I dunno what title to give this entry. But i came across a lot of things yesterday that i dunno what to blog about.
Firstly, I had a feeling that the Indian N-deal though was diplomatically a good was not for serving the energy need of India. I personally feel that India is not investing enough in renewable energy sources related research and also in nuclear energy.
A recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) was not good news for Dept of Atomic Energy . I very much agree with the view that India is not investing enough Nuclear research, especially in thorium. The thorium research may be in its infancy but still its worth our while with the kinda reserves that exist in India. The news that India has enough uranium material to last 40 years and is not doing enough to tap it came as a complete surprise to me. This made me furious about the nuclear deal too. But on second thought, well its was good idea that we got the nuclear embargo removed when we could. I personally think that it was only becuase George Bush was U S persident that we could do it. Only thing I am sad is that we have been dragged into a Test Ban via the back door and our diplomats did not do enough to protect us. China too played a spoil sport in the NSG.
Anyway leaving the nuclear deal apart, the refering of Supreme court the negative vote idea to a constitutional bench is a welcome move. But i am not sure if it will really pass through their review. Our constitution allows us to choose our representative, by that it does not allow us to say "i don't want these guys, get me somebody else" . It just allows us to choose from what we have. In one sentence, "We can choose but not demand". But our constitution was written 60 years back. When it was written the authors may not have expected so much of crime and wrong doing in the system and people in the system. So if an amendment is required that should be done. But will out politicians do that? I mean cut their own hand? I really don't expect them to do so.
The other news is about the oscar awards, today i read an article in Times of India page 14 about a girl called Preeti . She is in the sex trade in one of the red light areas of Calcutta.I don't think she is a major. But what's so special about her is that she was on the oscar stage 4 years back kissing an Oscar statuette . Today she is a sex worker. She was part of a documentary that portrayed kids born in brothels. This girl has come all the way from the Oscar stage to the shabby bedroom of a brothel in 4 years. she is a victim by birth. How many more children will this country loose this way ? How many of its future be crucified thus and by other means? Another thought that came to my mind was what about the kids in Slum Dog Millionaire and Smile Pinki.
Will they also be forgotten tomorrow and left to live their low life or will there be any help? I heard the director of Slum Dog is going to gift houses to the main child casts and parents of other kids are crying foul. Just one suggestion for the director/producer. May be he could spend money on these kids education till they reach 10th. I am sure it wont cost him more money than he makes from one/two theaters showing this movie. Congress claim of fame w.r.t to slum dog millionaire is cheap dirty trick. Congress says India have improved under UPA. If they are claiming the success of the movie they should accept also the failure of having so much slums in this country and the bureaucratic-political nexus of regularising slums from where some of the greatest dons and terrorists of this country have come.
Talking about terrorism , Ajmal Qasab was to be booked chargesheeted in court today. Thats a welcome, but I don't understand why this process takes so much time. ChargeSheet took 3 months, first hearing will take 3 years, completion will take 30 years and appeal and counter appeal, appeal for Presidantial pardon and finally he will die a natural death. Well spent the exchequers money. Feed a terrorist for best of his life, took him for weekly drives with police cover, No work for rest of the life. He should be saying when he dies "God make me a terrorist if i have one more life, and gimme an opprtunity to attack India, I will give you 100 goats as sacrifice". May be God and his angels have also started taking bribes!
P Chidambaram says we will replicate U S A's tough anti-terror laws. Why replicate, ask them for a photo copy. I am sure they won't ask you for any royalty. Analyst Ashley Tellis told U. S. Congress , i heard, that, "India has become the sponge that protects us all". Well, India is doing a great service to the whole world. Some thing to add to the "Great India" Fwd mail.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Mumbai and India at Oscars, what change and hope?
Slum Dog Millionaire and Smile Pinki won. Good news, in fact great news. Rahman and Pookutty has made us proud. I am really happy that they won.
But i would like to join the critics voice about calling Slum Dof Millionaire and Smile Pinki Indian movies. They are British and American. Lets please not call them Indian. They are Indian inspired.
This is a blog that i came across called tao-of-truth. Also see this rediff post. You must see the reader comments there. I don't subscribe to such extreme views. But I still feel that down trodden, poverty stricken and dirty third world countries and their incomprehensiblity to west rituals and practises appeals to them. A movie on the rising India or China or the changes happening here would not make such a great impact.
I am also really sad that the documentary Smile Pinki has not got as much coverage in India as much as it deserved. This documentary has clearly been over shadowed by Slum Dog. I personally believe Smile Pinki carries a very important message. Also, because of the star cast and glamour of Slum Dog it failed be highlighted. But I think, Smile Train charity and Dr. M C Modi are doing a great service to the society. We need to support them. I found that the American media was more exited about Smile Pinki than the Indian Media. There were some beautiful articles from New York Times and CNN.
The plans of the director Megan of showing it in India and other countries including to social meetings deserves welcome and thanks.
I read a rediff post on Smile Pinki and half the conversation was about Slum dog Millionaire. Some people were happy some angry. Angry of course about Smile Pinki not getting enough recognition. There was even an angry post that called Slum Dog artificial and Smile Pinki real.
One Film critic in Times went on to call Slum Dog an Instant Coffee. I dunno whether I agree with that or not as I have not seen the movie. But I am happy that many Indians won this year at the Oscar ceremony.
Also i would love to echo one thing that somebody posted in the rediff article. Rahman is already a magician, there is no need of a certificate called Oscar for him. But still its really great that Rahman is now seen and heard across the world.
I dunno whether world deserves Rahman but Rahman sure deserves all the audiance we can find in the world.
Slum Dog hoopla has taken off the little bit of publicity that Smile Pinki could have got. I hope that it really makes up by initiating some kinda change or at least a thought process to the life in Mumbai and its slums.
I read somebody's Post saying that we the world love to see pain, loss and dirt from a safe distance. He gave the example of Titanic, Life is Beautiful and Slum Dog winning Oscars. I wonder if a movie on Mumbai 26 11 2008 is on the anvil some where in the world.
Mumbai 26 11 2008, a day never to forget. 10 Terrorists, international coordination, local support spread death among common man and woman. The System still remains unmoved. Without even a blink, without any bleed or even a tear drop. We the people, staring at the open sky and deep, wonder if anything will change.
Don't wait for the change, be the Change. Mumbai 26 November 2008. A day not to forget.
But i would like to join the critics voice about calling Slum Dof Millionaire and Smile Pinki Indian movies. They are British and American. Lets please not call them Indian. They are Indian inspired.
This is a blog that i came across called tao-of-truth. Also see this rediff post. You must see the reader comments there. I don't subscribe to such extreme views. But I still feel that down trodden, poverty stricken and dirty third world countries and their incomprehensiblity to west rituals and practises appeals to them. A movie on the rising India or China or the changes happening here would not make such a great impact.
I am also really sad that the documentary Smile Pinki has not got as much coverage in India as much as it deserved. This documentary has clearly been over shadowed by Slum Dog. I personally believe Smile Pinki carries a very important message. Also, because of the star cast and glamour of Slum Dog it failed be highlighted. But I think, Smile Train charity and Dr. M C Modi are doing a great service to the society. We need to support them. I found that the American media was more exited about Smile Pinki than the Indian Media. There were some beautiful articles from New York Times and CNN.
The plans of the director Megan of showing it in India and other countries including to social meetings deserves welcome and thanks.
I read a rediff post on Smile Pinki and half the conversation was about Slum dog Millionaire. Some people were happy some angry. Angry of course about Smile Pinki not getting enough recognition. There was even an angry post that called Slum Dog artificial and Smile Pinki real.
One Film critic in Times went on to call Slum Dog an Instant Coffee. I dunno whether I agree with that or not as I have not seen the movie. But I am happy that many Indians won this year at the Oscar ceremony.
Also i would love to echo one thing that somebody posted in the rediff article. Rahman is already a magician, there is no need of a certificate called Oscar for him. But still its really great that Rahman is now seen and heard across the world.
I dunno whether world deserves Rahman but Rahman sure deserves all the audiance we can find in the world.
Slum Dog hoopla has taken off the little bit of publicity that Smile Pinki could have got. I hope that it really makes up by initiating some kinda change or at least a thought process to the life in Mumbai and its slums.
I read somebody's Post saying that we the world love to see pain, loss and dirt from a safe distance. He gave the example of Titanic, Life is Beautiful and Slum Dog winning Oscars. I wonder if a movie on Mumbai 26 11 2008 is on the anvil some where in the world.
Mumbai 26 11 2008, a day never to forget. 10 Terrorists, international coordination, local support spread death among common man and woman. The System still remains unmoved. Without even a blink, without any bleed or even a tear drop. We the people, staring at the open sky and deep, wonder if anything will change.
Don't wait for the change, be the Change. Mumbai 26 November 2008. A day not to forget.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Mumbai Carnage: Pakistan's version
Pakistan has officially responded to 26 11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Well, initially i thought Pakistan's eyes have opened for the good. But still decided to wait rather than to blog saying so. Well, if look deep it is clear that Pakistan has other intents in this report.
One thing that is good, Pakistan has accepted that the main perpetrators where from its soil. But it has clubbed many other countries. I am not really sure how many may be really involved or involved to a non discard able level. Pakistan by responding to 26 11 in the way it has done has successfully done two things. One it has helped itself out from reacting to the overall terrorism problem that is coming out of its soil immediately and secondly can pressurizes US and rest of West for giving them more time and tell the same to India.
India, here will be obliged to give Pakistan more time. If not out diplomatic credibility will be at stake. Also, Pakistan wants to ensure that India takes as much time as possible in responding to the questions it has presented in the reply. Its noted in the media that Pakistan has officially put forward 30 questions. Of which, one even comprises of something related to Hemant Kakare as per media reports. Also Pakistan has candidly linked the Samjhauta Express blast to this issue. Hence complicating the investigation process. The advantage they can take out of it quite good in number. They can send India and the world on a wild goose chase. They can pacify their own ppl with some of these bits and most importantly they can put India into a diplomatic balancing act. Such an accusation cannot be out and out denied by India, especially without doing an Investigation. One of the accused in that case turns out to be an Army Officer. If India, goes out on a immediate denial our credibility and stand will be questioned.
Many ppl say that Richard Hoolbroke has breathed down the throat of Pakistan, which i personally feel is absurd. This dossier is a punctilio in that respect. By this reply and arrests being timed to his visit they have ensured that he is not given the opportunity to breath down their throat. Also, now they have something to show as "Action taken" and ask him to convince Barrack Obama. By responding, they just improved their bargaining power with Hoolbrooke. Pakistan is well know to time things.
There was a comment of de hyphening India and Pakistan. As far as United States of America is concerned that is impossible as far as the terror and Kashmir issues are not solved. They have got themselves so involved that Pakistan will not let USA go without getting what they need. In India, the de hyphening has been hailed. But i believe that its not of any importance to us. It is actually a requirement of the US to de hyphen.
There was an interesting report on the online media, about Chinese involvement in these affairs. I find it interesting that non of the Taliban or other militant groups are talking about the Uighur movement in China. The article went on to say that China had made a deal with Taliban around 9 11 about this. Also the Chinese support for Pakistani Nuclear program is not a secret. The article also said that a director of one of USA's many defense & intelligence units (should i call companies) had filed an official report to the senate which said that China is involved in supporting these groups including finances and in turn they are staying away from Uighur movement and also to keep pinching India. I won't guarantee credibility of this report but Chinese are intelligent people and good learners.
They should have an action plan to counter them also after achieving all this feats they want of these groups. Or else they will be going the way of USA. Taliban was worm that was turned into a giant by the US.
But the sad fact is that, India is suffering all these for no faults of its own. Yes, there is one fault. We are not ready to fight back. Irrespective of it being the West or China or terror attacks we always say "Yes Sir". Times for questions and answers is over. Its time for decisions.
BTW, an increase in defense allocation by the Vote on Account by Pranab Mukharjee is a welcome fact. Hopefully it is utilized for the right purposes, or else it a part of it would be used to buy more coffins. Our Army boys are every ready to give their life . But we are not ready to see them die.
26 11 2008. MUMBAI. NEVER TO FORGET.
One thing that is good, Pakistan has accepted that the main perpetrators where from its soil. But it has clubbed many other countries. I am not really sure how many may be really involved or involved to a non discard able level. Pakistan by responding to 26 11 in the way it has done has successfully done two things. One it has helped itself out from reacting to the overall terrorism problem that is coming out of its soil immediately and secondly can pressurizes US and rest of West for giving them more time and tell the same to India.
India, here will be obliged to give Pakistan more time. If not out diplomatic credibility will be at stake. Also, Pakistan wants to ensure that India takes as much time as possible in responding to the questions it has presented in the reply. Its noted in the media that Pakistan has officially put forward 30 questions. Of which, one even comprises of something related to Hemant Kakare as per media reports. Also Pakistan has candidly linked the Samjhauta Express blast to this issue. Hence complicating the investigation process. The advantage they can take out of it quite good in number. They can send India and the world on a wild goose chase. They can pacify their own ppl with some of these bits and most importantly they can put India into a diplomatic balancing act. Such an accusation cannot be out and out denied by India, especially without doing an Investigation. One of the accused in that case turns out to be an Army Officer. If India, goes out on a immediate denial our credibility and stand will be questioned.
Many ppl say that Richard Hoolbroke has breathed down the throat of Pakistan, which i personally feel is absurd. This dossier is a punctilio in that respect. By this reply and arrests being timed to his visit they have ensured that he is not given the opportunity to breath down their throat. Also, now they have something to show as "Action taken" and ask him to convince Barrack Obama. By responding, they just improved their bargaining power with Hoolbrooke. Pakistan is well know to time things.
There was a comment of de hyphening India and Pakistan. As far as United States of America is concerned that is impossible as far as the terror and Kashmir issues are not solved. They have got themselves so involved that Pakistan will not let USA go without getting what they need. In India, the de hyphening has been hailed. But i believe that its not of any importance to us. It is actually a requirement of the US to de hyphen.
There was an interesting report on the online media, about Chinese involvement in these affairs. I find it interesting that non of the Taliban or other militant groups are talking about the Uighur movement in China. The article went on to say that China had made a deal with Taliban around 9 11 about this. Also the Chinese support for Pakistani Nuclear program is not a secret. The article also said that a director of one of USA's many defense & intelligence units (should i call companies) had filed an official report to the senate which said that China is involved in supporting these groups including finances and in turn they are staying away from Uighur movement and also to keep pinching India. I won't guarantee credibility of this report but Chinese are intelligent people and good learners.
They should have an action plan to counter them also after achieving all this feats they want of these groups. Or else they will be going the way of USA. Taliban was worm that was turned into a giant by the US.
But the sad fact is that, India is suffering all these for no faults of its own. Yes, there is one fault. We are not ready to fight back. Irrespective of it being the West or China or terror attacks we always say "Yes Sir". Times for questions and answers is over. Its time for decisions.
BTW, an increase in defense allocation by the Vote on Account by Pranab Mukharjee is a welcome fact. Hopefully it is utilized for the right purposes, or else it a part of it would be used to buy more coffins. Our Army boys are every ready to give their life . But we are not ready to see them die.
26 11 2008. MUMBAI. NEVER TO FORGET.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Valetine's Day Carnege
This is totally preposterous. The Valentine's Day hooligans assaulted siblings in Ujjain, I mean a brother and sister mistaking them to be a couple. This should be the low point of all. These Bajrang Dal, Siv Sainiks and Ram Sene activists now are defining every relationship between a boy and a girl to have a physical angle. They are now in a much worse position and spreading a much worse culture of non-tolerance, hooliganism and imposition of ideology than the so called "free world, open culture , capitalist" west. I would any time take that west than this y kind of culture.
Manhandling a brother and sister should be the limit of all. That is one of the most sacred, best relationships of all i personally believe. But irrespective of what i do and don't believe this has come to a flash point where these Right Wing activists have to be told where the limits are. Though i agree that physical relationships are not advised before marriage between couples it wrong to enforce it on them and have a blanket ban or fatwa on it. They are grown ups, they can make choices. This is terrible and these kind of hooliganism must be disowned by one and all.
In a related issue, i just heard that some Indian court declared a kiss shared between a married couple is not obscene. I think its time for our judiciary to look up the meaning of two words "obscene " and "scene". Any particular event that happens and can be viewed is scene and an indecent scene is obscene. It does not involve the history of characters in that scene. If two ppl kiss at the railway station it has to be either obscene or not obscene, it defies logic on what the two ppls history is. It completely out of context.
Coming to one of the scenes that i put up in one of the previous entries(where a father is asked by his kids what a couple is doing when the kids see them kissing). Do u expect the father to find out from the couple if they are married or not and tell the kids they are married so it is allowed? Damn! I still feel that, display of affections should not be under a blanket ban, but still could be banned from common places. Lets say, why the court should care if somebody kisses inside a pub? Lets at the same time insist that they keep off from displaying such emotions in other places. (Anyway, that kind of a thing is going to be very difficult to be implemented, also we know the cops, they will use it as a weapon to extract money out of couples).
All i am saying is that, couples need to stay away from displaying affection publicly(by self decision) and understand their social responsibility(nobody is banning a hug or holding hands, are we?), at the same time these right wing activists (may i politely accord them the status of hooligans) should stay away from these kind of uncivilized activities. I sometimes feel, its their activities that has given much publicity to this valentine's day, there are many families in India that celebrates Mother's Day, Father's Day etc, but they didn't acquire this kinda stardom. I feel this could be nexus between the corporates and these guys too. The corporates may even be paying these guys so as to get more media time and publicity, and we all know the great Indian media. They will show live some somebody rape a girl than call the cops and help her out. They may even ask her at the end "Abhi aap kaise mehsoos kar rahi hai? Abhi aap ka man mein kya lag raha hai?". lol
Anyway, should celebrate or not the valentine's day is your personal choice. Its better to keep some public standards while celebrating (considering social responsibility and not fearing the hooligans). Right Wing activists must understand the Right to life of everybody else, they too have a right to protest, but should choose more civilized means.
I am really sad that the martyrs gave their life for this India. Both these "western culture" lovers and the right wing activists need to understand "we are all gonna live together and they can do nothing about it". Its more importantly, our duty to these martyrs to make this India better.
26 11 2008, Mumbai terror attacks. Lets not forget them. Not just to respect them but to make our India a much better place. TO LOVE AND TO BE LOVED.
Manhandling a brother and sister should be the limit of all. That is one of the most sacred, best relationships of all i personally believe. But irrespective of what i do and don't believe this has come to a flash point where these Right Wing activists have to be told where the limits are. Though i agree that physical relationships are not advised before marriage between couples it wrong to enforce it on them and have a blanket ban or fatwa on it. They are grown ups, they can make choices. This is terrible and these kind of hooliganism must be disowned by one and all.
In a related issue, i just heard that some Indian court declared a kiss shared between a married couple is not obscene. I think its time for our judiciary to look up the meaning of two words "obscene " and "scene". Any particular event that happens and can be viewed is scene and an indecent scene is obscene. It does not involve the history of characters in that scene. If two ppl kiss at the railway station it has to be either obscene or not obscene, it defies logic on what the two ppls history is. It completely out of context.
Coming to one of the scenes that i put up in one of the previous entries(where a father is asked by his kids what a couple is doing when the kids see them kissing). Do u expect the father to find out from the couple if they are married or not and tell the kids they are married so it is allowed? Damn! I still feel that, display of affections should not be under a blanket ban, but still could be banned from common places. Lets say, why the court should care if somebody kisses inside a pub? Lets at the same time insist that they keep off from displaying such emotions in other places. (Anyway, that kind of a thing is going to be very difficult to be implemented, also we know the cops, they will use it as a weapon to extract money out of couples).
All i am saying is that, couples need to stay away from displaying affection publicly(by self decision) and understand their social responsibility(nobody is banning a hug or holding hands, are we?), at the same time these right wing activists (may i politely accord them the status of hooligans) should stay away from these kind of uncivilized activities. I sometimes feel, its their activities that has given much publicity to this valentine's day, there are many families in India that celebrates Mother's Day, Father's Day etc, but they didn't acquire this kinda stardom. I feel this could be nexus between the corporates and these guys too. The corporates may even be paying these guys so as to get more media time and publicity, and we all know the great Indian media. They will show live some somebody rape a girl than call the cops and help her out. They may even ask her at the end "Abhi aap kaise mehsoos kar rahi hai? Abhi aap ka man mein kya lag raha hai?". lol
Anyway, should celebrate or not the valentine's day is your personal choice. Its better to keep some public standards while celebrating (considering social responsibility and not fearing the hooligans). Right Wing activists must understand the Right to life of everybody else, they too have a right to protest, but should choose more civilized means.
I am really sad that the martyrs gave their life for this India. Both these "western culture" lovers and the right wing activists need to understand "we are all gonna live together and they can do nothing about it". Its more importantly, our duty to these martyrs to make this India better.
26 11 2008, Mumbai terror attacks. Lets not forget them. Not just to respect them but to make our India a much better place. TO LOVE AND TO BE LOVED.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Mumbai 26 11 attacks , hot again
After a lull on issues related to Mumbai's 26 11 terror atttacks, the issue is being revisited by the media, government, Pakistan and international community. Ajmal Qasab is in the hit list of ISI. The Indian media is spreading this information, we don't know for sure wether it is true or not. They are also saying that 5 countries (including Israel ) are gearing up for requesting India to extradite Qasab. I feel that we should get all information possible from Qasab and extradite him. Why? Very simple, We cannot kill him, our judiciary takes more than 10 years to come to verdict on issues that are completely planned, executed and investigated inside India. So I feel by the time we here of a verdict in this case Qasab would be dead by 100 years.
Also, if we extradite him it saves exchequers money, we can spend it on development rather than on some terrorist. And of course, countries like Israel wont let him die an easy death, that may give some peace to at least some Indians.
More importantly, Qasab can give us only limited information. He is just the foot soldier. He may help us identify the training procedures, strategies, planning, middle men and who are the main preachers. But he won't be able to go beyond that point.
Narendra Modi has said that 26 11 terror attacks could not have happened without internal help. I not happy with him saying that so openly, but i agree with him that we need to investigate that angle. He is correct, there must have been some amount of local support.
The home minister asked Modi in an interview whether he is speaking to the Pakistanis. I didn't expect P C to make such a low level comment (what did i think? he too is a politician).
Finally, i read a report on rediff that the situation in swat valley is deteriorating than 1979 level. Well, at least now will the eyes of Pakistan open? God only knows!
Hey off this track, there is a pink chaddi campaign against the Ram Sene guyz. I personally think thats a good Idea. Also, he has said he will send a return saree to every body who sends a chaddi (i was just thinking , at least he has some civilized ideas). More importantly, he has lost the final amount of space that i would have afforded him by his valentine's day comment. He has said he is gonna marry off the couples he finds.
Damn, consider this. I go to a hotel, find it full except for a table where only one seat has been occupied by a young girl. I take the seat opposite to her, bang comes the Ram Sene guys. They make me marry a girl just bcz i was sitting next to her, whose even name i don't know. Damn! I will have "upwas" on February 14th.
26/11/2008, Hope it never repeats.
Also, if we extradite him it saves exchequers money, we can spend it on development rather than on some terrorist. And of course, countries like Israel wont let him die an easy death, that may give some peace to at least some Indians.
More importantly, Qasab can give us only limited information. He is just the foot soldier. He may help us identify the training procedures, strategies, planning, middle men and who are the main preachers. But he won't be able to go beyond that point.
Narendra Modi has said that 26 11 terror attacks could not have happened without internal help. I not happy with him saying that so openly, but i agree with him that we need to investigate that angle. He is correct, there must have been some amount of local support.
The home minister asked Modi in an interview whether he is speaking to the Pakistanis. I didn't expect P C to make such a low level comment (what did i think? he too is a politician).
Finally, i read a report on rediff that the situation in swat valley is deteriorating than 1979 level. Well, at least now will the eyes of Pakistan open? God only knows!
Hey off this track, there is a pink chaddi campaign against the Ram Sene guyz. I personally think thats a good Idea. Also, he has said he will send a return saree to every body who sends a chaddi (i was just thinking , at least he has some civilized ideas). More importantly, he has lost the final amount of space that i would have afforded him by his valentine's day comment. He has said he is gonna marry off the couples he finds.
Damn, consider this. I go to a hotel, find it full except for a table where only one seat has been occupied by a young girl. I take the seat opposite to her, bang comes the Ram Sene guys. They make me marry a girl just bcz i was sitting next to her, whose even name i don't know. Damn! I will have "upwas" on February 14th.
26/11/2008, Hope it never repeats.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
the system
I wanted to blog on Saturday or Sunday but it turned out to be emotionally a roller coaster ride for me. Not anything personal, but in the center of all of this was our great Indian Police force. Well, on last Thursday a police guy came home for my police verification w.r.t my passport, its just over an year since i had moved to my new home so i don't personally know many people in my society. So this guy came and wanted two witnesses and i had none except for the next house boy's phone number. After checking all the genuineness of my living there this guy helped me out by coming up with one more guy's address residing in my society. I was really happy that our system is growing for the better. When this guy was about to leave i gave him 100 Rs. He didn't ask me for any money. Actually he had come earlier , found the door locked and then called me before coming and all so i thought he deserved it.
Then in the evening i went to the police station at Mulund (E), navghar road. There was this guy, i think a sub inspector (he had two stars on his shoulder pad) by he name Ajith Jadhav. He said, since i have lost my license i had to get an affidavit from a notary to get an FIR registered. Then he said , don't worry register and then that he had only one form left of the FIR form, so please get a copy from the xerox shop outside. Then he said, anyway you are getting one for yourself get me 20 copies sot hat he can use it for some more ppl and does not have to sent everybody. I thought its ok. That's a service and i was ready to do it. When i was just about to leave, he said i don't have white paper also so he gave me printer quality A4 size paper and asked me to get a rim(500 page pack) for the station. I ddn't understand much of the conversation since i am not that good with Marathi. I was thinking that he wanted me to get 10 or 25 A4 papers.
My cousin who was with me, explained this to me as soon as we were out of the station and i was furious. I already have told you guys, I don't mind giving money to the cops(not to any other of govt staff), because these guys are putting there life on the line when occasion calls for it and they are not paid enough for it. My anger was that, for an FIR he is not doing antng other than write on his book, So why take money for that. Also if he want's money let him ask me why does he have to make me run around the suburb.
I told my cousin lets call ACP's office and report this. He said to let it go, and all the normal stuff like if we wanna get this done we need to get him those and all. I was still furious i told him lets get some 10 or 25 papers and tell him to take that. We couldn't find a stationary and after an hour we found one. We bought the 100 page rim for 30 bugs and when we went back to the station this guy was busy so we passed all this stuff to the havaldar who immediately put it on the cupboard and prepared the FIR. Then when he went to this Sub Insp. He immediately asked whether we bought the stationary, havaldar replied in affirmative and our job was done.
I was still fuming out there.
Next day morning i had to report to the same station for police verification of my passport. I reached there by 9.45, i was the first bakra of the day. This verifier (dunno his name, think smtg like bushan or smtng... a dark guy around 40+ with specks). Anyway this guy told me that , as i had kept my gas bill as one of the address proof, that is not acceptable. I had to give him my telephone or electricity bill (i don't have telephone at home and we just bought the flat over an year and we got inducted to the society just over a 3 months, so electricity bill still comes in the name of the person who sold us the flat). This guy went on to say that, if i don't have any of these two my job can't be done also that they don't even accept driving license and PAN card (its another matter that i didn't have both). I almost had a heart attack. I was cursing myself for going there all alone and not taking any elder with me in my mind and was begging him to help me out. Damn. This guy suddenly said, Form 16 can do the trick. I told him Form 16 does not have home address. He said that's OK! Damn i got a second shock. Police don't accept PAN Card but they accept Form 16. He sent me home to get the same.
When i returned there were 5 10 ppl waiting for verification. When my turn came, this guy came out of the room, took me out of the station and told me he has to get it signed from him boss and that "karcha pani karna padega". I got the message clear and i said OK. Last three years due to different reasons i was not able to aplly for my passport. Now i didn't want to loose out because of this guy. Now he took me in, there was one more person ahead of me, cleared that guy and when i went in he ddnt take the second copy of Form 16 till i told him that. He just said "aap ka kam hojayga" and that the previous guy was the son of a person working in Forensic Lab still he could not help him since that guy didn't have any papers. Anyway, he then told me, the boss is not here and that he won't keep me waiting so asked how much i can give him. I said 300, He bluntly said no. He said i have to give the boss smtng, then i want smtng for myself , so gimme 500. I begged him but no avail. Then i paid 500.
Saturday this guy called me and said that somebody had come to the station when he was not here and had asked him to call back. He thought it was me. I said No. then he said, don't worry about your passport. "Ap ka kaam hogya" and that he was sending it today. I was telling in my mind.. (i am law abiding citizen, never broken the law, never arrested, never got into any illegal and immoral activity, paid my taxes, never even spits on road or platforn, never travels without a ticket,helps the elderly and hadicapped when ever i can and I have to go through this). The dedication he showed when he got 500 bucks never seems to come for the nation or his duty. Also this police verification is a mere formality. We should some how avoid the cops coming in contact with the applicant. Address verification should be done by passport authority it self. We also should have a HOLMES like software where we can verify if a person has criminal records or not.
I dunno, our system is not complety bad, but it is not evolving with time. Also the Human Resources in our system are not taken care of properly. We need to bring a change not in the system but in how the system serves. Atleast, in the case of police related activities that's true. Also we have to ensure that cops are not over worked unnecessarily.
I am not angry at any of these guys. I am angry at the procedures that are making them do this.
I have no grudges towards them, because of their colleges who fought so that i could see another sunrise, because of many other colleagues who will fight for me to see another sunrise.
My 500 rupees is not even equal to the mud when it is compared to that.
Still we need to root out bribery. We need to bring a change.
Then in the evening i went to the police station at Mulund (E), navghar road. There was this guy, i think a sub inspector (he had two stars on his shoulder pad) by he name Ajith Jadhav. He said, since i have lost my license i had to get an affidavit from a notary to get an FIR registered. Then he said , don't worry register and then that he had only one form left of the FIR form, so please get a copy from the xerox shop outside. Then he said, anyway you are getting one for yourself get me 20 copies sot hat he can use it for some more ppl and does not have to sent everybody. I thought its ok. That's a service and i was ready to do it. When i was just about to leave, he said i don't have white paper also so he gave me printer quality A4 size paper and asked me to get a rim(500 page pack) for the station. I ddn't understand much of the conversation since i am not that good with Marathi. I was thinking that he wanted me to get 10 or 25 A4 papers.
My cousin who was with me, explained this to me as soon as we were out of the station and i was furious. I already have told you guys, I don't mind giving money to the cops(not to any other of govt staff), because these guys are putting there life on the line when occasion calls for it and they are not paid enough for it. My anger was that, for an FIR he is not doing antng other than write on his book, So why take money for that. Also if he want's money let him ask me why does he have to make me run around the suburb.
I told my cousin lets call ACP's office and report this. He said to let it go, and all the normal stuff like if we wanna get this done we need to get him those and all. I was still furious i told him lets get some 10 or 25 papers and tell him to take that. We couldn't find a stationary and after an hour we found one. We bought the 100 page rim for 30 bugs and when we went back to the station this guy was busy so we passed all this stuff to the havaldar who immediately put it on the cupboard and prepared the FIR. Then when he went to this Sub Insp. He immediately asked whether we bought the stationary, havaldar replied in affirmative and our job was done.
I was still fuming out there.
Next day morning i had to report to the same station for police verification of my passport. I reached there by 9.45, i was the first bakra of the day. This verifier (dunno his name, think smtg like bushan or smtng... a dark guy around 40+ with specks). Anyway this guy told me that , as i had kept my gas bill as one of the address proof, that is not acceptable. I had to give him my telephone or electricity bill (i don't have telephone at home and we just bought the flat over an year and we got inducted to the society just over a 3 months, so electricity bill still comes in the name of the person who sold us the flat). This guy went on to say that, if i don't have any of these two my job can't be done also that they don't even accept driving license and PAN card (its another matter that i didn't have both). I almost had a heart attack. I was cursing myself for going there all alone and not taking any elder with me in my mind and was begging him to help me out. Damn. This guy suddenly said, Form 16 can do the trick. I told him Form 16 does not have home address. He said that's OK! Damn i got a second shock. Police don't accept PAN Card but they accept Form 16. He sent me home to get the same.
When i returned there were 5 10 ppl waiting for verification. When my turn came, this guy came out of the room, took me out of the station and told me he has to get it signed from him boss and that "karcha pani karna padega". I got the message clear and i said OK. Last three years due to different reasons i was not able to aplly for my passport. Now i didn't want to loose out because of this guy. Now he took me in, there was one more person ahead of me, cleared that guy and when i went in he ddnt take the second copy of Form 16 till i told him that. He just said "aap ka kam hojayga" and that the previous guy was the son of a person working in Forensic Lab still he could not help him since that guy didn't have any papers. Anyway, he then told me, the boss is not here and that he won't keep me waiting so asked how much i can give him. I said 300, He bluntly said no. He said i have to give the boss smtng, then i want smtng for myself , so gimme 500. I begged him but no avail. Then i paid 500.
Saturday this guy called me and said that somebody had come to the station when he was not here and had asked him to call back. He thought it was me. I said No. then he said, don't worry about your passport. "Ap ka kaam hogya" and that he was sending it today. I was telling in my mind.. (i am law abiding citizen, never broken the law, never arrested, never got into any illegal and immoral activity, paid my taxes, never even spits on road or platforn, never travels without a ticket,helps the elderly and hadicapped when ever i can and I have to go through this). The dedication he showed when he got 500 bucks never seems to come for the nation or his duty. Also this police verification is a mere formality. We should some how avoid the cops coming in contact with the applicant. Address verification should be done by passport authority it self. We also should have a HOLMES like software where we can verify if a person has criminal records or not.
I dunno, our system is not complety bad, but it is not evolving with time. Also the Human Resources in our system are not taken care of properly. We need to bring a change not in the system but in how the system serves. Atleast, in the case of police related activities that's true. Also we have to ensure that cops are not over worked unnecessarily.
I am not angry at any of these guys. I am angry at the procedures that are making them do this.
I have no grudges towards them, because of their colleges who fought so that i could see another sunrise, because of many other colleagues who will fight for me to see another sunrise.
My 500 rupees is not even equal to the mud when it is compared to that.
Still we need to root out bribery. We need to bring a change.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Other Carnages(II)
I was just trying to get this blog indexed by google. So that i can reach out to more people. Right now i am not sure even if one person is reading my blog. Sometimes i feel like quitting. Whats this thing! Will post every week funda? who cares? Still i have a glimmer of hope. Some day somebody will read. He/She will take an inspiration, join me in my task and my dream for a change.
Anyway, leaving all those melodramatic stuff out, I found something that really saddened me. I tried googling " mumbai attack 26/11" and found many blogs. But most we posted on 27/11, 28/11 or within a month or so. Not a single blog or post since the dawn of 2009. Its not that nobody blogged (sure, i did) its just that indexing was not good enough. I felt very bad. One of the rare occasions where we see the insensitivity of technology. Some ways thats good some ways that 's bad. But still my resolve to keep trying is strong.
Anyway, that's not the issue. We have some important ones to discuss. Firstly, i just read an article from 'Time' that says that Pakistan is gonna present the report on its investigation on 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks within a week or so. It also says that Pakistan may try to link things to Bangladesh. For once i saw 'Time' take side with what we Indians have been saying for a long time. Pakistan must accept first of all that it is facing a major crisis.
Other than whats happening with the 26/11 investigations on the military front a top secret operation of Indian Navy has hit the media. An Indian submarine trailing two advanced Chinese ships. Its really bad that these things are comming out in open. The Navy needs to be more careful in the future. There is nothing wrong in these operations. Its always good to be prepared. Especially with the kind of neighbours we have.
A. K. Antony said recently that we need to cut the red tape. Well Mr. Antony, you are the defence minister. Why don't you try doing something about it. Its been some time since the congress is in power, we have Rahul Gandhi's (our savior or 'the one' or shall i call him 'Neo') famous 'lal batti' speech and lot of minsiters talking abt this crap. To all these guyz, Don't talk just do your job. Atleast one thing i am satisfied about Antony is that his hands have been clean compared to George Fernades or Mr Antony's collegues.
Also L. K. Advani is trying to voo the next generation online. I feel sad for this guy. All this campaign is like old wine in new bottle. Only differnce is that wine gets better as it gets old but indian politics gets rotten.
Ram Sene guyz need to be punished for what they have done at Mangalore. Who the hell are they to take the law into their own hands. But at the same time all the news channels and other hunky dory activists also need to reign themselves in. The hate propoganda is not just spread by Ram Sena, VHP, and others. Its done by these guyz also. Surprised, don't be. Look at the jurnos, they all wanna sent out a message that they are modern, everything Indian is terrible for them. Eg: Sagarika ghose wearing a beautiful saree chastisized The Ram Sene leader. But she is ashamed of wearing a bindi with her saree. Half the anchors don't wear that. Any channel. There are channels that ask its anchors not to wear one lest they loose viewers of other religions.
These activists and freedom speakers , they feel that they should be allowed to even walk naked and do what ever happens in the west . They feel anything in the west is mordern. They call these guys intolerent. Are they also not being intolerent? Lets take the example of kissing in public. I am not against kissing in public.
I have the right to show affection(even in public). But occasion and place also matters. Think of this situation , a dad is playing with his daughter and son of 5 and 7 lets say on the beach. A couple starts making out. The kids ask dad what they are doing. Is he gonna tell them that they are making out?
I feel that everything within limits is ok. I have seen for myself what happens in these pubs. It does not call for this kind of an attack. If somebody finds something illegal we have the cops. Lets call them. Not beat these people up.
Damn, i was just gonna write one para on this topic but it turned out to be huge. Anyway, these two groups need to find a common ground. We need to adjust and accomdate both. Both need to learn the Indian value of tolerence. Lets take whats good in west and leave out the bad. Indian has been a good society, one that learned and evovled with time.
Our martyrs did not lay down their lives for us to fight like this.
Alteast for the sake of them. Lets stop fighting.
26/11/2008 mumbai, i won't forget. Lets Not!
Anyway, leaving all those melodramatic stuff out, I found something that really saddened me. I tried googling " mumbai attack 26/11" and found many blogs. But most we posted on 27/11, 28/11 or within a month or so. Not a single blog or post since the dawn of 2009. Its not that nobody blogged (sure, i did) its just that indexing was not good enough. I felt very bad. One of the rare occasions where we see the insensitivity of technology. Some ways thats good some ways that 's bad. But still my resolve to keep trying is strong.
Anyway, that's not the issue. We have some important ones to discuss. Firstly, i just read an article from 'Time' that says that Pakistan is gonna present the report on its investigation on 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks within a week or so. It also says that Pakistan may try to link things to Bangladesh. For once i saw 'Time' take side with what we Indians have been saying for a long time. Pakistan must accept first of all that it is facing a major crisis.
Other than whats happening with the 26/11 investigations on the military front a top secret operation of Indian Navy has hit the media. An Indian submarine trailing two advanced Chinese ships. Its really bad that these things are comming out in open. The Navy needs to be more careful in the future. There is nothing wrong in these operations. Its always good to be prepared. Especially with the kind of neighbours we have.
A. K. Antony said recently that we need to cut the red tape. Well Mr. Antony, you are the defence minister. Why don't you try doing something about it. Its been some time since the congress is in power, we have Rahul Gandhi's (our savior or 'the one' or shall i call him 'Neo') famous 'lal batti' speech and lot of minsiters talking abt this crap. To all these guyz, Don't talk just do your job. Atleast one thing i am satisfied about Antony is that his hands have been clean compared to George Fernades or Mr Antony's collegues.
Also L. K. Advani is trying to voo the next generation online. I feel sad for this guy. All this campaign is like old wine in new bottle. Only differnce is that wine gets better as it gets old but indian politics gets rotten.
Ram Sene guyz need to be punished for what they have done at Mangalore. Who the hell are they to take the law into their own hands. But at the same time all the news channels and other hunky dory activists also need to reign themselves in. The hate propoganda is not just spread by Ram Sena, VHP, and others. Its done by these guyz also. Surprised, don't be. Look at the jurnos, they all wanna sent out a message that they are modern, everything Indian is terrible for them. Eg: Sagarika ghose wearing a beautiful saree chastisized The Ram Sene leader. But she is ashamed of wearing a bindi with her saree. Half the anchors don't wear that. Any channel. There are channels that ask its anchors not to wear one lest they loose viewers of other religions.
These activists and freedom speakers , they feel that they should be allowed to even walk naked and do what ever happens in the west . They feel anything in the west is mordern. They call these guys intolerent. Are they also not being intolerent? Lets take the example of kissing in public. I am not against kissing in public.
I have the right to show affection(even in public). But occasion and place also matters. Think of this situation , a dad is playing with his daughter and son of 5 and 7 lets say on the beach. A couple starts making out. The kids ask dad what they are doing. Is he gonna tell them that they are making out?
I feel that everything within limits is ok. I have seen for myself what happens in these pubs. It does not call for this kind of an attack. If somebody finds something illegal we have the cops. Lets call them. Not beat these people up.
Damn, i was just gonna write one para on this topic but it turned out to be huge. Anyway, these two groups need to find a common ground. We need to adjust and accomdate both. Both need to learn the Indian value of tolerence. Lets take whats good in west and leave out the bad. Indian has been a good society, one that learned and evovled with time.
Our martyrs did not lay down their lives for us to fight like this.
Alteast for the sake of them. Lets stop fighting.
26/11/2008 mumbai, i won't forget. Lets Not!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
another carnage
Well guyz, even though mumbai carnage on 26 november 2008 has not left our minds there are other carnage s happening. Some even more serious. Though not as bloody or physically painful as this one.
Well i am talking about our election commision. I was thinking till a few days back that Election Commision is independent of the political Government. Its sad to note that this is not so. Congress is well know for corruption and is a suspect in this case too. I sometimes to be frank feel that the congress is more corrupt than the communists and the BJP though both of them have their own vices.
I just went did a history check on Cheif Election Commissioner Gopalswami and Election Commisioner Navin Chawla. To be frank Navin Chawla has a history of lets say at least 'not sticking to the ethics of a servent of citizens'. He has been involved in an issue with regard to the Lt Governor of Delhi 's office. Also chawla has been know to have secured funds for some jaipur based trust from congress MPs.
I personally feel that the second accusation should not be a sole reason for accusing somebody of malpractise. But the first accusation is of concern. Like the appointment of high court judges and their removal ECs should be independent of wimps and fantasies of political parties. Their appoinment and removal should be detached from the political fraternity or should be made that only one section of that fraternity should not be the decision maker. As previously said extending the policy for appointment and removal of judges in higher levels of courts to the election commissioners would be appropriate.
Also any boss should have the right to sou moto investigate his subordinates and colleagues. If u call somebody CEC and others EC and give this guy some powers, these powers are to ensure order in the system. When he has to duty to run the system he should have also the right to change the system or atlest recomend changes to the system(including the resources).
I still don't feel like agreeing with Gopalswami's version of why he reported so late. Also I don't feel that CECs recommendation should be binding in all cicumstances . Not just the CEC but also in case of judges and MPs i feel the same. But it seems that prima facie there is a strong case against Navin Chalwa especially on the allegation of leaking information to congress.
Anyway its just that every day there are carnages happening in this country and not all are a physical and violent as 26/11 but is equally important.
26/11/2008 LETS NOT FORGET
Well i am talking about our election commision. I was thinking till a few days back that Election Commision is independent of the political Government. Its sad to note that this is not so. Congress is well know for corruption and is a suspect in this case too. I sometimes to be frank feel that the congress is more corrupt than the communists and the BJP though both of them have their own vices.
I just went did a history check on Cheif Election Commissioner Gopalswami and Election Commisioner Navin Chawla. To be frank Navin Chawla has a history of lets say at least 'not sticking to the ethics of a servent of citizens'. He has been involved in an issue with regard to the Lt Governor of Delhi 's office. Also chawla has been know to have secured funds for some jaipur based trust from congress MPs.
I personally feel that the second accusation should not be a sole reason for accusing somebody of malpractise. But the first accusation is of concern. Like the appointment of high court judges and their removal ECs should be independent of wimps and fantasies of political parties. Their appoinment and removal should be detached from the political fraternity or should be made that only one section of that fraternity should not be the decision maker. As previously said extending the policy for appointment and removal of judges in higher levels of courts to the election commissioners would be appropriate.
Also any boss should have the right to sou moto investigate his subordinates and colleagues. If u call somebody CEC and others EC and give this guy some powers, these powers are to ensure order in the system. When he has to duty to run the system he should have also the right to change the system or atlest recomend changes to the system(including the resources).
I still don't feel like agreeing with Gopalswami's version of why he reported so late. Also I don't feel that CECs recommendation should be binding in all cicumstances . Not just the CEC but also in case of judges and MPs i feel the same. But it seems that prima facie there is a strong case against Navin Chalwa especially on the allegation of leaking information to congress.
Anyway its just that every day there are carnages happening in this country and not all are a physical and violent as 26/11 but is equally important.
26/11/2008 LETS NOT FORGET
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