The Ideology of Revolution

Every revolution has a reason behind it.  Whether it is the fight of freedom or the fight to bring in a renaissance of ideas that is not bind by political ideologies. History has witnessed that every revolution has born out of tyranny.  Not for power but by controlling ideologies that aims at the freedom of speech, freedom to live and most importantly freedom to think. Revolution does not count emotions it only remembers the sacrifices. But, strangely, the struggle for revolution cannot be felt by those in revolt. Because those who revolt probably do not question its need, they only believe in its cause. 

While, revolution leads to free thinking it leaves behind logical explanations for its actions. It involves only selfless actions that are initially first questioned, then argued but never felt.  Over centuries nations have undergone revolutionary movements in search for the good cause for their people. In the long run these were given the term of Nationalism. People were being motivated to fight for their rights and this led to the formation of smaller watch dog groups. The objective was to keep the war at bay and even if it was incoming, to find out means to either face it or avert it.

In those days, and I am referring to a time when telegram and the telegraph was the only means and the telephone was just introduced. When Morris code was the code of conduct to relay sensitive information between nations, other nations were focusing their efforts on better transmitting devices. In such a situation the security of every nation was at stake because everyone was racing against time but for different reasons. One to strike war for a reason they termed ‘freedom’, the other to save from the same to occur. It was becoming increasingly alarming to capture the context of the message and act.

The most coveted intelligence bureau known as HM Secret Service begun to select a team of people with the most unusual identity but with a strong sense of observation. They were termed as “Couriers”. They were sent to various parts of the world to observe, network and relay back any information that could be vital for the Nation’s security. Likewise, back here in India pre Independence we had people would travel under disguises, naming of which our very own Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, was often referred to as the ‘master of disguises’. But with India being an independent nation, it had made itself far too many enemies. While, at that point of time, India may not have been equipped with the finesse of deception, but it surely had the instinct to jump into the sea and swim.

We had our first R&AW team. A place where identities kept changing but the reason to live remained unchanged. A secret revolution had begun where people without a motive had suddenly been enrolled into a system where they not only found themselves useful but also a sense of adventure and adrenaline. But amidst all this, while we remain safe and secure in our houses, these silent workers continue to battle out a life which we citizens may find meaningful but to them its an ideology of revolution because every revolution does not have a reason behind it… it just has its emotions.

The Silent Mumbai

Mumbai has always been a city that never sleeps.  The sounds of Mumbai encompassed the soul of the city. From the blaring sounds of the rikshas to the hustle bustle of traffic, Mumbaikars have always been a part of this humdrum. As the news of the pandemic set forth states started to take coercive action by shutting down non-essential services. Maharashtra was amongst the most affected state. With limited supplies and logistics people were just running helter-skelter with the thought of returning to their hometown.

After the first wave of the pandemic had gone, we had all believed that the coming year would allow us all to be back in action. Things started to be better with the government easing out the regulations and people again started to get back to action. But this was short lived. Only to know that the new year bought with itself an even deadlier variant of the Covid 19. And before one could realize that the things had gone way out of control, we found ourselves bound to the chains of house arrest. Welcome to the second wave, that’s what blared on the television sets. And, we all kept thinking of the nightmare that was approaching.

Just when the morning sounds that welcome Mumbai had begun, the next moment it returned to silence. We are in a ‘new normal’ world, where now the day starts with a cup of coffee, you are not greeted by the autowallahs honk but by the constant sounds of notifications or the tingling of the mailbox. Our conversations have changed from ‘meeting’ at a coffee house to meeting virtually on Zoom. Books have turned into Kindle and the most cherished moments of movie watching has taken the face of OTT platforms and ‘binge-watching’. Our questions have changed from Good Morning, to saying ‘Hey I hope you are keeping social distancing’ and most importantly, our expressions have got ‘masked’.

Amidst all these, there are a few who are still keeping the heart of Mumbai beating. They are the people who are working tirelessly, selfless, unconditionally to keep a hope alive. The hope of a longing mother, wife, sister or a father that they will get to meet their kin again. - Yes. I am referring to the medical faculty, comprising of doctors, nurses, compounders, medical shops, the municipal corporation workers and the people working to create the vaccines - the real Covid Warriors.

Today, as India is getting vaccinated under the guidance of the state’s brilliant administration, we are returning back to the hope that ‘we shall overcome’ this pandemic. Yet, as you see the city from a closer lens, you would find the roads empty, closed shops and life is still at a standstill… Mumbai is still in a state of silence and the only sounds that are beating are that of hope that the city of dreams shall rise up victorious for its Mumbaikars!