ROZ EK SHER : Bashir Badr

[Manish Modi]

इल्मोअदब के सारे ख़ज़ाने गुज़र गये
क्या ख़ूब थे वो लोग पुराने गुज़र गये
बाक़ी है ज़मीं पे फ़क़्त आदमी की भीड़
इन्सां को मरे हुए तो ज़माने गुज़र गये
~ बशीर बद्र

علم و ادب کے سارے خزانے گزر گئے
کیا خوب تھے وہ لوگ پرانے گزر گئے
باقی ہے زمیں پہ فقط آدمی کی بھیڑ
انساں کو مرے ہوۓ تو زمانے گزر گئے
~ بشیر بدر

ilm-o-adab ke saare khazaane guzar gaye
kyat khuub the vo log puraane guzar gaye
baaqii hai zamiin pe faqt aadmii kii bhiid
insaan ko mare hue to zamaane guzar gaye
~ Bashir Badr

The treasures of education and courtesy have all been lost
The wonderful people of the past exist no more
Vast crowds of human beings live on this earth
But humanity itself died a long time ago


Reflection:
Education, courtesy, putting the needs of others before one's own
needs. All these old world virtues have disappeared. Instead, we have
a population of people driven mad by their thirst for sensual
gratification, their desire for more material wealth, and their need
to conform to the unrealistic standards set by their peers on social
media. Such people care nothing for humanity. It is all about instant
gratification.

Human frailties have existed since forever. But massive changes in
attitude have come about owing to the diminishing influence of parents
upon their children and the social media's scary grip on young minds.

So overpowering is the need to for instant gratification these days
that even spiritual masters and godmen offer instant nirvana as long
as their devotees make donations towards their corporate jets and
fancy lifestyles hobnobbing with the rich and famous.

Quiet self-effacing behaviour is out and exhibitionism is in.
Contemplation is out and narcissism is in. In the mad rush to upload a
million selfies each day, being considerate towards others and helping
them out is no longer deemed necessary.
_____

Urdu poetry by Bashir Badr
Courtesy Prateek Rajurkar
English translation by Manish Modi