Ganpati Bappa Morya... Pudhcya Varshi....

I remember how eagerly I waited for this festival because it would not just mean a visit from my favourite deity but also being a little helper to my Narayan Kaka! Although my help back then would be restricted to staying up late in the night while my Kaka prepared the most beautiful ‘makhar’ year after year J

All the 9 days were filled with sheer joy and bliss. The joy of my ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ family union and the bliss of my personal conversations with my dearest Ganpati Bappa every second that I found him alone! Even as a child my conversations never included a wish list; it was either a simple hi or many a times, lots of questions, to which He promptly replied with a smile J

The 10^th day; however, was never so blissful, not because it was His time to return but because I would be scared… very scared! I was scared of hordes of His followers on the streets some dancing, some drunk and some screaming.

The Juhu Chaupati, which I loved to visit with my Mangal Aatya on any given day, would become a site to avoid. As a kid I would fear separating from my folks, and that fear would be evident in every kid at Juhu Chaupati that night. The fear of coming face to face with a malicious stranger kept the parents fiercely protective against every unknown smile.

The last day fiasco still haunts me. And with each passing year it gets scarier because it comes with a new problem …. And I have no solution but to ask Ganapti Bappa Himself to stay put in his heavenly abode.

Dearest Ganpati Bappa,

It was indeed pleasant to have you at our home this time around too, it was special because we decorated your ‘makhar’ J

The reason for writing this is a request … now don’t roll your elephant eyes thinking it’s a mannat; but seriously, do you mind skipping a visit or two, next year onwards because:

1. Although you are here with us, I do not feel your presence anymore. Not because I have grown up & question your existence but because I don’t hear you smile. My ears are too busy protecting themselves from the blasting songs such as ‘Munni Badnaam hui darling tere liye…’
2. All your followers pray to you and ask for forgiveness while conveniently ignoring the other lives they hurt unknowingly, I don’t question your justice but I don’t understand it
3. The kids love you dearly but many share my fear especially when these celebrations begin with loud and polluting firecrackers!
4. The animals all around, the stray and the pets are equally petrified and you see that fear in their eyes but then again it’s too noisy around for their soft voices to reach you and I am not saying this because I have pets!
5. Trust me, the elders ( grandparents/ senior citizens) too resent this fiasco
6. Lokmanya Tilak started ‘Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav’ with a cause of bringing about an awakening but that very cause is lost!
7. The government has been trying to put a leash on the anti social activities/ elements that are rampant during such festivals, but the results are for all to see…

Lastly, I have been praying to you to bless these ‘Ganesh Mitra mandals’ with a little bit of wisdom and compassion, sorry to say, but I have seen only the reverse effects so far … and now… I am left with no choice but to say….Ganpati Bappa Moryaaaaa… Pudhcya Varshi Yeuch Naka!

P.S. Our culture vultures would probably raid my home if they read this blog!