I have been born and brought up in a Mid Sized town which became the capital of a newly formed state in the country a few years ago. I would not like to specify the names in order to preserve some dignity of this city but I would like to share with the rest of the world, one particular event that took place recently. I know that this place has an infamous reputation and is ridiculed throughout the nation, but I would like to share some facts in order to explain and clear some doubts.
The city had been having its Municipal Elections for the posts of Mahapaur (Mayor) and Upp Mahapaur (Deputy Mayor). Now there is nothing unusual about such an event taking place, but then there were some strange occurrences that made this event a little abnormal. Now my brilliant state strives on Quotas and Reservations, hence only Female ST candidates could contest for the post of Mahapaur. General candidates were free to contest for the post of Upp Mahapaur but could not become the Mayor.
Now, coming to the candidates, a mind boggling number of over One Thousand Three Hundred people contested the elections and there was a hopeful candidate from every nook and corner of the city. Every locality, every gully, boasted a person who was competing for this Cherished (??) post. I honestly doubt if such a large number of people contest for the state or central elections from a state, leave alone a city. But then, some people may argue that there is nothing wrong with numbers, and if one is allowed, why shouldn’t he try to be involved in the development of the city, and that it is a noble deed, and criticism is baseless. But, I am not here to criticise any of the candidates, or the number of candidates. What amused me were the different symbols that each of the candidates chose. Normally an election symbol should represent a candidates ideology or personality, or at least it should represent something. Now, bearing in mind that all symbols used in state or central elections were barred from being used, I would like to compile a list of all the symbols that I remember having seen. Please bear in mind that this is not a comprehensive list, nor is it in any particular order. I will write the name of the symbol and an English translation (Wherever applicable).
The symbols which I remember are :-
1. Gulab ka phool (Rose).
2. Helicopter.
3. Hawai Jahaaz (Aeroplane).
4. Tractor.
5. Nal (Tap/Faucet).
6. Handpump.
7. Tempo (Auto Rickshaw).
8. Rickshaw (Non Motorised, cycle rickshaw).
9. Taraju (Weighing Balance).
10. Cheel (Kite - The Bird).
11. Nevla (Mongoose).
12. Kheera (Cucumber).
13. Gajar (Carrot).
14. Adrak (Ginger).
15. Annannas (Pineapple).
16. Aaloo (Potato).
17. Nariyal (Coconut).
18. Bhindi (Ladyfinger).
19. Kela (Banana).
20. Camera.
21. Calculator.
22. Typewriter.
23. Sweater.
24. Coat.
25. Jacket.
26. Bhaaloo (Bear).
27. Gilehri (Squirrel).
28. Table Lamp.
29. Bhains (Buffalo)
30. Kesh Tel (Hair Oil).
31. Saabun (Soap).
32. Paani Waala Tub (Tub of Water).
33. Kitaab (Book).
34. Kaanch Ka Gilaas (Glass Tumbler).
35. Toothbrush.
36. Toothpaste.
37. Hairbrush.
38. Silai Machine (Sewing Machine).
39. Gudiya (Doll).
40. Bandgobhi (Cabbage).
41. Tokri (Basket).
42. Naav (Boat).
43. Kainchi (Scissors).
44. Ladies Bag.
45. Ballebaaz (Batsman).
46. Matar (Peas).
47. Wash Basin.
48. Deewar Ghari (Wall Clock).
49. Parachute.
50. Baingan (Brinjal).
51. Eent (Brick).
52. Sitafal (Custard Apple).
53. Rassi (Rope).
54. Chimta (Tongs).
55. Tawa (Cooking Pan).
56. Kohra (Pumpkin).
57. Charpai (Cot).
58. Taala Chaabi (Lock and Key).
59. Taulia (Towel).
60. Pilaas (Pliers).
61. Television.
62. Pul (Bridge).
63. Letterbox.
64. Suryamukhi (Sunflower).
65. Ketli (Kettle).
66. Tota (Parrot).
67. Oonth(Camel).
68. Angoothi (Ring).
69. Baagh (Tiger).
70. Balti (Tub).
71. Mor (Peacock).
72. Lattu (Top).
73. Top Hat.
74. Tamatar (Tomato).
75. Chammach (Spoon).
This is not a comprehensive list, but I think everyone will get a general idea. Now, when I first saw the symbols I had a multitude of reactions, shock, surprise, fascination, pity, amusement and there were a million thoughts that came to mind and an equal number of questions as well. There was plenty that I thought I could say about this list but in the end I decided not to. I think that rather than giving my own feedback and critique, it would be better if I just spread awareness.
Of course, things didn’t stop here, there was immense campaigning done by the candidates, which included hundreds of posters and banners put up across the city, Dozens of billboards in strategic locations, Hired vehicles with loudspeakers announcing their election manifesto and promises. Then there were some who distributed some sort of mementos, I presume that Aalloo chhaap did this as it is impossible for someone like Helicopter chhaap to do it. Newspapers had sort of advertisements of different candidates, there was door to door campaigning as candidates distributed flyers. Then there was some high tech campaigning done, such that I got a scrap on Orkut encouraging me to vote for a certain candidate. Then, the voting day had been made a holiday, in order to encourage people to vote, whether they wanted to or not.
To be very honest, I have absolutely no idea what the role and responsibilities of a Mayor and Deputy Mayor are in Indian cities. As I write this, the voting has already taken place but the results are awaited. I would ask whoever reads this to vote for their favourite symbol, and give their feedback.
The reason behind this post is to try and justify why certain people consider me to be insane, I want them to understand some things about the city where I have been born and raised. Maybe after you read this, you will understand why I may be a little crazy.
THIS JUST IN :
The much awaited results of the elections for the Municipality have been released, and the winners are :
(Drumroll)
The new Mahapaur will be Gajar Chhap and assisting her in her duties will be the Upp Mahapaur in the form of Silai Machine. Heartiest congratulations to the winners.
Of course the other candidates were miffed so there was a 'Bandh' in the city as they thought the elections were unfair.
lu·na·cy [loo-nuh-see]
–noun
1. insanity; mental disorder.
2. intermittent insanity, formerly believed to be related to phases of the moon.
3. extreme foolishness or an instance of it.
4. Law . unsoundness of mind sufficient to incapacitate one for civil transactions.
The city had been having its Municipal Elections for the posts of Mahapaur (Mayor) and Upp Mahapaur (Deputy Mayor). Now there is nothing unusual about such an event taking place, but then there were some strange occurrences that made this event a little abnormal. Now my brilliant state strives on Quotas and Reservations, hence only Female ST candidates could contest for the post of Mahapaur. General candidates were free to contest for the post of Upp Mahapaur but could not become the Mayor.
Now, coming to the candidates, a mind boggling number of over One Thousand Three Hundred people contested the elections and there was a hopeful candidate from every nook and corner of the city. Every locality, every gully, boasted a person who was competing for this Cherished (??) post. I honestly doubt if such a large number of people contest for the state or central elections from a state, leave alone a city. But then, some people may argue that there is nothing wrong with numbers, and if one is allowed, why shouldn’t he try to be involved in the development of the city, and that it is a noble deed, and criticism is baseless. But, I am not here to criticise any of the candidates, or the number of candidates. What amused me were the different symbols that each of the candidates chose. Normally an election symbol should represent a candidates ideology or personality, or at least it should represent something. Now, bearing in mind that all symbols used in state or central elections were barred from being used, I would like to compile a list of all the symbols that I remember having seen. Please bear in mind that this is not a comprehensive list, nor is it in any particular order. I will write the name of the symbol and an English translation (Wherever applicable).
The symbols which I remember are :-
1. Gulab ka phool (Rose).
2. Helicopter.
3. Hawai Jahaaz (Aeroplane).
4. Tractor.
5. Nal (Tap/Faucet).
6. Handpump.
7. Tempo (Auto Rickshaw).
8. Rickshaw (Non Motorised, cycle rickshaw).
9. Taraju (Weighing Balance).
10. Cheel (Kite - The Bird).
11. Nevla (Mongoose).
12. Kheera (Cucumber).
13. Gajar (Carrot).
14. Adrak (Ginger).
15. Annannas (Pineapple).
16. Aaloo (Potato).
17. Nariyal (Coconut).
18. Bhindi (Ladyfinger).
19. Kela (Banana).
20. Camera.
21. Calculator.
22. Typewriter.
23. Sweater.
24. Coat.
25. Jacket.
26. Bhaaloo (Bear).
27. Gilehri (Squirrel).
28. Table Lamp.
29. Bhains (Buffalo)
30. Kesh Tel (Hair Oil).
31. Saabun (Soap).
32. Paani Waala Tub (Tub of Water).
33. Kitaab (Book).
34. Kaanch Ka Gilaas (Glass Tumbler).
35. Toothbrush.
36. Toothpaste.
37. Hairbrush.
38. Silai Machine (Sewing Machine).
39. Gudiya (Doll).
40. Bandgobhi (Cabbage).
41. Tokri (Basket).
42. Naav (Boat).
43. Kainchi (Scissors).
44. Ladies Bag.
45. Ballebaaz (Batsman).
46. Matar (Peas).
47. Wash Basin.
48. Deewar Ghari (Wall Clock).
49. Parachute.
50. Baingan (Brinjal).
51. Eent (Brick).
52. Sitafal (Custard Apple).
53. Rassi (Rope).
54. Chimta (Tongs).
55. Tawa (Cooking Pan).
56. Kohra (Pumpkin).
57. Charpai (Cot).
58. Taala Chaabi (Lock and Key).
59. Taulia (Towel).
60. Pilaas (Pliers).
61. Television.
62. Pul (Bridge).
63. Letterbox.
64. Suryamukhi (Sunflower).
65. Ketli (Kettle).
66. Tota (Parrot).
67. Oonth(Camel).
68. Angoothi (Ring).
69. Baagh (Tiger).
70. Balti (Tub).
71. Mor (Peacock).
72. Lattu (Top).
73. Top Hat.
74. Tamatar (Tomato).
75. Chammach (Spoon).
This is not a comprehensive list, but I think everyone will get a general idea. Now, when I first saw the symbols I had a multitude of reactions, shock, surprise, fascination, pity, amusement and there were a million thoughts that came to mind and an equal number of questions as well. There was plenty that I thought I could say about this list but in the end I decided not to. I think that rather than giving my own feedback and critique, it would be better if I just spread awareness.
Of course, things didn’t stop here, there was immense campaigning done by the candidates, which included hundreds of posters and banners put up across the city, Dozens of billboards in strategic locations, Hired vehicles with loudspeakers announcing their election manifesto and promises. Then there were some who distributed some sort of mementos, I presume that Aalloo chhaap did this as it is impossible for someone like Helicopter chhaap to do it. Newspapers had sort of advertisements of different candidates, there was door to door campaigning as candidates distributed flyers. Then there was some high tech campaigning done, such that I got a scrap on Orkut encouraging me to vote for a certain candidate. Then, the voting day had been made a holiday, in order to encourage people to vote, whether they wanted to or not.
To be very honest, I have absolutely no idea what the role and responsibilities of a Mayor and Deputy Mayor are in Indian cities. As I write this, the voting has already taken place but the results are awaited. I would ask whoever reads this to vote for their favourite symbol, and give their feedback.
The reason behind this post is to try and justify why certain people consider me to be insane, I want them to understand some things about the city where I have been born and raised. Maybe after you read this, you will understand why I may be a little crazy.
THIS JUST IN :
The much awaited results of the elections for the Municipality have been released, and the winners are :
(Drumroll)
The new Mahapaur will be Gajar Chhap and assisting her in her duties will be the Upp Mahapaur in the form of Silai Machine. Heartiest congratulations to the winners.
Of course the other candidates were miffed so there was a 'Bandh' in the city as they thought the elections were unfair.
lu·na·cy [loo-nuh-see]
–noun
1. insanity; mental disorder.
2. intermittent insanity, formerly believed to be related to phases of the moon.
3. extreme foolishness or an instance of it.
4. Law . unsoundness of mind sufficient to incapacitate one for civil transactions.
3 comments:
waah waah waah bhaiya waah waah waah.....
highly amusing post... u do have great observation skills...
Thanks for writing this.
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