An open letter to Respected Modi Ji

 

An Open Letter to 

Respected Modi Ji

No doubt, with concerted and collective effort of 1.35 billion, India can go north and regain its pristine crowning glory. And the people look at you as a lodestar

By Mukesh Sharma

 

Respected Sir,

I hope to be pardoned for my zeal to pen down this open letter in a hopeful attempt to attract the attention of Your Goodself in the largest interest of the bemused and confused common man.

Whenever I watch Your Gracious Self on TV channels making political speeches or delivering talks on some serious issue before the select audience, my eyes, unconsciously, get set on your fearless face bubbling with elan and exactitude; your well-combed grey hair falling on the neck gives the reflection of a Greek philosopher; your broad shining forehead makes you a solemn saint; your deep enigmatic eyes seem to be looking beyond the prevailing present; your grey high eyebrows with intuitive intellect exude goodwill; the overall glow of health on your charismatic countenance, evidently, shows that you are free from the deadly human diseases like anger, jealousy, ego, affections, and desires. Hypnotized by the halo, I wonder how a man in public life can maintain such a holistic health in this age of contradictions, conflictions, and clashes of interest.

The Hon'ble Prime Minister Modiji 

By your own candid admission, you left your home at an early age, renounced the worldly life and spent years in solitary prayer and meditation visiting and seeking blessings of many enlightened gurus/yogins for spiritual experience  - the realization of the immortal aspirations through this mortal frame, the achievement of the divine life through intellectual consciousness.

Sir, renunciation means the absence of desires. As far as a common man is concerned, each action is caused by some desire or attachment. This writer is at loss to understand what made you to abandon the spiritual pursuit halfway. What prompted you to take a U-turn from the divine course of spirituality to this demeaning politics?

Being in public life and also as a human being how you liberate yourself from the tyranny of body, the tyranny of desires and cope with the crisis of contrition.

In one of your public interviews, you have revealed that you live a very strict disciplined life - daily yogic exercise, simple vegetable food, porridge (khichri) as supper, and to crown all just three hours deep sleep.

Yogins maintain that self-discipline is not a matter of intelligence; it is a matter of will and emotions. Self-discipline is easy where there is a vision of the Highest. Here, the highest signifies, if I am not mistaken, of supreme God.

As a yogi-turned-politician holding the topmost post of Hon'ble PM of India, what inspires you to live such a 'disciplined' life.

To be honest, your journey from a tea-vendor to the top statesman sounds like a tale from fairyland. People contend that it is not possible without some divine blessings. Despite primary education in a village school and no regular academic studies in any big college/university, you are the best, the brightest, the wisest - leader of the leaders not only in India but at the world forum. How is it possible?

People maintain that you have blessings of Maa Saraswati (goddess Minerva) - the gift of gab. You know how to conquer the stage and command the respect of the audience - no stage phobia, no faux-pas, so fearless and in full control of yourself and your spoken words. You are unsurpassed in oration. It is your oratorical triumph that has saddled BJP in power. People wish to know how one can develop such art of eloquence. What is the secret?

It is common knowledge that you are a staunch nationalist - a votary of Bharat Mata, the mother of 1.35 billion. Bharat flows in your blood. You breathe Bharat. You live Bharat.

It is maintained that the countries have been made by God but nations have been made by man. Each nation is ruled by its handful of able-bodied - intellectually superior rule over the millions. In a democratic dispensation, such rulers are, ironically described as servants of people who live like kings and the so-called Masters, the poor people live like servants - battling for life - fighting with hunger, disease, and poverty endlessly. A common man is of the view that except a day of voting, people are just a scrap. Disgruntled denizens contend and allege that it is not a democracy but "lootocracy". Recent "Vazegate" in Maharashtra is the glaring example  - wolves in sheep clothing can stoop to any extent. So-called public servant enjoying impunity, lord over the hapless people; they are seldom punished for an act of transgression - a national sin against the populace. It is an unpalatable reality that today 1.35 billion are dead to the feelings of corruption-free India and incorrupt netas. Don't you ever think that besides the noble thought of nationalism, there is a need to redress the national grievance in the largest interest of the people of India, the very purpose of our 'holy' Constitution?

Hopeful people are all praise for your clarion call "vocal for local". But the people allege that it is not easy to put a precept into practice when corruption is rampant. It is an open secret that one can’t do business if one doesn’t know how to keep the ‘hawks’ at the hem of affairs in good humor - the bank, police, local authorities, selectively ever‘vigilant' tax departments that usually keeps the eye shut on the free flow of cash to political parties/netas, and , of course,over and above the local toughs. Not to speak of any established business, an honest vegetable vendor squatting roadside can’t earn his livelihood even by selling vegetables without the 'paid blessings' of local police and municipal authority. Sir, don’t you think that these public extortioners are the real threat to the slogan ‘vocal for local’. Don’t you think Sir that  THE SPOIL SYSTEM needs to be changed  - radical changes are the need of the hour.

Sir, you know how to live as a commoner with simple clothes, and you also know how to maintain the dignity of the post of Prime Minister of India, and of course the pride and  self-esteem of 1.35 billion by wearing clothes that reflect nothing but Indianism. Your excellent dress sense makes the style statement. Sir how a Yogi like you do it?

Is brahmacharya (celibacy) is necessary to lead a disciplined life? Can’t a family man perform his karma with the sense of detachment?

No doubt, with concerted efforts of 1.35 billion, India can go north and regain the pristine crowning glory. And the people look at you as a lodestar.

May you live long and all blessings follow the sons and daughters of Bharat Mata.

 Bharat Mata ki Jai!

A Bhartiya Common Man 

Approved Slums of Delhi

Approved Slums of Delhi

 Though these ‘unauthorized approved colonies’ are in Delhi, unlike DDA’S well-planned colonies, they have  their own world; no master plan is applicable; no SC or NGT rulings matter

By Mukesh Sharma

With over 895 unauthorized colonies scattered through the length and breadth of this sprawling Delhi where DDA/MCD rules seldom matter, and the proud owners of so-called residential structures ranging from 25 sq yds to 250 sq yds erected in zigzag dingy lanes with varying width from 4ft to 15ft., are approved slums in Delhi; and the proud house owners are the slum lords.

Reasons for growth

Though a few colonies are as old as 40-50 years, the most of colonies have mushroomed in the last 15-20 years. The reason of the growth of such colonies is steeped in corruption. As per available datas, there were approx. 209  villages in Delhi. Then authorities concerned handed over the adjoining lands for agriculture purpose to villagers centuries ago. With the course of time, these farmers stopped cultivation. Furthermore, such lands were acquired by DDA for planned residential colonies in order to meet the demand of ever increasing population. However, some lands couldn’t be developed for a long time for the reasons best known to the authorities. These abandoned parts of land were re-sold by the land owners illegally. Later the land which were not acquired, were also sold out by the paper owners. Furthermore, woken up after decades, the authorities concerned could not remove such unauthorized constructions for political and other reasons. Such colonies fall under the category of PRIVATE COLONIES.

Unique features

Though the most of such colonies are unauthorized, some 40-50 years old colonies have been surprisingly,  re-categorized with the well-coined nomenclature “unauthorized approved colonies”. Such colonies have unique features.

No conveyance deed

Taking advantage of the ignorance of unsuspecting buyers, the ‘ownership’ of the plot/flat is transferred through notarized GPA (General Power of Attorney)  –  not a valid conveyancing instrument.  Thus stamp duty/taxes are evaded comfortably  –  no mutation, no registered sale deed.

Construction on Khadar Land

What is more, unmindful of consequences and, allegedly, in collusion with the local authorities so called  owners  erect 4 storey structures even in 5-10ft. narrow lanes. Needless to say, in the event of any fire incident or any unforeseen natural calamity, no help can reach the trapped victims. The situation of the most of colonies standing on ‘khadar’ land nearby Yamuna river is very vulnerable where foundation is laid on loose sand. But who cares? Authorities get wiser only after the event in India. So rampant unauthorized constructions are going on for the reasons best known to all.

Approved Slums of Delhi

Sewer and water lines

Yet another catching feature of these unauthorized approved colonies, is sewer and water line run parallel in all the streets/lanes. When water pumps are used to draw water from main line to fill the overhead water tanks placed on the rooftops of 4 storey houses, it sucks the dirty water from ever full and seeping sewer line. Interestingly enough, nobody cares for the rules/ by laws. What is more, to replenish the water supply to overhead tanks, in the event of non-supply of tap water, the people use submersible pumps to extract water from earth with scant regard of NGT rulings -  there is provision of 50k penalty for unauthorized pumps. In fact it is common knowledge that no construction is possible without the soil water. So almost all the houses have submersible pumps with 'good' understanding with local police.

Flowing nullah

As far as the drains running through the street line of each serpentine lanes are concerned, it mostly remains  choked. It is not easy for the MCD workers to take out the muck and clean it. So they just sweep the streets as they wish and enjoy the salary without doing the required work. As a result, during rainy season, the waterlogged streets look like a flowing nullah. Furthermore, it is ‘customary’ in such colonies that the proud house owners stick out the ramp at the exit gate of their houses to nearly the middle of the narrow street; they take pride and pleasure in causing the inconvenience to immediate neighbors and passersby.

Stray dogs and pigeons

There is no park or any recreation centre in these colonies. But each such colony does have a religious place according to the majority of populace, and these places are,allegedly, used for meeting and other non-religious activities. Such colonies are also 'sweet home' for stray dogs, for, they are permanent residents by birth. Even MCD respects their birth right. These dogs  are unchallenged  rulers of each street. And flock of pigeons  reigns the roof tops of each house. These colonies are ideal place where the man and animals live happily.

No master plan applicable

Since the much touted master plan is not applicable to these colonies of ‘special status’, they are the favorite hunting ground for running any kind of business; one can run government approved primary or secondary school, any factory or any other business even in narrow lane, if one is prepared to pay for convenience.

Vote bank

Braving all the pertinent problems, the slums lords (house owners) who live by rental income, continue to enjoy inhibited life. It is alleged that these colonies are veritable vote banks of the netas; authorities concerned continue to maintain the status-quo. Though these unauthorized approved colonies are in Delhi, unlike DDA’s well planned colonies, they have their own world; no master plan is applicable; no SC or NGT rulings matters.

An Ode to Pappu

An Ode to Pappu

Strange law of nature and country,

Some rise by gravity, some fall by levity

By Mukesh Sharma

Chubby fair face,

A dimple on cheek,

Pappu, a quality hybrid,

Of Indo-Italian breed.

Kurta-pyjama clad,

Walks one hand in pocket.

Dada Firoz, Maa Christian,

But he’s Janau-dhari Pandit.

Known in the world,

For doing nothing.

Thinks a little,

Before uttering something.

His Mama's Baby

He recants and raves,

Unmindful of wrong or right,

He’s his mama’s ‘son’,

With flickering light.

He knows nothing,

About rhetoric or ethics,

But has mastered the art,

To lie through teeth.

With little knowledge,

Whatever he says.

Fondly it becomes,

Joke of the day.

Though just an MP,

His pile in crores.

Out on bail himself,

Calls Chowkidar Chor.

His mama’s most,

Pampered baby.

Boasts and bluffs,

Babble s like a crazy.

Battery of tutors,

Teach him ropes,

Still people feel,

He’s little hope.

He topped the exam,

As a single candidate,

Today of a family party,

He’s a preferential president.

Breathing for its chief,

His party sneeze and squeeze,

Above all dissension,

And discussion, he is.

His family members,

Do dribble and drool.

People of India,

Are nothing but fool.

His mama’s dearest wish,

And hearty pray.

May Pappu  become,

PM one day.

Strange laws,

Of nature and country.

Some rise by gravity,

Some fall by levity.

‘Bhagirathi’ of Signature Bridge

(Satire)

‘Bhagirathi’ of Signature Bridge

Much touted bridge on Yamuna, Delhi, eventually, comes into being after 14 years of wait; delayed chronically, now many self-styled ‘Bhagirathis’ have come forward to stake claim on ‘praises’ for the ‘feat'

By Mukesh Sharma

There is popular saying that Ganga was destined to dawn on the earth from heaven but the credit was taken by Bhagirathi (a king of Kosala, a kingdom of ancient India). What is noteworthy, for Ganga there is only one Bhagirathi but for the Signature Bridge, many ‘Bhagirathis’ have come out to lay claim -  Honest CM of Delhi and Hon’ble MP of East (he has not been invited even in inaugural ceremony) and many other nonentities.

The project which was started off with all political enthusiasm by then netas of then government to appease the ever neglected North-East Delhi, a huge vote bank of migrants from UP and Bihar with the projected cost for Rs 700 crores in 2004, has reached to a whopping sum for Rs 1500 crores in 2018.

Though the Signature Bridge project dragged on for long 14 years for one or other reasons, the people contend that the possibility of a ‘scam’ can’t be ruled out. In India, to the corrupt,the most of the developmental projects  are milch cow; they continue to milk the 'cow' till the inauguration.  Corruption is the staple diet of Indian politics;  in the span of 14 years, Singnature bridge project, must have made many millionaires.

Expecting laurels, the authorities concerned call it an “iconic structure” that has come up with the technical and material support from China, Italy, Spain, Germany and Switzerland. Had it been exclusive Indian ‘handiwork’, the project would have taken 20 years more. Says authorities concerned, “as a new symbol of capital, the bridge will give a panoramic view of city.” “The bridge is an answer to London Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco” adds an official proudly.

Irrespective of ends and means, comparative developments and progress are made in India only; Noida expressway is also an answer to European roads; hundreds of people have lost their lives in multiple piles-up, perhaps, because of some faulty construction , people allege,  and that has become the order of the day. The road seems to be jinxed.

Authorities reveal that the bridge would be thrown open to LMV and Bikers from Sunday (4 November, 2018) on “Trial Basis Only”. God forbids, if the bridge fails the trial test, it might be shut down. In fact, the work is still not complete. It may take another six months for the completion of “observation desk” to be used to have a “panoramic view of the city”: murky water of Yamuna with nullah dirt; Majnu ka Tila with waving Tibetan flags and buntings; Nigambodh Ghat; jhuggi cluster at old bridge; lutyens Delhi at front where live netas, the rich ‘servants’ of poor ‘public’; hordes of informal settlements in rear; shanties at right, nearby Mukherjee Nagar.

Anyway, despite usual political squabble, among several ‘Bhagirathis’, the front runner the 'Honest' and Hon’ble CM of Delhi would inaugurate the bridge on Sunday (4 November, 2018), hopefully with oft-repeated statement: only an honest government could have made it possible.

 But the unspoken truth is that the bridge is being opened under the pressure and intervention of Delhi High Court where the authorities concerned filed an affidavit to open the bridge in October, the last month. Moreover, elections are drawing nearer. During election time, all netas become humble servants of janta.  Diwali is also round the corner. To Hon’ble CM, it is, politically, the opportune time to give the Diwali gift,the Signature Bridge to valued voters. So what if the bridge is not complete yet.       

India Need to Observe Halloween

(satire)

India Need to Observe Halloween

Hosts of evil spirits ­– ignorance, inoccupation, poverty, communalism, corruption and crime have possessed India; no hope of redemption in near future

By Mukesh Sharma

Despite all tall talks and tall claims, right from first PM to incumbent PM, the helpless and hapless India so-called largest democracy in the world seems to have been haunted by the evil spirits – ignorance, inoccupation, poverty, communalism, corruption and crime. The situation is getting from worse to worst day-by-day. Generation after generation, the poor populace has been hoping against hope but in vain. The wily netas are quick to manufacture datas and figures to portray a rosy picture. But ground realities are poles apart. It appears nothing is working – no religious rituals or prayers are answered at any place of worship. This blogger sincerely believes, like the wealthy West, India need to observe ‘halloween’ to ward off the evil spirits; after all, India is a country of belief and it may work.

The much scary day of Halloween has just passed by. Each year, it is celebrated on 31 October in US and other parts of the West. It has its origin from ancient celtic festival of Samhain. Going by their belief, people light bonfire and wear scary masks to ward off ghosts with other fascinating activities like trick or treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gathering, donning weird costumes and eating sweets treats besides Church services, prayer, fasting and vigil. The festival is also called All Halloween, All Hallows Eve and All Saint Eve.

An old timer alleges, the evil spirits possessed the nation at the time of partition of India (1947) well conspired by the Britisher with the help of a few then self-styled netas; the innocent teeming millions lost their lives just for the whims and wants of handful of netas; later the curse of millions gave rise to evil spirits and it possessed the netas too and turned them into Zombies; and these Zombies further divided India into Hindus, Muslim, Sikh and Christians; the Zombies didn’t stop here, they further split the populace into dalit, schedule caste, schedule tribe, OBC (other backward classes) etc., there is no Indian left in India except in passports.

The old timer further adds, no Diwali, Holi, Eid, or Christmas brings amity; on the contrary, it gives rise to jealousy – bigotry and zealotry.

Concurring with the assertions of old timers, the survivors (the poor people) with utter dismay and distress maintain, the zombies (netas) have made their gangs so-called political parties. The Zombies are so powerful that thousands of unfortunate people from under class join the gangs, for, they believe that they can’t avoid rape so they must enjoy it. The powers of Zombies are phenomenal; if they sneeze, it will be heard throughout India; even their ‘farts’ reverberate all the corners of India – all newspapaer and TV channels carry their words (farts). The over shrewd Zombies call themselves ‘servants’ of people. Ironically, so called servants live like kings and knights of ancient time; ride spanking new cars; fly in air; roll in money, and the people so called masters live in abject poverty, not better than the flightless insects. When the Zombies organize rally, thousands of unsuspecting people throng the place just for their darshan (have a glimpse). Some lesser souls contend that these zombies are God unto themselves; they have started even doubting the existence of God when they look at almighty Zombies.

So wisemen suggest if nothing is happening, like West, India should also start observing ‘halloween’ in order to keep off the evil spirits – ignorance, inoccupation, poverty, hunger, communalism, corruption and crime, and their cruel and crooked representatives, Zombies. Belief is stronger than reasons.