APATHY - EPISODE TWO

In continuation of my previous piece titled APATHY I now sadly realize that it was the “TRAILER”!!
Here is the subsequent episode (to be continued for how long I’m not so sure?) though I promise that I will see it to the end when the VOTER CARD IS FINALLY PROCURED.
As usual (we are early risers) reached the designated office no sooner than the gates and the shutter opened but an unscheduled load shedding greeted us!!
The guys who operate out of this office, for whom our tax money is utilized, announced that we will have to wait till the power is restored. Computers and other equipments cannot boot without power. Remember – we are a poor country administered by a corrupt government so cannot afford power back up systems unless some Minister can strike a deal to steal more money!!
Around 0900 hours after an hour’s wait some one announced that there is a register at the back office which will allocate a number to indicate that the system (when activated by electricity) will accept to photograph us for the card. I'm still trying to figure out why this procedure was indicated after an hour of waiting?
Surprise and frustration awaited us in the filthy back office where a chaotic situation prevailed because all of us rushed to obtain the number from a tired looking government employee (can’t blame him - there is no electricity for the fan!!).
There we patiently awaited our fate while this person fished for our names in a well worn out dirty odd sized fat register (repeatedly sucking his fingers - you know why?) and mostly announcing that the name is missing because the register has not been updated and casually announcing that we can check next week – no specific date to look forward to!!
We realized that the desire to vote has turned into a “Game of Chance” at the mercy of a failed system.
Returned home fuming and cursing to be an aspiring Indian Voter – wife declared that she will no more accompany me and that she has no desire to vote – another wasted franchise initiated by our failed system.
I am however determined to obtain the card and will try to convince my better half to support the project for an important venture.
So, till the next episode remain focused and determined to vote!!
JAI HO!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. Meanwhile I have sent two mails to the office of a higher officer in the hierarchy of the Election Commission stating the facts so far (typically none of them have been acknowledged.)

APATHY

Trying to take advantage of the Voter Registration exercise undertaken by the Election Commissioner's Office we were scheduled to obtain our mandatory Photo ID cards based on the appointment granted on submission of the Registration application in the prescribed form on 24/02/09.
Reached the relevant office around 08 hours (incidentally the offices operate from 08 to 12 then 16 to 20 hours - Monday Holidays - probably in an attempt to portray itself as public friendly??).
The black gates at the shabby office located in a fairly obscure location were securely locked with a strong Godrej Navtal padlock!!
Waited hope fully along with some more early birds searching the horizon for the man with the key to our Indian voter identity. Time ticked by as some more vote aspiring citizens piled up.
Around 09 hours we realized that the there was some thing amiss. Even by government standards the opening of the office could not be late by nearly an hour irrespective of proverbial late coming excuses that abound in this sector.
We observed some youngsters enjoying the festival of colours when it dawned that probably the office is closed for HOLI & ID festivities, though it was evident that most of the people who were waiting had planned the early stop over on way to their respective work places as it is not a public holiday in Karnataka!!
At the least, the relevant government offices and their bureaucrats (sucking tax payer funds) can become a little more sensitive to the general public by tracking their Holidays ( which are declared in advance) and not schedule activities on such days to avoid harassment. If that is too much to expect they can extend the common courtesy of putting up a notice at the gate(s) to announce the closure due to Holidays so that the citizen can curse his luck without wasting precious time for being given an appointment on a holiday!!
Such apathy to the public should not be tolerated and must become one of the issues required to be changed through the power of our votes.
Make sure you cast that vote during the forthcoming elections.

POWER(LESS) MINISTER

On February 11 the Minister of Energy Eshwarappa loudly claimed with a media splash that he'd ensure there won't be load shedding this summer!!
The reality is that even before summer has set in, the entire state of Karnataka and Bangalore is reeling under frequent unscheduled erratic power cuts averaging 4-5 hours per day. The fate of the rural folk is worse with 8-16 hours.
That Promises are made to be broken is the guiding principle of our politicians is once again sadly confirmed.
Incidentally, the Minister's excuse for this expected failure is contained in his statement of February 28 "Government is ready to buy power at any cost but no one is coming forward to sell...............".
As if electricity is available off the shelves in the neighborhood store and he expected to go and fill up his Ministerial shopping bag paying taxpayer's money? Typical stupid 'blame game' tactics to escape responsibility.
With the forthcoming General Elections round the corner the voter community should be wary of who they cast their votes for. Liars and bogus persons cannot and should not get our votes. Power hungry corrupt politicians will not be allowed to become power less once elected to a seat of power.
Accountability and zero tolerance of empty rhetoric must be the main criteria for earning the right to represent us.

TERROR'S EXPANDING DOMAIN

The recent horrific incident on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore by terrorists announces the shift to hitherto relatively safe domain of sports which was spared by the mind less Talibans till now.
Sheer providence and presence of mind displayed by the alert targets coupled with few execution mishaps experienced by the rogues saved lives of the players though some innocent persons were unfortunately killed.
The larger question that now arises is - what can the world do about the expanding terror menace and more importantly how do we protect the globe from a failed nuclear enabled state represented by Pakistan.
The fool hardy approach of the U.S. administration (see the "Save Pakistan" proposals) of shirking responsibility by doling billions more to Pakistan confirms American policy makers still live in a "Fools Paradise". Is the Obama effect waning? Where is the change (not the few billions kind) Mr. President?
May be USA and the rest of the world will wake up only after another 9/11 scale of hit on their soil to realize that Pakistan is already a failed state - when they will look back to see that the fresh billions further strengthened the capacity of the rogues to destroy. It will be too late.
It is more than obvious that U.S. taxpayers have been funding Pakistan's bogus war on terror based on deceit and fake actions. The Bush-Mush partnership is responsible for the escalating sophisticated terror strikes in the region sure to extend around the globe soon.
The large followers of Islam who live any where on planet earth need to salvage their faith by raising a collective voice against the distorted interpretation of the holy Koran being abused by a minority in the name of their religion. Loud protests and awareness campaigns have to be launched on a war footing to save humanity. All sane individuals who believe in the religion of humanity must support the Muslims in their latent desire to exist without fear along with others.
The threat is no longer 'far away' from any one. Complacency and wishful thinking cannot be a 'safety zone' because the terrorist is lurking in our back yard and no amount of denial will make the stark reality go away.

OSCARS FOR SLUMDOG

The thumping success of Slumdog Millionaire at the just concluded Oscars is a pleasant and happy moment for all things Indian.
Sorry for the nay Sayers who are uncomfortable with reality and want to exist in the fantasy of their protected environment. Fortunately they are a minority who can remain behind the tinted glass of their Mercs, Ferraris and bungalows.
Danny Boyle’s movie has won eight Oscar awards including best picture, adapted screenplay, cinematography, sound mixing, film editing, original score, original song and direction.
The highlight of the Slumdog Millionaire drama is reflected on the faces of the happy kids from the 'real slums' wearing tuxedos and designer dresses smiling at the Oscar venue enjoying the entire experience with the innocence of unadulterated exuberance of the moment, which is universal irrespective of who and where the child is. Only children are capable of soaking in true glory they always deserve.
That I think is the power of the story so well told by the entire team and deserves to be saluted. It has changed so many lives and given an entirely neglected deprived section of our society the right to aspire and courage to dream.
I look forward to the day when the politics of vested interest will no longer be able to exploit this class with false promises and criminality.
The Director of the film humbly attributed the success of the movie by stating that the story is not about money (prize) but all about Love. The human angle is really well narrated and touches the viewer.
Thanks to the Oscars jury for fulfilling the personal wish made on my post of 25th January!!

SURRENDER TO TERROR

The chilling news of surrendering to Taliban by Pakistani Government (if it can be called one) in parts of the country where Sharia law will apply is devastating for the world in general and India in particular.

Rhetoric should be replaced by reality now that the double crossing Pakistani game started by Musharraf under which the Bush administration continued to be bluffed is out in the open.

The reality is worse and more dangerous than the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq put together. Pakistan is a nuclear capable 'failed' state. The trigger will soon pass on to Osama - Pakistan's guest of honour while the world searched caves else where?

It is more than obvious that the war on terror after 9/11 has miserably failed because the Taliban has proved itself to be more intelligent in biding its time and resources behind the veil of deceit provided to them by the Pakistani administration which kept fooling the world by mock support of the war on terror. The Taliban is a much stronger outfit today than it was when the war commenced thanks to the billions of dollars that USA routed to them via Pakistan.

The international community should respond to the wake up call given in Pakistan by the TALIBAN and strategise to control this menace urgently. The threat cannot be viewed as distant and in isolation any more because it is on the doorstep of all nations who cherish freedom from fear and believe in protecting dignity of life.

India's allegations and fears stand starkly validated after more than 60 years of shouting and complaining in vain. The Mumbai carnage was Taliban's first notice declaring their growing power and intent to the world.

Pakistan is and has been a disaster of history from the day it became a reality by political default and will haunt the rest of the world worse than it has India.

VALENTINE'S DAY

Just did some basic research to find out what could be the reason (if any) for 'Goons Brigade' objection to celebrating Valentine's Day and came up with some facts.
You are invited to decide if there is any justification for the threats being issued by certain fringe outfits like Shiv Sena/Ram Sene etc.
It is obvious that frustrated manipulators have a hidden agenda to protect their vested interests by resorting to extra constitutional tactics to blow 'non issues' out of proportion and gain media attention.
It is time for the common citizen of the country to introspect and seek to change the abuse of democratic rights by the minority which the system of governance is failing to control by implementing rule of law. The media can play the role of a catalyst to build the pressure group for change.
The VALENTINE'S fact sheet is simple and non controversial.
* Celebrated world wide on 14th February.
* According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year. Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women!! (validates my observations about women made on 15th Januaray!!)
* Significance - Lovers express their feeling for each other.
* Traditional Symbols - include hearts, doves, Cupid and love notes.
* Observances - Sending greetings cards and gifts, dating. - (Saudi Arabia's religious police in 2008 banned the sale of all Valentine's Day items, which created a black market for roses and wrapping paper?)
CELEBRATE VALENTINE'S DAY THIS YEAR TO PROTECT INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY OF CHOICE.