Year of Perplexity

As the Decade of the 2010s is coming to an end its the time to reflect on what we have seen and wonder what lies ahead in the 2020s. This blog existed throughout this decade if you would like to ruminate over the views over most of the events in this decade. Climate Change is an issue of concern as we faced extremes resulting in loss and devastation. Economies are sluggish as trade war has made its impact. Polarization is extreme across most civilized countries of the globe.  The Middle East keeps on burning to result in new threats of war and terror.  On the other hand, we found the enormous change in lives thanks to SMAC:   Social Media, Mobility, Cloud and Analytics. AI and Machine learning have opened up new horizons as well as created new threats.   Hope we find ourselves placed better on 31^st Dec 2029 than what we are today. Are we better than what we were on 31^st Dec 2009? I still remember ending of 80s decade (on a star-studded night camped at Rajmachi under stars with friends, 90s (located at Kasauni in the Himalayas experiencing the chill). On 31^st Dec 2009, I was in Colombo. It just seems yesterday as I today write this overlooking NYC

30 minutes

When India won a closely fought ODI series vs west indies, last of the assignments of 2019, Virat Kohli said in the post-match presentation that India dominated all the year except those fateful 30 minutes on 9th July. In those 30 mins, India lost the top four batsmen and India's weak underbelly which was not tested till that date thanks to dominant performances of the top order and wrong selection/management issues were exposed. And thus went down the dreams of million Indian fans who wanted to win ICC trophy which they sought after for eight years after that memorable Mumbai night. 

The decade of 2010 also comes to an end with team India dominating all three formats. In Tests, India is a settled unit. In Limited overs still, we struggle to find the perfect combination which we tried to find after WC2011.

To summarize 2019, the most important highlight is the emergence of the all-conquering bowling unit across all three formats.

Mughal and Google

The golden sun rays finally hit the divine atmosphere of the temple where Ram had spent his entire night with a troubled mind. The golden sun rays clearing off the mist encouraged Ram to wake up and end the dilemma churning in his mind throughout the course of the night. He stepped out of the temple. A strong breeze was mingling around him. It was as if, the breeze had the purpose of clearing the view so that Ram could see the taller core fort rising inside mountainous walls of the main fort clearly. It was a serene early morning ambiance. Clouds were drifting across the valley comprising of fields, rivers and villages spread till the distant mountains. For a moment, Ram felt he was in heaven with the Gods .This view surged a sense of belonging within In the midst of this beautiful early morning atmosphere, why is Ram’s mind restless? It was sunny outside, but it was stormy within Ram’s inner mind. Well, it was a clear decision till yesterday. But was it all about the place where he was or was it about some strange guilt lying somewhere down for no apparent logical reason. But then why was this confusion? His mind zoomed past events in his young life.

शंभर वर्षांचे राज्य

स्वातंत्र्य मिळाले . सरकारे आली , गेली व येऊ शकत नाहीत हे पण झाले . शंभर वर्षे मराठी मनावर जे राज्य चालू आहे ते मात्र अबाधित आहे आणि पुढची अनेक वर्षे राहणार हे नक्की मग मुख्यमंत्री कोणीही असो . 

Dramayana

Shirpa’s father in Saaksh episode of ‘ Varyavarchi  Varaat’  says to the judge in court :” Ravan Kidnapped Seeta , so Ram killed Ravan with help of Hanuman. Does this describe Ramayan? “. He then starts describing story of Ramayana right from Ayodhya King Dashrath, ends up with some hilarious anecdotes with modern context on Putrakameshti Yagna (Putra ka Mistake), Seeta harping on Ram to go behind golden deer (you cannot keep any women happy and away from clothes shopping be it Seeta), Manthara, Vibhishan (first person to change political party, Hanuman (to burn houses of third party).  What an amazing acting (PL did it in Varyavarchi Varaat) and writing by P L Deshpande.

 See the Saaksh episode here https://youtu.be/PPraqWW3lRU

And what a coincidence here that after doing Varyavarchi Varaat ( http://nayakgiri.blogspot.com/2019/09/blog-post.html) here in Connecticut, one of the organizers of Desi around Connecticut Diwali event, Durgesh Joshi one day called me to discuss possibility of doing a play based on Ekshloki Ramayan. It’s a Sanskrit Shlok describing Ramayana in single verse.

आदौ रामतपोवनाद- िगमनं : Once Ram went to Forest

हत्वा मृगं काञ्चनं : (there) he chased and killed the Golden Deer

वैदेहीहर- ं जटायुमरणं : Meanwhile Sita (his wife) was abducted (by Ravana) and Jatayu (a bird) was killed

सुग्रीवस- म्भाषणम् : Ram spoke with Sugriva

बालीनिग- रहणं : Killed Bali (unrighteous brother of Sugriva)

समुद्रत- णं लंकापुरी दाहनं: Crossed the ocean and burnt Lanka (Ravan’s city)

पश्चाद्र- वण कुम्भकर्ण हनन: (Ram) Later killed Ravan and (his brother) Kumbhkaran

मेतद्ध- रामायणम्: This is the story of Ramayana

Then I remembered that Saaksh episode from VaryaVarchi Varaat and after discussion we agreed to develop entire story. Another Organizer Upendra Watve suggested we have a Sanskrit play based on Ramayana.  We discussed eternally and finally reached a concept where we start the play from Kaikeyi Varam( Boon granted by Dashrath to Keikeyi in Dev Danav War) and end with Raavan wadh. We would also include Sanskrit in it. Introduce multilingual action by using South Indian songs. Then we should have dance sequences to give it Firodiya kind of feel (Firodiya Trophy is Intercollege competition in Pune of performing arts intertwined with drama).  Then there was a bomb shell: We should do it with Kids. And then we should do final play on 19^th( only 20 days in hand). A final constraint was about having two practice locations: One in Rocky Hill and other South Windsor so we needed two directors.  Facing these daunting challenges, we decided to go ahead with full devotion and faith in Ram Lalla. So we began with Jai Shree Ram slogan. Lets divide my experience which I have named as Dramayana in four stages or kands just as they say in Ramayana.

Happy Diwali

These are the times that could perplex even Einstein. Everything is Relative. Success Vs Failure, Individualism Vs Collective Will, Free Market Vs Welfare Economy, Nationalism Vs Globalization, Religion Vs Atheism,  Man Vs Climate,  Dixit Vs Divekar. Even Seasons are confused. But one thing is Absolute and Unchanged: Happiness in Diwali. Be in happy state of mind this Diwali and beyond along with  close ones.  Also make others Happy this Diwali. Happy Diwali 2019……

Judgement Day

 

In a jam-packed hall, public awaits the decision. Judges raises the Gavel:

Order! Order! Order!

And the verdict is…..

It is not a court scene out of a potboiler movie, It was a new fun filled experience for me to judge a Talent show organized for Indian community in Connecticut.

This concept based on the line of America’s got talent was implemented for the first time at DesisAroundRockyhillCT group. I was invited along with Mr Prashant Soni (Music) and Ms Kamaliaka Neogi (Dance). I represented the Drama side.  Kirti and Amol More were key organizers on behalf of Desis Group and it was a well-managed well thought about event.

I had in past judged Drama contests, Art performances, Elocution. But as a combination it was a new experience. For me the key parameters were: how good the contestant presented his talent as a package? , how well he/she connected with the  audience?  And finally how good was talent itself.

I had a deep urge to act like Anu Malik on Indian Idol.  But when putting on judging parameters on the performance of judges themselves, I am sure that would have eliminated me in the first round itself.  That’s true for many judges on mainstream who maybe have been directed to do all buffoonery on stage. This does not add up ladies and gentlemen. So my advice to some judges on mainstream is: Control …(la Nana Patekar)

Happy Dussehra

Lets try to score a perfect 10 on this Vijayadashami.  As we commonly know that the best player in the team wears number 10. So lets get best. Best is the highest you can reach in each test you appear in your life. And the best part also is that you are the examiner who will grade your own self. So being best is your choice and your own judgement. Let no one else define those standards for you. So be best, be happy and cross the limits of being good or better this Dussehra, Happy Dussehra to you.

 

अमेरिकेच्या मातीच्या कणातली वरात

अमेरिकेच्या मातीच्या कणा कणात शेक्सपिअर आहे आपले आजचे प्रमुख पाहुणे  जेंव्हा भारताच्या मातीच्या कणा कणात जातील तोच खरा सुदिन. पु ल हे ऐकून दचकतात. आपली ओळख करून देताना जर कोणी असे म्हणत असेल तर काय करावे त्यांनी ? इथे उभ्या महाराष्ट्रात  ते बघताना प्रेक्षाकांमध्ये हशा. तसाच हशा आपण त्याच अमेरिके च्या मातीत पिकवू शकू का? अमेरिकेचे सदाशिव पेठ ज्याला म्हणता येईल अश्या न्यू  इंग्लंड भागातील कनेक्टिकट राज्यात वाऱ्या वरची वरात बसवताना अनेक प्रश्न . बाकी काही म्हणा पु लंच्या साहित्यात सदाशिव पेठेला वेगळेच स्थान आहे म्हणून न्यू  इंग्लंड ला सदाशिव पेठ म्हणालो. इथले अमेरिकन लोक वेगळे आणि बाकीचे इतर असे समजतात हाही एक योगायोग

मराठी मंडळाच्या प्रतिनिधींनी व्हॉट्स ऍप्प च्या माध्यमातून दिलेल्या आव्हानाला  होय म्हणालो  खरे पण ते आपण पेलू शकु का ही शंका होती. अमेरिकेत मराठी मंडळे नेहमींच नाटके करतात. महाराष्ट्रातून अनेक रंगकर्मी इथे येऊन प्रयोग करतात. मग त्यात नवीन काय किंवा त्याबद्दल  तुम्हाला का सांगावे ? आणि असेही नाही कि आम्ही आमचे उभे आयुष्य रंगभूमीच्या उद्धाराकरिता व्यतीत गेले.  भारतातील नाटकात  थोडासा अनुभव, थोड्याशा आठवणी एवढ्याच तुटपुंजी वर आम्ही अमेरिकन नाट्यश्रुष्टीत काही क्रांती घडवून आणणार नव्हतो . मग आमच्या अमेरिकी स्टेज च्या पदार्पणाची गोष्ट का सांगावी?

कारण स्वतः पुलं नी सांगितले आहे असामीअसामी मध्ये. दिगंबर काका   म्हणतो: “ इथे ज्ञानेश्वर माऊलींनीच परमिट दिले आहे. कि राजहंसाचे चालणे असेल जगी  शहाणे म्हणून कावळ्याने चालूच नये काय?”

Dr लागू , काशिनाथ घाणेकर असतील मोठे रंगकर्मी म्हणून ह्या पुणेकर गौतमा ने  अनुभव सांगू नये  की काय?

तर करू  मी सुरवात?

Baba

बाबा ह्या विषयावर काय लिहू ?

मुळतः वडीलां वर काही लिहिणे ह्या आगाऊपणावर जरी पुलंनी व्यंग केले तरी त्याला  न जुमानत  आज ते धाडस  करतो .

पुलं च्या असामी मध्ये मास्टर शंकरचा  चा भाऊ गिर्या लिहितो आणि जे मुख्याध्यापिका सरोज खरे (आपली ) वाचतात : "आमच्या वडिलांनाआम्ही बाबा म्हणतात . माझे बाबा धोतरातून वांगी आणतात. आमचे वडील  सूट घातल्या  वर डिट्टो  अशोक कुमार दिसतात "

अशोक कुमार  सारखे जरी ते  दिसत  नसले  तरी  तरी त्यांचे नाव असलेल्या बाबांच्यात आणि त्यांच्यात एक साम्य आहे दादामुनींचे ज्येष्ठत्व चित्रपट   क्षेत्रात  जसे मानले जाते तसेच बाबांचे   ज्येष्ठत्व सर्वत्र मानले जाते. मग ते घरात असो, जवळील किंवा दोन्ही बाजूच्या लांबच्या नातेवाइकांच्यात असो , किंवा त्यांचा मित्रमंडीळीत किंवा कॉलेज मध्ये असो, किंवा वाड्यात, नवीन सोसायटीत असो किंवा माझ्या मित्रांच्या पालक ग्रुप मध्ये असो किंवा त्यांचा बागेत, आईच्या मित्रमंडळीत असो . ,  हे ज्येष्ठत्व केवळ वयामुळे नसून ते त्यांचा एकंदरीत व्यक्तिमत्वामुळे आले आहे कारण त्यांचा पेक्षा ज्येष्ठ लोकांच्या मनात त्यांच्या विषयीच्या भावना मी माझ्या लहान पाणी बघितल्या आहेत. त्यांचे ज्येष्ठ  व समवयस्क त्यांना अशोक हे संबोधन वापरताना येणारा  जिव्हाळायुक्त आदर मी जाणवला आहे.  अहो, बाबा, अशोकराव, काका, सर, आबा, कक्का हे संबोधन करणारी मंडळी तर त्यांचे फॅन क्लब आहेत. ह्या सर्वांचे सुद्धा ते मित्र बनू शकतात आणि फिलॉसॉफर, गाईड सुद्धा.

Ganapati Bappa Morya

पुढच्या वर्षी लवकर या '  असे म्हणल्यानंतर ज्या दिवसाची गेले वर्षभर आपण वाट बघत होतो तो  दिवस उजाडला.  पुढचे काही दिवस आता आनंद आणि  उत्साह व त्या आठवणींच्या शिदोरी वर पुढील वर्षाकडे जोमाने बघण्याचा प्रपंच. बघितले तर  तोच तोच पणा आणि बघितले तर नव्या आठवणी जमा करण्याच्या छंद.    माझ्याप्रमाणे  तसाच छंद असणाऱ्या तुम्हा सर्वांना गणपतीच्या  हार्दिक शुभेच्छा 

Gear Up

Two thirds of 2019 is gone and we head towards last four months of the decade. This is the time to gear up. Gear up to celebrate the festivities waiting for the remainder part of the year. Gear up to recoup after long summer and unprecedented rains, cyclones, floods. Gear up to face new challenges like economic downturn, emerging market dynamics, wars, terror, extreme polarization and so on. Gear up to meet personal goals targets that we usually plan for the next Calendar year. This calendar change would usher in the new decade of 2020s. Lot was said about 2020 as landmark in human history. But signs are dangerous as we stand precariously to let our offspring live in a world and an environment they cannot salvage to continue their existent. The latest fires in Amazon forests have led us into an irreversible situation for climate and environment. It’s high time for the world to gear up, unite and fight the things to minimize further damage, do things to help us recover the situation. As we usher in celebrations, we pray to the Lord of Wisdom and Remover of Obstacles to help us do that. Ganapati Bappa Morya

Tribute to a Stalwart A Leader and Great Minister: Sushma Swarajji

A great loss to Indian Politics. An Iron Lady who exemplified a minister's performance and how its impact reaches the people and Indian all over the world be it a techie in Visa conundrum in US, or a victim of road accident anywhere in the world, or a laborer exploited in Gulf or abused NRI wives all over the world, or those lying low in Pakistan prisons. Be it diplomacy in SAARC region, APAC, EU, US, Russia, China, Middle East, Africa, UN, she was the best. A great orator, parliamentarian, leader,  leader of opposition, minster of parliamentary affairs, women cause champion. A short tenured Chief minister in troubled times and dislodged by a strange reason: Onion Prices. A youth leader and state level politician par excellence. A very effective information and broadcasting minister as well as health minister A graceful exit from active politics due to unfortunate health  reasons which she finally succumbed to.  A tremendous loss to Nation.... 

50 50

Life can be described at its best as a 50 50 endeavor. It is divided between happiness and sorrow, success and failure, winning and losing, hope and despair, day and night, winter and summer. At the start of  this summer of 2019, I had a wish list of three things that I had no control over to happen: Mumbai Indians winning IPL, Modi winning general elections and Kohli lifting World Cup. Summer still is at its glory in this part of world while monsoons have set in finally in most part of India ending long summer there. Ignoring IPL to be non-serious matter, on the rest two accounts it was fifty-fifty verdict. While India and Modi won riding on a very effective campaign, lack of opposition and support of aspiring India, Virat lost it thanks to bad selection and decisions, half an hour of bad cricket at crucial moment. This column has said lot about why India won when Modi won. Though we will delve upon what next after the election and what needs to be the agenda for Modi2.0, but while analyzing World Cup we should also now focus on what’s next. As many serious thinkers will find it childish to equate cricket with National cause, but for this column cricket is passion while politics is a way of life. Cricket this time was 50 overs matter and in Indian Politics its about 50 % absolute majority and only around 50% of voters bother to Vote.

Summarizing Summer of 19: Indian Victory?

Summer of 69 is immortalized in history of this part of world. 50 years later can it be same for Indians

Summer is here finally in this part of the world. Gone are those chilly days, snow days, shivering, and indoor life. Now it’s the time to give up hibernation, explore outdoors and have fun under the sun. Sadly it is different back home. Furnace keeps burning outdoors compelling us to stay indoors. Thankfully there are Mangoes, Vacations and IPL. Last time I wrote on this forum, a day before IPL final. What a match though not quite good cricket played with dropped chances, bad batting. Brilliance of Bumrah, experience of Malinga and useful contributions by all finally ended juggernaut led by Dhoni and his experienced Brigade albeit by narrowest margin possible. But sure a treat for cricket fans and MI fan within me.

Fan in me also won when Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi was sworn on 30^th for the second time. Lot has been said about this election: Polarization, EVMs, Secularism, Khan Market Gang, Battle of Bengal, South Indian identity politics, topsy-turvy results across three states lost by BJP, End of communist movement in India, Social Media wars, Unnecessary and wrongful intervention of opinions by International Media, meltdown of opposition, rise of stars like YSR Reddy, Stalin and sadly MIM.  For me three things really impacted on ground zero.

To all those who tried all the dirty tricks

Despite all analysis or otherwise, ONLY thing matters is now we have a clear democratically elected well meaning , corruption-free and proactive PM of India unless you take a dig at decision capability of Indian voter or blame EVM/EC like a typical 'elite' who know it all especially liberals , pseudo secular, and antinational , corrupt media (including international ) and politicians/intellectuals/actors and so on.

मराठी पत्रकारितेतील पुरोगामी ज्येष्ठ पत्रकार, संपादक, पुरोगामी कार्यकर्ते नेते ज्यांना महाराष्ट्रातील शेतकरी कष्टकरी आणि सामान्य नागरिकांच्या समस्यांचे आणि जनमानसाचे सर्व खरे मुद्दे कळतात अश्या सर्व काकांना साष्टांग दंडवत. . सरकार च्या चुकीच्या धोरणांमुळे जनता कष्टली आहे आहे , रांजली आहे हे आपले म्हणणे अतिशय योग्य आहे पण जनता आपल्या प्रमाणे सुब्बूद्ध नाही .

विडिओ चा  आवाज  बंद कर रे 

More NayakGiri  at  http://nayakgiri.blogspot.com

तो डोंगरांचा काटकोन व ती लांब रेघ

तो  डोंगरांचा काटकोन व ती लांब रेघ

शनिवार आला आणि माझ्यातला आनंदयात्री जागा झाला. वातावरण अगदी मराठी मॉन्सून  सारखे चिंब. हवेत पुणेरी गुलाबी थंडी सारखा सुखद गारवा . नुकताच आलेला वसंत ऋतू नावाचा  पाहुणा ह्या वर्षचक्रात शिरल्याचा पुरावा म्हणून काही दिवसांपूर्वी निष्पर्ण असलेल्या  वृक्ष्यांनी पानांचे  हिरवे   किंवा वेगवेगळ्या  रंगांचे   शेले पांघरले होते.  नेहेमीप्रमाणे पर्यटनाची साद घालताच जिवलगांनी होकार दिला आणि  आमचा  रथ  घराच्या जवळ असलेल्या द्रुतगती  रस्त्यावर   मार्गक्रमण करू लागला. स्वछ गावे , सुंदर रस्ते,  घरे , आलिशान ईमारती , दुकाने, बागा , झाडी , चढउतार  सगळे होते . सारे काही सुंदर आणि रमणीय होते. जिवलग  तेच होते . नव्हता  फक्त डोंगरांचा एक काटकोन आणि एक लांब रेघ . 

घरी सुरेख कांदा भजी होते .  पिठले पण छान होते ,  भुट्टा करायला कणसे पण मिळतात . चहा पण मिळतो . ताक पण  जमते . सगळे काही असते पण नसतो तो  डोंगरांचा काटकोन आणि ती लांब रेघ

आता इथे मावळातील आंबेमोहोर तांदूळ हि मिळतो त्याच वासासकट. आंबा पण मिळतो . वास्तविक आंबा न  आवडणारी माणसे देव बनवूच कसा  शकतो हेच कळत नाही.  चितळ्यांची बाकरवडी, बेडेकरांचे लोणचे सगळे मिळते पण नसतो तो डोंगरांचा काटकोन आणि ती लांब रेघ

इथल्या घराच्या  मागे एक तळे आहे , चोहीकडे छोटे जंगल आहे .  चालायला सुंदर   ट्रेल आहे, बसायला  पिकनिक चे बाक आहेत, बार्बेक्यू चे ग्रिल्स आहेत. सगळे काही असते . नसते ती पश्चिम टेकडी, झाडे , पार्किंग  मैदान , हनुमानाचे  मंदिर  आणि त्यावरून दिसणारी ती पसरणाऱ्या शहराची बशी आणि   तो  डोंगरांचा काटकोन आणि ती लांब रेघ

Suspense

When I was in school, Exams used to get over by the first or the second week of April and summer vacations used to set in. Then there was a dreaded day of Final Result of that standard around April End. The period between exams and result was the best timespan spent as a child.  No worries of studies, no aftershocks of results and impending tasks for the next academic year. Add to that fun part of travelling, mangoes, friends, books. Thankfully our parents were not so keen on summer camps as today’s parents are.

Now that we are one week into May, we as a country are in same stage: exams over, results awaited. It’s a suspense which is keeping us enthralled, worried, anxious till the D Day of May23rd. Maybe as a Nation it’s so important whether we continue on strong path or get into dark days of coalition and compromises on national causes. Why is all mainstream media except few,  thrusting upon nation that India is under threat under current regime and situation is so intolerant? On the contrary majority of social media voices sound otherwise. But social media is not real world of ballots. Thus we live now in suspense till the last phase is over.  Same is the case for all of diehard cricket fans,  as we wait World cup to unfold the form of Indian Team. Same as we wait for a normal monsoon to solve serious water crisis. World also is observing various events to unfold as northern hemisphere looks forward to summer life.

माझ्यातला मराठी पुणेकर

• ·         जगाच्या इतिहासात महाराज हे सगळ्यात महान आहेत असे मानतो
• ·         पाऊस आला कि भिजलेल्या  मातीच्या वासाची   आणि ओलसर ढगांमध्ये  सिंहगडावरच्या (अथवा कुठल्याही सह्याद्रीतल्या डोंगरावरील) कांदा  भाजी गरम चहा ची आठवण काढतो
• ·         चार मित्र गोळा झाले कि अमक्या किंवा तमक्या गडावर ट्रेक चा प्लॅन करतो
• ·         उन्हाळ्यात हिमालय ट्रेक व  त्याच्या तय्यारी साठी  पर्वतया 'करतो '
• ·         दोन किंवा तीन वाक्यातून एकतरी  पुलं चा  विनोद टाकतो
• ·         मृत्युंजय , स्वामी, राजा शिवछत्रपती, छावा , पानिपत , श्रीमानयोगी ची पारायणे करतो
• ·         मधूनच एखाद्या रविवारी शांतेचे कार्टे , सौजन्याची, वासूची सासू, गेला माधव, वस्त्रहरण नाटकांच्या dvds बघतो

Game Set and Match

Game Set Match

My father called me very late in a winter evening. He stays merely a 10 minutes’ drive away from my house where I live with my wife and kid. I had just completed another long day at the office. As I freshened up and was heading towards dining table, I received the call.

He said: “Rajabhau is no more. He passed away in hospital today at 7 30 pm. Cremation is at Vaikunth at around 10”

I told him that I will pick him up in around half an hour from then.

Rajabhau was very ill and hospitalized. Last week his son and daughter flew from US which indicated the gravity of the situation. My father also did some hospital duties being close to him since their schooldays.

We reached at Vaikunth crematorium where a large gathering was waiting for the mortal remains to reach. He was a popular man across the segments of society: professional, social and personal. He was a social worker to feature in the credit rolls off many marriages that happened in Pune and nearby for almost three decades after the emergency.  He was initially a sales guy turned businessman who later undergone transformation as an IT guy. Yours truly can make it to the credit rolls in that upgradation if you can call it as one. Many IT professionals though will disagree looking at the work they do despite the terminology of words they use to describe their profession and use extensively while they carry out their profession.  Coming from an established family he had plenty of branches of relatives and due his people first attitude had wide range of friends. Many of them had gathered at the crematorium.

आनंदयात्रा साजरी करा

गुढीपाडवा म्हणजे वार्षिक परीक्षा , बासुंदी हादडणे , गुढी वरील गाठ्या खाणे आणि सगळ्यात महत्वाचे म्हणजे कडुनिंबाचे पान चावणे हेच आठवते. थोडी अक्कल आली तेंव्हा कळले कि हे तर भारतीय नववर्ष. थोडे आजून शहाणपण आले तेंव्हा वाटायला लागले कि सगळे जग न्यू इयर तर थर्टी फर्स्ट ला ' सेलेब्रेट ' करते तर आपण का उगाचच वेगळेपण दाखवतो. मग थोडे आयुष्य बघितल्यावर लक्षात आले कि वर्ष म्हणजे काय पृथ्वीची सूर्य भोवती एक फेरी. निसर्गचक्र मग जेव्हा पालवी फुटते तेव्हा नवचैतन्य तेच खरे नवे वर्ष. भारतीय असण्याचा अभिमान वाटला . अस्मिता जाज्वल्य असायला हवी. थोडे जास्तच ना? खूप मजा करा खूप खा, मित्रांना भेटा आणि मोदींना परत आणा. गुढीपाडव्याच्या शुभेच्छा

Lights, Camera, Action...

The Dates are announced, Venues are finalized stage is set. Lights Camera Action….

The countdown began nine months before on this blog is done. The Ideal code of conduct is in place and campaign reaches crescendo. The lead actors, behind the scene directors, not stage actors, light and sound people have taken their positions.

The plot was set much before but plot has taken interesting turn after Pulawama attacks followed by Balakot Strikes. Not that one should politicize the National Calamity/event but the fact still remains that current Political leadership has made it count. The resolve to attack Pakistan on its soil is path breaking and needed all political support which unfortunately was missing. Opposition bravado which followed exemplary line to support Government fell apart after few days. The usual noises jaundiced by their hatred to Modi, undermined national interest by challenging Indian Air Force on the strikes, appreciating Imran Khan’s role and doing everything to harm India. No need to name these noises. But as a patriot, it was a different experience for the first time that India acted and not stuck to usual rhetoric of condemnation etc. International community though was firmly behind India. That was not the case with International Media which somehow has strange habit of safeguarding Paki Interests and ridiculing India.