On the evening of 26/11 I happened to be passing by a regional party office. The place was nothing short of an orchestra......dancing lights.......party "volunteers" always full of energy to shout their guts out......a stage packed to it's maximum with party "leaders" who were too busy in making sure that they are never out of camera frame.......a couple of speakers who were playing inspirational songs at the loudest possible volume......a crowd of few curious spectators who could afford to spend a minute or two from their routine to see something "different" & behind all this few pictures of brave martyrs who lost their lives exactly an year ago.......
It was quiet apparent that the program was arranged to pay tribute to brave Police Officers who fought & lost their lives on 26th November 2008. Even volunteers were bored of shouting same slogans & weren't responding to the anchor. Then suddenly everyone on stage became alert as a prominent "leader" arrived at the scene.Someone had to step down from stage to make room for that leader & nobody was ready to do so....finally after some time everyone compromised some space to allow him on stage.The moment he arrived "volunteers" came to life & then there was a round of slogans about the leader for a minute or two. By this time many people had gathered to see "what's the matter?".....
Finally the leader stood to speak.......Soon after he had said the cliche`d lines you are supposed to say at such occasions he changed his track & went on criticizing the ruling government(need I say He was leader from an opposition party!). Many times his "excellent" statements criticizing the ruling government fetched him a big round of applause from his supporters.After the speech it was time to stand for two minutes in silence. The minutes were quiet silent if you neglect ever ringing cell phones & people attending "really urgent" calls. After this anchor formally declared that the program was over & the leader left the stage.The next moment stage was deserted as all others on stage were competing to help the leader to get to his car.
All who had stopped for five minute "enjoyment" slowly dispersed....."volunteers" started to discuss which place in area is the best for Chinese food......Soon the electricians started to collect their stuff.....contract workers moved in to dissemble the stage.......only thing unattended were photos of those brave martyrs..........
