Hooch Hooch Hota Hai!!!!!!!!!!

For past couple of weeks, attention of everyone from all over the country is on Gujarat irrespective how drunk they are! Opinion leaders are looking for hungry cameras and mics while columnists wants to forget everything and write only about Gujarat. It is a very interesting territory to write about specially when much hyped future prime minister is ruling the state.

Everybody is busy giving uninvited opinions on prohibition in the state that recently witnessed loss of close to 160 lives on account of HOOCH! Those who love to blame Gujarat chief minister NarendraBHAI Modi for even late monsoon have now one more reasons to corner him. Interestingly, he is now being blamed more for having prohibition in the state than the availability of HOOCH to Heineken. Better the critics realise that the poor CM was not even born when the idea of prohibition coined in and around Ahmedabad city in pre-independence era. It would be a great favour to Gujarat if Mr Modi is criticised only for the right reasons.

Including beer baron Vijay Mallya, number of opinion leaders are (of course uninvited) suggesting to lift prohibition from the cash rich state. Those who are already high sitting out of Gujarat are even more vocal without having the right understanding of the state.
Those who believe we are a dry state should check the reality first hand.

Though expensive, but we have a wide range of brands and types of booz available in the state. The entire chain of bootlegging is highly democratic and disciplined where every member gets their share. One really don't have to struggle to get the right stuff. You get it at your doorstep, anytime and on credit also if you are a regular customer (you just need the right contact numbers that people over here love to share with proud). And people are ok in shelling out extra for home delivery instead of standing in the queue at Theka and paying in cash.

Consumers, with good discipline, drink at home or occasionally in car. Alcohol consumption is not acceptable socially in Gujarat and people ensure that even the next door neighbour is not aware in case someone is drinking at home. I must appreciate the local police that assists the bootleggers also ensure that drunkards don't roam around in the streets. They charge them officially or unofficially and control the crime rate.

Prohibition is a joke in Gujarat but it is ensuring peace while enabling the addicts to get what they want peacefully. Let it be that way instead of disturbing decades old tradition of this one of the fastest growing states of the country.

We can confidently watch movies in last show at multiplex with family and return home safe (on the days we are not drinking). People end up meeting at tea shops and restaurants instead of wasting hours and money at bars. Thanks to the prohibition, the state has managed to retained and capitalise on the entrepreneurial skills of the people here. Prohibition has also played a key role in keeping the labour unrest in control.

Those who are opposing the prohibition are forgetting the fact that social and religious fabric has compelled even multinational food chains to introduce Jain menus. So far, prohibition has been just a political and may be business issue. Nobody will ask for free flow of alcohol in the state when cash rich religious leaders will start registering their oppose.

Common guys, let only Gujaratis decide if they really want and deserve the prohibition. Gujarat belongs to Gujaratis first. Let them enjoy leftover fruits of Gandhian philosophy.

Today, Gandhi is remembered in Ahmedabad only at Income Tax Circle to protest against anything and everything in the state. I am really grateful to the city planners who installed beautiful statue of Mahatma Gandhi on a busy circle. It attracts majority of the protesters there to jam traffic during the peak hours and draw attention to their concerns.

Congress MLAs were 'reportedly' attacked by BJP youth workers (or may the other way around) outside of the Assembly Hall in Gandhinagar near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The incident took place probably for Congress choosing the right statue at the wrong location.

In fact, we must thank both BJP and Congress for assuring quality of booz in the state. No such tragedy ever happens at the time of election when they themselves are handling the distribution of liquor at the time of election.

Last, responsible 'brewers', 'distributors' and 'facilitators' and their God Fathers in Gandhinagar involved into HOOCH tragedy should not be spared. I am one of those who has accepted that corruption as an integral part of the today's society. But I certainly differ when the wrongs also start claiming lives. Even the pirates follow their rules. Greedy criminals claiming lives deserve harshest punishments for killing innocents and bread-winners of poor families. One can forgive the crime but sin should never be forgiven.

Energy CRYsis

I have been covering energy sector as a journalist actively for almost a year now and learning new things everyday. But on this Thursday (Jan 8) proved very much different. On this rare day I touched almost all the aspects of energy sector i.e. petrol, diesel, gas, electricity, secondary energy and CNG.

The ‘story’ started on Wednesday when I found pin of my bike’s fuel-meter started flirting with the red mark towards left. I noticed it while leaving office after 11 pm and failed to find any petrol pump open on my way back to sisters’ place. I hit bed with a promise to myself to get the tank full on Thursday since lot of running around was expected, thanks to Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit during 11-13 January.

On Thursday, I found petrol pumps relatively crowded while I was running late for office as usual. I again promised myself to get the tank full whenever I leave office to for fieldwork and parked my bike in office backyard. However, I was too lazy to take bike, cross signals and wait in queue at petrol pump before going to the HDFC bank nearby for some essential transactions, which I was delaying for many days. I preferred to walk down to the bank. On my way back, I bumped into a friend, at about 2:00 pm, who directed his peon to take his vehicle to the petrol pump, as speculations were rife about fuel stations facing supply crunch. I suddenly remembered my interactions with people in energy sector about ‘bandh’ called by Oil Sector Officers Association (OSOA) and all India truck owners association. I was still very lazy to think about fuel in my bike and rushed to the office as boss called at 3:00 pm.

At office, I ended up with filing reimbursement claims for trips to Vadodara (Oct) and Jaipur (Nov), a copy on new Wind Power Policy, checking final layout of a special page for Vibrant Gujarat Summit and of course usual incoming and outgoing calls that journos deal with after 5:00 pm on a typical day. I started working on state government’s New Wind Power Policy, which was third energy related policy in a row in less than a week after Power Generation and Solar Power policies.

On this power packed day, my mobile phone battery started drying in the evening and I went to ET Gujarati section to borrow charger from a colleague who directed me to other colleague. I found his phone on charger while he was away from the desk. I checked battery level in his cell phone and without informing him I unplugged the charger and carried it to my desk.

At about 8:00 pm, an official from one of the city gas distribution (CGD) companies called me before sending a media statement and briefed about the ongoing energy crisis in the country on account of OSOA, particularly in Gujarat. Industrial units in South Gujarat were the first victim of gas supply cut. Local CGD player retained supplies to the priority segment (households and CNG consumers). I started making fanatic calls to other CGD players and experts and petroleum dealer association office bearers etc etc etc for more info……….. Petroleum dealer association secretary hastily briefed me about the crisis as he feared his phone to get disconnected due to low battery. He quickly updated that 60% of state’s 1,770 petrol pumps are dry and 20% more will be joining the club next morning. (Gujarat guzzles 25 crore litre of diesel and 8 crore petrol a month.)

Amidst calls and keying in copy, I decided to leave with my colleague and stay at his place for a night. Amidst supply crunch of petrol, diesel and gas, my colleague sent yet another shocker. He admitted that electricity-distributing company disconnected power to his apartment (bachelors’ paradise) since he didn’t pay bill in time. I used my journalistic character and requested the media relation official of the electricity distributor to reconnect power for a night and assured him that my colleague will pay bill next morning without fail.

However, my colleague left office ahead of me as I was running late with my copies. I left office with another colleague in rick and grabbed a bite on way. We again took a rick, dropped friend on way and directed auto rickshaw driver towards another colleague’s place. On way, I started chatting with rickshaw driver and suggested (with bit of authority rather :-) him not to worry about CNG supplies. After reaching the destination, I asked for fare and driver sought Rs 50, which surprised me since it should not have been more that Rs 35. While struggling to read meter in dark I asked for tariff card for verification. Driver, smugly, pointed at tariff-chart and said, “Its time for night tariff sir.”

Matrimony & Matriarchy

Today morning, my mom returned from her visit to some relative when I was still trying to forget sleep and proceed for shower. She broke morning silence, “According to them, you are not educated enough for her.” she was referring to feedback from some gal’s family whom my parents are in touch without my knowledge. I forgot my sleep and asked, “What does she do?” My clueless mom said, “She is into computers.” I sought clarification with resentment, “Is she some virus?” My elder sister who was listening to our conversation from kitchen intervened clarifying that the gal is working in some IT firm in Bangalore. “We are first matching stars (Kundali/Janmakshar) so yet to find out her back ground,” she added.

I slammed bathroom door with a funny comment, “Gal’s family must be thinking I must be some hawker since I am in newspaper as I think she is virus since she is in computers.” But lamented over present matrimony system in changing world where people are changing even faster.

I poured hot water on my head and tried to clean my thoughts. But ended up pondering further over our traditional society, specially conventional match making practice. Fixing arranged marriage is so complex that majority of the couples don’t take risk of passing through the same tedious course of action. And that is why arranged marriages have longer shelf life. Interestingly, society gives credit to our tradition and culture for long lasting marriages.

Fortunately, my parents are ‘liberal’ when it comes to fixing my relationship with marriage. Only issue is they are ‘little’ choosy, specially my mom. She don’t want me to marry with a gal from minority community and prefer a Gujju (again, preferably from the cast at least equal to us if not upper) gal who can take care of the family on their occasional visits to me and retain our (Gujju) traditions. There is one more clause and you can blame it for me being single at the age of 30 and liability for the relatives. She doesn’t want me to marry without matching stars with that of potential bride. Particularly this last clause has restrained me from getting into any serious relationship. My mom probably believes I should ask for my eligible friends’ Kundali while before proposing.

No wonder why online match making portals gaining popularity! Welcome to the world of matching pics, profile and most importantly Kundali, before hearts! But I thank my stars for not making me net savvy, I am open for gamble :-)

World of Loners

:-) I wrote this piece in April 2007 when I promised myself to be a regular blogger. Nothing moved after that except inking (typing) some poems (and I uploaded only one of them). I even forgot the title, log in and password of my blog. While going through orkut and gmail leisurely today (December 31, 2008), I came across one of the pieces that I was in process of completing. I am copying that rough draft written in April 2007 to RE-begin with since the situation has not changed much. Only difference is I am in Ahmedabad now. I am promising myself ‘again’ to remain attached to the blogging arena. Have a great year ahead and luv…….

I was the under impression that I have stopped loving my family. It lives 50 km away from Vadodara in Anand with impressive road connectivity unlike most parts of India. But I hardly feel like visiting home. (Interestingly, now dogs start barking when I enter lane near my home as they have forgotten odor of their infrequent visitor who stayed there for over a decade.)

Fortunately, the other day (April 30, 2007) a friend of mine (also a journo) living about 2,000 km away from his family told me over the dinner that he also doesn't feel like visiting home. He feels'strange' at home just like the way I feel 'out of place' at home. (Currently, that friend is based in Jaipur)

Welcome to the world of Loners. Actually, I don't need to welcome you because you must be one of them and wasting your time on reading this blog.

In an average month, majority of the youth is spending more on their mobile phone bills compared with his or her spend on meals. Loner keeps talking or smsing (oops Windows XP is showing red line under smsing. I need to upgrade my system soon.) to another loner like him or her studying or working in some other part of the city.

The numbers are rising and probably opening one more area of studies for sociologists and psychologists. I am sure academicians must have started studying this phenomenon and also learnt related jargons from scholars from the western world. However, I would like to potray theircharacters in Indian context (and you can also email me your inputs on t.mitul@gmail.com if you find some more)
- Loners are usually in search for the best plan for STD calls. They also carry two cell phones (one with same service provider, which his/her intimate friend is using.
- Loners can spend talk time on talking range of topics. Starting from the menu of quick breakfast and late dinner to career related issues.
- Thanks to increasing pay packages, Loners book air tickets (well in advance) to be with him or her on the birthday or special occasion. (Economic slowdown has created challenges for frequent flyer loners but decreasing air fair has come to their rescue.)
- Loners are usually tech savvy. They know best email service providers and best features of chatting services. They are also best users of social networking sites.
- Loners usually take life easy as a person. But professionally they are very much sound (that's also one of the reason for his/her being Loner).
- Loners prove very good friends in need as they hardly have any commitments after office hours. Their commitment is just to be in touch through calls or SMS, which is easily manageable.
- Loners are also very good in suggesting the best dish at specific restaurant or recommending book or movie. They also know schedules of such happening places better than anyone else in the town.
- I guess these many of characters are enough for the time being. I will add some more subsequently after some more observation (of myself too). But here is the last quality of Loners. They don't open up easily about personal life even with best of their friends in the newcity where they are residing. But few pegs of drink surely works.

Faith!

Faith!

I am not asking for much
Let me have faith
In you and me

It will change for good or bad
With change
Like in you and me

But we will have
Something in common
Like faith and change

I am not asking for much
Let us live
With me or without you

Its about India and Indians who are coping with the changes.........

Hi,

This is Mitul, seating somewhere in (absorbing) India that is being hyped and debated as ‘emerging’ and ‘changing’. By now you must be tired of jargon India Vs Bharat like every other Indian (who must have consumed Parle or Amul in life at least once in lifetime).

For last sometime this term has been hammered to the extent that I will not be surprised if being true cricket loving (this word can easily be replaced with ‘fanatic’) nation someday we will have cricket match between India 11 Vs Bharat 11.

India is emerging and hence changing. But I am more interested in sharing my observations about the side of India that is absorbing those changes on account of its emergence. I also feel that I am one of the most eligible persons to talk about absorbing India because I spent my childhood with Bharatiyas and now trying to walk in tandem with Indians. It was 1994-95 when I opted for typing as subject in 10th standard and fantasized fingering a brand new Godrej machine while struggling to get better machine in typing class. And today I am sitting with my fancy laptop with latest configuration and features for which I hardly dreamt to enjoy.

I am a business correspondent with the leading pink daily based in Vadodara for nearly a year. I hate such small centres for business reporting like all my friends in the profession. Because you virtually don’t exist in the profession if you are not reporting what plans and projects like of Reliance, ONGC, Maruti, Ranbaxy are hatching. I am constantly being advised by my friends, friends’ friends and even so called friends against working in such small centre.

But this part of the country has enabled me to view this different world differently at my own pace. Virtually, there is no presence of corporate communication or public relation people to attech their angle or tangle to dilute your opinion.

The smaller centre has enabled me to interact with landless farmers (do I need to mention that they are also illiterate?) and learn how people in Vilayat village (with population of not more than 10,000) in Bharuch district are coping with the fact that it is set to become the base for 3 special economic zones. It has enabled me to see how painters and sculptors are digesting overnight success and easy money, thanks to the boom in the art market who have so far remained modest and probably underpaid. It has enabled me to witness the impact of arrival of education, roads and reliable supply of potable water and electricity in rural and semi urban areas.

Moreover, This part of the country is the soil with souls from all over India. And there cant be better city than this to observe transformation more closely.

I do not know where I will be in next few weeks or months. But I would like to take this opportunity to share my observations and experiences about how India (oops Bharat too) is absorbing the changes that its emergence is brining in. So keep watching this space to see the world from my angles ……………………………