On fish’s trail

Social media has traversed in a decade what mankind has in an age – its reach and influence on users is undoubted, but the value it commands in the marketplace is seemingly unrealistic.

The stories like that of WhatsApp’s founder’s rejection by Facebook in the earlier years add spice to the episode, but the social media giant’s buying of the mobile chatter demonstrated despondency than shrewdness – rather more emotional and less analytical business step.

On the contrary, it displayed a more analytical business stride by the younger one to have baited its older peer.

With all the noise that the buyout made in the market, the half-billion users seem to have silently approved the deal that shows the power of networking. The profile of users matters, too, which Facebook must have pondered over.

The onset of spring brings nostalgic memories of academic and fiscal year-end – a truly “testing” time either way; recently IPL overlapping the mood, added by the impendent polls this year.

The polls have already brought the polls before the polls – on the trail of the fish – the big ones at that – tracking their progress to the finish line. Or progress to finish. Either way. The sullied vie with the clean, notwithstanding their past records. And like fish, these big fish don’t leave a trail of them, however smutty. The just-concluded Lok Sabha had the distinction of being the worst in business, besides being the usual corrupt.

Nilekani is splashing Bangalore all over – his promises are yet to come of splashing Bangalore all over, and splashing Bangalore with all the hues. Recently RaGa met with the street vendors – wonder how it would seem when these vendors occupy the street before our homes. Legally permitted, licensed vendors, leaving you with no option.

Aiyer may be ruing his tea-jibe – now Lalu’s followers are having tea, too, following the brigade selling Rahul milk and Priyanka khichdi, taunting Modi’s tea to be of foreign origin. How staler could it become? Where’s the comparison heading? Does it tally (sounds familiar?)? Modi’s rivals are awaiting seeing stars, for they can join them akin to dots to see the emerging picture.

One of the twitters who’s followed wrote – beer pe baatcheet to complement chai pe charcha.

Jago Re, Jago Re, Jago Re, Jago . . .

Pity Gopi, Bala, et al, who made a beeline after AAP swept Delhi. Now they feel hit by the wrong side of the broom. Sisodia and Ashutosh wanted change – now they’re in the other side of the media camera. For now. Bedi has already distanced herself, but only if she could put brakes on her motormouth.

Corporate honchos, technocrats, bureaucrats, mediamen – misguided intellect?

One such motormouth now has foot in it – Vishwas – after tickling the religious and racist sentiments. Being in the company of Delhi’s newest rulers, he should’ve withheld his remarks about religion and the Kerala nurses – it will hurt his own party. He didn’t seem to be a threat to anyone, in the first place; now he has put himself under his rivals’ feet. Someone said he’s a poet, too.

But, who’s that that is suggesting things to AAP? Bharti’s raids, dharna, free water, subsidized electricity – all popularist, none practical. The party is not showing the way, but has been paving a way to its own grave. There was debate on TV what AK would do with Bharti – if he would be retained, sacked or asked to go on leave. The best is the third option – ask him to go on leave, paid leave at that, and suggest him to visit Uganda.

What do the so called “intellectual” aam aadmis think of holding the city hosting the Republic Day celebrations to ransom? If AK is not bothered about his security, he should think about others’. IM may be squirming about the lost opportunity of kidnapping him.

Poor Nirupam – he’s put himself in an awkward position – that to fast, a la Anna – to get subsidized electricity to Mumbai. AAP’s initiatives have become pain in the wrong place to other states like Maharashtra. And politicians like Nirupam, while thinking they just hit a masterstroke, are yet to realize where it’s paining while they sit on dharna.

Just heard – AAP’s online donations are dwindling.

Juhi was replaced by Parineeti. Now Shinde will replace Parineeti. With a twist, that is. Yeda hai. Par mer hai.

Duckworth and Lewis will be laughing at Indians’ plight at the end of the second ODI in NZ – for having lost the game despite scoring more than NZ! Cricket must be the only game with such weird rules.

Rafa and Fedex’s match in the neighbouring country should bring cheer to sports enthusiasts, only that it’s the semifinal.

What would’ve happened had the tournament been played in India when the mercury hovered around 45C?

The Jago Re, Jago Re, Jago Re, Jago ad for a tea brand must have a new ambassador – NaMo.

There’s a proposal to shift Tipu’s armoury in Karnataka to make way for railways’ line doubling – let historical monuments be preserved, what if it’s Tipu’s? History is history. With Kharge being the incumbent Railways Minister, BJP should fight for the cause, of preserving the monument, in history’s name – the fight would be genuine, and beneficial.

TGIF!

What a Friday it is!

RaGa was all over the place. TV, that is. And #AICCMeet was evidence enough that the Congress has just phrased its epitaph, and RaGa’s able followers are scrambling to find a suitable stone.

It is notable that only his partymen have praised – gone overboard, rather – his speech – some pointing on the coverage, some the tone, some the style. For them, there was nothing amiss.

All wasn’t gas, though – they’ve just added three more cylinders to the quota!

But, for all his supposed re-ignition efforts for a rejuvenated approach for the 2014 LS polls, there were his own partymen pulling the rug from under his feet – Aiyar chiding NaMo with his, unrepentant-on-TV, chaiwala comment.

Well, Aiyar was thought to be one of those, very few, good men, intellectuals, to have been in the wrong party. His comments show either he has been corrupted because of the party he is in, or he is in the right party.

He doesn’t have to bother – he has company – Tiwari and Singhvi. He has to bother because he is not unique!

RaGa seems to have forgotten to send a few more partymen to dig the grave. Anyway, AICC’s Delhi office may be big enough to keep the tombstone.

Talking of RaGa, he pointed out that it’s not the party’s tradition to name the PM before the poll. But, shouldn’t someone tell him that democracy itself doesn’t exist in his own party?

Has the Rs.500 crore deal been signed? Wonder who wrote his speech! Did anyone notice if it was a pizza-wiped tissue paper he was reading from?

The difference is very apparent. And appalling! Kejriwal might have realized the importance of a solid family backup and background to run a state, even as small as Delhi. At least, a solid name. Surname, that is. Poor fellow had thought a lawyer makes for a good Law Minister. Remember Munna Bhai’s “health minister”?

And it didn’t start with Binny. Neither will it end with Delhi Police. The CM has taken his colleagues to the big home minister Shinde. He might be thinking of outsourcing the Delhi state’s administration to the Centre.

Can’t wait for tomorrow’s newspaper. Yeah – only newspapers give crispy news. Will Pranabda be feeling similarly?

The Aussies aren’t done yet – they’re all over the Poms, all over again. Looks like the cook isn’t feeding his mates well. There isn’t any place left in them to paint any more white. Go, grab a grub. Cricket will happen anyway.

Gulzar might be feeling lonely today. A storm may be brewing up there with Sanjiv, Suchitra, RD, Kishore readapting his story and rededicating the lyrics. Can’t there be Aandhi 2, 3, . . .?

2014 Poll-IT merge for a new polity?

With Nilekani candidly disclosing his intentions to contest the Lok Sabha elections, following his former colleague at Infy Bala, who recently joined AAP, it looks like IT has put its arm over Indian polity’s shoulder. Looks “straight”? For that matter, there was Gopi landing in AAP’s lap recently. AAP looks lips lapping it all up.

Wonder why these “intelligent” politicians get it wrong! Congress’ bid to revamp and revive RaGa’s image, spending Rs.500 crore, is a confirmation, and its admission itself, of the leader’s waning charisma. Announcing it makes for immature beginning to the exercise! Or is it the brand managers’ smart moves that won them a jackpot? Rs.500 crore in 3-4 months! Or is it 3-4 months plus 5 years?

Congress isn’t stopping with that. It’s thinking of Priyanka now – isn’t it a wee bit late? There wasn’t any doubt about her appeal vis-à-vis RaGa’s – only, her appeal has to be backed up by the party with work worthy of showing.

With all that said, will the grandpas and uncles and aunts (one grandma has just announce retirement, and there aren’t many others) in the party let the kids wield the wand? Specially, with the mother in the sidelines due to more than one reason. Looks like this time the party will take a break. Rs.500 crore will go down the drain. Whose money is it, anyway?

Bedi has just shown her love towards BJP. Has she ever had a firm standing? Or was she leaning towards “right”? Wonder who’d follow! Patle wale daayen taraf. Mote wale baayen taraf. Fit waale mere peeche . . . Will an army follow? Former Army Chief?

By the way, how’s the sky coloured in Ralegaon Siddhi, now-a-days?

The claps’ accent

The Aussies have won 5-0, and in recent memory, this has been the greatest series, and Ashes of course – to come from behind, having been mauled ruthlessly by the same opponent, in cricket and outside it, too. There wasn’t much outside cricket, this time, though, on display – but the cricket provided for all that it encompasses. The sport, and the spirit of it. The Aussie spirit, particularly.

England lost the series when Trott left mid-way after the first test, before the Aussies regained the Ashes at the end of the third. Swann joined the feeble chorus that Trott intended to send out, that drowned by the Aussie supporters’ hurray and the Barmy Army’s prayers. Stuart’s broad bat didn’t help his team much, after the reckoned batters faltered, as did his bowling lacked sting. The sting could have been that motormouth, both on and off field, that might have sprouted the new-found zing in the Oz camp. And didn’t they fail to tame the Lyon? He was out not even once in the series!

Nevertheless, the applause had a global accent.