tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47890982795469367462011-07-30T15:23:00.889-07:00Pleasant and disturbed thoughts on the goSarfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02978554019835275679noreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789098279546936746.post-80920152090333708752008-03-07T09:36:00.000-08:002008-03-08T13:34:21.127-08:00<p><a name="OLE_LINK4"></a><a name="OLE_LINK3"><em><strong>Chai-paani</strong></em></a> is something we are oh-so familiar with. Haven’t we even had a good laugh at its mention?<br /><br />I was on my daily dinner routine. Happened to see this on-duty police person walking out of his official patrol van called ‘Hoysala’. He walked up to the cashier of this local restaurant – grabbed some money – and was matter-of-factly walking back. Not that this was the first time I saw such a thing – but I don’t know what came on to me (perhaps Bollywood effect?) – I looked him in the eye and gestured to him asking him what he was up to.<br /><br />He just walked off with a who-the-hell-are-you grin on his face. I got a bit miffed – again in true self-righteous Bollywood ishtyle.<br /><br />I picked up my phone – dialed 100 (ironic) and there was this English-speaking lady <a name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a name="OLE_LINK1">who greeted me. The tone was surprisingly very </a>pleasant – a feature we don’t quite associate with anything belonging to the government/state.<br /><br />While I was narrating the story and lodging my complaint, this police guy was on his way back – perhaps after completing his “job”. He and his driver partner stopped the vehicle, walked out of it, gave me a threatening glare and swore at me with a loud and clear MC – we all know what that is. This was all while I was on the phone with 1-0-0.<br /><br />I felt a sudden rush of power and courage. I stood my ground. Made a note of the route number as well as the vehicle number – gave it to the lady on the phone. Both men disappeared into thin air.<br /><br />I was assured that the message has been conveyed to the concerned authorities and an “appropriate action” will be taken. Assuming there’d be a system, I asked for a complaint number – the computer wasn’t working. On request and insistence, I was given the mobile number of the city police commissioner – *sigh* his phone was switched off.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4789098279546936746-8092015209033370875?l=sarfy-the-muser.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sarfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02978554019835275679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789098279546936746.post-76418311397780463592007-12-21T02:16:00.000-08:002007-12-23T05:45:45.244-08:00I realized it was Bakra Eid on its eve. There were times when Eid was a very important day and missing the Eid Namaz was unacceptable. As usual, I get a call early in the morning from mom reminding me making it very clear that I should go and offer my prayers on time.<br /><br />I was lucky in a sense that I was born in a family which never promoted prejudice against other religions nor did it condone violence of any kind - but yes, everyone follows their own religious rituals and being a muslim, so should you.<br /><br />Despite the 'wannabe and aspiring <a href="http://www.answers.com/deist">Deist</a>' that I am, I didn't quite want to dissappoint her.<br /><br />At the mosque it so happened that I got delayed and couldn't reach on time - the prayers were over. The post prayer sermon was in progress. I was never a great fan of self proclaimed scholars - especially when they indulge in spreading prejudice, hatred and intolerance. Nevertheless, I decided to sit in for a while.<br /><br />It started with the relevance of animal sacrifice in Islam and how for every strand of hair of the goat you sacrifice, an equal amount of "Neki" (Blessings) will be conferred upon you. The frame of mind that I was in, I was evaluating each and every statement with (contemporary) reason and sanity. I for a moment thought about what would the animal lovers have to say. Although to be fair, until non-vegetarianism is banned, one should not be complaining - whether it's sacrifice or slaughter.<br /><br />Moving on - to my surprise - I heard something I never expected. The priest talked about how in these "difficult times", we should live together (with people of all religions) in peace, harmony and love. On the occasion of Eid, we should share our happiness with all our neighbors; irrespective of the religion they follow.<br /><br />Being the sarcastic cynic that I am - I asked myself if that one parting advice was worth any appreciation. The instant answer was YES.<br /><br />At a time when the Togodias and the Modis (and their counterparts cutting across religious affiliations) preach absolutely contemptuous, politically unacceptable and blatantly extraconstitutional instigations - with the law of the land turning a blind eye to these very individuals, this (rhetorical, as it may be) advice - from someone (apparently) belonging to the same class - held a lot of relevance.<br /><br />This small piece of commonsensical act - if I may say - made my day.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4789098279546936746-7641831139778046359?l=sarfy-the-muser.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sarfyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02978554019835275679noreply@blogger.com0