Historical Elections- Assembly 2021

बेगानी शादी मे अब्दुल्ला दिवाना ! 

That’s what RaGa and Congress party will be doing tonight.

मै तो रस्ते से जा रहा था.. 

BJP will claim they never expected to win Bengal and wanted to improve 2016 tally, but in reality are deeply hurt by the harsh defeat.

तेरी ऊँगली पकड़ के चला..

AIADMK will be missing Amma Jayalalithaa but might be happy with it’s performance to stop the return of Chinnamma.

साला मैं तो साहब बन गया अरे..

Pinnari Vijayan is back and that too decimating it’s long distance partner (relation) Congress in Kerala. 

रूठ के हम से कहीं जब चले जाओगे तुम

Sarbanand Sonowal shall keep hoping that Hemanta Biswa and the Party let’s him to continue him in CM seat.

जो जीता वही सिकंदर and Mamatha walked (with fractured leg but not the mandate) victorious to prove that it was all about खेला होबे.

However, We need to understand the elections of South and Bengal historically. They were always about  मां, माटी, मानुष. Unless and untill BJP brings in local stalwart, it is going to be difficult for them to penetrate the local mindset. 

Bengal for that matter has generally persisted with the incumbent government for last 40 years and it shall take charisma of a new leader to uproot Mamata from the saddle. Till then Bengal may remain happy with the grumpy leader but won’t let any outsider to rule.

TN was due for change of guard especially after the loss of Amma and it will take Kalaignar’s son Stalin to put in huge efforts to prove his potential to govern. Chinnamma shall remain content with results and wait for right moment to grab the opportunity of discontent within AIADMK.

Assam voting in predictable manner proved hold of NDA in NEDA and looks set for status quo till 2024 Central elections.

With all parties finding its pound of flesh across different states, the biggest looser is Congress and RaGa. With no introspection, they will continue its agenda of राजा का बेटा राजा..

Hopefully the EVMs are accepted across the cult of the society and we put all those discussions to rest, period.

The COVID factor also played an important role in the elections. With sheer pressure from the people, it was bound that NaMo had to take a backseat from the rallies and BJP shall feel lucky that these were not national elections.

Never to forget, it’s victory of democracy and during this pandemic, the people came out of their homes to vote for the popular government. They have taken the risk of Covid-19 for their future, now it’s turn of the political parties to improve people’s present at least !

Disclaimer: The above article is a personal observation of the electoral verdict and does not intent to comment on the DOs and DONTs of the political parties.

Image Courtesy: Times of India

शिक्षण की शिक्षणाचा धंदा !

अखेर ठरलं आणि 1 अब्ज डॉलर्स (₹ 7,300 कोटी) चा सौदा पक्का झाला. अबब! रक्कम बघुन  कुठलीतरी बहुराष्ट्रीय कंपनी विकली किंवा विकत घेतली असावी असा समज (गैर) होतो पण हा तर चक्क Byju’s ने Aakash Educational Services ताब्यात घेतल्याचा व्यवहार होता. 😳😳

गरिबांसाठी, गरजुंसाठी, योग्य विद्यार्थ्यांसाठी शिक्षण ही संकल्पना हे सगळे ऐकल्यावर कल्पनेपलीकडचेच  नाही तर भयावह सुद्धा वाटते.

मला आठवतयं, आणि ही काही कोणे एके काळची गोष्ट नाही, गणिताचा क्लास  ₹ 20 / महिना, १२ वी ₹800 / विषय आणि पैसे देताना शिक्षक आवर्जुन सांगत,” कळत असेल आणि आवडत असेल तरच पैसे दे. उगीच आई बापाचे पैसे खर्च करु नकोस”  आता तर executive चा कॉल येतो आणि educational benefits समजावून सांगीतले जातात.

सर्वांसाठी सुरू झालेला शिक्षणाचा प्रवास, जागोजागी फोफावलेल्या शिक्षण सम्राटांच्या हातात कधी  गेला ते कळलेच नाही. विज्ञान, वाणिज्य महाविद्यालयांपेक्षा अभियांत्रिकी महाविद्यालये जास्त, वैद्यकीय शिक्षण म्हणजे १० वर्षाचा खडतर (कमी पगारातला) प्रवास आणि मग कुणी कुठलेही शिक्षण घ्या आणि IT मध्ये जा. सगळेच अनाकलनीय  🙏

शिक्षण व्यवसायात इतका पैसा की, Byju’s BCCI चा ₹ 1200 कोटी देउन प्रायोजक होतो, Unacademy IPL पार्टनर होते आणि आई वडीलांचा मुलांना “ ब्रेक तो ले ले पार्टनर”  सांगतानाचा आनंद ओसंडुन वाहत जातो.

Benson & Hedges ही  cigarette कंपनी ऑस्ट्रेलियात क्रिकेट sponsor  करायची पण अखेर कंपनीचे प्रायोजकत्व बाद करण्यात आले कारण  जनतेकडून आलेला व्यसनातला पैसा क्रिकेट वर ओतुन कंपनी goodwill कमवत होती. ऑनलाईन शिक्षण सुद्धा आपल्या खिशातला पैसा काढून क्रिकेटचा असाच उपयोग करत आहे.

Online education, demonstrated practicals, 24*7 शिक्षण, आणि हवा तेव्हा अभ्यास ही काळाची गरज आहे पण म्हणुन ₹ 7300कोटी? अशामुळे , एक नाविन्यपुर्ण कल्पना business model मधे भरकटत जाणार हे नक्की 

शिक्षण आई वडिलांच्या कमाईच्या स्त्रोतावर, exposure वर अवलंबुन असुच शकत नाही तर विद्यार्थ्याच्या  बौधीक पातळींवर  अवलंबुन असायला हवे. आधी शिक्षणसम्राट तयार झाले आता ऑनलाइन व्यावसायिक तयार होणारं आणि आपल्यासारखे गरजवंत पालक मुलांच्या भवितव्यासाठी या जाळ्यात गुंतत जाणार 😔 

काळ बदलला, वेळ बदलली, शिक्षण, शिक्षक आणि विद्यार्थी बदलले , Global exposure च्या नावाखाली आता पालक पण बदलतोय. चुक की बरोबर हे भविष्यात दडलयं. तोपर्यंत आपण या takeover ची तारीफ करुया आणि नवीन Business Model ची वाट बघूया 😊

टीपः वरील विचार ऑनलाइन/ ऑफलाइन शिक्षणाच्या विरोधात नाही पण त्यातल्या व्यवसायाच्या आणि गुंतलेला पैसा यावर वैयक्तिक मत आहे.

Image Courtesy: Times of India

राजधराण्याची रीतच न्यारी

 राजघराण्याची रीतच न्यारी ..

एक होती राणी, दिमाख तिचा मोठा

होती पगारी पण तिचे असंख्य दरबारी..

साम्राज्य गेलं, सत्ता गेली

जुनी पुण्याई धावुन आली, राणीला  तारुन नेली..

काळ बदलाला जग बदललं

राजपुत्राचं मन घुसमटल..

राणी सत्ता सोडेना, राजपुत्र राजा होइना

राजगादीवर आले सहा वारसदार, राणी म्हटली  माझाच कारभार..

राजघराण्याची रीतच न्यारी ..

राणीला आली नातसुन, होती ती काळी

तिच्या रंगाची चर्चा मात्र जगात रंगली..

सुनबाईचं मन  रमेना, बडेजाव काही रुचेना

होती मनांत पोकळी, राजवाडा सोडुन झाली मोकळी..

आली मोठी बातमी, सुनबाई होणारं आई

तिच्याबरोबर मीडिया पण डोहाळे देई..

राणीला झाला पणतू, मनांत होते किंतु परंतु

असेल का तो राजबिंडा की दिसेल  सामन्य जनता?..

राजघराण्याची रीतच न्यारी ..

राणीचे नातलग, राणीपेक्षा त्यांनाच चिंता

शोधु लागले सातव्या वारसदारात भीन्नता..

पणतू थोडा बाप, थोडा आईवर

सुनबाई बोलू लागली वर्णभेदावर..

राणीला काही उमजेना, खिन्न होउंन एकांतात बसली

सुनबाई आणी नातू म्हटले , आम्हाला वाळीत टाकली ..

किती ती चर्चा, किती तो खटाटोप

राजघराण्यालासुद्धा नाही सुटत प्रसिद्धीचा लोभ..

राजघराण्याची रीतच न्यारी ..

हे तर सामान्यांच्या घरात रोजच घडतं

सासू सुनेतला वाद समजुन सोडुन दिल्या जातं..

कुणाचे डोळे, कुणाचे कान बघुन आनंद होतो

आपलाच भास समजुन मिरवलं जातं...

शेवटी काय? 

तर 

राजघराण्याची रीतच न्यारी ..

टिप : ही फक्त कविता म्हणुन वाचावी.. हे वर्णभेदावर भाष्य नाही .

- जयवंत

State Elections: Watershed or Predictable?

With elections announced for state assemblies in Assam, Bengal and South, the election fever is bound to reach high temperatures in the summer of 2021.

The BJP which didn’t even dare to hold election rallies in these states not so long ago, is aiming to retain power in Assam and form the first right wing government in Bengal and not to forget Tamilnadu Puducherry and Kerala where they aim to make their presence felt.

For the party which let its partner Mamatha and Amma call shots in Vajpayee coalition for the state, the change is significant as one is now the biggest rival and other’s followers are looking for persona of Modi to come to rescue to retain power. 

All these states, for years since independence had silent unnamed RSS workers who relentlessly worked on the ground to make a base for the BJP. The Congress on the other hand remained in illusion of invincibility to let the power slip to Left in Bengal,accepted alternate 5 year term in Kerala and  pushed its own disciples in Assam relegating the second rung leadership to move to BJP.

The opponents, the media and the Power circles of 10, Janpath underestimated the ambitions of BJP and the ground reality of voters shifting the base to saffron party.

The shift is not a miracle. It’s something what Vajpayee predicted and Advani perceived. The duo slowly but steadily ensured to come out of the so called untouchable party tag. 

2014 to 2021 has been an amazing juggernaut of Modi ably driven by his trusted Sarthi Amit Shah. The thought process is very clear. Do whatever it takes to win. Work on your strongholds, be open to pamper turncoat ambitions, not to bog down for lack of local face and fight elections in the name of Mascot Modi. 

Mamata who single handedly mesmerised Bengal to dismantle Left is getting jitters in her own bastion .This is going to be her biggest fight for survival and probably will change the course of Bengal politics.

With Gogoi gone, Hemant Biswa on its side, Sonowal faring satisfactorily, Assam could be a safe bet for BJP.

Kerala, Puducherry is more to do with Congress than BJP. Even a small gain is significant for the future of Saffron party.

Amma’s disciples or Kalaignar offspring in Tamilnadu whosoever wins, BJP shall remain content for now to have a say in state Politics.

This is going to a tough test for the Congress. If it survives this battle,it’s partners fare better than the rest, then only the GOP has hope to remain relevant as a principal opposition party in national politics.

For the BJP, it’s all the way gains as it’s aiming the territories which were alien to them since the party’s inception.

Whatever are the results, 2nd May 2021 is going to be a watershed day in the history of Indian Politics.

Image Courtesy: The New Indian Express

Disclaimer: The article does not aim to propagate any political party and is a mere observation of an avid follower of the current state of politics.

Manya Singh..The girl power

 

As the nation is engrossed in ‘Hum Do Humare Do’ debate, farmers fighting over identity crisis as political parties are infiltrating their agitation, India gripped in cricket fever with COVID-19 showing signs of exit, a young girl took a silent entry in the world of glamour and grabbed pole position at Miss India 2020.

Manya Singh, daughter of an auto rickshaw driver made headlines as she proudly took runner up crown as Miss India World 2020. 

The girl who starved for food, clothes and studies, overcame challenges through her sheer determination to reach the pinnacle of glory to make her parents, city and nation proud but most importantly made a statement on girl power.

A girl dream can come true but for that to happen, belief in your daughters is the first step, supporting them is the second and empowering them is every parent’s moral responsibility.

Let Manya grab the headlines for now and best wishes to her for tomorrow. 

Image courtsey: Hindustan Times

Bose and Thackeray.. Identities personified

Is it a mere coincidence or fortune that 2 of India’s brave sons were born on the same day (not year)?

As nation celebrates, Netaji Subhashchandra Bose and Balasaheb Thackeray’s birth anniversary, similarities come to galore with their memories.

Both leaders who were supposed to be close to Congress turned out to be its biggest bête noire.

If Netaji was a typical politician and Thackeray, a cartoonist, both ditched their original professions to form their own Senas, Azad Hind and Shivsena.

Both became youth icons when they were past their prime youth. Both had the charisma to motivate and invoke nationalism amongst the youngsters.

Both changed their soft approach into hard core aggression which they believed was the way forward for democratic India. If one said attack, the other said defend and give it back.

Both were misunderstood when they went vocal with their ideologies, time proved their preachings were visionary and sustainable beyond their lifetime.

Both had liking for the cigars and were open to admit it.

If Netaji was (is) Bengal’s pride, you won’t find any Maharashtrian not speaking the tone of Balasaheb.

Bengal and Maharashtra, both the states having a rich culture, political history and vocal citizens are bound to miss the iron men of Indian politics today.

May the soul of Netaji and Balasaheb bless the nation on their birth anniversaries. 🙇‍♂️ 🙇‍♂️

Image Courtesy: Wikipedia and India Today

Disclaimer: The article is a personal observation about 2 great sons of Indian soil and does not intend to make any political statement.

Indian Cricket Team and the Spider Story

Once upon a time there was a strong kingdom which had a powerful King, warrior soldiers, intellectual well wishers who were ably guided and protected by wise men.

With no onslaught expected the king was advised to get rid of unutilised species whoever they were from the kingdom and ultimately it zeroed down to spiders who were identified as having a least worth.

Out of nowhere, a war erupted and the king

had to flee, only to find shelter in an unprotected cave in faraway mountains. As the night progressed, king heard whispers from the enemy soldiers near the cave but surprisingly, they walked away. As the sun rose, king came out of the cave to find out that the spiders had built a web in the night outside the cave and the opponents just walked away assuming no one could reside there.

The king realised his mistake, dropped his plan to get rid of spiders and went on to defeat the enemy at next opportunity.

That’s what exactly happened in India Australia Test match at Sydney yesterday. The guns were blazing everywhere to get rid of Pujaras, Viharis and Pants from the team. Fortunately we had a wise king in Rahane who stood by his spiders and the web they built (supported by ‘Always under the lens’ Ashwin) not only saved the kingdom from ignominy of defeat but(also) the platoon is now ready for the final battle at Brisbane.

Amazing turnaround by the Indian Cricket Team at Sydney and though a lot of homework is needed for Gabba, interesting times lie ahead.

Mentally strong team will take the series and accolades. May the game of cricket win rather than off the ground nuisance. 

Disclaimer: The imaginary story is used as a reference only and does not intend to compare any individual with spiders.The intention is to positively correlate all the hard work spiders do to build the web for its own benefit.

Image Courtesy: Hindustan Times and Wikipedia