MY LITTLE TRYST WITH FAITH AND RELIGION

The sun is blazing away in this part of the country forcing people to stay indoors for the better part of the day. Maybe to give them ample time to gorge on mangoes, watermelons, litchis and all the fruity wonders that nature has to offer at this time of the year. Maybe also to plan ahead for the festival season which is scheduled to begin shortly with the magnificent Jagannath Rath Yatra. The preparations have already started: the Lord has been taken around boating in ponds in different parts of this district as a part of the time honoured customary rituals which precede Rath Yatra.  Speaking of which reminds me of another Rath Yatra many summers ago in a totally different setting. I was a few months old in my first posting in South Odisha when I got to know of a Christian festival dedicated to Mother Mary which was to be celebrated in a remote part of the district sub-division where I was in charge. Having studied in a conservative Catholic missionary school and having gone through numerous catechism classes, I took pride in having a fair knowledge of Christian beliefs, rituals et al. But a Christian festival after Good Friday was news to me.

The festival was to take place in a cluster of villages located at the foot of the hills with jungles bordering them. We reached there around dusk and the festival of Mother Mary was to begin late evening. I guess I was as enthusiastic as the simple tribals about the festival….simply because I had never heard of anything like this before. Imagine my amazement when I found out that it was basically a Rath Yatra of Mother Mary to be taken out in a candlelight procession by the villagers! When the time arrived, the meager electricity supply to the hamlets was cut off. And then, the figure of Virgin Mary dressed in a white sari with bangles on her wrists was installed in what appeared to be a prototype of a rath-chariot decorated in gaily colours and pennants. Only a discerning eye would make out that it was Mother Mary and not the Hindu goddess Saraswati. The head bishop sat on the chariot replicating a charioteer and the chariot was to be dragged around the villages by the devotees led by a candlelight procession. What was even more amazing was that the devotees and patrons of the local church were merrily singing carols to the tune of some popular Hindu hymns. Even the words were more or less the same, just tweaked here and there to honour the sentiments of Christianity. Once the procession started, I felt there was not much difference between this Rath Yatra and that of Lord Jagannath save the dress of the priests and the numerous candles. The enthusiasm, the fervor, the rituals were all the same.

Being a student of Social Sciences, I had read numerous research papers on the process of Sanskritization in the Hindu caste system whereby, simply put, a caste group adopts the way of life of another, more favoured caste, and by doing so, over years and centuries, gains more acceptability in the society. However, what I was witnessing was the process of Sanskritization of a religion to gain more acceptability amongst its new found followers. I spoke at length to a few women there; they or their forefathers had converted to Christianity. They were named Isabel or Maria or Elizabeth and called their children Jeremiah or Joseph or Francis. But they prominently sported vermillion on their foreheads and red bangles on their wrists- distinguishing marks of married Hindu women. Upon querying them further, I realized that they observed all Hindu festivals along with the Christian ones and didn’t see much of a difference between Vishnu and Jesus. Just that the place of worship had changed and being part of the new order, they attended sermons every Sunday and their children had access to good schools.

This made me think that we might follow any religion, change our religions but what is most important and what makes the world go around is having faith. Faith in the world order, faith in sterling social principles and faith in an omnipresent and omniscient power that we call God. In times of religious strife and intolerance, it is a wonder to see a religion actively adapting itself to local practices to suit the emotional palates of people. For all religions bow before the shining faith in the minds and hearts of the masses. And that is why a great thinker of our times believed that having faith would lead to a world order based on the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutambakam.

Meanwhile, let us keep our faith and bring in the mangoes...

                                              NEW  BEGINNINGS

When we walk down the corridor of life, sometimes strolling, sometimes running or rushing through, it is always a pleasure to meet a long lost friend around some corner.Our emotions spill through and lovely memories warm the cockles of our hearts.This is exactly how i felt when I chanced upon this blog after almost two years.Much water has flown down the bridge since then...but it was a wonderful feeling coming back to something which I had created and had wanted to cultivate further.In the humdrum of daily existence, my links with this blog might have frayed but definitely not broken. Because it is a treat to come here and write..and share. Having never even written a diary, putting down personal or even professional feelings is a task, but I shall try harder this time.

I started penning poems around the same time I started working.The more the work pressure, the more used to be the untamed urge to create something poignant or beautiful. Around the time that I was reading my favourite novel, River God for the nth time and sharing the pain of one of the protagonists who never gets to know his father, I  wrote this little piece in memory of all those children who never could be around a parent sacrificed in the altar of strife and war.


                                              THE TOMB

The tomb stood still,
Its mossy surface basking in winter's sun,
Silently watched by the dead soldier's son.

the young soldier had fought many battles,
Had tolled countless victory bells,
His sinews were caressed by scars,
Belying his young age, his rakish charm.

Countries he travelled, legions he conquered,
Lustily cheering as the trumpet of victory bellowed,
The days were tiring, the nights sublime,
Amidst the sweet blossoms of this cooler clime,
Memories of his young wife, unborn child
Haunted him, made him restless.

That day was cold, the battle grim
Bayonets clashed, fire met fire, 'twaslike a terrible dream.
The soldier was tired,weary to the bone,
But duty beckoned; the warrior had an allegiance to the throne.
Musket in hand, he rushed forward,
Death smelt him and dealt a blow hard.
The soldier succumbed.
Glory was his and so was the pain,
He humbly closed his eyes to the winter's sun,
Eyes that would never see his newborn son.


The tomb stood still,
Its mossy surface basking in winter's sun,
Silently watched by the dead soldier's son.
The son thought of his valiant father, a warrior second to none,
Resting in his tomb today,but his spirit lives on,
For the son has donned the soldier's mantle.
Wars he shall win, sabres he shall rattle,
Bring laurels for his dead father
Whose tomb stands still basking in the winter's sun.

Conference Nuggets.

I have been out of the loop since long..was away at Bhubaneswar to attend the 4th National Conference of Women in Police. it was indeed a great experience:meeting a number of senior lady police officers about whom one just reads or hears about. these are the women, who in their heydays, took it upon themselves to storm the uniformed male bastion and distinguish themselves.Personally,I was much impressed by their style and verve...Wow,ladies!!

The conference had a record participation of policewomen. The issues discussed, I am sure,have been raised numerous times before..right from lady constables to lady DGPs-harrassment at workplace, inconsiderate bosses and even more insensitive colleagues, lack of infra structural facilities etc.What struck me funny and ironic was that women were complaining to women and sharing tales of woe regarding their chauvinist male colleagues. There was no male police officer in attendance,at the most, retired male IPS officers who have little or no say in modifying the present system.

I believe that if we are really serious about ensuring a healthier workplace for our policewomen, we need such conferences to be attended by a smattering of women delegates and a larger number of policemen. Let them also hear publicly the tales of woe of their female colleague, let them also realize that just like their wife, sister, mother and daughter, that woman in uniform is also a "woman". I am sure and confident that we, the women in uniform, do not need male sympathy but yes, the workplace becomes a hell without their understanding and sensitivity towards our cause. And our problems will not be resolved by these formalized"kitty" sessions.
Bring in the men, gals! And then the change shall hopefully follow.

Birthday Bonanza

I have vivid memories of my last birthday...endless law and order duty, a botched up dinner party and sullen family and friends.Which taught me to appreciate the little pleasures of life whenever they come my way.

Today, exactly after an year,the pace of life is quite languid.Of course, the morning began the way sunday mornings invariably are for a policewoman. Something unpleasant inadvertently happens on saturday nights or on early sunday mornings and then, the entire sunday is consumed in a clean-up exercise. This sunday was no different.So, this morning also required a major fire fighting exercise. what with making numerous phone calls to avert an unpleasant situation and receiving again, scores of calls from far-flung family and friends enthusiastically wishing a happy birthday!

By mid-morning, crisis was averted and thoughts turned to celebrating the birthday....I am a year younger today!! Living in a nondescript dusty village town, I couldn't hope to go to a restaurant to have a quiet lunch/ dinner. So, husband and i decided to have the works at home...quite optimistic..hmmm!!

I put on my chef cap(apron to be precise) and rustled up quite a birthday lunch. Zafrani Badam Pulao,Butter chicken,Vegetable manchurian and boondi raita....Yum Yum!
Again, being quite a novice in the art of cooking, did quite a bit of research...picked up the recipe of zafrani pulao from another blog, chicken makhni was sanjeev kapoor's recipe and veg.manchurian, my mother's patent. Feeling quite lazy to give in the recipes today but shall do it eventually.

By the way, calorie counting has taken a back seat today..going to gorge on chocolate ice-cream. Mmmmm...for the gourmande in me..what better way to celebrate a birthday than to gorge on good food. Shall put in extra workout tomorrow.

Where is our moral fibre?

A few days back,a case of rape was reported in my district.The victim was a 13 year old village girl and the rapist, a 65 year old man, a co-villager, whom she referred to as "dadu". when I met the victim, she was still in a state of shock. She had apparently gone to the jungle in the wee hours of the morning to collect firewood,"dadu" had followed her. He abducted her, raped her and then took her away to a neighbouring town where they were finally apprehended by the police.The victim's family was immediately informed and she was sent to a Home for children. The distance between this town where the victim was apprehended and that of her native village was around 80 kms.The father took 3 days to arrive at the Home and claim his daughter. The reason?

All the time that the victim was in the police station and narrating her tale of horror or dealing with her trauma and shock at the Home, her father was negotiating with the accused's family..for money! The father wanted Rs.50,000 not to push charges against the accused.A village panchayat was convened for the purpose;the deal fell through when the accused's son-in-law refused to go beyond Rs.40,000. The father waited for another 24 hours in the hope that the accused's family would come around...when nothing materialized, he howled rape and went to get his daughter.

Having been in the police service for 3 years now, a case of child rape doesn't shock me beyond measure. Of course, the sense of outrage persists coupled with piety for the emotionally scarred child but yes, i dont get sleepless nights as i used to in my initial months in the service. What bothers me, tears me apart is the attitude of the parents. Time and again, i hear of parents demanding compensation for rape! And village panchayats considering it!! i feel ashamed of my race, my people. Can there ever be compensation for rape? Is any compensation enough? And how does the parent face the rape victim after taking the compensation? I agree we live in a society where most of our people are wallowing in poverty,cannot deal with the insensitivity of the police and the complexities of the judiciary.But i refuse to take poverty as an excuse for a largely absent moral fibre. Why do the same poor, oppressed people rush to the police station or knock the gates of the court when the compensation money is not paid and the accused makes good of the bargaining time and flees.

Being a student of Sociology, i have come across numerous articles dealing with the weakening morality and diminishing values in an urban society. But what about the moral strength of our villages-our shrines of culture? why are they degenerating so fast into blatant materialism and shallow emotionality? I am no one to sit judge over their conduct, but yes, one does feel moved by the sight of a weeping child, complaining of pain and hurt, traumatised and tortured oblivious to the fact that her parents have been bargaining a few fistfuls of currency notes to 'compensate' for her pain and trauma.In my opinion, they are committing an offence more heinous and despicable than rape.

This is definitely not our "Shining India" of the 21st century.

Kesariya Phirni

Husband is around these days...and work is hotting up..what with increasing naxal violence!I needed a break from the gloom.....so me headed to the kitchen. Hubby has a prominent sweet tooth...so, i browsed through a few foodie blogs, added my own variations and kesariya phirni happened..made it the first time and i swear, it was yummylicious.... so here is the recipe.

Ingredients:-

• 10 tbsp basmati rice



• 1 litre milk



• 3/4 cup Sugar



• 4-5 strands of saffron



• 2 tsp green cardamom powder



• 1 tsp rose water



• 1tsp kewra water



• pistachio slivers, cashew, raisins.

Soak the basmati rice in water for 1/2 an hour. Spread the rice to dry. Make a coarse paste of 5 tbsp milk, rice and cardamom powder. Take care to ensure that the paste is coarse and not fine. Meanwhile, soak the saffron strands in 2tbsp warm milk. Boil the milk and reduce it to 3/4th. Add the sugar, as required. Now, add the coarse milk-rice paste to the milk and keep stirring. Let the mixture cook for a few minutes. Now, add the saffron to the mixture. Stir well and take the mixture off flame. Add the rose water, kewra water and stir in the pistachio slivers, cashew and raisins. Chill and garnish....I garnished my phirni with pomengranates and dates. It turned out to be fantabulous....and promptly vanished the next day. i have attached a snap of my kesariya phirni.

Come September...

September, i read somewhere, is the month of fresh beginnings, of hope and renewal. Come september..and i was overtaken by the urge to start something..anew, something i had never done before. So, here i am with my blog to share my thoughts, experiences and trysts with my passions....life, food and poetry.

Currently serving my first term in bureaucracy in a typical, moffusil town in the backwaters of India, I find myself in a reflective mood.Since work is not so taxing and I am a married bachelorrette,(hey, i didnt like the word "bachelor") I have time to indulge my interests which were not possible in my hectic student years at delhi. i have experimented in my kitchen...I am a foodie all right!;dabbled with poetry, taught myself glass painting while dealing with the life, times and travails of the common man on a daily basis. My posts would be a reflection of these..and more! So long..till then..
I made yummy phirni yesterday..would post the recipe in my next post.