The abnormal spurt in the prices of veggies has propelled the Budget of the Indian households into a disarray. The Common man on the street is struggling to make his ends meet by trying all sorts of Permutation and Combination before deciding the menu on his plate. The lower middle Class which forms a substantial part of the Population has found that their disposable Income has dwindled by a huge margin akin to a Cut in salary, as their monthly budget has gone for a toss .
The Sub continent has witnessed a huge turnaround in the Climatic conditions in the past year when rains simply refused to relent even in the month of November. Some Crops like Onion and Grapes were badly affected because of the Prolonged deluge.
The states of Maharashtra and Gujarat which account for almost 20% of the total Onion's Produced in the Country bore the brunt of the Nature’s fury but certainly the Price rise doesn’t match the fall in Production which certainly is the handiwork of the middlemen involved and the Agriculture Minister who time and again puts his foot in his mouth by blurting out some illogical and misleading comments.
Even today the Lasalgaon market is flooded with Onions where the farmer makes only Rs.4/- Per KG which is later on sold for Rs.80/- Per KG after the same is ‘‘mishandled’’ by the growing bunch of scrupulous middlemen in the guise of traders.
The bureaucrats relaxing in their plush Govt suites cum offices got a rude jolt when the Citizens along with some of the reliable vigilant media in tow went hammer and tongs at their inaction against the hoarding of essential commodities which is the root cause of this fiasco.
The CAG should take stock of the situation and raid the govt controlled FCI Godowns which is stocked with agricultural products with hardly any honest steps being attempted to release them in times of hoarding which gives ample time to the perpetrators to wriggle out of such situations.
The PMO (Prime Minister’s office) too awakened from its slumber after the huge public outcry and initiated steps to arrest the abnormal price rise. The result was evident and the whole sale prices have started to slide South ward.
The retail prices though would take its own sweet time as many fruit sellers and routine road side pedlars have resorted to this new- found TRADE ( being a vegetable vendor) which is giving huge returns – as high as 500% on their investment in the shortest possible time.
The comments of our astrologer cum agriculture minister cum ICC Chief too fuelled the Price rise as he predicted that the Prices will stay till March 2010.
The common man is happy that his prediction turned out to be as accurate as that of our Weather bureaus churning out their routine forecast.
The fund collected during the Lok sabha Elections have to be refunded to these Mafia and this is one way of repaying them without raising any suspicion blaming the unseasonal rains and the unpredictable weather.
I vaguely remember the poem learnt during my childhood- Make Hay while the Sun Shines by Stewart Gideon which emphasises that you have to make optimum use of resources available at your disposal in the current scenario so as to avoid the disadvantages that might set in at a latter stage.
Here the middlemen are hell bent to extract the maximum out of the current situation which might fizzle out once the Govt steps in to stem the rot that has set in.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Measuring Inflation- A Step most foul
The ritual comes as a soothing effect to a disturbed and uncanny mind when it is announced diabolically that the Inflation has dropped to single digit and testing the 11 month low mark.
Time and again the Govt has tried to ward off the people’s wrath against the ever rising prices by implementing this fraud of measuring Inflation.
The Wholesale Price Index or the more popular abbreviation – (WPI) has been in use since a long time and is used primarily to measure the changes in the prices of goods on an average in the wholesale market.
The WPI has about 676 items on its list and includes manufactured articles lke machinery, transport equipment, base metal and alloys, Rubber and plastic Products, Chemicals, fuels, consumer durables like washing machines, TV’s, Dish-antenna’s and food products etc.
The articles in the prescribed list includes those Products which the Common man does not necessarily need them for everyday use or rather deferment in the usage/purchase won’t trigger any issues.
All the Products mentioned above are assigned weights and the average of all the items are taken into consideration to measure the relative impact on inflation.
Hence if the prices of manufactured goods tumble due to competition or adoption of new technology, availability of cheaper substitutes as raw materials etc the inflation rate comes down despite an adverse rise in food products as the weightage of the food products has a negligible impact on the weekly or fortnightly inflation rate.
The Govt tries to pat its own back by declaring/flashing a rigged inflation rate and is often heralded as an achievement in the media which in turn publishes it without reasoning or verifying the suppressed facts.
It’s time that the learned economists with Support from the Govt. take a more realistic measuring tool like the RPI- retail Price Index giving appropriate weightage to basic necessities like foodgrains, vegetables and edibles which can effectively churn out a near perfect way to measure inflation which nowadays has become the butt of ridicule due to utter failure to detect the abnormal price rise in the recent months.
Time and again the Govt has tried to ward off the people’s wrath against the ever rising prices by implementing this fraud of measuring Inflation.
The Wholesale Price Index or the more popular abbreviation – (WPI) has been in use since a long time and is used primarily to measure the changes in the prices of goods on an average in the wholesale market.
The WPI has about 676 items on its list and includes manufactured articles lke machinery, transport equipment, base metal and alloys, Rubber and plastic Products, Chemicals, fuels, consumer durables like washing machines, TV’s, Dish-antenna’s and food products etc.
The articles in the prescribed list includes those Products which the Common man does not necessarily need them for everyday use or rather deferment in the usage/purchase won’t trigger any issues.
All the Products mentioned above are assigned weights and the average of all the items are taken into consideration to measure the relative impact on inflation.
Hence if the prices of manufactured goods tumble due to competition or adoption of new technology, availability of cheaper substitutes as raw materials etc the inflation rate comes down despite an adverse rise in food products as the weightage of the food products has a negligible impact on the weekly or fortnightly inflation rate.
The Govt tries to pat its own back by declaring/flashing a rigged inflation rate and is often heralded as an achievement in the media which in turn publishes it without reasoning or verifying the suppressed facts.
It’s time that the learned economists with Support from the Govt. take a more realistic measuring tool like the RPI- retail Price Index giving appropriate weightage to basic necessities like foodgrains, vegetables and edibles which can effectively churn out a near perfect way to measure inflation which nowadays has become the butt of ridicule due to utter failure to detect the abnormal price rise in the recent months.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Sex,Lies & Radia tape
We all agree that the growth of Journalism has been tremendous over the past century particularly in India. The fact that democracy which has existed since the Country’s inception helped it to nurture & nourish through its most turbulent and trying circumstances.
Barring the emergency period in 1975 when the Indira Govt. had gagged them the Indian Journalism has always acted as a feeder between the intelligent thinkers, the policy makers, the economists & the common People.
Circa 2010 the media has made significant progress and is always on the move to seek and expose wily politicians, evil mongers in the society, even hailing any significant efforts or acheivements of individuals who have outperformed and outdone all tangible barriers etc.
The Wikileaks and the corresponding repercussions it had on the USA and its allies made the news very amusing. The USA was embarrassed by the startling revelations as it clearly showed the hollowness and its wily and mala fide intentions by asking its diplomats to spy on certain countries.Leaked cables have suggested that the US clearly laughed and opposed at the Indian Claims to the United Nations Security Council seat.However on his recent Visit to India Obama cleverly feigned ignorance and backed his support for the Permanent seat at the United Nations revealed the double standards.
The US admn and its stooges like Britain and France tried their very best to break the back of Wikileaks by charging the Co’s CEO with some outrageous charges like sexual assault etc plus succeeding in blocking the donations receivable through internet options like PAYPAL.
Last reports have mentioned that wikileaks is alive and kicking in a safe heaven at an undisclosed destination somewhere in Switzerland.
The whole world knows the true colours of this Chameleon called USA which has time and again poked its head in the internal affairs of other Countries ranging from Vietnam in 1968 to Afghanistan in 2007.
Similar disclosures were leaked by Nira Radia which has raised a question mark over the dubious roles portrayed by esteemed journalists like Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi.
It is a Catch-22 situation.There should be some decency over the right to privacy as rightly pointed out by an equally indignant Mr.Ratan Tata who was unnecessarily dragged into this Controversy who unlike the Journalists did not fall to the bait of Radia.
Lot of people who had held Barkha Dutt in high esteem suddenly got wind of this over-ambitious lady who went a wee bit over the top by hobnobbing with the bespectacled crook Karunanidhi in the allotment of Cabinet berths for his Party MP’s during his alignment with the Present Congress big wigs.
The Public should be grateful to some extent to Ms.Nira Radia and other close associates for letting us know the truth about this over ambitious Ms.Dutt & Vir Sanghvi.
It is easy to see the nexus between the Congress Govt which awarded the Padma Bhushan to this wily Journalist cum agent of the age old Political Party.
In their over eagerness to have the best talent amongst their clan,TV Channels Promote these Star rated(over rated???) journalists by producing Programmes to boost the TRP’s and give impression to the gullible people following them that these guys work in the National Interest.
The moral of the story is every one wants to make big bucks at all costs in the minimum possible time frame shedding all sense of shame and morality.
Readers are welcome to go and search for bit of the News on Google and You Tube well before they are siphoned off/distorted/doctored by the Govt Authorities and find out the truth for themselves.
Barring the emergency period in 1975 when the Indira Govt. had gagged them the Indian Journalism has always acted as a feeder between the intelligent thinkers, the policy makers, the economists & the common People.
Circa 2010 the media has made significant progress and is always on the move to seek and expose wily politicians, evil mongers in the society, even hailing any significant efforts or acheivements of individuals who have outperformed and outdone all tangible barriers etc.
The Wikileaks and the corresponding repercussions it had on the USA and its allies made the news very amusing. The USA was embarrassed by the startling revelations as it clearly showed the hollowness and its wily and mala fide intentions by asking its diplomats to spy on certain countries.Leaked cables have suggested that the US clearly laughed and opposed at the Indian Claims to the United Nations Security Council seat.However on his recent Visit to India Obama cleverly feigned ignorance and backed his support for the Permanent seat at the United Nations revealed the double standards.
The US admn and its stooges like Britain and France tried their very best to break the back of Wikileaks by charging the Co’s CEO with some outrageous charges like sexual assault etc plus succeeding in blocking the donations receivable through internet options like PAYPAL.
Last reports have mentioned that wikileaks is alive and kicking in a safe heaven at an undisclosed destination somewhere in Switzerland.
The whole world knows the true colours of this Chameleon called USA which has time and again poked its head in the internal affairs of other Countries ranging from Vietnam in 1968 to Afghanistan in 2007.
Similar disclosures were leaked by Nira Radia which has raised a question mark over the dubious roles portrayed by esteemed journalists like Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi.
It is a Catch-22 situation.There should be some decency over the right to privacy as rightly pointed out by an equally indignant Mr.Ratan Tata who was unnecessarily dragged into this Controversy who unlike the Journalists did not fall to the bait of Radia.
Lot of people who had held Barkha Dutt in high esteem suddenly got wind of this over-ambitious lady who went a wee bit over the top by hobnobbing with the bespectacled crook Karunanidhi in the allotment of Cabinet berths for his Party MP’s during his alignment with the Present Congress big wigs.
The Public should be grateful to some extent to Ms.Nira Radia and other close associates for letting us know the truth about this over ambitious Ms.Dutt & Vir Sanghvi.
It is easy to see the nexus between the Congress Govt which awarded the Padma Bhushan to this wily Journalist cum agent of the age old Political Party.
In their over eagerness to have the best talent amongst their clan,TV Channels Promote these Star rated(over rated???) journalists by producing Programmes to boost the TRP’s and give impression to the gullible people following them that these guys work in the National Interest.
The moral of the story is every one wants to make big bucks at all costs in the minimum possible time frame shedding all sense of shame and morality.
Readers are welcome to go and search for bit of the News on Google and You Tube well before they are siphoned off/distorted/doctored by the Govt Authorities and find out the truth for themselves.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Life of a Trucker- Never Ending Journey of Misery
The Qualifications are not very rosy - Illiterate, Low self- esteem, addicted to drugs, struggling to cope up with deprived sleep, Long hours of labour coupled with a thankless Job and confined to a 4 feet x 2 feet Cubicle aptly describes the job of a trucker.
The truck driver has his job well defined and cut out to carry the cargo safely to its pre-determined location always vying with the limited time frame that has been allocated to him.
The Trucker has very little say in arguing with his bosses while determining the load to be carried in
his dilapidated ,outdated and un-serviced vehicle which often results in accidents most of which are fatal. The irony is further deepened with the fact that though the merchandise is insured to the hilt the trucker and his family are left at large to fend for themselves and seldom get any compensation.
The trucker is subject to the mercy of the portly cops who mercilessly beat them at the earliest available opportunity at secluded corners if they refuse bribes at check-posts.
The quality of roads available in the country is mediocre at most places which is one of the prime reasons for delays in goods reaching the final destination and on most occasions it is the trucker who has to bear the brunt of ire for no fault of his.
Driving on long monotonous routes these drivers have no one for company except for his obsolete Radio blaring on songs at full volume to keep him awake from the potential danger of any collisions Many of them are also addicted to cocaine as it prevents them from falling asleep and in the long run due to the prolonged use it causes multiple ailments often culminating in death.Further hobnobbing in red light areas to ease their tension and release the pent up sexual urges thrusts them into the fangs of HIV/STD's shortening their already reduced life span.
The Truckers dilemma and their plight was well highlighted and shown on Discovery Channel a few days back and made me change the age old perception rooted in my mind.
I wish to thank the DISCOVERY CHANNEL for opening my eyes to the grim reality of the truckers.
We seldom recognise the efforts of these unsung truckers and often use cuss words when they cross our paths on the roads especially when we are in a hurry.
What we don’t understand is that they too have a job on their hands which is very energy sapping and thankless and they are the life-line or distributors of the products we need to run everyday life in a smooth manner.
Despite the odds heavily staked against him the sheer resilience and the will to survive amidst all the misery and the penury stands out and my heart beats out to this fella.
The truck driver has his job well defined and cut out to carry the cargo safely to its pre-determined location always vying with the limited time frame that has been allocated to him.
The Trucker has very little say in arguing with his bosses while determining the load to be carried in
his dilapidated ,outdated and un-serviced vehicle which often results in accidents most of which are fatal. The irony is further deepened with the fact that though the merchandise is insured to the hilt the trucker and his family are left at large to fend for themselves and seldom get any compensation.
The trucker is subject to the mercy of the portly cops who mercilessly beat them at the earliest available opportunity at secluded corners if they refuse bribes at check-posts.
The quality of roads available in the country is mediocre at most places which is one of the prime reasons for delays in goods reaching the final destination and on most occasions it is the trucker who has to bear the brunt of ire for no fault of his.
Driving on long monotonous routes these drivers have no one for company except for his obsolete Radio blaring on songs at full volume to keep him awake from the potential danger of any collisions Many of them are also addicted to cocaine as it prevents them from falling asleep and in the long run due to the prolonged use it causes multiple ailments often culminating in death.Further hobnobbing in red light areas to ease their tension and release the pent up sexual urges thrusts them into the fangs of HIV/STD's shortening their already reduced life span.
The Truckers dilemma and their plight was well highlighted and shown on Discovery Channel a few days back and made me change the age old perception rooted in my mind.
I wish to thank the DISCOVERY CHANNEL for opening my eyes to the grim reality of the truckers.
We seldom recognise the efforts of these unsung truckers and often use cuss words when they cross our paths on the roads especially when we are in a hurry.
What we don’t understand is that they too have a job on their hands which is very energy sapping and thankless and they are the life-line or distributors of the products we need to run everyday life in a smooth manner.
Despite the odds heavily staked against him the sheer resilience and the will to survive amidst all the misery and the penury stands out and my heart beats out to this fella.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Bihar- A Good Beginning
Bihar one of the much maligned states in the Indian Union was in the News and that too with a Bang!!! .The NDA led by Nitish Kumar trounced the opposition and won the State elections by a resounding margin.
Thoroughly modest in his approach Nitish has labelled the land slide Win as the Victory of the common man.
Going by the independent and impartial news gathered from Various news bureau ,this Govt has worked from the grass root levels and gave importance to good infrastructure like good roads across the state ,Special impetus towards education of the Girl-Child and restoring the basic law and order which was sadly missing perhaps since the inception of the State of Bihar.
The one good thing that has evolved perhaps is that the people have started to believe in good governance and refused to bow to the antics of the eccentric Lalu Prasad Yadav and his goons.
The young turk and the Chief contender to the PM’s Chair, Rahul Gandhi was at his hilarious best when he visited rural areas and got himself photographed carrying bricks on his head, sharing dry chappatis with the Poorest of the poor etc etc.
The worst mistake which he perhaps committed was exhorting the youth to go anywhere in the country there was no need to communalise the issue of Bihari’s getting attacked in Maharashtra and the real issues of the locals was largely ignored.
Perhaps this is what the foreign returned and most eligible bachelor failed to anticipate the simple aspirations of the Common man. Good for him and his Party.
These politicians have always taken the people on a roller coaster ride promising the moon but over the years self realisation has dawned upon the People which has prompted them to rethink on their past mistakes of choosing the wrong candidates and ruing the mistakes for the NEXT 5 YEARS!!!
Let us hope the People of Uttar Pradesh too learn from their counterparts in Bihar and yank out the Pest of all politicians –Mayawati and Mulla Yadav from Power and are relegated to the backburner for ever.
Let’s all wish this too comes true in the next scheduled elections in UP so that the innocent people can break the shackles of misery and injustice which has been ruling the roost since ages.
Thanks Nishit, for showing the Way!! Cheers!!!
Thoroughly modest in his approach Nitish has labelled the land slide Win as the Victory of the common man.
Going by the independent and impartial news gathered from Various news bureau ,this Govt has worked from the grass root levels and gave importance to good infrastructure like good roads across the state ,Special impetus towards education of the Girl-Child and restoring the basic law and order which was sadly missing perhaps since the inception of the State of Bihar.
The one good thing that has evolved perhaps is that the people have started to believe in good governance and refused to bow to the antics of the eccentric Lalu Prasad Yadav and his goons.
The young turk and the Chief contender to the PM’s Chair, Rahul Gandhi was at his hilarious best when he visited rural areas and got himself photographed carrying bricks on his head, sharing dry chappatis with the Poorest of the poor etc etc.
The worst mistake which he perhaps committed was exhorting the youth to go anywhere in the country there was no need to communalise the issue of Bihari’s getting attacked in Maharashtra and the real issues of the locals was largely ignored.
Perhaps this is what the foreign returned and most eligible bachelor failed to anticipate the simple aspirations of the Common man. Good for him and his Party.
These politicians have always taken the people on a roller coaster ride promising the moon but over the years self realisation has dawned upon the People which has prompted them to rethink on their past mistakes of choosing the wrong candidates and ruing the mistakes for the NEXT 5 YEARS!!!
Let us hope the People of Uttar Pradesh too learn from their counterparts in Bihar and yank out the Pest of all politicians –Mayawati and Mulla Yadav from Power and are relegated to the backburner for ever.
Let’s all wish this too comes true in the next scheduled elections in UP so that the innocent people can break the shackles of misery and injustice which has been ruling the roost since ages.
Thanks Nishit, for showing the Way!! Cheers!!!
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Kasargod Ripple Effect
Kasargod is a picturesque district situated in the northern most part of Kerala state bordering the State of Karnataka. It is noted for its beautiful landscapes, mist filled mountains and is blessed with Perennial water supply running across it’s length and breadth and is a ideal tourist Paradise.
During the Course of its development the Cashew farmers in their over eagerness to reap the best out of mother Nature sprinkled deadly doses of the banned Pesticide ‘’Endosulfan’’.
The deadly pesticide not only increased the yield of the cash rich crop but also polluted the land and the water bodies which unleashed a terror amongst the ignorant and poor inhabitants.
Many Persons have been afflicted with Varying symptoms from protruding tongues to the more serious cases of bearing mentally Challenged Children.
There was a lot of debate on banning Endosulfan in Kerala and despite the Strong fertiliser lobby prevalent, the Kerala state Pollution Control Board put its feet down and banned the same in December 2004.
However it is felt that Endosulfan is still used clandestinely in sporadic Parts of Kerala which has led to a spurt in incurable diseases which unfortunately are passed on through the genes to UNSUSPECTING and GULLIBLE future generations for no fault of theirs.
This has galvanised the Ministry of Environment & forests into action and Jairam Ramesh has reportedly taken the cudgels on behalf of scores of afflicted people particularly in the belt of Kasargod.
The repeated interference of Jairam Ramesh in various muddles created by various persons is a welcome Step as it gives us a slim hope that there is atleast one guy who is doing his job to clear the heap of trash dished out by various evil mongers.
To conclude all of us are equally vulnerable to such diseases if we are going to indulge in this Chemical laden cashew as obviously it would be hard enough to detect which ones are treated by this deadly Pesticide. One possible way perhaps is not eat the extra shiny ones and also those which are abnormally bigger in size.
During the Course of its development the Cashew farmers in their over eagerness to reap the best out of mother Nature sprinkled deadly doses of the banned Pesticide ‘’Endosulfan’’.
The deadly pesticide not only increased the yield of the cash rich crop but also polluted the land and the water bodies which unleashed a terror amongst the ignorant and poor inhabitants.
Many Persons have been afflicted with Varying symptoms from protruding tongues to the more serious cases of bearing mentally Challenged Children.
There was a lot of debate on banning Endosulfan in Kerala and despite the Strong fertiliser lobby prevalent, the Kerala state Pollution Control Board put its feet down and banned the same in December 2004.
However it is felt that Endosulfan is still used clandestinely in sporadic Parts of Kerala which has led to a spurt in incurable diseases which unfortunately are passed on through the genes to UNSUSPECTING and GULLIBLE future generations for no fault of theirs.
This has galvanised the Ministry of Environment & forests into action and Jairam Ramesh has reportedly taken the cudgels on behalf of scores of afflicted people particularly in the belt of Kasargod.
The repeated interference of Jairam Ramesh in various muddles created by various persons is a welcome Step as it gives us a slim hope that there is atleast one guy who is doing his job to clear the heap of trash dished out by various evil mongers.
To conclude all of us are equally vulnerable to such diseases if we are going to indulge in this Chemical laden cashew as obviously it would be hard enough to detect which ones are treated by this deadly Pesticide. One possible way perhaps is not eat the extra shiny ones and also those which are abnormally bigger in size.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Abetement to Crime
A Person who was in the NOBLE profession of teaching in a reputed Engineering College near Mumbai was exposed by his wife while taking bribes from students to whom study material/answers were Provided while writing exams.
Sensing something was amiss after watching large wads of notes being regularly brought in, the Lecturers wife blew the whistle on this modus operandi and the Lecturer was caught red-handed.
The lady in question did not think twice about her future before getting her husband apprehended by the Police and naturally the Society appreciated this monumental gesture which very few would even attempt to,in these days of high Corruption and low moral standards.
Surprisingly the tables turned when the Police is looking for this lady as according to them she should also be hauled in for not revealing this information ‘’EARLIER’.
This the Police allege resorts to abetement in the Crime.
The bewildered house-wife has reportedly gone into hiding.
Let us shift to the infamous case of the 2- G Spectrum Scam.
This scam had already surfaced in July 2008 when the erstwhile Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy had written a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the irregularities in the allotment of the 2-G Spectrum.
The Supreme Court also has rightly asked about the inordinate delay of almost 2 years from the Prime Ministers end in replying to the Questions asked by Swamy.
The PM might have probably thought that keeping mum would be the best solution and give him enough time to evade the difficult situation that he had landed in.
Would our Police/CBI send a notice of abetement to our ‘’HONOURABLE’’ Prime minister too for refusing to act despite having the knowledge and the proof to nail the ''RAJA'' & his notorious associates????
Sensing something was amiss after watching large wads of notes being regularly brought in, the Lecturers wife blew the whistle on this modus operandi and the Lecturer was caught red-handed.
The lady in question did not think twice about her future before getting her husband apprehended by the Police and naturally the Society appreciated this monumental gesture which very few would even attempt to,in these days of high Corruption and low moral standards.
Surprisingly the tables turned when the Police is looking for this lady as according to them she should also be hauled in for not revealing this information ‘’EARLIER’.
This the Police allege resorts to abetement in the Crime.
The bewildered house-wife has reportedly gone into hiding.
Let us shift to the infamous case of the 2- G Spectrum Scam.
This scam had already surfaced in July 2008 when the erstwhile Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy had written a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the irregularities in the allotment of the 2-G Spectrum.
The Supreme Court also has rightly asked about the inordinate delay of almost 2 years from the Prime Ministers end in replying to the Questions asked by Swamy.
The PM might have probably thought that keeping mum would be the best solution and give him enough time to evade the difficult situation that he had landed in.
Would our Police/CBI send a notice of abetement to our ‘’HONOURABLE’’ Prime minister too for refusing to act despite having the knowledge and the proof to nail the ''RAJA'' & his notorious associates????
Friday, November 12, 2010
Cartoon
It was a Pleasant but humid day in the month of May 1984 when I came across this little pup with fluffy white hair. The little doggy was very playful and I carried it home to show it my family. This later on became a routine affair.
Every time my mother offered it milk & other delicacies but she was apprehensive that the Pup would get acclimatised to us and utilise the daily visits to stay on with us.
None of us were keen to have a pet but the frequent visits slowly and surely transformed or rather melted the hearts of all and sundry and it too enjoyed the love & affection administered on it.
This Pup was full of life but possessed certain eccentric attributes which prompted the kids in the neighbourhood to name it ''CARTOON''.
Time flew and the Pup grew into a robust Dog and one fine day the municipal authorities (mind you in the 1970's & 80's the BMC used to catch all stray dogs without a license & destroy them after keeping them in a Pound for a week) caught him and took him away.
After spending a restless night my brother took the initiative of bringing him back from the pound after paying the Penalty and getting a Dog License from the municipal authorities. Even the Person who wrote his name in the License was amused by the name ’’CARTOON’’ and patted it on its head before handing it over.The joy of coming back from a desolate area was very much obvious and all of us were quite relived to have him back amidst us.
Though Cartoon was feeling uncomfortable at the onset, sporting the new collar coupled with a flashing aluminium license, the adulation which he received from the people in the neighbourhood (he was the only stray wearing the Collar) perhaps, spurred him on.
During the rainy season of 1987 Cartoon was involved in a brawl with another stray which left him with a deep gash on the neck. The wound was very deep and in a drenched condition we could hardly recognise him. My brother cleaned his wounds by bathing him in hot water and I still remember the blood that covered our entire bathroom. For a moment I thought he would not be able to survive but somehow we managed to nurse him back to health.
Even my father who was not at all possessive of animals began to shower his affection and he would follow every one of us the moment we left the house. Cartoon was no longer a stray but became a Part of our family. He was very possessive and the jealousy showed when he openly disapproved our actions of feeding or caressing any other dog in the vicinity.
I still remember a day when the whole family had gone out for a day to a relative’s house. As usual he went to our house in the afternoon for lunch as per his usual practice and started knocking on the locked door with his paws. When the knocking got too hard our neighbour offered it some biscuits and milk. Though hungry he refused to have it and wearing a forlorn look he sat outside the door.
We arrived late at night and gave a now usual whistle to him ,and down he came running breathlessly running the 3 floors in a jiffy and licking every one and barking in a low tone .May be it thought we all had left him behind to fend for itself.
November 15th 1990-Thursday:I saw him from my gallery and though he responded to my call with a little wag of his tail he looked a bit tired. He did not have the food when I bought him upstairs but laid down to rest outside our doorstep. My mother thought it was his usual STYLE of refusing to have food and then eat it when no one noticed him. He did not eat the whole day.
November 16th 1990-Friday:Cartoon could not walk properly, he tried, staggered and fell down awkwardly. Sensing something was very much wrong we took him to a vet who administered an injection.
In the evening he looked calm & composed but showed no signs of improvement.
November 17th 1990-Saturday: Having Slept most of day Cartoon started to wail loudly at night. Even in acute pain whenever my brother caressed him Cartoon kept quiet as if he knew that we were trying our best to ease his discomfort. The whole night seemed very long and nobody slept as the moans began to play on our minds.
November 18th 1990-SUNDAY: The moans continued and eventually around 9.30 am Cartoon left this mortal world as his lifeless body lay still, in my bothers lap bidding a calm good bye to everyone who loved and cared for him.
The Shock of losing Cartoon was immense, the tears refused to stop, the grief was so intense as if someone in the family itself had passed away.
It’s close to 2 decades now since Cartoon passed away but whenever I see any dog the fond and nostalgic memories that we shared together albeit for a brief Period of 6 years comes back to life .....
Every time my mother offered it milk & other delicacies but she was apprehensive that the Pup would get acclimatised to us and utilise the daily visits to stay on with us.
None of us were keen to have a pet but the frequent visits slowly and surely transformed or rather melted the hearts of all and sundry and it too enjoyed the love & affection administered on it.
This Pup was full of life but possessed certain eccentric attributes which prompted the kids in the neighbourhood to name it ''CARTOON''.
Time flew and the Pup grew into a robust Dog and one fine day the municipal authorities (mind you in the 1970's & 80's the BMC used to catch all stray dogs without a license & destroy them after keeping them in a Pound for a week) caught him and took him away.
After spending a restless night my brother took the initiative of bringing him back from the pound after paying the Penalty and getting a Dog License from the municipal authorities. Even the Person who wrote his name in the License was amused by the name ’’CARTOON’’ and patted it on its head before handing it over.The joy of coming back from a desolate area was very much obvious and all of us were quite relived to have him back amidst us.
Though Cartoon was feeling uncomfortable at the onset, sporting the new collar coupled with a flashing aluminium license, the adulation which he received from the people in the neighbourhood (he was the only stray wearing the Collar) perhaps, spurred him on.
During the rainy season of 1987 Cartoon was involved in a brawl with another stray which left him with a deep gash on the neck. The wound was very deep and in a drenched condition we could hardly recognise him. My brother cleaned his wounds by bathing him in hot water and I still remember the blood that covered our entire bathroom. For a moment I thought he would not be able to survive but somehow we managed to nurse him back to health.
Even my father who was not at all possessive of animals began to shower his affection and he would follow every one of us the moment we left the house. Cartoon was no longer a stray but became a Part of our family. He was very possessive and the jealousy showed when he openly disapproved our actions of feeding or caressing any other dog in the vicinity.
I still remember a day when the whole family had gone out for a day to a relative’s house. As usual he went to our house in the afternoon for lunch as per his usual practice and started knocking on the locked door with his paws. When the knocking got too hard our neighbour offered it some biscuits and milk. Though hungry he refused to have it and wearing a forlorn look he sat outside the door.
We arrived late at night and gave a now usual whistle to him ,and down he came running breathlessly running the 3 floors in a jiffy and licking every one and barking in a low tone .May be it thought we all had left him behind to fend for itself.
November 15th 1990-Thursday:I saw him from my gallery and though he responded to my call with a little wag of his tail he looked a bit tired. He did not have the food when I bought him upstairs but laid down to rest outside our doorstep. My mother thought it was his usual STYLE of refusing to have food and then eat it when no one noticed him. He did not eat the whole day.
November 16th 1990-Friday:Cartoon could not walk properly, he tried, staggered and fell down awkwardly. Sensing something was very much wrong we took him to a vet who administered an injection.
In the evening he looked calm & composed but showed no signs of improvement.
November 17th 1990-Saturday: Having Slept most of day Cartoon started to wail loudly at night. Even in acute pain whenever my brother caressed him Cartoon kept quiet as if he knew that we were trying our best to ease his discomfort. The whole night seemed very long and nobody slept as the moans began to play on our minds.
November 18th 1990-SUNDAY: The moans continued and eventually around 9.30 am Cartoon left this mortal world as his lifeless body lay still, in my bothers lap bidding a calm good bye to everyone who loved and cared for him.
The Shock of losing Cartoon was immense, the tears refused to stop, the grief was so intense as if someone in the family itself had passed away.
It’s close to 2 decades now since Cartoon passed away but whenever I see any dog the fond and nostalgic memories that we shared together albeit for a brief Period of 6 years comes back to life .....
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Obama Visit
Finally the hype of the Visit of one of the most illustrious figures -the US President has started to fizzle out and many analysts have started to put up their opinions on the pros and cons of the Visit.
As usual the high profile Visit was given wide coverage by the media and a lot of talk made the rounds about the advantages that would be bestowed on us by the US President.
The US mind you,has not yet come out of recession and 600 billion dollars has been pumped in recently to boost the sagging morales.Much of these would flow into the Indian Stock Markets(keeping in mind the current boom) which would negate the intention of the US Economists & Planners.
The US in the late 1990's had denied India the transfer of technology for Cryogenic engines for its rockets fearing that the same would be used for developing Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles.It went ahead and black listed institutions like ISRO & DRDO.
Under the able guidance of Prof.Abdul Kalam India successfully configured the Super Computer and even launched multiple satellites
using a single rocket at a fraction of the cost incurred by the European Sales Agency/Ariane Space.
This incident left the US red faced and by the time they realised their folly they had already lost millions of dollars in potential future business.
The moment he left the Indian shores Obama equated Pakistan & China with India as Partners and refused to acknowledge the handiwork of Pakistan which closely works with terror Organisations with a Single Point agenda to destabilise India.
The Mumbai Police too had to bear the arrogant tactics of the American Intelligence who had accompanied the US President but the issue was downplayed as usual by the Indian Govt.
The one positive trend which emerged by this visit was the Pedestrians were able to actually WALK on the footpaths!!
The illegal markets at Fashion Street too was cleared for a couple of days which brought down the traffic snarls to a certain extent.
Many areas particularly in the City were brushed up for the event,potential trouble makers were shifted out of the city and traffic was smoothly regulated.
Some times we the Citizens of Mumbai wish that such dignitaries make a trip once a year so that the adminstration(BMC & the Police) are on their toes and the city appears to have a polished look.
Jai Ho!!
As usual the high profile Visit was given wide coverage by the media and a lot of talk made the rounds about the advantages that would be bestowed on us by the US President.
The US mind you,has not yet come out of recession and 600 billion dollars has been pumped in recently to boost the sagging morales.Much of these would flow into the Indian Stock Markets(keeping in mind the current boom) which would negate the intention of the US Economists & Planners.
The US in the late 1990's had denied India the transfer of technology for Cryogenic engines for its rockets fearing that the same would be used for developing Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles.It went ahead and black listed institutions like ISRO & DRDO.
Under the able guidance of Prof.Abdul Kalam India successfully configured the Super Computer and even launched multiple satellites
using a single rocket at a fraction of the cost incurred by the European Sales Agency/Ariane Space.
This incident left the US red faced and by the time they realised their folly they had already lost millions of dollars in potential future business.
The moment he left the Indian shores Obama equated Pakistan & China with India as Partners and refused to acknowledge the handiwork of Pakistan which closely works with terror Organisations with a Single Point agenda to destabilise India.
The Mumbai Police too had to bear the arrogant tactics of the American Intelligence who had accompanied the US President but the issue was downplayed as usual by the Indian Govt.
The one positive trend which emerged by this visit was the Pedestrians were able to actually WALK on the footpaths!!
The illegal markets at Fashion Street too was cleared for a couple of days which brought down the traffic snarls to a certain extent.
Many areas particularly in the City were brushed up for the event,potential trouble makers were shifted out of the city and traffic was smoothly regulated.
Some times we the Citizens of Mumbai wish that such dignitaries make a trip once a year so that the adminstration(BMC & the Police) are on their toes and the city appears to have a polished look.
Jai Ho!!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Lavasa- Development at What Cost???
Lavasa a picturesque Place near Pune on the endangered Western Ghats is the latest place which is to be ravaged in a planned manner by the developer Hindustan Construction company in connivance with the State Govt of Maharashtra.
The Plans to develop this site was initiated by Supriya sule & her spouse and were amongst the promoters but sensing future trouble they quitely distanced themselves from this mega Project.
The laws stipulate that any all projects situated at a height of 1000 metres & above should be cleared by the Centre and the State Govt does not have any say in the matter.
Lavasa at certain points exceed the stipulated height of 1000 metres and it is but natural that certain vested interests must have corroborated & conspired to give a green flag to this development which blatantly violates Environment protection Act.
It seems that the Promoters of this Project were influenced by the Amby Valley Project(Promoted by the Sahara Group) which too has minted crores by developing a similar site.
The Opponents of this Project is led by Lawyer & former IPS Officer Y P SINGH who has sent a legal notice to the Union Environment ministry Challenging the Clearances given by the State Govt.
We need more of such upright & honest officers who can take on the might of the Centre/State given the fact they know the Challenges having worked in a similar atmosphere of lies,corruption and mismanagement.
Progress which is synonymous to development is a must but certainly should not be at the Cost of ravaging the environment and destroying the fragile biodiversity.
The Plans to develop this site was initiated by Supriya sule & her spouse and were amongst the promoters but sensing future trouble they quitely distanced themselves from this mega Project.
The laws stipulate that any all projects situated at a height of 1000 metres & above should be cleared by the Centre and the State Govt does not have any say in the matter.
Lavasa at certain points exceed the stipulated height of 1000 metres and it is but natural that certain vested interests must have corroborated & conspired to give a green flag to this development which blatantly violates Environment protection Act.
It seems that the Promoters of this Project were influenced by the Amby Valley Project(Promoted by the Sahara Group) which too has minted crores by developing a similar site.
The Opponents of this Project is led by Lawyer & former IPS Officer Y P SINGH who has sent a legal notice to the Union Environment ministry Challenging the Clearances given by the State Govt.
We need more of such upright & honest officers who can take on the might of the Centre/State given the fact they know the Challenges having worked in a similar atmosphere of lies,corruption and mismanagement.
Progress which is synonymous to development is a must but certainly should not be at the Cost of ravaging the environment and destroying the fragile biodiversity.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Worry over the BlackBerry
It remains to be seen whether the Indian Govt resorts to a Partial Ban on the BlackBerry.The Canadian counterpart is refusing to buckle under the enormous Pressure mounted by the Saudi/Indian govts against the supposedly intimidatory tactics adopted by the BlackBerry manufacturers who are refusing to divulge the encrypted messages(E-MAILS) originating from/between sender and the ultimate receiver.
The Saudis have agreed to step down from its earlier approach after the US officials intervened in the imbroglio upon insistence from its immediate neighbour.
The Indian Govt has done the right thing by not compromising with the aggressive & rigid approach of Canadian Officials as the nations security is at a threat from terrorists who have kept themselves abreast with the latest gizmos and state of the art technology which can cause havoc at some point of time.
Often it has been seen that the Western World has bullied the the 3rd world Countries by selling obsolete junk material,dumping hazardous chemicals etc and got away with it.
Concluding this we in India hope that none of our Corrupt Politician's jump into this meelee and accept the diktats dished out by BlackBerry.
The Saudis have agreed to step down from its earlier approach after the US officials intervened in the imbroglio upon insistence from its immediate neighbour.
The Indian Govt has done the right thing by not compromising with the aggressive & rigid approach of Canadian Officials as the nations security is at a threat from terrorists who have kept themselves abreast with the latest gizmos and state of the art technology which can cause havoc at some point of time.
Often it has been seen that the Western World has bullied the the 3rd world Countries by selling obsolete junk material,dumping hazardous chemicals etc and got away with it.
Concluding this we in India hope that none of our Corrupt Politician's jump into this meelee and accept the diktats dished out by BlackBerry.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Common''Wealth'' Games
The Common Wealth games was awarded to India in 2003.Only two months remain for the Games to open and the Games authorities have yet to arrange for the infrastucture associated with it.Some of the infrastucture that was unveiled(leaked??)before the Media could barely stand its Ground and the Ceilings gave in to the monsoon fury leaking like hell.
The Politicians many of whom have assumed the top posts in Various Sports bodies in India viz.(Sharad Pawar-ICC Chief,Suresh Kalmadi-President Indian Olympic Association since ages...,Laloo Yadav-President of Bihar Cricket Association,Narendra Modi-President of Gujarat Cricket Association etc to name a few)have neither any knowledge nor have any liking for the game they so represent.
It is only the Money associated with it which beckons them to this Coveted Post.
Mr M S Gill who vehementely opposed one of the most Upright & Honest Chief Election Commissioner TN SHESHAN(Readers may recollect that Mr Sheshan was unjustly removed from the post and Gill reinstated in his place,as his reforms to cleanse the election malpractices proved to be a thorn in the flesh for many Politicians)is now the Sports minister and hobnobbing with the most tainted politicians in New Delhi was seen unabashedly defending the delay in completion of the Various Stadiums and denying any money laundering by the bigwigs associated with the Games.
It seems that Kalmadi & co did not Share the ''booty'' with Mani Shankar Iyer who promptly issued a Statement that he will be the happiest Person On Earth if the Games Fail.
The Media must be applauded for its sincere efforts in exposing the politicians-Sports nexus which has ultimately forced the Indian Govt not to BID for he ASIAN GAMES scheduled to be held in 2019.May be a bigger Planning was in the Pipeline keeping in mind the Billions that was to be Spent for the ASIAD.
What the Poor Politicians fail to understand is that the games showcase our Country and its Vast ''CULTURE'' but unfortunately their 'VULTURE'' instincts rips off the rich & cultural traditions associated with our great Country.
Kalmadi & Co might be ruing the fact that if they had shared the booty ''COMMONLY''& not accumulated the ''WEALTH''amongst a coveted few then this scandal would probably never had come to light.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Gold Rush @Religious Places
The Sai Baba Sansthan Trust at Shirdi has made elaborate plans to Prepare a Golden Chariot to Carry Sai Baba's deity for a unpecedented amount.The Chariot will of course be made out of the proceeds/donations made by the Public and would be a centre of attraction for all the Pilgrims visiting this holy Place.The throne which has been enacted for keeping Sai's statue too is made of Gold.
Sai baba who resided in a dilapidated Mosque till his death n 1918, wore tattered clothes and roamed the Villages seeking alms for his sustenance.It is well known that he was completely at ease with both Hindu & Muslim Cultures and knew all the scriptures associated with it.He gained popularity with the Common man as he easily mingled with them and preached the Path of righteousness.
It seems that Simplicity & Greatness associated with Sai Baba died with him and he left behind a great legacy amongst a few who built this temple in his memory and a few who are trying till date to create an artificial aura with ample touch of Gold,Silver & Platinum raised from devotees who think that by donating a substantial sum/wealth would Cleanse them of any sins committed during their life time.
Its a sad thing that most of the temples in India have become commercialised structures including the one @ Tirupati (where the Congress Party is the trustee)and where its income runs into several Crores of rupees,most of which is siphoned off by unscrupulous People in the Trust in the guise of helping the poor & the needy.
When nearly 1/5th of our Population fail in their attempt to secure 2 square meals a day what is the need for Sculpturing thrones & chariots of Gold? The same amount Could have been invested for eradicating Child Labour,Providing Free education to the downtrodden,Preventing female infanticide,Providing Health care n remote tribal areas ...the list is endless...
The wealth is there for all to see but the utilisation is always for for non yielding and unrealistic or illogical ventures.
Sai baba who resided in a dilapidated Mosque till his death n 1918, wore tattered clothes and roamed the Villages seeking alms for his sustenance.It is well known that he was completely at ease with both Hindu & Muslim Cultures and knew all the scriptures associated with it.He gained popularity with the Common man as he easily mingled with them and preached the Path of righteousness.
It seems that Simplicity & Greatness associated with Sai Baba died with him and he left behind a great legacy amongst a few who built this temple in his memory and a few who are trying till date to create an artificial aura with ample touch of Gold,Silver & Platinum raised from devotees who think that by donating a substantial sum/wealth would Cleanse them of any sins committed during their life time.
Its a sad thing that most of the temples in India have become commercialised structures including the one @ Tirupati (where the Congress Party is the trustee)and where its income runs into several Crores of rupees,most of which is siphoned off by unscrupulous People in the Trust in the guise of helping the poor & the needy.
When nearly 1/5th of our Population fail in their attempt to secure 2 square meals a day what is the need for Sculpturing thrones & chariots of Gold? The same amount Could have been invested for eradicating Child Labour,Providing Free education to the downtrodden,Preventing female infanticide,Providing Health care n remote tribal areas ...the list is endless...
The wealth is there for all to see but the utilisation is always for for non yielding and unrealistic or illogical ventures.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Navi Mumbai Airport-An Ecological Disaster
The Proposed Airport to be constructed in Navi Mumbai will soon swallow the last bastion of Virgin mangroves alongside and sound a deathknell for a large number of marine species associated with it.
No amount of Pressure from the environmental ministry(headed By Jairam Ramesh)is bound to have any effect on Praful Patel the minister for Civil Avaition who is harping on development of the site for the ambitious project come what may.
The rich Bio-Diversity of the mangroves would be lost forever.Some rivers in the vicinity will be diverted which would bring in unprecedented floods in some other area.
It is said that the Present airport at Sahar can handle only about 40 million Passengers and the air traffic would double by the year 2031 and a new airport can is the only solution to reduce the pressure.
The Sahar Airport is surrounded by slums and the Govt should have evicted them long back which itself would have created generous amount of space needed for the growing Air traffic.
However the Govt is more wary of the ''Vote bank'' and hence avoiding this amicable & more logical solution.
It has been scientifically proved that the Mnagroves absorb a substantial part of the Carbon present in the air,prevent floods & the resulting soil erosion and is a ideal habitat for many marine species.
Developement is a must but at what Cost?
We are slowly but surely digging our own graves with borrowed shovels(World Bank Funds)and the future generation would have to bear the brunt of this lop sided development in the form of devastating Tsunamis and flash floods.
No amount of Pressure from the environmental ministry(headed By Jairam Ramesh)is bound to have any effect on Praful Patel the minister for Civil Avaition who is harping on development of the site for the ambitious project come what may.
The rich Bio-Diversity of the mangroves would be lost forever.Some rivers in the vicinity will be diverted which would bring in unprecedented floods in some other area.
It is said that the Present airport at Sahar can handle only about 40 million Passengers and the air traffic would double by the year 2031 and a new airport can is the only solution to reduce the pressure.
The Sahar Airport is surrounded by slums and the Govt should have evicted them long back which itself would have created generous amount of space needed for the growing Air traffic.
However the Govt is more wary of the ''Vote bank'' and hence avoiding this amicable & more logical solution.
It has been scientifically proved that the Mnagroves absorb a substantial part of the Carbon present in the air,prevent floods & the resulting soil erosion and is a ideal habitat for many marine species.
Developement is a must but at what Cost?
We are slowly but surely digging our own graves with borrowed shovels(World Bank Funds)and the future generation would have to bear the brunt of this lop sided development in the form of devastating Tsunamis and flash floods.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Superstition- A Backward Step
Its very amusing to read about an Octopus named 'Paul'with Possible Psychic Powers which has been randomly(BUT ACCURATELY)picking out Winners in the recent FIFA organised World Cup.
The Octopus is Currently weilding its magic wand ..or rather its tentacles in a Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen,Western Germany much to the amusement of its bewildered Veiwers who have been mesmerised by its Powers.
Its latest prediction(Spain will defeat Germany in the 2nd SEMI FINAL)was broadcast Live & watched by millions of German Veiwers yesterday.
Imagine this happening in a 3rd World Nation like India most of the Western Nations would have laughed it off and laid the blame on the backward state coupled with the Superstition prevailing in the Sub-Continent.
It would be better to Host the next FIFA world Cup in Germany and let the Octopus Pick the Winner instead of Playing the Game.
It Proves that Superstition is here to stay and human beings being very fickle minded and Prefer the former to a more Scientific & rational approach.
The Octopus is Currently weilding its magic wand ..or rather its tentacles in a Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen,Western Germany much to the amusement of its bewildered Veiwers who have been mesmerised by its Powers.
Its latest prediction(Spain will defeat Germany in the 2nd SEMI FINAL)was broadcast Live & watched by millions of German Veiwers yesterday.
Imagine this happening in a 3rd World Nation like India most of the Western Nations would have laughed it off and laid the blame on the backward state coupled with the Superstition prevailing in the Sub-Continent.
It would be better to Host the next FIFA world Cup in Germany and let the Octopus Pick the Winner instead of Playing the Game.
It Proves that Superstition is here to stay and human beings being very fickle minded and Prefer the former to a more Scientific & rational approach.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Welcome Step
The Kerala High court yesterday has Passed a stricture which should provide considerable respite to the Common Man.
It has made the state Govt accountable for any strikes or demonstrations which are oftenly held on the roadside causing traffic jams and unnecessary distress to the commuters.
The Communists are the Prime reason which have caused havoc in both the states of Kerala and Bengal which hardly have any agenda and day in and day out all that is Visible is angry Violent protests and demonstrations bereft of wisdom or Logic.
On the other hand the State Govt has showed its helplessness by calling this act as an infringement of democratic rights with even its adversaries in the Opposition Parties Pitching their voice against the Court's Verdict.
The People's faith in the judiciary would some what be reposed by this land mark Judgement and we hope to see more of such cases whereby the Political Parties should be made to Pay for their arrogance.
It has made the state Govt accountable for any strikes or demonstrations which are oftenly held on the roadside causing traffic jams and unnecessary distress to the commuters.
The Communists are the Prime reason which have caused havoc in both the states of Kerala and Bengal which hardly have any agenda and day in and day out all that is Visible is angry Violent protests and demonstrations bereft of wisdom or Logic.
On the other hand the State Govt has showed its helplessness by calling this act as an infringement of democratic rights with even its adversaries in the Opposition Parties Pitching their voice against the Court's Verdict.
The People's faith in the judiciary would some what be reposed by this land mark Judgement and we hope to see more of such cases whereby the Political Parties should be made to Pay for their arrogance.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Indian Metorological Department- Most Irresponsible
The Weather forecasts Predicted by the IMD-Indian Metorological Department is inversely proportional to the actual weather Conditions Prevalent.
Its hilarious to note that whenever the Met Dept Predicts heavy rains based on the downpour which has Occured on the previous day,the rains as if to show its dissent stops immediately.
On 22nd June 2010 a times of India report had stated that the weather bureau had Predicted a lull in the monsoons over Mumbai & Konkan due to Persisting low pressure in the designated area.
Lo and Behold the Rains as if acting on the cue arrived the same evening over the Konkan peninsula.
We are dazed at the near accurate predictions given by the BBC/ABC and Some other western Countries which gives ample time in warning the inhabitants of the impending weather Conditions which reduces the impact of the Calamity.
The Doppler Radar Purchased a Couple of years back was lying in the Municipal Corporation's warehouse waiting for Clearance from the Defence minstry as the same was to be installed by Chinese technicians at Colaba- a sensitive area from the Defence Point of View.It seems that the Municipal Corporation insists in Counting the Chickens before they are hatched.Where was the need of buying the Doppler Radar that too from the Chinese(may be to save Costs)when the location of installing the same was not known???
The IMD has become the object of ridicule by consistently Churning up wrong forecasts time and again and people rely more on their own instincts rather the Crap dished out by this outdated Organisation.
The Govt should recruit eminent scientists and Combined with the use of weather Satellites and State of the Art Technology try to revamp this Department in the interests of the Country.
Its hilarious to note that whenever the Met Dept Predicts heavy rains based on the downpour which has Occured on the previous day,the rains as if to show its dissent stops immediately.
On 22nd June 2010 a times of India report had stated that the weather bureau had Predicted a lull in the monsoons over Mumbai & Konkan due to Persisting low pressure in the designated area.
Lo and Behold the Rains as if acting on the cue arrived the same evening over the Konkan peninsula.
We are dazed at the near accurate predictions given by the BBC/ABC and Some other western Countries which gives ample time in warning the inhabitants of the impending weather Conditions which reduces the impact of the Calamity.
The Doppler Radar Purchased a Couple of years back was lying in the Municipal Corporation's warehouse waiting for Clearance from the Defence minstry as the same was to be installed by Chinese technicians at Colaba- a sensitive area from the Defence Point of View.It seems that the Municipal Corporation insists in Counting the Chickens before they are hatched.Where was the need of buying the Doppler Radar that too from the Chinese(may be to save Costs)when the location of installing the same was not known???
The IMD has become the object of ridicule by consistently Churning up wrong forecasts time and again and people rely more on their own instincts rather the Crap dished out by this outdated Organisation.
The Govt should recruit eminent scientists and Combined with the use of weather Satellites and State of the Art Technology try to revamp this Department in the interests of the Country.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Differences in the Oil & Gas Tragedies
The massive Oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico on the night of April 10th 2010 resulted in a oil slick that drifted across the Shores of US ruining some of the exotic beaches and endangering the flora and fauna surrounding the waters.
It is well known that whenever USA has suffered losses on a/c of some third Party callousness they swing into action and try to impose the maximum Penalties and get things sorted out to suit their way.Like wise President Obama is seeking nearly 20 Billion Dollars from the British Oil Giant BP to compensate the 11 rig workers who died in the halocaust and to clean up the resulting environmental mess.
Similarly in 1984 nearly 15000 People died and about 500000 people were badly affected by the Methyl isocyanate Gas Leak in Bhopal,India the Perpetrators of the Crime namely the top boss of Union Carbide Warren Anderson was huddled out of India by the then Congress Govt on the instructions of the US Govt.The Congress Govt was the main culprit in letting go off the arrogant CEO who reportedly uttered the words"" BYE BYE INDIA'' at the airport.
The Compensation of 470 Million dollars worked out to a measely INR 25000 per person.Even the Supreme Court was shocked at the out of Court Settlement for such a ridiculous amount.
After 25 years the people of Bhopal are still running from pillar to post to get their due.
The western Media never projected the potent nature of this tragedy which wrought havoc amongst the natives and many innocent People Perished in their sleep as the killer Gas made its way through the narrow alleys & slums and till date about 370 tonnes of chemicals lie in the Union Carbide Compound contaminating the Ground water and with it marauding the future of lacs of powerless people who feel resigned to their fate.
How come Obama is mum over the protests and the muted screams of the infected People of Bhopal when the perpetrator of the Crime is a US Company?Is the value of an Indians life Cheaper than that of the affected Ducks off the louisiana Coastline?
Ironically we have to learn a lesson or two from the Americans who raise a huge alarm over trivial events affecting their nation or their People any where in the world and then manage to strike a bargain that is always favourable to them visa vis the loss suffered.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Discrepancy in Our Education System
Come May & June and the annual ritual of ""RESULTS''is awaited by the anxious Parents and their wards with bated breath.The exams are veiwed by many as a stepping stone to Success and rankers vie with one another to get admission into the best of the Colleges which is one of the factors which propels them in shaping and moulding their Cherished careers.
In the last few years many Parents have switched their wards from the SSC Board to the more MARK-FETCHING CBSE/ICSE Boards.These Boards have a properly designed and better managed Curriculum which gives a more realistic and balanced education to its pupils.
However while awarding marks the system is more linient compared to the SSC Board and hence prestigious seats are gobbled up by the CBSE/ICSE Students leaving many of the Brilliant Students affiliated to the SSC Board a miniscule chance of making it to the TOP educational institutions.
Incidentally to avoid this melee the Union Minister For Human resources Kapil sibal had initiated a Campaign to go for an Education Curiculum which would be Common for all and which would eliminate the Unfair Advantage,however miniscule it may seem in the genuine interests of all the Students.
Sadly all of us Indians are resistant to Change and this Welcome step of Kapil Sibal was relegated to the ''back burner''by vested interests and elitist factions prevalent in the CBSE/ICSE .
Hope better sense pevails amongst the elite and reforms towards intiating a Common Curiculum finds more and more supporters and takers.
In the last few years many Parents have switched their wards from the SSC Board to the more MARK-FETCHING CBSE/ICSE Boards.These Boards have a properly designed and better managed Curriculum which gives a more realistic and balanced education to its pupils.
However while awarding marks the system is more linient compared to the SSC Board and hence prestigious seats are gobbled up by the CBSE/ICSE Students leaving many of the Brilliant Students affiliated to the SSC Board a miniscule chance of making it to the TOP educational institutions.
Incidentally to avoid this melee the Union Minister For Human resources Kapil sibal had initiated a Campaign to go for an Education Curiculum which would be Common for all and which would eliminate the Unfair Advantage,however miniscule it may seem in the genuine interests of all the Students.
Sadly all of us Indians are resistant to Change and this Welcome step of Kapil Sibal was relegated to the ''back burner''by vested interests and elitist factions prevalent in the CBSE/ICSE .
Hope better sense pevails amongst the elite and reforms towards intiating a Common Curiculum finds more and more supporters and takers.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Avoidable Tragedy @ Mangalore
The Whole of India Watched in Horror as the news of Air-India's Boeing 737 Crash at Mangalore's Bajpe Airport sunk in the early hours of Saturday-22nd May 2010.
158 Innocent lives were nipped in the Bud though 8 of them were fortunate enough to narrate the Last few moments of this Phenomenal tragedy.
Routine analysis showed that the safety norms have not been adhered to while costructing this Airport atop a hill.As per the aviation safety norms atleast 300 meters on either side of the air strip has to kept just in case of any sudden emergency ,whereas this air strip has only about 90 metres of space.Further at the end of the air strip the hill ends into a steep gorge.
This Airport is Classified as ''SPECIAL'' because of the peril inherent in its Construction.Even a small margin of error would culminate in a Disaster which is what precisely happened.
The Directorate General oF Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India have to answer this to the families of those who have perished in this AVOIDABLE Targedy.
As per the norms in our Country some Commission would be set up to enquire about this accident which itself would give its report after spending colossal amount of money and time and blame the Pilots as it is easy to pass off the buck onto PEOPLE WHO CANNOT ANSWER OR DEFEND THEMSELVES.
Lastly there was more drama attached as the Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel took moral responsibilty and offered to resign.Every one knew the out come of the Stage managed show as the PM refused to accept the resignation.
Politicians try to seek mileage and publicity and try to label themselves as Heroes even in such adverse conditions.
The only silver lining amongst this gloom was the logistical support and help provided by the Local Population who despite the adverse conditions,the surging inferno battled and saved 8 precious lives,who lived to tell the horrendous tale of one of the most disasterous Accident in Aviation History in recent times occuring in the sub-continent.
158 Innocent lives were nipped in the Bud though 8 of them were fortunate enough to narrate the Last few moments of this Phenomenal tragedy.
Routine analysis showed that the safety norms have not been adhered to while costructing this Airport atop a hill.As per the aviation safety norms atleast 300 meters on either side of the air strip has to kept just in case of any sudden emergency ,whereas this air strip has only about 90 metres of space.Further at the end of the air strip the hill ends into a steep gorge.
This Airport is Classified as ''SPECIAL'' because of the peril inherent in its Construction.Even a small margin of error would culminate in a Disaster which is what precisely happened.
The Directorate General oF Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India have to answer this to the families of those who have perished in this AVOIDABLE Targedy.
As per the norms in our Country some Commission would be set up to enquire about this accident which itself would give its report after spending colossal amount of money and time and blame the Pilots as it is easy to pass off the buck onto PEOPLE WHO CANNOT ANSWER OR DEFEND THEMSELVES.
Lastly there was more drama attached as the Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel took moral responsibilty and offered to resign.Every one knew the out come of the Stage managed show as the PM refused to accept the resignation.
Politicians try to seek mileage and publicity and try to label themselves as Heroes even in such adverse conditions.
The only silver lining amongst this gloom was the logistical support and help provided by the Local Population who despite the adverse conditions,the surging inferno battled and saved 8 precious lives,who lived to tell the horrendous tale of one of the most disasterous Accident in Aviation History in recent times occuring in the sub-continent.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
11th May-A red Letter Day for Indian Sports
11th May 2010 was a red letter day for Indian Sports as the reigning World Champion Vishwanathan Anand retained the World Chess Championship Crown after a hard fought match with Vaselin Topalov of Bulgaria.This come from behind victory for Anand who toopled Topalov with the Passion,dedication & the will to win against all odds has made all Indians Proud(except Perhaps the Cricket crazy Fans and their ever supportive Media).
Barring a Couple of newspapers the rest of the Print media along with their cousin (the TV Media) chose to loathe and cry over the disastrous showing of our 'Famed'Cricketers in the carribbean islands and gave a NOW NORMAL step -motherly treatment to Anand's Fabulous Victory at the World Championships.
This is one of the prime reasons why other sports like Hockey,Football,Badminton,Boxing,Wrestling to name a few have been neglected.The Participants of these sports have to make their own arrangements for boarding and lodging on most of the Occassions and often Pay the difference for Air travel if and when they wish to avail of this SO CALLED LUXURY,which unfortunately remains the PREROGATIVE of our CRICKETERS.
Despite this treatment acheivements of Certain Sportsmen/Women like Saina Nehwal(Badminton),P Gopichand (Badminton),Virender Singh( Boxing),Sushil Kumar(wrestler) and of course Vishy in Chess who single handedly have fought not only their Opponents individually but also the dreaded bureaucracy associated with Sports in India has provided a SILVER LINING in our Country's Slow but steady march to Progress and Supremacy.
Lets stand in unison and Congratulate VISHY for his superlative Performance and bask in the rich feeling of 'Victory' and forget the 'Defeat' of our Cash rich and Over hyped Cricketers for a While.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Illegal Iron Ore Mining @ Belekeri
Belekeri used to be one of the most pristine Coastal towns in the nothern Part of Karnataka State.Lying about 30kms to south of Karwar,this Place has been ravaged by illegal mining of ire ore and manganese.Hundreds of Trucks are lined up daily on both sides of the road in blatant violation of traffic rules and many people fear to venture out at night due to rash and arrogant drivers of the dumper trucks involved in this mining orgy.The dust which is thrown up everywhere because of the uncontrolled(or is it State Controlled??) mining has turned every thing within its ambit into murky red which is not only an eye sore but a potential health and enviornmental hazard.
It is well known that the notorious 'Reddy Brothers' are wielding a immense clout in the nearby mine rich areas of Hospet and Bellary where the state Govt has lost an estimated amount of 3000 crores during the span of the last 2 years.
Al this cannot be the handiwork of a few individuals but is taking place with the connivance of the Corrupt State Govt Officials.
One feels sad that the last bastion of the green belt,namely the Westen Ghats too is being eroded by the miners with the tacit support of the Govt thus paving the way for a disaster of monumental Proportions which will eventually wipe out many animal and bird species barring the one who has created this mess.
It is well known that the notorious 'Reddy Brothers' are wielding a immense clout in the nearby mine rich areas of Hospet and Bellary where the state Govt has lost an estimated amount of 3000 crores during the span of the last 2 years.
Al this cannot be the handiwork of a few individuals but is taking place with the connivance of the Corrupt State Govt Officials.
One feels sad that the last bastion of the green belt,namely the Westen Ghats too is being eroded by the miners with the tacit support of the Govt thus paving the way for a disaster of monumental Proportions which will eventually wipe out many animal and bird species barring the one who has created this mess.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Headline Stories
Its very sad and distressing to note that Present Day Newspapers of Repute(????)try to vie with one another to project a story or is it to Catch the readers attention by simply Pasting a Groovy or a Catchy headline.
The times in its edition dtd 4th March has Pronounced ''LIFE CONVICT PRAVIN MAHAJAN DEAD'' while DNA has crossed the limits of Decency by Coughing out a very weird and illogical headline '' BROTHER KILLER PRAVIN MAHAJAN DEAD''.
Was it necessary for the TIMES to hand out its own judgement by declaring Pravin Mahajan a Life Convict when the Judgement itself is to be delivered and the matter is still under Sub Judice.While every one knows that Pramod Mahajan was Killed in his house there is no eye witness to the unfortunate incident.Either of the two could have Pulled out the Gun in a fit of rage and the unsavoury incident could have happened in the heat of the moment in the ensuing scuffle between the estranged Siblings.
Time and again the Print Media has projected,sensationalised and distorted NEWS to suit their own Petty Self Centred Interests rather than conveying the correct and concise report to the reader.
The Concerned Print Media in Charge should apologise for using such Sensational Headlines which not only are derogatory ,but totally out of context and hurting and embarassing the sentiments of the bereaved Family.
The times in its edition dtd 4th March has Pronounced ''LIFE CONVICT PRAVIN MAHAJAN DEAD'' while DNA has crossed the limits of Decency by Coughing out a very weird and illogical headline '' BROTHER KILLER PRAVIN MAHAJAN DEAD''.
Was it necessary for the TIMES to hand out its own judgement by declaring Pravin Mahajan a Life Convict when the Judgement itself is to be delivered and the matter is still under Sub Judice.While every one knows that Pramod Mahajan was Killed in his house there is no eye witness to the unfortunate incident.Either of the two could have Pulled out the Gun in a fit of rage and the unsavoury incident could have happened in the heat of the moment in the ensuing scuffle between the estranged Siblings.
Time and again the Print Media has projected,sensationalised and distorted NEWS to suit their own Petty Self Centred Interests rather than conveying the correct and concise report to the reader.
The Concerned Print Media in Charge should apologise for using such Sensational Headlines which not only are derogatory ,but totally out of context and hurting and embarassing the sentiments of the bereaved Family.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
BT Brinjal- A Boon or Bane ????
The fight for adopting the BT Brinjal is here to stay.The PM has reportedly admitted to look into a fresh intiative launched by the one of the 'CROOK'ed Politicians India has ever Produced.
Sharad Pawar after having Played his usual dirty game of cosying upto the Self Proclaimed thug of Mumbai- Coincidentally another BT(Bal Thackeray)thus embarrassing his coalition Partner,(Congress) has once again tried to ruffle the feathers of the Congress Party by coercing them to accept or rather force a discussion on the BT Brinjal issue.
The Environment minister Jairam Ramesh tried his level best to wrench out the BT Brinjal for the next 2 years but unfortunately the Twisted mouthed Pawar at the behest(BRIBE????)of Monsanto Officials has pushed Jairam Ramesh to the back seat at least for the moment by his usual antics/false and malicious Propoganda Proclaiming that the genetically modified Crops are the next best thing to happen after the green Revolution as it will grow more crops per hectare and the country would be self sufficient in Foodgrains.The Genetically modified crops are supposed to carry a strain of gene which will kill known pests thus reducing the rampant Spraying of fertilisers.
The Opponents of the Genetically modified crops argue that the strain might bring in new Unknown diseases which can cause havoc and epidemic of alarming proportions.
This is one of the reasons why Scientists in many of the developed nations are wary about the Success of Genetically Modified crops.
While Pawar is only thinking of allocating his unappropriated Income coming from many undefined Sources the rationalist individuals are busy in thwarting his evil intentions.
Hope that Pawar's unsatiable appetite for Vitamin 'M' takes a back seat and wisdom prevails amongst the rest of the elite,in this senstive Choice between Prosperity or Doom.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Making Issues out of Non Issues
We Indians sure want attention wherever and whenever the Occasion arises.
Last week the Electronic media in the Country was working overtime with the news of ShahRukh Khans new movie''My Name is Khan'' reportedly being balked by the Shiv Sena Hooligans in Mumbai.The Media went hammer and tongs at the Shivsena defying logic and unnecessarily whipping up a mass hysteria all for the sake of releasing/veiwing a Film on its destined date.
Every body seemed to have forgotten their basic chores,duties and responsibilites and trained their guns on a Film which has tried to portray a certain, Much maligned Community, in a good light.
It seemed everyone had come together on a platform to Oppose the Sena's Usual goonda tactics and expose its diminishing Power.
The freedom of speech and expression Which has been the Hallmark of our SECULAR COUNTRY has suffered in silence since its inception.
I just have some queries in my mind which I want to share with you all..
1)What would have been the impact if our ENLIGHTENED MEDIA had woken up when Mrs Gandhi had slapped Emergency and throtled DEMOCRACY in 1975?
Perhaps the Media had then stuck its tail between its hind legs.
2)No one from the Media had stepped up to protest/highlight when Youth Congress Workers at the behest of the Congress bigwigs had forcefully Prevented and beaten up the actors from staging the Marathi Play'' Mee Nathuram Godse boltoy''.
3)Where was the Media when the book Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie was banned by the SECULAR INDIAN GOVT with the so called MINORITY COMMUNITY unleashing terror tactics in communal sensitive areas like Bhendi Bazaar,Govandi,Bhiwandi and Mumbra to name a few.Mind you,Salman Rushdie is not even an INDIAN NATIONAL yet roads were blocked,stones rained on unsuspecting Bystanders and office goers and a riot like situation had engulfed the whole nation for No rhyme or Reason.
4)Why was the Media a mere onlooker when a similar Ban was enforced on Lajja a book by Taslima Nasreen on the fundamentalisms in Islam.Here the Author Taslima a Bangladeshi National was denied citizenship by the SECULAR CONGRESS GOVT for Securing the Votes along with Placating the Minorities in the long run.
Going back to the issue of the Shahrukh Khan Starrer ,reportedly made at a staggering sum of about 45 Crores(reportedly sold to Fox entertainment of US at 80 Crores) there was a huge stake to make this Film a Hit.There's news about a clandestine deal between SRK/the Distribitors and the biggies in the Sena to Publicise this Film in a huge way with the media too raking in the spoils in between.
This may seem absurd to many but it is better to recollect the memories of the Publicity Stunt by SRK in the US of A earlier last year when he was frisked by the Custom Authorities and he had openly with the INDIAN MEDIA in tow had claimed that the frisking had taken place because of the KHAN name in the Passport.
People can stoop to the lowest Possible levels to get cheap publicity and money with the News Hungry MEDIA ever ready to don this mantle to perfection.
What have we acheived by releasing this film on time or watching this film?Do you think the Sena's ego has ebbed or they have been marginalised by the media onslaught?Has there been any Change in the Living standards of the Poor who struggle for 2 square meals a day?Has the rampaging Inflation been controlled?Have the suicide rates come down?Have the Farmers in Vidharbha given a fair deal to cope with their debt?Has the Corruption rate come down?
There has been a RDX blast in Pune's upfront German Bakery instigated by one of our HOSTILE Neighbouring Country.Suddenly all the focus seems to have shifted from the REEL to the REAListic World.
Unfortunately most of us Indians do have a HERD mentality and we tend to get very aroused,excited and emotional on trivial issues like films,sports and Politics.
Neither a Film nor a Book Projecting them as Peaceful or naive will give the Muslims a true identity ,they have to join the National Mainstream Casting aside their age old Madarassa mentality ,their fanatical,rigid and radical thinking and embracing a scientific ,rational and a Pragmatic approach.They have been cheated ,fooled and deprived of mental and Psychological growth by Congress and the Samajwadi Parties for the Past 62Years and used as a Plank to grab Votes by Placating them with empty Promises mostly based on Communal divide .
While the Common man without any issue gets involved in all this,the ever waiting Media,akin to the HYENA's roaming in the Wilds of African landscape join in the meelee for the freebies and the ultimate winner is the wily Politician,PRO Savvy film star or a Cricketer who laugh all their way to the bank riding on the emotions and gullible mindset of our People.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Political Drama : All hype and Hoopla
All this stage managed show just to show that I am bigger or better than you is useless.There are enough problems in this country the rampant corruption(obviously started by he r highness-Indira Gandhi),high level of inflation,rising terrorist attacks and other criminal activities.The media is also involved in raising this ruckus to a new high, they search for new issues every day,only to forget it and find another attention grabbing headline.Readers would note the Shiney Ahuja case or the Ruchika case.No body knows or is interested to know what has happened to the unfortunate victims now after all the hullabaloo.The Media latches on to a piece of News add some spice and once the Gravy is cooked the same is thrown away in search of 'fresh Meat' available in Plenty.
If only Raj /Bal Thackray 's views were not highlighted or even cared for (their veiws should be totally isolated) all these tamasha could have been avoided.
Its election times in Bihar and the Congress has no agenda with it(Nitish Kumar has contributed hugely to Bihars small but successful turnaround in a very short span of time.
One should appreciate the work undertaken by Nitish Kumar and if his plans succeed then the poor Biharis need not migrate to other so called lucrative places in the country getting kicked and beaten for no rhyme or reason.One should note that Congress has ruled Bihar and Uttar Pradesh since Independence and has deliberately kept out developement and literacy so as to satisfy its dirty and kinky agenda.
People should understand that all politicians at least in India have a vested Interest and new politicians on the block create an artificial aura and bring some hyped hope in the minds of the gullible and ignorant people of India and then its back to square one.
Lastly the Media should shun its YELLOW JOURNALISM and give a proper and meaningful projection of the state of our Country that was divided even before it was born and to make matters worse we have got enough people with a sick mind to divide our Country on the basis of caste and regionalism.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Shun Pakistan
Right from the day Pakistan got severed from India in 1947 the animosity between the two bitter foes has not Decreased.It all started with the Kashmir issue and much water has flowed when Pakistan Occupied Vast areas of Kashmir and even Dared to GIFT a Part of it(AKSAI CHIN) to CHINA in 1963.The Congress Govt stood as a silent spectator without any murmur of Protest which further boosted Pakistan in propagating the AZAAD KASHMIR movement in the Valley.
The US in its eagerness to snub and end the Soviet Domination in Afghanistan Propelled Young Men and Personally trained them in sophisticated Arms,and Subsequently,these very men have become messengers of Death funding Terror World Wide.
Pakistan has tried to destabilise India in every Possible manner, Particularly in Mumbai -the Commercial Capital courtesy Mumbai serial RDX blasts (1993),Mumbai serial train blasts(2006) and the more recent 26/11 terror attacks.
Innocent lives have been lost in these attacks and many households collapsed as in many cases,the sole bread earner was the Unfortunate Victim.
India has extended the Olive Branch on several Occasions but every Opportunity was thwarted by the Pakistani Govt and no sincere attempt was made to end this bitter enmity.
Now its surprising and annoying to note that that the Times Of India Group has initiated a new forum called -AMAN KI AASHAA... to foster friendship between the two warring nations.What for??
The Pakistanis certainly cannot be trusted at all and very soon it won't be surprising that if they resort to some other Evil and sinister designs to Spread hatred and target important Places in India.
I for one was very Happy when the Pakistanis were not entertained in the IPL-Cricket League and the Organisers refrained from giving any contracts to them.
Its very true that we should not mix politics and Games but the mindset and the wounds of 26/11 is yet to heal the ego and the psyche of our fellow Indians, who were the Victims of a high profile and treacherous Ploy staged managed by the Pakistani Govt .
We should shun Pakistanis at all costs be it their actors/actresses/singers/or any other entertainers.Let them Understand that all of us need Peace but if the Peace is breached repeteadly and consistently after a certain lull,then its certainly not on.
Many of us are LUCKY that NO ONE FROM OUR FAMILY HAS DIED/OR HAS BEEN MAIMED IN THE RECURRING ATTACKS.IMAGINE YOURSELF IN THEIR PLACE, AND THEN TRY TO MAKE PEACE WITH THE PAKISTANIS,PLAY GAMES WITH THEM ETC.MAY BE,THEN YOU WILL THINK ON THE SAME WAVE -LENGTH AS MINE..TIME HAS COME TO ACT VERY TOUGH AND ISOLATE THIS TERROR BREEDING COUNTRY TO A REMOTE CORNER TO FEND FOR ITSELF.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Alang- The Final Resting Place
Most people know ''Alang'' which is in Bhavnagar District in one of the most upcoming and happening state of Gujarat.
Alang is almost synonymous with Ship-breaking.Almost 50% of the ships in this mortal world comes to its Final Resting Place here where the Ship is stripped down to sheets which then makes its way either to a Steel mill or a Scrap yard.Alang Provides opportunities to almost 40000 unskilled Labourers who THRIVE and INDULGE in hammering out the Vessels which are Past their Prime.The Labour is dirt cheap, just about 1 to 2 dollars per day, quite measely by World Standards which makes Alang very cost effective and competetive.
The Vessels which are dismantled, contain substances like Asbestos and PCBs(Polychlorinated biphenyls) and other Toxic wastes which the Developed Countries get rid off easily by dumping them in the 3rd World Countries.These Hazardous Chemicals over a prolonged contact, often causes Cancer and life threatening diseases.
The Labourers who come into contact with these dangerous chemicals are mostly illiterate and do not realise that the very employment that seems to 'Sustain' them is dragging them to a Slow and Painful death.
Devoid of any expensive lawsuits or healthClaims this Part of the ''ILLITERATE and IMPOVERISHED World lies on a Potential time -bomb of Epidemic Proportions.
One of the International Non Govt Organistion named BAN (Basel Action Network) is of the view that there should be a International legislation on Ship Breaking.The Ships which are inbound should be DETOXIFIED in its country of Origin and only then it should be allowed to be dismantled.However the western World is not to keen to pursue it as it would have to forego millions of dollars for implementing a process which so far is avoidable by ''selling'' off the Muck to the Developing Countries.
Further the Once Pristine beach has been ravaged by the toxics released as a result of this mindless saga.
The marine life too has been damaged and the fish consumed by the humans is often, full of these deadly chemicals which has reduced the life span of the people in and around this region.
Sometimes I wonder whether Alang is a Final Resting Place for the Ships or the Unskilled Labourers who toil relentlessly for the Spoils which is often like a Distant Mirage, Full of Hope and aspirations but ultimately what accompanies them is Pain and misery throughout their Shortened and Chemical filled Life Span.
Alang is almost synonymous with Ship-breaking.Almost 50% of the ships in this mortal world comes to its Final Resting Place here where the Ship is stripped down to sheets which then makes its way either to a Steel mill or a Scrap yard.Alang Provides opportunities to almost 40000 unskilled Labourers who THRIVE and INDULGE in hammering out the Vessels which are Past their Prime.The Labour is dirt cheap, just about 1 to 2 dollars per day, quite measely by World Standards which makes Alang very cost effective and competetive.
The Vessels which are dismantled, contain substances like Asbestos and PCBs(Polychlorinated biphenyls) and other Toxic wastes which the Developed Countries get rid off easily by dumping them in the 3rd World Countries.These Hazardous Chemicals over a prolonged contact, often causes Cancer and life threatening diseases.
The Labourers who come into contact with these dangerous chemicals are mostly illiterate and do not realise that the very employment that seems to 'Sustain' them is dragging them to a Slow and Painful death.
Devoid of any expensive lawsuits or healthClaims this Part of the ''ILLITERATE and IMPOVERISHED World lies on a Potential time -bomb of Epidemic Proportions.
One of the International Non Govt Organistion named BAN (Basel Action Network) is of the view that there should be a International legislation on Ship Breaking.The Ships which are inbound should be DETOXIFIED in its country of Origin and only then it should be allowed to be dismantled.However the western World is not to keen to pursue it as it would have to forego millions of dollars for implementing a process which so far is avoidable by ''selling'' off the Muck to the Developing Countries.
Further the Once Pristine beach has been ravaged by the toxics released as a result of this mindless saga.
The marine life too has been damaged and the fish consumed by the humans is often, full of these deadly chemicals which has reduced the life span of the people in and around this region.
Sometimes I wonder whether Alang is a Final Resting Place for the Ships or the Unskilled Labourers who toil relentlessly for the Spoils which is often like a Distant Mirage, Full of Hope and aspirations but ultimately what accompanies them is Pain and misery throughout their Shortened and Chemical filled Life Span.
Monday, January 4, 2010
AN OPEN LETTER TO MR CHETAN BHAGAT
Dear Mr Chetan Bhagat
I saw the movie 3 Idiots which is based on your book '' Five Point Some one''.I also noted your name being there in the credits at the 'end' of the film (and obviously hope that some credit has also materialised in your bank account too as per the agreement signed on the dotted line with the Film Producers).
We are also aware of your writing prowess which itself is a God's Gift and is limited to few individuals who can manipulate and impose their views on their readers unknowingly,albeit quite effectively.
We are obviously proud that some Indian has finally sprung up on the Horizon and who can weild his PEN very effectively and portray a wide range of emotions from being extremely bouyant to the person contemplating suicide,one who can gauge or visualise the emotions of the readers in such way that the reader does'nt read the words but is mesmerised by the depth of the swaying 'Poetry'that is being thrust upon him and carrying him to a Place which is absolute bliss.
I am sorry but the Praise stops right here and right NOW.What happened to the movie''Hello '' based on your novel -One night@the Call Centre??Probably you were ashamed that how come ONE of your best creations till date and 'translated' on the BIG SCREEN was relegated to the sidelines after failing Miserably at the BOX -OFFICE? It has been reported that Farhan Akhtar, has Purchased the rights for making a movie based on your book -The 3 mistakes of my Life as well.The Indian masses who are already mystified by your WORKS would be eager to 'test' this Movie as well.
It is an accepted fact that a movie is destined to be a HIT on account of a good story line-the Message it wants to convey,the way it is directed,the way the actors/actresses throw their emotions into it ,the way the film is edited and the PUNCH LINE -the way it ENDS.
It should be able to take the People watching it with them, even reviving their own Childhood memories and making fantasies look like a reality even though for a LIMITED PERIOD of 3 ODD Hours.
Let me narrate a short incident in my own life.I was studying in the 8th Std Class (NEW ENGLISH SCHOOL,BANDRA-East) and our English teacher an elderly lady,Mrs Cherian wanted us to write an essay on -My Favourite Hero.This was to be written in a time span of 35 minutes.For the next 10 minutes all were in a quandry, as whom to Choose the right person as our Hero.One of my classmate, Kaustubh Bhagwat narrated a story in Marathi about a Soldier Sacrificing his life for our country.I just ''Borrowed'' the STORY and wrote the essay using my own creativity and Imagination.Mrs Cherian was very impressed with the essay and made me readout the essay in the Whole Class.While Kaustubh, complained that the story was his, Mrs Cherian fondly asked him whether he could have written the essay in the same way?
This is the PUNCH LINE, Mr Bhagat though it may be your own story, the script writers have used this as a base and using their own fantasies have created a MAGIC which has unfolded amongst the masses and woken them from a deep slumber which we Call - Competition, where our Students mug Up subjects like Parrots, devoid of the Knowledge and only the Opportunity to squeeze ahead of our nearest Opponent in whatever manner it may deem fit. Something like...SURVIVAL OF THE SWIFTEST..to many....
Let us in unision, thank the true architects of the 3 IDIOTS viz.Rajkumar Hirani -Director,Abhijit Joshi-for Screenplay,Producer-Vidhu Vinod Chopra and the Outstanding actors/Actresses of this film for protraying an image larger than Life and entertaining us all, aging from 6 to 60 rather than fighting over some miniscule ''CREDIT RATING'' which GENIUSes like you should avoid, by stooping so low and making a fool of yourselves amongst the masses.
I know that I am a NON-ENTITY in front of you but hope that you would take my sincere and humble advice before ''twiiting'' or blogging or intimidating someone just for some cheap Publicity.
I saw the movie 3 Idiots which is based on your book '' Five Point Some one''.I also noted your name being there in the credits at the 'end' of the film (and obviously hope that some credit has also materialised in your bank account too as per the agreement signed on the dotted line with the Film Producers).
We are also aware of your writing prowess which itself is a God's Gift and is limited to few individuals who can manipulate and impose their views on their readers unknowingly,albeit quite effectively.
We are obviously proud that some Indian has finally sprung up on the Horizon and who can weild his PEN very effectively and portray a wide range of emotions from being extremely bouyant to the person contemplating suicide,one who can gauge or visualise the emotions of the readers in such way that the reader does'nt read the words but is mesmerised by the depth of the swaying 'Poetry'that is being thrust upon him and carrying him to a Place which is absolute bliss.
I am sorry but the Praise stops right here and right NOW.What happened to the movie''Hello '' based on your novel -One night@the Call Centre??Probably you were ashamed that how come ONE of your best creations till date and 'translated' on the BIG SCREEN was relegated to the sidelines after failing Miserably at the BOX -OFFICE? It has been reported that Farhan Akhtar, has Purchased the rights for making a movie based on your book -The 3 mistakes of my Life as well.The Indian masses who are already mystified by your WORKS would be eager to 'test' this Movie as well.
It is an accepted fact that a movie is destined to be a HIT on account of a good story line-the Message it wants to convey,the way it is directed,the way the actors/actresses throw their emotions into it ,the way the film is edited and the PUNCH LINE -the way it ENDS.
It should be able to take the People watching it with them, even reviving their own Childhood memories and making fantasies look like a reality even though for a LIMITED PERIOD of 3 ODD Hours.
Let me narrate a short incident in my own life.I was studying in the 8th Std Class (NEW ENGLISH SCHOOL,BANDRA-East) and our English teacher an elderly lady,Mrs Cherian wanted us to write an essay on -My Favourite Hero.This was to be written in a time span of 35 minutes.For the next 10 minutes all were in a quandry, as whom to Choose the right person as our Hero.One of my classmate, Kaustubh Bhagwat narrated a story in Marathi about a Soldier Sacrificing his life for our country.I just ''Borrowed'' the STORY and wrote the essay using my own creativity and Imagination.Mrs Cherian was very impressed with the essay and made me readout the essay in the Whole Class.While Kaustubh, complained that the story was his, Mrs Cherian fondly asked him whether he could have written the essay in the same way?
This is the PUNCH LINE, Mr Bhagat though it may be your own story, the script writers have used this as a base and using their own fantasies have created a MAGIC which has unfolded amongst the masses and woken them from a deep slumber which we Call - Competition, where our Students mug Up subjects like Parrots, devoid of the Knowledge and only the Opportunity to squeeze ahead of our nearest Opponent in whatever manner it may deem fit. Something like...SURVIVAL OF THE SWIFTEST..to many....
Let us in unision, thank the true architects of the 3 IDIOTS viz.Rajkumar Hirani -Director,Abhijit Joshi-for Screenplay,Producer-Vidhu Vinod Chopra and the Outstanding actors/Actresses of this film for protraying an image larger than Life and entertaining us all, aging from 6 to 60 rather than fighting over some miniscule ''CREDIT RATING'' which GENIUSes like you should avoid, by stooping so low and making a fool of yourselves amongst the masses.
I know that I am a NON-ENTITY in front of you but hope that you would take my sincere and humble advice before ''twiiting'' or blogging or intimidating someone just for some cheap Publicity.
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