Maniac medley

The Aussies have finally won the Ashes – they yearned for the urn, and earned it, after all. Wasn’t it a commendable performance? What with what was shown in England a few months ago? It was, indeed – and not just from a handful, but from everyone. A true team display.

Wonder what happened to the aggression the English put on show in their backyard while hosting the last series! And ever wondered what these whites would’ve commented about the craters had they been on Indian wickets?

Wonder why these seemingly intelligent, intellectual, thinking personalities – specially from the Indian polity – act stupid! First it was Modi, who’s  venturing into building a statue for India’s unity. And it isn’t coming easy anyway – besides contributing, some running also had to be done. Now we see AAP, through SMSs, seeking a reconfirmation of people’s choice. Or is it a second-opinion it’s calling for? Does desperation for power show in AAP’s face? It did. Will anyone know SMSs were sent only from the Delhi electorate? 

The diplomatic engagements, specially when there’s an escalation in a “friendly” country, seem so incomprehensible, what with the arrest of an Indian diplomat is answered by a spate of “unfriendly” actions here to the US diplomats. Why can’t we be upright first up than scrambling for composure when we are hit?

The bAAP of ballot

If AAP sits in the opposition in Delhi, it may get stronger, as we wouldn't get to see of its true colours had it been ruling.

It, more or less, looks like AAP will, indeed, sit in the opposition, what with its unwillingness to either give or take support to / from Congress or BJP. It is likely to only grow stronger being in the opposition, showcasing the deeds and misdeeds of the incumbent government during its reign as the main opposition party.

While doing so, it will gain more support, and in popularity, thus benefiting for the future elections, not just in Delhi.

In fact, it gaining enough seats to be the main opposition, rather than being routed, or leading the race, has positioned itself as a masterstroke that came as a providence.

Does the rout of Congress mark an imminent death of its aura, or the weakening of the hold of the Gandhi household? The latter looks more certain than the first, and a clearer picture of it should emerge after the result of the 2014 general elections.

Shivraj Chouhan's victory in two constituencies will lead to a by-election to the constituency which he vacates - which will entail in (additional) cost. Who is responsible for this? Why should the tax payer bear this cost for no fault of his, rather for the one candidate's who might not be confident of winning in one constituency? Will there be a law which makes THAT candidate accountable for the cost, and makes him, and not his party, pay for the same?

Retired hurt . . . more

Tendulkar's Bharat Ratna may be used to blur Lata Mangeshkar's Modi tune. It helps the Marathi sentiment also. There'd be a definite spark - what with two sparkling jewels (!) of India striking together!

Retired hurt

Sachin Tendulkar has finally retired. “Finally”, because, Ravi Shastri, at the presentation ceremony, post the “Sachin farewell test” Saturday 16 November 2013, said that Sachin has “one final time” retired from the game! Has he done that before this also? Or did he really think about it in the past? May be, that statement of Shaz was the general, yet concealed, sentiment of India in general, and, specifically, past pros.

He had come well prepared, as he does before a major event, for the talk, and how emotional was that may be understood by Harsha Bhogle’s tear-drenched report (@bhogleharsha – “oh dear, i am feeling this emotion..... what a man!”)! As ordinary souls, the heart went out for that “tricolour” man – who paints his body with the three colours and hold the tricolor and a conch, where Sachin Tendulkar, i. e., India, played – whose presence and effort all these years was not acknowledged by the great man.

With all the “administrators” of the “game” like N Srinivasan, Pawar, et al, present on the occasion, none had the gumption to even mention – forget felicitating – Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, whose it was the 150^th appearance, certainly not a small occasion. And, the West Indies team arrived here just for the “farewell” series, didn’t it? Congratulating Chanders would have been a small gesture the MCA, and BCCI, showed amidst all the hoopla surrounding the series.

No doubt, Sachin is great. Rahul, Aamir, John Ab, Hritik amidst the spectators substantiated the occasion and the one it belonged to. But Bharat Ratna? Weighing along with CNR? A debate – http://pavanje.blogspot.in/2012/04/is-sachin-bharats-ratna.html – is of no avail if it is not logically concluded. There should be more readers of a small write of Subhash Chandra N S in (Deccan Herald, Bangalore, Sunday 17 November 2013 (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/369396/scientific-community-gives-cnr-thumbs.html). One should also read “http://www.indianexpress.com/news/moments-after-retirement-sachin-tendulkar-gets-bharat-ratna/1195711/”.

It’s a sorry state of affairs – CNR is only the second from the science discipline, after C V Raman, to be accorded the distinction. The rest? MGR. Rajiv Gandhi. In the company of C Rajagopalachari. Radhakrishnan. MV. Shastri. The Frontier Gandhi. APJAK. Bismillah Khan. Ravi Shankar. Elite legion. India’s highest honour is hit for a six.

There was an ad from Baidyanath Chyavanaprash today – “sugar-free”. Wonder if the Rishi Chyavana ever imagined there would be an era when his own concoction prasha would be so in-delectable for the sweet-scared! More wonder – why, in the first place, did anyone become sweet scared having savoured Chyavanaprash!

Sunday Brouhaha

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are in India – wonder if they browse through newspapers here, and read about NaMo, RaGa, Super Bungalow, illegalized-CBI and its ripple-effects like Raja and Sajjan Kumar, Chess World Championship, Sachin, CHOGM, etc.

They will be certainly lovers of cricket, being from the birthplace of the game, and their own team reigning leaders in ICC test rankings. But to see the farewell the nation has accorded to Sachin – whose fans they might as well be, too – might have been flabbergasting to them. They had their own sporting heroes, also in cricket, some of whom they have knighted, too, but whose retirement events have been silent and business-like. This one might look like a joke to them. One hundred and ninety nine kilos of rose petals that would have made India’s best cricket stadium seem like a filthy dumping yard might feel delighted to have missed the date.

Ever wonder what the royal couple would also take back with them as memories, besides the Akshardham, Taj Mahal, etc.? Thank God, kids back home aren’t small to hear stories from India!

There would be so many guests visiting our country – political and diplomatic travellers, hobbyists and lobbyists, etc., who browse through our newspapers, news channels on TV – who may be carrying with them stories of triumph (26/11 is approaching, and “triumph” now may be debatable after the “mole” surfacing), celebration and intrigue.

Magnus Carlsen, fellow-Norwegians, and other chess aficionados worldwide, who would be currently following World Championship of Chess that is being played in Chennai, might be wondering if that was a former World Chess Champion, or top-ranking official of FIDE, who’s adorning the corner, yet a prominent space, of the banner announcing the tournament. And she had “graciously” consented to inaugurate the event on Friday 08 Nov 2013. Thank God, she consented to have the event happen in Chennai, and, also thank God, Norwegians, other chess aficionados worldwide, and Indians outside the state whose capital Chennai is, do not know what “Puratchi Talaivi” means, lest we would have seemed like big buffoons. Ever saw such a banner or a poster anywhere else in the world, at any such global, non-political event, with a picture of the president, prime minister, senator, governor? Wonder if any of them would have even inaugurated the event elsewhere in the world!

At least, the event may be celebrated to bring the game back to its birthplace. Speaking of chess, Anand’s endeavour for physical fitness should complement his intellect, where age doesn’t matter to compete – Carlsen is half Anand’s age. And being fit, nevertheless, speaks of its importance. Whether it’s a physically-intensive sport or a mental game. Even for non-sports. Also, as important is to be a sport.

Talking of CBI, which was relegated to be “illegal” by the Gauhati High Court, wonder weekend-days also will be hectic to diplomats. Forget politicians – they are the busiest creatures in India. The Attorney-General Vahanavati rushing to the Chief Justice’s house to bring a stay to the HC judgement, the CJ “sitting” on a “bench” along with his other colleague to put a stay – all this leads to imagine pictures of the events unfolding – people rushing through crowded streets, with files in their hands, assistants in toe; when other Delhiites may be partying or readying for their weekend blast.

See Gauhati? It’s Guwahati, officially, like how it’s Mumbai and Chennai. But the High Courts there are Bombay and Madras HCs, respectively, like how it’s in “Gauhati”.

The Prime Minister giving CHOGM in Sri Lanka a miss talks much about the political undertone rather than his “busy” schedule – playing safe with the Tamil politicians’ psyche, what with the elections looming.

Naxals’ threat to the elections in Chattisgarh is a slap on our faces, as we still live in stone-age while tackling the maoist-menace, when we are steps away from Mars. Actually, if the red planet is colonised, the reds would be the apt inhabitants there. Send them there, and let peace be here. And green.

Suddenly, the Saudis have realized that labour is expensive, after the exodus of Indian immigrants. We also should learn to be not so cheap – every labour has to have skill. Skill doesn’t come cheap.

India potpourri

A hundred things happening, over a short period of time, all at once – so flattered to follow none seriously. Each was either stupid, nonsensical, disturbing, or pain in the wrong place. None amusing. Bar one.

Sardar’s statue. Sachin. Suicides. Nigerians. And Mars.

Looks like Modi got it all wrong, after all the hype – a positive one, at that – that he managed to generate over the last few weeks. After the anointment, all that he touched turned gold – his campaign meetings, the crowd, the blasts – all worked for him. Advani, too, added spice to the hype by mentioning him in a supposed-endorsement of his anointment. The present-day loh purush also joined the PM-in-waiting while announcing a monument to the original loh purush, the real Sardar – Vallabh Bhai Patel. Earmarking Rs.2500 crore to the supposedly tallest, mightiest statue of the freedom-struggle stalwart, presuming that will add to the vibe, is a massive misstep the leader has taken – wonder why the media forgot to compare Modi with Mayavati! The Sardar will certainly weigh up to a hundred elephants, alright. But a statue like that will be nothing short of the elephantine project Mayavati had undertaken during her reign. People’s money is damningly abused.

The biggest joke of all came from the jittery Congress, demanding “covering” of lotus ponds, in view of the approaching polls! Wonder what do we do with all the “palms” or “hands”, brooms, cycles, lanterns, and such other things! May be, the party saw a chance to make some quick bucks to cover its poll expenses by buying 120 crore pairs of gloves to cover the citizens’ hands. The Election Commission had ordered covering statues of elephants during the UP elections – did the Congress forget to demand “covering” elephants? It’s actually its gesture to Mayavati, before allowing her use “super” bungalow in Delhi, at a prime, premier locality, at that!

Wonder what will NOTA do in elections in India!

Well, the debate is still on about the pre-poll survey, opinion polls.

Sachin mania has gripped the nation, and everyone has gone overboard in “celebrating” his retirement. He himself is understood to have been not amused by the Bengal cricket association’s promotion of the event. First of all, the series itself was planned for him, at his behest, including the final one to be held at his home city. Has any other former great demanded a farewell series? Ponting? Lara? Or our own Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman, etc? And TENdulkar responded with a TEN in the first innings.

Suicides have become like the weather report – they are reported daily, as they happen daily. Wonder what today’s generation is made of! A 14-year old kills herself because a “Facebook friend” “ditched” her! A student commits suicide because of academic performance. Financial issues lead families to wipe themselves off all at once. People were not so weak-minded a few years ago.

The Nigerians’ issue in Goa has been blown out of proportion – seeing on TV the way the supposed-Nigerian citizens protesting (one menacingly moving around with a stick in hand) killing of one of their own seems like they think they are in Lagos or Abuja, not anywhere in India. And the Nigerian envoy’s posture in one of his interactions with Indian media calls for diplomatic etiquette.

Prof. U R Rao, former Chairman, ISRO, soon after the successful launch of the Mars Orbiter Mission, mentioned about the opposition from a section of “intellectuals” for the mission, spending Rs.450 crore on it, while there was silence all over, over burning over Rs.5000 crore in just one day bursting crackers. Ever wondered the effort that has gone into conceiving and launching the mission, and the effort that is required to complete the mission? The technological excellence of the scientist-fraternity is overwhelming, yet the community itself is humble. Mars did leave a few red-faced!

There isn’t anything happening making tomorrow’s newspaper worth waiting for. News channels were once like entertainment channels; of late, they have become big bores like never-ending soap operas.

NOTA as TINA

The Indian electorate will be introduced to a unique option coming elections – hopefully starting with the assembly elections in five northern states later this year, and it may pose real challenge to politicians and political parties, making it believe it will cleanse the country’s polity.

With the country’s apex court directing that “none of the above (NOTA)” be added as an option in the electronic voting machines, the voter will perhaps have a decisive say in the outcome of the individual candidate, adding up to the overall picture of the state assembly or the parliament in 2014. Though the effect of the option itself is not clear, the voter will wield considerable power this time, besides flaunting the indelible ink mark on his finger.

Similarly, the apex court has to step in to bring more changes in the polity – like to bring the recall option, that is, to recall an elected candidate should he/she be found in unethical practices. Only, there should be a clear law as to having him/her replaced via a bye-poll, because bye-polls, as is seen a number of times in the recent past, is used as an alternative method of making way to the big house – for example, a sitting MLA contesting parliamentary elections and winning, thus vacating the legislative seat, paving way for a bye-poll, thrusting additional cost to the exchequer, and eventually to the tax payer. In the first place, such a practice itself should be eradicated.

Coming to NOTA, citizens hitherto voted for a leader who was found to be the best (?) of the lot, as they thought there was no other alternative but to choose one of the lot, else give voting a go by. Every citizen gauged each candidate in a different yardstick, thus, statistically, each one of the candidate standing a fair chance – think of India having the distinction of fielding imprisoned criminals also.

Now, should those aspirants think that there is no alternative, other than to, at least, project themselves as worthy choices? Does NOTA scare them so much? Or, does the electorate really wield considerable power this time? Or, is it time for the electorate to choose NOTA as TINA (there is no alternative)?

All said and done, the Supreme Court has come to the party, at last; beside the election commission, the court should be powerful enough cleanse the filth, as the citizens have started to look upon the two institutions, and are left with TINA!

Impress Immensely

It is well known that a picture speaks better than words – it tells a story, actually. A hundred, rather.

This one (http://khabar.ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/5312/) actually inspires and motivates also – to fight the evils – evils that hound different people in different forms, and to emerge victors against the menaces. Yuvraj and Manisha have both won hearts (and broken as many, too!) from their professional engagements in the past, and how; and have now won a battle. The war that they’re now waging is to evict the evil from the society – to educate the mortals of the perils of cancer.

All was forgotten as soon as the world learnt what was ailing the prince – his demeanours and misdemeanours, on and off the field, his successes and failures, controversies of his and his kin, six sixers, 1000 wickets and 20000 runs (remember his father?) – he suddenly became the darling child of everyone – not just connoisseurs of cricket, but people from all walks of life – film personalities, doctors, Lance Armstrong (no one cares to remember him now, though – ask Yuvraj?), et al. Wishes poured from all over, allying with the medical treatment that he received to cure him of the evil. It is good to see him on the field again, wielding the willow, turning to be a menace himself to the bowlers! What a turnaround!

Manisha’s is different, in the way the professional front was seen prior to learning of the ailment – a not-so-successful, yet a more glamourous time before the camera, a shaky marriage – more than comprehensible and manageable for a woman – have not won her many hearts other than for she being Manisha Koirala. Nevertheless, she proved to be an able fighter like Yuvraj, and emerged cured. Considering the magnitude of the disease, it is no less than a second life to both of them.

Best wishes to them, hoping to get entertained by their professional endeavours in the time to come!

Perhaps, a thought has to go to those who are not so lucky, not so blessed to not have the peril detected at an earlier stage, and to not afford an appropriate treatment to fight the menace. Perhaps, Yuvrajs and Manishas will also engage themselves in that direction, besides spreading awareness about the disease.

One need not be a connoisseur of any art form, any music, not least the Hindustani classical style, to comprehend this one of Gangubai Hanagal and Bismillah Khan (http://in.dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/anantapur_pals_82/message/2563) – just swell the heart to fit in the feeling, singing paeans of emotion.