New, new things are happening in our state. The first lady has taken off for America on her own, conducting shows and killing them softly, first, with her looks and then with her song. Of course, the first push was from her mister and bossman, our own CM Devendra Fadnavis. But she is the first CM wife to not sit at home and has often been seen without the husband. She has crossed many a boundary. Though the mainstream media ignored her American tryst, social media, especially Instagram and WhatsApp, was on fire.
The politics in our country is getting interesting. What to do, people have voted dil se for these. So now, the ‘how to harass’ formula is seen unfolding in West Bengal. While many speculated the Sarada scam would be used against the ferocious Mamata Didi, the two strongmen seem to be using street fights and their one solid ace - the religious card - is being used. Not that Didi is handling it well. May be she needs more naughty people advisors, to help her deal with a cool mind. Right now tempers are flying high, causing her much heartburn and it seems she is losing her grip.
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Meanwhile, winds of change are blowing in Mantralaya, the seat of power. Abraham Lincoln had said, judge a person when they are in power, see how they behave. Well, we are seeing that for the last five years, with more of the same likely. So, the more open-minded and conscious heads of state would keep their doors open in the evenings, schedules were on display for media and public to know the businesses being conducted. Now, we hear, there is extension of municipal corporation environment. Schedules are a state secret, doors are shut to public and media and one may 'meet only after seeking appointment'. Quite a change, from public servant to 'developer' sorts.
Talking of hurricanes, Vayu skirted our coast and changed course at the last minute, creating quite a havoc. Hoardings fell, people died and, as if this was not enough, there were those who were spunky enough to go and test the stormy waters. Can't blame any agency or official if public is eager to jump into the seas for a selfie, knowing that it could cost them their lives.
Speaking of pushing boundaries, when we were young, lullabies were in the classical tradition. Now, on public transport, we hear lullabies depending on the age of those putting the babies to sleep. So while a young mother sang, 'Kaho na pyaar hai,' a mature father, disappointed with the changed colours of people around him sang, 'Jaane woh kaise log thay jinke pyar ko pyar mila,' as he lulled his babe-in-arms to sleep.
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Suddenly, the West is opening its eyes to many desi a thing. So summer saw online fighting about the jiggly Jackfruit being an exotic food that they have a palate for. Now, put that on your plate, it is the throw-out-your-cutlery movement. New York Times has a long read on how delish it is to eat with fingers. Wonder what will happen to the wannabes now. We, among the pioneers of this 'digital' trend, are toh like this only. Haapus has to be eaten by hand and what joy as the juice drips down and we lick it from our arms to the fingers. And there's only cold comfort in eating warm dal rice with cold cutlery.
