भारत का परिवार

 

क्या फ़र्क़ पड़ेगा यार, आ जाए किसकी भी सरकार,
ख़ुद नहींं बदलोगे जब तक ,नहीं मिटेगा भ्रष्टाचार,
महँगाई बढ़ती जाएगी,एक दुनी दो, दो दुनी चार,
सब के सब बातों के शेर है, भाषणों में ही गुंजती है इनकी दहाड़,
रिज़ल्ट के बाद सब खोलेंगे बोटल, आख़िर है तो एक दुसरे के रिश्तेदार,
५६ इंच की छाती हो, या सेक्युलरीज़म का आचार,
या धरना बाबा आ जाए, लेकर झाड़ु हज़ार,
कोई भी आ जाओ सत्ता में, अपनी माँगे है बस चार,
के बिना रिश्वत सभी को दिलवादो,रोटी, शिक्षा, मकान, रोज़गार,
हमें अपने झमेलों में मत घसीटों, मत तोड़ो भारत का परिवार…

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अकेले से बैठे किनारे पर….

अकेले से बैठे किनारे पर
उम्मीद टिकी है तेरे आने पर

खेलती नदी भी मुझको छेड रही है
नहीं समझती नटखट समझाने पर

जीते जी जिन्होंने याद भी नहीं किया
मैयत पे मेरी आ गए हैं खाने पर

ग़म और तन्हाई वो पीछे छोड़ गयी
ख़ुशी ने ख़ुब सताया मेरे अड़ जाने पर

अकेलापन बन गया अब सच्चा यार मेरा ,
मिलने वाला हुँ उससे आज मयखाने पर

कुणाल

कहीं rupee जब गिरता जाए………

This is a parody of the song Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye  from the movie Aanand… Sing along and have fun 0:-)

कहीं rupee जब गिरता जाए

हर चीजों के भाव बढाए, खूब सताए

कांग्रेस तेरे वोट चक्कर में

Middle Class तो डूबे ही जाए, डूबे ही जाए

कहीं rupee जब गिरता जाए

हर चीजों के भाव बढाए……..खूब सताए!!!

 

BJP हैं बडबोली, कुछ नहीं करती

पप्पु की टांग खीचने में आगे ही रहती

आपस में Fight करें, प्रॉब्लम में Flight करें

इन बुड्ढों  को, कौन समझायें, कौन समझायें….

कहीं rupee जब गिरता जाए

हर चीजों के भाव बढाए……..खूब सताए!!!

 

जल्दी सब ठीक होगा, बोले हैं ये चिद्दू

economy की वाट लगा दी, बना दिया पिद्दु

इसको ब्लेम करें, उसको ब्लेम करें

बेतुके statement देके, दिमाग हटाये, tension बढाए….

कहीं rupee जब गिरता जाए

हर चीजों के भाव बढाए……..खूब सताए!!!

 

राहुल गाँधी तुम please मुंह मत खोलो

सोचो, समझो फिर ही बोलो

future PM हो, अक्ल से कम हो

ऐसा ना हो वोटर फिर से ठेंगा दिखाए, ठेंगा दिखाए………..

कहीं rupee जब गिरता जाए

हर चीजों के, भाव बढाए……..खूब सताए!!!

 

मिली हुई हैं इन सब लीडर्स की टोली

बगल में खंजर हैं, मीठी हैं बोली

अपनी जेबें, सबने भरली,

बाकी सारी country, भाड में जाए, भाड में जाए

कहीं rupee जब गिरता जाए

हर चीजों के भाव बढाए……..खूब सताए!!!

 

Regards,

Kunal

image courtesy: http://images.memsaab.com/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display-750/files/rupee-falls-against-dollar.jpg

Gandhi Topi and Orange Baba

Corruption O! Corruption

What miracle you’ve done?

Two different personalities today

Have come together as One.

 

Sitting next to each other,

They want to bring a change,

One is in whites with a Gandhi Topi,

Other semi naked, with a dhotiOrange.

 

One is a baba by Name,

Other is proven saint by his deeds,

One has amassed lot of wealth,

From the other, poverty bleeds.

 

One ran away from the same ground,

when the police came with their lathis,

The other has faced all odds and yet stayed firm,

But today they both are ‘karmasathis’

 

They blamed each other in the past,

Today they shouting together against You, O! corruption,

They have both debated a lot,

Looks like it’s time for some action.

 

Sitting together at Jantar Mantar,

With thousands watching and supporting them,

News Channels are also having a blast,

With the biased judgement, reporting them.

 

Will any good come off this Andolan, 

Will we get any result of this uproar,

Right now, it’s looking only talks on TV,

So I am off to watch Rowdy Rathore.

—

With respect to Anna,

Kunal Lodha

Please apologize to Shikhandi, Mr. Bhushan

It was really a disconcerting sight to see the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh to go live on National television and give out the message that how deeply he has been hurt. Though, I also felt a relief when I saw him speaking even though it was because he was hurt. I was in tears..both happy and sad…happy because finally the PM spoke after a long silence and sad because of the pitiful sight to see him reading out his anguish. I didn’t understand why one of the most qualified Prime Minister in the world had to read out his personal feelings about being hurt by some accusation. If it’s a budget presentation or some national interest speech, it’s better be read so that there are no goof ups. But here it was a personal thing…anyway, that’s not the point of the blog.

One of the veteran members of Team Anna, Mr. Prashant Bhushan called our dear Prime Minister “Shikhandi”.  Obviously, Mr. Manmohan Singh felt really hurt. Had to be. Everyone knows who Shikhandi was. A hijra (eunuch). Neither a man nor a woman. The same community whom we see in trains clapping loudly for alms, who choose to visit any auspicious occasion to seek money in return of money. The same people whom we run away at first sight. And Mr. Prashan Bhushan comparing the P.M. of India with the most popular Hijra in the history of India was totally wrong and unacceptable. No…No. Though in his defence, Mr. Bhushan did say it was meant to be a metaphor arguing that Congress using Manmohan Singh as Shikhandi to protect Corruption (though who is Bhishma is a question unanswered). However, when I first read the news, I thought he had not called him like a shikhandi but shikhandi himself. Not just I, even Congress felt so. I guess even Manmohan Singh thought the same. BIG insult. It seems to be a political double entendre…a risky political maneuver that backfired; and came at a time when news of Team Anna falling apart is seen everywhere.

Mr. Bhushan, you have to apologize. What harm had poor Shikhandi done to you that you’re spoiling it’s name? Don’t you know the history of Shikhandi? In Mahabharata, Amba along with the sisters was kidnapped by Bhishma for his half brother, Vichitravirya. But Amba was in love with the King of Salva. When Bhishma learnt about it, he sent her to the King. However, he refused to accept a girl who had stayed in some stranger’s palace. Dejected by him, Amba went to Bhishma (a lifelong celibate) to marry her. Obviously, she was again rejected. Tired by the insults and humiliation, she started praying and gave her life in return of the boon to come back and be the reason of Bhishma’s death. It was done, and when Bhishma faced Shikhandi in the battle of Kurukshetra, he immediately recognized her and refused to raise weapon on a ‘woman’. And thus was killed by Arjuna who was hiding behind Shikhandi.

This shows the true character of Amba. She was the woman who had suffered, who was humiliated and who died to avenge the humiliation…she sought justice, and got it. What sacrifices has our PM done? What humiliation has he faced? What humiliation and rejection has he gone through? For people calling him names; well he is responsible for it. The fame and respect he had earned after the economic reforms of 1991 has been ruined by his attitude in the last 3 years. When it was time to speak ( Lokpal) he chose to remain mum, when it was time to raise voices (2G scams, coal scams, etc etc) he chose to put a silencer in his mouth and watch the drama (at times helplessly). And today, being referred to as Shikhandi and a part of the scams, suddenly he feels bad. He feels saddened and hits back saying…Prove it. Calling a person; who looks dejected, depressed and resigned every time he comes on screen Shikhandi; is an insult to Shikhandi. Shikhandi (Amba) had died in the name of honor, self respect and revenge. Mr. Manmohan Singh is not upto that name. He is a well educated intellectual and a brilliant economist no doubt, but not a leader. He is the PM of the largest democracy in the world but has no authority. No control. No freedom.

You shouldn’t have called him Shikhandi, Mr. Bhushan. You have to apologize. Who knows, Shikhandi might come back to avenge this insult.

Kunal Lodha

RIP Steve Jobs…

There’s nothing for me to say. Whatever I could and wanted to say is being said by everyone on every single site around the world.

I don’t have superlatives and adjectives to describe you. The only way I can describe you is by the word: iNspiration.

I want to thank you for inspiring me and millions others. The Stanford Speech today is one of the best available guiding principle on life that can be heard and read by everyone. The style that you made popular will never be forgotten.

Dear Steve, you once famously said you wanted to make a dent in the universe. There are few people who do what they say and you are one of them. You’ve created a dent in the universe with your products, your style, your charisma, your charm.

You have certainly created a dent in the universe by leaving us so soon.

I only want to say, Sorry. Sorry for never owning an Apple product myself. I may not be your biggest fan, but am a fan nonetheless. Please do accept the apology.

Dear Steve, the technology world would never be the same without you. I will never be the same.

In your words – Death is a life changing agent. For me, you were my life changing agent, and you sudden demise has definitely changed something in me today.

I will miss you.

We all will miss you.

With utmost respect to you,

Kunal

(Image – Stefan Z. Camilleri)

Will the attacks ever end?

Time and again, we’ve heard these stupid and insanely pathetic phrases from the politicians and media – Spirit of Mumbai…Spirit of India…Determination of Indians….We will fight back…Zero Tolerance on terrorism….Cowardly act…we condemn the act…

This so called Spirit as defined as moving on in spite of whatever the F happens!

Yes, it’s easy to move on. But then, how many of us have lost any loved one to these attacks. There are families whose sole earning member has died in these terror attacks. There are people who are injured beyond healing. They are living a disabled life because of these “cowardly act”…

Mumbai Attacks

But the question is – are these attacks cowardly? Or the fact that we’ve got used to the attacks is?

I am a Jain by religion. Once a year, we, Jains, celebrate a day as of seeking forgiveness for the wrongs we’ve done from every soul. We ask for forgiveness, and also forgive others for anything they did to hurt us – knowingly or unknowingly. Non-violence is the foundation on which Jainism – the entire religion – is standing today. Mahatma Gandhi also urged people to follow the principle of Live and Let live, a guiding principle in Jainism.

I reject it completely, without even stopping to look at the amazing things that can be achieved through non-violence. My blood boils at the images I see day in and day out on my TV screen, at the pathetic conditions we’re living in. We constantly debate that the world treats us badly, that the racists in other countries are abusing us, not letting us live peacefully, treating us differently. But do we ever look into our lives and see, if we treat our selves and fellow Indians the way we are expecting the world to treat us? Do we respect the lives of people around us?

We’ve gotten used to the terror attacks. It just doesn’t bother us anymore. We get angry, debate, shout, scream, cry, discuss, abuse the government, the law – everyone other than our own selves. Would an attack on an area like Zaveri Bazaar been possible in any other country after just few months back we suffered one of the biggest attacks ever (Nov. 2008).

The government will do what it does – play politics. That’s what they exist for. They will start blame game, start rath yatras, padyatras, fuckyatra, buckyatra…everything else other than to punish the guilty.

But what are we doing? We are letting them do it. We are letting them treat us badly. I am a part of it and even you are…those who are reading. Don’t you, after every blast feel even for a second …. Damn, this government, one more blast, this government can’t do anything, nothing will happen, nothing will change.

That nothing will happen is the so called spirit of our country today. An old man fasts for days together (while others were debating, fighting for him and politicians playing politics) but what was achieved? A letter stating that the 3 points have been accepted but “in principle”. That “in principle” is the biggest catch and thus the celebrations are unjustified. Again, nothing will happen.

The UPA government in 2004, repealed the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), the only bold act that was ever passed by the Parliament against terrorism. The arguments were ‘misuse and abuse’ of the law by the acting bodies. What the F! I don’t believe it, the real reason was Vote Bank. Today, we have a toothless act called the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. If you notice, the prevention is in brackets. Which to me means – Not gonna happen dude!

Here’s a list of the terror attacks since POTA was repealed (For complete list, check  – WSJ)

• Aug. 15, 2004: Assam, 16 people killed, mostly school children.
• July 5, 2005: Militants attack Ram Janmabhoomi Complex.
• Oct. 29, 2005: 3 serial blasts, south Delhi, before Diwali, killing 59 and injuring 200.
• March 7, 2006: A series of bombings in Varanasi, 28 killed, 101 injured
• July 11, 2006: 7 blasts on the Mumbai Suburban Railway, 200 killed.
• Sept. 8, 2006: Series of blasts, Malegaon, Maharashtra. 37 killed & 125 injured
• May 18, 2007: Blast at Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, 13 killed. 4 killed by police in the rioting that followed.
• May 26, 2007: Guwahati blasts, 6 killed, 30 injured.
• June 10, 2007: Manipur’s border town of Moreh, firing, 11 killed
• Aug. 25, 2007: Hyderabad. 42 killed, 50 injured in twin explosions
• May 13, 2008: Jaipur, series of six explosions, 63 killed, 150 injured
• July 25, 2008: Seven blasts in Bangalore. 1 killed, 150+ injured.
• July 26, 2008: Ahmedabad, 45 killed, 150+ injured.
• Sept. 13, 2008: New Delhi, Five bomb blasts. 21 killed, 100 injured.
• Sept. 27, 2008: New Delhi, 1 killed.
• Oct. 30, 2008: Thirteen blasts in Assam and three other towns, atleast 61 killed, 300 injured.
• Nov 26-29, 2008: Mumbai 168 killed, Indians and foreigners.
• April 6, 2009: Guwahati,  six killed.
• Feb 13, 2010: German Bakery in Pune city, killed 13 injured 50.
• Sept., 2010: Low-intensity blast at Jama Masjid in Delhi sets car alight.
• Dec 7, 2010: Varanasi, 1 killed, 20 injured.
• May, 2011: Bomb partially explodes outside lawyers’ canteen of High Court in Delhi. No casualties.
• July 13, 2011: Three blasts in Mumbai; 21 people killed and more than 100 injured
• Sept. 7, 2011: Bomb at High Court in Delhi. 12 dead

That’s 24 attacks since we removed the law that was the actual zero tolerance law that was there. Okay, agreed, there were misuses so we got a new law. But then, there are 7 attacks already in less than 3 years? What the hell went wrong? Forget misuse, why aren’t the laws being used?

Why is Ajmal Kasab alive? Oh I forget, in a country where politicians are seeking mercy for the killers of a former Prime Minister, common man can never expect justice.

Yes, India is against corruption. Terrorism is corruption of peace. Terrorism is corruption of letting people live their lives. Terrorism is corruption of power by politicians to remain in their seats.

Will India reply to these attacks is not a question that should be in our minds. The question should be – Can India reply?

May be India can reply. May be India wants to reply. But then, what’s stopping us? Why do we have to look upto America to intervene after every attacks. Why we wait for their approvals for any action?

Nothing will happen…’cos we don’t want anything to happen. We’ve moved on. We take pride in that.

But…I don’t want to see the hopeless, spineless politicians coming on screen and condemning another terror attacks ‘cos there won’t be any future attack.

This is a dream, a hope, which I fear, will break soon!

A quick fix nation…

We’re a country of temporary solutions without actually thinking of the long term consequences of those “quick fix” actions. Two recent developments point to it.

First, the campaign of several newspapers against the condition of the roads in Mumbai. Now, I have been living in Mumbai since my birth except the last three years and I find there has been this kind of campaign going on every alternate year since the last decade. The newspapers publish the facts, figures, pictures, analysis, opinions, culprits, etc. The government body that is assigned the responsibility of the condition of the roads is quick to act upon it but the result is, as you can guess, temporary. There is no planning done in this matter. “Jahan khuda hain, wahan bhar do…ho jayega” (wherever you can find a pothole, fill it, it will be all good)…this seems to be the attitude of the officials, contractors and to an extent the people.

We’re so busy with our lives, that in spite of these terrible conditions and the constant cribbing, we as a collective body of suffering souls (due to our nonchalance nature) caused due to our way of living in the fast, hectic city, fail to take any actions to actually see that we don’t face such problems in the future. We are still fooled by the assurance (though I feel, it’s the “kuch nahi hoga” attitude that is more responsible for this foolishness) of the government. The govt. definitely has to be blamed, but then, in a democracy, we choose the govt, so the responsibility starts from us, and not the other way round.

Second, the Anna Campaign against corruption. Now, I am a complete anti-the current ruling party and thus more than happy to lend my support to this Jan Lokpal campaign. But, again, this looks to be a temporary solution. There is a Lokpal Bill already in the country (BJP’s Yeddurappa’s ouster was a result of Lokayukt Santosh Hegde’s doing) but is never exercised. Shouldn’t we first look at the loopholes of what already is there instead of coming out with something entirely untested?

Okay, I give in that the JLB is a better one. But then, who gives the guarantee that whatever the idea behind this bill is will be exercised to the fullest? Aadhar card (UID) was started with such a thing in mind, to eradicate corruption in basic facilities as rationing and an indentity for an individual’s rights (though by not making it mandatory it was rendered useless). However, there are several reports, that this itself has been a victim of corrupt people. What has been done to correct that measure. Does JLB guarantee a corruption free India? There are people who have joined this campaign, shouting at the top of their voices that they are against corruption, but these are the same people who will give Rs 10-20 as chai pani to the peons at the rationing office to move their card at the top of the heap!

We are a quick fix nation. Bring in the JLB and corruption will go….it’s not as simple as that. Again, my personal opinion of the Anna’s agitation if I set aside my bias against the ruling party, is that the agitation should stop at the bill being presented in the parliament and not to be forced to pass without debate. ‘Cos that, as rightly pointed out by many intellectuals will be undemocratic. The making of the law should be a process and never forced, though the Anna wave, it looks like, will wash away such thoughts.

Corruption should go, but the JLB is only a part of the mechanism that will help to eradicate it but not the only means to end it. We need collective, constant efforts, at individual level to bring in the change. Only fasting won’t help, only shouting won’t help, only supporting Anna won’t help. We need to support the idea of a corruption free India forever, rather than a corruption free India for the next 2-3 years!

Kunal

Chodo kal ki baatein??

Edit – 29th Oct, 2011.

Somehow the Unicode font (Mangal) in which this was written is not working well on Google Chrome. You can view this post better on IE 8 or Mozilla Firefox. (Though I am surprised as the entire thing was written using Google’s tool… Epic Fail)

There is a wonderful song, Chodo Kal Ki Baatein, Kal Ki Baat Purani, Naye Daur Mein Likhenge Hum, Milkar Nayi Kahani, Hum Hindustani…Hum Hindustani”. For those who haven’t heard, it’s here – Chodo Kal Ki Baatein

Times have changed now. We Indians have written many new stories, some that make us proud and some that make us feel ashamed.

On that thought, I came up with a new version of Chodo Kal Ki Baatein (It’s not perfectly in tune 🙂 )

Here it goes:

१)

छोड़ो कल के Scams को
कल के Scams पुराने
नए दौर में लिखनी हैं
हमें नए Scams की कहानी
हम हिन्दुस्तानी, हम हिन्दुस्तानी

२) आज पुराने बम विस्फोट को भूल चुके हैं
Spirit of Mumbai के झूठ में हम गुम हो चुके हैं
सब चलता हैं Attitude बन चूका हैं अपना
मानवता की Feeling को हम खो चुके हैं
नया जोश हैं, नए दिन में
चले हम सब कुछ भूलकर
हम हैं मुंबईकर, हम हैं मुंबईकर

३) ओ मनमोहनजी अब तो अपनी आखें खोलो
अपनी छवि बचाओ, Congress को तुम छोड़ो
2G Scam हो या फिर लोकपल बिल का मुद्दा
खुद से लो फैसला सोनिया का पल्लू छोड़ो
जोश दिखाओ, होश में आओ,
दिखाओ अपना फन जी
ओ मनमोहन जी, मनमोहन जी

४) Opposition बस नाम की अब तो रह चुकी हैं
आपस में झगड़कर खुद ही थक चुकी हैं
Corruption के खिलाफ अडवाणी ने थी आवाज़ लगायी
खुद के नेताओं के घोटालों से चुप हो चुकी हैं
अब भी वक़्त हैं, मौका सही हैं
मान भी जाओ जानी
ओ अडवाणी, अरे ओ अडवाणी

५) सब हिस्सेदार हैं, यह सारे नेता चोर हैं
इतना पैसा खाके भी इनका दिल मांगे More हैं
गाँधी की इस धरती पर, शिवाजी की भूमि पर
हर हादसे के बाद यह करते बेमतलब का शोर हैं
इन सबको मार भागो, बात मेरी तुम मानो
भारत के जवानों, मुंबई के जवानों!

जय हिंद

Kunal Lodha

Happy birthday Steve Jobs!!!

Here’s to the craziest one!!!
To the Fortune CEO of the decade..the man who has revolutionized not one or two but FOUR industries (Comps, Mobile, Music and Movies)
The man who is known to be a maniac, micromanager, an arrogant SOB and yet who is regarded as one of the most important man in technology today.

To the man who was kicked out of his own company by people he trusted but had to be brought back in the same company ‘cos he just wasn’t a part but was the company himself…

To the man who beat cancer once, but is being troubled by it again today.

 

To Steve Jobs…

Many happy returns of the day…I know that there are many rumors that your health is not great and that this time cancer will beat you…but I can only hope that this time too it’s unsuccessful and you live long enough to give us something more..something the competition will have to work their asses off to beat…and that we see you in one more WWDC surprising us with your words….”one more thing”…amidst the applause and love of your fans!

Cheers!!!

Image Courtesy – http://goo.gl/AnQFl (by Liz Rankin)