Raj Thackeray Going National?

Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) was formed on 9th March 2006 after breaking away from Bal Thackeray (Rajs' Uncle) led Shiv Sena. Swaraj or Raj, as popularly known, has grown up listening to his uncles fiery speeches, experiencing his fire brand leadership, controlling the organisation as a dictator, among others. No wonder the MNS too is formed and growing on the same lines. A firebrand leader and also currently one of the best orator in the country leading from the front. Just like Shiv Sena has it's annual Dusshera rally at Shivtirth (Shivaji Park), MNS too has started from 2016 holding it's annual meet at Shivaji Park on the ocassion of Gudhi Padwa.

So, as soon as Raj took stage on 18th March 2018, exactly 12 years after the First Public Meeting of MNS from the same podium, firework were bound to happen. General assumption of followers was the speech will run upto an hour with new year wishes for starters, scathing attack on the current regime as well as the opposition in the main course & few guidelines on further course of action for desserts. But in the end what it came out, surely will be defining moment in partys history as well as national politics as country goes to poll next year.

Post formation of the Party, Raj was invited by the then CM of Gujarat in 2011 to visit the state and see the new face of the state development, popularly known as The Gujarat Model. From their Raj Thackeray had first said in the press meet that such a person should be leading the country as Prime Minister. That person was none other than the current PM, Narendra Modi. In 2014 during the Lok Sabha polls, Raj had declared that, "If elected, his partys' MP will vote for Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister." Come 2018, the same Raj Thackeray has given a call to all the opposition parties in the country to unite together in 2019 for a Modi Mukt Bharat. So what happened in this period that changed the views from Modi for Bharat to Modi Mukt Bharat.

A few weeks back there was a grand event in Pune where Raj Thackeray was the host and was asked to interview Sharad Pawar about his political journey. This interview had left many political analyst tongues wagging about alliance talks between the Pawars and Thackeray's (With a S). And a day before the MNS Gudhi Padwa Rally, Raj Thackeray called upon Sharad Pawar at his Napean Sea Road residence for a brief meeting. What happened inside those doors, we will never know. But one outcome was pretty clear. In the entire 80 minutes speech, Raj Thackeray didn't utter a word against his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena.

As he began, the starters were quite surprising as this time the Bollywood felt some burns. Raj questioned the reason for Late Sridevi being covered in Tricolour and Akshye Kumars' Canadian Citizenship. To be honest, even I was shocked with the Tricolour incident. Though reasons were given that Sridevi being a Padma awardee, she was given the state honour. This is a complete lie for the clause eminent personalities who have done public service may be given state honours. For Sridevi it was CM Devendra Fadnavis who gave orders for a state funeral, which was revealed recently in a RTI reply. Regarding the citizenship of Akshye Kumar, this info was really new for me. After quoting that, Raj asked the assembled crowd to google Akshye Kumars Wikipedia page and see for yourself. I immediately did, not because someone asked me too. But the curiosity of such a huge fact not their in my database made me google to confirm the same.

Taking from the Sharad Pawars' earlier interview, concerns about Gujarati Language sign boards in Vasai-Virar areas was another thing which was brought to limelight. Then the usual bullet train thing. Co-incidentally the Pawars and Thackerays had common views on these two issues. But like we mango people, who always term these things as co-incidents. There is lot in between the lines then what is their on the surface. The Mumbai-Baroda Expressway is also creating a much furore.

Why is everything being linked directly to Only Gujarat, is my simple question. A loan of lakh of crores from Japan for Bullet Train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad and now some more thousands of crores for this expressway to Baroda. After rail & road, I won't be surprised if ferries are launched between the two states. Why always Mumbai is the common factor? These acts itself gives politicians fodder to raise emotional issues, especially when the two states do not share a peaceful history.

The PMs love for his own state is not hidden from anyone. But being tilted towards ones state when you are a Prime Minister of the country sends a wrong message not only to the countryman but also to the world. Raj Thackeray named some 15-20 names of world leaders who were taken for a visit Gujarat. This signifies to the world that PM doesn't believe in any other state/city than his home state. Raj also took on Modis' favorite icon Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, citing the book of Acharya Atre, he said Patel was leading back then and putting pressure on Nehru to ensure Mumbai is not given to Maharashtra.

Taking on the BJPs jumla President Amit Shah, Raj pointed out an important development in Justice Loyas' Murder case. The case was transferred to a female judge. She was untouchable as regards to corruption or being bribed. Hence in order to remove her from the case and also the same should not be obvious to the press, around 100 judges transfer orders were issued. Also the Modi-Shah duo grip over media is nothing new for anyone now. The electronic media has been given strict instructions that not a single news should come up against the current Metro project in Mumbai. Raj compared these tactics to Hitlers way of controlling the administration.

Another shocking fact which he shared was how the Central Government has given instrutions of not registering the names of unemployed anymore. This shall never give us a clear picture going forward as regards to the literacy rate. Taking on the Central Government, Raj also didn't miss the Rafale Deal. How an established company was not considered when the Rafale deal was being made and how and newly formed company led by Anil Ambani with zero experience in the area was given the contract to be the partner in India. The things are so much complicated that the current Defence Minister had said in Lok Sabha that her ministry is not aware who the French companies partner in India. Also the higly inflated cost of plane cannot be missed, how India is buying a 550 Crore plane for 1600 crore. Had it been the Congress government, these would have been the headlines for like weeks. But the totally managed BJP media has ensured there is not much voice on the same.

The biggest takeaway from the entire Gudhi Padwa rally was Raj Thackerys stand on Ram Mandir issue. "Even I want a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, but if you want it to fulfill your poll agenda, it should not happen until elections are over." Some time ago, Raj had said in a party workers meeting that the notrorious criminal "D" wants to comeback to India and is figuring out the channel to get in. Recent media news confirmed the same. And now Raj warned about Hindu-Muslim riots in the name of Ram Mandir in the coming future just to heat up the poll campaign.

After the Emergency in 1975, Jayprakash Narayan had given the shout for freedom from Congress and asked the entire opposition to come together to fight for Democracy. Now 42 years after that historic moment, Raj Thackeray has given a call to entire opposition of the country to come together and fight against Modi's BJP thus asking the nation to prepare for a third freedom struggle. Now will the opposition respond to the call or not is something for the future to tell. But one thing was clear, the Sons of Soil Raj Thackeray had graduated from the state politics and trying to enter the national scene. Irrespective of the results, he is surely aware in which directions the political winds of this country flows.


PS: In the recently conducted Mumbai University Senate Election where the student wing of MNS had two seats out of the 10. MNVS did not contest the polls thus allowing the Shiv Sena win all the 10 seats, where the BJP led ABVP came a distant second. Just in case, if these two Sena's actually come together will the results of MU replicate in Vidhan Sabha as well.



-SR.

तुला मिस करतो

तसा जगासमोर मी काही हि म्हटलं
पण हृदयाच्या एका कोपऱ्यातून आवाज येतो
मी तुला खरंच खूप मिस करतो

मित्रांभोवती जग सारं फिरतं
पण ती मित्र सुद्धा जेव्हा त्यांच्या "ती/तो" सोबत जातात
मी तुला तेव्हा खरंच खूप मिस करतो

प्रवासात सगळ्यांन सोबत असून एकटेपणा जाणवतो
आणि काही जणं एकटे असून सुद्धा एकत्र असतात
ते जेव्हा पाहतो तेव्हा तुला खूप मिस करतो

आपण समोरच्या व्यक्तीला कितीही आठवणी दिल्या
तरी सुद्धा त्यांना जेव्हा त्यांची/चे "ती/तो" व्यक्ती नसल्याने जग अपुरं वाटते
मी तुला तेव्हा खूप मिस करतो

लग्नाच्या बाजारात तर फक्त करार होतात
पैसे कायम जास्त पळणाऱ्या घोड्यावरच लागतात

या गोष्टी तश्या आपल्या हातात नसतात
मनाला कितीही वाटलं
तरी अचानक डाव नाही मांडला जात

उद्या जरी तू भेटलीस तरी ती "तूच" आहेस
हे देखील कळायला मार्ग नाही

आणि जर ती "तू" नशील तर काय
या विचाराने हाथ थंड पडतात

अश्या गोष्टींची भीती मनाला जाणवते
आणि मन मोकळं करायचा जेव्हा विचार येतो
तेव्हा मी तुला खरंच खूप मिस करतो



-SR.

जूनून To Win

कलम की सुंदरता कागज़ पे ही नज़र आती है
और कागज़ की कीमत कलम ही निश्चित करता है ||

आसमान चाहे कितना भी ऊपर लहराता है
पर नज़र तो आखिर ज़मीन से ही आता है ||

सूरज की उस पहली किरन की कीमत अँधेरा ही सिखाता है
गम के बारिश के बाद ही दिल, ख़ुशी से भरकर, इठलाता है ||

जो कुछ भी इस दुनिया मैं होता है
उसका प्रभाव हम सब पर आता है ||

कहीं कोई मायूस जिस हार से होता है
उसी के जीत का कोई जश्न मनाता है ||

पर वक़्त अपना डाव बड़ी सरलता से खेल जाता है
क्यूंकि जीतने का जूनून, उस हार से ही सर चढ़ जाता है ||



-SR.

In Search of Identity

कुछ अजीब है ये रास्ते
जिन पर अब मैं चल पड़ा हूँ
मंज़िल का तो ठिकाना नहीं
पर कुछ पाने की आस मैं निकल पड़ा हूँ  ||

कारवाँ तो है, पर कुछ अधूरा लगता है
अपने तो है, फिर भी मन सुना लगता है ||

बीता हुआ कल आनेवाले कल को उम्मीद देता है
नये मंज़रों की खोज मैं कुछ खो न दू
ये डर भी लगा रेहता है ||

वक़्त भी कितने अजीब खेल खेलता है
नये लोगों से मिलाता है
पर कुछ पुराने अपनों से अलग कर देता है ||

ज़िन्दगी के इस सफर बस चलना ही एक सत्य है
चक्रव्यूह से रास्ता बनाकर अपने मुकाम तक पहुंचना है ||

तमन्ना कितनी भी दृढ़ हो तेरे दिल मैं ,
सिर्फ चाहने से मंज़िल हासिल नहीं होगी
ये कलियुग है मेरे दोस्त
तेरे कर्मो से ही तेरी पहचान होगी ||



-SR.

Lust for the end

What is it that we want in life?
No one is ever for sure to say, I know

Those who say they do know,
Speak nothing but a white lie on the floor

With every day, our wants change
With each passing minute,our desires get re-shuffled

We put the blame of this fluctuations on time & phases
But ignore the fact, that it comes from our own sphere

The stomach knows when to say No
Even the wind after sometime stops and slows

But the human lust of craving for more
Neither fades nor does it slow

In the name of comforts, we seek unlimited materiality
In the name of hardwork, we feel we own the ring

But does it always give us a sound sleep?
Rarely one will be for sure to not say no

The pace at which we are heading
Surely something is about to blow

With the ever increasing lust for more
May not even leave our trail behind
For others to explore



-SR.

May The Force Be With You

It's not who we are underneath
What we do that defines us

It's not what we feel from within
What we speak that portrays it

Silence doesn't always mean
There is no voice in the inside

Sometimes it's just the scars
We have experienced on the way
Make us do what we do today

Each have their own share of heat
But some feel it in the comforts
While some in a deserted street

Situations and phases mould our present
But they do not define our existence

With each battle scar, life is supposed to move on
One shouldn't hold oneself behind with it
For what matters is not the outcome of battles but The War

-SR.

Seldom Do We Try

Together we work shoulder to shoulder
Yet the differences are so wide

Together we share laughter
Yet our struggles are hidden deep inside

The problems you face,
In every phase of your life

The sacrifices you make,
To keep everyone around satisfied

The pain you endure
While giving birth to a new life

None but only you can understand
We can't even begin to think, seldom do we try

When our name is all, that we have
But yours, sometimes, is robbed
And considered as a traditional HiFi

The strength, with which you smile
When you bid your own people Good-Bye

The pain that a mother feels
When she leaves her child behind
We can't even begin to think, seldom do we try

We salute your Determination
We salute your Perseverance

Though we might not bring a huge cheer
Just a small piece filled with sweetness
And best wishes on this Women's Day




-SR.

ना जाने क्यों

ना जाने क्यों ये खयाल आया

कल की सोचकर दिल घबरया

कोशिश तो हुमने पुरी की है

बताये हुए रास्तो के अलावा नए रास्ते भी खोजकर दिए है

लेकिन अंतिम फैस्ले की घडी जब आयी

तब उस पल की सोचकर दिल आज घबरया

कदम मंजिल की तरफ बडते समय

राह मै मिली मुश्किलों को एक जरीया बनाया

पर कश्टी को जब किनारा मेहसुस हुआ

तब ना जाने क्यों लंगर लगाने को आज दिल घबरया

जो कुछ कल खोया वही सिर्फ पाना चाहा

पाने के जुनून मै कभी किसीका दिल नही दुखाया

फिर ना जाने क्यों कल की सोचकर 

दिल आज घबरया

-SR.

Chai Chicken and Mirchi Talks

भेट काही काळाने होती
But friendship was just the same

खूप काही बोलायचं होतं
Just couldn't figure how and where to start

कित्येक दिवस मी ऐकतच होतो
But couldn't find ears to listen

अखेर तो दिवस आलाच
And 2018s first get together happened

थोडूशी भीती होती सुरुवात कशी होईल
But just like old days, the same laugh and talk

मी सांगितलेला एखादा किस्सा
And you laughing your heart out on the joke

दररोज आठवण करून ठेवल्या होत्या गोष्टी
Finally was able to tell all the stories

चहा गरम आणि चव हवी तशी
जरी कोल्ड ड्रिंक थोडं वेगळं होतं

While Salad and Chicken combo
Perfect for the health conscious dumbos

चित्र नसेल आठवणी साठी
But I have the Mirchi as memorablia

वेळ कमी पडली जशी ती कायमच कमी पडते
A Great Evening it was after a very long time



-SR.

SomeDay

खूप काही बोलायचं आहे पण शब्द नाही
मन मोकळं करायचं आहे पण वेळ नाही 

खूप काय करायचंय अशी इच्छा मणी 
हाथ मात्र रिकामी आयुष्य कुबड्यां वारी 

दोन तरी क्षण सुखाचे देऊ असं वाटतेय जरी 
सर्वांच्या पदरी पडते मात्र नायरश्या माझ्या नावी

तसं उठून दररोज करतो काही तरी 
पण दिवस अखेर ते निगते नुसती वायफळ गिरी 

कधी तरी हे चक्र संपेल 
हे रात्र सरेल आणि वाट पाहतोय तो सूर्य उगवेल 

Someday अशी आशा आहे मणी 
तोवर शक्ती मिळू जगण्याला एवढीच मागणी 

-SR.