A tale of “Kataar”
“Hey don’t cross the line stand behind me everyone standing here patiently why are you being impatient?” Stalin said
Ritesh turned back and looked behind
everyone was staring at him as if he utters a single word people will not only
throw him out of this line but out of this city. He silently came back and
adjusted himself behind Stalin. Ritesh was cursing the guy who has stopped him
and raised the issue in front of every one. He was depressed, disappointed
and feeling embarrassed. He looked around everything looks perfect people were standing
patiently, waiting for their turn…he thought to argue with the guy who has
stopped him but certainly he resisted himself. “no not him doesn’t look like an Indian
he may resist and there could be legal action against him.”
Stalin turned back “Sorry I have
shouted at you. Dear! Imagine the scene if everyone does the same. you and I
won’t be able to get in the ATM zone. Don’t worry it won’t take much time we will be
in the E-Zone within one and half hour.
Ritesh: No problem thanks
Ritesh in frustration muttered “What
was the need to experiment with the economy and the life of common man? There was
no planning before this demonetization drive. Everyone is suffering. There is
chaos among people. who are standing in queues? Only common man is suffering.
It’s my money, my hard-earned
money Government has no right to stop me from enjoying my money in any form. He
felt relaxed now.
Stalin turned back and smiled” how
many people are you seeing, crying here and where is chaos it’s in our mind
Brother.
Stalin” Hi this is Stalin I am
working for National Geographic in London this is my third time in India.
Ritesh “Oh! Great my self Ritesh
I am working for an Infrastructure sector firm as a Sr. Manager. My office is
nearby in Connaught Place, New Delhi.
Stalin: My visits to India have
always been challenging last time I came here when people were on the streets
and protesting against government’s ignorance on women safety. There was a rape
case registered in New Delhi.
Ritesh: yes, it was Nirbhaya rape
case.
Stalin: yeah! Next time there was the protest related to some corruption issue. But you know, important is people like to express
their self and most important is even if it is against the government they have provided with
adequate security to protest. You know that is beauty of democracy, you guys
enjoy. You know I have visited twelve odd countries and most of my trips were related
to work. But really, I didn’t find a single country where people enjoy such a beautiful
form of freedom not even those countries who claim to be paradise of Earth.
Ritesh: Yeah! Democracy is fine
but you see there are lot of poor people. A big section is still marginalized.
And over and above these nonsense decisions are making their life miserable.
Stalin: There are only fifty odd
people before us, Cheers! You know, before coming to India I was in Japan. I’s
very beautiful place and so are Japanese. I was seeking permission to shoot a
short documentary on waste management for that, I happened to meet a government
officer. We had lunch together and during after lunch walk we were passing
through a garbage bin near to office road. I had noticed it was overflow and some
of it scattered around it. I thought to take a pic of that bin but officer
urged me to wait and he picked up a poly bag and wrapped it on his hand and I
was astonished to see he himself collected all waste and dumped into that bin. Meanwhile
I took a pic when he was arranging the garbage bin. You know that single 3 MB
pic better explains whole waste management film. I have included that as a part
of my presentation.
You know a country becomes what
the countrymen really want it to be. No government can function and even implement
a single decision without full support of people. After cleaning that garbage
bin the officer came back to me with a smile and asked me to take pic now. I
have noticed an emotion of satisfaction and sense of relief on his face. It
seems as if he was responsible for cleaning of that garbage bin.
Ritesh was quiet and getting the
point staling tried to put in front of him.
Stalin: Last time I visited India
people were fighting against corruption they were led by an old man who was on
hunger strike for a law against corruption.
Ritesh: Yes, he is Annna Hazare a
socialist.
Stalin: how can I forget him? I
had shoot some videos of that protest for National Geographic. That was the
time when people were against corruption and now most of the opposition parties
openly supporting corruption by speaking against demonetization. It’s indirect
support.
Ritesh: No! they are raising
common man’s concern and problems.
Stalin: As you were some time
back. When you chose to stand in front, without giving a single thought of the people standing in line.
Stalin: See I don’t want make you
feel bad but that’s the truth. Most of the parties who are raising the so
called common man concern are they not running their states. Why don’t they go
back and correct the situation rather than protesting in Delhi. Which is not
even in their jurisdiction. See I know and can see all this politics but you
can’t. we are bound of our stereotypes we need t cme out of it to recognize the
reality.
Stalin: you know Ritesh, most of
these big decisions bring lot of change in present system. Sometimes we don’t
see all of them or might not able to recognize the hidden value in them. I f
you go through history you would find many countries have fought against
corruption not only monetary but also systemic. People of those countries have
found their political leaders were indulged into corruption they have fought but
they could not remove them and lots of them have sacrificed their life. You
guys are lucky your leadership is strong and transparent you no need to fight
against corruption they are fighting on behalf of you. In return they need you
just to stand in queue for 1-2 hour a week or so.
Ritesh: smiled softly
Stalin: You see Brazilians were
on streets against Dilma Rousseff. I have been
to Brazil it’s nice place to visit. I t
has lot of potential to grow and have good amount of natural resources but
their political leadership is corrupt and people are paying for it.
Your dear neighbor Pakistan “with
a smile ‘’ has same problem of corrupt and weak leadership and people are
suffering. Don’t you know Mahatma Gandhi fought for non-payment of tax on Salt
in a way it was small decision, not to pay tax on salt. But later it became
Dandi March only after whole India whole hearty supported it. ‘’I am a big fan
of Gandhi’’ Stalin Said.
Stalin: Hey man look at line we
are next getting into SBI E- Zone. I have almost helped you to pass your time
in this what you say “Kataar’’. Stalin Smiled….
Both entered together in SBI E-
Zone. And came out with fresh pink notes in hand.
Stalin: By the way Ritesh, “Pink
colour represents universal love of oneself and of others “Good Bye
Ritesh: reciprocated with a
smile.
Written By: Ankit Dwivedi
