Back to School: Wo kagaj ki kasti Wo barish ka pani

Jagjit Singh’s gazal – Wo kagaj ki kasti wo barish ka pani – is a true reminder of childhood. And when we talk of childhood, school is the foremost in our memories. I use to wait for summer vacation and when it use to come, I use to crib when will it get over.

First day on school re-opening use to be like an event, a day filled with energy at the top level and a lot to talk and share with friends. I would say it was the most eagerly awaited day. The feelings were mixed, while my holidays were getting over for which I waited for the whole year and here I was desperate to run back to school.

One of the key reason for such high level energetic wait for school re-opening was my schooling was in the era wherein we were not yet hit by the ultra modernization bug of internet, mall and mobile culture. And because of this, the connection and communication with all the school friends were limited and virtually cut off during vacation, expect for those who were staying nearby.

Just to go back, just before the school start’s, covering all the books with brown paper was an event by itself. I remember the labels of books those days use to come with one where you need to apply gum and one ready to stick. Ready to stick were still expensive and we were to content with non ready to stick ones. Besides, buying of new school bags, pens and so on was a kind of a family picnic.

So much to say, share on that first day. The most important things that I use to look forward was the bench and seat that will become mine for rest of year. No doubt we were aware about our division but we use to still plan the initial days. For sure, I use to look forward for;

• Boast about my holiday experiences, movies, new happening, etc
• And all prepared to show off the new school dress (even though it was same for all)
• Who will be our class teacher
• Who will be appointed as a monitor
• Who will take our math’s classes and so on
• Look forward for our weekly calendar and look out for the days and number of games period

And since the school re-opening use to coincide with monsoon, till higher secondary, umbrella were a distant dream. Rain coats and Gum Boots were the opening entry to school. Just a taught unravels so many threads and unlimited recall of life around it. I am sure no money can get back to those days of paper boat and rain water entering through rain coats and gum boot.

I love the sweet memories of my school re-opening and I am sure same will be the case with many of us in our age group. Now when I see the kids going back to school, I wonder that the meaning and definition of “high” and “feeling” would have changed or probably may not even exist.

Will somebody fast for pot holes of Mumbai?

Rains have kept its promise with the island city and arrived on time. Our care taker – Municipal Corporation too had published that it has completed all the required formalities to take care of us in case of water logging and hassle free infrastructure. They have also spent crores of our money to clean drainages (as an additional preparation) and fill in the pot holes on roads (repair roads), for which we had already paid twice. Once at the time of original project being implemented and by way of toll charges and road taxes which is rampant.

We were told of enjoying trouble free monsoon. Mumbai’s Mayor, Municipal Commissioner, Political Leaders did inspection and also got media coverage. Authorities declared the pre-monsoon work as satisfactory and completed, Politicians (largely from opposition or not from ruling part) declared it as foul play.

It’s just about 10 days of monsoon and two / three heavy down pours and we are already stand still. Majority of places across Mumbai witnessed water logging and our Disaster Management System failed which promised to clear water logging, which itself need a savior.

Both rail and roads witnessed collapse. While railways are expected to get back on tracks, but what about our roads. Large section of office goers travel through roads and we are already seeing depleted road with pot holes coming up. The roads are pathetic and hours of traffic jams have already become regular. How are we going to survive the rest of the season.

We have witnessed series of national level agitation against corruptions. I am wondering that equal magnitude of corruption is also upfront visible to all of us in providing us even basic infrastructure like road on which we can ride. I am sure by the end of the season many of us traveling on Mumbai roads will face health problems like back pains, slip disk and stress. I heard one of the rickshaw guy saying – pregnant lady who wants to have a normal delivery can have it free by just travelling on Mumbai roads!!Recent photos in a leading dailies posted the new Lalbaug flyover just inaugurated few days back already having BIG HOLES.

I was wondering will any hero’s of the recent agitation stand up for this cause – though my wish is for Mumbai city, but I am sure that this would be the case across all metros and B towns in some or the other form. A agitation against our municipal corporations and state government who has to come out on roads and make our basic amenities work no matter if they have to WORK DAY AND NIGHT TO PUT BASIC INFRA UP AND RUNNING.

I am waiting for someone to fast for pot holes and also wondering why political parties from opposition are silent now. If they can gather in thousands at Azad maidan to protest corruption why not for this purpose?