Let me take you by the hand        

On a virtual journey

Of my exquisite, magical land

With the lofty mountains

Forming its sublime coronet

And the  mighty, turquoise ocean

Washing its feet in reverence

My motherland stands,

On the worldly arena

Her head held high in pride

And on her lips a welcome smile

On winding trails that pass

Through swaying golden crops

That dance in the fragrant, coy breeze

Where pearls of sparkling dew

Shines on green satin

On plains and hillsides,

In the virgin golden morn;

Where rivers of rainbows float

In the dancing draught,

On lithe forms of shy maidens:

Swaying on rope-swings ,dangling

On boughs in the monsoon shower,

And singing melodies of love

Where appetizing aromas float

From every kitchen;

Where every on threshold-

Intricate patterns of colors

And strewn with scented petals

Welcome the dawn

With holy bells chiming in the air

And garlands of marigold dangle

From the pelmets of doors

The golden sands blaze

In one hand-with mirages of deceit

In the arid heated air;

Of this proud damsel

And in the other palm,

She holds cascades of rejuvenating rain:

Born from cotton puffs of clouds

And canopied by Iris’ bows

Storms of variegated hues

Paint the drab world

As Holi comes to herald the spring,

Wiping all enmity from the worldly slate;

Where the streams of lamps,

In the festival of lights

Assist the distant stars

To brighten the ebon night;

Where the music of flutes floats

Echoing from the lips of simple cowherds;

This is the vale of tradition

Where languages are diverse,

And religions are many;

Where mortals are infinite,

Yet the different words convey

The same meaning

The different religions preach

The same doctrines

And where a zillion heart

Palpitate in the same rhythm

That of love, compassion, humanity…