Jin-Nah!

The last time Mr.Muhammad Ali Jinnah rose from his grave into prominence in my life was in Feb '06,when I tried to rake up as much history as possible about him in due of my High School Examinations. Burried along with the books in Mar '06,he rises and stands tall again in Aug '09 brushing aside the likes of Rakhi Sawant(the only place where her photo isn't splashed on a piece of paper is her Birth Cert.) to burst into the scene as the top newsmaker.The Partion Debate is interwoven with the Case of the BJP - Jaswant Debate.History is a compilation of facts,the way you interpret the facts,forms your opinion/notion - in BJP terms,ideology.ITW's attempt at unlocking the Jinnah Jinx is presented :

1. Was Mr.Jaswant Singh,in the first place right in writing about this posthumous character ?

• Barack Obama would do well to know who set the idea of Jihad (Holy War) rolling - Mr.President, it was none other than M.A.J's Muslim League which deescribed Direct Action as "holy war against the enemies of the Muslim nation."
• Kolkata,then Calcutta was turned into "City of Dead" when violence was unleashed on Hindus,residing there.The Direct Action Day, initiated by Jinnah had succeeded.
• The Hindus' angry retort at Bihar,the agonising spread of communal flames burnt the very idea of Unity.
• Every terror attack,each communal riot at India's crown - Kashmir ; Every Khan being stopped at the U.S airport - Jinnah's idea of Ji *** continues to haunt.
• His brainchild/birthchild - his product Pakistan has become the global headquarters for breeding terror.

Inspite of all this, if J.S found reasons to glorify M.A.J through the prose and text of little under 700 pages book,I suppose he is this Nice Guy Muslims search among the Hindus.All said and done, carrying the tag of an Indian - J.S is entitled to his Freedom of Expression and Speech and the other Democartic Rights, Jinnah's counterparts formulated.Whether he is justified in the glorification or rather the de-demonisng of Jinnah is upto the 'Interpreter' of Facts - the common man.Our ideolisation of J.Nehru shouldn't bind us to Nehru's side alone and hence refuse to see the bright side of another individual. J.Singh, has done just that, to which he has every Right - Right or Wrong.

*finger on lips* - Jinnah might have avoided a civil war and more human loss. ITW conviniently chooses to avoid that,and more complexities.

2. Was the BJP right in expelling Mr.Jaswant Singh?

- Definitely,not.

• The last time I read a book furiously was when Ms.Rowling released the last of her seven books on HP.Skipping lines here and there,the fiction was gripping and made a fascinating read.The fact that Mr.Rajnath Singh or any other BJP party member,read the 669 pages of heavy verses - difficult to comprehend - in less then 36 hours amazes me.If he/anyone denies this Herculean task - all I ask is this - How do you expel Jaswant Singh from the Party as a result of the thoughts echoed in his book without even reading the book completely?!?!

PS:Dynamic Hindu Incarnate,N.Modi had banned the book in Gujarat.Effortless way to escape reading.

• L.K.Advani publicly condemned the "secular"(Duh!) vison of Jinnah in the latter's Presidential Address on Aug - 11th,1947.Advani was made to step down,no denial - but he wasn't expelled was he ?!?! Just because the name was L.KAdvani and not Jaswant Singh.

• C.Rajagopalachari's personal sizing of Jinnah didn't differ much from Jaswant's.He thought Jinnah was a decent,secular(?!?!)politician worthy of engaging in a serious dialogue.Rajendra Prasad and the entire Parliament observed a couple of minutes of silence after the demise of Jinnah.Would the BJP now go against CR,RP and possibly go on to create a rift in the ideologies of S.V.Patel and CR,if not,then WHY Jaswant?!?!

A senior leader,30 years of experience - expelled.The Chintan Bhaitak brought about verything to Shimla,except their minds.

3. Drawing Comparison with India : From Midnight to Millenium - What could have been done to J.S.

A must read work of S.Tharoor,India:FMTM has been revisited and the new edition has an added chapter of the Gandhi family,in which Mr.Tharoor plays the game fair and square. Without any inhibitions,he writes -

• At Indira Gandhi - questions her disposal of power and her vision beyond the eradication of poverty.
• Takes gentle digs at I.Gandhi's husband ( questioning the consequence of his political career if he was a liquor agent and didn't carry the surname) and S.Gandhi at how, an Italian girl minus a Bachelors Degree and being confined to the Residences of the P.M (Rajiv) has rosen to the masses and how she never studied political philosophy at Cambridge,but English.
• Brings out the ghosts of the Bofors corruption scam under Rajiv.

The Congress' success story lies in its ability to accomodate people with different ideologies (Including a match fixer,seat formula fixers from South and cut throat politicians).The fact that the Congress didn't make S.Tharoor's India:FMTM a big issue( not that he was wrong,I second him.)and instead recognised his merits and posted him in the Cabinet Ministry(A whole family from S.India incl. Mr.A is there,So What? :P) is commendable.BJP has still got to learn a few tricks.

• A show - cause notice to J.S, a warning, or a decision after a personal face - to - face talk wouldn't have hurt.

Verdict:The BJP,in the first place needs to understand that a book is a book,and so will it remain. Debating and expelling leaders like J.S, for expressing views about the incidents which happened sixty years back is just callous attitude resulting in catastrophic times for the Party.There are BIGGER issues which BJP needs to focus .Solve the present-day country matters first and then live in the past. You can't just ban a book fearing the wrath of pro-Hindu groups.Sheer stupidity - Hindutva. Get this straight -WE,Hindus and Muslims are children of the same Mother,Mother India.

*sigh* That would put rest to half a million problems , if only BJP didn't expel such authors and ban such text.

Quickie Updates!

My Std.10 CBSE pass certificate proved to be quite useful,stigmatizing the Electoral Officer present at the South Chennai voting constituency into letting me enter even when I didn't possess the voter ID-card.I had harbored hopes that my name would feature in the voting list,thankfully after a lot of running around,the officer's forefinger found -
K.Dinesh Kannan
Age:18
The beep when I pressed the button against The Slate fuelled a sensation of satisfaction in me that Democracy was still alive even though it wasn't kicking.Frankly,I never knew there were only 17k intelligent residents in South Chennai,a commendable number of votes for an Independent candidate - Sarath Babu.
A popular website www.sify.com had this interesting 'Start your Party' election in which Indianize The World finished Fifth among 31 other parties.
http://sify.com/news/election/party_details.php?id=37
Look out,South Chennai,ITW is here.During the L.S '14 elections,there are going to be 44 and not 43 candidates.:P
Mumbai's 'Enough Is Enough','Call for Change' campaigns after the 26/11 attacks remained confined to the lips as the electorate simply refused to step out of their houses.A mere 42 percent voter turn-out.Nothing short of pathetic.Cutthroat politicians and Danny Boyle will continue to survive, courtesy the remaining 58 percent Mumbaikars.
One needs to appreciate,admire and gape(that is all one can do)at the consistent growth of the number of politicians occupying L.S seats even while they are charged with criminal cases.
ITW's 10th post reads-
"a staggering 125 out of 538 seats in the Parliament, last term,were occupied by men who have been charged with criminal cases. The least that I long for is for that number to decrease."
Wishful thinking.An even more not-surprisingly,staggering 150 seats host criminalised politicans.Stiff fight though.42 from Congress and 43 from BJP.Look at the dirty competition.

With 500 bucks from my parents-

• I can entertain a club of five at Inox.
• Represent a Corporate in the Tribology T.T league and hopefully not end up as KKR.
• Play the fool and pocket it.

Guess what?One can actually end up with a valuable vote from an irresponsible citizen in the Temple City.What more?The same 'one' can rightfully stride into the Cabinet without the slightest of conscience.It runs(wheeled by)in the blood.What a sight - Shashi Tharoor amidst any other M.P and the Family Man in the Cabinet.

Brilliant,Congress.India is light years(or five)short of development.

A Wednesday

“Tamizha Tamizha Naalai Nam Naalai
Tamizha Tamizha Naadum Nam Naadae!”

...A.R.Rahman’s brilliance blended with the emotionally touching lyrics would greet anyone who gives E.Sarath Babu, Independent Candidate, South Chennai a ring. On a fine Sunday morning, I was pleasantly surprised to hear his heart warming caller tune at a time when ‘political’ entertainment channels play ‘Nyabagam Varudhe, Nyabagam Varudhe ’,a song which has as much connection to the welfare of the State and Central as John Buchanan will have to the Knight Riders next year. Take away the ten questions, delete the Luck Factor, remove Anil Kapoor and chuck Danny Boyle, substitute them with hardship, pluck and a loving idly-selling mother, there you stand with, in Jamal’s shoes a level headed Sarath Babu, Director Foodking Catering Services. I was involved in a little chit-chat with him on phone, quite an interesting one at that. The BITS, Pilani and IIM-A graduate affirms during the conversation that education and hunger alleviation would be his motive when he makes it to the politically blotted landscape of the Indian Parliament. On a query regarding his inexperience in politics, Sarath counters that he’s got a fresh perspective free from “political baggage.” A couple of more stunning answers left me longing to campaign for this Samaritan.
Another candidate whom I had the privilege of interacting personally is an unassuming N.S.Venkatraman, Founder – “Nandini-Voice for the Deprived,” a NGO. Contesting with a ticket from the DSP, Mr.Venkatraman made a noteworthy statement in which he said “Progress shouldn’t be estimated by the growth of IT or a mission to the moon, instead it should be measured by the Happiness Index of the common man.” Point well made. In a country where 1% of the total population earns 96% of the money, how do the rest 99% survive?
A couple of other prominent candidates from my constituency are R.S.Bharathi from the DMK, who’s door to door campaign didn’t catch the attention of my father who continued to speak on his mobile when the bell rang, and a certain Mr.L.Ganesh - quite a busy bee as I ve hardly seen him even though he lives next street!
Note: S.Chennai has a record 44 candidates- the highest contesting from the state this time around. By the looks of it, next time around my constituency would boast of more candidates than electorates!
Zooming out from South Chennai to the whole of T.N, with 39 seats at stake, I ve been left pondering over two questions.
Q.1-Is this a fight for the Sri Lankan Parliament or the Indian Pariliament?
Q.2-More than a battle between M.Singh and L.K.Advani this is being made out as a neck to neck race between Mr.Karunanidhi and Miss.Jayalalitha.
There has been a significant change in the arithmetic, as T.N has witnessed a major political realignment since ’04.In the previous election, DMK-Congress along with PMK and MDMK had swept the polls with 39-0.The difference this time around is that the smaller Left parties and PMK and not surprisingly(MDMK-it’s a habit with them)have switched sides.
Coming back to Q.1, there has been striking difference of opinion within the camps, while PMK MDMK and CPI(M) have taken a stand for LTTE on the issue, AIADMK is opposed to it.
Similarly while Congress has shown a forceful line on the LTTE – the DMK iterates its sympathy towards the Tigers – though what made ‘him’ say “Prabhakaran is a good friend”-God Knows. NDTV had a ball with those five words!
The DMK, from a student’s perspective had proposed the establishment of an IIM at Trichy. Apart from that it was responsible for the long queues at the ration shops, some left disappointed because of the impurities and insects at the Rice-Re1/kg.Go around Chennai, those gigantic flyovers would capture your eye lens – Some just for the sake of it ! The National Rural Employment guarantee scheme and the scrapping of POTA are a couple of other achievements.
There are still some factors which have left me baffled.
1. How can a fast ever begin after breakfast and end a good while before lunch? The air conditioner and a well laid out bed with a few glycerin-used cine actors gave company.
2. Should a bandh be called at the drop of a hat? What’s the necessity? When normal life is affected aren’t the naxalites and terrorists winning?
3. How much can Jaya network influence a person? Day-1:They broadcast ads which show the plight of bus travelers.Day-2:I jump over the college wall, board an A/C bus from Sri Perumbdur to Chennai,to my amazement the bus rates are slashed.Day-3:Tempted by this,I do it again only to be left disappointed by the unstable mind of the Govt. who hiked the rates again and had to satisfy myself with a blockbuster of a movie screened during the journey – Sivaji.
4. The morphing of a political party into a family party. Posts are distributed among the family members as frequently as the TV sets (electricity?) and stoves (gas?).
A 908-crore worth desalination of water scheme, Rs 56,664 crores in four lane traffic system , Rs.1828 crores railway over bridges, Rs.1553 crores Salem steel rolling plant are highlights during the tenure. Transport – Inspite of all this its left a humorous Mr. Jeffrey Archer fuming at Landmark, about the traffic congestion – “Why do you draw the white crossing line in the middle of my car?” It’s been a sort of a treadmill walk, we seem to be moving but at the same place!
The AIADMK have been involved in as much as negative campaigning as the DMK. Manmohan Singh has escaped their attention, its target is KK. P.Ramdoss of PMK, an ally of the AIADMK had asked this question “Why doesn’t DMK quit the Congress when they hardly support the Tamilians?” – For the same reasons A.Ramdoss, his product , Health Minister didn’t quit.
Jr.Ramdoss made some remarkable progress in the Health Ministry when he banned smoking in public. Vaiko, MDMK, another switched over ally couldn’t escape the laughter in the drawing room or the ire and clever words of Devil’s advocate Karan Thapar in an interview a year back.
I can’t completely comment on the AIADMK as I had’nt completed my High School when they were in power. However, as of now they seem to be physically campaigning with the Left, their chemistry lies with the BJP and who knows – if arithmetic favors them Congress might go for a grab!
The DMDK leader might have an edge over J.K.Rithish (DMK) in terms of Who’s Who of Tamil Cinema-Tamil Politics but I doubt if they could affect the political arithmetic much. They would end up with the anti-DMK and anti AIADMK votes on the 13th.
Come Wednesday, the 13th,the numbers clearly favor the AIADMK but my first ever vote in the Indian Democracy would go for someone who is free from the political grasp, some one who is affliated to the people and not the party, some one whose mobile rings –
“Unnakul Indiya Rattham Unda,Illaya?”

Political Parties,P.M s and Promises!

“I am 18, what I have derived so far from the world’s largest democratic elections is to bunk engineering studies for a day to apply for my voters-id card and bear the brunt of harsh words from an impatient Govt officer in the office who was waiting to screw anyone who filed an application during the actual working hours.I ve never seen a more poorly run office.”
Verdict: Never disturb a Govt officer when he is on “duty” , travel back home and blog on it. Second consequence of Elections has been more startling.
“I was planning to entertain myself at Chepauk, and voraciously witness, CSK take on KKR. There comes the call, IPL-2 shifted to South Africa citing security reasons.”
Verdict: Thankfully, the elections weren't shifted due to security concerns.
Now, provided:
1.The officer considers my application and I rightfully get my voter identity card.
2. There is no Knightrider’s match scheduled on D-Day; *Nah! I’m not so irresponsible,kidding*; I’ll get to caste my vote.Here are a few things which I would look into before I leave for the booth.

The UPA Bloc:

Lead by the Indian National Congress, one major accomplishment which captured my imagination, perhaps even more than the Indo-US Nuke Deal, was the historic accomplishment of ‘The Right To Information Act’, 2005, aimed at transparency in Admin.at all levels.Defense and security, though took more than a beating what with people waking up to IBN’s breakfast show, only to find they had just escaped another bomb blast which had taken place in some other part of the nation.
The UPA, has projected a dignified Manmohan Singh as their Prime Ministerial Candidate- Looking back at the period when he was at the helm Mr.Singh received more brickbats than bouquets, the former obviously thrown by the Opposition.
The high velocity, continuously accelerated brickbats guaranteed two messages – ‘The infamous 10, Janpath nod’ and ‘Weakest P.M’ ever. Harsh accusations. Even though the ‘dummy and puppet’ whispers still do the rounds, Manmohan Singh has achieved certain things which would support his candidature. A record turnout in the recent J and K elections is something no one ever expected. A National Investigative Agency was set up in the wake of the Mumbai Attacks. Taking the intensity of the blasts into consideration, it still surprised me, the speed at which the Agency was set up. Except for the reservation part of it, Congress does need to be given a word of praise for –zero discrimination during distribution of State funds, exponential growth in Railways and power and the Urban Renewal Mission with a waiver of 1 lakh crore. However, the manifesto barely mentions anything about the Indo-US Nuke deal. Is there anything lurking? Congress, has its own methods.
Bank on him to create confusion.RJD leader, Laloo Prasad Yadav has been changing his stance as often as the wind changes it direction, swiftly swaying between what he calls as the Fourth Front (Speak of imagination and ideas!) and the UPA. As my fingers type the following words on my keyboard, The Bihar humorist,L.P Yadav and the National Congress Party’s Sharad Pawar (Third Front?No, for now.) are campaigning for the Congress.Samajwadi Party has no other option left but to join the UPA Govt.SP's manifesto completely baffles me.Mulayam Singh Yadav who released the party's manifesto says that computer education and communication through English would take a back seatto say the least.Trash!Note hear,that both the sons of M.S Yadav studied in Convents and are few of the best speakers in the country.Down south, DMK can’t boast of a strong alliance to the Congress with every other party in T.N backstabbing them and joining the other popular force-AIADMK.
A charismatic Rahul Gandhi was never known to hold the aces or call the shots.This time around he has said that the Congress by no means would indulge in pre poll alliances. It beats me and I’m unable to figure out this decision where people are left out. Voters need to know ‘Who is with Whom’, unless this is revealed the citizens will still be left in he dark, unsure of whom to elect. An integral P.M, few experienced senior leaders, equipped with expertise and an exuberant Rahul Gandhi is what still drives the Congress caravan across the country.

Superstar Singh’s Punch:
For a whole five years, Manmohan Singh relied on his actions than words, keeping mum inspite of Advani accusing him as the ‘weakest P.M’ ever, challenging his public speaking skills, calling for a live debate. During a recent press conference, Mr.Singh opened his mouth, moved his lips and delivered an unexpected punch “I may no be able to match Advaniji’s public speaking skills but I can take strong decisions which he can’t.”
Mr.Singh, now, this is what we call public speaking and u ve got loads of it!

The NDA Bloc:

By the looks of it the BJP leaders would have spent the whole five years preparing the present manifesto, a comprehensive and a thorough one at that.11,Ashok Road would have hosted some of the best minds and thinkers in the country over the last term with a mindset of forcing themselves back into power. I however have my doubts whether these elaborate promises can be implemented effectively. Two interesting points I noted were
1.The BJP Manifesto promises to bring back black money stacked in the Swiss Bank. (A Congress man’s heart would have skipped a beat!)
2.The BJP’s master stroke is the final line of the manifesto where it swears to promote Urdu, directly targeting its Muslim base. Elsewhere in the manifesto it mentions the recognition of Muslims as “underprivileged”. Not that, its going to increase its Muslim base (if any existed).It still remains a communal party. It goes without saying, The Ram Temple finds a place in the manifesto.
This is what I would like to emphasise-There has been quite a convergence in the ideologies of the parties, on communal terms and economic policies leaving the voter not much to choose from. The BJP manifesto covers every aspect, leaving very less to be desired.
Two web pages I often visit are Gujarat C.M Narendra Modi’s official site and Advani’s blog.

http://blog.lkadvani.in/ ; http://www.narendramodi.in/

If their virtual world is anything to go by, multi-dimensional development across the country is assured. It needs to be remembered that it was the NDA Govt. created Chattisgarh and was responsible for the development that took place in those regions.
Security and reasons and terrorism concerns cant be used as factors by used by the BJP to garner votes as the country is literate enough to know who was the Home Minister during the Parliament attacks and who initiated, propagated and who was watching Godhra burn.
The NDA would sweep the polls in Gujarat and Bihar-Modi and Nitish Kumar would see to that. The trio of Advani, Modi and Nitish pack a punch in whatever they do. Aggression and dynamism go hand in glove when they address the nation. Attractive promises of the BJP might just lure the voters but promise is one thing and implementation is another. As long as the ‘Ram Rajya’ of the NDA Govt does’nt divide the country on a communal bias, the Govt would be perfectly fine with the people.

Modi’s Mathematics:
He says,
IT + IT = IT
Information Technology + Indian Talent = India Tomorrow
(There you go, my boy! You just about managed to impress my Maths teacher!)

The Third Front:

‘A pack of wannabe P.M’s’-The Third Front leaves me little to pen about. Its all enigmatic. In its ranks are Janata Dal (Secular) leader-H.D Deva Gowda, Telugu Desam ‘s Chandrababu Naidu.The Mayawati Magic might also work in certain regions of the country (Trust me ! Jayalalitha would give her a run for her money as the most popular woman politician).Minus the Left, there is a possible P.M candidate in every other party. The Karat family has been campaigning quite hard as well. If the anti-Congress and the anti-NDA forces join hands with the Left, like the other parties, The Third Front can surprise everyone claiming the majority (Far fetched,still!-They will be able to assert the power in just three states).Consequences might be dreadful though-a fight for the P.M Post would divide the Front within and wouldn’t be the ideal way to start the Govt.

Verdict: Don’t fight for the booty, within, before you get the actual treasure.

I came across an interesting poll prediction that 272 votes won’t be reached by any Bloc and there are going to be a lot of running around done-puffing and panting for post poll alliances. All I worry is about this piece of arresting statistic which I read – a staggering 125 out of 538 seats in the Parliament, last term,were occupied by men who have been charged with criminal cases. The least that I long for is for that number to decrease.Two have already been already chucked out from contesting the elections, thanks to the Sikh journo. If it is to decrease further, Adidas, Reebok and even Paragon might have their work cut out! Call for Honesty!

Whither Indian Democracy

“WE,THE PEOPLE OF INDIA ,having
solemnly resolved to constitute India into a
SOVEREIGN,SOCIALIST,SECULAR,
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
and to secure to all its citizens:”

As B.R.Ambedkar and his team embedded the above highlighted word,the soul of the Indian Constitution,they had presented the people of India with an odyssey where the citizens were gifted with a buoyant force,a persuasive power with a knack of weaving together the personal with the political.Jan 26^th,1950,Mother India’s children received their biggest prize,neatly tied with a red ribbon-Democracy.Hurrah!

The odyssey now faces a road block,purely built by the same people who untied the red ribbon,with a sense of triumph and with a smile on their faces.The red ribbon and the gift of Democracy now lies down in a corner,neglected,the ribbon,even more redder showing signs of danger.

The million dollar question staring at our faces, point blank-Where is the much famed Indian Democracy heading towards? The answer-(fasten your seatbelts),Indian Democracy was moving straight, right on track until it came upon the people’s road block.Clever as it is,its taken a U-turn moving in the opposite direction only to turn back again and with all its might and force,drive right into the block-penetrate through it,announcing its rebirth in grand style.

Rebirth?Does that mean Democracy is dead?Definitely not,death is not the word.Indian Democracy is in that stage where it is hovering between life and death with minimum voluntary service and brain activity.Medically speaking,Coma.Conveniently,fingers are pointed at the politicians who are grim, uncompromising, lethargic, insincere, mean and money-minded or in simple words people who populate the 9’0 clock news for their political gimmicks.Every state has become a prey to the statesmen.Law breakers are now the law makers,crippling the growth and the progress of the nation.

Mahatma Gandhiji said,

“Highest in the land are the servants of the nation.”

With corruption and cheating impregnated in the land by people clothed in white and white,sadly, Gandhiji’s statement needs to be taken back.There has been a continual weakening of National parties and an assertion of regional parties.Room has been given to communalism, chauvinism,provincialism,parochialism,linguistic fanaticism and religious fundamentalism.Poltical incompetence,pretence, diminishing values have resulted in tumultuous times.The voices of the downtrodden and those dwindling in the land have become a distinct echo and still they remain as battles to be fought,leave alone won.

One factor which has not been analysed thus far is are we being fair in criticising the politicians alone?*violently shaking my head*.This is exactly where the Democratic factor is ushered into the field.

“Democracy is a process by which the people are free to choose the man who will get the blame.”

US educator,Laurence J.Peter couldn’t have put it better.Predominantly based on consultation and discussion,democratic decisions involves every one of us to point out possible mistakes and unless the individual excercises his vote,performs his duty,he loses the right to criticise any politician.Being accountable,democratic government allows us to correct our mistakes.

“Voice of people is Voice of God.”

Very true.If anyone is to be blamed for what we are undergoing, look into the mirror.He/She would be staring at you with the innocent, watery eyes of a person who hasn’t performed his/her duty.We will have to assert our rights for Democracy to triumph.We need to arrest the deteriorating tendency, pull up our socks and prepare our index finger to don the blue ink mark.Exercise your right.Perform your duty.Cast your vote.Cast it on the person you believe could make the difference.

One week-That is exactly the time period required for the ink on our index finger to get washed away.It is the same 168 hours(maybe lesser than that)that is required by us to forget what we had been promised by the politicians.It is indispensable to remember that in a democracy we,the people,are the rulers and we have the power to lord over the politicians.Sounds assuming?It’s music to my ears!A thousand politicians are no match for one billion educated people.Ha!Educated!That brings us to:-

People are equal before the law in a Democratic country.When civil servants need to crack the UPSC examinations what is the criteria for politicians?

-An average score in Boards,preferably below the pass mark!

-A couple of FIR’s to the credit!

-Zero morality and lack of character

There must be a criteria for a citizen to turn into a politician.Every Tom,Dick and Harry(Kandhsamy,Kuppusamy,Ponnusamy),can’t become a politician.Lets not degrade the standard of Indian politics.It is pathetic to learn that some of the popular ministers have attendance lower than 10% in their Lok Sabha ‘Report Card’.Let the Professor’s(collar’s up,we!) expel them.

Politicians who have been proved of criminal offences cant contest the elections.Fair enough but what about politicians who face umpteen criminal charges?Shouldnt they be banned?It is painful to learn that the petition has been before the Judiciary since 1999 and a verdict is yet to be passed.

Target dates are required.Decisions take time in a democracy like India.Point taken but there is no harm in releasing target dates.Ask for target dates.Demand introduction of appropriate criteria for polticians.Indeed,I agree politics and civil services are two different ball games,but the goal of both is the same.Urge the honest civil servants to displace the dishonest elements in Indian politics.U.S president Barack Obama’s words echoes in my mind,”Yes,We Can” but as Indians,lets go one step further ad say “Yes,We Will”.Its not about being in par with U.S,it about overshadowing them.Demand and Decide,there in lies the supreme power of Democracy.

Over the past decade,Democracy has paved the way for youngsters like Sachin Pilot stepping into politics,so much so they have become accessible to people through social networking sites.Work needs to be done though as statistics reveal youngsters have not started voicing their opinion in the House.There has been a silent revolution with women(Rajiv Gandhi started it with Panchayats)coming in,as well.It is heartening to note that more than half of the M.P’s seated on the cushioned chairs of the Parliament are graduates and Post Graduates.

As B.S.Raghavan rightly puts it “Democracy will grow from strength to strength.It needs time to percolate,permeate,perpetuate and pervade.”Its just a matter of time and as I pen down the last few words I can hear my watch ticking away…*Hope*

I strongly believe that this ticking will soon be drowned by the voice of one billion people shouting in chorus, “Yes, We will!”

Indian Democracy will triumph.

Jai Hind!

Scores with Sify...In a Jiffy!

A strong cup of coffee,a strict Programming Director and the mystic smell of an amalgam of traditional and modern ideas lingering in the air of the studios of All India Radio,Chennai wasn't enough for my eyes to open up.Being present to deliver the updates and analysis of Ind-NZ cricket matches was hard,what with waking up even before the Kokkaraa-Koo-Koo.Luckily,I could catch upon the latest scores,inspite of my drowsiness due to this link...
http://sify.com/sports/indiavsnewzealand/
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Drop in!

Hear the Boooooo s,Boyle!

I can't waste my words on Slumdog Millionaire.Waste of space in this blog,as well.
Here are those minds which share interesting thoughts about SM:

Noted economist,Management Guru,Dean,IIPM,Editor-In-Chief,The Sunday Indian,Arindam Chaudhuri slams SM:
http://arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.com/2009/01/dont-see-slumdog-millionaire-it-sucks.html

Big B on Big Adda on a couple of columns he came across regd. SM:
http://bigb.bigadda.com/2009/02/10/day-291i/

A Bonhomous Indian,one of the most passionate writers I ve come across,Seshasayee,on his blog:
http://raftofsesh.blogspot.com/2009/02/slumdog-millionaire-is-mediocre-trashy.html

A romantic poet,an even better film critic,Karthik Purushothaman's honest review.
http://paradoxicalsagawriter.blogspot.com/2009/01/slumdog-millionaire.html

We can very well clean up the mess in our country,we dont need a bald plated Boyle from Britain telling tales.India can do well,without a narrow minded director making such mediocre films.

PS:J.K.Riteesh rubs his hands with glee as he watches SM,if SM can,so can he!