What is Hunger?

The following two compositions have common theme…hunger….which though well known and visible; is still omnipresent….these were written on the occasion of World Food day (celebrated on 16th Oct) in the year 2000…these creations fetched me deserved and desired appreciation from all my teachers…however, I couldn't get answer to my question from the representatives of the organization working for the cause who were in the college premises to impress upon the cause….I asked them, “we are aware that hunger exists…we see it’s there….what as students can we do for the cause at the individual level”….he said spread awareness….but I feel the best I can do at my level is what my poems already said……

It isn’t something that can be seen or smelt,
But something that you & I never felt…
It’s something about getting meals just two times a day,
Which indeed is not a child’s play…?
It’s something that makes one fight,
For a piece of bread which should have been his birthright…
It’s something, about which we rarely think,
As we get to eat whatever we want even before we blink…
Can we feel the pain of a child, who hasn’t had anything for a week?
Perhaps no, as that’s something beyond our imaginations reach…
However, what we must recognize,
Is that everyone must get his or her share of dal & rice…
Because only then can we say, “All are equal”,
When everyone has food & there is food for all…

Give It A Thought....

Why are some people always worried about food to eat,
While some others don’t have children to feed…
Why do some people get their second meal when they haven’t digested the first one either?
While some others are forced to remain hungry for days together…
Can we blame god for that?
As he is the one who decides who should get what…?
But, if we have the courage to accept the truth with our eyes open,
We find that the true accused is none but man…
Because we have enough food for everyone’s need,
But, it’ll never be enough to fulfill man’s greed…
We need just a little thought,
As to how this battle against hunger be fought?...
We could start by feeding a hungry person,
Or by not wasting any food in this millennium…
Let’s work together towards a millennium free from hunger,
And make India & hunger two complete strangers…

I want...

At times I feel very lonely at heart,
‘Coz there is nothing in me to set me apart…
I’ve neither money nor power,
To help someone in his needful hour…
At times I think of all that I could give anyone,
Only to find that my contribution to the society is none…
At times I keep looking for an objective to live for,
As I’ve done for years & will continue to do for some more…
At times, I find myself good-for-nothing,
And my presence in this world seems to have no meaning…
At times I ask god the reason to send me to this world,
But, he keeps quite & never speaks even a word…
I know I don’t have to live to wait for my death,
But, to live for those who celebrated my birth…
I want to be different in whatever I do,
‘coz I still have many expectations to come up to…
I still have promises to be kept,
& I believe I can always be better if not perfect…
I don’t want to survive on anybody’s sympathy,
Neither do I want to make anyone a victim of my apathy…
I’ll be happy if I become somewhat like Mother Teresa,
Or even a bit like the great ‘Isa’…
Though I’m still unsure of what I would become,
I wish to be someone who is remembered long after being gone….

(21-12-2000)