I have been feeling exactly like that for the last few weeks. Hours turning into days, days into weeks and weeks into months in a jiffy!
Nevertheless, the one thing that I have noticed in these busy times, is that the phenomenon of 'fasting' is suddenly catching on. All credit to Anna Hazare. The latest on the bandwagon was 'Aapno Na-Mo'. And then it was a case of 'counter-fast', when Shankarsinh Vaghela also started his fast at the Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad at the same time.
First up, the Na-Mo fast. It was very interestingly called The Sadbhavana Mission. Sadbhavana means, prayer for togetherness. Togetherness and Narendra Modi? It just does not sound right. The man who is accused of telling the police forces to let the Hindus vent their anger and not interfere during the Godhra riots is now talking about togetherness. Quite farcical. It was also a 5-star fast! No...no...I am saying that the rules of the fast allowed 5-Stars to be consumed (similar to a Perk advertisement). However, the fast was a unique one, conducted in the fully air-conditioned Gujarat University Convention Hall. Throughout the day, dignitaries from the BJP and other specially 'invited' prayer groups of all religions came to the stage to shake hands with the CM. The entire bureaucracy from the capital, Gandhinagar, had stationed themselves at the hall as well. Hence, practically, no work happened during the 3 days in the government corridors of Gandhinagar. It was also very widely reported in the media that chants of 'Allah-O-Akbar' rented the air at the venue. Now, were they really 'rented'?
The CM was photographed in various head gears offered by the visitors throughout the three days. But, the bluff was called when an Imam offered Na-Mo a skullcap, which Modi politely declined to wear. Boom! So much for 'Sadbhavana'! This looked to me as more of a positioning exercise before the next Assembly elections in Gujarat and the next General Elections in the country. Clearly, the ambitious man that he is, Na-Mo has his eyes set on the national political canvass.
The competing 'counter-fast' did not even get a mention in many sections of the media. I guess, it is very difficult to be a congressman in Gujarat these days. So, I shall also limit my references to it on this post.
Talking of fasts, my mother was with us for the last week. She fasts three times a week! I have been asking her quit, as by now, I argue, all her wishes might have been fulfilled. However, she continues to observe the weekly fasts quite fastidiously! Let me not talk about my various experiments with fasting in the last couple of years. The latest one is to fast for a day of the week, consuming only water and nothing else. I am told it has a very good detoxifying effect. The only thing that I notice it giving me is a severe headache!
In other fast lane happenings, the buzz is on for the first ever F1 race in India and I am slowly revving up my desire to be there. Still have to figure out my schedule and whether it allows me the diversion during this festive season and the busy time of the year. Watch this space for that.
Take care.
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