Ever Tried Nectar

I was out on a vacation to my in-laws place in Himachal. There in the late evenings when no one was around, I used to sit in the balcony under the shade of green, smelling sweet flowers. I’ve seen so many different flying insects, butterflies hovering over the same. But that day I feel I was really lucky as I spotted a Green coloured white breasted and red collared …. Guess what? ….A Humming Bird.

Yes, for the first time ever in my life I’ve seen a Humming bird through my very own eyes. It was   constantly flying and putting in its long pointy beak to suck the nectar. I’ve seen this shot so many times in Discovery Channel, but this was incredible. I really wanted to capture this shot in my camera, but did not want to move as it might scare the bird away, so what to do? Then suddenly I remembered, oh I’ve a camera in my phone too. Immediately, I took it out and shot this click from a distance. If you notice carefully, there is a black creature amongst the green leaves. I wish I had a clearer take on it. Anyway, I do not know how many of you’ve seen this. But trust me, it is a sight to remember.

Then I very quietly went into my room to call my husband out, so that even he can see the bird…but unfortunately, it flew away. I told him about my experience, which made him react to the situation in a very strange fashion. He went up to the flowering plant, raised his hands towards a bunch, after carefully checking , plucked one and then brought the flower to his mouth instead of the nose( to smell).

 I asked him,  “What are you doing ?”  He replied, “Drinking Nectar”. With a Surprise in my voice I said “But how can you?” He said “Come and try yourself”. So I flung forth and took the pink fresh flower which he held towards me and just followed him step by step. And then to my greatest surprise, I did not drink any liquid though; still I clearly tasted something mildly sweet in my tongue. Distinctly and Unmistakably Sweet Nectar – Heavenly Indeed.

Life Is But A Circus

             
                    Circus, the very name brings back so many memories of my childhood, when I used to wait for the winter season. During that time, every year my parents took me to watch Circus at a place called Park Circus Maidan (Kolkatta). So that day, while I came across circus's add in newspaper I thought it was a good enough opportunity to introduce my child to circus and alongside refresh my fascination.
                      I was  all excited, we asked a few people for the correct location, took a few wrong turns and finally reached the destination. It was a  public holiday, thus the place was crowded. We had to wait for 30 minutes before we could finally head towards the entrance. I was all set with my camera in hand, clicking here and there, when all on a sudden an eldely gentleman (crew member) approached me and said "You are requested not to take any shots during the show". I instantly tucked back my camera in purse, but honestly I was not quite OK with the thought. I wanted to take photoes of those big elephants, jogging horses, jumping dogs, colourful parrots and ofcourse all the other participants who added glamour to the show. And why not - Common, I paid for it.
                        Then, the show finally opened with beautiful young girls lineing up in skimpy clothes( in this cold). They were coming in time and again, between the daring acts, to relieve the tension. In other words they were adding the de-stressing touch of glamour. I really felt sad for them. They all must be miles from their homes. Will you allow your daughter to do such a thing?                        Then there were those young boys doing stunts, breathing fire, playing with knives, juggling  and balancing at the same time, drinking water in volumes, they were all very young and energetic but the kind of stuff they were doing was heroic yet horrifying.
                           When someone praises you, says something good you love it, don't you? These people take life risks, defy death every time they perform and people find it so difficult to even join their hands and clap.Though they are doing all this for money still this is a kind of art and they are all artists in their own rights, a little appraisal will motivate them so much. They mechanically wave at the audience at the completion of each performance and then one act merges into the other.
                              So many high moments, like bike stunts, swinging in the air, etc. Trust me I did sneak out my camera and managed to take a few shots, before I was gripped by panic. I did not dare to go ahead with my random clicks any more because somewhere down inside I had a realization that for me it was just my another day's uploading material in my Facebook or Blog but for them it was much - much more. Their acts depend entirely on concentration and eye contact. Due to my flash even for one second if they get distracted it might cost them, their Job or even worse, their Life .
                               When I went in, I thought I paid well; by the time I came out I was in a state of daze, wondering, God blessed us with so many things in life still we are complaining all the time. Look at them they are Seeing Death Eye to Eye with a Big Smile. How much money is enough to compensate that spirit of living??
                                 At the end I will quote a few lines from the movie "Mera Naam Joker":
Ye Circus hain show teen ghante ka
Pehla ghanta bachpan hain (when these boys & girls are just being dare - devils)
Doosra Jawani hai ( when these girls are enchanting everybody with their glamour)
Teesra Burhapa hain ( when they finally end up selling Popcorns and Colas).
                                   I SALUTE YOU ALL FOR SURVIVING THE CIRCUS OF LIFE