Category: ललित

  • महाराजांचे देवत्व – एक विचारमंथन

    WhatsApp Image 2018-02-19 at 8.30.44 AM
    महाराष्ट्राचे प्रातःस्मरणीय शककर्ते राजे छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज यांची आज “तारखेनुसार” जयंती. त्यानिमित्तानी नुकताच गणेशउत्सवात दिसणाऱ्या “मी येतोय” च्या धरतीवरचा ‘देव येतोय’ असं लिहिलेला वर दिलेला फोटो माझ्या एका मित्रानी एका whatsapp ग्रुपवर पाठवला. पण मला आज हा फोटो पाहून एक गोष्ट खटकते आहे ती म्हणजे महाराजांना आपण देतोय ते ‘देवत्व’. थांबा, कोणतीही टोकाची प्रतिक्रिया देण्या आधी कृपाकरून मी लिहितो आहे ते पूर्ण शेवटल्या शब्दापर्यंत वाचा. छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज अत्यंत थोर, धोरणी आणि दूरदृष्टी लाभलेले महान राज्यकर्ते होते यात शंका नाही. कोणत्याही मराठी माणसाचे याबाबत दुमत असणे अशक्य आहे. किंबहुना मराठीच का, जगभरात त्यांचे समकालीन किंवा त्यांच्या काळानंतर झालेले अनेक अभ्यासक हेच मत मांडतात.
     
    महाराजांच्या न भूतो न भविष्यती अशा पराक्रमात त्यांना साथ देणारे त्यांनी टाकलेला शब्द झेलणारे आणि महाराजांसाठी जीव तळहातावर घेऊन काम करणारे लोक कोणत्या जातीपातीचे होते, कोणत्या धर्मातले होते, या वादात मला अजिबात रस नाही. पण महाराजांचे कर्तुत्व, त्यांचे धाडस, त्यांचे शौर्य, आपल्या सामर्थ्याची पूर्ण जाण ठेवून आखलेली विशेष अशी गनिमिकाव्याची रणनीती, निक्षून टाळलेला सैन्यातील हत्तींचा वापर, “रयतेच्या भाजीच्या देठासही हात लावू नये” अशी शिस्त लावणारी आज्ञापत्रे तसेच प्रसंगी आततायी शौर्य न गाजवत हौतात्म्य पत्करण्यापेक्षा चार पावले मागे येण्यातली ओळखलेली योग्यता हे सारे सारे एका प्रचंड मुत्सद्दी आणि तल्लख बुद्धीच्या राज्यकर्त्याची ओळख पटवून देणारे मुद्दे आहेत.
     
    सरंजामशाहीत असलेली राजाची पराधीनता ओळखून उभारलेली नवीन सैनिकी व्यवस्था, जमिनीची लावून दिलेली रयतवारी, नव्याने निर्माण केलेली शेतसारा पद्धती, त्याकाळात दुष्काळानंतर उपलब्ध करून दिली जाणारी सरकारी गोदामातून शेतकी मदत मग ती बी-बियाणांच्या रुपात असेल किंवा जनावरांच्या स्वरूपातील असेल, जाणीवपूर्वक केलेली मार्गांची व्यवस्था असेल किंवा पाण्याच्या स्त्रोतांची व्यवस्था असेल, या साऱ्या गोष्टीतून त्यांच्या डोक्यात असलेला ‘रयतेच्या कल्याणासाठी सतत जागरूक राहणारा एक कुशल प्रशासक’ दिसून येतोच की.
     
    महाराजांची सगळीच कारकीर्द काही १००% यश देणारी होती असे नाही. विशालगडावर अडकून पडण्याची वेळ असो की आग्र्याला नशिबी आलेली नजर कैद असो किंवा ज्याची परिणीती आग्र्याच्या प्रकरणात झाली ती मिर्झाराजा जयसिंगची महाराष्ट्राच्या उरावर थैमान घालणारी स्वारी असो, हे काही अपयश या महान राजाला पचवावे लागलेच होते. पण महाराजांची जिद्द आणि स्वाभिमान इतका प्रबळ होता की या साऱ्यांच्या नाकावर टिचून महाराजांनी स्वतःचे सार्वभौम राज्य निर्माण केले. सार्वभौमत्व मिळवल्याखेरीज राज्यास स्थैर्य नाही हे ओळखून पैठणच्या ब्रह्मवृंदाने नकार दिलेला असतांना काशीच्या गागाभट्टांना (ज्यांनी स्वतः काशी विश्वनाथावर पडलेले घणाचे घाव बघितले होते आणि या राज्याभिषेकाची आवश्यकता आणि त्याचे महत्व ओळखले होते) पाचारण करून राज्याभिषेक करवून घेतला. राज्याभिषेकाच्या निमित्ताने नवीन कालगणना सुरु करत महाराज ‘शककर्ते’ झाले. छत्रपती झाले.
     
    इतके देदीप्यमान कर्तुत्व असतांना तुम्हा आम्हा पामराला त्याजागी देवत्व दिसले नाही तरच नवल आहे. पण आपण कटाक्षाने ते देवत्व या महामानवाला देणे टाळले पाहिजे. महाराजानाचा पराक्रम जर आपण त्यांना मानव ठेवूनच बघितला तर तो अधिक भव्यदिव्य आणि उदात्त वाटत नाही का? एकदा देवत्व दिलं की चमत्कार आले, दैवी ताकद आहे मग “छे त्यांना काय अवघड होतं” हा भाव आला. अर्थात सगळ्यांच्याच मनात येईल असं नाही पण जे आज इतक्या शतकांनी ‘श्रीरामाच्या’ बाबतीत होतं आहे ते छत्रपतींच्या बाबतीत होऊ नये. त्यांचे कर्तुत्व देवत्वाच्या आड झाकोळले जाउ नये इतकीच अपेक्षा आहे.
    ~~~
    आदित्य साठे
    Adi’s Journal
    १९-०२-२०१८

  • Looking forward to 2018

    2018-Reflections

    This is the time of the year when I sit, and look back at the year which is passing by, and set the direction for which I would like to walk in next year. 2017 has been a good year in general. There are quite a few highlights on the work front, but on the creative front, this was the first year when I successfully completed a campaign. Yes, I survived April A to Z challenge with the support of my amazing community of Blogchatter. Then followed an amazing experience, My Friend Alexa: Season 2. So when I look forward to 2018, these two things are definitely going to be on my 2018 agenda.

    So guys, let’s begin.

    1. April A to Z: Because of the successful year of 2017 at April A to Z, I am for sure going to take the challenge again in 2018. I was totally skeptical about the challenge this year as it was my first attempt at dedicated, contentious attempt of blogging for a month.  So I had kept no rules for me this time. Writing every day was the goal. Now for 2018, I want to put some higher and tougher target for me.
    2. My friend Alexa: Guys at Blogchatter, please let’s have the September blogging campaign again. That gave me a strong boost as a blogger. I so much want to be a part of it in 2018 too.
    3. 50 Books in a year: One thing I miserably failed in 2017 was “100 books challenge” I couldn’t reach even 20. So in next year, I am putting a goal of 50 new books which I will start in 2018 plus the half read which I am currently reading. You can check how 2017 has been for me as far as reading is concern on this Goodreads link
    4. Vacation time: I can’t even remember when was the last proper long vacation I had. In 2018 I so badly wish to have a 10 day, amazing vacation where I want to visit some new city. Solo trip to a new city, where I can just explore as much as I can.
    5. Pick the rhythm again: I have been planning to pick up the rhythm instrument again for a long time. I used to learn tabla for around 3-4 years in my school days. But now I want to venture in either cajón or Kanjira. I am still figuring out which one I should choose. But in 2018, I am surely looking forward to taking up that journey again.

    So this is my 5 pointer checklist for 2018. When in the last week of December 2018, I will be sitting again to take a final look at this list, I so wish and dream that I will be ticking off all the 5 points.

    What you guys are planning for? Do write it in the comments, Feel free to share and subscribe to the blog so you won’t miss any of my writing which is coming up in 2018… Wish you all a happy, healthy new year. Have a blast on 31st. See you next year…

  • It’s always easy to put it on you.

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    Hey guys, I am really sorry for this rant. Today I simply can’t keep myself away from it. I just can’t take the blame game anymore which we like to play as a society. Every now and then we come across “Government of India never cares about its sportspersons” stories in a form of sad photos of the plight of our national and sometimes international champions of sports other than cricket on our social media feeds. It’s true that they are in despair, many of them are struggling even to earn the living, but these social media posts do nothing than pointing fingers at politicians and government. The attitude of “मायबाप सरकार” runs through Indian mindset and it has rooted deep inside. We need to change the focus.

    We need to change. We hardly watch any sports on television other than cricket and sometimes football. We don’t even think about or dream about watching the sports event live in a stadium if it’s not a cricket. In cricket, the circle is complete. There are fans, who go and watch, they go and watch so sponsors put the money in. Money is in so facilities are good, which in turn makes players to put the efforts and do well. When players/team does well, it earns a lot. But in other sports, the picture is not that pretty.  Everyone waiting for someone else to take the initiative.

    Pro Kabaddi has managed to make a strong entry and has got a significant following on television coverage but on the other hand badminton league in India is struggling. Even ISL teams have to take help of local fan clubs of Europian football clubs to get the following.

    Government help for the sports is no doubt crucial. In fact, every district organizes the sports tournament, mini (micro) Olympic in itself. Winners from those tournaments move ahead to State and then to the National events. The central government has many training centers spread across the country. Maybe their condition is not that great. Some of them might be lacking some infrastructure. There is no point in denying the fact that these efforts are not enough for our huge country. Let’s not forget, the government has a limited money to spend, which we give them as taxes and a part which multilateral funding agencies put in.

    There are some people working to make a change. Reliance Foundation is working on promoting the sports in India through their “Youth Sports” initiative. Organizing hundreds of events for football in 32 cities and athletics in 16 cities around the country is a big step forward in itself. Sports for all in Mumbai doing a great job of organizing 2-week sports fair in December where 35000 school kids participated in 2016 events.

    It’s time for us to take up our share of responsibility, not just share on social media. I am making it a point to start acting on this. From this new year, 2018, I am making it a point to go and watch these local sports events from the city. Come, join me for some sporting events and let’s enjoy that cheerful spirit in a stadium.

  • The lie of knowing you completely

    Recently a very old friend of mine was bluffing about some stupid thing and spontaneously I reacted, “Stop bluffing dude, I know you completely.” We often think that we know the person inside out and the same will never fail to surprise us with a very different side which we have never seen before. Even after so many shocks and surprises, we never stop believing in knowing someone completely. But this isn’t only about humans around us.

    Today I want to talk about knowing the place completely. I am working at Centre for Development Studies and Activities (CDSA), Pune for past three years and roam around our campus daily. You all might have seen various shades of the campus and its natural beauty through my camera on many social media platforms. I strongly believed that now I know the campus completely. But yesterday, I was working a bit longer than my usual hours to finish a presentation for today.

    When I was almost done with the work, I set out to the clubhouse to meet our executive director. As I was passing by one of our classrooms, The reflections of setting sun and the trees on another side of the courtyard on the door panels of classroom caught my eyes. It was a bit dark as the lights in the courtyard were yet to lit up. Orange shades on the horizon creating a silhouette of trees on foreground was such a mesmerizing sight. The setting of door, landing and the steps in front of were giving the cinemascope perspective to the entire scene. I stood by the steps enjoying the scene for a couple of minutes. I clicked a picture on my phone and moved on to the clubhouse for work.

    A post shared by aditya (@adisjournal) on

     

    But while riding back home from the office, I couldn’t ignore the falseness of this feeling about knowing my office place completely. It has been three years, I spend my entire day at this place, still, this campus never fails to provide a new frame of beauty to enjoy every now and then. Even though the features, objects, buildings are the same. I see them every day. But, clouds in the sky, a pouring rain or rays of the setting sun, compels me to watch and enjoy the scene created by nature. Today I have come to terms with the fact that the feeling of knowing someone or something completely is just an illusion.

  • Love for Grayscale…

    No buddies, don’t worry, I am not talking about that horrifying disease Greyscale from Game of Thrones, and not about Philadelphia based pop-punk band ‘Grayscale‘ either. I am talking about my favorite mode of photography; Black and white. Recently I got an opportunity to express my love for grayscale monochrome photography through a weeklong photo tag. Thanks to my wonderful friend Snehal for tagging me in this project.

    “Life is never perfectly Black or White, it always comes in shades of gray.” we often say this but in the past week, ‘7 Days 7 Black and White photos’ became a good opportunity to explore the world in the shades of gray. Many of you might have followed it on my Instagram handle. But I would like to bring all of them to this one place for all my other buddies.

    Enjoy the 7 Days 7 Black and White photos

    Day 1:

    Day 2:

    Day 3:

    Day 4:

    Day 5:

    Day 6:

    Day 7:

    I so wish for the mobile phones which can click directly black and white photographs. Applying black and white filters is kind of mediocre way. Guys, let’s make some noise about this so that mobile manufacturers will think about adding one sensor for us black and white lovers.

    Until next time…

    Over. Aditya Out.

  • No, It’s not a creative block

    Hello friends,

    I am really sorry to keep you all waiting. I know, I have missed my last two posts. No, it’s not a creative block that’s holding me up. She is kind of preoccupied with some cool stuff happening at my office, which soon will be revealed to you.

    In the second half of October, I took #TheMindfulBreak with all the lovely people who gathered around on Modern Gypsy’s call. Here you can enjoy all those moments at one place.

    Getting ready for #sundaymood is my #TheMindfulBreak for the day… #blue

    A post shared by aditya (@adisjournal) on

    #farmfresh groundnuts at my friend’s farm. #CoffeeCatClicks #TheMindfulBreak #instafood

    A post shared by aditya (@adisjournal) on

    I am really happy to be part of our li’l Mindful Break Community. I returned from this break on 1st of November and since then it has been a busy time at work. But no day is hell busy for a bibliophile. I am currently enjoying ‘The Devil is a Black Dog – Stories of War and Revolution from the Middle East and Beyond‘. I received this book in a subscription box of Kaffeinated Konversations. I will definitely tell you more about this in my next post as I will be finishing it soon.

    There’s also a good news guys, I am very happy about the love you showed to my Instagram handle. Today I am celebrating 500 followers. Thank you all. Keep showering those little ❤️.

    Hope to see you soon guys. Stay tuned.

    Until the next time…

    Bbye…