Saturday, October 10, 2009

Pipe dreams

On a new reality show on TV, was watching a contestant with improperly formed hands. He danced with energy and grace. Shiamak Davar thought he was good enough to move onto the second round. Another judge disagreed - his decision was based on the contestant's dance alone.

Arshad Warsi, the third judge said he couldn't say yes to this contestant going ahead because he was different from "us". He said he was sorry but he only knew how to speak the truth. And if he said yes, then it would only because of sympathy.

The contestant said he was no different. He could do everything that others could do. And also dance.

Mr. Warsi said that every one couldn't do everything. He said his lack of height meant he couldn't go for a competition for 6 footers. What in the world???

Different? Isn't that what we all are from each other? Did the dance contest stipulate that only non-disabled contestants could apply? Wasn't dancing capability the only criteria? I haven't read the fine print nor the contract nor the rules. I dont think such a rule can be there and if there is, excluding Persons with disabililty, it is a crime. Atleast in India. Especially since India is now a signatory of the historic United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disability (UNCRPD). Infact India was one of the first signatories. So what? So what indeed?

A signature is only a symbolic gesture. And India's signing means nothing, unless all Indians sign it - in words and deeds.

Equal rights and equal opportunities - then just a pipe dream?

Friday, October 09, 2009

A new bus...no less

Ah the drama of Kolkata. It exasperates us, disgusts us, makes us laugh and ofcourse cry. But it also teaches us resilience, patience. And makes us appreciate the little things of life.

Like today. As I stood in the darkened bus stop (power cut), a bus pulled up which looked like the W-3 (a boon, if it turns up). There was an electronic board with some mundane writing on top and so blinding that I couldnt see the bus number. I had to wait till it drew really close to realise that it was the one I wanted and had to run in, since the bus didn't actually stop, only slowed down. Inside I found two colleagues who had boarded it earlier. New bus (yes, the plastic wrappings were still on, in places). Low suspension, smooth, purring, hand rails in bright yellow, seats in ash and blue, huge non-rattly glass windows with all panes in place. A stop sign above every seat and a first aid box. Oh my god! We ticked off the features one by one. And we giggled in delight and giggled some more at our delight! Only those who have lived with the blue and yellow monsters or red and yellow mini-monsters will appreciate our delight!

A thought did crop up all the in all our minds. How long before? Before, it becomes a ram shackly, jarring, rattling framework, gasping and fuming its way through planet polluto?
Make the most of it dear bus.

Friday, October 02, 2009

Durga departs and Lakhi arrives

Dashami was just 5 days ago...and already its time for Lakhi puja (and I haven't even had the chance to post all the durga puja photos). Lakhi Puja at home has been an annual ritual for many years now, more a fun chaotic get together than religious rite. It would be a FULL house earlier, with all our kith and kin pouring in, now maybe only 3/4 full - all of us grown up, moved away, some casualty of infighting and some new faces. Actually, the preparation started from Dashami itself. It was R's last day off (mine too...but in this context, didn't count) and so both she and Ma got to making tons of khaja. Within the next couple of days, another ton or so off narkel er naru. Then yesterday, she dragged the pidi on which I keep the modem and adapter. It is lakhi thakur's pidi...which will be freshly decorated with alpana .. no not by me. Either R or ma will do the needful.

All along, the pandals were slowly stripped down...only the bare skeletal frame remains...shorn of tinsel and glory. Its a norm. Lakhi puja follows in all Durga puja pandals. After which all traces will disappear till next year.

The road to work this morning (Yup...Gandhiji was probably pleased to see full attendance at work today...and when I came home, found out that the tweeting Mr. Tharoor too had the same thought - but alas, for him, not with the same results - ah obscurity... so blissful) - was lined by stall after stall of Lakhi pratimas of every shape, size and hue.

And a vertiable Lakhi Puja bazaar had sprung up on the tram tracks. The largest rolls of 'thor' (the stem and pith of the banana plant and not the Norse god of thunder) that I had ever seen - as big as a small carpet rolled up; Stalks of sugar cane, banana stalks and leaves, dhan, dubbo, ricketty wooden altars and piris, and more pratimas...tiny ones this time with tinier owls!

A long harried workday...a furious thunderstorm and worse lightening and I am home by 8 - looking forward to some TV and sitting atop my precious wooden chest and blocking the TV with her head hidden by a newspaper (it comes off tomorrow at the puja) is a foot and half tall lakhi on a pedestal with a large white and the cutest owl along side.

Ah! I finally get to eat the khajas and naroos tomorrow and the khichudi and labra and payesh.

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Durga Puja Past

So many pandals, so many protimas, so many people, all jostling, eager to lap up every bit of this years Durga Puja...And now, its over. Only photos remain to serve our memory (atleast mine, failing as it is)!


This one is one of my favourite...the clanging of cymbals, the beating of the dhak and the fragrant smoke from the dhuno cast a enchanting spell...

Read if you will

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