When the recently laid road in front of my house was washed away in the very first week of monsoon, it was neither the worst moment of science nor was it the failure of PWD department. It was simply the reiteration of the fact that nothing is permanent, and I personally accepted it as my misfortune and steered my bike though the potholes. “What can I do?” I asked thousands of time I moved on that road and my friends said, “Chalta hai” whenever I discussed this with them.
We read in private schools, because govt teachers don’t bother to attend schools. We would say,”yaha kaa yahi system hai.” There is no electricity and we would happily buy inverters or generators. There is no transport system and we would proudly own car. “Privatization kaa jamaana hai bhai” said the local chaiwaala whenever he saw long line of cars caught on road, in traffic.
This is the way we behave and that’s why we deserve such governments which are high on promises and low in delivery. We are bunch of selfish people who think of society and nation when some personal interest is involved. And what am I? Worse...wrote this piece thinking, “main kya kar sakta hoon”
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
It's Better to Tell than Take Along - A Short Story
She was lying on my bed, reading the note book which I had, lazily, left on table. Her bag was put on floor, makeup box on my study table and her wet clothes were hanging in balcony. This is how I meet her for the first time. Furious…….I just banged on the door and shouted, “Excuse me, who told you to enter this room?”
She pulled the notebook down and I was looking at the most beautiful eyes of the world. Innocent, childish, soft, she mumbled, “Hmmm…actually…actually...Aunty” and by that time mom entered the room.
“I asked her to take this room. She is your maamiji’s distant cousin and lives in US. She is on a vacation and wanted to witness an Indian marriage, so we invited her. She will be here for some days and then you would have your room back” said Mummy and took her along.
She turned and gave an apologetic smile and I raised my eyebrow. I, then, secured my notebook, took some clothes and moved into the adjacent room.
I was on a week leave for my elder sister’s marriage, and had planned to spend it resting my room which has been my territory ever since childhood. A week of complete rest, even if it combines with your sister marriage, is justified for a person who has returned from the border after 1.5 years. Yes….I am an army officer posted in north eastern part of India.
My plan for rest war already gone; but now I was losing something else in me. The more I saw her, moving in company of cousins, talking with aunts, or just reading something sitting on sofa, I felt some unknown excitement, uncontrollable attraction towards her. But so far, even after two days, I didn’t get chance to talk to her.
“Tea, Saabji” I heard these simple words thousands of time from my subordinates every morning, but this was different. I opened my eye and saw her having tray in her hand. She kept the tea on side table and turned back to leave the room, saying “I am not safe if our army men sleep so long and so deep”. She was gone before I could say anything. This was for the first time, she talked to me directly and it made my day.
Next day we went to groom’s place for function. She was to come in my car. She insisted on driving and I kept making fun of her driving, even on the slightest of her mistakes. Sometimes she ignored, sometimes gave an eye and at times frowned at me. Luckily we had the conversation started between us.
For next couple of days I took her to famous places in our town, organized a dinner for her and presented the hand crafted dolls made in our town. She was enjoying and I felt closer. Once she casually asked, “when are you getting married?” and I could not muster the courage to ask her. I didn’t reply.
Finally after a week she left and I joined my post back. We kept in touch through mails and occasional calls. Mom kept on insisting for my marriage and I finally decided to ask her. But I was not sure about her feelings. She was just friendly, is it me who was exaggerating it as love? She was happy with me, or was happy in the new surrounding and warmth of India? She was keeping in touch, or would she not obviously reply to friends? I was torn between two extreme ends of thought. I asked my inner self, but it eluded me of answer.
Today I muster the courage to ask you, Mehek. Yes, the girl mentioned in this letter none but you. I have a liking for you from the day we meet, but I never had the courage to ask you. This letter when reaches you, I expect a reply. An answer need not be affirmative; needless to say I will respect your decision. I am trained enough to get bullets, negative answer will not kill me. But of course, life would be simple and uncomplicated if spent with someone I really want to.
Take your time and do reply, “Will you like to spend the remaining of your life in army colonies, with a man who in our first meeting wanted you to go out of his room. The same person would like you to rule his home. Will you marry me?
Awaiting you reply....
-Mayank.
Mehek put the letter in her purse, keeping the notebook back into the black army box which was sent to the family by Army after Mayank had sacrificed his life in an ambush with ultras. Family was shattered, but Mehek was calm. Calmness of morning dawn which is beautiful in itself but still misses the radiance of sun. She went to Mayank’s room, lying on his bed, and started reading the letter, which was never posted, again.
She pulled the notebook down and I was looking at the most beautiful eyes of the world. Innocent, childish, soft, she mumbled, “Hmmm…actually…actually...Aunty” and by that time mom entered the room.
“I asked her to take this room. She is your maamiji’s distant cousin and lives in US. She is on a vacation and wanted to witness an Indian marriage, so we invited her. She will be here for some days and then you would have your room back” said Mummy and took her along.
She turned and gave an apologetic smile and I raised my eyebrow. I, then, secured my notebook, took some clothes and moved into the adjacent room.
I was on a week leave for my elder sister’s marriage, and had planned to spend it resting my room which has been my territory ever since childhood. A week of complete rest, even if it combines with your sister marriage, is justified for a person who has returned from the border after 1.5 years. Yes….I am an army officer posted in north eastern part of India.
My plan for rest war already gone; but now I was losing something else in me. The more I saw her, moving in company of cousins, talking with aunts, or just reading something sitting on sofa, I felt some unknown excitement, uncontrollable attraction towards her. But so far, even after two days, I didn’t get chance to talk to her.
“Tea, Saabji” I heard these simple words thousands of time from my subordinates every morning, but this was different. I opened my eye and saw her having tray in her hand. She kept the tea on side table and turned back to leave the room, saying “I am not safe if our army men sleep so long and so deep”. She was gone before I could say anything. This was for the first time, she talked to me directly and it made my day.
Next day we went to groom’s place for function. She was to come in my car. She insisted on driving and I kept making fun of her driving, even on the slightest of her mistakes. Sometimes she ignored, sometimes gave an eye and at times frowned at me. Luckily we had the conversation started between us.
For next couple of days I took her to famous places in our town, organized a dinner for her and presented the hand crafted dolls made in our town. She was enjoying and I felt closer. Once she casually asked, “when are you getting married?” and I could not muster the courage to ask her. I didn’t reply.
Finally after a week she left and I joined my post back. We kept in touch through mails and occasional calls. Mom kept on insisting for my marriage and I finally decided to ask her. But I was not sure about her feelings. She was just friendly, is it me who was exaggerating it as love? She was happy with me, or was happy in the new surrounding and warmth of India? She was keeping in touch, or would she not obviously reply to friends? I was torn between two extreme ends of thought. I asked my inner self, but it eluded me of answer.
Today I muster the courage to ask you, Mehek. Yes, the girl mentioned in this letter none but you. I have a liking for you from the day we meet, but I never had the courage to ask you. This letter when reaches you, I expect a reply. An answer need not be affirmative; needless to say I will respect your decision. I am trained enough to get bullets, negative answer will not kill me. But of course, life would be simple and uncomplicated if spent with someone I really want to.
Take your time and do reply, “Will you like to spend the remaining of your life in army colonies, with a man who in our first meeting wanted you to go out of his room. The same person would like you to rule his home. Will you marry me?
Awaiting you reply....
-Mayank.
Mehek put the letter in her purse, keeping the notebook back into the black army box which was sent to the family by Army after Mayank had sacrificed his life in an ambush with ultras. Family was shattered, but Mehek was calm. Calmness of morning dawn which is beautiful in itself but still misses the radiance of sun. She went to Mayank’s room, lying on his bed, and started reading the letter, which was never posted, again.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
A Perennial Outsider: Bihar
An interview. A complicated, well educated and politically inclined professor asks me, “Ok...so you belong to Bihar. Tell me what special this Nitish Kumar is doing that makes him a darling of media and Bihar a story worth mention in newspaper and magazine”. Hmmm......blah blah....I spoke looking in his eyes. The same professor now looked historically ignorant to me. But what is his fault; same is the majority of India. Bihar is always a story of failure, I agree, but it should never be a story of pity. Those who do so should pity on themselves for their lack of knowledge.
Bihar, originally called Vihar-as Buddhist monk used to do vihar in this sacred land, had Nalanda University and Vikramshila University when the whole India was living in Dark Age. It was a land of knowledge which had its wings spread into many countries and other nationals used came here for education till a monstrous Muslim invader burnt them to ashes. It is said library of Nalanda University was so big that it kept on burning for six months.
Aryabhatt (Mathematician India is proud of and who gave ‘0’-‘Zero’ to the world), Panini (Sanskrit Scholar), Chanakya( Greatest Politician) and Vatsayana (writer of Kamasutra) are believed to be born in Bihar, so they were a Bihari.
Chantragupta Maurya and the great Ashok were the greatest rulers of India. It is said Maurya kingdom spread way ahead of Afghanistan and that was the best period of India. Magadh kingdom king Jarasandh attacked Krishna 17 times and forced him to shift his capital to Dwarka in the middle of sea. King Mahabali is known of his valour and strength.
Bihar which is currently know as a lawless state, is interestingly the place where two of the most peaceful religions were born. Buddha was enlightened in Bodhgaya and Vaishali was the first republic of world where Bhagwaan Mahavir started Jainnism.
Gandhiji started his first movement in India from Champaran against British called Champaran Satyagrah.
Enough of Bihar bhakti for now. So where did it go wrong for Bihar to take it to the quagmire it today exists in. I attribute it to two time frames: one during Indira Gandhi regime at centre and other to Lalu Yadav rule in the state. Bihar was moving with same pace as other states post independence, till Indira Gandhi came to rule India in 70s. She ruled India one dimensionally and most of chief ministers of India bowed in front of her. Bihar refused and became a centre of socialist movement under the leadership of JP, Karpoori Thakur and Babu Jagjivan Ram etc. Then, she forced emergency and Bihar became the focal point of anti-indira agitation. Sampoorn Kranti movement started by Jayaprakash Narayan(JP) took him to the forefront of movement and made Bihar a perennial rebel. It acquired an anti-establishment image and was subsequently kept out of centre’s plans and development strategies. As Bihar started moving backwards, people become unemployed and it landed into a deep hole where venomous snake of cast system bite it hard. It moved deeper into corruption, illiteracy and poverty.
When Indira was gone and India moved into liberalization phase giving big push to the development of industries in other states, came Lalu Prasad Yadav to rule Bihar. He brutally destroyed the systematic structure of governance, which was already shaking. It came down easily, leaving Bihar starving. People, still lost into the battle of caste supremacy, didn’t realise the pace with which other states were moving. It took 15 years for realization and now a dynamic, earnest, hardworking and visionary Nitish Kumar is at the helm of Bihar; and for a change Bihar is moving in the right direction.
Still “what special this Nitish Kumar is doing that makes him a darling of media and Bihar a story worth mention in newspaper and magazine”, I leave this question unanswered for now and will reply in next blog, hoping will get my result from the professor by that time.
Bihar, originally called Vihar-as Buddhist monk used to do vihar in this sacred land, had Nalanda University and Vikramshila University when the whole India was living in Dark Age. It was a land of knowledge which had its wings spread into many countries and other nationals used came here for education till a monstrous Muslim invader burnt them to ashes. It is said library of Nalanda University was so big that it kept on burning for six months.
Aryabhatt (Mathematician India is proud of and who gave ‘0’-‘Zero’ to the world), Panini (Sanskrit Scholar), Chanakya( Greatest Politician) and Vatsayana (writer of Kamasutra) are believed to be born in Bihar, so they were a Bihari.
Chantragupta Maurya and the great Ashok were the greatest rulers of India. It is said Maurya kingdom spread way ahead of Afghanistan and that was the best period of India. Magadh kingdom king Jarasandh attacked Krishna 17 times and forced him to shift his capital to Dwarka in the middle of sea. King Mahabali is known of his valour and strength.
Bihar which is currently know as a lawless state, is interestingly the place where two of the most peaceful religions were born. Buddha was enlightened in Bodhgaya and Vaishali was the first republic of world where Bhagwaan Mahavir started Jainnism.
Gandhiji started his first movement in India from Champaran against British called Champaran Satyagrah.
Enough of Bihar bhakti for now. So where did it go wrong for Bihar to take it to the quagmire it today exists in. I attribute it to two time frames: one during Indira Gandhi regime at centre and other to Lalu Yadav rule in the state. Bihar was moving with same pace as other states post independence, till Indira Gandhi came to rule India in 70s. She ruled India one dimensionally and most of chief ministers of India bowed in front of her. Bihar refused and became a centre of socialist movement under the leadership of JP, Karpoori Thakur and Babu Jagjivan Ram etc. Then, she forced emergency and Bihar became the focal point of anti-indira agitation. Sampoorn Kranti movement started by Jayaprakash Narayan(JP) took him to the forefront of movement and made Bihar a perennial rebel. It acquired an anti-establishment image and was subsequently kept out of centre’s plans and development strategies. As Bihar started moving backwards, people become unemployed and it landed into a deep hole where venomous snake of cast system bite it hard. It moved deeper into corruption, illiteracy and poverty.
When Indira was gone and India moved into liberalization phase giving big push to the development of industries in other states, came Lalu Prasad Yadav to rule Bihar. He brutally destroyed the systematic structure of governance, which was already shaking. It came down easily, leaving Bihar starving. People, still lost into the battle of caste supremacy, didn’t realise the pace with which other states were moving. It took 15 years for realization and now a dynamic, earnest, hardworking and visionary Nitish Kumar is at the helm of Bihar; and for a change Bihar is moving in the right direction.
Still “what special this Nitish Kumar is doing that makes him a darling of media and Bihar a story worth mention in newspaper and magazine”, I leave this question unanswered for now and will reply in next blog, hoping will get my result from the professor by that time.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
IPL is too perfect to be True; Is it Fixed?
Let me start here with no fancy words, no round about introduction and not the perfectly created sentences. Let me cut it short and come to the point directly. IPL is too good to be true. It is too competitive, matches ending in perfect finishes and points table shuffling till the 14th round to give us the complete four slots for semi-finals. It has been the trend since its inception. It is too good...too perfect to drag my cautious (or wicked) mind to something that may be happening behind those boardroom doors and Modi’s twitter updates. Fake IPL player gave us a hint of that last year, this year Kochi team’s rendezvous with Lalit Modi promises an interesting coming week. If actually ‘All izz not so well’ behind the doors, how can the finishes be so tight and tables so compact? Punjab suddenly starts winning, spoiling other’s party. Bangalore intermittently keeps losing. Mediocre Mumbai is leader of the table and 6 of the teams end up on the same point after every round, still not clear which of them will make to the semi-final. IPL is too perfect to be true. Is someone playing off the field as well? I can’t even imagine players like Sachin, Kumble, Rahul and Sourav to be part of any such activities. But a crooked and manipulative person like Modi can do anything. Team selection, some time, is unexplainable. Does Modi guide owners to dictate captains whom to play and whom not to? Do owners kneel to Modi, knowing well that next year it would be their turn to do good in the tournament? Modi knows very well that predictability will kill IPL and hence he is trying everything to keep results and points table fluctuating. I am happy that I am entertained; but also worried that someone might be selling me something which actually is not it. Is IPL too perfect to be true, or is it my mind which is unable to embrace something which could just be as perfect?
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Naxals are at door, state stand still
Finally I got a chance to visit my ancestral home last week, almost after 4.5 years. It is said that change is the only constant and so is it. Village has changed....changed a lot. Some changes were brought by its own people who for the look of opportunities have swamped the locality with shops, though the economic viability of them looks bleak to me; and some by the local government which has recently been focusing on road, electricity and education. Change was evident, so was the beauty of farms during this time of the year. I might have been looking those fields for the first time from a third point of view and believe me they looked beautiful. I might have looked at them thousands of times earlier but never was interested in its beauty. Wheat (locally called Gehu in Hindi) harvesting time is near, so it was all golden over the fields as far as I could see. Intermittently were Maize cultivation...still young and timid plants...so they were still green. The mix of green maize and golden wheat plants spread all along as far as I could see, it was beautiful, indeed mesmerizing. Mango and Litchi orchards are ready for the harvesting season in May and June. This time it is going to be abundance of mangoes and no doubt trees were full of manzars. River had some water but they will soon get dry in coming summer months. Our village is so beautiful, I had never realised this; but today I am proud and optimistic.
Amidst all this beauty came the incident that left me worried and a bit frightened. I and my father were sleeping on the roof top and we heard one blast. Papa said that it might be celebration of a marriage party and we slept off. We woke of next day with the news that a local police station, some kilometres away, had been exploded by the naxals. Ours was never a naxal infested area but situation seems to have changed. Next day was full of police round ups, vehicles carrying commandos plying on the village road; some said they were on round, some said for attack, some said for arrest. Whatever it was...it was not a sign to be proud off. I knew naxals were active in some districts of Bihar, predominantly Gaya and Jehananbad. But Saran was never on card. If they have reached Saran, it means they might have reached other parts as well. Some reports say Bihar government have secretly given consent for operation green hunt, not publicizing it as it is wary of impending state election. Whatever it is....its time state (be it centre or state) act or it would not be too late when naxals reach delhi through state capitals. Reports say they plan to attack cities now. They are marching ahead...they can’t be allowed.....they have options either sit, have dialogue and solve the problems together or go to the gallops of history. I agree they have some genuine demands but gun cannot be the means to get your demands fulfilled. Either come to negotiation table or else be prepared to be sent to a faraway place called hell. A state cannot be held hostage to whims of some organization. Chidhambram is acting swiftly, I am sure he will succeed. Till then I have my fingers crossed.
Amidst all this beauty came the incident that left me worried and a bit frightened. I and my father were sleeping on the roof top and we heard one blast. Papa said that it might be celebration of a marriage party and we slept off. We woke of next day with the news that a local police station, some kilometres away, had been exploded by the naxals. Ours was never a naxal infested area but situation seems to have changed. Next day was full of police round ups, vehicles carrying commandos plying on the village road; some said they were on round, some said for attack, some said for arrest. Whatever it was...it was not a sign to be proud off. I knew naxals were active in some districts of Bihar, predominantly Gaya and Jehananbad. But Saran was never on card. If they have reached Saran, it means they might have reached other parts as well. Some reports say Bihar government have secretly given consent for operation green hunt, not publicizing it as it is wary of impending state election. Whatever it is....its time state (be it centre or state) act or it would not be too late when naxals reach delhi through state capitals. Reports say they plan to attack cities now. They are marching ahead...they can’t be allowed.....they have options either sit, have dialogue and solve the problems together or go to the gallops of history. I agree they have some genuine demands but gun cannot be the means to get your demands fulfilled. Either come to negotiation table or else be prepared to be sent to a faraway place called hell. A state cannot be held hostage to whims of some organization. Chidhambram is acting swiftly, I am sure he will succeed. Till then I have my fingers crossed.
Friday, March 12, 2010
IPL is Back, so are Memories
IPL3 starts today. Personally, first two has been very memorable, specially the first one. I vividly remember our own battles in Ojas Flat in Pune. Me, Mithun, Ravi and Rohan fought hard, maybe harder than our teams. Me and Rohan were supporting Bangalore Royal Challengers(RCB) all because of Rahul Dravid, Mithun was for Mumbai Indians (I am afraid Tharkeys will force them to change the name to Mumbai Marathis ) and Ravi was supporting Hyderabad Deccan Chargers(DC). I used to send outlook invites to everyone before every RCB match, predicting huge win for RCB and the murder of opposition. But it, usually, happened the opposite in real. We had pasted the full schedule on wall and kept on updating it with every match’s result. By the middle of the tournament, all our team, RCB, MI and DC, we out of the tournament. We left updating the schedule chart. But the enthusiasm of Rohan was praise worthy, he kept calculating all the permutations and combinations for probable entry of RCB to semi-final. Such was he, a way ahead of us, a man different from us.
2nd season was not that much memorable. I had shifted with Mayank and Tapas. Ojas flat was gone. Rohan and Ravi were at onsite and Mithun had shifted to Mumbai. Mayank is not a very ardent supporter of cricket and Tapas was pre-occupied. But the less I was interested, RCB played better. Last few matches were just mind boggling. Narrow wins, impressive batting and killing bowling, add Kumble’s focused leadership to it and what else you want. Above that the occasional steely glances of him along with Mallya’s partying and Katrina’s presence. It could not have got better. RCB reached final and lost (else gifted) it to DC. Whatever RCB was a winner.
This year……..its worse. I am leaving alone, started reading and am more homely now. Hope RCB brings some cheers….cheers……….anyone there with beer mug……..don’t put it down without a sip ………..RCB is out for kill this time
2nd season was not that much memorable. I had shifted with Mayank and Tapas. Ojas flat was gone. Rohan and Ravi were at onsite and Mithun had shifted to Mumbai. Mayank is not a very ardent supporter of cricket and Tapas was pre-occupied. But the less I was interested, RCB played better. Last few matches were just mind boggling. Narrow wins, impressive batting and killing bowling, add Kumble’s focused leadership to it and what else you want. Above that the occasional steely glances of him along with Mallya’s partying and Katrina’s presence. It could not have got better. RCB reached final and lost (else gifted) it to DC. Whatever RCB was a winner.
This year……..its worse. I am leaving alone, started reading and am more homely now. Hope RCB brings some cheers….cheers……….anyone there with beer mug……..don’t put it down without a sip ………..RCB is out for kill this time
Saturday, February 27, 2010
But it was an Indian who played that day!
Scene1: An IT company’s work floor in Noida, UP, time around 5:30 PM. All employees park their job, discontinue or cancel the calls giving flimsy reasons and assemble in a single cubical in front of a computer which has cricinfo and cricbuzz WebPages opened, flashing match score and updates. Sachin has reached 185 and all were waiting and continuously cheering every single scored by him; and deep within praying for his double century.
Scene2: A rusty village in Bihar. A villager gets a call from his son’s school in kolkata. His son has been involved in many incidents in school in last one month and the principal was furious. Call goes on for an hour and the person’s mood is off for all over the day. Come evening and he watches the match, still disturbed by the thoughts of morning. By night Sachin scores his double century and he is back to his cheerful mood.
Scene3: Sachin scores his double century on the land of Madhya Pradesh, local govt decides to name a road and pavilion in his honour.
Scene4: President and Prime Minister of India hail his achievement and send congratulatory messages to Sachin.
Scene5: Kapil Dev who played for Haryana demands Bharat Ratan for Sachin. Govt. of Maharashta does the same.
Scene6: Bihar Legislative Assembly unanimously passes a resolution congratulating Sachin.
Scene7: All national and regional newspapers put sachin’s achievement on front page, eclipsing Railway budget on the same day.
Scene8: Record would always say “Highest Individual Score (ODI): Sachin Tendulkar(India): 200* Vs South Africa” till it is broken.
I waited for last two days to read what Thakraeys had to say on this.But I didn’t see any comment till today’s evening when I read on TOI website that they have seconded Maharashtra Govt. demand for Bharat Ratan award for Sachin.I was assuming their eyes would not appreciate this achievement under the negative goggles they seem to be wearing. Just month ago, they had blasted Sachin for saying that he was any Indian first. Sachin has said the same thing again; the difference is just that this time his bat has done all the talking. His double century inning brought happiness all over India; all enjoyed and loved his inning equally. We are proud of Maharashtra for giving such a gifted son to mother India. But it was an Indian who played that day.
Scene2: A rusty village in Bihar. A villager gets a call from his son’s school in kolkata. His son has been involved in many incidents in school in last one month and the principal was furious. Call goes on for an hour and the person’s mood is off for all over the day. Come evening and he watches the match, still disturbed by the thoughts of morning. By night Sachin scores his double century and he is back to his cheerful mood.
Scene3: Sachin scores his double century on the land of Madhya Pradesh, local govt decides to name a road and pavilion in his honour.
Scene4: President and Prime Minister of India hail his achievement and send congratulatory messages to Sachin.
Scene5: Kapil Dev who played for Haryana demands Bharat Ratan for Sachin. Govt. of Maharashta does the same.
Scene6: Bihar Legislative Assembly unanimously passes a resolution congratulating Sachin.
Scene7: All national and regional newspapers put sachin’s achievement on front page, eclipsing Railway budget on the same day.
Scene8: Record would always say “Highest Individual Score (ODI): Sachin Tendulkar(India): 200* Vs South Africa” till it is broken.
I waited for last two days to read what Thakraeys had to say on this.But I didn’t see any comment till today’s evening when I read on TOI website that they have seconded Maharashtra Govt. demand for Bharat Ratan award for Sachin.I was assuming their eyes would not appreciate this achievement under the negative goggles they seem to be wearing. Just month ago, they had blasted Sachin for saying that he was any Indian first. Sachin has said the same thing again; the difference is just that this time his bat has done all the talking. His double century inning brought happiness all over India; all enjoyed and loved his inning equally. We are proud of Maharashtra for giving such a gifted son to mother India. But it was an Indian who played that day.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Terror Threats: They are Real, I am worried
Hockey World Cup, IPL and Commonwealth games. Three major sports events are scheduled in India in next 1 year. Whole world looking at us, a little worried, a bit scared. Terrorists are planning their strike, meticulously and innovatively. Our government is working full time, agencies are on high alert. But one more terror strike, even of minor intensity, will put India in the league of Pakistan, a pariah where none of the foreign teams are ready to play. This will eventually affect business opportunities. Companies vying to come to India will start thinking twice. There is much on stake for India. I am scared. Hopefully we pull them off well and safely, not one but all three of the tournaments. I hope. I pray.
As Chidambaram remarked, “We need to be successful every time but they need to be successful only once”. He knows the threat. He knows the repercussions.
But what is the solution? We are surrounded by failed states from all the side. Is Israel like strikes only option left for India? We want a developed and prosperous Pakistan, but they themselves don’t allow that. We wanted to help Afghanistan but Pakistan does not want our involvement in Afghanistan. What should we do now? US is playing its own game...China is keeping its card closed. We are left alone, bruised and dejected but definitely not defeated. What should we do? Diplomacy is not successful, not yielding any result. Is Military the only answer?
I had written on the same subject in 2008 also, titled 'Safety First', http://mukulpriyadarshi.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html
As Chidambaram remarked, “We need to be successful every time but they need to be successful only once”. He knows the threat. He knows the repercussions.
But what is the solution? We are surrounded by failed states from all the side. Is Israel like strikes only option left for India? We want a developed and prosperous Pakistan, but they themselves don’t allow that. We wanted to help Afghanistan but Pakistan does not want our involvement in Afghanistan. What should we do now? US is playing its own game...China is keeping its card closed. We are left alone, bruised and dejected but definitely not defeated. What should we do? Diplomacy is not successful, not yielding any result. Is Military the only answer?
I had written on the same subject in 2008 also, titled 'Safety First', http://mukulpriyadarshi.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html
Thursday, February 18, 2010
फिर 'बदल गया है तू' लोग ऐसा क्यूँ कहते हैं?
आज भी यादें आती हैं,
हवा पुरानी बातों को दोहराती है!
बारिश सावन में ही होती है,
और तारें तन्हाई में साथ जगते हैं!
आखों में सपने तैरते हैं,
और दिल में उम्मीद घर बना बैठते हैं!
सब वही है, सबकुछ वहीं है,
फिर 'बदल गया है तू' लोग ऐसा क्यूँ कहते हैं?
मस्तिष्क अभी भी डर का कोहरा लगाता है,
और शारीर अपनी बंदिशों में जकर लाता है!
सही गलत का पलरा, गलत को बढ़ा दिखाता है,
और पंडित हाथों की रेखाओं से भविष्य बताता है!
सब वही है, सबकुछ वहीं है,
फिर 'बदल गया है तू' लोग ऐसा क्यूँ कहते हैं?
**** Mistakes in hindi writing could be attributed to my limited knowledge of google transliterate tool. I am aware of the mistakes but could not correct it. It is not intentional.
हवा पुरानी बातों को दोहराती है!
बारिश सावन में ही होती है,
और तारें तन्हाई में साथ जगते हैं!
आखों में सपने तैरते हैं,
और दिल में उम्मीद घर बना बैठते हैं!
सब वही है, सबकुछ वहीं है,
फिर 'बदल गया है तू' लोग ऐसा क्यूँ कहते हैं?
मस्तिष्क अभी भी डर का कोहरा लगाता है,
और शारीर अपनी बंदिशों में जकर लाता है!
सही गलत का पलरा, गलत को बढ़ा दिखाता है,
और पंडित हाथों की रेखाओं से भविष्य बताता है!
सब वही है, सबकुछ वहीं है,
फिर 'बदल गया है तू' लोग ऐसा क्यूँ कहते हैं?
**** Mistakes in hindi writing could be attributed to my limited knowledge of google transliterate tool. I am aware of the mistakes but could not correct it. It is not intentional.
Monday, February 15, 2010
CSE: Centre for Science and Environment
I was going through Sunita Narain's profile on wikipedia and eventually landed up on CSE's website. CSE is the Centre for Science and Environment. It is a public interest research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi. CSE researches into, lobbies for and communicates the urgency of development that is both sustainable and equitable. (http://www.cseindia.org/node/214).
Sunita is current CSE director and was in news for pesticide in cold drinks issue.
Just started wondering, can there be any such similar organization looking into government policies related to primary education, women health and other social policies. A watch dog sort of organization........always keeping the government on their toes and rejuvenating the masses.
Just wondering........
Sunita is current CSE director and was in news for pesticide in cold drinks issue.
Just started wondering, can there be any such similar organization looking into government policies related to primary education, women health and other social policies. A watch dog sort of organization........always keeping the government on their toes and rejuvenating the masses.
Just wondering........
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Unjustified End
“My choice is this one. You know dad….She is the best. High class, beautiful and of our standard” Rama heard Samir say this in the living room. Her heart sank and ears popped up. The conversation continued in the living room between Samir and his parents. They, though, initially disagreed with him, later gave consent to his choice. Rama who was listening to this conversation from her corner, small room thought that her grandson was getting married and they were discussing the options available. She got furious, stormed out of room and said, “So…now I am not even that worth that you should inform me of my grandson’s marriage.” Her voice had a begging tone but it was delivered with the authority of older days.
Rama was in her seventies and had lost her husband some years ago. She was living with his only son and his family. Family, that usually used to welcome her with open arms, had been indifferent towards her after her husband’s death. She was given the corner room, initially she was discussed and was involved in family functions but for last some months she was not even informed.
“Naah Maa….how can we do that? You are the eldest member of our family and nothing will happen without your consent.” assured Samir’s father. He added,” We are purchasing a new car and we were discussing that. We didn’t invite you for the conversation as you don’t have much knowledge about cars. Isn’t it?”
“Yeah…..Yeah…you are right. Take me for a ride when its home” replied Rama.
“Haan Maa…definitely……..now you take some rest” said Samir’s father and escorted her to the room and returned back.
‘But Baba, where would we keep the car? We need a parking area in our house?’ asked Samir.
Samir’s father didn’t reply, thoughtful with his head upped on the sofa, eyes closed and one hand on forehead. He murmured, “I will arrange for parking”
Car was home after some days. Next morning Sameer’s father took Rama for a ride. She was proud of her son. She kept on saying how happy his father would have been, had he been alive today. He took rounds of the city ground and then raced up towards the outskirt. He stopped at a small building and asked Rama to wait inside till he came back after servicing the car. He said that it was his friend’s house.
It was a two stored building with a office in the front. It had a big lawn on its right side and a garden in front. Some people were busy with minor jobs in garden and rest was chit chatting in the lawn. Rama entered in the office and was welcomed generously. She said, “I have been asked by my son, who is your friend, to wait here”
‘No probs….be comfortable…He had called me yesterday” replied the office in charge and asked the peon to bring tea.
“What does his friend do? This could not be his home.” wondered she. This was a different place. All were busy; depression was evident on their faces though they tried to cover it under their manufactured smile. Rama went inside and saw two rows of cots lined up in two big rooms with a large sign ‘Male’ and ‘Female’ written over the door.
She sat on one of the cots. She was worried, unsure what to do. Tired, she went into sleep till somebody woke her up, “Hey lady! Wake up. Its dinner time”
It has got late, it was evening now.
“No Thanks….I have to go back. My son will be coming anytime to pick me up. He might have got busy some where” confidently replied Rama.
Lady left for dinning room saying in Rama’s ear, “I have been waiting for my son for last three days. He never came back. Old is not gold always”
Rama was in her seventies and had lost her husband some years ago. She was living with his only son and his family. Family, that usually used to welcome her with open arms, had been indifferent towards her after her husband’s death. She was given the corner room, initially she was discussed and was involved in family functions but for last some months she was not even informed.
“Naah Maa….how can we do that? You are the eldest member of our family and nothing will happen without your consent.” assured Samir’s father. He added,” We are purchasing a new car and we were discussing that. We didn’t invite you for the conversation as you don’t have much knowledge about cars. Isn’t it?”
“Yeah…..Yeah…you are right. Take me for a ride when its home” replied Rama.
“Haan Maa…definitely……..now you take some rest” said Samir’s father and escorted her to the room and returned back.
‘But Baba, where would we keep the car? We need a parking area in our house?’ asked Samir.
Samir’s father didn’t reply, thoughtful with his head upped on the sofa, eyes closed and one hand on forehead. He murmured, “I will arrange for parking”
Car was home after some days. Next morning Sameer’s father took Rama for a ride. She was proud of her son. She kept on saying how happy his father would have been, had he been alive today. He took rounds of the city ground and then raced up towards the outskirt. He stopped at a small building and asked Rama to wait inside till he came back after servicing the car. He said that it was his friend’s house.
It was a two stored building with a office in the front. It had a big lawn on its right side and a garden in front. Some people were busy with minor jobs in garden and rest was chit chatting in the lawn. Rama entered in the office and was welcomed generously. She said, “I have been asked by my son, who is your friend, to wait here”
‘No probs….be comfortable…He had called me yesterday” replied the office in charge and asked the peon to bring tea.
“What does his friend do? This could not be his home.” wondered she. This was a different place. All were busy; depression was evident on their faces though they tried to cover it under their manufactured smile. Rama went inside and saw two rows of cots lined up in two big rooms with a large sign ‘Male’ and ‘Female’ written over the door.
She sat on one of the cots. She was worried, unsure what to do. Tired, she went into sleep till somebody woke her up, “Hey lady! Wake up. Its dinner time”
It has got late, it was evening now.
“No Thanks….I have to go back. My son will be coming anytime to pick me up. He might have got busy some where” confidently replied Rama.
Lady left for dinning room saying in Rama’s ear, “I have been waiting for my son for last three days. He never came back. Old is not gold always”
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