, "She can live in the dreary dessert". Yes she can and so can you.

According to Phil Donahue, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, so do not succumb to something that is inevitable. Walk the dreary path you never know your desired goal may be just two steps ahead.

(first published in living.oneindia.in)

Partition Of India - The Sad Saga Of United India

By: Sharon Supriya

Millions fought for a free country, but when it was destined on them they thought of walking in separate paths. The brave warriors of India who shed their blood for a noble cause, did not think again while tearing down a neighbor into scrambled body, stained with blood. What went wrong, why was the victory celebrated with tears? Will ever the divided heart join again to start a new history?

Here is a story of divided India at the stroke of Independence. Join in with me to the sad saga of the wondrous victory.

India and Pakistan legally came into existence at the stroke of midnight on 15 August 1947 that is after ending nearly 350 years of British presence in India. A research states that the ceremonies for the transfer of power were held a day earlier in Karachi, at the time the capital of the new state of Pakistan, so that the last British Viceroy, Louis Mountbatten, could attend both the ceremony in Karachi as well as the ceremony in Delhi. If that was one of the reason, another was an attempt to make it appear that Pakistan was not seceding from a sovereign India. Therefore Pakistan celebrates Independence Day on August 14, while India the very next day.
The street was short and narrow. Lying like the garbage across the street and in its open gutters were bodies of the dead.


What happened after partition ?
Anything divided is a cause of tragic end be it just a single home or an entire country. That's what happened to India. Some brave men were able to unbind their motherland by the chains of British but they were unaware of the internal bleeding within her body that could perish half a million and leave twelve million homeless (According to Richard Symonds).

It left behind a trail of unforgivable crime. In a couple of months, a millions of people were slaughtered on both sides in the religious rioting. Men, women and children who died in the rioting were cremated on a mass scale. Oil and kerosene were used by villagers to burn the dead bodies when wood was scarce. There was nothing called law and order in the country, many died in riots, massacre or just from the hardships of their flight to safety.

BBC in one of its documentary reports that over 10 million people were uprooted from their homeland. They traveled on foot, bullock carts and trains to their promised new home, which was pictured as the most perfect place to breathe in a new life.

The partition did not hinder the peace of only India but also of Pakistan. One decision left both the countries in devastating states. Many women were raped, men were looted and kids were left on the street to wander with a lost identity. Provinces of Punjab and Bengal was also divided, which caused catastrophic riots and claimed the lives of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs alike.

About 14.5 million refuges poured across the borders. Based on 1951 Census of displaced persons, 7,226,000 Muslims went to Pakistan from India while 7,249,000 Hindus and Sikhs moved to India from Pakistan immediately after partition. Estimates of the number of deaths range around 500,000, with low estimates at 200,000 and high estimates at 1,000,000. One of the pictures taken by BBC during the partition shows a street filled with dead bodies, where vultures were having their feast. Looking at the tragic scene Bourke-White's biographer Vicki Goldberg, writes “The street was short and narrow. Lying like the garbage across the street and in its open gutters were bodies of the dead,"


A research states that the partition of India ranks, one of the 10 greatest tragedies in human history. It could have been an evitable event. India got its freedom at the prize of a divide country.

61 years after the dawn of Independence, the two nations are still trying to heal the deep wounds of the heart. Sometimes a sweet exchange of smile and wave in the border thrills for an urge of united India again. However, the two countries have been to war twice since the partition over the possession of Kashmir. The issue that divided that country still breathes fresh in Kashmir. Although the two countries started their new journey with hatred, bloody war, ruined economics and land, today they stand firm in their own growth.

At this hour after the sad tale of divided India, all that I can think of is a humble prayer the can reunite the broken hearts for a brighter tomorrow. Well! It may never happen, but hope is such a thing that can brighten a darkened soul. So, lets hope one day we will join in together to celebrate freedom that most dreamt of gifting their forthcoming generations. Till then, happy Independence Day Pakistan. Happy Independence Day India.

Interesting Myths And Facts About The Rainbow

By: Sharon Supriya

Rainbow! The flamboyant colours with curved smile has often brought an unexplained joy and an expression of how beautiful are the works of God on anybody who saw it. The extraordinary and attractive natural phenomenon has fascinated human beings throughout ages. Here is an insight to its mythological background and some interesting facts that can blow your mind

Interesting tales about a Rainbow
Rainbow was considered to be a path made by a messenger Iris between earth and heaven in Greek mythology. The Chinese believed that the rainbow was a slit in the sky sealed by Goddess Nuwa using stones of five different colours. The Irish leprechaun's secret hiding place for his pot of gold is usually believed to be at the end of the rainbow. In Silesia, an obscure area of eastern Europe, it was said that the angels kept tons of gold there and that only a nude man could obtain the prize. Well! I hope nobody tries it.

The Bible also talks about the rainbow. After Noah's Deluge, the Bible relates that the rainbow gained meaning as the sign of God's promise that terrestrial life would never again be destroyed by flood (read Genesis 9.13-15). Many people believe the rainbow is a ray of light falling to earth whenever Saint Peter opens the gates of heaven to let another soul in. It also has a supreme place in Hindu mythology. The rainbow is called Indradhanush, which means bow of God Indra, who is the God of lightening and thunder. Arabian's have a similar story. In Arabia it is called the cloud's bow or Allah's bow. In Islam the rainbow is not made of seven colours but of four, red, yellow, green and blue related to the four elements.

In the Younger Edda it is described as a tricoloured bridge to Asgard, very skillfully built by the gods. In Croatia the rainbow is God's seat, while in Greenland the rainbow is the hem of God's garments. In Africa the rainbow encircles the earth and is a guardian to heaven. In German mythology it is a bowl God used to hold his paints while coloring the birds. Isn't that a beautiful imagination ever described in a simplest form?

Rainbows even helped mankind to know how to make love. A Japanese myth tells of the first man Isanagi and the first woman Isanami who stood on the floating bridge of heaven while creating the island of Onogoro. They then walked down to earth on this rainbow bridge( Niji), watched all the animals around them and learned how to make love. That's not all they watched the birds and learned to eat with chopsticks.

In the olden days, some Europeans believed that anyone passing beneath the rainbow would be transformed, man into woman and woman into man! Well, the ones who are thinking about having a gender change, then this is an easier, less painful and no expensive method.

Some interesting facts
# If you think the rainbow is made of just 7 colours, then probably you are wrong. A rainbow is actually made up of an entire continuum of colors, even the ones your eyes can't see.
# A research states that every person sees their own personal rainbow. When you look at one, you are seeing the light bounced off of certain raindrops, but when the person standing next to you looks at the same rainbow, they may see the light reflecting off other raindrops from a completely different angle. In addition, everyone sees colors differently according to light and how their eyes interpret it.
# Nobody can ever reach the end of the rainbow, because as you move, the rainbow that your eyes see moves as well, because the raindrops are at different spots in the atmosphere. The rainbow, then, will always move away at the same rate that you are moving.
# Historically, a rainbow flag was used in the German Peasants' War in the 16th century as a sign of a new era, of hope and of social change.
# Rainbows may also form in the spray created by waves in the water called spray bows. So you need not look up to find one all the time.
Rainbows can also be formed in mist, such as that of a waterfall.

Rain Dancing - A Blissful Ritual To Invoke Rain

By : Sharon Supriya

I love dancing in the rain with my arms wide open to catch the soft showers. As they kiss my tender skin, with a warmth of love, it creeps me into the world of romance, with the nature. The blissful smell of the wet earth, the soft and cold wind seems to breathe in life again to the dry land and to my darkened soul. Such is the magic of monsoon. Although monsoon sweeps in romance in many regions of the planet without any notice, there are some places in the world it needs to be invoked to kiss the Earth. The method of instigating its love to the land is done from centuries throughout the globe with a splendid dance. Read about the most ancient ceremonial dance – Rain Dancing.

The ceremonial dance is performed in order to invoke rain and to ensure the protection of the harvest. It is found in many cultures from Ancient Egypt to certain Native American tribes. They could still be found in the 20th century Balkans, in a ritual known as Paparuda (Romanian) or Perperuna (Slavic).

The dance is performed with a particular make- up and attire. For instance the rain dance performed at the Pueblo of Zuni on August 19th, man and women are masked completely. The men have long, waved hair; the women wear the hair wrapped at each side with colored worsted around an oblong of cardboa. In addition to preparing their face and body with the proper 'rain dance' makeup and costume, they hop, skip, bounce, jump, juggle snakes, chant, scream, shout, yell and immerse their entire beings into playing in the rain. For a second, you will surely think they are not praying for rain, they are already playing in the rain!

Believe it or not, many a times their vibrant dance of invocation has brought rain to the drought lands. Experts believe that it invokes rain because it invokes the power of the law of attraction vibrantly, powerfully, passionately, vigorously, fervently, and with conviction

How it came into being?
Here are the two reasons

* An ethnic Native American tribe called, 'the Cherokee tribe' from the Southeastern United States, including Southern Appalachia, performed rain dances to both induce precipitation and to cleanse evil spirits from the earth. According to the tribes legend the rain summoned by the tribe contains the spirits of dead tribal chiefs, who, upon awakening from the clouds, battle evil spirits in the transitional plane between our reality and the spirit world. The tribe also believed that such elaborate rain dances could inspire the participants and the audience, to partake in extreme acts of spiritual worship.

* There is a story behind, how the term “rain dance" came into being, during the days of the Native American relocation, certain religious ceremonies (amongst them the Rain Dance and Ghost Dance) were banned by the government. Thus the tribes in suppressed areas were forbidden to perform the Sun Dance. The Windigokan, a nominally cannibalistic sect, told federal representatives that the dance being performed was not the Sun Dance, but the Rain Dance, thus preventing any prosecution or federal intervention.

(first published in living.oneindia.in)

The Love Story Of Cupid

By : Sharon Supriya

Valentine's Day will loose colour without the presence of Cupid, the winged cherub with bow and arrows that he uses to strike people to fall in love. This article tells you about, what happened when Cupid became his own victim? This is his love story. The sweetest and the most beautiful love story that you can ever find. Read further to know all about Cupid, his love story, his origin and his role in the celebration of Valentine's Day.

According to Greek mythology, Cupid (Eros in the Greek) was son of Venus (Aphrodite in the Greek). This mischievous cherub of love was Venus's constant companion, armed with bow and arrows. He shot the arrows of desire into the bosoms of both gods and human beings. It is also said that he had two sets of arrow: one with gold headed, which inspired love and the other with lead headed, which inspired hatred.

Cupid is always portrayed as a child, though after the birth of his brother Anteros, he rapidly grew to a winged man. His personality in many of the art form is angelic and he is perceived to be angel like, due to the Christianisation of a number of Roman and Greek myths during the third and fourth century A.D. In literature, he is frequently pictured as fickle, playful, and perverse.

Cupid and his mortal bride - Psyche

Psyche was the daughter of a certain king and a queen who had three daughters. She was the youngest among all. The charms of the two elder were more than common, but the beauty of Psyche was just amazing without equal to any being in the world. The fame of her beauty grew like a burning fire. People from the neighboring countries came to see her. They marvelled at her beauty and classiness. They started worshipping the beauty bestowed on this young virgin by the Goddess Venus.

Venus became jealous of the beauty of Psyche, and ordered cupid to punish this mortal beauty. She asked cupid to infuse into her bosom a passion for some unworthy and ugly being. Cupid as per his mother's instructions went to strike Psyche with his arrows. Things didn't happen the way it was planned. Cupid accidentally got struck by his own arrow and fell in love with Psyche.

Meanwhile in the city Psyche's parents were worried, as the admiration and praise did not win any husband for her. For no man desired her as a wife. Due to this fear Psyche's parent consulted an oracle, which told them that she was destined for no mortal lover but for a monster. According to the commandment Psyche's parents dressed her in mourning garments and left her on top of nearby mountain peak. Then Zephyrus (Greek god of the west wind) carried Psyche to a fairy valley that had a magnificent palace. In the palace invisible servants attended her until dark. In the night the promised bridegroom (that is Cupid or Eros) arrived and married her. However as a mortal she was forbidden to look at him. Cupid feared that if she ever knew him she might fear him or adore him. Cupid wanted her to love him as an equal than adore him as a God.

Things were fine until Psyche listened to her elder sisters' wish to see her groom. They reminded her the prophecy from Oracles and asked to examine whether her lover is a monster. . One night armed with a sharp knife she looked at his face with the help of a lamp. Cupid became angry because of her defiance and curiosity. He left her lamenting on the ground for her folly.

Left with nothing, Psyche wandered in search of her lost love. She eventually arrived at the temple of Venus. Wishing to destroy her forever, the goddess of love and beauty gave Psyche a series of tasks, each harder and most dangerous than the last. However in all those tasks Psyche attained the secret assistance from Cupid.

In the final task, Psyche was given a little box and told to go to the underworld to get a little beauty of Proserpine, the wife of Pluto. Psyche was warned not to look into the box, but as a human bound curiosity she thought of having just a peep. Instead of revealing beauty she found death.

Cupid arrived and found his dead lover. He took the deadly sleep and gathered it in the box. As a result of her dominant love the Gods including Venus and Cupid forgave her for all her transgressions. Finally Psyche got united to Cupid and their subsequent child was named Delight or Voluptas or Volupta (that is Pleasure).

Cupid's love story has paved its way into the celebration of Valentine's Day. Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. Another popular symbol are doves and lovebirds as these are the only birds that mate for life. It is also believed that they choose their mate in the mid of February.

So let all the Cupids and Psyches in the world get prepared! You may be striked by one of the Cupid's arrows in this February. You may meet your man or woman of dreams, who can walk through all the hurdles just to have your love. You need not search the dream person, for they will be carried to you. So be ready as he/she may knock at the door any time with a banner in their hand " Will You Be Mine".

Christmas Message

By : Sharon Supriya

Carol had a fight with one of her friend Stella over something silly and they didn't speak to each other for three long months. Now it was the time for Christmas and they were playing 'Secret Santa' in the church. Carol had the name of Stella on her chit. She said to herself, " uh ha! I will give her the worst Christmas gift ever. Serves her right." But that didn't happen. She gave her what Stella always dreamt for, a big 'Teddy Bear.' Stella received a letter with the gift, which read,

Dear Stella,

Merry Christmas!!!

When I received your name in the chit I thought I would give you a half eaten chocolate, or the cheapest dress. But, I recently visited an orphanage with mom and dad. I was greatly moved with this kid of age 4, who loved her younger brother, even though he boxed her and hurt her. She was very protective and kissed him all the while. I said, "I wish I had an elder sister like her." Mom replied that I already had a good friend called Stella. I told her about our fight and said you were the worst being I have ever met. Mom was firm and said that Christmas was all about loving. And if I loved Christ I should love you too. I didn't agree and walked away.

At night during the family prayer, mom read this scripture from the Bible, " For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."(John 3: 16). Then I realized that Jesus was born to die for me. I wasn't worth it. I did hurt Him and made Him cry with my deeds. But He thought I was the most precious one. When He could sacrifice everything for me why couldn't I sacrifice my year earned pocket money for you.

I hope you liked it and I love you for He loved me.

Love,
Carol.

"Love came down at Christmas love all lovely love divine. Love was born at Christmas stars and angels gave the sign..."

True. Christmas is all about love.

Christmas is a message that somebody loves you the way you are, and that He came to live like you and gave his life that you might live. It's a story of amazing love of God.

Long time ago in Bethlehem a baby named Jesus was born in a manger to a couple Mary and Joseph. Neither his birth nor his life was ordinary. He had a mission. He had a message. He taught a vision. He was a seed of hope. He was a lamb of sacrifice. He was LOVE.

Spread the message of love to everyone you meet. Its Christmas season, celebrate it with a heart of love.

Other than Love, Christmas carries a message of peace; hope salvation and much more wrapped in a single box. Here are some of the verses from the Bible that tells you all about these.

Christmas is
The Good News of Joy:
'Then the angel of the Lord said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people." Luke 2: 10

The Good News of Truth:
"To whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you." Galatians 2: 5

The Good News of Hope:
"If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven..." Colossians 1: 23

The Good News of Peace:
'...And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" Ephesians 6:15

The Good news of Gods Promise:
"That the gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ through the gospel..." Ephesians 3:6

The Good News of Immortality:
"But has now been revealed by the appearing of our savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."2 Timothy 1: 10

The Good News of Salvation:
"In him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise...." Ephesians 1:13

(first published in living.oneindia.in)