Dil dhoondta hai phir wohi fursat ke raat din…

baithe rahe tasavvur-e-jaanaan kiye hue

A small bit of news:

I will be on a hiatus starting a little after midnight June1-2 IST. I like the word ‘hiatus’. I am sure some of you like it too, for different reasons!

To get serious: This means that I will not be handling the editorial work. Despite the magnanimity and trust reposed in me by Chowk Staff, I have asked for all administrative access to be removed as well. So, I won’t be looking at articles before they are published or those that are not, or notes to the editor saying, “This is urgent” two months after the event is over, or Feedback letters saying, “X is violating my right to be a nuisance” (oh well, you get the drift).

I will not be filtering out/deleting posts (I was never in a position to ban people, anyway – that has to be done manually at the server site), and a lot of things that were visible to my very naked eyes will now not be seen by me – I shall not reveal those.

I will not be using the editors@chowk.com address, even though I accepted only mail from my ‘safe list’.

I do not regret any decision I have taken. Yes, the timing is unfortunate for it is now only a matter of time when Chowk’s website will be poised for a technical improvement, but some things have to be done and take the course they were meant to. (Those who have received emails know what I am talking about.)

I have been completely hands-on regarding editorial matters and most administrative decisions, that affected content and the dignity of writers and interactors, were taken together with Chowk publishers. This symbiosis has made us discover who is who and what.

It is gratifying to see many new voices – some straight from Kashmir and Balochistan, and viewpoints that traverse the spectrum of varied ideas.

I recall once being asked, “How can you give deadlines and briefs when Chowk does not pay anything?” To the seasoned columnists and regular active writers here, thank you for answering this query with your contributions and support.

And to the silent majority who know that a civilised cyber world is so important, I am just so glad that we could get started on the process of pushing the guidelines and sometimes the envelope.

Best wishes across the board to everyone. Follow your heart and you will always find what you seek…

jaadoun ki narm dhoop aur aangan mein leit kar
aankoun pe kheenchkar tere aanchal ke saaye ko
aundhe pade rahe kabhi karavat liye hue
dil dhoondta hai phir wohi fursat ke raat din

ya garamiyon ki raat jo purvaiyaan chalein
thandi safed chaadaroun pe jaagein der tak
taaroun ko dekhate rahein chhat par pade hue
dil dhoondta hai phir wohi fursat ke raat din

barfilee sardiyoun mein kisi bhi pahaad par
vaadee mein goonjtee hui khaamoshiyaan sune
aankhoun mein bheege bheege se lamhe liye hue
dil dhoondta hai phir wohi fursat ke raat din