The Independence Day Column

The premier of a state is sitting in lustrously dark furnished office pondering and brain storming over the speech he delivered to the nation today. The secretary, a high ranking bureaucrat seeks permission to enter the office . The man in office asks him to get in without speaking a word. The secretary says- excellent sir your speech was a wonderful exhibition as a leader, visionary and orator of an independent nation. The premier acknowledges  just with a nod of head and continues to look into the blank.

Is something bothering you sir, can I be of any help. No answers just a humble stare, his eyes and eyebrows pointing down as he knows about the realities hiding in the speech. Then, he asks, how far have we achieved from last years speech? The secretary says- A lot sir, but tries to avoid eye contact. The boss says “yes a lot!”  with sarcasm on himself, “the economic growth rate is down to near abyss, the poverty has reduced only if we modify the some definitions, social security is almost negligible, corruption is rampant, only index touching sky is deficit and inflation and I am helpless. You know I am loosing the guts to face the people.”

The secretary is quite and sympathetic to his boss. Says the secretary- is it just your fault sir, were you corrupt? Did you plunge the economy this way? Did you redefine terms? were you involved in any natural calamity or crimes? You brought the economy onto the track when it was completely derailed. The premier looks at him and says- You ! What you are saying is like telling a chef that he did not spoil the cuisine but it was the oven. Could you tell this to the people? The secretary was quite. The premier continues- I want to act against corruption, bring economy to surge, a sense of security among people but I cannot. I am a hapless head of this well off state.  The state found its freedom 67 years ago when will I find mine.

With all due respect sir its not about you. This is how politics works in the country.  You are doing everything that leaders have been doing so far in the country with few exceptions. It not you who has to change, but the people. The politicos just use this nature of people. The past has witnessed  it and if nothing changes the future will see the same.

Ok sir we could talk about some future plans that we have for the country. The premier looks amazed and pleased. But then he gets frustrated and complains-You have some plans, you did not tell me, no one tells me anything and now even you ! The secretary replies-No sir its not my plan it will be  your plan this time.  People of the country themselves don’t know what they want. They still get sectored based on religion, region, caste and several other ‘isms’. They want everything to be in order but when it comes to their own interest they breach everything. You need to show ‘em  the way around tell them how to get over these isms.  You are the elected leader of the country and you can work it out. The boss gets enthusiastic. The secretary continues- tell people to stop thinking in terms ‘isms’ and get over short term personal interests. Ask your fellow politicians to stop this kind of politics just using it in public speech won’t work. Get strict with corrupt politicians and officers, show them the way out. You are the most powerful person in the country, if you don’t take initiative then who will?

The premier still has a doubt. He asks-will people forget the past? Will they start liking me again? The secretary smiles and says – people of the state suffer from selective amnesia, they forget every time a leader that fails them and this time it can be for their betterment. The boss is ecstatic with the  motivation. He gears up and say Yes I can, I will bring the change, I will not succumb to political pressure, not listen to corrupt and inefficient officers, I will do what I feel is good for the state. And then the telephone rings, they see a number flashing both are silent, look at each other, the boss gets dull and pensive again.

Young India: Politics

Since childhood we are told India is a great country, our leaders were presented as heroes, our culture is the best and we should take pride in it.  Do we really understand the iconic meaning of the terms like- great, hero and culture ? Do we? Well, who the hell am I to talk about these perspectives ? Perhaps not the most apt person, maybe ! Nevertheless, if I can prove my point with a short write up I will try rocking the boat; being a young Indian (Well, I still consider myself young ;)). I am not writing this against corruption, racism or against any such practice. It is just about a muse I want to share with Indian youth and perhaps for a coup to a vision.

Happenings of recent past  has set in a sense of cynicism, anguish  and anger among the people. We are blaming politicians and leaders for all the woes. But isn't politics a reflection of soceity. Where do we get our leaders from? From Mars or Venus? Today's youth will be tomorrow's leader and politician. Then why not blaming ourselves rather than blaming politicians. I am not supporting politicos by any means, but what is the use of mulling the past and not working on future. A person while entering politics thinks only of  power, not the responsibilities. I remember a dialogue from Sam Raimi's Spiderman "Great power comes with great responsibility". Indeed true, but do we follow that?

Considering the current state of politics in India be it financial scams, sex scandals or chiding opposition (from both sides) we often say the sate of politics is filthy. But who elects these politicians? They try dividing on the basis of religion region caste and language  and we get divided. I have been living in Germany for a long time now which some people call racists but believe me I never felt that sort of thing in here,  I had more of it in India living in different cities. As Indian we are so individually self centred that we have lost a vision for the future we need or we consider utopia. Given this, we are getting what we deserve.

Well what we had till now cannot be altered; past is past, tomorrow can be fixed. The youth that enters politics should pause and ponder. The youth that votes should analyse. The youth in bureaucracy should rationalise. We have to give up the thinking that politics is ugly. It might be dirty but some has to enter in order to clean it. We have certain traits and trends in politics running for ages but everything that is old and traditional need not be good. If we have a positive intention good vision it is very much achievable . I do not expect everyone should enter politics but it is definitely everyones responsibility to contribute to its betterment in his or her own way.

If you want a change you have to be a part of it.

cheers,

The New Year Column

Hi folks, wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR...!!!

All those who can read this story, survived the Mayan Apocalypse, those who cannot read are trying to survive the hangover from last night. Some of you stayed up last night to witness the arrival of 2013 and some to make sure that 2012 leaves. Last night I found an old lamp, you remember the lamp from the movie 'Aladdin', I was happy to have it and started thinking what my three wishes should be. Decided to head back home with the lamp and was excited to imagine how a giant genie magically appears in a cloud of smoke and say 'Yes my master what can I do for you?, I give you three wishes.' I was anxious for the moment, will it sound like Robin Williams look like Barbara Eden? I reached home and rubbed the lamp with expectations.  I rubbed it once, nothing happened rubbed again no smoke no genie. Tried over again and again but no 'out come'. In frustration and annoyance I threw the lamp against the wall I was disappointed. 

Then the cap on the lamp opened, a short and slim humanoid creature coming out of it. "What the hell is this", I exclaimed and the genie replied "not 'what' say who the hell is this? I am the genie of the lamp, you are the one who disturbed my sleep." You cannot be a genie, I hammered back, no smoky clouds, you are a slim creature. The genie looked at me as if I am a zoo animals and answered, You humans, do you understand anything about pollution, you have already spoiled the planet a lot with smoke we don't want to add to it's woes, thats why we avoid smoke now a days.  Regarding my slimness it seems my diet plan is working, I am avoiding all the junk fast food. After a pause I said, so I will get my three wishes. On this the genie said the union of genies has decided to reduce their number of wishes from three to two. This has to blamed onto the staggering economy, inflation and cut fiscal deficit. The unoriginality and repetitive nature of the wishes also prompts us for such steps. Now I had fewer options, I thought of seeking the genies advice on what should I ask for? The genie smiled and said I don't know its you choice, everyone asks for some variation wealth, or power as the first wish,  some kind of sex appeal, beautiful men or women; depending on the gender and sexual orientation of the wisher, is the most asked second wish. Although this second wish is a waste; as wealth or power generally gets you the sex you want." I don't talk about the third wish as that option is not there anymore. And don't try to act over smart by asking me for extra wishes as the second one. This will nullify your last wish of having wealth, turning you into a beneficiary of social security system.   Since you have asked my advice you have only one wish left, he added.

I started pondering about my wish. What should I ask the genie: a fortune of wealth, peace of mind, trouble for enemies, a sexy  babe in my side or good health. The clock ticked midnight and the shout and cheer for new year emerged all around. I woke up to the reality, there are no genies, no wishes out of blues. If you want something strive for it, A better world and life comes with your efforts not with genies. Eat drink and be merry,

cheers for the new year, happy new year