Today as we celebrate our 67th Independence Day, I could not resist recollecting a poem by Shiv Mangal Singh Suman. On this occasion let me attempt a translation of this inspiring poem…
(The poem in Hindi can be found here)
Forget not the path O Traveler
There will be thrones on the way
And so will be forests, rivers, streams
And mountains and gardens green
But in this mirage of beauty and charm
Forget not the path O Traveler
When on this stern treacherous way
The pedestrian would be desperate
When dreams are all wiped off
And the only way is to move ahead
Then depressed by your first failure
Forget not the path O Traveler
When even your dear ones turn back
And appear to to be strangers
And dark monstrous clouds of dejection
Surround you at each step
Then in this solitary phase of journey
Forget not the path O Traveler
On hearing the loud war cry
When soldiers would be marching ahead
When a few hearts would melt
And tears would urge you not to go
In this battle of love and duty
Forget not the path O Traveler
When a few heads are all that’s required
To complete the glorious garland of victory
When your mother cries out for sacrifice
For the never-ending flame of freedom
Not for a moment you do hesitate
Forget not the path O Traveler!
O my supreme mother! I am a traveler who wishes to lead you through the glorious path. Please bless my so that I never forget my path!
Happy Independence day to all! Let us all work together to make our motherland the land of our dreams…
August 15, 2013 at 1:31 pm
This is such a lovely poem ! you gave it beauty in English ! I tried to read the Hindi version too but you know it was in Hindi so I couldn’t read it 😛 😛 And Happy Independence Day ! May we all live in peace forever 🙂 Love xx
August 15, 2013 at 1:41 pm
Oh Great! First of all congrats! The comment was not spammed. 🙂
Thank you for the wishes…
Tujhe Hindi wala version padhna hai to bol…angreji mein hindi likh deta hoon! 🙂
August 15, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Yaar it appeared on your post but still not appearing on others 😦
You Welcome ! 😉
Oh kahan itni mehnat keray ga english wala version b fit hai 😉 Matlab tu samaj gae na me Ab ye mehnat aik aur poem likhnay me laga de 😛 😉
August 17, 2013 at 8:26 am
Funny thing, I read this poem last night as well 🙂 What an amazing coincidence 🙂
Really good poem I must admit!
August 17, 2013 at 10:00 am
Pehle ‘khooni hastaakshar’ dene ki soch raha tha… phir socha bahut badi ho jayegi 🙂 😉
Thanks for the appreciation…
August 18, 2013 at 7:41 am
This is beautiful too 🙂
August 18, 2013 at 8:25 am
Thank you!
August 18, 2013 at 8:30 am
You’re welcome 🙂
September 1, 2013 at 12:46 pm
amazing poem Arindam, thanks for sharing, I have not read the original I guess but you portrayed a lovely spirit.
September 1, 2013 at 1:02 pm
Thanks! You should read the original… The emotions and flow of the original poem cannot be matched by the translation