Government, Business and the Common Man

It is amazing to see Prime Minister of India, after so much of criticism of policy logjam and immovable economy has come up with a decision which was doing rounds for a long time in indian economy. And while reading the NDTV quick updates on who said what for the decision, seems like everyone has a totally different point of view, not on FDI but on the government.

Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, is as always opposing the decision. It looks like she is sitting to oppose each and every decision of the government, with no deviation at all. She is concerned about the poor man and common man, for more than a year now. More than an year, I think that is enough time to show some progress in your rule too. Mamata Banerjee after coming to power, has hardly done anything for the common man in her land. Everytime something happens, she clearly says that it is due to a game played by the opposition, even the murders and rapes. Let me tell you Mamata, opposition doesn’t want to do anything for a person who has already started digging her own grave. I recommend the CPI to sleep for four years, and build a strong foundation of the party and see Trinamool go down. What’s the point of wasting time in opposing Trinamool when their own head opposes their decisions(the rollback of railways ticket price hike).

BJP, as my father says, is there to oppose. Whatever decision is taken, they will oppose. For FDI they said, that Congress is trying to divert from the Coal issue. Absolutely no mention about Coal issue. I recommend BJP to hire some good economists and see whether the decision is actually bad for the country or is it bad for them only as Congress may reach a stronghold position for the next general election. Sometimes, I also feel, like any other Indian, to vote for BJP the next general election. Then I stop myself and think who is the credible leader in BJP who can be seen as a worthy contender of being the Prime Minister, and replace our current Prime minister, who is a chief economist himself. The only worthy contender in their party is Narendra Modi, but he is too happy being the Gujarat CM, and may continue for the fourth term too, if it would have been possible. And L.K.Advani will not leave the party till he sits on the PM Chair. So, BJP should concentrate on building a strong leader like Manmohan Singh, because Rahul Gandhi is already in the making, and if next general election he becomes the Prime Minister, I would happily vote for him.

CPI look too worried for the farmers. But as far as I know, farmers would have been the most profitable in the whole process of FDI because they will be getting better prices from the retailers, that means there will be less suicides. So, where does the problem lie? Maybe that means, there will be huge hole in the pockets of the political parties as they won’t be getting their cuts. So, that is another perspective of looking at this issue.

All the business leaders look very cheerful from the decision, and their thinking is much different from the political leaders. They are also thinking about the common man, then where is the gap lying. It is a very difficult decision to tell which people are saying the right thing. Whether it is the government, the opposition or the business leaders, each one has their own motive and profits in mind. And until and unless you are a hardcore economist, you may never understand which policy or step will impact the economy.

Common man is ignorant. The middle class is busy with their own life, they hardly give damn to what is impacting the country. All they get is a newspaper in the morning which updates them with the news, so depending on which parties’ newspaper you will read, you will have the perspective just like them. The poor man is following what is giving him bread. A night’s drink will be enough to get the vote. And the rich just doesn’t care. They are part of the business and they can give as much money to be in the front of the line and get their work done.

I may not be in a position to comment on whether the decision is right, but I hope it revives the Indian economy to a much larger extent. Scandals always happened, it will even happen later. So, better support the people who are working for the country.

Hurry Up Chotu!

“Hurry up Chotu. We have given time to your uncle, and we shouldn’t be late.”

“My name is Sameer, not Chotu. And I am almost ready. Just a few minutes.”

Staring himself for the umpteenth time in the mirror, he finally understood what was wrong in his look. His hair was not properly streaked. He took the comb and ran it through his hair for one more time, when his mother called him once more. Irritated, he left the comb and came out.”Why the big people always try to suppress the little ones, when they themselves are getting late.”
Standing on the platform, wearing a t-shirt which his mother bought for him, and a jeans, Sameer is looking straight towards a young couple on the opposite platform. “Losers.” That is what he thought after looking intently towards them for few minutes. “Don’t understand what these grown ups find good in being together. I rather feel uncomfortable when mom hugs me. All this is due to the increasing attempts to show romance in films. Yes, romance is the right word.” Clearly the eight year old kid was very upset with the romantic movies his parents went to see every Saturday, he liked the action of John Abraham and Christian Bale and enjoyed it every bit. For him, the world is a fight and only the hunks with six pack abs and big biceps can survive it. He sometimes imagined himself walking like John fighting hooligans all around.

“I want to sit too.” Ordered Sameer. Clearly, the elders didn’t give any respect to the young generation. Mom and Dad pulled themselves apart to create a little space in between and let him sit.

“I can’t sit in that little space.”He cried.

Dad with a smile turned to ask the person beside him to move a bit.The person already watching this, himself shifted a bit, before being requested. Father smiled at him and again requested his son to sit. Watching the space enough to put his bums down, Sameer was satisfied. Sometimes, even a stranger respects you more than your own parents, Sameer thought.

Sameer’s face had a serious look.It always seemed that he was ruminating. His father, mother and uncle-aunt used to think that he is going to solve the whole world conspiracy anytime soon, and joked about it. Sameer wasn’t remotely interested in these foolish talks. He had more important things to do.
When he was sitting, he saw another girl entering the metro train. Her mother beside her, just like his own, trying to hold the baby girl who was like a jumping jack hovering.Sameer thought, what is to be so happy in riding a metro, and turned his face to the other side, when he thought he noticed something.

The little girl was now on her mother’s lap. Her mother was trying to balance the kid and the shopping she did with both hands. The girl was staring intently towards Sameer. A white frock with white ballet shoes, black & curly hair, eyes big,black & round and with a tint, the cheeks were all red and she held a small teddy in her hand. There was something in her face, she looked extremely cute in some way, Sameer thought. The kid was smiling at Sameer. The dimples on her cheeks were too prominent. She blinked towards him, and Sameer felt a certain pang somewhere in his heart, or whatever they say in romantic films. But it was beautiful, somewhat heavenly. Soon, Sameer got very self-conscious and a smile escaped his lips.

Suddenly, Sameer got up scaring his father and mother. “What happened Champ?” His father asked. Sameer didn’t reply. He went to the lady, and offered her his seat. Parents were confused, they were looking at the sudden generosity of their kid. Sameer went to the girl’s mother and asked her to sit on his place. The mother and father totally amazed, mother shifted towards her husband to make room for the lady.

“Thanks” said the girl’s mother.

“Thank…..u.” Said the little girl with a sweet voice, biting her lower lip.
Sameer blushed intently at the unusual thanking. After some thought, he asked in a low voice, “What’s your name?” Now he noticed that his parents are watching intently towards him, with a bewildered expression. He ignored and saw the girl. The little angel still pondering over the question looked towards her mother, who gave a little nod to her, then she said, “Gaalllgii.”and then blushed and dug her face in her mother’s chest. Sameer looked at her mother, who was smiling looking at him, and asked,”What’s your name, beta?” Sameer said with a hint of confidence, “Sameer…”
Her parents were amazed at this little conversation and manhood of their little kid. Mother whispered, “No doubt this is your boy.” Father said, “Even better than me.”

The next station was where Sameer and his family would offboard the train. His parents getting up and holding his hands from both sides, a voice chimed from behind. “Byee Byee”. Sameer saw his little companion pick up her little hands and waving towards him, he waved back and blushed before going out of the doors.

Calling Sam

The dream of Sameer was intruded by a ringing phone somewhere. Coming back to senses, he realized his mobile was ringing with the “Californication” tone, the song he was mad about. He tried to look at the watch in the dim light coming from outside. It was 2.45 am. Quite uncanny for someone to call. He looked at the mobile screen. In his dreamy eyes, he could see that the number was unknown to him. He quickly applied some permutation combinations in his mind of the probable caller. His girlfriend won’t call from a different number. He did all the work of the office and his boss is on leave to France, so he won’t be calling at this time. Getting to nowhere, he picked up the call. It was a male voice that answered.
“Hello.”
“Hello. Hello, is it Sameer?”
“Yes. Who is this?”
“Hello Sameer, hi. I am Aman. Sorry to call at this hour of the day, but I am a little troubled and only you can help me in this matter.”
“Dude, I don’t know you and I am not a psychiatrist to help you in your troubles. Stop bothering me.”
“Sameer, wait wait. Just listen to me. I am Snigdha’s friend. We were in the same class in the training period. You may know me by face but we never talked. Please I am in a big trouble, can you help me?”
“Dude, can we talk in the morning? I am not in a state to have a nice talk with you.”
“Sorry Sameer, but we need to talk now. I am already outside your door. Please can you spare some time for me?”
“What the? Where did you get the address anyway?”
“From Snigdha, of course. Please let me in.”
“Okay wait.”
Sameer got up from the bed and went to open the door. His legs were still wobbly and his eyes swollen from the deep sleep. Now he was in senses due to the talk with the so called intruder. He took his steps gently and went to open the door. Aman was standing waiting to get in. Sameer invited him inside and asked him to sit. Then, he went to the bathroom just to freshen up his eyes, so that he could look and reason better.
“You want a drink?”
“No thanks. I am in no mood now.”
“Do you mind if I have some?”
“Not at all.”
Sameer goes and picks up a bottle of scotch inside his freezer. Then he realizes, he shouldn’t drink so late at night, so he picks up the bottle of coke and makes a drink for himself. Then he settles on the sofa confronting Aman.
“Yes, tell me what the problem is?”
“Actually, I am sorry, that I came so late in the night. I am having sleepless nights since few days, so Snigdha told me that you can help me.”
“She might not have told you to come so late at night to take some philosophy classes from me?”
“No she didn’t. I first decided not to come, because I thought I will recover from it. But it grew worse. The problem is, actually, I have lost my job.”
“Hmmm…. So, how can I help you?”
“I don’t know what to do. I have my parents in Ranchi, who think that their son is doing well in the city and will pull them out of poverty. My sister is getting married and I have given all my savings for the function. I recently took a car loan too. In short, I am screwed.”
“Which company do you work in?”
“Metasystems Limited. I was the senior manager there.”
“Hmmm. Sorry to say but I don’t have any links in the company. To be more precise, I am not aware of any such company. Maybe some new company is set up.
“No, it is an old company with a history of almost 30 years in the electronics department. Deals with all types of electronic products and has recently stepped into the software market too.”
“Strange. I am working for five years and I never came across this company. Where is it based?”
“It is a multinational company, based at Geneva. It has clients all over the world, and is the leader of electronic items. It is also listed in the Fortune 500 Company.
“Very well, I must have missed it then. Anyway, how much were you paid there?”
“No no. Don’t get me wrong. I am not here to ask for money from you. Actually, there is something else I wanted you to know.”
Sameer sees Aman has started perspiring and a bit unsettled. He shifts a bit uneasily. Sameer asks.
“Are you okay?”
“Actually, do you mind making me a drink?”
“Sure. I should have given you anyway. Sorry. Let me bring it for you.”
“Thank you.”
Sameer gets up and again goes to the refrigerator to make the drink. He makes two of it, as he realizes it will take some more time and he needs to keep himself awake. Maybe he won’t be allowed to sleep today. He takes the drinks and goes into the room.
“Here, have it.”
Sameer gives one glass to Aman and settles down on his sofa. He takes a sip and watches Aman gulping the whole drink. The person is damn tensed, Sameer thought. He smiles and again takes a sip of his drink and keeps it on the table.
All of a sudden, without any talk, Aman lunges toward him with a knife in his hand and stabs Sameer’s stomach. The blood oozes out and Sameer squeals. He tries to kick Aman out, but Aman has already made the second stab in his chest. Sameer could no longer move and his senses were burning out fast. All he could listen was Aman’s shouts.
“She was mine. I loved her since my school. Who are you to come in between? You destroyed my life, you destroyed my dream. She is m…..i…….n………”


……………………….
“Any proofs?”
“We found the knife the victim was stabbed with. The knife was stuck in his chest. Six to seven blows were made. We found a mobile too, in the bedroom. It had an unread message of Snigdha, probably warning Sameer about the killer.”
“Did she name the killer?”
“Yes sir. Some, Aman Malhotra.”
“Okay. You checked the call records?”
“Yes, the last call was made by Snigdha at 12.10 am. We called her and interrogating her, but she is not in a state to talk. All she could say was that she and Sameer were going to marry in the coming two months.”
“What is the time of message?”
“Sir, it is 01.05 am. Looks like Sameer was sleeping, when the message was received.”
“Time of death?”
“03.10 am.”
“Hmmm…. Find this Aman. I will try to talk with Snigdha.”
After two hours, the inspector’s mobile rings.
“Yes?”
“Sir, we found Aman Malhotra. It is bizarre sir. Aman committed suicide last night, shooting himself.”
“Strange. What the doctor says?”
“He says the time of death is 01.10 am.”

Only Life

She opened the windows of her room to let the morning breeze come in. She loved the cool air, because she thought it to be the most natural and most authentic thing left in her life. She lives in a studio room, literally, even smaller than that. The room is hardly 10ft by 5ft, with attached bath. That is all she can afford. It isn’t that she doesn’t like to live in a fully furnished apartment. Air conditioner is very important in Mumbai weather, where the heat and the humidity rules the atmosphere. But a fan is what she can only afford now.
Life in Mumbai is tough. There is whole pool of talent waiting for a chance. And not only that, everyone is trying to use the other and move forward. “That’s life.” Sarah told her, but she refused, because she had a friend in her life, who was not like this.
She thought her friend was special, her best friend, her life partner. They have been together for six years now. Met in school, he was the only boy who talked with her with warmth and affection. No matter, their love grew and within four years, the bond was unbreakable. He had huge ambitions of being an actor, always dreamt of going to Mumbai one day. She used to be very happy with her boyfriend’s ambitions. She also had ambitions but she used to keep them with herself. Partly because, there was no one to listen to it.
She lost her mother before she came in this world. Her mother grew complications while pregnancy which led to her death after her birth. Her father blamed her for her mother’s death. All these years, they never were on talking terms. Her father was a businessman, rich and affluent they were. She had everything in her life, cars, education, clothes everything, except parent love. Many times, she went to her father to talk with him, but either she was driven away or her father heard him with indifferent eyes. Twenty five years gone, and the eyes are still the same, full of hate and indifference.
She remembers the day when she told her father that she was going to Mumbai. Her father was sitting in his study room. When told, he went to his locker, took out two bundles of notes, and gave it to her.
“Here, take this. Twenty thousand rupees for your tickets. Ask for more when you need it. I will send the money in your account.”
“Father, wont you ask me why I am going to Mumbai?”
“Its getting late Sneha. Go to sleep. Best of luck for your trip.”
“Father, will you ever forgive me for my mother’s death?”
There was silence.
Every month, he used to send fifty thousand rupees in her account, and a mail mentioning the same. That was the only connection she had with him. She used the money for some months, then she stopped doing it too.
She came to Mumbai a year back. The only connection in Mumbai was her boyfriend who shifted just an year ago to be an actor. But the Mumbai atmosphere changed him too. He avoided any connection with her since she landed in the airport. She tried to find out the reason of his behavior, but with no success. Only after few months in Mumbai, and some friends in fashion designing course, she realized that Mumbai has all this in store, and she must get used to it.
She had very small group of friends with her. There was Kartik, a Mumbai University passout, and there was Raghav and Sarah, made for each other since school. All four of them hanged out and saw various places, be it Marine Drive, or Juhu Beach, or Band Stand. Thanks to Kartik, they enjoyed the best places and the best foods of Mumbai.
Sneha was very good in her art, because she was always interested in designing clothes, maybe due to her early age rich upbringing. She was best in the group and best in the class. But when the top fashion company arrived in their college to take the best graduates, she lost all her designs. Her group friend, Kartik, stole her designs and grabbed the job. The company took him only while Sneha couldn’t even sit for the interview. Raghav and Sarah were equally devastated. But the result was declared, and they could hardly help Sneha now.
So, today was the last day of her life. The cold breeze was still there to give her the last salute. She took out the sleeping pills, all of them, when the bell rang.
“Sneha, are you there?”
“Sneha, please open the door.”
Sneha heard the voices and went to open the door.
“Guys, wont you even let me die in peace?”
“Leave all this, come here and sit.” Sarah took her hand and made her sit on the sofa. Raghav opened a fashion designing magazine and showed her the advertisement.” She looked to it carefully.
“Guys, this is impossible, the auditions are just a week later and all my designs are stolen. There is no point I can pull this off.”
“A week is more than enough for you, Sneha. We know you will be able to pull this off easily.” Raghav said.
Sarah came near Sneha and said, “Sneha, life is full of problems, all are facing some kind of problems everyday. When you see a person, he is loaded with problems, some of them he can share, some he can’t. But with every morning a new day begins and the night ends giving us the solutions of all the problems of that day. We just have to look into the opportunities and grab them. Ending the life is easy, but it needs more guts to live it. You know your abilities, we know your abilities. Just give it a try.”
“Yes, and if the outcome is again negative, then you can surely end your life.”
“Shut up Raghav.”
……………………………………………
Sneha decided to take the chance that day, maybe for her dream, she thought that her suicide could wait. And it always waited.

Life is only one, ending it is not bravery, living it is.

Love And Music

He never gets angry.
She was so happy that she would meet him after four days. Why he got angry and shouted at her, she didn’t know. He never did. But he did. And it did hurt. A lot.
She got him all wrong. He was not angry on her. He was happy that he was going to meet her after four long days. He was angry on his friend. His friend was supposed to submit his assignment on the selected day. He came back to learn that the assignment was submitted well after due date resulting in precious marks lost. He tried to reason out with the teacher in person, explained him the situation, but for no profit. She came to him seeing him agitated. He snapped. He slapped her.
Sunday Evening. Ashima entered the church. It was the nearest pious place from her college. She went past the benches and lighted a candle. She put it on the altar along with many candles and sat on her knees looking at the cross. Rain was dropping ceaselessly since morning. She sneaked through the lull in between, dry.
Few moments later, the doors of the church cracked. Aditya entered drenched. He walked towards the cross, shivering. His clothes completely wet, bent near Ashima and took out his candle. His hands still quivering, he tried to light up the wet wax. Ashima got up and walked to the nave and sat on the third row silently. Their eyes refused to cross each others. Aditya managed to heat up the wick and stick it near Ashima’s candle. He crossed his hands looking towards God, got up and walked towards the end of the benches, sitting near the last row. Sitting silently, both got transported to a day’s eve.
…………
‘Where were you guys?’ Ashima asked. ‘Yes we were about to leave. And how was your rehearsal?’ Shikha added.
‘As usual. Ashima’s man has again missed the first beat of his line.’ Sameer said, giving a knock on Aditya’s head.
‘How am I the defaulter? Pulkit always forgets to play his notes.’
‘Me?’ Pulkit exclaimed. ‘I am supposed to start from the second line, the first line is monologue.’ Both Sameer and Pulkit knock on Aditya’s head.
‘You guys can do this forever. Linkin Park ko chodke kuch gaana aata nahi.’ Ranjana imitated Pulkit playing the guitar. Everyone started laughing.
‘You never even listened to Linkin Park. You consider Himesh as a rockstar. What do you know about music.” They start fighting again with each other. Ashima hushes them up.
‘Stop it guys. And tell us about the plan for tomorrow.’
‘Plan unchanged. Morning six o’clock. Marine Drive.’ Aditya replies quickly.
‘Why are we going at all at this stupid place so early in Sunday morning, that too in the rain. We get eventually bored. You and Ashima move away from the group and spend time separately’ moaned Ranjana and everybody joined.
‘Hey guys, we never did that.’ Ashima protested.
‘Yes. We always bear with the awesome jokes of Pulkit, and try to smile in most of them. We never complain.’ Aditya explained.
‘Saale, maar khaega.’ Pulkit hits Aadi’s stomach.
‘Then my car tomorrow?’ Sameer asked.
‘No. Me and Ashima will meet you directly. We will take a rickshaw. I can’t bear Pulkit so early in morning.’ laughed Aditya. Again Pulkit and Aditya started in a mini fight.
‘Let them go. Else Aaditya will bore us crying like a little boy the whole day.’ Everyone laughed and moved to their respective hostel rooms. Pulkit promises Aditya dire consequences once they are back in room.

Morning 6.30am. Ashima and Aditya are sitting on the banister facing the sea at Marine Drive. Ashima knows that Aditya loves water, just looking at them, listening peacefully their frolicking, relieves him, and Ashima is relieved watching him happy and smiling. But now she is a little panicked as the other four are yet to arrive and it has been half an hour already.
Aditya’s mobile starts ringing.
‘What happened? Did you ask where are they? Aaah… great. Now the rain starts.’
‘Perfect.’
‘What perfect, Aadi. We will be drenched. And where the hell is this music coming from?’
Ashima turns around to see Pulkit with the guitar and Sameer with the keyboard all setup in the distance. Shikha and Ranjana are smiling nearby. Ashima is confused. She gets off the wide banister, and runs towards them. She hugs them both while the music is in full swing now. Ashima turns around to see Aditya, now standing on the banister facing the sea. He is humming, and starts singing.

Boondo k motiyon mein khulke ehsaas aya.
Waqt se nikalke lamha dil k paas aya
Choo k guzra tha par dil ko na mehsus hua
Ab jo dekha to vo lamha dil ko raas aya
Yun ki taiy kar nap au re
Dil ki baat main hawa k zariye pahuchau re
Ya khud hawa pe chalke aau re
Tumse pyar hai ye khulke
Jinme keh pau re
Lafz vo kahaan se lau re………

Music continues. Aditya comes down and bends before Ashima.
‘Ashima, will you marry me?
‘yes, you fool. Yes.’

Pulkit and Sameer continued the music without destroying the moment. Aashima and Aditya kissed each other. Ranjana capturing the beautiful moment.

……………………

Ashima looks back towards Aditya. He, settled on the bench was also looking at her. His eyes moist and regretful. Ashima runs to him and holds him tightly.
“I am sorry. I won’t do that again. I promise.” Aditya says.
“I know. Just don’t say anything, my love.”