Silence of the lambs...

This appeared in Asian Age...

                                              Murder Most Foul….

Certain ‘dastardly deeds’ ( how our netas love these two words!) are just more ‘dastardly’ than others. The cold-blooded, pre-meditated, daylight murder of  a legend called Dr.Narendra Dabholkar was one of them. It managed to shock  the nation…. and as we are all aware, these days it’s pretty difficult to shock India.We have become ‘violence proof’, as it were. ‘‘Murders to the right of us, murders to the left of us…”  One can also add, “Murders, murders everywhere, not a culprit in sight.” Dr. Dabholkar was a towering figure, not just in Maharashtra, but all over India. His influence reached beyond our shores and included followers across the world….  people who endorsed and appreciated his school of rational thinking, his progressive world view and his sustained campaign against practitioners of black magic and jaadu tona. That he lived and died for his firm beliefs is a testimony to his unshakeable commitment and vision . Not only was Dr. Dabholkar  a respected rationalist, he was known for his strong views against casteism, and for the support he extended to inter-religious marriages.  Seen in the cultural context of a country which has, for centuries,tolerated and accepted both, his was a particularly courageous stand. Unsurprisingly, his movement had always attracted powerful  critics and staunch enemies out to crush him.His life had been under threat for years. But, as he frequently reminded concerned followers, he was a free man in his own country, and unwillingly to ask for State protection against his own people. It was these very people who pumped bullets into the 69- year- old visionary when he was enjoying a morning walk in Pune. It is in the interests of the nation in general and Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Prithiviraj Chavan, in particular, to find Dr. Dabholkar’s assassins as quickly as possible. Especially after the C.M. hinted he knew who they were!

 But will that happen?

I think not.

 Ironically, Dr.Dabholkar’s  audacious murder( which was obviously a meticulously planned  political hit) has manifold implications. The bogus haste to identify and punish his killers is disingenuous at best. Justice plays no role in this bloody mess. The man who spearheaded the Rationalist Movement in India, had enormous nuisance value for extremists of all hues. He threatened the status quo and directly dented the  multi- million dollar businesses of well entrenched, well connected individuals running the God Industry in India . Most ashrams with their dodgy  religious leaders are nothing more than fronts for politicians to launder ill-gotten wealth while simultaneously nurturing armies of  highly gullible  followers.  The money at stake is enormous. But more than the unbelievable amount of  lolly involved, it is the inordinate amount of  influence exerted by some of these fraudulent God People that politicians  brazenly tap into. It’s a cosy if sinister nexus that works for both – those venal netas and the wily God Guys. It’s a fair exchange -  money and votes, in return for protection and cover ups. Most of the established ashrams operate in a highly secretive, closed door fashion that does not permit closer scrutiny of their funding or functioning. Dr. Dabholkar’s life long activism against fraudulent  religious practices , made him a soft target. That there were forces out to destroy him, was known to intelligence agencies all along. That nobody acted on the information, can be construed as tacit complicity in this heinous crime.

Maharashtra’s C.M. is apparently keen on getting into Madam’s good books in Delhi. Perhaps that’s what made him  jump the gun and voice his suspicions about the identity of the killers ( hint: it’s the same blackguards who murdered the Mahatma!). What Shri Chavan ( who is known for his sobriety and restraint), needs to be reminded about is that he may be playing with fire with this case . We live in dangerous times. Every State is a tinder box, rife with issues that can ignite passions in a flash. Every political party is in search of  volatile subjects  that can be instantly whipped up and served hot to those interested in taking advantage of the mayhem that generally follows.Throwing politics  into the bubbling, over heated religious cauldron in a country like ours, has terrifying implications and repercussions. Intolerance and anarchy have become the rule. Dr. Dabholkar was well aware of the danger to his life when he proposed a sensible Bill to prevent and eradicate black magic,  over 18 years ago. That the Maharashtra government passed the ordinance in such unseemly haste, hours after he was killed, is shameful. It’s worse still that the haste is being described as a ‘tribute’ to the iconic leader’s legacy, when it’s nothing more than a cheap political trick aimed at appeasing the bosses in Delhi. Dr. Dabholkar would have scoffed at the clumsiness of the gesture.

His funeral pyre had not even been lit when strident and ugly voices tried to besmirch his name. It is not difficult to figure out why this man was so hated. What his enemies could not stomach was his contempt for them and their devious thinking. Dr. Dabholkar was not anti-religion, he was anti-superstition. He despised humbug and pseudo religious mumbo jumbo .That’s the difference. His killers were just hired thugs. But so well planned was the attack, that the motorcycle hitmen managed to get their target in two easy shots despite the close proximity of police chowkies and a nakabandi on the same road. This also establishes the lax and meaningless exercise we call policing in our state. Arresting and punishing the killers has little meaning, unless the government is equally scrupulous about investigating and revealing the identities of  the shadowy figures who hired the gunmen. But that will never happen. There’s much too much at stake. Namely, big bucks and a comfy gaddi.

That catchy old classic ‘Black Magic Woman’ is ringing inside my head and has been haunting me ever since Dr. Dabholkar’s martyrdom. It is tempting to say his enemy number one did jaadu tona on him and succeeded in  killing the one person who’d spent his life fighting the peddlers of  jaadu tona! What a monumental irony. R.I.P.

Shattered: All those myths about Mumbai...

This appeared in Mumbai Mirror today....

                      Are we ready to face the truth about Mumbai???

The time has come to look into the mirror and face a few uncomfortable truths about our city and ourselves. Forget the bilge. Forget the hype. Forget all those myths we have created about our great city. The ghastly fact of the matter is that today’s Mumbai is no different from any other city in India. The mask is finally off. And Mumbai stands exposed as just another wretched Indian metropolis that has zero respect for its women.So let’s not kid ourselves that Mumbai is somehow ‘different’, more cosmopolitan, more liberal, more accommodating, more  anything. No, it’s not. And the sooner we accept that about Mumbai, the better for us. No woman is safe in this city.No child is protected. And  kaan khul ke soona – nobody is in charge here, either. Lawlessness rules. And women from other cities who continue to kid themselves about their personal safety in Mumbai, can take a walk, pack their bags and go home. Yes, even to Patna. Because each time they step out in Mumbai, there is no guarantee they’ll get home in one piece, or even at all. Yup, it’s that bad out there.

Had Thursday’s rape victim not been from our journalistic fraternity, I seriously doubt there would have been such an outcry. It would have been just another rape in Maximum City. We would have tch- tched for a bit and carried on with our lives. Remember, even Nirbhaya’s case didn’t really change a thing in Delhi, despite the nationwide outrage. Rapes were reported in the Capital while Nirbhaya  was still struggling for her life.  And rapes continue in the Capital like Nirbhaya never happened. So it is in Mumbai. But with a difference. The victim is alive. And stable. She has given our cops valuable information that will help them to nail the perpetrators of the crime in court. But I fear for this brave young girl. Who knows what those men were really after? Had she accidentally stumbled on to something they wanted to hide? Did she click pictures that could incriminate the men somehow? Were the men acting on their own? Or following orders? Is it just a case of anti-social elements seizing an opportunity and violating a young woman because they could? Tough questions. She could face far greater danger after she gets out of hospital. We should concern ourselves with her long term safety once she is discharged.

Great cities collapse and rot when then there is a crisis of leadership. Mumbai  has not had a good leader in decades. Even during this particular crisis, we have heard mewing… bleating… not roars or growls. Where are those mighty netas who spend their time issuing dhamkis? Where is the suave M.P. from South Mumbai when we need him the most? Who the hell is in charge of our city, our safety, anyway? Does anybody know? I certainly don’t.

Let’s face it – Mumbai has surrendered itself to hard core goondas who are hell bent on destroying it. Ten years ago, these same hoodlums were more interested in looting the city and becoming overnight crorepatis.Today, there is nothing left to strip, except the honour of defenceless women. The fact that Mahalaxmi is not Sanjay Gandhi Park ( which is a desolate area of the city), and that the rape took place during office hours, also points to the utter lack of responsiveness prevalent in our society. Her cries for help fell on deaf ears. Howcome? Because,nobody really cares a damn or gives a s**t. Rapes happen. So?

And what do you think will happen now?  The cops will parade the accused and invite the media for a photo-op. Let’s change the story a bit here. Let’s insist on those men appearing before the furious city without the black hoods hiding their faces. Let’s insist on the cops doing away with the practice for once. We want to see what these animals look like. We want to see for ourselves whether they squirm and cringe when those flashbulbs explode. But you know what? Nothing of the sort will happen. If the cops oblige,these beasts will probably stare back at us defiantly, and mock our anger.They will shuffle their feet and sneer.  Finally, it is we who’ll blink. Because we will be dying of shame.Even though there is really no shame left here, any more. Women’s lives have become cheap ( onions are more expensive and precious). Women are dispensable. Women ask for it. Women deserve what happens to them. From Maximum City to Besharam City. That’s Mumbai today. Deal with it.

                                                                  *************

This appeared in Asian Age / Deccan Chronicle...

Silencing a rationalist....

                                              Murder Most Foul….

Certain ‘dastardly deeds’ ( how our netas love these two words!) are just more ‘dastardly’ than others. The cold-blooded, pre-meditated, daylight murder of  a legend called Dr.Narendra Dabholkar was one of them. It managed to shock  the nation…. and as we are all aware, these days it’s pretty difficult to shock India.We have become ‘violence proof’, as it were. ‘‘Murders to the right of us, murders to the left of us…”  One can also add, “Murders, murders everywhere, not a culprit in sight.” Dr. Dabholkar was a towering figure, not just in Maharashtra, but all over India. His influence reached beyond our shores and included followers across the world….  people who endorsed and appreciated his school of rational thinking, his progressive world view and his sustained campaign against practitioners of black magic and jaadu tona. That he lived and died for his firm beliefs is a testimony to his unshakeable commitment and vision . Not only was Dr. Dabholkar  a respected rationalist, he was known for his strong views against casteism, and for the support he extended to inter-religious marriages.  Seen in the cultural context of a country which has, for centuries,tolerated and accepted both, his was a particularly courageous stand. Unsurprisingly, his movement had always attracted powerful  critics and staunch enemies out to crush him.His life had been under threat for years. But, as he frequently reminded concerned followers, he was a free man in his own country, and unwillingly to ask for State protection against his own people. It was these very people who pumped bullets into the 69- year- old visionary when he was enjoying a morning walk in Pune. It is in the interests of the nation in general and Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Prithiviraj Chavan, in particular, to find Dr. Dabholkar’s assassins as quickly as possible. Especially after the C.M. hinted he knew who they were!

 But will that happen?

I think not.

 Ironically, Dr.Dabholkar’s  audacious murder( which was obviously a meticulously planned  political hit) has manifold implications. The bogus haste to identify and punish his killers is disingenuous at best. Justice plays no role in this bloody mess. The man who spearheaded the Rationalist Movement in India, had enormous nuisance value for extremists of all hues. He threatened the status quo and directly dented the  multi- million dollar businesses of well entrenched, well connected individuals running the God Industry in India . Most ashrams with their dodgy  religious leaders are nothing more than fronts for politicians to launder ill-gotten wealth while simultaneously nurturing armies of  highly gullible  followers.  The money at stake is enormous. But more than the unbelievable amount of  lolly involved, it is the inordinate amount of  influence exerted by some of these fraudulent God People that politicians  brazenly tap into. It’s a cosy if sinister nexus that works for both – those venal netas and the wily God Guys. It’s a fair exchange -  money and votes, in return for protection and cover ups. Most of the established ashrams operate in a highly secretive, closed door fashion that does not permit closer scrutiny of their funding or functioning. Dr. Dabholkar’s life long activism against fraudulent  religious practices , made him a soft target. That there were forces out to destroy him, was known to intelligence agencies all along. That nobody acted on the information, can be construed as tacit complicity in this heinous crime.

Maharashtra’s C.M. is apparently keen on getting into Madam’s good books in Delhi. Perhaps that’s what made him  jump the gun and voice his suspicions about the identity of the killers ( hint: it’s the same blackguards who murdered the Mahatma!). What Shri Chavan ( who is known for his sobriety and restraint), needs to be reminded about is that he may be playing with fire with this case . We live in dangerous times. Every State is a tinder box, rife with issues that can ignite passions in a flash. Every political party is in search of  volatile subjects  that can be instantly whipped up and served hot to those interested in taking advantage of the mayhem that generally follows.Throwing politics  into the bubbling, over heated religious cauldron in a country like ours, has terrifying implications and repercussions. Intolerance and anarchy have become the rule. Dr. Dabholkar was well aware of the danger to his life when he proposed a sensible Bill to prevent and eradicate black magic,  over 18 years ago. That the Maharashtra government passed the ordinance in such unseemly haste, hours after he was killed, is shameful. It’s worse still that the haste is being described as a ‘tribute’ to the iconic leader’s legacy, when it’s nothing more than a cheap political trick aimed at appeasing the bosses in Delhi. Dr. Dabholkar would have scoffed at the clumsiness of the gesture.

His funeral pyre had not even been lit when strident and ugly voices tried to besmirch his name. It is not difficult to figure out why this man was so hated. What his enemies could not stomach was his contempt for them and their devious thinking. Dr. Dabholkar was not anti-religion, he was anti-superstition. He despised humbug and pseudo religious mumbo jumbo .That’s the difference. His killers were just hired thugs. But so well planned was the attack, that the motorcycle hitmen managed to get their target in two easy shots despite the close proximity of police chowkies and a nakabandi on the same road. This also establishes the lax and meaningless exercise we call policing in our state. Arresting and punishing the killers has little meaning, unless the government is equally scrupulous about investigating and revealing the identities of  the shadowy figures who hired the gunmen. But that will never happen. There’s much too much at stake. Namely, big bucks and a comfy gaddi.

That catchy old classic ‘Black Magic Woman’ is ringing inside my head and has been haunting me ever since Dr. Dabholkar’s martyrdom. It is tempting to say his enemy number one did jaadu tona on him and succeeded in  killing the one person who’d spent his life fighting the peddlers of  jaadu tona! What a monumental irony. R.I.P.

India's Magic Carpet...

This appeared in Sunday Times

                     Congrats, India! We have the world’s largest carpet…

It’s true. India is the proud owner of the world’s largest carpet. Don’t look for an entry for this feat in the Guinness Book of Records. You won’t find it. Just look around you. The world’s largest carpet is right there, under your feet. It covers 3,166,414 square kilometres ( that’s the size of India) and has been painstakingly woven over 66 years. You can call it a work in progress, since talented weavers are still at it. Chances are, 66 years later, equally skilled weavers will still be at it. The knots in the carpet are tight and difficult to count. Which also explains the complexity of the pattern , which changes colours and designs at random. It is an all weather carpet, and can withstand millions of dirty feet trampling over it through the worst seasons. It is rugged and tough and designed for rough use. Foreigners take full advantage of its texture and durability, because they know Indians don’t mind how that carpet is used, so long as the carpet isn’t rudely pulled from under their feet.

 The original Indian Carpet which was much smaller, was woven by master craftsmen in Delhi. Seeing its popularity, other States asked for the same expert weavers so they could also have their own carpets. But Delhi decided one carpet was enough for all of India. The only exception was the national carrier, Air India, which was given its own Magic Carpet (this amazing flying carpet has  been grounded for years) . Even if the other States weren’t too happy with Delhi’s designs, they were not given a choice. Reluctantly, they were forced to accept bits and pieces of the gigantic carpet being woven in the Capital, and asked to contribute big money to keep the entire project going.

The carpet grew and grew and grew. It also started to bulge in strange spots. Delhi explained it was because of the heat and dust in the Capital. There was no alternative  but to sweep years of accumulated muck under the carpet. The States got rather upset and reminded Delhi that there was an equal amount of dirt they had to deal with, and that too, without a carpet to call their own. Their States were looking filthy. No problem, said Delhi, you can transport all your dirt to the Capital, and we’ll make room for it under the same carpet. Soon, a slogan was coined: One carpet. One people. And this is how India became the proud owner of the world’s largest carpet,

Today, the world  famous Indian carpet is hopelessly worn out and shabby, with large holes in it. Despite its sorry condition, there are demands from several countries to replicate this incredible carpet. But the overworked weavers are refusing to oblige. All the rubbish that has accumulated over time, is threatening to escape from under the carpet and expose the people responsible for creating it in the first place . The carpet itself is protesting. “ How much dirt can I hide? I have done this unpleasant work for over six decades. Give me a break! Weave another carpet!” But nobody is willing to listen. The Indian Carpet is invaluable and unique. No other country has such a gigantic carpet. There is a move to create a special museum for this 8^th Wonder of the World. America is interested in the mountains of muck under the carpet. So are our neighbours - Pakistan in particular. China has already helped itself to the dirt when nobody was looking. Indian citizens have got  so used to the dirt, nobody notices or cares, not even those with dirt allergies. Some well meaning citizens have appealed to the Prime Minister to nationalize the dirt and make it exempt from scrutiny of any kind. A  bill is soon going to be introduced in Parliament, asking for a special status for the carpet and all that it conceals. This is making the government most jittery. Elections are round the corner. And the Indian Carpet is required by all political parties. The Prime Minister is being asked to provide a solution. But he  has been invisible for months. No, wait. He did show up at the Red Fort on Independence Day. He made a speech. But lost the debate.

 We hear a brand new carpet has been ordered in Gujarat. It employs local weavers only and is called the Modi Carpet. The preferred single colour of the new carpet is saffron.

Bad Boy Putin...

An adorable bridesmaid at a London Shaadi....

                                                                             ********

                                 Bad Boy Putin Vs. Blancmange Cameron

I , like millions of foolish women across the world, have a massive crush on Bad Boy Vladmir Putin. He is irresistibly delish . And to hell with his politics. A recent picture showing off his latest catch ( no, no, no, not the luscious girlfriend), but a gigantic fish, made me feel gushy and mushy all over again.There were two carefully constructed photo ops here – with and without a shirt -  just like a Salman Khan movie promo. As we all know, the Russian President loves flaunting his Black Belt bod.And at the age of 60, his rock hard torso is indeed impressive. It must give other, far younger world leaders quite a complex. Obama has taken a swipe or two recently when he joked that Putin had suggested a bare chested dress code for all international heads of state attending the G8 Summit. Obama clearly forgot all about Angela Merkel. But, theek hai. She looked pretty good in her one piece bathing suit this summer. Putin is a seriously  hot man…and he knows it. His minders know it , too. His publicity pics feature  him in action, much like Daniel Craig or Akshay Kumar displaying their physiques and skills on a film set. Putin has been projected as Russia’s strongman – literally. When he isn’t grappling with Siberian tigers, he is diving into the depths of the ocean, riding magnificent horses, hunting or plain flexing those muscles. His quotes are laconic and sharp. Here’s a leader who looks tough and talks even tougher.

             Then we have David Cameron – the British bloke who seems to be on a permanent vacation. He was also snapped with  fish at almost the same time as Putin’s Pike picture  appeared.  What a study in contrasts – David was spotted buying squid at a local fish market in Spain. He had sensibly kept his shirt on. Even though it was a clearly staged photo-op, the poor guy was gamely trying to look natural as he walked away clutching a plastic bag filled with calamari. The press back home gave him a few more points this year for recognizing the difference between sports gear and holiday wear. So, while Cameron strolled around clad in shorts and a casual cotton shirt, there was Putin, all rippling muscles and a triumphant smile, posing with a big fish ( 25 pounds, no less). It’s all about perception and image management in today’s cruel times, as politicians well know. With our own elections coming up, there will be many experts hanging around our netas, advising them on how to present their best angles in public. So far, I have not spotted a Putin-like macho man. But we do have several Camerons – self-conscious, elite, slightly bland and blah figures who inspire nothing more than the odd ,indifferent stare. Funny thing is, Putin’s popularity remains pretty dodgy in Russia. But nobody wants to mess with this menacing guy. Not even his ex-wife who quietly backed off after a discreet divorce, which, Putin watchers say, seamlessly made way for Putin and his latest lady love to go ahead with their plans. Meanwhile, in Britain, poor Cameron continues to be overshadowed and outraced by nearly everybody, including Samantha, his elegant and stylish wife. While the two of them were buying fish in Ibiza,his nation was going wild over a tiny bundle of joy – Prince George. Even Carole, Kate Middleton’s fetching mother ( a former British Airways flight attendant) managed to get an entire page to herself after the royal birth, leaving people to wonder why on earth Cameron didn’t plan his hols a little better! No such criticism comes Putin’s way – ever! .

Which once again makes me wonder just how vital looks are in today’s political arena. Everything revolves round body language and image projection. Going by that alone, Cameron comes across as a bit of a milk sop. He has the height, posh upper class accent and the required eloquence to pass muster. But big time charisma requires that extra something – it’s called star power. You either have it, or you don’t. David is seen as a bit of a tight ass, especially on vacation, when he makes cardinal sartorial mistakes that the Brit journos pounce on. Putin knows exactly what works for him. Just like Salman. His magic mantra is simple : Off with the shirt! Combine that with the second mantra : Stick to the big fish. And you hit bull’s eye. Putin should grab the Bond role from Craig. He won’t even need to act to play 007– it’s in his KGB genes!

Triranga Colours of Eid!
This image was shot last night after a sumptuous Eid feast...
Jai Hind!
                                                                           ************
This appeared in Asian Age / Deccan Chronicle...

                      How Akhilesh blew it….

Like millions of  Uttar Pradesh watchers, I was enthusiastic and hopeful when the decidedly dishy, 1973 born Akhilesh Yadav was sworn in as the State’s 20^th ( and youngest) Chief Minister in 2012. He had pretty much everything going for him at the time, including youth and good looks. Add to that a decent education ( a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from Australia) and the overall package appeared pretty darn attractive. India was riding the crest of its youth wave back then, and much was expected from this chap who had successfully demoted Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi parivaar, without much of an effort. Yes, there was the…. ummm… inconvenient business of being his controversial father’s son, but even if you were Pitaji Mulayam Singh’s harshest critic, you were tempted to give this bright eyed, bushy tailed lad a shot at reversing all that was foul in the state of  U.P. The early days seemed more than promising. The newly minted Chief Minister was making all the right noises and strenuously trying to carve out a separate identity for himself. It was believed he’d succeed in cleaning up the rot – not immediately, but in due course. The common refrain was, “Give him a chance…”  Which is why, Akhilesh Yadav really cannot turn around now and say he wasn’t given that – a fair chance. And then what happened? Well – in plain speak, he blew it. He f****d up. And last week, he conclusively proved he was no better than his father and several predecessors, when he reacted rudely and crudely  to the suspension of an upright IAS officer - Durga Shakti Nagpal. His rather foolish response to her uncompromising stand against the sand mafia could have been dismissed for immaturity had it not signaled something far worse – unbridled arrogance. Durga Shakti Nagpal was merely doing her job when she became the target of an organized campaign to ‘punish’ her, like she was an errant school girl and not a well respected IAS officer on duty. What Akhilesh clearly had not factored in when he moved against Durga was the nation wide support she would receive. Even more than an overwhelming shabaashi from citizens, Durga’s case soon became a rallying point for her colleagues. It saw IAS officers across the board  raising their voices against political pressure and demanding justice for Durga.

Sometimes, all it takes is one mistake for a leader to show his true colours. Durga was that mistake for Akhilesh. India had indulgently forgiven his earlier faux pas, big and small. People were ready to overlook those ill thought through populist schemes to distribute laptops and tablets ( it could as easily have been cars and credit cards) to his team. Carrots by any other name are still carrots. But when Akhilesh publicly chastised an upright bureaucrat, he went a tad too far. And opened up a new flank for his opponents to attack. It’s a mistake that’s likely to cause much damage to his Samajwadi Party in the long run. Because, with that single action of his, he has antagonized not just IAS officers but countless women and several right thinking men as well. Durga’s suspension and the charge sheet against her, have galvanized public opinion across India. U.P.’s track record when it comes to vindictive transfers of officers is staggeringly bad – take just one example : 43 IPS officers transferred over 40 times in their career. The reasons behind these and other transfers? The officers’ efficiency, integrity and a stubborn refusal to play ball with politicos.

Much was expected from Akhilesh Yadav (from 97 to 224 seats in the Vidhan Sabha is indeed a major coup). He was even being talked of as the next big thing – a future Prime Minister -  dynamic, forceful and progressive in his thinking. In our enthusiasm we had conveniently forgotten the biggest influence in his life – his wily father. Today, Akhilesh himself has made it more than evident that he is indeed a chip of the old block. In fact, observers insist he is no more than Mulayam’s puppet, obediently carrying out Daddyji’s orders. If all goes according to plan, Mulayam himself is likely to emerge as an important player in the next Elections - a Prime Ministerial contender in his own right, no less. He has the money ( more than even Mayawati’s immense wealth). Experts say he has built up an impressive war chest with an eye on the top gaddi in India. And he sure has the clout. When crunch time comes (it could be as early as in September 2013), Mulayam will be a front runner, way ahead of the competition. Which is another reason why Akhilesh Yadav needs to exercise better judgment when it comes to touchy issues in his State. His shabby handling of the Durga Shakti case has exposed his politics and drawn attention to the lawlessness in Akhilesh-Pradesh. One of his lackeys had the nerve to suggest U.P. can do without IAS officers altogether. That shows how drunk local netas are on their own position and power. The minister was not sacked!

Young India is feeling let down and disappointed with this man called Akhilesh Yadav. There are no youth leaders anywhere on the horizon to begin with. There was Akhilesh… and then there is Rahul. One takes orders from Daddyji, the other from Mummyji. India has grown up. But these men clearly haven’t. More’s the pity.

                                                                                              

Durga's Shakti is in every woman!

This appeared in Mumbai Mirror today....

                   The Durga Shakti in every woman…

Yes, Durga Shakti Nagpal, the young , upright IAS officer from Akhilesh-Pradesh, has been converted into an overnight icon by the media.She richly deserves the honour. Durga is a hero. The interesting aspect of this national elevation is the fact that she didn’t participate in the process. Not for a moment did the reticent, reserved Durga court media attention. Nor did she capitalize on the debacle. As a true professional, committed to her vocation, she went about her life with quiet dignity. In today’s publicity driven times, Durga’s restraint is admirable. She is certainly not the first female government officer to be penalised for doing her duty. And she won’t be the last.The real reason why Durga’s  predicament touched millions of lives is because her travails at the workplace became the travails of  EVERYWOMAN who has had to deal with harassment and oppression while doing what she’s paid to do – her job! Nothing more, nothing less. The even bigger difference in Durga’s case was the brazen, cavalier attitude displayed by the young, educated (???) Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Far from chastising law breakers  and taking action against those who had threatened Durga, he went on to say she was the one who had asked to be fixed! Making it worse, he brought in a corny analogy of parents ‘punishing’ badly behaved brats, suggesting that Durga was no better than a tantrum throwing kid who’d stepped out of line. There was not just condescension in that outrageous remark, but also deep seated prejudice against women in positions of authority. You’d say that’s a common enough trait, right? Yes, it is. And that should also explain why there was a nationwide outpouring of support for Durga.We’ve all been there, done that , at some point in our careers.

It is falsely assumed  - yup, even in this day and age - that the Durgas in our midst can be dismissed and brow beaten by the system with absolute ease. The modus operandi is simple - when brutality and intimidation don’t work, authorities attack the woman’s character, accuse her of crimes she has nothing to do with ( in Durga’s case, there were fake charges of a wall demolition brought against her). Durga is fortunate her colleagues stood by her, calling Durga ‘upright and fearless’. Her husband Abhishekh Singh, is also an IAS officer, and therefore as vulnerable as his wife, when it comes to facing the wrath of local netas and assorted criminal elements. That her father-in-law is a former IPS officer, and her father, a  defence services’ officer, is good news. At least Durga doesn’t have to ‘explain’ the nature of her job to a non-comprehending family. These three men know what it takes to negotiate shark infested, sarkari waters these days. Their unconditional support must matter a great deal to Durga. Gutsy Durga.

But what of the women who don’t have an enlightened family backing them during a crisis? I have seen the strongest women wilt and crumble under pressure which emanates from within the walls of their own homes .  Often, they are compelled to weaken their moral stand and arrive at some sort of a compromise with their employers. While these same women can take on powerful opponents in the public space, they are unable to battle domestic hostility and rage. In- laws, in particular, push such women to retract, apologise, back down and crawl back to a disgusting status quo sans personal pride or integrity . Self respect takes a hit. The woman gets demoralized. Family members remind her to think of  the honour of the ‘parivaar’ before slaying dragons. She retreats. And her tormentors win!

Which is why, when we venerate Durga, it is equally important to acknowledge and appreciate the enlightened attitude of  Durga’s husband, father and father-in-law, who have stood by her. We joyfully take it for granted that Durga  does indeed enjoy the love and adoration of the ladies in her family. What is there not to love? Durga’s is the modern day fable India needs to accept and  believe in, if we are to save ourselves.

Cry, My Beloved City....

Two images which tell different stories.... amazingly enough, about the same city!
 That's the new book from the SDe imprint. It will be launched soon.
 The other picture was clicked by a neighbour from his window when the mobs came...
I have to record my appreciation for the Mumbai cops who did such a great and efficient job of rounding up the rabble rousers and packing them off to the nearest thaana. Or else cars and property would have been vandalised.... and my ratings with the neighbours would almost certainly have been seriously dented!
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This appears in the Special Independence Day Issue of India Today...tweet and be damned!

                                Cry, my beloved city…

Maximum City , with Minimum Freedom  -  that’s today’s Mumbai. What a fall there was my, countrymen! And as India rolls towards its 66^th Independence Day, one begins to wonder what this hard won freedom was all about? Freedom for whom? Freedom for what? From what? Just look around you! What do you see – what sort of freedoms are we talking about? We know of at least one important freedom we are on the verge of losing – freedom of speech. Once we surrender that, what remains? Without making this  personal  ( I leave that to our netas), what has been the most astonishing part of the ugly  controversy that erupted over my tweet last week is the abysmally low level of public discourse and debate on parade. Despite the tawdry developments around the incident, I am certainly not going to fall for the bait and start swearing my allegiance to Mumbai and Maharashtra from every available platform, in order to appease those looking for a pitched battle. My distress arises from a totally different source : what we are witnessing today is political muscle flexing at its crudest. That, and a growing tyranny towards anybody who has an opinion that does not sit well with assorted groups nurturing assorted vote banks with an eye on the delectable election pie. The message coming across is loud and clear : step out of line , and you are dead meat. If you dare to open your mouth, you are asking to be ‘taught a lesson’ .  Freedom itself has been appropriated by political thugs. It is their ‘freedom’ versus the freedom of all others. A case of ‘my freedom is bigger than yours.’

 And now that the much bandied about word -  ‘elite’ - is  officially recognized as an epithet that is to be liberally hurled at ‘people like us’, what are we supposed to do? Cower, quake and shake in our shoes? Run for cover?Apologise for our existence? For being who and what we are? Unlike countless netas who have looted and cheated people to become overnight millionaires, there are millions of  hard working, honest citizens who have actually bothered to go to college, pick a profession they love, and earn decent wages for their efforts. They have not stolen anybody’s money, they pay their taxes and yes –  they also enjoy life to the hilt . Unless even that ( enjoyment) is going to be declared a crime shortly. Most of those hurling charges at me, are far, far richer than I can ever be. They live in grander homes , drive better cars, and have amassed immeasurable wealth that is unaccounted for. Some have serious criminal charges against them, and are known to be debauched and unutterably corrupt on every possible level. These are the people who want to silence citizens. These are the people who talk idiotically about  Page 3 People. What is this seething resentment  all about? Money?

Aha – it’s much worse than that. It’s definitely not the money. It’s the mind. Anybody can make money. But where can you buy thought? The rage is over a different way of  thinking. The real frustration arises out of  the fact that no matter how much ill gotten wealth these people make in their lifetime, the one thing they desperately crave for remains elusive and out of reach – respect. If they can’t earn it, they would rather shun it. Stifling free thought is one way of asserting that control. An unambiguous message is sent out to anybody with a different mindset from theirs – conform, or else! Toe the line, or else! What are they afraid of? When I read all those sanctimonious platitudes referring to the 105 people who lost their lives in 1956 leading up to the formation of the State of Maharashtra, I want to ask, what has a single political party  in  the State done to improve the lives of the average Maharashtrian today ? It’s all very well to lecture others and talk about those martyrs. But if these same politicians had been sincere and serious about honouring their memory, they would have ensured Maharashtra and Maharashtrians  prospered on every level.They would have concentrated on making Mumbai a world class metropolis. Exactly the opposite has happened. Maharashtra  is in shambles. Mumbai ranks as one of the filthiest cities in the world. Corruption on an epic scale defines day to day life . And now there is this! Intolerance and intimidation. Vendetta and violence.There is an ugly battle being waged for absolute control over Mumbai. For no matter how shabby, or how stinky, Mumbai still rules as India’s number one city. If you ‘acquire’ Mumbai, nothing else is needed. Mumbai is the biggest asset in any politician’s portfolio . There is far too much at stake here. Which is why an innocuous tweet which obviously touched a rawer than raw nerve, triggered off  such a nasty backlash. Nobody wants the golden goose that’s Mumbai to slip out of those grasping hands. The question these avaricious chaps are arrogantly overlooking is simple – what is a city without its people? Mumbai is Mumbai because of its extraordinary people. Mumbai belongs to each and every Mumbaikar.  It is Mumbaikars who make Mumbai what it is. And if there’s one thing Mumbaikars loathe it is bullies. And muzzles.

My new title: Mumbaichchi Bai!

This appeared in Sunday Times today....

 Rantings of a drunk, frivolous, Page 3 ‘Bai’….

Remember that lovely song? “Mujko yaaron maaf karna… mein nashey mey hoon…?” I have been singing it all morning. And even as I key in this column ( between noisy sips of  local daaru), I am hiccupping away. Maybe all my favourite Mumbai netas are thinking of me? Hic! Must invite a couple of them  to the next Page 3 party along with other socialites, just to ‘utaaro’ my nasha, as promised. I believe they are feeling left out and sulking. Hey Bhagwan! This Page 3 life is so difficult to lead. I wish these netas would understand. We have to consume free daaru night after night, do ‘ulti’, and then face charges of being ‘frivolous’. It’s really not easy being a socialite these days. Netas have it better. Much better! Pata nahin kyon, but our netas get very, very uptight and upset by people they call ‘Page 3’ – the elite, according to them ! They use the word ‘elite’ as a gaali. Maybe, they also want to be elite and on Page 3 ? Drink free daaru? No, that can’t be the reason. They have been drinking free daaru all their adult lives in any case. But they are still so obsessed  by Page 3. Jealous ho, kya?

 Let’s face it, our dynamic netas have made more money in a short, short ( shorter than the skirts starlets wear at Page 3 events) period of time, than most of our very successful industrialists. That too, without putting up any industry! And they have more houses, bungalows, malls, multiplexes, even townships, than the most prosperous people in India. In fact, netas pay for nothing at all! They own fancy cars, luxury watches, yachts, jets, pata nahi aur kuch kuch, enjoy lavish foreign holidays, possess kilos of gold, priceless coloured diamonds  and much, much more. Sab kuch phookat mein. Gratis! But they continue to point fingers at others and crib, crib,crib. Look at the track record of some illustrious leaders in my own State of  Maharashtra. You name it, they’ve done it! Cheated, looted, corrupted, raped, even murdered. Kisiko kuch hua?

Ours is indeed a strange country. As India rolls towards its 66^th Independence Day this month, it is worth reviewing what has really changed during the past dramatic decade. In a word, it’s something called ‘sharam’. There is none left.The political class has become totally besharam . Nothing shames  nor embarrasses our elected representatives. And these are the people who want to ‘teach a lesson’ to others. What sort of a lesson? As I look out of my window on a gloomy monsoon afternoon, I can see a police van and a posse of cops. The lobby of the building we live in, has some more cops sitting around waiting for hired mobs to arrive. They are there to ‘protect’ me. And I am thinking to myself – how shameful that it has to come to this! What a waste of public money that these over worked officers are idling away their precious time to protect a ‘Bai’ who is being intimidated and threatened. Surely,our city needs these men to be doing something far more productive.  But this is what it has become – an absolute farce! It makes me wonder which raw nerve was touched by that innocuous tweet in the first place?After I read what those netas said in response, I was embarrassed. For them. For all of us. Can they do no better than launch cheap, personal attacks on a woman? Not that the attacks per se bother me. It is the syndrome that disturbs.

I love my Sauvignon Blanc. And am happy to pay for the best. Isn’t it far better to get ‘drunk’ on good wine occasionally, than to be permanently drunk on power? This ‘Bai’ is a staunch ‘Mumbai chhi Bai’. And proud to belong to what was once a great city. Today, it is crumbling and collapsing into itself. Because those very leaders who are debating its future, have zero interest in saving Mumbai and creating a  truly world class city India can be proud of. Yes, this is a view from South Mumbai. Unapologetically so. It’s a pretty good view. It will be even better when the cops leave. For that will prove there is still room for civilized dissent in an increasingly hate filled, polarized , aggressive city controlled by bullies.

And now… on to the next Page 3 party. I am sure I’ll run into half the Cabinet there. Of course, all those poor chaps will be drinking nimbu paani. Cheers!

.

Mumbai : Survivor City

Met these wonderful people in the meat, fruit and vegetable market in Florence. The lady runs a popular stall with the best mozarella I have ever eaten! And that's her father looking after her two year old daughter while she works. Women are just so fabulous!
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This appeared in Mumbai Mirror today.....

      Mumbai :  Survivor  City

I am not a mushy person. But Mumbai makes me mushy. Unashamedly so. I wish I could provide an apt translation for the word ‘mushy’ in Marathi / Telegu / Hindi / Punjabi / Bengali / Tamil / Gujarati etc. etc. But that would just kill this delicate emotion called love. That’s the funny thing about language – any language. It has its own rhythm , it’s own specificity and its own terrible beauty.   You use and interpret it at your own peril. As I discovered last week. Without revisiting the aftermath of what followed my innocuous tweet, one thing I did realize very swiftly: Mumbai arouses deep and abiding passions. Nobody can remain indifferent to this gloriously insane city. Mumbai touches the life of anyone and everyone who has been lucky enough to live here – even briefly. Mumbai transforms you in a way that few other cities do. It is a magnet and a serpent. It can save and destroy. Nurture and reject. Caress or bite. Mumbai is Mumbai. Unique, arrogant but also enormously, almost ridiculously compassionate.

And nobody owns Mumbai.

Nobody can.

So, it’s a bit silly for anybody to get proprietorial and possessive about Mumbai. Mumbai is her own woman. Fierce , strong, indestructible and proud. Any attempt to capture her, can only lead to frustration for the captors. This is what makes Mumbai so desirable, so seductive. Mumbai is unambiguously today. There is her riotously colourful past . And there will be an unpredictable but exciting future. But it is in the present that Mumbai lives, breathes and thrives. And when that present is violated, Mumbai bleeds and cries. It has happened during innumerable attacks on her in the past. Terrorists have ripped her apart, limb by limb. But she has always managed to pick herself up and walk again – head held high. No crutches. No subsidies. No help. Mumbai is the Ultimate Survivor. Which is another reason why Mumbai attracts real life survivors from across India. They come to her to heal, learn, get up and get on. Most prosper beyond their wildest dreams. Those who don’t, still love her. They don’t blame Mumbai for their failure, they blame themselves. Yes, Mumbai can be harsh and unforgiving. No, Mumbai is not for losers.More importantly, Mumbai is not for opportunists, either. Try and exploit her goodness and see what happens. Try and cheat Mumbai of her dues, and she in turn, will rebuff and crush you.

 Unfortunately, we are recklessly testing Mumbai’s vast reserve of patience. We are foolishly taunting  her tolerance. We are challenging her supreme position. And we are hoping Mumbai will overlook our crassness, our uncouth behavior, our insults and abuse. We are hoping that Mumbai will not notice the brash and aggressive attempts to grab every inch of her and sell it bit by bit to the highest bidder.

Mumbai is the heart beat of Maharashtra. But she is on life support systems right now. Mumbai is in the ICU with nobody really looking after her rapidly deteriorating condition. There is organ failure. And worse. Mumbai may die of a broken heart, unable to cope with the abject neglect and indifference displayed towards her by those who claim to love her. Those who want to possess her. Those who falsely believe Mumbai belongs exclusively to them and them alone.

Mumbai is like our ailing, unselfish mother, who refuses to complain or demand help. We can either ignore her desperate state. Or do something to save her. By behaving like passive bystanders waiting for the heart monitor to give us the bad news, we are as guilty as those negligent doctors refusing her a blood transfusion when she needs it the most. The same heartless lot who is prepared to make money out of  systematically selling each of  her organs from the cadaver.

It is time to tell them to leave Mumbai alone.Our Mumbai is not for sale.