Worst Fears; Table Cases; Ayodhya Verdict…

Reality is a strange thing. While things often don’t turn out to our liking, disappointments are the order of the day, and our optimistic outlook doesn’t pan out, it is also true at the same time that our worst fears don’t come true either. Take the Gaulles in Asterix comics, for instance: their worst fear is that the sky will fall on their heads. That doesn’t happen to them or to any of us.

The past one week I was in the grip of some worst fears, and I was dreading a meeting with my boss: as it turned out, the meeting went without any fireworks and it was actually an agreeable sort of a meeting. Without getting into the inconsequential details, let me just say that what I feared most, what anybody in any corporate fears most, did not happen.

Table Cases

Vijayawada is in the news for all the wrong reasons once again. If it not floods then it is bloodshed and arson that gets Vijayawada in the news. With the exception of course – of the annual commotion at the Kanakadurga temple. But that is not news: it is an annual occurrence, with devotees thronging the place in more and more numbers year on year, which is only to be expected with increase in population. Now Vijayawada is in the news for a brutal killing.

Yesterday’s murder of Chalasani Venkateswara Rao (Pandu) took place in Hyderabad but the backdrop of it is Vijayawada’s faction feuds. The victim, Pandu, himself is accused in many murder cases – those who live by the sword die by the sword. A soft skills trainer once told us of his friend who was in politics; this friend of his had an interesting description for the breed – Table Cases (people who end up on the post mortem table).

Ayodhya Verdict

The stay on the high court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute is lifted and it is expected to be released on 30th Sept, 2010. The sooner the judgment comes out, the better. The important thing for the leaders of both communities now is to respect the verdict of the court, and appeal in the Supreme Court if they wish. The law should be allowed to take its course. There are indications that the verdict will be in favor of the Hindu community; so be it. It is actually a good thing because Muslim leaders like Mr Asaduddin Owaisi have already committed not to raise cain in the streets, and approach the Supreme Court.

Even if it goes in favor of the Muslims, one would hope the Hindu community leaders would have the sanity to settle the matter within the legal framework, and not take to the streets. Everyone in India wants that the BJP and VHP don’t make a big fuss over this issue; there is already a sense of fatigue over the way they have tried to garner votes on this issue. Indeed, other than the Ayodhya issue, there is no difference between the Congress and the BJP in economic and policy issues. That is why the party with a difference tries to keep the noise levels high.

Counting my blessings

Two pairs of shoes (though one needs repair); father in heaven and mother under the roof watching over me; loving sisters – 3 numbers and brothers – 4 numbers; a job without stress, though not well paying; presence on the face book; space on blogspot (9 followers and counting); laptop with an external keyboard, and a pen drive; ten days on the wagon and all set for a life-long ride.

Life in C minor

Like a colourless flower, the woodrose
Like flat beer that doesn’t rise up in froth
Like an empty stadium when two B-teams are playing
Life, like a song in C minor

Like a friendship that hasn’t grown sour but distant
Like a meager bowl of lukewarm soup
Like a sky that thunders but does not rain
Life, like a tune in C minor