THE MISSING TRAIN - A SHORT STORY

Deep inside, Shital was very scared inside the train.  It was all dark, and she could see ghost like structures moving around.  She missed her mom and papa dearly and was crying bitterly.  Suddenly, like a whiff of hope, she saw everyone around her clapping around.  It was DCP Satyajit Kapoor, with his group of policemen who had come to rescue them.

Shital was a reclusive young girl, aged 16 and was traveling for the first time out of Mumbai alone to meet her grandparents at Kankavali via the Konkan Railway route.  Her mom and dad were working, and had sent her off to spend the summer vacations with her grandparents.  Her grandpa and grandma were to receive her at the station and take her to her native place where she was supposed to have a blast.  She was careful not to venture out of the train throughout the journey as advised by her parents and kept to herself throughout the journey.  A teddy bear and the music in her iPad were her companion and a source of comfort for her throughout the journey.  Her parents were to join her at the end of her vacation and take her back home.  Everything was according to the plan but fate had it otherwise for the little girl and her co-passengers.  The last three bogies, one of which where she was sleeping got detached itself from the main train in the middle of the night and was stuck in a deep tunnel.  Some of the passengers got out from the train but were dumbstruck as scary figures greeted them along the way.  Due to the ensuing noise, Shital woke up from her deep slumber and realized that she was in deep trouble.

The next day morning, her grandparents who had reached the station to receive Shital were in deep grief as they got the news that the running train had already lost its three bogies which had led to a frantic search of the missing persons.  Shital’s father, who had contacts with the higher ups in the Mantralaya tried to use the connections to locate her at the earliest but was deeply worried as no positive news was forthcoming from the Police.  The news spread like wildfire and was the main Breaking News in all News Channels.

“Where are the missing bogies?”

a. Did they slide down a deep valley?

b. Was it an attempt to kidnap by some vested interests?

Things were difficult due to sudden and heavy unseasonal rains over the area which made movement of the Police personnel and the workers very difficult.  The question in everyone’s mind was how three bogies of an Express train can go missing like thin air.  It can’t be possible.  Various conspiracy theories were being spun by one and all.

        As 48 hours passed by without any trace of the missing persons, the Chief Minister called for a meeting of top Police officials as it was becoming a matter of grave concern.  Amidst all this mayhem, an unknown Sadhu residing by the hills became famous overnight, as he declared the case of the missing bogies due to the possession of some evil spirits around the tunnel.  He pointed out an unfinished railway track beside the tunnel.  Work was in progress in this track, a year ago.  The workers were being harassed by the contractors and were grossly underpaid.  They were made to work like donkeys when fate had it that one day, there were heavy rains and boulders from the hill descended upon hundreds of them while work in progress and crushed them to death.  Since then, the work of the track was left unattended and a fresh railway track was laid successfully into a tunnel which took trains from Mumbai to Mangalore and beyond.  The Sadhu declared that this unfinished railway track led to an invisible apparition where the bogies may have got lost.  He warned the people not to beyond the unfinished tracks.  Myths regarding the spirit of the dead workers surrounding this place were already a part of the village folklore and no villager dared to hover around this place.  These ghost stories from where the bogies were believed to be missing irked the families of the missing and were causing a massive embarrassment to the Government.  The Sadhu was demanding that a massive yagna was to be conducted to relieve the spirits and rescue the missing bogies.

        The Police arrested the Sadhu for making concocted stories and cheating the gullible and started clearing the area from nuisance from the crowd as the area was becoming more like a tourist spot.  Here, the dad of Shital was getting more and more worried as no credible information could be gathered by the Police even after 4 days elapsed since the incident.  News of two to three constables gone missing from the spot also spread like wildfire.  It was difficult to confirm whether these constables were really missing or these stories were concocted.  The Sadhu was continuing to warn people from behind the bars regarding the impending dangers of the spirits lurking around the marked area.  The Media went after interviewing the Sadhu in jail, the villagers, and the families of the missing persons.  Even the families of the so called missing constables were not left by the Media. 

The top brass of the Police investigating this incident were being transferred by the furious Chief Minister for inaction and lack of seriousness in solving the case of missing bogies, which had become a sort of outrage and the Government just could not face the ire of he people and the heat of the Opposition leaders who were taunting the ruling party for the lapse.  The no-nonsense cop DCP Satyajit Kapoor was handpicked by the CM to take charge of the situation which was letting out of hand.  DCP Satyajit Kapoor assessed the situation quickly and rushed to the controversial spot from where the bogies were believed to be missing.  He ordered his team of Policemen to follow him.  The fire brigade, Ambulance and emergency medical services were kept ready for any emergent situation.

        Deep inside, Shital was very scared inside the train.  It was all dark, and she could see ghost like structures moving around.  She missed her mom and papa dearly and was crying bitterly.  Suddenly, like a whiff of hope, she saw everyone around her clapping around.  It was DCP Satyajit Kapoor, with his group of policemen who had come to rescue them.

        The next day, the followed Headlines hogged the limelight in all the daily newspapers.

        “The case of the missing bogies enters its sixth day.  DCP Satyajit Kapoor goes missing”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deoJUBW9CI8

कशी मजेत काढते रांगोळी - MARATHI POEM

टिपक्या टिपक्यांनी पडते पाऊस
जसं पृथ्वीत काढते रांगोळी
कधी सरळ, कधी वाकडे
कशी मजेत काढते रांगोळी

तिच्या ताळात नाचते सृष्टी
काळ्या ढगात लपतोय रवी
मजेत बघतो पाऊसाची कला
कशी मजेत काढते रांगोळी


बिन रंगेच्या तिच्या पाण्याचा तेंब
मिसळून जाते बघ कशी मातीच्या रंगात
कधी हिरवी, कधी काळी, कधी नीळी
कशी मजेत काढते रांगोळी


आनंदानी कोसळणारी ढग
आकाशातून पडणारी वीज
तिच्या जादूत बनते रंगबिरंगी इंद्रधनुष
कशी मजेत काढते रांगोळी


चिकलात नाचती मुले
तिच्या रंगात उडी मारत धबधबे
रात्रीत चांदोबा रमून बघतो
कशी मजेत काढते रांगोळी


माज्या आंगण मात्र का घं कोरडा
येरे येरे पाऊसा, तुला देतो घं पैसा
रुसू नको घं ये ना खाली
मजेत काढ तू रांगोळी


.........................................सुरेश अय्यर

WHY SIT ON A FAST! DO ANNA DAANA INSTEAD

India lies in poverty even when its middle class youth seem to be celebrating its economic success in the global arena.  Half of its children are malnourished, most of the working sector is unorganized and the lower castes and classes have no access to even primary education in many villages.   Farmers in many villages are still committing suicides due to abject poverty.  There are villages, where people have not seen electricity till date or are faced by serious electricity cuts.  The reservations and quotas help only those who have access to resources but not those who are deprived of any resources.   The mothers of children from these classes do not even know when, where and how the next food for their children is going to come.  The Government schools exist only in paper in many areas, while healthcare is almost Nil in the deprived areas.  They are left to their fate and become susceptible to superstitions to overcome their difficulties.  Isn’t it ironical that suddenly some Messiahs have chosen to fast for the well-being of the country while they are compelled to fast? 

An ordinary farmer gets a pittance for the produce while the same is being sold for a bumper profit by the middlemen and by the time it reaches the customers, it burns a serious hole in their pockets.  This inflation is generated mainly due to the distribution network deliberately created to help the middlemen and vested interests who pocket the profits while the real Anna Daatas languish in mediocrity.  The children of the unorganized sector are forced to work as they do not have the luxury to pursue education.  Many of them do menial jobs at daily rate of wages.  A candidate has to pay hefty bribe to become a Police Constable or a peon in municipal service.  The condition of police quarters housing many constables is in such a dilapidated condition, that one look at them will bring tears in the eyes of many.  You cannot live like a Harischandra in such depressed conditions.  They take bribes, yet they are overworked, especially during religious festivals which happen round the clock in India.  The vacancies in the Police force never get filled and the existing constable has to bear additional burden while discharging his duty.  Today, the CBI needs autonomy and independence to register against officials of Joint Secretary and above without prior permission of the Government.  The same is asked by some self appointed civil society groups but via a body called the Lok Pal.  They could have fought for strengthening the CBI and reforming the Police and Judicial System, but the Lok Pal is needed to enhance their personal goals. 

The lure of Power, Fame and Money corrupts everybody.  India is in need of serious Electoral reforms and a transparent and liberal tax structure.  Contesting elections should not be the preserve of the rich and famous alone.  Leave elections, parents cannot get admission for their children without paying donations to schools.  A citizen has to battle for the basic needs like better roads, public transport, electricity, water etc.  There is simply no accountability in Public Service.  Five-day fight against corruption cannot solve these problems.  What will you do, if the government servant won’t take any bribe but sit on the file doing nothing for long as his position in the government is secure.  Unless they are made accountable, they won’t render any satisfactory services.  The Right to Service Act which can stipulate the deadlines by which some essential services has to be completed can help in a long way to bring accountability among the government staff and rein in corruption.  Corruption has become like a way of life.  Few fasts and change in laws won’t make any difference to the affected lot.  Basically, even if the Lok Pal is formed, the investigation has to be done by the Police and CBI only.  But no one has cared to think what ails the Police and CBI and how to motivate them and make them accountable. 

Various reforms have been suggested by various expert committees formed from time to time. Why no follow up is made by the so called civil society and the media to ensure they are implemented.  The complainants are scared to come out in open to lodge complaints while some professional complainants blackmail those in power and encash themselves at the cost of many.  Mere change of governments will only change the beneficiaries but the system remains the same.  It happens in many cases, that even Ministers have to vacate their offices due to electoral reverses, but the bureaucrats remain the same and make hay as the sun shines at them all the time.  Any one who fights for the rights and against the lacunae in the system should understand that Constitution is supreme and he is not above it.  Anna Hazare’s claim that he will continue fast if the Lok Pal Bill is not tabled by August 15 is childish and makes it appear that Anna Hazare is above Parliament.  You have to make your opinions heard through sustained campaign in a democracy.  It is a long winding road with no shortcuts.  The Chief Fasting Officer and Ayurvedic Specialist taking allopathic treatment in Dehradun dispensary must have realized that taking up causes just to stay in limelight can lead to adverse consequences also.  I would like these super rich NGOs to do a favor to this country.  If they have run out of ideas, please do not indulge in yet another fast.  Organize Anna Daanas in various parts of the country.  Those deprived will be happy to have their stomachs full for a day, atleast.

NGO OR BABA, POLITICIAN YA PRIEST

One of my friends is a leading astrologer in south.  He used to tell me that the best profession to make money without investment is astrology and little bit of luck.  It requires a lot of study and hardwork that ultimately pays off when we gain confidence of the clients who grow in numbers, once our business is established.

Politics remains the no.1 business in India, but it is costly and restricted to some circle only.  Nowadays, only children of successful politicians become successful.  So, politicians have become like some sort of a high caste.  So, any smart citizen of India can take up astrology.  If you happen to satisfy fifty percent of your clients, you can always manage the other half citing their problems to their specific dosha and specifying some nivaran.  Right from matching horoscopes of brides and grooms to numerology, there will be no shortage of business.

Becoming a lawyer is another good one, but it requires lot of study, lot of hard work and lots of luck.  Otherwise, we may land up outside courts chasing clients like beggars.  But, if we are a Brahmin and ready to mug up Sanskrit rituals and Vedas, there is nothing better than becoming a priest.  Our family priest works for Bank of India.  He comes in a bike, rants out some manthrams and speeds off to some other house for quick fix poojas before resuming his daily duty.  Nowadays, like catering, everything has become like a contract and shortcut business.  There is no recession in some fields. 

Spiritualism is one of those.  You can become a Baba and give pravachans.  For that, we have to become a successful orator besides some knowledge on what we speak and the ability to harness every influential link into an opportunity.  My friend has been to a satsang of a popular Baba in Maharashtra.   He reported that the fleet of cars carrying him is fully air-conditioned and he even has a mobile restroom with all facilities.  Some Babas speak on nationalism also besides their spiritual discourses and drink branded mineral water.  Their lands grow bigger and bigger in size and spreads all over the country and overseas.  They seat VVIPs and rich men in front seats and the poor feel satisfied to sit in the last bench.  Then they will teach that this whole world is “Maya”, our actions arise out of our “Karma” and we must not live beyond our expectations.  By this way, their expectations get fulfilled.

There was a time when Adi Shankaracharya walked on barefoot from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, ascetics and sadhus did penance in the Himalayas, Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Mission imparted impeccable service to the society through their teachings and vision and restored the pride of our Hindu religion.  Nowadays, Babas roam in chartered flights and helicopters also and wield cellphones and latest gadgets.  It is a pretty cool profession to be a Baba.

There is one profession, which has been reaping rich dividends off late.  NGOs are the latest trend in our society.  One should start a welfare trust and get it registered with the Government by hook or crook.  Business houses doing all sorts of underhand activities and make profits liberally donate to such NGOs and claim tax deductions under Section 80G.  This restores their credibility.  The NGOs will take up some causes to fight for, whenever it suits them.  There is no dearth of causes in our country.  Business houses will fund these NGOs, as it is to their mutual advantage.  There are a lot of professional complaints in India, who take money to lodge complaints or petitions in courts.   It is a 24x7 activity for them.  Go to any Courts, and one can see many numbers of frivolous petitions being attended by the courts thus wasting the time for those with genuine causes.  People attach importance to the NGOs because they take up their causes but never address them meaningfully.

Who cares for genuine people?  People, who stand in line, will always end up standing in line while those who bend the rules reach faster to the starting point.  If you have money, you can also visit the LORD at Tirupati and sit for hours before HIM.  In many temples, we can see coconuts being offered for the Gods by devotees.  The same coconuts find their way to the shops, which get recycled again.  The nexus between some NGOs, businessmen and politicians, in such times is a wide extension of that.

Oh! THE RAIN

 

 

 

Caught the scent of the earth divine
The clouds are here, could sense the rain
Mind succumbs to the heart of love
Its time to rejoice, no matter how!

Listen to the trees smile and scream
The rustle of the leaves makes the surrounds gleam
The drops from the heaven make the earth come alive
The birds fly home, the kids jump and dive

The winds scare away the thundering clouds
The clouds run for cover, comes out the sun proud
The drops disappear as steam, makes the earth frown
The sky looks dry, the spirits go deep down