Somewhere in between a book I found an unread note,
the pages were crumbled and it smelt of faded yellow paper,
and yet those words smudged in black ink sank deeper than any sword,
as a tear drop fell smudging the already smudged crumbled ruffled paper,
it blotted till eyes became too blurry to read and my heart sank,
like someone sitting on cushions,
so deep till no air could be felt and even the breath was of muffled sobs...
It was no love letter, nor from someone who had passed away,
it was a note written a long time ago.
Somewhere in between living and dreaming,
Somewhere in between trying to please and be pleased,
Somewhere in between the east and the west,
Somewhere in between soaking the sun and gazing at the moon,
Somewhere in between thinking and speaking,
Somewhere in between growing and laughing,
Somewhere in between wiping the tears and trying to smile,
I have failed.
Friends who once held hands and hugged hearts,
Foes who I never wanted any,
Family who I could never please,
Relatives whom I never met,
Love and Lovers, too many to see,
Books I failed to read,
Poems I could never sing,
A guitar I could never play,
Writers I never understood,
I have failed for too many reasons to quote.
Somewhere in between failing and trying to stand,
I sprain my leg and wince in pain,
it is a gloomy day and my heart is weary,
Somewhere in between ageing and growing
I lament, my life, my life
I weep for the dead and the ones who will die,
I weep because I want to cry...
Somewhere in between I read the note and it is my own elegy that I recite.....
ps- Rest in peace, all those who passed away
Live in peace, all those who still breathe
Drip Drop Rain
In between trees I planted memories
the trees flowered
the memories faded
flowers blossomed
petals crumbled
rumble rumble
the thunder grumbled
In between trees I planted rain
drop by drop it collected
a puddle, a stream
an ocean, a dream
soaked deep in slumber land
the memories filled and flowed
till the ocean became a dream and the rain
a dreamy drumming dripping drop
running down the drain!
tip tip tip .....
the trees flowered
the memories faded
flowers blossomed
petals crumbled
rumble rumble
the thunder grumbled
In between trees I planted rain
drop by drop it collected
a puddle, a stream
an ocean, a dream
soaked deep in slumber land
the memories filled and flowed
till the ocean became a dream and the rain
a dreamy drumming dripping drop
running down the drain!
tip tip tip .....
Confusion
She stood at the edge of the cliff,
A whiff of air blew her lush black hair,
She shone delightfully fair in the moonlit air,
The shore was noisy and so was her soul,
The waves jumped in confusion,
and lashed with even greater delusion,
bubbles and foams and froth and wrath,
all jumped,
all tumbled,
within the waves,
between her soul,
the air became foul,
and rot her soul,
confusion breeds clarity they say,
clarity is an illusion they say,
She breathes the foul air
and manages to walk back with her flowing hair,
in despair
in despair......
A whiff of air blew her lush black hair,
She shone delightfully fair in the moonlit air,
The shore was noisy and so was her soul,
The waves jumped in confusion,
and lashed with even greater delusion,
bubbles and foams and froth and wrath,
all jumped,
all tumbled,
within the waves,
between her soul,
the air became foul,
and rot her soul,
confusion breeds clarity they say,
clarity is an illusion they say,
She breathes the foul air
and manages to walk back with her flowing hair,
in despair
in despair......
Saturday Blues
I can hear the left over music from the saxophone,
Friday's hue fades into twilight blue,
a crescent moon with a dotted star,
hardly at war,
and the Buddha sat behind the bar,
listening to blues from space afar
I can hear the fading sound of the harmonica,
Saturday is not in harmony,
it awoke to a gloomy morn,
and wanted to piss all day long,
and for miles, Miles Davis was all I had
to forgo my Saturday blues
Start a day with Saturday Blues
blew blew blow the blue
have you heard a harp so sharp
piercing piercing bloody blue
brew some whisky play some blues
tap your feet to Saturday blues.....
Friday's hue fades into twilight blue,
a crescent moon with a dotted star,
hardly at war,
and the Buddha sat behind the bar,
listening to blues from space afar
I can hear the fading sound of the harmonica,
Saturday is not in harmony,
it awoke to a gloomy morn,
and wanted to piss all day long,
and for miles, Miles Davis was all I had
to forgo my Saturday blues
Start a day with Saturday Blues
blew blew blow the blue
have you heard a harp so sharp
piercing piercing bloody blue
brew some whisky play some blues
tap your feet to Saturday blues.....
BANKING WITH A DIFFERENCE, ISLAMIC BANKING
When one hears the words Islamic banking one might immediately try to associate the words Islam and banking and wonder, how different can a money making business be whether it is Islamic banking or conventional mode of banking? Is it just a name or is there more to the way how this kind of banking is done?
There are an estimated 1.61 billion Muslims worldwide, making Islamic banking one of the fastest growing segments of the financial industry. This banking system is not only appealing to the Muslim audience but in fact has much more to offer individuals, companies and governments who are interested in banking with a difference, a system that differs in the spirit of contract, a system that brings an element of honesty in a cold banking scenario where usually only money talks, a system that places importance on the ethics and the way banking is conducted.
The Islamic banking system differs fundamentally from the conventional banking system in its central idea that giving or taking interest (Riba) is prohibited. This system of banking bases its objectives and operations on the Qur’anic principles. The basic principle of Islamic banking follows the laws of the Sharia or Islamic law and this religious motive that governs the system of banking changes the whole structure about the way money is made and shared between the investor/borrower and the banker. Unlike conventional banks, Islamic banks share business risks with investors and borrowers. Another fundamental difference between conventional and Islamic banking from a risk perspective is in the nature of risk taking. There are no fixed rates promised and no false promises made, the bank becomes a partner and therefore the relationship created between them is much different than the conventional way of banking. The thought processes and the fundamental idea that drives and governs Islamic banking are religious and therefore it makes all the difference in its perception, implementation and accountability which cannot be found in the conventional banking system that is driven by collateral alone. Though it must be mentioned that Islamic bank attaches varying degrees of importance to the elements of capital, collateral, character and condition unlike conventional banks that focuses on collateral alone, Islamic bank gives priority to the character of the customer. But there is a similarity between the two banking system on the issue of priority attached to the security and soundness of a project submitted to the bank for financing.
During a time of economic recession the greatest since the Great Depression it does pose the question, is it about time that other ways of banking be explored? At Davos in January 2009, the World Economic Forum released a report on the future of global financial system and it commented on the Islamic financial system that it is capable of minimizing the severity and frequency of financial crises by getting rid of the major weaknesses of the conventional financial system. Then how does an interest free banking framework function?
Instead of interest the system in use is a Profit-Loss Sharing (PLS) mechanism for resource allocation and financial intermediation. Banks that comply with Islamic laws are forbidden to charge interest or late payment fees, which is also considered a type of Riba. To minimize risk, banks will often require a large down payment on goods and property or insist upon large collateral. It is lawful for the bank to charge a higher price for a good if payments are deferred or collected at a later date since it is considered a trade for goods rather than collecting interest. Sharia-complaint banking products include Mudharabah (profit sharing), Wadiah (safekeeping), Musharakah (joint venture), Murabahah (cost plus) and Ijarah (leasing).
Another way banks work within Islamic laws while trying to turn a profit is by buying an item that the customer wants and then selling the item to the customer at a higher price. For example, if someone wants to buy a house, a conventional bank will loan the customer the money to buy the house and charge interest on the loan but an Islamic bank will buy the house and rent it to the customer at a higher price. The bank will own the house until the rental payments are made after which the ownership is transferred to the customer. This is a joint venture.
The Mudharabah (cost surplus) is a partnership between an entrepreneur and the bank. The bank is known as the rabal-maal and the entrepreneur as the mudarib. The bank provides all of the necessary capital to start a business and the entrepreneur does the work of managing the business. Profits are split at an agreed ratio until the initial funds of the rabal-maal are paid off. The rabal-maal is also compensated with additional funds based on the profits of the business in terms previously agreed on. In the event that the business folds, the rabal-maal shoulders the cost and the mudarib is not compensated.
The Sharia or Islamic law also forbids engagement in investments that include financial unknowns such as buying and selling futures. In Islamic banking the money has to be from an Islamic deposit and it cannot be used to deal with something synthetic (like the recession), the goods have to be tangible. Therefore the risk involved is much lesser. It also forbids businesses that are haraam – dealing in products that are contrary to Islamic law and values such as alcohol, pork, gossip or pornography. These principles apply to all individuals, companies and governments.
In 1975 there was one Islamic bank; today there are over 300 in more than 75 countries. Today, Islamic financial institutions exist worldwide, participating in the $180 billion/day industry. The total amounts of deposits in Islamic institutions are growing at a rate of 25-40% annually. Because oil prices and liquidity are expected to stay high, budget surpluses will remain high, pushing both public and private sectors to be involved with the Islamic market. Many Islamic countries are investing in large infrastructure projects, creating more than a trillion dollars in investments.
There is also a huge potential customer base. According to Standard and Poor’s surveys, 20% of the customers in the Gulf Area and Southeast Asia would choose an Islamic banking product over a similar conventional product. There is significant middle-class urban and suburban populations that already use conventional banking and therefore present ripe opportunities for Islamic banks. Most importantly, outside of the religious and political allure of Islamic banks people are choosing their services for the safeties they are offered.
The evidence is clear: Islamic banking is big business and is growing by the day. The 25-40% tremendous annual growth rate of Islamic banking is a testimony that this system of banking based on values and ethics instilled and driven by religion emphasizes on the conduct of doing business, promoting an honest way of making money and is becoming a fast growing niche in the financial world. With a growing customer base especially in the emerging markets and a distrust of conventional banking in such economic times of recession, people are willing to explore and experiment new secure modes of banking that is disciplined and puts an emphasis on basic issues of business, ethics and religion- Islamic banking seems to be the lucrative answer.
There are an estimated 1.61 billion Muslims worldwide, making Islamic banking one of the fastest growing segments of the financial industry. This banking system is not only appealing to the Muslim audience but in fact has much more to offer individuals, companies and governments who are interested in banking with a difference, a system that differs in the spirit of contract, a system that brings an element of honesty in a cold banking scenario where usually only money talks, a system that places importance on the ethics and the way banking is conducted.
The Islamic banking system differs fundamentally from the conventional banking system in its central idea that giving or taking interest (Riba) is prohibited. This system of banking bases its objectives and operations on the Qur’anic principles. The basic principle of Islamic banking follows the laws of the Sharia or Islamic law and this religious motive that governs the system of banking changes the whole structure about the way money is made and shared between the investor/borrower and the banker. Unlike conventional banks, Islamic banks share business risks with investors and borrowers. Another fundamental difference between conventional and Islamic banking from a risk perspective is in the nature of risk taking. There are no fixed rates promised and no false promises made, the bank becomes a partner and therefore the relationship created between them is much different than the conventional way of banking. The thought processes and the fundamental idea that drives and governs Islamic banking are religious and therefore it makes all the difference in its perception, implementation and accountability which cannot be found in the conventional banking system that is driven by collateral alone. Though it must be mentioned that Islamic bank attaches varying degrees of importance to the elements of capital, collateral, character and condition unlike conventional banks that focuses on collateral alone, Islamic bank gives priority to the character of the customer. But there is a similarity between the two banking system on the issue of priority attached to the security and soundness of a project submitted to the bank for financing.
During a time of economic recession the greatest since the Great Depression it does pose the question, is it about time that other ways of banking be explored? At Davos in January 2009, the World Economic Forum released a report on the future of global financial system and it commented on the Islamic financial system that it is capable of minimizing the severity and frequency of financial crises by getting rid of the major weaknesses of the conventional financial system. Then how does an interest free banking framework function?
Instead of interest the system in use is a Profit-Loss Sharing (PLS) mechanism for resource allocation and financial intermediation. Banks that comply with Islamic laws are forbidden to charge interest or late payment fees, which is also considered a type of Riba. To minimize risk, banks will often require a large down payment on goods and property or insist upon large collateral. It is lawful for the bank to charge a higher price for a good if payments are deferred or collected at a later date since it is considered a trade for goods rather than collecting interest. Sharia-complaint banking products include Mudharabah (profit sharing), Wadiah (safekeeping), Musharakah (joint venture), Murabahah (cost plus) and Ijarah (leasing).
Another way banks work within Islamic laws while trying to turn a profit is by buying an item that the customer wants and then selling the item to the customer at a higher price. For example, if someone wants to buy a house, a conventional bank will loan the customer the money to buy the house and charge interest on the loan but an Islamic bank will buy the house and rent it to the customer at a higher price. The bank will own the house until the rental payments are made after which the ownership is transferred to the customer. This is a joint venture.
The Mudharabah (cost surplus) is a partnership between an entrepreneur and the bank. The bank is known as the rabal-maal and the entrepreneur as the mudarib. The bank provides all of the necessary capital to start a business and the entrepreneur does the work of managing the business. Profits are split at an agreed ratio until the initial funds of the rabal-maal are paid off. The rabal-maal is also compensated with additional funds based on the profits of the business in terms previously agreed on. In the event that the business folds, the rabal-maal shoulders the cost and the mudarib is not compensated.
The Sharia or Islamic law also forbids engagement in investments that include financial unknowns such as buying and selling futures. In Islamic banking the money has to be from an Islamic deposit and it cannot be used to deal with something synthetic (like the recession), the goods have to be tangible. Therefore the risk involved is much lesser. It also forbids businesses that are haraam – dealing in products that are contrary to Islamic law and values such as alcohol, pork, gossip or pornography. These principles apply to all individuals, companies and governments.
In 1975 there was one Islamic bank; today there are over 300 in more than 75 countries. Today, Islamic financial institutions exist worldwide, participating in the $180 billion/day industry. The total amounts of deposits in Islamic institutions are growing at a rate of 25-40% annually. Because oil prices and liquidity are expected to stay high, budget surpluses will remain high, pushing both public and private sectors to be involved with the Islamic market. Many Islamic countries are investing in large infrastructure projects, creating more than a trillion dollars in investments.
There is also a huge potential customer base. According to Standard and Poor’s surveys, 20% of the customers in the Gulf Area and Southeast Asia would choose an Islamic banking product over a similar conventional product. There is significant middle-class urban and suburban populations that already use conventional banking and therefore present ripe opportunities for Islamic banks. Most importantly, outside of the religious and political allure of Islamic banks people are choosing their services for the safeties they are offered.
The evidence is clear: Islamic banking is big business and is growing by the day. The 25-40% tremendous annual growth rate of Islamic banking is a testimony that this system of banking based on values and ethics instilled and driven by religion emphasizes on the conduct of doing business, promoting an honest way of making money and is becoming a fast growing niche in the financial world. With a growing customer base especially in the emerging markets and a distrust of conventional banking in such economic times of recession, people are willing to explore and experiment new secure modes of banking that is disciplined and puts an emphasis on basic issues of business, ethics and religion- Islamic banking seems to be the lucrative answer.
Karmic Disasters
I have never felt so frustrated before. All my life I have been told about how much I talk and argue and how difficult I can be sometimes and yet when the time was for me to react that way I chose not to. Now that conveyed a completely different personality of mine (a fraction of me is still a listener) to people who knew me just for a day or two. I became "weak and introverted" which everyone who knows me long enough would laugh at or atleast let out a chuckle. I am an extrovert through and through (even proven by psychological tests in my class). I am one of the craziest people I know and my guts, sometimes even I shudder to think of what all I have done. I know my enthusiasm is infectious and my passion can make people wonder what fuels my energy, my curiosity surrounding the debates on words, meanings and meaningless topics, I can talk till people ask me do your jaws hurt? What do you not know?
The more I learn the more I realise how little I know.
And the faithful day where all the communication that I have ever learnt in my life is put to test, I fail and that too so dramatically that I don't get recognised for the very traits that are my signature! That is called a karmic disaster, when the whole world conspires against you.
Life doesn't give second chances, I wonder if some humans do....
I am deeply frustrated to have not been able to get a marketing communication fellowship and all that I have done these past couple of years is learn this business.
Disaster, absolute.
The more I learn the more I realise how little I know.
And the faithful day where all the communication that I have ever learnt in my life is put to test, I fail and that too so dramatically that I don't get recognised for the very traits that are my signature! That is called a karmic disaster, when the whole world conspires against you.
Life doesn't give second chances, I wonder if some humans do....
I am deeply frustrated to have not been able to get a marketing communication fellowship and all that I have done these past couple of years is learn this business.
Disaster, absolute.
And so the cookie crumbles
It crashes down like a pile of loose stones and boulders, of dreams built on a pile of trash,the crash is dusty and the dust surrounds choking me as I grasp for some fresh air to breathe.
You are an adventure seeker, what happened now?
Even seekers lose it sometimes. After all I am a human too, beyond a threshhold it is crash point!
How can you lose hope?
Oh well that I guess I should have lost long back.
I am another Dickens but the failure version of him. I came to seek new paths and find platinum streets, little did I know, little did I know, where the fittest survive the weakest are eliminated and I sure am not the strongest.
Where do I go now? What do I do?
Who am I? What am I? What am I doing?
Nothing really (chuckle)
Oh shut up!
Back to the beginning. Its a full circle.
Come lets go home...need a break.....
And so Alice decides her world will never be understood so she should never walk away from her wonderland. After all its a different view through the looking glass and only Alice knows, only she knows...
You are an adventure seeker, what happened now?
Even seekers lose it sometimes. After all I am a human too, beyond a threshhold it is crash point!
How can you lose hope?
Oh well that I guess I should have lost long back.
I am another Dickens but the failure version of him. I came to seek new paths and find platinum streets, little did I know, little did I know, where the fittest survive the weakest are eliminated and I sure am not the strongest.
Where do I go now? What do I do?
Who am I? What am I? What am I doing?
Nothing really (chuckle)
Oh shut up!
Back to the beginning. Its a full circle.
Come lets go home...need a break.....
And so Alice decides her world will never be understood so she should never walk away from her wonderland. After all its a different view through the looking glass and only Alice knows, only she knows...
Shattering Stars
How delightfully it breaks
into a million pieces
into a billion dreams
fresh as ever
sparkling and polished
distantly fading into the dark blue blanket
Oh! the shattering stars
How delightfully it shines
bright and twinkling
makes a man a child
unleashes his wonder
beneath those moustaches there is a grinning boy
Oh! the shattering stars
How delightfully it stays
forever and ever
etched to the sky
swinging with the moon
ever so gently
carved with randomness
born out of a bang
bang bang boom
zooom zooooop
Oh! the shattering stars
I have counted hundreds
but there are more than numbers can count
zeros will wonder
and will be left wondering.
Oh! the shattering stars
Like the little girl
holding hands with the little boy
pointing to the sky and saying
oh! look~ shooting stars, let's make a wish
Oh! the shattering stars
into a million pieces
into a billion dreams
fresh as ever
sparkling and polished
distantly fading into the dark blue blanket
Oh! the shattering stars
How delightfully it shines
bright and twinkling
makes a man a child
unleashes his wonder
beneath those moustaches there is a grinning boy
Oh! the shattering stars
How delightfully it stays
forever and ever
etched to the sky
swinging with the moon
ever so gently
carved with randomness
born out of a bang
bang bang boom
zooom zooooop
Oh! the shattering stars
I have counted hundreds
but there are more than numbers can count
zeros will wonder
and will be left wondering.
Oh! the shattering stars
Like the little girl
holding hands with the little boy
pointing to the sky and saying
oh! look~ shooting stars, let's make a wish
Oh! the shattering stars
Nepali Song
(My first attempt)
Hawa siri riri ur cha
Mero maya urai laijao
Pani simsim tim tim parcha
Bhagai laijao mero maya
Timro yada sadai aucha
Yada ma nai dubi ranchu
Dara pari timi bas chou
Laijao malai tara sangai
Raat pare chand her chu
Chand ma ni timi dekh chu
Mayalu mero bhuje deyou
Mutu mero timra nai ho
Hawa siri riri ur cha
Mero maya urai laijao
Pani simsim tim tim parcha
Bhagai laijao mero maya
Timro yada sadai aucha
Yada ma nai dubi ranchu
Dara pari timi bas chou
Laijao malai tara sangai
Raat pare chand her chu
Chand ma ni timi dekh chu
Mayalu mero bhuje deyou
Mutu mero timra nai ho
My God is Slowly Dying
It pains me to write anymore, it pains because I have so much to say.
I am jobless
I am homeless (well I live in as an au pair)
I am peniless
I am far away from home and in so many ways I am loveless.
I am sinking into depression by the passing day, it haunts me like a ghost and gags me by my throat, I let out muffled sobs and I no longer know why I cry. I am becoming sick, sick of being directionless. Everyday I try to wake up to a new beautiful dawn but well troubles never leave me alone.
I am trying to sort things out, I really am. Believe in me this one last time, I just need a little more time. I too want to begin the new year fresh, like a snake that shed its skin.
Don't push me too far, I might just jump over the edge.
I am only human, a 23 year old young girl trying to get her foothold in a distant lonely land. No streets are not made of gold here, yes they may be old but certainly not gold! It is not easy, it is not as glamorous as it sounds, infact it is difficult.
And what Santa comes on a sledge during Christmas? Really?
My God is slowly dying.
But I won't give up; God can die and so can the devil but till I live I will fight the battle.
I am jobless
I am homeless (well I live in as an au pair)
I am peniless
I am far away from home and in so many ways I am loveless.
I am sinking into depression by the passing day, it haunts me like a ghost and gags me by my throat, I let out muffled sobs and I no longer know why I cry. I am becoming sick, sick of being directionless. Everyday I try to wake up to a new beautiful dawn but well troubles never leave me alone.
I am trying to sort things out, I really am. Believe in me this one last time, I just need a little more time. I too want to begin the new year fresh, like a snake that shed its skin.
Don't push me too far, I might just jump over the edge.
I am only human, a 23 year old young girl trying to get her foothold in a distant lonely land. No streets are not made of gold here, yes they may be old but certainly not gold! It is not easy, it is not as glamorous as it sounds, infact it is difficult.
And what Santa comes on a sledge during Christmas? Really?
My God is slowly dying.
But I won't give up; God can die and so can the devil but till I live I will fight the battle.
The Fellowship
The fellowship has begun but where is my ring?
Stars of destiny shield not my light,
but change my night
forever.
I believe in dreams.
Let me sleep a little more.
And when I am awake
let it be a new day
fresh and crisp.
(Watching modern art in Spain on BBC iplayer. What a treat.)
Stars of destiny shield not my light,
but change my night
forever.
I believe in dreams.
Let me sleep a little more.
And when I am awake
let it be a new day
fresh and crisp.
(Watching modern art in Spain on BBC iplayer. What a treat.)
