It was a spring day, magnolias breathing fragrance.
I came, my gown trailing fluttering butterflies,
Eyes soft as rippling autumn waters,
Graceful in every step,
A faint smile playing on my lips.
There thou stoodest beneath the magnolia tree—
Still the gentle, noble gentleman of yore,
Gazing at me, transfixed,
Lost in a trance,
Lost in a dream.
My beloved,
Dost thou recall our pact from that past life?
The sacred oath we swore beneath this very tree?
I stretch out my palm—
A crimson mole bears witness.
For this moment of reunion,
I have waited a thousand years.
Throughout these thousand years,
I wandered through a thousand mountains and rivers,
Until my face bloomed like a white magnolia—
Just to mirror, in the lake of thy heart,
That fleeting glance, that soft smile of yore.
A longing woven through three lifetimes,
At long last, no longer adrift.
This moment—
Is but a dream,
A sweet intoxication.
In dreams,
That thousand-year-long yearning
Turned into one beautiful encounter after another:
Meeting thee, beneath the magnolia tree.
That longing embroidered deep in my heart
Unfolded into an endless, tender rapture.
I wake at the dawn of spring,
As if thou wert right beside my pillow—
Thy scent within reach,
Thy warmth lingering in my palms,
Thy tenderness still imprinted on my brows.
My beloved,
Follow the path from our dreams,
Go find that magnolia tree.
Upon its blooms—lingers my fragrance,
Within its boughs—our hearts reflect each other.
When thou findest it,
I shall come.
Paradise on Earth – Shangri-La
By Lan Xin (China)
High-dimensional winds gently push open the gate of light above snow-capped peaks
Wooden houses, mirrored by starlight, sink softly into lake waves
Meadows stretch beyond clouds, reaching all the way to the Milky Way’s edge
Gramophones spin, as if carrying time along at a slow, gentle pace
Libraries hold atlases, their pages painted with rivers and mountains
Songs of all ethnic groups drift together across the vast cosmic galaxy
No gunsmoke sears the wings of doves
No strife tears apart the veins of our planet
All living things unfold, blooming into the shape of love—
Different faiths overlap here, weaving a single tapestry of peace
Different languages all speak of the longing for “harmonious coexistence”
Different skin tones gather here, merging into a single warmth
Different ethnic groups weave here, crafting a shared tranquility
Diverse cultures blend closely, like snow-capped mountains with all creation
If you ask, what color is an ideal world?
It is the cosmic light held together by all skin tones
It is the song of peace sung in the same heartbeat by all
It is a tender love letter from Shangri-La to the world
It is a pure paradise bathed in the glow of sun and moon
It is a paradise on Earth lifted by snow-capped peaks
It is a spiritual home that crosses mountains and seas
It is the mystical Eastern land written of by Western pens
It is a Utopian dream where humanity transcends dimensions
It is a beautiful model of boundless coexistence in the world
May the love of the universe flow across every mountain and river on Earth
May every corner of the world mirror the image of Shangri-La
May every face glow with the smile of earthly happiness
May every soul find the Shangri-La—within their hearts
Profile of Lan Xin (Lan Xin Samei)
Lan Xin (Lanxin Samei) is an internationally renowned Chinese-English bilingual writer and translator, the only female inheritor of UNESCO Memory of the World-listed Dongba Culture, Dean of Lanxin Samei Academy and Yulong Wenbi Dongba Culture Academy, and laureate of Premio Letterario Internazionale Francesco Giampietri.
Her works have been translated into English, French, German, Italian and other languages. Her original Lan Xin’s Wisdom Quotations has captivated over 100 million readers at home and abroad, delivering Chinese culture and philosophical wisdom to the world. Widely acclaimed by international media, she has been hailed as the “Ambassador of Universal Love”, “Cultural Envoy Between East and West”, “Epitome of Multicultural Integration” and “Guide for Contemporary Women”, standing as a paradigm for the global dissemination of Chinese culture.
I captured all marvelous moments this world can offer
Why this glittering fountain does not sustain forever?
The culprit is an inherent fear that is overwhelming
Reminds me after every enjoyment, “This is evanescent”
Soon dark clouds of gloom cover me blind me
I shall have to leave all whatever good I may have
Death will come sooner or later
Disconnect me cruelly from all achievements.
I find it unbecoming of a god incarnation or prophet
To die in diseases, murdered or drowned
After attaining trance and enlightenment,
They are unable to die with dignity
Choosing calm and peaceful departure from here
Hopelessly in the same way as the common people.
Advaita philosophy declares every human is free
Ignorance like ‘a lion cub in a flock of sheep’
We think ourselves different from the Self
Due to the dirt that blurs our vision,
In reality, we are parts that form Paramatma
No power can undo this truth.
The accomplishments of material life
Is like the pleasure of swallowing a sweet
There is no need to rush for these
If one wants name and fame
Nothing wrong in it
One must remain determined to go for extinction.
2
Soaked in love
It is so difficult to reach
To the bottom of her heart
Looks so deceptive
Angry face
Shouting to the top of voice
As though
Will swallow me
At that very moment.
Curtain falls
The next scene-
I Get up in the morning
Working on my desk
Writing poems is
My every day habit,
She comes to me silently
With a plateful of fresh fruits.
So beautiful a face she has
Crossed sixty-six years
Suddenly clouds cover
The eternal painter inserts defect,
Eager to remove the faults
She becomes pale
Nothing is working
I run from pillar to post.
Deep in her mind
She stores nectar
Outer layers camouflage
I cannot catch her,
When my love soaks
She appears to be as pearl
Garlands me with a necklace
Purely made out of her soul.
3
Reversal of a polluted river
Yamuna at Delhi
Is turned into
A sewage open
Drain full of froth
The river is vomiting
Like a bedridden patient
Infected by the
Human virus
Who dumps garbage
Organic wastes
Nobody dares
To touch its water.
A new government
Has come to power
After twenty-seven years
Of exile as the opposition
The river is being cleaned
Gigantic machines are at work
Day and night
On war footing
River cruises are plying
Passengers enjoy breeze onboard
The banks are beautified
Flowers are smiling in the gardens.
4
Heart melting
Love is floating in the air
Like bubbles filled with colors
Used in celebrating Holi in India
Rich or poor everybody enjoys it
Emotions run high between lovers
Young or old nobody is left behind.
An old man with grey hair and beard
Is sitting with some vegetables
By the side of a road
For some money to meet hunger
Love comes flying to him
In the form of a young police officer.
He tells him to give all those
Spinach, coriander leaves
For which the old man charges him
Only fifty rupees
The young man’s heart melts
Gives him three hundred fifty instead.
The old man who is hungry for food
But not at all for undue money
Refuses to take so much
The young officer calls himself his son
Requests him not to deprive of serving
Tears roll down the cheeks.
5
Gruesome government
I deposited my gratuity money in a bank
Retired life, interest from it was important
Suddenly the bank stopped all transactions
The virus of financial scandal engulfed it.
The government intervened to make payment
To ninety-five percent customers
Who were vote bank
I was left in the lurch.
My fault was I had a large sum of money there
It was blocked for many years without interest
Paying back a paltry amount in initial years thereafter
Keeping the large amounts for payment in final years.
I planned for a tour abroad
Paid the tour operator through the nose
Due to sudden sickness cancelled it
The government did not return GST I paid.
I published a book through a publisher
Paid them high cost of publication
Surprisingly the government charged huge GST
It was my first such book yet to earn royalty.
Sandip Saha won two awards from India, one from USA, was finalist in ‘Origami Poems Project ‘Best of Kindness Contest’, 2020 and Lengthy Poem Contest of Defenestrationism.net, April 2022, both USA, published six poetry collections, 177 poems in 59 journals in six countries- India, USA, UK, Australia, Romania and Mauritius.
Historical Monuments of Uzbekistan: Timeless Witnesses of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan, located at the heart of Central Asia, is one of the world’s oldest cultural crossroads. For centuries, it served as a key hub of the Great Silk Road, connecting East and West, North and South. As merchants, scholars, travelers, and conquerors passed through its territory, they left behind not only goods and ideas but also magnificent architectural monuments. Today, Uzbekistan is home to hundreds of historical sites that reflect the rich political, spiritual, and cultural history of the region. These monuments are not merely remnants of the past; they are living witnesses to the rise and fall of great civilizations and continue to shape the national identity of the Uzbek people.
Samarkand – The Pearl of the East
Among Uzbekistan’s historical cities, Samarkand holds a special place. Often referred to as “the Pearl of the East,” Samarkand is more than 2,700 years old and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city reached its golden age during the reign of Amir Timur (Tamerlane) in the 14th century, when it became the capital of a vast empire.
The most iconic monument of Samarkand is Registan Square, a grand ensemble of three madrasahs: Ulugh Beg Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, and Tilla-Kori Madrasah. These buildings demonstrate the pinnacle of Islamic architecture, with their majestic portals, intricate geometric patterns, and vibrant blue tilework. Registan was not only an architectural center but also a place of education, public gatherings, and intellectual exchange.
Another remarkable monument is the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, the final resting place of Amir Timur and his descendants. Its massive turquoise dome and elegant interior symbolize the power and ambition of the Timurid dynasty. The mausoleum later inspired the design of other famous structures, including the Taj Mahal in India.
Bukhara – A Living Museum
Bukhara is often described as an open-air museum, as it has preserved its historical layout and monuments remarkably well. With a history spanning over 2,500 years, Bukhara was once a major center of Islamic theology, science, and trade.
One of the most impressive landmarks in Bukhara is the Poi-Kalyan Complex, which includes the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, and Mir-i-Arab Madrasah. The Kalyan Minaret, standing nearly 47 meters tall, was built in the 12th century and has survived numerous invasions and earthquakes. Legend says that even Genghis Khan was so impressed by its beauty that he ordered it not to be destroyed.
Another significant site is the Ark Fortress, an ancient citadel that served as the residence of Bukhara’s rulers for centuries. Within its walls, political decisions were made, cultural life flourished, and the fate of the emirate was determined. Walking through the Ark today allows visitors to imagine the daily life of medieval rulers and scholars.
Khiva – A City Frozen in Time
Khiva, located in the Khorezm region, is one of the best-preserved historical cities in Central Asia. Its inner city, Ichan-Kala, is surrounded by massive clay walls and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike many ancient cities, Khiva’s historical center remains almost entirely intact.
Among Khiva’s architectural masterpieces is the Kalta Minor Minaret, famous for its unfinished yet striking appearance, covered in blue and green tiles. The Juma Mosque, with its 218 carved wooden columns, reflects ancient construction traditions and artistic craftsmanship. Each column has a unique design, some dating back to the 10th century. Khiva’s monuments reflect the cultural identity of Khorezm, a region that made significant contributions to science, mathematics, and astronomy.
Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Amir Timur, is another important historical city in Uzbekistan.
The Dorus-Saodat and Dorus-Tilovat complexes in Shakhrisabz include mausoleums and mosques associated with Timur’s family and spiritual mentors. These monuments highlight the deep connection between political authority and religious life in medieval Central Asia.
While Uzbekistan is widely known for its Islamic monuments, its territory also preserves traces of pre-Islamic civilizations. The city of Termez, located in the south of the country, was once an important center of Buddhism along the Silk Road. Archaeological sites such as Fayaz-Tepa and Kara-Tepa contain remains of Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and sculptures dating back to the Kushan period. These monuments prove that Uzbekistan has long been a land of religious tolerance and cultural diversity. They enrich the historical narrative of the country and demonstrate its role in global civilization.
Since gaining independence, Uzbekistan has placed great emphasis on preserving and restoring its historical monuments. Large-scale restoration projects have been carried out, and many sites have been adapted for cultural tourism. At the same time, efforts are being made to balance modernization with historical authenticity. Historical monuments today play a vital role in educating young generations, strengthening national pride, and promoting Uzbekistan on the international stage. They attract millions of tourists each year and contribute to economic development through cultural tourism. The historical monuments of Uzbekistan are far more than architectural achievements; they are symbols of human creativity, knowledge, and resilience.
From the grand squares of Samarkand to the quiet streets of Khiva, each monument tells a story of a civilization that once flourished and continues to inspire the modern world. Preserving these treasures is not only a national responsibility but also a contribution to global cultural heritage. Uzbekistan, with its timeless monuments, stands as a bridge between the past and the future, inviting humanity to learn from history and value cultural diversity.
