Durga Puja.... It's not a festival, it's a religion

Perhaps the biggest time in the life of a general Bengali comes every year during the Pujas. No matter where they stay, no one wants to miss the debonair of the pujas. Also known as Durgotsab, the goddess Durga is worshiped with all grandeur. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Sasthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Bijoya Dashami. Mahalaya marks the end of Pitri Pokkho ("Fortnight of the forefathers") and the beginning of Debi Pokkho ("Fortnight of Goddess").

It's a five day annual holiday here during the pujas. Not only it is the biggest Hindu festival in this state, but also the most significant socio-cultural event. The five days of the pujas, starting from Sasthi, accounts for non-stop leg paining scouting of this city. Apart from West Bengal, Durga Puja is also celebrated in many other states of India including Jammu and Kashmir. It is also a major festival in Nepal and Bangladesh.

Pandals and idols inspired by a particular theme has been the hallmark of Sarbojonin or community pujas in Kolkata since the early 1990s. Generally a particular theme is incorporated in the pandals. Popular themes include the early Egyptian culture or the Messopotamian culture. Contemporary themes like Harry Potter or the Titanic has also found its spot. Again pandals are made similar to different ancient temples. 

Many Bengali films, albums or books are released to coincide with the Puja. The government gives a fortnight of holidays during the pujas. The time is used in various ways. Many travel various places in India or abroad. But most people like to spend the time in Adda at restaurants or in a puja pandal. Pandal hopping is also a great way to spend time during the pujas.  TV and radio channels telecast pujas. Many channels dedicate their full time for the pujas. Various magazines are released during the pujas which highlight the works various upcoming writers. 

Durga Puja is in the blood of every Bengalis. Not only the Bengalis, people of all community and religion celebrate this time. Its a new religion all together.

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Room for Reconciliation...Let us Live

Aakash woke up at his father's howling about the government's lack of console for the poor farmers. His mother, a simple housewife and very indifferent towards turpitude politics, just like Aakash, barely listened. But his father's grievances wouldn't stop. It was around 9:15. Shit!!! How many nights he had thought that the next morning he would wake up early and go for some jogging. But again and again he has failed himself. He has become too lazy!

He switched on his Nokia 6070 (all dat his dad could give out of his not too good, nor too bad job). That is the first thing he did every morning, always expecting an sms, not particularly from someone though. Although he is not so fond of smsing these days, but this small little anticipation every morning he would never compromise. He liked small joyful moments. It made him happy to live small moments of life. He is like this. This is Aakash, who lives simple and always hopes he could continue like dat all through.

"Have you seen that the government has declared a clandestine package for the farmers instead of returning their land?" his dad asked him. No way could have Aakash seen it. He woke up just 2 mins ago! He is still in his dreams, trying to remember what he saw. He never remembered one, unless its a nightmare.
"No dad. Please pass me the paper." was his humble reply. He always preferred reading the newspaper before going to brush. It was another moment that Aakash always savored.


These days the newspaper has got nothing to publish apart from some cataclysmic political news, thought Aakah. His mind instantly went back to the famous line of Mr. Kalam, "Why the media here is so negative?"
Its true, thought Aakash, but there is nothing that he can do. He is a common people. And this state offers no provision for the common people. If the case had been so then there would have not been any rallies, bandhs and all other malicious practice that the government calls as the voice of common people. People wouldn't have to bribe to get any job done. There wouldn't have been so many injustice done to the society. Aakash's reflections were broken at his father's voice asking his mother to give him his breakfast. It is 9:30. Dad has to leave for office, thought Aakash.

Aakash delved back once more into the newspaper to find something interesting. His current interest was to read aka memorize all the happenings of the Large Hadron Collider and the Barclays. His interest in cricket has diffused in the air after all the politics that has engulfed the BCCI. Again politics!!! Aaksh hated it more than anything.

"Did u see what this stupid Government is doing with the poor farmers? They have declared a package. Its ending time for this government. They will be doomed in the next election. The opposing party is fighting for the farmers. They will surely get the poor what they want, i.e., land.", his father remarked while eating.
Do the people really wanted their land back? Or did the opposing leader want to increase the vote bank?, thought Aakash. He didn't say anything except a "Hmm".

What is the government doing? They are confiscating the livelihood of thousands. And what good the opposing party is doing? Are they really fighting for the poor? Or are they just busy to get their selfish wants done. Aakash thought, the open newspaper still in front of him. The clock showed 9:40. But he didn't see it. He didn't see his father's angry glances at him for getting up late. He was deeply involved in his thoughts. Our country is a diversified one. We had all written an essay on Unity in Diversity at St. Anthony's. But where are the tiniest signature of it? There ought to be problems, quarrels, difference in ideas in such a big country. Even husband-wife, boyfriend-girlfriend, friends have quarrels among themselves. They have different ideas, different philosophies of life. No two person can be same. But all their quarrels ultimately end after sometime. This is all because they have room for reconciliation for their loved ones. Even two male chimpanzee kiss each other on their lips after they had fought over food, space or mate. Are the Indian politicians' ratings is lower than chimps? Even chimps have room for reconciliation. But these egoist giants dont. Nor they will tolerate if someone else wanted to make room for the same. They dont love their country. They dont love their people. They dont love themselves. The only thing they love is power, ego and corruption. We, the common people, suffer the most when these sick people practice matsynaya. Where is the room for us to live?

"Brush ur teeth, Aakash! You are getting late for breakfast!" Mom's angry call brought him back to his room. The only room for the three people in his family. But his room had space for reconciliation. That is why he has found paradise here. Ooops! Its nearly 10:00. Aakash will never change unless he gets his joining. He is profoundly bored staying at home. And more so at all the tragic trauma that is going through West Bengal. Hopefully it would end soon. But now he has to get out of bed. He also has to get his fingers accustomed at the Legendary Level of FIFA08. He is still not wining games at this level. My condition at FIFA is somewhat similar to the state's current condition, thought Aakash...

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Sustainable Development..!!! Are we ready for it??

First, what is Sustainable Development? The WBUT engg students will not get a prize for answering this correctly... Values and Ethics has taught us... (Thought there had been a bit more of Cellular Communication I would have valued it more!!! Again is it ethical to teach such a subject against the wish of ours??) Coming back 2 my ans: Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future. The term was used by the Brundtland Commision which coined what has become the most often-quoted definition of sustainable development as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." .....pufff.... In one word, it is the use of our non-renewable natural resources as per our needs... Dont (u dare) to use more than u need..!!!! But it is not so hilarious as i m trying to make it!!!


Why do we use non-renewable resources? The biggest requirement is power generation... How can we survive in dis scorching summer heat without A.C. ?? But who is responsible for the vehemence of our nearest star?? NON-RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES is the answer!!!!! But how conventional energy resources, that is meant to make our lives comfortable, is pushing us towards catastrophe??? Probably the biggest concern with conventional energy resource is the amount of pollutant that is released into the atmosphere.... Starting from thermal power generation plants to use of petrol and diesel for conveyance, pollutants are being released into every alleys of our dear troposphere.... Sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen (which are used in making pesticides), CFCs and what not, are what we breathe every moment.... Can u imagine inhaling Chlorine gas which is used to kill insects!!!! Why not shall i inhale chlorine?? It will kill the insects in me..!!! Yeah dats what mother nature wants from us... Kill the insects in us... Stop wastage and aim for a sustainable development.... But ar we ready for such a process??? Lets examine :-

If we stop using coal for thermal power generation, then we have to live in darkness..!!!! So whats the alternative??? Alas, we cannot see it in front of our eyes.... The greatest source of energy for the earth is the sun... So why aren't we using solar energy to generate power?? We are gifted with sky high himalays where small turbulent streams flows with utter dignity.... So why aren't we using their energy to meet our need??? And there is the majestic Wind, always blowing is harmony.... Doesnt it have the power to rotate the wheels of a windmill??? The answer is YES!!!! We have also uncovered the alternative to conventional energy resources.... But are we using them to their fullest??? NO we are not.... Renewable energy resources havnt got much impetus.... How many people know that energy can also be generated using the inner heat of the Earth??? It is called the Geo-Thermal energy.... So why the government not doing anything to use this alternative resource, which is 100% pollution free??? Or is it that they dont know it??!!!!

No, the government knows it... But it is not being implemented on a large scale... But why??? Oh!! forget it.... We were discussing about sustainable development.... So are we ready for it??? The so called "patriot Indians" will say yes... But will they switch off their bedroom's light when they go to the drawing room?? Will they stop their car's engine when struck in a traffic jam?? Will they stop blowing they bloody horns near a hospital?? Who cares.... They are our leaders... They are the ones to take us towards light (dats why they dont switch them off nor shut their car's engine, coz dey are also in a hurry!!!!)... And what do we, the common people, do??? We wash our staircase with corporation water (whence people are killing people for it), but do least care to collect the rainwater for the same purpose..!!! We play our home theater at max to make our neighbour jealous.... We smoke inside a cafeteria to portray our extra cool attitude and impress the nearest smooth legged girl....Still we will stand tall, whenever we can, and give stupendous lectures about Global Warming and its causes (just as i m doing now..!!!).... And what about the poor people..... How much do dey know or do to achieve sustainable development??? Lets not discuss it..... In a sentence: WE ARE NOT READY FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT....


People, wake up.... Maybe we dont know the technology to use renewable natural resources properly... But i do believe that we have the capability to know it.... We have the capability to use it better than anybody... And we genuinely need it.... We need it to save our world... We need to improve our nation.... We need it for a better India....

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* The President of India DR. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 's Speech in Hyderabad . *

Why is the media here so negative? Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our Achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success
Stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why? We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites. We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice. Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a Self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements
But our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters. I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to... The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.

In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India . For her, you and I will have to build this developed India . You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation. Do you Have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.

Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours:

(But what the HELL m i doing? Just showcasing our former president's speech for all to read!! Why not m i doing something?)

I (read we) say that our government is inefficient.
I say that our laws are too old.
I say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
I say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke, the airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
I say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.
I say, say and say. What do I do about it?

Take a person on his way to Singapore . Give him a name - I. Give him a
Face - I. I walk out of the airport and i m at my international best. In Singapore I don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. I m as proud of their underground links as they are. I pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road between 5 PM and 8 PM. I come back to the parking lot to punch my parking ticket if I had over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of my status identity... In Singapore I don't say anything, DO I? I wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan in Dubai . I would not dare to go out without my head covered in Jeddah . I would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds ( Rs.650) a month to see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to c someone else. I would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon?. I am so and so's son.. Take your two bucks and get lost.' I wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand . Why don't I spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't I use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? I can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in my own. I who will throw papers and
cigarettes on the road the moment I touch Indian ground. If I can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot I be the same here in India ?

Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay , Mr. Tinaikar , had a point to make. 'Rich people's dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,' he said. 'And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels? In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan. Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility. We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms. We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public. When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my
sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system? What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually
making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away. Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape
the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system.. Our conscience is
mortgaged to money.

Dear my Indian brothers and sisters, the article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too....

Lets do what India needs from us. I know its tough and full of troubles... But as Swami Vivekananda said:

IF U DIDNT FACE ANY HURDLES TODAY THEN KNOW THAT U R IN THE WRONG PATH

(This is not my original composition.... I thought that I should share this with all... So I did it..)

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