I heard the news close to six months back that few former IIT students have joined hands to start a political party and try achieve the impossible task of cleaning the rotten political system. But looking at its growing popularity among the younger generation who are so much vexed with the existing stupid politicians, I just get a feel that the educated elite from institutes like IIT are keen to change the scenario
Their ideas are simple - no fancy and insane promises like rice for Rs.2, free TV sets, and free electricity. They idea is to make India a corruption free country - many of us will laugh looking at the current politician barring few. But still, if given chance, if they can achieve 10% of their mission , I think that is going to be a significant milestone looking at the volume of corruption we have today.
Their campaigning style also looks very simple - without much fanfare or hooligan style people around shouting slogans. We have been seeing the same old faces, false promises, plundering of peoples money by the politicians and basically a do nothing when it comes to the welfare of people. Let us give chance to these fresh set of faces and help them to achieve their vision and wish that their ideologies remain unchanged irrespective of their growth.
The details about the party can be found at their website - http://lokparitran.org
Monday, April 24, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Stinking Socks - Nanotechnology to the rescue
I was watching the CNN-IBN news channel when I came across the piece of news that a set of professors and students at IIT Delhi have found out a way by which the socks will not stink after its worn for few minutes or hours and removed. It seems that nanotecchnology, the much acclaimed invention can be applied to manufacture socks that will not at all stink even after days of wearing.
The use of it in socks is certainly interesting. This will be a boon for people who wants to dress smart, but lazy to wash even their socks every day. I sincerely hope that nanotechnology doesn't make even the active people to get into the laziest of habits of not even bothering to wash their socks regardless of whether they wash their dirty linen in public :-)
For more info on nanotechnology, you can check out this link -
http://science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology.htm
The use of it in socks is certainly interesting. This will be a boon for people who wants to dress smart, but lazy to wash even their socks every day. I sincerely hope that nanotechnology doesn't make even the active people to get into the laziest of habits of not even bothering to wash their socks regardless of whether they wash their dirty linen in public :-)
For more info on nanotechnology, you can check out this link -
http://science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology.htm
Saturday, April 08, 2006
2006 Assembly Elections - Liar Liar
Time for political parties to forget the promises made in earlier election and come up with "innovative", unrealistic yarns that goes a long distance. A sample of the promises made by DMK ...
Rice for Rs. 2 a kilo
Colour TV set for downtrodden people
cooking Gas connection for downtrodden
No real meaning and conviction in what to say - this is like 'spin a yarn' competition. Our new entrant in the fray, Mr.Captain Vijayakanth is promising to build a new city that will replace Chennai and overcome the problems of basic infrastructure. After speaking lengthy and boring dialogs in films, he is now making them as election promises.
All political parties should remember that 'Action always speak louder than words'. All your promises looks like the saying 'Empty vessels make more noise'. Do something first and people will automatically believe you than talking which you have been doing for ages.
To all the people who read this article - CAN THE PARTIES BE TAKEN TO COURT OR SUSPENDED IF THEY DON'T IMPLEMENT THE PROMISES MADE? This will make them more accountable.
No real meaning and conviction in what to say - this is like 'spin a yarn' competition. Our new entrant in the fray, Mr.Captain Vijayakanth is promising to build a new city that will replace Chennai and overcome the problems of basic infrastructure. After speaking lengthy and boring dialogs in films, he is now making them as election promises.
All political parties should remember that 'Action always speak louder than words'. All your promises looks like the saying 'Empty vessels make more noise'. Do something first and people will automatically believe you than talking which you have been doing for ages.
To all the people who read this article - CAN THE PARTIES BE TAKEN TO COURT OR SUSPENDED IF THEY DON'T IMPLEMENT THE PROMISES MADE? This will make them more accountable.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Latest addition to Indian Cricket selection mystery - Kiran More
This piece is written after the news that Robin Uttapa has replaced Gautam Gambir for the remaining 4 ODI matches against the on-going home series against England.
Yes, it is time again to honour the most mysterious man we ever had as our Chairman of Selectors - Mr.Kiran More. If we were to come up with a list of famous personality with peculiar behaviours, Mr.Kiran More should find himself in top 10 for being the best split-personality India ever had. Modern day politicians should take a leaf out of him on how one can be as ridiculous as he is, even though he is not into active politics.
According to Kiran More, Gambir failed to capitalize on the chances given to him. He scored close to 30's in the two matches, took 3 good catches and been an effective team man. He is dropped. What about Sehwag? He has been failing consistently off late, no agility in fielding, and didn't even matched Gambhir's score in the two matches. If Kiran More and Chappal are looking at building a team, axing a promising yougster and banking on a batsman with past-glory will not help. As long as we have stupid selectors like Kiran More, we will continue to have absurdities in the team selection.
Yes, it is time again to honour the most mysterious man we ever had as our Chairman of Selectors - Mr.Kiran More. If we were to come up with a list of famous personality with peculiar behaviours, Mr.Kiran More should find himself in top 10 for being the best split-personality India ever had. Modern day politicians should take a leaf out of him on how one can be as ridiculous as he is, even though he is not into active politics.
According to Kiran More, Gambir failed to capitalize on the chances given to him. He scored close to 30's in the two matches, took 3 good catches and been an effective team man. He is dropped. What about Sehwag? He has been failing consistently off late, no agility in fielding, and didn't even matched Gambhir's score in the two matches. If Kiran More and Chappal are looking at building a team, axing a promising yougster and banking on a batsman with past-glory will not help. As long as we have stupid selectors like Kiran More, we will continue to have absurdities in the team selection.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Ind Vs Eng Mumbai Test Match - Picture tells the story
I managed to get some nice pictures and with the help of my friend and colleague Rafiq, got them into a nice sequence. How true is the saying 'A picture is worth a thousand words' for the third and final test match, England emerging victorious.
When the 'Wall' leads from the front, always scoring and taking some great catches on the field...
When the 'Wall' leads from the front, always scoring and taking some great catches on the field...
When the famed and promising batsmen fail miserably ... The captain no wonder is shocked and dejected.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Commonwealth '06 in Indian newspapers - True performers go unnoticed
It is sad that most of the newspapers dated March 27th decided to splash pictures of so-called Bollywood icons' dance performance at the closing ceremony of 2006 Commonwealth Games. We should be ashamed of not having the pictures of real heroes behind India's success like Samaresh Jung, who achieved the distinction of securing 5 gold medals and would have set a world record in Commonwealth history if his pistol hadn't jammed and deprived him of the elusive 6th.
This once again reflects the sad state where our newspapers neglected the real heroes and resorting to much more glamorous things. Sameresh Jung definitely deserves to be remembered, celebrated and honored much more than Aishwarya Rai or any other cine personality.
As long as we continue to ignore these achievements, our performance in sports at Olympics or other international events can never improve. For God sake - please don't qualify Saif Ali khan / Aishwarya Rai / Rani Mukherjee as cultural ambassadors. Any decent dancer could have performed that show if given chance. We don't need our cine personalities to showcase that.
This once again reflects the sad state where our newspapers neglected the real heroes and resorting to much more glamorous things. Sameresh Jung definitely deserves to be remembered, celebrated and honored much more than Aishwarya Rai or any other cine personality.
As long as we continue to ignore these achievements, our performance in sports at Olympics or other international events can never improve. For God sake - please don't qualify Saif Ali khan / Aishwarya Rai / Rani Mukherjee as cultural ambassadors. Any decent dancer could have performed that show if given chance. We don't need our cine personalities to showcase that.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Prices of real estates in Chennai - is it worth investing?
Thanks to extravagant and some times, disproportionate pay packages that software industries are offering, I don't know what good things that has happened, but certainly it has contributed immensely to the unnecessary bloating of real estate prices.
If my statement looks prudent, just look at prices of real estate over the past few years. A plot in outskirts of Chennai (much beyond Tambaram) now costs nothing less than 15 lakhs (100,000 is a lakh); it would have been less than 5 lakhs a couple of years back. A month after finishing this article, it would be no surprise if the prices have gone by another lakh. Two important contributors for this price hike - people working in software and NRI (Non-Resident Indians). Being in software, I feel sometime ashamed that we have indirectly contributed to this. Not just real estates, IT industry pay packages have made any types of rent affordable thus indirectly affecting common man who won't be able to pay that and forced to move to an outer area from the centre. This lucrative payment has made many of the house owners greedy when it comes to charging rent.
In the case of NRI, it doesn't make a difference if the constructor adds few hundred rupees per square feet thus resulting in a huge price. The difference between 35 and 40 lakhs is not going to bother a NRI because always they translate that difference into Dollars or other currency and feel that "Oh! It's just few thousand dollars difference". But in reality, if you go and bargain with the constructor, the prices can be brought down to a reasonably existing value. But this depends on factor that there is no one else to buy that. If there is another buyer, the constructor will remark "Sir - there are others who are ready to buy it at this price" indirectly meaning that "If you don't like, get out of this".
Another factor encouraging these two sects of people are the banks - particularly private and MNC banks - offering huge loans. This certainly doesn't look good and calling it as an economic growth is a stupidity. People will only realize when something catastrophic happens and then the prices back to what they should actually be. I am not trying to be a pessimist here, but this trend looks lunatic and I pity all the people who still want to invest very well knowing that they are paying more than its worth.
If my statement looks prudent, just look at prices of real estate over the past few years. A plot in outskirts of Chennai (much beyond Tambaram) now costs nothing less than 15 lakhs (100,000 is a lakh); it would have been less than 5 lakhs a couple of years back. A month after finishing this article, it would be no surprise if the prices have gone by another lakh. Two important contributors for this price hike - people working in software and NRI (Non-Resident Indians). Being in software, I feel sometime ashamed that we have indirectly contributed to this. Not just real estates, IT industry pay packages have made any types of rent affordable thus indirectly affecting common man who won't be able to pay that and forced to move to an outer area from the centre. This lucrative payment has made many of the house owners greedy when it comes to charging rent.
In the case of NRI, it doesn't make a difference if the constructor adds few hundred rupees per square feet thus resulting in a huge price. The difference between 35 and 40 lakhs is not going to bother a NRI because always they translate that difference into Dollars or other currency and feel that "Oh! It's just few thousand dollars difference". But in reality, if you go and bargain with the constructor, the prices can be brought down to a reasonably existing value. But this depends on factor that there is no one else to buy that. If there is another buyer, the constructor will remark "Sir - there are others who are ready to buy it at this price" indirectly meaning that "If you don't like, get out of this".
Another factor encouraging these two sects of people are the banks - particularly private and MNC banks - offering huge loans. This certainly doesn't look good and calling it as an economic growth is a stupidity. People will only realize when something catastrophic happens and then the prices back to what they should actually be. I am not trying to be a pessimist here, but this trend looks lunatic and I pity all the people who still want to invest very well knowing that they are paying more than its worth.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Traffic Policeman or Is it a Govt. Employee in uniform seeking alms?
If you had guessed that this is yet another anguish on the conduct of a traffic policeman, you are right. Today, around 9:15 PM, in my bike, I crossed the Gemini circle signal (from Nungambakkam high road towards Cathedral road). The signal was green and turned orange when I had just crossed it. But a traffic policeman emerged from the shadows on the other side (in the style of gangster coming out), asked me to stop and claimed that it was red when I crossed. He didn't look rough or spoke in a rude fashion, but was hell bent on his claim. I shouted at the top of my voice that I didn't violate and it was the last second when I crossed. As usual, he kept on with his claim and I continued to deny.
While this conversation was taking place, an auto just zipped past (violating the signal) and this fellow tried to stop him which is next to impossible. He then came back to me, asked for my license and noted (or should I say scribbled) the number in a paper that he seem to be carrying for long years.
He asusual, said that there is a sergeant on the other side and I have to wait till he comes. I knew bloody well that there won't be anyone and sensed that this fellow was expecting some money. I then told 'Stop messing around. How much do you want? He said "give me 50 Rs". I said "fine. I am giving it because I don't want to waste my time in talking to useless people like you. Let this money be of no use to you". I gave a 100 Rs note and he gave me back 50 Rs. He kept his words. I just shouted at him on not being able to stop vehicles like MTC buses, lorries, trucks, cars who also violate, but he is capable of stopping only motorists and exploit.
I had to cool down myself before starting back thinking that I have paid money to a government employee which will be of some help to him and according to him, the amount received may not be referred to by the word 'bribe'. I was really happy about one thing - that I had shouted at him madly, and put some embarrassing questions which is the maximum I can do at that situation.
While this conversation was taking place, an auto just zipped past (violating the signal) and this fellow tried to stop him which is next to impossible. He then came back to me, asked for my license and noted (or should I say scribbled) the number in a paper that he seem to be carrying for long years.
He asusual, said that there is a sergeant on the other side and I have to wait till he comes. I knew bloody well that there won't be anyone and sensed that this fellow was expecting some money. I then told 'Stop messing around. How much do you want? He said "give me 50 Rs". I said "fine. I am giving it because I don't want to waste my time in talking to useless people like you. Let this money be of no use to you". I gave a 100 Rs note and he gave me back 50 Rs. He kept his words. I just shouted at him on not being able to stop vehicles like MTC buses, lorries, trucks, cars who also violate, but he is capable of stopping only motorists and exploit.
I had to cool down myself before starting back thinking that I have paid money to a government employee which will be of some help to him and according to him, the amount received may not be referred to by the word 'bribe'. I was really happy about one thing - that I had shouted at him madly, and put some embarrassing questions which is the maximum I can do at that situation.
Monday, March 20, 2006
When my 75 year old father says 'Sachin Tendulkar is of no use to the team' ...
My father has never been a keen follower of cricket, but still, whenever India plays, he sits for few hours and watches and tends to blast at the players when our team loses the match without a fight. Today, in the third test match against England at Mumbai, after watching India slowly pulling off the follow-on, courtesy Dravid and Dhoni and then nudging close to 280 with key contribution from Kumble and Sreeshanth, my father remarked "If Munaf Patel can score 7 runs which included a boundary, then bloody, why Sachin manages just one run of 21 deliveries and got out to a nothing ball?" This clearly shows the angish people are getting over Sachin's continous and consistent failures.
Is it time that Greg Chappell says to Tendulkar - "Look, you have not been playing well and it is increasing the pressure on the team. I think it is time for you to step down." He did this to Ganguly and the people supported his decision and frankness in doing so. Will he do the same to Sachin?
The remuneration for players representing Team India is Rs 2.50 lakhs for a Test and Rs 1.85 lakhs an ODI on foreign tours and Rs 2 lakhs a Test and Rs 1.60 lakhs an ODI for a home series. This is not out of my hat - but from the Sportstar magazine. Check out the link - http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss2907/stories/20060218001001700.htm to read in detail
The way Dravid is playing, the amount of consistency he is showing, I don't remember when was the last time he got out on a low score. At the same time, I don't remember when Sachin made a healthy contribution to the Indian score. Their scoring pattern has been at either ends of spectrum. Sachin's 35th century came against Srilanka, a side that was low in confidence and the innings was such a slow and painstaking I have ever watched. It was equivalent to the century made by Ganguly against Zimbabwe just before he was removed from the team.
It is time for Sachin to honour his own statement - "I will step aside when I feel that I have become a burden to the team". You have certainly entertained this game and played some great innings when you were so young, the type of innings many couldn't even think off.
He still seem to have something left in his one day cricket. But the time has come for a great cricketer like him to retire from Test cricket.
Is it time that Greg Chappell says to Tendulkar - "Look, you have not been playing well and it is increasing the pressure on the team. I think it is time for you to step down." He did this to Ganguly and the people supported his decision and frankness in doing so. Will he do the same to Sachin?
The remuneration for players representing Team India is Rs 2.50 lakhs for a Test and Rs 1.85 lakhs an ODI on foreign tours and Rs 2 lakhs a Test and Rs 1.60 lakhs an ODI for a home series. This is not out of my hat - but from the Sportstar magazine. Check out the link - http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss2907/stories/20060218001001700.htm to read in detail
The way Dravid is playing, the amount of consistency he is showing, I don't remember when was the last time he got out on a low score. At the same time, I don't remember when Sachin made a healthy contribution to the Indian score. Their scoring pattern has been at either ends of spectrum. Sachin's 35th century came against Srilanka, a side that was low in confidence and the innings was such a slow and painstaking I have ever watched. It was equivalent to the century made by Ganguly against Zimbabwe just before he was removed from the team.
It is time for Sachin to honour his own statement - "I will step aside when I feel that I have become a burden to the team". You have certainly entertained this game and played some great innings when you were so young, the type of innings many couldn't even think off.
He still seem to have something left in his one day cricket. But the time has come for a great cricketer like him to retire from Test cricket.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Rang De Basanti - Message - kill all corrupt politicians
Rang De Basanti or 'Colours of Spring' - a blend of pre-independence and modern times, reminding the audience that the time is still ripe to clean up Indian political system. If possible, watch the movie 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' before you watch RDB.
RDB takes the backdrop of Flight Lt. Abhijeet Gadgil, who died due to a MIG 21 flight malfunction in a routine take-off exercise. The first half of the movie presents a completely playful mood. The group of collge students reluctantly agree to do a documentary on Bhagat Singh.
The movie gets into a serious tone when this group of people sit down to watch the full documentary. They are overcome by the mental make-up of the freedom fighters whose role they donned. They start talking about doing something, but then the conviction to take it forward keeps them away.
The news Lt.Col.Ajay's death during his routine MIG 21 take-off and the defense minister getting a clean chit comes as a shock. The rest of the story is about how thse people plan the killing of minister, sacrifice their life before broadcasting their ideals to the public and how that stirs the entire nation. It is bit disappointing to see the young men sacrificing their lives, but their mission to spread the message of corruption and to do something for the country stands out.
Good music by AR Rahman and lyrics by the ad-man Prasoon Joshi keeping up with the situation and adjusting the tempo. RDB might get positioned as a cult movie of this generation - no family drama, no cinematic stunts and no lengthy dialogs.
Hope this movie drives few people conscience - one need not sacrifice their life, but at least try not to disrespect the sacrifices made.
RDB takes the backdrop of Flight Lt. Abhijeet Gadgil, who died due to a MIG 21 flight malfunction in a routine take-off exercise. The first half of the movie presents a completely playful mood. The group of collge students reluctantly agree to do a documentary on Bhagat Singh.
The movie gets into a serious tone when this group of people sit down to watch the full documentary. They are overcome by the mental make-up of the freedom fighters whose role they donned. They start talking about doing something, but then the conviction to take it forward keeps them away.
The news Lt.Col.Ajay's death during his routine MIG 21 take-off and the defense minister getting a clean chit comes as a shock. The rest of the story is about how thse people plan the killing of minister, sacrifice their life before broadcasting their ideals to the public and how that stirs the entire nation. It is bit disappointing to see the young men sacrificing their lives, but their mission to spread the message of corruption and to do something for the country stands out.
Good music by AR Rahman and lyrics by the ad-man Prasoon Joshi keeping up with the situation and adjusting the tempo. RDB might get positioned as a cult movie of this generation - no family drama, no cinematic stunts and no lengthy dialogs.
Hope this movie drives few people conscience - one need not sacrifice their life, but at least try not to disrespect the sacrifices made.
Movie Review: Legend of Bhagat Singh
Although the movie came cose to 3 years back, I took up writing on this after seeing RDB. Bhagat Singh and Chandrasekar Azad - the two men who struck terror in the hearts of British Empire, though finally succumbing to the British power, almost showed the British how powerful revolutionaries can be.
If one ever likes to see a movie on Independence struggle and the sacrifices made, he or she should watch this movie.
Ajay Devgan suits into the role of Bhagat Singh, the perfect match when he wears the hat and sports the mouse tail size trademark moustache. The music is directed by A.R.Rahman and of all the songs, “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Ab Hamare Dil Mein Hai…” set in Desh raga stands out. The movie is directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, who aptly ends the movie asking the question whether the sacrifices made by Bhagat Singh stands relevant when the country is gripped with corrupt politicians and scandals.
If you are interested in knowing about these heroes – visit the site which I stumbled upon - http://www.shahidbhagatsingh.org
Jaihind
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
"Dishyum" - Story of a Stuntman and a Sculptor
A character who risks his life performing stunts for movies, a girl who believes in boy-girl friendship and with them throw in few family emotions, stunt scenes, decent comedy, and a mix of melody, folk and disco style songs.
The good things about the movie is about showing the hardships a person undergoes as a stunt artist. Another pleasing aspect of this film is that there is no gravity defying fight sequences, which is good and different from few of the Tamil movies where the 40 plus actors flying and hitting 16 people at a time.
The two songs - "Nenchankootil neeye nirkirai..." set in a melodious tone and "Dialomma dialomma .." set in a disco style were appealing. The other numbers were also good except that for the pain of listening to a Hindi playback singer rendering 'Kitta Irangivaada ..." a dabbanguthu. The songs is sung by Sukwinder Singh (Chaiyya Chaiyya of Dil Se fame). God only knows why our Tamil music directors get these kind of idea and why those people too agree for the sake of money. "Dishyum" is the story of conflict between friendship and love, the later finally winning over.
The good things about the movie is about showing the hardships a person undergoes as a stunt artist. Another pleasing aspect of this film is that there is no gravity defying fight sequences, which is good and different from few of the Tamil movies where the 40 plus actors flying and hitting 16 people at a time.
The two songs - "Nenchankootil neeye nirkirai..." set in a melodious tone and "Dialomma dialomma .." set in a disco style were appealing. The other numbers were also good except that for the pain of listening to a Hindi playback singer rendering 'Kitta Irangivaada ..." a dabbanguthu. The songs is sung by Sukwinder Singh (Chaiyya Chaiyya of Dil Se fame). God only knows why our Tamil music directors get these kind of idea and why those people too agree for the sake of money. "Dishyum" is the story of conflict between friendship and love, the later finally winning over.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
BCCI - Board for Complete Comedy in India
The inherent quality that a cricketer or non-cricketer gets after being elected as a selection committee member of BCCI is that they get mentally out of balance with immediate effect and transform themselves into a Jekyl and Hyde personality. Remember that one DOESN'T need to have played cricket for being a selection committee member. All he needs is to have good rapport with the BCCI president.
Kiran More drew much praise when he dropped Ganguly for the ODI home series against SL as it was believed that Ganguly was the only one to blame as he made public his spat with Chappel.
The day before the test team against SL was announced, Kiran More was reportedly saying that Sourav wasn't playing well in the recent past and been sluggish in the batting department. But the next day, Kiran More did a splendid volte-face. Ganguly was in the 15 member team when announced and Kiran More was saying that Ganguly's experience and his quality test records paved the way for his selection. This was as close to being ridiculous.
And then the BCCI elections came. The new selection committee dropped Ganguly. It evoked lot of protest. For the third test, Ganguly was again picked !! so that the ODI match at Kolkatta happens as per plans without any protests.
Ganguly scored decently in the third and final test against Lanka, better than Sachin's snail paced 35th hundred. Ganguly was selected for Pakistan tour. Kiran More was cited saying that Ganguly's vast experience could be valuable.
Ganguly couldn't get to bat in the first test as Sehwag and Dravid played till the end of the match. Ganguly wasn't picked for the second test to accommodate a fifth bowler. In the third test, when every other Indian batsman failed, Ganguly and Yuvraj alone showed some class and made decent scores. Ganguly was not out overnight when the selection of ODI team got announced. No place for Ganguly. He hasn't got a chance to play in that series and was batting at an overnight score, building an innings, but the selectors still decided to axe. A predetermined step.
Ganguly did just one mistake - he made public his argument with Chappal which resulted in a series of events that finally resulted in Ganguly being indirectly given retirement. But in the case of Ganguly, I feel that the BCCI insulted him beyond the limits, dishonoring him as a person and as captain, who brought and instilled fighting qualities in the Indian team. The people of India may not remember BCCI much, but will surely remember Ganguly.
Kiran More drew much praise when he dropped Ganguly for the ODI home series against SL as it was believed that Ganguly was the only one to blame as he made public his spat with Chappel.
The day before the test team against SL was announced, Kiran More was reportedly saying that Sourav wasn't playing well in the recent past and been sluggish in the batting department. But the next day, Kiran More did a splendid volte-face. Ganguly was in the 15 member team when announced and Kiran More was saying that Ganguly's experience and his quality test records paved the way for his selection. This was as close to being ridiculous.
And then the BCCI elections came. The new selection committee dropped Ganguly. It evoked lot of protest. For the third test, Ganguly was again picked !! so that the ODI match at Kolkatta happens as per plans without any protests.
Ganguly scored decently in the third and final test against Lanka, better than Sachin's snail paced 35th hundred. Ganguly was selected for Pakistan tour. Kiran More was cited saying that Ganguly's vast experience could be valuable.
Ganguly couldn't get to bat in the first test as Sehwag and Dravid played till the end of the match. Ganguly wasn't picked for the second test to accommodate a fifth bowler. In the third test, when every other Indian batsman failed, Ganguly and Yuvraj alone showed some class and made decent scores. Ganguly was not out overnight when the selection of ODI team got announced. No place for Ganguly. He hasn't got a chance to play in that series and was batting at an overnight score, building an innings, but the selectors still decided to axe. A predetermined step.
Ganguly did just one mistake - he made public his argument with Chappal which resulted in a series of events that finally resulted in Ganguly being indirectly given retirement. But in the case of Ganguly, I feel that the BCCI insulted him beyond the limits, dishonoring him as a person and as captain, who brought and instilled fighting qualities in the Indian team. The people of India may not remember BCCI much, but will surely remember Ganguly.
Monday, February 20, 2006
51 Crores for a dead man's head
The immature announcement made by a minsiter of UP government on the Prophet cartoon row would have shaken everyone in the world, even some in his own community.
Does the minister know how many zeros are there in a crore? In one of my earlier article on the Sethu Samudram project, I have explained in detail the simple mathematics. Let us take the practical situation when some one actually kills the Danish cartoonist and produces the head (dripping with blood) to the minister. Now, the question comes on how he will give the reward. I am sure the salaried and lower class people in India would certainly raise their eye-brow on the money the minister should be having to announce such a huge reward. Apart from that, he is also giving equivalent weight in gold to the man who is performing this brilliant work.
These kind of childish statements by a minister shows that he wants to keep his community people provoked and their focus diverted from critical day-to-day issues that are pending to be addressed in the state. Let the people be awake and not waste their time by following his advice.
Does the minister know how many zeros are there in a crore? In one of my earlier article on the Sethu Samudram project, I have explained in detail the simple mathematics. Let us take the practical situation when some one actually kills the Danish cartoonist and produces the head (dripping with blood) to the minister. Now, the question comes on how he will give the reward. I am sure the salaried and lower class people in India would certainly raise their eye-brow on the money the minister should be having to announce such a huge reward. Apart from that, he is also giving equivalent weight in gold to the man who is performing this brilliant work.
These kind of childish statements by a minister shows that he wants to keep his community people provoked and their focus diverted from critical day-to-day issues that are pending to be addressed in the state. Let the people be awake and not waste their time by following his advice.
Cartoon controversy & MF Hussain
The recent cartoon on the prophet by a Danish newspaper has created widespread protest among the Muslim community. The Muslims have every right to condemn the cartoon as they consider depicting prophet in a wrong way is a punishable offense. Though I respect the sentiments on wrong portraits, let me throw open few controversial things which surely will make one think on why Hindus too can't involve in such protest.
The first issue is about the painter M.F.Hussain. He claims himself as an artist and has been insulting Hindu goddess of worship in the name of paintingg. Why can't the Hindus also reward similar to the one as announced by the Imam on Salman Rushdie or the recent case of UP minister offering 51 crores for the head of the cartoonist?? Are Hindus taken for granted? We don't require a painter who doesn't care to respect other religion sentiments. If the Muslims feel sensitive about portraying Prophet, then MF Hussain dare not provoke Hindus. Let him go to hell with his painting and his Maduri Dixit obsession.
The first issue is about the painter M.F.Hussain. He claims himself as an artist and has been insulting Hindu goddess of worship in the name of paintingg. Why can't the Hindus also reward similar to the one as announced by the Imam on Salman Rushdie or the recent case of UP minister offering 51 crores for the head of the cartoonist?? Are Hindus taken for granted? We don't require a painter who doesn't care to respect other religion sentiments. If the Muslims feel sensitive about portraying Prophet, then MF Hussain dare not provoke Hindus. Let him go to hell with his painting and his Maduri Dixit obsession.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Indian PM Mr.Manmohan Singh at crossroads!
This picture appeared sometime back in Deccan Chronicle supplement. It seems to truly present the state of Indian PM with his ministers.
Caption: Indian PM caught between two ________
Given the current quality of politicians, you may fill in with any word you want. You may discover that the most derogatory word sounds and suits much better.
PS: The Actual meeting is for signing a MoU for preparing the Ken-Betwa link project report by Madhya Pradesh CM Babalul Gaur and UP CM Mulayam Singh.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Cleaning up Indian political system
I have aired the below views purely as a patriotic Indian whose blood boils like every other Indian seeing the quality of politicians and how rotten the whole system has become that it has reached a stage where it has gone beyond hopes of restoring honesty, dignity and concept of service. We have a half-a-thousand idiots sitting and eating the tax-payers money.
To me, the Dec 13 attack on parliament was the biggest opportunity we ever had to clean up this political system. Few security guards who sacrificed their lives fighting out the terrorist, did their duty as per their training, preventing the terrorist from getting into the parliament house when almost 80% of elected idiots were present. But if they been little sensible, they could have allowed the men to get inside, and then nabbed by circling the whole building. They (terrorist) are suicide attackers and so they would have committed suicide instead of getting caught. But this was the best possible chance that we ever got to clean up. Yes, there could have been deaths of some gentleman politician – who have always worked for the people, have not misused their power, have not received single penny as bribe, lived a simple life, but they would have gone down in history as who sacrificed their life similar to what great freedom fighters did to this country.
To me, the Dec 13 attack on parliament was the biggest opportunity we ever had to clean up this political system. Few security guards who sacrificed their lives fighting out the terrorist, did their duty as per their training, preventing the terrorist from getting into the parliament house when almost 80% of elected idiots were present. But if they been little sensible, they could have allowed the men to get inside, and then nabbed by circling the whole building. They (terrorist) are suicide attackers and so they would have committed suicide instead of getting caught. But this was the best possible chance that we ever got to clean up. Yes, there could have been deaths of some gentleman politician – who have always worked for the people, have not misused their power, have not received single penny as bribe, lived a simple life, but they would have gone down in history as who sacrificed their life similar to what great freedom fighters did to this country.
One has to be a VIP to get darshan (of Lord Ranganatha) at Srirangam temple
I was a little skeptical when I started writing about this as a prickly feeling ran through my mind that I am going to write about the temple in India which still attracts major crowd, probably second to Tirupathi. I was born, brought up, educated in the city of Trichy and had been regularly going to the temple at an average of once a week (till I was in my college). Looking now at the increasing malpractices being committed by the temple authorities, I have to admit that the temple is being grossly mismanaged with its funds.
It is sad that the deity which is the only one to have been worshipped and sung in praise by 11 azwars (Tirupathi is next with 10 azwars) is in such a bad state that it has become a VIP temple and not a temple for common man. For the millions of devotees and rupees that are poured in by the people, the temple can be managed in a much better way.
One needs to have special rapport with the temple authorities to get to worship the main deity, Lord Ranganatha, more than his / her devotion. It will be a rare occasion if an individual gets to worship by paying the nominal fee as specified.
During the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival, apart from the indiscipline that people exhibit, acting with little common sense and throw an artificial display of bhakthi, the ad-hoc arrangements by the temple to regulate the queue adds woes. On this day, people who couldn’t get to go in the early morning auspicious hours, tend to go in the afternoon. A special fee of 50 is charged (which might increase next year without any reason) and without any mercy, the people will be asked to wait coolly even for 2-3 hours to catch the glimpse of the deity. Two years back, on this same occasion, four of us went to experience the vaikunta ekadasi by paying up 200 Rs per head. The funny part was that the temple authorities didn’t had a clue on the number of such tickets issued. We were asked to be in by 1 AM (early morning) and without planning and foreseeing the number of people who can be accommodated in the small enclosure, they kept on allowing the people who had the tickets. It was almost 4.30 AM and almost after frantic crying and shouting by the people in our section due to suffocation, they opened the gate to allow us inside. The cruelest part is that people who buy this ticket is supposed to go through a pain-less worship!!
The above is not just a one-off incident, but a regular feature of Srirangam temple. You have to be a VIP and then you get all the respects. If you are able to pay a huge amount (in terms of lakhs probably), they might even bring the lord to your house for a special worship. The temple has become a business house and sadly, unlike Tirupathi, there is no accountability and responsibilities for the atrocities being committed. When large number of people would be waiting for hours in the queue, a VIP (of all the reasons, he will be cine actor) will walk in casually with his brigade and he will be accosted by the authorities themselves ignoring the poor people. One can accept the reason if the VIP is a religious scholar or a great personality, but why on earth the temple should allow someone because he happens to be a cine personality?
I feel that the recent flood alert is just a warning from the deity himself on the growing atrocities in the temple. The day of punishment is not too far away for those who had been earning the hatred of common public. Srirangam is no more a temple for the public, but becoming a private temple with no one to question the management.
It is sad that the deity which is the only one to have been worshipped and sung in praise by 11 azwars (Tirupathi is next with 10 azwars) is in such a bad state that it has become a VIP temple and not a temple for common man. For the millions of devotees and rupees that are poured in by the people, the temple can be managed in a much better way.
One needs to have special rapport with the temple authorities to get to worship the main deity, Lord Ranganatha, more than his / her devotion. It will be a rare occasion if an individual gets to worship by paying the nominal fee as specified.
During the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival, apart from the indiscipline that people exhibit, acting with little common sense and throw an artificial display of bhakthi, the ad-hoc arrangements by the temple to regulate the queue adds woes. On this day, people who couldn’t get to go in the early morning auspicious hours, tend to go in the afternoon. A special fee of 50 is charged (which might increase next year without any reason) and without any mercy, the people will be asked to wait coolly even for 2-3 hours to catch the glimpse of the deity. Two years back, on this same occasion, four of us went to experience the vaikunta ekadasi by paying up 200 Rs per head. The funny part was that the temple authorities didn’t had a clue on the number of such tickets issued. We were asked to be in by 1 AM (early morning) and without planning and foreseeing the number of people who can be accommodated in the small enclosure, they kept on allowing the people who had the tickets. It was almost 4.30 AM and almost after frantic crying and shouting by the people in our section due to suffocation, they opened the gate to allow us inside. The cruelest part is that people who buy this ticket is supposed to go through a pain-less worship!!
The above is not just a one-off incident, but a regular feature of Srirangam temple. You have to be a VIP and then you get all the respects. If you are able to pay a huge amount (in terms of lakhs probably), they might even bring the lord to your house for a special worship. The temple has become a business house and sadly, unlike Tirupathi, there is no accountability and responsibilities for the atrocities being committed. When large number of people would be waiting for hours in the queue, a VIP (of all the reasons, he will be cine actor) will walk in casually with his brigade and he will be accosted by the authorities themselves ignoring the poor people. One can accept the reason if the VIP is a religious scholar or a great personality, but why on earth the temple should allow someone because he happens to be a cine personality?
I feel that the recent flood alert is just a warning from the deity himself on the growing atrocities in the temple. The day of punishment is not too far away for those who had been earning the hatred of common public. Srirangam is no more a temple for the public, but becoming a private temple with no one to question the management.
Paying tax and filing returns
Dear Mr.Chidambaram
I fully agree to your point that it is the foremost duty of every citizen to declare their income and pay up the taxes properly. It is very heartening indeed to note the steps being taken by you to uncover the black money. But do you honestly think this make the people realize and declare their proper income every year and thus make a better India?
Have you ever thought of asking your politician friends to declare their income which would suffice this nation for at least another 5 years without collecting any tax from ordinary and salaried citizens? If the politician b****** (starting with letter ‘b’ could also be bigwigs) are coughed up, the revenue to the government would be to such an extent that it can catapult India’s treasury.
You are only targeting the salaried individuals who do pay taxes properly and often they are the ones who are burdened with additional revenues to the politician pockets - in the name of relief fund for floods, earthquakes and natural calamities. You don’t mind asking the state government when they request 1000 crores as relief fund (on how it is proposed to be used) for natural disaster aftermath. Has the government at least once tried to find out how the funds have been used and whether the affected people have been really benefited?
Every time, a disaster strikes, the relief is always sanctioned in the order of crores without evaluating, because the people who approve very well know that they will get sufficient commission and strike a handsome deal. By the time, the money is on the verge of reaching common man, it would have got diluted by so called peoples’ representatives (in the name of ministers) acting as middle men for swindling money for their own personal use. And no government dares to question the use of the sanctioned money because everyone in the line got their lions share.
Oh how ridiculous was the proposed policy to levy 10% of transaction fee for every 10000 withdrawal from savings account? Mr.PC - only the common man has their savings in bank account. People who swindle money do not keep them in SBI or other nationalized or private banks. God luckily gave you that insight and at the last minute, you changed it to current account. But pray, among all the people, what made you hit upon that strange idea of 10% will be a mystery for ever.
As a first step, can you please make your politician friends to declare their income and pay up taxes and also reduce the amount of luxury you people enjoy being ministers and secretaries? Starting from air traveling concessions, you people enjoy almost everything to telephone bills, and electricity bills. And it doesn’t stop when you are in power. The president of India, after retirement from office, still enjoys the best life and comforts and his house is excluded from any CBI raids. Wonder why there is no retirement age for politicians which will at least stop the money swindling to an extent.
There is no way you can expect the people to be honest when you politicians, self-claimed as “honest and clean”, start discharging the duties that were promised during election campaigns. You can’t make a better India when we have politician, with many of them with criminal records and still get re-elected every time.
- View of a patriotic, sincere and tax-paying Indian
I fully agree to your point that it is the foremost duty of every citizen to declare their income and pay up the taxes properly. It is very heartening indeed to note the steps being taken by you to uncover the black money. But do you honestly think this make the people realize and declare their proper income every year and thus make a better India?
Have you ever thought of asking your politician friends to declare their income which would suffice this nation for at least another 5 years without collecting any tax from ordinary and salaried citizens? If the politician b****** (starting with letter ‘b’ could also be bigwigs) are coughed up, the revenue to the government would be to such an extent that it can catapult India’s treasury.
You are only targeting the salaried individuals who do pay taxes properly and often they are the ones who are burdened with additional revenues to the politician pockets - in the name of relief fund for floods, earthquakes and natural calamities. You don’t mind asking the state government when they request 1000 crores as relief fund (on how it is proposed to be used) for natural disaster aftermath. Has the government at least once tried to find out how the funds have been used and whether the affected people have been really benefited?
Every time, a disaster strikes, the relief is always sanctioned in the order of crores without evaluating, because the people who approve very well know that they will get sufficient commission and strike a handsome deal. By the time, the money is on the verge of reaching common man, it would have got diluted by so called peoples’ representatives (in the name of ministers) acting as middle men for swindling money for their own personal use. And no government dares to question the use of the sanctioned money because everyone in the line got their lions share.
Oh how ridiculous was the proposed policy to levy 10% of transaction fee for every 10000 withdrawal from savings account? Mr.PC - only the common man has their savings in bank account. People who swindle money do not keep them in SBI or other nationalized or private banks. God luckily gave you that insight and at the last minute, you changed it to current account. But pray, among all the people, what made you hit upon that strange idea of 10% will be a mystery for ever.
As a first step, can you please make your politician friends to declare their income and pay up taxes and also reduce the amount of luxury you people enjoy being ministers and secretaries? Starting from air traveling concessions, you people enjoy almost everything to telephone bills, and electricity bills. And it doesn’t stop when you are in power. The president of India, after retirement from office, still enjoys the best life and comforts and his house is excluded from any CBI raids. Wonder why there is no retirement age for politicians which will at least stop the money swindling to an extent.
There is no way you can expect the people to be honest when you politicians, self-claimed as “honest and clean”, start discharging the duties that were promised during election campaigns. You can’t make a better India when we have politician, with many of them with criminal records and still get re-elected every time.
- View of a patriotic, sincere and tax-paying Indian
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Cyclists on Indian roads – bane to the country
I had been thinking of writing an article on this, but somehow kept prolonging. Today, a rush of blood, forced me to write.
Today while crossing the road by foot at Mylapore Luz signal, I was almost hit by a cyclist who was going in a direction for which he didn’t have the green signal. He came from nowhere and gave me a stare as though it was me who tried to violate the signal. I just shouted and cursed at him and he replied me with the most polite word used in Chennai (starts with B…) and carried on. I was fuming for few seconds and then calmed myself that ‘we are like this only’. I slowly reconciled myself that I should not be having this rush of blood when someone violates because it is me who gets affected mentally and it spoils rest of my day thinking about that. All I should be saying hereafter when similar things happen is to keep my cool and just curse our country's fate and continue walking or driving.
I agree that motorists also do violate some of these, but the number of people who do is negligible compared to cyclists.
Today, the reckless cyclists have created such an impact that even law abiding people irrespective of their age always have an apprehension that a cyclist could ram into them from anywhere.
Being a cyclist, it is of the greatest advantage in a city like Chennai. He
need not have any kind of document to prove that the vehicle belongs to him
can drive on any side of the road
need not treat one-way differently
need not have lights and if it is there, need not be switched on. It is for the others to watch and drive
can violate signals
can escape even if he gets caught by traffic police - the maximum they do is flatten the cycle's tyre or detain him for some time
doesn’t have to respect anyone on the road
can quickly project his arm and move whichever side he wishes to go.
need not have bell installed and can signal all his requirements using his mouth as whistle.
The cyclists little realize the risk they are taking by doing all these kind of violations. I wonder how come, in spite of all these, the number of accidents involving cyclists is low.
There are only two solutions – either the cyclists should reform themselves, which is near impossible or they deserved to be hit on the spot moment they violate –using your vehicle itself or whatever weapons you can lay your hands upon. If that can teach other cyclists a lesson to obey the law, it can be thought of as the best solution in today’s scenario.
Can't help quoting the dialogue in the famous movie Nayagan - "Naalu peruku nallathu pandrathuna, entha karyamum thappu illa"; translates to "No job is a bad job if it does good to few people".
Today while crossing the road by foot at Mylapore Luz signal, I was almost hit by a cyclist who was going in a direction for which he didn’t have the green signal. He came from nowhere and gave me a stare as though it was me who tried to violate the signal. I just shouted and cursed at him and he replied me with the most polite word used in Chennai (starts with B…) and carried on. I was fuming for few seconds and then calmed myself that ‘we are like this only’. I slowly reconciled myself that I should not be having this rush of blood when someone violates because it is me who gets affected mentally and it spoils rest of my day thinking about that. All I should be saying hereafter when similar things happen is to keep my cool and just curse our country's fate and continue walking or driving.
I agree that motorists also do violate some of these, but the number of people who do is negligible compared to cyclists.
Today, the reckless cyclists have created such an impact that even law abiding people irrespective of their age always have an apprehension that a cyclist could ram into them from anywhere.
Being a cyclist, it is of the greatest advantage in a city like Chennai. He
The cyclists little realize the risk they are taking by doing all these kind of violations. I wonder how come, in spite of all these, the number of accidents involving cyclists is low.
There are only two solutions – either the cyclists should reform themselves, which is near impossible or they deserved to be hit on the spot moment they violate –using your vehicle itself or whatever weapons you can lay your hands upon. If that can teach other cyclists a lesson to obey the law, it can be thought of as the best solution in today’s scenario.
Can't help quoting the dialogue in the famous movie Nayagan - "Naalu peruku nallathu pandrathuna, entha karyamum thappu illa"; translates to "No job is a bad job if it does good to few people".
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