“Madhur prateeksha hi jab itni, priye tum aate toh kya hota?” Prateeksha by Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

These lines translate to, “When waiting is so sweet, dear lover, what would have happened if you had actually come?” turning anguish into something beautiful.

Bachchan was born during the British Raj, on the 27^th of November 1907 in Babupatti village of United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. As his autobiography details, he grew up in a large brahmin family wound up in financial problems. Up until graduation, he studied in Allahabad and then moved abroad.

Harivansh Rai Bachchan was the first Indian to receive a PhD in English Literature from Cambridge University. Not only did he write over 30 collections of exemplary poetry, but he was also a great translator. Deciphering the words of esteemed poets like Omar Khayyam, Shakespeare and Yeats, he translated all their works in Hindi. While he is considered to be a pioneer of Hindi romantic poetry, he wrote on a number of issues including politics and philosophy.

One of his most famous poems, Madhushala is an accurate depiction of this. Translating to ‘House of Wine’ the poem uses wine to symbolize life, death, love, artistic expression and belief. His take on ‘god’ is closer to Sufi ideals. The poem also touches on ‘lover’s anguish’ as he delves into the artist psyche calling himself the slave of his own work.

“Mitti ka tan, masti ka man, kshan bhar jeevan – mera parichay,” is how he describes himself. A body of clay, mind full of play, a moment’s life – that’s me. The torch bearer of Chayavaad movement in Hindi Literature or the romantic upsurge, Harivansh Rai Bachchan was known for the lyricism of his poems. You can always hear a hint of rebelliousness in the poetry of this legendary artist.

Head constable at Delhi Samaypur Badli Police Station, Seema Dhaka, worked for 2.5 months to trace and reunite 76 missing children with their families. These children were not only from Delhi but also from West Bengal, Haryana, Punjab, Noida, Bihar etc.

The Commissioner of Police had issued an incentive scheme. This scheme encouraged the police personnel to recover 50 or more children below the age of 14. If they could to do this within 12 months, constables/ head constables will be rewarded with out-of-turn promotion. Seema Dhaka is the first female head constable who rescued 76 children in less than 3 months.

33 year old, Dhaka sacrificed her own family time as she worked extra shifts to find these children. “I could feel what the children felt being separated from their parents, what the parents felt on losing their children. That motivated me to work harder,” she says as the mother of an 8-year-old herself.

One of Dhaka’s most challenging cases was rescuing a 7-year-old who went missing around 5 years ago. She had to cross two rivers in a flood-hit area, in West Bengal. Every rescue, every case posed its own challenges, yet she successfully brought joy to all these families. The now assistant sub-inspector was also tested positive for Covid-19 in early July this year. She started work as soon as her body permitted her.  

Seema Dhaka talks about her family’s support in her career and how it has helped her achieve her success. Most days she would be unable to be home for dinner, but her mother in law would send tiffin. Never demanding her presence in festivals or when guests came home, her entire family always encouraged her to prioritize her job. Dhaka joined the Delhi Police in 2006. Her husband is also a Head Constable.

We, at The Talented Indian, salute not just officers like her, but also the families behind such strong officers.

Growing up, we’ve all learned about the fearless Queen of Jhansi in our school history textbooks. We’ve heard tales of her courageous fights against the British. Rani Lakshmi Bai was a symbol of resistance against the British Rule. But her life wasn’t always like this. There was a time back in 1828 when she was just a young girl named Manikarnika Tambe.

Manikarnika was born on the 19^th of November, amidst the Ghats of Varanasi. She was the only daughter of Bhagirathi and Moropant Tambe. Tambe was an advisor in the court of Maratha Peshwas and a close friend of the Baji Rao’s brother, Chimaji Appa.

Her playfulness earned her the name ‘Manu’. In fact, Baji Rao lovingly called young Rani Lakshmi Bai, ‘Chhabili’. But after the tragic loss of her mother, Tambe had to raise her by himself. Instead of playing with other girls, she grew up around weapons with Nana Saheb and Tantia Tope who were much older than her.  

This one time young Manu wanted to ride an elephant just like Nana Saheb. But his refusal hurt her caused a lasting impact. She made a promise that day – for each elephant that Nana Saheb has, she would own 10. And lo behold! The legendary Rani Lakshmi Bai does keep her promise.

Manikarnika proved her strength repeatedly. In fact, at the age of 7, she saved the life of 18-year-old Nana Saheb. His horse had suddenly gone out of complete, while he was riding. She didn’t just calm the horse down but also saved him from getting trampled.

At the age of 14, she married the King of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao, and the rest is history. Her struggles will be remembered and her death will be honoured because “Khoob Ladi Mardnai Voh Toh, Jhansi Waali Rani Thi!”

Every year we find ourselves feeling a little jittery and nervous as the months of October-November pass us by. It’s Diwali time! As the anticipation builds and settles, one feels the acute need to pause and celebrate life. It has been this way for many centuries now,  and every once in a while the whole nation lights up with such fervour, that it might even serve as a beacon to some stranded astronaut. As I stand ready on Diya-duty once again, I wonder what has made Diwali so special that it has pertinently lived on for so long? Then it struck me: We all love the idea to overcome strenuous hurdles to enjoy togetherness. Just like Lord Ram. Alright, enough preamble now.

It is in this spirit that we bring you some of the most incredible pieces of poetry. Written by Sameer Kamboj ‘Rishton ki Diwali’ is resonant, to say the least. The distancing we face is not always physical. Somewhere, as we grew up, we built walls around people and forgot that the greatest gift is the gift of powerful relationships. The theme gorgeously reminds us to let this Diwali be an excuse to bring ourselves closer. 

Penned by Rachna Sahal is a very beautiful piece titled ‘Chalo is Diwali Ek Anokha Diya Jalaayein’. Her arrangement of words and narrating abilities can leave you speechless. Her piece will inspire you to light a lamp against all the negativity you unwittingly foster and share in the joy of giving back to those who are less fortunate.

In this occasion of togetherness, there are many who are not able to partake. The need to be around ‘your’ people is overwhelming enough to succumb you. Such is the power expressed by popular stand-up comedian Zakir Khan’s short poetry. Titled ‘Ghar Nahi Jaa Paaya Iss Baar’ it will make you run back home!

Following a similar, theme we must remember that there are those for whom duty takes precedence over the celebration. There are many families who await the arrival of the brave sons and daughters who sacrifice so that we can have the opportunity to be happy. ‘Diwali Pe Ghar Aayoge’ will give you a much needed emotional perspective

Clearly, the power of this festival is as splendid as are its lights! We wish everybody a very happy Diwali!

It doesn’t take our minds much reflection to realise exactly how hard it is to make someone laugh. Even some of our most pre-meditated efforts to entice laughter can be met with such cold looks which make you want to hide from the world forever(of course, I speak from personal experience here). Making someone laugh is extremely hard, no question about it. Of course, in lieu of that, it makes sense why there are simply so many words for this one happy action: Smile, chuckle, guffaw, snigger, smirk, giggle, chortle and the list goes on and on. However, if there was ever a person, infinitely adept at mastering the art of comedy, then it was Bollywood’s own Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi better known to us as Johnny Walker. The actor who redefined the role of ‘comic relief’ in old Bollywood.

Born in the spotless city of Indore in a Muslim household of which he was third in a line of ten children, he soon found himself venturing into the charmingly deceptive city of Mumbai. At that time, he was the sole bread-earner, after struggling and having many stints and jobs; he found himself as a bus conductor at Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport(BEST). I wonder if anyone before him had ever realised the theatric appeal of conducting a bus before, think about it! It almost seems like the perfect pedestal to perform, and so a young Badruddin performed the odd routine and impressions in hopes that one day his destiny would lead him to new heights.

And soon enough, a person entered in his life who would greatly impact him: Cine-star Guru Dutt(with whom he formed a deep friendship). After witnessing his routine as a drunkard, he fashioned Badruddin the name of ‘Johnny Walker’. Yesterday, i.e the 11th of November was the 94th Birth Anniversary of this legend. Today he is known for over 300+ films and a brand of clean and clear humour which will last till posterity.
Hope you have a nice day!