Turbulence by Samit Basu Read Free Book Online Page A

part of the conspiracy that surrounds this mysterious baby Iyer like a fog,” she says, blithely ignoring the existence of her cameraman and all the patients and remaining staff in the hospital. “But soon we will find out, together, exactly what is going on. Live and exclusive on DNNTV.”
    By one of those strange coincidences that often happen on TV news, the people Namrata needs to interview are miraculously waiting around together in a well-lit room, all miked up and ready to be surprised. In swift succession, Namrata names a series of slightly eccentric politicians, mostly small-time guardians of the nation’s morals, famous for such things as vandalising stores on such Western Imperialist occasions as Valentine’s Day, or beating up girls in pubs or wearing jeans, or random acts of violence towards gay people, Muslims or celebrities who refused to dance at the weddings of party leaders. There are four fat men and a woman named Rosy. It is she who steps forward, possibly not by consensus, because the men wobble angrily in the background.
    “We wish to announce formation of new political party that will change world,” she says.
    “Yes, tell the viewers of DNNTV,” trills a thrilled Namrata.
    “AKWWEK,” Rosy continues, clearly not a fan of concise names. “Avatar Kalki Whole World Ethirkaala Katchi.”
    “Could you translate that for the viewers of DNNTV?”
    “We are forming fully global party of future with benevolent grace of holy tenth Vishnu Avatar Kalki,” Rosy explains to a furiously nodding Namrata.
    “Do you know who might be responsible for the gruesome murders last night?” Namrata asks, clearly expecting murder-related political intrigue, not gibberish about ruling the world.
    “You are not understanding important significance of what I am saying,” Rosy says, now irate and puffy. “We are presenting to whole world most holy tenth Avatar of Vishnu, preserver god of Hindu trinity. What I am saying is, Baby Iyer is not only Baby Iyer. Baby Iyer is Baby Kalki, same tenth avatar as mentioned.”
    “I am knowing — sorry, are you saying this baby is Kalki? How do you know this? Could you show us the baby?” Namrata is gamely fighting both Rosy and growing suspicions of her own insanity.
    One of Rosy’s fellow AKWWEK party leaders steps up and shoves her aside, like a rhythm guitarist taking over the band partway through a song.
    “Myself Muttiah, General Secretary,” he growls. “Time has come to clean world of sins, and Baby Kalki will soon grow up to be Full-Power Avatar Kalki and destroy all rascals and rowdies while riding white-winged horse Devadutta. No more of decadence of westernised Kali Yuga, all this McDonald’s and IPL cheerleader and reality show promoting sex and obscenityand also vulgarity in tennis and films showing leg and kissing. Time of Satya Yuga is commencing shortly according to Vishnu Purana. AKWWEK will help most divine Avatar Kalki with process of democracy at grass-roots and all-India level, thus allowing Avatar Kalki to become world’s first democratically elected god.”
    “Live and exclusive on DNNTV,” Namrata gurgles, eyes almost popping out of her head with excitement, “your first glimpse of the baby that the newly formed AKW — AKWW — Kalki Party claims will one day be the world’s first god to win an election!”
    “Who is claiming? Who is making claim?” Muttiah isn’t pleased. “We are providing hundred percent genuine divine avatar! Soon he will be manufacturing weapons of power and destruction of mass to shock and awe all evil societies in the world, making India glorious superpower! According to holy text, Kalki is scheduled to undertake travelling around Earth with great speed, destroying millions of thief dressed as king in provocative clothing, displaying eight kinds of supreme power! He will lead army of superman against all evil. We are having new dawn of age of miracle and Kalki is most biggest miracle!”
    Uzma giggles at this