Let’s Celebrate Onam; Without Mahabali

August 26, 2007: I wish all of you a very happy Onam. Whatever may be the legend behind Onam, I celebrate Onam since it is our national festival and I want to take part in the joyful moments of my friends.

Now, I’ll explain why I don’t want Mahabali back. His return to Kerala is affordable, but I never want Mahabali to rule our great India. I am saying this as I respect our freedom fighters and I am a nationalist. Please read this passage carefully without prejudice.

l’d like to mention the legend behind Onam in a few words here. Lord Vishnu, in the guise of a Brahmin boy, Vamanan, went to Mahabali and asked him to sign on a 1-2-3 Agreement, according to that deal, Mahabali has to grant him three steps (sqft) of land. The wish was granted and Vamanan covered the whole land with his two steps and then he came back to the King asking him where can he place the third step. The king to honour his word, offered his head as the third step. Vamanan pushed Mahabali ‘deep down into the earth’ (Pathalam[1]). Pleased by his honesty and generosity, the lord in turn granted him a wish that he requested, he could visit his kingdom and people on a particular day once a year. We will go to our subject now.

First of all, I strongly object any type of government other than democratic. Even though Mahabali was a good ruler, without discussing with people or their representatives, he gave “Pattayam”[2] for three sqft of land. It shows there was no enough funding for intelligence agencies at that time, that’s why they could not find the real intention of Vamanan. Such a non practical ruler is not good for a country. We can also infer that he banned communist parties when he was ruling us, otherwise they won’t allow for that 1-2-3 deal with Vamanan and protect Mahabali from such a tragedy.

Let us go to the legend again. During his era, it says, all people are alike. But the development of a country is through diversity. All are alike means the condition was that of a state of emergency. If we try to make all people alike we have to face the fate of USSR.

I believe his rule was not appriciated by people because nobody defended and tried to protect him from Vamanan. Also he has no enough military force to defend his country form such external forces. That is the reason he could not withheld from the 123 deal once he know that was a trap.

Again, it says in the legend that no one was false in speech. We all know very well that the words of media and “media syndicate” are not correct always. Then, if there were no false speech, he might have banned media and no freedom of speech during his rule. Yes, that is called the state of emergency. Do you want such a situation again?

Finally, it is clear from the legend that the condition of the country was worser than “pathalam” at that time. Otherwise, he could request something better from Vamanan as the wish, instead he preferred to stay in “Pathalam” for 364 days and a transit through Kerala just for one day. Which shows, he know very well that “Pathalam” is better than Kerala and he wanted to live there peacefully.

However I celebrate Onam and prepare a very good floral carpet called “Pookkalam” in my house. But it is not to welcome Mahabali/Maveli, but to welcome my friends. My festival is the festival of my friends and my country. So I celebrate Onam.

I am writing my views based on the legend I know. If you have any objection, you can voice your concerns in comments section. I hope you’ll let me know if there’s any bettr legend behind Onam that looks impressive and interesting.

Also we wish the present Maveli (our Prime Minister) will not be trapped by the 1-2-3 deal of the modern Vamanan (Bush) during this Onam season.

I am very sorry if this article hurt any of my dear readers. I know you are looking forward to the 4th part of “Summer in Hannover”. It will be published soon. Thank you for your Comments. Once again I wish you a very happy Onam.
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This entry was posted on August 26, 2007 at 1:11 am
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Notes:

[1]- Pathalam = Pathalam is considered as some thing like Hell or Below the (deep down to) earth.
[2]- Pattayam = Authorization letter from government to keep the land property with a person.