I wake up early in the morning
To condone the slow pace of my clock
I muck around the house
'Twidling my thumbs'
Blasted by my mom.
Can't switch on the TV or the COMP
Till the 'don' of the house is gone.
Breakfast used to be a distant dream
Here I have to gulp butter and cream
Or else, need to endure my mom's scream.
Once sporting a 'goti' now clean-shaven
There was no alternative given.
Evenings used to be full of activities,
Now searching for a 'hub' to measure up the beauties.
Gyming was my passion,
Had a good sense of the latest fashion.
Here, my sleeveless and my shorts keep me occupied,
My wallet keeps my hand tied.
A sportsman by birth
Turning into a vociferous erudite
Is no meager task.
The changes are self inculcated
To enable my dreams to be protected.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
REDUNDANCE
It is so hard to comprehend
As to why one should apprehend
And succumb to the outer glitches
Will this ever come to an end?
Being robust when others are cynical
Carve a niche when everything seems bleak
The biggest challenge is to find a cure
To the various ordeals, which are obscure
Never fear to be aberrant
Revamp from ashes, monoeuvre a plan
And embody the perpetual poignant
Don't allow malice to miam your judgment
Work fervently for your betterment
Redundance can sometimes be envisaged
People might look at you in disdain
You will be plummeted to the nadir point
The greatest solace lies in the fact that
Nothing worse can now happen
As to why one should apprehend
And succumb to the outer glitches
Will this ever come to an end?
Being robust when others are cynical
Carve a niche when everything seems bleak
The biggest challenge is to find a cure
To the various ordeals, which are obscure
Never fear to be aberrant
Revamp from ashes, monoeuvre a plan
And embody the perpetual poignant
Don't allow malice to miam your judgment
Work fervently for your betterment
Redundance can sometimes be envisaged
People might look at you in disdain
You will be plummeted to the nadir point
The greatest solace lies in the fact that
Nothing worse can now happen
Saturday, August 28, 2010
POLITICS IN THE NAME OF INDUSTRIALIZATION
Industrialization without meddling with the environment is a well known ordeal. The centre’s intransigent stance to stymie the progress of VEDANTA and POSCO in the state has put Naveen in a state of jeopardy. On one hand, the government is mum regarding the POLAVARAM project in Congress ruled Andhra Pradesh. On the other hand, the government is skeptical regarding the growing popularity of Naveen Patnaik on the national stage if the mega multi-million projects are implemented. Is the centre playing politics here? Can industrialization and urbanization go hand in hand with the welfare of the people? Do we have an alternative to Naveen’s dogma of handling the prevailing circumstances?
The centre’s rejection of UK based VEDANTA’s plans to mine bauxite has raised a plethora of allegations and counter-allegations. Mr. Jairam Ramesh’s intransigent stand in a country focused on development and raring to take the global high table has meant that he is scoffed at by some as an ‘inflexible’ green fundamentalist. For years, the environmental ministry was seen as rubber stamping projects. Suddenly the ministry and the ‘minister’ has come out hibernation and become proactive after mega projects such as VEDANTA and POSCO have popped up in states not governed by the ruling Congress party. Mr. Ramesh defends himself from the scathing allegations by stating that there was no politics, no emotions and no prejudice involved in his decision making. But isn’t it politics? The government’s lack of exegesis on the current issue to stymie the development is their failure to exonerate themselves. And they claim to do this for the Dongaria Kondh tribals to enjoy the flora and fauna of Niyamgiri hills. A diaphanous picture regarding the current state of mind of the Dongaria people is not available. The Gandhi scion’s recent visit to Lanjhigarh is a desperate measure to resurrect Congress in the state. It was an act of hypocrisy and diplomacy. The visit has been purported to impress the tribals and brainwash them against VEDANTA. They vehemently claim to be betrayed by the treacherous acts of Congress, who assured them of support and development but failed to stand by their words. When the people themselves are ready, then whom are you (Congress) fighting the ‘green battle’ for?
Now coming to the million dollar question-Can industrialization reach it’s zenith without hampering the environment? The ministry of environment and forests has done well not to grant forest clearance to the bauxite mining project. What finds expression through the environment ministry’s decision is the democratic essence of this country. The pursuit of indivisual good by millions of people yield collective welfare. Provision of public good such as law and order, clean air, protection of biodiversity and the environment and securing the rights of vulnerable groups like primitive tribes is easy to subvert in a political system where the state is willing to bend the rules for selected groups. This sounds sweet to our ears but is only one percent feasible. From my pragmatic point of view , industrialization without violating the environment laws is an uphill task. For the sake of urbanization and growth, we need to compromise with the environment to a certain degree. Because industrialization is held at utmost priority since India lacks in raw materials and energy. Sustainability and inclusion cannot be allowed to choke off growth. Withholding clearance is easy. Producing growth without violating laws or rights calls for political leadership. Every developed nation has gone through such political dilemmas and now it’s our turn.
I am quite amazed and bewildered, as to why the issue of NEELACHAL ISPAT NIGAM LTD is not coming into the foray! It was in the year 1982, during the reign of then CM J. B. Patnaik, that the NINL was set up in Kalinganagar, Duburi in Jajpur district. The then government had to go through the same ordeal. The dynamic ability and governing competence of then Chief Secretary of State, Sudhansu Bhusan Mishra, solved the issue amicably. The NINL required a huge plot of land acquired by the tribal people. In order to make the indigenous people realize the importance of industrialization in the state, and in their slake to pacify the local inhabitants, the government built well furnished, attractive houses in order to lure the villagers. Hence the villagers magnanimously offered their lands to the government in exchange of the houses. Hence the issue of land acquisition was scuttled into oblivion. Unlike the present precarious situation, where land acquisition is done forcefully, or the villagers are paid a meager amount for their lands. Even few people were killed in their resistance to the government’s bullying attitude.
But for once ( on a positive note ) the VEDANTA and POSCO issues have brought the state into limelight. It is at the forefront of discussion. (It came to the limelight for the ‘super cyclone’ and the perpetual floods) Always considered to be a downtrodden backward state, the issue has been able to elicit emotions from people residing abroad. The issue will have varied opinions from different sections but must be resolved for the betterment of the country, for the tribal people and for the environment.
The centre’s rejection of UK based VEDANTA’s plans to mine bauxite has raised a plethora of allegations and counter-allegations. Mr. Jairam Ramesh’s intransigent stand in a country focused on development and raring to take the global high table has meant that he is scoffed at by some as an ‘inflexible’ green fundamentalist. For years, the environmental ministry was seen as rubber stamping projects. Suddenly the ministry and the ‘minister’ has come out hibernation and become proactive after mega projects such as VEDANTA and POSCO have popped up in states not governed by the ruling Congress party. Mr. Ramesh defends himself from the scathing allegations by stating that there was no politics, no emotions and no prejudice involved in his decision making. But isn’t it politics? The government’s lack of exegesis on the current issue to stymie the development is their failure to exonerate themselves. And they claim to do this for the Dongaria Kondh tribals to enjoy the flora and fauna of Niyamgiri hills. A diaphanous picture regarding the current state of mind of the Dongaria people is not available. The Gandhi scion’s recent visit to Lanjhigarh is a desperate measure to resurrect Congress in the state. It was an act of hypocrisy and diplomacy. The visit has been purported to impress the tribals and brainwash them against VEDANTA. They vehemently claim to be betrayed by the treacherous acts of Congress, who assured them of support and development but failed to stand by their words. When the people themselves are ready, then whom are you (Congress) fighting the ‘green battle’ for?
Now coming to the million dollar question-Can industrialization reach it’s zenith without hampering the environment? The ministry of environment and forests has done well not to grant forest clearance to the bauxite mining project. What finds expression through the environment ministry’s decision is the democratic essence of this country. The pursuit of indivisual good by millions of people yield collective welfare. Provision of public good such as law and order, clean air, protection of biodiversity and the environment and securing the rights of vulnerable groups like primitive tribes is easy to subvert in a political system where the state is willing to bend the rules for selected groups. This sounds sweet to our ears but is only one percent feasible. From my pragmatic point of view , industrialization without violating the environment laws is an uphill task. For the sake of urbanization and growth, we need to compromise with the environment to a certain degree. Because industrialization is held at utmost priority since India lacks in raw materials and energy. Sustainability and inclusion cannot be allowed to choke off growth. Withholding clearance is easy. Producing growth without violating laws or rights calls for political leadership. Every developed nation has gone through such political dilemmas and now it’s our turn.
I am quite amazed and bewildered, as to why the issue of NEELACHAL ISPAT NIGAM LTD is not coming into the foray! It was in the year 1982, during the reign of then CM J. B. Patnaik, that the NINL was set up in Kalinganagar, Duburi in Jajpur district. The then government had to go through the same ordeal. The dynamic ability and governing competence of then Chief Secretary of State, Sudhansu Bhusan Mishra, solved the issue amicably. The NINL required a huge plot of land acquired by the tribal people. In order to make the indigenous people realize the importance of industrialization in the state, and in their slake to pacify the local inhabitants, the government built well furnished, attractive houses in order to lure the villagers. Hence the villagers magnanimously offered their lands to the government in exchange of the houses. Hence the issue of land acquisition was scuttled into oblivion. Unlike the present precarious situation, where land acquisition is done forcefully, or the villagers are paid a meager amount for their lands. Even few people were killed in their resistance to the government’s bullying attitude.
But for once ( on a positive note ) the VEDANTA and POSCO issues have brought the state into limelight. It is at the forefront of discussion. (It came to the limelight for the ‘super cyclone’ and the perpetual floods) Always considered to be a downtrodden backward state, the issue has been able to elicit emotions from people residing abroad. The issue will have varied opinions from different sections but must be resolved for the betterment of the country, for the tribal people and for the environment.
Friday, August 27, 2010
HOME AWAY FROM HOME..HOSTEL REMINISCENCE
Since the day , I have landed on my native place, its kind of weird for me. The fact that your stay at home is not vacation anymore keeps nailing and prodding your subconscious mind. U are provided with all kinds of opulence n luxuries that anyone can ask for, but you still long for that unroutined self managed pervertic lifestyle. You refuse to accept d implicit, unpalatable truth. There are so many unanswered questions!!
Why does a comfortable commode doesn’t feel the same as the dirty toilets in hostels?
Why do you think it was worth standing in a queue and waiting for your turn to have lunch than d food served to u at your command?(the bed side tea, d living room dinner)
Why was it better to starve at night and have a ‘maggi’ session at 3am than having a proper supper?
Like me everyone who stayed in hostel will definitely be experiencing d same antagonistic lifestyle. Everyone is aware of the reality but refuses 2 accept it!!!
Why does a comfortable commode doesn’t feel the same as the dirty toilets in hostels?
Why do you think it was worth standing in a queue and waiting for your turn to have lunch than d food served to u at your command?(the bed side tea, d living room dinner)
Why was it better to starve at night and have a ‘maggi’ session at 3am than having a proper supper?
Like me everyone who stayed in hostel will definitely be experiencing d same antagonistic lifestyle. Everyone is aware of the reality but refuses 2 accept it!!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
NAVEEN PATNAIK 'THE DEVELOPMENT MAN': A MIRAGE
One of the most enigmatic personalities in Indian polity, Naveen Patnaik, is on his way to complete his third term in office as the Chief Minister of Odisha. He is not included in the ‘indigenous flock’ of the state. He is still not adept with the state language (odia). He lacks the iconic stature and credibility of his father (Biju Patnaik). He definitely lacks the charisma of being the ‘leader of the masses’. So what makes him indispensable in the state?
Naveen was shielded from the quagmire of politics by his father. He went to Welham Boys and Doon School in Delhi in his nascent stage. His adolescent days were spent in London. He counted Mick Jagger and Jackie Onassis as his friends, drank tea at Fortnum and Mason’s and shopped at Saks Fifth Avenue. Such has been the upbringing of this man. So in what way can he understand the sentiments of the people of Odisha? In what way is he an Odia?
When he became the CM, he had hardly any idea about the language. Tackling his indifferent dialect was for him, an Everest to climb. One notable incident would be when he slurred the term ‘baripada’ as ‘badipada’(a slang). The unintentional ‘pun’ used here showed his helplessness.
He, a political novice, doesn’t have the credentials or experience to lead a state thrice. Just because he is the son of the late Biju Patnaik, a colossal figure in the state’s political history, he oughtn’t inherit his father’s legacy and take advantage of the nuances of his father’s deeds. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and lead a luxurious an opulent life. Its very difficult for him to discover the solutions of the poverty-stricken state. He rarely visits the drought affected districts, which form the core of the state’s landscape. Also highlighting the villages affected by the natural calamities (the super cyclone, the floods, the drought, etc.). The meticulously identifiable white kurta of Naveen is accompanied by contempt an grimace on his face, when he visits such areas.
With aspirations of being a dictator in the state, he has acted shrewdly. He has been able to keep himself away from the clout of other ministers, who are nothing but a bunch of power hungry bourgeoisie politicians. He empowers his civil servants more than his ministerial colleagues.
Orissa has always been a land rich in raw materials. There are numerous mines in the state. Credit goes to Naveen for promoting urbanization and industrialization in the state, but at a very high cost. The burgeonising of foreign companies in the state has been a nefarious conspiracy of Naveen. The clandestine activities that go hand in hand with the setting of these industries, fills the pockets of these leaders. The multi-million projects such as VEDANTA ( Jharsuguda) and POSCO (Jagatsinghpur) have been set up in the state, the surplus nuances act as ammunition for Naveen during the elections. The illegal land acquisition from the poor farmers is callous. The poor farmers who are uneducated and ignorant, fail to realize the actual worth of the land, are satiated by Naveen for a meager sum of money. Apparently, they succumb to their ‘external forces’. The erring acumen of the common men for appraising the mettle of their leaders is quite bewildering. In the name of uplifting and articulating the plight of the poor and downtrodden, Naveen has been sucking blood from the body of his own men.
The lack of progeny and political lineage has worked in Naveen’s favor. Due to this common perception from the people, enables him to maintain a ‘non-corrupt image’. A number of vigilance raids by the government sleuths has beguiled the mob and strengthened his ‘delusive image’. These are nothing but mere acts to sabotage his opposition or pariah any power rising against him. But what about the squalor involved in VEDANTA and POSCO? What about the plethora of illegal money that he has earned through these assignments?
Now coming to the general elections, there is no ambiguity that Naveen lacks potential, able and dynamic opposition. This is one of the two reasons for his success in the general elections. The other is the relentless usage of money during the elections. From where does the flush of cash occurs? (VEDANTA and POSCO). “Fair is foul and foul is fair”. Here elections are won by underhand and despicable methods. The first time he got the sympathy votes from the people, the second, may be for his beguiling ‘non- corrupt’ image. But for the third time? What were the people thinking? Are the people of ORISSA so fickle and unmagnanimous that they fail to see the true colors of this ‘gentleman’? This time his ignominy was at a high-a plethora of corruption charges, his incompetence in handling the Maoist issue, inadequate supply of funds to the flood hit areas and many more.
The state is going through tempestuous times. It has so many pressing problems to surmount. Poverty is staring us in the face and we have yet to provide food, shelter, education and employment to millions of our people. And still the people don’t want to be counted. Are the people so ‘ignorant’ and ‘blind’ to overlook his liabilities? Is he such a great leader to come to power thrice in succession? The enigma of Naveen lingers on!!
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