Sreedharan Retires - Visionary beyond doubt

This post is small tribute to the visionary called E Sreedharan who retires on 31st December 2011 as the Head of Delhi Metro. He would hand over the reins to Mr. Mangu Singh, a great responsibility to shoulder I must say.

E Sreedharan changed the way people travel in Delhi, a visionary who laid foundation of one of the finest piece of infrastructure at the most appropriate time. It was hard to imagine Commonwealth Games without Delhi Metro ! Delhi had a virtually non existent public transport system which was evident from the dubious record of  highest number of four wheeled vehicles across all Metros in India. The only public transport were the Blue line Buses and DTC Buses which were not preferred by the elite or babus of Delhi.

The greatness of this man is not in his Engineering acumen which is by far the best but also the administrative skills demonstrated by him to handle bureaucracy across state and central governments in Delhi. Issues like land acquisition which are the prime constraint for any form of development were solved by him at mind boggling speed.

We must also salute the Indian Railways who gave him an opportunity to hone his skills as a Civil Engineer in his younger days. We must not forget that the bulk of team members from the Delhi Metro have come from Indian Railways. We have the necessary skill set, it just takes a man like E Sreedharan to bring out the best in them and an opportunity to show case them.

I take pride in the fact that I am amongst the select few who has seen this man face to face and shake hands with him. This opportunity was bestowed upon me while I was part of the team which executed the Civil works for Mandi House Metro station. He would surely not remember a lesser mortal like me but his presence was highly inspirational and motivated the entire work force.

To top this achievement we have his impeccably and  unblemished image. Not a single allegation of corruption or improper way of managing funds worth crores of rupees. We have many things to learn from great men, he showed that we can change things in India as well. Nothing is impossible, we only need tremendous will power and ability to think beyond horizons.

India produced one of the best Civil Engineers in the world Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya and I have no hesitation to add that E Sreedharan is second only to him. One thing I must say, he failed to develop a successor who could shoulder his legacy and carry forward the good work done by him.  

Changing Cities merging Identities

I visited Indore couple of weeks ago, to be precise the same day when Sehwag cracked a double ton in the One Day Cricket match against the West Indies. Indore seemed to just like Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai or Delhi. It had lost its originality. I was walking on the main road, near Bombay Hospital and I felt I am on the Pune Nagar Road, near the Airport, or near In Orbit Mall in Mumbai, or near EDM, New Delhi. It all seems to be the same. The more things change the more they become (remain ) the same.
Big wide roads, full of pot holes and dust. Abutting these roads, there are huge multiplexes which were replica of the ones which are seen in other cities. Box type structures with glass panels and Alicobond sheets on their facade. Big Bazar, Vishal Mega Mart, Nokia Priority Dealers, Adidas, Nike , Reebok, Cantabil... the list  is endless. You simply cannot make out whether you are in Indore or Ahmedabad or Lucknow; it is all the same.
Blame it on our Town Planners who fail to show any sense of originality or Architects who blindly and without any shame keep on doing their copy paste works to build replica after replica.  After few years we may not have any diversity left, rather its would be the same boring scenes all around, be it Mumbai, Delhi, Pune , Indore or Ahmedabad. 

Anna again

I am writing after a long time, had many things to write but was travelling non stop, add to it did not have a laptop. Now it is Anna Hazare once again, now this gentleman is going to fast in Mumbai. May be he could not enact his high profile drama in Delhi. Developed Cold Feet I guess ! It is rather disturbing that this man wants his own version of Lokpal, as if it a final solution to all the problems in India. Team Anna is behaving as if they are the only saviours and know everything under the Sun, nobody else can decide how the Lokpal Bill is to be drafted. The Legislature is empowered by the people, it has framed some Legislation, accept it, suggest changes. But this man wants it his own way, giving scant regard to any other thought process. This is plain Autocracy. He does not have the courage to convince politicians, get elected and then bring in reforms. He does not have any mandate except for few sycophants who have nothing better to do in life. Anna and his team is more interested in creating a big scene and hence this time they have planned to sit down for a fast in Mumbai. 

Anna had the audacity to knock the doors of the Mumbai High Court and seek concession for using the MMRDA Grounds for their high profile drama. Common sense prevailed and the Courts came down heavily on their demand seeking concession. It is the biggest paradox, you criticize the Government, go to the same Government seeking concession for fasting on the MMRDA Ground. If you want to undertake a Satyagraha why do you need such a big ground, just sit inside your house and fast till you wish. But no, this man wants publicity and more publicity.

Quoted from Times of India ...

Disapproving of the agitation despite the Lokpal Bill being tabled in Parliament, Justice Majmudar asked, "How is country's interest involved? We are a democratic set up. We have elected a government. Wouldn't your agitation interfere in the functioning of Parliament? The bill will be debated in Parliament where our elected representatives will plead our case".

The court further said that as judges they have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution and law. "Under which law are you (petitioner) asking for exemption? It might be Satyagraha for you but for some other factions it might be a nuisance," it said.

This old man is simply interested in furthering his own vested interests, publicity hungry thy name is Anna Hazare ! The High Court has thankfully upheld the Constitution and slapped them hard, who were behaving as if they are the only one who are interested in protecting the common man. Anna had started on a good note but his agitation has gone awry mid way for sure.

Advani's Jan Chetna Yatra

Mr. Advani simply cannot stop reinventing the wheel. He keeps on climbing the same dilapidated "Rath" (Chariot for the uninformed !) . He did it some 20 odd years ago and at that time it was a novelty, people were swayed and they followed Advani. 20 years down the line you cannot expect people to be overawed and charmed or fascinated by your appeals or yatra, especially when there is little substance remaining in it. BJP is equally corrupt and there is hardly anything to chose. Mr. Yedyurappa (or what ever way it is spelt ) from Karnataka had made the BJP hang its head in shame and hardly leaves anything for imagination. He was corrupt to the core had had not budged by the mounting pressure for his resignation . But when things became unmanageable he had to step down. How shameless a person can become, just watch our politicians. They simply do not have any fear because they know the people are tolerant, indifferent and would cause them no harm. It is indifference of the common man which gives these politicians the courage to indulge in scams and walk with their head held high amidst the Z Security which is provided at tax payers expense.
Mr. Advani please clean your own house before embarking upon your tattered "Rath" and preaching against corruption. We all know that before you die you want to become the Prime Minister, but I guess you have missed the bus ! Accept it.
Just happened to read, that Mr. Yedyurappa is complaining backache while he is in judicial custody,undergoes medical check up , gets mineral water to drink, magazines to read. Is he he being imprisoned or on a paid vacation. Really these news make me sick, very sick.

Planned Separation

Asking somebody to leave the organization under the garb of Planned Separation is really painful. Howsoever incompetent the person may be, you can see the pain in the eyes of the person when you ask him to leave the organization. But I guess that is life, survival of the fittest.
The Company does not give you a chance or runs on sympathy, like wise you are also free to leave the Company when an opportune time comes, Time and Tide wait for none.... I work for money, if you want loyalty hire a dog !! Several proverbs keep criss  crossing my mind, amidst the misty eyes of the individual who was the victim of planned separation.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR has become the new buzz world in business circles. I tried to understand the meaning and rationale behind this term and came to know it is way of giving back to the community by the business houses to the same community with whom you do business. Companies have now set up separate departments to undertake CSR, roped in the spouses of employees who want to do charity at the expense of the Company. Now this has become a new business in it self, undertaking charity, documenting it, advertising it and then claiming tax exemption for the money which was spent.
In the first place, you earn exorbitant profits for the services which are provided by you, price your products at unreasonable levels and then give back the same money which you earn and call it CSR. Why should you not run your business in a proper way, without cheating anybody, by earning reasonable sums of money ? But I guess then you cannot earn publicity, nor can you get tax benefits or have the privilege of lecturing people on the "Art of Giving"
Let common sense prevail, that is all I can expect

Where is Anna and Ramdev ?

People have a short term memory and this has been proved again. Suddenly Anna Hazare and Company with Baba Ramdev have gone into oblivion. What happened to Lokpal, what happened to corruption? Questions remain, without any answers. The Euphoria is over and every body is back to their own work.

Media is busy harping on some other story. I always wonder, where is corruption and what is it that we all are fighting for. As a common man if we try and sum up the number of bribes which we were forced to give in our life time then the figure may not even go to more than Rs. 10,000/ - ( as of 2011). The only places where a common man is "forced" to bribe or indulge in corrupt practice in his personal life is when he obtains a driving licence, passport and marriage certificate. I do not count the bribes which we pay to the police since they are invariably because we have some where broken the law and want to escape with milder punishment. If these are the only three known areas where I can think of corruption or to be honest have faced corruption, then what are these thousand of cores of rupees of corruption which everybody wants to end. Does the common man really know what is going on and what is he trying to stop.

Indeed there may be corruption while you do business, want to sell products, get contracts or want to win elections, run a political party, but again how closely is the common man associated with it. Lokpal Bill seems to be a strange case of corrupt people trying to stop corruption. Common man continues to be miles away from this entire drama , a silent spectator and an active participant ocassionaly when he is fooled and made to believe that he only can stop corruption! If Lokpal Bill is passed as it was contemplated by Anna Hazare or even Ramdev then would it discourage Businessmen or Agents from paying kick backs, would it prevent Horse Trading which takes place when Parliament is in session, Highly educated IAS Officers from taking money while giving away permission and sanctions ? I suppose none of this would stop nor would Lokpal be a deterrent.

Department of Posts have changed for good

Today I had the opportunity to visit the Post Office in Bengali Market, New Delhi. It was a pleasant surprise when I reached there, plush interiors, ample light, well ventilated, neat and clean, counters open at the designated time, above all an officer on duty to attend you with a smile. These things are quite unexpected from the Department of Posts, especially if you were to see the past history and also the way they have progressed (rather stayed the same) since inception. I was really very happy to note this welcome change and conveyed to the officer that I was really happy with this change and wished him good luck. He was also taken aback as he was not used to receiving compliments !  Iguess I made him smile and also his day.

People who have read and heard Pu La Deshpande (legendary Marathi Play Writer, Novelist, Actor etc etc. ) and his comments on "POSHT" would surely know what I am talking about. Pu La Deshpande had described the Post Office some Fifty odd years ago as poorly ventilated and dimly lit place, an officer whose face you could never see because of the manner in which the windows were designed. These things sadly never changed in all the fifty years and were the same across all over India whether it was Maharashtra, Gujarat , Delhi or Himachal Pradesh, urban or rural, the description held good and Pu La Deshpande would be smiling in the heavens that his description has stood the test of times.

When I saw the board which was on display, I came to know about "Project Arrow" under which the Post Office was renovated somewhere in November 2010. I was real taken aback since the place was very well maintained unlike other Public Property. Even after lapse of more than one year, Neat and clean, no pan stains. Apart from the occasional lapse which was the reason for many jokes in circulation, the efficiency of the Post Department is probably amongst the best and such welcome changes in the ambiances at Post Offices would surely attract more people to the Post Office. There are myriad and unbelievable things which you can do at the Post office apart from the conventional sending of letters. Just visit once and experience it for your own good.

I have overheard that the Department of Posts is now planning to obtain a full fledged licence to enter into Banking Business. It would be really great if it so happens for the rural populace since the local post office is the only connection which they have with the outside world.This model is running very well in France and I am sure it would run in a better way in India as well.

Anna's Drama - 16 August

Anna refuses to move out of Jail. Bloody hell why is he being pampered , just because some fools are moving around with candles. Just shove those candles behind them and then kick Anna out of Jail. This is one big drama which must end. Why the hell Anna is sitting inside Jail and who gave him the right to sit inside the jail. Just move out of jail and do whatever you want, be ready for the consequences. But Anna knows moving out of jail would deflate his drama, no outcome. He fears to have a healthy debate or discussion in the parliament. He just wants to push down the way he wants the Lokpal.  Does he have the sole right in India to decide how Lokpal Must Be ? He does not even have mandate of people behind him.
The ever judgmental media adds fire to this non existent matter, rather presenting the facts they have chosen to become judges in the present case. Brandish all politicians as crooks and hail Anna as Hero. Politicians are no doubt crooks, but they have the mandate of people behind them Creating an temporary uproar and seeking media attention on page 1 for consecutive few days is not the solution. We need to think over the issue, rather than moving around with candles without knowing the reason.  

Arrest and Release of Anna Hazare

Today Anna Hazare was arrested early in the morning from his residence in East Delhi. There was a huge uproar in the Assembly and opposition brought the proceedings to a dead end. They created a huge ruckus and lost a golden opportunity to corner the Government. This goes on to show that our democracy is still in its nascent stages and we are yet to mature. We do not understand what democracy is. Nobody has even bothered to question the opposition for their irresponsible and hegemonic behaviour.
Now the Govt. has offered to release Anna from the Tihar Jail. Now as a law student I fail to understand how  can and under what provisions the Govt is going to release him ? Just because of public pressure, then I must say that this is a bad precedent which is being set by the Government. Arrest anybody in the first place without any reason and thereafter release him without any due process of law. Release him just because of supporters pressurizing the Govt. I am of the firm opinion that the Politicians are crooks of the first degree but Anna Hazare is equally opportunistic and equally crooked man. He is making best use of the emotional drama which surrounds him. He also does not have a concrete agenda in front of him, nor does he have any plan. Oppose for the sake of opposing. Why is this man not allowing Lokpal in present form , he could have very well allowed it in present form, have a very healthy debate in the Parliament. The Bill could have been amended. But this man Anna is so self obsessed and we have fools surrounding him, shouting jindabad, who do not know what is next.
Moving around with candles, shouting slogans is not the end. How many of these so called youth, educated supporters know about Lokpal ? I am sure not more than handful of them. It is a sad day that we have fools shouting around for no valid reason, and we call it an agitation against corruption. I doubt if this uncontrolled emotional outburst is going to do any thing good.
I forgot to mention the news hungry channels, who are enjoying the most and keep on broadcasting the same message again and again. Nothing substantial comes out of these news. But they have to run 24 X 7 and atleast this seems to be a good fodder, better than showing some non existent breaking news of a dog being trapped in midst of a river!

Fall in Stock markets and prediction of pundits

The Indian stock market today plunged down to a new 52 week low and BSE closed at 17,350 and the NSE at 5,211. The markets closed with deep cuts due to fears of global recession and negative bias in European markets. Now what surprises me is the sudden outbursts of reactions from so called learned pundits and TV channels who now have started saying that the Stocks in India are priced at higher levels and we can see further corrections. Now this is getting funny like the predictions of MET Department. Nobody had ever predicted till yesterday night that the market would crash by more than 500 points in one single day. In fact just two days ago everybody was talking about a revival after Barack Obama agreed to sign some paper ... or God knows what. But that move from Obama had probably averted some crisis !!
The general tone when market is down ... is keep advising people that market is going to crash, keep on predicting some range. The moment market starts rising paint a rosy picture that we are going to reach levels of 21,000 on BSE. I am closely observing this nonsense since 2008.
Now these so called Experts, who read some chart movements, talk about stop loss, negative bias are very close relatives of the Meteorology Department  who never predict onset of any monsoon, cyclone or hurricanes. They simple say after it starts raining that it would continue for next 24 hours. That is what they are good at. I have never seen the Met Department in any part of the world to conclusively forecast any weather condition for that matter. All that they say that the same weather may continue for next 24 / 36 hours that to in some parts or isolated parts of the entire nation !!
So ... the bottom line, market crashes once again proving its cyclic nature, catching all the so called experts on wrong foot. Not surprised at all!   

Come Independence day... once again

15 August is just round the corner, but there is nothing in the air. May be it has lost its sheen, people have now started taking independence for granted as well. Familiarity breeds contempt. The only importance of 15th August is getting a public holiday, specially more important if you can connect it with a Sunday!
We now look forward to 15 August as an occasion to shop till our pockets are empty / card limits are exhausted at shopping malls, since they keep on offering discounts. These discounts are on products which we do not need but simply keep on buying because they are discounted and we have nothing worthwhile to do on Independence Day.
I also do not know what exactly, am I supposed to do on Independence Day, but one thing is for sure, I need to do something meaningful, something which we can all be proud about, make this day more meaningful.
The least which I can do is to attend a flag hoisting ceremony at my good old school ground, sing the national anthem in a clear and loud voice. Express my gratitude towards the nation for allowing me to express my thoughts freely, live a meaningful life.
15th August also brings back very fond memories of a blood donation camp which we had organized as part of Rotract Club in 1996 when I was in Walchand College, Sangli. It was my first blood donation and I was really very proud to do so. Thereafter I donated blood for a couple of times in Mumbai on 15th August. The practice has stopped since I moved to Delhi / Himachal. May be I should donate blood once again, or better If I can convince one more person to donate blood !!

Another blast rocks Mumbai, when shall we take action against culprits

Congress is heading the Centre as well as State Government in Maharashtra, so now they cannot pas on the buck for lack of security , support etc etc. So now all is okay put the blame on some "foreign insurgents" . I do not rule out this possibility but at the same time were we well equipped to avoid attack after attack at all our major cities. What evasive action have we taken to prevent attacks ?
Probably next to zero we just keep on blaming "Foreign Hand" in all the cases. We have shown time and again by taking a begging bowl in our hand and standing in front of Unitaed Nations, USA and other Counties asking them to declare Pakistan a terrorist state, we waste our time asking them to take action against Pakistan. We cannot even hang a criminal like Kasab, we keep on feeding him at the expense of tax payers. We have failed time and again to deliver when it matters. We have failed to protect our selves, I suppose this is what we all deserve. Life is unfair get used to it. People are going to rape you in full public view if you given them signals that you would not resist any attempt to rape. They are surely going to rape you if you invite them to do so. Do not blame the people who rape, blame yourself for being raped.
Now for God sake please do not laud the so called " Spirit of Mumbai" This is not spirit of Mumbai , this sheer cowardliness and indifference to what happens around us. People in Mumbai are so obsessional, so much driven by the urge to earn money and more money that they give scant regard to what goes on in their next home. They simply start their day afresh with the sole motive earn their daily bread... or whatever.
The only effect of this blast was few phone calls here and there to confirm if your immediate relatives are okay, thats the end of it. When shall we wake up and shake our politicians, kick them out of office for incompetence. Teach them a bloody lesson of their lives so that they do not take their term in office for granted for ever. Wake up my dear friends and kick out the incompetent rulers, bring about a sea change, it high time now.

Iqbal Mirchi, the drug mafia is doing business in UK

I wrote yesterday about the extradition treaty we had in place in UK and regarding handing over of the person who was absconding from UK for committing some offences like rape. To my utter surprise today I read in the news that now a British national, Heena Kausar (wife of Iqbal Mirchi), a smalltime yesteryears Bollywood actress, has urged the court to revoke the detention order against her husband so that the seal on the two flats she owns in Juhu can be lifted. The flats are in Milton Apartments on Juhu Tara Road. 
I salute the audacity of this women who had fled with her husband just before the 1993 blasts. She knows that the spineless Indian Government, Judiciary has no guts to arrest her. She could have very well been arrested for supporting a drug mafia, mind you Iqbal Mirchi was declared a "proclaimed offender" by the Indian government in 1994. He has been ranked among the top drug barons in the world by a United Nations report and has an Interpol Red Corner notice pending against him. 
The news item also goes on the say that Iqbal Mirchi is doing business in the UK. Now will the Government show the courage to seek custody of Mirchi by exchanging the offender (Mr. Aman) who was caught at the Delhi airport yesterday ? 
The media would make sure that the case goes into oblivion. The end result in all probability would be , Mrs. Mirchi getting custody of the flats which are owned by the drug mafia but on paper the owner is Mrs. Mirchi, so our Courts would surely go by the rule book, cite some precedent, some laws beyond our understanding and with an apology for wrongfully taking possession of the Flats and then return them to her !!

Medical Negligence - Justice prevails at last

Justice finally prevailed after 23 long years when Mr. Praful Desai was held guilty by the Esplanade Court for medical negligence. I salute the tenacity of Mr. P C Singhi who kept on fighting to ensure that people like Praful Desai are taught a bloody lesson of their life.
In the present case it is rather shameful that this person ( I hate to call him a Doctor as he does not deserve to be ) Mr Praful Desai even disowned responsibility of his very own patient.  Desai in his defence maintained that it was not his case. He said Leela was his assistant Mukherji's patient and since junior doctors were not allowed to admit patients under their own name, the names of the senior surgeon would appear in the case papers. "Such senior surgeons whose name appeared as a formality had no responsibility towards such patients. My role was limited to only giving an opinion as she had been referred to me by Mukherji,"
Now these bloody Doctors have opened their shops simply to earn money out of every patient who comes at their door step. Despite a clear opinion that the patient was beyond operation just to earn some more money they had the audacity to cut open her stomach to operate her. This is just to earn money from who soever is admitted in what so ever condition in their hospital.
These very so called Senior Surgeons charge a ransom just to give their opinion and show their face. They use their names to advertise their expertise and in reality what happens is some junior inexperienced and unknown Doctors operate you. If all goes well the So called Senior Doctor earns loads of money and if anything goes wrong he simply tries wash his hands off like in the present case.  Patients have full faith in them but they are simply not worth the faith a patient has. I do not see any difference between an errant taxi driver who fleeces his Customers at every given opportunity to earn some extra money and these Doctors who are just waiting for the kill. These Doctors are worst when compared with an Taxi Driver as they can play with your life and in all probability escape the clutches of law. It takes one like Mr. Singhi who takes upon this highly over rated community and makes them realize that they cannot take their patients for granted. This man Desai should be barred from active practice even though he is 76 years old today.

Extradition Treaty with UK

Man wanted for rapes, murder in UK arrested at IGI airport ( News in Times of India)

This man in question is one Mr. Aman who is wanted in the UK for crimes which he allegedly committed like rape, attempt to murder etc. Now the big question, do we hand over this man to UK as they have demanded ? I guess we should not, but use this occasion as a tool to get the people on our most wanted list who are residing in UK or have taken asylum under the garb of extradition laws. But the bigger question does India have the courage to use these situations to our own advantage to the fullest ? 


India supposedly has an extradition treaty in place with the UK, but how many times has the UK government handed over criminals who take shelter in their country. UK is home to lot many Pakis and Bangladeshis and I do not recall a single instance whereby UK has helped India in dealing with criminals. 


Now there would be legal pundits who would start bragging that unless proved a person is not guilty, we should not be judgmental and leave it to the courts and blah blah .. some Human Rights organization would crop up mid way. Thankfully the person is not from minority community, read Muslim community, else we would have some Ulema who would come and support him.


Here I am not supporting an accused in any way, but just want to see some hard nosed action from the Indian Government. We are of course used to the spineless behaviour so should not be surprised if we hand over him outright to the UK, like the French Government handed over Savarkar to the British !

Homosexuality

Ghulam Nabi Azad has spoken the truth for a change and I support and second his views. He may be cornered and by the time I write this post he may have also retracted his statement. I am a firm believer that Homosexuality "IS" indeed a disease and needs to be cured. I however may not agree that this has come from the West. How on earth are you going to support the idea of using your excretory organ i.e. your anus to copulate with another human being. Isn't it unnatural, against nature. Having love and affection towards a fellow male is understandable, but the urge to use your anus for sexual gratification is simply going against nature. That is the reason we call it a disease and hence the need to identify and treat such individual.
Just because New York and some other Governments of the world including Courts in India legalise Gay Marriages does not mean that their view is final, correct and binding on everybody else. It does not stop others from expressing their opinion.
The very fact that these individuals do not agree that they are diseased further reinforces the need for treatment, whether it is as per theory of Baba Ramdeo or any other means. A mentally disabled person never agrees that he needs treatment, an alcoholic never agrees that he is an addict and the same rule applies to homosexuals.
Let common sense prevail and I hope that we can treat these homosexuals and set right their orientation once for all.    

Flying Peacock

I had been to Jaipur on an official tour on 4th and my onward journey was to Delhi on early morning of 5th July. Our Vehicle Driver was on leave and so I decided to walk down the distance from our Guest House to the Airport. It was barely one kilometer and so I decided to walk down and play my role in reducing my carbon foot print and at the same time make an attempt to burn a few grams of my over flowing body fat !
Except few morning walkers there wasn't anybody on the road at 6 am in the morning and I could merrily walk down the road, eating some neem leaves. There were plenty of them all along the road and I could easily savour some of them.
Then came the sight of a flying peacock, yes a flying peacock. I was the only one on the road who could see his smooth sailing of close to 100 meters or so. I was simply stunned and stood my ground with my eyes wide open.  I could not see the peacock fluttering its wings nor any noise, you may call it as a glide, unabashed. I had to wait 33 years of my life to see a peacock flying, it is always better late than never.
I had seen plenty of them after I came to Ahmedabad, even saw them dancing on television. I had watched their movements clandestinely when I had been to ESCI, Hyderabad. But to see a peacock flying unhindered and sail smoothly was simply mind blowing.
I was in no mood to capture it on my mobile or take a video as I simply loved that very moment, enjoyed it to the fullest and thanked my driver for being on leave.  Nature keeps on offering us beauties time and again, we simply fail to capture them, apparently busy with some thing which we don't know, running after some thing which is well beyond our reach.
We were always taught that peacock is a "bird", but we never had the patience to go and watch him fly. We were to busy to watch his pictures on glossy papers and memorize that he is national bird of India and dances when it rains. Thanks "Jaipur" for showing me a flying peacock !

India at Wimbledon 2011 and Partners in Doubles Tennis

Mahesh Bhupati and Elena Vesnina have reached the Finals in mixed doubles this year after a hard fought three set win in the Semi Finals. The other Indians gradually faded out gradually as Sania Mirza exited from women's doubles semifinal and the mixed doubles quarters. Leander Paes, too, lost his mixed doubles quarterfinal. Mahesh and Leanader bowed out in the initial stages and so did Somdev in the singles. We cannot expect much from Sania given her priorities. She can expect to win only if she spends some more time on the Courts rather than at the beautician.  
By and large we must be happy that the tricolour is seen some where right up to the finals.

I always keep on guessing how do tennis players chose partners and what makes them do so. I never  heard of Elena Vesnina until this year's French Open appearance with Sania , that too after they reached the Finals. She was unheard in the singles circuit as well. Then how do these players get in touch with each other and what makes them decide that they shall gel well as a combination. Without match practice, with playing together they reach the finals of wimbledon! Now that is called real chemistry or pure luck I must say.
I remember Mahesh pairing up with several of them one being Rika Hiraki of Japan if I am not wrong. They even went on to win one Grand Slam. We never heard them winning any tours on ATP, straight way a Grand Slam !! 

An exciting draw

Today I woke up at around 4:30 in the morning to answer nature's call, could not resist having a look at the final score in second test between India and West Indies. I expected India to win after the two quick wickets in opening session. Dhoni's bold declaration was paying off dividends, this was the general feeling.
But alas, we had to be satisfied with a draw. How things change, a draw was seen as a victory for India few years ago in the West Indies, now we equate it with a loss! Time have changed.
The fragile batting line up of the West Indies did manage to salvage a draw and it was really credible given their past performances. Just one total in excess of 300 in last ten innings.  The Indian bowling could not give the finishing touches. We simply lacked a genuine fast bowler who could terrorize the batsmen on final day. Harbhajan's continued failure with the ball was also disappointing. He is in the team thanks to his lusty blows with the bat. Only time would tell how far his luck would help him stay in the team. Those lusty blows are not genuine batting in any way, so Mr. Harbhajan time is running out. Wake up fast else we have many spinners who are waiting to replace you.   

Supreme Court, is it above all ?

The Supreme Court has rushed to the High Court seeking stay on Central Information Commission’s May 2011 order allowing litigants to raise RTI queries on the logic behind judgements.

They also ask, How could the Supreme Court provide information under RTI on why particular order or judgement was passed that went beyond logic and reasoning given in that order or judgment.

Now this is interesting as the Supreme Court feels that it is above all and in no case its judgements be questioned. The Supreme Court feels that the Supreme Court Rules are the only way to mechanism to seek information. Now this is atrocious, RTI can expose the legislature, bureaucracy and all Central PSU’s as well. The big question is why not the Supreme Courts ?

This very attitude that they should not be subject to RTI and forced to disclose the reasoning and logic behind their judgements smells of “I am above all attitude” It is absolutely possible that the judge had erred in his judgement or for that matter had delivered the judgement by seeking illegal gratification. The RTI would have brutally exposed the erring judge and his flawed judgement.

Forcing the Litigants to seek redressal of some wrong doing by the Supreme Court by the Supreme Court rules itself is absurd and goes against the established legal principle, No person can be a judge in his own case. The RTI gives a much needed check and balance mechanism.

Now another interesting one, The Supreme Court has gone knocking the doors of High Court, which in hierarchy is its sub ordinate. Can we expect the High Court to act against its Superior Court ? Would it have the courage to deliver anything against the Supreme Court? Everything is absolutely weird and goes against common sense.

I eagerly await outcome of these proceedings. The media would selectively chose not to highlight the outcome as it would go against the vested interests. We need a collective movement to crush the "I am above all" attitude of the Judiciary. There have been ample evidence of the blatant corruption in corridors of Judiciary, especially the Lower Courts. But I guess it is a question of who bells the cat. 

Return of Amma and Dream Come true for Didi

The electoral results of state elections were more or less in accordance with expectations. BJP as expected drew a blank from all the states. Amma returned to power in Tamil Nadu riding on the sinusoidal wave of electoral pattern. It is interesting to note who would head the next DMK Government as Karunanidhi in all probability would be cooling heels in space. She is so calm and so composed that you cannot see the devil beneath her Bullet Proof Jacket. She perfect example of an incorrigible Indian Politician who after so much beating does not reveal anything what goes on inside her. She was accused, arrested and was amongst the most tainted politicians in early 2000. People have a short term memory and forgot the revealing snippets of the Thousands of Saris and ornaments which were found when her house was raided. The very corruption by DMK which she wants to moot out seems to be a bigger joke and bluff which people of Tamil Nadu have readily accepted.
Now the big question is what is the next aim of Mamta Banerjee ? Now that she has achieved her ultimate aim of defeating CPM, what next is the big question. Does she have any agenda other than defeating the CPM ? The answer is a big NO. In the worst case even if she has some agenda, then she simply does not have the ability to deliver. Shouting slogans, criticizing others and yelling at the top of your voice does not mean you can and run the government effectively . She may like to take some tuitions from her neighbour Nitish Kumar or come down to Ahmedabad and learn from our very own Modi. Everybody is happy that CPM is ousted but people should not keep high expectations from Mamta either.
Change of Government or No change of Government should hardly make any difference to the people of Kerala as they do not stay there. The should be really bothered if there is some change in governance in the Middle East !! Keralites stay in Middle East and what remains in Kerala are women who cannot migrate as nurses, old and infirm people who are not allowed to work in Middle East and young children who are forced to study before they can take up any job in Middle East. Change of Government or not would hardly have any impact on  the people as well as on the national politics. Just another ritual completed in Kerala.
One good outcome of these elections is that the Communist regime is wiped out of power from Kerala and West Bengal and now they are not at the Centre as well. It must be noted that even this time the Sensex rose by 400 odd points after Left was ousted from West Bengal. It had also hit upper circuit when the Left was ousted from the Centre !! Communism is a defunct ideology and it is going to die its natural death. The electoral results confirmed that and have effectively put the final nail in coffin.  

Dance of Democracy- State Elections in India 2011

The dance of democracy is on its high in India. The results of state elections in West Bengal are eagerly awaited. There are states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well. But the most eagerly awaited results are from West Bengal. All poll pundits are unanimous in their predictions for a change, ouster of the Left Front from Government. This is a unique first in two aspects, unanimous predictions and Left Front out of power in Bengal as well as the Centre. I am not too happy with the alternative which is going to take over. The ever hysterical and full of idiosyncratic Mamta Banaerjee is going to rule West Bengal. She is a lady with little substance to deliver and it has been amply proved in whatever role she has played as Minister in the Central Government.
She is at best suited to organize protest, dharnas and scream at the top of her voice on the roads. But when it comes to delivering results, I am absolutely convinced that she is going to further deepen the already existing chaos and anarchy in West Bengal.
But for the time being let us rejoice that the Left Parties are out of governance. I am at least happy for the that. We have all seen that the Central Government runs much better without the Left Government. So, long live Mamta, please prove me wrong and run West Bengal the way it should be !
      

Osama's Death and America's Hegemony

America carried out surgical strikes in the heart of Pakistan's territory and killed Osama bin Laden. The claimed victory over evil, terror and lot many more adjectives to support their arguments. Who gave America the right to enter into Pakistan's sovereign territory, engage in war fare and kill a terrorist. The Americans it seems are above all due process of law. The did not find the need to capture him live or convict him after due process of law. It is very likely that America may enter my home and capture or even kill me just be cause they feel it is necessary and justified to do so. Isn't this another for of terrorism ?
India still fears what the world would say and hence Kasab was subject to trial and everything was open to scrutiny. Why did India not have the courage to simply take him to the gallows and hang him in full public view. America's hegemony and India's spineless behaviour are two extreme ways of tackling terror. We must find a mid way.
India continues to let lose the terrorist who were responsible for attacks on parliament, attacks in Mumbai, carnage of innocent people in Pakistan. When shall we show the courage to stand up and say that this person is a terrorist, capture him whether in India or on foreign soil and ensure that he is killed in full public view. I await that day.

Corruption Free India and a new begining

The recent moral victory of common man spurred by Anna Hazare's fast was a good beginning and it was close on heels of an Indian Cricket World Cup Victory. The 1983 world cup victory inspired an group of individuals which grew up and was part of post 1991 liberalization era. I draw strange and striking similarities and am sure that the rise of India as a super power around 2020 - 2025 would be reviewed on the back drop of Indian Cricket World Cup victory in 2011 and the Lokpal Bill which is long over due and likely to be passed in monsoon session of Parliament.
I am no avid fan of Cricket  nor do I want to get entangled as to why should cricket receive so much attention. I am happy that people have something to cheer about, something which brings them together and makes them to strive for something better. The World Cup Victory is just the right booster dose which we were looking for.
Anna Hazare sprang from no where and made us aware that the Lokpal bill was toyed around for 42 years and was being tabled in a manner which would render it useless. This bill would surely be the beginning of a sea change in the way governments function. That is the difference between the uprisings of Middle East and changes which are going to take place in India!! Simply proud to have been born in a democratic set up like India.
  

Buying Property

I took a big decision, though late, with the able and never ending support of my parents, decision to purchase a property. Not exactly the way I wanted but of course it was the best possible alternative in my measly budget. It is well said, better late than never.
The property rates never come down, at least not in Gujarat. This is the place where property is advertised like mutual funds and projected as investment options. Nobody speaks about the quality of living being offered in the property which is developed. It is advertised as a piece of investment, which is assured of appreciation in prices.
I took a decision to jump in the band wagon and also invest in property, not with the intention that it would appreciate and I would sell of with huge margins, but with a simple intention of getting a roof over my head. Now, I must go through the grind of home loans, monthly installments, floating and fixed interest rates, tax rebates etc etc.
So, now i will no longer have to cough up monthly rent to my land lord, but keep on paying monthly installment to the bank, to get a piece of roof over my head. A space in apartment, where you neither own the roof nor are in possession of the land. Strange type of ownership !

What is in store in this Budget

The budget is just round the corner and now as usual we can expect higher taxes for the supposedly rich people and subsidies for supposedly poor people which never manage to reach them.

The railways would increase the fares for AC travel as usual, the finance minister would impose more tax on higher income individuals.

With all this the people who continue to stash black money in foreign banks and in other avenues like creating asset bubble in real estate sector would go untouched.

Subsidies would be granted to the poor in various forms only to be gobbled up by the babus and the politicians before they reach the needy. This has been going on several years and would continue to happen in the days to come.

I guess we are just waiting for a revolution to bring about this change. We would keep on waiting for a change unless we become the change we want to see.