Forebite 2011

930 PM, and no calls yet. We had decided to welcome the New Year together. Old friends, some on the verge of making new bonds, some ready to run on the mystic untrodden roads, and of course one lost and brimmed with self pity. All of us knew that the eve of 2011 would be the last New Year’s Eve we would spend together. Maybe that was going to make it special. Or would it? It’s crossed 930. The food of dinner buffets would’ve long gone cold and dancers at dance parties already high on booze. Maybe the second part a plus, but apprehension gripped me as I began to think that they might’ve forgotten me or thought of leaving me behind. Fear of impending grief is worse than grief itself.   

The minute hand had just completed a full circle when the phone finally rang.

‘It’s an adult party, you sure you wanna join?’

The voice on the other side teased.

‘Come on dude! We grew up together, only because I don’t drink or smoke doesn’t mean I’m not an adult’

I reversed playfully, glad that they had not forgotten me. Maybe the fact that I was a full foot shorter and weighed 30 kilos less made him think I was still a kid, well that’ll have to stay with me for now or maybe forever, but it’s not something that deserves attention right now.

‘Where are we going?’

Came out a little too wary than it sounded in my head.

‘No idea. All pubs are full… maybe we’ll go to some dhaba or drink and puke on the streets. You just come down, we’re waiting outside.’

Sure, anarchy in numbers seems so much more rewarding than safety in solitude.

The crammed ’96 Maruti 800 took us on several straights and circles, thumbs down each dhaba. Close to midnight was when my nose first wrinkled. Bottles were raised and music played loud.

‘Happy New Year!’

 Shouted the first one to lose his head.

 ‘There’s still 10 minutes left Akshay, just sit down.’ I said, finding myself useful for the first time.

More ‘male bonding’ followed and it was finally time for the countdown… I kicked and yelled at the already half asleep males and promptly started counting down.

Happy New Year!! I shouted... Again... Happy New Year!! Excited and slightly embarrassed at being the only one to shout I turned around expecting to see 4 sleeping logs, only to find that my half asleep friends had found a reason to stay awake and laugh their throats out. Joining in, I laughed a bit and cursed them for not welcoming 2011. Only after laughing for a few more minutes did one of them say that 2011 had descended an hour ago and I was late and began laughing again. With no reason to hold back, I joined them with a hearty laugh.

Though the year crept upon me undetected, it brought joy and laughter. Maybe that’s all that matters. The dates, goals or targets I met this year don’t significantly matter… When i turn around to look at 2011, All I would remember is the time spent with loved ones, places I went, smiles and laughs I had, and these I will treasure as the best of 2011.

Divide and drule!

The latest news coming out of UP that’s drawing all the attention in the nation is kumari mayawati’s super “duper” plan of splitting the state into 4 different UP’s .. and yeah shes come up with some really lame names like pashchim Pradesh, dakshin Pradesh, blah blah Pradesh or whatever..

The first thing that reaction that comes to an Indian citizen with limited access/interest to political drama is obviously shock or maybe we’ve grown over the shocked by politicians factor by now… even then, the idea would bring some surprise and mostly disappointment and resentment…. and what does mayawati or any of her minions say? “it’s in the best interest of the nation” my shoe! How can dividing a state in anyway be good??

The drule crew’s explanation is “administration of a smaller state is easier” or “managing a big state is difficult” then why not just accept incompetence and give others an opportunity?? They won’t do that.. because that’s not the real reason.. heres the real reason

The following is an observation of a reasonable person(sometimes cocky) whos respect lies in truth and reason.. 

I remember the time.. 3 years ago, mayawati, although not a favorite but still was one of the contenders for the PMs chair.. Though she didn’t get it, her strong hold in UP did have some relevance and the PMs Chair was still visible from UP Now, the recent developments and exposing of mayawatis …um... Let’s just say desires and ambitions.. Then there were things like the MGNREGA funds anomalies, and who can forget all the elephants and Mayas throughout the sates so now that all this is out, maybe maya has realized that she would need a lot more than just support in UP to make her PM.

So heres the 2 alternatives that I think shes contemplated on

1.       Split the state into 4 states, and as she already has a strong hold in UP as a whole, she just needs to put a little extra effort and she might be able to make BSP win in all 4 states, by gaining the majority in 4 states BSP would be one strong force to reckon with and the central party cant think of framing a government without BSP, and as Kumari Mayawati is the boss of BSP, she might as well strike a good deal and become the PM afterall.

 2.       The plan B is that she can remain CM of her part of UP till she dies… yeah… its perfectly logical, if 1 person remains the CM for long obviously the others would feel that they’re missing out opportunities to make money and hence lose faith in their party, and.. its a no brainer to know that people work only for money and not on values of any one party, so.. here comes the gist of her master plan,   she can remain CM of her part of UP forever and make the other strong people in the party as CMs of the other states, that way everyone would get a little to quench their power thirst  and maya can reign over all of them and become an admiral of the UP’s.. ingenious.. crocked, criminal and totally anti democratic.. but ingenious 

 so from a place where you, me, he, she, it, they everyone find ourselves stranded, humbly I ask mayawathi…  please tell me.. what is your definition of “nation’s best interests”?