From Carpathian To Kalliyankaatu- Part 2 Poem by Prem Nizar Hameed

“Don’t worry, I will get you something:
a nail proof garment for Neeli
and a cross proof overcoat for you”
“From the same manufacturer
that made the bullet proof for Mumbai cops? ”
“No.. no.. no.. it is corruption proof”
“Why can’t you request the government
to provide me security cover? ”
He implored.
“Everything has been allocated
for the VIPs and the VIPs alike”
“excuse meee….,
what the other VIPs stand for? ”
“Vested Interest Personnel”
“Oh I see, that is why
they dish out all the absurdities
in the public with no fear”
His statement surprised me
“Have you had the blood
of an Indian journo recently? ”
“Not at all. why? ”
“Good knowledge of Indian politics, too;
Anyhow, I cannot request the government,
shortage of letters is the problem”
“I don’t get you, ”
“After Z, there is no letter in English”
“Then the govt. should think well
to categorize under regional alphabets”
shsh… slowly,
regional politicians have many ears”
“yes, you are right,
but the categories can rise up
to more than twenty six”
Suddenly his mobile rang with:
Nisheedhineee…nisheedhineeee…
Oh! what a mellifluous song
rendered by the skylark Janaki Amma!
He seemed to enjoy the transition:
from the electrifying English BGM
to the melody.
This is called real love
With this ringtone download,
I sensed his deep love for Neeli.
Now it is my turn
to make their wish fulfil
I asked:
“When you changed to melody? ”
That question was not expected
He was shocked
“The day Christopher Lee died”
He took the tissue paper
and wiped his eyes
“Yes dear, Lee was the real promoter
and the Ambassador of your empire”
“Even Ramsay brothers
could not make any impact,
many horror characters created though.”
He heaved a long sigh
“She was on the phone
and was concerned about me
since I arrived in Bombay”
“No, say Mumbai, tigers are there”
“I like your dedication
towards wild life conservation”
“according to numerology,
changes in name bring in fortunes”
“but progress and prosperity
come by a dedicated team work”
He showed me a video clipping
on his mobile:
I saw, around the world
people dilute their doctrines
to suit every human being
to survive as human beings…
“you are taking lessons
from human beings, too? ”
“There are good human beings
in the world, a lot;
else, I could have conquered
the world;
look what Neeli has mailed,
while living on the palm
she found something:
the essence of democracy
in the coconut”
I read her mail:
... democracy is like coconut,
go through the green and hard shells
only to reach the tender coconut
and sweet water.
To reach real democracy
one needs hard work and tolerance
(continued…)