“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.
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Common man, searching the "uncommon" peace |