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.