Young Voter!!

The great Indian Democratic Dance is back yet again! And thankfully, only after five very eventful years. This time around a lot of young blood is entering politics. Look at Rahul Gandhi, Varun Gandhi or Milind Deora. However, in no way does it mean that the older blood is ready to exit politics. Not just yet. Look at George Fernandes, Mulayam Singh or LK Advani for that matter. It's true that internet has now captured a major advertising space in Indian National Election 2009. Yet the fact remains that politics does not happen at the click of a mouse. It is a lot more than just that. A lot of groups are doing their bit to spread awareness about the candidates after running a background check on them. However, the people who have voted for these goons all these years long have known it all along and have still voted for them. However, everything said and done, I believe these are merely ways to entice the younger voter or the "Resident Indian". When you look deep enough, politics is not about the number of votes or the sheer number of followers that you have. The important thing is that the "elected policy makers" keep India in mind before everything else. It is about formulating the right policies, taking the right stand on issues. When some of the major parties are busy enticing the young voter, the logic is obvious. The younger generation does not really or completely understand the nature and depth of politics. The older generation is usually not that hooked on to the internet, and more importantly, it has seen too much of them to vote for them anymore. The liberal meaning of the word democracy is "Of the people, for the people, by the people". Yet, most of our existing politicans would rather only work from themselves or their so-called priciples. Most of these ideals have never looked like ideal principles for a secular India. As a young voter, when I look at India 5 years from now, I would like to see a united, secular, stronger and forward India. Younger policians as well as younger voters are a need of the hour; however, it depends on you and me - to not just stop at logging on to wwww.jaagore.com. It means a lot more than just that. The sooner we realize that, the better for India.

Life of a Feline

Welcome! It's the saddest of all times. Maya Dolas passed away today morning. I am still mourning her death. She came into our lives as a surprise. Or more like shock. We should have known. In fact, we should have expected it. It was bound to happen. There is no real immunity from such things. Moments like these appear from nowhere and leave your hearts and minds touched forever. There was something about her eyes. They were ablaze with fire. The kind of eyes you cannot help but stare into, yet they are so powerful they cannot be stared into for long. They don't ask questions. They just force you to look within yourself. They force you to look at the world from their viewpoint. That is why I named her Maya....the eternal enchanter....

Later the kitten ventured out into the big wide world. The world allured her. She roamed like a tigress on the prowl. She walked like a royal. Nope. She was not exactly hunting. She was just taking in her new surroundings. The kids loved her. They fed her and played with her. At least that is what most of them did. A few vicious ones pelted stones at her, tied a string around her neck and tried to drag her around the place. The dogs attacked her. At night she stayed out alone. Keeping warm within her own fur.

The next day she was rediscovered by the kids. The next day she was brought back home. But now she limped from where the dogs had bit her. But the fragile body had a very strong spirit within her. She did not lay still. She kept dragging herself all over the place.

But the eyes revealed the pain withheld in her soul. But amidst the pain the strong, resolute spirit could not be broken. I will never forget those eyes. She knew she was going to die. Her spirit will live for eternity beyond.

The night passed. As the early morning sun touched the city of Mumbai she whimpered, sighed and then passed away with the passing night.

I will never forget the day she came.

The night was a night of terror for the city of Mumbai. And with the evil shadows had passed by Mumbai ... so had Maya Dolas. The memory will remain etched within me forever. Of light and of shadow. Of days and of nights. The memory shall not be allowed to die.

The stray cat that my brother brought home that day. I called her Maya Dolas.

Right time?

Good day Earthlings! So, when do we know it's the right time? Now, this question is not necessarily aimed at anything in particular. Just that we usually hold the belief that the Maker sets his time for everything that is supposed to happen, and when the time is right, it shall surely happen. Not even if you willed you could stop it from happening any more. So, if the Maker obviously knows when it's timed... when do simple mortals know it's truely the right time? Someone, I have this feeling that life treats us all differently. What I mean by this is some people seem to go from goal to goal strife-lessly. Others (like me, for instance!) take several stops on the way to finally reach somewhere; and that does not necessarily have to be where-we-wanted-to-go. I wonder why does He do that. I wonder why are we not equal. Maybe, I am aware of the answer myself. While all of us as humans do face problems and obstacles, we do not really face equally or as harshly. For the same problem, one man will treat it like it was nothing, whereas the other may feel burdened under it... even unable to sneak out of it for relief-sake. Similarly, even though the problems around us maybe similar, the way we treat them when they fall upon us makes all the difference. A person who can smile and face all adversities, will definitely see more of life, will be able to do more. Whereas one cribbing on a small hurdle, may never be brave to skip ahead. So, coming back to the question of when is it really the right time? All I can say is that God sets a path for us. He makes us go through adversity so that we can be stronger and be able to take what life throws at us. Yeah, when the time comes, we shall know "It's time"!