Vada Pav Speaks....

I was having my second Vada Pav at Howrah station, which I love eating mostly because it costs just Rs.5. By the way, I was there because I had nothing to do here at Kgp and Kolkata is the best place for someone who has “NOTHING” to do.

While I was in my own, my Vada Pav became a victim of something very unusual. A lady suddenly snatched it from my hand. I was dumbstruck and I am still not so normal, that is why I am mentioning it in this blog. I was dumbstruck but I was not ignorant. I saw the happiness and content in her eyes because of that 5 rupee Vada Pav. May be it was needed more by her than me.

You must be wondering if Vada Pav is so scrumptious. Actually it is, and if someday MNS happen to be liberal enough, I would go to Mumbai (not Bombay) to have one from there.

Before that incident she had actually asked me for it, but I denied as most of us do. “These beggars, they have nothing to do”. They don't actually . And as a citizen of this very nation, or more importantly as a human being I must have given my favorite Vada Pav to her, as it would have done good for both of us. But that would have been far too noble. Isn’t it?

“Idiot” I yelled but for none. Having witnessed the combative part of a poverty struck, hungry lady, which is arguably the face of 30% of Indian population, that was the first word that I uttered typically because it was my Vada Pav and not Keshav’s. And I’ve used the word ‘arguably’ as it is government stats which conducts the population survey skipping one house after two. In 2001 survey I was lucky, in 2007 I wasn’t.

Idiot didn’t seem suitable but it didn’t seem out of place either. May be it en suited on me but definitely not on her. I was idiot indeed because it was already 5.35 and we were running late by 15 minutes for our local to Kgp, or to be true, because I was ashamed of my own ignoble act. Seeing her so cheerful, reminded me how cruel I was not to offer a 5 rupee Vada Pav but at the same time it made me feel fortunate that she snatched it from me.

We were somehow able to board the train, thanks to Indian Railways which has maintained its habit irrespective of the changing railway ministers. I took my seat proving myself against the fellow passengers, more like ‘Survival of the Fittest’ theory. I was pleased to get on the train in order to get out of the miserable feeling I was having of myself. But the real scene was still not over. I would have eaten a dozen of those Vada Pavs myself, but this lady was so great to share it with three more of her companions!! She was definitely not mentally retarded as I supposed her to be, she was far better human being than me, truly combative.

May be I required a self realisation, may be I was wrong....

The Teddy is injured....

"The Teddy is injured”

The statement was more than enough to stir up the silent anger thriving within.

"The teddy is injured" said my little 7 year old niece watching the news coverage of the Pune blasts. "Won't somebody help him out?" And I replied what anybody else would have done.....though it was a lie.

"There are people to take care of him and others”, convincing her to a great deal.

Really? Where are they then?

Once again it happened. They won. We lost. The cowards did it again. They raised their deadly heads and bit this calm, peace loving and ever beautiful city of Pune. And once again we people went through the same set of emotions, actions and reactions, the way we always do. Bear a few seconds on news channels, blame the politics and politicians , thank God that it were not you and then get involved in your daily businesses. And our reactions are justified because we can’t really do anything as most of our efforts are down fighting other IMPORTANT issues. We'll fight for not letting some movie release, we'll fight for reservation of all sorts, we'll fight for vote bank, we'll fight for language, caste, demand of new states, higher wages, better facilities , and almost everything. Moreover we are all the more occupied processing softwares for some goddamn US based company, or we are waiting desperately for a Dubai Visa so as to drill some oil for them and some dinars for ourselves.

And then we are confused in our sub-conscious mindset, where are we headed towards?

Is this the future what we desire of? The kid is worried about the poor teddy and what we have in store for her. A stage where people are killed in the deadliest of manners? Where you are not sure of the next second, keep aside tomorrow? Where the cowardice of a few has overpowered the authority of a nation?

Well, I don’t want a future like this. And no one else does.

The situation has worsened to such an extent, that someone like Kasab could find a lawyer who is ready to defend his acts. Isn’t it pathetic? Is there any need for an investigation really?

And surprisingly there is no one to rescue us. At least those responsible for the administration are not the ones. But still in such a grave situation there lies a ray of hope as even now we have the courage to fight against them, at least the youth has. We can see a change in opinion, a wave of improvement. The undisturbed unity of our nation is an example to cheer about. The miscreants use the name of a religion, the religion whose very foundations are laid on the concepts of brotherhood and love. And unfortunately, they have attacked our nation, where every Muslim celebrates Diwali and every Hindu shares greetings on Eid.

We really don't care what they think of or what their objectives are. But I don't want to die in a bomb blast or a terrorist attack at a railway station. I will fight and fight till the last second of my life. The youth must take up the responsibility and fortunately they have. A revolution is just round the corner and I want to be a part of it.

Don't YOU?