28

Dear Readers, 

                     Long time back I read a piece in one of the newspapers( I beleieve The Indian Express) written by a lady reporter who very aptly remarked that leave alone projecting an 'incredible India' image we should focus on developing a 'clean India' image before world tourists. All that and the hopes of a neat and clean India seems to be a far cry and I would dislike using my blogspace for presenting a jargon filled discussion on urban infrastructure, town planning, waste management etc. etc. 

                       The point that I want to make is that of first things first, we should acknowledge the fact that we are dirty and unclean. There is filth and squalor everywhere around us, in our cities, towns, villages, bazaars, everywhere. Our railway stations, hospitals and public gardens stink. Most of the houses in residential colonies mill hard to keep the interiors hygienic but dump their wastes in the most unhygienic ways possible. We have become too accustomed of living in dirt and of turning a blind eye to muck surrounding us. Where on one hand we consider it impolite to use the four letter word in our slangs, we do nothing to save our nation from looking like a pot-hole. The same nation which boasts of breath taking beautiful landscapes and ecological diversity.

                        The remedy lies in holding  mirror to ourselves. One good and reassuring trend is offered by our beloved muse, the Bollywood. If you notice, the off age cinema of the new millennium at times sprouts into a few masterpieces which show us exactly what we are and how we look. Another commendable fact is that such art work is appreciated as is proved by the box office collections of movies like Slumdog Millionaire, Dabangg, Chandni Bar etc. Masses of India are more sensible than the bunch of goons( psephologists, policy makers, industrialists and bureaucrats)  who profess that they are nothing but vast multitudes of wisdom less coolies. The challenge is to spread awareness and inspire ourselves to wash away our sins....  

27

Dear Jodhpur,

                     It seems that my recent public announcements openly advertising my love for Delhi has pushed you towards taking a gratuitous stand against me bordering near callous indifference. I regret that and want to vehemently reassert that wherever I may go or dwell or take a fancy of a place in the offing, you will always be my first love, the place that shapes my very existence. 

                     Over the past week, I have been trying to revisit my lost ties with your essence in more than one way or the other.  I have frequented old spots where I used to loiter as an adolescent with my dear friends. I have eaten at a few places that have become synonymous with Marwari cuisine and delicacies. I indulged in the usual banter and gossip that form the character of a layman Jodhpuri. I have even gone to the extent of retracing the gradual solidification of my understanding of the city's geography by revisioning select angular views of the fort, the palace, the Clock Tower and other imposing city landmarks. 

                    Yet, you remain ever evasive. Please come back to me. With each passing day, I realise that I belong to you in every respect. The sheer delay in the unification of our souls is caused by your vindictive stance. Please put away your harsh retribution and welcome me with open arms. I am one of your children. Shower upon me my share of wine, women, friends, wonders, tales, memories, grace, fortune and secrets. Please. I am in need of another birth, my mother...... 

26

Dear Readers, 

                   Instinctively wrote in my Facebook status tonight, "Dear Delhi! Do you miss me as much as I do?". A couple of hours later when I read these lines again, I was able to appreciate the emotions that went behind this sudden outpour. 

                    Since a few days,  news channels are abuzz with warnings to Delhites to protect themselves from the deadly smog that lay enveloping the city in the wee hours of the morn. The video clips that are aired show different city points and streets wearing a coat of white fog. These visuals are what pinched me. 

                     I used to drive a motorbike when I was a student in Delhi. I used to keep it clean and shining and loved it more than my life. It had a name and I often used to talk to her. She took me to all these points and streets and often after a hard week, we both ran amock in Dilli on Sunday afternoons glistening in the wintery Sun. Such joy rides made me happy and I connected with every pavement of the city of Delhi. 

                     Just as Mir Taki Mir (the prodigal Urdu poet in Eighteenth century Delhi) laments the loss of Delhi due to the plight of finding bread and butter, I had to move out in search of safe future. Since that day, I grow sad( as I am now) to think that all those points, streets and pavements must have forgotten me. My unconditional love stands unrequited. The question is not whether or when will I return to that haunted city but it is that all our love is gone.... 

25

Dear Readers, 

                     Monday, October 29th, happened to be Sharad Purnima (a special date according to the Hindu Lunar calender when the moon is full). They say that it is the most gorgeous of all the full moon lit nights throughout the year. One can feel a nip in the air and the scent of the approaching winters. It is also believed that this night holds a special charm for worshipers of Lord Krishna as it was on this night that he wooed Radha by seducing her with his Raas (a special dance form of India). Thus, this night is a night of lovers. 

                      As it may be conspicuous in my thoughts, love has eluded me ever since I left the lush environs of muraqqa-e Dilli to migrate to this corner of the Thar in search of knowledge and wisdom. So, on this occasion as well, I chose to expect nothing. However, I could not let go of the spirit of celebration. I decided to go for a long drive in the desert countryside. By the time, I made this decision, it was 10:10 pm so I sought a company lest it would be a bit unsafe to drive along the border areas all alone. In short, I was shit scared!    

                      We drove down to Kodamdesar which lies north west of Bikaner. The landscape on either side of the road was very pretty. The road till this destination was all very well-known. The spirit of celebration gave way to that of adventure. We decided to flirt with the landscape by taking a right turn right before Kodamdesar which would lead us into the interiors. 

                       The drive past that turn was really intimidating. The time was well past midnight. There were no habitations on either side of the road for miles. Any mishap would have gone unanswered. When sensibility prevailed over exuberance, I took a U-turn but before speeding off back to the town, I drove the jeep off road over the silvery sand dunes. We reached the top of a 30 ft high dune and got out of the vehicle. The view was chilling to the bone. Not a man or signs of his dwelling in sight. Vision of dunes after dunes colored in shades of silver and black greeted us as we ourselves glowed in the moon light. The undulating dunes created an impression that we are ship-wrecked and lying in the middle of an expansive ocean. You can also  imagine  that it was a way to celebrate Halloween that very night!!...