Jai Bheem
Tomorrow 6th December is Dr Bheemrao Ambedkar's death anniversary. He wrote the Constitution of India. He abolished caste system in India.There was a Hindi film made based on his life. This is about all I know and I have seen the film. To know his real fame or impact, we need to be at Shivaji Park, Mumbai from 2-7dec. People from all over India come to pay respect to him. The Government of India gives them free travel by road and railways. They get to stay in Shivaji park under the smog filled Mumbai skies. They have water connections there put up by the municipality.The people who come in late sleep on the by lanes around Shivaji Park. There is some Bhajan kirtan shlokas going on in the park. We see lot of Buddhist monks in this crowd. People come and stay for three four days. Pray to the idol of Dr. Ambedkar and go back to their home towns. This is like an annual pilgrimage for them. In Mumbai, they can travel free by the bus or the local trains. They visit the Mahalaxmi temple or Siddhivinayak. Since all their ablutions are on the park or roads, Shivaji park gets a bit dirty.
I saw them closely when I went for my walk on saturday 3rd dec. They travel in groups of eight ten or more. They were taking the pavements around the park as their abode for the next few days. They have their primus, vessels, clothes, blankets. The more industrious ones also carry food to sell like chiwda and biscuits. Some are already making Labels or tags with Dr Ambedkar's pictures. After they have captured one part of the pavement, they put their luggage in a straight line and cover it with bright tarpaulin sheets. The footwear is hidden under it. There are barely five ladies and five gents common toilets in Shivaji park, I don't know if mobile toilets are put up. They were not there today and the even is tomorrow. Lakhs of people have come in the city. Illegal hoardings by various political parties all around the parks. Cops on duty have to be around the lanes leading to the park. The line to pay homage to the Idol is a big one. There is drinking water being served to all the followers in the queues. These people cook all their meals here. I always thought who wouldn't want a free holiday and they aso get to see Mumbai. But that is not true. I am being so cynical being in the city. They have gone thru difficulties to reach here and pay homage to their leader. The belief or shraddha on their faces in the queue, made me realize this is about much more than a free trip to Mumbai.
Strange most Mumbaites are unaware of what happens. For them it is about the traffic or congestion. For me,it is about the good that still lives amongst each one of us. There are some good politicians amongst us. For me, it is about the hope, people live in. It is also about how I don't have to go camping and trekking in Himachal to sleep under the stars. Its is also about how we human beings can live in peace even without the basic toilet facilities. It is about a belief in your leader who exists no more. He did not create a political party which wins elections. He just did what he thought was for the good of the people. And people are surely benefiting with his work. The people who have come are from different states, speak different languages and eat different foods. But the mornings it is poha and chai for all of them. The children do not get lost in this melee. The Municipal corporation, the Police do a very good and peaceful job. It is just prayers and peace in the vicinity.
I saw them closely when I went for my walk on saturday 3rd dec. They travel in groups of eight ten or more. They were taking the pavements around the park as their abode for the next few days. They have their primus, vessels, clothes, blankets. The more industrious ones also carry food to sell like chiwda and biscuits. Some are already making Labels or tags with Dr Ambedkar's pictures. After they have captured one part of the pavement, they put their luggage in a straight line and cover it with bright tarpaulin sheets. The footwear is hidden under it. There are barely five ladies and five gents common toilets in Shivaji park, I don't know if mobile toilets are put up. They were not there today and the even is tomorrow. Lakhs of people have come in the city. Illegal hoardings by various political parties all around the parks. Cops on duty have to be around the lanes leading to the park. The line to pay homage to the Idol is a big one. There is drinking water being served to all the followers in the queues. These people cook all their meals here. I always thought who wouldn't want a free holiday and they aso get to see Mumbai. But that is not true. I am being so cynical being in the city. They have gone thru difficulties to reach here and pay homage to their leader. The belief or shraddha on their faces in the queue, made me realize this is about much more than a free trip to Mumbai.
Strange most Mumbaites are unaware of what happens. For them it is about the traffic or congestion. For me,it is about the good that still lives amongst each one of us. There are some good politicians amongst us. For me, it is about the hope, people live in. It is also about how I don't have to go camping and trekking in Himachal to sleep under the stars. Its is also about how we human beings can live in peace even without the basic toilet facilities. It is about a belief in your leader who exists no more. He did not create a political party which wins elections. He just did what he thought was for the good of the people. And people are surely benefiting with his work. The people who have come are from different states, speak different languages and eat different foods. But the mornings it is poha and chai for all of them. The children do not get lost in this melee. The Municipal corporation, the Police do a very good and peaceful job. It is just prayers and peace in the vicinity.
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