Hum Log.. Independance day

This is a Repost of a article written last year for a competition here , I did not have anything more to write on the politics in india so am Reposting it here Again 🙂 A lot has been written already on the politics-independance day and all in blogosphere 🙂  As such nothing much has changed from last year to today .. same thoughts still exist

Phatte: So, the monsoons are finally here huh? Don’t you just love the feel of the rains? The beautiful breeze that flows and how everything is green in Mumbai?

Vijay: You mean of what little green is left in the city? I’m not really enjoying the rains. My house is getting more unstable day by day. Imagine what a day of continuous rain will do to it.

Phatte: But didn’t your MLA start off some initiative to rebuild houses in the chawl? I noticed the posters plastered all over the place.

Vijay: Yes he did. Just like he promised electricity, subsidized food tickets for the needy and a school exclusively for the chawl kids. Somehow those “schemes” are yet to be started and it’s been couple of years already since the last elections.

Phatte: Well, I think you should talk to your MLA about this.

Vijay: That will take at least a few years. What to do about my house till then?

Phatte: Why a few years?

Vijay: Well, the MLA comes only a month before the elections and then leaves a month after. And even during the rallies and pre-election chaos, he only visits some chawls, picks up the weakest looking kids and talks to the women. We just wave at him from a distance.

Phatte: I know. That is the story everywhere. I don’t even remember the name of the MLA of my area. Why don’t you shift bases then? Go to Andheri or some other place?

Vijay: And wade through the floods? Are you nuts? We lost my sister-in-law in last year’s flashfloods. My wife would rather leave me than going to that part of Mumbai.

Phatte: I read in the paper that the Municipal Corporation is going to take appropriate steps to lessen the effect of floods in Mumbai this year.

Vijay: Why would they? Bollywood even made a movie on it and raked in good money. From what I hear, the people at the Municipal Corporation were thrilled that the floods were portrayed so beautifully in that movie.

Phatte: I remember that movie. I had gone to watch it, but unfortunately couldn’t reach the hall on time.

Vijay: Too much rush, eh?

Phatte: Oh no, apparently some minister sahib decided to take a ride around the city that particular day. The Police had blocked all the major roads for his cavalcade of vehicles to pass. And off course, once the roads were opened you know the maniacal traffic in Mumbai; where cows have the right of way.

Vijay: You are right off course. Hey what happened about your son’s admission to ITI?

Phatte: I’m glad you asked! I have good news on that front. My son got through.

Vijay: Congratulations! You were having a harrowing time about it.

Phatte: I know. I had been hopping from office to office trying to sort out our caste certificate. When I went to the ITI admission office, they just looked at me once and said there was no job there for me! Can you believe it? I explained to him, I wasn’t there for a job but to get my son into the institute. So he just asked me which OBC I belong to. I tell you Vijay, if there’s one good thing these politicians have done, it’s this reservation system. My son can attend college now.

Vijay: Brilliant! What was his rank by the way?

Phatte: Oh, he was ranked 1,75,000. What about your son? He has grown up to be a fine young man. What plans do you have for him?

Vijay: He is going to stay with my brother Raj. Raj is the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and he thinks my son has just the right attitude to be a part of MNS. Besides you don’t really need any educational qualifications to join Politics in India.

Phatte: MNS? Isn’t that the party routing for Marathi Manoos?

Vijay: Yes.

Phatte: Gandhiji must have turned in his grave the day MNS came into existence. I mean, he tried to spread the message of brotherhood, tolerance and secularism all his life. Now, some politicians are trying to break our unity on the terms of who is Marathi and who’s not. It is so sad.

Vijay: But I completely agree with their propaganda. Initially our politicians told us to be a secular nation and welcome outsiders to be a part of our society. I mean what a truck load of nonsense is that? This is our city. Why should we let others come here? I like that guy leading MNS.

Phatte: But doesn’t he have a few criminal cases against him for inciting riots in the city?

Vijay: Stop being a hypocrite Phatte. These days every other politician has a criminal record in his name. Does that stop people from contesting elections? Off course not! How does it matter if they have a criminal record, if now they are stepping into the most noble of all services: helping the common man?

Phatte: You seriously think politicians are doing things to help us? Have you seen the bungalow of that MLA from Juhu? It’s right next to Amitabh Bachchan’s house. If he thought of spending even 1% of what went into making that house, I think our whole slum can be rebuilt.

Vijay: Well all the corruption and black money has to be converted to white money in some way right? What better than to make a palatial house in the richest suburb of Mumbai. I bet they have some hi-fi cars too.

Phatte: Yes, bullet proof cars for the politicians, whereas people bleed on the streets everytime there is a terror attack.

Vijay: Seriously what is the world coming to Phatte? I feel disappointed living in this nation which is ruled by such characters.

Phatte: Well, maybe we should elect the other party in the next elections.

A sudden commotion erupts. A lot of people start running hither thither.

Vijay: What is happening? What the hell is going on? Why so much of rush?

Iqbal: (shouting from the crowd): Don’t you know? Vinod Kambli has decided to join politics. He has come to the slums to meet us. I am so excited! A cricketer in our area!

Phatte: This is great! After movie stars now cricketers are also getting into politics. Isn’t there any eligibility criterion for politicians?

Vijay: His earnings from ads and reality shows must have dried up Phatte. And isn’t entering into politics a sure shot ticket to lottery?

Phatte: Come Vijay, lets see how well this politician lies and what unique promises he makes to us.

PS:- Image courtsey a Lovely friend Manna.

PSS:- Where are all you lovely people from the Blue Ink society.. Been ages since we have talked to each other ..

PS:- Please also visit  an Interview by Elegant Chic.  I got interviewed and its been my honour once again for the same.

I have been bad not visited many blogs that I visit regularly , sorry about that will come soon to all the lovely people to have a read .. 🙂 take care all and keep smiling

Title NO IDEA — LONG POST…

Weekend I was away and had gone to meet my cousin and his wife who have recently got married and trying to settle in UK, They had come with a group of students to do nursing about 5 years ago, got there degrees. got jobs and Settled here. I use to laugh with my cousin cause he was the only male nurse and the house they had hired had 4 girls and him alone.. (oooooh , though he did not like the idea later on ). Slowly as with everything people moved here and there , He fell in love with a girl and two years ago they got married.

But this note is not about them, Now they have a friend lets call her “X” who has been sharing the house with them since the day they all came to uk, before that too in india they were all together, its like family with her now,”X” is educated , completed her degree and has a job in the national health service. Last year her parents decided to get her married… 

As usual a rishta came from a very close relative of a Boy who was Handsome, Good Looking , Very humble, Intelligent blah blah blah , it was as if he lacked nothing, the only thing was he had failed in 10th class exams and had come back from dubai after working as a carpenter. OK no worries I am all for seeing the good , so what if he was uneducated.. what irked me the most was “X”  is educated why did she say yes to the rishta.. I am sure there are enough educated people, I guess the peer pressure and the age-old problem we have the girl is getting older (she is only 26)..  had a lot of influence on the decision.

So she got married every thing fine, the marriage was in india, I did not go to the wedding, she stayed with the guy for 3 weeks before she was to come back for her job, then the process started of getting the guy here to uk, the first time the visa got rejected , so we went for an appeal, thankfully the visa was granted, and in december 2010 the guy came to uk.

For some reason or the other I did not ever meet him as they live about 4 hours drive from where I live.  I am a very outgoing person and I respect my relations a lot ,”X” calls me Veerji as in elder brother and when you know someone for so long they are family, I was looking forward to meeting her husband. 

I reached  my cousin’s house friday late night , went in and as usual I asked the whereabout of this guy, to be told that he has been asked to leave or sent packing more like it for almost a month now .. and then started the stories what this so-called Quiet, handsome, good-looking .. Sau Munda , had been up to. To my horror he was torturing “X”. Since everyone was working odd times he would pick his time .. Torturing her when she was alone…

Asking her for money.. Asking her to get a new house.. so much so demanding here to give the car keys as he wanted to go for a ride.. I was shocked when ever I had called on phone they would say he is very quiet, doesn’t talk much.  NO wonder he did not.  My cousin also got him a job within 3 weeks of him coming here , a DECENT one he was getting around a Thousand pounds a month which is a lot of money in this part of the world.

He even got a Knife out and threatened to kill her or himself and then Hit her too, I MEAN WHAT THE HELL.. I must tell you here I had a fight with”X” why did she not call, the moment he hit for first time she should have called I would have sorted this $%£$%^ like anything, I mean in spite of me asking continuously she could not answer me , as to why was she bearing this for 3 -4 months that he was here all she said was at time she picked the phone or tried sending me a message but never sent it through.

Why would someone bear this,  This left me a bit disturbed what sort of Psycho people are out there who treat another human being like that .. and PLEASE for the sake of GOD all those who will come out with this man woman theory , how woman are not treated equally Please don’t … 

All this had come out a month ago, my cousin had come to visit me with his wife for 6-7 days, things got worse than as “X” was alone at home, so when my cousin returned he was told , He is like me  immediately called the police and the Guy was asked to vacate the house and “X” could accompany him if she wanted to, THANK GOD “X” took a stand that day and refused to go out, she did not want anything to do with this guy so the guy has been sent back to india.

NOW this Guys Mother and sister I can’t tell you what all theories they have come out why their brother has been sent packing.  According to them its all “X” fault she should have adjusted, I mean they are themselves Women don’t they see how their son is, The mother further added that the son did good, she will find another Wife for her precious son.

When told the son hit “X”, the mother replies that its early days once they get to know each other better the son will be fine, “X” should make more effort.

The son had not told his parents he has been asked to leave , he told them he came on his own, so the Mother says he should have stuck it out for 2 more years and divorced “X” once he got permanent residency in UK. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT.. what sort of women is that..

What made me laugh the most this guys mother asking “X” parents to return all the gifts exchanged at the wedding, The sister then says “X” was having an affair with my cousin. 

This went on for 2-3 weeks, now they want “X” to give their son a second chance HELLO, did I hear right.. he lands in UK, I will F____ break his legs, and they want a second chance.. How will they like if their daughter is treated like that by her husband.  Hypocrite people. 

I could see the pressure on “X”, it’s so much, thankfully her parents have left the decision to her and side with her on this, which is again a miracle cause usually parents don’t side. 

Me and “X” had a heart to heart discussion on this, I told her that I support her, given her my phone number in case they don’t stop ringing her from india, But I have this funny feeling peer pressure.  I have told her point-blank that if she gives him a second chance or want to live with the guy then she will have to go on her own. I hope I gave her the correct advice.

It amazes me what people do and what does it mean to get married or about the promises people make to each other ..  I am horrified at the way people think god knows how many people are there who think this way ..