The tree that fell

My eyes were full with tears. I weeped looking at the tall and strong Coconut Tree being axed. I had a special attachment to the tree. Since my childhood, i used to see the tree every day. I used to look how tall it grew. I used to count the coconuts it produced. I used to look and enjoy the birds that built a nest in the tree. I used to take pictures of the bright Full Moon when it passes by the tree. Those were lovely days.

All gone.

Now there is nothing. I woke up in the morning expecting a good day. But the first thing i saw was that the tree opposite to my home was being axed to give way to construct a new building.

I couldnt resist my emotions which overcame me. I started crying. My mind came behind me, placed its hand in my shoulder and said "No use crying. Its all over. Nothing is in our hands"

"I feel like i have a lost a friend, a guardian. I grew up looking at the tree" i said.

My mind spoke "I understand your feelings. After all, i had been with you all through out your life. I understand how important that tree is to you. But unfortunately, nothing is in our hands. We dont decide who should do what. It is his property and he would decide what to do there. We dont have any choice. So, relax down, and accept the fact."

I remained silent.

My mind spoke again, "Come on, dont cry". My mind gave a big hug to me.
And it spoke softly, "I got more bad news to you".

I just gave a blank stare at my mind. My mind nodded its head said, "Its in todays Paper."

I rushed to retreive the morning news paper and looked and the front page headline. In bold black letters i read, '69 PERCENTAGE RESERVATION IN GOVT AND PRIVATE SECTORS'.

"Holy crap" i said. "Thats outrageous. Unacceptable. This is not at all good".

My mind said "I told you already, nothing is in our hands. We cant do anything about this."

"69 percentage reservation in the Govt sector itself is bad. Then how come the Govt extended it to Private sectors too?" I asked my mind.

"Its all a game of politics without any interest in real development of communal harmony" my mind said. It continued "Reservation is good only to a certain extent."

I agreed. I said "yeah, reservation to jobs and education can be given to deserving people like Physically Challenged persons, Children of those serving in the Army, Women, economically poor, sports persons. All that is fine. But this reservation is entirely based on Caste and religion. 69 percentage reservation to people belonging to certain castes is absolutely unacceptable."

My mind spoke back, "I agree with you. But this reservation is made on the ground that these people from the scheduled caste and scheduled tribes dont have enough representations in Jobs and Schools. So, the Govt decided to increase the reservation so that these people from the backward caste will be given an opputunity to jobs and education."

"Thats ridiculous" i shouted. Why does the Govt want to split peoples oppurtunity to jobs and education based on caste. Whatever happened to Art.14 of the Constitution which speaks of 'Right to Equality'?" i asked my mind.

"Art 14 is subject to an exemption where upliftment of these backward class people can be made without looking in to Equality"

"Yeah. Amend the laws as and when required to adjust the then prevailing situation. A good policy for those who come to power as Ministers"

"As i said, there is nothing in our hands except that we sit and watch as things go by." my mind said.

"Is there really nothing that i can do about this. Am i a sitting duck before the society, before the Govt?" I asked.

"Yes you are. And if you wish to do something about this, well, er... you can write a blog and vent you anger that way." my mind said.

I just gave a frowned smile at my mind and went away. Went to get my laptop to write this blog.