Tale of two mindsets in India

Today was a strange day in India ka history.

Firstly early morning we launched India's maiden moon mission Chandrayaan-1.

I was one of those lazylums sleeping at that incredible moment after spending a good part of the day "diwali cleaning". And my mom was one of those sets of people especially waking up early just to watch the launch! :o

So i had to make do with watching the whole thing on t.v. replays that keep happening for an eternity on every news channel for the length of the day.

Hail the "Breaking news phenomenon".



above: Such a cool video!

A-Z to Chandrayaan-1: http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=145361

This was the mindset of the new India, wherein everythings possible. There is a drive to achieve, to propel India to the numero uno position in the world. Where all old fashioned things bogging us down are discarded. Where we can say to the world, 'we are here too & doing great thank you!'. Where every citizen of India is filled with pride.

Contrast that with the other big news of the day. Raj Thakre's arrest and consequent release on bail.

Ek khabar "chand ki" toh dusri "dharti ke lal ki".

Much has been read, discussed, analysed, written, said, abused about this whole thing. There is nothing more that can be added or subtracted.

All this began with Raj arrest yesterday in ratnagiri, see video below:



This led to such a lot of rioting, burning and a storm of protests. It was incredible to see all shops close their shutter.

This alone shows how much support this man commands. Even if S.P. or Laloo or any other leaders or even Jaya Bachchan says "who is Raj, he is irrelevant, his party if nothing"; inspite of all these claims, they are trying to fool themselves.

How can there be such mass protests when he has no support. And common Maharshtrians are supporting him. Many of us dont agree with the methods, but we do agree with the reason.

Its been many years with the influx of migrants and we do need them for work and they need to be provided with a livelihood too.

But the demographic shift is astounding. Now there are North India migrants in some areas of Bombay to such an extent, its really shocking. Anyone not believing me can plaese visit Sion Koliwada and see for themselves.

And the increase in levels of crime has gone up too. Its the look of hagerly men looking at women and their body.

Are these politicians & social activists & film stars etc. ever walking on roads in bombay, traveling day and night by bus, trains?

How many of them had their daughters been gazed at? Were their wifes the butt of lewd jokes, looks or touchs?

Its what we common people go through! Its very easy to tavel by car and talk about equality and Indianness, when you arent in the common man's bracket.

That something has to be done is an understatement. But what must be excatly done no one knows for sure.



Video By - Swapnil Chavan,Mid-Day

The very fact that the courts agree with his bail application even against the governemnt's stand shows he is right somewhere.



above: Raj Thakre released.

Even Marathis is U.S. agree:
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080069737