Ganesha, our friend

Lalbaugcha Raja (Raja of Lalbaug, Mumbai) India's most famous Idol

It was divine providence that I got to spend last week in Mumbai; in fact I landed there on Anant Chaturdashi, the day of visarjan. It was an amazing experience that one has to be physically there to get the feel of it. No amount of photographs, videos and live telecast can get us the actual feel.

The fervour, the chants, the colours and the thousands of Ganapathi mandals decorated colourfully with love and money contributed by residents of each locality; from a simple pandal to wonderfully decked up places...over the years this occasion is gaining popularity and is getting bigger and bigger.

Above all the grandeur things, it is the people. Looking tired due to continuous celebrations for over 10 days at a stretch...definitely many full night outings...taking toll on the body by final day...but the mind keeps everyone on their toes on the last day for visarjan....

There is something about Ganeshji that makes him loveable to almost everyone cutting across differences...we all just love him. It shows up in the various attire and themes that people love to deck him up with. As far as Ganeshji is concerned, people love him so much that they make him a cricket player, national leaders, modern day hero, college student ...almost anybody.

He is one God who resides in people's mind at human level. The one we relate to on equal terms, as a friend. And why not, he is the one we look up to for fulfilling our wishes.

And the fervent chant goes on and on in Marathi:

Ganapathi Bappa Morya

Mangalmurthi Morya

Ganapathi Bappa Morya

Pudchya Varshi Lavkar Yaa...

 All images from the web

The days that exposed us

Last week could easily be the worst week for India.

I was in Pune at that time and the tremors of events unfolding could be felt in every corner of the city. The numerous stories and rumours devastated all our faith and beliefs built up over many years.

The policemen did what they were supposed to do; even with jammed .303 enfield rifles (World War II?) even physically hanging onto the automatic weapon of one of the attackers, taking all the bullets onto his body...an ultimate act of courage and patriotism.
The Marine commandos did their part
The NSG acted in a way that will be admired by the world for a long time.
The media risked their lives to bring us the latest

We got to see exactly who can save us.

Today, the thousands of people who took to the streets in Mumbai with posters and candles expressed one language - loss of faith in the Leaders. The anger on them was more evident than the anger on the attackers because every lacuna stands exposed today.

Come on, India. It's at times like these that a nation's true grit is tested. This is the time to drive all the resources to the maximum possible and bring out the real powers behind the devastation. Whoever it is, deserves to be treated as a criminal. Expose the real people for what they are...

This is the time to redeem all the inaction and wrong things we collectively did so far.
This is the chance for our leaders to do what they have been there for all these years.
What is the use of a bright tomorrow when we can't live peacefully today?

We look up to you, beloved Leaders...even now.

Show us NOW, why you deserve to Lead us.