Kalimpong, Namchi , Gangtok , Darjeeling

­­­­A slice ­­­­­of Sikkim on the Bengali platter

Like me if you have been fascinated by Rajesh Khanna jumping in and out of the toy train in Mere sapno ki rani,, you sure would have longed to go to Darjeeling some day.

I got the coveted chance this summer and believe me, it’s mesmerising though not the preferred destination for Bollywood movies any more. Let me give you glimpses of my dream holiday.  I chose to go in the end of June so as to experience the Monsoon in its full glory and I did. The best season to visit they say, is October to April lest you want the rains to spoil your plans. But if you love the drizzle, June and July might suit your fancy.

Bagdogra is the nearest Airport and I decided to tread along the path and cover some more places before this Bengali Hill station. Local taxis are most convenient and easily available mode of transport though you may choose to take the buses that will take you through Siliguri. Hence if you are time crunched and in a true holiday mood, hire a taxi

So my first halt was Kalimpong, 75 km on the smooth NH31A. In the three hour drive, the initial half hour is like any other in the plains- intercepted by jams and bad roads but just 30 minutes on the road takes you to the path to heaven. The River Teesta flows in the valley below, separating Kalimpong from the state of Sikkim. The river moving along with you on one side and the high mountains on the other is spellbinding and one is tempted to exhaust all the memory in the camera on this road only.

It is a town quieter than Bagdogra, fabled for orchids and rarest of cacti. Situated at the foothills of Himalayas at an elevation of 1243 m, it is a hill station that offers a lavish view of Mt Kanchenjunga and its range. There are a number of good hotels in Kalimpong and I was lucky to have one where my room window opened to the most picturesque natural scenery. Milder climate, dense forest offset by the rich undergrowth of moss and lichen provide an ideal setting for calm walks on cushions of auburn leaves. This town that goes dead by 8 pm and awakes to crowing Roosters as early as 4 am is a tourist paradise. It has a small market with nice bakeries and mouth watering Momos can be had as cheap as Rs. 5 a plate. One of course can not miss out on the local home made lollipops. Handbags and handicrafts can be bought.

The legendary Hanumana Temple at Mangal Dham and a visit to the Durbin Dara monastery are the impeccable ways to start the day after taking in the moist aroma at Gladioli and Orchid flower nurseries. The town centre is located on a ridge connecting two hills, Deolo and Durpin. A walk at the Deolo Hill top is gripping. With fog and mist covering the beautifully maintained park, it is an ideal location for honeymoon couples whom you spot in plenty here. There is an Army Golf Course and the Morgan House that offers a peep into the British architecture. Dr. Graham’s is a trailer to the many renowned schools that this little town has.

The next day, we proceeded to Namchi. This is the immaculate dream groove. Amidst the mountains on all sides a narrow road leads to the magnificent Samdroptse Monastery. The world's largest statue (118 feet) of the Buddhist Padmasambhava, is on the Samdruptse  hill. It is also said that this hill is actually a Dormant Volcano. This place is a one stop spot for the pilgrims. There is a Shirdi Sai temple which steals the show by its spotless cleanliness and the location. What won the Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling the award for the best innovative project is the next marvel. It is Siddheswar Dham where all the four Hindu pilgrimages have been replicated. Surrounded by the 12 Jyotirlingas it has Dwarka, Rameshwaram, Jagannath and Badrinath on the four sides, Kailasha with a huge Shiv Mandir is the icing on the cake. Tourists throng this temple and are content that their chaar dham teerath has been accomplished in one go.

Once you have done the dharmik darshan to your heart’s content, you see the small helipad on which Manmohan Singh landed to inaugurate this Char Dham in 2010. One of the highlights of the town is the football stadium – the Baichung Stadium built by the Sikkimese government in honour of its most famous citizen, footballer Baichung Bhutia. On you way back, Sikkim's sole tea estate, the Temi Tea Garden awaits you with its hospitable staff. You may visit the tea factory and see the whole process of manufacturing of the Trademark Organic Sikkim Tea.

We reached Gangtok this night and the celebrated MG Market is a must go for shopaholics. Products traded from Chinese border are sold at high but fixed prices. From Umbrellas to Japanese dolls, from silver ware to souvenirs you can have it all. There are a variety of Bengali sweets and Continental dishes to try from in restaurants and eateries spread all over. Gangtok, the capital of the 22^nd sate of India, Sikkim abounds in scenic beauty. It enjoys mild temperature all year round and offers spectacular view of Himalyan ranges. It is the ultimate harbour for tourists in search of enchantment, tranquility and trekking. It is the mystic land of Stupas, Monasteries, temples and endless intriguing rituals. Buddhists, Nepalis, local tribals, a lot of Biharis and Marwari immigrants living in harmony give it a truly secular colour.  

The next morning you are in for an unimaginable journey to the China border that runs along the Tsomgo Lake. It used to be a gateway to the trade between Tibet and India prior to China's annexation of Tibet. At height of 12,400 feet and 50 feet depth, its cool placid water, the scenic beauty enchanted by the reflection in the lake is bewitching. Primula flowers and other alpine vegetation that grows around the lake add a pristine beauty to this site.

Patriotism throngs inside you when you visit the Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial. The legendary story has it that he died protecting his Post from the enemy and his soul still lives there to fulfill his duty. He is given full salary, leaves and perks by the army till date. This is a rare example of belief in this scientifically rational world

If you are lucky and find no landslides choking the path, you may get to travel to the Nathu La Pass. The pass, at 14,140 ft forms a part of an offshoot of the ancient Silk Road. Nathu La is one of the three open trading border posts between China and India. Sealed by India after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, it was re-opened in 2006. Coming here makes you feel a need to go nowhere else.  

Gangtok’s local sight seeing includes Monasteries, Nurseries with rare flower varieties that grow best in the red soil here. There is a waterfall park that is run entirely on renewable energy sources. The Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom offers ties and dresses made of silk that probably might have been exported through the Silk route centuries ago. It is however all made locally now. Sikkim being the only state in India credited for complete organic farming, it is worth buying some cereal from this place. The oranges here are exported all through the world. I bought some kidney beans and Orange squash and they taste like nothing ever has. It’s worth a buy even if only to experience the flavour. The stark social difference from North India that you notice among the localities here, is the love and freedom that the girl child enjoys. Weddings do not involve dowry and most women continue their education after getting married at young age.

Your journey to the Queen of Hills will take another four hours from here. On the way, the ginger plantation and carrots growing on the sides is a must fetch. It is a jewel on the crown of the Eastern Himalayas and offers spectacular view of the Himalayan range.

Darjeeling is a comparatively crowded city. The track of the toy train is a perfect charmer. You cross the buzzing streets on your way to the hotel. On the Mall, the Chowrasta and the Ridge, the local market will offer a lot of woolen stuff to stock your bags with. You can go mad purchasing tea which is available on shops and pavements at rates ranging from 50 to 9000 rupees per 250 grams. This is the green tea and is mostly exported as Indians per se are used to the Assam tea that can be boiled in water. It still is worth taking back for friends and relatives.

Give yourself ample time to rest as the next morning as early as 3 am you must leave for Tiger Hill to view the sunrise. This is the sorted dream date with nature. Tourists gather in hundreds to witness the sun coming out of the mountains. The fog might play hide and seek giving your heart a leap as to whether you will see what you came to see, but if you are lucky you will witness the most hypnotising sight on earth. It is worth the wait from the darkness to the dawn to see the rays coming in first and then the sun rising. The hills are nestled within high peaks and the snow-clad Himalayan ranges. Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak is the most prominent mountain visible. If the fog allows, Mount Everest, can be seen too. One just stands here awe struck by the sheer magnificence of nature. And if this is not enough, on your way back you go to the Batasia Loop which is a UNESCO Heritage site. This is a Gorkha regiment Memorial too. A very well kept park around the round loop that the toy train treads is the place where you can spend your entire life. Not to miss the local pavement shops scattered on the track and also when you come out of the Ghoom Monastery as early as 5 am. This is typically Darjeeling and you will encounter them even on your way to the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. This zoo is a treat for children seeing the unique mountain animals placed in their natural habitats. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and museum are worth a watch. And if all this impresses and tempts you, you might want to try climbing the Tenzing Rock. This is a tourist attraction and a marvel to look at. Being the adventure freak that I am, I did climb this rock aided by the helpers there and it was a life time experience. When you go there take my word and do not miss the chance yourself too.

The Darjeeling ropeway is a bit scary, notorious for the stories of when it fell killing many in 2001. But it has been reopened and is operational for you to ride if you dare. I did and the sheer fright is adrenaline rushing. A half hour ride in a carriage trailing thin wires is exciting. You can get yourself clicked in the traditional Tea Plantation worker attire here. It is a memory worth capturing.

If you are the walk in peace kinds, the tea gardens will offer you enough time and space. The greenery is magnetic. The Tibetan refugee self help centre humbles you to the core. One is transfixed looking at the old (indeed very old) men and women weaving the Charkha and stitching to run their livelihood. You just can not resist purchasing something to help these people who are trying hard to lead a life of self sustenance.

If a week is what you had kept for this sedating trip, then on your last day, visit Mirik- the town centered on the Sumendu Lake. An amazing natural lake sprinkling out of the mountains is a fabulous place for family pictures. Boating, horse riding and local food make it the classic picnic spot. The landscaped gardens, orange orchids, tea plantations, cardamom grooves, and captivating view of the eastern Himarlas make you wonder that the one who said Swarg Kashmir mein hai has sure not visited this place.

The acclaimed Nepali Pashupati market is just 20 minutes away. You are bound to get extravagant by the fag end of your trip as the cheaper Nepali currency will let you hoard perfumes, watches, sunglasses and kitchen ware without punching a painful hole in your pocket. In excitement, do not skip the colorful houses on your way back to the airport. Houses painted pink, yellow, green, violet and in all imaginable hues bid you farewell.

When you start missing the mountains as the air changes from cool to hot and you are tempted to switch on the AC in your taxi, the realisation that dawns upon is that however different the climate, the flora and fauna, the cuisine and dresses, the dialect and faces might have been, the one thing that remained uniform all through the trip are the omnipresent chips and cola brands, the mobile phone hoardings and ..and .. Thankfully nothing else. Remembering the local food, the greenery in all shades, the beauty to die for and the soothing climate that filled your last week will let you pass this last trail of road. 

When you empty your camera memory on facebook to the envy of your friends, the taxi walas who played the dual role of being your guides to the local vegetation and history will cross your minds and a smile of gratitude is sure to make you feel lucky. You will suddenly get the taste of the Chhurpi, lollipops, momos, Noodles on your tongue and dream of going there some day again. This one week break will rejuvenate you to face the piles o

Film Review : Cocktail

THE MODERN TRIANGLE

  A girl with a golden heart goes green with envy at the hands of love. But friendship is stronger than love, goodness wins over evil, sense prevails over sentiments. And they live happily ever after. Correct! It’s the poetic justice in the end type of a film sans the unnecessary emotional baggage. Yup this does seem a plot repeated from Sangam to Saajan to Cocktail. However Imtiaz Ali brings the new age freshness to the treatment of this tried and tested storyline.

  Editing is sleek, with heavy dialogues and drama cut to the minimal, styling is fab with all the three young icons dressed impeccably into the character with minute detailing till the nail- from footwear to clothes to the house decors; the hair and even the wrist bands have received intelligent attention. The locales are breathtaking with shooting in London and Cape town… ah don’t miss out the Desi Delhi flavour thrown in the last scene with the yellow green auto and references to Lajpat Nagar, the loud Punjabi Mom and nicknames like Gutlu and Randu .. after all it’s penned by Imitiaz Ali.

  Ali’s fascination with the freaky female soul is captured in Veronica, the role that Deepika portrays magically. Padukone impresses with the range of her acting. From the bindaas independent girl to the damsel in distress, from the philanthropist altruistic lady to the unaffectionate betrayed friend, she lends herself easily to the characterization of these shades of grey.

  Well there are some more positives like the people being real. Gautam is a real flirt, Meera a real friend and Veronica a real ‘rich bitch’ as she calls herself. An NRI setting where a software professional always has loads of money and time to spend on his lady loves whom he changes every night, a girl duped into marriage by an NRI who did it only for the dowry and an NRI child whose parents care only to send her money and don’t once make an appearance in the whole movie even when their daughter is in the hospital. It’s only friends our protagonists have. Friends they are till love happens, and happens in a triangle. The chirpy humorous first half turns into a melodramatic heavy dose post interval. The friend sacrifices for a friend. The lover has sleepless nights, And then, the real realisations happen and hence the reunions. However the saving grace is that the predictable end is brought about neatly. Afterall, we have waited six long years for Homi Adajania to direct after Being Cyrus in 2006. His ease with the camera and understanding of the technical angle lends the film a much needed crispness. No doubt the online promotions of Cocktail had gone viral with the trailer receiving over two million hits in a week of its release. Cocktail was being dubbed as one of the most awaited releases of 2012. However it does seem to drag and one starts fearing that like all Imtiaz Ali films even this one is not gonna end soon. Thank God it does. 

  The story is very natural. Gen X goes so far in the name of casual relationships that when the line between flings and affairs blurs, when love happens where existed friendship, they are bound to go thorough such ordeals. How close is close, how much sleeping together means you can spend the life together is something this generation does not pause to consider. Gautam is the ultimate lady charmer with gimmicks that none from the airhostess to a waitress to his boss can resist. His down market grooming and dirty eating habits however make one wonder why choose a 43 year old Saif to play this gift to womankind! Well because Cocktail is produced under Saif Ali Khan's banner Illuminati Films.  Our Hero has no morals, no plans to settle down and no qualms about lying to his mother. He can have any girl under the sun. He however falls for the typical shy gharelu Meera. Oops. Is it? What is confusing is why Meera falls in love with him whom she equates to a pig and claims to have hated no one more. Oh yes, he praises her, flatters her face and figure, gives her attention that probably all women crave for. Moral of the story being you can have any woman by throwing in a couple of compliments. And how can you have any man? Ah by being the good household material that all mothers and yes their sons get impressed by. A Mast easy to get Veronica loses the battle to a Seedhi sadi Meera. Deepika tells Diana once “tum ne is ghar ko ghar bana diya hai. “ .. yup this is the quality that even the 21st Century girl must possess to be accepted as a Bahu as a Biwi. The typical Indian male wants a wild girl to bed and a traditional one to wed. And as the undomesticated Veronica realizes this, she tries her best to fit the shoes of Meera. The Biryani, Puja, Hair, Dressing all change…Phew!

  And when you are getting cooked by this modern day shaadi gyan, Pritam’s music saves you. A blend of singers, folk tunes, local Punjabi flavor sprinkled in and you have wonderful foot tapping songs. Irshad Kamil’s lyrics are contemporary and set the mood. Yaarian, Desi daru, Second hand jawani and Tumhi ho bandhu have all chart topping quality. The album is a cocktail of desi flavor and modern beats in the true sense. Yo Yo Honey Siingh, Miss Puja Neeraj Shridhar, Kavita Seth, Gippy Grewal blend in this cocktail perfectly capturing the youthfulness.

  Diana Penty does fairly ok for a debut but the director has given her the same monotonous look all through. Deepika steals the limelight with her versatility. Expressionless Diana and not so loveable Saif are compensated for by the dynamic Dimple Kapadia playing the perfect Mom- intruding but affectionate. Booman Irani does not have individuality but offers full support to the tangled strings of the No strings attached relationships. Chirpy one liners like “its his bun in my oven”, “You love me, I love her” de stress even in serious situations. Anil Mehta’s Cinematography and Sreekar Prasad’s editing are undoubtedly international. Worth a one time watch.-

But don't try and catch the First Day First Show like me .... ah ...now you even can't ;P

The Goodness Prevails

Thakrey and party should go and see the movie to know that every one who professes a faith different from theirs does not mean to harm their motherland.
Karan Johar matures from glossy love stories to My Name is Khan. He was often quoted saying that he draws his characters from the world around him. In this movie, however he has done this with a difference. The new genre of Hindi films from Rocket Singh to 3 Idiots and now this one makes one proud. The goodness in life is celebrated. A strong faith is professed that one can lead a nice life on the values one was taught in school but that seem to get lost in the process of growing up. When Rizwan Khan lives by the basic principle taught to him by his mother as a kid- there are two kinds of men in this world good and bad- he makes us believe in it too. Religion and region do not divide the divine and the evil. The movie covers a wide range from the Ayodhya Hindu Muslim riots to the hurricanes in Georgia and that give an impression of a stretched length. However one is glad to glance at the watch and realize that it had all been accomplished in the good old three hour Bollywood format.
Zarina Wahab effortlessly comes across as the moralistic happy mother who instills in her son, the basic respect for all good men. From his fist teacher being a Parsi to his loving friends being Negro Americans, Rizwan learns to draw beyond the barriers that divide most of the world. The protagonist suffers from Asperger Syndrome which justifies his obsession for what he sets to do. This was a clever move, as no ‘so called normal’ man would go as far to prove his point. We, in the process of being normal get characterized by obstacles within us that stop us from giving unconditional love and truth. Rizwan donates for church dinners “Keep it for those who are not Christians in Africa” when refused on account of not being a Christian. He marries purely out of love and lives to spread it unconditionally.
Kajol’s infectious laughter is used brilliantly to characterize her. She tackles life effortlessly loving its beautiful parts and forgetting the ugly ones. However, her character seems a little flawed in demonstrating what she does in the later half of the movie. From love she turns to pure hatred. Suffering from loss of a loved one is capable of mealting any one, yet breaking seven years of trusted marriage seemed over dramatic. The backdrop of shifted opinions and views owing to the 9/11 has been brilliantly used to get the point across.
Khan gets stabbed by a fanatic, rounded by the FBI, deserted by his wife, robbed off his child for his surname yet he brilliantly distributes and reciprocates love. He follows his faith to the point of remarking “Namaz is not read seeing the situation and the people, it is read considering the faith.” When he says he does not understand the world as people don’t always mean what they say, he hardly realizes this is what gives him conviction to follow his heart.
Comedy and romance get imbibed in the “marry me” episode with brilliant back ground scores. From Wadia to Big Mama and Funny John, from Haseena to Mandira, from Rees to Samir, from Ammi to Obama, every one strengthens your faith in the Good human kind even though the likes of Dr. Faisal Rahman try to shake it. Shankar Ehsan Loy have come up with a brilliant background score equally matched by the lyrics from Niranjan Iyengar. The crisp editing is especially visible in the flood scene and the romantic morning scene of San Francisco that is enthralling enough for Mandira to say yes. Shibani Bathija has penned some memorable dialogues wiyh the “My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist” becoming almost an anthem for the cinegoers.
Out and out a purposeful well directed movie which well deserved the huge hype that surrounded. Karan Johar is brilliant at promoting his films and the whole controversy did him good. When Dhamra Productions and Red Chillies Entertainment come together with Fox Searchlight Distributors, the Berlin film festival promotion had to generate the media coverage that it did. Needless to say, after watching the film, one does not feel that all the publicity has gone for a waste. It is well worth the audience it drew to the theaters.

IT REPEATS ITSELF

YET AGAIN

All that glitters n not gold is yet again confirmed by the tragic death of Tamil actress Bhagavi last month. This Tollywood siren sent many hearts racing, numerous girls considered her their ideal, ample men dreamt of her, producers lined up outside her home in abundance. What a dream life she led! But, the way this life ended is a nightmare. Why do people who seem to have everything, depart in such tragic manners?
Stories of glamour queens being depressed, drug edits or drunkards are not new to the circle. Meena Kumari the iconic film actress was known to be a compulsive alcoholic. Mahesh Bhatt’s tall claim to fame, his love angle with Praveen Babi the sensuous Bollywood charmer, tells us about her uncertain attachments with many a married men. Divya Bharti had an untimely demise which still remains a suspense. Whether it was a murder or suicide is a mystery. Bhargavi is confirmed to be slaughtered to death by her boyfriend. Kuljeet Randhava, the famous model and TV personality committed suicide, so did our former Miss India Nafisa Joseph. Films like Fashion, Woh Lamhe et al hammer the tattered side of their glossy lives. Do they deserve to live and die this way? What makes them fall prey to such horrifying circumstances?
In searching for answers to such questions, the phrase that looks us in the face is ‘One is always alone at the top’. Maybe it echoes the truth. Success brings seclusion. Loneliness is maddening. In attempts to deal with their recluse, celebrity dolls often find themselves in the trap of false relationships and unbearable occurrences. Life is not an easy game to play. Friends and family cushion us from tremors of failure, pressures of deadlines, shocks of heartbreaks and even inflated egos of flattery and success. Living away from these safety wolves probably leads these women into tunnels with dead ends.
Whatever the reasons, we have a lesson to learn from such glamorous lives gone waste. Keep yourself grounded even when life gives you chances to fly high. Don’t let your satiety act as a wall towards the less privileged. Remaining on your feet will keep the ground under you stable and not let you slip. If tragedies teach, then these are the lessons we should never forget.

Notoriety to Popularity

Grab the Headlines.....ANYHOW!!!

There is fame in being infamous. The present times ruled by media are a perfect testimony to this observation. The convention has become a rule going by the numerable stories of bad gone good when publicity is the concern.
Rahul Mahajan is a house hold name. He is not only known but also loved. His claim to fame? One media show. Yes exactly! His father’s legacy has nothing to do with Rahul’s popularity. It is a stark difference to the days when he was caught red handed with drugs. He fell in the public eye at a time when the party was looking at him as a substitute to their lost leader. His nervous press conference did nothing to improve his stand which further worsened with news of his being a wife beater followed by the divorce ending his short lived marriage. Oops, a long list of ‘not so good boy’ image builders….. Circa December 2009, Rahul Mahajan is hailed as the most promising winner of a television show and then appears in another one to judge children’s comic talents.
Similar is the case of one Rakhi Sawant. From a sleazy item girl to a hot shot anchor and celebrity, she is the most mimicked personality on Indian Television. An upbeat channel like Zoom roped in this once tagged ‘laughably low class’ dancer. Controversies ranging from vulgar outfits in Kohlapur to the Mikka kiss did her good. So did the drama on a reality TV show and her naive raw tactics on another. Once, the media found nothing right with her, from her manners to opinions, dressing to talking ….circa November 2009, Miss Sawant looks good, talks sense, is elegant, presentable, talented and well in demand. She is paid highly for mere guest appearances. Her claim to fame? Being notorious back in the history.
We have had examples like Phoolan Devi who jogged from the Chambal straight to the Parliament. Veerappan indeed would be jealous! Only if he had known the power of being hated so popularly!…. Ah, but some realize it and make hey while the sun shines. Monica Bedi, the talk of the town-Abu Salem’s love interest, is banking upon the ‘fame’ factor to turn her image one eighty degrees. Bravo Miss Bedi.
Seems our politicians had long ago known the advantages of being known, then be it in any sense. Renowned gangsters win elections, so do popular bad guys. Either it is the sympathy or the public acquaintance, whatever, it does them good. It is evident that if you are not able to win a Miss India crown or cannot be a Bollywood star, manage to do something that bags you the headlines ….for good or bad reasons, is your choice…but just a piece of advice, the badder, the better. Hey come on now, don’t frown at the wrong word coinage… you as public, are known to forgive so much, this is just a petty grammatical error!
Going by the thumb rule, proven by the above cases, the future seems the brightest for Muntadhar al-Zeidi and the likes.

Biji

LESSONS OF LIFE

Let me tell you a story today. And like the film waalas I’m not going to disclaim any similarities to any character living or dead. It is in fact, a true story about a true person in a true situation. Truth as they say is bitter, don’t hope for a happy ending therefore.

Once upon a time, some years ago, during an era; choose the beginning that suits you best. So I was telling you that during my childhood we lived in a rented house owned by a wealthy landlord of our small city. On the terrace was a room inhabited by an old lady addressed as Biji. She was over sixty and lived all alone, cooked by herself and cribbed all day. She would enquire what the time was some seventy two times a day to the irritation of the neighbours and mohallewaalas. A boy, whom I thought, was her son came to meet her once in three days. Upon asking, my mother told me that he was her husband’s son from a second wife. Biji used to be a beautiful high class society wife in her times. But, she could not bear any children despite medical aids and innumerous test. In desire of an heir, she convinced her husband to get remarried. The man loved her dearly and would not budge at the idea of getting a second wife. She had persuaded him by fasting, weeping, vowing, arguing et al. The new lady bore four children to Lalaji. The eldest one was very attached to Biji and he was the one who visited her now. But why was she left to lead this life of a solitary person when her full family existed? Had she committed a crime? What was so wrong with her that she had to be left this way?

The only wrong, the only crime was her being infertile. The woman who bore children came to acquire the supreme status gradually and the enmity that exists between any two competing women persisted. The property, the husband, the children- all were coveted possession to be claimed by the victorious one. Biji lost the battle and was thrown out of the house. Being her legal husband, the man put her in this room on one of his properties. The thing that disturbed me the most after having learnt her story was that her husband had never come to see her. Was this the plight of the lady whom he had loved so much, married and adored?

Biji was very beautiful even at this age and after so much. Her youth beyond the wrinkles would surely have made many crazy. But, today, she was going crazy, battling her solitude and pangs of seclusion. She asked what the time was not because she had appointments to keep but to know how much of it had passed, how much remained; to see a human face pop out of a house to answer her. Being illiterate Biji had no other way to connect with the living world other than by talking. However, with limited life and exposure, what topics could she chat about? The time … of course. After a while she stopped cooking listing her age as an excuse. But I think, this was her way of making someone from her family to come to her thrice a day to deliver her meals. She had taken seriously ill and after much deliberation was taken to her house, her own house, where she breathed her last within a few hours.

What had Biji done to deserve such a life and such an end? The story of this woman whom I saw every day for five consecutive years makes me wonder what use are the scientific temper, the modern thought if they can not alter the plight of the women of our age?

How Hooked can You Get?

YOUR HOROSCOPE TODAY

Hence proved! What? Well, the fact that you have decided to read this piece among many others is itself a testimony of the attraction you felt towards the topic. How the world nowadays is lured by the tarot cards, horoscope predictions, numerology, star positions, palmistry and the likes seems strange. Why so? On one side we have landed on the moon and are vying to reach the stars and on the other we tend to believe that all the planetary objects conspire to direct the lives of the humans living on this planet Earth. Isn’t this an interesting paradox?

There was a time when the contemporary thinking was catching up…ah! Rather it seems more appropriate to say.. once upon a time India was getting educated and abandoning the superstitions it had lived with for ages. However, those times of rebel, revolutions and scientific temprament are long gone. Today the parrot readers have given way to much sophisticated Pundits and Devis who claim long time slots on our channels and huge space in our newspapers. And here, the mention of media infuriates me further. The fourth estate, the watchdog, the gatekeeper…woo what names ... but are all these addresses justified for the media of today, which seems to have forgotten its function of forming the public opinion in the mad craze to raise TRPs and readership. The more you make the people fearful of the uncertainties of their future, the more will you be able to pull them to the solution offered by the Vastu and Kundali experts is the Mantra of the media today.

Solar and Lunar eclipses take shape of opportunities to offer ideas of how your lives shall get affected by the heavenly bodies today; earthquakes and Tsunamis are predicted by the Pundits; performances of players and box office conditions of films are calculated by the numerology experts; Tarot card readers tell us whether a government shall win a no confidence motion…. Oops, what great science! Loose the charm of living in every moment to the efforts of knowing the future is the idea being propagated. The ripples of mysticism and fallacy are forming and rising with no near possibilities of an end.

Influenced by the high class Bas and Bahus of Balaji, the Indian middle class had turned back to Kundalis and horoscope matching as foundations of a healthy marriage. Names of new borns have again come to be suggested by palm leave readers. This is an uncanny alteration when compared to the modern thought that ruled our society in the mid 70s and 80s. The age of liberalization has again come to be dominated by traditionalism. I say again because four decades back India and Indians had started to learn to believe in themselves, but now the trust has gone back to the stars. The power that we had has shifted back to the planets.

Ah, all you believers who started reading me with some expectation of knowing your lucky colour and lucky number for today, I shouldn’t disappoint you. So here is your horoscope today: You will believe any Tom Dick and Harry who writes any horoscope column in any newspaper. Correct?