Creating Music for Deaf

I came across an interesting video on YouTube a few days back (thanks to my friend Kelechi Emetuche). It explained about American Sign Language (ASL) and how interpreters are making efforts to make deaf people enjoy music.

ASL is one of the natural languages used by the deaf community to communicate and ASL interpreters serve as an important medium of conversion from oral language to communicate things to deaf people. ASL not only has hand gestures but use various movements of face and torso as well to represent different phonemic components of oral language. I had previously seen interpreters communicating news over television using hand gestures but I was totally oblivious to the fact that a lot of effort has been put in developing such a sign language so that people with hearing impairment have a rich vocabulary as any other language. The use of hand orientation, facial gestures, and direction of movements all play a complex role in making the words and sounds come to life and make deaf people not only understand the words but also the tone and emotions of the sentence. (Mind=blown :-o ) I truly appreciate the efforts of both language developers and interpreters in translating sounds to visual form.

One step ahead, interpreters are now trying to make such people enjoy music as well. Definitely! Why should people with hearing disability be deprived of enjoying the most favorite pastime of mine? Listening to music not only cheer us up and sets the mood but while we listen to music, our heart beats resonate with beats of the song and our whole body rejuvenates with good music (try guided meditation with healing sounds, and you'll know what I am saying ;) ). ASL interpreters' efforts to make deaf not only understand but enjoy music is commendable. Deaf people already feel the reverberations of music when played during concerts and live events and if it would be possible for them to not only understand what they would be listening but also how they would be listening, it would be no less than a boon for such people. And not only will it make music more enjoyable but also increase the number of consumers for music industry making musicians mint more money (alliteration you see ;P ). I just can't help but watch the video again and again and appreciate the move every time. See by yourself...

(Moral) Policing Done Right

Today, I was swiping through my newsfeed on Facebook and saw a disturbing video about my hometown. Watch it here. A little background. Yogi Adityanath has been chosen (mind you, chosen and not elected) to be the chief minister of the state of Uttar Pradesh and he has initiated a program called Anti-Romeo Squad whereby "the idea is to reclaim public spaces and make them safe for women." as was said by state’s director-general of police Javeed Ahmed [source]. Although as per an official statement saying "Under any circumstances, action would not be initiated against couples and people who interact with each other, while remaining within the social fabric and tradition at parks, malls, cinema halls and coffee house." [source], Aligarh police went on being vigilante (yes, police can also be one when actions are taken unlawfully) and moral policing around public places harassing people for no reasons. People here include students and even married couples.

I can see in the video some policemen going to Milkbar (an indoor public food joint in my hometown where we as students used to hang out very often) and being rude to students from my University. I recognize some of my juniors (all from very humble families) and as policemen asked about their intentions rudely, media clicking pictures, I can see them humiliated and discomforted. Policemen are meant to serve people and not harass them. The actions taken under the policy is to stop eve teasing and women harassment and create a safer environment for all people. But instead, what I see in the video is totally diverging from this perspective, intimidating people in public places with no reasons. I wouldn't see any reason why people would carry the proof of their relationships with people they go out with. Or maybe new governance would issue official certificates of this as well :P

I used to go with my friends to eat in Milkbar all the time during my college days. We had both girls and boys in our group. Why would any of this prove we are there with bad intentions. This moral policing has to be stopped. Humans are social beings and they should socialize in public setting. If such actions continue to take place, humanity would just have a bunch of introverts conversing on their phones and laptops with no interpersonal skills at all.

Being on the other side of the world and having several encounters with police officers of both LAPD and Department of Public Safety at USC, I have realized that police enforces law and order while making people feel comfortable and safer and simultaneously being super approachable. Some readers might have hard time digesting the fact that I had several encounters with police officers. YES, police officers are just the people who are there to help you. You can even have a nice conversation with them in times of distress and you'll get some awesome tips to take away. I hope of Indian police to have same kind of behavior towards people. All people are not criminals, don't treat everyone with a stern face. My only request to Indian police is that treat people with respect and you'll get respect in return. Respect not because of power but because of praise. You do a great job! Just change the way you do it and you'll see how half of your work would be done through people's participation and mutual coordination.

रास्तों की दास्ताँ

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लम्बे सुनसान रास्तों पर जब घूमा मैं दर-ब-दर

जाना मैंने कि मिल जाते हैं कुछ जाने अनजाने हमसफ़र 

जो मंज़िलों की दूरी को कम कर देते हैं 

जो ख़ामोश कारवां में ज़िंदगी भर देते हैं 

तब रास्ते भी घर जैसे लगने लगते हैं

तब अनजाने भी हमसफ़र जैसे लगने लगते हैं

रास्तों की दूरी और मंज़िल के दरम्यां

ज़िंदगी के सारे किस्से हो जाते हैं बयाँ

हँसी मज़ाक में सारा सफ़र यूँ ही कट जाता है

और सभी का रंज-ओ-ग़म भी आपस में बंट जाता है

सिलसिला ये सुहाने सफ़र का, मंज़िल से हम भागते रहते हैं

ना जाने क्यूँ ये रास्ते मंज़िलों से बेहतर लगते हैं।

College Life at Peace

Source: http://www.judson.edu/

So here is the end. The end to those 4 years of college life that everyone aspires to live with a dream. A dream to aim big, a dream to have someone by their side, a dream to get a great band of pals, a dream to get the first job, a dream to experience life first hand.
My college life began with great excitement and enthusiasm, and a bit of nervousness at first. I was apprehensive of my University that has been near to me since childhood, but never close to me. I was fidgety about my new environment and the changes that jerked me a little. But every college goer gets some awesome company, and I was no exception. My mates at A1D just rocked. All the canvas was painted red with the cheetahs and their notorious acts never missed to amuse me. I learned from them how to live a bindass fearless life and taking risks is never boring. My nature of being too much studious and obedient changed with first year bypassing. A wonderful change from convent life to A1D-KKL life ;)
With the branch-wise segregation next year, many new faces were introduced with whom I had to spend next 3 years. First 2 weeks felt like school days back in college, but then came the halla of Freshers' party, and the people got to know each other. Some respite came from communication lab introduction and group discussion sessions too, but our true best was revealed while planning the Freshers'. Who is witty, who is great manager, who plans well, who is most jugadu, the chit chat box, the 'pic at every moment' person and the guy who laughed through all. A1D taught me well to get comfortable at the back bench of the class, and I followed the lessons in 2nd year too. That's when I got a friend who later emerged as great musician of the class. Sharing thoughts always go well with two, and we never counted time when we were together. Gradually, we got our gang with the gems of the class, and we cheered the 2nd year away, with, needless to say, all the unsuccessful planning of the Freshers'. My birthday that year was the most amazing bash that I cannot forget. I had an elite lounge in NL for celebrating my birthday at college ;) My swollen bums were the testimony of my friends' excitement and the stress levels of engineers combined. This combination is deadly and I bet no one would ever want to encounter that :P By the end of second year, I got to know one of the brightest minds of our class and how cheerful the guy was despite being a bit nerdy.
With the start of 3rd year, I chose him my project partner because of obvious reasons :P We had a new experience of taking classes with professor at abroad and the field was just amazing (I am actually going to make my career in that field). Also when we thought the college life to be smooth, we encountered the Hitler in our life and the tortuous classes that we had cannot be forgotten (my blog is too popular *wink wink*, so cannot say much, but I can write a full article on that class :P ) With the theory classes outnumbering the days in weeks and labs every next day, we were completely slogged down. No time for fun?? Absolutely wrong. We had some amazing group study sessions that were on the funda: Study kam Tour planning zyada ;) And to escape the world of extreme strain, we went to the memorable trip to Mussorie. That's when my negotiating skills improved and I get to learn some amazing skills from my tourmates.
Third year was the year of most of the trips. I went to Udaipur Jaipur trip, IIT Bombay trip, and then to Dehradun Mussorie. We had Agra New Year Bash and awesome Amritsar trip later. Never travelled that much in my life. And it was not the destination, but always the journey that was more fun. Travelling with friends is one thing that would always be on top of my list.
By the end of third year, I knew most of my batchmates, and we became a family. I began to spend more time at college than at my home. I shared moments with people at college that cannot be expressed. And then the fourth year began.. the year of placements..
When we were deciding about our major projects and plans of starting the final year, the very first company came out of the blue and rejected tons of students in the first round itself. Many people were dejected by their first placement experience, and many consoled themselves saying.. pata tha hamara nai hona. All started preparing for next company religiously and then came the notification for TCS: the annadata. The news spread faster than fire, all hands went crazy registering, the reputation was at stake more than the job. I was lucky enough to qualify for TCS Codevita with the perks of written test exemption and technical HR interview was a piece of cake for me. Others had to undergo all day tiring drive. With results revealed at night, almost half of the college grabbed a job in hand. One hell of an accomplishment.
Others not selected tried hands on other companies and got placed eventually. Nobody cared about the academics due to placement preparations. After getting placed, nobody required to care about academics. Still some feared the all hailed question of 3 Idiots: "Fail hue to naukri rahegi ya jaegi?".
Now here we are counting our days in college on fingers, nostalgia surrounding everywhere, people writing long senti posts on their walls, their blogs (except this one :P ), posting farewell pics and group hugs.
These 4 years of college have changed me altogether. I learned to laugh in miseries, cry in pain of others, regard people you care and don't give a fu*k about someone you don't. I learned the dynamics of the world, and how cruel it can be. At times you find yourself all alone and you have to face problems instead of running from them. Still my college life was more fun than thrilling and I take this opportunity to thank my friends who made this journey- my college life - worth taking. I have no regrets of not getting admitted to any IIT, else I won't be able to meet such awesome people: friends for life.
This is not the end. This is neither the beginning. But this may be the end of the beginning!

Lovers

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I met her, it was love at first sight
My wide eyes looking at her exhaustive plight.
She went through a lot, to have me by her side
I cared for her from inside, those feelings that I hide.
In the bed, she cuddled me through long nights and days
There was something between us, that we both need not to say.
I wanted to tell her how much I love her
She opened her heart, and I was just able to murmur.
Once in a while, I gave her awkward kisses
Her smile in return hits me at heart, bull's eye she never misses.
I wonder what would I be, if she was not there
How could I have faced the world, without my Mother's care.
I am not part of her, but she's part of me
Oh dear Mother, God's gracious gift, you were and forever be.

पाखी

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दूर कहीं सघन वन तरु पे
पाखी एक झांके है नीचे
कल कल जल बहता है उस पे
सूर्य किरण से आँखें मीचे
देखे दूर अनंत वो नभ में
कैसे पक्षी उड़ते जाते 
पर अपने इन छोटे पर से
अभी नहीं उड़ान भर पाते
पर मन में विचार उमड़ते
चंचल से बहते पानी से
गर उड़ पाये वो भी नभ में
भले ही आनाकानी से
फैले विस्तृत महाकाश में
वो भी कभी उड़ान भरे
शीतल जल पर शीतल वायु
वो भी कभी महसूस करे

ज्यों ज्यों पाखी हुई सयानी
त्यों त्यों उसके पंख बढ़े
रेशम के रेशे से कोमल
इंद्रधनुषी रंग भरे
जब उसने भरी उड़ान वो पहली
गयी वो नीचे सीधी जाकर
छोटे से पेड़ के सर पे
अटक गयी टहनी टकराकर
कोशिश की लाख जतन कर
गिर गिर उठ न पायी वह
देखा पंख जो हुए रुपहरे
कटे फटे से पायी वह
दिल की धड़कन बढ़ी कुछ ऐसे
जैसे कलेजा फाड़ दिया
स्तब्ध भाव से बैठी वो फिर
किस्मत का क्या खेल नया
उठी गिरी फिर उठी गिरी वह
न जाने किस डर से डर
लाख कोशिशों के बाद भी
न उड़ पायी आहें भर भर

थक के चूर जब हुई हार कर
गयी उस जल धारा के पास
शीतल जल से प्यास बुझा कर
जगी उसमे एक नयी सी आस
धीरे धीरे वो जल में उतरी
थोड़ा थोड़ा सकुचा कर के
शीतल जल का स्पर्श हुआ जब
पाखी तनु स्पंदन भर के
नन्हें पैरों से जब उसने
पानी को छलकाया था
कुछ आगे की तरफ बढ़ी वो
दिल उसका भरमाया था
नवल चेतना से आनंदित
चले जोश में पांव चला चल
पानी पे वो तैरे ऐसे
झरने से गिरता जल चंचल

समय जो बीता हुई पारखी
जल विचरण अब करे वो ऐसे
ऊपर उस अनंत से नभ में
पक्षी विचरण करें हैं जैसे
इच्छाशक्ति और हौसला
था पाखी मन में असीमित
खोकर अपनी मुख्य कुशलता
अंश मात्र भी हुई न विचलित

हम सबका भी कोई सपना
कटा फटा सा रहता होगा
लेकिन मन में सोच का दरिया
अभी भी कहीं बहता होगा
बहने दो उसे कलरव करके
रुकने कभी न पाये वो
ज्यों ही सोच का दरिया रोको
काई सी जम जाये जो
सोच का दरिया बढ़ते बढ़ते
जैसे ही छलकायेगा
नए सपनों की गगरी लेकर
गगरी भर भर जायेगा

Life in a mess...

Life is way too much more than what we think it is. Its length and breadth just seem to efface as we try to subsume it as far as we can, yet in vain. Now one would be wondering why suddenly I am being mentally shrewd about the aspects of what seems to be as simple as one’s life. But yes, that would be the most fatuous thought one would come across to say life is simple, but in fact it is not.

Here is the reason. Few days back, one of my friends gave me a movie (won’t tell its name, else you won’t watch it with required keenness once told) that was about high school reunion. The characters, that seem to be smug about their own lives, when had this opportunity of contemplating the way they live, then they realized what void they had, which they condoned till now. As the story unfolded, each character lamented over their intricacies of life.

One man, who was about to propose her girl and had no contact with her ex-girlfriend for over eight years, met with her in a completely awkward situation, found her to be married, yet complicatedly. Another one, who found his long lost crush of school time, tried every way to flirt and impress her one last time, gets away with the news that she is divorced (not really) and is living with her babies. Yet another man, who happens to be a successful musician, found the girl he had secretly admired and noticed the face in the crowd his whole school days, sings his most popular song at the event. The girl came to realize the song was about her, and ironically, she never heard of it before. (By now you must have guessed the movie, if you have watched or heard about it…but the realization is not in the name, it’s in the message).

This whole convoluted story ends with all the characters knowing what they lacked in their life and fulfill it in their own ways. All happy endings. However it gave a strong message that sometimes life would be a total mess, sometimes you have to toil hard to get things straight, to make things fall in place, but if you take life frivolously, life would be a bigger mess than ever. And you don’t have to do big things for that. Small things in life matter more than doing things you think to be big and life-changing. So go out, help others, make someone smile, work hard, party harder, build up and most importantly maintain relationships, care about friends and family as life is not all about doing things in the flow, but it is about how you direct the flow with doing things your way. :)