Reproduced from the original: Airborne to Chairborne

An inspiring tale of an ex-Air Force officer whose career was truncated due to a spinal injury. Completely paralyzed below the neck, he later took to writing with a pen in his mouth and set out to defeat the quirk of fate that had rendered him helpless. Salute to the indomitable spirit and courage of Sqn Ldr M P Anil Kumar and his inspiring words:

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Believe it or not every dark cloud has a silver lining. To surmount seemingly insuperable obstacles one has to shun the thought of disability and master the remnant faculties and then canalize one's slumbering energies purposefully, and whole-heartedly. It is not just physical ability and average intelligence but an insatiable appetite for success and an unflagging will power that would texture the warp and woof of the fabric called human destiny. Greater the difficulty sweeter the victory.

The Election Excitation

To add to the continued discussions on mainstream and social media on the recently concluded elections, and standing true to my birth right of rant, my thoughts on the results of recent elections:

1. Madhya Pradesh: Hands down victory to Shivrajsingh ji. He needs a special mention in every electoral analysis that will be written about these results. Third term with an emphatic victory and that too with a completely simplistic and non-controversial personality. A true leader of the people, simple in nature and a silent protagonist who toiled away with honesty and integrity reminiscent of the politicians from pre-independence era. Getting a third term at office with increased vote and seat share especially with a record turn-out is a feat beyond excellence. Hats off does not cover it, if I ever wore a hat it would be sweeping the floor for him today.

2. Rajasthan: A historical win. Perhaps the professionals in this field can explain how anti-incumbency can swing people's votes so much that the opposition party ends up with 81% of the house. Though Vasundhara ji is part of a royal family, this victory has got to emphasize her connect with the common people of Rajasthan. I heard a panelist (read congress loyalist) say that Rajasthan has always been a swing state and votes against the incumbent. However it would do well for the losing side to note that there is a difference between defeat and decimation, killing and carnage, exit and extinction. Even if we concede the victories were mainly because of anti-incumbency, the sheer emphatic nature and magnanimous proportions of the win tell a very convincing story for the BJP. No third front, no alternative - it was BJP all the way. Historic because never before perhaps in the history of Indian ballot has someone come to power with control of 81% of the house (here I would like to point out that the conclusion is not based on my awesome statistical prowess or cutting edge analysis or conversations with a tooth-fairy; so they be taken with a grain of salt)

3. Chattisgarh: My knowledge of this relatively new state and its political affairs is very low so I have cautiously tried to limit my thoughts to the fact that Dr. Ramansingh ji has successfully retained the office despite two major factors: (i) Congress doing what it does best in evoking sympathy for its lost leaders and, (ii) a strong naxalite presence in the state. It again speaks volumes of the ability of these leaders to connect with the people effectively and channelize party cadres well enough to maintain a stronghold on their offices.

4. Delhi: Notice perhaps that I saves this for the last. Delhi has been an enigma in this election. Especially given the maverick presence of AAP. Combined with effective arrogance, good nature campaign, honest and upright images of leaders as well as candidates and a firm base in a revolution to empower the 'Aam Aadmi', the AAP has stunned experts and bystanders alike. You can hate them, questions them, fight them, love them but now you certainly cannot ignore or dismiss them. I imagine Sheila Dixit felt what Aussies must have felt in the fateful test match when Laxman and Dravid put up a stand and wrested away a well set match from their eager clutches. Sometimes you can't do anything but watch aghast as a storm laps up the kingdom of fortune you built. AAP was that hurricane for Congress in Delhi. 
BJP however managed to stay afloat thanks to a late in the game change in strategy. It worked for them enough to bring the party within a striking distance of victory. Beyond the AAP juggernaut and BJP hanging on, one stark reality shines bright as the Sun, Congress was routed. A leader for three consecutive terms could not even hold on to her own seat in a traditionally elitist constituency. It reminds me of the song from Peepli Live "Drona jaise guru chale gaye, Karn jaise daani. Baali jaise veer chale gaye, Ravan jaise abhimaani. Ekar ka bharosa, Chola maati ke Raam" 
Everything has to bite dust some day; from magnificent personas to arrogant thrones!
AAP has shown that people can control the fate of their polity by taking genuine interest in politics, rewarding honesty and hard-work and kicking the backsides red of people who malign democracy. I'll say no more.

A note on the central leadership:

Rahulbaba: Congress is still burying its head in the sand pretending this is not a reflection on its central command especially the crown prince of the dynasty. Well, I guess the nation will be happy. A Rahul a day keeps Congress away. Apart from this, my thoughts on Rahul Gandhi are subject of another discussion and might take up many posts.

Narendra Modi: Rahul Kanwal's tweet sums it up right: "Anyone who deep dives into numbers & doesn't conclude Narendra Modi has been a factor in the election results should take off hate filled glasses"

No matter how much the detractors try to downplay the role Modiji played in this landslide victory it is a striking fact that his charisma has given the much needed boost to the party. Modiji's presence has energized the party cadre and people with a dream and vision of the future at both the local as well as national level. Local leaders and good politicians can give you a majority, even a thumping win; but there is a certain wizardry needed for historic landslides which was provided, undoubtedly, by the majestic Modi mania that is electrifying the country every coming day. 

In summary, BJP is well poised to cash in on these victories if they pull up their socks, identify what went right and stick to the magical combination that seems to be working. AAP is the black swan, the dream come true for the common man who still believes, however minutely, in the ideals of democratic governance. Congress on the other hand is running fast to its own demise, unless someone realizes it fast and mends ways - which seems to be extremely unlikely in the near future - the wish of Mahatma Gandhi to have Congress dissolved post-independence will finally come true. I wouldn't say I would be sorry at that outcome. 

~Hrushya Mhane

|| शिवकल्याणराजा ॥

निष्चयाचा महामेरू । बहुत जनांसी आधारू ।


अखंड स्थितीचा निर्धारू । श्रीमंत योगी ॥


नरपति हयपति गजपति । गडपति भूपति जळपति ।

पुरंदर आणि शक्ति । पृष्ठभागी ॥

यशवंत कीर्तिवंत । सामर्थ्यवंत वरदवंत ।

पुण्यवंत नीतिवंत । जाणता राजा ॥

आचारशील विचारशील । दानशील धर्मशील ।

सर्वज्ञपणे सुशील । सकळा ठायीं ॥

धीर उदार गंभीर । शूर क्रियेसि तत्पर ।

सावधपणे नृपवर । तुच्छ केले ॥

देव धर्म गोब्राम्हण । करावया संरक्षण ।

हृदयस्थ झाला नारायण । प्रेरणा केली ॥

या भूमंडळचे ठायी । धर्मरक्षी ऐसा नाही ।

महाराष्ट्र धर्म राहिला काही । तुम्हा कारणे ॥

कित्येक दुष्ट संहारिला । कित्येकांसि धाक सुटला ।

कित्येकांस आश्रयो जाहला । शिवकल्याणराजा ॥

पानगळ

निसर्गाचा अनिवार्य नियम, जुने जाऊन नवे येणार. नव्याचे पुन्हा जुन्यात रुपांतर, आणि पुन्हा तेच चक्र.
रोज डोळ्यासमोर असलेली झाडं, हिरवीगर्द, बहरलेली, दाट पालवीने नटलेली....आज पाहिलं तर उरले होते फक्त फांद्यांचे सापळे. कालपर्यंत पानांनी झाकलेल्या फांद्याच्या आरपार आता आकाश दिसू लागलंय. हिरवी पिवळी पानं गेली कि मागे उरतं त्या अपरिहार्य सत्याचा प्रतीक.
पण त्या भकास दिसणाऱ्या झाडांनी, त्या ओझरत्या क्षणामध्ये, एक हळुवार जाणीव करून दिली. त्यातल्या प्रत्येक पानाचा झडतानाचा रंग आठवला. हिरव्यातून उमललेल्या अनेक मोहक सुंदर छटा डोळ्यापुढे आल्या. जाता जाता त्या एक एक पानाने भुरळ पाडणारं सौंदर्य धारण केलं होतं. दिलखुलास रंगांची उधळण केली होती. कित्येक दिवस सगळा परिसर सूर्यकिरणांनी न्हाऊन निघत प्रत्येक नजरेला सुखावत होता. इतकं सुरेख चित्र की कोणालाही त्या पडत्या पानाचं वाईट वाटण्याऐवजी प्रत्येक पाहणाऱ्याच आयुष्य रंगीत झाला होतं. त्या स्मृतीतच एक अलगद जाणीव होती. येणे जाणे तर अटळ आहे, कोणाला चुकले नाहीये. पण जाताना कोणी इतरांना इतका सुखावून जाऊ शकतो की त्याचा विरह वाटण्यापेक्षा त्याच्या अस्तित्वाचा अभिमान वाटावा. कोणी गेलंय म्हणून शोक करण्याऐवजी कोणी कधी आसपास होतं म्हणून उर प्रेमानं, स्फूर्तीने भरून यावा. असं आपल्याला सुद्धा जाता येईल का? राज कपूरच्या एका गाण्याचा शेवट आठवला:
                           "मरके भी किसीको याद आयेंगे, किसीकी आसुओमे मुस्कुराएगे"
                             कहेगा फूल हर कली से बार बार, जीना इसिका नाम है"
जाणारी पाने पुन्हा येतील, पुन्हा हिरवळ, पुन्हा रंग. पण प्रत्येक पडणाऱ्या पानाच्या रंगात जीवनाला दिलेलं एक वचन आहे. उद्याचा पालवीला एक प्रेरणा, बहराची उमेद, जगण्याचा ध्यास आणि येणाऱ्या ऋतूला सामोरं जाऊन पुन्हा फुलण्याचा विश्वास. पानगळीत सुद्धा हिरवळीचे बीज सामावले आहे!

"Mai Khelega" - The Birth of Cricket's God

(my account of what Sachin's first test would have felt like)

The battle between two arch rivals was on. History had proven that these two countries took everything between them to the hilt, even the gentleman's game was never an exception. World's most fierce bowling attack was roaring, pouncing and trying every bit to terrify a solid batting line-up. The stage was set for a battle of nerves, a test of will against will. On that stage, on a seemingly usual morning of 1989 stood a 15 year old. Indians are no stranger to the story of Abhimanyu, a child in the midst of a fearsome army of skilled, lethal warriors. It was no different on that pitch. With Pakistan's spearhead Waqar staring down his run-up at the boy - who he was about to terrify into submission; or so he wished.
The plan was not to get his wicket, what was the fun in that. What Waqar had in mind was more sinister, like a brutal animal who likes to play with his prey till the hunted wishes to end the suffering. The first ball he bowled was a scathing bouncer that hit straight on the nose of that boy. The first blood was drawn, pain inflicted, fear created. The victory should have been complete. It should have been. If at all Waqar Younis and anybody watching that game thought for a while that this boy was done for his life from cricket, they were never more wrong. Like it always happens at the darkest hour, just the way a beaten samson rises to pack a final punch, an avatar is born to salvage all that is good, the God of Cricket was rising again.
With unnerving courage and unfathomable will power, the boy straightened himself. His short stature belied the mighty strength that had built up in his body. His innocent eyes flashed with resolve that was inspiring and humbling at the same time. Probably as a reminder of the resounding message Lord Krishna gave Arjuna on Kurukshetra or as a a reminisce of the war cries of our brave warriors of the yore, the little boy said "Mai Khelega". When asked if he wanted to quit, that fifteen year old chose to fight on. The world perhaps thought they saw a crazy teenager trying to perform some heroics. What the world was about to see was far more colossal than that. What every cricket fan on the globe was going to witness next would change the course of a game, at once turning a child into God, a game into religion and to say the least, a billion fans into ardent worshippers.
The next ball meanwhile, was being bowled to take a wicket and end a seeming misery. Waqar fired one straight yorker. The reply was a resounding straight drive down the ground for a boundary. It wasn't just four runs on the board. It was a slap, on the face of world's fiercest of attacks. An arrow straight into the heart of the devil, a sling that brought down the Goliath of haughty cricketers. This Abhimanyu had destroyed the chakravyuha. What remained was a sorry mess of doubters who thought no good can come from a small boy.  Stories of Avatars in India are always on the same lines. God creating a form to show His Supremacy at the darkest hour. This unflagging young boy of 15, amidst a stunned crowd of spectators was no different. God had spoken, ever so soft in His tone yet so firm in execution. The blessing and punishment rendered to the deserving. Cricket's avatar was revealed. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar had just announced Himself!!

Random Thoughts

** Have you ever thought that maybe the reason I don't come to meet you is because I won't be able to handle the goodbye!

The Chosen One

(for people who think it is pointless rambling - it probably is, don't bother)

Time and again, your situation makes you realize the same gut wrenching fact: you are not "the chosen one". You are nice, and you are good - not good enough. You can try harder and try more but cannot change the fact. The choice does not involve you. It hurts, makes you feel doubtful of yourself but still it remains the fact. Unfortunate, but true. You are not the one.
It's like the feeling Legolas (Orlando Bloom) must have had in Return of the King. He was good, but Aragon was the king. What if he wanted to be the king? Maybe Legolas would have been a better king - maybe worse, we can never know. It was the fork in the road that was never taken. It's the same in life. You could have done better or worse - but you still wanted to be there, be the one.
       All said and done, you are left on the sidelines, wondering what it would be like to be chosen. Or be happy for the one who was or would be chosen. It's like the others who tried before King Arthur pulled Excalibur out of the stone. It was his destiny, and that of the others who failed. Sometimes, it is your destiny to sit on the shore and watch the ship sail away happily - and sing good luck songs for the ship. Destiny however leaves a caveat. Like a wise man once said, A man does what he can until his destiny is revealed to him. So you can try, try more and perhaps fail. Confirm the failure but continue to try. If sitting on the shore is your destiny, might as well take a few plunges and live with the satisfaction that you tried. Atleast it saves you from the pain of thinking 'what could have been...'
       One thing is for sure though - you will be told at some point or the other - that it's not worth it!! That your trying is in vain and you deserve better. People who tell you that are either being too nice or just don't know you well enough. It's a dream, something you have decided to live by, committed to follow and cherish in your heart like a part of your soul. It's a passion you cannot express but can only smile about and say "that is how it is". How can anything not be worth it? While you are being told you deserve better - you begin the whole process in your mind again coming to the same crushing conclusion - am happy that I had this dream, this passion and I am not sad to be sidelined. There is nothing I hold against those who reject. In fact, one of the happiest thoughts I will take with me is that I tried!! I did something I wanted to do and it was worth every bit. There is just one tryst I have with my destiny - afterall I am not The Chosen One

(people egged on to bear this torture by my pointless rambling teaser - sorry, I told you it would be!!)