Some things to say…

Hmmm… once again I find myself not wanting to write a huge post or anything, but just getting my observations and thoughts down here-

YSR Reddy was a dynamic politician in his own right who had never lost any election that he stood for. I don’t know many details about him, as I was never really directly affected by his governance. Anyway- the fateful day of the helicopter crash, the forecast had indicated bad weather. Apparently Reddy was headed for a surprise visit to a village in Chittoor for direct interaction with people and insisted that the pilots fly him to his destination despite the bad weather conditions. When I think of the tragedy that took place because of that decision, its not just Reddy I feel sorry for, but also the  pilots who died though it was no fault of theirs. In my opinion, it is fine if a particular politician feels like mixing with the common man and all. But he should take care that he are not jeopardizing the lives of those who are assigned to protect him while trying to be gung-ho.

Rahul Gandhi is someone whom I admire a lot. During the elections, there were a couple of instances where he broke through his own security cordon to interact with people. Call it a genuine gesture, or a publicity stunt. The issue is, by doing such things, he puts the commandos who are assigned to him at even a greater risk than usual. What if some suicide bomber is lurking right there in the crowd, waiting for a chance to get close enough ?  That guy won’t blow himself up if he isn’t sure of hitting his target. When a politician breaks the cordon, this bomber gets a better chance of getting close ; thereby increasing the chances of him blowing himself up, and putting everyone at risk.

On a point that is indirectly related to this- there is often a debate as to whether the politicians should be provided security in the first place. I think they should be. If they aren’t, then they will undoubtedly be targeted more often by terrorists and other miscreants. It is not as if the politician is particularly precious – its just that, when the Prime Minister, Chief Minister or some other minister is killed, it is not just one person who dies – it is the pride of a nation that gets kicked. It is the office that is hit, and not the person. And then common people like me can only watch on the T.V. – like the ridiculousness of ” Chief Minister Lost, 16 hours 17 min. counting ! US asked for help !”

Cya for now…

Mumbai Voting – Apathy in extreme

A 62 hour bloody terror seige. Thousands of people on the street demanding answers. Candle marches in South Mumbai, near the Gateway of India. Months of awareness drives coaxing people to vote. None of this could convince over 50 lakh voters in the country’s financial capital to make their way to polling booths on Thursday.

Citizen Activism - Nah. More like Hypocracy.

All talk-no vote. That is all we know. That is all we can do. Yes- how could i forget ? We can also gather round the television cameras on streets when we see one….and shout from within the crowds,with comfortable anonymity…” We want change. What is the government doing ? Down with the government. “  But when we are given an opportunity, we get cold feet. Vote ? Who ? Me ? Its a f***ing waste of time man… nothings gonna change. Not one politician is worth it.

I ask you…why not stand for the elections yourself ? Not enough money ? Not capable ? Then why not find someone who is…and donate some money for his campaign ? No…forget it. Politics is not our cup of tea now, is it ?

We are like that only...

But then my apathetic friend…it is. Why ? Because the bullet from a gun doesn’t know who’s voted and who has not. Because, i get pissed of with the likes of you who yap-yap-yap on television, on blogs… but when the time comes to stand up and get counted, who cares ? No time ! Boy..am i having a great time sneering at you. But then your disdain for the spirit of democracy beats mine for you ! Did you go on a vacation now ? Thursday -voting half-day. Friday-Maharashtra day. Saturday, Sunday- weekend . Where are you off to ? Cooling your heels at Matheran, Mahabaleshwar , Lonawala ? Have a great time. Next time when the bomb goes off, or the bullet cuts up one of your own…come out on the street, and get your little kick out of Citizen Activism.

In south Mumbai, the heart of the terror battle that spurred  shouting matches on television channels, the polling percentage was just 43.22 per cent. Tony south Mumbai’s neighboring constituencies did even worse. The North Central constituency, which includes Bandra and Juhu – home to the rich and famous – polled 41.82 per cent. South Central, which includes Asia’s largest slum Dharavi and the Marathi manoos’ bastion Dadar, polled 41.85 per cent.The highest voting was recorded in the North West constituency, spread between Andheri and Goregaon. It recorded 49.15 per cent turnout. The North East, which includes eastern suburbs like Bhandup and Mulund, polled 42.28 per cent.

Great figures , eh ? Way to go Mumbai- Maximum City ….hah !

Business As Usual ?? India-A Nation Ravaged

Megasthenes ,the Greek geographer and traveller ,who visited India in the 3rd Century BC made a striking observation about the country,regarding the remarkable Indian ability to carry on with their lives unmindful of whatever was going on around them, even if it was a war on their country. He talks of large populations of Indians “exempted from military service, who cultivate their lands, undisturbed by fear…while on the other side,men may be seen drawn up in array of battle and fighting at the risk of their lives, while other men close at hand are ploughing and digging in perfect security…”

The observation that he made thousands of years ago,still holds good. Here we are,though not actually at war,in a war-like state….like the stretched string of a bow:-first the 26/11 Mumbai  attacks,then war mongering from Pakistan,the economic slow-down,the Satyam meltdown,the unceasing diplomatic war of words,a failed 9 day terrorist encounter at Poonch in Kashmir…the list is unending.And despite this,we have 2 of the biggest sectors of the economy on strike..

The issue i want to take up today is this…do the truckers and the oil workers,have a right to go on strike when the country is nearly crippled by external crisis ? Do ANY of us have the moral right to be indifferent ?

Facts

The Truckers and the Oil sectors are one of the largest sectors of the Indian economy.While trucks are largely privately owned,the oil sector companies are mostly PSU’s(Public Sector Units).

Truckers on Strike

Why Do they Strike ?

The oil workers demand a hike in their wages.In PSU’s,the wages  are hiked every ten years.The last hike  was in 2007,but the workers demand the government had agreed to pay them more.They claim the average hike is only of 17%,and the government is hoodwinking the people into believing that the hike was of 55-150 %.Reports say that around 45,000 officers across 12 state-owned oil corporations have joined the strike, demanding higher wages.

Similarly,the road transporters have gone on indefinite nationwide strike demanding a reduction in diesel prices by Rs 10 a litre, reduction in tyre prices, and reduction in national permit fees from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1,500.

No Petrol

Are the Strikes justified ?

The Oil  PSU officers are already paid well by industry standards and they have job security that the private sector doesn’t.They are among the most privileged minority in the whole world, people who have corporate sector employment with total job security. This at a time when corporate jobs are being lost in millions around the world (including in India), when downsizing is the buzz word and when employers are walking around with shot-guns.Even if their demand is well founded,a handful of well-to-do people holding the entire nation to ransom and paralyzing the economy,is nothing but cynical, selfish, irresponsible , criminal and MUST draw upon itself the scorn of the nation.

Indian truckers are by no means below-poverty-line basket cases. In fact, they have built a terrific reputation as tough entrepreneurs always willing to join the national effort during wars, emergencies and calamities.So what is happening now? Are we finally losing our marbles?

When nearly two million other Indians, in our armed, paramilitary and police forces are so readily willing to forget their own, and mostly justified, grievances over the pay commission and move to action stations, here are a few, financially so much better endowed than them, trying to bring the country to a standstill. What if the wage-earners of the armed forces also began drawing a lesson from this?

The world,especially Pakistan,must be laughing its ass off about the situation of India.We are a nation where the Union Home Minister has to cancel a vital visit to the USA to meet his American counterpart and exchange notes on tackling terrorism ;the only reason being,he heads the ministerial committee looking into oil officer’s salaries !

Is India a weak nation ? We,as Indians must realize this….and the sooner we do,the better…our country is down for the count,reeling under so many punches it doesn’t deserve to take.We don’t invade countries,we don’t run our tanks over unarmed and helpless people,we don’t fire missiles that kill hundreds of kids and maim thousands others…and yet,we are attacked.Time and again,our sensibilities are ravaged,our minds are scourged ; to the effect,that if the ‘Breaking News’ isn’t about someone being killed,it feels as if you are watching Cartoon Network.

Remember,that we are surrounded on all sides by neighbours who only differ in their level of hostilities towards us,be it the ever belligerent Pakistan,discordant China or ungrateful Bangladesh.Remember,and take heed…It’s not about how hard you hit..It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward…

Politicians and Videogames

They play games all the time,with each other,and with the gullible electorate.Now they are becoming the subject of several online games.Whether its Dancing Tony Blair,Polar Palin or Kerry Bush Bash,generation Y is having a lot of fun making its inscrutable politicians dance to its tunes.

The latest of them is of course,the Shoegate scandal.The incident, in which reporter Muntadar al-Zeidi flung his footwear at Bush during a Baghdad press conference , has turned into a fast-moving internet theme, spawning dozens of games and video mashups.

Bushtrix !

Meanwhile, al-Zeidi, a journalist based in Cairo, Egypt, is well on his way to becoming the international hero of Bush haters. A Facebook group dedicated to al-Zaidi — who capped his shoe-toss with the soon-to-be-immortal words, “This is your farewell kiss, you dog!” — already shows hundreds of fans.

“Great job!” wrote a Facebook user on the fan page. “The real hero. God bless you mate.”

Some weeks ago,a Hyderabad-based firm develeoped Big Fight,a boxing match between Barack Obama and John McCain.But the desi leaders are not far behind,running back n forth across the computer screen.There’s Lalu ki Ladli,a game around the rustic minister preparing for the marriage of his darling BUFFALO !Then there is Singh is Kinng,in which our heroic Prime Minister navigates through real issues of his tenor.

Such games form only 2 percent of the online gaming portfolio of the company(games2win),but they are gaining popularity despite their recent debut.and while its good fun playing superheroes or live on Second Life,there is a cathectic release playing a political game.

If punching faces isn’t enough,try the more challenging Floodbath-it involves throwing all the garbage from the streets and the sewers onto the politicians’ face!

Game for some Bushbashing ? Here are some links:

http://www.sockandawe.com/

http://www.mind360.com/braingames/teasers/bushshoeincident.html