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11月2日 Book Review - 'Almost Single"Almost Single. - The book almost takes off...
Great title
A sari clad leg swinging with a sneaker...hmmn interesting cover.
Theme - A single woman in urban India. Thought provoking.
Reviews - 'The mantra of all single women in India.'
'She is a craze'.
I picked up the book, thinking it would be a good read. Two chapters later, I sighed. An old-fashioned Mills & Boon, the book just refused to take off. When one is forced to read about a grown up woman dealing with issues about men in a teenage fashion- well...let's just say that I might as well watcha soap on the Disney channel. A superficial level of gut reaction with the supposedly pretty heroine going for a binge party, another single to listen to all her stupid pranks, and her sad about to be divorcee friend who just messed up her life. A reflection on how our urbane lives lack any depth and revolve around the social to-dos and parties. No need to think much. Cattiness personified, it reads like the diary of a socialite, who by the way, has to work for a living. Sigh! Halfway through, she bores us with all the details of how she waited on the royalty and served as a personal maid minus the western style uniform. The book resorts to cheap tricks at times, when she attempts crass humor about the fat boss's extra-marital acitivities. One small joke which sort of covers twenty odd pages. It gets worse, when she keeps trying to target the men. But she still couldn't marry him till she appears in a towel - in front of his boss and practically talks him into taking up the older proposal. The boss in the meantime stands through the specatacle before he finally excuses himself. Another tale of how to trap the eligible and rich bachelor? This by the way, reminds me of another lady I knew in the hostel business. She too is rumored to roam around in towels. Guests, beware! I just hope its not a part of their job description. Worse, the book was badly edited, with spelling errors, punctuation & goof-ups. Hey, did the publisher want to publish it? Or was she or he just another one of those contacts who owed her a favor?
Hmmn!
To be fair, the book almost takes off...she touches on some risque issues, but does not explore them. She almost there and then poof - nothing! 5月17日 Post elections, it is the electoral promises. Congress victory was predictable. Margins were low. Still Congress did not get enough on its own weight. DMK and NCP are still the balancers in the UPA led government. So the kingmakers will come from these parties and will still be the king really. The Congress gained new grounds in Rajasthan and Delhi. Started recovering in UP. UP voted for the Gandhis. That showed. NE treated it with a pinch of salt. Karnataka and Gujarat are still BJP bastions. Two states where the state government must change before the people vote different. In Gujarat the vote makes no difference. BJP has a fiefdom there. The Bengal's anti-Left vote and Bihar's vote has an element of change in it. The task of winning elections is relatively easy compared to living upto electoral promises. The Congress has made a lot of promises. It will hopefully have the entire five years to keep them. Hopefully its focus will be on development and not on petty politics like that of Mayawati or hopefully it will treat opposition with dignity rather then ignorant exercises of power. One really wonders whether power will corrupt any further though. The King maker is the king
The King maker is the king Deep in the Himalayas, there was a beautiful valley. To the world outside, it was known as the kingdom of peace, riches and beauty. However, inside only the people could tell you how peaceful it really was. In this kingdom lived a wise man called Gramin. He was a rich man. He could predict futures and decide fates. In this kingdom, there also lived two princely families. One which ruled the throne and the other, the king’s brother. Both the King and his old brother had a son each. Both were keen on becoming the next king. The King announced his retirement. And also declared the road to the throne open for both cousins. He said that gods would be consulted before they decided on who would be the next king. Both princes went to Gramin. Both appealed to him. Gramin promised to pray for both. In return he garnered favors and made money. The day came for choosing the king. The royalty and the who’s who of the kingdom gathered in large numbers, waiting for the king’s decision. The King however said nothing. He sat there quiet and brooding. One of his courtiers asked him:”O King, have you decided?” King: “Who am I to decide?” Courtier: “Your Majesty, it is your right and duty to leave the kingdom looked after, once you step down. Make your decision, your majesty!” King: “However, all of you and both the princes seem to think that someone else will decide that.” Courtier: “Eh? Excuse me Your Majesty, we do not follow what you have just said.” King: “Alright then, I have decided in the favor of the Kingmaker…!” Courtier:”The Kingmaker? But your majesty, we have no such post or person.” King: “You are mistaken. We do have a Kingmaker! The Gramin! He is the person that all turn to for advice. The princes too went to him. His prayers decide on who does what and what happens in this kingdom. Today morning he came to me and told me that if he so chose, he can make a peasant the next king. Both the princes will do as he says. If he chose, they will leave the kingdom fearing that some harm may befall them. He will choose the king, his fate and the fate of the kingdom, he said. Further, he said, ‘O king, give me the princess’s hand in marriage so that I too may be royalty. Or give me the wealth of you treasuries which I so desire, so that I too may be rich beyond dreams. And give me the gardens and the rivers, so that I can have a tiny fiefdom of my own.’ Well, I thought about it and realized what he says is true. The entire kingdom relies on him. And yet, he has little wealth as compared to me. He is the Kingmaker, more powerful than me, the king. In that case, let him be the King! Let the Kingmaker be the King. Let him enjoy the rights and take responsibilities for the duty of the vast kingdom. My decision is made. Let the Kingmaker be the King!” The courtiers agreed.And gave in to the demands of the retiring monarch. The proclamation in the town square read: “The King Maker is the king!“ ______________________________________________________
The Kingmakers are indeed the kings. In India, we have too many kingmakers, ranging from Sharad Pawar, Nitish Bharadwaj and Karunanidhi to Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati and Jayalalitha! However, I am sure they will remain just that – kingmakers. And they will always be more powerful then the king. Luckily we do not have a monarchy. But we have the kingmakers. And the Kingmakers are more powerful then the king! In the coming days, we shall witness the kind of bargaining and selling of power that only a hung assembly and coalition politics can bring about. Here’s hoping that the kingmakers do not ask for their own fiefdom! _____________________________________________________
5月1日 Below 45% voter turnout The report card is bad. Mumbai barely passed. Just 45% aggregate! But Mumbai does not care. Yes, it was not even a boycott. Just pure political apathy. Elections did not even merit a holiday in this commercial hub. Political parties knew this, considering the low key and low cost campaign. Or perhaps they didn't have the guts to face the Mumbaikars? In most cases, the usual bungles still prevailed Missing names in lists, duplicate names, long queues with celebrities voting first....inaccessible polling stations... hostile poll officers...threats of dire consequences for both voters and non -voters....nothing really changes...no matter how technologically advanced the process is...until our thinking process undergoes a radical change, the situation will remain the same. 4月25日 New EVMs only record vote...Improved EVMs record vote, but do they prevent booth capturing? http://elections.ndtv.com/news_story.aspx?ID=NEWEN20090089849&keyword=election&ch=462009105800AM
Physical security and alertness on part of all parties is the only way that recording of votes is not falsified. Or that booth capturing does not take place.
My earliest memories on voting, probably in the assembly elections, are that of booth capture. Its quite sickening when after voting, one hears at the end of the day that booth capturing occured and votes were duplicated. With EVM's booth capturing is the only way that votes can be tampered with.Esp. when the poll officers may not be honest. Local schools with poll officers from localites will manipulate if they all belong to the same colour.
Sometime in the past decade I had tried to change my constituency for voter registration. Only to be threatened at the local polling office. After tons of complaints at the Mantralaya, I still retain my voting card for my old constituency. Which as they explained to me is my permanent native place.
Electoral politics can be the most corrupt, dirty and worst kind of politics that we witness. The country votes honestly and lets hope that the counting happens honestly. Though in the Indian democracy that too causes problems. A divided vote is no vote. If the people vote decisively for one party instead of the bevy of parties, we will avoid a hung assembly and coalition politics.
4月17日 Negative CampaigningIs negative campaigning here to stay? Indian voters have never witnessed so much mudslinging in Indian electoral history.
Is this going to be the most bitterly fought election ever?
Negative campigning is a tactic adopted by political parties. It involves playing dirty tricks, mudslinging or pointing out negative characteristics of opponents. It is a sign of desperation. Or a sign that stakes are very high.
Flawed democracy is the latest characteristic attributed to India by 'The Economist'.
Critics attribute this to the fact that the PM is nominated by the last government. However, the Indian constitution gives the party staking a claim to form the government, the right to nominate any person the PM, elected or otherwise. The PM can contest and win a seat post election, to become an MP.
Negative campaigning is used by parties to turn off voters who are undecided. They use tactics to push their loyalists to vote for them. Therefore, a lot of voters who decide on the basis of campaigning or performance and are likey to change their votes, usually get put off by the mudslinging and stay away from the elections. Only those who strongly believe in the party will then participate in the hate speeches, the sloganeering, and continue to turn up for voting. You have to be brash to vote. Intellectuals not welcome. That is what a negative campaign results in.
Inspite of the shadow of the gun, Indian voters gave an average of 50% voting in the first phase.
4月15日 Separatism finds a voice in electionsIndeed, the Kashmiris desiring separatism have finally realised that democracy is the only true way to get themselves heard. Sajjad Lone's courageous decision should be welcomed and yet taken with a pinch of salt.
Sajjad Lone says and I quote, "I undertook a detailed study and put forth a Vision Document, "Achievable Nationhood", which has enshrined a legal, political, and economic set of undeniable prescriptions that I believe articulate an attainable way forward for the people of Kashmir, India and Pakistan. I have advocated for the achievement of a completely new state of affairs in Kashmir that encompasses all our sovereign aspirations, rights and responsibilities towards a bright, just, and prosperous future."
What makes him think that Kashmir cannot have a bright prosperous future within the bounds of Indian constitution? I do not believe that Kashmir needs to be a sovereign state for its people to progress or to fulfill their 'kashmirihood'. The feeling of being a Kashmiri comes from racial descent and not political identity. At the same time, they do have this identity which is solely their own. But they also have a larger shared identity - that of being an Indian, which they need to be proud of.
Indian democracy gives enough space to people to express and fulfill their regional aspirations. Maharashtra, and Gujarat formed in 1956, after being carved out of the state of Bombay, is an example. A Marathi and the Gujarati stand proud as they communicate in their mother tongue, and allow their cultural, political and economic ambitions to flourish as they embrace both the Indian and regional idenitity. Kashmir can be as progressive. The Kashmiris have to realize that they cannot spoil the dreams, lives and ambitions of their younger generation for creating an entity which will never be secure or as progressive or stable without the bounds of Indian constitution. If states like Pakistan can fail, a smaller state in Kashmir's geopolitical area will be swallowed whole by China or worse, become a putty in US or other foreign hand -like Iran or a muslim power.
It is in the Kashmiri interest to engage in a dialogue for its people, for the realization of these ambitions. Thus, Sajjad Lone has to be applauded and welcomed for his decision taking part in the democratic process. At the same time, he must also come with an open mind. A mind which is willing to create a greater future for the poeple of Jammu and Kashmir, greater and better then any separatist movement ever would. 4月14日 Role of media and boycotting elections... Its a pity. Yesterday I spent the day going around town to find that all election activities are happening only inside the large electoral offices. No passionate speeches, no door to door canvassing. Are the elections only on t.v.?
So, at 9 pm I switched on the tv. Only to watch inane debates on whether the Gandhi scion is getting married or becoming PM!!! Hopefully, that is not the deciding factor. The exception is the Gandhi wannabe brides. Another vote bank to cash in. Sad, that it should occupy prime time bytes. Two 'very distinguished' personalities - Suhel Seth, a political columnist and Jayanthi Natarajan actually debated this issue.
I started switching channels. Three out of five news channels were airing inane stories on the branding of the Gandhi siblings.
And those who aired the candidate interviews were no better - Manmohan Sngh pumelling Advani, Advani kickboxing back, Rahul aiding Singh, Modi jumping in the ring...these elections are one funny round.
The media needs to focus more on issues or round ups at prime time, rather then indulge in politicking. There are some good debates on the progress report of the government. The one to one or round table discussions with a good facilitator are interesting. When filtered from the mudslinging, which is now a part and parcel of headline grabbing tactics.
The media also has fewer poll pundits this time around. Whatever happened to the hour by hour pre-poll analysis? Or is it too expensive now? Live coverage is more focussed on election rallies. Other then 'aaj tak's' vote guru, there have been very few reports on what the electorate think and believe. Fewer organised shows on which issues will become the deciding factors. Are we as a nation unable to identify crucial issues that should influenceour vote? Issues will differ from constituency to constituency, from region to region, from state to state. Few issues can be termed as national issues other then recession. This exercise should have been started by the media a year back. But most of our media channels are busy heyperventilating on non-breaking news. Paranoid reporters with crazy headlines.
For Mumbai, we can be certain that the terror attack is a decisive factor. So much so, that Congress bigwigs have to still come and canvass in any loud way. The question is, should Mumbai vote? Or should we boycott? I am tempted to boycott. Protest at the inaction or lack of any concrete measures taken in the aftermath of terror attacks. VT station still has inactive security measures. The police stand by and chat, while the beepers in one lone secure doorway are off. Even if I had carried a loaded handgun, I could have easliy walked in and out of the station at all times.
The opposition, across all colours, has done little to tell how it is going to act. It is busy playing the communal card and thinking of internal draconian acts. Rather then suggest or be at one with the nation to get Pakistan's apology, which by the way is still not given. As the people were reminded of the shameful response to Kandahar, or the loss of lives at Akshardham, I doubt if BJP would have responded differently.
Indeed the decision to act or send in commandos came only a day later, at whose behest? I still remember watching this live on tv with some Manipuri friends from Calcutta. Suddenly, it was as if Manipur extremism had come to Mumbai, they said. The NE youth flee the NE to avoid terrorism, or so they claim. But really it is not any different here anymore. And this is Mumbai.
It's true. Mumbaikars need to boycott elections, if nothing else,then to teach a lesson to all politicians.
Let us see what the vote percentage in Mumbai is going to be like.
4月11日 Elections 2009The election season gets hotter. After all it is the largest democracy in the world, going through the largest election process. With mind-boggling numbers, which can keep statisticians busy for the next five years, when it will be time for the next election. Unless, we have a mid-term!
Now that Manmohan Singh is in an unusually aggressive and outspoken mood, Advani sounds tame. It's surprising to see politicians of their stature trading charges. While both are critical of each other's policies and idealogies or lack of it, response and counter-response is normally not expected. But then, this is election time and the media is trying to spice up headlines by seeking these responses. BJP is spending humongous amounts on ads, internet or tv as well as leaflets, prints and what have you. However, the only thrust in the campaign is a face. BJP is marketing Advani. A fine example of personality dominance in this election.
What is remarkable about Election 2009 is the role of the media - the tv channels are airing everything from antics, accusations to live tv debates. However, it is sad to see debates on frivolous issues , which then becomes a war of words. If both perties were asked questions related to policies and plans, then the debates would be more influential. Instead it becomes an hour of entertainment as each politician tries to outshine the other.
In Maharashtra, the votebanks are very fluid this time. MNS has become a stronger force and has eroded into Shiv Sena's votebank like never before. Shiv Sena has become less rightist and is veering towards a party for the affluent Marathi populace, while the MNS is making an impact at a the lower and middle strata of society. People who are still rooted deeply in the marathi culture and have not developed a national outlook, let alone international. The reason that MNS is successful is not just because of the Thackeray factor. But because it has understood the mood of the local marathi people. The second reason is, that it has simply used the local party structure of the Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena set up local committees in every 'area' - local 'shahkha' or a branch. It created a huge base at the grassroots. If you have a marathi maid working for you , she will be bound to take a monthly holiday on a Sunday. The reason she will give you is, that she is required to attend a meeting. This meeting is the point of contact for these parties. The people meet to vent their grievances, like complain about the boss who is rude to the marathis or the lady who has invited guests from Bihar and is giving them things!! Or the outstation students who have now got well paid jobs, immediately after exams. Issues such as medical aid, cooking gas and electricity or lack of it, are also discussed. These are the meetings where future strategy on protests is set. Grievances are noted and conveyed by the shahkha in-charge to their higher ups. Party policies are then decided on these issues. Mind you, these meetings are aimed at resolving issues. But very often they just become an information gathering network. They rarely lead to balanced solutions due to lack of effective or mature leadership at this level. At this level, they have the yes -men of the party. This is a structure which should be used positively, as it is a very democratic strucutre. But when misused, it can create frustrations and hatred, leading to extortions and riots.
One question that becomes difficult to answer in a multi-party democracy is whether the number of political parties should be limited. Indians have long given up the hope of having a single party government. Hung assemblies and coalitions rule the roost, leading to huge compromises on issues. Coalition politics is the dirtiest politics ever witnessed. It shows the naked desire for the poor being played out in a very undignified manner. Only an experienced and an intelligent leadership can manage a coalition government. But it is better to have independents than have too many parties. It confuses the voter, divides the votebank and makes decisions tougher all round.
On a lighter note, should shoes be banned in all meetings?
The Iraqi journalist who threw a shoe at Bush had no idea about the trend that he set. In India, that is. Politicians will have to be trained to wield shoe attacks. Take the case of the villager - he just vented his frustration at the empty words that he heard from Jindal, the local representative. It is representative of the disconnect between people and leadership. The next shoe might be hurled at a corporate meeting. Perhaps, all future gatherings should ask for people to leave their shoes outside - maybe its not possible in public meetings. But it is possible in smaller indoor forums, like a press conference. It is the rule at a temple and even some shops and houses, to take off shoes before you enter. It is a mark of respect, precisely what is needed at such meetings. And lacking when the shoe is hurled.
4月10日 Vote for our country' sake Indian elections determinants include
1. Personality politics - Dynasty and Star appeal - Sanjay Dutt, in his Munna bhai style, made it seem that going to jail or suffering for subversive activities is good or heroic. If it happened to him, it is ok. This could have a negative impact. While sometimes, police atrocities are a fact, in his case, he should take a responsible attitude and avoid making his jail yatras sound heroic. Mayawati ensured that she presided over Shivaji Park on a throne and pretended that she was in a darbar. She even received gifts of gold and silver from admirers.
2. Cultural and Religious factors - Islamic / Hindu / Christian parties - BJP's election is based on rath yatra - a concept meant only for gods. It is reflective of what some of these leaders think of themselves as - 'avatars' of Hindu gods, perhaps.
3. Regional factors - Yesterday, Raj Thackeray demanded a 100% reservation for locals...based on the report that the Himachal Pradesh government is sanctioning government projects only if there is an 80% reservation for locals. His definition of locals may extend only to 100% marathi manoos. And this was interspersed by some mudslinging on BJP for encouraging north Indians.
Most of these are non- issues as far as progress and development are concerned. What is the basis on which the Indian electorate will select? What will they vote for? Who will they vote for should be determined not by the polish, or lack of it, in a candidate but on what he talks about and what his thoughts are.
4月9日 Comments on election campaign Oxford Bookstore, at Churchgate, has a chai bar - and it serves strong eye opening dhaba chai, called truck drivers chai, for an astronomical figure of 30/- Served in the cutting chai glass with a silver glass / cup holder. It's also the cheapest on the menu.
The kind of chai that Rahul Gandhi probably had for free in Orissa last night, while campaigning. The tv crew did not show him paying for the tea. While I am sure that the tea stall owner served it on the house, he was definitely not inivited - it was his choice to have a cup of refreshing tea in the middle of the night - to stay awake probably. What if he had paid for it? Would it be considered as cash for vote? Imagine a close up of Rahul fishing out some money(if he carries any), or his security paying the tea stall owner in cash - without any background context. What if there were such footage of him without any background context? What if this video was submitted to the EC ? All that is hypothetical - but the issue remains, inspite of the stringent code, politicians find a loophole somewhere somehow. And if it was an attention gainer, it worked. He does need that, as the rather strong Patnaik presence almost makes it a dynasty versus a dynasty. Likewise in Andhra.
Yesterday Mayawati was in town. And the traffic jams, the swaggering city youth, the rush of north Indians ( yes, the city vote is polarized between north Indians, mumbaikars, and south Indians) to the city grounds were not the only indications of her presence. One had to put up with her rather loud Hindi expletives and gaon ki bhasha - 'watch your language ma'm', is all I have to say to her!
BSP is no longer using the caste card - but the brahmins are and irrespective of their origin(north, mumbaikars or south), they are likely to vote enmasse for bjp-shivsena). Brahmins have one '-ism' that they espouse - that of 'casteism' and being an upper caste, they consider themsleves as demi-gods.
There are a few demi-gods contesting this election as well - Chiranjeevi aiming to replace NTR, is the big divider of the Andhra votebank. Jayalalitha, another demi-goddess, is almost supporting Vaiko by her serious consideration of the Tamil Eelam movement. Obviously, the LTTE movement has now threatened the Tamil populace in the south. A dormant volcano which must die a quick, painless death.Another demand for a regional identity - tamils probably feel 'nationhood', but they should not love themsleves so much that they isolate themsleves from rest of the Indian people. They are a part of the Indian Union, the sooner they recognize that being Dravidian is super, but not superior, they will have matured to the level expected of them.
4月6日 On election campaigns
An election which will be held in the shadow of hate speech, violence, death threats and more is hardly what the nation ever wanted. Let us just pray that it gets over without any spectacular suicide attempt or any other loss. 3月31日 Nano - a remodeled auto?Take a good look at the Nano - the shape, with the front sloping completely like in an auto. The engine at the back and under the seat - similar to an auto.
So, is nano just a glamourous auto rickshaw?
Read more about the Nano at
Talking about Is brand Nano going the Air Deccan way? - Business News - News - MSN India - News 3月30日 Political Parties and code of conductDo political parties need to be educated on people's rights and constitution? Shamefully, enough events have proven that they do. Here are a few examples of unconstitutional activities and speeches: 1. Varun Gandhi episodes 2. Shiv Sena and all other sena's - Why has the EC allowed parties to add the word 'Sena' in its name? It misleads people, esp. villagers and creates an association with the army. Creating any other army unit would be unconstitutional. Yes, these parties do not use weapons, but reports about Muthalik's party training cadre for future armed combat were broadcast on TV. There are hundreds of regional parties with the word sena in their names. A psychological implication that should have been avoided. 3. Recently the Shiv Sena demanded permits formigrant workers in certain sectors in Maharashtra . That is divisive in nature. However, it is also indicative of a demand for a dual citizenship, the kind of system which exists in the US. Yes, we have a domiscile status when it comes to states in the Union. However, increasingly there are tendencies for the assertion of a regional identity. To avoid civil conflict, the future legislature must think of a system where these needs are answered without divisive forces gaining power. 4. Candidates try to pay off the public - Every time an election is on the horizon, politicians give things to people, sometimes via the backdoor. Most of the candidates do not consider these activities as bribing of the voters, but regard it as the only thing they do for voters as MP's. The rest of the time they go around extorting money in various forms. 5. Candidates are unable to address issues effectively. For instance, Maneka Gandhi described people of Pilibhit as being illiterate in some interview. She also claimed that she was the sitting MP from there, till the LS was dissolved for the next elections. What did she do to ensure literacy? Candidates like her, would rather that people remain illiterate or that slums remain, so that they can collect funds for progress every time. EC should conduct an online or a verbal interview on electoral code of conduct and approve candidature accordingly. Candidates who are unable to clear this interview, taped, and/ or live on tv, should not be issued tickets. A mammoth task, but possible after parties nominate candidates. It would also ensure that only responsible candidates stand for elections. While educational qualifications are mandatory, there is no test to find out about constitutional awareness. In fact, when elections are not there, universities in conjunction with EC should offer courses to politicians and wannabe MP's on constiutional correctness and electoral code of conduct. Improvements in the code of conduct with specific instances, where candidates knowingly or unknowingly commit violations, needs to be documented in the form of a course or orientation to all parties, atleast three to six months in advance of any election. 3月28日 Gandhi baiters fulfill their wishesThe political drama continues to unfold.
Key actors - Varun Gandhi, Varun Gandhi and more Varun Gandhi. Talk about narcissism. Its never ending, and when coupled with the Oedipus Complex, it becomes a dangerous cocktail.
ACT I - Varun Gandhi decides to come out of his mother's shadow and campaigns on his own. But momma had not tutored her little boy about political correctness, as Act 2 shows.
ACT II - Varun Gandhi makes inflammatory and passionate rhetorical speeches. He not only opposes the Muslims, but also his mom's pet community, the Sikhs. Unfortunately, the extra vigilant EC gets a copy of the cd with all the hatred spewed out on it, in Varun's own passionate voice.
ACT III - Varun reprimanded by EC and read out the code of conduct. FIR also filed against him. Varun pretends the cd was fake. That's impossible, as no one else hates the 'hand' as much. And then files for anticipatory bail.
Meanwhile, Priyanka, Rahul and momma react to the speech as a family divided. The political community grins, supports and attacks.
ACT IV - Varun gives up all pretense and under the malicious but able tutelage of Advani, he surrenders. On the way, he ensures that people are brought to Pilibhit in large numbers. Even as the court orders a two day remand pending trial, stone throwing and riots take place. People attack the police. Maneka, the momma now rushes to Pilibhit, to placate people. Why didn't she travel with him? Surely not for security reasons? Surely, she knew of the well planned attempt to riot. Strange gets stranger.
BIG QUESTION - Why all the drama? The misled young man may never realize how much the BJP has enjoyed putting a modern day Gandhi behind bars. And that Bal Thackeray probably feels vindicated. Its a field day for all Gandhi baiters who sought revenge, over the years. The drama which might just swing votes in his favour (unfortunately enough), if he contests the election. Else, the people pulling his strings, will cash in as the votes pour in. While our little martyr sits in agony at his inability to contest, let alone win, an election.
An apology from him is still pending. An apology to the people of the country for the subtle threats that he made with RSS and other right wing support.
3月27日 Political gimmicks and no issues "It has become imperative for Congress to show such tapes (of hate speeches) to conceal their anti-Sikh acts," "It is Congress which should be ashamed for giving party tickets to people involved in the anti-Sikh riots in which thousands of Sikhs were killed " Which world is Maneka Gandhi living in? What era? Which year did she say this in? Her target is obviously only the Punjabi Sikh votebank, though her constituency is in UP. Or is it an attempt to stir up a hornet's nest and anger the Sikh community? It is so obvious that Maneka Gandhi speaks just about one community, while her son jumps on the bandwagon of another community. This from a young man who is just one - quarter Hindu or perhaps less. It is scary to think that these are the divisive forces which may one day sit in the parliament of this country. Coming from a person of mixed religious parentage, a statement like "If anyone raises a finger towards Hindus or if someone thinks that Hindus are weak and leaderless, if someone thinks that these leaders lick our boots for votes, if anyone raises a finger towards Hindus, then I swear on Gita that I will cut that hand." Is his anger more towards the hand, a symbol of Congress party or the hand that supposedly slays hindus? Considering that he mentioned that hand just a little earlier in the speech, one really wonders, what inside him stirred him to make passionate speeches with little intelligent content? The events today have amply proved that these are nothing but political gimmicks. A refusal to apologise, a strange desire to carry out a 'jail-bharo' struggle, and the encouragement from right wing hindu leaders like Thackeray and Muthalik just show that the campaign degenerates into an exchange of one-liners. Political gimmicks like this show that the the election campaign is just a tv show or a road show to carve out an identity for each politician or fulfill his or her wishes. What about the wishes of the people of India? Besides the election is not a 'wish fulfillment game'. It is not the time to give people things, as most parties do. It is the time to list achievements in the past five years and make an agenda for the next five. It is the time to present a progress report presented to the electorate. More mudslinging will be witnessed as we move closer to election dates. The stuff that make my blood curl....that should get every Indian to say : 'Enough! We do not want to hear political hate speeches. We are here to know what you are going to do about the issues that are affecting the country, the class divide, terrorism, religious fundamentalism, poverty, housing, urban development, environmental degradation....the list is endless. Is there any politician, young or old, who has an innovative plan to tackle these issues and more? Or are we going to have to witness more hi-voltage dramatic events like the one in a little known town of Pilibhit?' 3月24日 Pawns in the BJP's anti gandhi game? The 'pawns' in the BJP's anti-Gandhi game have played their parts as some BJP strategist may have planned. Any political observor will know that BJP's long term plan was to use the youngest Gandhi, Varun against his cousin Rahul and/or the Congress. Family drama makes for great TRP and has deep drawn involvement in every part of our country. Look at the response that family soaps have got in the nation. I am sure the entire UP is glued to their tv sets and reading up voraciously on who said what.
One would love to dismiss Varun Gandhi's speech as that of an inexperienced politician. Indeed, a speech so full of hate should be dismissed as that of a psychotic's raving and ranting. Said under influence? Whose influence? Reflective of the higher ups in BJP?
It is very sad that a British educated person should be full of such drivel. Perhaps that is where he picked up traces of racism - considering what is happening in Britain lately. Still, the resultant BJP reactions more then prove that this was a plan all along. Pitch a Gandhi v/s Gandhi. A scenario that the nation does not want now or anytime in the future. BJP lacked issues, so it created a controversy. And if the cd was doctored, I would not put it past BJP to have doctored it. A strong warning delivered to anti-hindutva forces in a manner that does not damage the party but certainly damages the Gandhi's.
Political parties and ethics don't mix. However, when it comes to such rampant disregard for the constitutional tenets of secularism and tolerance, it is much more then ethics at question.
An election campaign where issues such as development, employment and security have taken a back seat is hardly the kind of campaign that does any merit to this democracy. 3月16日 Is army rule desirable in Pakistan?For now,it seems, that democracy is being restored. But the hawks may view this as a weakening presidency, making a case for army rule. Already Osama's suspected presence is causing US to hit panic buttons. As some may argue, the army will claim that only a non-civilian president can manage and control militants. Is army rule desirable in Pakistan or will it give a free hand to traunt commanders and encourage militancy, rather than containing it?
3月15日 Anarchy in PakPakistan's men are on the streets. Demanding democracy. The women have no part in it. For them, democracy is in purdah. Meanwhile, anarchy is on display. Will it spell the meltdown of dictatorial powers or will the army crackdown again, both on the presidency and the people? An unusual turn of events will just mean utter mayhem and bloodshed. Sooner or later, the army will step in with or without presidential support. As evidenced in history and due to US support for a strong military puppet in the region. 3月3日 Destabilising South AsiaThe Hizbollah had one plan - to create a pan islamic republic stretching from China to Eurasia. Islam is the state religion in two out of five south asian countries. Not to forget those that border south asia - central asian countries and middle east, as well as china have huge chunks of islamic poulation. the hizbollah gained momentum in coutnries like Kazakhstan, thrived in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. Pakistan is inthe grips of the Isalmic agenda of this group. However, the islamic nations will call this an american gameplan to create an excuse to find its foothold in South Asia. What next? |
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