मराठी भाषा अभिमान सप्ताह

२००५ सालच्या मुंबई फेस्टिव्हल साठी ६३ मुलांना मंगेश पाडगांवकरांनी लिहिलेली “तुझा सूर्य उगवे आम्ही प्रकाशात न्हातो ” ही प्रार्थना सादर केली. याच प्रार्थनेने या सोहळ्याचा प्रारंभ झाला. ही आनंदाची गोष्ट आहे. दुःखाची बाब अशी की पुढच्या ३ तासांच्या सोहळ्यामध्ये नाना पाटेकर यांनी केलेले उत्स्फूर्त भाषण सोडले, तर मराठीचे एकही अक्षर उच्चारले गेले नाही.
ही वस्तुस्थिती आज आपल्याला सर्वत्र पाहावयास मिळते. महाराष्ट्रात मुंबई आहे पण मुंबईत महाराष्ट्र कुठे दिसत नाही. मुंबईच्या एकाही व्यावसायिक रेडियो वाहिनीवर एकही मराठी गाणं लागत नाही. आपल्या मातृभाषेत आपल्याला भाजीपाला विकत घेता येत नाही, आपल्या मातृभाषेत एका जागेवरून दुस-या जागी जाता येत नाही. आपल्याच राजधानीत मराठीला दुय्यम स्थान मिळतं ही खेदाची गोष्ट आहे.
प्रश्न फक्त मुंबईचाही नाही. मराठी लोकांमध्ये मराठीच्या बाबतीत एक औदासिन्य
आहे की काय अशी शंका येत राहते. चळवळीच्या नावाखाली काही हिंसक घडामोडी, जाळपोळ आणि भयंकर अस्थिर वातावरण एवढंच मराठीच्या वाट्याला येतं. तुमच्या आमच्यासारखी माणसं या तथाकथित चळवळींचा हिस्सा होत नाहीत आणि याची
कारणं स्पष्ट आहेत. पण म्हणून मराठीची अवहेलना होण्याचं थांबत नाही.
मला प्रामाणिकपणे वाटतं की एक चळवळ जनसामान्यांमधूनच जन्मली पाहिजे. मराठीसाठी आपण मराठी भाषिकांनी एकत्र यायची आज जितकी गरज आहे तितकी यापूर्वी कधीच नव्हती. अमराठी लोकांनी मराठीचा आदर बाळगण्याचा आग्रह
धरण्याआधी मराठी लोकांमध्ये मराठीचा अभिमान रुजवायची गरज अधिक आहे.
मराठीला एका अभिमानगीताची गरज आहे.

लाभले अम्हांस भाग्य बोलतो मराठी
जाहलो खरेच धन्य ऐकतो मराठी
धर्म,पंथ, जात एक जाणतो मराठी
एवढ्या जगात माय मानतो मराठी

माय नेम इज........................

As an actor Shahrukh is among the face of the Indian film industry. But with respect to the current issue he has once again fooled us! We all know that, he is a master of publicity and public relations. However it always doesn't work as one expects. Present issue is the best example. If Shahrukh was so concern about his friends in Pakistan, then why didn't he buy a single player in KKR from Pakistan? It was easily possible being the owner of the team. His statement n concern was purely a publicity stunt for his movie - my name is......... If we apply this logic to this issue, then Shivsena also has all the rights to materialize the golden opportunity to recreate its buzz. However I am not supporting Shivsena, because if they demands apology from Shahrukh on Pakistan issue then why not from entire Bollywood. Many singers from Pakistan come to sing in Bollywood films, even without having Indian work permit.

Everyone is concern for his or her own interest. Hence lets not get bias because we love some actor or support some political party! But also think over that, how ethical it is to enjoy music or cricket or any other source of entertainment with or from people who promote terrorism in our country. How could we have two different stands when we face terror attacks and when it comes to entertainment. Think of those families who have sacrificed their love ones in terror attacks. Even we could be the next victim or someone from our family!

Someone may argue that, what we can do about it. Government is doing its work. From past 50 years our government is making some efforts, but any solution? What we could do as a common man? Remember the 'non cooperation' movement during our freedom fight? Same way say no to these guys who come to our country and earn money! This will also result in some pressure on the Pakistan government from their own people! Doing agitation on the road might be a 'goonda gardi' for white-collar people, but at least we all could do this right?

India Inc. or Ltd.

I am not here to talk about how India's GDP is growing and how corporate India is making difference to the World economy. Rather I am interested in talking about what difference its making to the common middle class man who live in 28 states & some union territories of India. But for some people India is only equal to some cosmopolitan cities. People from this India may go on a short holiday on 15th August, 26th January and on election day, instead of performing their first duty of that particular day; still they give us how to think about India as a one country!!!!!!!

One of the reason, why I want to talk about this is recent visit of Mr. Rahul Gandhi to Mumbai. Yesterday I was wondering is President of India visiting Mumbai? I happened to listen to his speech at Bhaidas Hall this morning on one Marathi News Channel (don't worry it was uncut version unlike other Hindi & English media). His speech was impressive and crowd was responding to it enthusiastically. Its a positive sign for Indian politics that, youths are taking interest in politics. Mr. Rahul Gandhi reminds me of his father Mr. Rajiv Gandhi. As a young kid, I was his great fan!!! His speech was roaming around two issues - 1) Two type of people in India - One who believe in one India and others who believe in divided India. 2)Youth needs to join politics even if they don't have any political godfather = join Indian Youth Congress!!

For his second issue I don't have any problem; he was simply doing his business. For the first issue he was talking about one India, but he was addressing to only 10%-20% of Indians!!! Yes, India is one; we are first Indian!!! But how the issues of local are less important who live in their cities and states for all their life. A person who live in Kolhapur, Surat, Meerut, Kanyakumari goes to other state or city max to max ten time in his entire life; unless he is a central government employee or IT/Technology professional. Hence the issues at micro level does affect us more compare to macro level. I agree to the concept of THINK BIG, THINK GLOBAL. But we always forget to act locally!!! which is more important. For past 50-60 years the party who is ruling India is doing the same. They think in broader manner and their approach is with only for 10-20% of Indians. This makes rich richer and poor poorer. The finance minister of this county consult with top industrialist before the annual budget. However, he doesn't feel the necessity to have dialogues with farmers.

Mr. Gandhi when you want one India, don't be biased with locals. They guys you were speaking with yesterday was from SVKM who come in luxury cars and sport bikes or live king size life. What difference they will make by coming in politics. They join politics to run their business. Thats the reason why all government tenders get allotted to these guys only. And above all SVKM is Gujarati minority trust, where students of Gujarati origin get 50% reservation. These are such institutes all across Maharashtra! Instead of thinking about entire India, if we start performing our duties at local level; India will certainly become stronger nation. Nothing will happen if we continue abuse Raj Thackrey or someone else on social networking sites or online news papers!! Be the change you want to be!!!!

Again coming back to Mr. Rahul Gandhi. I believe he is 50% genuine guy. But certain facts he could not deny. He was telling student, join Indian Youth Congress if they want to become leader in democratic way. But the fact is; he will become PM of India in coming years, because he is from Gandhi family. Also look into your party first, on the name of development your MLAs, MP are developing new slums in Mumbai. If he is no keen about common man, why farmers of Maharashtra still attempting suicide? Who got benefited from last year's 8 Crores package for farmers? Few rich farmers of Western Maharashtra? Why condition of Vidharbh is still the same? This because your politics is only roaming around 10-20% of Indians.

People say 'Marathi Manoos' has become selfish and only hate other these days!!! Why shouln't I if our water, our electricity and resources are getting steal by the unauthorised people who have migrated from other states, even after paying heavy taxes. You may not understand the pain of Marathi Manoos only by travelling in less crowded train in off-peak hour for one day! Once come in Virar-Churchgate train at around 8.00am on weekday (without your z security). Or go to Lalbaugh-Parel where clothe mill workers are fighting for their rights from 20 years. Last generation of Mill workers became gangsters and bar-girls because your 10-20% people left nothing for them. Entire India get united when some one slap UP/BIhari taxiwala, but do we react the same way when farmer force to suicide because their 60% of electricity get diverted to keep Mumbai glittering? Now think who is discriminating? Why you see only Gupta, Yadav, Pandey in MTNL?

Our generation needs think rationally. Keep your eyes open. Don't get driven by some English/Hindi channels and some soft-spoken political parties, who make Rs. 450Cr sea-link in Rs. 1000Cr and rob us on the name of non-secularism! Lets not judge everything in terms of money and benefit or what I get? Also think about what people are me are getting!! Don't expect politician to think about other unless you do!!!

Jai Hind! Jai Maharashtra!!