Ek Rupeya De-de Baba!

How often have you given a nickel to the beggar on the street? Nickel?! My bad! The Nickel-land does not have beggars. It's only the rupiya and the taka rashtra that has this phenomenon. So anyway, I am not one of those philanthropists who 'have a heart' and flick a coin in the direction of a few tweens begging on the roads. And the reason is that; this coin does not really go into helping them, but is used by their dada to take care of his needs. I always end up counseling these urchins in the following way, "Ye sab kyun kar rahe ho? Sarkari school mein jao aur naam likhao. Kuch kaam kar lo. Vocation centres kitne sare hain.."

Alas! It never helps.

But THAT is not what I intend to elaborate upon. Digressive, me.

We have been doing the rounds of various organisations for the sponsorship of Cognizance 2011 for the past fortnight. Yes, yes! IT is back. Bigger and better (#Cheap Publicity). But as I was meandering my way around the corridors of power, and crawling through the Diplomatic Enclaves, I realised it's a tough job to make someone give you their moolah. Most of the times, they are busy, or not available. Once they do give you half a minute of their useless time, it's all about, "We don't have such provisions for you..". Worse come worse, "We've had a bad experience with such organisations in the past, so never contact us in the future."

So, now I think of these sahebs as variants of myself- the person who is capable of shelling out a chavanni to the needy, but never does so thinking it's futile. Not that this experience is going to change my views of the beggars. I am too old and obstinate for that. Nor am I saying that Cognizance 2011 is going to be a poor show. We've managed a good rakam despite these glitches and there's still oh-so-much-time! But all I am saying is that understanding and sympathy help in making us more human. Humanity is based upon these tenets.

Anywhoo, it's time for us to start our ek rupeya de-de baba routine again!

Article 21

The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive record- a bible- for the Indian Democracy. And if at all there can be a first among equals, the Article 21 of the magnum opus is the most crucial and important to the lives of the People of India.

Article 21: Protection Of Life And Personal Liberty: No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.

Having been a responsible citizen, or so is my belief, I fail understand where does one draw the line between personal freedom, the will to do what one wants without harming others, and the violation of the procedure established by law. As a law abiding citizen of the nation, I am fully aware of my rights and duties. I know that violence should be the last resort- a form of self-defense only. I know that vandalism of public property is a punishable offense. I am aware that contempt of law is unpardonable.

But as an honourable citizen, do I not have the right to live my life according to my choice? Or for that matter, end it if I live the life of a vegetable? Euthanasia is against the law. We cannot travel to some parts of Kashmir, which we are entitled to under the article 21. I understand that there are constraints. It will set an unfavourable precedence. But let us analyze every case on an individual basis and deliberate upon its merits and demerits. As the largest democracy in the world, we have made amendments to the Constitution, and the law. But it is high time that the individual got a say, a platform to voice his desire to live life on his terms.

I can see the India of tomorrow. And I am hopeful that when I talk about the Indian democracy and it's framework a few years from now, I will be proud man.

5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1.. !

I shamelessly copy the status message of an acquaintance from school; December is the time of many countdowns. And that gets me thinking.

For one, the paranoia season ends soon enough in our beloved Malgudi with the 4th day of the last month of this calendar year marking the complete independence of the oppressed junta. Then there is the countdown to the festivities! There's Christmas which is to be relished with family and friends, with a plum cake and good Irish coffee. And finally, there's the end of year celebrations. The culmination of another 365 days of productivity (?) and toil (!). The year always ends on a mixed note- of things learned, and things not learned from.

December marks that time of the year where things are drawing to a close. And you are willing to keep the memories tucked in a safe corner of your being. It marks the end of an era, the beginning of another. The cold lulls you into a comfortable sleep so that the separation from the time-moments does not pain you much.

So, if you have made some promises to 2010, don't procrastinate further. There's still some time, and with ample determination, nothing is impossible! Advancing to the next, look back at this year gone by with a sense of achievement and comfortable satisfaction.

I know you want to.