The political brouhaha

THE POLITICAL BROUHAHA 

 As the Lok Sabha elections enter the sixth phase and heading towards a political climax, campaigning is taking new twists and turns. Starting with sober development and welfare planks, election speeches are now taking a more personal colour, leaving the voter confused and anguished.

Sonia Gandhi’s ‘Maut ka saudagar’ comment on Modi, Modi’s AK-49 remark on Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi’s Hitler remark on Modi, UP politician Imran Masood’s threat to ‘cut Modi into pieces’, Amit Shah’s revenge remark and Azam Khan’s comments on Muslim jawans wining Kargil are all fine examples of politicians stooping to the lowest level to score brownie points and, of course, woo voters.

They have again proved the point that anything is fair in war and of course not ‘love’ in this case. The politicking has left the aam aadmi all the more confused about whom to vote.

If on one day a particular party does something impressive, the next day it goofs up. If one plays the secularism card, another claims to do something different if it comes to power. Some even trying to divide the janta by blaming others to be communal, while others are busy washing others’ dirty linen in public. The rest try to make their own alternative front, ultimately to support whosoever comes to power.

News about candidates changing parties and constituencies, reshuffle of candidates, bringing in star power and sulking faces have occupied enough newspaper pages and prime slots of news channels. In some cases, the candidates are so new to the area that the voters hardly know anything about them. Hope the angry confused voters do not press the Nota (none of the above) button to the maximum this year.

Last-minute campaigning is at a rapid pace with hawans, road shows and innumerable rallies trying to prove how one is stronger than the other.

With the maximum number of first-time voters these polls, all political parties are eyeing for their votes without giving an iota of thought to what impact they are having on those young minds with their mindless politicking.

If one party is portraying one leader as a panacea to all problems, another is all about a family. Then, yet another party thinks only it is fit to rule. And the voter? Even more confused than ever.

 

Memoirs in auto

Memoirs in auto
  

As a section of auto drivers accused their former saviours – the Aam Aadmi Party -- of betrayal and vowed to campaign against it in run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, a debate raged over who was the real villain. While some argued for Kejriwal’s party, others said the auto drivers, known for fleecing people, deserved it.

But for many like me, autos are a saviour, a lifeline in a city where commuting can often be a harrowing experience. To avoid long and tiring travel by bus and changing three metros from home to my workplace, the auto was my only resort.

After the 25 per cent hike in auto fares, drivers for the first time readily agreed to go by the meter. Before that, most of the time, the meter was just a showpiece. We heaved a sigh of relief as we no more had to waste time by bargaining.

One day, a driver gave us his fare list chart and advised us ‘madam yeh rakha karo’. Before that though we saw people selling the same chart on roads we never had the bright idea of buying it.

Refusal and asking for exorbitant fares was a constant issue. We were very happy to read a news item where it was mentioned how to lodge a complaint against auto drivers. We often used to scare them by saying that we would complain but it did not work all the time. A few among them used to shoot back: ‘kar dijiye complain’. When any traffic police personnel were in sight, we would be the boss. The auto drivers used to sulk but had to say yes, and after occupying our seats we used to feel pity for them and for the next one hour we had our share of constant nagging.

The auto also gave me and two of my friends a feeling of safety as it was open and we always thought we could jump out like some super woman in case of emergency. But (luckily) we never had that opportunity to do so.

Looking for an auto when the distance is almost 20 km was a real task. The answer was often a straight ‘no’. Sometimes it was only a surprised look with only the eyes doing all the talking. ‘Are you mad madam?’ Gradually, I and my friends learnt to guess whether the answer would be an affirmative one just by observing their body language.

But by and large, commuting was an experience. The drivers were stories in themselves. In quite a few instances, we were mute listeners of their history and geography; how they came from a faraway state to settle here but the cruel national capital did not give their due. But a few among them were optimistic. I still remember one who mentioned proudly with a sparkle in his eyes that he is proud to be an auto driver and it is with this income he made his daughter a doctor and his son an engineer.

To kill time, I and my friends used to play the most common game, ‘antakshri’. But sometimes, we would find auto drivers with an ear for music. As if that was not enough, we had to answer their music quiz. Though some musical conversations were sometimes hilarious, we would not dare to ask them to stop. And how can I forget some autos with stereos playing songs of B-grade movies.

We also encountered a few dare-devil auto drivers who used to give the peak hour traffic a miss by some super stunts. Many a time, we found ourselves travelling on cycle tracks and even footpaths, though it was against traffic rules. But we never complained as it saved us precious time. The journey was scary but we used to reach our destination on time after following a zig-zag route amid heavy traffic and sometimes their shortcuts.

Auto travel in Delhi definitely has two sides to it, but it would not be complete to conclude without mentioning the few good Samaritans who went the extra mile to reach us home safely when it was quite late on the capital’s unsafe streets.

Political tamasha

Political tamasha

For the man on the street, before the Delhi Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party came as a whiff of fresh air, something haatke from the traditional parties. The biggies and experts wrote them off. But then the unthinkable happened – they formed a government – and the people got a change they were always hoping for.
But the euphoria stayed for only 49 days. And Arvind Kejriwal again did the unthinkable for the common man – he dumped the aam aadmi for his and his party’s bigger political ambitions.
In the 49 days in power, AAP created a hullabaloo leaving the mere aam admi all the more confused. If one day they seemed to be on the right track, the next day there was something amiss. They were seemed to be always on the fast forward mode handing out ultimatums -- sometimes of 24 hours and sometimes of 15 days.
But amid all these politicking, did anyone ask the aam aadmi what they really want? While one quit responsibility in 49 days, the others are busy in blame game, scoring brownie points for the upcoming polls.
The aam aadmi want a stress-free life where they get all the basic necessities of life without too much of a hassle.
Imagine a phase when you get uninterrupted water and power without skyrocketing charges.
When we go to market for our daily needs, inflation should not pinch our pockets.
When we move out from the comfort of our homes, the public transport modes should be comfortable enough to take us to our destinations like a sailing.
When we are late in office, we do not have to think twice about our safety before venturing out in the dark.
When every child gets the same quality education, no matter from whichever economic background they belong to.
When the youth can fly high with ample opportunities in whichever field they want to outshine.
When the health care sector is taken care of and the name of the hospital does not scare us.
When smooth roads and a clean surrounding are realities.
Before going to any government office, we are cent per cent sure that our job will be done and we do not have to wait endlessly.
No, the aam aadmi is not asking for too much. So when parties claim, they represent every commoner, the aam aadmi hopes for a change. Only to find the hopes dashed.

Enough entertainment in Parliament and legislative assembly sessions

Chaotic house

If you are bored by the ubiquitous, scripted reality shows, don’t be disheartened. Our dear leaders can provide you much more -- and real -- masala. Truly, watching Parliament and Legislative assembly proceedings is now becoming a new mode of entertainment.

It’s hard to digest that these are the elected representatives who reached sacred institutions that symbolise Indian democracy with people’s trust and hope.

A glimpse at any proceeding and the first word that comes to mind is CHAOS. Almost everybody is seen shouting and screaming at the same time, vociferously trying to make their own points as nobody seems to be interested in highlighting real issues.

In reality shows where people are packed in a house for months, one expects to see the inmates plotting and planning, and even fighting, each other for publicity. But when the same is repeated in a house of people, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth and our heads hanging in shame.

The snatcher on the street or the robber lurking in the alley use knives to make their kill but here we see some MP feeling the need to take a knife to the House to demonstrate his power -- a stark reminder of the dark and lawless ages.

We have rights groups and NGOs advocating pepper spray to make women feel safer on the street, but here we see our leaders use it in Parliament with impunity to make a point.

When there is nothing in their bags, they go shirtless to be more visible.

And each time they go to the extent of coming to blows and using chairs and tables as their weapons, they stoop to a new low.

If we have the action men, there are some lazy bones who go to the house only to sleep or take a power nap. Only to be exposed when their colleague in front of them is on the mike or the camera pans on them. We cannot blame them as most politicians in our country are in their post-retirement phase.

The role of the speaker is really tough, trying desperately to bring order in the house. One cannot help but feel pity for the speaker who tries to control the class like a principal. The only difference: the class listens to the principal but our netas do not.

Cannot stop quoting Rishang Keishing, the 94-year-old MP from Manipur, the oldest serving parliamentarian in the world, who said on his last day while making a quiet exit: “Parliament now is not what it used to be. It’s only shouting and shouting.”

 

 

Discrimination against North-East

Ignorance about NE

 

 

As 19-year-old Nido Tania was beaten to death by some hooligans in the national capital because he protested their racial remarks, I as a north-easterner and many of my friends from the region feel outraged and ignored.

People from the northeast part of India, especially those who have Mongolian features, have always been the subject of ridicule in Delhi and so-called mainland India. Discrimination and strange queries ranging from the laughable to the absurd are daily features in their lives. It’s strange that though North-East is a part of India, people in other areas know so less about that region. Worse, there is no effort to even learn.

The first question that stumped me was at my first job interview in Delhi. “How come you are a Bengali and you are from North-East.” I had to explain, Indians have the right to stay anywhere in India and people from different communities are spread all across the country. And that northeast India is a mini-India by itself.

Sometimes people confuse between states too. Once a friend visited my place and I introduced her to my neighbour. And every time she comes, my neighbour asks me, “Your friend is from Mizoram right?” When I correct, “No Manipur”, pat comes the reply “wahi wahi”. I want to tell them make your facts right --- the seven North-East states are Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram. Now Sikkim is also the eighth and latest entrant to the northeast brigade.

Here I found a connection with people from down south, when we generalise them by referring to people from all southern states as south Indians or even ‘Madrasis’.

Another common comment is on the food habits of north-easterners --- that they eat anything and everything and that dogs are not found in the region for obvious reasons and then the ‘lol’. For them my answer would be, mind your own tongue. And these same people cannot resist and relish on momos from the North-East. This conversation I overheard when a group of youngsters were having their share of laugh over north-easterners at the food corner of a mall.

Much like of the perception of people from the Western nations that India is a land of snake charmers, many Indians are of the view that the North-east is nothing but a jungle. A junior colleague of mine once asked: “You are taking a flight? Is there any airport? For your kind information, there are airports in most North-East states and one international airport in Assam.

Another surprising question from many which never fail to amaze me is, “Why so many people study only in Cotton College, is that the only college?” My dear friends, there is no dearth of colleges in North-East but Cotton College is the leading one. Like most Delhiites and people from around the region study in DU.

Looks again is a favourite topic. A police officer in Bangalore recently commented: “They all look the same.” A general and derogatory perception shared by people from so-called ‘mainland India’. Want to tell these people that there are all sorts of people in North-East and people with small eyes just look beautiful.

Many say people from the North-East stay in groups and they do not want to mix with others. Visit North-East and you will be amazed by the warmth, hospitality and soft nature of the people.

We complain when Indians face discrimination outside. But look at our backyard, it needs so much cleaning. And that does not need a policy change. It just needs a positive attitude to accept others as they are.

No doubt the spectacular beauty of North-East is just breath-taking. But want to tell the Government that just broadcasting ‘Incredible North-East’ ad is not enough. Both the Governments at the Centre and the states should work hard to attract tourists and allow people to explore the unexplored virgin North-East. Know and let know the region better!

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Ignorance about NE is breeding discrimination....Published in Hindustan Times edit page, Delhi

Published in Hindustan Times edit page, Delhi

Ignorance about NE

After the upsetting news of the recent mob violence against African nationals in Delhi came out, I, a Northeasterner, and many of my friends from the region, feared that we would be next on the hit list of those who are intolerant to cultures that are different from their own. The murder

of a young student from Arunachal Pradesh, Nido Taniam, in Lajpat Nagar, on Thursday night only proved our fears right.

If the Ugandans and Nigerians are routinely jeered at in Delhi, people from the Northeast, especially those with Mongoloid features, are in no better a situation.


Discrimination and strange queries are daily features of our lives. Africa is still a different part of the world (though that does not justify the daily humiliation its people face in India), but it’s strange that though the Northeastern states are a part of the country, people in other states know so little about that region and its people.

Worse, there is even very little effort on their part to know us and the states.

My first job interview in Delhi went like this: "You are a Bengali. So how come you come from the Northeast?" I had to explain the obvious: Indians have the right to stay anywhere in the country and that the Northeast is also home to people from different parts of the country.

Many don’t even know that there are seven states in the Northeast, with Sikkim being the eighth and latest entrant in the group. In fact, people from the so-called mainland India also tend to categorise people from the southern states either as ‘South Indians’ or ‘Madrasis’.

There is also many misconceptions about the food habits of Northeasterners. Much like the perception of people from the West that India is still a land of snake charmers, many Indians think that the Northeast is nothing but a jungle and that people there eat everything and anything.
We loudly complain when Indians face discrimination outside the country but we are no better.

Only State policies cannot change mindsets. The central as well as the state governments must do more than broadcasting advertisements about ‘Incredible North-East’. Together, they need to encourage non-Northeasterners to explore and understand the Northeast.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/comment/analysis/ignorance-about-ne-is-breeding-discrimination/article1-1179597.aspx

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Encounter with Om Puri and Divya Dutta, Delhi, Published in Jagran Cityplus, Delhi

Encounter with Om Puri and Divya Dutta, Delhi, Published in Jagran Cityplus, Delhi

Back to the beginning    

After long and eventful journey in cinema, Om Puri is back to where he started. Well, quite literally. The veteran actor is making a comeback to where he all began decades ago – theatre.

Just one day before his comeback Punjabi play, Teri Amrita, was staged in Delhi, the media fraternity gathered at press club for an informal interaction with the actor. I was one of those lucky few.

A return to an intense medium like theatre after more than two decades can give jitters to anybody. And that includes even Om Puri, considered one of the few complete ‘actors’ in Indian cinema and who started his career with theatre.

“Yes, I am nervous like a swimmer who has seen water after many years. That is the reason I chose a simple play with a lot of emotions and a Punjabi play because it is my mother tongue,” he is frank enough to admit.

“First, the focus is on Amrita (the female lead) and then it fades and comes on me (Zulfi).”

Divya Dutta, who is playing the female lead in the play directed by Om Puri himself, was present to promote their venture.

Sharing her experience and feeling on being able to work with Om Puri, Divya says, “I always knew Om Puriji as an actor. And working under him as a director and co-actor was a double treat. Each individual perceives things differently. I remember after I enacted one of my scenes, Om Puriji also enacted the same scene for me and we were in tears.”

Theatre, Om Puri feels, has evolved a lot compared to 25 years back, and so has the audience. “Theatre is growing. Before, it was like why buy a ticket to watch a play? It’ll be good if passes can be arranged. But now things have changed. Theatre is like classical music.”

He says plays should be made in the language which people understand. “How many people will come if a play is made in Sanskrit?”

What brings him back to theatre after so many years? “My grey hair,” he says with a smile.

Character actors are seldom given meaty roles and this is one reason he has strayed away from cinema. “I have stopped doing whichever films came my way. I had done a lot of them in the past to fulfil life’s necessities. I remember, I got Rs 9,000 for Aakrosh and Rs 25,000 for Ardh Satya.”

Asked about his favourite theatre director, he names Ibrahim Alkazi, his first guru. “I was honoured when we received the guru shishya award from a news channel.”

Om Puri gets nostalgic when he recalls his journey. “My theatre journey began as a teenager when I was spotted by a director of Punjab Kala Manch during a college play. I got the best actor award and he asked me to join him. When I told him I work as a lab assistant in my college and get Rs 125 monthly, he offered me Rs 150. I went with him and learnt the nuances of acting.”

Puri also lists Shyam Benegal as one of his favourite directors, saying, “He is like encyclopaedia to me.”

As we all know, Om Puri acted in films, television and theatre and so I was curious to ask him what was his first love? And the reply is very prompt, Doordarshan. “I acted in a television series ‘Tamas’. In one night, one crore people watched it together. It became popular overnight and people used to wait for that programme. Doordarshan has the maximum reach even in rural areas, the real India.”

Shifting the focus to present day films, he feels even though Indian cinema has come a long way, there is a vast scope for improvement on the technical side. “We have a lot to do to meet international standards. But, yes, nowadays NSD pass-outs get a lot of respect in the film industry. During our times, people hardly knew about NSD, not even in Mumbai.”

Doing serious roles for decades, Om Puri generally comes across as a serious personality. But there’s lighter side to him too. Sharing a funny experience with his friend and NSD classmate Naseeruddin Shah, he recalls: “We both were stupid. We thought why should we learn dance and music when we were actors? Maybe, we did not understand that music helps in developing voice variation. Finally, when exam day came we were asked to perform a Punjabi song together and the end result was we scored 17 out of 50.”

He is quick to defend his friend on his controversial remarks. “Once, a journalist asked me to comment on Naseeruddin’s comment that he regrets doing art films. I explained that he says something and wants to say something else. We are recognised because of art films. Otherwise, with such looks we would have got negligible roles like standing behind the main villains as his henchmen.”

He also goes on the defensive when asked to comment on the controversial remarks he had made at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi during Anna Hazare’s protest, where he had referred to politicians as “gawars” and “nalayaks”. “I didn’t say anything wrong. May be, the way I said it was not appropriate. I will be careful with the choice of words in the future.”

Puri has a lot of expectations from the play. “We want not only theatre aficionados but also others come and happily buy tickets and enjoy our play.”

After devoting so many years in acting, any plans to teach young talent? “We have Majma Theatre Group that gives chance to talented people. But I am not going to open any school.”

Om Puri has done a lot of political comedies and so did the thought of becoming a neta ever come to his mind and if so did he ever try? The veteran actor replies wittingly: “Never got the opportunity. But I would never begged for any role in politics, nevertheless.”

Turning on a more serious note, he says every person has his/her own contribution to society but there are more who are out to destroy than to preserve.

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