Random Musings

Just some thoughts that I've been reflecting on...

In the olden days, saints were known for having virtually no material possessions. Nowadays, 'godmen' have possibly more wealth than anyone else.

In the olden days, people of a certain profession had red lights above their houses. Nowadays, people of a certain profession have red lights above their cars.

What takes lesser time when a man is in a hurry to escape a police raid at 1:30 a.m.? To wrap a lungi and put on a cloth on his shoulder; or to wear a woman's Salwar Kameez?

What was a man doing in a woman's Salwar Kameez at 1:30 in the morning?

A month ago, we complained about the heat and the sweat. Now, we're complaining about the rains and getting wet. Why do we always crib?

Physiotherapy - when a beautiful girl holds your hand - and it hurts!

Will Chetan Bhagat's next book have the number 4 in its title?

Finally, will the bank that promises that they not only give home loans but also 'help you find a home', refund the processing charges they took from me by saying that my loan has been approved, and then not giving it?

People like him make me believe (Dreams!)

Was watching snatches of a singing reality show on TV last night, and saw an amazing display of raw talent.

The participant was a 31 year old auto rickshaw driver who had migrated to Delhi from Kanpur in search of livelihood.

He had absolutely no training in music. Everything he learnt was by listening to songs. But he decided to come for the auditions - accompanied by his wife and little daughter - to 'fulfil his dream'.

For his audition, he selected one of the more difficult songs of Kishore Kumar. And he sang with such unbridled passion and such amazing command that there did not seem to be a single person who was unmoved.

One of the judges - a fantastic trained singer and one of India's most versatile singers himself - had this to say about the performance, "If I was a 31 year old who drove a rickshaw daily to earn a living, who had absolutely no training in music and was singing on stage for the first time in my life in front of eminent judges, I would not have been able to sing even half as well as you have done!"

But the real reason that compels me to write about this person is not his singing. Rather, it is his dream that moved me to tears!

On a stage where people stand up and proclaim their ambition of being the next Lata, Asha, Rafi, Kishore...the biggest thing in the Indian Music Industry; this man shared his simple dream.

Due to poverty, his wife could not complete her studies and achieve her aim of being a teacher. And all he dreamt about - and was working towards - was to enable her achieve her goal!

Even his participation in this reality show was a step only to achieving that dream!

What does one say to that???

Here was this person who comes from a state infamous for its male chauvinism, which ranks towards the bottom on virtually every development parameter, which has gained notoreity for its crimes against women, for female infanticide, female foeticide, which has one of the worst gender ratios in the country, and all he is dreaming of - and working towards, even to the extent of migrating out of that state to another city - is to help achieve his wife's aim of studying and being a teacher!

Hats off to you, young man!

It is people like you who make me believe, despite all our problems, in the potential of our country.

It is people like you because of whom I can proudly say, "I am an Indian!"