जीरो!

"अरे उस झण्डू से क्या बात करनी, वो साला तो बिल्कुल जीरो है।

खुद बेशक जीरो हो पर बड़ा जुगाड़ी है भाई साहब।

हाँ देख रखे है उसके जुगाड़, याद है वो जब म्यूनिसिपलिटी ऑफिस में काम करवाना था तब भी बड़ी-बड़ी डींगे हाँक रहा था। *** ने तब भी सारे काम की माँ-बहन करवा दी थी। खुद भी जीरो, जुगाड़ भी जीरो। और जीरो को जीरो में जोड़ोगे तो जीरो ही निकलेगा। और तेरे को भी सलाह है के ऐसे लोगो से दो गज दूरी बना के ही चलो वरना तुम्हें पता भी नहीं लगेगा और खुद भी जीरो हो जाओगे। "

उस बाइक सर्विस सेंटर के मालिक और उसके मुलाज़िम की बात सुन कर अनायास ही मेरा ध्यान "जीरो" शब्द पर केंद्रित हो गया। 

"अरे वो जो तेरा जानकार दिल्ली रहता है उससे बात करके देख। शायद वो कुछ करवा पाए। 

उसके बस की नहीं है यार। वो ख़तम आदमी है। 

कितना ख़तम है मतलब जीरो तो नहीं है ना? "

"अरे वो शाहरुख़ की नयी फिल्म देखी क्या?

कौन सी..... जीरो?

हाँ? कैसी है?

एकदम अपने टाइटल की तरह। "

ऊपरोक्त जैसे कथन आपको हर जगह की चर्चा में सुनने को मिल जायेंगे चाहे वो किसी भी वर्ग या जगह का विचार-विमर्श हो। कहने का तरीका थोड़ा भिन्न हो सकता है पर सबका निचोड़ एक समान ही होता है। और निचोड़ ये होता है के जीरो शब्द का उपयोग ज्यादातर किसी का उपहास उड़ाने के लिए या फिर छवि को नुक्सान पहुंचाने के लिए किया जाता है। किसी की क्षमता पर उल्टे ढंग से टिप्पणी करने के लिए अक्सर इस शब्द को इस्तेमाल किया जाता है। 

जीरो गणितज्ञों के लिहाज से बड़ा महत्वपूर्ण है। अंक के आगे लगे या पीछे, इस बात का बड़ा महत्व है। लेकिन जब इसे किसी के व्यक्तित्व के साथ जोड़ा जाता है चाहे इसे जोड़ने का कोण/दृष्टिकोण किसी भी दिशा की तरफ हो, इंसान की छवि बिगाड़ने का ही काम करता है। ज्यादातर लोग "जीरो" शब्द को किस तरह लेते है? मेरे हिसाब से जीरो शब्द को समाज में एक गाली की तरह इस्तेमाल किया जाता है। इसका उपयोग गाली की तरह सुनने में भद्दा तो नहीं लगता पर इंसान को जीरो सम्बोधित होने पर अंदरूनी चोट ज़रूर लगती है ऐसा लगता है जैसे किसी ने थप्पड़ मार दिया हो या फिर मर्दानगी पर ही प्रश्नचिन्ह लगा दिया हो। ज्यादातर लोग अनजाने में (शायद बिना इस बात का अंदाजा लगाए के इस शब्द का अगले की मन:स्थिति पर क्या प्रभाव पड़ेगा) अपने किसी ख़ास मित्र या परिचित के साथ मजाक में उन्हें जीरो सम्बोधित कर देते है और वो मित्र/परिचित भी हंस के बात को टाल देता है पर उस हंसी के पीछे अहंकार को एक बड़ी ठेस पहुंची होती है और शायद उसकी आत्मा एक लम्बे समय तक अपने आप को कचोटती रहती है। 

मैं अपनी मोटर साइकिल की सर्विस कराके जैसे ही सेंटर से निकला और मेन रोड़ तक पहुँचा तो मुझे ध्यान आया के बैलेंस बचे 35 रूपये तो मैंने वापिस ही नहीं लिए। मैंने अपनी मोटर साइकिल को सेंटर की तरफ मोड़ा पर कुछ आगे चलने के बाद मैं वापिस मेन रोड़ की तरफ मुड़ गया। मेरे दिमाग में ये चल रहा था कहीं मैं वापिस जा के 35 रूपए मांगूँगा तो कही वो सर्विस सेंटर वाला मुझे जीरो ना घोषित कर दे। सामने सामने तो वो निश्चित ही नहीं बोलता पर उसकी आँखों से मुझे उसकी अनकही भावनाएँ तो समझ आ ही जाती। और वो जिल्लत का एहसास मैं अनुभव नहीं करना चाहता था। 

और जीरो के बारे में इतना मंथन करने के बाद मैंने ये तय किया के आज के बाद किसी के व्यक्तित्व के लिए इस शब्द का उपयोग नहीं करूंगा। 

The Independent Woman

Image generated using twithelper.com

Voices ranging from different (few but very vocal) sections of society have established a new institution called "Independent Woman". When this institution is analyzed in context of 'everyday stories of women being subjugated/oppressed coming', it certainly justifies its formation. But honestly, even after writing this article, it is beyond my realm to understand. On one side, it looks need of the hour but its flip side also exists which feminists tries to suppress pro-actively.

So who is an independent woman?? I asked one of my friend about this. She told me that who is not dependent on anybody for her survival specially for her financial needs is the one. I asked her to elaborate it further. She thought for a while, googled something and said that an “Independent Woman” is “a woman who pays her own bills, buys her own things, and does not allow a man to affect her stability or self-confidence. She supports herself entirely on her own and is proud to be able to do so." I didn't understand anything at first instance and asked her to repeat it once. When she repeated it, i couldn't resist myself focusing on parts of the sentence "does not allow a man" and "is proud to be able to do so". I asked some more questions and got more info. The information given by her seemed so theoretical and i was left with my quest of knowing the practical aspects of it. Thereafter, I genuinely have made some observations, also asked my male friends about this and have reached on following conclusions:

• Woman who doesn't take any restriction no matter how much it is required for her own survival is independent.
• Woman who shares everything with her family but refuses to share the same with her husband and in-laws is independent. If asked to do, then will accuse of interference in her personal space and being male chauvinist.
• Woman who makes a house but not ready to make adjustments and compromises to sustain the same is independent. Woman who don't give a damn to any request/direction/appeal and if stopped then will do the same thing which she is not suppose to do, doesn't matter if whole system is getting diluted by her actions.
• Woman who believes in shouting in high decibel sound than her male counterparts is independent.
• Woman who uses her freedom to challenge ego and authority of her in-laws and husband is independent.
• Woman for whom likes/dislikes of others are not important and her wishes are above everything is independent.
• Woman who most of the time tries to look male's point of view through legal frame of reference is independent. Who shouts and give insights into statute books (read CrPC and IPC here) frequently to her in-laws and husband on non-compliance of her wishes. Woman who expects her husband and in-laws to behave in a certain manner but doesn't expect the same from her Father/Brothers/Uncles and choose to remain mum on their similar activities.

Western culture is a huge hit among the Indian public. There is general inclination among Indians to embrace traits of their culture and their philosophies like "Feminism" with open hands. Their is no denying the fact that women needs to be brought out of the traditional fastenings but concept of "Women Independence" has wrongly been interpreted in India. Wrongly because like their ways/conduct/manners/fashion/vogue, Indians wants to adapt and propagate Feminism in European style which is spiced up by numerous articles in newspapers, TV debates, star cast of TV serials etc. Human being resists the change but change can be brought only with suitable pace and not by replacement in one lump-sum. Local factors always needs to be retrofitted to make anything suitable to native taste. For most of the women, “Being liberal” and “Being independent” has become an obsession to prove themselves a man above all men. Feminists often forgets that survival of any institution itself depends on many factors. "Being Legal always" can't serve the purpose but when accompanied by rationality/logicality (and elements of morality too) is the key in determining stability and credibility. Truth is also that, in this article, i have focused only on those aspects which very often are concealed by the women right activist. I am in favor of women empowerment but rights of women needs to be promoted with a pace that takes surrounding factors into account and not in undue haste. Promotion of one institution should not affect/break other institution like marriage which sadly is happening and at a much faster rate.

Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai

Haan bhai kya socha? Kab chalna hai?

(Have you decided something? When you are planning to go?)

I asked stepping inside his room. He was lying on his bed with face towards ceiling and chuckling continuously by thinking something. As usual, his tape recorder was playing songs of RHTDM. He seemed totally lost in his thoughts and didn't look to pay attention to anything in this world.

Are you ok? I asked again sensing his focus of attention.

Arey Dadri! When did you come? He said pretending he didn't notice me earlier.

When you were thinking about that dusky damsel! I said winking at him.

He winked back and said

Nothing like that yaar. I was thinking about my supplementary paper of Mathematics. I hate this subject.

Your favourite songs are playing and you are smiling by thinking of it and still you say you hate mathematics. Come on! i expected a smart answer from you. I said understanding he was trying to avoid my question.

Chhotu... Chhoti Chhoti baatein pakdne lag gaya. Yaar! This literature written by "B S Grewal" will bother me for another two semesters. Anyways! What were you saying? He giggled first and then said bringing fake expressions of seriousness on his face.

I was asking about your plans of going to GH (Girls Hostel). I think you should not wait for so long. There are many Black & White (KPs) people out there to woo these handful girls of our batch. And grapevine in hostel is that our batch's Rajinikanth is trying to woo your would be sweetheart. I said pretending serious and concerned for him.

U r right but i should be well prepared when i meet her. I should have smart arguments to convince her. He said looking serious this time.

Hmmmmm.. That’s true but don’t waste so much time. I sighed.

********************************************************************

We developed a very good friendship from starting of the Ist semester. My room partner introduced us and we got instant connect. We starting spending ample time with each other as we were putting up on the same third floor of "Chakradhar Bhawan". Earlier the discussions were rarely about girls and soon it were entirely concentrated on opposite sex. Me, him and perhaps entire batch was constantly engaged in these chats. Perhaps lower middle class's young boys from small towns find this concept of having a girl friend very fascinating. During one of these conversations, our another batch-mate and good friend told us about this girl from his home town.

You have a friend in GH and you didn’t tell us for so long. This is not fair. I said to Jhabbu.

Arey! She WAS my friend not IS. I don’t interact with her any more. I had a fight with her during school time. Jhabbu replied pretending not to be bothered.

You are “fuddu” (moron). When it is the real time to have a contact, you are not in touch with her. Leave your ego, at least for your friends. I said with a mixed baggage of emotions.

And he laughed sensing my frustration.

Till then Hero was busy making diagrams for workshop practical. He was giving very dull reactions on our conversation.

Accha... Whats her name? I asked.

Her name is Pooja (name changed). Jhabbu replied

Pooja what? Full name please. I again asked (Casteism crops up every now and then in various forms and can never get out of the mind of middle class people).

Her full name, i think is, Pooja Verma. Jhabbu replied pretending disinterested in a conversation about her.

What? What did u just say? Verma? Right? Hero, leaving aside everything, shot questions at speed of light.

Yes! i think so! but i never tried to know what exactly her full name is. Jhabbu replied irritatingly.

Thanks my brother! Said a visibly happy Hero.

for what! Asked Jhabbu.

for telling her full name! Hero said smilingly.

And you think I deserve a thanks for that. R u sure? Asked a surprised Jhabbu.

Yes! U won't understand that... Said Hero throwing a cunning smile at me.

I interrupted and explained Jhabbu. After hearing my explanation, he laughed atleast for a minute and then said

"Yaar what a logic! because our Hero and she are from same community so he think they both may become couple"

Yaar... I told you won't understand. Dadri! what do u think. Said Hero.

As I was used to this kind of behaviour/gestures from school time, i confirmed his conviction (by Smiling back).

Ok! have to leave now. Tomorrow is sessional exam for Physics. I don't want to get just 60 percent again like first semester. Said Jhabbu.

You won't go anywhere till u give each and every detail about her. Fuck the sessionals. Best of three will be counted and don’t forget Dadri also lies in Sixty percent bracket and i even didn't clear the semester. Said Hero with a fake emotion of angriness on his face.

I have no deep informations about her. She is oversmart and belongs to a middle class family. Anddddddddddddddddddd... Nothing else... Thats it.. Said Jhabbu.

Dadri is right. You are a certified moron. You studied with her for years and you know only two things about her. Come on! i never expected this from you. Said irritated Hero.

I never felt the need to know so many things about her... Leaving now... Need to cram those big equations of "Theory of Relativity". Said Jhabbu pretending to be exhausted by this conversation.

You are a useless fellow. Atleast tell how she looks like! Said a visibly irritating and curious Hero.

Then came a wicked smile on Jhabbu's face which soon converted into a small laughter.

I am talking you on some serious matter and you are laughing. comeon! Don't irritate me further. Said Hero in angry voice.

See yourself and decide. i don’t even want to think about her. Said Jhabbu and left for the room.

********************************************************************

Me and Hero were sitting at 'Khoka' and discussing on various topics. Khoka was the biggest time pass for RECKERS. One can spend hours there by drinking "Patti" and eating stale "Matthis" and "Samosas". Hero was somewhat puzzled that day. He was continuously engaged in some thought.

What happened! u looking confused. If there is something i can help you with? I asked him.

"Jagat! two more pattis” Hero came out of his deep thoughts.

"La raha hai. La raha hai" Said Jagat in his trademark style.

You want to share something. I again asked.

U remember that day Jhabbu was talking of a girl... His schooltime classmate.... Said Hero pointing to our earlier conversation.

Haan! but what is connection of your confusion with that girl. I asked trying to decode source of his confusion.

Yaar! i am thinking in that direction. Hero hinted.

Come on! you can't be serious. I thought you were just kidding that time. I said surprisingly though i didn't gave this reaction during that day's conversation. Perhaps that day i thought he was just killing the time.

Nahi yaar! but i actually have given it a thought and feel i should give it a try. Said Hero on a serious note.

have u seen her? I asked him.

Haan! Once at Apolli. She is bit dusky but I will manage. Replied Hero without changing his face expressions.

Yaar! you have seen that girl only once, you don’t know anything about her and yet dreaming of a relationship. Bhai! before making any move, you first enquire about her. I said passing words of caution to him.

Whom should i ask. Jhabbu don't know more than two things. I can not ask anybody else because that may advertise this thing everywhere and i will be linked to her till we get passed out. She belongs to my community. Right now, i think, that is enough. Said Hero reflecting typical small town and Middle class mentality.

Hmmmmmmmm... but r u 100% sure? I again asked as i was not convinced.

Yes! Also I have discussed this with one of my senior "Vinod". Said Hero.

Vinod! Ohh that guy too belongs to your Verma community (unintentionally invoking casteism once again). What did he say then? I asked.

He jokingly said "Abe tu jaativaad faila raha hai RECK mein (you are promoting casteism in college)". Said Hero with a little smile on his face.

But i explained him pros of doing this. He too wasn't convinced fully and initially threw so many doubts like you are doing right now. But, in last, he didn't discourage me. And i think there is nothing wrong with my thought either. Hero sounded very confident while saying last line.

Perhaps Hero's thought (Middle class's boys thought) was that if she becomes his GF then they may get married in future and he would have a rare distinction of having a professional working wife which he can boast of in his community.

Chal koi nahi! I m not sure how u gonna do this but wont discourage you either. I have no experience in this field but still u can seek my advise. I said half heartedly.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............

********************************************************************

Dadriiiii.. Hero smilingly entered in my room.

What happened! u are looking very happy. I asked.

One should always remain happy. Its good for health. Hero said trying to hide the real reason.

Don't be a philosopher. Tell me actual reason. I asked him though his smile and face expressions gave enough hints.

Yaar! I have decided. I am going to GH to meet her. Said Hero.

Bhai! See. If you haven't done this kind of adventure earlier in your life, it might prove disastrous for you. She is not a girl from your town whom you can impress with some crammed hard words of English. You need to be cautious with your words. Jhabbu too told that she is oversmart. She might outplay you in this episode.

Although few days back i was trying to push him to go to GH, but considering his seriousness over the subject, i passed him words of cautions too.

Bhai! i have planned everything. I have prepared answers for every question and counter question of hers. I will convince her anyhow to enter into a relationship with me. i just need to rehearse the entire scenario once before i proceed. Said Hero brimming with (over) confidence.

Tell me! what exactly you have planned. You can rehearse before me so that i also can suggest/add in your script. I told him.

Hmmmm.. that would be good. Look.... I will go to her and would start by saying blah blah blah.................................. and Hero played his entire speech before me. I couldn't stop myself chuckling all the time. I wasn't convinced at all with what Hero has planned.

Bhai! I have serious doubts over your script. This is not gonna work as your arguments are not convincing. I told him.

But Hero remained adamant and said there are no problems with this. That day, i understood that a girl can make a boy crazy that too without talking to him for a moment.

Though mostly straightforward, Haryanvi people are very unpredictable at moments. Even a fellow Haryanvi can't judge their moods by their way of reacting. I thought he is just passing the time and won't do anything.

Rehen de! u won't go. I said throwing doubts on his intentions.

Bhai! i will go! why u don't believe. He raised a question on my conviction.

Don't know but this is what i m feeling right now. I said with suspicion.

Accha! laga bet! if i go there, u will give me a party in University market and vice versa. Hero said to confirm his conviction.

I calculated the cost (in my mind) of giving a party in university market and it didn't come out more than 60-70 rupees. It wasn't a bad deal. In both the cases, I wasn't at loss. Perhaps I wanted to gain some experience too via his proposal, May be a good learning from his mistakes. If he is not succeeding in his proposal, I just have to shell 60-70 rupees out of my pocket. or if he succeeds in his plans then I too can get indirect access to GH via his contacts.

Ok! done. I showed him right thumb.

Day after tomorrow is Saturday and I wish she doesn't go to her hometown. I will come to you at 3:30 PM and then we will be proceeding to GH. Said Hero.

Done. I said.

********************************************************************

I reached at Hero's room at 3:15 PM on D-Day. Don't know why, I was feeling much excited on that day. He was wearing formal pant with shirt tucked-in and a pair of sandles.

So! all set to be in a relationship? I excitedly asked him.

Bhai bera ne (don't know), lets see what happens. He said throwing first sign of nervousness.

“Chal lets go” said hero sprinkling Deodorant in armpits. We came out of the main gate of hostel number - 3 and turned towards Apollo. Hero chose correct time for rendezvous. There wasn't anybody seen around the hostel area and on the way to GH at Omi's fruit place, STD booth and Examination hall. Hero wasn't looking comfortable at all. He was continuously thinking something in his mind and wasn't talking to me. Passing through the BOK (Bridge of Knowledge), as we turned towards Apolli, I observed Hero talking to himself. Perhaps he was revising his script. As we reached Apolli, I more or less was sure that he has developed cold feet.

Are you sure. I asked him

Hero stopped and thought something in his mind but didn't utter a single word.

We may choose to go later, if you are nervous. I told him.

No! today and now only. You may choose to stay here at Apolli only as your presence may not give good impression to her and might raise doubts over my intentions. said Hero wiping a drop of sweat on his forehead.

Ok! I will accompany you till GH and then will move towards Frustoo chowk. I told him.

Hmm! that would be ok! Said Hero.

We turned towards GH along Auditorium side. As we were moving towards GH, I observed him sweating profusely. His entire body was showing nervousness. Although I wanted to but there was no point stopping him then. As we reached the spot of UTT (Under Tree Talk), we observed a tempo of gas cylinders by the road side towards Frustoo chowk. He asked me to go behind tempo to hide myself and see the proceeding from there only without getting noticed by her.

Hero asked one of the girl going inside the hostel to send Pooja Verma from first year. Hero's nervousness was increasing with each passing moment. He put his both hands on his face for a second and then started looking upwards at sky. Standing at same place, he started turning backwards again and again. I wasn't sure and couldn't decide if that moment was funny or serious.

Then a dusky girl came out of the GH wearing cream colour half sleeved shirt and Black jeans. I wasn't sure if she was the same girl. Hero gazed at her and then at me to give the signal. He folded his hands in a hurry perhaps to hide his nervousness. I too felt the nervousness at that time. Perhaps friends shares difficult moments too. But the lady was looking so confident. She came and enquired Hero if he called her. Hero nodded in yes.

She too folded her hands and asked Hero the purpose. By that time Hero's cold feet had turned frozen.

He said something to her but she chose to remain silent and continued gazing at him. Hero was trying to say something but words didn't come out. He was moving his hands here and there perhaps trying to explain something to her. I couldn't hear anything but understood that nothing was going according to the script. She also started saying some thing to Hero and he again tried to communicate himself partly through words and rest by his highly nervous body parts.

Suddenly Hero's face turned frightened. She started saying something and went on and on for a while. Hero was just looking at her and didn't react as he was left with zero confidence. Then she turned back and went inside GH.

Hero was frozen at his place and didn't move a single inch till she disappeared to inside of GH. Then Hero started moving towards Frustoo CHowk. He forgot that I was standing behind the tempo. When he moved ahead of my position, I called him from behind. He didn't give instant reaction, moved a few yards forward and then turned back (did a Major Saab). He saw me and slapped his forehead with palm of his right hand and stopped till I reached him.

Kya hua (what happened)! did everything go fine? I asked although I had some idea of end result.

Chal university market chalte hai (Lets go to university market). He sounded very low while saying.

In next 10 minutes, we were sitting inside a small fast food shop in uni market. I asked Hero to order something but he passed the onus to me. I ordered two pastries and samosas.

I again asked him " Tell me what happened". I was too excited to know the details.

He looked at me and smiled. The smile was clearly filled with embarrassment. He then thought something and smiled again and put his face between palms of his hands.

He relaxed after a while and said "You were right. She outplayed me completely."

What happened. Tell whole episode. I excitedly asked hiding my laughter.

She came to me and asked the purpose. I told him my name and asked her as well. Said Hero.

Fuck! You know her name. You called her from GH by her name. then why did you ask. I asked.

Yaar! don't know.. i forgot everything when she stared me. Said Hero.

Then she again signalled me to tell the purpose. I then remembered the script and told her "Aapke baare mein pata chala (came to know about you)" Continued Hero with his story.

How come. She asked developing some suspicion over my (Hero) intentions.

From List. I (Hero) told.

Which list. She asked.

List of result of Ist semester. I (Hero) said.

She made a strange face as she didn't understand what the matter was. She again signalled me to explain further.

I came to know about your full name from there". As I am also from same community, you know you and me. I (Hero) told her.

So? She asked confirming her doubts over my intentions.

And then I (Hero) did the blunder. I (Hero) said "Main aap se friendship karna chahta hoon". That was the last line I (Hero) told her before she overtook the conversation.

Though I was sympathetic for him to some extent but couldn’t stop myself bursting into a big laughter.

He said "Yaar honestly. didn’t understand why I said this."

By hearing this, she clearly got my (Hero) intentions and said "What do u think of your self". I (Hero) was already nervous and "Wo mere upar raashan paani le ke chadh gayi".

Yaar! I even don't remember, what and what she said to me. But yaar! she screwed me completely with her tongue. Jhabbu was bit wrong about her! she is not just over smart, but a 10th degree of over-smartness. Said embarrassed Hero.

In last! she said "In future, never try to come in my zone" and went back to GH.

Yaar! I never felt so embarrassed, out-of-confidence and frightened in my life. Said Hero.

I couldn't control myself bursting into a big laughter. Didn't care that many people were sitting there and everybody was staring me with a big question mark over my civic sense. I went on for a while and laughing gave me stomach cramps. I wiped my tears after a minute. Hero asked me to stop many times but I couldn't. By then we were served our pastries.

Hero took first bite of pastries, and said "Yaar Chhori ke nayan-naksh to theek thak hai waise" (Bro! By the way she has got sharp features).

And we both burst into a big laughter.

Loneliness

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Loneliness is a bipolar affair to have. Initially everything seems alien and you starts doing strange things. Chewing your nails and scratching the scalp incessantly, you unsuccessfully keep on trying to figure out what and why things are not as per desired. Veins don't carry requisite blood to Head. Doctor prescribes strangely named and awfully tasting medicines. You starts ignoring calls and invitation for party from your friends by giving stupid reasons. Self introspection yields nothing. Smoking and boozing don't relieve the tension. Your eyes don't fall on girls. You no more are obsessed with India-Pakistan cricket match. You consider it disappointment and any wise guy would term it as depression. By the time you realise whether it is disappointment or depression, you have lost almost 20-25% of your hairs.

Positive side:

Loneliness is soothing. Yours time is your only. You do a lot of exercise and diet is full of fruits, nuts and non-oily foods. You develop interest in exploring stuff which you couldn't decipher in past. Editorials and writings of intelligentsia becomes your favourite pastime. You begin to see opportunities at every corner around you. Interest in childhood habits begins to revive. Imitation of other's habits becomes a subject of past and you no more are envied with other's success. Logical/rational thinking starts to develop and attitude changes for positive.

Loneliness may arrive unexpectedly or by choice. Focus should be to bypass the negative phase ASAP when you are alone by destiny. Those who choose to immerse themselves in loneliness should focus on positive aspect of its.  That is what everybody has experienced and preached. One of my friend once remarked "Bro! Loneliness always provides you a lot of stuff. Just identify and en-cash it".

And the WINNERS are.......

Hisar is a small town in Haryana which rarely find itself in news in broader scenario of Indian politics. But for past one month, This dusty and humid town  bordering Rajasthan constantly gained the attention of political observers. By election for parliamentary seat was held on 13th October necessitated due to death of Ex. CM and former union minister Bhajan Lal. As expected, Kuldeep Bishnoi (Son of Bhajan Lal) trounced Ajay Chautala (Son of another former CM Om  Prakash Chautala) although by a small margin of 6323. There was always a tought fight between Ajay Chautala & Kuldeep Bishnoi and Congress was already tipped  to be on third position. But the matter of surprise was that Congress candidate Jai Prakash (JP) lost his security deposit. Although he has frequently  swithced his loyalities to different parties at different times, Jai Prakash (Who is a former union minister, 3 times MP from same constituency and an former MLA as well) was never considered a weak candidate. People who are unaware of equations of Haryana Politics might contribute his defeat to 'ANNA' factor,  but truth is something else. There are a lot of factors which accounted for such a big loss of Congress party in this historical town. Below are some facts which pushed JP and Congress party in such position.

• Whether somebody agrees or not, But CASTE is the biggest parameter in India for electorates to choose the representative of their constituency. Haryana is no different and here also the caste factor finds itself enjoying the top slot. This election also saw the consolidation of dominant Jat voters in favor  of Ajay Chautala (Although JP also belongs to same community) and Non - Jats throwing their weights behind flamboyant Kuldeep Bishnoi. Traditionally the Jats of  this bagri belt always had their inclination for Devi Lal's family but for past one decade their vote bank shifted to Congress party. But lack of development and increasing count of jobless youths in Hisar (As compare to CM's strong hold of Rohtak and Sonepat) have changed their mind again in favour of Ajay Chautala. For consolidation of Non - Jat vote bank in his favour, Kuldeep Bishnoi can owe to a number of factors. His father was branded as the tallest and  most acceptable Non - Jat leader and had enjoyed a good rapport among various communities. The violence against dalits in Mirch pur village by dominant caste members (Whatever be the reason) had also resulted favoring Kuldeep. BJP as the new ally of his party had also contributed in swinging the upper caste Non - Jat vote bank in his favor.
• 7 years of anti-incumbency factor both at state and central level, the revelations of scams, the increasing prices of petrol and house hold items have also made the voters to dump the ruling party's candidate. 
• During Bhajan Lal's tenure as CM, Hisar had seen the most progressive phase for the district. His demise created a sympathy wave in favor of Kuldeep  Bishnoi. 
• BJP has never been a key player in Haryana's Politics. But it always have enjoyed the support in urban areas. Election result also shows the urban voters hugely favored HJC candidate indicating BJP's impact in his victory.
• Team ANNA also camped against congress party in Hisar. Although it didn't create much (any) influence in mind of rural population, It certainly impacted  the educated urban voters by adding fuel to already burning fire. 
• Infighting within Congress party may also be responsible for the fate of Jai Prakash. Congress has fared very badly in constituency of Birender Singh (Uchana Kalan) and Sampat Singh (Nalwa) who enjoys a considerable influence among voters of this area. Birender Singh (Who has history for taking on CM) sought ticket for his IAS son and Sampat Singh for himself. 

In all possible cases, JP and congress party found themselves at receiving end. Although the result didn't impact the strength of congress party in any way but the ruling party have got a number of reasons to worry for. Despite having six MLAs in constituency, their candidate slipped to third position in all of nine assembley segments. They need to do introspection to find the obvious reasons for their defeat and work on them to avoid this kind of lose in future. Technically Kuldeep Bishnoi won the seat, but the mighty Chautalas also found various reasons to cheer for.  They apparently have got back the confidence of people of powerful community which may work in their favor in next election.   

Lucky

It was summer of 2000 when the monster of match-fixing arrived on Indian soil. It costed the cricketing career of some big names of world and Indian cricket. That included the all-rounder Manoj Prabhakar, classy and wristy Mohammed Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja (Who till then was the blue eyed boy of Indian cricket). But more importantly it gulped the career of Nayan Mongia, who undoubtedely till then had been the best bet for India to keep the gloves behind the wicket (Although his consistency as a batsman was under severe criticism). BCCI started the experimentation to try all wicket keepers available in domestic circuit. Likes of Ajay Ratra, Sameer dighe, Parthiv Patel, Deep Dasgupta, M S K Prasad, Dinesh Karthik and Vijay Dahiya all were given ample opportunities to settle themselves down. But all of them wasted the golden opportunities one by one. 'The Wall' was also tried for some time particularly around the 2003 world cup. As he was not a recognized wicket keeper and his batting was also getting affected due to fatigue, He couldn't hold the important post for long time.

It was the season of 2004-05 when a dusky and long haired boy from Jharkhand was selected in Indian team as WK for Bangladesh tour. He debuted in ODI with a duck and was unimpressive as a batsman in his initial innings but again got chance for Pakistan series. It was his fifth match when he left his mark on map of Indian cricket with a score of 148 (Highest by any Indian WK in ODIs) against Pakistan. His Inning of 183 not out (the inning rewrote many records) against Sri Lanka in Jaipur made him a house hold name in cricket crazy nation. Then started the time of good fortune for the young man. He got a reputation of a good WK and a batsman capable of towering huge sixes. Young generation of India started emulating him especially for his hair style and the small town guy got praise from all sections of societies and high profile people all around the world. Even Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf praised him for his cricketing skills and advised not to cut short his hairs as that suited him very well. He was flooded with endorsements and the brands promoted by him were doing very well. The spree continued till 2007 where a mega opportunity was waiting for him. He was appointed captain of Indian cricket team for inaugural T-20 world cup. In the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, he was preferred over the likes of Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh. Midas touch continued and he did what no body was able to do since great Kapil Dev. He lifted the T-20 WC trophy and got a splendid welcome travelling from Mumbai airport to Wankhede stadium. His journey of great fortune didn't stop there and inevitably he got the charge of Indian ODI and test team after Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble. Over the next 3 years he achieved so many successes that none of captains in history of cricket were able to do. India became top ranked test team and lifted the ODI world cup trophy after a gap of 28 years. His club 'Chennai Super Kings' became champion of two successive IPL seasons and even won champions league T-20. He was declared the highest paid and earning cricketer on the globe by forbes. This is indeed the fairy tale epitomizing the captain kool Mr. Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Unlike soccer where captain has little role to play on field, Cricket is a game where captain has a crucial role to play in situation of strategy failure. Unless until he have a great team or leadership qualities, Captain has to take a gamble or depends on luck to favour. There has been a great debate over LUCK factor. But it is acceptable that this accompanies certain people and people are born with great luck. Some people are born to be leader. People have proved themselves by leading in exemplary ways, No need to mention the names.

Now what is the secret behind Dhoni's mega success. Is he indeed an intelligent man with great cricketing skills or a lucky boy? All the top cricket analysts , former players and captains from all around world have praised him for his leadership qualities. But the recent debacle of Indian cricket team (In the absence of top players) on England tour in all three formats  and performance of his club in champions league doesn't go along with any of the titles bestowed upon him. Fact is that he is indeed a lucky man and big gambler who till recent had enjoyed the splendid performance of a great team. Some facts are below:

• He was made captain of T-20 cricket team on recommendations of master blaster (Not a natural choice of selection committee) and over Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh (Both were tipped to be captain of Indian team after big guns). Sehwag was going through the bad patch as a batsman and Yuvraj was advertised having attitude problem. Also all top guns like Sachin, Dravid and Ganguly had declined to play in T-20 cricket. This was a matter of sheer luck and had nothing to do with his credentials as batsman or a player that time.
• In the T-20 WC final, he gave last over to Joginder Sharma instead of Harbhajan Singh. Misbah played the stupidest shot by scooping the delivery and not going for straight shot which surely would have earned the winning shot for neighbor country. This was indeed a Gambler's choice & opposition player's mistake and nothing to do with the leadership qualities as no wise captain would have done this.
• He has been a big failure in terms of batting. A big opportunist who never will come up in batting order in difficult situations but prefer to when all things are going smoothly and in favor of India. And forget the test matches, no body think he deserves to be in playing eleven of Indian team.
• He was awarded man of the match in WC final 2011. No body will deny that it was Gautam Gambhir whose innings of 97 brought India out of crisis. But again luck favored him and his name was written in history. 
• Above all things, He has got a great team. He got young players nurtured by Sourav Ganguly and a test team fully confident under Kumble's leadership. In Dhoni's tenure as captain, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Zaheer khan had been in best of forms. All of them had won the matches for India single handed and had been instrumental in India's many wins. Dhoni's leadership qualities had no effects in grooming or nurturing the talents of these great players and giving confidence to them. They would have performed in the same manner under the captaincy of any other player.

Some may agree and most will not agree with points mentioned above. Fact is also that i have always adjudged him critically and for me he had been highly disappointing as a batsman. But i am firm on the fact that he is overhyped by media. He is neither a good batsman nor a great captain. But it is also true that history can't be ignored and that will always go against my views on MSD.