It is said that Politics and Religion do not make for good dinner topics. I abide by that when I blog and I am absolutely loathe to discuss either. But with the sheer barrage of adverts being shoved down our collective throats before the almighty General Elections. I have decided to vent my frustration. So please I urge you not to read further one man's rant on what is surely his perspective of the current situation.
My love or hate for any Indian politician (in my lifetime) possibly begins and ends with Rajiv Gandhi. His story of an honest man who wanted to do something different with his life other than his family 'business' is a classic tale. I should say the narrative is classic. However as a child he fascinated me. If no reason,to want to become the Prime Minister, existed before him he surely ignited that dream. He made the whole thing feel dignified made it mean so much more.
Bofors not withstanding (and in all honesty an 8 yr old did not care) he transcended any political affiliations and became what I would like to call a Statesman. He represented our country and it made me proud that such a well spoken man did. His 'India is an old country but a young nation' still rings in my ears.
No politician in my life have I ever shed tears for but Rajiv. His sudden and tragic death can only be described for this nation by remembering another great. It was India's Kennedy moment. The time in history where all of us can recall where we were when we heard the fateful news. His passing created a collective void in our minds as to who would be able to fulfill the dreams of this nation once such a Giant had passed. I remember fleeting images of his wife,daughter and son at the funeral. My heart as well multitude of Indian heart's grieved for their loss.
What I want to say plainly is that I loved Rajiv. With him Congress had me sold for lifetime on Congress. So why is it then that a man who must confess such unabashed love for such a brilliant man and has now soured. I am not going to talk about the scams, the politics and all the irreparable damage that has been done, No. That is for 'experts' who understand policies and the system to talk about.
When the Mumbai Sea Link was inaugurated I reckon every Mumbaikar must have been a happy bunny that we finally had a world class sea link that could really solve our commute problems. It could be an Icon for Mumbai. Seeing how the statue of Liberty is used to represent NY state onUS car plates. The sea link could possibly do that for Mumbai, be an Icon. Then it was named after Rajiv. Did that really need to happen? Isn't there anything else named after him? (good joke!) What was meant to be for Mumbai suddenly became a cheap way for the Government to piss and mark their party's stamp all over a significant Indian achievement.
My father was quick to remind me that Rajiv was born in Mumbai. He might be too, but has there be no other born in Mumbai of significance? Was there no one else whose contribution to Mumbai greater? More importantly why name it after anyone at all. We Mumbaikars are quite adept at naming our roads and bridges by the function they serve, Bandra Worli Sea link would have sufficed. What could have been a celebration of Mumbai, Maharashtra heck the whole nation is stained with the mark of petty politics.
Today, in the papers daily, we are being reminded of every little insignificant achievement in the last few years. Under whom was it achieved and under what scheme. It has become quite the pissing contest. And to add to my chagrin every advert either mentions some scheme by his name or drags his picture in it. To somehow remind us of him. Hoping that a shadow of him in our childhood memories would force us to vote for a party. This shamelessness needs to stop.
Stop tainting my memory of him. He was a great man and will continue to be. But I refuse to allow any one with an agenda to keep sullying his name. For he is mine as much as he is any Indian Citizen's. And Like the Queen in Shakespeare in love perhaps he too would say
'Have a care with my name -you will wear it out'.
Stop, think and Time to ask 'Would Rajiv approve?'
