English Literature – Weekly Column ☆ Witful Warmth#7 – The Celebrity Slapstick: A Tale of Adulation and Absurdity ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra, known for his wit and wisdom, is a prolific writer, renowned satirist, children’s literature author, and poet. He has undertaken the monumental task of writing, editing, and coordinating a total of 55 books for the Telangana government at the primary school, college, and university levels. His editorial endeavors also include online editions of works by Acharya Ramchandra Shukla.

As a celebrated satirist, Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra has carved a niche for himself, with over eight million viewers, readers, and listeners tuning in to his literary musings on the demise of a teacher on the Sahitya AajTak channel. His contributions have earned him prestigious accolades such as the Telangana Hindi Academy’s Shreshtha Navyuva Rachnakaar Samman in 2021, presented by the honorable Chief Minister of Telangana, Mr. Chandrashekhar Rao. He has also been honored with the Vyangya Yatra Ravindranath Tyagi Stairway Award and the Sahitya Srijan Samman, alongside recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various other esteemed institutions.

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra’s journey is not merely one of literary accomplishments but also a testament to his unwavering dedication, creativity, and profound impact on society. His story inspires us to strive for excellence, to use our talents for the betterment of others, and to leave an indelible mark on the world. Today we present his satire The Celebrity Slapstick: A Tale of Adulation and Absurdity. 

☆ Witful Warmth # 7 ☆

☆ Satire ☆ The Celebrity Slapstick: A Tale of Adulation and Absurdity ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

n the dusty bylanes of a rural Indian village, nestled amidst the swaying fields of wheat and the vibrant hues of saris drying in the sun, there lived a man named Raju. Raju, a fervent devotee of the silver screen, worshipped the celluloid gods with a zeal bordering on fanaticism. His humble hut, adorned with torn posters of Bollywood stars, served as a shrine to his unwavering adulation.

One scorching afternoon, as Raju wandered through the bustling marketplace, he stumbled upon a peculiar sight. A crowd had gathered around a rather bewildered figure, who, as it turned out, was none other than the esteemed actor, Rajesh Khanna. Raju’s heart skipped a beat, for here stood before him one of the demigods of his adoration.

Driven by an inexplicable impulse, Raju raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap across Rajesh Khanna’s bemused face. The villagers gasped in astonishment, their eyes widening in disbelief at the audacity of Raju’s act.

But instead of anger or indignation, Rajesh Khanna merely blinked in surprise, his expression a curious mix of shock and amusement. “Well, I must say, that was quite unexpected,” he remarked, rubbing his cheek with exaggerated theatrics. “I suppose you could call it a unique form of admiration.”

Raju, utterly dumbfounded by the actor’s unexpected response, stood rooted to the spot, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. As he slunk away from the scene, he couldn’t help but wonder at the absurdity of his actions.

Word of the incident spread like wildfire through the village, becoming the talk of the town within moments. Some viewed Raju as a daring rebel, defying societal norms in his bold expression of admiration. Others dismissed him as a mere lunatic, his actions serving as a cautionary tale of the perils of unchecked obsession.

Meanwhile, Rajesh Khanna, ever the consummate performer, seized upon the incident as fodder for his own brand of theatrical charm. Embracing his newfound status as the unwitting recipient of Raju’s impromptu homage, he regaled audiences with exaggerated tales of the infamous slap heard ’round the village.

Yet, beneath the veneer of comedy and spectacle, a deeper undercurrent of existential reflection began to emerge. For Raju, the slap had served as a catalyst for introspection, forcing him to confront the emptiness that lurked beneath his idolatry of celebrity. In his relentless pursuit of stardom, he had lost sight of the simple joys and pleasures of village life, his own identity eclipsed by the larger-than-life personas he worshipped from afar.

As the days turned into weeks, Raju retreated further into solitude, grappling with the profound disillusionment that had taken hold of his soul. The tattered posters that once adorned his walls now seemed to mock him with their hollow promises of fulfillment. In the silence of his solitary existence, he pondered the nature of fame and its corrosive effect on the human spirit.

Meanwhile, Rajesh Khanna continued to revel in the adulation of the villagers, his star burning ever brighter in the sky of rural acclaim. Yet, for all his outward success, he too found himself haunted by a sense of existential malaise. Beneath the facade of cinematic charm lay a profound emptiness, a nagging awareness of the transient nature of fame and the fleeting nature of human connection.

And so, in the quiet moments of their respective contemplations, Raju and Rajesh found themselves united by a common thread of existential longing. In a world where the lines between reality and illusion blurred with every passing moment, they sought solace in the shared absurdity of their human condition.

For in the end, perhaps, it was only through the lens of satire that they could truly glimpse the tragicomic spectacle of life itself. And in that shared moment of absurdity, they found a fleeting glimpse of redemption amidst the chaos of the world.

© Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Contact : Mo. +91 73 8657 8657, Email : [email protected]

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Weekly Column ☆ Witful Warmth#6 – The Drama of Exit Polls ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra, known for his wit and wisdom, is a prolific writer, renowned satirist, children’s literature author, and poet. He has undertaken the monumental task of writing, editing, and coordinating a total of 55 books for the Telangana government at the primary school, college, and university levels. His editorial endeavors also include online editions of works by Acharya Ramchandra Shukla.

As a celebrated satirist, Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra has carved a niche for himself, with over eight million viewers, readers, and listeners tuning in to his literary musings on the demise of a teacher on the Sahitya AajTak channel. His contributions have earned him prestigious accolades such as the Telangana Hindi Academy’s Shreshtha Navyuva Rachnakaar Samman in 2021, presented by the honorable Chief Minister of Telangana, Mr. Chandrashekhar Rao. He has also been honored with the Vyangya Yatra Ravindranath Tyagi Stairway Award and the Sahitya Srijan Samman, alongside recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various other esteemed institutions.

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra’s journey is not merely one of literary accomplishments but also a testament to his unwavering dedication, creativity, and profound impact on society. His story inspires us to strive for excellence, to use our talents for the betterment of others, and to leave an indelible mark on the world. Today we present his satire Isolation Station: Life in a Village the World Forgot. 

☆ Witful Warmth # 6 ☆

☆ Satire ☆ The Drama of Exit Polls ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

As the dust settles on yet another election season in India, it is time for the country to reflect on the absurdity that is exit polls. These so-called surveys have become a staple in the Indian political landscape, with news channels and media outlets eagerly awaiting the results to predict the outcome of the elections. But are these exit polls really as accurate as they claim to be, or are they just a big, fat joke that we all fall for every time?

Exit polls in India are like that one friend who always promises to come to your party but never shows up. They claim to have all the answers, to know exactly how many seats each party will win, and to have the pulse of the nation at their fingertips. But when the actual results come out, they are often left red-faced and looking like a bunch of clowns who couldn’t predict the weather, let alone the outcome of an election.

The funny thing about exit polls is that they are based on a sample size of just a few thousand people. That’s right, a few thousand people out of a population of over a billion are supposed to represent the entire country’s voting behaviour. It is like asking a few cows in a field what they think of the stock market and then claiming to have the inside scoop on the next big investment opportunity.

But wait, it gets even better. These exit polls are often conducted by news channels and media outlets that have a vested interest in the outcome of the elections. So, it is as if the fox is guarding the henhouse, with the results of the exit polls conveniently aligning with the agendas of the channels that are conducting them. It is like asking a used car salesman to give you an unbiased opinion on which car to buy – you are going to end up with a lemon every time.

And let’s not forget the time and effort that goes into analyzing and dissecting these exit polls. Political pundits come out of the woodwork to pontificate on what the results mean, who will win, who will lose, and why the country is on the brink of either utopia or dystopia based on a handful of survey responses. It is like playing a game of Russian roulette with the fate of the nation, except instead of a gun, you have a bunch of talking heads spouting nonsense on TV.

© Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Contact : Mo. +91 73 8657 8657, Email : [email protected]

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Weekly Column ☆ Witful Warmth#5 – Isolation Station: Life in a Village the World Forgot – The Idiot Box ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra, known for his wit and wisdom, is a prolific writer, renowned satirist, children’s literature author, and poet. He has undertaken the monumental task of writing, editing, and coordinating a total of 55 books for the Telangana government at the primary school, college, and university levels. His editorial endeavors also include online editions of works by Acharya Ramchandra Shukla.

As a celebrated satirist, Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra has carved a niche for himself, with over eight million viewers, readers, and listeners tuning in to his literary musings on the demise of a teacher on the Sahitya AajTak channel. His contributions have earned him prestigious accolades such as the Telangana Hindi Academy’s Shreshtha Navyuva Rachnakaar Samman in 2021, presented by the honorable Chief Minister of Telangana, Mr. Chandrashekhar Rao. He has also been honored with the Vyangya Yatra Ravindranath Tyagi Stairway Award and the Sahitya Srijan Samman, alongside recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various other esteemed institutions.

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra’s journey is not merely one of literary accomplishments but also a testament to his unwavering dedication, creativity, and profound impact on society. His story inspires us to strive for excellence, to use our talents for the betterment of others, and to leave an indelible mark on the world. Today we present his satire Isolation Station: Life in a Village the World Forgot. 

☆ Witful Warmth # 5 ☆

☆ Satire ☆ Isolation Station: Life in a Village the World Forgot ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

In our village, even the dogs have given up barking. They know there’s no one left to listen. The silence of our once bustling community now echoes through the empty streets, where even the shadows seem to have abandoned us. Life in our village is like a game of musical chairs, except there’s never enough chairs for everyone.

Living in a village is like starring in a never-ending soap opera, except it’s a tragedy with no commercial breaks. The drama unfolds in the whispers of neighbors and the sighs of the elderly, who sit on their porches, reminiscing about days when the village was alive with laughter and hope. Our village is so small, the census taker uses a magnifying glass to find us, but even he has stopped coming.

You know you’re in a village when the highlight of your day is watching the cow graze. The simplicity of such moments once brought joy, but now, it only serves as a reminder of the life we are missing. In our village, the only thing that grows faster than the weeds is gossip. The tales we weave are the threads that keep us from unraveling completely.

You haven’t experienced true isolation until you’ve lived in a village with no Wi-Fi. The disconnection from the world outside is complete, and the isolation is profound. In our village, the only thing that travels faster than the wind is a juicy piece of gossip. But even that has lost its allure as the stories have become repetitive and stale.

Living in a village is like being stuck in a time warp, where progress is just a distant dream. Our village is so remote, even Google Maps gives up trying to find us. The world has moved on, leaving us behind in a bubble where the only change is the seasons.

In our village, the local barber doubles as the town therapist. His chair has seen more tears than haircuts. He listens patiently, offering the same words of comfort and advice that have been passed down through generations. Life in a village is like living in a fishbowl, except everyone’s watching and no one’s cleaning the glass.

You know you’re in a village when the only entertainment is watching paint dry. The monotony of our days is broken only by the occasional scandal, which spreads faster than laughter. Living in a village is like being trapped in a never-ending family reunion, where everyone knows your business, and there’s no escape.

Our village is so small, the only parade we have is when the cows come home. The simplicity of such events once brought us together, but now it only highlights our isolation. You haven’t experienced true loneliness until you’ve walked the deserted streets of our village at night. The silence is deafening, and the emptiness is all-consuming.

In our village, the only thing more outdated than the traditions is the technology. The past is preserved in every stone and every face, but the future is uncertain. Life in a village is like living in a museum, where the past is cherished, but the future is a distant dream.

You know you’re in a village when the only nightlife is the sound of crickets. Our village is so quiet, you can hear a pin drop from a mile away. Living in a village is like being in a reality show, except there’s no prize money and no way out. The days blend into one another, each one a reflection of the last.

In our village, the only thing more barren than the fields is the hope of a better tomorrow. The dreams we once had have withered away, much like our crops. You know you’re in a village when the biggest event of the year is the annual cow beauty pageant. It’s a sad reminder of what little we have left to celebrate.

Living in a village is like living in a time capsule, where progress is a foreign concept. In our village, the only thing more unreliable than the weather is the village gossip. The stories change, but the underlying despair remains the same.

You know you’re in a village when the only traffic sign is a cow crossing. Our village is so remote, the nearest hospital is a day’s journey away. Living in a village is like living in a fishbowl, where privacy is a luxury. The sense of community we once cherished has become a burden we can no longer bear.

In our village, the only thing more stagnant than the pond is the economy. The opportunities that once drew people here have dried up, leaving us with nothing but memories and regrets. You know you’re in a village when the only fashion statement is who can wear the most mud.

Living in a village is like being in a bad sitcom, where the jokes are stale and the laugh track is missing. The humor that once lightened our days has faded, replaced by a heavy sense of resignation. In our village, the only thing more stubborn than the mules is the mindset of the people.

You know you’re in a village when the only news is who got married, who died, and who got caught stealing chickens. The cycles of life and death continue, but the hope for something better has long since vanished. Our village is so isolated, the only connection to the outside world is the occasional passing breeze.

Living in a village is like living in a time warp, where progress is a myth and tradition is law. The customs and rituals that once gave us a sense of identity now feel like chains. In our village, the only thing more common than poverty is resignation. The dreams we once had have been buried beneath the weight of our circumstances.

You know you’re in a village when the only nightlife is the flicker of oil lamps. Our village is so remote, even the birds fly over us instead of stopping. The silence and isolation have become our constant companions, as we continue to exist in a place forgotten by time and the world.

© Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Contact : Mo. +91 73 8657 8657, Email : [email protected]

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Weekly Column ☆ Witful Warmth#4 – Satire – The Idiot Box ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra, known for his wit and wisdom, is a prolific writer, renowned satirist, children’s literature author, and poet. He has undertaken the monumental task of writing, editing, and coordinating a total of 55 books for the Telangana government at the primary school, college, and university levels. His editorial endeavors also include online editions of works by Acharya Ramchandra Shukla.

As a celebrated satirist, Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra has carved a niche for himself, with over eight million viewers, readers, and listeners tuning in to his literary musings on the demise of a teacher on the Sahitya AajTak channel. His contributions have earned him prestigious accolades such as the Telangana Hindi Academy’s Shreshtha Navyuva Rachnakaar Samman in 2021, presented by the honorable Chief Minister of Telangana, Mr. Chandrashekhar Rao. He has also been honored with the Vyangya Yatra Ravindranath Tyagi Stairway Award and the Sahitya Srijan Samman, alongside recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various other esteemed institutions.

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra’s journey is not merely one of literary accomplishments but also a testament to his unwavering dedication, creativity, and profound impact on society. His story inspires us to strive for excellence, to use our talents for the betterment of others, and to leave an indelible mark on the world. Today we present his satire The Idiot Box. 

☆ Witful Warmth # 4 ☆

☆ Satire ☆ The Idiot Box ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

Ah, the idiot box! That mesmerizing, glowing rectangle perched like a monarch in our living rooms. It sits there, omnipotent, its flickering images and incessant sounds dictating our lives, thoughts, and dreams. How did we, the apex of evolution, fall under the spell of this glorified electrical appliance? Let us explore this conundrum with a touch of humour and a dash of satire.

The idiot box, or as it is more formally known, the television, is a marvel of human ingenuity. Imagine, if you will, a time before its reign. Families gathered around the dinner table, engaging in meaningful conversations. Children played outside, their imaginations unfettered by commercial jingles and mind-numbing shows. Now, those days are but a distant memory, replaced by the ever-present hum of the television.

The television’s rise to power began innocently enough. It was a novelty, a modern miracle that brought the world into our homes. News from far-off lands, cultural programs, and educational content promised to enrich our lives. But like any seductive power, it soon revealed its darker side. Enter the era of reality TV, soap operas, and infomercials – the true embodiment of the term “idiot box.”

Reality TV, the crown jewel of idiocy, has redefined the concept of entertainment. Why invest in quality scripts and talented actors when you can simply point a camera at a group of fame-hungry individuals and watch them self-destruct? Shows like “Big Brother” and “The Real Housewives” have turned the mundane into the spectacularly absurd. We watch in awe as grown adults engage in petty squabbles, all for our viewing pleasure. It’s like watching a car crash – horrifying, yet impossible to look away.

Soap operas, those melodramatic masterpieces, have been around since the dawn of television. Their convoluted plots and over-the-top acting are a testament to the human capacity for endurance. How many times can a character die and come back to life? How many evil twins can one town possibly have? The answer, it seems, is infinite. Yet, we watch with bated breath, our brains turning to mush with each predictable twist and turn.

And let us not forget the infomercial, that late-night siren calls of consumerism. “But wait, there’s more!” cries the enthusiastic host, as we are presented with a never-ending parade of useless gadgets and miracle cures. Who among us hasn’t been tempted by the promise of a knife that can cut through a shoe or a cream that will erase decades of neglect from our skin? It’s a carnival of absurdity, and we willingly buy a ticket every time.

The impact of the idiot box extends beyond mere entertainment. It shapes our perceptions and molds our beliefs. The news, once a bastion of journalistic integrity, has succumbed to the allure of sensationalism. Fear sells, and the media knows it. Every broadcast is a barrage of doom and gloom, leaving us paranoid and mistrustful. We live in a world where the line between reality and fiction blurs, thanks to the constant stream of information (and misinformation) spewed forth by our beloved idiot box.

Advertising, the lifeblood of television, is another source of endless amusement and frustration. We are bombarded with messages designed to make us feel inadequate unless we buy the latest product. Want to be attractive? Use this toothpaste. Want to be successful? Drive this car. It’s a never-ending cycle of desire and disappointment, all orchestrated by the puppet masters behind the screen.

Yet, for all its flaws, the idiot box is not without its merits. It has the power to unite us, to bring us together in shared experiences. Think of the excitement of watching a major sporting event or the anticipation of a season finale. These moments create bonds and memories that last a lifetime. The idiot box, in all its ridiculous glory, is a reflection of our humanity – flawed, but capable of greatness.

© Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Contact : Mo. +91 73 8657 8657, Email : [email protected]

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Weekly Column ☆ Witful Warmth#3 – Satire – The Tale of Two Faces: A Desi Satire on Identity Deception ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra, known for his wit and wisdom, is a prolific writer, renowned satirist, children’s literature author, and poet. He has undertaken the monumental task of writing, editing, and coordinating a total of 55 books for the Telangana government at the primary school, college, and university levels. His editorial endeavors also include online editions of works by Acharya Ramchandra Shukla.

As a celebrated satirist, Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra has carved a niche for himself, with over eight million viewers, readers, and listeners tuning in to his literary musings on the demise of a teacher on the Sahitya AajTak channel. His contributions have earned him prestigious accolades such as the Telangana Hindi Academy’s Shreshtha Navyuva Rachnakaar Samman in 2021, presented by the honorable Chief Minister of Telangana, Mr. Chandrashekhar Rao. He has also been honored with the Vyangya Yatra Ravindranath Tyagi Stairway Award and the Sahitya Srijan Samman, alongside recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various other esteemed institutions.

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra’s journey is not merely one of literary accomplishments but also a testament to his unwavering dedication, creativity, and profound impact on society. His story inspires us to strive for excellence, to use our talents for the betterment of others, and to leave an indelible mark on the world. Today we present his satire The Tale of Two Faces: A Desi Satire on Identity Deception.

☆ Witful Warmth#3 ☆

☆ Satire ☆ The Tale of Two Faces: A Desi Satire on Identity Deception ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

In the bustling streets of Mumbai, where the neon signs flickered like promises yet unfulfilled, there lived a man of many guises. Known simply as Mr. Chalak, his true identity remained as elusive as the smog that hung over the city. Behind closed doors, he was a master of deceit, spinning intricate webs of lies with the finesse of a seasoned politician.

Amidst the chaos of honking horns and the aroma of street food, Mr. Chalak roamed, his features obscured by a carefully constructed facade. To the world, he was but a shadow, a silhouette against the backdrop of societal expectations and political ambitions.

Yet, beneath the layers of his counterfeit existence lay a heart yearning for connection, a soul tethered to the longing for belonging. For in the vibrant tapestry of Indian life, every facade hides a story waiting to be uncovered, a truth yearning to be revealed.

It was on a humid evening, as the monsoon rains lashed against the city streets, that Mr. Chalak sought refuge in the dimly lit confines of a roadside chai stall. With each sip of tea, he drowned his sorrows, his thoughts adrift in a sea of regret and longing. And it was there, amidst the aroma of spices and the clinking of cups, that fate intervened in the form of a curious stranger.

“Namaste, bhai,” the stranger greeted, his voice tinged with curiosity. “Might I inquire as to the nature of your troubles?”

Mr. Chalak regarded the stranger with cautious intrigue, his eyes betraying a hint of vulnerability beneath their hardened exterior. And so, in the flickering candlelight, he poured forth his tale of deception, his words echoing like echoes in the crowded streets.

“I am but a man of many masks, a chameleon in a world of colors,” he confessed, his voice trembling with raw emotion. “For years, I have hidden my true self, weaving a tangled web of lies to conceal the emptiness within.”

The stranger listened intently, his gaze unwavering as he absorbed every syllable of Mr. Chalak’s confession. And as the night wore on, a bond forged in the crucible of shared sorrow began to blossom between the two men, bridging the chasm of deception that had divided them.

“You are not alone, mere bhai,” the stranger reassured, his words a balm to Mr. Chalak’s wounded soul. “For we are all but actors on the stage of life, our identities as transient as the changing seasons.”

And so, in that moment of shared vulnerability, Mr. Chalak found solace in the embrace of a kindred spirit, his facade crumbling like a sandcastle beneath the relentless tide of truth. For in the vibrant tapestry of Indian existence, it is our flaws and imperfections that bind us together, weaving a tapestry of shared humanity amidst the chaos of life.

And as the first light of dawn broke upon the horizon, illuminating the bustling streets with its golden glow, Mr. Chalak emerged from the shadows, his true identity laid bare for all the world to see. For in embracing his authentic self, he had discovered the greatest truth of all: that in a world shrouded in deception, the greatest act of defiance is to embrace the light of honesty and acceptance.

© Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Contact : Mo. +91 73 8657 8657, Email : [email protected]

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Weekly Column ☆ Witful Warmth#2 – Satire – The Pain of Books ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra, known for his wit and wisdom, is a prolific writer, renowned satirist, children’s literature author, and poet. He has undertaken the monumental task of writing, editing, and coordinating a total of 55 books for the Telangana government at the primary school, college, and university levels. His editorial endeavors also include online editions of works by Acharya Ramchandra Shukla.

As a celebrated satirist, Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra has carved a niche for himself, with over eight million viewers, readers, and listeners tuning in to his literary musings on the demise of a teacher on the Sahitya AajTak channel. His contributions have earned him prestigious accolades such as the Telangana Hindi Academy’s Shreshtha Navyuva Rachnakaar Samman in 2021, presented by the honorable Chief Minister of Telangana, Mr. Chandrashekhar Rao. He has also been honored with the Vyangya Yatra Ravindranath Tyagi Stairway Award and the Sahitya Srijan Samman, alongside recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various other esteemed institutions.

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra’s journey is not merely one of literary accomplishments but also a testament to his unwavering dedication, creativity, and profound impact on society. His story inspires us to strive for excellence, to use our talents for the betterment of others, and to leave an indelible mark on the world. Today we present his satire The Pain of Books.

☆ Satire ☆ The Pain of Books ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

Tattered, old, dusty—these are the names I’ve been reduced to. When I first arrived at the launch venue of an author’s book, I was greeted with such affection. Sometimes they’d stroke me with their fingers, sometimes they’d flip my pages with the gentleness of a sneeze. But that’s all in the past now. I used to grace their hallways for a few days. However, since space was limited in the glass cabinet in the hall, I didn’t get to stay there for long. Soon, I was pushed out. For a few days, I made my home on various tables in the house. Since I had a thick cover, I could handle a lot of work. For instance, the author or his wife, children would often rest their teacups, coffee mugs, or milk glasses on my back. This left circular marks all over me. Whether I was useful for reading or not, only the author could tell, but I was definitely skilled at swatting mosquitoes, flies, and bugs. The marks of those insect bites all over my body testified to that. Several times, when someone came to buy scraps, the author’s wife would try to sell me. She was the author, who would glance at me once or twice, turn me over, and then put me back in the storeroom.

This tale of woe is not exclusive to just one book like me. Often, we would all chat amongst ourselves. We’d lament about our misfortune—why we couldn’t find a place in the glass cabinet. One day, the thin, worn-out book lying in the storeroom, on the verge of its last breath, revealed, “One day, while the author was talking to someone, they asked, ‘You bring so many books from book launches, where do you keep them? How will this glass cabinet handle your expertise?’ So, with a smile, the author replied, ‘You’re absolutely right. Now, see, wherever I go, someone hands me a book. Someone keeps it as a sample or for writing a review. Now, what can I tell anyone? Therefore, I bring all the books. Mrs. is fed up with me bringing them home. Due to these books, our house has started to look like a junkyard. Since not all books can be kept in the glass cabinet, I’ve adopted a middle way. Apart from useful dictionaries and books written by me, all the remaining books are stored in the storeroom (thrown away). When needed, I rummage around and take them out.'” Listening to this, the arrogance of all the books in the storeroom was shattered. We were in shock. We thought the author loved us. It turns out, he was only reluctantly putting up with us.

One day, there was a mobile phone of author between us. We asked him if he had also become useless, and he replied, “How can I be useless? The author loves me more than his wife and children. The more time he spends on me, the less time he gives to anyone else. The author’s daughter has hidden me here to tease him. Otherwise, you’re so worthless that you can’t compare to me. One more thing, nowadays, he makes me do all the reading and writing work. Earlier, whenever he forgot, he’d understand my need and place me in the storeroom. Not anymore. Just a while ago, his daughter was telling him off for me. He must be on the way. Now, you have no work in this storeroom. You all have a holiday from today.”

This was too much to handle. Our hearts sank. We were very scared of the scrap dealer. In our eyes, he was no less than a butcher. Just like a butcher slits an animal’s throat and cuts its limbs, the scrap dealer will buy us wholesale and treat us the same way. Since this is our final journey, we only pray to God to make us into something in the next life, but not a book—never again.

© Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Contact : Mo. +91 73 8657 8657, Email : [email protected]

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Weekly Column ☆ Witful Warmth#1 – Satire – The Saga of the Bulging Belly ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

By Hemant Bawankar1 Comment

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra, known for his wit and wisdom, is a prolific writer, renowned satirist, children’s literature author, and poet. He has undertaken the monumental task of writing, editing, and coordinating a total of 55 books for the Telangana government at the primary school, college, and university levels. His editorial endeavors also include online editions of works by Acharya Ramchandra Shukla.

As a celebrated satirist, Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra has carved a niche for himself, with over eight million viewers, readers, and listeners tuning in to his literary musings on the demise of a teacher on the Sahitya AajTak channel. His contributions have earned him prestigious accolades such as the Telangana Hindi Academy’s Shreshtha Navyuva Rachnakaar Samman in 2021, presented by the honorable Chief Minister of Telangana, Mr. Chandrashekhar Rao. He has also been honored with the Vyangya Yatra Ravindranath Tyagi Stairway Award and the Sahitya Srijan Samman, alongside recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various other esteemed institutions.

Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra’s journey is not merely one of literary accomplishments but also a testament to his unwavering dedication, creativity, and profound impact on society. His story inspires us to strive for excellence, to use our talents for the betterment of others, and to leave an indelible mark on the world. Today we present his satireThe Saga of the Bulging Belly.

☆ Satire ☆ The Saga of the Bulging Belly ☆ Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’ ☆

I’m neither Akash Ambani nor someone with a hefty salary. I’m just a chubby. Pure as a hundred-carat gold, but also a hundred percent pure fat chubby. Living as a chubby is quite challenging. But being a big brother is an even bigger thought. When girls see chubby folks like me, they think we prefer food over true love. Maybe that’s why they quickly label us “bhaiya” (brother). But do they know that even chubbies have a heart, and dreams of love too? It makes me wonder if the idea of being a brother might become permanent. Don’t I have the right to love too? I’m saying all this because I’m quite chubby. Chubbies understand the struggles of chubbies. Just like Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the nation, similarly, every chubby guy becomes a big brother for girls all over the country.

Who knows why girls call me “bhaiya” as soon as they see me. Don’t they realize I have feelings too? I also desire to love. Ever since I heard the phrase “like a melon changing its color after seeing a melon,” girls, even older women, advise me to sit far away, calling me “bhaiya.” It feels like they see chubby guys and suddenly transform into scriptures, recognizing a robust youth and starting to preach respect worldwide. My situation worsens when elderly women, whose hair has turned white with age, start to flutter, and they too don’t hesitate to call me “bhaiya.” I felt like calling them “mom,” but I wasn’t as open-minded as them.

Chubby guys like me have a favorite dress. One, because companies don’t make dresses for chubbies. They neither have a color choice nor a design. Sometimes it feels like I should set these companies on fire. Then I think, who will be left to give away even one dress if I do that? Describing the pain of buying clothes at a shopping mall is difficult. The salesmen, eagerly waiting to make a deal or cracking some other risky joke, ask, “Sir, what size jeans should I show you? 32, 34, or slim fit?” Now, how do I tell him that no dress is made for chubbies under the name of “slim”? Then, tiredly, they hand over a 44-size tent-like outfit to me, sticking some English name on it. It’s strange for chubby guys like us to go shopping for clothes, and no extraordinary thought can explain it.

All this happens because of three shops next to the shopping mall. Whenever I come here, I never forget to visit these three shops. The name of the first shop is Hungry Grills, the second is Bhola Nath Chaat Bhandar, and the third is Delicious Ice Cream. Before coming here, I reduce my belly by two to three inches and then increase it as much after leaving. It’s not that I don’t keep track of anyone. After paying off the gyms, there is a sense of peace by visiting these shops. This shopping mall is not just a favorite place for chubby guys like me but can also be seen as a revolutionary place – ‘Shopping Gym.’ Yes, you heard it right, gym. Along with shopping, you also get delicious dishes here to exercise your taste buds. Instead of working out in the gym, you can enhance your eating skills here. Thanks to this revolutionary discovery of the shopping mall, I become a connoisseur of enjoying every moment of my chubby life instead of getting lost in the crowd of shops.

People think that chubby boys only have trouble finding clothes. When they step into a clothing store, it’s like a dangerous jungle safari for them, where every outfit threatens to shatter their self-esteem into thousands of pieces. Chubby boys are constantly under the scrutiny of society, where this chubby tale becomes a topic of discussion for the common people. People feel entitled to give free advice based on our eating habits, exercise styles, and sitting-standing criteria. And on top of that, they have endless sarcastic remarks like, “You have such a chubby face, if you lose a little weight.” In a world that worships the temple of thinness, chubby people have to create their own space.

© Dr. Suresh Kumar Mishra ‘Uratript’

Contact : Mo. +91 73 8657 8657, Email : [email protected]

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Article ☆ – Elections – Some old quotes to lighten the mood ☆ Mr Sunil Deshpande ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

Mr Sunil Deshpande 

☆ Article ☆ Some old quotes to lighten the mood ☆ Mr Sunil Deshpande ☆

Since Election Season is on, time to dust out some old quotes about politics to lighten the mood. 

Politics is the gentle art of getting
votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich,
by promising to protect each from the other.

~Oscar Ameringer, “the Mark Twain of American Socialism.”

I offered my opponents a deal:
“if they stop telling lies about me,
I will stop telling the truth about them”.

~Adlai Stevenson, campaign speech, 1952

A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.

~Texas Guinan. 19th century American businessman

I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.

~Charles de Gaulle, French general & politician

Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.

~Doug Larson (English middle-distance runner who won gold in 1924 Paris Olympics)

We hang petty thieves and appoint the bigger thieves to public office.

~Aesop, Greek slave & fable author

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.

~Plato, ancient Greek Philosopher

Politicians are the same all over.
They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.

~Nikita Khrushchev, Soviet Russian politician

When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become president; I’m beginning to believe it.

~Quoted in ‘Clarence Darrow for the Defense’ by Irving Stone.

Politicians are people who, when they see light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel.

~John Quinton, American actor/writer

What happens if a politician drowns in a river?
That is pollution….

What happens if all of them drown?
That is a solution ….!!!

So don’t comment on politicians enjoy the elections!!!

© Mr Sunil Deshpande 

Nasik Mo – 9657709640 Email : [email protected]

≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Article ☆ Mission HAPPINESS – My Idyllic Life – My Laughter Yoga Journey-3 ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

☆ Mission HAPPINESS – My Idyllic Life – My Laughter Yoga Journey-3 ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆ 

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

About the book:

This is a book on happiness, an autobiography, and a memoir that takes you for a journey on the pathway of authentic happiness, well-being, and a meaningful life. It gives you a new understanding of happiness and well-being and how to achieve them.

It takes a peek at my formative years, my work life, and my experiments with happiness. You will find, inside, a roadmap for a fruitful and fulfilling life, based on years of deep study and practical experience. It blends the best of positive psychology, meditation, yoga, laughter yoga, and spirituality.

The book will enable you to discover new ways to flourish in life, find inner peace, and contribute towards enhancing well-being on this planet. You will gain tremendous insight into life and happiness. The new learning, investigation, and wisdom can catapult you into higher realms of existence!

Amazon Kindle Link: >>>> 

👉 Mission HAPPINESS – My Idyllic Life

Excerpts from – Mission HAPPINESS 

MY LAUGHTER YOGA JOURNEY-3

(e-abhivyakti presents chapter MY LAUGHTER YOGA JOURNEY in three parts.)

We could sense the deep feelings that must have percolated in her heart and soul, before she started playing with her child. This singing, dancing, playing, and laughing with a child and imparting a happy attitude towards life is the ultimate paradise.

A long time has elapsed since then. Ranu has founded My Sanika – cancer care society and is the president at global women network.

Kabeer, affectionately known as Tiesto, is now a well-known model. He was the youngest participant of the largest laughter yoga class and received a certificate from the Guinness book of records.

Ranu arranged a fund-raising event for her NGO at the Jaal auditorium and invited me for a presentation on ‘happy@work’ to dispel myths surrounding happiness and create work-life balance.

We conducted a laughter session on world laughter day before a large gathering in the Indori Subah event organized by the Times of India. She invited me to speak at the first meet-up of global women network, Indore chapter, and also arranged several laughter sessions for kids at the Millennium school and other forums.

I took the morning flight from Indore that halted briefly at Mumbai and touched Bengaluru by noon.

Coming out of the arrival gate, I was pleasantly surprised to see Madhuri Kataria, co-founder of laughter yoga, with a bouquet of flowers. We proceeded to the laughter yoga university, about 20 minutes’ drive from the airport.

Dr Madan Kataria, the laughter Guru, whom I adored, warmly welcomed me. Introducing me to his young team, he told them, “Jagat will now be with us.”

Before I could settle down, he said, “We will have lunch now, and then, within an hour, we are leaving for an interesting assignment – laughter yoga with the commandos!”

The centre for counter terrorism was a couple of hours drive from the university.

Over a cup of tea, the trainers there told us, “The commandos are here for training and have a strict routine. They get up at 5 am and go to bed only after 11 pm. The whole day, they have strenuous physical activity as well as theory classes. They feel a lot of stress, fatigue, and are sleep deprived.”

We were taken to an indoor shooting range where 30 commandos were eagerly waiting for us.

Dr Kataria greeted them with laughter and said, “We know that you are going through a very tough routine. You don’t get enough sleep. The physical activities you do the whole day are exhausting. You are away from your loved ones and being combat ready at all times drains away all the energy.”

The commandos felt that here is someone who understands their plight and empathizes with them. They were now willing to listen.

Dr Kataria said, ”We are here to show you ways to relax, build stamina, and be happy!”

We then had an engrossing experience of laughter yoga and meditation for more than an hour. The commandos were all smiles. Fully relaxed!

Each one wanted to shake hands with the laughter doctor. We could feel the gratitude flowing from their eyes. The tough exterior of the commandos had melted and the child within was visible all around.

We too felt blessed and realized that we owe a lot more to them.

On our way back, Dr Kataria exclaimed, “How fulfilling this experience has been! I am feeling really good.”

He continued, “We had conducted a session with the commandos earlier too but this time it was something different. We shall not leave it mid-way now. We shall depute one of our teachers here for as long as they want. He will also train their trainers to conduct laughter exercises.”

He spoke to their superintendent and sent Vinayak to be with them for a couple of days. Vinayak was with them from early morning till late night. Whenever the group energy dropped, he shared some laughter and breathing exercises. The effect was magical.

The trainers told us that the commandos were now more willing to learn, responded cheerfully to their commands, and shared a lot of positive energy as a team. They laughed during breaks, doing their own versions of the laughter exercises.

I enjoyed long walks with Madan Kataria in the mornings and evenings. Our discussions mostly centred around laughter yoga. I could see the dream of laughter yoga university floating in his eyes incessantly. During weekends, we went for movies. He was especially fond of caramel popcorn.

I was more inclined toward the training part and believed in the purity of laughter yoga. My emphasis was on the four steps of laughter yoga. I inspired new teachers to create local laughter clubs and run them regularly. As I had experience in the training system, I experimented with new methods of teaching.

Till that time, laughter ambassador certification was awarded to very senior and experienced laughter leaders and teachers, who had contributed richly to the cause of laughter yoga. I suggested that we must encourage newer leaders and teachers, who are energetic and exhibit a potential to propagate laughter yoga. Dr Kataria saw the point and consented.

During one of the trainings, we planned and completed shooting of a revised version of forty foundation exercises, in Hindi and English.

I have always adored and admired laughter professionals who have been role models and inspired laughter lovers around the world – Jeffrey Briar, Alex Sternick, Robert Rivest, Merv Neal, Lotte Mikkelsen, Tosha Tobias, Duncan Cook, Keyem Thomas, Emma Ferguson, Melanie Rudolph, Rebecca J. Foster, Voet Steven, and Kara Sherman, to name just a handful of them.

I reported at the Delhi prison headquarters and was straightaway driven to the adjoining Tihar Jail – the biggest prison complex in Asia.

We were first taken to jail no. 6, which is a prison meant exclusively for women inmates and under-trials. At the entrance, we were frisked, and our wallets and mobiles deposited.

Being a law-abiding citizen all through my life, I never ever imagined that I would land in a prison someday. It felt a bit awkward stooping and getting in through the small gate that I had only seen in movies.

Within a few minutes, we were before the superintendent and warden of the jail. We were taken to a hall where around 200 lady prisoners were present. They belonged to all ages – young, middle-aged, and old.

Looking at their plight, I felt deep empathy for them and found it difficult to control my tears. But they were full of life and hope. There were no signs of despair in their eyes; at least they pretended to be normal.

At this point, I must disclose the purpose of our visit and tell you who all were with me or, rather, with whom I was there. We were here for a noble purpose – to add a dash of cheer and happiness in the routine life of the prisoners and bring some smile on their faces.

I was in the august company of Madhuri and Madan Kataria, along with Dr Santosh Sahi, who has done commendable service at the prison, and some members of the Delhi laughter club, and my colleagues from the laughter yoga university.

Within minutes, there were echoes of “hoho hahaha” and “very good very good yay!” reverberating within the walls of the prison. We could sense a silent gratitude in the eyes of the inmates for bringing a shower of relief and some respite from the frightening monotony of the closed walls.

Bidding good-bye to them with a heavy heart, we moved to the adjacent prison meant for the adolescents. The boys there were all between 18 and 21 years of age. At first glance, I observed an eerie look in their eyes. I felt sad for them. They should be studying somewhere but suddenly find that their future is quite hazy and uncertain.

This age group, especially with a closed mindset, is sometimes a hard nut to crack. Dr Kataria started with clapping and breathing exercises. Soon, they were laughing like all other kids – the child-like playfulness had re-surfaced, and they were laughing whole heartedly.

I guided them to hearty laughter, age laughter, and lion laughter. The response was immense. Vinayak thrilled them with his favorite banana trick. The prison was brimming with energy and joy. The eerie look in the eyes of the boys had vanished and they appeared like little kids. I could hardly hold my tears!

I must express my deep gratitude to the wonderful staff at the prison, who served us tea, pakoras, and lunch, with so much care and concern, and the senior officers of the jail, who made our visit free of any hassles.

Next morning, we conducted a laughter session before a huge gathering at the Raahgiri event in Rohini, organized by a newspaper group. We also accompanied Dr Sahi, our host, for a session with school kids. During our stay, we visited the vibrant Jalvayu laughter club, trained a large group of laughter leaders, and attended a conference of the Delhi laughter clubs.

Skype laughter club is an online community of laughter lovers from all over the world who connect through laughter. It was created by Anu Saari from Finland and Ines Schwarz from Austria in the year 2009. I soon joined the team of skype laughter club leaders and requested Seva Safyan to join us.

With the addition of new laughter sessions, skype laughter club started gaining popularity. Madhuri and Madan Kataria joined us regularly. We motivated Rajesh and Amaresh to conduct daily sessions from the laughter yoga university.

A session on skype laughter club was made an integral part of all laughter yoga trainings. Every new teacher experienced a skype laughter session during training.

We organized the first ever online laughter yoga marathon. It was a grand success with more than 350 participants from all time zones, including New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Bahrain, Israel, South Africa, Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, UK, Finland, Canada, USA, Brazil, and Ecuador.

The marathon lasted for a little over 24 hours during the weekend, with unrelenting giggles and guffaws floating in the atmosphere all through. It had a large number of first-time laughers on the net, along with Anu Saari and Madan Kataria.

The event was divided into 24 segments of half an hour each, with short breaks and an experienced international crew consisting of Anu, Sean, Seva, Ferris, Jane, Ivo, Linda, Radhika, and I, leading the sessions.

It was a wonderful experience when people, from different time zones, laughed together under a single, global laughter club. Dr Kataria had a different view and encouraged creation of localized skype laughter clubs.

I am happy that I contributed to the growth of skype laughter club when it was needed. With time, new technology has evolved, and we now have online laughter sessions mostly over Zoom.

Radhika and I took an afternoon flight to Bengaluru. The Katarias hosted a dinner for us at their home.

A residence with all the essentials was kept ready for us.

We went for a morning walk with Madan Kataria. After breakfast, we went to the laughter yoga university office, where we met Michi Morioka. She had come from Japan for master trainer’s program.

During the day, we took her to a nearby school for a laughter session with the kids. The school had a colourful classroom, especially for the purpose of laughter yoga. She felt happy with them and taught, “yatta yatta yay!” in Japanese. The kids were delighted. We went to the school regularly and conducted sessions for different groups.

In the evening, we went to a local, all-ladies’ laughter club. The club was years old, and the ladies were well versed with laughter exercises. We enjoyed laughing with them.

Michi is a beautiful soul. She is highly talented, hard working, and a great presenter. We bonded with her very closely. We invited her for dinner often and had long chats.

Laughter lovers from all countries came to the university to be certified as laughter yoga teachers and master trainers. We assisted Dr Kataria in the trainings. Radhika experimented with yogic and aerobic warm-up exercises. I loved conducting laughter meditation sessions in the morning. It was a rich experience interacting with the participants.

We feel especially proud to be associated with the training of Omar Damak, Emma Taylor, Kay Wararuk Sunonethong, Ashok Swahney, Ruchi Phool, Sai Kumar, Ishvinder Teji, Varuna Khullar, and Nikhil Thapar, as they are enthusiastic in spreading laughter yoga.

The first international laughter yoga festival was arranged during that time. We had wonderful participants – Kula Lisboa, Sofia Monteira, Lara Lucaccioni, Letizia Espanoli, Egbert Griebeling, Angela Mecking, Emma Liana Dewi, Andrew Stevens, Lee Jean, Karen Kong, Michi Morioka, and Zoreli Figueroa, among others.

It was August 15, Independence Day. We all gathered at the school, where we conducted laughter yoga sessions regularly. The celebrations included a session of laughter yoga with the kids. From there we proceeded to the school of ancient wisdom for the formal inauguration of laughter festival.

We accompanied Madhuri and Madan Kataria on a tour of the Always Be Cheerful (ABC) laughter clubs of Hyderabad. The club members are full of cheer. We had a big session at the Public Gardens, conducted a session for school children, one for an IT company, and organized a laughter leader training. We had the pleasure of meeting Shirin Didi and Madhav Mhaske, founders of the clubs.

We attended functions of the local clubs in Bengaluru, arranged leader trainings, and conducted a laughter session for the Hewlett Packard (HP) company in the IT Park.

Laughter becomes more meaningful when it is intended not only to make us happy but also to make others smile. This in laughter clubs is known as the inner spirit of laughter.

Laughter clubs are instrumental in bringing about attitudinal changes in people and provide an ideal platform to help people connect through love and laughter.

Laughter yoga goes beyond just the physical and physiological dimension of laughing. It not only fosters a feeling of physical well-being by generating endorphins in the body, but it also enhances the spirit and touches the emotional core. It cultivates positive thinking and promotes understanding.

Many of the laughter exercises focus on forgiveness, appreciation, anger management, gratitude, and helpfulness. Laughter yoga provides an opportunity to the practitioners to actively enhance the life of others.

Those who practice laughter yoga on a regular basis understand that it has the power to change the selfish state of mind to an altruistic state of mind. It has been proven that people who laugh are likely to be more generous and have more empathy than those who do not laugh.

This inner spirit of laughter becomes apparent to the seekers as they develop a state of internal peace – the worries and intense goals that have driven their lives become less important. These people become aware that true happiness comes from giving unconditional love, caring for others, and sharing with each other.

Everyone knows that laughter is the best medicine but how many of us have a good dose of laughter every day?

Mirthful laughter generates feel good hormones and busts stress instantly. To reap the benefits of laughter, one needs to laugh deep from the diaphragm for about twenty minutes daily. It expels all the stale air from the body and rejuvenates our lungs with fresh oxygen.

Laughter yoga is a unique laughter delivery system that enables us to laugh for no reason, without the use of jokes, comedy, or humour, even when the going is not good.

We begin laughter with the aid of laughter exercises that turns infectious through eye contact and childlike playfulness of the participants in the group. The practice of laughter yoga may seem frivolous to a layman, but it has a deep and profound impact upon the practitioners. It works wonders for the immune system and is a powerful cardiovascular exercise.

You must have seen members of laughter clubs giggling and having fun in parks. That is group laughter – a more conducive form of laughter yoga.

It generally starts with some gentle warm-up exercises – stretching, bending, twisting, and yogic breathing.

Laughter yoga routine is designed scientifically to have four steps:

The first step is clapping and chanting “hoho hahaha”.

The second step is deep breathing – exhale while bending forward, inhale while raising your arms up. It culminates with holding the breath for a while going up, saying “hold it- hold it – hold it” in an ascending voice, and then bending down, tapping thighs, running around saying “hahaha”.

The third step is child-like playfulness. A positive affirmation “Very Good, Very Good, Yay” is chanted joyously, clapping, and then opening and throwing the arms upwards.

Then, begin the laughter exercises in the fourth step. These exercises help in triggering laughter, which is then taken forward by the group and everyone laughs whole-heartedly.

Greeting laughter, milkshake laughter, mobile laughter, gradient laughter, hearty laughter, silent laughter, lion laughter, appreciation laughter, argument laughter, Calcutta laughter and tak-jhoom laughter are some of the popular laughter exercises practised in laughter clubs.

Just close your eyes and start laughing gently.

Laughter meditation may be experienced while standing up, sitting down, or lying.

Let laughter take its own course. If you do not feel like laughing, stop. When you again feel like laughing, laugh.

Laughter is movement, meditation requires stillness. Laughter meditation is a beautiful and unique experience.

It is not always possible to laugh in a group. One can laugh alone in the morning for a few minutes and the freshness lingers-on all through the day.

I express my deep respect and profound gratitude to Dr Madan Kataria, my Laughter Yoga Guru.

MADAN KATARIA, a medical doctor, founded the first laughter club with just five members in Mumbai in the year 1995. Today there are thousands of laughter clubs all over the world. He developed the unique concept of laughter yoga where anyone can laugh for no reason without the use of jokes, comedy, or humour.

(Excerpt from the book – Mission HAPPINESS: My Idyllic Life by Jagat Singh Bisht – available on Amazon)

© Jagat Singh Bisht

Founder: LifeSkills

LifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

Please feel free to call/WhatsApp us at +917389938255 or email [email protected] if you wish to attend our program or would like to arrange one at your end.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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English Literature – Article ☆ Mission HAPPINESS – My Idyllic Life – My Laughter Yoga Journey-2 ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

By Hemant BawankarNo Comments

☆ Mission HAPPINESS – My Idyllic Life – My Laughter Yoga Journey-2 ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆ 

Shri Jagat Singh Bisht

(Master Teacher: Happiness & Well-Being, Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, Author, Blogger, Educator, and Speaker.)

About the book:

This is a book on happiness, an autobiography, and a memoir that takes you for a journey on the pathway of authentic happiness, well-being, and a meaningful life. It gives you a new understanding of happiness and well-being and how to achieve them.

It takes a peek at my formative years, my work life, and my experiments with happiness. You will find, inside, a roadmap for a fruitful and fulfilling life, based on years of deep study and practical experience. It blends the best of positive psychology, meditation, yoga, laughter yoga, and spirituality.

The book will enable you to discover new ways to flourish in life, find inner peace, and contribute towards enhancing well-being on this planet. You will gain tremendous insight into life and happiness. The new learning, investigation, and wisdom can catapult you into higher realms of existence!

Amazon Kindle Link: >>>> 

👉 Mission HAPPINESS – My Idyllic Life

Excerpts from – Mission HAPPINESS 

MY LAUGHTER YOGA JOURNEY–2

(e-abhivyakti presents chapter MY LAUGHTER YOGA JOURNEY in three parts.)

Laughter yoga, which initially started as a social club movement, slowly entered the business world. By introducing laughter yoga for staff, corporates have reported happier workplace, increased efficiency, better communication, team work, and reduced stress levels.

We conducted a laughter session at our local head office, Bhopal. The audience included the staff, senior officials, and their families. They appreciated it very much.

S K Mishra, chief general manager, desired that an audio track be recorded, containing instructions for a brief laughter session. The track was played every morning at 11 o’clock over the public address system at the local head office and more than five hundred employees spread on five floors of the building chanted ‘very good very good yay’ and laughed in unison, every working day.

We also conducted a brief energizing session of laughter yoga at the beginning of bipartite meeting between SBI management and staff federation representatives at hotel Sayaji, Indore.

One of our most fulfilling experiences has been to bring cheer in the lives of special children. The experience of laughter yoga with special children at Rotary Paul Harris School, Indore has touched the core of our hearts.

The kids responded to our first session with great enthusiasm and energy. We were taken by surprise by the positivity generated by the affirmation – very good, very good, yay! They loved milkshake laughter, mobile laughter, argument laughter, appreciation laughter, and hearty laughter.

But we realized that they could not clap in rhythm, chant hoho hahaha, or follow the deep breathing exercises. So, we decided to focus initially on simple clapping and the laughter exercises which they liked.

Radhika worked hard with the kids on Tuesday mornings week after week and gradually they started picking up. A weekly session on laughter yoga was included in their time table.

Neeti Billore, principal, and her team of teachers were always with us during the sessions. The school authorities told us that they propose to showcase the progress in laughter sessions to the parents of the kids and members of Rotary Club during their annual day celebrations.

The kids were well prepared for the event and laughed coherently to the surprise of all present. We felt satisfied as our efforts had borne fruits.

Gloria Bartusch travelled all the way from Frankfurt to Indore to stay with us as a home guest and learn the life skills of laughter yoga, happiness, and well-being.

It was an intense week of sharing and caring, learning and teaching, and pouring out our hearts and souls in a warm and conducive set-up.

She treasured the life turning experience and expressed deep gratitude to us, while we felt fulfilled to the core for having touched a life.

We often visit our native village, Naula, in the Uttarakhand hills. To reach our place, we pass through the famous Corbett national park, named after a British jungle enthusiast, Jim Corbett, who penned The Man Eaters of Kumaon.

There is a small school, named shikhar public school, in the village. We visited the school and explained the concept and benefits of laughter yoga to the principal and teachers. Instantly, a laughter yoga session was arranged for the kids.

We started the session as usual with clapping and chanting. They chanted hoho hahaha joyously and relished milkshake laughter.

Radhika did the laughter zoo with them comprising of various laughter exercises from the animal kingdom. Children loved moving like animals – lion, elephant, kangaroo, penguin, bird, and monkey.

It touched the core of their hearts and they yearned for more laughter as they had never imagined of such variety in laughter. We realized that the sun was straight over our heads, and it was hot. We tried to wrap up, but the kids wanted more. So, we decided to come back to the school again in the evening.

To our utter surprise, all the kids were there in the evening. We did a quick recap of the warm-up steps and some laughter exercises. Then we played the games ‘pizza pasta’ and ‘follow the leader’ with them. They were simply delighted.

By this time, a word had spread in the village that children in the school were having some real fun. When we looked around, the entire school was surrounded by spectators from the village, who were shouting in chorus ‘very good, very good, yay’.

On reaching Indore, I called my mother to tell her that we have reached back safely. She seemed incredibly happy, “Radhika and you have left permanent footprints in the village. The chants of ‘very good, very good, yay’ by the kids can be heard anytime. Now, you are not away. You are always right here!”

I remember, once a lady of our village praised me before my mother. My mother said, ”Bhagwaan sabko mere Jagat jaisa beta de!” (May God give everyone a son like my Jagat!) That was the one of the proudest moments of my life.

We were delighted to have with us Gulyora Shermatova, laughter yoga teacher from Tashkent. She is the warmest person we have ever met. Her laughter is amazing. She can laugh anytime, anywhere, for no reason. What surprised us was the effortlessness of her laughter. She could continue laughing for hours together.

Ever since we did our laughter yoga training together at Bangalore, we kept in regular touch and planned to visit each other’s homes. She teaches Hindi at the institute of oriental studies, Tashkent and was invited by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations to New Delhi recently.

She took an early morning flight from Delhi to Indore. I went to the airport to pick her up. The members of suniket laughter club were eagerly waiting for her arrival. She greeted them in pure Hindi and won hearts instantly. After exchanging pleasantries, an unforgettable laughter session took shape.

Our club is specially known for doing the four steps of laughter yoga – clapping and chanting, deep breathing, childlike playfulness, and laughter exercises – in a structured and meticulous way. But her unique, spontaneous, and infectious laughter left the members bewildered and spellbound.

After affirming ‘very good, very good, yay’ a few times, we chanted ‘bahut achche, bahut achche, yay’ in Hindi, followed by ‘khorosho, khorosho, yay’ in Russian.

In the evening, we went to the regional park and had a fantastic time. We sat on a bench and laughed incessantly, oblivious of bewilderment on the faces of onlookers, who found it difficult to decipher what was so hilarious around that made us go nuts.

The next morning, we stayed at home to spend some quality time together. We sat in our balcony with the morning cuppa. Lo and behold, Gulyora started laughing for no reason. How could we refrain? We also joined her. Many rounds of laughter followed during the day. We laughed and laughed and laughed.

Her husband’s name is Kakramon, which means hero. She has named him ‘Mahaveer’ in Hindi. He is an introvert and previously worked for the army. But now he is also bitten by the laughter bug. He takes a recording of laughter exercises to his office and plays it for the staff. And then, he gives a command in true military style, “Kulila!” – that is, “Laugh!”

In the evening, she conducted an exclusive session of laughter yoga for ladies at the suniket community hall. Upon their asking, she explained how one can laugh from the diaphragm effortlessly and continuously. The ladies enjoyed her laughter and felt inspired.

Next morning, we went to the Rotary Paul Harris School for a laughter session with the special kids. She was touched by their simplicity and warmth. Tears started flowing from her eyes and rolled over her cheeks.

Gulyora is such a noble soul. She is unbelievably good hearted and positive. We feel privileged to have spent precious moments in her enchanting company. The laughter still lingers on.

Our good friend Duncan Cook, from Ontario, Canada, commented on Gulyora’s visit, “In Guelph, where I live, the laughter club members are visiting each other’s homes now. Bless this house with laughter!”

Many years ago, we had gone to make a small presentation on laughter yoga at Viscus Infotech, an IT company based in Indore. The CEO of the company felt that laughter yoga would be helpful in enhancing the creativity of the software professionals by relaxing their minds and activating the right brain.

The session was well appreciated and, later on, the young CEO himself conducted laughter sessions for his staff. Such actions make the workplace vibrant and full of positive vibes.

After the session, Ranu Jain Gupta, webmaster, specializing in search engine optimization, came up to Radhika, and said that she had liked the session very much and would join us at our laughter club with her husband, Dr Gaurav Gupta.

Laughter, which starts as a simple exercise routine, penetrates skin deep over a period of time, and changes our outlook towards life. We become more loving, caring, and sharing. It seems that Ranu could not take laughter yoga off her mind at any point of time.

We were more than pleasantly surprised when we received a cute video clip from her on world laughter day. It touched our hearts to the core. It was, undoubtedly, the sweetest greeting one could expect.

In the video, she is seen playing and laughing with her child, Kabeer, who might have been just a few months old then. She is prompting him to say, “very good very good yay!” and greet everyone across the world, “happy world laughter day!”

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© Jagat Singh Bisht

Founder: LifeSkills

LifeSkills

A Pathway to Authentic Happiness, Well-Being & A Fulfilling Life! We teach skills to lead a healthy, happy and meaningful life.

The Science of Happiness (Positive Psychology), Meditation, Yoga, Spirituality and Laughter Yoga. We conduct talks, seminars, workshops, retreats and training.

Please feel free to call/WhatsApp us at +917389938255 or email [email protected] if you wish to attend our program or would like to arrange one at your end.

≈ Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM ≈

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