Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Restrictive Reservations

I am generally late when it comes to giving my opinion about a hot topic of discussion. And true to tradition I am here to comment on the reservation ruckus that Mr Arjun Singh created some days back.

I have been hearing this 'Reserved category' term since I was too young to even understand what it means. Later on, it meant having a definite place to eat when u visited popular and over-booked resaurants. I have been on the periphery of this issue for a long time, not caring about how it has affected lives of people. The day I finally understood this issue and its implications was when I failed to get into JBIMS by one mark because the out-of-maharashtra-general candidates quota was too full to take in an extra one.
As if giving SC/ST/OBC quota wasnt enough, CET management had to go two steps further to create maharashtra and non-maharashtra quotas, and then subdivide non-maharashtra quota into general and the BC category.

Not that I am criticising CET's efforts to enhance the prospects of Maharashtrian candidates, after all this is a state govt organised entrance test, they have the right to do so. But quota for BC for non maharashtrians too?

When the system to having reserved quota for EBC was envisaged in 1950, it was with a view to improve the economically backward castes and tribes who had suffered till date due to the caste system injustices. Our forefathers were right to trying to think the best for a country that was a fledgeling democracy, trying to equalise the gaps created between the rich and the poor.
But almost 60 years hence, our ministers are still trying to garner votes for their own selfish interests by pushing the quota-issue. Do we still need it?Just days after Arjun Singh declared OBC quota in IITs, he is being projected as the next PM candidate for the coming elections. I ask you, if this isnt a move to garner votes on the quota-issue, then what is??

For all we know, the people who "get the benefit" of these reservations are invariably in an environment that has people who have made the cut purely on merit, and hard work. So it is natural then, that the community becomes polarized. Those who have obtained admission into a top school, or made the grade for a top brass job are bound to look at their colleagues with probably the same talent, but having the backing of their caste with a sense of superiority. And mind you, the people who get through because of their "social backwardness" don't enjoy it either. They'd rather have a level playing field. I know that whenever such a special person comes in my lfield of awareness, I think that way. That person maybe more talented and hard working than me, but the reservation system has coloured my perception of his/her virtues. Its not something I am proud of, but it is how it goes, and not just for me only. The quota in the IITs and IIMs would definitely alter the perception of the world towards the valuability of that premier education.For the worse. How can it not, when the world would doubt the academic excellence of a particular student because of his background? And I can barely begin to guess how the other person is thinking and feeling about his merits taking a backstage to the family that he was born in.

And moreover, there are plenty of instances where well to do families take unfair advantage of their so called caste, even though they can well afford a lavish lifestyle.I still remember the time when as a young kid I had found out that there are certain 'ghosh' who are considered as OBC. I remember running excitedly to my mom and asking her, " So now can I get registered as an OBC and get all the benefits that come with it?"

And do you know what the best part is? The people for whom this was originally meant are still not getting the benefits of it.Still more than 50% of the Indian population is rural, with not even the basic necessities of life, let alone an education and a means of livelihood . I dont care what the Census says about the increasing urban population, how many of the migrants to the large cities are actually getting two square meals a day and a shelter to stay under?

None of our selfish and vote-greedy ministers, whose own progeny are studying in Oxford-Harvard and the likes, have done anything for our villages.Literacy rate of schedule castes and tribes is around 34%, Average for general population is more than 50%. In 30 years the difference in literacy rates between the 2 groups has decreased by just 0.39%. And 83% of SC, STs are Landless Labourers.This shows the truth about the govt's commitment to upliftment.. And dont even get me started on the loan-waiver policy proposed in this budget.

I read this somewhere abt the Policy of Reservation, and I whole heartedly concur.

"Dr. Ambedkar knew that our worthless politicians would use reservations for their own benefit and hence he had requested them for just 10-20 yrs (i forget the actual number) after independence..its been almost god damn 60 yrs now...all these ppl who consider him as God...why dont they accept what he said then abt removing reservations...

why create more polarization amongst the mass which is already so polarized?

Its time to say GOD SAVE INDIA !!!
"

I am tempted to use the words Lord Jesus uttered at the time of his crucifixion for our poor, misled ministers -

"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

It happened the other day .....

I am a bad bad girl.

Mind you, I am very very good at heart. Everyone who knows me will attest to that fact. But I just cant stop myself from playing pranks on every one. I don't spare even my dear dear husband. J

I cant lie to save my life. The new and improved Fletcher Reede had a better chance with his lies than I do with mine. My face reveals all. But when it comes to having some fun at someone else's expense, I can beat Sylvester Stalone any day. Take for example yesterday. In the space of 24 hrs, I had managed to fool four very different people. (Cant give names, they might read my entry and know that they have been fooled).

Yippee.


(Just wish I could actually manage something on 1st April. I am completely at a loss on that day.)

Monday, September 3, 2007

The Girl Next Door...

Thoughts run through my mind at all times. Working in the office or at home, laughing with friends, walking the roads, even while making love, there are a million things that are going on in my head. We would be discussing the country's economy. You would probably think that I am fully concentrating on what you are saying, and I would probably be making all the right responses too, but I might, in all likelihood be thinking that the girl seated at the next table has great earrings.

That's what an average woman is like. For years I have been swearing on all things holy that I'm not your average girl. And yet, time and again, I prove myself wrong.

I started out by being the biggest bawling baby one ever had the [(mis)fortune?] to meet. Took me time to grow out of it, also out of the flashes of temper I would display at sudden moments. As days, months and then years flew past, I developed into something nobody could be sure of at any given moment. I would be cruising along perfectly on a path and then suddenly veer off on a tangent. And that goes for decisions regarding stuff ranging from the dinner main dish to the college I graduated from.

A friend of mine said something about me once and I quote " smart, individualistic, strong opinions - mildly opinionated, but not to a harmful degree yet - intelligent, absorbs, doesn't share, but comes across like she does, which makes her easier to get along with. Watchful has no problems giving 90% of herself to others, who may mistake it for 100%, but fiercely guards the other 10%, which really is her core. She has to trust you very deeply to let you in there and it's a rare person who gets in there; she won't help you by guiding you, you'll have to figure out by yourself...the fact that you did figure out is one of the most important criteria to reaching the core. Hurts easily, but has developed a strong wall and so it doesn't pain that much - that wall is the same thing that keeps people out of the core. In fact, the fact that she does that is the wall. "

And it is completely true…

Chariots of the Gods

I have been a ‘land-locked’ person for most of my life. My first visit to the beach was in the year 1993 when I went with my family to Puri, in Orissa, for my winter vacations.

Puri is a place that sees a constant inflow of tourists throughout the year, both for its beaches and for Jagannath Temple, one of the Char Dhams, but the crowd is especially large during festival times and vacations.

We had arrived two days before Christmas, in the evening, and without any prior bookings made.

End result – we had to hunt around for lodging for over 3 hours before we could finally get a place to stay. We were seeking rooms at one of our last few options when I got to see the sea for the very first time in my life.

I was awed by what I saw. The sea was almost inky black, and with the waves breaking on the shore and the sounds that are typical of the sea rushing in, it was a sight not forgotten easily, a magnificence that is hard to capture in words.

After a few fun filled days spent frolicking on the beach, we decided to push off to Konark, which is situated 35 km from Puri, and is home to the Sun Temple, also called the Black Pagoda.

We hired a car from Puri and drove along the Puri-Konark Marine Drive. I don’t recall much about the drive except that the beaches that lined the road were as good as any you would find in Mauritius, with white, unpolluted sands and a clear green sea. And not to forget are the absolutely lip smacking samosas and huge rasgullas we had at a tiny chai-paani stall on the way.

Konark Temple is a world apart altogether. An architectural grandeur, the temple is covered with marvelously designed sculptures in all sizes. Legend has it that the temple was constructed by Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, in honor of Sun God. Although I was too small at that time to appreciate it very much, I still remember being amazed at the size of the huge wheels all around it and the intricate carvings all over the temple.


We came back after a week, 5 shades darker, with luggage full of native Odissi handicrafts, loads of shopping, and beautiful memories of our time in the sun ‘n sand.

Thursday, May 31, 2007

The Proposal

‘ Where are we going?’ she asked.
‘Just hold on. You will come to know in another hour.’

He had been like this for some days now. No matter how she prodded him, she just couldn’t get him to tell her their destination. It was her 24th birthday and he had planned a surprise that she had no clue about. But no matter what it was, she was sure she was going to love it.

‘I love you!’
’I love you too.’

Barely four months had passed since they had met for the first time. Yet tonight she couldn't imagine how she could have spent so many years of her life without him. They had met each other and within hours she had known that they shared the same opinions, likes, dislikes, tastes. And within a few meetings she knew she had found the man she would like to share the rest of her life with. Sitting there beside him, she couldn’t recollect another time when she was as happy and so at peace with the world. But there was something that cast a small shadow on her happiness.

‘What are you thinking?’ he spoke up suddenly, almost as if he could read her mind.

‘Nothing! Just that how upset you were when you heard that my friend is also coming today.’

‘Yeah I was. Actually, I wanted this night to be very special with just you and me. An alien with us would have been a major upset. But I'm glad you came up with such a good excuse to get rid of him.’

‘I had to. I wanted just you to be the first one to wish me Happy Birthday and no one else.’

‘I know.’

It had been a close call. Her friend had insisted on coming to visit her for her birthday. Although she was happy because of it, it was rapidly turning into a nightmare with him insisting to be at her side as the clock struck midnight. She didn’t know what she wanted as her birthday gift but she sure knew she didn’t want her private moments with Him to be intruded upon.
The excuse had come just at the nick of time and here they were, just the two of them, heading out of the city.

They crossed the toll plaza and out of the city limits.

He turned towards her, ’Haven't you guessed yet?’

‘No. May be if we go a little farther… ‘

’This damn traffic is slowing us down’ he groused, ‘I wanted to reach there before the clock struck twelve but it seems like we will have to celebrate your birthday on the way.’

‘Doesn't matter. All that matters is that we will be together.’

And that was all that really mattered. As they sped down the road, she kept looking back to past four months and realized anew what he had come to mean to her in such a short time.
As she came back to the present and looked out ahead, a sneaking suspicion as to their destination goal came to her mind.

‘Are we going to Lonavala?’

They had just left the highway and got on the expressway. This was a straight hint to her.

’Yes we are. I thought it would be perfect place for your birthday celebrations. I know a spot over there, which will be totally surrounded by clouds in this season. And with the town lights shining below.
It is a beautiful sight.’

She couldn’t believe it!!!

’WOW! Now I'm excited to reach there.’

’Just sit back, relax and listen to this good music while I drive you there.’

***

They were still quite a long way from Lonavala when she turned 24. Calls started coming in to wish her. She switched off her phone because she wanted him to wish her first. They stopped on the way side and he turned towards her
‘Happy Birthday Darling!’

’Thank you so much my love.’

They hugged and kissed each other.

‘So what is the plan once we reach there?’

‘My plan was to wish you and kiss you up at that romantic spot. But doing it on expressway with vehicles speeding past was no less thrilling. We will go there anyway. We have got the full night to kill. Haven't we?’

‘Of course and after that the full day too.’

‘Yes!’

By the time they reached Lonavala, she was wondering what did he have planned for her. He had told her earlier that he had plans for a cake and drinks too, but the arrival of her friend and the subsequent traffic on the roads had made it fly out of his mind. Not that she minded of course. They could always have that later.

‘That spot is another half-an-hour uphill drive from here. You will love it.’
‘Hmmm…’

But halfway up the hill, dense fog defeated their aim. They were both leaning out of the windows to see the road, it was that bad. They finally had to turn back. She was quite upset now. It had promised to be a nice view from the top and knowing the time of the day she knew they would have had all the chance to have a private celebration, just the two of them. But what bothered her more was that He was even more disturbed.

‘Now what?’ she asked.

‘Did you notice that small bridge while coming?’

‘Yeah. The bridge that had glowing reflectors in the middle of the road giving it the appearance of an airport runway.’

‘We will go there. What do you say?’

‘Perfect!’

‘Then you can change in the car and show me the new dress that you have bought?’

‘Absolutely perfect!’

When they did reach the bridge she could see that it was actually a beautiful spot for them to celebrate her birthday. She still didn’t know what was the plan, but with vehicles passing them rarely, it was quite secluded .

‘Now, you go outside and wait for me while I change into my new dress.’

‘Okie Dokie. Make it fast.’

‘No peeking allowed. And don’t you dare turn around until I tell you so.’

‘Okay okay... ‘

While she changed in the back of the car, she wondered what his reaction would be. She had chosen the outfit carefully and it was the first time she was wearing something like this. He had come into her world and made her feel beautiful. She just hoped that he would find her beautiful in this.

She got out and started walking towards him. She halted a few feet away from him and struck a pose.

‘Okay, you can turn around now.’

‘WoW! Someone is looking hot!’

She could see the admiration in his eyes. And it made her feel desirable.

‘Thank you. Now come here and give me a kiss.’

‘I will. But first …’

And then he was getting down to his knees in front of her...


***


She instantly felt that she knew what he was up to but somehow it seemed too good to be true. She started panicking.

‘Oh my God! Oh my God! Darling, no, no please...’

‘Will you marry this idiot?’

Oh my God, she thought, he is actually doing this. They had been talking about this for some time now but never in her wildest dreams had she thought that he would actually go through with it. Sometimes, she even thought that it might not happen at all.

An overwhelming joy filled her heart and tears came into her eyes.

‘Yes Yes Yes’
And she kissed him, kissed him, kissed him ............

For the love of...

I am a part of the silent darkness. All I can see are muffled shapes around, all I can hear are slight rustlings. People are waiting with baited breath. I am thinking – "please God no, no…"
And then suddenly the whole theater erupts into thunderous applause; whistles, catcalls and wild clappings drown out anything that anybody might be saying.

You see, Aamir Khan has just scored the six that determines the defeat of the usurping British and a sure shot mention for Bhuvan in the pages of India's Struggle for Freedom.

Lagaan was my introduction to the chavanni audience. For the enlightenment of those readers of mine who have no clue of what I am talking about, the chavanni audience are those devoted movie goers who live with the movies. The men (and in some rare cases, women) who will most often be found in the front rows, cheering when Aamir khan aka Bhuvan wins against the British, crying when Joanna in Kramer Vs Kramer says " I came here to take my son home. And I realised he already is home"… and who cant resist popping back into a room they have just vacated to say "I will be back".

I don't really remember the movies I saw in the theaters as a child. What I do remember is bunking college and waving my arms up and down with 16 of my gal friends in tune to 'wo ladki hai kahan' from DCH, jigging to 'it's the time to disco' from Kal Ho Na Ho as multicoloured lights filled up the movie hall and more recently, clapping as the last scene of Black Friday faded from the screen. My experience of movie watching in cinema halls is so much more memorable because of that crowd.

I really do plan to have the best home theater system that I could get at my place. But I would be returning back to the theaters over and over again to be a part of that spellbound audience, for the love of living the movies.