Jayant & 'The Dahi Bada Nazi'. Musharraf, the Dictator and Musharraf, the persecuted.

I met Jayant today after a long time. He looked very different. He looked clean with a goatee and of course, now he is married.

I had met him the first time and the only time around 4 years ago. In those days, he used to be a struggling singer.

He is a magnificent singer, probably the best singer that I have met personally. He has been the semi-finalist twice in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Sadly both the times he could not make it beyond the semi finals. Third time around he just chose to ignore auditions and slept quietly in the afternoon. At least that’s the version I heard from his friend AT. Maybe that sleep was not as peaceful as we might assume it to be.

During the time I had met him, he used to live in a pitiable room in front of M.Y. Hospital in Indore. We went to his place around 9 in the evening. The idea was to go to 'Sarafa' at night for some 'Chaat' .

Once we reached there he was sitting doing his 'riaaz' on his Harmonium. We sat down and he started singing his favourite tunes. From Rafi, Kishore to some contemporary songs he sang all of them with panache. I asked him to sing a few of my favourites and he was more than happy to oblige. We even discussed many a melodies. For some of the songs even he was astounded by their quality. I do not exactly remember the songs but it was a Hemant Kumar song and we all were flabbergasted at its musical genius.

A very funny incident happened when we were at 'Sarafa' late that night. It must have been around 11 and I wanted to have a 'Dahi Bada' after my usual favourite 'Bhutta Ka Kees'. The person who was serving us was Mr. Joshi. Every one feels that he is Gay. No no, I have nothing against that, as George in 'Seinfeld' show says 'Not that there is anything wrong with it'.

The funny part is that he was making the 'Dahi Bada' and I asked him not to put to much of Red Chili Powder in it. He got offended as if I had questioned his ability to prepare it or I had questioned the quality in some way. He started to shout at me. I tried to calm him by asking him to put as much as he likes but he retorted back "No, Not now, no chilly powder for you from now on."

Of course this reminded me of the famous 'The Soup Nazi' of Seinfeld, we had our own 'The 'Dahi Bada Nazi' in Indore.

When I met 'Jayant' today. He looked more upbeat and happy. He works with Reliance in their recovery department. His lovely wife loves him, you can see it in her eyes that she is fond of him.

However, that made me wonder can you ever be happy after your life's dream has been shattered. Where does it stop? What makes you quit and give up on your dreams?

I guess for me the thing that keeps me going is, Would I be able to live without my dreams? I have rarely given up.

For me its always been "It's not over until the fat lady sings"


Musharraf:

On the opposite end of spectrum is President Parvez Musharraf.

He is not quitting and holding on to even the last strands of hope. There has been speculation in the media that he would quit as President. However, today he categorically denied it as rumours.

The existing coalition is probably a basket of Oranges and Apples. They are fighting bitterly amongst each other. No one knows, how long this coalition would last. I really fear the day it would end. Again, Pakistan would be in a position where the Army or fundamentalists can takeover the regime. But this basket of misfits, rich landlords, patrician from the ‘Raj era’, right wing fundamentalist or at least their sympathizers have one common enemy today and that is Mr. Musharraf. They want him to go, they want judges reinstated that he had thrown out, they criticize his pro US policy. Over all that, they want to bring a charge of treason against him.

However, Mr. Musharraf is not budging. He is holding his fort. I think he realizes that there is a good chance that this coalition will fail before any of the things happen against him.

I am not a fan of his policies or his double talk and double standard as far as terrorism is concerned. But, you got to give this guy credit that he is a survivor. He has survived Nawaz Sharif, assassination attempts, 9-11, Taliban, Right wing fundamentalist, Baloch separatists, Wazristan, Bin Laden who has eluded him, US pressure and now this coalition. Though surprisingly, especially after 9-11 Indians have been very quite on him.

He should be really thankful to both BJP and Congress governments in India who haven't put any undue pressure on him from the eastern side. I guess that is because Indian establishment would rather take a known devil than an unknown angel. In addition, he is easy to deal with rather than talking to a democratically elected government, which has its own compromises.

The thing that I have always believed in is that never compromise on your principles. On the other hand, Mr. Musharraf has remained in power with all kinds of compromises. So, What I am impressed with? (in his own words):

"I will keep fighting. I can't become a useless vegetable,"