Archive for September 2014
Analyzing Rahul Gandhi
When Rahul Gandhi visited our college back in 2004, I remember him getting mobbed by students. His popularity was sky high with huge eyeballs to each of his appearances. It’s not very hard to guess what the reception would be if he visited the same campus today.
What went wrong?
For me first 5 years were quite good. Youth appreciated him for putting his weight behind the nuclear deal. During 2009 General Elections he was still a phenomenon. Those were the days when Kejriwal was not known and Modi was still a despised figure. Then began the down-slide.
I would not blame the man himself. He went through the assassinations of Grandma and Dad; I can’t even begin to feel his pain. I think he had his own aspirations which he sacrificed to keep his family legacy alive. He did exactly what reluctant heirs do; surrounded him by a coterie of trusted men and let them call the shots.
Later, his inaction in 2G, CWG and Jijaji scams coupled with the slowdown shattered the mirage completely.
He tried his hands at politics, not to serve his personal ambitions or to serve the nation (the two major forces to get one going) but to honor his family name. This, though a noble deed in itself was the real reason for his political undoing.
Real reason for decline of AAP
When Aam Aadmi party (AAP) rose to power in Delhi, it was through sheer hard work. Youngsters all across the country marched to Delhi to realize a collective dream. How many times in life have they wanted to overthrow the corrupt in power! When the opportunity presented itself, it was lapped up. A mass movement resulted in a landmark political event.
AAP was just a bunch of common man like us. One who wears his emotions on his sleeve; who wants change today rather than tomorrow; who regales in revolution; who is fed up of years of exploitation.
AAP touched issues that were not prime-time before. They were known to all but no one dared speak. Issues which affected rulers and opposition alike; issues which hit the source of funds in politics. Be it Ambani, be it Gadkari, be it Vadra or be it Khurshid. No one was left unabashed. We regaled. Common man had finally found his voice. Rise and acceptance of AAP showed why masses like vigilantes and why classes hate them.
However, people who spoke of and supported them passionately are decreasing. If my tea-time conversations are any proof, the trend is alarming. AAP has undergone a sea change. With various committees, sub–committees, spokespersons, media managers and the entourage, it has relegated itself to be a clone of other parties. It is raising issues no different than say Congress, SP or BSP.
What is hurting it the most is the erosion of working class base. It was not just a vote bank; it was a passionate support structure. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t think Kejriwal’s resignation is the cause. In fact his popularity had only increased then.
It all began with Kejriwal taking on Modi, AAP bashing BJP. It was the Lok Sabha campaign that did it in. It found itself in the same boat as Congress and bore the brunt of acquired anti-incumbency. Had AAP not bashed Modi, it would still have lost the elections, but would not have lost respect. Speaking against Modi was not the voice of common man.
What it failed to realize was that its supporters were just a subset of Modi followers. Kejriwal was just beginning while Modi had a track record of performance. It’s sad to see AAP still doing the same on TV debates. To stand out from the herd of opposition, it has to act differently. Modi is bound to goof-up sooner or later. You will have your chance. Till then find another target.
Freedom: Prologue
“Please state your name for the record”, the chairman of the committee asked.
“Harish Damble.”
“Mr. Damble, the purpose of this enquiry is to find out whether the allegations against you are true or not.” Damble was silent as always. His keen observing power without the urge to utter a word was what made him the best. Ex-NIA chief Damble. The head of the commission was no new duck either. This was his pond and he was a veteran. A person like Damble could have rattled someone else but not Srinivasan.
“Mr. Damble charges against are you as follows. Dereliction of duty; Destroying the evidence; Aiding a convict to escape thereby bringing shame to the whole dept. Do you have anything to say before we proceed?” The same probing silence. “Very well then, let’s begin. Mr. Damble you haven’t replied to the dept’s show cause notice. Can we know why?” No answer.
“This would make it very difficult Mr. Damble. You have to help us. It can’t be one sided. Not if you not want to be martyred. This committee has no pre-notions against you. But your stubborn silence isn’t helping.” Damble changed his posture as if about to say something but remained silent, deliberating probably. “So what’s it going to be Mr. Damble. The charges against you are quiet severe and the proof that we have seen is convincing enough. Would you like to tell your side of the story? Decide fast.” Damble silently smiled and nodded. “Very well then”, Srinivasan instructed his team to begin.
“On the charge of destroying evidence, what say you.”
“Guilty”
“On charge of aiding a convict, what say you?”
“Guilty.”
This settles it then. Srinivasan was relieved by quick answers. Now that this hearing would wrap up the case, he could take the pending visit to Tirupati.
Mr. Damble, do you need to add anything. Damble’s expressions changed. He sat upright. Lit a cigarette. Took a deep puff, closed his eyes. Slowly let the smoke out.
“Mr Srinivasan, I will tell you everything. Not because I want to prove my innocence. Not because I want to duck prison. No. I will tell you so that the person whom I helped escape may get the respect he deserves. I know the evidence against him is water tight but when the world will know his story…He took another puff and started talking.
इतना हक़ भी नहीं?
रूठा जो मुझसे उस दिन,
कहीं वो मेरा रब तो नहीं,
पुछा था तूने जिस दिन,
अब मेरा इतना हक़ भी नहीं?
तक़दीर ने कैसी चाल चली,
मुड़ बैठा, जाना न जिस गली,
धड़का दिल, इसमें तो शक नहीं,
अब मेरा इतना हक़ भी नहीं?
कसूर न इसमें दोनों का,
खेल नहीं था खिलौनों का,
पत्तों की इमारत, ऐसी ढही,
अब मेरा इतना हक़ भी नहीं?
खुश हो तू, इतनी दुआ करूँ,
तेरे अश्रु झरे, बहुतेरा डरूँ,
कुछ देर की अब ये बात रही,
अब मेरा इतना हक़ भी नहीं?
वादे न थे कुछ हमने किये,
फिर भी क्यों ऐसी उठे तीस ,
जैसे लहू लाल हो जाए बही,
अब मेरा इतना हक़ भी नहीं?
समय का पहिया सीधा चलता,
साँझ पहर ही सूरज ढलता,
उल्टा चल दे, ये आस रही,
अब मेरा इतना हक़ भी नहीं?
हूँ खुशियों में तेरी शामिल,
गम को मैं तुझसे गलत करूँ,
खोजूं ईश्वर, होगा तो कहीं,
अब मेरा इतना हक़ भी नहीं?
Phishing call: True Story
Friends, I got the below call yesterday.
Phone: Am I talking to Arpit Garg? a feminine voice enquired.
Me: Yes, speaking.
Phone: Sir, This is Rachna calling from ICICI bank. Your credit card is being replaced by a new Red Alert Credit Card, which preempts fraudulent transactions. I need to verify your existing card details to issue the new card.
Me: Is there any charge involved? I asked cautiously.
Phone: No Sir. This is card is absolutely free with no annual charges.
Me: No onetime or hidden charges? I asked again, having burnt my fingers a few times before.
Phone: No Sir. This is a free replacement. Can you tell me your date of birth for verification?
Me: ******
Phone: Thanks Sir. Can you confirm the expiry date of the card?
It started sounding fishy. No one from the bank has ever asked me for expiry date for verification.
Me: Can you please tell me the last four digits if my credit card. I want to check if you are from the bank after all.
Phone: Arpit Sir, I can’t tell you this till I verify your details. Please confirm me the expiry date of your card.
Me: **** I was reeled in for a min.
Phone: Thanks Sir. Can you confirm the issue date?
That did it for me.
Me: Sorry I am not carrying the card today.
Phone: Try and remember Sir. The new card can’t be issued without this verification.
Me: Sorry, I don’t recall the issue date.
Phone: Okay, when can I call you then?
Me: Call me tomorrow, same time. I hung up.
I called the bank in a hurry, afraid to have revealed the DOB and Expiry date of the card. The lady was quite convincing, I was deceived.
ICICI Bank: Hello Sir, This is Rajesh from ICICI bank, your wealth management officer. Thank you for calling from your registered mobile number. How can I help you?
Post initial verification. I told him the whole story.
ICICI Bank: Sir, it’s good that you didn’t divulge any details. We don’t have any such product.
As a precaution I got my card blocked. The next day, I got the call at the designated time. I was ready.
Phone: Hello Arpit sir, this is Rachna from ICICI bank. We talked yesterday. I need to verify your card details. Hope you are carrying your card today.
Me: Lady, I called ICICI bank and I know that you are a fraud. Where are you calling from?
“Beep…beep…beep”, she hung up.
I sent a mail to antiphising@icicibank.com reporting the incident and mentioning the two mobile numbers I got the call from. Incidentally one of them showed up as ICICI Bank on TrueCaller. Such was the attention to detail.
Beware from such calls and don’t reveal your details under any circumstance.
Update Sep 10: I have been receiving similar calls continuously from different numbers from Delhi claiming to be from ICICI Delhi office. Have forwarded details to ICICI bank. They have informed me that they are investigating it and also urged me to get in touch with Cyber Crime Police Cell. I told them I don’t have luxury of this much time.
For Life
Once upon a time in the land far-far away, there was a boy. Raju was his name. He lived with his family. A hard working farmer father. A loving, caring mother. A doting elder sister. He had all the happiness in the world. Or so he thought.
A traveller came to their home in the middle of a terrible night, asking for shelter. They provided him with utmost hospitality. He related Raju stories about the place from where he had come and of the luxuries that lie there. Raju was tempted. He asked his parents to go with the stranger to the luxurious land. “I will come and get you after some time”. Parents though reluctant, ceded to their son’s request and bade him goodbye.
Raju was full of hope and enthusiasm for all the wealth and happiness coming his way. He could see tall buildings, big cars, and wealthy lifestyle. But he noticed something strange. He tried entering a building; was not allowed. He tried getting in a car, was thrown out. He tried to embrace the wealth, he was not able to. “What is this place?” he wondered. This has luxuries as told, but why are they not for me? Soon the night took over. Raju was left alone in the cold. He shivered.
A couple of ruthless, hungry nights made him age years. He took a job as a tea boy; distributed tea across the shops in the bazaar. He hoped to earn all the luxuries and bring his family here. The more he couldn’t get the wealth, the more determined he became to earn it. He never thought of going back. Time flew. He graduated from a tea boy, to a cleaner, to a peon in an office.
It has been 20 years since he left his family. He hasn’t talked to them. He still hopes to move from his kholi to a plush apartment. Each time he misses his family and wants to go back, he is filled with shame of failure and postpones it. I think deep down he too knows that this is postponement for life.
गुमसुम
शून्य को बैठा ताक रहा,
जाने क्यों बगलें झाँक रहा,
अपनी मस्ती में था झूमा,
रहने लगा तू क्यों गुमसुम।
हर ओर तरंगें बिखरी थी,
घनघोर घटाएं छितरी सी,
हंसने से सवेरा होता था,
रहने लगा तू क्यों गुमसुम।
चलने से थिरकन होती थी,
धू-२ के शिकन न होती थी,
हर वाद-विवाद में था अव्वल,
रहने लगा तू क्यों गुमसुम।
कुल दीपक तू कहलाया था,
माहौल हुआ गरमाया सा,
अग्नि तपिश थी लगती नम,
रहने लगा तू क्यों गुमसुम।
सर माथे तुझे लगाते सब,
मूरत न कोई, अपना तू रब,
तू कलाबाज, मस्ती करतब,
रहने लगा तू क्यों गुमसुम।
प्रश्न का हर, तू था उत्तर,
हर दांव रहा मीले पत्थर,
ध्वनि तेरी धरती कम्पन,
रहने लगा तू क्यों गुमसुम।
काजल से काली रात है यह,
डूबे सब, कहर बरसात ठहे,
कठिन पहर, न आये समझ,
रहने लगा तू क्यों गुमसुम।।
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