Heartrending Nabami & Dashami

 The mood is sombre and a little melancholy as the Nabami (Navami for North India) begins. The Nabami morning gives us the warning bell that the festival that we eagerly wait for every year is going to be over by the end of the day and in an effort not to miss a moment we try to stretch the evening as long as we can. It is the same feeling when you know that your beloved is leaving the next day, and you want to spend most of the time together and make it as much as worthwhile possible. While, the thought of getting back to routine life, makes a lot of people feel blue, for many the passionate sense of attachment which they develop with the Durga idol, who has breathed life on ‘Shasthi’, adorned with flowers and jewels, worshipped with love and intense faith, and then bid adieu post a beautiful, vibrant celebration, makes them feel a little despondent. It is almost similar to a family member going away, who will not visit, till the next year. Behind the masked smile we wear on our faces, there is sadness. Though the sadness is not reflected in the celebration all of us feel it together. The feeling of sadness drains through us together, travels through every neuron of the body and carries every electrical pulse not to the head but to the heart. It travels through every one of us and connects each one of us. It is a feeling of hollowness, which approaches slowly with time. It is worse for us; we are celebrating, dancing, singing, eating, chatting, and also holding a thousand oceans of tears within. If one can really look deep into our eyes you can surely see the tiny drop of tear that sparkles at the remotest corner of our eyes which flow down the next day of Dashami.

The next morning is always gloomy and depressing. We have to let our daughter go. It is an emotional day for the devotees. She is prepared for the journey to the Himalayas with the ‘Sindoor Khela,’ one of the favourite parts of various rituals of Durga Puja. Though controversial nowadays, this is essentially the bidding-adieu-ritual. It is the act of wishing, a good journey and a happy married life which is done by applying the vermilion hued sindoor on her hair parting, feeding sweets, and wishing good luck for her journey back home. The ever-smiling idol that we adored for days, worshipped and celebrated the festival together also starts weeping. The intense feeling of the hearts worldwide reflects on the face of the idol.

There is a moment of silence to our soul when the clay statues are ceremoniously drowned to a water body for a solemn goodbye to Durga. The clay dissolves, and she is believed to return to Mount Kailash at the abode of Shiva and to the cosmos in general. Goodbyes are associated with a sense of sadness, and interestingly Durga Puja gives us the biggest joy every year and the biggest sadness as well. Four days of unadulterated festivities comes to an end. The chillness runs in our blood, coldness brings the synapses of our brain comes to a standstill but there is always the hope of resurrection, aashche bochor abar hobe – we will have again next year.

Bengali, Navratri & Non-Veg

 "During Navratri you have got non-veg!" My next door aunt exclaimed once she saw a famed chicken chain packet in my hand. "We do not even bit garlic or onion throughout Navratri." Her stance meant that I am committing a sin. "You also do not keep fast!!" I smiled and entered my apartment with a wry smile".

How would I explain to you that our Durga Puja is not the same as Navratri in North India, and the difference between veg and non-veg is distinct as well. When we the Bengalis speak about veg, that implies garlic, onion and also musor dal is out of bound. Moreover, you have to understand the sentiment and emotions involved with this festival that we call as Durgotsav – the Festival of Maa Durga. As every festival calls for celebration, so do we, and how can the Bengalis celebrate without non-veg food? You know what, Durgotsav can't be explained, it has to be experienced but it cannot be experienced in four days of festivity. It has to be experienced staying in Bengal or with the Bengalis for years to feel the essence of it.

Maa Durga is a member of our family. Since Maa Durga lives with her husband Lord Shiva at Mount Kailash and after the death of Mahishasur, she comes to her maternal home with her children Lord Kartikeya, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi, so her arrival is entertained and celebrated as we do with our daughters when they visit their mother with delicious feasts and food.

Fasting? Oh, yes, we fast, but that's limited to the puja in the morning. We are on fast till we perform morning pushpanjali and we serve only vegetarian food as prasad or bhog. People involved in puja or purohit or panditji fasts for the day. Once again, our fasting is distinct from yours. Our fasting means no food at all. We don’t fast and eat with brat ki khana and brat ki namkeen and at times we fast without water (nirjala) as well.

If you've ever lived in West Bengal or C R Park in Delhi, you'll understand that Durga Puja has never been a religious festival. It's a festival that most individuals from any community and religion celebrate with equal fervour. It is a community festival and represents inclusiveness. It is above religion, caste, class, creed etc. It's also not restricted to a deity's worship. Too many individuals in Bengal, ‘Pujo’ implies many things-a time of dedication, a time of submission, a time to purchase new clothes and hop overcrowded pandals, a time of endless adda, a time to display the magnificent hidden cultural talents. It also, invariably, is a time to gorge. Food is an important component of the rubric of Bengalis and it is based on and derived from its culinary culture of fish and meat.

In its platter, from snacks, primary course to the main course, Bengali food that has originated and developed in the area of Bengal now separated is a distinct country called Bangladesh. Although the food habits, tastes, preferences and selection of food varies with distinct neighbourhoods, communities and religions, rice and fish play a dominant role remain the fundamental course. The reason is simple, Bengal is very fertile and we reap a wide variety of rice. Also remember that Bengal is a river dominated state, hence, freshwater fish was always there in abundance. A Bengali meal follows a tradition of multiple courses, serving meals where food is served course-wise usually in a specific format, marking it as the only meal of the subcontinent to have evolved such convention.

So we hope you've got wiser now and you will not raise your eyebrows at a Bengali friend who is eating non-vegetarian food during Navratri next time. Your Navratri is our greatest festival of the year. During Durga Puja, we not only consume non-veg food but we even sell non-veg food in or close to our pandals but our goddess is not disrespected.

We don't commit any sin or blasphemy. Our Maa Durga, Durga's Bengali version, gladly gave us the authorization not to be on fast. She enjoys seeing us happy. She's a daughter of ours. She's a family member.

Me & My Mahalaya

 Today is Mahalaya. Devi Durga begins her journey from Mount Kailash, where she resides with her husband, Lord Shiva to her maternal home on Earth.

I miss my school days during this merry period of autumn. Mahalaya used to be the start of the festive month of Durga Puja. A month-long puja vacation was declared starting from Mahalaya to Bhaiphonta (Bhaidooj in North India). Everything during this time smelled puja to me. The morning dews, the fragrance of the shiuli flowers (shiuli flowers are synonymous with Durga Puja), the pandals, the chill in the climate, the kaash blooms, the katham (the wooden-bamboo structure of the Durga idol) everything has a special attachment.

Durga Puja also reminds me of idol making. Kumartuli, a traditional potters’ quarter in North Kolkata is famous worldwide among art lovers and photographers. The city is eminent for its sculpting prowess, which manufactures clay idols for various festivals. Wandering through the narrow maze of lanes and by-lanes of Kumartuli is where you witness the gods and goddesses in various states of creation, the place where gods and goddesses come alive. I had visited those thin paths and bylanes when my dear friend Santanu Chakraborty was studying in the Government Art College, Kolkata as his hostel was very close to Kumartuli. My frequent visit to his hostel had always taken me to those narrow mazes of lanes during this time of the year and further embedded in me the journey of idol making that I had gotten from the place where I grew up of Siliguri.

When I was in school, there has been an idol maker just 4 houses alongside us and another simply behind our home in Siliguri. All through this time as a kid of 8-10 years of age practically every single day I used to invest decent energy at their place viewing the craftsman creating magic with their hands. So Durga Puja and Mahalaya meant all these put together.

It is believed Goddess Durga undertakes this weeklong journey with her children — Ganesha, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati on a vehicle of her choice. Mahalaya is celebrated roughly seven days before Durga Puja. We used to wake up with all other Bengali households early in the morning before the sun to customarily listen to ‘Mahishasura Mardini’, broadcast from All India Radio. Mahalaya to us is actually the eternal montage of devotional songs, classical music and the recitation of the scriptural verses of Sri Chandi in the sonorous voice of late Birendra Krishna Bhadra, a program that is being broadcasted since 1932. Birendra Krishna Bhadra is now a part of the Bengali existence.

In spite of remaining at a point where the social personality of individuals is sneaking away because of mass westernization and social infighting among natives of a similar nation, Mahalaya stays a resolute consistent that is awfully consoling. Rising above from being a simple audio dramatization to the supplication of sorts, Mahisasur Mardini stays an essential piece of our way of life which is a gentle reminder that Durga Puja isn't only a spiritual festivity yet rather is the reason for a profound stirring, a token of one's underlying foundations and deep solidarity with others.

Today in Delhi we definitely do not tune in to All India Radio at 4 am for “Mahisasura Mardini” but we play on our own on YouTube.

Good Boy Politics ?

Two days have passed by since the Delhi assembly poll results have been declared, and we all know what new history it has written. But what’s even more interesting is neither BJP nor AAP – the two major gainers -- is claiming to form the government!

Now it’s been sometime that I have been a witness to electoral politics, both nationally and state-based, but I just can’t recall of such a “pehle aap” situation ever to have emerged in Indian politics. And this brings to my mind one question: Is this a bane or beginning of a change that’s actually driven by the aam aadmi? 

Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption crusade and the post 16 December-unrest showed the frustration of the common man against the nincompoop government and their representatives. Whether AAP can live up to the hopes and aspirations of the people of Delhi is a question that can be left for time to respond, but what’s been answered is that the ‘supreme forces’ of Indian politics must understand that the common man cannot be ignored. Also, that election can be fought with white money, limited resources, non-star candidates, without corporate funding with honesty and determination. And moreover, agitated voices can actually come together and topple the ‘settled’.

I am no political analyst – there are too many of those, and they are working overtime at the moment -- but what fascinates me most now is with what I started this write-up with, the “pehle aap” situation.

BJP is (in)famous for its horse trading tactics, and is a pro in that. And though Congress is seriously in no position to trade anything for that matter, even they are a master of that art. ‘Alliances’, that are largely marriages of convenience, have been the norm to cobble together a parliamentary majority. Every party, every group negotiates, and everybody is in everybody’s strategy -- that is how post-election scenarios have worked in India so far. I remember Mr. Nitin Gadkari, who spoke on Sunday afternoon about BJP forming the government in all the four states, changing his statement by evening as soon as AAP declared that they are not keen on lending or borrowing support from anyone.

But why this sudden change in attitude? Is it a conscious-cautious step to remain ‘clean’ in the face of the AAP-storm? Is it a restrained step to curb the temptations of being on the throne in order to remain a ‘good boy’ in public eye? Especially, if Delhi is staring at a re-election in six months along with the Lok Sabha polls, every ounce of reputation is at stake.

But is this a permanent change? Henceforth, will politicians in India really act in manner chosen representatives should and will political outfits behave in a smarter, honest, and democratic manner?

We know change is the only permanent thing in this world, but sadly it wasn’t the case with Indian politics. And that’s why I’m happy at this forced adjustment that may just lead to the emergence of a new age politics.

Cheers to the nation!

Fifteen Puzzle

Hey, have you ever played with a fifteen puzzle? I played for some time during my early teens and I still remember how interesting it is.

Oflate the parking system of Delhi reminds me of the game. Go to any part of Delhi; from Lajpat Nagar to C.P, every where the parking guys play the puzzle all through the day with our cars. I am sure that none of them played the fifteen puzzle ever in their life but they are so good in solving the puzzle in the daily life thus making our parking experience memorable and stress free.

The puzzle was "invented" by Noyes Palmer Chapman, a postmaster in Canastota, New York. Copies of the improved Fifteen Puzzle made their way to Syracuse, New York by way of Noyes' son.

The "15 Puzzle" consists of 15 squares numbered from 1 to 15 which are placed in a 4x4 box leaving one position out of the 16 empty. The goal is to reposition the squares from a given arbitrary starting arrangement by sliding them one at a time into the required configuration of generally serial order or in other arrangement.

The game became a craze in the U.S. in February 1880, Canada in March, Europe in April, but that craze had pretty much dissipated by July. The craze was, in part, fuelled by Loyd offering a $1,000 prize for anyone who could provide a solution for achieving a particular combination with tiles 14 and 15 exchanged specified by Loyd. It was later known that no solution to this "15 puzzle" was possible as it required a transformation.

I wonder, do these guys in real life also face such problems with a very unusual combination which has got no solution and the car gets locked among the others in the maze !!

Uff!! What a relief!

Hundreds of sentences are spoken about the differences, similarities, effectiveness of the two types of mailing system we have but have you ever thought about the advantage of not changing the e-mail address, though you are shifting your residential or official address.

Over the last few years I have changed my address several times, traveled between cities and kept on changing address. Every time I changed my dwelling, I had to inform my bank, cooking gas office, insurance office and a lot more. On every occasion correspondence is made with appropriate address proof with a request to change the same. From office to office the nature and provision of evidence of address also varies and it’s a boring and irritating job to go to all of these offices on working days and complete all the formalities. Of late once again I am into the process of writing letters and making all efforts to change my address.

In the course of action I realized, I haven’t changed my virtual address for so long and all these years my movement across the country have not held back my connectivity with any of my acquaintances.

Uff!! What a relief!

Crops That Do Virtually Nothing

It’s a quarter to midnight, the teacher haven’t completed her answer script correction which she is supposed to submit next day morning and she is stressed beyond anything the word “STRESSED” can describe with an additional pressure to harvest her virtual firm or they blacken into wilted stalks!!

Over the years as a teacher and as a social being I saw the teenagers delay all their work to sit in front of the console of their virtual world of respective games. I had seen boys spending all their free time in playing football or fighting battles on the computer and making the worst use of valuable time. But there is an obvious lack of logical thinking when adults especially professionals mostly defer their work and assignments to harvest virtual crops that do virtually nothing, except earn a well deserved “XP”. The parents and guardians, especially moms who all these years have scolded their wards for wasting time on the consoles are a victim of the latest threat. Most interestingly FarmVille is mostly played among the age group of 24-45. This section of the populace was never in gaming and 2/3rd of them are the women who were never in virtual games before. The farm brought the women folk across the globe to the huge virtual gaming world.

Funny thing is, with all its detrimental effects, people just can’t stop playing FarmVille. With a membership of 11 million daily players, this game has become an epidemic that is even worse than the swine-flu hype. Predictably, I find FarmVille as a killer: it brutally kills all free time, social life and devastates the success of professionals & scholars everywhere. It takes an unprecedented amount of time to harvest, plow, sow and repeat and repeat and repeat. The worst of all is the stress the player takes all through the day behind their mind of successfully managing time and the worries of its failure.

But what this popular Facebook application has done is actually pretty smart. It has managed to tap into the potential inherent in our constant procrastination to bring this trait called “TIME MANAGEMENT” back into our daily lives (and subsequently addict the player and destroy all hope of a social life and make the worst use of time). The way FarmVille forces the player to calculate their time so that crops will always be grown the next day, plan into the future so there will always be a computer around when the cabbages are grown and commit to a specific time is innovative and even somewhat useful. Even another significant change that I noticed among the addicts (they call themselves as “dedicated”) is their perspective towards the plants in and around has changed. They are more caring and considerate with the flora now. The developers at San Francisco's Zynga team definitely deserves applaud for the attitude change they brought among their users.

Not only does the strategy of time management force FarmVille players to stick to a mental schedule, in order to succeed, but maybe these skills can be improved in real life through habit and association. FarmVille is the way to a bright future, but it’s not just a dark abyss of wasted time. It could actually have beneficial effects.

The churn rate for social games is high — two to three months for most titles. A good chunk of players — 25% to 33% — play a particular game two to three months before moving on. By comparison, only about 5% are defined as active users who play a title for more than a year but it will be really beneficial if any percentage of the huge 60 million monthly crowd is benefited in any way, though I only find the STRESS involved in it, but the players claim it to be an escape from city life; it's their relaxation but at the same time the majority admit that “I lose sleep at night, worrying about my farm.”

Hey folks, we have a lot more good to do other than harvest virtual crops that do virtually nothing.