...लो आ गई फिर वहीं दिवाली|

 

...लो आ गई फिर वहीं दिवाली| 🏮🎆✨🏵️🪔

 

लो आ गई फिर वहीं दिवाली

लेके नए सपनो की झोली|

 

COVID ने कुछ परिजन छिने|

पर मुश्किलों में नए रिश्ते है बने|

फिरसे सबको साथ बुलाए|

आओ मिलके जश्न मनाए|

 

किसीने अपना काम गवाया|

महंगाईने तो सबको रुलाया|

अब नई उम्मीदें जगाए|

आओ मिलके जश्न मनाए|

 

धर्म के लिये कहीं सिर भी फोडा|

सडकोपे किसान है खडा|

अब हमदर्दीसे अहंकार है बडा|

झुठी दुश्मनींने न किसीको छोडा|

चारों तरफ नफरत और शक है बढा|

ये किसने हम-तुमको तोडा?

 

फिरसे मुठ्ठी मजबूत बनाए|

आओ मिलके जश्न मनाए|

 

अब न चलाए कोई लाठी और गोली|

फिर हर घर में सजे रंगोली|

थामलो हाथ और देदो ताली|

लो आ गई फिर वहीं दिवाली|

चलो खुशिओंके दिये जलाए|

आओ मिलके जश्न मनाए|

🏮🎆✨🏵️🪔

 

Irshaad!

 इर्शाद!

 

मी मोर्चा नेला नाही,

मी संप ही केला नाही,

मी निषेध सुद्धा साधा कधी नोंदवलेला नाही!

 

या अशाच हलक्याफुलक्या शब्दात आपण मध्यमवर्गीय पांढरपेशे गेली कित्येक वर्षे आपल्याच आयुष्यावर बोलत आहोत. हा वर्ग आयुष्याच्या चक्राशी बांधलेला असतो. सामाजिक प्रश्नांबद्दल पेपर वाचून हळहळ व्यक्त करतो. राजकारणावर चर्चा करतो पण चर्चेपलिकडे तिकडे सोयीस्कर दुर्लक्ष करतो. दुष्काळाच्या/भूकंपाच्या मदतनिधीत आपला खारीचा वाटा देतो. आणि मोकळ्या वेळात अशा काव्य/नाट्य व अन्य सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रमांत रमून जातो.

 

हे सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम मनोरंजन करणे, आपल्या माणसांसोबत वेळ घालवणे, मजा करणे याच हेतूने असतात. अशा ठिकाणी माणसांनी एकमेकांवर आपटून सुख-दुःख शेअर करण्यातली मजा काही औरच असते. कधीकधी या  कार्यक्रमांना किंचित धार्मिक छटा असते. कधी गणपतीसाठी मंडपा-मंडपातून फिरणे, कधी x'masला एकमेकांचा secret santa बनणे, कधी होळीला भेटून रंग लावणे तर कधी रमझानच्या महिन्यात मोहम्मद अली रोडला जाऊन एकदा तरी ताव मारणे! पण मध्यमवर्गीय पांढरपेशा कधीही धर्माला या सर्वसामायिक संस्कृतीपुढे शिरजोर होऊ देत नाही.

 

या वर्गाला धर्म संकटात आल्याची चिंता नसते. कारण त्याला नीटच ठाऊक असते की ही केवळ काही धर्मांधांची विनाकारण दवंडी आहे, ज्याचा खऱ्या आयुष्यशी कुठेही संबंध नाही. "ऑफिसला वेळेवर पोचणार की नाही?", "पगारवाढ होणार की नाही?", "मुला-बाळांच्या शिक्षणाचा खर्च कसा निभावणार?" या अशा यांच्या चिंता असतात. आणि म्हणूनच हे लोक धर्मांध बडबडीकडे "जाऊ दे ना" म्हणत दुर्लक्ष करतात.

 

पण यामुळे ही धर्मांध मंडळी "मौनम् संमती लक्षणं" या तत्वानुसार मध्यमवर्गाला गृहीत धरू लागतात. ह्याच संस्कृतीला हळूहळू धार्मिक रंग चढवू लागतात. तरीही पांढरपेशा गप्प राहतो. कारण त्याला वाटत असतं की या आगीची धग त्यांच्यापर्यंत कधीच पोचणार नाही.

 

आणि मग एक दिवस ती आग वणवा बनून पसरू लागते. सणाला जश्न म्हटलं म्हणून गरळ ओकली जाते. सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रमाच नाव इर्शाद ठेवलं म्हणून थयथयाट होऊ लागतो.

 

जेव्हा वातावरण एवढं गढूळ होत आहे, तेव्हा मध्यमवर्गाने आता पुन्हा स्वतः ला विचारायला हवं की अजूनही कानाडोळाच करत राहायचा की "हे  आम्हाला मंजूर नाही" हे परखडपणे बोलायचं. ही सर्वसामायिक संस्कृती अस्ताला जाणे बघत बसायचं की वेळ पडलीच तर एखाद्या "इर्शाद" च्या सभागृहाबाहेर या संस्कृतीवरचा हल्ला थोपवायला उभं राहायची हिम्मत दाखवायची.

 

नाहीतर.... भविष्यात आरशापुढे उभं राहून हेच म्हणायचं...

 

भवताली संगर चाले, तो विस्फारून बघताना,

कोणी पोटातून चिडताना, कोणी रक्तातून लढताना,

मी दगड होऊनी थिजलो, रस्त्याच्या बाजूस जेव्हा,

तो मारायाला देखील मज कुणी उचलले नाही.....!

 

- अभिसुळे

Is #inclusiveness in #minority?

 

Is #inclusiveness in #minority?

How dare you call Diwali "जश्न-ए-रिवाज"? My feelings are hurt.

How can you show a friend protecting someone from होली colors? This is not acceptable.

A हिंदू girl celebrating baby shower in मुस्लिम family? This is crime. Do not promote Love Jihad. 

 

Unfortunately this is what we all are witnessing in past few years. Now we have reached to a stage where such inclusive messages in advertisements are seen as sacrilege of religion. Let me clarify something here, this is not about supporting the brands and such advertisements.  There is possible intent by the big brands to position the advertisement to allure much bigger population towards brand and gain market share. But the bigger point which disturbs me as a citizen is opposition and wrath faced against such inclusive messages. 

 

While we have learnt that this is the land of unity in diversity, the religious polarisation is taking all together a different shape now. These voices of separating orange from green are getting louder day by day. Majority of population is sadly becoming more intolerant and non-inclusive when it comes to communal harmony. Mixing of religions which was thought as strength of unity is now days seen as insult of religion. And now this virus of polarisation has also started to interfere with the most neutral space for Indians, Our Cricket team. Is this the new India, नवभारत  that we want?

 

And what is even more worrisome in this changing scenario? Now inclusiveness is getting pushed into minority. The voices are heard only from one side. There is no pushback, there is no protest and sometimes there is not even condemning of such polarised statements. Are we expecting a lot from leaders and role models? Are they polarised too? Or they want to stay away from taking controversial stand? Afterall now the terms like “Librats”/ “लिबरांडू ” are used as abuse in these days.

 

Is #inclusiveness in #minority?

I hope not. I think the time has now come to start the action from myself. It is important to make it clear that such attacks on inclusiveness is not acceptable. Such statements/acts need to be condemned by common people like me. I have to be more vocal. Push back on such things needs to get noticed. May be that is how the voice of inclusiveness will also start to get louder.

 

And then may be we will reach back to a point where we can say. #Inclusiveness is not in #minority!

 

न तोडी चुप्पी अब तो हार जाएंगे|

पर एक जो हुए हम तो क्या ना कर जाएंगे|

 

- अभिषेक सुळे

I hate you!

I hate you!

Hatred!

It's a strange feeling. In such a beautiful world where there is plenty of room for smile, happiness, joy, how can we have hatred virus? The virus which is highly contagious. Specially with recent season changes. And now I think me too, have caught this infection!

I hate you!

Because you are labelling me with my surname and my choice of worship.

In my group, it really doesn't matter, which God I believe in or whether even I believe in God.

What really matters is we are friends in spite of that.

But now you have re-emphasized my labels/our labels beyond friendship.

And hence I hate you!

I hate you!

Because you are grouping my neighbourhood with definitions other than "humans".

In our neighbourhood it doesn't matter whether you are Kapil or Tahir.

What matters is we are one united group and we stand with each other.

But your provocations are now confusing my own neighbourhood and shaking our till date firm bonds.

And hence I hate you!

I hate you!

Because you chose biased news coverage showing only one side of ugly truth.

In our society, it's not right if we listen/understand only one side of story.

What matters is whether we have open ears and clean brain to internalise truth on both sides. (even if both are equally murky)

But whichever media house you are. Now you are showing us only half truths. And I have to switch between 2 polarised channels to guess what the reality is!

And hence I hate you!

I hate you!

Because your sympathy lies with only a particular community.

In my country, it doesn't matter whether I am orange or green or blue or any other color.

What matters is whether we empathize with each other and stand next to each other in the hour of need. And we all come together to make one peaceful white.

But your pseudo-secularism is looking at us with single coloured goggle and you fail to understand that in reality we all are standing united.

And hence I hate you!

Yes!

I hate you!

I don't know who started to spread this virus.

I don't how to control this infection.

I don't know how to quarantine.

What I know is this hatred virus is rapidly deteriorating my health, my society's health, my nation's health.

What I know is, this is not good.

What I know is, if as always I choose to be silent spectator then this virus will cause irrecoverable damage.

And hence somewhere I am happy that this virus has hit me but not on wrong side of my brain. I wish more of my common man community gets hit by this virus on right side. So that our voice becomes much louder and force you all to take a step back.

Yes, I am hoping to get cured very soon!!!

Hoping not for myself but for you.

I still hate you!

But, I wish you "Get well soon!"

- Hatred virus infected stupid common man!

(by abhisule)

Darling open the door..... (Mumbai aaj kal.. {now and then})

Darling open the door....

(Mumbai aaj kal.. {now and then})

Mumbai!

City of dreams.

City that never sleeps.

City that measures distances in minutes.

City where you are safe on road at any time of the day (and night!).

There are few things that always remain same irrespective of year mentioned on calendar.

But, there are few aspects that change as overall socio-economic profile shifts for a city or country. One such aspect is the front door of Mumbaikar's home!

In last 25-30 yrs many Mumbaikars on island city have moved from old small compound buildings/chawls to new redeveloped standalone buildings. From 4 to 10 doors opening in common corridor/gallery to 1 or 2 houses on each floor.  Those open areas in middle of compound are now taken over by extra FSI. That clay got replaced with paver blocks. And whatever leftover open space was there, it was taken over by parked cars.

This new lifestyle also brought new questions/challenges/insecurities. Let's take a quick on these roads of aaj-kal.

Scene 1: Aaj (2020)

Msgs on soc WhatsApp group:

A: Hi, I am seeing too many unknown people daily sitting in our building's lobby. They are from Nio Company and spending their afternoon hours at our lobby. Who has approved this?

B:  yes. I agree. Let's remove the sofa from lobby. Then they won't sit here.

C: I have also seen a milkman who sits every day at 8:30 for his coupon counting.

B: we shall stop all this. This is not safe.

Scene 1: Kal (1995)

a: are aaj woh sare postmen nahi dikhe. Woh to hamesha aate Hain na dabba khane.

b: Haan. Kal to the. Shayad late hua hoga aaj.

c: apne compound mein trees hai na. To unhe bhi yahan shade mein baithke Khana achchhaa lagta hai.

a: are Kal woh paperwala aata hai to use bolna humein bhi paper chalu karna hai.

b: subah 6 baje milalo use. Apnehi compound mein aake woh uske papers arrange karta hai.

a: yahan? Kyon?

c: aur Kahan karenge? Unke paas thodi na office hota hai. Kar lete hai koi bhi building mein baithke.

Darling open the door!....

Scene 2: Aaj (2020)

Another discussion on WhatsApp.

A: someone threw water on my head from xx floor when I was taking walk. If this happens again I will call police.

B: even there is dirty water coming to our home from xx floor.

C: it's not dirty water. Why will we throw dirty water?

....and dirt-ful discussion continues on WA group.

Scene 2: Kal (1995)

a: (walking to B's home) hi, there is water leakage at my home from ceiling. Is there anything wrong at your bathroom.

b: Oh! Sorry. There was new flooring work at my home in bathroom. Will get it checked. Sorry again!

Darling open the door!.....

Scene 3: Aaj (2020)

Again on same WA group

A: hey, why policemen are taking nap everyday afternoon in our building.

B: yes. Even all maids from our and neighboring buildings have daily mini gathering at our society's parking in evening.

C: this is not safe. Especially considering only elders are there at homes throughout the day. We shall ask our security to not to allow anyone of these.

Scene 3: Kal (1995)

a: are baee, that uncle is not well. I have to go there.

Baee: ok bhabhi, aap jaeeye. Main Hoon baby ke paas. Niche na woh bhabhike gharpe aanewali xxx baee hogi. Aap usko bulalo. Woh aayegi aunty ko help Karne uncle ke paas.

b: I will ask that mechanic if he can drive uncle to hospital.

Darling open the door! ....

As the years have gone it seems now same old neighbours have closed the doors of their new flats so hard with additional safety grill door that they are not able to hear what's happening in the building or even on the floor. They have not spoken to each other for days but are eager to fight on WA group. Is it just the new lifestyle of me/myself/my safe world or real issues of security/righteous way/betterment?

If we think from either ways both point of views may seem right. But what is getting lost behind those closed doors is something which we call communication, friendships, trust and a beautiful mixture of this called as my neighbourhood.

Dear Mumbaikars, don't let this ghost enter your building. Let’s unlock those latches and bolts once again and stand together against all the ghosts.

That's why I say...

Darling open the door!

- abhisule

My new year wish!

Today an old man came in red coat and asked me, "What do you want, my dear, in this New Year?"

And then...

Me: Grandpa, are you going to grant my wish now or in next December? Aren't you a bit late?

Old man: Yes. I know. But I had to go to so many people. 1.2 bn is not a small number.

Me: 1.2 bn? Why? Aren't you supposed to go to just 2.5 cr?

Oldman: hohoho! Then by that logic I shouldn’t be asking you.

Me: Oh yeah! But I want my wish. 🙂

(A mouse came running in)...

Mouse: What the h**l! I am used to witness long queues (where my owner stays) in Prabhadevi on Tuesdays and in Sept.

But today? On 1st Jan?

The 2 km long queue extended all the way up to reindeers standing next to that decorated tall tree.

Me: Now I am confused. I guess, I too should have been there!

Oldman: hohoho!! 🙂 Dear, it really doesn't matter where you go, on which day you go. We all always sit together and have our own fun.

Me: But then why am I told to....

(A book comes in)…

Book: Hi old man! How are you? Hey, why this mouse looks so tired?

Oldman: Bookgod, this mouse is worried that his owner is over-worked. 🙂🙂

But how come you are here all the way from Punjab.

Book: I just took a quick break to see how our kids doing all over India.

Me: Don’t tell me, you are travelling so much, to meet just 1.9 cr people

Book: 🙂 kid, those who visit me, are not from just 1.9 cr. They are from 1.2 bn. And they all call me Guru!

Me: Yes. I have also visited there and have enjoyed that langar.

(A green cloth flew in)...

Green cloth: And have you ever visited my place?

Me: .....No! But, I do enjoy my evening visits to MA road in the month of moon.

Mouse: Even the queue at prabhadevi and at lalbaug is always full of different colors and different dresses.

Green cloth: 🙂 It's not month of moon. There is a reason why only evenings are delicious in that month.

Me: 😞 Yes. I will talk to my friends to understand better. After all green too is part of my country's flag and it always was.

Book: Kid, don't try to read too much into the colors. Definitely not into colors of your flag. It has perfect mix of sacrifice, peace and prosperity.

Green cloth: And if you really to understand about colors then keep in mind, when you blend different colors of rainbow; it gives calm, peace of white.

Oldman (was quietly smiling all the while): So.... What do you want my dear in this New Year?

I closed my eyes 😌 to think, what do I really want?

Deep silence.... Thinking..... I opened my eyes and said-

Me: I just want to be in a place like this where I can enjoy all colors and can come to any one of you, on any day and want you all to visit my place too.

But.... There was no one! They all had disappeared.

My daughters came running to me with sweet smile and said "Baba good morning, Happy New Year!"

मजहब नहीं सिखता आपस में बैर रखना

हिंदी है हम वतन है हिंदोस्तॉं हमारा।

Disclaimer: I do not believe in any religion apart from "Humanity"

from Jungle of kids...

Long long ago I visited a beautiful a jungle of kids. This jungle had all kind of variety! Different trees, different animals, different flowers, different birds! Everyone was free, on his/its own. 

What I still remember from my that visit is in this jungle there is respect for this individuality. And this respect is reflected through actions. Even the king and queen are seen as respected by very approachable friendly mentors.  There are rules but this "Jungle ka kanoon" is decided by everyone and not by jungle king or by forest officers alone in isolation. Here every stakeholder including the animals, the nature, those forest officers, visitors and the tax payers is interlinked and jointly ensuring smooth, flourishing cohesiveness and inter dependency.

Wow!! What a wonderful place this is. No wonder despite of these differences from some distance this jungle looks like a happy sunflower farm!!

Maaze hi mat... (My opinion)

In this world, every person chooses different role as per his / her choices towards particular situation. What I feel is, it is important to voice my opinion in all the events/actions/happenings around me. Specially for the events that I think will impact me directly or indirectly, in short term or long term.
My failure to do so is nothing but behavior similar to millions of by-standers who prefer to just watch wrong things/crimes happening in front of them and be happy out it by saying "Thank god! Its not me."

With this thought I had started this blog few years ago but somehow corporate life and other priorities somehow had taken me away from this. Now this is second attempt to come back at this and hopefully more regularly this time. :)

- Abhisule

life is uncertain...

A group of 5. A semester full of fun. Each one bringing in his/her own specialty. That is our JB OPS gang.





That was our JB OPS gang. The gang which will now always be incomplete. We'll miss u forever!

Mumbai konachi? Who is Mumbaikar?

Just now I was watching Zee Marathi Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. 3 Finalists were singing in the grand event at Gateway. Do u know their names?? Dhangar, Chellam and Saxena. :-)

Isn't it odd to have such names in Marathi show's final?

Yes, that is truth. Inconvenient truth which is conveniently overlooked.

Mumbai recently won Ranji trophy for 39th time. But, 3 players were representing national team at that time. Names: Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Zaheer Khan. And who won the trophy for us? Captain Wasim Jaffar. And it was team performance of Agarkar, Salvi, Kulkarni, Abdulla and Nair which made it possible.

But, is this recent trend? Let's look at some history. Recently a party has taken strong stand against North Indians because it is projected that North Indians take due credit of locals. Who are locals? Just Marathi Manoos?? If yes, then what happened to those who came here in 1960s, because of which another strong local party was established since then. Will the south Indians be treated as locals now? They are here for more than 40 yrs now.

And what happened in 1960? Maharashtra state was created along with Mumbai. But there was dispute about which state shall have Mumbai. Gujrath or Maharashtra. If there was this dispute then I presume Gujrathis are staying in Mumbai right since then. So are they Mumbaikars?

Now let's take a long backward lap. There use to be Pentagular cricket tournaments (Pancharangi) in Mumbai in 1920s. Which were the team? Bombay Gymkhana (Europeans use to play under this team), Parsi Gymkhana, Hindu Gymkhana, Mohammedan Gymkhana, The Rests. Buddhist, Jews and Indian Christians used to play under "The Rests". I don't even want to count the number of years these communities staying in Mumbai. But do they fit in political definition of "Mumbaikar" ?

It is very much clear that Mumbai has always been mix culture city. Then why can't we simplify this? Whether its Marathi/North Indian/South Indian or anybody else, those who stay here in legal shelter and use Mumbai infrastructure resources legally shall be treated as Mumbaikars, And those if anyone is not fitting in this then he is not Mumbaikar (even if he/she is Marathi).

So? Are you Mumbaikar?