Return of the broomsticks!

"Return of the Jhadoo (Broom)".

The jhadoo has cast its magic, its "jadu". Its casting a magic spell of sorts, much like a witches broomstick. And is now making a comeback, as a style statement. As fads and fashions go, this one had met its pinnacle around two years ago, when chosen as the star symbol of purity, by none other than the Aam aadmi party ( AAP) itself.  

Pic Courtesy: Indiopines

The broomstick, with the rise of the AAP, as its mascot, never touched before, had a stellar debut then, with such a fearful presence that eminent congress leaders had banned it from their homes, and resorted to the hiterto dust gathering vacuum cleaners. With strict instructions to the homehelps not to ever use the word or the broomstick.

But then, somewhat magically and somewhat tragically, it lost its sheen, and turned to collect dust, as its torchbearers the "AAP" were relegated to the sidelines too.

But, stoic that it was, it has made a huge comeback. Thus the "return of the jhadu", this sequel has caught on, like a house on fire.With the fashion conscious Modi and his unique sartorial style labelling it the much needed "fashion accessory" and the swashbuckling "Shashi Tharoor" taking on the cue, like a house on fire, it is back in the limelight. And why not? Since the eminent Mr Tharoor has already swept a lot of countrymen and countrywomen off their feet with his controversial tweets and inimitable style, it remains to be seen what else he can sweep away with a swish of the broom. The beaches of Thiruvanthupuram ? Yes, maybe, but equally hopefully, much of the muck that's built in the country, by way of bribery, corruption, fraud and you name it.

Thus comes power to the Jhadu.May it live long. Notwithstanding the sour-faced detractors, a la Mayawati*, who claimed that our leaders needed to graduate from the old-fashioned jhadu to new age machines now. Good thought, Madam Mayawati. Progress is all good. But, as far as the Jhadu goes, it shall remain for long, having firmly entrenched itself in the houses of all Indians, from Hyderabad  to Harrow and Haiti, and now in the seat of power too, detractors and defectors notwithstanding. And maybe straighten out some warped notions about men, modern machines, and Mr Modi's clean up drive. It is the "return of the Jhadu " indeed. Now, lets wait and watch, shall we?

Regards,
Aina Rao,
The amblingindian.

* Mayawati- erstwhile minister, now in the Opposition

Clean- the new Mantra!

ALL CHANGE TO CLEAN

Clean is the new buzzword, It is indeed the time to change to clean. All change to clean please, all change . This time with a broom! Show the world that India means business. Call the shots, with a magical swish of the broom, lets clean up all the garbage that has piled up on our roads, cities, villages, towns and what have you. Thank you Prime Minister Mr Modi, for reminding ourselves that we owe ourselves a clean place to live in, and for roping in the charismatic Shashi Tharoor too, to further your campaign. For what sells better than a combination of poster boys, girls and  "Cleanliness is Godliness"?

"Swach Bharat Abhiyaan ( Clean India Campaign)". Another round of cleaning, by newly awakened citizens. My own complex, with all of 500 apartment residents managed to clean the streets ahead and fill up with no less than 25 garbage bags with garbage. Notwithstanding the fact that the ugly gutters and shanty towns next door, happily watched them with some wonder and lots of awe. What is it that these hippy, new-gen, denim clad folks are upto? Ha.Ha . Lets see if it lasts till tomorrow. Obviously it won't. By itself, it just can't, can it, unless someone can prove me wrong? 

For one cleanliness drive, once in a month, can be very good for our souls for sure, but can't do much more. What do we do now that 25 garbage bags are piled up? Is there any manner of civic authority coming forward to collect and more importantly, dispose of it? Even the lovely garbage trucks that so lovingly come to collect our muck, happily strew some more as they pass, overflowing as they are with all manner of junk, unable to collect much more than a fraction of it ultimately. So, the rest must stay where it rightfully belongs, on the street that is. A large, rotten stinky mass being chewed away by the ubiquitous cows and stray dogs, another fixture of modern India. 

And the sewerage systems. Non, or only partially existent they are. For some, so called elitist complexes of any  more than a 100 residents must have their own sewerage treatment and disposal, by the local government dictat. Notwithstanding the fact that the residents may have paid for the sewerage connections at least seven years back, with the futile hope that it will sometime materialise. But, is the blasted sewerage connection anywhere in sight? One would have gained hope, each time they dug up another set of roads, ostensibly to lay a pipe here or there, but all is in vain, it seems.

Maybe the government officials just didn't have the time then. And maybe they have even less now,  as they appear to be busy participating in the Swach Bharat Abhiyan- wielding their mighty broomsticks like swords, on the roads. Some garbage for thought Mr Modi. 

At least it is a step in the right direction.But, will it all stop here, with citizens being left to their own resources, or can it go further, to its natural conclusion, with proper sanitation, sewerage connections, garbage collection and disposal being actually arranged and managed by the Govt and the civic authorities? One certainly hopes so. Here's to a Swatcha Bharat, the new and shining India!

Regards, 

Aina Rao, 

The amblingindian.

Amblingindian at the Bangalorelitfest...

The Bangalore Lit fest arrived. And caught me by surprise. Sure wasn't prepared for it, so I just landed up, a bit foolishly, sans the magnum opus- the "Amblingindian Manuscript". Obviously, had there been even an iota of preparation, I should have been ready not just with the Manuscript, but also with a powerful powerpoint presentation and pitch to the publishers in attendance, as were many hopefuls.Guess an extempore was not really welcome, so came back a bit disappointed. But not completely.

For, there were so many delightful conversations about writings in Urdu, Hindi and the regional languages, some so beautiful, they just beget translation. And, to pay reverence to one of the oldest poets and saints - Kabir, a couplet that comes to mind instantly and lends much needed solace to the manuscript:

"Dheere Dheere re mana, dheere se sab kuch hoy,

Maali seeche sow ghada, ritu aaye fal hoy".

"Go slow, dear mind, everything in life happens slowly. Even if a gardener waters the plant a hundred times, the plant will fruit only when season comes."

To be fair, I did meet a lot of interesting people there, even starting with birds, the complete spectrum of birds fluttering around Velankanni tech part, in the middle of electronic city taking one by complete surprise. Had passed by the place many a time, always to think that e-city was nothing but a mass of concrete structures with blue facades, each one indistinguishable from the other, interspersed with some shops. So, in a way, it was the Bangalore Lit fest that opened my eyes to the fact that something completely different exists, right in the middle of Bangalore. A tech and real park so beautiful, it needs to be seen. And discovered.  And in the middle of that discovery, I also discovered many more people, authors, readers and mere mortals like me, and a couple of interesting reads too. At the bookshop that is. One being the Adventures in a megacity " Delhi- by Sam Miller" and another " God Save the Dork- About office life by Sidin Vadukut" , two titles picked up from a large mass of others, all beckoning for attention, all inviting too. But cities and work, being a major chunk of life today, and fascinating subjects that they anyways are, seemed the obvious choice.

And so, here i am, back from the Bangalore Lit fest, with two titles in tow, hoping to do them some justice, for the pace at which I read nowadays is worse than that of a snail, and hopefully, have something interesting to report, by the time the next one comes around. In precisely 365 days, that is.

Regards,

Aina Rao,

The amblingindian.

Lift off to Mars!

The mission to Mars, a moment of glory, a very proud amblingindian!

( This is a refresh of the post that was published when the space mission was launched - just before the elections. Very proud to say today that India has raced ahead with the mission, and achieved its first goal.. entering the Martian orbit!)

Out of the blue, a new trick is pulled out of the hat of India’s space mission. The sleepy giant awakens..Earthlings and Martians watch out! Undoubtably, Indians are jumping with pride and glee, as the mission to Mars takes off and enters the Martian orbit. A lot of Indians, at least… Equally, lots of criticisms pour in from across the globe. As some of the neighbours look askance, or watch with fear or envy and some others threaten to pull the plug on what they call “ unjustified aid “ to India, one thinks again. It is certainly not anything to cringe about, this mission to land on the moon, or Mars maybe. “ Mangal Karya” as they say, in the Hindu ancient books, an "auspicious piece of work", which will also launch India into its own “Starworld”, to be part of a select Celebrity list of countries . The “US, Russia, EU” and now “India” racing ahead.

Predictably, twitter (with its own moment of glory- the IPO), facebook, and other social media are abuzz with messages of pride and good luck pouring in. Time to show the world that India is , indeed , a superpower. Is that what is fuelling the mission? Or is it a political statement, coming before the elections? A precursor of the trajectory that the country is supposed to take, when the expensive elections get over and the new Government launches off? Or is just an expensive diversion from all the expense issues that keep cropping up , ‘the onion crisis”, “ the coal ghotala” and so on. Or is it even a new piece of entertainment for the channel viewers, who for sure must be sick of the same soaps ”saas bahu” or “scams” hitting them every day through the LCD screens. The scams being so frequent, they are now bordering on the verge of boring, forcing people to switch channels. And poverty, rapes, natural disasters, too mundane a fare, so commonplace, a daily matter, almost.

And so the Mars mission- its new, its fun, its zing, it adds a lot more cheer and frenzied excitement to the humdrum existence of the average Indian navigating potholed roads every day. Such is the frenzied atmosphere today that a potential gold mine, dreamt of by a BABA , leads to furious excavations by the Archeological Survey of India, another Govt body, and almost religious fervor among the public, praying and chanting, invoking pujas and the Gods for good luck. ”Good luck India, go for it !”

 Now, if any of that religious fervor could be channeled towards some of the more commonplace issues of India, who knows where she could reach ?

Regards , Aina Rao

A very proud Amblingindian.

Read amblingindian tweets - @amblingindian.

Tweet from NASA:

NASA        ✔

Follow

We congratulate @ISRO for its Mars arrival! @MarsOrbiter joins the missions studying the Red Planet. #JourneyToMars )

Scotch on the Rocks!

Scotland's vote against division

'Tis the season of celebrations. Starting with  Ganesha* and  Onam*, with Navaratri* and Diwali* on their way. But a welcome twist to the tale too, with the Scottish referendum. The vote for unity has been cast. The Scottish flag, coming up with a resounding " NO". People world over, celebrate! Its time for joy, as the people have decided to vote for being "One " . The one country, the one nation. The United Kingdom. United it stands again!

The castles of Scotland

I raise a toast this time, a toast to goodwill, and good sense that prevailed. Diverse we may be, with our castles, bagpipes, whisky et. all, but together we will stay. May it prevail here too, in the  land of India. Even with her diverse landscape stretching from the desolate, snow clad peaks of the Himalayas and the barren plains of Rajasthan, to the lush green backwaters of Kerala and the calm Arabian Sea on the periphery,and her many cultures, languages and ways -may we all stay and celebrate together as one with her, forever.

Time to raise a Toast to oneness.. a Toast to joy ..Viva Scotland! Time for celebrating the spirit of togetherness with "Scotch on the Rocks "!

Regards

Aina Rao,

The amblingindian.

* Ganesha, Onam, Diwali, Navratri - Indian festivals celebrated by different regions across India.

A Tail of adoption

This is quite a tail really. A long long time ago, we were adopted by a pet. Meaning me and my family. And yes, we didnt adopt a pet,  a dog at that, but rather, the dog adopted us. And how could that be?

Thois- he adopted us

It so happened that this dog, who happened to be from Ladakh, a very cold and mountainous place in the North West of India, belonged to my neighbour, Mr. Paul. Mr Paul lived in a huge house with a large garden, and a large terrace that overlooked my garden too. So, our friendly neighbour's dog, who went by the name of Thois, had an unfettered view of almost everything that went around in my house. Especially what time I went for a walk, or got up, or brushed, etc.etc. And, smart fellow that he was, he was ever ready to make use of the information. So, on some cold winter mornings, i would get up to find myself being cuddled by a huge furry ball, in my own bed, that went by the name of Thois. Finding himself quite cold on the bitter wintery day, he had found that my bed was the cosiest, especially since I was sleeping in it, and made himself home. And greeted my shrieks of shock with wide-eyed puzzlement, as if to say" What's all the fuss about?"On some other days, when I went for a walk, Thois just came. He came everywhere, to the temple, to the market, to the garden, he just followed.  It seems that he had made up his mind to love and adopt us, as his family. And to use his vantage point on top of Mr Paul's terrace to watch our movements, and make sure he joined in at the right time. 

Its a pity Thois didnt live long. One terrible day, he was run over by a truck. Maybe the fact that he came from the mountains- he knew how to survive in the hardest of terrains, but a stray vehicle he could not handle. And that did it for him.  And, we were orphaned again, in a doggy way. Whatever it was, Thois taught us something really valuable- that you don't  need much to ask for someone to love you, you can love them anyway. And adopt them if you like.

Regards, 

Aina Rao.

The amblingindian.

The irons of Pondicherry

This weekend was one of the nicest ones. An short trip to Pondicherry, a quaint but cute town on the South Coast, beginning and ending with an overnight train journey, always bringing back the many wonderful train journeys of the past, and the time to marvel at the vastness of India- even with a long train journey, barely crossing the southern tip of this vast peninsula. Pondicherry- a  little town, home to the French very long ago, with a small French colony still alive within. Queer and quaint, but enjoyable always. The little French colonial houses, the Promenade- reminiscent of the South of France, preserving in so many ways its culture, in such a foreign, yet far away land. Loved every minute of it, soaking in the unseasonal rain, walking by the Promenade, feasting on the local sights and smells.And buying an iron. An iron, of all things? Yes, an iron, or "Istri"as they call it, coincidentally rhyming with "stree", the female gender. Could be something to do with the fact that it can be super hot and scalding at times, and cool and soothing at others, much like a woman. But why an iron?

French streets of Pondicherry

An iron, ostensibly to be used to carry out mundane tasks such as iron clothes, but maybe with the vain hope that it would somehow, magically, iron out all the wrinkles of my life. At least that's what I wish it would do. Smoothen out the creases of existence. The creases of worry that had built up over the last many weeks. Of a daughter leaving home for the first time, to study in what seemed a faraway land now, Pondicherry. A transition point in life, the time when a young one left an enconsced existence, taking flight like a bird, to find a new place in the world. And the pain that came with it, the pain of being left with a half- empty nest, at best.

And so it came to pass. That I shall, hopefully, visit Pondicherry more often, now that part of my nest and heart has moved here. And perhaps spend time again- looking for an iron, and not just looking, but trawling through multitudes of them, studying their shapes and colours too(specifications nothwithstanding, to indulge the senses). This time round, a plain one will just not do, for a fancy pink I hope to find, to bring back the rosy pink colours into life, and banish the blues from the sea of existence.

More about Pondicherry again- i return to it next week!

Regards,

Aina Rao.
The amblingindian.

Black day for Bangalore

A really black day. An innocent child let down by her school.. one of the places that we thought could be trusted.. but sadly, not really so...

The city erupts in protest.. parents, children, citizens, bystanders, all aghast at the crime. When? Where? How ? Why? and so many questions.. but no answers..

A long black procession to the HAL police station brings no relief either. The amblingindian waits in the hot sun, part of the anxious, angry crowd, blocking the roads until the police emerge. The police say "Wait, have faith in us". Why wait, sir? Isn't justice delayed, justice denied? Each day lost in this case brings more angst and agony.. Why and how long will people wait for what is right? For criminals to be behind bars, for safety to be a right, for the right to live, to live with dignity and safety?

Sad to say, so lost for words, cannot say more...

Do read via the link below Gruesome story

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Regards,
Aina Rao
A deeply saddened Amblingindian

Hats off, O' "Queen"

Last weekend I finally got to see the " Queen". By Queen, i mean, the popular, much touted recent Bollywood movie by Kangna Ranaut. And why so late, one may ask? Well, it so happened that i was almost visiting the Queen***(her Kingdom in fact) when the Queen was released across  movie theatres in India, to packed audiences. And having missed it then, i was craving to see it, having heard so much by way of rave reviews.

And what a delight! The movie does live upto its name and reputation. A different kind of a "Queen " this time, on the screens. A young girl, a queen of her home, a to- be queen in her "sasural"( husband's home), badly jilted by her fiance at the last minute. And a transformation, rightly so, thanks to her getting to travel around the world all alone, sans the sour- faced husband to be.

The scenes and the story were really to be revelled in. But amazingly, it brought to light a new truth that is emerging in the India of today. As she waits, on the cusp of tradition and modernity, struggling to find her place, she also realises that not all old is good and not all new is bad. The notion, well preserved and pompously proclaimed by many a wisemen, and older generations for centuries; " Old is gold", " traditions are best", " modernity is the bane of society", " westernisation is the downfall of indian society", all quickly turned to hogwash by a rather clever, but realistic story. The protagonist, Rani* , the  " queen" asks her brazen Parisian friend, "What did i do wrong? I listened to everyone, my parents, my teachers, my fiance, but see where it landed me. I was jilted by my fiance at the last minute, just before my wedding day, and charred by the experience" Maybe , o' queen, all you did wrong was assume they all were  right. And maybe as a society, it is time to accept that " all is not right" , right here,  in Indian society.

What is wrong with a woman enjoying herself, drinking, partying, and generally being a brazen hussy? I would say what is wrong with society who looks askance at the woman who does all this ?

Sad to say, my friend Hyma and I, both modern, liberated women with management degrees to boot, lamely acknowledged that the character in the movie, the simple, sweet, naive and charming Rani wasn't just a figment of imagination on the screen. But that there are a lot of Ranees in real life, even today.Perhaps perpetuated by the fact that even their own parents and own people want them to be this way. Simple, sweet, soft- spoken, waiting and biding the time until marriage, so they can stop listening to their parents then and have to listen to their in- laws instead. But listen they must. And have no life for themselves. Be shy, naive, untainted, as that is virtue. Not have a good time ever...

But it is the movie that proved them all wrong. That it is right to just have a great time, be yourself, be bold, brazen, whatever. live as you like, never mind the invisible norms and traditional shackles around. Readers, do watch the movie if you can**. Great going Rani and all the others out there .. Be a Rani- be a queen on your own terms, live life " Queensize"!


Regards,
Aina Rao ,

The amblingindian.

Rani is an Indian name, meaning a Queen.

**Queen- Bollywood movie featuring Kangna Ranaut as the simpleton, and Lisa Haydon as the smart, sophisticated new- age woman. The amblingindian has no association with the makers,actors, or anyone else involved in the movie.

*** HRH the Queen .

Badaun- Like, Dislike or hate?

The Badaun case posted on FB. Shivers are going down my spine. I dont know whether to click " Like". For once, i wish fb would have a button for " Dislike" "Hate", " Abhor", or " Send them to jail NOW". Ghastly and Gruesome. 

Read " Men will be boys " from the leader of the state on my facebook page & blog " amblingindian". 

If the leader of the state says such things, how can things get any worse? 


By Aina Rao, a shocked amblingindian.

The new age "Face-wash"!

Alok Gupta, a close friend, recently recounted this story.

A US-educated-now-India-returned man (often referred to as a boy), came to "see " the girl, obviously, to meet her and decide if she was fit to marry, as often happens in "arranged marriages". They met at a posh restaurant in Delhi, the girl accompanied by her brother, and the boy, chaperoned by two septuagenarian ladies, the mother-in- law-to-be and her sister. The food consumed, the conversation turned to hobbies, work and ultimately, the subject for which they had arrived, i.e. the wedding.

And then the ladies turned to the girl, and went-
Ladies:  We want to see you after you have washed your face.
Girl, incredulous: What?
Ladies: Go on. Go, wash your face in the cloakroom and come back.
Girl's brother, gobsmacked, to the boy: Do you really want this- her to wash her face ?
Boy,not knowing how not to offend his mother: No , i mean - i don't know
Girl:Lets go home. Walking out with brother ... End of story.

This is the new age face wash, it appears. It did not happen a century, decade, year or even month back. It happened last week. And that too, with a US returned man..

It seems that, Indian society has matured from "Muh - dikhai (face-see)" to "Muh - dhulai( face-wash)".  In the good ol'days- the daughter in law came home, all clad in a ghunghat( a viel), and the elders of the house would lift the viel and see her. It was popularly known as "Mukh- dikahi"or  "Face - see ".

If it wasn''t bad enough to be the object of abject display post the wedding, things have now turned even better. ""Face - see " has now become "Face - wash"and that too, before the wedding.  Must be something to do with the plethora of face-washes hitting the market.  "Whitening face wash, brightening face wash, glow-wash, etc etc.. " Maybe a brainwave of the FMCGs (Fast-moving-consumer goods manufacturers, another name for the soap and shampoo makers) this time. Prospective brides need to wash their face before they be seen. What an idea, Sirji? Perhaps we should extend this to the prospective grooms too.. What with male film stars parading the latest facewashes and creams, there is certainly no dearth of face washes, after shaves and stuff to choose from.

So, to the girl in question, a smart suggestion -the next time round, you go to see a prospective groom to match, do ask him to be ready with a stock of  with the latest face-washes.. Musk, Vanilla, whitening, hardening etc, and then ask the man to choose and use.. So much for men's lib too, why should they be left behind?

Regards,
Aina Rao
The amblingindian.