Let me be "Me"

Whenever I used to meet someone too studious (or geek as they are termed), I used to pity at them for having literally zero life beyond books, no friends, no parties, no music...nothing. I used to think how better off I am from people like these as, though I may not be a genius in studies but I do manage to involve myself in other aspects of life. But after some introspection lately I realised how wrong I was to make such conclusion. How am I to say that the lives of such studious people is BORING? Perhaps to an extent it may be for me but how can I even think that these people don’t enjoy their lives immersed in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths…Their cup of tea might not act as a stimulant for me but I have no reason to believe that it doesn’t for them.

I might enjoy being with my friends, chatting with them, reading novels et al and so does this so called other breed enjoys their interests! Its their life and they have every right to do whatever they wish to in life. Perhaps for them, I might be a not so enthu about studies and because of that a boring kind of a girl.

I had taken up French in 9th class. I was nervous of my performance in 10th Board Exams in French so I joined Alliance Francaise. I must say that studying there gave me a complete new dimension for French. In every break I used to go to the library and listen to French Radio and get lots of French books. I used to spend days studying the French comic books (tintin) and make lots of extensive notes and I enjoyed the whole experience like hell! My other friends there didn’t think the same and I believe that they termed me as geek! But I never cared because I was just pursuing my interest, my passion and not committing any crime! So I let them do their part of gossiping and kept myself invloved in doing what I wanted to.

Now when I compare my experience of being geek to people around me today I realise how wrong I had been. These people work hard, put in all their blood in the preparation of various entrance exams and get amazing ranks. I used to think it's because of some in-built talent that they are able to do so but now I feel its more because of the hard work and so much perspiration they had put in since years for achieving their goal.

I guess we should allow people to be what they are and not make conclusions without knowing anything about the person.

Amen!

Rendezvous with Amjad Ali Khanji

Yesterday, I had an opportunity to meet the great sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khanji. Dad knows him personally as he belongs to MP as well. So he invited dad and me for a small meeting (though it went on for 1hr 45min.). The time decided was 6 pm at Habitat Centre and mind you he was there exactly at 6 (or I think 2 min. before). Sad part is that it was just he and not his sons (I find Ayaan more mature and cute). I also have had talked to Ustad Amjad Ali Khanji on phone occasionally when he calls to talk to dad. A human being with such a strong grip on the Indian traditions and culture is I think very hard to find in today’s world. Whenever he would call, he would first say "Namaskar" and then further introduce himself and ask for dad. I would obviously fumble with excitation. His voice, his articulateness automatically sets you to admire and respect him. But the tragedy of our country is that the same person doesn’t really get the respect which he without any doubt deserves. It was really very disheartening to know how he is being muddled in our country’s bureaucracy.

Tansen as we know has been a great musician of our country. Ustad Amjad Ali Khanji wants an academy to be set up in Madhya Pradesh on his name, a centre for music, dance and art. He has written innumerable letters to the state’s bureaucracy, the cultural ministers, secretaries but not got a single acknowledgement letter from any. HOW SHAMEFUL! All these letters were personally drafted by him. Prime Minister had announced during a cultural meet in Gwalior that this project will be taken forward. Ambika Soni says that she has approved of it and the money has already been allocated. But nothing as for now has taken shape.

Gwalior, a city where Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, father of Amjad Ali Khan lived doesn’t have a single auditorium for cultural events!! Ustad Amjad Ali Khanji told us how he and other artists perform in Gwalior with sand blowing on their face. Is this what a human being of such high stature deserve? This is the respect which a country which prouds itself with its rich cultural heritage give to people like him? In foreign, there is museum for every great legend including all the musicians and artists, writers. The place where Shakespeare was born is so very well maintained today. Drawing inspiration from Beethoven museum, Ustad Amjad Ali Khanji formed a Sarod Ghar in Gwalior devoted to the great legend Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan. Shouldn’t Government have had taken initiative here? Though they did give all the funds required then but is it enough?

It was embarassing to know how the treatment Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is receiving at the hands of our "esteemed bureaucrats". I came to know through newspapers that he wasn’t even invited for a Madhya Pradesh Cultural Festival organized last month. State where he was born, where he gave so many musical renditions doesn’t acknowledge the same!!

He is not even the member of Bharat Bhawan which is one of the biggest cultural centre in Bhopal. He has sent so many suggestions to the state government to improve the cultural scenario of the country but all in vain. In the web of this bureacracy and politics we are loosing what we are known for. Ask for spending crores of money on barely 11 minutes show during the closing ceremony of Commonwealth Games and their rains the money and here, the actors and actresses and various other stars demanded lakhs even though they represented their own country, Saif after performing at commonwealth said that he felt very patriotic. But his patriotism did cost us heavy! And on the other hand we have artists like Bismillah Khan. We are it seems lost in the maze of what sells and what doesn’t.

I wonder why these bureaucrats behave so irresponsibly, insensitively when these are the ones who are supposed to be few of the brightest of our country. They are the ones who are able to crack IAS exam but still!!! I don’t wish to generalise here as there are at the same time numerous other bureaucrats who are worth their positions.

Our culture is our pillar and if this pillar breaks, I don’t think we will have anywhere to go. In the game of politics and bureaucracy we are losing our heterogeneous and soft image. Let these musicians, dancers, artists who know our culture, understand it, suggest policies and implement them. Frankly I don’t know how to conclude this. There is so much to be done. Heere (Diamond) ko chamkane ki bajaye hum usse aur kaale paani main duba rahen hain! Let's hope this diamond continues to shine even then.

Metro Guide

Since this metro has come up, you have to take all the guests to see this wonder (for us Indians, it surely is). Yesterday was I think the fourth time I took some guests to the Metro. Best deal is to buy a six rupee token (great creative Indian mind) go to Kashmiri gate, then come back to Rajiv Chowk and catch up the blue line till Jhandewalan to see the unplanned city through Metro.

Yesterday, mom insisted on buying eight rupee token (the reason I havent found yet). That was till Chandni Chowk. So we took the same route and returned back to Rajiv Chowk. Then further as planned went to Jhandewalan. I insisted that we should get down to Jhandewalan and buy another set of tokens since I anticipated that the same token wouldn’t work. But my dear mom had some other plans!!!

She said that the same token (through which we got in Rajiv Chowk) would work. I was for sure very skeptical about it. But mom will remain mom. So we tried our luck (to be precise mom). Tried to put in the token at the exit and it said INVALID. The security guard (or whoever) saw us and checked all the tokens and politely yet with I-caught-you attitude asked us to go to the customer care counter. Mom told the customer care guy that we purchased the ticket for Chandni Chowk. He smiled perhaps thinking "Indians pakke Indians hi rehange" and demamded 10 bucks each as fine.

I was enjoying the whole process cause it was in a way MY WIN!!! lolz. After giving the fine, as expected, mom started justifying it by saying it was "ANOTHER EXPERIENCE" (there were many more justifcations as well) and I didn’t loose my chance in telling everybody how mom got us into such an embarassing position and ya, after we gave the fine, there was another big bunch of people who met the same fate, but they seemed to be Biharis I guess. . . ;)