Maharaj Punha Jamna Ghya....We Need Maharaj today

In follow up of my article titled ‘My own Maharaj’, I would like to compare today’s events with those in 17^th century. Based on that comparison, I feel that there is a great need for a leader like HIM (Shivaji Maharaj)today to unite all of India against corruption, terrorism and bad governance.

I just imagine what would have happened had Maharaj been born in this century.  HE would have created a glorious army (inclusive of all castes and religions) in India as in 17th century to hold off terrorist backing and corrupt governence of today which I would like to name as Bare Devils. Yes, I would like to call the rulers of today as Bare Devils due of their audacity to do anything under name of power, secularism, Aam Aadmi, and get away with it.  While doing so they bare their brazenness in public. Sad part is that public doesn't care and we get them elected again and again. Please note we are not against federal spirit by naming them  on lines of Delhi IPL team. Here Bare Devils represent the uncontrolled power incumbents have and the target of criticism are the incumbents of power and not some regional boogie. We firmly believe in united India or what we term as Akhand Bharat.  HE (Maharaj) never was a regional satrap as portrayed by past leaders of Bare Devils. HE had a pan Indian ideology and he aimed to protect whole of India from evil. But somehow even after end of Central Asian Empires and after independence from British, same Bare Devils have ruled for most of the 66 years of so called self rule. They have continued plundering of India like Central Asian or British rulers. And still they lack national charisma and appeal to make regional satraps blackmail them in name of coalition. This has fostered regionalism while nationalists get nothing out of system. Most importantly the Bare Devils are so corrupt that they loot India of its resources which are much needed for governance to reach last needy man in pyramid. Please study scams of 2G, CWG, Coalgate etc.

Lets now get back to a wonderful imagination called as ‘if HE was born today’

Let’s start with ground realities of today

HE (Maharaj) would have been held guilty in court of law (thanks to justices like 'Cat'jus ) for violating human rights of government officers on duty i.e. shahistekhan’s cut fingers and afzalkhan’s assassination. Human rights activists would have hounded him for apology. Leftist channels would have endless debates as to how HE is dangerous for secular fabric of India. Some so called wise kings would have joined rulers aiming to defeat HIM in name of modernism in Maharashtra.....and the clan of so called wise kings would have plundered Maharashtra during worst famine. The appointed subhedar of Maharashtra by Delhi would have had to prove his loyalty to Delhi durbar on a weekly basis and would have had a task to control ‘so called’ wise kings just in case...

Meanwhile those who were really trusted to fight for people s right ie opposition are disunited.   Those who had promised change after 45 years of misrule of Delhi durbar cronies in Maharashtra had a chance for 5 years to rule. They did well with expressway and roads, but failed on power, toll and other points. Mainly they failed to remove caste obstacles created by Delhi Baredevils and failed to gain power ever again. Then there were ego clashes wherein ambition of one of the heirs created divide in opposition votes and helped Delhi Bare Devils. Votes are as powerful today as the swords in those times. Maharashtra has been cursed by family feuds since historical times.

Seems like happy days of mughal kingdom are here again....

Maharaj punha jamna ghya.... We need Maharaj today to remove today's Mughals.

Let me elaborate on how even amidst these realities, HE would have defeated all Bare Devils. What Maharaj would have done? And that’s why we need HIM again.

He would have united all castes and religions and created viable alternative and imagination for all Indians.

He would have shown all the egotists and so called modernist their places and won over all opposition and fought the Baredevils.

He would have treated corruption as biggest crime and would have stemmed the rot

Women would have been safer.

Farmers and those deprived of development would have got priority.

There would have been no appeasement based on religion or caste.

Terrorism would have been wiped out from face of India

He valued environment and thus would have taken steps to cohesive development

He would have found new commerce avenues like IT, BT, and helped India ascend in world scenario.

Soldiers of Shivaji have already conquered world in US, UK and rest of world by their contribution economically benefitting India.

List is endless...

Just Imagine. Maharaj Punha Jamna ghya......

My Own Maharaj

When I was a child maybe was not aware of intricacies of Indian society. The entire world was presented to us in form of text books. Experiences at school and around were typical for a middle class non metropolitan (that time Pune at least in core Peth areas was non metropolitan. Incidentally school where I went used to admit people who shared same values and had same background maybe with one or two exceptions.  Real understanding of society came in very late when i went to IIT in 90s.  Also habit of reading helped understand further. With the profession, travel and internet came in realities of global context completing the experience.  So I can say pre 90s time slab for me was other era. One very important thing that has changed in both eras is a conscious attempt made by voices or forces around to hijack the plain unbridled respect, awe, reverence, worship I had for the great wise king Shivaji Maharaj. Not that these efforts of these people have resulted in diluting the same emotion I have for Maharaj in fact the respect has grown comparing today’s leaders. I can guess that many people with background like mine may have similar experience. When I say background I do not want to refer my caste or group this based on region, geography or religion. I just want to refer to people who grew up like me focussing on education to help us grow into international professions, aspired to take up global challenges be it in job or knowledge based entrepreneurship.  Today is Shivajayanti (by Indian Calendar and I had been thinking on these points for long.

Let me start explaining the unbridled reverence, worship, awe, respect I have for Maharaj (I prefer to call HIM like that). Maharaj created a kingdom challenging tyrannical alien rulers who had single handed religious and heinous agenda. His life is filled will continuous struggle and fight with these tyrants. He won every single moment against enemies and created unblemished record based on valour, wisdom, justice, truth and harmony for his subjects. He created example for pan Indian natives to respect own culture, religion and self esteem. He created a kingdom based on loyalty, self respect, self rule and self expression amidst a chaos reigning for centuries.  He stood for equality, respect for women and educated, native farmers and artisans. He created system which stood ground in those hardships. He had vision. The incidences like escape from Agra and panhala, total defeat and annihilation of evil invaders like Afzalkhan, shahistekhan, and many more... show his tact, daring and very intelligent statesmanship and hold over ground realities. Thinking global and acting local: a lesson for even today’s businesses. The long term vision is exemplified by the fact that moment he realized that Mirza Raje campaign was something most sinister threat for Hindavi swaraj that he decided to have treaty of Purandar to deflect direct suffering for subjects.  Going by facts for all the size of army and campaign, Mirza raje was not even able to conquer one fort of Purandar (thanks to bravery of unnamed occupants led by Murarbaji ). On the other hand he took on Afzalkhans and shahistekhans when they had captured much more territory than Mirza Raje. He created loyal supporters like Tanaji, Bajiprabhu, Shiva Kashid, Madari Mehtar, Hiroji, and many more who had believed in his just mission of creating self rule. He had many followers even in Muslims proving his broad vision. He respected enemies and was beyond any parochial outlook. He understood threats of British and other colonists who were mere traders then. No other so called emperors of India (even though they themselves came from central Asia) found these traders as threats. Of course what can you expect from another outside occupier?  Maharaj understood importance of Sea and Mountains for strategic defence. Attacks like 26/11 or 93 bombings would never have happed if his vigilant navy was guarding us today. We don’t learn from History. But what can we do as these is hidden agenda to manipulate history. For those growing up on Raja Shivchatrapati by B M Purandare, it’s something beyond words to express worship we had as a child and we now have as grownups for Maharaj.

Then let me tell you what i earlier meant when i feel my emotions are being hijacked

1.       Drawing Maharaj on caste line: This is the most disrespect we can do to once in a century leaders like Maharaj of for that matter visionaries and legends  like Tilak, Agarkar, Shahu maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Maharshi Karve, Dr Babasaheb  Ambedkar, Savarkar.  These people are so great and it’s very imperative for mere mortals like us to respect them beyond caste, religion, boundaries, and states. These are world leaders and definitely need Pan Indian respect. But today’s leaders based on narrow and selfish interest brand these leaders based on their castes and hidden agenda. I feel some people are making intentional attempt to let people like us realize that we are not needed in worshipping HIM.

2.       Dividing society by his name

Some people are creating needless controversies to divide the society already so divided on caste lines. Certain saints and historical characters are purposefully deleted from history and mention. I don’t care if these characters played role in history as believed and historical research is something which should be left to academics. But what I request is not to divide society creating needless controversies. Maharaj spent his life uniting society (Maratha Tituka Melavava). Aren’t we doing disrespect to his legacy?

3.       Undermining very important aspects of his life, teachings and legacy

a)      Creating false notions about insiders/outsiders and diluting main cause and philosophy his life story is based on.

Now i see secular media, politicians and thought leaders deflecting most important teachings like respect of self, religion, culture and self governance. They just see Maharaj as someone who created justice based kingdom out of subjects. The whole life of Maharaj is based on fighting evil outside tyrants. Please note these existing tyrannical rulers were not people of land but outsiders who had an agenda to rule. They were not any other ordinary ‘unjust’ rulers from native dynasties or local dacoits or misguided villains. Yes and he was secular in true sense as he had many followers from other religion and castes as well. He was champion of creating that self respect and belief needed to carte self rule, justice and benevolent, socially developmental regime.

b)      Highlighting only few  greatness points out of complete 360% projection of his greatness

These days as you see any article describing his greatness revolves around only some points of his greatness. These days’ historical facts like defeat of Afzalkhan or Shahistekhan are no more highlighted.  His vision and valour defeating enemies is not highlighted as it was highlighted when I was child. Only the points like how his kingdom was secular or how he was king of farmers, how he created efficient systems as rulers are the only topics discussed publically. Yes he was a great king, he was king of farmers and he created very deep and detailed governance system. His love for farmers and subjects is incomparable in history. And we used to know these points of HIS greatness even when we were child. And its good that these points are highlighted but his main teachings are diluted while doing that for some obvious ‘secular’ agenda.  But I am not sure our next generation know nuances of all epic battles like that of Purandar, Javali, Panhala, surat will be known with details like what we used to do. That’s why i love the song from film Me shivajiraje bhosale boltoy on battle of pratapgad.

4.       Continuing  with erstwhile prejudices

The leaders in Maharashtra after Tilak in congress mainstream (Please note that Savarkar was never in congress mainstream), have history of genuflecting towards high command.  Right from Nehru, the so called Pan Indian leaders and ill informed and uninterested public outside Maharashtra continue to have jaundiced outlook towards life and legacy of Maharaj. We have seen in past all and sundry and so called ‘mass leaders’ quoting on Maharaj wrongly then apologizing when issues backfired. Even today our leaders fail to highlight Pan Indian cause of Maharaj outside Maharashtra.  Maharaj had pan Indian impact of undermining unjust outside dynasties and which resulted in modern India based on his vision (though in between there was British rule which took up vacuum created by Maharaj’s successful challenge to so called Pan Indian outside dynasties). He did not have time span in life to spread his pan Indian vision (except few kingdoms) to the other parts of India or maybe successive Maharashtrian rulers failed to take on from where he had left resulting in British rule.  Sambhaji raje was an exception wherein he took on four strong enemies and kept them at bay for 8 years with sheer vision and tact. Sadly he was a victim of treachery.  It’s very high time that our leaders of today end these pan Indian prejudices.

Now who are these forces /voices who try to hijack my own emotions for Maharaj from me?  I do not want to pin point neither have any interest in doing so as there are some public faces subscribing to this process or there may be very obvious hidden bigwigs behind these forces.  No idea.  

And I might be wrong as well that anyone apart from me feels like above. But one thing is sure that personality like HIM will not be born again. That’s why he was gugpurush (man of the era), yugkarta (creator of an era).  And these great people are born once in millennium...

Salute to my own Maharaj.......

End Season (discounted) analysis

At the start of season we knew assignments would be easy as we had home conditions compared to 11 and 11-12 where we had 8 tests in eng and Aus. We suffered 0-8 loss. Thanks to almighty when we had transition phase then.  We had young players who were raw and untested and fitness levels where anti athletics like me could have beaten established players.

Indian international cricket calendar has come to an end for 12-13 season. It started with India vs NZ in India followed by ICCt20 in srilanka, India vs England 4 tests in India  followed by T20s and ODIs, antinational pakis playing ODIs and t20s which i boycotted as to protest (as if it mattered) and finally Ind  vs. Aus  4 test series.  So what are the signs based on this season

1.       Dhoni changed his laid back attitude in tests and he was able to shed some heavy weights in test and ODIs (eg VVS, RD in test and Gambhir and Viru in limited overs cricket).

2.       Emergence of new kids on the blocks: Pujara, Vijay, Dhavan, Jadeja, and re-emergence of Kohli, Ashwin, Dhoni and Ozha. These people showed their merit by means of consistent performances and positive intent. Though would have loved Rahane to produce innings of significance in final test as well Jadeja showing more skills with bat. That’s most positive of this season than results as they forebode good outcome. Now only question how this young brigade will cope in SA , AUS and ENG?

3.       Indian bowling esp fast bowling had one answer ie. Bhuvanesh kumar who can be used with desired results in SA, Aus and Eng provided he remains fit. Ishant sharma can be potent force as he has exhibited in those climes. Fitness of Varun, Yadav, and rest remain mystery though thanks to BCCI whims and fancies on their fitness of fast bowlers including zaheer khan. That’s is main thing to be focussed for SA13

4.       Nothing and no one is indispensable including the Master blaster as he is in need to perform as to justify why is not retiring. Though many of my friends would find this meaning sacrilege but already I have documented what HE means to me but as all good things come to an end so be HE and preferably not as risk of team interest.

So while i don’t know implication of yet another jail escape for England in NZ thanks to 10 th wicket and Monty, i assume that India end up as No1 ODI team (confirmed) and no2 (or 3 in worst case) Test team for this season it’s a good start for next season which comprises of Champions trophy in Eng , ODI home series against Aus,  4 test series in SA, 3 test series in NZ. (not counting IPL and CTT20).

Wishing young India brigade all the  best in hostile conditions and wishing HIM to prevail upon non entities and critics who don’t count at all as compared to HIS stature .  It’s time for midsummer night dreams and commercial space for something as inconsequential like IPL but morons like us still will enjoy as compared to shit produced by major popular channels in fiction and news media(as biased as they are clamouring for unproven but convicted celebrity terrorist . Lage raho ‘bhai’ and i mean cricket brethren.....

Another Day in Office

Indian monsoons these days are not like what they used to be fifteen years back. In fact life is not what like it used to be fifteen years back. World two decades ago seemed like a different world, a different planet, experienced by a different human being whose name I still carry on my visiting card as Director of company launched ten years ago by that same human being. That human being also had the same name as written on name plate on new pent house I bought last year, and on registration of my new car which was launched last week by the Car company which itself was launched in India fifteen years back during new liberal era ushered upon in India by now Prime Minister who was Finance Minister then.

I had read in morning paper that Monsoons were receding and some rains were predicted. Day started brightly as usual. It was sunny as I completed reading daily papers with my cursory glances, dropped everyone to their respective occupations in family and reached office.

Day at office was hectic as usual. It started with daily  overseas calls, meetings to plan the work , planning the meetings, monitoring projects,  few interviews to replace employees on notice, employee communication, client communication to explain the most hot issue of change management, supervising the draft  proposal for prospective work from existing client, checking on facebook as to who is doing what, commenting on business political topics, envying those on vacations, knowing who ate which cuisine last night, getting mobile calls from banks and insurance companies who wanted to sell me something which I do not need, celebrating birthday of a young employee joined recently, completing pending client status reports, rejecting offer from friends to 'sit out' somewhere to enjoy the Wednesday evening owing to call late in the night, had managed to take out few minutes while having lunch to speak with spouse while reading economic times.

As the day turned into evening outside, had no clue that clouds had gathered and a clear day turned out into balmy windy and dark evening. I normally have no time to check outside weather but today I had managed to take a glimpse of outside from the glass exterior of my 5th floor office while fetching coffee from the machine which is at other end of my cabin. There are days when I don’t have a single trip outside my cabin loaded with work and meetings. But today felt like having coffee which was very rare on such kind of day.  Thus as days turn into nights, monsoon to autumn, winters to summers, miss out on this daily theatrical show offered by nature. That's what is about life; we miss out many things going for kill, going for something intangible. Of course there are moments of weekends; holidays where you can speak to yourself and detach yourself from happenings around but such moments are very rare these days. These 3G networks don't allow you that as well now days. Even on vacations, you need to check mails, fb, gtalk whatever....

As the clouds roared, I was worried about employees who will man the BPO for the night. Honestly I am not worried about them but about the fact that on such evenings someone or other feels like reporting sick or has some family emergencies.  My poor Ops manager has his own set of problems. I feel for him on such days. Terror is unending as depicted in a beautiful Lata song. Fifteen years back such evening would have resulted in calling group of friends and venture out for a long drive to get drenched, have onion pakodas and chill out. Now I bother about traffic jams, water logging, and power and network outage. I checkout if my family reached home on time which they have.  By the time my night shift staff got settled I decided to go home. It was Eight PM.  I sent my final email, closed my laptop and then again after some discussions finally entered into elevator.

As I enter the elevator, I am approached by Ops manager that six of employees on one major acct have not come and they have month end to finish. Though we have backups but not for six employees on single project. I ask him to call each of them and request them to come when rain subsides. I transmit client pressure to Ops manager. I go back to my cabin lecture him on how client has raised queries last month on some missing line items and how I had to convince him. I don’t want to do that again on first US working day of next month.  Meanwhile I see workload on other client account and nominate those with fewer loads to this job. My head starts wheeling and banging. Ops manager comes in saying 2 people have complied and will reach office soon. I instruct him further on some process contingencies and certain report to be sent on priority and rest to be done upon completion. My headache is accompanied by some stomach butterfly feeling which I attributed to tea I had at six PM. I mailed my US account manager about the plan and then talked to the same guy. Now I am going crazy, I have a vomiting sensation, my head is banging, and I need to leave.

I just mechanically rushed to the elevator and by the time I reach down as I could smell rain and heard its noise. I felt calm.  The head ache was gone, so were the stomach ailments. I entered into my car in the basement by quarter to Nine with fifteen more minutes to go for old songs to start on FM stations. These days I don’t like anything that’s contemporary be it music, movies or anything. Some people call it mid life crisis.

It’s raining heavily by now. Road has a stream gushing from up hill. I tread my vehicle knowing that with the clearance my vehicle has; there should not be any problem. I splash water onto few poor pedestrians who had bad time holding on to their umbrellas. What on earth made these people venture out in rains that too without vehicle? How insensitive you can be looking at world from your eyes. Fifteen years back maybe I would have been at receiving end of the splash and still enjoy it. There is one small lane branching off the main road to take a short cut to reach bypass highway which is my daily route while returning. This lane has some buildings with residents but is kind of deserted and badly lit even on normal days but today it was pitch dark and totally deserted. I put on upper light. Viper is at maximum. Suddenly I see a man dressed in white shirt and tie with a brief case in hand asking for a lift. He was middle aged and looked corporate types.  Normally these days you don’t dare give anyone lift. I have heard about many crime and mugging incidences. I wonder what to do. Should I zoom pass him and leave him to his fate or help him? I slow down. His dress, look and feel helped me feel secure as he sounded a mid level executive of some reputed company. Maybe he got stuck because of his bad luck. The stranger also reminded me of my diseased maternal uncle who used to dress similarly and was of similar age when he used to come to our place till fifteen years back. Those memories flashed and made me press on brake pedal and stop around twenty meters ahead of him. He came near the car and spoke to me in proper English

" Sorry for bothering you, but I was supposed to be picked up by my company vehicle which has broken down and have to reach station to catch night train back to Solapur"

"Can you please drop me to the bus station from where I can catch bus to the railway station?

 Bus station he mentioned is on my way, I nodded.

“Sorry I am wet. Do you have any newspaper so that I wont make your passenger seat wet?"

I think I have few in my dickey. So I said him that they are in the dickey.

“That’s fine I will take them out” he said. I opened the dickey as he goes behind the vehicle. He comes back with an old paper and a plastic cricket bat which my daughter had left during some outdoor picnic.  

That flashed the sentiment of longing for my daughter. Whenever I think of her, there is a feeling which can only be described by something warm, welcome, caring.  It is the same feeling which I used to get when I was a child. It is the same feeling when I saw my parents returning late by few hours when they had kept me with some relative promising that they will return in half an hour. 

 Zooming back to present I thought why on earth this man pulled out plastic bat from dickey.

“You have a kid, he must be missing his bat at home so I thought I could remind you of a small bat in dickey as I am sure it must have been lying there for months if not years”, said he.

 I remember our trip to Mulshi in June. It seems like yesterday and three months had passed and so had monsoons.

I said “Oh thanks maybe my daughter is missing her bat. Will take it home for sure today”

He settled inside and we started the journey

We reach the bypass highway and join the speedy vehicles rushing past. Rain grew stronger

Stranger said “I am Ashish Kulkarni from Solapur.”  Name sound familiar but I knew of at least 500 odd Kulkarnis in Maharashtra and US. This is a kind of name you will find anywhere and any search on facebook or linkedin will generate at least 500 results.

He asks my name, am hesitant, I comply. Asks me about my native village, occupation

I tersely tell him software nowadays you don’t trust strangers, Software is a vast spectrum from 5k earning trainees earning five thousand to VPs earning three crores and above.

“What kind of  Software?  I know computers but my education stopped when windows was just about to arrive. I had taken a course in NIIT for 3 months but learnt nothing but to open lotus   sheet on pc XT. IT was late 97. After that I did not have any opportunity”

I remembered those days when IT was new. Days of y2k, dot coms etc. That was time we jumped into IT, now we talk about clouds, Android, IOS. Lot has happened in fifteen years

Looking at the bat asked me how old is my daughter. I told her age.

Putting down the bat, he said calmly “I came to your house when you were twelve years old.”

I am shocked

“You mean to say you know me. You must be joking”

How the hell he remembered my face after twenty six yrs and after having added at least 60-70 kgs on me in those twenty six years.

Now he tells my school name, my love for cricket, my peculiar habit of mixing rice, chapati and dal to make it faster to eat so I can run out to play

We suddenly are slowed by a bottleneck on highway, bus station is 5 minutes away but traffic will take me 15 minutes for sure and I am with someone I don’t know but who knows me very well.

So I ask him do you know my father or anyone from our family. I was searching for all kulkarnis in my memory. And another clue was solapur.

Yes he said: I know your maternal uncle Kiran Deshpande: kiranmama. Then it struck me that the uniform was from the same company where kiranmama used to work

Kiranmama was someone special.  I was someone nondescript in my family who had no aim but to play cricket on street and watch on television. I never used to score more than 65%. But somehow Kiranmama had special attention for me. He used to tell my family that I had great potential be it studies or whatever I do.  He was my favorite. I used to remember evenings he used to take me out to gardens whenever he came to Pune. We ate snacks forbidden at house. We used to go to his place in vacation. Those used to be best days. As he said, I did well in Xth but surprise came in XII and IIT when I scored big and made good career. His prophecy was correct. As I went to IIT, I used to write letters to him. Yes those days I used to write letters. As I joined my first job after IIT, we partied in real sense as he welcomed me to adulthood. It was so macho to get drunk….

And one fine morning in late 97, I was visiting Pune on a weekend, we all woke up on call in about the accident which happened earlier night and all of us attend his funeral in Solapur then. Kiranmama and one of his colleagues were bumped off by a truck while returning from office.

Suddenly traffic speeds up, I am back to present which is tense.

I asked him “Do you still work Kiranmama‘s office?”

“I don’t”

But then realized that the company was closed in mid naughties, I remember someone from Kiranmama’s family telling me that in 2005.

I wanted to ask him then why is he wearing that company dress.

“Kiran was a good man” He goes on. “I was very close to him. He got me in the company using his good books with the then company GM. We used to work hard when we were bachelors and spend weekends together. Then we got married had children but we has a strong bond”.

“And let me tell you, you were his favorite nephew. He was so proud when you stood in state merit list and got into IIT. He would have been proud seeing your status today”

But then he said “Kiran missed out on seeing his son doing so good in life as you. That should be his only regret after living a good but short life.”

He turns to me and asks “Hope you are doing fine. Do you have any regrets in life?”

Normally I get sick of such philosophical talk. I ignored

After a small pause, he put on his spects. Turned towards me and said in a very deep voice

 “ Let me tell you why I am here. I am here for message, Today is your last day in office, I mean last day in life as well.  “

I braked car to halt as cars behind started honking.

Was it a practical joke?  I could see the bus station 500 meters away. Was that a joke gone wrong or he wanted to be philosophical or was he insane.

Then suddenly I recall my trip in 97, on that night when Kiranmama had died, someone else was critically injured and later succumbed to injuries. I could remember face of small girl who was daughter of Kiranmamas’ colleague and her mom. I suddenly remember name on ICU ward : Kiran Deshpande and Ashish Kulkarni…….

The world started turning around for me. No this can be happening.  This guy is playing some jokes.

I went back to 97. I remembered his face in local papers next day in obituary column. And lightening stuck me. What if he is a ghost and if he is so then am I going to die?

Now his old uniform, his interrupted computer education, everything he said fell in place in time sense of things.

I do not want to die. I have responsibility to my family. I have to play with my daughter. I want to see her grow. I want to see myself retiring nicely. How would my daughter cry when she knew that? What will my wife do? How will my parents take this? 

Office and related matters which mattered most till five minutes back, seemed to be last worry. In fact it never stuck then what will happen to my client, employees? But strangely I stuck me that how my CA will manage wealth so my family will not suffer. What if someone frauds??  . So ultimately it was again about family.  Many thoughts just flashed in few seconds. Whole images about past memories mostly good ones zoomed.  So life is about good memories.

I look at man, he had know it all smile and some serenity.

He said “Son my message has been delivered. Look even we have reached the bus stand “.I never realized that I was driving blindly for last few moments. I halted the car. He simply walked off into crowd of umbrellas near the bus station.

I am dazed, I am sweating, again my headache starts to roll off, and I feel like vomiting,

And there is a big knock on the car door and there was a huge guy in black overcoat asking me to open my door. Was it Mr death? I pass off

I open my eyes,  I am in my cabin, There was crowd outside my cabin, The guy with black rain coat was watch man who was trying to break lock of my cabin. My cell phone had 18 missed calls from wife, parents, office ops manager, office boy.

Later I came to know that I was unconscious in my room all the while.No one realized but my wife upon not knowing my where about called everyone and someone realized that I was in the cabin not responding to anything even after knocking for 5 minutes and thus had called watchman to break open the door locked from inside

Immediately they rushed me to hospital, my BP had shot up 200-140, I missed a stroke narrowly. It could have been anything even paralysis if I was not so lucky.

Month after that I am again in office but still cannot forget face of late Ashish Kulkarni. I have learnt lesson hard way that family matters most. Maybe I was given a warning, a new perspective,   from someone Iike Kiranmama from the other world who loved me so much.

I have taken this seriously and promise to do what I missed.  I will not get hyper on office matters, I will plan my legacy, I will spend more time with daughter and family, I will focus on health. And I will treat every day in office as just another day of fine journey which we call as life.

Just to complete the narrative and very small fact which came upon me few days later. I remembered that on the morning of that fateful day, I happened to accidentally gaze upon the 15^th death anniversary photo published by Late Ashish Kulkarni’s daughter who is now an IT employee of reputed company after being recruited from one of the top engineering campuses in country. Kiranmama’s son also has gone abroad for higher studies.  I imagine how Kiranmama would have enjoyed US visits and success of his son. Wish life is not as unfair as it was to him.

But then this is life. You have to treat it just as another day in office and you will agree that offices are not fair to everyone. Point is what you make out of this extra day in office……

Note: The characters and events depicted are fictitious and any resemblance to anyone living or dead is coincidental. Though issues are real, human and universal…..

Revival

Revival is order of day; be it economy, be it politics, be it cricket, be it society. As we enter second half of the second month of year 2013, which had a bad start in addition to legacy of 2012 which was year of failures.  Somehow many will agree that speed of time flow is incredibly fast in 2013 though it may sound as cliché or for that matter anomalous as wheel of time moves it same speed since the big bang.  But having seen almost 45 days of New Year, seems like 2013 has different properties. 

Government seems to be acting especially against sending strong message to enemies of India irrespective of what lefts, seculars and anti nationals say against Afzal Guru hanging. Noises for Modi as PM have already made an impact so that govt had to take cognisance of it and act. If Modi outside power can create such an impact, what will happen if really he is give n charge in 2014? That for me sounds remote as Indian voters don’t vote by emotions, logic, ideology or development, they vote based on established equations, patterns, cash and demographic vote banks. And Indian media and elites have some agenda to derail Modi and his politics of development. But media is scared and that can be seen in endless debates on secularism and under mining of Modi. The British mindset of ruler and elites in India has not changes even after 60 years of freedom. Our Independence struggle has replaced British with new elite class which has ruled politics, media, society and business. Though after liberalization business in India has been relatively set free and they can have role to play based on what suites them. Government has taken note of public outcry and seems to heed for social media opinions and thus seems to have some decisive plan to defend its urban educated vote base. More interesting will be budget when populist and vote bank schemes which were highlight of UPA 2 will get financial support or will they be diluted on backdrop of reforms. That will clearly be the signal even as step to have Rahul Gandhi projected at PM carries no immediate political gains. Not that all will be revived if Modi is at power. It has to be seen if he can master coalition politics and yet push forth his development card. And here i do not wish to repeat that secular, corrupt and damaging political/elite systems which ruled for last 55 out of 60 odd years will make it impossible for someone well meaning, corruption free like Modi to act in benefit of India.

That brings forth development and economic growth which needs revival. Here 2013 will have to play a major role in defining 2014 and beyond. World economy seems better than 2012 especially US showing signs of recovery. European crisis still looms but some mitigating steps have been taken. Indian 2012 was poor with reduced growth, high inflation, BOP crisis, bad governance, corruption, famine all colluding to have gloomy impact on economy. Govt seems to be irrationally bent upon collecting taxes to narrow deficit sometimes illogically driving away investors. Govt also vacillates on key policies. Thus budget of 2013 will define the direction. Thankfully guidance for IT companies is bullish and we can see better job market further boosting the spending in real estate, consumer markets and auto. Thus we should look forward to PC to take steps to revive economy.

Will Narendra Modi and his development politics as an answer to a better 2014 and beyond....... Only time will tell but his chances are very slim for now. But you never know.

Same is for society. 2013 started on bad note for safety of women.  Though some laws have been straightened but much more need to be done. Issues like female infanticide, khaps, inequality still remain challenge for society. Thus society needs revival

State govt of Maharashtra is busy exploiting draught. Draught relief is proven industry for some. Energy crisis looms and no steps seem to be taken anywhere. Blame the coalition. Opposition is divided now with MNS declining to join any one. Thus this government is safe. So revival in 2014 seems distant.

Education system needs revival as IITs are abused. Govt is playing with students on exams, RTE and some evaluation dictats. Need experts to manage rather than politicos.

Civil society movements need revival and need to align with opposition to make an impact. Somehow hopes with likes of Arvind Kejariwal, MNS seems dying down as individual ego based politics lacks mass appeal.

Pune city needs revival on infrastructure and environment but people at helm are real estate tycoons and anti social elements so chances to develop city and remove corruption remain remote

Finally Indian cricket needs revival after nadir of series loss to England at home. Australia seems lesser challenge than England who had good pace and spin attack along with experience batting. Aussies  batting apart from Clarke and Watson seem inexperienced, also with lack of spinning option could hurt them but Indians should be beware of their young pace attack. But have Indian selectors taken look at larger picture that is future? Starting with captaincy where they don’t seem to have alternative despite Dhonis’ failing as test captain and batsman.  So at least they should groom someone for future by naming him VC; only candidate being Virat Kohli who is only certainty in playing eleven apart from Dhoni and Sachin till he retire. Sachin should be asked about his future clearly up to what time he can play and plans should be to use his experience. Some tough calls are necessary.  Young guns like Rahane, Dhawan, Tiwary should be given chances to cement their places like Kohli and pujara.  So that leaves Sehwag . But Sehwag was needed against aussies. It will be his last chance like sachin. On bowling getting back to Harbhajan was tactical for aussies and i feel he should be played ahead of ashwin. Fast bowling is strengthened by bhuvanesh. So once varun and yadav get fit we may have better picture for future. Let’s hope there is revival there

So during this romantic period of year , lets hope that we see revival.......

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.

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.

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 16^th 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....