How austere is this austerity?

The big storm over the austerity measures adopted by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and the PM is cooling down. I have been going through views expressed by several intellectuals over the issue, ranging from full hearted support to total rejection. I think the truth lies somewhere in between.

May be this is a eye-washing measure by the congress leadership (as suggested by some), but if it really adds up to something, nothing to feel bad about it. As Mr M. J. Akbar rightly opines in the Times of India, the money raised/saved during the process should be ensured to go to the people for whome it all started- the farmers who suffer from the bad monsoon.

Dear Mrs. Gandhi, the austerity measure should not be a one time exercise, rather, it should be made part of the Government's (and every other public body's) everyday norms for all time.

Mr Chetan Bhagat suggests that it is alright if the politicians live a life of a king; he argues that to attract good and efficient people into politics, politicians have to be paid handsomely. I don't quite buy this argument. Politics is not just any other profession; politicians are leaders of people, society and nation. They have to lead by example. If a politician has money, no need to flaunder it at a time when a large section of the farmers is in distress. They have to have sensitivity. How can a leader of people pay Rs.50,000 for a night's sleep and a breakfast? There is need to provide our leaders with good security cover; but, it goes out of comprehension that why would they be provided with out-of-the-world mansions!

If someone needs a luxurious life, there are always other options, honest and dignified; other fields too need good people. We may be disstaisfied with our present leadership and there is need for good, young people to enter politics; but, money is not the best way to motivate them to take to politics. Because, leadership is beyond money/remuneration/rewards.

Austerity has to be a way of life.

It's Navratri time in Gujarat again

It's Navratri/Garba time again in Gujarat :) This is the one thing I really love about Gujarat. This is called Dussera elsewhere in India.

The ten days starting the month of 'sharad' (Hindu calander; around sep-oct) upto the tenth day is regarded highly auspicious in Hindu religion and celebrated in different forms all over India, especially in Bengal & Orissa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat.

The festival in Gujarat is very different from that in other states; it's like a carnival, unique in all aspects, perhaps comparable only to the carnival in Brazil in magnitude.

Though during day time it's work usual, nights catch a fever pitch with boys and girls, men and women- young, old alike just get mad in celebration...... dancing to the traditional garba tunes with wonderful rythm and enjoying their heart out. It's a feast for eyes to see beautiful ladies dance with gay abandon! Even the small children know all the steps......it's in their blood!

However, what I like the most about the festivities during this season in Gujarat is the freedom women enjoy. It's unparallel elsewhere in India. Women plan, manage, celebrate and enjoy........ it's only here that women dance in public in such huge numbers with people they know and they don't. WONDERFUL!