This Dussehra, the roach'll get its due

Putting the venerable cockroach among the mighty pantheon of India's most venerated anti-heroes - Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad - is a great idea. Kudos to Shri Keshav Ramlila Committee for adding a 30-ft effigy of a representative of the insect Blattodea order to be set ablaze along with the three other devout followers of Shiv in Delhi's Pitampura Ramlila on Dussehra, Oct 20. The organisers have rightly highlighted the cockroach's affinity and association to filth. The committee president, who also happens to be a BJP MLA, underlined that the symbolism's intent was to eliminate filth from 'our homes, our immediate surroundings, and society at large'. That is excellent reasoning, since symbolism can, if not always lead to action, at least substitute it.

The fact that a cockroach, unlike what urban legend says, can be destroyed by a nuclear blast, does not take away from its ability to withstand much higher levels of radiation than humans. In that respect, it, indeed, shares impressive asura strength with its Lankan compatriots. Watching the cockroach effigy go up in flames with three other brave warrior-royals will certainly make the humble roach stand apart. Who knows? Maybe, like Jain scholar Ravisena's 7th-c. Padmapurana, a version of the Ramayana that venerates Ravana, a Tilchatta Charit will also one day be written by its latest fans.