Acche din aane vale hain (good days are ahead)

I woke up early this morning because everyone in my home seemed so excited about the Parliament elections results. Normally I would not appreciate being disturbed in my slumber at 7.30 AM (considering I went to bed at 4.00 AM) but today I didn't mind that at all. Every Indian and probably a lot of other country people (considering the greetings that have flown over from the governments of US, UK, Israel, Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan) as well knew that today was an extremely crucial day in the history of India. Not only because it will decide which political party gains majority to form government, but also because it will decide the fate of one man (and in turn whole nation), Narendra Modi.

‘Narendra Modi’, (or NaMo) the name every Indian had on their lips today. He lead BJP (and NDA) to a historic win in the parliament elections today. Hardly there would have been any political party which had not taken his name, either in support or in protest. No matter who was contesting elections from whichever place, Narendra Modi found a place in their discussion one way or the other. Obviously when everyone is talking about one person, he must be damn important. Well, he proved that today. He is going to be the Prime Minister of the world’s biggest democracy.

The story of Modi’s rise is like a Bollywood movie, with so many twists and turns, high points and low points. How often do you see someone rise from abject poverty to the most important position of the country? Rarest of the rare, isn’t it? In a country where majority of population still resides in penury, a man from the very same ground rises to be the most powerful man of the nation, wow!! absolutely brilliant. This happens when there are those who still believe in the feudal system, and think it is their birth-right to head the country. Oh come on!! Mommy promised me if I be a good boy she will let me head the country for next five years, give this chair to me.

I wonder what happens to the people who were ridiculing the humble background of Modi? There were our very own political leaders who derided him saying what a ‘chai-wallah’ (tea-vendor) can do? The election results (read one tight slap on their face) must be hard to take in, Ouch!! Sorry did that hurt?

Everyone.. and I mean literally every political leader of the opposition had targeted him one way or the other. They had called him names, some really nasty ones I would not like to mention here (my family reads this blog). They had blamed him for practically anything that goes wrong in their life. Oh God! The power went off, all because of Modi, hunhhh…, my dog ran away to be with Modi after he said he has pity in his heart for puppies, foul! cheater! (maybe all this and even more allegations). Even the smallest political worker was either singing praises of him or (trying to) mock him. I guess one reason for bringing many small political parties together was that, they wanted to stop the “Modi wave”. Ooops the tide was too strong and they got swept away. And amidst all this constant bickering and opposition Modi rose.

He is definitely charismatic and possesses great P. R. skills. Plus being a marketer, I can’t help but admire his stupendous marketing techniques. His STP(segmenting, targeting, positioning) is impeccable. His slogans, his speeches, his one liners are "legen…wait for it…dary". My one and half year old niece cheerfully shouts “Abki baar, Modi Sarkaar” (this time it is Modi Government). His words even catch the fancy of a kid as young as her, which he appreciated in his victory speeches as well. I can’t help but remark he came, he spoke, he conquered.

He gave every Indian a reason to believe in the magic of democracy. In a country that is hit by corruption, destitution, unemployment and anarchy, Narendra Modi infused hope of a better tomorrow. Don’t believe me? Need facts and figures? Look at the bullish stock markets! His story teaches us that no matter how modest you begin but your efforts and determination can take you to your dream. He will definitely make into research books and case studies similar to the likes of leaders like Lincoln. The nation is jubilant and here is hoping that his words “Acche din aane wale hain” (good days are ahead) will prove true soon. Amen!

To Show off, or not to show off?

Well…the question that I’m pondering over is; to show off, or not to show off? I’m excusing myself from this dilemma because I’m a humble creature so don’t have to worry with such big issues. This question is for people around me whom I meet often. They are always going ga-ga over something or the other. It may be as big as their children being married to some Miss World or Mr. World (I hope there is a pageant like that :P), or as small as a new sleek and beautiful toilet seat they have at home (Ugghhh…)

I don’t really understand why would you want to show-off? When you are singing glory about anything and everything about you, you are actually portraying yourself as a complete idiot. Is it only me who feels that in this way you are actually flattering the other person that you are so badly in need of their appreciation? Why would you need the approval of the world to tell you that you are good? You want to tell them that, see I have this big house, car, fancy clothes, etcetera, etcetera. You know how it actually sounds, allow me please. It is like; ..blah..blah..blah…please have a look at me…blah blah blah…I am so pathetically in need of your respect. So all in all you look like a hopeless person in need of respect..cough, beggar.

Okay I agree this is the era of marketing, where you have to go out in the open to talk about your product being the best, but hellooo..we are talking about people here. If you are so fond of telling the world about the minute details of your life, then at least have the sense to do it the right way. Learn from the marketers, you would not like if someone in the name of promoting their products comes up and pastes a pamphlet on your face! @%$*&!@*@#%* some beautiful words will naturally flow out of your kind mouth in praise of that person. Ta-daa! Now do you understand how people like me feel when you are singing that paean of yours again and again.

Okay you or your Daddy dearest has lots and lots of money, so why bore me with the details? Psst.. an advice the income tax people might be listening so hush-hush. What did you say? Your Uncle’s cousin’s friend’s brother is filthy rich! Woah! Should I be impressed? Okay I have a question, answer me please.

Is he naming me the sole heiress to his property?

Don’t be aghast? It’s a simple question, If the answer to this is ‘NO’ then please save your time and mine, I’m not interested.

They say money makes the world go around, true dat! Who doesn’t like a fat paycheque? Still is that big a thing to be impressed with? Especially when it’s someone else’s? Naah. It’s not that I have renounced worldly affairs, no need to look out for a halo around my head.  Still I can appreciate your belongings and possessions but how on earth do you expect me to be impressed with that? Am I missing something here?

Blame it on my parents they never taught me to admire things in this way. I have seen it in school and college also. Believe it or not but after Valentine’s Day girls used to discuss how many gifts they got from their respective boyfriends. I’m sure guys had other things to show off to their peers ;).  This matter wasn’t just limited to one gender. Someone’s boyfriend has a fancy bike/car (It used to be bike in our times, now the economy has progressed) and the whole college should know about it. Someone got a date with the super-hot chick of college and who will not know about it, none.

Such people grow up to me the kind of lot who glorify their toothbrush and toilet seat. Thank God they stop at that, who knows maybe there are more gory details they would like to shed light on.

I have even met people who think they are reincarnation of Plato or Socrates. They are incredibly talented in boring you to death with their words of wisdom, cough nonsense. Well I’m highly indebted to you for blessing my kind soul, but can I take your leave now, I don’t want to die out of boredom. That’s what my inner self keeps shouting all the while.

Actually on a personal level I feel if a person is really intelligent then their arrogance or show off can be a tad bit more bearable. But hey it is a personal choice nothing right or wrong about it. Yet blatant display of knowledge or anything else is extremely unpleasant.

Over all I find show-offs extremely obnoxious. I feel if you are actually praiseworthy or admirable then you don’t need to blare your vocal chords, your actions will speak for yourself. And in that I rest my case, not to show off is the right thing to do.