BJP didn't deserve to win in Indore Nagar Nigam

Mayor Krishna Murari Moghe was a disaster. In his tenure not once did he visit Vijay Nagar or Sch. 78 area. You should see the litter lying in some of the by lanes.
He did nothing about men and children being bitten by dogs. Not once did he try to put across a point to the animal lovers who travel in posh cars and so never get attacked by deadly dogs.
The Pologround roads are as bad as they are.
He did nothing to solve the eunuch menace.
I agree with Congress statement that winning of BJP only shows the mentality of the people here. For all my respect for PM Modi and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, the party members at Nagar Nigam level have neither the qualifications nor ability except for one or two odd candidates.

Fraudulent mail. Request for 1 Lakh in the guise of friend

And so my husband received a distressed mail a fortnight ago. It was from a so called naval friend in Indore who had gone for a ship job to Russia and was now stranded there. He needed help. My husband sent a reply without delay, “Ok. How can I help you?”  Prompt came the mail, “ I need Rs. 1 Lakh urgently.”

My husband, who has always been a little cautious, chose not act immediately. And when I returned home in the evening, he related to me the entire matter over a cup of tea.

Frankly, anybody can fool me easily. But, Rs. 1 Lakh is quite a big amount and this made us both think. Our friend had long retired from the Indian Navy. And so why should he be called for repair job.

And then it struck me and I blurted, “Don’t reply. Call him up and check. It seems a fraudulent mail.” My husband also shared the same view.

The next few days were spent in locating his mobile number. And today morning, when my husband found it, he called up to confirm. And yes, we were right.  Our dear friend was truly upset over the whole matter. He had in the last few days received quite a few phone calls regarding the mail. Worst of all, one ‘very helpful soul'  promptly dispatched the amount without cross-checking.

And so since morning I am only thinking about this. We could have easily been a victim, but - 1.  The amount asked was quite large 2.  My husband felt  it important to discuss with someone.

Moral of the story: Never act on such mails without discussing the matter with family members.

Eunuch menace in Indore

We had a similar problem in Shagun Tower (Apna Sweets building) in Vijay Nagar. The eunuchs would frequent the place at the time of festivals and demand huge money. Now, our office is in BCM Heights and the problem has increased manifold. The eunuchs come in a group. They scare everybody with their untamed ways and demand huge sum. And so it happened on 29th March, Saturday when they barged in and demanded Rs.12000. The drama lasted for almost an hour and we had to endure their out of sync loud singing They left only after extracting and securing Rs. 5000 from our office. By no means a meager amount! One of them repeatedly threatened to undress before us all. So, by the time they left  we were all very tired and exhausted. I am sure they enacted the same drama in other offices too!
Really, in today's times when the medical world has made so much progress, can eunuchs not be treated and be rehabilitated into the world so as to enjoy a respectful life? Surely, this is no way of earning money.
Supposing they are the result of kidnapping or such ordeal, the country or state need to take note of this at the earliest. Unfortunately, it is believed that a eunuch's curse can bring great harm. And perhaps this is what prevents police, administration and others to take any strict action.
Whatever. It is sure a serious problem. And we all have to think of ways to have a good and healthy society where no such abnormality persists. And where no one will be a victim of threat and extraction any time.

MPPEB. Medical scam. At last the truth is coming out!

Truly, at last the truth is coming out!
The credit solely goes to M.P. Chief minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan.
The year was 2006. My daughter had just completed her Bachelors course in Physiotherapy (BPT) from the prestigious MGM Medical College, Indore. Having stood 5th in the university, she also received a Merit Certificate from the Vice Chancellor of the university a few months later. In all enthusiasm, she applied for the Demonstrator's Post for which there was just one vacancy. My daughter topped the Written exam which was a mandatory requirement for being considered for the post. The list of candidates who qualified the written Exam was duly displayed on the college board and my daughter's name sure looked good on top. According to her, she also did well in the interview by answering all the questions put to her by the board. She was confident of being selected. But when the results came, somebody from Bhandari College was selected for the Demonstrator's post. My daughter was shocked -a natural reaction as the boy was not even in the first five in the written exam!
My husband & I comforted our daughter. We told her that maybe God wanted her to do PG. Inherently positive, my daughter went ahead to do her Masters in Physiotherapy (MPT) from Dehradun, Uttarakhand choosing Neurology as her specialization.  Here was a girl who made her Alma Mater proud by standing 2nd in the Entrance Test . In due course, my daughter topped there too and won a Gold Medal.She returned to Indore. The year was 2009. Once again there was a vacancy at MGM Medical College. This time for the post of Asst. Professor. Interestingly, my daughter had passed the  Indian Association of Physiotherapists examination recognized by the World Council soon after her graduation. She was thus qualified for the post in every way. It was truly strange that the ad specifically asked for MP Paramedical Association Affiliate Certificate and declared it mandatory. In retrospect, things were fishy right from the start. If the MP Paramedical Certificate was so important, why were the students of MGM never told about it by college authorities during their four & half year stint in college? Even if that were to be taken as a slip on the part of teachers at MGM, this could possibly not be overlooked that  every care was taken so as not to give time to ex-MGM students to procure the particular certificate. Despite the confusion, my daughter managed to apply for the same in Bhopal, as she was stationed there, thanks to her job. She received the receipt with assurance that she would soon get the affiliate certificate.
With this receipt in hand, together with other required certificates, my daughter went for the Written Exam. This time the selectors went a step ahead by not allowing my daughter and many like her to take the exam.
What a farce! The exam was conducted in her Alma Mater, for a job in her Alma Mater and yet my daughter and other MGMites were driven off like an unwelcome guests!  So much for the Alma Mater! Rightly so, the person selected was again from Bhandari College! Evidently, all the juggling was done by Bhandari College to have their candidate selected. And hence the stress on  MP affiliation which they well knew MGM College guys would not have. The local newspapers did report the matter, but the cries of the physiotherapists died down with time.
It is now 2014 and the truth is finally tumbling out of the cupboard.
My daughter is married with a small baby girl. The job would have definitely given her the much needed seniority & experience which in turn would have helped her secure a job in Bangalore University. Let's hope things work now.
They were truly difficult years for a young, intelligent and hardworking girl. And it's thanks to her positive nature that she didn't get bitter, cynical or cruel. Nor did she harm herself in any way. My husband, son and I are thankful to God for this. 

Indore & English fixation

After having stayed in metros for many years, I had liked settling down in a smaller place for reasons such as peaceful living, closer distances, ample time & in general a cool life. But then, everything comes with a baggage.
And so here I am in Indore where English is the ultimate thing. Sometimes clients insist on having bombastic English words even if it means losing track of objective & making no sense to the readers. A strange fixation- a fetish! But what can one do? After all client is always right.
Today was one such difficult day. Fortunately, I could turn to my blog as a way of letting off some steam. Otherwise I don't know what would have happened.

Navratri & Indore

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 Indore is all geared up for Navratri. The shops stand beautifully decorated. The colorful dandiya sticks as well as the glittering 'red chunris' can be discerned from any distance while passing by on the road. And today, while coming to office I saw so many Maa Durga idols in the road side shops. Also, when I go home today, I am sure to meet with music, pandals & lovely lighting. I will also see young girls in the age group of 4- 14 years, all dressed up & happily rushing to the pandals for garba dance. In 1996, when we came to Indore, the dancing was restricted to only this small section of the society. But with leading Press Houses starting Garba Dance workshops, it has almost become a rage among the elite class. So, even grown up men & women, college girls & boys go for the Navratri dance. Paying hefty fees is no problem. This is the beauty of Indore. People have a lot of time & also lots of money.
But I wonder, if this will be possible when the IT sector comes here. They will be too busy working & keeping up with other pressures. Already, the 2 young girls in my ad agency have expressed their inability to go because of heavy festival work !
On my part, I & my husband just love watching the excitement of the people around us. Call us old or term this as middle class mentality!                              Happy Navratri

Ordinance. Whatever has happened is good.

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All in all, it was a good drama on a Friday evening. My otherwise reticent husband narrated to me the happenings as he drove me home through the crowded AB Road & BRT of Indore-which he religiously does these days.
And just as we reached home, he also immediately put on the TV. "Nonsense!" The TV blared.
"Look at this!" My husband said pointing to the screen. " Famous personality Abhishek Singhvi left because he had nothing to say in the discussion. What a loss of face for Congress & more so Dr. Manmohan Singh."
And so the evening passed seeing only the news channels. My husband simply refused to hand over the remote lest I changed the program.
Forcefully, it made me think of the political happenings as I cooked dinner for the night.
Soon my reasoning  got the better of me & the truth dawned that whatever the behaviour of Rahul Gandhi, the goons were not henceforth getting tickets for the elections. Hurray!
And as for PM Dr. Manmohan Singh. Well, he does need to assert himself. But it will be good, if he turns the face the other way this time.
And as regards President Mr. Pranab Mukherji, I am already his big fan!

Indore. Dr. couple taking to killing.

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The heart wrenching incident of lady doctor killing her infant daughter followed by angry doctor husband killing his wife & in-laws has left Indore numb.
Until a few years ago, Indore was a peaceful city where men went to office & wives happily stayed at home. The winds of change came & they were for good. This led to girls being  sent for courses such as engineering & medicine. Not surprising that in Indore today every household  has a daughter  in IT sector or  medicine.Quite good. Nothing wrong.
But then, what went wrong in this case? How could a lady doctor think of strangulating her4-5 month old baby? Also, how could the doctor husband think of killing his wife & in-laws in a fit of anger? Everywhere in the world, all new parents face the challenge of managing the baby as well as a career. Very often the couples find an answer in choosing a creche, employing an ayah, calling home elderly parents or one of the two (normally wife) opting for a long sabbatical. Thus, what was so impossible about the challenge here?  
What should we attribute this to? Faulty upbringing / education or a wrong marriage?
Whatever, Indore needs to wake up & do some serious thinking.

Indore Gang Rape

Just yesterday I had mused how safe Indore was for girls! I wish I had not said it. For today, all newspapers carried the news of gang rape of a college student in Indore. The incident took place in February this year.

I think the whole country (or may be the entire world) has become a sick place to live in. 

The only silver lining is that the girl confided in her friends who without any further delay took her to the police station. I am glad, the rapists have been apprehended. Fast work by the police, I must say!

While I have all sympathies for the girl, I strongly feel that this mishap could have been avoided. 

I think, there are 2 things where we are failing. Firstly, we are not listening to our instincts. And secondly, the bonding which needs to be there between parents & children or between siblings is getting weaker or not developing at all. Something needs to be done there.

Indore. From Retired Man's Paradise to Mini Mumbai

When I got married in the 80's, Indore was a retired man's paradise.People had a lot of time to talk, gossip, go to '56 Dukan' (market place), have the 'spicy chat 'and enjoy. Be it service or business, everything happened at a leisurely speed. Call it good, bad whatever! But the inhabitants were happy. And this showed in the form of cultural growth. Every household had one or two children learning music, dance or some activity. 

Then came industrialization. The cool climate gave way to hot and sticky feeling. Air Coolers, Air Conditioners made their way into the market. This was followed by high- rise buildings taking the place of sprawling bungalows. 

That was the beginning of the metro culture.The educated class started sending their children to coaching classes. Thus, the celebrations like Navratri, Ganeshotsav, etc. got restricted to either the lower middle class or the rich.  The middle class having neither the time nor money.

Yes, '56 Dukan' may be crowded on Sundays today, but gone is that relaxed atmosphere. Every body is restless. There are numerous ads on coaching centers in the newspapers. A layman's conversation is often centered around it. The malls which are the latest things in Indore are ever crowded, because purchase and more purchase is now the mantra of every Indorian.

And so you could say that Indore is now mini- Mumbai most truly.

Gang Rapes. What could be the psychology?

3 gang rapes in M.P. region in the last fortnight. The first case involved two innocent tribal girls raped by 18 men from the same village Betma. Two of the rapists had political connections.

In the second case, the unfortunate deaf & dumb woman was attacked by known men in her own house in Depalpur. The woman was totally helpless as they threatened to kill her child.

The third case occurred last night in Indore, when a 25 yr old married woman was returning home with her husband on motor cycle.The husband was carrying Rs 20,000 in cash. In this case, the rapists posed as policeman.

What could be the psychology behind these rapes? Or for that matter any rape? I think it's very important to understand the mentality of the rapists if we have to counter this menace in the society. The Indian courts should deliver immediate judgments so as to bring some fear in the society. The 2 men with political connections should be castrated  and their godfathers be kicked out of the respective parties.

There is something terribly wrong with India. It's a national shame.

 

 

People of Delhi and Indore.

After my one month stay in Delhi, I am back in Indore.I

A group of students in college asked me how I find Delhi as compared to Indore.

An interesting question! And so I told them my honest opinion. In Delhi, it is the third generation of women working. Where as in Indore, women have just started to work. It was no surprise therefore to see 70 plus women going  to banks in Delhi to get their passbooks updated. And while I was amazed to see them conducting the business, the bank staff and others were absolutely cool about it. Well, Indore will take some time to reach that stage!

In Delhi because of hectic life, I saw women mostly in salwar-kameez and jeans-top with saree reserved for an occasional wear. In Indore, sarees are still in fashion. But then that's bound to be! Indore is famous for its Maheshwari & Chanderi sarees.

However, one thing goes against the Delhi people. They lack patience to stand in queue. And so it is common to see fights at post offices and other such places. That's where Indore scores over Delhi! In Indore be it GPO or any other place, it is quite common to see people standing in queues . 

Should we say, laid back attitude helps at times!

Happy Diwali & A Prosperous New Business Year!

    Diwali, the festival of lights, has arrived yet again. This was the day when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya with wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after 14 years of exile. Even today we celebrate this occasion by decorating our homes, lighting candles and distributing sweets to all near and dear ones. This besides, Diwali also marks the beginning of a new business year. Thus for those in business, Diwali also means the start of new ledger books.

This Diwali, I am in Delhi with my son. The weather is nice and exhilarating. Today’s Delhi is different from the 70’s & 80’s. The buying capacity has increased tremendously. In a way, it’s good. With consumers ready to buy good stuff, marketing fanciful or creative products sure looks easy as compared to yesteryear.

If I have to compare Indore and Delhi, I will say that people here are more professional. In the last 2 days that I have gone to the market, not a single shopkeeper has handed me a toffee due to scarcity of change. That’s sure a big thing! It means not wasting time checking change before stepping out of the house- something very harrowing! Besides, be it a vegetable vendor or some small shop, nowhere did I get a feel that I was being overcharged.

This way, I think I have a lot of good things to tell my husband & friends when I return to Indore in a month’s time.

But for now-   A Very Happy & a Prosperous Business Year to All My Readers & Friends!

Happy Dussehra. Let's fight out problems like Lord Ram.

I wish all my readers a very happy Dussehra and many good times ahead.

Today was the day when Lord Ram killed Ravan, the ten headed demon! That is why, we also call this day Vijaydashmi.

Ravan, the king of Lanka, was a great scholar who fell to wicked ways. He abducted Sita, the virtuous wife of Lord Rama. This led to his death at the hands of Lord Ram.Even today, this day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor in India. The effigy of Ravan is erected and burnt. The burning of the effigy symbolizes, the triumph of Good over Evil and the beginning of good times.

There is a vast ground facing our housing complex. Like every year, this year too the effigy of Ravan was erected. There is was so much of hustle and bustle the whole day. Toy-sellers, balloon wallahs, bangle-sellers, ice-cream & sugar-candy vendors, the chat- wallahs and other small tradesmen came from distant places and occupied the best positions possible. Loudspeakers were put up at strategic points and music was played  the whole day. There was mirth and happiness in the air. Even if alone at home, I  enjoyed it all. Ravan was clearly visible from my window. I, however, missed my children!  How they loved sitting at the window and watch the fun! Why did they have to grow up and go away!

Around six o'clock, visitors started pouring in. In that milling crowd, I noticed many young parents who had come with their small kids.And when the effigy of Ravan was set on fire, several of these parents lifted their children in the air. Thus, making it possible for the children to get the rare glimpse. The burning of the effigy took place around 9 pm after the political leaders arrived on the scene.With the day stretched on, the vendors had a thriving business most certainly.  

Victory of Good over Evil! I suppose, this is what keeps India going? Watching the effigy burn, we derive a  nice feeling that someday we will win over terrorism, corruption, materialism and other problems facing us. But I guess, it's not so easy.  Lord Ram fought the mighty Ravan and we, too will have to fight the various dangers that are threatening us today. And so the parents who lift their children to show Ravan crumbling to death will need to do something more. They will also have to give lessons to their young ones about fighting out things like Lord Ram.

Education. Between Resolution and Implementation lies Breeding Ground For Corruption

I stay in Indore (MP). The other day my maid's 7th standard daughter came to me with her science book. I had left science long ago. I was therefore a little hesitant. Moreover the book was in Hindi. That again posed a problem. But realizing that she had no other help, I decided to teach her as much as I could. The little girl flipped open the Revision Questions and took me to the question on Acids, Bases and Alkalies.
 I asked her,"Have you read the lesson?"
 She answered sheepishly that she hadn't. "Okay, fine.Let's both read and try to understand."
The lesson talked of how a turmeric stain could turn red. There were pictures of Glass Tube, Beaker and several other equipment. In a casual way I said to her, "The teacher must have showed you this experiment in the lab?"
The girl gave me a confused look and said sheepishly, "I study in a government school, you know."
That was not my intention to hurt her and so I felt bad.
" Look dear, all government schools are properly funded by the government. Anyway, if there is no lab in your school, this text book should not have been prescribed."
Whatever, the Unit Test was close at hand and I had no desire to upset or scare the girl. And so in a layman's language I explained that if a turmeric stain is washed with soap water, it turns red.
The girl understood the example very well.
The entire incident is a sure sign of mismanagement and corruption. I am not sure if I should blame the government entirely for this. But then there has been a mistake somewhere which has resulted mismanagement and corruption. The only solution could be a surprise check once a while. If not, the MP government will have to be prepared for a large number of school dropouts, in spite of heavy promotion of literacy in the state.

Software Engineer's Suicide in Indore recently

We Indorians woke up to a hair raising terrible news on 18th Nov.'10. A software engineer committed suicide in his office cabin, much to the shock of his female colleague who was sitting barely a few steps away and enjoying a good lunch.
The office people have attributed it to a failed love-affair. The mother feels  that it was the result of harassment at work. Surprising,  because he was a capable man holding a senior position in the office and had recently earned praises for a project well done. 
Whatever, the newspapers covered the story for 2 days and then moved on to other pastures. A real sad end to a suicide! Basically, because Amit Kopargaonkar's suicide has failed to deliver any message. Neither the girl nor the IT office nor the surviving mother or sister have been booked for any offence. It is also unlikely that any incriminating evidence will be found against them. Which, alas, happens in any suicide.
In a society, every person has a right to think his own way. And so if the girl rejected him, she was free to do so. Similarly, the boss had a right to think differently. The same could be true with the surviving mother and sister too.
Why do individuals, then, commit suicide? Is it a step towards emotional black mail or a manifestation of a  highly optimistic belief that he or she  will be born again as a human being with a much better luck! All in all, very preposterous and far-fetched! Even if true, is it possible to remember the sufferings of the past life in the next birth and feel vindicated?
Frankly, it makes no sense. In fact, no suicide ever makes sense. Because even if things turn for the better, the person is not there to enjoy it.

Good Parenting, First. Law and Order will follow.

Too many things have happened in the last one month!

• A 12 yr old girl raped by her own first cousin and his friends for 2 years in Mumbai. Her fault (if, any) was that her parents had divorced and remarried.

• An MBA girl from Nagpur raped in Pune.

• And just when my mind was beginning to come out of that strange numbness, there was the Maoists attack in Dantewada, Chattisgarh in which several jawans were killed.

• Today also the local Indore newspaper carried the news of suicide of a 10th class girl. The girl who resided in our area, was upset about not doing well in one of the papers.

• And then of course, reports of drunken driving resulting in accident and death.

Let's call it enough! The best would be to start giving time to our children soon after they are born. Apart from feeding them well and looking after their physical growth, let's start telling them good stories. And when they begin to read, let's give them small simple books containing stories of heroism, honesty and brother-sister relationship.

I know it is easier said than done. There is a lot of pressure on women to work. Further, all her life, she has to prove herself a good daughter-in-law, good wife, good neighbour, good socialite, etc. etc. But maybe, the time has come to chalk out our own priorities. The rest will definitely fall in place. I think, we mothers need to get tough there. And why mothers alone! Fathers should also understand their responsibilities.

I think my generation has proved to be a total failure there!

Farewell Amrita Pancholi-IIM Indore Professor

The whole of Indore is shocked at the cruel murder of IIM Assistant Professor,Ms. Amrita Pancholi on Thursday,the 18th of Dec'09. Be it office, or a paan shop (beetle), the talks are only on this these days. Hazaar muh hazaar baten...Something beyond control and most unfair. After all, the death of a single woman aged 32, staying alone in the campus in one of the staff quarters is bound to make a spicy tale.

It is the work of an insider as per the police. And all evidences points to that. Everything will be clear in a day or two. All in all, it is a terrible thing to happen. A high- potential girl who could have contributed a lot towards the society is no more. The repercussions are going to be many. Particularly in a place like Indore where girls had just begun to dream big, this happening is going to scare them in a big way. The parents are also likely to put a halt to their daughters careers. Very much a case of,"One step forward, two steps backward".

This sure makes it imperative to look into the possible reasons for murder. As a working woman, I have often seen how unkindly people talk of single and slightly older women/girls. Students who come from various backgrounds are not to be excluded. There is, in fact, always a lot of curiosity, doubt, as also aspersions cast on working girls. If unchecked, they also take the form of overtures. It hurts to talk like this, but we have lost a precious life here. And something needs to be done fast. It cannot be ignored that in the case of Ms. Amrita, the age gap between her and the students was less. It is also not to be forgotten that students do at times pressurize teachers for marks. Ofcourse, the person does learn to handle it as he/she grows older. But, all these points do need to be taken into account.

Further, justice has to be imparted fast. We can't certainly have Taliban kind of system come into India. The best would be to have an Ombudsman, seperately for students and teachers. The students and staff will also have to be encouraged to go and speak to the Ombudsman once a while. So that any form of wrong behaviour will be nipped in the bud itself. This could help save a person from becoming a criminal and it could also save a person from falling a victim.

But, first in this case let's hope the culprit is caught at the earliest. We can't have a brave girl's story end this way.
Farewell Amrita!

Indore Municipal Corporation Elections- 11Dec. 2009

Yet again, elections are round the corner! The city is well charged. People of Indore will be voting for Mayor and Corporator on Friday, 11 Dec.2009.

Indore bears a festive look these days with processions, loudspeakers, songs and drum- beatings taking a preceding. Whatever! It does liven up the spirits and I feel happy. And so do others I feel. Indore. A city of Festivals. Nay! A city of marriages. If I may say so. For be it rich or poor, marriages take place in an elaborate manner here. But let me come back to the point. Just the other day, while returning from work late in the evening I noticed a lady contestant, with shimmering red 'chunni' over her head, going from door to door asking for votes. At the first glance she did appear a bride to me.

Be it BJP, Congress or the independents, I know everybody's agenda by heart now. "Plenty of water... Cemented paths... Good roads...Development of the city and blah, blah, blah! And that's when my mind shifts to the big challenge we are facing now-Climate Change. But then, I feel sorry for the political parties. I know they have to talk of "plenty of water" to the down-trodden and the ordinary folks, for they are the ones who nurture huge expectations. And, they don't understand environment problems. Besides, they are the ones who vote for sure. So, that's that.

The other day, I told my maid to close the tap when not washing the utensils. An everyday refrain, frankly speaking! She probably had it enough for she spat out," Here you tell me to close the tap, and several times during the day I notice one or the other overhead tank overflowing."(meaning me I know). "I will tell Chowkidar Bhaiya (watchman) to check the tanks more often." I murmur. If only all residents of our colony were careful, the supply would remain in limits. I mutter to myself.

Talking about 'Cemented roads'. My mind races back to what happened a month ago. It was one of those lazy Sunday afternoons. While I and the rest of the residents of our society, were merrily enjoying the afternoon siesta, my husband noticed a group of 3-4 men all armed to dig a big hole in the newly cemented path right outside our Complex. They wanted to insert a pole for a small community function they were organizing there. And that called for a canopy. That was when I was rudely shaken up by my husband's shouting, who also immediately went down to give them a piece of mind. But that makes me think, how long will our cemented path survive?


I belong to the breed of 'Common Man' and I am helpless. But I wish to draw the attention of all politicians to the stray animals- namely cows, dogs, pigs that cause a lot of inconvenience while driving on the roads. I wish something would be done on this regard.

Indore. So much celebration and no thinking.

Celebrations are in the air as people celebrate Hartalika i.e. Parvati Puja and Ganesh Chaturthi today It is a big festival. Lord Ganesh, the obedient son of Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati. He is also fondly called 'Vighnaharta'-one who removes obstacles from the path.

The entire city has adorned a festive look today with processions, drum beating, music and chanting of mantras. It is the same with other festivals. I marvel at the people of Indore for their religious fervour and zeal. In the past 10 years, there has hardly been a day when I have not seen women decked up and going to temples with puja thalis!

Financial crunch and money restraint is somehow forgotten at such times! Call it God's blessings if you will! But this year things are a bit difficult. We are in a grip of drought. There is water scarcity and the prices of everything has gone up.

I do not wish to spoil the mood of the people, but we all need to think about TOMORROW. After all, it is the second consecutive year when we have received less rains. Festivals are important. They make us upbeat. But at the moment we need to restrain ourselves and save water and grain for the difficult days ahead. The state government should work on this and make people understand the situation.