Disclaimer: This is a poem written in 2005, when USA was hit by Katrina Hurricane and earthquakes in Sumatra, Pakistan. Nach Baliye and Laughter Challenge were new reality shows and Anara Gupta MMS scandal showed the ugly side of technology and its brazen abuse. So, some references may seem irrelevant while some which were prophetic then have become status-quo by now....

While we ring in the new year,

With all those near and dear.

Let us not forget the unfortunate victims,

Of mother earth's perennial global whims.

2005 was indeed the year of natural fury

And the 3rd world's continued penury.

With Tsunamis, hurricanes, quakes and floods,

Proud Administrations turned out to be duds.

Reality shows, MMS Scandals, ruled the roost.

Black and Page 3 gave new age cinema a boost.

Laughter Challenge provided jokes n gags galore.

And the audiences couldn't help asking for more.

Celebrity dance couples got cheered by one and all,

And all flocked towards the neighborhood mall.

Metros, cities, upcoming towns, none were excluded.

In the cultural fabric, new bold trends have got included.

While the world reels under a constant recession,

For the Indian economy, it is still a merry procession.

The Sensex scaled a new and fantastic height.

The Indian enterprise showed its new found might.

All said and done, we still have a long way to go.

To get the global charm India had many centuries ago.

To strike the balance between the new and old,

And the efforts will be worth their weight in gold.

Jai Hind,

Jeetu