Holier than thou attitude of E-Media

Holier than thou attitude of E-Media

For the past 2 days the channels are blaring on the withdrawal of books from the shelves by Penguin and Orient. The so called saviours of freedom of expression calls this as an attempt by BJP and Sangh Pariwar to break the neck of literary world. After watching the charade by Arnab and a slightly subdued but nevertheless absurd talk show by Karan Thapar on 4th June, I only came to the conclusion, that the channels are looking for more sensationalism than substance.

The show is about the recent withdrawal or putting on review of some books by the publishers after they were issued with court notice under Sec 295A of the IPC. The  notice was issued at the behest of Dinanath Batra said to a RSS Pracharak. He had contested that the books contain some passages that describes the religious leaders and faiths in unacceptable terms that would hurt the sentiments of the believers. Immediately the e-media started to cry from the roof about the challenge to the freedom of expression. They forget that in the name of this liberty they can ignore the responsibility and the effect of such writings on the many believers. One of the panelists rightly put that the authors have every right to express themselves, but let them also understand that responsibility come along with such freedom. "Your right to swing the umbrella ends where my nose starts"

The anchors portrayed that the legal notice was an act of intimidation to the publishers, the review /withdrawal started only after the completion of elections and that BJP was responsible for this. What an absurd way of presenting the facts. If you google, you can find that the cases were filed more than 4 years back and the date in question was more a coincidence than a deliberate one. Moreover, the publishers have every right to contest the notice, but in a cowardly manner they chose to put the books on review or ban fearing protest or backlash. They could have taken remedies available in the system like seeking police protection.  

If the publishers cannot protect the authors who else will. What is the purpose of blaming political parties and where the hell politics come here. It is between the publisher and author. The petitioner wants the one book which distorts the history according to him to be banned in India and to remove the objectionable passage from the other two. This is not a fatwa issued by Hindu religious leaders like what we have seen before on other instances, but due process of law was followed.

Blowing up a trivial issue into a national debate is only showing that the e-media thinks that they are the saviours and whatever they utter are the gospels of truth. 

I am not hear to argue or contest the views of the authors in their respective books, but only condemn the way in which the media conduct the shows. The shows very clearly depicted the narrow understanding of the subject as both of the. were talking about a demand for ban while it was for the removal of the particular passage. Do not use the TRP ratings and viewership to misspeak the facts.

Gentlemen, freedom of expression is a right equally available to us as it is to you. Please do not mislead.

PS:

The books in question:

Wendy Doniger's "The Hindus: An Alternative History".

Megha Kumar's "Communalism and Sexual Violence: Ahmedabad Since 1969" 

Sekhar Bandyopadhyay's "From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India"

Is a small cabinet a boon or bane?

Is a small cabinet a boon or bane?

While one can hail the 24 Cabinet (incl PM), 11 MoS(IC) and 10 MoS, it is to be seen with such a vast agenda, is it possible for the new Govt to dispense the duties properly?

Some of the questions that came up in my mind are:

1) as many political analysts said, there are distinctly unrelated ministries under the same minister

2) same MoS (IC) is having an independent department to manage and also another department for which there is a cabinet minister. Eg., Gen V K Singh, Minister for North east and Defence for which Arun Jaitley is the Cabinet Minister. so also Ms Nirmala Sitaraman. It is like reporting to two functional heads in an organisation. This is generally not regarded as a good organisational divide as justice cannot be done for both the masters.

3) some of the cabinet ministers are heavily overloaded like Arun Jaitley. Too big a bite to swallow.

4) this is a cabinet formed based on the faith on the individuals as some of them were never before a member of parliament and may not be fully aware of the nitty gritty of the governance process. Defending in a TV debate is one thing and forming / implementing policies is another.

5) can 'smallness'  alone be a driving factor? the shoe that fits the size should have been the principle. 

6) if you ask me whether this ministry is made of competence or closeness, I may tend to say that this is bordering on proximity though competency is visibly seen 

Finally, the campaign of the Congress during election seems to be coming true. The pyramid of power is too sharply rising without not much broad base. The power gets centred. 

Au revoir Dr Man Mohan Singh......

Au revoir Dr Man Mohan Singh......

The country is rejoicing the swearing-in of the new government. Yet it is apt to say few words of thanks for what you have done to the nation as an individual and also to remember your personal qualities and the values you stood for. 

Your contribution to the nation as finance minister was great by ushering in a modern era by setting up the framework and building a strong foundation from where the successive governments took over.

Even though, it was by chance you became the Prime Minister in UPA 1, you proved to be the man India needed to steer its course and were resilient in your policy agenda.  You were firm in pushing reforms and deals with the powers of the world against opposition from within and outside. You will be remembered for the visionary sight and goal you set for the country. I should say that it was our good luck that a person with such strong economic background was chosen to head the govt. against the conventional politician at that time. For this we (even your own self) owe a lot to the opposition parties for protesting against the ascendency of the party president to the post of the PM.

Such visionary policies and bolstered economy only decimated the opposition parties and gave a second term for the UPA 2. But unfortunately, the alliance parties took this to their credit and started to think that they were responsible for the growth of the nation. They have developed roots and started to eat into the pie. In their eagerness to have their share, they overstepped and swallowed the pie with the plate. That is probably the time you were tired of working both physically and mentally. You had health problem and started to reduce the interactions. You could not take on the struggle for power equations. Had you pressed for removing of the tainted ministers and parties from power at that time in the similar fashion you did for the passing of the Nuclear bill, you probably would have seen UPA 3 in power. But that was not the case to be. Added to the agony you also had the Brutus in your own party, who stabbed you at your back. It was literal and modernised version of a Shakespearean drama.

After the elections were over, leaders of Congress and alliance parties started murmuring and attributed to your silence and inaction against the corruption to the debacle. I know you were only like the Bhishma, who sat with anguish and apathy in the court of the Gauravas. Those who unleashed all the sinful acts, embraced corrupt practices,  looted the bounty, plundered the resources pointing fingers should really have hurt you. You were weeping within you, but still put up a grim face as if you were repaying a debt.

You were not a born politician or born in a family of politicians, or groomed to be a politician, but only had occasion to move with politicians. You were great in ensuring that you were not imbibed with the qualities of them, and not many would have come unscathed after moving for such long years with that tribe. Otherwise, you would have pulled some stunts during the last 2 or 3 years, some schemes or other that would have earned the praise from the masses and countered the oppositions. Because, the memory of the people are short and they would have voted you for the favours done in the near past, by ignoring the himalayan blunders your team did in the long past. 

You may not have big visitors now in your new residence but you will be invited to Universities and Conferences where they would like to hear you. Greatness is that you put yourself in a place of people wanting you and not that you want them. 

There is line that I would like to quote from one tamil film lyrics. மாபெரும் சபைதனில் நீ நடந்தால் மாலைகள் விழ வேண்டும். The rough english translation goes like this, "You should earn a position of people adoring you when you walk down the aisle of a great gathering". Dr Manmohan Singh, you have truly earned a place for yourself.

You were a man of few words when you were in power, but we would like to hear you out loudly on the stages of literates and economists.

Wish you the best of health and calmness. 

 

An open letter to the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu

An open letter to the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu

Madam Chief Minister,

There are reports appearing in the newspapers and TV channels that you might boycott the swearing-in ceremony of Shri Narendra Modi as PM, taking objections to the invitation sent to Mr Rajapakse, Premier of Srilanka. I do not know the veracity of the reports and if they were to be true, I would like you to reconsider the decision, for the following reasons, which I am sure would have gone through your mind already. But still I would like to state them.

1) The anguish you have expressed on the invite is very genuine, reflecting the sentiments of the people of Tamilnadu, our Srilankan tamil brothers living in Srilanka and who are forced to live in foreign soil due to the atrocities unleashed on them. But to bring the wrong doers to books is by engaging them in the talks and force them to meet our demands

2) Mr. Rajapakse being the the head of another country, the only option we have is to keep him on our sight and demand actions from him. By ignoring him or keeping out of engagement will only bolster him to be on his own and thus become unaccountable for his actions.

3) If we start distancing ourselves from him, there are every possibility that he will move closer to our enemies in the region which you are fully aware off.

4) There are already reports that ISI trained terrorists are using Srilanka as the conduit path and unless we are at arm's length with the Srilankan President, we can not nib this attempt. Tamilnadu will be the first victim of such terrorist acts if we do not engage properly with Srilanka.

5) It would be an option to negotiate with him for better living conditions for the Tamils of SriLanka by making our stand in UN known to him for the international enquiry.

6) Let you not succumb to the local pressure of the political situation in TN as the people TN have reposed in you unshakable faith by providing 37 seats to the Lok Sabha. They have identified the lip service parties and shown them their due places in the political arena.

7) You have expressed and recorded in strongest possible words your objection to the invite. Now let us go for the direct confrontation with him rather than any shadow fighting. Confront him face to face in the corridors of Parliament and ask him the uncomfortable questions.

8) I am sure Shri Modi also would welcome any such initiative and extend his helping hand to this tricky issue. You can sure find a supportive hand and mind in him.

9) By not showing up at the Swearing-in ceremony let us not miss the bus once again to put the ambitions of TN proper track. DMK did not do anything great when they were in power and we were denied of legitimate demands, when you took over. 

10) Srilankan Tamils issue is an important issue, but at the same time various issues of Tamilnadu also are very important to be resolved. For that we need is a Center who can lend their ears and hands to us in our endeavours. 

We have got an lifetime opportunity in having a non-congress and a friendly govt at the Center and let us not spill that due to one issue. Passive protests can be organised in Tamilnadu and Delhi against the visit of Sri Lankan president and at the same time. I want you to march Tamilnadu in the forefront with the help of the BJP led Govt. 

Let this move of not attending the swearing-in ceremony be taken advantage of crony parties like Congress and thus create any wedge between you and Center. With 2 strong minds of yourself and Shri Modi, you both can achieve greater things and bring glory to TN and to India itself.

This is a humble submission from a well wisher who want to see the progressive leaders come together to achieve greater heights.

இந்திய இருவார நாடக விழா

இந்திய இருவார நாடக விழா 

தேர்தல் முடிவுகள் அறிவிக்கப் பட்ட தினம் தொடங்கி இன்று வரையிலும், மற்றும் இன்னும் சில தினங்களுக்குத் தொடரும் நிகழ்வுகள் ஒரு நாடக விழாவில் வெவ்வேறு விதமான நாடகங்களைப் பார்ப்பது போலத்தான் இருக்கிறது.

நாடகம் 1: 'நீ என்னை பிடிக்க முடியாதே' - நிதிஷ் குமாரின் ராஜினாமா: கட்சியில் பெருகும் பிளவைத் தடுக்கவும், மோதி எங்கே பீகார் வந்தாலோ, அல்லது தாம் தில்லி செல்லும் போதோ, மோடிக்கு மாலை மரியாதை செய்ய வேண்டிய தர்ம சங்கடத்தை தவிர்க்கவும், அதே சமயத்தில், தன் கைப்பாவையாக செயல்படக்கூடிய ஒரு தலைமையிடம் ஆட்சியை ஒப்படைக்கும் ஒரு ராஜ தந்திர நாடகம்..

நாடகம் 2: 'நானே காங்கிரஸ், என் மகனே தலைவன்' - சோனியா, ராகுல் ராஜினாமா: காங்கிரஸின் எல்லா வயதானவர்களும், காரிய கமிட்டி என்கிற பெயரில் ஒன்று கூடி, தத்தம் பெயரில் பழிகளை ஏற்றுக் கொண்டு, தியாகச் செம்மல்களாக மாறும் குணச்சித்திரக் கதை.

நாடகம் 3: 'நீ வருவியா, மாட்டியா?' - இது ஒரு அதிரடி நாடகம். யாரும் எதிர்பார்க்காத வேளையில், SAARC நாட்டின் தலைவர்கள் அனைவருக்கும் பதவிப் பிரமாணத்திற்கு அழைப்பு அனுப்பி, மோதி தன் சொந்த கதை, வசனத்தில் இயக்கி அறங்கேற்றியது. இந்த நாடகத்தின் தனிப் பெருமை என்னவென்றால், வெவ்வேறு இடங்களில், நாடுகளில் கிளை நாடகங்களை ஒரங்க நாடகமாக மேடையேற்றியதுதான். 

கிளை நாடகம் 1: 'மீண்டும் ஒரு அந்த 7 நாட்கள்'. பாகிஸ்தானில் ஒரு சிறு நில நடுக்கத்தையே கூட ஏற்படுத்தியது எனலாம். ராணுவமும், தீவிரவாத (நம் கணக்குப்படி தீவிரவாதம், ஆனால் அவர்கள் கணக்குப்படி தேசியவாதிகள்) அமைப்புகளும் முட்டுக்கட்டைபோட, போனாலும் ஆபத்து, போகாவிட்டாலும் ஆபத்து என்று இரண்டும் கெட்டான் நிலமைக்குத் தள்ளப் பட்ட பாகிஸ்தான் பிரதமர், கடைசியில் துணிச்சலாக வருவது என்று முடிவெடுத்தது, பாக்கியராஜின் 'அந்த 7 நாட்கள்' கிளைமாக்ஸுக்கு சமானம். சிறைபிடித்த இந்திய மீனவர்கள விடுவிக்கும் காட்சி கடைசியாக இணக்கப்படுகிறது. தன்மானப் பிரச்சினையை அடிப்படையாக வைத்து எழுதிய நாடகம்.

கிளை நாடகம் 2: 'இலங்கை படையெடுப்பு' - ராஜ பக்சேயை அழைத்தது தமிழ் நாட்டில், தமிழின பெருமையை காப்பதில் முதலிடம் எனக்கா, உனக்கா என்ற சர்ச்சையை கிளப்பி விட்டது. வங்காள விரி குடாவில் அன்று ஏற்பட்ட நில நடுக்கத்தின் தாக்கம் வேறு எங்கும் ஏற்பட்டதோ இல்லையோ, தமிழ் நாட்டில் பெரிய விளைவுகளை ஏற்படுத்தியது. வைகோ முதன்முதலில் கொடியுர்த்த, எங்கே நாம் பின் தங்கி விடுவோமா என்று உடனே ஜெயாவும் குரலெழுப்பினார். நான் சளைத்தவனா என்று மு.க.வும் முச்சந்திக்கு வந்தார். இதில் மு.க. வை மிகப் பெரிதும் பாராட்டவேண்டும். தேர்தல் முடிவினால் குற்றுயிரும் குலையிருமாக இருந்தும், 2G வழக்கில் துணைவியை துவட்டிக் கொண்டிருந்த போதிலும், மக்கள் தம் மழலைச் சொல் கேட்டாரோ இல்லையோ, இப்போழுது இழி சொல் கேட்டுக் கொண்டிருந்த போதிலும், 'தன்மானத் தமிழன்' நிலமையை விடாமல் இருந்தார். 'நானும் உள்ளேன் ஐயா'என்று ராமதாஸ் சேர்ந்து கொண்டார். விலகிநின்றது விஜயகாந்த் மட்டுமே.  உணர்ச்சிக் கொந்தளிப்புகள் நிறைந்த நாடகம்.

கிளை நாடகம் 3: 'மோதி என் பக்கம்' - இலங்கையில் ராஜபக்சேவிற்கு இது ஒரு இன்ப அதிர்ச்சி. தமிழ் நாட்டு நண்பர்களின் அழுத்தத்தில், எங்கே மோதி இலங்கைக்கு எதிறாக ஒரு நிலைப்பாட்டிற்கு தள்ளப் பட்டு விடுவாரோ என்கிற பயத்தில் இருந்தவருக்கு, இந்த அழைப்பு, பழம் நழுவி பாலில் விழுந்தது போல இருந்தது. உடனே அவரும் சிறைபிடித்த இந்திய மீனவர்களை விடுவித்தார். இது ஒரு காமெடி பீஸ்.

கிளை நாடகம் 4: 'அறேங்கேறாத நாடகம்' - இந்த நாடகம் காங்கிரஸால் நடத்தப்பட்டிருக்க வேண்டும். ஒரு சில காட்சிகள் ரெடியாக இருந்தாலும், முக்கிய கதா பாத்திரங்களான, ஒமர் அப்துல்லா போன்றவர்கள் நவாஸ் ஷெரிப் வரவை ஆதரிக்கத் தயாராகி விட்டதால், இந்த நாடகம் நடக்காது எனத் தெரிகிறது.

நாடகம் 4: 'நான் வர மாட்டேன்' - இது வரையில் மம்தா, ஜெயா, சித்தராமையா ஆகியோர் இந்த நாடகத்தில் பங்கேற்க முடிவு செய்துள்ளார்கள்.

நாடகம் 5ம் அதற்கு மேலும்: 'வெள்ளித் திரையில் காண்க (அ) மேடை அலங்காரம்' - இனி வரும் நாட்களில் யார் யாருக்கு என்னென்ன பொறுப்புகள், மந்திரி சபையில் யார் யாருக்கு இடம், எந்த தோழமை கட்சிக்கு என்ன பதவி ஆகியவை முடிவு செய்யும் நேரம். இந்த நாடகங்களுக்கு இன்னும் ஸ்டோரி லைன் ரெடியாக வில்லை. ஆனால் ஒவ்வொரு நாடகமும் உள்ளத்தை கொள்ளை கொள்ளும் விதமாக தயாராவதாக நம்பத் தகுந்த வட்டாரங்கள் சொல்கின்றன. எதிர்பார்ப்புகள் 'கொல்லைப் பக்கம் போகுமா' இல்லை கொள்ளை போகுமா என பொருத்திருந்துதான் பார்க்க வேண்டும்.

Are they shallow or their thinking?

Are they shallow or their thinking?

The critics of Narendra Modi could not even wait till he is sworn-in and start discharging duties as PM. They started all arguments to denounce the victory and start the villainous campaign as is their business as usual. I am at a loss to know that even saner people like Gopalakrishnan Gandhi joined this bandwagon.

Let us look at the insinuation that are put up against BJP and Modi.

1) They got only 31% of the vote and 69% did not vote for them. This is Gopalakrishna Gandhi. Is it not silly to take a line of thinking like this. Our parliamentary model is a multiparty model and it is nearly impossible for any single party to cross the half way mark. Even if they cross it, then also the same argument can be extended until one reaches the 100%. By the same token, it can also be argued that the second best did get less than 31% and was rejected by more people. 

2) The development should be inclusive and not divisive. Tharoor says that so long as the model of development reaches out to all sections of society they would support it. He further says that when the water supply and roads are provided in a discriminatory manner then the development activities are divisive. Don't he know the road and water to the settlements are the responsibilities of the State and Local admin. If such discriminatory treatment is done, only the local Corporator or the MLA should be pulled up. If such is the case, none of the BJP ruled states would have returned them with such a brutal majority and in non-BJP states the ruling party would not have been trounced.

Secondly he goes on to argue that the minorities and scheduled tribes should not be left out. Please ponder over Mr. Tharoor, the Congress was ruling for the past 10 years and even before. If the minorities and scheduled tribes still have not been integrated into the mainstream, whose fault it is and now you play a watchdog role for their inclusion? 

3) One Senior Journalist says in TV show yesterday that Modi did not mention the names of Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar in his speech when he referred to the history of the Central Hall. Can there be any childish argument than this? It was an acceptance speech and he referred to the stepping into the Central hall for the first time. The theme and substance of the speech was how he rose to the level, what are the expectations and how he will strive to reach the goal.

4) Dig Vijaya Singh was even more cynical. He sarcastically said that let us watch how Modi achieves double digit growth, bring down inflation and step up investments. As if doing these is only their forte and no one else could achieve this. Then why did they boast that they did this in UPA I. If it can be achieved in UPA I, the targets are not unreachable. 

5) The Congress targeted BJP saying that Corporate houses were backing up with huge funding for the advertisements and wanted to know the sources of money. Now Congress leaders blame the Japanese media agency for the debacle as they mishandled the communication. The agency was said to have been engaged at a whopping ₹ 600 cr contract as per media reports. Who will answer the source of these funds?

6) The spokespersons have been tutored to say in one voice that Congress did not create or change the perception of the people and Communication management was poor. While there is a semblance of admittance in this line of thinking, they put forth this as the only reasons, and not admitting the corruption, policy paralysis, sycophancy et all.

Congress is well known for its shallow arguments as we have seen in 'zero loss' theory of Kapil Sibal, 'No loss as no mining started' theory of Chidambaram, 'Compulsion of Coalition politics' by the PM etc.,

It's time that the opponents of Modi should go back to their drawing rooms and watch some sitcoms and soap operas, rather than showing their face in TV talk shows or writing articles. Give some time to him to form his team, take stock of the situation, come to terms with the bureaucracy at Delhi, bring on board allies on policies, set up his agenda and priorities, before plunging into action. 

If you are going to argue this shallow, people will not believe you even when you argue with facts in the future.

Endangered Species

Endangered Species:

A promo ticker ran by the TV looked very apt and described the current situation faced by so many parties after the Election2014.

The endangered species are lead by none other than Congress. DMK and BSP are at the level of extinction. As some one wrote, BSP should have got at least one seat had the statutes of elephants and Mayavati erected all over the state voted in her favour. Communists, no words to describe their performance, a tamed tiger and it's voice now is no more a roar but just a 'meow'. RJD has been shown their place. SP is at its worst ever performance. National Conference and the legendary Farooq Abdullah were confined to seek the warmth of the fire place even in this hot summer. NCP and Sharad Pawar / Praful Patel found the sugarcane tastes salty and no more sweet. JD(U) is trying a resurrection drama immediately after the debacle, but how long they can hold on to the power is a question that will be answered in a few days time.

It gives great pleasure that the powerbrokers, and the loot masters have been shown their places they deserve in this election and I only wish that they should be confined to their coffins. Any attempts to resurrect them or providing lifeline support by forming the so called 'secular' minded parties conclave or coalition should be nibbled in the bud by the saner parties/people in the parties. These parties can blossom again and there is no bar for that provided they are ready to drop the ugly baggage to gutter and project a new image with a non-tainted leader as its face.

Aam Aadhmi Party (AAP) a rudderless ship strayed in its voyage.

Aam Aadhmi Party (AAP) a rudderless ship strayed in its voyage.

AAP is a good concept born from the frustration against corruption, bureaucracy, and political arrogance and it came at the right time. It was a much needed alternative for the right minded people and non-mainstream political people to get into politics. It raised great hopes and that is why people from many walks of life, like CEOs, police, teachers, writers, professionals etc lined in to join the party. 

Fighting the elections in Delhi is like testing the waters and it is fine. It should have realised its limitations and stayed way from forming the Govt., as it was a trap set by the villainous political parties.

Having done so, it should have adopted a wait and watch game to stabilise itself in the art of governance, politics and policy making. Like a baby that would want to try everything at one shot, it tried too many things right from the beginning  and thus played with fire and got burnt.

In the Loksabha elections, it did too many things wrong. 

1) To be successful in the politics, you should not have emotions or atleast know I how to hide it. They did neither. 

2) The biggest blunder they did was the decision to pitch Kejriwal to fight against Modi. We need both Modi and Kejiriwal in the Parliament. That is why from time immemorial, leaders were not pitted against the leaders. Self assessment is needed for politicians and Kejriwal lacked it. He saw an image of himself bigger than his and finally succumbed to it. Kejriwal should have chosen some other opponent and made his presence felt inside the house. He could have given tough time inside the house than by shouting on the streets outside.

3) Admitting politicians from other parties who wanted to use AAP to further their personal ambitions is another big mistake they did. 

4) Young professionals in metro cities liked AAP very much and did contribute to it heavily in terms of money and through the social media. But that was what they could do and this did not result in votes in favour of the AAP. Many of them are migrants in the respective cities and thus had no vote itself to propel AAP. They spent the Election Day as a day of outing and enjoyment. AAP should have engaged in a campaign of getting them registered and made them to vote for it. 

5) AAP is believed as a party of Metro cities and that of North by the South except in packets of IT corridors where it was supported by young. Thus AAP failed to create an image of PAN India movement (India against Corruption could do this very well).

6) 15 - 20 seats could have been own by them and at least one or two on Delhi, had they strategised properly. 

Kejriwal and his team should move away from the rhetorical acts and now concentrate on how to take this party forward. 4 seats in the nascent year of the party is by no means a small achievement and they can still put up a good show in Delhi. Given the percentage of votes they have polled and trouncing Congress to third position, they stand a good chance. Stalwarts like Kapil Sibal, Ajay makhen have become extinct and that was possible due to AAP as they ate into their vote bank. 

Regroup and move forward to set up a quality political party.

The great game of Democracy

Democracy is such a virtue that it has been so tactfully and artfully constructed by our forefathers by creating the balances and counter balances in such way that no one pillar of democracy usurps the powers bestowed on it to create or position itself at a supreme level over the others.

Look at the recent example of banning the convicted legisltors from further participation in the legislatures in a true interpretaion of the Peoples Representation act, by the Supreme Court. As if stung by a deadly cobra, the parties reacted in such a quick haste to bring an amendment and tried to build a consensus among political parties to 'save the legislators who might have been falsely implicated in criminal cases'. This is a case of parties shedding crocadile tears in the name of 'some MPs and MLAs', but in reality to save a large number of them including leaders of different parties from the embarrasement. 

The arguement that 'falsely implicated' cannot hold water because, the ban is on those who are convicted after filing of FIR, charge sheet, court hearings and protracted length of court hearings.  Following the amendment that has been referred to a select committee, the Govt, choose to issue an ordinance and sent to the  President for signature. The legislature tried to usurp their power of supremacy over others.

It is a welcome sign that the President has listened to the saner counsels and referred the ordinance back to the Govt, seeking the justification for the ordinance (27/09/2013). President acting as a counter check, so far. Let us wait for the developments.

Meanwhile, a googly by the SC by pronouncing the verdict on 'Right to Vote' by providing an option to choose 'None of the above' in the EVMs. So 'Mr. None of the above' is the first candidate who files his nomination, though he may not win and form any Govt., but prevents fielding people with dark background. 

Already the first voice of dissent from politicians has emerged. 'Right to vote' is the right bestowed on the citizens, 'not to vote' is not a right given under the constitution, argues one leading politician. 

SC now called 'Check', but is it a 'and mate' or our willy-nilly politicians will find ways and means to have the game scratched!

Fake encounter and Terrorisam

This is not about deaths in encounters and terroist activities. Its all about today's war of words between Congress and BJP.

Modi claiming the growth rate was 8.4% during NDA regime was countered by PC "fake encounter of facts" by Modi. Yashwant joins the debate to say NDA's handling of infaltion was "Terrorism on inflation".

The interaction between the two leading national parties is touching a new low everyday as even the leaders like PC, showing intolerance and engaging in personal and weiled attacks.

Toppled or Tumbled ?

The one point agenda of proclaiming NaMo as the PM Candidate of the BJP parliamentary party was a pretty brief affair when compared with the lobbying that went throughout the day to bring on board all the leaders. 

The sulking of LKA is obviously due to the 'grand parenting' effect. Having been the proposer of leadership changes, or the decisive voice on crucial issues, he could not reconcile himself to the fact that the power is changing hands within BJP. The decision of NaMo being a PM candidate (ever since the pre-run to the Gujarat election) was more an information to him rather than a consultation with him.

The drama of resignation with a long letter to the BJP president during the Goa meet and now staying away from the New Delhi meet with a letter to the party president, shows clearly his inability to come to terms with the changing mood of the party cadre and people.

He should compare this projection of NaMo with his 1990 Rath yathra  when he was projected as the face and rejuvenated image of the party. He did sideline many leaders like Kalyan Singh and cornered most of the glory to himself. He did not feel 'anguished' or 'depressed' the way in which he stole the show nor did he complain about the change in behaviour of the leadership. When he is at the receiving end he is unable to digest. By his actions of disassociating himself yesterday, he only tumbled on his way.

What LKA should realise is that he could not carry the momentum of NDA's achievements to poll victory in 2004 and there he lost the race. Much waters have flown down the bridge since then and we need strong willed leaders to tackle the challenges facing India. NaMo may or may not deliver that. But it is worth the gamble.

We need a change.....

The 'NaMo' Day?

Today is going to be a very important day for the BJP and possibly for the nation.  Modi is likely to be anointed as the PM candidate and what effect this will have on BJP, Congress and National Politics?

For the BJP, it is not going to be a smooth one as the dissent, especially from leaders like Advani is not a good sign. It is not that LKA can change the course of the fortune,  but it will be a fodder for the opposition parties to target BJP. LKA probably grousing on the lost opportunity for him and that his dream of occupying the PM's post can never materialise. He will end up being a senior leader of the party. Opposition from others like Sushma etc., is immaterial as they were never really a contenders. They had no charisma of their own and cannot draw crowds and votes like the way NaMo can do.

But for Congress this is a big booster, in many ways. First, it will rally around all the senior members together to pitch against BJP and NaMo in a single voice, since all of them are Modi bashers. Secondly, the NDA will be split further, thus the votes might get fragmented and in that process Congress will gain. Thirdly, they can now project Rahul as the PM's choice and make the BJP camp to concentrate on him rather than on poll issues.

On the National politics, this might be a watershed moment since, if BJP loose with NaMo in the lead, it is a doom for them and Congress will gain enormous strength, even if they win with slender margin. The regional parties will play a greater role and possibly a weak coalition will form the government which will perform worse than the UPA2.

But for sure, one segment that will definitely have a dog's day would be the the media, since never before, an election was fought the PM's candidates announced so much in advance, even though it was obvious. Arnabs, Rajdeeps and Burkas will have the field unto themselves for another 7 months.

My 2 cents: PM's anguish in Rajya sabha

DR. MMS was justifiably right in blaming opposition for the chaos they created in parliament including shouting slogans like "PM Chor hai". No one whether it is the PM or anybody else sitting in such a august body would like to be called a Chor, that is broadcast nationally.

But whet did Dr. MMS do to enhance his authority or exhibit the control he had over his ministry and in the administration of the Govt. over the past years. He kept silent on many matters and only when ruckus was created to have his answers as the administrative head of the nation did he choose to make a brief speech.  Even such speeches were not so enthusiastic nor created any motivation. They were looking more like speeches out of compulsion rather than the speech of the PM.

(1) In 2011 he openly admitted his responsibility in choosing a tainted  person as CVC in the parliament. But where was the accountability. When you are responsible for a lapse, then the natural justice should be you are also accountable for it.

(2) In the 2G scam, he could have averted the current situation had he exercised due diligence and stopped the spectrum allocation or insisted on the proper control and procedure in the allocation.

(3) Coalgate situation is really pathetic. Yes, he cannot directly control the record keeper of the Govt and the concerned ministry is responsible for it. But why the ministry is in a such hopeless state that even it did not register a police case against the missing files, but required a SC direction to CBI to file a criminal FIR. A deputy secretary cousin have done this. More than anything else, the scam was during the period when he held the portfolio and so naturally, he is answerable. If not he, who else?

(4) The industry leaders cited "Policy paralysis" since the past 2-3 years and the govt did nothing great about it as it was more occupied in salvaging itself from the mammoth corruption charges levelled against besides trying to hold the forte by making the alliance partners happy. Now the industry leaders like Ratan Tata openly talking about the foreign investors loosing confidence in India and such talks cannot be pushed aside as rubbish as they are the people who engage with their counterpart abroad on a day to day basis. Their opinion reflect the true state and not political statements. We had Vodafone case of retro tax, and now Nokia threatening to pull out. 2G had its own casualties on account of the cancellation of already granted licenses. These kind of measures would have definitely shaken the investors' confidence in any country, leave alone India.

(5) It is such a pity that the Govt. shoots itself on its own foot by admitting the policies of 2009-11 had impact on the economic situation. And what did PM do? Was he helpless or did not have enough musscle power to overrule the then minister and steer the right course?

As extracted from an article that was published in the Business Line print edition dated May 8, 2005, in another context:

"There's lot more ground to cover, but let me wrap with this tough-to-transliterate kural 280 that frowns upon sham. "Mazhithalum neetalum venda ulagam pazhithadhu ozhithu vidin."

Pope translates it as, "What's the worth of shaven head or tresses long if you shun what all the world condemns as wrong?" Bharatiar would put it thus, "No balding nor tangling the hair! Abstain from condemned acts with care." "

Not speaking when you have to speak, speaking less when spoken and speaking things which were not warranted, all will land anyone in problem.

PM in Lok Sabha: Reduce appetite for Gold and consumption of Petrol

PM in Lok Sabha: Reduce appetite for Gold and consumption of Petrol. 

What tough measures that the Govt. has taken against (1) Jewellery shops that sells without any tax or receipts (2) Mushrooming growth of the Jewellery 'chains' across the country and with international branches?

On one hand we have invited all auto majors to the country in the name of the employment opportunities and on the other hand we talk about reduction of consumption of Petrol. 

To reduce the petrol bill, what big steps have been taken to promote public transport except in few cities. The long time taken to implement the metro and mono rail projects resulted in increase of the purchase of vehicles as people cannot wait.

Propagation should come after creating the remedy.

Trilogy of Shiva - Books by Amish

Trilogy of Shiva - Books by Amish

Just finished reading the 3 books. The Gods were once lived among humans and by their heroics they were turned into Gods - is the theory behind the books. The mythical stories you have heard through the mouths of your grand moms, from the religious discourses, read in the books have been intertwined and narrated in 3 volumes. The bad fortune Vikarmas, ill-fated Nagas with the deformity or exceptional features in the body were well imagined in a totally different way from our believes. Well narrated books and provides a good relaxation.

37° Clear
Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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Feat achieved by Tamil Nadu in Social welfare measures

Feat achieved by Tamil Nadu in Social welfare measures

I read 2 articles within a week, both praising the feat achieved by Tamil Nadu in the implementation of social welfare measures and how it can be adopted as a model by other states.

The first one is the Medical welfare measures which is said to be at a low cost on a study done globally. The analysis compares the position 25 years back and now and how dramatically the progress has been made and making available the facilities at a low cost. (http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/blogs/blog-laissez-faire/article5018479.ece)

The second one is an appreciation of the "Amma canteen" where in the low cost food is provided through state sponsored canteens ( Idlis are sold at a rupee each while sambar rice and curd rice cost Rs.5 and Rs.3 a plate respectively). The appreciation comes from Nobel Laureate Dr Amarteya Sen who wants the scheme to be implemented in all the towns and villages. The state is a pioneer in the implementation of the Mid-day meals scheme which reduced the school drop out rates. Also the SHG model is well run in the state. The PDS is much better in Tamil Nadu when compared to other states and that is why the state is even reluctant to implement the new Food Security system (leave alone the political angle out of this) and both DMK and AIADMK have proposed to include the features in the FSB by way of amendments. (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/in-tamil-nadus-footsteps/article5045284.ece)

But the one big irritant factor is the state run liquor shops (TASMAC), which takes away the good effects of all the social welfare measures and none of the governments, be it DMK or AIADMK could get rid of them, due to the massive funds it generates for the state's coffers. If only they exhibit the will to get rid of this in a phased manner, the Aam Aadmi will be leading a much happier life.

Saudi Arabia

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Crowd Censoring

Crowd Censoring

The screening of "Madras Cafe" a film on the events of Srilanka Vs LTTE of the 90s did not take place as originally scheduled on 23rd August. The reason was the huge protest by the tamil outfits in the state, while the rating of the film in the national media is about 4 out of 5. We have witnessed the delayed release of "Thalaivaa" by nearly 2 weeks on account of threats to the screens, which was attributed to some political movements. The story of "Vishwaroopam", and the role of religious groups in that needs no mention here. "Dam 999" was another film in the recent years that was banned in Tamilnadu by the Govt. Also if my memory serves me right a tamil film "Kuttra Pathirikai" on the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi produced inTamil nadu did not see the light of the day for similar reasons. But all these films were passed for public viewing by the Censor board under the appropriate category.

The question is - Is there a unwritten super censorship? Or the Censor board follows some outdated principles while clearing the films for viewing, without taking into account the local sensitivity or relevance?

A film not being a documentary will always try to exhibit the alternate view since the popular view has already been debated and discussed as the event happened. The freedom of the film maker is obstructed when such Crowd Censoring takes place and the general public was deprived to hear / view the other perspective of the event and the interested groups thwart any attempt to view it rationally even after decades of such happenings. This kind of denial is not good for a democracy and it is the duty of the authorities to ensure and allow screening of such films. Mob law should not be allowed to prevail as it sets wrong precedence.

35° Sunny
Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Is Congress Panicky?

Is Congress Panicky?

Did Modi react too soon on PM's speech on I-Day or Congress was shocked by such a strong criticism of the speech? For me it seems the later. The speed with which the rebutals, calling Modi names like frog, power hungry etc., is unwarranted. A bunch of senior leaders, who are known for their Modi bash descended and started protecting the image of Congress, as if they were messengers from heaven or holy angels.

On the same day there were other leaders from opposition ranks including Jaya severely criticised the UPA in their I-Day speech. No one ever took notice of that! Why? Congress has planned for containment of Modi factor in the election and thus pouncing upon him like a pack of wolfs whenever he said anything or whatever he did. In that process, they have made Modi a permanent headline matter as when they oppose Modi they get mentioned only once while Modi's name gets mentioned as many times as they criticise.

Whether Modi is a PM Material or not, can BJP provide the good governance which they are taking about or not, it is a different story. But Modi as a factor to reckon with has been established.

We also need a change. Yes, the slogan should be "We need a Change"

21° Mostly Cloudy
Karnataka, India

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2 movies in 2 days

2 movies in 2 days and in theatres after so many years. Vijay's Thalaivaa and SRK's Chennai Express. Both have lifted scenes from other tamil movies while Thalaivaa was obvious. You can find Puthiya paravai, Nayagan (baseline story), Thevar magan and Dhanush's Kolaveri. I would even say that Kamal should shelve any idea of Nayagan sequel as Thalaivaa is almost the same. Over all, the movie is average with lots is lull movements.

On the other hand, Chennai Exp. is a tamil movie made in Bollywood. Except SRK, everyone else is from Kollywood. Satyaraj plays a similar role in both the movies. Deepika overshadows SRK. Photography and locations are awesome. The Rajini pampering with a song dedicated for him and his fans little overdose. It is an appendage at the end and could have been done away with.

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Mumbai airport - the worst one for international to domestic transfer

Mumbai airport - the worst one for international to domestic transfer.

It was a horrid time for me and Jayanthi when we landed at Mumbai airport en route to Bangalore on 2nd August morning. We travelled from Riyadh to Bangalore on 1st and 2nd of August, 2013 through Jet Airways with a transfer at Mumbai.

There can never be a stupid system like the one in Mumbai in any international airport where everyone is treated worse than cattle. Shashi tharoor was correct when he said cattle class.

In the early hours of the day many airlines land in Mumbai and especially the Jet airways counter was awful. Terminal 2B and baggage casserole was a mess. But this is a shade better when you compare the immigration. Many flights land in the wee hours with lots of connecting flights to the domestic destinations with a gap of 2 to 3 hours. But to our surprise we could find only 4 counters where the clearance was taking place. With all the yawning and morning customary, cordial wishes and 'good mornings' the queue moved at snail's pace. You loose about 45 mts to 1 hr there.

Then you move to the baggage claim area. You should pat yourself on the back, if you could find a trolly. There are airport staff but it seems it is not their duty to bring back the empty trollies back to the queue. You go out, mind it, I mean this - past the customs with your cabin luggage on and get the trolly from the streets or outside the clearance area and collect your baggage.

If they are going to call the x-ray scanning available in immigration area as pre-emptive check, God knows what they can find? Passengers slip through the check by passing the queue, even. Then you enter the death row like chamber with a width of not more 12 feet in which at least 4 queues (if they were orderly) would be moving for the domestic transfer. You are clear winner if you can pass through that area in 30 minutes and reach the next x-ray scanning. I dunno why there should be 2 scannings when I got a scanning done just 25 feet before and no other entry for anyone other than the transit passengers.

Then take the trolly and hand it over to the Jet airways staff. Here at least I could see some responsible staff taking care of you. But that's all they can do, as all the rest of the facilities are managed by the Mumbai international Airport authorities.

Move to the point where you have to board the bus for the transfer. It's no wonder I recalled the 'irumudi ayyappa bakthargal' as every one was holding the cabin baggage on their head and have to tread a dark passage of about 25 feet, in as many lines you can count. You can hear all abusive words in all indian languages there. The airport authorities knew very well that people may miss the flights if they were not transported in time, but the sense of urgency seems to be last word for them.

You would be damn lucky and pinch yourself if you could get the transfer bus within 30 minutes of waiting. At 8:30 am I was rubbing shoulders (and body with a dose of sweat on both) with the passengers, whose domestic departure was at 8:00 am though they landed at around 5:00 am.

I managed to board the bus and reach the domestic terminal at about 8:50 and heard the final call for boarding the flight to Bangalore at 9:00 am. It was just a coincidence that I could catch the flight that day.

I looked very sheepish in the flight as I was looking like coming out of a ticket counter in a theatre where the first show of a Rajini film was just released. The air hostess must have surely thought that I landed at wrong place instead of the rural bus stand. Or probably, she must be witnessing such horrified passengers daily on that schedule. The fellow traveller just took his hands off from the hand rest when my hand accidentally touched his as he was afraid of a contagious disease catching him through me. But he was looking little awkward after seeing a Longines watch in my hand.

I swore at that time that never will I travel through this connection. But alas, I have already booked the same flight with a similar connection to Chennai in September. Oh, ****.