Today 7th Oct - the day when I was born into this world in midst of annual festivities that every Bengali house celebrates every year. My parents had lost their 10 year old daughter just a year and half back after fighting a long 5 years battle with leukemia - to hold me in their hands was a moment of joy and sadness.
Allahabad, the Sangam city - my birthplace - in my childhood days known for its broad avenues, picturesque British era bungalows, Gothic style churches, the overly congested Chowk area - and of course the colossal Allahabad fort at the banks of Sangam. Allahabad - "Abode of Allah", the name given by the illustrious Mogul Emperor Akbar, is situated at the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, is an important pilgrimage for devout Hindus. Also known as Prayag, it is the host to one of world's largest ablution event of the world - the Kumbh Mela, held once in 12 years. The reference point for Indian Standard time, Allahabad also boasts to have one of oldest High Court and the fourth oldest University in Republic of India. Great writers and poets of Hindi literature have lived here and have been inspired by this city. It is the home to India's first political family, given 7 out of 17 Prime Ministers to the country.
Today - this city is becoming a forgotten city with a glorious past. Colonial Allahabad, along with the intellectual energy that the city once generated, has quite disappeared. The bungalows have been going, all my acquaintances from my parents generation have moved out, my friends with whom I spent some wonderful days have migrated to different cities for greener pastures - 8A Hastings Road my birthplace, was a typical bungalow from the colonial era - today it still stands dilapidated waiting to be grazed to the ground soon to be replaced by apartments of the modern society - As I walk down memory lanes - I have just lost time to recall - nothing more than that.
Dad re-located to Jaipur 2 years after my birth, but we returned to the city when I was in Grade IXth. I lived in this city till I graduated from the university. I still keep going back to this city probably once a year, a city which I still call "my home". I have a strange feeling of nostalgia whenever I visit Allahabad. The Ganges attracts me, it gives a lot of calm and repose when I stand at its banks. Though I do not believe in taking a dip to wash my sins as commonly believed by a devout Hindu - but standing at the confluence, gives me a feeling of tranquility, it works as a sedate for me.
The last time I visited the city was in Oct 2006 - it is almost 3 years now - every time I am in the city - I go for a stroll down my favourite road - Thornhill Road, a road which always unleashes memories both sweet & bitter for me - brings back so many events, fun filled long summer days, dull winter evenings - plucking delicious guavas from roadside & of course some very special people - not to miss out that this was the road when I was first proposed on a Valentine's day - the teenage infatuation which had evaporated as fast as it had grown - I am also reminded of that unfortunate afternoon when we were returning home from school - one of my classmates was crushed to death (it was one of the saddest days of my life) - this is the road where I advanced from a bicycle to a scooter to a car - this road always serves as an instant reminder of those days which will never return but will always bring a smile on my face.
It is almost 13 years since I have left the city - the city has degenerated considerably over the years, it has lost touch with its rich past of glory. As I walk down the roads - poverty around me leaves me sad. India is a poor country, but after staying in rich states of Maharastra and Karnataka, we get a delusion that India is growing. The impact of globalization is perhaps positive..but it is a conclusion that many Indians make without going thru facts - when I see people in Allahabad, I feel miserable. A reasonably good pay package that I earn - stands meaningless when I see a homeless man enduring the variation of weather that mother nature offers in my hometown - a high of 48 degrees to a low of freezing temperature.
I wish I could do something - someday for my city where I was born, which I still call my home - i am not sure whether I would really be able to do something - but I wish I could..in memory of those beautiful days that this city offered when i was becoming a woman from a teenage girl.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Gandhi - is he still relevant?
Around the world we associate "Gandhi" as the messiah of non-violence - who with a stick in his hand and a white cloth drapped around him - won India her freedom from imperialism. A man who believed and followed Ahimsa - met one of the most violent death of his times - still lives on in this world as one of the most influential figures of modern day politics. As we celebrate 140th birth anniversary of the Mahatma today - I wonder whether his ideals and principles are still relevant in today's world ?
Gandhi, the father of the nation - was a demi god in India. With the rise of fundamentalism in Indian politics and increasing hatred towards the fascist Muslim world - Gandhism has for sure taken a debacle. Also, today's India is becoming a consumer society - exacerbating differences in wealth between the middle classes and the rural poor - has forced people of my generation to distance themselves from Gandhi's principles. But more importantly in a society where we all believe in survival of the fittest - a world full of depravity, apathy, brutality, selfishness and self indulgence - are his ideals pertinent?
There are several answers to this debatable isssue - but somehow - I really feel that there is a lot of truth and substance what he stood for and who he is. May be we will not be able to do what he could do - show doors to the mighty British empire, standing undeterred and determined for India's Independence though being called "nauseating" "middle temple lawyer, now posing as a fakir" "striding half-naked" by Winston Churchill - bringing a radical change in way of life of every Indian at that time .
I agree that a non-violent response might be an anachronism in today’s violence ridden society, but that doesn’t make Gandhi irrelevant. I believe Gandhi will live in us - obviously it does not mean that we become a vegetarian overnite and become saint to things around us - but we can strive for a little more justice, a little more peace and most importantly a "little" more equality around us -
....Sab Hai Teri God Ke Paale, Koi Neech Na Koi Mahaan,...
Ishwar Allah Tere Naam, Sab Ko Sanmati De Bhagwaan.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Source: Unknown
Hello? How far is Mall from here?”,I stopped my bike and asked these people on a national highway during my road journey to a remote town called Mall (nearly 80km from Hyderabad).The man in the pic said,”20miles…“, and they started to go away. And i don’t know why the idea of taking this pic happened..but me interrupted them and requested them to give me a pose for this pic. They obliged and so happened this pic!!
And then I asked them to give their postal address so that i could post the pic. (Mere innocence?)
“Errr..we’re moving out of this place tonight..probably to Nellore..And you know, we don’t have any permanent address..Where there’s a work,there’re we..If you see us anywhere in the future, you can give the photo…no problem..“, he said with a thankful tone and moved away.
These people, for better or for worse, are making their livelihood with an incessant journey in search of work??
Sunday, April 26, 2009
India Vs. Bharat - as I see, feel & perceive...
I am always interested in people's perceptions about my country. Americans, at large, still feel India is a land of snake charmers and elephants, or now a days of course Indians take their well established jobs away, by slogging their ass out. Brits & Europeans need no introduction to India - some are still in the Winston Churchill frame of mind and some of-course have admitted that India & Indians are a class different who make their own spicy & zesty living, wherever they go.
I have heard a lot of adjectives about India in my interactions with travellers from different parts of the world. But everyone admits - India is an "experience" - it is often described as the last stop in the global travelers itinerary. It is anarchic on surface, it is dustier on the first impression, it is overstocked with people - despite all this, a visitor always finds a coherent, consistent force of life, vibrant, incredibly beautiful. In short India is an universal nation with twenty-eight states, seven union territories, 30 different languages (18 of them officially recognized), 2000 dialects & ofcourse 1.12 billion people of innumerable races and creed.
But when you look into India more closely, you are struck by the duality of the country, the deep divide that painfully separates us - largely based on the dichotomy in our economy - India Vs. Bharat. India is a notional entity, largely anglicised and relatively better-off, thriving on the service economy; while Bharat is the rural, agricultural, poor and backward face of our country surviving on agrarian economy; our agricultural methods still remain archaic at large. Have you ever heard that the sensex of country, which is a home to the largest number of billionaires in Asia & Europe, reacting to monsoon predictions. Ask an Indian how many times he/she has seen a Merc and a bullock cart crawling in the traffic side by side. A large population of our country lives in villages, which are tucked away in remote corners, still living in the 16th century, very traditional and cut off from the rest of the world. It is painful to see the slum dwellers and the footpath occupants of large cities in India are infact refugees from Bharat who come in search of livelihood to India.
On the other hand I see another India - the vibrant, evolving, transforming and challenging nation with new dimensions as if it was born yesterday, despite having a history as old as 4,500 years back, at times questioning the archaic values and traditions, man made flimsy belief systems, and blind faiths that Indians tend to adopt.
There is also another view to this - India believes in the West, Bharat reposes its trust in the ancient culture of the land. The Indian outlook is materialistic, while the Bharathiya ethos view spirit as primary and believes in the spiritual approach. While India believes in individualism, Bharat believes in family values. As a Bharatiya, cows are indeed holy and worshipped while as an Indian - steak preparation is delicious and mouth watering. Indians would celebrate their birthday by cutting cake, blowing candles and opening champagne bottles, while Bharatiyas are awestruck about the concept of blowing off light on your birthday.
Whatever the view - there is a stark distinction in our society, there is a constant struggle between two distinct attitudes to life, but both co-exist together. Our political leaders can exploit both shades of India, make false promises in election speeches and manifestos of bridging this gap - between the rich & poor, between tradition & modernity, between agrarian and service economy - life for people from this land would go on. We all will die - burn, bury or cremate according to our religious beliefs - but we would be looking forward towards the pragmatic and straight-forward functioning - trying our best to bridge the gap, but we would never be able to.
As I relax this Saturday evening in the nice, cosy & friendly capital city of Utah - far away from my country - I often wonder about India’s individuality on the global front, its originality and its unique diversity, which is brimming all over - sustaining the continuous onslaughts of corruption, politics and bureaucracy.
I have heard a lot of adjectives about India in my interactions with travellers from different parts of the world. But everyone admits - India is an "experience" - it is often described as the last stop in the global travelers itinerary. It is anarchic on surface, it is dustier on the first impression, it is overstocked with people - despite all this, a visitor always finds a coherent, consistent force of life, vibrant, incredibly beautiful. In short India is an universal nation with twenty-eight states, seven union territories, 30 different languages (18 of them officially recognized), 2000 dialects & ofcourse 1.12 billion people of innumerable races and creed.
But when you look into India more closely, you are struck by the duality of the country, the deep divide that painfully separates us - largely based on the dichotomy in our economy - India Vs. Bharat. India is a notional entity, largely anglicised and relatively better-off, thriving on the service economy; while Bharat is the rural, agricultural, poor and backward face of our country surviving on agrarian economy; our agricultural methods still remain archaic at large. Have you ever heard that the sensex of country, which is a home to the largest number of billionaires in Asia & Europe, reacting to monsoon predictions. Ask an Indian how many times he/she has seen a Merc and a bullock cart crawling in the traffic side by side. A large population of our country lives in villages, which are tucked away in remote corners, still living in the 16th century, very traditional and cut off from the rest of the world. It is painful to see the slum dwellers and the footpath occupants of large cities in India are infact refugees from Bharat who come in search of livelihood to India.
On the other hand I see another India - the vibrant, evolving, transforming and challenging nation with new dimensions as if it was born yesterday, despite having a history as old as 4,500 years back, at times questioning the archaic values and traditions, man made flimsy belief systems, and blind faiths that Indians tend to adopt.
There is also another view to this - India believes in the West, Bharat reposes its trust in the ancient culture of the land. The Indian outlook is materialistic, while the Bharathiya ethos view spirit as primary and believes in the spiritual approach. While India believes in individualism, Bharat believes in family values. As a Bharatiya, cows are indeed holy and worshipped while as an Indian - steak preparation is delicious and mouth watering. Indians would celebrate their birthday by cutting cake, blowing candles and opening champagne bottles, while Bharatiyas are awestruck about the concept of blowing off light on your birthday.
Whatever the view - there is a stark distinction in our society, there is a constant struggle between two distinct attitudes to life, but both co-exist together. Our political leaders can exploit both shades of India, make false promises in election speeches and manifestos of bridging this gap - between the rich & poor, between tradition & modernity, between agrarian and service economy - life for people from this land would go on. We all will die - burn, bury or cremate according to our religious beliefs - but we would be looking forward towards the pragmatic and straight-forward functioning - trying our best to bridge the gap, but we would never be able to.
As I relax this Saturday evening in the nice, cosy & friendly capital city of Utah - far away from my country - I often wonder about India’s individuality on the global front, its originality and its unique diversity, which is brimming all over - sustaining the continuous onslaughts of corruption, politics and bureaucracy.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Mr. Darcy & Rhett Butler
Having done my schooling from Catholic schools and given the battering in many Indian families to prefer British classics over American literature, exposed me to 18th century novels at quite an young age. By the time, I was in Vth grade - David Copperfield, Great Expectations and Shakespeare were part of my regular studies.
The first time I read Pride & Prejudice was in 7th standard when my parents got me an abridged version of the novel. As I read on, I discovered a vast sea of human emotions first time expressed on paper in front of me. Besides Jane Eyre, Jane Austen's best written work of art was amongst my first few novels that I loved reading again and again. In tenth grade, I was smitten by Gone with the Wind. My mind and I could never put it down till I completed it. One set at the backdrop of a quiet serene English county of early 18th century, the other that scripted a civilization that was Gone With The Wind - the plantations, the American Civil War & the Reconstruction period - set almost a century later. Pride & Prejudice is a classic, which elaborately detailed the traditional 18th century British society with typical constrained romanticism - early Victorian approach. Gone with the Wind followed the typical American literary principals - personal, intense with overt display of emotion.
Fitzwilliam Darcy and Rhett K. Butler, the two male protagonists, one in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and the other in Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind - are among the top 10 romanticized characters of English literature. Two interesting, rude, unsocial characters set in completely different backdrops have a striking similarity. Pride & Prejudice opens with the famous line 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife' - the male protagonists of both the novels are handsome, self-absorbed, chesty aristocrats, dashing and attractive to women at first glance, become deemed as a men unworthy of marriage as there no positive qualities other than wealth. Like Mr. Darcy, the community has a negative impression of Rhett Butler and it sharpens into a particular resentment for both the characters as the plotline progresses. Despite the similarities, if closely analyszed there is a distinct difference. Butler is suave and debonair with his natural charm. He is not a gentleman in any way, shape of form. He is gifted with a certain ability to mock and insult in a very irritating manner. Darcy, despite being potrayed as arrogant and detached, struggles with his conscience, emotions and reason, and is in truth a kind and good natured man. In the end, despite his wealth, looks, and talents, Butler is left looking for something that still holds value in his life, whereas Darcy gets what he wants.
As I grew up, I often tried choosing between Mr. Darcy and Rhett Butler. I have met lot of friends across the globe, who have read, appreciated and fallen in love with both the characters, like me. But when asked to compare, friends have chosen bits and pieces of both characters, typical of human natue. We always want to choose the most adept, but in actuality never end up with anything close to our utopian world. As men and women become peacocks in their efforts to attract each other, flaunting their plumes and strut , we definitely somewhere in the back of our mind get influenced by these characters - they do form the first visual prototype from which we draw inspiration. Mr Darcy for sure is no longer 'relevant' to the modern female, but he continues to fascinate women despite being the potrayed as an image of male dominance. Rhett Butler gave modern society the epitomes of manly persona. Women see him as handsome and dashing, with an infusion of "bad boy", getting infatuated by the tall, dark and the handsome.
I, as every person on this earth, has her own theories. For sure Darcy and Butler are ficticious and are imaginary characters but we do adore and dream of. However these novels are adult versions of fairytale and in reality there is no fairy Godmother. What we end up in life is completely different from what we imagine. Whom we meet or whom we accept as the Rhett Butler or Mr. Darcy of our life, happiness in a relationship is entirely a matter of chance, which needs to kindled and cared for very carefully. We all look for morally upright devoted and faithful relationships. But finally what matters is accepting the way I am. No Darcy no Butler but the acceptance of the other, just the way he or she is..
The first time I read Pride & Prejudice was in 7th standard when my parents got me an abridged version of the novel. As I read on, I discovered a vast sea of human emotions first time expressed on paper in front of me. Besides Jane Eyre, Jane Austen's best written work of art was amongst my first few novels that I loved reading again and again. In tenth grade, I was smitten by Gone with the Wind. My mind and I could never put it down till I completed it. One set at the backdrop of a quiet serene English county of early 18th century, the other that scripted a civilization that was Gone With The Wind - the plantations, the American Civil War & the Reconstruction period - set almost a century later. Pride & Prejudice is a classic, which elaborately detailed the traditional 18th century British society with typical constrained romanticism - early Victorian approach. Gone with the Wind followed the typical American literary principals - personal, intense with overt display of emotion.
Fitzwilliam Darcy and Rhett K. Butler, the two male protagonists, one in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and the other in Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind - are among the top 10 romanticized characters of English literature. Two interesting, rude, unsocial characters set in completely different backdrops have a striking similarity. Pride & Prejudice opens with the famous line 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife' - the male protagonists of both the novels are handsome, self-absorbed, chesty aristocrats, dashing and attractive to women at first glance, become deemed as a men unworthy of marriage as there no positive qualities other than wealth. Like Mr. Darcy, the community has a negative impression of Rhett Butler and it sharpens into a particular resentment for both the characters as the plotline progresses. Despite the similarities, if closely analyszed there is a distinct difference. Butler is suave and debonair with his natural charm. He is not a gentleman in any way, shape of form. He is gifted with a certain ability to mock and insult in a very irritating manner. Darcy, despite being potrayed as arrogant and detached, struggles with his conscience, emotions and reason, and is in truth a kind and good natured man. In the end, despite his wealth, looks, and talents, Butler is left looking for something that still holds value in his life, whereas Darcy gets what he wants.
As I grew up, I often tried choosing between Mr. Darcy and Rhett Butler. I have met lot of friends across the globe, who have read, appreciated and fallen in love with both the characters, like me. But when asked to compare, friends have chosen bits and pieces of both characters, typical of human natue. We always want to choose the most adept, but in actuality never end up with anything close to our utopian world. As men and women become peacocks in their efforts to attract each other, flaunting their plumes and strut , we definitely somewhere in the back of our mind get influenced by these characters - they do form the first visual prototype from which we draw inspiration. Mr Darcy for sure is no longer 'relevant' to the modern female, but he continues to fascinate women despite being the potrayed as an image of male dominance. Rhett Butler gave modern society the epitomes of manly persona. Women see him as handsome and dashing, with an infusion of "bad boy", getting infatuated by the tall, dark and the handsome.
I, as every person on this earth, has her own theories. For sure Darcy and Butler are ficticious and are imaginary characters but we do adore and dream of. However these novels are adult versions of fairytale and in reality there is no fairy Godmother. What we end up in life is completely different from what we imagine. Whom we meet or whom we accept as the Rhett Butler or Mr. Darcy of our life, happiness in a relationship is entirely a matter of chance, which needs to kindled and cared for very carefully. We all look for morally upright devoted and faithful relationships. But finally what matters is accepting the way I am. No Darcy no Butler but the acceptance of the other, just the way he or she is..
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