The Cape of Good Hope

Pragati and Mutiny - Two noble ventures

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:09:00 +0000

Being a compulsive netizen, I make it a point to read these two fantastic websites which have enlightened my knowledge about the on-goings in India to a great extent. Pragati is written by an extraordinary group of people called the Indian National Interest. You can download it for free from the site. A must read.

The second one, Mutiny, has just gone into print and you can subscribe to this brilliant magazine for just Rs. 300 a year. Do not miss out on this one. Subscribe here.

Bollywood - A misleading model for contemporary cinema

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:25:00 +0000

The rise of Bollywood as an ambassador for Indian culture and expression has brought along with it a gaping failure in appreciating cinema. Everything that Bollywood exposes us to today, is NOT the way we were meant to be exposed to it. Movies are meant to be a source of entertainment, but only in a limited context. The larger aim of mainstream cinema has always been more of a let-know than a let-sell. But today’s multiplex audiences fail to understand exactly that and films have become a sort of a reward that we gift ourselves in return for the “torture” of studying and giving exams in schools.

Let me explain how.

Picture a scene outside a multiplex. You are most likely to listen to fizzing sounds of “Film flop hai” or “Ticket mili kya?” The common man’s perception of cinema is a 3-hour package filled with laughs, comic pursuits, romantic flings and impractical love. He sees movies as a come-and-go show that is meant to be either a source of “time-pass” or a “chill-pill” and nothing else. All that matters is whether the product succeeds in impressing enough people to earn enough. All that matters is a new masala flick releasing week-in, week-out to keep foolhardy people satisfied. And Bollywood gives us exactly that. Even pro-social movies like Taare Zameen Par and Swades are viewed as products by the layman and he takes no positive impressions from it. The same man will line up for a ticket to a stupid, immature Bollywood flick next week, making the entire concept of understanding cinema purely a procedural one. Films have become like bureaucracy. And today, we are too contented to be in the “comfort zone” of watching mindless movies whenever we can.

Of more concern is the fact that Bollywood “stars” are treated like Gods wherever they go, irrespective of their private habits that are not meant to be taken up by growing kids. For example recently on NDTV’s Jai Jawaan, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor made an appearance. Now the mainstream viewer’s interest isn’t in the men guarding the borders but rather in the lovey-dovey couple who entertain the jawaans with their so-called patriotic fervor. Kids are more motivated than ever to be like them, to dress like them, to look good, to follow each and every day of their God-gifted luxurious lives. Eternal dumbness and a make-up box life is what they are beginning to seek, with imprudent determination.

The commercial success of Fair-N-Handsome creams, admiration for Shah Rukh Khan’s six-packs as if it was in the league of PM Singh sealing the nuclear deal and a dogged pursuit of I-will-watch-every-damn-movie-I-can outlook to this life is encouraging ignorance in multitude. The worst part is that exploitation is what will succeed such an attitude of know-less-and-less.

I don’t discount the contribution of Bollywood to uniting India. A few films have gone on to become timeless classics and are etched on the minds of contemporary India and will continue to be forever. But compare these with the unending barrage of the current stream of movies and you have to feel sad. So-called freedom appeasers will argue, and have argued with me in the past, that “Let people watch what they want to. You don’t watch it if you don’t like it”. All I can say is please watch whatever you want to, but keep your brains at the right place when you do judge a movie.

It is an ill-feeling if nothing else. Wake up and appreciate yourself. You, whatever you do for the betterment of the country, are MORE important and special than the puppets of “Indian cinema”.

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PERSPECTIVE: A united political front

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:05:00 +0000

In an era of coalition governments where appeasing of allied parties and opportunistic politics are ubiquitous, there is a pressing need for a united political front that isn't driven by partisan politics. The major, and probably solitary, focus of this front should be on issues that are not only sensitive to the people but are fundamentally complicated to control in a democracy.

For example, we know that the deliberations over anti-terror laws are bound to never end. Considering that the BJP is the main opposition party in Parliament, it will always back POTA no matter what. And it is very likely that they know how POTA has been misused. A new legislation to fight terror is likely to be compared with POTA and the saffron brigade will continue to invest their brains (and the country's time) in egotistic politics. To top it off, we have experienced the full force of their parochial mindset in the form of leaders like Sushma Swaraj who will irresponsibly speak up despite not possessing a needle's worth of knowledge and mental discipline.

Talking of the Left and their undying grudge against the nuclear deal and the Government's pro-US views, they are likely to criticize all steps taken by the UPA to curb the spread of terror and adjudicate against those chiefly responsible. With their ideological mentality, they are unlikely to provide us with any positives.

This is not to say that the UPA hasn't gone soft on terror. Terrorism has been the Achilles' heel of the incumbent Government. And with an abysmally weak home minister at the centre of the country's internal security mechanism, we rightly remain skeptical about improvement. They have failed to understand terrorism and its many faces and have only realized the need to act against it at the final curve of their term in office. This despite the fact that terror attacks have continued to increase since the UPA came to power.

These are the problems that a united front could solve. If Barack Obama and John McCain can set their personal differences aside, and that while in a heated presidential race, then why can't we? Terrorism is the principal threat to internal security and even other people-driven issues like secularism.

Of course, the government would remain the policy-makers and decision-takers. But they can be ably aided by representatives of other parties in an open milieu that must result in action and action only. The predicament with issues like terrorism is that the people (mainly, the victims) bear the brunt of an unstable working agenda against it. Loss of lives has become a regular characteristic of terror attacks and only the spirits of the survivors and the people of the city are seen as a setback for militancy.

The perpetrators of terrorism and leaders of terrorist groups remain unfazed with such responses as they are fine with their members being arrested and taken to task. They know very well that more minds can be brainwashed and truckloads of terrorists can be produced since the country has failed to hit them where it hurts the most - eliminating training camps. Such camps were first thought to be outside territorial control, but now they are prevalent in the form of little modules. Today, terrorists even attack to avenge the loss of their associates who died in a previous attack.

Only a united front is capable of taking action against the largely immaculate network of terror outfits being nurtured in the sovereign outlines of India. Only a proactive approach and constant action will purge the scourge of terrorism. End the passive outlook to issues that are piling up the dead. At least, we should pledge to fight for those who lost their lives out of humanitarian reverence.

How can the people unite or even pay enough attention if their leaders at the top fail to offer substantial examples and are always driven by vested interests? How can we eliminate terror if there is no action taken (open condemnation is NOT action)? Why a potential superpower is subjugated to perpetual torment and is brought down to its knees?

Do something, before it's too late. Hell it may already be too late. Or do we even know what late means?

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When is enough, enough?

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:05:00 +0000

Respected Mrs. Gandhi, PM Manmohan Singh, Mr. Patil,

DO SOMETHING!

Regards.

What the nuclear deal means for.....

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:08:00 +0000

The UPA
A definite shot in the arm ahead of assembly polls in five states, and the general elections in the upcoming year. The NSG waiver comes as a big boost to the alliance's hopes of regaining power next year. The UPA will definitely use the deal in their campaigns, especially when you consider their weak points of being soft on terrorism and record inflation. However, whether we like it or not, we have to agree with the fact that there are some people of respect and honour in the UPA and they are doing right things.

The NDA
What can you say? The NDA's hopes of winning the forthcoming elections took a huge blow with the UPA's success. To top it off, they are resorting to their customary "oppose everything, whether in national interest or not" tactics by suggesting that the nation has been betrayed. We'll have to wait and watch regarding this point though as the "leaked letter" is still shrouded in mystery. However, they are all for the deal. They probably just can't bear the credit being given to the UPA.

The Left
The deal is definitely a huge blow to the Left, who could now return to being insignificant in the nation's affairs following a four-year period of destructive influence. Unless they resort to their usual pain-in-the-@$$ convention of bandhs and strikes. The political turn-around could also mean that The Third Front will equally suffer.

National interest
The deal was always in national interest. Irrespective of what you've heard or read. India has realized it's growing energy needs and for the country to become a superpower, it was always a must to explore this field of energy generation.

China
Well, they proved they can never be trusted by emerging as a last-minute obstruction to the deal by raising questions of non-proliferation at the NSG after assuring India that they backed the deal. It probably means that the Chinese can't bear to see India as an equal rival. Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai returns to being rhetorical.

Concerned citizens
Well, India plans to drastically improve it's civilian energy needs through nuclear power(which currently stands at a meagre 3%) with the deal and it definitely means that a new sector of energy opens up in full bloom. This could mean cheaper electricity once the deal is in operation and a reduced dependency on coal-generated power. Also nuclear waste, once disposed carefully, does not influence climate change and global warming.

Ignorant citizens
What?

Mumbai Meri Jaan

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:52:00 +0000

Hats off to this masterpiece of cinema from a masala-dogged world of Indian films. In a truly sensational way, the team of this gem of a movie has presented the reality that is there for all to see and why we should, in all seriousness, wake up to the evil of terrorism before it becomes a part of our "dark present".

Hats off to the ridicule portrayed by the film - the scene where Kay Kay Menon realizes how every Muslim is not a terrorist, the scene where Paresh Rawal asks a common man to keep patience in the hunt for the bomb-planters and not just arrest and frame charges against anyone, the Rupali Bani Rudali TV show portraying a juicy story-seeking Indian media that has inherently only worsened the fight against terror. Hats off.

Wake up and fight. Yes, not everyone can do something. But at least we can be vigilant, respect our fellow dead citizens and their grieving families and pledge to help.

Independence Day Lessons

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:36:00 +0000

A few pointers that I pondered upon during the 24 hours of Independence Day:-

1) End the rhetoric
It's time to bring an end to the "Mera Bharat Mahaan" if we are to truly consider ourselves mature. I do not fully stand by the belief that patriotism is irrelevant in today's age of globalization, but it is necessary to end the rhetoric surrounding the so-called patriotic displays usually seen only during the 2 auspicious national days in a year. It serves no purpose in a fast-growing India.

2) The crisis over flag sales
It makes little sense in flouting the Indian tricolour so openly on I-Day. The same state bus drivers or private vehicle owners will commit all the sins that make for an anti-Indian approach, but still proudly sport the flag. Moreover, many flags are found in the dust and the dirt once the sun sets. Flag sales definitely mean that a few people earn a little more during the day. But it's only one day and we cannot afford to sacrifice national honour in the process.

3) Take pride in Indian history and culture
India is more than just Bollywood, cricket, political scandals and corrupt bureaucracy. Explore the true India and become a fan. Take pride in the history of Bharat and learn to love and respect all cultures and religions.

4) Respect the dead
Every year, hundreds of people die in the country. The reasons are aplenty. Terrorism heads the list. But if the living raised the level of respect offered to the ones who've left us and try to learn from history, then a lot of pain can ease.

5) Have faith
Despite corruption, poverty, bureaucracy, rising crimes and terrorism, India maintains a steady growth rate. The world sees India as a future superpower and it's best to keep faith in the country and it's ideals and values, in order to visualize dreams that we harbour of superpowerdom.

All is not lost. Yet.

[PS: Post written out of pure passion and there may be grammatical errors that I just felt like ignoring.]

Bindra and the Indian football team

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:53:00 +0000

Just pitched in to wish tons of glory and a love-filled congratulations to Abhinav Bindra for winning India's first individual Olympic gold medal. The Indian football team also won the AFC Challenge Cup, beating Tajikistan 4-1 in New Delhi. This ensures they qualify for Asia's premier football competition, the AFC Asian Cup 2011. This is the Asian equivalent of the European Championships and is held every four years.

Great days for Indian sport. Hope they last longer.....

Typically political

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:00:00 +0000

Sushma Swaraj's ridiculous suggestion that the blasts in Ahmedabad and Bangalore were meant to take focus of the to-hell-with-the-sanctity-of-Parliament CASH-FOR-VOTES scandal exposes the fickle-minded approach of today's politicians. In a time when the country needs to stand united against back-to-back terror strikes, the BJP leader has falsified upon an absolute lack of basic sense, even in times of need.

Talking of terrorism, the setting up of a federal agency is almost a must now. Normal law-and-order services are clearly incapable and overburdened. Terrorism has become a very serious issue and we can no longer afford to be unaffected by it.

It's not a war, so to say. But it's nothing lesser too.

Nuclear Deal, national interest and related crap

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 08:39:00 +0000

With the Government all set to implement the long-standing Indo-American nuclear deal by proceeding with the India-specific safeguards agreement at the IAEA, the confidence vote in Parliament becomes key to what shape Indian polity takes over the next couple of weeks.

The centre is extremely confident of securing majority as it's beloved ex-allies try to do all they can to ensure that the INC's reign comes to a premature end. Obviously, the Congress has something in mind considering the way they are proceeding with implementation of the deal before the next US government comes to power. It'll all boil down to how crucial a role Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party plays in this political potboiler.

The SP has given the Congress support simply because of the fact that the Congress no longer plays a role in Uttar Pradesh politics, where Mayawati's BSP and Mulayam Singh have emerged as the protagonists. The Congress has sacrificed it's interests in UP to keep hold of the strings at the Centre. A compromise was always on the cards. And talking of general elections, if the only option is a clear threat to secularism then we are better off right now.

Public opinion is more pro-Nuclear deal than against it. There is an energy crisis of sorts. Or maybe there isn't one right now as such. But you don't have to be an expert to contemplate a near-future predicament. Nuclear energy will serve some purpose, especially when we need to step up efforts to reduce our dependencies on oil. It'll take time and research, but soon we might have no option.

What could work against the deal and larger national interest is the downfall of the Congress. The Congress can ill-afford to lose majority simply because they are seemingly unlikely to continue at the Centre in times of excessive inflation. Let us hope that the country does not lose it's stability in the wake of early elections. But you simply don't get any feel-good out of the current political scene.

Now Showing

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:43:00 +0000

The United Progressive Alliance

PRESENTS

The Indo-US Nuclear Deal

*Starring
Manmohan Singh
Sonia Gandhi
Prakash Karat
Sitaram Yechury
A few Americans

*Special Appearances
Mulayam Singh Yadav
Brinda Karat
Amar Singh

*Music
Indian news channels

*Directed by
Heading Nowhere

*Produced by
National Interest

*Dedicated to
India's energy needs

*VERDICT
FLOP

21-12-2012

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:16:00 +0000

Finally then. Thank you Aaj Tak, India TV, Live India and all of the other we-love-to-spread-fear mass media organizations for signaling the end of the world with your Colgate smiles and Himesh noises. Hats off to your incredible findings that will allow us to splash our cash, drink and drive, be merry and more importantly, be afraid.

If you take a moment to think about the kind of fear that thousands of people live with everyday and to add more nonsense to fragile and emotionally weak Indian minds, to play with the feelings of thousands of innocent human beings and to provoke utterly meaningless discussions over the so-called END OF THE WORLD theory, then you can only pity the kind of misery we have learnt to adjust with every hour of every day.

Men will eat men. Wars will burn this world and tear it apart. Food and fuel won’t exist. But let’s face it when it comes face-to-face. Sensationalism will kill us anyway. So pledge to stop tuning into the greatest entertainment channels of the country if the world does not end on 21st December, 2012.

And if this supremely ridiculous end-of-life theory works, then it’s all over anyway.

India's definitive priority list

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:13:00 +0000

[Warning: The list is LONG]

1. IPL

2. Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?

3. Shah Rukh Khan, Rakhee Sawant & The Great Khali

4. MTV Roadies
Note: F!#@ Y%#, B%*^&, F!#@ Y%#. F!#@ Y%# more.

5. Exclusive Bollywood gupshup
Note: Zoom TV usually does the honours of providing us with priceless news from tinsel town, but the role is now being shared by most “national” news channels, newspapers and other news-givers.

6. More Bollywood gupshup
Note: Filmfare and Cineblitz are selling like hot cakes as inflation can never affect these and they are a vital part of the common man’s diet.

7. BREAKING NEWS, NAYI KHABAR, SANSANI KHEZ
Note: The caring, benevolent, truth-speaking and absolutely adorable media.

8. Star Plus and the emotionally-charged homecoming of the Old Tulsi

9. Kareena Kapoor’s bikini, Shahid Kapoor-Vidya Balan, Anil Kapoor’s Tashan and other Kapoors

10. Comedy Circus (TV Show)
Note: This also includes Lok Sabha’s recent “Dark Hour” but apparently girls don’t find Somnath Chatterjee as sexy as Arbaaz Khan.
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45224. Elections 2009

45225. Countering terrorism

45226. Inflation

45227. National Security

45228. Tackling corruption, communalism, regionalism, poverty, health problems and other ills

45229. Respecting the dead

Among other things

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Sun, 18 May 2008 20:45:00 +0000

Inflation hits an all-time high of 7.83% among other things.

Hindu children are forced to wear turbans in Punjabi schools among other things.

The Gods create havoc in Kerala among other things.

The Indian hockey team does a few good things in Malaysia among other things.

The Great Khali is set to team up with a new tag team partner, Bollywood, among other things.

Aamir Khan takes a dig at Shah Rukh Khan on his blog among other things.

And our dear old friend Terror had a multi-cuisine breakfast, satiating lunch and a pleasing dinner at 7 places in Jaipur. Terror loves India, you know. He finds it really easy to smuggle into our country, have fun, create noise, turmoil, chaos, disorder and of course take a few lives in the process that nobody dare care about in a country that takes immense pride in it’s callousness to such events. We are conceitedly weak and foolishness comes naturally to us because we will never understand the need for SEPARATE LAWS to tackle Terror.

He is waiting to come back and he knows we will welcome him with open arms as national security is something that neither us or the decision makers holding important posts at the top of the country’s administrative set-up care about…

…among other things.

From Pink to Red

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:35:00 +0000

7 blasts, 60 dead, terror strikes the Pink City of Jaipur and life goes on. Another typical we-are-united-in-adversity response from the UPA government. There is no doubt that terrorists targeting India have it easier than other countries because of democracy’s fallacies and India’s soft-hearted response to every attack on the mainland.

Terrorism’s latest episode was smartly planned and executed and targeted a city that has never seen such kind of ensuing chaos and despair. Being a hotbed of Indian tourism, Jaipur was always thought to be a city safe from such dastardly, inhuman acts and was never on the priority list of India’s probable targets.

We, the people, meanwhile continue to remain unfazed by this bloodbath as we have done so for many previous attacks. We live on. The cold war is being smartly played by cross-border foes who have now praised India’s response and are trying to assert their “friendship” on us. Let’s just hope we send a message sooner rather than later. Vulnerability, complacency and the feel of defenselessness are eating us from within.

May God bless the victims and their kin.

Dumbstruck

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:14:00 +0000

[Link to a Reuters' post on George Bush's comments on the food crisis] So, what do you think?

And Happy Mother's Day.

Global food crisis - An analysis by George Bush

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:42:00 +0000

How George Bush served two terms of presidency of the United States of America is something I can never comprehend completely. He basically comes across as a poor decision-maker, lacks crisis management skills and is a source of inspiration to people interested in garbling up English grammar for general use [Wikiquote link]. Or even fun.

His latest gems come out in the form of an analysis of the world’s food crisis and squarely laying the blame on India’s middle class. This follows a similar allegation from his top diplomat Condoleezza Rice, who had earlier asked India and China to “eat less”. While speaking in Missouri, Bush has stated:-

...the more prosperous the world is, the more opportunity there is.

Why yes of course, sir. Quote of a genius. Please carry on.

So, for example, just as an interesting thought for you, there are 350 million people in India who are classified as middle class. That's bigger than America. Their middle class is larger than our entire population.

So the context of his speech seems like a dig at how Americans are probably running dry (pun intended). And definitely, the thought is immensely interesting. Like there was nothing more interesting. Next please, Mr. President.

And when you start getting wealth, you start demanding better nutrition and better food. And so demand is high, and that causes the price to go up…

Wow. If ever I was too smart myself to analyze the world food crisis, I’d definitely say that the rise of the Indian middle class is to be blamed for it. How can we demand better nutrition? We are a third world country with absolutely no rights to better food.

So what if we don’t use our maize fields for bio-fuels to serve energy problems over food deficiencies. It makes sense diverting agricultural fields from food to ethanol production. Doesn’t it, Mr. President? And he replies.

No contest. We're an unbelievably compassionate nation.

Thanks for your time, Mr. Bush. You are truly great. Apart from your diplomatic and leadership skills, you can see through covered binocular lenses. No ordinary man can do that. [Picture courtesy: Humor Vids]

Inspiring.

The Price of War

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:54:00 +0000

Time.com's Picture of the Week.

Take a look at this gut-wrenching photo of three US soldiers providing aid to a child wounded in a bombing in Mosul, Iraq.

The blood, the pain, the guns, the eyes.

When men were men

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 09:49:00 +0000

When observations take a toll on your mind, they make you frustrated and create an irresistible, inescapable urge to rant. Maybe this post is an example of the burden of silence. I call it the Fair-N-Handsome effect (no offense meant to the brand and the company). Let’s just say that the world has more women than men because there are a lot of men who are actually women, in disguise. These are some of the common symptoms of this infection that calls for immediate emasculation of such feminists:-

1. You’ll find them sticking in and around girls, looking to make an impression that would delight the girl and “make her day”.

2. “Guddi, tujhe kya chahiye? Pepsi. Abhi lekar aata hoon. Arey sun, tujhe My Can chahiye ya woh 500 ml ki bottle?”
Help yourself.

3. The guy will try to make inky-pinky pansy-wansy Barbie doll impressions, act intentionally foolish (Or maybe is naturally foolish. I am yet to figure the logic out here.) and at loss with his sense of humour.

4. The guy won’t be a sport lover. Generally. If he fancies David Beckham over Ronaldinho as to who is the better football player, then you can probably make the judgment that he is infected.

5. The guy will like the colour pink, try to be overtly metro sexual, go gaga over Shah Rukh Khan’s 6-pack abs and will have assumed that MTV Roadies is the revolution that is the saviour of the Indian youth, like HRD Minister Arjun Singh.

6. The guy will cherish his collection of fairness creams (purchased with an effort that could have been wasted in better things) and will live in the hope that one day the darkness of his skin will pave the way for bright lights that would make girls freak out at his sight. Yes, freak out in ecstasy.

The raw truth is that there should be some space in life to do what you have to do with women and all the associated madness. But at least it would be wise to not lose yourself in the process.

One more thing, if you have had a newborn baby recently, please throw it over your rooftop to be blessed by God.

Save yourself.

Do what I tell you

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:39:00 +0000

Return of the self-proclaimed king.

US State Department: "We would hope that the Indian government, or any government that was engaging with the Iranians, including with President Ahmadinejad, would call on him to meet the requirements that the Security Council and the international community has placed on him in terms of suspending their uranium enrichment activities and complying with other requirements regarding their nuclear programme".
US would "encourage" India to ask Iran to end its "rather unhelpful activities with respect to Iraq, with respect to support for terrorism, including organisations like Hezbollah and Hamas, and to otherwise become a more responsible actor on the world stage".

We all know how the US of A likes to interfere in the foreign policies of so many countries when it comes to preserving their own suspicions of other ones. And now they have once again tried to poke their noses into Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s upcoming visit to India. This is what the MEA replied:-

India and Iran are ancient civilisations whose relations span centuries. Both nations are perfectly capable of managing all aspects of their relationship. Neither country needs any guidance on the future conduct of bilateral relations.

Seems like a fitting reply then, doesn’t it? When India is considering boosting diplomatic ties with Iran and, of course, work out the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, there comes a typical American statement that thinks it can influence our minds and make us bow down. The Left may not have it all right, but they are mostly spot on with their statements about the US and her Big Brother-like behaviour.

By the way, Happy Birthday to Sachin Tendulkar.

Say hello to league cricket

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:17:00 +0000

In what is set to turn cricket into a rabid, monstrous business, the Indian Premier League kicked off in Bangalore amid the hype that is certainly here to stay. It’s cricket, cricket and more cricket than ever. The obsession just got worse. Fast-paced matches, inter-city rivalries, cheerleaders who make as much of an impression as the players and most importantly – a format of the game that seems to be played on steroids and takes passion in the Gentleman’s game to a whole new level.

Never before has India witnessed such an extravaganza in sport (although inter-city rivalries do exist in football’s I-League). Never before has an Indian crowd expressed an unnatural silence when Rahul Dravid hits a four, and followed it up with ecstasy at his dismissal. Never before have the corporates and film stars been so heavily involved with sport. This is a new era.

But this is league sport just the way it should be. It has existed for years in other countries and people thrive on their local clubs and cities coming up and delivering trophies and garnering acclaim and applause. It is new here. But you could clearly see that the Eden Gardens welcomed Brendon McCullum like a home-grown hero and went berserk at the dismissal of VVS Laxman, the architect of India’s famous win over Australia in the same ground seven years ago.

This will eventually benefit India, despite the opinions of cynics and critics of the league. Imagine the amount of experience the youngsters will gain in this tournament. They will get used to playing with the best, playing in front of huge crowds, playing with passion and working towards becoming national heroes. All that remains is for us to welcome them with open arms.

Let’s say cricket just got sexier.

Vadodara catastrophe - An unfeeling from hell

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:14:00 +0000

When 41 children die in a road mishap, then we can probably compare such a tragedy to any national calamity that has been a part of the past and our instant reaction would have to be OH-MY-GOD, even if you are an atheist. This particular tragedy took place today in the city of Vadodara in Gujarat when a bus carrying 44 people (41 among them children, most studying in standards 8th and 9th) fell into the 60-foot deep Narmada canal with reports stating that the driver lost control of the bus.

The state government has announced a one lakh rupees compensation package for each of the victims, but there is truly no recovering from such damage. Sometimes life throws up situations that are beyond human control. And when our weaknesses (read children) are the ones affected, then every other thing seems very, very ordinary.

Reality’s harshness was belligerently exposed in this mishap, but the root cause of such life-altering events is us, we the inexplicably ignorant people. I won’t say that this particular disaster was a result of reckless driving until proven so, but India’s roads are as far from being safe as an Indo-Pak resolution on the Kashmir issue. Add to that, our attitude, craze for road rage and need for the thrill of speed play key roles. There should be space for them, but buses in public places don’t exactly justify the heed we pay to our needs.

The following is an extract from a Reuter’s report, where if I imagine the victim’s kin as myself, then the feeling is bloodcurdling. Even just the feeling.

"My daughter was going for her last examination today," Bhikiben, one of the bereaved mothers, told Reuters Television.

"She was very happy that her holidays were to begin, but now everything has ended for her," she said.

May peace be upon them.

[Image courtesy: Instigator Blog]

U, Me Aur Hum - A birdbrain's delight

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:49:00 +0000

I always make an effort to watch the right movies when I do watch movies. And here’s one more case where I made a mistake I whole-heartedly regret. I saw U, Me Aur Hum with a group of friends. And I have to say – it was an exhilarating experience.

Ajay Devgan is actually a very talented actor who has produced spell-binding performances in the past, in all kinds of movies. But he definitely lost track of this one as his directorial debut featured everything that you don’t want to see from an actor of his excellence – despicable SMS jokes included in the movie out of clear-cut lack of creativity in the script, unwarranted one-liners aimed at motivating us into sexual overdrive, unfitting romantic sequences and an Alzheimer’s with bonus days.

Some of the scenes in this movie are so hopelessly envisaged and executed that you wonder what kind of lost logic Devgan was operating on while drawing up the framework. The movie is basically about Devgan and Kajol’s on-cruise love story followed up with how he handles her Alzheimer’s illness. Sorry for such a short synopsis. Because this is all there is worth understanding or even contemplating understanding.

The applause for this movie goes out to three principal characters – a lizard, a moth and a long-haired lamebrain who tries to name Ajay and Kajol’s new-born child with a certain F word but should inherently be called by that word himself. The lizard and the moth left Kajol dumbstruck in her apartment which consequently led to the drowning of her child who was then miraculously saved by Ajay, with some help from their pet Labrador.

In short, when romance, idiocy and Alzheimer’s (with the bonus day) combine, then this is the end product. Apunkachoice.com sums it all up with these gems from their review.

I have not yet seen Ajay Devgan act better in any other film.

I guess this was Devgan’s debut movie then. As an actor even.

Above all, it is a touching, moving tale that will change something inside you and make you a better companion

Undoubtedly, I made the mistake of “touching” it and now I’m “moving” away from any kind of positive appraisal that I can offer. And what it has changed inside me is that I pity the kind of exploitation that we undergo every Friday (with a few exceptions once in a while).

May God bless our brains.

Of free colour TVs, a Supreme Court verdict and item numbers

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:27:00 +0000

With the Congress hell bent on capturing Karnataka and the BJP equally pumped up in forming the new government, the upcoming state polls could be a prelude to the Assembly elections next year. Offering free colour televisions to families below the poverty line and ever-increasing-in-price rice at Rs. 2 per kg can be seen as moves to draw votes from the poor.

“We are running out of time, we needed to come out with something that will help us win back our traditional votes.”

Words of a Congress worker. Enough said.

Meanwhile, Arjun Singh emerges as the winner in the general Indian youth vs. OBC Quotas saga. The HRD minister said he felt vindicated at the Supreme Court’s decision to retain 27% reservations in educational institutions. The only reprieve for the much-mobilized youth is that the creamy layer in the OBCs becomes a part of the General quota. Now that you really can’t do anything about it let’s hope that the ones who do take advantage of the reservations come good.

Another move aimed at the masses comes from Hindi cinema. The concept of marketing movies has been taken to a new level with the upcoming Krazzy 4 featuring three item numbers, two from males. The buzz generated by these songs has been immense and it is certain that the movie will effortlessly complete the business it expects to do, if not do more.

No honking please.

Inflation, the UPA and 76 runs

noreply@blogger.com (Trailblazer) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:40:00 +0000

Facing heavy pressure from the Left and the BJP, the UPA government has finally taken steps to reduce a high-speed increase in prices of food products. Inflation touched 6.68% last week, but there is clearly a global food crisis. Bumper stocks have fallen and the UN has warned the world that 36 nations face an impending food shortage. Rice and wheat are the worst hit, with prices at an all-time high.

The UPA is facing a critical phase in national politics, which will test its decision-making abilities and crisis management skills. Problems with the BJP regarding the Kandahar issue are surfacing and their Hisaab Maango campaign to get Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati talking about corrupt activities in the state will add more pressure, if nothing else. This certainly won't help the Congress in their election bid for the upcoming Assembly polls, although evidently they are targetting exactly that.

On par with such problems was a dreadful display by India on Day 1 of the second Test match against South Africa at Motera, Ahmedabad. Being bowled out for a measly 76 runs (the team’s second lowest score ever while playing in India) left me and one billion others shell-shocked as the batsmen collapsed dramatically, and in a way that wipes out all recent successes from memory.

You can’t say that the match is over, at least out of hope in this very formidable, experienced batting line-up which is more than capable of posting huge totals. But the fall down definitely gives the visitors the advantage and it’s up to them to make the most of what happened today. Harbhajan Singh called it the worst day of his career. For me, it was the third worst Indian showing after the 2007 World Cup debacle and the 54/all out against Sri Lanka in Sharjah 8 years ago.

Scary stuff. But it ain’t over till it’s over.