Can We Reform It

These were the days when I used to serve as a science teacher in a govt. school in Himachal Pradesh. A fellow teacher was being transferred from that school. He was willing to be transferred to a school of his own choice. He wrote an official letter to then chief minister (congress) Vir Bhadra Singh. The initials of the letter read as

“To
Raja Sahib Sh. Vir Bhadra Singh
Chief Minister
Govt. of Himachal Pradesh.”
I have no protest against writing a letter to a chief minister. My only concerns were about the language of the initials. Was it necessary to write ‘Raja Sahib’ in an official letter? Could he not have written chief minister of Himachal Pradesh only? Isn’t this a reflection of monarchism or feudalism dominating the democracy? These were the few questions which I need to be answered.

On probing he told me “This is how he likes to be addressed and there are a few who even don’t bother to mention chief minister.” Wasn’t this a clear case of appeasement on the teacher’s behalf and monarchial hangover on the CM’s behalf? This mentality is deep routed in the core of Indian mass.

Today when I heard Rahul Gandhi saying that there is no internal democracy in political parties in India. He also mentioned the “LAL BATTI” culture and his despair that common man is not getting a chance to join politics.

As he claims, he might have some solutions for this problem. The question is whether the solutions are realistic or not? I would like to go with the negative side. This is because we don’t have the virtue of fair play. We always take politics in terms of pulling down the other’s leg. The same idea is manifested by our political and social organizations. After the death of Nehru congress suffered a huge split in the absence of a dominating figure. The other parties could not retain there independent identity for the same reason. In nineties congress suffered a lot due to the absence of the dominance at the top. The story was no different for BJP after Bajpayee(conflict among the second row leadership). Therefore, Rahul Baba, it is not only the chief minister who likes to be addressed like that, but the teacher is equally amazed of writing these lines. You could mould the congressmen but who would mould the common man.
Pic from http//:www.msanjay.weblog.us

Redefining Love

“Where r u? I’m desperate to meet u. Pls, try to understand I can’t wait anymore. I want it now or never. Hu knows wt happens 2moro.” These were the lines flashed on my friends mobile screen. And mind you these were the midnight hours.
“What is this nonsense?” he uttered.

On probing , he confessed that this creative work was from his girlfriend.
“I wud like 2 avoid it b4 marriage. Pls control yourself”, he retaliated.
“I knew her for last five years now but she had never behaved like that” he murmured.

Sana (name changed) hails from Varanasi in Utter Pradesh, which happens to be the hometown of my friend Sumit (name changed). They have some strong emotional attachments towards each other. Now they are in Delhi. Their society does not enjoy a reputation to allow such kind of conversation especially on the part of female.

This story clearly suggests that restrictions can only make the things more complex. It is also evident that when these bonds are cleared the lava inside bursts out. Some time it can result disastrous consequences. The time has come to oppose this orthodox behavior of Indian society. We have to move faster towards the modernity( Not Obscenity). We must respect the biological needs.

The story has got another angle too. The term “love” ( which rarely happens) is being redefined by the youth. Girls are turning out to be more pragmatic in approach. This no more remains a life long pledge. They want to live it now. What is your take on that?

Pic from http//:www.bbc.uk