A week from now, lovers the world over will be going completely mad. But on Valentine's Day, guess who'll be laughing all the way to the bank? Florists! While i don't plan to send guldastas to India's heart-throb (the Dimpled One, who else?)I am all set to pen him a prem patra reflecting the ardent feelings of his panting admirers.
Dearest, Chweetipie Rahul,
Mwaah! Mwaah!
I'm writing this on behalf of thousands of young girls across India, who are totally fida over you. For now, i'm leaving out the young boys. That is your special appeal. I believe you are known as the 'unisex hottie' by your adoring fans. All this is good for any young person's ego. But as a former agony aunt and current "grandma Moses", let me tell you, being a heart-throb is not all that easy. Especially for someone in your unique position. "Dil ki dhadkan" is one thing. But you have to deal with "desh ki dhadkan". And this desh is vast and varied, Rahulji. As you well know. Your helicopter chakkars all over the place must have given you a pretty good idea by now. To say nothing about your impromptu visits to chhota villages, with or without foreign diplomats in tow. In fact, it was your very first photo op in a jhopdi, sharing a frugal meal with the poorest of the poor that broke so many female hearts. 'Cho chweet', chorused all those girls, as they watched you sit awkwardly on a khatiya before you turned in for the night, wrapped in a rustic razai. Chicks go for such stuff big time! It brings out their motherly instinct. They feel protective and mushy. They love a man who can rough it out it proves he is made of stern stuff. Your mama must have been worried, but that's what mamas are for. And even though you do come across as a maa da ladla, the girls who love you believe you are definitely not spoilt ("bigad nahi gaya", they coo). Plus, independent minded, too. I mean, at close to 40, mama has not managed to bully you int! o marria ge. That's unusual in India. A feat!
Now to the crucial question: when is the big day, Rahulji? There are only two bachelor boys left in your super league, and one of them is saying, he isn't interested in getting hitched since he already has babies! Go figure. Yup. That's a Salman original, and if Sallu Bhai's trail of broken hearts gets any longer, there will be a line going up to the Himalayas and beyond. The other eligible bachelor boy is still a baby and rumour has it he is taken. Sid Mallya just may beat you in the Valentine stakes this year, especially after Baby Mallya ripped off his ganji, post-Mumbai Marathon. But there are years to go before he gets hitched. Unless . There is Ness, of course. But we guess, he has a lot on his... err mind. The others don't really count. Pundits (political and the other astro kind) are predicting a shaadi for you in 2011. In fact, those in the know in Dilli claim the date is set, and the dulhan is getting her trousseau ready even as we speak. Bol Rahul, bol, sangam hoga ki nahi? If wedding bells are about to clang, you'd better beat the British royals to the altar. We don't want our prince to receive less international coverage than what's his name, again? Yes, William.
Of late, you have been talking very sensibly. Mothers of prospective brides like that. You want to bring back all the black money stashed away in those secretive Swiss banks. The money you say belongs to India's poor. While we don't really understand how India's poor were looted of their money, which is now accumulating in foreign accounts, it sounds very noble and honourable. We really like noble and honourable young men, considering there aren't too many of them around. We also liked all that stuff about rooting out corruption and cleaning up the system. Your father used to say that, too. But a few unfortunate deals got in the way. Most of us have forgotten, but not Ram Jethmalani, God bless his memory. The thing is, our youngsters ! have wha t is known as ADS (Attention Deficit Syndrome). They have no time for history and that's why they love you. You also don't bother about history and boring stuff like that. You prefer action, like changing the life of that orphan boy in one minute. Nice! Looks good. Feels good. Reads good. Lucky boy. And your humility! Mummyjis really appreciate that quality and keep saying how simple and humble you are even though you belong to such a great family and all that. It's true. You asked for 10 years to clean up corruption. That was simple of you. Another hot-headed, impatient, show-off politician would have demanded 50. See? Indians are sentimental and understanding. They know you are not a magician. But they also know if anybody can do it, it is you.
Rahulji, you have no rival, no equal. Even Rajni can't match you. If there is one hero Rajni cannot take on, it is you. Mind it! So, on behalf of those million hearts going dhak dhak for you this Valentine's Day, let me wish you a super romantic, pyaar bhara time ahead. Cupid is standing by with several arrows ready. India awaits the most anticipated reality show of all time 'Rahul Ka Swayamvar'. All are invited. No presents please. Only blessings!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Fida factor: Rahulji, will you be my Valentine?
Mesmerising city of Alwar welcomes you!
IF ONE wants to have all the peace of mind and is also not in a mood to spend much but, wants to go on a short trip then, for them the City of Forts, Alwar is the best place to visit. This small city in Rajasthan is just 160 kilometer away from Delhi.
During the British regime it was known as Ulwar but, was changed to Alwar with the change in the rule. This wonderful city promises you with a full time enjoyment and that too in less expense. Covered with the beautiful Aravalli Ranges from all its sides, Alwar can be said as the most exotic place which certainly fits in ones budget.
You can reach there by your own mode of transport or else can hire a taxi and if that too doesnt suit you then you can opt for the service of Northern Railways. Train, which is one of the fastest modes of transport, would take just three to 3 and 1/2 hours to reach Alwar but, if you are a person who wants all the luxury and has opted for Fairy Queen, a special train which runs between Delhi Cantonment and Alwar, then it would surely take a day or two of yours. This train has some fixed stations and will provide you with all the royal treatment that you cant even dream of. An advice is that prefer this train only if you have ample of time and you are not in a hurry.
This Kingdom of Rajputs has a well- working government but it still has a Maharaja, who is, Jitendra Pratap Singh. Many rulers from time to time have worked their best in developing the beauty of this city and have succeeded too in developing its enthralling scenic beauty. It has a tiger reserve which is famous as Sariska Tiger Reserve which reserves not only tigers but also leopard, hyena, sambhar, nilgai, chinkara, species of monkeys, peacocks and other birds too.
Monsoon season adds to the tranquility of the place. During monsoon, places like Adaa Pada, Taalvriksh, and Naldeshwar are at their best as natural waterfall can be seen over there, which looks heaven for your eyes. One can even go for trekking if you w! ant some adventure.
Other places worth visiting are Lal Diggi, Pandupol, Neemrana, Silliserh, Ajabgarh, Bhangarh, Bhartariji, each of them have a very deep history behind themselves. Certain temples and other tourist spot which one can explore are Sagar, which is surrounded by 12 chhatries or cenotaphs built of red marble slabs, behind it is the Moosi Maharanis Chhatri, built in the memory of Queen Moosi and close to both of them is the old Government Museum, which exhibits all the weapons that speaks about the bravery of the kings over there. The Alwar Fort, known as Bala Quila has six entrances to it and is standing erect. One would come across many Kunds, a source of water, found usually between the mountains which pertains the natural water in them and many peacocks, deers, monkeys, langoors doing all the mischievous things.
Once you go there, you might want to visit there again and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Gateway of Rajasthan, whose gates are always open for its tourists but, if you dont want to get burnt in the summer heat then prefer visiting there in monsoons or winters and enjoy the seasons.
During the British regime it was known as Ulwar but, was changed to Alwar with the change in the rule. This wonderful city promises you with a full time enjoyment and that too in less expense. Covered with the beautiful Aravalli Ranges from all its sides, Alwar can be said as the most exotic place which certainly fits in ones budget.
You can reach there by your own mode of transport or else can hire a taxi and if that too doesnt suit you then you can opt for the service of Northern Railways. Train, which is one of the fastest modes of transport, would take just three to 3 and 1/2 hours to reach Alwar but, if you are a person who wants all the luxury and has opted for Fairy Queen, a special train which runs between Delhi Cantonment and Alwar, then it would surely take a day or two of yours. This train has some fixed stations and will provide you with all the royal treatment that you cant even dream of. An advice is that prefer this train only if you have ample of time and you are not in a hurry.
This Kingdom of Rajputs has a well- working government but it still has a Maharaja, who is, Jitendra Pratap Singh. Many rulers from time to time have worked their best in developing the beauty of this city and have succeeded too in developing its enthralling scenic beauty. It has a tiger reserve which is famous as Sariska Tiger Reserve which reserves not only tigers but also leopard, hyena, sambhar, nilgai, chinkara, species of monkeys, peacocks and other birds too.
Monsoon season adds to the tranquility of the place. During monsoon, places like Adaa Pada, Taalvriksh, and Naldeshwar are at their best as natural waterfall can be seen over there, which looks heaven for your eyes. One can even go for trekking if you w! ant some adventure.
Other places worth visiting are Lal Diggi, Pandupol, Neemrana, Silliserh, Ajabgarh, Bhangarh, Bhartariji, each of them have a very deep history behind themselves. Certain temples and other tourist spot which one can explore are Sagar, which is surrounded by 12 chhatries or cenotaphs built of red marble slabs, behind it is the Moosi Maharanis Chhatri, built in the memory of Queen Moosi and close to both of them is the old Government Museum, which exhibits all the weapons that speaks about the bravery of the kings over there. The Alwar Fort, known as Bala Quila has six entrances to it and is standing erect. One would come across many Kunds, a source of water, found usually between the mountains which pertains the natural water in them and many peacocks, deers, monkeys, langoors doing all the mischievous things.
Once you go there, you might want to visit there again and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Gateway of Rajasthan, whose gates are always open for its tourists but, if you dont want to get burnt in the summer heat then prefer visiting there in monsoons or winters and enjoy the seasons.
