The Real Policing

The police are supposed to be used for maintaining law and order.
Not in the state of Uttar Pradesh!
Here police constables can be seen carrying vegetable basket behind the wife of a police officer, or escorting the officers' children to school or even helping the saheb's family in their general shopping .

I spotted this young constable (photos) pushing the shopping trolley walking a step behind the family of some bureaucrat.
At Spencer Mall in Gomti Nagar.

He was attentive and running from shelf to shelf picking up stuff for the family, which included an old lady, a young woman and a middle-aged man.
All of them appeared healthy enough to walk (escalators were not working at that time) to the first floor.

However, the feudal mentality compelled them to carry a slave with them. Who would have been better than the poor constable - maybe his first posting!

The family is not the only one, its the pattern in the state where bureaucrats misuse the security they get or the official vehicle they get to perform their duties.

I hope the Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav takes notice of this trend. I hope he does something to check the misuse of government property.

After all, it is the money of the common man that goes into the maintenance of government vehicles as well as into the salaries of government employees!

Have Gandhi's teachings lost relevance!

A man named Ravindra Singh Gandhi was carrying 300,000 Rupees, each currency note having the face of Gandhi. 

Trying to cross a railway crossing, he was hit by a train. He did not die on the spot but fell unconscious. However, his bag was opened because of the massive jerk and the money he was carrying got scattered around.
People around, instead of saving the man, started collecting money. By the time the railway police came and took Gandhi to hospital he was dead.
Read the full story here:Link

The news is shocking and it must make every human stop and ponder if we have lost all humanity!
Gandhi taught unconditional human service. all controversies aside, Gandhi as a human even helped leprosy affected people. He became Mahatma owing to his selfless service of humanity.
Every office in India displays Gandhi's photo.
Every now and then in seminars and workshops or even on national days like Republic Day and Independence Day, on his own birth anniversary on 2 October, we call what Gandhi taught us.
Unfortunately, his teachings remain restricted to a lip service by many. When it comes to translate what he taught us in actions, we so miserably fail.

Is money so important today? Do we care more about material than human? Does human life so cheap that money can undermine it so easily? Have we become ruthless and insensitive? Has the greed and lust for money made us inhuman?

Gandhi's death has left many questions, which, we, as humans, must try to explore the answers of...

My Mother & Me Mother

I don't buy the idea of celebrating these special days as everyday is special for people who hold special place in our lives. Yet this mothers' day I felt compelled to share my thoughts with people who care what and how I feel.

Like any other person my mother, Urmila Pande nee Bajapi, was an inspiration for me. Her strength was unmatchable as she could work for hours at a stretch without any break. She used to be the in-charge of the kitchen in all marriages in our family and would single-handedly feed hundreds of guests. She was courageous as she was not scared of stepping out in our garden, with low boundary walls, in the dark.

Her sacrifices were exemplary. She would not let people even realise when she did something for them. Her cooking is remembered by all those who ever got lucky to taste her food, even today. She was an extraordinary seamstress. I have yet to find a tailor who could stitch such flawlessly fitted sari blouses as she did. Every girl who got blouses stitched from her faces the same problem what I face today.

A voracious reader, she finished all the books in a library in Unnao city. She had to join another one. A well-read woman, she could converse on any issue - be it politics, spiritualism, sports or movies. With her elephantine memory, she remembered all songs but unfortunately she could not sing - the only remorse she carried with her even to her deathbed.

She never complained as I never saw her brooding. I recall playing Four Corners with her in the Aangan (courtyard) of my big ancestral house in Unnao. All what I know about mythology is due to her. I was fortunate to have her as my mother who would narrate stories every evening when I impatiently waited for the dinner to be ready.

She never insisted that my sister or me should work in the house or learn cooking or get habitual of household chore. She never asked us to wear any particular dress as we were free to wear whatever pleased us. I remember that after watching the film Bobby, I asked her to stitch the same mini skirt and the polka-dotted blouse with a knot, as Dimple Kapadia wore in a song, and she did. It was exactly the same.

Today, she is no more in this world but she is always with me, living inside me.

I have inherited a few traits from her although I cannot match all her traits.


I have two children who are my lifeline and I couldn't have possibly succeed in facing the vagaries of life if they were not there. Today, they are grown up citizens and make me feel proud of them everyday.

What I learnt from my mother, I tried to execute a little of bit of that in my life when I became a mother. I read my children stories almost everyday. I stitched fancy clothes for my children. I tried to cook good food for them, which they remember.

Yet, I will always regret that I couldn't do enough or as much as my mother did for me, for my children.

Therefore, today, I take time to salute to these six letters which make a meaningful word called 'Mother'!  
     

Care for a drive?

While reading a story about Royal couple Kate and William's baby, I was scanning through the photo gallery. It came as a pleasant surprise to me when I saw Prince Charles driving his car with Camilla sitting next to him. Similarly, the Duke was driving his car and Prince William his; and all of them were wearing seat belts as well.

Photos courtesy: The Telegraph UK



I couldn't believe and reviewed all the photos many a times. Then I was informed that until recently even the queen used to drive her own car.

The genesis of my surprise is the common practice in India, and more so, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, where driving your own car is seen as quite low.

People buy the most expensive luxury cars and hand them over to their smelly, unkempt and uncouth drivers, most of whom learn driving on the job. Sometimes they even get their driving licences by bribing and not by taking an examination.

Such drivers then enjoy the power behind the wheels, while the owners (sometimes the whole family) crams at the back seat and feels 'great' about being driven.

Such people see those, who drive their own cars, with a different kind of eye glasses.  

There are people, who, when the car stops, wait inside, for the driver to get out from the driving seat and come to the other side of the back door for the 'sahab' (officer) to get out.

There are others whose drivers start honking when they are more than 200 metres away from home, so that the slave working for them can come running to take the small bag from madame, in which she is carrying green coriander, maybe.

Living amidst such high and mighty 'super class', when I saw the pictures of the Royal family members driving their own cars, it amused me and made me think.

Keeping a driver is not a big deal in India, where untrained drivers (majority of them) are available at as less as 3000 Indian rupees for a month.

Yet, driving your own car is real stress buster, unless one is in a stressful job and would prefer to avoid the stress of driving on congested Indian roads.

And I think the Royal family and so are many others, understand it and want to enjoy and have fun behind the wheels. 

Some memories to share...

Amidst the hustle bustle of daily life, professional and personal commitments, and a few mundane tidbits, I suddenly realised that I have been away from all those friends and well wishers, who boost my morale by reading, appreciating and sometimes criticising my writing.

I still am not getting time from my schedule, so thoughh of sharing some photo memories with all of you.

I hope you enjoy them and share your views here ....

Keep smiling
Until we meet again !

PS: all photos were taken at Alibagh, about 150 km from Mumbai, at one of my friends' farm house.

Bullet train or no train !

Bullet train or no train!

Malkangiri is quite a big district of Odisha state. It houses one of the biggest dams – Balimela on the river Sellar (I hope the selling is correct as I could see everything written only in Odia language, which I can understand a little bit but cannot read), in Chitrakonda area.

The sad part is that the district has no railway line and therefore obviously there is no railway station. Anyone coming to Malkangiri has to travel at least 3-6 hour by road (depending which route you are coming from). If you are coming from Hyderabad, the nearest railway station is Bhadrachalam Road (300 km south of Malkangiri), which makes it at least a six-hour drive. If you are coming from Bhubaneshwar direction, the closest railway station is Jypore (about 110 km north of Malkangiri), which makes it a road journey of minimum three-hours. 

Since I was going to Malkangiri via Hyderabad, I had to travel 300 km by road.

The travel underlined yet another paradox in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the moment he was seated on the coveted chair, started talking about high-speed bullet train. His declaration sounded more like a blabber, when I recently visited Malkangiri for a training programme.

I was surprised to find that there is no train connection to this district.

Why is it so that all politicians – the moment they reach a high position – start making such absurd announcements?

In a country where even after six decades of independence, there are places which have no railway links, such as Malkangiri or the whole area in North East, talking of bullet train sounds so rattling.

Take this sample Mr Prime Minister : 

The Indian train system comes to a halt during winters when there is fog. We have not been able to evolve and use devices which can help trains carry on with their regular schedule in thick fog.

Even when there is no fog, Indian trains do not run on time, ever!

Our air system too goes topsy-turvy in poor visibility. We have not been able to install devices to enable landing of aircrafts in fog.

Notwithstanding, we have sent the spaceship to Mars and are getting accolades from the world; and now we are talking of introducing a bullet train.

What surprises me is the fact that Modi comes from a humble background, so why does he not think of first streamlining the existing system and infrastructure before introducing the ‘world-class’ facilities?

First make our trains run on time, irrespective whether there is fog or not.

First make proper arrangements for flights to take off and land in fog.

First introduce trains to places like Malkangiri!

It was heartening to hear Modi announcing rail connection to North East during his recent visit. However, let's see if this announcement converts into a concrete plan or remains restricted to yet another populist announcement!    

Good news for girls!!!

Finally, there is good news for girls and women!

There had been efforts at various levels for saving girl children and for women empowerment.
Nonetheless, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi started Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save Girl Child, Educate Girl Child) programme has formalised the movement.

It was heartening to know that suddenly there were more plans and schemes on their way to help women, even in Uttar Pradesh where the male female ratio is as low as 1000:918.

Although Uttar Pradesh had a Women Powerline but a phone line helping women who are being harassed on phone is not enough in a state which is notoriously tops the list of those states where crime against women is rampant and high.

However, now even the Uttar Pradesh government, thinking beyond Women Powerline, is taking a step ahead.  Giving 'Shakti' (Power) to women, the government has planned to organise Shakti Diwas (Power Days) at all police stations, across the state.

This special day will be devoted to problems of women. The government is also making arrangements so that these complainant women can be brought to the police stations without any problem.

Harassment of a complainant woman in approaching the police is common in small towns. To avoid such situation, the government vehicles will be used to bring such women to police stations and later the same vehicles will also drop these women back to their homes.

Normally village chiefs are aware if there is any woman in their village who is facing any kind of crime or atrocities - be it harassment for dowry, domestic violence, property issues or any other issue.

The police will coordinate with village chiefs to find out such women and bring them to the police station on Shakti Diwas so that their complaints can be registered.
      
The idea is that the complainant will not face further harassment or threats once the village people see that the woman has the support and backing of the government and police.

This is a move by the government, which is worth appreciation. Now how far this will get implemented in its true letter and spirit, that only time will tell. For the time being it should give a sense of empowerment to all women, who are not in a position to reach the police or authorities if they are being harassed!



  

Cycle Track, So Off Track!

In the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, its Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is promoting cycling for the sake of health and environment. Now this is another story that cycle is also the symbol of his party, Samajwadi Party (SP).

Yadav sent a delegation to Netherland also to study how cycle tracks work there. On his insistence, the officials, under the direction of some experts from Netherland, got constructed two cycle tracks in Lucknow, the capital of the state.

Yadav believes that these tracks will help the people of Lucknow in improving their health as they will use these tracks for cycling. Besides, it will help the environment as more people will use cycles instead of cars or motorbikes. He has also urged people to use cycles for commuting.

However, the interesting aspect of these cycle tracks is that both of them are built on the VVIP (Very Very Important Person) roads - Kalidas Marg (having the official residence of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister) and Vikramaditya Marg (the personal residence of the current Chief Minister as well as his party's office).

One road Kalidas Marg is out of reach of anyone - forget about the commoners. There are barriers with a full force at the start of the road and no ordinary mortal (read Lucknow resident) can enter that road. The other road also has all VIP residences intimidating the commoners to go there for cycling.

This is not all!

There are two quite impertinent questions:

1. How many people in the city own cycles and ride them as a mean of transport?
2. How are people supposed to manage cycling from their homes to Kalidas Marg and Vikramaditya Marg?

People who own cycles and also use them as a means of transport are either school going children or the class four employees in government and non-government offices. They are using cycle even today albeit at their own risk.

The roads of Lucknow are not at all cycle friendly for either. The courtesy for cyclists by the driver of a four-wheeler is a thing that is unheard of in the city.

Now, for a minute if we suppose that these new cycle tracks is only a beginning; people can start using them for leisure to gradually convert this into habit, it does not seem viable. The question is: How are people supposed to cycle from their homes to these tracks without being hit by a zooming SUV?

After much deliberation in my brain, I realised that the tracks will end up being limited to catering to the children of VVIPs living at these privileged addresses. On the other hand, genuine cyclists (students and class four employees) will still have to face the wrath of junglee (unruly) traffic of Lucknow city.




  

SP Govt's traffic drive - A complete farce

The Samajwadi Party-run government in Uttar Pradesh is running a traffic drive these days. Working on the orders of the State Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, police are checking vehicles for black filming, use of seat belts and helmets, speed etc.

However, like any other scheme or announcement by this government, the traffic drive too is a simple eye wash for poor public. In the name of traffic rules it is only the law abiding citizens who are being harassed whereas the high and mighty are having the last laugh.

I have a personal incident or rather frustration to share -

It was Sunday evening (21 December) and the area was the front of VVIP (very very important person) Guest House which happens to fall within the limits of a sensitive zone as it houses the Chief Minister's official and personal residences within a kilometer.

A Maruti Alto car rams into my car from the back as I had stopped at the traffic light. I got out of the car, talked to the driver meanwhile two ladies sitting at the back said sorry and accepting their apology, I came to my car.

As I started moving getting the green signal, the same car rammed into my car again. This time I lost my cool and stopped the car and called the dozens of cops standing at the corner watching the whole incident, while sipping tea.

I demanded action. Suddenly a politician looking guy appeared from somewhere and started intervening, taking the side of the Alto driver. He introduced himself as the former president of Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha (SP Youth Wing).

The cops asked me to pull over to the side and while, like a law abiding citizen, I pulled over, the cops and the politician helped the Alto drive run away from the accident site.

This is the ugly face of the Samajwadi Party government - lawlessness or jungle raj!!!

A citizen cannot expect safety from either the government or from the police which, it seems, is on the payrolls of politicians. One of the cops said, "we are here for the Chief Minister's security".

His statement explained the situation to a certain extent - in a state where the Chief Minister does not find himself safe, how can anyone be safe!

Anyway, I did as much as I could - I took away the driving licence of the Alto driver, according to which his details are:

Name: Ashish Shukla
S/O: Susheel Shukla.
Driving Licence No: UP32 20130011513    
Address: 570/S-150 Sainik Colony, Azad Nagar, Alambagh, Lucknow

I know that he will easily acquire a fresh licence as getting a driving licence in this state is not a big deal, especially if you are friends with politicians and cops!

Yet, I am trying to share this incident hoping there will be at least one honest and law abiding politician or police officer, who will react to it and will make sure that this Alto driver gets some kind of punishment and his licence is not renewed, because obviously he doesn't properly know how to drive!

Amen!!!
   

Trashing Gods!

Generally, Hindus are genetically religious people. A small corner for worshipping is common in most of the Hindu households. Idol worshipping is part of their religious practices.

There are occasions and festivals when Hindus worship these idols for a set period of time, after which they are immersed in water - mainly a river or ocean.

It is said that keeping the idols after those auspicious days, and not immersing them in water may bring bad luck.

Being a Hindu, I also observe a few of the above mentioned practices. Earlier, I never did this immersion practice but recently I started, just out of sheer enjoyment and fun. 

However, a recent experience opened my eyes and I decided that the idols which are sitting in my car for over a month waiting to be immersed, will not go anywhere.

(I had thought I would immerse the idols in water or put them at some place where they are not disrespected, but due to my over busy schedule I could not do so and the idols remained in my car)..

During a recent visit to Kanpur, I happen to notice this ugly sight (see the photos)..

These idols were just lying like a heap of rubbish near the river Ganges. People were walking by those poor idols wearing shoes albeit at home, I am sure, the owners of those idols took off their footwear before worshiping them.

Some people wee throwing their wastes on the same heap taking it for rubbish.

The neglect and disrespect of those hapless idols, which we take pain to choose with care when buying and which we worship during the festival, presented a sorry and ugly picture of religious rituals. I decided that the idols which are sitting in my car will not be discarded this way.

They can stay in one of my flower pots and decay into soil. I am no more bothered about bad luck!

The picture of that heap of broken and maligned idols also made me think that it is time we should innovate better ways for their immersion.

No religion tells us to pollute our environment and no religion recommends insult to deities in any form.

It's not only idols but we also need to find better environment friendly ways for disposing off the material used for worshipping - be it idols or garlands or coconuts or any other thing.

After seeing these pictures my mind changed. And if even one more mind changes after reading this (the piece of my mind), I will feel I have done a bit of my duty towards society and my country.