God of American Visa

 

About 20 kms from the heart of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, a small village called Chilkur is located. Till about a decade ago this place was unknown even to the Hyderabadites. Suddenly this place acquired the aura of major pilgrimage centre especially for those aspiring Software Specialists intending to go to US. The reason is an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Venkateswara or popularly known as Visa Venkateswarulu.

As a temple, this is small in size and the main deity not more than 24" tall. A visit to this shrine and a prayer for grant of US visa is said to guarantee securing of that manna, US vias! You can see those whose passports have been stamped coming for for a thanks giving visit by way of circumbulating the shrine 108 times.

You can see jeans clad boys and girls occasionally accompanied by thier proud parents going round and marking on a matrix sheet the number of times they have gone round, concentrating on the correct scoring, oblivious of the God.

This temple has another feather to its credit. The Temple authorities have successfully warded off attempts by the Government to take over its administration. There is no collection box unlike other temples. If desired Visa Venkateswarulu can wallow in NRI Dollars. But He prefers austerity and freedom from Governmental control to wealth.

Though the temple proper is maintained well despite the crowds and its smallness, the adjacent shrines and surroundings are very shabby. The temple is beseeched by vendors and beggers. I dont know whether the Trust Board is legally capable of evicting the encroachers and beggers, beautify its surroundings and maintain its general upkeep given its status and deliberate shying away from funds.

By the Grace of Visa Venkateswarulu, people may earn mega bucks and live in secluded villas in gated communities with mith manicured lawns, but the Giver is ever content in His modest abode.

....ponder

Beginning of the end?

I have not read the book written by Jaswant Singh. Nor have I read the one written by Advani. Both are supposed to have viewed Jinnah's role in a different percpective from that popularised by contrived historians/politicians. It is ironic that Jaswant Singh should be expelled from the party when the most visible and tallest leader is Advani of similar guilt

Is it not a fact that Jinnah was a suave and liberal Indian than most of the Congresswallahs till he was driven to the wall by power mongers. Is it also not a fact that the congress negotiated partition of the country behind Gandhiji's back and in the face of his total opposition.

Jaswant Singh says he was expelled by those who have not read the book. Appears true as the expulsion is indeed in indecent haste as the book has barely hit the stands. Was he served a show cause notice? Was he given a hearing? So much for internal democracy and right to dissent.

BJP cannot unshackle itself from the vice-like grip of knickerwallahs. Today the party is devoid of issues or direction and is drifting from one crisis to another. It had abandoned democracy long ago. Remember what happened to Madhok and Sondhi.Leaders of legislative party are supposed to be elected by MLAs. Overwhelming numbers are with Vasundhara Raje Scindia. Still she is being asked to quit. The disease of nomination culture has taken deep root in BJP.

BJP can do a service to the country by merging with Congress. Their ideologies are not very dissimilar except for occasional Hindutva noises from BJP and congress pursuing covert soft Hindutva. This will eliminate rump parties like DMK from arm twisting the government.

...ponder