Stop Female Foeticide

Killed.
Before her li'l eyes,
Could see the light.
Before her small muscles,
Could twitch in the air.
Before her vocal chords,
Could cry out for help.
Before she could hold,
Her school-champions' trophy.
Before she could be,
The breadwinner of the family.
Before she could soar,
In her glorious chosen career.
Before she could give birth,
To another talent like her.
Before she could take care,
Of her parents- poor and old.
Before she could bring pride,
For our India across the world.



Killed in the darkness,
For no fault of hers,
Except to have been revealed,
As the foetus of a girl......

Sparking positive changes in my own ways

A spark is a small yet powerful combination of heat and light. One that can start a fire, that can ignite minds, that can kindle the imagination, that can make people sit up and take notice. Sparking a positive change in and around me is something I do each and every day- using a very simple tool- my Self. I realize more and more strongly each passing day that I am not just a collection of nerves, organs and muscles, which eats to live, performs some daily jobs for bread and butter, will live an ordinary societal life and will someday die unknown, unheard of, like millions in this world have done and keep doing.

Rather I culminate in me all the powers of Nature and I'm filled with Energy to brighten up each one's day. I flash my hundred watt confident smile for every person I meet with- from my maid, to the air hostess, to the watchman, to the invigilator in the exam hall. They smile back. Air gets electrified. It's the spark of a smile, which spreads all around! I can see their happy thought bubbles clearly, which means I've already sparked a positive change in them! Their goodness bulbs glow after they feel the warmth of my sheer presence!

When I look in the mirror, it is not to see whether I am beautiful. I rather make a resolve looking into my own eyes, to do my best for the day. That whatever I do, should be only my best, sincere and honest effort. Then only will others also feel the necessity and urge to be good, to work for others' good and to do their best as well. I've often seen that seeing my hard work, several people have been inspired to do far better- to exceed their own expectations. This brings supernatural goodness in their own lives.You see, this is a chain of Karma. We do good, and receive good results too. If we do bad, it will turn and come back to us.

Sparking a change is also about practicing sustainable living. It's about refusing the extra polythene bag from the uneducated/unaware shopkeeper and about repairing the leaking tap at home immediately. Educating the unaware shopkeeper comes with a bonus- for the other consumers get some free gyan on the environment! They must care today, else tomorrow their children/grandchildren/great grandchildren will not be able to enjoy the greenery, the beauty of Mother Earth which will be a terrible sin committed upon their own future generations, by today's wasteful lifestyles lived by people .

The spark of change is by leading by example. I ensure that I leave not a single grain of rice, anywhere I eat. People wonder seeing my clean plate, for wasting food is like a status symbol in especially the 'rich' part of our society. I belong to a 'rich' family, but real richness lies in practicing what my Mother always said, that is- "Simple living, high thinking". It is a short and sweet mantra, best suited to remain grounded, happy and healthy in today's highly showy and materialistic culture.

Of course, thus far I've talked about how I am sparking changes each day through the smallest of my deeds. Still, this account will remain incomplete without mentioning about the real change-sparker of our country, Mahatma Gandhi. He famously said- "Be the change you want to see in others." Truly, if each one does this sincerely, each one would have sparked positive changes in their own lives and of others too! So it's time to stay healthy and happy, by being our best selves, by attitude, behavior, qualities, deeds and lo and behold- we would have changed our entire world with our small acts of kindness which would have magnified manifold throughout the world!

*This post is about #SparkTheChange which I found @ Blogadda under the Stay Free & Healthy Day Contest 

I AM EXPLORER!

Background: I invented my Birdoid in 2035. Circumstances drove it to self-destruct, in order to save Earth from being destroyed. For those who want to know more, you can visit My Birdoid . And now I continue on my mission saving mode.

September 30, 2036

Well, the past year has been hectic, to say the least. After news about my Birdoid spread, I was appreciated the world-over. So much so, that at a world conference of scientists and technologists last month, I was honoured and made 'World Ethical Head for Technologists', for my Birdoid was the first ever ethically-advanced human-brain-like-thinking-machine that looked like a bird!

I decided to build my Birdoid version 2.0 since then, and wanted to live upto the honour bestowed on me by my planet. The design had to be different this time. As I was always influenced by the great genius Leonardo da Vinci's ornithopter design (given alongside), I decided to build something on these lines. Ideas are always brilliant you see- of any century they may be! 

Still I felt the body had to be that of something completely durable- which could zoom right through air, water, land and vacuum! What better than the miniature version of Tata Safari Storme (my favorite hi-tech vehicle!) for the body, and super-agile wings attached to it! Would be a formidable vehicle to speed across in space!

Just as I was drooling over all these thoughts with the Storme Ultra Luxury 2036 version (www.tatasafari.com/) in my mind, my phone buzzed. NASISRO's Chairman had tinkalled me saying- "Hope you've not yet built Birdoid 2.0! For, your new requirement is: build one for inter-galactic travel! Coz we've got a signal from Fraeena solar system in Andromeda galaxy! They clearly want to meet us!" I was thrilled beyond measure! I Now I had to build my STORMOID (yes, that HAD to be the new name!) for inter-galactic expeditions! I tinkalled back-"Aye aye Sir! Gimme a month for this!" Needless to say, I was right away at work.

October 30, 2036

And it was born- my STORMOID, my Hero! I had given it vocal chords too, so I could talk to it. Guess whose voice it could talk in?! Amitabh Bachchan's baritone! NASISRO team wished me luck. They even talked to Stormoid over Skype Version 36, and got a 3D feel of it. Mighty impressed (with even the baritone adding to it!), they said- "Take the Fraeena people by storm!" Me and Stormoid thundered back- "Yes! For Sure!" 5..4..3..2..1..and we blasted off!

Time- unknown

As my Stormoid could compress itself and its rider, me, to the size of a photon, we could tear away at the speed of light. I could see the most unimaginably brilliant patterns of light in the backdrop of the vast space. We were crossing millions of stars by the second! I just could not believe my eyes! My super-intelligent stormoid exactly knew the location of Fraeena, and as we were going through vacuum and could not hear each other, so it flashed its messages on a small screen before me-"Enjoying the Dark Matter?! We are still a while away from our destination! Keep enjoying the lights while I keep clear of black holes!" I was amazed- I had not fed into my artificial program about how to avoid black holes! Still my stormoid had learnt it- probably by sifting through all the reams of information on the internet and then devising its own technique! Mind-blowing I must say! I looked at the screen and winked! My Stormoid flashed its powerful headlights in response!


I have no idea after how much time, but suddenly I felt as if we were slowing down. More and more. Then I could see a light blue-light grey planet looking like this:
I gasped. Suddenly I also felt my size increasing, and Stormoid's too. Stormoid's spectacular wings were now wide open, as we had entered into the planetary atmosphere of the special planet of Fraeena solar system. From up above, I could see people- they looked like tall sticks.

Stormoid touched down upon the new planet. Before my door opened, I got a tinkall-"Welcome to Naina- your eyes are beautiful!" I was awe-struck! The new planet's people were tremendously advanced- not only had they named their planet 'Eye' or 'Naina' (that too in Indian language Hindi!), they had also seen my eyes with their powerful equipment! Stormoid was carrying out a quick scan for dangers. It found none and in its baritone announced-"Thanks Naina people. The human being with beautiful eyes will now be in front of you!" I hushed up Stormoid and walked out. Surprise of surprises! All of them actually looked like tall sticks with - hold your breath - my eyes!! I could gauge that they had read the DNA behind my eyes and had replicated it. I understood that they were a people looking for eyes, as they had none, and that's why the obsession! So much so, that they had even named their planet Naina!

So, since I was the chosen diplomat from our Earth to establish relations with Nainese people (the very start of a true inter-galactic diplomatic mission across species), I had to get on the job right away. Yes, they knew English. They did not have Stormoid like me, and marvelled at its breathtaking beauty. They took me to a building that was shaped like an igloo, but made of bio-degradable material. In fact, they said, all trees had been destroyed there and that's why with time, they had started looking like sticks. Now only few trees grew and they were slowly trying to revive trees on their planet. Their bodies had adapted to live with least oxygen. "But why did all your eyes disappear?" I asked. They said- "We forgot Nature here- destroyed everything. That's why Nature has evolved us over a million years to be without eyes and stick-like, for we were blind to Nature and her beauty." I was shocked. I thought-"Could this be human beings' future as well? We at Earth in 2036 also had far less trees than our parents and grandparents had left us with...."

A small tear trickled down my eyes. Just then I saw all the Nainese wiping a tear from their eyes. Oh my God! It was my eye in all of theirs- I was as much flattered as I was sad. Sad, because they would probably learn to cry, without a heart, which also Nature had taken away. Only their head with some sort of brain stood firm on a stick-like body, and I understood that they took decisions with only their brain. I pitied them. But I also had hope for them. I said- "Nainese people, do not worry. I know you needed the eye DNA, and you may have mine. Take it as a gift from all people from my planet Earth. I also wish you all the very best for you can see and experience tears now, so I hope with the growing of more trees you can also start developing your true bodies and heart." Stormoid understood that I was hinting at leaving. It announced-"All the Nainese people, please get together with your special envoy from Earth, who has also helped you see! I have to click a Cybershot photo and give each of you a copy!" A loud cheer went across like a wave throughout the planet.

Stormoid went half a kilometre up and with the whole frame took a photo. A million copies were made instantly and Stormoid personally delivered one to each by flapping its wings and going to each. I waved my hands and said- "Bye Nainese people! I had a wonderful time with you all!" One among them stepped forward and said- "Before you go, you must take this gift." They gave me a brightly wrapped box. I wanted to open it but they said- "Open it on Earth." Thanking them profoundly, I looked into their eyes- my eyes,in fact, and smiled. They smiled through their eyes and then I got into my Stormoid. Within moments, we had escaped Planet Naina's atmosphere.

Again we had compressed to a photon's size and whizzed past solar systems and neutron stars. Finally when we neared Earth, I was watching closely. Why was Earth also looking light blue and light grey like Naina? I did not want the worst to be true. Stormoid flashed on my screen the message-" Don't worry Amrita. Even if things are wrong on Earth, you can set it right with the gift you have from Naina." Well, Stormoid had just proved that it was a brilliant spy who could sneak inside gifts (ethical hacking of course!). I messaged- "Stop reading my mind. Take me to Earth asap." Stormoid again flashed its powerful headlights on in response.

I felt devastated. As we touched down on Earth and returned to our original sizes, I felt terrible. I could not believe this. I had returned to a planet badly devoid of trees, like Naina. Unbelievable. Half the water had disappeared. That's why it looked less light blue and more grey.

Humans had not turned stick-like yet, but universally looked more frail. Yes, they were on the path of looking like the Nainese. I touched down at NASISRO headquarters and was welcomed with loud cheers. I could see NASISRO Chairman had turned very old, but I looked quite the same. Ah- time travel. Most of the faces looked new.


I announced-"NASISROites, this is Amrita here. I've returned from Planet Naina and got a gift for all of you- infact  for entire mankind." NASISRO people immediately gathered. So also, an entire team of photographers, media people, businessmen, common people nearby- all gathered to see the gift being opened. Stormoid was recording everything for live telecast. I opened the gift to thunderous applause. Guess what was it? A seedling.

I could not help but marvel at the far-sightedness of the Nainese. They had realised that by the end of the time I reached Earth, Nature may have been destroyed there as well. And I could at least grow a tree with the Nainese people's help on my planet. Gratitude rushed through my heart, and a tear streamed down my cheeks. I paused to think- must the Nainese too have had a tear down their cheeks now?

My Stormoid flapped its wings. Suddenly we saw a small mountainpile of seedlings. I smiled. I was overjoyed with my Stormoid. Applying its ethics-oriented thinking, it had used 3D printing to create a mountainpile of seedlings which each of us gathered there could immediately start planting. My Stormoid in Amitabh Bachchan's baritone said-"Human beings, your time starts now. Each one, plant one. I'll create any number of more seedlings so our Earth can turn green again and become that sparkling blue gem from space again." A loud roar came forth from all the enlightened human beings there- "AYE AYE SIR! FOR SURE!"

My Birdoid

And before I knew it, I had hit ‘Send’. The 'Send' button on the birdoid was a bright luscious red, forcing a human of 2035 to think twice or many times preferably, before hitting it. But his face so lingered in front of my eyes that I just could not help it. Well, the birdoid was a mini-spy satellite looking like a bird, which I had built with my own hands as a personal project, to serve important uses in the super-techno-savvy world of 2035. For now, I had to use my birdoid to search for a person Mr.X- one who had escaped with all e-documents of my e-office. X had closed my e-firm sending a false e-representation to the Registrar of E-Companies and fled before he could face my terrible wrath. 

The problem was, I trusted him too much. I had never thought he would go to the extent of building my exact replica to break into the main files I had secured through a human-familiarity-software (HFS) which would only allow ME. And here he was- destroying my own hard labor with my cloned double with my EXACT characteristics to fool the super-sophisticated system! True X would have spent his entire fortune plus borrowed a trillion more in doing this, for, getting cent-percent human-genome matched clone in 2035 came at the highest premium as compared to even a 99% match. Also, I knew though X had gained experience in this field, he was not skilled enough to create a full match. And my software was advanced to the hilt- to allow only a 100% match. One thing was for sure- he had 100% betrayed me.

I decided he needed to be taught a lesson. One he would never forget. My birdoid was out on its mission. It would search the entire world for this techno-crook, and if he would not be found, would even rev-up at escape velocity, leave the Earth and scuttle towards Mars, for several colonies of humans were living in Mars as well. My birdoid would scan all the humans and possible humanoids, distinguish among them, and find the target. Yet I feared the intelligence of the birdoid- I did not know how far my artificial intelligence program would be effective on him. I had expressed all my heart-felt anger and disgust at that abominable person, while talking to the birdoid. If the birdoid's artificial intelligence took over the emotional side, there was a real fear of the birdoid even probably launching an attack on the target. This was a scary thought. Still, in a fit of rage I had bared all facts before my birdoid and before I knew it, had hit the 'Send' button.

My wide display screen showed the images captured by my birdoid whizzing past continents searching for the most wanted. The truth dawned upon me within half an hour- my birdoid had not found him on Earth. It revved up its engines and I could soon see dark expanse of space in minutes. My birdoid had compressed itself to a very small mass and was travelling at one-fourth the speed of light. Within about fifteen minutes my birdoid had reached Mars and was scanning people there. Colonies looked much like on Earth. I almost gave a serious thought to set up my new company on Mars. Demand for services must be booming there, still cost of living must be higher, I wondered.

 Suddenly, an alert message flashed on my screen. "TARGET FOUND" it said. And before I knew it, I saw an explosion on my screen. My birdoid had done what I feared- using its own emotional intelligence, it had launched a precision attack on the cheat. I felt a pang of remorse. A message again flashed- "Don't worry Amrita. I know you did not mean to KILL him and may have sent a different command to me. Yet please understand that this was the only way justice could be done to both of you. You will not go to hell. God knows your ethical position." I was surprised that my intelligence program had given my birdoid such a thorough grounding of ethics, morality and the sense of justice, to almost talk like a Supreme Court judge and philosopher rolled into one. Still, through the surprise, remorse and wonder, I sent a message asking my birdoid to self-destroy. My birdoid sent back a message- "Target had a remote control in hand. I suspect more targets. Allow me to finish my job." I realized the super-intelligence of my birdoid. I was awed to see almost fifty explosions in rapid succession with "TARGET FOUND" flashing at the blink of my eyes for the next few minutes.

It dawned on me that Mr.X had built fifty clones of his, and the remote-control was for transferring the matter in his brain to each of his clones whenever he would be in danger. So that's it! This techno-savvy cheat had tried to stump me and the world, for a fifty more dangerous cheats like him would sure make Mars a very dangerous place. Wait! My birdoid was gain hurtling back to Earth, ostensibly to check if X had planted his clones on earth too to arise when he was dead. Wow, I had no words to praise the intelligence and steadfastness of goal accomplishment of my birdoid. 

Soon it had scanned across continents on Earth and I saw no explosions on my screen. My birdoid said- "Finally, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! X clearly wanted to capture entire Mars for himself even after death and I'm proud to have annihilated him. Amrita, now I will self-destruct. Before I do that, I wish to inform you that I've left my clone on Mars which will continue to survey if X has left more clones to rise after further time-lags. Most importantly I want to say that we need many more humans like you who do good work for the world. May your tribe increase." 

I messaged back-"My birdoid, you have shown tremendous fortitude. I'm proud I invented you, but have to destroy you as well, for being safe from Earth and Mars Police. Don't worry, for you will be reborn in an even better Avatar!" My birdoid said-"AMEN! 3..2..1..." and my screen went blank.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

This post was adjudged as the best amongst all the WOW entries & won the WOW Badge here:

Why I love Blogging

I Love Blogging because:

B- is for the BEST use of time, as while I write a new post, I get a tremendous creative boost, which keeps me energetic and happy for the rest of my time- till I post the next one! Time spent BLOGGING is my most exciting time! Truly, BLOGGING brings out the very BEST of my creative side!

L- is for all the LOVE people give me for being a writer, a blogger- since the year 2006, when blogging itself as a concept was relatively new! They overwhelm me with their feedback and encourage me to touch the deepest chords of their heart, over and over again!

O- is for my OUTSTANDING gratitude to the concept and invention of internet and blogging itself! Today we cannot imagine life without internet, and a lover of blogging like me cannot imagine life without blogging, which allows me to pour my heart out on my OWN Space on the wired highway- www.amritasabat.blogspot.com and read OTHERS' heartfelt outpourings too!

G- is for GLORY of being recognized as a world citizen by authoring my own blog! Everytime I look at the Live Traffic Feed displaying people from the remotest parts of the world visiting my blog, I feel elated and proud as a stakeholder in the chugging inter-continental 'Thoughts Express'! Who knows- even a future inter-GALACTICAL 'Thoughts Express' when we build links with aliens! My blog will live forever though I may just be a mortal being...my first post 'I'

G- is for GREAT satisfaction I get by sharing my hopes, confusions, love, hatred, passions with humanity, through my blog. Makes me lighter, happier and simply ecstatic!

I- is for my INDEPENDENCE, which gets floodgates of expression through my blog! You will see this sense of mine reflected in every blog post and I so absolutely treasure this! IT is simply me- no wonder my blog is even named 'I' and I love blogging!

N- is for NOVELTY of expression and styles! My creativity gets wings and expresses freely through my blog with different styles of posts- poems, stories, articles or simply- wandering thoughts!

G- is for GROWTH. My blog gives me the widest avenues for discovering my boundless potential (‘About Me’) and helps in self-growth enormously. Even participating in my first blog contest was a life-changing event for me as I could interact with this wonderful inspiring lady: Sanghamitra Jena: A Woman Entrepreneur, a Trailblazer . Simultaneously being linked to a paradise of bloggers, I get not just knowledge by reading their blogs but also inspiration and motivation to do much more in life and make positive differences to the world at large, often being infected with their sense of optimism and happiness.

Blogging is the best feel-good factor in my life. It is my way of baring my soul, of touching others' souls as well. I love blogging, and whether I win or not, this post has been one of my most satisfying posts so far! :D MEGA Thanks for this chance Miss Malini ( http://www.missmalini.com/mega-haul ) ! Really, my MEGA Salute goes out to you! :)