DECADE THAT WAS

It is last day of the first decade of the second millennium that started with the Y2K bug scare?

Here is a random list of events during the decade that we lived through.

2000 - world's longest serving elected communist leader Jyoti Basu retires as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
Former KGB Chief Vladimir Putin becomes President of Russia.

2001 - Calcutta officially becomes KOLKATA and Gujarat quake kills over 30,000.
Osama announces the arrival of lunatic terrorists by attacking Twin Towers in New York - the world changes forever!!
US led forces invade Afghanistan.

2002 - A P J Abdul Kalam becomes President of India (one of the best), and New Delhi becomes second Indian city to have a Metro ( Kolkata was the first in 1984).
Sourav Ganguly, arguably the most aggressive captain this country's ever had - announced the arrival of a more confident India when he took off his shirt and whirled it in the air at the Lord's to celebrate a famous win!!

2003 - India loses ICC World Cup finals to Australia.
US led forces begin invasion of Iraq to topple Saddam.

2004 - Manmohan Singh becomes Prime Minister after the ruling NDA is stunned as Congress led UPA emerges a surprise winner.
The year ended with one of the worst natural disasters when TSUNAMI struck South Asia.

2005 - George W Bush starts second term as US President; Lalu raj ends in Bihar.

2006 - Terror strikes Mumbai commuter trains during busy evening hours.

2007 - India beats Pakistan to win first ever ICC World Cup Twenty20 in South Africa.

2008 - Ratan Tata unveils world's cheapest car NANO at New Delhi Auto Expo and Tata Motors buys two iconic auto companies JAGUAR & LAND ROVER.
Iconic Mumbai sites attacked by terrorists.

2009 - Barack Obama takes oath as 44th US President.
Congress led UPA retains power with clear majority in General Elections.

Foot note - though set up by two Stanford students in 1998, 'GOOGLE' is the phenomenon of the decade.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND A HAPPIER DECADE AHEAD TO ALL.
LOVE YOU.

HOPENHAGEN

Copenhagen UN Summit on Climate Change is the 15th such conference. The futility of 14 previous such gatherings ‘to party’ are a heavy price already paid by the world at large.
It is symbolic that this conference is depicted as the ‘HOPENHAGEN' SUMMIT to signify the ‘HOPE’ being placed on the leaders of participating nations to ‘STOP TALKING’ & ‘START ACTING’.
Talking without intent has already caused huge damage. Ongoing deliberations at this summit may be the only realistic opportunity to attempt sustainable apolitical decisions along with unselfish economic sacrifices that could unite billions to live safely on ‘ONE’ SAVED PLANET.
The distinction between rich & poor, more polluting & less polluting and all other 'vested' stand points will soon loose relevance if this summit fails to arrive at a consensus to share the blame for causing damage along with accepting responsibility in reversing and halting further damage.
Our existence on the planet is at stake and the time to score brownie points by negotiators to cater for narrow national interest is over.
The only escape route to survive lies in statesmanship and consensus for stringent actions to save our planet for mankind as opposed to nation-kind.
THE LEADERS OF IMPORTANT NATIONS HAVE A DUTY TO BE ACCOMODATIVE TOWARDS OTHERS WHILE THE NOT-SO-IMPORTANT NATIONS HAVE TO BE GRACEFUL IN ACCEPTING APPARENTLY ‘UNJUSTIFIED’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR A LARGER CAUSE.
CONSENSUS @ COPENHAGEN = HOPENHAGEN.

INDIA ONE

INDIA is the numero uno Test playing country as per ICC rankings.
It is significant that the venue of the game which catapulted the nation to prominence was the historic Brabourn Stadium in BOMBAY - (sorry Bala &/or Raj)!!
In the expression of victory over Sri Lanka and justified celebrations around the country – there was no sign of the ‘Maharashtrian doggies’ laying claim to Mumbai over India in the name of the ‘Marathi Manoos’.
It is significant to note that the ‘stray dogs’ lie low when VICTORY is the theme.
The goon brigade does not have moral courage to growl because it knows that the happy Indian will exercise its power to break their brittle parochial bones.
Naked duplicity does not permit shameless regional chauvinists to celebrate national achievements and they remain isolated from the joy of the moment. It is a shame that the need to play politics deprives certain section of Indians from enjoying national glory as they are forced to remain hidden due to their history of past bad conduct.
Three cheers INDIA and INDIAN CRICKET TEAM.

AFTER SALES SERVICE

NEWS HEADLINE: "Hinting at possible retirement after middle of next year, DMK patriarch and Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi has said he would leave politics and ministerial posts to devote more time to work for the poor and oppressed communities."
At 85 the senile speaks of 'serving the people' - what a joke on the people of TN and India? Indeed we should thank God that it has at last dawned on a politician that there are no more personal avenues to fulfill his and the extended family's 'get rich and powerful' ambitions.

Publicly stated intention to "come closer to the people" will ensure that there are enough shoulders on his forthcoming last journey which cannot be far away considering 'best before date' has long expired!!

Son M K Stalin is already annointed as Deputy CM so the family domination is assured while 'grandpa' branches out to serve the people!!

YEAR AFTER

A year after the horrific siege of Mumbai by Pakistan based terrorists actively assisted by worldwide terror cells - has India as a nation learnt any lessons?
‘NO’ – is the answer if we consider:
1) Status of investigation and court proceedings despite having to feed ‘gost biryani’ to a captured terrorist from Pakistan.
2) Vinita Kamte widow of martyr Ashok Kamte of Mumbai Police alleges being stonewalled in her quest to find the truth leading to her husband’s death. She had to resort to RTI Act to get facts for her tribute to bravery contained in a biography of her husband titled ‘To The Last Bullet’.
3) Politician’s like Thakerays are stuck in their ghetto mentality for political space based on regionalism, violence and intolerance. Personal animosity spills on to public domain and thrust upon common citizens by invoking ‘Marathi Manoos’.
4) Naxalite terror tactics with threat to life and property is spreading while regional politicians indulge in ‘blame game’.
5) The sacked Home Minister of Maharashtra is reinstated on the eve of 26/11 first anniversary having displayed incompetence and insensitivity to the tragedy a year ago.
6) Soft peddling with Pakistan in spite of clinching evidence of ISI involvement in the well planned ruthless execution of the Mumbai terror plot.
7) The much promised Police and criminal justice reforms not initiated.
8) Home Ministry has been unable to introduce robust infrastructure and systems for gathering and sharing intelligence to pre-empt attacks. We still stumble upon vital information more by chance than by design since the left hand mostly does not know what the right hand does. State level politics takes precedence over national security.
9) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs lack basic co-ordination with a loose discretionary visa system being abused by terrorists around the world to gain multiple accesses with free unrestricted movement within India.
10) Corruption in procurement of equipment and accessories for law and order wings. The ‘failed’ inferior quality bulletproof jacket that killed police officers in Mumbai has disappeared along with records of their procurement.
11) Citizens have failed to exercise their franchise for seeking accountability and transparency from the government.
12) Last but not the least, a fractured opposition busy fire fighting to save their politics of irrelevant issues, has miserably failed to set aside partisan politics to make the nation more secure.

KAI JHALA BALA?

Thirty thousand plus runs - forty third century – the perfect ‘thappar’ to senile Bala’s ugly overgrown bushy bearded face by the Indian born Maharashtrian !!
What great timing and a perfect answer to the unwarranted tantrums from a cartoonist turned political pest turned editor of a C grade pulp publication with readership confined to goons representing fringe elements of society.
The ‘run out’ decision declared by an unqualified umpire imagining to be the self appointed captain of Marathi Manoos is out - ‘hit wicket’ !!
Keep it up Sachin!!

DEMON

Transparency International recently published the latest CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX (CPI) which rates nations on a scale of 1 to 10 for corruption.
Our Nation scored only 3.4!! compared to New Zealand’s 9.4, Denmark’s 9.3 and Singapore’s 9.2 ranked the first three ‘cleanest’ CPI scores. India’s rank in the list of nations is 84!!
This affirms the poor and disgusting state of affairs for a nation aspiring to become a super power seeking to direct and participate in world affairs.
We cannot progress to our rightful place on the high table unless drastic reforms are introduced to punish all those who give us a bad name. The ever increasing list of scams perpetuated by political patronage is the biggest drawback we encounter in our quest for 'inclusive growth'.
Majority of our billion plus population are honest and upright citizens but the scale and depth of corruption that has seeped in to our system of governance has the capacity and velocity to suck us in as reluctant participants.
Pathetic service and justice delivery are the two weakest links in governance which feeds the spiral of corruption perpetuated by antiquated systems. The BABU-POLICE-POLITICIAN Troika needs to be destroyed from its roots and replaced by user friendly transparent interface with minimal human contact.
A good beginning has been initiated by the project under Nandan Nilekani – but we need many more path breaking reforms to kill this demon.

INDIAN MAHARASHTRIAN

BAL VS SACHIN signifies the absurd levels to which the political landscape of India has degenerated. Long expired rotten product like Bal continues to be displayed on the shelf for gullible Marathi Manoos?
A cartoonist turned politician who manipulated the Marathi Manoos in the hope of governing Maharashtra is unable to accept defeat and political isolation. A beloved nephew's nasty slap has transformed the tiger into a lame dog. Hunting for soft targets to remain in public view the 'langda kutta' drifted into Sachin's territory.
A cartoonist has become the cartoon by misjudging the spirit of an icon's honest innocent statement displaying genuine national pride.
Dirty politics has no place in achievements attained by Sachin as an Indian by the grit of his skill and determined contribution to Indian cricket. It is a shame that we have to tolerate nonsense generated by notorious elements who have no respect for the country and individual achievers.
That ghetto mentality has no takers, escaped Bal's senile mental state, is more than evident from the collective outrage around the country if not the world which condemned Bal's rhetoric.
It is time for the Government of the day and its law and order agencies to put a stop to such blatant abuse of our rights by anti social elements like Bal & Raj.
Marathi pride is not so cheap that it needs propping up by the Thakeray mafia.
Sachin has proved that he is not only the best cricketer but also a good proud Indian born as a Maharashtrian.

MOTHER OF U.S. BLUNDERS

CIA PAID MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO ISI SINCE 9/11: REPORT.

Interesting Extracts from it:

1) The ISI collected "tens of millions of dollars through a classified CIA programme"...........

2) An intense debate has been triggered within the US government due to "long-standing suspicions that the ISI continues to help Taliban extremists who undermine US efforts in Afghanistan and provide sanctuary to al-Qaida members in Pakistan". But US officials have continued to make the payments as ISI's assistance is considered critical: "Almost every major terrorist plot this decade has originated in Pakistan's tribal belt, where ISI informant networks are a primary source of intelligence."

3) "The ISI has used the covert CIA money for a variety of purposes, including the construction of a new headquarters in Islamabad, the capital. That project pleased CIA officials because it replaced a structure considered vulnerable to attack; it also eased fears that the US money would end up in the private bank accounts of ISI officials."

4) The ISI is a highly compartmentalised intelligence service, with divisions that sometimes seem at odds with one another. Units that work closely with the CIA are walled off from a highly secretive branch that has directed insurgencies in Afghanistan and Kashmir. "There really are two ISIs," a former CIA operative said.

5) "On the counter-terrorism side, those guys were in lock-step with us," the former operative said. "And then there was the 'long-beard' side. Those are the ones who created the Taliban and are supporting groups like Haqqani." The network led by Jalaluddin Haqqani has been accused of carrying out a series of suicide attacks in Afghanistan, including the 2008 bombing of the Indian Embassy in Kabul.

The above reflects typical disoriented logic which only the US of A is capable of.

USA feeds the left hand to create terrorists with millions of dollars in US tax payer's money and at the same time feeds the right hand with more dollars from the same source to counter the very same terrorists.

Pakistani generals and a chosen few double crossing politicians 'window dress' the ISI to channel substantial portion of these funds into their personal coffers and bank rolling terror training camps, while playing games based on half truths, outright lies, conjectures and deceptions to feed the US administration with data they want to hear on the imaginary fight against terror which Pakistan appears to be fighting for and on behalf of USA.

By the time some one sensible in the US administration wakes up to the reality of Pakistan's bluff, enough terrorist infrastructure will have been built by the Pakistani terror factory, to strike at will and spread horrible acts of terror via the infamous ISI.

History will evaluate this self defeating US policy as the mother of all blunders by any US regime.

MANU'S P'UB'AROLE MENU

Manu Sharma the convicted killer is pub hopping courtesy a Chief Minister and her incompetent legal team in Delhi.
Parole is granted on flimsy grounds to a convict who abused the criminal justice system to escape punishment for many long years after killing an innocent lady.
Our political leaders have mastered the art of manipulation to such an extent that even the courts and justice system bow to them.
It is a national shame that a killer and his mother with no remorse have the audacity to seek parole and subsequently obtain it on the basis of obvious lies. This in itself indicates the massive failure of our justice system.
A powerful threat to the common man/victim has been effectively conveyed by the rich and famous.

KUTTA RAJ

The recent ugly incident witnessed in Maharashtra Assembly instigated by Raj the goon's MNS, is evidence of total failure of our political system. Assault of a fellow legislator in full public view is a slap on the face of the Government - which has the duty to protect and safeguard our Constitution.

The increasing audacity of a minority (13 out of 288 seats) representation in the Assembly to impose its strident view point on the majority has turned the concept of Indian democracy up side down.

Insulting the National language in the name of Regional language is the first disturbing sign of Balakanisation of the country. Threat to life and property should not be tolerated. Both the State and Central Governments have a duty to severely punish Raj and his party goondas. The MNS must be declared a terrorist outfit and banned forthwith.

It is indeed sad that non issues are used to raise passions to meet narrow political agendas. Taking the law in their dirty hands is ground enough for legal action against the MNS and its uncivilised leader. Most Marathi Manoos are not amused by the tactics adopted in their name. Raj and his wild animals are doing a disservice to Maharashtra and its people. A family fight between two cousins has become a threat to nationhood.

JOY FROM DELAY

ETD 0310 hours. Dropped off at airport five minutes to midnight. Informed at check in counter that the revised ETD is 0600 hours - reason for delay not disclosed? First reaction is anger at airlines for failing to give prior intimation. Despair of sitting out quarter of a day on an upright chair in the holding area of departure lounge caused irritation for a bad beginning.

Set myself up in a chair close to the departure gate allocated for the flight after completing immigration formalities (super fast at CSIA - Mumbai). Activities at this deserted gate commenced around 0130 in the morning with boarding announcement for Air France to Paris. Next was Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, followed by Sri Lankan, Ethiopian and Turkish. Our Kenya Airways flight was finally announced at 0645, which ultimately folded its landing gear around 0745!!

On settling into my requested aisle seat of the 2-3-2 seating arrangement in 'cattle class' (thanks to Shashi's sense of humour), was threatened by the sight of my fellow passenger at the window seat being an over size 'cattle'!! Thankfully, it turned out that he is a regular on this route and knows a trick or two to charm the cabin crew, so managed to find a vacant three seater at the rear of the craft.

Within the first hour of being air borne breakfast was served. Soon after consuming two cups of black tea, obtained a blanket and squeezed up in the classic 'mother's womb' position on my 'two seater' with the luxury of an extra pillow in an attempt to rest my smarting eyes from lack of sleep coupled with the body wanting to stretch out.

For the next three hours tossed and turned with the contour of the seats starting to hurt if stuck in one position for too long along with the neck precariously balanced on the arm rest. Funnily, when I got up to sit on the seat after this attempt to sleep, felt much rested and relaxed to enjoy the snack pack of nuts with apple juice!!

The long pre-flight wait permitted me to observe and understand why certain airlines get categorised highly and are perceived as god, bad or worse. The simple SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) associated with announcing the boarding and clearing the passengers to proceed through the aero bridge to the aircraft was an eye opener as to why the same task gets done better by different airlines - thus adding value to their brand. No marks for guessing who is the best amongst the mentioned airlines. Cathay Pacific. (Worse - Kenya Airways.)

By the way, substantial portions of the sprawling Mumbai airport is put on 'hold mode' for a short period during night time. Lights and other facilities are switched off in parts which are not in use till next day's activities commence.

The unexpected delay caused the connecting flight from Nairobi to depart without me. For once the airlines offered to accommodate passengers at a star hotel without much fuss.

The upside of the over 36 hours forced lay off in transit was that I caught up with a dear friend stationed in town. Some things happen for good. We caught up after twenty long years and spent quality time together. His lovely wife arranging to lend me her husband's kurta pajama for the night (as my suitcase was not accessible before reaching final destination). After a simple home cooked impromptu dinner they dropped me back at the hotel.

It is humbling to realize that we are pawns on the large chess board of life. The joy and fun experienced because of the delayed flight was the best compensation that could have been remotely imagined.

Lesson learnt - train to be positive when faced with unexpected situation. Live the moment by accepting a given condition with least resistance.

BALL(?) GAME

The ugly public spat between the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Indian Organising Committee (OC) on display over the forthcoming Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Delhi next year reflects the accumulated rubbish in sports related activities.
The international bosses of the Games have been aware for long of the mess in which the preparations are – but have been nervous about putting their foot down to pull up their Indian counterparts. In fact, they have unwittingly got caught in a well planned trap set up by OC under the leadership of a politician turned sports administrator.
Now that push has come to shove and certain accepted project management tools have been imposed by CGO on OC to salvage the terrible ‘behind schedule’ status of the event – the Indian team headed by Kalmadi with his cronies (who has managed to make himself a ‘fixed asset’ for donkeys years in mismanaging Indian sports as its ‘sports mafia’) has with adroit political crookedness commenced dirty tactics.
It is a national shame that a bunch of inefficient people are permitted to treat sports related international events as their personal fiefdom and misbehave publicly by hiding behind ‘non-issues’ to jeopardize Indian reputation as a host destination.
The CGO has inadvertently given Kalmadi and his team of crooks an ‘escape route’ to justify their anticipated criminal failure to hold the games successfully.
The ‘tantrums’ for public consumption are ‘tested tactics’ to win the ‘blame game’ practiced for decades to hang on to power and mismanage resources to make a living by destroying sports and sports persons in the country.
Immediate reforms have to be introduced to remove politicians from the arena of sports management to attain India’s latent potential in sports which is evident when private enterprise and personal determination is allowed to win.

NOBEL BARACK OBAMA

On November 5 last year my post titled - A NEW PRESIDENT expressed a latent wish that Barack Obama who had the potential to change the world will be a ray of hope in the days to come.
It appears that a collective desire for peace and harmony that his Presidency managed to raise in the hearts of millions around the world has been more than justified by today’s announcement from Oslo of the Nobel Peace Prize for Barack Obama – President of the United States of America.
He deserves the heartiest congratulations from the world at large for this awesome achievement well within a year of entering the White House.
This announcement indicates that the power of good can be harnessed to make a change for a better quality of life on planet earth.
Let us once again pledge our positive thoughts in the making of a great person who has just begun to impact you, me and the world around us.
WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO WITNESS THE BARACK OBAMA PHENOMENON!!

BOMBAY MERI JAAN!!

Bombay ho gaya Mumbai – aur Raj ho gaya Raja!!
Gully ka Kutta ho gaya Sher – would be more appropriate considering the growls emanating from a goon pretending to be protector of ‘Marathi Manoos’ in the name of ‘vote bank’ politics.
It is unfortunate that our law and order structure tolerates blatant abuse of the Indian Constitution by wily power hungry individuals and governments remain dummy spectators in the drama directed by threat to life and property.
The audacity of a MNS threat and subsequent submission to it by Karan in the interest of peace and harmony is indicative of slow but steady break down of law and order.
One unpunished audacity will lead to another – the ‘Goon Brigade’ has floated a proposal to issue ‘Entry Permits’ to Indians not being a ‘Marathi Manoos’ for entering Maharashtra and obtain ‘Resident Permit’ to stay in the State?
Such utterances would immediately trigger arrest for high treason in any other law abiding country – but our tooth less system governed by spineless Ministers (who take oath in the name of protecting the Indian Constitution) prefer to only watch from the sidelines lest they get derailed from their own gravy trains.
It is distressing to note that there is not a single word of protest from any party or politician to this idea floated by Raj under the banner of his party and in the name of the 'Marathi Manoos'?

CATTLE CLASS VS TWITTER

Tharoor's offence :
"Tell us minister, next time you travel to Kerala, will it be cattle class?" His reply: "Absolutely, in cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows."
Congress is no different from other political parties which indulges in 'lip service' to democratic values. Freedom of speech and personal opinion should not be compromised for party politics.
Inability to appreciate basic humour involved in Shashi's twitter remarks is disturbing for other decent Indians who may be contemplating joining politics for service to the nation rather than for vested personal interest.
The tone and vocabulary used by Jayanthi Natarajan as Congress spokesperson (to reprimand Shashi Tharoor), sounds more like a Mynamar General rather than of a political party in democratic India?
Most Indians will support Shashi's sense of humour and dignified international exposure rather than petty minded one dimension thinking of hard core political pretenders, for whom retaining the status-quo by maintaining (or increasing) the 'cattle class' generates political dividends as 'holy cows'.
May be Shashi should reconsider his honest decision to serve the country which expects devaluing his value systems and inclusive modern attitude with a contemporary out look?
Sorry Shashi, Indian political space is not for decent successful meritorious individuals!!
Majority of our politicians do not know the difference between "Twitter" and "Cattle Class" any way!!

AUSTERITY CLASS

The politics of farce being played out by the Congress party is an insult to the common man.
‘Vote Bank’ politics appears to take ever deeper plunge into falsehood as evidenced by the recent well publicized ‘AUSTERITY CLASS’ travel plans being indulged in by Congress (wo)men. Sonia takes a seat in economy class and her “Rahul Baba” travels by train – not to mention the desire by all and sundry group of sycophants to follow the leader(s)!!
The sudden rush to be seen in economy class, may be a good omen for airlines struggling to fill their air crafts – because more business/first class seats become available for genuine “CLASS” passengers rather than the “RIFF RAFF CLASS” travelling at the cost of the tax payer!!
Pranab Babu the “Bhodrolok” Minister of Finance has of course not revealed the savings expected to be released for more pressing demands on the kitty under his care!!
The ostensible logic behind shedding crocodile tears is the looming drought and the need to empathize with the “Aam Aadmi” – the more real strategy behind this symbolism is it offers photo-ops which may convert into votes in the upcoming State elections??

TRIBUTE

The tragic end caused by an unfortunate chopper crash yesterday (2nd September) closes Dr. Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy’s, more popularly known as YSR, successful and eventful political journey achieved by sheer hard work and charisma.
The untimely death of this sprightly Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh will be a game changing event in the political canvass of the State and in New Delhi.

An achiever and committed person brought much needed sense of discipline in public life while ensuring tight control over the team he led for result oriented governance. He brought freshness in the dreaded corridors of government that ails our system. An uncompromising task master has suddenly left a huge vacuum.
Facts and figures available in the public domain of achievements under his able leadership should be made compulsory ‘case study’ for all other politicians to drive home the point that ‘public service’ without ‘private greed’ is very much possible with focus and desire to be inclusive. The thumping victory in the recent Assembly and Lok Sabha elections also proved that political dividends can be generated by honesty of purpose minus manipulation.
YSR brand of politics and governance can be made the basis of reforms in our mostly rotten political frame work.
MHSRIP.

KANDAHAR REVISITED

Revival of political storm over the 1999 ‘terrorists-for-passengers’ swap and the role played by various individuals in their official capacity is a disgusting commentary on the dirt and rubbish that we rely on for our safety. Falsification and intrigue determines important decisions of the nation by incompetent self centered group of office bearers.
It is indeed a sad reflection on the quality of governance that even when lives of innocent ordinary citizens of the country are at stake, our politicians holding important portfolios, are swayed by personal image and party politics in taking important national decisions which essentially calls for non-partisan evaluation of facts for protection of citizens and national interest.
The poor attempt by BJP and Advani (‘tough on terrorism’ stance) to hide behind a cloak of deceit and half truths, not only exposes the poor strategies (poll centric) that have horribly misfired, more importantly it destroys the minimum basic moral uprightness that the citizens expect from persons who are in positions to decide their fate.
The attempts by apparently qualified educated party men to defend falsification and liars by engaging in semantics purely to maintain personal interest is not only pathetic but an insult to the public who can see through their unconvincing arguments. Thanks to the electronic media that 'body language' comes into play when these 'serial liars' stand naked for all to see?
The 'dog eats dog' attitude of the ruling coalition and other political parties to extract full political mileage by fishing in BJP’s troubles, in an attempt to divert from more pressing issues of governance is also not encouraging.
It is pertinent that in the ongoing drama none of our politicians have mentioned the sensibilities and anguish of the trapped passengers and their dear ones along with the country at large during the 7 days ordeal which started 9 years ago.
We need a change of mindset to govern the affairs of India in a more robust and efficient manner. Management has to be the primary criteria rather than politics and image building.

CHIRPING SPARROW

The mostly invisible heavy price that we pay in the name of development and creature comforts makes us oblivious to simple things that silently disappear without replacement.
How many of us are aware that sparrows are gradually becoming extinct from most of our urban/semi urban areas?
It has been established by experts that the unrestricted expansion of telecommunication networks for mobile phones has destructively affected the reproductive cycle of the innocent sparrow – a bird that we took for granted around us, may be even a decade ago.
This morning drove to Bangalore airport to see off Tina for her Mumbai flight. As we were walking back to the car park – spotted a solitary sparrow within the public foyer area of the massive steel and glass facade and a whole range of emotions welled up!!
The bird kept moving and chirping within touching distance (wish had a camera handy) displaying its normal characteristics of ‘no fear’ in human surroundings. Remained glued at the spot till it flew off to another area. Isn't this a sad and unfortunate reflection on human beings?
We have systematically managed to alter the simple bird’s DNA in our quest to remain connected on a 24/7 basis BUT have got disconnected from nature’s scheme of things. The tragedy of this experience is the fact that the bird has not altered its character and has remained in its original format to remind us of our not so distant past.
May be we need to slow down and divert our attention to respect the original balance in nature to avoid the disasters towards which we seem to be moving and a solitary bird’s appearance is the wake up call to care for our Earth.

DICTATORSHIP OF DEMOCRACY

Jaswant banned from BJP then Jaswant’s book banned from Gujarat?
Two disturbing dictatorial arbitrary decisions thrust upon citizens of a democratic country disregarding basic tenets of equity and commonly accepted norms of justice.
India appears to be hurtling like an unguided missile towards intolerance and undemocratic actions by petty minded individuals who do not deserve to be in positions of power. Power corrupts and absolute power destroys.
Tolerance has been the binding force which has kept our vast country together in spite of inherent variety that is mind boggling.
Unity in diversity is the guiding principle that the world envies when looking at India. We are likely to loose this respect if the current trend is allowed to continue.
Need for reforms and clipping of unregulated power in the hands of few self seeking politicians is becoming increasingly important to save the nation from spiraling out of orbit.
Contrary to democratic criteria, the basic structure of our democratic freedom is being attacked in the guise of appeasement of minority views.

SHALLOW LEADERSHIP

Ever since their unexpected poor performance at the country wide polls earlier this year, BJP – the only political party with a national presence, capable of functioning as an effective opposition in our parliamentary form of governance, appears to be stumbling from one episode to another, similar to the mind less serials telecast on our DTH channels.
Soon after the public spat between Rajasthan’s leadership and the party president, the latest dramatic incident, being expulsion of Jaswant Singh, an ex-Minister and a senior leader for expressing his personal views in a recently published book.
The obvious contradictions in this action of the party are difficult to reconcile and appears to be knee-jerk reaction to hard line ‘Hindutva’ pressure from the RSS – in spite of the usual labored denials by BJP.
The official statement issued by the Party President (incompetent record so far), on the one hand disclaims the contents of the book by attributing them as ‘personal views of the writer’ and in the same breadth expels the writer from the party, thereby establishing a nexus between the party and the writer? This is the most stupid logic of managing the affairs of an organization expected to contribute towards healthy democratic practices. Distinction between the party and the individual is essential for freedom of thought and growth of democratic benchmarks.
The poor quality of leadership displayed by most political parties is disturbing for the ever growing importance of India as a nation. The growing prestige of Indian presence in the community of nations can be jeopardized by the shortage of statesmanship essential to retain the momentum we now enjoy.
Political ideology takes precedence over national interest in decisions taken by many of the party chiefs who portray themselves as ‘Leaders’. Complete lack of perspective and the convenience of shallow ‘vote bank politics’ dominates most party actions.
Qualitative reforms along with nationalistic approach must guide politicians rather than ‘ego trips’ and vested petty interests.

BECHARA 'MUSALMAN' KHAN?

The huge hue and cry with headlines in the print and electronic media over King (self appointed?) Khan’s recent experience at a US airport sadly reflects the false sense of superiority and total lack of respect for rules and regulations by the celebrity crowd.
Indian celebrities assume that democracy gives them the right to be treated as special persons for whom rules, regulations, systems and laws can and have to be bent.
(Un) fortunately in USA - no one is above the law - and the guy mandated to apply the law and implement rules executes it in letter and spirit without fear or favour.
The pathetic quality of statements made by SRK (also amusing) and his sundry buddies in Bollywood along with a Minister is a shame and totally unwarranted. Their reaction confirms shallow understanding of facts related to the episode and the need to appreciate results obtained by strict adherence to security protocols laid down by USA after 9/11.
Highlighting 'religious profiling' to portray one self as a victim is becoming a style statement!!
It is an undisputed ugly fact that the only religion which is used as the reason by terrorists to kill, maim and destroy innocents around the world is used by other Muslims as a veil to hide themselves and keep silent without protesting against the monsters amongst them.
The majority of Muslims (especially celebrities like Mr. Khan should take advantage of their ‘religious profile’ status) have a duty and responsibility to openly rally against the Musalman terrorists/Taliban to ensure their capabilities are compromised. Islam should not and cannot be allowed to be abused by these lunatics.
The zero tolerance attitude of USA for homeland security is a lesson which Indian security authorities should consult Mr. Khan about!!

SWINE (FLU) MINISTER

As usual India has been caught napping in preparedness to handle the anticipated outbreak of H1N1 (a.k.a. Swine Flu) in spite of adequate awareness campaigns and warnings flashed by WHO for the past few months.
The Indian Ministry of Health appears to specialize in having incompetent Ministers tenure after tenure. The present incumbent (Ghulam Nabi Azad) looks unfazed, most probably because he has no clue of ground realities and lives by the principle of ‘ignorance is bliss’ to handle the affairs of his important ministerial portfolio.
His past rhetoric on the subject has been proven completely hollow. Wonder if the HM will be presented with a pink slip by the PM who had promised to offer governance that is accountable and capable of service delivery.
The first unfortunate death caused by the virus of a 14 year old school student in Pune has merely triggered bumbling statements (minus action) from the Minister exposing the total failure of the medical infrastructure in the country to manage a developing disaster around the country.
Most unimaginative policy decisions have been put in place which is totally inadequate to handle the situation even in these early stages. The scale of panic and loss of lives waiting to happen cannot be imagined.
Considering the extremely low level of ‘hygiene sense’ that the majority of the Indian population practices it will not be wrong to assume that India will soon be reeling under the burden of an epidemic situation caused by the H1N1 virus.
Let us hope and pray that better sense will soon prevail to unlock the necessary urgent steps reducing the scope of destruction by the virus, which the HM still believes is not as virulent as its colonial cousin attacking the western world? - for once I would like to trust him!!

IN THE NAME OF ISLAM?

A Musalman celebrity (not so famous for his acting skills other than on screen kissing?) has raised the bogey of religious profiling related to a personal transaction to acquire property in Mumbai that did not materialize. Some opportunists have converted this failed deal into political hornet's nest and other fodder to gain photo-ops and remain in public domain.
This minor incident reflects the deep seated prejudice that is harbored by a large cross section of the Muslim community living in the safety and comfort of Indian Territory and enjoying the privileges offered (mostly without any commitment to it) by the democratic Indian State to all its citizens.
Trying to link individual identity to a one dimensional attribute arising from religion is the first defiance that the follower of Islam normally adopts to highlight his/her status in India (and many other nations.)
This preponderance with Islam is the ugly truth that is creating increasing differences in healthy relationships among normal people who do not belong to the religious cluster.
Unfortunately, the fanatical elements claiming to be followers of the Prophet have distorted and hijacked the tenets of Islam, to unleash terror and destruction across the globe in the ‘NAME OF ISLAM’ while the true believer continues to remain quietly silent.
The reluctance to protest by the majority of Muslims has tarnished the community to be brushed by a single trait leading to religious profiling based on misconceived hatred and prejudiced fear.
The only way this status quo can change is for the Musalman to integrate with society without flaunting religion as an identity marker but simply behave like any other normal human being capable of love and good neighborly behavior.

UNRULY PUBLIC FIGURES

The opposition leader in the J&K Assembly, a lady (Mehbooba Mufti – wearing head gear to signify and declare her claim to dignified conduct prescribed by Islam?) who also happens to be the Chief of a political Party that brought her in the august house through the votes of the public whom she claims to represent under the Indian democratic dispensation, once again showed the weakness of our political system by unruly behavior in the house.
(Un)fortunately, rowdy actions within the four walls of Parliament/Assembly buildings, which the ordinary citizen maintains by paying taxes, is no more hidden from the public at large but beamed live and becomes breaking news at prime time!!
As a citizen and voter, it is offending to see people portraying themselves as ‘leaders’ disrespecting minimum decorum and displaying unruly behavior ignoring all rules of decency expected from public figures in the name of protecting democratic rights minus democratic duty to behave with dignity and respect the institution and constitutional positions held by other members of the house.
It is high time we initiated review of the existing system to bring in change that will promptly punish unruly reckless politicians so that so called ‘leaders’ set good example of decent conduct as public figures created and maintained by the public.
The voter should get a stake in quickly punishing elected politicians who misbehave rather than having to tolerate them.

ABSURD HISTORY

The political controversy arising out of the recent Sharm-el-Shaikh joint statement signed by India and Pakistan in Egypt is a fallacy. Nothing will change as long as Pakistan exists.
Politicians on both side of the border are wasting time in rhetoric merely to score political points without any conviction as to the success or failure of the diplomatic gesture enacted by two nations for the benefit of captive citizens in their two countries.
It is time India and the world at large accepted that Pakistan is a country which was born out of spite and deceit committed by a TB stricken dying politician’s personal desire to become immortal. The religion induced rotten cancer with which Pakistan was born is spreading death and terror around the world.
Mohammed Ali Jinnah carved Pakistan out of undivided India based on Religion. He plotted killing millions of innocent people and destroying generations of cordial relationship between neighbours by instigating ignorant Muslims to indulge in rape and carnage in the name of Islam.
Kashmir is the permanent scar left by partition. Pakistan has been unable to accept the reality of peaceful accession of Kashmir to the Indian Union. It feels cheated because the diabolic scheme hatched by Jinnah to capture Kashmir remains unfulfilled. The double crossing planned behind Mountbatten’s back remains unexecuted despite repeated and failed direct (Kargil) and indirect (Mumbai) attempts to cause death and damage.
Religion is the fault line on which Pakistan gained nationhood and blood of innocent humans is the price the world continues to pay for the absurdity of history imposed by one man’s mala fide action.

WOMAN POWER

The US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s ongoing visit to India should be an object lesson for our politicians (especially for some of our women folk like Maya/Amma/Didi/Madam types?) and sundry other celebrities in how to behave as a public figure.
The dignity with which she carries herself (powered by a great dress sense) along with a smiling face delivering articulate statements on a wide range of topics reflects confidence and the depth of knowledge acquired from experience based on rich exposure. The passion and sincerity that came through on very important universal social and environmental issues at different forums were brilliant.
Women should make her a role model and aspire to make paradigm shifts to change perceptions of their role in society. Achievements need not be gender restricted when inspiration can be drawn from women like Hillary Clinton.
Three Cheers to woman power!!

POLITICS OF RAPE?

The unfolding drama in UP produced and directed by the ‘Dalit-ki-beti’ Chief Minister Mayawati arising from the deplorable statements (now claimed to be made in the heat of the moment) by the State’s Congress Chief Rita Bahuguna reflects the disgusting level of dirty politics which can be indulged in by our politicians.
It is all the more nasty because the central casts in the drama are women and the topic that is forgotten and lost in the desire to score political points relates to the unpardonable crime of rape which physically and mentally destroys womankind!!
Mayawati is quick and smart to extract political mileage by projecting herself as the ‘victim’ and linking it to caste/ST/SC/Dalit and other unrelated issues to target ‘vote banks’ which apparently ditched her during the recent elections – in which she was aspiring to become India’s Prime Minister. God has in His infinite wisdom saved India from a 'woman-made' catastrophe!!
The defeat in elections has made her like a ‘mad dog (bitch)’ biting perceived enemies and barking at shadows, completely oblivious to the decorum expected from the CM’s desk.
Her vision is so narrow and limited that she is unable to come out of her trench mentality and ghetto thought process by clutching to ‘Dalit’ identity even after rising to the high office of CM. Abuse of power and resources is becoming her distinctive style.
Her actions/speech/body language all point to the lack of pedigree and is the blunt truth that needs to be pointed out to her by sycophants with ulterior motives and other hangers on with personal agendas. Some one should guide her to join a good 'finishing school' to learn basic manners and how to behave as a public figure.
It will take a few more generations for Dalits to overcome their unfortunate legacy if the opportunity that Mayawati has been given by Indian democracy is trivialized and wasted in cheap politics and ugly rhetoric trying to play the role of a greedy victim unable and unwilling to rise to the occasion by showing leadership.

ART OF LIVING

Today, visited the famous ART OF LIVING (AOL) INTERNATIONAL CENTRE on the outskirts of Bangalore.
It is a unique expanse of tranquility nurtured by the love and devotion of volunteers under the leadership and guidance of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder and inspiration behind this humanitarian organization, to liberate people from the trials and tribulations of daily living.
A fulfilling experience gained by simply visiting a place indicates the power of Love and the futility of matters with which we tend to distort our living.
His solutions refine human values to such purity that they become impregnable shields against manipulative and destructive influences. His message is simple but makes you wonder why you did not realize it up until now?
Joy and Love are potent powers each human being has in abundance. It can be utilized to resolve all problems.
Truly wonderful day spent rediscovering one self. The place offers short lessons to learn simple techniques of living and find peace within. Intend to join one soon as it inolves staying on their premises for few days.
The AOL foundation does conflict resolution and social service around the world.
Ask yourself, “How can I be useful to those around me and to the whole world?” is the simple message they want to spread.

A WISH FULFILLED

A few months ago I finished reading Imagining India by Nandan Nilekani who is synonymous with Infosys.
While approaching the end of this 485 pages of insightful writing by one of Corporate India’s super star poster boys, I was wondering what could be achieved if only we had some people like Nandan guiding India’s future with his innovative ideas articulated in the book while imaging India in his imagination based on facts and latent potential.
Recently the Prime Minister convinced this Padma Bhushan awardee and Infosys co-chairman, who co-founded Infosys in 1981, to offer his services to the government by heading the national unique identity project tasked to give every Indian an ID card. Incidentally, his book contains a brilliant analysis on the utility and cascading effect on governance and service delivery of having an integrated system based on a similar concept.
The massive leakage of resources inherent in our existing corruption laid system of managing and reaching target groups will substantially reduce if not fully disappear once the backbone for ‘smart cards’ is put in place. Elimination of manipulative human interface will change the social profile of the largely deprived section of our population and raise their standard of living to benefit the country as a whole. The political impact will be a windfall for citizens since the ‘politician-babu’ nexus will be unable to abuse a technology based system.
Constitutional and other basic Rights will become power in the hands of the common man embedded in a plastic card!!
Last evening Infosys gave a touching and emotional farewell to Nandan Nilekani enabling him to take up this National duty which indirectly fulfills my wish that was triggered by his excellent book.
We all owe Nandan Nilekani a standing ovation for this wonderful gesture to contribute his skills and knowledge to build a better India.
Cheers to a thumping success in his mission. Long live India.

JOURNEY OF LOVE

Yesterday (2nd July) completed 31 years (actually it’s 41 if the courtship period is accounted!!) of togetherness with the lady love of my life and it has been a wonderful journey for which we (Runu with me) thank God and all our loved ones, friends and others who remembered/forgot the day to make it special in so many ways.
We had a quiet and relaxed no frills day with a movie and lunch thrown in. This year we were unable to plan a short get away - so enjoyed enduring Bangalore's notorious traffic since there was no deadline or plan for the day and in the bargain made the discovery that driving need not be stressful if the mind is intent on fun.
Special thoughts go out to our two beautiful children and the lovely daughter acquired by son’s marriage; my sibling, her husband and two fantastic boys in US/Canada, Runu’s six siblings and their families and of course dear Mum.
Please continue to shower your love and good wishes as always in our journey of love.
Love you all. God Bless.

POLITICAL PESTS

The right to blow up Rupees 1,000 crores to build and display statues is derived by the UP CM under which account head and funded from where?
Abuse of power cannot be tolerated and courts should suo-motu commence proceedings against Mayawati for corruption and dismiss her forthwith from office for total lack of propriety expected from the high office of State CM.
The blatant disregard for decency and wastage of resources for self satisfaction cannot go unpunished - are our laws so weak that the country has to tolerate demons like Mayawati (live + statues?).
Imagine the fate of the country if the 'political pests' lead by Karat of CPM, joined by Deve Gowda of JD(S), Naidu of TDP and sundry other 'worms' who aspired to form a "Third Front" government on the plank of anti-Congress/BJP slogan in the recent elections with Mayawati (dalit-ki-beti being projected as her brand value!!) as their Prime Ministerial candidate had managed to run past the finishing line?
May be we would then see the 1,000 crores multiplied by the number of States and Union territories in India for 'Dalit-ki-beti' becoming 'Dalit-ki-PM' installing ugly statues across India to remind us of 'dalit-ki-keeda'???????????
The Union Home Minister along with Finance Minister must immediately initiate enquiry into this affair and force Mayawati in her individual capacity to refund the huge sum of public funds diverted to building her statues installed across UP.
It is a shame that that we have to endure such disgusting wastage while millions in the country die of hunger and lack of basic resources.
The public in UP must destroy these ugly signs of Mayawati's non-governance and boycott paying taxes till she is forced by agitations to resign her office and render unconditional apology to them and the country.

ISLAM'S FRENCH DIS-CONNECTION

The recent controversy emanating from the French President's views on dress code prescribed for Muslim women is agitating Muslims across the world.
Presumption of evil (male) elements in society is the weakness of Islam based upon which women are discriminated. All humans are equal and being born a Muslim woman need not be displayed by a dress code to send a message of being different merely on religious grounds.
Differences create conflicts and it is disgusting to find Muslims (specially clerics) hijacking society in the name of religion by displaying petty mindedness. Is their faith so weak and religion so brittle that they get offended by irrelevant issues setting aside important matters that can uplift one and all.
Followers of Islam need to speak up and clear misconceptions arising from manipulated interpretation of their religion which is creating an unhealthy environment world wide by dividing people into 'Muslims(We) and non Muslims(They)' based on hate, intolerance, misunderstanding and violence.
Blood and flesh are the same in all homo sapiens. Nature does not differentiate when giving us bounties or destroying us by natural calamities.
THE END IS THE SAME IRRESPECTIVE OF RELIGION. LOVE AND TOLERANCE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOW WE INTERPRET SCRIPTURES.

FOREVER

Tina left for Mumbai to commence her final year in college (majoring in Sociology) on Sunday June 7th after a fairly long vacation for which she arrived in Bangalore on 22nd March. We as parents are of course trying to cope with the ‘empty nest’ syndrome.
She has posted a beautiful piece on her blog (www.tinanandi.blogspot.com) on arrival at her Mumbai address which aptly expresses the happy moments we all shared. It is indeed our good fortune and God’s Blessing that she is blossoming into a beautiful human being capable of enduring friendships that radiates happiness for her and her pals.
In retrospect, our difficult and hard decision to send her away to boarding school across continents at a tender age appears to have been justified in shaping her pleasing and balanced personality which is in high demand amongst her wide and varied circle of friends.
Friendship is one of the most treasured relationships that are nurtured by choice as opposed to relatives whom we sometimes have to tolerate by default.
It was wonderful to experience the fun and frolic generated by some of her friends when they stayed over night at our home gorging on self made exotic meal cooked to the tune of live music and then depriving themselves of sleep although there’s an early morning transport to be availed next morning!!
Pray and wish that happy moments with friends continue to happen forever, wherever and whenever they can catch up. God Bless all the lovely people who have entered Tina’s life as friends. Thank you guys!!

RABINDRA SANGEET

Have casually heard and enjoyed Rabindra Sangeet on various occasions but recently after listening to a particular song (not for the first time) performed on a TV show some thing special happened to trigger a more than casual interest in this genre.
Sadly I realized that may be have been missing out on some thing really special as a Bengali considering the pleasure derived from just sitting back and listening to the unlimited tracks sung by different singers (have managed to build a small collection lately to derive unadulterated happiness.)
The richness and variety of the topics expressed in words is awesome and makes one wonder about the greatness achieved by an individual in a lifetime. (Can any one please provide statistics on the total number of songs/poems and other writings of this prolific writer?) I pay my respects to this larger than life personality and wish to thank all the artists/musicians who spread unlimited pleasure and happiness.
The following is extracted from Visva Bharati site which is worth sharing as it closely resembles what I want to express about my new found love.
"Music, like all other arts in India, had stereotyped patterns. There was and is the classical tradition, whether of the north or the south, which has behind it centuries of devoted discipline, and which has within its limits, attained near perfection. It is music, pure and abstract, and like all abstract art its appeal is limited to those who have taken pains to understand what may be called its mathematics. For them it can be very beautiful, hauntingly so, in the hands of a master, but ordinarily its appeal is limited. Its counterpart for the popular taste was the traditional religious and folk music, now rivaled by film music. The position was not dissimilar in literature where, before the nineteenth century, there was either the great storehouse of Sanskrit classics or the popular religious lyric and ballad.
What Rabindranath was doing in literature he also tried to do in music. While caring for both the traditions, classical and folk, he respected the inviolable sanctity of neither and freely took from each what suited his purpose. He was not even averse to borrowing from western melodies, although he did very little of that and made his own whatever he took from other sources. If his creative contribution in music has not received the same recognition as his contribution in literature, it is because, in the first place, the classical tradition of music in India, unlike that of literature, is still very alive and vital and there was no vacuum to be filled.
In fact Rabindranath did not attempt creation of new forms in abstract music. What he did was to bring it down from its heights and make it keep pace with the popular idiom of musical expression. In the second place, his own music is so inextricably blended with the poetry of words that it is almost impossible to separate the mood from the words and the words from the tune. Each expresses and reinforces the other. Hence his songs have not the same appeal outside the Bengali- speaking zone as they have in his native Bengal.
In Bengal, however, each change of season, each aspect of his country's rich landscape, every undulation of human heart, in sorrow or in joy has found its voice in some song of his. They are sung in religious gatherings no less than in concert halls. Patriots have mounted the gallows with his song on their lips; and young lovers unable to express the depth of their feelings sing his songs and feel the weight of their dumbness relieved."
Rabindranath had said, "Whatever fate may be in store in the judgment of the future for my poems, my stories and my plays, I know for certain that the Bengali race must needs accept my songs, they must all sing my songs in every Bengali home, in the fields and by the rivers... I feel as if music wells up from within some unconscious depth of my mind, that is why it has certain completeness."
RABINDRANATH TAGORE - BORN 7th MAY 1861; DIED 7th AUGUST 1941.

UPA VERSION 2

The euphoria of Election ‘09 stands converted into a Ministerial Team whose average age still remains 60? A few youngsters have found some berths which it is hoped will be a trend setter for the future.
The cabinet team is as large as is permitted under the existing rules. The spirit of the rule was not intended to be abused in this manner. The idea was to set an ‘upper limit’ to the number of Ministers, which is conveniently interpreted as the maximum number of Ministers that can be employed at the tax payer’s cost to accommodate the aspiration of certain ‘greedy’ leaders (whose greed extends to having multiple wives and dozens of mostly unworthy off springs!) to overcome the pit falls of coalition politics.
Certain Ministers and their dummy Ministries will merely dilute the focus from deliverables and are likely to restrict the high expectations from this government.
PM Manmohan will have to be agile and ruthless in managing the parasites to ensure that the faith and trust entrusted by the electorate is justified. Performance parameters must be constantly monitored.
Indian elections have repeatedly thrown up surprises. The electorate is usually unpredictable and votes to send clear and strong message to the manipulative politicians.
The message this time is loud for ‘DEVELOPMENT+GOVERNANCE’ without any petty excuses and a ‘BIG NO’ to religion/caste/creed/region/wealth etc. The burden on the government to perform and deliver is magnified more than ever by the impatient youth factor inherent in India’s existing demographic profile.
Let us hope that we as a Nation are able to make the turn around we all deserve and our elected team fulfills their duty with responsible behaviour.

AILA'S MESSAGE

The intensity of Cyclone AILA that caused massive devastation in and around Kolkata could not be predicted by the weather man although the occurrence was expected.
Animals, birds, vegetation, humans and cars were tossed around like tooth pick. Tidal waves larger than any one can recollect destroyed miles of forest land along with tigers and other wildlife.
The extent and ferocity of damage is yet to be assessed, but the fact that we are face to face with many more such ravages of nature around the world is certain.
KATRINA was the wake up call which we ignored at our peril.
We are all destined to experience expected and unexpected incidents of similar destruction more often, unless we become aware of the man made environmental degradation we continue to cause of our only habitat.

HUMBLE REQUEST

Just completed reading HOT, FLAT and CROWDED - by Thomas Friedman.
A revealing and well researched 412 pages that we must all try to make an honest attempt to read.
It will enlarge your horizon and increase our collective awareness about the the crucial point we have reached in our journey as human beings and the critical need to save OUR EARTH.
WARNING - please try to go through it asap because we are already running late!

CRESCENDO

After the protracted foreplay enacted by politicians and five actual acts performed by a half hearted electorate, the day of reckoning has delivered a surprisingly healthy number of seats to one of the two National parties to form a stable government without having to indulge in illicit activities to woo unscrupulous bed mates. The supremacy of ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMs) has been resounding. No Exit Poll or other statistical methods predicted this outcome. The winner also has been taken by surprise!
Penetration achieved by the two National Parties is satisfying. The allies and petty immoral politicians who decided to flirt have been given a very firm warning and a loud message that the voter should not be taken for granted. Bastards will no more be tolerated.
The results appear to be a trend setter for the future of Indian governance, where we can look forward to healthy and competitive fights between truly national parties capable of providing real leadership for the country’s progress.
It is heartening to note that despite the accumulated rubbish in our political harem some of the dirt has been decisively removed. The silent voter has validated the increasing maturity of our democracy by forcing the political class to introspect and avoid arrogance of power.
The biggest winner in this massive presentation is the VOTER. They have supported ‘issue based’ politics that affect them and the country. A ‘red card’ has been shown to all self appointed power mongers of one man/woman parties that pursue personal agendas based on caste, creed, religion and other manipulative tactics. The voter has effectively and intelligently separated local and national issues by rejecting politicians/political parties that are perceived to be spoilers and made a smart choice.
The Election Commission deserves a pat (not withstanding the systemic flaws) for being an able conductor of this political crescendo in the theatre of Indian Democracy.
THREE CHEERS TO ALL THOSE WHO VOTED. LONG LIVE INDIAN DEMOCRACY.

SECULAR ORGY

In the next 24 hours the fate of the recently concluded (13th May) National elections captured in the Electronic Voting Machines will be announced by the Election Commission for the formation of the next Government of India, which involved organizing facilities for 714 million registered voters of which 405 million exercised their duty - rightly or wrongly influenced by political parties and politicians.
The tragedy of this massive and unique DEMOCRATIC show is that Indians have once again failed to make game changing contribution to cleanse the rubbish, which is obvious from the shameless back room maneuvers and open immoral tactics being resorted to by candidates and their parties.
The most abused word in the dictionary behind which every politician is taking refuge is ‘SECULAR’. (In India it means bagging the Muslim Vote Bank and playing the religion card.)
There are no national issues which bother any of this peculiar breed of existing and aspiring leaders who want to control the fate of a Billion plus Indians.
‘SEX-(C)-ULAR ORGY’ more aptly describes the politician’s party-hopping and jumping onto any bedfellow as seducer and/or seducee!!
The players in this big farcical drama are making statements to justify their tricks based on negative logic of “I/We are against/for Secular forces” to oppose/support the two National Parties in the hope of sharing the spoils of power for the next 5 years.
Repulsive behavior and absolute lack of respect for moral values in this time’s orgy is worse than in the past. Participants are involved in playing ‘Musical Chairs’ with the next friend/foe with benefits and making/breaking alliances at the drop of their hats (Pants will be more appropriate!!).
If any one is red-faced in all this, it is the common citizen who is stuck with the prospect of debauched politicians making vows as unorthodox alliances are negotiated to rape our country in the name of Secular Democracy.
THAT THE SYSTEM HAS FINALLY FAILED IS MORE THAN OBVIOUS BECAUSE EVEN PARTIES WITH SINGLE DIGIT MEMBERS (OF PARLIAMENT) WILL BE ABLE TO INFLUENCE THE MAJORITY TO STRIKE UNHOLY BARGAINS DETRIMENTAL TO THE POLITICAL HEALTH AND ECONOMIC WELL BEING OF INDIA?

STARTERS @ INDIAN POLITICAL EATERY

Some headlines in today’s papers reflect the lowest of low levels that our politicians are capable of achieving.
The saddest dilemma is that the common citizens are forced to endure such debauched individuals as leaders of political outfits who hold positions of power charting the future of India. God save the country!!
Highlights of the items that will rile you:
1) Mulayam Singh Yadav – founder and Head of SP (a.k.a. Samajwadi Party) based out of UP (sadly some high profile celebrities are part of this party) has the audacity to state that he and his party MPs will support the formation of any Government in New Delhi that promises to dismiss the Constitutionally elected State Government headed by his political opponent. In any other decent society governed by law, such a demand will be treated as treason and punished severely.
The story does not end here. Our ‘Mr. Leader’ went to exercise his right to vote and displayed abusive behavior at the polling station by demanding removal of security personnel guarding the venue so that he could enter the designated booth along with his Z-Class (Tax payer paid) commandos deputed for protecting this National treasure, and in the process insulting an IAS Officer on Election Duty.
2) The Octogenarian Chief Minister of Tamilnadu who is bedridden, senile and presumably incapable of seeing because his eyes are always hidden behind dark glasses decides to tickle Tamil sentiment to garner votes in the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections by stating that he will ensure that a Tamil Nation is carved out of Sri Lankan territory for the Terrorists known as LTTE (whose Leader was earlier called a personal friend by the same old bufoon for similar ulterior motives during election season) whom the Sri Lankan Government as nearly managed to eliminate in a highly successful mission after suffering two decades of killings and destruction. Meddling in the internal affairs of another sovereign country is universally condemned, but our Mr. Chief Minister (Head of a Regional Party) has no qualms about ignoring such decorum, as long as it can get votes used as bargaining chips for participating in government.
3) Lalu Prasad Yadav – another Head of a Regional Political Party and the one time infamous Chief Minister of Bihar for installing his home maker spouse as Bihar’s Chief Minister when sent to jail for a massive scam, man handles news men at the polling booth where he went to cast his vote without any provocation – because he fears that adequate numbers will not become available to strike bargains for positions of power in the forthcoming government after having ditched the coalition in a pre-poll turn coat calculation that trusted him as Cabinet Minister for five years. He was merely displaying a "foul mood swing" in public!!
4) Prakash Karat – Head of CPM (last bastion of universally failed dogmatic Leftist ideology) a party famous for perfecting an unique model of enjoying all the powers of Governance without any responsibly and duties, loudly declares of not supporting any Congress/BJP Government formation in a pre-poll moral high ground stance, makes soft noises through his deputy about a change of heart for a possible Congress led government, triggered by 75% voter turnout in the First Phase of elections in West Bengal which is likely to topple the Party's apple cart.
5) Raj Thackeray – Leader of a rag tag new born Regional Party formed out of spite for an uncle and cousin, infamous for rowdies and goons beating up/killing North Indian citizens of the country, calls the Prime Minister names (in not printable abusive disrespectful words) in public forums to obtain votes from more goons in the hope of becoming part of any coalition that forms a government after the polls. He proclaims himself to be a 'king maker' hence such uncivilized behavior which we have to accept as silent spectators.
The above are the Starters on the Menu of Political Immorality. Wait for the Post Poll Main Course items with murkier recipes to be served on the 16th of May 2009.
All the Regional Parties are essentially ONE MAN road shows that manage to dictate terms with a few MPs in their kitty to cobble up a grouping that governs the billion plus Indian population. No wonder we are seeing such stray dogs mentality in our politics.

BANGLORED

Once more - Politics triumphs over commerce, economics and business sense, and we can safely draw some comfort from the fact that it is not restricted to our brand of Politicians but shamelessly played by others around the world including the US.
The U. S. President Barack ( CHANGE? ) Obama’s recent ranting at a White House event to announce tax reforms by lashing out at U.S. multinationals who indulged in ‘tax avoidance’ by setting up business activities around the world, which is a perfectly legitimate tax planning route exercised by intelligent managements, as opposed to ‘tax evasion’ appears to be misguided and untimely.
To indulge in misplaced rhetoric and bash Bangalore as a metaphor to describe all things from job loss to globalization, merely to score political points for a protectionist agenda is a leadership failure based on half truths not expected from USA.
The warped logic of the Obama argument wherein he states that “American Corporations under the current tax regime pay lower taxes by creating jobs in Bangalore than in Buffalo, New York” has nothing to do with the outsourcing phenomenon which the ‘Politician’ in the President has wrongly targeted at his and US of A’s peril.
That the tax code has got nothing to do with outsourcing and off shoring should be more than obvious to any rational mind with common sense. Private enterprise and business without boundaries is all about globalization and adding wealth for humanity based upon best use of economic resources.
Whether Obama and his limited mission for USA and other world leaders like it or not, India is an attractive wealth creation destination by virtue of its English speaking educated human resources and other economic inputs which attracts commerce to generate profits and wealth. Knowledge available at attractive costs cannot be ignored, hence corporate America and business houses will have to remain engaged with Indians and accept to be Banglored rather than remain Buffaloed (pun intended). Incidentally, if Mr. President succeeds in this stupid policy, it is good news for Indian multinationals for obvious reasons, and may be, India will run past the current global economic slowdown flag post faster than expected. Thanks Mr. Obama!!
Politics and economics don’t mix and it is hoped that Americans do not attempt to achieve it. Bush disturbed the world by unjustified wars on terror in search of fictitious WMD now Obama seems to get involved in another type of fight chasing imaginary shadows based on conjectures and confused thinking.

BANGALORE DISSAPOINTS

The post poll statistics released by the Election Commission cuts a sorry picture of the Indian citizen forming the electorate from Bangalore.
The overall turnout is less than 50% - meaning that people have voted for status-quo (of minority ruling the majority) instead of the much needed change. Lethargy and apathy appears to be much more deep rooted than the initiators of various aggressive and innovative ‘awareness campaigns’ had assumed. Failure to inspire voters to turnout in larger numbers is obviously a serious malaise. Turnout is lower than the previous election in spite of serious attempts to spread the message to “GO VOTE”.
In depth analysis is required to be undertaken to draw meaningful conclusions for the persistent failure of the ordinary citizen to get involved in the only process which is within his/her private control to make a difference.
This state of affairs is a distressing indicator of the ‘REAL’ failure of the much touted “largest democracy” that we pride ourselves to be. May be it is time to consider alternative forms of electoral process starting with rejecting the “First past the post” principle with “50% + 1” concept.
Part of the blame for the poor performance can be attributed to the Election Commission and the legal frame work under which it operates. Relying on archaic systems and Stone Age tools in the midst of IT/ITES environment possibly highlights the fact that our political leaders want to perpetuate existing failures as their strongest weapon against change to protect their turf with the help of the proverbial bureaucrat.
It is only to be hoped that the tentacles of corruption has not infiltrated the Election Commission whereby ‘names disappear’ from the electoral list instigated by party cadres and goons.
Who will bell the cat? You & Me or the EXISTING SYSTEM CONTINUES WHILE WE REMAIN IN SLUMBER AND LEAVE THE FIELD WIDE OPEN FOR THE CORRUPT MINORITY TO CONTROL OUR LIVES?

INVERTED DEMOCRACY

The RIGHT TO VOTE (I proudly enjoyed today) enshrined in the INDIAN CONSTITUTION has unfortunately been reduced to a farcical exercise riding on tall claims made by the political leadership and the ‘Babus’ of a flawed system.
The glaring failures exposed in the role of the Election Commission are disappointing. Optimum voter turnout cannot be achieved to change things through the ballot box unless the EC becomes more efficient along with strictly upholding its mandate to conduct free and fair elections. An institution which is not in order cannot conduct an orderly activity.
The myth of a “SECURE” Electronic Voting Machine gets exposed by total inept handling of the strangely completely manual procedure which precedes the Voter’s access to the machine. Untrained, uninspiring and ‘forced to work’ human resources pressed into “Election Duty” are a weak link in the system.
The vicinity of the polling stations are a cesspool of dubious party workers openly doling out inducements in the form of ‘tokens’ for breakfast/lunch and other cash/non-cash incentives to vote for their candidates. Police and other security agencies turn a blind eye to this day light corruption in the open under their relaxed nose.
The fact that the voting procedure is full of blatant corrupt practices is indicative of the end result that it generates. The ‘campaigning to voting cycle’ of the system is heavily tilted towards electing dishonest immoral candidates who then spread their dirty nets across the landscape to recover ‘investments’ within the shortest possible time to prepare for the next election, which may happen earlier than prescribed five years depending upon the level to which ‘neta’ stoops on the ‘corruption scale’. This perpetuates the corruption loop - spreading like galloping cancer in our society.
The demand for reforms in systems and need to clean the existing rubbish is of paramount importance if India is to progress and achieve its full potential as the largest democracy and economically strong country capable of fulfilling the aspirations of its citizens.
The revelations in the polling phase is a clear pointer to the murkier post poll scenario (on 16th May) when results throw up shameless winners who will then participate in the race to be part of the government indulging in choosing strange bed fellows and stranger policies performing the ultimate "Corruption Dance" in the name of ‘inverted’ democracy where “MINORITY” rules the silent helpless “MAJORITY”.

RACE BEGINS

The first phase of Elections '09 for the Fifteenth Lok Sabha begins today. The statistics of this massive exercise is mind boggling and a logistical nightmare.
124 of the 543 seats spread across 17 States and Union Territories will be up for grabs today. Incidentally, phase one of two simultaneous Assembly Elections involving 154 of the 297 seats of Andhra Pardesh and 70 of the 147 seats of Orissa assemblies will also be conducted.
It is interesting to know that Indian Elections are the largest democratic activity conducted any where in the world to form a government.
Hats off to the Election Commission to be able to undertake this massive task with a fairly independent and strict monitoring using the electronics voting machine which in itself is another world record!!
The back end of our democracy is convincing and worth being proud of. We now need to put the front end of this process in order to remove the corruption that is all pervading amongst majority of the politicians who slip through to form the government.
Hopefully this election appears to have made a tentative beginning towards a clean up operation considering awareness campaigns and new levels of involvement from citizens who were considered to be full of apathy towards the election process.

PROTECTING ABUNDANCE

Back from a short holiday with nature in its breath taking awesome splendor.
Makes me wonder why we humans remain stuck in petty matters involved with low end of existence in the midst of such abundance!!
A three and half hours drive to our destination (Thekkady is only accessible by road) from the rail head after an over night journey from Bangalore gave an instant sense of liberation as we alighted at the resort in the midst of blue skies full of oxygen rich greenery and pleasant sound of birds.
Kerala is famous for back waters but Thekkady is a different jewel tucked away on the high ranges of the Western Ghats offering unique taste of beautiful landscape amidst fascinating natural wildlife with the man made Periyar Lake created by the British in 1895 from the Mullapperiyar River depicting a harmonious blend with nature.
Can we resolve to ensure that EARTH remains protected from the catastrophic abuse we hurl at it disrespecting the unconditional abundance we receive?

CORPORATE SOCIAL IR-RESPONSIBILTY

We live in the neighborhood of a Tech Park (imposed upon us by corrupt politicians being hands-in-glove with real estate sharks!!) – and silently tolerate a whole lot of nuisance and abuse of the environment on 365/24/7 basis associated with an influx of more than 12,000 persons directly employed by the who’s-who of corporate world aside from hundreds of support staff who make a living from the tech park.
The EARTH HOUR initiative last evening should have been an opportunity for the huge multi national companies (mostly of US and Foreign origin) to show solidarity with the cause in their adopted overseas location by at least switching off non essential lighting on their sprawling premises for an hour. Sadly, nothing transpired and the thousands of lights remained glowing oblivious to the more than urgent need to get involved to protect the very future of their own cash flows!!
It is distressing to realize that we are at the mercy of people who manage companies and enjoy a lot of privileges (some times undeserving) but are so blatantly IRRESPONSIBLE towards the impact of their behavior on the environment. This ‘don’t care’ attitude is all the more devastating when they ignore well publicized efforts (apparently small) like the EARTH HOUR especially since the chosen hour was on a Saturday evening.
May be the bosses were too busy with their single malts and sushi in designer dresses at some well lighted week-end venue relaxing after a hard week’s abuse?

V - ('OTER CARD) DAY!!

On Sunday 22nd March around 20:00 hours obtained the much anticipated VOTER IDENTITY CARD on the Fifth visit to the designated office of the Election Commission!! Considering the level of frustration earlier experienced the fact that the card matured on the FIFTH TRIP became an anti-climax for which I must thank the flawed system. It prepared me for not expecting any thing to happen when I walked into the issuing office – but to come out with a sense of achievement with the treasured card in the pocket!!
There’s a lesson in this for those who want to get things done when inter acting with any agency of the government. Go about the procedure in accordance with the mostly cumbersome system and DO NOT EXPECT ANY OUT COME. The most important aspect is to approach matters with a sense of resigned perseverance!!
By the way, the government also has adequately provided for outlets to vent your emotions. They have a plethora of e-mail IDs with a disguised message which gives the impression that you can approach the senior most Civil Servants to resolve problems encountered while dealing with the system – but they will ignore your mails and complaints/grievances, by the time this realization strikes, the job gets done. This practice works splendidly as a punching bag for your anger, frustration and other negative emotions. E-Governance at its best!!
So next time have a bit of consideration for the subtle manner in which we the citizens of India are protected by the State from the build up of negative emotions which are deceptively destructive for the well being of the Indian!!