Happy New Year 2025

 2024 paves way to year 2025 - a New Year we perpetually wish to be better than the previous one. The passing away year was unique, a leap year, with a date of February, 29 which comes once in every 4 years, enabling those born on this unique day the rare opportunity to celebrate their birthdays on the actual day.  Also it was the year of the Olympics held in Paris in the summer.

I am reminded of Morarjee Desai, who in year 1977 became Prime minister of India at the ripe age of 84. When a reporter questioned him about his old age, the witty PM answered - "I am just 21", alluding to his date of birth. His birthday occured once every four years as he was a leap year child, born on February 29.

While stepping into the New Year of 2025, thousands of Nostadamus, Baba Vanga and Malika predictions from our ubiquitous Whatsapp University are circulating on social media. Yet we don't know for sure what lies ahead of us and what's in store for us next year in an age of unpredictability. No one predicted Covid Pandemic 5 years ago as we stepped into 2020, something which came with cataclysmic events associated with it.

As the old man 2024 bends his spine, bends forward extending his hand to open the door to welcome the New Year, it is now time for some retrospection. The passing year 2024 will be forever be remembered for several reasons. The Coronavirus pandemic which was a scourge for past several years is now passe. Economic uncertainties and wars at hotspots of the world still continue. 

India won the T20 Cricket World Cup, part of which was held in America where Cricket means an insect emitting shrill noise. The game of Cricket is a great unifying factor in India, a nation of 1.4 billion. The English say "God save the Queen", the Americans say "God Bless America". I say 'God bless Cricket". Arguably our national passion, the game of Cricket, unites every Indian from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Bengal to Baroda. When India plays Cricket, we feels ourselves as an Indian rather than a Punjabi, Tamil, Marathi or Odia.

A la getting rid off old cloths for the new ones and the soul moving from one body to another as famously extolled by our Hindu God Sri Krishna in BHAGWAT GITA, our Hindu Scriptue, year 2025 will be reborn yet again at midnight tonight as the soul of 2024 passes away. The year dawns with the cherubic smile of a newborn, as another number is added to its age in the form of New Year. But hardly anything else ever changes with the arrival of the New Year. For me the mundane life trudges ahead as the same shit, different day - with different color and texture. Hardly anything worthwhile difference occurs, the status quo is maintained more or less.

The antonym of "Happy New Year" is "Unhappy Old Year". Year 2024 was pretty close to that for me due to various reasons. I lost my mother in May, not to mention a few close friends and relatives who passed away to a different realm. This year came and went with a mixed bag of good, bad and ugly, with additional baggage of  memories gently rolling into next year. Made new friends, revived old ones and lost a few near and dear ones once and for all. I may sound nihilist, yet the year comes with this stark reminder to me - life goes downhill from here, tasks become uphill and years are numbered before we go over the hill. 

I do not make any New Year's resolution as can't keep them. Resolutions like promises are made to be broken. I simply roll over to the year ahead of me. We may forget history but we repeat it year after year, similar to this starting stanza of Kishore Kumar's song :

EK RUUT AYE, EK RUUT JAYE PHIR,
MOUSAM BADLENA, BADLE NASEEB.

"One season comes and another goes,
Seasons don't change, fate does". 

To me, almost all New Year wishes expressed over the years have been too pleasant to be forgettable. The Homo Sapien species which is inherently cynical has this instinct to remember the unpleasant ones and I am no exception. I remember this one from 1st January, 1982. On the first New Year after his marriage to princess Diana, when the nosey British Paparazzi got a scent that her marriage with Prince Charles wasn't going too well, he wished them - "Have a Nasty New Year".

But I don't have to be nasty and negative. So let me repeat the forgettable wish, as I do not forget to do at the end of every year - HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR 2025 ahead and stay blessed.

RIP Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States passed away at the age of 100 today. He was the first ever President to reach that milestone of living for more than 100 years. 

A rare Southern Democrat and a peanut farmer from the state of Georgia where I currently live, he became President of the United States in 1976 after defeating Gerald Ford at a time the country was coming out of the miasma of the famous Watergate scandal which led to the resignation of Ford's predecessor Richard Nixon. 

President Carter was a gentleman to the core. But unfortunately he presided over a poor economy and the famous hostage crisis when Iran was taken over by a cleric Ayotollah Khomeini who took American Embassy staff in Teheran hostages for 444 days. Both bad economy at home and hostage crisis abroad made him highly unpopular as he was up for reelection in 1980. Earlier same year he tried to salvage his rapidly plummeting popularity by launching a secret rescue attempt on Iranian soil. Unfortunately for him the rescue mission went horribly wrong due to bad weather and collision of two military aircrafts killing some American commandos. 

Later that year a few days before the 1980 Presidential Elections when Carter was up for reelection, his Republican opponent Ronald Reagan, a former B -grade Hollywood actor asked the Americans a pertinent question - "Are you better off now than 4 years ago ? If so, you have your choice", he said winking at President Carter. His message was well taken as less than a week later Ronald Reagan won by a landslide. Poor Jimmy Carter ended up bring one time President. 

President Carter had his tryst with India in 1978 when as he was the first American President in more than a decade to visit India. It was during the height of the Cold War when India was the bete noire of USA as it had firmly tilted towards the erstwhile Soviet Union. The visit went cold as cold as the cold war when the relationship between a Socialist India and a Capitalist America was at best frosty. The visiting US President told to his officials sitting next to him that he didn't get a good impression of India's Prime Minister Morarjee Desai, whom he found blabbering incoherently during their meeting. Desai who drank his own piss every morning and lived until the age of 99, pissed off the Americans. It was an embarrassing diplomatic moment, as the microphone in front of Carter was not switched off and many could hear the conversation. Carter's visit was a milestone as not a single American President chose to visit India for 31 years except him between 1969 and 2000. 

After his Presidency Jimmy Carter didn't sit idle. He never retired, led a hardworking active life engaged in myriads of charity and humanitarian work all over the world which won him the Nobel Prize for Peace. A fighter and survivor he scored a century. RIP Mr. Carter.

RIP Dr. Manmohan Singh

An episode from the year 1991 might ring a bell. This is how Subramanian Swamy, a man who has been in almost all parties and now-a-days a BJP man turned into a BJP critic, then a Commerce Minister in Chandra Sekhar's government, had this conversation with the USA Ambassador to India. This was during a very crucial time in early 1991 when the American led coalition forces were fighting the Iraq War and Indian economy was totally in shambles. The American Ambassador asked Dr. Swamy what India needed in exchange for refueling facility provided on Indian soil to the Gulf bound US planes fighting the Iraq war. 

Here is how the conversation was reported. US Ambassador - "What do you want in return" ? Dr. Swamy replied - "We want $2 billion because we are on the verge of bankruptcy". The Ambassador asked, "You want it from the United States" ? Dr.Swami responded - "No, from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and without any condition attached". 

The Ambassador went on, "How can I get you money from IMF" ? Dr. Swami replied, "You have 87 percent voting right in IMF. So, if you want landing rights, then by Monday I want $2 billion". The American played hard - "Today it is already Friday". Said Swami, "In Washington DC it is still Thursday night. I know you have the ability to pull it off." (And unlike many believe that world leaders get ecstatic by looking at Mahaprabhu's white beard, we know in international matters it is always a give and take relationship and every one plays hard. It invariably needs some negotiation and hard bargaining before a deal is reached). 

So US gave India $2 billion and they were given the landing rights by India. We changed our non-alignment policy overnight. 2 billion dollar, even adjusted to inflation is not a gargantuan amount by today's standard, now considering India a USD 4 trillion economy and $650 billion plus in its Forex reserve. But it was no laughing matter then, when India's Balance of Payment position was extremely precarious and its coffer was on the verge of depletion. India with few hundred million of USD in its reserves and its gold mortgaged in a London Bank was staring at nightmare scenario of economic catastrophe. 

Long rule by the Congress Party and its disastrous, leftist - socialist economy policy followed by years of classic Hindu rate of economic growth took us to the doorstep of impending bankruptcy. Yet it took another Congressman, incidentally not from the Nehru - Gandhi family to fix it. A huge credit for this transformation we are seeing 33 years down the road goes to a man, who after almost retiring from public life became India's Finance Minister by fluke and a two term Prime Minister for 10 years. He is no other than our erudite, educated, a qualified Economist and the first Sikh Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh who is no more. He passed away earlier today at the age of 92. 

Dr. Singh was a gentleman whose integrity was beyond question. Never a politician, he was liked by everyone. He was India's Finance Minister for 5 years, Prime minister for 10 years - both rare achievements by a person who wasn't a politician. Khushwant Singh once mentioned that Dr. Singh once ran for Lok Sabha from South Delhi constituency and borrowed some money from the eminent writer. Needless to say, he lost the election and soon after he returned the money to Khushwant Singh. Such a gesture is very rare these days when money taken in never returned. No wonder such a person lost the election and it says a lot about the people we elect. Manmohan Singh never got elected from Lok Sabha and had to get elected via backdoor to Rajya Sabha to be able to continue in office and contribute to nation. 

Dr. Singh's tenure as India's Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996 was eventful. He opened up Indian economy from the stranglehold of Red tapism, Permission and License Raj, devalued the moribund Indian Rupees to make it more competitive and encourage exports, cut tariffs and improve India's substandard infrastructure. India's economy responded positively unshackling itself from its classic Hindu rate of growth. Its foreign exchange coffer increased to a healthy level. All happened sans any fanfare and fake jingoism surrounding it. 

Yet his tenure as India's Prime Minister between 2004 - 2014 was a mixed back. Though India's economic growth continued, there was visible corruption done by people around him, although his own integrity was impeccable. He watched silently and helplessly as there was policy paralysis everywhere as he was seen as a puppet of the all powerful Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi, followed by her son Rahul. Internationally, Pakistan continued to make one terror attack after another inside India perceiving him as a weak person and the leader of a weak state. Regardless of all these, India's growth juggernaut chugged ahead contrary to many who believe everything was in doldrums before 2014 and "Satya Yuga" (golden era) arrived in India the same year after the arrival of BJP and Modi. RIP Dr. Manmohan Singh. Om Shanti.

Corruption Reporting in Odisha

As reported by this Odia media outlet some government employee has been arrested for taking a bribe of Rs.10,000 ($120). A news from Odisha not long ago didn't just raise my curiosity, it got my attention - "ଯାଜପୁର ଜିଲ୍ଲାର ସୁକିନ୍ଦା ପୋଲିସ ଷ୍ଟେସନର ସବ୍ ଇନ୍ସପେକ୍ଟର ନିର୍ମଳ କୁମାର ସେନାପତି ୧୦ ହଜାର ଟଙ୍କା ଲାଞ୍ଚ ନେଲା ବେଳେ ଭିଜିଲାନ୍ସ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଗିରଫ". Transliterating the gist in Odia, "A police sub-inspector in Odisha was arrested by the Vigilance department when taking a bribe of Rs.10,000". 

It's high time they stop reporting bribes of these meager amounts. I find it ultimate hypocrisy in this getting reported on media, social or otherwise. A classic case of the Odia saying - "HAATHI GALI JAUCHI, PIMPUDI DHARA PADUCHI" (Elephant escapes while the Ant gets caught). The meaning is self explanatory.

We studied in Math and Physics during our school/college days that when a number tends to get infinitesimally small we ignore it considering it as equivalent to zero. And those who are familiar with corruption in India any bribery less than Rs.100,000 ($1200) is too small these days to get noticed and reported. The media should ignore them, rather focus on reporting the big fishes who invariably find a way to escape.

Regardless of what's reported on Odia media, I love reading Odia, my mother tongue. Whenever I visit my home state back home Odisha in India, I make it a point to grab a few books written in Odia language, the most cherished ones being those by the eminent writer Manoj Das. Reading Odia script was never cumbersome for me, even after living in the United States for more than quarter of a century. In Sanskrit there is a saying "BINA ABHYASE BISHAM VIDYA" (without practice knowldege becomes poison). I was able to overcome whatever little bit of initial tardiness I had while reading from Odia script by sustaining reading habit in my mother tongue. I can now boast of being equivalent of linguistically ambidextrous who can read both English and Odia at aplomb.

Living abroad does not give me much option of getting Odia books from stores, so I have to restrict myself to reading Odia newspapers on the web and social media. I see sparks of brilliance in young and not so young minds who pen a whole lot of blogs, articles and short stories in Odia on social media - from short, crispy writings to long, gripping essays. Most of these creative Odia writers who have a passion for writing in Odia, a few themed around feminism. Not to mention I religiously try to catch vernacular Newspapers in Odia font. But I find a few newsworthy and most I wish I could drag and drop into my Trash folder.

Can't stop mentioning certain eye catching news I often stumble upon on regular basis. Some are outrightly funny - "SARAPANCHA KU NISTUKA MADA" (The village head being thoroughly thrashed), "UTAKTA JANATA BHANDA BABAJI RA DAADHI KAATI DELE" (irate mob cut the beard of a fake Guru) and so on. "SASHU SAHITA JWAIN FERAR" (Mother-in-law eloped with son-in-law). And not so amusing pieces like "SAANA BHAI RA TANGIA CHOTA RE BADA BHAIRA MRUTYU" (Younger brother kills the elder one using an axe). The one which hurts me a lot, "JAUTUKA PAI BADHU NIRYATANA / HATYA" (Bride tortured or killed for Dowry). Such news mostly emanate from coastal Odisha districts which makes me believe that my coastal brethren are champion dowry harassers compared to their western Odisha cousins. 

On the same page I read "Bhubanesar RASTARE FERRARI AU BENTLY GAADI BHIDA (Ferrari and Bentlies crowd the Bhubaneswar roads) proclaiming the arrival of nouveau riche in once upon a sleepy township of salaried people. What fun is riding a Ferrari in the capital city of Odisha where a gnawing and crawling traffic can hardly make your vehicle go over 30 kmph (20 mph). If you are intrepid enough to exceed that speed limit you could very well kill someone. If you survive, I would tersely remind you to remember your dependants and make the last payment of Life Insurance policy on timely manner for the risk of going above and beyond 20 miles per hour.

Many think this a symbol of Odisha's progress. In my view too much in the hands of too few is not a sign of upward economic mobility of the entire state. Number of Ferraris, Bentlies, iPhones etc has no doubt gone up. I dont mind it as long as the income used to purchase them are from legal sources. Growing number of dowry deaths and economic inequality is not a sign of upward social mobility by any yardstic. 

Such contrasting news protrays a world of have and have nots in Odisha in particular and India in general. In this context a meager bribe taken by small fries - a Peon, Clerk or sub-inspector is too trivial these days to get noticed and reported by the media. 

Christmas party years ago

We had a Christmas party last week and another scheduled for coming week. Every holiday season the Christmas parties reminds me of one such party, long time back in the 1990s when I was a new arrival in America. It was my first Christmas party in USA. Alcohol, especially the locally popular Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey and Jack Daniel were flowing like Mahanadi in spate during monsoon or a flooded Chattahoochee river after heavy showers. New, shy and a bit unsure about myself to fit into the milieu I was sipping some Vodka, standing alone at a corner of the big banquet hall.

Sensing my loneliness three mountain sized coworkers, as big and burly as the local Appalachian mountain approached me with the intention of making me comfortable. They said Vodka is not sipped, rather tossed in at one go and gave me some demo by inviting me to join them to imbibe shots in unison. I got carried away by their attention and joined them liberally tossing down a few shots of Vodka repeating 1-2-3 go, 1-2-3 go several times. I could feel the fiery stuff going down my esophagus, clearing away any doubts I had about Biology when last time I studied the subject during High School.

It turned out to be a foolish decision on my part. Nothing happened to the big guys as they melted away inside the hall enjoying the party. Minutes passed by without anything happening to me while I munched some chicken nuggets and chunks of cheese on toothpicks. As absolute power can corrupt absolutely, Absolute Vodka can intoxicate absolutely. Alcohol shrugged off my jaded nerves. Moments later suddenly my legs started getting wobbly and head swirling like whirlpool. The sound of this song played by the DJ suddenly started wavering and dancing with the light.

"Where'd ya come from Cotton eye Joe
I have been married long time ago.
Where'd come and where'd ya go,
Where'd come and where'd ya go."

The flickering lights started floating around me amidst the tap dancing Cowboy hat wearing men and red dressed women. All of a sudden they started looking blurred to my elated, intoxicated eyelids. The sound of music got louder and louder, as I stumbled couple of times. But I was in sense and sensible enough to know where I was heading to. So I thought it judicious not to hang around anymore and make an ass out of myself. Rather it would be wise for me to head back to my apartment sooner than later.

On my return drive I rolled down the windows to let in the frigid Midwest air to keep me alert and awake. Luckily I encountered no cops. A DUI or Driving Under Influence of alcohol could have hampered my on going Green Card, i.e. the Permanent Resident status in US which was under process during that time (An advice to my friends not to drink and drive, especially if your Green Card processing is still on. A DUI at that juncture certainly won't help you).

No sooner I reached home than I crashed on bed, my shoes half hanging from my feet. It was 10 AM the next day when I woke up with a heavy head and parched throat, feeling my urine has dried up. Drank a full bottle of water to see my urine resembling mustard oiI. I spent the entire next day nursing my hangover. That experience was enough of a lesson for me to never get drunk and go overboard with alcohol. So far I have religiously adhered to it. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Enjoy the season responsibly.

Pathani Samanta - the pride of Odisha

Today I decided to commemorate the memories of a gentleman who is not remembered much these days in his place and state of birth, let alone people know or care about him. He is our Samanta Chandrasekhar, popularly known as Pathani Samanta (pronounced Samantaw) - an Odia who dabbled in astronomy producing results with immaculate accuracy in 19th century, at a time modern science and astronomy was at its infancy. He was born exactly 189 years ago, on December 13, 1835.

Born in a village in the district Nayagarh in Odisha, Pandit Samanta deeply studied our Ancient Hindu texts of astronomy written in Sanskrit and was able to decipher the hidden knowledge which supplemented his instinct and intuition. He used his grasp of astronomy to measure the distance of celestial bodies from earth amazingly close to what has been found by modern scientists. Without any access to the modern instruments, he took the help from a hollow bamboo pipe and couple of sticks for his measurement. Pathani Samanta's findings were recorded in his book titled Siddhanta Darpana (The Gospel Treatise Mirror). This book found mentions in the European and American press in 1899. 

During his childhood, Pandit Samanta's passion was watching the movement and position of moon and stars in the night those days when the air was crispy, pollution free - the sky was bright and blue during the day, crystal clear to gaze at night. During the day he would closely observe shadows of Sun and their length. It is said that he could measure the distance of vultures flying high in the sky using his naked eyes and few wooden instruments.

In the year 1894 Sri Chandrasekhar was concerned about his health due to chronic frequent bouts of colic, commonly called in colloquial Odia as "PETA MARA BEMARI" those days. At the age of 59 in an era when the average life expectancy was less than 50, he had reasons to be worried, carrying the burden of 5 sons and a daughter, not to mention his shy but supportive wife. He was a poor man, being dependent on meager income received from the King of Manjusha who was impressed by the Pandit's skills in correctly measuring the height of Mahendra Giri (Hills) using his bare hands and his famous paraphernalia of bamboo sticks & wooden accessories. His ability to correctly predict Lunar and Solar eclipses earned him the title of MAHAMOHAPADHYAYA (The Very Wise and Learned One) by the British India Government - first time ever conferred to a non Brahmin in Odisha. 

Though poor, Pathani Samanta's fame in Astrology and Astronomy had travelled far and wide, enough to get an audience with Commissionner Cook of Cuttack. One sultry August afternoon the duo of Samanta and his son travelled downstream on a boat on River Mahanadi to Cuttack and reached Cook SAHEB's (a colonial way of addressing the Englishmen and still reserved for the elites in India). The Commissioner who was leaving for a game of Tennis gave them an appointment to meet the next day. 

Following morning, Cook took Pathani Samanta to the bank of the river Kathajodi. Pointing to the Saptasajya range of mountain, the Commissioner challenged the later to measure its height. Samanta Chandrasekhar instantly got busy with his hollow bamboo stick and other instruments, burying his head, making calculations on the ground using a piece of chalk - finally deriving his figure of 1178 cubits and 16 fingers. Commissioner Cook cross checked the height of Saptasajya mountains from his official records. The result was tantalizingly close.

An impressed Cook shook hands with Pathani Samanta. The first thing the Pandit did after coming out of Commissioner's residence was to take a dip in the river Mahanadi - for he touched a MLECHHA (outcaste). Touching a beef eating, Christian White man those days was tantamount to sacrilege, so he needed to purify himself by taking a bath in the river before it was too late.

On another occasion, during a bright, starry night sitting on the verandah of the house of Jogesh Chandra Ray, Professor of Science in Cuttack, Pandit Samanta was challenged by the Professor to measure the distance between the planets Mars and Venus shining on the Western sky. The shabbily dressed old man got busy with his instrument and making calculations using a chalk on the verandah. To the Professor's surprise the calculation by Pathani Samanta came extremely close to the actual distance between the two planets. When Sri Jogesh Chandra Ray showed our Pandit a modern Telescope, the old man started dancing as he could see from close up his favorite celestial bodies whom he gazed at from a distance over several decades.

But his joy was short lived, as he didn't live long after this incident. His Colic got better of him, slowly consuming him, destroying the body of one of the finest brains Odisha had ever seen. On his birthday I am taking the opportunity of dedicating my blog to our twinkling, scintillating star of Odisha who is living among the galaxies in the boundless sky where he rightly belongs to - a beacon of light, ray of inspiration for the current generation and many more to come.

The forever unreliable Middle class

 Laloo Yadav, the veteran politician from the Indian state of Bihar, known for his earthy talk, once said - "AGAR GARIB KA DIL KISI PE A GAYA, TO APNI JAAN TAQ LAGA DETE HAIN", if the heart of a poor person gets fixated on something, he puts his life into it. Being a grassroot politician from one of the poorest of poor states in India, he had a point about describing the poor.

But he wasn't the first who noticed this trait in those who belong to the deprived section in India. Years ago before Laloo was born, Mahatma Gandhi, India's Father of Nation figured this out. A smart strategist, Gandhi realized the importance of assimilation of the underprivileged mass in his Freedom movement against the British occupation of India. So, he started calling the poor and downtrodden folks from the lower strata of the society as "HARIJAN" (Children of God). He knew very well that most from the upper class were in the pocket of British, the middle class couldn't be trusted as they are selfish and change their allegiance at drop of a hat, but the poor class, if motivated can come to the front and take the blow from the LATHI (stick) of British police on their chest. Those from Upper and the Middle class, all creatures of comfort would rarely do that.

Talking about the fickle and unreliable Middle class, it reminds me of a scene from 1974 Amitabh and Rajesh Khanna starrer "NAMAK HARAAM". As the movie progresses, Amitabh is advised by his rich father not to trust his friend Rajesh Khanna, because the later was from the middle class. The rich dad played by veteran actor Om Shiv Puri warns his son - "Your friend is a good guy, but belongs to the middle class. Folks from that class, though vouch on their ideology and principles, are also ambitious and hence could turn treacherous. They perennially look for an opportunity to move up, hence they can easily drop their pretense of ideology to do anything to climb up the social ladder. Keep in mind my dear son, most ambitious folks come from this middle class who can be dangerous and should never be trusted."

Very apt and prophetic statement. People from the Upper class born with silver spoon in mouth mostly have a smooth sailing and stay closer to the establishment. The barely ambitious lower class may look forward to their next meal, but can give their life for the cause they believe in. The middle class always has this feeling, "I would love to be there but I am not there yet, may be one day in this life".

They day dream about reaching the status of those "haves". Competition is cut throat and jealousy is the highest amongst middle class. Some of them are capable of doing anything and everything, by hook or crook for the sake of upward mobility, to grab money, power and social recognition. The burgeoning middle class in last few decades just strives hard to do that, a desire to get rich overnight at any cost. They are the ones who are pretty much responsible most corruption and scams we see these days, as many corrupt Netas (leaders) and Babus (Bureaucrats) happen to be from this class. The tall ambition of the middle class told to the tall actor Amitabh years ago still thrives.

In a more recent Hollywood movie "INSIDE MAN" the actor Clive Owens takes a bank into hostage. He blackmails the Bank owner using a letter he finds from a safe deposit box given to the Bank owner by Nazi authorities years ago during World War II in recognition to his service to the Nazis. The kidnapper keeps that note as his insurance, a safety net in case the banker turns revengeful in future. The dejected Bank owner narrates his story to the actress Jodi Foster who was trying to mediate a deal - "During the Nazi occupation of France, my rich Jewish friend trusted me with his family's money and jewelry. I was young and ambitious, betrayed my Jewish friend to the Nazis who took him away for execution". The middle class man soon became rich by establishing his banking empire with his betrayeal blood money and Nazi connection.

Chanakya, ancient India's legendary teacher, strategist and advisor to Chandragupta of the Maurya Dynasty famously said - "Never trust an ambitious person who can easily betray you to achieve goal". He wasn't far from truth. We live in an era where thoughts fly in twinkle of an eye, but the basis human nature hasn't changed since Chanakya lived around 300 BC.

Bhopal gas tragedy

 Exactly 40 years ago, the killer waves of MIC (Methyl Iso-Cyanate), a highly toxic gas engulfed the skies of the sleepy township of Bhopal in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. Many who were peacefully sleeping, would never wake up again, only to breath their last in the form of poisonous air. A leakage in the local Union Carbide plant killed thousands and maimed many when the Knight of Death visited that night.

This incident popularly known as the "Bhopal Gas Tragedy" had its consequences. The value of Union Carbide Chief in India, Warren Anderson from USA was so valuable that he was helped by the then Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Arjun Singh who flew him out of the city on his way out of country. He couldn't have done this without the tacit approval of his all powerful boss in Delhi, Rajeev Gandhi who barely a month ago was made the Prime Minister of India on the aftermath of his mother's assassination. (Per Congress party culture, its regional leaders can't even go to toilet without the permission of their High Command, aka the Gandhi family at the helm of affairs. It's inconceivable that American CEO Warren Anderson was let go without the knowledge of PM Rajeev Gandhi).

We go an extra mile to transport an American who does felony in our own homeland miles away to his safety, but whine and protest vehemently when our diplomat is treated shabbily for breaking the law on American soil (ironically this incident happened in the month of December little more than a decade ago in the year 2013). We, the champion practitioners of hypocrisy and double standards, never lose opportunity to accuse Americans of the same.

40 years down the road the justice has been both delayed and denied. Anderson the Union Carbide Chief, died of natural death at his home in Long Island, New York not so long ago. He refused to meet any Indian reporter and hardly took ownership of the disaster nor offered any tangible benefits towards the families of dead and the injured. Those who survived the Bhopal gas tragedy had to go through a lifetime ordeal, many of whom became maim for rest of their lives were given compensation thrown at them in peanuts - a tardy too little, too late. 

Have we learned anything from history about industrial safety and bringing rich and mighty felons to justice ? Your guess is as good as mine.

Preach but practice

 We humans are basically elements of contradiction. It would be a lie not to admit that we all have some semblance of hypocrisy embedded within us. Let me narrate an interesting incident from past.

Years ago I was visiting the Jagannath temple of Greater Chicago along with my sister's family during the Thanksgiving holidays. It was a typical blustery day in the Windy city Chicago and it felt very cold inside the temple, not quite unusual towards end of the month of November in Midwest United States. To make things worst the heating system inside the temple was not functioning properly.

The chief priest of the temple was already aware of this but did not inform the Utility guys as his inflated ego was punctured. I came to know that the reason was quite silly but not something unusual amongst us Desis (a slang used for people of Indian origin in America). Our priest felt that he was not properly approached by the members of the temple committee. His ego was bruised, needing a buttered massage to sooth it.

I was patiently listening to the conversation between the priest, my brother-in-law and other members of the core temple management committee. The man remain implacable, stubbornly refusing to yield an inch like a bovine on an Indian road refusing to budge by the relentless honking. Finally I concluded that it was nothing but the priest's BIG ego which put a spanner in the wheels of any movement going forward.

As the afternoon gave way to evening, it felt icy cold inside the temple as the Priest continued his 30 minutes long PRAVACHAN (sermon), elucidating how ego can be harmful to mind, body, heart and soul, and what needs to be done to conquer ego etc etc. In the meantime I noticed a few lines in Sanskrit scribbled on the temple wall in Devnagari script (the script of Hindi language) - "AHAM BHAV ATMA KE LIYE KHARAB HAI", meaning "Ego is bad for the soul".

It was getting cold and dark as time to bid adieu approached. Yearning for the heated comfort zone inside the car, I was about to step out. But before leaving I wanted to bring the attention of our priest to those lines and asked him point blank - "PANDITJEE (Respected priest), can you please explain those lines written on the wall to me ?" He duly obliged by explaining to me again how ego is harmful to the body and soul, though I could sense the conundrum in him. I thanked him, did my NAMASTE (Indian tradition of greet and good bye) and started walking back towards the exit door. 

Suddenly I heard the Priest's voice from behind, "Dash Jee, RUKIYE (please stop). I have a feeling you knew the meaning of those lines but still asked me". He went on - " I agree we don't always practice what we preach. We are filled with flaws. That's why we are mere humans seeking guidance from God". I smirked and chuckled back, as a burst of howling chilly Chicago wind gust rushed through the semi-open door slapping my face, reminding me to run towards the warmth of my car. "See you later Panditjee", I muttered as I was eager to run away from spirituality, longing for some spirits to keep me warm and fuzzy for the rest of the evening.

Late that night I learnt that to every one's delight and pleasant surprise the priest did a volte-face and agreed to call the maintenance folks to fix the heating the first thing next morning. Relationship gone cold not long ago had warmed up like bonfire defrosts a chilly milieu. I retired to bed under the warm comforts of the comforter with some comforting news.

Anniversary of 26/11

Whenever I travel to India, I am forced to take a break in Delhi or Mumbai for a few hours before catching the connecting flight to my hometown Bhubaneswar. On my return journey I spend some time in those cities. Never ever I fail to take the opportunity to talk to the cabbies and commoners to gauge the pulse of our nation at the time.

In Mumbai the outsiders are often branded as GUJJU (Gujuratis), GULTI (Telugus), MALLU (Malayalis) and so on depending on their states of origin. Not sure what they call Odias behind their back - probably the people from Odisha are insignificant, not numerous or influential enough to earn a specific tag. The South Indians as a whole are packaged as "YENDU GENDU WALLE", poked fun of their accent, often put under the same bucket as Behenc**d (sister slammer) Madrasis as they are called in Delhi.

The worst in Mumbai is reserved for the Biharis (any one from the cow belt is considered as a Bihari including those from UP) who are regarded as betel chewing, foul mouthed, smelly, dirty ones living in squalors. They are accused of having a criminal bent of mind compared to the cultured, broadminded and brave heart Marathis. 

The Bihari cab drivers reciprocate by accusing the Marathis of being arrogant, snobbish and intolerant to outsiders. Folks lose no opportunity to backbite each other community, often in a deregatory way. So much about the much boasted cosmopolitan fabric of Mumbai where reality is every community speaks ill of each other behind their back.

But a notable difference was little more than a decade and half ago when I was travelling through Mumbai barely a week after the 26th of November, 2008. The patriotic fervor was high on aftermath of the infamous 26/11 incident when terrorists from Pakistan caused multiple casualties inside the city. My brother-in-law, my wife's cousin Saurav Mishra was one of the victims who took a bullet but fortunately survived. I didn't come across any community specific character assassination by anyone in an apparent show of unity which overrode the all pervading parochial feelings.

It is said that crisis can be the best leveller - tiger and goat are known to live in peaceful coexistence and collaboration when cornered inside a boat during flood. No wonder Cricket and Pakistan, especially when both juxtaposed together brings the best Indian out of us.

It also didn't go unnoticed to me the lack security in the Airport inside and out barely a week after this heinous crime. You would expect a Fort Knox at the Airport and it was far from it. Have we learnt any lessons from this attack ? Are we better off more than a dozen years after this incident. Your guess is as good as mine.

These lines from my friend Ambika Prasad Mahapatra aptly reminds of this fateful day.

A Blood thirsty nation
A dozen rotten souls
An incompetent State
A few brave hearts
Hundreds of innocent victims
Thousands of devastated families
Millions of vulnerable commoners.
And the line - "We salute the Mumbai spirit"..

The Festival of Prathamastami

Today is PRATHAMASTAMI, a festival very unique to Odisha where the first born child in the family is celebrated - well fed and pampered with new clothing. As the name suggests this celebratory event is held on "ASHTAMI" or the 8th day of the Lunar Month of MARGASHIRA, immediately following the better known festival of KARTIK PURNIMA. On this day, he or she, the eldest child of family goes through a PUJA, or mini worship ritual at home, where especially the women folks of the family pray for long life and prosperity of the kid. 

PRATHAMASTAMI this year comes pretty close to the 7th month Anniversary of my mother's death as per the Tithi (occasion) based on Hindu lunar Calendar where a month is approximately 28 1/2 days, the time taken by Moon to revolve around planet Earth. This is slightly different from the commonly used Solar or Gregorian Calendar across the world where a month consists of 30 days based on the time taken by earth to revolve around the sun. 

Being the eldest child of my parents, it was the day I would wait in eagerness to receive the rock star treatment, my day of celebratory status while it lasts. During my childhood, my mother, for whom I was the Apple of her eyes, would wash me, make me wear a new pair of clothes early in the morning. She wanted to finish the sundry rites early to make sure that her son doesn't stay hungry for a long period of time, as I had to remain in empty stomach until the Puja is performed. The rites would be followed by me breaking fast imbibing the PRASAD (offering to God) consisting of various fruits and sugary sweets. 

A few years ago when I was in India during PRATHAMASTAMI, my mother became my alarm, waking me up early in the morning, reminding me of the occasion, prodding me to take a bath while limping across the house to make sure every thing is ready to for Puja. Post the rituals she would be in kitchen preparing a sumptuous lunch of NADIA KHECHADI (Ghee laced yellow rice with freshly grated coconut sprinkled on it), NADIA BARA (coconut cutlet), Puri style DALMA, again with coconut toppings or Sweet Daal, all of which tasted heavenly. During evening it is time for her to make a plethora of PITHA (rice based cakes) - varying from the thinner CHAKULI to the baked variety of slightly larger than Golf ball size "ENDURI PITHA", which no doubt healthy and tasty, but BIRI or lentil component in it produces a lot of gas. My favorite was the rice based MANDAA PITHA stuffed with grated coconut laced with a heavy dose of sweet jaggery. 

These love laced heavenly delicacies have passed on to heaven along with her, like her they exist more, passed along with her. This year there will be no PRATHAMASTAMI for me or my son, as per Hindu rituals, no religion festival should be celebrated within the first year of any death in the family. With moisten eyes I still remember my mother never failing every year to call me from India to remind me of PRATHAMASTAMI, checking on to ensure that I and his "NAATI" (grandson) wear brand new clothes for the occasion. 

Mummy, I will never be able to pay back your unmatched selfless love you have showered me throughout your entire life. Your love is priceless, purer than the purest spring water sourced from a pristine glacier, the pristine, crispy breeze on a mountain top, purer than 24 carat gold. I will never be able to pay back my debt in this life or next. In conflict with myself, I couldn't but murmur this Kishore Kumar number - 

"LEHRON KI TARAH YAADEIN.

DIL SE TAKRAARI HAI,

TOOFAN UTHATI HAI,

LEHRON KI TARAH YAADEN" - 

Roughly transliterated,

"Waves of Memories like waves,

Collides with the heart,

Raising a storm,

Like waves, those memories".  

Time will fly, days will become week, weeks becomes month, months become year, but your memory will last forever, this life or next.

Death Anniversary of JFK

 On this day, on a fine bright, sunny, late Fall November morning in the year 1963, the strapping 6 feet 1, young, handsome and charismatic American President John F. Kennedy touched down at the Dallas Love - Field Airport accompanied by his elegant wife, Jacqueline 'Jackie' Kennedy just before noon. Jackie was pretty in pink from head to toe, including a fetching pink pillbox hat shining on her head. The American President popularly addressed as JFK, dashing as always, was outifitted in a grey suit and blue tie. They made a stunning couple.

Tragedy is known to strike at the most inopportune time. The Presidential motorcade passed through Elm Street near Dealy Plaza in Dallas with JFK and the First Lady perched upon a Convertible Limo, smiling and waving to the crowd gathered on his right. Suddenly at 12.30 PM local time, three fatal shots, fired by an assassin Lee Harvey Oswald hit him in succession as he slumped into his wife's lap. Jackie held him muttering forlornly repeatedly: 'They have killed my husband'. This happened exactly 61 years ago.

JFK's Assassination is a major event in the history of last century. Though Americans make fun of the British for their obsession with their Royal family the Kennedys are treated no less than Royalties in USA. Conspiracy theories galore the untimely death of their Camelot President who once told the British Prime Minister - "I get a headache if I don't have sex every day". Multiple women who had affair with JFK found him irresistible. To many he looked like a Greek God.

Lee Harvey Oswald who killed JFK was shot dead only 48 hours later by Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner who had terminal cancer. He died soon after killing Lee Harvey Oswald, eliminating any thread which could lead to the identity of the real killer. In the movie JFK, Oliver Stone says that President Kennedy was shot from close, the back of his skull was blown away. But later after autopsy it was found to be intact, leading to myriad conspiracy theories.

I have visited the room in Dallas, Texas, now an exhibit for visitors, from which Oswald supposedly fired his shots. From the window one can see the spot where the President was shot at. Firing from a bolt action Rifle from that range and hitting a target on a moving vehicle one has to be a damn lucky shooter. 

Never mind the conspiracy theories, nobody has captured the public imagination of Americans as the Kennedys. Couple of JFK's speeches "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country " and "We should not negotiate out of fear nor we should fear to negotiate" still resonates with many, raising goosebumps. A truly inspirational and charismatic figure during a trip to NASA he told the scientists to send a man to moon by the end of 60s decade. The idea which sounded crazy at that moment came true in 1969, just before the end of that decade as he envisioned. An inspiring leader, sadly JFK never lived to see the day of moon landing.

The legacy of the Kennedys has never died. Many still remember JFK and his charismatic younger brother Robert (Bobby) Kennedy who was assassinated on June 5, 1968 just after winning the California Primaries for the Democratic Party in the corridor of Ambassador hotel in Los Angeles. The youngest of the brothers, Edward (Teddy) Kennedy lived much longer, being a Senator from the state of Massachusetts for long time. He was controversial too, linked to the death of a young girl in an accident whom he supposedly impregnated. It is said that the Joseph Kennedy, the father of the Kennedy Brothers who was an Ambassador to England had the reputation of a notorious womanizer and it is said his son's inherited his traits. Yet the Kennedys were patriots. Teddy Kennedy is still remembered for his famous speech at the Democratic Convention of 1980 - " The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die". The American dream lives forever.

Tendulkar after retirement

 Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar retired on this day 9 years ago. Post retirement he commennted - "I made tea, had a lovely breakfast with my wife." Here is what the little birdie told me about the activities as the day progressed.

He had switched off his mobile to take a break from the congratulatory messages pouring in much heavier than rain in Mumbai at the peak of monsoon season. After a light lunch followed by a brief nap he switches his mobile on to call an old friend Rahul Dravid to get some clarification about the post retirement benefits - the LIC, Postal Saving certificates and the SBI Fixed deposits.

Next day morning some one told the master blaster that he has not done justice to his huge fan base from the nondescript state of Odisha on the east coast. "Odisha ?" he chuckles. "Ah, the evergreen Barabati Stadium where I played many matches. Now I remember".

The maestro was reminded that the day is CHHADAKHAAI, i.e., the day after KARTIK PURNIMA (the full moon day) when the Odias make trip to the local fish market. They do it to break the logjam of their long absence from non-vegetarian food. This hiatus can be an entire month for those more devoted ones or its 5 day substitute called PANCHUKA - the absence of non-veg food for the most at the fag end of it. (Non vegetarian food in India simply means food which isn't vegetarian, which can include but not limited to meat, fish, eggs, shrimp, crabs).

Our Sachin Babu suddenly thought of doing something to connect to his huge fan base from that state. The little master grabs a small white bag and dusts off the Scootie to make a trip to the local fish market. As he wasn't aware of the sky rocketing inflation he spent a good 5 minutes bargaining for the piece of ROHU (a popular fish in Odisa) he liked.

After making the payments and collecting the change he was last heard rushing towards the vegetable market, taking dictations from his wife with his head tilted left to support the mobile between his left shoulder and ear. Post retirement he has a new boss in his house.

Kartika Purnima 2024

Today is KARTIKA PURNIMA, the last full moon day of Fall (Autumn). This special day has a historic significance for the state of Odisha where it is celebrated to commemorate its rich heritage. In the Western hemisphere, it is called the Beaver Moon shining bright on a cool, crispy, crystal clear, aquamarine Fall sky.

Once upon a time, Odisha used to be an independent state and a maritime superpower. It's SADHAVAS (traders) use to go on trading expeditions to faraway lands of Java, Sumatra, Borneo (modern day Indonesia and Malayan Peninsula), bringing in riches and laurels. This full moon day with high tide and the advent of winter with calm seas assisted by favourable trade winds was considered apt and auspicious to launch any commercial mission.

Many on this day in my home state back home of Odisha flock in droves early in the morning to the nearest river, lake or pond to revisit the past. They float miniature yachts with lamps, slowly pushing them into water. Propelled by rippled waves they waver a few feet with the lamps flickering before getting submerged - probably a metaphorical symbol of the waning and faltering state.

For years my father has been telling me that there was invariably a huge line in front of the pond near our house to float the flotillas associated with this festival. Each year, the line gets longer. The reason - most water bodies inside Bhubaneswar either have dried up, or gobbled up by land sharks who topped them with soil to form the bottom base of the ever expanding concrete jungle. This year too there seems to be no respite, but the same pond is drying fast with its rapidly receding water level. It won't be long before the pond end up as a dry crater.

History depicts Kalinga (modern day Odisha) as an independent, indomitable Republic of the time - rich and robust enough to challenge and resist the powerful Magadha Kingdom for several generations. Kalinga's marauding War Elephants, an integral part of the military those days was regarded as the best in Indian subcontinent. In Hindi Tele Serial on Chanakya, when Magadh's princess, daughter of Emperor Mahapadmananda is kidnapped, mad in rage he suspected Kalinga - EK KALING HAI JO MAGADH RAJKANYA KA APAHARAN KA SAHAS SAKTA HAI, "Only Kaling could dare to kidnap Magadh Emperor's daughter". Kalinga was powerful enough to earn the respect of its powerful neighbor Magadh who envied its power to live in peaceful coexistence.

After him both Chandragupta and his son Bindusara of Maurya Dynasty spectacularly failed to conquer Kalinga. It is said that Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya's prudent minister advised his King to refrain from attacking Kalinga, a powerful adversary of the day. The wise minister was only following his famous Chanakya Neeti (treatise) - "If your adversary is powerful, it's wise to make truce with it". His words supposedly dissuaded the Magadh Emperor already tired from his protracted battle against the last Nanda King from any kind of misadventure against Kalinga. His son Bindusara wisely followed his father by maintaining the status quo by continuing the truce.

But his scion, ambitious CHANDASHOK (Ashok, the Cruel), attacked Kalinga and finally won a pyrrhic victory in the year 261 BC. The citizens of Kalinga fought bravely till the end. The Daya river near the Dhauli hills on the outskirts of the modern day Bhubaneswar turned into red with the blood spilled in that devastating war. Ashok was stunned when he saw the women and kids of Kalinga stubbornly fighting, refusing to surrender till they fell one after another.

The war was bloody enough to transform CHANDASHOK (Ashok, the Cruel) into DHARMASHOK (Ashok, the Pious). Couple of centuries later it was payback time for Kalinga. KHARABELA, the emperor of Kalinga avenged the earlier defeat by conquering and ransacking Magadh. 

From 11th to 15th century AD, the Gajapati (Lord of Elephants, probably because of Kalinga's famed Pachyderm army was its forte) Kings of Odisha built embarkments on rivers, created impressive architectural feats like the Sun Temple of Konark (Black Pagoda), defended aggression from enemies and built a great civilization. At one point of time the Kalinga empire extended from Ganges in North to Godavari in the south under King Kapilendra Deb.

But in the age sans contraceptives, the mighty King maintained both Queens and Concubines who kept on delivering broods of legitimate and illegitimate progenies, laying the seeds for future fratricidal wars. His descendants got involved themselves in internecine squabbling to capture the throne and managed to be the harbinger of the demise of the great Kalinga empire. Raja Mukund Dev was arguably the last independent Odia King before it came under Muslim rule, followed by the Marathas and British.

A scene from the Hindi movie ASHOKA still rings a bell. When Prince Ashok, played by the popular actor Sah Rukh Khan arrives in KALING (modern day Odisha), he is offered food by a native who says KALING MEIN KOI BHUKHA NAHI RAHTA (nobody goes hungry in Odisha). More than couple of thousands of years after Ashok it sounds irony by itself. Poverty and malnutrition keeps Odisha in the news cycle as the state lags behind in Human Development Indices. In Odia there is saying - "KARPURA UDI JAICHI, KHALI KANA PADICHI", meaning the smell of camphor is gone, only the cloth remains. Gone are those glorious days with only golden memories down the lane to cherish.

The day after KARTIK PURNIMA is called CHHADAKHAAI (Feast after the Fast), when the Odias make trip to the local fish, meat market. They do it to break the logjam of their month long absence from non-vegetarian food of fish, meat and poultry they cherish. This hiatus can be an entire month for the few devoted ones or just 5 days (PANCHUKA) of absence from the titillating foods at the fag end for most.

The prices of fish and meat skyrocket as the vendors often try to seize advantage of the demand. It's not uncommon for street vendors being beaten for selling sub standard fish and meat. I remember reading in a local newspaper sometime in the 1990s, public thrashing of a guy accused of selling dog meat in guise of goat meat. This day also marks the beginning of the winter months, a very pleasant season which last for couple of months. Happy KARTIK PURNIMA to all.

Happy birthday Nehru

 I remember this classic Bengali movie "AKALER SANDHANE" (In Search of Famine) made by the legendary film maker Mrinal Sen. It aptly depicts the milieu during the famous Bengal famine which coincided with 2nd World War. I still vividly remember this scene. As War planes criss crossed the blue Bengal sky, a famished woman ran across a parched paddy field which should be normally lush green with rice plants, shouting at top of her voice "DEKH, UDOJAHAJ, UDOJAHAJ" (See, Airplane, Airplane).

The scene was quite symbolic. When the British and the Germans were flying airplanes we were clapping and chasing those objects like mirage, ecstatic at the mere sight of them. Soon we got our independence in the year 1947 and Jawaharlal Nehru became India's first Prime minister at a time when British left India in penury. These days, those who are critical of Nehru should not forget that when he took over as its first Prime Minister, India wasn't a Nuclear power with world's 4th largest GDP, rather a basket case of poverty.

He wasn't perfect as a man and a leader (neither the leaders of Nehru's current critics. In fact many of his current critics and their kids took full advantage of the institutions created by him). Whatever flaws he might had, credit should be given where credit is due. He had many civilized views, a modern approach towards education, hated superstitions and stereotype dogmas. India whom the British left in financial doldrums needed a socialist boost to its economy (post war Britain preferred Labor Party, got rid of their war hero Churchill for the same). 

He built modern infrastructures like Steel Plants, Ports and Dams across India. He envisioned Engineering Institutes like IITs and NITs whose students made their share of contributions to nation. Many who have passed out of these elite institutes of India and champion hypocrites critical of Nehru, should know that they are where they are today due to the vision of this man whom now they so much love to hate.

Nehru's current detractors should remember that India was not a 3 trillion economy in 1947. The idols of current right wing haters of Nehru, a la RSS, Hindu Mahasabha et all who had a history of siding with British were neither visionaries nor indulged in any nation building activities when India got its independence.

An open free market economy at that juncture arguably could have taken us in the path of some Latin American Banana Republics plauged with 1000% inflation. (However we should have jettisoned socialism a la the Chinese in 1970s but Nehru wasn't there at that time and his insecure daughter Indira lacked vision to liberalize when many Asian nations did).

Nehru led India for 17 long years. There were many interesting anecdotes ascribed to him. Once during his visit to London a leaflet for the occasion was released by the Indian High Commission proclaiming - "BANDIT Nehru in town, inadvertently replacing P by B, so Pandit Nehru became Bandit Nehru). And the rumor was that he had a thing for Lord Mountbatten's wife Edwina. On another occasion immediately after arriving in London he went alone to meet Lady Mountbatten at midnight at her residence when her husband was out of town. The nosey British press followed the scent and the next day a picture of Lady Mountbatten bidding Good Bye to Nehru in front of her house was flashed on front on British Newspapers - "Lady Mountbatten's midnight visitor". Nehru was single and widower for a long time.

Though visionary, Nehru was an idealist, not pragmastic. His foreign policy of appeasement towards China badly backfired as the untrustworthy Middle Kingdom backstabbed him by attacking India in 1962. He couldn't recover from the shock, fell ill and died in May, 1964.

But the man left his mark. Today we might still be clapping and running in fields with joy when a Boeing wheezes pass overhead, convinced that it's non other than Ravan's PUSHPAK BIMAN. But thanks to Pandit Nehru's initiatives we were saved from getting adrift from the development narrative. On Jawaharlal Nehru's 135th birthday today we need to give credit to the man for his vision and positive contributions to India.

Gloomy Sunday

 It feels gloomy when you wake up after taking siesta on a cool, cloudy Sunday afternoon following a weekend with the spectre of a long work week ahead and a morbid feeling engulfing the mood. It feels gloomier when you remember an article from your childhood days published under the section "True tales stranger than fictions" in a magazine in 1980s named MIRROR (now defunct).

One not so fine Sunday afternoon, a nondescript jilted European youth dumped by his beloved composed this fateful music in between the gloomy times between the two World Wars, aptly naming it - "Gloomy Sunday". Whenever this ill fated song was played over Radio and hit the European Airwaves, it led to several suicides across the continent ranging from Italy to Germany. Some jumped from bridges, some shot, hanged or poisoned by killing themselves, blaming the music on their suicide note.

The saga of the suicides did not end there. The ill fated music took its toll, as the jilted composer was jolted by the news of his ex-girlfriend, the cause behind his composition committed suicide by consuming poison using a paper on which the song was written. The jilted lover, an already heartbroken guy, was totally devastated as he didn't want his ex-girlfriend to die.

The song had to be banned and the radio stations stopped playing it, never to be heard again. Thus ended the saga of Gloomy Sunday.

Finally a Song on a cold, cloudy  gloomy Sunday 

Yeh Facebook ki Duniya,
Yeh Like ki Duniya.
Yeh Share Ki Duniya,
Yeh Posting the Duniya.
Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye To Kya hai...

(Based upon the famous song from Guru Dutt's PYASA, an actor known to make gloomy movies and committed suicide).

Donald Trump again became President

Donald Trump again became the President of the United States. It wasn't entirely unexpected. For a long time opinion polls showed him having a consistent 1-3 point advantage in the crucial swing states. He won all the 7 swing states by 1 to 3 points, a comfortable margin these days in a overtly Divided State of America to get into the White House. Republicans also won both the House of Representatives and the Senate. 

Democrats are themselves to blame for their defeat. They stuck to good ole Biden who showed signs of dementia and it was until July or August he was replaced by his Vice President Kamala Harris who wasn't vetted through the grueling Primaries process. But the main reason for the Democrats defeat isn't their choice of candidate. It’s economy stupid ! 

High inflation and cost of living is hitting the American middle class, the traditional voters of the Democratic party through the roof. Bread and butter issue trumps all and helped Trump win the election. Politics is a matter of perception. Continuing Illegal immigration was another reason behind the democratic party's defeat as Biden was  considered friendly towards them. He capitalized on both. 

Trump has gained DESI (a slang used for Persons of Indian origin in India) votes by at least 10 points. In 2020 election, 67% of Indians voted for Democrats. It has come down to 56% this time. More Desis are now turning Republicans. When Indians come to USA with $40K salary they tend to support Democratic party, a party they see as more friendly towards immigrants. Once they settle down, start making money in 6 figures, they talk like Republicans - proponents of lower taxes etc. It is another matter that some Desi Bhai who are active members of Republicans party who preach morality and family values are champion, serial wife cheaters. 

The day after the Election I met a Desi Bhai at work. He told me why he voted for Trump. He is miffed about inflation and prices going up, him buying Eggs at $7 a dozen vis a vis $3 a dozen few years back. I told him that it was Trump who started transferring thousands of dollars to the accounts of the middle class to save the economy which was in stage of free fall. After his defeat, Joe Biden continued the same trend, pumping more money. The economy was saved, but the side effect was a painful inflation which pinched the pockets of the middle class. Before Covid I could buy a decent sandwich for lunch for $5. Now it costs no less than $8, and with fries and a drink exceeds 10 bucks. Inflation had been a clear and present issue for which always the incumbent administration pays the price. 

The other albatross on Democrat's neck was illegal immigration. Trump is perceived as the savior of America from illegal immigrants. But he needs to walk his bombadistic talk rather than giving lip service. Remember, during Trump's tenure between 2016-2020, two million illegal immigrants entered into the United States. Hopefully he cracks the whip this time. Time will bear the testimony of that. 

Democrats who used to be the traditional party of the Working middle class is now seen more as a woke party now conducting gay marriages. They have failed to fight for the issues of the working class American. It hurt them big time, especially cracking the Blue Wall of the Rust Belt of the critically swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania. They needs to get back to the drawing board. It's okay to be liberal, not OK to be woke. It's time for Democrats to wake up and smell the coffee. 

Politics in our blood

 The other day a friend asked me if politics is discussed in US at the same breath as it is discussed in India. I replied - "Not even close. Politics is the talking point memo in some discussions I have been to in America, but nothing compared to what we come across in India or amongst Indians. In USA politics is more or less discussed mostly around the Presidental Elections every 4 years, but in India it is a 24×7, 7 days a week, 365 days a year phenomenon, ubiquitous on social media if you take a glimpse at it. Indian Americans too discuss more about politics in America than any one else. 

India has more than 5,000 years of tryst with politics. From the age of Mahabharat when the "Mahatma" (great soul) Vidur laid out his Vidur Neeti (principles) applicable to the Dwapara Yuga (era) when ethics and morality was the sine qua non of that age. Then came the "Kalyug" (The age of Conflict) where ethics and righteousness were passe, truthfulness was damned. Kautilya, the wily but wise and pragmatic minister during Chandragupta Maurya's empire in India wrote his famous "Chanakya Neeti" which is still considered as a Treatise of modern day politics. 

Politics has been part and parcel of Indian subcontinent over centuries. But it is not just limited to scheming Kings, palace plots involving their queens and concubines, their ministers and even subjects. Politics is there inside every home. Forget politics amongst siblings, cousins and relatives, there is lot of in house intrigue between the Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law (India's popular Sas - Bahu tele serials are based on it). Sister-in-law (Nanand) rarely see eye to eye with her co Sister-in-law (Bhauja or Bhabi). Samudi and Samuduni (parents of bride and groom) lose no opportunity in their game of scheming and oneupmanship. Politics inside Indian families living under the same roof in a nuclear family can be extremely complicated. Politics runs in our vein. 

Not a single linguistic or ethinic Indian community is free from intra-community politics. It is particularly stark amongst the PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) in America where all over the states in United States you can see multiple Odia, Bengali, Telugu and other linguistic groups solely based on the desire to fulfill the political goals of certain individuals. In many social occasions one can see ladies passing snide remarks under the veil of their stilted, plastic smiles. Constipated with ego and false vanity, they can be seen looking at each other as if they didn't get a bowel movement for more than a week. Politics runs in our blood, so much so that an additional blood group P+ can be attributed to we Indians. I am sure if "Chandrayaan" paves the way for migration to moon, soon we will have our political parties ready to run for elections on earth's sole natural satellite. 

Interestingly, many in India took a keen interest during the last Presidental Elections in the United States in 2020. Many back home became self proclaimed supporters of Donald Trump. One guy from my village called me in middle of Election night during last election - "Bhaina, Kana TRAWMPAW HARUCHI  (Brother, seems our Trump is losing) ? "How did you know and why do you care ?" - I asked in curiosity. "Ethi Sabu TV Re Dekhauchi, everything is shown on TV here". He continued further - "TRAWMPAW MODI RA SANGA THILA. PAKISTAN KU PAANE DEITHANTA (Trump was Modi's friend, would have taught Pakistan a lesson)". I replied - "How did you know ? Did Trump ever tell you so" ? 

Wish Americans take even a fraction of this interest in Elections held in India, compared to what many Indians take in the US Elections. 2024 has been the year of hot political debates as both USA and India had their elections, first time ever since 2004. Social media is full of action without a single dull day.

Businessmen as statesmen

Donald Trump is a failed businessman who is running for office and could become the  President of the most powerful nation of earth yet again in less than a week. He is supported by many other successful businessmen, overtly or covertly. Elon Musk is openly canvassing for Trump, using his powerful social media platform (X) for the same. Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon refused to endorse Kamala Harris on Washington Post. Mark Zuckerberg of Meta and Sundar Pichai of Google are bending their backs before Trump by calling him to keep the egotistic and narcissist man in good humor. Not that Businessmen (and women) stay out of the Election cycles, but never ever in the history of the United States, so many Business leaders are blatantly involved in politics.

Do Business persons make great politicians ? Technically nothing stops them from becoming one. I have many entrepreneur friends who are not only highly successful, they are outstanding individuals who make immense contribution to society. Always in awe of them I admire their guts, risk taking capability and philanthropic outreach.

Yet I can't remember a business person ever becoming a successful politician. The rise of Donald Trump brings up a very pertinent question - Can a businessman excell in state craft ? Possible, but unfortunately history hasn't been on their side. Rarely we have seen eminent business persons at the helm of affairs of a nation and carving a niche.

Billionaire Trump boasted that if elected, he will build a wall on Mexican border, making Mexico pay for it. None of that happened. In four years in office, he managed to build a token wall on a small stretch of the vast southern border, but by any stretch it hasn't stopped illegal immigration. Nor Mexico has paid a single Peso for that wall. There is no reason for me to believe why he will do the wall if he gets elected this time.

Trump was a businessman from outside the Washington Beltway, supposed to bring a breath of fresh air using his much vaunted negotiation skills as an asset to his administration. But he turned out to be a pompous, big fat liar with dictatorial tendencies, trumpeting hot air to garner votes. His skills as a businessman (a failed one) neither helped US, nor helped his reelection bid in 2020.

A nation ain't Corporation. You can't build a fence and bill your neighbor, as you send invoices to your clients in business. You can't fire your voters if they aren't on the same page with you. Managing a country is not a business of managing boardroom or balance sheet. A country is not run on the basis of profit and loss. It's takes lot more than that.

It's not just Trump who failed. We have seen many Businessmen making poor politicians, national leaders or anything remotely statesmen. Mitt Romney, a man with business experience failed to enthuse the electorates in a nation known as the citadel of Capitalism.  Despite his best efforts he could not get rid of the stigma of a vulture capitalist. He could not connect to the commoners especially in a country where business and business men are adored and not so much frowned upon, unlike in many nations including India.

I personally admire and respect the businessmen for their vision, acumen and stewardship. They make champion managers, have exemplary people skills and guide their corporations to pinnacles of success. However their leadership is mostly limited to their boardroom, rarely beyond that. Many who manage their company extremely well, are poor to manage in managing their companions on home front which lead to marital discords and divorces. It yet proves that nanaging a nation is a whole different ballgame.

History stands as a testimony to this fact. Our great leaders Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Subash Bose, Indira Gandhi (arguably the most manly Prime minister India ever had. She did size up Pakistan by walking the talk, not just by talking the talk) did not have any business background. In America, the most capitalist country in the world, none from Roosevelt, Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton or Obama had hardly had any kind of business background. So also English Prime Ministers Churchill and Maggie Thatcher. The myth that a business person would make a great national leader still lives on and on, yet to be vindicated.

Happy Diwali 2024

 It is interesting to note that Halloween in US and Diwali, the Festival of Lights in India come around the same time in year. This year it's unique, for both Diwali and Halloween happen to be exactly on the same day. Both occasions involve respecting the dead in their respective ways. However, there is a difference. Diwali indicates the culmination of the festival season in India, whereas Halloween is the harbinger of the festive season in America, with Thanksgiving, Christmas holidays to follow towards the end of November and December.

Halloween is invariably on the 31st of October as Westerners follow the Gregorian Calendar. The date of Diwali which follows the Hindu Lunar Calendar falls on a New Moon Day, comes very close its American counterpart of Halloween every year. This year Diwali is on October 31 per Gregorian Calendar.

In Odisha we call it DEEPABALI, but the genX has already switched to the more fancied and eye catching "Diwaali". Traditionally earthen lamps are lit and KAUNRI KATHI (a thin, white capillary stick which is empty inside) is burnt to wish salvation to the departed souls. The culture of incessant bursting of loud, noisy crackers (fireworks) is an outside import along with the fireworks manufactured in Sivalakshi, Tamil Nadu or imported from China these days. This deviation in culture started as an urban phenomenon in Odisha, now well permeated into its villages.

Though an important festival in Odisha, unlike Diwali being the major festival in India, especially in the North and West, Deepabali is more like another important festival, because the preceding Durga Puja and Raja festival during the early monsoon steal more limelight. But invasion of North Indian culture along with Hindi when sister now a days is preferred to be addressed as a "Didi" rather than a "Naani or Apaa", thanks to the all pervading Ekta Kapoor's TV serials, Deepabali is slowly paving it's way to Diwaali in Odisha.

Not sure if many remember the traditional Odia way of celebrating Deepabali is to invite the deceased forefathers with shouting at their top of their voice - 

"ବଡ଼ ବଡ଼ୁଆ ହୋ ! ଅନ୍ଧାରରେ ଆସି ଆଲୁଅରେ ଯାଅ । ଗଙ୍ଗା ଯାଅ, ଗୟା ଯାଅ, କାଶୀ ଯାଅ, ପୁରୁଷୋତ୍ତମରେ ମହାପ୍ରସାଦ ଖାଇ ବାଇଶି ପାହାଚେ ଗଡ଼ଗଡ଼ଉ ଥାଅ ।" 

Roughly transliterated...

O' our beloved departed Souls, 

Come in the dark but depart in light.

Travel to Ganga, Gaya and Kashi,

After eating the sacred offerings in Puri,

Roll over the 22 steps of Lord's abode).

The new moon night symbolizes arrival of the departed souls in darkness. By lighting lamps we invite them to lighten up with festivities and leave darkness behind. Our Odia legends Fakir Mohan Senapati, Madhu Babu, Gourishankar Ray, the Pandit duo Gopabandhu and Nilakantha Das et all who worked tirelessly to secure the Odia language must be groping in the dark, shedding tears to see their mother tongue getting ravaged by cultural onslaught from the North. Let's light a few lamps to the salvation of our forgotten heroes and enlighten the GenX.

On the other hand Halloween is a custom of the Western world, much prevalent in America who succinctly protect this tradition from dilution by drivels in any form of outside influence. Homes and front yards are decorated for Ghosts and Ghouls. Kids and adults alike wear fancy and funny outfits, especially the former roam outdoor from door to door asking for "Trick or Treat".

More often the "Treat" of candies is provided to the kids, rather than any "Trick" by the homeowners. Once I tried my own trick to impress a bunch of kids doing a Ghost dance, shaking my 6 packs of fat, which ultimately made the kids flee for their lives. That was the best ghoulish trick they probably ever got.

Since then I have stuck to treating them with Candies. An estimated $10 billion worth of candy is consumed in America during the Halloween. A lot of it wasted, going down the drain, eaten by teeth bacteria and ending up benefiting the Dentists.

Happy "ଦିପାବଳୀ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା, Dipabali, Diwaali" to my friends and family. Stay safe and enjoy the occasion.

A week away from US Presidential Election 2024

Exactly a week remains before the Election day in America on Tuesday, November 5. Harold Wilson, the British Prime Minister once said that a week is a long time in politics. Anything can happen between now and November 5 to decisively move this race one way or other. The race is still tight, as Comedian Bill Maher said - "the race is tighter than Trump's ass in a federal prison". 

A month ago it was looking like Harris has wrapped up this election and sealed the deal, especially after Trump's poor performance in the debate with her. Since then a lot of water has flown under the bridge of Chattahoochee river. The gap between them has considerably narrowed, the momentum now with Donald Trump. If the Election is held tomorrow, Trump is probably winning. 

Why this is happening ? What has happened in between for Trump to close the gap and  Harris can't close the deal ? Well, Kamala Harris has a messaging problem. If she can come out as genuine and not look like a stereotype politician, she would have a chance. Politicians like Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama were natural communicators. I think it is now a case of too little, too late to build that image. She blew up that post debate advantage she had. It is now her Election to lose. If Trump wins, it will be a blow to the traditional American politics for the following couple of reasons. 

1. Previously the Presidential debates matter to swing the election one way or other. In 1980 Reagan came out better against the incumbent Jimmy Carter in the debate which turned the tide for him. In 1992 Bill Clinton turned the table by defeating George Bush senior and comfortably won the Election. Nowadays debates don't matter in an overtly divided country where voters have already made up their mind. 

2. The old theory of Republicans being friendly towards the rich, democrats standing for the Working middle class is gone. Now Democrats are perceived as a party of the woke, college educated, privilege class elites. Trumpians (not traditional Republicans) see him as the fighter of non college White Working class. This explains why democrat strongholds, the blue wall of the rust belt of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin are shoes signs of cracking. Even many Labor Union members, young male Blacks and Hispanics are leaning Republican. 

At the same time Trump, a New York real estate sellsman who is good at making hyperbolic statements has been able to connect to the White non college working class like no politician has. They think Trump is answer to their woes. Whether Trump will REALLY drive all illegal immigrants out of America or bring back jobs to America, your guess is as good as mine. 

Interestingly, Democrats have more money this time and are outspending Republicans. They also have a well entrenched system to play the ground game by poking the undecided, independent voters urging them to go and vote. Ground game is very important when results in the crucial swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania is going to be decided by razor this margin, in a margin of few thousands from a million of votes cast. It's going to be a long night on Tuesday, November 5.  But one thing I can predict with certainty - if Kamala Harris wins this, Trump is again going to be her opponent in 2028, as I am sure he will get GOP nomination hands down. So tighten your belts and get ready for a roller coaster ride.

RIP Dinabandhu Mausa

He was our neighbor in BJB Flats in Bhubaneswar, my hometown back home where my father was quartered from 1976 to 1991, and I spent the bulk of my childhood and early part of youth. He is Dinabandhu Rath Mausa, my father's friend and colleague who used to teach English in BJB College.

Just before my Plus 2 Higher Secondary Examination my dad requested Dinabandhu Mausa to guide me in English, especially the English poetry which I neglected. Earlier I had tried my hand in poetry, but miserably failed in it, athough I was a voracious reader of English prose, literature, books and sundry magazines. Not that I was disinterested in English, but I focused more on Math and Science subjects so that I could get into IIT or REC, the two most sought after Institutions those days to get into for graduate studies. Qualifying for these institutions attempted by 99.99% undergrads those days was a matter of prestige. If you failed to crack IIT or REC JEE (Joint Engineering Entrance) after successive attempts, you were considered a PENA (Nincompoop) or DHAIN (an Odia word for Asthmatic person gasping for breath, often used as a slang to denote an useless, good for nothing guy). 

I certainly had no intention of ending up as a PENA or DHAIN, yet I went to Dinababdhu Mausa's home not to dissapoint my father. It paid its dividends. Mausa taught me that English poetry is not read, rather it has to be felt, along with few tricks of writing and I grasped it like sponge to water. Under his tutelage, I could understand the depth of the poems of my favorite duo John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelly, especially Shelly the eccentric genius who died from a freak drowning accident in the sea, his poem "Ozymandias" is arguably one of the best I read. I also started liking the works of John Donne, Wordsworth, Elliot, Frost and was surprised to find a poet in Shakespeare.

Dinababdhu Mausa gave me assignments to write critical appreciation of poems. I found my writing very ordinary and expected a bad feedback from him, afraid to ask him. One fine evening my father came home - "Just spoke to Dinababdhu Babu. He told me, your son has a flair for writing in English and better suited for humanity stream. He needs no direction and good to go as far as scoring good marks in English subjects in his Higher Secondary Examination go".

My mother was an expert cook. Dinababdhu Mausa loved the Puri style cooked "MACHHA BESARA" (scrambled fish) prepared by my mom. Mausa got married in the summer of 1986. He threw a big reception at the OTDC Pantha Nivas, a stone's throw from BJB Flats where we used to live. I remember me savoring several helpings of "Quality" brand Ice Cream - a luxury those days. While studying Engineering in REC (now NIT) Rourkela, I used to come home during the Holidays and often met Dinabandhu Mausa, our neighbor. He always motivated me - "Hope you are still writing. You have a knack for story telling. Don't lose your flair in writing. Keep it up".

We left BJB Flats in 1991 and shifted to our own house constructed by my father. In 1998 I visited Mausa to invite him for my marriage. His long hairs had long gone (we used to call him Shakespeare Sir for his long, flowing hair which made him resemble the legendary English playwright). Then I lost contacts with him until I reestablished contact a few years ago on Facebook. He asked me to find a suitable girl for his son Rutwik who is in USA. I replied - "Mausa, your son is good looking and qualified. It shouldn't be difficult for him to find a life partner. These days young men and women prefer to look for partner by themselves". Mausa said - "You are so correct. I wish he finds someone soon. The boy is getting old". It was so sad to see a gentleman leave this world too soon. May God give strength to his children Rutwik and Olivia to overcome the grief. Om 🕉 Shanti.