ઝાડવું ને સ્ટ્રીટલાઇટ પાસપાસે છે
જોઈએ કે કોને કોનો ચેપ લાગે છે

વાદળા આકાશમાં વ્યાપેલ ખેતર છે
કોઈ એને ખેડીને પાણી ઉગાડે છે

બારી પાસે જો નથી કાતર તો શેનાથી
એ સ્વયંના કદ મુજબ આકાશ કાપે છે

વ્હેતા પડછાયામાં નાહી લો ધરાઈને
સારું છે તમને નદીનું સપનું આવે છે

બારણા પાસે બધા દૃશ્યો થયાં ભેગાં
જલ્દી અંદર ઘૂસવા સૌ ધક્કા મારે છે

એફબી પર જઈ અને સૂંઘી શકે છે સૌ
ફૂલ જે ઘરથી હજારો ગાઉ આઘે છે

હૂંફમાં પણ મેળવણ જેવી અસર છે કે?
ભાન ખોવાતું જતું ને ઊંઘ જામે છે

- કુલદીપ કારિયા

ત્રણ અક્ષરમાં માપી લીઘું વિશ્વને ‘રમેશ’ પૂછો કે એનું નામ હતું : ‘વેદના’, તો હા! – Jay Vasavada

કવિ શ્રી રમેશ પારેખના નિધન પછી જય વસાવડાની કોલમમાં પ્રગટ થયેલો આ લેખ એમણે થોડા વખત પહેલા એમના બ્લોગપર ફરીથી પ્રસ્તુત કર્યો હતો, એ આજે એમની પરવાનગી સાથે અહીં ટહુકો પર ….. ટહુકામાંથી સાભાર

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સમજયા, ચંદુભાઇ!
એને ટેવ નડી, ટેવ…
ખોતરવાની.

આ ખુસાલિયો કાંઇ ખોતરવે ચડયો,
કાંઇ ખોતરવે ચડયો…
છેવટે ઇણે ઇનું મગજ ખોતર્યું
મોટા મોટા ખાડા કર્યા ઇમાં
મૂળે ખુસાલિયાને ગોતવું’તુ સુખ
જોવું’તું નજરોનજર
પછી પારકું હોય કે પોતાનું- પણ સુખ

ઇ અડબાઉને એમ કે
ચોપડિયુંમાં લખ્યું હોય ઇ બઘું સાચું જ હોય
સુખના ઝાડવા ફિલમુમાં ઉગે
સુખના ફુવારા કવિતામાં ઉડે
નવલકથાયું વાંચે એમાં હોય સુખના હિલ્લોળા
તે ખુસાલિયાને એમ જ થઇ ગ્યું કે સુખ હોય!
દીકરો અહીં જ થાપ ખાઇ ગ્યો…

એને એમ કે સોમવાર કે રવિવાર હોય
એમ સુખ પણ હોય જ!
ટપુભાઇને તરવેણીબેનની જેમ
સુખે ય આપડે ત્યાં આવે…
અક્કલના ઇસ્કોતરાને કહેવું ય સું?

આપણે તો જાણીએ, ચંદુભાઇ કે
સસલાને શિંગડા હોય તો
માણસને સુખ હોય.
ઠીક છે, ડાહી ડાહી વાતું કરીએ
ચોપડિયું વાંચીએ
જે વાંચવુ જોઇએ એ વાંચ્યું નહીં
પૂછજો એને, ઇતિહાસ વાંચ્યો છે એણે?
છે ચપટીય સુખ મળ્યાનો ઉલ્લેખ કોઇ પાને?

એક દિવસ ખુસાલિયો
પોતાના સપનાંને અડ્યો’તો!
ત્યારથી આવી દિમાગને ચાટી જાતી બળતરાઉં!
પણ હાળો મરસે !
સુખ નથી આઠે બ્રહ્માંડમાં
સુખ નામનો પદારથ જ નથી આ ભોં પર
આવી વાત ઇ જાણતો નથી
ઇ જ એનું સુખ!

(રમેશ પારેખ)
આપણે મળ્યાં તો ખરાં પણ એમ-
જેમ દરિયાની ધુમ્મરીમાં
ડૂબતા માણસના હાથમાં
કયાંકથી તરતું આવેલું
‘વહાણ’ છાપ બાકસનું ખોખું આવી જાય ને એ…

તું જો જીતે તો ભલે, તું જીતે
હું તો હારી શકું છુ સાવ એ રીતે..
તું જો જીતે તો ભલે, તું જીતે
હું તો ચાહી શકું છું, તને એ રીતે!

તબક્કો જુદા પડવાનો જુદાઈમાં ય ના આવ્યો
તમે જુદા હતા કયાં કે તમારાથી જુદા પડીએ?

દરિયામાં હોય એને મોતી કહેવાય છે, તો આંખોમાં હોય તેને શું?
અમે પૂછયું : લે બોલ, હવે તું…
પંખી વછોઈ કોઈ એકલી જગ્યાને તમે માળો કહેશો કે બખોલ?
જોવાની હોય કોઈ આવ્યાની વાટ ત્યારે ભણકારા વાગે કે ઢોલ?
ઊંચી ઘોડીને ઊંચો અસવાર : એના મારગ મોટા કે કોલ મોટા?
સૂરજ ન હોય તેવી રાતે ઝીંકાય છે, એ તડકાઓ હોય કે લૂ?
અમે પૂછયું : લે બોલ, હવે તું…

એક ખાબોચિયું ઉંબરમાં આવ્યું : સુકાયું
હતો રમેશને મોટો પ્રસંગ જાણું છું.

સાંજ – અંગત એક ચિઠ્ઠી… પ્રિયતમાની,
પત્ર મારો – ફકત નિઃશ્વાસોનો ઢગલો
ભૂકંપોના વિચારોનો જ
સિસ્મોગ્રાફ અધકચરો
અને ચિઠ્ઠી -
તરન્નુમ જેટલી મીઠ્ઠી!

એક અનુભવ તને કહું, લે, સાંભળ સોનલ…
એક વકત આ હું ને મારી આંખ ગ્યાં‘તા દરિયે
ત્યારે કોઈ પગલું પડી ગયું હતું ઓસરીએ
ઘેર આવતા ઘરના મોં પર તાજગી ભાળી
અડપલું બોલી ઉઠયું : જડી ગયું, દે તાળી
પગલાં ઉપર અમે ચડાવ્યા પાંપણના બે ફૂલ
ટીપે ટીપે સપના સુધી બાંઘ્યો ભીનો પુલ
ઘર આખ્ખું ને અમે ય આખ્ખા ઝલમલ
ઓસરીએ અફળાતો દરિયો કલબલ કલબલ

તું આવી તો ઘરના ખૂણા પ્હોળા પ્હોળા
પહેલીવાર હું મારાથી અળગો પડી
કરતો મારી ખોળંખોળ
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તમે ઘેર આવ્યા ને, સોનલ
ફળિયે બેઠેલા પથ્થરના પંખીને
નીલું પિચ્છ અચાનક ફૂટે
પિચ્છ તળે કુમળો કુમળો પડછાયો કંપે

- ને સૌથી છેલ્લે ગામનું પાદર જોઈ લેવું છે
વડની ખાલીખમ છાયાને
ટગરટગર વળગી પડી રોઈ લેવું છે
એકલભૂલું બકરી બચ્ચું ઊંચકીને
પસવારવી છાતી
જોઈ લેવી છે નદીએ કોઈ છોકરી
છાનું છપનું ન્હાતી
થોરનું લીલું પાન તોડીને મા સમોવડ દૂધ ઝરી પડતું જોવું
મારગે કદી થડમાં કોર્યા નામને કહી આવજો છેલ્લીવાર વછોવું
સીમમાં નીહળ આ ઘટાટોપ ભાનને ફરી ખોઈ લેવું છે

હાથ સૂમસામ બની મેજ પર પડેલા છે,
અસંખ્ય ઝાંઝવાને સ્પર્શવાથી મેલા છે.

અડે અડે ત્યાં ઉઝરડા પડે છે સપનાને
હાથને ટેરવાં સાથે જ નખ મળેલા છે.

એક તો હાથનું પોત જ છે સાવ તકલાદી
ને એમાં હસ્તરેખાઓના સળ પડેલા છે.

મન બહુ થાય છે વરસાદમાં નીકળવાનું
બધાના ભાગ્યમાં હોતું નથી પલળવાનું?
પડયું છે કોઈનું મડદું પણે ગુલમ્હોર તળે
વચન દીધેલ હશે કોઈએ ત્યાં મળવાનું?

વિશ્વનું એક્કે ન પુસ્તક દઇ શકયું એનો જવાબ
શું છે આ છાતીને ખોદી કાઢતી ઝીણી કણસ
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કેમ તું મૂંગી છે તદ્દન, બોલપેન!
તારૂં કોણે દુભવ્યું મન, બોલપેન!
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બંધ દરવાજા ઝૂરે છે સતત ટકોરાને
કોઇ વિલંબ કે કોઇ સબર કબૂલ નથી
*
આંખોને કાળમીંઢ કોણે ઘડી છે
મને કંઇ તો જોયાનું સુખ આપો…
મૂંઝારે ફાટફાટ છાતી ભીંસાય
મને કંઇ તો રોયાનું સુખ આપો…
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લોહી તોડી શબ્દને દર્પણ કર્યા
- ને તને અર્પણ કર્યા!
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હથેળી બહુ વ્હેમવાળી જગા છે
અહીં સ્પર્શ વસતા એ પ્રેતો થયા છે
હવે પાંપણોમાં અદાલત ભરાશે,
મેં સ્વપ્નો નીરખવાના ગુના કર્યા છે
*
જેટલી દંતકથાઓ બની અરીસાની
છે ઝીણી ઝીણી કરચ એ તો કોઇ કિસ્સાની
*
વીતેલી કાલનું જો નામ ખુશખુશાલ નથી
તો દોસ્ત, આજ હું સ્હેજે પાયમાલ નથી

મને બગીચો કહ્યો’તો એ તારી ભૂલ હતી
કોઇ લીલોતરી વિશે મને ખયાલ નથી
*
ઘટનાને હોત ભૂલી શકવાના બારણા
તો કોણ ખોલવાનું હતું બંધ દ્વારને?
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ચકવી, ચાલો જઇએ એવા દેશ…
પ્હેરવો પડે છે અહીં તો આ કે પેલો
એકબીજાને ચાહવાનો કોઇ વેશ
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તું ચહેરો ઉગામીને ઉભી રહી
એટલે હોઠમાં વાત થંભી ગઇ
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અક્ષરો પાડું, ધકેલું, ચીતરૂ, ઘૂટું, ભૂંસું
હું રમું કાગળની વચ્ચે તમને મળવાની રમત
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શું કામ આંખમાં આવ્યું વિચારવું પડશે
બધાથી ગુપ્ત આ આંસુ નિતારવું પડશે
મીંચાય આંખ, આ મનને મીંચાય કેમ, રમેશ
સમૂળગું જ હવે મનને મારવું પડશે
સ્વપ્નમાં જેમણે આખ્ખો બગીચો આપ્યો’તો
દીઘું છે તેમણે આ રણ, સ્વીકારવું પડશે.

6 PILLARS OF CHARACTER

The CHARACTER COUNTS! approach to character education doesn't exclude anyone. That's why we base our programs and materials on six ethical values that everyone can agree on — values that are not political, religious, or culturally biased. Use the points below to help young people understand the Six Pillars, and use the mnemonic devices at right to help them remember.

Be honest
Don't deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you'll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country

Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don';t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example for others

Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don't take advantage of others • Don't blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly

Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer

Must, Must Read... Read carefully

A Father's letter to his son - applies to daughters too!!

A Wise Father's Letter to His Son.

Very Useful to all of us.....

Beautiful letter written by a father to his son

Following is a letter to his son from a renowned Hong Kong TV broadcaster/Child Psychologist. The words are actually applicable to all of us, young or old, children or parents! This applies to daughters too. All parents can use this in their teachings to their children.

Dear son,

I am writing this to you because of 3 reasons

1. Life, fortune and mishaps are unpredictable; nobody knows how long he lives. Some words are better said early.

2. I am your father, and if I don't tell you these, no one else will.

3. What is written is my own personal bitter experiences that perhaps could save you a lot of unnecessary heartaches.

Remember the following as you go through life

1. Do not bear grudge towards those who are not good to you. No one has the responsibility of treating you well, except your mother and I. To those who are good to you, you have to treasure it and be thankful, and ALSO you have to be cautious, because, everyone has a motive for every move. When a person is good to you, it does not mean he really likes you. You have to be careful, don't hastily regard him as a real friend.

2. No one is indispensable, nothing in the world that you must possess. Once you understand this idea, it would be easier for you to go through life when people around you don't want you anymore, or when you lose what/who you love most.

3. Life is short. When you waste your life today, tomorrow you would find that life is leaving you. The earlier you treasure your life, the better you enjoy life.

4. Love is but a transient feeling, and this feeling would fade with time and with one's mood. If your so called loved one leaves you, be patient, time will wash away your aches and sadness. Don't over exaggerate the beauty and sweetness of love, and don't over exaggerate the sadness of falling out of love.

5. A lot of successful people did not receive a good education, that does not mean that you can be successful by not studying hard! Whatever knowledge you gain is your weapon in life. One can go from rags to riches, but one has to start from some rags!

6. I do not expect you to financially support me when I am old, neither would I financially support your whole life. My responsibility as a supporter ends when you are grown up. After that, you decide whether you want to travel in a public transport or in your limousine, whether rich or poor.

7. You honor your words, but don't expect others to be so. You can be good to people, but don't expect people to be good to you. If you don't understand this, you would end up with unnecessary troubles.

8. I have bought lotteries for umpteen years, but I never strike any prize. That shows if you want to be rich, you have to work hard! There is no free lunch!

9. No matter how much time I have with you, let's treasure the time we have together. We do not know if we would meet again in our next life.

Love,
Your Dad

Must, Must Read... Read carefully

A Father's letter to his son - applies to daughters too!!

A Wise Father's Letter to His Son.

Very Useful to all of us.....

Beautiful letter written by a father to his son

Following is a letter to his son from a renowned Hong Kong TV broadcaster/Child Psychologist. The words are actually applicable to all of us, young or old, children or parents! This applies to daughters too. All parents can use this in their teachings to their children.

Dear son,

I am writing this to you because of 3 reasons

1. Life, fortune and mishaps are unpredictable; nobody knows how long he lives. Some words are better said early.

2. I am your father, and if I don't tell you these, no one else will.

3. What is written is my own personal bitter experiences that perhaps could save you a lot of unnecessary heartaches.

Remember the following as you go through life

1. Do not bear grudge towards those who are not good to you. No one has the responsibility of treating you well, except your mother and I. To those who are good to you, you have to treasure it and be thankful, and ALSO you have to be cautious, because, everyone has a motive for every move. When a person is good to you, it does not mean he really likes you. You have to be careful, don't hastily regard him as a real friend.

2. No one is indispensable, nothing in the world that you must possess. Once you understand this idea, it would be easier for you to go through life when people around you don't want you anymore, or when you lose what/who you love most.

3. Life is short. When you waste your life today, tomorrow you would find that life is leaving you. The earlier you treasure your life, the better you enjoy life.

4. Love is but a transient feeling, and this feeling would fade with time and with one's mood. If your so called loved one leaves you, be patient, time will wash away your aches and sadness. Don't over exaggerate the beauty and sweetness of love, and don't over exaggerate the sadness of falling out of love.

5. A lot of successful people did not receive a good education, that does not mean that you can be successful by not studying hard! Whatever knowledge you gain is your weapon in life. One can go from rags to riches, but one has to start from some rags!

6. I do not expect you to financially support me when I am old, neither would I financially support your whole life. My responsibility as a supporter ends when you are grown up. After that, you decide whether you want to travel in a public transport or in your limousine, whether rich or poor.

7. You honor your words, but don't expect others to be so. You can be good to people, but don't expect people to be good to you. If you don't understand this, you would end up with unnecessary troubles.

8. I have bought lotteries for umpteen years, but I never strike any prize. That shows if you want to be rich, you have to work hard! There is no free lunch!

9. No matter how much time I have with you, let's treasure the time we have together. We do not know if we would meet again in our next life.

Love,
Your Dad

Must, Must Read... Read carefully

A Father's letter to his son - applies to daughters too!!

A Wise Father's Letter to His Son.

Very Useful to all of us.....

Beautiful letter written by a father to his son

Following is a letter to his son from a renowned Hong Kong TV broadcaster/Child Psychologist. The words are actually applicable to all of us, young or old, children or parents! This applies to daughters too. All parents can use this in their teachings to their children.

Dear son,

I am writing this to you because of 3 reasons

1. Life, fortune and mishaps are unpredictable; nobody knows how long he lives. Some words are better said early.

2. I am your father, and if I don't tell you these, no one else will.

3. What is written is my own personal bitter experiences that perhaps could save you a lot of unnecessary heartaches.

Remember the following as you go through life

1. Do not bear grudge towards those who are not good to you. No one has the responsibility of treating you well, except your mother and I. To those who are good to you, you have to treasure it and be thankful, and ALSO you have to be cautious, because, everyone has a motive for every move. When a person is good to you, it does not mean he really likes you. You have to be careful, don't hastily regard him as a real friend.

2. No one is indispensable, nothing in the world that you must possess. Once you understand this idea, it would be easier for you to go through life when people around you don't want you anymore, or when you lose what/who you love most.

3. Life is short. When you waste your life today, tomorrow you would find that life is leaving you. The earlier you treasure your life, the better you enjoy life.

4. Love is but a transient feeling, and this feeling would fade with time and with one's mood. If your so called loved one leaves you, be patient, time will wash away your aches and sadness. Don't over exaggerate the beauty and sweetness of love, and don't over exaggerate the sadness of falling out of love.

5. A lot of successful people did not receive a good education, that does not mean that you can be successful by not studying hard! Whatever knowledge you gain is your weapon in life. One can go from rags to riches, but one has to start from some rags!

6. I do not expect you to financially support me when I am old, neither would I financially support your whole life. My responsibility as a supporter ends when you are grown up. After that, you decide whether you want to travel in a public transport or in your limousine, whether rich or poor.

7. You honor your words, but don't expect others to be so. You can be good to people, but don't expect people to be good to you. If you don't understand this, you would end up with unnecessary troubles.

8. I have bought lotteries for umpteen years, but I never strike any prize. That shows if you want to be rich, you have to work hard! There is no free lunch!

9. No matter how much time I have with you, let's treasure the time we have together. We do not know if we would meet again in our next life.

Love,
Your Dad

6 PILLARS OF CHARACTER

The CHARACTER COUNTS! approach to character education doesn't exclude anyone. That's why we base our programs and materials on six ethical values that everyone can agree on — values that are not political, religious, or culturally biased. Use the points below to help young people understand the Six Pillars, and use the mnemonic devices at right to help them remember.

Be honest
Don't deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you'll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country

Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don';t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example for others

Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don't take advantage of others • Don't blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly

Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer

6 PILLARS OF CHARACTER   The CHARACTER COUNTS! approach to character education doesn't exclude anyone. That's why we base our programs and materials on six ethical values that everyone can agree on — values that are not political, religious, or culturally biased. Use the points below to help young people understand the Six Pillars, and use the mnemonic devices at right to help them remember.  Be honest Don't deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you'll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country  Respect Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don';t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements  Responsibility Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example for others Fairness Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don't take advantage of others • Don't blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly Caring Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need  Citizenship Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer

6 PILLARS OF CHARACTER

The CHARACTER COUNTS! approach to character education doesn't exclude anyone. That's why we base our programs and materials on six ethical values that everyone can agree on — values that are not political, religious, or culturally biased. Use the points below to help young people understand the Six Pillars, and use the mnemonic devices at right to help them remember.

Be honest
Don't deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you'll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country

Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don';t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example for others

Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don't take advantage of others • Don't blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly

Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer

6 PILLARS OF CHARACTER

The CHARACTER COUNTS! approach to character education doesn't exclude anyone. That's why we base our programs and materials on six ethical values that everyone can agree on — values that are not political, religious, or culturally biased. Use the points below to help young people understand the Six Pillars, and use the mnemonic devices at right to help them remember.

Be honest
Don't deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you'll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country

Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don';t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example for others

Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don't take advantage of others • Don't blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly

Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer

6 PILLARS OF CHARACTER

The CHARACTER COUNTS! approach to character education doesn't exclude anyone. That's why we base our programs and materials on six ethical values that everyone can agree on — values that are not political, religious, or culturally biased. Use the points below to help young people understand the Six Pillars, and use the mnemonic devices at right to help them remember.

Be honest
Don't deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you'll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country

Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don';t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example for others

Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don't take advantage of others • Don't blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly

Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer

6 PILLARS OF CHARACTER   The CHARACTER COUNTS! approach to character education doesn't exclude anyone. That's why we base our programs and materials on six ethical values that everyone can agree on — values that are not political, religious, or culturally biased. Use the points below to help young people understand the Six Pillars, and use the mnemonic devices at right to help them remember.  Be honest Don't deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you'll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country  Respect Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don';t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements  Responsibility Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example for others Fairness Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don't take advantage of others • Don't blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly Caring Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need  Citizenship Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer

Please...

PLEASE...

STOP THE WAR ON GAZA

તું મળે તો પાત્રમાં પડશે કશું,
ઘેર લખ ચોરાસી બાકી યાચું છું.
--- વિવેક મનહર ટેલર

નમું તને, પથ્થરને? નહીં, નહીં,
શ્રદ્ધા તણા આસનને નમું નમું.
--- સુંદરમ્

તમારી યાદ આવ્યા બાદની મારી દશા -
ખુદાની તો શું ? ખુદની બાદબાકી થઈ ગઈ.
--- વિવેક ટેલર

ટૂંકી ટચરક વાત, કબીરા, લાંબી પડશે રાત, કબીરા.
જીવ હજીએ ઝભ્ભામાં છે, ફાટી ગઈ છે જાત, કબીરા.
--- ચંદ્રેશ મકવાણા ‘નારાજ’

ક્યાં ફૂલો પધરાવશો ‘ઈર્શાદ’નાં ?
ઝાંઝવામાં કાંઈ પણ તરતું નથી.
--- ચિનુ મોદી ‘ઈર્શાદ’

જરા આ પાંખને ઓછી પ્રસારીએ, આવો,
જગતનો વ્યાપ એ રીતે વધારીએ, આવો.
--- વિવેક મનહર ટેલર

બે ચાર શ્વાસ લઈને જે બાળક મરી ગયું,
એની કને ખુદાની કોઈ બાતમી હતી.
--- સૈફ પાલનપુરી

ભજન,પૂજન,સાધના,આરાધના – આ બધું પડ્યું રહેવા દે.
તું શું કરવા બારણાં કરીને દેવાલયના ખૂણામાં પડી રહ્યો છે ?
અંધકારમાં છુપાઈને
તું એકલો એકલો કોને પૂજી રહ્યો છે ?
આંખ ખોલીને જો તો ખરો,
ઓરડામાં દેવ તો છે નહીં !

તે તો
ખેડૂતો જ્યાં માટી ભાંગીને ખેડ કરી રહ્યા છે,
મજૂરો જ્યાં પથ્થર ફોડીને રસ્તો બનાવી રહ્યા છે,
ત્યાં ગયા છે,
અને તડકામાં ને વરસાદમાં
બારેમાસ
તેમની સાથે મહેનત મજૂરી કરે છે,
તેમને બે હાથે ધૂળ લાગી છે.
તેમની પેઠે પવિત્ર વસ્ત્ર કાઢી નાખીને તું પણ ધરતીની ધૂળમાં ચાલ્યો આવ.

મુક્તિ ?
અરે મુક્તિ ક્યાં મળવાની હતી, મુક્તિ છે જ ક્યાં ?
પ્રભુ પોતે જ સૃષ્ટિનાં બંધનથી આપણી સૌની સાથે બંધાયેલા છે.
રહેવા દે તારું ધ્યાન અને પડી રહેવા દે તારી ફૂલની છાબને.
વસ્ત્ર ફાટે તો ભલે ફાટતાં,
ધૂળ-માટી લાગે તો ભલે લગતી.
તું તારે કર્મયોગમાં તેમની સાથે થઈ જા,
અને માથાનો પસીનો પગે ઊતરવા દે.

-રવીન્દ્રનાથ ઠાકુર – અનુ. નગીનદાસ પારેખ

किसी शायरने मौत को क्या खुब कहा है;
.
जिंदगी मे २ मिनट कोई मेरे पास ना बैठा.. ,

आज सब मेरे पास बैठे जा रहे थे.. .
.
कोई तौफा ना मिला आज तक.. ,

और आज फुल-हि-फुल दिये जा रहे थे.. .
.
तरस गये थे हम किसी एक हाथ के लिये.. ,

और आज कंधे पे कंधे दिये जा रहे थे.. .
.
दो कदम साथ चलने को तैयार न था कोई.. ,

और आज काफिला बन साथ चले जा रहे थे.. .
.
आज पता चला मुझे कि "मौत" कितनी हसिन होती है.. .

कम्बख्त. . . हम तो युहि 'जिंदगी' जिये जा रहे थे.. . ..

अपनी माँ की किस्मत पर मेरे बेटे तू मत रो 
मैं तो काँटों में जी लुंगी जा तू फूलों पर सो 
अपनी माँ की किस्मत पर...
तू ही मेरे दिन का सूरज तू मेरी रात का चंदा 
एक दिन तो देगा तू ही मेरे अंत समय में कन्धा 
मेरा देख के उजड़ा जीवन तू आज दुखी मत हो 
मैं तो काँटों में जी लुंगी जा तू फूलों पर सो 
अपनी माँ की किस्मत पर...
हसने के ये दिन हैं तेरे रोने से तेरा क्या नाता 
रोने के लिए तो बेटा जनी है जगत में माता 
मेरे लाल ये आंसू देदे अपनी दुखिया माँ को 
मैं तो काँटों में जी लुंगी जा तू फूलों पर सो 
अपनी माँ की किस्मत पर...
एक लाइक माँ के लिए..