January is a good time to be in Gujarat. Actually, possibly,
the best time.
As December morphs into January, the subtle change in the
weather reveals itself.
The Sun God seems more benign.
The fan knows it need not whir at night.
The ice cream sellers start selling bhaji pau and bhel.
There is just enough chill to make the food loving Gujjus
swap the cold for the hot.
There is magic in the air, a feeling of joy in the heart as
Gujarat starts to celebrate two of its biggest festivals, one man made, one
made by the stars.
The national (now international) summit that celebrates
Gujarat’s business lure opens with the requisite pomp and preening.
In a matter of days, a transformation sets in. The roads
become more beautiful. The foot paths become what they were supposed to be,
foot paths. The shrubs get trimmed, new flower bearing plants jostle for space
with modern dustbins in beautifying the pathways.
The few slums that stood out like sore thumbs earlier get
masked by Vibrant Gujarat propaganda.
It is as if, overnight, a new city has sprung up.
This beautification is but a conduit to the real agenda -
get more MOUs signed, get more investments to pour in, get Gujarat get the
lion’s share.
While business leaders and heads of state jostle for space
with the Prime Minister, the overcrowded hotels make merry. Room rents go up,
service apartments jack up their prices and the smart Gujju taps another avenue
of making money.
As tourists flock the Sabarmati river front the festival of
kites, Uttarayan, is busy unveiling its wares.
Kites, of various colors, shapes and hues flood the sky. The riot of colors that swarm the sky make it
a sight to behold.
As the day turns into
night and darkness descends, the sky lights up. The kites give way to beautiful
lanterns floating in the Sky. As thousands make their skyward journey, it makes a visual spectacle.
The sight is almost unreal, the feeling surreal.
As
you look back at these diverse experiences, you admit to yourself. It is a
Vibrant Gujarat.
