DEEPAWALI

The earthen lamps lighting,
The inner self is fighting,
To redeem off the sins;
To strive hard for wins;
The darkness dispels,
And the Holy Life excels...
"Happy Deepawali...!!!"

In the Name of Faith and Religion...

Kolkata, the cultural city has been attracting and on the first opportunity my wife planned the trip of tour to Kolkata. On 14th Oct. 2011, the very first day of our visit we decided to start from the famous KALI TEMPLE. As soon as my taxi stopped a dozen of people in Dhoti - Kurta and Kurta - Pajama rushed towards us, shouting and offering their services for the DARSHAN of MAA.

One of them was given the acceptance who informed that he would take 21 rupees to help us DARSHAN. This man lead us to a PRASAD shop and handed over to another person. Immediately a basket full of PRASAD was put in the hands of my wife with fast calculation of all the items for rupees 125.

We followed the so called Pandit who lead us to the temple. There he chanted few MANTRAS and demanded 500 rupees for DARSHAN. He was given 51 rupees. He handed over us to the the Pandit on the main gate of MAA KA DARBAR. The Gate-Pandit chanted some MANTRAS and demanded 500 rupees for DAKSHINA. He was also given 51 rupees. Then the Pandit demanded again 500 rupees for BHANDARA.Till then we had already realised the organized cheating and refused to give anything more. By now we had had the DARSHAN.

The Gate - Pandit told to the Pandit who was accompanying us that we were a different SHRADHALU and handed us over to him. (On the main gate there has been kept a big cannister with sacred lamp and intentional blockage at the door to stop the common devotees for normal DARSHAN). The Pandit again took us to another Pandit who again chanted some MANTRAS and demanded 500 rupees for the final DAKSHINA and Bhandara. Realising all this organised looting; making easy victim to the devotess for their faith in religion, some coins of 7 rupees were handed over to that Pandit.

Now we were lead out to the PRASAD shop where we were charged 250 rupees for PRASAD which at the beginning was told of 125 rupees as per my calculations. Later we paid 250 rupees and wanted to come out. The Pandit demanded the final DAKSHINA which was, truly speaking, denied. Chanting Jai Maa Kali we left the place and startede searching our taxi to visit some other place.

Why even the DARSHAN of DEITIES has been commercialised? why the devotees are looted in this way? Why not Temple Trusts and Pandits and Pandas are being monitored by the local governance or the governments? Why not such practices are stopped? Why the DARSHAN of DIETIES are sold?

Befooled and Cheated in Kolkata

Long overdue promise I had to keep and take my family on a trip of tour to the City of Joy, City of Culture, City of Religion...Calcutta (Kolkata). Got down (on 14th Oct 2011)  at the Sealdah station to find the taxiwallahs running towards and asking many questions. Finally I settled with some Adhikari taxiwallah. It was my first day in Kolkata. I wanted a hotel. He told, he'd charge rupees 250 to take me to a hotel as the hotels were far off. We boaarded inside. After only five minutes ride he stopped and we landed at Planet Inn at AJC Bose Road. When asked that it was only within 2 KM and he had charged rupeed 250 the taxiwallah didn't reply anything.

Now he proposed that he would take us for sight seeing and charge rupees 1700 upto 2 PM. I asked the hotel Manager who was ready to provide taxi facility for rupees 1000 for 10 hours excluding parking chaares. But I opted for the first taxiwallah, bargained and settled for rupees 1400 for 10 hours. My wife smiled and told, "When will you stop wasting money in the name of helping the poor people? All of them don't deserve your help."

We started, went to Kali Temple...from there Zoological Garden ,the Birla Planatorium, Victoria Memorial and the Science Park. The taxiwallah started showing his true colors as after the visit of Zoological Garden he demanded the parking fees. I reasoned that it was not the point in the deal. He became violent and wanted money, Finally, I had to disclose that the Hotel Manager offered me a taxi for rupeed 1000 for 10 hours exluding parking fees and that I chose him to offer rupees 1400 hundred. It surprised him and made him realise that he actually didn't cheat and befool me. In fact, I myself wanted to be cheated and befooled. My wife taunted, "Now you face the music of your mission and intention of helping people considering poor. "

Now the taxiwallah was irritated not to know the real reason for opting him for rupees 1400 hundred when the service was available for rupees 1000. After our visit to the Victoria Memorial the taxiwallah told that it was 3 PM and that he would give his services only upto 4 PM. I argued that the deal was that of 10 hour (9 AM to 7 PM). He refused and stated creating scene that maximum he would be with us upto 4 PM. I now had no option but to accept the DADAGIRI of the taxiwallah. I thought to refer the case to the Police or the Traffic Police but decided to avoid unnecessary trouble to my family members who came to enjoy the trip. I proposed him to take us to the Science Park and then to the Hotel. At Science Park he said his time was over. Till now the mood of my family members was upset and spoilt by the constant nagging of the taxiwallah. My wife suggested return back to the hotel. We came back. The taxiwallah was given rupees 1400. He demanded more money which honestly was not given to him.

We returnd back to Hotel Room. I felt cheated and befooled. My children went to their room. I went to my room where my wife was waiting for me with a smile on her face.."Please don't show greatness at the cost of the pleasure of your family members. Tomorrow get the service from the Hotel itself to which I agreed."... I thought, "I am cheated and befooled as I am an emotional and impractical fool?"