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"..

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.

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.