Another Day Off!

Yesterday was “Bharat Bandh”, called by the CPI-M and other non-Congress parties to protest against recent price rise. The bandh in a sense came as a blessing to many Indians who hardly get time to relax at home, with family and friends.

For the Kolkatans, most of them didn’t complain in not making up to the office just like any other normal week day. Rather, they tried to enjoy every bit of time, playing games on PC or chatting with dear ones. For me, it was a sudden holiday! My husband and I spend a quality time, watching TV together and trying out some new dish from my recipe book.

There was hardly any transport seen on the road. The bandh was for 12 hours, but who cares going out after 6pm in the evening, apart from visiting some friend’s house close by. Majority of the shops remained closed and there were few buses and auto rickshaws seen after the bandh got over.

The daily news showed some hartal supporters trying to create havoc by pulling down the Metro Railways shutters and not allowing passengers to enter or leave the station. There were mobs in and around many streets, particularly areas termed as hot seats of Congress or Trinamool Congress Party leaders, shouting and pleading to support bandh as it is called to protect 'our' interests only.

We, the common people know very well, how much our interests are fulfilled. Never ever have any of the political party leaders do anything good for the citizens. They are holding prestigious positions in the Parliament and Constituencies, being elected by us, and are ‘good for nothing’ fellows.

Being a citizen of the world’s largest democracy, India, it’s really a shame to see political leaders fighting like children in the Parliament and throwing papers and chairs to each other like a bunch of fools.

Anyways back to where I started from – it was a lazy, joyous morning for most of us. There was no tension of rising up early to get ready for office, no rush at the metro stations, bus and auto stands to get into one at the earliest, and no sweating and burning under the hot sun. To add to the flavour, there was a much needed respite from the summer heat, as it rained quite heavily the day before yesterday.

People who tried to go to their office had to face problems due to the unruly bandh agitators. They tried to prevent office goers by various possible means – telling them to go back home, not letting them enter Metro stations, showing muscle power and verbally abusing them.

Nonetheless, what ever may be the cause for calling a bandh, the Kolkatans are simply happy in getting another day off (apart from regular holidays on Saturdays and Sundays). It was just a few who seem to complain about the CPI-M government for stopping all work and wasting valuable 12 hours of Tuesday.