An Open letter to Arvind Kejriwal

Dear Mr. Arvind Kejriwal,

I remember the day vividly when you gave that rousing speech in the Delhi assembly and the interview to television channels thereafter. There was a rythm in you that wanted me to take notice of your party and you again and again. The way your muffler hung around your neck, covering the constant bouts of cough, you seemed every inch an aam admi. No other politician would dare to have expressed the simplicity in such manner as you portrayed. I was glad that Delhi voters had chosen a government that could give them corrupt free governance sans the drama and the shenanigans that surround the traditional political parties. Barely 3 weeks into governance you have found yourself in a political quagmire. Your dharna in the national capital threw the city into chaos and caused hardship to several lakh aam admis. The same people whom you did not want to be victims of the lal batti culture. I am depressed that a righteous man like you who spoke so passionately about the issues that affects the aam admi should actually so vehemently shield your law minister who did the most absurd thing at midnight violating the legal procedures.  And that you bought the entire cabinet to the streets was only appalling. Enforcement should be through rule of law not vigilantism.The recent events have only proved your greedy and over ambitious nature. From being the humble and honest party you are now called the party in hurry.  I agree the issue you raised is an important one that needs to be debated, discussed but not in the manner that you have exhibited.

You have a task at hand. To give Delhites the best governance. Why don’t you concentrate on that? There is so much that you can do with your good offices to bring about a holistic change to our capital. And we believe you are the best man to deliver that change. Why are you drifting from your path?. The 16^th Lok Sabha elections may be the mother of all but why don’t you give that a skip and concentrate on giving the best to the people who voted you. Let the yuvaraj and maharaj sweat it out.

Mr. Chief Minister, you are the system now.  You are new to the game but we embraced and trusted you to govern Delhi. We are more than ready to give you the time to settle down and find your act together. But please don’t let us question our decision to support you period

Yours Truly,

Aam Admi from the south of Vindyas.

NEVER A DULL MOMENT IN INDIAN POLITICAL TAMASHA

Five years ago, as an intern, I covered the Karnataka assembly elections and the swearing in ceremony of the first BJP state in South India. It was a day of jubilation and pride for the BJP to have made inroads into the South of India. The swearing in ceremony took place in front of the majestic Vidhan Sowdha and all the satraps of the Sangh Parivar descended in the IT capital.  The people of Karnataka believed that their time for change had arrived with their then Chief Minister B.S Yeddyurappa, the man who built the party by the brick in the state is also largely to blame for its annihilation. The party crafted its own defeat with unstable governance, corruption and lack of leadership.

Fast forward to 2013, the BJP finds itself in a political quagmire, as an oxymoron to its own ideology - “A party with a difference”. The humiliating defeat should give the saffron party an opportunity to get its cards right ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The party would do well to solve its problems of Prime Ministerial aspirants and concentrate on building a strong base across the country.

One party that has done remarkably well is the JD(S) who fought tooth and nail in the past 5 years. Essentially a party of South Karnataka, they need to reach out to the entire state and try to build their party as a regional secular force to reckon with.

Political pundits state that the resounding victory for the Congress in these elections has been seen more as a result of blunders committed by the BJP rather than due to the proactive role played by the grand old party as a principal opposition. 

The Congress high command might have just struck the right chord in choosing the 64 year old  Lohiaite socialist Siddaramaiah as its Chief Minister in Karnataka over the loyalists of the party. A former Janata Party stalwart, Siddaramaiah comes with rich administrative experience and is sure set to infuse fresh energy and revive the state from the deep slumber and political chaos it finds itself in. The high command has done well by recognizing and rewarding the state leadership, this will encourage the party workers and help in curbing internal factionalism.

After almost a decade the Congress has formed a single party government in Karnataka, it would do well to keep its flock together. If everything goes right, Karnataka can be what Andhra Pradesh was to the UPA I in 2004 by sending the highest MP’S to the capital making Siddharamaih as a messiah akin to the late YSR.

For the love of God

Deeply immersed in John Lennon’s Imagine I was interrupted by the not so sweet voice that played via the speakers asking us, passengers to fasten our seat belts as we were ready to land. Am on my way to a pilgrimage trip to Varanasi, Allahabad and Bodh Gaya. At an age where I should probably be going to the Amazon for a wild trek or sun bathing at the pristine coast of Goa, I am here at Varanasi – the revered land on earth. Rain welcome us as we get out the aircraft and just as we check out our baggage’s the not so happening airport shuts shop as ours was the last flight to land at 7:54 pm. It’s weird seeing an airport empty. The airport is situated around 22 kms from the main city and seems like not just Tamil Nadu but the holy land too is reeling under severe power cuts. I catch a fleeting glimpse of various road side eateries and local kirana shops doing business with just the help of a lantern.

If there is a competition for the rashest driving in a minimal area then the auto drivers of Varnasi will win hands down. Such is their speed that you need to make sure you’re quick and cautious on the road or there are all chances they might just knock you down and even before you realize they would have whizzed away. At any given point in the year, the city is flooded with people from every nook and corner of the world. There is no tourist season as such. The hippies coexist at ease alongside their Aryan counterparts in their flashy om pants, backpacks and a lonely planet guide in their hands.

 The oldest city of earth is home to Lord Kasi Vishwanath, who first founded the city 5000 years ago. All temples are inside gullies and you have to manoeuvre your way through the dingy alleys. After heavy security checks we manage to enter the temple only to be harassed by the priests for money. Despite offering money to the priests all we get is a ten second window to see the idol, Lord Vishwanath.

 Almost every place in the city is tucked away in small alleys. Even the way to the Ganges too is through these small alleys. The Ganges is quite a sight to take in. It’s just like the way you see in Google Images sans the gloss. The 64 Ghats stand like a fortress guarding the city from the mighty river. The boat ride on the Ganges is a must do activity.Scores of people take the holy dip notwithstanding the polluted remnants afloat. The city at every point is teeming with contrasts. While people diligently fill their bottles with the “Ganga Jal” the other side of the ghat is busy with the cremation of a dead body. The ashes are swift fully swept to the river making way for the next cremation.

 Our next stop in the pilgrimage trip is Allahabad. We proceed to the Triveni Sangam in the scorching heat. It’s funny how people not just wash away their sins but also their clothes and vehicles at the shore. The temple visits continued in Gaya too. The stopover at Bodh Gaya, the place Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment was a breather.

 As we are at the platform of Varanasi railway station to board our train back home it dawns upon me, despite the nebulous tones, intense textures and dishevelled character the enigmatic city is an assortment of old world charm that grows on you as you part with it.

FREE FROM THE BUZZ

It’s almost a week now that I have been detached from the world. No No I didn’t go on a trek to the Himalayas for soul searching. My phone conked, and it was time I allowed it to Rest in Peace for it suffered many injuries in my hands. I did not want to be cruel to the gadget that dictated if not every but major moves in my life. My effort for searching a spare phone was futile; however there was a ray of hope when a cousin promised he would be able to give one in a week’s time. And then I decided to be without the mean gadget for a week to experience how it is and oh boy was it a state of bliss.

The initial days were tough. I missed the constant fidgeting that helped me distract myself from boring conversations or a lecture in class. I missed listening to music, checking email, so on and so forth. And the constant urge to check your phone for message or call slowly started to fade. I started to feel at ease without a cell phone. It was a blessing in disguise. I started to feel lighter. No annoying messages from friends at the middle of the night, no repeated frantic calls from home, No calls from people who call to make small talk when you are busy, no need to constantly keep an eye on the phone and above all less spending.

When off it I realised how the cell phone was ubiquitous. It follows us everywhere just like the Hutch pug. From restaurants to restroom no area is spared. We liberally devote a larger part of our time to this device, which not only provides constant access to people and information, but also make us more anxious and demanding.

I realised how much more easier it is to drive without the constant hassle of earphones, I started to spend more time with my sister and mother (not that I didn’t earlier but the duration increased:P ), a good night’s sleep sans disturbance and also discovered the joy of using the landline an old fashioned device from the yesteryears that made talking a lot easier without having to strain the neck.

It gave me so much joy to stay disconnected and I did not feel weird. In this era of digi socio media or whatever you call that lets the whole world know what you are up to in nano seconds it was wonderful to stay away from the cacophony and enjoy the privacy. But alas my honeymoon ended in a week and there I was back to following my master in a new avatar!

THE KOLAVERI MUSINGS

Ok!! I have had enough of this Kolaveri mania. The new mantra that has taken the nation by frenzy. Twitter, Facebook, discussion forums, practically it’s all over the social media. People might not even now how much a kg of rice costs in the nearby ration shops but they sure do know the minute detail of this much talked about song. So much so that they consider it cool to reproduce their own versions of kolaveri.

The first tamil song to be played by MTV(As if it’s some status symbol and pride!), the song that has won the you tube gold award, which honours viral videos from across the world, 15 million hits on you tube, blah blah blah the list of accolades is just too long to even list. The attention is intense. And if this is not enough the actor himself was invited to a red carpet screening of the Tom Cruise Movie Premiere.

At the heart of it, the song has worked for various reasons. Its quirky lyrics, the strong tamil accent and the way it has been sung, far from the conventional has added to its merit. For music purists it is well music to the ears and has redefined pop culture. The song has been a shot to national fame for the 28 year old Dhanush who is riding high post his national award and the sleeper hit of his latest venture Mayakam Enna.

Even a fortnight after its release, my facebook page continues to have at least three news item related to this song and some ten thousand people liking it and going ohh so cute aaragh get a life! Yes the music is awesome, lyrics are good, the singer is fab but does this one song require such a wider coverage?

It was quite disheartening to find even the leading papers carry a front page article especially when the newspaper space is sacred. Following suit, we have our own television channels churning out different specials of a humble and poised Dhanush mouthing similar responses across the interviews despite the different questions. And it doesn’t stop there we even have the international media, the Times and BBC carrying news article on what they call it as a “gibberish song” that India can’t stop listening to. The poor lad wouldn’t even have thought in his wildest dream that he would become a household name as far as the last city on the globe. Talk about the power of the social media.

One take away from this kolaveri frenzy is a viral marketing plan that has played out very well for its makers ensuing a good publicity of their film. Well, to an extent even the Kollywood industry has benefitted from this because for once the people north of Vindhyas are coming of age to realise there is more to our industry than just Rajini, Kamal and A.R Rahman. Do not be surprised if you find IIM or Harvard students undertaking this as an academic case study. In this era, just about repeat just about anything is possible.

On hindsight, I often wonder why is it every time we have songs that condemn girl friends behaviour become runaway hit? Is there any song that talks about boy friends behaviour? Male Chauvinism at its heights. Surprised that Justice Katju has not come out with a rejoinder condemning the wider coverage of this song over other important “socio economic issues” that concern the nation. Why this kolaveri di?!

THE POPULISM WAR

It’s a war of populism quite literally. With the election manifesto of the two major Dravidian parties out in the open, the people of Tamilnadu have their task cut out. The onus is now on the common man to carefully sift through the bag of goodies from both these camps and make an informed decision. With what free electricity to the BPL families to free laptops to college students, people are literally spoilt for choice.

The Queen Bee of Tamilnadu Politics took everyone by surprise when she announced her party's manifesto for the 14th assembly elections in Tamilnadu. If the grand old man of Tamilnadu politics promised free wet grinders or mixies, Amma has gone a step further to not only provide those two but also a fan to every women in the state. And if you think that’s going to increase your electricity bill,well Amma has taken care of that too. She promises to provide three-phase power connection across the state in four years. Jayalalitha has a slew of measures up her sleeve to counter every single freebie from the ruling camp.

Fancy this, if Kalaignar promised free laptops to college students Amma has gone the extra mile to extend that facility to students of class eleven& twelve. Under Jayalalitha’s rule all the school students will get four set of uniforms as against the present three and not just uniforms they will be given a pair of shoes as well. The elderly too have been wooed by both the camps. With bus pass being common, the opposition is planning to set up free homes for the destitute and elderly.

And if its increase in subsidized diesel for fisherman by Kalaignar, Amma is proposing to set up a special protection force and offer an assistance of 4000 rupees during the lean periods. And as an alternative to the Kalaignar housing scheme, Amma is giving away free houses of 300 sq feet.

The electorate of Tamilandu has never had such a bonanza like this. With the political temperature soaring high, both the camps are expected to extend and modify their freebies and manifesto to capture people’s heart. Will the magic of wet grinder combined with mixie and fan win against the 30 kg rice will be known on the 13th of May.

CONFESSIONS OF AN AMATUER BLOGGER

Dear Blog,

My sincere apologies, I haven’t been good to you. Sorry I did not keep in touch. Its been so long that i even visited you. I really do not even have a concrete reason to explain myself! There were so many issues that i strongly felt about and wanted to tell you but it stopped just there. And then there were days when I was ashamed of myself for not knowing what to write. From the last time I visited you, till now so many things have happened. The age old ayodhya verdict has been delivered. Yes you heard it right! Ayodhya verdict it is, After months of dilly dallying, Thalaivar’s magnum opus enthiran released and whatte day that was!, The Presidential couple danced to a marathi folk number, M.S Dhoni is no longer single, And I have got a job and an interesting one at that. Thinking of it, change seems to be the only constant in our lives of variables. I am sure your counterparts would boast of how people write to them almost on a daily basis or should I say an hourly basis?! But i am sure you wouldn’t want trivial details of how and why I zeroed in on those red polka dots socks or of why the girls go week in their knees over Robert Pattinson (that dude sheesh!!) or of whats happening in my life 24/7. I am sure you respect my space as much as I do of yours. And here I am not taking you for granted I am just reiterating that I do not want to defeat the very purpose of writing to you. Sometimes I wonder why the fervour that I had during the initial stages when I started writing to you is now slowly fading. Maybe the answer is, I am being lazy!. Hmm anyways, I am not going to promise that I will visit you or that I will write to you on a regular basis. But I am just happy that I actually wrote to you at present. Or should I rephrase it as guilt free:P .

Auf Wiedersehen