The Delhi Mail

A visit to Chandni Chowk

2012-04-27T01:09:00.001+05:30

MCD polls... haah!

2012-04-14T20:46:00.001+05:30

This is the election season in Delhi. And like every other time, all we get to see is bickering, manipulation, inflated expenses and high profile campaigning. What we really need is to address issues like these (see pic). This is a water-logged street of the national capital!

And this is just one pic of the sorry state of affairs! Roads are caving in, women are being raped, men are being murdered. Delhi has gone from bad to worse!

Years have passed but nothing has happened. Read somewhere that change is inevitable. Waiting to see that happen in reality...

Delhi and its weird mausam!

2012-04-13T18:19:00.001+05:30

This is the summer season but have a look at these pictures. It looks like monsoon's already here!

Jantar Mantar back to its ethereal self

2010-04-04T19:31:00.005+05:30

Jantar Mantar is not happy. When I visited, it told me there is nobody to talk to because the police removed all the protesters, thanks to Commonwealth Games. The astronomical observatory, built by the king of Jaipur in 18th century, always saw a deluge of protesters all the time. Many of them had made it their permanent residence.

"Lekin ab sab saaf kar diya hai. Ab aap logon ko koi takleef nahi hogi (Now we have cleared the place of protesters. No more trouble now),” said a beaming policeman. And the shopkeepers are happy. "Our business was on decline as none of the visitors came to our stalls/eateries. They feared that the protesters, living here permanently, would rob them." They say the move was inevitable because “Jantar Mantar is very near to the Games office”.

On March 17, at 4 pm, the police came with some trucks, sealed all the exits, started grabbing the protesters and stuffed them in the trucks along with their belongings. By 9 pm, there was no protester at Jantar Mantar. "It just took them 5 hours to clear years of mess," said an eatery owner.

While the authorities and business establishments are celebrating the clean up operation, the protesters are devastated. One or two families/groups of them, who have nowhere to go, sit there quietly staring at torn posters and broken tents. They have nothing to say.

Some protesters may not have been genuine, but others sat there for a reason. Their demands were reasonable and they wanted the government to listen to them. But now, no more camping is allowed at the site. And all the protesters can do is wait.

Women's Bill: Less equality more politics

2010-03-10T00:36:00.003+05:30

After 14 years and numerous proceedings of Parliament, the Women’s Reservation Bill cleared its first hurdle – when the Rajya Sabha passed it. But only after a lot of drama which even saw Chairman of the House and Vice President of the country being attacked by the leaders.

The government missed its date with the Bill on International Women’s Day, thanks to 'kill bill' Yadav troika – Lalu, Mulayam and Sharad Yadav. Sloganeering, ripped off mics, and torn papers were all that was left on Day 1 of the presentation of the Bill. And the Chairman of the House also had to go through humiliation; it had turned into a 'Hall Of Shame'. A jittery government too decided not to aggravate the tension and put the Bill on hold.

This led to some angry voices from the Opposition as well as allies who slammed the government for not doing its homework. So, a determined UPA government was back with the agenda in the Upper House the next day. It even ignored a threat to its stability. And it worked this time, though everyone was not happy. While UPA allies like Mamata Banerjee sulked over not been taken into confidence, Lalu and Mulayam confirmed they will formally write to President to withdraw support from the government.

But, is this Bill really going to help? Call me pessimist, but I believe reservation of all sorts is dangerous. I believe in achieving everything through hard work. If the government - or whoever - is promoting reservation, it is killing hard work, merit, and thereby excellence. Forget about Parliament. There’s reservation in education system which begins right after school. A meritorious student who is burning the midnight oil preparing for the entrance exam like engineering or medical, may lose his seat to those coming through reservation/quota system. And this may even mean no entry into on of the country’s premier institutes.

Moreover, if the student getting selected through reservation is a friend/colleague/classmate of the one who couldn’t make it through, it may strain their relationship and the effect may last for a lifetime.

And it was more than the betterment of women which led to the involvement of Sonia Gandhi in pushing the Bill through. It was sheer politics, and of course, her ego. By providing reservation to women in Parliament and state Assemblies, she and other politicians alike are undermining the achievements of women. Those who reached the helm of power, never needed reservation; even in the corporate world the women entrepreneurs who are among the most powerful persons, never reached there through reservation.

The point being raised by them is that women need equal status as men. According to me, every person is capable of reaching highest echelons of power and success without the aid of reservation. But for our netas, it's just another time for politics!

Murder tourism

2010-02-04T12:28:00.002+05:30

Yesterday, I was returning from market when I saw crowd gathered at local naala. It was a curious mix of policemen, ladies and small kids. I found it rather strange so got attracted towards it. Reaching the spot I found out that it was a murder and the cops had gathered there to take the body in their custody.

But what came as a shock was the people’s response. A few ladies, along with their kids, were anxiously looking for a perfect spot so that they can take a good look at the dead body. And they were telling their kids: "Aao tumhen laash dikhayen." I was stunned! When I first looked at the crowd I thought it's rural tourism, or eco-tourism where people are busy with some government-sponsored activity. But no, it was ‘murder tourism’ where they were enjoying the spectacle of death!

However, this is not the first time I’d seen this. A few months back when I visited Bhopal, I got that news that a 22-year-old engineering student, staying next to my apartment, had committed suicide by jumping from fourth floor. And instead of consoling his parents, one of the residents gathered there said: "Lucky lad! He died right in front of the temple!" Again, no words to describe how I felt.

Earlier, kids were asked to stay at home whenever there was a death in the neighbourhood. They were prevented from looking at the corpse. But today, call it the reality TV effect, everything has become the stuff of entertainment. Added to this are increasing individuality and growing number of nuclear families. People have become so self-centred that they do not care about someone else’s tragedy. For them, it’s just a source of amusement. I don’t know where will this end?

The trip that wasn't

2010-01-23T11:51:00.002+05:30

"Oh this damn fog!" I said and hung up. It was 4 in the morning. I had called up the Railway enquiry to know the schedule of the train I had to catch. I was told the train is running late by two hours from its scheduled time of 6 am.

I was so excited. After all, I was going to attend my best friend's wedding and our whole group was going to attend. But fates had determined something else. Cursing the fog, I slipped under my quilt once again, but could not sleep. 'This means I won’t be able to meet my friends? This means no masti?' The thoughts were making me uncomfortable. While I was thinking all this, I remembered the argument I had with my father.

He had warned me about the fog in and around Delhi and had said that the schedules of almost all the trains and flights have gone haywire. But an ignorant soul as I am, I never paid heed to what he said. My father also told me not to choose a train which leaves Delhi in morning as it'll never make it on time. But again, I refused to listen to him. And here I was, paying the price.

Veering through all this, I looked at the watch. It was 6 in the morning now. I called up the Railway enquiry again, hoping to hear some good news. But alas! I was told the train is now more than 6 hours late as yesterday's rake is yet to arrive. My friend's wedding was in the evening and I'd thought that I'll reach by afternoon. But now, all my plans were derailed! I tried to sleep again, but couldn't.

With a glimmer of hope, I picked up the phone again at 8 am. But no. The same, boring voice said the train is getting late by the hour. Frustrated and cursing the Railways, I banged the phone and chose the better option: To cancel my ticket! I turned around and saw my father smiling. We didn’t exchange any words and I left the room quietly. But the message was clear - that my father had the last laugh!

Homeless in Delhi

2010-01-20T20:56:00.004+05:30

Clad in frayed woolens, draped in thin quilts and huddled around small fires, the homeless people in Delhi have to battle the harsh weather conditions - and sometimes police beatings - trying to survive.

The national capital has lakhs of homeless people and a majority of them camp outdoors throughout the year - sleeping on pavements, rickshaws, flyovers, under the bridges and in parks. And in the prevailing harsh winters, they battle all odds armed with just a couple of quilts and a few woolens.

They have nowhere to go, and no one to listen to their cries. But now, in a positive step the Supreme Court has asked the Delhi government to ensure adequate shelters, blankets, and water facilities to these people and to protect them from chill.

This direction is a positive step towards helping the homeless people, and a wake-up call to Municipal Corporation of Delhi on shelters. But what didn’t happen in so many years, will it happen this time? The need of the hour is to empower the homeless so that they can take up issues affecting them on their own. An institution like the Supreme Court can provide immediate relief to the destitute but a concrete step is needed so that they can lead a respectable life.

Currently, the shelters provided by the Delhi government to house these people are ill-maintained and inadequate in number.

Let's hope that instead of healing their wounds with warmth of words in the biting winter cold, the order results in providing shelters to all of the capital’s homeless.

A day out in Delhi

2010-01-18T02:25:00.002+05:30

Delhi, with its fast-paced life and mechanical and human traffic, can be confronting and confounding for the first-time visitor. But for me, it's my home - a truly multidimensional metropolis. Scratch beyond its coarse and boorish surface and you will discover that India’s capital is sprinkled with enchanting ancient monuments, magnificent museums and some of the yummiest places to eat.

So today, I decided to discover the soul of the city that is engrossing as it is exasperating; a mix of ostentatious wealth and inescapable poverty; and is calm yet noisy.

My day began with a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb in soft morning light. And the winter fog and chill made it a memorable experience. An architectural marvel, the elegant red and white mausoleum - also known as Purana Qila - is an ideal getaway from crowd and routine life. The peace and serenity of the place was a breathtaking experience - something which will stay in my memory forever.

After spending a few hours at the place, I reluctantly decided to move on. As I reached the main gate, I was jolted out of my thoughts by loud honking. It was Delhi’s famous traffic mayhem! In a bid to get away from there, I jostled my way through the crowd and reached the bus stop. It was after a long time that I took a bus ride and my destination was Connaught Place.

Connaught Place takes me back to the golden days of Delhi. While the handicraft outlets and bangle market still give you that rustic feeling, the quirky T-shirts and contemporary Indian art at Janpath reinforce the modernity of the metropolis. Looking at the British designed buildings, house to some of the costliest shops and office space in the country, competing with the new wave of mall culture is truly alluring.

It was now time step back centuries at the Red Fort, in the heart of Old Delhi. Strolling down the souvenir arcade, I marveled at the inlaid marble at Diwan-e-Khaas; it is an experience which cannot be described in words.

Roaming around so much makes you hungry. So, I headed to Chadni Chowk - to indulge myself in the pleasures of different flavours of paranthas and sinful sweets. Heading back through the labyrinthine market, I went on a trip down memory lane - to the time when I used to come to my uncle's place, and the chaat I used to savour. On my way back, I also saw Jama Masjid - the sandstone and white-marble masterpiece of Islamic architecture. There is a superb view of Delhi from its gallery.

I was exhausted now. Though I wanted to visit more places, but my body started aching. So, I boarded the bus and came back home. But the experience was memorable.

Commonwealth Games: Delhi's acid test

2010-01-16T22:54:00.000+05:30

The Commonwealth Games is a multinational, multi-sport event. Held every four years, it involves the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. Organising the world-class event involves a lot of hard work and commitment. And this year, it’s Delhi’s chance to prove to the international community that it can perform its duty efficiently.

The beginning, however, has not been rosy for Delhi. As the deadline approaches, there are increasing concerns that the venues won’t be ready in time and India will have to face embarrassment at the international level. Reports of incomplete stadia, unprepared organising committee and unfinished work on some key projects made the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Michael Fennell nervous and in a tizzy and its president rushed to Delhi to tke stock of the situation.

Then, it was the turn of allegations and counter allegations between the Indian officials and the CGF members. While CGF Secretary Mike Hooper was 'abused', there was a clear difference of opinions between Fennell and Indian Olympic Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi. And what they forgot during the fight was the image of the country.

The matter was finally sorted out with the intervention of the Prime Minister himself and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. She assured the worried lot of people that Delhi will be ready in time.

And taking inspiration from the Beijing Olympics held last year, the Delhi government, too, is keen to display its commitment towards the conservation of environment to the world. It plans to introduce ‘hybrid’ electric buses during the Commonwealth Games to be held in October 2010.

There are other plans as well, like making saddi Dilli free of street vendors; making the traffic smooth; penalising those who spit on the roads etc. This means, the Delhi government has undertaken Herculean task to tell Delhiites to behave! This is surely going to be a tough task.

But in order to make the Games a success – or any other international even for that matter – the government has to change its image. They always say this, but it never happens. All we can hope for is that it happens the same way they are saying.

Recent reports that work has progressed gives relief to the people. And the government now has to ensure that the Commonwealth Games do not become international embarrassment, and next time India is entrusted with organising the Olympics.

Oh, winter

2010-01-14T20:19:00.000+05:30

Hello friends! It has been a while since I posted anything on my blog. Well, blame it on the season; it’s too damn cold in Delhi! And then there’s fog. For anyone who has to be out on the roads for some reason or the other, driving is a nightmare! A drastic reduction in visibility has led to slowing down of vehicular traffic, delaying trains and disrupting flight operations in the capital.

A look at the temperature in the city: The maximum temperature recorded in Delhi in the past 24 hours was 16.2 degrees Celsius, 4.8 degrees below normal; the minimum temperature in the past 24 hours was 8 degrees Celsius. Now it is understandable why my fingers were just not listening to me!

And according to the Meteorological Department, these conditions will continue for the next two days. But now, I promise that I’ll pull up my socks and be more regular in updating the website. For now, enjoy the winters!

Is Google India biased?

2010-01-07T18:55:00.005+05:30

Well, this happened by chance. I was searching Google for information on Pakistan; typed 'Pakistan is...' in the search engine bar and the following suggestions were shown just below the search field:

Then, I decided to do the same thing with the keywords 'India is...' and the results were just too funny not to share:

So, is the search engine giant biased or is it really the fact that the sharp contrast between the two countries who started together have grown over the years so much?

Time to wake up, Raj

2009-10-10T11:13:00.002+05:30

When you are born in a family that holds considerable political clout, it becomes difficult for you to carry their legacy forward. And you try really hard to be up to the mark.

Raj Thackeray is facing a similar situation. The nephew of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray wants to establish himself as a independent, firebrand leader and a true son of the Maharashtrian soil. That is why he quit his uncle’s party and formed his own radical Hindu outfit, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). And the forthcoming Maharashtra Assembly election is his first real test.

So, a desperate Raj is doing all he can to pass the test with distinction. And he is going to any extent to stir the emotions of the people of Maharashtra. Be it the Bihari migration issue, or use of the term Bombay in Karan Johar’s latest flick, Raj is not ready to leave the battleground without putting up a decent fight. He has hijacked the Marathi manoos issue.

But what Raj is not realising is that such exasperated moves are not going to help him win the game. A Mumbaikar doesn’t care if he is called a Bambaiya or a Mumbaiite. Even for a Maharashtrian, a dialogue from a film is not going to change anything. What they need are real changes.

For a city battered by the deadly 26/11 attacks, what matters is that its borders are secure; for people who lost crores in the recent financial onslaught, they need stability; farmers of the Vidarbha region who lost their lives due to poor crop and scanty rainfall, need a continued source of livelihood and a secure future.

Instead of talking about these issues, Raj Thackeray is crying hoarse about non-issues. His not talking in English during an interview, or beating up a group of North Indians in Mumbai, are not going to help him in his political journey. Raj must remember – politics is not about naam ke wastey, it’s about kaam ke wastey!

...and the tweets go on

2009-10-04T23:43:00.000+05:30

Elections or no elections, our politicians always make it a point to grab the eyeballs. And more often than not, it’s for the wrong reasons.

When Congress leader the Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor tweeted, it snowballed into a major controversy. In a rather off-the-cuff remark, Mr Tharoor wrote on Twitter that he is happy to travel ‘cattle class’ in solidarity with the 'holy cows’.

His remarks came in reply to a journalist’s question about the Congress’ ongoing austerity drive. But the party, which is literally worshipping its ‘go austere’ campaign these days, took these remarks in bad taste and called them insensitive. The party also distanced itself from his remarks.

An avid tweeter, Congress’ remarks came as a stern warning for the UN-returned politic, who later apologised to the public saying his tweet was ‘just a humorous comment and nothing else’.

After the incident, one would have thought that Mr Tharoor would take a while to come to terms with the setback and would be cautious in his future tweets. But no. After a few days, he tweeted again – and this time about Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.

In his latest tweet, which came on Gandhi Jayanti, Mr Tharoor wrote that there is no need for a holiday on this day as for Gandhiji preached ‘work is worship’. This, too, was given thumbs down by the Congres who dubbed the comment as ‘his personal views’.

What I don’t understand is why make a fuss about such things when our politicians have much better things to do? What happened to someone’s freedom of speech? Why is politics taking over a man’s words? What Mr Tharoor said might have hurt some sentiments, but everyone has a right to express his or her opinion. Wonder Mr Tharoor answer this question in his next tweet.

Summer of '09

2009-06-27T11:35:00.001+05:30

I got my first real heat stroke

On a bike out in the sunshine

Fell down and got a bleeding nose

It was the summer of '09

Me and my folks got worried

Got at doc's who gave a li'l shot

Told me to better not hurry

And lie down for quite a while

'Oh!' I said and looked outside

The summer seems to last forever

And if I had a choice

Ya, I'd never wanna be there

Those were the worst days of my life

I knew it's no use complainin'

When you got a shot to prove

Spent my evenin's down on a bedding

And that's when I cursed YOU (God)!

Standin in pyjamas and shorts

Told the God it's now or never

Oh you either kill the man

or give him li'l time to wander

Those were the worst days of my life

Metro in East Delhi: A boon for commuters

2009-06-22T12:52:00.000+05:30

Summer has been pretty hard for the people in North India, especially Delhi. Temperatures have been touching new highs almost every day. And to further aggravate the problems, there are power cuts and water shortage. The people of Delhi are really facing tough time and everyone prefers to stay at home to avoid the scorching heat.

But call it my youthful bravado or a penchant to check out the latest development in the city, I decided to take a ride on the Metro, boarding it from the newly-opened Metro station at Yamuna Bank in East Delhi. Metro coming the East Delhi was be a boon for its residents who have to fight a war daily just to make it in time at their respective destinations. Commuting has been a huge problem here with almost every mode of transport running packed and traffic moving at a snail’s pace during peak hours.

So I was pretty happy that finally, Metro has made its way to the eastern part of the capital. And reading about the station and the infrastructure the DMRC has put in here, the journalist inside pushed me to take a ride.

The brand new Yamuna Bank Metro station that has come up across the grand old river has been positioned strategically, no doubt. Away from the main road the entry to the station makes a person feel at ease. Though somewhat long, the road is well maintained with auto rickshaws ready to serve you so that you don’t have to face the heat.

But as soon as you enter the station a wall of chaos hits you. Despite the tall promises by the government that the premises has a very large parking area and can accommodate up to 400 cars, there is virtually no space. Plus the staff present there is not ready to co-operate. All they have to say is the place gets occupied very fast, especially by the office-goers who park their vehicles for the whole day. Agreed that the Metro was a much-needed transport mode for East Delhi, the crowd has clearly surpassed the expectations of the planners.

Talking about the station, the construction is up to the mark. And going by the speed with which the DMRC is completing its projects – this station has been made operational five months before the scheduled time -- it needs to be appreciated.

With the opening of the Yamuna Bank station will ease the pressure on the existing lines of the Metro as commuters from East Delhi can come directly to the Yamuna Bank rather than interchange at Kashmere Gate and Rajiv Chowk.

The new stretch is likely to reduce the load off roads at the Nizamuddin and ITO bridges, which are major bottleneck points in terms of traffic, especially during the peak hours.

Rush hour at DU on last day of admission

2009-06-16T21:05:00.000+05:30

It was the last day for submitting the admission forms for the Delhi University, and the city was sweating it out – literally. Standing in queue in the scorching summer, the parents and their wards were waiting for their turn. Though the university had made elaborate arrangements, the blistering heat wave was too much to handle.

Still, there were dreams in those twinkling eyes. Coming out fresh from schools, the students were hoping to get admission in one of the prestigious colleges and for a bright future. And this heat was nothing compared to the grilling they went through while preparing for scores above nineties. They went through the guelling study schedules and attended the coaching centres all year long for this one moment -- to get admission in the college of their choice.

Keeping the above thing in mind, DU offered two types of forms. A common pre-admission form gives a chance to students to apply in as any colleges and courses as they want. Plus some colleges have their separate forms. So, some students filled multiple forms so as to minimise the chances of rejection. Also, there were helplines set up by the varsity to address all the queries of the students.

Along with the regular forms, there are also the OMR forms, which will be scanned by the computer. After the exercise is over, the university will send the details of all the respective applications to different colleges. Now, all eyes are fixed on June 25 when the colleges will announce their first cut-off list.

Thank God elections are over!

2009-05-19T13:25:00.000+05:30

“I thank the people of my country to give us this opportunity to serve them for the coming five years. I humbly take the responsibility of becoming the Prime Minister and promise that after today (May 16), I and UPA chairperson Ms Sonia Gandhi will work in harmony to provide a stable government at the Centre,” BJP leader L K Advani said and together with Sonia Gandhi raised the sign of victory.

It was a historic day for India as after the election results both the BJP and the Congress have joined hands to form the government. The TV anchors were screaming at the top of their voice and surprised, stunned and shocked, I was nodding my head. ‘This can’t be happening? What kind of a decision is this? BJP and Congress are coming together? This can’t be happening,’ I was murmuring to myself.

Suddenly, the alarm clock buzzed and I was out of my dream. God knows how long it has been ringing for. When I saw the clock, it said 6:00 am. “O God! I’m late for the office!” I jumped out of the bed, recalling the marathon meeting we had at our office the previous day to discuss the preparations for May 16 -- the Counting Day. The dream was a result of that. I’ve been thinking about the elections too much. And today was May 16 and I was supposed to reach the office sharp at 6:00 am. But the month-long election coverage has left me exhausted and due to the tiredness, I woke up late.

When I reached the office, I was amazed to see the place. It was a Saturday and was supposed to be a quiet day as most of the office staff is at home. But May 16 was different. The place was abuzz with what would happen during the day. Hurriedly, I took my seat wondering I would be asked questions about getting late. But, to my surprise, nobody said a word. Everyone was busy. As soon as I sat in my chair, one of my colleagues came to me with some ‘very important work’, which later turned out to be keeping an eye on the TV just to see if there’s any update.

Well, the day began at a busy note. As soon as the counting began, there were lot of things that needed attention. Plus the boring speeches from our leaders about what they think of the result. Every politician had same words. I thought there’s no point in picking up every bit of information. But everything was just so ‘important’ that day. You can’t refuse because all your seniors are prepared to scream the moment they hear the word ‘No’. So, the work kept on piling up and the day just won’t end! Suddenly, I felt there are more than 24 hours in the day. I was present in the office since morning and now the Sun was about to set. I felt like the ever-present God of my office who saw everyone leave the office in the evening, but staying back himself.

Finally, the counting ended. The picture became clear that the Congress-led would be forming the next government, and the BJP and its allies were ready to sit in the Opposition. Its leaders have accepted defeat. Now began the tedious job of getting the statistics right. And the TV guys began their marathon rounds of telling the audience the various permutation and combinations ahead of the government formation. ‘Curse them!’ I murmured. I thought there was no going home today.

But then, I heard the magical words, “You can now go home”. The words sounded like ‘Open sesame’, which finally give you the hidden treasure. I heaved a sigh of relief and began packing for home. Though my dream of Congress and BJP making the government together was shattered by the bitter reality, I was happy that the counting got over without any hassles.

General election 2009: The lighter side

2009-05-14T14:29:00.001+05:30

The elections are over. And with this, the loudspeakers have fallen silent, the microphones have no more voices, and the frenzy is gone. No more rallies to be seen, no more door-to-door campaigns, and no more tall promises. Some politicians are taking rest –even applying ice to their soaring throats, which cried hoarse either for themselves or for their party candidates.
But what have begun, though, are interesting rounds of negotiations and sweet talks. As the deadline to the final result approaches, nervous parties are making last-ditch effort to place their pharaoh at the Mecca of country’s politicians – Parliament. And in this race to crown the primus inter pares, better known as the Prime Minister, leaders are exploring new frontiers or crossing over to new camps. This is being done because Left or Right, all of them want to be at the Centre.

Some of these efforts were taking place even in the campaign time or during the run up to the elections. Politics, they say, is a field where anything is possible. And to prove it, BJP’s saffron soldier Narendra Modi walked up to Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar and together held his hand high in the air -- a clear case of political maneuvering. But is it right for a leader like Nitish havinf secular credentials, to share the dais with a Right wing ideologue? The Bihar Chief Minister tried to douse the fire by saying Modi forced a handshake which he couldn’t refuse. Well, a not so secular statement.

Faced with the reality of their base waning away, a ‘dejected’ SP general secretary Amar Singh threw yet another spanner by saying that he would retire on May 13 due to ‘health concerns’. However, it was a safe bet on Amar Singh’s part to never reveal the year! Waiting for a Congress nod and facing tough challenge by Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party, it seemed an emotional outburst.

The elections got a yet another emotional touch by SP leader Jaya Prada who is locked in a battle with party colleague Azam Khan. As their fight turned bitter, the former Bollywood actor resorted to her acting skills and soon, the nation heard about Jaya Prada could commit suicide if she loses the polls due to the ongoing feud. Though the statement was issued by party general secretary Amar Singh and did not get approval from Jaya Prada herself, it provided a lot of food for the gossip-hungry nation and kept them glued to their TV sets.

The Left Front, too, joined the chorus though in different voices. While CPM leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee hinted towards a possibility of coming close to Congress after polls, fellow comrade and party general secretary Prakash Karat made his stand clear of staying away from the Congress party even after the results are out. This was indeed a bold word from a party whose numbers have decreased considerably in the last few years. They have received jolt in even their home turf of West Bengal.

And not to forget, the rift between Pranab Mukherjee and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was also the highlight of these elections. Lalu had said in a rally in Bihar that the PM candidate of the UPA would be decided only after the elections. To which Pranab took umbrage and reportedly said in that case there would be a question mark on whether Lalu Prasad would be in the UPA government after the Lok Sabha polls. Pranab later sought to end the controversy citing his ‘poor Hindi’ for the confusion. It could have been a battle royale, but Pranab da’s clever balancing act extinguished the fire.

Election time is the period when our politicians are seen in their true colours. But in this era of uncertainty, all they are trying to do is to hold their pack together.

No pappu factor for Delhi as 53% cast votes

2009-05-09T11:35:00.000+05:30

Delhi went to polls on May 7. And it was the best occasion for a journalist like me to tread the length and breadth of the city so as to get the ground-level information. And to add to the excitement, it was time for me to cast my vote.

My day began as early as 7 am, when the polling was scheduled to begin. Standing outside a poll booth, I was thinking that there won’t be any crowd so early in the morning. But I was wrong. Many of the morning walkers started pouring in as the clock ticked the exact time. They were the responsible citizens of Delhi who exercised their franchise in the wee hours.

I was surprised to see the crowd. Despite so many issues and problems, why were the people coming out to vote?

“See, there is no country without problems. But voting is our fundamental right and we should exercise it. If we do not vote, our country is not going to progress,” said P C Mahapatra, 36-year-old businessman from IP Extension area.

And it was not just the middle class of the society that was showing its interest in voting. The positive mood was evident in other segments also. “We should exercise our franchise; there is no excuse for that. But it should not be based on hearsay. Do what you have to do,” said Vinod Kumar, an auto driver.

I was feeling a sense of pride after listening to these words. Even after so much our country has gone through, people are still hopeful of change. Even the first-time voters like Abhinav, 21-year-old college student, do not feel let down by what has happened till now and feels that 'everyone should vote so as to give the country a better future'.

And their strong will resulted in a rise in polling percentage with about 53 per cent of Delhi voters exercising their right to vote.

Dhaba for a PhD scholar

2009-05-03T11:39:00.000+05:30

What would you do if you had a doctorate degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University? Go abroad? Apply for lectureship? How about opening a dhaba? Well, it may sound weird, but an ex-student has done that...

This story was first published at NDTV.com. For full story, click here.

An Amarnath diary: Testing faith

2009-04-25T09:00:00.000+05:30

They say a nose for news invariably leads you into the thick of things. But I found myself heading north to Amarnath last year, not as a scribe eager to pencil details of the current turmoil. I was, in fact, well on my way when the latest controversy over land began. I went to Amarnath as many Indians do - it has become the Holy Grail for those who want to test their faith by taking on the elements.

Youthful bravado and a need to push my endurance? Or new-found faith in God? Whichever, I was on my way. Spiritual quest apart, I was excited at the opportunity to visit Kashmir, which had earned the sobriquet 'Heaven on Earth'. To my generation, growing up to the reality of a terror-torn state, a visit to Kashmir is not quite as simple as a visit to any other Indian state. When you visit "heaven" you really plan for it.

However, heaven greeted me with an eerie silence. People looked jaded, sad and devoid of any happiness. Srinagar, the enchanting and energetic destination of tourist brochures, Hindi movies of the late sixties was as dead as cold snow.

The city clearly bore the imprints of a long history of violence. The markets were flooded with armed forces personnel and even in the time of peace, shopping at the place felt like being in a terror camp.

What should have been a boom time for business was actually a doom time. It was obvious that the powers that be had little time to waste on such mundane matters, when an issue as pressing as the coming elections was looming.

My 48-hour stay in Srinagar was well spent as I visited all the important tourist destinations like the Dal Lake, Hazrat Bal shrine, Shalimar Garden and Tulip Garden.

Later, I left for Baltal-one of the starting points of the Amarnath yatra. Pilgrims gather here in groups, stay in tents and are led on by their collective faith to soldier on in inhospitable terrain to reach the abode of their deity.

I ascended steadily and realised that the place was really beautiful. Splendid trees, enchanting views, breathtaking heights and mesmerising Valleys appropriately adorned it.

Then, after a few kilometres, the trek became tough. As I was moving very fast, I started breathing heavily. Fatigue took me over and I sat down. While resting, I overheard two other young pilgrims discussing the Kashmir Valley and its various problems. Like me, they too were visiting the Valley for the first time and were clearly not happy at what they had seen. Lack of infrastructure was making things worse.

We talked about how all the news reports that emanated out of here did not talk about a sense of kinship between members of different communities. About the burning land donation issue and how much more political these things were than social. On the way, Kashmiris offered a glimpse into their lives. Tough lives. About the ground realities in and the agonies of Kashmir. It was heartrending.

Against my will, inside me an urgency battled the stillness that spirituality seeks. A rebellion was beginning to boil. Because there is a difference between hearing and reading about the travails of the people of Kashmir and actually witnessing it. Because those in power were just not listening. The violence of everyday struggle is grosser than the violence of the periodic terror strikes that the people have come to expect.

I met a soldier guarding the route. He talked about how politics was ruining a matter of faith. People, regardless of community, were terror -struck and the government was fast losing control.

I moved ahead, slowed by thinner air and the burden of my thoughts. I was dejected, deflated, nowhere near the high that I should have been at. The 14-km trek took me through filth and purity, animosity and spirituality, highs and lows. So when I finally reached the holy cave, I thanked God for making it possible.

As a first -time trekker, the mountainous terrain was difficult for me. The conversations enroute made the Amarnath yatra became a memorable experience. I was moving toward the cave thinking about all that I had heard and seen. Instead of God, I was visualising terror. Unfair, and I blamed the people who should have made it better rather than fritter it all away.

Climbing the stairs to my destination, it became clear to me that the road to God is not an easy one.

A road less travelled

2009-04-24T07:00:00.000+05:30

Away from the chaotic streets of Delhi, lies Yamuna Pushta road which once held the proud distinction of being the only connecting link between Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway station and Mayur Vihar. It was the road which used to help a large number of commuters, especially cyclists and scooter riders, to reach Ring Road by the shortest route free of any charge.

A world within a world existed in Yamuna Pushta. It was also host to migrants from small towns and villages of Uttar Pradesh who are settled there who worked closely with the community, bringing about immense positive change in the lives of the residents. But it all changed a few years back.

When the government of Delhi, in collaboration with the Japanese government, constructed the Indo-Japan Friendship Bridge – better known as the Nizamuddin Bridge – this road lost its relevance. Now there was no need for any temporary arrangement. So, the pontoon bridge was discarded and the Nizamuddin Bridge became the primary link to the Railway station.

But this did not affect the spirit of the people living near the Yamuna pusta road. For these 2,000-odd people, it’s life as usual. Many of these come here from places like Badaun (Uttar Pradesh) for about a year. But these people have created a whole new world for themselves. From temple to school; nurseries to farming, they have everything they need to lead their lives.

These villagers live like a close-knit family, helping out each other. When I reached there, it was a warm welcome for me. Sipping tea offered to me by one of the villager, I came to know that they are primarily engaged in farming and nursing the plants. The vegetables these villagers grow here are sold in the nearby markets.

As I wandered inside, I found a Ram temple. Built several years ago, it has attracted a lot of devotees over the years. I entered the premises and spoke about the area to the priest present there.

"This temple is 25 years old and I have been the caretaker from the beginning. I want to tell you that over the years, it has seen a steady growth in the number of devotees. Though the road is closed those who believe in this temple, are still visiting regularly," the priest said.

I was enjoying my stay there as the area was so close to the metropolis, yet so quiet and so pure. The area lies just across the Mayur Vihar main road, but as one crosses the road it’s a whole new experience. From the sky high buildings and highly polluted environment, where Metro Rail is adding to it, coming at this place was a refreshing change.