Let us be more sensible, let us be more responsible

I am writing this article with a very heavy heart and lot of pain.

Daily news reports covering ignominious rapes makes me feel that we are a country of – No Hope. I might be incoherent in my expression today, let it be.

How many more rapes would make us sensitive enough, when would the government machinery take charge? I do not know whether so many helpless young girls were suffering in the past too and whether such incidences of rapes and abduction were being kept under the carpet?  May be, earlier it used to be a rare occurrence here and there; but, now the situation seems to have gone out of control and the perverts are having a field day – anytime, anywhere – shamelessly! Our law enforcing agencies appear as mere spectators, just like us. Girls are being raped all around us and we do not know what should we do?  After the Nirbhaya rape case in Delhi, it was believed that things would improve, we all would become more sensitive towards the girls and law enforcing agencies would become more responsible. But nothing seems to be happening in the right direction.

The only inference that we can draw today is that the rapists have become more emboldened in their misadventures and they have least fear of the society or the police or anyone for that matter. Even the toddlers are not safe, it is horrific and reflects the harrowing dip that law and order has taken and is further plunging deep and deep. What is also worrying is that sexual abuse is not limited to Delhi or Mumbai only, it is regularly taking place in other cities and villages too.

In my view, we are primarily in this situation because as a society we are decaying and we have become insensitive towards others, towards our acquaintances and own relations too. A disconnect can be felt at every other level, whether we speak about our leaders, our teachers, the administrators, law enforcers, et al. All this combined together has resulted in spurt of crime and going by the latest survey there has been increase of 336% in crimes against the children in the last decade. And it is not only the girls who are bearing the brunt, it is learnt that out of the victims, 55% were boys! Criminals do not discriminate.

As a child, I remember, we used to give due regard to all the uncles and aunties of our neighborhood and they too used to keep a caring watch on us. Our parents were not much concerned about our safety, because we were under constant watch of our elders – the neighbours. Any mischievous or objectionable activities of ours used to get reported to our parents. They also used to pat us when we did something good. It was a good check and balance and created a good bonding in the society. Alas! It is totally missing today. Today, while most of us are having nuclear family, our children are growing in an environment that has no presence and influence of the grandparents. When together, grandparents leave a long and lasting impression on their grandchildren and they greatly balance their lives. Also, we hardly know our neighbours and least we care about them. We certainly do not need to intrude into their privacy, but a certain level of acquaintance and respect for the neighboring families is a must.

In my view, the major reasons for the decadence in moral values are – disconnect with our own tradition and culture, break up of joint families and rise of nuclear families, displacement from one’s own hometown – giving a false sense of freedom, minimal interaction with family members and relatives, influence of west, corrupt government machinery, non-employment and other such factors.  All this didn’t happen in a year or two, but it has been taking place over the years. With opening of the job opportunities in the last two decades, more nuclear families came into existence and the chaos and disconnect grew. The effect is palpable in the form of insensible citizens where a forty or fifty year old man rapes a four year girl!  

I fail to understand that what makes the judiciary, the NGOs and the entire system so slow and extra considerate in punishing the criminals? Why we do not adopt the system of lynching in public? Why they can’t be hanged the very day the crime is perpetrated? Why do we need to be human to such perverts?

Let us be more sensitive to our children, to our society, to our family relations and everyone around us. It would help in creating a better world for our children. Let us learn to respect everyone, especially the women. Let us be more responsible.

Let us create a society that respects our children, especially the girls. Let us do whatever little we can do to make them safe. Let us come out of our own shell. For the safety of our own children and their innocent dreams!

We have been to Maha Kumbh 2013 – at Allahabad!

As I said in my earlier blog post that I never ever fancied about ‘Kumbh-Snaan’, but a phone call from my friend Zaroo - suggesting for it – turned out to be a good and exciting proposition. A few more calls and four of us – all from the engineering college we graduated (MANIT-Bhopal) - firmed up the date that suited us and we scheduled it to avoid the frenzied rush that normally takes place during ‘Shahi-Snaan’. Now I have an experience to share!

It was cold and drizzling when I landed at Lucknow airport, it concerned me. While, even a normal ‘Snaan’ at home during winter demands courage, the weather at Lucknow demanded further mental conditioning for the proposed ‘Kumbh-Snaan’ in the ice-cold water at ‘Sangam’. While waiting at the Airport,  I was just visualising about the ‘Kumbh-Snaan’ when I got call from Sanjay, who had come to pick me up. A little later, Zaroo too landed and Sanjay drove us to his home, elegantly designed!

Upon taking dip at Sangam, devotees normally visit Ayodhya too. Since we had spare half day with us, we did the other way. We visited Ayodhya, but we had to walk a few kilometres as vehicles were not allowed beyond a certain limit. We were impressed with the architecture of Kanak Bhavan and were a bit afraid of the monkeys who do not hesitate in raiding the devotees for food.

The next day we started for Allahabad – about five hours drive from Lucknow. Road is good and is under expansion- two lane road is being converted to four lanes. Journey in the company of friends was enjoyable with desultory talks and sharing the moments of college days, memorable ones. During the journey we called up many of our friends from the college days, to tell them that they were missing the fun – while we were having it. I swear, no one changes with time; one might mellow down a bit with age, but essentially remains the same. We enjoyed every moment on the way to Allahabad; but the uprooted old trees numbering in hundreds, cut into pieces and piled up in the fields alongside – made my heart ache. Decades old trees have been cut there for road expansion, did any one bother to plant at least the same number of trees, before they were cut? I don’t know.

 

As we approached Allahabad, hoardings and banners welcoming the devotees were visible all around. Posters of ‘Gangaa Bachaao Abhiyaan’ were also seen exhorting the devotees to not pollute the sacred river. Traffic thickened as we approached the ‘Sangam’ site and we had some difficulty in locating our tent colony. Constables of Traffic Police were busy in controlling the flow of traffic, ensuring that the regular flow of devotees do not choke the roads. Certainly, a hard task for the devotees as well as for the constables.  But, as we entered the tent colony campus of UP Tourism, we were delighted with the arrangements, cleanliness and the weather. Kamlesh joined us here and the ‘Sanagm’ of we four friends took place under the clear sunny sky, amidst sounds of bhajans and kirtans – reaching us from all directions! With the clear sky, fear of the cold weather no more bothered us. We were just excited for taking the holy dip – the next morning.

We had plenty of time at our hand on reaching the tent colony and as we had planned for Maha Kumbh Snaan on the next morning, we planned to go round the ‘Ghaat’  to have a feel of the ‘Maha Kumbh’. From our camp it was about two kilometres walk to the ‘Ghaat’. People of all age groups, different hues, languages and regions congregated at the bank of river Gangaa strengthening the mantra of  ‘unity in diversity’. From the congregation it was clear that most of the people who were there were from rural areas and my friend Kamlesh rightly commented – ‘Bharat desh Gaaon mein basataa hai’!

We went around the Ghaat, the tent area and the stalls – we were impressed with the general cleanliness all around! No foul smell, no filthy garbage, no overflowing septic tanks and no polythene in sight – something unbelievable!  It is worth appreciating and something to learn for each of us and for each of the municipal corporations of our country. Even with the overflowing population - day in and day out at this site – the administrators and those who are in charge – of maintaining cleanliness, safety and security of the area – need to be commended for the great job they are doing.

The sun was fast setting in, and with it the Ghat lit up with thousands of lamp posts all around – my friend informed us that – about 65,000 lamp posts are there to light up the area! We also wanted to have ‘darshan’ of the ‘Naga Sadhus’ and we could locate a few of them. I clicked a photo with my mobile and immediately one of the sadhus tersely warned me for my misadventure. I silently switched off my camera and we sheepishly strolled away – mission accomplished! We reached our tent with a sense of accomplishment. We celebrated our time together in the tent – first time tent night out for us.

The next morning we woke up early. We decided to skip breakfast and have ‘Maha Kumbh Snaan’ first. A Naik from army was there to escort us for the ‘Snaan’, a privilege we got due to one of my close relative who is serving in the army at a senior position. We were taken to Saraswati Ghaat, under the control of Army, to catch the motorboat for ferrying us to the ‘Sangam’ of Gangaa and Yamuna. Army has an elaborate arrangement for the family members and relatives of army men – makeshift tents with all the amenities for stay and ferrying them to and fro for the holy dip by motor boats, a real nice gesture and a reason to feel privileged! Life jackets are mandatory and proper record is maintained for all the passengers going thru army boats. We were ferried to the point where actual ‘Sangam’ of the two great rivers takes place. A long elevated temporary platform made of bamboo is there at the riverbed, which helps in anchoring the boats and for the devotees to change their dress and get down in the river for the holy dip.

The journey from ‘Saraswati Ghaat’ is scenic with the majestic Fort standing tall all along the river bank on one side and green trees lining the other side making a picturesque sight. At places the heavy walls of the Fort has collapsed and is in dilapidated condition, the authorities must be aware of it and I hope that restoration work would be taken up shortly and measures would be taken to safeguard the majestic Fort. White birds (seagulls!) in large numbers kept hovering around the motor boats, may be looking in anticipation at the devotees for throwing some edibles to them. By motor boat it was hardly fifteen minutes ride from the Ghaat to ‘Sangam’ point. It was a bright sunny morning with cool river breeze, very pleasant and the company of friends made it all the more enjoyable. As we approached the ‘Sangam’ we could clearly see the two different streams merging into one at the confluence! We were ecstatic. Immediately on reaching ‘Sangam’ we changed for the holy-dip. From the makeshift bamboo platform structure, where a number of devotees – men and women, young and old, high officials and the low ranked people shared the same space - we plunged into the  ‘Sangam’. Water was cold but not very cold, in fact, it was refreshing cold. We held our hands together, took a deep breath and dipped ourselves in the ‘Sangam’. It felt good, really good. We silently offered prayer. I prayed and wished for a peaceful society around us. Instantaneously a slogan came to my mind while having the Kumbh Snaan – Sabka saath ho, Durjanon kaa naash ho!

We bathed for quite some time and enjoyed the Sangam of two great rivers and of the great friends. I tried to swim too to impress my friends, but unfortunately, water was not deep enough! Yes, believe me, while we were on the riverbed almost at the centre of the confluence of the rivers– water was barely three to four feet deep! While swimming, many times my limbs touched the river bed! To me it is a matter of great concern – for the majestic Ganga and Yamuna are flowing with such little water. Though I do not know how deep it should have been there, but for sure – it is alarmingly shallow for the great Ganges. Are we not collectively responsible for such pathetic state of our rivers?

We left the ‘Sangam’ with great satisfaction for having a peaceful bath there. We are grateful to the army for making it enjoyable for us.

And it was time for us to say goodbye to Allahabad. Kamlesh departed for Kanpur and we three – me, Zaroo and Sanjay - left for Lucknow.

Next day in the early morning, Sanjay took us around Lucknow to get an overview of the city. Mughal architecture of old buildings like Bada Imaambaada is very impressive, they are well maintained.  Roads are wide. The development work undertaken by the erstwhile government looks impressive at first instance but other than providing beautification of the city, to me it doesn’t seem to add much value to the society. Lot of space in the city has been wasted unnecessarily in the name of car parking or open space – it needs to be covered by planting trees all around – making them work as a green belt for the city.

As our morning trip of Lucknow came to an end, Sanjay took us to a Joint for tea where Nehru and other top stalwarts used to meet and held strategic discussions over the tea. We too sipped tea and expressed satisfaction about the tea. Zaroo took full advantage of the hospitality of Sanjay and ordered for a maska-bun too. It reminded me of the hostel days. Old habits die hard!

It was time to say goodbye to Lucknow too! Me and Zaroo left for Delhi and from Delhi we proceeded for our respective homes.  Wow, what a lovely trip! Thank You Sanjay and Bhabhiji.

Can we make it again in 2025!!  I would love to be there again.

I’m Planning a Holy Dip at Allahabad – Maha Kumbh Snaan- Why!

Taking a holy dip at the confluence of the great Ganges and Yamuna rivers is highly recommended in Hindu religion. It is said to liberate one from all the sufferings and miseries of life!

The faith that we Indians have for the Kumbh Snaan can be gauged from the very fact that millions of people from different parts of the country converge at a single venue – irrespective of their cast, creed and language barriers. It is ‘sangam’ in real sense, a congregation of humanity.

I myself, so far, never fancied about being a part of this ‘Kumbh Mela’ and having a ‘Snaan’ at Maha Kumbh never passed my mind – till a few days ago – when I got a call from one of my college friend proposing for it! And, I agreed to him without any hesitation. Sometimes, things just happen.

I keep pondering, why did I agree? I am neither so religious, nor have committed such sins that need to be washed off at the Kumbh!

The primary reason for which I said ‘yes’ was - an opportunity to meet and share some time with friends – old friends from my college. However, I think there must be some more serious reason for it and I am trying to decipher it, maybe I will decipher it– some day.

Until then, I am trying to recollect all the incidences that have caused immense pain to us in general, incidences that have shattered the lives of innocent people around us and all those people who were involved in planning, execution and perpetration of such ignominious crimes. When I take a dip on 17^th February 2013 at Sangam in Allahabad – I would put a request to the almighty - to not absolve any of the culprits whose heinous crimes have cruelly ruined the lives of innocent kids, men and women!

Oh, God! Do not liberate them of their sins!

Would the New Year 2013 be any different for us?

As the world readies itself to greet the New Year 2013 – with renewed hopes, promises and cheers; I feel too heavy with the experiences we had in 2012, to join the celebrations. The mood of an ordinary Indian across the length and width of the country is that of frustration, of helplessness, of despair! While we express our shock and grief over the gang-rape and death of Nirbhaya alias Damini or Amanat – the victim who wanted to live a dignified life once again; the law-makers and law-keepers are living their life –as usual – apathetic to the woes of a common man. If it continues, would the year 2013 or 2014 0r 2015 be a different year for me, for my family, for my society and for my country? The way things are going on; I do not think it would be any different in the immediate past.

The general anger among the public is widespread cutting across the divisive lines of language, geographical region, religion or any other such factors. It is against the functioning of government machineries, against its total failure in giving safety and security to the general public – especially the women, against the system that is of no help to the poor victims. The important stakeholders in the government – like the MLAs, the MPs, the Civil Servants, the judiciary or any public representative for that matter - must realise that there is a growing anger among the general mass against issues that are adversely affecting the normal life in general. Be it the issue of corruption, lawlessness, high handedness and apathetic attitude of our so called - public servants - have a great responsibility to act now – instead of just giving verbal assurances and playing blame game. It is high time that they introspect and correct themselves – to make the system work for the common public instead of it working for themselves, the corrupt and those in power.

Our Indian populace has already begun showing resentment against the corrupt ways of our system. With the falling public governance standards, the rising resentment of the general public is forcing them to come out on the street and challenge the so called law makers and law keepers, for, how long will they tolerate the daily tortures in one form or the other? I fear that if our leaders – whom we elect and put our faith in them – remain apathetic to the voice of the nation, the protests and agitations may take the shape of civil unrest and situation may get out of control.

May better sense prevail and all those responsible in the government – understand the gravity of the situation that we are in and they act with all sincerity to make the life of every ordinary citizen easy and let them live a dignified life – men or women – all, with equal right and with equal respect. And, we, as an ordinary citizen must strive to act in all situations with all sincerity. Sincerity at our work, sincerity in our relations and sincerity in our commitments will make us all a better person and help in making India a better nation.

Let us strive to make the New Year 2013 – a better year, a happy year for ourselves and for our society. Wish you all the very best in fulfilling your dreams!

madhukarmohan@gmail.com

On Doomsday – Let Us Resolve to be More Courageous!

The wait for Doomsday – 21^st December 2012 is almost over! We are well into the last week of The Maya Calendar. It is learnt that some individuals in foreign countries have made elaborate arrangements for this day – to save themselves and family members from – the sudden end of this lively world. I wish all such individuals- good luck and may they all remain safe and secured with their loved ones, forever!

We Indians need not prepare for such an eventuality, because as a country and as an individual we all are great survivors and this doomsday too shall pass – without making any ripples. The country which has survived the brutal onslaughts of Alexander, the Moghuls, the English in the past – will survive this too. The country and its ordinary people are highly resilient and that’s why we still exist today – as a nation and as an individual - despite looting of its natural resources and laundering of public money worth billions of Rupees – by the external forces as well as by our own people, by our own representatives!

However, the recent incidences like the eve-teasing case of Mumbai which resulted in death of a young man – who had dared to protest the hooligans , no one came forward to put the criminals behind bars – compels me to feel sorry about ourselves. How helpless the family members of the victims – the girl who was teased and the boy who had to lay down his dear life for protesting the action of the eve-teasers – must have been feeling! No voice for them from any corner, it is a pity.

 If we go on behaving like this- fearing the eve-teasers, fearing the law-makers, fearing the law-breakers, fearing the law-keepers – we are certainly doomed! Nothing can save us.

On Doomsday – let us resolve to be courageous – let us speak for the hapless victims and raise our voice against the wrongdoers.

 

madhukarmohan@gmail.com

A new beginning for Shiv-Sena & MNS and birth of AAP

The last rites of Sri Balasaheb Thackeray at Shivaji Park in Mumbai witnessed a sea of humanity turned up to pay their last respect to their beloved leader. This huge turnover of his supporters at the funeral very well demonstrated the fact that he had created a special place in the hearts of the Marathi Manus. In the recent past no other political leader or a public figure commands so much support in any part of our country – about other countries, I am not sure.

 

I respect Sri Balasaheb Thackeray for commanding so much respect among Marathi Manus, however, I remain as ever - opposed to his philosophy of creating a rift between Marathi Manus and other Indian Manus – simply because it is against the spirit and constitution of our country where we each of us have equal right! I also respect him for keeping some check on the underworld ( i feel so), but am opposed against the tirades and violence he used to unleash on the poor ‘bhayyas’ who chose Mumbai as their city of dreams! I am also opposed to the way Shiv-Sainiks force their dictat on administration(sic). I shall remain opposed to the way they reacted on the harmless comments of the two city girls on Facebook and subsequently ransacking of hospital of one of their relative - without any reason or rhyme.

 

Post Sri Balasaheb Thackeray, Shiv-Sena might not be the same under Udhav and MNS might become more fiery in order to consolidate and establish its supremacy in Maharashtra. Only time will tell – who among the cousins is better for Marathi Manus or lesser evil for ‘bhayyas’. But I strongly believe that Shiv-Sena and MNS won’t be the same again after departure of the strongman.

 

I only pray that good sense prevails over the cousins and they steer their political ships respecting the spirit and constitution of India!

 

 

And at the end I wish good luck to AAP – the  Aam Aadmi Party of Kejriwal! I pray that it works with the good intentions that it has been constituted. An ordinary Indian would be too happy with its success!

 

 

madhukarmohan@gmail.com

India Against Corruption – now, a Naram Dal and Garam Dal

Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal brought lot of hope and enthusiasm to the nation tainted with scams of the order of lakhs-crore of Rupees. India Against Corruption (IAC) – a movement led by Gandhian Anna Hazare and the youthful Arvind Kejriwal – together with association of creditable Kiran Bedi and the Bhushans did raise enough storm to force the politicians in introducing the Lokpal Bill in Lok Sabha – though it didn’t match with the Jan Lokpal Bill proposed by Team Anna.

The recent split between the main leads Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal has come as a shock and surprise to one and all. But, the government must be breathing sigh of relief!

Upon formalisation of the split, I see a direct analogy between the Naram Dal and Garam Dal of Indian National Congress and the split between Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal of India Against Corruption. I would like to call Anna Hazare as the Naram Dal leader for his Gandhian ways and Arvind Kejriwal as that of the Garam Dal for his youthful character and enthusisam. While the split of ideologies between Naram Dal and Garam Dal of Indian National Congress in 1907 weakened the Congress which eventually resulted in the Independence Movement losing its steam, the split between Hazare and Kejriwal is a death blow to a movement of such a national importance. Hopeful Youths and people  – who gave momentum to this movement must have been feeling cheated by IAC.

Asom Gan Parishad – which took birth as a result of six year long agitation by All Assam Students Union (AASU) – was once a party led by highly motivated student leaders with clean image. But today, it is just like any other political party with same type of political leadership.  I fear the same for Arvind Kejriwal’s proposed political party – it won’t be different than any other party – if it starts winning seats!

Anna Hazare’s decision to split with Arvind Kejriwal does not seems to be a right decision for either of them or for the country. They have only weakened themselves and the cause for which they all came together. It would have been a wise decision – had Anna Hazare stayed with Kejriwal to take up the cause further and farther. Team Anna should have resolved that themselves shall not fight for election but would form a political party where they could put up candidates with impeccable past and credentials. Team Anna should have worked as a guiding force and mentor for the party.

May be, today they have parted ways and tomorrow they might be together again with much clarity on how to take the movement further in making India a corruption free nation!

Best wishes to the Naram dal and Garam Dal of Team Anna (!) and the young brigade of youthful India.