RIP Charana Ramdas

 Not many days has passed since I wrote my last obituary, when I had to write one more. He was a true achiever on his own, coming from a humble background. A gifted orator, his life was prematurely cut short. I liked his lucid style of monologue delivery and explanation of our Sacred texts in a simple form to be understood by the commoners.

Born as Rama Chandra Barik in our village, he went by Charana Ramdas - At the feet in the service of Lord Ram. He was very skilled at giving PRABACHANA (sermons) in his catchy style which directly connected to his audience. His sermons are popular on many Odia TV Channels and can be watched on YouTube as well.

He rose from a humble background. His father JATIA BARIKA was the ubiquitous figure in all the marriages held in our village. I remember him from the late 1970s, coming to our home to get tutored by my Uncle who was his contemporary but a better student. He was a fan of Vinod Khanna, dismissing Amitabh Bacchan as a KANKI JUANA (lanky young man). However, Amitabh had the last laugh as he went on to be the superstar. Next time I saw him on TV gone were his long hippie hair of the 70s. He had lost those hairs, turned bald but his sermons turned on my attention. 

An admirer of my grandfather who was a renowned Sanskrit scholar of our village and its vicinity, Rama Barika, as he was addressed in our village went on to pass Matriculation Exam, studied Arts (a local lingo for Humanities subjects) before dropping out of college at some point of time. He went to a local Mutt (Abbott) in Puri and learnt about Jagannath culture and tradition from his Guru Sadasiba Rathasharma, a renowned Jagannath Scholar of the time. He never looked back ever since.

He had a glib tongue. His sermons effectively blended with catchy words, phrases with devotional songs, juxtaposed with stories from our Hindu Scriptures - Puranas, Veda, Upanishad  caught the attention of his audience. Often he was on TV screen as well as on Radio giving running commentary during the live telecast of the world famous Rath Jatra held every summer, captivating the audience, making you feel as if you are on Puri BADA DANDA (Broadway) watching the event.

Covid cut his life short. He was probably around 63 or 64 years of age. May Lord Jagannath bless him with peace. Om Shanti.

Social media's response to Israel's strike on Hamas

 There is a saying in Odia - "MORA SINA NISA NAHI, MO MADHIA BHAI RA MOTA MOTA NISA (I don't have a moustache, but my Madhia bro has fat moustache). The glee by many on the social media at Israel's bombing on Hamas targets reflects the same. 

For years we have harbored an inferiority complex as a weak nation and Pakistan screwing us time and again. We have hardly done anything spectacular to pay back our western neighbor in the same coin. So when Israel bombs Hamas and the Palestinians, we get vicarious pleasure and jump in ecstasy, because Palestine and Pakistan share one thing - both are Muslim countries. Wish Israelis reciprocate a fraction of our unilateral solidarity with them.

Israel has a long record of double standards vis a vis India. Not just Israel, but every country in the world who follows pragmatic foreign policy does that - hypocrisy and double dealings are the leitmotif of international relationship. Israel is no exception.

Long back I read a book on Mossad - the dreaded Israeli secret service. In June, 1981 in a swift strike Israel using their freshly purchased F-16s from the United States circled and bombed the nuclear plant in the heart of Baghdad, Iraq during the midday lunch hours, when the guards were caught napping. Before Sadam Hussain's soldiers could scramble their Anti-Aircraft guns, the Israeli fighter planes were already out of Iraq's Airspace. 

Iran was very happy for what Israel did to Iraq as Iran and Iraq were in the middle of a war those days. United States was a friend of both Iraq and Israel those days, but an enemy of Iran. However Israel's action supported by America benefited Iran which both nations were well aware of. International relationship, especially in the Middle East was highly complex, still is.

Alarmed by this Zia Ul Haq in 1982 sent secret emissaries to Israel to assure that Pakistan's nuclear program was directed at its arch rival India, not against Zionist forces. As Pakistan had no formal ties with Israel its secret emissaries met their Israeli counterparts in Jordan or Egypt and they struck a deal.

In the same book it was mentioned that towards end of 1980s, Mossad was simultaneously training personnels from India's secret service RAW and LTTE who were fighting for the minority Tamil  rights in Sri Lanka. At that time India's peace keeping force (IPKF) was involved in Sri Lanka, fighting against LTTE. Israel was aware of this and made sure RAW and LTTE trainees didn't bump into each other. The RAW officers were awestruck by the fitness and professionalism of the female trainers from Mossad who were one step ahead from their male trainees - starting from hand to hand combats to their marksmanship. 

My friend Gyan Sharma Jee mentioned that Azerbaijan recently used Israeli weapons on its arch rival Armenia to win a victory. Azerbaijan is an Islamic nation and the whole thing was pushed under the carpet. Our pro Israeli Bhakts who are also fans of Republican Party in America should also note that in 1987 when Ronald Reagan, a Republican was the President, US sold weapons to Iran and used that money to fund the Contra Guerillas. At that time, Iran and US were sworn enemies. The Reagan administration had a lot of explaining to do, but such secret deal making with hostile enemies happens time to time.

In international realpolitik no one is untouchable as far as preservation of one's national interest goes. What Israel is doing now is to protect its territorial interest. DUSHMAN KA DUSHMAN DOST HOTA HAI - an enemy's enemy is a friend. Saudi Arabia is soft on Israel as the later takes care of Hezbollah, an anti Israeli terror outfit funded by Iran. This adds to the complexity of the region.

Middle East is murky and extremely complicated. I doubt Israel would reciprocate a fraction of our camaderie as India interest is least of its concern now. The Middle East crisis is not going to be solved during our lifetime. The likes of Hezbollah, Hamas will attack again and Israeli forces will retaliate. This endless cycles of attacks and revenges will continue. It should not be viewed in a simplistic, religious way - like a discussion at GULLI KHATTI (Light hearted chats a Gully joints). No need to feel as the ABDULLAH in BEGAANI SHAADI MEIN ABDULLAH DIWANA (No need to dance in someone else's marriage party).

Staying healthy during the time of Corona

 As I was mowing my lawn today, a soothing breeze caressed me as I inhaled a lung full of fresh air. A good half an hour of yard work is a great outdoor exercise for the lungs and arteries, especially the former which needs to stay healthy during this Corona pandemic time.

A lot of folks these days are doing various breathing exercises, Pranayams for healthy lungs. Being restless in nature, I have never been comfortable with Yogic poses and Pranayams. I tried and failed, realizing that they not my cuppa tea. However I am good at swimming and taking long walks, doing garden and yard work in summer, all of which are good for lungs.

Doing exercise for long time helps. Rome wasn't built in a day, so also not body immunity. Slow and steady wins the race. Though late in the game, Corona has scared a lot of my friends to do jump into the bandwagon of Yoga, Pranayam and other aerobic exercises. Thought it's a classic case of too little, too late, better late than never. Nevertheless a step in the right direction.

But it takes a long time to for the body to build its immunity, the lungs to stay fibrous and perforated for filtration, the arteries to be clean. It doesn't happen overnight. It's same as passing an exam by burning last minute midnight oil. We may pass the exam and earn a degree. But it takes long time hardwork and perseverance to earn knowledge.

I am reminded of the Odia proverb BAHAGHARA BELE BAIGANA RUA - "Harvesting Brinjal (Eggplant) at the time of marriage". It simply means, doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. Whatever Yoga, Pranayam we do, if we aren't careful, don't do social distancing and let our guards down (doing wrong things) during this horrendous pandemic (wrong time), we will invite trouble. Let's all  continue doing the right thing, stay healthy and stay safe.

RIP Rabi Panda

 As this malignant Covid mutant is busy spreading its tentacles in India, I am busy writing obituaries of my near and dear ones on regular basis - folks I am and was familiar with, who left their indelible impression in me. They left too early for comfort, their deaths could have been preventable. We do live in turbulent times.

In 1979, as a 10 year old cricket fan, I was watching a match between the touring Australian team and East Zone (Comprising Odisha, Bengal, Bihar which included Jharkhand then, Assam) at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, Odisha. There was no TV those days. The gallery was full of transistor wielding spectators.

Came afternoon. Close to tea, came the announced from an Odia commentator "CHA PAANA BIRATI", meaning "Tea Break". The person sitting next to me gave me some unsolicited information, that the players will go outside for tea and chew a few betel leaves (PAAN) during this break, hence the name "CHA PAANA BIRATI".

I believed him and imagined Alan Border along with Kim Hughes going out to a kiosk outside and ordering GOPAL ZARDA (A popular scented tobacco) PAAN, followed by a "Cutting Chai", brewed from a coal oven. However I took it for granted that Rabi Panda, a player representing Odisha those days and true to his salt did so.

He struggled against the bowling of a rookie Geoff Lawson, the young Aussie fast bowler who could find a place in the team because all his better known compatriot Dennis Lillie, Len Pascoe were playing in the better paying Kerry Packers League (Test cricketers were paid in peanuts those days). Rabi Panda, the only batsman of Odisha origin was cheered by the local crowd as he walked in to bat. But he didn't last long and got out early. When he returned back, the crowd booed him, as their local hero failed him. A la TAKHT YA KAQTA (Crown or Coffin) were the sole options for the Mughal princes, our cricketer are showered with flowers or brickbats to the whims of their fans.

I vividly remember during Australia's fielding, a guy sitting next to me shouting HEY HEY Hilditch and threw a half eaten apple towards him. (Andrew Hilditch, an Australian batsman was also a solicitor and the son-in-law of legendary cricketer Bobby Simpson). Hilditch returned the compliment gesturing like a Monkey and throwing the apple back. The guy who caught the apple appeared to be in the seventh heaven, unaware of the symbolic message conveyed by Hilditch's mimicry of monkey.

Mr. Rabi Panda used to play regularly in BJB College ground and Mukteswar Cricket Club (MCC) field in Club Cricket tournaments, both walking distance from BJB Flats where I lived. While watching his team bat, he was narrating to the attentive listeners about his batting against the likes of Geoff Lawson and Malcolm Marshall. Though he lasted longer against Marshall, he found the Windies bowler more ferocious. 

We kids listened to his story in rapt attention. Next day in my D M School bus and later in the class when I retold Mr. Panda's experience, I became the center of attention and found an active audience. I enjoyed every bit of my celebrity status however temporary it was, earned by listening to Sri Panda's escapades standing from few feet away.

Like many sport persons of reputation in India who found employment in PSUs, Mr. Panda was employed in SAIL. It was sad to know that he passed yesterday from Covid. Odisha lost a memorable sports person who arguably was the first Odia cricketer to perform well at Zonal level where Odias were very sparcely represented those days. RIP Mr. Rabi Panda.

RIP Satyajit (Papu) Jena

 The current wave of Covid in India hasn't left anyone untouched. Everybody of us has lost a near and dear one, a friend or a relative. Today, I lost a friend.

Satyajit (Papu) Jena was my classmate in REC (now NIT) Rourkela. Unlike overwhelming majority of us who lived in the hostel, he was a Day scholar at that time - a term used for the locally based students who didn't live in the hostel.

The homesick in me used to be jealous of him, for he lived inside the Campus, a stone's throw away from the college and more importantly he didn't have to go face the ordeal of the horrible ragging we had to go though in our batch. (The scourge of ragging got drastically reduced from our batch).

I being an extrovert and perennial leg puller used to poke fun at him when he came to our hostel. He would never get annoyed or irritated at me - responding to my banters with his characteristic smirk. We weren't very close, but that didn't prevent us from being mutual admirers. I used to do participate in Quiz competition in college and he was lavish in praising me for remembering so many stuffs. Couple of afternoons I had visited his home with other friends to savor some freshly home made Pakoda,  followed by tea - which we hostel dwellers accustomed to dull, repetitive foods cherished a lot.

I passed out from College, never earning any further degrees. He did his MBA at the Xaviers Institute, followed by degrees one after another. Last time when we talked he started telling me the degrees he earned in sequence until he got tired and I lost my count.

Something inside me snapped when I got the news of his passing away after a long battle with Covid. Our REC friends tried their best and were planning to airlift him from Durgapur as his condition was fast deteriorating. Before he could be shifted, he breathed his last this evening. RIP, my friend.

My Analysis of Mamata's win in Bengal

 Here is my analysis of Mamata Banerjee's record win in Bengal in the just concluded elections. The KHELA HABE (Game on) if finally over. BJP certainly made gain from 3 seats to 70 odd seats. But it was too much to expect for the party to defeat TMC in Bengal. Even without Covid or the controversial "Didi O Didi" slogan, BJP could have won another 20 odd seats at the maximum. There is no runner up prize in politics. It's always winner take all. The loser is destined to the opposition benches.

The main reason Bengalis are very proud of their language and culture. Unlike we Odias, they don't have an inferiority complex and detest unwelcome intrusion and alien (in this case North Indian onslaught (somehow similar to Tamils who also consider BJP as a North Indian Hindi imposing party). Odisha is probably the only place on earth where a person not speaking the local language can be in power for more than 20 years. Forget about being a Chief Minister, one cannot even win a Municipality election in Bengal if he doesn't speak Bengali

LANGUAGE - Unlike Odisha, outsiders coming and campaigning in Hindi is not appreciated in the Bengal heartland. This could have been better if a local BJP strong man (or woman) campaigned in Bengali. But the party had no such local leader of stature to match the street smart, experienced politician in Mamata Banerjee. Mithun Chakraborty was an useless import from Bollywood who looked totally lost during the campaign. Bengal is not Tamil Nadu. Celluloid effects are at best marginal.

CULTURE - Bengalis are worshipers of Maa Durga and Kali. Jai Sriram slogan don't raise heartbeats or goosebumps. It won't work there. Culturally the state is far away from the Cow belt of UP and Bihar. Communal polarization has very limited effect as the Bengali psyche isn't caste and communal oriented.

Remember, this was not a national election, rather assembly election where local issues matter a lot more. After all, all politics are local. Just because BJP won 18 Lok Sabha seats in last election, it doesn't mean that they would win a proportionate number of seats in the Assembly election. It doesn't work that way. Remember, BJP won 8 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha last time, but won only 22 seats in Assembly. Ideally it should have won 8 × 7 = 56 seats if the Lok Sabha seats translated to Assembly seats being calculate that way. But it didn't happen.

It took more than two decades of street fighting for Mamata Banerjee to dislodge the well entrenched Communists from Bengal. BJP needs a similar street level fighter who can sleep inside thatched houses in 40 degree heat and take shower in tube well water in order to politically connect with the millieu - not some imports like Mithun Chakraborty who are low on energy and can't come out of the comfort of their AC Van. This will take some time, not going to happen overnight.

My letter to Narendra Modi

 Dear Sri Modi. We Indians are great at giving unsolicited advice. Not to be left out, here are a few from your once upon a time admirer turned into your humble critic - some one who has left his mother land for long, PHIR BHI DIL HAI HINDUSTANI (still an Indian at heart).

Right now we are in the middle of a huge, unprecedented Covid pandemic. It may not have entirely been prevented, but the damage could have been contained if you would have procrastinated Kumbh Mela and elections. Both things are now past. Elections are over. Covid has won.

However, I am not going to dwell over the past. In Odia we always ponder about EITA HEITHILE, SEITA HEITHANTA (If this would have happened, that could have taken place). At this point, that's besides the point. Now let's see what you can do going forward. Still there is time to recoup and recover.  

The first step towards the solution to a problem is to admit that it exists and own it. So far we see GALUs after GALUs being pushed (a literal transliteration of the phrase GALU PELIBA in Odia, which loosely meaning stubbornly defending own action). Deflecting the problem to every one on earth except you and your government - from blaming it on Kejriwal messing up in Delhi (the current focal point of the Covid crisis) to Joe Biden not sending assistance on time is going to alleviate the nation's woes.

You can come on TV exactly at your favorite prime time slot of 9 PM and do exactly the following - "Apologize to the Nation". You don't have to use the word apology, your spech writers can put choicest of Hindi words to convey the message appropriately to the Billion plus people. Being awesome at histrionics, you can shed some crocodile tears on TV and show some empathy. Your buddy Trump was too stubborn to demonstrate empathy at the time of similar Covid crisis and ended up losing the election. You should learn from the history unless you volunteer to repeat it.

We Indians are an emotional lot. I can bet they will not only appreciate your apology, but gracefully accept it. You won't lose anything by shedding some of your egos off your 56 inch chest. Rather you stand to gain a lot. 

Start fighting the war against Covid on a war footing basis. Impose shut downs,

clamp down on those who break the rule, convert stadiums, marriage halls and  spare buildings to make shift hospitals. Don't spare perpetrators of profeetering, price gouging and black marketing of oxygen and life saving drugs. You have the majority at center and in majority of the states, not to mention having prior experience of handling an earthquake of epic proportion when you were the Chief Minister of Gujarat. I am sure you can handle this crisis of epidemic proportion.

Please allow me repeat my quip from Amitabh's movie HUM released in the year 1991. In a scene Anumam Kher who plays a crook cop, delivers a very meaningful monologue - BAGAWAT MEIN TIN KISAM KE ADDMI HOTE HAIN (There are three kinds of people in a mutiny), ATYACHAARI (the tormentor), KRANTIKARI (the mutineer), AUR UN DONO KA JHAGDE KA FAIDA UTHATE HUE HAMARA JAISE BYAPARI (Taking advantage of their rivalry are our kind of businessmen). Covid is the Atyachaari and the army of countless volunteers, healtcare workers are our Krantikaris. Don't just tighten the noose on those Byaparis trying to make a profit out of the situation. Hang those scoundrels.

Politics is a matter of perception. Even if you achieve a Pyrrhic victory over Covid, (which I believe we eventually will after the dreaded disease takes its toll), you won't be blamed for your best and trying hard. Public memory is short. They may forget everything, could very well forgive you. You could be politically rewarded for your religious effort.

If you end up doing all the above, you will be my Mahaprabhu. I will volunteer to be your PARAMBHAKT - more than ever Hanuman was to Lord Ram. 

Your Sincerely 

A prospective 

Parambhakt.