Archive for November 2015
सीने की चुभन
कुछ उसने कहा औ चुप मैं रहा,
औ चुप मैं रहा, पर उसने सुना,
दिल की धड़कन, आह साँसों की,
माथे की शिकन, सीने की चुभन।
प्यार को उसके ठुकरा कर के,
अँखियन उसकी नम मैंने करी,
सोचा था कि सही राह है यह,
जाने फिर क्यूँ दिल यह तरसे।
बाहों में मेरे ऐसे लिपट गयी,
न आज रात तुझे जाने दूँगी,
अब तो जीवन की विरह है,
कुछ पल हैं बचे, दिल रोता ये।
कितना मजबूर महसूस करूँ,
जैसे हाथ काटे जालिम ने किसी,
औ पैरों को बेड़ियां जकड़ी हैं,
जैसे सजी चिता की लकड़ी हैं।
बस लिपट-२ के तू रोती रही,
मैं बेबस सा यह सब देख रहा,
एक बड़े अंतर्द्वंद से हूँ रहा जूझ,
खतम हुई मेरी सब सूझ बूझ।
वो पल हसीन कैसे भूलूँ मैं,
जो काटे जुल्फों के साये में तेरे,
मदहोश करती जो महक तेरी,
उसका आलम है आज तलक।
मेरा अंतर्मन ये कहता मुझसे,
यह जीवन जो न तेरे नाम किया,
वह पल जो न जियूँगा साथ तेरे,
अगले सब जनम तुझे मैंने दिए।।
Paris attacks: Spare the citizens
I see a lot of people complaining as to why so much media attention (social media and otherwise) and outrage over Paris attacks whereas attacks in Beirut the day before totally ignored.
They are right to an extent. Yes the attention is more for Paris attacks. But the reason is not just of white supremacy. The reason is the city of Paris itself. Paris, the undisputable romantic capital of the world.
The attention is due to love significance of city of Paris. I agree that other such attacks in less rich countries do deserve the same outrage, which unfortunately is not the case. But should it make the pain of Paris any less?
I was in Mumbai when the city was attacked in 2008. At that time also same argument was put forward. The media attention was because the rich live in Mumbai. No, definitely not. Mumbai is a city of realizing the dreams. Mumbai, the city of Bollywood. The media attention was due to this significance of Mumbai. Everyday hundreds of youngsters travel to Mumbai to make it big in Bollywood. Mumbai for most is a place to fulfill the dreams. And when this dreamland is attacked, the media attention is bound to be more. This does not make attacks on any other part of country or world any less savage. Nor does this make pain of Mumbai or Paris any less.
In today’s day and age, social media has become a potent weapon in hands of common people. Use it to highlight the pain of people across the world due to such brutal attacks. Be it Syria or Beirut or Kabul or Iraq. Make their pain known. But please don’t negate the pain of people of Paris.
I have seen a lot of discussions on aggression role of Govt’s, American, French, and Indian which led to such retaliatory attacks. However some people go overboard and condemn the citizens as well. I urge all of us to avoid this. Expose the Govt. but spare the citizens. Stand by them in the hour of pain. Share the agony and help allay the fears. Govt’s can be wrong but citizens are the ones that change the Govt’s with a finger.
Don’t alienate the citizens. I stand with people of Paris, I stand with people of Mumbai and I stand with people of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and all such places which have lost precious human lives.
Salman Khurshid: Shaming India for Personal Fame
So Mr. Salman Khrshid, torch bearer of Congress party is following the footsteps of another Congress leader Mani Shanker Aiyer. Mr. Khurshid is of the opinion that India has not responded well to Pakistan’s friendship hand. “India ignoring Pakistan’s overtures for peace”, he said while on a personal visit to Pakistan. Moreover he praised Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. Applauded Pakistan while deriding India.
Well it is not surprising from former external affairs minister of the country. These remarks lets us know why India had a soft foreign policy under him. A Cabinet Minister who shared cabinet with one of most corrupt Ministers in India ever. A cabinet minister who bowed in front of Gandhi dynasty (aka Katappa from Bahubali), for becoming a minister, this statement is not surprising.
To settle their petty politics and coming back to power at any cost, such people are destroying India’s credibility abroad. A former external affairs minister when makes such pro-Pakistan statements that too in Pakistan, implications are global. His statements will be played up against India by Pakistan media. But a man from political dynasty himself couldn’t care less.
From sting of fund embezzlement for the invalids to appearing for banned organization SIMI in court, he seems to have no shame when it comes to making money and clinging to power. Such people are the real face of most Corrupt party in India ever aka Congress.
Anyways one who bows to dynastic heir Rahul Gandhi, we should not have any expectations. I just can say this to you Sir, since you destroy my Country’s name globally, it’s all our fault Sir, that we elected you. It’s what we deserved.
Modi Promise Break 2: Corrupt Roaming Free
Second in my series on Modi’s un-kept promises. I remember Modi’s speeches against the corrupt. Chagan Bhujbal, Ashok Chavan, Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar, Robert Vadra, Suresh Kalmadi, Manmohan Singh, A Raja etc etc etc. The 2G, CWG, Jijaji scams. The Adarsh, the Coal, the irrigation scams. We all roared along with Modi against them. It resulted in Modi victory.
What has Modi done? They all roam free. Infact Modi attends social functions with few of them. We stand aghast. We stand cheated. Modi today have no answer when people asks, “Why do they roam free?” Sir, this is one of the reasons you lost Bihar. This is the reason you will lose more if you don’t do anything. Moreover you took control on Delhi ACB when Kejriwal started using it against corrupt. What should we make of all this?
Below are people against whom Modi roared a lot and now they roam free. Moreover no corruption money has been recovered from them till date.
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Suresh Kalmadi (2G Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
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Ajit Pawar (Irrigation Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
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Ashok Chavan (Adarsh Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
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Robert Vadra (Jijaji Land Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
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Manmohan Singh (Coal Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
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A Raja (2G Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
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Chagan Bhujbal (Maharashtra Sadan Scam)
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If I am corrupt, Why do I roam free? |
You took votes in lieu of putting them behind bars. But then you take no action in hope of forging alliances with them in future. Best of Luck!
Bihar: Why Lalu ruled 15 years and Modi ousted in just 1.5 years
Lalu ruled Bihar from 1990 to 2005, good 15 years. Even without progress and with thriving kidnapping industry, Lalu kept his vote bank intact. People attributed it to Lalu’s hold on Muslim-Yadav votes in the state. Lalu’s citadel was destroyed by Nitish-BJP combine who ruled the roost for good 10 years together.
Then came Narendra Modi tsunami which captured Bihar like no other. Every other party was decimated in 2014. But Modi was himself thrown under just 1.5 years later. It begs the question why? When Lalu ruled for 15 years, Congress for decades before that, without much progress, Why was Modi ousted so soon? Regardless of Modi non-performance, this seems discrimination by voters in Bihar, right?
Let’s try and ponder on the reasons behind the psyche of people of Bihar.
1. Caste loyalty is like Fevicol Bond: People owed Lalu caste allegiance. Modi had no such distinction. Modi rode on anti-Congress plank and Promise of Development. People didn’t consider him as one of their own. Thus they soon became disenchanted with Modi non-performance and went back to the caste. Caste, the exact reason why Lalu ruled for so long. “Kam se kam apni jaat ka toh hai” (At least he is of our own caste).
2. Unreasonable promises: Modi promised voters the heaven. He left no promises un-made, no stone unturned in 2014 elections. He promised anything and everything. He was like a messiah to the downtrodden. These unreasonable promises and lack of fulfillment thereof, was like a dagger through the chest. People felt cheated. Fulfilling these promises might be near impossible in just 1.5 years. But Modi is himself to blame.
3. Modi thought he had 5 years: When Modi was elected PM, I remember him saying, “We will work for the nation for first 4 years and will work for votes in the last 1 year”. What he forgot was it was not like running a state. He forgot that he will face number of state elections in between. His 4+1 model might have worked in Gujarat but didn’t work at the Centre.
4. Impatience in correcting history: As I wrote in my last post, people had no problems with BJP correcting history, spreading RSS ideology or lambasting Nehru. People started having problems when they felt that BJP was doing only that and nothing else. With no perceptive change in jobs, development and standard of living, people felt as if development was not on BJP’s agenda at all.
5. Dal prices: However BJP disagrees, soaring Dal prices just near Bihar elections hurt them a lot. Opposition mocked acche din and drove home the point how Modi fooled them. With Dal disappearing from the plate, poor felt cheated and wanted to teach someone a lesson. Nitish was not incumbent here, Modi was. Nitish told people how Dal was cheap when Modi was not at Centre. Dal ki wajah se logo ne Modi ko hi Daal diya. (People did Modi in, due to Dal prices).
6. BJP became Arrogant just like Congress: Lalu-Nitish appear humble if nothing else. You have to give them that. However corrupt Lalu may be, he is always soft spoken. Same is the case with Nitish. BJP seems to have become arrogant since coming to power. And people hate arrogance. Divide between the common man and BJP’s once grass root leaders is widening day by day. In this day and age, every statement of leaders is scrutinized. Every action is known to all. What BJP started doing to AAP Govt. in Delhi under LG’s disguise was disgusting arrogance. Voters saw that and were waiting for their chance. Peoples’ woes were not taken seriously. Leaders looked like mocking the poor. And there was no perceptible action taken against them. This arrogance did a lot of harm to BJP.
Modi Promise Break 1: Dynamic Train Fare
When Modi promised us Acche Din, he never promised such through the roof train prices. Never has the railways been more expensive. Just after 2014 elections, Modi raised Train Fares. Was called a bitter pill. People were anguished but they supported Modi. Time passed and no perceptive results were seen of that bitter pill. People got a chance and BJP was brought to the ground. First in Delhi and then in Bihar.
I know people will try and justify the dynamic train fare (also increased fare) as a good initiative and all that. But such loot in the name of lack of availability of trains amounts to exploitation. Bihar elections have shown that you can take all those explanations and justifications and shove it up. We are just not interested.
Such flashy fares feel like rubbing it in. Not sure who was the mastermind behind this and why Modi lets it continue. Politics is perception war and such loot, aids losing that war.
It is time Modi showed urgency and plugs this loot; Fire people responsible for it. People often wondered why Congress didn’t try to stop Corruption, why Congress didn’t do something against policy paralysis. My answer was they just couldn’t. It is how they were. You can change clothes, but not the soul. Afraid same seems true with BJP now.
A snapshot of Mumbai-Delhi Aug Kranti Rajdhani Exp for 10th Nov. Price is 6145/- with 4000 added in lieu of Dynamic Fare. Only for rich, right? Even middle class is not able to afford it. And then you do chintan why you lost Bihar!
Bihar Election Result: Isko Sabak Sikhana Hoga
Let me admit at the onset, I would have liked if Modi would have won Bihar. Comeback of Lalu’s dynasty and corruption never felt right. I liked Nitish standalone but taint of Lalu is too much for me. But now that Nitish-Lalu has won Bihar big time, it has left Modi a lot to ponder.
Of Late, a lot of Modi supporters have grown disenchanted with him. Similar thing happened with Kejriwal also. Modi and Kejriwal both came with lots of promises and shook the rotten foundations. They promised us the moon. We fell for it and not just supported them, but also became their torch bearers. I believe same was the case with Bihar public.
People who voted for BJP big time during general elections, rejected them bigger. Why? This can be because people wanted to ‘sabak sikhana’ (teach a lesson) to Modi. 18 months have seen a lot of rhetoric and not much perceptive action. All through elections never once Modi admitted that he has not been able to do what he promised. Had he admitted and pleaded for more time, maybe the results would have been different. But he kept riding on a high horse all through the campaign.
Modi’s campaign was just as it was in 2014. He kept giving ‘Gyan’. What he forgot was 2014 was more a referendum on Congress’s corruption and less on Modi. People felt, ‘Ded saal pehle aaya, gyan deke vote le gaya. Kuch kiya dhara nahin. Phir se gyan dene aa gaya. Isko sabak sikhana hoga’ (He came, preached 1.5 years back for votes. Did nothing all this while. Came again asking for votes. We will teach him a lesson).
Zero poll promises fulfilled from 2014 elections. Vadra is roaming free. Remember Modi chest thumping on Vadra. People felt that Modi is another thug of a politician. Sir, please put Vadra in jail, rather than keeping the trump card for next elections. Prosperity didn’t come as promised. Jobs weren’t created. Although common man don’t have problem as such if BJP imposes RSS ideology in education and otherwise. But it felt as if BJP wanted to do nothing else. Common man don’t care if BJP demonizes Nehru, but it felt as if BJP wanted to do nothing else.
People voted Modi for development. Modi should have fulfilled some promises before coming back with more promises. Middle class was lost by higher train price, higher service tax, higher dal prices, and no bumper tax sops. It was as if voters were being punished for their faith. Voters in turn decided to punish him back. I don’t think intolerance debate did much harm to Modi. It is just for TV studios. What harmed him was lack of action.
Loyalty to Modi is not Caste based. Caste loyalty is very strong. Not the case with Modi. People decided to discard Modi and go back with the caste. It’s high time, Modi corrected course and did something perceptive. He should start acting on his 2014 poll promises before making more promises. Warna UP mein bhi sabak seekhna padega.
Of Tormentors and ‘So Called’ Saviors
Lying down, old and tired, I am wondering what is happening? I have faced a couple of attempts to my life, a whole lot of diseases, bouts of indigestion. My will to live and level of immune system let me sail through all these hardships all these years.
As a newborn, my father was taken away from me. A fanatic shot and it was curtains. I learned to live without him. I had an amputation right at my birth. I felt extreme pain but braved the surgery to survive. I had a troubled childhood. Before I was 15, I had couple of attempts on my life already. Such had been my lineage. A part of my head still has scars from deep cuts as reminiscence of those attacks.
I was teased regularly by people in my neighborhood. However I always helped them. I stood up for lady next door. Her husband used to beat her up daily. I said enough. Gave her enough will and support to divorce that evil man and find independent existence. Alas! That lady never was grateful. Tried to mug me a couple of times!
I found myself all chained up and locked up for a number of years by a dictator. I felt so helpless and full of resentment. One day I finally burst of anger and broke the shackles. Dictator was thrown off only to be back. Sometimes I wonder what was wrong with me. Was it my humility and good nature that they exploit?
I was labeled mad. Was subjected to mental shocks. All to get hold of me. I resented and survived again. I was attacked again and again and again. I saw bystanders just whistling and looking the other way. I witnessed them being bribed not to help me. They knew I was being tortured but they were kept placated by my tormentors.
I have grown old now. I don’t hold anything against anyone anymore. Just when I am trying to relax, having gone through a tumultuous life, I see a lot of those bystanders coming back. They say they are trying to save me. I am not sure from what.
They say they won’t let me get hurt. I am not sure from what. I ask them to go hunt my old tormentors if they are so concerned. They go silent; they say nothing.
They just keep on saying they will save me from what is happening. I am not sure what that is. I ask them to get lost. They say they won’t tolerate such intolerance.
Who am I? I am India.
Being Civil
Have you ever thought what ‘Being Civil’ really means? Is it confined to eating with forks, talking politely, not break societal rules? Well for me being civil is curbing your true instinct.
Humans house a pre-historic brain. Our subconscious has been developed over thousands of centuries. In effect our brain hosts instincts that are pre-historic, from an uncivilized era. So when we behave as per the rules of civil, we are not letting our instincts act freely. We are taming them into something artificial. Some might call this act as ‘Being Civil’. I call it plain stupidity. Intolerance, for lack of a better word, against our instincts. Who knows I must just return an award against this intolerance. Just kidding!
What civility does is to stop you from beating up a man who misbehaves with your lady. What civility does is to stop you from throwing someone over the cliff when you should have but you let him live and sin some more. What civility does is to say ‘Please’ to someone evil who comes to your door, rather than release the hounds on him. What civility does is to make you feel castrated when it comes to act. Sometimes I wonder how ‘Being uncivil’ would be.
Chaos or Order; Noise or Peace. Sanity or Insane; Feeble or Brave. We cannot be sure enough and can just imagine. But what I know for sure is it would be a far more exciting time. We won’t be curbing our instincts after all.
Congress, Rahul Gandhi and Ramu Kaka Syndrome
I don’t have political leaning as such to any side. I have admired Congress, BJP, and AAP at different times due to their actions and also berated all of them, again for their actions. Also I have don’t have any mumblings about people’s ideology whether it is right, left or center.
At present times, at least among the people I meet, I find number of BJP supporters, AAP supporters. Congress supporters are getting fewer day by day and are therefore hard to find. Still whatever Congress supporter I come across, I always ask this one question.
“It’s okay that you support Congress’s secular ideology. It’s okay that you cheer for the party. But how can you support Rahul Gandhi?” A lot of times I get a smile to this question. I would like to explain why I ask this.
The same question I ask the so called rationalists to justify the rationale behind supporting Rahul Gandhi. Please explain me and I will be indebted to you. For me those who support Rahul Gandhi represent the people who support dynastic politics. People with “Ramu Kaka” mentality. Classic Ramu Kaka from Bollywood films. He will serve the Maalik with utmost loyalty and then serve Maalik’s son. He will call him Chote Huzoor. Now Ramu Kaka is genuine in his devotion towards the family of his Maalik.
I feel Rahul Gandhi sympathizers, suffering from Ramu Kaka syndrome. They are loyal to Nehru family. They will serve Chote Huzoor no matter what. They don’t do it for salary alone; they do it as they have to. They can’t help it.
I know most of the population supported Indira/Rajeev due to the same syndrome. But a lot of time has passed since. India has evolved. Social media has brought hypocrisies of Media and loyalties of Ramu Kaka’s out in the open. People have become smarter now. I am sure in times to come; such Ramu Kaka’s will get less and less in number.
I just have this to say, any self respecting individual can’t be a Ramu Kaka. Maalik and his family will prosper while your son will grow up to become another Ramu Kaka. Spine up, if not for yourself, then at least for your children.
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