History’s question, Is Present answering for the Future ?

22 July 2008. This day will be one of the landmarks in Indian Governance. It can well be probably only the 2nd time in History of India that a PM may get defeated in a Trust vote in the Parliament. Well let me put in my view on it. This past 2 months although turning out to be much boring and worthless but were surely interesting following the daily news on the Deal and the Politics in general.

I have read many views, both supporting, inimical and negation of the deal. And actually surprisingly enough i have been successful in forming my pt. of view.

Somehow i believe i have managed to almost form a conviction that would impress the BJP, Dr. Manmohan Singh, CPM and my chemistry teacher.

Does India need a civilian nuclear energy agreement with the US? – Prob. ya but not with an Arrogant, Self structured, Hypocrytic and utterly nonsensical administration like USA. The only thing is no one gives a damn on my view. Well its just that its a risky business having US documents in your drawer. They may anytime come up and ask for something !! Having probably plundered most of the Oil countries and accelerating a global Terrorism phenomenon, it is now setting its eyes on an Asian superpower to stand against China and perhaps the most vulnerable soft super economic power like India.

As far as Energy needs and crisis are concerned. Stats show we will be having around 7% of power generation by 2020 from 3.@@% presently. Staking billions and country’s Defence rights is a Blunder. I dread we won’t be in an Invisible debt to US after it. I did read about the Int’l pressure one may get once in a tight situation.

Why is the Bush administration trying so hard to push India into signing this deal? Que no 2. Definitely not to reduce the oil demands. If our production doesnt go up a significant no. in 15 yrs then how can it satisfy their’s at a greater rate ? One important reason may evidently be of the Report card Bush needs to show at the end of his tenure. In reality it doesnt affect their internal system because a very few % of people actually know about it. Its not a big deal there. For us it may be a deal to Self Respect, Self Esteem and Self Confidence.

I also appreciate the the intrepidity of Dr. Manmohan Singh to take such a step so as to go ahead with the deal drafts and negotiations even when he is facing a massive opposition and his chair is in danger. Although i am fully aware this may be a political stunt but in years to come this will be taken as an example. The fact remains, whether it will be remembered as the Government that took the right step or made the Gravest mistake.

“It would be more honest to admit that the Indo-US nuclear deal is a three-in-one document comprising a civilian energy cooperation agreement with the US, de facto NPT and de facto CTBT.” This is what i read in a column of a leading Newspaper. The write up percolates from a Rajya Sabha member. President Kalam is backing the deal. The Govt. has also given Ads in leading papers with the AEC chief quoted saying something very positive abt the deal and motivating people to stand up for it. Thats good. But may possibly and likely enough be vote bank politics.

Mark Twain has wonderfully said, “It is better to deserve honors and not to have them than to have them and not deserve them.“

So we will see what happens on 22nd. Politics and Governance taking turns it seems but who knows the blanket is still in the air. Anyone can wear it.

There and Back Again.. !!

Hmm.. I have been thinking from sometime where to start? It doesnt happen often when i don’t realise where to start what to say. But alas i got the hold of the Horse’s mouth.

So There and back again. I am going back to the place which inspires me the most. The place i have visited on all the important occasions of my really mumbling, quiescent life.

Tommorow as the clock ticks 5, as the sun gets into a countdown to show itself and as the cock wakes up, I will be on the gas to Nathdwara (Shrinathji).

Going there, waiting in a long echelon of devotees, fighting to have the first glance of the LORD, and actually feeling we are something in this whole lively place called EARTH. Its a Blissful experiance i must say. The environment there is blaringly Peaceful. I don’t know whether you would understand it.

Nathdwara is also in my “Most awaited visiting places” because I get the oppurtunity to enhance on my collection of Keychains(The Story needs justice so next time) and
ofcourse the Fafda kadhi of the place. The Hot Morning Mint Tea followed by melting ‘Poha’ nd finally the Fafda. This is known as FOOD PARADISE….

Chai Garam !!!

You won’t understand until you experience it. My friend who fully opposes my view says the place is so fussy and crowded, you barely need space to breathe. Maybe, thats right. But i always wonder when i go there, “Why would more than 10,000 people come everyday just to see the half a millennium old deity’s statue.” Well the answer lies in this vivid experience of mine.

“The devotees were just waiting for the slightest glint of movement of the silver made door. All stacked in the Moti mahal. It suddenly opened. A roar erupted,”BOL JAI SHRI GIRIRAJ DHARAN KI JAI !!! and the caravan plundered the floors to enter the room to try and manage to barely if possible get a view of HIM.” There a business man was carrying his Grandson on his shoulders, shouted out the name of the deity. Everyone joined. After that the names echoed the whole place with different names of the deity which would even send sensations through the white marbled linings. After this HE himself is forced to give his Darshan one more time after the partitions is closed. THIS IS THE LOVE & FAITH THE DEVOTEES BRING…”

Surprise Surprise !!!

“Beta ! Be sure you wake up at 3.30. We need to be there by 4.30″

This was Dad to me at 12.30 A.M. when i was sitting on my pc and the time to wake up was in A.M. I had actually to confess taken up to volunteer to go with my father to receive a family friend coming from U.K. at that time. I hope i knew the circumstances in which i had to go….

Pleasant Surprise and a Joyful Mood...

4.10 A.M. – We were zooming along the deserted streets of the city and were due to reach the Airport. 4.15 A.M. – We were at the Arrival depot in the Airport. People eager to meet their beloved ones. Taxi drivers eager to get a nice NRI or a foreigner. I saw a big band of people which i supposed from a village, having some snacks (had a jolt in my stomach). The trolleys were taken in regularly to supply to the demands of luggage. Passengers were coming out continuously bringing mattresses, Laptops, big parcels, chocolates and probably anything and everything from Lourve duplicates to Lingeries.

5.05 A.M. – Damn i said, feeling very sleepy and irritated at this late arrival. Suddenly came by my side with a uncharacterstic smile. He said, “Beta see.. Pranay is just about to come out !!! “. What !!! How come ?? I mean.. This was not happening. I didn’t knew.

I HAD COME TO RECEIVE A PERSON AT 3.30 a.m. WHO I BELIEVE IS MY BROTHER AND SO DOES THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE PROVE, AND I DIDN’T KNOW IT….

It was a really really big SURPRISE i won’t forget in my life….

My Call with Nature…

The Shadow and the Transfinite river in the backdrop...

“It is only a step from boredom to disillusionment, which leads to natural self pity, which in turn leads to Chaos…”

I heard this quote somewhere and don’t care to remember where. Well my End of semester vacations have really turned out to be a Madonna with a cold, sneezing all way through, not getting that chicken soup and above all the soul feels let down. They have really been a spoil sport.. Too long.. Too Void.. Too lazy..

So here I was on a ride to relaxation. The other day when my uncle asked me “Chap, I am going for a meditation and Satsang trip with my friends to an Ashram on the banks of Narmada. Not likely your taste but, care to hop in ? ”. I was more than happy to oblidge. Not for meditation or satsang but a change. We were on a peregrination to a riverside village Charnod.

Of all the experiences I would like to recount my experience of the river.

‘For the first time in my life I had seen something as clear as this… Flowing like wind through the patches of grass.. like the Mane of the Horse in wind.. like clouds that traverse through the astronomical sky. The waves as if mountains formed for a fraction of a second and each chasing the other… So real and yet so virtual.. You could imagine the water gulping air in each of its stride.. and the white foam strewing off into clarity.

As I put my hand into the water, it sensed my occlusion, having a sixth sense as such it changed its itinerary and climbed over and swirved around the arm. Its Turbulence and enthusiasm unwavered. I then put my left feet into the water, “Gosh!! It was cool. How could it keep its cool under a shining sun. By the time I unraveled the question by my logic, my gaze fell on the vortex created at the end of my toe. It seemed so small and yet unfazed by my size. On the other side of the bank I saw women scrubing utensils, beating clothes. Some of them doing the rituals, others douching and first timers trying out different swimming styles. It seemed amusing and at the same time I felt a sudden sensation of Admiration for the river. In that few moments I had probably learned the most puzzling and Byzantine of lessons Nature has in store for us..

I Had Got more than I had asked for.. ” ’