Political Musings

There was a long debate on a Firstpost Article that the Husband had shared on his FB feed, which unlike the rest of the media made a little bit more sense about the "intolerance" remark.

For all that it is worth, the whole initial debate which started with SRK saying that we are becoming intolerant, followed by Aamir saying the same. Somewhere during the statements that were made by these two celebrities, their were the others from the community of actors, producers, writers, scholars, and other intelligentsia who decided that they would return the state honours that have been given to them as a mark of protest against the rising tempers and "intolerance" in the country.

As soon as the intelligentsia opened their mouth to protect their own integrity as the people of art and their own interest, it sparked an outrage. An outrage that was uncalled for, an outrage that questioned the nationality and patriotism of the actors and the other award givers.

Can someone, anyone, please explain to me, how is this being "tolerant". How is it that the Government decides to use these very celebrities to spread the messages of awareness in the public, and when these celebrities say something which actually means something, the public in general instead of really applying their minds, just start trolling.

And this is why we end up having morons as our leaders.

We are a country that gets swayed by wherever the tides pull us. Oh, this man, who is a Muslim by religion, says that there is intolerance in the country automatically means that he is talking about the hindutva sect (chor ki daadi me tinka)..!!

Did anyone of the silly people re-tweeting and re sharing the anti Aamir Khan messages and posts, sit back and think that if a man, who has all the money that he can get and any kind of security that he desires, and who can choose to turn his face away from everything, instead chooses to talk about it to the world, then there is something seriously wrong with the world that we are living in.

We have become the generation which has such an overwhelming amount of information at our disposal, that we have forgotten how sift the wheat from the chaff, how to process the information, and respond to the musings and action of the intelligentsia. We react.

There are factions in the society, amongst us, and people like the Husband and my self, who have stopped reacting to the outrage of the people, and the outrageous comments that they make. We have become numb to the happenings of intolerance that are happening around us.

I for once can't stop wondering that why are people not reacting to the poison in the Air that we are breathing every single day of our lives, or reacting to the bad infrastructure that the politicians refuse to do anything about.
The Politicians give the most nonsensical reasons to the society at large to react about (religious and casts and love jihad) and make us all forget about the real reasons why they were put on the seat of power, as the representative of the people in the first place. 

Congratulations India.. You have finally Decided! (Election Results 2014)

India Shining!

That was the phrase that was coined by the National Democratic Alliance a.k.a the NDA, led by the BJP in the last and the last to last elections.

This time, they decided to put forth a model of India Shining, a practical example of that in Narendra Modi’s Gujarat, making Indians wanting more. And it worked like a charm. As I am writing this, the roads are empty (in Mumbai, Delhi is a mayhem), the news channels have declared Narendra Modi the PM, and unlike in 2004 where, a lot of Mathematics had to be done for the UPA led government to come to power, and a little less Math was done in 2009, it seems, that BJP has swept the nation in a single stroke and would not require any number crunching or pleading with alliances.

Which is a good thing. A ready alliance, with BJP garnering the maximum votes means that the policy paralysis that is usually the hallmark of the alliance led government shall not be a problem here. What however, may (please note that the operative word here is may) is the internal conflicts between the senior crop of the BJP leaders and the younger and the more dynamic lot of the BJP.

While, the entire nation hopes for the economy to get back into gear (just the estimates of the poll results have made the sensex hit a new high and the rupee has gone into the late fifties against the dollar), I hope that like the hype that AAP created around AK, Modi doesn’t disappoint. The BJP leaders have to learn to live that the country voted for them because they wanted Mr. Modi at helm, and not because they see any merit in them. Now, they should deliver on their own merits and make sure that they do not break the trust of the billion plus people in the largest democracy in the world.

I have to give credit to Modi for breaking in to the states like Uttar Pradesh, and showing the likes of Mulayam Singh Yadav and the Clan and Mayawati and the Clan, that you have to work hard and show results. Just by giving free laptops and erecting your own monuments you won’t gain anything. It has been after ages that any national party has broken ground in the area of regional parties and have shoved them out. The whole equation now for the state level politics has changed. A new lease of life maybe for the states from where maximum parliamentarians come and sit in the Lok Sabha, hopefully, thing will improve for the rural India.

There is a lot riding on these elections, the youth came out voted and they voted for change, one way or the other, they wanted the stagnancy at the Centre to go, and a new breath of air be introduced. With such numbers that are being projected, BJP will come out as the single largest party, and if they end up reaching the magic number without the support of the allies, it will be the first time since Indira Gandhi that a single party would win the majority, and that is what one of the concerns is.

With a fractured opposition, and not a care in the world about the alliance pulling down the government, the nation has entrusted the Modi led BJP with a huge responsibility and I really hope that they do not play with the trust of the nation and actually do what they have been entrusted to do.

None of the youngsters in the present digital age, would want a repeat of Indira Gandhi’s regime, when she put a clamp down on the media and the freedom of speech. A 2002, already haunts Mr. Modi, a 1984 haunts the INC, none of us want that a repeat of either of that takes place, and therefore all hope is that, how Ram Mandir was buried somewhere in the back of the BJP manifesto, Narendra Modi, also makes sure that, the Ram Mandir issue doesn’t hog any limelight over the economy and the infrastructure, over the promises of health and jobs and a better country.

For, a man, who used technology to its full potential, the youth hopes that the redundant and absolutely out of context IT Act, is changed to make it more tolerant. And, most of all, the moral policing that the RSS, shiv sena are so famous for, is not endorsed by the man who believes in the modernity, and fighting the moral brigade doesn’t become an everyday battle for the youth.

That while fast forwarding the economy, Narendra Modi, keeps an open mind to everything, and yes it also includes the FDI policy.

While Modi fought over incumbency, I hope that he makes sure that he weaves his magic to make sure that the files move fast and the permissions in genuine cases granted faster.

That while, he is ready to embrace the responsibility to safeguard our borders and reduce the terror threats, he does not endorse the witch hunt that ensued in USA after the 9/11 attacks, and does not endorse the alleged fake encounters.

My problem with the entire Modi mania was that, I do not like the cult following, because when you are following because everyone else is doing the same thing, then there is no diversity. Whenever, through the last one year anybody asked me, who do I support if not Modi, I replied, that I do not support any party, if I would vote, I will vote for the person who has either worked for my constituency or who shows that potential. I won’t take my decision basis the speech that one leader has given, because at the level of my constituency my representative matters more than the PM candidate.

Thus, like I said before, the rest of the BJP leaders have to learn to live with a fact that it is not their work or their charismas that worked in their favor but the Modi factor, and now their responsibilities are even more to prove that they can actually deliver on behalf of the one man that won them the world (literally).

Congratulations India, you have voted and now the results out and clear. A run for a very new and a highly controversial person begins.

A big responsibility, the entire nation awaits to see what he delivers!

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Disclaimer:

The views expressed in this article are purely my own. They are not intended to provoke or hurt anyone.

Mumbai Diary..

There is huge gap between wanting to be in Mumbai and living in Mumbai.
Whilst I write this post on my phone, the train is approaching 'Dadar' I am still about 30 odd minutes away from reaching my destination!! (Update: I am finishing the post whilst sitting in office after a day at court!)

I travel in all modes of Mumbai transport (as elaborated in the previous post) everyday for work and at least 3 hours of my day are spent traveling.

Years back, one of my friends was waiting for me ( I was late by 45 odd minutes) and whilst I apologised for being late, he just smiled and said that he loves observing people and he had his fun while waiting for me.
So, now that I travel so much in public transport and am becoming (reluctantly) the part of the Mumbai rat race here are my observations:

1. Mechanical and meticulous: There is nothing in Mumbai that is not sorted for you if you are a regular office goer- there are the AC buses during the office hours that work on a clockwork. There are autos that go on meter. There are shared taxis that are available from the station that do to and fro from the station to the 'office district' and then there are the local trains, the life line of Mumbai! 
And this is what you are stuck in, in a city that never sleeps-  a clockwork!!

2. Food: No jhik jhik fik fik, you have a budget of 10 or 100 it doesn't matter- you will get something to satiate your hunger. SOMETHING. Its a fast paced life, food is nothing but just a necessity. There is no real 'good food' here. The closest to what I got as good food was at my masi's house. Her food still have the flavours of delhi! ( Yes, I am a Delhite to the core and I love the food there). So a samosa of 10 rs or a vada pav for 12 is also delivered in your office.. no "Minimum order" ka funda here! 

3. Theater: People in Mumbai seem pretty sick of the film stars and actors (big or small), thus they love their theater and I must complement the theater scene here, you are spoilt for choices!

4. 'Local' Shopping: Because people in Mumbai have no time ( by the time one reaches anywhere close to home, you don't have either the time or the inclination to go to the market) so the market comes to you in the local train. From clips, to vegetables, fruits, junk jewelry, bindi, nailpaints, and all the small small things that you can think of are sold to you in the train. 

5. Sleep: In a city that never sleeps, you catch up on your sleep in the bus or in the train, depending of course on the fact whether or not you have gotten a seat to sit on. 

6. No care attitude: No one says hello, no one says good bye.. if you don't make an effort the other person won't even care if you exist (I say hello everyday, I get blank looks most of the days!). They keep to them and that keeps them happy.

Just a couple of pointers.. amongst the many to come.. 
Cheers! 

The Politics of the Falling Rupee!

I am absolutely not talking about the end of the world literally.
It can't happen. Not now any ways, there is too much happening otherwise, for the world to physically collapse. Economically, well, that is questionable.

In the light of recent events, I think that one way or the other the great Indian Middle Class is going be squeezed to the hilt. It is we who are going to take a hit, unless the black money lodged in the swiss banks comes home and fills the coffers of the Indian Treasury.
Honest to God, that is the ONLY way that the present UPA Government can survive the economic slowdown. Because knowing the politics of my Country, I know for sure that any concrete steps that may be taken by the government are going to come back on their face by the opposition and allies alike.

What we as the people have to do is via our actions prove to the politicos that we can take some hard hitting steps but we would really like to still believe in the 'Great Indian Dream', where for the last 10 odd years despite everything, India as a whole was doing much better than rest of the world.

My sister explained this to me and my mum when we were cribbing about the price rise, I thought that I would share it with you too:

- The Oil cos lose about 8 Rs/litre on petrol with the current price of the crude and the various taxes that the poor companies have to pay to the government.

- Therefore to cut out on the losses, the petrol prices are hiked. But because petrol price hike means rise in commodities, the government pays subsidies, meaning they pay out of their own pockets so that the price hike does not effect the common man that much. But because they pay out of their own pockets, they lose the tax money that they have collected for development.

- If they take loan from the foreign entities like World Bank or IMF, their foreign deficit increases and like it is with any other loans, they have to start getting more money in their coffers to develop on the various schemes that they run for the poor.

-Thus to fill their coffers, they either cut the subsidies and therefore the hit comes to the common man or they increase the taxes, again making sure that the burden comes to the US. The poor common man.

Then what to do?
The decisions of a price hike hit us like a ton of bricks. And so does the taxes. Like I said before, all of us should shut our eyes from the fact that the swiss banks have the Black money and encourage the politicians to bring back that money into our country.
I have heard it and read on FB that the amount of money that is in the swiss banks if it comes back, will make us all free of the tax burden for the next 50 years. JUST IMAGINE!
No more taxes.
Actually, I don't mind paying minimal taxes so that the money keeps getting replenished, but helloo?? Dear Poliricians, if AT ALL any of you feel the need to compete with the US of A and move forward and become the rulers of the world- I think that you should give a thought to bringing back the money that is rightfully ours.

Further, as a part of the austerity measures that the Government proposes to put- First should be that all the politicians should pay their electricity & water bills. My GOD, more than half of the electricity dues that are unpaid are the government dues. We all pay for our usage, they should all too pay.

The Parliament Sessions are the bonus sessions where all the policies are decided. The politicians attending these sessions should be paid on daily basis as in only those who attend the sessions shall be paid during the months that the sessions are on and ANYBODY who disrupts and/or breaks the furniture of the Parliament house and stages a walk out- should be penalized, by obviously not being paid that days wage.
*NEVER have I seen a proper discussion and weighing of pros and cons properly of a matter that really matters... which sort puts the country in a tailspin and lets not even talk about the mockery that we make of ourselves in front of the rest of the world.*

Oh, considering that we are burdened with the petrol prices, all the politicians should also pay for the petrol that goes in the cars that are allotted to them, and in addition they should also be paying the salary of the household help/drivers/maalis that they keep.

And last but not the least, the ticket of the ministers may be borne by the state but that of the family.. extended family should NOT be borne by the state and the ministers/ family who is travelling should pay for it.

The politicians are nothing but Government SERVANTS and they should be made to realise just that. The reason that they are in a position to make policies is  because the entire nation can't come together and make them. They are OUR representatives and NOTHING more. The day we realise that politicians are humans too and nothing more, is the day they will also come down to our pedestal and maybe start working, on the things that really make a difference.

I sorta hate March

No nothing personal.
See, now that Sachin has made his 100th 100 and all and I don't have any exams during this month, it doesn't seem that bad.. but NOW I have something worse that I have to agonize over the whole of March- 'Appraisals and Budgets'


The Cousin's wedding went well. I was a little detached, apart from the dancing bit, but somehow, I did not feel the need to be there. Obviously a million people asked about Sister and Me (We were dancing away to glory). The part about the wedding that I loved the most was- That mum actually pushed us to get our hair done, including hers for two occasions a thing that we normally don't indulge in.
And for both the occasions all three of us looked lovely :)

The thing that I abhorred about the wedding was the absolute vulgar display of lena-dena. My cousin's parents actually gave her the usual gamut of TV, Fridge..etc. My question here being, that she is marrying the only son of the house.. so wouldn't he already have a refrigerator, TV, Washing machine etc. Honestly, waste of money. And not only that, cousin's family gave almost everyone in the boys family clothes and cash.. and my chachi made sure that all of it is captured in camera. 
The bride was glowing and was super happy.. her outfits, unfortunately did not impress me much. Her taste is too much of blingy bling for me!

But like they say, a girl's wedding once over, over properly without a hitch is a blessing in itself. And that happened. My chacha chachi left no stone unturned for making this one big massive Indian wedding. There was the revolving stage and automatic flower showers and what not!
I wish my cousin a VERY HAPPY and a Blissful life ahead.

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Last couple of days have been really disturbing. The world it seems is pushing itself to an end, that may or may not happen.
It has become a free for all.
The recent incidents of Rape in Gurgaon and subsequent reactions to the same by the Gurgaon administrations have left me, fuming.
The attitude seems to be, that instead of setting a precedent of punishing the rapists, and attacking the mentality itself, you are curbing the women and the rest of the people who enjoy the after hours.
If you know that there are vulnerable areas in your city that require more attention, then deploy more force, give more protection, increase the lighting and install CCTV cameras.
But the fact that the administration issued statements that include giving deadlines to Pubs etc, and especially the statement about women not working after 8pm. *Considering that there is no guarantee that there wont be any rapes between 8 am to 8pm*

The Governments and especially the administration should be extremely ashamed of themselves for brushing off the responsibility.

The first thing that needs to change is the attitude of 'Women invite rapes'  NO woman in her righ mind wants herself to be assaulted and insulted. So, if a woman wears low hanging tops and short skirts, is because she likes to dress up like that and not because she wants men to hit upon her. There has to be a way to give a smack to anyone who leches! The solution is NOT having the women wear burqua, but somehow educating the males that the women that they are lusting about has a family too.

The next thing that my boss suggested was about 'Female Bonding' that how we women are our biggest enemies. We gossip about other women, and never trust another female, thus making us vulnerable. Women, should stop being judgmental and help out if needed. Core support groups need to be formed!

But, most of all, we women need to get our heads right. Honestly, I am not pointing fingers, but mothers who are abused at home have to teach their children that what is being done to her is wrong, and that women are to be respected, and they HAVE to start standing up.
Educating your boys more than the girls will really help.
Another thing that I have noticed is, that most of the rapes, happen in the lower strata of the society, therefore, it is imperative that, that part of the society breaks free from their vicious circles!

The mood obviously became more somber, when I heard about Baby Falak's death. The poor baby, who tried surviving the world that was so cruel to her is finally resting in some peace. The thing that this little 2 year old did, could not have ever been done, thanks to her and the support that she commanded, that the police were put into action and they were able to unearth a dirty racket of human trafficking!

The budget further made sure that eating out becomes lesser of an option for us, thanks to the increase in the Service tax and excise, so now, we shall have to have more house parties!

The brightest of the day was Sachin's 100th Ton again the Bangladeshis and that sorta lifted the spirits!

The month is still half left, and then there is the salary that needs to be regulated.

Life is tough!
And I HATE March.

Delhi High Court Blast : Just Another day in the life of a terror sick nation!

So the High Court of Delhi was attacked today.
As I write this post there are confirmed reports that 11 people have already died and there are 65 people who are injured and in the hospitals.

The government, is doing, all that it can- Basically meaning, they are nodding their heads, condemning the damn blast. And, I think, that is all that the government is ever going to do.
I am not going to go on the UPA blaming spree, because, I feel, more than the failure of the government, it is the failure on the part of the intelligence agencies.
Unfortunately, they do not have ACP Praduman of the CID fame to lead them. As a matter of fact, barring the CBI, which is mostly investigating, the charges framed for the tainted politicians, and high profile murders, and low profile murders that are inflated to becoming high profile murders by the media, I have not really seen an active intelligence thing happening!

The most of what I saw of them, was for a couple of months after the Mumbai attacks, when there was a back and forth and the buck passing about how despite the information, there was no action on the same.
Actually, I wonder, if the so called intelligence agencies work at all on any information that is given to them. How come, with an average of one blast/ terror strike EACH year, mind you, there is an absolute lack of any kind of security up-gradation at any place in India.

Delhi High Court, was and hopefully now shall be more, secure High Court in India. The other High Courts, I have heard, including the one in Mumbai, has no security measures. One reassurance vide this blast is, that the terrorists are breaching the outside perimeter of the High Court here in Delhi, because, every one OTHER than a Lawyer is frisked, and there are X Ray scanners to enter the court premises; whereas, there are none of these things in the other High Courts in our Country.
And there is a catch here too, no one absolutely NO ONE checks the identity card of the person entering in a black coat and lawyer's band.
And, I being a lawyer am agreeing to it, that- This has a lot to do with the 'Ego' of the Lawyer.

But, saying that, it does not mean that these intelligence agencies should take for granted the rest of the citizens of the country. When I am not in that black coat and the lawyer's robe, I am also just like another human being. Just another face in the crowd.
And today, it was the high court, yesterday it were the main markets of Delhi... from the Five Star hotels, to sadak chap markets.. the value of human life in our country is valued in terms of the so called 'Compensation' announced by either the state governments or the central government.
All the philosophers tell us, that the gift of Life is precious and priceless, but looking around, one feels, that both the preciousness and priceless-ness have gone down the drain.

I know, for all of us, in sometime or the other life will get back to normal. We will rant, curse, and for some time, even follow the security guidelines without fussing; but then what? By the time, life will come back to normal, we will start cursing the security measures and procedures, our standard line being.. "Do we look like terrorists to you?" and "Whats the bloody use of this... the blasts will happen any ways".

But I feel, that, just like for corruption, we all stood together, and pledged, and had debates, that how we should root out the corruption, the same should be done with terrorism. No, that does not in any ways mean, enacting another law. Because, there is no which ways that we can prevent a blast with a new law.
But, what we can do, is-
To demand for a VERY strong attitude from the government *I don't care, if its the UPA or the BJP or the Mayawati*, but the government has to put its foot down and say, enough.
Hang the idiots languishing in the jails.
And like seriously, make an exception to Article 21 of the Constitution in case of terrorists, wherein, no terrorist be represented by the lawyer. *Under the law, you can very well represent your own-self in the court of law, let the terrorist explain why he killed so many innocents and conspired against the state and the country in general*
And, also make an amendment to the Indian Penal Code, where, a terror attack and the terrorists involved in it, be hanged to death. Under this code, and as a general practice and as per the precedence taken by the Supreme Court in view of the Human Rights etc, a death sentence is ONLY awarded in the rarest of the rare case, where the crime is ghastly!
And, terrorism is an ghastly ghastly act, where one person and/or ideology of a group of people, when not acceded to, go on to kill innocent people. Of course, the terror act, is no more rare. It is becoming very common.

Here is the deal;
If these terrorists cry foul over the religion, then they should know that, bloody hell, right to choose the kind of religion that we want is our Fundamental and a Human Right. We shall follow, which ever God we want. And, you asshole fanatics have a problem with religious policies of the government (s); you are more than welcome to take it up with them directly. We are NOT scapegoats.

And people advocating Human rights, for the terrorist, get your stupid fundamentals right. Right to LIVE, is the first and foremost right enumerated in every GODDAMN human right charter and/or law all over the world. When that is flouted by these dimwits for the people, who have absolutely nothing to do with their fight and/or jihad.. they waive all rights of living there and then.

And you know, what is the saddest part, in this whole cycle of terror attacks?
That there will be no one, absolutely no one, who would fight the government, push the authorities and the so called intelligence agencies to go no holds barred on these terror outfits, and send a very strong message to our darling neighbours, that Enough is ENOUGH!
But, you see, we are a Gandhian nation, maybe, we should send, someone to do an anshan in front of the Pakistani Parliament, till they give in to the demand of banning the terror outfits or better still, why not open the borders, and welcome them with open arms, and more innocent people as sacrifice?

RE: Don't Spread Rumors, they cause- Fire! And Panic!

In response to my previous post *Which I shared on Google + also*, a dear friend of mine Souvik, who was kind enough to take time to write his views on my post! :) 
PS: I have posted the whole comment, as is, verbatim! :) Thanks, Souvik, for the food for the brain! :)
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Hey.....nice post. But I beg to agree AND differ simultaneously. I agree what we are seeing on the streets now is, to put it harshly, mob culture. This CANNOT be the way laws are formulated in a country;least of all, our country.
But, having said that, does the government really want me to believe that every political/apolitical agitation that is normally held in this country, is bound by the conditions of 3 days and 5000 people? I hope the government will be able to stand by its claim through proper documented proofs. The issue, right now, is not whether the bill proposed by Hazare is good or bad. The issue is...are people in this country allowed to protest peacefully? The government, including the PM, seems to be bypassing this very question.
I have read the article that you linked, that states why the Jan Lokpal Bill is unconstitutional and unnecessary. I'd request you to also read through the analysis of that bill that they have put up on their site.

http://www.indiaagainstcorruption.org/downloads.html
(download the detailed analysis given here).

Finally, it may be true that today, we, the people of this country, are a major reason why corruption refuses to go. I am willing to pay my fine when I'm stopped by the traffic police next time, but can you, or ANYONE, please guarantee to me that I'll get my driving license done in a time bound manner following all rules and regulations, without having to go through a tout? Can anyone guarantee me that if I complain against a government official to the CBI, the agency will indeed investigate my case with all earnest and sincerity that it deserves, and the guilty will be brought to justice WITHIN A DECENT TIME FRAME? Can anyone guarantee me that if I complain, I'll not be subjected to backlashes from the government? Can you guarantee me that when a police officer from the local PS comes to my place for Police Verification before issuing me a passport, he'll do his work without me paying him a bribe? (When you answer this question,kindly consider the situation that I may need a passport with some urgency, and that the police may decide to neither pass my case nor fail it).

The problem, as I see it, is this. The existing system HAS NOT dealt with corruption in any effective way for so many years. Why do I believe that now, with the same set of people at the helm, something effective will be done? Yes I'm sceptical, I'm being pessimistic,, but this system hasn't given me much to be optimistic about either.
Give me an effective bill to deal with this. What this government is doing, is simple time-wastage. That will not do. Tell me a practical way to force this government (not idealistic ones...please) to bring an effective anti-corruption law, and I'll stand with you and....if the need be...against Mr. Hazare.
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I ADD:
I agree, that most of what I may have said sounds impractical. But there are checks and balances that have been provided in our Constitution. And, honestly speaking, when we talk about Democracy, it is the power of the people. And, because, there would be chaos and anarchy in the country, if every one speaks together, there is the thing about sending your "representatives", to the assembly to speak on your behalf. The day that we start treating them, like they are on our mercy and not vise-versa, all shall be solved.


Look at the where the politicians hit you the most, at the places, where it hurts the most. The educated middle class, who refuses to vote or comment on anything, needs to shed it's "Who cares, they are politicians... blah" attitude and start giving their opinions. Mobilize. Your Thoughts! And the politicos have understood that the middle class uses the power of the internet. The moment, you highlight the cause, and move forward, saala koi mai ka baap, aakar apni akar nahin jhaad payega! 

Don't Spread Rumors, they cause- Fire! And Panic!

The views expressed in this Post are purely of the Author. And since, this post is all about politics and,democracy and raising hell, I \ have the constitutional freedom to raise hell in my own way, a.k.a. express my views. That is exactly what I am doing. This is not a personal attack on any one, or their idealism. 

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I have tried to keep myself away. I have been commenting on lots of statuses on FB and sharing my views on twitter. But, then, I just can't answer everyone! It's too many against a handful of us *Or so I am assuming*
who do not support Anna!

Now, before, you get ready to spit fire on me, and before you shut down my blog page in disgust, you may want to hear me out. And in case you don't want to, then, well, the country is any which ways going to the dogs, you are just going to be another breed that is gonna rip it apart *Its a pun, please do not take it personally*.

So, as I write this, Mr. Hazare, has refused to get out of the jail. There are people at Chattrasal Stadium who refuse to leave. And then there is the mayhem outside the Tihar Jail that refuses to subside, earlier because Anna was arrested. Now, because, he refuses to come out!

Does that mean, that I am supporting corruption? Or that, I am a secret spy from the government side, who is trying to influence her mere 50 *now again 49* followers?
No. Neither of it is true. And, I do not want it to be true.

Who doesn't want a corruption free nation, where your work is done by the virtue of the fact that, it is the duty of that official to do your work because that is what he is employed to do. I mean, I would love it, if for once, I do not have wait like a five million years to get my phone line back in order.

But, in this case, where Anna is spreading the fire of the cause of rising against the plague of corruption, does the end truly define the means? Today, he is holding the entire government, all the political parties at their tether ends, by what? By the power of sheer black mail. I am going to go to the extent of calling it pure extortion.
Tell me, who starts this vicious circle of corruption? Who.. the babus, who take the money, or we, the people of India, who will pay some hari patti, for the short cut! The day, we put our foot down, and tell the babus, Dude, nothing doing, this is a part of your duty, your KRA, and in case you do not do this, because you want money *Bribe* from me, then I think that I will see you in Court.
Oh, you all do know that there is a Prevention of Corruption Act (PoCA) in our country, that lets you complain to the CBI for any act of Corruption that is done by any government official? And do you also know that if a departmental inquiry is started against an employee, his career is as good as finished.
But, tell me, would you rather go to the authorities with a complaint against a babu for bribery or pay him some money and get your work done?
My guess, is that you won't.

*And if you do, and need a lawyer, you know where to contact.. right?*

Extorting the government, to bend to your demands is not a way to protest. This makes you no less than a terrorist, who would want it his way or boom. Isn't that the basis of the terror attacks, that the government does not listen to them , therefore the innocents get killed!?
Anna is doing exactly the same thing. Of Course, thank God, there has been no super violence, else innocents would have lost their lives here too.
Supporting a cause is not wrong. But, when the focus shifts from the Cause, and moves into the territory of an ego battle, that is the time, we should be thinking, what to support!

Most of the people who are out there right now, have no idea, what the Jan Lok Pal Bill is all about! They just know one thing, that this legislation will fight corruption. Half Knowledge is more dangerous than no knowledge at all! And that is what is happening on the streets out there.

*You remember how in Rang De Basanti, that staunch party worker, finally realised that the cause has been lost in midst of the power game? I fear, that is exactly what is happening!*

The Jan LokPal Bill that team Anna is so keen to get implicated, says that all the power will be vested in one body, that will look after the corruption cases. In short, there is no provision for an appeal against for whatever Team Anna says. They thus, are putting themselves, even above the Supreme Court, the Guardians of our Constitution. And, the Constitution itself was drafted in a way, so that one does not become all too powerful. *There is a reason, why the Supreme Court, can rattle the government * And because, the team sitting in the LokPal panel, would any ways be of the pre conceived notion that all those in the government or in government jobs are corrupt, *that is what they are claiming right?* how would one expect a fair trial?
Now isn't that killing the democracy? 
If you are here, and reading this blog post I request you to please read this article, and analyse the legislation yourself!

Support the Cause. We are a Democratic Nation! We have been given a choice to select the people we want up there in the Parliament! Why is it that, when ever we are asked to exercise, this one right, we make the most DUMB decisions? Either we don't vote, or we don't know who to vote for and end up voting for some random guy! Read the manifestos that are given to you. Question the candidates when they come to ask for your votes! Almost all the Candidates, come in their constituencies for election campaigns! And they organize interaction sessions, use it. Vote. Encourage people to vote.

And whenever, you are supporting a cause, don't support it or follow it blindly. Make a decision, through information. Especially because you are a literate *I am assuming that you are* because you are reading this. You have the right to make informed, and educated decision. Use this right well.

And, if you are supporting the cause of India, free of corruption, then start doing your bit. Accept your mistakes, and next time a traffic cop stops for a fine, don't bribe him to get out of it. If you are wrong, pay the fine. Bear the punishment.
Get your passports and Driving licenses, done through your own efforts and not through touts!
To clean the system, We have start by cleaning our own-selves first. Support the cause, not the ego battle that this is turning out to be.
Be wise!
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PS: I would really like you all to also go through these Posts:


Post 1, Post 2 & Post 3

And we are going to start the Blame GAME!

Again.
This is what the nth time that our country has been attacked?

It is Mumbai again. After the ordeal of 26/11, just when the calmness was returning to the city, the terrorists decide to blast off again.
There is nothing that you and me can do in such a situation, except pray that all our loved ones are safe, and pray for the souls who unknowingly become pawns in this game of power.

Soon, the investigation will start. The buck will be passed, maybe, some terrorist will be caught, more likely, a terror outfit by tomorrow morning take the responsibility of the blasts.
And the what?

Investigation. Case. The blame game, where public will blame the government, the opposition will blame the government, the government will blame someone..
But will that really solve the problem?

Correct me if I am wrong.. Had there been ANY government- would they have been able to prevent what has happened? Would, any government take a stance against our troubled neighbours, put its foot down and say, enough!
Will any government do that?
No.
Because, lessons in Political Science do not encourage war. An unintended war as a rash decision will only leave more wounded than healed...
Then what can we do?

Yes, the government should send a very STRICT message across the border.. and that would be hanging Kasab ASAP.
It should put its foot down and say, that as long as the neighbours want co-operation, they should stop sending unfriendly, uncouth visitors to our doorstep. Else, stop ALL aid to our dear neighbours. No more operations or medical treatment to any one across the border. No more aid to their flood affected areas... and no more of being friendly with them.. at ANY level.
Yes, I know, I sound like an autocratic ruler, but when they have no measure of remorse in their hearts or intentions about killing/injuring hundreds of innocent people, why should we?
All the humanity of the world is only in an Indian?

And, I reiterate - That NO religion, whatsoever, talks about killing of innocent men, women or children! All religions of the world preach only Love and Humanity. And, someone really needs to get this message across to the estranged men and women, who in the name of upholding their Gods, kill people.
It is time, that the World unites to stop any & all violence that has origin in the name religion.
But First,
Let India stand united in the face of adversity, and Indians, leave behind the facade of being a Hindu/Muslim/Sikh/Issai/ Parsi/Naga...etc.. and start Being a Human first!

I pray for all the injured for a speedy recovery and pray for peace for the families who have lost their loved ones!

A special applause to Twitter & Facebook, instant updates and help was being offered while the city of Mumbai was in panic. See, there is still some sensibility left in us.. lets spread it! 

The Crazy world of MARKS!

Where the hell is the world heading to?

The 12^th Class result was declared yesterday. Those of us who have been and brought up here in India under the Indian education system are well aware of the fact, that how important is it to get a GOOD score in class 12^th. Or as more often put by the teachers and parents- "Your future depends on it."

Yes, I agree that our future depends on our school result, because from there we start our journey to choosing our colleges etc.! But HELLO- the amount of pressure.. the value of marks? All has gone down the dumps.

My younger sister too got her results today. She is scored a 94%. I scored what a 70%.. she is still very unhappy because- this may mean not a good college in Delhi University!

Now- the college admissions are divided into two categories here-

One- is your professional courses, like engineering, medicine law etc, wherein you give their entrance examination and clear the same and require a minimum of 65% in your 12^th Class boards to get admission.

Second- Is getting admission in Delhi University, where you need SUPER scores to get into a great college. Delhi University is divided into two campuses- The north campus, that houses the colleges like St. Stephens, Hindu, SRCC etc and the South Campus, which has maximum number of girls college, top most being Lady Sri Ram College and College of Jesus and mary along with some top notch colleges like Sri Venkateshwara college.

And to get admitted in these elite institutions you have to have a score which is above 90%. A 90% makes sure that you get into a decent college in Delhi University. You can forget about the premiere institutes, unless you decide to go for a course that is your secondary choice or tertiary choice… but a 90 + means that you may get a good college and MAY get the course of your choice and a 95% + makes sure that you have the world at your feet.

And trust me, there are kids who get, those many marks and there are loads and loads of kids, whose plans get altered because of .1% difference in marks.


 
There was a time when a 75% marks and a distinction meant a world. People valued marks and more importantly the university meant having fun in college. College did not mean such tough decisions on life.

I went through the same thing. As a matter of fact, I nicely fucked up the 'future making' years. Do I regret it? Yes, I used to. Today, well, there are times that I look back and give a 'what if' situation to myself.. but then you get what you deserve and nothing can change that!

My poor younger sister is very very distraught right now. The number of students in the 90+ bracket, is almost the double of what there were last year, and we all are very worried, mainly because, knowing her- She is VERY determined to do what she WANTS and nothing in this world can really take that away from her. No one has dared to any ways, but today, she knows that it is not the parents, the school or the friends who she has to deal with, but the crazy real world. And crazy realty of life!

I really hope for her sake and for all the hard- work that she has sincerely put in that- Her dreams come true!

Where there is a Will..

There are no property disputes! *Yeah that was my attempt at bad humour!*

I am not going to give any legal gyaan.. but talk about the, THE most important event that made India shine, the Commonwealth Games 2010!!!!!
Yeah, we pulled it off, and in what grandeur and style. I must say that, it was a success story truly written by the Volunteers, the athletes and the Police...
When I saw the Opening Ceremony on my Television I was mesmerised I was watching it with my mouth hanging open all the time. And all through out the Ceremony  kept thinking, "Jab agaaz itna dilkash hai toh anjaam kiasa hoga?"
I went for the Cultural events that were being organized all over the city, and I was taken aback.. *I was of course expecting superb performance by all the Artistes, but it was the audience that left me in amazement* because, last I remember, the Delhi wallas, did not really had the taste or the patience to sit in plays, in dance recitals, unless they had someone of their own performing.
But, all the places were jam packed. That was the enthu that the people of Delhi had!

I also had gone for one of the Athletic event at the JLN Stadium, and I was lucky enough to be there on the day when the Discuss Players (Women) won all three medals for India. The crowd went mad, everyone sang along the National Anthem.. it was one of the kind moment to experience in your life time to see the Tri-colour waving three times over. And after that, the celebration music was 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' and OMG we sang like, we are the next Indian Idols!
And then there was the Closing Ceremony- And, I dunno how my mother managed it, but she got a couple of passes and I saw it live at the Stadium.. and I have never hooted so loud in my life! Of course the Closing was not as big as the Opening, but it was wonderful, and the last half an hour when all the Singers came and made Delhi go mad was total Paisa Wasool!

And the end of the two weeks, I got thinking, that there was not a single day when I got stuck in bad traffic, or for that matter of there was anything out of the ordinary that we do not see in Delhi. As a matter of fact, I found that the Delhi drivers were actually following the lane restrictions and there was lane driving happening. The crowd which always gathered for some event or the other, was never badly handled, the people were actually talking politely.. and there was a certain calm in the city. A sense safety that surrounded the who atmosphere.
But then, as soon as the games were bid bye, Delhi was back at being the brat that it is. I mean, why can't we the people of Delhi, be the way we were all through the games? Why can't the Police do its job the way it had done all these days. These are just the MOST little of things that we have to do, like, using the public transport, being polite, respecting the Rules of the Road, driving properly and being polite to each other. And, no one can stop Delhi from being a world class city.

I give the entire credit of the Success of the CWG 2010, to all of us, who made sure that the Games make us Shine, and the values of Atithi Devo Bhava are followed to the fullest!
The moral of the Story is that 'Where there is a Will, there is a Way', now that we know the way, and the result of following that way, we have to find that will in us!

PS: Chandni gets the credit for this post, I was not gonna brag about the success of the games, but after reading her, I could not resist!


PPS: Before I forget- Prosperity, Love, Health to all from Maa Durga! and Shri Ram! Happy Durga Pujo & Happy Dusshera to all of You!
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In the other news, me and my current partner in Dance Class have been wowed too many times for our connection etc! I am all dancie dancie about it! :)

What is India?

I have been restraining myself from giving out any commentary on the recent hoo hoopla of SRK, Shiv Sainiks and Rahul Gandhi.
The reason is simple- I totally love SRK and Rahul, and I totally abhor Shiv Sainiks and the likes of em. I hate the fact that, they divide India into their own turf, like its not a country but a piece of bread. It hurts- Yes, it does. It hurts to see, that India, today is at such a position that every step that we take is gauged by the world, but instead of taking this opportunity to make our country strong, to really accelerate our market value, our politicians leave no stone unturned to embarrass India at the world level.
We have the Thackreys - and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and RSS, who will go to any length to make sure that normality of life is not an option with the common man.
I agree, that, to support Pakistani Players, and their cause by SRK, was a tad bit taking things to an extreme level, because, his team also did not take any players from Pakistan. But, this was a small issue that was supposed to finish off at a point- but no- it has to be stretched like a chewing gum... there is a mandatory destruction of property-    PUBLIC property. And, ofcourse, display of power politics.
Is this India?
If this is- Then who is responsible for it? No darling, its not the politicians, It is US. There is a very simple rule- that says- No one can exert power on you- unless you let them exert power over you.
That is where we lose points.
We the people... has simply become a phrase out of our constitution. Oh, no- We are always so ready and willing to take to the roads for all the wrong reasons.
How many times have we taken the road and have actually taken a stand for a real reason? How many times have we protested to the government against the increasing rape cases? Or, how about asking them to put sensible forward laws in place?
How many times have you done your bit to stand up against a wrong? And by wrong I do not mean, going ahead and damaging the public property, for discouraging Valentine's Day celebrations, or making a hue and cry over that fact that-
Jaya Bachchan prefers hindi over marathi...
There are villages who have no electricity, water, or sanitation... there are farmers who are suiciding and there is a education system that is age old... there is a judiciary who has a huge backlog, the public transport system is not perfect ANYWHERE in our country...
But- We are in India, it is so much more important to fan what SRK has to say, about Pakistan. It is very important, that the Fundamentalist parties do everything against the basic ideals of democracy and still get away... because the people instead of using their brains to think, just follow blindly. Blind faith on a  Politician is the sure shot way to getting a one way ticket to the no brain land.
I am not saying not follow your political religion, All I am trying to say is, that- Please start using your brains, start questioning the authorities on their mis use of power and position.
India- is US- You, me and the common man.
In the era of sensational journalism, we have forgotten the very reasons why India was enslaved for over 200 years- We all were divided, and therefore we were being ruled. Let us try to put behind the pettiness of being an Indian, and let us start cherishing the 'Golden' past, the heritage, that makes India, the unique country that it is!!
Please!!

Unity in Diversity?

Disclaimer: These are the sole views of the author. And, in no way are they intended to hurt the feelings of anyone.

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Have you ever wondered as to why is it that we such a HUGE parade on 26th of January? And that be it cold, or foggy or whatever- Almost the entire country is wide awake when the 'Chabees Janwary' parade is aired. I think this is one of the very few days that Doordarshan, has TRPs!!!

The reason is simple- The entire world waits for this parade- Because this parade is the 'Show of Strength' to the other nations. It is an exercise of propaganda for country.. yeah we are very humble people, but it is ok to show off sometimes.

61st Year of being a Republic, was also marked by the auspicious release of the Newest, and the most talked about Phir Mile Sur Mera Tumhara... on Youtube, it has been posted as a reply to the Old Video of Mile Sur Mera Tumhara.

And boy oh boy- Has it created some ripples on the blogosphere and on twitter. I must say, that, I thought that I would not give my opinion on this. But then, I saw both the videos, and I couldn't resist the temptation to give my opinion on the same. Actually, thanks to Mr. Bald Guy, I was directed to this post which prompted this post.

Ohkay, the views are going to be biased, for sure... after all I have grown up watching this video. What the heck- I was 7 years old when DD2 was launched... and I had to actually eat extra food to see some decent Television.

So, here goes-

The moment that video comes on air- You feel a sense of tranquility, as sense of being the Indian that you are. The old video, shows the Unity in diversity. It shows it when MithunDa, Jitendra and Amitab Bachchan stand together and sing... the new video unfortunately is simply a show of strength. It just shows, frame after frame- nothing but the actors.... Individually... The poster boys.

Has India, got nothing more to offer than Indian Actors?

The new video opens with A.R. Rehman, and ofcourse we applaud at his achievements and are proud of him, but trust me, not having The Nightingale of the Music industry in the video makes it for a sad watch. Ms. Padokune should've had more sense to wear.... I dunno, lets not comment on the clothes... we should just be talking about the spirit.. which is also missing in the new video. The New video, does not inspire- It just makes me sigh, and feel, 'Yeah India has progressed... but...

The most important aspects of the old video were- That it was the video of the common, the common man... the new video missed that- It totally has nothing to do with the common man- the one which has risen.

The future the children, which made up the flag in the end of the old video... well, the only one I saw in the new one were dancing with the stars.

The thing that irked me most was-

That the video looked a like total propaganda to impress the MNS. Look closely at the video- There is no Delhi Metro, or any mention of the commonwealth or the T20 world cup that we won. You can see the Taj, the Bandra-Worli sea link, and mostly that entire stretch of Mumbai.

The essence of India, missing in the new video. And that is what I think.

If India is nothing but bollywood, and stamp from the Oscars- Then, well, can I say that, I want to be a part of the broader and the new India? The India- That truly is... United, despite the Diversity.