Ganapati Bappa Morya…

The resounding chants of Ganapati Bappa Morya, the taal, dhol, pataka and the miravnuk… None of this during the Ganapati…

Before anybody launches a huge protest, I am talking about Bangalore. Well needless to say I miss the fun and the exuberance attached to this festival. The joy and the anticipation with which people await Ganapati’s arrival. Its more like welcoming a dear guest home and ensuring his stay is extremely comfortable and happy. When I was a part of all this, sometimes I felt it was too noisy and unnecessary, now devoid of it I cant imagine the festival!

Me and nik decided to celebrate ganapati at home this time. We didn’t actually go to the extent of getting the idol home, but did an elaborate ‘pooja’ complete with aartis and ‘Ganapati Bappa Morya, Mangalmurti morya’ chants. We actually went shopping for the pooja items after office.

Early morning, I realized I had to make the ‘Panchamruth’ and I forgot the ingredients. Well this called for quick action and the obvious was an SOS call to my mom, but she wouldn’t answer! I mean in time of need… what worse can you expect? After some more quick calls, it was my aunt who saved the day! After the elaborate pooja, modaks and lunch…we still felt there was something missing.

And then I realized it was not just the ritual but the joy, the bonding with which people celebrate this festival that made the difference. The 10 days are filled with fun. Small things like singing aarti at the neighbours house, coz they have the ganesha idol at home is looked forward to. Apart from relatives visiting each other, and mouth watering modaks, the bigger attraction is the ‘dekhave’. The various decorations and acts that are set-up by the Ganapati mandals. I vividly remember the excitement with which we awaited going out to see the decorations. Roaming on the streets far into the night, trying to catch a glimpse of all the mandal ganapatis and their acts on the way, with just a quick halt for some mid-night snacks that’s dished out relentlessly at every corner.

And then finally the ‘Visarjan’, when people finally bid adieu to their beloved god, followed by the chants of ‘Pudhchya varshi laukar ya’ i.e come again early, next year. The procession is equally zestful, with varied decorations, rangolis, flowers and mirthful atmosphere everywhere. Oh well, now you know how much I missed all the excitement.

Nevertheless, I am always at peace when this festival arrives. It could be blind-faith, it could be just the exuberance attached to the festival. Whatever it is, it truly heals me, helps me overcome my fears, my sorrows and almost always leaves me with a positive effect…all I can say is ‘Ganapati Bappa Morya, Mangal murti moray!’

For want of better reporting – News, the next big flick?

Now this might seem the usual rant to many, but as a journalist I really don’t understand or can quite relate to some of the media clamor that we have come to witness day-in and day-out in the name of media coverage!

Gone are the days, when a formal but simply dressed man/woman read the news with nearly no human expressions and absolutely no emotions. Or when reading newspapers was passé as there was nothing in it apart from dry, plain stories that had unfolded a day before.

I agree that this was absolutely the other end of the spectrum and not something to boast about, however with media and news turning out to be a million dollar industry it certainly deserves better treatment than a B grade movie!

As this is a vast topic with many significant sections under its umbrella, I start with one of the most paradoxical of all, the print media.

The print media were popularized in India mainly for want of a view that challenges the government decisions in pre-independence era, where British managed and pro-colonial newspapers were in vogue. The newspapers and the journalists were looked upon as intellectual and objective people. The respect was tremendous though for a long time there was no dough in it.

Contrast to it is the state of current day newspapers. The Times of India supplement for eg: (i.e the city special, like Bangalore times, pune times etc) seem to find no news worth reporting that is happening in the city. The news there, starts with Bollywood, Hollywood, Kollywood, Sandalwood ( and the many other woods that exist) stars food, wardrobe, vacation or even their wedding plans and ends at some of the pubs, nightlife and party images.

It is sad that the most pressing issues for them that the citizens face is not poor infrastructure, corruption or portable water but non –existence of night life, pubs being closed early and drinks not being served late in the night! A society magazine too has something to give to its readers; I however can’t phantom the reason of this supplement apart from the fact that it provides ample space for advertisers.

I agree that advertisements are a major revenue source and the whole idea of a supplement was also aimed at getting maximum local advertisements. But compromising news and features for want of advertisements beats me!

Now, before I am branded as an anti-Times group let me clarify some points -

It is also true that some of the times supplements like education times, accent, property plus etc are extremely good and informative (they atleast have articles worth reading!) yet there is usually much left to be desired.

I must also mention and applaud their latest effort and initiative Teach India. Launched at the apt moment with brilliant ads and promotion, this one takes the cake. The very simplicity of getting people to sign up for just 2 hours in a week works out well for those who want to do more for the society yet are hard pressed for time to dedicate long hours. I just wish such bursts of brilliance occur regularly and not far in between. It’s only such initiatives that instill hope about this newspaper. You can be a volunteer by signing up here -

http://www.teach.timesofindia.com/login_join.aspx?strvalue=join

Pune University sets up its campus in Dubai

Pune University is to be the first state university to set up its campus abroad, and that place being Dubai. With 30 courses being offered in the Dubai campus it is a stupendous effort for a state university.

The campus to be functional from the coming academic year brings hope to many as they would get quality education without having to leave their country. We have had many universities having tie- ups with Indian colleges to give foreign degrees but this effort of setting up a division abroad in itself is unique and commendable.

The faculty is to be local with University faculty being flown in as and when necessary. Such efforts reinforce the effects and spread of globalization. Kudos to Pune University for a great effort.

Marathi manoos v/s North Indian

In the wake of recent events, unfolding in Mumbai that centered around the so- called Marathi manoos sentiments, I was left with an uneasy and unsettling feeling…

The Pune I know is called the Oxford of the East. Students not only from all over India but from many parts of the world come to Pune to pursue higher studies. Pune is known to be a city of intellectuals and rational thinkers, then how can there be sporadic violence’s in Pune and that too to protest the presence of people from other states?

After the political parties decided to play their cards based on ‘Marathi Manoos’ sentiments protesting that North Indians are taking over their jobs or crushing the Marathi culture, I was shocked to see the violent incidents in Mumbai, Pune and many interiors in Maharashtra. Wasn’t it our fundamental right to be able to move in any part of the country or settle down in any place without any fear? Aren’t we Indian’s first? How is it that we have never protested about huge number of illegal migrants from Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries settling in India but can’t tolerate Indian’s moving to neighbouring states? Isn’t India supposed to depict Unity in Diversity?

Why were the poor people who earn their living by selling snacks at the chowpaty or people at the low ends of the economy structure targeted to show the Marathi unrest? I am a proud Maharastrian, but I can’t see the rational of such vandalism acts. What are these political parties opposing?

Is it the mere presence of people from different states?
Is it the cultural difference?
Is it the irregularities or other forms of unlawful acts?

If it is the mere presence of people from different states- Then many Maharashtrians have settled in other parts of the country and abroad. Should they also face similar consequences and return to the city? They could be spread for various reasons- jobs, education or better opportunities. If they are asked to return back bcoz MNS has taken this stand, is MNS going to compensate them?

If it is the cultural difference – Then Maharastrian’s staying in other states also follow their culture, doesn’t that mount up to cultural difference?

If it is the irregularities or other forms of unlawful acts – then isn’t the government mechanism to be blamed more than the immigrants? If we are strict with corruption, unlawful acts and any other form of violation can’t it be curbed.
Who are they trying to fool by saying this crap. Marathi’s don’t need this and Maharashtra certainly does not deserve to be labeled as despotic or irrational.