Astonishingly fixed!!

Don’t pretend that you were unaware of it. We were well aware of it but we ignored it. We ignored it by choice, not by design. Ever since the first time match fixing reared its ugly head in the almost sacred cricket grounds in India about 13 years ago we knew that nothing would be the same. We have taken that episode and locked it away in some hidden confines of our secure mind.

We might say that we have moved past it, we might say that the systems are more vigilant; that we have better technology and science on our side to prevent the ugliness of man’s greeds (or in very few cases needs) from affecting the sanctity of the sport. But the truth is, all these weapons we have in our arsenal, are available to the other side as well. And they have learnt to use it better.

Are we really to believe that from a pool of 144 players, only 3 broke a sportsperson’s code? Are we really to believe that out of almost 360 games played in the 6 seasons nearly 300 had genuinely nail biting finishes? The signs were there all along, but we chose to ignore them. To conceive otherwise, even in the tiny confines of our minds would be to say the least, a faith shattering experience.

What will the young and innocents of India learn if we were to start seeing the truth as it is, moreover start acknowledging it for what it is. That mankind has abandoned all values and literally sold its soul? That the most rewarding and successful path to notable achievements is to throw money into the equation? Whatever happened to determination, hard work, morals, and the likes? Just the mere thought of such a world and such a young crop is horrifying. So we collectively decide to do what we do best, ignore the problem; as if that is going to make the problem disappear.

The question is where do we go from here? Do we still lie ignorant and naïve and believe that these 3 are the only black sheep among us righteous lot? The choice almost always is between the easy path and the right path. Rarely do they meet, often we blame our choice on ignorance.

Cricket & India - a deep connection

Cricket has often been counted among the many religions of India. What is so special about this sport that it demands such a fan following in our country? What attributes to the tremendous success of this sport? What is the reason that none of the other sports have tasted an inkling of success?

Many in the past have tried to justify this unwarranted success of Cricket to various factors. The lack of space in India, or the subsequent need of just a 22 yard by 3 yard area to play, maybe the relatively relaxed pace of the game. Some have even gone as far as to say that it is because of the relatively lesser fitness required for the sport. These might be contributing factors, but none of these can be THE reason for the paramount success of the game.

Cricket at the most basic level is about scoring runs. Most bowlers might be offended by that statement. I am not undermining their importance to the game, but the fact is a match is not won by taking more wickets, it is won by scoring more runs. So in effect, the batsmen do become the most important cog of this wheel. But, here comes the kicker, he only gets one chance at it. One mistake, one moment of lapsed concentration, one misjudged shot and his contribution to the aim of the game is over. This is where lies the connection between Cricket and India.

Take Football or Basketball for instance. The objective is to score goals/baskets. But even if a player fails to score once, twice, or however many times till the duration of the game he keeps getting repetitive chances to score. Not like cricket.

As a society, we do not believe in second chances. Look around you and you will find plenty of examples to validate this statement. Whether it is our education system, our work culture, our marriage systems, our outlook to criminals’ correction, anything, everything. We do not believe in dishing out second chances, at least not readily.

Most of the other countries where these other sports are popular reflect this multiple chances attitude in their society. Be it a man trying various streams of studies till he finds out what interests him the most; working on different ventures, failing at them but still working on new ventures; second, third, nth chances at failed marriages, anything, everything. Second chances are offered in plenty.

If studied deeply, a sport reflects on the society. This is the reason why Cricket is losing its following among the young Indians. Their attitude is changing too. They want second chances. They understand the importance of it. They know they might make mistakes, but rather than having to live with it, it is better to move on and try again. And again till it feels right. You have after all, just one life. Why live in regret?

the answer lies within

“The answer lies within”. No, this is not about the movie Talaash. It is about the current pathetic state of affairs of our country, of women in our country, of how men treat women in our country, of impotent laws for seemingly extra potent men. The list for things that are wrong, terribly wrong can go on and on. It doesn’t start and end with the shocking Delhi gang rape case. And the solutions professed by most seem to be all but superficial to me.

We say we want stricter laws and severe punishment for the offenders. We extend this demand not just for the culprits of this one tragedy, we want it to be made a law. My question is this…say some politician grows a spine and drafts such a bill. Have we elected good enough leaders to make this bill a law? Let’s say we have, the bill becomes a law. Do we have enough police force to catch the bastards every time such an atrocity occurs? Let’s say we have. Are they all honest enough to resist a substantial bribe when they have cornered the animals? Let’s say they are. Is our judicial system (the symbol of which, let me remind you, is a blindfolded lady) impervious enough to not let these rats be ‘baizzat bali’ due to some slimy, tiny loophole?

The point is not just to make a strict law. That is the easy part. It is the execution that is difficult. I want to draw your attention to a similar outburst our country faced some time back. The Lokpal episode. What was the outcome? We protested, the ‘leaders’ drafted a Lokpal. We shut up. The bill didn’t really have enough teeth to make a difference, but it had enough substance to make the common man believe that he had made a difference. What a brilliant convince or confuse tactical move. But the result, nothing.

Please do not misunderstand me. I am not discouraging, or criticizing such demonstrations of protests. I am totally for it. If not anything, at least it gives us hope that we are not the only ones who feel that something terribly wrong has transpired here. Freedom of speech is a constitutional right. But we need to ask ourselves this, are we merely satisfying our egos by feeling that I have made a difference by going on these protests and being a part of these revolts? Or are we really making a difference?

‘Be the change you want to see’. That is all I am trying to say here. All of us are guilty, just by virtue of being a part of this system. Even seemingly harmless acts of ours have repercussions. It has eroded the system. And what we see now are the results of a broken down, ineffective system.

That is why I say, the answer lies within. You cannot force someone to be human. It has to come from within. All we need to solve this and many other issues is Humanity. 

Sons of Ram or Sons of Sita??

Recently, I saw a poster of an animation movie called ‘Sons of Ram’. I am of the opinion that the title is absolutely inappropriate.

Now, I am a guy who is thrilled about Indian Mythology. Like almost every other Indian, I have grown up listening to these stories. And I am trying to become ‘well read’ about this field even. Have read the Ashok Bankers and Amishes, reading the Devdutt Pattnaiks, even reading the original Sanskrit scripts and trying to form my own interpretations (although I must admit, progress here is very slow). Basically, I think I can safely say that I am well aware of the traditional and the recently come to light contemporary views and takes on our Mythology.

‘Sons of Ram’ as anyone can understand is obviously the story about Sita and Ram’s twin sons Luv and Kush. Sita was banished from the kingdom by Ram almost immediately after he returned from the Van Vaas. She gave birth to the twins, brought them up, schooled them, fed them, etc all without the help or involvement of Ram. In fact, Ram was unaware of ‘his’ sons and the twins were unaware who their father was.

I, for one truly believe that the first few years of a child are his defining years. How a man turns out depends almost completely on what his foundation is made of. Considering the fact that Ram had no role in this crucial part of Luv and Kush’s life, is it fair and justified to call them ‘Sons of Ram’? Isn’t it a grave injustice to the struggle, determination and extraordinary success of Sita as a mother?

To me this one simple title highlights a crucial shortcoming of our society. It brings into spotlight the fact that we are unfortunately still living in a man dominated world. Maybe it is not a conscious move by the makers of the movie, but isn’t that a more significant proof that this ‘man domination’ has become so engraved in our mind set that we do not even realise how it is directing our actions.

Maybe I am making a story out of nothing and the only reason the movie is named thus is because Ashok Banker already has released a book called ‘Sons of Sita’. But then, when it has been so long since you’ve written anything, you will grab onto every small little sliver that shines through. ;) 

Generation............Gap

I am terrified. Terrified of what the future holds. Not for me, for ‘man’ in general. Recently, I have had few shocking (if I may use that word) experiences interacting with the ‘young’ generation. (didn’t even realize when I grew out of that). I think ‘Values’ is an endangered species. And we need to work to save it. I love the animals, but I think this is a bigger and a core problem.

A school going kid, carries the most advanced phone (I don’t have a problem with that) TO SCHOOL (that I have a problem with). Tell them to respect their teachers, and they laugh at you like you are performing for them.

I think how you behave on a sports field tells everything about you. Kids these days don’t even know the meaning of ‘Sportsman Spirit’. Teamwork, discipline, these are all forgotten concepts. If you are a sportsman, a true sportsman, you have to know to lose graciously. It’s a sport, one has to win and one has to lose. You give it everything you’ve got, you play to win, but not at ANY cost.

They are not to blame for how they have turned out. They are products of the generation before them. Who, honestly speaking are not so bad. But what terrifies me is this. If we gave way for such a generation, imagine what this generation will give way to. 

Is God hugely egotist?

As soon as I stepped out of the Golden Temple, Vellore, I had to immediately switch on my laptop and type my thoughts into this word doc, before they escape the feeble confines of my mind. For those of you who are unaware of this temple, it is a somewhat new temple which has risen in fame to almost rival that of the Tirupati temple, at least in the temple goers circuit.

I have not seen a temple as grand as this one, yet. It reminded me of the Ramoji Film City. That is how grand it is. I was a little disappointed at this as I am a man of simple tastes. Initially, my thoughts turned in the negative with this display of unnecessary grandeur. Then as I walked to the main temple, it got me thinking. And I had a lot of time to do that owing to the long around the temple route that you have to take to reach the main temple.

The first question that popped up into my head was, ‘Is God really this egotist, that he will be pleased by this grandeur in his name?’ I just could not digest this revelation and was actually terrified that the answer to that might just be a yes. But then I recalled the Ramayana that I have read and knew for certain that my Ram was not. But the moment I thought of Ram, Krishna popped up into my head and though they are supposedly different avatars of the same God, they are so different. Somehow I could imagine Nitish Bharadwaj (the guy who played Krishna in BR Chopra’s Mahabharata) giving that smile of his on seeing this temple.

This led me to another question, ‘How could the same God have two such different and opposing characteristics attached to itself?’ And I think the answer to this lies in the simple fact that God understood the complexity and the diversity of man best. He knew there would be men like me, of simple taste. And he knew of the existence of men who would worship grandeur. If a touch of grandeur helps man to stray towards the good and curb evil even if in a very minimal amount, what’s wrong in it? In fact, statistics show that currently there are more men who believe in grand gestures than simple ones. Just compare the devotee traffic of Tirupati or this Golden Temple to that of say Hampi or the Shore temple.

Of course, whether God exists or not is a completely different debate for a different piece, but something commonly called God definitely is worshipped and does help somewhat in taming the evil within.

Educated India, are we ready?

How many of you reading this believe that good, quality education is a basic right of every human being? My guess is, there will only be one in a hundred who will disagree. Well, my argument is kind of in support of that one person. I know the thought is pretty pathetic, but humour me.

Before you judge me, let me be clear that this is just a thought and not my belief.

Now consider this, you live in a world where you don’t have auto/taxi/bus drivers on the roads; where you will have to clean the roads outside your house yourself. You live in a world where there is no labour to construct your home and you have to do it yourself; where there are no truck drivers to transport your favourite soap, shoe, grains or deodorant from the factories to the store next door. You live in a world where there are no road side eateries and you don’t get your cutting chais and hot, simmering vada pavs anymore; where there is no labour available to work in the various factories producing all your necessities. You live in a world where you have to completely lift your own load and do your own work – from scratch. Get the picture?

These are jobs that no well educated man/woman will choose to do (except in desperate need). Now, some of the points I have mentioned above might sound to you like luxuries, but nonetheless, they are luxuries that we have taken for granted. So will we be comfortable without these luxuries?

Like I said earlier, I am not proposing that we keep the uneducated uneducated. I am merely pointing out that are we ready, and do we understand the radical change that this will result in? Of course, every self righteous person will answer to that in the affirmative. Even I did. But as the famous saying goes, ‘we don’t really know what we have, till it’s gone.’

You might argue that the westerners live life the way I have pointed out above. But, there are two points I think that differentiate us from them. One, our economy is not strong enough yet to create job opportunities for every additional person that will get educated (we are not even able to provide for the current number). Two, (and this is an assumption, mostly based on Hollywood flicks) the westerners have a good amount of immigrants to do the somewhat lower level jobs. Are our relationships with our neighbours like Pakistan and China good enough for that? Do we want them to immigrate into our country?

It’s just a thought. Think about it.

Our contribution to History - Indifference!

As a kid, I was extremely attentive during our history lessons. It was one of my favourite subjects. (besides the fact that my history teacher was a looker) I have always been fascinated with the heroic stories of those times. The various times when kings, commanders laid their lives on the line for their nations, the millions of heroes who fought the firangs and won us our freedom. (and I’m not just talking about the famous ones) All along I used to picture myself to be one of them, in my childish ways tell myself that in my previous birth I was definitely one of them. Or wishing that I would get an opportunity to show my country the love and respect it so deserves and does not get. And sometimes even regretting that I cannot remember anything about that previous birth, so maybe I was not a freedom fighter after all. Dejected.

Now, when such an opportunity is knocking at our doors, what are we doing? Busy building our careers? Seriously? So when the generations after us study history, they will still only study what we have studied. Our contribution to history will be indifference. Maybe we need to pat ourselves on the back for this.

Of course, this is in relation to the Anna uprising that the country is witnessing. I am not saying that his methods or demands are justified or not. I am not saying whether he is clean or not. But how does that make a difference? It is not what a man thinks that defines him, it is his actions. He is fighting to eradicate a powerful and dangerous disease that has taken over our country, Corruption. That is all that matters. They say he is the Gandhi of our age. If you do not agree with his ways, then why don’t you become the Bhagat Singh? What is stopping you?

The issue is not Lokpal Bill or Jan Lokpal Bill. These are just methods, the first steps to achieve what is rightfully ours, what should have been rightfully ours ages ago. I know the seeds of corruption are sown deep, deeper than the oldest standing tree probably. It is a vicious circle, but somewhere it has to be broken.

I have often wondered at how can one not feel the love for your country. How? I somehow blame Manmohan Singh for this. No, no...not because he is the PM now. Because he brought in Globalization. I think maybe that is where the descent of patriotism was initiated. Of course I have no data to back this, but isn’t globalization the exact opposite of patriotism? Strictly literally speaking.

I know what your answer is going to be, ‘Kuch nahi badlega yaar’. I am not going to go on about how things can change if you want it to change, etc etc, blah blah. Just answer this question honestly and you might even feel ashamed at your attitude. If our forefathers could bring about a monumental change after hundreds of years of British Rule, we don’t have the balls to bring about a relatively minor change after just 65 years.

Inquilab, revisited!

Hi! Today happens to be the day when Bhagat Singh, a 23 year old patriot happily gave up his life along with Sukhdev and Rajguru for a vision, a dream of a country. It seems like the perfect day to initiate this. For a long time now (in fact for as far back as I can remember), there’s been this itch, to do something for the country. And for those who know me, it’s nothing new. But, before you ignore this as just another ‘frustration venting document’, I assure you it’s not that. So spare a few moments and read on. This is not about me. This is about doing something real; something valuable.

We’re the youth of the nation. The next generation, and if there is one thing that we are ALL good at, that connects us all, IT IS TECHNOLOGY. In today’s time for most of us, our mobile phones are all we need. Then stuff like distance, time all which were barriers for generations above us vanish and become insignificant. I say, let’s put this to use, to good use.

Let us get together and do some real good for the country, for the people of the country. With our tech savviness that really shouldn’t be a difficult thing to do. We have so many things going for us and so less going against that this should really be a piece of cake, all we have to do is have the will.

I am not saying we will just make a group on facebook that people will forget about in a couple of days or if we’re lucky, we’ll last a couple of months. NO. I have a much bigger vision for this ‘project’. Of course but, I will need all the support I can get and then this will not remain my project, but ‘our’ project.

Let me share a glimpse of this vision with you. We connect through the omnipresent internet, and we help out/participate in various events that could be happening around the country. If there are floods somewhere we help in relief, if there is an issue that we think needs support, we join in. I’m not saying we only join in. We can start our own movement too. Like for instance the various scams. Why is everybody just casually reading it in the papers and why doesn’t anyone have the urge to do something? This will become a place for such likeminded people to get together, and raise a unified voice. It could include a simple act of filing so many RTIs that the government is forced to come out with the information. Or it could be taking out a march (definitely not supported by any political party) to demand action against the culprits or any other radical act to achieve the elusive goal of justice.

I genuinely believe basic education can solve almost all the problems our country faces. We can put together a group that merely helps in educating the needy children. There are a million ways how this can be achieved, but at least let us first agree that we all want to achieve this.

In my vision, I see young professionals like lawyers, journalists, engineers, doctors, managers, and anyone becoming a part of this and offering their expertise in solving the situation. For instance, most people are unaware how an RTI is filed, or whether it still can be filed. The lawyers can help us out with that. If there is any natural calamity, the managers, the doctors can do their bit. The journalists can help in spreading the word. Everyone can help, everyone can do their bit.

One thing is for sure, for this to have any sort of effect, it cannot merely remain an online/virtual society. We will have to get real. The point is to find likeminded people in every corner of the country through the internet and get together as one voice, not just a voice you read online, but a voice you hear out on the streets. Only when we take physical form will the rest of the country take us for real. We can probably think of region wise centres/outfits for this. I want you to understand that we have to dream big. We have to believe that we can make a change, and work our hearts out towards that.

This is my brief vision for this ‘project’. Of course, there is room for improvement. Of course, any point anyone has should be brought up, except cynicism and negativity. If you are going to hide behind those shallow tools, please stay away from us. I already refer to us as us, because I genuinely believe there are many more like me, who want to do something for the country and who are tired of the cynicism floating around.

Let me tell you one thing, JUST VOTING IS NOT ENOUGH. If you want to see a real change, you will have to get your hands dirty. There is no two ways to that. The real question is, are you willing to do that for the country you call home?

No, I do not say that this will not take your time so please join. This will take your time and energy. So please don’t join because of some misplaced sense of morality you might have. Only if you are willing to really work towards this cause, then sign up. I guess it is better to fail right at the onset than to believe you have succeeded only to realise when push comes to shove, everyone’s hiding in their holes.

For starters, we need to gather enough virtual momentum to take things to the real world. I request all of you to use your excellent networking skills to pass this on to as many as you can. I am not promising that this project will succeed. Hell, it might crash and burn right at the onset. But I believe in this and I will give it my best. Probably again and again. If you believe we can make a difference, then please fill in the form and pass on the link/message to everyone you can think of. Even if you are not joining, at least pass this on to the people you know. Any suggestions/feedback are welcome.

Form link:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dC1TZmZrSEdkdG40cUlISUJhSTFHUlE6MQ

For any queries please contact inquilab.revisited@gmail.com

Women's Day!!!

One of my strong, successful, individualist, feminist friends was kind of upset that today is women’s day. Her opinion (and a very strong one at that) is that why do we need a women’s day when there is no men’s day? It’s as if a women’s day gives testimony to the popular thought that women are the weaker sex. Now this is where I tried to curb her aggressiveness and explain what it really is.

I am not aware what the condition of women internationally is. But in India a women’s day is needed. Of course on hearing this, she blew her top once again and it took a lot of my effort to rein her back into orbit. So before you do the same, pray, humor me. This is not a personal comment, ‘In India a women’s day is needed’. It is not directed towards you. You, the strong, individualistic, urban women are a minority in our country. More than 60% of India is still classified as rural. Assuming that the ratio of men to women is at least 1:0.8 there are over 50 crore women in the country leading rural lives. Leading lives at the beck and call of their wife-beating, drunk, cheating and sometimes caring and loving men. This is a day for them. It is a day to empower them. It is a day to celebrate those who have over powered such or worse adversaries to become what they have become today.

This is one perspective. Another alternate perspective is a much simpler, sweeter one. Only if you would not bring in your feminist ego to the table, you would be able to see it clearly. Women are special. And this day is merely to celebrate that special something. Happy Women’s Day!

Free Press it seems!!!

As I write about this, my guess is that most people would be unaware of this just as I have been. About 5 days back a shocking scam had come to the fore, almost. So you would ask me, ‘what’s new in that?’ What’s new is that this time the scam involves no one else but our renowned, ‘senior’ journalists. The people we have known to expose scams. Now, I’m not referring to a scam as in terms of money, there is no definitive proof of that…yet.

A few days back, the IT department released some tapes showing the unprofessional and frankly speaking, disgusting behavior of two prominent faces – Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi. These are recorded telephone conversations with Nira Radia. Now, I do not know who that is but from the conversations I take it that she is a powerful power lobbyist.

In the ten minute Barkha tape, you hear her act like nothing short of a pimp between Congress and DMK for who gets how many seats and which seats in the cabinet. In the Vir tapes, we first hear him scripting out a show so as to suit the purpose of the involved parties and then also playing the role of a pimp between the same parties (clearly the Congress had huge problems with DMK).

Now, on the outset you might think, ‘what’s wrong with that?’What’s wrong is that THEY ARE JOURNALISTS. They’re supposed to report the story, not become a party to it. The Press Council of India has put down a basic code of conduct for the journalists. Something like the hypocritic oath for the doctors. This clearly states that a journalist has to be objective, they have to report the story and not become a party to it. If they fail to do so, it is unprofessional behavior.

What is even better is that no TV news channel or print newspaper is carrying this story. NONE. No one is broadcasting the tapes. Of all the moments ever, this is when the press decides to unite and protect their black hearted own. If they are certain that they have done nothing wrong and unbecoming why don’t they telecast the tapes and let the people decide. Only the magazines OPEN and OUTLOOK are carrying this story.

I was always aware that nothing was as it seems. But this incident gives that phrase an all new meaning, an all new disgusting meaning. I feel sick, violated. The press has immense power in our country. And I think they’ve taken the ‘free press’ bit way too far this time. Something needs to be amended, something needs to be done to bound people like them, or at least make them answerable.

For starters I’m trying to spread this ‘sensational news’, this ‘aaj ki taaza khabar’ to as many as I can. And I request my journalist friends to please please please do not stoop so low, ever.

Link to the Barkha Dutt tape: http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/tell-me-what-should-i-tell-them

Link to the Vir Sanghvi tape: http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/what-kind-of-story-do-you-want

nanha sa nazaara!

Un chhoti chhoti aankhon ne

Kabhi banayi thi ek tasveer

Jab main ho jaunga bada

Toh banaunga apni takdeer

Ab bhi kabhi kabhi

Yaad aata hain ho sapna

Woh masoom khayal

Aur woh nanha sa nazaara

Tab na duniyadaari ki samajh thi

Aur na thi paise ki koi keemat

Tab toh sirf ek masoomiyat thi

Aur ud ne ki ek chaahat

Aankhen toh raftaar se badhne lagi

Akal bhi dheere dheere aane lagi

Par is samajhdaari ki race mein

Who khoobsurat nazaara dhoondhlane lagi

Aaj bhi woh sapna

Kabhi kabhi mujhe aata hain

Par use dekh main muskurata nahi

Bas apne aap se mila pata main nazre nahi

Dukh sirf is baat ka nahi

Ki woh nazaara sach na hua

Gham toh is baat ka bhi hain

Ki woh sapna aaj bhi mujhe aata hain.

Women!!!

Don’t worry. This is not another rambling of a heart broken, dejected, rejected guy. It’s far more significant and important than that petty issue.

Over time, I have formulated a somewhat bizarre theory – a conspiracy theory, if you want to use that phrase. I think our ancestors (referring to the men here) had seen the power, the potential of women and they got scared. They were petrified. They realised that if something was not done about it, soon, they would have the lower hand. And I guess the mountainous ego of men existed even then, which did not allow this domination.

Using nothing more than muscular superiority and a hint of foresight, they devised a society, a system where woman was the one to follow and man, the one to lead. Of course, if you see from my point of view, there are hints strewn all over the place that point to this conclusion.

Right from the start of all things – birth, it’s evident that they’re superior. Nothing we men do in our lives equals in importance or significance to their ability to give birth, to bring a new life into this world. (at this point if you’re going to argue saying ‘that’s not possible without man’, I pity you and your ego. We’re merely donors, that’s all)

Borrowing from Hindu mythology, have any of you wondered why the God of Power is a Goddess? (Shakti) All the important ‘departments’ are with Goddesses – Vidya (Saraswati), Money (Laxmi), Earth (Dharti) and Power to name a few.

Recently at the Karwa Chauth, another thought struck me. Has man been so adamant and consumed by his ego that he does not even need to please the Gods (we’ll debate their existence later, this is in relevance to our ancestors who definitely believed in them) to get a ‘good wife’ or for the long life of his wife? (once again, debating on whether man wants a long life for his wife is fodder for another discussion) Why is it that traditionally, only women were to fast for a good husband? Man apparently believed (or still believes) that he does not need the help of God to make his life better. Or was it once again just a trick to establish the dominance?

I know I’ve only, so to say, ‘blamed’ man’s ego for this. But there is another possibility. Like I had mentioned earlier, foresight. The power that women wield is extensive, no two ways about it. Therefore, if it were to be used for the wrong reasons, it would cause a lot more damage than a man gone bad. Plainly putting, a villainess would have wreaked more havoc than a villain, or probably 10 villains.

These are of course not enough instances to ‘prove’ my theory. But I think it’s a good starting point nonetheless. (moreover, I know how boring really long articles get)

I think it’s time we men accepted this truth. Of course, the first step would be to at least accept that they are equals, superiority ka baad mein dekhenge. So take a step back men, and look at this objectively.

This is my way of showing respect to all the women I’ve known and met.

Oath of a Hypocrite

I hereby, solemnly swear that,

I will switch off the engine of my car at signals

I will throw garbage only in a bin

I will not waste water during a bath

I will condemn people for not caring enough

I will congratulate people for every considerate act

But,

ONLY IF IT DOES NOT CAUSE ME ANY DISCOMFORT!

Why should I switch off the car when it is so hot?

I might lose some of my precious sweat.

How can I throw garbage in the bin?

The bin is so so far away.

How can I not take a bath under a running shower?

That’s the only way I feel clean.

How can I not condemn people for not caring enough?

After all, I do pretend like I care more than enough.

It’s time to stop pretending, and truly start feeling.

you knew it was coming...

You stood in anticipation,

of the inevitable pain,

you thought you were prepared,

but only in vain.

You thought you had the strength,

to withstand the blow,

but when it really mattered,

you were lying burnt on the floor.

You look in the mirror,

and smirk at your stupidity,

you feel nothing else,

but loathing and self pity.

That time is now past,

that age is long gone,

it’s time to pick up those pieces

and move along.

There will be many such hurdles,

and many such falls,

but what really matters,

is how you overcome them all.

Uncomfortable comfort

There’s an uneasy feeling, it’s settling in, slowly but surely. It’s very comfortable here, now. But should it be? Why am I not tensed or feeling pressure? I have been repeatedly reminded that this is the age when you slog, when you work your ass off, when you can take any load and still come out on top. Then why am I not there yet?

I want to be at the top, I need to be at the top. Sooner rather than later. I thought this was the best path. Is it? There can be no gain without pain. There is no pain here. Does that mean there will be no gain? Should I go out searching for pain? I want to.

Nothing seems to disturb me now. As a friend would say, ‘I’ve reached the Zen like state’. I don’t want to be Zen like. I want disturbance, I crave it. I want to know I can still feel. I’ve always believed that’s been ‘my edge’. I don’t want to become one of those ‘anything will do’ types. The thought is disturbing. Ahhh…finally, some disturbance. There’s a restlessness stemming from the lack of restlessness. That’s more like it. This will do. This should start off a chain of familiar unpleasant thoughts. Phew…finally, comfortable with my discomfort.

The Opportunist!

Is it wrong to hold onto every opportunity that knocks on that heavy wooden door? I’m sure most of you will agree that there is nothing wrong with it. Consider, the ‘ethics’ behind it. Is it ethical? There are so many facets to this, that I am uncovering as I am writing this. You also then have to consider, is being selfish right? Now, if your answer to this is no, then how can your answer to the first question be no. You see the dilemma now. Don’t you?

Almost every time you grab onto one opportunity you are ‘hurting’ someone. ‘Your loss is someone else’s gain’ and vice versa. So if you’re gaining from it, somebody is losing. Then how do you judge whether its right? Whether it’s worth it? Now, the most common reply will be, ‘does it feel right to you? If yes, then its right and justified’. Feelings are the most unstable and fleeting phenomena. So, what if at this instant, it feels right but after a while it feels wrong? Which ‘feeling’ are we to believe to be true? Whatever be your opinion, at this very instant, I’m playing the role of ‘The Opportunist’.

Seeing Red

76 jawans were slaughtered yesterday by over 1000 Naxalites. Ambushed and massacred. Why on earth are we worried so much about what the neighbouring country is trying to do? Why are we wasting our time and energy about a nation that is not even under our governance? Shouldn’t we first look into ourselves. Our country. Regions and people under our governance.

In a lay man’s terms, Naxalites are people who take a violent approach to Communism. They are against the red tapism, against the bureaucracy. If I think about it, I am forced to agree with their ideologies, if not their methods. Remember 26/11? The death toll for that ordeal was 173. Do you know how many people have died during this Naxalite struggle in the year 2009? 1134. Isn’t the number significantly larger than the death by external terrorism? But still, why is Pakistan given more screen space, more news time and more importance than this persisting issue? Because it is high profile. Why do the terrorist attacks get more importance? Because they happen in cities where civilians like you and me are affected. So what if in some rural internal part of the country men are dying to try and maintain peace in the country. That merely makes an interesting topic for conversation over a cup of coffee. Even today, more news time is given to IPL and for some weird reason the marriage of Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik. How is that of any importance to the nation? Two people find each other compatible and want to spend the rest of their lives together. What the f**k is the country’s objection/interest in that?

Humara kya jaata hain? We sit in our air conditioned homes and see the news and mourn over it for a couple of minutes. The fault lies in us. Because we are more interested in Sania Mirza, the media shows more of her. Because we give more importance to IPL, the media covers it extensively. Have we completely disconnected ourselves from that inner voice we loosely refer to as the conscience? There are people out there, dying to maintain peace in our country; people who have pledged to fight against any threat internal or external. Forget about helping them, forget about supporting them, we don’t even have the decency, the courtesy to show solidarity towards their deaths.

What is wrong if someone is raising a voice against such development? What is wrong if someone is raising a voice against such a government? What is wrong if someone is raising a voice against such people? So, the real questions is, are the Naxalites the villains or are we, the people, the society the villains? Naxalites are merely the effect, we are the cause.

26th November 2009, Realisation

26^th November 2009. Exactly a year after the dreadful siege had started in Mumbai. I went to the Gateway of India to show my solidarity, to mourn, to let the buildings make me feel the way they had felt exactly a year ago. Yes, today I heard buildings, buildings made of stone and mortar talk to me. They told me their story. They had merely just started and I had tears in my eyes. I can’t picture, imagine or comprehend what the people present here a year ago must have felt. But I felt the pain today. I felt the fear. I felt the feeling of utter powerlessness. I had to forcefully take my eyes away from the dome of the Taj; before I break down. I couldn’t take it anymore. All the noise, all the slogans, all the chants lost and forgotten at that very instant when I locked eyes with the dome. There was an immediate connection. It was terrifying. For a brief second I was transported back a year and the barrage of various uncontrollable emotions and fear was too much to bear. Imagine being there while it was happening and having ‘access’ to the feelings of everyone present there. That is how I felt.

Scary and terrifying though it was, I wanted more. I wanted to feel that connect again. I wanted to hear the story, I wanted to feel what they felt. I wanted to feel the extent of uselessness, my powerlessness. Rather I wanted to realise it. All the illusion about how I was going to make a difference shattered. At first I did not understand the purpose of people lighting candles outside the Taj. Suddenly it made sense. I lit a candle and let myself go, to be embraced, to be taken. The rush, the force, the power of the emotions was too strong. I couldn’t pull out. I couldn’t or maybe didn’t want to step out, get disconnected. I cried.

And then the feeling of utter uselessness sinks in, again. The realisation of the extent of my powerlessness kicks in. And it’s frustrating. This is not how it was supposed to be. This is not how it was supposed to be. I WANT TO DO SOMETHING WORTHWHILE. I WANT TO CONTRIBUTE. The time to point fingers at others is gone, done, over. It’s time to take the mantle in my own hands and ‘do’. That’s the operative word. No more hesitation. No more wait. No more doubt. Just one clear thought and objective.

government type: democracy, people type: hypocrisy

‘Hahahahaha’…Laugh, that’s all I could do at seeing the incredibly pathetic turnout for the general elections, especially in Mumbai. It’s the kind of laugh that escapes from you when you feel so much grief that you do not know how to react. One would think that after a shocking awakening that we were handed out on 26th November 2008 Mumbai would not fall asleep so soon.

After all those rallies, after all that ‘we need change’ and after all that drama this is what the citizens of ‘the great city’ Mumbai do. And then you have the audacity in celebrating ‘the Mumbai spirit’ in getting life back to normal in a jiffy. Haha. I’ll tell you what seems to be ‘the Mumbai spirit’ after this turnout, ‘Ignorance is bliss’. Of all the teams in the highly hyped IPL, no team deserves to call itself ‘INDIANS’. Not after this. This is not a launch on Mumbai or the Mumbai spirit. I was a believer in all those things and that is why it hurts so much to see all that go down the drain. It seems like it was just a publicity stunt. It seems like we like to call ourselves ‘Mumbaikars’ and our team ‘Mumbai Indians’. But when it comes to being them, swish and we are no where to be found. It is not the democratic system of India that is at fault here, it is the hypocritical people of India that are.

What was equally appalling was the response of the media to this abysmal turnout. It was a bigger news for them that ‘a lot’ of celebrities had turned up for voting rather than the fact that there was just 41% turnout overall. It’s depressing. And to top it all, they then find excuses to support the low turnout. And what were the reasons? ‘it was a long weekend, people were vacationing’ and ‘it was too hot’. I’m feeling ashamed just typing this down. If you call these reasons for not being part of the process of the formation of the Government then God damn it you have no fucking right to utter a single word of distress against the way this country is run. Instead of travelling with the celebrities in their cars and interviewing them about who they voted and why, shouldn’t they have gone and found those people vacationing (thanks to the long weekend) or sitting in their air conditioned homes because its too hot. It’s not like we’re made of wax and we’ll melt in the heat.

I’m not saying I expected a 100% turnout. It is a time bound process, this so called ‘awakening’. But atleast we should make some progress. Atleast take some steps forward, hell atleast take one step forward.

I had thought that Mumbai could be the spearhead in bringing about the change that this country so desperately needs. But this is disheartening. Almost draining me of all the hope that there will be a better India tomorrow but at the same time, giving me an insight that it is time to take this change outside of living room chats and blog articles. It’s time to act, to do. Of course, we can’t expect to see immediate results, but maybe by the next elections, or maybe the one after that, or maybe the one after that. However long it takes, the process should start now, has to start now.