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.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
एक मेरा दिल है!
एक मेरा दिल है!
किधर बैठा है मेरे अन्दर, मुझे मालुम नहीं,
उसे देखा नहीं कभी, पर उसके होने का अहसास है!
उसे किसी से मुहब्बत नहीं, ना शायद किसी चीज की चाह है!
अँधेरे में भटकना उसका शौक,
और अथाह को अपना बनाने की चाह है शायद!
वह कभी मदद, तो कभी आंशु बन बहना चाहता है,
तो कभी दूसरों को गले लगा उन्हें सुनना चाहता है!
कभी मेरे क़दमों को सहसा रोक देता है,
तो कभी मुझे बहता छोर देता है !
जब कभी पूछता हूँ, क्युं करता है तु ऐसा...
तो डाल मुझे मजधार में,
खुद कुछ दूर खरा होता है, मुझे आगे बुलाता है,
बढने का हौसला दिलाता है!
यह मेरा दिल है.....
मेरे काबू में नहीं,
मुझे से अनगिनत सवाल करता हैं
पर यह वही तो है...
जो मेरे होने का एहसास दिलाता है!!!
-मुकुल प्रियदर्शी
किधर बैठा है मेरे अन्दर, मुझे मालुम नहीं,
उसे देखा नहीं कभी, पर उसके होने का अहसास है!
उसे किसी से मुहब्बत नहीं, ना शायद किसी चीज की चाह है!
अँधेरे में भटकना उसका शौक,
और अथाह को अपना बनाने की चाह है शायद!
वह कभी मदद, तो कभी आंशु बन बहना चाहता है,
तो कभी दूसरों को गले लगा उन्हें सुनना चाहता है!
कभी मेरे क़दमों को सहसा रोक देता है,
तो कभी मुझे बहता छोर देता है !
जब कभी पूछता हूँ, क्युं करता है तु ऐसा...
तो डाल मुझे मजधार में,
खुद कुछ दूर खरा होता है, मुझे आगे बुलाता है,
बढने का हौसला दिलाता है!
यह मेरा दिल है.....
मेरे काबू में नहीं,
मुझे से अनगिनत सवाल करता हैं
पर यह वही तो है...
जो मेरे होने का एहसास दिलाता है!!!
-मुकुल प्रियदर्शी
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
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”
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”
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)