IF ONLY

I would like to start off this column with my deepest condolences for the lost lives and injured lots in the LATEST Mumbai carnage; may Almighty provide strength during this time of crisis to the family members of the victims. Just a day after the blasts, I was having a regular conf. call with my business partner sitting in US, and he started off the discussion with a condolence note and asked me about the ground situation there in Mumbai. I, in a quick response, based on what is shown by our very RESPONSIBLE media, described him a brief and ended up saying that “Mumbaikars are known for their resilient characters and they would bounce back to normalcy in a day or two” with a very casual tone. And then we continued with the regular stuff. But then, just after the call, as I replayed the discussion, something bothered me. With the casual tone and the content of what I said, saw me rating myself very low in my moral ME. It also reflected the attitude I possess for lost human lives, maybe because it happened with someone else and not with me. But then, when I put my thoughts a little deeper on to the victim’s families, I went into a more emotional crisis. Perhaps like me, many others in this country, rest of the country to be very correct, began to assume that Mumbai roads are bound to have traces of RDX, Ammonium Nitrate and Nitro-glycerine, among others.  That this might just be a part of life for a Mumbaikar and we all have to deal with it, and offer our condemnation and condolences every time and move on with our respective lives.

As expected, the political gimmick started with verbal stone pelting on the government from its opponents. Media got into action. Social Networking sites did not lag behind, with the high emotions running among FBians and Twitteratti, expressing themselves in their destructive best. Some again glorified the event with being the birthday of Ajmal Kasab (which BTW, is totally untrue) and ran campaigns like ‘Hang Kasab’ all over again. Mr.Arnab Goswami skinned out each of the spokesperson of different political parties. Padmashri Barkha Dutt, with her drenched self, covered the aftermath in rain, with utmost flair doing justice of why she is an awardee from the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, from ground zero Zaveri Bazaar. Then there’s Mr. Pritish Nandy, whom I closely follow, started bashing the government, covering all aspects of leadership, not even sparing the Rajas and Marans, well acknowledged by readers (going by the comments given) in one of his regular columns. Although I disagree on many counts on this occasion, I don’t blame him, the discussions about terrorism and security are so dynamic in approach that it just dabbles around almost all aspects of governance. At this moment when I’m writing this piece is when the country is witnessing a blame-game on communal terrorism by the two leading parties of the nation, Mr. Digvijay Singh being the frontrunner.  

I hail from the state of Assam, which had witnessed mass home grown terrorist activities in the 80s and 90s, which is a different subject matter altogether, but understand the lifelong pain it gives to families of victims. Although from the lower part of Assam which is less prone to such actions, I still consider it more dangerous, considering the porous borders with Bangladesh it shares, within close proximity. Recent intelligence reports does talks about terrorists flocking in from our western neighbours through this channel, staying in these areas, meeting and planning, and then dispersing throughout the whole country to perform their gruesome acts. And while I talk about Assam and for all the wrong reasons it is known to the rest of the world, please understand that IT IS NO MORE A TERRORIST STATE, and if anyone wants to, please check the numbers and dates on recent incidents and apply intelligence. I’m currently in Bangalore, for the last 11 years, have been witnessing the Green City turning into an IT City, love just about everything that this city gave me. While the city had witnessed few low intensity blasts and mostly bomb scares, the day is not too far when Bangloreans would share similar fear factors like Mumbaikars.

Terrorism is genuinely a reality. But the question is, whether we just accept the fact and move on with life? Whether we talk about resilience and character of people bouncing back to life aftermath and keep applauding the fact? Is it enough by just blaming the ruling government? Would we just regret intelligence (or no) failure of our country and only talk of collaborations with global intel agencies? That we keep portraying our vulnerability to the external forces unknown to us? Or we’d play the Hindu/Muslim communal terrorism card just like our political class? Would the strategic experts talk about port mortems and not about designing new methodologies? And we the people just bash the people in power in our everyday ‘chai’breaks, SN sites, blogs?

IF ONLY. If only the government, in fact all future governments, put together immediate short term and long term goals on terrorism and security, not to forget the timeliness associated to be reviewed and met. If only there could be separate and sufficient allocation of funds for internal security separate from defence funds, regularly seen in annual budgets. If only, we could expedite all pending and future requests on ammos and accessories associated with internal securities, anything from CCTV to sniper rifles. If only, we could strengthen the BSF; educate and exercise greater polity among commoners sharing borders and beyond not to encourage infiltration. If only, the right and the left wing (and if I may add, the south wing, given the world of coalition govt. we live in) unites in decision support on these matters with the ruling party for the security of the same people they represent. If only, the chemical manufacturers and their distribution channels are more vigilant on their processes from raw materials to finished goods. If only, we have better disaster management groups, not to take away the fact there were tall claims being made about better management on this occasion. If only, telecommunication cos. follow the right ethics in their sales functions and improve their R&D functions (considering that now terrorists manage themselves in VoIPs like Skype which cannot be tracked, considering the amount of data storage Indian users produce). If only, the legal system expedites pending cases (point noted though from Mr.Moily who, before leaving his ministry recently, conceded about significant improvement in this area) giving priority in such cases, and sending across the message of zero tolerance to the intended audience. If only, we the common people understand that putting hold on the dialogue process with our western neighbour is not the solution to terrorism. If only, we the people be more vigilant on our surroundings, use that 8MP camera on our mobiles to capture suspected behaviours around; be more knowledgeable about people staying around us within our busy lives. If only, we start treating people without any communal bias and taboo. If only, we the commoners could extract the best meaning from the everyday food for thought provided by our very democratic media, and participate and educate everyone around in terms of terrorism and security issues. And the many IF ONLYs.

If only, we the people of this country realise that it is not just for a government to tackle, an opposition to gag, an NSA to strategize, a BSF to perform his duty, an NSG to manage an attack, an ATS to investigate, medicos equipped to handle emergency, a common man to pray and move on; but a collective effort of each and every individual to fight against terrorism in our individual capacity. 

Bana Pauri He Tore Mi

Hurkaange dekhlu, daangor oiyau dekhlu,
Dekhlu habbi rupe mi tore;
Souwoya thailu, namoneya aaliu peilu,
Kintu durei kore nuarlu mi tore.

Orkut ee dekhlu, facebook ee dekhlu,
Cheilu mi tor habbi lenkaar list,
Line maarlu, aar hobaaya follow korlu,
Mone korlu oitoi kuno twist.

Demand dehua kuriye, chintoi habbire hobai,
Okormonyo buliya nachintoi, “bacha he nimai”;
Bacha nuariya aar, chepoiluga mi maatiya - OBBAI,
Dekhleta! Laashpeya geliga maatiya- “manue cheitai” !!

Poroloihaan he pichekaar jibonhaan,
Na harpeilu je biyaan na madaan;,
Kumbaaka oloilu kaamila, oloilu kumbaka kobi,
Aakaanio okorlu cheya, tor chaaya chobi.

Salwaar aahaan loitei, kintu jiteiga dukaan doshgot,
Sandal khauritana kita, maahan lehe fowouriga upei;
Haadit ditei aahaan muksi, jemon mi tor lucky mascot,
Harou oiya tultou habbi- nau himpaasu mi supei.


Second aahaan diloile, bahago portoi moraang aaji,
Lipstick go napeya tei aaile kintu, “chalo thik hai ji”:
Brat Pitt re nikka cheitoi tei, nachaani mi Angelina jolie;
“JAGA BENAI UGORANG”, mattoi “KULI MAWWALI”.

Tei kadaani uhaan kintu, mi themkorani!
Munir loge totoraani, uhaan kintu mi har napani;
Mi bonok aagor loge totoraani, uhanorka ‘MONTRO’ hunaani,
Habbi loyoya tei kadaani, BAARO mi themkorani.

Aali pauri he tore mi, dehe nuarouri he tore mi,
Muksi aahaan dile ti, firouri kintu baro mi;
Aali pauri he tore mi, dehe nuarouri he tore mi,
Bana napeiya tha nuarouri mi.

LOVE YOU IMA

I opened the newspaper and saw this loaded supplementary paper along with it. It seems the 9th of May is celebrated as the Mother's Day. I googled around, it took me to Greece as a practice, then to the American Civil War days, many individuals and groups involved US in commemorating a day for Mothers; the state of Michigan serving it for the first time, then officially at Virginia. And finally, US President Roosevelt approving at as a National Holiday. Was followed in parts of UK and Europe and spread across the world. Back to newspaper, I found columns on Moms, Super moms, doing extra-ordinary things in life, balancing acts done by them with multiple roles that they conduct in their respective everyday life. There's Kajol giving her 'motherly' gyan, I like her. It also talked about the immortal story of 'Yashoda and her Nandalal', Mr. A.R.Rehman dedicating his award to his mother at the Oscars. And so was Sandra Bullock at the same venue (Yeah! yeah!! she also talked about her wonderful husband on the same platform, who was caught on grounds of infidelity in the next couple of days).

The Mother and her relationship with her offspring is immortal, go beyond human and is part of all universal living creatures. Recently I saw a Sister-in-law giving birth and witnessed the happiness in her face, it is eternal and beyond words. I saw my friends, getting married, having babies and the transformed selves in them. A friend of mine now in Singapore, who's just become a mother, either has a 'short-term-memory-loss' or a split personality (pun intended). The first time I call her to congratulate, she's like- "Puchhu is like really naughty but he's my world" (Note- Puchhu is her baby's name). In another occasion, " 'Potol' egoi more jaaleya kheilo, kintu minute aahan taare chaara tha nuarouri". "Wait a minute, is this 'Puchhu' or 'Potol'? "Oh sorry, the name's Jeez"(Said somewhat like- The name's Bond, James Bond). Jokes apart, I could sense a mother's underlying love for her son, I'm sure she makes a great mother. There's another friend, who works all out in office, but left her heart at home to her growing daughter, she cant be at rest at work. Wait a minute, are you saying that all your friends are married and you're not as yet? Am I this old? Excuse me! My time has just come and I'm not OLD as yet. For the records :) .


But on a serious note, my intent is to remember and dedicate a column on my mother (not that I don’t remember her everyday), more because on the day, when I actually read so many things about mothers in the newspaper. To convey my love and affection for once, just like any other son/daughter feels for their mother. To appreciate the daughter, sister, woman, wife, and mother I had seen since my birth. That today, after almost living half my life (Oh hello! yet again, I am not old as yet, just keeping evolution in mind that life span is getting shorter), I appreciate the fact that she is truly the inspiration for me.
I've heard from Mama & Mashi how in early 70s, you were this free bird, taking flights and traveling alone, quite unheard of during those days, from home and to the faraway university then. I also saw the romantic side in you when you kept humming on the Uttam/Suchitra movie numbers, during the most trying hours. I saw you commanding respect from your seniors, peers and juniors. I saw you taking care of the entire thread of family from both sides, shifting gears between family and your profession. I experienced going out with you to the best eat-out joints in the small town (You always complain about my eat-out habits, I guess it all started then). Only two days after you left me in hostel with tears in your eyes that I realised how much I missed you. The 'bookworm' in you never made a good cook, but you surprised me on every summer and winter when I was home on vacations, with you coming up with exquisites, all for my sake. I remember dad saying- "I long for a day when my son will be home forever, I guess we'll get good food forever then" and then followed the war. Also, the lessons that you gave me on Sanskrit, I swear that I always had been getting more than 85% in all my class tests (BTW, I’m talking ONLY about Sanskrit). After all, your name was always at stake, so could not have gone wrong there. That in spite of the TV revolution that happened during that period, aired Ramayanas and Mahabharatas of the world, you also bought me the hard copies of the same name, off course along with Chacha Choudhary/Phantom/Archies/Reader's Digest. Yes, I also remember that it was on your behest that dad got me the Cricket kit from faraway Calcutta, made me a proud owner of a kit available to select sporting clubs. Yeah, yeah! I was shadow practicing the whole night, imitating the Azhars and the Vengsarkars (this was the dull period between Kapil Dev and Tendulkar when we were short of cricket heroes). I was grooming myself well in hostel with the annual cosmetic package that you put into my baggage until another beautiful lady came in and said its so-not a MAN thing to do. I had to be a MAN. You were in the forefront of affairs and did most for your siblings along with us. Highly appreciate the intend and the degree of it.

I probably troubled you more during my college days. You had to rescue me on every other occasion from Hitler's clutches (Allow me to call him Hitler for once on Mother's Day, I love him lots too), pull him up whenever he gave up hope on me. Gave me all resources for the wannabe Pseudo-Bollywood/Hollywood/Rockstar/Doctor/Business Person dreams. Expectations were always met. I never asked a bike though, partially due to your concern and my lack of 'Macho'ism. Dating was not in the dictionary, so I managed with a code-line- "Aaij me baire kheya aaitou" (I'll have food outside), and how well you used to de-code it with- "Rupa te aase?" (You have money?), understanding my needs as a young boy running after babes. And not to forget, the support you gave to the people I love, in whatever form, highly appreciate those.

Life was just beginning when I was legally an adult. I passed out of college and did not have a job at hand, courtesy my lousy lifestyle. And me breaking down in the STD booth assuming I’ve worked hard and not getting rewarded with a job. The solid punch that you gave me then over the phone was good enough to get me started. One thing you hate about me is my funds management. but I’m getting better with each passing day. I remember when I was still wondering on how to get my promotions worked out when you lifted me out, by getting the same yourself at the highest level at the fag end of your career. When I look back today and see the amount of sacrifices you've made, makes me all the more appreciate the person in you. You wanted to focus in the line of academicians, but family became a priority. You devoted so much time and effort on Hitler and three Mavericks (the three sons) that you lost your life along the way. I guess eventually we became your life and doing things with us satisfied your life. I'm so glad that you take and give the right feedbacks from the 'Baghbaan's and 'K-Series' daily soaps. That you fight severely on woman's rights, when plans of me getting married comes across and I turn villain. Dear Mom, I also respect woman; I become villain just to see the anger in you, it brings the best in you:).

Today, when I’m far away from you, I remember everything while writing this piece. Truly nostalgic. I hope I could show it sometime to you, before Hitler shows it to you. He loves it when I talk good things about you. Also, the fact that I have the greatest example right in front of me makes me very proud. To me, you're the Yashoda Maiyya, the mother Madonna, the Iron Lady as well as the guiding force. I called you and explained you that there’s something called Mother's Day and your laugh said it all. There are certain emotions that are felt and not said and I understand that. Honestly, every time I go home and see the aging signs on you, I feel sad for a fact that I did not spend quality time with you. Wish I could get my childhood back and live it once again with you. It’s been a wonderful journey with you, mother. Living with you and loving you is a joy. I love you.

Lousy Critics: Please stand up

Austerity. Rahul Gandhi. Shatabdi Express. SM Krishna. Shashi Tharoor. Five-Star facilities closed. Pranab Mukherjee. Shashi Tharoor again. Twitter. Cattle class. Jayanthi Natarajan. Ashok Gehlok. Media. Blogs.

Most of us reading this piece would have gone through at least a few of the above mentioned in some way or the other, in the last couple of days. The austerity drive by the govt. that’s been labeled by the media, so-called intelligentsia, and the learned bloggers all around the country. Can’t blame them, it’s this country which has such a tarnished image about the politicians. Such has been a polit-bureau’s image that the common man does not want to distinguish between the age-old practices and good practices that are on the process.

As if Rahul Gandhi and his invisible army of advisers were not aware of the fact that he cannot board a Shatabdi Express every now and then; that this drive could only aggravate his image as a lausy example for the larger Indian crowd. But it was taken, more so for his colleagues. A drive was required. Within those days, an expense list amounting to a humongous Rs.183 Crores came out open. Given economic conditions, a tax payer’s money is to be dealt more appropriately. Besides, conditions aside, it is definitely a good practice to have a check on the expense and become leaner in the operations. The govt. is showing signs of managing rather than work. That’s the only new perspective that’s coming up in all the recent drives. The drive is not just about all MPs and VVIPs taking economy class air tickets and chair seats in trains but about all such practices that the so-called HOLY COWS could take that reduces cost and thus better utilization of funds. I seriously recommend management classes to all critics to have a different perspective. We do not recognize Indian Politics professionally for sure. But at least, we could start acknowledging the facts and the drives and changes that are happening across. My quest into the matter saw other comments in blogs like cutting down travel cost with audio and video conferencing. Good thought. Likewise, there could many others we can come out, but only when we sit on the table with the same mindset.

Who would have cared to take note of a Union Minister staying up in a Star Hotel? This is not the first time for sure. Unless our dear Pranab Babu would not have carried those instructions to vacate their suites. What he meant there was transparency, much like a Finance head reaching out to other departments, that it is actually sending wrong signals to the people at large. Putting it in a much better way just because the men in question, S.M. Krishna and Shashi Tharoor, conduct and display the highest level of integrity. They have a proven track record. Bangaloreans still remember the CM Krishna days, so does the Marathis, not every Maharastian would have loved to see a Kannadiga Governor given their territorial issues. Not to forget Tharoor’s race for UN General Secretary; he would not have been counted, had he not performed and delivered earlier on. I would go blindly, when they say the bills were being paid from their own pockets. This episode could have been easily dealt with, internally. What came out in the whole episode is a discipline, a transparent action, a drive that we can’t afford to do it anymore and misuse govt.funds. A sincere message. A common man needs to understand. Eyewash! It had been going on since ages. But these definitely look more productive in terms of actions. Do you observe some changes, do you? Understand that drives and initiatives are happening across the board in the political arena. Which is good, and we the common man, can only welcome those.

Home Ministry. PC brought in some reforms there. Timeliness in his office. The finger print log-in devices that are being installed in the Home Ministry and the responses of ‘finding-it-tough-to-deal-with’ employees are definitely good signs for us to see and acknowledge. Soon, other offices would follow. Babugiri in Sarkari offices has be abolished. I’d love to see the same drive happening on the District Commissioner’s offices in the country. Now don’t rush for the cost hurdles associated with finger print devices, there are hundred other ways to track employee discipline; IAS officers, you guys are the best, be a change and come out with some methods and implements. Imagine the productivity. Imagine a common man coming in, getting his work done in a 30 mins time. Against those- “Aajke Sir meeting ee, kaalke aayo” whereas the truth is he/she is not willing to do so on the given day. What PC drove is brilliant; and where else to started other than the Home Ministry itself?

This austere effect reached the ever-travelling Mr.tharoor. Professional Hazards. He twittered around as his practice. The smart man that he is, chose a smart line. For God’s sake, just because he’s representing the govt. does not mean he can’t speak or write on a lighter note. Tharoor is well-read, in fact would understand Indian sentiments better than many. And we feel should good to see such dynamic people chairing important govt. portfolios in the country. English is still a foreign language in India, we still think Indian. And it’s okay to not take note of anything or anyone who gives a normal weightage to words or phrases being used. Jayanthi Natarajan, another learned person, a woman face of the ruling party, being a spokesperson, had to come strongly keeping in mind the larger sentiments of the country. But I am sure, deep down, she too understands where it came from. Later, the PM went above all and accepted it was all in good humor, thank you Manmohanji. But yes, the political atmosphere has to take on these issues too, give due treatment (in this case, ignoring is the best treatment) if we are to believe that the system is coming of age. Concentrate on the larger issues and ignore the trivia.

But it’s not the political establishments alone. It’s the intelligentsia, the irresponsible bloggers, media working 24/7 for their TRPs, who are equally the villains. Why do we have to be unduly critical about things, more so, when they are driven for a positive change? Why do the intelligentsia, keeps challenging the people at power; when he himself never made his way up there, he can’t. Media houses found the formula; pick the dictionary up, get the most unpopular word and make it the most hunted in google. The blogger would test his articulation skills, get into a bashing mode. The crème de la crème of the society, working in the corporates, practices the best in operational excellence in their respective business models, but fail to recognize the same being displayed at a political level. The truth is, we have not recognized politics as a profession. A polician’s job is as skillful just like the bypass surgery you do, expert hands like the anti-hacking software you code or dedication in the way you exceed your client’s expectations. How many of you and I, the lousy critics would take up politics or for that matter, any of the Administrative services. We sweat out by the name of Civil Services exams, and here we are, ready to criticize on every other action. If I can’t be an agent of change, the least I could do, is acknowledge a change, educate others on on the change. But please, for god’s sake, be constructive rather than a destructive critic!

The SRK Episode!

Well…Well…Well. Yet another airport conduct incident. Mr. Shah Rukh Khan being detained in Newark, NJ (USA). The Indian in me got furious for a moment; after all SRK does hold a place in our hearts. And I don’t compare the Badshah with the Shehenshah, both have their own forte. Maybe, as a human, I may tend to do it down the line but surely when SRK turns 60. But that does not mean ‘am putting my CRAZYmeter down for him; for I’ve also grown up with all the Yash Raj banners he was part of, seen the craze in the female fans who came to hold my hands but only to watch SRK do what he does best- Stretch his hands open so wonderfully that almost half the world’s females would get into his already suffocating heart. Sir, you almost made me a pimp then! What more, I tried doing the same magic; and got responses like- Honey! I like the way you are! Liar she was, because I never saw the same craze for me! Nevertheless, on a serious note, over the years, I also developed a fan following with him, but more so with his off-screen persona. Very intelligent, spontaneous, and evergreen. And it was disappointing to see him getting detained in a foreign land, where he had run so much for those ‘mouth wide open’ scenes. And he was DETAINED, a step ahead of the frisking episodes in airport that we kept hearing in media off late, the last major being Dr.Kalam’s. Off course the issue was different then, for it was a definite code of conduct by an US airline major, and it did apologize later to the missile man. But yes, for SRK, my instant reaction was furious. But then, quickly there’s another opinion that suddenly ruled over the fan in me. That’s when the occasional blogger in me woke up all over again; thought I have an opinion about there.

My immediate quest led me to couple of blogs and reviews about the issue. Good God! It’s not even 12 hours in the incident, and part of the World Wide Web is flooded with SRK and the issue. By the time my opinion gets its space, there might just be a bandwidth problem whiles you Google for SRK. For all those who missed out, after the detention, SRK’s first immediate reaction was- “They have a problem with my name”. I think that was very pre-mature of him; but I could understand this position, that was the best he could offer to the world media when he just came out in tizzy. I’m sure he would like to change his statement, maybe in a much intelligent way, that justifies his wit and the gravity of the issue. I’ll cover that in the end. Another review talked about Ambika Soni with a ‘Tit for Tat’ statement. Ma’am! I’ve always liked you. But what is this? A Loose statement from a learned and senior politician like you? Maybe you could have given a more politically correct answer for now and carried on as an action item in any of those cabinet meetings and implemented in airport vigilance agenda. More so, when the Elections are just over and you don’t need minority votes for sure. Anyway, I like you. It happens with the best. But I have a few things to tell you. Wait till I reach the end. I drilled down further to other fan reviews. Some idiots said it was a publicity stunt. Excuse me! SRK does not need to do that, your idiotic mind needs rest. Likewise, many more.

US of A. I’m never a great admirer of this nation, its policies but again, I don’t hate it so much like our neighbor as well. There are many a good things in US for the world to like and take lessons from and a definite good amount of reasons to hate as well. And I would not like to be yet another over-confident Indian, who’s on a high and on a US bashing just because of the ‘land of opportunity’ tagline being shifted from the US to India. What is the incident? Why has it happened? Is it just about a name? To start off with, let us for once applaud that Americans do care for their people and their lives. Talk of the least; they make their people feel that that there is good governance, policy making and implementation around the policies. For an American Internal Security Policy makers, people of America are his priority. He would like to be checking each and every soul that checks into American land given the threats she faces as a nation. Unlike India, which is still vulnerable to aerial, water and land entries. But we are still talking about SRK? Who was been awaited by thousands of fans outside the airport. But for US officials, it might be another action to showcase the larger world, mostly to the nations where SRK is popular, that if SRK is not spared for a check or a suspicion, so would other Khans, and so would the other followers of Islam. And yes, there is a clear target audience against this action. And unfortunately, our very own SRK is the scapegoat this time. Unfortunately, because of some of the satanic minds, who spread terror in the name of Islam. And people like SRK and many other common man has to suffer those suspicious eye sights. Even otherwise, if high profile celebs could involve themselves in drug rackets and mafia, who know there could be a terror hand as well. Such are the times, and such unpredictable things could happen. What they did in this exercise could be a mock drill or a closing-down loopholes exercise. And they meant it to a specific segment, I repeat. What Mr.SRK could have done better, or many who face similar treatments could do better is by following the routine procedure with utmost sincerity to the law of the land. Huh! I don’t know the experience, is that what my Islamist friend is saying? No, my friend. I care for you. But that does not take away the fact that a subset in your set keeps impacting the world, harming human lives at the highest level. The best way to deal with the larger world, is by being a good example in all the sets and win your friends. You are upset? It’s not just?

Hear me out, my Asian/Islamist friend. Please manage yourself in this process for sometime. Until the next big Christian terrorism group comes out. There may be few here and there, but let’s wait for sometime, till we see someone who damages mass scale and magnitude. Trust me; the pointer would shift to Andrew or a Steve rather than a Akhtiar. But until then, you have to be with the larger human race, be a good Samaritan and be a part with the larger world. Because there’s more in the human race than the religion itself. Let me shift the focus to China. I love this country; do business with the country as well. Imagine a Chinese extremist (those who love words, go figure out the Chinese synonym of jihads, I’m not interested), imagine spreading the ill-motives in US and India. All Mongoloids would be vulnerable, right! People from NE India are already facing this, but this time, for a more major concern, life. You never know, even one of our Bishnupriya Manipuris could be detained; Questioned and released. And the victim would turn up to the blog and express his fury- ‘They did not like my face’. Or maybe express his worry about his resemblance with the most wanted terrorist – Hu Jintao from China and that his Sinha surname is false.
Lesson for all nations- Don’t talk about tit for tat to US policies, maybe we could have a more systematic and stringent check in our boundary lines. Show examples that you are active, very active. A terrorist mind would definitely take time, but more so because of the stringent checks you’ve put in. Jack Welch once said- Copy shamelessly. It applies to all in GE and I am no exception either. If there is a certain practice that needs attention, could be followed, lets not sensationalize it just because we cannot follow it in our system. We could learn that they could perform and practice their policies in just about everybody. Because it’s their country and their people. And they would do anything to keep their people safe. With the SRK episode, maybe they sent the signals across. As for SRK, the matter is already in the embassy for an explanation. I won’t be surprised if the next thing that comes out would be an apology letter/statement from the US consulate in India to SRK. They can’t even put the Asians residing in US at bay for long; they’ll cover them as well in the apology. Peace would prevail in a couple of days. BUT WILL INDIA EVER LEARN THE LESSON? WOULD THE MINORITY GET A LESSON because this minority tagline shifts its focus every now and then. Will he accept the time and circumstance gracefully; be an example or continue to play hide and seek with the rest of the world. Because there would be someone bound to take your place tomorrow and you’d relax thereafter.

Thank you Rakhi Sawant

I could not help but get glued to the headlines about your TV show being aired in the last couple of days. I got a glimpse in one of the news channels where eligible bachelors were arm wrestling in order to woo your heart.TRP ratings were into an all-time high, you commanded so much attention. Let me tell you for once that the whole of the India laughs off everything that you do but deep down, applauds for you. The media said it’s yet another Jade Goody stunt…I don’t need to know her, I only know Rakhi Sawant.There are still a few in the country who would understand your stand. And why not, you are a product and this was part of your productization; you incur value for the same. Seriously, if there’s one person who could do this, that was you. It was you who could pull this off with so much of élan.Rakhi! You do not know that by being part and the central protagonist of the show, you’ve actually been successful in throwing few minds into mythological studies, the history etc; the NCERT (National Council of Education Research and Training) has been really doing a bogus job; for they could hardly draw attention to our tech-savvy new age kids. But this show came as a pleasant change; students would now be curious and ask teachers and parents the whatever’s of Swayamvar! And in return, they could give mythological reference books. More so, Rakhi could be an universal ambassador for peace. Guess how?The so-called Swayamvar would give a fair treatment to the people involved. There would be no hush-hush over any decision making. The best man would win over the bride. The other competitors would duly recognize and celebrate for the winning duo, and then peace would prevail among all.Bishnupriya Manipuris would thank more to you, Rakhi. Imagine Bishnupriya Manipuris having Swayamvaras. It would sweep away all the malicious intentions away from us. First of all, in a Swayamvar, the chauvinism wont work, you have to perform there to win someone. There’s this friend of mine who hails from Delhi, who talked about a ratio of girl: boys as 1:4. I am not sure about the number, but don’t suspect my friend’s credibility either. If there be an Encyclopedia Bishnupriya Manipuri, he would definitely fit there as a CEO, for his vast knowledge base.Imagine the crisis. Coming back to the numbers, imagine guys flocking in for the same much in demand lady. Friends would turn foe, brothers would not see each others. “Ha! Ti te tor would be- boudi re te kiya charta”. Ohho!! Nagoi haan maatle! Ugo te tor bohokgo oitoi gonai!!”Men would stop flaunting their muscles every now and then, limit their cool quotient and concentrate more on the basics. Credit cards won’t buy them life partners, a firangi language won’t do good either. Men would be scratching their heads on what women wants. They would shape up and get everything possible when they don’t know what’s in store at a Swayamvar, just like an entrance exam, cover everything. Because, they could be tested in just about anything, based on the bride’s priority. At a Swayamvar, everything would go as per the bride’s wishes (so that tomorrow she does not have an option to say that not everything at her wish was tested) and most importantly, she would sit into a decision making chair. One mighty guy would be lucky and fittingly get absorbed for the job. The rest would walk away, just like any other interview, where they did not fit the role. PEACE. PEACE. WORLD PEACE.Rakhi. Truly it does not happen today. But we have a reason to think. Not all practices in the past were as bad as we thought. Under the circumstances today, a Swayamvar looks so apt. Now I know why the gods and goddesses could remain so harmonious.

Rational Thinking (Meant for another website)

One of the most prominent headlines in the last couple of months was about the amendments in IPC Section 377. The same was covered widely in National channels, Radios, internet and the print media. Even occasional bloggers like me found a reason to read and write as well, most importantly have an opinion about. So was Bollywood star Celina Jaitley who rose to the occasion; many claimed she took it as a launch pad towards limelight considering her dubious career moves in filmdom. But I liked her, for a change; for she took a road less traveled by celebs, an issue which is more of a social taboo to speak about to the larger India, forget about taking a stand. She’s got boobs (Ah! we all know that…then let’s call it silica free). Soon, you may find a third marital status in all your forms that you fill, ‘official’ Gay lounges everywhere. Soon, the porn magazines would read more of A-Spot than the customary G-Spot; Dildos would be available at the nearest store (Much like an average Indian who could only view Gay-Lesbian relationships as a sexual relationship). Talk about Bishnupriya Manipuri, who knows you might as well find another Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Shomokaami Sansthan (Alrit now! It took me a good two minutes to google the term).

No! I am not here to do yet another Celina act. The landmark decision by the highest judicial body of the country, the Supreme Court sent across a greater message to the people of India than to our very own Gay & Lesbian (GL) Brothers and Sisters. That it is the human that comes first than morality, ethics, society etc. It is the human rights that comes first, then comes the question of practice, moral ethics etc. Yeah! There would be many eyebrows raised against this. Do this virtually; kill all the so-called GL Groups, leave none and live happily; rest for couple of years, you’d find another ‘unnatural’ (in your words) group coming up, that you and I don’t know of today. Kill ‘em all…then another would wake up. If this goes on, one fine day, you’ll come to me; put forward your decomposed rusty ass with a tattoo that reads ‘Screw me’. Because this is very much part of the evolution and we don’t have a choice but accept everyone into the society.

Coming back to the human factor, the Supreme Court calling is very much in-sync with the requirement of the times. The same amendment could not have been possible a decade or two back. In a way, the apex court’s decision is also to do with setting an example on decision-making while living in a civic society. It suggests that no rule, practice, culture, religion, cast or creed is more valuable than the human himself. It’s about time we realize that if the human lives, then shall the rest. Given the great Indian cultural background, we definitely wanted some time to change our perception, but not anymore. We have to regard Human Beings higher, in fact at the highest level. We need to have a more holistic view and then a perception about Human beings.

And the same holistic approach is on my agenda today. Forget about GLs, Bishnupriya Manipuris have different worries to talk and get concerned about. We have a small population and we are scattered; a little better than refugees who migrate and settle down anywhere we get bread and butter. We take pride in our great culture which is getting shift-deleted with each passing day. We have a handful of rituals where people gather to celebrate and more importantly, the youth is giving a miss to all of those. On top of it, we have groups of self-proclaimed guards of the culture and morality, the custodians; who would try and establish rules. “Gaangee bejaati biya koresi utaare na boreyo”, “Puri-Jelei, tolophuti saara na thaayo”, “Gaurapei, mondiree dhoti panjaabi chaara naayo”, “Divorcee ugor loge kiya biya ditangai” so on and so forth.

I used to appreciate Baba Ramdev for he helped cure thousands of disease-prone Indians, but most importantly he gave hope, with his Yogic expertise. But I despised his stand on the GL issue, calling this phenomenon as a disease. Because his short-sightedness could not see beyond the sexual relationship, that it contains a mental and emotional bonding very true to human beings. It showcased his lack of spiritual knowledge, because spiritualism comes along with Humanism. The same applies to the lesser known seniors, bujons and gurujons of Bishnupriya Manipuri, the so-called cultural custodians of this community. With due respects, it’s about time we all need to graduate ourselves in this holistic human perception. Our elders are surely our cultural backbone, but the Ramdev Baba approach is definitely a significant catalyst in our extincting cultural base. Because the Ramdev Baba approach is not looking at and taking into account, the human aspects for sure. We need to handle things differently from here on considering our kind of a diaspora.

Let’s do some maths. A Small population of Bishnupriya Manipuris. Minus all intercaste-marraiges (A potential BM next generation). Minus all divorcees (another potent next generation provider). Minus “Aamaar Thar na totortata uta”. Minus BM or loge nathaitara uta. Minus “Muni jelei jeta dhuti aar tolophuti pidiya mondiree naitaara uta”. “Nijor Gangor manure shahajyo nakortara uta”. And all such things. How many of us are then left as Bishnupriyas in the already smaller and scattered population? Can we afford to loose more brothers and sisters? And at the end of the day, you and I would conduct Joydeb together assuming we are the cultural saviors when the truth is we are doing nothing but creating a repulsive atmosphere where we don’t have anyone to receive the cultural knowledge base, most importantly the youth.

In the process, we are detaching our very own people, depriving many from our very own culture. Because we are forgetting that today’s 18+ are as much the custodians of our future, much as you and me. And it is mostly because of the social limits and perception being made by the generations elder to us and the society at large. The challenge that we have is the cultural transfer to the next generation, and here we are, detaching our own next generation. Ridiculous.

How do you think, today’s 18+ boy would come with a dhoti to the mandir except for some handful pro-Bishnupriyas. With all the diversions going along with him, coming in an ethnic self would be the last thing on his mind. In fact, if he has to visit the temple, there’s just one good reason to attend, Girls. And the feeling is reciprocal. And the 18+ thoughts and the Ramdev Baba’s thoughts do not match. If we are to think about reaching the larger goal, we better blend these two thought processes. We are not talking about someone pissing on the sanctum-sanctorum; a dress code should not be a barrier to attend a Paali, which stands so critical to our not-so-many-ritual culture. Yes! You are right…we followed it in our times. I remember our very own Editor Hebaniya doing it successfully, making a rule of sorts to wear our ethnic best, which was well received then. Because back then, we did not have too many diversions to involve our minds and hearts into, more so in the rural India. The same process would not work today. Imagine doing the same in our metro population. There are people who turn up with gusto, but there’s this small chunk that simply shies away because of ‘n’ reasons and we don’t need a Sigmund Freud to tell what they are. Going back to the history and possibility of following ethics, dynamics have drastically changed from then and now. Also, let’s also not forget that Bishnupriyas are not just about few net-savvy metro populations but truly in the heart of Patherkandi or a Koilashohor. You make a rule and the already not-so-interested kid would be more than happy to sit at home, talk to his sex-goddess over internet. We lost another kid there who would be devoid of the culture. True! It is important to have cultural discipline around. But why not do this. Get the kids around, in the way they want to be, make them sit and witness the whole cultural richness. The seniors lead from the front by dress code, other ritual norms etc. And I bet the third time, if not the second time, he would like to be doing what you’ve been doing. Likewise, an inter caste offspring could be a good ambassador for a BM. A Divorcee Male, accepted in society, could inject crores of safely guarded healthy sperm cells, good enuf to start a next generation; so is a divorcee female who could, if god willing, give a bonus of triplets and quadruplets, a community that want its count to be more and more (with all due respects to both of them). So what if somebody cannot speak the language/does not want to speak/makes fancy by speaking non-Bishnupriya (that’s very human of him); we can’t afford to loose him, we still need to invite him with open arms for the get-together happening; because without him, we are loosing on the entire thread connected along with him. And likewise, we have to come up with many more things that we did not think, talked and behaved before. A more rational thinking is the call of the day, given the liberal world we are into, which accounts for the benefit of a cultural growth and non-stagnation.

We’ve talked enough. We know our challenges as a community and its survival constraints. We’ve discussed numerous methodologies to deal with it. But we cannot implement any, provided we change into a more holistic approach towards human beings. Regard human beings around you, more so with the bishnupriyas around you. We have to kill all Baba Ramdev mindsets, be more rational. Remember that it is the human being that stands above all, practices shall follow him. If the man himself is missing, who’s gonna practice?
And it is not just for a certain age group to give a thought about; the whole of the community needs to have a re-look and move forward with this holistic approach for human beings. I don’t need to remind anyone where we are otherwise headed.