It is quite heartening that all the four pillars of our democracy day by day are showing signs of concern to the happenings going on around us- be it right to freedom of speech and expression, environment protection, law and order obligations and infrastructure development. The complaint of certain quarters against the media crossing limits has some substance, on the whole our media, both print and visual, play cardinal roles in digging out and thereby exposing the festering sores still refusing to heal and thus helping all to take immediate remedial measures.
Similar is the case with our judiciary also. Years ago judiciary was seen by many in our society as the prisoner of elite and also holding a dogmatic approach which allegedly cared nothing for the uplift of the masses. Gradually Judiciary’s mindset underwent sea -change for the good of the society. Jurists of the calibre of Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer were there, he always cared for the social aspects while passing judgements. Justice Krishna Iyer, the nonagenarian, now in the twilight of his life is still active albeit his old age and poor health, pens a lot for drawing the attention of those at the helm of affairs towards the inequalities still prevailing in our society.
Once in a while a Krishna Iyer is incarnated over the past one decade or two but that couldn’t save much purpose.
On thinking about Judiciary and Judicial activism, writer and social activist Arundhati Roy came to my mind. In her book “Algebra of Infinite Justice” , she has mentioned about a Supreme Court verdict pronounced by a three member jury consisting of A.S.Anand, J.P.Kirpal and S.P.Barucha. The verdict was in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by Narmada Bachao Aandolan appealing to the court to order a stay to the further construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam as the rehabilitation of the displaced poor had not reached anywhere.
Barring S.P.Barucha, who passed a dissenting judgement, Chief Justice Anand and Justice Kirpal passed a verdict allowing the authorities to proceed with the construction. The hapless poor felt themselves in the lurch by the highest court of the land. This verdict was passed on October 18, 2000.
Nine years have elapsed since then. Governments came. Governments went. Ministers came. Ministers went. Judges came. Judges went. Mindsets underwent enormous changes. And are still undergoing vast changes. Much water has flowed down Narmada since then.
Now the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is Justice K.G.Balakrishnan.
While taking part in a seminar on Law and Environment on May 21 at Chandigarh, he stressed the need for protecting our environment and he didn’t even forget to advise those responsible, to shelve a project whenever it is found to be detrimental to our ecology. Justice Mukundakam Sharma who participated along with Justice Balakrishnan in the seminar also dwelt on the importance of protecting our environment and to desist from deforestation and rapid industrialisation urged all to spread awareness about ecological protection.
The subject of climate change has turned out to be a hot issue haunting the environmentalists, Scientists and citizens across the globe. The Copenhagen summit is fast approaching where a vast number of nations are supposed to participate to deliberate upon and evolve new solutions to save the earth from a catastrophe. The growth of developed as well as developing nations ,both stakeholders alike, have to gird up their loins and fight to bring down the level of carbon emissions in the ensuing years. It is said that even if the developed nations bring their carbon emissions to zero degree level, it won’t prove to be a blessing to all if the developing nations are left untouched. Means, they have also to play prominent roles - and if debt-ridden appeal for aid from developed nations or the latter must generously extend their helping hands. We should ensure in the process that coming generation’s future shouldn’t be cooked at any cost, as one environmentalist put it.)
In comes another verdict passed by the highest court of our land, the Supreme Court. It is the case of a well-known human-rights activist Dr.Binayak Sen. He was incarcerated in a Chattisgarh Jail in May 14, 2007. Dr.Sen who is a reputed padeatrician who cared a lot for the down-trodden in the society was a regular visitor to a Chattisgarh jail to treat the inmates. He was imprisoned on the charges of acting as a courier of to a maoist inmate of the prison by the State government. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was slapped on him by the Government. The well-known human-rights activist had to languish in the prison for two years inspite of protests and processions staged by human-rights activists and intellectuals around the world.
Finally his case reached the Supreme Court and the jury consisting of Justice Markandeya Katju and Justice Deepak Verma freed him within no time, telling Dr.Sen’s eminent lawyer Shantibhushan that, “We know the facts of this case. He has been in jail for two years. We are granting him bail”.
Touching, to say the least. A pro-active Judiciary free from a
dogmatic approach and with a humanitarian attitude is always a
blessing for the society at large.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
“BERTH PANGS” OF A NEW MINISTRY
Vinod Mehta, Editor-in-Chief of Outlook, during a talk-show in NDTV 24X7 was heard saying about the long memories of elephants one year ago. His comment was in the context of discussing about Kumari Mayawati, presently Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh whose party’s election-symbol is incidentally elephant.
I recalled the event while going through a weekly column ‘Reductio Ad Absurdum’ in The New Indian Express dated 23-05-09, by its Editor-in-Chief, Aditya Sinha who is based in Chennai. I enjoy his weekly column due to his inherent sense of humour especially when writing about the great Indian circus- Indian politics.
Last Saturday his column dwelt mainly on the ‘ditching’ of former allies of UPA by Indian National Congress. According to Mr.Sinha, the ruthless spurning of certain allies was most unbecoming of Indian National Congress and as per his observation the spurning really smacks of arrogance on the part of Indian National Congress, the Grand Old Party of India.
Mr. Sinha while casting aspersions on Congress for distancing itself from some regional parties with whose support Dr.ManMohanSingh governed the nation for the full five year term (2004-2009) warns of the consequences in the long run. According to him, spurned friends have long memories like pachyderms and hence it would have been better on the part of Dr.ManMohanSingh to have invited them to join the government.
I do not want to contest Mr.Sinha’s claim as he has every right to stick to his claim. Conveniently or not, Mr.Sinha forgets the history of the oldest National Party of India, yes it was to be squarely blamed for its reckless governance not giving much of its attention to the overall development of nation as a whole in the fields of infrastructure, poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy and a host of essential aspects especially on the social front for decades after independence. If the people got fed up with governance of the party and formed regional parties under local leaders to fight for their well-being and prosperity of the States they represented, they could not be blamed. The mushrooming of regional parties, in later years under different local leaders gradually lost their real goal of bringing prosperity to their States and instead by hook or crook, concentrated more in amassing crores and also for leading pompous lives shedding all ethics which any political party is bound to have always. Selfishness and greed became their motto. And in the process generosity and magnanimity turned to be the casualities. The common man and the poverty stricken became the ultimate losers.
With the mushrooming of regional parties on a daily basis, ego-clashes, the urge to draw national attention and piling up crores became the ulterior motives of the regional parties and it continues to be so, Indian National Congress and Communist Party of India (its splinter parties also abound now) were forced to “beat a retreat”. During election times the national parties which became marginal in due course had to seek support of the regional parties of each State and had to be satisfied with the crumbs the regional parties threw to them.
Indian citizens have also long memories, I think so. While the national party took care to uplift them, the latter felt no hesitation in voting for them. And when the GOP went off the track forgetting their obligations to the masses the latter derived solace in casting votes to the regional parties expecting a lot from their rulers.
In course off time, those regional outfits got power-drunk and arrogant caring not much of their subjects. The masses changed their tracks. They got fed up. What an average Indian citizen mostly expects is a square meal a day and he votes for the party which provides it.
And the Grand Old Party, Indian National Congress could fathom the depth of the despair of the masses and could feel the pulse of the common man by keeping aloof from certain squabbling regional outfits contested on their own and they reaped dividends. It proved to be a wise decision.
Now have a look at Indraprastha. Our Prime Minister, Dr.ManMohanSingh is literally sweating it out to pacify and placate a sulking DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) led by Sharad Pawar and Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerji, by allotting berths in the Ministry to the satisfaction of all. These outfits are in a nasty race for capturing plum portfolios in the Ministry forgetting all their grand promises to the electorate during their whirlwind election campaign. DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and TC (Trinamool Congress) of Mamata Banerji, one confined to Tamil Nadu and the other to West Bengal are notorious for their regional chauvinism. How long the ‘berth pangs’ will continue to haunt Dr.Singh is anybody’s guess. And if Congress was forced to accommodate all the regional outfits in the Ministry, the unfolding of an absurd drama would have been the consequence.
Will the ruling party come to grip with Indian realities and proceed along the path of human welfare, especially the common man (Aam Admi) in the coming days? We have to wait for the euphoria to settle down.
I recalled the event while going through a weekly column ‘Reductio Ad Absurdum’ in The New Indian Express dated 23-05-09, by its Editor-in-Chief, Aditya Sinha who is based in Chennai. I enjoy his weekly column due to his inherent sense of humour especially when writing about the great Indian circus- Indian politics.
Last Saturday his column dwelt mainly on the ‘ditching’ of former allies of UPA by Indian National Congress. According to Mr.Sinha, the ruthless spurning of certain allies was most unbecoming of Indian National Congress and as per his observation the spurning really smacks of arrogance on the part of Indian National Congress, the Grand Old Party of India.
Mr. Sinha while casting aspersions on Congress for distancing itself from some regional parties with whose support Dr.ManMohanSingh governed the nation for the full five year term (2004-2009) warns of the consequences in the long run. According to him, spurned friends have long memories like pachyderms and hence it would have been better on the part of Dr.ManMohanSingh to have invited them to join the government.
I do not want to contest Mr.Sinha’s claim as he has every right to stick to his claim. Conveniently or not, Mr.Sinha forgets the history of the oldest National Party of India, yes it was to be squarely blamed for its reckless governance not giving much of its attention to the overall development of nation as a whole in the fields of infrastructure, poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy and a host of essential aspects especially on the social front for decades after independence. If the people got fed up with governance of the party and formed regional parties under local leaders to fight for their well-being and prosperity of the States they represented, they could not be blamed. The mushrooming of regional parties, in later years under different local leaders gradually lost their real goal of bringing prosperity to their States and instead by hook or crook, concentrated more in amassing crores and also for leading pompous lives shedding all ethics which any political party is bound to have always. Selfishness and greed became their motto. And in the process generosity and magnanimity turned to be the casualities. The common man and the poverty stricken became the ultimate losers.
With the mushrooming of regional parties on a daily basis, ego-clashes, the urge to draw national attention and piling up crores became the ulterior motives of the regional parties and it continues to be so, Indian National Congress and Communist Party of India (its splinter parties also abound now) were forced to “beat a retreat”. During election times the national parties which became marginal in due course had to seek support of the regional parties of each State and had to be satisfied with the crumbs the regional parties threw to them.
Indian citizens have also long memories, I think so. While the national party took care to uplift them, the latter felt no hesitation in voting for them. And when the GOP went off the track forgetting their obligations to the masses the latter derived solace in casting votes to the regional parties expecting a lot from their rulers.
In course off time, those regional outfits got power-drunk and arrogant caring not much of their subjects. The masses changed their tracks. They got fed up. What an average Indian citizen mostly expects is a square meal a day and he votes for the party which provides it.
And the Grand Old Party, Indian National Congress could fathom the depth of the despair of the masses and could feel the pulse of the common man by keeping aloof from certain squabbling regional outfits contested on their own and they reaped dividends. It proved to be a wise decision.
Now have a look at Indraprastha. Our Prime Minister, Dr.ManMohanSingh is literally sweating it out to pacify and placate a sulking DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) led by Sharad Pawar and Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerji, by allotting berths in the Ministry to the satisfaction of all. These outfits are in a nasty race for capturing plum portfolios in the Ministry forgetting all their grand promises to the electorate during their whirlwind election campaign. DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and TC (Trinamool Congress) of Mamata Banerji, one confined to Tamil Nadu and the other to West Bengal are notorious for their regional chauvinism. How long the ‘berth pangs’ will continue to haunt Dr.Singh is anybody’s guess. And if Congress was forced to accommodate all the regional outfits in the Ministry, the unfolding of an absurd drama would have been the consequence.
Will the ruling party come to grip with Indian realities and proceed along the path of human welfare, especially the common man (Aam Admi) in the coming days? We have to wait for the euphoria to settle down.
Friday, May 22, 2009
ABOUT RUBINA ALI AND AZHARUDHEEN ISMAIL – THEIR PLIGHT
Azharudheen Ismail seems to beseech us- please don’t forget me!
Rubina Ali seems to weep loudly and implores us with folded palms- please don’t forget me!
Hundreds and hundreds, thousands and thousands of Azharudheen Ismails’ and Rubina Alis’ cries explode in our ears daily to extend a helping hand to wriggle out of a quagmire of poverty, malnutrition and homelessness.
We tend to ignore all their cries for help.
How many among us know who this Rubina Ali is. How many among us know who this Azharudheen Ismail is.
How many of us recall the Oscar Award Winner ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ which brought before the world the pathetic life of slum-dwellers?
Azharudheen Ismail and Rubina Ali were two main child actors of ‘SlumDog Millionaire’ which brought fame, glory and alongside the murkier side of an India about which many a people across the world is unaware of.
Bandra(E) is known to an average Mumbaikar. He/she is also aware of the shanties along the railway lines of Bandra. Last week Mumbai civic authorities demolished a part of about 30 shanties defying the protests and helpless cries of the slum-dwellers. One among the demolished slums was that of Azharudheen Ismail, the child hero of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. The news about the demolishing of Azharudheen’s- the little celebrity- couldn’t even create much of a flutter among us.
The case was similar when the news about the ramshackling of another part of shanties was flashed across the TV screens and through Print Media on 20-5-2009. In the second episode of the serial ‘demolishings’, Brihu Mumbai Municipal Authorities created history of sorts by demolishing among other slums, the slum of Rubina Ali, the main female actor of the film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. While the demolishing process was going on , the child was in the market to purchase something, her second mother was at the spot to make a hue and cry, the authorities cared two hoots for her protestations and the makeshift area disappeared within seconds.
Not much hullabaloo. Not much hue and cry. Business as usual in the city. Politicians are pretty hectic in their activities. Post-election scenario is turning out to be transparent day by day. The victorious ones upbeat. Those who remained with great expectations and lost in the race mulling their next course of action still licking their wounds simultaneously don’t much bother about Azharudheen Ismail and Rubina Ali. The elections are over for the time being. And hence the shedding of crocodile tears also have to take some leisure moments.
The producers of the Oscar winner have also not much to say about the little child actors of the film who were instrumental in piling up huge collection for them. The trend of things happening in our nation.
Dehumanization of the society is not common to India, but to the World as a whole and the reversal of the process is the dream of an average peace-loving world citizen.
Rubina Ali seems to weep loudly and implores us with folded palms- please don’t forget me!
Hundreds and hundreds, thousands and thousands of Azharudheen Ismails’ and Rubina Alis’ cries explode in our ears daily to extend a helping hand to wriggle out of a quagmire of poverty, malnutrition and homelessness.
We tend to ignore all their cries for help.
How many among us know who this Rubina Ali is. How many among us know who this Azharudheen Ismail is.
How many of us recall the Oscar Award Winner ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ which brought before the world the pathetic life of slum-dwellers?
Azharudheen Ismail and Rubina Ali were two main child actors of ‘SlumDog Millionaire’ which brought fame, glory and alongside the murkier side of an India about which many a people across the world is unaware of.
Bandra(E) is known to an average Mumbaikar. He/she is also aware of the shanties along the railway lines of Bandra. Last week Mumbai civic authorities demolished a part of about 30 shanties defying the protests and helpless cries of the slum-dwellers. One among the demolished slums was that of Azharudheen Ismail, the child hero of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. The news about the demolishing of Azharudheen’s- the little celebrity- couldn’t even create much of a flutter among us.
The case was similar when the news about the ramshackling of another part of shanties was flashed across the TV screens and through Print Media on 20-5-2009. In the second episode of the serial ‘demolishings’, Brihu Mumbai Municipal Authorities created history of sorts by demolishing among other slums, the slum of Rubina Ali, the main female actor of the film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. While the demolishing process was going on , the child was in the market to purchase something, her second mother was at the spot to make a hue and cry, the authorities cared two hoots for her protestations and the makeshift area disappeared within seconds.
Not much hullabaloo. Not much hue and cry. Business as usual in the city. Politicians are pretty hectic in their activities. Post-election scenario is turning out to be transparent day by day. The victorious ones upbeat. Those who remained with great expectations and lost in the race mulling their next course of action still licking their wounds simultaneously don’t much bother about Azharudheen Ismail and Rubina Ali. The elections are over for the time being. And hence the shedding of crocodile tears also have to take some leisure moments.
The producers of the Oscar winner have also not much to say about the little child actors of the film who were instrumental in piling up huge collection for them. The trend of things happening in our nation.
Dehumanization of the society is not common to India, but to the World as a whole and the reversal of the process is the dream of an average peace-loving world citizen.
CERTAIN SALUTARY ASPECTS OF 15th GENERAL ELECTIONS AND ITS VERDICT
The dust has been settled, a clear picture merged and the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) led by Indian National Congress is back with a renewed mandate, albeit within a short distance to reach the magical figure of 272. That doesn’t matter. The UPA led by the Party has more than enough supporters in queues to provide a stable government without expecting cabinet berths or anything of that sorts. No need to be embarrassed or surprised by the decisions taken by some power hungry politicians - not because they became the ardent devotees of Lord Krishna overnight, whose advice to Arjuna, the veteran Kshathriya warrior not to wait for the fruits of his action- but because quite unexpectedly their calculations and hopes went awry after the final results emerged. Shattered dreams like a broken glass castle are something painful and in politics also such painful things occur quite unexpectedly especially during election.
AmarSingh, SP leader was in an upbeat mood days before the elections and he was awaiting for an opportune moment to extract his pound of flesh from the UPA, as it was predicted to have a slight edge over the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) led by BJP and the Third Front led by Leftists with a hotchpotch of opportunist parties like AIADMK, TDP and PMK who were waiting keeping options open.
Soon after the clear picture became evident to all the Congress leaders like DigVijay Singh and Janardhan Dwivedi, they went euphoric within no time, such is the way of the world sir, openly declared Congress Party’s determination to keep SP (Samajwadi Party) out of the alliance once and for all. Their statements dealt heavy blows to the already humiliated Samajwadi Party with its 23 seats and INC contrary to their own expectations could improve its tally with 21 seats in UP, thus establishing their clout in the State with largest number of Parliament seats. Out of 80 seats in the State, BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) led by the Chief Minister Kumari Mayawati could garner only 19 seats much to her chagrin. Now she has also come out into the open with unconditional support to the coming UPA led government, ie with no strings attached.
Amar Singh was ‘heart-broken’ on hearing the statements of DigVijay Singh and Party spokesman Janardhan Dwivedi. They should not have spoken so rudely, after all it was Amar Singh’s Party which rushed to the rescue of ManMohanSingh government at a time the leftists withdrew support to UPA on the issue of Civil Nuclear Deal. “Too ruthless Too thankless and most unbecoming.”
Lalu Prasad Yadav bit by the sting find its very hard to swallow the pain after the unexpected drubbing his Party suffered at the hustings and the unexpected victory of Congress even to its leaders is in a pathetic state. His friend Ram Vilas Paswan is now nowhere in the picture after the leader himself drawing a blank at Hajipur constituency. He was quite magnanimous when he declared ( to quote his own words) ‘those who bring power to the centre should be worshipped. I couldn’t do it unfortunately.’
The Fourth front consisting of RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), LJP (Lok Janshakti Party) and SP (Samajwadi Party) formed with the sole purpose of exerting maximum pressure on the UPA alliance which was supposed to have a slight edge over other fronts to extract the maximum from the coming government have nothing much to demand from it.
Unconditional support with no demands for the consummation of a stable government so as to enable it to deliver maximum prosperity and happiness to the ‘Aam Admi’ (common man) is only their motivation. Howzaat ? All in desperate rush to save the country from vested interests. Patriotic gentlemen always move ahead in tandem or on the same wavelength.
Even NDA (National Democratic Alliance) who were also dreaming power at the centre and most vocal in its criticism against the UPA alliance and the Third front have shed its belligerent mood and have decided to keep a low profile for the time being and at the same time have decided to extend constructive opposition to the government in the coming days.
Regional parties except a few were the worst sufferers in the 15th General Elections. The ruling alliance at the centre, if sincere in catering to the needs of dissatisfaction in certain parts of the country the mushrooming of regional parties can be avoided to a large extent. And that is a good omen. Those who associated with them to garner maximum number of seats, with glowing dreams of a prosperous dawn also fell in the quagmire of petty politics losing much of their fame, rigour, the revolutionary zeal and glory. The leftists swam with these regional players and in the process sunk with them. The one, INC which was ready for the gamble to regain the lost glory of the Party tasted victory albeit with a partial success. The frantic efforts of Lalus’, AmarSinghs’ and Mayawatis’ to rally behind the governing alliance are exercises in futility if they are always kept at a reasonable distance.
AmarSingh, SP leader was in an upbeat mood days before the elections and he was awaiting for an opportune moment to extract his pound of flesh from the UPA, as it was predicted to have a slight edge over the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) led by BJP and the Third Front led by Leftists with a hotchpotch of opportunist parties like AIADMK, TDP and PMK who were waiting keeping options open.
Soon after the clear picture became evident to all the Congress leaders like DigVijay Singh and Janardhan Dwivedi, they went euphoric within no time, such is the way of the world sir, openly declared Congress Party’s determination to keep SP (Samajwadi Party) out of the alliance once and for all. Their statements dealt heavy blows to the already humiliated Samajwadi Party with its 23 seats and INC contrary to their own expectations could improve its tally with 21 seats in UP, thus establishing their clout in the State with largest number of Parliament seats. Out of 80 seats in the State, BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) led by the Chief Minister Kumari Mayawati could garner only 19 seats much to her chagrin. Now she has also come out into the open with unconditional support to the coming UPA led government, ie with no strings attached.
Amar Singh was ‘heart-broken’ on hearing the statements of DigVijay Singh and Party spokesman Janardhan Dwivedi. They should not have spoken so rudely, after all it was Amar Singh’s Party which rushed to the rescue of ManMohanSingh government at a time the leftists withdrew support to UPA on the issue of Civil Nuclear Deal. “Too ruthless Too thankless and most unbecoming.”
Lalu Prasad Yadav bit by the sting find its very hard to swallow the pain after the unexpected drubbing his Party suffered at the hustings and the unexpected victory of Congress even to its leaders is in a pathetic state. His friend Ram Vilas Paswan is now nowhere in the picture after the leader himself drawing a blank at Hajipur constituency. He was quite magnanimous when he declared ( to quote his own words) ‘those who bring power to the centre should be worshipped. I couldn’t do it unfortunately.’
The Fourth front consisting of RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), LJP (Lok Janshakti Party) and SP (Samajwadi Party) formed with the sole purpose of exerting maximum pressure on the UPA alliance which was supposed to have a slight edge over other fronts to extract the maximum from the coming government have nothing much to demand from it.
Unconditional support with no demands for the consummation of a stable government so as to enable it to deliver maximum prosperity and happiness to the ‘Aam Admi’ (common man) is only their motivation. Howzaat ? All in desperate rush to save the country from vested interests. Patriotic gentlemen always move ahead in tandem or on the same wavelength.
Even NDA (National Democratic Alliance) who were also dreaming power at the centre and most vocal in its criticism against the UPA alliance and the Third front have shed its belligerent mood and have decided to keep a low profile for the time being and at the same time have decided to extend constructive opposition to the government in the coming days.
Regional parties except a few were the worst sufferers in the 15th General Elections. The ruling alliance at the centre, if sincere in catering to the needs of dissatisfaction in certain parts of the country the mushrooming of regional parties can be avoided to a large extent. And that is a good omen. Those who associated with them to garner maximum number of seats, with glowing dreams of a prosperous dawn also fell in the quagmire of petty politics losing much of their fame, rigour, the revolutionary zeal and glory. The leftists swam with these regional players and in the process sunk with them. The one, INC which was ready for the gamble to regain the lost glory of the Party tasted victory albeit with a partial success. The frantic efforts of Lalus’, AmarSinghs’ and Mayawatis’ to rally behind the governing alliance are exercises in futility if they are always kept at a reasonable distance.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
DREAMING OF SPRING TIME TO ARRIVE
I always call him Comrade. True, I know his real name with initials. Admit. Some friends call him by his initials. But I call him Comrade. It is my preference.
He is a revolutionary. Fire-brand ofcourse. Whenever he addresses his Comrades, the real revolutionary in him comes out into the open. He spits fire. He shivers with rage. His baritone voice goes up up and up to great heights. So, says his closest comrades. And on listening to his thunderous speeches their spirits rise up in tandem.
Sorry, I have not yet met him in person. That luck still remains elusive, since we got in touch with each other over phone ten years ago. One day, yes, one day I will meet him, exchange pleasantries with him and will engage in serious discussions connected with trade union, politics, art, literature and culture.
Once in a while, I see him in print media, visual media, leading processions chanting slogans with clenched fists and his voice reverberating all over the surroundings. Tall, sturdy, bushy growth of hair covering his head, thick moustached and clean shaven. Ofcourse a typical revolutionary.
Whenever I think about him I am reminded of former shining jewel of Mumbai journalism, Behram Contractor alias Busybee, who with his daily evening column, ‘Round and About’, first in Evening Times of Times of India (Behram Contractor was Times Of India’s Bombay bureau Chief), then Mid-day and after a short stint in Mid-day his own Afternoon Despatch Courier. The Mumbaikars were madly after him, his evening column with his illuminating style and substance, provided us food for thought and also a great deal to have hearty laughs while on commuting to our homes in the local trains or while waiting for buses at bus-stops, coffee houses, beer parlours, anywhere and everywhere in Mumbai. After a hectic day in offices immersed in tiresome and tedious jobs, Busybee was always there outside to rejuvenate our sagging spirits, to enable us to relax and rejoice with his ‘Round and About’.
But our Busybee in the city doesn’t have much in his kitty to provide us happiness and leisure. Even without it he is a Busybee. In his city he is always held in high esteem for his sincerity to the cause of people, especially employees, incidentally- he is also an employee - and also for his contribution to the development of art, literature and culture by being the owner, printer and publisher of a cultural magazine and to film world by being the head of a film society to display good and sensible films which have something for them to contribute to the growth and enlightenment of society as a whole.
The busy schedule stretching from early morning till late into the night actually deprives him from leading a successful family life. But he continues to be happy or pretends to be happy to everyone, his wife, who also continues to be happy or goes on pretending to be happy to her near and dear ones by not showing or displaying pain and sorrow - a sort of existential agony - for failing to have a flower bloom in their life even after twenty five years of marital bliss.
He comes late into the night. She calmly, patiently waits for him beside the telephone till his arrival under the table lamp reading something which is the only source of her solace, love and affection till the footsteps of her beloved approach infront of the door.. After a shower, he comes out afresh, combs the hair in front of a mirror and both of them sit opposite to each other and serve and share dinner, under the ceiling fan revolving at its peak. Not much to talk to each other. Even if there is something to talk about, not much time is left to spare because it is very late in the night and both of them have to get up early, for her to go to the kitchen and him to the office.
When, part of a story remains fully unveiled, the other part remains veiled and nobody cares to know about it. After all who is here to think and feel sorry for a barren existence or a barren island in the hustle and bustle of an urban existence? This is after all the whole gamut of the humdrum existence of all of us, humanbeings.
He is a revolutionary. Fire-brand ofcourse. Whenever he addresses his Comrades, the real revolutionary in him comes out into the open. He spits fire. He shivers with rage. His baritone voice goes up up and up to great heights. So, says his closest comrades. And on listening to his thunderous speeches their spirits rise up in tandem.
Sorry, I have not yet met him in person. That luck still remains elusive, since we got in touch with each other over phone ten years ago. One day, yes, one day I will meet him, exchange pleasantries with him and will engage in serious discussions connected with trade union, politics, art, literature and culture.
Once in a while, I see him in print media, visual media, leading processions chanting slogans with clenched fists and his voice reverberating all over the surroundings. Tall, sturdy, bushy growth of hair covering his head, thick moustached and clean shaven. Ofcourse a typical revolutionary.
Whenever I think about him I am reminded of former shining jewel of Mumbai journalism, Behram Contractor alias Busybee, who with his daily evening column, ‘Round and About’, first in Evening Times of Times of India (Behram Contractor was Times Of India’s Bombay bureau Chief), then Mid-day and after a short stint in Mid-day his own Afternoon Despatch Courier. The Mumbaikars were madly after him, his evening column with his illuminating style and substance, provided us food for thought and also a great deal to have hearty laughs while on commuting to our homes in the local trains or while waiting for buses at bus-stops, coffee houses, beer parlours, anywhere and everywhere in Mumbai. After a hectic day in offices immersed in tiresome and tedious jobs, Busybee was always there outside to rejuvenate our sagging spirits, to enable us to relax and rejoice with his ‘Round and About’.
But our Busybee in the city doesn’t have much in his kitty to provide us happiness and leisure. Even without it he is a Busybee. In his city he is always held in high esteem for his sincerity to the cause of people, especially employees, incidentally- he is also an employee - and also for his contribution to the development of art, literature and culture by being the owner, printer and publisher of a cultural magazine and to film world by being the head of a film society to display good and sensible films which have something for them to contribute to the growth and enlightenment of society as a whole.
The busy schedule stretching from early morning till late into the night actually deprives him from leading a successful family life. But he continues to be happy or pretends to be happy to everyone, his wife, who also continues to be happy or goes on pretending to be happy to her near and dear ones by not showing or displaying pain and sorrow - a sort of existential agony - for failing to have a flower bloom in their life even after twenty five years of marital bliss.
He comes late into the night. She calmly, patiently waits for him beside the telephone till his arrival under the table lamp reading something which is the only source of her solace, love and affection till the footsteps of her beloved approach infront of the door.. After a shower, he comes out afresh, combs the hair in front of a mirror and both of them sit opposite to each other and serve and share dinner, under the ceiling fan revolving at its peak. Not much to talk to each other. Even if there is something to talk about, not much time is left to spare because it is very late in the night and both of them have to get up early, for her to go to the kitchen and him to the office.
When, part of a story remains fully unveiled, the other part remains veiled and nobody cares to know about it. After all who is here to think and feel sorry for a barren existence or a barren island in the hustle and bustle of an urban existence? This is after all the whole gamut of the humdrum existence of all of us, humanbeings.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
THIS TOO ABOUT 1984 ANTI-SIKH POGROM
Prime Minister ManMohanSingh wound up his election campaign in Ludhiana, Punjab, his home-State yesterday. Assam is also his home-State, so he claims, cast his vote there with his wife Gursharan Kaur a few days ago. After all he is our PM and he can rightfully claim the whole of India, his home-“State”.
I am prompted to write a few words about his press conference at Ludhiana after winding up his election tour in Punjab (The New Indian Express dated 11-05-2009).
He took exception to certain queries posed to him by some media persons relating to the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984. Raking up an incident, though bizarre, was according to him something deplorable to cater to the ulterior motives of a few vested interests. As far as he is concerned past is past, or let by-gones be by-gones, and the whole problems solved after the enhancement of compensation to the victims especially the Sikh widows.
It was quite unbecoming of a PM to have uttered such merciless words, though to the media-persons. It was like rubbing salt to wounded Sikh psyche.
Holocaust is still not forgotten. Hiroshima and Nagasakhi are still festering wounds to the whole World especially Japanese. India’s partition and the blood-bath that followed still simmering even after decades. The Jalianwallabagh massacre and the hangings of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru still relived. The brutal assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by a hindu fanatic and Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh body guards still remain painful to everyone across the nation. Dr.ManMohanSingh knows all about these more than this writer. The afore-said incidents are recalled, tributes and homages are profusely offered at appropriate times. Despite all these, his alleged insistence that the memories of Sikh pogrom of 1984 must be wiped out of the victims’ minds is something which is very difficult to be digested.
Would it be possible for Dr Singh to bring back those brutally murdered by the alleged thugs alive before their women and children? Are these womens’ husbands worth the amount offered to them as compensation? Whether Dr.Singh is unaware of the hapless widows and their children, most of them went astray after witnessing their beloved fathers repeatedly beaten up with iron-rods on their heads until they fell unconscious in pools of blood and then set alight. Will they be able to wipe out the trauma etched in their minds, when they are asked to?
Impossible, Dr.Singh.
What the victims of 1984 carnage are badly in need of is bringing all those masterminded it be brought to justice. Uptill then they will remain restless souls. Harjith Kaur, Kuldip Kaur, Jagrup Kaur and a host of others like them will continue to nurture the feelings of anger and hatred towards those at the higher echelons of power.
Providing tickets to the alleged culprits to contest the parliamentary elections is something detestable.
Before winding up this thoughts, let me quote the words of one of the victims of this carnage,
“We want no money. Our murderers need to be prosecuted and hanged. We will have everything when they are hanged, everything. I don’t want that ten lakh; ManMohanSingh need not give us any money because we don’t want it. ManMohanSingh needs to give us the pleasure of knowing they will be hanged; that is our greatest want and desire. Our Murderers must be punished now; they are roaming free. Their children have fathers, and our children have nothing.” ( ‘Betrayed By The State- The Anti-Sikh Pogrom of 1984’ – Jyoti Grewal)
Just imagine the anger and hatred these Sikh widows still keep in their minds against the alleged perpetrators and the ruling elite?
I am prompted to write a few words about his press conference at Ludhiana after winding up his election tour in Punjab (The New Indian Express dated 11-05-2009).
He took exception to certain queries posed to him by some media persons relating to the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984. Raking up an incident, though bizarre, was according to him something deplorable to cater to the ulterior motives of a few vested interests. As far as he is concerned past is past, or let by-gones be by-gones, and the whole problems solved after the enhancement of compensation to the victims especially the Sikh widows.
It was quite unbecoming of a PM to have uttered such merciless words, though to the media-persons. It was like rubbing salt to wounded Sikh psyche.
Holocaust is still not forgotten. Hiroshima and Nagasakhi are still festering wounds to the whole World especially Japanese. India’s partition and the blood-bath that followed still simmering even after decades. The Jalianwallabagh massacre and the hangings of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru still relived. The brutal assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by a hindu fanatic and Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh body guards still remain painful to everyone across the nation. Dr.ManMohanSingh knows all about these more than this writer. The afore-said incidents are recalled, tributes and homages are profusely offered at appropriate times. Despite all these, his alleged insistence that the memories of Sikh pogrom of 1984 must be wiped out of the victims’ minds is something which is very difficult to be digested.
Would it be possible for Dr Singh to bring back those brutally murdered by the alleged thugs alive before their women and children? Are these womens’ husbands worth the amount offered to them as compensation? Whether Dr.Singh is unaware of the hapless widows and their children, most of them went astray after witnessing their beloved fathers repeatedly beaten up with iron-rods on their heads until they fell unconscious in pools of blood and then set alight. Will they be able to wipe out the trauma etched in their minds, when they are asked to?
Impossible, Dr.Singh.
What the victims of 1984 carnage are badly in need of is bringing all those masterminded it be brought to justice. Uptill then they will remain restless souls. Harjith Kaur, Kuldip Kaur, Jagrup Kaur and a host of others like them will continue to nurture the feelings of anger and hatred towards those at the higher echelons of power.
Providing tickets to the alleged culprits to contest the parliamentary elections is something detestable.
Before winding up this thoughts, let me quote the words of one of the victims of this carnage,
“We want no money. Our murderers need to be prosecuted and hanged. We will have everything when they are hanged, everything. I don’t want that ten lakh; ManMohanSingh need not give us any money because we don’t want it. ManMohanSingh needs to give us the pleasure of knowing they will be hanged; that is our greatest want and desire. Our Murderers must be punished now; they are roaming free. Their children have fathers, and our children have nothing.” ( ‘Betrayed By The State- The Anti-Sikh Pogrom of 1984’ – Jyoti Grewal)
Just imagine the anger and hatred these Sikh widows still keep in their minds against the alleged perpetrators and the ruling elite?
Sunday, May 10, 2009
INDIRA GANDHI’S ASSASSINATION AND AFTER
The horrible memories of 1984 pogrom of Sikhs orchestrated by certain vested interests in the capital city of New Delhi in the wake of the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister by her two Sikh bodyguards surfaced again soon after the alleged master-minds, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar jumped into the fray to contest the 15th general elections on Congress tickets. Another alleged master-mind, HKL Bhagat, on completion of his mission, vanished from the scene all together years before. Whether he is in hell or heaven is not much of a concern to anybody. There is no point in disbelieving the Sikhs’ allegation that the whole pogrom was orchestrated and systematically executed on 31 October 1984, November 1-3 allegedly at the behest of late H K L Bhagat, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar. Almost 3000 Sikhs were ruthlessly butchered, their women repeatedly raped, even girl children were not exempted, Sikhs’ sacred Guru Granth Saheb desecrated by urinating on them or by tearing them apart and their dwellings set ablaze by organized mobs.
The male Sikhs who were the bread-winners of their families were dragged out of their houses or caught by chasing them and in the presence of their women beat them up mercilessly, struck them with iron rods, tyres put around their necks, doused them with kerosene and set them alight. The women and children were rendered homeless and they had to take refuge somewhere else, a large number of widows went insane and the children who were forced to witness their fathers being killed ruthlessly by the mobs and their mothers and sisters beined raped callously right infront of them, couldn’t escape from the trauma and in the course of time they fell prey to alcohol and drugs, thus turning to be a burden and pain for their hapless mothers.
“Kill them. They are the sons of venomous snakes. Don’t allow them to survive. Otherwise they will bite you and kill you”- H K L Bhagat, the Congress leader was reported to have exhorted the goons who were quite obedient and loyal to their masters. These goons were actually enjoying their duties they were entrusted with ,they were celebrating in fact, and had no sense of sorrow or pain over the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
Twenty five years have elapsed since 1984. Still the peace-loving minority community of Sikhs have not escaped from the trauma of that period.
Our Prime Minister, Sardar ManMohanSingh is a Sikh. Even then it took twenty one years for him to apologize for the pogrom committed against his community.
“To err is human. There were lapses in November 1984”- His duty to his community is fulfilled!- Is an apology by the PM sufficient to heal the wounds of the beleaguered Sikh community.
Till now, no action has been taken against the perpetrators of the pogrom. Till now the alleged master-minds have not been brought to justice. Instead, the Grand Old Party provided them with tickets to contest the 15th General elections from two Delhi constituencies. Upon coming to know of their plans to contest the election, the Sikh community joined hands in protest against it and as a result, both of them had to withdraw their nominations. The amount of hatred and anger the Sikhs have towards those Congress leaders is appalling.
Upon the assassination of Indira Gandhi, her son Rajiv Gandhi took over the reins of power. On being inquired about the massive rape and burning of the dwellings of Sikhs, his response was:
“When a big tree falls, the earth shakes”.
Those words were like adding salt to the wounds, and even today those words reverberate in their ears like deafening explosions. It helped to aggravate the anger and hatred towards the Gandhi dynasty and the Sikhs have dedicated themselves and are praying to Waheguru ( the Sikh God) to pay for it. Sikhs’ dedication to Waheguru is heartening and in the moments of despair and frustration, they turn to him and pray to him. Still many among them firmly believe and attribute the brutal assassination of Rajiv Gandhi to his words of contempt and indifference to their helplessness when they were badly in need of the help from the authorities. Some of the Sikh women’s words of curse directed against the Gandhi family and their sobs, doom and gloom, on describing the trauma, they had undergone during those fateful days, I shudder to repeat here.
Jyoti Grewal in her book, “Betrayed By The State- The Anti-Sikh Pogrom of 1984”- is a must read. She has taken enormous pain and days of research and interviews in the making of this book. I am sure, she has succeeded in her venture. She could bring out those faces who were waiting in the fringes of the society with nobody to go into their hardships since November 1984 and the trauma they are sure to take along with them even to their graveyards.
Ms. Grewal is certain that, if the culprits of 1984 pogrom were brought before the law and awarded deserving punishment, the 2002 pogrom enacted in Gujarat, would not have happened. In other words, 1984 pogrom and indifference and contempt by ruling authorities towards the Sikhs and the Government’s support to the culprits and master-minds became a catalyst to Narendra Modi and his followers to indulge in an orgy of violence throughout Gujarat- the land of Mahatma- leading to the near decimation and fleeing of Muslim community to safe sanctuaries across India.
Whether the embers will go on burning or will there be anybody to provide a soothing effect to those who fell victims to the pogrom of 1984 is anybody’s guess. Except some shedding of crocodile tears and apologies in abundance what ought to be done will not have much relevance is my personal opinion.
I hope this is an apt and opportune moment to extend kudos to Jyoti Grewal for penning this enlightening work.
The male Sikhs who were the bread-winners of their families were dragged out of their houses or caught by chasing them and in the presence of their women beat them up mercilessly, struck them with iron rods, tyres put around their necks, doused them with kerosene and set them alight. The women and children were rendered homeless and they had to take refuge somewhere else, a large number of widows went insane and the children who were forced to witness their fathers being killed ruthlessly by the mobs and their mothers and sisters beined raped callously right infront of them, couldn’t escape from the trauma and in the course of time they fell prey to alcohol and drugs, thus turning to be a burden and pain for their hapless mothers.
“Kill them. They are the sons of venomous snakes. Don’t allow them to survive. Otherwise they will bite you and kill you”- H K L Bhagat, the Congress leader was reported to have exhorted the goons who were quite obedient and loyal to their masters. These goons were actually enjoying their duties they were entrusted with ,they were celebrating in fact, and had no sense of sorrow or pain over the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
Twenty five years have elapsed since 1984. Still the peace-loving minority community of Sikhs have not escaped from the trauma of that period.
Our Prime Minister, Sardar ManMohanSingh is a Sikh. Even then it took twenty one years for him to apologize for the pogrom committed against his community.
“To err is human. There were lapses in November 1984”- His duty to his community is fulfilled!- Is an apology by the PM sufficient to heal the wounds of the beleaguered Sikh community.
Till now, no action has been taken against the perpetrators of the pogrom. Till now the alleged master-minds have not been brought to justice. Instead, the Grand Old Party provided them with tickets to contest the 15th General elections from two Delhi constituencies. Upon coming to know of their plans to contest the election, the Sikh community joined hands in protest against it and as a result, both of them had to withdraw their nominations. The amount of hatred and anger the Sikhs have towards those Congress leaders is appalling.
Upon the assassination of Indira Gandhi, her son Rajiv Gandhi took over the reins of power. On being inquired about the massive rape and burning of the dwellings of Sikhs, his response was:
“When a big tree falls, the earth shakes”.
Those words were like adding salt to the wounds, and even today those words reverberate in their ears like deafening explosions. It helped to aggravate the anger and hatred towards the Gandhi dynasty and the Sikhs have dedicated themselves and are praying to Waheguru ( the Sikh God) to pay for it. Sikhs’ dedication to Waheguru is heartening and in the moments of despair and frustration, they turn to him and pray to him. Still many among them firmly believe and attribute the brutal assassination of Rajiv Gandhi to his words of contempt and indifference to their helplessness when they were badly in need of the help from the authorities. Some of the Sikh women’s words of curse directed against the Gandhi family and their sobs, doom and gloom, on describing the trauma, they had undergone during those fateful days, I shudder to repeat here.
Jyoti Grewal in her book, “Betrayed By The State- The Anti-Sikh Pogrom of 1984”- is a must read. She has taken enormous pain and days of research and interviews in the making of this book. I am sure, she has succeeded in her venture. She could bring out those faces who were waiting in the fringes of the society with nobody to go into their hardships since November 1984 and the trauma they are sure to take along with them even to their graveyards.
Ms. Grewal is certain that, if the culprits of 1984 pogrom were brought before the law and awarded deserving punishment, the 2002 pogrom enacted in Gujarat, would not have happened. In other words, 1984 pogrom and indifference and contempt by ruling authorities towards the Sikhs and the Government’s support to the culprits and master-minds became a catalyst to Narendra Modi and his followers to indulge in an orgy of violence throughout Gujarat- the land of Mahatma- leading to the near decimation and fleeing of Muslim community to safe sanctuaries across India.
Whether the embers will go on burning or will there be anybody to provide a soothing effect to those who fell victims to the pogrom of 1984 is anybody’s guess. Except some shedding of crocodile tears and apologies in abundance what ought to be done will not have much relevance is my personal opinion.
I hope this is an apt and opportune moment to extend kudos to Jyoti Grewal for penning this enlightening work.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A CAGED BIRD – THE PLIGHT OF A YOUNG EDUCATED BRIDE
She was meeting Dhanya after a lapse of three months. Dhanya was coming all the way from Bangalore with her husband to the college to appear for her viva. Snigdha’s viva was already over and luckily got herself employed in a government firm not far away from college. Before proceeding to Kerala, Dhanya had informed her about her coming to the college to appear for viva and on hearing the news of Dhanya’s arrival, she was deeply delighted. From the very day they got separated, both were badly missing each other.
Dhanya was very cute and pretty, calm and quiet and the girl always tried to keep aloof from other girls of the hostel and college. While in the hostel Dhanya always preferred to be alone in her room reading something or scribbling something or pondering over something about which only Dhanya herself was quite aware of.
Why Dhanya couldn’t consider Snigdha quite unfriendly, unlike others, was a puzzle, still a puzzle, about which Dhanya herself was at a loss to find out.
During leisure times, she would make it a point to visit Dhanya whiling away time alone in her room, would find Dhanya immersed in her thoughts, looking pensive.
“Hai Dhanya, how are you?”- she would go near her and pat her on her back. Dhanya, forgetting all the unnecessary thoughts, would give her a beaming smile and would point towards a chair and would request her to be seated.
“What about study and all”?- Snigdha would inquire her with a charming smile.
“Going on Snigdha”- Dhanya would return her smile.
Dhanya would sit in a padmasana (sitting in a cross-legged position) position on her bed.
“And what about you”?- Dhanya never forgot to grill her with a glint of mischief and curiosity in her eyes.
Spending time with Dhanya was a pleasure to her. On those occasions Dhanya would bare her thoughts to her, her unnecessary fears about her health, whether she was suffering from any kind of diseases which she dreaded, such unnecessary thoughts haunting her. Whenever Dhanya began to narrate her imaginary fears about her health, Snigdha would get angry and would admonish her.
“For heaven’s sake, Dhanya you are absolutely fit. This is a kind of hypochondriasis and nothing else. Whenever you happen to read about a disease, in a newspaper or a periodical, you get scared and worry whether you are also a victim to that disease. Dhanya, please try to mingle with everybody and make friends with them and don’t keep moody and aloof always in your cocoon. Mind you, if you go on harping on such and such diseases, I will stop coming to you.”- she would warn her with a smiling face.
She always wanted to see Dhanya in a happy mood and hence force her out of the room, walk down the path just in front of the college and in the mean time, she would inquire about Dhanya’s childhood days. On both sides of the path there were flower trees bearing various kinds of innumerable flowers giving the ambience a romantic look. Dhanya told her about her childhood days, separated from the parents in her early days and her study in a Navodaya School for years, a brief period with parents and younger brother, again returning to the hostel and later during higher studies also spending days away from parents, and it was quite natural that she felt a distance from her parents, a kind of suppressed anger towards them for not showering love and affection when she badly needed. Keeping away from even the class-mates and room-mates led her to live in a make-believe world of unnecessary fears about health and such other things.
On almost all days, she would persuade Dhanya to give her a company to her to the temple, just outside the campus premises and soon Dhanya also found very much delighted in going to the temple to have Darshan (glimpse) even in the absence of her friend.
As promised over phone, both of them met in the town, they locked in a warm hug oblivious of the happenings around them.
With tears welling-up in their eyes, they moved along without uttering anything for a few minutes.
She wiped out her tears.
“You look smarter and healthier Dhanya. What is the secret behind it”?- with disarming smile Snigdha looked askance.
Dhanya felt a bit shy.
“Nowadays I am not eating for myself only. A guest is…”
Dhanya burst out laughing. She couldn’t complete her words.
Snigdha was somewhat taken aback.
“Pretty soon! Really wonderful and my whole-hearted congratulations”- Snigdha couldn’t believe it first. Dhanya was still shy.
“I am not going to spare you today. I need a sumptuous lunch, that also at…”
On hearing her Dhanya couldn’t control her laughter.
“But Snigdha, I have not told one thing even to my parents. But now I am going to lay bare my sorrow and unhappiness to you. Because you know me best more than anybody. From the very outset , I was the top in all classes. Here also the things will not be different. I am sure. But to no avail. Almost one month after marriage and merry go-round in Garden city, yes the so-called honeymoon, he and his parents have begun to appear before me in their true colours. They don’t want me to be employed in any institution. They have no qualms in breaking the assurance they had given before fixing the marriage. They have found me a suitable place in the kitchen. Prepare rice, chappathis and curries about which I didn’t have much idea. Letters from my parents are censored before handing it over to me. Mother-in-law demands more gold and money. She even does not like me talking to my husband and he has not the guts to cross the line drawn by her. No outings. No purchases. But the life must go on.”
“Who is to blame for all these?”- Dhanya was asking.
“Yourself”- Snigdha didn’t take a split-second to respond. She was shivering with rage.
Dhanya was very cute and pretty, calm and quiet and the girl always tried to keep aloof from other girls of the hostel and college. While in the hostel Dhanya always preferred to be alone in her room reading something or scribbling something or pondering over something about which only Dhanya herself was quite aware of.
Why Dhanya couldn’t consider Snigdha quite unfriendly, unlike others, was a puzzle, still a puzzle, about which Dhanya herself was at a loss to find out.
During leisure times, she would make it a point to visit Dhanya whiling away time alone in her room, would find Dhanya immersed in her thoughts, looking pensive.
“Hai Dhanya, how are you?”- she would go near her and pat her on her back. Dhanya, forgetting all the unnecessary thoughts, would give her a beaming smile and would point towards a chair and would request her to be seated.
“What about study and all”?- Snigdha would inquire her with a charming smile.
“Going on Snigdha”- Dhanya would return her smile.
Dhanya would sit in a padmasana (sitting in a cross-legged position) position on her bed.
“And what about you”?- Dhanya never forgot to grill her with a glint of mischief and curiosity in her eyes.
Spending time with Dhanya was a pleasure to her. On those occasions Dhanya would bare her thoughts to her, her unnecessary fears about her health, whether she was suffering from any kind of diseases which she dreaded, such unnecessary thoughts haunting her. Whenever Dhanya began to narrate her imaginary fears about her health, Snigdha would get angry and would admonish her.
“For heaven’s sake, Dhanya you are absolutely fit. This is a kind of hypochondriasis and nothing else. Whenever you happen to read about a disease, in a newspaper or a periodical, you get scared and worry whether you are also a victim to that disease. Dhanya, please try to mingle with everybody and make friends with them and don’t keep moody and aloof always in your cocoon. Mind you, if you go on harping on such and such diseases, I will stop coming to you.”- she would warn her with a smiling face.
She always wanted to see Dhanya in a happy mood and hence force her out of the room, walk down the path just in front of the college and in the mean time, she would inquire about Dhanya’s childhood days. On both sides of the path there were flower trees bearing various kinds of innumerable flowers giving the ambience a romantic look. Dhanya told her about her childhood days, separated from the parents in her early days and her study in a Navodaya School for years, a brief period with parents and younger brother, again returning to the hostel and later during higher studies also spending days away from parents, and it was quite natural that she felt a distance from her parents, a kind of suppressed anger towards them for not showering love and affection when she badly needed. Keeping away from even the class-mates and room-mates led her to live in a make-believe world of unnecessary fears about health and such other things.
On almost all days, she would persuade Dhanya to give her a company to her to the temple, just outside the campus premises and soon Dhanya also found very much delighted in going to the temple to have Darshan (glimpse) even in the absence of her friend.
As promised over phone, both of them met in the town, they locked in a warm hug oblivious of the happenings around them.
With tears welling-up in their eyes, they moved along without uttering anything for a few minutes.
She wiped out her tears.
“You look smarter and healthier Dhanya. What is the secret behind it”?- with disarming smile Snigdha looked askance.
Dhanya felt a bit shy.
“Nowadays I am not eating for myself only. A guest is…”
Dhanya burst out laughing. She couldn’t complete her words.
Snigdha was somewhat taken aback.
“Pretty soon! Really wonderful and my whole-hearted congratulations”- Snigdha couldn’t believe it first. Dhanya was still shy.
“I am not going to spare you today. I need a sumptuous lunch, that also at…”
On hearing her Dhanya couldn’t control her laughter.
“But Snigdha, I have not told one thing even to my parents. But now I am going to lay bare my sorrow and unhappiness to you. Because you know me best more than anybody. From the very outset , I was the top in all classes. Here also the things will not be different. I am sure. But to no avail. Almost one month after marriage and merry go-round in Garden city, yes the so-called honeymoon, he and his parents have begun to appear before me in their true colours. They don’t want me to be employed in any institution. They have no qualms in breaking the assurance they had given before fixing the marriage. They have found me a suitable place in the kitchen. Prepare rice, chappathis and curries about which I didn’t have much idea. Letters from my parents are censored before handing it over to me. Mother-in-law demands more gold and money. She even does not like me talking to my husband and he has not the guts to cross the line drawn by her. No outings. No purchases. But the life must go on.”
“Who is to blame for all these?”- Dhanya was asking.
“Yourself”- Snigdha didn’t take a split-second to respond. She was shivering with rage.
Monday, May 4, 2009
REGIONAL CHAUVINISM AND MUSHROOMING OF POLITICAL PARTIES
Are we going back to the days of princely states? Posing this question to myself most often, is similar to finding pleasure in fooling myself. Because this curse is a perennial one and its genesis dates back to decades.
Regional chauvinism has much to do with mushrooming of political parties across our nation. The intention of most of the leaders being to score over their opponents by snatching one-upmanship by grabbing ministerial power at the centre or by bargaining with the national alliance or party with the capacity to stake claim to form a government at the centre. Nowadays national parties, both Congress and BJP are more than willing to accommodate any splinter party by pandering to their interests in the event of forming a government at the centre. They are very well aware the days of one party rule is a thing of the past. And in politics, democratic principles, traditions and ethics- all prove to be of not much value or importance and they are kept in the black-burner needed only on the occasions of celebrating Independence days, Republic days or on such days of national importance. Erosion of values, thinking on caste lines while choosing candidates for each constituency, even by the left parties, only criteria being winnability, more than efficiency and the selection of candidates with criminal antecedents, play dirty and despicable roles in Indian politics.
Take for instance Tamil Nadu. Once Indian National Congress was ruling roost in that State. Those were the days of one party rule. Today’s two prominent regional parties, DMK and AIADMK where once nowhere near that National Party. Later parochialism reared its ugly head and with the rise of parochialism the birth of regional parties abound such as DMK, AIADMK, MDMK, PMK so on and on and on. The numbers are innumerable, on each alternate election, either DMK and its allies or AIADMK and its allies reach at the helm of affairs or the governance alternates between these two regional parties. Reason behind the rise of parochialism must have a lot to do with the policy of neglect adopted by the sole ruling party- the Indian National Congress- those were the glorious days of Indian National Congress while in power spanning decades. Fissiparous tendencies developed among the masses and their national outlook was at stake. Still claiming to be of national outlook though the fact of the matter is just contrary. The other day’s incident at Coimbatore was just one example. Army trucks coming from Hyderabad were vandalized by the followers of a regional party named PDK (Periyar Dravida Kazhagam) shouting slogans against the Government of India and Sri Lanka, thus expressing solidarity with hapless Tamilians stranded in Sri Lanka. More than half a dozen trucks were set ablaze.
Similarly, joining power at the centre with any party leading government at the centre, either one of the alliances will certainly be there, the ministers take extra care to arrange funds for the development of their State, in the process neglecting many others. The one heading the ministry has no other way out except remaining a mute spectator. Arm-twisting after all is a painful thing (Comrade A B Bardhan, leader of CPI (Communist Party of India) on the occasion of an interview with a correspondent of a prominent national daily was found justifying the growth of regional parties across the nation with the argument that regional parties can contribute much to the growth of their respective states. Comrade Bardhan seems to forget a sad truth that with the mushrooming of regional parties in every state, it was always the national parties which were the ultimate losers and as a good example I would like to point out the state of Bihar where once the CPI (Communist Party of India) could maintain a formidable clout in Bihar politics. Then Lalu or Paswan were only fringe elements, both of them even unheard of among the masses and in the present situation CPI has become a fringe element.)
In Andhra Pradesh, TDP’s (Telugu Desom Party) rise is attributed to the cavalier manner the State was treated by the centre. N.T.Rama Rao, film-star turned politician took up cudgels against the centre, formed a party for the Telugus named TDP and attained power soonafter. Though Congress is ruling the State now, TDP is a vulnerable one to reckon with. The demand for Telangana State to be carved out of Andhra Pradesh is also gaining momentum and TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samiti) under the leadership of K.Chandra Shekhar Rao is actively campaigning for a separate home-land with the support and blessings of other parties. If that part of the State was properly cared and protected by those responsible, the demand for separate Telangana would not have arisen. Andhra Pradesh’s movie idol and dancing hero, Chiranjeevee has also jumped into the political arena with the formation of Praja Raajyam Party.
The Andhra developments are a definite pointer to the gaining strength of regional parties and the tendency is not to the good of national ethos.
Bihar, has already joined the bandwagon of regional politics. Lalus and Paswans though claiming to be national have already ensured their places in the land of Buddha, reducing the once- dominant Party- Indian National Congress in to a virtual non-entity. The election scenario this time amply shows the place of the Grand Old Party in Bihar politics. Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist), once held some sway in the political heartland of Bihar. They are also out of the picture today. Party leaders think along caste lines and they be it Lalu, Paswan or Nititsh spare no efforts in wooing the communities like Muslims, Kurmis and Yadavs with promises and assurances in abundance. This State has also fallen a prey to regional chauvinism.
Orissa, once a strong-hold of Congress , is now in the hands a regional Party BJD (Biju Janata Dal) led by Naveen Patnaik, the son of Biju Patnaik, erstwhile Congress leader.
UP (Uttar Pradesh), with 80 Loksabha seats, under Mayawati of BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party), formed in the interests of Dalits, targeting Dalit vote banks by late Kanshi Ram and now led by ambitious leader Mayawati, aspiring to be a national party by joining hands with Brahmins and extending benefits to them along with poor dalits by propounding a new theory called social engineering is also not free from regional chauvinism. SP (Samajwadi Party) led by Mulayam Singh Yadav- he was once our defence minister- is engaged in a bitter fight with Mayawati. Former UP Chief Minister and expelled BJP leader Kalyan Singh is now very much with Mulayam Singh. “Maulana Mulayam”, once affectionately called by the Muslims of UP found himself in the ditch with the deserting of a big chunk of Muslims to Mayawati. By keeping away from all his engagements in other States Mulayam has confined himself to UP to garner maximum number of seats thus proving his mettle to principal opponent Kumari Mayawati. On scrutinizing the trends in UP, it is very easy to note here the State which provides maximum number of seats has also gone the way of caste politics. Congress which ruled over the State for decades and BJP (Bharathiya Janata Party) play only peripheral roles in the key State of UP.
On going through any State, it is not that much difficult to come to the sad truth that regional chauvinism and castes play crucial roles in 15th Loksabha elections of India.
Be it Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra casteism and ‘sons of the soil policy holders’ gain much clout among the masses.
We have no dearth of parties. What we are urgently in need of is somebody who could play positive roles in the overall development of nation as a whole. Better infrastructure facilities like roads, electricity, irrigation facilities, elementary education, health-care to all providing nutritious food to the children, women and those below poverty line, women empowerment, employment and most of such facilities.
Parties multiplying on a daily basis. Even on ideological lines. But the lot of the masses remain same. At least those who split on ideological lines and form new ones are bound to ponder over it and arrive at a solution.
Parochialism and mushrooming parties never help in contributing to the development and prosperity of the nation- for that matter any nation.
Those who had monopoly on power for decades must make amends for it.
Regional chauvinism has much to do with mushrooming of political parties across our nation. The intention of most of the leaders being to score over their opponents by snatching one-upmanship by grabbing ministerial power at the centre or by bargaining with the national alliance or party with the capacity to stake claim to form a government at the centre. Nowadays national parties, both Congress and BJP are more than willing to accommodate any splinter party by pandering to their interests in the event of forming a government at the centre. They are very well aware the days of one party rule is a thing of the past. And in politics, democratic principles, traditions and ethics- all prove to be of not much value or importance and they are kept in the black-burner needed only on the occasions of celebrating Independence days, Republic days or on such days of national importance. Erosion of values, thinking on caste lines while choosing candidates for each constituency, even by the left parties, only criteria being winnability, more than efficiency and the selection of candidates with criminal antecedents, play dirty and despicable roles in Indian politics.
Take for instance Tamil Nadu. Once Indian National Congress was ruling roost in that State. Those were the days of one party rule. Today’s two prominent regional parties, DMK and AIADMK where once nowhere near that National Party. Later parochialism reared its ugly head and with the rise of parochialism the birth of regional parties abound such as DMK, AIADMK, MDMK, PMK so on and on and on. The numbers are innumerable, on each alternate election, either DMK and its allies or AIADMK and its allies reach at the helm of affairs or the governance alternates between these two regional parties. Reason behind the rise of parochialism must have a lot to do with the policy of neglect adopted by the sole ruling party- the Indian National Congress- those were the glorious days of Indian National Congress while in power spanning decades. Fissiparous tendencies developed among the masses and their national outlook was at stake. Still claiming to be of national outlook though the fact of the matter is just contrary. The other day’s incident at Coimbatore was just one example. Army trucks coming from Hyderabad were vandalized by the followers of a regional party named PDK (Periyar Dravida Kazhagam) shouting slogans against the Government of India and Sri Lanka, thus expressing solidarity with hapless Tamilians stranded in Sri Lanka. More than half a dozen trucks were set ablaze.
Similarly, joining power at the centre with any party leading government at the centre, either one of the alliances will certainly be there, the ministers take extra care to arrange funds for the development of their State, in the process neglecting many others. The one heading the ministry has no other way out except remaining a mute spectator. Arm-twisting after all is a painful thing (Comrade A B Bardhan, leader of CPI (Communist Party of India) on the occasion of an interview with a correspondent of a prominent national daily was found justifying the growth of regional parties across the nation with the argument that regional parties can contribute much to the growth of their respective states. Comrade Bardhan seems to forget a sad truth that with the mushrooming of regional parties in every state, it was always the national parties which were the ultimate losers and as a good example I would like to point out the state of Bihar where once the CPI (Communist Party of India) could maintain a formidable clout in Bihar politics. Then Lalu or Paswan were only fringe elements, both of them even unheard of among the masses and in the present situation CPI has become a fringe element.)
In Andhra Pradesh, TDP’s (Telugu Desom Party) rise is attributed to the cavalier manner the State was treated by the centre. N.T.Rama Rao, film-star turned politician took up cudgels against the centre, formed a party for the Telugus named TDP and attained power soonafter. Though Congress is ruling the State now, TDP is a vulnerable one to reckon with. The demand for Telangana State to be carved out of Andhra Pradesh is also gaining momentum and TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samiti) under the leadership of K.Chandra Shekhar Rao is actively campaigning for a separate home-land with the support and blessings of other parties. If that part of the State was properly cared and protected by those responsible, the demand for separate Telangana would not have arisen. Andhra Pradesh’s movie idol and dancing hero, Chiranjeevee has also jumped into the political arena with the formation of Praja Raajyam Party.
The Andhra developments are a definite pointer to the gaining strength of regional parties and the tendency is not to the good of national ethos.
Bihar, has already joined the bandwagon of regional politics. Lalus and Paswans though claiming to be national have already ensured their places in the land of Buddha, reducing the once- dominant Party- Indian National Congress in to a virtual non-entity. The election scenario this time amply shows the place of the Grand Old Party in Bihar politics. Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist), once held some sway in the political heartland of Bihar. They are also out of the picture today. Party leaders think along caste lines and they be it Lalu, Paswan or Nititsh spare no efforts in wooing the communities like Muslims, Kurmis and Yadavs with promises and assurances in abundance. This State has also fallen a prey to regional chauvinism.
Orissa, once a strong-hold of Congress , is now in the hands a regional Party BJD (Biju Janata Dal) led by Naveen Patnaik, the son of Biju Patnaik, erstwhile Congress leader.
UP (Uttar Pradesh), with 80 Loksabha seats, under Mayawati of BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party), formed in the interests of Dalits, targeting Dalit vote banks by late Kanshi Ram and now led by ambitious leader Mayawati, aspiring to be a national party by joining hands with Brahmins and extending benefits to them along with poor dalits by propounding a new theory called social engineering is also not free from regional chauvinism. SP (Samajwadi Party) led by Mulayam Singh Yadav- he was once our defence minister- is engaged in a bitter fight with Mayawati. Former UP Chief Minister and expelled BJP leader Kalyan Singh is now very much with Mulayam Singh. “Maulana Mulayam”, once affectionately called by the Muslims of UP found himself in the ditch with the deserting of a big chunk of Muslims to Mayawati. By keeping away from all his engagements in other States Mulayam has confined himself to UP to garner maximum number of seats thus proving his mettle to principal opponent Kumari Mayawati. On scrutinizing the trends in UP, it is very easy to note here the State which provides maximum number of seats has also gone the way of caste politics. Congress which ruled over the State for decades and BJP (Bharathiya Janata Party) play only peripheral roles in the key State of UP.
On going through any State, it is not that much difficult to come to the sad truth that regional chauvinism and castes play crucial roles in 15th Loksabha elections of India.
Be it Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra casteism and ‘sons of the soil policy holders’ gain much clout among the masses.
We have no dearth of parties. What we are urgently in need of is somebody who could play positive roles in the overall development of nation as a whole. Better infrastructure facilities like roads, electricity, irrigation facilities, elementary education, health-care to all providing nutritious food to the children, women and those below poverty line, women empowerment, employment and most of such facilities.
Parties multiplying on a daily basis. Even on ideological lines. But the lot of the masses remain same. At least those who split on ideological lines and form new ones are bound to ponder over it and arrive at a solution.
Parochialism and mushrooming parties never help in contributing to the development and prosperity of the nation- for that matter any nation.
Those who had monopoly on power for decades must make amends for it.
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