But I do admire the man.. The power to bring an entire city (and not just any aira gaira one, but THE city) to a grinding halt… That too with one breath (albeit, his last). That is something… It takes courage to reach where he is (was) and also confidence.. With the flashes news channels played of his life as soon as the news spread, one picture stood out… He standing in front of an ocean of men (and women).. With the old mic from our Independence days… And a great level of confidence in his eyes..Like it was his right to be there.. And be heard.. People are just another accessory.. And no matter what happens, no matter what he says, what he wants will happen… Confidence is contagious.. And it’s exactly that what he transfers during his speeches, his talks.. His confidence that whatever he says, whatever he does is right.. When consequences happen, that will be taken care of too..
The house arrest was for many reasons… Many out of respect gave away a whole day of their lives to him.. And many cuz they weren’t given an option… There was a curtain of gloom around, cut only by the sound of police sirens and empty streets that aren’t found even in the dead of the night (that’s regular for me btw.. dead of the night). But there were utilities.. Thank god! The Electricity Board and Water board dint cut out electricity and water.. Imagine this gloom with darkness? There would have been many nervous breakdowns then.. (No news channels also! (extra emphasis on also, although it’s wrong grammar)). Darkness only adds to fear.. Or in many cases leads to fear.. Why? Cuz theres no light (yeah right.. chappal uthake maro mujhe)
Because you can’t see anything.. And compared to touch and feel, it is our sight that reassures us of the things around us. And what you see is what reassures us.. Like empty roads with people trudging home in the middle of the night with laptop bags slung over their shoulder.. And no animals around.. Wild or small or furry scurrying around.. At least you get to see them scurrying around.. Unlike in places where there is no street lights.. Like it was in Kerala, when I went over last month.. Load shedding at 9 in the night.. Street lights only on main streets (Which do not work in case of load shedding), not even on a national highway for god sakes.. A national shame that is, isn’t it? A major highway connecting major cities and no street lights.. No wonder any time I tell anyone Ive just reached home in the wee hours of the morning, they are surprised… Cuz nothing moves there after 7… Not even the furry ones.. Cuz they are afraid of the dark as well… Fear is something that makes you do stupid things.. Makes you emotional.. Makes you cold.. Like in Pi.. Moving all water cans to a safer place, only so that a big fish (pun intended, again) destroy it all.. That movement was epiphanic.. That something so beautiful, so touching can come along one day and destroy the very substance of our existence.. (I kept waiting for paradise to play!! And it didn’t). On a side note, I loved Pi.. The fact that the tiger could have been his own alter ego.. And his discovery of all religions.. Although it doesn’t mean that you need to follow multi religions to survive the storm.. It just means you have to be extremely lucky!!
This past month was full of revelations.. From No street Lights on National Highways, Courage, Fear plus Benevolence.. Having the opportunity to spend the day with underprivileged children for an employer arranged program was extremely satisfying.. As well as surprising.. So many of them were brilliant.. And so many of them had the potential to do great things.. All they lacked was resources.. Something we have enough of.. But yearn for more… Sometimes I feel that this month has changed my priorities.. From actually reaching a stage where I could do something for those kids, I want to leave everything right here… Right now and help them. You think your hands are tied.. You think you have responsibilities.. You also know that all this is crap.. False promises just because you don’t want to move your arse..You’re extremely happy in your seat in the corner office and you don’t want to move.. You have enough challenges you face and you don’t wanna face any more.. But the happiness those kids had just cuz they got a brand new paint set.. That won’t get you to move your arse? Just donating money may help them loads.. but not as much as helping them network.. Giving them a new friend.. Giving them a new face to look forward to.. A small thing like bursting crackers with them on Diwali nite, when you enjoy an hour with your family and friends.. share it with them.. And give them a whole life of Diwali memories.. And a triumph over the darkness that is loneliness..
Bring Light on to their lives too…
