Dr.
Nidhi's Writing Corner |
Thoughts into nothingness
As life passes me by
my steps falter
thoughts asunder
hopes flounder
the heavens mute spectators
to the upheavals
and predicaments
that lay shatter my soul
as despair held captive
in a heart torn and blighted
time moves by
slowly and surely....
my existence transformed
into a vague nothingness
a process spectacular
....yet staying alive
Lunar mood
The moon rises
behind the trees
comes up full
A halo enveloping it
bewitching and haunting
the white light surreal
full of grace and divinity
putting to shame the neons
that man is so proud of
the white light steals
through the dark foliage
ripping apart the mournful blackness
sending ripples through the gentle waters
of the stream that flows by
reflecting whiteness of dreams that
reside in the waves
bathes me in light
pristine and silver
casting shadows oblong
as I pace
tantalises lovers and poets
beaming in silent understanding
at the loverlorn hearts sighing
with lust enticing and longing
for fulfillments that it germinates
Mandalization of a
Nation |
Indian youth is seething with anger and hostility as Indian
politicians once again re-opened the pandora's box that reservations are... Lately, the
politicians in power have committed blasphemy by asking private sector to reserve seats
and also the world acclaimed institutions like the IITs and IIMS to create caste based
quotas.. All this in times when India wants to carve a niche in the world by producing
world class products and be known for its quality and human resource pool. I think its an
insult to talent and enterprise. Here I dont mean to hurt sensibilities but I personally
feel that reservations have lost their relevance as only people who have benefited from it
till date are going to benefit from it time and again. If the government really want
Indian society to progress then it should provide education for free which also happens to
be an endeavor in the Constitution and then leave all people free to compete and surge
ahead on the basis of talents and not in the name of caste or creed... Education releases
minds and it will empower all Indians to embark on the journey of their lives with dignity
and not on the basis of measly handouts.
As my own experiences tell me that Indians have now been able to
unloosen the shackles of moribund rules of casteism which defined mental psyche and social
fabric since centuries. I think India has slowly been getting rid of these chains but the
ghost of Mandal again visiting will spew more venom in young hearts as is visible by
country-wide protests all over... Here I am, by no means trying to say that we should not
consider the welfare of the minorities and try to bring them into the mainstream but the
way politicians are approaching it is only to keep their own vote banks intact and garner
support, therefore, it doesn't make sense.. The reservations should reflect realities of
the day and as a result, economic status be made the guiding light for them so that not
few families make use of reservations rather the benefits are accrued to all, irrespective
of caste or creed factors.
Is it an eldorado??
The reservations have infiltrated only to selected few and as a
result, a creamy layer has emerged in these groups as well which doesn't need the benefits
of reservations, yet it is the only segment which is being enriched by the reservations in
educational institutions and government jobs time and again so this is one flaw that needs
to be corrected as this creamy layer be weaned away..
The big question is that as of now since India is talking about
carving niche in the world, would it be able to make strides if its social set up
continues to be seeped with rules based on concessions and mediocrity?
I think as of now Mandal coming to visit us has more to do with
ulterior motives of Congress party since lately, it has been losing its traditional vote
bank amongst the scheduled castes and as a result, it has come up with its machiavellian
tactics to woo the voters back little realising the damage it will cause to the
socio-economic fabric of the country. Time has come when India should seek to fulfill its
constitutional tenet of an equitable society where all feel part of the society and by
fuelling the redundant concept of reservations and dictating to private sector to make
reservations compulsory it will take the country backward and give enough fuel to the
dying embers of casteism and regionalism and raise the poisnous fangs as young people will
become aware of divisive forces and develop strong caste identity. The govt should not
shun its moral responsibility and provide education to all Indians beyond differences of
caste, religion and help build a society based on merit. Let no segment of the society
feel being discriminated against as of now, the general sections have started feeling
being hunted and treated shabbily and it is not good for the growth and vibrancy of our
nation as it would encourage more brain drain and the citizens losing their sense of
belongingness.
Media makes a faux pass yet again! |
The fourth estate (printed as well as visual ) seems to have
forgotten that besides creating hype over many a times trivial issues, it is also supposed
to play a role which borders on education. But as things go by media is least concerned
about people who have embellished their name for reasons very un-glamorous. On the other
hand, it will go on playing endlessly news that is glamour-laced and tingles sensations.
Seems like it doesnot want to provide its viewers and readers some fodder for thoughts!
A very distinguished person breathed his last this week and it was
startling to notice that an English daily of the repute as TOI didnot even deem it fit to
carry an obituary when all that the paper was splashed was with the murder of Meher
Bharghav & headlines shrieking how the killers have been nabbed etc but a legacy going
into the annals of history was left berefit of even a mere mention while the TV news
channels went berserk playing and re-playing the trivia as a model walking on the ramp and
suffering a wardrobe malfunction!
Well the political persona was Haryana state ex-CM Bansi Lal; even
called the Iron Man of the state for his vision and exemplary standards of governance. His
credentials were not limited to regional diaspora but he had also been a national leader
and minister of great repute. In fact, in the 70's he was one of the most influential
& powerful ministers though he did earn some bad name during emergency when he allied
with Sanjay Gandhi but his credits are far too many to be marred by some murky waters. He
was the first and the only Railway minister to have presented a railway budget with
profits which has always been mired in losses and deficits. Then, during his earlier
tenure as CM of Haryana state, he showed great vision and made Haryana the first state of
India which was fully elecrtified when electricity was made available to each village. He
launched many schemes to improve irrigation system in the state by construction of lift
canals. His efforts in bringing Haryana to the forefront of development is folklore. He
made agriculture possible in one of the dry and desert distt of the state by means of lift
irrigation when all cried impossibility. He laid a huge network of roads and foundation of
various educational institutions. Haryana is notorious as a place where jobs are to be got
on the basis of money, nepotism and connection clout; and it was really admirable that in
a state where jobs in govt sector have a price tag running into lakhs and merit holds no
credance most of the times yet when he was boss he made sure that jobs went to the
deserving candidates.
He tried to make Haryana a dry state and imposed prohibition and I
myself have been witness to its reverberations around me. Streets bacame safer....
Actually in his last term, he came to power on this promise as in Haryana villages men are
the most useless tribe. They indulge in drinking, gambling and spend time loafing around
while women carry all the burdens (and Haryana has a dismal sex ratio) and for sometime
prohibition was going on fine as men were on the mend coz of unavailabilty of liquor but
then vested interests indulged in smuggling and Haryana sharing borders with many states
was porous enough to such infilterations that ultimately prohibition had to be withdrawn..
In spite of such lustrous attainments, the English dailies bothered
not to mention few words in memorium while they heap generous space and time slots to
trivia like Jessica, Anara, wardrobe malfunctions and of course glamour spice from tinsel
town... even one Priya Sachdev having her sangeet ceremony and dancing to the beats of
Bolly tunes with her beau Vikram Chatwal, a richie rich NRI from the US of A hogged the
limelight of one prime channel for a whole day!!
What a waste !!