Last year Independence Day coincided with Rakshabandhan and there was general joy and gaiety with two important festivals – one national and one traditional – falling on the same day. I remember our society had organised Independence Day celebrations with unfurling of National flag followed by some patriotic music and refreshments.

While celebrating last year’s festivals nobody would have foreseen what kind of difficulty the nation and the world were to face in the days to come. It started with the ordinance of Citizenship amendment being passed as a bill in both Houses of Parliament thereby becoming an act, CAA. It started nation wide protests with a peaceful sit in by women at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi that was to last for months together. Delhi also witnessed its worst communal riots after a long hiatus and these coincided with President Trump’s visit to India. While the things were settling down, we heard about a highly contagious strain of virus having affected Wuhan province in China, which became a worldwide pandemic over the next few months. As I write this blog, India is in severe grip of the pandemic, recording highest number of cases day after day and the overall infection here being third largest in the world after US and Brazil. In these tough times even the Mother Nature didn’t spare her fury and we saw two of the worst cyclones on the East and West coasts of the country. Currently monsoons are causing havoc in several parts of the country, Mumbai itself is experiencing highest rainfall in decades. Ironically, Mumbai is also facing water cut as catchment areas of its lakes are not having sufficient rains to stock water requirement of the city for the entire year between two monsoons. In fact, this is the pattern of rain in most places – either excess rain and floods or drought like situation.

All our festivals just came and went by. Institutions of learning are shut down. Railways and flights are shut. People handling essential services, our Corona warriors, are on the field risking their lives while others are facing problem of a different kind – more psychological – due to extended period of work from home. While we saw several celebrities falling victim to Covid infection, lockdown led to increased cases of depression, domestic disharmony and suicides.

As if all the above was not enough, we saw ugly clashes with China at Galwan valley that saw India losing 20 of its bravehearts, while for Pakistan, it was business as usual with skirmishes on LOC and that country fuelling the fire in Kashmir with false propaganda. Nepal only complicated things further.

In the face of all negatives, the country saw some positives too. Decades old dispute of Ramjanmabhoomi got peacefully settled with both sides respectfully accepting the legal verdict. In the in unlockdown process, the Government and RBI came out with huge financial impetus to facilitate restarting of commercial activity in the country. India managed pandemic better than several advanced countries. The valour of our bravehearts in Galwan has been taken note of by the entire world and while China has been isolated, other enemies have also got strong message of India’s strength. Good monsoons are likely to fill country’s granary. People have imbibed learning from Pandemic to start new style of living.

As a country, we have faced it all and worst – wars with enemies, internal strifes, inflation, natural calamities, hunger and poverty, corruption, crime, and if we could come out of 200 years of oppressive British rule, I have no doubt that the future belongs to us. Whether it’s honge kamyaab, India shining, Aatmanirbhar Bharat or any other slogan to be adopted as per the need of the hour, we should all face current down slide with strength and optimism, contribute to the nation building and join hands together to lead the world. The past is past – the period gone between the last and this 15th August was fait accompli. But the period between this and the next 15th August is future and we can definitely shape our future by being united in our fight against all monsters – enemies, pandemic, economy, communal frenzy, unemployment and hunger.

Happy Independence Day.

Corona continues to give one shock after another, it’s newest victim being famed urdu poet, lyricist, painter and teacher, Rahat Indori. He died yesterday at a hospital in Indore after getting two massive heart attacks. He was admitted to hospital for he was tested Covid positive.

A doctorate in Urdu literature, Rahat taught urdu literature and was interested in pedagogy. He collaborated with famous Bollywood producer and director Vidhu Vinod Chopra to give us some memorable numbers in movies such as Mission Kashmir, Munnabhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munnabhai and Kareeb.

He was one of those fast vanishing breed of poets who did not fear calling spade a spade. He was the lifeline of mushairas and Kavi sammelans and as famous personality Gulzar said in his tribute, “ woh Mushaira loot lete they” literally meaning he was a show stealer. Of course, apart from the quality and depth of his poetry, his stage presence and delivery were equally impressive. His following poem is being remembered all over in social media and press today:

हमारी तरह हथेली पे जान थोड़ी है

हमारे मुंह से जो निकले वही सदाक़त है

हमारे मुंह में तुम्हारी ज़ुबान थोड़ी है

जो आज साहिब-इ-मसनद हैं कल नहीं होंगे

किराएदार हैं जाती मकान थोड़ी है

सभी का खून है शामिल यहाँ की मिट्टी में

किसी के बाप का हिंदुस्तान थोड़ी है.

The above is loosely translatable as:

We are ready to sacrifice our lives and we speak truth and not political language. Governments come and go, but India, built by all the Indians with their sweat and blood is no one’s personal fiefdom.

His satirical take on politicians regaled the audiences at mushairas, especially the following piece:

Nationalism and Indianness were inherent to his personality and while he was equally at ease with almost all the genres, his poetry on patriotism lifted everyone’s morale. He wrote:

बस ये बात हवाओं को बताये रखना,
रौशनी होगी चिरागों को जलाये रखना,
लहू देकर जिसकी हिफाज़त की शहीदों ने,
उस तिरंगे को सदा दिल में बसाये रखना।

He also wrote:

मैं जब मर जाऊं तो मेरी अलग पहचान लिख देना, लहू से मेरी पैशानी पे हिन्दुस्तान लिख देना ।

The country would do well to imbibe his lessons of brotherhood, patriotism, nationalism , truth and honesty that will be the best obituary to one of the finest poets of our times. He will rule the hearts of lovers of Urdu poetry for long time to come. He leaves an indelible mark on the scene of Urdu poetry in this country.

Rest in peace sir!

While the flavour of the season is Lord Rama and the entire country is currently soaked in his pious and sacred name, today is Krishna Janmashtami and while Lord Rama is having his moment under the sun thanks to laying of foundation of Ramjanmabhoomi Temple, Lord Krishna cannot be ignored, especially on his birth anniversary day.

Actually, while different parts of the country adore different Gods like Vaishnodevi in North, Ganpati in West, Ma Durga in East and Lord Murugan in South, Rama and Krishna are the two pillars of Hindu faith. I am told that Rama on stand-alone basis or as a prefix or suffix is the most popular name, followed probably by Krishna and his several names. While Namaste or Namaskar is our prescribed form of Greeting, I don’t know how many of us greet each other by saying Ram Ram, Jai Shri Ram or Jai Shri Krishna!

Both are incarnations of Lord Vishnu- Rama in treta yug and Krishna in Dwapar yug. Ram’s lifetime is vividly captured in Valmiki’s Ramayana or Tulsi’s Ramcharitamanas, Krishna’s colourful lifetime is resplendently explained in Mahabharat and Bhagvad. Lord Rama is Maryada Purushottam , an ideal man, who can do no wrong and is obedient, respectful, just, fair, straight and truthful, Krishna’s Leela’s are mystic. At times he appears scheming, trickster, naughty, diehard romantic, split personality et al, but there is a deeper hidden meaning in all his leelas.

There are two final thoughts that I would like to share with my readers on the occasion of Janmashtami. The first being a WhatsApp message that I received, which is very contextual. Corona virus tells Lord Krishna, “ I am a small virus but I have put locks at the gates of all your temples. How can people celebrate your birthday?”. Lord replies, “ You have rendered a great service dear Corona. By putting locks on thousands of temples, you have actually established millions of temples in the households of my millions of devotees.” A very beautiful thought! Second thought is what I read somewhere one of these days, where an author while explaining and comparing lives of Rama and Krishna concludes, “ While I want to be like Lord Rama, I like Lord Krishna.” This beautifully captures the essence of the two pillars. We should imbibe the qualities of the perfect man that’s Ram, but we can’t help loving the life, time and leelas of Lord Krishna. That’s what makes Janmashtami so special.

Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!

Just a week back or so, our boss posed an intelligent question to all his teammates – what would be the population of India at the end of this century in 2100? The question took all of us by surprise and it started a spate of guesses? From 175 crore to 250, there was not a number that was not conjectured. Most of us couldn’t believe when the actual answer was shared by the questioner ! The answer was it would be lesser than what it was today!

While people googled to find the rationale and logic, today’s Times of India actually has details of study conducted by Lancet. According to the study, India’s population after peaking at 160 crore in 2048 will start shrinking, ending at 109 crore by the end of the century in 2100. China will peak much sooner in 2024 and its population will be 73 crore in 2100. This phenomenon will be repeated for most of the countries resulting in “ jaw dropping” decline in population.

The study further observed that female productivity at 2.1 barely replenishes population and any fall below this leads to decline. Increased life expectancy cannot make up for decline on account of lower female productivity. By 2100, productivity of Indian women is expected to decline to 1.29.

The study further predicts tremendous adverse consequences of declining young working population and corresponding increase in older population above 60 that will be burden on the states.

Isn’t it a big irony and dilemma that today countries are fighting to control the population explosion fearing shortage of food, residences, resources and above all potable water? In future, when population starts declining after reaching the peak, such a scenario will pose challenge of a different kind, as explained above.

Population explosion is a challenge,

Countries are working to control it;

Very soon population will start declining,

Have patience and just wait and watch it.

Lower population will also be challenge,

With fewer youngsters and more oldsters;

What can man do other than to look skywards

For where will he dump these oldsters?

It seems human life is nothing,

But a never ending saga of struggle and problems by tens and hundred;

The man strove to survive in Stone Age ,

And he will face a different challenge on twenty one hundred .

Just to conclude, let’s plead to the divine power that we need no pandemics like Corona to reduce our numbers; as it is we will be considerably reduced by 2100 , but continue to look up to divinity for different reasons.

“Life is Beautiful”

My yesterday’s blog on Good times pushes me further to explore this theme of yearning for future more. As explained in my previous blog, living the moment is easier said than done because of our fascination with a happier tomorrow.

The contrarian view is that while there could be disenchantment with the present and obsession for the future, when I reflect on the past, there’s this general feeling of the all being well in the past on the hind sight. The missed opportunity, the momentary shock, the spontaneous disappointment were in fact all blessing in disguise on reflection! This is further emboldened by the thought I came across in Mahatria’s latest message that says-

“We are all created for unique destinations. It seems like we are all in the same game! Yet, each one’s direction and finishing line is unique and different. No replacement. No substitution. You can take no one’s place. No one can take your place. You are here to be YOU.

All times are unique to us because we are we. Whether the same is good or bad, it’s all in mind. Whether this Covid time is the time to introspect or commit suicide depends on us. When Covid goes, whether we fall back into the rut or imbibe the learning to make our lives better is entirely our prerogative,

If the good times have not lasted

Bad times will also not last;

Very soon the current Corona pandemic

Will be a thing of the past!

Unless we live in present

And enjoy each day as it comes in time

We will keep in on waiting for good times,

Killing our present for some unknown future time !!

We all philosophise that a person should live in present; he or she should live the moment rather than chasing the future. A person should cherish whatever he or she has rather than chasing more or better. Howsoever true the above philosophy may be and how frequently we may either be preaching or be preached about it, the fact is that we all live in future – physically in present but mentally and wishfully in future! Needless to give a caveat here that in current Corona times, all of us are yearning for the future, ironically that’s going to be replica of our much abhorred past!

Readers must be wondering why this post and what’s its relevance in today’s context when mentally and wishfully all of us are yearning for Corona free future? The reason is that it’s been striking my mind that in less than 2 years I will be retiring from active service – another name for 9 to 6 job that of late has acquired monstrous proportions thanks again to Corona and it’s consequence viz. Work from home- and then I will be having all the time to pursue or cover up whatever I couldn’t do all these times while satisfying my physical and familial requirements. I would read, travel, sleep, learn music, go on long walks, spend time with my daughter’s family, visit my extended family and meet old time relations and friends etc etc. However, then suddenly the above philosophy of which I have been both – a preacher as also a follower – came to beckon me forcing me to rethink. Indeed, all my life I have chased the future. As young school boy, I fantasised free college life, as a collegiate I longed for financial independence by becoming a professional , as a professional I dreamt about being rich and top executive and while with the grace of god, most of the chased targets have been largely achieved with 20-30% plus and minus, the chase has not ended! As I put it in verse:

In the childhood I chased youth,

But I was indeed such an uncouth;

For in youth I chased old age,

Considering it to be a golden age;

Now that old age beckons me,

The reality suddenly reckons me;

Where will be the end of this chase?

Will it be only at the grave?

My readers may again accuse me of spreading negativity, which I heartily detest. But living in the present is easier said than done. I think inherently it’s in man’s nature to chase a better tomorrow. If it’s indeed better, we should not forget the struggles of the past and become more humble ; if it’s worse, we should not grudge and be gratuitous for the God having been kind enough to have given us our share of good times!

And if it’s all in the mind, let’s train our minds so that not only today, but all times to come are good times!

Hinduism is different from other major religions such as Islam, Christianity and Sikhism as it’s the only religion that actually has bestowed names and forms upon the God(s). So we have trinity of Brahma, Vishu and Mahesh and we have their incarnations like Rama and Krishna. In other religions, God is supreme creator of this entire universe and is not given any form or name. These religions have in fact been started by either messengers of Gods like Prophet Muhammad and Guru Nanak or by the son of God, as Jesus is addressed as.

There are holy scriptures like Bible, Quran Shareef, Guru Granth Sahab and Bhagvad and Ramayana that encapsulate teachings of these Gurus, Prophets and Gods. Also, there are stories around lifetimes of these prophets, Gurus, Son of God and gods themselves that have inspired generations of the followers of their respective faiths.

In the matter of faith, it’s absolutely impertinent to question the veracity of the facts concerning these stories that have been passed on from generation to generation as aforesaid. The theory of “to each his own” aptly applies to such matters of faith and in a secular country like India, where the constitution treats all citizens irrespective of caste, creed or religion as equals, respecting not only one’s own faith but all other faiths becomes an essential prerequisite.

It’s most heartening that in the above backdrop, today “ shilanyas” or “laying the foundation “ ceremony of the proposed Ram temple at Ayodhya has been solemnised and that too with utmost peace, grace and dignity for all. Invitation extended to the Muslim litigant and his hearty acceptance of the same, attributing his attending the ceremony to will of Lord Rama, speaks volumes of the communal amity that runs deep into the ethos of our country.

As someone rightly said, Lord Rama has two Swaroopas or forms – one of the God and another of Maryada Purushottam or a Human par excellence. While his Swaroop as incarnation of Vishnu can be matter of faith, his Maryada Purushottam Swaroop is an ideal for all the Indians. In that sense Ram belongs to no faith in particular but to the entire country and in fact, the entire world and therefore, it’s an occasion to rejoice for all and not any particular community or section of citizenry! Like so many religious places that are holy to all communities like Dargah Shareef, Ajmer, Velankini church, Golden Temple and Vaishnodevi, let the Ram temple in Ayodhya be the new symbol of communal harmony and national unity that binds the people of this county together.

Jai Shri Ram !

31st July 1980 was one of the darkest days in the history of Indian music. That day, the king of Bollywood playback singing Mohammed Rafi bid adieu to this world at an untimely age of 56 years.

He was a simpleton who was born in a poor family in Kotla Sultanpur near Amritsar. How he went on to scaling the highest peak in Bollywood playback singing is a well known story that has inspired thousands of other singers and artists to try their luck in Bollywood.

Between 1944, when he made his debut and 1980 when he breathed his last, he sang thousands of songs in multiple languages for almost all the leading men. Of the triumvirate of Dilip, Dev snd Raj, while Rafi was the voice of Dilip, he sang some scintillating numbers for Dev as well. For the next lot, Rafi ruled the roost. Two of the biggest stars Rajendra Kumar and Shammi Kapoor owed their popularity to some extent to ditties sung by Rafi for them. Ditto Joy, Dharmendra as also Sunil Dutt and Manoj Kumar in his initial days. In 1969, Kishore finally made it to the top of his singing career after a very long struggle and though he became the first choice of music directors in 70s, Rafi continued to enthral his fans with his silken voice.

It’s amazing that 40 years after his death, how the repertoire of songs left behind by Rafi continues to regale the new generation of listeners , adding to his ever growing list of fan following. Many aficionados of his music are aware Rafi clones that came on the music scene to fill the vacuum created by legend’s death – Anwar, Shabbir, Munna even Sonu to an extent. But what many people may not know is the fan following Rafi has in our neighbouring country. I saw a programme on YouTube, where obeisance was being paid to the legendary singer on his 40th death anniversary. Khalid Baig, who has done his masters in musicology from London and has also done an elaborate research on Rafi, is his big fan who is known in Pakistan’s music circle as voice of Rafi. In connection with his research, he also visited India couple of times and apart from members of Rafi’s family, he also met Bollywood stars and singers including Dev Anand and Manoj Kumar. The conclusion of his deep research is something that we all know ! He was humblest of the persons, who knew nothing apart from music. A simpleton, whom Lata once described as “ Khuda ka Banda”, was a great human being that makes him the greatest singer ever born.

On his 40th death anniversary that just went by on 31st July, let’s keep the great man’s music and his legacy alive in our country, the way Khalid Baig is doing in our neighbourhood.

As he once sang, “ Tum mujhe yun bhula na paoge”. In his lifetime, he might not have guessed that his prophecy would turn out to be true and generation of Bollywood music fans would uphold him at the top of their memory.

Covid is refusing to go. If anything , it’s intensity and coverage are going up with number of infected persons and mortality rate both continuing to rise.

It all started around Holi- I distinctly remember as our society had cancelled annual holi celebration as advisory for social distancing was already doing rounds. How there was Janta curfew and total lockdown and mass infections at Dharavi etc are now part of oft discussed and written about facts.

Navratris, Easter and Eid Al Fitr were celebrated under complete lockdown situations. Already, Lal Baug cha Raja is going to write history by not making an appearance this Ganpati breaking a non stop tradition of 80 years. While there are some claims by pharma companies of having found some cure, vaccine still seems some distance away in spite of its testing being fast tracked. God knows whether Janmashtami, Dahi Handi, Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali and Christmas will be celebrated with traditional gaiety or will the current pandemic conditions continue to put a spanner in all our festivals.

Currently affected festivals are Eid al Adha being celebrated today and Rakshabandhan to be celebrated on 3rd August. While Eid is a community festival celebrated by offering prayer, feasting on that which has been sacrificed and partaking of the feast with the needy and providing them with alms, Rakshabandhan is a family festival, where all family members assemble to celebrate delicate and sensitive emotion of affection between brother and sister.

Muslim brethren all over have celebrated Eid today with sobriety and restrain in view of the current pandemic. Many opted by donating money for online qurbani to avoid physical congregation in these pandemic times.

Rakshabandhan is also going to be celebrated in a similar fashion with sisters tying virtual Rakhis on the wrists of their brothers through video calling,

Lesson here is that spirit of festivals is more important than rituals observed while celebrating them. Eid teaches us the importance of sacrifice and charity, while rakhi is a festival of trust and affection. Current Covid pandemic is indeed teaching us so many new ways of life, which we probably knew in our subconscious but were too busy with the worldly pleasures to let them be manifested.

Happy Eid and Rakshabandhan. Let’s stay safe and defeat the pandemic. Festivals are part of our milieu and will come again for us to celebrate them with traditional gaiety but without forgetting the learning from Covid.

What distinguishes human beings from other living creatures is their sense of relationships. While some relationships are by blood – one’s parents and children – there are others that are acquired through betrothal or contract like spouse and in laws. However, one relationship that’s neither acquired by blood nor betrothal and that entails no responsibility, obligation, duty , compulsion or formality but is purely a matter of heart and choice is friendship. Today being the international friendship day, I dedicate this write up to all my friends.

First set of friends get acquired in school. Today, in the jet age, while children may have to change schools frequently on account of their parents changing job and station, I was lucky to have studied in the same school for 12 long years and in the process make some enduring friendships that have lasted till date after more than half a century!

As one moves to college, the bonhomie of school starts going amiss, but those who pursue professional courses by staying in hostels do build up lasting friendships. I didn’t have that opportunity but still have a few college friends.

As one turns professional, priorities change and rat race begins. During our day to day working, we do come across colleagues, associates, vendors, clients etc, but all acquaintanceships are not friendships. In fact, there’s a thin line between the two and sometimes when it gets blurred is difficult to ascertain. Similarly in our personal lives we come across neighbours, good Samaritans et al, but friendship is different as mentioned above.

We are all busy in our lives chasing our dreams and running day and night to fulfill needs of our own self and our family members – more luxuries than needs. In this daily struggle, we may not frequently call up friends, send them WhatsApp messages, wish them happy birthday or anniversary, but deep in our hearts we know that those friends are there for us ! The very thought of meeting them and spending some quality time reliving the old times is in fact the fuel that keeps us going.

On this international friendship day, let me tell all my friends that I truly nurture and value our relationship and pay an ode to them that reads-

Diamonds are forever,

That’s how the saying goes

My coffers are empty having no diamonds

But is it really my loss?

Not quite, if you don’t believe

Have a look at my treasure, at my trove;

It’s full of precious gems called friends, that too without any behove!

Let’s celebrate, nurture and value this selfless relationship on this international friendship day!