Queen’s Birthday Party celebration at British High Commissioner’s residence 30 March 2022


  1. As a British Chevening Alumnus, I was invited to the QBP!
    Long live Indo-UK friendship!

https://youtube.com/shorts/0MxSSZ3M6YA?feature=share
IMG_1018

 

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दो सरीर, एक आत्मा (Do Sareer Ek Atmaan) by Sandeep Silas “Deep”

दो सरीर, एक आत्मा

दो सरीर, एक आत्मा
देख, अजूबा परमात्मा।

आकास में, सैकड़ों आत्मा
जिन्हें नाहीं मिले परमात्मा
बानी से झलके है, आत्मा
दो नैनन से बोले है आत्मा।

एक ही सोच, एक ही हिया
मैं हूँ दर्पण, तू मेरा है पिया
रोशनी देत है, एक ही दिया
चल सजनी घर अपने पिया।

तू गाए जा, गीत परमात्मा
माँ सुन रही है तुझे, आत्मा
सर्व बाधा का होगा ख़ात्मा
तय है हमारा मिलन आत्मा।

हो गया है मग़न तुझ में हिया
सुन ले पुकार, मन की पिया
सजाया पूजा का थाल हिया
तेरे लिए धड़कता मेरा जिया।

ना ख़ुशी है तेरे बिन, आत्मा
नाही जीवन बीते है, आत्मा
सब तार जुड़ गए हैं, आत्मा
तेरे लिए सब कुछ है, आत्मा।

दो सरीर, एक आत्मा
देख, अजूबा परमात्मा।

(Written: Goa; 7 October 2021; 8.59 am to 10.01 am)

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सफ़्हा SAFHA by Sandeep Silas “deep”

Hi friends, announcing my latest book of poetry in Hindi-Urdu (Devanagari script)  containing ghazals, nazams, geet and muktak’s published on Amazon Kindle on 14th February 2021!

Safha, meaning page/annals !

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AB%E0%A4%BC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE-Safha-Hindi-Sandeep-Silas-ebook/dp/B08WKP9LYS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1613735549&refinements=p_27%3ASANDEEP+SILAS&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

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शौक़-ए-जीस्त Shauq-e-Zeest by संदीप साइलस “दीप”

शौक़-ए-जीस्त
संदीप साइलस “दीप”

तेरे शौक़-ए-जीस्त से भरा हूँ मैं
तेरी नज़रें इनायत को खड़ा हूँ मैं।

नौ-निहाल हुई दुनिया तेरी बरकत
तेरे सामने हाथ फैलाए खड़ा हूँ मैं।

कहते हैं तू सबका है दिल-निग़ार
तेरे दीदार को तरसता खड़ा हूँ मैं।

सुनते हैं तू दारा-दाता है, मसीहा है
एक साँस बदन में लिए खड़ा हूँ मैं।

तेरी आमद को तैय्यार हमेशा हूँ मैं
रौनक़-ए-इश्क़, रोशन खड़ा हूँ मैं।

तेरे चमन में ये कैसी शमशीर चली
इंसानियत की गुहार लिए खड़ा हूँ मैं।

बंद कर लीं हैं आँखें तेरे नुमाइंदों ने
इंसाँ के दिल का दर्द लिए खड़ा हूँ मैं।

हो गए हैं ख़ामोश तेरे बनाए हुए साज़
होठों पे हज़ारों नग़मे लिए खड़ा हूँ मैं।

इस अंधेरे को दूर, तो करना ही होगा
यक़ीन का “दीप” जलाए खड़ा हूँ मैं।

(Written: Delhi; 25 April 2020)

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प्यास… Thirst by संदीप साइलस “दीप”


प्यास

संदीप साइलसदीप

दूर से प्यास बुझती, तो किसी को कहाँ लगती

पीपी के अश्क़ तू जी गया, प्यास कहाँ लगती।

वो जिसकी तलब थी, नहीं मिला, तो इश्क़ रहा

मिल गया होता, तो इश्क़ की आग कहाँ लगती।

तँहा ना हुए होते, बादसबा, सर्द कहाँ लगती

तसव्वुर में ना आते, जाँना की कशिश कहाँ लगती।

वो ग़र पास हुए होते, दिलतिशनगी, कहाँ लगती

तीरगी के आलम सिवा, ख़्वाबों में लौ कहाँ लगती।

शबहिज्र, शुक्रिया, नीमवा रोशनी कहाँ लगती

मेरी सूखी आँखो को, उनकी नमी कब कहाँ लगती।

वादावफ़ा निभाया होता, ये ख़लिश कहाँ लगती

वो जुदा ना हुआ होता, ख़ुदा की आस कहाँ लगती।

ज़ख़्मदिल लिए फिरता हूँ, अब दवा कहाँ लगती

कुछ रखे ज़माने के लिए, वरना नुमाईशें कहाँ लगती।

अब ना हसरतशाम, ना ख़्वाहिशों से हमें काम

कोई आए ना आए, अब खामोशी भी कहाँ लगती।

एक बेगाने की आसदीपक्यूँ रखते हो अपने दिल

ख़ुदा की बारगाह में आओ, यहाँ प्यास कहाँ लगती।

(Written: Delhi; 30 March 2020)

 

 

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रब्ब को कहा होता… संदीप साइलस “दीप”

रब्ब को कहा होता…
संदीप साइलस “दीप”

दर्द-ए-दिल को ए इंसां, तूने रब्ब को कहा होता
जिसका अक्स तू जमीं पे है, उसको कहा होता।

शिकस्ताह हाल फिरता है, एतबार किया होता
जिसने तुझे बनाया, उस रब्ब को पुकारा होता।

दस्त-ए-साक़ी ना लाए, वो जाम पिया होता
चाक-जिगर को अपने, ईमान से सिया होता ।

अह्ल-ए-किताब का कलाम, जो तूने सुना होता
रूह का परिंदा तेरा, रब्ब का नाम जिया होता।

चारागर का हक़ तूने, जो ख़ुदा को दिया होता
दुआ ने हर मर्ज़ में, दवा का काम किया होता।

कारवाँ-ए-हयात पे इतना फ़ख़्र ना किया होता
कभी तो रब्ब का भी, तूने एहतिराम किया होता।

इब्तिदा तो कर ली, तू इंतिहा को जिया होता
ख़ुदा की मोहब्बत का भी पैग़ाम लिया होता।

हद पे तू पहुँचता रहा, इख़्लास भी किया होता
जाने-अनजाने कभी वादा-ए-वफ़ा किया होता।

सामने गर तू होता, मैं तुझ को ही जिया होता
तू इश्क़ मेरा होता, मैं “दीप” तेरा ही होता।

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इतना भी क्या …? ITNA BHI KYA…? WHAT IS SO MUCH…? By Sandeep Silas ‘deep’

इतना भी क्या…? ITNA BHI KYA…?

(WHAT IS SO MUCH…?)

Sandeep Silas ‘deep’

इतना भी क्या की ख़ंजर उठा लिया ?

मुस्कुरा के भी तो जान ले लेते हैं लोग ।

ऐसा भी क्या की प्यालाज़हर ला दिया?

राज़ छुपाए भी दैरहरम चले जाते हैं लोग ।

इतना भी क्या की खुदा को भुला दिया ?

ता ज़िंदगी दुआगो भी तो रह लेते हैं लोग ।

ऐसा भी क्या की कलामग्रंथ जला दिया ?

आयतों में भी तो सुकून तलाश लेते हैं लोग ।

इतना भी क्या की वादावफ़ा से पर्दा किया ?

अदावत को दिल रख के भी रह लेते हैं लोग ।

ऐसा भी क्या की राहरंजिश ही लिया?

रिश्तों का वज़न भी तो उठा लेते हैं लोग ।

इतना भी क्या की चाँद से बैर ही किया ?

दुश्मनी में भी दिल लगा लेते हैं लोग ।

ऐसा भी क्या की रुख़ पे इबलीस उतार लिया ?

पेशानी पे तो नूर की ख़्वाहिश रखते हैं लोग ।

इतना भी क्या की कोईदीपके खून का प्यासा जिया?

लहू पी के भी इंसान बने रहते हैं लोग ।

Itna bhi kya ki khanzar utha liya?

Muskura ke bhi to jaan le lete hain log

(What is so much that you picked up a dagger?

People take a life with a smile too)

Aisa bhi kya ki pyala-e-zahar la diya?

Raaz chhupaye bhi dairo-haram chaley jaatey hain log

(What is that the cup of poison was offered?

People hide secrets and still bow in a temple & mosque)

Itna bhi kya ki Khuda ko bhula diya?

Ta zindagi duago bhi to reh lete hain log

(What is so much that you even forgot the existence of God?

People live their entire lives immersed in prayer too)

Aisa bhi kya ki kalaam-o-granth jala diya?

Aayaton mein bhi to suquun talaash lete hain log

(What is that the Holy Scriptures were burned?

People find their peace in the verses too)

Itna bhi kya ki wada-e-wafa se purdah kiya?

Adaavat ko dil rakh ke bhi reh lete hain log

(What is so much that you forgot the promises made in faith?

People can hide malice in the folds of their hearts and live)

Aisa bhi kya ki raah-e-ranjish hi liya?

Rishton ka wazan bhi to uthaa lete hain log

(What is that you took to the road of enmity?

People carry the burden of relationships too)

Itna bhi kya ki chand se bair hi kiya?

Dushmani mein bhi dil laga lete hain log

(What is so much that you have ill-will for the Moon?

People engage their hearts in hostility too)

Aisa bhi kya ki rukh pe Iblis utaar liya?

Peshani pe to noor ki khwaahish rakhtey hain log

(What is that you fused your face with the Satan’s?

People actually wish for divine light to glow on their face)

Itna bhi kya ki koi “deep” ke khoon ka pyasa jiya?

Lahu pee ke bhi insaan bane rehtey hain log

(What is so much that someone lives thirsty for “deep’s” blood?

People drink blood and yet pretend to be human)

(Written: Delhi; 12 October 2019; 6.00 am to 7.07 a.m.)

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WHAT TO EXPECT AND ASK ? BY SANDEEP SILAS

WHAT TO EXPECT AND ASK ?

SANDEEP SILAS

Don’t make me so big that I think I own Your Earth

Don’t give me so much that I think I can command the oceans

Don’t place me so high that I forget I am human

Don’t make me so powerful that I am distanced from hungering humanity

Don’t give me all what I ask, lest I forget the struggle and the value of achievement

Let me live with the mountain and the sea in perfect harmony

Let me watch in amusement the flight of birds

Let me eyes think my body is moving with the flying clouds

Let me touch the trees and the green leaves

Let me smell the beautiful flowers, fragrance pervading my soul

Let me feel the warmth of another human hand

Let me not shy away from extending a helping hand

Let me seek shelter in times of trial in You

Let me pray for easing the suffering of others

Let me be a part of You

Make me an instrument of Your will

Your wish to become my path

Your design to become the plan of my life

Your command to be my endeavour

Your presence to be my feeling

Your proximity to be my pride

Your grace to fill my soul

Your holiness to become my divinity

All this I ask and no more

If you think this is the way

May your lips too utter this prayer

(Copyright: Sandeep Silas)

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What goes into the making of your cup of TEA? by Sandeep Silas

What goes into the making of your cup of TEA?

Tea, the cup of multipurpose uses! From political, spiritual discussions to head ache relief, tea is sometimes had just like that, as a tradition of family getting together or public socializing.

Have you ever wondered what time, labour, machine work, packaging that goes into getting you the cup of tea? Or as we once enacted the play, “Tup of Twee !”

 

Bringing you an insight that is worth a watch!

Tea Garden in the Himalayas!

Plucking the tea !

Withering of tea leaves !

Rolling

Drying Process

Sieving

Segregating

Finally, the golden cup of tea!

George Orwell’s eleven “golden” rules for the ultimate tea experience, is a delight for the person who loves his/her cup of tea!

(Quote): “When I look through my own recipe for the perfect cup of tea, I find no fewer than eleven outstanding points. On perhaps two of them there would be pretty general agreement, but at least four others are acutely controversial. Here are my own eleven rules, every one of which I regard as golden:

First of all, one should use Indian or Ceylonese tea. China tea has virtues which are not to be despised nowadays — it is economical, and one can drink it without milk — but there is not much stimulation in it. One does not feel wiser, braver or more optimistic after drinking it. Anyone who has used that comforting phrase ‘a nice cup of tea’ invariably means Indian tea.

Secondly, tea should be made in small quantities — that is, in a teapot. Tea out of an urn is always tasteless, while army tea, made in a cauldron, tastes of grease and whitewash. The teapot should be made of china or earthenware. Silver or Britannia ware teapots produce inferior tea and enamel pots are worse; though curiously enough a pewter teapot (a rarity nowadays) is not so bad.

Thirdly, the pot should be warmed beforehand. This is better done by placing it on the hob than by the usual method of swilling it out with hot water.

Fourthly, the tea should be strong. For a pot holding a quart, if you are going to fill it nearly to the brim, six heaped teaspoons would be about right. In a time of rationing, this is not an idea that can be realized on every day of the week, but I maintain that one strong cup of tea is better than twenty weak ones. All true tea lovers not only like their tea strong, but like it a little stronger with each year that passes — a fact which is recognized in the extra ration issued to old-age pensioners.

Fifthly, the tea should be put straight into the pot. No strainers, muslin bags or other devices to imprison the tea. In some countries teapots are fitted with little dangling baskets under the spout to catch the stray leaves, which are supposed to be harmful. Actually one can swallow tea-leaves in considerable quantities without ill effect, and if the tea is not loose in the pot it never infuses properly.

Sixthly, one should take the teapot to the kettle and not the other way about. The water should be actually boiling at the moment of impact, which means that one should keep it on the flame while one pours. Some people add that one should only use water that has been freshly brought to the boil, but I have never noticed that it makes any difference.

Seventhly, after making the tea, one should stir it, or better, give the pot a good shake, afterwards allowing the leaves to settle.

Eighthly, one should drink out of a good breakfast cup — that is, the cylindrical type of cup, not the flat, shallow type. The breakfast cup holds more, and with the other kind one’s tea is always half cold before one has well started on it.

Ninthly, one should pour the cream off the milk before using it for tea. Milk that is too creamy always gives tea a sickly taste.

Tenthly, one should pour tea into the cup first. This is one of the most controversial points of all; indeed in every family in Britain there are probably two schools of thought on the subject. The milk-first school can bring forward some fairly strong arguments, but I maintain that my own argument is unanswerable. This is that, by putting the tea in first and stirring as one pours, one can exactly regulate the amount of milk whereas one is liable to put in too much milk if one does it the other way round.

Lastly, tea — unless one is drinking it in the Russian style — should be drunk without sugar. I know very well that I am in a minority here. But still, how can you call yourself a true tea-lover if you destroy the flavour of your tea by putting sugar in it? It would be equally reasonable to put in pepper or salt. Tea is meant to be bitter, just as beer is meant to be bitter. If you sweeten it, you are no longer tasting the tea, you are merely tasting the sugar; you could make a very similar drink by dissolving sugar in plain hot water.

Some people would answer that they don’t like tea in itself, that they only drink it in order to be warmed and stimulated, and they need sugar to take the taste away. To those misguided people I would say: Try drinking tea without sugar for, say, a fortnight and it is very unlikely that you will ever want to ruin your tea by sweetening it again.

These are not the only controversial points to arise in connexion with tea drinking, but they are sufficient to show how subtilized the whole business has become. There is also the mysterious social etiquette surrounding the teapot (why is it considered vulgar to drink out of your saucer, for instance?) and much might be written about the subsidiary uses of tea leaves, such as telling fortunes, predicting the arrival of visitors, feeding rabbits, healing burns and sweeping the carpet. It is worth paying attention to such details as warming the pot and using water that is really boiling, so as to make quite sure of wringing out of one’s ration the twenty good, strong cups of that two ounces, properly handled, ought to represent.” (Unquote)

Reading the tea leaves

Reading the tea leaves has been not only a favourite pastime but, an indulgence of the tea table! I bring to you some pieces from Literature in English those celebrate the tea !

The Portrait of a Lady: “Under certain circumstances,” declares Henry James at the opening of The Portrait of a Lady, “there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”

The Mad hatter’s tea party (1865): “By the middle of the 19th century, the ceremony of tea had become so central to Victorian society that a short-lived periodical called The Anti-Teapot Review parodied so-called “Teapotism”. Lewis Carroll took aim at tea-table tittle-tattle with the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

“Take some more tea,” the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly.
“I’ve had nothing yet,” Alice replied in an offended tone, “so I can’t take more.”
“You mean you can’t take less,” said the Hatter. “It’s very easy to take more than nothing.”

The Importance of Being Earnest (1894): “Wilde is at his most brilliant when taking the customs of the upper middle classes and subverting them: Algernon’s usurpation of the female tea-table in the opening scene of The Importance of Being Earnest is not just a consummate performance, it’s also a crucial indicator of his decadent aestheticism (something which many critics of the time saw as effeminate). After Algy scoffs all the cucumber sandwiches prepared for Aunt Augusta in the opening scene, the second act revolves completely around a tea scene: Cecily and Gwendolen both assert their engagement to a man named “Ernest”, during which tea descends into an elaborate war of excessive politeness (“Destestable girl! But I require tea!”, muses Gwendolen). At the end of the act, after Algy and Jack have been caught in their masquerades and are left to stew, Algy drowns his sorrows: “I haven’t quite finished my tea yet! And there is still one muffin left.”

The Love Song of Alfred J Prufrock (1915):”Prufrock may have measured out his life in coffee spoons, but the crisis of TS Eliot’s groundbreaking poem is actually all about tea: “Should I, after tea and cakes and ices,/ Have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?” Of course, as the paralysed Prufrock finds, tea still leaves plenty of time to bottle it – “Time for you and time for me,/ And time yet for a hundred indecisions,/ And for a hundred visions and revisions/ Before the taking of toast and tea.” Needless to say he can’t summon the courage and consoles himself afterwards with the doubt that “After the cups, the marmalade, the tea,/ Among the porcelain, among some talk of you and me,/ Would it have been worth while …”

And so, let’s have a cup of tea!

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Sandeep Silas speaking at the Festival of Peace

Address of Sandeep Silas delivered in the distinguished presence of Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Government of India, Shri Rajnath Singh, at RIM event, Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on January 15th 2019 !

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