A-pathetic Mumbai ?

I love Mumbai. If not for the humidity, I can never think of leaving Mumbai. Ever!

But then no city is perfect - we have terrorist attacks after every six-seven months (we're used to it - the "power" of being a Mumbaikar), we have lots and lots of people (and no infra), no water, too much sweat and body odor, the largest slum, Raj Thakerey and many such small problems (Oops! I like Raj Thackerey...I swear!)

But we also have the "Mumbai" value of being safe (minus the bomb attacks - compared to other cities), and helpful. That is not what I saw few days back. I saw an old man being humiliated, dragged on the station by some hooligans and I, along with many others, watching "helplessly"!

Here's what happened. I was getting late for the office where I am doing my interns and I missed the Bhayander Local of 8:25 am(that starts from bhayander and is supposed to have less crowd and more comfort ). Standing on the other platform I was waiting for another train which was coming from Virar (the train comes on the bhayander platform at 8:21) and I was waiting for it because I did not get the chance to enter the local (so much for comfort, Ha!). The train came and i saw a group of people standing on the gate blocking it so that no one from Bhayander enters it. You must be wondering why! This is because we have a local at 8:25 and so we should not enter in any other train at that time - this is the mentality of the train travellers!

I saw this and backed out. I know there was no chance for me to enter in it. But then i saw an old man in his 50s trying to fight through the group and enter the train. The result he got in an altercation with the gang. And he tried to hit one of them with his bag (his mistake, i agree). That was all that was needed for those goondas. One of them grabbed the bag, the other grabbed the old man by wrapping his arm around his neck and waitied for the train to start. nobody! NOBODY (in caps) came to help him...not even me!

The train started and the old man was dragged almost 10-15 steps before the guy let loose of his neck. they threw his bag and shouting obscenities they left - enjoying one more day! (i wonder, if the old guy might have lost his balance and fell between the gap between the platform and the train - God knows what would have happened)

And now comes the best part - all others watching the drama now came down and started shouting and abusing and making plans to take revenge of the oldy's humiliation (which i know are just talks - total bullshit some of it!). the next train came and everyone went back to their offices talkin about this to their colleagues and may be adding that they must have fought and kicked some asses, etc!

I really felt bad that day, i still do. And the thing that makes it worse is that we have grown to this humiliation now. It doesn't bother 90% of us. Has Mumbai lost those values due to the constant terrorist attacks and have become immune to all these, or are we just so busy and so much money oriented now that a human's life is no lonfer important to us! ?

I just hope it doesn't happen again - atleast not in front of me!

Adios.

Regards,

Kunal Lodha

CONGRESS-tulations!!!!

I am late! I KNOW!!!

But anyway, that doesn't stop history. And this time it's Congress that has done it. In the last 15 years no other political party has emerged as the single largest party in the world's largest democracy. And thanks to the clean image of Manmohan Singh (no sarcasms) and the grass root level work done by Rahul baba ( i doubt - the media hyped the "tours" a lot in the last phase of the elections) and ofcourse the mother of all - Sonia Gandhi. The best part of the election campaign for the winning party was their optimistic marketing . Even though there were terrorist attacks (too many to count), the slowdown (where's the money, honey!) and negative attacks by the BJP - congress stood its way and showed how bright the future is. (ya ofcourse it's not that bright)

BJPs fault - as per the post elections debates and discussions were - giving a free reign to the tongue of Varun Gandhi (i already spoke about him), Narenda Modi and portraying LK Advani as the next PM. The most irritating part was the viral marketing strategies used by the BJP - go to any site, you'll find an open-mouthed Advani's picture somewhere on the righ corner of your screen. Once. Twice. Everytime. And one thing i know is that people don't like that man9not even in BJP). He's a great leader, no doubt. But nobody sees him as the prime minister (except perhaps for him).

The post elections drama followed - "the blind man "and the "female who shouts for no reason" came as the best alliance for Congress. After poor Lalu was sidelined (more due to his own faults), these leaders were the ones people were looking up to who will help congress to form a stable government. But life isn's easy! The blind man started his family soap. And the woman who shouts...did what she is best at- she shouted! And then there were fights, and fights and they are stil going on!

Who gets what is to be seen - but one things for sure. The new government has some tough days ahead.

The day after the external affairs minister Mr. S Krishna took charge - we already have riots in our country in Punjab (because of the Vienna incident). one of our neighbours is celebrating (prabhakaran's dead - thank god) and the other neighbour's in distress (Pakistan fighting the Taliban - i don't understand how the friends turned foe). and then there is also North Korea who has the guts to stand up against all the countries by testing its nuclear weapons (India wil lbe undert he pressure from the US to sign the non-proliferation treaty), and the list goes on!

So welcome Congress - the roads ahead are not smooth - Lots to do!

My best wishes are with all the oldies - ( i dnt know if any of the new ones will get the good portfolios)

Let's hope for a great future for India (and for the bank balances of the new ministers!)

Adios!

Regards,
Kunal Lodha

Is it wrong to expect! ?

I know even before you read, you are thinkin' - No kunal, it isnt wrong to expect...but you shouldn't expect TOO much!

Yeah yeah, I know! TOO much is Baaayyyd! but what exactly IS too much!?

when you call someone a friend, you do stuffs for them but all they gotta do is to hang out with people who are more fun, have good jokes to say and make fun off others behind their backs - not knowing that behind your back the same persons say disgusting things about YOU too!!!

I had a discussion about this with two other people a few days back! mr S and ms S!

We all had experienced problems with expectations - one of us experiencing it recently. And we kept telling to each other - see, you shouldn't expect this, that the world's selfish, that being alone is better, this, that, blah blah blah! I felt good to give such gyan and then what happens? I come into my room and start expecting that these people with whom I have shared my thoughts will understand why I am such a disgusting person! or rather a loser something what they call me!

I know its ironical but then that's what human tendency is. You just cant stop expecting. Okay, like me you wont be expecting much of people you talk to or share similar tastes - but you do expect it from your parents and family and if you're lucky to have some people you call friends!

You might think - 'nah man, it ain't true. I really don't expect anything from anyone. I am all fine by myself. I don't need anyone......'. But that's the biggest lie you are telling and that too not to me but to yourself. Imagine you doing everything for your roomie or friend - remembering his/her birthday, buying gifts, getting all emotional when s/he is leaving, or coming back, etc! all those emotional and foolish things you do to see that charming smile on their faces. And IF you don't get something, or you see them not spending time with you, or getting busy or just not in mood - you'll put on a brave face of understanding, go sit on your computer surfing. But in your heart, you're feeling bad. I know you do. and you know it too. That's because you expect. You expect to be loved back. You expect to be get the same or better treatment what you give to others. You expect it and accept it people!

That's what i do. I expect the same treatment - not better but just the same kind of gestures from people. Nothing more, nothing less! And there's nothing great I do that can't be given back. But then, my bigggest problem is that I am not a fun person you can hang out with right. And because being a bore is a criminal offence under "Society Laws - 101", I should be punished. I should just give and not expect back. Just because I don't fit into your scheme of things, I don't deserve to expect. I just don't deserve it...oh yeah!!

And it is wrong. Yeah, I know my blog title says that freedom means not to expect anything. but I don't know if I ll ever be able to get to that point. Iwish Icould. But I also know I wouldn't! only if Ayn Rand were alive!



Adios!

Regards,
Kunal Lodha

P.S.: My blogs getting depressing day by day. I think I need a break!! :)