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Kya hua, kab hua, kyon hua, kidhar hua, kaise hua. Bas itna hi.
Friday, May 28, 2004
Nice quote from the Punjab Police martyr's gallery web-site
The tyrant dies and his rule ends; the martyr dies and his rule begins...
Punjab Police - Martyrs-Gallery
Punjab Police - Martyrs-Gallery
I salute the Punjab Police - they have my highest regards and respect for the difficult job that they did really well. The testament to this is the peace that prevails in Punjab today. And the sacrifices that the Punjab Police made were from all ranks, not just the lower ranks. Everybody paid their dues and won the fight!
Just contrast their role to the blatantly partisan and anti-national stand of Karunanidhi, who put his Tamil sentiments above India's sentiments!
Its no wonder we get the government we deserve!
I salute the Punjab Police - they have my highest regards and respect for the difficult job that they did really well. The testament to this is the peace that prevails in Punjab today. And the sacrifices that the Punjab Police made were from all ranks, not just the lower ranks. Everybody paid their dues and won the fight!
Just contrast their role to the blatantly partisan and anti-national stand of Karunanidhi, who put his Tamil sentiments above India's sentiments!
Its no wonder we get the government we deserve!
Who will mourn our martyrs?
Who will mourn our martyrs?
The article from B. Raman just reinforces my opinion that the politicians and bureaucrats do not care if security men get butchered by the dozens as long as their arse is safe. But the general public in India also doesn't give a damn, they are always in their own little worlds and don't care much about security issues.
That's why I have nothing but contempt for V. P. Singh and Karunanidhi who failed to honour our security forces for the sacrifices they made in guarding and defending our nation.
The article from B. Raman just reinforces my opinion that the politicians and bureaucrats do not care if security men get butchered by the dozens as long as their arse is safe. But the general public in India also doesn't give a damn, they are always in their own little worlds and don't care much about security issues.
That's why I have nothing but contempt for V. P. Singh and Karunanidhi who failed to honour our security forces for the sacrifices they made in guarding and defending our nation.
Dharam Singh to be Karnataka CM
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Besmirching Manmohan's name
Besmirching Manmohan's name
This is a nice article by TVR Shenoy.
What strikes me most is that the Congress party can still shout about democratic values and principles, blatantly ignoring the same for itself. People who have lost in the Lok Sabha elections are those who have lost the mandate of the people. Inducting them into the cabinet makes a mockery of elections. Why then have elections in the first place? So that people who lose them can get in by the back door?
So the Congress conveniently ignores the fact that it lost the mandate of the people in Karnataka. There are no two ways about this. They were booted out of power, but the bastards are going to come back! They have no qualms in forming an alliance with the very party they fought against in the state elections - JD(S)!!
So when the white madam talks about principles, you need to remember that fact that the Congress is above all such principles, values etc. They can do what they want and obviously their cronies in the media will never question them. Such is Indian democracy :-(
This is a nice article by TVR Shenoy.
What strikes me most is that the Congress party can still shout about democratic values and principles, blatantly ignoring the same for itself. People who have lost in the Lok Sabha elections are those who have lost the mandate of the people. Inducting them into the cabinet makes a mockery of elections. Why then have elections in the first place? So that people who lose them can get in by the back door?
So the Congress conveniently ignores the fact that it lost the mandate of the people in Karnataka. There are no two ways about this. They were booted out of power, but the bastards are going to come back! They have no qualms in forming an alliance with the very party they fought against in the state elections - JD(S)!!
So when the white madam talks about principles, you need to remember that fact that the Congress is above all such principles, values etc. They can do what they want and obviously their cronies in the media will never question them. Such is Indian democracy :-(
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Some politically incorrect questions
Some politically incorrect questions
A very nice article by the retired Colonel. Agree with all that he has to say and my views on this are the same. Instead of being apologetic about not wanting Sonia as PM, we should question all those foreigners who have laws blocking naturalized citizens from running for their top political post.
The sooner Indians realize that the leftists should be consigned to the dustbin of history, the better it will be for the country as a whole.
A very nice article by the retired Colonel. Agree with all that he has to say and my views on this are the same. Instead of being apologetic about not wanting Sonia as PM, we should question all those foreigners who have laws blocking naturalized citizens from running for their top political post.
The sooner Indians realize that the leftists should be consigned to the dustbin of history, the better it will be for the country as a whole.
Monday, May 24, 2004
My favourite TV serial, Astitva, has an excellent background score. The music fits in with the occasion and is unobtrusive to boot. Enhances the pleasure of watching this serial.
The monsoon arrives in Bangalore
According to the met department, the monsoon "officially" arrived in Bangalore yesterday, almost two weeks before the scheduled date. Appropriately, it grew dark in the afternoon and started raining. Somehow it seemed a different kind of rain. I can't explain it but it felt softer than the pre-monsoon showers.
A stiff breeze has been blowing for about a week or ten days now. Last year too, it had started about two weeks before the monsoon arrived and the breeze didn't let up until late September.
The sky was beautiful around sunset today. Mostly shades of the loveliest blue I have seen for a long time. Yesterday, in contrast, it was aquamarine, green, pink, orange, shades of gray and white. And a faint rainbow!
Watching the sky from our bedroom window is a treat I look forward to every weekend. The sky never ceases to amaze and enchant me. When there are clouds, I know that there will be a riot of colours in the sky, just waiting to be appreciated.
A stiff breeze has been blowing for about a week or ten days now. Last year too, it had started about two weeks before the monsoon arrived and the breeze didn't let up until late September.
The sky was beautiful around sunset today. Mostly shades of the loveliest blue I have seen for a long time. Yesterday, in contrast, it was aquamarine, green, pink, orange, shades of gray and white. And a faint rainbow!
Watching the sky from our bedroom window is a treat I look forward to every weekend. The sky never ceases to amaze and enchant me. When there are clouds, I know that there will be a riot of colours in the sky, just waiting to be appreciated.
Friday, May 21, 2004
2% salary cess to fund job insurance
Manmohan proposes increasing income taxes for individuals - 2% salary cess to fund job insurance
Now I'm really pissed. Just because we taxpayers are the only ones more interested in being productive than protesting on the streets, this idiot thinks we can be milked for all we are worth. Just such leftist bullshit on wealth redistribution if what I was afraid this Congress-led government would implement. So we can all be equally poor now :-(
And I'm really sure that once taxes increase, they keep increasing. This cess is supposed to be the first step towards allowing a hire and fire policy in Indian PSU and government offices which would be great to eliminate the deadwood. I'm sure the second step of actually enacting a law allowing people to be fired will never be taken. The leftist unions would never allow this. So all that's going to happen is that we are going to be taxed to death.
Now I'm really pissed. Just because we taxpayers are the only ones more interested in being productive than protesting on the streets, this idiot thinks we can be milked for all we are worth. Just such leftist bullshit on wealth redistribution if what I was afraid this Congress-led government would implement. So we can all be equally poor now :-(
And I'm really sure that once taxes increase, they keep increasing. This cess is supposed to be the first step towards allowing a hire and fire policy in Indian PSU and government offices which would be great to eliminate the deadwood. I'm sure the second step of actually enacting a law allowing people to be fired will never be taken. The leftist unions would never allow this. So all that's going to happen is that we are going to be taxed to death.
So the salaried get taxed further (a proposal at this stage, but likely to be a reality soon)
Thursday, May 20, 2004
I wonder what it is with us Indians that makes us so emotional
Reading and watching the outpouring of emotions over the "Sonia rejects what's her by right" drama makes me wonder what it is that makes us Indians so emotional. When the grand old master of modern Indian strategic thought K. Subrahmanyam also starts praising "the supreme act of renunciation" it makes me think that India can never ever be a superpower.
Sonia is being compared to M. K. Gandhi and J. P. Soon it will be Mother Theresa comparisons next. The white angel coming to save the natives and when offered the PM's post by a grateful nation, declining politely to accept it!
Saala, the slave mentality and mental colonization will always remain in the Indian mind and soul.
Initially it pissed me off. Now its only making me sad.
Sonia is being compared to M. K. Gandhi and J. P. Soon it will be Mother Theresa comparisons next. The white angel coming to save the natives and when offered the PM's post by a grateful nation, declining politely to accept it!
Saala, the slave mentality and mental colonization will always remain in the Indian mind and soul.
Initially it pissed me off. Now its only making me sad.
Meanwhile in Karnataka...
No signs of a government being formed here. But things seem to be running smoothly all the same, which makes you wonder why we need a government at all :-P
The Congress wants to lead the government. They are so shameless. Having lost the peoples' mandate they want to come in through the back door now. Utterly without principles! The best course of action for them would be to support the JS(S) government from outside.
The Congress wants to lead the government. They are so shameless. Having lost the peoples' mandate they want to come in through the back door now. Utterly without principles! The best course of action for them would be to support the JS(S) government from outside.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Congress has the people's mandate? Give me a break!!!
So they say that Sonia is not going to be PM even though the Congress has the peoples' mandate! That's a joke. With 148 seats out of the 539 that results are declared for, they are roughly a little more than the quarter mark. Even the Congress along with their pre poll allies are nowhere near the simple majority mark of 272. So what mandate? At best its a fractured mandate. And if people say that the BJP has been throughly rejected by the people, then they would be down to double digits, not just 8 shy of the Congress tally.
Sonia is smart and knows her limitations. The cynic in me says that she wants a fall guy who will take the blame if things go bad. If they do not, then she needs someone who will not be an alternate power center in the Congress. Manmohan Singh lacks a mass base and therefore cannot be a power center (he's a Rajya Sabha MP after all). So its a win-win situation. Take the wind out of the BJP's sails and also make sure that you aren't blamed if the government collapses. Smart, na?
To her credit, she's conducted herself with dignity unlike all the sycophants in the Congress. Good for her.
Sonia is smart and knows her limitations. The cynic in me says that she wants a fall guy who will take the blame if things go bad. If they do not, then she needs someone who will not be an alternate power center in the Congress. Manmohan Singh lacks a mass base and therefore cannot be a power center (he's a Rajya Sabha MP after all). So its a win-win situation. Take the wind out of the BJP's sails and also make sure that you aren't blamed if the government collapses. Smart, na?
To her credit, she's conducted herself with dignity unlike all the sycophants in the Congress. Good for her.
Enjoying the current spectacle of grown Congressmen crying - hugely entertaining
Was watching Congressmen pleading with "their mother" Sonia to reconsider accepting the post of PM. Govinda put in a neat theatrical performance. But Renuka outdid him. Man! What a performance :-) Hugely entertaining.
Today, there's news that she might reconsider. More spectacle.
What fun :-D
Today, there's news that she might reconsider. More spectacle.
What fun :-D
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Who will Sonia's babus be?
There's an article on Rediff - Who will Sonia's babus be?
Now the names in here are interesting and although I'm far from being an insider there are certain people on that list I have a special respect for and hope that they do get into worthwhile positions.
I would rate Naresh Chandra the highest. Not only do I think that the man is brilliant, he's also someone who has India's interest at heart. He's done a good job as India's ambassador to the US behind the scenes where it matters (and not on TV).
K Padmanabhaiah who's done a decent job as home secretary.
I don't know much about the others but I have heard of Montek Singh Ahluwalia (few haven't), A. N. Verma, M. K. Rasgotra and J. N. Dixit (who I'm not too fond of - don't agree with his line of thinking on Pakistan especially).
We need a bloody good defence secretary also, wonder who that will be.
Now the names in here are interesting and although I'm far from being an insider there are certain people on that list I have a special respect for and hope that they do get into worthwhile positions.
I would rate Naresh Chandra the highest. Not only do I think that the man is brilliant, he's also someone who has India's interest at heart. He's done a good job as India's ambassador to the US behind the scenes where it matters (and not on TV).
K Padmanabhaiah who's done a decent job as home secretary.
I don't know much about the others but I have heard of Montek Singh Ahluwalia (few haven't), A. N. Verma, M. K. Rasgotra and J. N. Dixit (who I'm not too fond of - don't agree with his line of thinking on Pakistan especially).
We need a bloody good defence secretary also, wonder who that will be.
Monday, May 17, 2004
Market crash due to FII 'influence': CPI-M
CPI-M has this to say about the stock market crash today - 786 points and counting: Market crash due to FII 'influence': CPI-M
Now that should be obvious, market sentiment is negative because of the comments made by the left parties even before government creation. Since no one knows what to expect from this Congress led aliance government, there is uncertainity. Markets don't like uncertainity, hence the crash. And since FIIs are the biggest investors they are fleeing the markets before they lose more money. If the lefties had their way, there would be no speculation in the stock market. Is that what we want?
Now that should be obvious, market sentiment is negative because of the comments made by the left parties even before government creation. Since no one knows what to expect from this Congress led aliance government, there is uncertainity. Markets don't like uncertainity, hence the crash. And since FIIs are the biggest investors they are fleeing the markets before they lose more money. If the lefties had their way, there would be no speculation in the stock market. Is that what we want?
Sunday, May 16, 2004
Cuckold - neatly written historical fiction
Was sitting in my wife's rocking chair reading Cuckold. This book by Kiran Nagarkar is a neatly written historical fiction set in the late 15th century in the kingdom of Mewar. For a setting this old, the narrative is very contemporary and highly enjoyable. While I haven't finished it yet, I don't look forward to. So far, its been that good!
It was cold in the balcony with a pretty stiff breeze from the south west. Pushing dark clouds. Will it rain tonight? Usually in Bangalore, summer showers stop in the second week of May giving a clear three weeks of respite from the rain until the monsoon arrives. That's why April and not May is the hottest time of the year in Bangalore, unlike the rest of the country. This year the monsoon might arrive early. The weatherman predicts a normal monsoon - exactly 100% of the long period average for the country. But a region wise breakup for the Indian monsoon has always been elusive. We need a lot more data to do any medium term prediction on the monsoon and on prediction of the regional distribution.
Whatever, the cold breeze sure felt good. The scene from my bedroom balcony is truly amazing. Since tall building are pretty far away, I get a lovely unrestricted view of the immediate neighbourhood. Sunsets are really nice, especially when there are clouds around. Its picture perfect. Pity that its all temporary :-(
It was cold in the balcony with a pretty stiff breeze from the south west. Pushing dark clouds. Will it rain tonight? Usually in Bangalore, summer showers stop in the second week of May giving a clear three weeks of respite from the rain until the monsoon arrives. That's why April and not May is the hottest time of the year in Bangalore, unlike the rest of the country. This year the monsoon might arrive early. The weatherman predicts a normal monsoon - exactly 100% of the long period average for the country. But a region wise breakup for the Indian monsoon has always been elusive. We need a lot more data to do any medium term prediction on the monsoon and on prediction of the regional distribution.
Whatever, the cold breeze sure felt good. The scene from my bedroom balcony is truly amazing. Since tall building are pretty far away, I get a lovely unrestricted view of the immediate neighbourhood. Sunsets are really nice, especially when there are clouds around. Its picture perfect. Pity that its all temporary :-(
Main Hoon Na - ample charms of Ms. Sen to look forward to
Watched this last night after trying to get tickets for a week. The movie was a mix of all the usual ingredients that one finds in popular Hindi cinema and it looked like debutante director Farah Khan desperately wanted a hit so she put almost every formula into it. The story line was thin and not credible to me. The ample bosom of Sushmita Sen (rumoured to be helped by silicone) was reason enough to go through the 2 hrs 45 minutes of the movie. She looks hot in a sari. No scope for displaying her acting talents but plenty of scope for displaying strategic sections of her anatomy. Not that I was complaining :-)
Only Shah Rukh Khan displayed any semblance of sincerity in the role alloted to him, although Suneil Shetty (what's with all these stars changing the spelling of their names - its acting talent and hard work that will take you places not the extra e's, i's and a's) also did a decent job.
But Sushmita and Amrita are reason enough to go see the movie. Amrita is a shortie but a cutie. Heck, even my wife agrees that Sushmita is lovely. That's ringing endorsement for you.
Only Shah Rukh Khan displayed any semblance of sincerity in the role alloted to him, although Suneil Shetty (what's with all these stars changing the spelling of their names - its acting talent and hard work that will take you places not the extra e's, i's and a's) also did a decent job.
But Sushmita and Amrita are reason enough to go see the movie. Amrita is a shortie but a cutie. Heck, even my wife agrees that Sushmita is lovely. That's ringing endorsement for you.
The arrogance and the pomposity of the English language media
Now that we all know that the English language media got their predictions of the Lok Sabha polls horribly wrong, one would expect them to be less smug, pompous and arrogant. What a wrong expectation! Rajdeep is his usual pompous and idiotic self and I seriously think that Dorab should retire from this business altogether.
I don't know what it is about these NDTV types that really pisses me off. Rajdeep, Barkha, Vikram Chandra are all so smug and come across as know it all types. To me it appears that their attitude is - We know what we are talking about and you don't, so just shut up and listen to those who know best. But they do seem to have the best access to all the powers that be in our land. Even when the powers that be are held in contempt on national TV, they can't resist granting interviews to NDTV. Can't help but think, WTF?
I don't know what it is about these NDTV types that really pisses me off. Rajdeep, Barkha, Vikram Chandra are all so smug and come across as know it all types. To me it appears that their attitude is - We know what we are talking about and you don't, so just shut up and listen to those who know best. But they do seem to have the best access to all the powers that be in our land. Even when the powers that be are held in contempt on national TV, they can't resist granting interviews to NDTV. Can't help but think, WTF?
So we are going to have these "worthies" in the government
Laloo Prasad Yadav, Sharad Pawar, Sitaram Yechury, Kapil Sibal, Pranab Mukherjee. I seriously don't know whether to laugh or cry!
More than a billion of us and we still go and elect an alien :-( People of my generation and one generation before and after me haven't undergone the experience of being ruled by people not of this land. I guess we simply don't appreciate our freedom deeply enough.
What have we idiots done?
More than a billion of us and we still go and elect an alien :-( People of my generation and one generation before and after me haven't undergone the experience of being ruled by people not of this land. I guess we simply don't appreciate our freedom deeply enough.
What have we idiots done?
Thursday, May 13, 2004
BJP too but not as badly as Naidu
So are we going to have an Italian as the PM? Maybe pizzas will be cheaper! There. I can see atleast one good thing possibly coming out from a possible Congress / Left Front government.
The bad things:
1. Reservations forced down the throat of the private sector
2. Top bracket income tax rates increased
3. Free power to all and damn the SEBs
4. And counting...
The bad things:
1. Reservations forced down the throat of the private sector
2. Top bracket income tax rates increased
3. Free power to all and damn the SEBs
4. And counting...
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
Naidu gets buggered in AP
So the AP voters buggered Naidu in AP. As a gult colleague was mentioning yesterday, one of the reasons the voters were bugged with him was because he raised the prices of electricity. The voters would rather have the SEB go bankrupt than pay a non-subsidised price for the power they consume! Typically Indian - would try to get away with paying nothing if possible. But want all the facilities in the world!
But I'm amazed at Naidu not having any inkling of the drubbing he was about to receive. Typically for a chief minister he would have all the intelligence gathered by the police and the state machinery at his command. So how come he didn't know which way the wind was blowing?
So people having the freedom to throw out politicians they don't like is a mixed blessing. I have no doubt that Naidu concentrated on the cities and ignored the villages and mofussil towns. Relatively speaking. That's standard for all politicians as that gets them the maximum media coverage. This time the vast majority of voters punished him for it.
Will the Lok Sabha results from AP also result in him and the BJP getting routed? Or will the voters behave like voters in the neighbouring state of Karnataka when they vote for one party in the state elections and the opposition at the center?
Dilli door nahin.
But I'm amazed at Naidu not having any inkling of the drubbing he was about to receive. Typically for a chief minister he would have all the intelligence gathered by the police and the state machinery at his command. So how come he didn't know which way the wind was blowing?
So people having the freedom to throw out politicians they don't like is a mixed blessing. I have no doubt that Naidu concentrated on the cities and ignored the villages and mofussil towns. Relatively speaking. That's standard for all politicians as that gets them the maximum media coverage. This time the vast majority of voters punished him for it.
Will the Lok Sabha results from AP also result in him and the BJP getting routed? Or will the voters behave like voters in the neighbouring state of Karnataka when they vote for one party in the state elections and the opposition at the center?
Dilli door nahin.
Monday, May 10, 2004
A hilarious quote
Recently I happened to read a hilarious description of the modern trinity - "Bush the father, Bush the son and Cheney the Oily spirit" :-D
Monday, May 03, 2004
Indian EC - trying to get bigger than its boots
Back from a week's vacation and now there's lots of work to catch up on :-(
Meanwhile I read a nice article by Swapan Dasgupta - Did the EC strike out your name? which basically echoes what I feel about the EC. I particularly liked the lines "The EC is running completely amok. Its main task is to ensure a free and fair poll and it has been empowered by both the Constitution and the courts to do what is necessary to ensure the sanctity of democracy. What is necessary to be done depends on a combination of administrative rigour and good sense. It is the latter commodity that seems to be absent from Nirvachan Sadan."
The EC seems to be spending more time doing stuff which carries greater visibility but doesn't promote the cause of ensuring fair elections. The most apt line from the article is "Otherwise, its natural inclination is to pry into matters that have no bearing on the conduct of the polls." That sums up what the Indian EC is trying to do. Get bigger than its boots.
Meanwhile I read a nice article by Swapan Dasgupta - Did the EC strike out your name? which basically echoes what I feel about the EC. I particularly liked the lines "The EC is running completely amok. Its main task is to ensure a free and fair poll and it has been empowered by both the Constitution and the courts to do what is necessary to ensure the sanctity of democracy. What is necessary to be done depends on a combination of administrative rigour and good sense. It is the latter commodity that seems to be absent from Nirvachan Sadan."
The EC seems to be spending more time doing stuff which carries greater visibility but doesn't promote the cause of ensuring fair elections. The most apt line from the article is "Otherwise, its natural inclination is to pry into matters that have no bearing on the conduct of the polls." That sums up what the Indian EC is trying to do. Get bigger than its boots.
