Paash in 2026: Would Truth Still Be Written?

What if great writers like Paash and Shiv Kumar Batalvi were born today? 

Today is an era of filters. We live behind masks. We post carefully, speak carefully, and even feel carefully. Privacy has become secrecy. Secrecy has become silence. In such a world, would Paash and Batalvi ever become “great”?

Maybe not. The system today rewards safe voices. It rewards people who don’t offend, who don’t question, who don’t bleed on paper. Paash’s "Sabse khatarnak hota hai hamare sapno ka murda ho jana" would be called “too political”. Batalvi’s "Mainu vida karo" would be called “too emotional, not brand friendly”.  But only people like them can feel the vastness of existence, only they can be one with the cosmos as they have guts to accept themselves in a certain role which is assigned to them by the Existence. 

But what the world would like to suggest them? Perhaps they would be suggested to keep their pain private. Perhaps they would be told to write motivational quotes instead of revolution.

But I don’t think they would stop. 

Because a true scholar of literature is not made for applause. He is made for truth. Masks suffocate such people. You cannot write about a burning world if you are busy protecting your image. You cannot write about love and death if you are afraid of judgment.

Paash did not care if they jailed him. Batalvi did not care if they called him mad. They wrote because they had to. Because not writing meant a living death.

So yes, they might have 200 followers today instead of 2 million. They might be called “controversial” instead of “classic”.  But they would still write. 

And that is the test of our time. Are we brave enough to live without fake masks? Are we willing to be real in a world that pays us to be fake?

Literature was never born in comfort. It was born in courage.

Optimism is a Fool's Paradise

I favour pessimism, not because I am bitter, but because I choose to see life as it is. 

Everything we see, everything we possess, and everything we build is destined to tarnish one day. People change, success fades and even empires that once looked permanent eventually turn to dust. To deny this truth is to live in a fool's paradise.  

Optimism often tells us to shut our eyes and hope that nothing will go wrong. How can you say nothing will go wrong when you can see emperors falling, people changing and your body going near to decay and death? No, we don't need this kind of optimism. It is worse than opium or liquor because they will only destroy your body, however, such kind of optimism will destroy you from inside. It will kill your natural drive to seek your true Self that is beyond decay and death. It will make you like a dove who closes it's eyes when it sees the cat coming to eat it. No, we can never be like the dove! How can we? We are human beings. And only the souls living in human body can know their very origin i.e. The Pure Consciousness. Only this is the reason I favour Pessimism. It tells us to keep our eyes open and be prepared for the worst or at least be ready for it . It is not the enemy of happiness. It is the shield against disappointment.  And mind you, all great people of past felt disappointed during the last span of their lives no matter either they were kings, warriors, politicians, leaders or those who possessed utmost wealth and honour. Why? Because they keep looking outside. They don't have courage to move inward. 

And when we accept that nothing lasts, we stop clinging. We stop looking the outside world which is subject to decay. And now we stop fearing loss. We begin to value the present without trying to own it forever.  

This is not hopelessness. This is clarity because once you understand that everything is temporary, you stop being controlled by it. And in that understanding, you find a quiet, unshakable peace and then you get the glimpse of that which is not, that which can never be touched, that which can never be tarnished, that which can never be affected by anyone or anything. And that is thou thyself.  Know thyself and stop thinking...

From Jiva Aatma to Param Aatma: The Journey Within

When a person is attached to worldly possessions and is driven by endless desires, that person is called a Jivatma*. The Jivatma identifies with the body, with relationships, with status, and with things that are temporary and because of this attachment, the mind remains restless and bound to the cycle of endless longings and suffering.

When one turns inward through devotion, Gyan*, Yoga*, or Dhyan*, the desires begin to dissolve. By understanding the true nature of life, one realizes that the world is transient and nothing here is permanent. This realization marks the beginning of the journey toward the Aatman*, the Eternal Self. The Aatman is not bound by name, form, or time. It is Pure  Consciousness, and this is what the scriptures call Sanatan* - the Eternal.

When one goes beyond the awareness of the Aatman and enters in deep meditation, one begins to experience the Avyakta*, the Un-manifested, the Undescribed. It cannot be defined in words, because it is beyond form and thought.

And when one goes even deeper, beyond the Avyakta, through intense devotion or meditation, one catches only a glimpse of the Absolute — Purusha*, Om*. This Om* is Param Aatma*, the Supreme Self, from which everything arises and into which everything dissolves.

From core, we all are that Pure Cosmic Consciousness i.e. Param Aatma who can never be preceived through the mortal five senses and if we truly want to go back to our very origin, the only thing we need to do is to stop doing anything. Stop thinking...

Reference: 

Katha Upanishad

My Reflections

Through my experiences as a parent, teacher, and once a curious child myself, I have observed that boys and girls may sometimes express their energy, emotions, and curiosity differently. Many boys appear more energetic, adventurous, restless, and inclined to test boundaries. They may find it difficult to sit in one place for long periods and often respond better to patience, understanding, and encouragement than to force or excessive control.

Girls, on the other hand, are often observed to develop a sense of responsibility, patience, and maturity at an earlier age. They may appear more settled, organised, and careful in certain situations. However, these are only general observations, not fixed rules. Every child is unique, and personality is shaped by temperament, upbringing, experiences, and environment—not by gender alone.

I have also noticed that many boys gradually become more responsible, patient, calm, and quiet as they grow older. The same energy and curiosity that may make them mischievous or restless in childhood can later develop into courage, determination, creativity, independence, and a strong sense of responsibility. With time, experience, guidance, and understanding, their youthful restlessness often matures into stillness and inner strength.

Observing my son has made me look back on my own childhood. I, too, was very naughty, curious, and adventurous, and my curiosity often led me into trouble. Now I realise how patient, loving, and wise my parents and teachers were. They understood my nature, tolerated my mistakes, guided me patiently, and helped me grow.

Today, as a parent and a teacher, I understand their efforts much more deeply. I realise that raising and guiding a curious, energetic child requires immense patience, wisdom, understanding, and love. I shall always remain indebted to my parents and teachers for their sacrifices, guidance, patience, and the values they gave me.

From My Diary (June 5, 2025)

June 5, 2025

During my journey to discover the potential of my mind and its willpower, from 2022 onwards when I was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease and Disc Bulge, I realised that real strength is not about being quite muscular, as I used to be. Instead, real strength lies in our mind, which can endure pain, face criticism, humiliations, and derogatory remarks in addition to the pain we bear silently. I do not have any complaints against them, as they made me stronger than before, not physically but mentally. Some give you memories, some life lessons, and both are important.

From My Diary

Okay, so it was 2007-08, and I was hard to manipulate and influence in my second year of B.A., attending every single class with Satya Narayan Panday, which is pretty hilarious if you ask me. Meanwhile, our classmates were developing the habit of skipping classes and expected us to join their group, because, you know, who needs education? But then, Panday got influenced by them and started skipping a class or two, and I was like, what's next, are we going to start skipping showers too? Things took a dramatic turn when a classmate threatened to spread a rumor that I was having an affair with a girl so that I could be suspended from the college. And they actually did it during our Political Science class with Professor Sunil Aggarwal Sir, who, by the way, is a total boss. His response? He burst out laughing and said it was impossible, even offering 2000 Rupees to anyone who could prove it, which is basically like saying, I'll give you 2000 Rupees if you can prove that buffalos can fly.

Self Healing

Self healing starts from thee.

You may feel drained 

but learn to be glee.

Deep inside thee

dwells eternal smile can't ye see, 

said the Mighty Warrior to ye