India Redefined---Youth Vision...

Perception matters

2011-04-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

It depends a lot on how you see things, like even before going to a Khajuraho or Goa, you decide in your heart & mind that it is going to be splendid, just by looking at the photographs and what you have read. This is nothing else but perception, and perception matters a lot.

I took a Summer Special train from Patna Junction to land in Delhi way back in the later half of June in 1998; its been 13-long years, can’t believe; though a roller coaster, but have enjoyed it. I came here to take admission in Kirori Mal College, Delhi University.

From getting down to the Summer Special train till date, the perception about my origin has changed a lot – meaning of being a Bihari in the capital – though I remain the same. I am still the same 5 feet and 6 inches something, wheatish complexion and a bit introvert; but the way strangers meet and reacted has changed a lot.

I still remember the day I landed in Delhi I visited a property dealer and asked him to get me a one-bedroom flat in Hudson Lines or Outram Lines (both are quite close to the DU’s North Campus). The property dealer asked me my budget, area of the flat and finally the main question – Where do you belong to? My reply to it was simple, I am from Bihar. I saw the expressions of his face changing, not that he was averse to Biharis, it was an expression of helplessness. I still remember, Yogesh, the property dealer, said, why don’t you go for Nehru Vihar or Gandhi Vihar, they are quite cheaper and easier to get. I replied, why, what is the problem in Hudson Lines or an Outram Lines, to which he answered most of the landlords won’t give it to a Bihari – here came the first feel of being a Bihari outside Bihar.

Finally, he landed me a flat in Parmanand Colony. That was the first incident that made me realise the feeling time and again that I am from Bihar. Before landing in Delhi and even today, I am not a regionalist, but I was time and again made to realise that Bihar is something ‘out of this world’.

rom a bus conductor to the landowner, for everyone, it was like an abuse, if you want to look down to someone, just call him “Ae Bihari”. I was, am and would remain proud of my state, my mother – Bihar.

By 2000-01, when we were getting out of college things remained somewhat the same, Bihar was a joke and Bihari - a slang. People even who don’t know the ‘H’ of history looked down on Bihar, I felt pity on them and still pity on the select few who still nurse the same feeling.

Come 2005, the state was witnessing a change, the leadership changed. Thanks to the incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he realised, that before doing anything, he needs to change the perception about the state. He realised that for growth, people throughout the globe should look up to Bihar. He knew before getting industries in Bihar, we need to have a perception, a perception that creates an atmosphere where things move on their own.

With the change in leadership, there was a change in the mindset of the general people of the state, in Bihar and outside too. Media came in as the biggest catalyst at the right time, and changed the portrayal of the historically rich state of the nation.

I remember days during the college when fellow classmates were shy of telling people that they were from Siwan, Darbhanga or Chapra – they used names of places sometimes which they never visited as their homeland. Alas, these few were only helping to make the state a bigger Joke.

When I the same set now, they are proud, proud not only of the state but the places they belong to. They have endless things to tell people about their homelands. Like someone from Darbhanga narrates the story of Darbhanga Raaj, one from Siwan boasts of being from the land of the first President of the Country Dr. Rajendra Prasad so on and so forth.

Friends, fact were the same at that point of time too, when you were shy, you never tried to debate it out that you are from a state which boasts of being the land of Budhha, Mahavira; one which was an educational hub in the ancient era – The Nalanda University; the Magadha Empire.

What made me to write this was something which happened today. While waiting for some work at a bank in the capital today, I just got into a chat with someone sitting along me. He was from Gujarat. He talked me so much about Bihar and was so keen to know more and more that I felt proud. He was keen on visiting Bihar and wanted to know the business prospects, I told him whatever I knew, and gave him some tips to move ahead. He knew everything, from the revival of Nalanda University to the plans for Sugar Mills to be rejuvenated. He was in so much awe of Bihar; he termed it as the best place to invest.

Recently there was a small get together in a Central Delhi Hotel. It was for the first time that people were all positive about the state; they were ready to invest and some were already into it. They were the same people who earlier never dared to buy even a small piece of land in Bihar and rather were selling off what there ancestors have given them. This showed the positive attitude, the growth path.

Today hardly any landlord will refuse you a flat for being a Bihari in Delhi; no Bus conductor will keep howling “Ae Bihari”. That is not because we have done a lot, that’s just because we moved a bit on the positive path. A lot needs to be done, to again turn the state into a model state for the fellow states.

This all happened due to the change in perception nationwide, though never realised by the most seasoned of the politicians, perception is the strongest tool for development.

NB: This article has been published by a news website of Bihar - www.bihartimes,com.

बिहार चुनाव के तारीखों की घोषणा हो गई...

2010-09-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

बिहार चुनाव के तारीखों की घोषणा हो गई...

छह चरणों में होगा चुनाव

अक्तूबर 21, 24, 28...नवम्बर 1, 9 और 20..

वोटों की गिनती 24 नवम्बर को

चरण एक - 47 सीट (मधेपुरा, मधुबनी और सहरसा)

चरण दो - 45 सीट (दरभंगा और समस्तीपुर)

चरण तीन - 48 सीट (छपरा, सिवान, वैशाली और मोतिहारी)

चरण चार - 42 सीट (पटना, लखीसराय, खगरिया, बेगुसराय और बांका)

चरण पांच - 35 सीट (गया, आरा, नालंदा और जहानाबाद)

चरण छह - 26 सीट (बक्सर, सासाराम और भभुआ)

दीपावली और छठ के दौरान होंगे चुनाव

बिहार का डाक्टर...फेल हो गया...

2010-09-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

बिहार का डाक्टर...फेल हो गया...

उन दिनों बिहार में चुनाव का वक्त था...पूरा बिहार रंगीला हो उठा था..बड़ी लड़ाई थी...लालू और नितीश की लड़ाई...दो पक्के यारों की भिडंत..हालाँकि दोनों के रास्ते काफी समय पहले अलग हो चुके थे...पर उससे क्या..भाई अलग रहें तो क्या भाई नहीं होते...हर सड़क..हर दिवार अटा पड़ा था झंडे और पोस्टरों से..हरा...केसरिया...नीला...सब था...मगर हरे ने बाजी मार ली थी...खैर...मैं चुनाव कवर करने दूरदर्शन की और से बिहार गया था...पटना में घर था सो वहीँ रुका...

उस दिन भी हर दिन की तरह जागा...छपरा में रैली थी..कांग्रेस मुखिया सोनिया गाँधी और लालू यादव की..जाना किसी और को था...मगर पता चला उनकी तबियत नासाज है और मुझे जाना पड़ेगा...जल्दी जल्दी तैयार हुआ..फ़ौरन गाडी मंगाई और दफ्तर पहुंचा...वहां पुछा मेरे साथ कितने लोग हैं छपरा जाने वाले..पता चला - एक कैमेरामन, एक लाईट मैन, एक साउंड इंजिनियर, एक लाईट असिस्टेंट और एक सिर्फ असिस्टेंट...पांच ये और मेरे ड्राईवर साहब..यानी छे और मैं सात...साथ में उन दिनों ट्रिब्यून के सतीश मिश्र जी भी वहीँ आये हुए थे उन्हें भी जाना था...सो मैंने अपनी गाडी भी माँगा ली...फिर चले हम सफ़र पर...सरकारी अमला साथ था..चाय वगैरह तो रास्ते में हर २० किलोमीटर पर बनता ही था उनका...किसी तरह समय से पहुंचे..ओबी लगी थी पहले से...जल्दी जल्दी कैमरा लगवाया..

अब छपरा का हाल सुनिए जहाँ देखिये वहीँ नीला निशान...अरे भाई गलती से उत्तर प्रदेश तो नहीं आ गए..मैंने मजकिये लहजे में किसी से कहा तो पता चला बहन मायावती अभी अभी उसी मैदान में अपने सभा को ख़त्म कर निकली हैं...खैर घंटे भर में सब बदल गया...सारा माहौल...लग रहा था जैसा इस मैदान को वर्षों से सोनिया जी और लालू जी का इन्तजार था...

हम खड़े रहे...वहीँ पास में राजद के नेता खड़े थे (अब राजद में नहीं हैं) ..पुछा तो पता चला.."पटना से उड़ गए हैं साहब और मैडम...आने वाले हैं"...

तभी चारों तरफ धुल ही धुल...आकाश में दो हेलीकाप्टर नजर आये..."ए विसुअल बनाओ...बढ़िया...देखो क्या सही नजारा है..और हाँ ऐसा लेना की जनता भी नजर आये...देखो कैसे दौड़ रहे हैं लोग उस ओर ...जैसे दोनों लोग उतर कर इनके पास ही आ जायेंगे..." मैंने अपने कैमरा मैन से कहा...

खैर "रैली" शुरू हुई...पहले छपरा के कुछ नेता लोग आये...एक एक कर इलाके के सभी उम्मीदवार आये...फिर बारी आई बिहार के डाक्टर की...

लालू यादव को बिहार का डाक्टर मैंने नहीं कहा...ये बात तो खुद उन्होंने कही..

लालूजी भाषण देने आये..और बस यहीं पहली बार मुझे अहसास हुआ की राजद का मामला बहुत ढीला है इस बार...वो कहते हैं न बोड़ी लैंग्वेज..लालू यादव के बोड़ी लैंग्वेज से साफ़ नजर आ रहा था हार का खौफ...वो भाषण दे तो रहे थे जनता के लिए...मगर मुखातिब थे सोनिया जी से...हर एक लाइन के पहले मैडम...मैं ये कर दूंगा...मैंने वो कर दिया...अरे भाई वोट किससे मांग रहे हो? अरे मैडम को तो पता ही है आपके बारे में..तभी तो आप सरकार के अंग हैं...बिहार को बताइए...पहली बार ऐसा लगा की बिहार से कांग्रेस को उखाड़ने वाला आज कांग्रेस के आगे नतमस्तक है...

इसी भाषण के दौरान लालू यादव ने कहा "मैडम, मैं बिहार का डाक्टर हूँ...नब्ज पहचानता हूँ...जीत पक्की है..."..मगर मात खा गए...जनता ने दगा दिया...ये मैंने नहीं कहा...ये बात सुनी है..

खैर लालूजी का भाषण ख़त्म हुआ..सोनिया गाँधी ने लोगों से अभिवादन स्वीकार करने के बाद बोलना शुरू किया..लेकिन कभी लालूजी से मुखातिब नजर नहीं आयीं...इशारा साफ़ था..खैर...

भाषण के बाद सबको लगा अब चलें...खेल ख़तम...और यही लालूजी और उनके बाकी लोगों को भी लगा...मगर सोनिया गांधी हर बार की तरह अपनी गाडी में खड़ी जनता के बीच नजर आयीं...अब लालू जी क्या करते...पहली बार लालू जी को गाडी के पीछे भागते देखा..सोनिया आगे आगे अपनी गाडी पर हाथ हिलाते और लालू पीछे पीछे...और उनके भी पीछे थे उनके चेले....किसी ने भीड़ से कहा..."ई काहे दौड़ा ता...एकरो गाडी से हाथ हिलावे के बनेला..." (ये भोजपुरी है- मतलब: ये क्यूँ दौड़ रहे हैं...इनको भी गाडी से हाथ हिलाना चाहिए था)...मगर इनको क्या पता की आनन् फानन में लालू यादव समझे ही नहीं की आगे क्या होगा...एक बार फिर बिहार का डाक्टर फेल नजर आया...

वो दिन था और वोटों की गिनती का दिन...सब पहले से काफी साफ़ नजर आ रहा था....बिहार का डाक्टर हार रहा था...

Is the change for real? I am talking about Bihar…

2010-04-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

I want to clear one thing at the onset…these are just my personal views, with facts gathered from my contacts and people of Bihar; rectification of any error is welcome.

I have seen him closely, observed him and had opportunities to interact with him when he was not the Chief Minister and later too- and I admire him at many counts.

I saw the advent of this man from the leader of the much publicized failed political outfit called Samata Party to the development man and later the Chief Minister of Bihar and one of the most talked about politicians of the country.

It were the elections of 2005, I covered the elections traveling through several parts of the state in tatters – Patna, Jehanabad, Chapra, Champaran, Nalanda, Arrah etc etc. There was no wave but there was an under current in favour of Nitish Kumar. Results came, Nitish and his alliance made a sweeping victory. He was administered the oath of office of the chief minister of Bihar in presence of the big wigs of NDA at the famous Gandhi Maidan in Patna.

Although I belonged to Bihar, for the first time in my life I came to see the reality of the state when I was covering the elections for the then employer of mine, it was really in shambles, tatters. No jobs, no roads, no development….it was best suited to call Bihar a Banana state. The new leadership brought a wave of hope, hope for a drastic change…and that was the huge task Nitish Kumar was carrying on his shoulder.

He assumed charge, worked, and to be truthful no one can question his personal integrity and his capabilities. But, were the hopes of the people of Bihar fulfilled by the government led by Nitish Kumar.

The development man

One thing one has to admit that the roads in Bihar are now much better. If things on the road front moves at the same pace, Bihar can see a sea change, cause roads matter boss.

The second thing which made it to the headlines was the growth rate of Bihar, which at 11.03 percent was just behind that of Gujarat.

Last but not the least, most of the dreaded dons are hardly to be seen moving in their SUVs and MUVs in the state capital, barring a few, most of them are either cooling their heels in prisons or are cut to size.

These were the three main achievements which one can decipher after talking to people in the state, who are watching it closely, am not saying these are the only achievements, I clear myself again.

The master manager

The kind of sea change in the media coverage of Bihar took place after Nitish Kumar took charge as the Chief Minister speaks a lot, a lot about how the perception was changed about the state before anything changed at the ground in the state. Where Lalu failed, Nitish scored the best. And this helped Nitish a lot in moving ahead of his fellow leaders, his stature grew by the day.

The sea of negative coverage was nowhere to be seen. Not that something was not being reported, the way of reporting changed. This can also be seen as a support to bring in a positive change in the state.

We believe what we see!

On November 24, 2009, on the eve of completion of four years of Nitish government, in a single day advertisements worth Rs 1.15 crore were given in 24 different national as well as regional dailies. Wow…and these are not my figures, it’s a fact which came out after an RTI was filed.

These were to highlight the works done by the state government and were released as "Badalta Bihar" and "Nitish Kumar Ke Chaar Saal".

The state government has spent Rs. 64.48 crores in four years over advertisements, with the Lion’s share being spent in the year 2008-09, a staggering Rs 25.25 Crore.

The counts of failure…

To be continued…

Heloa...

2009-10-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

Hey...m back...back after a good two years...two years of silence on the web...will pen again...ciao...

Please keep away from faith!

2007-09-22T05:20:00.000-07:00

Development of the country is a must। But the question arises, what all can be paid for development? Can it be done at the cost of the fear of tearing or ripping apart the country? Should the faith of crores and crores be challenged for that?

The recent issue of the Sethusamudram Project and the controversy over the Ramar Bridge and the existence of Ram have been raked up in vain। Each and every citizen of the country feels that the country should be developed, but the cost should not be faith of any community.

It all started with the affidavit of the Central Government and the controversial statement in it that when there is no proof of Lord Ram, then how it can be proved that the Ramar Setu (Adam’s Bridge) was built by Ram and his Sena to conquer Lanka, then headed by Ravana। A day after filing the affidavit and its controversial lines being flashed in the media, the central government smelled problem. Thanks to the UPA Chief, she intervened and the affidavit was withdrawn by the government and the controversial content was deleted.

It was not only the Hindu fundamentalists, but even hardliners from the Muslim Community said that faith can’t be challenged.

The most problematic statements have come from the atheist Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr। M.Karunanidhi. He not only challenged the existence of Ram but also went on to say that he was a drunkard. I am not a hardliner, but this statement of his touched me on the wrong note, I was hurt. Even though I have no proof of Ram, but he is the almighty to whom I have been praying since my childhood. So have been many of my friends and acquaintances, who never think on the hard lines, but after all it’s a matter of faith. Mr. Karunanidhi should go back to the days when he first became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and issued a gazetteer in which there were positive references about Ram. He should listen to the carnatic music, which is mostly based on songs which praise Thyagaraja (Ram). How can he even say so!

It’s high time than the government comes in and intervenes. Thanks Mr. T.R.Balu and Mr. M. Karunanidhi, you are playing with the sentiments of so many people throughout the country just to further strengthen your constituency and for the sake of the multi-crore project. We are already in problem, divided in so many factions, we don’t need another one. Thanks to you. Please keep shut!
NB: To be continued

Shrug it off!!!

2007-07-18T04:21:00.000-07:00

Love them or hate them। They are there, and will remain there. Cause they have risked their lives for it. They are the toughest breed of the nation. Sitting in your air-conditioned rooms, it’s very easy to condemn. I admit, they have contributed in spoiling the system, but why don’t you start the cleanliness drive? Why don’t you take the charge and come ahead before criticising them? Cause you don’t have the guts! You simply love to hate.

Yeah, you got it right! I am talking about the politicians of the country। They are the most hated lot of the country, but have you ever thought what it takes them to reach there.

I said this to someone who was blaming the politicians for every problem in the society, from water logging to traffic jams। From poor garbage management to the failed drainage system। Why do we only blame a particular group for everything---from broken roads to scarcity of water! Aren’t we all having some responsibility towards the society, the nation? Actually we shrug it off, by putting the blame on others.

If we are blaming the politicians, why are we leaving aside the bureaucrats? If we blame the bureaucrats, why should we leave the technocrats and so on? Why don’t we put the blame on each and every citizen of the country? Aren’t we all responsible?

The society is like a pyramid, if any brick---on the top or at the bottom---is not its place, the pyramid can’t stand perfectly, if at all it is standing।

On our mistakes, we run away by saying, it was a small one and I didn’t do it intentionally। Oh! I jumped the red light cause I was getting late for my office. I had to bribe Mr. X cause I needed my work to be done urgently. But don’t our small mistakes slowly make it a part of the system. They do, and then ultimately we start blaming the system.

But we should realize that its not only a particular group which makes up for a society, we all are a part of it and we all are responsible for either ways it goes।

Which way are taking our society, when we kill someone just because his vehicle touched ours। We shot at someone just because he was talking a bit aggressively. Indian was once known throughout the world for tolerance, selflessness, brotherhood, camaraderie and leadership. But look what we have made out of our society? Our ancestors in heaven must be feeling bad about it.

They say, it’s never too late to mend. I request all my friends to get up, come ahead for the country. It’s not about big tasks cut out for anyone, even the smallest of the contribution will help a lot. Even not crossing a red light and managing your garbage properly will ultimately result in a better India.

To the news now…

2007-07-05T02:37:00.000-07:00

Who is Mika Brzezinski? Even I was unaware of this name till recently. Brzezinski is a TV news anchor and she is working with US cable news channel MSNBC. But the question arises, what is so different about her?
There is something. Which can change the way the news world moves, if she is emulated. Brzezinski shot to fame when she raised a defiant fist in the face of one of the most powerful forces in the modern world: a celebrity. She refused to read a news item on air, which was about Paris Hilton.
For Brzezinski, Hilton and the news item about her release from the jail was not a news, not at least to be on top of the bulletin. It became evident when she moved ahead with other news items saying, “To the news now…”
Hail Brzezinski, at least something can be learnt from her. Is the Indian media listening? Better they listen; otherwise it will be too late to mend.
The Breaking News concept is hard to understand. Although I am a media professional, I am yet to understand what is Breaking News.
Sometimes they say, its Abhishek’s Baarat reaching Aishwarya’s place, sometimes its Mika kissing Rakhi Sawant! But how much are we affected by these.
Standing on the podium at a seminar, one of the most respected Journalists of India commented adversely about another channel and its Breaking News concept. I was a spectator to it with my other friends at the IIMC auditorium. But soon, when it came to his own channel, the content was the same; I was amazed to see it. Then why did he comment, why did he say so?
Is it the market dynamics, or is it the mad race of TRP (Television Rating Points). You would be astonished to know that most of the country is not included while calculating TRP; it’s the metros and some of the other big cities with a small sample of TV viewing houses.
It should be a common concern for the Journalist Fraternity. We should ponder upon, where are we taking our world? Senior Journalist from NDTV, Mr. Ravish Kumar has written very right in his blog about the media world and the launch of a probable “Bhu-Chu” Channel (Read Bhut Chudail Channel). Most of the channels at the prime time are either playing on the concept of Bhut & Chudail or SEX. Recently Aaj Tak recently aired a half an hour repeatedly, which was titled “Aao Sex Khoje”.
Where are we heading, are we finished with the news content or we are out to beat each other. Some people in the family (read the family of journalists) say, we show what people want to. But is it an excuse enough?
We should see it the other way round. People see what we show. If all the channels are showing the same stuff, what is the option left with the viewer. I don’t say that a discussion on Sex is bad, but is it justified that we air lewd videos in the name of discussion on sex?
A very senior journalist said very right during a discussion on Indian Media, while watching the news channel Al Jazeera, we will not be able to reach such heights ever. The Indian media will die before reaching the heights.
Correct me if I am wrong, what is the priority of the newsmen today, it is not the problems of the society, but what they look for are juicy stories with some complimentary visuals.
I am not being judgmental, I just want to know, are we moving in the right direction? It’s just my personal feelings.
Will anyone from among us will try to emulate Mika Brzezinski!!!

It’s easier to win, than to lose!

2007-06-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

"My will shall shape the future। Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing but my own। I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny!"

Are we so fragile? What has happened to our people? Is this the country, which boasts of becoming a super power? Why are we taking only the evils of the west?

With each passing day, New Delhi is facing the threat of a new suicide. If the syndrome continues, it might well become the ‘Suicide Capital’ of the country. According to a study by Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Shahdara, out of the total registered citizens of the national capital, 11 percent have suicidal ideation.

The data which came out after a research and survey process by IHBAS, is now being reviewed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which will come out with its results within a couple of months.

In most cases of the suicides, it has been found that the reason is psychiatric problem, depression, which according to the medical world is an easily treatable condition. Depression is among the top five disabling causes worldwide.

Take this---Sharad Khurana—who was in his late twenties fell from the Ansal Chambers in Bikaji Cama Place in southwest Delhi on June 29 and died on the spot. It was said that it was a case of suicide. On June 28, an elderly man ended his life by jumping off the district centre in west Delhi's Janakpuri. Janakpuri’s District Centre has become infamous for frequent suicides from its highrises. Amit, a 23-year-old civil services aspirant committed suicide on June 26 by hanging himself in his north Delhi residence On June 23, a woman had committed suicide after jumping off a commercial building in Nehru Place. Another 27-year-old married woman-committed suicide by jumping off Jena Towers in Janakpuri on June 9. Startling statistics!

Why has the city become so? In most of the cases, it has been found and said that the suicides were fallout of depression. Some were failed at career; others were under distress because of family and personal problems.

But is suicide the only cure for depression? No! They say it’s very easy to cure it. Getting out of it is very easy, one of various cures, which has been suggested by the medicos is Yoga! Yes, the Department of Psychiatry, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital has found after research that Yoga is very effective in curing problems like severe depression and schizophrenia.

However, I think a bit differently! Its all in your mind, whether you want to be happy or stay depressed. Someone once said to me, it’s easier to get a job in Delhi, but its tougher to be happy here. I replied, there are numerous reason to be unhappy, but one needs a small reason to smile.

I have also stumbled at many blocks, have stayed alone in this mad mad city, and yet have always kept myself happy. I have taken note of my falls, I have learnt from them, rather than crying over them. And they in turn have made me strong, stronger!

Like they have said: My will shall shape the future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing but my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny!

BINGO!!! Delhi to have F 1 track

2007-06-25T02:09:00.001-07:00

It’s official now!!! India is soon going to get its first F 1 track for the cost of 500 to 600 crores. Then India will become the fifth Asian country to host F 1 racing. Residents of Delhi would witness the high-adrenaline rush race, with the screech and crunch of tyres.

But I am not writing all this to inform you. This information has already been splashed by the news dailies of the city. The reason to raise the issue is to find out whether Delhi is ready for it? Can we emulate countries like China, Japan, Malaysia and Bahrain? Do we have that extra bit with us to give it away for the adrenaline rush of a handful of people? What percentage of India knows what F 1 is?

How long will India and the people at the helms of affair will keep playing copycats? Do any of the above-mentioned countries have Bundelkhand? Nithari? Vidarbha? Gujarat?

Why compare us with China and Japan, when we are unable to provide our people with the basic amenities. I am not going to any remote village. I take New Delhi—the capital of our nation—as the sample. To reach from one end of the city to the other end, we need to travel for hours in the mad traffic, amidst jams and yes you will witness more potholes than anything else on the roads of the capital city. Yet, they have planned for F 1 track.

The capital is unable to provide its residents with drinking water, electricity and fresh air, leave aside any other facility. Yet, the movers and shakers are planning a racing track, which will make our hearts pop out.

Monsoon is yet to arrive in the city, but the sewers are already overflowing and one fails to differentiate between roads and sewers in several areas of the city. Yet, we are planning for an F 1 track.

With the monsoon season nearing, and we being helpless, the government is now planning to import thousands of mosquito-eating frogs to prevent an outbreak of dengue fever! Rather than importing them, shouldn’t the authorities have done their homework in advance? In which age are we living? Yet, we are planning F 1 track.

I am not against any sort of sports or games. I am fully for it. But the question, which arises here, is that of feasibility.

It’s not only the matter of the F 1 track, but it’s a question of what we need, the order, and the preference. We need to set our focus right. We need to introspect on what India is and what India needs. Its high time we get things right.