Tribute To a Mass Leader

Call it megalomania or call it plain coincidences or call it influence of reading Midnights children, seems like my life is intertwined with the happenings in India.

On Dec 6^th 1992, when Babri masjid was demolished I was camped at the most non religious place: NCC camp in Kalaikunda in my first year of IIT when NCC was compulsory.  The nation was burning outside but we were far from humanity unscathed from any such unrest.

On 29^th Sep 1993 when earth shook at Killari, i had to take refuge of co-hostel mate as my room keys were lost and we were unable to break the lock.

When rumour spread that all Ganesha idols were drinking milk, i missed a mid sem paper due to wrong copying of exam calendar.

I was on my honeymoon in Himalayas when IC814 was hijacked from Himalayas and Rupen Katyal another honeymooner lost his life.

During 2002 Gujarat riots i was in Gujarati dominated city of Leicester in UK. Now UK has started talking to Modi in 2012.

When kasab and co shook Mumbai in 08, i had a marriage to attend in Mumbai which i did.

When india was in non congress/bjp rule 96-98, i was working professional. I started entrepreneurship with NDA coming to power in 98. When India did nuclear test, and sachin was fire at sharjah we were doing some records in first quarter sales. When NDA govt lost in 1999 to get re-elected in 1999, my married life started and relocated. Same thing happened in 04 when UPA came to power, my business took definitive shape. Don’t know what will happen in 2014. Is life going to change in 2014?

Bit deviating from main topic of my discussion.

When Balasaheb died I was in a city of Hyderabad that too amidst some riots near charminar and passing through Muslim dominated areas of the old city. What a paradox and let down for someone like me who was fan of this leader.

After returning to desk, i was reading all and sundry commenting on legacy, fallacies of this great leader. Earlier in this blog i had mentioned that we are fast losing on politicians who have mass love and following. I think Balasaheb was the last. Raj Thakaray has potential. Only time will tell whether this potential can be converted into coherant and decisive politics apart from cutting into opposition votes. On NCP side, supremo has lost lot of ground due to some inexplicable politics, the new generation and second fiddle is nowhere near. On congress side Baba brigade looks too disconnected from masses. Regional leaders like Maya, Jaya, Mamata, have limited appeal. Atalji was last BJP leader loved by masses and he is no more active. Advani  has been made irrelevant thanks to current leadership. That leaves only Narendra Modi who has lot of handicaps.

There is no doubt in my mind that Balasaheb was and will be the last active leader for whom 20 lakh people will turn out to participate in the funeral. There are some in media who blame it to terror and fear which resulted in the turn out. That is bull shit. Knowing Mumbai first hand and people’s sentiment, all those armchair critics are wrong. These are not paid congress rallies. People love Balasaheb.

Same people are crying that his politics was divisive, irrational and dangerous. I disagree.

He stopped Mumbai to turn into dead Kolkata when mills were getting closed due to red brigade. He helped both owners and workers to survive. Some may point out that he got middle mans’ benefit but at least he had guts to own it rather than slimy old Mumbai/Maharashtra politicians who earned clandestinely.

Moreover social organization he created with shakha pramukh as family head of neighbourhood is something unique and point to study for all you armchair politicians. Though some may see this phenomenon as a way to legitimize local goons, but if it works so be it.

He made underworld scared. Extortion was rampant in late 80s till mid 90s. He created terror amidst gangsters by using discretionary encounters by police to control menace. Though not 100% eliminated, these days Mumbai is much safer. I have read bullshit books like Maximum city who cry foul against this. He will always have detractors.  He is no man of middle road, either you love him or hate him.

He took on casteist Marathi politics head on by appointing Brahmin CM which no one would dream. The so called inclusive leaders have divided society to such an extent that Marathi public life, art, history, culture, drama has every following drawn based on caste. By symbolism he made it clear that he does not believe in caste. He took sena to hinterlands of western Maharashtra, marathwada, konkan and vidarbha as could generate support amidst not so affluent people from ‘political’ community. He united Maharashtra by not recognizing castes. He had supporters in Dalit movement as well.

Balasaheb wanted Marathi kids to have confidence, our generation did. Many term this as pariochal politics but it worked well for Marathi people. We conquered west and do good in IT/real estate/media opportunities in Pune, Mumbai , Bengaluru, Chennai( no one complains name changes for these cities as they complain Mumbai to have changed from their beloved Bombay ).  We no more have inferiority complex but we do have superiority complex thanks to Balasaheb. We respect our gods like Shivaji. We are not ashamed of Peshwai as ’sponsored’ historians want us to. We love PL , GA, Vinda, Kusumagraj, Balgandharv, Mangeskars, Phalkes, tendulkars, gavaskars, bhimsen joshis,  Can any other community boast of such talent except those from Bengal ,  We love all our saints across caste line. We love Marathi films, drama, music. Gone are those days when we were ridiculed for being Ghaatis in our hostel.

He played critical role post Dec 6^th. And that’s where most of liberal, outgoing, liberal oriented, neo modernist, society has problems to associate with Balasaheb politics.  Shivsena was never anti muslim but opposes anti national elements. There are many Muslim shivsainiks. Shivsena retaliated every step of jihadist who sponsored riots to create chaos in Mumbai.  Man on street was scared and he needed some solace and support.  I am writing this as i had experienced firsthand. Many would agree with me but its not politically correct to accept it publically. Please note  that no country wants to have nuclear weapons for using it and nuclear weapons act as strategic deterrent in modern times (I don’t know about Pakistan and other countries blinded by religion) and no sane non criminal human wants to kill fellow human being unless its a war situation . But someone has to act strong in self defence to act as deterrent.  Of course mass frenzy was unavoidable and some violence unjustified. But someone had to fill in vacuum created for lack of safety for common man. Ideally Maharashtra govt should have but failed miserable.  And proof is that those enemies sitting in Karachi and Islamabad had to use bombs placed cowardly in public places to proclaim their vengeance. It showed the way to proclaim their impotence extending to 9/11, 26/11, 11/7 to use dastardly techniques to kill real men and women.  I had read statistically, period from independence till 92, had more riots than the period following it. Indian moved on from Riots (though we ended as victims of terrorism later, and Gujarat02 and current UP situations are exception)

Balasaheb  was a loved politician which is extinct in todays Indian Politics. Though armchair thought leaders would have their opinions, but for me he was a father figure in close family.

Winds of Change

Its Diwali again. It comes every year. But as they say like every year is different, Every celebration is different. And life is a celebration.
So lets celebrate life with lights this week to remove the darkest corners that exist within and outside us. Let us be illuminated by knowledge, sense, reason and compassion.
Lets give something nice to others in whatever way and kind.Its Diwali again and it will come next year again. Point is how you celebrate between the celebrations.....
Have a great happy Diwali and next year.

Another year has gone past to let us enjoy another Diwali. As I have mentioned that its more about how you celebrate your life between celebrations is what matters.  Though I appreciate agents of change as it’s a common saying that only constant in this world is change. Some changes are good. In context of Diwali, awareness about damaging consequences, wastefulness and exploitative production of crackers is one welcome change. In our childhood say in 80s no one used to care and we used to spend money and create hazards uncontrolled.  Apart from this change there are few other changes i am positive about since 80s is step towards gaining rightful place in world. India is no more a pushover. It’s an economy to reckon with, brand that world is aware of.  People in India have found benefits of education (at least small % of its populace) and have opportunities to make some future beyond its status at the time of birth.  Development has percolated to hinterlands though not the required extent. Awareness of environment at least in common people is much more than in 80s. I remember travelling in PMT bus in 80s from Deccan to Vanaj and seeing ARAI hill as we see it today as a barren treeless mountain.  Today we have ARAI hill as lungs of city. So can be said about Cummins side of Warje hills, Pashan hill, Taljai hill. Agreed that greedy elements have had their say but visible differences are hard to ignore.  Kids today are much aware of their future and exposed to the latest trends in world. It can be a boon or can as well be a bane.

But on pessimistic side, some changes are dragging our march behind. Creating sufferings in life and as well have irreversible impact.  Let me start with the most damaging aspect of irreversible damage to world, in form of global climatic changes.  Rains during Diwali have been a common feature for last few years.  This Diwali is the one which falls on 13^th Nov. I am sure it must be the Diwali having the latest date in an English calendar year. One would expect chilly early mornings, but it’s hot and humid today. Remember storm sandy in NY.  Terrorism and orthodoxy is another threat which we did not have in early 80s atleast not in scale which is today. Then we had cold war but it was more about posturing except from small pockets like Afghanistan, Vietnam. Thanks for small breezes like Malala, Su kyi, there is still some hope.  In India, corruption and political vacuum for lack of leadership, divisive politics have changed Indian state into a wasteful monster and uncaring for masses.  Pune as a city have grown in unfeasible manner. The ills like traffic, pollution, roads, illegal constructions, corruption have to be checked to save this city.  Personal relationships have changed, values have changed. Though we have tried to emulate western culture we conveniently ignore good lessons from west about work ethics, integrity, honesty and professionalism. In 80s we did not have mobiles but still would face no problem in communicating. We did not have facebook but we still had friends. I cannot imagine next generations going on their own using cycles till say Baneshwar or Khadakwasala as we used to do in 8^th or 9^th standard. How many of you will allow that in today’s traffic?

Change is not what US preferred by re-electing Obama but change was made in last election and allowed to continue. More than any other issue, it’s about inclusiveness that US people want , though conservatives may disagree but that’s order for day. When will India opt for change? Or there is no alternative. Can Kejariwal and co be agents of change? Will new development  plan make Pune a better place with Metros and light transit systems ? or will we suffer more with more water cuts, load shedding?

Another change I dread in my Cricket watching life. I am a crazy fan of Indian cricket and switch off everything else when serious cricket is on if given a choice. One factor did not change over last 22 years is that little master taking guard to open in ODI or walking on pitch two down in tests. There is expectation in air, tension amidst opposition.  Every success is taken for granted and failure is disaster leading in all and sundry doubting his skills and intentions. But Time and tide waits for no one not even HIM. Are we to witness another unwanted change? And we all know we have to some day and every time hope it’s not today.

Even Bond has changed. I mean Bond James Bond. This Bond has midlife crisis, He is more humane. He is vulnerable but yet lovable. Gone are the days when he had superhuman skills and attitude. He is no more a god. He prefers Beer over Martini. Purists have hated this change but as they say everything must change so should Bond.  Seems like its order of the day for those who spend childhood in 80s . Bond also matured in 80s. He hates 2.0 gadgets and technology (which is more real and plausible today) when he used dream unrealistic gadgets/weapons then. Is our generation to cribbing about changes as exemplified by Bond.

Again 80s is a benchmark as thing started really changing in 90s all over due to global and national economic reasons. Luckily 80s was the decade we used to be in school. And those school years were crazy. Every generation is. But by luck, we were foot soldiers of change as we went into professional education in 90s. We still enjoy Diwali in 2012 as we used to do in 80s irrespective of whether winds of change blow or not as immortalized by legendary scorpion song.

Advice to a senior

October has set in the last quarter of 2012. It seems just yesterday that I greeted all for new year with a warning that this might be last year end party we might enjoy as world comes to an end as per theories going around. So we might have last two months till 21-12-2112 to enjoy. Are the Tsunamis, Biggest thunderstorm hitting US coasts precursor to that one wonders? I don’t think so; it will be slow if at all world ends and not a apocalypse. We have damaged environment irreversibly and maybe our future generations will suffer. Not wanted to be devil’s advocate but sometimes you just wonder


Meanwhile much damage has been done by my senior at Kharagpur Arvind Kejriwal to create thunderstorm. Law minister of land had to threaten him publically, such is his impact. Though i appreciate him for be the first man to take on first family publically, but somehow i feel that he is playing into congress hands by dividing opposition. He should take one evil at a time, biggest evil being congress. By trying to make his stand symmetrical to all parties he damaged BJP by exposing Gadkari. I agree that any form of corruption is to be denounced and also agree that BJP has many skeletons in closet. But every party has them. System is such that it’s hard to find any public representative totally clean and ideal. That’s tragedy as we all know no one enters politics with interest of serving people. Self agenda is what drives most. What drives Kejriwal may not be money but definitely an ego. Of course many would blame me to be partisan to BJP and accuse me of right wing , but any alternative to congress is what my stand is. I do not have any hesitation to say that congress leaders in pre independent times and congress clan post independence are to be attributed to most of the evils plaguing our country. Though one does not help like , Nehru, Rajeev and Indira Gandhi charismas and small windows of excellence (like 71 war, IT/telecom, green revolution). BJP might be corrupt but the work done in NDA regime on infrastructure, getting to right world order by nuclear strategy, and RTI (though madam takes credit for same erroneously). Though many can argue but i have my right to have my opinion and those who want to debate can do it with facts and figure democratically. Arvind in his zeal to change system has taken upon entire political spectrum and is right when he says all are in cohorts across political ideologies in making money. But now that he has formed a party, he needs to be a part of system rather being anarchist. So his first step should be to focus on congress for 2014, while not cutting into anti congress vote. In that case a pre poll alliance with non congress parties based on single model will work. That may mean alliance with LF in Bengal, Kerala, Jagan in AP, Yuti/MNS in Maharashtra, BJP in Goa, MP, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Karnataka, UP, HP, J&K, Uttarakhand, Akalis in Punjab, AGP in Aasam, maybe some nationalistic parties in NE, AIADMK in Tamilnadu. Of course one doubts if LF can comply in WB/Kerala. Idea is to unite opposition as JP did in 1977 post emergency. All intellectuals at the receiving end of emergency united. Situation is similar to that during emergency especially way UPA2 is run with arrogance and lack of people interest. As we saw yesterday Jaipal Reddy was punished for taking on Reliance. Maybe AK and learn some tricks from mass protestor like JP. Once cleansed country of congress rule, then he can dictate terms to allies to clean up or perish. By then people’s movement would have strengthened. He has far greater challenges and impossible path ahead to change system but he should take things in steps rather than taking on each and everybody. Already he has lost allies in Team Anna. He should build allies in Baba Ramdeo, Anna, Bedi, VK Singh rather than trying to make himself appear single crusader. In Kharagpur we would get advice from seniors and it was a sacrilege to give fundas to seniors. But politics is a field where everyone has opinion as quoted famously comparing it to unquotable part of human anatomy. But here i would like to stick my neck out and do so in a situation where country needs thousands of arvind kejariwals.....

Maximum City, Miniscule View

After a long wait (mainly due to warnings from those who had read and knew me well), i had a chance to lay hands upon a much critically acclaimed book called Maximum City by Suketu Mehta. In many media quarters and references, Mumbai has been named as Maximum city. The awards etc have also been given for this writing and is supposed to be critically acclaimed (as every book is nowadays).
Lets start with good points about the book. Its very interesting read. Never he lets down reader off hook and disinterested (except maybe last few episodes) and thats an acheivement for a non fiction. The characters and topics are chosen carefully and they cover many salient points about Mumbai. Daily life, Polictics, Bollywood, live entertainment, Underworld, food , transport, people all aspects are covered except maybe cricket which is a nostalgic for true Mumbaikar and as PL said its more game to be talked than played in Mumbai. The author has put in lot of effort in connecting to people he wanted to cover. Language is simple and yet crisp. The cynicism and paradoxes have been expressed very beautifully. also he has taken correct digs at corruption, contradictions in public persona of an Indian which is national phenomenon not restricted to mumbai. Delhi would have added more spice to the view of India from NRI returnee angle..
That ends the good point about book. But the main problem i have with the book (i mean views of author) is his simplistic attribution of problems of city to a single phenomenon. Though author has tried best to portray his own views to be narrated by people who are subject of his discussion.  Curiously he takes real names of real celebrities and officers where as he uses pseudonames for ordinary people. The celebrities are either promoted or denounced based on his personal bias. The protagonists who are ordinary people get sympathies based on which political affiliation author subscribes to. Lets approach the biggest flaw. The author attributes rise of Shivsena and its rise to power since mid 80s in city till it controlled state govt in 95 as main problem city has faced. Before he left for US his "bombay' was different than the "mumbai' he saw in mid 90s. Thats a very simplistic view. He feels all previous congress governements and government post 2000 were corruption free. The society has changed due to shivsena. Police got corrupted owing to shivsena. Housing problems were introduced by shivsena. Underworld and gang war was created by Sena. Transport problems arised due to sena. Better films cannot be produced because of shivsena. Sanjay Dutt is a better person than Amitabh. Vidhu vinod and Mahesh Bhatts are the only respectable film directors who mean business and have right opinion on everything. while rest produce candy floss. The underworld dons are victims of system created by sena and have all sympathies of author.  The dec92 riots are because of police opression of minorities and jan 93 were caused by sena without any concrete proof of hindu persecution and the great saviour of minorities Saint Shree Dawoodji Ibrahim had to kill innocents on a march friday in order to create equilibrium and it was the need of the day. Shri Shri Chota shakeel is the most respectable member of Indian diaspoia involved in saintly activities in Mumbai. Chota Rajan has false facade of being patriotic Don (as if we care). Sena supremo is flawed leader with flaw vision messing up with the maximum city. He is the most responsible person for ills of this Maximum city. Sir you are oversimplifying problems. If you want to go to roots you have to start with fact that neither muslims nor marathas ruled Mumbai. Mumbai was created by british. Though there is right mention of House rent act and fire in 1947 creating housing problems and expanding city. You have to understand dynamics of United Maharashtra movement, you have to undertsand the mill workers unrest in early 80s, you have to understand demographics which has resulted in shivsena being in power for nearly 3 decades in Mumbai. You also have to note state politics involves western maharashtra, vidharbha, konkan and marathwada as well. You need to understand high command politics which result in fact that battles for Mumbai have to be fought in Delhi. You need to understand the main event which was liberalization which for me is the turning point. You need to understand migrant influx. Mumbai is defenceless and welcomes all. US which is world's intellectial capital has strict immigration laws filtering out best. while mumbai welcomes all and sundry. Resources are limited. Reason mumbai attracts influx is open society, economic avenues, and hope which are the greatest strenths of this beautiful city which are now converted into weakness. Shivsena occupied political vacuum created by all these parameters. They are no different from any other political outfit except for being forthright and clear on communication of its agenda as compared to so called secular parties who have one public statement contradicting private politics below which is as communal , casteist as author claims shivsena to be.
There are other minor flaws as well but am running out of time. However intersted read this books offers very minisclue window to city with a singular view point and agenda which is very commonplace especially in english speaking media, art, and society. Same bias, same criticism, same targets. Time for all to recover from jaundiced view . Mumbai city is Kaledioscope. It can be ugly and beautiful in single view. It can be vibrant and dead in single instance. It can be part empty, part full. No one has maximum view to this Kaledioscope. Thats the essence of Mumbai. Ask any true Mumbaikar. Having lived in Mumbai in same time span author depicted, i know it first hand though have been out of real mumbai touch for last 12 years. Only have to pass highways to reach international airport.And i admit thats a very miniscule view which is same case with Mr Suketu Mehta....

Ganesha The God

Rains have gone by. Thought technically monsoon hasn’t retreated. Rainy season was intriguing. June July dry, wet august and steady start to sep. Dams have been filled 100% (on records still 90% as 10% was given to agriculture and downstream towns by guardian minister). The worries of dry year ahead were dispelled thanks to the almighty. The leaders and admin should thank their lucky stars for mismanagement last year when we had excessive rains as were planning paralysis especially for contingencies. We won’t learn from past. Let the lord of wisdom prevail and let there be proper approach to problems faced by our city. It is now time to welcome arrival of the Lord. Whole atmosphere has changed for something auspicious, festive and enjoyable. Though terror looms large (especially after J M Rd events on 1st Aug) but I think sense has prevailed and police seem to be on toes involving mandals and communities. Let the lord show way there to the digressed souls who don’t have any mercy to kill in name of lord. How does name or way of worship of the same lord matter. Why kill? Why insult someone’s beliefs in name of free speech. And why kill to protest same. How irrelevant. Let’s all bury our differences and live happily ever after. Just like terrorism and bad governance another obstacle we wish to almighty is to stop corruption which has resulted in loss of public money, faith in systems and has created role models for young to make big using hook or crook. And finally let there be innovation, let knowledge drive the quest to excellence and let’s break stereotypes, lets conquer our self beliefs, vices, shortcomings to really make our own selves, family, society and country a very better place than what it is now. Ganesha always comes with goodies and hope he helps us achieve my never ending wish list. Wish you a very happy Ganesh festival.


This blog enters fifth year as I complete four years on eve of Ganesh Chaturthi on 2008. This blog has following posts to mark each of Ganpati festival. Would also like to add blog for Ganpati in 2007 when we won inaugural ICCT20. This blog started in next year. What an event that was. Who can forget that last over by much maligned and forgotten Ajit Agarkar leading to bowl out , six sixes by yuvi, great catch by Kartik and great spell from RP choking SAFers, Yuvi knock against Aussies and Shreeshant bowling out mighty Hayden, and finally Gambhir’s knock and that catch by Shreeshant...

Wish all these scenes get repeated once more as this T20 happens to be in Ganesh fest. Bappa’s wish list gets added by one more item. 09 and 10 T20 WCs were followed by IPL seasons where Kirsten had complained about burn out but this time things are different and that difference is emergence of Virat Kohli. I will stick my neck out to say that he will be difference between teams in any match. Let’s get Unmukt Chand into mix as i saw the knock in U19 WC finals. But the big question remains is HIS exit. Or will He have third wind. Important home series follow after T20 WC. The final warrior of golden generation which has defined our cricket life (college and professional live for my generation) will decide upon his future course. New season will be landmark for that reason as we will witness change of guard. And let History begin with shortest format.....

The title of this blog is named after one of the few innovations i got involved with my entrepreneurship career. This CD ROM was inaugurated by Shammi Kapoor who is no more. Though was just there at right time at right place, but that reminds me back to those early IT days (pre Y2K). We all were driven by a vague zeal to be next Infosys. After interacting with young entrepreneurs of today at IIT Kharagpur alumni events and other networks, I can see now people aim to be next Apple or Google or Facebook or some new web3.0 service or some cutting age mobile app, or some new cloud based solution and so on... Things have changed drastically in last decade as we welcome Walmarts and Tescos of world to enter Indian shores. As we also go ahead on US elections, Arab Iran Pak crisis, Prelude to 2014 general elections in India, Maybe MNS-SS joining hands in state, New development plan for Pune, or when we will enact PL’s Narayan this Ganesha in society or will embrace upon new personal challenges , wish for the Lord Ganesha’s blessing. Starting from global to country to state to city to society and self, the timeline ahead is intriguing. Also awaiting start to last quarter which traditionally has been action packed and defining for next year......

Kya Har Ek Friend Jaroori Hota Hain?

Time to block sms, fb posts, twitter accts, blogs, thanks to insanity prevailing among certain few outcasts in society. I still beleive in general goodness of human being and affinity to remain in peace and harmony barring external attacks and self defense. But religion like cricket is mass opium. And its time for those who generally have track record across most of human history to remain in conflict, to self reflect and found voice beneath. Its more of politics than religion. Religion just becomes tool to drive ones point in region where resources were scarce and my beloved country had those in ample. Thats why my country is apostle of friendship and peace throughout history suffers from foreign invaders who tried to plunder it. and now insiders have joined in capitalizing on basic anamolies within like doublespeak, divide and rule etc etc..... anyways digressing a lot when its comes to freindship and peace
Last month also had chance to interact with someone which has been eye opener on friendship front. A very close friend of mine (pls note a friend so i become an actor of this post involving friendship though strictly under oath as someone who could express) who in past had claimed to have treasured people/relations more than materialistic approach. He has been in past very militant abt same and this fact remained as fountainhead of something which he used to boast and cherish. But life as usual plays cynic and leveller.  In fact its the same people/relations above material debate which had put the protagonist of post in the hardest corner of his life, ended one of the best chapters of his life recently. Please note this is not a forum to point fingers or glorify/defame anybody. But an open forum to voice certain eternal and omnipresent truths of life. Taking a certain individual namely A from equation, i think another say B can appreciate the feelings. Thats the genesis of this post. Here is what he told me at a great location amidst rains over cup of steamed tea and onion pakodas.
"I had arrived in life after being relegated to dirty travails of self doubt and belief. And those who infliced the pain were own. I could have revolted, fought, exposed the guilts but decided to take whole blame on myself for lack of ability as shouted publicly by miscreants. Moved on, did some very hard work and regained same over short period of time. Success attracts lot of people around and opens up lot of avenues for you to express (some opened by hard cash). I felt had got great set of lifelong relations to replace older ones. Had a great time. But somehow past catches on you. Again i was outcast in society of those born with silver spoons. My ways clashed and simple recoginition in form of interpersonal respect which was lost. The values and nuances for which i stood for very ridiculed and simple issues were blown out of proportion to again take me to place where i started: selft doubt and belief. Amidst all this some friends stood by who shared similar situations in past in life and also some friends who shared same cultural upbringing and things are fine now" said the narrator.
Last year i went to a himalayan trek. i was in touch with 18-22 yrs age group. After 4 pm we had nothing to do but to play games and chat. These people also opened out. As galib would say 'aur bhi gum hain zamaney mein', 60-70 % of conversation revolved around opposite sex as natural with that age group. But other aspect revolved around friendship bonds which these kids valued more than relationship.
This took me back to kgp days when we used to feel same way. We felt we would build on that throughout. But some very lucky some were not. Distance always play role. Thanks to web 2.0 now most are in touch and warmth still exist but i would not claim those bonds mean anything more than trying to take clock back by certain number of years.
I have never worked in any organization so am not authority on those bonds but have heard that such friendships are stronger than school college ones as issues close to heart , work, money , kids are somethinhs which tick on these bonds.  I have also heard business partners turn out better friends but money acts as spoiler most of times.
I have developed some good friends at health club but those interactions are designed at making sports/ excerise more fun.
Also interest groups like trekking, drama, work but they revolve around topic as per my limited experience.
Parents of your child's friends also act as good thread but competition between kids as perceived by parents acts like dampner.
have seen very good groups across neighbourhood but one has to be lucky to match wavelength, age and income group.
Maybe all this can be termed as mid life crisis wherein existancial crisis is reflected as to find best formula to build friendship and relation. But as said by my friend who initiated the topic.
'Though interestingly friendship comes with no preconditions, prejudices and plans. It happens. But its important to identify, respect , value of common thread which binds. People tend to create expectations, calculation, bank upon these friendship bonds, take people for granted, try to score brownie points sheilding it with sense of humor ( while endangering basis of friendship unknowingly or they care least). Its really important to respect your friend for what he exists. Thats definition of friendship" . Seems like words of wisdom from someone who has seen it all.
That took me on a track as to identify those who value and respect for what i stand by and viceversa how much do i respect my friends for what they stand by. Do i have a good friends or am i good friend of others?
Just to argue with a popular ad for mobile company: Kya Har Ek friend jaroori hota Hain?

Why we need Team Anna?

Today’s most maligned word is Team Anna. And it’s not public opinion but systematic maligning done very cunningly by govt and opposition using popular media. Right from start of fast in july, main papers and channels started describing how the movement is flop and how the Team Anna is so irrelevant. It was the same media which glorified Anna after world cup 2011. Public which is gullible as usual started supporting Anna as the movement caught imagination and public felt something new about being patriotic. Even then there were armchair critics and elitist which labelled this patriotism to be fashionable and targeted the middle class who have no political messiah. Same middle class was again ridiculed by now Finance minister PC when he said that Middle class can afford 20 Rs mineral water and ice cream, and oppose 1 Rs rise in rice price. But that time media was behind Anna movement. Was it for TRP reasons or was Anna movement an investment in 2011 which they encashed from government for getting paid to crush the movement. All channels except to some extent Times Now are pro establishment. The stalwarts like Barkha dutt, rajdeep, vir sanghvi have fallen and exposed in Radia tapes. The main papers except Hindustan Times and to some extent DNA are pro establishment. The entire media has been managed.


But these media moguls will learn their lessons are slowly they are becoming irrelevant. Social media is the key. Of course opinions can be managed here as well but its about masses. Much maligned middle class had this as tool to express. This much maligned middle class who is not supported by any political party (the BJP dream has died with no show for last 9 years). Modi is distant champion but he won’t be allowed in mainstream politics by so called secular political system. And also Modi is untested at national level and where coalition is key he won’t have many supporters sadly. His development plank will be drowned by loud noises for social justice, secularism and tirade for 2002 riots. While those who killed Sikhs in 84 are going scot free, terrorists who have killed people are eating biryanis and enjoying govt hospitality. The charge sheeted corrupt politicians like A Raja, Kalmadi, Lalu, are being treated like heroes. The ones who are clever not to be charge sheeted but have taints (PC in 2 G scam, Pawar in Lavasa/other , Shinde in Adarsh are enjoying highest posts) and of course Ceaser(and his wife) is beyond doubt with clean Manmohan as a face. Incidentally Manmohan singh was once champion of middle class. But that was under a great prime minister in P V Narsinharao who again is vilified.

Coming back to Team Anna, now they have declared to join the system. Media again has criticised this for no reason. Anyone has right to join politics constitutionally. If there can an alternative then it will work towards public interest. Earlier same politicians vilified Anna for undermining constitution. They were called anarchist. Now they have decided to join system, they are called opportunist.

Public remains inactive as usual. Public is always struggling for life. Their life is also not sure as we have seen bombs blasting in Pune and thankfully no casualties by grace of almighty. They are burdened by price rise, water cuts, bad road, bad public transport, corruption (getting passport is difficult nowadays than getting an Olympic medal as pointed by a friend). And when they decide to enjoy icecream with families or chose mineral water of health safety, or decide to eat out as a weekly enjoyment they are ridiculed by politicians who enjoy high flying life thanks to public money or arm chair elitist who write their articles while sitting on balcony of a French riveria , or flat overlooking Thames or in a highrise on 45th street of New York.. This is time for Public to do something for its own good. Create a system which can be responsive to their needs and whoever can help them they should jump the bandwagon. These current politicians have plundered us for 65 years. It’s time to find an alternative. If Team Anna can deliver why not support it?

Three events close to heart

Finally seems like we have rains in and around Pune for which we were waiting desperately. On this beautiful Friday evening watching rains over hills behind my office between two meetings over a hot cup of tea... (Resolved to avoid kanda bhaji lets see how evening turns over)


I missed out on commenting on three events which are close to heart and related to heart literally in one of them. Let’s start with that one. Heart in this event was that of Uddhav Thakarey. Howsoever outsiders love to hate Thakarey clan; they won’t understand how much they mean to Maharashtrians especially those in Mumbai. I am not being biased or crying victim here, Maharashtra is victim of its own success. The democratic and modernist thoughts in Maharashtra are thanks to some visionary leaders like Tilak, Agarkar, Phule, Ambedkar, and yes Savarkar (thats another topic). The cooperative movement, which has now being milked by all and sundry, actually in its formative days brought prosperity, water and parity to the hinterlands. The industrial policy of state was matched by no other state. Of, course the differentiating factor was presence of Mumbai in Maharashtra. And thats where the paradox is. Mumbai is in Maharashtra but Maharashtrians are outsiders in Mumbai. And i know i will invite wrath of many who will conveniently put pan Indian spirit. Read my leaps i am Indian first, but I need my state and city to respect my local identity (which is subject of ridicule in mainstream media), i love my mother tongue and i also feel justified in limiting unrestrained, unorganized and unsustainable growth thanks to all and sundry pouring in my cities. No complains on equal opportunities but dirty politics played by ruling combination has impacted my state. Be it commercialization, irrelevance of higher education, disaster in basic rural education, non investor friendly environs, corruption, uncontrolled civic growth, lack on emphasis on infrastructure, damage on environment, casteist social structure, vote bank politics and favouritism to elite. Thus its important to get out of this twelve year rule of DF govt. And unity in opposition is key. Though i like Raj Thakaray , but always felt that personal egos don’t matter over collective evil. Though much cannot be made out of hospital visit due to heart problem of Uddhav Thakaray, but if this picture can be extended to political reality, then it can really make difference

Next event uncommented was reinstallation of King Federer at Wimbledon. I have been watching Wimbledon since that epic 80 final between ice Bjorg and hot Mac. That was classic. Bjorg retired and Mac ruled 81, 83, 84 (excluding great match in 82 when Connors won). Then came in young boom boom unseeded Becker ruling 85 and 86. In 86 we had our own Ramesh Krishnan reaching quarterfinals which i think was a great achievement than winning doubles grandslams by current players who chose to fight with each other than play tennis or just be glammer dolls (only repect paes for Olympic bronze).  Becker caught imagination and heart with his dives and power play. Pat Cash a one year wonder came into limelight in 87 just to cruelly destroy dream of Ivan Lendl who never won wimbledon. Over a turbulent period when Berlin wall was broken, cold war end and USSR dissolution, rivalry of Edberg and Becker was so intense that first weekend of July was much anticipated. I used to like Edberg so much that i had his poster on my study desk. Those were JEE, 12th days. In those days we used to get only semis and finals telecasted on DD amidst interrupting news. Unknown Stich prevailed in 91 coinciding with my surprise academic success, and then came days of satellite television when all matches were telecasted by star with Vijay Amritraj commenting. Agassi completed career slam in 92, and then came reign of King Sampras. Starting in 93, 94, 95 he did hat trick with no competition. In 96 when i got my first job there was a blip in SF against Krajichek who later won. Normal service resumed in 97,98, 99 and 00. Those we days when my professional life and personal life took roller coaster ride which settled in 00. 01 was landmark year. A youngster with headband from Basel, played match of his life against sampras and beat him. The baton was passed and era changed. Eventually that year Wimbledon was won by Goran who was famous for his service and a wild card entry. Such was the year when Riya was born! 02 was Hewitt’s year when rains prevailed. Then the reign of Federer started. This player is complete player and an artist. You just love to watch his sublime play. He set hand on trophy in 03. There was no challenge in 04, 05 , 06 when roddick failed to compete. These were great times when Indian story bloomed and sensex reached 20000. In 07 buoyed by success on clay Nadal created a threat which he materialized in that epic final in 08. That was when recession started looming for all of us thanks to subprime crisis. In 09 finally roddick delivered epic final in which Federer prevailed competing 6 titles. Then there was a drought and everyone thought Federer’s reign had ended. Nadal in 10 and thanks to incredible year Djoikovich had in 11, claimed the trophy. This year is again special especially when Euro zone crisis hit the economies, Indian story had paralysis but sure there is a hope as Federer reclaimed his no1 . Having seen wimbledon so long first time we had a local boy in final.World now has some hope. Hope is close to heart as this player is.

Last event is death of first superhero Rajesh Khanna to double up with death of legendary Dara singh. I am great fan of Rajesh Khanna be it for his music. But influence of Aanand cannot be rule out by my heart. I am sure i will rerun the movie today, amidst this weather.....