Dance, music, temples and Oriyas

Sanket Upadhyay
Knowing that conditions are deplorable but still being proud of the motherland is something most of us Indians are expert at. The expatriates from Orissa are no exceptions. Not many have settled in Rajasthan but those who have are, quite obviously and like others, proud of their home state. The state ails from improper sanitation, poverty, illiteracy and the presence of many backward tribes. But when people of the land of temples, Orissa, come to talk about their own state, they are proud about the rich history they are armed with.
Even in a parched state like Jaipur, you would hear instances of being washed by the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal – Puri beaches that is.
The state is sandwiched between the sea, the state of Jharkhand from its north, West Bengal in the North East, Andhra Pradesh in the south and Madhya Pradesh towards its west – a clear meaning that there is a cross-cultural existence. So are the people, even though they have crossed the physical boundaries.
Many in Jaipur are still in the habit of saying “taka” in place of Rupee while purchasing something from shops. “Mostly people from Mayurbhanj and Baleshwar refer to a Rupee as taka. It is the Bengal influence,” Ratan Misra, an expatriate student from Orissa, studying in a city institute, says. For others, there is an Oriya incarnation – “tanka” for a Rupee.
Some are troubled with Jaipur and its people. “Coming from Bhubhaneshwar, one feels like hell in Jaipur. The city back home is way more planned and organised than this place,” maintains Misra.
Here’s a nasty one on Rajasthan. The expats feel that thousands of temples including Konark, Jagannath Puri and Lingraj temple, a Nandan Kanan sanctuary, Chilka lake, Similipal National Park and a long coastline come as a natural attraction to thousands of tourists. “The government in Rajasthan goes out of its way to promote its tourism industry. For Orissa, its culture, tradition, tourist spots and dances have a magnetic charm over people,” an Oriya expat Pradosh Choudhary, who works with a newspaper for 4 years, says.
He adds that Rajasthan may have to struggle a little to attract industries, but the tribal state, considered backward is already on the fast lane of industrial development. “Orissa has vast mineral, marine and forest resources for setting up large, medium and small scale industries. An industrial boom, especially in the steel sector shall take place in the next five years,” he says.

Children of Heaven

HT Live Correspondent

When was the last time you lost your sister’s shoes? Or probably the last time when you gifted her a pen to keep her from telling parents? The last time you participated aiming not the first, not the second, but the “third” rank – just to win a pair of shoes for her? The last time…last time…last…

The special screening of an Iranian movie “Children of Heaven”, part of an Iranian film festival organised at the Rangayan JKK, would have forced even the last man out of the auditorium to think about it.

The movie, Director Majid Majidi’s finest works, was well received by the audience of about 150-200.

The heart-warming film is the story of brother Ali who loses his sister Zahra's school shoes. The young pair cuts out a plan to keep away trouble. They share Ali’s sneakers and keep it secret. Good at academics and sports, Ali even gets scolded by his principal for delay – apparently due to the shoe-exchanging practice. Also then comes to now about a race where the second runner-up gets a pair of sneakers. Even though he is first in the race, he cries – for he wanted to come third. This brother-sister love story was also nominated as one of the entries in the Best Foreign Film category in the 2000 edition of the Academy Awards (Oscars). Besides other awards, it won the prize for the best picture at the Montreal Film Festival in 1997.

The festival continues till May 7 at JKK.

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Of Birhas, Babuas and Bhaiyas of UP

Of Birhas, Babuas and Bhaiyas of UP

Sanket Upadhyay

It’s hard to give Uttar Pradesh expatriates an identity – the state is vast and the culture, tradition, language and style of living changes completely from East to West border. Emotionally speaking, I shouldn’t even dare to typecast people from the state – I myself am from Faizabad district, UP.

But any slow paced individual with shoddy dressing, and a paan-filled mouth trying its best at shayari in Awadhi is enough to describe a large number of UP expatriates anywhere.

The state’s denizens may not be as flamboyant as the Punjabis and colourful as the Rajasthanis, but their sing-along accents and snappy one-liners on everything existing is unique.

The migration is recent. Mostly first generation expats here, Rajasthanis have greeted them in two separate ways over the years. The rich or the influential people, who come on deputation and field postings in the state, are respected (they better be). On the other hand, the rickshaw pullers, daily wageworkers and a fleet of helpless poor, who land in thousands every month, are greeted with scepticism.

“They think anyone who comes from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is a criminal and would kill people, steal things around and disturb law and order. That is not true. Not all are bad. Some may want to genuinely work here,” 44-year-old rickshaw puller Radheshyam narrates his tale.

Ten years ago, when he started rickshaw pulling in the city, he says, he was often ignored and isolated. The belief of Rajasthnais, he says, got embossed further when a few UP emigrants were found involved in criminal activities. But later, with time and more rickshaw pullers from UP, this gap was bridged. The much sought after query, “Aap UP mein kahan se belaang (belong) karte hain?), still manages to keep relationships healthy among fellow state citizens as well as people from Bihar.

Connoisseurs of art and music, many people are actively involved in theatrical and educational work here also. “We made a film on the plight of the poor, their problems and challenges they face,” says Pink City Cycle Rickshaw Puller Union President Vipin Tiwari. He came to Jaipur in 1982 from Devaria district.

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar Sanyukt Samaj organised a cultural evening with a gathering of about 5,000 people from UP. Unforgettably, four alliances for a future marriage within the community were also worked out here. Bhojpuri Birhas, popular in districts of eastern UP were sung here, bringing to life a village-like experience for many.

Folklore is still innate. Chanda mamas, halwa puris and gudiya ranis haven’t faded away in the homes. Also, the straightforward people have always had an edge over the “conservative”, “maintenance of double-standards” and a “subdued” common Rajasthani in arguments.

Many also complain that the new age Rajasthanis are more reserved and want to be left isolated. “They don’t want to mix with other cultures and communities at grass root level,” Tiwari says. Still, there’s a feeling that staying in Rajasthan is much more comfortable. With UP way ahead in crime than this state, life automatically becomes easy here.

Coming to food, expatriate tongues get a homely treat here. The quest for food got a Lucknow food festival to be organised in a city hotel. It was well received by many.

But above all, there’s one Unified Bonding Factor and Unique Selling Proposition (USP) that keeps them together here and everywhere – their want, desire and liking for “Paan”.

All top bureaucrats, Superintendents of Police, Collectors are from UP. All have a liking for paan. Most of the “good” paan sellers are also from UP. “The one close to Ganpati Plaza makes amazing paan – the best indeed,” says Rohit Kumar Singh, Project Director of the Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project (RUIDP) and importantly, a Varanasi expat in this city since 1992. “I have been selling paan in this city for almost 10 years now. Many people recognise me from my accented Hindi. They feel very nice,” Rajan, a paan waala in Gandhi Nagar says.

As more UP ka bhaiyas migrate into the pink city, it would only increase the expatriate population base here. Whether it means more cultural bonhomie or more friction between traditions, the bhaiyas are here to stay.

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Karnik for “sustainability” of IT growth

Karnik for “sustainability” of IT growth

Sanket Upadhyay

It is nice to pat our backs for what we have already achieved in Information Technology (IT). What’s important from here on is the sustainability of the present standard and its future growth.

President NASSCOM Kiran Karnik, who was in Jaipur on the inauguration ceremony of the Laxmi Niwas Mittal Institute of Information Technology (LNMIIT) on Sunday, said that “sustainability” of growth, was India’s challenge ahead.

Karnik welcomed the change in world perception towards an Indian IT mind terming it as “pleasant”. “Earlier, the world thought of India as a cheap market – in terms of money as well as quality. It is not the case now,” he said adding that Indian standards are now a benchmark of quality – a sizable achievement over a decade of IT boom.

He emphasised on a planned way to sustain this growth. “We have to maintain edge on skills. Government’s decision-making mechanism should be fast. This is where China scores ahead as they have capitalised well here. Quality of education should be better than the best,” he said.

He said the ultimate goal would be “innovative thinking and fresh ideas” terming it as India’s USP. “IT will achieve more respect in concrete terms. India is already the gold standard.

Karnik defended the BPO sector saying that the units here are equally important. “It’s a great industry. It provides job opportunities to so many young unemployed.” He however added that Indians had to take IT “forward” from here.

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Reality approaches destination dream

Reality approaches destination dream

HT Correspondent

A distant dream seems inching closer to reality. Pakistani Minister of State for Railways, Ishaq Khan Khakwani said that their government has a provision of around Rs 150 crores for developing the Khokhrapar - Monabao rail tracks on the Pakistani side, adding that arrangements would be ready in a few months. He was in Jaipur on Wednesday.

“Pakistan railways is also making arrangements for restoring stations, coaches and facilities required for formally opening the rail link within the next six months,” he said. Speaking to mediapersons here in Jaipur, he said that the budgetary allocation is likely to be provided in the Pakistani budget to be tabled in May this year. He added that the government is on its way studying the links in detail - including basic requirements like water and electricity.

Pakistan’s premier newspaper, The Daily star also quoted Khakwani as saying: “It is our principled decision to get it opened as early as possible and we are on right path to get the task accomplished."

He said that so far, there is no immediate plan to convert the present metre gauge track on the Pakistani side. “Khokrapar still has almost 120 kilometres of stretch on the Metre Gauge. Conversion into broad gauge would require more time and money,” he said. He also pressed upon the feasibility of the any conversion that may take place, adding that the present section had very less passenger frequency ever since tracks were uprooted almost 40 years ago.

At the Indian side, the tracks have already been converted to broad gauge in April 2004 – connecting the last Indian station of Munabao to the rest of the Indian rail network, which is mostly on the big line. Locals and the Indian Army are using the track at present.

Khakwani expressed interest in the link adding that it’ll be a historic development. “ It will be a big event and would be generously popularised,” he said. After the 1965 war with Pakistan, the rail link was uprooted on both the sides.

Khakwani added that the rail link would be very important for trade. “It will open a new avenue for trade between the two countries. Trade with Iran and Afghanistan shall also benefit,” he said. He however added that the entire initiative would have “no relevance” if the visa norms were not relaxed.

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Oye Bubbly! This is Jaipur – Punjabi style (FEATURE)

Oye Bubbly! This is Jaipur – Punjabi style (FEATURE)

Sanket Upadhyay

A smart Marks and Spencer’s tie flutters in the air as he tries to slide a few strands of hair inside his turban. Wearing the latest Gillette perfume he bought from Gaurav Tower, his hands dash to the pocket to grab the latest Motorola phone he bought only yesterday – it has an MP3 player too.

Soon after proposing a treat to his friends at Pizza Hut, he walks towards the parking stand, digs out a jazzy key ring and summons the Autocop beeper to unlock his brand new Scoda Octavia. “Peup Peup”, goes the car as he slides himself in, grabs the steering, switches on his Blaupunkt 5 CD changer music system and whizzes past many campy smiles coming from scooter, auto and cycle riders in Jaipur.

Welcome to the world of Divyajyoti Singh. Also, the world of some Punjabis (Sikhs also), who have around them a galaxy of appeal and charm – often criticised to be synthetic - but there. Singh is a second generation Sikh born in Jaipur. Though he ought be a Jaipurite – his key ring says everything about his Punjabipan – “If you have it, flaunt it!”

Many may think that the cult of suave and swanky sardars and Punjabis, the complete antonym of the conservative Rajasthani, may face a cultural shock (or give others one). But those settled in Jaipur - proudly preserving their Punjabi soul - call themselves Rajasthanis before anything else. Of course why won’t they sprinkle their soul essence around? They’re Punjabis after all.

A recent instance was the Baisakhi celebrations by the Punjabi Mahasabha. Arun Bakshi, the famous Hindi and Punjabi playback singer, was also in town. Clad in lehenga-choli, saris and gawdy make up, women bopped and hopped on anything Punjabi. Women of this community, they say, are branded beauties. “Jo sohni so Sikhni, Jo jhalla so Sikh,” goes the very famous saying among this community.

The state’s food palette also acknowledges Punjabi delicacies. Mouth-watering dishes of Hadoti, Dundhari, Brij and Punjab were featured in the recently concluded Rajasthan Diwas Samaroh from March 20 to 30.

“We are a mix of Rajasthanis and Punjabis. So we celebrate festivals symbolic to both cultures. The feeling is very good though,” 26-year-old Savita Singh, who is third generation Punjabi settled in the state, says.

But why have Punjabis settled in pockets like Raja Park and Adarsh Nagar? “During partition, many Punjabi refugees came in Jaipur from Pakistan. They were all settled and given land by the government in these places,” IP Singh, owner of the Mohan group of Restaurants and Hotels, tells Hindustan Times. He is the second generation in Jaipur. His grandfather settled in the city in 1947.

Also, a sizable number, which embrace the city for professional reasons, settle in these areas only. “When one learns that there is an entire colony of like minded people from the same community, one tends to settle down for the place,” adds Gurdeep Singh Sanotra, who came to Jaipur from Hoshiarpur in Punjab. He has settled in Raja Park.
What upset a few Punjabis in this peace loving state was a state government ban on Punjabis from buying land in the state. The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) said that it would approach the Rajasthan Government for lifting this ban on residents of Punjab. Many in Punjab said that they were interested buying agricultural land in the state but alleged that it was not being allotted to them in bordering areas as part of a discriminatory practice.
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After cricket, diplomacy over Polo…

Sanket Upadhyay

After diplomacy over cricket, Pakistan and India might just enter into patronising yet another sport for diplomacy – the heritage game of Polo. Pakistan’s Minister of State for Railways, Ishaq Khan Khakwani, who is also the President of the Lahore Polo Club, said: “Why only Polo, all sports should have the ability to initiate cross border diplomacy.”

Khakwani, who was in Jaipur on Wednesday, is part of the delegation that came to India along with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf last Saturday. He said that both the countries should look forward to relax visa norms if polo is intended for diplomacy.

“Players are already playing across the border but this is on an individual level. They have to face a lot of problems, as visa norms are stringent. Big matches can be organised only if there is some relaxation,” he said. Khakwani reiterated that ferrying horses, a basic requirement for the game, faces problems due to strict visa norms.

However, he expressed hope that cross border Polo games become more frequent. “It is a heritage game. We have teams visiting each side. We would want the number of teams to increase,” he said.

President of the Rajasthan Polo Club, Colonel KS Garcha expressed his confidence in the game, saying that it had potential to initiate cross border diplomacy. “Polo is essentially a game which involves the influential class of the society. It stands a greater chance of influencing the mindsets of people,” he said.

The horseback diplomacy showed its signs in December 2003 only. The Indian contingent that went to Lahore saw supporters including Gayatri Devi crossing the Wagah border. California based Pakistan Polo coach, Podger el Effendi had then said that the “game could serve as one of the finest confidence building measures.

“Sports, especially polo, should not be restricted as a sport between two rival nations. When the Indians played in Lahore last year, there was tremendous support for them,” he said.

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Jaipur: The French connection

Sanket Upadhyay

Former mayor Sheel Dabhai and newly elected mayor Ashok Parnami want to see Jaipur as Lyon and Paris respectively. Wanting is very different from reality, as the city has been showing its sorry face of bad municipal management for years now.

“The Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) would show everyone that Jaipur is Paris of India,” Mayor Parnami, speaking at a function of the Nagrik Parishad Jawahar Nagar, Jaipur ward 30, said. He said that the present JMC workforce would put its eye and tooth together to achieve the goals of a clean city by better garbage disposal techniques, production of power through garbage and making the city pig and dog free.

“Forget Paris, let Pink city remain pink city. At least stop it from becoming a stink city,” President Jawahar Nagar Nagrik Parishad, Satnarayan Singh told the Hindustan Times. Singh, who was apparently present at function where these announcements were being made, lambasted the mayor’s proposals terming them as mere “assurances” and “promises”.

“People use any stone for construction in the walled city. This defaces the heritage look. There are no properly implemented guidelines, which prevent people from tampering the architectural structure. There is no guideline identifying the genuine pink colour of the city. High-tension wires dangling, heavy vehicular pollution and no type design are areas which need to be looked into,” he said.

He pressed upon the need of building up a model market place or a model colony in Jaipur. “To start with, they can at least improve conditions in one area of the city,” he said.

The foreign dream isn’t new to the city. In September 2004, Mayor Park Youn Koke of the South Korean city Pocheon-si declared Jaipur to be its sister city. “Jaipur is the land of heritage and is known for its tourism which our city would like to associate with,” Koke offered explanation on his choice. Before this, the city had already received international connections with the cities of Lyon in France and Calgary in Canada. In October the same year, the then Mayor Sheel Dabhai talked about her “dream” to see Jaipur grow on the lines of Lyon city. Referring to a basement-parking project at Badi Choupar, she said: “I wish the project had taken off under my wings.” With her ouster, her basement-parking dream still remains her dream.

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Controversy uncalled for on Bose

Sanket Upadhyay

Script writer of the film on freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose “Bose: The Forgotten Hero,” Atul Tiwari said in Jaipur that the entire controversy on the movie was “uncalled for.” In rather explicit remarks, he compared the allegations and irritations from the movie to “mad men bickering on the streets.” The world premiere of the film was staged in a city cinema hall on Tuesday.

Activists in West Bengal led by the communist All-India Forward Bloc objected to the depiction of the leader's death, marital status and the title of the movie. Owing to these the controversy, Director Shyam Benegal has earlier cancelled the plans to hold his planned “largest movie premiere ever” for his film on Bose.

Bose: The Forgotten Hero portrays a leader seen as the antonym to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi – for his agreement to use violent means for freedom. He allies with Germany, Italy and Japan, the axis powers to stomp down the British in the country through the formation of the Indian National Army.

“There is nothing in the movie which can be called controversial. The script has been prepared after thorough research from a two-dozen books. We have facts to support what we have shown,” Tiwari said.

He added that the “somebody” raising an issue over the film “should have facts to support their point.” “It is like a mad man walking on the street wearing tattered clothes calling himself a traffic policeman,” Tiwari said. He called the controversy as nothing but “notion” adding that somebody had “notions about the truth.”

The founding member of the Indian National Army, Bose, is believed to have fought British rule of India during World War II. The controversial subject is that many Indians dispute he died in a plane crash in Taiwan in August 1945.

Bose, according to protestors, was not married. He was shown in the movie to be in love and married with full Hindu rituals with an Austrian woman, Emilie Shekl, who lived in Germany. The two have also been shown to have a daughter, Anita Piaff.

“Everything is researched and it is in the books,” Tiwari presses. There were apprehensions to the name of the movie “Bose: The Forgotten Hero”. In West Bengal, his home state, Bose is hailed as an unmarried freedom fighter who was willing to challenge British colonialism through force.
Film hero, who has played Bose, Sachin Khedekar, says that the controversy is “more or less resolved.” “It is sad to learn that not many people know about Bose and his struggle,” Khedekar said. Director Shyam Benegal in an interview given to a national newspaper earlier said that the title was given as the leader is little known outside the state of West Bengal.
While the release of the movie is still awaited, the world premiere here in Jaipur was well received. With a budget of Rs 220-million, the movie is Indian film industry’s first serious attempt to depict Bose and his struggle. “The film is a three year effort involving a lot of research and shooting in locales in Berlin, Ladakh, Uzbekistan and Myanmar,” Khedekar said.

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