17 December,2009 07:54 AM IST | | J Dey
The deep slowdown in the economy has hit people hard. It appears that many have started talking to God, and karmic connections could be the new mantra to success. I witnessed an interaction between an old Gujarati don and his understudy recently. The don put his hand around the understudy and smiled. "I got a feeling that you are my chela, I have some karmic connection with you," said the ageing don, who had once worked with the slain Dolakia brothers u2014 Dawood Ibrahim's henchmen. "Get some 'matter' beta. I have connections at the local police station, we can make some quick money," he said, smiling at me while he did so. "I have to do that. He will not understand otherwise. These are bad times," he said to me.
I met a woman a few days earlier who had also heard about karmic connections recently. One of the Tai Chi trainers in the city boasted of his karmic connections and the lady enrolled for a few other such courses after that. I asked myself, how the hell does the teacher know about the karmic connection? Then it dawned upon me that this trainer could be talking directly to God. I know a martial arts trainer in the northern suburbs. He also now claims that he has karmic connections with all his trainees.
I am starting to believe that, with so many karmic connections, India must be home to the gods
A few years ago, the police had summoned this martial arts trainer for questioning in connection with his links with some local goons. And I thought to myself, wow, what a transformation! I switched on the television and found someone claiming to take people into their past lives. Which past life boss? What is even more surprising is that some of these 'enlightened' ones have attached words like academy and institute to their so-called endeavours. While some claim Korean affiliation, others boast of Japanese, Thai, Singaporean and even Chinese influence. The list is long.
Many have even been patronised by corporates, who have allowed them to use their premises, probably in the hope that it will help them tide over their financial hardship. I am sure it won't be long before Dawood Ibrahim will claim that he has karmic connections with his lieutenants Chhota Shakeel or Machmach. The ploy might give him a new lease of life and avoid a coup within the gang. I am slowly beginning to believe that with so many Karmic connections around, the gods must living in India.
