Juxtaposition: A Painful Contrast of Lebanon's Past and Present

It was October 2012 when, while reading something, I came across the word 'Juxtaposition' and began searching deeply to understand its true meaning. During that search, I first encountered an architectural photograph where a towering, modern high-rise building stood right alongside an old, classical structure and a barren, twisted tree. It was an interesting visual clash of the old and the new, of concrete development and nature's starkness.

A Clash of Eras The stark juxtaposition of modern architecture rising beside classical heritage and a barren tree

 But as I dug deeper, I came across a much more thought-provoking photograph of Lebanon captured by photojournalist Steve McCurry, which showed a group of children playing on a tank. This image was a profoundly powerful and poignant example of the word, where a cruel instrument of war and the innocence of childhood were placed side-by-side, bringing the stark contrast of life there before the world. Back in 1982, Lebanon was torn apart by a devastating civil war and foreign military intervention, a time when even children’s playgrounds were not untouched by the shadows of conflict. 

Where playgrounds were made of steel Remembering Lebanon's past as history echoes into the present

Years later today, as I look at the situation in Lebanon once again, another profound juxtaposition of history and the present stands before us. Today's Lebanon is not only forced to survive through one of the worst economic and political crises in its history, but the old military confrontation and tension between Israel and Lebanon has also peaked once more. Looking at the ongoing airstrikes and shelling along the border, it feels as though a dark chapter of history is repeating itself. While the people of Lebanon in 1982 faced a crisis of immediate physical safety from bullets, today they bear the double blow of internal collapse and external warfare. The same contradiction of innocence and gunpowder that was captured in McCurry’s old photograph remains a part of children's lives there today, proving that even after decades, some wounds and life's painful juxtavons remain completely unresolved.

xoxo

Pages from an old diary, a changing world, and a thought that touched my heart...

Introduction:

 I have always had a deep passion for reading and writing. About 20 years ago, while reading, I noted down some fascinating information in my diary regarding the classification of the world, along with a map. Today, as I turned those old pages, I felt this piece of history should be shared with the younger generation so we can realize how much our world has transformed.

From the Pages of My Diary (A 20-Year-Old Note)

During the Cold War era, the 'Three-World Model' was widely used to understand global geopolitics. According to this model, the world was divided into four segments:

1. First World: Democratic and industrialized capitalist countries aligned with the United States (e.g., North America, Western Europe, Japan, and Australia).

2. Second World: The Eastern bloc of communist-socialist states under the influence of the Soviet Union (USSR) (e.g., Russia, China, and Eastern Europe).

3. Third World: The remaining countries that were non-aligned with either bloc and were developing (e.g., nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America).

4. Fourth World: A term coined in the 1970s to refer to 'First Nations'—the indigenous peoples and cultural entities living within or across national state boundaries.

(The map below illustrates this historical model)

third_world_map

The Current Scenario: What Has Changed?

Over time, global politics and economics have shifted entirely. In today's era, this older model has become outdated and obsolete. The current reality reflects a different picture:

• The End of the 'Second World': With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the 'Second World' ceased to exist ideologically. Today, countries like China and Russia wield their own distinct economic and strategic influence.

• From 'Third World' to 'Global South': The term 'Third World' is no longer used for developing nations as it is now perceived as somewhat derogatory. Instead, the term 'Global South' is used. Emerging economies like India have now become the strongest voice of the Global South.

• A Multipolar World: Today's world is no longer dictated by just one or two superpowers. Power is distributed across multiple centers—including India, the United States, China, the European Union, and Russia.

A Thought That Touched My Heart

That old note and map from my diary have now become beautiful historical documents. Preserving history is essential so we can see how far the world has progressed. Yet, amidst this so-called progress, looking at today's news—whether it is the ongoing conflicts and tensions involving the US, Israel, or Iran—fills the heart with sorrow.

Just yesterday, my niece (who is a physiotherapist at a civil hospital, whom I raised and educated with immense love, care, and dedication) made a brief but profoundly deep observation about global affairs. She said: "How foolish they are, still fighting wars in this day and age!"

Her words touched my heart deeply and struck me as incredibly true. At a time when humanity is reaching for the moon and stars, fighting wars over patches of land and dominance while costing innocent lives is nothing short of madness. Today's world does not need mighty superpowers or missiles; it simply needs this humane and sensitive perspective.

xoxo

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Chunautiyon ka Chintan (Hamara Ghar, Hamari Zimmedari

I came across this book online—"Chunautiyon ka Chintan (Hamara Ghar, Hamari Zimmedari,from Arya Samaj blog)"—which I had saved quite some time ago. I read a few of its chapters here; I am sharing images of the chapter titled "Hamari Santan Kaisi Ho" (What Should Our Children Be Like), and a brief summary of it is provided below.

In today's fast-paced, materialistic world, we often find ourselves measuring success by our bank balances, investments, real estate, or gold. But if we pause and truly think, what is our most precious asset? If a crisis were to hit, what would we choose to save first? The answer, without a doubt, is always our children. Yet, while we closely monitor stock market trends and property rates, we often fail to notice where our children are heading, what they are learning, and what is occupying their minds. Our priorities have shifted alongside our changing definitions of wealth, and we are facing the consequences right before our eyes.

The biggest challenge capturing our children's minds today is the unchecked addiction to smartphones and the internet. What started as a tool for online classes during the pandemic has now turned into a dangerous dependency. Parents often hand over phones to quiet a crying child, unaware that they are pushing them into a virtual world. This screen time diminishes their intellectual capacity and traps them in an artificial reality. When left alone with a screen, children become isolated, vulnerable to inappropriate content, and prone to extreme mood swings or violent behavior. We frequently read tragic news stories of youth committing horrific acts out of rage simply because a device was taken away. The digital screen has silently emerged as a dangerous third mentor, overriding the influence of both home and school.

We must remember that parents are a child's very first guides. Children rarely do what we tell them to do; they do what they see us doing. If a mother reads a book, her child will naturally imitate that curiosity. But if we, as guardians, spend our evenings glued to screens, we cannot expect our children to do any different. To reclaim our families, we need a conscious shift in our daily habits. We must establish a routine where the entire family sits together for at least one meal a day completely free of phones. During travels, instead of retreating into separate digital worlds, we should use the time to talk, share old family stories, play word games, and truly bond.

The solution lies in filling their world with better alternatives. Let us replace screen time with the warmth of good literature. Cultivate a habit of buying meaningful books for children and gifting them on special occasions like birthdays. Encourage open conversations at home about history, values, and community events, giving them the space to speak their minds. We invest so much of our life's energy into earning and securing financial wealth. If we could dedicate just a fraction of that effort to nurturing our children with the right values, presence, and guidance, we would be securing our true wealth. After all, our families shape our society, and our society shapes the nation. Protecting this real wealth is our greatest responsibility. XOXO

c o n v e r s a t i o n s: Why cook stoves are changing rural women’s lives

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'आजकल' पत्रिका में बेटी विपिन चौधरी का आलेख: हिन्दी कहानी का वर्तमान

साहित्य और संस्कृति की प्रतिष्ठित मासिक पत्रिका 'आजकल' के जून 2026 के अंक को देखना मेरे लिए अत्यंत गर्व और प्रसन्नता का क्षण है। इस विशेष अंक में मेरी बेटी विपिन चौधरी का एक बेहद महत्वपूर्ण और वैचारिक आलेख प्रकाशित हुआ है।

विपिन ने "हिन्दी कहानी के वर्तमान" विषय पर केंद्रित इस आलेख में विभिन्न पीढ़ियों के प्रतिष्ठित कथाकारों से बातचीत की है। इस संवाद में पंकज बिष्ट, ज्ञानप्रकाश विवेक, महेश दर्पण, योगेन्द्र आहूजा और अलका सरावगी जैसे दिग्गज साहित्यकारों ने समकालीन कहानी के बदलते सामाजिक यथार्थ, शिल्प और आज के दौर की चुनौतियों पर अपने गंभीर विचार साझा किए हैं। आप सभी सुधी पाठकों से अनुरोध है कि इस विषय पर अपने विचार जरूर साझा करें। आज के दौर में बदलती हिन्दी कहानी के इस स्वरूप को आप किस तरह देखते हैं। आलेख को पढ़कर अपनी बहुमूल्य प्रतिक्रिया नीचे कमेंट बॉक्स में जरूर दें। आपके विचारों का स्वागत रहेगा। XOXO

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वेलेंटाइन डे पर क्रोशिये से हार्ट का एप्लिक (Applique) बनाकर अपने वेलेंटाइन की पॉकेट पर या पेन स्टैंड पर टांक दें। फिर देखिए कि वे इसे पाकर कितने खुश होते हैं। मैंने यह पैटर्न बहुत पहले बनाया था। हालाँकि, अब मेरे पास वह क्रोशिये से बना सुंदर हार्ट नहीं है जो मैंने तब बनाया था (शायद मैंने उसे किसी खास को तोहफ़े में दे दिया हो!), लेकिन मैं आप सभी के साथ इसका आसान और साफ़ पैटर्न शेयर कर रही हूँ ताकि आप इस वैलेंटाइन डे पर इसे अपने पार्टनर के लिए बना सकें।" इस हार्ट को नीचे विवरण के साथ-साथ बहुत ही आसान स्टेप्स में समझाया गया है।आप आसानी से इन्हें पढ़ कर बना सकती हैं. आवश्यक सामग्री: मनपसंद रंग की ऊन या धागा ऊन के साइज के अनुसार क्रोशिया हुक सिलने या टांकने के लिए सुई बनाने का तरीका: पहला चक्कर: सबसे पहले एक मैजिक सर्कल बनाएं। पहली रो शुरू करने के लिए 2 चेन बनाएं। सर्कल के अंदर 2 ट्रेबल क्रोशिया और बनाएं। आगे 3 चेन बनाएं। अब 5 ट्रेबल क्रोशिया बनाएं। फिर से 3 चेन बनाएं। दोबारा 5 ट्रेबल क्रोशिया बनाएं। फिर 3 चेन बनाएं। अंत में 2 ट्रेबल क्रोशिया बनाएं। अब इसे स्लिप स्टिच से जोड़कर राउंड को पूरा करें।

दूसरा चक्कर: 1 सिंगल क्रोशिया बनाएं। 1 हाफ डबल क्रोशिया बनाएं। आगे 11 ट्रेबल क्रोशिया बनाएं। फिर 6 हाफ डबल क्रोशिया बनाएं। बीच में 1 चेन बनाएं। दोबारा 6 हाफ डबल क्रोशिया बनाएं। अब 11 ट्रेबल क्रोशिया बनाएं। फिर 1 हाफ डबल क्रोशिया बनाएं। अंत में 1 सिंगल क्रोशिया बनाएं। काम को बंद करने के लिए स्लिप स्टिच बनाएं और धागा पक्का करके काट लें। आपका सुंदर और प्यारा क्रोशिया हार्ट तैयार है। अब इसे अपनी मनचाही जगह पर टांकें और अपनों के चेहरे पर मुस्कान लाएं।