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.