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.