Radhika is a teacher, soft skill trainer and a writer residing in Secunderabad. She writes about social issues that concern women in particular. She is a member of Vatayan, a forum for women writers who regularly meet up and share their writings. Her articles and poems have appeared in Woman’s Era, Me, Teacher plus, Deccan chronicle, Central chronicle, The Hindu etc. Presently she divides her time between her students, home and her poetry.
Pilgrimage
After a decade,
Of hectic schedules
I have retired.
I planned for a visit
To holy places,
To pay my respects
To the divine.
I packed my luggage,
Commenced my journey,
Sometimes by train or by bus,
Marveling at my ancestors
Who journeyed by foot.
I am shocked to see
The transformation.
Pilgrims can hop
Into a helicopter
Or take a ropeway
Or be carried in a basket
And have special darshans
With the power of money.
Beggars make a living
Beseeching the pilgrims
Pickpockets make their day
From the unsuspecting.
The photographers flock
For one who wants to flaunt
With the temple
Delegated to the background.
The business, thrive,
Selling memento and trivia
As the pilgrims, throng.
Some new age temples
Have combo offers
With parks and rides;
Shops and restaurants;
Trying to combine,
Pleasure with devotion.
As I seek for a vision;
I see the true devotion
Of craftsmen and sculptors
Whose dedicated work
Beckons the pilgrims
From far and near,
To have a glimpse,
Where the divinity exist.
The Train
The platform is crowded
Some to see off
Some embarking
On a journey
To places distant.
Some in search
Of their destiny
Some returning home
Lost in the memory lane.
A few on a trip
To attend
A social gathering
The occasion, happy or sad.
As the train gathers
Momentum
The platform is left behind.
The passengers settle
Taking stock
Of their belongings
Some brooding over
Happenings, past and recent
Anticipating the future
Some look out
As the villages,
Towns and cities,
Pass by,
With people busy
Minding their business.
Not to miss,
The fields and rivers,
Mountains and forests
Giving a glimpse
Of the life pulse
That throbs through India.