wibhajan ke baad shasan- ek dushtachakra

एकला चलो रे ..

पिछले कुछ दिनों से, एक घुटन सी महसूस हो रही है. शायद इसकी वजह फेसबुक पर चल रही कुछ बहसें. सोचता हूं, की अज्ञान रहने में ही सुख है. प्रचार करने वाले लोगों को देखकर यह सोचता हूं की, इन्हें तो फायदा होगा, लेकिन मुझे या मेरे परिवार के नुक्सान के बाद ही.

विभाजन के बाद शासन, यह राजनीति का एक अंग, अंग्रेज यहाँ छोड़ गए और यहाँ वह पल कर अपनी जड़ें मजबूत कर रही है. अनेक झुण्ड बन गए और हर झुण्ड को बस अपनी ही पड़ी है. (बात केवल धर्म पर सीमित नहीं रही.)

आरक्षण की व्यवस्था जब तय हुई, तो यह केवल दस साल तक नियंत्रित थी. उसके बाद तो समान कायदा लागु होना था. लेकिन...

किसी भी विषय के कारण, आरक्षण जिस काल से चालू किया जाता है, तभीसे सर्व “नेता” अपने अपने गट अलग करने पर टल जाते हैं, कुछ चंद वोटों के लिए. (और यह संसर्ग हमेशा के लिए चालू हो जाता है.).

कुछ चंद नेताओं के फायदे के लिए देश का विभाजन करने लायक परिस्थिति बनाई गई. एक देश स्वतंत्र नहीं हुआ, बल्कि दो देश विभाजित हुए. विभाजन के बाद गठबंधन बहुत ही मुश्किल है. विभाजन करनेवालों की नीति कितनी गिरी होगी, जो इंसान को इंसान से अलग करने पर तुली हो.

विभाजित रहने के लिए जो कूटनीति इस्तेमाल की जाती है, उसमे लाभ केवल नेताओं (और उनके चमचों) का है. अगर, हर सामान्य व्यक्ति एक दुसरे के साथ जुल मिल जाती है, तो नेता को प्रचार के लिए कोई भी साधन नहीं मिलता. सामान्य इंसान अपने फायदे की सोचता है. ज्यादा कष्ट बिना काम कैसे हो जावे. वह उस गुट का सदस्य बन जाता है. उसकी निष्ठा उसके गुट से बंध जाती है.. हमेशा के लिए.

(शायद वो अपनी गहरी नींद से जग जाता है, तब, जब उसके पल्ले कुछ नहीं आता.) ऐसे अनेक खाली हाथ लोगों के लिए एक नया नेता हमेशा उगता है. :)

आत्मविश्वास की कमी के कारण, कोई भी इंसान अपने गट से अलग विचार करने का प्रयत्न नहीं करता. उसका खुद का अस्तित्व गुट से जुड़ जाता है और वह और कमजोर होता जाता है. लेकिन, जब वह खुद अपनी दृष्टि से विचार कर पाएगा, तब संसार में वह सबसे सर्वसम्पन्न व शक्तिशाली होगा. उसे किसी गुट का भय न रहेगा. वह दुसरे इंसान के साथ एक इंसान की तरह बर्ताव कर सकेगा.

यह झुण्ड अथवा गुट व सम्प्रदाय एकता की भाषा करते हैं किंतु एक जगत की नहीं. दूसरों से अलग करने के लिए अपने झुण्ड की एकता का विचार. यह खयाल भेडियों से एक कतरा भी अलग नहीं. भेडिये पेट भर की शिकार कर चुप हो जाते हैं.

देखता हूं, की हर दिन कुछ नए सम्प्रदाय बन रहे हैं. एक दुसरे से भिड रहे हैं.

एकता की बात तब होती है जब बाहरी झुण्ड से खतरा बढ़ जाता है. उस झुण्ड को उकसानेवाला खयाल में ही नहीं आता.

इस सभी से अलिप्त रहने के लिए केवल एक ही मार्ग बचता है.

हिम्मत न हारो पर एकला चलो रे..

तभी विचार अपना खुद का होगा!

-पराग

Blazing Saddles Part 3

The 7 September 'Duathlon'

Sujit was up at 4AM. I lazed thinking, “ We have 2 Bathrooms in 9 people. It was going to take time.”

I had couple of Bananas as Fuel for the 21km run and other obvious reasons.
It worked like a charm.

5 of us crammed in an Auto to reach the marathon start point.
It seemed like too many people per square meter. People were running around doing warm up. Some were religiously doing stretches.

We joined the queue. Sujit was lucky to get into ‘A’ section. Umesh and I joined the exodus of section C. After the start of the marathon, it took us almost 4-5 mins to get to the start line. So many people ahead of me..not moving fast enough. I hate to walk but as a descendant of section C Few of us did not have a choice.

It was not a very eventful run. I remember that I started running and dodging at times run on gravel as the path was taken by the shod. It was good to See Jeetu Running Strong with 2 km bus. Few other Freerunners were doing great, as well.

On way down, I made real good progress. As the crowd got sparse I took the chance to cover up lost ground by running in sprints and a deeper breathing to cool fast. I soon reached 3 km to goal and met Nikhil’s 2:30 Bus. I ended the affair with a final sprint. When I reached it was 2:28 past gun time.. I lost 4 mins to reach the start line so it may be 2:24. Not bad at all considering the effort on earlier day.

However, now was the crucial time to relax, as there was a bigger ordeal in the wait. As soon as Bhari and Ashish finished their run we went to a hotel to have a quick bite. Later to the lodge to have a quick bath. On came the Bib shorts the Tee and the helmet. Soon we were weaving our way out of Satara.

We were cycling back to Pune in terrible heat  at 11AM.At the start there was less wind and I cursed. On the highway there was a  Lot of headwind and I am no cyclist. The marathon now seemed like a easier deal.

Few Marathoners cheered us on our way back. (The Cheer lasts for a few pedals at higher torque.)
Oh Yes.. Height of the day was riding thru the Khambatki tunnel and an inviting slope to Shirwal.

Unfortunately when we reached Kamat hotel somewhere later than Shirwal..after .. bridge across the river Nira.. I was Extremely tired and started yawning on the cycle. (Perhaps, I am still not built to wake up at 4AM on two consecutive days)
I took a ride till the start of the Katraj ghat and gave up on my plan of inflicting myself with more pain.

I rode the ghat to Kondhwa for little consolation. The heat had died by then and my sleepyness had vanished. I wish I had not yielded to 26 km of give up.
..Sujit Kolke and Umesh completed the ordeal with an added ride up Chandani Chowk. The men of Steel who go by a fewer words, that have chased me to find a better myself.

The next day I am back at work with full energy, with absolutely no cramps or leg pain, I am planning for an run at evening. The bike event + marathon are cross training activities that can get the better part of you.

I would not advice cross training to other horses. But they will surely find it out when they try.

Sujit and Umesh With Bhari

PTC and Ex- PTC With Rafiq Somani

With Ashish Arora

The long Long way to home

Blazing saddles Part 2

4-september:

I inspected my bike. Pulled wheels apart and doused the hubs with Silicon lubricant spray/ cleaned the drive ..Then I put some light machine oil. Adjusted the brakes. (The main aim was the bike ride and not the run.)
I mentioned to Sujit and Umesh that I would start along the viaduct. I being the weaker member I should gain some distance before they catch up with me.

5 september:
Woke up at 4AM. Glass of milk. The dogs in Kondhwa were less receptive. It’s nice and cold. I bike to Sinhagad road till the Bangalore road junction and get on to NH4. I message Sujit that I will carry on. The road has a slight incline. Road side Dhabas have some sign of life in the otherwise desolate world. A dog playfully chases me. I come over the viaduct and then pedal towards the tunnel. Sun is up and there is more light. I pull on the head torch and flp it to the back of my neck for caution. The tunnel is a queer place for a cyclist. I have never heard such a droning noise. Its worst when a motorbike passes by. Soon I come out of the tunnel. I message Sujit that I shall carry on.
It is now early morning. I hear the birds chirp. I listen to the sounds that I would never get in my Car.
Great wind,.(And greater slope) I put on the top gear and I whiz past a few motorcycles. They are offended and they soon make their point by claiming their supremacy. The highway is a place where supremacy is at test. Egos are being flashed around. Sense of urgency displayed though manic overtaking. Showdown is all time high. Abuse the weaker is the Law. I keep the bike rolling on the white strap almost like an outcast. No vehicles even notice me.

I wonder at the aggressive and arrogant drivers. I am not sure how many of these will end up treading the same path uphill satara. Would I make way for them or they for me..when we are on equal terms.
Barefeet can get trampled upon. Enough of negative thoughts. I pound my Cranks on a high gear. I am near Shirwal now. I ride to a favorite hotel. Lock my bike to the separator on highway. People stare at the strange colored animal with odd colored tights walking somewhat odd. Nothing in his attire matches..The gloves are blue black. Helmet is violet. Tee shirt is red with Wide Text that claims “I train seriously”. The bike is gray.
I am interested in art..but it doesn’t show up in my dressing sense..I perhaps have no taste for the aging man that no exercise resurrects.Dressing comfort is vital to carry out my activities at peace.

I dig into a plate of Poha and have a Wada paa. Food immediately gets me back to my senses. I punch a message to Sujit that I will meet them at top of Khambatki. A tall climb awaits me and I will take my rest at the top.

Lone cycling allows me to talk to myself.
Why am I thinking in German after so many years? Not even sure its correct grammar? Hallucinating? I recollect the last time I climbed Khambatki was 12 in Midnight with My friend Prasad on a gearless cycle. I was 17 then and I am 49 now. I now enjoy the climb on 24 speed cycle that I can afford. I can eat as many times as I want and I do not have to worry about money. It is no more a shoe string affair. I remember that I had got down twice then. I do not plan to get down now.

Huge Hitachi machines are digging boulders on the side. A truck goes close by. Bit unnerved, I stop to have a sip as my throat is dry with the dust. Sujit has caught up with me. He motions that he is moving on. Now that I have company, I start again afresh. We are at top of Khambatki and Umesh is also with us. Time for a selfie!
With my buddies by my side, I pay more attention to the need for hydration and fuel supply that I have forgotten as a lone traveller.

Eventless ride to Satara. Beautiful fields, that us city rats miss.
We steer into a Vithal Kamat at outskirts of Satara. Hotel for food. Masala dosa and cold coffee douses the fire. It is getting really hot at 11 AM.

We pedal to MIDC satara for Bib collection. Later part of journey thru traffic towards RajWada is tiresome. The final slope that takes us to our lodge has me reeling and I prefer Khambatki. Its almost 120 km cycling to this point.

The room at our disposal is a large marriage hall with a stage. Our Luggage is with Bhari’s car. I have not carried spare shorts.. Quick bath in cold water. We go down for lunch. Fortunately this place “Supanekar lodge” has homemade food very cheap. A Satarkar has engaged Sujit in a ‘Satara’ talk. I have been there and I know enough to never ask questions. (But I like to limit talk too wheras Sujit gets on very well socially.) Mr Memon talks about the quality and cost of food , almost bets can never be procured in Pune. Bramhini food! Sujit’s neighbour, Mr Memon, is a milk supplier, impacted by the Marathon as his route to collect goods is shutdown. I smile at the thought of a Vegetarian Muslim guy in love with Pure Brahmin food. Reason for my smile is my flawed thinking and type casting people. I realize that people are bound by lifestyles and basic common necessities. Religion is just a shroud to wear if the above is already met. I could have sworn that Mr Memon even looked like a Maratha.

Mr Memon also mentioned that we should have a snack at Mr Supanekar’s stall at Rajwada.
Bhari and Ashish arrived at noon and the PTC marathon troop was now complete. A few of Umesh Running circle joined in. Mattresses were rolled and we still had enough room to accommodate 20 people.

In the evening we did go to taste Mr Supanekar’s Pattice (Coconut filling) and a marvelous Batata Wada. But then it was just a starter prior to the main course ie. the Dinner at Supanekar’s mess.
Phase 1 of our rally was complete. No damage to the body apart from slight misalignment of right knee. It was time to sleep and recuperate.
I did not set any tall goals for the marathon (i.e phase 2).

Phase 3 – the return was more important than the marathon.
Almost a Duathlon

Contd...

Blazing Saddles- Part1

Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Rollin', rollin', rollin'

Keep movin', movin', movin'
Though they're disapprovin'
Keep them doggies movin'
Rawhide!
Don't try to understand 'em
Just rope and throw and brand 'em
Soon we'll be living high and wide.
My heart's calculatin'
My true love will be waitin'
Be waiting at the end of my ride.

Crazy Song eh? One of my old time favourites blue brother.. Rawhide.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCRae5mRoRE
I think it sums up everything that I would write for a blog to capture what I went through last two days.
2014 was a year of recovery for me that every distance runner encounters now and then. 2015 is perhaps THE year of action. I had almost vowed not to pay for marathons. A few friends followed the suit. I, however, noticed that with no goal, it has been very difficult to train. I had to enrol in three marathons so that  I improve my fitness (my way).
A plan is something prescribed and dictated, to do list that I rebel against. I am not a good student. Unruly I am. I like to fail and learn. I will not be trained as a running robot.
The free horse decided when to run..and where. I told the horse that he better put some reins and actually start gallops. There is only one person, the horse listens to at times. Jeetu and I went for a run, before his usual workout with Freerunners. He watched and gave me something to work on and I saw the improvement during later runs.
I also started 10-20-10 sprint and easy run mix which improved performance. I timed my runs in racecourse sandtrack. If I am good here, I should be better on road. Few gradient runs at Bopdev Ghat were good too but I could see they took more time. From my last run a month ago I recall that It would take me 2:30 to complete 21km. Why is the time still bad? Perhaps, I am still caching my reserves for 42 km. (I am not sorry about it, as this is where I was injured.)

In May, I bought Cycling Bibshorts and biked to Lonavala. Umesh Sonavane was to influence a lot more than this 140km ride in peak summer. I purchased riding gloves..learning from my blisters.
Umesh pursued me into enrolling for Satara. Rs 1300/ for half marathon is something I detest. Yet, the thought of biking in and biking back was more promising.

Note: From May to September, the horse went wild and he would not touch the bike. He focussed on sand track alone. The speed was not what he wanted. The horse ran  only one run of 13km as his plan was to maintain speed at 55min for 10 km (in sand track).

Contd..