Why Raj Thackeray still rules the audience

After tasting two consecutive defeats in the parliamentary and assembly elections in Maharashtra, the political pundits and public in general, thought that Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) was doomed and his political career is finished. With no presence in either house of parliament and but nominal presence in state legislature - MNS has just one member in state assembly - Raj's clout was nowhere to be seen. Even the numerous corporators elected on his party tickets failed to put up any show of performance earning a scorn from public as much as from Raj himself. Thus the railway engine - the election symbol of MNS- was on the downward path. The famed and feared oratory of perpetually angry Raj was but a shadow of its theatrical version seen mere five years ago.

However, even today, when Thackeray's bête noir Shiv Sena is accommodated itself in the roles of partner in power as also the player in politics and state's politics fragmented beyond repair, Raj rules the public mind.

The fact came to fore on Tuesday, June 10, when Raj attended a function to confer Sant Namdev National Award to Prakash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab. The award was given by Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the award was given by Sarhad, an NGO based in Pune. Raj was the Chief Guest at the function. When his name was announced, there was a loud cheer from the audience - a mixed bag of Maharashtrians and Sikh citizens.

He started his speech by addressing 'all Marathi people' and in the same breath added that he deemed Sikhs as Marathi people. There was a loud clapping which was hardly surprising.

Then true to his fame for wit and punches, he quipped that Badal (cloud) had come in Maharashtra on the eve of monsoon so that there may be rain. Every one in the auditorium applauded the nice words of play and novel way of welcome. Even Badal seemed to be curious ad he was seen asking Fadnavis a translation of the humor.

Taking a cue from Sarhad's Sanjay Nahar, Raj then went on to say that Sant Namdev bound Maharashtra and Punjab's cultures in one thread and only a tailor could do this. This was an hitherto unnoticed and unused observation which pointed to the Sant Namdev's caste (Shimpi). Had the public not responded with applause and appreciation, they would be blamed. But the praise was well received and hall resonated with cheers. Even the Sikhs who knew Marathi put their seal of appreciation on the quirky description of the great work this 13th century saint did. Clearly he stole the show. Even Fadnavis borrowed his words to express his feelings.

Raj, like his cousin Uddhav and uncle Bal Thackeray, is adept at capturing the mood of the masses and regaling them to his advantage. He may have lost elections but he has not lost his charms and talent. That is the promise for the time for his partymen.

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Marathi and Punjabi Warmth Gets New Manifestation

          Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal (right) presenting a sword to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis as Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu (center) looks on.

The warmth of relations between Marathi and Punjabi received a new manifestation on Sunday as leaders from the two states thanked each other and announced a slew of measures for promoting each other’s culture in both states.
As the 88^th All India Marathi Literary Meet concluded in Ghuman in Punjab, Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal and other leaders showered praise on both the cultures. Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister Vinod Tawade, Dnyanpeeth Awardee Kashmiri author Rehman Rahi, communist leader Jatinder Pannu were present on the occasion.
This is the first time that the Marathi meet was held in Punjab which the latter had declared as its official event. It provided all the infrastructure and hospitality facilities for the three day meet which was appreciated by all. Around 7000 people from Maharashtra camped in the small town of Ghuman, about 40 kms from Amritsar. The town is known for the memorial of Shiromani Bhagat Namdev, originally Sant Namdev from Maharashtra. Pune-based NGO Sarhad and Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal were the organizers of the meet.
Speaking on the occasion, Prabhu said, “While Marathi literary meet has truly crossed threshold this year, Punjab is the food bowl of India. Punjab and Maharashtra's relations are extraordinary. We can never think where martyrs Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev & Rajguru came from. Marathi people love bhagat Singh more than Rajguru. Marathi literary meet may help generate such gems for India. I am sure that literature can literary persons can bring people together.”
In his address, Badal said that it is Punjab’s tradition to respect all the religion on the world equally. He proposed that such an event should be held every year so that this exchange would go further. He reminded that Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal had promised to set up a Chair in the Guru Nanak Devji University in Amritsar in the name of Baba Namdev. Badal also demanded that Ghuman should be brought on the railway map so that devotees from both the states can travel directly to the respective states.
Appreciating and reciprocating this gesture, Fadnavis said, “The literature lays the foundation for bridging linguistic and cultural barriers. I fully endorse Badal’s proposal and we will try to organize Punjabi festival in Maharashtra every year. Also, I announce that we will set up Shri Guru Gobind Singhji Chair in Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University at Nanded. Digitization can do everything but it can't create sensibilities. Only literature can create sensibilities. Literature has infuse confidence in common man to fight adeversities and that larger community is behind him.”
All the leaders and dignitaries present in the ceremony, including Gen. (Retd.) J. J. Singh, Sikkim’s Governor Srinivas Patil, Pannu and Tawade thanked the Punjabi people and government for the excellent hospitality given by them.
Earlier in the day, the Union Minister of State for Environment and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi too have extended his warm greetings for this literary fest. Expressing gratitude of Punjab government in conducting this event, he said that he was thankful to the Chief Minister Punjab Prakash Singh Badal and the Punjab government on behalf of entire Maratha community for their hospitality.

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Maharashtrians Enjoy the Punjabi Hospitality

The 88th edition of the Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan (ABMSS) has given the Maharashtrians the occasion to enjoy the hospitality of the Punjabi people. The entire Ghuman village in Gurdaspur district has turned into Mini Maharashtra for the last threee days.

The literary meet,surprisingly, has become centre of attraction for many. The guests from Maharashtra are not only enjoying the Marathi programmes, but are also relishing the Punjabi programmes and most of all, the food. Every village in the town, apart from the Gurudwaras dotting the horizons, are filled with langars offering free food, tea, refreshments and even sugarcane juice.

Those visiting Punjab for the first time are having gala time and really enjoying the attention they are getting. Today, Vinod Tawade, Minister of Education and Culture of Maharashtra, visited the media center and said that even Maharashtra would not offer such hospitality as extended by the Punjab government. Many people I spoke to said that they would relish the moments spent in Punjab for the rest of their life.

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Can Doordarshan Regain Its Glory?

Think of it. 66 studio centers spread all over the country, out of these 23 centres are either already digitalised or being digitalized,  39 studio centers, 91 percent area covered all over India. Still Doordarshan is often called poordarshan because of its style of functionning. It seems it likes to work as just another government organ.

Ambika Soni, the minister for information and broadcasting informed the Lok Sabha yesterday through a written reply yesterday that massive plans are on for the modernisation of the national TV channel. "An amount of Rs. 1209 crore has been set aside for digitalization of Doordarshan out of an outlay of Rs. 1369 crore approved for the new schemes in the 11th Plan," she said.

All this information is only a technical one. There is nothing on the content side. The steady decline in the viewership gives a hint of the downward journey of Doordarshan. It is more pathetic considering that this is the golden jubilee year of the channel. Even though today it has 30 channels and a DTH service, Doordarshan does not figure anywhere in the TV map of India. What a pity?

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Diwali issues in Marathi culture

As the Diwali approaches, so are the Diwali issue of Marathi magazines. Diwali issues are the hallmark of the festival for the Marathi people and Maharashtra. Many houses in the state get a hint of the festival's arrival by thick issues of magazines stacked on the news stands. Its cultural standing is matched only by the Durga Puja issues brought out by Bengali newspapers and magazines. Many writers in Marathi owe their career to the existence of the Diwali issues only. In north India, Diwali means gifts and present full of mithai boxes. In Maharashtra, mithai is accompanied by Diwali issues.

It was exactly hundred years ago, that the first Diwali issue of Manoranjan, a popular magazine of that time saw light of the day. Since then, the tradition has only grown to encompass in it all types of print as well as new medium publication. Some years ago, there came audio Diwali issues, then with advent of time they changed into video ones. Now, more than five web portals in Marathi bring their own issues. In one such issue last year, I wrote about the advent of web technology in indigenous languages. Diwali issue is a thing of status in Marathi media and no publication is complete unless it has one. Actually this will be a statement as there are more brands of Diwali issues in Marathi than the reqgular magazines. Some like Awaz, Ravivarchi Jatra, Maharashtra Times and Loksatta have a tradition of almost five decades and they require no marketing. Some like Dhanurdhari come only in Diwali issue form but are always looked forward to.

Even though known for their entertainment value, the Diwali issues have contributed to the exchange and growth of thought in Maharashtra. Prior to arrival of TV and web media, it offered a platform for discussion or debate an many controversial topics. Much of today's contemporary Marathi literature owe its existence to the Diwali issues. Not limiting to that, they have also helped put new thoughts. It is not surprising to find Diwali issue dedicated to women's issues or philosophy, medical issues or astrology lined up for sale. It is also not a novelty for the Marathi readers to find these issues selling like hot cakes. Even though one can find older people grudging about the decreasing habit of reading, the sale of the Diwali issue do not stand witness to that. The business of publishing Diwali issues have stood test of time. Even advertisers do not shy away from putting their money in it.

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