Gandhi-The real commando

        A recent television squib of Idea Cellular shows a young woman being eve teased by a road side Romeo. The girl resists for which the rogue replies, "Its democracy, can do anything anywhere". The lady types "Gandhi ya Commando? Gandhi or Commando" on her mobile to conduct a poll and declares "99% logon ne kaha commando","99% people says commando". She then kicks the trouble maker and makes him taste the dust and finally says "This is democracy"

The Ad definitely demonstrates qualities like progressiveness and independence of today's women and also depicts the prominence of democracy. But, in quest to show case it, the creators of this film didn't hesitate to show Gandhian ideologies in poor light. It did annoy me in the beginning and I must admit, it took a stronger form when I heard that some protest was being made. Protest which clearly seemed like a political stunt in the wake of impending elections. I had some thought over it and realized that Gandhian thoughts are actually ridiculed by most of today's youth and to some extent he is even abhorred.

The very thought took me back to a bitsy debate that I had with my friends few years back. One of them said "Gandhi took away all the glory, when many others also fought for freedom. He played wonderful politics and walked away with all the accolades. We also had men like Bhagat Singh and Netaji who were real martyrs". Over the period of time, I paid some thought on Gandhian philosophies and realized few aspects about it. Here, thru this post, I would like to defend the ideologies of the Father of our nation as the most apt ones for pre-independence India.

History has it, that before the emergence of the phenomenon called "Gandhi", Indian independence struggle was largely isolated to cities like Calcutta and Bombay. Gandhi foresaw the importance of reaching out to the common men and enlightening them about the same. He travelled the length and breadth of the country and reached out to people and hence became a house old name. The very idea of independence became a talk of every common man in India be it a shoemaker or a zameendar. It was the first real cause that brought not only the budhi jeevees or the intellect but also the common men of the whole country together.

Gandhi had an unexampled approach. He was a messenger of non-violence. As any other youth of today, I believed once that we had a prolonged history of Independence struggle mainly because our leader were liberal.I felt the ideologies of Bhagat Singh and Netaji were more cognate. I was a huge fan of Bhagat Singh and admired him to extent that i had his potrait in my room.I couldn't accept that our forefathers appreciated silent protests and non-violence as struggle for independence. It was difficult for me to fathom that they allowed a pack of a million English men to control this country.

But with more thought and understanding, I realized that, Gandhi was a man with vision. He envisioned that a bloody revolution might unite us against the Colonials but at the same time greed and power would later turn us against each other. We have Afghanistan for an example, a nation crumbled it bloody pasts. It was the greed for power and control of warlords that ripped the country apart. Gandhi realized that the same would happen in India and chose the path of non-violence. Also, He believed in slowly preparing the country for independence. Like for instance, after the Chora-Chori massacre he proclaimed that the country was not prepared for independence and called off the 'Non-corporation' movement. Today, when we debate in the name of religion, caste, creed and ethinicity I wonder whether we are yet deserving the independence that we enjoy.

Gandhi became the face of Independence struggle. Post independence, over the time, his glory walked hand in hand with his defamation. Ironically, he became the face of the very political party he represented which for the sake of electoral vote bank politics plays with emotions of religious minorities. Naturally, indirectly attacking Gandhi became the agenda of the equally formidable opposition party, which eventually plays with the emotions of religious majority. Tarnishing Gandhi's image has become their lethal weapon.

Many youth today hail Netaji for his courage. I too believe that he was the true son of our Mother land. But how many of us have really thought that he formed the Indian National Army with Japanese assistance. Japan, an ally to Hitler's Germany in the world war. Hitler whose mere mention makes a modern German feel insulted!

'Mahatma' dont mean god. And so, he did commit few mistakes in life. But still we should be thankfull to god and be proud that India produced a visionary like Gandhi, who had the vision of a Republic called India

How to beat the shit out of UPites and Biharis?

        Last time when I had been to my home town, the then railway minister was in the nearby town. The minister hailed from the Indian State Bihar. I heard my folks saying that he was there to lead his people into a virgin territory, which has not been forayed by migrant Biharis.

Few days later, I was listening to a talk show on our TV channel; the topic was 'Why Kerala, even after being the most literate state is not able to produce considerable number of IAS and IPS?". Many opinionated that civil service is a stream that is highly dominated by North Indian IAS/IPS kids (children of IAS/IPS parents). Surely this proves that favoritism is so predominantly existent in the Indian Job circuit. After all how can these Biharis/UPites who are believed to not even have the basic infrastructures and educational standards available to other pass the civil service exams with flying colors. It looked eminent that maybe Biharis and UP Babu's who are already on service were propagating favoritism.

Often our opinions and beliefs are based on what we are made to believe. Often it has huge influence on how we perceive or receive something prima facia. Years passed, I was now interacting with people from different walks of life and cultures. During my college days, I happened to study with highly committed Biharis who were at least 3-5 years senior to me sharing the same class room. They were studious and highly committed, though I wouldn't call them scholars. But, still in terms of their efforts they were commendable. I also came across Biharis and UPites who devote years into preparation of civil services. I personally have friends who have that level of conviction. Only then, I realized that Biharis and UPites have high regards for Civil Service and UPSC exams. They put in the most to achieve these targets.

To beat them in these arenas, we would need that level of conviction and dedication. Civil Service, UPSC and Railways are dominated by them, only because they yearn for it and work really hard for it. Rather than complaining that they are eating up jobs, we should counter them with same level of conviction and hard work.

Rather than instigating ill feelings among people, the so called thinkers and leaders of the society should build competitive spirits in people. Parents should teach their children to be sportive rather than pestering them with wrong attitudes.

Those who have read my previous post would wonder why am i being so critical one time and then defensive. Actually, i admire UPites and Biharis for what they nuture within themselve. To spare your 2-3 years for a such a cause is really appreciable, especially when you can easily chase more achievable and greener career options like IT Sector available. We all Indian should take this as a good example and foster our young minds with such ambitions.

Now regarding the question posed at the talk show. I feel the following line by some respectable thinker justifies it which goes like this...."Being Literate doesnt mean being educated".

I believe Literacy is just one milestone towards achieving the ultimate goal of being Educated. It should be noted that most Biharis/UPites are trying to be Educated and thats what we all should learn for a better future of our country.

By beating someone up i dont mean literally....but what i mean is we should give them some hard punching competition.

A line from my Favourite movie "Rang De Basanti" goes...No country is perfect, It has to be made Perfect.We all should strive for the same!

About the Title of this post...Please forgive me for it as i am too naive, i know its a Yellow Journalistic attitude. I am just trying to make everyone read!!.

A City paralyzed…..Well almost

It's a special day for me. But also, it's been a day of ironies. 21^st of October 2008, a prominent political leader is arrested for whatever reasons. He and his ideologies might be right and also may be that of his political opponents. I am nobody to comment on any political alignments and thoughts. But as a common man, I have few neutral concerns. I am trying to voice that and there are no offences meant. I am a person who has spent his life across the length and breadth of this country. Born in Kerala, I have grown up in western, eastern and northern part of this country. I believe I am an ideal person to be named as a neutral Indian, with no cultural, ethnical and religious biases, a true INDIAN. Maybe the gentleman in the centre of controversy is right or maybe he is generating momentum as part of vote bank politics. I don't Care!!

I started my day early, as I mentioned it was special day for me. But in the quest to accomplish many activities, I missed my company bus and had to arrange for an alternate means to make it to next nearest pickup. This bus which I boarded was a Karnataka state transport bus to Mumbai. I believe they are not allowed to take passengers for short distance travels within Maharashtra, as that service is catered by BEST service. There were no tickets issued either. Stop to think of it, this is one of the instance were outsiders/outside entities are being parasites. But where doesn't that happen?

I found one of my colleagues, a cheerful, maharastrian gentleman with whom I share the company bus. But today he looked really tensed. He had left his office late the previous day and hence didn't mind carrying his Laptop home. It was supposed to be with him all the time as his nature of work demanded it so. It turned out that an urgent work came up when he was leaving his house. Had he had his lappy, he would have connected to the office network and attended to his work. He really needed to make it fast to office and he missed the bus. On the State transport we were discussing this and just then the traffic came to a halt. We were expecting disruptions but not in this part of city.

We saw a mob that halted the traffic, shouting slogans in support of the leader, who is opposing the influx of north Indians and their culture into this very city. Call it irony or unity in diversity, the slogans were in Hindi!! A few even enjoyed the show. The trouble makers were people who visibly looked laymen, who would hardly seem to have been affected by the political potboiler. Also it included few college going students, who seemed to want to bunk their classes and wanted to make this moment cherish able.

At least, around hundred people from different walks of life's, different ethnicities irrespective of a Marathi, Guajarati or Malayali were stuck up with not knowing what to do. By now, I and my friend decided to board the train rather than chase to the next pickup. I started having a double mind and decided to go back home. My friend had no option rather than going to office. The road block had caused a sense of urgency in him which I didn't find in any other person around.

I entered the railway station and saw people in panic caused due to the jam. Women were on mobiles informing their loved ones about the situation, Men calling up offices, students finding a way out. Suddenly a mob of at least 20 men came running in like a herd wild bulls, screaming and causing chaos. Later it turned out that they were just doing that for their amusement.

When a mob protests comes in the form of hooliganism, the real reason behind the protest is not any cause but it's just a sheer act of disrupting normal life, committed by people who either enjoy doing it or have been brainwashed.

Finally we both reached the platform and I informed my friend "Hey, by the way it's my Birthday today". My friend was elated and said "Then you sure have a reason to be home. Enjoy!!!"