A convoluted protest

As I write this, Mr. Anna Hazare has shifted to the Ram Leela ground. I am honestly fed up with this whole circus that continues to hold entire nation ransom to its arm twisting antics. When this "movement" started, it felt like it was voice of silent desperation that found cathartic release. Obviously, there was much more to it! Voice of people is one of the most important pillar for any democracy but when the modus operandi of any protest is conducted and projected in a manner that reflects complete disregard for the constitution and judiciary, some serious doubts are raised about its credibility. 

  

There are ways to address any issue in a democracy like India. Why go on streets, create anarchy, stall governance by blackmailing the government, as means to get things done in certain way? Isn't it a very dangerous precedent to set? The way current government has (mis)handled this murky mess adds to the anguish of the nation already fuming with anger. (I am sure, you remember government's blunder in handling Baba Ramdev's derailed debacle).  

Corruption is one issue that provides space for any Indian to relate or identify with. And that precisely is the reason why we find an interesting menagerie of people participating in this "fight against corruption". There are some genuine souls who are willing to do anything to eradicate deep rooted grime of corruption from the system; but it is amusing to see people who thrive on corruption, supporting Anna's protest and striving to purge themselves and shift the entire blame on government!

Needless to say, the majority of people participating in Anna's political jambooree; romanticized both by media and the mindless rhetoric of various people, have neither read or understood Anna's Lokpal Bill or its repercussions fully. I doubt they even understand the meaning of democracy! Sadly, the issue that had all the potential to unite entire nation, shake us and compel us to look within and find our conscience has been reduced to a complete farce!

I have few questions.

I wish to ask the government; isn't it time to take your electorate seriously and realize that there is an urgent need to understand the frustration of being subjected to generations of corrupt governance AND TAKE extraordinary measures that are necessary? Do you really have conviction required for it?

  

My question for mr.Anna Hazare's supporters; are you SERIOUSLY interested in eradicating corruption and wish to have better governance? How about dropping all the melodrama of lighting candles and shouting slogans in front of cameras and never encouraging corruption in any form even AFTER going home, post this "movement"? How about doing your bit that helps government in effective governance? 

My question to the media; when would you ever learn to be responsible enough to address the issues in a mature way, WITHOUT sensationalizing them for the sake of grabbing eyeballs?

Politics is not my forte but my blood brews when I witness such sad events that embroil the nation and create unnecessary and easily avoidable conflicts. Hope someone out there understands my anguish that is resonated in so many people around me. I am waiting for the answers!

Path of flames and embers

I was deeply saddened to watch news of London riots. The rampage parade, with a vengeance in the name of venting anger or frustration, displaying ugly opportunism by hooligans is horrifying. Local goons can stir up such havoc and continue to inflict terror over sustained period of time, without police being capable of quelling such delinquency, is difficult to cope with. 

In Maharashtra, last week, the carefully planned Maval agitation escalated to a level which created security threat to the users of Mumbai Pune express highway. Unfortunately, three farmers died when police tried to control rowdy behaviour of the mob. The saddest part is, the police officers who happened to shoot those farmers, are suspended for the "crime" of doing their job! Welcome to the great Indian political circus! 

One needs great courage to survive in today's world where every single day, one witnesses acts of violence and terrorism erupting from years of suppressed anger, injustice, deeply ingrained hatred, mindless greed and filthy power games and when such inexcusable exercises are used to settle personal, social, or political scores, they are beyond any comprehension. 

Far too often, media cohorts and the nation is taken by never ending storms that reflect political, pseudo cultural and religious, chauvinistic, double faced, hypocritical India. It has become fashionable to "protest", so what if it disrupts functioning of governance and invite unnecessary chaos? I am yet to understand, where all this really leads to; in so far as offering any alternative suggestions that position protests, in constructive ways? Frankly, I am little jittery over anyone who claims to be "voice of nation/people", articulating well crafted rhetoric. 


It is time to get past the fluff of political games which are nothing but utter farce and address some REAL issues. Sixty five years of independence and India still has some unique challenges. But  I'm NOT giving up hope, yet! 

An angel by the beach

Witnessing splendor of sunrise and watching sun's first few rays split into light is enigmatic experience! When there is no distraction between you and nature, the very experience takes you to a completely different level. My husband and I had a beautiful drive around the hills while going to Kashid, near Alibaugh a fortnight back. When we reached there, it was like a perfect scene from a romantic movie! Pretty clean sandy beach, lovely cool breeze, breath-taking music of waves and chirping of birds...yeah, we experienced all this! 


There was hardly any soul around to disturb that serene solitude. We settled near a stall selling coconuts; watching the sea in its playful mood and the morning breeze carresing us gently. The place was still in slumber, about to be woken up on that lovely morning. We were fascinated by the magic of earthy landscapes created by waves, strewn on luminous sand. There was a soothing quitetude of freshly washed shore, an enchaniting journey of the senses! 

Hardly an hour must have passed when a boy barely ten, emerged with his horse cart, requesting us to try the ride. We were a little reluctant as it was bit early but his hopeful eyes melted me and we agreed to take the ride.

Whenever I visit a new place, the most enriching experience has always been knowing local people and learning about their life. It is interesting, how it helps me capture different perspectives of life in general. I tried to talk to Sumedh, the boy with the horse cart but he was extremely shy. All answers to my questions were monosyllabic, wrapped with a genuine, sweet smile. All I could learn about him, was his name and that he studied in fourth standard and wished to study to become "successful man"! I asked him if he was happy since it was weekend and he would have more customers. He answered with a deep sigh, " didi, paisa to milta hain par log beach ganda karte hain...... "  ( meaning, he gets good money but was not happy about people spoiling the beach). The concern in his voice and eyes was difficult to miss when he said this. 

After we reached one point, the cart stopped and we got busy clicking pictures while Sumedh ran towards the sea and grabbed a plastic bottle, the wave had just thrown out. He tucked it in a gunnysack beneath the cart. I learnt that this was his daily ritual, performed with utmost dedication. Everyday, when he was at the beach, he collected all the garbage and put it in a dustbin. I was bowled over by this gesture! 


I see so many people littering roads, public property without any iota of guilt, even in a metro city like Mumbai. I have seen people from expensive cars spitting their mouthful of gutkas and paans on the roads in the cities and here was a boy  with hardly any educated background, showing maturity that many "educated people" fail to display! He was so much part of his surroundings and so sensitive to nature that he walked his talk with great elan. I had hardly exchanged a few sentences with this kid but he left a great impact on me with his responsible behaviour. 

As our ride got over and we started walking on the beach, I felt elated ! Sumedh had touched my heart deeply. I was very proud of him and I planned to catch up with him again the next day and know him a little more.  Our silent conversation with this angel was a lovely start to our weekend. I knew there was a lot of beauty about to be discovered.

Death by design and desperation...

Recently, world was shaken by two very sad news. The horrific, man made catastrophe on 22 July, at Oslo, Norway, that killed 91 people and death of Amy Winehouse in suspicious condition (read, substance abuse at its worst!) on 23 July. 

A self proclaimed saviour of the nation, Anders Behring Brievik went on killing spree that he managed to carry out with utmost precision and took lives of 91 innocent people. This horrific rampage was the result of deep rooted hatred for Islamic immigrants! 

While I was watching the story of the gruesome killings in Norway, it struck me how the constantly changing world with paradigm shifts in politics, economics and power play is compelling social transformation globally. Not always, we are equipped to handle the pace with which such transformations occur at different levels. 

We live in interesting times! We don't know when some religious fanatic, fundamentalist or any insane person might destroy our life and that fact is very difficult to cope. Such tragic events are rare yet at the back of the mind these threats always lurk and saddest part is there is no logical explanations to "whys" of such mindless killings that leave us weary and helpless. 

If we go little deep in history of human kind, we would find that most of the massacres occurred due to basic human follies like judgment and prejudice! Human kind has suffered immensely due to this malevolent disease of hate, prejudice and judgment. How often do we examine our own thinking and check if we are nursing any hatred within us and if it is evident in our actions, mindsets and attitudes. Are we choosing compassion over hatred? 

In Amy Winehouse's death, one sees clear signs of turbulent personal life. What a waste of such a talented, soulful singer, we wonder! Why, someone like Amy would give up life and find solace in substance abuse? Dig deep and we find endless tales of despair, ambition, loneliness, failed relationships and the pain and dark anguish, guilt and shame it entails. 

Life is such a wonderful gift! I fail to understand why anyone would give it up? I have no words to express the pain of grieving families. With each life that was lost, there was a family and many heart broken friends who  experienced devastation which is difficult to heal! Their pain is beyond words hence impossible to express! All I would say is, R.I.P Utoya kids, I feel so sorry for you and your loved ones! R.I.P Amy Winehouse, how I wish you knew how precious you were! I end this post with one of my favourite songs by Amy; which turned out to be sadly prophetic( "I tread a troubled track")!

Confined to chaos...

There is nothing unusual in being caught in a traffic jam, specially in metro cities but when one is compelled to brave that adventure with the backdrop of heavy  monsoon clouds pouring and the heaven thundering down with rage and fury, it is a different experience altogether. When there is chaos on the road, being stuck in the traffic makes me think about my past bad karmas and seriously contemplate if there is some way to atonement.

When stuck in anarchy like that, we sometimes realize profound things about life! Day before yesterday, I was engulfed in an absurd scene, a collage of interesting observations. I was stuck in traffic jam for more than an hour. With traffic coming to a standstill, there was no escape from that circus! After the initial furious honking, most people surrendered to the sheer helplessness while some agitated souls continued to fume and fret mindlessly over their cell phones.

The blind beggar couple rushed to take shelter under the half built metro rail bridge. The street urchins were enjoying themselves under the leaked pipe gushing clean water from the building nearby. Some vagabonds were babbling while helping an old man with his car that broke down right in the middle of the road. A cow was frantically searching for her calf that seemed to have lost its way. There was no point in listening to music or working on laptop as there were many distractions with myriad sounds and smells assailing the senses. Shrill giggles of a toddler playing with its mother at the roadside dwelling and even the huge hoardings oozing out endless desires, provided great relief!

One starts to think about absurdity of urban life at such moments. For more than an hour, everything was immersed in complete void and collapsed in some strange nothingness!  Everybody at the traffic jam looked stressed and was strangely connected in helplessness and ennui yet was totally absorbed with individual loneliness. There was barely any exchange of smiles! The only exchange that took place was a few wistful glances at some random fellow passengers inside other vehicles.

Surprisingly, when I finally accepted that chaos without any resentment and was at peace with it, I found a few moments of stillness. Guess that is what urban life sometimes teaches you. Once we learn to embrace things as they are with equanimity, life does not really look that bad. Isn't it? I am trying very hard to ingrain that on my emotional and cerebral landscape.