Mumbai - The Carnage

Thus it goes up again!

2012-05-23T09:14:00.001-07:00

So, what is the big newz of the day? Its nothing new! The petrol prices went up again! This is now going up faster than smoke! And the justification - there is no other option. We need to take some tough decisions.

But when it comes to cutting the freebies for parliamentarians, their free gas, free flights and free rides, hotels, entertainment, medical care, there is no option but to continue. Why?

If we check the amount spent in the up keep of the VIPs in India it will be more than what we need to spend on the food security bill. How come this is not being cut? They have no problem there.

when it comes to removing subsidies for household earning more tha 50,000 , the got nothing to say. Increasing diesel prices for private vehicles, we they go nothing to say.

How come increasing petrol prices help? In fact won't it increase the inflation? Will it not give reason for middlemen and businesses to hike their prices in its shadow, even if they are not loosing anything?

Is deregulation really the answer? How is that possible? The high taxes on local manufacturing and pro-import customs regime is not the cause of the problem?

If fall of rupee is the really the reason, what does it mean? We are bringing in too little dollars? If your markets are crashing profits are falling, is it not?

So what should you be doing? Well I am a layman, my guess would be, don't allow import to be too high than exports, because we are loosing rupee [ immediate step, increase quality standards, and high taxes for marginal quality]. Cut operations cost of manufacture in India [ read - cut the red tape, make it easy to set up business, cut taxes on employing people, acquisition of raw materials, buying of machinery and transportation]. Do that for 6 months and I think we should easily be out of this. What say?

Any economy which is dependent on foreign investors and investments what ever be the percentage is like a castle of cards, waiting to fall. If you local investment is not strong there is not much that can be done. For that we need local employment and local manufacture.

Not making political statements, but our politicians across all party lines and our non political politicians are pretty petty to see the writing on the wall.

Times running out!

BJP and Madhya Pradesh Government insults Shaheed IPS Narendra Kumar's family

2012-03-13T13:27:00.001-07:00

I am furious as I write this blog. The Madhya Pradesh government and BJP is blatantly insulting the IPS officer Narendra Kumar and his family. The same officer who died in the line of duty in Madhya Pradesh stopping the illegal miners was not being afforded the basic courtesy of an investigation to reveal the facts behind his murder. Even when the Shivraj Singh Chauhan announced CBI probe his ministers are threatening the family that they will have to face the repercussion of the same.

I am right now watching the Newshour repeat telecast in Times Now. Meenakshi Lekhi of BJP is crying hoarse about how the state government has registered an FIR, arrested the driver and ordered judicial probe. Has the government done a huge favour to the people of India? Is this a matter to be proud about and needs to be congratulated?

Going ahead Meenakshi Lekhi is insisting that she is not sure if it was really a mining mafia kill or illegal mining that has resulted in the brave officer's untimely death. She is claiming the same could be an accident. Why then order a judicial probe till you establish that it was not a case of accident? Why did the government show so much hurry?

IPS officer Narendra Kumar's valiant attempt to get onto a tractor carrying illegally mined stones is now a folklore know to every Indian. We all know how the tractor crushed him to death. His wife an IAS officer working in the same state, is carrying their first child. When she demands a CBI probe, when we the people demand a CBI probe along with the Judicial probe, how can a state minister of Madhya Pradesh threaten the family by saying you will have to face the repercussions?

This is another officer who died protecting his country and its natural resources. Meenakshi Lekhi and BJP are not even ready to accept that he is a Shaheed. This at the time, when there are reports that say that there is rampant illegal mining in the Cheif minister's constituency.

There is a report submitted by a senior officer of Madhya Pradesh government on October 2010 claiming rampant illegal mining. The government has done nothing other than claim that there is no mining mafia. When asked by Arnab Goswami what the government has done, today Meenakshi Lekhi says there are some legal difference between the state and central government and it went in a totally different direction. Shaina MC who came on the show the day the Officer Narendra Kumar died said the government is debating.

Is this a joke? So many young officers are dying for the nation's cause as they debate on things. They are sitting on reports for years and the RTI filed to know the government steps says the government does not keep records of the same.

On the day this 30 year old officer died the IG to whom the officer was reporting came on the News Hour show in Times now and when asked whether there is any political involvement, he said no. He did not even blink. He has already concluded that. On the day the officer was killed. So we know that no politician is gonna be screwed up this time too.

I pray to god that this young officer gets justice. All people across the globe have to raise their voice. Even if you are not Indian. This officer tried to stop the illegal loot of stones, this is if nothing else then at least an environmental cause. This will encourage more young people inside and outside the system to fight for truth and justice.

Mark my words, if Congress's trade mark scams where 2G spectrum and CWG games. BJP is brewing one even when it's in opposition. Their big ticked scam is Mining. Don't believe me? Ok, Uttrakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka. What is common between these states? BJP government. Even in the state of Andhra Pradesh where this scam is under scanner and Congress is ruling the sate, its the Reddy brothers of Karnataka's BJP unit who are involved. Only place where BJP came to power fighting against Mining is Goa. Let's see what happens there. But very difficult to ignore these dots and say nobody from BJP is involved.

Justice of Shaheed IPS Narendra Kumar.

IPS officer Narendra Kumar, Shaheed

2012-03-08T09:38:00.002-08:00

One more young life has been ended abruptly serving our motherland. How many more young men and women will fight day in and out for our country?

I salute IPS officer Narendra Kumar for his relentless efforts to stop illegal mining and giving our nation the ultimate sacrifice. But in the same breath i need to ask what are we doing to end this. This endless need for our own citizens to die protecting our country, that too from itself. From its own citizens.

Today is Holi, the whole nation is celebrating. But pain and grief is all that his family has been offered on this day. Manjunath, Satyendra Dubey, Yashwant Sonawane and now Narendra Kumar, so many more knowns and unknowns.

We can't even come up with a proper land act, mining policy or even stop illegal mining. Across states, along the length and breadth of this country we are fighting this menace of illegal mining. Starting from Uttarakhand, where a Sadhu gave his life last year fasting unto death to save Ganga from mining, to Kerala where river bed mining is supposedly one of the biggest scams in the state.

In Goa just few days back, a Government lost elections which did not much against illegal mining. We have Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh all fighting against illegal mining. At same time out political bigwigs are backing the illegal miners. The law is also not helping. Its very slow or totally ineffective. Yedyurappa has come out of mining allegation in a matter of months without a scratch. Now he is claiming that he will become CM again. So much for our media activism or People power.

There will be more young men and women, they will not blink or question, they will give the ultimate sacrifice when called upon. But is it necessary that such young lives are put to an end. For no reason. Just to satisfy the wimps, fantasies and vices of some people.

Will there be one day, when we will not have to protect our country from our own people? Lets hope and lets work towards it.

I Salute Narendra Krumar.

Jai Hind.

Congress takes a beating in State elections across India

2012-03-06T09:33:00.002-08:00

The news is on expected lines. Congress has taken a beating in many states where results of state elections was declared today. Except for Manipur and comparatively good performance in Uttarakhand Congress has lost face.

Statistics and history were both pro- Congress in Punjab and Uttarakhand. But they simply could not capitalize on it. In Punjab's case this is the first time that an incumbent government has won the election. In Uttarakhand BJP government was said to be so corrupt still congress could not capitalise on the same. Goa goverment paid dearly for the corruption in mining. BJP had put forth a person with very clean image.Also, the Congress family plan in all states Punjab, Goa, U. P. were all rejected.Congress communal card also did not have its effect.

But one point that BJP has to take note is that, its not BJP's victory that has been staged today, It has been Congress's loss. Even Rahul Gandhi could not change that. BJP has not been able to justify its claim to clean image. Akhilesh has spoken to people's heart in UP. Congress and BJP really need to take some lessons from this. SP and BJP's Goa unit needs to learn that if they do not back they clean words by clean deeds their future is also going be the same for them too.

Congratz to all winners. Better luck next time to others.

WIkiLeaks reveal that DOW pays for spying on Bhopal activits

2012-02-27T09:15:00.000-08:00

DOW chemicals has been exposed today by WikiLeaks for spying on Bhopal Gas tragedy activists. In fact some of the emails show that they have been paying off huge sums of money to embassy people, journalists and many more to keep a tab on Bhopal activists. They are also shown to pay of some professional firms for spying.

I am really sad that even after so much of evidence having emerged against DOW Chemicals London Olympics Committee is not dropping them from the official sponsors list. Some of their high profile members and volunteers have quit in protest already.

Today I heard in Times Now that India has sent an official protest to London Olympics committee. Some steps at last. I hope they follow this up and don't end it here.

Even beyond the Olympic sponsorship, DOW chemicals need to be taken to task. They have been accused of doing so much to undermine the legal steps. There is a rumour going around that even the Union Carbide, DOW chemical merger was done to undermine the Indian legal system by making it go through complicated iterations.WikiLeaks is even claiming a switzerland and Bhamas route pay-off to all these people involved in their network.

I dunno if what WikiLeaks or Julian Assange are claiming is really true. But its better we investigate what Wiki has revealed. Its better for us. Its better for the Bhopal gas victims.

With prayers that such a tragedy does not happen again. Signing off.

India Men Hockey Team burst into London Olympics

2012-02-26T09:43:00.001-08:00

Yipeeeeeee. Indian Men have won the hockey final game against France 8-1. The game was literally stunning. The sudden bursts, interceptions were so awesome that the French team had no answer at all. They kept attacking the French goal relentlessly. At one point ball possession was 64-36 India-France.

I hope and pray that the Indian boyz play like this in the Olympics. If they play like this they would be unstoppable. But they should not rest in this glory. They had a very weak pool. They thrashed almost every other team in their pool. But in Olympics they are gonna go against some really good teams like Korea and Australia. I hope India practices hard, fights hard and wins the gold. They have the skill, I pray to lord almighty that they have the temperament and patience to achieve this.

Congratz boyz! Good luck for the London Olympics.

Indian hockey girls go out fighting in Olympics qualifier finals

2012-02-25T08:13:00.000-08:00

Indian Women hockey team go down fighting in the Olympic qualifier finals for London Olympics. I am really sad for the girls, they fought their heart out. Really really sad. Can't just see the tears of these girls. They fought their heart out. The girls are really skilled. They fought like anything. The only difference that between the south African team and the Indian team is the preparation.

We could not win just because we were under prepared. The South African had their strategy set. They were never tiring out.

I am really sad for the girls because today its not the Hockey playing, hard fighting girls who lost. They came out winners. But its India that failed. We failed these girls. We failed to support them, we failed to provide for their preparation.

Really really sad day in my life. We lost even after we had talented players. Rani Rampal, Ritu Rani, Anuradha Tochkom. The blocks we were doing in defence, the interceptions done by Joydeep. The runs of Vandana, Soundarya, Sushila. Really really sad to see these girls loose. In fact I felt our girls were more talented than the South Africans. We were simply under trained, under prepared. Poor things. They are simply born in a male dominated that too cricket crazy country, that remembers them only once in 4 years. They are like 29th February.

We failed our girls. They still fought and got to the finals. South Africa had already qualified in the African pool and they came here only because their pool was not that tough, they believe. At the same time, we don't even think about our women's team.

Really really sad for these girls. Well done girls. You gave your best. We did not. We never gave you our best.

Congratz South Africa! Good Try Indian women hockey team.

Happy Birthday Sushila Chanu. Really sorry for you girl. You tried your best.

Better luck next time Indian gals. We know you will do it next time.

Lack of support for other sports in India, Hockey Olympic qualifiers are going on

2012-02-22T08:54:00.001-08:00

It is a really sorry state for Indian sports. All that we think or worry about is cricket and Sachin's 100. We don't know other sports even exist. I might not know all the rules, but I at least try to watch and cheer our sports persons.

How many of us know that Olympic qualifiers for 2012 London Olympics is going on India for the sport of Hockey. I missed today's game between Indian and South African girls today. We lost the game 5-2. Our first loss in this tournament. Forget supporting our girls and boys who are fighting it out for the nations pride. We are not even in the know how. At work during lunch or breaks when i try to bring up the topic of other sports i get this am' so bored' look, or somebody just steers the topic back to cricket. Just don't care if cricket match fixed, whether we are playing A team, B team. Somebody paid to get into the team. Nobody cares. Just a few this and that comments on other sports and off we go to cricket. We can even discuss the local leagues of other countries. What a sorry state.

I found that we lost to South Africa 5-2 after giving a good fight. I wanted to know the chances of us getting through to Olympics. It took me about five minutes actually to land a page that has some information. Remember I used Google . Still!

I tried visiting the IBNlive.com website directly. They had an article on the game and in the first para say that now our Friday game against Italy is a virtual semi final. Why and How no explanation. Especially when another website says only one team can go through.

NDTV, the marks for sports campaigner had nothing to say. They don't even have Hockey in their main sports menu. No analysis. Nothing about our chances. Just a simple write up.

Do you know South Africa has already qualified for the African tournament. They are here just because they found the African challenge too weak. Where as we have no idea we have a sport called hockey. \

Times of India has reported the loss, but no information on our qualification chances. For Rediff our eves have played against Poland and won. Rediff, that is yesterday's news.

Our boys are winning and would go through it seems. The way they are playing. Today we had an almost scary situation while playing against Canada. We somehow scraped through.

I am really worried and pray to god that our girls and boys qualify.

I appeal to all of you to come out and support our team. Cricket is not the only sport.

I guess hockey is our national sport(or is it Kabaddi)? I dunno. We know only cricket.

If hockey is in this state just think of other sports like shooting, archery, volley ball, basketball. We even a have some state football teams for girls. At least lets watch the guys play. May be I am expecting too much of us sexist Indians. Expecting us to come out and support our girls.

I just remember the Chak De comment. "kaha hamari ladkiya yeh chotte chotee kapdon me bhagenge". (something like that)

Just watch them. Against poland and Canada, I personally felt they some times played like some EPL football teams. Top table ones. Quick passing, tricks and trebles, speed. In one case we had 4 attackers against 2 Polish defenders in the India Vs Poland girls game.

Just get beyond cricket. There are other sports too. India can be good at them. All they need is some support.

Cheers!

Editing this post. Times of India has posted an interview of the Coach of girls team at 9.07 pm. Here is the link. Kudos Times of India.

Disabled person forced out of plane in India

2012-02-21T08:55:00.004-08:00

A really sad news is on air. A disabled person was forced out of a Spicejet aircraft. I will not give it dignity by calling it de-boarded.

I am asking a simple question, why should that person be allowed to get on board if the air line has a problem? If there was really a problem SpiceJet should have never allowed the person to board. How can a person who has got the boarding pass, gone through the security check all alone be asked to get off because the person is mentally challenged. This is totally ridiculous.

Right now I watching this discussion in CNN-IBN and this pilot on the show is saying that the Captain does not know the person and does not have the time to go and meet the person. So he had to take decision and he took it. That is not fair. Especially in a country like India. If he does not have the time he should rather trust the guess of his ground staff and airport security than chase his own imagination. How can he take a medically intelligent decision? Is he a doctor?Has the airline got doctors who can certify or help the pilot take the decision? Especially when there is DGCA guideline regarding the same allowing such passengers to travel alone.

Also, the argument that the person might take a turn for the worse is not a great one. Especially when normal people who are mentally distraught or simply drunk get into these kind of situations very easily. So why a discrimination here?

Also, is this not what the pilot and the cabin crew is trained to handle. I believe we are over glorifying the job of the pilot. The airlines are self assuming a lot of authority. They are OK waiting for VIPs, serving them personally.

There is a need for exemplary punishment and there should be a standard check

Totally totally shameful!

Gag on Internet, another voice of opposition

2011-12-06T08:18:00.001-08:00

Hi,

Just got to know govt is advocating internet censorship over various news channels. I welcome the statement and condem the idea of taking up such an action.

I welcome the statement because just like all of us the govt also has the right to free speech (including Kapil Sibal and Digvijay Singh). I condemn the idea because it is against one of the strongest pillars of our democracy , namely free speech.

If the government is going to use this as a tool to curb the bashing that is going on then this is gonna fail miserably. If it is using this for minority appeasement (as pointed out by Kapil Sibal - 'hurting religious sentiments') then its not going to do anything other than add more hatred towards the minority communities. They are now going to be accused by majority community of having to give up their right to free speech for them. Even more interesting is that this government had nothing to say about M F Hussain painting Hindu gods in an objectionable way.

One citizen in a TV channel correctly said that, if somebody is saying something bad then what we need to correct is that mentality in our society. Also, the web is so open that the people will find a way to work around all these rules. What we really need to do is that we have good and fast laws to prosecute these people who misuse their right. We should cease to apply the old Victorian laws to modern day crimes.

Government really needs some new ideas.

Mumbai 26/11 anniversary

2011-11-27T04:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the third anniversary of Mumbai Terror Attacks. I was just wondering what would be the importance we would be associating to the date.

There were no huge news flashes, dedications or memoirs. Just a few TV debates, top news papers relegating the news to page 2 or 3. Standard statements from government.

Some how I have to wonder, do we really have that short a memory? We have no follow up on the martyrs families. No improvement in security situation. All the big wig politicos are back in business, back at the same post or a higher one.

The only people who lost something that day way the martyrs and the victims. The private firms that had collateral damage. But the politicians lost nothing. The police lost nothing. The security apparatus lost nothing, neither gained anything. The babus lost nothing, rather gained some free snacks and lunches in the name of report on the attack. The common man acts as if he has lost nothing. India acts as if it has lost nothing.

Have we really lost nothing? Or is it really that miniscule?

That night 26/11/2008, Taj hotel, CST Terminus railway station, Nariman house, Leopold cafe it still remains as some bad memories in the minds of at least some Indians, like me.

The respect and thanks to the martyrs can never be lost in our day today run. I hope the media, politicians and babus will not forget that day, and take steps where more young men are not forced to give the ultimate sacrifice.

Jai Hind

Anna Hazare being released from Tihar jail

2011-08-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

Great news. Anna Hazare is being released from Tihar jail right now. Its all over the newz channels.

I personally have some reservations on Anna's draft of lokpal (more due to lack of clarity). But the whole big brother attitude of the Govt has come down crumbling like domino. There is no power stronger than people power.

Dunno whether Anna will deliver for the common man. But compared to the other options from the political word , I will take Anna and his team with both hands.

This is the real democracy. This is what the martyrs of this country died for.

Long Live INDIA.

Yet Another Blast in Mumbai

2011-07-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, 13 July 2011, another date has now been written with the blood of innocent citizens. The politicians did the same thing. They Came , They saw and They left.

Our Dear Prime Minister who has lost his self respect and even basic spine fighting all the corruption and scandals said the same comments that he has repeated a number of times over the last 7 years. We will no bow to terror. Well Mr. Prime Minister, we cannot bow because our back already broken with the number of blasts. So please come out of your vote bank politics and do some thing for heaven's sake. I really don't think any Muslim who is a proud Indian would support these guys.

All the TV channels are showing the political leaders visiting the injured and talking about Mumbai resilience. If India is so safe as what the politicians project it to be and that there is no inside support for terror why have some much security for themselves? Lets secure the border and we don't have to worry about anything inside. Secondly, its not Mumbai resilience. Its just that we have learned to live with it and have to live with it. Otherwise we are gonna be the losers. These politicans just leave after their Photo-op.

In the last one year how many blasts have occurred in India, especially in Mumbai. Forget even in Mumbai, Zaveri Bazar has seen 3 blasts. All Major. They can't even protect one street. How will they protect the city, state and country?

I really feel that Mumbai should shut itself down for one week. Completely. Nobody should even go out. When there is financial crash and a Market shut-down this political class will wake up.

I am sorry that so many innocents are dead. I am even more sorry that not a single politican is injured or dies in these blasts. They are the ones who deserve to face the terror attacks. Not forgetting the inefficent and inept security fratenity also.

Why should the common man be the pawn always? Even in a democracy will he never be the king? Even time I believe will not answer this question.

Is sathyagraha or fast unto death really such a powerful weapon

2011-06-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

Anna Hazare, Irom Sharmila and Swami Nigmanand. Do you know what is common between these three people? Ok, here is a clue. Add Baba Ramdev to this list. Now? Yes, you guessed it right. They have all gone on fast unto death for some cause or the other.

But is it really that simple and are they really like each other. Nopes, not at all. Anna Hazare achieved his cause or at least has a chance of achieving it. Baba Ramdev almost got what he wanted but failed to close the deal, but earned a lot of fans or at least dented the congress credibility. We know what both their cause was.

Now coming to Irom Sharmila. She is from Manipur a North Eastern state in India. She is fighting for the revocation of AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) from her home state. She is continuing her fast for last 10 years.

Swami Nigamanand is also from Haridwar as Ramdev, fighting a much more holy cause of saving the Ganga (Ganges) from illegal mining. He died yesterday fighting for his cause after fasting for 115 days.

This has forced me to really think whether fast unto death is really a powerful tool. After much deliberation with myself I have concluded that you need 3 things for you to acheive your cause by this means.

1. You should be able to create a huge media hype and create public awareness and support.
2. The person/group that is supposed to address your concern should really have a conscience or its has group of people to answer to.
3. You should be thick skinned to suffer any amount of character assassination and insult attempts made at you.

If you look at the four cases that I put forth to you and include the test case of Mahatma Gandhi also to this list you can see the difference.

When Anna Hazare went on hunger strike the media hype and his team's holier than thou attitude of not allowing politicians on stage actually created a public awareness and support. This, though sadly I have to say was even without actually understanding what they were fighting for and what Lokpal will actually do for them.

Baba Ramdev went on hunger strike with much fanfare and got almost what he wanted (at least publicly what he wanted). But his ineptitude in handling negotiations landed him in a soup. You know what happened next. Even here he has gained a lot of admirers and ensured that the Govt lost the few admirers who were left with them.

My point 3 is basically derived from the top 2 stories. Look at the kind of attempts that were made on Baba Ramdev by Congress and Government. All kind of stories started appearing in the media, even about the origin of Acharya Bala krishna. The government did not have a problem when he got his passport and gun. The moment he started a strike he is being questioned. This way 80% Indians can't question the government. We all have some baggage or other.

Just as a side note. I tried to do an analysis on what the government will accuse me of? Actually I could not find anything except having watched Porn (well who hasn't, at least once. lol). May be they can make it look really bad and frame me into anything. Anyway I am not going on fast unto death even otherwise at least. lolz

Now, coming to the story of Irom Sharmila. She started her strike in November 2000 after some innocent civilians were killed by army (allegedly). She went on a fast unto strike at Manipur itself. She once came to Delhi. She never courted controversy or try to add fanfare to her mission. Hence here issue is still not addressed. He issue is not a national concern and there is no value in talking to her or being good to her.

Swami Nigamanad's case is also similar to Irom and the most ironic part is this. He fought for the Ganga in a state ruled by a Party (BJP) which promotes and aligns itself to the hindutva ideology. Even more ironic is that every day it is throwing dirt at congress where as this Swami went on strike against illegal mining in Ganga. So much for accountability and righteousness.

In case of Gandhiji his fights were successful because of the awareness against the British Raj and more importantly because the British had a conscience or in other words their citizens to answer to. The current government has nobody to answer to. By the time they are to leave office it will be another three years and they know that since opposition is also made of the same kinda of metal they will be back in power one day or another. There were limits to which the British were ready to go. I really do not think the cheap tricks of character assassination would have been tried by the British against Anna Hazare or Ramdev that the current government is trying.

Just one last argument. When the Indian Airline was hijacked the government was quick to negotiate with the terrorist even after knowing that their motives we demonic. They are ready to speak and allow the Kashmiri extremist leader Geelani gives anti India speeches even in Delhi. They will still beat up the innocent civilians in Ramlila Midan. Try all dirty tricks on Anna Hazare and will never speak to Irom or be sad about the death of Swami Nigamanad.

That my friend is the great political class of My Great India.

Ramlila Maidan ambush despicable

2011-06-04T22:21:00.000-07:00

Wanted to restart this blog for sometime now, really sad that I gotta start with kind of topic. Today as I am writing this blog I am watching across a number of news channels the midnight ambush of the common citizens in Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.

I do not know what is up between Baba Ramdev and Govt., don't know if there was any deal and going back on it. I am not really concerned with all that. The only thing that I am concerned with is the police atrocity that has happened over midnight at the ground. This totally not fair and the arguments from the govt site is just nonsense.

How can a democratically elected government run such a brutal attack in the very capital city. I totally agree with Lokayukta of Karnataka Mr. Hegde when he says why wait till late night. If they wanted to crackdown why not in the evening or why could they not wait till the morning? Why is it that they needed to fire tear gas and lathi charge into women and children? Also, if the permission was granted to the event for only one day why the negotiated over 3 days and allowed people to gather all along?

I think PM himself should come out and answer a lot of questions. His ministers and his advisor have really lost credibility. He needs to come up with a face saving act?

BJP's answer to this whole event is even more condemnable. In response to all this govt's excess they raised so many heavy sentences like comparing it to Jalianwala Bag and Emergency but act is too feeble. They are going to conduct a 24 hour sathyagraha in response to this. They could have literally done nothing rather. I would have had more respect for them then.

Irrespective of the motives of Baba Ramdev, the points he raised are very much valid. I think we need to respect that.

Lets hope some common sense will prevail and the govt will correct their actions.

tera muu kala

2010-08-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

Well, Many of u guyz may not be able to understand the title of this post so lemme do a crude word by word translation from Hindi. Tera muu kala = You Face is black.

It's an Indian expression of saying that you have done something wrong, and in olden days the face of wrongdoers was really blackened.
Well today i saw a live display of it in Times Now news channel. Here are some hooligans blackening face of a helpless girl and kicking her.

Her fault, she met a guy friend on friendship day. (I am not even sure if he is her boy friend). But what ever is there relationship, it is appalling to such an action in a country and in the name of such a religion that has things like swayamwar in its history. I don't understand where Hinduism objects to love pre marraige. There are loads of examples of love affairs all across our mythology.

Lets hope that the Gods on whose name they are doing all this will knock some sense into them and help them fight against real things that is affecting their(or should I say our) religion.

Will Nature also bow to polticial muscle?

2010-07-15T01:36:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I am back with something that made me sit up and take a look after few weeks. There were loads of corruption charges, good news, entertainment news, political situation and what not for last few weeks. But today I read an article in Times oF India. It’s there on their website and it made me stop for a minute.

The Leh-Manali Highway is blocked by an oil tanker for last 2 days. The BRO is not ready to move it down the mountain which might result in the tanker’s destruction. Instead it has left loads of people to spend 2 days and nights in chilly roads with nothing to eat and no place to stay. The article also says BRO (Border Roads Organization) has cut a part of the mountain so that small vehicles can move along. I was just wondering. Cutting a part of the mountain?, will that not have any environmental repercussions? Will it create a possibility of landslide in the future? Is it not a better idea to push the tanker and destroy it? Well, I thought prima facia it seems to be a better idea. why was it not even considered and why is BRO hard walling travelers requests? Well, The answer is, the tanker Is owned by a powerful politician. Well again. If there is human life present, there will be politics, ain’t it?

I thought money was the real power, but it seems political power is giving it a run for the top rank these days. Public bodies, that too in high mountains with such elite records is bowing to political pressure. It’s such a shame if this article is really true. Also, the value given to the lives stranded there. Even nature is compromised for the passions and needs of Politicians. Cutting a part of the mountain so as to not push the tanker out, seems to me as a ridiculous idea. Well, as history is proof, nature has her line and when you cross it, she is gonna come back and with vengeance. Good luck in getting the tanker out of there before that day.

Seya!

Saina Nehwal, the next golden girl of Indian Sports

2010-06-29T01:56:00.001-07:00

After a long wait for the next golden girl of Indian sport, Saina Nehwal has staked the claim for the title. I had almost a year back written about our need to support women in India and had mentioned Saina Nehwal. She has now put forth a strong case, not just for her but for all sportswomen. She has done one and all proud with 3 titles in so much weeks. A proud moment for all us Indians. She has something common with the previous golden girls of Indian sports arena. She is not a superstar , just a great sports person who is working really hard. Same as P T Usha, shiny Wilson, Karna Malleshwari and Mery Kom.

I believe the best asset of Saina has been Performance Personified. Looking at her work of last few years, it is very clear, she did not just work on her game. She worked on a lot stuff around her game. Like Stamina, strength etc. She never let down focus and most importantly she always kept raising the bar. At this point we need to give credit also to her mentor Pulela Gopichand and her family. For a girl this age and such success, it would have been very easy to lose focus. There are many sportspersons across the globe who have wasted talent after a initial euphoria.

Saina, I believe should at this point of time also ensure that she does not tire herself out and bore herself out. In her quest to be number one we don’t want her to wear out when she reaches there. It’s going to be even more difficult to stay at these top rankings than reaching them. Also, the dream of every sports person, the Olympic gold. She has the mettle to win, does she have the endurance?

Time will tell. And we have an even bigger job, to back her to the last. She needs a lot of support and prayers from us and she will do great.

Kudos

Is this blunder in the making or stepping stone to suceess?

2010-06-25T01:21:00.000-07:00

Hiya,

The Afghan story is not getting over at all. Now Gen. McCrystal is fired and Gen. Petreus comes in. I simply don’t understand how politicians across the globe have the same genes. I thought Obama would be open to criticism, well, the results are out and he is not. I agree totally that the general should have kept his disdain for the US policy to boardrooms, but if your boss ain’t listening you gotta look for other ways. Also, he did not give out any real secrets or something about the US strategy in Afghanistan. He just said that “ I am not happy with my Boss and his ideas”. Why can’t you listen to him and try to take him into confidence? Also, looking at this strategically, a new general has to take control of a war in difficult situation and he has a deadline of July 2011 by when the President of USA has a promise to keep with his people.

I know that records of Gen. Petreaus, his authoring the counter-insurgency manual, role in Iraq and his political skills. It’s all great, but he has not been on the ground. You took out a man who has been turning it around successfully though not as fast as expected just because he publicly said something that you don’t agree with. If bosses start firing people for that, voh!

For other countries like India also Gen. Petreaus is a point of worry. He is well known as a deal maker. His policy is known as ‘Play well with All’. So Pakistan would be really looking forward to help him cut deals with the Taliban and other militant groups and by that install proxies in Afghan and as soon as the Americans leave, start undermining the Afghan rulers. This is their opportunity. It’s know well that USA is desperate to exit Afghanistan. They know it’s just a matter of time. They also know well that India does not want to get involved in the running of Afghan war. Somehow, I am getting a feeling that This is coming back to hit us hard, especially after Obama’s risky decision of leader change.

Seya

Mineral Pie is the next big story

2010-06-14T03:22:00.000-07:00

Just read this news on Times of India that USA geologists have stumbled upon mineral deposits worth millions of dollars. Well, after reading that the first thing that came to my mind was, let us see now how quickly US and allies exit Afghanistan. Especially when the initial monetary value of the mineral deposits is in trillions. This might be a golden opportunity for the US government to get itself a consolation prize and may be even muscle out from the Afghan govt. enough of the mineral pie to get them some profits to cover their war expenditure and may be some extra change to pump into their suffocating economy.

Though, my bitching about the USA might sound like I hate them, countries like India do need them to stay at Afghan for a longer period also. Especially after this mineral discovery. China is already into Afghan for mining. USA moving out and giving a free run to Afghan govt. would give China to move in quickly and capitalize on this mineral find. Also, looking at the corruption record of the Afghan govt. , it seems better that the USA stays in for a longer period. Over and above, the catastrophic thing that could happen in such a circumstance is the mines that would be developed falling into the hands of the Terrorists and the Taliban. This might have strong repercussions as they will have more pennies for their arms and travel expenses.

For countries like India also a longer US stay in Afghanistan will be beneficial. Else the Indian security fraternity’s assessment that the Taliban will run riot with the ISI support will be spot on. Afghan region will be back to where it was 10 years back.

Another interesting point was that the initial finding was done by the Soviet Union while it had occupied Afghanistan, the US geologists got their first hint in 2004 from the national library in Kabul. So, do the Russians also get a pie?

I just hope and pray that the common Afghan man gets some benefit from this find and not get exploited, especially when the social welfare or environmental laws are little if not non-existent in Afghanistan.

Seya

A reading suggestion for the day

2010-06-14T01:13:00.000-07:00

This is my first official blog post via email. Let’s use the technology if we have it. lol

For last few days, I am terribly depressed. Especially having a feeling that I am not successful in life. I am always wondering what I did wrong or more importantly what I really need to do right. I had no idea till 15 minutes back. Then I came across this article in MSN. Good article, it was posted for a totally different reason. To show how some differently able people achieved success in life. Overcoming the deficiencies and more importantly the misgivings of others and the lack of support from society. But when I finished the article one thing dawned out to me. There is one more difference between me and them other than their disabilities, and that is, they tried to do something in their life. They had focus and worked to achieve it. Where in I am just day dreaming most of the time.

So, my suggested reading for the day is, & who fought coma for IIM, & 10 other stories of grit

Chao

Bhopal Gas tragedy: Why politicians need a pie of everything?

2010-06-13T05:06:00.000-07:00

hiya,

my email blogging is not working. No idea why. Tried twice this week but it is not even bouncing.

Anyway, getting on with my post this week and as many of you have already guessed, ya I am going to talk about the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. Though it so long since it happened, the court verdict has come so late there is no respite to the victims. I am not going to talk for the victims here. There are a lot of people out there talk for them right now.

My point of concern is this. Many ministers then were involved in getting the Union Carbide CEO out of the country. They flew him out of Bhopal in a state plane. ie. On exchequer's money. The reason that is coming out now is that , they feared that foreign investments will be affected if a CEO is arrested. The same ministers are holding very important posts even now. vow!

So for these ministers the foreign investments is even more important that life of the very people who voted for them? Vow! Also, Warren Anderson, the Union Carbide CEO at that time knew of possible safety issues in Bhopal. In fact, I read that the same issues were identified in a plant in the United States also. As you have already guessed, the issues were fixed in the USA plant but not at Bhopal. Why? Because i just bought the law makers. So if law catches me I will change the law! right?

That's exactly what has happened. They talk about stricter norms and all crap. But they are not able to even make the culprits accountable. How are they going to prevent some more unknowns from committing this crime again? And once in 5 years we elect them.

Its raining in Mumbai

2010-06-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

Its raining here in Mumbai. yipeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

wait for one long year seems to be getting over! Hope the year of drought is drawing to a close.

As I am posting here, I can smell the fresh rain drenched soil.

yes, Its raining for the first time in 2010 right outside my house and i cant just take my eyes of the rain drops and the small lightnings. My ears cant just stop listening to the rain drops falling onto the tiles.

Hope this is the beginning of the respite from the Mumbai hot and humid summer!

yipeeeeeeeee!! Rains are here!

I am back

2010-05-31T11:33:00.000-07:00

Its 3 months since my last post. I dn't think my disappearance was noticed in the blog world. But still, for those of you who wondered where i was, after an year of rigorous writing, lemme be frank. I was tired.

Tired of bitching about everything that's happening around us. Tired of coming back and writing every week and saying bad about somebody. Tired of forcing my self to write when I had no real motivation to do so. I was tired.

I also had a Chinese intrusion, lol. That's used these days like a status symbol! lol. In the last few posts there were a lot of comments in Chinese that i really could not decode. So no offence to my Chinese friends.

I wanted to come back and post, first when I saw that Hindustan Times on a day when there was lot of turmoil in cricket, had dedicated its first sports page to cricket where as it had 4 glorious success stories in the next two pages. I was angry with them.

I wanted to come back and post after the Pune blast.

I wanted to come back and post after the Maoist attack two days back.

But I never found any motivation. So what changed?

Today i was going through youtube. These days i am obsessed with listening to foreigners speaking or singing in Indian languages and I dunno why ! :(. Am I going mad?

Anyway, looking at the passion that many people showed in what they were doing, i asked myself whether I am doing justice to what i believe in ? forget what I am doing. So after a long break , I am back. I hope I won't quit and run this time but stay. Stay and try hard, even harder to reach as many people as possible. To believe that we can make this country and world a better place.

But, I have made a promise to myself. I will not force myself to post every week. I will post when ever i feel like. No restrictions and no demands. Just like how a free world should be! :)

Lemme end this new beginning by posting two videos which are part of another of my new obsessions. little kids singing , especially Jana Gana Mana. The Indian national Anthem.

Jana Gana Mana by siya Iyer

and

Gitanjali joining the A R Rahman team

Jai Hind and May god bless the whole world

Let the kids realize

2010-02-02T09:49:00.001-08:00

When this year started I made a decision. To let this blog die a natural death. A death of author forgetting all about it and visitors not finding any updates.

But I saw a video today at ted.com which got me thinking. I have been bitching about a lot of things a lot of times. But, I could use this thread to spread some really good message. Messages with a difference. Hence, the mood has swung and I am back.

I have a lot of bitching to do, I will do that in some other posts. But this is for a good purpose.

I would like to suggest to all of you to check out this video.

It has very beautiful message, a success story , and with a little more contribution from our side it could be even bigger.

This video really puts across the message that kids need to feel things, to realize things than just read text books and mug up. A really inspiring one.

and let this post be my token of support for schools like 'RiverSide' and cities like Ahmedabad.