Friends Forever??

What can I say about a friend like you,
One that excels in all that you do..
You always know what to say,
To brighten up my darkest days..
I know I can always count on you,
To be there for me without further adieu..
With you my trust is never undone..
You pull out the best qualities in me,
Bring them forward for the world to see.
You critic me so that i can be the best.
Thank you for being a good example at heart,
In which I know we will never part..
I Adore you, my friend, what more can I say?
And I want this friendship forever to stay...

Friends..This poem is dedicated to my Best Friend...Prasuna

Being Single...is a matter of choice

Recently I have been reading and watching (Programs and debates) a lot about single hood. So, was just pondering what the fuss is all about? Is being single such a big deal? Alternatively, we can say its best selling gossip for media. Whatever are the reason for the articles but its actually working positively for present day youth? Well the answer is yes it is. At least the people who were running from the fact they are single have started accepting it as its no more a weird thing in eyes of millennium Indian. Earlier what was a culture shock for India is now being accepted (if not appreciated) as an individual decision and right to spend life in his/her style.

Besides I personally have an opinion that a persons single hood is his or her own decision and should be respected. In addition, it should not be a reason for any embarrassment. If people cant, appreciate it they should not debate over it. I remember a lady who is some distant friend and happens to be a teacher also who never got married despite the several efforts from family and then one fine day she just said that she plans to be single for the rest of her life. And it's a story which is now being forgotten or put at the back of mind as it's a fact and people are living with it and she is indeed happy with it. But I remember that the moment any girl rejects a guy or counts some traits for her "wouldbe", the very moment she is told an example of the above mentioned lady as she also had several reasons for choice and see she is still single and going to be the same for the rest of her life. Isn't that sad…and I feel bad to say that it happens only in India. Ours is a nation where people talk about women empowerment and women worship in the form of mom, sister, daughter etc and once the women takes a decision to stay alone and lead her life in her own way she is said to set a bad example for the generation and the culture. God the society is still sick.

Its not only the fault of past generations, its also a fault of youth. I remember my fellow students during my masters degree making fun of the faculty who happened to be single. I don't deny that they were furious at times but that's nothing to be related to their being single. Even when there was nothing to be discussed about those faculty members as in no academic incident that time also students use to talk about them using different names, actually taunting about them being single. Guys will even tend to ignore their feedback and opinions on the very note that they are single and hence frustrated and hence loose temper at times. This was even said to be a reason if they remind the students about the code of conduct in the college. Now this is the mentality of present day youth of India who is proud when addressed the future manager and the running force behind the boom in India economy.

Then there are people from almost all the areas who are setting an example for Indian youth that being single isn't a big deal at all and the person who happens to be one should be given equal respect and honor in any societal gathering. I myself believe in the institution of marriage but as of now my single hood doesn't forces me to have a date to attend any friends party or a relatives marriage or any professional event. If I have to attend any event and I have no companion to go with, it's perfectly fine with me. At least that's not an excuse for not attending the same. Its actually amusing when people make funny faces and give shocked expressions when they are told that a youth in early 20s, qualified and earning well happens to be single. Because here, when you are grown up, settled you are expected to have a companion if not, then a date. Why can't they just be happy to see the wonderful couples around and the singles celebrating the festival called life with friends and family? On the other hand, I just wonder that is it such a damn different thing that people despite being so busy that almost everyone demands for a day with more then 24 hours; still find time to discuss about others life.