I read something recently, about being from everywhere and nowhere. Although I have moved a few times in my life, much more than, say, my closest friends, I have always been from one place. This seeming semblance of stability aside, I have not had the most conventional of childhoods, or lives. Obviously, I am not going to elaborate, but I do want to say something. Wherever I go, wherever I live, however far I travel, I will always be from one place. I am from Madras. I've lived on the beach and weep when the Super Kings lose; I've stopped at tiny tea shops to buy cigarettes and driven on ECR; I bristle at the very mention of "Madrasis" being code for all South Indians, I love, love, love The Hindu and consider it akin to The Bible; I am quite profane in Tamil and enjoy perhaps just a little too much.
So, here's the thing, I intend to go many more places in my life. I was born in Delhi, lived in Hyderabad, studied in London and now work in Bombay. I will hopefully study further in another country, someday. But in my heart, home will always be one place. I will never feel more comfortable that when i am in Madras.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Poll Fever
I have to admit, I love politics. People often confuse policy and politics, but if you are even slightly informed, you can tell the difference. Like any true-blue worshiper at the altar of political science, I love the policy stuff. It is literally my bread and butter. It is also where real substance lies. In a world filled with the backstabbing and deceit that usually accompanies politics, framers, scholars and public alike, need to wake up and take notice of policy and make a better attempt at understanding it. But, politics? That is where the truly interesting stuff happens.
I spent the better part of two years following and writing about the elections in America. Now when the elections have arrived on my doorstep, I find that I am no less interested. Elections, though, are a different beast in India. It is as much about tenuously wrought coalitions and communalism as it is about free colour televisions. And all of this is held together by headlining politicians, the Modis, Advanis, and Gandhis of the world. Ideologies are flexible, except when they are not; allies are allies, except when they are not and enemies are irrevocably so, except when they are not. That is the nature of politics, and politics plays out best when elections are at hand.
A few short days from now, we should have our new government. But after the polls are done, and the newschannels are finished analysing the results; after the coalitions have been formed and banners of victory have been unfurled, one thing is certain: I will be bereft. Until June, that is, because thats when the Iranian elections start.
I spent the better part of two years following and writing about the elections in America. Now when the elections have arrived on my doorstep, I find that I am no less interested. Elections, though, are a different beast in India. It is as much about tenuously wrought coalitions and communalism as it is about free colour televisions. And all of this is held together by headlining politicians, the Modis, Advanis, and Gandhis of the world. Ideologies are flexible, except when they are not; allies are allies, except when they are not and enemies are irrevocably so, except when they are not. That is the nature of politics, and politics plays out best when elections are at hand.
A few short days from now, we should have our new government. But after the polls are done, and the newschannels are finished analysing the results; after the coalitions have been formed and banners of victory have been unfurled, one thing is certain: I will be bereft. Until June, that is, because thats when the Iranian elections start.
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