It's not a Writer's Block - it's a Dead End

When on a dead end, make an alternate way! Never walk back.

Dead End - what does it look like? It looks like now. When you have so much to say but you wonder if your words will get past the judgmental shields and critical glasses that people don. Those who care not to know what goes on in your over worked mind. Those who list somethings are right and some things as wrong in the back of their minds and fit everyone in those chambers. A good or a bad! A friend or a foe. A hero or a villain.

What is most difficult is to set yourself free of those judgments. Honestly as I write this I am thinking about whether my words will find meaning in the mind of a reader, because today I am forcing myself to write. Not the construction of my sentences, but thoughts and ideas. If my thoughts and ideas do not get past, I am doing this in vain. It is that moment where I am looking for one tiny beam of inspiration that pushes me to put out everything. Pour all my words out, muster courage to get drafted poems live on my blog.

So here it is. It is not a writer's block. I have been writing, but I have not taken my posts live. 

Why am I stopping myself? Isn't this what a writers are supposed to do - put forth uncomfortable thoughts so that those who think alike know they are normal. Or perhaps ask those questions that we all dread to face and answer. Something that is beyond their level of comprehension, or maybe something they do not want to understand?

Source - Image (Google Search)

Choice Debate Settled - #MyChoice (C on Day 3 of A to Z Challenge 2015)

I have always believed that fights over gender roles crush individuality.

As a society we end up creating segments in our minds man-woman, male-female and girl-boy. Thus #HerChoice and #HisChoice was created.

I am referring to "My Choice" Directed By Homi Adajania - Vogue Empower that features Deepika Padukone and 98 other women.

And a vast number of people have taken offensive exception to the line - sex outside marriage, my choice. The purpose to urge patriarchy to recognize that women have a choice too, has lost in fiery debates crying over. Men (and other societal forces) went bonkers with fear that their 'property' could sleep outside of marriage. It is sad that the society wants to take control of our choices. But there are many of us who refuse to make small, big, everyday life's decisions based on societal perception of right and wrong. We challenge ourselves out of a rut the society has created. We fight - our families, friends and silent onlookers.

A friend aptly puts the crux of this debate - The short film is simply a note that - stop manipulating a woman, they are equally capable of making their own choices and a man (society) strictly has no right to dominate her decisions. 

Caption:
Before being categorized under a gender, we are all individuals

We may get killed us if we show dissent and we see it in the name of 'Honour'. People (read Society) are scared that Deepika's followers might take her comments seriously and follow her and not use a mind of their own. This debate makes me wonder if you (read Society) as a parent doubt your (read Societal) upbringing. Because out of all the years you (read Society) have associated with your (read Societal) child, a less than three minute video can change?

If we grow up our kids to have a mind of their own, to distinguish between the right and wrong then it must not bother us.

If you are scared that youngsters will be trapped - then
A. Keep your upbringing strong
B. Allow them to make mistakes, they will be wiser.

Society, your flawed upbringing laced with morally righteous is hollow. You are being hypocrites, sexists, misogynists by shamming Deepika's acceptance to the concept of open marriages. Because if she does or anybody does, it is between those involved in the matrimonial setup.

A woman faintly hinting at open marriage is not acceptable and men (read Society) fear losing their dearly held 'property' (read Women) to someone. 

If it is a man - it is manly, and when it is a woman it is a whorish?

Society, it shakes our double standards - be it Deepika or a non celebrity we all have to have the liberty of opinion.

Let's settle the Choice debate with an individualistic message #MyChoice, applicable equally to all (Men, Women, Other).

Author's Note: When we ask for a just (gender neutral) society, we are tagged as Fem Nazis. Feminism is taken in wrong spirits by many. I am not blaming all men, so before someone comments here that all men are not the same, let's not forget that even all women are not the same. Allow us to be. Period.

Don't start the Indian Sanskriti Drama, you make it look ugly not just to me but to the world. 

P.S.: Choice Debate Settled - #MyChoice for C - April 3, 2015. My third post for the A to Z April Challenge.

Bans, Boycotts and Bharat (India) (B on Day 2 of A to Z Challenge 2015)

It was somewhere in the midst of Ban and Boycotts for Bharat (India) - A facade my country has started to don lately.

Here is a quick recap of bans on creativity and choices we make as individuals.
(This is not comprehensive list and in no order of preference):

1. India's Daughter was banned because it projects bad image of India. BBC was sent a notice by the Indian authorities and the documentary was taken down from the internet.

Un-ban our choices, Un-ban our freedom
Source - Google 

2. It was in the midst of a Beef Ban (cow slaughter ban) imposed in Maharashtra as Cow is worshiped by Hindus (majority religion in India) and Indian authorities are presumably stepping towards Hindu theocracy (overshadowing India's secular constitution). Cows will receive legal protection and mug shots with identity proofs are being created. The ban is likely to be extended across the country.

3. It was a ban that Un-freedom Movie was subjected to for focusing on homosexuality as it can promote unnatural passion.

4. Kalki Koechlin's 'Margarita With A Straw' cleared by Censor Board with only one cut - of a 12-second kissing scene. It is a film about a woman with cerebral palsy coming to terms with her queer sexuality.

5. The word Bombay beeped out of Mihir Joshi's songtrack 'Sorry' because it is 'offensive' to use primitive nomenclature (Bombay) for Mumbai. The track is a conversation between a father and his daughter and I wrote it after the Nirbhaya Gang rape case in December 2012.ay

Here are the lyrics of the song:

I am sorry sweetheart

This is the world I am giving you today. 

It is the same thing no matter what you read… 

From Delhi to Bombay. I wish it was different darling...

Wish you could feel nice and safe. 

But the world’s gone crazy, I don't know what to say’
6. Amendments to Section 66 A of the Information Technology Act was aimed at banning my liberty to speak my mind online. Thankfully the Supreme Court of India rendered it unconstitutional. And I am relieved as my Facebook updates will not invite an arrest order from the authorities on grounds of offensive, while I attempt to show my dissent.

7. Creators of All India Bakchod Roost were forced to take down the video from Youtube as it breached Indian values. Outcry over creative cinematic ventures like Haider, PK are not alien to Indians. And even the infamous movie 50 Shades of Grey made to banned items in India.

As I write this post, I am enraged. I have a question for those who support these bans and promote boycotts in the name of our nation. So as individuals, what are we (we refers to those who are impacted by these bans)?  

Are we heading adolescence?
Are we rash bunch of brats who are to be disciplined?
Are we incapable of making decisions?
Do we have to project a regressive face of development to the world today?
Do we really in need of writing a oligarchy for generations to come?
Are we a nation where people need to be fed on the right idea of entertainment, food, religion and music?
Do we have hold years old values paramount and fail to walk with the times?
Do we really have to be controlled for the choices we make as individuals?

THE ANSWER TO EACH OF THE QUESTION LISTED ABOVE IS A BIG LOUD SHOUT OF A 'Damn NO'.

My nation Bharat (India) is becoming all about Bans, Boycott, Bigotry. We do not need this? We are able enough to make the right choices as individuals. And we are liberated enough to make the wrong choices. Do not make decisions for me. My soul suffocates and curse you.

Ban mongers - If you do not like it, choose to avoid it. Please do not make decisions for me. I do not need your wisdom!

Author's Note: Impose a blanket Ban on Injustice, Hypocrisy, Corrupt, Bigots, Small Thinkers, Shallow Minds, Sexists, Rapists, Crime, Violence...

Ban the wrong. Ban it today - you need not ban anything else! I detest those mindless bans that take away my freedom of making choices, my freedom of deriving solace or getting a high to bring out my creativity.

P.S. Bans, Boycotts and Bharat (India) on B - April 2, 2015. My second post for the A to Z April Challenge.

Peshawar Seige, reminder of my encounter with Terror

I think I was in 8th standard, my sisters were in 6th and 3rd - some short circuit, some sparks and kids ran towards the ground. Rumour said it was a terror attack, some said armed men have held us hostage and a few kids are badly wounded. It was all rumour though, but the entire school was shocked and assembled in the ground. And my eyes frisked the ground trying to locate my sisters, and they found me and we three were together.

I recollect back in September 2008, I was in Gaffar, Karol Bagh moments before the serial blasts in Delhi, me and my younger sister were in metro when we got to know about the blasts. We turned back to CP to catch up with our youngest sister and reach home at 11. It was a curfew at 8 pm. ITO's traffic signal that has always been choc-o-blocked was quite, and we quite had made up our mind that there is gonna be no conveyance today, we might have to walk home. The biggest accomplishment that day was that three of us were together.

Indians could sympathize with #Pakistan on #PeshawarSeige because we know the pain, fear and helplessness that terrorism causes. 

I have grown up with terrorism as a way of life, just like a road accident or a heart attacks. Whenever I heard a minister delivering a pompous speech on anti-terrorism, I would think of whether this man knows about people entering metro premises without being frisked? Does he know that at this point we are not hitting the root of terrorism, a tragedy that could have been avoided to create a terrorist? 

Let's talk about Taliban, there is no good or bad Taliban, they are men with Guns teaching boys to hold guns. Do not let them flourish because beyond all righteous and not-so-righteous is humanity that says COEXIST. Pakistan, your Taliban (your good Taliban) does the same with us what Peshawar attack Taliban (the so called bad Taliban) did to Army Public School Kids. Those kids fought solo, by stuffing something in their mouth, or by acting dead, they did a great job. But they could do it only because you were camouflaged by the dead. Can we just be alive and not be shielded by something?

Pakistan I am sorry for your loss, and my heart goes out for the families who have lost their loved one. I am sharing some words of Gulzaar

अपनी मर्जी से तो मजहब भी नहीं उसने चुना था,
उसका मज़हब था जो माँ बाप से ही उसने विरासत में लिया था,
अपने माँ बाप चुने कोई ये मुमकिन ही कहाँ है, मुल्क में मर्ज़ी थी उसकी ,

न वतन उसकी रजा से वो तो कुल नौ ही बरस का था,
उसे क्यों चुनकर, फिरकादाराना फसादात ने कल क़त्ल किया 

Author's Note: As far as my encounter with terrorism is concerned, it seems that it is my sole responsibility to protect myself if a terror attack happened. When one does not have a choice, all one can do is to bravely declare it as a sole responsibility because yes, I fear next time it could be me - point blank at a terrorist's radar. And for the love I have for people close to me I do not want to imagine any loved one in such a scenario, so sorry I will stop here than to elongate that emotion.

Masked Facade

Being novice
Or are you shutdown
Of those notions

Source: Google Search

That do the rounds
When the lovers meet
On dark midnight

Being lazy
Or are you waiting
Of the facade
That reads of hope
When time is ripe
On moonlit night

Being twisted
Or are you aware
Of her wanting
That she will give up
When you tell her
On words wrapped in lies

Author's Note: We give acceptable names to not so acceptable facets of our personality! You put a mask carry tiny bit of everything so that all may approve of what you show them. 

Temple and Tampons

You fight for temples and tampons,
I will walk inside sacred door.

Source: Google Search

You hand me that sweet somethings,
I will relish it as candy.

You want me to don that amulet,

I will not tote to that force.

You hold me by neck to make me to take a bow,

I will not bow inside a museum.

You tell me to sin and repent till I die,

I will be a sinner innumerable times in your eyes.

You follow what a shepherd wrote,

And I need no such note.

Author's Note: 

You call yourself the saviour of Mosque and Mensuration.

You tell us what should be done with Temple and Tits.
You dictate the rules that govern Churches and Clits.
And  fight over whose preaching is based on science.
And you want theocracy to run countries.
And you kill whoever not following your faith.

P.S.: Religion is only beautiful till it is not forced upon someone. Let us all coexist in the name of humanity!

My kind of #KissOfLove

Will I stare at a kissing couple? No.

Will I be bothered if someone stares at a kissing couple? No.

Will I protest against someone who stares at a kissing couple? No.

Will I be upset if someone attacks or physically injures a kissing couple? Yes.

Will I protest against someone who attacks a kissing couple? Yes.

And here is my kind of Kiss Of Love protest: 

Bob Dylan - The Times They Are a-Changin'

Come mothers and fathers

Throughout the land

And don't criticize

What you can't understand

Your sons and your daughters

Are beyond your command

Your old road is

Rapidly agin'.

Please get out of the new one

If you can't lend your hand

For the times they are a-changin'.

Author's Note: Will I kiss in public or not? Well I abstain you from discussing what you hold right for me. And as for as you are concerned, here is what I want you to know: 

Kiss if you must, I will not harm you.
Kiss if you must, I will not sexual-ise it.
Kiss if you love, I will not demonize love.

P.S.: The core thought is whether you will pop your eyes when you see two people Kiss!

Before you share on Social Media

Source: Google Search

We carry the world in our palm and we know what is happening in the world within minutes of an act. The power of social is immense, but there is a grim line that gyrates between sensational, responsible and funny!

Think of FakingNews.com - purely funny. It presents unverified information for virality. Knowing that it is an outright lie, we laugh and even share some of the updates. Here are the recent ones>>

• BREAKING: SIT requests SC to allow it to hire Arnab to investigate black money offenders. SIT members are really impressed with the way Arnab is able to grill his guests every night on his show.

• BREAKING: Bangalore based IT company introduces “Work-from-Bus” as traffic takes a turn for the worse. A popular tech startup in the IT city has started a trendy way for employees to work, as most of them often fail to reach office on time.

Being bombarded with information in various social touch-points, we are often taken with the sensational aspect of it. We do not cross check it but start becoming a part of a spree that allows for mindless hooliganism.

Most recent example is mocking Pakistan over gender issue. Pakistan has emerged as the world's second-worst country in terms of gender equality, according to the annual Global Gender Gap Report published by the World Economic Forum. Detailed information brings forth additional shocker - India's ranking fell from 101 out of 136 countries last year to 114 out of 142 countries this year.

Read the full article here>>

I noticed people responsibly sharing their thoughts on the gender issue while using Pakistan gender ranking news to substantiate their point - which is a good strategy. However those who mocked Pakistan need to move beyond comparing apples to oranges philosophy. What should bother us more? In such a scenario, I think India deserves a bigger mocking for not being able to sustain its position forget scaling up the ranking. This was just one example, but there are instances where we join the herd - without thinking much about what we to say. There are times when you can stay quite, it doesn't hurt.

Author's Note: Do you #Google (cross-check) any information (presented as a fact) on social media ? And even if it is a valid information, do you share the thought to bring out a sensational aspect of it or responsible aspect of it?

P.S.: The point to ponder is whether we even realise if we are made to like seemingly responsible story for a sensational purpose.

Go for a Plain and Simple Diwali!

A 10 year old girl discovered smog for the first time. It was the day after Diwali, when her mom was cleaning the terrace that was mauled by crackers. Welcoming the advent of winters – she announced to her mom that the fog has come. Her mom, not so enthusiastically, told her that it is not fog – it is smog! Looking at question in her eyes – what is smog?, her mom continued telling her that it is the product of pollution that comes from crackers that people burst during Diwali. The 10 year old was not excited anymore. She looked closely at the layer of smog. It appeared like a black mass resting between the sky and earth. It looked beautifully calm, but it was the calmness that was haunting! Like a predator, moving slowly towards a prey. And till the time the prey realizes that, it is dead!

After that day she did not burst crackers. The haunting image of smog appeared in front of her.

Source: The Logical Indian

Now there is something doing rounds on social media – against an annoying pretentious friend who insists on a plain and silent Deepawali! Check it here >>

The claims made by this message include the following and I bring to you my opinion about the message that is being extensively shared by people who enjoy bursting crackers.

1. The major source of pollution - vehicles and industries burning fossil fuels. Hits the nail on the spot. That is why renewable energy is being so talked about. That is why carbon credits exist. That is why we protest deforestation.

2. Even smoking a cigarette is much bigger source of pollution
If cigarette haunts you so much, then during Diwali a non smoker inhales smoke that is equivalent to 100 sticks. 

3. The deadly CFC gases from the ACs these leftists pseudo-intellectuals put in their comfy rooms. Can we live without ACs? Climate change is inevitable – the only possibility is to delay it by being responsible towards environment. Rather than using ACs in all the rooms, use AC in just one room, keep the temperature between 22 to 24 and stuff.

4. Mere 1 day's worth of air-travel in the world produces much more deadly pollution that a Diwali celebration that we observe just once a year.
Exhausts out of an Aero-plane are under checks – exhausts out of crackers are not!

5. We're silently suffering million times more pollution then we shouldn't complain about something insignificant in comparison. As long as people do it in moderation, and enjoy it no one should have a problem.
It could appear insignificant to those who do not suffer. An asthmatic person suffers and while the regulated industrial limit does not seem to kill a lung patient, crackers bursted on the Diwali day do! Who keeps a check on moderation? We do not have any regulations to limit using crackers?

Author's Note: Please do not pick a better wrong out of many wrongs. Celebrate plain and simple Diwali. Celebrations must not encourage damaging the environment. 

Five reasons not to #BoycottHaider

To me bashing any piece of creativity is unjustified, be it fatwa against Salman Rushdie for his work, censor board's stalling Deepa Mehta's Fire, or Tweeples talking #BoycottHaider. Just for the records the movie garnered 8.9 IMBD rating and people in my circle, who have watched the movie, have liked it. So to me all that criticism and Boycott talk is coming from people who have boycotted it already - most of the participants in the #BoycottHaider drive have not even watched the movie!

Source: Google Search

Here is my observation about the claims made on Twitter. I will refrain from sharing the story line, but I will pick up points that you will be able to relate with once you watch it!

1. The story is about the struggles of a Muslim family. It shows that Muslims in Kashmir are vulnerable, the ones who spread violence are those who are across the border. They mislead youth and use them as a tool to spread disharmony in India. People follow the wrong path for a reason - mostly for sentiments not for big ideologies.

2. I do not see Army's role is not in a wrong light - it shows that Army is no clairvoyant - they go via the messenger route. The movie indicates that Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) is a draconian law, and if you do a little google search you will find reasons why is it called as a tool of state abuse, oppression and discrimination. Even UN has stated that AFSPA is against international law. The act is applied in the state of Kashmir and North East to protect India from terrorists, but any law - like Dowry Law or Rape Law - is susceptible to misuse. Irom Sharmila has been on a hunger strike from 2000 to get this act out. She has been fed through a pipe attached to her nose. So there are protests against AFSPA for quite a long time - the movie in fact brings this to light.

3. It does not in any way bring Kashmiri pandit into the picture. No talk about Hinduism. The movie is not about them. It is about the struggles parents of Muslim who do not want their kids to fall in the trap of terrorism. Parents who want their kids to move out in other parts of India and experience real freedom.

4. The movie reminds that plebiscite for People of Kashmir was promised by Pt Nehru. The issue has been raised time and again - shows that politicians should not deliver big speeches if they cannot stand upto it, it creates resentment. There is a scene in the movie - that indicated that it is not about freedom of Kashmir but about slavery from across the border.

5. Haider, he was not a hero, but a protagonist, fighting complexities of loss, betrayal and revenge!

Author's Note: Why does a piece of art haunt people? It is just an opinion, and not a holy book! Listening to the other side of the story only makes you human. Young Muslims in Kashmir are being misled by an organised set of terrorists. #HaiderTrueCinema. The movie is based on facts!

In praise of NaMo - Narendra Modi.

BJP won India's 2014 Union Elections, or did Modi win? Would it be synonymous to say so?  My Facebook feeds are full of 'in praise of NaMo'. I do not have any reasons to say why he should have not won.

When George W. Bush was elected as President of America for the second time, I was sad that Americans are so ignorant that they choose someone who would further the international oil diplomacy surfaced in the form of Iraq war. Americans are ignorant people. They think that the moon is made of cheese and if you tell them that it is not they will not agree, instead argue with you.

The political arena is a dirty place. The PR machinery backing Mr Modi was just a little too aggressive.
Check the image below:

Source: Logical Indian Facebook Page
Apparently, #BJP had done some cost-cutting when it came to pay for 'skilled' graphic designers.

Don't miss to visit the official link attached!
http://www.bjp.org/en/media-resources/press-releases/charter-for-varanasi-by-shri-narendra-modi

Too many media houses means too many opinions. Sometimes PR machinery goofs up. Modi Refused to Talk about Gujarat Riots, check the video here, where he walks out from an Interview with Karan Thapar.

For people to justify his wrong doings during the Godhra riots, just because he brought development to Gujarat make me feel that Indian's are putting themselves too much into Modi's shoes - ranting & chanting NaMo. And please do not compare two wrongs to justify that the wrong Modi did was still a better wrong than wrongs done during the 1984 Sikh riots. 

I wish he will take India as a secular state, where existence of any religion is not under government's watch.
I wish no Ram Mandir is constructed at Babri Masjid site, make it a memorial for Ayodhya riot victims
To all those religious people out there, who I might have offended, I believe in just The Facebook God!

Author's Note: Good Luck Mr Modi! And Please answer questions raised in my previous post, Modi - The Prime Time Indian Tamasha.

P.S.: I wish we see India where if someone we love did something wrong, we can go upto that person and tell them. Be it those who burnt Sabarmati express, or those who burnt Best Bakery - It was wrong - paving way for a man eats man world!

P.P.S: A little ride on the memory lane, I expect something similar coming to Modi. 

Xerox: A-to-Z Challenge [28 April 2014]

Source: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com

“I was so disappointed that you did not want to perform at your uncle’s Sangeet function. Look at your cousin Palak, how confidently she gave her performance making your uncle proud. All the guests were asking me about your performance, and I felt so embarrassed.”, scolded a mother of 7 years Kriti.

“Mom, I wanted to do a stand-up comedian performance, something like we saw in Zurich during our vacation.” explained Kriti.

“I told you, that is not a girl thing. You are a girl, and there are some things that are not meant for them. Your dance teacher will be attending to you for extra hours in the coming three days so that you do not goof up the way you did last night.”

This was the conversation between a mother and her 7 years old daughter Kriti. This young girl gets to hear a lot about achievements of her peers, and a bunch of girls who loved dancing, singing, and getting indulged in girl stuff. All that Kriti’s parents wants is her to catch the best from all of them.

Kriti at a young age has a tight 'mechanical' schedule. She is back at 1:30 from school and after that she is paraded in various classes, right from dance to piano lessons to singing classes, everything was so girlie. She did not know what is girlie and what is not, but she did not like what she was supposed to do, she wanted something else.

Are parents trying to get the Xerox of a girlie girl, and not let her be what she is?

Badge : A-to-Z Challenge [April 2014]

Author's Note: I see many parents try to make them fit into a typical xerox of what according to them fits perfect in the frame. A boy should be blue and girl should be pink- why a boy can’t like pink and girl blue?

P.S.: If you are a boy, you should not wear pink, it is a girl's colour. A boy of 5 years told me that and all I wondered was who taught him gender segmentation?

P.P.S.: Thanks Shesha for quick edits.

Reservation Relaoded

The advent of reservations.. We know all that SC/ST/OBC/ Gujjar/Jat/ Muslim/Christians/General Category  story, lets take a look at a refreshing reloaded version!

Reservation Part 1: The implementation of Direct Taxes code was not taken up in the national Union Budget 2012-13. In addition to Income tax people are forced to pay more service tax as well. Despite surge in inflation, there is a gap of equivalent appraisals. Rupee's value against Dollar is uncontrollably high and the value of gold is shining everywhere than on page 3. Sad we are forced to read all these bland news everyday!

Reservation Part 2: 
Your daily SMS limit has been reserved to 20 per day. This has been decided by the government as a lot of SMSes, degrading the government, were doing the rounds. And like an abla naari, she had to protect her integrity!

And the funniest of all is the Reservation Part 3: Seemingly agitated with the stride of protests in the Indian national capital, the administrators have  decided to go aggressive with their autocracies. Now that the police was done with the implementation of section 144, and knowing that amending one of the fundamental rights to protest is not possible, they have another nasty trick in place.

Excerpts from the Times of India Article posted online..

But with Delhi Police reportedly proposing to restrict entry to the grounds with barriers in the wake of recent anti-corruption protests at the site, and seeking to impose visiting hours citing security reasons, this way of life seems threatened.  

Complete article is available here

Be it any activity, crime, of a call to call off corruption, the government doesn't think about the ways to solve the issue, but sadly endorse LIMITED ACCESS! With this the sick though they have come a step ahead of its ways of 'reservation'.. Reserving our right to visit places in our own country.

Author's Note: This government does not let a pout of fresh air come in.. I don't want the government to be a nagging neighbourhood aunty. It want it to be someone with the style and pleasant personality as a 5 star waiter!

DMRC and the Women's Coach

It came as a blessing in disguise! All the ladies were happy that they will have a comfortable journey. The coach is comparitively less crowded. But, I was particularly upset about a ladies coach, considering that I would not be able to catch a glimpse of hunks around... It was rare to spot a hunk though! As time passed I realised that the ladies coach has more reasons to be upset about. 

I started getting use-to the comfort, and finally away from the uncomfortable gaze of those unpleasant men,who find it macho to pass that knowingly unknowing gesture. I remember fighting back, where the entire gamut of men reply, lar ke aayee hai ghar se (she must have fought with her family memebers)! or Kuch to nahi kiya usne madam (he did not do anything, Madam). or the guy hinself shouts  maine to kuch nahi kiya, kya kiya maine bolo? (I did not do anything, what did I do? can you tell me?) Yes I do tell them, I reply back, wanting to paste a tight slap on their faces.. Now, women are away from those insensible lot.

But don't assume that girls are good either. Its equally uncomfortable to listen to those aunties and and tolerate those ill-mannered girls, who refuse to move in to accommodate those standing on the platform, keep commenting about thenew generation girl-kind and what not! More so is the tendency to not letting others to deboard, but howling inside the train. No one is willing to leave their seat at the sight of an old lady. Men hoard inside the coach, and when you confront them, they fight back. there is no mechanism to complain about such lot. 

And what about the general compartment! The decent men are offended, and the other lot has garnered a licence to misbehave. The moment you get off the train, they try and brush off, as if now that they have been segmented, they have every right to misbehave. If at all a female enters, they start taunting them that they should get into the women coach. Huh!!!

Also about those who were punished to sit-up for some 50 times or so.. That was all the more disgusting act. What makes the authorities to humiliate the violators of law, what can allow them to punish them do such an embarrassing act? OK, so they have got inside the women coach, but then don't we have decent ways to punish, charge fine, or whatever?

Why segment the two genders? Isn't it socially challenging us and a tendency wherein the two equal parts of nature should be sensitised to behave and travel cordially?

Author's Note: Now the authorities are planning to add two more coaches to the trains, lets see how the six coach fare! Also there would be a connectivity between Mandi House and Central secretriat,  promising plans but humiliating Crowd Management Strategy... Sigh!

Babri Masjid Verdict (बाबरी मस्जि का फैसला)

बाबरी मस्जिद का फैसला आने वाला है, हो सकता हे इस फैसले से कुछ विवाद हो,विभिन्न धार्मिक पार्टी उकसाए, मंदिर और मस्जिद की बात करे, तब एक बात याद रखना की दंगो में मरने वाला ना हिन्दू होता है ना मुसलमान वो सिर्फ किसी का भाई , बेटा , बाप या किसी के घर का चिराग होता है. कोई हिन्दू या मुसलमान नहीं होता है और इसी इंसानियत के नाते एस मेसेजे को ...जितना हो सके फैला दो और बचा लो बेगुनाहों को....

The verdict for Babri Masjid will be out tomorrow i.e. September 30, 2010. This verdict will lead to controversies, religious parties will come forth, and may lead to riots. Remember that whoever dies in riot is neither a hindu or a muslim.. The person who sacrifices his life ts some one's brother, son, father or the bread winner of a family. For humanitarian reasons, please spread this message, and save the innocents.  

Author's Note: Waiting for a peaceful verdict. Refer to the story here, which says that the political parties have started crafting their strategies for the verdict.

Riches and the Poor

So how many of you know about Salman Khan's comment on Mumbai attack on 26/11 2008? What is your opinion on the entire crisis? And the aftermath!

The moment I held newspaper in the morning today, I could relate his statement to something which is highly terrorising and has been instigated by the state. Guess what? 

Lemme guess what would cross your mind, Maoists? Naxalites? Attrocities? State turning into Mafia? Land Acquisitions? Upset Tribal society?

No, none of the above, perhaps some of the above can be related to it.. True, when Salman Khan talks about the hype created as the rich were targeted. Attacks on poor is rarely of interest to anyone. Influential people make the world dance to their tunes. Its the poor who are subverted. 

Usmanpur flooded! Otherwise the city of Delhi would have been flushed. I can recall, every year such stories grab the headlines during monsoon. The State of Haryana releases water, which leads to flood threat in the capital. But in the meantime some other poor village is flooded to save who? Moreover we have a better argument to support the flooding of small villages. You see Delhi is holding CWG 2010, a big international sports event. Delhi cannot afford to project such a miserable situation, especially after thousands of athletes have backed of due to threat on Security, Health (read Dengue) etc. 

So much so drill runs have started on the dedicated lanes in the city roads are being reserved for the tourists. You see to save them from the harrowing traffic that we Delhites encounter everyday. 

How many of us? read females come across instances of inappropriate gestures, harrasment from random men. I dont think any of us would be an exception to this. These men belong to each of the segment of society, be it the affluent or the others. They seem to have been thinking that they have all the rights  in the world to insult a woman. Behave guys, otherwise soon we will get to learn that a dedicated transporation system has come in place to ferry the tourists.

My point is to begin with the floods, why the city has never considered saving and using this water? Why is it that water shortage news hogs the headlines and why do we always flood the areas where the poor reside. Furthermore, does the government ever compensate the flood victims? I am clueless about it. Save water, makea mechanism to do that, we have this opprotunity now, rather than doing it when we are head on with the crisis.

Second issue is the comment by Salman Khan, I feel he has said the truth. Why did he apologise then? Probably because this byte was given to a Pakistani channel. And BJP did not help but tap this opportunity to strengthen its hindutatva agenda.

CWG 2010, I am really happy that these games are happening in India. It will bring in prosperity and beautification of the city is already visible. But my point is why is it being done to receive the foreigners? Why did the government never think about the capital before? Why is the civil society being taught to behave now? I, as a citizen of the nation, of the city, have to be treated with if not equal, but more respect. Because I am again amongst those who, in the near future would be voting under section 49 (o).  

Author's Note: People here criticise, probably that is what I am doing through this post. No one seem to be convinced that CWG could happen in Delhi, around three weeks to go for that. No one could take a democratic remark by an actor, ultimately he had to say sorry. No one heard the villagers, who had their houses flooded! Isn't it cruel and violent?

P.S.: Islands of prosperity cannot sustain with the sea of deprivation

Please locate my Papa!

No no, I am not asking you to locate my Papa!

Its an incident that I witnessed yesternight while shopping for stuff my mum wanted me to bring along while going home. I was late, time was around 8:30 pm. I was heading towards chemist shop. Saw a cute little girl, not more than 2 years old. First glance, and all I thought was cute baby! But hey hang on Shine! What is this cute baby doing all alone at this time in the middle of the pavement. I started noticing her and could sense that she was feeling lost. Her hand movement and gestures were as if she was really scared.

I cannot keep quite. If I feel something is wrong I ask or show or do something, I just don't care if it will lead me in soup. So what if I land up in trouble, I did not do it with a bad intent. I only wanted to help and sort things out.

That's what I did. I held her hand and asked where is your mom?? dad?? What are you doing here all alone??

She was perplexed and said that Papa went out to get the medicine.

Ok.. So do u see our papa at the two medical stores located nearby? I pointed at the medical stores nearby.

No, she said and unknowingly and confused she started walking towards a secluded end. I was sure that she has lost her way. I again held her, and clearly intending not to let her go unless I manage to find her way back home.

I asked, where do you stay?

She replied Ghanta Ghar.

Sigh, its a place known to me. What should I do now, should I call up 100 or call up my dad! I called my dad, network problem! Huh, third attempt and I got through. He picked up, and I told him, Papa there is a little girl and her father is lost somewhere. Come to this place. And then came a quick ok. I am coming, tell me where exactly are you.

The moment I hung up the call, the girl started crying. My papa is lost!

Don't worry we will locate him.

How did you come here?? Were you in a bike? or car?

I was in the car.

Ok! Who all were in the car?

Just me and my papa, she said. And now she held my hand with a belief that I am not going to harm her.

Do you know the number of your car? or your papa's mobile number or home phone number.

No I don't!

Ok, so lets locate the car first. Is that fine??

Yes, she said.

What colour is the car?

White.

Great. By this time I was confused myself. But anyhow. I started moving towards the direction where she was coming from. I asked is your car that side. She said yes!

And I could see a few men on the road, confused and trying to locate something. I wished that there should be her dad. Yeah there he was, upset, nearly about in tears! He might have asked those local shop owners about the girl and they might have told him that she stepped out of the car and went out.

The moment he saw his daughter he was relieved and asked her why did you come out of the car? He looked at me, and thanked. I said that's ok! As I turned back, I was still apprehensive if he is her dad or no. I looked back again and the expressions on his dad's face swanned that he is her dad for sure. He looked at me again and thanked again.

Great... So probably I got late, or I had to get the stuff that my mum asked for probably only to help that girl find her papa.

I called my dad, no need to come, we found her papa :D

Author's Note: I did not speak to her papa, but still he should have never left a child alone in the car! I was thinking why to get judgemental when a person in experiencing an emotional turmoil? This incident might have taught him this lesson. The first thing I did was to call up my mamaji (my mum's brother), who has a 1.5 year old child. It was a lesson that I learned, and just wanted to caution him about it.

Moreover I also noticed that no civilian these days seem to be cautious about the fact that a child is moving around without any care taker, they just want to rush home and dont care if they can be of help. They are more bothered about the soup they may land up in. Well that is what that can be expected of them. One has to fight the threat alone, but can we expect this out of a child?

P.S.: When I told my Mum about the incident. She loaded me with stories of her childhood where she lost her way, my mamaji was about to get kidnapped / lost. I was scared. Its really a big responsibility to take care of a child. We get to read frequently about the plight of people who have lost their child and never found back.