IPL: Delhi to Durban

Last week, I woke up in the morning hurriedly because of my libertarian friend’s non-stop crying. He was very happy and sharing his thoughts loudly with everyone around and also by catching his dearer on the phone. It took a few minutes to understand what the matter is; breaking news of Sunday morning was BCCI has decided after so many days’ tiring debate and discussions with Home Ministry and state governments to shift IPL matches from India this year. My friend was happy because at last, BCCI has announced that they would conduct the matches whenever they wish and not when the govt. would permit them to do, which is a courageous step of disobedience to the present system of government monopoly. My first reaction to my friend’s joy was “Oh....” and lit up my cigarette.

Week has passed with all the speculation of new venues for IPL, confirmation of dates, filmy dialogues of leaders with master piece performances of sadness in the media with all blah, blah, blah... A few colleagues of my office who sit in front of my desk (unfortunately) had no work during the whole week as always (I guess!) and raped my brain for last five days with the chatpata discussions of future of Indian cricket, coming Lok-Sabha Election and their own prescribed best solution for all these chaos.

I have tried to think many a times during the week that what is my opinion about all these but hardly got any answer. A few things which are very aam and often comes to aam-admis like me kept moving in my mind, these are-

a) How is it possible that India which has third largest armed force in the world and also claims itself to be the next superpower, can’t provide security for a cricket league during election days? Do we really lack security personnel for two major events at a time? When maximum state govts. deny to assure security for the players and audience or tactfully ask for a large number of forces from centre and also our Home Ministry forces for rescheduling the match dates again and again and ask for postponing the tournament after general election, then where is the space to believe that we are not a week nation? If P. Chidambaram’s statements have been considered as shocking news, then can we blame ourselves?

b) Shifting the IPL matches to a foreign soil by BCCI has made a setback for the govt. and specially, when the election is at the doorstep. Congress and the other parties of present govt. understand this well and that’s why they are giving their clarifications. On the other hand, BJP and other opposition parties are not ready to spoil the chance of utilising this incident as their newest weapon to attack govt. All of a sudden it seems that all our beloved leaders’ attention have been vested on cricket as if there is nothing else to think of, fuck off basic needs and essentials of aam-admi, CRICKET ZINDABAD! Our netas will always be kursimaniac selfish creatures, so, we hardly expect anything productive from them. But the funniest (!?) moment of this whole episode is, our Narendra Modi saab describing it as a national shame. He must have gone crazy, otherwise how can he forget Godhra-Kandh so soon?

c) If other countries call us cricket crazy nation then we can’t complain. Cricket is no more a game of 22 players here, it has become a national festival and also a sure shot business for many people. Lalit Modi, Chairman of IPL has suddenly emerged (don’t know from where) as the newest rescuer of cricket in India and after facing a few technical difficulties decided to shift match venues from Delhi to Durban and Jaipur to Johannesburg. Now, what was the hurry of BCCI that it couldn’t postpone the series only a month. There were some problems; first, from June onwards Team India is booked for a number of number of tournaments abroad and wouldn’t be free until September; second, there were pressure from the franchisees who have bought players for thousands of crores for IPL and don’t want to pay higher amounts to the players for this delay; third, and most important, BCCI’s own interest of making money as soon as possible. An estimation says that BCCI is going to earn 300 crore less from this IPL Season 2 because no country can beat India in number of audience, no matter it’s happening in South Africa or any other country. But that hardly matters BCCI because of it’s shock proof healthy balance sheet. And if they need some more money in future, then there will always be the possibility of conducting IPL Season 2.5.

Moral of the story- when anyone, be it politicians or BCCI official is expressing their sadness because of Indian people’s bad luck that they are not going to see all the best players from around the world in their home ground this year and blaming each other, they are doing nothing but business, business of power and business of money. Fuck off all those speeches they are delivering because everyone of them is responsible for playing with the emotions of cricket loving aam-Indians......

Last night I was watching a nice programme in Discovery channel when my GF rushed in my room and changed the channel. I asked her what’s the matter! She replied with anger that I don’t let her see anything and now, she would watch news channels, she wants to know what’s the latest updates of IPL matches. My reaction was “Oh...” and I lit up my cigarette.

Reality Pics

Dear Buddies,
Presenting some Pics which I caught believing they would depict the real India and the life of AAM-ADMI. Hope, you would recognise yourself somewhere around the scene.

Romantic Footpath

Unreserved Indian


Protests of ....


Child Labour


Sleeping in peace? Wake Up Man! It's Blue Line


Gally Market

Some more next time......

BE CAREFUL, IT’S OUR HISTORY NOT FICTION!

Last week I had a big fight again with my Libertarian friend. This time there were five of us and everyone had their own opinion as always. The sound became louder with every passing moment as the alcohol and Ganja was showing their nature and no one was ready to be defeated by other. The ‘discussion’ started because of a news in The Times of India (Delhi edition 27-Dec-08, 1st and 11th page) which says “Pak textbooks foster hate against India”. During this long argument hundreds of points and angles came across but I forgot almost all of them except only a few. I can remember, at the ending phase of our ‘discussion’ we were shouting about the role of government in education, should there be any and if yes then how much….. The impact of the news and our discussion could be understood from the fact that my libertarian friend didn’t join us in our New Year eve Party.

Briefly the news for which we were arguing-

The officially prescribed textbooks of Pakistan, especially for school students are full of references that promote hate against India in general and Hindus in Particular. Compulsory subjects like Pakistan studies and social studies are given special importance by Education Policy of Pakistan pursued since 1977 and these subjects are injecting the culture of hate and the ethos of inequality on the ground of religious faith, leading to them getting deeply ingrained in the Pakistani psyche and mindset.

The news also highlights on how History is being taught by the Pakistan government to its young innocent minds. These books explain-

* The Congress was actually a party of the Hindus.
* The British began on the one hand loot of all the things produced in this area, and on the other hand, in conjunction with Hindus, to greatly suppress Muslims.
* Muhammad Ali (Jinnah) felt Hindus wanted to make Muslims slaves. As he hated slavery, he left Congress.
* On Indo-Pak wars, the books give detailed description and openly eulogize “Jihad” and “Shahadat” and urge students to become “Mujahids”.

And there are many more dangerous and garbled version of history which has been prescribed to the children of Pakistan starting from Class III to promote hate and negative mindset. I am really unable to express my feeling for the sentence “Previously, India was part of Pakistan…”

I don’t know the reason but while reading the news I was not very surprised as it was somewhat expected. But a particular portion of the news caught my attention seriously. It is-

* In 1965, the Pakistani army conquered several areas of India, and when India was on the point of being defeated, she requested the United Nations, to arrange a ceasefire. After 1965, India with the help of Hindus living in East Pakistan, instigated people living there, and in Dec 1971 invaded. The conspiracy resulted in the separation of East Pakistan from us. All of us should receive military training and be prepared to fight the enemy. It also claims, in the 1971 war, the Pakistan armed forces created new record of bravery and the Indian forces were defeated everywhere.

Several comments and views have been registered in different media in reaction to the news from the morning it has been published. But I am feeling a bit strange that not a single reaction has come from Bangladesh. Or it would be safer if I say, I couldn’t find one.

Is it possible that no one in Bangladesh came to know about this news or no one felt the urge to make their point anywhere? I can understand about the aam-admi of Bangladesh who has no such means, but what about it’s media personnel whom I sincerely respect for their effective and impressive works, what about Bangladeshi intellectuals, it’s educationalists, politicians, government….. and most importantly what about Bangladeshi youth?

My intentions of writing this post are pretty simple.

Intention no.1: I wish to circulate the news to my friends. Instigating anyone is not at all my motive because deciding what’s right and what’s wrong is their own responsibility but for reaching any point, they should at least know what’s happening.

Intension no.2: Knowing what Bangladeshi people think about the news. I strongly believe that this particular news is not only important for India but it also seeks attention of Bangladeshi people.

The books I have read from childhood say People of East Pakistan sought independence for the sake of their mother tongue and in protest of West Pakistan’s continuous injustice and negative attitude towards Bengali people. What I am feeling might be felt by other Indians also who have come across the news but I don’t know about Bangladeshi citizen. What Bangladeshi people have gone through in past, what they have achieved, what they have lost is known by them only and no book can explain the history better. So, I want to hear from them.

I am not well...

Why I made this blog? I really don’t know. I went to the bus stop with my girlfriend one morning. When I was returning back after leaving her for her office I lit a cigarette and recalling the subject matter of our last argument. A particular phrase stuck to my mind and I started thinking about other relative things. Several issues kept coming and I kept thinking about all those. When I reached home there were many things in my mind which I wanted to share with others. I forgot about last argument, I forgot to sleep; I was only thinking and finishing the packet of cigarette. I really wanted to write down the every single things coming in my mind so that those can be saved for the sake of my future. Then I thought, what’s the benefit? No one is going to read my bogus and boring writing. These will hardly be noticed by anyone and one day I, myself would forget about this morning and all these thoughts. Then suddenly the idea of blog came to my mind. It suits my condition. Here I can write whatever I wish to without any difficulty, no matter what and how bad I am writing. Fuck off all those who don’t care my thoughts and think this is nothing but another addition of madness in my bogus and boring life.

Today, I am somewhat happy that not much people know about my blog and hardly anyone reads it, because today, I am writing here those things which I can’t tell anyone and also can’t put inside me. It’s really painful. I don’t know whether I am doing the right thing or not but I am really unable to stop myself from sharing my inner feelings here as I have no other means. After all, it’s my blog and my own space. Fuck you all off who think, this is not the right place to express inner pain.

I couldn’t go to my home this year in durga Puja. Neither could I celebrate Durga Puja here in Delhi. I couldn’t go to my home not just because I have joined a company last month and didn’t get leave. There are some other things also which forced me to decide against my will. Actually, no one from my family called me there until it was very late and I got the job. My friends were planning there leave from much before so they were all gone, including my girl friend. But they called me a few times, to say, they missed me there. And I was busy here in my newly joined office and was creating POs from 9 to 6.

Before moving ahead, I must admit here that I am not very touchy about religion and love to be called an atheist. So don’t get any wrong impression about my character when I am repeating the word Durga Puja again and again. Durga Puja is not only a Puja to me and I believe this is true for many people. It means Sound of Dhaak, Durga Murti, Pandal, Lighting, Prasad, Thousands of people on the roads, New Dress, Reunion of lost Friends, Foreign Liquor, Bikes, Photographs, Girls, Egg Roll, Late Nights, Sex Talks, Fights, Dance, Childish Emotions and many more things.

Every Bengali was waiting for this Durga Puja. It came and now it’s over. But Puja came at a bad time this year. Or I can say my whole family went through very bad time during this Puja and no one could feel that it was really Puja. I was missing everything here and was cursing my luck and my Maa is bed ridden for last one week and is seriously ill there. Whenever I am calling home, she wants to talk to me but she can hardly utter words and I am not getting many of her words because her voice is too weak. But I can hear her cry clearly. I can’t recall when I have heard my Maa mentioning her sufferance so strongly last time. Has she ever cried like this before? I really can’t recall. I want to be with her and share her pain but I can’t. My Father’s leg has been swollen and is causing him severe pain and as a result he is also unable to walk properly. Churda is in very bad condition, I can understand. Calling doctors, getting medical tests done, changing medicines, cooking, performing daily Puja, taking care of Maa and Babu and after doing all these, must be thinking of, talking with and trying to manage some time for his girl friends and friends. He has surely sacrificed some great parties with his friends during Puja but I have heard that these duties couldn’t resist him from performing his scheduled Puja Special Fights and he has executed some wonderful punches and kicks twice during the Puja. Heads off to you BigB, you are really doing some great job. Honestly, I really don’t think I would ever be able to manage all these tasks so nicely. Thank You very much Churda.

I am missing you all. I love you all very much. Please Maa, don’t cry and get well soon and let me know as early as possible, when you are going to buy a new Saree with the money your worthless son sent to you from his first official salary…… I Promise you Maa, we all will surely be together in next Puja.

Happy Durga Puja

My dear friends,

You would be sorry to know that this year I won't be able to go Karimganj, my hometown in Durga Puja.

In my 25 years' life, this is going to be the first time that I won't be celebrating the Durga Puja, the most important festival of every Bengali with my family members, friends and all those people whom I love most.

And this is just because I didn't get leave from my office. I am seriously going to miss every seconds of these auspicious days. I have already started feeling sorry and I don't know how much I'd be able to stop my emotions.

Buddies, you people are lucky that you are going to celebrate and enjoy the Puja with those whom you value most. So, don't spoil any single moment and enjoy the festival as much as you can. Remember, everyone is not so lucky like you...

....WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY DURGA PUJA....

Hos-Paataal………

The story begins with my eye’s viral infection. My eyes have been attacked suddenly with millions (may be billions) of virus on 24th of August and my right eye failed to recuperate in such a dangerous attack and surrendered. As a result, my right eye started swelling with severe pain. I took the incident lightly and thought it would be alright after some time as every aam-admi does. But instead of recovering, the condition became worst and the pain was so unbearable that I have been forced to consult Doctor.

The Residential Society, in which I have taken room in last December, is at a very good place, if you consider it from the health care point of view. There are some private clinics on the right hand side of the society’s gate and a renowned government hospital on the left side. All of them are within five minutes walking distance.

On 26th of August I desperately left my room at around 9:15am for a private eye hospital as I could not sleep in the previous night due to serious pain. After leaving room I found myself in an awkward situation as there was no money in my wallet. Nearest SBI ATM in our area is inside the government hospital so I took the U-turn and went to the ATM.

While returning from the ATM, a strange thought came to my mind-let’s check my eyes in this government hospital. Pain was serious so experimenting with the system was not in my mind, only inciting factor was money. After thinking a few moments I found the idea somehow worthy if not exciting enough. My intuition was asking me what if I fail after investing my painful time. I made my mind with the logic that- what’s the value of time to an unemployed like me (as I was jobless at that time) and moreover if everything goes well, I’d save at least hundred rupees of doctor’s fee.

Finally I stood in the first queue at 9:28am and the system started playing with my pain. I have been made to stand in three queues (though no one and no signs had told particularly where to stand and no queue was consisting less than 50 people) before I could reach to doctor. And when I was in front of the doctor I was really puzzled whether he was listening to me or not. I made my best effort to make him understand my pain and was pleading for some effective prescription. He wrote something, hardly looking at the pad.

When I was about to leave and thanking him for his mercy, he informed me that all the medicine would be given free from the hospital’s dispensary. I was puzzled again, how could it be true! Anyway, I somehow found the dispensary and saw some huge lines; people were fighting there with each other, I don’t know why. I made my heart strong and stood in the fourth queue. After another long hour of struggle I got the medicine. To be honest I should write, I was able to collect the medicines which were being thrown out from the medicine counter.

When I returned to my room it was 12:58pm. I shared my whole experience with one of my friends happily as everything was done by mere five rupees. I was happy but my friend went speechless. He thought I was lying and I didn’t go to doctor. I was really very confused that why my friend was behaving like this and why the hell did he think I am lying. It took some time to make him believe that I am not lying and I have really consulted doctor and brought the medicines.

He described me one by one what a miracle has happened to me. Listen to his arguments-

a) An instant service without jugaar (know-how support) is impossible in the government hospitals.
b) Mostly absent doctors and stuff even if show up, hardly listen or treat you respectfully.
c) Medicine is mostly dispatched to private chemists instead of free distribution. Doctor’s particular direction for free counter delivery is strange.
d) Literacy even hardly matters; written directions, signs or symbols are rare.
e) Household gossips seem to be the duty of the doctors and the staffs for which they are paid. Any noise or outcry resulting from fighting outside queue is considered a disturbance in gossip.
f) In emergency govt. hospital is considered the last alternative. Anyone returning without a vomiting tendency is strange and rare.

These are only the outer facts of the Indian government hospitals. Now, when someone tries to get admission or luckily gets admission in the government hospital for some reason, what happens to him and his relatives can’t be explained because no language has the power to define such inhuman torture which are being done by the hospital authority. And I am also not trying to describe because every aam-admi is aware of this condition.

The background of my friend’s disbelief was now clear to me. Without knowing anything, I went to a government hospital, crossed all these barricades, consulted doctor and also taken the medicine from the hospital- and all these works have been done within mere three and half hours and also I returned to room without the feeling of vomiting tendency. This is really a great, simply…… a Miracle!

On 28th of August, after two days of my government hospital’s visit and taking sincerely the given medication, condition of my eye did not improve a bit where as the swelling improved and pain increased fourfold. My friends started scolding me for going to the government hospital and believing that the ‘third class’ government medicine would cure me, I might have gone crazy. They were forcing me physically to consult any private specialist as soon as possible. As every aam-admi I took the situation again lightly and decided to keep patience for some more time.

On 30th of August, after four days of my daring adventure, I started feeling better. The swollen eye was becoming normal and the pain was much bearable. I was truly happy that at last I was getting some relief. I thanked the govt. hospital from the core of my heart for curing me and was feeling very special that at least I’ve got something in return of the money I have been paying for last 25 years in the name of various taxes. I announced loudly to my friends about my recovery and also gave them a long speech on why shouldn’t we curse the system every time and to avoid avoiding govt. mechanism. I also tried to motivate them to utilize the Rights which have been provided to us by our Union Government……..

On 30th September, after one month of all those, I am desperately wishing to consult a private eye specialist because my eyes are not cured properly and I have been facing some problems for last one month. I think 30 days are quite a good time for wait and watch and neglecting the fact now and believing the govt. hospital any more could be dangerous.

I know my friends were right that I am an idiot. I went to the government hospital and believed that the government doctor and the medicines would cure me. But now I have learnt my lesson and going to a Private Eye Clinic as soon as possible. You people, do me a favor- please don’t tell any of my pals that I‘ve been behaving like a fool for last one month. I am not worried just because I fear that they will curse me or beat me but I am worried because I don’t want to wipe out the last (and the least) hope of my friends from the government hospitals.

Another sad day for the Court

I didn’t sleep last night, again. My friends who know me, know well that this is a common thing of my lifestyle and some call me insomniac (I don’t complain as I really don’t know whether they are wrong or not!). They must be wondering why I am writing this particularly at the beginning! The reason is simple, I wish to make them aware that in most of the morning I wait for the newspaper thirstily and unless I have a look on it, I can’t think of sleep. Every day I hope that something great would be there in the paper and almost every day I get disheartened with the news. And this story has been continuing for last couple of years.

Today I was desperate (as always) that I would simply run my eyes on the paper while smoking the last cigarette of the day (or night or whatever you call it) and would finish both of these together and go to sleep. After opening the paper two news of front page instantly caught my attention. I have tried hard to brush aside them from my mind…… but failed. And here I am writing this post for my friends to make them know about it (though I know very well that they would hardly give any attention to this).

First News is- “HC bars top lawyers from court- R K Anand, I U Khan Hauled Up For ‘Criminal Contempt’ in BMW Case”; and
Second News is- “Ask mum to step in, court tells Ambanis”.

Briefly the news are as follows:
First News: The Delhi High Court convicts two high profile advocates- former Congress MP R K Anand (accused Sanjeeb Nanda’s Lawyer) and ace criminal lawyer, I U Khan (former public prosecuter in the case) for trying to influence key witness, Sunil Kulkarni, in BMW hit-and-run case. The collusion was exposed in a sting operation conducted last year jointly by a key witness in the case and a TV channel and the tapes were used as evidence by the court. Anand and Khan were found to have been “somehow or the other more than mixed up” in a bid to influence key witness Sunil Kulkarni to turn hostile and shield Sanjeeb Nanda who is facing trial on the charge of killing six persons in a road accident. Anand and Khan stripped of their ‘Senior Advocate’ tags and barred from appearing in high court and other subordinate courts for four months.

HC said about R K Anand in its 112 page verdict: “that he should indulge in sharp practices may have taken many in the legal fraternity by surprise.” As regards Khan who had been specially appointed a prosecutor in the case, HC said: “that he would betray the trust that the prosecution proposed in him, in the manner that he did, was perhaps beyond realm of contemplation of the prosecuting agency.” Referring to the principle of responsibility increasing with position, HC said: “We are dealing with senior advocates, who are expected to conduct themselves as gentlemen and role models for younger member of the Bar……they have not tendered any apology conditional or unconditional, expressed any contrition or repentance for their conduct.”

Second News: A Mumbai HC bench has asked the Ambani brothers, who have been squabbling since 2005 over an agreement for supply of natural gas from Krishna Godavari basin. The dispute concerns the agreement for supply of gas by RIL to Anil’s Reliance Natural Resource Ltd power plant. The court was hearing an appeal filed by RIL challenging a judgment came last October by the company court which directed the companies to negotiate and arrive at an acceptable agreement for supply of gas. Anil filed a cross-appeal questioning the direction for a negotiation. A bench headed by Justice J N Patel said: “Why don’t you go back to your mother? Both parties should settle. It’s not a family dispute. It’s a matter of national importance and a resolution will be in the public interest since natural gas is a national asset.”

Friends, the collusion exposed in the high profile case and the family dispute is not of my concern. Powerful accused would create pressure (forceful or monetary) on the victims or the witnesses to prove himself innocent and advocates would always be hired as a mean of pressure, that’s what they are meant for and siblings would fight over the possession of property and after every single case’s decision another case would be filed to secure their best interest. These are very common things and every aam-admi knows it very well. What happened in these cases are not very rare in our society and these are happening all around. So, what’s the big deal? The only difference is, in these cases big names are involved and media has brought the news in limelight, otherwise such cases are taking place everywhere in the country and no one is giving their slightest attention.

What has happened and what else could have been done is also not of my concern and I don’t want to add my opinion here as know nothing of the Acts, Sections Clause, etc. and fearing to type every single word as I sincerely wish not to contempt our judicial system unknowingly. The only and only thought came to my mind after reading these news is- how helpless must have our judges felt during the proceedings of the cases! Though collusion has become a part and parcel of our judicial system and no one is unaware of the practice, but the court has been forced to give verdicts after finding it’s senior advocates (R K Anand and I U Khan) involved in malpractice which has surely shaken the belief of common men again and in second case after three years continuous trial, when the court has failed to reach any result, it’s been forced to request the brothers to settle the issue with the help of their mother so that a matter of national interest can be solved.

Some people surely would not agree with the court’s decision and some would call these two verdicts as trend setter where the HCs have taken the practical route. But everyone would surely remember these two cases where the helplessness of the court has again come in front of the people, officially. It’s definitely another sad day for our Judiciary.

But guys, those who have started thinking that ‘achcha hua’ at least in two cases among the lakhs of cases pending nationwide wait…… (Picture abhi khatam nahi hua, kahani abhi baki hai mere dost), both the news concludes as follows:

First News: The district Bar Associations of Delhi have called for a strike on August 22, opposing the high court judgment. The coordination committee of all bar associations of Delhi said, ”courts don’t have the power to suspend the license of an advocate and therefore the direction issued by Delhi HC debarring the two senior advocates from practicing in Delhi Courts for a period of four months is a clear overstepping of its jurisdictional competence.”

Second News: The hearing in legal battle between the brothers turned high-octane with Jethmalani throwing in allegations of corruption against petroleum ministry. Jethmalani questioned the government’s opposition to a suggestion that RNRL be allowed to sell gas till such time that its plant is not fully set up. Jethmalani pointed out that “Government seems to be more concerned with the private interest of RIL than the commercial interest of a government company. This is scandalous.”

It’s now up to you to think again about our judiciary. Advocates and lawyers whom we believe as savior are acting as agents of the criminals. Matters of national interest are being fought between siblings over the years without any foreseeable result and government’s involvement is being seen with suspicion. Laws and Acts which are made for a securing the rights are not helpful enough to find a quick solution and appeal and cross appeal are making the situation more complex and lengthy. These are the reason that every common man fear the court and judiciary what has been built for justice.

I am not able to write anything strongly as I don’t have the knowledge of law but there are lakhs of people in India who know the laws and provisions well and can raise their voices to change the situation. We, the aam-admi have always supported the good things and this time also we won’t hesitate to appreciate your initiative. It’s your responsibility to help us to empathise the system. Sincerely, on behalf of every aam-admi I am appealing you to think again so that people’s faith on the Judiciary can be resumed and we can make a secured society altogether and also no such sad day comes again for our judiciary.

I am going to sleep now buddies. Hope, there would be some great news in tomorrow’s newspaper.