Diwali: Festival of happiness and joy

        It were a joyous moment, if I spent time with my family members for the celebration of the Diwali, but I again found myself unfortunate. The gap followed its previous trend, increased again, due to the unconditionality of life journey. Someone said that this life journey holds lots which is required to be grown like lone wolf.

        What lies in the future, let the time decide! But, what we should do at the moment, do it accordingly. After lighting candles in my room and cleaning the book shelf as part of a little celebrations, I got nothing to perform more and managed to come out on the streets of Delhi in pursuit of observing other’s celebrations. 

Homeless people seen sleeping under the shed of the metro station in North-East Delhi on Monday. (Photo by R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

        Initially, each and every step was experienced nothing except a sense of boredom until I reached near the metro station where homeless people and beggars were sleeping under the shed of the station in the intense noise of firecrackers. There were no candles and light decorative for the celebrations. Perhaps they could not afford firecrackers and in the arena of this festival of joy, they preferred sleeping. 

Homeless kids celebrating the Diwali festival in North-East Delhi on Monday. (Photo by R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

        At some distance, I watched their kids lighting the firecrackers in their own style celebrating the festival of light and happiness. Their clothes were not up to the mark and even they did not take shower, but they were happy torching a ‘Ghirani’. 

Homeless kids celebrating the Diwali festival in North-East Delhi on Monday. (Photo by R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

        It is actually the power of festival that provides a way for all to be happy, and those kids had found the aura of joy even in disadvantageous condition. My halt at that spot curates a layer of satisfaction and compels me to find out a path to be happy like them. 

        The decorated street, people wearing new clothes celebrating the festival, firecrackers that haunting the ears, and women and girls in new look as the centre of attraction were the indication of celebrations performed by an advantageous section of society. I witnessed a far difference between the previous celebrations and this one. People at the both places were in jubilant mood, but my direction was a mile away from it. 

Diwali celebrations in North-East Delhi on Monday. (Photo by R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

        It is only Diwali festival that, I think per year, I should be with my family for celebrating this beautiful moment. I always remain alone after 2010. When the wait will end, I don’t know, but whenever it ends, it will be a big fanfare.

        I kept on walking quietly on an overbridge when the people in large were busy in celebrations. A flow of thoughts had occupied my mind, and I picked out a marvellous conclusion from that flow with the poetry of ‘Kunwar Narain'.

“दुर्गम वनों और ऊँचे पर्वतों को जीतते हुए 

जब तुम अंतिम ऊँचाई को भी जीत लोगे— 

जब तुम्हें लगेगा कि कोई अंतर नहीं बचा अब 

तुममें और उन पत्थरों की कठोरता में 

जिन्हें तुमने जीता है— 

जब तुम अपने मस्तक पर बर्फ़ का पहला तूफ़ान झेलोगे 

और काँपोगे नहीं— 

तब तुम पाओगे कि कोई फ़र्क़ नहीं 

सब कुछ जीत लेने में 

और अंत तक हिम्मत न हारने में।

“Having conquered the inaccessible woods and high mountains, when we'd vanquish even the pinnacle, and believe that there is no difference at all in us and in the hardness of conquered stones.

When we encounter the first snowstorm on our head and will not quiver, then we'll realize that there's no contrast between in winning the all and in not giving up until we reach.”

The boy who survived after many life-shocks

          Tragedy increases its frequency when a man goes through his unconditional bad days. It happened to a boy who lost his father in his early age that completely stopped the source of his family income. The minimal earning of his mother was his last resort, who was working at an Anganwadi centre in the northern district of Bihar. He was last among his siblings of three and his only brother was addicted to alcoholism and drugs. 

         After losing his father, he was in thought of ‘he lost everything’. Those devastating days were rolled, he was on track and kept his study on to secure a good position. His mother always sent him money for the livelihood and the preparation in Delhi what she earned from her job at Anganwadi centre. That was struggling moment for him and her because there were no one in the family for support.

         I acquainted with him in a library during study in Delhi. One to two line conversation led us to a tea shop for long conversation in our spare time. Its frequency increased.

          He appeared for many examinations and found himself closer to the selection. Everything was going good and perhaps in the upcoming one or two attempts he was able to secure his rank. But, unfortunately, his mother met an accident, experienced many bone fractures, fell into coma. She was admitted in the General ward of Safdarjung Hospital. Gathering there was out of control and unbearable. Doctors came for routine check-up. I was about to faint after facing the health services at that hospital. 

         I could not do anything for him and his mother because I was not in condition due to my helplessness, but what I can do for him, I did it, and gave my time for her mother treatment in 2018-19 when I was appearing for the final semester exam of IIMC. I had nothing except to express my regret and condolences. 

          Facing the worst financial condition, alienation from all and the humiliation in attempts seeking help, he realised that all knowledge gained through books had no meaning, when he was leaving the hospital with his unconscious mother. The doctor had told him that only god would help his mother to survive because she had no reaction when she got inoculated during treatment. The doctor had inserted pipes to help her taking liquid for nutrition and for excretion.

           His condition became worst. There were few people to help him financially. He was living in trauma again of the accident of his mother after his father death. No one will believe that he asked for clothes from his nearest one to wear in this ruinous phase of life. All the sorrows he faced can’t be written here. But, what he faced, no one should face.

          It is said that the worst time would pass anyway, keep on patience. And, He did so.

          After a great effort, he managed to get a job of RS. 12,000 for his livelihood in that worst condition. He knew that it was not his satisfaction and he increased his efforts. He had only B.com degree from a university of Bihar. He learnt English and became capable to survive in this exaggerated professional world. 

          In next attempt, after years, he got his another job at an UAE company at a good salary. And, by his latest effort, he gained a job at American Company ‘Genpact’ with the package of approach Rs. 8 lakh.

         With the god blessings, his mother is now able to walk and does all necessary activities like washing clothes, cook and daily work.

         His story is a motivation for many that how a boy who struggled for livelihood, faced the death of his father in his early age and the accident of his mother, asked for even clothes at mid 25, ultimately reached to a reputable job that is desire of many. May God help him!

Laal Singh Chadha: A malcontent who becomes genius

Book/Film Review- 9 

        It’s not wrong to say it is probably the power of social media that shapes people’s minds to decide what they have to do. Sometimes it works and for the Laal Singh Chaddha, it proved its power. The film businesses low even after theming the apparently best ideas in comparison to Bollywood’s films.

A scene from the film Laal Singh Chaddha

       I watched the movie last night and found that Lal Singh Chadha is a narration of incidents that have made their contributions to portraying the current political scenario of India. Army’s march at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani’s chariot procession, demolition of Babri Masjid, Kargil war, and implementation of Mandal recommendations for OBC reservations are some frequent examples.

      It is a remake of the Hollywood film Forest Gump, but as per the demand of Indian society, many scenes have been changed. Laal’s mother's approach to the teacher for her son’s education, prawns business as an undergarments business, and rescuing a terrorist during Kargil's operation are many of them. 

       Laal saved a terrorist in an attempt to rescue his Army colleague Bala, who shared his ideas of the undergarments business after the services, but he was unable to save his friend and that terrorist lost his both legs. He gets the Sena medal for rescuing five lives including that terrorist who later becomes his business partner, returns to Pakistan, and opens a school after the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. 

       The terrorist gets emotional when he watches the news of the attack at the Taj Hotel and regrets being so religious. He stops the channel when a preacher interprets the religious dogmas. He says thank you to stupid Laal for saving his life. The movie tries to give a message that a terrorist is of no use when his need would be over. Many attempts made by that terrorist to go to his country failed because he has lost his legs and his utility is nothing to them.

       The movie terms communal violence as the Malaria pandemic and it finds the reason behind it: To be more religious. Laal says that following religions is a matter of individual choice. Worshiping god is a personal motive because god lives in everyone’s heart. 

       Overall, the movie is interestingly filmed except for some long and boring scenes, illogical dialogues, and no answer to many events why these happen. 

       The movie may be a great motivation for individuals of different personalities. In childhood, Laal is unable to even walk but in the end, he keeps running for a long time. He narrates the stories of his life journey in the context of wearing shoes of different utilities like disability, army, businessman, running, and gifted footwear. 

       He loves his childhood friend Rupa so intensely that he makes no harm to her after getting rejections from her many times. He always cares for her. She struggles to be an actress, but she is not able to find the right place. Ultimately, after making her efforts and getting humiliation, she returned to Laal who has become a successful person in his life due to his hard work and devotion to any work that he does in his particular time frame.

Disclaimer- I am not fond of Amir Khan but I like some of his movies. 3 idiots, Mann, Dil Chahta Hai, PK, and Taare Zameen par are many of them. I, ideologically, follow center-right politics that’s why I never appreciated his statement during the debate on intolerance. When his film is about to release, the IT cell of a particular ideology becomes active to spread propaganda against him and his film. I think that this is not good for the art and practice of freedom of speech in India. That was a debate over intolerance and it’s now over in favour of right-wing politics. There is no need to propagate malicious content, and we should appreciate and promote good films.

My Town : A journey for peace and a particular reality

     Enjoy the work without doing nothing. It is in trend among the people who are either lazy or keep their struggle on. They are advised to peddle it on philosophically, if they do not know about it, they are suggested to learn it. But, can it be imagined that how long a person is able to enjoy a work of no utility? It may be 1 month, 2 months and probably many months. If a person starts enjoying, it’s possible to be habitual of worthless practice that is the death of his/her real potential, skills, confidence and desire to do something big.

A tea and snacks shop at a local market, almost 50 km away from the city of Ara, on Oct 02, 2022. (Pic- R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

         To break this cycle of procrastination, I go on a journey to find out the reality that has started to erode itself in the period of enjoying something without doing actual nothing. Every new day falls with new hope and is passed demolishing this hope. The hope again rises after its every diminished, never dies after facing many humiliations and keeps on going hand-in-hand with the fate of the individual.

         My latest 10-day journey was on board encountering the reality that has been fading off by a place of no importance in terms of enriching anything. I was getting bored there. In result, the circumstances started trapping me. My mind flashed back remembering the line cited in the novel ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’: “If a man does not master his circumstances then he is bound to be mastered by them.” At time, I did not need to master that specific circumstances accepting to get rid of these, and I decided to move on the circumstances for some days with a purpose to wander several places to find out what I would like to do. 

A livestock market on the outskirts of Ara, Bihar, on Oct 03, 2022. (Pic- R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

          During this specific time duration, my heart and mind were being haunted by an unwanted and unknown fear of many things. I analysed all aspects of my life and found that the reasons of fear are scattered on the turf of my confused thought and I was hitting the ball pretending myself a person of clear thought. 

          Hours of meditation practice, living quiet for long time, exchanging though among people    of different background led me to make my thought clear and vast. A saint said to me, “a confused thought is like a sinking boat that sails nowhere.” Be clear in your approach, be strong with your desire and get rid of all which help nothing in your career enhancement, he added.

A road leading to my village. Picture is taken on Oct 2, 2022. (Pic- R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

         After enjoying at a luxurious place in the far western part of India, I visited a place situated in the south of Bihar, on the invitation of one of my friends, that was extremely rural in my opinion. Road connectivity was worst and potholes disfigured its appearance. I kept making efforts there for one and a half day to find out a best tea shop but I was unlucky. I sketched an unavoidable difference between that place and the place where I am currently residing. Modernity had no scope there and even people did not care for the constructions symbolising the development. Actually, they were happy enjoying the beauty of nature and breathing fresh air. Even in a day, I also forgot all my contemporary incidents that led me to a sleepless night and restless mind in Delhi.

          Here, I met a beautiful tribal girl. She was dusky and spoke even Hindi with difficulty. The language she knew, I did not know but her appearance and mode of talking touched my heart and mind. Her eyes were pleasing, and how much time I talked to her I kept gazing in her eyes. She felt a little bit shyness and I too, but it was apparently same feeling for me when I looked fixedly in the eyes of a girl at my current work place. Days became over, I bid goodbye to her and denied the exchange of numbers with a message: Keep on living with your real nuances.

Bihar’s special Chaat-Chhola that is delicious in taste. Picture is taken on Oct 04, 2022 in Patna. (Pic- R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

          In addition of my journey, I returned Patna where I kept wandering whole day, took almost 10 cups of tea and on very next day, I moved to my village. Durga Puja was being celebrated. It has become a mundane celebrations in villages. (For reading full article, click the link) I stayed there for one and half day. I enjoyed the moment remembering my all past days. I talked many people and got insights of them. During the conversation, I got informations about the people of communist thought. They regularly attended the rally, meeting and added the members to the party even in the villages.

         I found that the Marxist-Leninist (Male) communist thought has been prevailing in the villages. Mostly members and supporters of it belong to the Scheduled Caste, Other Backward Class and Muslims. They believe in the party with a hope of a solution of their all social, political and financial problems. People from upper caste are seen rarely supporting the communist ideology because a supposition has taken place that this party has a history of working against the upper caste. In result, many groups of this class had grown up and keep on fighting, struggling and making their presence in village politics.

Ara’s special sweet called ‘Tikiya’. It is prepared with Chhena after boiling on a constant heat in sugar mixture. (Pic- R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

          In comparison to the spread of communist thought, Sangh (RSS) got its recognition very late in the villages. It was the era of Atal Bihari Vajpayee when the Sangh knocked the doors of villagers and now is travelling in full swing with the rise of Narendra Modi. It is the clear indication in the people living in villages that they hold political, social and cultural understanding contemporarily. I was still unaware of the fact that there is no importance of president post in the communist party, the post of General Secretary is most important.

           Many people have escaped the villages in search of money. Agriculture has not been a beneficial business. People involved in this sector are becoming poorer and poorer. They are actually carrying the burden of debt. Micro-finance companies trapped them in their net and sucking their all extra earnings as interest. Actually they have no work.

Durga Puja celebrations in my village. (Pic- R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

        Without any opportunity of work in villages, they sit in groups, talk for collective good and enjoying the moment for hours. They learn to be socialised and organise many religious and social activities for the people. But, they always regret of being unemployed. 

         Money, mobile and modernity have been changing the paradigm of living. Some of them are getting habit of criticising other unnecessarily. Some other are living in revenge, but maximum of them are good and virtuous by heart. 

          These are all about what I observed in my days of travelling. I found the reality. I gained my motive again and motivation to do what I want! 

Durga Puja of My City: Mundane celebrations in villages and exciting in cities

        Durga Puja is famously celebrated in North India marking the victory of good over the evil. It romanticises the people to meet collectively at a place where the observance of fast and the listening of Katha are completed marking the conclusion of nine-day long carnival.

A Durga Puja Pandal in Gardanibagh, Patna on Oct 04, 2022 (pic- R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

        The Puja seems not only festival of reciting mantras by the pandita and listening these by the devotees, but also a mean of blossoming joy and happiness in the people. Children start managing to wander the fair organised near the Durga Puja pandal. Teenagers, adults and the old also celebrate the festival with full enthusiasm. 

        Sweet smell of the Jalebi attracts the people and spicy Chaat-Chhola* is joyfully eaten by the visitors. (*a snack-dish that is prepared with a combination of Samosa, boiled Chhola, spices, onions and chilli. For giving a flavour of taste, tamarind water (Imali kaa Paani) is poured.)

A Durga Puja Pandal in Ara city, 50 km away from Patna, on Oct 04, 2022 (pic- R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

         Preparation for the festival gets its tone and pace days before the commencement of celebrations. Organisers prepare Pandal and decorate the surroundings in a way which give a spiritual, religious and festive look. Almost every chowk, adjoining centre of roads and grounds are suitable places for the celebrations. 

         Every man/woman visits the pandal to get blessings of the goddess that makes the place crowded which demands a better crowd management strategy so that the stampede would be avoided. For this, organisers do a good job along with managing the incidents of fire, electrocution and safety of women. We should salute them for the successful completion of the festival.

         Now a day, the festival also gains importance for the business purposes. Vendors sell Jalebi, toys, festive materials and other items to the visitors. They earn money for the livelihood of their family. Some of them are lucky to earn more but other some get neglected by the people and gain less amount. Mischievous activities create trouble for the people and also become a problem for organisers. But, in end, the festival is completed successfully  by the spiritual powers of the goddess.

        “It’s not too old when people came out with euphoria and joy even after crossing knee-deep mud on road. Today, roads have been made of concrete; brick-made houses have replaced the primitive houses and all decorations have been done with more money, but people have lost their jolly mood because Lakshmi (Euphoria) has gone, it seems”, an old man says.

Durga Puja celebrations at a place, 50 km away from the city of Ara. (pic- R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

         His words are not waste. Agriculture has lost its importance as money-gainer activity, industry is not located in villages and there is no scope for the service sector that make the rural areas a no-money and a no-benefit group of villages. People are struggling to earn money because many of them are unskilled, uneducated and clean-heart. Minimal persons are able to get government jobs that is highly respected in the villages. Except this, there is no actual source of income. Festivals have now become a celebrations of money and without it, the Durga Puja is nothing more for them except a mundane celebrations.

Durga Puja celebrations at a place, 50 km away from the city of Ara, Bihar (Pic- R. Suresh Bhardwaj)

        But, in the cities, Durga Puja is celebrated more excitedly. The pattern of gaining income in the urban areas are totally different in respect to villages. Industry is majorly located near the cities. Service sector has now become core of the urban economy. All offices are situated in towns and employees working there also reside in these areas. They have sufficient sum of money that provide them a  way to celebrate the festivals more excitedly.

        We can’t ignore the view of Yuval Noah Harari, Israeli public intellectual, historian and Author of ‘Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind’: “Money is the only trust system created by humans that can bridge almost any cultural gap, and that does not discriminate on the basis of religion, gender, race, age or sexual orientation.”