Happy Birthday to you, Sir! If I may use a few lines from a popular Hindi song: Aap Jiyo Hazaron Saal, Saal Ke Din Ho Pachaas Hazaar! (May You Live For Thousands Of Years, With Every Year Having 50,000 Days Each!)
In fact, Sir, you are the only contemporary Indian – after Mahatma Gandhi – who has truly transcended the Indian borders and has etched his place permanently into the global consciousness! Tatas’ legacy couldn’t have been carried forward more beautifully by anybody else! Your name’s abbreviated form RT equally represents Respect and Trust as much as Ratan Tata! The Tata Group is immensely fortunate to have you as their Leader! May you be around to guide and lead them, always! Likewise, may you always be there for India! You are the true Bharat Ratan!
If God ever granted me three wishes for letting three historic figures (Your place is set in history, already!) live forever on this earth, I would say: Mahatma Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and, You!
Happy Birthday, again!
And, a Happy 2010! May the coming year be the Best for You, so far!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
I am a celebrity!
I am a celebrity! ... (My assumed position before you think I have gone insane!)
I am celebrated by all! ... (The etymological origin of the word “celebrity”.)
I am larger than life! ... (Every celebrity’s notion!)
I am famous! ... (There are many who are 'only' famous but not a celebrity!)
I am who controls the world! ... (The behavior says it all!)
I am who controls people! ... (Ask all those taken-for-granted fans!)
I am who controls the media! ... (That’s what every celebrity likes to think!)
I am, therefore, my world: I, Me, Myself! …
Aahh … Ok, I am back to my senses :)
Let’s try to understand this entire “business” of being a celebrity.
As a celebrity’s “life” gets “celebrated” by “ordinary” people - fans - he/she enjoys every moment of it – of being a “public” figure! A celebrity strategically “positions” oneself in public consciousness by “projecting” a particular “image”, and reaps immense benefits by getting to endorse various “related” products, therefore, cashing every ounce from the celebrity-hood!
In effect, however, gradually a celebrity becomes a “commodity” in the process – a position a bit difficult to sustain, by many. Because, with celebrity-hood comes responsibilities: responsibility to retain the “image” and maintain the “connect” between the endorsed products and consumers. After all, a huge sum of money rides on a celebrity every time!
Being a celebrity is not a bed of roses always; with it comes many thorns as well. A celebrity cannot be seen “flirting” with one’s “public image” by indulging into “conflicting” activities. Otherwise, he/she is set to lose almost everything earned over a period of time: the fame could turn into shame, and endorsements could dry up overnight.
The bigger loss, however, a celebrity suffers under such a “losing” circumstance is in one’s fan-base. When a celebrity falls from the pedestal, fans feel the major jolt: a fan feels emotionally cheated; his/her respect and love (selfless, of course) for his/her “favorite” shattered beyond redemption! The corporate sector fears this situation a lot: as fans find difficulty in “connecting” with that celebrity anymore and also the brands being endorsed by him/her.
As Media gets into a hyper mode, there are “stories” everywhere! The whole world seems to be talking only about the “latest scandal”! And a “larger than life” personality suddenly finds trouble in escaping from the “life” altogether! …
The same thing we saw happening to Tiger Woods. He was always much more than being “only” an amazing golfer with unmatched golfing skills. He enjoyed and earned billions of dollars because of his “projected image” of being a complete man: a hugely successful golfer and a dedicated family person, all rolled into one. People loved and respected him, selflessly, because of that. I seriously feel he could have been careful with his own life. After all, there was a lot at stake. I am sure he should have known about it all: that being a “public figure” means not having rigid “boundaries” drawn around one’s “private” space: people will have an access – though limited – to that space, always.
The raging media debate that to what extent the world should be allowed to get “involved” in a celebrity’s life has no meaning in Tiger Woods case. The fallout of the scandal is not his personal and professional loss alone; his adoring fans loss cannot be overlooked. Moreover, how can one expect the companies to continue to cast him as their “model” when the “role model” in him has got lost? Blaming public, or media, for “transgressions”(!) into his “private” life with “voyeuristic” attitude will not serve the purpose. The Tiger Woods is lost forever: the “renewed” version, if at all it comes back – will never be able to enjoy the same “pedestal position” as the erstwhile invincible and God-like Woods! … I feel sorry for him, and also for myself as his admirer. His loss is my loss, his every fan’s loss, the world’s loss, everybody’s loss. … May God guide him, from now on.
In conclusion: if a celebrity enjoys being “celebrated” by “ordinary” people, then one should be ready for being pulled down from the pedestal to being a pedestrian because of the self-created mess with wayward ways.
(I wanted to express my views on this subject post watching Barkha Dutt debate the topic on We The People.)
I am celebrated by all! ... (The etymological origin of the word “celebrity”.)
I am larger than life! ... (Every celebrity’s notion!)
I am famous! ... (There are many who are 'only' famous but not a celebrity!)
I am who controls the world! ... (The behavior says it all!)
I am who controls people! ... (Ask all those taken-for-granted fans!)
I am who controls the media! ... (That’s what every celebrity likes to think!)
I am, therefore, my world: I, Me, Myself! …
Aahh … Ok, I am back to my senses :)
Let’s try to understand this entire “business” of being a celebrity.
As a celebrity’s “life” gets “celebrated” by “ordinary” people - fans - he/she enjoys every moment of it – of being a “public” figure! A celebrity strategically “positions” oneself in public consciousness by “projecting” a particular “image”, and reaps immense benefits by getting to endorse various “related” products, therefore, cashing every ounce from the celebrity-hood!
In effect, however, gradually a celebrity becomes a “commodity” in the process – a position a bit difficult to sustain, by many. Because, with celebrity-hood comes responsibilities: responsibility to retain the “image” and maintain the “connect” between the endorsed products and consumers. After all, a huge sum of money rides on a celebrity every time!
Being a celebrity is not a bed of roses always; with it comes many thorns as well. A celebrity cannot be seen “flirting” with one’s “public image” by indulging into “conflicting” activities. Otherwise, he/she is set to lose almost everything earned over a period of time: the fame could turn into shame, and endorsements could dry up overnight.
The bigger loss, however, a celebrity suffers under such a “losing” circumstance is in one’s fan-base. When a celebrity falls from the pedestal, fans feel the major jolt: a fan feels emotionally cheated; his/her respect and love (selfless, of course) for his/her “favorite” shattered beyond redemption! The corporate sector fears this situation a lot: as fans find difficulty in “connecting” with that celebrity anymore and also the brands being endorsed by him/her.
As Media gets into a hyper mode, there are “stories” everywhere! The whole world seems to be talking only about the “latest scandal”! And a “larger than life” personality suddenly finds trouble in escaping from the “life” altogether! …
The same thing we saw happening to Tiger Woods. He was always much more than being “only” an amazing golfer with unmatched golfing skills. He enjoyed and earned billions of dollars because of his “projected image” of being a complete man: a hugely successful golfer and a dedicated family person, all rolled into one. People loved and respected him, selflessly, because of that. I seriously feel he could have been careful with his own life. After all, there was a lot at stake. I am sure he should have known about it all: that being a “public figure” means not having rigid “boundaries” drawn around one’s “private” space: people will have an access – though limited – to that space, always.
The raging media debate that to what extent the world should be allowed to get “involved” in a celebrity’s life has no meaning in Tiger Woods case. The fallout of the scandal is not his personal and professional loss alone; his adoring fans loss cannot be overlooked. Moreover, how can one expect the companies to continue to cast him as their “model” when the “role model” in him has got lost? Blaming public, or media, for “transgressions”(!) into his “private” life with “voyeuristic” attitude will not serve the purpose. The Tiger Woods is lost forever: the “renewed” version, if at all it comes back – will never be able to enjoy the same “pedestal position” as the erstwhile invincible and God-like Woods! … I feel sorry for him, and also for myself as his admirer. His loss is my loss, his every fan’s loss, the world’s loss, everybody’s loss. … May God guide him, from now on.
In conclusion: if a celebrity enjoys being “celebrated” by “ordinary” people, then one should be ready for being pulled down from the pedestal to being a pedestrian because of the self-created mess with wayward ways.
(I wanted to express my views on this subject post watching Barkha Dutt debate the topic on We The People.)
Monday, December 21, 2009
Kasab's Crime - and Punishment
Watching news channels incessantly flash Kasab’s most dramatic u-turn reminded me of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s superb “Crime and Punishment”. Not only the words “crime” and “punishment” started playing out in my mind but also the protagonist (sorry, I do not remember the name) who had at first tried to justify his sinful action by believing that murder was permissible in pursuit of a “higher” purpose. However, I could see the clear delineation between the criminal in the novel and the murderer of 26/11 innocents: the former had the moral courage to accept his crime and choose the path to self-redemption, but, here in India, the murderer Ajmal Aamir Kasab had remained shamelessly remorseless. Infact, he had the audacity to proclaim, “I have never seen a AK-47!”
At first I felt acute agony but then I steadied my anguished mental state by deciding not to waste my emotions over a demon who was not human.
But I felt intense anger at the workings of the criminal justice system of our country. The farce of conducting a “fair” trial in the name of a democratic system and the “right” of even an established accused is immensely baffling. India has wasted vast amount of rupees and resources in the apparently never-ending process. And in the end, India gets to hear an unregretful Kasab say, “I had come to Bombay to try my luck in Hindi movies!”
This entire saga is being played out in a Bollywood style. We have a killer captured live on CCTV – and also on numerous television channels - killing scores of people with his AK-47 – yes, the same gun he claims to have never seen! – and watched live all across the globe. And then there are 610 “lucky-to-be-living” witnesses whose accounts the courts took extra pains to record officially. While the entire drama is being played out, the villain is being lodged in especially renovated jails with all possible comforts, enjoying highest possible security cover. The story is advancing well as planned with “expected” twists in the script sprinkled in between. Then comes the climax: the scene is of the courtroom. The prosecutor and the police are presenting their investigative reports; the judge asks the accused for his final words and then the world hears the most extraordinary narration of the times: Killer Kasab’s Krazy Konfessions! Recants actually, technically. (The details are imprinted on Indians psyche thanks to repeated “breaking news” on TV channels and extensive coverage by newspapers.) …
If we grant a fair and free trial rights to even a proven criminal like Kasab (until proven guilty?!) and prolong the process beyond comprehension - making it look more like a time-pass - then it is a sheer mockery of the criminal justice system; and a mockery of the memories of all those innocents murdered mercilessly on that fateful night of 26/11. Aren’t the closed-circuit cameras and the scores of witnesses not proof enough to convict Kasab? Does India fear that international courts may condemn it if it accorded deserved punishment to Kasab for unpardonable crimes? I mean, is there any justification for a “democratic” judiciary procedure in this case?
In my opinion, and I am sure I share it with my fellow Indians, Kasab should be hanged till death in public. Period. His heinous crime deserves nothing less. The message to terrorists of his ilk will be that they cannot – and should not – try to fool around any more. India – and the world – will hand over adequate punishment in proportion to their crime every time they try to disrupt peace and harmony. Terrorists are simply poisonous weeds: the world will uproot them forever. And peace and prosperity will prevail on our earth – come what may!
May Allah come to this nihilist’s rescue by sending him a Sonia, like the protagonist in Crime and Punishment, and set his soul free from all radical ideologies and sins. … Inshallah.
At first I felt acute agony but then I steadied my anguished mental state by deciding not to waste my emotions over a demon who was not human.
But I felt intense anger at the workings of the criminal justice system of our country. The farce of conducting a “fair” trial in the name of a democratic system and the “right” of even an established accused is immensely baffling. India has wasted vast amount of rupees and resources in the apparently never-ending process. And in the end, India gets to hear an unregretful Kasab say, “I had come to Bombay to try my luck in Hindi movies!”
This entire saga is being played out in a Bollywood style. We have a killer captured live on CCTV – and also on numerous television channels - killing scores of people with his AK-47 – yes, the same gun he claims to have never seen! – and watched live all across the globe. And then there are 610 “lucky-to-be-living” witnesses whose accounts the courts took extra pains to record officially. While the entire drama is being played out, the villain is being lodged in especially renovated jails with all possible comforts, enjoying highest possible security cover. The story is advancing well as planned with “expected” twists in the script sprinkled in between. Then comes the climax: the scene is of the courtroom. The prosecutor and the police are presenting their investigative reports; the judge asks the accused for his final words and then the world hears the most extraordinary narration of the times: Killer Kasab’s Krazy Konfessions! Recants actually, technically. (The details are imprinted on Indians psyche thanks to repeated “breaking news” on TV channels and extensive coverage by newspapers.) …
If we grant a fair and free trial rights to even a proven criminal like Kasab (until proven guilty?!) and prolong the process beyond comprehension - making it look more like a time-pass - then it is a sheer mockery of the criminal justice system; and a mockery of the memories of all those innocents murdered mercilessly on that fateful night of 26/11. Aren’t the closed-circuit cameras and the scores of witnesses not proof enough to convict Kasab? Does India fear that international courts may condemn it if it accorded deserved punishment to Kasab for unpardonable crimes? I mean, is there any justification for a “democratic” judiciary procedure in this case?
In my opinion, and I am sure I share it with my fellow Indians, Kasab should be hanged till death in public. Period. His heinous crime deserves nothing less. The message to terrorists of his ilk will be that they cannot – and should not – try to fool around any more. India – and the world – will hand over adequate punishment in proportion to their crime every time they try to disrupt peace and harmony. Terrorists are simply poisonous weeds: the world will uproot them forever. And peace and prosperity will prevail on our earth – come what may!
May Allah come to this nihilist’s rescue by sending him a Sonia, like the protagonist in Crime and Punishment, and set his soul free from all radical ideologies and sins. … Inshallah.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Post-Bush America: for India
The fact that we are still not living in a Post-American world is evident from the all around frenzy in our country over the not so well developing Indo-US relation since Obama administration took charge of affairs. The fact that the US foreign policy hawks did not deem India suitable enough to be a part of the stability plan in our troubled northern neighborhoods is also causing concern amongst the Indian politicians and the diplomats alike. The fact that the American President tried to involve China in the Indian scheme of things in Kashmir is giving severe ulcers to foreign policy pundits. The fact that President Obama played a marvelous host to our prime minister during his state visit but never for once publicly reprimanded – even as a passing remark – Pakistan for sponsoring terror activities on the Indian soil is solid enough a proof that for the United States of America – under Barack Obama – India still has to cover quite a distance before it can even think of being counted as its “natural ally”.
So, what should India do?
Without delay, India should remove all those ambiguous factors that have kept its foreign policy ailing, and inconsequential, since inception post independence.
India should immediately take stock of its foreign policy framework and rework on it, putting a few brilliant “expert” brains behind it. If India wants to sit on the global high table and get counted in matters pertaining to geopolitics, it will have to sell itself well. And, India has a lot to “sell” to the world: its hard power and its soft power as well!
India’s military prowess – in defending its territorial integrity in spite of repeated assaults by both Pakistan and China - is acknowledged by all. Though it should maintain its non-ambitious status in terms of border expansion, nevertheless, India should assert itself strongly in matters related to regional politics. India truly deserves a leadership position in its immediate neighborhoods, to start with, before embarking on an endeavor with global aspirations.
Talking about its soft power, though things “Indian” are becoming a rage abroad, still a lot needs to be achieved in this domain. India has to put in a lots of “intelligent” efforts in making people world over adopt the “Indian-way-of-life” as a matter of routine, like the “American-way-of-life” dominates the global psyche. India has to get into the consciousness of the world. Then only we can truly claim to have arrived on the world stage.
For India, selling its soft power is much easier today due to world’s willingness to accept and experiment things “Indian”. This change is apparent, and possible, because of India’s growing economic clout. After all, everybody wants to emulate a nation which is economically on a strong foundation. Remember, the “Mighty Dollar”? India’s “Reliable Rupee” could do the trick!
I feel, it is simple to comprehend.
India is an emerging economy and as the fourth largest economy of the world is expected to soon acquire the economic superpower status along side China. Therefore, it is high time India leveraged its economic strength and established itself as a real “emerging” global power. For this, India needs to put its foreign policy in place.
And, soon the world will see a strategic shift in Obama administration’s attitude towards India and will acknowledge our country as US’ “natural ally”. Its otherwise “failing and crumbling” neighborhoods will accept India as its regional leader and sustained peace and prosperity will be brought about in this part of the world and elsewhere as well! I truly believe that a lot can be accomplished globally with coming together of the oldest and the largest democracies of the world!
Sounds achievable? … I think so.
Thus, Indians need not worry about having to live in a Post-Bush America. With the requisite changes in India’s approach towards its international affairs, both India and the world will soon get to enjoy the Obama-Singh era!
(A sincere digression: God forbid, if the world will ever have to live in the Post-American world. ’Cause, all said and done, the democratic America is a much better world leader than the autocratic Russia or China!)
Disclaimer - The above views are the earnest expressions of a foreign policy non-pundit!
So, what should India do?
Without delay, India should remove all those ambiguous factors that have kept its foreign policy ailing, and inconsequential, since inception post independence.
India should immediately take stock of its foreign policy framework and rework on it, putting a few brilliant “expert” brains behind it. If India wants to sit on the global high table and get counted in matters pertaining to geopolitics, it will have to sell itself well. And, India has a lot to “sell” to the world: its hard power and its soft power as well!
India’s military prowess – in defending its territorial integrity in spite of repeated assaults by both Pakistan and China - is acknowledged by all. Though it should maintain its non-ambitious status in terms of border expansion, nevertheless, India should assert itself strongly in matters related to regional politics. India truly deserves a leadership position in its immediate neighborhoods, to start with, before embarking on an endeavor with global aspirations.
Talking about its soft power, though things “Indian” are becoming a rage abroad, still a lot needs to be achieved in this domain. India has to put in a lots of “intelligent” efforts in making people world over adopt the “Indian-way-of-life” as a matter of routine, like the “American-way-of-life” dominates the global psyche. India has to get into the consciousness of the world. Then only we can truly claim to have arrived on the world stage.
For India, selling its soft power is much easier today due to world’s willingness to accept and experiment things “Indian”. This change is apparent, and possible, because of India’s growing economic clout. After all, everybody wants to emulate a nation which is economically on a strong foundation. Remember, the “Mighty Dollar”? India’s “Reliable Rupee” could do the trick!
I feel, it is simple to comprehend.
India is an emerging economy and as the fourth largest economy of the world is expected to soon acquire the economic superpower status along side China. Therefore, it is high time India leveraged its economic strength and established itself as a real “emerging” global power. For this, India needs to put its foreign policy in place.
And, soon the world will see a strategic shift in Obama administration’s attitude towards India and will acknowledge our country as US’ “natural ally”. Its otherwise “failing and crumbling” neighborhoods will accept India as its regional leader and sustained peace and prosperity will be brought about in this part of the world and elsewhere as well! I truly believe that a lot can be accomplished globally with coming together of the oldest and the largest democracies of the world!
Sounds achievable? … I think so.
Thus, Indians need not worry about having to live in a Post-Bush America. With the requisite changes in India’s approach towards its international affairs, both India and the world will soon get to enjoy the Obama-Singh era!
(A sincere digression: God forbid, if the world will ever have to live in the Post-American world. ’Cause, all said and done, the democratic America is a much better world leader than the autocratic Russia or China!)
Disclaimer - The above views are the earnest expressions of a foreign policy non-pundit!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Hope @ 'hagen?
Nope. That’s my feeling.
The Climate Change Conference at Copenhagen is experiencing extreme confusion and chaos. The ongoing slugfest between the ‘developed’ and the ‘developing’ nations is becoming more intense as the days go by. The inevitable stalemate is not going to be resolved anytime soon. Perhaps it will take many more years before the human race realizes its own ultimate interest in saving its abode: the Earth.
What I find the most amusing is the definition of the developed and the developing nations. China is currently the most dominant global economy; yet it claims to be ‘developing’, still! And, therefore, China is smartly trying to sweep under its responsibilities towards containing industrial pollution in spite of being the biggest polluter in today’s times.
There is no denying the fact that the established ‘developed’ countries have to take the accountability in terms of commitment and investments in cutting down the emission levels to the non-dangerous levels as they have been the primary culprits in bringing the world to its hazardous levels of global warming.
Nevertheless, I feel that the emerging economies like China and India – yes, India, too – will also have to own their share of responsibilities towards carbon emission cuts. They cannot keep hiding behind their low per capita emission cloak and get away; a country’s absolute contribution to the global pollution should be taken as the deciding yardstick. And, they should stop singing the same old tune about being penalized for the reckless ways of industrialized nations and that they do not have enough resources to implement the required norms. Most of the developing countries – say for instance, India – are rich enough to put enough money in necessary technologies. Only, they have to be honest with their expenditures. Because, what ails all these countries besides overflowing population and, perhaps, resultant pollution is the perilous levels of corruption. (Remember Rajiv Gandhi’s honest admission about 85% of the public money getting into private bank accounts of the immensely corrupt politicians and bureaucrats in India?!) … The African nations of course need extensive support from the rich nations in meeting their levels of carbon cuts.
Let’s all work towards a Cleaner and a Greener Earth for the sustained survival of the humankind. We sure want to see our 'carbon-free' footprints forever on this planet!
So, let’s hope that Hope Happens @ Copenhagen!
The Climate Change Conference at Copenhagen is experiencing extreme confusion and chaos. The ongoing slugfest between the ‘developed’ and the ‘developing’ nations is becoming more intense as the days go by. The inevitable stalemate is not going to be resolved anytime soon. Perhaps it will take many more years before the human race realizes its own ultimate interest in saving its abode: the Earth.
What I find the most amusing is the definition of the developed and the developing nations. China is currently the most dominant global economy; yet it claims to be ‘developing’, still! And, therefore, China is smartly trying to sweep under its responsibilities towards containing industrial pollution in spite of being the biggest polluter in today’s times.
There is no denying the fact that the established ‘developed’ countries have to take the accountability in terms of commitment and investments in cutting down the emission levels to the non-dangerous levels as they have been the primary culprits in bringing the world to its hazardous levels of global warming.
Nevertheless, I feel that the emerging economies like China and India – yes, India, too – will also have to own their share of responsibilities towards carbon emission cuts. They cannot keep hiding behind their low per capita emission cloak and get away; a country’s absolute contribution to the global pollution should be taken as the deciding yardstick. And, they should stop singing the same old tune about being penalized for the reckless ways of industrialized nations and that they do not have enough resources to implement the required norms. Most of the developing countries – say for instance, India – are rich enough to put enough money in necessary technologies. Only, they have to be honest with their expenditures. Because, what ails all these countries besides overflowing population and, perhaps, resultant pollution is the perilous levels of corruption. (Remember Rajiv Gandhi’s honest admission about 85% of the public money getting into private bank accounts of the immensely corrupt politicians and bureaucrats in India?!) … The African nations of course need extensive support from the rich nations in meeting their levels of carbon cuts.
Let’s all work towards a Cleaner and a Greener Earth for the sustained survival of the humankind. We sure want to see our 'carbon-free' footprints forever on this planet!
So, let’s hope that Hope Happens @ Copenhagen!
Friday, November 27, 2009
26/11/2009: Bombay, a year later
I along with my country folks and people from all over the world got somber yesterday for all the innocent victims of Bombay massacre last year. The mindless mayhem perpetrated upon the city and people of Bombay by a bunch of Pakistan-trained terrorists was so extraordinary that those 62 hours made India seem the most vulnerable. Bombay, of course, bounced back to life soon, showing its famed resilience once again in the face of its biggest adversity. The extraordinary courage shown by Taj Mahal hotel and Trident hotel staff, anti-terror squad's officers, CST's announcer, policemen, and most of all our elite NSG commandos was all the stuff of legends! Also encouraging was the solidarity shown by the citizens of India in severe condemnation of the most barbaric destabilizing act of the brainwashed extremists. We all heard India chanting: Enough is Enough!
The Indian government had to act. Under public pressure, it removed the utterly incompetent Home Minister. The Maharashtra chief minister and the home minister were forced to resign because of their absolute insensitiveness exhibited towards the most shocking of the carnage. India got a new Home Minister: a highly respected and perhaps the most competent so far. It felt India would finally be able to brace itself for any future fight to save its territorial integrity and maintain tranquility all around.
But nothing has changed apparently.
Except for the workings of the ministry of home affairs, of course. P. Chidambaram has successfully revamped the systems involved in maintaining homeland security to a large extent and we would soon be seeing him further minimizing the “accumulated neglect” and ensuring that India never ever gets under such hopeless circumstances.
But, beyond that? Has Bombay really learnt its lessons? Could Bombayites sustain their anger against the state government’s gross ineptness in handling the entire episode of terror? Did they decide to throw out the incompetent and corrupt government for bringing their beloved city to its knees in those horrific 62 hours a year earlier at the first opportunity thrown to them in terms of the state assembly elections recently? Sadly, the answer to all these disturbing questions is a big NO.
Bombay could never transcend beyond sloganeering. “Enough is Enough” remained only in the domain of a few people seeking short-term television appearance. They did not even come out to vote in enough numbers that could have upset the ruling party’s cartel. They did not even choose a few decent and capable professionals who had decided to take a plunge in the murky waters of politics, all for the sake of their fellow citizens. Worse, the same person got the Home portfolio whose utterly shocking sentiments that “such small things keep happening in big cities” had offended the entire nation post 26/11.
The fact that Bombay tries to disguise its indifference towards its narrow day-to-day routine grind of life by showcasing its so-called virtue of “resilience” is immensely disappointing. And this was at its best display yesterday – a year post 26/11.
The citiwallas had no time to come together even in remembrance, forget about showing solidarity and strength in demanding answers from the state and the central governments for their continuing apathy. Whatever we saw happening yesterday in Bombay and elsewhere as a mark of 26/11 first anniversary was all thanks to media’s initiatives, television channels in particular. Otherwise, the so-called Maximum City was happy with its minimum exhibition of its emotions.
(And, by the way, where were all those stalwarts, again, – by/for/of Marathi Manoos - ever eager to divide Bombay – err, Mumbai – in the name of the so-called Maratha Pride? Perhaps, they did not deem the issue of Mumbai’s safety strong enough a platform to garner a few more gullible votes! Honestly, I pity Shiv Sena and MNS alike.)
I pray for all those departed souls and their family members left behind. I pray for enough strength to our Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram who has the skill and the will to set things right. I pray for sustained security and prosperity of my country.
God save India.
The Indian government had to act. Under public pressure, it removed the utterly incompetent Home Minister. The Maharashtra chief minister and the home minister were forced to resign because of their absolute insensitiveness exhibited towards the most shocking of the carnage. India got a new Home Minister: a highly respected and perhaps the most competent so far. It felt India would finally be able to brace itself for any future fight to save its territorial integrity and maintain tranquility all around.
But nothing has changed apparently.
Except for the workings of the ministry of home affairs, of course. P. Chidambaram has successfully revamped the systems involved in maintaining homeland security to a large extent and we would soon be seeing him further minimizing the “accumulated neglect” and ensuring that India never ever gets under such hopeless circumstances.
But, beyond that? Has Bombay really learnt its lessons? Could Bombayites sustain their anger against the state government’s gross ineptness in handling the entire episode of terror? Did they decide to throw out the incompetent and corrupt government for bringing their beloved city to its knees in those horrific 62 hours a year earlier at the first opportunity thrown to them in terms of the state assembly elections recently? Sadly, the answer to all these disturbing questions is a big NO.
Bombay could never transcend beyond sloganeering. “Enough is Enough” remained only in the domain of a few people seeking short-term television appearance. They did not even come out to vote in enough numbers that could have upset the ruling party’s cartel. They did not even choose a few decent and capable professionals who had decided to take a plunge in the murky waters of politics, all for the sake of their fellow citizens. Worse, the same person got the Home portfolio whose utterly shocking sentiments that “such small things keep happening in big cities” had offended the entire nation post 26/11.
The fact that Bombay tries to disguise its indifference towards its narrow day-to-day routine grind of life by showcasing its so-called virtue of “resilience” is immensely disappointing. And this was at its best display yesterday – a year post 26/11.
The citiwallas had no time to come together even in remembrance, forget about showing solidarity and strength in demanding answers from the state and the central governments for their continuing apathy. Whatever we saw happening yesterday in Bombay and elsewhere as a mark of 26/11 first anniversary was all thanks to media’s initiatives, television channels in particular. Otherwise, the so-called Maximum City was happy with its minimum exhibition of its emotions.
(And, by the way, where were all those stalwarts, again, – by/for/of Marathi Manoos - ever eager to divide Bombay – err, Mumbai – in the name of the so-called Maratha Pride? Perhaps, they did not deem the issue of Mumbai’s safety strong enough a platform to garner a few more gullible votes! Honestly, I pity Shiv Sena and MNS alike.)
I pray for all those departed souls and their family members left behind. I pray for enough strength to our Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram who has the skill and the will to set things right. I pray for sustained security and prosperity of my country.
God save India.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thank You, All !
“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was "thank you," that would suffice,” said Meister Eckhart a few centuries ago. Today, on this Thanksgiving Day, I take a leaf out of his saying and “Thank” all those people who made – and make – me who I am.
In essence, at the core, I Thank God for His/Her Blessings for surrounding me with the most wonderful of people i.e. my parents, to start with. Though “Thanks” is a very mild expression of my strong feelings of gratitude and love and respect that I have for them, yet I say, “Thank You, Mummy and Papa!”
I “Thank” my sisters for being in my life as “true” friends, more than anything else!
I “Thank” my knowledgeable teachers for imparting the best of knowledge and values!
I “Thank” all my friends who came into my life at various stages and made my life worth living!
I “Thank” all my “foes” too who made me acquire enough strength and learn the ways to survive in this “big bad world”!
I “Thank” Mahatma Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and all great historical and living figures in various fiields, authors, musicians, moviemakers, media, newspapers, sportspersons, and everybody and everything else for making my life enjoyable and comfortable!
Last, but not the least, I “Thank” my country for democracy and secularism that She has granted for my Free Life!
Thank You, All!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
:)
In essence, at the core, I Thank God for His/Her Blessings for surrounding me with the most wonderful of people i.e. my parents, to start with. Though “Thanks” is a very mild expression of my strong feelings of gratitude and love and respect that I have for them, yet I say, “Thank You, Mummy and Papa!”
I “Thank” my sisters for being in my life as “true” friends, more than anything else!
I “Thank” my knowledgeable teachers for imparting the best of knowledge and values!
I “Thank” all my friends who came into my life at various stages and made my life worth living!
I “Thank” all my “foes” too who made me acquire enough strength and learn the ways to survive in this “big bad world”!
I “Thank” Mahatma Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and all great historical and living figures in various fiields, authors, musicians, moviemakers, media, newspapers, sportspersons, and everybody and everything else for making my life enjoyable and comfortable!
Last, but not the least, I “Thank” my country for democracy and secularism that She has granted for my Free Life!
Thank You, All!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
:)
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