Fly like a Remote Controlled Plane?

Is it OK to ask for more freedom if you have been given enough all ready? Is it OK if you think that freedom is justified even if the society doesn't think its 'appropriate'? Are you ready to compromise on your professional life if your personal life doesn't allow you to have that extra freedom? Do you want to fly like a bird or a like a remote controlled plane which is flying and free but its flight is controlled by someone else?...

These are not some questions raised by cynics regarding Anna Hazare's movement when talking about democracy. These are the questions that go about in the minds of a teenager who belongs to a semi-modern family which is yet to be open-minded about everything. Half-knowledge about anything is bad and being semi-modern is like having half knowledge about the art of setting your thoughts free. And in such cases you are left terribly frustrated and dissatisfied.You want to fly high, and you actually are flying, but your control is in the hands of the conformist 'decision makers' of the society and their stereotypical rules.

For example, most teenage girls these days from such semi-modern families are allowed to study any subject they want to, even the demanding and difficult ones like Mass Communication, which is a sign of freedom and being modern. But they are not allowed to work over night or long hours because 'good-girls' are suppose to return home early so that the don't fall prey to the selfish ulterior motives of the outside evil world. It is not about whether the girl has good intentions or not, it is about whether the factors which are not in your power to change, that is, other people's intentions, that matter. Whatever happened to the moral rule of not fretting too much about things you can't change?

It is understandable that the people in control of the flight of our dreams in such situations are our well-wishers and want to keep us safe.But sometimes this protectiveness can turn into possessiveness which is what usually happens. People need to understand that with proper precautions and being responsible, any amount of freedom is not dangerous. In fact, it is the basis of constructive and productive thoughts that can benefit everyone.

So, fly like a bird, not like a remote controlled plane. Set your thoughts free and explore this world, however it is. Don't be afraid to make your own mistakes too and learn from them instead of just learning by watching other people fall in a pit.

Cry

(This is a self written poem that is inspired from 26/11. Now, I would like you all to read it and feel what i felt at that time. Not an "aurora" moment exactly. But, something that has affected our lives deeply.)

The leader of terror steps in and brainwashes the crowd

Young minds infested with thoughts of making him proud

He teaches them the meaning of crusade before the meaning of god

Makes them cook hell, feelings of hatred and discord.

They'll sacrifice themselves for him,

All he has to do is command.

They go on and carry on this crusade,

Until the whole world bleeds,

Because only this can stop him,

Only then they'll cease to breed.

They scream and shout he cannot hear them!

They fret and cry out he will not hear them!

They cut themselves and sacrifice themselves for him,

Only then did he hear them!

Only then did his god hear them!

And we are left trying to forget what they had served on the death platter.

Trying to forget those devilish encounters.

Trying to forget their sins,

The sins he held god responsible for!

It disappears into oblivion.

It is erased from my life.

Everyday was getting harder.

Until, I decided to think otherwise.

But deciding was not enough and it still haunts me.

But I know it also haunts those young minds.

Some may have become life curators,

Or anything else that personifies purity out loud.

Who knew that they’d be caught in their own circumstances

And convinced to believe that they are made to make his God proud.

It is a dismal place, but for them it is paradise,

It is a place full of disgrace, but for them, it makes them rise.

They all have a story to tell, they all have something to say,

They all have something to hide but not because of shame.

I too have a story, story of their glory.

I too have experienced their wrath.

I too have been consumed by their deeds and their aftermath.

But I feel sorry,

Sorry for their state,

Wish I could make them understand,

But I think it is just too late.

To make them understand how to deal with their lives,

To make them understand that the answers to their misery is not other people’s strife.

To make them love more than they hate,

To make them spread happiness and restore their faith.