Scoop out ?

What am I doing today? Trying to scoop out my thoughts. One scoop
follows another. Each scoop garnished with words.

Scoop 1 - Phone calls and e-mails doing their rounds on New Year Day.
Where have the greeting cards gone? I question. There's no one to
reply. The world is advancing so fast; don't know what surprise awaits
tomorrow.
Simple secret - I don't want to lag behind.
Let me keep up my pace.

Scoop 2 - Meditation keeps me busy for half an hour a day. No fixed
time. But at the end of the day I feel I have gained a lot. Meditation,
for me is like a college where there is Development of Personality. I
find improvements - physical (healthy body) and mental (healthy mind).
There has been a tremendous increase in my power of Concentration,
Tolerance and Self-confidence. I've grown stronger mentally; ready to
cope with challenges strewn around in the path of life. Peace and
solace nests in this wee mind.
Commercial context - buying peace of mind at the cost of just thirty
minutes a day.

Scoop 3 - Swimming in the vast blue expanse are the specks of colours.
Shameless kites are flirting with the wind. The wind caresses the kite
on its flight, be it float, turn or twist or dives and rise. Naughty
January 14, when kites in hundreds and thousands raid the sky, looks
like kites mating season, soon to be gone with the wind. The wind from
now on will not favour the kite to take further flights till winter is
back again to grace the months it loves. The love game of the old kites
will be replaced by new ones.
Wind - you playful lover.
Faith and belief pilot to anchor at the door of religion. As usual,
this time for the Makar Sankranti (Hindu religious ceremony celebrated
every year on January 14), the bite of religion for some Hindu devotees
made them travel to the Sagar Islands in the Bay of Bengal to take a
dip in the holy water of the Ganges. Belief says by taking such an
excursion - not in the real sense of pleasure trip, but a trip led by
devotion - the devotees feel they wash out some of the sins by this
ritualistic involvement. Belief is Strong, can work wonders.
Religion - thy other name is Belief (for me).

Scoop 4 - Mr. Bush is a lucky man, second term in office. Uncle Sam has
the word Democracy in his pocket for Delivery. His test of Democracy is
at the expense of huge loss of lives, towns and villages razed, people
deprived of their basic civic amenities, and the country crowded with
foreign mercenaries. Sitting there in the White House, toying with
Democracy he is safe with hawk eyed security men doing their jobs to
look into his safety.
History books will write his name in Golden letters.
Critics will write, "Democracy gained at the cost of - life,
destruction and misery".

Scoop 5 - What better way to remember the brave son/daughter of the
soil - pay respect on birth or death anniversary. The name of Netaji
Subhash Chandra Bose, figures in the list of the brave who fought for
the freedom of India. The birth anniversary of this brave son of India
was celebrated. Historians are doing a lot of research on Subhas Bose
and his sudden disappearance. It is yet to be ascertained when and how
he died.
Subhas Bose - A mystery unsolved.

Scoop 6 - India celebrated her Republic Day. 26th January, a very
special day for every Indian to be proud of. The Tricolour (Indian
national flag) fluttering in the wintry breeze also reminds us of the
sacrifice of those who fought and laid down their lives for the cause
of the country. Their sacrifices rewarded - India stands tall with her
progressive march. These special days stand firm on the date.
Republic Day mantra - Jana Gana Mana ? (India's national anthem).

Scoop 7 - Iraqi's cast their votes to elect a democratic
government.
Bush in his White House quietly says - "Might is Right".

I love the month of January. There is chill in the air, as the cold
wind gush in through the open window to kiss my cheeks and give a
tender touch to my lips, I close my eyes to get the feel of the
romantic mood of the air. There is the feel of love in the air. I look
around I see colours parading in the garden, the blossoms bear
testimony.