Of Hibernations, Orchestras and the ISFs

I’m in a state of denial for a few days. It’s similar to how a polar bear hibernates to his cocoon for a period of days. I rather talk less to people, or don’t talk at all. It’s like a period of self evaluation or introspection. I wake up I eat I work I read and then again go to sleep. The same things, just less of socializing. After a few days I’ll be back to normal but it rather leaves people around me bewildered as to why I’m doing it and its hard to explain. It’s not rude but it’s just that I have nothing to say. It’s nothing just a phase. My only concern is I don’t leave a bad impression on people I care for especially the family.

A plane just passed by my house, its rather unusual coz my house is in the eastern part of the town and the airport’s on the west and no plane usually goes through this part (partially coz if it comes here, it has to pass the central Delhi region which is a no fly zone). It reminds me of my old house… of late night star gazing, a folded bed in the balcony while me and my sister lie down to look up to the stars and spot a plane occasionally. It was wonderful; my house was a typical government house. No fancy floor but a simple cemented one. We lived there for more than 10 years so at times the floor would break. My father or mother would bring in some cement to fill up the gaps or holes. At times I would dig in my finger or feet to make the pit larger, to see what is underneath the grainy orange sand which comes out after the upper layer of cement is gone. I could never reach the iron rods…
While sitting in my chair comfortably I’m thinking of the hundreds who were on the roads a few days back. Shouting slogans they parading dogs which say “I’m Sheila Dikshit” and blocking roads to all major parts of Delhi. A few days back all major roads to my house were blocked too. The next day they brought in enough security forces to make sure none can confront them. I genuinely feel the problem to be created artificially. Most of these are trader or shopkeepers who migrated from neighbouring states (mainly Haryana and Punjab) to Delhi in search of a better life. They settled wherever they could. The government had no plans for their rehabilitation. Therefore most of the places they stay in are unplanned, have narrow roads, the house are small plot with no sunlight and there’s hardly any space to park their vehicles now. When they were build in the late 70’s it was unthinkable for these people to buy a car, they have dozens now. But now in a matter of days they are rendered homeless. Is such loot and plunder justified for a 10 day event? Guess not but the government has its eyes firm not only on the 10 day Commonwealth Games but the success of the games would also mean the opening of gates for a successful bid for future Olympic Games.

Past and future venues of Commonwealth Games
(Copyright - Wikipedia)

Italian Orchestra
The other day I went to a performance by a band playing Italian orchestra. The picture is hazy but the performance was fabulous though I felt a bit out o place. I had work(where I couldn’t have gone in formals) so I arrived in a kurta and jeans while most of the people were in European formals. The venue Purana Quila is a fabulous place and I plan to go see the fort (which I’ve never seen in my 23 years of existence in Delhi) more often now.

Indian Social Forum
I went to the Indian Social Forum on the first day, and I have to say I was greatly disappointed. It was like a ‘mela’ rather than a mature bunch of people trying to bring in a sustainable change (rather than trying to change the whole system by protests and marches). The protesters came in droves loaded vans and trucks often disrupting the traffic behind (something I’m really against). Banners and shouting did the rounds while they reached the entrance of the grounds at the Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium. The ground was all muddy and dust was all over the place. There was a giant stage with colourful background and a band “trying” to sing ….something. Later it was disrupted coz of some defect in the equipment (thank god, so many tribals were saved the torture). I went around to see the stalls (it was typically trade fair type), many were selling or were starting to sell agro products or some just their ideology. While I was taking picture I again came across with a look a like of Sara Pilot ( I had seen her earlier at the entrance), she was tall, very slim but classy as hell. I went to take some pictures and look a at the crowd, most of which were tribals or people brought in from the rural areas unable to understand English or even why they were there. They just sat wherever they could in groups. I was done and decided to leave to come back some other day (it was a 4 day event). Just when I was about to leave a lame female voice came on the microphone and asked for attention, she went on to say this…”The front seats are reserved for V.I.P.s, foreigners and media person’s, all people sitting in the front(most of the tribals and protesters) are requested to move back to the back benches, thank you”. I thought to my self, “wasn’t this forum about promoting equalities?” I never went back….