Change the World Not

What do you need to do to change things around yourself? Other than read this blog entry, I mean.

Have you ever noticed that a huge percentage of people in every nook and corner talk about problems prevailing in our surroundings and have breathless descriptions of changes that they would like to see.  There are dozens upon dozens of problems to choose from on any media source you choose from. At this point it’s getting a little ridiculous; per [Sturgeon’s Law]; you don’t need to bother much about changing the world.

I’ve tried to get people to do things, in a way which I feel is right, at various points in my life. And I’ve always failed. Utterly and completely. Eventually, I realized that the problem wasn’t me. Most of us tend to seek convenient ways to do things.

Searching for the right way to go, I got acquainted with this remarkable organization called [SPIC MACAY]. It is doing a brilliant job of promoting Indian classical music and culture across the globe. In early days of my association with this movement, a question always crossed my mind…What’s the whole point of this? The responses which I got from most of the people back then was like… because it’s OUR CULTURE or because OUR CULTURE IS  THEBEST. Those were all the unsatisfying responses and made me feel like SRK in this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSNypuXqa1s.

Thanks to SPIC MACAY, I was exposed to an amazing world of renowned artists, which helped in understanding things that actually mattered. If I try to list down the most glit-edged characteristics of this movement, those would be:

The driving force is music and culture which is unifying as opposed to a divisive notion such as religion.

The movement runs mainly on the shoulders of youth.

It introduces you to a whole new way of living, dedicating your life to a particular thing.

I really see this as an activist’s lifestyle. We often talk about vague notions like following your passion etc. because that is a convenient way to describe it. If you see it closely, this activist’s lifestyle is about dedicating your life to solving a problem. The problem is not defined by people around you but it originates in your head. No one believed that freedom is our right until one day someone thought in his head “Hey!  We should be free.  I must do something about our freedom”. I am sure they didn’t see it as an opportunity; instead it was a problem which they wanted to solve.

We have a lot of successful people who changed the world trying to solve a problem in their head. They perceived this problem solving process as a life principle. A lot of musical instruments would have been history by now if the artists wouldn’t have decided to save them. Writing this blog or any piece of text for that matter would have been hell lot difficult if [Larry Teslar] had not decided to set the world free from modes.

I see a lot of people who talk of changing the world and do nothing. And then I see people who are solving problems which exist in their heads.  People working in the field of education because they believe that the system needs to be improved.  People working for equal opportunities. People  who work for their principle are often the ones who change the world.

Young Blood Wasted

The Song -

I live on the streets,

I don't, get to eat,

I fight everyday,to, be, living,

Women being raped,

Humanity dead!,

The news, everyday, is, killing,

I don't wanna fight,

Stand for your right!,

They told me to keep believing..yeah,

Don't shout,

Don't raise your voice,

It's only, young blood wasted...

Buddy hold my hand,

We will bring the change,

Together we stand,

To save our, b'ful land...

The revolution is here,

Happy times are near,

We all get together,

Move shoulder to shoulder...

Young blood wasted,

It's only young blood wasted,

Young blood wasted,

It's all wasted!!!

~Abhishek

The ‘ ANNA’wanted Way

I never thought I would be writing on a political subject here but wherever I go, I listen to the people talking about a movement led by an old man, the new age Gandhi as some of you would like to describe him.A few days back he called for a movement yet again and (‘the so called real Indians’) were there supporting him. It’s an astonishing site, people supporting in huge numbers, our ‘so damn responsible’ media covering every second of it. Its time now, we are all tired of corruption, aren’t we? Like each one of you the country is calling out for me too, and here I am, trying to reach out to a number of people through this blog.
First of all, my love for the country is not going to be decided by news channels like India TV, we all know how responsible they are. The biggest contribution to this, what I would say is the most embarrassing revolution of recent times. The reason behind the crowd getting on the streets is probably the urge to be next Bhagat Singh and Gandhi, the most respected people of the country. And hell we are supporting it, India is against corruption by being…online!! How many of us have really read each and every draft of the Jan-Lokpal bill. Trust me most of them are like Facebook- Support Lokpal, “Like”, Twitter-Support Lokpal, “Follow”.
Government’s Lokpal is rotten, and it certainly is and so is Anna’s bill. Team Anna’s lokpal gives us centralized power in the hands of an angel who won’t be corrupt. I don’t understand, are they even close to practicality? They are just gaining popularity by showing us a dream of ‘mere sapno ka bharat’, which is no different from dreams shown by our dear politicians before every election. And the people (only those who get on the streets for every fast unto death) are supporting them blindly. It’s like a mental hijack.
Anna’s methods are not justified. I am a supporter of Democracy and not Mobocracy. As team Anna paints every politician with the same brush, I see them with the same lens, which I use to see Maoists and Hurriyat leaders. Anna shows me a corruption free India, Maoists promise to give me the India with no poverty, Hurriyat is giving me peace in the valley of Kashmir. But do you really see the practicality needed to make it a reality. We are completely ignoring the means in order to achieve the end results. And we have fresh saints like Anna out of the kitchen to get us there.
Dear Anna ji, I want to ask you how many of the people wearing those “I am Anna” caps don’t have their electricity meters in their houses tweaked, how many are paying their taxes, how many of them make sure that they take tickets while travelling in rails and buses. In short how many of them really fighting corruption every day? And I want to ask you, if you really are such a selfless old man fighting for the country, Why did you support Marathi Manoos slogan in Maharashtra? Why did you support violence when Pawar was slapped? Why are you not against reservation? Why do you think only you are concerned with this corruption issue and your bill is perfect. I’ve heard Arvind Kejriwal (or Crazywal is it?) making inflexible remarks. He totally sounds like a hijacker at times. I am sorry to say, but your mask just comes off every now and then and you yourself are no less than a politician. My advice to you is that you should stop wasting money spent in arranging for tour protests and let the democracy work. If you really want to do something good then try to change hearts of the people, not encouraging them to blame the system but encourage them to clean their ways as they are also a part of it.
To the people, I would like to say that, just don’t decide based on your emotion, think before you support anyone. I have often faced questions like ‘Anna ko support na karein to kya karein?’. If we have problems in our life, we are supposed solve them and not commit suicide. So don’t go by the fairytale way. Improve yourself, your surroundings, rather than blaming the system and supporting fake leaders. Listen to people who talk practical and sense, and are flexible. I have my choice of a Lokpal draft which makes sense, the one which was presented by BJP (It’s just my choice you can have yours). Each one of us should have one. And please stop getting on the streets every now and then, if you skip work not only your company, but your country is at loss. I felt great when Anna was protesting in Mumbai and I was working in my office. That’s what every Indian should do.
For me means is as important as the end result. While some of you (“the so called true Indians”) demand to make year 2011 as “The year of Anna”, I hope that in the coming year we will avoid “The ‘Anna’wanted way”
Happy New Year!!
Cheers!!

Little Girl

2:00 AM in the morning and I am at the Indira Gandhi International airport, New Delhi. A cancelled flight has resulted in this long 270 minutes long break between Mum-Del and DEl-Lko flight.Heavy-eyed and Heavily irritated by the Kingfisher staff, they certainly are the king of bad times.
The family sitting in front of me looks relaxed.A man in his mid 30s, a woman in a red saree holding a cute little girl. She is cute enough to divert my attention from the troubles I have faced all day, a bad day in office and this never ending journey. The cutie pie, holding on to her mom's neck kissing her on the cheeks. She has this collosal depth in her eyes.These ocean like eyes, amazing view, so full of life she is. I wonder if she ever cries or does she even know that she is instigating some sort of motivation towards life in a stranger's mind. I wish I could just learn this skill from the little kid. I wish to walk with a smile,full of life and spread this beautiful feeling around me.
Ah great, she is going, I guess her flight is here. I am sure she is going to have a happy journey and people around her will get the taste of same. I'll wait for some more hours but I won't be angry or sad, all because of a cute liite girl. Well now I have a face to remember in bad times...

Cheers!!

Life on the Lifeline...

My name is Abhishek. I am a survivor in Mumbai. I am writing this on my blog page. I will be out tomorrow and everyday to go to some place or the other, office, multiplex,restaurants or to my friend's place, when the sun is highest in the sky or when moon and stars fight for their visibility in city lights. If you are going to be out there, if anyone is going to be out there then this message is for you.
We have a situation here. I have moved in to this city few months back.It has its own charm, the city of dreams as many would put it.This is the city of Indian cinema,Bollywood. Most of us are fond of these movies and also some flicks from hollywood. I am not a movie buff bt I still watch some. Its good entertainment to watch movies from different genres. Do you have a story like the one in Resident Evil or I am Legend on your favaourite's list. What if one of these stories turn into reality where the city is taken over by monsters? Well, it is real in Mumbai but not everyone realises it. I too had no realisation until yesterday when I saw some infected humans.
I was at a friend's last weekend and was returning home. The mode of travel I used is the life line of this city, local train. Weekends are not that crowded they say, but I feel its crowded everywhere and anytime here. I had to change the train at a station so i got down from one and was waiting for the other at the platform. This was going to take me to my home. A train came and suddenly my attention was directed to the next gate of the bogie.A girl around 20 yrs of age fell down on the platform in an attempt to get through the crowd in to the train. I saw them, the infected monsters, it was an opportunity for them. They trampled the girl under their foot. I saw their foot crunching the girls chest and face as they got in to the train. She was pulled away by some of her friends(read: survivors) at the right time.Had there been a delay, she could've died. I was shocked by the incident that reminded me of some stories that peopletold me about these monsters in the past. The girl was lucky that she was saved.

I dropped the idea of going by the train. But I won't be able to escape everytime. They are everywhere in the city. They throw stones at the moving trains, push people off the train, and try to trample the weak on the platforms. If you are not one of those who are infected then then this is a message for you. Next time you go out, you have to stay aware of these monsters. Save yourself and save others from people who are infected. Those who think that getting somewhere on time is more important than someone's life. Life is precious, and no one has the right to kill someone just to get to a place on time. Infact such people deserve to be killed. So save yourself from this....
Take Care...

As I move on...

Sitting alone just gazing outside the window, watching the moon keeping an eye on me. It has followed me everywhere as I move to different places in an attempt to escape from myself. I have not succeeded, not a bit. The past is a gaping hole. You try to run from it, but the more you run, the deeper it grows behind you. I have realised that my only chance is to turn around and face it.Past is a riddle which needs to be answered in order to open the doors of your future. Its a tough one, but I've decided to stand up to this challenge. It was not a choice to get into this situation or stay out of it. It is destiny.Destiny, I can't think of a better word for this right now. I am not in a state of planning something about my future. Dreaming is not my thing right now, probably this is the reason I am pressing these keys instead of sleeping. From my experience, I know dreams of any sort would destroy my path in this escape. Its not that I am afraid of wishing, its just that I don't want to see 'my-world' and the 'real-world' conflicting.
But lately the 'real-world' has been beautiful, much in sync with my dreams. There is a fear of falling into pieces like a broken mirror. But I know that I can piece myself together. In the process I will cut my fingers, my image will shift and I will change as a person. But change is an inevitable part of life and I am not afraid of change. I am guided on this dark road by a light inside me which originates in my heart and illuminates my soul. As I move on,
my life moves with me and moves with me the moon, keeping a close eye on me...

The Karmic quest...

Life is quite a complex concept to understand. I read a funny statement somewhere that “Life is NP hard”. You may not understand this if you have not studied algorithms. No matter how complex but Life is surely an amazing design. I just returned home last week after completing my college. I was in the train when suddenly the train stopped at a place near hardoi which wasn’t a proper station but the track was surrounded by mustard fields. With Indian Railways you can always expect some random stoppages. During the five minute halt I saw some kids running through the fields, trying to catch a butterfly. The scene was symbolic of Life’s amazing design.

Sometimes I wonder about the diversity of prospects life has to offer as we walk along the vague path of our dreams. The design is so amazing, we travel distances to reach new places just to fulfill our strange wants. I use the word “strange” here because most of don’t even have a clear idea of our wants. Do you have a clear idea of your destination? Just think about it… Even if we decide to be content with what we have, our heart doesn’t listen to our commands. It is one mulish organ in our body which beats on its own without your control on it. It beats for our hope, our wishes, and our life. Even the simplest of things in life have a complex phenomenon associated with it. For instance your sleep, everyone requires sleep so that the machinery (human body) could work properly. You don’t need to dream at night but still you do. I don’t know why your heart and mind decorate your nights with innumerable dreams. Maybe, because dreams have a wish hidden in them. Ask your heart what that wish is? Is it easy or difficult to fulfill that wish…alas your heart doesn’t care. All your heart wants is for you to touch the sky and catch the stars. Not one or two, it wants them all. In your karmic quest, where you go on from a place to another with dreams in your eyes, you must be very careful. Don’t complain if you fumble and fall at a place and the dreams in your eyes are shattered and pieces come out of your eyes in the form of tears. You can’t stop. Even if you fall down, life is about getting up again and again in search of new destinations. As Robert Frost rightly said, “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life- IT GOES ON.”

So it’s better to stop analyzing your life and start living. The path is like a staircase, you go one step at a time. So enjoy the journey and hope for a beautiful destination. Who knows one day you catch the butterfly!!!

Ciao!!!