Believe In Unity in Diversity

We have to learn to differentiate between racial discrimination and occasional remarks. India is a country of many faiths, beliefs and communities. We have to first identify ourselves as Indians and be confident of our identity. First identifying ourselves as a North, South or NE Indian and then blaming the others for racial or regional discrimination is a wrong approach. Every community feels that it is not getting what it deserves but making it an excuse to blame the rest of the society for racial discrimination is criminal and also speaks of lack of self confidence. It also projects that you yourself have an alienated outlook towards your own country since you feel that your community and region comes first and then the country. Let us take some ostensible cases of racial discrimination:

-              Attacks on people from North India and Bihar in specific:- did these people say that we are being racially discriminated or the society does not consider them a part of India. Did they say that their lifestyle, food habits, culture etc are treated as those of foreigners?

-              All the famous and not so famous jokes on Khalsas.  Do they say we are not treated as Indians?

-              Use of the word “Texan” for Jats. Do they feel alienated?

-              Calling all Agarwals “Baniya”. I never say that it is racial discrimination.

-          Calling a baldie a baldie is never taken as racial discrimination so if somebody comments on a particular hairstyle, why take offence to it?

These are just a few examples out of a plethora known to all of us, associated with people from each and every community and each and every region of India. I am not going to quote any more lest some narrow minded person label me as racist. Nor I am going to comment on a particular incident as it is best left to investigating agencies.

I have stayed in North, West, South, Central and NE India. Any region, other than my own, I feel a little out of place. The vegetable vendor charges a few bucks extra than what he charges to the locals, a shopkeeper does not trust me for loan even in an emergency if I run short of cash, porters charge me double the money…so is with everyone, it is the way of life. Don’t let it make you feel non-Indian. We must thank our stars that we are in a country where we can travel across the length and breadth unchecked, we can go and study anywhere we wish to, pick up a job or run a business wherever we like. Have faith in yourself, feel like an Indian first and then create a regional identity. Make the country a better place to live in. 

The Spirit of Sikkim

Ever wondered, in a far flung village to the eastern tip of the country, 13000ft closer to God, under the umbrella of misty clouds, what would be the spirit of the people on an important national day like the Independence Day?

Yes, this is Thegu a tiny Hamlet in the beautiful land of Sikkim to the east of the state. Tricolour in all sizes fluttering all around, painted on the walls, even on the faces and pinned onto the chest of all, young and old.

Having been a witness to the big north Indian town festivities earlier, the patriotic fervor of these cheerful people seemed to dull out the earlier ones. As an invitee to the beautiful event organized by the collective strength of six odd villages, it is a lifetime opportunity to be a part of such an occasion.

Welcomed by the couples and young girls dancing to the sonorous tunes of Nepali and Hindi songs as part of the dance competition organized, the spirits went up instantly. It was good to see the village girls put in their best in the volleyball match The boys team displayed a game of very high standard, not often found even in district level teams to the other side of the Chicken’s Neck.

The prize distribution was equally entertaining and we could hear the continuation of the festivities in the form of music and loud voices late into the night, long after we broke off.

HUMARA BAJAJ

A Bajaj Chetak carrying a family of four (or more) was a common sight those days. Other common scooter brands were the ageing Lamberreta, Priya and slightly New Vespa (later on LML Vespa). The Chetak continued to hold its position as a leader in scooter brands because of its sturdiness and appeal. This was the time when Maruti 800 entered the Indian Auto Market scene but  alongwith Ambassador and Fiat it could not give any competition to the popular Chetak.

If we go a little further back into history, i.e. the late 70s, Bajaj Chetak was a luxury and not easy to own. To my knowledge it was not possible to buy it directly from a showroom. I remember my father arranged to make payment to the company in US $ through his cousin based in The U.S. My father provided his sister’s address for delivery. The delivery was taken at Delhi. The 1977 manufactured scooter got registered in Delhi on 15 Feb 1978. Since then the scooter’s meter has done many full circles doing many short and long routes. A carrier to many family members and friends it has moved from Delhi to Moradabad to Saharanpur to Bareilly to Meerut. When initially the Chetak arrived in Moradabad it was such a craze that one of my father’s friends offered him his ‘Matador’ in exchange for his scooter.

As a coincidence my father retired from the same station where he first brought his Chetak. After retirement from government service in 1997, my father settled down in Meerut bringing along the Chetak with him. He would never part with his companion which had stood testimony to so many ups and downs in life. When our jobs took my elder brother and me away from our parents, my father continued to maintain it. After a few years we told him not ride a two wheeler, It was safer to drive around in a car.

Road tax was paid for the last time in 1991. The Chetak started gathering dust and rust. There were discussions to dispose it off but I revolted. Just like my father I have known well the temperament of our Chetak. By adopting the famous ‘bank and kick’ procedure of Bajaj, I could half-kick-start it even after it lay idle for six months. I got it repainted as its original colour had worn off. To everybody’s amazement, it turned out to be the same brand new Chetak as bought in 1978.

A few days back as I came out of the elevators of a mall in Hyderabad I saw a similar coloured (bright yellow) Vespa in the parking lot. Subsequently I discovered that it was the latest rage in the country. As I write this, I run the risk of drawing the attention of Road Transport authorities. However our beloved Yellow Chetak is parked in the verandah of my ancestral house ready to be kick started and get back to life.

Mahatma Gandhi

I wonder whether criticising the greats like Father of the Nation Mahatama Gandhi has become a fad with the new generation. Ask these critics and one will be surprised that they have no idea about the history of the Indian Nationalist Movement. Ask these bretheren so fond of Khushwant Singh, Shobha Dey, Chetan Bhagat or any foreign author for that matter whether they have read the first page of “My Experiments with Truth.”

How many of us are actually aware of the circumstances prevailing in that era and the mental pressure and agony suffered by a man of Mahatma’s stature that we start blaming him for decisions which our ancestors entrusted in him. Now let these critics put the entire blame on their parents and grandparents.

I grew up hearing stories of our great leaders and freedom fighters be it the heroes of 1857 or the likes of Veer Savarkar, Bose etc. They all contributed in the struggle for freedom in their own ways and I admire all of them. Needless to say this one man shook the British Empire from its roots. Whenever I think of him I am reminded the lines “De di hamen aazaadi bina khadag bina dhaal…” Irrespective of the means employed it is the great result he achieved for us for which we should be grateful to him.

My hand always goes up in salute to this man for what he has done for my country. Let us not get into the fad of criticizing our leaders just to gain cheap popularity or projecting ourselves as someone with upbeat or revolutionary ideas.

As far as the man goes it would take only a Saint to have the name of the almighty on his lips when he is breathing his last.

Kite Festival

Sun northwards on its course

crops got their life source

farmers full of hope and zest

waiting for a good harvest

UTTARAYAN

The sky is resplendent with kites

painted in colours all so bright

some proudly reaching so high

or Devvratha rising to the sky

‘Pech Lagyo’ to give a try

‘Kiapo Che’ is the winner’s cry

dancing to the music loud

that kite has done them proud

Trees are no longer green

with entangled kites can’t be seen

many small groups shoot

for the fallen ones loot

Rooftops are full of cheer

gazing the sky not so clear

families have got together

enjoying the awaited weather

Elderly are preparing the balloons

to show path to the moon

at the fall of Sankranti’s night

Uttarayan lanterns will make it bright.

pre-embarkation security checks

pre-embarkation security checks

Above Law

pre-embarkation security checksIt was astonishing to discover that Mr Robert Vadra is exempted fro pre-embarkation security checks. In what capacity? By what authority? (Justification of including his name as per AVSEC Order needs to be made public).Under which law?