Just Another Lousy Morning...

I awoke to the ear-splitting ringing of the alarm clock. Not something I fancy hearing at the beginning of the day. The sound is thunderous, exasperating and absolutely out of rhythm. It’s like someone with a ghastly voice is yelling right in your ear. I hopped out of my bed completely alarmed and shut the damn thing off. Stupid clock!

I peek outside the window. The sun was still asleep. And I was up already! Then sluggishly my eyes crawled to my pillow and it was as if there was some inordinately strong magnetic force activated between me and the pillow. I fought the urge to put my sleepy head on it as I knew well that if I gave in to the temptation, my day which should start now would start in the afternoon.

Mustering all the energy, I gently lifted myself up and almost begging my joints not to go against me, I stepped forward. Yes, it IS that arduous to get up on an early morning when you are supposed to be snoring away making it difficult for anybody around you to sleep. I can sense you thinking why I am giving you such lousy explanation of a just another crummy morning. Well, you see, I am just trying to increase the word count here. Bwhahahahaha.

Anyway, so after a lot of whining, I managed to take an early morning bath with hot water. It would be suicide to use cold water to take bath on a cold rainy sleepy morning. And I love myself enough not to try such scary stunts.

And when I walk in the room I see my sister with her mouth wide open and hands thrown away as if they were…they were…they were…ah! I am not good with comparisons. Point is she looked as if she hadn’t slept in years and was completing the quota THIS VERY MORNING.

Whining, cussing, I packed my bag, took my camera (I mentioned ‘camera’ specifically because it’s new and I am just bragging about it. That is one of the activities girls do best.), put on my shoes and just when I was about to walk out of the door, my phone woke up from its sleep.

For 3 seconds, I kept wondering who it could be at this hour. Then I thought why use my demented brain thinking something so silly like this. So I took out my phone to avoid all the thinking. It was my friend and guess why did she call me? The project cause, of which I had to kill my much adored sleep, was cancelled. Fail Happened.

I was in a dilemma. Didn’t know whether to be happy or to be angry. To avoid more pressure on my brain, I simply changed into my night suit and went on a ride in my much loved dream world.

Anna On Ann Shan: End Discussion Save Nation

Wake Up

Uncles Now!

It’s been more than 144 hours and the clock is still ticking. Anna Da and our mighty government have sworn not to leave their stands. It’s a shame that the government is doing precisely what the people expected of it. It is a disgrace that they claim to be ‘for the people’ because actually they are not!

Since 42 years the government has been treating the Jan Lokpal bill as the Jan jokepal bil. Anna Da made his point at the Jantar Mantar where he showed the vexation of the public and their dissatisfaction for the functioning of the government.

Let’s not repeat the old story all over again. The point is that Anna gave the ultimatum around one or one and a half months back that he would go on Ann Shann on 16th August.

Instead of taking that in the right spirit and work for it, our uncles were busy collecting and polishing their archery of allegations through which they could hit and put down the spirit of Anna and the populace.

Why is the government pretending to be deaf? After seeing the two day trailer at Jantar mantar, how could they afford to take Anna Da’s claim as a joke?

Since past 6 days, that strong old man who just looks fragile hasn’t put a morsel in his mouth and still the government is not doing anything except discussion. What were they doing for the past 42 years then?

Multi-million scams happen right under their nose and they are completely unaware of it. Is this the reliability of the government? All we’re hearing on the news is that the Lokpal Bill is being circulated in the Standing Committee or this committee or that committee.

Why is the government being so arrogant? Don’t they want India to progress and be corruption free? Why are they so scared?

Witnessing the massive support of the nation, they are still debating. WHY? These are the same people who have given you the power which you have used to corrupt yourself so effortlessly.

Is it that the government doesn’t care at all? I guess yes, they don’t give a damn! I remember when one of the leader very openly said that they can’t control all the terrorist attacks. They told us lucidly not to have any expectations from them.

But again, the government should not forget that the true power lies in the hand of the public. If we can give them the power then we can also take it away from them.

The way Anna and his followers have been protesting… I haven’t seen a more peaceful way of protest so far. Not once have the given the chance to the police to raise their hand. So government must not underestimate us.

Annagiri can demolish corruption from the nation, while Sarkargiri will only demolish the nation with corruption.

We are still waiting for the ever sleeping “leaders” to wake up and take some fruitful action.

WAKE UP LEADERS NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!! Because if this continues, then I fear that they will keep debating and our much adored Anna Da will fade away.

(My article published in UDAIPUR TIMES on 22nd August 2011)

Fighting The Malaise

Sixty Five years back, we fought the British to get independence. Now, after 65 years of independence, we are fighting our very own leaders to get independence. The condition today is much worse because back then, we were fighting a foreign invasion as one nation. Today, however, there are two groups.

One groups where there is a large bunch of Indians who are fed up of the malaise that has gripped our motherland. Who have to deal with it at every step of their lives. And who is just desperate to get rid of it and live in a compliant and true nation.

On the other hand, we have the other group who is somewhere down the road shamefaced for this deadly disease. No, I’m not entirely putting the blame on them. The former group is also at fault. Had they not tolerated and given in, today, I’m sure the scenario would have been a lot different. Not to forget much better.

But, as they say, “No point crying over spilt milk.” After a point of time, the pot of sins can’t take it anymore and it overflows. And it’s then when a revolution occurs. Today, that day has come. The entire nation has united as one and has forgotten everything and is now fighting for the Jan Lokpal Bill to fight corruption.

Anna Hazare, who is being referred to as the Mahatma Gandhi of 21^st century is in Tihar Jail and has refused to come out because the police and the government is not permitting him to go on anna shann at a place of his choice. But this hasn’t stopped him to accomplish his quest. Neither has it stopped his followers to support him in an unconditional way.

The media is doing its bit too. Looking at the agitation and the enthusiasm of the crowd, more and more people are connecting to the cause. Since past 3 days, the first few pages of the newspaper are swathed with news of Anna Hazare. Switch on any news channel and there is no other news but Anna Hazare’s.

I don’t know if this is another struggle for independence or is it another revolution. I also don’t know if Anna Hazare can be equalled to Mahatma Gandhi. All I know is that I want to live in true India. I want those people whom I see on T.V. in white attire, clasping their hands in a Namaste, shouting out promises to live up to those promises and respect the respect that we have bestowed on them.

While I am writing this, Mr. Amitabh Bacchan on Kaun Banega Crorepati very smartly and musically explained the mentality of the Indian Politicians.

Before elections they sing - Kasme vade nibhayenge hum…

After election they sing – Kasme vade, pyar wafa, sab baatein hain baton ka kya!

Freedom Pipe Leaks Corruption

The Indian civilization has been on this planet for over 3,500 years but today it celebrates its 65^th Birthday. The midnight of August 15, 1947 was eventful for every Indian, when India gained independence from the grip of the mighty British.

Since then, this day is celebrated with pomp and gaiety, across the length and breadth of India. The story of the voyage to Indian Independence is a dramatic one, and like any other good story, filled with interesting characters as well as a great deal of tragedies.

After a lot of blood shedding struggles and sacrifices we attained what we proudly call ‘Freedom’.

Let’s talk about Freedom?

It is indeed a very abstruse term to define in any way. Bronislaw Malinowski wrote, “Freedom can be defined as the conditions necessary and sufficient for the formation of a purpose, its translation into effective action through organized cultural instrumentalities, and the full enjoyment of the results of such activity”.

It is true that many criterions must be met to get freedom ascertained. Freedom didn’t come easily for India. We all have studied the Indian Struggle for Freedom and are very well versed with this fact.

Without freedom there cannot be decency and there would not be much worth living for. But it appears as if we have taken this fact for granted.

We have taken our freedom as a cake or it seems like our tummies could not able to digest the freedom which we got free of cost, even though our freedom fighters have forgo their lives for this free air that we pollute so effortlessly today.

The harsh truth is that most of us don’t even know what freedom is. When in school, we all learnt about freedom of speech and expression. But how free are we to express. In the name of region, religion we are still getting ruled by the politicians.

This present apathy shows how far the degradation of our values has reached, and how low the system has dipped.

Why politics and most of the politicians in India are so corrupt?

Because of the disregard for honesty, righteousness and truth, it was the emanation of political elite who believe in interest-oriented rather than nation-oriented programmes and policies.

This corruption that we see today is not a development that has come overnight.

It has been a continuous process since the past several decades and today it has advanced into the very blood stream of the system.

One would say corruption in India has an ancient birth; it is consecrate by tradition. The author of Arthashastra made some remarks on the government officials of his time which are relevant even today: “Just as it is impossible not to taste the honey or the poison that finds itself at the tip of the tongue, so it is impossible for a government servant not to eat up at least a bit of the king’s revenue.”

The government officials found the post-war conditions perfect for fishing in troubled waters and getting richer. They formed a sort of monstrous circle in which beliefs and true intentions no longer held valid.

The ordinary Indian has reached the highest level of hatred and disappointment at the way things are happening in this country.

The monster of corruption hasn’t spared anyone. We do not mind doing anything as long as we meet our ends.

There was a time when bribe was paid for getting the wrong things done but today the scenario has changed. Now bribes are paid for getting the right things done at the right time.

Corruption has endangered the very existence of this nation. Fight against corruption in itself has become a joke.

A big name is involved in any corruption case, there is a lot of hoo-hah for some time, but then it all dies down with the passage of time and the corruption continues unabated.

How does this happen?

This is very obvious for all those who have to be at the clearing end are bought, so, no damage can ever come to the so called elites.

This is the main reason why there is never any advance in any scam. In this situation it will be a wonder if anything palpable can really be achieved for, the elites cannot be touched, and the lower formations need not be touched – so we remain where we were at the commencement of any case.

The scams which have come to light in last one decade have amounted to multi – crores, they are being dealt with but, it is so astonishing that no politician has yet been punished for drawing off so much of wealth of a poor country.

When the senior cannot be punished how can there be any dusting at the bottom.

Everyone knows who the corrupt are but, the paradox of our system is such that no one can be touched. If this situation remains any longer, it is a wonder if there could be any light at the end of the tunnel.

Recently, all this Anna Hazare episode of fighting the corruption is on the rise. What is the use of just a show of dealing against corruption, while in reality all cases are just quietly postponed banking on the fact that, public memory is very short.

From where do these people get such guts to bluntly make a big fool of the masses?

It’s the acceptance of people towards corruption, complete lack of powerful uproar against corruption. Corruption is India has wings, not wheels.

Independence Day has always been about patriotic songs, hoisting the flag and disturbing tricolored brooches.

The tiranga will be seen everywhere… on vehicles and even lying on the roads and till evening they will be inside dustbins.

Is this how we will define our Freedom and India?

But we hardly have that feeling.

I wonder if I will be lucky enough to be blessed with a TRUE independence day and I will get the chance to write what I really want to read and see.

(My article published in UDAIPUR TIMES on 15th August.)

Missing Those Good-Old-Days With Friends

Today I’m working on a presentation at my favourite coffee shop. It’s not just the usual coffee shop. It’s special. It’s where I used to come with my friends and spend time with them laughing, gossiping for reasons that bore no relevance. It’s spring outside, the sun is shining bright. There are fresh flowers on the tables. Book shelves line the walls with books and coffee cups placed on them.

There is a beautiful scene painted on the wall in front of me. The chairs are comfy and very plush. Everything is just like before except that today, I don’t have my friends with me.

I have heard that life keeps on moving and today I feel-“it really does”- we graduated and went ahead to fulfil all the dreams that we had nurtured .

Today, I sit here with jokes, but, to my dismay there is no one to share them with. I reckon the innocent promises that we had made but little did we knew that life had other plans for us.

Today, when I sit here I’m alone. It’s the same place where we vowed to be lifetime buddies, but, today it seems like it has been lifetime I met them.

Yes, certainly, I miss them, the good and bad times, tears, joy and laughter. All the memories together are coming flooding back.

The things we did back then, the things we shared have all gone now, resting in the past, but never forgotten. There are many situations where I sit back on my chair and a smile spreads across my face thinking of my pals, who, I wish were there with me at that moment.

I miss my friends so utterly that I can feel their absence every now and then. There are situations when we all think that if it could have been for my friend he would have replied in this manner or maybe he would have commented in his unique style.

From tender age, they taught me that they are a treasure; that they can and will bail me out when I get into trouble.

With friends you’re in for a merry ride, with loads of thrills, emotional banter, romance and camaraderie. They taught me that friends are something you make out of your choice and not due to any obligation.

As I write this, the most beautiful lines from Jagit Singh’s ghazal comes to my mind,

Na Duniya ka gham tha, na rishto ka bandhan,

Badi Khoobsurat thi wo zindagani, ( wo kagaz ki kashti wo barish ka pani)

I remember how we used to compete with the sound of the waves dashing against the shore with our laughter.

The excitement and thrill we felt on bunking the lectures and going for movies. How we used to soothe each other after being rebuked from our parents for not scoring well. How we never thought for a moment before getting in a fight just for our buddy.

The long hours we spent sitting in the canteen doing our future planning. The passion we showed during cultural fest which was never seen during exams.

Those were some golden memories that we created.

Today, on Friendship’s Day, I long for them and wish they were with me to relive all those beautiful memories.

Duniya bhar ki yaadein hamse milne aati hain, sham dhale iss sune ghar me mela lagta hai…

(My article published in "UDAIPUR TIMES" on Friendship Day )

The Rain And The Thunder... A Plight Of Mumbaikar!

The Rain God was in no mood to show any mercy! It was bucketing like hell!

The guy at the vada pau stall, near the rickshaw stand was incredibly fast. The speed with which he was making the vada pau’s was like he was competing with the heavy shower and he didn’t leave a single customer unsatisfied. Sharmaji… his most faithful customer had his eyes stuck on the kadai and was impatiently waiting to grab his bite.

Holding the slightly broken umbrella in one hand while he was relishing his morning snack and simultaneously reasoning on the phone explaining his boss why he would be late for work. Rains are indeed the best excuse for all the lazy fellas!

Standing in the long queue of rickshaw, he had no worries. Like his fellow commuter friends, he too was accustomed to the ignorant administration. After almost a year, he now had his gang with whom he used to laugh and wait for the auto rickshaw.

Ask him if this frustrated or angered him and the reply would be a cool and calm one, “ye to roz ka hai. Ab aadat ho gayi hai”. You cannot help but smile and give a nod.

After having a light humorous time with the ever smiling Sharmaji, I headed to the railway station to meet my darling 7:05 local. The scene at the station was grotesque. From the bridge all I could see was a black blanket covering the platform. The railway track was nowhere to be seen. Instead there was a thin river flowing! The first thought was if I had come to the wrong place but that couldn’t be. The second thought obviously was to hire a boat! :P

Days like these are one of the most crucial business days for the owners of the tea stall at the platforms. One of the traits of a Mumbaikar is that he loves to eat. And on occasions like these when they know they have plenty of time with them, they don’t like to keep their mouths idle. Strangers become friends! While savouring the hot tea, they chat about the step-motherly treatment the city gets. One could feel the virtual blanket of tension that roofed the station. Blank indicators, the same old announcements (aapki asuvidha ke liye hame khed hai)… new excuses for the same story surface all the time.

Where I had fear on my face of being late for my lecture, Sharmaji and his smile was intact. He was talking and waving as if it was a daily business for him. After waiting for almost 45 minutes, I got a glimpse of my darling who was slowly making its way through the river to help me reach my destination. The mere sight of the yellow and purple beauty brought a wave of happiness among the tensed crowd and everyone prepared themselves for the upcoming war…to board the train!

Finally after having an adventurous morning and being victorious in the war to board the train, I settled myself inside the compartment. There was just one hot topic buzzing throughout the compartment. When I think about it, I realize that there is nothing much a common citizen like you and I can do. We’ll have to just wait for the fairy godmother to come and wave her magic wand.
There is little a Mumbaikar can do but grimace and bear the bumpy ride.

Three Blasts In Mumbai! The Unlucky July!

First it was 7/11 then 26/11 and now 13/11. (ek silsila sa chala hai...na jane kab inteha hogi)

It looks like ‘11’ is indeed the most deadly number for the Mumbaikars. It has very much become a part of Mumbaikar’s life. It happened now… It will happen again and again there will be some more candle rallies. Some more politicians blaming each other. Some more committees will be formed to STUDY the blasts. And some more hats off to Mumbai’s Undying Spirit!

And look at the coincidence! It’s Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab’s birthday! Looks like the terrorists were celebrating his birthday at the cost of the innocent’s life! Is it their way of thanking us for taking such good care of their buddy?

Everybody...People, Politicians, Police is talking ‘what happened?’ but nobody is bothering ‘Why it happened?’

Why did it happen AGAIN? Why the innocent people were killed AGAIN? What happened to the National Security? Or is it that we are supposed to get used to this now and make it a part of our daily life?

Looks like it’s a Tom and Jerry chase for the mumbaikar! It’s either the rains or the blasts or maybe something else. And they talk about the Spirit of Mumbai...to accept and move on. But will please someone tell us… How long?... For how long?

Should we just rely on our luck and never feel safe by the System?