I visited around 7-8 homes in Liyari for a survey.. Some of the answers I received make me pity the state of our country.

Me: Kya aap ko lagta hai aapki gali main jo gandagi hai us se beemariyan phelti hain?
(Do you think the garbage in your street causes diseases?)

The lady: Pata nahin, mere ghar main koi beemar nahin.
(I don't know. No one is sick at my home.) 
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Me: Kiran School ne jo gali main dustbins rakhwai the, us k bare main aap ka kya khayal hai?
(Kiran School kept dustbins in the street, what are your views on their this initiative?)

The Lady: Wo un k apne liye the, hum tou yahan se kachra phainkte hain (Pointing towards the window)
(Those were for Kiran school to use. We throw our trash out from here- pointing towards the window)
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Me: Kya aap aaki gali main safai karwane main hamara sath denge?
(Will you support us in cleaning your street?)

The lady: Main apne miyan se puch k aapko bataungi.
(I'll ask my husband and tell you)
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Me: Kya aap aaki gali main safai karwane main hamara sath denge?

(Will you support us in cleaning your street?)

The lady: Hamen ijazat nahin hai ghar se bahar nikalne ki.

(We are not allowed to leave our home)

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Such are the effects of illiteracy and male domination prevailing in our society.

Sitting in a small room at a hindhu family's home in Liyari, asking questions for a survey, suddenly my eyes fell upon the statues of Bhahwan kept on a shelf at left corner of the room. I gazed around, to the right were paintings of Bhagwan and in my feet were my slippers. Guilt took over; I was on second last question so it was too late to go out to take off my slippers. I finished the survey and had the following conversation with the old couple.

Me: Ye mandir hai? 

       (Is it a temple?)

Them: Jee

          (Yes)

Me: Mujhe maaf kijyega, main jootay andar pehn k aagai.

       (Pardon me, I wore my shoes inside)

Them: Koi baat nahin, insan se hi galti hoti hai, Aap bhi hamari beti ho.

          (It's okay, It's humans who commit mistakes and you're like our own daughter) 

On one hand I feel horrible for my religious insensitivity, on the other hand I'm awestruck with their religious tolerance and acceptance. Living in a small rental home in liyari with 3 kids, these people are better off than millions of us.

Sometimes life is about taking a break from the apparently busy routine; It's about doing nothing when you have so much to do. It's always about people who make you smile and yes, a nice cup of coffee is a cherry on the top ;) 

Days like these aren't the ones you call productive yet are the ones you cherish the most; Staying up all night with your childhood best friend, laughing at not-so-funny movies, ‘discussing’ people because you don't gossip and falling asleep to black and white songs. Visiting your grandma, telling her it’s for the sole purpose of asking her whether it’s wrong to fall in love and hugging her while she scolds you. Going over to your ex neighbor’s place because it’s only impossible to not to love and miss her sweetheart daughter. If that wasn't enough to make your day perfect then that’s okay, there’s still more, randomly stopping at your best friend’s place at 11 AM with two cups to coffee.  

But the most beautiful is the urge to write because you’re happy J