Divided city?

The old world charm still exists in Indore while the city is expanding rapidly on the way to become a metro. Local politicians have been selling this metro dream to city residents for quite some time now. The coming up of malls and multi-storey residential complexes in and outside the city, the Bus Rapid Transit System (to keep city moving on public transport with speed and comfort) and the promise of Metro rail has made people believe the dream is coming is true. Driving their Mercedes, Jaguars, Freelanders, BMWs and Harleys, the city elite feel that it is only a matter of time before Indore becomes ‘the city’ and they get ‘the respect’ denied to them for long.

The race to surge ahead, however, has created a divide both socially and economically. The rich have become richer while the lot of the weaker section shows no sign of improvement. Rajwada continues to be the city centre but it is now ‘old city’ where only the middle class venture. The city elite like to have a day out in the malls and multiplexes.

While global apparel brands adore glittering outlets in these malls, defunct textile mills that were once pride of Malwa region, still dot the city’s landscape--- a grim reminder of administrative and social apathy. For decades now, over 200 ex-employees of these mills are waiting for their dues to be cleared. Some have even died. But no one really seems to care.

Chaos reigns supreme on city roads where from pedestrians to motor drivers, no one really cares for the rules. If you are crossing a road and arrive at the other end without getting hurt or without anyone hurling abuses at you for daring to cross their way, thank your stars for that.

With city being the commercial and educational capital of the state, it has a huge floating population. The aspirations are high but there are no means to fulfil them. Crime is on the rise. The moral fabric is spreading thin and the glorious past is fading away in the glitter of modernity.

God's man?

He claims to be a godman, but acts like a Satan --- threatening all those who oppose him. He claims he has committed no crime but runs away from law like an ordinary criminal.

After almost a week of wild goose chase, the policemen finally took the self-styled godman Asaram Bapu out of his stronghold (ashram in Indore) and whisked him away to Jodhpur to let the law take its own course in a rape case filed against him by a minor.

While that happens, one wonders what makes such godmen acquire so many disciples. How do they manage to hold sway over them?

Blind faith, lack of rational thinking, community or family pressure or sheer ignorance or all of them ----

As television channels showed how Asaram was being arrested, a colleague remarked that his wife was refusing to believe that he (the godman) might have committed the crime. “how could he, he is a saint, all of you are lying” she told him. The colleague remarked that not only she but her whole family was his (Asaram’s) follower and refused to even listen to the allegations against him.

“She leaves the room the moment I switch on the TV to watch the news regarding him,” the colleague remarked. “I fail to understand this extreme devotion,” he rued.

Déjà vu

Stonepelters of Indore

The pictures appeared familiar. Rioting mob pelting stones, damaging property and burning vehicles; the police going for the counterattack with lathi charge, teargas shells and finally the bullets… Only the location differed.I smiled as a photographer colleague placed a bunch of photographs on my table. He had done an excellent job, capturing the captured the day’s mayhem from every possible angle. The incident had resulted in the district administration enforcing curfew in the area.“The images have refreshed my memories of Jammu and Kashmir,” I tell him explaining the reason why I smiled.Tension had been brewing in the Chandan Nagar area of Indore since Saturday last after two children fought over game of cricket and members from both the communities lost the sanity and took upon themselves to settle the kids’ dispute. The cops dispersed them but on following Tuesday, when some mischief mongers threw carcass of cow in the area, stone flew in all the direction.I remembered the time, almost a decade back, when I was in Jammu and terrorism was at its peak in the state.  I had reported similar events for a local daily. The only difference --- the violence there was gruesome.

Seeking Lord's blessings

Monday Aug 12

It’s Monday in the month of Shravan… In Ujjain, the city of Lord Mahakal, the day assumes   significance. And if you are a believer, you should not miss a chance to pay obeisance to the Lord  in the temple and if possible witness the procession in which the lord is taken around the city.

3.45pm. The Lord’s procession is to start from the temple at 4pm. The devotees are all over the place--- outside the gate, on the balconies of the nearby shops and houses, along the procession route. I am also part of the crowd of devotees, having arrived here from Indore just 10 minutes back with three of my colleagues.  We try  to find the best space from where we could see the palanquin carrying the Lords’ idol after it is brought out of the temple to be taken out in a procession.

As the minutes pass by, crowd swells. But there is no chaos, no disorder. The devotees are waiting patiently. I keep moving to and fro to ensure that the crowd doesn’t block my view of the Lord’s procession. The excitement around me grows. Only one thought prevails in the minds of all present--- not to miss darshan of the Lord as he moves out in his city.  

Everyone tries to squeeze closer to the barricade that has been put up to prevent people from coming in the way of the procession. And then all eyes turn towards the temple main gate . The palanquin carrying the idol of the lord is brought out. I try to stand tall on my toes… for this is a sight not be missed. The procession moves and all I manage to see is the top of the palanquin. I move ahead from my place where the road takes a slight bend. The  pace of the procession slows a bit. I once again try to look over the heads in front of me. Some of them move aside and I manage to get a glimpse of the lord. The moment seems to freeze. I am blessed. The procession moves on. I smile and look at my colleagues. The feeling is same. As the crowd thins a bit, we decide to go inside the temple.