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G for Grit

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Overdone makeup
Scantily dressed
She walked past hungry eyes
Clutching me close to her breasts
For her, S was the alphabet number one
No, not S for sex but S for her Son

Dark narrow alleys
Darker were the glimpses of future
Dreams lured her too
But her identity, biggest intruder
She stood firm, shunning the divide
As P was not for prostitute but for Pride

Never count the hurdles, she said
They will stay, you march on
Mould your own destiny
After conquering unbeatable, a hero is born
Fragmented mindset you’ve to quell
Remember, E is never for excuses but for Excel

I am, what I am today
Life was my biggest teacher
Maa, inculcated a warrior’s stamina
A vision to be one’s own leader
Whenever life slapped, I never called it quits
G was never for giving up but for Grit

*This poem is inspired from the life of Avijit Halder, who was featured in the Oscar winning documentary - Born into Brothels: Calcutta’s Red Light Kids. As a part of that documentary, he captured the life in brothel through camera and because of his talent was sent to a photography conference in Amsterdam. Later, he got admission in the prestigious NYU and now, he is an assistant director in Hollywood. This poem is my expression of how he feels for his mother who died very young.


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Comments

  1. kalpana solsiJanuary 20, 2014 at 5:21 AM

    a very moving poem Saru.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Akshay Kumar GJanuary 20, 2014 at 5:24 AM

    So beautiful, poignant and inspirational.

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  3. CanaryJanuary 20, 2014 at 7:23 AM

    Tragic yet something to learn from... Thanks for sharing Saru!

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  4. UppalJanuary 20, 2014 at 8:57 AM

    Life of the hidden world!

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  5. Red HandedJanuary 20, 2014 at 11:55 AM

    and yet again, u create magic!

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  6. The EnchantressJanuary 20, 2014 at 2:42 PM

    Beautifully written Saru :) that was so sweet of you to dedicate a poem to him..and hats off to him

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  7. Rahul BhatiaJanuary 20, 2014 at 6:05 PM

    Lovely expression Saru, in a moving piece!

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  8. Jayashree SrivatsanJanuary 20, 2014 at 7:04 PM

    Beautiful Saru. I once saw a bbeggar woman holding a new born and begging at a signal. That scene has never left my mind.

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    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 28, 2014 at 2:22 AM

      I agree, such a sight is etched. Glad you liked the poem.

      Delete
  9. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2014 at 12:52 AM

    Such a wonderful use of words Saru. Loved every single line.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Shilpi DuttaJanuary 21, 2014 at 1:08 AM

    I did not know about him till I read his name from your post and googled about him. Wonderful poem..Just loved it!

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  11. VeenaJanuary 21, 2014 at 1:25 AM

    Highly inspiring .... Excellent, just loved it !!
    Very beautifully expressed and soul touching lines :(

    ReplyDelete
  12. Preethi VenugopalaJanuary 21, 2014 at 2:39 AM

    Wonderful poem Saru Singal...

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  13. Beloo MehraJanuary 21, 2014 at 2:50 AM

    Inspiring.

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  14. Tarang SinhaJanuary 21, 2014 at 4:32 AM

    Smart, touching and inspiring take...

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  15. Anita SabatJanuary 21, 2014 at 5:58 AM

    Saru, I had read about Avijit Halder in the newspaper & felt really wonderful about his achievement. A lovely poem indeed to express. Do share it with him. Am sure he too will love it as much as we do.

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    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 28, 2014 at 2:33 AM

      I wish, I could share it with him. Thanks for reading and glad you liked it.

      Delete
  16. ManiparnaJanuary 21, 2014 at 6:53 AM

    Excellent one!

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  17. Blasphemous AestheteJanuary 21, 2014 at 9:26 AM

    Beautiful poem Saru! The expression is wonderfully captured.

    Cheers,
    Blasphemous Aesthete

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  18. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2014 at 10:02 AM

    So beautifully written.

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  19. www.lifepartneracademy.comJanuary 21, 2014 at 12:56 PM

    What a thought provoking poem Saru. The story about Avijit is truly inspiring.

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    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 28, 2014 at 2:39 AM

      Indeed, it is and happy that you liked my expression.

      Delete
  20. DeepanshiJanuary 21, 2014 at 11:06 PM

    very much moving and beautifully given words....simply loved it :)

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  21. Sindhu Devi KJanuary 22, 2014 at 4:47 AM

    What a poem! i don't know much to describe, but, it is really really touching...

    Regards,
    Sindhu
    Tantu
    The Arts & Me

    ReplyDelete
  22. MenacheryJanuary 22, 2014 at 5:10 AM

    wow, brilliant. Its a very beautiful Dedication to an individual like him. Loved the way you have presented it. Its beautifull... And it is but The ugly truth!!

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    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 28, 2014 at 2:45 AM

      Thanks dear and welcome back. You were missed. :)

      Delete
  23. Danny SimonJanuary 22, 2014 at 8:45 AM

    Well written! GOing to check out the documentary right now!

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  24. BloggerWloggerJanuary 22, 2014 at 11:48 AM

    Wow.. awesome words Saru.. Loved it

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2014 at 1:45 PM

    A brilliant expression. I loved reading.

    ReplyDelete
  26. sonikJanuary 23, 2014 at 12:36 AM

    This is so beautiful! Loved reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2014 at 6:12 AM

    Lovely words Saru. Brilliantly written !

    ReplyDelete
  28. Cloud NineJanuary 23, 2014 at 11:03 AM

    Touching...good one!

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2014 at 2:27 AM

    Very moving! Beautifully written.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sri ValliJanuary 24, 2014 at 3:28 AM

    Ah!! so touching Saru!

    ReplyDelete
  31. SeetaJanuary 24, 2014 at 3:39 AM

    Very moving and beautifully written Saru...

    ReplyDelete
  32. RekhaJanuary 24, 2014 at 8:27 AM

    Saru, painful it is, but beautifully expressed.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ankur AnandJanuary 24, 2014 at 12:24 PM

    painful but touching :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Arpita’s thoughtsJanuary 27, 2014 at 2:30 PM

    Nicely put.. it touches the heart, and inspires your mind, both at the same time..

    ReplyDelete
  35. Saru SinghalJanuary 28, 2014 at 2:32 AM

    YAY, thanks team BlogAdda. :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Saru SinghalJanuary 28, 2014 at 2:40 AM

    It is a little sad and more inspiring. Cheer up, Ash. :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2014 at 9:57 AM

    fantastic post....loved it :))

    ReplyDelete
  38. Neeraj KumarFebruary 5, 2014 at 12:14 AM

    Just Lovely and capable enough to make eyes moisty.

    ReplyDelete
  39. SaimaMay 18, 2014 at 3:56 PM

    Moved...Wonderful expression,Great writing :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousJuly 2, 2014 at 9:40 AM

    wonderful :-)

    ReplyDelete

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