Monday, July 28

Ladies & Gentlemen, the next time you vote, think for whom you are voting!

The macabre dance of death being orchestrated by the terror groups continues to put a question mark on the policies and strategy of the government in dealing with such a potent and faceless enemy.

Terrorism is not new word anymore on this planet. The difference is the extent of victory it's getting across the globe. In Europe and America impassable wall of defenses have been made. Countries like Australia and New Zealand have implemented mechanisms to pre-empt and defeat terrorism.

In our country day by day it is gaining strength. As till date no anti terror mechanism is established in the center and in the states. In a worrying estimation it has been found that India loses more people in terror attacks than any other country in the world.

Samjhauta, Mecca Masjid, Lumbini Park, Ajmer Dargah, Bombay blasts, hyderabad, Bangalore and now Ahemdabad the list goes on. It is common knowledge that terrorists are responsible for these strikes but beyond that there are no clear answers. In case of each of these attacks, what comes under the scanner is India's security apparatus to act as an effective preventative mechanism.

On the other hand terror networks are better organized and have in the past two or three years managed to penetrate even the smaller towns in India. Blasts are no longer limited to crowded markets in Metros and smaller towns, which also supply operatives and logistics.We have to accept that India is a major target. The terrorists are very committed and thus it is very difficult to penetrate their modules, difficult to build sources, it takes a long time.

Anti-terrorism laws in India have always been a butt of controversy, as also in the United States and Britain. But in India, the leaders of our democratic set-up tend to hijack the debate over anti-terror laws and use it as a political tool to fill the vote banks. TADA has become a Political fascination and POTA complete Vote banks' victim. POTA law is facing criticism from human rights groups. The questions of terror laws are still to be formulated.

The government representatives has one and only statement to make "we will deal with the anti-national forces firmly." While one does not question the bona fides of the government, but many wonder if it would actually be able to translate it into action any time soon. This is because the people of India have time and again been witness to these ghastly acts. Bangalore and Ahmedabad has given us yet another reason to ponder over our collective response to the menace of terrorism, manifested most sensationally by the serial blasts.

It is high time we Indians got into a structured debate to craft our response. The crackdown is possible? Non-politicians have to come together. Or we will keep seeing the sketches of the suspects after the attacks.

Mere knee-jerk reactions and unworkable intelligence inputs won't do either.What might work is a more cohesive, all-inclusive approach towards tacking terror.

Are our security agencies capable enough to deliver when it matters the most? The Kargil war is a bitter lesson when the entire intelligence system faltered to notice the intrusion inside the Indian border in Jammu and Kashmir.
Naxalism has been threatening internal security in the country. More than ten states are in the grip of this red extremism. Every year, hundreds fall victim to Maoists. Neglecting these incidents, the government has not yet formulated policy to counter this. And most of all, the government is not ready to identify it as a problem.

Internal security apart, India is resisting cross border terrorism.But the façade of jihad is now being broken as terrorists are not sparing any religious place. And the fact that innocent people are killed in the blasts targeted at religious and public places undermines the religious overtones of terrorism. With every blast, the notion that India has become a soft target for terror groups gains currency.A proper anti-terror strategy aimed at weeding it out from the roots by neglecting the parochial political gains is required.

Terrorism is expanding to ever-new areas, which nobody even ever dreamt of being victimized by such incidents. Our successive governments never considered that protecting common citizens is among its duties. The investigations of most of the previous blasts are still not completed. But, for us Indians, these have become a part of life.

The virtue of tolerance is indeed much in us "Indians". Why can’t we ask the government and the opposition?

This problem can be solved only by going back to the basics of democracy - you get what you voted for! If you vote for one who promises inaction, then you will have terrorism, if you vote for one who promises security, you will have security.

If everyone in politics knows that we value our lives, all of them will fight terrorism.

The countrymen have to stand up and assert that we all value and love our lives. Everybody will respect basic right.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the next time you vote, think for whom you are voting! Life is our first priority, rest comes later on.......

Wednesday, July 23

Wake up ! thinking Indians


Indian newspapers have become brands and products, not agents of change and enlightenment. This trivialization of what is one of the main pillars of democracy should disturb all thinking Indians.

The rules have changed for me by the Madhya Government ever since IPS Pawan Shrivartava a thoroughly corrupt has been appointed as the Director of the Cultural Department of Madhya Pradesh

The rules have all changed. There was a time----and not so long ago either, perhaps just years ago---when the officers in the department and the academies under the department were restless and squirmed at the charge of corruption. the department showed progress in every sense, and it reached pinnacle with its work.

With no background of art, culture, literature, ethics but the mind of a scandalous, haughty and vindictive and uncouth man Pawan Shrivartava is still misusing the post as appointed by a Big Wig of BJP.

Famous for bribes, extortion and misbehaving with women in drunken state while the SP of Bhopal is ruining the department with his monkey business.

The ruling government and the administrative head of his department takes a shifty look when his complaints are sent to the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary and the Secretary of the department who is also the Chief Public Relation head of the Govt of MP as they do not denounce corrupt practices.

Inspite of explanations and enquiry being sent from the home department the secretary is evading and skirting to respond to the enquiry by the higher authorities. He is reluctant to reply the enquiry. News is being managed in the newspapers like Dainik Bhaskar and Hindustan times about the corrupt practices of Pawan Shrivartava.

The posts of Director Culturals is being occupied by the men who knows how to twist the laws and rake in the black money. No wonder ever since Pawan Shrivatava has joined the department the status and the quality of the programmes have been in the news either the failure of the programme due to technical snags or artistes speaking about their helplessness due to inadequate quality of light and sound arrangement’s.

Its high time an enquiry is needed on the corrupt practices of Pawan Shrivastava and his goons Jha and Pande in the cultural secretariat.

Clearing projects at contrived prices, not following the tenders conditions , taking 30 % to clear the dues for instance are few examples of his way of working .Unofficially ……….

The administration does not speak of this because it does not have to experience this, and like the three monkeys shuts off all senses when confronted with grim reality. Assurances after assurances, the same promises. The same lies after complaints since a year.

It’s over a year we are engulfed in a sea of feelings ---bitterness, anger, dissatisfaction, and prejudice unhappiness. Corruption has emerged as a major issue with communal forces gaining ground. Corruption at any cost is the new mantra for the culture department of Madhya Pradesh that uses to arm the corrupt practices of pawan Shrivartava with extra constitutional powers, and justify every act of violation.

But then if those in power do not see, they need not act. How long we can call up ministers who is useless and corrupt and we be damned. Or pay commission to work or succumb to pressures.

The electorate can only be taken for granted by political parties practically.


The sunny side was up this time in the media. It highlighted the never before, the overt picture of our parliament and the roles our elected leaders play for power.

The ruling part, the opposition party, the mediators, the power brokers, the opportunists, the intolerant, the racist, the secularists and the industrialists. we saw them all. How can I forget the gamblers? And we also saw the citizens of the country watching the parameters getting lower and lower during crunch times and the rates of the MP getting higher.

Sentiment has little to do with power play. Likes and dislikes mean very little at moment of truth. Politics is about the protection and pursuit of interests. The self-serving politicians had worn thin clothe in the garb of national interest.

The most key question, which surfaces from this business of politics, is role of regional parties. It should be debated in the parliament and in the media circle. Whether the regional parties should be given a role in the national politics of the country.

What role are the regional parties playing in our democracy? With 2 or 3 representatives what is their aim? What role are they are playing in the nations interest? How do they justify their stand in a most crucial hour as we say today –the hung parliament?

Every state with its share of regional players was longing to assert them. As if they could have not bargained if the country had not been brought to this state for the N-deal when inflation around 12%. The price bar for MP's was on the rise.

MP who is unreal and political parties on the fringes of state politics was compensated for more than worth.

If something new has come about in this power play in Indian politics, it is the name of MAYA for the candidature of Prime Minister. We have had a Dalit President, so why not a Dalit Prime Minister if she can outgrow UP and come out of the confines of UP politics?
The electorate can only be taken for granted by political parties practically.

But we know the the next elections will be fought from UP . The fact remains that Lal Krishna Advani is the winner today.

Saturday, July 19

Two in a million



Some things aren’t always black and white. Then again, sometimes they are – like the twin sons born July 11 to a German couple. The first baby that was born, Ryan, has light skin and blue eyes. His brother, Leo, is dark-skinned with brown eyes.

Stephan Gerth is German and white. His wife, Florence Addo-Gerth, is from Ghana and has dark skin.
This is perhaps a greater force speaking out against racism

Monday, July 14

Dhoni and lady body guards

India cricket star Mahendra Singh Dhoni is used to being surrounded by the ladies. Mahi (pet name) known for his good looks and swashbuckling style on the cricket pitch, is one of the biggest celebrities in cricket-crazy India, endorsing everything from hair gel to motorcycles.

He has been given "Z-class" security - the highest level - from the state, usually reserved for the prime minister and other senior political figures.

It is done keeping in view of his ever-growing female fans. It will break heart of millions of female fans who want to meet & hug him. Hard luck gals. Armed with assault rifles, the tough tribal bodyguards of the Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP) are as possessive about the wicketkeeper-batsman as any of his teenaged fans in the country

Youth united on Government expense




who us responsible for this ?

Arushi Murder mystery

Yesterday CBI spoke about the most awaited outcome of a murder case of India in 21st century. The Arushi Murder Case. They said that the murder was planned and executed by the three low class peoples - Krishna (compounder), Rajkumar(Servant of Durrany's) and Vinod Mandal(Durrany's driver). Investigation of the case is continuing diligently to further corroborate confessions of the accused persons.

Noted dental surgeon today walked free after a 50-day traumatic period when the Noida police accused him of murdering his daughter and the media spinning salacious stories about him.
The double murder case beside the punishable crime brought into light the avoidable crime or I may say uncouth and irresponsible behaviour which we saw by professionals, media, police, investigation agencies, public lust and wants.

Fact and fiction were dangerously blurred in the sensational murder of 14-year-old Aarushi Talwar with lurid speculation and slander feeding media frenzy, raising serious questions about professional ethics & responsibilities.The case received significant national attention, and has become representative of recent tendencies towards sensationalism in the Indian media.

Thirsty for news umpteen channels went berserk claiming to attribute onus of guilt on the parents or the servants. It was absolutely scandalous the way the story was covered. All professional norms were thrown to the wind. speculative aspects to the personal lives of the father and his dead daughter caused comparisons to be made to the JonBenet Ramsey case in the United States.

Insinuations that bordered on the voyeuristic and the bizarre like the father having an extra-marital affair with a colleague and dark hints of wife swapping. The constant coverage of every second of their lives outside their houses transgressed the delicate moments when a person mourns loss of a young child.

The murder mystery highlights infringement of their civil liberties and perhaps Human Rights. Every sensible person felt shame at the manner at which cooked up juicy stories were being dramatically and bombastically narrated by one channel after another.

There are end numbers of subject like development, social issues, livelihood, which need common man's attention. Maturity is badly needed but we see is Breaking news :*Monkey kissing the dog
Cat on a tree.
* Dog barked on another dog
* Aishwariya's hairs are swinging in air
* Our PM had morning break fast today.
Numerical solutions to problems.etc

the real criminal should be behind bars . The innocent Arushi died as an inhuman gagged and hit her after trying to rape her.

Media's ability to keep ' sunny side up' Means good things will be described and achievements will be projected.

Thursday, July 10

Memorial forest in Bhopal

Today its unbelievable to see the first Memorial Forest Park in Bhopal Blooming.
All i can say is every good intention will have a beautiful end. In life, many thoughts are born in the course of a moment, an hour, a day. Some are dreams, some visions. Often, we are unable to distinguish between them. To some, they are the same; however, not all dreams are visions. out. The message is simple: commitment precedes vision.
It was a brainstorming session for the safety of environment on 2nd of June. Along with me DFO Bhopal and CF Bhopal came to a conclusion that "people do any thing for their loved ones" why cant we have a park where citizens can plant a sapling in the name of their loved ones?.. and at the same time while doing this awareness of conservation of be done.
Suddenly an idea emerged that of a Memorial Park . It was conceptualised in an hour and today we have a park where anybody can plant a sapling for their loved ones . Rs 300 is being charged for the sapling for the maintenance by the forest department .
9 hectare land is being dedicated for this concept near bhadbhada dam. and Rs 20 Lakh has been sanctioned for the upkeep of the memorial garden.The first sapling was planted by the Forest Minister and the Finance Minister of Madhya Pradesh along with 300 citizens of the city on the very first day ie on July 7th 2008.
Those planting the sapling can choose from 21 varieties of trees including sitaphal, kachnar, mango, peeppal, banyan, teak, kathal, gulmohar etc...

George Bernard Shaw:
If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.

Tuesday, July 8

SIMI & RSS are brothers



"SIMI and RSS are brothers " said Digvijay Singh. During the time of emergency both were in jail together. Digvijay Singh sense of humor never seems to kick the bucket. He was addressing a rally in Bhopal against the atrocities at the time of BJP Bandh in MP on Congress partymen.

Rahul Gandhi with children in Bhopal.






Thursday, July 3

Is this the spirit of democracy? MP BANDH




Politicians should delete Bandh from their dictionary if they are not concerned about the masses.

The right to strike without disrupting public order is a given in all democracies and is a tool to negotiate and it evolved as an expression of dissent during the 19th century. But what we see today is pillage, arsenal, and damage of public property, commotion in public life, destruction and religious intolerance…..

Bandh and hartal the Indian versions of mass strikes were powerful expressions of popular discontent during the independence movement. Hartal was M K Gandhi's unique idea of non-violent protest against colonial rule. It involved the closing of schools and shops, offices, courts of law and other work.

Today what we are seeing is no powerful moral argument but utter vandalism in the name of bandhs. Bandh now days are seldom voluntary. Political parties who call for a Bandh enforce it ruthlessly. What we see is no commitment for civilized conduct, tolerance, equalities of gender, religion and creed, free expression, and the rule of a humane law and order policy.

The violence was set off by a plan to transfer forest land to the Hindu shrine to erect shelters for thousands of pilgrims. The land allotment to Amarnath Shrine’s board was canceled and as a consequence we have massive demonstrations all across the country. In the name of God we saw political thugs attacking people for not accepting the bandhs that was called.

This was observed today in Bhopal and other cities of MP. Terror tactics were being unleashed in the name of Bharat Bandh. Forced shutdown of social and economic activity backed by the implicit threat of violence was witnessed and thus claiming Bandh to be 'successful'. This has happened as they succeed in enforcing their call because people fear for their safety.

Voluntarism was given a quiet burial. Even essential services were not spared during the Bandh . Absurdly, we saw political parties calling for bandh while holding office. Who is their protest aimed at? What was the basic reason for the Bandh was far away from the masses. Why were offices forced to close down? Is this the way we can inform people about the injustice met by the shrine board? Can awareness be generated by force? Only terror and hatred..

Look at such disruptive tactics. Senseless furore often fuelled by religious hatred is one thing that we perhaps will have to learn to live with. At least till the time when the realization about the enormity of the damage caused by incidents that leads to these protests seeps in. And I don’t see that happen in the near future.

What we see today is a new experience of democracy. It has opened up numerous points of dissent, new conflicts of values and identities and a permanent animosity of meaning and interest that often leaves Indians with a sense that society is flying off in many different directions at once…

The way we get our priorities mixed up is seriously obscene and disturbing. A bunch of people who were pelting stones, forcing close down aged 15-18 years —clueless retards, more descriptively—get offended and agitated and provoked ? EXCUSE ME! I’m sorry to say but they are not even aware why they were doing this… People are thoroughly justified in protesting. But its regrettable when the protests are not confined to demonstrations, slogans and rallies but when law is taken in hand, burning of public properties; persons unconnected with the matter are harassed. This reaction is extremely and grossly disproportionate

Not that we have a fantastic public transport system. Images of buses, autos, trucks being burnt at the slightest provocation suggest there is little that those running the system can do little to help save the situation. Are we responsible for the hapless public distribution system? What kind of anger is this? And who is the looser in the long run? And who are benefiting from this? Why unrests and protests are done by damaging public property and harassing the innocents? Will this solve the problem?

I don’t want to jump the gun but a suggestion comes to mind. Anyone indulging in causing damage to public property should not be entitled for any government favours for the rest of his or her life. After all the buses, shops, etc are in no way responsible for hurting sentiments. Exemplary punishment will have to be doled out to those indulging in such senseless acts. The punishment will have to be such that it acts as a deterrent to others.
Will we get a solution by the shoddy acts? Right to fight against any kind of oppression or wrongdoing is right but how does such an uncouth act in the name of party and an agenda solve the purpose. I’m sure we all get offended by injustice met and it should be strongly condemned, but these violent acts are unpardonable. More important the leaders fail to restrain their followers. It is shameful that some leaders in countries incited people to violence. Such events provide ammunition for the propaganda and give credence to that heresy. And that is indeed a tragedy.

The greatness of democracy lies in the fact that it forces governments to look at the real reason behind protests/Bandhs and not promote it. Most Bandhs are just a case of desperate politicians trying to whip up a storm in a teacup.

The specter of growing protests movement of the awakened is threatening the parliamentary Govt and while the Govt while claiming itself to be democratic, adopting repressive measures which encroach on the democratic rights of the people to preserve law and order.

The “basis on which the parliamentary form of Govt rest” does it rally represent the will of the people? Are the institutional devices evolved to allow full participation to the people in the political process and also provide appropriate channels to redress the grievances, wrongs and harms done to the people or section of the people.? Are these compatible with the Govt? And further, out of the varieties of the protest how many forms of direct action should the democratic? GOVT permit in consonance with its democratic pretensions? Does the parties political assumptions justify violence on the part of the citizen, if the govt though elected by them encroached upon the fundamental right or exercise its authority that prevent the enjoyment of the fundamental right to a large section of the people.

Is this right ? Spirit of democracy?


Wednesday, July 2

Lyrical Justice

By far the most cited songwriter and now Justice cites Bob Dylan in an opinion on Monday.
It was a dispute between pay phone companies and long distance carriers.John G. Roberts Jr., the chief justice of the United States, put a song lyric where the citation to precedent usually goes.

“The absence of any right to the substantive recovery means that respondents cannot benefit from the judgment they seek and thus lack Article III standing,” Chief Justice Roberts wrote. “ ‘When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose.’ Bob Dylan, Like a Rolling Stone, on Highway 61 Revisited (Columbia Records 1965).”

Its is certainly the first use of a rock lyric to strengthen a legal proposition in a Supreme Court decision. Rock ‘n roll has finally encompassed America’s highest halls of justice, in the form of Chief Justice John Roberts invoking Bob Dylan in a Supreme Court ruling.
Indeed a landmark opinion.

He has been quoted in 26 opinions. Paul Simon is next, with 8 (12 if you count those attributed to Simon & Garfunkel). Bruce Springsteen has 5 to his credit.

Bob Dylan has only once before been cited as an authority on Article III standing, which concerns who can bring a lawsuit in federal court. His key contribution to legal discourse has been in another area.“The correct rule on the necessity of expert testimony has been summarized by Bob Dylan: ‘You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,’ ” a California appeals court wrote in 1981, citing “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” Eighteen other decisions have cited that lyric.
But , it’s not a precise lyrical quote as quoted By the justice on Monday.What Bob Dylan actually sings, of course, is, “When you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to lose.”It’s true that many Web sites, including Bob Dylan’s official one, reproduce the lyric as Chief Justice Roberts does. But a more careful Dylanist might have consulted his iPod. “It was almost certainly the clerks who provided the citation,” Professor Long said. “I suppose their use of the Internet to check the lyrics violates one of the first rules they learned when they were all on law review: when quoting, always check the quote with the original source, not someone else’s characterization of what the source said.”

Infact after 4 decade popular music becomes acceptable game for Supreme Court-level legal discourse.
Like a Rolling Stone
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall
"You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loudNow you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?
You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And ask him do you want to make a deal?
How does it feelHow does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?
You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things
But you'd better lift your diamond ring,
you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?