jhuTi taraqqi

ye shafaq-fām zard-rū afrād

sālahā saal se asīr-e-hayāt

zinda rahne kī kuchh ḳhushī hai inheñ

na hī marne kā kuchh zarā bhī malāl

ye vo jāñ-dār haiñ ki jin ke liye

lafz-e-āsūdgī bahisht-e-ḳhayāl

kitne bosīda ḳhāl-o-ḳhad in ke

jism bas haDDiyoñ kā Dhāñcha hai

ruuh virse meñ jo milī in ko

ek nā-mo'tabar asāsa hai

kyā kiyā ham ne itnī sadiyoñ meñ

kyaa? taraqqī! jo ek dhoka hai

ek muflis ġharīb bechāra

kal bhī bhūkā thā ab bhī bhūkā hai

log ab bhī guzishta kī mānind

dafn haiñ apnī ḳhvāhishoñ ke tale

ye taraqqī hai ek kizb-e-mahaz

itnī sadiyoñ meñ ham nahīñ badle

ye shafaq-fam zard-ru afrad

salaha sal se asir-e-hayat

zinda rahne ki kuchh KHushi hai inhen

na hi marne ka kuchh zara bhi malal

ye wo jaan-dar hain ki jin ke liye

lafz-e-asudgi bahisht-e-KHayal

kitne bosida KHal-o-KHad in ke

jism bas haDDiyon ka Dhancha hai

ruh wirse mein jo mili in ko

ek na-mo'tabar asasa hai

kya kiya hum ne itni sadiyon mein

kya? taraqqi! jo ek dhoka hai

ek muflis gharib bechaara

kal bhi bhuka tha ab bhi bhuka hai

log ab bhi guzishta ki manind

dafn hain apni KHwahishon ke tale

ye taraqqi hai ek kizb-e-mahaz

itni sadiyon mein hum nahin badle