Inflation

Does it supply and demand mismatch, 

that drives the present equation,

or something more controls,

the flow of the valuations?

Inflation . . .

Our country is reeling,

moving towards disaster,

as normal ways of living,

are facing major disruptions. 

So, I pondered upon reasons,

from regional to global situations, 

which affects our necessities, 

be it food, commutes & housing.

Earlier things were gradual,

limited to commodities & partial,

but things changed post pandemic, 

exacerbated by geopolitical tensions.

There's surge in crude oil & shipping costs,

impacting imports, increasing retail prices,

while labor shortage & wage pressures, 

reduces profit margins, causing bankruptcy.

And we shift towards newer practices,

being sustainable, promoting conservations, 

measures like ethanol manufacturing,

putting undue pressure, on the supplies. 

Inflation . . .

Economy in downward slope,

eroding our purchasing power,

with real estate compounding problem,

consumer faces an uphill task.

Wondering, if the price ever falls!

Roadside amenities

With the advent of highways,

there's an increase in mobility,

upgrading roads for modern vehicles, 

for better & comfortable travels.

Yet, there are many obstacles,

quality issues to deterioration,

dangers of vulnerable stretches,

discouraging journey after dusk.

Roadside amenities . . .

It's something many drivers want,

which covers their necessities,

from food, shelter, toiletries, parking,

finding support, in some emergencies.

We have higher population density,

but they are limited, in towns & cities,

having scattered dhabas, & tea stalls,

nothing organized, lacking sanitation. 

Still, there's hope, with programs, 

of mitigating concerns, building WSAs,

to provide space, for people to rest,

allow drivers to stretch, regain alertness. 

When accompanied by infrastructures, 

of charging, repairing, security & toilets,

they build confidence, encourage travels,

by lowering the risk of their journeys.

Roadside amenities . . .

They are the need of hour, 

might bridge urban-rural divide,

promoting tourism, helping businesses, 

providing direct & indirect employments.

WSA : Wayside amenities (every 30-50 kms)

Time slips

Reading urban legends, 

popularized in certain sections,

I was intrigued by incidences,

experienced by many people,

while following routine life,

being transported to places,

which belong to different era,

of historical pasts, or future events.

Time slips . . .

It's something unexplainable,

anomalies faced by people,

visiting medieval style houses,

stepping into alternate realities, 

while traveling in usual paths,

in the crowds, deserted lands, 

reporting brief, disorienting shifts,

as if perceptions playing a trick.

Yet, the majority of such occurrences,

happens in western countries,

making me baffled, being puzzled,

wondering reasons for prevalence,

cultural influences, population density,

or mind creates paranormal activities, 

due to popularity of the narratives, 

collective delusions, strengthening beliefs.

Time slips . . .

Something still feels off,

with mounting of evidences, 

of people having precognition, 

or with accurate past visions,

were they hoaxes, mere illusions, 

or resonating with higher dimensions, 

as the mystery intensifies,

I raise more questions!

Cuteness of predators

Have we ever noticed,

distribution of our love,

when we adore animals,

be it children or adults,

for, most of us gravitate, 

towards the predators. 

The calf, chick, fawns,

have endearing features,

but antics of pup & kittens,

just steals our heart,

a fondness that persists,

even when they got older.

For, it's evolutionary wiring, 

affecting human psychology, 

getting tricked by facial features, 

which were closer to infants,

forward facing eyes, high forehead, 

involuntarily trigger nurturing instincts. 

The predators are more expressive, 

using flexibility of facial muscles, 

while rounded, padded paws,

reminding us of our hands,

adding their mischiefs & plays,

practice hunting skills . . .

But we are slain!

Every animal have their cuteness,

still, predators have us fascinated, 

by their curiosity, by their fierceness, 

stripped of its dangers,

to become our playmate.

Nature vs nurture

Is it our nature that dictates,

engagement with certain subjects,

or our character is determined,

by nurturing of specific interests. 

For, we have our temperament, 

innate qualities existing from birth,

being promoted by our guardians,

and influenced from environment. 

Yet, there's also external factors,

from peers to changing circumstances, 

curiosity, setbacks, developing interest,

gradually molding person's traits.

When over-investing in specific domains,

we start adopting cognitive frameworks,

narrowing our perceptions of reality,

reducing thresholds of impulsiveness. 

Yet, we can't discount base nature,

our core drivers, determining preferences, stimulus triggers latent predisposition, 

our immersion acting as the catalyst. 

Nature vs nurture

There's no single answer,

it's a dynamic feedback loop,

deciding shift of behaviors, 

or lack thereof.

 

Raksha Bandhan

On the full moon day of Shravan,

we celebrate this sacred festival,

honoring family and sibling affection,

through the promise of Raksha Bandhan.

Raksha and Bandhan, have deep value,

a vow to protect, the bond we treasured, 

as families gathered, for special ritual,

where sister tying Rakhi to brothers.

Rakhi, these sacred threads,

now are colorful, aesthetic designs,

simple strips to decorated beads,

representing prayers for long, happy life.

Accompanied by sweets and Aarti,

as sister apply colorful mark (tilak),

of vermilion & rice on brother's forehead,

circling small earthen lamp over his face.

She doesn't need anything in return,

a promise of protection & his support,

still receive token of gifts, cash or clothes, 

as they feed each other sweets & chocolates. 

Raksha Bandhan...

Time have changed, sentiments still remain,

reviving connections, strengthening every season,

tradition transforming into universal language,

when we tie threads, to ones we respect.

Be it community leaders, friends, or heroes.

Endearing

You were so sweet,

with adorable character, 

every time we interact,

my heart is charmed.

Endearing...

From be moment I glanced,

I was showered with warmth, 

your unconditional kindness, 

made me lower the guard.

What is this fuzzy feeling,

as if laying on soft grass,

gentle breeze streaming,

sunlight filters through branches.

You're calming, nurturing tone,

dispels my worries and gloom,

finding peace, love, & security, 

you act like a comforting room.

You are the epitome of strength,

still so humble, being empathetic,

when you listen, and encourage,

cheering me with sincere words.

Endearing...

You arrive like a blessing,

I bow to your feminine beauty,

your virtuosity is infectious, 

making me seek your company. 

For, every moment spent with you,

becomes my cherished memories!

 

Role of mascots

We loved the characters, 

created by brands or events,

making them more appealing, 

to us visitors & audiences. 

Mascots...

Built for instant recognitions, 

leaving behind lasting impressions, 

when we see their figures,

we instantly link with the promoters.

Yet, there's something deep,

the company using the tricks,

transforming into something friendly,

that's fun and approachable. 

For, most of them are dry,

having no personality to sway,

so they create visual anchors,

to capture much needed attention.

And mascots act as ambassadors, 

that never age, have versatile features,

evoking nostalgia, in every generation,

as their image remains forever.

Role of mascots...

They still rely on the popularity, 

or were forgotten, facing scarcity, 

effective in persuading the crowd,

but the quality needs to astound...

For its charm to work!

Human-wildlife boundaries

 Which of the model protect,

allowing ecosystems to flourish, 

preserving floras and faunas, 

in the era of development. 

Human-wildlife boundaries...

We have seen countries, 

segregating, with strict boundaries, 

with designated nature reserves,

fully separated by human activities. 

It does help, when they have cleared,

exhausting resources, with extermination, 

of any lifeform in their vicinities, 

to have a clean, orderly civilization. 

Then there are developing countries, 

primarily relying on farming or foraging, 

where these boundaries are blurred, 

and follow principles of coexistence.

While some countries display tolerance, 

even if population increases resistance, 

providing ample space for wildlifes, 

to survive in shared landscapes.

Each side have their drawback,

geographical isolation minimizes conflict,

undisturbed habitat for sensitive species,

but confining or displacing creatures,

that require migrations for genetic diversity.

Coexistence & tolerance provide cushions,

still prone to economic losses & casualties, 

when there are unrestricted interactions, 

leading to gradual ecological degradation. 

Human-wildlife boundaries...

Now most countries developed policies, 

pursuing conservations across nationalities, 

what matters is proper implementation, 

to create a balance...

Where natural world finds sanctuary. 

Nervous smile

I wish to smile naturally, 

a quality I admire earnestly, 

something I miss mostly,

when I tried consciously, 

miss creating it perfectly.

Nervous smile...

I wondered the reasons,

what changes the season,

these shifting internal climate,

clashing with social dictum,

activating reflex mechanisms.

It's rarely genuine happiness, 

or signalling our disinterests, 

rather means deeper conflicts,

encountered uncomfortable situations, 

manifesting on our faces.

In social gatherings & interactions, 

we are expected to be polite & warm,

even if feeling shy, or embarrassed, 

we have to gentle, be inconspicuous, 

instinctively using it as buffer.

Then, there are such times,

we process difficult situations, 

in griefs, distress, emotional pain,

experiencing cognitive overload,

we use masks, to sooth or suppress.

Nervous smile...

It's never in isolation, 

but collision of inner emotions, 

of fear, sadness or embarrassment, 

clashing with social obligations, 

we develop the trait...

As brain's defense mechanism!

Health doesn't see status

We have outsourced,

every physical requirements,

cleaning, cooking, commuting, 

even moving simple objects,

from occasional help,

it became default baseline,

now these privileges,

are impacting our life.

We are saving time,

using it for important work,

but deep down we know,

it's just an excuse,

trading for screen time,

furthering sedentary life,

either in home or work,

we are accumulating free time.

It's basic human biology, 

every task promoting functioning, 

in form of low intensity movements, (NEAT)

to keep metabolic health intact,

but we promote societal belief,

of conveniences being higher grounds, 

ignorant of the consequences, 

that complacency have brought...

For, health doesn't see status!

** NEAT : Non exercise activity thermogenesis

Short wait feels harder

My patience wears thin,

waiting becomes irritating, 

while performing the chores,

any delay can be limiting, 

to my calm demeanor. 

Yet, I don't have problems,

of waiting in the queues,

or pursuing long-term goals,

there are seldom frustrations, 

building in my heart.

So, I pondered on this feeling,

experiences of the uneasiness,

when I encounter some delays,

but ignore the same situations, 

accept setbacks in longer journeys. 

Maybe it's about expectations, 

instant results, without frictions, 

like loading websites, sending emails,

standing for checkouts, or in cafes,

our attention span gets short.

For, when destination is too far,

we have to accept, and prepare,

where hitch or snags don't trigger,

immediately ring alarm bells,

as the gap is too long.

Short wait feels harder,

become easier to be noticed,

brief delays break momentum, 

taking away our joy of completing, 

for, the threshold has reached!

Don't we love presents?

Don't we love presents?

The act of giving or receiving, 

excites us deep inside, 

bringing warm feelings,

when we find it gift wrapped.

Was it mystery, or excitements, 

adding surprise, of finding it out,

steadily building the suspense,

to be culminated with rewards,

of something we desired.

The process of the search, 

being a ritual, to deepen ties,

pouring emotions as we purchase, 

find something we could associate,

to be appreciated by the recipient.

And the ones, waiting to receive, 

unpredictability amplifies dopamine,

our brain love to solve puzzles,

while being valued, releases Oxytocin, 

altogether enhances the experience. 

Don't we love presents?

Untying of ribbon, tearing the paper,

opening the lid of the boxes,

feeling satisfied by the reveal,

even if the object have less appeal...