PARADISE IN WATER

Words cannot explain the misery. Numbers alone do not indicate the quantum or dimension of loss from the horrific devastation. Unprecedented downpour, lack of advance warning and innumerable encroachments on the possible outlets, all contributed to the catastrophe. Submerged and ravaged dwellings, suffering & struggling humanity, choked drains, swept culverts, blocked and cut-off roads, broken bridges and uprooted communication towers are a sad testimony to what nature had to give. Hope does remain, nevertheless, as in the past, in identical trying settings. So there is semblance of light at the end of the long, circuitous tunnel.

We seem to be having better and trained manpower, more awareness & sensitization, upgraded equipments, pro-active support systems and alert response mechanism. But something may have been amiss somewhere. Shall we not introspect, therefore? Focus has long shifted from relief to quick rescue & mitigation mechanism. Yet, the worst calamity in sixty years did happen in the Northern-most State. It is akin to massive cloudburst and landslides in the neighbouring Uttarakhand in the third week of June, 2013. 

More than 2400 sorties by eighty Air Force crafts gives an ample evidence of swiftness and dedication at which the trapped people were evacuated. Death toll of 200 plus, though is not alarming but element of tension, trauma and setback is definitely tremendous.

Many a time, such tragedies tend to unite or put temporary brakes to the abnormal/delinquent intents and acts. Army personnel who were mostly frowned upon or looked at with a certain degree of suspicion by people in general and at times by the State Govt. are not only being trusted but immense sense of gratitude is being showered on them. Similarly, Cell phones and Social media withdrawn time and again from the State on security grounds and restored subsequently, have played a stellar role in connecting as well as locating the trapped populace on the one hand and in insuring the success of relief operations on the other. Criticism, side by side, if taken in a sporting way, does also help. 

Religious differences too seem to have been set aside for a change, in this hour of crisis. A large number of ‘Hindu’ NGO’s are seen extending support and succor to those injured and displaced. It is also pleasing to see Kashmiri Sikhs preparing food in bulk for the flood victims at a relief camp set up at a Gurudwara in the heart of Srinagar. Never to go hatred on the part of Pakistani forces at the International Border and the L.O.C. too has come to a standstill ever since floods began playing havoc indiscriminately in the villages on both sides of the border.

Despite exemplary service and commitment by the Army, Air Force, Navy, NDRF etc. for close to a fortnight, more than two lakh people still are reported to be stranded in some form or the other. An amount of Rs. 5000 Crores may be needed in setting things right according to one of the rough estimates. Against which  an amount of Rs.1000 Crores as an Interim Grant has been announced by the Prime Minister. Coming to concentration of impact, if one is not mistaken, focus continues to be on Srinagar. But other areas facing similar deluge should not be ignored or neglected, whatever may be compulsion. 

Adequate pre-emptive measures should be taken to prevent outbreak of any epidemic, especially the diseases born out of contaminated water. False and inflated claims, incidences of disappearances, acts of theft of personal belongings etc. are bound to happen. One has to guard sufficiently against such mishaps and acts of mischiefs and identify the culprits at the earliest opportunity. Anti-social elements and part-time Social Workers do have a tendency to exploit such fragile and pathetic situations. They have to be pin-pointed and acted against at the right moment with the active co-operation of the Punchayat/civil society. 

As and when eroded terrain dries up with the clearance of weather, remains of human beings and animals would surface in the slushy circumstances, throwing fresh challenges which may look daunting but those have to be tackled with sound planning and strategy. Fractured health, educational, Punchayat and Local Self Govt. set up would require quick healing touch. Any attempt to do fishing in the troubled waters will be both inhuman and undesirable.

The State Government shall have to resume its normal functions before the Army withdraws. Fresh lessons may have to be learnt to cater to essential supplies. Ultimately, the devastated livelihoods will have to be rebuilt. Personal savings and private donations would have to supplement the Government Grants, for, the usual income from tourism sector will take a long time to get restored. Overall, good sense and noble intention must prevail in all walks of life in this tourism centred State. Or else, Malthusian saying that “when man fails, nature takes over” may continue to hold good.   

Beauty of Tiger Lily

VIP Colony, Gangtok (1st Week of August, 2014)

Moonsoon Magic

Namli, East Sikkim (22-08-2014)

Soothing Pine Forest

Ganesh Tok, Gangtok (8-09-2014)

Heritage always Inspires

Sanchi Stupa (March, 2014)

National Bird

Jaipur, February, 2014

Tropic of Cancer

Between Bhopal and Indore (12-03-2014)

RANGOLI,   LOSING ITS IMPACT ?

It may not be inappropriate for a novice like me to attempt a piece on the mesmerizing and tantalizing world of Hindi film songs on the eve of the 81st birth anniversary of Asha Bhonsle. May the Almighty be pleased to give many more fruitful years to this living, lively and versatile legend hailing from the culturally rich State of Maharastra. Taking a cue from her long and illustrious career of over six decades, may I try to reiterate the dictum-‘Old is Gold’?

Something old is supposedly made, crafted or developed with care and caution. Same is, therefore, expected to survive or last long. In tune with this spirit, one is tempted to talk about if not comment on ‘Rangoli’, a programme started by Doordarshan more than thirty years ago to rekindle, revive and sustain interest in the songs picturised in Hindi films in the bygone era. Songs that dealt in equal measure with emotions, mystery and mythology on the one hand and fun, fantasy and reality on the other. A few would religiously promote tenets of patriotism also in the struggling young Nation.

At the very outset, this hour long presentation telecast once a week would have cream of unforgettable songs from old films, mostly of black & white phase. Songs would not only be carefully chosen in tune with a particular theme, occasion or festival but those would be also anchored well. Sometimes, by well established starlets, having a fantastic screen presence. Audience/viewers, as a result, would get a sense of natural involvement. With the passage of time, black & white songs were supplemented with the melodious beauties of what was once termed the Eastman colour era. Gradually, songs from the coloured films began having an edge, if not domination altogether. Yet the aura and charm of ancient era was not ignored or forgotten.

In the very recent past, however, not only there has been drastic deterioration in application of mind for selection of songs but rapid commercialization seems to have become order of the day. Unnecessary chit-chat in between too cuts into the prime time. Number of songs, therefore, has been the first casualty- reduction from fifteen to twelve to nine now, in the one hour keenly awaited programme.

A close look at some of the recent editions would reveal that barely nine songs are featured in one capsule, some songs are sub-standard and some are included totally out of context, still others  are abruptly cut for no rhyme and reason. Only silver lining perhaps, has been retention of two songs from the golden black & white era. 

But for this, memorable songs, such as, Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya, Hum Jeekay Kya Karenge (K.L. Sahgal, Shahjahan, 1946), Jiya Bekarar Hai (Lata, Barsaat,1949), Aawara Hoon (Mukesh, Aawara,1951),’Shame Gum Ki Kasam’, sung by ‘serious’ Talat Mahmud in 1953(Film Footpath, Hero Dilip Kumar),Aao Bachon Tumhe Dikhayen Jhanki Hindusthan ki (Kavi Pradip, Jagriti, 1954),Mera Joota Hai Japani’, rendered by ‘simple’ Mukesh in 1955(Film-Sree 420,Hero Raj Kapoor) or for that matter,’Naa Jao Saiyan Chhura Ke Bainyan’ ,sung so beautifully by the talented actress singer Geeta Dutt in 1962 (Saheb Bibi aur Ghulam), Laaga Chunri Me Daag (Manna Dey, Dil Hi To Hai, 1963) and several other jewels would never be heard again by those born between the forties and the sixties of the last century. Those born later, as such, may not have much interest or inclination in this regard.

Apart from enabling one to get face to face with the ancient glory and letting one rejoice and heal up in the process, programmes, such as, Rangoli help in preserving and sustaining our cultural ethos. It is nothing but a yeomen service. This is one conglomeration, one waits patiently to watch AND that too, with the whole family. Old songs aim to portray a message, story or an event through less made up eyes and effective facial expressions by the actors clad sufficiently and decently as opposed to the new numbers mostly specializing in vulgarity and gymnastics, aided and abetted by unusual language, at times.

In the backdrop of scenario presented, there is not only a need to review the present style of presentation of Rangoli but introduction of more than one programme of this genre twice or thrice a week would be in fitness of things. Unwanted details concerning an actor, singer or composer need to be avoided.  As plethora of advertisements have the potential to kill the spirit and mood, restricting them too would be also very much desirable. Don’t they divert attention and focus in addition to looking out of context?

Simplicity, serenity, beauty and good values deserve to be projected, not the loud and unrealistic fantasies based on other worldly notions and life styles, alien to our culture and civilization.