214. My Government

When a new Government is elected, people have lot of expectations - irrespective of the political party. It is always good for government to be connected with people's dreams and aspirations. There could be no two opinions about the necessity of  the representative government's continued dialogue with the people. All governments try to do it - in different ways. Such effort has its limitation but it is also useful  to some extent. 

Recently, to be exact on 27 July, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi's government has initiated a new line of communication. With the help of Information and Technology, now people can participate in government by sharing ideas and issues through the website "myGov". Anyone who wishes to participate can join the site. 

Initially, while signing up, I faced difficultiies - I was not able to sign up even after repeated efforts. I did write to Admin of the site and I was told that it happend due to heavy traffic to the site. Later, I was able to access the site. We have to provide Name, Address, Email, contact phone and then we can register. Some people may find it  problematic to share personal information - we are never sure about the data security. 

Presently six groups are acitve - Clean Ganga, Girl's education, Green India, Skill Development, Clean India and Digital India. 

You are allowed to join four groups - in fact, three groups as fourth group is automatically your distrcit group! I have joined Girls' Education, Clean India and Green India. The concerned Ministries are expected to take not of the discussions in these group. The people who put forth good ideas wll have an opportunity to interact with the Prime Minister - that is what newpapers inform!  

There are not only discussions; you can join some Tasks as well.

For example, in the group "Clean India" one task is: visit any "Mid-Day-Meal" kitchen, observe cleanliness and suggest improvements. The task requires 2 hours. Generally when a task is declared, there is one month time limit to complete it. 

"Girl's Education" group has a task to "prepare curriculum framework to enhance skills of girl students". I have joined this task and working on it . 

All these tasks are to be carried out as a "citizen". Nobody can go and say that the government has asked us to find out how clean is your kitchen and so on. This is a voluntary work - people are expected to use their time, their money, their energy and their intelligence in this work. Those who want to participate in the progress of the county without getting affiliated to any political party - have a good opportunity here - that is what my first impression is. Let me form opinion after few months. 

The major limitation of this effort is: illiterate people, people who do not use computers and Internet will not be able to participate. In a way, it can be criticised to be "a platform only for  affluent, higher middle class people and the poor and illiterate have no say" - which seems right. But those who read this blog, certainly have access to Internet and if they wish to participate in myGov, they can; we all can.

If you join myGov, or you are already "into" it, please, do share your experiences. 
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209. General Elections 2014: Part 3: AK in Mumbai (2)

Part 2

I know that Loksabha constituencies are big; but when I looked at Mumbai North East Constituency I realized how “big” they really are. North East Mumbai entails six Assembly constituencies – Shivaji Nagar (Mankhurd), Mulund, Ghatkopar (East), Ghatkopar (West), Vikroli and Bhandup. In 2009, there were 16 lakh registered voters in the constituency – I remember to have read somewhere that 4 lakh more voters have been added to this constituency. Any Road Show cannot have a dialogue with 20 lakh voters spread over six suburbs of Mumbai. Of course it is clear that not all the voters are supporters of Medhatai (they are not supporters of any one candidate or a single party for that matter). So, to conduct AK rally in the parts where there is more support was clear and made a better sense.

AK’s program was well planned. At five forty in the evening he was to reach Anna Bhau Sathe Nagar, from their reach Ghatkopar’s Ramabai Nagar via Shivaji Nagar. Then he was to address public meeting in Vikroli. According to election code of conduct, the campaign has to end at 10.00 pm. So, in short AK was visiting three assembly constituencies – to be more specific he was to show himself to the people of three assembly constituencies. In two Loksabha constituencies South Mumbai and South Central Mumbai AK had spent two and half hours; and in one LS constituency he was almost spending four and half hours. Does AAP cadre too feel that AAP has better chances in Mumbai North East constituency and has it influenced AK’s schedule in Mumbai? I was little curious.

After taking turn for Mankhurd, we asked the police personnel regarding the rally and it was easy to get the address of the spot from the police. On the left hand side we saw crowd – lot of them wearing AAP caps, so we stopped there. Around 500 people had gathered here. Women’s presence was substantial. Young, adult, middle aged, old – men and women represented all age groups. I immediately noted presence of Muslim women due to their burkha and it was nice to see them confidently smiling with AAP caps.

When we talked to people, I came to know that this area was Mandala. Even after living in Mumbai for many years, I had never been to this area. In fact the whole evening brought out the “invisible” Mumbai to me.

In December 2004, more than 85000 households in the area were threatened to be destroyed as Slum Rehabilitation plan. If we assume that the average number of people in household is six or seven; then it means that more than five and half lakh people were to be thrown out of their houses due to the plan. Luckily for the local, the court accepted the “Right to Live” and people somehow managed to reconstruct and live. But in 2005 bulldozers appeared, police lath charged the crowds and hundreds of houses were destroyed by fire.

The Mankhurd area there are many slums and most of the people in the area are poor. They can’t afford to have a home in the main city and so are thrown on the periphery of the metro city. With poverty comes illiteracy, health issues, child mortality and many other problems. In 2004-2005, “Ghar Bachao, Ghar Banao Andolan” (Movement for saving and constructing houses) was established in the area and the volunteers approached Medhatai for her support. Since then Medhatai is working with the people in the area. Right to housing, Right to Land for housing and the fight of these people for these rights is a subject which needs a separate article. But that evening I realized that I do not know much about Medhatai work in the urban area and especially her work with urban poor. I had thought, “Why instead of contesting from Narmada dam area she is contesting from a city like Mumbai?” – The evening provided me with some clues.

AK, Medhatai and others arrived at Mandala and they were enthusiastically received by the crowds. We moved to Anna Bhau Sathe Nagar where again there were large number of people waiting for AK and Medhatai. The atmosphere was charged with songs and slogans. One man told me, “We are waiting from four in the afternoon.” The people who had come here must be working on daily wages and they must have taken half a day off just to support AAP. I spoke to few people. Medhatai is the candidate, she represents AAP, broom is the symbol of AAP and AK is coming today – almost everybody knew these facts. Here too “Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan’ is very active. This area has more than three thousand zuggis. Even after six years of the movement, in May 2010, 400 houses were destroyed and 100 were burnt in fire. People organized a protest for more than a week and reconstructed the houses with the help of participatory group labor. Medhatai was with the people then. On one side we are pushing rural people to cities as there are no livelihood opportunities in rural areas; and once they come and settle in the cities, we want to push them out of the cities. Where should they go? These are not small numbers – but large number of people are being cornered like this.

The rally route had many such slum areas – Rafik Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Indira Nagar … 19 such slums. I met many people who are working with Medhatai for more than a decade. It was good to know that those who know the problems of the people were seeking a democratic solution by actively participating in politics.

Here when AK and Medhatai arrived, AK garlanded Anna Bhau Sathe’ statue but here too he did not speak with people.

It was becoming more difficult to participate in the rally because of many reasons. The rally is expected to have a very limited number of vehicles, so we could not join in our taxi, specifically hired for the purpose. The rally route was not of a walking distance. In the afternoon, we had walked about four and half kilometers, still I did not mind walking. But what was the purpose in following AK when he was not going to speak at all? By the time I was talking to people; AK had already moved away. We still walked and tried to reach the rally and we saw a mass of people.

Surprisingly, this crowd was without AAP caps. When we reached near, I was surprised to hear slogans like “Kejariwal, Go Back”, “Down with Kejariwal” and so on.

My friend hurriedly removed the AAP cap he was proudly wearing so far. When we reached near the mass we realized that it was a mob of at least 70 to 80 people – holding black flags and raising slogans against Kejariwal. There were sufficient numbers of police personnel with this rally as well. AK and AAP group was not seen anywhere. A man on the road told me that “these were Congress supporters”. Later a police told me that “they were Samajwadi party supporters”. Maybe, there were both these groups. Later I was sharing this with AAP volunteers and one of them said, “Didi, don’t worry. Hardly five ten people were shouting”. Now I had seen more than 70 people – but AAP in its characteristic way was happy to ignore any opposition and happy within their own world! How fast AAP is becoming like any other existing political parties, I am really concerned about it!

There was not much of a traffic jam – at most people had to wait for ten more minutes. The roads are wide enough in the area, there were not many local vehicles and hence there was no traffic jam. Another fact could be there were not many people in the rally to affect the traffic. We kept on walking for half an hour. How did I see Mumbai?

Potholes on footpaths,  choked drainage, shops at the sides of open drainage, human excreta spread on the footpaths, children (and even men) urinating on the roads, garbage on the footpath and people steering though all this. Is this a city? Is this Mumbai? Basic amenities are not available to people in this city. If there are no toilets for lakhs of people, they are forced to use the roads. I am not justifying unhygienic behavior of people; I am just trying to understand what could be leading people to live in an unhygienic way! Urban development should be the major discussion point in the elections. I need to keep watch on manifesto of all the parties – especially on their plan for urban development as well.

After getting tired of walking, we finally hired an auto rickshaw to reach Kannamwar Nagar where AK was to address a public meeting. According to the auto driver, “Congress will have the last laugh”.  He is from Gorakhpur but for the last twenty years is in Mumbai. When I asked him about voting, he told that he was undecided about it. “What would be your criteria?” I asked, and he said, “Controlling price”. He added, “Congress has destroyed our country but “our” Mulayamjee is not behind in the competition. He also said that people don’t decide in advance about whom to vote. His comment come question, “Kejariwal is raising hopes, but will he be responsible enough if we vote for him?” silenced me.

By the time we reached Vikroli, the public meeting was already on. The mob was disciplined – chairs were occupied and many people were also standing at both the sides. AAP candidates from other constituencies were also present – Mr. Sanjeev Sane from Thane, Mr. Vijay Pandhare from Nasik, Mr. Nandu Madhv from Beed.

Medhatai’s speech was well received by the audience and I also liked it. Later Mr. Mayank Gandhi spoke about “providing each family 450 square feet house; with two bathrooms” which I found vary funny. I mean the way political parties make unrealistic promises – AAP is following the well set path! AK speech was covered by the media, so I am not repeating it. However, I found overall that AK’s speech was centered on himself. He spoke about 49 days in Delhi (good), about Mr. Modi (bad), about Mr. Ambani (bad) – nothing new in his speech. He even forgot to speak about his candidates. He mentioned Medhatai only once (it was her constituency that he was in) and he called her Medha Patekar (instead of Patkar). What kind of leader is AK – who does not know even the names of his candidates? And Medhatai is a well-known activist! During the day I felt the “disconnect” of Mr. Kejariwal.

How many people attended public meeting at Vikroli?

There were twenty chairs in a row. There were approximately 100 rows. So, it amounts to 2000 people. Assuming that there were more rows – we can safely say 3000 people. 500 people sitting on the floor makes it 3500. About 1000 people were standing – that makes it 4500. With all optimistic additions the number will not cross 6000 – many were AAP volunteers from different places, AAP candidates and their supporters from various constituencies; police personnel, LIB, outsiders like us – so half of them already were AAP supporters. In a mega city like a Mumbai what does 6000 mean?

AK might be saying that AAP will win 100 seats (again a game like any other political party), but he must know the truth. Even in Mumbai, only Medhatai seems to have a chance, forget about the other candidates. Even Medhatai has a challenge to convert people’s support into votes.

After the meeting was over, candidates were surrounded by crowds. It was good to see young and old, women and men coming forward for conversation with candidates.

Will Mumbai support AK? Has Mumbai accepted AAP? What does Mumbai expect from AAP? Will Mumbai vote for AAP? Some indicative answers were received during the day. If AAP reflects and is honest, it can still move away with these answers in a positive manner. The main question is: is AAP willing to reflect? Is AAP willing to learn and change for better?

AAP’s strength is its candidates. AAP has more candidates with better social commitment, ideology and better connection with ground realities. Even if a few of them are elected, AAP will become more people-centric and not remain AK-centric as it is today. Let us hope for the best! 

208. General Elections 2014: Part 2: AK in Mumbai (1)

Part 1

I don’t like “Road Show”. The cities already face traffic hazards, pollution and people almost daily spend lot of time on the road. In this situation when a political leader is on the “Road Show”, common people have to suffer more. I feel that if people want to demonstrate how much support they have – they better walk; at most they should use bicycle for such exhibition. Of course, nobody is bothered about my opinion, political leaders are certainly not!

Even then when I heard that Mr. Kejariwal is participating in a Road Show in Mumbai on 12^th March, I decided to participate in it. I was not looking forward to “see” him or to “listen” to him. During India against Corruption days, I have seen him and listened to him at Jantar Mantar and at Ramaleela Maidan. Media might make fun of the movement as “candle sect”; but I have inspirational memories of participation of common people in that movement. Since then I have been following Aaam Adami Party (AAP) – its establishment, its strategy for Delhi Assembly elections and so on. However I don’t believe that Mr. Kejariwal is always right. I don’t worship individuals and consequently I am incapable of hating individuals.

I was going to Mumbai as I wanted to know what Mumbaikars were expecting from AAP; what were people thinking about the last four months of AAP; how were people interpreting AAP’s chances and so on. Generally media makes us blind; here was an opportunity to understand AAP and Mumbai relationship without the intervention of Media. Medhatai Patkar is contesting from North East Mumbai – I intended to know about the response she is getting.

According to media, Mr. Kejariwal (now onwards I will call him AK) was to reach Mumbai airport at 10.15 in the morning. He was to reach Andheri station by an auto rickshaw; then he was to travel to Church gate by local train. I thought this plan a little “dramatic” – I had felt so during Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s local travel train and I would feel the same for any politician’s plan of “traveling by local train in Mumbai.” The supporters ask, “The problems are of daily nature, what if people face it for another couple of hours? Why blame us?” I find such arguments funny and irritating. We don’t have to personally experience the problems (like commuting by local train) which are well known for years. Secondly, if we can’t resolve the issue, we should take care that we at least don’t add the burden on the already collapsing system. I was dismayed to see that the game that other political parties play is also being played by AK.

At 2.00 in the noon, AK was to start his rally from August Kranti Maidan. So, we reached Mumbai Central Station. One of our friends had booked taxi for us. I asked the driver “has the AK rally started?” He informed us that there was some kind of rioting at Church gate station. I was concerned about it. But as the discussion went on, I was informed that the security entry-exit doors at the station were collapsed due to overcrowding. Ok, that was not so serious. I mean the metal doors are not really that strong. Also, I have seen many passengers at Mumbai Central station entering and exiting the stations by the sides of such doors - so the security doors at times are just symbolic. This is not to justify the behavior of AAP supporters. But the media accusation that AAP supporters deliberately destroyed metal security doors was bit overstretched.

AK was to talk to press for 10 minutes at August Kranti Maidan. But when we reached near the place, the rally had already moved on. I don’t know what AK spoke to the press, or whether he spoke or not. Next day, I did not even try to find out about it.

The rally route was from Nagpada Junction to Khilafat house. Due to traffic jam, we were unable to progress; so we asked the taxi driver to directly reach at Khilafat house and we (there were three friends with me) followed the rally. From the traffic jam, the direction of the rally (I am alternatively using the words ‘Rally’ and ‘Road Show’) and after 10-15 minutes the tail of the rally was visible – the AAP caps.

Police were managing the rally by holding a long rope at the both the sides. The supporters were expected walk in between these ropes, but people were coming out of it and going into it easily. This is the usual methodology of the police. AK was seen in an open green jeep.

AK was accompanied by Ms. Medha Patkar, Ms. Meera Sannyal and Mr. Mayank Gandhi – the three AAP candidates in Mumbai. There was crowd surrounding the vehicle; some people were engaged in shake hand with the leaders and some were engaged in chanting slogans. Many supporters were accompanying on two wheelers; some were walking with banners. AAP cap holders were seen in taking a break and sipping tea and having refreshments – after the break they were joining the proceedings.

Mumbai was not as humid and hot as it generally is. Many people were standing on the road and AAP volunteers were distributing pamphlets to them. Some had come out of their shops and some were just waiting to cross the road. One AAP volunteer was distributing AAP caps, I too was offered one. I took it but kept it in my bag. Some volunteers were walking with Jhadoo (AAP symbol broom).

The police presence was strong – number of women police was good. I don’t like it when people use police force for such rally and road show; according to me it is waste and misuse of police force; they have many other tasks waiting for their time and efficiency. But can’t help. From the end of the rally to AK’s vehicle there were about 350-400 people. There might be more people in the front I thought and moved forward. However, except for few volunteers accompanying the ‘announcement vehicle’ there was no crowd at all. I realized that the rally route was planned in the Muslim majority area. If this is what AAP thinks, then this is also a kind of game that all political parties of are playing for years. Why do AAP need to play the card of religion? If AAP is here to change the system (as it claims), how it can change the system by following all the rules of the existing system? – Such questions kept on coming to me during the whole day.

Lot of people were watching the rally from their residence balconies. One of the volunteers said to me, “Since AK has challenged Modi by going into his den (Gujarat); Muslims of Mumbai will definitely support AAP.” I smiled and moved on. He may not be knowing but I know that people are curious when there is some movement on the road – it might be Ganesh festival rally, may be death may be marriage procession. At various corners people were overtly irritated by the traffic jam there were facing as the police was stopping vehicle – which was understandable.

The rally stopped somewhere. Somebody said, “AK is talking to the gathering.” However next day I read the reports that there was some confrontation between AAP volunteers and Congress cadre. I don’t know what exactly happened.

Within half an hour I realized that rally had number of supporters but also number of onlookers. The onlookers were only curious to “see” AK – wondering about who is this guy who is being talked about so much! From their presence it was hard to conclude anything about what they felt about AAP. Their faces were clueless; they did not provide any information to me.

When we reached Khilafat House, it was crowded and the gates were closed. I had assumed (why did I assume I don’t know) that AK will address the rally here. But nobody was allowed to enter. Someone informed that only 20 people have been allowed to go inside. People had walked about four kilometers – without even having a word with AK or their candidate. AAP volunteers were busy with providing drinking water.

The nature of our democracy is still a feudal one – one understand this by participating in such road show and rally. I have never understood why people want to “see” the leaders. I mean in pre-television ear “seeing your leader” made a sense –but now we watch them round the clock and still we want to “see” – that is surprising. Secondly during such events, there is no dialogue between the leader and his/her cadre. Earlier the King and the Queen used to travel in a palanquin and people used to bow. Now the leaders travel in a decorated vehicle and people shake hands or shout slogan. So, the form of the relationship only has changed, the relationship remains the same! What AAP achieved by organizing such rally – I was unable to understand.

At Khilafat house we regrouped, the taxi has arrived and was waiting for us in front of Bhayakhala police station. We started for North East Mumbai. From 5.30 onwards AK was to be North East Mumbai. We had seen the response of people in Central and South Central Mumbai so far – would be it different in North East Mumbai? We wanted to experience that and left for Mankhurd. 

To be continued ..

207.General Elections 2014: Part 1: Registration

Conducting elections in India is one of the most challenging tasks. I appreciate efforts of Election Commission and those who are involved into the functions related to parliamentary elections. It is a massive exercise and it generates a series of learning for people like us.

Long back, when I became eligible for voting, I was excited with the idea of fulfilling National Duty by voting. However for many years, I could not register myself as a voter. Initially I did not have the necessary papers (like residential proof). When I had one, it so happened that during every election year, I shifted from the city from where I registered myself as voter. At last, in 2004, I was able to vote and did vote in subsequent elections – Loksabha, Assembly, Municipal Corporation.

As I had voted in 2009 Loksabha elections, I was sure that my name would be there in the voters’ list – as my residential address remains the same over the years. However, to check, I visited this page:

https://ceo.maharashtra.gov.in/marathi/FrmMainPage.aspx

Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra

Electoral Roll Search (मतदार यादीत नाव शोधणे)  Prepared By : Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra

Search In English     मराठीत शोधा

Id Wise        Name Wise

                                                                        Go 

YOU ARE VISITER NUMBER :

3140262

I searched and could not find my name.

So, Plan B. Go to Online registration. 

                                     https://ceo.maharashtra.gov.in/Registration.aspx

Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra

Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy

Online Voter Registration

Form 6	Inclusion of names for residents electors
Form 6A	Inclusion of names for overseas electors
Form 7	Any objection on inclusion of names)
Form 8	Correction of entries in the Electoral Rolls
Form 8A	Transposition within Assembly

I opened Form 6, registered myself, received password and then filled form by logging in.  We need a photograph, residential proof and birth date proof. I had photograph and the scanned copies (in PDF) of the two required documents. When I moved to the second page, I realized that the two documents are needed in jpeg format and not PDF. I logged out, without completing the form.

Next day, I had the two documents photographed, saved jpeg to laptop and filled the form.

After few days, I checked my name in the voters’ list, it still did not appear.

Today, I read in the newspaper about the drive – voters can check their names by using toll free number 1950. Well, the number was not working.

The other option was to visit the polling booth and check the name in the lists.  If the name is without photograph, we can submit photograph. If the name is not in the list, submit form 6.

I went to the school – polling booth. Behind the desk 3 -4 people were sitting and many people around were frantically searching lists in their hands. 

There were number of lists; each list had a specific number – something like Ward number.

For getting correct list, you needed to know Ward number. I did not know that. So, I told the name of the residential complex and asked for the list. The person behind the desk also did not know. She said, “Tell me the number and I will give you the list.”

I thought it was better to fill up a new form. So, I went to another queue and asked for the form. The lady said, “No forms.” She complained that they were provided only 10 forms.  She also complained that on Sunday they were made to work.

Someone in the next queue asked me to go to the office of Corporater (elected representative to Municipal Corporation) and get the form. I did not know the office. With little efforts, I was able to search the office and get a blank 6A Form. I returned to the school. In the mean time there were more people; more lists more questions, more desperation, more criticism, but no system. It was all confusion.

Then I was told that the photocopies of the document need to be attested. Now, where on earth do I get that?

Poor staff. They had hardly anything under control. Poor people, they would have to spend so much time for simple things like registering themselves – which is their right.

 It only shows the kind of challenge Election Commission is handling.

One more aspect I realized that political parties are working only through social and mainstream media. There is a lot of hype in the media. But where are the political parties who are helping voters to register, to ensure that their name is in the voting list? The political activists are completely missing on the ground – especially when the leader is not around.

142. 'BAT'ing For......

Regular readers of Times Change are aware of Blog -a -Ton (BAT) - in which I have been participating for almost 2 years now. My first BAT post happened to be on 5 September 2009.

By nature I am not a competitive person, so many of my friends raised eyebrows when they read my Blog-a-Ton (BAT) entries. What surprised me was: many readers who do not know me personally (and know only through blog ) asked me why did I participate in such blogging competition. Well, I have answered all of them and probably they were satisfied with the answer - or they just gave up - who knows?

BAT invites 'Veteran' (those who have participated in more than 10 BATs) bloggers to share their experience. The Marshal (yes, BAT has all its aura ...) invited me to share my experience. When I am requested, I generally don't say no. So, I wrote a post for Blog - a - Ton.

I thought readers of this blog might like to read the post; here it is.

************
It was in September 2009, that I came across Blog a Ton (BAT). I am a member of IndiBlogger and I came across the information of BAT through IndiVine. The first BAT was conducted in August and the second one was announced. I decided to participate in BAT.

For me participating in BAT was indeed a challenge in many ways.

First, I was very new to blog-world. I was blogging about a year. None of my friends or people around me read any other blog; leave writing one. But my friends and colleagues at workplace read whatever I wrote and encouraged me to write more about my experiences. So, my blog was a sort of ‘family affair’.  I was not sure whether my blog would appeal to ‘outsiders’ – meaning those who do not know me personally.

Secondly, those of who read my blog beyond BAT entries (I hope some at least read it) know that my blog is mostly narrations of my experiences. I don’t write scholarly articles; neither do I write movie or book reviews; nor poetry. My writing range is indeed limited. So, whether I would be able to write on different topics and satisfy the unknown readers was a question to me.

Third, I have always believed in freedom of writers. My blog should be a place where I have complete freedom about what to write, when to write, how to write, and whether to write it or not. Accepting BAT terms was little contradictory to these values. I mean I was still free to ‘not to write’ and I could still choose the form of expression. But the topic of BAT though decided in democratic manner – was not always of my choice. It was like writing according to someone else’s command.

Fourth – my travel schedule did not allow me the luxury of 24X7 connectivity. It was not necessary that on every first Saturday (that was the initial regular schedule of BAT) I could post for BAT. But here the Marshal came with support. On many occasions I have scheduled my post and requested Vipul, the Marshal to publish the link on the BAT date – and he always did it.

Fifth: I am actually not a competitive person. If you are reading my blog regularly, you know that I do not participate in any kind of competitions – that does not mean I doubt intention of those who participate in various blogging competitions. I am not cut for it – that is all.

In spite of all these obstacles, I have till date participated in as many as 18 BATs. My blog has ‘Blog a Ton’ as one of the labels and it shows 19 posts – but the post RETURN, though written for BAT, could not be published due to technical reasons.

Honestly speaking, I have never felt competition in BAT – though it has clear voting (now cheers) guidelines and deadlines and clear winners. I have almost always read all the BAT entries and I am sure most of the ‘BAT’ers do it. For me the most creative aspect of human thinking is brought to the forefront through BAT. It amazes me every time I BAT to see how a single word creates so many different ideas, so many different perspectives, so many different forms, so many different expressions, and so many different feelings. The whole canvas of writing opens to you, you get to know a range of experiences. That is the reason I love BAT.

BAT balances discipline and freedom – you need to post during a timeline on a particular topic but you are free to choose the form, the tone, the presentation etc. As my blog is mostly about sharing experiences, after couple of BATs I started to feel the bondage. Then I came up with an idea. I had always wanted to write short story but had never explored it. BAT gave me an opportunity to work in this direction. Though my short stories are always long enough, I have enjoyed writing those stories. The whole gamut of experiences could be woven together through story. And then for me BAT became a Story Writing Challenge. Except for four posts - Teachers Aaja Kal, The Indian Dream, If I were a Baby Again and Pencil Pull, - I have always written stories. It is because of BAT, that I started writing a story. Good or Bad – does not matter!

Through BAT I came across many new blogs and of course good ones and many virtual friends. I follow some of these blogs regularly. I interact with some of the bloggers whom I have never met. It is another matter that the old batch of ‘BAT’ers is disappearing – they must have valid reasons to make such a conscious choice. But nevertheless, the whole new batch of fellow bloggers comes in. I enjoy the flow, I like the movement, I love reading new styles and new expressions. This flow of ‘BAT’ers does not allow me to take anyone for granted. That is great. It mirrors real life.

Like most of the writers I do enjoy appreciation and feel happy when readers take notice of my post. But somehow, I have never bothered about votes and cheers. Initially I thought of writing “Please do not vote” as a footnote to my BAT posts – but that would have sounded like a very egoist declaration.  And anyways, I realized that very few people were actually voting for my post- so dropped that ridiculous idea.

I do not bother about votes for three reasons. One: I am grown up enough to have crossed these boundaries of success and failure. Two: somewhere within I know that I am not a great writer as yet. I have a long way to go. Three: I trust ‘BAT’ers for their fairness. I am sure if they like my post the best, they will cheer for me, if they don’t they won’t. If I don’t get cheers means I still need to excel my performance. The credit goes to all ‘BAT’ers who have maintained this ‘fair play’ rule intact – voluntarily.

For me, BAT is more of ‘support group’ rather than a competition. We all strive together to excel. We all work hard to express. We all long to reach out, but more than that we all long to search within. The beauty of BAT is: it is more like a long distance running and not sprint. Here we run together, draw energy and inspiration from each other, encourage each other. In the end, only one or two are going to be winners, but there is always a joy that “I tried my best once again.”  

So, even after 18 innings, I am not tired. I would love to keep ‘BAT’ing – for the joy it gives, for the horizons it widens, for the challenge it brings, for the variety it presents and for the fun it assures. 

Link to all the BAT posts:

http://thistimethattime.blogspot.com/search/label/Blog%20-a%20-Ton

141. Raamaleelaa Maidaana: 28 August 2011

Year: 1987. Place: RaaLegaNa Siddhee, a small village in Maharashtra. Even then Shree ANNaa Hajare was very famous, though not surrounded by media – like he is today. During this year I had  opportunity to meet ANNaa many times. We wanted to organize a Youth Camp in his village. I went to RaaLegaNa for getting permission, then couple of visits for the preparation of the camp and then stayed there for eight days along with the youth participants. I met ANNaa a number of times during that period. He was in RaaLegaNa during that week. Everyday he used to interact with the participants for an hour or so. He was always there – around us, and even when we had a trivial problem he was there for us. I could go to him anytime and talk at leisure. He was soft, kind, never raising his voice and never looking irritated. He always listened to people with calm and peace. He did not carry the aura of “I know All’ or “I have done lot of work” – which would have been obvious for him given his name and fame then. However at the same time he unmistakably conveyed that he was not the kind of man to easily surrender, he was not the one who feared obstacles.

We stayed in RaaLegaNa like pampered children. Actually we were so young and had not done anything substantial in life, but ANNaa looked after us. He won the hearts of all youngsters in our camp by his simplicity, his renunciation, his softness and his work. Generally I do not touch anyone’s feet, but as I remember, while leaving RaaLegaNa, I saluted ANNaa in traditional way.

*****

Year: 2011. Place: New Delhi. It is morning of Sunday, 28^th August. Naturally, the attention of the entire nation is here today. Media has already brought the news to the nooks and corners that ANNaa Hajaare is breaking his fast at 10.00. The crowd wants to observe this historic moment as closely as possible. In the search of front rows, people have gathered very early here in Raamaleelaa Maidaana. Last Saturday, I had spent about half in hour in queue, to avoid it; I am here very early in the morning.

New Delhi Metro Station is not much crowded – not as I expected. There are people – mainly passengers reaching Delhi. Outside the station, in Kamala Market area, city buses are ready to go. New passengers have a confused look about which bus to take. The scene is like any other railway station in any other city on a normal day. For a moment I think that I have alighted down at a wrong metro station. But next moment, I see young children and women selling Gandhi topee and tri-color in various shapes and sizes. They are aware that ANNaa is going to break fast; they are in a hurry to sell whatever stock they have. The road is full of food vendors. If someone does not know about India Against Corruption (IAC) campaign, one would be tempted to think that there is some kind of political rally.

Last Saturday, I had to be in queue for about half an hour, so even though it is Sunday, I have reached here rather early.  Fortunately I enter the venue just within five minutes. Half of the ground is still muddy. So when I read next day the crowd estimates, I realize how media exaggerates – in good moments as well as in bad moments. Only when one is physically present during such events, one can understand the exaggeration.

Raamaleelaa ground is large enough- so even when it is half filled at eight in the morning, I am sure there are thousands of people. When I am trying to find a spot, I am told that there is a separate sitting arrangement for women. I think this arrangement would save me from being pushed by men in the crowd – however when ANNaa appears on the stage, the crowd erupts with emotions and the bamboo barricade between men’s section and women’s section is brought down and I have to face the pulls and pushes of the crowd. But it is to happen about an hour later.

The atmosphere is highly charged with patriotic emotions. Patriotic songs, slogans and the tri color make it very exciting. Volunteers are at their best initially – if someone stands, they immediately approach and request the person to sit down. The crowd seems to be self-disciplined at the beginning. But now a days people are not used to 'cross legged' sitting. So around nine, people start to express their restlessness. When the television cameras move towards crowds; all the discipline disappears within a moment. The next hour is to show me how women and men crave for ‘two minute’s fame’. The way women push each other (I am sure men did the same too) to capture the attention of cameramen, is disgusting. They are dancing, shouting slogans and trying to speak in the microphone. When the drinking water pouch (of course free) arrives on the scene, it almost creates a stampede. Whatever maybe the event, people cannot easily overcome their selfishness. It was only the beginning of the madness of the crowds.

When Anna appears on the stage; the crowd becomes uncontrollable. It is a moment which tells me that ‘Jana Sansada’ (Parliament of People) would be as good and bad as ‘Sansada’ (Parliament of elected representatives). Some of us are trying to tell others, “Please, sit down, from this distance we cannot see Anna clearly, but if we all sit down, we can at least have a glimpse of the stage”- but to no avail. The crowd exhibits typical Indian mentality – ‘if she is not sitting down, why should I?’ – is the question every one of them asks. Nobody realizes that we need to  follow rules even when others are not following, we need to set example, and we need to do certain things not because others demand but because we believe in it as core value of life. Even if strong Lokpal bill is passed, there is no guarantee that such people would not bribe and try to get undue benefits. While watching the people around, I felt extremely desolated.

Mr. Arvind Kejariwal begins his speech by ‘thanks giving’. In the last few months, I have read a lot about him and I am eager to listen to him. However, I am completely disillusioned. I mean even if I don’t like I can understand ‘Thanking Media’. But when Mr. Kejariwal said: “We thank Delhi Police. Some of them were on duty in uniform during the day and the in the evening after their duty was over, they joined us.” (Not exactly in these words, but meaning almost the same). I think Mr. Kejariwal is bit immature in declaring this. I hope those police personnel do not have to face internal inquiry!

Everybody seems to have forgotten those 30 persons who are also fasting at Raamaleelaa with ANNaa. Leave informing the crowds about the names of these 30 persons and appreciating them – at the last moment they are mentioned collectively and hurriedly (my guess is it happened when someone reminded Mr. Kejariwal about them). It is said that heroes are forgotten by later generations, but here they are invisible even in the present. The clarification that “we never said all political leaders are bad’ is amusing. That the IAC team had shared the stage on the earlier evening with few political leaders gave a clear signal about the change of mind of IAC team.

Mr. Kejariwal appeals the crowds to ‘gather at India Gate in the evening to celebrate’ – I am smiling at that. What victory? Whose victory? I think Mr. Kejariwal declared this due to the habit of last 11 days. Otherwise both Mr. Kejariwal and Ms. Bedi know fully well how the power circle in Delhi works. If I say that they do not understand the meaning of process in the last 4-5 days, I would doubt their intellectual capacity.

The crowds are mostly relieved that ANNaa is finally breaking fast. I wish colleagues of ANNaa had the opportunity to listen to the voices of the crowds. Amongst themselves people are discussing the whole issue and the common feeling expressed and agreed to is: Good that ANNaa finally is breaking his fast. Otherwise the ambitious people around him might have killed him. One person even said,” It is good that ANNaa finally realized that whether Lokpal bill is passed or not; there is no point in giving life for phaltu (useless) people like us.” Actually I feel that the issue of corruption, Lokpal are not on people’ mind there – there is only concern about ANNaa’s health. Some people are happy to find out that ANNaa is speaking with youth like energy and others are surprised at that.

For ANNaa’s ‘break fast’ two young girls – Simarn and Ikrah are invited on the stage. Mr. Kejariwal takes pains to tell Media that Simarn comes from Dalit family and Ikrah lives in Turkman Gate area in Delhi (meaning: she is Muslim). I am aghast that the IAC campaign is ‘using’ seven year innocent kids in this way. Till then I had known only politicians using caste and religion as identities to show their ‘mass base’. Do these kids know:  what is corruption? What is Parliament? What is a Bill? What is Jan Lokpal? They are too young to know and they are not responsible for the mess created by adults in the society. Mentioning Dr. Ambedkar to reach out to Dalit communities is again a political trick. Does IAC mean that Dr. Ambedkar belongs only to Dalits? Let us stop assuming that Dalit are fools and they can be made happy by just mentioning Dr. Ambedkar’s name! During that morning I see an illustration of how people (movements, campaigns) compromise when they try to establish claims of representation and numbers!

The crowd is so chaotic that neither the volunteers nor Mr. Kejariwal can control it. Mr. Kejariwal has to say: “If you do not keep quiet, ANNaa will continue his fast. He was fasting for last many days; he can fast for few more hours.” The statement shows how helpless Mr. Kejariwal is and what kind of ‘supporters’ have gathered there! So, some people do not capture the moment of ANNaa breaking his fast. Even after ANNaa’s speech is over, people are asking, “but when is he going to break his fast?”

ANNaa’s speech is extensively covered by Media, so I am not going to repeat it here. While ANNaa is speaking crowds are moving out of the pendal and they are replaced by new groups coming in. Some of those who are moving out , are turning to queues – one for ANNaa kee Rasoi (where free food is distributed) and other for ANNaa kee mupht chai (where free tea is distributed). I am wondering about the idea – when masses are coming to support ‘fasting for cause’, what is the point in providing ‘free tea and food’ for them? These supporters are not interested in the next steps of the campaign, the future direction and strategies of the movement. They are engaged in slogans –the louder, the better! I see most people – either slogan-ing, on their mobile phones, weaving tri-color, talking with friends, taking snaps – I wonder who is listening to ANNaa. I am pushed backward by the crowd and by the time ANNaa finishes his speech I am at the rear end of the pendal.

I realize that ANNaa did not say ‘Vande Maataram’ even once in his speech. During his Jantar Mantar fast in April, one evening I met a group of Muslim youths who were chanting Vande Maataram. I spoke to the group about it and they said,” Hama bhee to isa mittee se pale hue hai” (we too are brought up by this land!) – I still remember their fervor and their conviction. Equating Vande Maataram with a group of Hindus and avoiding to say Vande Maatarm to appease other group – is it a good strategy? By such act, we are pushing youths in the control of religious fanaticism- which is equally dangerous as corruption. In this way, the youth enthusiasm will die even before it strengthens.

******

Whether the person I met in RaaLegaNa Siddhee twenty five years ago is the same? Or has ANNaa changed – I keep on asking myself. In some ways, he remains unchanged. Simple, soft speaking, determined, naïve, ready to renounce his comforts (and his life in this case) for others, facing opposition with sternness. These are ANNaa’s qualities – many of us revere him for that. I find no reason to disagree.

However, there is also 'other' ANNaa emerging. Surrounded by the camera, away from people, the man sitting on the stage seems different. ANNaa: who accepts ‘I am ANNaa’ printed on caps and T shirts; who allows his photograph to be printed in the middle of tri-color on T Shirts; who calmly listens to the song eulogizing him; who is sharing stage with people who are accused of corruption (I know they were representing government, so what?); once he used to speak a lot about how he was inspired by Swami Vivekananda – today he does not mention him. Why? I feel that this ANNaa in the midst of thousands of people is a strange person, I do not know him. Whatever relationship I had with him and with his cause, and which I had nurtured, is destroyed in a moment. I feel completely away from him.   

I need to go to RaaLegaNa again. In 1987 I asked him many questions; I would ask him all these questions again. I hope as in 1987, he would answer me calmly, thoughtfully and with smile. Before this dialogue happens, I should not change my opinion about ANNaa. The person is at her/his best where s/he is rooted. Raamaleelaa Maidaana and the crowds are not the best times and place to find that old ANNaa again!

 **

140. Significant

After returning from any office travel, one of the important tasks is to clean the papers. Some of the papers need to be thrown away and some need to be preserved for future use. After a week- long travel, today evening I was engaged in this routine task and I came across an envelope. This envelope had remained unopened for a considerable period. This particular envelope was given to me by an Institute, a very prestigious Institute in the country.

This renowned Institute had invited me as a guest speaker. I was very busy that week – had returned from North East and had plans to travel  the next two weeks -  first to Uttarakhand and then to Andhra Pradesh. So, I needed some time for myself, for documentation, for preparation. When my reporting officer called me to ask whether I could go to deliver this lecture, I was for a moment going to say NO. However, I have been always lucky enough to have reporting officers, who never order me. They generally ask me politely whether it is possible for me to take on additional workload and I almost every time end up in taking that. One of my friends says that, “This is the management skill. They know that if they force you, you will rebel, but if given choice, you will take on additional responsibilities.” I am not sure whether my friend is right, but yes, I like to be treated with dignity. And I reciprocate such gift in my own way.

So, I prepared on Sunday, traveled on Monday evening, did the job on Tuesday and returned same evening. It was a mixed experience. The place was a beauty, to be near Himalaya is a luxury and I fully enjoyed that. This was an opportunity to learn about the Institute and I was overwhelmed by the aura of the place. The speech was received well by some and had good interaction with the audience. Overall, it was work –cum- break and I loved that.

This particular envelope was given to me along with memento at the end of my speech. In the rush of other activities I had not opened it.

I open it, read it and it irks me. The letter says:

*******************************

Logo of the Institute                                          Address of the Institute

Dear Ms. ……….

It was indeed a great pleasure having you with us at the ……………… to deliver a talk to the Officer Trainees of the ……………………

Your talk was extremely well received and the trainees appreciated the issues and points highlighted by you during the session. On behalf of the …………….. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for having taken time off from your busy schedule to visit ……………….

I hope you enjoyed visiting the ……………. I wish that your association with the …………….continues in the future as well.

                                                                  Regards,

                                                   ………………

****************

If my guess is right, you are wondering why I am irritated with such a nice letter.

Let me share some more facts with you.

1. 1.    I never met the person who signed the letter, we talked on the phone and that was all.
   2.  The person never attended my speech, so there was no point in she giving the feedback that the trainees appreciated the issues etc.
   3.   The letter was handed over to me immediately after my speech. That means the content of the letter was written even before I had delivered the speech.
   4.   This means that this is a standard letter – irrespective of the quality of my content and delivery. Even if it was worst speech of my life, the Institute blindly certifies me!
   5.    Why does the institute think (howsoever renowned it might be) that I need a certificate by someone who never listened to me?  

I can’t help thinking:

Why are we so formal? Why are we so dishonest? Why are we so artificial?

Why are we so dispassionate about the work we do? Without participating in it, how can we act as if we have participated?  

Why do we appreciate others without meaning it? Why do we need appreciation by others? Do people remain associated because there is some paper which expresses the wish to remain associated?

Why do people sign the paper for the activity in which they did not participate? Why can’t they just delegate it? I do not mind such a letter from one of the persons who attended my speech – though probably it still might be dishonest and formal!

Why are we more for records than feelings? What if the Institute never gave me this letter – would it change my experience? Would it lessen my joy of being there?

I know it is just a formality. It is a routine for them and I also should treat it as one of the insignificant matters of life and ignore it.

My problem is: there are too many insignificant things in life, and if I keep on ignoring everything, one day I might find that my whole life was insignificant.

If I am involved in any act, for me at least is should be fully significant – no matter what others think about it. Life is all about bringing in significance to whatever we do, or better leave it. Life is actually an art of making insignificant more significant.  

Life becomes significant only by involving oneself in this never ending process.