Personal dairy - the train journey

Indian Railways is the fourth-largest rail network in the world, covering over 65,000 kilometers. It’s also the largest employer in India, with more than 1.4 million employees across technical and non-technical roles.

My first encounter with Indian Railways was during a summer vacation trip to my late aunt’s house in Chennai. I remember the unique names of the trains from Bangalore—like the Lalbagh Express and Brindavan Express. The journey would take about five to six hours and always felt like an adventure.

Visiting my aunt was always special, and the train ride made it even more memorable. I still remember standing in long queues at the reservation counters to get a confirmed seat. Sometimes, our train would be scheduled early in the morning, so we’d pack our bags the night before and stay over at our uncle’s railway quarters near the Bangalore station—he worked with the railways, which felt like a privilege at the time.

One of my most unforgettable journeys was to Rameshwaram with my family. The highlight was crossing the iconic Pamban Bridge, which connects Rameshwaram to mainland Tamil Nadu. Another memorable trip was to Goa with my manager. The scenery near Castle Rock station was absolutely mesmerizing. I later took the same route with my friends from NCBS on a trip to the Dudhsagar Waterfalls—again, an experience to cherish.

My most recent train journey with my family was from Delhi to Katra, for a spiritual visit to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu. We traveled via a special railway tour package, and it remains one of the most memorable trips of all.

Although I’ve flown a few times, nothing compares to the charm of traveling by train in India. Despite occasional delays and discomforts, the experience is unmatched in its ability to connect people, places, and memories.

The Power Between the Lines

Poetry has always been a powerful tool for reformists—a way to connect with people and convey bold, transformative ideas. More than the words themselves, it is the meaning hidden between the lines that gives poetry its magic. That space—subtle, emotional, and often unspoken—can stir hearts, challenge authority, and inspire change.

When someone seeks to control art, the first thing they attempt is to dominate that space between the lines. This act is not only unethical—it is cowardly. But in today’s world, where shame is in short supply, such manipulation has become all too common, carried out under the guise of legitimacy.

By controlling the meaning inferred between the lines, they twist the context of the words—forcing them to say what they were never meant to say. This is manipulation of the highest order. It corrupts the original message and distorts the truth at its very core.

And when they cannot control a poet—when the meaning cannot be manipulated—they turn their efforts toward discrediting the poet instead. They attempt to stain the character of those whose voices remain unbent.

Rather than suffocating the space between the lines, it is the deep-rooted systems of corruption that must be pruned. It is not the message that must be silenced, but the decay that resists the truth in those messages.

Art of mainstreaming

Mainstreaming is more than a social trend—it's a powerful indicator of the direction in which a society is evolving. It sets the tone for what is considered acceptable, admirable, or aspirational, and in doing so, it shapes the mindset of the next generation. It provides them with the context in which they will strive for their own milestones.

When I was in school, the mainstream narrative emphasized love, compassion, and a strong moral foundation. These values were not accidental; they were a continuation of a powerful legacy. After World War II, and particularly in India, the mainstream was deeply rooted in the ideals of the freedom struggle and the pursuit of social justice.

This shift didn’t happen overnight. In many ways, it felt like divine intervention. Even individuals burdened with rigid casteist beliefs began to embrace the larger cause of national progress. The mainstreaming of equality, unity, and justice wasn’t merely political—it was moral and spiritual.

One of the most profound outcomes of this era was the birth of our beloved Constitution. It captured the spirit of the time—a collective yearning for fairness and dignity—and gave us a framework for building a just society. The mainstreaming of the freedom movement and the principles it stood for was not just a political achievement; it was an art form, carefully nurtured by visionary leaders and ordinary citizens alike.

But today, this precious space is under threat.

What we see now is a distorted form of mainstreaming—one polluted by vested interests and driven by constant anger, polarization, and performative nationalism. Hatred, once considered an aberration, is now being normalized as a way of life. This pseudo-mainstreaming is not organic; it is engineered to divide. It binds together groups who benefit from social fragmentation and who seek to reshape the mainstream to serve their own ends.

If this trend is left unchecked, it risks becoming the new normal. And when that happens, the values of justice, equality, and unity—so hard-won in the past—will become distant memories. We will have denied the next generation not only the fruits of progress but also the very tools they need to build a better future.

That is why we must protect and reclaim the mainstream space. It should remain a place of collective growth, where ideals like fairness, empathy, and cooperation thrive—not one where fear and division are celebrated.

The mainstream belongs to all of us. Let’s ensure it continues to reflect the best of who we are, and who we aspire to become.

200th post - Milestone

As mentioned in my previous post, I’m happy to share that my blog has now reached its 200th post—a milestone that has taken 13 years to achieve. What began as a hobby has evolved into a deeply meaningful activity that has helped me navigate some of life’s most challenging and confusing moments.

Over the years, my blog has explored a wide range of topics—political, scientific, spiritual, and everything in between. It has become a space where I could reflect on the events of the day and express my thoughts freely. In a world that’s often fast-moving and noisy, having a corner of the digital world to share my unique perspective feels like a true gift.

Back when traditional media ruled, sharing your views often meant writing letters to the editor—with no guarantee of being published. I tried that route myself, but my letters never made it to print. Blogging changed that. It gave me a platform where my voice could be heard, however modest the reach. On average, each post gets about 20 views—nothing viral, but deeply meaningful to me nonetheless.

One of the things I’ve come to believe is that many of the world’s problems arise when views are either not expressed or misunderstood. Writing helps refine the art of expression, and blogging, in particular, has sharpened my ability to communicate with thoughtfulness and clarity.

That said, blogging isn’t without its challenges. Sometimes, sharing opinions openly—especially on sensitive topics—can make others uncomfortable. And while disagreement is healthy, it can occasionally lead to friction with those who interpret things in ways I didn’t intend. But that’s the nature of open dialogue—and it’s a risk I accept in pursuit of honest conversation.

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🎁 A Small Thank-You for My Readers

To celebrate 200th blog post milestone, I want to offer a small token of appreciation to the 10 to 15 regular readers who make their presence felt in this blogging space. I’ve created a Google Form where you can share your thoughts about my blog—what you’ve liked, what resonated with you, or anything else you wish to say.

The first five responses will receive a free Kindle book redemption, purchased specially for this occasion.

👉 https://forms.gle/K7X34vL4FXXjrMk66
(If you're able to access the form, you're eligible for the Kindle gift.)

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Thank you once again for being a part of this journey. Whether you’ve read one post or many, your presence here means more than you know. Here’s to continuing the conversation—and many more posts to come.

Warm regards,
Deepak Kumar.B

Voice of the Silent

Long ago, women were denied the right to speak or express their opinions. Society not only silenced them but went a step further—it substituted their silence with the words it wanted them to say. Her quiet was not her own; it was filled with ideas imposed by others, shaped to fit a narrative of obedience and submission.

But women found a way to resist. They began a silent revolution—getting things done without words, turning silence into strength. Slowly, society began to realize that its strategy of speaking for women was no longer working. Her silence had evolved. It was no longer a symbol of submission, but a strategy of resilience.

In response, society doubled down. It vilified her silence, labeling her a witch, a curse, or a bad omen—especially when something went wrong. Even when she didn’t utter a word, she was blamed. Her silence became threatening simply because it was no longer controllable.

Today, we are witnessing a similar situation with Indian minorities. The majority, uneasy with their silence, projects onto it. They treat the quiet of minorities as suspicious, even dangerous. They want the minority voice to echo their own—to parrot their lines, beliefs, and loyalties.

But how can you control what someone prays for in silence? How can you police the thoughts that never become words?

The world cannot be fully controlled—least of all the quiet defiance of the oppressed. You can try to fill their silence with your own words, but the truth is, what remains unspoken often holds the greatest power. In silence, there is strength. And in that strength lies the potential to transform the world.

Government is a pattern

Have you ever considered how closely agriculture depends on stable weather patterns? Rainfall, temperature, and sunlight are not just environmental factors—they're essential ingredients for healthy crop growth. When these patterns become erratic—through delayed monsoons, sudden droughts, or extreme heat—agricultural productivity suffers, and farmers are left vulnerable.

In a similar way, governance operates on patterns. Just as farmers depend on weather, citizens depend on consistent, transparent policy making. Government policies shape the economic and social climate, and when these become unpredictable, the entire system can falter. Erratic decision-making can disrupt not only long-term planning but also public trust in institutions.

Recent examples from the current Indian government illustrate this trend. Sudden moves like demonetization, unannounced surgical strikes, and the decision of caste census have often been framed as bold or strategic. While actions like surgical strikes may have a legitimate place in matters of national security, using unpredictability as a political tool—particularly to unsettle the opposition—raises deeper concerns.

Governments are meant to provide stability, not suspense. Turning governance into a series of surprises may offer short-term political advantage, but it undermines democratic norms. More troubling is the portrayal of political opposition as enemies of the state. This is not only a distortion of democratic discourse but a dangerous erosion of constitutional values. When those in power equate dissent with disloyalty, they edge closer to authoritarianism and farther from the democratic ideals they claim to defend.

In agriculture, unpredictable weather can destroy crops. In governance, unpredictable policies and political polarization can weaken democracy. Both call for balance, foresight, and respect for the systems that sustain us.