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REFLECTIONS OF A MAVERICK INDIAN
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In Search of Lost Glory : Indian Hockey
Posted: March 10th, 2010, 7:38am MST
India's World cup campaign started with a bang but ended with a creep. One has to feel for Indian Hockey, which has been struggling to regain its lost glory of yesteryears for decades now. But alas without public support and Govt funding. For Indian hockey, the Gold medal in 1980, Moscow Olympics was the last hurrah! That victory however, wasn't quite as sweet, as the Olympics were conducted in the shadow of half the world boycotting them, including arch rivals Pakistan. It also happened to be the only victory for -
Daggers Drawn :Tharoor & Media
Posted: March 3rd, 2010, 10:21am MST
Mr Shashi Tharoor must have rubbed the media the wrong way some time or the other. For, how else would the media get after him for some innocuous tweets? The latest one is on his statement in Riyadh, and the interpretation of the word 'Interlocutor'. As Mr Tharoor pointed out, An interlocutor is someone you speak to, nothing more. See for yourself here. So much ado over an innocuous tweet? As if India has never made use of international interlocution? Let me put the record straight here.... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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Amitabh Bachhan: India’s First Megastar
Posted: February 28th, 2010, 5:33pm MST
Amitabh Bachhan has won top honours yet again in the 55th Filmfare Awards. Is there any Bollywood movie award that the ageing actor is yet to win? Probably not. The achievements of greats of yester years like Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra.............pale into insignificance when juxtaposed with those of Bacchan senior. However, the appetite for achievement of the Sean Connery of Bollywood (as some people call him) seems far from over. His performances in 'Black', 'Sarkar'.....................and now 'Paa' bear testimony to the fact that the fire in his belly refuses to die down.... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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Union Budget Opposition Drama
Posted: February 26th, 2010, 5:28am MST
Having spent more than two hours reading the analysis of the Budget in Economic Times, I am no closer to figuring out whether to cheer or to moan. I was amazed at the number of opinions, from the financial analysts, stock brokers to political columnists et al. So I thought I would chip in with my two pennies worth(if it is worth even that). So here goes. While the IT relief is surely welcome(albeit small), the fuel price hike is more than enough to compensate for the savings affected and... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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Terror : From Within and Without
Posted: February 21st, 2010, 7:26pm MST
13 Feb 2010 : Bomb blast in Koregaon Park, Pune. 15 dead (at last count), 60 injured and counting. 14 Feb 2010 : A huge cache of explosives, including 200 kilograms of ammonium nitrate and 600 detonators, seized by Gujarat Police from Vapi in Valsad District. 15 Feb 2010 : Massacre of 24 security personnel of the Eastern Frontier Rifles at Silda, West Midnapore, WB. 17 Feb 2010 : 12 villagers including a child slaughtered and several abducted in Phulwari Karasi village in Jamui Distt,... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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How Smart is Your Right Foot??
Posted: February 20th, 2010, 3:14pm MST
While sitting at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.Now while doing this draw the number 6 in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction. Have Fun !!!!... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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The Tiger, Tamed
Posted: February 13th, 2010, 7:29am MST
The roar of the tiger turned into a whimper by the end of the day yesterday. Tiger and cub were left fuming and licking their wounds post successive debacles viz Rahul Gandhi's visit and now MNIK. Left with very few options to save face, they have now resorted to foul mouthing all and sundry in the Sena's daily newspaper 'Saamna'. Credit is due to all who ensured the release of the movie, beginning with the CM, Mr Chavan, all celebrities including Home Minsiter RR Patil for having led the audience into theatres, SRK and... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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WHO CALLS THE SHOTS IN MUMBAI?
Posted: February 11th, 2010, 2:55am MST
Photo : A Shiv Sena party activist vandalises a poster of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's new film "My Name is Khan" in Mumbai on Tuesday. Mumbai, last week, has been a battle zone. Shiv Sena vs Govt of Maharashtra. First round seems to have gone to the Sena. Chief Minister Chavan with moral support of the congress led govt in the centre, decided to take the Sena by the horns this time. However, the bull turned out to be stronger than expected. What must come as... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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HOWLER OF THE YEAR: HAVE A GOOD LAUGH
Posted: February 9th, 2010, 5:24pm MST
Question : What is the full name of Obama? Answer: Obama bin Laden!! That must qualify as the 'Howler of the Year'. By the way, this was not an answer elicited from any five or ten year old child....................they would surely have known better. It came from one of the contestants of the new TV reality show, 'Rahul Dulhaniya le Jaayega'. Take a look at some of the other answers from the contestants (all answers came from different contestants), who have been selected after a reasonably rigourous process... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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Should Freedom of Speech be Curbed?
Posted: February 5th, 2010, 6:51pm MST
The country has been witness to the verbal slugfest between the Thakerays and Rahul Gandhi and another one with Shahrukh Khan. And we have probably not seen the last of it. Non Marathis have had to bear the brunt of verbal abuse, threats and at times violent attacks for many years now. Despite efforts from central leadership, media activism, etc. divisive politics ceases to end. The war of words continues to grow bitter. (Read earlier post 'Divide to Rule' here) While freedom of speech is a fundamental right, the Shiv Sena and the MNS challenge... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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Leander Paes : The Phenomenon
Posted: February 1st, 2010, 5:38pm MST
Looking at Leander Paes playing doubles tennis, one cannot but admire this ageless wonder who along with Mahesh Bhupathi has been keeping the Indian flag flying high for almost two decades through his exploits on the Tennis circuit. Mahesh and Leander have been at the forefront of ATP tennis doubles for almost two decades now, and are showing no signs of fatigue. Contagious enthusiasm, electric reflexes, never say die attitude, remarkable anticipation, superb athleticism................. On the Tennis court Leander Paes is pure magic. What a shame that Leander and Mahesh who... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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Gul Panag’s Tweets make Headlines
Posted: January 30th, 2010, 5:52pm MST
Well ! Well! Well! Look what we have here now. The Panags strike back. Remember, Lt Gen HS Panag, who succeeded Gen Deepak Kapoor as the GOC-in-C Northern Command, was prematurely posted out to Central Command much to the chagrin of the former. Media reports at the time suggested that the move was a result of certain inquiries instituted by Lt Gen Panag, (who carried the reputation of being an honest and upright officer) on dubious procurements during Gen Kapoor's tenure as the GOC-in-C. Well maybe Lt Gen Panag should have taken a voluntary... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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PAK CRICKETERS SNUBBED!!
Posted: January 27th, 2010, 7:23pm MST
Having given my take on the game of cricket, India's fixation with the game and how it is affecting the country's performance in other sport, I made it evident that I am no cricket fan. However, cricket being a national pastime in India, one cannot stay totally insulated from the goings on in the cricketing world. A lot has lately been said about the IPL row. In the melee of allegations and counter allegations however, it is difficult to pin point responsibility for the slip shod manner in which the auction was handled. What is certain and obvious though... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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NATIONAL LANGUAGE
Posted: January 24th, 2010, 4:53am MST
Now the Gujrat High court has ruled that India does not have a National language. Link.The ruling is another step towards division of the country. So far the privilege of promoting division on different lines was an exclusive preserve of the politicians. Now we have the judiciary joining its ranks. How one must wonder, can a court of law, which is supposed to be responsible only for interpretation of laws and pass judgement, give such a ruling. This should have been the domain of the executive, wouldn't you say?However, such rulings irrespective of their legality are not... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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VOLTE-FACE MR CHIEF MINISTER
Posted: January 21st, 2010, 4:43am MST
Thankfully and prudently, Mr Ashok Chavan has had to put his foot in his mouth over the matter of taxi permits to non Marathis. Needless to say, much to the chagrin of Mr Thakeray and gang. Surely Mr Chavan would have been rapped by the party high command. As brought out in the previous post, the Maharashtra Government decision to deny permits to non Marathis would have further threatened the unity of the country which already stands divided due to petty politics on grounds of language, religion, caste and whatever else one can think of. (Read earlier post '... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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COUNTRY DIVIDED
Posted: January 21st, 2010, 7:16am MST
Racist attacks on Indians on foreign soil, which happen with amazing regularity, never cease to make news headlines alongside the cacophony of opinion, condemnation and outrage from the public, media and the Government. It is natural and justified. However these attacks on Indians are surely being justified by the local residents, or a fair proportion of them, be they in Australia, UK or the US. After all, migrant Indians are snatching the much needed jobs out of the hands of local residents, especially at a time when the world is grappling with the worst recession in almost a century. While... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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MEDIA PRESSURE AND JUDICIAL PROCESS
Posted: January 15th, 2010, 5:10am MST
Access to information is essential in a democracy to enable its citizen to make responsible and informed choices. Free and unbiased media is an essential element that ensures the same.Plethora of news channels vying with each other to sensationalise trivia in order to capture the lion's share of viewership in a fiercely competitive media market can at times be unhealthy. At the same time, media championing the cause of the weak, the poor and the aggrieved is always welcome. Two recent developments catch one's attention. First one being the DGP(Retd) Rathore case and the second, the Sukna... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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FAREWELL 2009 WELCOME 2010
Posted: January 1st, 2010, 8:27am MST
It is the first day of the year. Almost seems like yesterday, that we heard our flamboyant late PM, Rajiv Gandhi's vision of taking the country into 21st century................. lo and behold, nine tenths of a decade in Ikkeeswin sadi(21st Century) is already over. Does time fly? It does, it seems, at supersonic jet speed. Late Mr Gandhi, would not be turning in his grave, at the state of affairs in his beloved country, for indeed we have made rapid progress. While Rajiv had envisaged every home with a TV antenna jutting out of its roof, we have... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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REFLECTIONS ON THIS BLOG
Posted: December 30th, 2009, 7:11pm MST
Only the other day I was talking to one of my close friends and one of the very few* followers of this blog (though it's probably not necessarily for its content that he follows this blog) and he encouraged me to check out if this casual blogging was turning out to be financially rewarding as well. Not expecting anything earth shaking, I checked out my Ad sense account and amazingly, I did have a little bit to my credit, my very first earnings in US Dollars. And it gave me child like pleasure. After all 'Rome was not built in... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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SMS ECONOMY TELEVISION AND INFLATION
Posted: December 20th, 2009, 5:29pm MST
Answer a simple question (by SMS) and win a free trip to Singapore........................""Poonam Dhillon ko bachane ke liye SMS Karen POD.................................""Is gaane ko apna caller tune banana ke liye SMS Karen ............................."Do these sound familiar? I bet they do. It is amazing how so many cable TV channels (each one of them worse than the other*) and shows from the weird to bizarre are flourishing in India. Given the fact that rural India, or most parts of it do not have access to cable or satellite TV. Does proliferation of Cell phones have anything to do with... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...
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HOW SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL ?
Posted: December 15th, 2009, 3:51pm MST
The Telangana controversy has added a fresh dimension to the problems of Insurgency infested India. Including the Maoist insurgency, more or less, half of India is in the grip of Insurgency. Now, demand for smaller states (division of existing states) seems to be emanating from several other corners of the country. Unless, the issue is tackled firmly and quickly, there is the real possibility of the movement for demand of smaller states taking on much bigger proportions and inevitably be followed by armed struggle.Had the Maoist Insurgency been nipped in the bud, while it was still in its fledgling... [ Click on title to read the original article ] ...