From Chaos to Clarity: An Ode to 2011

It’s been a long time since I last wrote in my blog. And to be really honest, I did really miss this space. It’s a place, where at the end of the day I can write down my feelings, expressions in the form of words and enjoy every bit of it. So, what way to start rather than going down the memory lane and wonder how 2011 been for all of us.

In 2010, I would have described myself as difficult, confused, anxious involved some health problems. My 2011 saw me evolve into a person I would describe as honest, open, a conversationalist, compassionate, different, adventurous, curious, kind, warm, evolving and happy, in short, a contented man, to quote G.K Chesterton.

Last year there were events in India which were a combination of great pride & honor, along with some that filled me with deep sorrow. Further on this page, I have noted some of the most important moments which I hold from last year.

Political, bureaucratic, corporate and individual corruption in India is rife. It is fine for India to be proud of its high GDP growth rate, but that does not serve to shift attention at home and abroad from the growing corruption at all levels of governance. The funniest thing was, the man who positioned himself as the face of the Commonwealth Games in India, the man at the helm of affairs was sacked on account of alleged corruption, bringing an unceremonious end to his tenure.

In April, the redoubtable Team India won the 2011 Cricket World Cup. An inspired India regained the coveted World Cup after 28 years as they suppressed formidable Sri Lanka with a convincing victory in a nerve-wrecking final to script a glorious new chapter in their cricketing history. The generation comprising legend cricketers like Gavaskar & Amarnath must be happy to see that the World Cup comes to the country once again. One more event that really made all Indian proud - The F1 2011 Race was held at the Buddh International Circuit, Noida. Though, I am not much of an enthusiast –yet it makes me proud that India is making it to the Global level. 2012 Olympics in London holds high hopes and promises for the athletes and sports personnel in our country. I wish their hopes are accomplished and India rises high in the medal tally.

There were events of glory, and there were events of great sorrow and loss. Famous painter M.F Hussain, Maqbool Fida Husain, known as the 'Picasso of India', passed away. The man walked bare-foot throughout life, a gesture that kept him in constant touch with the earth. I think this touch made his work so lively and vital.

Another saddening event was the passing away of Legendary Bollywood actor Dev Anand. ‘Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya' went the timeless melody from the movie Hum Dono. Nonchalantly puffing a cigarette and wandering through the woods with gay abandon, Hindi cinema's legendary hero Dev Anand embodied the spirit of this ode to life on screen and in personal life. For generations Dev Sahab will remain the style icon.

"The Ghazal King", Jagjit Singh, Recipient of Padma Bhushan award, became silent eventually. He rediscovered the ghazal genre for common Indian in 70s and 80s. He had a soul-stirring voice and his greatest contribution was that he made ghazals accessible to everyone; he gave joy and pleasure to millions of music lovers in India and abroad. Whenever I listen to him, I remember the last two lines of "The Solitary Reaper" by William Wordsworth:

The music in my heart I bore,  
Long after it was heard no more.

I am sanguine about the year that passed by and I wish the year 2012 will bring faith and fulfillment for all of us. I write this not because I have a few words and vocabulary but because I have a sincere theme. The quest for new themes every hour, everyday for my readers is my ENDLESS ENDEAVOR.