Ramlal's day in Kejriwal's School.

Ramlal was searching for a good school for admission of his Son. He went to a school where Kejriwal was the Head Master. Ramlal went early in the morning along with his Son, so that if the admission process is completed fast enough, his Son can attend the school for that day as well.

Ramlal entered Kejriwal’s office. Kejriwal was sitting on his chair with a muffler wrapped vertically, covering his ears in his characteristic style.

Ramlal said, ‘Sir, Good morning. I want an admission for my Son in your school. What is the procedure please?’

Kejriwal replied, ‘The admission in our school is very simple. You just send an SMS or send us a missed call and we give your admission.’

Ramlal was surprised. He said, ‘But sir, don’t you verify any credentials before you give admissions?’

Kejriwal replied proudly, ‘No. We are a school with a difference. All other schools are useless and they are not providing proper education to the students.’

Ramlal was happy. The admission process was completed.

Suddenly, Kejriwal looked at his watch and said, ‘Common hurry up, it is the time for Dharna…’

Ramlal was surprised. He said, ‘Dharna … in a school?’

Kejriwal smiled and said, ‘Yes Dharna. Other schools call it Assembly.’

Ramlal also stood in a corner to watch the Dharna proceedings. 

Kejriwal took a mike in his hands and said, ‘Saathiyon, we will continue our Dharna every day till we attain our objective. What do other schools think of us? We will also show them who we are…blah blah blah…!’

After the Dharna was over, the students dispersed and went to their respective classes. Ramlal chose the stay in the school, as it was his son’s first day.

Suddenly, he found one Teacher going in a hurry with 8 – 10 students around him.

He asked a peon nearby, ‘Sir, what is this? Who is he and where is he going?’

The peon replied, ‘Sir, he is our Social studies teacher. He always moves around with his Supporters … err ... students around him. He unexpectedly goes into any classroom and catches students who are doing mischief.’

Ramlal was surprised. He said, ‘But how does he know who is doing mischief?’

The peon said, ‘Sir, he knows everything. When he says that someone is doing mischief, Head master also agrees with him, whether it is proven or not.’

Ramlal thanked him for this information and started walking around the corridors. In one class, he found some children raising hands. He was happy to see the interaction between teacher and the students. While he stood there watching it with admiration, one peon came to him and said, ‘Sir, you know he is one of our oldest teachers. He always takes a referendum on what subject to teach in the class…’ Ramlal was further surprised.

As he went to another class, he saw a young teacher, who was reciting poetry. He thought it was a Hindi class. But later he learnt that it was a Maths class. However, the teacher was very much interested in reciting Hindi poems and therefore, many times he taught Maths in the form of Hindi Poems.

This was becoming enough for Ramlal. While leaving the school at the end of the day, he once again met Kejriwal.

He said, ‘Sir, what is the strength of your school?’

Kejriwal said emphatically, ‘Well, it is over 6000 students.’

Ramlal was absolutely surprised. He said, ‘Sir, but I did not see so many students in the school. I could see hardly 400…’

Kejriwal said, ‘You don’t believe? See our register’. And he pushed forward a bulky register.

Ramlal opened the register to see the names of students. There were names of Barack Obama, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi, Mark Zuckerberg etc.

Ramlal said, ‘I am shocked. These celebrities are your students?’

Kejriwal said with confidence, ‘They are not. But they will be soon… because we are a school with a difference… all other schools are useless… they do not teach anything…blah blah blah…’

Ramlal quietly left the school with his son.

He was seriously thinking of looking for another school for his Son.

AAP - an evolving Paradox

Ever since the AAP has won 28 assembly seats in the just concluded Delhi elections, there has been a dramatic change in the various stakeholders. The confidence level of the AAP leaders is almost touching the thin-line boundary between confidence and overconfidence. The mainstream political parties viz. Congress and BJP are undoubtedly disturbed to a certain extent, though they do not show it on the TV debates. The third and fourth front parties are worried that there is another strong force to garner the anti-Congress anti-BJP vote space. And the real stakeholder, the Aam Admi of India is vertically divided over the credentials and merits of this newly found outfit.

To begin with, one must praise and congratulate the achievement of the AAP, which is not mean by any standards and is achieved very rarely in India before. They have worked very hard to reach where they are today and deserve the attention and the respect from everyone for this feat.

One thing we all must remember is that the AAP could make such a spectacular debut because of certain factors. The entire focus of campaigning was only Delhi. Tall promises were made, the feasibility and the effects of fulfilling those is still being debated in political and economic circles. Lastly, it was a clean slate with no previous carryover score as regards the performance evaluation is concerned.

However, the scene has now changed. The AAP leaders have started imagining that they have found out a perfect recipe for winning any elections in India. They are now targeting the Lok Sabha elections scheduled in next 5 months. Therefore, they are on an overdrive to enlist as many supporters from all over India as possible. With this, they have displayed their urgency to capitalize on the good will generated across the country. But this would be a tactically wrong move.

The Delhi assembly elections and the Lok Sabha elections are two entirely different ball games. In Lok Sabha, the voter is spread over a large area and votes for either a national party or a regional party. It is difficult to believe that in its first year of formation and first contest the AAP expects people to consider it a national party. The national party has appeal because of its history, its leaders its past performance and its current standing. The people vote for the regional parties, if there is a strong regional leader who again, must have toiled hard for years to form an image for him to achieve the cult status. If the AAP believes that they would break these two barriers and pierce their appeal in the voter’s mindset, it is a bit too much to ask for.

However, the real paradox is yet to come. The AAP was founded only to fight against the corruption. And it is, very unfortunately, running a government in Delhi with the support of Congress. So, where is the sanctity left? On a national scale, would they form an alliance with any party which is against the corruption? And which party says that it is for corruption? Even Rahul Gandhi says that Congress is against the corruption. In short, being against the corruption is a too fragile thread to forge any alliance.

The AAP is also constantly in the news these days, for another startling reason. We hear many intellectuals, celebrities, corporate executives formally joining the AAP. Now, how do we explain these phenomenons other than all these ‘high profile’ non-politicians joining the bandwagon are secretly nurturing a desire to become a member of legislative assembly or the Member of Parliament? The AAP has suddenly given an impression among the people that it is very easy to become a MLA. Imagine, when the candidates are being selected to contest the elections, half of the same celebrities who are thrilled to join the party now, will criticize it for the wrong selection of candidates.

One of the factors which would dilute the AAP’s aura is about its going to public for making decisions. While the idea is very noble and needs to be praised, there are certain areas where this exercise can be carried out and not in every decision this method would be good. If the CM decides where to stay based on people’s views, then they are heading for a trouble. Tomorrow, there would be numerous occasions when the AAP is required to take tough decisions like price rise of fuel, increase in tax etc, where the aam admi will never say ‘yes’. What would happen then?

It would have been far better if AAP consolidates its base in Delhi first and then try to expand slowly in other areas. What they do not appreciate is the fact that they have seen people celebrating their victory. They have not yet tasted the criticism of same people when they would be defeated on a national level. That would not only demotivate them, it may come as a dampener for their rising popularity as well.

Finally, they should remember that while they have won 28 seats, they have lost 42 seats in same Delhi elections as well.

Haar kar bhi Jitne wale ko ... Kejriwal kehte hai...!

As I write this, there are still 24 hours for the Oath taking ceremony of Team Kejriwal’s Government in New Delhi. There are 6 more days after the Oath taking ceremony to prove the Simple Majority on the floor of the House.

Never before in the History of Indian Politics did these many days and hours look as Suspenseful as they are appearing now. The Congress, which offered Unsolicited and Unconditional Support almost immediately after announcement of the Election Results, repented their actions with equal alacrity. Their initial game plan was to expose the Kejriwal Team’s inability to fulfill the near-impossible promises made during the Election Campaign. But the unabated flow of statements from AAP leaders even after expression of Congress support, to prosecute the corrupt leaders put the party in a big dilemma. They had never imagined that they would face a precarious situation akin to giving a stick to AAP to beat them with it. Obviously, there was (and is) a revolt within the party at all cadre levels opposing the move to support AAP in forming the Govt.

The AAP has slightly climbed down from the high clouds which they were catapulted to after the impressive election results were declared. Now we see occasional statements from the AAP leaders that there is a process to be followed for enacting laws, there is no magic wand etc. They are totally aware that their government formed with Congress support is as stable as a pack of cards on the terrace of an 8 story building on a breezy day. Yet, they are compelled to take that risk, as the popular mass opinion was in favor of such a decision. And going by the mass opinion is a hallmark of this party. They would never ever initiate or further a cause not supported by the masses.

As for the BJP, it is a case of sour Grapes. They failed in their poll predictions and are not clear about the best foot forward. They do not realize that it is a blessing in disguise for them not to have formed a government with a thin majority with a solid opposition like AAP picking up every act of dishonesty and corruption. That would have caused them much bigger embarrassment. Therefore, they are doing what best they can do in such situation – to criticize the patched up fragile government formation.

As for the brand Kejriwal, it is undoubtedly the hands down winner in this entire episode. He has been successful in creating a Tsunami in the Indian Political arena. He has given a ray of hope to the Millions of Middle class in India who suffer today due to Price rise, Inflation and Corruption. He has shown to the Common Man on streets of India, that if you have sincerity in your Heart, a Steely Resolve and Passion for a cause, you can achieve anything in life. Majority of his elected members are not known to people beyond their constituencies.

Kejriwal can also be in a way called as India’s Obama. Both came from a relatively simple background without any political heritage. They are sincere in what they do. People have seen truth in their eyes. They believed in them and supported them with a hope. Now the onus is on them to deliver what they had promised.

The coming days, Months and Years will witness a sea change in Indian Politics. Overnight, Arvind Kejriwal has changed the rules of the Game. The indicators are there for all to see. The Congress and BJP are now talking about personal contact with Aam Admi on ground level. The leaders like Laloo Prasad and Nitish Kumar are talking about giving election tickets only to candidates with clean record. The stray young leaders from BJP and Congress are joining AAP in New Delhi.

By refusing himself a big official Bunglow and massive security, he has joined the small group of ‘different’ brand of politicians in India today. Manik Sarkar, CM of Tripura takes a salary of Rs. 9000/- pm. Once, Mamta Banerjee walked barefoot on airport when the strap of her slipper came out. Manohar Parrikar, the CM of Goa was seen last month riding a pillion to a scooter by asking lift on the road. We wish that the tribe of these politicians grow in India.

Every march of One Thousand Miles starts with One Small Step. Today, that step has been taken firmly. As we move along, things will fall in place. And that’s why; even if Kejriwal is not able to form a government or prove his majority in the Assembly on 3^rd, he has already achieved a lot.

Therefore, it is apt to say, ‘Haar kar bhi jitney wale ko Kejriwal kahte hai…!’

... And the Gods in Heaven also choked...!

It was a ‘once in a lifetime’ moment. The earlier similar occasion was witnessed by people in 1948 when Sir Donald George Bradman played his last test match. Therefore, the whole of India and many parts of the world were nervously experiencing this moment… when they would see their contemporary God play in front of them for one last time.

And it was a dream farewell for and by Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar from the world of Cricket. He played a breezy innings in his last appearance, befitting the situation. The city of Kolkata and Mumbai were decorated with posters of Sachin on every main road and the important junctions to mark this turning point in Indian Cricket history.

What the world liked in Sachin was not just Cricket. It would be an understatement to say so. What they admired in him were some exceptional qualities of a human being. They were awed to see how a person can remain firmly grounded with so much of praise and adulation for him by millions of cricket lovers. They were surprised to see how a person can be so humble and polite to everyone including youngsters around him, after reaching pinnacle of success. They were mesmerized by his simplicity and graciousness in whatever he did. They were simply carried away by his innocent smile and childlike enthusiasm even at the age 40 on the ground. He was a miracle for them, in every single sense. That is why people called him the global ambassador of sports.

Today, he made millions of hearts cry out for him as he stood on the ground holding mike in his hands to thank everyone. There was not a soul on the ground or watching TV sets across the world, who did not have moist eyes at one point or the other during his emotions filled speech. He was emotional too… not able to speak at times, due to lumps in his throat and wet eyes time and again.

It is rare to find such a gentleman. It may take many more decades to witness such a farewell occasion from an equivalent sportsperson again. Those who watched him speak today are blessed ones… they were a part of the history as it was being made. They have experienced what it means to bid adieu to one of the century’s greatest sportsman.

It is difficult, as quoted by his wife once in an interview, to imagine how he would live without cricket. Well, life has its own plans and sure enough he would find it very interesting now, to spend quality time with his family, which he missed all these years, in pursuit of excellence.

The Indian Cricket has to move on without a legend. A story started 24 years ago has ended today. We the cricket lovers in India are extremely fortunate to be around the time when he played some of his best innings. The future generations may never see him play ‘live’ in stadiums as we did. And we all can proudly say to our grandchildren, ‘Yes, I have seen Tendulkar Play… live.’

It is said that gods have to take human form and appear on earth to progress in their salvation process. We have one such person among us today. Therefore, when he completed his major task today, there was a satisfaction all around. And while this human God thanked everyone one … the Gods in heaven also choked.  

A Pigeon on the road…!

On a hot summer afternoon, I was driving past a relatively empty road near Dubai Creek when I suddenly spotted a pigeon sitting in the middle of the road a few meters ahead, in the same lane in which I was driving. As I slowed down the car, I noticed that the pigeon made a feeble attempt to fly, but could not lift itself beyond a few inches from ground and again got grounded. So, I realized that there was a problem ... either it was too weak to fly, or its wing was injured or whatsoever. The fact was that it could not move from its place on the road in that hot afternoon.

I managed to quickly change my lane and get back into it later, after crossing the Pigeon. I stopped at the traffic signal ahead and could clearly see the pigeon in my rearview mirror, still sitting there helplessly. Soon, I could see some more vehicles coming from the way I had come, and I noticed that those people were also noticing the pigeon and changing the lane. But then, after 4 or 5 vehicles succeeded in avoiding the Pigeon, one car just came too close… and ran over the pigeon. In a moment, the pigeon lay there dead. Some of its loose feathers started flying around with the wind.

In the meantime, the traffic signal turned green and I moved on. But all the while I was lost in thoughts. Thoughts, about whether the driver has done a ‘Paapa’ or a ‘Punya’…!

It was very much clear that the Pigeon was struggling to fly, but it could not. It was also feeling the heat on the road. It was also scared about the oncoming traffic. But it had very limited options. It would have eventually died anyway, unless some blessed soul came driving there, who got down from his car and took the pigeon to his home or a veterinary doctor. That was very unlikely. So, in that sense, was this sudden death a blessing for the Pigeon? Did the driver not save the Pigeon from some of its worst suffering moments in one second?

Another point… did the driver see the pigeon and then ran over it or it did not notice at all? Whether his deed of running over a crippled Pigeon changes from a Paapa to Punya or Punya to Paapa, in these two options viz. whether he did it accidentally or intentionally?

I had no answer. All I know is that I had seen one soul depart its physical body in agonizing circumstances. But the questions will always linger on whether the driver of that fateful car actually helped the Pigeon or harmed it…!

Sonia and Advani... loners within their own party...?

In a social event, Sonia Gandhi and LK Advani got adjacent seats. After exchanging the customary pleasantries, Advani Asked Sonia, ‘Soniaji, you look to be slightly worried since last few days. What is the matter, all well?’

Sonia at first hesitated and then said, ‘Yes Advaniji, things have not remained same as before. Circumstances are fast changing…’

Advani did not understand at first. He asked for more clarification.

Sonia said, ‘See Advaniji, we had made Manmohan Singh as the Prime minister in 2004 as he was the most harmless person around. Of course, his mastery in economics and clean image were major reasons as well. And everything was going on well even after our 2009 victory… till recently.

Advani asked, ‘Why? What happened now?’

Sonia said, ‘Advani ji, now a days, he is behaving like he is the ‘real’ Prime minister. Earlier, he used to obey all my instructions word to word, without fail and in all earnest. Now he is also using his personal judgment on matters related to the government. It appears as though he is on a mission to remove the image about being a ‘proxy PM’ from the mind of people as soon as possible…’

Advani was surprised. He said, ‘But what could be the motive behind his sudden change in behavior?’

Sonia said, ‘It is hard to guess. Sometimes he hints at the third term as PM. I am worried about that prospect, since his image as an inefficient administrator is still fresh in people’s minds and any attempt to project him as the next PM would most likely backfire on us.’

Advani thought for a while and said, ‘Then why don’t you put forward Rahul’s name straightway without any further delays?’

Sonia sighed and said, ‘Unfortunately I cannot do that as well, simply because he is still not ready to takeover. In the last few months, after much pushing and prompting, he has started showing signs of growing up to take on the role, but he is still on a b c and he needs to reach z to justify the high position. At times he makes some statements in media like ‘everyone is accountable and have to deliver results’ or ‘I am more strict than my mother’ etc. But everyone know that one day he will also have to be accountable and deliver results himself, if he expects the same from party men. His statement about being more strict is taken more as an amusement by the leaders, much like the first few words uttered by a growing up infant.’

Advani said, ‘But that should not be a problem, right? Rahul will be efficiently guided by the coterie of minister and Congress loyalists, shielding him from the hostile media and opposition?’

Sonia looked more worried and said, ‘That is my new problem. I am not sure about the support of senior congress leaders to Rahul same as they supported me for all these years. I sense that there is some discontent brewing among many of them…’

Advani was surprised.

Sonia said, ‘For example, in the hour of reckoning, I feel Chidambaram may put his claim for Prime minister ship as he thinks that he holds the copyrights for all intellectual wealth within Congress. Sharad Pawar would desert us without batting an eyelid to join with Mulayam to throw us out of power any moment. And more over I am not sure, how many ministers belong to the ‘Manmohan group’. You know very well, how much efforts I had to make to get Bansal and Kumar dropped from the ministry…’

Advani wondered at this recently developed internal power struggle within Congress.

Sonia asked, ‘And Advaniji, what about BJP? How are things with you?’

Now it was Advani’s turn to open his heart out.

He said, ‘I have been associated with this party for several decades. I spent my entire life time in devoting myself for RSS and then BJP. I was also the number two in Vajpayee regime… but sadly, today I am being totally ignored by my party.’

Sonia was listening.

Advani continued, ‘Today the party is suffering from an excessive leadership crisis. There are several power centers within BJP. Narendra Modi is increasingly becoming an unstoppable force. Other leaders like Rajnath, Jaitly and Sushma are hoping against hope that Modi will not be a prime ministerial candidate because of his communal past. That is why they are garnering support from wherever they can, like Sushma has Shiv Sena backing while Rajnath is propping up Varun as his prodigy.’

Sonia asked, ‘But Advaniji, are you also not in the race?’

Advani said, ‘Of course, I am very much in the race. This is also my last chance because by 2019 I shall be on the wrong side of my 80s. I would become a Vajpayee by then.’

Sonia said, ‘Advaniji, don’t you think that this internal power struggle can actually cost you these elections. People may not vote you because they would be disillusioned with your power structure within BJP…’

Advani replied, ‘Yes all of us know this. But you know it very well, politics is a dirty game. At one point or other people will put their personal priorities above the party’s… and that is happening currently in BJP. All the leaders are of the mindset that ‘If I do not get this fine, but he also should not get this…’

Sonia said, ‘In such a scenario, we both become weak and it will give rise to the regional forces like Mulayam, Mayawati, Pawar etc who will also start dreaming about Prime minister ship.’

Advani said, ‘That is the misfortune of the people of this country. No one can help them.’

The function ended and they both left. While leaving the place, both went in their normal manner but both of them knew that from inside they were shaken at the prospects of 2014….

All problems in Congress and BJP today stem from the fact that most of their leaders act as though there is no tomorrow….

The sons who discredited their father…!

In history, there are some celebrity sons who have brought immense disrepute to their celebrity father. What must be going through the minds of these fathers to see their sons behaving like this? We look at some recent cases and then go to history.

Vindoo Dara Singh - Son of Dara Singh

The IPL match fixing scandal is spreading like wild fire and daily new names are added in the list of those who are suspected to have played a role in the entire bad game. Vindoo Dara Singh has gained more popularity during last few days than what he got during his entire filmy career, although for a very wrong reason. He remarked that it was good that his father was not alive to see this day; otherwise he would have felt very bad. True, Dara Singh was a principled man. Very few people know that throughout his Bollywood career spanning several decades, Dara Singh has never played a negative role. He did not compromise on his principles that he should be seen by people as a villain, even in films. And for such a person, it would have been a shock of his life to see his son being arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy.

Abhijit Mukherjee - Son of Pranab Mukherjee

No one can forget the evening of 27 December 2012, the day on which Abhijit Mukherjee made the sexist comment saying that women came ‘dented and painted’ for agitations in Delhi. Such was the uproar throughout the country that he was literally begging to be pardoned on every news channel that evening. The only words he continuously repeated were, ‘I unconditionally apologize to all, I take back my words…’. Pranab Mukherjee is a much respected man today because he has built his reputation brick by brick over the years. He is one of the few congressmen who are respected by all parties. And he was deeply ashamed because of his son on that day.

Sanjay Dutt - Son of Sunil Dutt

Sanjay Dutt has given much pain to his father throughout much of his life time. Sanjay Dutt got addicted to drugs in his teenage and was sent to rehabilitation centers to get rid of his addiction. Then he was caught with weapons for no justifiable reasons. He has been mingling with underworld on and off which is not an honorable act by any means. All this must have pricked Sunil Dutt’s mind immensely at various times during his last few years. Sunil Dutt had an impeccable image as a statesman… a thorough gentleman. So, this was a bad dream for him to have his son indulge in these ignominious acts.

Salim - Son of Akbar

Akbar had conquered many parts of the world and was riding on a wave of success. His army was one of the strongest during those days. He was appreciated by his janata for his benevolent nature and good deeds towards his citizens. However, he was devastated to know that his son was interested in marrying a dancer from his court, Anarkali. He could not fathom the idea of seeing a slave girl as his daughter in law and carrying forward the legacy created by him. He ordered her to be buried between walls and waged a war with his son to stop them from getting married.

Duryodhana - Son of Dhritarashtra

Dhritarashtra, though blind by birth was a very knowledgeable, good natured and mighty person. His only problem was his excessive love for his son. In fact he never nurtured any ill feelings towards Pandavas. He always wished in his mind and expressed to his wife Gandhari that some amicable settlement should be reached between Kauravas and Pandavas. However, the ‘blind’ love for his son prevented him from being assertive in his ideas. It was Duryodhana who had all the negative traits. On numerous occasions he tried to cheat, deceive and even kill Pandavas. Dhritarashtra would have been remembered by history as a good person if he had not yielded to his son’s wrong wishes.

…

Having a good natured child is the biggest blessings anyone can receive. A person may earn lot of respect from outside world, he may amass wealth, acquire properties etc… but if his son brings disrepute to him, then he is the poorest of poor in this world….!