Let's preserve Democracy!

With all this hype about elections around, every minister is trying his best trick to woo the public. A new strategy everyday just to gain the highest number of votes but before you caste your precious vote in favour of any of these candidates; take time to think- Do they really deserve it? How often do we get to see them other than the traffic and network jammers when the minister visits the city with his Z level security? Are they really contributing something towards the country or are we being fooled in the name of democracy?

The world calls us the biggest democratic country but only we know how it feels to survive in here. We end up paying taxes for everything we do but we never get the benefit of the money that goes to the government. The police seem to be there only to fine us instead of fighting for our rights. We are free to raise our voice against the government on social networking websites but now; the police force shall take you to jail if you do that. I fear that sooner the freedom of speech shall be banished.

It’s only about money whether you wish to get someone arrested or bailed out. The essential documents for license, passport or any legal identity don’t matter as long as you have the cash required. India is still a Golden bird just that our gold lies in the accounts of Swiss bank.  We may blame corruption for infecting our system but aren’t we the ones to support it? Instead of bribing them, let’s try standing against them. Democracy was meant to serve the people and not enslave them. It’s time to move towards concrete action than mere criticism.

Every few years we have our elections and the sole duty of a citizen is to vote wisely, but whom shall we really support? On one side lies a political party which can be the sole reason to develop our state and on the other lay the candidates defamed by the umpteen scams. Poor citizen of this country who cannot change this rigid system; who would love to settle abroad but stays back because he loves his motherland and is handcuffed by the ugly politics and corruption!

Sitting back and talking about trivial issues has done no good to the society. There is no positive change we see around, there is hardly someone who wishes to join a political party to bring a revolution or a philanthropist who would do something for his fellow beings other than earning millions. We were freed from the British only because of the awakening youth and even today; our country needs thy children to fight all the evils. We are the ones to instigate change and eventually implement it. As the sun rises, it shall be our time to wake up and contribute something to this realm. So make sure you vote to exercise our judicial right or stand for the elections and lead our society towards a modernistic democracy!

Superstitions that still follow!

It was the auspicious day of Dhanteras, I was arranging the clay lamps outside my house when my sister came running towards me and said a snake was found in our neighbour’s garden. Both of us got chills down our skin but it was amusing what mom said next; “If a snake comes to your house on this day, well that’s the sign of wealth.” Little did I know of, it’s just another superstition that still prevails among the people of our country!

With our wide culture, traditions and religions are attached certain belief systems and practices we have been carrying out since years as guided by our elders. We say we have been adapting the western culture, we say our families are no longer orthodox and we have been widening our minds to follow the traits of modernization to set a new paradigm for the next generation; well- are we? Superstitions are indeed those beliefs that have slowly been forgotten but people still preach them in the name of religion and fear of bad luck. A layman would happily deny the fact of being superstitious, but the stronger the denial; deeper is he falling for the trap.

When we were kids, our grandparents told us to do and make sure we never do some things. Like crossing the road when a black cat crosses your way, to cut nails after sunset or get a haircut on certain days, asking someone leaving the house whether where are they going, spilling of milk from an overfilled vessel etc were a strict NO and considered as a sign of bad omen where as if you witness an elephant or a bride when you leave the house, if the end of a cow’s tail touches you, breaking of glass, itching of your palm or twitching of your eye could be felicitous. 

These might be just certain things we observe during the day and reflect on them as good or bad; but there’s another list that might bring good luck, wealth, keep away evil spirits and sometimes even tell you if guests are coming home or it’s a silent fear of someone’s death. There is a whole list of Do’s and Don’ts in our cult related to fruits, vegetables, men, pregnant, widow or menstruating women and various animals but when we choose to be educated and broad-minded towards every other aspect of life; when are we going to let go this practice which is only pulling us back. 

Think about it; why would one put vadas and coconut on the crossroads just to get rid of bad luck and that’s not the end- whoever steps on it shall be followed by bad luck! I mean you would rather feed a needy person with those edibles for the sake of humanity than to waste it for this ritual. How is witnessing an elephant or wearing a particular gem stone bringing you good luck? Talking about gem stones, people have made a new business out of it and found a way to attract fools. Why do we need to make sure of a particular time while we are travelling or purchasing something new or why are directions so important in our house and even while sleeping or studying?

But then by the passing time, these superstitions have been twisted and given different meanings. Maybe they had a different notion but this cruel society has changed it. For example, our elders told us to cut our nails before sunset because then there was no light; therefore we might end up hurting ourselves. If a woman is menstruating, she is asked not to enter the kitchen or temples; not because she is impure but she needs to rest instead of getting involved in household activities. Back then the meaning was clearer, but now it’s just a mixture of what has been passed on since decades. Superstitions are now like the game we played in childhood where everyone adds something to a sentence and in the end what comes out doesn’t even makes sense.

You might think that it’s time we come up with a completely new belief system and forget these folklores. Well, the time is gone. The only solution might be that for once, we shouldn’t learn this from all the generations that came by. Sooner a time shall come when do this and that shall become we used to do. Moreover, the more educated our society; more aware we are about the good and bad around us, what should be adapted and what needs to be abandoned. It’s high time we resort to modernization than to be a replica of western countries!

Gujju All the way!

We Gujaratis are bound to make our name wherever we go. Whether the one who guides the nation towards freedom, the one who guides the state to edge a new height towards progress; it might be by our accent or by the huge variety of our mouth-watering delicacies. Our country is renowned for its food and spices and the diversity of the taste we see among different regional cuisines and We gujaratis have made it to the list. We are are famous for our thepla, khakhra, fafda, jalebi, dhokhla, khaman, haandva, etc.

Our love for food is immense, not only for the home-made food but also for the pizzas, frankies, sandwiches, noodles but many aren’t aware that, since years; we have been altering various dishes according to our taste and health. Not only just changing the taste, mixing and amalgamation of dishes but bringing about a completely different array to choose from. It’s not just about making them but these dishes are famous, widely available and moreover; even the youth prefers it as it has a tint of western cuisine.

The very famous and the one that has been a must dish is Sandwich Dhokla; how easily suji is used instead of bread and is combined with green chatni inside. Then comes Bhakhri pizza; this dish is a home-made speciality and I’m sure all our moms would love it as it is nutritious and even tastes good. We Indians are big time maggi lovers and prefer maggi over any snack whether it’s for breakfast or a midnight snack. Well, here comes Maggi ke bhajiye! Yes, even if you are hearing it for the first time; its pretty famous in our city and available near Prahladnagar. Oh wait, more to come!

We might have read many posts on Gujju tips, most of them constituting of food. Well, many of us actually do what they have been talking about. In winters, we feel hungrier and our dearest mothers already have the backup plan of moochings we love. While watching tv, instead of torritos or nachos with salsa; we might resort to kadak puri with marcha or athana! Some people use thepla instead of the white flour base in Frankie and well, it’s healthier and maintains the taste. And yes, Chaas is a must. There is a default jain item available in almost every dish you ask for; whether its bhaji pav, pizza, vada pav, dabeli, etc. In fact, even jain omelettes are available!

What’s most amusing is the recent subway in Paldi that had to come up with a Jain subway to attract more regional crowd. Well, its funny how these varieties came into place and now many prefer these; over the usual junk food available. We Gujaratis just need new heights to reach and it might be related to anything you talk about, even food!

Mending the broken bonds!

We befriend, we talk, we share and then get close; so much that we start expecting from each other in every possible way and when those expectations aren’t fulfilled, there comes a crack in the relation. How often do we fight with someone, argue, choose to stand affirm because of our ego and then just because ME becomes stronger than We at that moment; we end up giving it all. For that one little thing that turned out to be offensive, you chose to let go the person than to bend down. There’s just one cure to this- ‘Forgive and Forget’.

An argument however ugly is temporary. Give it sometime and things eventually resolve. What makes it ugly is the silence, ranging from ignoring to completely not talking and then one day; you see each other as strangers. After days and months, you go through those old pictures and every good memory makes you weep. Nostalgia is a good feeling only when accompanied by happy memories.

So the time passes by, we sit back and await the time that the person would come up to you, apologize and things would be back as they were before. But maybe, likewise the person is waiting for you to make a move. Days and months pass and still there’s no hint of a conversation between the two. Well, it doesn’t take long when somebody you know becomes somebody you used to know! Everything changes between the two, from good bonding to mere formality; best friend to acquaintance and even facing each other becomes awkward.

But wait, Rewind! Was the relationship worth every bit of shit you had to undergo to keep it going? If you really think so, it is never too late to mend the broken bond. Accepting your mistakes and even facing the humiliation might seem tough but not for things that are worth keeping lifetime. On the other side, if the person comes back to you; they sure know your importance. It seems hard to forget the past, to move ahead wearing a smile, to adapt to the change and to give it to a new start.

We have the tendency to keep analyzing things and to keep thinking about the past, to regret and to re-visit the memory lane just to know what went wrong then and why it dint work out. But why are we wasting time still thinking about the time that’s never coming back and instead sweep off the mess and start it afresh. Just a word of apology and you never know how many hearts you’ll touch. It might seem hard to bow down and be the first one to be sorry for what happened, but it only means that you value your relation more than your individuality.

Through all the relations I had in my life, I have learnt one thing for sure; the people who want to stay in your life will always find a way. Maybe that’s the secret to those successful long distance relationships, the friends that in spite of every fight manage to stay by each other since kindergarten to the time when you drop your kids at kindergarten. Time doesn’t change anything unless trust and love stays intact and its beautiful how people manage to be together even at this pace of life. It’s not how often you meet, talk or connect; but how much the two of you are willing to make it work. And it doesn’t always have to make sense, because how quickly the people we meet become so close, how much we love them and the bonds we end up making is beyond logic and what words can express.