Aawaara

Lucknow Elections - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Until now it has mostly been about information dissemination and preaching, but as of now it’s about making a decision. And when it comes to making a decision, I want to make an informed decision (at least I want to think so), post evaluating the pros and cons. Lucknow goes to vote today, and the candidates in fray are Rajnath Singh from BJP, Javed Jaffrey from AAP and Abhishek Mishra from SP.

As I think of Rajnath Singh, the BJP president, the earliest bad memory that strikes me, is of him being in tears when Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya, the dreaded mafia don from Kunda was arrested by the Mayavati government in 2002. While the common man was happy in the sub-conscious (we were not brave enough to be vocal then, and social networks were still in their infancy), and praising the guts of Mayavati, this guy was crying out loud in a press conference, attributing this as an attack on “Thakurs” which he himself is proud to be, with total disregard to credentials/doings of Raja Bhaiyya. Once he was out of jail, the police officer who led the raid on his house died in an accident, and till this date, no one has gone to jail for that:

http://www.firstpost.com/politics/sps-murder-why-we-can-never-underestimate-raja-bhaiya-647797.html

Though this is a reason enough for me to not vote for him, given his petty caste based politics, but I will reconsider given the thousands of crores of advertising money that is being flushed down my throat, which says - “Achhey din aaney waaley hain!”. On second thought, this guy has run away from Ghaziabad, just to mitigate the risk of him losing from there. I have checked with friends living in Ghaziabad, and they confirmed that he did nothing (even ardent BJP fans living in Ghazibad confirmed this). And if we go purely by statistics, he has performed poorly:

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mps-rating-rajnaths-performance-below-average/458776-3.html

With Rajnath Singh out, next is Abhishek Misra from SP. Though SP is not worth considering, but this guy certainly has the credentials - he is a PHD from University of Cambridge, and an ex IIM-A professor. But the sad news is that he is the sitting MLA from my constituency, and he hasn’t done anything great (yet). Additionally, just before the assembly elections I had emailed him asking why should I vote for him. He never wrote back. Seemingly, he doesn’t give a f#@k about my vote, so why should I! Negated!

Next is Javed Jaffrey from AAP. The primary argument against him is that he is a comedian. I am a software engineer. Someone else is a Banking professional. Is there something wrong with being a professional. And I bet he is a good comedian, and is good at what he does. I have laughed numerous times listening to him. Being good at his profession is a plus for me. And people from all walks of life entering politics is good as well. I personally believe that until you, me and the person living next door isn’t going to enter politics, nothing is going to change. Until now politics had been the last resort of people who couldn’t do anything with their life (minus rare exceptions in the sea of incompetent political leaders and the so called cadres). I am glad that this changed with AAP, and the common man dared to talk and walk politics. For many now politics is a matter of choice, not just a way to hoard money and power, just because they weren’t good at anything else. They left what they were good at, just for greater good. Don’t let them reconsider their decision, thinking this was in vain, and they are not fit for this (perceived) shithole. Though there can be bad fish in them, but based on that reasoning alone, I am not going to throw the baby out with the bath water. I am an optimist, and I hope for a better India soon enough.

Additionally, I found this google hangout video of Javed Jaffery convincing enough of his intentions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHnACIRL3Zo

If he doesn’t do anything for his constituency just like the Govinda’s of our age, I will be the first one to shout out loud. Any other candidate who I haven’t mentioned here, is either not worth mentioning, or wasting words on, or isn’t popular enough.

Until now, I have always cribbed about not having a good option to vote for. All political discussions started at “sab chor hain”, and even finished at that. This time around, I have an option, and I am going to make full use of that opportunity. If you are going to vote the same way you did in the past, the way your parents told you to, and their parents before that, don’t crib later ki “iss desh ka kuchh nahi ho sakta”, primarily because “tum nahi chaahtey ki iss desh ka kuchh ho”. Vote wisely, and decide for yourself (it’s time you grew up, and grew out of caste, creed and religion). Some people will try to persuade you that you are wasting your vote on a losing candidate, but do remember that if enough people waste their vote on the losing candidate, then that candidate wins!

PS: Excuse the typos, as I am typing this in a train, and the lights are off. All the best Lucknow! Excited to vote tomorrow!!!

That slap did hurt!

I find it sad (and amusing at the same time) when people make fun of Arvind Kejriwal being attacked or slapped (irrespective of whom you will vote for), and call it a self orchestrated event. For a while, imagine yourself being slapped - and the sudden splurge of adrenaline that you will experience, and then rephrase your thinking. I know you wont, until and unless you get slapped by a politician, and re-evaluate the powerlessness of an AAM Aadmi, and the toothlessness of a system, which suddenly you have started believing in, and have utmost respect for! These days nothing is better than Indian police, law, judiciary and criminal politicians. At least it feels so from your reactions - whereas in the past, it started at “sab chor hain”…..and ended at that as well.

The good thing (for me) is that this AAM Aadmi is undeterred, and at least doing something to change the current state of affairs, whether you like it or not! Meanwhile, hopefully, you wouldn’t get slapped some day by someone powerful - who tells you “tuu jaanta nahi hai ki mai kaun hoon”!



Today Arvind Kejriwal wasn’t slapped. It was you and me who was slapped again, and I can feel the pinch. May be you cannot! As a mark of respect to this great soul, and his undying fighting spirit, and just for the sake of making a statement - I am making this non anonymous contribution to the cause. #iStandWithArvind

May be no birthday treats this year, but this is much more important than you or me! Critics and nation builders, whose sole responsibility is to save this world from the so said AAPtards, mock me when this is over, as you want it to be. Laugh at me when your “ram rajya” is established (and nothing changes, then do repeat iss desh ka kuchh nahi ho sakta), but I am happy and content that at least someone challenged the status quo, stood up, and at least tried. It’s easier to talk, than do. It’s easier to take, than give. At the end of the day, you will get what you deserve, and it will be decided the way you vote!

As for the थप्पड़ शूरवीरs (from a post in FB):

“है हिम्मत तो घूस माँगने वाले पुलिस वाले को थप्पड़ मारो,
दफ्तर में फ़ाइल उठाने की कीमत मांगने वाले चपरासी को थप्पड़ मारो,
अपने ऑटोग्राफ देने की कीमत माँगने वाले अधिकारी को थप्पड़ मारो,

हो हिम्मत तो 500 रुपये में तुम्हारा वोट खरीदने वाले को थप्पड़ मारो,
सड़क में, बस में मेट्रो में, बहनो को परेशान करने वाले लडको को थप्पड़ मारो,

हर बात में धमकी देने वाले, नेता के चमचे को थप्पड़ मारो, और घोटाले करने वाले नेता को थप्पड़ मारो,
पर नहीं,
गुलाम हो तुम, डरपोक हो तुम।
तुम सिर्फ आम आदमी को मार सकते हो, अरविन्द को मार सकते हो”

Abstaining from the explosive title!

I have decided that from now on, I will try to abstain from political discussions. Try is important here because this is real difficult for me given my DNA, and many would vouch (read as curse me) for that. The least I can do is to avoid it on social networking platforms, and maybe continue to oblige people who know me better, because first they will not be offended, and even if they are I will make up for it some other time :)

The reason being:

“Hindustan ki ek basic problem hai…….agar aap k baap dada Congress/BJP ko vote detey aaye hain to aap bhi usi party se chipak jaatey ho and you simply refuse to see any wrong they do……you would still like/support that party unless they come and shoot you at point blank range……prior to that it simply doesn’t matter and you turn a blind eye to the wrongdoings…….you try to find a couple of good/average things/people (whatever suits you) and try to comfort yourself that it is still a good party…….and the best part is that it all happens in the  sub-conscious and people would simply refuse to accept it. Thanks to that 4-5% floating vote (mostly from the uneducated class), warna sarkaar kabhi badley hi na.

Aur agar iss beech koi aap ki aankh kholney ki koshish karta hai aur aapko sach dikhaaney ki koshish karta hai, you just take him to be an agent of the opposing party and a feeling of animosity develops……and the debate no longer remains a debate……it just becomes a turf war……with people trying to protect their territory. Yahan Digvijay Singh akeley nahi hain……har gali mohalley me chhotey motey Digvijay Singh baithey hain…..jinko har cheez (opposing cheez to be more precise) me RSS ka haath dikhta hai……!!!

So the point is ki bhaiyaaa kuchh badalney waala nahi hai……hum sab aisey hi rahney waaaley hain……..to saaala hum kyo logon se dushmani letey phirey……humey bhi apni roti sekni hai…….aur iss tarah ki ghrina apney khilaaf utpann karkey kyaa phaayda……jaaney anjaaney nuksaan humey hi uthaana padega…….to bhaiyya ab se political matters me……no comments……yeh desh tumhaara bhi utna hai…..jitna humaara hai……isliye har koi apney liye khud sochey….!!!”

This in no way means that I plan to change my views, feelings or actions with respect to everything that is happening around. I still am the same old person, and would take every opportunity presented to me and in my capacity to improve upon things. Simply put - It is more action and less rantings. I would save the blabber for the near and dear ones, and as we all know exclusivity is in (look at google+)……who knows people actually start paying me for that…..:P ;) :D

To conclude, The Argumentative Indian (I wouldn’t wish to be included here, but of course you may do) does not have the stomach to digest constructive criticism, leave aside plain old criticism. We argue just for the sake of arguing, with our eyes and ears shut and mouth open.

PS: I am open to constructive criticism and even things like ‘khud ko hero samajhtey ho kaa’ are welcome, but I would abstain from replying, else the post loses it’s meaning and essence. I would charge $100 for replying to any comment…..:P…. samjha karo…..berozgaar hain……;)……99% of the people wouldn’t agree with the above hypothesis, but I would like to know what percentage of people vote differently than their parents, and don’t just say it for the sake of saying to show me in bad light……khuda k khauff se darrrr…………:P…..exceptions would be there…….and as always……hats off to those exceptions….irrespective of the choice…..at least they themselves take their decisions!

Cheat INDIA……..

The mail below is a response to the mail sent by Times Of India group to all YFE (Youth for Equality) members requesting them to participate in the LEAD INDIA Initiative…

to: The Times of India <[email protected]> 
cc: [email protected], [email protected]
date: Aug 25, 2007 6:52 PM
subject: Re: YFE-TOI partnership for Lead India
mailed-by gmail.com

Dear “Whosoever you are”,
I believe that all this campaign,etc. and all this blah blah blaaaaahhhhh is just for publicity and financial gains and to increase the ratings. At the same time……i also believe that somebody needs to start, take the initiative and all other blah blaahhhh……but I’ll like to add to this blah blah blaaahhhh by pointing out that this is not the right way to start. It seems that some sort of INDIAN IDOL thing is going on…..rather than choosing a leader….and that leader will be sent for further studies rather than fight(i purposely chose fight, not contest…..it’s not an easy task buddy) the elections and dirty his/her hands in the bloody Indian politics……and in the end it would all “END” by giving him/her 50 lakh for a project of his/her choice……..greaaaatttttt…<wbr>…..awesome dude…….INDIA is relieved…….liberated……<wbr>.all the bloody politicians now fear this great man……..and the Indian politics will now be governed by his whims and fancies……so……Thank you times of India for all this…….for Changing INDIA…….I owe you something dudes and dudettes…..at least a mail for all this effort…….I believe it’ll suffice….I don’t think u’ll need more of it…..!!! I know you people are clever……..you’ll fire back by saying what’s the solution(if at all somebody reads it)…..I’ll say…….I don’t have a solution(go read my blog www.sojao.blogspot.com and have shit with me) ……..but that’s not the way it is…….. if at all you are serious…..and I don’t think that’s the case……because I’ve witnessed media irresponsibility on a daily basis…..it’s all about business dude…..if u’ve got it……show it…..what’s the point in keeping it to urself…..increase your ratings…..hurt sentiments…….rouse religious sentiments……and blah blah blaaahhhhh again…….!!! So, if at all you are serious then devise a game plan that suits the structure of Indian politics…….be a part of the system to overcome the malfunctions……start with a political party which recruits educated and young people……scan resumes……before you get them in…..so that it’s not just another political party…..but something with a difference…….and help them “fight” the elections……..coz you have the infrastructure……you have the power of press….which indeed is powerful….!!! These Indian Idol sort of things crop up everyday……people like them………but in the end…..they are lost in the crowd……so…..don’t be lost in the crowd……..!!! In the end…….I’d like to receive a thank you mail (i don’t expect a thank you….in fact it’s an acknowledgement mail)……for wasting your as well as mine TIME……..so that i know that at least somebody read it…… ;-) Regards, Amit Saxena

CURRENT STATUS: No response received till date……so i thought……why waste all this effort…..better put it on a blog……and let thy be enlightened…… ;-)

Point Of View……..

A Politician’s Point of View :

Hey! Look at those fluttering votes. Come on! It’s election time. Go, grab them before that dangerously threatening wind flows them to some other place.Get them, at any cost and deposit them in my precious ‘Vote Bank’. Take special care to place different types of ‘fools’ in different lockers.Don’t let them mingle!’Fools’? What are you talking about, sir? I did mistake it with the large sea of people over there. I am such a fool…!!!

Ha Ha! No you are not.Ya, I was talking about those fools only. There are Hindu fools and Muslim fools.That’s not the end of the story. There are even Dalit fools, the new found OBC fools and many subclassifications and superclassifications. These good for nothing fellows are of use only once in 5 years. They are just a piece of Ballot Paper that I need to collect and grease at election time and later I am free to use it as toilet paper. And do you know, I have a real big stock and even a surplus.Now you go, and lure them, by saying whatever you like and promising them whatever you may deem correct. You may even use contradictory statements at different places and among different groups of people, but do it wisely and vaguely, so that we can deny it and say that it has been quoted out of context, at our own sweet convinence. These fools are even more foolish when it comes to remembering things. They forget things easily, because it was not their house that was burnt.

Now go and collect that shit(get those foolish votes) for me, it will not be difficult…!!!

People’s Point of View :Look at these bunch of bullshitters. These good for nothing fellas are here, once again! Begging for votes, and making false promises. They think we are fools! These ugly, corrupt, unscrupulous, non-trustworthy bastards, I know them very well…!!! But what can I do? I have neither power nor authority! All I can do is, VOTE…!!! Vote the way my father and grandfather did. I have to choose one asshole from the bunch of assholes. Under the given circumstances, the best I can do is not to vote at all. But that will not make any difference either. This party politics is too shitty and one vote, or even one MP would make no difference at all. I am helpless…!!!BUT, I have hope…!!! Some day or the other these bastards will face the consequences of their misdeeds. I believe in GOD! They would have to answer him. “Bhagwaan k ghar der hai, andher nahii…!!!” All the good men are not dead and I have a firm belief that some day, they will come forward and change the system. They will have to…!!! Even I would like to join them but this politics is too messy, too shitty, too corrupt, and I don’t think that I would be able to handle it. Also, I have a bright career ahead. I will play my part by excelling in my field of work and contributing to the fast growing Indian Economy. I have a family to feed. I need to live upto the expectations of my parents. I can’t enter this mess……although I would like to, from the bottom of my heart!But some day or the other, this all got to change, and it surely will.
‘Mera Bhaarat Mahaan………!!!’
My Point of View :

I am no GOD, but I am no Bullshitter either.
I am no revolutionist, but I am no coward either.
Then who am I? Who am I? Whoooo ammmm IIIIIIII……??? I don’t get the answer. No divine voices pop out from the heavens, and tell me that I am a saviour! What have I done that makes me stand apart? I belong to the same class of bullshitters, that come in crores. Technically speaking, there was no need for a seperate column ‘My Point of View’, but since I am a bullshitter, so I need to shit in large quantities.I am such an elite bullshitter…!!! I wasted so much time and energy in typing this. I even wrote it on paper. Shame on me! I could even get carpal tunnel syndrome. Where the hell did I get this idea of writing for these bullshitters. I would have better written some beautiful poems or something creative. At least that would have impressed some beautiful girls and won me some accolades. Ohhhh poor meeee…….! I really pity myself at this point of time (blog)! :(
Why didn’t I utilize my time in sleeping or ‘orkutting’? why am I not happy with my smooth running life? Why am I not happy with my job, my cubicle, my internet connection, my close group of friends, my tightly knit family! Why am I bothering about the unbothered! Why the hell don’t I shut up, and stop writing…??? I believe that I just watched an english movie and a news programme, and messed it up. It is just a piece of stinking shit, with an icing over it, and here goes the last drop!
NOTE : Exceptions are always there…!!! Hats off to those exceptions, and if you are not an exception then go to sleep, you Bullshitter.