Reading Time: 3 minutes
A patriotic poem that covers the entire gamut of history and social realities by Shalini, in Different Truths.
Mother India’s clarion call to her tenants,
Divided by caste you were, deaf to cries of oppressed
Chaotic, Kings ruled, fighting and looting brothers
In came intruders crushing you hard,
Sowed them their religious faith, cultures and their language
Not for you to live well, but for him to communicate and connect
Quick Learner you were, you made my home colourful
Even at that toughest time, patient was I, rejuvenating myself
Thank those adopted children, who loved India as their own mother
Akbar, Mother Teresa, Mirra Alfassa, they have led India to a higher plane
Samuel Evans Stokes, Jr., if not for him Indian apples just a dream
Forget not the brave queens, who sowed softness in foreigner’s heart
Diverse became thoughts, yet united and compassionate
Anarchic children came in to save my oppressed children
Churning was over, monarchy faded democracy flourished
Looted, I was poor in riches, but was rich in wisdom
India a laboratory, where diverse arts of living flourish
Yoga, Siddha, Ayurveda, Bharatanatyam – a treasure house I am
My bountiful natural resources can still be refreshed
Lost wealth, but still, I am rich, my riches sleep in greedy homes
And now again you have forgotten, I am a secular mother
I house in children of all caste, creed, race, and religion
Revive me once again, Restore my glory, listen, to my clarion call.
Haven’t you learned lessons from your past?
Divided you stand you fall hard, aren’t you?
I didn’t ask you for inter-caste or inter-religious marriages
I ask you to stand united, be tolerant and admire each other
Hurting each other, bullying isn’t sensible, be compassionate
Shed the false pride you show off, the attitude and ego
No gossiping and cheating, do nothing that defames you
Do you want a third person again to teach you the hard lesson?
This time, it would be harsh, Nature is waiting to teach
The seas are rising, agriculture is dwindling, climate cribs
Population explodes, women wail, men are depressed
Food shortage, polluted air, water, soil, and mind, ruining me
Tectonic plates move trembling your belongings
Before Natures tremor strikes you bad, change yourself
Read your ancestors, my best children, evolve don’t degrade
You are brothers and sisters, you are one with diverse thoughts
Don’t let anyone offend your mother, rather defend.
Revive me once again, Restore my glory, listen, to my clarion call.
Tender, you feel pity when a Syrian child cries at Guns
Stretching out your helping hand, you soothe nature’s fury
Terrorism and Maoism, you dislike, but you have forgotten
The knights who guard me day and night
Varied be their caste, creed, and religion
Forgoing their desires, they protect every inch of India
Your inner voice, your prayers very strong, your Will your strength
Exploring the world, you have started loving your stepmother
Still, when your new home explodes, you run back to me
Hiding in my bosom, you hug me tight, you call me “Maa”
And my brave knights embrace you risking their lives
For they know you are their brothers and sisters, respect them
Revive me once again, Restore my glory, listen, to my clarion call.
Farmers, the life givers, killing themselves for they are abandoned
They didn’t care who is going to eat the food, but hey sowed grains
But poison sowed in your deeper mind makes you deaf and blind
Technological advancements and concrete jungle, you yearn for
What will you eat and drink after your merry days ends up
Raise up my child, for a better India and a better future
Modest be you, young girls, learn to illuminate darker hearts
not to save yourself, but to keep your head held high, forever
Be brave, face the world with a sympathetic yet stern heart
Men, you are not here to rape your sisters, but to guard dignity
Let your lust not attract them to false roads, don’t be a coward
Men and Women be united respecting your differences
Give everyone their space, defer and appreciate
Absorb the good akin to a swan, let’s build a new India
Clean not just the environ, your minds too, from the roots let’s start
Revive me once again, Restore my glory, listen, to my clarion call.
©Shalini Samuel
Photos from the Internet
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