Patriotism

 Recently, there was an accidental but very short political debate with my friends. The argument peaked and came to an abrupt end when one of them remarked that if the present government returns to power at the centre, India would become Bharat. I was genuinely curious as to why that should be a problem, and bang came the reply -- it would spell the end of inclusivity -- rendered in a tone of helplessness. I was really shocked and before I could respond, the other friend categorically banished politics from our midst.

Well, this would be rather a common issue, I assume, being in a part of the country where the concept of Bharat is anything but welcome. Be that as it may, the intolerance I felt at this common 'regional' ideology is due to a radical reconfiguration of my own attitude a few years back. 

Patriotism was only a peripheral sentiment in my life, which surfaced only when India played cricket. Whenever my Ma used to say how moved she felt every time she heard the national anthem only set me wondering why. This was corrected the day I watched the anthem featuring deaf and mute children, played at a movie theatre. I was happy to see my eyes filling up, just like that. But even then patriotism was at best occasional.

This changed in 2020, during lockdown, when TV brought back all those epic sagas. Watching Ramayana  and Mahabharata in adulthood was an entirely different experience and overnight I could feel the gears shifting as mental decolonization set in. Suddenly, I was aware of my Indianness as one by one the layers of western ideology began to erode. Patriotism, or more accurately and appropriately deshbhakti moved from the margin to a more prominent position. The introduction to the wonderful and vast world of Indian Knowledge Systems further cemented the feeling as the distinction between Bharat and India became clearer. 

 A byproduct of this shift was of course an increased political consciousness which, for the first time, made me desperate to vote. So when I heard such dismissal of Bharat on absolutely dumb pretext, I felt not only disbelief but terribly bad at how false narratives can be so convincing that even educated and informed people would turn a blind eye to actual elevation of the country's status in the last decade ! The saddest part is not just this deliberate or constructed blindness but the blame game for the pathetic regional affairs and condition on the neglect from the centre !

How I wish I had enough knowledge, with evidence and at least a reasonable debating skill ! But I'm super proud of the fact that I love being a Bharatiya and would always, always want to be born in this blessed land.

The role played by the man at the helm of Bharat, in making me understand what deshbhakti is undeniable. It is very rare to find a role model whose preaching and practice match so well, and I am inexplicably glad that I am alive, witnessing and capable to understand the transformation my desh is going through now. 

भारत माता की जय

वंदे मातरम

Quenchers

 It's not just a few chocolates (and their taste) that have vanished over the years. Some really good beverage brands too have bid farewell, and of course, replaced by rather poor substitutes. 

First in this category is Gold Spot, the wonderfully refreshing orange fizz, every bit the "zing thing" it claimed to be! Not too sweet and not too fizzy, Gold Spot was a cherished drink for sure. Moreover, it was shudh desi as it was a Parle product. It is interesting to see how we had real good homegrown products like these before the advent of all those foreign brands in the 90s. Alongside it was Thums Up, one of the most iconic cola drinks of the 1980s and 1990s. A Thums Up bottle in hand used to be a style statement among the youth. Other companion products were Limca, the "lime and lemony," and Citra "super cooler" -- all of which, undeniably, had unique tastes.

Sadly, Parle gave up these brands to the Coca- Cola company which eventually replaced Gold Spot with Fanta. 

Apart from richer colour and increased sweetness, Fanta was unable to recreate the charm of Gold Spot (well, this is a personal opinion, yet I'm sure whoever had Gold Spot will agree!). Later came Pepsi, Mirinda, 7Up and Teem from the kitty of Leher Pepsi. Perhaps on account of its striking advertisements, use of celebrities (Bollywood and Indian cricket especially) and catchy jingles, Pepsi was somehow more of a favourite than rival Coca-Cola. However, as with other things, the more Pepsi became popular, the taste was comprised and today, despite various types, even colours (remember blue Pepsi?), this brand too seems to have lost its magic. 

In the midst of all these ever-changing products, the only one which has managed to hold on to its original taste is perhaps Frooti, again from the Parle stable, which is still deliciously "mango" and "fresh and juicy"; and I hop eat least this remains so.

As it's always said, 'change is the only constant'. But when once-loved products are cast off because they no longer give that old pleasure, it is hard not to be sad.

मन

 

क्योंकि है कृष्ण यह मन बड़ा ही चंचल है।

भेजा फ्रैं के बारे में बहुत सुना हैं । वह एक खाने के चीज हैं यह तो बाद में पता चला। पर वह शब्द बहुत ही दमदार लगा क्योंकि इंसान की दिमागी हालत इस से बेहतर जाहिर नहीं हो सकता।

ऐसा कहते हैं कि "मन की जीत हि जीत हैं और मन की हार हार।" याने की सब कुछ मन का ही किया कराया हैं। तो जब यह मन ही काबू में नहीं रहता तब इंसान भला क्या करे? बड़े सयाने कहते है की यह सारा जग केवल मोहमाया हैं। ठीक हैं, पर मन को यह बात कैसे समझाए? सपने और इच्छाओं से इतना भरा रहता की दो मिनिट शांत होकर, फुरसत से काम की बात सोचने का मौका ही नही मिलता।

और जब असलियत से दूर भाग सपनों में खोए दिन बीत जाते हैं तब भी इसे चैन नहीं मिलता। यह क्या बात हुई ? कहते हैं की मोहमाया इतनी सटीक चीज हैं इंसान चाहकर भी बहुत कुछ नही कर सकते। जो वैराग्य गीता में कही गई हैं वह हासिल करने में उम्र कट जाती हैं। तो ज्यादातर जिंदगी एक बहुत ही मुश्किल खेल हैं।

ऐसा नहीं की यह सब बातें नई हैं । बिलकुल भी नही। पर हर एक को समझ अलग अलग वक्त मैं होता हैं। मुझे अब समझ में आई हैं। पर इसका क्या करें कुछ पता नहीं हैं।