Thursday, January 24, 2013

25th Jan

It was 25th Jan 2012, what would have made one Mr Santosh Mane , Occupation: Bus Driver with MSRTC, so agitated that he decided to drive a bus along morning streets of Pune and kill innocent lives, injure many , damaging many vehicles. The incidence shocked Pune and everyone felt for near ones of victims. Year has gone by and have we learnt lessons to avoid such incidences. Some things were done but situation is still not as it should be around bus terminuses. It was the same day when i was admitted to hospital for slip disc. somehow events are interwined with those around.

Lets not forget also following events which we need to learn lesson from in the near past
  • GB and JM Road blast which should result in more vigil against terror . Govt seems busy only making politics while coloring the terror.
  • Last year we had water situation. Nothing has done to plan for avoiding such incidences
  • Road accidents in Pune continue everywhere. 2012 we had more accidents than 2011 which has lowest as curve which was going down has again risen. MGNL is digging up roads everywhere , is PMC monitoring situation. Now that Metro construction will start we need better traffic and road management.
  • Expressway continues to kill. One can witness 2 wheelers driving in wrong direction, pedestrains crossing the expressway at ease.
  • With power crisis looming due to water scarcity in state have we prepared plan B or are we heading towards days in 04-05 of loadshedding.
  • Gang wars in pune have killed many in recent past. Does police instill fear amongst goons?
  • Passport woes continue for Pune even after shifting
  • Aadhar card scheme has not been streamlined.
  • Property tax increase of 6% is suggested, will that help towards a better city or will corruption offset this raise?
  • Do we have enough gardens, playgrounds, hospitals, community halls and similar amenieties as needed by society or are we just approving housing and commercial real estate hubs.
  • Do we have effecient public transport? or we will end up adding more private 2 and 4 wheelers. Do we have control over errant rickshaw drivers who refuse to ply as per their will.
  • Have we controlled crime against women? Is Pune anymore safe for women. Nayana Pujari accused still is at large? Darshana Tongre case still unresolved?
  • Have we controlled crime against old people? Alurkar murder is still mystery
  • Chain snatching, mugging incidences are on rise.
  • Garbage and waste management still remain big problem.
  • Rivers are polluted and we do not have any answer.
  • Trees are being cut on hills sorrounding and there is no protection.
List is long but do our rulers and we cistizens have resolve to hep us solve these making Pune a better place to live. On eve of republic day and on first anniversary of sad incidence lets pledge to contribute.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Not Required Indians


Mr Ramchandra Guha, a social historian has historical branded certain people as Internet Hindus. The derogatory sense of the definition is what irks me. It’s common for three types of people to deride such Internet Hindus. First let’s start with the definition of ‘Internet Hindus’  who are sympathisers of RSS/BJP clan, who cry pseudo secularism to be only problem for this once great country which they (those who ridicule internet hindus) believe did not exist (Indian culture dates back only till Mughal times as per these three types),   and final definition of Internet Hindu is one who posts militantly on social media/web fourms against these three types. First of these three types who deride Internet Hindus are the doyens of secular media with JNU mould, second the ruling elites who get into power by milking cash votes or vote for cash in connivance with unscrupulous business class or for newly created class of Non resident Indian who leave no stone unturned to bash India for anything that happens here and compare that with their country of residence (of course there are well meaning and patriotic Non resident Indians always supporting Indian cause). Now if I were Ramchandra Guha of my school of thoughts, I would define these people as Not Required Indians.  Though I respect Guha not as a social expert he is claimed to be but for his cricket writing. I would also like to add fourth group which subscribe to groups named as ‘I am ashamed to be Indian’ and who criticize country, people and culture being culprit for all evils of India. 

This was very prominent kind of thought process in the aftermath of the Delhi rape issue. It’s good that this case has created mass awakening. This was an event when victim was one of class 3 of people as Chetan Bhagat has classified. Class 1 is politician who rule, 2 is business people who bend rules, 3 is people who are upwardly mobile based on their education and connected to social media, and last is poor in cities and rural India. When victim was from class 4 no one bothered. There was a storm created falsely by media on speech of RSS on India Vs Bharat. What he meant was nothing to do with urban rural divide. This divide exist, there are beast amongst people in both India and Bharat. But it’s very unfortunate that these people brand whole country, people and culture as rubbish. One of such characters compared US action on guns law as ideal way to tackle issues and blamed Indian people for allowing politicians to rule them badly. These people are happy to comment from outside without doing anything about it. At least much maligned internet Hindus or ‘class3 ‘ ‘painted and dented’ ‘candle light bearers with make ups’ at least go on street ( irrespective of its utility), face police and make effective pressure on government to take some action. What 'Not required Indians' do is post offensive statements against country, people and bash those patriotically involved for all ills and quote happenings in first world and how ‘we’ are different from ‘you’ petty Indians.

Anyways I did not want to devote even a single byte for these Not Required Indians but wanted to advice them. Respect Indian values and culture. India has never gone out and killed people in order to expand its religion or lifestyle. We had abundant natural resources and we are accommodative to all and sundry who came here. That is not our weakness but greatness in humanitarian terms. Please don’t treat this as our weakness though it has led to lot of problems in today’s India. But as Indian civilization has found ways to survive millions of year we will now also. That does not mean we will just bask upon past glory but we have taken upon new technology and science. Though we have many evil issues to tackle but youth of India will overcome.  Indian culture has been blamed as misogynist, caste driven. But misogamy set in medieval times out of external influences and in ancient times women were actively involved in society.  Regarding castes, it’s the biggest challenge we face as some sections had been deprived. But isn’t it common for elites to create safe bastions for themselves all over world. Why single out India? Even in today’s world doesn’t class1 people of politicians irrespective of their birth are depriving other classes access to goo life by means of corruption? But then we are patriots, we will find ways to solve issues just as Aamir khan highlighted. Let the ‘Not required Indians’ remain not required in these efforts. Let them enjoy comfort of their own cocoon.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

13 jo tera hain


New Year is week old. Winters have set in. Normally this is a very cheerful time of the year. New resolutions are fresh and yet to be broken. Health is high on agenda.  But as they say 13 number is unlucky so has been its start.

The 16th December Delhi gang rape issue is burning.  Case has started and lone witness has raised some serious issues for government, police and aam janata. Some insensitive and some misconstrued remarks have added fuel to this sensitive issue. Pak has killed two Indian soldiers and shown true colours.  Train fares have been hiked and a large hike in diesel and LPG is due after a minor rise. Market outlook and job stats are poor. Marathi literary fest is filled with controversies as usual. Pune DP plan which serves builder interest has been passed. India has lost series against Pak. Davis cup turmoil still continues.

Nothing has gone right and there is gloom all over. Government seems to have lost all it’s connect with people. Opposition keep hitting self goals.  There is no hope, darkness is everywhere.

But we need to move ahead. We need to make difference. We must believe in ourselves. Lot of sms were floating that ‘yeh saal tera hain’ ie this year is yours (Pun intended with hindi number 13 and word ‘yours’).  Yes we should believe in this. We can make difference.

We can remove evils around. We can make difference in society. We can be more vigil and help each other out in trying situations. We can demand stronger laws. We can make us listen through new media. We can control politicians to do their tasks properly. We can conquer our shortcomings. We can try something new. We can improve the things. Lets start with self then the surrounding, city, country and world. Let us care about environment as well. Let us help those in need.

Wish you a very happy new year 13 which is yours. Ring in the new....