by RESHMA GHOURI
(a poem dedicated to all the NRIs or non-resident Indians)
Na Idhar ke Rahe …
Na Udhar ke Rahe…
Beech adhar atke rahe…
Na India ku bhula sake
Na Amrica ku apna sake
Indian-Amrican ban’ke kaam chalate rahe
Na Gujarati ku chhod sake
Na Angrezi ku pakad sake
Desi accent mein goron ku confuse karte chale
Na Turkey ku paka sake
Na gravy bana sake
Murgi ku dam de ke thanksgiving manate chale
Na Christmas tree laga sake
Na bacchon ku samjha sake
Diwali par Santa banke tohfe bat-te chale
Na shorts pahen sake
Na shalwar chod sake
Jeans pe kurta aur sneakers chadake itraate chale
Na, Nashte mein donut kha sake
Na khichdi kadhi bhula sake
Pizza par mirchi chidakkar maza lete rahe
Na garmiyon ku bhula sake
Na baraf ku apna sake
Khidke se suraj ku dekhke ‘beautiful day’ kahte rahe
Ab ayi baari Vadodara ku jane ki……toh..
Haath mein paani ka sheesha lekar chale
Lekin wahan par…
Na bhelpuri kha sake
Na lassi pee sake
Pet ke darad se tadapte mare…
Harde-Isabgul kha ke kaam chalate rahe..
Na macchar se bhaag sake
Na khujli ku rok sake
Cream se dardon ku chupate chale
Na fakiron se bach sake
Na dollar ku chupa sake
Naukaron se bi peecha chuda kar bhaagte rahe…
Na khuddi par baith sake
Na Kamod ku bhool sake
Bas beech adhar jhukke kaam chalate rahe….
Na idhar ke rahe…
Na udhar ke rahe…
Kambaqt, kahin ke Na rahe
Bas ‘ABCD’ aulaad ko aur confuse banate chale…
(thanks to Shah