Good Bye Madiba - A Tribute to Mr. Nelson Mandela

There were moments of despair. Moments when he would have questioned his decision to join public life, during his years in jail, in midst of loneliness and separation from family, his strength might have eluded him. Interestingly he too had some good time before that ‘long walk to freedom’ – some flings, courtship with one of the most desired ladies, his second wife Winni, and a flourishing legal practice. Yes…as it might look…it all started like any other normal life, but then he learnt and evolved along the way. He failed time and again, but continued on his path – finally leading to a life which today is no less than of a saint.

However in his own words “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” You might have got it right by now. I am talking about respected Nelson Mandela who died last week.

This blog piece is my tribute to him, one of my personal icons. I once accidently caught hold of his biography, though it is disputed to be ghost written, named ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ and for next two weeks I lived his story till the book was complete. Each event of his life is inspiring. He lived a full life - of good careless childhood, of satisfied marital bliss, of successful career, of separation and arrest, of moral rise and evolution of statesmanship. A full life, worth every bit of it.

His act of reconciliation and path on which South Africa surged in his presidency is exemplary. Two incidents from his life will always remain with me. Sharing below for you:

Once at Robben Island where he spent 18 years of his 27 years long jail term, guards ordered Mr. Mandela to dig a grave shaped trench in the prison yard. He thought that this was his end. But instead as he stood in the grave he had dug, they urinated on him. Years later, when drawing up the list of the select group to invite to his inauguration as president of South Africa, Mr. Mandela insisted on inviting his former jailers and guards.

And other incident is about his active participation and support for springboks rugby team during rugby world cup 1995. Springboks was predominantly a white team with huge fan following amongst white community. He used the event carefully to convey the message of peace and unity thorough the path of reconciliation. His shared the poem ‘Invictus’ with the team to inspire them before the final. Mr. Mandela read it time and again to seek strength during his oppressive stay at Robben Island. I conclude my tribute to Mr. Mandela with the lines of Invictus. Rest in Peace Mr. Mandela!   You life is an inspiration. It’s a challenge for all of us to imbibe even bits of the values you lived with.

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For your unconquerable soul

Good Bye Madiba!

watch the adaption of the poem in a movie with the same name: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1dSFhM2X-V4

Sachin, Arjuna and the Gurus who stood behind!!!

Sachin's Guru Shri Ramakant Achrekar
with his brother.

Two incidents of last week, one real and other in reel, caught my attention.  Yes, I am talking about Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement. Each of us had a personal story to tell and no doubt my facebook newsfeed page was full of posts about Sachin from friends. And simultaneously new channels kept playing old Sachin’s tapes, discussions and then there was the LIVE match. It was the last hurrah of the man, though I personally pray and wish that his best is yet of come, maybe out of cricket field, out of those 22 yards that he mentioned in this farewell speech. Sachin received a farewell which he truly deserved. He once again brought happiness, joy and yes....tears on the faces of his countrymen. In midst of all this, we saw a fragile man in red shirt being driven on wheel chair into the stadium. Man, who had driven Sachin on his scooter to different fields, was driven on wheel chair on that day to watch his pupil’s last run between the wickets. You got it right I am referring to Sachin’s guru Shri Ramakant Achrekar. That very moment caught the essence of a guru shishya relation. If sachin didn’t forget the contribution of his teacher in his success, guru acknowledged the contribution of pupil in his own name and fame. They both contributed to each other. If a pupil/mentee is successful it’s the teacher/mentor who is credited as well. In all these celebrations, this beautiful message was lost somewhere.

The other incident was in a teleserial. I am a great fan of Mahabharat. It keeps fascinating me, and each episode of it is a new revelation no matter how many times I watch it. So understably I was super excited when the new Mahabharat started on StarPlus. In one of the episodes, after Guru Dronacharya asked for Eklavya’s right hand thumb in Guru Dakshina, Arjuna confronts him. The conversation happens as below: (watch the full conversation @ http://www.startv.in/episodes/arjun-rescues-dronacharya-from-a-crocodile/55858):

Arjun: Gurudev! Don’t you have faith on me? Can’t I become the best archer by my own hardwork?

Drone: Don’t you have faith on you Guru? Do you think I am biased towards you to make you the greatest archer?

Arjun: then why did you ask such a guru dakshina from Eklavya?

Drone: It’s my right to decide what I want in Guru Dakshina from which of my pupil.

Arjun: But why such a Dakshina which becomes an accusation?

Drone: I understand, my dear Arjun!.....Dhitrashtra sons would accuse me of biasness.........not only they....even the generations to come would accuse me of biasness. But I was bound by Dharma, my dear Arjun. Eklavya was a Magadh Kingdom’s citizen. He would have used my teachings against Hasthinpur where my duty lay. I was duty bound.

Arjun: Is teaching also bounded by the boundaries of kingdom, Gurudev?

Drone: No! But a teacher is bound by his commitment to a nation.  I survive on alms provided by Kuru Nation Hashtinapur. My commitment is for it. If Eklavya would have become the greatest archer by teaching from some other Guru, I would have been happier.

Arun: But how would you absolve yourself of this accusation, my dear Guru?

Drone: There is a way son. You prove it, without any doubt, that you are the best archer in this world. Better that Eklavya, better than even your grandfather Bhisma. Go and prove it to the world, my son! Go and prove!! If you could do this, none would accuse me. I would be absolve of this paap.

Mesmerising.....such an intense conversation between a teacher and pupil. Both these events stated the unstated: importance of a teacher/ a mentor in one’s life. In today’s time, when we seek the best of the facilities for our daughters/sons, do we seek the right teacher? I went back to my school days, and came forth the image of two wonderful teachers I had early in my life, which made me capable enough to make my living today. But what lies beyond this, I seek...I plan.....I fail......I wonder will I find a mentor at this stage of my career? Setting aside, I bow to Guru Drone and Shri Achrekar!!!

(Images used above are from Google Image Search)

Becoming of a Hopeless Nation

I was standing in the queue for speedpost delivery at a non-descript post office in the National Capital Region. There was a long queue for registered and speedpost delivery, while other windows for stamp sale, passbooks and railway reservation were relatively free. Being an Indian one can’t afford to dislike queues. I stood patiently waiting for my turn. Suddenly some people in the queue starting ‘protesting’ and asked the post master to start another window for registered and speedpost service. He first ignored but when the ‘protest’ turned loud he rudely starting counting his own problems like inadequate manpower, lack of facilities and unplanned rush on Saturdays. The verbal duel continued for some time but led to no solution. Post master went back to his seat and we in queue kept waiting for our turn in front of the single window for registered and speedpost services. Then happened another incident, a girl standing suspiciously near the front of the window, kept trying to enter the queue. Others in queue ‘protested’ again. Another tussle erupted, but neither the girl moved nor did our turn came quickly. This experience was different to what I had experienced in my childhood in government offices. Such incidents did happen in those days as well, but we seldom protested. Standing in queue that day, there came the realization that India had finally found its voice.

2012 has been a year of protests in India. We protested against corruption for the larger part of the year. Ramlila Ground to India Gate to Bandra Kurla in Mumbai to smaller towns and villages, we protested against corruption! After a gap, we protested again in end of Dec’12. This time the protests were against the crime against women when the gang rape of a medical student in Delhi became the ‘tipping point’. We, meanwhile, protested against some ministers in the central cabinet, we protested against opposition leader, we protested against black money…and we protested strongly…yes, it is evident, we have found our collective voice. This voice in collaboration with 24*7 media becomes a heavy cocktail. Media gets its story and we romance with the idea of serving to the call of the nation. In this heavy cocktail, we, media and us, have both lost the plot. And add to it the arrogance of those in seats of power, like the post master and ministers, who cushion their arrogance in disguise to save democratic principles and institutions. So finally all of us need to ask ourselves what have we achieved of these protests? Has there been any reduction in corruption or crime against women, which were the main aims of these protests? 

The ruling class also needs to introspect. What’s wrong if people ask for control on corruption and crime against women? Are these unjustified demands or against the constitution? These were the issues over which all political parties could have come together. This could have enhanced the stakes of politicians in eyes of people.  But they failed. They failed miserably. The ruling class off their cocky ignorance saw the public demand and protest as intrusion on their right. Directionless opposition kept shuffling from one side to another for want of immediate gain. Where political class failed, the so called civil society also went into different ways leaving the whole movement into lurch. So as we stand today…people protest, aspiring to live in India of 2050…..politician sleep, still in dreams about India of 1990s………and the civil society, confused and collapsed, needs urgent oxygen.

A solution is reached when both sides reach to a common point. But where is the middle way here? Where is the solution to these problems? In this hoo hoo gulla of protests, arguments, discussions and mud sledging….the whole plot is lost. The basic issues for which we protested are lost. As we hold our heads down in frustration, the elusive light fades somewhere away at horizon. Where is the hope? This is becoming of a hopeless nation.

Struggle, Not a Shame!!!

He sweated more, laughed lesser. The studios silence of him was concentration to some, nervousness to others. He never came in flash, but was like the treasured wine which ups slowly. You loved the man, but not his game. He played more balls, perfectly each time, but scored less. He was a man of contradictions. And life played one on him as well, though being successful; he always played second fiddle to his more illustrious peers. Yes...I am talking about Rahul Dravid. 

Rahul Dravid after his last Oneday Inning

When Rahul graciously bowed out from Onedayers last friday, I realized how easily I have completed those 15 years with him. My association with him goes back to 1996. As a young boy totally mesmerised by the beauty of cricket I watched India getting out of Wills World Cup in Kolkata. I vividly remember how seriously I was following that world cup. I had created my own scrap book, noting scores and important events. I was eagerly waiting for Azharuddin to raise the Cup. And it all went down in Kolkata..........that day........late evening.........it was not only Vinod Kambli who cried. Not only burned the benches of Eden Garden, along burnt my scrap book. 

Post World Cup, Vinod Kambli and Sanjay Manjarekar were dropped, and Vikram Rathod, Rahul Dravid and Avinash Vaid were selected in the team. This man ‘Rahul Dravid’ played in Singapore against Sri Lanka and then in Saarjah. He failed. No one cared and to all’s surprise he was selected in the team to long England tour, and rest they say is history. 

Most people despised Rahul for slow run rate. Somehow I got connected. I saw in him a man who struggled in middle when chips were down. Others used to leave in hurry if they can’t change the course. He fought, struggled hard and mostly lost in the end. This human like act of him, seems endeared him to me. He was well read, his comments made note in next day’s newspaper but not his exploits. Slowly, under the shadows of his peers, he built his career brick by brick and then they named him ‘The Wall’. There came moment during 2002-2006 when he surpassed everyone. That was the phase when we all loved him, and my admiration just rose. We lost 2007 world cup and he was left out of one dayers. It hurt him, more to me. Both of us reconciled to the fact of him playing only test matches. Out of nowhere he was recalled for Champions’ trophy and later in England. I hoped he will play well and again become a permanent member for next 1-2 years. But he knew himself better that me and decided to leave the blue jersey. He bowed out and when he walked off field, head held high, for the last time in blue jersey, I realised how fast those 15 years have gone by. 

Thanks you Dravid for being human, for showing that struggle is not shame. Every run of yours is a work of hard work. You stood up and showed one can succeed even if not naturally gifted. I fear the day when you will walk out for the last time in white jersey, because along with walk out the cricket in me. Good Luck.

(Photo Source: Yahoo)

An Indian Obama - Still Some Decades to Go...

Assent of Barak Obama to US presidency has not only impacted USA, ripples are felt in politics of other countries as well. UK chooses a young and dynamic David Cameron as its Prime Minister, while opposition Labour choose to be led by Ed Miliband. And then there are Sarkozys of France and Merkels of Germany. How can India remain untouched? In largest democracy of world, largest political party of the world, Congress went back to Gandhi clan, and this time it was Rahul Gandhi. Opposition BJP tried to match it with L. K Advani’s overwhelming presence in cyber world, new generation’s hangout, and not to forget his visit to a Gym during election campaigning of 2009.

When Barak Obama riding on the back of fierce speeches, youthful energy, no-nonsense attitude and well choreographed moves swamped USA, an urge to follow the trend is overwhelming in India. If you can’t find a leader like him, atleast present the current leader in his mould. India has large no. of its young generation working in software industry where majority of work comes from USA. This generation is understood to be attracted towards US and the urge to present something in US colours is understandable. This could only be a short term solution, however, when would India find an Obama like young, dynamic leader with no family name, I should rather call it when will India accept such leader? An Indian Obama who would give us a new dream, a new India. An Indian Obama who would sweep India from twitter and facebook platform. Obama might be fighting his own battles in USA as its President; still he is the most inspiring leader of the world of current generation.

“Politics in India is a very complex canvas with multiple divides—urban and rural, rich and poor, and educated and not so educated. I don’t think I am competent to handle such a complex canvas,” the Economic Times newspaper quoted Mr. N. R. Narayan Murthy, Infosys Chairman-Emeritus, as saying. This statement of NRN clearly explains how tough the political space is in India, no doubt Congress keeps going back towards Gandhi family, readily accepting their next generation, rather than accepting someone new, someone with vision, and someone with modest upbringing. It maybe because the means to reach India is still not easy, as was the case with Obama. He has a country with good internet connectivity, mobile concentration and strong media. It was easier for an Obama to win the case with his argument in front of a learned audience. Literacy figures in India, though, are growing, still a large chunk of its population is ignorant. When you are surrounded with so much uncertainty, it is quite natural to bank on tried and known name of ‘Gandhi’. Alternative to congress party, some regional parties, lack pan India acceptability. Most of them are family owned private enterprises. This brings huge responsibility on BJP’s shoulder to bring fort a young leader of Vajpayee/Advani mould. But first BJP should accept him, rather indulging in infighting, and then India will accept him.

So the question still remains, when will India have its own Obama? It seems we need to wait for some more decades........hope and pray it’t not forever.

Hope we don't accept it this time..........

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”

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.

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?

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.

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 

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.

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

More Telanganas Waiting to Erupt

When union home minister P.Chidambram announced central government’s tactical approval for separate Telangana state, he must have been well aware of its repercussions. Separate Telangana state has been a long standing demand, intermittently going into sleep. But fast unto death undertaken by KCR, K. Chandrashekhar Rao, not only pulled it from hibernation but put it into the front. Public especially students joined in and it turned into a mass movement. KCR was adamant and doctors worried. Finally government at centre relented. Telangana went into celebration while rest of Andhra started sulking. It is just the start of the problem; major bone of contention will be Hyderabad. Elected representatives of rest of Andhra have already started resigning. I hope everything goes fine.

But the most devilish prediction any could make is the surge in similar demands for more states from other parts of India. Vidharbha( from Maharashtra), Harit Pradesh( from UP), Cooch Bihar( from Bengal and Assam), Bhojpur (from UP and Bihar), Mithalanchal (from Bihar), Bundelkhand( from MP and UP), Gorkhaland(from Bengal)…………list is long. It is demand of the hour of nip the bud in nascent. We can’t accept such demand at any cost though some of these do seem legitimate.

It would be better if centre brings in a resolution in parliament clearly redrawing the steps for creation of new states. Making the steps more stringent like clearly defining the minimum area, population, GDP, availability of natural resources and its ability to self sustain etc. for any new state resolution to be passed by state assemblies. A committee made of PM, Leader of Opposition, CM of state demanded to be bifurcated and CM of its neighboring states should screen any such resolution passed from state legislative assembly. If it is rejected by the screening committee, no such resolution could be brought in for, atleast, next fifty years. This committee should meet only once in two years, during CMs conclave in Delhi to save everybody’s time.
There was a time when the no. of council of ministers had become bone of contention. Horse trading was at its peak and each and every government was toppled by MLAs lured by lollypops like ministry. This menace was very well curbed by Vajpayee Govt. by limiting the maximum no. of ministers in a council by bringing in a resolution in parliament.
Something similar should be done currently, earliest the better, before Ajit Singhs of India smell the opportunity and bring another part of India to a standstill.

Nobel Laureate Barak Obama

Barak Obama won Nobel Peace Prize. I can't digest this even if I am one of his greatest admirers. There are some arguments and counter arguments going on but I will not dwell on that, and just hope Barak leaves up to the expectation.

*********
Currently admiring this song from movie 'Whats your Rashi' for last couple of days and below some lines are just mesmerising:

Yeh raat thodi toh dhalne do
dheere dheere isko pighalne do
aage hai do raah maanaa magar
thodi door toh saath chalne do

khone wali ho kal tum
ruk sako jo do pal tum
kuch tumhari tasveerein
rakh loon apni aankhon mein…
jao na… jao na

Listen to it on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn2jUyBFyn8&feature=related

Gandhi is not a Gaali

I must have been class 7 or 8- an age where teenhood sparks starts fighting to get out of parental grip. An age where dreams outdo the deeds and being the best in friend’s eye is the only motto.

Chat among we friends would always be on mundane topics, but it would be slightly different if it was independence, republic or Gandhi Jayanti days. Gandhi bashing would the trend at the slightest mention of his name. In a bid to outshine others we would bring out many lesser known false stories about him which we had heard in our general conversations outside school. Most discussed topics were how Indian National Army formed by Subhash Chandra Bose would have thrown out British with the help of Hitler and Japan had he been not killed in an accident. But Gandhi never supported Bose and even forced him out of Indian National Congress. How Gandhi was responsible for partition of India as he didn’t allow Jinnah to become the Prime Minister for he had soft corner for Jawahar Lal Nehru. Intermittently we would have many rounds of cheap and vulgar Gandhi jokes. Gandhi was a hated figure and to an extent a gali which was used for friends who either tried to be honest or if they wore circular spectacles.

I grew with time and luckily started enjoying reading books. In the process read many books on Indian independence struggle and some of the Gandhi ji’s biographies. His auto biography ‘My Experiment with Truth’ is simply great. After all the understanding gathered over a period of time, I can say with authority that there would not be a second human being like Gandhiji. He is simply the greatest. He not only preached. He lived his message. He famously remarked, “My life is my Message”. So true.

For those who say Indian National Army would have snatched independence from British with the help of Hitler and Japan, should know INC suffered a heavy jolt in north eastern part of India when they tried to enter India. Indian was still a country where industrial production was zero and to believe INC would have won with begged weapons or for that matter with indigenous swords, bow, sickle and canon etc, is the farthest of any imagination. I can’t buy this argument. India was still a divided country with no weapon production of its own. How can have we defeated British. Gandhiji realized this early and opted the way to force them to go on their own than throwing them out by defeating.

And the second incident of partition. Much has been written over it. Just recently Jaswant Singh lost his job for his book on partition. I only know by this time Gandhiji was well out of daily political negotiations. He was more of a mentor then and he did try his best to save the country from this agony. And if he favoured Nehru over Jinnah. That was the best thing to happen to our county at that time. See what Jinnah made of Pakistan. And Nehru’s work is for all to see. All the greatest institutions that make India today had been established under his leadership. Be it independent judiciary, Election Commission, Dams, BHEL, IITs etc. He gave a solid foundation to India.
I don’t say Gandhiji was faultless. There must be some weaknesses in Gandhiji as well, but after all was he not a human? Another point raised against him is about the company of women around him in his older days. Damn you…..they were his relatives……his nieces. Have you ever seen male members of family looking after the old? It’s always our mothers and sisters who look after elders’ daily chores. So was doing Gandhiji’s family. Why does it offend you?
Gandhiji is simply the greatest. And that’ why Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela follows him, Barak Obama wants to dine with him and Einstein said, “Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood.”

(Gandhi pic from Internet)

Rest in Peace YSR

This piece I wrote last week but didn’t put on Blog. Publishing is a bit late.

Yesterday was a holiday in office and it didn’t start well for me. I had gone to sleep the previous night after watching the repeated bulletins on YSR, Y. S. Rajashekhara Reddy- the charismatic Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, disappearance and fanatic searches that followed for the whole day.

I was shocked and hoped that he was fine somewhere in the jungles. As have been my nature for last some months, I put myself in officials’ shoes and tried to argue if I could have done better in this operation. Heart and mind,in unison, said ‘No’. Officials were doing great given the whether, terrain and resources, till the centre joined hands with more force and technical support.

One of my roommates was distressed and kept bombarding me with his ideas on what more could have been done , why Sukhoi is the best, how the officials have not been doing their job and everything that he might had read on Wikipedia/Google or watched on television. I kept quite, submerged in my own thoughts. I will accept that I have got a tool that helps me in having empathy for everything happening around me. The tool is to keep yourself in other’s shoes to gauge why did he do that and had you done any better. Believe me…most of the time I find myself doing the same if I had been in their place. That helps in having respect for others, than being merely an armchair critic criticizing everything happening around me. This time also I had no complains.

Coming back to YSR, morning bulletin announced his demise. Ohhh..he too is gone. I flashed back upon past and came the names of Rajesh Pilot, MadhavRao Sciendia, Pramod Mahajan, Kumarmangalam, GMC Balayogi, Sahib Singh Verma, Murasoli Maran etc. who have lost their promising life unfinished. May their soul rest in peace. I would be lying if I say I was an admirer of YSR. I liked Chandrababu Naidu. I am not an Andharaite who is aware of the ground realities and being employed in IT industry, Chandrababu was more attractive. But YSR turned the tide in last 6 years of his rule and I must admit I had started admiring him and secretly followed his popular programs just to follow, in case if ever I get a chance.

YSR demise made me revisit those notions that I had after my grandfather’s death.
“Why to fight all through life just to lose everything in a whiff?”..this feeling makes us pure for a while…..but again we are back to our normal self, fighting for small laurels, running in rat races, making in irregular fields for when all is going to be lost someday, sooner or later. Then why do we keep on doing it?………..for whom????.........why???........ why???.....I don’t know.

Jinnah kaa Jin

God knows when Jaswant Singh decided to write a book on Mohammad Ali Jinnah, eventually he wrote his own political obituary. He has been the news of the week and yesterday’s Sunday Times was no different. It had some special write ups on Indian Independence Movement in general and on Jinnah in particular. I read some interesting information which I would like to share with the SOBS readers, they are as below:

· Some say Jinnah was a secular Indian, messiah of Hindu-Muslim unity till he turned a staunch supporter for the cry of Pakistan and finally turned secular after the formation of Pakistan. Commenting on this Mushirul Hasan, historian and vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia says, “I am reminded of a line from Ghalib: Ki mere katl ke baad, usne jafaa se tauba(after killing me he swore never to cause pain).” Jinnah demanded Pakistan as a time when most Muslims were not in its favour and religious organizations such as the Jamiat-e-Ulema has rejected the two nation theory, Hasan says.
I particularly liked the Ghalib’s lines.

· Mohammad Hanif , famous journalist and author of Pakistan, in the interview says:
“Some on recently said, what do you expect from a country where the father of the nation (M A Jinnah) happens to be a brother of the mother of the nation (Fatima Jinnah). So it’s a bit of dysfunctional family.”
What an interesting fact?

Will keep you updated if I come to read any such lesser known or ignored quotes.
Keep reading!!!

Lalu is down, but don't count him out

Counting of votes starts tomorrow and everyone is predicting clean sweep for JD (U), Nitish Kumar-BJP combination in Bihar. Will this mean complete rout for charismatic maverick Lalu Prasad Yadav? Some say yes. Others are writing his politically obituary. Go slow……..let me warn you……he has proved all wrong three times in past. He has been written off on following moments, but he came out stronger:

1) In year 1997 when Lalu was forced to go jail in fodder scam. Everyone thought its end for him and the man replacing him would not leave an inch for him when he comes back from jail. He proved all wrong and made his housewife Rabri Devi the CM of Bihar. He won.

2) Come 2001, Ranjan Prasad Yadav spearheaded revolt in RJD. He had tactical support of Nitish Kumar’s Samata Party, Ramvilas Paswan’s LJP and BJP to form an alternative government by dissolving Lalu-Rabri’s Government. Lalu was again on the verge of going to Jail in Jharkhand, a BJP ruled state, in connection with fodder scam. Lalu removed Ranjan Prasad Yadav from party, addresses a series of rallies in Bihar and court gave him bail. Again He won.

3) Bihar Assembly Election 2000. BJP and JD (U) had won handsomely in Lok Sabha elections a year ago. They were expected to repeat the performance in assembly elections as well, just after 1 year. But Lalu won majority of seats and Rabri Devi formed the government. Lalu won again.
Today also I am a little skeptical, Lalu will not go easily. Let’s see what’s there in ballot box. Tomorrow holds the key.

IPL(Season 2)-Indian Politician's League

The decision to take IPL-Season 2 outside India doesn’t go down well with me. It paints India in very bad light. Can’t a nation of 1 billion provide security for an IPL tournament? IPL could not have been postponed give the busy international cricket calendar and elections are prime important for any democratic nation. The nature of both these events made the collision inevitable. I had some hope of resolution as elections are to be held in five phases and IPL governing council was flexible enough to provide gap between match and election by 24 hrs, then 72 hrs and then by a week. But it seems as usual politicians unnecessarily dragged their feet into it. When BJP ruled stated agreed to give security to IPL, suddenly, congress ruled states like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh took back their assurances for security. No doubt this matter will become political in coming days and I won’t be surprised if BJP uses it to establish an emotional chord with cricket crazy Indian population. Narendra Modi fired the first salvo when he compared this matter with national pride and commonwealth games in 2010. And I seemed to agree with him.
I am afraid it may become a waterloo for congress and a blessing in disguise for IPL as it may create international interest in IPL. Add this with Indian interest; IPL-3 could very well turn into an international event. But whether it will be held in India or abroad that will depend on the attitude of government that will come after this election. And if BJP utilizes this issue well, it could well be a BJP lead NDA government.

Varun Gandhi- Fighting for his own 'Space'

I first heard of Varun Gandhi, son of Meneka and Sanjay Gandhi, some years ago when he published his book of poems “The otherness of self”. It was well attended function by the political class of that time. It was an impressive debut in public life. Observing him from the columns of newspapers, I think he is very calculative and smart. His decision to attach his gransfather’s name Feroze with his own name caught everyone’s attention. He calls himself Feroze Varun Gandhi. Varun already had sympathy of all, for losing his father in an early age (He was only 3 months old when Sanjay Gandhi died). Also his decision to bring his grandpa’s name (Feroze, an inspiring MP, has long been forgotten) again in limelight endeared him to the media and political class of India, except I assume Congress party which was lead by Sonia Gandhi who herself was trying to bring ‘not so impressive at that time’ Rahul Gandhi into congress.

Varun knew well that there is no place for him in congress and her mother was already out of Janta Dal. She has won last election as in independent. BJP was at its best under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s leadership. No time is late….Meneka and Varun joined BJP and found a promoter in Pramod Maharaj who took Varun to many political sabhas all over India in 2004 general election. Varun was below 25 and could not fight the election in 2004 but he became the star campaigner for BJP. Pramod Maharaj nurtured and promoted him to the hilt.

And then the tragedy struck. BJP unexpectedly lost 2004 general elections and Pramod Mahajan died. Varun wanted to fight by-elections from Vidisha, MP but was denied ticket by BJP given the pressure from local unit against an outsider. Varun went sulking and rejected the posts of youth leader and secretary offered by BJP.

This long wait for ambitious Varun ended in 2009 when BJP announced his name in its very first list from Pilibhit, a constituency laboriously served for him. It was thought as an easy challenge for him till this fiasco happened. He was caught speaking against a community and was termed communal.
He said, “This is not a 'Hand' (Congress symbol), it is the power of the 'Lotus' (BJP symbol). It will cut the head of ....... Jai Shri Ram."
He told another meeting "If anyone raises a finger towards Hindus or if someone thinks that Hindus are weak and leaderless, if someone thinks that these leaders lick our boots for votes, if anyone raises a finger towards Hindus, then I swear on Gita that I will cut that hand."

A young and ambitious third generation of leaders in BJP was turned overnight into a communal and selfish politician.
He replied to all the charges:
He said, “I am a Gandhi, a Hindu and an Indian in equal measure,” He went on to add, “I have not made any communal statement...I want the people to stand by me. It is a malicious attempt to brand me communal. There is no question of my having any ill feeling towards (any) community," he said.
"My attempt is to instill confidence in a community which feels it is under siege in their own country."
Whatever he says…not doubt...it has dented his image and to an extent his confidence. Election Commission and Media is going all out against him. He needs to learn the trade early or it would not be late when

Indian electoral confines him to the pages of history and non-importance.

Rahul Gandhi is learning it fast and in right way. Varun keep cool, shed your fear of loss and turn into an ideal leader that India needs today.