Perspectives in Life

Aniruddh, Manish and Ranjan  have been the best buddies at college, always ready to help each other out. It was their last day at college. They were just chilling out when Ranjan suddenly broke the silence, " Hey guys! what are you planning to do after this?"

"Of course, we are going to do some job and make a lot of money, but why did you ask this question?" answered Manish without any second thought.

" Come on Manish, money can not be the only motivation. I mean, it can be many of the rewards, but not the final destination."

"Ranjan, I don't know about you, but I definitely want to earn a lot of money and get all the luxuries that have always eluded me and have inspired me to work hard to get to this point. I want to enjoy my life. I want to have a lot of money so that I don't have to think twice before buying anything."

"But, how much money will be a lot for you? You must define it in order to draw a limit." interrupted Aniruddh, "You can never fulfill your needs if you try to satisfy your senses because they don't enjoy the same taste permanently. After a while, it becomes painful just like you can not enjoy the same sweets continuously, no matter how much favorite it is. Basically, I am not against earning money, but you must always define your needs otherwise you will never be satisfied if you just keep following your senses and social trends."

"So, what are you planning , Aniruddh?" asked Ranjan.

"I am planning to prepare for Civil Services. I want to earn respect in the society and it will also give me the power and means to improve the system."

"By the way, a rich person is as well respected as an government officer, and yes, they don't have to do 'Ji Huzuri' for those illiterate politicians." mocked Manish.
"You can control the system for a while with your power, but it will not be permanent until there is proper understanding among the people which it consists of. They have to balance the importance of money and relationship with the people in the society for an efficient system." added Ranjan.

"You started this topic, Ranjan. So now, it is your turn. Tell us what you want to do?"

"I don't know exactly what job I am going to take afterwards. When I look at my basic needs, I can certainly draw a line to my requirements. And to fulfill those needs, an average job will be good enough. But you know how misleading the definition of a successful person is in our society. You have to be either a rich person or a well known person in a particular field to get respect in the society. In fact, if someone is prosperous (having extra resources after fulfillment of his needs) and is able to fulfill his responsibilities in all relationships, he must be a successful person. May be we can work together to discuss these proposals with others and find out some new aspects to the meaning of success."

क्या पता था

ज़िन्दगी से कभी हमने माँगी न थी
शान-ओ-शौकत या के मिलकियत ख़्वाब की
क्या पता था हमें वो भी दिन आयेगा
ज़िन्दगी खुद फ़कीरों में होगी खड़ी.

सर झुका के हमेशा मैं चलता रहा
भीड़ के घुंघरुओं की मधुर ताल पर
क्या पता था नज़र ये उठी क्यों नहीं
इस जिगर में वो जिगरा भला था किधर.

जब कभी हमने पलकें उठायी भरी
हर तरफ बाँहें खोले दिखा आसमां
क्या पता था हमें इस खुली राह पर
मंजिलें ताकती होंगी हमको खड़ी.

रिश्तों की डोर होती है नाज़ुक बड़ी
आज़माइश से ही ये झटक जायेगी
क्या पता था हमें एक दिन डोर ये
पाँव की बेड़ियों में बदल जायेगी.