August 24, 2011

Remembering 9/11


Can't get over the fact that it is 10 yrs since 9/11. Every article, every photo, every video that I see about 9/11 and/or the memorial that is being built makes me feel lucky to be alive.
 
I always wanted to try sky-diving at least once, but after seeing the videos of people who plummeted to their death voluntarily from the top floors of the WTC, I dont think i'm gonna ever try it. If I did, I would be insulting all those souls who chose to perish that way. There were people who jumped alone, n then there were those who held hands while jumping, only to be separated before reaching the ground. The irony: At a speed of just less than 150 miles/hr, it wasn't enough to cause unconsciousness during the fall, but just enough to cause instant death on impact. So, those who were falling were very much alive, until they hit the ground. Their falls lasted less than ten seconds, but the time between life and death? A fraction of a second too is an understatement.

I was in second year Engineering when this fateful incident happened that not only shook USA, but the world. I was very naive, and couldn't understand the significance of such perdition. My sister was in the USA then, and she gave me a detailed account of the vicious destruction, the havoc, the aftermath of that disastrous day. I couldnt understand the gravity of the situation. Today, I do understand, but can do nothing but shed tears implacably. I have been living in the USA since four years, keep visiting NY/NJ frequently, but I have never been able to summon the courage to go and see ground zero while the memorial was being construsted. I just couldnt do it. It is too tough to maintain your calm at a place where thousands lie sleeping, forever. Even as I am typing this, I have a lump in my throat, and my eyes are red from crying. This day, in everyone's lives, is to say the least, utmost mournful. That too, as I repeat, is a hyperbole.

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum will be open to public from 09/12/2011, on its 10th anniversary. Please, everyone, do make it a point to visit this memorial, as a mark of respect to all those innocent people who lost their lives in the 9/11 obliteration.

Sabhi Bharatwasiyon ko Swatantrata Divas ki hardhik Shubkaamnaayen!


When I was a little girl, I and all my friends used to participate in the group singing competitions held at school. Not just that, there used to be Independence Day celebrations where we used to sing patriotic songs in groups. This is one song that has always been close to my heart. Thanks to Deepa Tarunkumar for helping me out with this! :

Jagi dum vaare, dum dum vaare,
Bhaarat gaurav gaan,
Ya raktala, ya maaticha, mrutyunjaya abhimaan,
udaata ujawala sundara mangala,
Amucha desh mahaan!!

Kashmira paasoona vihangam sindhu sangama zaava,
netravarati shatachitrancha sundar saaz sazava,
kadhi parvat raayi dishanna, kadhi apaat hirveeraane,
kadhi zulzultya giri baala,
kadhi rayteeche maidaane,
Gange pasun Tunge pavat akhand he varadaan...
Amucha desh mahaan!!

Kuni Shetkari, ghalyat malyat disati,
Kiti kaama kari, dongar vareet basati,
Kuni daryavai, paanyat sheti kasati,
Kiti kashta kari, ghamaat bhizoon hasati,
aganit gunagana sahubhashi ana sahudharmi sahuveshi,
ek manane prem dharaane nandati bharat deshi,
nija kalaha visarale saara, hrudayaache zudale bandha,
jhankaarata aalya taara, geetanna preeti sugandha,
kampit madhukara antara gaate, premaache madhugaan...
Amucha desh mahaan!!

Please pardon the grammar... not sure abt the words, been a long time since I even sang this one!

And here's one more that I grew up watching:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9ale-a1D_0

Happy Independence Day everyone!!