Result declared
We thank you all for your participation in the #Yourvoice 4 contest. Appreciate your immense patience. Here is the result.
Our heartiest congratulations to all participants and a special congratulations to the 2 finalists! The finalists will be informed through email. Here we go…
- Ms Mousumi Biswas for A New Day
- Haquikat for Ek Nai Shurooaat
Our aim is to give writers a chance to reveal their thoughts, offer exposure for your creativity and provide you with the buzz of being a part of an anthology.
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This space is for your voice on topics that matter. Your chance to take part opens now. The story writing competition the topic for January-February’21 is ” New Beginning
All entries will be visible to thousands of visitors that will come to #Yourvoice. In addition, all your write-ups will get read and your voice heard by our esteemed judges.
The one chosen voice will receive an Amazon Voucher, two voices will be featured on Zorba Books social media pages and receive a certificate.
What can I write?
- A short story
- Poem
- The topic is New Beginnings.
- Maximum words, 300 minimum words 100.
- Type or paste the story or poem in the comments box below and press Post Comment.
- The last date for submission is 21st February’21.
- Our expert panel will review your post and select the best 3 creative writings.
- The selected 3 write-ups will receive a certificate, Amazon Voucher and be featured on Zorba social media pages.
- Three best entries will be informed through email.
What are the criteria for selection?
- Story or poem writing should not be less than 100 words or more than 300 words
- The creative writing piece should be related to the topic.
- The poem/story should be clearly expressed and interesting to read.
- In the story writing competition, Hindi or English language is accepted. No Hinglish accepted
- Unique storylines which also cover points 1-4 will be given preference in the story/poetry writing competition.
Where I share my story ?
Yesterday morning I saw clearly LIFE. I was wondering how to express my vision. I saw the sea and the sky and the vastness. And then in all this huge image were the waves in their continuous birthing and ending. All very distinct with distinct personalities and lines for a moment and then back into the vastness of the water.
Going on and on. All I wanted to do was to go in for a dip.
This is us in a microcosm. Distinct and separate but of no worth for we are destined in a short moment back into the vastness. Our egos and vanities like salt in the water.
Grow and let grow.
I hide nothing from my children and younger family members and from friends not at all.
I think parents make a great mistake by not taking their children into their confidence and not sharing about the world. They need to know about the ground realities – truthfully so they can plan ahead with accuracy.
What I have tried to make them see is that even with all the negativity in life, something beautiful can be made out of it. We should look for solutions and work at them for resolution.
I have taught my daughter to learn to live with it by tuning herself and taking care of certain defects in ourselves. etc etc I have never allowed personal animosity to sour my relationships though I am hurting inside and things could have been so more beautiful but well we do what we can and must do it.
They can see that I am saying whatever I wish to say to everybody. If it applies to anyone of them and it is not right then one needs to learn and do something about it.
Moreover I have peer review from you all so that it becomes easier for the children to accept the philosophy more easily, soulfully and open heartedly.
I have no private life to hide and try to give a distinct flavor of honesty, caring and tolerance. It has taken a whole life to arrive at this point
Right here Vedika, in the comments column.
Days in dungeon_
Craves my soul for air
To breathe of freedom
A life to live alive;
Yet a new beginning,
A new life to arise
Along with the rise
Of the next new dawn;
Craves my soul to adore
The lives uniting together.
The hues of vermilion lithe
Daring to touch the soul of sun
Brave sky pulling it up
To live a new life alive;
In light for the souls
That they never knew,
And the world turns around
For the life of mine and thine
Miracles happen on it’s own
Rest all we have to do is to
Live a new life all alive…
OPTIMISM, THE KEY TO SUCCESS
As the New year 2021 dawns
With the devil still lurking on
Don’t make empty resolutions
For that’s certainly not the solution.
Bigger challenges are there for sure
It’s not the time to sit back and endure
Look forward to the New year as a time to shine
And stay away from negativities that earlier made us whine.
The past year may have left you weary and worn
Be optimistic not sad and forlorn
Small steps it all it takes
To mend and redeem the past mistakes.
No matter how bad it was last year
Surge ahead without any fear
Show gratitude to all those who mattered
Let not bad memories and pain make you feel shattered.
Dance and sing your hearts out
For that will bring happiness profound
Stay connected with your friends and loved ones
Enjoy online films , books and family functions .
The dark tunnel will end in light
Bringing good cheer and smiles bright
The demon may be showing its might
With perseverance and resilience we will win the fight
MOUSUMI BISWAS
THE BEGINNING
The past year had been a challenging, and unprecedented one . The news of loss of lives and livelihoods was traumatic and unsettling. But , ‘Every cloud has a silver lining , which shows the glittering light to brighten up the future .’
This pandemic has highlighted indelible life lessons . It has given us the ability to move forward in life with all the lessons we have learnt from it . The pandemic has shown us the path of self reliance and self sufficiency in the time of adversities.
In the wake of the pandemic , we started rethinking and reinventing ourselves. This gave birth to many new opportunities. We brought about many new changes in our lives .We were forced to find alternative ways of working and learning. Though there were difficulties, there were also positive responses and stories of support, solidarity, charity and sharing.
The year 2020 gave us the opportunity to overcome our fears . The monster virus challenged us . So we found out ways to fight it . We learnt the value of hygiene, cleanliness, love ,care, empathy and love for nature after paying a heavy penalty for our past deeds .
Now is the new beginning .. We have realised that the only solution to tackle the deadly virus is to reboot our own thoughts and abilities . We need to put into use , the lessons we have learnt from Corona, to beat it in its own game.
MOUSUMI BISWAS
THE PROPOSAL
They had met at an inter college fest where they had represented their respective colleges in the debate competition. From the announcement Vincent came to know that Sally was a student of the host college..They were pitted against each other, he for the motion and she against it .. When Vincent saw Sally , he immediately knew that he had found his soul mate and someone with whom he wanted to spend his life with . He was blown over by her exemplary oratory skills and confidence .
They didn’t see each other for quite some time after their first meeting . But as fate would have, they bumped into each other one day at a coffee shop. Vincent went up to Sally and said ,” Your performance at the contest was far better than mine. You deserved the prize. Sally smiled and thanked him for the compliment.
Vincent wanted to spend some more time with her , but she excused herself saying she had to reach home early .
Their common likings and interests in books,films , travelling and love for animals strengthened their bond even after five years of their first meeting. They were both settled and well placed in their jobs . Sally was an English lecturer in the university and Vincent an executive in an MNC .
They didn’t meet often .But whenever they met ,Vincent would pamper her with lavish gifts, treats at plush restaurants or movies ..Sally would reprimand him for being extravagant. . Sometimes she even refused his gifts and offers politely . Vincent was more drawn towards her by her simplicity, loving and caring nature..
Vincent now decided to take his friendship with Sally to the next step .He wanted to marry her . But felt hesitant and unsure about how to proceed . So he decided to take the help of his family and friends . They were happy to know about the feelings Vincent and Sally had for each other and promised to help them unite .
On Christmas Eve , Sally and her family got up early to clean the house and make goodies for Christmas next day . As Sally was helping her mother decorating the Christmas tree and set up the table
for the Christmas special dinner.
” Sally please for God’s sake go and wear something beautiful. It’s Christmas Eve , some friends are coming over for dinner,” said her mother from the kitchen
Sally reluctantly went to her room to change . She wore the pink dress she wore a few months back on her cousin’s wedding . She had left her hair open and put on some light make up .
Sally was flabbergasted when she opened the door . It was Vincent and his family and friends . Sally’s friends also followed soon. Sally was taken aback. She had least expected them . Sally’s parents gave them a warm welcome.
Vincent sang Sally’s favourite song . She was taken in by surprise . She never knew this talent of Vincent at all . While singing, he slipped a ring into her finger and bent on his knees and proposed to her .
“Will you be mine forever?”
“Yes”, she said shyly . ” So all this was your plan ?
They cut the cake.
Written by
MOUSUMI BISWAS
Topic = एक नयी शुरुआत….
सुबह की एक नयी किरण
विचारो का एक नया बाज़ार
उम्मीदो की एक नयी लौ
उन्ही सपनो का एक नया आकार
आसमान छूती एक नयी प्रेरणा
तर्को का एक नया बवाल
जीवन का एक और पग
किरदार से अपने एक नया सवाल
योजनाओ के लिये अपनी एक नयी शाम
रचनाओ के लिये कुछ नये नाम
नये निश्चय नये इनाम
ब्रह्मान्ड की धड़कन की एक नयी छलान्ग
प्रयासो से निखरता एक नया रत्न
सम्पति के दरबार मे नया प्रयत्न
सत्यो को पकडने की एक नयी धुन
हर रोज़ कुछ सपने नये बुन
अन्ध्कार की गलियो मे जलते चिराग
हाथो मे निश्चय आंखों मे आग
एक नया ह्र्दय एक नयी मीत
जहा मे बिखरती सच्ची प्रीत
खोदी जाये सपनो की एक नयी नीव
जलाकर आत्मखोज के प्रज्वल्लित द्वीप
प्रश्नो की आग को बुझाते जतन
जीवन की तलाशो मे एक नया कदम
नये जुनून की नयी तरंग
आँखो से फ़िसलते जीवन के रंग
उददेश्य लक्ष्यॊ को आँखो मे ले
सफ़लता की राह पर कदम चले
ध्यान की धीमी ध्वनि तले
द्र्श्य वाच्य नये मिले
नये प्रयोग नये परिणाम
कल्पनाओ की एक नयी छलान्ग ।
स्वप्नो के तीर प्रय्त्नो की कमान
जीवन तुझको मेरा सलाम !!!!!
written by ‘haquikat “✍️
A NEW DAY
A fresh new day
Fresh new zeal
Fresh new thoughts
Look forward to a great day
And surge ahead
Wake up!
The sun is up
Its the beginning of a new day
New thinking
New hopes
New dreams
New aspirations
Take a deep breath
Have a silent prayer on your lips
Stetch yourself hard
Stretch ypur imaginations far
And get ready for a new day
MOUSUMI BISWAS
Here’s my work…
I don’t know if everyone has to be here,
A place from which you can escape to nowhere,
The days are all dark but you have to smile,
Cause you have to be the strength of others all this while,
When you can’t express your sadness truly,
But everything’s opposite to joyful and groovy,
You can surely grieve in solitude,
It’s allowed to cry in the lowest amplitude,
When people are around you, you gotta pretend you ate spicy stuff,
So that you could hide your tears in sniff and cough,
Even if there are people who could listen to you,
You don’t want to seem weak and all upto blue,
Cause there were such times before too,
When you wished aid to the sore you,
And they told you that you’re not alone honey!
But I didn’t get why I was still feeling lonely,
A few people surely care a lot I know,
But then they feel upset too though not to show,
I’m at a stage where I question every situation I’m in,
Every dream, every desire I’m having,
I feel like I have so much to say,
The things I have been feeling everyday,
And when someone asks me to speak,
I don’t know how my soul goes so meek,
I feel like not voicing the words I’ve been wanting to shout,
Cause you know, what if I’m not able to explain out loud?
But how strange this phase is, I want to share but also I don’t!
I want people to care bout me but also I don’t,
Cause you know, what if they got no solution other than words?
Words feel good for sometime but then idleness feels worse,
I wish to do absolutely nothing; feel nothing,
I just want to calm down something,
But what is that; my brain or my heart?
Do I want to change the end or the start?
Is this really the mess speaking out or it’s the useless stuff again?
Is this because of me or the people who caused me pain?
I think the circumstances are always at fault, yes indeed!
They like to see the weak struggling when they bleed,
But at least it should be known how and when this is gonna clear up normal,
Cause now I’m tired of acting brave and formal,
With smiles and laughter which are all fake,
As I always get betrayed in the give and take,
All I could do in the end is sit down and empty all my frustration,
Not on people but on the paper with the same sensation…
कहानी – “नई पहल”
✍️🌸😃
सायंकाल मैं पलंग पर बैठी थी,तभी राशि ने आवाज़ लगाई, ” दादी, मुझे ‘परिवार के महत्त्व’ पर अनुच्छेद लिखवा दो ना।”
“पहले ये बताओ कि परिवार का अर्थ तुम्हारी दृष्टि में क्या है?
राशि की सुंदर, सहज बातों को सुनकर मैं कहीं और खो रही थी।
आज उन दिनों की याद आ गई, जब मैं 7वीं कक्षा के बच्चों से चर्चा करते हुए और गृहकार्य में “परिवार के महत्त्व” पर अनुच्छेद लिखने को दिया।
अगले ही दिन बच्चे गृहकार्य पूरा कर लाए और मेरी मेज़ पर पहुँचा गए। एक कॉपी मेरे हाथ आई, जिसे पढ़ते ही मैं सुन्न रह गई। तत्काल ही रेणू को बुलवा कर अकेले में पूछी।
बालमन की पीड़ा को समझते हुए,मैंने एक नई शुरुआत कर रेणु को नित्य प्रेरित करने लगी। बच्चों का मन नन्हे पौधों की तरह होता है।
तभी अनुराधा बहू आई,शायद मेरी नम आँखें देख लीं और पूछा “क्या हुआ माँ ?” मैंने रेणू दास के विषय में बताया। अनुराधा भावुक हो पूछी, “रेणू कहाँ की रहने वाली थी?”
एक घंटे बाद अनुराधा ने आवाज़ लगाई, “मम्मी जी कोई आया है।”
तभी किसी ने मेरा पैर छूआ और कहा, “मैम , मैं रेणू! रेणू दास अनुराधा की सखी।”
मैं बिल्कुल स्तब्ध सी रह गई।
रेणू पूर्ण रूप से संतुष्ट व ख़ुश नज़र आ रही थी। उसने कहा, “मैम, आप घर आओ माँ से मिलवाऊँगी।” हम दोनों जीवन की नई शुरुआत कर आत्मनिर्भर हो गए हैं।
” हम दोनों ही एक-दूसरे के पूरक हैं।” रेणू ने आँसू छुपाते हुए कहा, “कोई नहीं मैम जो होता है अच्छे के लिए होता है। आपकी बातों से प्रेरित होकर हमने जीवन में नई शुरुआत की और मां, बच्चों के एन जी ओ में काम करने लगीं। ”
वाह! नए हौसले को सलाम रेणु बेटा कहकर हमने चाय की चुस्की लेते हुए, पुराने दिनों को अलविदा कहा।
—— अर्चना सिंह जया
My life was turning me around;
It was a whisteling sound.
It showed me the way to my inner desire;
For which, I had the innate fire.
I took the pen and began to write;
It was a new beginning, ideas did strike.
I wrote the story of a humble girl;
She could hardly unwind her hair’s curl.
She lived the life without much outside help;
She believed in the power of the Self.
Her ways were unique and Divine;
She was a bit whimsical and lived on cloud nine.
She got the motivation she needed;
To every precious advice, she heeded.
She had a different aura to which all could relate;
She had a fantasy world and magic she could create.
Her words had the power to impress;
She was a girl of guts who knew when to express.
She had small dreams and wanted to fulfill;
But time had the power to destroy and kill.
Suddenly, she was devoid of her wings;
She was caught in the iron rings.
Still she had a powerful will power and spirit;
Finaly, achieved her goals with grit.
It was a new beginning for me;
After that, I was bestowed upon by the blessings of Thee!
When will the results of this contest be announced