Power of Muscle Power

It is a happy occasion for all Indians to see that Taj Mahal getting retained its position in the seven wonders of the world. I have been observing the hulla-bulla thats going on for almost past month.


I received many emails from people known to me (and from people not known to me) reminding me to vote for tajmahal either through SMS or through the internet, so that tajmahal will finally be in the list of seven wonders. Somehow i was not comfortable with the idea of selecting the seven wonders of the world through vote (it's my opinion). Does it imply a message that, now on its only muscle power thats going to prevail for anything and everything in this world? Are there no considerations for the wonders to be qualified and get a rating based on some scientific criteria, excluding the emotional attachment of people attached to those respective countries? I understand that the telcom companies amassed good amount of money in the process, many charging higher rates for this SMS. It's commercial exploitation everywhere, and it's not even leaving the seven wonders. How can one believe the selection process, as there were commercial (vested) interests of many agencies were entangled with the process.

I think, it was another reality show, like the ones which are being telecast on each and every TV channel these days. In these reality shows, there is no credibility for performance. It's just the number of votes that counts. I remember one of the participant in a reality show (Nach Baliye on Star One), was justifying his distributing huge number of SIM cards to people to do voting for him. He agreed to a newspaper that, he doesn't see anything wrong in doing that. So all these are just eye-wash programs, now even the selection process for the wonders of the world. It's just the votes that matters, just like our politicians. Yes, its democracy. We do elect our representatives, the ones who get more votes wins and earns right to abuse power. In a political system that practice democracy in letter (may not be in spirit), thats the only way. But, i cant understand the voting process for selecting good performers on stage and wonders of the world.

Now it seems, everything will depend on muscle power, may be through votes or through any other means.

A Bride in Style

I happened to attend a wedding two days back. It was a wedding in the family of our close friend in Mumbai. A very simple marriage, a konkani groom and a gujarati bride. The marriage was performed in konkani style. What struck me was the simplicity with which the bride came for the ceremony. Just one gold chain, and one necklace; very few bangles; no head ornaments like chutti etc. I don't think, there was any modern excessive make-up on the face. After a long long time, i am seeing a bride who is doing the marriage ritual as herself. Generally gujarati's are known for extravagant shows and abundant demonstration of wealth. Though i wrote this, i don't believe that such characteristics of 'vulgar display of wealth' can be associated with any community. At that time I remembered a wedding reception that I attended at Chennai, more than 20 years back, where I saw the bride and the groom in very simple attire. Bride with a typical kerala saree, and groom too with matching attire. I thought I will never see a bride and groom in such a simple style any more.

These are the days, where marriages are conducted with a primary (but hidden) objective of excessive demonstration of riches. The bride generally becomes a model for jewellery showrooms and saree houses. The expensive wedding sarees were not even worn once a year afterwards. I have heard arguments from many people against my way of thinking. Their arguments were: its a special day, once in a life occasion, you have to look your best, etc. etc. I agree all that. But one can be at the best when one is self. I think, too much of transformation transforms the self too. Make up do help in bringing up a good glow on face. But what puts me off is the vulgar display of wealth. I know, these days more people would not agree with me.

I got a bit excited when I saw the simplicity... that too in a marriage in Mumbai.. and a gujarati bride too... Thought, i would express my excitement in my own way in My Musings...