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.