Bilawal-Hina: Ishq Vishq

Yes. Like the rest of the world, I have gone Gangnam mad! It is sly, clever and totally insane. Addictive, too! The other image? Simbly! Was looking for something else. Found this.... and the rest, as they say, is vanity. ***************** This appeared in Sunday Times today Why Asif Zardari hates this luv story…. Oho! Love happens. And it has happened. That the love birds happen to be Bilawal Bhutto and Hina Khar, makes this particular ishq-vishq saga most riveting, especially to those of us across the border who have recently been exposed to Ms.Khar’s irresistible charms. So irresistible , in fact, that our dapper Foreign Minister, S.M. Krishna who went totally latoo over the lovely lady , behaved like a smitten schoolboy, drooling in her alluring presence and forgetting all about the Indian agenda.It’s possible he is nursing a broken heart even as Young Bilawal (23) and Hina (34) deal with the storm that has been unleashed in Pakistan after a Bangladeshi tabloid (Blitz Weekly) ran a juicy expose on the scandal. Bilawal is a bachcha Majnu to Hina’s seasoned Laila. Reports suggest that President Asif Zardari is far from amused by his son’s dangerous liaison with his External Affairs minister. Not only is Bilawal the Chairman of the ruling Pakistani People’s Party, but he is also the nominated heir to his mother’s and father’s respective legacies. If the lovestruck chap does indeed push off to Switzerland to begin a fresh chapter in his life with the begum he adores, the repercussions of such a drastic decision could prove very costly to the government. Amidst spicy speculations and racy rumours , the buzz in Islamabad is that old boy Asif plans to rein in his handsome son , and perhaps sack the seductive Ms. Khar. Spoilsport!What a fuddy duddy thing to do. Really Asif Miya… we expect you to be far more understanding,given your own personal history. Look at it this way - Bilawal is seriously cute. And loaded. Hina Khar is seriously gorgeous. And married to a loaded guy. Feroz Gulzar ,Hina’s smart husband, has rubbished the scoop and called it ‘social media gossip’. Yes, there is an eleven year age difference between Asif and Benazir’s boy and the luscious mother of two. So what? Some of the most enduring love stories in the world have been similarly scripted. Think about it – Hina is keen to take the relationship forward, as her love notes to Bilawal establish. Perhaps her husband’s naughty affair with a junior staffer was what made her turn to Bilawal . Now that their secret is out, there’s no stopping this pyar ki Jodi. ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’ is how we put it in Bollywood lingo. Hina, Pakistan’s tempestuous minister has apparently told Asif, her future father-in-law, to keep his nose out of her ‘personal matters’. This is remarkably gutsy of her, considering it was Zardari who found the two in what is delicately called a ‘compromising position’. Known for his fiery temper and a happy relationship with guns, it’s a miracle that the President didn’t reach for his favourite weapon when he walked in on the lovers at his official residence. Instead, he tamely asked for Hinaji’s mobile phone records!What a pussycat! No point in such a silly exercise considering the lady has not bothered to deny anything! The real fun starts now. Will Zardari have the guts to fire his Ministersahiba? What charges can he frame against her? Will he send Bilawal into exile? Where will that leave the PPP? More importantly, since Bilawal is the one with access to his mother’s considerable ( but undisclosed) wealth, how can Daddyji kiss the impressive funds goodbye? Unfortunately,the most dispensable member of the cast is Hina’s ex- Firoze Gulzar. But blowing him away serves no purpose – it will be one more body in an overcrowded morgue. There is however, one solution: India could immediately step in and offer a safe haven to the lovebirds.Why go to Switzerland when there is India? We can create an attractive destination nikaah for Bilawal and Hina. Maybe thrown in a luxury houseboat on Dal Lake for the honeymoon. Sarpanchs in Omar Abdullah’s State may not be safe. But he’ll take good care of his mehmaans from across the border. After all, when it comes to matters of the heart, Omar knows a thing or two about unbridled passion . Apart from asylum in India, we could make life a lot more fun for this good looking couple. As neighbours, we owe them this much.Cross border romanticism is so much more civilized than cross border terrorism. Hina can happily shop for pearls and more Birkins in our luxury malls. We can get her to host a talk show and perhaps, design a signature fashion collection. Bilawal could consider Bollywood. He has the looks. And a surname every Indian recognizes. This is a fabulous, heaven- sent opportunity to strengthen bi-lateral relationships between the two nations. Hina Khar has already charmed half the country, and reduced S.M Krishna to putty in her presence. If India can manage to bag two for the price of one, it will rank as a major political coup. Come on over, you two. Your Honeymoon Suite is waiting!

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Go Veggie in Monaco... it's possible!

These are images I clicked during my memorable stay in Monaco at the famous Hotel de Paris. And that is the interior of the extraordinary restaurant, Le Louis XV, where my daughter Avantikka and I enjoyed what I rate as the best dinner ever! ************************************** GO VEGGIE IN MONACO..... Consider this extraordinary factoid: There are no less than seven Michelin-starred restaurants in the tiny ( just two square kilometres!), jewel-like Principality of Monaco. While you chew on that, digest this as well: Alain Ducasse, arguably one of the greatest chefs of our time, was once entrusted with a truly daunting task by none other than the late Prince Rainier 111 of Monaco himself! This was in 1987, and Ducasse was 33 years old at the time. His culinary challenge was to earn three Michelin stars ( tough, tough, tough) for Le Louis XV restaurant housed in the magnificent Hotel de Paris. Ducasse was given four years to achieve this feat(it was in his contract!). He succeeded spectacularly in beating all odds in exactly thirty three months! There has been no looking back since then. This superlative dining experience has few rivals in the world. Thankfully, knowing a little about the impressive background, had prepared us sufficiently for the grand, memorable experience that followed. After pulling out the stops and dressing up in all our ethnic finery, my daughter and I wafted into the restaurant (that routinely hosts Kings and Queens, Heads of State and mega Movie stars, Sportsmen and other super celebrities), filled with high expectations.We took our seats at the tastefully decorated table (the restaurant seats no more than 50 diners at a time)and were greeted by a darling little silver sparrow crafted especially for the restaurant by Christofle ( the reputed silverware company established in 1830). The perfectly colour- coordinated roses, old fashioned silverware and crockery urged us to experience ‘the hush’. The hush is something that happens rarely, but when it does, you know you are in a magical place where only delight and nothing but awaits you at every turn. Here at the Louis XV, the indulgent staff is used to greeting awestruck diners from across the world who react like they have just been granted a special audience in heaven with God himself. We were no different. My daughter urged me to put away my camera and stop behaving like a desi tourist. But that’s before we looked around and saw flashes popping from every other table! Dining at Le Louis XV is a pretty big deal – and people like to remember it... cherish every moment. Encouraged, I clicked away happily, even persuading the butterman to pose. Butterman? Yes. At the Louis XV, there is a fancy butter service and you get to choose your butters. The Butterman brings a mound of freshly churned, unsalted butter ( what we Maharashtrians call ‘lonni’) from Normandy, covered by a blown glass cloche designed by Jean Claude Novaro , and serves it in pats, after shaping it with a spoon and it into a special marble dish. There is a great deal of drama involved as the bread trolley simultaneously draws up bearing bran michette nicoise flavoured with olive oil to the small baguettes(3oo are kneaded everyday), some of which are almost too pretty to eat! We are reminded gently that the food served here is ‘respectful of its environment.’ As we nibble on what are referred to as ‘frivolous nothings’( chefs the world over create whimsical ‘amuse bouches which epitomise the very essence of their individual cuisines), we realise just how seriously Chef Ducasse takes his mission. It is pretty evident in the menu we are presented, which heavily emphasises the use of fresh local produce. Since Monaco nestles comfortably between land and sea, amongst the hills of hills of Nice and Liguria, Ducasse has faithfully stuck to his original mission statement which is “to exalt the truth in all produce without impairing them, searching for the source of the flavour.” This original simplicity and fervour are being carried forward twenty-five years later with the creation of the Anniversary Menu, that respects green grocers, farmers, breeders, butchers, fishermen, mushroom gatherers whose unique stories are reflected in the dishes that are presented with such elegance to humbled diners. Ducasse’s dishes are a feast for the eyes before they get to the tongue. With his focus on splashing colour on the table as a visual treat,it is not uncommon for diners to gaze at the paper- like breads ‘printed’ with transparently thin sheets of carrots, zucchini flowers and other attractive vegetables.... wondering all the while whether or not to eat from the Mini Pan Bagna, which is more a bouquet than a bread basket! You also have to remember that each diner here has 40 people at his/ her service, to clear more than 50 pieces of cutlery, china and glassware! Despite these numbers, at no stage do you sense anyone hovering around making you feel hemmed in or self conscious. The seamless service is the hallmark of the restaurant – non-obtrusive, silent and yet attentive to your smallest need. Ducasse, who runs 27 restaurants world-wide ( three of which have earned the ultimate accolade of 3 Michelin stars) has recently written ‘Nature’ which encapsulates his feelings about food. He said in an interview that we must not ‘demonize’ haute cuisine. Towards that end, he offers dishes from $10 to 400 Euros! He sums up his cuisine in three eloquent sentences, “ Ïf it were a colour, it would be blue just like the Mediterranean Sea. If it were to be defined by just one taste, it would be that of extra virgin olive oil... subtle and aromatic. If it were to be described in just one word... it would be Ëssential”.The menu is described lyrically as a Mediterranean Symphony. It is designed to soothe the senses, not intimidate diners. The choices are simplified and do not bewilder the unwary : 4 courses, 1 cheese platter and 1 dessert. The chef and 20 cooks work in a state of the art basement kitchen. If you are the favoured one, Ducasse himself receives you in “l’Aquarium’, which is a mini dining room inside the kitchen. While the food menu has been refined to an attractively lean one, albeit with an impressive palette of fine fare, the rest on offer is mind-boggling!Let’s talk about water for now! You have a choice of 18 different sorts of bottled water. There are coffees from Brazil to Africa, 15 types of tobacco, and of course, the perfect cigar to end the meal.As for the selection of wines from the Hotel’s legendary cellar, you get to pick from 400,000 bottles, 950 different wines, 40 rare and great vintages, and 16 “fine and exceptional bottles”. Magnums and jeroboams play starring roles here, as connoisseurs will readily confirm. But I’m getting ahead of myself. We greedily demolish the tiny baguettes...next, it’s on to Ducasse’s internationally renowned “Cookpot of ‘Haute-Provence” This is the sort of inspired vegetarian dish that is worth taking a long flight for. I’m not even a shudh vegetarian, but was I glad I opted for the Cookpot over the lobster tails ( which my daughter was sweet enough to share with me – and they were indeed scrumptious). Bet you’re dying to know what exactly goes into the Cookpot. Since it is Ducasse’s signature dish, let me just say it is bursting with fresh and surprising flavours. Seven seasonal vegetables ( carrots, artichokes,turnips,peas,baby broad beans, asparagus and morels) are meticulously sourced from local farmers. They are coated with Asparagus jus and cooked with a slightly oily but entirely delicious cereal which tastes like cracked wheat but is called ‘small spelt’. To dub it an earthy dish would be a gross understatement. It is a dish so complete, I longed to linger over the after- taste and was actually prepared to skip dessert. Our charming Maitre d’ dissuaded me from even contemplating such an absurd act. Sacrilege! For who can refuse Ducasse’s other masterpiece – the famous Warm Piedmont Hazelnut soufflé? Presented grandly in signed fine china by Pieter Stockmans, the delicately flavoured soufflé rises majestically and gradually melts in the mouth, as the hazelnut gianduja disc placed on top blends smoothly with a side dish of hazelnut ice cream, that induces diners to sigh with pleasure. Sigh deeply. Eyes shut! That’s not where it ends. There is the selection of regional goat cheese which relies on the knowledge of local herdsmen who create the range from whole,unpasteurised milk. The cheeses are served with fennel, baby beans, olive oil and crystal salt There’s also a jaunty sorbet that takes you into the heart of the gardens of the Riviera with its tangy , tantalising flavours of bitter citrus fruit, lemon jelly, grapefruit and Campari. This is pure genius... only a true artist could combine these flavours in as masterful a fashion. Just as we were gathering our senses ( the friendly,local wine had done its work by then) and replacing our respective dropped jaws into their original place, I spotted what resembled a mobile garden going past us on four wheels. Surely, I hadn’t drunk that much of the Dom Perignon(2002), or the Chateau de Bellet (2010)? I was enchanted and flummoxed, so I asked the garcon to kindly explain. “Oh”, he answered suavely, “that’s just the fresh herbs trolley.... our guests can pick their favourite herb for the after- dinner tea. What would you like ? We have citronella from Madagascar to verbena and sage on our fresh infusion trolley”. I turned to Avantikka and stated with complete authority, “We are in the Garden of Eden – take your pick.”She responded sternly, “No more champagne for my mother!” And marched me out of the restaurant and up to our suite. I held on to my flowing caftan and sailed out with a slightly silly smile on my face. Later,as I lay satiated and blissed out on my king size bed, my head light and loopy, I wondered how on earth I would be in a position to recall one of the most memorable meals I had ever consumed? Aha. Even that detail was taken care of. If the chef has created the menu for you, it is presented as you leave, bearing the date and printed on a personalised Louis XV card. Like many before me, I shall preserve this memento for years to come.

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Why we love Mary Kom...

A lone and lovely hibiscus blooms on the balcony. I take it as an auspicious sign. Tonight is my Summit Meeting with the Lord. Each year I visit the world famous Lalbaug Chha Raja, and place my head on his feet, daring to look up and into his eyes, if time permits. What an awe-inspiring, majestic presence he has! There is much to thank him for... and little left to ask. That's how it should be. For years, I have been a bit too greedy.... always demanding... always begging.... for more and more and more. Since last year, I decided to give up on all those selfish wants. It has made me feel kilos lighter! ********************* This appeared in The Week.... Why we love Mary Kom…. When a hugely successful woman’s husband declares to the press that his wife is “ too good to be true,” it actually says much more about the man than the lady he is referring to. By now, all of India has fallen in love with Mary Kom. Her proud husband Onler Kom, will just have to get used to it. After all, Onler married a world champion. She had two mighty titles in her kitty in 2005, when Onler popped the question. That didn’t change a thing, for he says he married ‘an angel’. As a sportsperson ( footballer) himself, perhaps Onler understood his wife’s grit and determination to excel in her chosen field. Not only did he keep his own sporting ambitions on hold, he sensibly decided to become Mary’s manager and mentor. He has spoken about his decision in several candid interviews since Mary’s ascension. Today, his wife is India’s number one darling . After winning her Bronze medal at the London Olympics, Mary’s regulated and uncomplicated life has undergone several, rather dramatic changes. Apart from being a national Sports’ hero, she is a much admired youth icon and role model, drawing crowds of admirers wherever she goes. Check out the standing ovation she received at Shabana Azmi’s Bollywood fashion show for charity where Mary shared the ramp with the likes of Priyanka Chopra, and walked away as the biggest star of them all! Someone who was present that night explained why Mary stole the show despite the stellar line up of Bollywood biggies on the catwalk. “ She was so herself, so natural…. her simplicity scored over all those preening Divas batting their fake eyelashes.” Aha – that was the secret – simplicity . In as high profile an existence that Mary will be a part of henceforth, she will need to tap into that very simplicity to stay grounded. To stay happy. So far, none of the attention or adulation has gone to Mary’s head. She comes across as a delighted child playing with new baubles. Those ‘baubles’ happen to be medals, trophies and global accolades. Whether Mary subjects herself to a fashion makeover and graces the covers of glossies, from what her husband says about her, it would appear as if Mary remains untouched by the overnight glamour and glitz that is swamping her right now. She herself says she is happiest strumming the guitar and singing for Onler, cooking pork and rice for the family, and playing with her 5 year-old twins. As a woman from Manipur, Mary insists she has faced no discrimination, despite belonging to a patriarchal society. Women across India, and possibly the world, are cheering for this spunky individual who to this day, cooks , cleans and looks after her kids without a trace of self-consciousness. Compare her matter-of-fact attitude to the one displayed by other successful women who foolishly look down on what they call ‘house work’. That Mary’s husband has opted to take on several domestic responsibilities without making a song-and-dance out of the decision, is to his credit. How it to all goes from this point on is going to be critical. Mary is on a roll right now. She will get endorsement deals galore. A movie is being planned on her extraordinary life. There will be countless invitations to travel and address international conferences. Celebrity is a seductive addiction. Mary has gone seamlessly from being an athlete of renown, a genuine achiever, to a Very Famous Person. Apart from several national honours and awards that will inevitably come her way, her life will be overtaken by the accoutrements of fame – the wardrobe that goes with being a recognized person, the paparazzi shots each time she steps out, the high profile public appearances … the barrage of requests to participate in reality shows on television…. yes, it’s all happening to our Simple Mary from Manipur. Will this adulation go to her sensible head? Will she be co-opted into the tinsel world of flashbulbs and photo shoots? How will it affect her life with Onler and the twins, one of whom has undergone heart surgery? The thing about this kind of fame ( as opposed to the one she has enjoyed all along), is the superficiality of it all. Mary Kom is the flavor of the day – everybody wants a piece of Mary. But what is it that Mary wants? For herself? Her family? Her future? “ She has been a giver all her life…” Onler was quoted as saying. Once a giver, always a giver. But shall we also reserve a medal for Mary’s wonderful husband, Onler? It is because he gave, that Mary could achieve her dream. He deserves our congratulations, too.

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Madhur's Heroine...or Kareena's?

This was the mellow view from my suite at Ganga Kutir. Lovely, isn't it? A gently receding monsoon... Baul singers in the courtyard, and pretty fishing boats making their way up the narrow creek. *************** This appeared in Bombay Times today..... What went wrong with ‘Heroine’…. “I feel happy when you hate my film….then I know it will be a hit,” said Madhur Bhandarkar to me recently… and we both laughed at the irony. I like Madhur a lot - he is gutsy, self made and his movies are his own.Importantly, he doesn’t clone anybody else’s style. Madhur has created his own genre, his own brand - take it or leave it. Madhur’s movies follow a simple, or rather, a simplistic path – he picks a field ( fashion, society, corporate life, bars ) and constructs an unwieldy narrative around the central character – generally a luscious lady. Sometimes, this singular approach, devoid of complexity or insights, works big time ( ‘Chandni Bar’), sometimes it collapses on itself. In his latest, ‘Heroine’ , Madhur has overplayed his card, in that he has cannibalized his own. Dangerous! Very dangerous. You don’t devour your contemporaries and not pay the price… remember the old dog-eat-dog theory? This, in an industry that is known for its lopsided loyalties and absurd protectiveness. Fraternity is fraternity, howsoever hypocritical that sounds. Madhur has ruffled far too many feathers in ‘Heroine’. No problem… had the movie been a super hit. Success silences detractors like nothing else. Since the boast was that ‘ Heroine’ would be the first female-driven Bollywood movie to crash through the 100- crore ceiling, its lukewarm box office performance has Madhur’s rivals on a rampage. The knives are out … and that is how the cookie crumbles in this business. Madhur’s a tough guy and he’ll take the attacks in his stride. He has seen worse. But it would be worth asking himself where he went wrong. The starting point for the required introspection should be the clumsy script, the loose story line, the lack of attention to details ( Chateau Margaux on ice ???? Ouch!), and an over indulgent , almost arrogant approach to the subject. Had it been any other actress but Kareena Kapoor, the film would have collapsed on the first day itself. If people are still watching it with interest, it is for Kareena. Her stellar performance as Mahi keeps viewer interest afloat and frankly, it is too heavy a burden for any single individual to bear. The rest of the characters are almost laughable in their one-dimensional, caricatural monotony.Take away Kareena’s incandescent beauty and passionate, almost flawless interpretation of a really poorly written role, and what do you have? Cartoons babbling away in a movie that’s defined by incoherence and ineptness. By the end of this over long, over wrought,tedious exercise, one feels like groaning, “ Babes…. please spare us further torture!” *************** After a really bad spell of cop baiting, our Mumbai Police have finally redeemed themselves a little in the eyes of citizens. On the fifth day of the ongoing Ganesh Festival, several people called to compliment the efficient handling of traffic and other arrangements. It goes to show that with the right leadership, our vardiwallas are capable of excellent results. Well done! *********** The best way to celebrate Gandhiji’s birthday on 2nd October is to put on your running shoes and head towards the BKC complex for Mumbai’s first 10 km walkathon ( fitter individuals are free to jog the distance). ‘Footsteps4good’ is driven by the diminutive Jill Beckingham, who has succeeded in benefitting several NGOs through this initiative. 700 supporters ran last year. Many more are expected this year. All it takes is a big heart and a small donation to a charity of your choice. Go for it, Mumbaikars!

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Autumn Leaves...

This is creativity and devotion coming together neatly... a Ganpati crafted out of leaves! I have been singing Dhakku Makum all day. It's now close to midnight. I have gobbled up the best modak I have ever tasted! A fresh batch of modaks was thoughtfully sent to me by a friend of Aparna's called Chitra Phadke. God bless her! My modak moment arrived after a lavish dinner. This is a bit too disgusting to admit.... but I had also indulged myself at the Sea Lounge earlier, and polished off half a portion of bhel (minus sev and aloo,I might add). Is this what they call nervous eating? Or plain greed?

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High Tea with Ashatai....

These images encapsulate the spirit of Ganpati - Mumbai's adored deity. That's Anandita bidding goodbye to Aaliya and Jehangir's Ganeshji who was given a wonderful send-off in a decorated Jeep. The other image is of Ukdichhey Modak - a delicate, steamed prasad that is so well balanced in terms of flavours and textures, it merits an article of its own.Our Blogdost Aparna Velankar sent me this image with a promise to deliver the genuine article later this week. Aparna.... I am waiting! **************** Earlier in the evening, I had spent a mellow evening enjoying High Tea with Asha Bhonsale and her lovely daughter-in-law Anuja at Sea Lounge. Modaks were avidly discussed, along with several other Maharashtrian specialities that Ashatai cooks so expertly. She not just loves food, she loves feeding people. It goes back to her childhood when she used to cook for the family along with Meena, her sister. Asha was just 9 years old at the time! But this evening, she was in the mood to dig into scones and clotted cream, salmon sandwiches and mini chicken quiches. Knowing how particular she is about her diet and exercise, I was delighted to observe her eating heartily and saying sweetly.... "it's okay to indulge once in a while. And I won't eat dinner tonight." I reminded the 80-year-old Diva of the time she had come over to our home on her 60th Birthday and brought her unbeatable shammi kababs ,which we had pounced on! But by far the best part of the High Tea was when the pianist Jokim Crasto switched to playing old Asha Bhonsale numbers, adding his own Jazzy twist to ''Çhuraliya..." and other hits. What a warm and wonderful evening.... as Ashatai hummed along softly, avoided the imli chutney of the bhel, and talked fondly about her grand children, I felt I was in the blessed presence of an extraordinary woman whose amazing life has been so very rich.... and who has equally enriched countless other lives for decades with her golden voice.

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Didi-giri... Cholbey na! Cholbey na!!

Don't you just LOOOOOOOOVVVVEEEE these two images? I clicked them at Sonar Tori (Golden Boat), a magnificent restaurant on the banks of the Ganga at Raichuk. Anandita and I were invited by the Neotias (Harsh and Madhu, whose brainchild it is) ... and am I glad we took them up on it!The art you see is by a talented young painter, Narayan Sinha, who has also created the artistic interiors. The Zamindaari Feast of West and East Bengal ( now Bangladesh )was an absolute treat.... and I was in great company, sitting across the erudite Governor of West Bengal. The conversation was as fascinating as the cuisine.... who could ask for anything more? ******************* This appeared in Asian Age today.... Didis and Dadas of Desi politics… I happened to be in Kolkata when Mamata Banerjee made her dramatic announcement to pull the plug on the UPA. Nobody was surprised. There was a bus strike in the city, and people were rejoicing! It meant there would be far less traffic on those clogged streets, less pollution in the atmosphere, and more time to focus on the Dengue outbreak that is obsessing Kolkattans. Every time there is even a hint of a mosquito buzzing within a five foot radius, locals duck for cover or start flapping the air frantically with anything handy – even a sturdy handbag. Didi’s latest stunt doesn’t cause a single ripple. “ It was expected,” says a corporate honcho tiredly. Apparently, anything and everything is ‘expected’ from the mercurial Didi. And no, people don’t want her to leave her hard won gaddi. Not yet. “The commies are waiting to get back into the saddle… but that’s not happening,” announces an industrialist as we nibble on exquisite salads. Life appears to be looking up for those who have embraced Didi’s extraordinarily eccentric and imperious style of governance. There is a great deal of hope invested in her ability to somehow get things moving in that sluggish state. While people wait for the miracle, those close to her are reaping the myriad benefits of being Didi loyalists. Their projects are getting cleared phataphat, and money – a great deal of it – is being made. In such an upbeat scenario, it is foolish to argue with the converts. Didi is their savior. She has rescued them from the maws and jaws of the previous regime and granted a carte blanche to go forth and mint money – no questions asked. In the process, her party hasn’t done too badly either. There’s something to be said about friends with benefits in these difficult times. Like Didi’s faithful followers who argue (rather unconvincingly) against policies Didi refuses to endorse , there are the non-believers, albeit in a conspicuous minority, who articulate their misgivings over watered down Scotch, while reeling off glories that once were Bengal. They are least bothered about the neighbourhood kiranawalla’s future and what will happen to his shop once the biggies enter the market.Walmart politics are for those who live in Delhi. Diesel prices affect interstate truckdrivers, not them. Didi’s got it all wrong, they sniff dismissively, as the old bearer in their favourite club, pads around getting refills. Similarly, the young, rich and restless are worried about Kolkata’s non-existent night life, given the early curfew and the absence of lively hang-out places. One of them was earnestly urging a high ranking official to ‘reconsider’ the spoilsport policy since shutting bars at 11 p.m was such a downer… a barbaric ruling, he called it, without a hint of irony. A disconnect this deep is hard to bridge. It is happening all over India. And those who refuse to address the growing divide are going to pay for their resistance eventually. Most people are living in a fatalistic zone, worried about day to day adjustments and compromises. They are totally disengaged from the bigger political picture that, in fact, does impact their lives on every conceivable level. I watched the images of Vishwakarma in Kolkata and asked around how the preparations for the annual Durga Puja celebrations were progressing. Was there a sense of panic at rising prices… did the escalated cost of diesel dampen their enthusiasm? Was their confidence in Didi shaken? What about the prospect of a mid-term poll disturbing the tempo of their lives? Were any of these issues of any significance? Bilkul nahi! The Vardan Market was full of shoppers making early purchases from small boutiques that specialize in selling designer knock-offs. Speaking to a few women haggling over an Anamika Khanna fake, they stared at me like I was crazy. Roll back or no roll back, they were going all out to enjoy a great Pujo, minus any cutbacks. Whether it was the aggressive art mart or the gold mart, going by the enthusiastic shoppers crowding bazaars, nobody could possibly have believed Didi had just dropped a bomb shell. How things unfold after the flop Bharat Bandh, will be interesting to monitor. The key word being flung around is ‘consultation’. Assorted netas are going purple in the face about not being consulted by the Congress Party before taking such a momentous decision. But hello! Since when did the Congress ever consult anyone…. Allies included?Countless ad hoc decisions have been imposed on the nation in the past… been weakly debated and eventually junked . Most times, the aam janata has seen through the charade, shrugged and gone on with life. This time too, the pantomime will be ignored till a staged ‘resolution’ is offered and instantly accepted by the Opposition and Allies. The Prime Minister, emboldened by the positive market sentiments to last week’s googly, will once again disappear behind the purdah and wait for the Didis and Dadas to calm down… which they will. Our political masters have read us well. They know all it takes to buy time and get on with business as usual is to make a big noise and threaten to withdraw support. The natives are satisfied that at least someone is doing something. It’s hogwash, of course. But everybody goes to bed feeling happy. Meaningless threats and protests have a way of dulling our senses and making us believe we actually count. So, has a new era of Didi-giri and Dada-giri dawned? Will the latest flexing of political muscle make even the smallest dent in the status quo? Or will we – stupidly and passively - stay mum even after the 12,500 crore Teddy Bear’s Picnic erroneously referred to as ‘Bharat Bandh’? As always, this expensive joke is on us.

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