None Of The Above (NOTA)

It is election time in India and most of my time at home is spent watching the crazy game of politics. The election time brings out the worst from the political parties and individuals. Verbal clashes, radical remarks and finger pointing are few of the strategies of the game. Everyone does it. I cannot think of any party that is failing to use these tactics and get votes from those who get inspired from such comments. To worsen the matters, individuals who are no less than criminals or crooks are seen wearing Nehru topi and Khadi kurta begging for votes. The superficial smile and polite speech fails to hide their true being.   

Today, the voter is well aware of the circumstances. He is updated with all the pros and cons of each candidate. While He can identify the wrong candidates, the problem to pick the right candidate is still outstanding. Nobody seems like a good candidate. The voter is left to pick the best of the worst.   To help pick the right candidate, the election commission is seriously considering the option of providing a NOTA (None Of The Above) option to voters. This will give the power to ensure that wrong candidates are not picked. I saw on “Lok Sabha” channel that the EC has recommended the Government to have the NOTA option for voters. As per the NOTA option, voters can choose to pick NOTA if they do not like any of the candidates on the voting sheet. If the NOTA votes are 50% or more, then there will be a reelection and the candidates in the previous election CANNOT run for the reelection.   

The NOTA option will open the door to millions of voters who find the candidates ridiculous and worthless. A majority of voters do not show up at the voting station since they do not agree with the nomination list. These voters should be encouraged if NOTA is applied. Their voice will be heard and their votes will be counted. These voters should turn up at the voting stations and cast their votes. A no show at the voting station will not be counted as a NOTA vote and hence we can truly say that each vote will count. Also, this law will be different than Rule 49-O. Rule 49-O states that   

“If an elector, after his electoral roll number has been duly entered in the register of voters in Form-17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon as required under sub-rule (1) of rule 49L, decided not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark”

---  http://eci.nic.in/archive/manuals/part5/stat2z_2.htm

Unlike Rule 49-O, NOTA will protect the identity of the voter. Also, the votes will count and can impact the result if they hold more than 50% of the votes.   I hope that the NOTA option is implemented in the upcoming elections. And if so, I request all those who are skeptical about voting to go and cast their vote.

Somethings that money cannot buy...

Lunch at Yokos : Rs. 350

Magai Paan at typical paanpatti : Rs. 10

Chikoo Milkshake at Shiv Sagar : Rs. 50

Babu cha vadapav outside PTV (quantity 2) : Rs. 14

Lassi at Aarey stall on Hanuman Road : Rs. 8

Walking on streets of Vile Parle with a childhood friend and remembering old memories - PRICELESS!!

Am I safe?

March 3rd will be remembered as one of the darkest day in the game of cricket. A day when all sport rivalries dissolved, all competitiveness vanished and all swaggers were dropped. We saw an event that summarizes the extent to which the terrorism has reached. Cricket, particularly in the sub-continent is considered a religion and players are no less than idols to be worshipped. No wonder they become the target of some fanatic actions and religious statements.   

I watch old clippings of the game when the spectators could run on the field to intercept a boundary or even to rejoice after winning an important game. The players at that time were scared that they will get hurt as the fans pulled their jerseys and tried to shake their hand. That was 20 years back. Today, we see the players come in tight security. The entry into the stadium is not without passing through a metal detector or full body frisk, flags with poles, bottles and other hard objects are banned to carry. And even after complying with these laws, one has to watch the game that is played in a caged ground; high barbed wires enclose the field to avoid any contact of the players with the spectators. This is what happens today. We have come a long way in the last 20 years in terms of security. The game is the same and the passion is the same but the world has changed.   

Today, we live in a world where women and children are harassed in broad daylight in developing countries, war and disease engulf a substantial portion of the third world countries, economic failure has broken the backbone of the developed world, religious fanatics all over the world are fighting for supremacy while the planet is slowly melting as the Global warming shows its power. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are digging our own grave.   

And while the big fish eats the small fish, I ask the question, “Who is safe?”   

Haircut

I fear haircut. My fear today is more to do with unknown factor of how long will I have my hair as against my childhood fear?    

Today I went to salon for my haircut. I was reading some absolutely biased survey conducted by AARP magazine about greenest city, most health conscious city, etc. I was engrossed reading the duh survey results when the salon door opened and in came a mom with her crying child. I should not call it a crying child but a terrified child. He was shouting at the top of his voice and had both his hands covering his head in a gesture to protect his beloved hair. He was pleading his mom to go home and even apologized for anything he had done wrong. All this reminded me of my childhood when I was equally terrified of such fierce place. And today I wonder why are children scared of haircut?   

Let us dissect the experience at the salon from the child’s point of view. First, you are going to a crazy place with some crazy smell and scary buzzes and sounds. The sight of the place is not too pleasant as well. There is hair lying everywhere and people are sitting on weird looking chairs with an apron that only exposes their head. And then there are people standing with sharp shiny scissors and clippers as they work on the people on the chair. This place looks nothing different than a slaughter house for a child. It is truly an uncomfortable place where you hold still since a stranger wants to cut your hair; your beloved hair.   

Coming back to present, the child was still howling as he sat on his mom’s lap, both with an apron on. He child didn’t even want to look anywhere. His mom pulled his hands away from his head and now he covered his face with his tiny hands. He didn’t want to see the stranger lady with shiny sharp clippers. As the clippers buzzed and moved on his head, he was literally shaking. He was begging his mom to leave and cover his face. The buzz wasn’t the most pleasing sound of the day for him. His mom was trying to keep him busy by talking to him about school and friends, etc. However, the child was trying to get away from the chair. 

After the clippers came the scissors and you can see the look in his eyes as he saw those sharp things get close to him. The mirror showed it all and he jumped off the chair. Although, it was tough to get him sit steady, the scared kid was trying his best to forget as he fought in vain. With his fist clinched hard, teeth pressing hard and grinding, eyes closed and the tension that could be seen from the veins on his neck. He had submitted himself to fate as his mom held him tight and the salon lady worked. Tears rolled down the cheeks and the child was red; probably confessing to God about all the candies he had without telling his mom. Finally, after about 10-15 the child was let go.   

The whole experience was interesting to watch and it made me travel back to days when I feared the haircut. And I still remember how my grandpa convinced me that God will cut the salon guy’s ear off if he hurts me. I believed it then and somewhere I believe it still.