Shri Hanuman Chalisa

Shri Maruti Strotra

BaBa, Baap, Vadil.............

तो एक बाप असतो...

तो एक बाप असतो...

अभिजित थिटे (abhijit.thite@esakal.com)

Sunday, June 20, 2010 AT 01:00 AM (IST)

शाळेपासून बापाच्या, धाकात तो राहत असतो,
कमी मार्क पडलेलं, प्रगतीपुस्तक लपवत असतो,
आईच्या पाठी लपून तो, बापाशी बोलत असतो,
डोळा चुकवून बापाचा, हुंदडायला जात असतो...

शाळा संपते, पाटी फुटते, नवं जग समोर येतं,
कॉलेज नावाच्या भुलभुलैयात, मन हरखून जात असतं,
हाती असलेले मार्क घेऊन, पायऱ्या झिजवत फिरत असतं,
बाप पाहतो स्वप्नं नवी, हे मुखडा शोधत असतं...

सुरू होतं कॉलेज नवं, दिवस भुर्रकन उडून जातात,
एटीकेटीच्या चक्रातून, वर्षं पुढे सरत जातात,
ग्रुप जमतो, दोस्ती होते, मारामाऱ्या दणाणतात,
माझा बाप ठाऊक नाही, म्हणत धमक्‍या गाजत असतात...

परीक्षा संपते, अभ्यास सरतो, डिग्री पडते हाती याच्या
नोकरी मिळवत, नोकरी टिकवत, कमावू लागतो चार दिडक्‍या,
आरामात पसरणारे बाजीराव, घोड्यावरती स्वार होतात,
नोकरीच्या बाजारात, नेमानं मोहिमा काढू लागतात...

नोकरी जमते, छोकरी सापडते, बार मग उडतो जोरात,
एकट्याचे दोघे होतात, सुखी संसार करू लागतात,
दोघांच्या अंगणात मग, बछडं तिसरं खेळू लागतं,
नव्या कोऱ्या बापाला, जुन्याचं मन कळू लागतं...

नवा कोरा बाप मग, पोरा सवे खेळू लागतो,
जुना बाप आता नव्याने आजोबाच्या कायेत शिरतो,
पोराशी खेळता खेळता दोघेही जातात भूतकाळात
एकाला दिसतो दुसरा लहान, दुसरा पाहतो गोष्ट महान...

रंगलेल्या गोष्टीत या, मग शिरतो फ्लॅश बॅक
बापाच्या भूमिकेतून, पोर पाहतो भूतकाळ
लेकरासाठी मग त्याला कळवळणारा बाप दिसतो,
त्याची लाल रेघ जो, उरात घेऊन फिरत असतो...

कडकपणाच्या आवरणाखाली, झुळझुळणारं पाणी असतं,
भल्यासाठी लेकरांच्या झगडणारं हाड असतं,
दोन घास कमी खाईल; पण पोरांना गोड देतो,
हट्टासाठी पोरांच्या ओव्हरटाईम तो मारत असतो...

डोक्‍यावरती उन्ह झेलत, सावली तो देत असतो,
दणाणत्या पावसापासून, कुटुंब आपलं जपत असतो,
घर नीट चालण्यासाठी स्वतः बाहेर फिरत असतो,
आईच्या मऊशार तळव्यामागचा, तोच राकट हात असतो...

बाप कधी रडत नाही, बाप कधी खचत नाही,
बाप कधी उतत नाही नि बाप कधी मातत नाही,
पोरं सोडतात घरटं अन्‌ शोधू लागतात क्षितिजं नवी
बाप मात्र धरून बसतो, घरट्याची प्रत्येक काडी...

पोरांच्या यशासोबत त्याचं मन हसत असतं,
अपयश पचवताना, ते आतून रडत असतं,
काही झालं, कितीही झालं, तरी कणा ताठ असतो,
खचलेल्या पोराला तोच तर उभारी देत असतो...

सारी कथा समजायला फार मोठं व्हावं लागतं,
बापाचं मन कठीण फार, चटकन हाती लागत नसतं,
आकाशाहून भव्य अन्‌ सागराची खोली असते
बाप या शब्दाची महतीच मोठी न्यारी असते...

कळत नाही बापाचं मन स्वतः बाप झाल्याशिवाय,
बापमाणूस असतो तो, बापांशिवाय कसा कळणार?
असतं न्यारंच रसायन, त्याची फोड उकलत नाही,
म्हणून तर बापावर कविता कोणी करत नाही...

करणार कशी कविता कोण, तो त्यात मावत नाही,
चार ओळीत सांगण्यासारखा बाप काही लहान नाही,
सोनचाफ्याचं फूल ते, सुगंध कुपीत ठरत नाही,
बाप नावाच्या देवाचा, थांग कधी लागत नाही...

केला खरा आज सायास, त्याला थोडं शोधण्याचा,
जमेल तेवढा सांगितला, आधार आमच्या असण्याचा
एक मात्र अगदी खरं, त्याच्याशिवाय जमत नाही,
आईमार्फत बोललं तरी, बोलल्याशिवाय राहवत नाही...

सांगतो आता शेवटचं, कान थोडा इकडे करा,
आभाळ पेलून धरण्यासाठी, आभाळाचाच श्‍वास हवा,
बाप नावाच्या पारिजातकाचं, असंच काहीसं जिणं असतं,
ते समजून घेण्यासाठी बापच असणं भाग असतं...

- अभिजित थिटे  abhijit.thite@esakal.com

Tips for Long Distance Driving

Most of us who buy cars want to go on long drives in them, though we might not always get the chance to do so. Here are a few tips to help you when you go road trippin'

Just Cruising

While driving long distances, it is very important to not go hammer and tong. Driving fast and hard is quite taxing on one's mind and can bring the onset of fatigue early. Of course, that doesn't mean one should drive slow. Just maintain a good speed and try not to fluctuate it too much. A secondary benefit from this is better fuel efficiency from your car, which means your driving range increases and you make fewer fuel stops, effectively making your journey faster.

Lane Man

Lane discipline is a very important aspect of highway driving and hence becomes critical when one is driving long distances. Switching back and fourth between lanes can be a pretty tiring exercise and this kind of strain is something you want to avoid for the long haul. Following lane discipline keeps you and other vehicles around you smooth, which also helps relax you when you are behind the wheel. Once your actions are predictable, it increases the safety margins on the road as well.

Mind Reader

This is a skill one needs to develop while munching the miles on highways. Reading traffic is something that will come with experience, but it needs an active involvement by the driver. Once you are able to predict how the traffic around will flow and what are the intentions of the vehicles near you, it will be rather easy to figure out the path of least resistance through it all. This will greatly reduce stress and keep your fatigue in check, making it easy to drive longer distances.

Relaxed body, relaxed mind

On another note, while it is important to stay relaxed while driving long distances, staying alert is equally important. So don't be too finicky behind the wheel. Maintain a relaxed posture but keep your eyes on the road and hands upon the wheel.

Footrest

It's also a good idea to give your clutch foot a rest while on the long haul, since you don't need to change gears as much. If your car has a dead pedal, use it, otherwise just keep your left foot on the floor board near the clutch pedal.

Source :: http://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/car-u/tips-for-long-distance-driving/13614/

Tips to prepare for Road Trips

There is nothing like packing a few things and hitting the road in your car and just leaving the hustle-bustle of city life behind for a few days. Of course, spending long hours driving getting away from it all does present its own share of hazards. But these few simple dos and don'ts should go a long way in helping you and car do the same

Pace Yourself

Probably the most important thing to do when driving long distances is to pace yourself during the journey. Don’t try and go for some speed/distance records. Driving several hundred kilometers in a day will wear you and your car out before journey’s end. The key is to cover just about as much distance a day you’re easily comfortable with and spare your energy for the next day’s worth of driving. An exhausted driver is as hazardous on the road as a drunk one. Rememer, you’re out there to have fun after all.

Fill 'er up

It’s best to have your car totally prepped before the journey. Have you tyres, including your spare, inflated to the correct pressure, top up your engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, windshield washer and all other fluids before you hit the road.

Packing it in

Pack well for the journey - both for yourself and you car. Carry lots of water, some energy bars and some handy items like a flashlight, duct tape, etc. Also ensure you have the car’s tool kit, jack, spare wheel and medical kit on board.

A little planning doesn’t hurt

We all love adventure, but sometimes its good to have planned at least a part of the route in advance. Study a map, with close attention to the roads and places you’ll encounter along the way. It’s also a good idea to keep a map handy in the car during the journey.

Pull over when you need to

Sitting in a car seat for long durations can become quite stressful. Take short halts to stretch your legs once in a while. A dhaba along the highway is a perfect place to freshen up for the journey ahead by having some tea or going to the restroom.

Source:: http://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/car-u/tips-to-prepare-for-road-trips/12277/

Tips for women drivers to stay safe on road

Safety and security have become a major issue for women on the move. We put together a few pointers for lady drivers to stay safe while driving

The recent gang rape in Delhi has highlighted the appalling safety offered by public transport in our cities. However, women who drive their own vehicles are equally at risk from being assaulted or robbed. Here are some tips women can follow to stay safe on the road.

1. Learn the basics: Apart from learning to drive, it is important that the driver does a few basic checks before driving off to avoid unwanted stops. 

• A simple glance to check that all tyres are properly inflated can save you a lot of trouble. 

• Make sure you check that there is enough fuel in the tank. If not, fill up at the nearest station to avoid having to fill up in an unknown or secluded location.

• Routinely check under the bonnet to see if there is enough coolant, brake oil and windshield washer fluid. 

• While driving off during the day check to see that the vehicle has not leaked any fluid while pulling out of the parking lot. 

• It is a good idea to check the spare tyre, if there is enough air in it from time to time. 

• After sending in the vehicle for a service, ensure that the spare tyre, tyre iron and wheel nut spanner are intact.

2. Service your vehicle: Take your vehicle in for periodic maintenance to avoid breakdowns occurring at the wrong time. If the vehicle is making any strange noise, take it to a service centre as soon as possible.

3. Changing tyres: Learning to drive is not enough, one must crucially know how to change a flat tyre. More and more women drivers are going in for SUVs for their dominating road presence, what they do not realise is that they also have bigger wheels. Full-sized SUVs have such heavy wheels that it takes two grown men to lift one wheel. So, it may be a good idea to stick to a premium hatchback if an SUV is not really required. 

4. The business of parking: A moving car is a difficult target. It’s the parking spots, especially the not so well-lit ones, goons target to rob a victim. Do not park in dark and isolated areas. Paid parking lots are usually safer. Do not park next to commercial vehicles such as vans as it is easier for criminals to hide in them. 

5. Don’t fumble for keys: Keep your car keys ready in your hand before arriving near your car. Get in the car quickly and lock the doors immediately. It’s advisable to keep a can of pepper spray handy, just in case. 

6. Use vehicle’s security features: Vehicle security systems have a button or a combination to set off the alarm system. In case there is an attack near the car set off the alarm, drop any luggage you might be carrying, run and make lots of noise – it usually prevents criminals from proceeding with their attack. 

7. Keep a lookout: While walking to the vehicle keep a look out for suspicious looking vehicles or people in the parking lot. If there is anything suspicious back off and get a friend or an attendant to take a look. 

8. Do not stop for strangers: Avoid stopping on roads or pulling down the windows for people wanting to ask for directions. Even if people ask for directions from another car avoid them and continue on your way as many instances have been reported of people being dragged into another vehicle while asking for directions with the motive of robbery or assault.

9. Get a GPS device: Portable GPS devices are available on the market from Rs. 8,000 onwards. Install one in your vehicle so you don’t have to stop at unknown locations at odd hours to ask for directions from strangers. 

10. Let someone know, have a back up: Whenever leaving for a destination let someone close to you know where you are going, especially on long journeys. In case there is a problem call 100 to alert the police, if you know someone nearby call for help. Familiarise yourself with police stations that fall en route your home and office so you could drive there in case you are chased by unruly elements.

Source :http://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/car-u/tips-for-women-drivers-to-stay-safe-on-road/15262/2