Speak the NEEDFUL...Please....

Rahul Gandhi was a cult figure right from the time of his birth. It’s his ancestry to blame if not to be grateful to. Being the Gandhi scion it was imminent for others (at least Congress supporters) to look up to him for the top spot. Obviously he is the Chosen One for Congress but definitely not the Best One. His looks backed by his dimples, well clipped beard might be an attractive asset (especially for a politician) but his speeches don’t serve that similar cynosure. 

Rahul’s oratory gets tough to take when he hits the emotional pitch of his. And mind it, it’s more often than not that he coughs out his emotions. For a listener it is puzzling as in whether to sympathize or be shrewd and expect deliverables, not personal feelings. Inclination to the latter is obvious as the electorate is in no mood to commiserate with emotions and that also of Congress which is hit by anti-incumbency and failures on various fronts. This is good enough to out -weigh whatever emotions Rahul tries to invoke frequently in his speeches. It’s a big no to ‘emotional blackmail’ as there are emotions of crores of Indians to be attended to. Talks about core actions and not beggar for compassion will induce the electorate.

The pattern of Rahul’s speeches continues to revolve around the same recipe. First lionizing UPA’s schemes, then nose diving into his family history and a few digs here and there at the BJP. He seems to be a young boy speaking earnestly from his heart and on way hitting a strikingly philosophical pitch!! Stating power as poison, talking about assassination of his grandmother and father, crushing his own dreams for India, threat to his own life or be it highlighting his emotional mother at time of passage of Food Security Bill, all instances follow his patterns of oratory. Might be a bit harsh on him but surely for a top post like that of PM he needs to shed his naiveness (be it pretentiousness or not). But the first big thing is that is he vying for the top post? He continues obstinately refusing to throw his hat into the ring. The doubt- whether he will or won’t continue to bewilder us. The answer to this doubt will decide whether he is worth listening to and whether the poll pundits are right in assuming Rahul as Congress’s PM candidate.  It’s time Rahul decides and allows us to make up our minds.

At the same time Rahul Gandhi does deserve a few accolades as well. Dismissing the ordinance meant for saving tainted politicians (except for the way he did it) was commendable and was a good use of his supremacy in his party. But as a PM candidate or at least as the Vice President of Congress he needs to come up with more matter. UPA-II’s dismal performance can’t be over looked and its better if Rahul doesn’t attempt to do so in his speeches. Accepting short comings audaciously and presenting bold remedies is what the electorate desires. Just indulging in a negative campaign against BJP will in no way help Congress cover the distance. Rahul needs to be more responsible in remarks he makes. Take for instance, him stating that ISI is reconciling with the Muslims of Muzaffarnagar. Such baseless remarks are not expected from Rahul Gandhi. Better if Digvijay Singh comes up with these and not Rahul !!

Harping on his family tragedies more often than not does no good to an electorate which is heavily populated by youth who, frankly speaking are more interested in the future rather than in the past.

It’s high time that the speeches made get more specific about country’s problems and their solutions. And more importantly it’s the action that needs to follow the words!

HOLLOW HALLOWING

Today, politics in India is marked by fire spewing politicians who are more often than not found decrying words of their rivals of other political parties. That’s the league of leaders India has stooped to after all these years of Independence.

 Even 15th August (this year)wasn’t spared! The platform was duly used as an opportunity to belittle rather than induce thoughts of remembrance for those who had helped India achieve the glory. Being the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Mr Narendra Modi continues to be under scanner and so does his words trailing his ideology. A point of his, on 15^th August which caught attention was his strong (as usual) denunciation of Manmohan Singh for praising the Gandhi-Nehru family and forgetting the numerous others who had equally devoted themselves for India’s freedom.To an extent it’s true (and thus unjust) that we often attribute Independence to just Gandhi and Nehru and in process (inadvertently) slightly side line numerous others. This might just be because of Congress which eventually saw many more powerful Gandhis who haven’t let the surname (and thus the hierarchy, if not the dynasty) go oblivious. Or it simply might be because of one’s lack of knowledge about great men which Indiahas witnessed. Whatever be the reason, extracting petty political mileage out of such things, seriously undoes what those great men dreamt about modern India. Even politics and personal ambitions were part of their era, but history is evident of their putting the country first over any other thing. That was undoubtedly the reason why leaders of that time were more coherent and revered by all religions and communities across the country.

Modi presented his desire for building an iron statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Statue of Unity (the proposed name), 182 metre high would be the tallest statue in the world (also beating the Statue of Liberty).Although the nomenclatureclashes heads on with its New York competitor (rivals at least in height), the name is apt for someone who did the herculean task of forging India from about 500 princely states. But definitely, just building a mammoth statue doesn’t mark imbibition of principles the great man stood for. It’s very similarto a lonely, forgotten picture of Mahatma Gandhi hanging on one of the walls of a police station. The only difference being 182 metres of iron and splurged public money which repays them hardly with a mere colossal structure.

The next thing that tingles is the thought that could have Modi ever (even in his dreams) have proposed a similar statue of Mahatma Gandhi or (to be more harsh) a one of JawaharLal Nehru.? The answer is an easy no and in stricter terms never. Admiration is something which is upon ones discretion but the same in politics is forcefully governed or better to say dictated by politics itself. Sardar Patel is the best fit for Modi as Vallabhbhai Patel’s differences with Nehru then can be coercively aligned with that of Modi or the BJP against Nehru’s descendants (Sonia and Rahul Gandhi) that is the current Congress.Be it him being the better choice than Nehru (for post of PM) or be it his differences with Nehru (on issues of Kashmir and China), Sardar Patel, very calculatedly is used by party like BJP under Modi to oppose Nehru family’s (Congress’s) continuance in Indian politics. One might argue that it’s a very harsh thing to question one’s choice for admiration, but surely it’s the underlined politics which attracts such cynicism.

Modi at the same time shouldn’t forget Patel’s abhorrence of RSS and other Hindutva organizations. Patel clearly blamed them for stoking violence during India’s freedom and also for assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Sardar Patel undoubtedly is the beacon of united India. Commemorating Patel and also satisfying RSS’s agenda is shamelessly contrasting. 

History is evident of Patel’s sacrifices for the nation. Allowing Nehru to be PM can be projected by many as a compromise but it was no big deal for Patel to comply with his ideal – Mahatma Gandhi. Despite the differences the mutual support Nehru and Patel showcased for each other cannot be overlooked. For them it was the country which preceded most of their desires. 

Without holding any bias against or for any party, the wish of most Indians today is to look up to leaders similar to those who are much talked about of being followed and idealized.

Gym Visuals...

Workout at times can be the trickiest thing one can indulge in. Everyday exercise is recommended for good health but there is a thin line between daily workout and bodybuilding. Seeing chiseled, oil smeared,  ripped bodies of men like Hrithik, Salman or any other  such ‘hunk’ can easily make a man crave for a physique similar to theirs. But even transforming those dreams into some pre matured form of reality requires extreme dedication and patience. I hit the gym every alternate day if not daily. A muscular body which satisfies my eyes and which carries any attire I don is all what I want. What prying eyes of others feel is important, but is secondary to what the owner of the body feels and that’s me. Good hot bod of a favourite hero acts as an inspiration and a sort of milestone which one would like to reach one day. I might be the wrong person to comment correctly on how far I have reached, but it’s not the thing that I am often interested in. An idle mind and inside a gym an idle body can often end up concentrating on others rather than on self. Come on!! It’s something everyone does!! What a sincere gym session requires can turn out to be too demanding for many. My experience says that in a gymnasium you can end up in doing any of these two-either take up the pain of building your body or take up the pain in seeing others build their body. I being a follower of the former except for my initial hard fought days doesn’t strip me off my personal sensitivity to judge others who are toiling in the gymnasium. I attribute this abeyance to laziness of mine (at times) and my innate tendency to compare myself (here my body) with others.

Rotate your eyes and you can find a good variety of guys in the gym trying to achieve their bit.

A site that draws my attention at any moment (especially in the gym) is of someone walking in wearing a tight outfit. Gym is a place to look better and thus taking pride in your hard earned accomplishment is obvious. But magnifying muscularity by draping the tightest T one has in his stock can make him look immature and equally amateurish. Ultimately it’s the physique which determines the suitability of what one wears. Stout build and a tight-under sized gym vest along with the ‘hard to contain’ peeping pouch and at times the rebellious undies can be a really bad combination.

 Relentless dumbbell lifts to achieve pumped biceps is another very common practice. Craze of ‘dolle sholle’ explains why biceps turns out to be the most important part of the body’s anatomy. For a beginner it turns to be the sole body part to concentrate on and the only way to mark onset of his body building. Free hand exercise goes for a toss and other parts remain unattended to. Biceps become huge while rest of the body remains disproportionate (usually marked by a protruding belly). This is more embarrassingly exposed when one decides to wear those tight tees.

                                      

The other thing which shouts for my attention in gym on any given day is sound of someone grunting!! Awwwwwwwhhhhh, Ehhhhhhhhhh….Comeohhhhhhonnnn….Hearing those painful shouts your curiosity makes you turn around spontaneously to see who the guy is!! Who the Arnold Schwarzenegger of the gym is??  What freaking exercise is he doing and what humongous weight is he lifting?? Either the answer disappoints you when you find the guy doing the same exercise you could have done in a less exaggerated fashion or it impresses you when you find him doing something currently out of your bodily range…Nevertheless it’s not a private gym to shout in….So please try not to be Sharapova or Serena Williams…

It’s more fun to hit the gym during a festival season. Vibrancy of the approaching festivity can be easily sensed in the gymnasium too. You will get to see dozens of new faces but your experience avoids you from expecting them at gym on a regular basis. Those few weeks prior to the festival marks the short stint of such joinees. A few days in which they can at least pump up their biceps and thus look attractive to the festive crowd especially the girls is at the top of their motto. Obviously the thinking is in line with the preconceived notion of many that body does the talking!!!!

But before cynicism burdens me any further it is better I spend time inspecting myself and get overburdened by the physical weights of the gym instead.

WHY COMMUNAL VIOLENCE IN INDIA??

"An eye for an eye makes the world blind". What Gandhiji’s golden words alluded to can be universally applied to any human society across the world. Talking about India what's disconcerting is that, the issues which churned violence at time of Gandhiji are still equally prevalent in modern India even after 66 years of Independence. India can be proud of its secularity but this secularism at many instances got diminished to just a feeble form of tolerance, blown off by the smallest of sparks.

Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh-50 dead and about half a lakh people forced to take refuge in camps!! Harassment of a Hindu teen by a Muslim boy was rumored to have started the entire gory chapter. The Muslim boy was killed by the teen's brothers and in retribution the two Hindu boys were killed by the Muslims. What followed is riot and bloodshed claiming lives of 50 and hard earned property of thousands. Although the reason behind the spark is contentious and both the communities involved have come up with their own versions, the form it took was horrifying. It is doubted that a minor tiff between boys of the two communities might have triggered the mayhem. Whatever be the initial backdrop, the incidents which subsequently transpired were extreme forms of vindictiveness. Incidents of women being teased are unfortunate but occur very frequently in our society. Same is the case with minor quarrels given how quickly people get offended in these days. So most of us would agree to these issues being trivial and such incidents engulfing peace of the community only highlights the deadly volatility lurking in our Indian society. Initial revenge (to the extent of killing) followed by a spree of killings on communal patterns have taken lives of thousands of innocents in the country. There is a very thin line separating secularism and communalism in India. Everyday society treads cautiously when it comes to communal divisions. But over the decades many petty issues have spiraled into big communal clashes. Would scenes in Muzaffarnagar have been that violent if the issue had involved a single community?? Definitely, not. An issue which should have been closed by immediate and appropriate police and administrative intervention was allowed to be fuelled even further. The usually latent animosity existing in minds of people residing in areas like Muzaffarnagar has been highly shaped by the communal history of the place. The cumulative factor therefore enables an otherwise petty issue to spark off a big conflagration.

In the case of Muzaffarnagar riots the political parties as expected have just bickered and have done nothing except for trading the blame for inaction and deliberate escalation. But definitely its the police and the government which are to be held accountable and responsible. Samajwadi Party being the government can't play the blame game just as any other political party. It is the ruling party and all the powers required for action were in its hands. SP's complicity and decision to go easy with one community to consolidate its minority vote bank has taken it nowhere. In 1990's Mulayam Singh earned the sobriquet of 'Mullah Mulayam' for his stand to protect the Babri Masjid. The order to shoot kar sevaks at Ayodhya on 30th October, 1990 further earned Mulayam the trust of the minority community. But this time around, both Hindus and Muslims have been equally on the losing side. Akhilesh Yadav government's has thus been facing flak from all parties and most importantly from the common people of all communities. Its routine appeasement policy didn't save its face as it failed to take action when it was most required. SP has thus turned out to be the biggest loser and the riots giving the much hyped CM a big blot on his tenure. The SP's appeasement policy only shows its insecurity backed by the party's lack of substantial development and administration in the state. 

Bodies butchered beyond recognition, doctors reporting horrifying conditions of dead bodies found shows the anarchy and uncontrolled slaughter that took place. The police's inaction further escalated the tensions. Politicians of all parties marking their party's support by freely delivering fiery speeches added fuel in large quantities. Provocative posts circulated on networking sites undeterred did the same. Warrants were issued for the sake of action but no leader was actually arrested at the right time. The politicians dared to arrest them and the police just submitted to the situation powerlessly to avoid any political backlash. Top police officials were blamed and suspended just as a token of the government's action. 

But knowing the obvious fact that political power pulls the strings of police in this country, shouldn't the politicians be actually suspended? Every police personnel has to budge to their pressure to hold on to their tenure and posting.

In the case of Durga Shakti Nagpal SP was so farsighted that she was transferred in a jiffy. 41 minutes was boosted as a record time in which decisions regarding her were taken. But despite getting alerts from Central agencies regarding brewing communal tensions in Muzaffarnagar, no action was taken or more correctly, no action was allowed to be taken by the government. In almost all riots which have ravaged India, dozens of Commissions subsequently set have raised fingers on the complicity of politicians and the alleged role of police in blindly following their orders to go slow on the situation. Be it the Nanavati report of 1984 anti Sikh riots, Srikrishna report of 1993 Bombay riots, or reports of Gujarat riots and others, all have pointed out to the connivance of political parties in giving shape to the situation according to political benefits and their communal ideologies. 

If the so called leaders of Indian politics want to do something for the people apart from their languid lip service post such riots, they should urgently look into the implementation of police reforms. The Supreme Court's directives sought to achieve functional autonomy for the police (through security of tenure, streamlined appointment and transfer processes, and the creation of a "buffer body" between the police and the government) and enhanced police accountability (both for organizational performance and individual misconduct. Setting of a State Security Commission, fixed tenure for top cops (to have someone who is conversant with the area), grievance redressal authorities in each district are few of the desired features. The reluctance of state governments is understandable as the reforms will rob the political parties off their impunity. But the Supreme Court needs to push for its directives with stricter deadlines. The Supreme Court's ruling on tainted MPs and MLAs is a silver lining. It snaps the network the gundaas, criminals and other gangs have developed with the bureaucrats and the government.

Wooing one community (and in process alienating another) by playing tokenist politics has always been clouded by insecurity. Providing better administration, security and inclusive growth is the only way to create a healthy political environment and a healthy democracy. More importantly it's the best way for a government to credit its incumbency!! 

CALL OF DHAAKI's DHAAK...

The way often used by me to invigorate myself when I am bogged down is, dreaming of anything joyful which is imminent to happen in the time to come.Being a Bengali or more stylishly a Bong,the occasion of Durga Puja can be the perfect nominee for such a craving.With less than a month left, the thoughts of merriment have already started flirting the mind.The wide blue sky, the wisp of autumn freshness and the enchanting vibrancy of dhaaks mingling with daily chores of life symbolizes the homecoming of Maa Durga. Preparations have begun and this preparative engagement is fun in itself. Flashing pujo sales,overcrowded malls, people enthusiastically shopping and coming out with bags full of new bought dresses are scenes which mark the liveliness of the festive season. Durga Puja preparation calls for the latest trends in fashion wear,designer clothes and the trendiest footwear.The atmosphere remains surcharged with fun and gaiety.

While moving through the city, the site of numerous pandals being raised up by skilled workers catches attention and a spark of joy creeps into one's heart. Happiness fills the body and one patiently awaits the arrival of Durga Puja.    

Sarat sakal, Himer hawa

Anmone tai hariye jawa,

Kashful r Dhaker tale

Siuli nache dale dale,

Maa Eseche bachor ghure...!

Pujor hawa jagat jure... 

Durga Puja commences with Mahalaya.Bengalis traditionally wake up before dawn on Mahalaya morning to listen to enchanting and captivating voices reciting hymns from the scriptures of the Devi Mahatmyam or Chandi. The day is usually a holiday and so are the other important days of the Puja. In case it isn't, then a true Bengali does his best to budge anyone in bid to get holidays for those few priceless days. The festivity and its atmosphere is worth holidaying for everyone.

As the countdown (be it in one's mind or that shown on Bengali channels) approaches an end, Bengalis gear themselves up for the much awaited 4 days- Sashti, Saptami, Ashtami and Nabami. Be it special supplementary magazines showcasing Durga Puja or be it those gentle touches of Pujo on news channels and TVserials; all are good enough to gently remind of the approaching gaiety.

With all shopping done and plans chalked out finally Durga Puja arrives. Sashti is the day when Goddess Durga arrives. The day starts early with a morning bath followed by prayers called Pushpanjali at the local pandal. Sitting at the pandal and seeing others offer their prayers and gossiping with friends is one thing which everyone rejoices. And at the same time one cannot resist his/her own eyes from frequently getting attracted by the glittering,beautiful idol of Maa Durga and ask for her blessings from deep inside the heart.

The city takes a different look during the Pujo days, especially at night. Millions of people come to the city and line up before the pandals. Pandal-hopping is the essence of the festival. The city is gorgeously lighted. Beautiful formations of jhalar, tuni lights are laid, some of which present well thought of depictions. These catch the attention of the populace and make the city glitter ostentatiously. Pandals are countless and many like me spend the whole night hopping pandals. This obviously is in accordance to one's stamina. Many opt for a vehicle but my experience says that it’s easier to cover any distance on the overcrowded streets by walking (like thousand others).

Food has always been close to a Bengali's heart and Puja days are best to explore the luring street food of Calcutta. Normal restaurants are packed and also the numerous temporary food stalls opened by locals around pandals are also a hit, providing the owners a good, quick income. Puchkaas, chowmein, egg roll, ohh its already watering my mouth!!

The most catching site after Maa Durga is her creations. That means us. On occasion of Puja everyone daubs his/her new bought clothes. Sparing a minute and keenly observing the colorful, intricately designed sarees, kurtas, pyajamas and other trendy dresses worn by people can be good fun. Attire of most look beautiful but there are always some whom you can find too garish or exhibiting a peculiar, funny dressing style. Both in either case it’s the vigor and liveliness of the person which needs to be acknowledged. Isn't it??

               

Special trains, buses are available 24 hours to provide scores of people comfortable conveyance. Underground metro rail runs beyond regular schedule.

The overall scene of the city is-people roaming, traffic flowing, streets wrapped in decorations and crowd flocking the beautiful pandals!! All these make the city buoyant and vibrant to one's delight. The overflowing happiness is evident and one only draws more of it from the divinity of the occasion and the atmosphere around.To say the city doesn't sleep for a moment on those Pujo days wouldn't be incorrect.

Durga Puja and not talking about pandals will be a big injustice. The pandal is the adobe of Maa Durga. While some of them are simple structures, others are often elaborate works of art with themes that rely heavily on history, current affairs and sometimes on pure imagination. The pandals are of diverse kinds. Some are made of simple made from attractive cloths while some are made of match sticks, hay, bottles, etc., which are results of great imagination and hard work. Various prizes sponsored by channels and different organizations for best pandal decorations are also at stake. This inspires and motivates the Puja committees to come up with something different and beautiful every year! These pandals clamour for admiration and praise of the populace. Goddess Durga's idol is what draws reverence and prayers from all. Intricately sculpted idols made by hardworking, talented craftsmen bring life to the idol and are worth appreciation and piousness.

Time flies when one sits at his local('paara's) pandal. Dancing on dhaak beats, gupshuping, seeing kids play(sometimes funnily with the mic), offering prayers or be it enjoying fun activities like quiz, singing, dhonuchi naach...There is no dull moment out there. On Ashtami we embrace Goddesses’ bhog. Khichidi deliciously made is incomparable to any other spicy food and is out of the world to eat. Anyways whatever is the menu it is Maa Durga's bhog and most importantly is food to eat.

In all the happiness and fun one doesn't realize when the three days pass by. Dashmi, the last day is when Goddess leaves us. Although being saddening, people dance to the tunes of dhaak while their procession reaches the place of immersion. With shouting voices of 'Asche bochor abar asbe'(meaning Goddess will again come next year) the wait for next year's Durga Puja starts.

Maa Durga is the Goddess of divine power against all evils. Not just worshipping but also reflecting the same respect to all women in real life is what is required.This is the true and ultimate form of reverence to Goddess Durga!!