World and India Today-Abdallah

Gujarat was always a model of excellence!

2011-10-04T10:13:00.002+03:00

Gujarat always a model of industrial excellence

Persistent and unrelenting denial of a reality coupled with loose and inaccurate figures , is the dream of people following Dr Joseph Goebbels, the Propaganda manager of Hitler. This Goebbellian approach does not serve the purpose any more for the world has changed and people have moved on to effectively separate the truth from propaganda. One Mr.Sahil believes that nothing has been proved against Modi. Sure, yes, we know that. One must remember that even murder cases in India take years to come to their logical conclusions. Law will deliver justice. If not today, then tomorrow even in Trial courts of Gujarat. By the way, Sahil, Why were so many cases shifted out of Gujarat? You know the answer. Let me add that though the matter is sub judice, the public perception is that Modi has failed to protect his citizens when criminals raved in glee.The other is one Mr.Somalya
To both the Goebbelians in context, Gujarat has always been a state with a positive attitude towards business. Nothing new. A double digit growth rate has been seen in the 90’s. Entrepreneurs and huge companies have dotted the Gujarat business horizon since ages. Multiple business ventures of the Ambanis, Amul group, Ahmedabad-based Dishman Pharma, , Zydus Cadila, founded in 1952, is one of the top five pharma companies in India with a turnover of(Rs 37 billion) today, the Rs 35.50 billion Nirma group , the Sandesara group with a market valuation of about $6.5 billion , Rs 27,000 crore Ahmedabad-based Adani Group, $2.02 billion worth Torrent Pharma, multi million $ worth Arvind Limited (formerly The Arvind Mills Ltd.) , $455 million AIA Engineering Ltd was incorporated in March 1991, Electrotherm (India) , Sintex Industries has grown to an over Rs 3,200 crore (Rs 32 billion) company , the Indian Institute of Management, the institute of Rural Management, the introduction and growth of Cooperatives and so on. How many more do I have to name!!!!! And finally, Ahmedabad has been known as the Manchester of the East long before one Mr.Modi appeared on the horizon! Let us give credit to the illustrious Gujaratis who have been exemplary since ages! Modi has just flown with the tide. He has been like any other normal leader. Mr. Somalya should get his facts correct before heaping unwarranted eulogies. He sounds like a hollow vessel with a cracked base . Every state in India has progressed in the last couple of decades-some more some less. This is because India as a nation has gown by leaps and bounds. Growth at the Macro level has reflected on the micro level. I hope this settles the issue of Modi being the messiah and the harbinger of industrial excellence in Gujarat and the Sahils and the Somalyas will stop parroting the same.

Now, comes the last issue of Muslims and Modi. As one Director General of police says, “No Rioting can continue beyond 24 hours except if there is complicity of authorities”. And this is very true. What we say to Modi is that why riots were not contained for almost three days!! Either the CM was downright incompetent and did not know what was happening and had no clue as to how to control or he deliberately looked the other way. Somalya can choose whichever option he likes. In both cases, Modi is culpable. This is why we say “ Modi fiddled and twiddled in glee while Gujarat burnt”. Mr. Somalya, two wrongs do not make a right. If Congress party is guilty of rioting, they need to be punished. Just because they failed in 1984 it does not mean Modi can slaughter Muslims and claim innocence. Somalya prescribes that Muslims should forgive and forget. Indeed yes. It should be. But for this, one must see sincere repentance on part of the perpetrator. Is this there? Rather, it is to the contrary! Modi has never been to a single victim’s family or a refugee center, to express regret and pacify the bleeding heart. Did he even try to assuage the feelings of those whose lives have been ripped apart? Somalya, you forgive one who seeks forgiveness…not force it on him! Atal Behari Vajpaee was dismayed and saddened at the atrocities perpetrated. And he expressed that the Rajdharma was not followed. And yet, Somalya praises heaps on that very man whose governance saw hundreds of gallons of blood flow from thousands of innocent children, pregnant women and old and helpless bodies ! What bigoted thinking!

Modi's Charade at it's best!

2011-09-19T08:46:00.001+03:00

Modi’s Fast is a Farce

I blame the media for this yet another round of theatrics. It is now a Fashion to fast. And with the 24X 7 media blitz of Anna’s fast, the ground has been prepared for the media hungry polticos! Good for the channels…good for the politicos…but bad for the aam admi! Why the channels are focusing so much on the copy cat? Leave the man alone and see the results. Modi needs Iballs as his daily diet!
Coming to Modi and his farce, a travesty. Did I say Farce ? Just a slip of the tongue….I mean his fast which is aimed at sadhbhavna. What does this mean? To me as a layman, this means “twist the arm further” You understand anything different? Sadhbhavna, as per Modi, is the ability to squeeze the last bit out of the hapless victims. After almost 10 years of taunting the victimized community, he now feels it is time to go for the Jugular. He wants to ensure that those whom he trampled mercilessly should now realize that absolute power lies within his reach and that he will suck the last drop of blood once the case comes to the trial court! Hence, the fast to intimidate and communicate. Modi is in no “pashchatap” mode. He has no regrets, no qualms. Given the opportunity, he would gleefully do the same again! After all, he consolidated the majority votes after his genocide. His face reveals a unique , wry , limited extension of the end of his lips. We cannot call this a smile. It conceals more than what it reveals. In Islam, fasting is for cleansing the heart and mind. If this is the case with Modi, we will support him and forgive him. But alas, this does not seem to be the case. It is just the façade! A charade!
Modi says that he has been exonerated. Really? And how? I am no legal brain but I suppose I can still read English. I read that the court has taken cognizance of the appeal of Mrs. Jafri and felt that, as per the law, let the matter be heard in the trial court, where both the SIT and the Amicus will be given an opportunity. The SC opines that this is the privilege of the trial court. Where is the exoneration? Let me quote Mr.Sanjiv Bhatt, the IPS officer who has dared to speak the truth, “Mrs. Jafri had approached the Honorable Gujarat High Court with a prayer for registering her complaint as an FIR. The said petition was disallowed by the Honourable High Court of Gujarat. Mrs. Jafri, therefore, approached the Honourable Supreme Court of India by way of a Special Leave Petition against the order of the High Court. The Honourable Supreme Court directed the SIT to look into her complaint and subsequently also directed the learned Amicus to examine the evidence collected by the SIT. At the end of this long and arduous exercise the Honourable Supreme Court has not only allowed the Appeal of Mrs. Jafri and directed the SIT to virtually treat the complaint of Mrs. Jafrri as an FIR, but has also directed the SIT to file a report under section 173(2) of the Cr.P.C. Let me clarify for your benefit and for the benefit of your Six crore brothers and sisters of Gujarat, that this report under section 173(2) of the Cr.P.C. is colloquially known as Charge-Sheet or Final Report.” Where does the Supreme Court say that charges by Mrs. Jafri are baseless and hence Modi “ba izzat bari keeye jaate hain”. Has anyone read or heard this? So, from where is the exoneration? Yes, I do suspect that the catch lies elsewhere and for which the celebration under the guise of a fast! Can we hear someone saying, “ab aaya oont pahad kay neechay”?
Yes, Modi is eyeing the centre. He feels that he needs to get out of the state and reach Delhi. But he is in for a rude shock. Not only him, but his sycophants , which includes the grand old Advani. Modi is dishing out meaningless figures boasting of his great entrepreneurial spirit and expertise. He is taking the media for a ride. While speaking to Rahul Kanwal of Headlines Today, he compared the riots of 1969,84,92 with the Gujarat massacre and challenged him why no one speaks of them and only wants to corner him. He actually toyed with Rahul like a kid who did not answer him! A sad commentary on the level of the channel. Let me answer Modi with this simple one liner. “In the cases mentioned by you, NO CHIEF MINISTER WAS DIRECTLY INVOLVED like you were”!!!
He tried to conceal his glee while stressing that he is adroit at all that he touches. Let me ask his cohorts if they have heard of a man by the name of Nitiesh Kumar? If they have, then they should know that he has a better track record of governance that Modi. Kumar has transformed one of the most backward states( Bihar) into a model. He has fought odds to show brilliance. He is the Anna of Bihar and will be backed by the NDA allies( and possibly some BJP leaders also!). Gujarat, on the contrary, has always been more entrepreneurial and has always shown very high growth rates. Even before Modi, double digit growth rates have been recorded. By nature, a Gujrati has been ambitious and hard working. And finally, the nation as a whole has seen a sea change. Just a decade back, communicating from smaller cities was an ordeal; villages were in a world of their own! Transportation was a luxury. Electricity was a rarity. Education was for the elite and few. Today, India has evolved. Naturally, also the states have benefitted. This is not a case wherein the whole nation has been a laggard except Gujarat which has grown by leaps and bounds. So, Modi has done nothing exceptional. He shows no outstanding managerial and organizational skills. He has carried on what he received in legacy…the magnificent spirit of the Gujarati!
Modi needs to sincerely apologize to those whom he trampled. He needs to honestly apologize to the community which gave him mandate ( to become the CM) and was then humiliated ruthlessly. He needs to humbly apologize to the nation which gave him everything and in return he decimated its children and ransacked its gardens.
But there is another view point. An apology will be words only! He can conveniently shed a few crocodile tears and pretend remorse. Justice should be done. And justice means punishment to the guilty. Punishment commensurate to the crime committed. If all criminals plead remorse and walk away , India would have to abort its IPC’s and the Cr.PC’s!

Anna needs to mellow

2011-09-11T14:52:00.002+03:00

My sincere apologies to the die hard Anna supporters. I have always professed my appreciation of the issues that Anna raises. But I am not on the same page when it comes to the methods he adopts. He however, is as free as anyone else, to pursue his methods. But they should be based on mutual respect and within the framework of our robust democracy.
I felt that Anna has always had that streak of autocracy in him. Beneath the Gandhi topi rests a very authoritarian mind. It has surfaced before when he dismissed Digvijay Singh as one fit for the mental asylum and is now once again very much visible when he points his pudgy fingers and rolls his eyes and says that those MP’s who have opposed his Jan lok Pal bill, should be identified and then harassed by virtue of “gheraoing” their residence. I consider that as utterly Hitlerian in attitude. This reflects that he is not willing to see any opposition to what he considers is the ultimate truth-either my way or the highway approach. Anna fails to realize that we are a free and a democratic nation and like him, each citizen f India has the right to his own opinion! Why should Anna attempt to “terrorize” others into toeing his line?
I find this ridiculous to the core. Why does he utter diktats? Are we living in a country ruled by Emperor Anna? If the MP’s have not favoured his bill, so what? And why not? They may have a reason for it.Even otherwise, they are free citizens of a free nation. Who is Anna to pass a Pheronic judgment? I have always feared that the so called Gandhians have always betrayed a different hue when they are in their own elements. And this is what bothers me . Anna and his team have bulldozed their way to fame. Yes, the government played further into their hands by mismanaging the Anna fast and the proposed Jan LP Bill. Anna, the simple man from the village, suddenly was propelled to the International pedestal at such a felicity that he probably wondered if he was enjoying a Midsummer Night’s dream or was he Anna in wonderland! Suddenly, he realizes that he carries a clout more powerful than the politician! And then, the thrill of wielding it! Step on it…tells the heart! And this is where I see a conflict between the heart and the mind of a septuagenarian! Not to mention some over zealous advisers who are eager to cash on his growing fame and stature!
But as citizens of India who feel that India is going through very trying times, we feel that Anna needs to exercise caution and wisdom. He has to ensure that the masses who are trusting him are not betrayed by his attitude. India stands at a cross road which is very crucial. We could go in any direction. Anna has raised the issue of corruption and the performance of MP’s. Both are very vital and should not be allowed to fizzle away. He needs to reign in his autocratic leanings and become a Gandhian in a true Gandhijis spirit. Anna, the nation needs you. I know that 73 years is too old an age to change, but still for the sake of the movement that you have initiated, bridle your instincts and adopt flexibility ….at least till the time you have belled the cat!!
I do hope that a fresh diktat is not issued to gherao the write of this blog!

India is not Egypt nor a Libya..we are a throbbing democracy!

2011-06-09T10:35:00.002+03:00

Just a brief taste of public adulation and power! Just a few days of limelight at the national level! Suddenly he started feeling larger than life. Fall came even before he could really taste success! Anna Hazare has lost the prestige, the status, the almost iconic status with one single stroke of supporting an allegedly corrupt Baba who is, ironically, crusading against corruption!! Anna was supporting a movement against corruption and the Indians were excited with new felt enthusiasm. Massive support was pouring in from Indians across the world. He was being hailed as the messiah. But alas! India seems destined to be saddled with the corrupt for some more time when a genuine messiah emerges.
Anna was going well till as long as he was the same old Hazare whose name and fame was limited. Suddenly his tenor changed. Gone is his gentle, soothing voice only to be replaced by a voice of arrogance laced with contempt. His choice of partners has shocked the enthusiastic Indian. How could he be chums with the man whose rise to riches has been dubious? On one side he dedicates himself to fight the hydra headed corruption whilst on the other he supports a Baba who is soaked in corruption! The whole of Baba’s kingdom is based on allegations of corruption. What a contradiction! And now to top it all, the Baba has threatened to raise an army of 11,000 men and women who will fight the police if they dare to take on them in future!! I wonder what is the definition of terrorism? Advaniji might help me here for he too supports the Baba. And just a few more words on the Baba. I see a lot of hue and cry in the media. All the channels are vying to use adjectives that can be as romantic as possible. We hear the police “ brutally thrashed the women and children”. If true, then it deserves complete condemnation. But I have a larger point. And I want the media and the politicians to answer this. Why did the Baba not surrender to the police????? Why did the Baba dodge and hide? Why did he make the police chase him?? For a politician, it is the ultimate to be arrested! Baba should have expressed his dissatisfaction to the police, given a press statement( the press was all ears to him 24 hours!) and gone with the police. NOTHING WOULD HAVE HAPPENED and he would have become a hero! So, should we not blame the baba for the pains and sufferings of the innocent and gullible followers?? Rahul Gandhi was arrested in Greater Noida. Later he was released. Varun Gandhi was arrested and put in Jail. Advani and Vajpaee were arrested. No politician runs away from the police unless he has something to hide!! It’s a politicians dream to be arrested!

Anna and his team have adopted a rather condescending tone. I read the letter that Shri Shanti Bhushan has sent to the Government and I am taken aback at the rather rude and intimidatory tone. It seems that except for team Anna, no one else neither has the right not the ability to draft a Jan lok pal bill. This is dangerous and disappointing. Dangerous because an air of aggression and superiority complex is the perfect mix for starting well but getting lost midway. Personal ego derails one from his mission. Disappointing because there was a lot of hope for the demoralized Indian who had suddenly found a new vigour due to a bright future that he had started visualizing!
Anna and his team need to revisit their strategy. They need to see that a new India cannot be buried under the debris of a five star jet hopping and “jumping” Baba who has some very strong personal interests. And yes, Anna, please do not disgrace and humiliate our valiant martyrs. Jallianwala bagh was a crime against India, against humanity. It slaughtered patriotic Indians. Comparing that with the Ramlila event is pathetic. By the way, Anna seems to be blissfully unaware of the genocide in Gujarat! He did not make such sweeping statement when thousands were slaughtered….
On the Jan Lok Pal bill. Anna and his team should not make this an ego issue. If they feel for India as they claim, then work with the objective of getting things done. Do not threaten and intimidate the other partners. If there are issue of strong dissent like the coverage of the PM and the judiciary, then do not become adamant. Go for whatever is acceptable to all. Let there be an “ interim Lok Pal Bill”. At least get the ball rolling! The bill can always be amended. It is not the end . Rather, it will be a beginning. Yes, the politicians will always try for a weak bill and we must resist them. Let’s be more astute and wise. Compromise a little bit to get the larger interest accomplished.
India is not an Egypt or Libya so let us stop giving examples of Tahrir square etc.. India is a vibrant and a throbbing democracy which is even more democratic than America. Let the elected government work. Yes, do chastise them with vigour but do not throttle the functioning. Wait for the next hustings to annihilate the poor performers. Some states are going to the polls. Let us elect people who can deliver. Let us focus on setting an example in the state elections so that the centre knows what is in store for then. As a mature democracy start educating the voter. All those who are voicing for a change need to consolidate at the state level elections. Work together with a focused interest and strive for a clean election by electing clean and competent people. Reject the corrupt candidates.

Book the political crooks

2011-05-17T14:25:00.001+03:00

It really is shameful. Blood boils and I fret and fume as I see Arnab Goswami of Times Now arguing that imposition of President's rule by Guv..Bhardwaj is improper! Boy! We have come to such a pass! Such depths of despair! And in such moments I look for Anna Hazare. Anna sahib, the nation needs you once again. Where are we heading as a nation? We have lost all ethical, moral and constitutional values. We have become thick skinned and are devoid of shame and character. We are seeking constitutional alibis for crooks!
The Supreme Court has exposed the nexus between the speaker and the Chief Minister in Karnataka. Goswami sahib, let us go back to the time of the no confidence motion on 11th October last year. Let us relive the times of early October when 19 MLAs, including 13 of BJP and six independents, withdrew support to the Yeddurappa Government, the Chief Minister sacked four rebel Ministers and decided to prove the majority of his Government in Assembly on October 11.
In a two-pronged strategy to save his Government, Yeddurappa threatened to take disciplinary action against the rebel MLAs while dangling the carrot of ministerial berths to some. And politicians still have the audacity of taking high moral ground of crying foul if someone attempts to bring the house in order. And this cuts through all party lines. None is holier than thou!
Now let us come to what happened just before the floor test. Eleven rebel BJP MLAs and five Independent ones were disqualified by the Speaker on the eve of the voting on a no-trust motion against chief minister Yeddurappa's government. The MLAs were disqualified as it was apprehended that they would support the no-trust motion against the government during the voting. Was this not a brutal throttling of Democracy? Was it not subverting justice? Was it now sacrificing values and principles only to stay in power?
The whole exercise of disqualification has now been shown as illegal , unethical and unconstitutional and the disqualification quashed.. In this case, putting the Supreme Courts ruling in retrospect, where does the legality of the floor test stand? If the disqualification was not done, the government would have fallen! Does it not mean that the current government of Yedurappa is based on illegality? What moral and ethical right does it have to even continue today? In my opinion , this Government fell on the 11th of October. Now, Mr. Advani and his cohorts are championing democracy! What a shame! Those who slaughtered it in the first place and now crying for democratic process!
Money has immense power. And we see it in action once again as we are told that all those who had rebelled have once again given support to Yedurappa! The CM had claimed in October that RS 20-30 crores were given to these MLA’s to revolt. Well, if the same MLA’s are now supporting the CM, then certainly, they have received more than what they had allegedly received earlier! Anna Saheb….this is where you are needed immediately! It is time that the nation takes cognizance of the rapidly deteriorating political values. Let there be a fast across the states, the nation. Let the people of India vow that corruption, criminals and subverters of democracy will not be tolerated any more. Let the people of Karnataka demand the resignation of the CM and the speaker and make this a precedence for all the parties. After all, how long can the civil society are held ransom by these corrupt and remorseless politicians? Mr.Hegde, this is just the time for you to make Digvijay Singh eat his own hat and show that you are not only an honest but also an effective Lok Ayukt!

Its not WHO but HOW and WHY...Obama Saheb!

2011-05-14T08:52:00.000+03:00

Obama is grinning from ear to ear! He is the toast of not only the town but the whole of the American nation! After all he has wiped out the most dreaded terrorist in the world! What Bush could not do in two terms, Obama has done it in one only! Hence, he sure is a happy guy. Americans are celebrating this with a frenzy that outweighs the thanksgiving also! Such is the power of the machinery called Propaganda. I am reminded of Bhindranwala. One can see that Osama was to America what Bhindranwala was to Indira Gandhi.
It is not the killing which is significant. It is the manner in which it was done. Brazen, cold blooded, sodden in arrogance and one which sends a chill down the spine of lesser nations! It shows that the Americans have scant respect for International protocols. It is another aspect of the Jungle Raj. Might is right as one muscles ones way least bothered of the possible repercussions. Today, a nation stands undermined and humiliated.
We re not debating what Osama was. We do not debate why he was never on the CIA’s web list of wanted terrorists for 9/11 and yet Obama has related him with this and has garnered sympathies so as to shoot up his rapidly declining public rating! Just one of the many contradictions involving this “shoot out at Abbotabad”.
I write with a sense of trepidation and consternation. A feeling of fear of things to come. The modus operandi used in elimination of Osama is a sign of the times. Here is a group of elite commandoes flying into another nation, making a mockery of sovereignty, shooting the target dead at point blank range. The body is picked and taken from one nation to another and finally dumped into the sea. All this is coming from one of the most civilized nations. From the nation that teaches others about the freedom of expression and freedom of democracy and freedom of values. If one has to be taught a lesson, then it should be done, no doubt. But within the rules of decency and civilized society. Any one who is a scourge on society needs to pay for his misdeeds. Catch the man and bring him to justice. Put him before law. Try him for his crimes. Like what was done to Slobodan Milosevic. Taking law into your own hands is not the best example set by the most progressive nation on earth. What would the US do if India does the same to get Dawood ? The term sovereignty would loose all meaning. The world has watched in disbelief. Violence has been preferred and chances of truth coming out in the open have been buried forever….deep down where none can reach. It will always be felt that the accused should have been given a chance to prove his innocence. India stands out in the way it treated a sadistic killer Ajmal Kasab and gave him all the chances to prove that he in innocent. Obama needs lessons from India.
Wanted Dead or….dead! Yes, this seems to be the motto of the forces chasing Osama. It appears that they could have possibly apprehended the unarmed old man. But they decided otherwise. Why? Deadly silence from those who matter. Since the time they went out to “smoke em out” policy, they have bunged thousands of tones of bombs on just about any place they thought he was hiding in. This hurt not only the poor society where the bombs were dropped but also the economies of nations! Who benefited?
Now I come to the whole drama that has been enacted. Pakistan and the US are hand in glove in this rather filmy sordid episode. However, none can admit this openly for obvious reasons. Hollywood and Lollywood combined!! As per the news reports, Osama has been staying in the house for almost five years, oblivious to the nosey parkers of all so called “smart intelligence agencies! US is blaming Pakistan for its intelligence failure. And we are to believe that the CIA- the mother of all intelligence agencies across the world- and which is all over Pakistan, does not know this on it’s own!! Have a heart , Obama, yes, people are gullible and innocent and the civil society is very forgiving. But to swallow this one has to be more naïve than the silly dodo! And what to say about the frequently changing versions of the whole act! Once we hear that Osama was unarmed and trying to hide behind the skirt of his wife! Then we hear that he was killed in gunfire exchange and then we hear that he was killed by one other than the Americans! What do believe?? But one thing is for sure, I cannot imagine Osama, a man first fighting the Russians and now the Americans for nearly three decades, will run away from death! Going by the earlier reports in the media, he was fighting for a religious cause and such people would be looking forward to embracing death! Mission accomplished, is what he would say and not hide behind a skirt to save a life that he always wanted to loose!
And the last video that we saw on the TV adds more mystery and makes things murkier. We are shown a video of Osama using the remote control of a TV. If one notices, this is in the right hand. Now, go back to the scene so frequently shown on the TV-Osama firing a machine gun. Notice the hand? He appears to be a left hander! And why would a leftie use the remote in his right hand? Unless that hand has been left behind in the Tora Bora! And yes, why did Osama get himself filmed from such weird angles and then leave the cassettes for the Americans to conveniently discover?? Elementary , dear Watson!
No civil society permits killing of innocents. Whosoever is guilty of doing so should be punished severely. No mercy. But there should be one law for the same crime. When asked to relate 9/11 with 26/11, the Americans have looked the other way!! They were deaf to the shrieks of the people who lost their dear ones in the Mumbai Massacre!
The buzz is that Obama thought that if Bush could resurrect the ghost of Osama and win his otherwise almost lost elections, then a dead Osama should surely get him a second term! And the deal is “buy one, get one free! Free is the exit from the labyrinths, quagmire of the monstrous Afghanistan!
My fear is that this John Wayne type of action might be counter productive. Swooping into another nation under the cover of darkness and technology, smashing the guy to smithereens, collecting the body and flying off to dump it into the sea may just about make the killed a martyr. And this would spell disaster. Not only for the Americans but for the world.
We can only pray that such juvenile bravado by the gun slinging Obama does not create more Osamas.

Baba Culture-pulling India back?

2011-05-01T16:21:00.002+03:00

India chained

The recent event that lingers in my mind and just refuses to fade away is the smiling , fuzzy haired Sai Baba. He was indeed quite a character who courted controversy although the presence of Sonia Gandhi and Man Mohan Singh at his funeral does give a glimpse of what kind of political clout he wielded when alive.
It is always difficult for anyone to accept humans as Gods. Kind of weird that the guy next door could possibly proclaim to be a God, albeit supposedly in an Avtar! It is certainly possible to accept one as a holy fellow who connects better with his creator and displays more human values than an average person. And then comes the final clincher. A picture of the thronging devotees praying for the Sai Baba! Asking for health! Asking for his Life! A plethora of questions flashed upon my mind: are they praying for their God….their God NEEDS the prayers of the devotees? To whom are these devotees of Sai Baba praying??? Are we to suppose that there is a bigger God who can cure the smaller god? Gods can get sick? Gods need the prayers of humans?
Let’s take a quick flash into the past. We must remember that as a child, Sai Baba was described as "unusually intelligent". And what is more relevant is that the young Baba was exceptionally talented in drama, music, dance and writing, and was an avid composer of poems and plays. He was said to be capable of materialising objects such as food and sweets out of thin air, but alas! He could not escape death by using his own vibhuti! The power of the vighuti vanished when he needed it most! By the way, the glass casket in which the body of the Baba was on display, was air conditioned ! An over zealous devotee felt that reincarnation occurs better under more pleasant conditions!
Sachin Tendulkar was seen crying sitting besides the body of Baba. Was he crying at what would be Baba’s fate in the herafter or was it because he realized that humans die, Gods do not. I am still guessing……And the news that is going around is that the Baba will reincarnate in about a decade. Whatever be the truth of the matter, at least this gives us hope that the world will not finish as predicted by the calculating priest, Harold Camping, a preacher from Oakland, California or the other doomsday theory of the world coming to an end in 2012!

That brings me to the other bigger issue. The issue of Rs 45,000 crores. What crores? As I understand, the value of Baba’s Trusts could be touching a whopping 45,000 crores! And will this issue be ever investigated? What taxes have been paid by the Baba or the trust? What has been the source of this humoungous income? I know that many charitable pursuits have been initiated by the Baba. Why not? If peanuts can fetch you Gold, then why not! Simple logic.
And then I thought of the other living soul who has been in the news. Anna Hazare. And I wondered to myself , can this living Gandhian ensure that the Jan Lok Pal bill will be passed and implemented? If he can, then I am sure that the late Baba can be brought under it’s ambit. After all, movement against corruption does not begin by seeing the colour of the dress that one wears or by the volume of ones hair? Or does it?
Before I digress into more worldly matters, let me continue with the Godman who was, as I understand, an avatar of the Shirdee kay Sai Baba. Quite a contrast, I must confess. The original Sai baba was a “fakir” when he passed away, probably not possessing even Rs 400 at the time of his death! Well, it is all a matter of modern economics. Demand and Supply. Probably the “kalyug” can be seen when economics determines rebirth! The idea of an Avatar , as I understand, was to improve the society and rid it of it’s evils. Now it seems that Avatars rids the society of their money!
And now let me come to the worldly matters. India is huge nation sitting on the brink of glory and greatness. What stops us from achieving greatness are such avatars. India as a nation is like South Africa in cricket. Chokers.
India’s step into the world of greatness is choked due to it’s gullible ,highly emotional and immature masses. They are pulling us back. Anna Hazare can continue his fasts till as long as he likes. India will be like a cat catching it’s own tail. Corruption, as it appears, will never be weeded out because corruption cares about colour of the dress and the volume of the hair that dons the head that weaves a magic spell on those who matter. Masses as well as classes fall prey.

Decade best forgotten

2010-12-28T12:39:00.002+03:00

The first decade of the new millennium draws to a close. A rather angry, volatile and capricious decade. Sprinkle some unpredictability as a topping. Overall, not too many pleasant memories to cheer us up. On the contrary, too many gruesome, gory pictures remain imprinted in the mind-the senseless killings in Afghanistan, Iraq and the cold blooded slaughter of the Palestinians keeps us awake at night. The pictures of the ravaging Tsunami across the east, the devastation in Pakistan, Haiti are still vivid. Then we had the mighty Katrina swallowing all that came its way. The flotillas being attacked by the Israelis was another blot on humanity. In brief, a rather bloody and chilling decade.
However, what is more alarming to me is the attitude of nations. This , to me , is more hurting than anything else. Julian Assange may not have thrown anything sensational as yet. But he has exposed the mindset of nations. Especially the big and powerful and how they reek of arrogance with little remorse as they trample the weak. The supercilious, haughty, and dismissive view of the so called elite League of Nations has shown that nothing has change over the centuries. Still the strong chews the weak albeit under the garb of providing a helping hand! 2010 witnessed the same air of the strong roaring with disdain. Their condescending attitude , though camouflaged with sweet exterior, is disgusting. So much for civilization and a civilized civil society!
India , save for the sportsmen, could have said, a decade to forget! If it were not for our “ men/women in shining armour”, we would have been drowned in the deluge let loose by the Narender Modis, Rajas, Radias, Chavans, Yedurappas and the Bangaru Laxmans. In India Kautilya was the first person to mention the forty ways of embezzlement in his famous Kautilya’sArthashastra during the ancient Mauryan Times (321-296 BC). Today, our politicians have perfected these forty and keep adding new ones by the dozen! The scams horizon is big and wide and cuts across political parties, professions, regions and so on! The CWG, the Satyam, the cash for question, the housing loan scams, the AICTE, the MCI….The list is steep, endless. To quote a survey by S Daniel Rathinaraj , “commodities of greater value are bartered for those of small value; what is of smaller value is bartered for one of greater value; price of commodities enhanced; price of commodities lowered; number of nights increased; number of nights decreased; the year not in harmony with its months; the month not in harmony with its days; inconsistency in the transactions carried on with personal supervision, misrepresentation of the source of income; inconsistency in giving charities; incongruity in representing the work turned out; inconsistency in dealing with fixed items; misrepresentation of test marks or the standard of fineness (of gold and silver); misrepresentation of prices of commodities; making use of false weight and measures; deception in counting articles; and making use of false cubic measures such as bhájan - these are the several ways of embezzlement.”
Ketan Parekh was probably the one who started the scams roll for the decade with his scam which hit the stock market where it really hurt! We still have a couple of days to go for the New Year, a new scam of unforeseen proportion can hit us any time!
The so called saviours of society-the Journos-too had their hands full. Well, they probably always were-but this time the lid just blew away! But they are tough nuts and they faced the world with dour grit and determination. Almost making one believe that the poor souls have been hugely wronged , targeted and victimized and that they are as clean as a new born soul!
Tendulkar and Saina bring solace to our scams riddled nation. They and a bunch of really talented and professional sportsmen/women bring honour and prestige. They provide hope and succour. They give us belief that India is still a proud nation. They give India the strength to go up the ladder. Long live the sportsmen of Bharat!
But strange it may sound, we are still the darling of the West! Obama, Cameroon and Sarkozy are dancing to our tune and even prepared to do a bhangra..if we so choose to demand! Even after all those pan spit photos of the common wealth village screaming across the globe, even the Chinese are prepared to waltz! Man Mohan Singh has been a let down. If only he had played his cards as well as he can, India would have been the judge in “Jhalak Dikhla Jaa’ being competed between Merkel, Sarkozy, Obama ,Cameroon and who( Hu Jintao) and when ( Wen Jiabao)!
Singh Saheb, you still can. But for that, you have to step out and take the bull by the horns.
Saree ka palloo chodna padega……khud qadam uthana hoga!

Bang on target! Bihari Babu brings cheers!

2010-11-25T12:21:00.002+03:00

Results in Bihar are a huge signal that if there is a will, there is a way. Bihar had become the playground of the ruthless politician who toyed with the state as if it was his personal fiefdom. He would dole out to whomsoever he wished. No attempts were made to tread the path of growth and development because if the average Bihari would become educated then how would he fall a victim to the baits of caste and religion!
The Bihar of 2010 ushers in a new dimension to not only Bihar but to the nation. Nitish Kumar has shown that if there is adequate amount of political will and determination, the civil society can be reformed in quick time! Laloo languishes deep down somewhere where even his political obituary cannot reach him. By the way, as of now, Samosa in Bihar will be sans aloo!! Rabri's humiliating double loss at the hustings speaks volumes about how the voter has ditched rhetoric and prejudices and today demands performance and achievement.
Congress and the other players have reasons to introspect. Nitish has proved that social reengineering can also mean deliverance without touching the caste/religion cards. He has actually successfully reengineered the concept of Community management. He understood the needs of the society. He developed the products and services they needed and delivered! As simple as that! But there is another feather in Nitish Kumar’s cap. Successful coalition management. JDU and BJP did not cut into each others votes. As a matter of fact, they complimented. On the contrary, Laloo and Paswan could not come to terms with the Congress due to their inability to seize the needs of the moment. They cut into each others votes and aided the JDU, BJP.
Somehow, the relevance of the symbols seems striking. Laloo's Lamp has been doused. Why? Not because there was any flaw in the lamp. It was just that the lamp failed to provide the light that the society needed. A lamp as a lamp has no value till as long as it does not serve a purpose. It was lost in the darkness. Some one trampled on it. Pawns Bungalow could provide to comfort to anyone. He forgets that first it is Roti, then Kapda and finally the makaan! And not vice versa! And Nitish struck with his Arrow! Bang on target!
Yes, the PM is like what Obama is today . Not really lame duck but probably quite close. But Singh sahib can take a positive out of Bihar. You still have a couple of years to go and public memory is notoriously short. Get cracking on the non performers. Reengineer your policies and attitude. Redraw your relations with your allies and stop accepting their bullying , bellicose and pugnacious attitude. Start delivering with a firm hand. Corruption is your main disease. Start weeding out the parasites and the blood suckers.
For a change, let the hand try the arrow!
If Bihar can do it, then can India be far behind? Are you listening Dr. Man Mohan Singh?

Indian Renaissance needed

2010-11-24T09:08:00.002+03:00

Indian Renaissance needed

People have been writing and talking about the various scams that surround us. There is immense anger, angst and disgust amongst the so called civil society. Amongst all this, the media is having a ball. Histrionics is the order of the day.
Mud slinging has now acquired a new dimension. Today a Manish Tewari hurls a super slander at a Ravi Prasad without even batting an eyelid! It comes as a matter of routine! And the recipient receives the hurling brickbat with a smiling face! Such is the level of shamelessness amongst our people.
Coming to the main issue. It is not the silence of the Dr.MMS but the sheer audacity and brazenness of the small time, small city, small thinking politician who sits smugly on the national scene. I am not angry with the likes of Raja or a Chavan or a Yedurappa. I am not disappointed with the Congress or BJP or CPM. I am not unhappy with the Mushrooming angry young Anchors of the media.
I am devastated by our Civil Society. I am shocked by our apathy and our capacity to bear the pain inflicted by the politician and the political parties! We groan, then cry and later shout. But this is where it all stops. Then we crumble and give up. This is where the politician and his party capitalizes and seizes the jugular vein.
The 2G scam did not happen yesterday. It was a good few years back when this puny, petty politician from Tamil Nadu ravaged in glee. Where were you all this time, Mr. Swamy ? Sushma Swaraj says that she cannot settle for anything less than a JPC ? May I ask why so? Where were you and your JP colleagues all this time? Twiddling your thumbs? What will you now achieve what you have not done so in years? Strange. There is a demand for a JPC when the entire corruption is due to them! Perhaps a JPC should not stand for Joint Parliamentarians Corruption! Just a small sixth sense goads me to say that this JPC is just a means to protect the corrupt parliamentarians- Jab Sainya bhaee kotwal, to dar kahey ka? Were you oblivious of the happenings? Or were you waiting for your share which never came through? Hence the pitch. I suspect this is not because Raja looted but because the share in the loot did not come through! On the heels of the super duper 2G comes the reprimand from the supreme court questioning the very appointment of the CVC! And once again, we see the same pattern. All the political parties raising a limited brouhaha ( for public consumption) and then signing the dotted line. Sushma Swaraj and her BJP is as much culpable as Dr.MMS and the Congress party. I am reminded of he old saying about the status of all the bathers into the Turkish bath! Corruption in India is now a hydra headed and a behemothian ogre of unimaginable proportions. It needs gigantic efforts to tame this ever growing monster.
The time has come when we ought to realize that we live amidst scams. Scams are in various stages in our daily lives. Some become big and some remain small or medium. Some catch the attention of those who could not get their pound of flesh, so they run to the nearest hill top( read TV channel) and shout and dance till they can do no more! And then the Herd mentality takes over. All join in. Some join in because they want to be a part of the pandemonium, even though they know not why they shout!
Indian Society shall continue to unearth scams with alarming frequency. Political Parties will continue to suck the blood of the poor tax payer. Politicians will continue to build palaces in Switzerland.
But this can be stopped. Surprised? Cannot believe me? Can’t blame you. However, before we begin, we need to have the political will at the centre. Regional players like Nitiesh Kumar have shown that if there is a political will, the state of affairs can change. Bihar was trampled under jungle raj for years. Today’s Bihar is perceptibly different from the days of Laloo. If Bihar can change, so can India! Yes, we Can!!!!
I do believe that the effort begins with the Judiciary. If Dr.MMS is serious, let him start with our system of dispensing Justice. Look at those nations where Law is designed to act as a deterrent also. Today, there is no deterrent in our Indian system of Justice. Raja will never be made to return the money he swallowed! Worse, it will take years( if at all!) to convict him! If a crime is suitably punished and within a short time, the perpetrator will think twice. Laloo and his Fodder Scam still goes on. I have even forgotten how many years have passed by! Laloo does not even bat an eyelid!
Have a look at the Sharia and how it can be used. It has proved to be an excellent deterrent and has stopped many a criminal from implementing his evil plans. Even the British have looked up to the Sharia for succor. India needs strong system of governance to back strong laws.
Let us re-look at our law books to review the laws. Rewrite the IPC and the CrPC. Add many more courts to ensure speedy trials. Make the Judges more accountable and transparent. This is where we begin from. Clean up the Judicial stables. Restructure the Courts. Restore the ethics. Once done, the next step becomes easier. It will take time, yes, but then, there are no short cuts when cleaning the nation.
But the above needs the aam admi to stand up and be counted. Let there be a renaissance, resurgence of the society. We redefine our values. Start believing that education is a must for ALL. Stop being a sucker. Prepare to fight it our when the salivating bureaucrat or politician demands his “bakshish”. Stop giving bribes. Stop being a whimp and gather courage. Stand by your values. And above all, castigate and ostracize the cheat from the society. Let there be an awareness that a criminal will have no place in our society. Blacken his face with disdain and banish him. Let values take their due place in our society. Let us sift the muck from the good and condemn the muck in strong and unequivocal terms. Then bury it deep.
Label a cheat. And hit his psyche. Let him suffer. Do not turn a blood sucker into a hero…what we saw for Raja in Chennai!
And finally, when the time comes to vote, do not get sucked in by the age old prejudice of voting on cast and religion lines. Vote as an awakened and aware community. Vote in numbers. Vote for ethics. Vote for Honesty. Vote for efficiency. Vote for your child’s future.
Vote for India.

India in reverse gear!

2010-10-03T13:11:00.001+03:00

Judicial Justice sacrificed at the altar of Reconciliation

Just before the verdict was delivered, all the TV channels were asking, “Has India Moved on? We were patting ourselves that India of 2010 is not the India of 1992. Have we… ? Let me leave this issue till the end.
When the first batch of lawyers emerged from the court premises waving
an emphatic and a victorious V, the Muslims were distraught and
dejected. It appeared that all was lost for the country’s largest minority community.
But as the details filtered in and a clearer picture emerged, it dawned that the V waving lawyers were either celebrating premature or were deliberately misleading the nation. Either ways, the joy was short livid. The judgment had varying proportion of happiness for all.
Muslims though feel that they have less to cheer. It is essentially a judgment that in leaning towards reconciliation. How else does one explain the non cognizance of a mosque that stood for over four centuries? History has been expunged. The verdict may have cast a pall of gloom over those who had great expectations from our judiciary. Purists feel that the verdict is based more on emotions and less on hard core evidence. Even the BJP luminary Arun Jaitly feels the decision is based on Perception!
And this may well be true . However, it has attempted to open doors for possible amicable settlement. The verdict needs to be seen from two perspectives. One is the purely legal angle and the other is the political tangle. Each actually contradicts the other as the premise for each is tangent to the other. One has to have real patience to study the over 8000 pages long judgment to know the judges mind but prima facie it does appear that facts have been sacrificed to contrive upon a populist judgment. Legally speaking, there is a lot to be desired. Interestingly there are many aspects of the judgment that many have chosen to either deliberately ignore or are unable to read between the lines. The court has not proved that this is the Ram Janam bhumi. On the contrary, it has said that this is the belief of the Hindus.( If now, according to the judgment, we are expected to beleive that Lord Ram was born under the central dome, then, what is the date of birth of Lord Ram?).
Not only does the court throw out the idea of the idols emerging miraculously inside the mosque, it goes on to state unequivocally that there were placed by people. But the decision to let the idols stay where they are is mind boggling! Huge contradiction! But this is the political side of the verdict!
The court also believes that no temple was destroyed to build the mosque though it is built on old forgotten ruins which were probably a temple. And this is a very significant part of the judgment that needs to be publicized to the masses to dispel erroneous impressions( as spread by the fundamentalists) that Babur desecrated, defiled or dishonoured a temple to build a mosque.
The court may have also thrown out the petitions by the Sunni Waqf board and the Nirmohi Akhara, nevertheless, the decision that the title of the disputed land has to be shared, is a “bouncer” but is presumably aimed at ensuring the secular fabric of the nation. But will this work in the long run ? This, as I see it, is the huge political inclination of the bench. They have lost track of the judicial process to achieve this! Sharing it equally gives equal opportunity to all. A possible win win situation for all could not be reached but could have been had the land partition been half to the Sunni Waqf and the remaining with the other parties. If land partition was the objective, then the court could have opined that the entire area be leveled and then allot subsequently to the parties. By insisting that the central dome be given to the Ram Lalla party, the honourable court has faltered and given certain quarters the feeling of triumph. It sort of appears to vindicate their stand of the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Yes, the judgment sticks out like a sore paw. Justice Sachar, Supreme court lawyer Rajeev Dhawan and many others have blasted the bench in very strong terms.
Yet, I feel this could be the turning point in Indian society. Many of us may not agree with the judgment in totality and may move the Supreme court with a fresh battery of more efficient and capable lawyers. We may have serious reservations and consider the verdict a blot on the name of the Indian Judiciary. But Muslims, who have shown great maturity, restraint and dignity, have to brush aside their huge disappointment and move a step ahead and look forward to the new scenario- they are legal joint owners of the Mosque! Now, they can contemplate building a majestic and a glorious mosque alongside the temple. Le them become the two glittering eyes of India! This is a glorious beginning of communal harmony and inter faith acceptance. The community needs to move on and focus on issues that inhibit its development. Let us live in peace and devoid of any fear.
However, one issue still needs to be resolved. It is now the turn of the parliamentarians. They should enact a law that prohibits opening up issues on so called disputed shrines across India. A special ruling to maintain a status quo should be passed within the next three months. Yes, there is the Places of Worship( special provisions) Act 0f 1991. There is another passed in 1993 also.
It is imperative that all the political and religious parties acknowledge the above with a solemn promise to abide by the above in letter and in spirit. Anyone raising the bogey of another place of worship should be sentenced summarily and the party de recognised.
This will certainly ensure that no party would move the Supreme court
and the issue of Babri Masjid controversy will lie dead and buried. Forever. And no judge needs to tread where even no angels dare !
Coming to the issue of has India moved on. The three judges, ( no reference to Amir Khan’s recent movie) have converted our gallop to a slow trot. I sadly feel that though we have moved, it is a sluggish and feeble movement. If the CWG negative publicity showed us as inept, inefficient and corrupt ,the world today does sniggers at the skewed verdict and reserves a knowing smile. One more step gone awry.

Syed Abdallah Rizvi

CWG- possible glory goes awry

2010-09-27T09:17:00.002+03:00

Arnab Goswami and the likes who are intoxicated with a heavy dose of megalomania have done more harm than good to the nation. An overzealous Arnab perhaps visualizes himself as the Angry Young Man of the Indian TV! And with that comes his poker faced jibes at one and all who was or is, associated with the CWG. Not to be left behind is the rapidly graying Rajdeep Sardesai who makes great efforts in shooting incisive questions! Those which are supposed to “Knock out” the already punched and battered office bearer of the CWG working committee! Coming to the Hindi channels. Less said the better.
I do not opine that Kalmadi and his Man Friday Bhanot are whiz kids who deserve any accolades. On the contrary, I also dub them as spineless and worthless organizers. But I stop here and ponder. By publicly( Internationally) castigating the likes of Kalmadi, am I really doing a favour to my motherland? The way we have blared our vocal chords ( accompanied by that devilish glee in the eyes) on almost all the TV channels, it seems that there is some kind of an award for the most aggressive, high pitched and self centered presenter. The expose by the TV should have been sent to the PMO and not to be aired all over the world. Those pictures of the Pan spitted walls, dirty loos going across the world have caused long term damage to our image. This should never have happened. Yes, the guilty should have been brought to justice. The inefficient should have been bunged out with little remorse. And at the right time. But all this with dignity and purpose. If there is a problem in your house, then you settle it tactfully and wisely even the nosy neighbours knowing nothing. Right? Why do we treat our nation differently?
We have washed our very dirty linen in public. We have shouted from the roof top that we Indians are excellent when pulling the legs of our fellow country men. We have shown the world that we do not understand the meaning of freedom of expression and speech. We have shown that all our TV channels are far from mature and in their quest for a higher TRP, they will embarrass the nation. I stand dejected and embarrassed. India has been belittled and dirty filthy muck thrown with little compassion and compunction. As I write this, I can see the headlines in all the TV channels castigating and demonizing India. One snake has been “seen” in one of the African delegates room, a bed has caved in and so on. Such issues deserve HEADLINES on TV which is seen the world over?
The West and some other prejudices nations are on the look out to find faults with this growing super power. Yes, India is a growing super power. The likes of pseudos like Suhail Seth etc would leave no opportunity to gun India down. Still, India will survive and emerge stronger. The Australians have the temerity to say that we did not even deserve to get the games. He did not say it for years! But he is emboldened due to the mud slinging by our own folks. They rake up the issue of security when it comes to India but sent their cricket team to England even when the IRA was at it’s peak, blasting bombs like crackers! As one gold medal winner said, “ The athletes normally stay in University hostels and all facilities are as per university level only. But none complains. Why? Because their media does not do what our media does! Blast not for the sake of improvement but for the sake of TRP!!! So much for media emancipation. Maybe we will have to wait for more time to see a more mature and a responsible media. Especially the powerful audio visual media. Most of the presenters have “cowboy approach of firing first and talking later’. They need to understand the power of their “ journalist gun”. They have single handedly brought the Progressive and Nuclear India to the level of the corrupt, inefficient, archaic, “third world” India
Kalmadi and co have lost a great chance. Rather than his name coming in the Hall of Fame, he shall be hung on the Wall of Shame. He should be suitably punished . Not because he went wrong but because he went woefully wrong . Kalmadi’s punishment should be such that it should become a deterrent for future administrators of sports in India. A massive shakeup of 10 points on the richter scale is needed to wake up the lazy, lethargic and laid back sports organizers in India. At least this is one good I can see emerging from these CWG.
But before I sign off, a small point worth pondering over…..who was responsible for organizing the games? I seem to understand that it was a team of two. One, the IOA, headed by the likes of Kalmadi and VK Malhotra and two, the likes of Janab Mike Fennel and Mike Cooper, the Commonwealth Games Federation big wigs. If Kalmadi gets the boot, then what about Fennel and co.?

Step up and offer!

2010-09-19T13:41:00.002+03:00

Step up and offer!
It has been close to two decades when we witnessed a mad frenzy of convoluted and perverted thinking. We saw an orientation that was completely alien to the normal Indian psyche. The politicians and other disoriented vandals attempted to hijack the true Indian ethos when they mauled the spirit of the Indian constitution and in a brazen display of arrogance and malevolence they raised the Babri Masjid to dust. They had trampled the rich heritage of India when they sought to sow seeds of hatred within fellow Indians only on the basis of religion. There were cracks within the nation. Or at least it appeared so. Muslims were vary and apprehensive of the intentions of the Hindus. There was a feeling of suspicion that there would be attempts to attack and capture more mosques across the nation. This feeling got strengthened as militant and rambunctious saffronites took to the streets airing their plans of taking over mosques in Varanasi, Mathura etc. Muslims were petrified, mortified and a pall of gloom shrouded the community. And then they prepared to fight back, come what may. People lost faith in government and governance. They were prepared for the worst.
Today, in 2010, we stand with our heads high. Indians have proved once again that brotherhood among fellow citizens is strong and vibrant. Hindus and Muslims have not blown the battle bugle. They have, on the contrary seen through the façade of the bigoted , overzealous politician. They are seized of his hidden agenda. No more blind faith or following as each one realizes that the significance of the destiny of his community is linked with the fate of the nation. A strong and resilient nation ushers well for a dynamic and bubbling community.
Since Dec 1992, there have been no more attempts to capture any more mosques. Muslims were no longer facing a bellicose opposition. Better sense prevailed upon all concerned. The nation prospered. We prospered.
We as Muslims have shown our courage and resilience in ensuring that no places of worship can be bullied into acquisition. We can wait for the court to decide and then abide. Today when the decision of the court creates a huge suspense and anxiety, let me float a small thought, albeit with trepidation. Hindus and Muslims have shown remarkable maturity in dealing with the changing scenario. I felt that we Muslims can step up and hug our Hindu brother and say, “ Irrespective of the court order, we gift you this land. We will cooperate with you in building the Ram temple”. If we do this, do we Muslims loose anything? Is there any loss to the community? I really do not see any. On the contrary, we build a huge reservoir of goodwill and camaraderie. This goes a long way in bettering the future for all concerned. Some diehard extremists and opportunists may take affront to this suggestion, but when mulled over in tranquility, they will also see merit in this idea. Islam is all about forgive and forget and then move ahead. They should remember the treaty of Hudaibiyah and the conquest of Makkah. Islamic history is replete with instances of sacrifices for the sake of the community.
The Government, on its part, can also show benevolence by appreciating this gesture in the form of a reciprocal gift. They can do it in many ways, but what comes straight to my mind is that it can offer the Muslims a special reservation for a period of time. Reservation in Education and in Jobs, say for five-ten years. The Ranganathan or the Sacchar commissions have already shown the pitiable and pathetic condition of the average Muslim. This will benefit the community and make it stronger and more mainstream. Also it will seal the lips of the opportunists and myopic leaders. It takes two to Tango?
History can be made. A beautiful chapter can be written. This shining chapter will be the one which the future generations will refer to with pride and joy. Let us put our hands together and pen the glorious event of a marvelous gift , one which ensures a Gabrial Oak
smile across the nation, cutting through religious and community lines. Mera Bharat Mahaan.

Long Live the Flotillas!

2010-06-03T08:54:00.001+03:00

Long Live the Flotillas!

A bellicose Israel indicates the impotency of the world at large. What they did to the flotilla should convince humanity of the insanity that shrouds the powers in Israel. It should also shake the sleeping world to wake up and realize that here lies the epicenter of the turmoil that engulfs the world today. The normally sensitive Americans are now totally sedated under a heavy dose of the Israeli intoxicants. The British have ceased to be a nation of alert and asserting statesmen. The French and the other Europeans are busy finding ways and means of banning anything that is even distantly related to Islam. Israel ravages with impunity and in sadistic ecstasy.
But the courage of Greta Berlin and others of the Free Gaza Movement is worth applauding. Undaunted by the killers, they are now ready with another boat to set sail into the bloody waters. They know that death is waiting but they are ready to face it . This should put the Europeans , Americans and the others to shame. Small groups have the courage whilst nations buckle. Ironic and depressing. The killing of the volunteers in the flotilla is appalling to the world. But not to Israel. They do it regularly with the newborns, infants and the weak! Occupied Palestine is a witness to such blatant atrocities. But the world is blind and deaf. The UN Security Council is as helpless as the dying man. It’s feeble condemnation cannot be heard even by Mr. Boon himself!
Following this brutal bloodbath, the same old story will be repeated. There will be protests in the Arab world. Flags will be burnt by slogan chanting youth. Some Europeans will organize a march. Some national heads will come up with a stifled condemnation. That’s it. It will pass. Netanyahu and his cohorts know the pattern. They snigger and smile. They shall continue their massacre unabated. And the world will be a passive spectator to the drama. More innocents will be put to the grave as the butcher of humanity knows that the so called elites of the civil society are deaf, blind and also dumb.
When will the International civil society take cognizance that Israel is a nation that can be tamed? Yes, they can be! If only the civil society rallies in right honest! We do not need the Sakozy’s and the Obama’s if they are unable to deliver. History will show that cowardice of International leaders was the sole cause for the marauding, stomping autocracy of Israel.
We need more of Greta Berlins, Mairead Corrigan Maguires, Denis Hallidays and the others who made this flotilla a reality. We need flotillas every week! I am convinced that this six ships flotilla which had members from various religions, regions and beliefs has set the first ball rolling!
Long live the courageous and the bold! Let the civil society rise and over throw the barabarics who are akin to a hydra headed Dracula who sucks the blood and life of the innocent and the weak.
I am reminded of Gandhi’s very successful Civil disobedience against the then powerful British. We need an International Civil disobedience to bring the Zionists to their knees.
The fountainhead of peace has been set afloat and none can stop it!

Lyins sans a conscience?

2010-05-24T10:28:00.004+03:00

Lying as you go up the ladder?

When was it the last time that you lied? Indeed an embarrassing question as we all see ourselves as honest and one with overflowing integrity! Although we come across people who lie without even batting an eyelid, I do suppose that lying does make one uncomfortable even if one is a compulsive liar! A lie can be perceived differently depending upon the source of the lie. If there was a lie meter that could measure the degree of lie, it would show that every lie can have differing levels of acceptability. There are some who tell a lie sans any overt display of emotions. Seasoned Politicians come in this category. Some lie but show their discomfort by either a twitch of the facial muscles or an unsteady set of eyes! Green horns stepping into the big bad world are the prime examples! Some get caught as soon as they let off their lie! These are the first timers who have a huge conscience weighing on them! And then is the Gambler’s lie when he sits poker faced! He squirms if he tells a truth!
"People in power are able to lie better," said Dana Carney, a management professor at Columbia Business School and one of the co-authors of the study. "It just doesn't hurt them as much to do it."
The more one thinks about what Professor D Carney says, the more one realizes how true it is of us Indians! Right from our childhood we are fed with the idea that lying is an unwanted and unacceptable habit and should be abhorred and kept at an arms length. So, every time we were late to school, we bit our lips and closed our eyes and fought our conscience as we told some excuse which was something of a hybrid truth! Half lie and half truth! We would console ourself that we did not tell lies…only hid some truth! And on many an occasion we would face the corporal punishment as we had to tell the truth!
But looking at some of the Power clad persons of today, we do question ourself that perhaps it was indeed a silly thing to stick to the truth and faced the cain of our school teacher?

Lying has become an art, perhaps. And as the professor says, the higher up one is in the hierarchy, the easier it is to pull a fast one! Obviously, the listener has no option but to accept! When we hear Mayawati talking about the upliftment of the masses, we know the truth and the reality behind the statement! When we hear Mulayam and Laloo go gaga over the achievements of each other, we also clap like fools! This is not because we know not what the heart says but because we have no option to pretend to be a fool.

Like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, we can actually make a Hierarchy of lies!
This in terms of acceptance. Blatant Lies from the top has a great chance of being accepted with a smile whilst a small one coming from the bottom has a great chance of being scrutinized and looked at with suspicion! That is exactly why bosses get away with lies whilst the poor front office clerk is grilled till he turns black!

What happens if my boss reads this?
Who wrote this?
Search me!

Clean the cricket stables-Once and for all!

2010-04-25T14:48:00.003+03:00

BCCI and their hydra headed shenanigans have brought more disrepute not only to the game of cricket but to the nation at large. I had written earlierin my previous posting that Modi and his cohorts should be dealt with appropriately and swiftly. The unraveling of new aspects that bring new twists and turns is appalling. The water could not get murkier, so I thought. But I was woefully off the mark! Probably we have still more to come! The water from deep down the coal mines would be clear and transparent by comparison!
The issue is no longer of individuals. The thugs who ran our cricket( read BCCI) are neck deep in corruption and immorality. Each one pretended to see the other way so that the other could go on with his own escapades whilst Indian cricket was ravaged and raped. Cricket bled. But the BCCI put Nero to shame.Now they have the audacity to offer a "holier than thou" attitude!Pinning everything on one man....and they knew nothing of the moumental corruption flourishing in their own back yards!!And they want us to swallow this! Are we THAT naive??
The government of India is caught on a sticky wicket. I doubt if they have the courage or the ability to go after the criminals. There is a demand for a Joint Parliamentary committee but I doubt if it will be formed. And even if it is, the JPC really does not have the necessary teeth to bite! At best, it may bark! But who cares? Have you seen any barking dog bite???? In the deep sea of cricket corruption, there are so many big fishes that one wonders at the consequences if they are all netted??!! But then, it will not happen. The big fishes will swim away leaving the small ones to pretend they are the big ones. And they will be nabbed and displayed as the BIG catches!The sharks, hidden in some remote island, will have a mighty laugh!
The PM should hold ALL the BCCI members accountable until proven innocent. Sounds unfair? Well, regrettably, the gravity of the situation demands that each one be thoroughly probed because ALL the members are bloody good actors also!
And for those who give monumental credit to Modi. T-20 started way back in 2003 and the idea of IPL may just about have been hijacked from the ICL!! And using the heavy clout of the BCCI, Modi and his gang eliminated Kapil paaji and others. The Indian cricket League should have been allowed to function under open competition. But this was not to be. In hindsight, it is obvious it was the total monopoly by the BCCI that lead to total corruption. Why was the ICL treated so shabbily and why the government did nothing to allow competition? Where was the MRTP commission?
Huge dirt will be rolled out and skeletons will fall from each and every cupboard that will be opened and Modi may well be ousted. But the buck does not stop there. He was just one of the master manipulators who knew how to share the loot with all! And this loot sealed the lips and clogged the conscience of all, including the franchise owners! Remember, it takes a team, not an individual, to execute the devils plan to perfection. Catch them all- the businessman, the politician, the criminal and all those who washed their dirty hands in the flowing river of IPL! Spare none. Book them all.It may tke time and patience. yes, courage and tenacity of purpose will also be needed. But, ManMohan Singh saheb, we need you to take the bull by the horns and deliver! Yes, you can.... if you want!!
Let us look to IPL 4 as a league of clean people who can offer us clean and genuine cricket. Remember, it is NOT the league but the format of the T20 which ushers excitement-England, Australia, West Indies, Pakistan all have T-20! Let us continue with the format and enjoy the thrills of the game!

If Tharoor sulks, then can Modi be far behind?

2010-04-21T11:55:00.004+03:00

If Tharoor sulks, then can Modi be far behind?

He was nestled in a corner in a white lungi and a broad smile across his face. And he was chuckling in choicest of Malyalee to all and sundry! Just the coconut oil was missing from the hair! Yes, he was the suave and very urbane Shashi Tharoor courting the glamourous and charming lady with the sweat equity! Today, the same man languishes in a corner but sans the glamourous aide! That is what time and acts do to one. I am none to dismiss him as one who is guilty of impropriety. Nor am I a judge to comment on his ability to play the right “strokes” when in company of people who run the IPL. To borrow from Sunny Gavaskar, his “stroke selection was found wanting”!! But then it is sad to see the rather pathetic and dismal end to one who promised a lot. Yet another flower on the Indian political horizon has withered even before it bloomed!
If I am saddened by the turn of events involving Tharoor, then I am also relieved that the Indian masses may now be protected from the “Thugs” of Indian cricket. We Indians are gullible to the extent that we sacrifice our future at the altar of silly games like cricket( Oh! how my wife would be enjoying this! ) Cricket has long ceased to be just a game or rather a Gentleman’s Game. Today it is a game of rogues( apologies to all those “Genuine Gentlemen” who wielded the Willow in the yesteryears and some like Sachin even today!) be it those who flaunt the white( or coloured) flannels on the green field or those who wield the power in the corridors of the BCCI or those who decide the fate of the match even before it is played!
IPL may have taken the world by a storm as people are sitting glued to the idiot box from the time the coin spins in the air to decide who bats first till the last word of the presentation ceremony. Even those who had words of scorn and contempt for the game which stretched over five days, are seen scurrying home to enjoy a few hours of exciting cricket. But when the truth of match fixing and other dubious acts like the “IPL nights” dawns, then there is anger and frustration. Anger at being cheated and frustration at being incapable of doing anything to set the deviants right. Most cricket enthusiasts are raging at what is going on in the IPL today. Modi may have done wonders in marketing the new product-the T20. But that does not allow the man to perpetrate crime of fixing and arm twisting. Give him credit where he deserves and condemn him where his acts defame the game and the values of a civil society. We should be allowed to enjoy the game. And players should be allowed to play the game as a game where one tries his level best to win. Not to loose and fill the coffers of those who operate the players by remote control! The credit of the past should be carried over to cover the misdeeds of the current and the future.
There is a general feeling that Lalit Modi has grown too big for his boots. I am not inclined to give my personal opinion on the matter but I do feel that none should be greater than the game itself. A sport is an act that reflects a healthy mind and an equally healthy body. However, when a sport links a healthy mind but with an unhealthy mind, then caution needs to be exercised and exterminate the cause(s) that lead to this. If one man or a group of people indulge in melting the healthy values of the society and replace them with mouldable and flexible not so healthy values, then the society should act as a whole and ostracize the offenders promptly. Otherwise the rot sets in. Games that generate money that changes hue by the hour, can gnaw at the vitals of our society. Dishonest means generates dishonest money and this brings dishonesty to the society. We should not allow this.
If Tharoor sulks, then can Modi be far behind?

Shoaib Clinton

2010-04-08T11:52:00.001+03:00

The Shoaib episode takes me back to Bill Clinton and Monica. I recall how Bill beat around the bush and was finally nailed due to the blue dress! Ayesha too has probably kept her original dress and when she flashed her card of a DNA, Shoaib shivered and lost all his chivalry and caved in ! He crumbled and groveled and sought the papers to ink his name on the dotted line! And then the towering Ayesha went a step further. She needed money for the rest of her life. She needed to buy another house on the prestigious Banjara Hills. How much should she demand? Nothing less than 5-6 million rupees? But then, the wily mind works further. The settlement will be in hard cash. No cheques…who wants the Income Tax sleuths sniffing all over when all is done is dusted!! Tell the silly and gullible media that all this was done only for honour, for happiness , for justice. For token sake, ask a petty amount of Rs 15,000 as Mehr. The media and the public will buy it since they see a happy ending for the Indian girl who was taken for a ride by the Paki guy!
Well, this is my way of writing the story of Shoaib Clinton. Ekta Kapoor may add a dose of Sohrab Mirza who may find Ayesha a motivating factor and then Sohrab revists his past!! After all, no harm in raking in the mullah when it comes as easy as this!!
Sohrab can extend the opera for a few more episodes!!
But my mind is still puzzled. For my satisfaction, will someone tell me “Whom did Shoaib marry and whom did he divorce?”
And by the way, will the PCB still wave the ban on Shoaib?

A Bizarre Drama end in a damp squib!!

2010-04-07T16:18:00.003+03:00

A bizarre end to a bizarre drama!

The media had a gala time. From the dailies to the plethora of TV channels! It did not rain, it poured! From the most obscure to those who have been sidelined. Each had a hearty go at the ridiculous angles in the tales of the triangle! Even Shobha De and Talat Aziz matched each others wits in an effort to project that one knows more about the whole saga!
I had always maintained that there is nothing in the whole exercise of washing ones rather dirty linen in public. The Siddiqui family was running after money. After all, why were they quiet for all these years and got excited only when they saw that Shoaib had netted a huge fish! They wanted monetary compensation matching Ayesha’s volume! And when the bite is as humongous as that, then obviously, the dirtiest of the linens can go public! No holds barred. A free for all mud slinging followed. All limits were crossed.
To Shoaib’s credit, he faced the scene like a man. He could have kept away from Hyderabad and got married in Dubai( which I feel they have already done). Ayesha and co would have fretted and fumed, but to no avail. However, Shoaib’s decision of marrying on phone was rather stupid. He fell lock stock and barrel for the “barrel”! And now he has to dole out from the “barrel” since he found himself staring down the barrel of a double barrel big bore! People started taking sides. Initally there was sympathy for Ayesha. Later people started feeling for Shoaib! Even the Trigger Happy Minister Quereshi was voicerfous when voicing support for Shoaib and welcomed the new Bahu to Pakistan!!The PCB felt the emotions and there are reports that the one year ban on Shoaib may be lifted!
Now with both the parties having tested each other to the hilt, they have acquiesced to a formula that no on will ever know about! Money has the power to crack even the hardest of nuts! Money also has the power of making the most unlikely become bedfellows!
Shoaib has reportedly agreed to divorce Ayesha. In return, Ayesha shall withdraw her police complaint. Quid pro quo. Now, how come Shoaib mian is divorcing someone whom he never married!!!! ( TV channels rush and net a more than willing Qazi sahib to comment on whether this divorce is acceptable!)And why is Ayesha suddenly changing tone and becoming goody goody??!! By the way, Ayesha supposedly had a miscarriage. Who was the father? That makes two fathers to be identified. One who sired Ayeshas unborn kid and the other is Rohit;s father. Rohit who? {Our very own ageing ND Tewari is ducking a paternity test lest he is proven to be Rohit;s father!} Wow! What a tale ! Utter rubbish heaped on us for days! Good riddance to bad rubbish. Finally we can go back to watching our TV news sans the nasal and shrill Sania Shoaib bellowing about her marriage plans.. Shoaib and Ayesha started with a “ You ruin my back…I ruin yours”. They ended with “ I caress your back. You caress mine”! As Sarfaz Nawaz would say, The whole epode was “fixed”!!! What do you say?
By the way they took off, we were anticipating a length and deadly duel! New postures would be seen. More intense attacks with unfolding of more personal details! People had almost stopped watching Sas bhee kabhee bahu thee…they had found a more melodramatic soap opera- Sania…ayesha kee Sautan!! And the beauty of this daily opera was that one could see it on all the channels and each channel had its own episode running! Wow1 Multiple episodes running thoughout the day! This made Balajee films see red! Beaten at their own game! But alas! Before the crescendo could be reached….the whole thing just fizzled out! Maybe it was not Shoaib who has paid Ayesha!? Yes? Yes!! Could be the TV serials fellows who bought out Ayesha ! They had to save their shows!!Hahhahaha
I always felt that the whole episode is a blot on modern society. Neither party was innocent and their behaviour has once again showed that money makes mankind perverse. As responsible citizens of a civilized society, we should condemn such rantings and devious deeds. And more so when they come from the so called respectable citizens. I wonder who is more poor…the honest but poor man who protects his honour and dignity with patience, come what may or the so called elites and he rich donning the garbs of Shoiabs , Sanias and Ayeshas who rush to the ever eager media to bite a little deeper into the pocket of the other??
Moral of the story? In order to divorce, there is no need to marry!! In order for money to meet money, shell some money! In order to shoot your TRP, get a cross border sob sob story!

Women can finally raise the toast!!

2010-03-10T15:23:00.000+03:00

Why the ruckus?

Inspite of the dithering and an awkward stance, the members of the Rajya Sabha finally got the act together and passed the Women’s reservation bill. Hamid Ansari bore the brunt of a few agitated MC P’s, but in the end, he had his day! Not only is he getting accolades for his brave and firm handling of the situation, he had the last laugh when the Terrible Seven were handed their punishment.
Coming to the Bill. Why the ruckus? What was there in the Bill that had Laloo and Mulayam in jitters?? Mulayam, your Dimple would not have lost to Raj Babbar if she had the chance to contest from a women’s reserved constituency !!
The Bill actually is a very simple document that wants to reserve 33.3% seats in the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas for women. Where is the problem? It looks fine to me to see that women are being empowered in a nation that is pitched to be a super power in not so distant future. If women slug it out between themselves and then reach the Lok Sabha, fine. Why the song and dance??
I sense it is the mental make up of us men. Probably , there lurks a fear that these women may outsmart the “Politician mards” in the parliament/Assemblies? A sense of inferiority grips the macho Yadav’s? And also probably, the “Politician mards” would be uncomfortable when in an agitated mood, mike flinging ensues!!
But some fear does filter in when one visualizes reservation. Women with money and status may over power the women who are from lower castes and economically weak. This is a possibility and needs to be addressed in great depth. I suppose this may be reason why the antagonists feel that a reservation within a reservation is desirable. But then, I feel that women will sort out this issue themselves very much like water finds its own level. Leave it to them. Women have already come a long way from the pre independence days. They are stronger, more aware and much more intelligent and aggressive.
Finally, I would suggest that Government should consider only one idea of reservation. 33.3% of the current strength. Not to add 33.3% over and above the current. See the difference? If we consider 33.3% of the current, then say in the lok Sabha, 181 will be women and 363 men. This fine and great. But if they add to the current, then we will have about 820 MP’s! Along with the 545 men, we will have another 273 women MP’s! This would spell disaster!! Economic madness as the parliamentary budget will shoot up! The poor “Aam admi will be skinned to his bones to provide for the budget!! And what of the discipline inside??? A fighting husband and wife can keep the entire locality up and about…God alone can help us when 545 men and 273 men decide to do what the seven Rajya Sabha MP’s decide to do what they did with Hamid Ansari!!
All said and done, a great achievement by the politicians of today! Cutting across party lines was a great gesture and deserves kudos! And yes, the earlier decision of similar reservation in Panchayati Raj elections has yielded good dividends. So, all the more reasons why this Bill should be welcomed with open arms!
Do we see a new India around the corner?

Barkha jee…pull up your socks and stop the gabble ! { Come on….don’t say, “ I wear none”}

2010-03-09T10:41:00.000+03:00

Barkha jee…pull up your socks and stop the gabble !
{ Come on….don’t say, “ I wear none”}

Inspite of Shoaib Q’s reminder, I missed the telecast as I had to complete an important errand. But he was gracious to remind me that the repeat telecast was round the corner. It was 15 minutes and I was over 15 kms away! I juggled the steering as I went perilously near a side walk. Later I just about managed to avoid a screaming jaywalker as a horn hungry Lumina almost pierced my already weakened ear drums! I stepped on the gas and relived some memories of when caution was thrown to the wind when behind the steering! I did not want to miss the programme!
Panel discussions are normally always very exciting and one learns a lot from the wisdom of the panel. But there is always an exception. Barkha Dutt in We the People telecast on the 7th of March was a huge disappointment. The panel is an indication of the possible quality of the discussion. And the panel she chose was pathetic and a loose collection of people who had really nothing much in common. Soha Ali Khan and Kabeer Khan, almost anonymous persons who would find little claim to name or fame of any kind. I do not wish to sound harsh but the fact remains that they were total misfits. By the way, pardon my ignorance, but who is Kabeer Khan?
Now let me ask Barkha. What was the show all about? What exactly were we debating or discussing? Was there a basic theme? Muslims? Islam? Stereotypes? Hijab? Muslim Leadership?
Now let us review the panel. Eight members on the panel. Out of these, five were from the film fraternity. Now, if the issue was Islam or Muslims, them I really wonder what Karan Johan and the likes were doing there? From what I could understand, the issue was dealing with Muslims and their image. And Alyque Padamsee, a panel member, confessed on stage that he did away with his religion when he was 18! And yet, he pretended to profess profound and abstruse philosophy on religion! Soha had little idea if she was actually a Muslim. She groped on many an occasion but found it difficult to state unequivocally that she was a Muslim. Sharmila Tagore has been a great Ma. Her daughter , dressed in some outlandish and humongous boots, tried her best to sound like a “know all” but in vain. Karan Johar was like fish out of water. He would make some strange gurgling sounds and though faint, I interpreted them as My Name is Khan, which we all know is not. But then he was referring to the much flouted Shahrukh Khan starrer. But what was he doing here? And that brings me to the other panel member-Shahrukh Khan. Though again, not the most suitable member to debate religion, he did make some very honest and serious efforts. And Barkha is probably angling for a debut on the celluloid! Why I got this feeling? Well, she was ensuring that the Khan was getting the maximum frame and exposure! The two members who were seriously qualified to discuss the topic were reminding me of Akshay Kumar. Why? Well, both suffered heavily at the hands of the editor! Minimum exposure to the most qualified speakers! That, I am afraid, does not speak very highly of Barkha Dutt. She , either by design or by default, ensured that both Dr. Zakir Naik and Maulana Madni, who could make the difference, were derailed. They were totally stifled. For some stranger reason, Najeeb, the one from the Jamia Millia was ill at ease with himself! On most occasions he was on the look out for some pot shots at Dr Zakir Naik. Perhaps, the skull cap and the flowing beard of Dr.Naik made him see red! I pity Jamia.
All in all, a very pathetic show and a massive disappointment for all those who had great expectations from the Warrior Journalist Barkha. Poor selection of panel and poor time allocation. Even the audience was throttled. Questions asked by them were never answered!
Barkha should remember that discussions on religion are serious matters and deserve an appropriate panel to debate intellectually and fearlessly. What happens when Jaspal Bhatty tries to analyze the Union Budget? Or when Shakti Kapoor assesses our national nuclear programme? Need I say more? And Barkha should have had more intelligent and relevant questions rather than asking insipid ones opinion on Osama Bin Laden!
I rate Barkha as an excellent anchor. But to err is human and this is the second major goof up by Barkha Dutt. The first being the one which was sent out live just after 26/11 where she allowed Simi the freedom of expression which impinged upon the basic rights of us Indians.
And all the dare devil driving only to watch Soha dangling her boots , hear Kabeer talk gibberish whilst Shahrukh and Karan promote MNIK? And additional claptrap and twaddle provided by Woodey Allen look alike, Alyque Padamsee ?

Mr.Prime Minister....we need Colleges and varsities!

2010-02-28T12:04:00.000+03:00

Mr. Prime Minister….we need Colleges!

On the last day of February of 2010, the Tricolour flutters with pride. So does every Indian who works in Saudi Arabia. The picture in Riyadh today is that of colour splashed all over! The Indian and the Saudi flags dance in harmony and glory. A sign of the great relations that exist between the two nations.
Today’s newspapers in Saudi Arabia are all about the warm and friendly Indo Saudi relations. One leading newspaper has over a dozen advertisements hailing the visit of the Prime Minister ! The first after a gap of 28 years!
And what is more remarkable is the fact that the Prime Minister is accompanied by a high powered delegation of several senior ministers and officials along with a legion of senior journalists who would be carrying back the impressions to our fellow countrymen back home. The role of this throng is vital and will make an impact for the future.
This visit is not merely ornamental but it means business. It is said that nine agreements will be signed during this three day visit including one on memoranda of understanding on scientific and technological cooperation.
I look at the larger picture for tomorrow. There are almost 1.8 million Indians residing across the Kingdom and this is a substantial proportion of the total expatriates living here. And we have come a long way as today India has its own brand equity in the market. We are no longer seen as suppliers of unskilled labour but as one which has provided the intelligentsia. It is a matter of pride that we see Indians not only as senior manager but also as entrepreneurs! And that too in substantial quantity.
The NRI’s in Saudi have always stood up when they were needed. But there are issues which bother us and which are left unaddressed. The most vital and pressing is the need to provide for College and Varsity education. Now, this is a huge hassle and families are faced with very traumatic conditions as the child approaches high school! Sleepless nights , animated discussions, anxiety levels on the rise and what not are the order of the day as one tries to plan the future for the 14-15 year old little kids who have always lived a protected life! Trauma grips the family. The family is going to be split!! The little ones have to fend for themselves whilst the mother braces to live alone chaperoning the child. The Father happens to be the bread earner hence he has to stay back and live the life of a forced bachelor. And one must not forget that the parents are now in the late 40’s and early 50’s. This is the stage when health issue gains priority. What was once a happy united family is now torn apart. This is where the Government of India needs to step in and find a solution. We need to have colleges and varsities here. And this depends on the determination of the Government. And yes, to ensure that no violation of any sorts occurs, these colleges and varsities will be restricted to Indian nationals only. Mr.Man Mohan Singh needs to do what Indira Gandhi did 28 years ago. She was instrumental in establishing Indian schools in Saudi Arabia. Singh will become King if he can get college education for over 50,000 kids who study in Saudi Arabia! Man Mohan Singh will be providing a solution to a burning issue. It would be a great service to the community and the nation.
And yes, we have long been yearning to have voting rights. And it is time that the present government works hard and takes a decision on the issue.

Sovereign or subjugated?

2010-02-02T15:31:00.000+03:00

Sovereignty misunderstood

Last month India rejoiced on the 60th Anniversary of its constitution. 26th January 1950 was indeed a red letter day for India as we Indians stood up and adopted a charter that was free and provided opportunity to one and all. At the same time it ensured our sovereignty. Our constitution gave us the freedom to not only practice what we believe in but also gave us a nation that was capable of taking its own decisions and not being subservient to anyone. As a proud Indian, I salute all those known and unknown souls who made this constitution a reality. I salute because of their vision. I salute because had it not been their far sightedness, we might have just about ended up as just another nation which is counted because of its geographical existence and not because of its status and strength. Hamare buzurgoun ko salaam!!
Indeed, we have been gifted with the two most sought after W’s-wisdom and wealth. Our heritage made our future a lot easier to craft. We moulded with success.
But today I stop and look back. What must have been in the mind of Pandit Nehru, Dr.Ambedkar , Maulana Azad and all those who strived for India’s freedom? Did they visualize the India as it is today? Perhaps partly.
India has grown as a giant in the world today. This would have pleased Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru no end as this was their vision. The freedom fighters laid down their lives for a better India. And today we stand with pride in our eyes living their dreams of a free and fair India. The 50’s and the 60’s were the Nehru Era when India stepped into the world with decisive and firm steps. We saw the beginning of the demise of untouchability and discriminations. Nehru ushered technology that led us to the Silicon Valley!
India started to bloom. But still away from a glorious, full bloom!
But an honest evaluation may reveal a slightly uncomfortable picture. Uncomfortable at our own contribution, at our own roles. Uncomfortable at our compromise of our sovereignty. I suspect that we never really understood what sovereignty meant. We sold our nation to our own whims and fancies. Our own petty parochial thinking. We forgot the nation and remembered our caste, creed, religion. We forgot the sacrifices of our forefathers and looked at what benefits us, our family. National interests got buried below our idiosyncrasies. We became insular, blinkered.
India has not reached where it should have. We have the potential but not the willingness. We stride not hard enough to reach the goal. We form political parties that have agendas which take us away from national perspectives. We patronize politicians who never wish the welfare of the masses. We are subjugated not sovereign! Whatever India has grown, it is by its rich heritage. Not by our efforts.
When will we really understand that a sovereign India will be achieved only when we forget vote bank politics? When we stop divisive politics. In the race for world supremacy, India needs its children to stand shoulder to shoulder. We need to create a truly sovereign India. Indians need to wake up to the stark reality that nations progress when the citizens strive and sacrifice. When hard work replaces lethargy and when national pride displaces ill conceived petty personal gains.
A truly free India will assume the mantle of the Leader of the world. We owe this to our children.

2010-01-12T10:08:00.001+03:00

Obama, Lend me your ears

Barack, you are almost on the verge of completing a year in Office as the most powerful man in the world. When you stop and look back, what do you see? Peace on shaky grounds? International violence on the rise ?
I know you can. But what we do not know is when you can. And it is this uncertainty that casts its doubt about .Yes, you are a man of peace. I believe in this albeit I am in the small minority. When you were awarded the Nobel Peace prize, there were skeptics gunning for those who decided. They sniggered and summarily cast aside the citation and called the whole exercise as politics. But I believed in the award and still believe that the right man has got the award at just the right time.
But when I read the story of the Lap Bomber, I was shell shocked. The timing of the whole episode reminded me of the video tapes emerging just before the presidential polls featuring George Bush. Even your clear tone seemed to acquire a slight Texan brawl. We all remember Richard Reid, the "shoe bomber," arrested on December 22, 2001, for trying to blow up American Airlines flight 63, coming into Miami from Paris. The issue set the stage for a massive screening of selected passengers at all airports and you specifically named fourteen nations whom you distrust. This skepticism alienates even further. Although a ridiculous exercise, you seem to be set to get the screening going which as per the CBS news, “ Bares All”. It's called a "whole body imager," and it can indeed see your whole body underneath your clothing”, according to CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.
Barack, we know that humans have a way of competing with each other. We know that there is always a war between the good and the bad. That is nature. That is why Law and the criminal are always vying to be a step ahead of the other. That is why crime still happens the world over in spite of great policing efforts. That is why we had the Oklahoma Bomber. You agree?
Barack, any amount of screening will not guarantee safety. This is because, you, a man of peace, is looking at the wrong end of the gun. You have tried to reach when the plant has grown into a tree. Reach when the sapling can still be moulded.
You, a worthy persona, is lamentably providing knee jerk treatment which is superficial. You are not reaching at the root cause. Barack, the Nobel laureate, may please take a leaf out of the original man of peace Mahatma Gandhi and do some “Gandhigiri”. No nation or community is inherently gun toting. When the environment instills insecurity, the instinct of survival moves one to measures other than peace. Let me quote from Psychology Today which proves my point, “Societal influences help foment violent behavior. The images that populate mass media actually have the longest-lasting impact of all contributors to violence. Prolonged exposure to violent images increases the of becoming a victim, desensitizes violence, and heightens the viewer's appetite for similarly engaging in violence”.
Barack, you are still in your presidential infancy. You have the vision and I have the faith. Yes, you can-replace the gun with peace and trust and propagate policies to weed out the root cause of violence. Lap Bombers will automatically cease to exist.

The world of 2010

2010-01-02T15:25:00.000+03:00

A lesson learnt

As the 2009 Sun was about to bid goodbye

It stopped and looked at me

There was a smile alright

But it lacked in warmth and real happiness.

I smiled back with joy

And looked deep into the setting Sun

Why was it devoid of zest

What was amiss that saddened the Sun?

I was glad to see the setting of the year

I had lived with happiness and joy

There was pleasure and felt no fear

But perhaps the Sun had seen what I had not

My World was small

But the Sun had seen the World

It saw the flying missiles and passing bullets

It saw the slow dying of those who starved

It heard the cries of the trodden and old

It saw the helplessness of the weak

It felt the fear of the hounded

It cried when children were orphaned

This it saw over and over again

It saw each in his own little world

Oblivious of the sorrows of the rest

It never slept, joy was lost, it only wept.

But a small smile adorns the setting Sun

It sends a message of hope

All is not lost, there is scope

The early morning rays beckon

Now I see what the Sun wanted to say

Indeed, we forgot the weak and hungry

We saw our own small world and lived

Like the Sun, we need to live for the World.

It is time we felt and lived

Not just for our own small circle

But for humanity, the entire world

Let’s keep pace with the 2010 Sun.

Syed Abdallah Rizvi

Dammam/2010

2009-12-27T16:35:00.003+03:00

India bleeds once again

Two events is a day. Though separated by hundreds of miles, each has the capacity to change history. And surely will History change but sadly for India, yet another arrow in the heart of Mother India.

NDT or ND Tewari has allegedly done what one could have never even imagined. An 86 year old man, with one step on the ground and the other on the pyre has the audacity of playing ras leela. At a time when the grand Pandit should be sunk deep into the chanting of the Vedas, he is delving deep into the forbidden lands. Whether this is a fact or just a malicious campaign to push ahead the Telangana issue, one would never know. The Congress high command saw wisdom in sacking Tewari in order to douse the flame of Telangana. The bloody flames will ensure that Tewari gets no chance to prove his innocence! And we suddenly hear cries of the hysteric masses demanding that Tewari be sanctioned for his misdemenour. We are hearing slogans of ethics and values. Let me leave this issue here..for the time being.

And on the other side we have the wily “Guru” of Jharkhand. He tramples ethics and values as one does the dead leaves in the jungles of Kharkhand. Let us take a quick look at the man who has been invited by the Governor to form the government. On 23 January 1975, he was allegedly part of a mob that attacked the Muslim-dominated Chirudih village in Jamtara Ten people including nine Muslims were killed in the attack. Along with sixty eight others, he was charged with murder. In 1986, an arrest warrant was issued against him. In 2002, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha with the help of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He became the Union Coal Minister in the Manmohan Singh government, but was asked to resign following an arrest warrant in his name in the thirty-year old Chirudih case. After the warrant was issued, he initially went underground. On 28 November 2006, Soren was found guilty of murder in the twelve year old case of the kidnapping and murder of his former personal secretary Shashinath Jha. Soren is the first and only case of a Union Minister of the Government of India being found guilty of involvement in a murder. On 5 December 2006, Shibu Soren was sentenced to life imprisonment; he still awaits trial in the Chirudih case.

Now, which of the two makes you cry more? An 86 year old veteran putting Khajuraho to shame or a convicted criminal playing hoola hoop with Law and Order?

And yes, the BJP. What ethics are portrayed here by the party which shouted the meek and mild Manhohan into a corner when Soren was a Minister in the UPA government, is the one propping up the convicted criminal to don the mantle of the Chief Minister? Atalji, we sure are glad that you are not around to see where the Judges would be hiding in Jharkhand.

Switzerland- The Fall Guy??

2009-12-16T12:36:00.001+03:00

Switzerland- The Fall Guy!!

So the Swiss Govt. thought that four minarets were enough to adorn the skyline of the country. Four is company, five is crowd? It is very much within their rights , after all , it is their country. I would not have read much into this decision if this was taken prior to 9/11 and dismissed it as a non happening. However, with all the brouhaha and chest beating in the recent past, this decision does draw attention. After all, what purpose does this ban serve? And frankly, I see no benefit accruing to the Swiss. I am perplexed not by the decision but by the lack of any significant purpose being served. Mosques have not been banned, Islam has not been shackled or stifled, Muslims have not been isolated. Islam will still be practiced much as it was earlier. Swiss people are as warm and accommodating with or without the Minaret. Some opined that there is a fear of Islam being perceived as militant and perhaps this ban serves the purpose of sending a notice to the fundamentalists!!? I would not subscribe to this as nothing untoward has ever been reported in Switzerland. So why this fear? But this sudden phobia for minarets did get me curious and it got me studying the relations between Muslims and Switzerland. I discovered that although Islam dates back to the 10^th Century, it has been only fifty years or so that Islam has grown. I believe that of the 150 mosques in Switzerland, only 4 have minarets, and only 2 more minarets are planned. None conduct the call to prayer over an open mike which might be upsetting the locals. There are about 350-400,000 Muslims in a population of some 7.5 million people. Close to 90 percent of Muslims in Switzerland are from Kosovo and Turkey and they practice their religion with utter humble discreet and respect. All has been peaceful so where is the question of the “rise of fundamentalism” in Switzerland?? There is no angst amongst the locals vis-à-vis Islam or Muslims per say. On the contrary, the Muslims gel well amongst the Swiss and form an integral part of the nation. Muslims in Switzerland abide by all Swiss laws and regulations. In general, no Swiss laws exist that directly interfere with any Islamic duty. For example, no Swiss laws forbid Muslims from exercising their religious beliefs or practices, such as praying or fasting. To date, no Islamic or Muslim political parties exist in Switzerland. Only a few Swiss Muslims are involved politically and the few Muslims elected to office have not made Islam their battle. To the contrary, their religious belonging usually remains silent and unobtrusive. Similarly, no Swiss political party has directed its political views against Islam. Though there are various Muslim associations in Switzerland, there are no Islamic schools. But there is increasing awareness about Islam and this is a positive sign.

Ulrich Schlüer, a member of Parliament from the S.V.P., said minarets were a symbol of “the political will to take power” and establish Sharia, or religious law. Preposterous. Unbelievable. Nothing more than ranting of a guy suffering from delusion of persecution. Imagine a few Minarets enabling a minuscule, infinitesimal 5% Muslims to conquer Switzerland and impose Sharia!! India with around 18-20% Muslims and thousands of towering minarets still remains a throbbing democracy with freedom of religion to one and all!! Wild accusations by indiscreet politicians who speak the words of those who suffer from a fear of Islam. They cause great disservice to the society and world peace. Minarets or no Minarets, Muslims will continue to patronize Switzerland- a cradle of warm and genuine people who welcome with an open heart, a warm smile and a hospitality par excellence.

Is there a more sinister design lurking somewhere in yonder lands? Some people far away from the honest and warm Swiss are looking in the hourglass and using the Swiss as the fall guy? This being just the precursor to greater happenings in the days to come?

"Weak" Creates History whilst the strong is consigned to "History"

2009-05-17T09:12:00.002+03:00

Singh is King .

As the dust settles, we see the 200 mark up for Congress. None would have believed this just 24 hours back! The 15th Lok Sabha has certainly stirred the voter. And also the political parties. Suddenly we find the word introspection flowing from every tongue! BJP and the Left need to introspect their disaster whilst the Congress needs to understand why this windfall!! Dr.Singh goes in the annals of history as only the second Prime Minister to get re-elected for consecutive terms after a full first term. So much for a weak Prime Minister!
16th of May goes down in Indian History as the day when the Indian Politics has been rewritten. The Indian voter has woken up to the realities of today. He braved the harsh climate only to usher in a clinical revolution. And he did this silently and efficiently. It had to happen this way. The last five years saw the main party struggling for effective governance due to the heavy baggage of the allies. Each pulling it tangent to the other thus giving little room for proper movement. It was more like "One step forward...one step backward...one step sideways. The Left played the role of a belligerent bully though they did some good too. But in a nutshell, they did more harm than good. They also became arrogant and boisterous and took the nation for granted. Today they stand decimated loosing more than half their seats, but Prakash Karat shows little signs of regret, remorse and shame.
I have always maintained that the regional parties have a different agenda and normally collides with the larger national agenda. I believe that the two must be kept separate in order to maximize effective management at both the levels. I have advocated that the voter needs to be more mature. I wrote in my blog on the 10th of March, “ And yes, do look at the role at the centre played by the regional parties in the past. Have they been an asset or a hurdle? Each demanding their own pound of flesh at just the wrong time. Would it be better to have a single large party in the center or a coalition of just two or three…a badly fractured mandate normally ushers instability. Let us avoid this at all costs. We all know if multiple parties are involved in government formation, then decision making is hampered and is of poor quality. We should have distinct benchmarks for legislative and parliament elections. We should not be averse to vote for one party at the centre and another in the state…” I stand vindicated today as the tally of almost ALL the regional parties ahs taken a beating.
The voter has rejected the smaller parties and has actually voted for Congress and the BJP-the two national parties. The sign is good as policies and programs can be planned better. Regional parties need to concentrate in their specific areas and focus on development. I had written about Mayawati also and predicted what struck her on the 16th! Her arrogance and over confidence of her own so called social engineering left her fumbling as even the Congress breezed past her.
The voter has given the benefit of doubt and felt the Congress could not deliver due to the heavily fractured mandate of 2004. The verdict now is a confirmation that India wants stability - the resurgence of Congress in Uttar Pradesh confirms this. The voter has given the mandate to the Congress and will also hold it accountable. The onus now lies squarely on the door of Congress. Indian voter has given a low priority of other issues like the price rise, terrorism and so on. The mandate is for Dr Man Mohan Singh to finish the unfinished agenda. The voter has decided that Dr Singh is a strong leader who is capable of delivering.
And yes, the voter will also demand results-the price for the faith placed. Make no mistake, this is a mandate for finishing the unfinished agenda. People say it reflects secularism. I do not agree. BJP has lost some seats but has also shown Varun Gandhi and Menaka Gandhi winning.

Nitish...kya mamoo banaya!!

2009-05-14T11:53:00.001+03:00

Nitish plays all aces!!

Quite sometime back I saw a film called Mask starring Jim Carey. Recently I saw the Indian version of the Mask, starring Nitish Kumar! If Jim Carey was amazing then Nitish has rewritten Indian Politics with a mind boggling act!! He played the soothest of ragas to the easily gullible Muslims of Bihar! His wonderful melody of “naa naa naa ray Modi” struck deep into the hearts of the secularists. And when the floored voter reached the ballot machine, his ears were still ringing with the “naa naa” and he pressed the button for Nitish. And he was a happy and content man. He had voted for the most secular man on the horizon…preferred over Laloo and Paswan.
Nitish must have chuckled in private! What prized fools these voters are! My mask was so well fitting that they could see not what I had hidden!! With the setting of the sun he prepared himself for the next agenda. Nitish must have sat in front of the mirror and smiled and then made an inter state call, “When shall we meet again, brother Modi”!! Surely on the Dias in Punjab! Came the reply from the butcher of Gujarat! Modi looked at the mirror once again and burst into an unstoppable laughter! I went to the dargahs, the masjids with a cap. And they fell for me !! Kya Topi peha dee!! Mamoo bana diya Bihar kee public ko!!
And then what we saw in the NDA rally made me suggest that Nitish should be nominated for the Oscars. What an incredible performance! The meeting with Modi showed the real happiness felt by Nitish. He had played his role to perfection. Now the time to come to real life….and this he did with a huge grin on his face as he held Modi’s hand aloft. It was a new kind of a High Five! And the two together made a perfect couple…one bluntly against secularism and the other the soft spoken Bihari who butchered secularism with the same sadistic approach albeit under the garb of a Sufi!!
I am appalled by the perversity of a man who professed equal treatment. I am saddened not by his deeds but the route he took to achieve his agenda. He has trampled innocence and honesty ruthlessly. He has hit the aam aadmi where it hurts. If he wanted to appease the butcher of Gujarat, then fine, he has the right to do so. Many are doing. Why take the route of playing with the emotions of the entire society? Sharing the dais with Modi was not a crime. He could have done so. But why mislead and tell utter lies to those who trusted you????
Nitish, now you are as bare as you are in the bathroom. The fooled public can see through you, though a wee bit late. You played your cards well but now everyone knows the real Nitish who wholly endorses the Modi Genocide. Nitish… Modi… bhai bhai!
This is all about the double speak so prevalent in our society. There are many Nitish Kumars masquerading in our society with the façade of innocence oozing from all over!!What needs to be done is that such double crossers should be given a strong dose of their own medicine. Yes, the “awam” got fooled this time. As a responsible citizen of India, we should not have a short public memory. Elections will come again. Teach them a lesson that will be a lesson to the chameleons of Indian politics.
And elections are round the corner…not too far, says my crystal ball!!

Mayawati's leap to Delhi- myth or a reality?

2009-05-04T14:24:00.005+03:00

Mayawati is in the news these days. People are talking about the role that she might play in the days to come, post 16th May. And this did set me thinking. I became Wordsworth in spirit. I imagined myself lying “upon a couch” (not with Koyel, of course!) and the images floating by. Maya, the ruler of UP, acquiring the crown to rule India. Wow! The very first picture was that of Maya in faded Wrangler Jeans. Wondering why? Ha-ha…ehm. Well, if you would go back in history and see the Mayawati when Kanshi Ram was still his own master….the curly chute and an insecure smile which needed the approval of her mentor, you would notice the sea change in per persona. Close cropped hair and a dupatta that curls around the neck and not to forget the hurried swagger that goes with her, is the fourth time CM Maya! Gone is the insecure Maya of the 90’s! So, when the PM, then surely the Jeans will slide in!! Natural progression?
UP today is black and blue all over. No, it is not the bashing that has resulted in the state being black and blue. Or maybe it is? Lucknow has scores of statues peering at every passer by. Soon Lucknow will change from the city of Nawabs to the city of murtis. Nawabs are extinct but the murtis are very much visible and on the rise- in elephantine proportion!
Let us see the progress that the state has made since she took charge….it is a task as tedious as hunting a needle in a haystack! Where is the needle? Hunt…hunt…hunt. Maya’s forte has been the caste equation, not governance. Nitiesh Kumar in neighboring Bihar is a much better administrator and provides competent governance. Sheila Dixit is miles ahead of even Nitiesh.
Honestly speaking, a PM needs to be an ideal kind of a person. Someone who is above board, who inspires the nation, who provides confidence, who can take sound decisions at just the right time. Some one with a vision. And yes, he should be far from being vindictive. Let me confess that there is none on the horizon who fits the above!! Be it Dr Singh, Mr. Advani or anyone else. We lack genuine PM material.
But let us come back to Maya Memsaheb. I am still in a world of fantasy visualizing Maya sitting amidst Obama’s and Browns and Sarkozy’s in a G20 summit. And then Sarkozy and Carla inviting Maya to France…Carla and Maya exchanging notes on fashion and make up!! My fantasy is shattered by a call from Shoaib. Not Akhtar but Qureshi. And he kind of dampened everything by suggesting that the Queen may still not wear the crown..and probably not at all. Maya may not get the mandate that the TV channels along with their self proclaimed expert panels are predicting. Here goes another PM in waiting! The reality is that India does not need a Zardari. Right? Do we? And the voters are keen to prove the psephologists and the other pundits wrong.
Maya the politician is skillful and competent. Period. Maya the PM is a fantasy in a midsummer night’s dream. Alice in wonderland was a great story but never a reality. But then, Indian Politics is more unpredictable than an Alice in a Midsummer night’s dream!
Who knows?

Obama is capable?

2009-05-03T15:01:00.000+03:00

Obama is capable?
Obama’s 100 days in office is like an all rounder in a cricket team! A bits and pieces man, capable of putting up his hand when required but not really one who has expertise in a particular area. At least as on date.Obama is not like Mathew Hayden or a Brett Lee but more like Symonds.
We saw Obama reaching out to the Europeans( including Turks) and the Arabs/Israelis. He had a tough swagger and a drawl when addressing the Pakistani and the Taliban. His tone was warm and affectionate when shaking hands with the master economist Dr Man Mohan Singh.
Obama has done his homework well
All rounders can come in very handy but in the long run, they cannot be effective for specific tasks. 100 days have been handled well but his tryst with destiny seeks a longer period…60 to a 120 months. And that is a long period. That is why I feel that he should don the mantle of a specialist at the earliest.
Middle East and Pakistan are two huge problems. The Arab Israel conflict needs a man who knows what he wants and also what he can deliver. The past has seen promises which could never be delivered. It was loathsome and dishonest. The need of the hour is to set the parameters for peace talks. This is a vital issue and will reflect the intentions and capabilities of the white house in general and Obama in particular. The recent posturing by him has given hopes to the genocide struck Palestinians. The two nation theory needs to be worked upon. There can never be peace in the world unless there is peace in the Middle East. There can be no peace unless there is a stable country of the Palestinians. Isreal and Palestine need to coexist as two nations. And Obama has to understand and execute that. He can do it if he follows the advise of the wise. Middle East beckons Obama.
Pakistan is passing through a very turbulent time. Partially self generated and partially by the forces that seek to rock Pakistan. And Obama knows the facts and should see through the crocodile tears that seem to flow from all corners! A stable and progressive Pakistan is a must for the regions growth. But will this be allowed to happen? Obama should ensure the holding back of the boat rockers.
And that brings me to the last issue. The G20 meeting. All was not sweet and neat. The Europeans did not appreciate the Anglo Saxon proposals, though this was not said overtly. But the French/German bonhomie did blow the top. Obama probably understands the same and knows that the G20 was not as big a hit as the media made it out to be. One needs to only look into the British media to see the skeptism and distrust. Obama has handled the economic crises fairly well and he probably knows that he cannot rely on the outcome of the G20 summit. He needs to be cautious and conservative

Give teeth to the Election Commission !

2009-05-03T14:25:00.001+03:00

So much for the huge TV advertising exhorting people to go and exercise their franchise! Although a damp squib at the end of the day, it was not unexpected. Probably it tells a story in itself. Briefly, the audience does not hold the filmy sitarey in any high esteem. They lacked credibility. Audience felt that they did it as yet another commercial advertisement. Yes. That is what I look at it. And they did not feel the need to respond to commercials. Lesson learnt is that the next time, we wish to bring about any change in the aam aadmi, then let it be though people who are loaded with credibility. A Dr.Zakir Naik, Shri Shri Ravi Shankar or a swami Ramdev would bring better results.
Voting percentage being nominal speaks volumes about the apathy that has crept in our society. People could not see any change coming in even if they had gone and voted. Hence, the less than warm response. I believe that the Election Commission has a bigger role to play than what it does today. From a mere admonishing or an advisory role, the commission needs to be given plenty of teeth. They need to be seen as those who can bite..not just bark. The bite needs to be strong and potent. The Politician has a skin of a Hippopotamus and average teeth will elicit no response. Hence, the need for Dracula type incisors and canines. Give the EC more powers. Powers to stop one from contesting. Powers to ensure discipline throughout the election period. Perhaps even later.
The aam aadmi has lost faith in the politician. And this leads to loss of faith in the electoral system. I read in Hindu newspaper that names of minority community voters were missing in various parts of Bengaluru. Hundreds of voters could not vote since their names were not there. This inspite of the fact that they had legitimate identification papers to prove. Quite a pity that when such incidents happen, the faith in the electoral process takes a dive. And such acts of omissions and commissions are spread all over the nation.
The future of the nation appears hazy. I feel that our democracy can be really vibrant only if the processes are reviewed. A clarity in our national future can be achieved only if objectivity is practiced without any fear. EC needs to formulate rules and regulations that ensures weeding out of the unwanted, criminal from entering the public system. Crafty hate spreaders , slimy business sharks, double faced slithery politicians should be knocked down with a swift and a powerful blow.
How about introducing the concept of community service for the contenders? One can be eligible for elections only if one has put in a minimum period in community service. Like when one joins an elite business group, one starts as a trainee. Our politicians should serve as trainees during which they do community service. Five years and then being eligible for elections. For contesting the Parliamentary elections, one has to be at least a graduate. Then, ministers should have excellent academic records to prove ones potential. One cannot be considered for the post of a minister unless he averages 70% overall. Management Institutes have a minimum cut off marks for candidates. Follow the same for appointing ministers . Why not? Managers run a company; these politicians run the entire nation. We need the best who can manage the nation effectively. And yes, total transparency should be maintained.

Let's create Voting Circles -for enlightened voting

2009-04-05T14:12:00.000+03:00

Look for the Hidden agenda!!

What a scene in India as we prepare for the hustings! Maneka blasts Maya…Maya return fire with more fire! ManMohan Singh replies coolly to the allegations by Advani on his being a “bakri’ PM…then a take off by Advani for a duel which was turned down as none were Knights in ( or sans)Armour…Modi adds to the fuel of calling ManMohan Singh a weakling….Sibal launches into a heavy verbal assault on Advani being anything but a “Lohpurush”… the Three Musketeers from UP/Bihar adding the final icing on the hustings cake, and Arun Shourie voicing that the fake degree holder from UK, Varun Gandhi is well versed whilst Rahul Gandhi is an “innocent Kid”!! and who can set aside a visibly lost Sanjay Dutt at the beck and call of His Master-the one and only Amar Singh!!
And now a look at the manifesto. By the way, a manifesto means a public written declaration of Principles, policies, objectives. I am stating these because I want you all to note that it is a matter of Principles and Policies. Now, what is the general policy of the politicians and the parties on the manifesto itself? We all know that a manifesto is probably concealing more than it is revealing!! The main “agenda” is always the hidden agenda!! No manifesto reveals the hidden agenda and this is the main agenda. As a matter of fact, I am of the belief that the manifesto is designed to conceal the hidden agenda!! It is doctored in such a way so that it may appear as a declaration of policies to compete the others and at the same time reveal nothing of what will actually be done. But when parties spring promises like foodstuff at Rs 2.00/Kg, then we know for sure that the national economy is going for a toss!! Such sops should make the voter more alert. From where will the money come? At what cost will this be subsidized? But the manifesto of the BJP did reveal a lot than they normally do. Firstly, we now know that the Congress was correct in not tying up with the other parties for a pre poll tie up. The more candidates one fields, the more the chances of getting a higher tally in the final analysis. And this is what will give one the clout. That, probably was the reason why Congress allowed Laloo and co to go their way and they are free to contest all the seats in Bihar and UP. BJP has followed suit. Hence, a separate manifesto for the BJP after two elections sans a party manifesto. So, at the end of the day, NO party has any REAL prepoll alliance even if they pretend to have one!! Sharad Pawar proving my point.
I appreciate Amir Khan who has been promoting the idea that one MUST vote. Indeed, yes. This is a very crucial election for modern India. If in this elections we see an unprecedented voting % , we would know that the citizens have understood their responsibility. And this will bode,augur,portend well for modern India. Yes, we must vote intelligently and honestly. We must make it a point to give our best shot. In my earlier posting I had mentioned the need for a deep discussion before voting. I am also aware that money will be splashed all around to “buy” the voter. Many will succumb.But some will not. I am only hoping that those who stand by their Principles and honesty and vote intelligently and purposefully will be higher than ever before.
I would read all the manifestos. After that, delete those promises that look empty and dishonest. The see what is left. Now, I would add my wisdom gathered from past experience. Will this candidate/party work for national unity and progress ? What past does he carry? What potential does does he/she show? What “hidden” agenda could be carried by the candidate/party ?
It is time we vote by our conscience. Let us put a value to our vote. Not in terms on money but in terms of importance, in terms of how it can affect our future directions. This is vital for our future. Indeed, the rural voter may be misled as he is considered gullible and vulnerable. But I get the hunch that the rural voter has just about woken up. And along with the more enlightened urban voter, he will help to turn the tables. Let us ensure that we create a sort of a “voting circle” where we make a group of friends. Each individual takes the responsibility of taking another 10-20 people to vote. If for example we create 100 voting circles in an area and each circle ahs at least 50 members, the we are looking 5,000 members. Each ensuring at least 15 voters then we are talking of about 45,000 voters! See the power of the Voting Circle? And as a bye product, we ensure higher awareness and scrutiny of the candidates
We might just about see many Meera Sanyals, Captain Gopinaths, Mallika Sarabhais in the parliament.

We the People-We the Indians have to rise!

2009-03-28T14:41:00.000+03:00

It is not nice to break a promise and I hate to be the one doing so! I had thought of keeping mum on the shortcut politician-Varun G. But I am driven to despair. I am distraught at the turn of events as I see a gloating galaxy of the saffron brigade throttle the essence of democracy and ethics . And Ravi Shankar has the audacity to call this as the “noise of democracy”! Indeed, when we slit the jugular vein of democracy, there has to be at least the noise! Give me a break! What we see on the 28th of March is a blatant throat slitting of our very fabric of existence-undiluted and pure democracy. And who is to blame??
It is pathetic to see how sectarian hatred is being cradled by the crass politicians. Senior politicians were rushed to Pilibhit to ensure a huge crowd prior to the arrival of the Prince of Hindutva. Efforts were made to ensure that the whole scenario is like the home coming of the chivalrous son! The son who has conquered the demon that threatened the entire humanity.
Political parties that indulge in such ventures should be damned by the voter. We live in the Modern era of progress and development. We nurture dreams of being a super power. We challenge others to debates like the US. Our new generation aspires to conquer the world. But nothing of this is going to happen till as long as politicians continue to thrive on human divide based on caste, religion,region or language. Honestly speaking, our dreams will remain a dream because we are not in charge of our own destiny. We have given it in the hands of those who live for themselves. We are naïve to think that we can scale the Mount Everst when we cannot even cross the road for ourselves. We the People, are incompetent, incapable and devoid of zest and spirit to achieve. We the people, are in our Child stage and show no signs of going into the Adult stage. We allow thugs to prosper and then cry , “Bachao..Bachao”. what an Irony!! So near and yet so far! India has the potential but the one billion strong people of India have been made to grovel by a few!! Not a single Obama amongst the Billion??Search…my dear..search yourself.
Ah! Let me dry my tears and come back to the reality of the day. I read somewhere that Varun G says, “ I will not compromise on my principles” Bally ho! The world today has changed no doubt and so has the dictionary. Principles…what does it mean today? Certainly not Morality, ideology, ethics, values, integrity, virtue or honour!!
And coming back to the young politician in a hurry, if my memory serves me right, I remember that the young hate spewing fella has earlier denied that the voice was his. Correct me if my memory fails me for I think he said on various platforms that the CD was doctored? Right? Well, now, please tell me what is his stand? Does he claim that what were being shown on the CD are not his thoughts and words? If that is true, then why all this drama about principles? Utter rubbish! If what he said in the CD is said by him and he accepts it, then yes, we could say that the fella has stuck to his guns!! The irony is that on one hand he DENIES any hate speech and at the same time wants the poor, ignorant, gullible Indian voter to believe that he ACTUALLY said it! Double game…Double dealing and looking for a Double Whammy!! Got me?
The Party and the fellow are both cahoots in this nefarious game that could spell disaster and innocent lives will be sacrificed. We need to contain before the rot sets in. The hydra headed monster of communal divide is capable of latching on like a leech. It will suck and gnaw at the vitals of our thriving secular ideals. We the Indians, shall hang our heads in shame as nations will speed past us in the race for a super power. The monster should be contained by We the people- We the Indians. If blood spills over in the streets of Pilibhit or elsewhere…WHO will be responsible?? If even a single innocent life is sacrificed…whose conscience will we appeal to? And all for what? To get one guy into the parliament?
We the people need to rise. We the Indians need to Act. Today. Tomorrow may be too late. And yes, this is not about any single individual or a single party. This is against those , regardless of caste, colour, creed or religion, region, who attempt to trample our nation- Mera Bharat Mahaan.
I wonder if Mayawati , Mulayam and Sonia Gandhi could reverse the dice? Le them field a SINGLE candidate against Varun. And then let him have it!!

Nip the monster in the bud!

2009-03-22T08:53:00.001+03:00

It runs in the blood. It is the upbringing. Deadly combo of genetics and environment.
Seems easy to sum it up when it comes to describe the recent hate spitting attitude of Varun Gandhi. I would say unequivocally that the problem lies in the mother. Yes, Menaka Gandhi probably lost out when the little fellow was still in his short pants.
Dad Sanjay was no saint. On the contrary, he was seen closer to the devil than to Mother Teresa. And his escapades are all too well documented and preserved. The lad has probably inherited some of the genes-some visible now…more at a later stage!!. Rest added by the environment.
The speech delivered by Varun reflects poorly not only on the guy but his family. One learns the basic lessons of etiquette from the family. The public picture is a reflection of ones personal basics. Ma Baker…oops sorry..Ma Menaka should have drilled some fundamental truths in the young man before he started venturing outside his house. Once outside, the Satan took over. Varun needs to be told clearly that that is not expected of the great grandson of Jawahar Lal Nehru. His rich heritage has taken a bashing today.
Varun is a spoilt brat, we all knew that. But when his Mama(uncle) confirmed it, it was sad. According to the Mama, the guy has been targeting not only the Muslims but the Sikhs also!! And why when his mother is one?? He feels that since his grandma was shot by the Sikhs , all Sikhs need to be hated and picked upon. Indeed a pity.
And look at the damage one irresponsible speech of his has done? The nation could face a situation where lines could be drawn on communal lines. An immature 29 year old foolish and impetuous character could be opening another box of hate and venom. And for what? What does he gain? A possible seat in the parliament? He needs to be told that the route he is opting for is treacherous and risky and could even lead him into political wilderness rather than the parliament. As he said, “ I am a Gandhi, a Hindu and an Indian- in equal measure”. Why the need to stress the triangle? Saying that I am an Indian would have been good enough. But his inclusion of Gandhi and a Hindu first belies that he is Indian the last!! So much for patriotism!! By including Hindu in his statement he proved that he is on the hindutva agenda. Normally, I would not even notice the tilak on the forehead- it a sign of sagacity . But after hearing his poisonous, venomous, malicious and noxious outburst, suddenly the screaming tilak became a very integral part of the whole scheme. Aggressive , no holds barred Hindutva.
And the Election Commission needs to act. Not just bark. But bite too. Send a clear message to one and all. India does not tolerate those who sow the seeds of hatred and division. Yes, irrespective of lineage and/or party. Even the political parties should set their own moral and ethical codes. No party should allow politics of hate, division. Nation comes first. Candidates can spar with their opponents, their parties. Expose their incompetence. But we stop when national honour comes in. Nation division not allowed at all.
The citizens of India need to dump such characters without any emotions. And the press and TV channels need to do the same. No footage at all. Blank out such people who dare to split and maul our Mother India. They feel like national personalities….all over the headlines!! This brings pleasure to them. Let us stop giving them satisfaction.
The voters should trample all those who fight the ugly way. The lava of hatred should be returned back to the sender. Let him burn in his own doings. Indian voter needs to wake up to those creepy characters who are bereft of values, principles and values. The voter should punish such people by exposing them in totality. They should not only ensure their defeat at the hustings but the margin of defeat should make them bow their heads in shame.
And yes, God willing, this will be my first and the last piece on the son of Sanjay and Menaka Gandhi

Jago bharat waseeyon-Vote intelligently and honestly

2009-03-10T13:49:00.001+03:00

Jago bharat waseeyon

The elections bugle has been blown. General elections will be the focus in almost all walks of life…from the politician to the common man in a dhaba…all will be airing their expert opinions as what shall be the post elections scenario!! That, my dear, is typically India.
It is time that the voter gives a serious thought to the elections. It should not be considered just an exercise of a right to vote. We should go well beyond that and look at it as a responsibility to elect our representatives who will not behave like ruffians in the parliament, but like those who will be gifted with some integrity and honesty with and dash of competence.
What we must be fully aware of is that each political party is there to scavenge any advantage that they can. Ruthless are they-All. They are with a single agenda and that is self fulfillment. Today we are loaded with the stark reality that politicians and their parties are very fickle minded and are prepared to select partners as selectively as a sex worker-usher in one who pays…..
Be it the big political parties or the smaller regional parties, they are all devoid of principles and values. They have no compunctions in dropping or picking alliances. All the while, the interest of the nation is placed on the back burner. You and me, the voters, have to wake up. We have to become mature and discerning. We should convert the whole game into a game where the voter actually decides. Get me? We must stop behaving like puppets who go and vote for whomsoever we are told. And we should also not be sold. Petty amounts have bought our right of responsibility.
And yes, do look at the role at the centre played by the regional parties in the past. Have they been an asset or a hurdle? Each demanding their own pound of flesh at just the wrong time. Would it be better to have a single large party in the center or a coalition of just two or three…a badly fractured mandate normally ushers instability. Let us avoid this at all costs. We all know if multiple parties are involved in government formation, then decision making is hampered and is of poor quality. We should have distinct benchmarks for legislative and parliament elections. We should not be averse to vote for one party at the centre and another in the state.

Jago bharat waseeyon. Do not waste your franchise. Be judicious. Spend time with your friends, family and deliberate. Le there be a calculated decision when you vote. Judge the party, judge the candidate, judge his past and project his future. Refuse to be carried away by emotions and airy fairy promises. When one goes to marry his daughter, he looks at so many aspects before a decision is made. Afterall, the daughter’s future is at stake. Our nation demands the same attitude when we vote.
Remember, the Parliament is a sacred institution. Send only those who deserve. They will build our India of tomorrow.
You, will be responsible for a what befalls upon us in the days to come.
Let us follow the following:
• Study the candidate
• Study the Party
• Evaluate
• Decide
• Vote

Indian Business Colleges dig deep

2009-02-19T09:49:00.001+03:00

Indian Business Colleges dig deep

Recently I had the experience of running from college to college. Literally, yes, in the big bad world of the humongous Delhi! The alluring Business colleges. And this because my daughter worked hard and secured a rather handsome score in her CAT exam. Believe me, after the harrowing experience that I went through, I asked my daughter as to why did she score so high!!
Let me zero in to the basic issue. Most Management Colleges require the latest CAT score for admission. So, one has to appear in the exam. So far so good. But, the issue that burns though the pockets of the students is the filling of the forms. Again, two issue here. One is the high fee( Rs 1000-1500) of the forms and second is that each college has a last date for form collection and a last date for submission. If one does not collect or submit before their stated deadline, then kaput, finish. The student is not eligible. Even till here things are acceptable. And who can object to ones rights of last dates?
Well, the problem stems when you notice that almost ALL the colleges have last date for submission well before the CAT results are announced!! Why, pray, should this be?
Would it not be reasonable to presume that the last dates should be AFTER the CAT results? What do you think? Before or after?
I say AFTER. It stands to logic that the last dates should be only after the results. But then, there is the commercial angle. The colleges capitalize on the element of uncertainty. Yes. Uncertainty. The student is not sure of what score he/she will get. So, the child goes and fills as many forms!! Much more than he would do if the choice was to fill forms after the CAT results!
Wherever I called enquiring about forms, I was greeted with a combo of arrogance and a cold attitude. Probably suggesting that this fellow has the audacity to ask about forms at this of the year! The time when they are counting the moolah raked off the poor students!
Let us look at this whole issue from a macro angle. Each good college, I am told, gets around 10,000 forms. Each form costs around 1500. Each college thereby generates Rs 15000000!!!! Mind boggling??!! Now you understand the reason why this racket of forms to be filled in advance!!! Preposterous! And the Govt. of Man Mohan Singh stands and twiddles its fat thumbs! The old worn our thumbs of Arjun Singh do not creak and groan for they may be well oiled!! Let us go further. There were around 2.74 lac students who appeared in the CAT. Let us say that half of them applied in 10 colleges. This generates Rs 206250000. Look at the way the government is allowing the colleges to suck crores of money from the UNEMPLOYED YOUTH!!
In a nutshell, each student forks out over Rs 15,000 ONLY for forms( other expenses like coaching etc are already a drain on the poor parents). The student community is milked of Rs 206250000. And all this even before he has paid the college fee which runs in lacs!!!
And finally, the SAT/GMAT scored that ones achieves in the US are valid for admissions for a substantial period. No forms dates…not hassles…no money sucking. You get a good score, then you apply to whichever university suits you.
Hope the grand old men of the government can hear this. The AICTE and the AIMA should stop cuddling up with the businessmen and address the issue honestly and immediately. The student, armed with his CAT score, should be allowed to approach the college he/she desires. The forms collection and submission dates should be well after the CAT results are declared. Please spare the students of frustration,agony and a financial drain.
But perhaps, I am asking for too much?

What’s in a name ?

2009-01-14T16:21:00.001+03:00

Well, Shakespeare had no inkling about Raju’s Satyam. Or for that matter about our B Ramalinga Raju. But, if he had known Raju and his very rather scheming grey matter, he would have thought twice before coming out with, “What’s in a name”!!
Satyam means the truth. And indeed, behind the façade of Satyam, the most heinous “asatya” has been in operation! That kind of Asatya that has left thousands of investors wondering what has hit them. The bolt from the blue has taken the wind out their sails..both literally and figuratively. Investors were sailing high on the Satyam waves when all of a sudden a tsunami sucked them in and left them in deep despair. This scam has caught us with our “pants down”!! How? Not so long ago we had Chidambaram shouting from the roof top that our “fundamentals are strong” and here we see how “strong” they actually are!! The timing of the scam has added to the misery of both the ordinary man and the man known as Dr.Man Mohan Singh. I am reminded of a saying in Hindi,” Ghareebi mein anta geela”!! As if we did not have enough turbulence!!
Scams have happened before and shall happen again. That is the beauty of the human mind. It is fertile and easily corruptible. It is malleable and bends more easily than a fresh young sapling. And Ramalinga Raju was one more who succumbed to the glittering world of wealth. The head which once rode high knows not where to hide today. The man whose company(pun intended) was sought by one and all has to live by himself in a cell for convicts and criminals. Such is the twist of fate.
What bothers me is not the scam or its scale. But what really bothers me is that there was a systemic failure- fooling the Auditors, the Banks, the SEBI, the other watchdogs of the Stock exchange. And this is serious because in my opinion there will be many more Rajus lurking in the dark world of corporate corruption. Some will never be brought to book. Some will never be known to the world, having breached the systemic lines with such ease and dexterity. It is obvious that this scam is similar to the Mumbai massacre in terms of systemic failure. And like the sudden awakening after Mumbai, we need heads to roll and a new enthusiasm injected to ensure that Rajus of the future are either buried even before they are born or castrated to ensure impotency in corruption.
So many so called safe guards, so many procedures, so many checks and balances..where were they when Raju swung into action? How they collapsed at his feet as if they never existed!!! Let me not sound like Laloo, but allow me to borrow his style and language,’ Raju ka narco karaeeye”! Indeed, let us not sweep the matter under the carpet. It would be prudent to get to those who connived, in any manner. Dig out the other unscrupulous brains who are hand in glove in this scam. As some one wrote, “The father of all scams” should not be left to those who parrot, Law will take its course”. We have learnt by now, Law has no flow and takes no course. Law is as capable of taking the course of those who implement it.
So, let us not be idyllic in perspective but be proactive and aggressive and fish out the big and small fishes that swam along with Raju. Let us give “life” to the otherwise dead “andha qanoon”. A small question before I sign off, “ In your opinion, how many such scams are already gnawing our economy and we are blissfully unaware of them??

The Arabs need to approach the Trio –Sino Indo Soviet.

2009-01-04T09:43:00.000+03:00

The Arabs need to approach the Trio –Sino Indo Soviet.

Palestinians in Gaza are being Bombed, Blasted, Battered and then Buried. But, Barrack Obama is silent. The shrieks of the dying Palestinian children elicit no response. No cognizance of the bloody blood bath. In his silence is a story of what would unfold in the future. He carries the baton passed on by Bush. Expect nothing from the man who famously said, ‘Yes, we can”. For the Middle East, it should be read as, “ Yes, we can. But we will not”. The writing was always there. Now the global impotent community can also see that. But their impotence prevents any action. Hungry, malnutritioned, weakened moving skeletons are battered with powerful bombs! Even the US made bombs and bullets would be shamed when confronting the falling and fragile Palestinian ! But not the world leaders as they twiddle with their thumbs while the blood bath ravages, battering humanity as never before in the annals of modern history. Though Obama is tight lipped, I do remember that the US official spokesman said something like Hamas needs to stop shelling the Israel territories. The spokesman looked ill at ease as he faced the camera. He knew he was talking utter rubbish or should we say, the Mother of all Lies!?. For those who may not know, Israel violated the truce on 5th of November when it fired inside Gaza. The Hamas returned the fire. Period. Let me quote Sara Roy who teaches at Harvard's Center for Middle Eastern Studies, “ Israel's siege of Gaza began on 5 November, the day after an Israeli attack inside the strip, no doubt designed finally to undermine the truce between Israel and Hamas established last June. Although both sides had violated the agreement before, this incursion was on a different scale. Hamas responded by firing rockets into Israel and the violence has not abated since then.”. The idea that Hamas has broken the truce is total hogwash aimed at only fooling the already fooled world. Israel’s offensive, the most brutal since 60 years, is designed as a preemptive kill. Having learnt the lesson from the battering they got at the hands of Hezbollah, the Israelis are taking no chances and this massacre is aimed at breaking the back of Hamas lest they develop into any threat. They instigated Hamas as they never wanted the truce to be extended. And it should not be forgotten that Hamas is a legally and democratically elected government in Palestine.
Gaza is a small tract of land, just about 42 Kms length and the width not exceeding 7-8 Kms at any place. And within this small land, there are 1.5 million people making it one of the most densely populated areas in the world. And then one remembers the US spokesman once again saying, “ We urge Israel to be precise and restrict civilian killings”! It’s like when spraying insecticide you wish the fruits are unaffected! The people in Gaza are trapped and Israel uses this to their advantage. One side there is the Sea, the other two sides is the border with the traditional Palestine and the last side has Egypt , who has conveniently closed the border. The battered Palestinian cannot escape the wrath of Israeli fire. He is in a huge Ghetto, cordoned off from all sides.
The New Year dawns…wonder what kind of a message the poor battered Palestinian would want to give to the world-“You danced all night to usher the New Year whilst we sat up all night in a corner waiting for the next bomb? Or for that matter, what New Year wishes would Obama/ Bush want to send to the dying? Happy Dying? We wish you quick and painless death? New Year awaits only those who fall at the feet of Pharon Ehud Barrack!
The Arabs need to review and sift the facts from dreams. For the last half a century the Arabs waited for the Americans to deliver. Let’s be fair, they tried, but could not. Some tried honestly but ran headlong into the “wailing wall” sympathizers and then seeing the risks involved, gave up. Today, the Arabs are at the crossroads. They know not where to go. Their own have also deserted them. Or rather “sold out” on them.
But there is hope. And I see the rising sun from the East bring the possibilities of a fair and just solution. But for this, the Arabs need to tighten the waist and be a little more pragmatic. America failed to provide succor. Europe had it’s own interest in ensuring that the Jews do not spill back to them, Hence half hearted efforts in providing just about some lip service and financial aid to the hungry battered Palestinian so that he continues to fight their war…and the poor Palestinian never knew that!!
America is on the wane. Gradually but surely, the internal problems will suffocate this once great nation- a pity that a nation of great people will be choked by the myopic and inefficient policy makers. The recent financial meltdown has shown their own vulnerability. India and China are the new emerging superpowers. Perhaps Russia may also rediscover some of its past glory and clout. And India has good and meaningful relations with Israel. The Arabs need to approach the Trio –Sino Indo Soviet. This has the most realistic chances of reaching to a solution which would be fair and just.
The Arabs should thank the Americans and the Europeans and then move over to the new Trio. And yes, since now the Green Buck is loosing it’s sheen and colour, oil should be sold in the currencies of those who are willing to play an honest and efficient peace broker. Again, why not look east for all the needs? I suppose it is fair to believe in, You scratch my back, I scratch yours”. If the Trio is going to be the honest big brother, then why not shift your purchase paradigms towards them? Look for all the needs from them. This ways, even they will be suitably motivated and reciprocate accordingly. Imagine Indian cars all over the Arab World? As a matter of fact, they already are, though in small numbers. Chinese and Russians can take a bigger share of the construction and other development segments. We can have all the consumer products from the Trio. And once in the region, then nations like Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan can also pitch in with their expertise. And all this will be great from the point of view of the Balance of Trade also. Greater self sufficiency in trade within the region. This requires steps at the Macro and the Micro levels. Micro means, you and me. Does it give you ideas? A step taken today is a step closer to destination.
The Arabs need to regroup and stop speaking in individual voices. They need to be one single roar..the great Arabian Roar…the roar of Salahuddin Ayuibi. The world order is fast changing. New paradigms are being forged and new visions are in the process of being made. Age adds maturity. Time ushers new equations. New equations bring new friends. Some old ones fall by the wayside. Some continue. Arabs should be more open to the East. The GCC and the others need to pick up the gauntlet. Take the first stride forward. Rest will follow. But the great question looming is “ Who will bell the cat”? Which enlightened nation will put up its hand and deliver? Which leader stiffens his sinews and gives the call? In my opinion, a win- win situation emerges as soon as the first step is taken.
For those who are keen to celebrate the New Year, the picture of Ahmed should make you think otherwise. Ahmed, once a man full two metres, was blown up in innumerable pieces in Gaza, and it took a long time to put him together before being put into the grave. Ahmed’s mother sits still. She has had the courage to be one of those who gathered her son together. She has stopped crying. Her eyes neither close not weep. But she has courage writ large on her face. She has not wailed or battered herself. She has vowed not to be cowed down as she looks as Ahmed’s younger brother- Mohammad, who is still to see puberty. She still nurtures a dream for Mohammad.
One Palestinian confided to me, “ We will never give up our land” and like the Martyred Rayyan, there is a great desire for martyrdom amongst the locals. It is rumoured that Rayyan was advised to leave his house and hide as the enemy was sure to target him, but he declined. He prayed for martyrdom for himself and his family. He got it.
I wonder when the Israelis and the Americans will realize-How do you fight a nation that loves martyrdom?

2008--A year which left many deep scars

2008-12-31T09:08:00.004+03:00

2008- What did we learn?

Indeed, one of the most trying periods in the history of modern times. I call this as trying since the world was subjected to events that called for extreme patience and caution. In a way, perceived as a great leveler by many. Rich and developed societies were dealt with in exactly the same was as the not so rich and the not so developed ones. In fact, if one delves deeper, one is tempted to believe that there was greater testing time for the more privileged one. As a student I did study some one and his theories of nature having its own unique way of settling the scores. Then I was skeptical. But today, something seems to be touching me somewhere which makes me feel that perhaps, he was correct? Nature cradles existence. And nature , perhaps, is aware of those whom it cradles. And when these people test Nature, it reacts. Disasters surface. What we see across the globe today is a consequence of our very own doing. If reports are to be believed, then close to 250,000 people would have been killed in some kind of a disaster or the other before we close the year. Cyclone Nargis which swept through Myanmar accounting for more than half the deaths, and the earthquake in Sichuan, China was the second most serious, killing 87,449 people. Looking across the world, we saw hundreds killed in Kenya due to violent rioting, Tornadoes in various parts of the US, the severe snowstorms in Southern China, earthquakes in Congo, dengue and Cholera in Brazil and Zimbabwe. I suppose almost every region was hit,be it Philippines, Japan, South Eastern Europe, India, Pakistan, Spain, Canada , France. Just name the country and you will find a disaster. However, the worst year of natural and man-made catastrophes was 2005, with 374,042 people killed.
However, one disaster which never gets reported and known to the people in the world is the man made catastrophe on the Palestinians. What happens in the Gaza strip is nothing short of what happened in Mumbai, India. The world was outraged and shocked to see how man can kill a fellow human being without even batting an eyelid. How his eyes would light up in glee when he knocks yet another innocent fellow human being. Palestine faces brutality of another kind but of similar dimension. Perhaps more sadistic and gruesome for it is planned and executed over a long period of time. Here, no terrorist are behind the killing. And that makes this even more unpardonable. Imagine over 1.5 million people living on subsistence level? It is said that around 70% of the people of Gaza live on the UN relief! There are virtually no hospitals to care for the weak and the sick. Children have long lost dreams of going to school, as no such thing exists for them. And children have no idea what a playfield is all about. They see none and they see no games except war games. They are growing up with gunshots as part of their daily lives. No innocent laughter or even the small curving of these small lips. They know not what is happiness. Perhaps happiness to them is when there are no burials on a day. No industries, No commerce. No electricity. One lives for another day not in hope but in despair. Yes, only hoping, that tomorrow is not worse than today. But the ruthless blowing up of living beings on the 27th of December shatters whatever dreams might have existed for this battered community. Even their modern day "ghettos" are targeted with vengeance by the marauding soldiers. This is a part of a nation? Is it? And yet, the world waits. For what?

The world is talking about the great economic meltdown, the horrendous, cold blooded, inhuman terrorist attacks in India, Pakistan, Palestine. Let us add the shrieks of the small maimed Iraqi kids and the desperate howls of the weak in Afghanistan. This is our world of 2008. Natural disasters coupled with man made destruction. And the world looks on-in despair, in disgust, in shame. Perhaps, in frustration as man realizes how the Frankenstein devours the world and he can just look on. We can do nothing? Are we ourselves responsible, by our own deeds, for the natural punishments which we are incurring? Maybe it is time to remember the fate of the people of Luth, Aad and Samud. Allah reminds us in Sura Raad,chapter 13, verse 11, that .." Allah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves".
Come the 1st of January 2009. And probably history will repeat itself. But is there nothing that a normal, sane, citizen of the world do? Are we impotent to a degree of no return?
Let me assure you that no Obama or Sarkozy or Putin or Brown can really address the situation if we, the world citizens, do not seize the initiative. India has shown the way. The people woke up and addressed their problems themselves. They dropped the politicians aside. They understood that no one fights for a cause better than he himself. He is now ready. This attitude needs to spread worldwide. Let us hear the howls of the weak and the sick. Let us, as world citizens give a ear to the poor beleaguered Palestinian, the skin and bones only hungry African, the terrorized Iraqi, the shocked and awed Afghani and the rest of the weak world.
Ducking is an art that comes in handy when confronted with flying size 10 leather missiles, but the Arabs need to get out of their "ostrich mode" and be more upfront when taking on to their real problems-head on.
Join all voices and make it be heard. This world of today is callous to the core. It cares not for the weak. But it fears the strong. And then, does it hear.

Haj 2008: A new dimension

2008-12-13T15:54:00.000+03:00

Haj 2008: A new dimension

Many would think why am I wanting to take this year’s hajj out of the pack. And I would not blame them for such a thought. After all, by the grace of Allah, hajj has been going on for centuries. Well, what makes this year’s hajj different?
The governor of Makkah region, Prince Khalid Al Faisal set a new tone when the rolled out the slogan,” No permit, No hajj”. And it is from here that the entire hajj took a new turn. By the way, the concept that he has promoted is not new. It has been going on for a long time now. But the difference was in the spirit of his attitude. And this rubbed on to his colleagues. He led by example and was seen on the TV showing his own hajj permit. Such an example set the trend. And this is why I see this hajj as adding a new dimension, the touch of personal attention coupled with a professional management attitude.
For long we have been hearing cynical comments from different quarters. It seems that everyone else knows how to handle the Hajj except the authorities!! And since in the past we have had mishaps, the cynics got emboldened. Hajj 2008 was different because it has silenced the critics in many ways. Prince Khalid and his team went about the whole issue very meticulously and methodically. They reviewed each and every aspect of Hajj especially the stoning. And they came out with some excellent solutions to ensure that crowd controlling and management was handled with due diligence. Movement of the hajjis was streamlined to ensure that there were no bottlenecks and each hajji was comfortable and at ease. Each hajji who went for stoning was free of tension and performed his act devoid of any stress or panic. I especially single out the Governor because he has shown what determination and good planning can do. He had a plan and he did not allow any deviation from that. Perhaps this is what was lacking in the previous years? Controlling crowd movement is always a tough task. And this becomes even more when the movement has to be done within a time frame. Imagine 3.5 million (unofficially) people moving at the same time!! Indeed, there must have been some problems and this is but natural. But the Governor and his team was up to the task in ensuring that people moved to their destinations within the stipulated time. And with NO ACCIDENTS. Perhaps this is the only of its kind in the world when 3.5 million people have collected and disbursed in one day! And then to have NO mishaps...NO shortage of food and drinks… NO black marketing of essential commodities…Almost a miracle! Let’s be fair and offer heartfelt kudos to those who made this a reality. We salute you all!!
The check points were strict and sent back many who came without their permits. Sure, many also managed to slip in unnoticed. But the success, I felt , lay not in sending back those who were sans the permit but in the fact that a huge population realized that the Government was serious and hence they just did not start at all. This is where the true success lay and I feel that in the coming year, this will be felt more. One of the many reasons why people were dissuaded from even trying was the highly publicized penalty and punishment for the violators. The policy of deterrence worked. The government spent a lot of money on publicity. And this paid rich dividends.
“ There were young boy scouts and other volunteers who ensured that anyone lost was restored to his camp. I believe that there was some kind of an incentive schemes for these volunteers which resulted in them going out of the way to help the lost ones”, said Dr.Rasheed, a hajji from Dammam.
“Over 17,000 hospital beds were available for attending the sick. Best of medical facilities were rolled out for the needy. And what more would one expect when serving a huge sea of humanity”? asked Abdul Majeed, a young hajji from India.
Indeed, this hajj was different. But I am sure that the authorities would be looking at this as just the beginning…not the end. Indeed, many vociferous critics have been silenced. But the magnitude of the task at hand cannot allow complacency. With the right attitude and planning, much more awaits to be achieved. Well, a Six Sigma attitude is all that we need….rest falls in place!! I remember Robert Frost who said, “ Miles to go before I sleep…Miles to go before I sleep”

Mera Sheeshay ka Ghar

2008-12-02T10:39:00.001+03:00

Mera Sheeshay ka Ghar

I have had the urge to put pen to paper. Every time I cajoled myself into procrastinating it. I knew that whatever would have flowed would have been less objective and more emotional. Hence off target. Letting the dust settle was my mantra to ensure objectivity and avoid the path of almost all, most notably the TV channels. Even seasoned campaigners like Barkha Dutt fell prey to emotional mudslinging. Rather sad and unfortunate. Why the rush?? Things have happened. No way we can rewind and relive. Can we? Then why the sudden haste in all matters? And that brings me to the one in maximum hurry. The otherwise reticent and cool, MM Singh-the PM, wasted no time in pointing a finger in the most obvious direction. Why?? We were still amidst the drama being unfolded. We were still fighting the enemy. We were still capable of apprehending the callous terrorists. Why, even before we could really say we have hard core evidence, did MMS go to the nation and cried foul against the obvious nation? Indeed, we believe that this time we will certainly nail the scrip writers to their coffin-Lock stock and barrel. But somehow I get the feeling that the haste by MMS was perhaps more out of political frustration? The prospect of loosing out on the assembly elections??
Anyways, what hurts me most is that we have been blasted as a nation. Not just Mumbai. I feel distressed to see that almost all the voices seem to be talking about Mumbai being jolted. Indeed yes. But I see as my nation being taken to ransom. My nation cried. My nation bled. Not just one city. Indians cried, not just Mumbaikars. Let’s mourn for India.
Now the other moot issue. How did it happen? And this is where the public anger and disgust is most visible. And rightly so. How come such a huge operation is unknown to our intelligence agencies? "Alex Neill, head of the Royal United Services Institute's Asia security programme, . . . reckons up to 100 terrorists would have been involved in the planning and execution of the attack and said it was surprising they had managed to keep it a secret." Strange but true. Incompetence or corruption leads to ears and eyes being closed? Regrettably, we wait for an event to occur and then we galvanize into action. We cry over spilt milk.
Emotions are running high. The “aam aadmi” is shell shocked yet he realizes that something is bizarre, totally wrong. Indeed, violence is a part of the world today-Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq all have learnt to live with violence. But we Indians have always been the “seedha saadha innocent aadmi” types. Each very happy in his own small world. And suddenly BANG BANG and the dream is shattered! Who does this to us? Realization has dawned that some one is taking us for a ride…Someone has not his duty for which we have elected him. Someone has a rather casual attitude since he is safe and protected. And then the ‘Aam Aadmi” responds….and this anger will be felt across the nation. Believe me, what one is seeing just now is just in the Metro cities. This will engulf the entire India. Where will you run away, Mr. Politician? The Goliath has finally woken, albeit after a huge price.
But let me briefly touch some very sensitive issues. I am reminded of a lovely and beautiful house which has many neighbours. Some good, some unsure, some jealous, some envious. The we have a Joint Family living inside this wonderful house. Unfortunately, this family has difference of opinion between the family members. Sometime, these differences get accentuated and the internal affairs become public. This goes on over a period of time. Most of the neighbours pay no heed and go on with their own chores. But some envious ones start relishing the discord. And one day, one of them throws a small stone in the house. This does not do too much of a damage just breaking some small items. No family member really takes exception. The neighbour realizes that there is no unity in the house. After some time, he throws a huge stone. This not only shatters the external glass but also the exquisite historic chandelier that adorned the living room. Still none of the family members approach the neighbour as a family. The family is badly split and infighting resulted in them not realizing the loss that they have incurred-the exquisite historic chandelier has breathed it’s last. Gradually, the beautiful house is battered from all sides. The only sound one hears now is the shouting and hurling of abuses between the family members. This house is doomed. Will WE allow this?
Anger managed is resources harnessed. Let me become “Angry Young Indian”. Each should feel this way. Let the movement permeate into the rural India. We need to save our house, our own very beautiful house- from within and from the neighbours-near and far.
I narrated this story as I felt we as Indians need to relook at our huge joint family. Tom Alter and many more sensitive Indians have expressed similar anguish. Our family seems broken….Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs need to be reassured that the family cares for each other, feels for each other and hides or cradles no animosity towards the other.
I wish to end with a note for Hemant Karkare. Reading the way he was shot, all does not seem ok. Seems that some one was actually waiting for him and the other top shots of the ATS. Moles in the ATS? People had threatened to blow up his house. They actually blew him up. Heavy price for honesty indeed.
By the way, any idea what happens to the Malegaon enquiry after Karkare?

Long Live our Bharat….the land of Unity in Diversity….the land of warm and affectionate people, the land of honesty .

Faith flows fearlessly

2008-11-16T13:00:00.002+03:00

Matters of religious faith have started becoming increasingly significant as they have been perceived as impinging not only on our daily lives but perhaps the future too. And it is indeed a pity that if one one hand religion breeds compassion then on the other hand a misinformed individual or group breeds hatred! I have always wondered how any man can actually kill another??? From where does he get the heart to slit the throat of a fellow human being? From where does he borrow the courage to create a bomb that will wreck havoc on his own fellow humans?? and then, another group of people, the politicians, take over. Their role in the carnage that follows in indescribable.This group is lke a vulture who waits for the living to die. And once dead, the patient vulture takes over and leaves only when the carcass is devoid of any further eating matter. Just the skeleton left.
Killing of innocent is totally unpardonable. And indivduals who kill over matters of religious faith need to actually do some introspection and re reading of their scriptures. And then maybe a re interpretation of thier own actions and deeds.This may lead to a relook at the societ in which they live.If only we had a video camera attached to oursleves in our daily lives and then we could rewind and see what we did and how we did what we did.Many an action would be abhorrable! And we would give whatever it takes to erase and expunge those moments when we lacked sanity,justice and the feelings of a normal human being.
We all need a more compassionate, warm and hospitable world. And I am impressed with the actions of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia. His second effort in reconcilliation between faiths has been a great act. He brought the matter to the notice of the world in a very subtle manner. He has actually appealed to one and all, especially the influencers of opinions and beliefs, that mutual trust resides very much within all of us. Just that some trample on it so severely that trust breathes its last. Some of us are scared of the others and push our feelings into a comatose condition. The King has been forthcoming and straight forward. Let us all introspect and see how we can weed out the little satan from our own lives. That satan which grows and prods us to evolve into a dracula!!
I am grieved at what happens across the world.I am particularly depressed when I see how politicians first vitiate and then mutilate. I feel sad when these politicians speak a differnet language depending upon to whom they speak.I am reminded of the Batla house( New Delhi,India) episode. When the VC of the Jamia volunteered to stand by the students untill proven guilty, many politicians hurled accusations against him and came close to labelling him a traitor. Now, following the sensational revelations by the ATS in the Sadhvi Pragya and Purohit case, the same politicians are saying that they will provide legal support to the accused untill proven guilty!! What better case of double speak!!

No one has the right to take the life of another.
No one has the right to create an atmosphere of fear and terror.
No one has the right to suppress the emotions and beliefs of another.
No one has the right to breed hatred.
In matters of faith, let the faith flow fearlessly!!
Make this a more comfortable world. Make this a more warm and livable world.

Calling the Industrialists!Hello!!

2008-10-29T16:44:00.002+03:00

Yesterday I wrote about the senseless and sadistic killing of Rahul Raj.And the response from the readers was overwhelming. Especially from my very old friend Thakur Pushpender K Singh. And Thakur had a point and I thought of sharing that with the readers.Let me first quote him, then we shall see how his point really makes a lot of sense and may have actually been overlooked by one and all!!
QUOTE

"However, its ironical that quite a large Mumbaikars also feel that they have the first right on Mumbai ---be it jobs, petty business, reservations (Perhaps also in the theatre for a newly released Bollywood Film!!!),. The logic they put forth is that Mumbai contributes the largest revenue ---almost 40 % ----of Corporate Tax, Excise, VAT to the centre earnings. The logic makes sense for ' One up Man ship' ----However, the fact is that it’s all by default. The Ambanis ( Both Mukesh & Anil ) , TATAS , Godrej , ACC , Aditya Birla , Bajaj , Nestle,,Raymond ,Sterlite etc etc have ZERO manufacturing or Wealth Creation activities in Mumbai ---They merely have their Head Quarters & the Tax returns are filed from Mumbai .

I at times wonder on 'the Social responsibility' commitments of these large Business Houses. Why the hell, HINDALCO should have HQ in Mumbai, when the bulk of manufacturing (INDO GULF -- SULTANPUR & HINDALCO ---MIRZAPUR) are in UP? I am sure that tomorrow if they decide to have their HQ in BARABANKI, even a common BARABANKIAN shall have the same pride as the MUMBAIKARS!!!! Why will then a BARABANKIAN go to Mumbai & indulge in Buffalo Business !!!! Moving out from West Bengal, NANO has broken the ice. It’s high time other large Industries move base from Mumbai & disperse all around the large geographical area, who shall welcome them with open arms."
UNQUOTEWell, what do you say?

I think that Thakur has a point and a valid one at that.This strange imbalance needs sorting and settling.Ambani saheb, Gujarat beckons you! Ah,yes.All the technicians in the Mumbai film industry need to move out.....see what happens?!! And if only the Industrialists act and move their units all over the nation, then we probbaly will have a more universal prosperity than "prosperity in pockets"!
And the role of the media.Unfortunately the role of the media has made things worse. The lynching of a UP lad in a train in Mumbai today may actually be linked to the role of the media. ALl the TV channels have given huge chunks of time to the Mumbai matters. The story of Raj was almost like a serial film in progress!! A sort of a code of practise should be made mandatory on the channels and they should be made to feel rsponsible. TV's should be allowed to show limited footage of such incidents.SOme channel even went to the extent of giving a 30 minutes programme showing the similarities between the Uncle and the nephew!Preposterous! This is how young and impressionalbe minds are influenced. The lynching mentioned above probably was due to such influence.

Sadistic felling of Raj "Hindustani"..mera bharat mahaan???

2008-10-28T10:51:00.003+03:00

The sadistic felling of Raj "Hindustani" is poignant and tells a heart wrenching story. The story of apathy and arrogance. The story of stupidity.
India stands a mute spectator to the whims and fancies of individuals. Ironic indeed.
On a macro scale, it was not the savage and brutal murder of a youngster but of the nation. The seeds of regional hatred and intolerence has taken it's first toll. And this is a hydra headed monster unleashed by the petty politicians of today who would continue to tear the breast of our nation with glee. Today it is Raj T of Maharashtra. Tomorrow it will be another Raj in another part of India. And the story will go on. We will protest for a while and then all will be quite and cold again. We will accept another plunder of the motherland.
Politicians get away with anything and everything. Why? Ask yourself. WHY?? The answer lies in our "buzdili" our cowardice. The answer lies in our "khudgharzi" our selfishness.We are unable to face the issue squarely. We keep ducking and playing the role of an ostrich as and when the situation arises.
Our nation grieves but we only sigh and moan. No action.It is writ large all over.We are "darpoks" who only make noises but lack substance.
I wonder how many "Raj Hindustani's" will be sacrificed before we finally wake up.
The Lallo, the Paswan, the Nitesh make a good picture of "marriage of convenience" with a divorce even before consumation !Again, this is pathetic. We can all see through this..cant we? Will this achieve anything? I wonder..
The sleeping Junta of Bharat has to realise that our Mahaan Bharat khatray mein hai. Not from anyone across the border. But from within.From oursleves...the politicians who will trample the nation sans any compunctions and the sleeping junta who lacks the guts and the will..and perhaps the love for the nation.
Let us compose a new national anthem. An anthem which shows us bare.Our inner and true self which harbours no intensity for the nation.

Mumbai burns! India Shining? India Burning!!

2008-10-22T10:44:00.006+03:00

Mumbai burns! So what? Let it burn!!
National property is burnt. So what?? Lives are lost. So what??? We have come to such a pass that our skin has acquired the sensitivity of a Rhino. Mumbai will burn, lives will be lost but the "chosen" rulers will turn a blind eye and a deaf ear. Why? Why is it that the power corridors have people who are gifted with such automatic sensory faculties? See and hear only when you want to! Mahatma Gandhi would have to review his famous "bandar"!
People who take law into their own dirty hands should be made to show their ugly faces in full view. But the problem is that our governance is pathetic and does not inspire confidence. The Maharashtra government has been as successful as Ponting in Mohali.
I am reminded of the great romantic poet wordsworth. He said," when oft upon my couch I lie, in vacant and in Pensive mood, they flash upon an inward eye, a bliss of solitude...." I really do not even need to lie...I see it large and huge. I cry. I feel for the nation. We elect people whose mission is not good governance. In fact, governance is not their mission at all. Yet we elect them and feel proud of having used the ballot ...after all we boast of a democracy! It it the duty of the government to ensure the safety adn security of not only the citizens but also the national property. I wonder if a PIL could be admitted where we claim all the lost property from the memebrs of the government? How would it be if money is levied on the ministers? Say the property destroyed in Mumbai is worth Rs 10 crores. Then this amount should be distributed equally on ALL members of the ruling cabinet. After all they are the custodians of the national property. Hence they should be accountable for each penny.Yes?
We must remember that as Indians, we have some very unique characteristics. One is that we feel no pain when national assets are looted or pillaged. But if anyone even attempts to steal even a penny, then the percieved thief is bashed till he is black and blue all over!! How ironical!!
Another feature of us Indians is that as citizens, we fail to utilize our full potential. We also lack the attitude to put the dirty politicians in the dock. Hence, the politician cares a damm. The onus is on us citizens to ensure that a national perspective is established and each one of us plays a role. Each means you and me.
The nation prepares for the next General elections. We should be ready to assess on performance. Prepare a balance sheet of the parties, their candidates. Value your vote. Urge your conscience to talk to your heart. Decide on merits. Trample those who are opportunists.
India needs you, your attitude, your vote for the Best. India Burning.
Yes..India burns not India Shining

Big B a role model for youngsters and the old!

2008-10-12T12:54:00.005+03:00

Age normally leads to seclusion, far away from the spotlight so that one can really ease off. But that is for any normal man. Not for the Phenemenon...the super star...the one who rules the hearts and the minds...not for Big B.
Once again the shadow of the Colie accident has cast itself on the legend and his intestines cried out. He battles the pain and the disease. Never one who gives up.
But the fact that is truely remarkable is that even the good old age of 66 does not deter this star from being in the thick of events- live shows, shooting for films, TV, advertising. I really do not know many 66 years old ( or young?) who would be jofully dancing across the globe? He performed on stage across the world- "The Unforgettables", shot for films and yet has time to blog! Whew!
He is a lesson to those who have to make a mark in this world. I look upon him not just as a super star of the film industry but as a model for the GenNext. Indians normally consider 60 years as that benchmark from where expectations begin to decline. Once a Senior Citizen, one gets or rather desires to get, the concessions for non performance. But the Big B has set a new vision, a new attitude to even those who have spent their life well. He becomes a role model for those in the age group of 12 to 72!!
Perhaps a new definition of ageing?
A new attitude towards work where age is of no consequence.
He shows how discipline in life is to be valued. How a systematic approach coupled with dedication brushes aside the rambling of age.
There is actually no age for retirement. It is all in the heart, in the attitude, in the approach.
My one very dear friend may label me as a Big B fan and hence prejudiced. But the fact remains, this man is an enigmatic performer, who is the very fountainhead of energy and vision.
He preaches that laurels of the past need the committment of today to build the laurels for tomorrow.
Can this be denied?

The Monetary Madness

2008-10-11T15:06:00.003+03:00

Friday is a day when I normally keep of the TV. Having spent innumerable hours gazing before the idiot box, fridays I devote to some more fruitful chores. But the 10th of October was a Friday with a difference. I was glued to this monstrous creation for the better half of the day!!

I was aghast at the Domino effect visible cutting across regional barriers! I could visualise others like me watching as the drama unfolded across the world! Probably the only ones sleeping with no worries in the world must be the dwellers of the African Jungles or the Eskimos who have no access to the TV nor the stock exchanges!

Indeed, this is the price of industrialization. Lost are the wonderful days of complete relaxation with no worries picking on you even in your sleep. Let me admit, I am not great investor or one who really follows the ECG of the stock exchange, but the unusual turbulance in the financial markets had everyone shivering- I being no exception as I tried tovisualize what happens to my account held declining Euros! And to top this, I received an e mail from one well wisher who was doling out free advice on how to remain calm amidst all the chaos. His Nostradamus instinct smelt a rotten future. And yet he opined that inspite of the strong possibility of world wide recession, there was no need to panic.

Well, of all his suggestions, one did really hit me somewhere. Hold on to your money as a hungry man does to his only small peace of bread! Cash or Gold should be the products of demand in the days to come. Close your ears to real estate, stock exchange and so on.

The Monetary Madness did pose new questions about the possible new world order in the days to come. Is the concept of Global Village a bane or a boon? Would this have happened in the good old days when economies across the world had no iota of information about what happens elsewhere? And yes, the role of the US dollar. And for us uninformed earthlings, the whole scenario is baffling, to say the least. Savour this- The Indian rupee was emerging real strong just some time back as the poor Uncle Sam was loosing value by each passing moment. The rupee roared whislt the Dollar cringed! And now? In a short time, Uncle Sam's country is faced with the most fantastic financial crisis and yet the Dollar Roars as the not so long ago roaring Indian Rupee has bottomed as never before!!?? What a contradiction!!

Obama is raw, McCain is over the hill.

2008-10-09T09:54:00.000+03:00

Did you have the chance to see the debate between Obama and McCain last night? well, I did. And I am a wee bit umcomfortable. Why am I feeling like that? well, yes, the signs were both depressing and dangerous. On the one hand I see a sinister hidden agenda lurking ominously. Pakistan and Iran had better watch out!! And the other is the lack of total realisation of the gravity of the financial crises. Questions posed by the audience revealed that the average American is still living in a make belief world. I would have thought that they would have grilled the two hopefuls on firstly WHY such a huge crises was allowed to develop, what about the accountability of those responsible, and then finally, what would be the strategy that such a misadventure is not allowed again. But no. The audience lacked participation and intelligence. Perhaps a rigged audience? An audience that does not ask uncomfortable questions?
McCain reveals a personna that is unsure of the future. He was tentative and probably a wee bit melodramatic when trying to touch the chord of the audience. He was moving in circles!! He would always try to come back to attacking Obama on his inexperience. Obama, was more confident and sure. And was trying his best to reach out to the rather cold and "drugged" audience. I felt that Obama won the day, though marginally.
But, the question that looms large...Is either of the two really Presidential material? McCain is far too old and Obama is far too raw!!
And the audience was far too drugged, cold and withdrawn toreally test the two.

Babu Mushai( Ganguly) ko Alvida

2008-10-08T14:30:00.000+03:00

There is a huge song and dance about Ganguly's retirement. All the TV channels are tripping over each other to show the "Great Bengal Baumushai". Why? Why?
Sure Ganguly was an able cricketer who served the nation well. He was aggressive and poised. Indeed. But there is where it ends. There were better batsmen than him. There were better bowlers than him. There were better all rounders than him. And, in my opinion, there were better captains than him( Pataudi, Wadekar,Shastri to name a few).
Ganguly was scheming and plotted against those who posed a threat to him. Azhar was one case. Dravid was another. As a team man, he was lethargic and lacadiasical and emerged only when it suited him. But he led well as he was a good leader( he would have been great had he been less selfish). But nothing as dramatic as the media wants to portray him.
Just a small query...would Ganguly be the same( hyped with a halo effect) had he been from say, Orissa or UP???
However, best wishes to him and perhaps now he could cuddle up a little more with Shahrukh and the Kolkatta Knight Riders

Indian Muslims need to shrug off their lethargy

2008-10-08T13:54:00.000+03:00

Muslims situation is distressing as it exists today. It is indeed appalling. Where do we stand( or rather hide) in today's burning scenario? Some indulge in self pittance whilst others may adopt an aggresive stance whilst some may even pretend to be descendents of an ostrich. Truth is that we have failed to grow as a community, as one who can assert themselves. We need to take stock of the stark realities of life today. We need to be brutally honest in assessing oursleves. Then, we can begin from there.
I strongly advise against a stance that is demeaning. Nor do I suggest an outright aggressive demeanour. It is time to do what we call a SWAT analysis of oursleves, our environment.
Muslims needs to emerge stronger. A challenging envorenment should spur us on. We need to actually create a mission. where do we wish to oursleves in the next five,ten years...and then we work accordingly. Rampant allegations of "terrorists" should be treated with disdain and shruged off as water flowing off the back of a duck. Muslims( especially Indian muslims) are a peace loving community and we shall live by it. Muslims have always been and will always be an integral part of India. It is our right by performance, by our committment, by our sacrifices, by our love for our nation.
Let divisions be dead and buried and a thing of the past. Unite with all your might. Treat the community like a product. Make is saleable. Make is attractive.
For the above, the primary requisite is education. Make education as neccessary as eating food. Ensure that each child in each family of each village of each region of each state values education and strives hard to achieve it. Education is the fountainhead of progress. And yes, do not be selective in education and preclude our womenfolk from becoming a part of the " seek education campaign". An educated and wise mother is the mother of all future progress.