All the states in my country ( sometimes I fail to count them because BJP added one new state every year to the list) seem to have loads of mega pride which is attributed with cancerous growth in recent years. In 1983 NTR miraculously assumed power on "Telugu Pride" plank. As Indira Gandhi popularised the term " Conscience" he popularised the term "Atmagauravam". Since then every shrewed politician is toying with the idea of coining a catchy slogan to capture the imagination of the public like "Ram", "Atankavad" " Under Development".
MNS went a step ahead to show pride of Maratha Manoos. Karuna Nidhi demands Tamil an official status.Narendra Modi often wears his "Bhai" badge along with saffron flag . Imagine what Mamta Didi is up to ! Kashmir is felt to be part of India only on maps. It sails on a seperate plank corresponding to ethnic sensibility. Punjabi Thadka sometimes suspiciously moves pointing to forgotten "Khalistan"". The whole of North Eastern councils feel closer to Burma and China than to India. ULFA is a thorn in the bed. No wonder all Adivasis want a state of their own. If materialised, all adivasis from various hills have to move to one chunk of land, probably reminding us partition days. Mini Taliban growing within Kerala has specific Malayali brand. Amazingly few youngsters from southern most tip of the subcontinent drown and float in Kashmir or Pakistan. There are no boundaries for loyalties ! BIMARU states are only hesitant to declare their own waiting for their day. Nitish Kumar with his eleven plus growth rate is not far away from Bihari pride.
Mr. Naidu once equated with Tony Blair and Clinton (equally for achievements and mistakes) is struggling to survive in his own state, forget about his global image. While crossing boundaries evincing new interest in doubtful projects on other side of the border,he was battling with self doubt until stupendous succeess favoured him in creating ruckus among the neighbours. His gainful past time has produced good amount of venom in hearts, heads and bellies of people on both sides.. People on both sides of the border die death of fear. His followers, admirers and few afflicted by anxiety syndrome die out of shock and tension. India is not Australia to engage few helicopters to rescue a puppy trapped in wild. Here life comes cheap. We live and die in swarms. Isn't it? Petrol, pesticides, are handy for anxiety prone and heart attacks are ready for the weak . Tens of them die for simple reason that Naidu has been jailed for a day eating his breakfast and reading his news paper. Either for a good or bad leader we die in equal numbers, as if we are there only to die.
In a place where life with a pride is a rare sight , perhaps death for an ambiguous pride is the most perceivable way.
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