I wrote this in 2008 (10/10/2008)
Winnie Saldanha
Hi,
Yesterday evening Sahara Samay was showing the Shiv Sena Dassera Rally live and there I was sitting in front of the TV wanting to hear the Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackarey speak - I a Congress supporter by default had been told as way back as 25 years ago by my father, which was corroborated and confirmed by varied people down the years - that people went to Shivaji Park just to hear him speak irrespective of their Political Party affiliations or loyalties.
When I happened to see the TV, it was Uddhav Thackarey speaking and I was not only disillusioned by his oratory skills but also at the absolute lack of charisma and personality power not an iota or inkling of his father's persona. The Man spoke of as usual the contribution of the Maharastrians in the Freedom struggle, The Belgaum issue, The Marathi Manoos loosing out on jobs in Mumbai (wonder why then the Sena power in the BMC is turning a Nelson's Eye to the B.E.S.T workers woes) Jawahar (in Thane) - death of 300 children due to Malnutrition and emphasising all were Marathi!!! wonder if he was actually proud of it and was going to declare them Martyrs, But then if Christian Missionaries help out they are at it for the sake of CONVERSION isn't it?. And so he went on but Thankfully not for long.
Yesterday evening Sahara Samay was showing the Shiv Sena Dassera Rally live and there I was sitting in front of the TV wanting to hear the Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackarey speak - I a Congress supporter by default had been told as way back as 25 years ago by my father, which was corroborated and confirmed by varied people down the years - that people went to Shivaji Park just to hear him speak irrespective of their Political Party affiliations or loyalties.
When I happened to see the TV, it was Uddhav Thackarey speaking and I was not only disillusioned by his oratory skills but also at the absolute lack of charisma and personality power not an iota or inkling of his father's persona. The Man spoke of as usual the contribution of the Maharastrians in the Freedom struggle, The Belgaum issue, The Marathi Manoos loosing out on jobs in Mumbai (wonder why then the Sena power in the BMC is turning a Nelson's Eye to the B.E.S.T workers woes) Jawahar (in Thane) - death of 300 children due to Malnutrition and emphasising all were Marathi!!! wonder if he was actually proud of it and was going to declare them Martyrs, But then if Christian Missionaries help out they are at it for the sake of CONVERSION isn't it?. And so he went on but Thankfully not for long.
Then happened the much awaited entry of the Sena Supremo, all along the Chair in the centre of the Dias was left empty for him, - I had pen and paper ready to jot down his words and to give my own arguments against them but what I saw, actually shook me, there on TV was this frail, weak old man with a walking stick in hand and 2 people actually holding him up by the arms (just above the elbow) All the anticipated anger and fight in me dissipated and all I cared was to think I hope they are taking good care of this aging 82 year old. It was like sitting there in front of the TV I was directing the people 'hey watch out', 'careful how you hold him', 'just let the poor old man sit down and don't make him move around he is too frail for it'. I am neither a Shiv Sainik, nor a Hindu - Bal Thackarey is also addressed as 'hindu hridaysamrat' and the Shiv Sena is all about Hidutva hence the mention. but then what did I & why did I care! Most Indians like me still wonder! What makes us feel the way we feel. I think its got to do with our Indian non-attacking, non-violent heritage which the self-anointed Bharatiyas and Sons of the Soil are fast forgetting and moving away from.
Winnie Saldanha
