# diwali
A little Diwali cleaning
As Diwali approaches, and we go frantic cleaning and sprucing up our houses, what would you think of a little detour, a shot at sweeping away a few of these societal offenses …
Honking on roads as if arses were catching fire, changing lanes as if worms were swimming up the innards higher and higher, and the ever so popular, “Abe ch***ye, jaanta ni main kaun hun ?” crossroad choir.
The mad bull charge for the coveted throne – the elusive Metro seat in the combat zone. Praan jaye, par seat na jaye.
Bargaining with street vendors in a Zara outfit – “ Bees rupiye to bohat zyaada bol rahe ho bhaiyya. Theek lagao. Aur dhaniya free chhaiye mujhe.”
The “Ai hello…!” calls to beckon people for help (Well Ai hello to you too, shitface!).
The ‘Aak thuus’ of the spits and the paans of the Thuuko Men and the unabashed display of the piss streams of the Susu Men.
Telling kids it’s okay… it’s okay to litter worldwide, it’s okay to potty roadside (and let the passersby watch the great divide), it’s okay to bully and behind Dad hide, and it’s okay to throw a tantrum for a toy Mom denied.
The cacophonic phone chatters about the really pressing case of ghar-ke-bagal-waali Sandhyaji in a quiet movie hall.
The roadside talents of men erupting into a mesmerizing rendition of ‘Chalti hai kya nauh se baara’, the moment a girl walks by.
Men in boxers and Women in nighties. Outside. In full public view.
Calling big women “ Hai kitni moti ho gayi hai tu!”, calling single women “ Hai bechaari!”and calling all women in general, “Hi Aunty!” (which, I petition, should be a punishable offence).
Diwali Nostalgia
Wo beeti hui diwaliyon ke goonj abhi bhi yaad hai…
Jab mummy ki fatkar aur anar bomb ke dhamake se neend khula karti thi ;
Aur sari subah, apne kamre ki safaayee aur ghar ki sajaawat mein, ek pahaad si padti thi.
Poore din, doston ka ghar pe taantaa bana rehta tha ;
Aur kisi diwali gift mein mithai ya dry fruits ke bajaye chocolates nikal jayein, yehi armaan rehta tha.
Dilli ke sadar bazaar se bhar packet pathake, teen hafte pehle hi khareed liye jaate the ;
School ke toilets mein, classes ke beech mein, bijli bomb ke footne se sab lot pot ho jaate the.
Jab ek haath mein patakhon wali pistol, aur doosre mein saapon wali kali goli raha karti thi ;
Aur ‘atom bomb’ ki sannate ko cheerti hui cheekh, kano ko sunn kar deti thi.
Wo papa ke saath ghar ki chhat par bijliyon ki ladiyan lagana ;
Aur lakhsmi pooja mein chehre banakar apni behen ko hasana.
Mummy ka kisi tarah hum shaitano ko pakad kar diwali ke naye kapde pehnana ;
Aur paach minute mein hi, un kapdon ka mitti ya fuljhari ki chingari se chhalli ho jaana.
Wo cousins ke ghar pohach kar unke pathakon par dhhaava bol dena ;
Kiska rocket kitna uuncha fata, isi competition mein aadhi raat bita dena.
Jab nani maa prashad ko batkar sabko ashirwad deti thi ;
Aur kabhi angaare haathon pe lag jayein, to puchkaar kar haathon ko choom leti thi.
Jitna besabri se intezaar, mohalle ki aadhi raat ki aatishbaazi ka hota tha ;
Utna hi khayaal mummy ke haath ki poori, paneer aur kheer ka rehta tha.
Jahan doston ke saath tark-witark aur vipakshi dalon se muqablon mein, khilkhilaahat jama karti thi ;
Usi ullas ki goonj, aur diyon aur mombattiyon ki roshni mein, diwali ki jagmagati raat dhalla karti thi.