13 October 2010, 10.30 am – The howrah rajdhani slowly chugged into the Delhi station with me in its berth and I could already feel my mood brightening up…it was after 4 months that I was visiting home. I had heard of loads of changes that had happened & wanted to take in the city straight on. This was the second-last day of the Commonwealth games and after so much of negative publicity around the games, games had started off on the right note with the Indian contingent turning up with a good show too.
In the run up to the games, I had been at the receiving end of a playful banter in my office, blamed for belonging to a state responsible for all mess, blamed for being a Delhi-ite. Though I took it playfully, there were times I found my patience stretched – ‘coz whenever a debate started, references were made to other wrong things in the state and I knew some of the accusations were true – there is a long way to go before Delhi can boast of being one of the best capitals in the world…and I am not talking only about the infrastructure. I refer to the general behavior of people (over the past few years, Delhi-walas have earned the tag of ‘rude’ people), following the rules, the sense of cleanliness that prevails and so on…
I guess I was the first person off the train even before it stopped fully and there came the first shocker – a rather extra-ordinary clean platform unfolded before me. I am sure many others had the same opinion. I made my way to the exit to witness the second shocker of the day - an officer demanded to see my ticket, a first for me at the Delhi station. Outside I couldn’t see the huge jam which is a usual scene ‘coz people stop cars outside the parking area to receive their relatives etc. The third surprise – there was a X-ray baggage checking machine I could see near the entrance and people were following a queue to enter the station, again something I hadn’t seen before. My parents had come to pick me up and on our way, I couldn’t help but admire the clean roads, signage, the plantations along the road and people actually following zebra-crossing(shocker 4)!! I met a few friends during my stay at home and everyone did admit to noticing the change that was evident in the city. Policemen and officials were doing their duty diligently, people followed basic traffic rules, the city seemed much cleaner and greener and yes - the city did give an image of a proud capital.
I felt elated at the end of my stay in Delhi, however there was a sense of disappointment too – driven by the fact that I knew this change was only a short-term surprise and as soon as the games end, everything will be back to the ‘chalta-hai’ attitude. This just isn’t about Delhi but a behavior I have observed in many parts of the country I have been to. People litter and spit in open freely, do not follow simple rules and show complete disregard for their surroundings. Am sure they wouldn’t do the same within the confines of their homes. I too am guilty of crossing roads, not waiting for the traffic signal. Is it that only if restrictions & fines are imposed on us, that we behave responsibly (as was the case with Delhi during commonwealth games). Had it not been for the strict policing and the steep fine to drive in designated lanes, would people have complied? A very few didn’t bother even then!!
In our everyday struggle where we chase our ‘perfect life’, it so happens that we neglect many things surrounding us which should be perfect – the basic things which everyone is supposed to do but no-one does. You and I are a part of this. I believe that each one of us will have to play a part to change things around. And if we can influence even one person with this change, there will be a time when we can truly be proud of ourselves & our cities.
I sincerely hope that I do notice some carry-over effect of the behavior I observed in Delhi the next time I visit home. Till then, the same seems to be akin to seeing raindrops in a desert…..
Monday, November 1, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
A true democracy???
Another weekend subsided during my now nearly 1.5 years stay in Kolkata & I was actually looking forward to going back office on Monday but thanks to Bengal – “ The Land of Bandhs”, I spent the day within the confines of my accommodation. It surely doesn’t help to know that I’ll have to work extra next Saturday to compensate for this Bandh, while these goons who initiated the bandh would be resting in their homes.
Having experienced 3 full bandhs & several part-bandhs over the past year, I knew I wouldn’t get anything to eat (I eat outside daily) & had planned my day accordingly (last time experience was really bad). I deliberately slept late around 3 – 3.30 in the morning, so that I would sleep till at least noon – negotiating half the bandh that way!!! For the rest of the day, I had planned to read a novel, eat snacks which I had hoarded, and watch TV till I get to feed myself to some serious food in the evening. But troubles always come in packages. Somehow I managed to wake up at 6 in the morning & no matter how hard I tried, couldn’t go back to sleep. I spent the whole day cursing these bandh supporters.
Surely, the bandh didn’t benefit the common man – the “ignored god” in our country. What was more frustrating was to see the violence to which some people resorted to. Who gave these people the right to virtually lock everyone inside their home & damage people’s property? All these big shots emerged on the news channel justifying the need of such action….Utter nonsense!!!. The loss in Bengal itself due to this bandh is more than 500 crores, which is way more than the losses state government would incur if they would reduce the Everest-like-state tax on fuel by 5%. Clearly, when it comes to choosing between Bandh & personal losses, the state government here favors bandh & people here have got used to it.
Most sad about the whole episode is the fact that every leader in NDA & Left advocates use of such methods to their right in DEMOCRACY. Why do they forget that the same democracy gives me the freedom of movement which they are hampering? Who are they fooling when they say that the bandh was supported by people who kept their shops closed – as if they had any other choice given the threat to their livelihood if the shop were to be vandalized by our political goons.
Wouldn’t it be great if it actually happened that the opinion of common man is taken on every issue. All it needs is a platform where people can give their opinion just like policy papers which are opened for discussions by government. The difference shall be that on matters which really matter to people, there is far more chance of their people participation which is in contrast to now where only very few people contribute. One might argue, that people may not be knowledgeable to give their view. If this is the case, then it is more of a reason for government to explain to people their actions. How can this be achieved!!
I believe this is where our IT skills would come to fore. We have already embarked on process to issue identification cards to people (UID). Why not create an enabling infrastructure - something like a “polling kiosk” all across the nation where the “common man” can come and vote on various issues using his/her UID number. The government can assign a weight to this opinion from the nation and use this to arrive at a final decision. Exactly like the IDEA ad where people SMS their views to minister & something like a feedback platform used in film NAYAK by Anil Kapoor to hear people’s grievances. Think of it, the same infrastructure can be used for various purposes -for polls which would save a lot of money, for getting a feel of pulse of the nation on various issues (at least a direction can be achieved), for accessing various services, for grievances, for spreading information etc - possibilities are endless. The ruling government can know which of its measure might just prove dangerous for the life support of government this way too – thus creating a Win-Win situation.
This way everyone will have a right to participate in nation’s working, contribute to the nation’s progress and make the government accountable. Government can actually know if people are supporting the bandh & so will the political goons. Only then can we call ourselves a true DEMOCRACY!!!
Do you think it is possible??
Having experienced 3 full bandhs & several part-bandhs over the past year, I knew I wouldn’t get anything to eat (I eat outside daily) & had planned my day accordingly (last time experience was really bad). I deliberately slept late around 3 – 3.30 in the morning, so that I would sleep till at least noon – negotiating half the bandh that way!!! For the rest of the day, I had planned to read a novel, eat snacks which I had hoarded, and watch TV till I get to feed myself to some serious food in the evening. But troubles always come in packages. Somehow I managed to wake up at 6 in the morning & no matter how hard I tried, couldn’t go back to sleep. I spent the whole day cursing these bandh supporters.
Surely, the bandh didn’t benefit the common man – the “ignored god” in our country. What was more frustrating was to see the violence to which some people resorted to. Who gave these people the right to virtually lock everyone inside their home & damage people’s property? All these big shots emerged on the news channel justifying the need of such action….Utter nonsense!!!. The loss in Bengal itself due to this bandh is more than 500 crores, which is way more than the losses state government would incur if they would reduce the Everest-like-state tax on fuel by 5%. Clearly, when it comes to choosing between Bandh & personal losses, the state government here favors bandh & people here have got used to it.
Most sad about the whole episode is the fact that every leader in NDA & Left advocates use of such methods to their right in DEMOCRACY. Why do they forget that the same democracy gives me the freedom of movement which they are hampering? Who are they fooling when they say that the bandh was supported by people who kept their shops closed – as if they had any other choice given the threat to their livelihood if the shop were to be vandalized by our political goons.
Wouldn’t it be great if it actually happened that the opinion of common man is taken on every issue. All it needs is a platform where people can give their opinion just like policy papers which are opened for discussions by government. The difference shall be that on matters which really matter to people, there is far more chance of their people participation which is in contrast to now where only very few people contribute. One might argue, that people may not be knowledgeable to give their view. If this is the case, then it is more of a reason for government to explain to people their actions. How can this be achieved!!
I believe this is where our IT skills would come to fore. We have already embarked on process to issue identification cards to people (UID). Why not create an enabling infrastructure - something like a “polling kiosk” all across the nation where the “common man” can come and vote on various issues using his/her UID number. The government can assign a weight to this opinion from the nation and use this to arrive at a final decision. Exactly like the IDEA ad where people SMS their views to minister & something like a feedback platform used in film NAYAK by Anil Kapoor to hear people’s grievances. Think of it, the same infrastructure can be used for various purposes -for polls which would save a lot of money, for getting a feel of pulse of the nation on various issues (at least a direction can be achieved), for accessing various services, for grievances, for spreading information etc - possibilities are endless. The ruling government can know which of its measure might just prove dangerous for the life support of government this way too – thus creating a Win-Win situation.
This way everyone will have a right to participate in nation’s working, contribute to the nation’s progress and make the government accountable. Government can actually know if people are supporting the bandh & so will the political goons. Only then can we call ourselves a true DEMOCRACY!!!
Do you think it is possible??
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Breaking it up (I am an Indian)!!!
As I went about reading the newspaper today, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated towards an article – where some people (I really didn’t pay much attention to the cast; the story was disturbing enough) were opposing Angelina Jolie’s role in a forthcoming film which they believed should have been portrayed by a ‘black’. In other parts of the world, people are still simmering over why Shakira was roped in to sing ‘Waka Waka’ – the official FIFA World Cup song when the contest is itself being played out in Africa. I believe Shakira’s role only signifies ‘togetherness’ - which is promoted by the tournament!!!
That there are certain sections of people who believe in such distinction such as rich-poor, black-white and so on is just not understandable. I mean why do people have to resort to ‘divisionary’ practices just to satisfy their egos?? I can understand if some African star (or his/her supporters) would oppose Shakira’s choice for the song for their own gain – if he/she thinks they can bring in that same/more mass appeal worldwide by their inclusion or can do a greater justice to the song. But people who are totally unrelated are the ones promoting such bigotry thoughts. Why this is bad for us?? ‘Coz I believe this airing of views directly or indirectly, in some way has a potential to alienate our thought process in the long run.
People may say that such people do not affect them nor do their views make them biased. But then why is ‘black’ the first thing that comes to our mind when we hear Africa. Why is it that the recent Sprite ads show black people to depict Africans? This has crept up in our mind over the years of hearing views about Africa, hasn’t it?? I feel bad to admit that somewhere inside me, there is a bias against ‘dark-skinned’ women in the sense that I don’t find them attractive. Thankfully, I haven’t let such thoughts alter my behavior towards some of my very good “dark-skinned” friends some of whom are women.
Moving the contours of this discussion to our very own India, ‘hadd kar di hai yaar hamne’!! Some of the biases really are depressing while some manage to bring out a smile. While the traditional biases as mentioned above exists in addition to years old divisions like kshatriya, Brahmin etc – here are some innovative ones.
Khap panchayats have divided people among those with same gotras and those from different ones and have issued a ‘fatwa’ against same-gotra marriages (they believe that everyone of same gotra is one big family….so essentially any marriage in same gotra is between a brother and sister…..this is yet to be biologically proved). At the same time, there is some community which doesn’t allow inter-gotra marriages (I remembering some article about it). Where should then people marry!!! These people really ought to be part of national population control mission (no marriages – no population increase – simple as that). While religion-bias is still almost omnipresent and the people from north-east feel more and more alienated from India (more so because of certain people’s behavior), Shiv Sena is at promoting the ‘Marathi Manoos’ who is above all others. The leaders chosen by us want to have a caste-census as if other divisions are less.
I dread it when someone asks what I am – as in Punjabi, marwari n all. For record, I am Punjabi but I fail to understand such division. My father is from Kanpur (UP) and mother from Delhi – I am Punjabi by origin somehow. I fail to understand how this makes a difference neither have I tried to enquire about this. To top it, some tell me (playfully though) that I bring disgrace to Punjabis by not eating non vegetable food. Give me a break people!!! My choice of food now is a question mark on my ‘punjabi-ness’ though I don’t believe in this ‘punjabi’ thing. The last example is really funny. My firm actually has an unwritten rule of providing CRTs to fresher and LCD screens to those with minimum experience of 1 year. Though IT dept dismisses this theory, this is what we see. It seems some eyes are more precious than others. I know this bias really is inconsequential for someone else, leave alone have an impact on macro-economy, but this is how small un-needed divisions are created.
I agree some divisions are good too. Division of people in India into classes like ATL, BTL (below the poverty line) actually helps implementing programs for these people (though government’s implementation is still questionable). IPL has divided a cricket frenzy nation into groups. But barring a few incidents, cricket has been on the top. Our society works because of division of people into various labor classes viz. domestic helps, workers, businessmen etc. Well, I earn my bread and butter in market research sector segmenting people to identify market opportunities.
Thus, divisions form the basis of society when not promoted in fanatical ways. One may not be comfortable doing work of a domestic help but this in no way demeans her work and she deserves respect. Similarly, the world would be a lot better place if we respect everyone for what they are and not use distinctions in derogatory way. As the old adage goes – “United we stand. Divided we fall”. And when & if the census official does ask my caste, my response would be same as that of Amitabh Bachan – “I am an Indian”.
That there are certain sections of people who believe in such distinction such as rich-poor, black-white and so on is just not understandable. I mean why do people have to resort to ‘divisionary’ practices just to satisfy their egos?? I can understand if some African star (or his/her supporters) would oppose Shakira’s choice for the song for their own gain – if he/she thinks they can bring in that same/more mass appeal worldwide by their inclusion or can do a greater justice to the song. But people who are totally unrelated are the ones promoting such bigotry thoughts. Why this is bad for us?? ‘Coz I believe this airing of views directly or indirectly, in some way has a potential to alienate our thought process in the long run.
People may say that such people do not affect them nor do their views make them biased. But then why is ‘black’ the first thing that comes to our mind when we hear Africa. Why is it that the recent Sprite ads show black people to depict Africans? This has crept up in our mind over the years of hearing views about Africa, hasn’t it?? I feel bad to admit that somewhere inside me, there is a bias against ‘dark-skinned’ women in the sense that I don’t find them attractive. Thankfully, I haven’t let such thoughts alter my behavior towards some of my very good “dark-skinned” friends some of whom are women.
Moving the contours of this discussion to our very own India, ‘hadd kar di hai yaar hamne’!! Some of the biases really are depressing while some manage to bring out a smile. While the traditional biases as mentioned above exists in addition to years old divisions like kshatriya, Brahmin etc – here are some innovative ones.
Khap panchayats have divided people among those with same gotras and those from different ones and have issued a ‘fatwa’ against same-gotra marriages (they believe that everyone of same gotra is one big family….so essentially any marriage in same gotra is between a brother and sister…..this is yet to be biologically proved). At the same time, there is some community which doesn’t allow inter-gotra marriages (I remembering some article about it). Where should then people marry!!! These people really ought to be part of national population control mission (no marriages – no population increase – simple as that). While religion-bias is still almost omnipresent and the people from north-east feel more and more alienated from India (more so because of certain people’s behavior), Shiv Sena is at promoting the ‘Marathi Manoos’ who is above all others. The leaders chosen by us want to have a caste-census as if other divisions are less.
I dread it when someone asks what I am – as in Punjabi, marwari n all. For record, I am Punjabi but I fail to understand such division. My father is from Kanpur (UP) and mother from Delhi – I am Punjabi by origin somehow. I fail to understand how this makes a difference neither have I tried to enquire about this. To top it, some tell me (playfully though) that I bring disgrace to Punjabis by not eating non vegetable food. Give me a break people!!! My choice of food now is a question mark on my ‘punjabi-ness’ though I don’t believe in this ‘punjabi’ thing. The last example is really funny. My firm actually has an unwritten rule of providing CRTs to fresher and LCD screens to those with minimum experience of 1 year. Though IT dept dismisses this theory, this is what we see. It seems some eyes are more precious than others. I know this bias really is inconsequential for someone else, leave alone have an impact on macro-economy, but this is how small un-needed divisions are created.
I agree some divisions are good too. Division of people in India into classes like ATL, BTL (below the poverty line) actually helps implementing programs for these people (though government’s implementation is still questionable). IPL has divided a cricket frenzy nation into groups. But barring a few incidents, cricket has been on the top. Our society works because of division of people into various labor classes viz. domestic helps, workers, businessmen etc. Well, I earn my bread and butter in market research sector segmenting people to identify market opportunities.
Thus, divisions form the basis of society when not promoted in fanatical ways. One may not be comfortable doing work of a domestic help but this in no way demeans her work and she deserves respect. Similarly, the world would be a lot better place if we respect everyone for what they are and not use distinctions in derogatory way. As the old adage goes – “United we stand. Divided we fall”. And when & if the census official does ask my caste, my response would be same as that of Amitabh Bachan – “I am an Indian”.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Do good
It has been a very long time indeed that I intended to start blogging but somehow or the other just couldn’t start. The reasons were myriad - inability to find a topic to start with, not finding time to start, fear of boring people and doubt over my ability to sustain this exercise in the long run…but I guess these are all lame excuses. My English teacher in class IX once said – “Time is always there; intention is not there”. And I have found the statement very true – there are some things for which I am always able to find time come what may and at the same time for some reasons, time is always a precious commodity for some other things. But then this other day, something happened , which may be triggered me into debuting my blog-career. As they say…it is never too late.
I do not intend to be the moral police for anyone, nor would I say that am moralistic to the core (no one is perfect) but I have been appalled at a long string of events that I have experienced over a long period of time. I must say it sometime seems to me that people have become very self-centered and do not display compassion & consideration towards others.
The latest incident is a testimony for the same. As on any other day, I took a metro ride back home after office hours. In the queue to get out where we punch our cards, a gentleman seemed to be in a hurry and tried to bypass the line. He seemed well educated and was around 45-50 years old. Some other day, I wouldn’t have even noticed, but something made me stop and request him to come in line. The person without even turning an eye made a remark in perfect English – “I am in line. Mind your own business”. This really pissed me off and made me stop him; I crossed him quickly. Outside the station the person caught up with me and told me “to mind my business the next time” and quickly sped away in an auto.
I could just smile and on my walk back to home, I realized that it was not the first time that a person had bypassed a queue – I have noticed it at several places, we all have, haven’t we? But the fact that the person seemed well educated and spoke perfect English seemed very disturbing to me. This is because I guess everyone expect people who are well educated to be considerate towards other, be more ‘behaved’ in their day-to-day activities, and more importantly be good human beings. But what I notice nowadays is this sense of restlessness among people, a lack of patience and empathy and their feeling that they are ‘supreme’ above rest. Education is supposed to make people sensitive to the issues of the world we live in, to inculcate seeds of equity and goodness, to make us better human beings but i guess this very important point is being skipped over today. I believe it is for the educated lot to pass the message of humanity, the message of goodwill to others by their acts and am sorry to confess that I find very few examples of these ‘good virtues’ on display nowadays.
I believe that “everything happens for a good reason”…the incident though disturbing got me into blogging!!! I clearly didn’t wish to start my blog with a ‘negative’ incident but I hope it does bring out some good.
In the end, I guess every one of us has had occasions where acts of goodwill shown by people towards others / us brought a smile to our faces. Let us make other people smile too!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
