The most important decision by US

Elections have always fascinated me. On the eve of Election Day 2016 in the US, I am more than excited. I have not much reason to be, but I just am. I remember the day in May 2014 when I called work to say 'I was sick' to stay at home and watch election results of the Indian Lok Sabha polls. I celebrated it like a festival and Mr. P had no idea what was going on with me. I was happy that Narendra Modi won, but I was happier that democracy won. The voter turn-out was a whopping 66.38% . Two thirds of the 1.2 billion Indian people actually got out and voted.

The very concept of election fascinated me right from childhood. We were introduced to it by an erudite and pragmatic teacher of History during our class representative, or as we called them Prefects, elections in the 3rd or 4th grade. Very hesitant, I stood for the elections in 3rd grade and every time a vote was read in my favour, I was elated, overjoyed to the extent of being sick wth excitement. This went on throughout my school life and I was always part of the 'class cabinet'. However, more that this what's important is how much I enjoyed the process of voting. The serious ones like me would put thought into who we were voting for and what or what not he/she could bring to the table.

I am out of touch of what schools teach about democracy today. But I truly wish that children are taught the power of vote and franchise. Its the most powerful weapon we all wield and the funny thing is- we dont realise it. Every single person we put up on the Lok Sabha, the Senate, the House of Commons, makes a difference- even if they do nothing during their tenure. Yes, even if they do nothing. Because most of the times, doing nothing, counts.

Coming back to the US Presidential Elections, yes, the Americans are choosing lesser of the two evils today. God give them strength and God give them prudence. It's their responsibility not only for themselves but for billions worldwide because of the power that the US wields.

Here's hoping that the unworthy are TRUMPed by a HILLARious turn of events.

Allah Hafiz and Bharat Mata ki Jai

So I read this sort of a proverb/saying on one of the walls, Facebook, not real. It said " I was Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Rajasthani as far as I was in India, I became Indian only after I left India". What a poignant thought, I said to myself. I started indulging in past events when I exhibited any such behaviour of being state-specific when asked "Kahan se ho aap?" (Where are you from). And yes, while I was in India, I always said Gujarat. Never once did it occur to me to say "Main wahin se hu jahan se app hain" (I am from where you are).

So I sulked for my naivety of the past and wondered how I could make amends. However, whats important for this post is that now I am in a foreign land and how proud I feel each day to say that I am from India. Whats even more important for this post is the interactions I have had from people of Pakistan and how much love and respect I have developed for them in few short months of my stay in Paris.

Few weeks back there was a terrorist attack on Uri Military camp where 18 of our brave soldiers laid their lives. The social media was filled with hatred for Pakistan and it seemed that each Indian, if given a chance, would wield a sword and kill atleast one Pakistani. There were messages with appeal to the Prime Minister to destroy Pakistan, throw our nukes at them, have a war and obliterate the very existence of this lovely country which was my country's integral part not very long ago.

I often meet Pakistani people in the train, bus, shops and my university. With each meeting my love and respect for them only grows stronger. Yes sometimes I agree that Pakistan is a rogue state, but Pakistanis are not rogue at all- they are far from it. They are the most polite, loving and cheerful people I have met in Paris. And I am terribly sorry to say but I have not felt the warmth from fellow Indians. Their faces light up when I speak in Hindi and some broken Punjabi. And when I am leaving and bid "Allah Hafiz" to them, although I cant see it with my back turned, I know they are smiling and sending only good thoughts. I have no hesitation in saying "Allah Hafiz" just as I have no hesitation in saying "Bharat Mata ki Jai". And no matter what happens, I will always say it. Taking the name of God purifies us, no matter if its Ram or Allah.

I wanted to share how delighted I am to have had the opportunity to meet people from Pakistan and how much I will cherish this relationship in years to come.