What’s in a name?

The Shiv “Strike” Sena is protesting. This time on what the Bandra Worli sealink shud or shud not have been named. Hand on hearts time people. How many are honestly going to call it Rajiv Gandhi Sethu? Its gonna be called the BWSL by people who matter the most, Bombaykars. Shouldnt the concern really be, how is it going to be beneficial to the people, whether it actually will reduce traffic congestion or other such issues? Rajiv Gandhi is dead and so is Swatantrya Veer Sawarkar. Then who the heck are you fighting for? Well, a spokeperson for the Shiv Sena managed to answer that. Apparently, they are fighting for the asmita (pride) of Marathi people.

Marathi people let me ask you this. Don’t take this the wrong way but honestly does your pride lie in the fact that this bridge is named after Rajiv Gandhi and not Veer Sawarkar. Does the fact that this bridge costs Rs 50 to go one way not bother you at all? Dont you still call CST by its old name VT or the airport, Sahar Airport and not Chhatrapati Shivaji Antarrashtriya Hawai Adda? And ofcourse, who can forget the rechristening of our beloved Prince of Waes musuem by the name Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastusangrahalaya…. Gosh darn it. I would make 2 trips to the musuem by the time I successfully pronounce that.

My fellow blogreaders, dont label me as a Sena basher yet. I also love or hate the Shiv Sena as much as the next Bombaykar. My only concern is that Sena tends to focus their “striking” prowess on such trivial issues as against more necessary problems graving our city. And then they crib about not winning any elections. Who do you think is gonna vote for you? Even your so-called “Marathi Manus” for whom you are waging this “battle” of names does not vote for you. Does that not ring a bell??

I still will manage to draw a positive from this. Atleast 1600 crores worth of investment by God knows how many companies did not end up being called Chhatrapati Shivaji Sagri Mahamarg (it took me 30 minutes to actually figure out what they call a sea link in Marathi). Shiv Sena. Here’s raising a toast of Shiv Vada to you. For you ignorant few, Shiv Vada is Shiv Sena brand vada pav they created as a competition to McDonalds. If it wasn’t for you, my blogs would remain half-empty.

Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra

Jai Ho Shiv Sena