Panga: The Comeback!

It is hard to put the recently released film "Panga" in the frame of a particular genre. Is it a slice of life film, or a sports drama, or a family entertainer, or something else? Perhaps a bit of all of these. The story is about a person following his/her passion. That the person happens to be a woman, and the passion happens to be kabaddi is incidental.

Well, our leading lady Jaya Nigam is a happily married woman with a loving husband and a smart 7-year-old son. She has a cosy home, and her life is centred around her husband, her son, and her job as a ticket seller at the railway booking window. She had been a promising kabaddi player with trophies and national/international recognition to her credit, but she quit her game after marriage and motherhood. Sounds familiar? So many of married women can identify with her, having left some such thing behind after matrimony.

Unlike many who left their passion behind for good, Jaya decides to get back into the game. Finding her physical form, and overcoming her guilt for neglecting her household duties as a wife and a mother are her biggest obstacles. Everything else is picture perfect: a very supportive and understanding husband, an encouraging son (too mature to be 7?), a good coach who happens to be a dear friend, co-operating colleagues, helpful neighbours and what not. She could have had parents or in-laws who were ill and needed her help, she could have faced discrimination at work for being a woman, or she could have had a husband who was not so caring. But no, none of that. She is free as a bird to leave her nest and find ways to realise her dreams.

Even then, there are difficulties, ups and downs and emotional conflicts. Kangana Ranaut has played her part with sensitivity and energy. She switches between a vulnerable mother and wife, and an ambitious sportswoman with ease. The story is set in Bhopal and it is refreshing to see unexplored locales. Jassi Gill as the husband, Richa Chadda as Jaya's friend and coach, Yagya Bhasin as the son have all done very well. Richa Chadda is particularly impressive as the spunky single woman who has stayed away from marriage for her sport. Neena Gupta as Jaya's mother has nothing much to do. She manages to stay on the outlines with a character that has not been crafted well, having no chemistry with Kangana Ranaut as a mother would have with her daughter. To have someone of her calibre for this role is a complete waste.

Director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari has tried and succeeded to a large extent in capturing the life of a young couple in present times, complete with their struggles and their challenges. Her offering has most of the ingredients to make it a wholesome dish, but perhaps somewhere along the way, a bit of tang could have helped? That would have elevated the film to a whole new level, although it is clean, honest and good now.

Watching Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior

We have heard the story of Tanhaji (I would have spelt it as Tanaaji, but the recent film showcasing the valour of this 17th-century hero calls him Tanhaji, so I will go with that version since this is all about the film) from our mothers and grandmothers in our childhood. The story formed a part of the saga of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the super hero who had the vision to dream of Swarajya, and who fought relentlessly throughout his life to realise it.

In Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (TTUW), the focus is obviously on this brave military leader, while the Chhatrapati makes a dignified appearance on the sidelines. The film opens with all kinds of disclaimers that are the norm today. The story has been dramatised, and creative liberties taken to enhance its appeal. Here's how the story goes. Tanhaji offers his services in leading the operation to reclaim Kondhana fort, which the Chhatarpati had lost to the Mughals in a peace treaty. His son's wedding can wait, aadhi lagna kondhanyache (let's get Kondhana married first); declares Tanhaji, and embarks on his mission. Scaling the heights of Kondhana is no mean feat. Especially when the fight is against the mighty and menacing Udaybhan Singh Rathore, who is defending the fort on behalf of Emperor Aurangzeb. The Mughal ruler had plans to make the strategic fort the centre of his operations in the South. After a fierce battle, Tanhaji wins the fort for his master but loses his life, eliciting the famous line from the Chhatrapati, gad aala pan sinha gela (we got the fort, but lost the lion). Eventually, Kondhana came to be known as Sinhagad.

Ajay Devgn plays the protagonist convincingly. Action is his forte and he delivers superbly. He is brawn, and brain too. His devotion to the Chhatrapati, and love for his family show his sensitive side. Kajol has a small, supporting role as Savitri, Tanhaji's wife.

Saif Ali Khan portrays the colourful and eccentric Udaybhan to the hilt. He gorges on crocodile meat roasted on a skewer, has no qualms about pushing a guard off the parapet of the fort into the depths of wilderness as a punishment for minor non-conformance, and dances like a madman anticipating a union with his childhood sweetheart Kamal.

Both of them are veteran actors, and that they did well is no surprise. The real surprise package comes in the form of Sharad Kelkar who essays the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is not easy to bring to life a legendary personality like him, but the actor has done it in a nuanced way, lending a lot of grace and character to his portrayal. It was so easy to get carried away and overdo his part, but full credit to him and to director Om Raut for not crossing the line.

I watched the film in a hall, in 3D format. While the closeup shots looked good, the long shots looked terrible, reducing the humans and animals to miniature characters. It was pathetic to see a majestic army appear as a toy army with baby elephants and pocket-sized soldiers. While the film switched the long shots and closeups effortlessly, it was a strain to get used to the changing proportions. Also, the lighting did not seem to be appropriate, making the visuals look dull in many shots. I wonder how these lapses occurred in the age of technical excellence. Although the use of computer generated graphics in this genre of films is a given these days, I felt it has taken something away from the production, lending it a bit of artificiality.

However, when the subject matter is strong, making a film which lives up to its demands is challenging for a filmmaker; and the film has done well on this count. It is inspiring, engaging and entertaining all at the same time!

छोटे पर्दे पर बड़े ख़्वाब!

हाल ही में "कौन बनेगा करोड़पति" (केबीसी) में हिस्सा लेनेवाली दो प्रतियोगियों ने बहुत प्रभावित किया. संयोग की बात है कि दोनों महिलाएँ थीं. पहली, बबिता ताड़े महाराष्ट्र के अमरावती के निकट एक कस्बे अंजनगाँव सुर्जी से हैं. बहुत ही हँसमुख, सौम्य व्यक्तित्ववाली बबिता एक सरकारी स्कूल में ४५० विद्यार्थियों के लिए दोपहर का भोजन बनाती हैं. उनके पति उसी स्कूल में चपरासी हैं. एक ख़ानसामा की बेटी बबिता अपनी स्वादिष्ट खिचड़ी के लिए बच्चों में ख़ासी लोकप्रिय हैं. घर की ज़िम्मेदारी में हाथ बँटाने के लिए उन्हें अपनी स्नातकोत्तर शिक्षा अधूरी ही छोड़नी पड़ी, लेकिन चूँकि पढ़ाई-लिखाई में उनकी दिलचस्पी है, जैसे मौका मिलता है वैसे वह किताबें,अख़बार आदि पढ़ लेती हैं. सामान्य ज्ञान की इसी पूँजी के सहारे वह केबीसी में शामिल होने आई थीं.

वैसे तो अमिताभ बच्चन अपने सामने बैठे हर प्रतियोगी को सहज बनाने की पूरी कोशिश करते हैं, लेकिन फ़िर भी उनके जैसे महानायक का सामना करना आसान नहीं. बबिता न सिर्फ़ अपनी सादगी और शालीनता के साथ हॉट सीट पर टिकी रहीं, उन्होंने सारे सवालों के जवाब धैर्य और सूझबूझ के साथ दिए, और एक करोड़ रुपए जीत गईं.  एक करोड़ की रकम जीतने में सामान्य ज्ञान के साथ उनके संयत व्यवहार और सकारात्मक विचार का भी बहुत बड़ा योगदान रहा होगा. उन्होंने अपनी ज़िंदगी की मुश्किलों को बयान तो किया, लेकिन उनका रोना नहीं रोया.

कार्यक्रम के बीच अमिताभ बच्चन अक्सर पूछते हैं कि जीती हुई रकम का आप क्या करेंगे. बबिता की चाहत सिर्फ़ एक मोबाईल फ़ोन की थी. एक करोड़ जीतने के बाद जब बच्चन साहब ने उनसे कहा कि अब तो आपको काम करने की कोई ज़रुरत नहीं है, तो उनका जवाब था कि काम तो वह करती रहेंगी क्योंकि उन्हें अपने काम से प्यार है. निश्चय ही इस महिला ने एक करोड़ के साथ-साथ दर्शकों का मन भी जीत लिया होगा. न उनमें अपनी आर्थिक स्थिति को लेकर कोई हीन भावना दिखी, और न ही अपने काम को लेकर किसी कमतरी का अहसास. अपने काम के प्रति समर्पण की भावना और स्कूल के बच्चों के प्रति उनके स्नेह को देखकर दर्शकों को भी उनकी सकारात्मकता ने छू लिया.

माना कि इतने बड़े रियलिटी शो में शिरकत करने वालों को कैमरे के सामने पेश करने से पहले कई तरह की सूचनाएँ दी जाती होंगी, उनकी छवि को तराशा जाता होगा, और जनता के सामने प्रभावशाली तरीके से प्रस्तुत होने के लिए उन्हें कुछ गुर सिखाए जाते होंगे. बावजूद इसके बबिता की स्वाभाविक सादगी छुप न सकी. साथ ही अमिताभ बच्चन आज जिस मक़ाम पर हैं, वहाँ से उनका आम जनता के साथ उठना-बैठना, सभी प्रतियोगियों के साथ आदरपूर्ण और मित्रवत व्यवहार, हँसी-मज़ाक करना, और सुपरस्टार की छवि के बोझ से मुक्त होकर सबके साथ सामान्य आचरण करना आदि इस शो को महज प्रश्नोत्तरी का कार्यक्रम नहीं, आपसी संवाद को रेखांकित करती एक मानवीय गतिविधि बना देते है.

इसी सन्दर्भ में जिनका ज़िक्र किया जा सकता है ऐसी दूसरी महिला हैं रूमा देवी. यह विशेष कार्यक्रम कर्मवीर में अतिथि बनकर आई थीं. राजस्थान के बाड़मेर ज़िले की रहनेवाली रूमा देवी को हस्तकला के क्षेत्र में उत्कृष्ट काम करने के लिए इस वर्ष राष्ट्रपति ने "नारी शक्ति पुरस्कार" से नवाज़ा है. टीवी के पर्दे पर इनकी उपस्थिति बेहद दिलकश और ऊर्जावान थी. पारम्परिक राजस्थानी पोशाक में सजीं रूमा देवी ने खुलेपन और आत्मविश्वास के साथ अपनी कहानी सुनाई. वह महज आठवीं कक्षा तक स्कूल गईं. कम उम्र में शादी होने के बाद धन के अभाव में अपने छोटे बच्चे का इलाज नहीं करा पाईं और उसे खो दिया. घूँघट की प्रथा का आदर करते हुए उन्होंने अपनी दादी से सीखा हुआ कशीदाकारी का काम घर से ही शुरू किया और धीरे-धीरे अपने जैसी कई महिलाओं को अपने साथ जोड़कर उन्हें भी रोज़गार दिलाया. आज २२ हज़ार महिलाएँ उनके साथ कार्यरत हैं. उनके बनाए वस्त्र और अन्य सामान जैसे टेबल कवर, कुशन कवर आदि की भारत में और विदेश में भी बहुत माँग है. 

रूमा देवी ने अपने काम के सिलसिले में विदेश दौरे भी किए हैं, और व्यावसायिक मॉडेल्स के साथ फैशन शो में रैम्प वॉक भी. केबीसी के विशेष कार्यक्रम के दौरान वह लगातार मुस्कुरा रही थीं और बेबाकी से ठहाके भी लगा रही थीं. अतिथि के रूप में उनका साथ देने आई थीं अभिनेत्री सोनाक्षी सिन्हा. सोनाक्षी के ग्लैमर और चमक-दमक के सामने रूमा देवी कहीं भी कम नहीं लग रही थीं, बल्कि महज ३० वर्ष की उम्र में हासिल की उपलब्धियों की रोशनी में उनका आकर्षक व्यक्तित्व और भी निखर उठा था. उन्होंने १२ लाख ५० हज़ार की रकम जीती और उसे अपने साथ काम करती महिलाओं के उत्थान के लिए इस्तेमाल करने की इच्छा जताई.

गाँव की मिट्टी की खुशबू अपने साथ लेकर आईं बबिता और रूमा देवी की कहानियाँ प्रेरणादायी तो हैं ही, साथ ही यह दूर-दराज क्षेत्रों में बसे उन अनगिनत लोगों को सपने देखने की हिम्मत देती हैं जो अपनी मेहनत, कौशल और विश्वास के बूते पर अपने आपको साबित करने के लिए प्रयत्नरत हैं. 

यह लेख इन्दौर से प्रकाशित दैनिक "प्रजातंत्र" में आज २६ सितम्बर २०१९ के अंक में प्रकाशित हुआ है. 

Under The Bodhi Tree!

I was in Patna recently for a family event . This was my first ever visit to the city and I was keen on making a trip to Bodhgaya, the site of the Mahabodhi Temple and the sacred Bodhi Tree, where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment before being known as Gautam Buddha. It is one of the major pilgrimage destinations, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fortunately there was a spare day, so we planned a trip.

We hired a car and set off towards the holy site in the morning. Various searches had shown the distance to be between 95 and 120 kilometres. The driver, a young and slender lad, was chatty and friendly. He asked us if we had any preference between the two routes available to reach Bodhgaya. We told him to choose the route where road conditions were better. He said, we'll take the Hilsa-Islampur route, as the other route was under repair, and hence not in a good condition. 

It was a warm day and we were passing through fields and villages, getting a glimpse of rural Bihar. The village markets were bustling with women buying fruits and vegetables from roadside shops. The driver said, they were preparing for the upcoming Teej festival. The narrow streets in the villages and the crowds in the markets slowed down our speed, and it took us almost four hours to reach Bodhgaya from the time we started from our hotel, much longer than what we had anticipated.

The Thai Monastery

Inside the Thai Monastery

Vehicles are not allowed, so we took a battery-operated rickshaw to visit the Mahabodhi Temple. Suddenly the landscape changed! The streets were lined with colourful Buddhist temples and monasteries on both sides. Bhutan, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and many other countries where followers of Buddhism live, have a presence here in the form of these lovely prayer houses. We stopped by two of them, one belonging to Bhutan, and the other to Thailand. Both had very ornate and elaborate decorations around the idol of Buddha, which was very placid and restful in stark contrast. Both the monasteries are lovely, quiet and well-kept.

I am told the township of Bodhgaya is served by Gaya airport, which is just five kilometres from the Mahabodhi Temple and about 12 kilometres from Gaya. It is a seasonal airport where special flights from Buddhist countries bring pilgrims to this important destination.

The Royal Bhutan Monastery

Inside the Royal Bhutan Monastery

Soon, we were at the Mahabodhi Temple. Mobile phones are not permitted inside the complex and one has to deposit them at the entrance. Cameras are allowed after paying a fee. But unfortunately I did not have one.

Outside the Mahabodhi Temple

The Temple is strikingly beautiful. There are two Shikhara towers, the taller of them crowned with a stupa-shaped structure, with finials adorning its top. The structures are covered with magnificent artwork, most of which is in a very good shape. I read somewhere that the material is brick covered by stucco, which is not so durable as stone. The structure that we see today has undergone several renovations over the centuries. The original temple is believed to have been built by Emperor Ashoka 200 years after Buddha's enlightenment, which in turn occurred around 2500 years ago. 

There is a small queue to enter, and the Buddha you see is bereft of any ornamentation or decoration, radiating peace with those compassionate eyes, and gentle lips with subtle hint of a smile. I spent some quiet moments and came out to find an arrow pointing to the Bodhi Tree.

It is a sprawling peepal tree at the back of the temple. It is said to be a direct descendant of the original tree. The trunk of the tree has been fenced by railings on all sides, around which there is a large platform. There was a big group of pilgrims dressed in white, all of them from Sri Lanka, sitting around the tree on the platform, reading and reciting something from booklets held in their hands. A group of monks dressed in saffron was circumambulating the tree and the temple in silence. It was a hot afternoon, but it felt as if the shade of the tree enveloped you in a comforting embrace. We sat down for a while. It was very peaceful, and it felt wonderful to be there among those pilgrims and monks. Occasionally, the leaves rustled with the breeze, and some of them came tumbling down, only to be picked up instantaneously by someone or the other. Our driver, who had accompanied us to the temple, was quick to grab one for me. I have saved it as a prized souvenir of the trip.

The temple is surrounded by green stretches of lawn dotted with beautiful small stupas. They offered excellent photo opportunities, but alas, my mobile was taken away and I had no camera! We walked in the complex, admiring the structures, visiting the lake, looking at rows and rows of burning lamps in a covered shed, taking in the hundreds and thousands of paper cups filled with flowers, placed on the ledges in perfect order by the pilgrims. It was all very tranquil, very blissful.

Photos by Lata

Before going back to our parked car, we made a stop at the Giant Buddha. It is a modern structure, consecrated in 1989. Made of sandstone blocks and red granite, it is perhaps the largest statue built in India. The 64 ft. tall figure depicts the Buddha meditating under the sky in open air. 

It is time to get back to Patna. Another four hours to get there. I am happy I got an opportunity to make it to Bodhgaya. A place steeped in history that still holds an appeal for us with its serenity and calm.

Going Back, Going Green!

Everybody is talking about environment because it is the World Environment Day today. People are being encouraged to make changes in their lifestyle to help the cause of environment. Carrying cloth bags for shopping is one of them. A few decades ago, that was the norm. I remember using cloth bags stitched at home to bring vegetables. But few years later it became a downmarket thing to do. Plastic bags of different sizes and colours took the market by storm. Now one could go to the market without having to carry the boring cloth bags, and return home with vegetables peeping out of the crisp and crackling plastic bags. Not just veggies, but everything you bought would be handed over to you in a plastic bag. The fancier the shop, the more stylish the plastic bag! But times have changed. It is nice to see the humble cloth bag make a grand return. Going by the trends, one will not be surprised if it becomes a fashion statement in the days to come!

Same is the case with paper bags. Your friendly neighbourhood grocer would always pack your stuff in handmade paper bags. Or he would simply wrap things in sheets of paper and tie the bundle with thread. Then paper disappeared to make way for attractive plastic bags that would be lined on the shelves of supermarkets, proudly displaying their contents through their transparent bodies. It was so convenient, neat and clean to just pick them up and toss them in your cart! But now environmental concerns are making people return to the good old paper bags.

Milk used to be delivered door to door. When the milkman came, you rushed to the door with a container to collect it. No plastic involved. Mother Dairy milk vending machines in Delhi support and implement the idea of 'no plastics' beautifully. You go to the outlet, buy the required number of tokens, set your container under the machine, and with the drop of each token in the slot the machine dispenses half a litre of chilled milk in your container. It is easy, convenient, and very eco-friendly.

Containers used to be carried to the shops for buying cooking oil too. No plastic jars and no plastic pouches. Now people are talking about going back to the same practice to cut the use of plastic. It was common to use coconut husk to scrub utensils. While banana leaves were extensively used in South India for serving meals, in several other parts of India, it was the modest dona and pattal. Pattal is a circular plate made by stitching together dried leaves of sal, banyan or other trees. Dona is a bowl made using the same material. These were convenient and completely bio-degradable. Making them came under cottage industry which provided employment to men and women, When shops began to be flooded with disposable plates, bowls and spoons made of plastic, the existence of this cottage industry was threatened. But as awareness about the dangers of plastic is increasing, the simple dona-pattal are slowly making a comeback. Earthen cups called kulhad in Hindi were common for serving tea in public places like railway stations and roadside stalls until plastic cups replaced them in a big way. I had the pleasure of sipping tea from a kulhad in Kolkata a few months ago. Hope to see them in other places too. 

While plastic brought convenience and ease with it, we had to pay the price in terms of endangering the environment. It feels great to see some of us spreading awareness and returning to the good old practices. We had many excellent ways of doing things in those days, some of which may be very difficult or almost impossible to adhere to in today's world. Environment is a major factor that affects almost every aspect of our life. I have touched upon a handful of them from a common man's perspective. If you recollect environment-friendly alternatives from earlier times that are still feasible to try, do share them in the comments section. 

Manohar Parrikar: A Breath Of Fresh Air!

I did not know Manohar Parrikar personally, nor do I know anything more about him than what is out in the media. But since his passing two days ago, I feel a sense of personal loss. I am sure many of you do too.

He was like a breath of fresh air in the murky world of politics. A quintessential aam aadmi, he was a true son of his home state, leading a simple life that resonated with the spirit of Goa. He was everything that we do not usually associate with a politician: an IIT Mumbai graduate, unassuming, open, accessible, shunning any kind of special treatment in public places, drinking tea at roadside stalls, playing football, riding a two-wheeler, wearing sandals and sporting a casual half-sleeved shirt that became his trademark. All this and more of his personality endeared him to people who are used to seeing pictures of politicians wielding brooms and going through the facade of sweeping clean streets only for photo opportunities. He did not do things for building his image. What we saw him do was actually how he lived.

A popular chief minister, he had an easy rapport with people. Again in tune with the carefree and laid-back lifestyle of Goa! When he assumed the responsibility of defence minister and moved to Delhi, the cold climate (literally and figuratively) of Delhi did not suit him. He longed for the warmth of Goa. He felt restrained by the restrictions Delhi put on him in terms of his movement and speech. He occupied only one room in his spacious government accommodation so that he could pack up and move back to Goa quickly when it was time.

When the deadly disease knocked at his door, he faced it bravely. His appearance changed beyond imagination in a short span of time. The sprightly gentleman was reduced to being a frail person with hollow cheeks and sunken eyes. But that did not stop him from going around on his official engagements, complete with a tube in his nose and a cap on his head. It is shocking and painful to look at his pictures in that state. The more you try to find his former self in these images, the more it eludes you.

Even though those pictures were a reality, it will be unfair to remember him in that way. He was a rare bird in the political firmament, and it will be apt to think of him as someone who caught people's imagination by soaring high in turbulent skies.

एक याद पुलवामा की

कुछ पाँच साल पहले की बात है. मैं कश्मीर गई थी. श्रीनगर से पहलगाम जाते समय हमारी बस पुलवामा ज़िले में पम्पोर के पास गाँव लेथपुरा से गुज़री थी. मैं एक यात्री समूह के साथ थी. टूर गाइड ने हमारी बस लेथपुरा स्थित सूखे मेवे और मसालों की एक दुकान के पास रुकवाई थी ताकि यात्री वहाँ से अपनी पसंद का सामान खरीद सकें. दुकान कई तरह के मेवों और मसालों से भरी थी और मेरे साथी खरीदारी कर रहे थे. बाहर एक छोटा स्टॉल था जिसमें स्वादिष्ट कहवा बिक रहा था. कश्मीरी दुकानदार सभी का स्वागत कर रहे थे, और हम लोग भी कश्मीर की सौगातों का आनंद उठा रहे थे.

यह इलाका केसर की खेती के लिए मशहूर है. मैं दुकान में टहल रही थी और अचानक मेरी नज़र पीछे की तरफ स्थित ज़मीन के बड़े-से टुकड़े की तरफ गई. मैं उत्सुकतावश उस तरफ बढ़ी. दुकान के स्टाफ का एक व्यक्ति मेरे साथ चलने लगा और उसने मुझे बताया कि यह खाली जगह दरअसल केसर का खेत है. इस वक़्त जून का महीना था इसलिए फ़सल नहीं थी. "सितम्बर में आएँ, आपको यह खेत केसर के फूलों से ढँका हुआ मिलेगा", उसने कहा.

दुकान से निकलकर हमारी बस प्राचीन अवंतीस्वामी मंदिर में रुकी थी, जो श्रीनगर से ३० किलोमीटर दूर स्थित एक वैष्णव मंदिर है. झेलम के किनारे बने, पहाड़ों से घिरे इस सुन्दर मंदिर को देखने अक्सर पर्यटक आते रहते हैं. मनभावन उद्यान और हरे-भरे वृक्षों-पौधों से सजा मंदिर का अहाता देखकर हम सब बहुत खुश हुए थे. मंदिर की सुंदरता को मन में भरकर और उसकी छवियों को अपने-अपने कैमरों में क़ैद कर हम लोग पहलगाम की तरफ बढ़े थे.

सभी छायाचित्र : लता 

१४ फ़रवरी २०१९. श्रीनगर से ३० किलोमीटर दूर गाँव लेथपुरा, ज़िला पुलवामा सुर्ख़ियों में है. अपनी ख़ूबसूरती, केसर के खेतों, मेवों-मसालों या मंदिर के लिए नहीं, बल्कि अपनी ज़मीन पर बहे ४० जवानों के ख़ून के कारण. जैसे-जैसे सैनिकों के काफ़िले पर विस्फोटकों से लदे वाहन द्वारा आत्मघाती हमले की घटना का विवरण देख, सुन और पढ़ रही हूँ, मन बार-बार अपनी यात्रा के दौरान उस जगह पर समेटी खुशनुमा यादों की ओर लौटता है, और वहाँ हुए भीषण रक्तपात की कल्पना कर विषण्ण हो जाता है.

उस दिन सुबह साढ़े तीन बजे जब जम्मू से बसों का काफ़िला चला था, तब क्या रहा होगा उन जवानों के मन में? अपने परिवार के साथ बिताई छुट्टियों की यादें, अवकाश के बाद तरोताज़ा होकर फिर ड्युटी पर जाने की ललक, और न जाने क्या-क्या. भारत के विभिन्न राज्यों से आए, अलग-अलग भाषाएँ बोलने वाले ये जवान एक साथ अपनी मंज़िल की तरफ़ बढ़ रहे थे; मानो हर बस में एक छोटा भारत समाया हो. सबका लक्ष्य एक ही था--अपनी मातृभूमि की रक्षा. कोई अपने बुजुर्ग माता-पिता को पीछे छोड़कर आया था तो कोई अपनी नई-नवेली दुल्हन को. किसीने अपने छोटे-छोटे बच्चों से रूँधे गले से विदा ली थी, तो किसीने जल्द वापस आने का वादा किया था. किसीकी अटैची में घरवालों ने अपने हाथ से बनाकर दिए खाने के सामान की खुशबू थी, तो किसीके दिल में अपने प्रियजनों की स्मृतियों का खज़ाना.

और बस के बाहर प्रकृति के सौंदर्य की कई छटाएँ. सुबह सर्द मौसम और अँधेरा रहा होगा. शायद कोहरा भी. लेकिन धीरे-धीरे सूरज की किरणों ने आसपास की सुंदरता को अपने प्रकाश में नहला दिया होगा. बस की खिड़की से बाहर का दृश्य देखकर कितने उल्लसित हुए होंगे सारे जवान! जैसे-जैसे श्रीनगर क़रीब आने लगा होगा, हवा और सर्द हुई होगी. कुछ ही समय बाद शाम होगी और सूर्यास्त के बाद घाटी में अंधकार होगा, अगली सुबह के सूर्योदय तक. लेकिन तभी एक धमाका हुआ और ४० ज़िंदगियाँ हमेशा के लिए अस्त हो गईं. इन ४० ज़िन्दगियों की अपनी-अपनी कहानियाँ थीं. अपने घरों-गाँवों से निकलकर यहाँ तक पहुँचने के संघर्ष की कहानी, भारत के लिए प्यार और जज़्बे की कहानी, परिवारजनों के त्याग की कहानी.

इस घटना के बाद सारा देश दुःख, क्षोभ और क्रोध के आवेग में डूब गया. भिन्न-भिन्न तरीकों से विरोध प्रकट करने के आवाहन सोशल मीडिया पर आने लगे. किसीने मोमबत्ती जलाई, तो किसीने काले या सफ़ेद वस्त्र पहने. उजड़े परिवारों की क्षति तो कभी भी पूर्ण नहीं हो सकती. लेकिन जवानों के बलिदान को व्यर्थ न जाने देने के लिए हम सामान्य नागरिक भी एक काम ज़रूर कर सकते हैं. हम ऐसे भारतीय बनें जिनके लिए लड़ने में सैनिक को फ़ख्र महसूस हो.

यह लेख इंदौर से प्रकाशित दैनिक प्रजातंत्र में आज १९ फ़रवरी २०१९ को प्रकाशित हुआ है.