Wednesday 22 January 2014

Drama is not uncommon to the common people of Delhi!

 “Get over Kingdom of dreams’ Nautanki Mahal”…for Nautanki is here!” I wondered as I walked down this chilly raining morning out of an overcrowded metro station. I thanked God, having survived a near stampede situation. But drama in Delhi is as common as the crowded metro that comes every now and then but leaves soon, before you can take some action.

Having spent three decades in Delhi, I understand the music Dilliwallas face every January. While the world enjoys the grandeur of Republic Day parade every year, for us, the tough preparations begin long before.

Any venture near Lutyens Delhi is a complete no no, for one may be welcomed by surprised route diversions, route closures and police barriers. Scanning the newspaper or internet for traffic advisory can make things better. However, if daily route asks you to commute via CP/India Gate, the week before and after republic day can end up being the most trying days of the year.

Unfortunately for me, school and college were located near Lutyens Delhi. So, come what may, it was an ordeal I had to go through every year. Then came metro, and my bad memories of traffic diversion were swept with a gush of wind!

However, my ugly memories paid an unfriendly visit this morning as I left home for work. We live in a country where common man has a say “only before the polling day”. The day poll results come, common man’s say becomes uncommon as the politicos smartly eclipse our concerns with a coat of their ambitions. We had a gentleman fighting this morning for welfare of the common man whereas hundreds of common men (and women) were helplessly harassed by the Delhi chill and disrupted metro services. And as if that wasn’t enough, the rain Gods decided to play their prank.

While some people feel these are teething troubles that come in the way of the big revolution, I decided to go back to the basics. The essence of any revolt is to safeguard the interests of the common people. But when the passion to execute a plan takes over, the basic essence is forgotten by many. Then the first thing butchered for the platter is the interest of the common man. This was evident by the live masala coverage today that got channels great food for TRPs!

I heard the revolution was partly to bring up the cause of women safety. Great gesture worthy of praise. But can a melodramatic revolt do something that Delhi hasn’t seen changed over many years – the male outlook towards women? As hundreds of men and women jostled (in a near stampede situation) at most metro stations this morning, many common men got great opportunity to come unwelcoming close to many common women. If a revolt has to happen, let there be something to change the way most men look at women here-as helpless objects of desire. Instead of disrupting the lives of normal people, let the revolt disrupt the lives of countless men who roam around unchained on streets of Delhi at night (when our revolutionaries are asleep!) looking for a female prey. Let there be something that make the bad elements think twice in fear before thinking of the word ‘rape’. An eye for an eye or some strict law, as they have in some countries in the middle east.

Unless that doesn’t happen, such TRP attracting revolts would just add up to glorify the career paths of some politicos and breaking news for the media.

And the common man, if asked would still want his common life, simple and peaceful, sans any disruptions or diversions.
 
Common man, searching the "uncommon" peace


4 comments:

  1. One good thing that is happening is other parties are now seeing the point how important it is to connect to people. Kejriwal too will learn from experiments and mistakes.

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  2. Laws in the middle east are not necessarily what's right for India. The middle east isn't a place which is known for its focus on the interest of common people. India with all its problems has still got a functional democracy. Just saying.

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  3. kejriwal is still thinking that he is running an NGO.before he was elected he said if he comes to power he will book shiela dixit and his ministers.niw he is saying he will do so if proof is given to him.he said he will give everything for free and not to pay the lectricity,he said he will not take congress or BJP support.now look what he has done.he wants to get rid off the CM tag from his profile so that he can campaign for loksabha elections all over the country.congress;s anti-modi tool is now showing it's true colour.

    not to mention mr bharti and mr bishwas's racist,offensive and imbecile deeds.pity on AK and his drama troop members

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  4. I know what u r saying !

    Every time a change is planned we hav to go through a lot of pain like this. I personally hate the movements or dharnas if they disrupt day to day life hugely...Not sure if 21st morning was so bad for u but hope now its all ok
    :)
    TC

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