Hope Sells Like Hot Cake

Hope Sells Like Hot Cake

After the Almighty God who is the great peddler of hope,

 the grasping netas come the next

By Mukesh Sharma

Hope, esteemed readers would agree with this blogger that the hope is the most-sought after ‘commodity’ that has 6.5 billions always ready ‘buyers’ on the earth; it is not manufactured in any material factory; it has no fixed price-tag; the poorest of the poor can ‘buy’ it; sometimes, the richest of the rich fails to buy it. Be it indigent or affluent, it is the inevitable need of all. The man can’t think of going without it in life; it is the staple diet of breathing life; it is as indispensable as oxygen; it is the fulcrum of the wheel of human life. Nothing sells like hope in this world; it sells like hot cake.

Teeming millions, just hoping against hope

What is more, hope is non-tangible like thoughts yet can be realized; it is weightless like air yet can carry any weight; it is countless like stars yet can be numbered; it is shapeless like universe yet can be recognized; it is motionless like concentration yet can travel through time; it is invisible like belief yet can be seen in all beings; it is deathless like soul yet dies every split second to be born again.

What is noteworthy, hope is conceived in present, it is born in future; it is born from the womb of endless possibilities. The people call it by different names: Expectation, Aspiration, Dream, Optimism, Sanguine, Upbeat and Crossed-fingers.

In this well-guarded family of HOPE, head of the family is the father, Man and Possibility, the mother, a housewife. The couple, the proud parents of Hope, is also blessed with seven deadly beautiful daughters: Pride, Greed, Lust, Jealousy, Gluttony, Wrath and Sloth, the real sisters of Hope and four humble sons: Fortitude, Determination, Perseverance and Patience, the noble brothers of Hope. The young men often fall for the beauty of sisters of Hope and lose the right track in life; whereas the bosom friends of brothers of Hope can achieve even impossibilities.

It won’t be an exaggeration that hope is life and hopelessness is cessation of life – death. Life shuttles between action and hope. Happiness is hope in sorrow. Success is hope in failure. Victory is hope in defeat. Woman is hope in man. Life is hope in death. Modi is hope in BJP. Rahul Gandhi is hope in Congress. Obviously, hope is an easy optimism for the hope.

This blogger has satisfactory evidence to mention here that all socalled professionals sell nothing but hope to their ‘customers’; selling hope is their bread and butter. A Doctor sells hope to patient. A Lawyer sells hope to his client. A Chartered Accountant sells hope to businessman. An Educational institute sells hope to student. LIC (life insurance Corporation of India) is a well known dealer of hope in India, selling variety of hopes to the insured even after death.

With due apology to believers/faithfuls, this blogger must say if the role of so-called omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent God is observed closely, it appears that ‘He’ is the biggest seller of hopes. He has millions of ‘outlets’ recognized by the man as Temple, Mosque, Gurudwara and Church. Tens of thousands throng these so-called religious places to ‘buy’ hopes from God; people repose trust in ‘branded’ hopes. The opulence of the God’s ‘shops’ proves beyond doubt that brisk business of selling hopes goes on at all the outlets.

After God, next comes the glib tongue so called hon’ble netas across the world; they are the best salesmen who can sell hope even to a dead man – the Statue of Unity (the statue of Iron man of India revered Sardar Patel, who is said to have united scattered states into monolithic India during post independence period) is the latest shining example. The much talked about INC (Indian National Congress) allegedly a personal property of ONE FAMILY, has been successfully selling hopes to always cheated and betrayed poor Indian populace for decades and has ruled the country for over 40 years. And now, the ‘hopeful’ scion of ‘Gandhi’ family is out to sell hopes – a family business.

A close study reveals that the diabolic democracy is creaking under the weight of shop-soiled heaps of hopes. The constitution and laws seem to be mere pretenses to sell hopes. Disaffection, intrigue and corruption have reached the colossal proportion but the hapless people have no option but to ‘buy’ hopes for the hope. Needless to say hope has become a sinew of happiness for miserable millions in India. And wily netas are well acquainted with this fact. Hope-selling has become their family business. Hope sells like a Hot-cake.

Learning the Art of Essay Writing

Learning the Art of Essay -writing

It is an exercise to discover what you know

By Mukesh Sharma

To the majority of Indian students, particularly, with Hindi medium dreaming of government services through various competitive exams conducted by SSC (Staff Selection Commission), UPSC (Union Public Service Commission), etc. on all India basis, Essay-writing in English is rather a challenging task. Says Kavya Chaudhary a UPSC aspirant, "When it comes to attempt the compulsory essay question based on unprepared topic the mind goes blank; even if attempt is made to write something, mind starts translating the Hindi thoughts into English." "The biggest problem is that  the thoughts comes in Hindi (mother tongue) only; mind is not able to think in English," adds Kavya despairingly.

Learning the art of Essay-writing

Essay- construction

With years of experience as a journalist, this blogger maintains that the Essay-writing is like the construction of a building  -  a student got to be an Architect, Mason and a Decorator,  all rolled into one. As an architect knows how to draw the layout plan for the proposed construction , a student must know how to come up with the outlines or synopsis to express his/her viewpoints / thoughts on the topic of the Essay asked, comfortably and quickly. As a mason lays the bricks after bricks  and erects the wall, a student must have an idea to churn out sentences after sentences to construct an Essay. As decorator decks up the outer and interior of the building to make it look attractive, a student must know how to endorse the thoughts with the quotes of others who are authorities in their respective fields, to make the write-up interesting, capable of sustaining the interest of the reader/ examiner.

Good Architect

Now the pertinent question is how to become a good Architect, Mason, and a Decorator. Mind you, all the skills are learned in three stages:

1) Acquirement of knowledge related to particular field.  2)  Practice   3)  Use

A budding cricketer first acquires the essential knowledge pertaining to cricket game; he must put that knowledge to good practice on the pitch; and after that, he must go to field to play the match.

Mind and Sentences

As far as Essay- writing is concerned, if a student is not able to think correctly in English, he/she won’t be able to write accurately. What is noteworthy, the mind always thinks in terms of sentences, not words. When a student writes or speaks, his/her mind doesn’t make sentences; it always supplies the pre-conceived sentences which are already collected by it (mind) during years of academic pursuit right from 1st standard to PG level. As a result, a sort of corpus of mugged up sentences is created in the mind -  no sentence for fresh thoughts. Of Course, in the absence of needed or right sentences, mind starts translating the Hindi sentences into English that leads to non-standardized sentences or poor English as all the languages defy translation into other languages for example:

 Millions of people bathe in Ganga on the occasion of Kumbh Mela 

(non-standardized sentence translated from Hindi thought)

Millions of faithful take holy dip in Ganga on the eve of Kumbh Mela 

(standardized sentence in English)

Root Sentences

Now question arises how to feed mind with standardized sentences. As per the research work of this blogger, there are total 123 standardized sentences that cover English language in totality; no thought or sentence exists beyond that; it may be termed as Root Sentences. As all the numbers are born out of 0-9 digits only, all types of English sentences come out of these 123 sentences only (it has been discussed at length in the book Secrets of Good English by Mukesh Sharma, a best seller and 5 star rated available on Amazon.in).  Since each sentence has its own Syntactical Formula (grammatical arrangements of the words in a sentence), a student learns all the necessary grammatical rules automatically without the need of cramming. Conventional Grammar doesn’t teach sentence-making. But this method not only teaches sentence-making but also helps to understand the confusing grammatical rules with all clarity.

Mapping on

If Hindi sentences are mapped on these 123 standardized English sentences, a student learns to think in English through Hindi sentences. With good practice, mind starts thinking directly in English. If a Hindi knowing child is told ‘mango’ means aam, it will retain and use ‘mango’ because the mind knows it represents aam. Look at a few examples:

Mom has been waiting for you since morning (standardized sentence)

Ma tumhara subah se intezar kar rahi hai (Hindi)

S +has/have/ had/ will have + been + Ving + O + Since/ for (Syntactical Formula)

I have been looking for you for an hour  (mapped on sentence)

If Rahul Gandhi were/had to marry, he would have married.

Yadi Rahul Gandhi ko shadi karni hoti to kar nahi leta. (Hindi sentence)

S + were/ had to + V1+ O, S + would have + V3 + O (Syntactical Formula)

If he were to resign, he would have resigned. (mapped on sentence)

Obviously, if such mapping on method is adopted and adapted, thousands of sentences in English can be fed in mind and churned out. What is a language? Of Course, it is group of sentences. If one knows sentence-making, it means that one has learnt the language.

Root Words

But the problem is the words, related to different situations of life, are inevitable to create the thoughts - if no words, no sentence; no sentences, no thoughts. Now the question is how to learn thousands of words. And the solution lies in the knowledge of Root words or Key words. Here the phrase ‘root word’ should not be mistaken for its Greek or Latin origin. It has nothing to do with that. In English, there are 1000-1500 important Root Words (Key words). These root words specifically collocate or pair with other words and make standardized phrases. In fact, English is a language of phrases. A phrase is nothing but group of words. In a group of words, a single word has no meaning. It is the collective meaning that counts. For example:

Jump red light (to cross the red light)

Jump queue (to break the line)

Jump bail (to abscond after the release on bail)

Jump the gun (to act in haste or before right time)

Jump on the bandwagon (to join activities that has become popular or follow crowd)

Elite English

See, ‘jump’ which is a root word, has produced different standardized phrases. These phrases constitute standardized sentences which are part of elite English; it is used by English Newspapers, Native Speakers, Member of Elite Class, and is also the basis of English papers in all the competitive exams. Each root word produces average 10-15 phrases. Just 1000 root words can shoot up a vocabulary of 10K. To speak good English, one needs 500-1000 words/ phrases; 1000-4000 to be a writer; Shakespeare used 8000 and average English Newspaper uses not more than 2000, rest is repetition. What is to be noted here, sheer knowledge of Hindi meaning of phrases doesn’t help. Each phrase is used in a standardized sentence. A student must learn the meaning of phrases through the standardized sentences it is used in –  10K phrases means 10K sentences in the mind.

Needless to say, armed with 10K sentences, thinking would become rather easy, and a student would be able to play with the language. All Journos/ Writers resort to this method, and become prolific writer or good speaker. Such knowledge helps in Essay-writing considerably.

Sentence- Framing

The next step a student must move on is Sentence Framing. It is rather different from sentence-making. Though there are 123 types of sentences, it can be summarized in three types of sentences: 1) Simple Sentence – One subject and one predicate 2) Compound Sentence - two main sentence joined with conjunction 3) Complex Sentence - One main clause/ sentence and one or more than one subordinate clauses/ sentences. Certain thoughts are comfortable in simple sentences; some in compound sentences; and others in complex sentences. The Newspapers, mostly, use complex sentences. The students can have a fair idea of such sentences from any good grammar book like High school English Grammar and Composition by P.C Wren and H. Martin.

Having had the knowledge of right sentences based on Standardized phrases, good understanding of Sentence-framing, Chunks (standardized sentences, used to start a paragraph, student can have a fair idea of such chunks from internet too) and Connectives/ Conjunctions (help to maintain the flow of thoughts from one sentence to another and from one para to another), now Essay-writing can be discussed precisely and purposefully.

Defining an Essay

What is an Essay? The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary tersely defines it: “a short piece of writing by a student as a part of a course of study.” Broadly speaking, it is an exercise that aims to communicate personal views on a particular subject; a venture into communication; an exercise to discover what you know.

Types of Essay

An Essay can be classified into 5 categories: 1) Narrative Essay - seeks to narrate some event or series of events e.g. Story of Gandhi, biographies etc. 2) Expository Essay- exposes and explains the subject e.g politics, religion etc. 3) Reflective Essay - consists of reflections and thoughts on some subject e.g. Habit, qualities, etc  4) Imaginative Essay - reveals feelings and experience e.g. If I were PM of India etc 5) Descriptive Essay - describes some place or thing e.g. Delhi etc.

Style of Essay

Language of the Essay should not be verbose or bombastic. Try to express, not to impress. Besides that a good Essay must have: 1) Unity- development of one theme with a definite purpose. 2) Order - must follow an order to reach to conclusion. 3) Brevity - must not exceed the prescribed limit. 4) Style – conversational and easy. 5) Personal touch - must reflect personal feelings and opinion.

Starting

Whatever is the topic, think on FOUR COMMON outlines: 1) About the topic (Introduction) 2)Minuses - negative side of the subject. 3) Pluses - positive points related to subject. 4) Conclusion - drawn on the points discussed, and must reflect personal opinion. Under ‘about the topic’,  explain the subject matter of the topic in the light of acquired knowledge, and that will constitute the introductory paragraph and further set the tempo for Essay-writing . As a coin has two sides, each topic has minuses and pluses. Each thought that reflects the negative side of the topic must be given a separate paragraph. Each para must begin with a Leading Sentence(outline), and be developed accordingly. Here use of standardized chunks can be helpful in constituting the leading sentences. The thoughts expressed in paragraphs can also be authenticated with the quotes of the renowned people/ writers, who are authority on the subject. It lends credence to the thoughts of the student- writer. Likewise, all the thoughts reflecting the pluses must follow the same method of expression.

Last para of the Essay constitutes the conclusion drawn on the basis of all the thoughts expressed in the preceding paras. It must point out the personal views and opinion of the student-writer.

In nutshell, this blogger concludes that with good practice, an Essay can be penned down on any topic or subject.  A student-writer must keep in mind that he/she has to find answer to 5 Ws (What, Where, When, Why and Who) and 1 H (How) all through essay-writing process - a common formula used by all the writers. With his didactic words, renowned Rudyard Kipling inThe Elephant’s Child, says:

“I keep six honest serving men

They taught me all I Know;

Their names are What and Why and When,

 And How and Where and Who.” 

Confusion, a Quality of the Great Mind

Confusion, a Quality of the Great Mind

Even the God is confused to see that He made man and the man has become Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian; God made earth, man has divided it into countries, and kills one another to live

By Mukesh Sharma

Be it a religious leader, statesman, scientist, writer/poet or any intellectual, all have one thing in common and that is confusion. Study reveals that the most of the great minds of ancient time were confused lot; their chanced creations of thoughts, discoveries and inventions that amazed and changed the world, were the products of their ‘severe’ confusion. The great theoretical physicist who propounded the ‘Theory of Relativity’, Albert Einstein says:

“Confusion of goals and perfectness of means seems to characterize our age.”

The confusion is a state of mind where a confused with a desired goal is not able to decide what to do and how to do in the prevailing present situation because of lack of either past experience or the ability to foresee the future, and it may arise under any situation at any stage of process and at any point of time.

The Confusion

As far as confusion is concerned, only two persons in the world have no confusion –  an ignorant fool and a learned fool. The former is always confirmed in his conviction; he has no doubts or surmises about his abilities and capabilities; he pretends to know everything; he looks at the world through the specs of his ignorance only. The latter is proud of his knowledge collected from various sources; he assesses and assays the world through his ‘acquired’ knowledge only; he cares a damn whether it is fake or genuine.

Moreover, confusion leads to knowledge, and the knowledge further paves the way for the  conviction, and this conviction lays the foundation of creation. The circle moves on and on – from confusion through knowledge and conviction to creation. All the progress and advancement have been made due to this eternally moving circle – from simple wheel to spaceship; from homo erectus to well clad man. Obviously, it is the confusion that has made the progress in the world possible.

Michael Faraday struggled a lot in the shocking confusion before he could stumble upon his invention of Electric Dynamo (in 1831), and that taught the world the practical use of electricity.

Louis Pasteur fought with confusing bacterias and came across the Pasteurization (1864) – the way to prevent the growth of bacterias in substance like wine, beer, and milk in his age.

In his confused bid to develop a cheap substitute to ivory billiard balls, John Wesley Hyath happened to develop Plastic (1869) – a moldable versatile material chemically called celluloid, and be it simple carry bag or any other thing, it has become an inevitable need of daily life today.

Facing lots of confusion in teaching the deaf, Alexander Graham Bell, a teacher for the deaf at Boston University, laid his hands on the technique to transmit sound via electricity, and that led to the invention of Telephone (1876), and android mobile is just an upgraded version today, an indispensable need.

Groping in the darkness of confusion, Thomas Edison chanced upon to develop the idea that led to the discovery of light bulb (1879) – the way to illuminate even after sun-setting.

Encircling in confusion around the big wheel of Penny Farthing (world’s first ever cycle) for years, John Kemp Bicycle (1885) came up with the idea of Bicycle with chain called in his time Velocipedes.

Confused by the sound of motors, German Engineer Karl Benz developed Motor Carriage (1895), the first modern automobile, and today the world enjoys F-1 Formula race.

Rolling in confusion of metallic ductability, Charles Martin came to discover Aluminum (1886), the part and parcel of modern life.

Wright Brothers piloted the first ever Aeroplane (1903) of the world because of the confusion created by the flights of the birds, and today the world has supersonic jets.

Loaded with confusion of snail-mail, Ray Tomlinson worked out the concept of e-mail (1972) that changed the world of communication, likewise PC (personal computer) (in 1980s) and mobile in (1980s).

Out of utter confusion Tim Berners Lee, wrote the software for www (World Wide Web), and that changed the world of internet.

Even the greatest poet and dramatist in Sanskrit language, Kalidas emerged after the matrimonial confusion when he was rebuffed by the learned wife Vidyotama. What is more, even the overconfused Tulsidas became Tulsidas after the spousal rebuke, and he penned down the classic story of lord Rama –  the Ramacharitmanas. Even the Gita came into existence out of the confusion of Arjuna.

The confusion created in the mind of Mohan Dass Karamchand Gandhi when he was thrown out of the first class compartment of the train reserved for white-skin people, made him to lead freedom struggle, and he became Mahatma after independence. As a wanderer, Modi is said to have spent prime years of his life in confusion, and today he is the Prime Minister of India. Yet another man, projected by his ‘home-made’ political party – Congress, Rahul Gandh is said to be the most confused man. People have mixed feelings about him (Rahul Gandhi). Some maintain that he may never come out of the chaos of confusion. However, some contend that he would grow out of confusion and emerge as a ‘creator’,  "a future PM of India."

Beyond confusion of mistakes, there is experience; experience is the name given to mistakes. Beyond confused man, there is nature. Beyond confusing nature, there is God. Even God seems to be confused because he made man and he (man) has become Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian etc. He (God) made the earth, man has divided it into countries, and kills one another to live.

Evidently enough, confusion is the quality of the great mind.

MY LOW MAINTENANCE GIRLFRIEND

MY LOW MAINTENANCE GIRLFRIEND

She is my soul. She is my body. She is my mind. She is my escort. She has taught me to live. She has taught me to write.

By Mukesh Sharma

So calm, cool and quiet she is,

Like space where the peace lives.

Bright like moon, fair like snow,

She escorts me wherever I go.

With swan-like love, we fly free,

Her warmth hugs vanishes all worries.

Ask not me more about her please,

Body I am, breath she is.

Me just a mind, she is a heart,

Death only can do us part.

Beyond woos and wants, she is just mine,

'Diary' her name, She is so divine.

Darkness, the Mother of Light

Darkness, the Mother of Light

Light is born out of the womb of Darkness, even the shining sun is the son of Darkness

By Mukesh Sharma

It is axiomatic that nothing can be created out of nothing. This universe has been made out of Darkness. All planets and stars have come out of the Darkness. Had there been no Darkness, nothing would have ever existed. Even so-called God lives and loves the Darkness. Prophets and saints realize God with their eyes shut in the depth of darkness of their mind where as an ordinary man just spots the idol in the light. In fact, light is born out of the womb of Darkness; even the shinning sun is the son of Darkness. Undoubtedly, Darkness is the revered mother of the light.

Though a man is born out of the womb of a woman after 9 months of darkness, he is, surprisingly, scared of Darkness. Seeing is believing. What a man can’t see, he doesn’t believe. What an eye doesn’t see, heart doesn’t grieve. The poet laureate William Wordsworth says:

“The eye can’t choose but see,

We can’t bid the ear be still,

Our bodies feel wherever they be,

Against or with our will”

In light, man recognizes the material things but in darkness, he realizes the unformed and unshaped through his vision. Sight can see with light but vision can see through darkness.

Light is ephemeral but darkness is eternal. Light is finite but darkness is infinite. Light is limited but darkness is unlimited. Light ages with time but darkness is ageless. Light just happens but darkness just exists. Light is a matter made of photons but darkness is a non-matter. Light has to travel from one place to another but darkness lives everywhere. In fact, darkness cradles the light. Light is an illusion but darkness is the reality.

With darkness, life comes full circle; it begins from darkness through light ends in darkness. And the circle moves on and on.

Seven deadly sins: Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath and Sloth are nothing but daughters of Darkness. In fullness of time, Pride gives birth to Humility; Greed to Generosity; Lust to Chastity; Envy to Contentedness; Gluttony to Dieter; Wrath to Calm; Sloth to Ambition.

Disease is darkness but entails treatment for the health. Poverty is darkness but gives rise to ambition. Despondency is darkness but sustains hope. Ignorance is darkness but produces desire for knowledge. Failure is darkness but teaches lesson for the success; success comes after the succession of failures. An American poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson truly reflects the importance of darkness through his mystic words:

“Teach me your mood, O patient stars;

Who climb each night the ancient sky,

Leaving no space, no shade, no stars,

No trace of age, no fear to die”

A man is born twice. Lord Krishna in the Gita, sloka 7 refers man with the word “dvijottama” (Sanskrit word) that means twice-born –  a man is born into the world of nature; second birth is into the world of spirit (darkness).

Be not afraid of darkness. Grow up!  It is the law of nature; day ends with night, night culminates in day. Life is transient. Nothing is permanent. Darkness who is mother of light, is the best teacher.

‘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.