Well, there is a lot of talk about women empowerment these days, and i could not keep away from the topic. Well, there is an immediate cause for this post of mine too.
SAINA NEHWAL. This girl has done wonders to the image of Indian women in a positive way. The media is yet to accord her a super star status. But she is really one of our best women achievers. Today I read in Times of India there was this 3 column interview of Saina where she said that she was more famous in Malaysia and Indonesia than in India. That's a matter of shame for us, i believe.
When our parliament is mooting 33% reservation for women, this girl has got there with most of the odds against her. She has done us proud and the govt has even forgotten to give her the prize money promised. She has to be the real face of Indian women and an inspiration for many of our Indian girls.
Forget Saina, Indian girls have done us proud across times, we have but always forgotten them. The Indian women's cricket team did us so proud in the last 50 over world cup and the recently concluded T20 world Cup. But we are still cribbing about what the boys did. The girls did not make it to even the first sports page, forget the front page in many news dailies.
We remember our women only for their mini skirts and deep necks, and that's a real shame. Many guys can swear on good lord the skirt size of Sania Mirza , but never her highest ranking. That's the state of our support for our own girls. Still these girls are making it big, again and again and again. Still we find it very easy to forget them. Today our girls have grown so strong and open minded that they are joining the armed forces. They don't have strong bodies as many men, but many men don't have their strong minds or resolve.
Another lady who comes to my mind is Nirupama Rao, our ambassador to China. I read, she was summoned early morning around 2 am by the Chinese foreign office and she replied to the call of Duty.I saw a photograph in Times of India during the just completed general election , where i saw the pic of a young police girl , white, not too tall, well dressed in her cop uniform, holding a auto rifle giving a million dollar smile as she guarded a polling office. My chest swelled with pride to say the least.
I recently saw an add of the Dove soap. I was just thinking, if we were to portray our real women. It should not be women who win elections because her husband is somebody big, or because of her caste. It should not women who went places because she knew people in high places.
We have loads of schemes that are already up and are on anvil for women empowerment. But the real need is for an action plan and targets. People of quality don't need reservations, all they need is support. There are hundreds on Saina, Nirupama and that young copgirl. We don't need to find them. We just gotta create an environment where they get a change. They will FIND US.
That will take us one step closer to beautiful, peaceful and prosperous India.
FOR what many martyrs have give their life.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Pradhan Committee report is coming
Media is going berserk. Yup, I still in the sports page and I am still with my anti- media ramblings. Its not that i really hate the media or something(I owe a lot to media, especially the newspapers). But what they are doing right now is simply absurd.
Yesterday, Avantika Singh on Headlines Today said , when Sachin, Rahul, Saurav and Laxman have all been role models, the current Indian captain is 'arrogance personified'. Many media houses took pot shot at the Indian team. I agree that team did not do well, may be they did not try hard enough and all. But that does not give you the right to settle scores. The more these media houses are gonna go after the team, the more easily the fans will forgive the team. Well, who gives a damn when u can make a quick dime. right?
Anyway, the more important topic is the Pradhan Committee report on Mumbai terror attacks. It's being alleged from various quarters that The Mumbai Police Commisioner, was transferred because of some text against him in the report. Well, if its because of the text, then why is he being given a promotion transfer? Well need to kick him out. Also, what about the others. Why only the police is being investigated and why the political establishment is not under the scanner? I would like to see some text on political and bureaucratic establishment too on the report.
But more important information(that i felt) was that The ATS chief Hemant Karkare was lying on the floor near cama hospital, very close to the police quarters for almost half an hour. May be he could have been saved? Already, Mr. Kamte's wife has alleged that there are many things that have gone wrong and that she should be heard. Also, the Committee's purview is only limited to what happened that night and suggestions, but what about what has happened after that night? Does the Committee have the right to investigate how the Police , bureaucracy and the political establishments have changed themselves since 26 11 2008 ?
All I can say is that , I am eagerly waiting to see whats on the report when its tabled in the Maharashtra Assembly later this week.
Also, It will be great dishonor to our brave boys if we don't learn from our past mistakes. The biggest in my personal opinion.
I hope another 26 11 2008 never happens.
Yesterday, Avantika Singh on Headlines Today said , when Sachin, Rahul, Saurav and Laxman have all been role models, the current Indian captain is 'arrogance personified'. Many media houses took pot shot at the Indian team. I agree that team did not do well, may be they did not try hard enough and all. But that does not give you the right to settle scores. The more these media houses are gonna go after the team, the more easily the fans will forgive the team. Well, who gives a damn when u can make a quick dime. right?
Anyway, the more important topic is the Pradhan Committee report on Mumbai terror attacks. It's being alleged from various quarters that The Mumbai Police Commisioner, was transferred because of some text against him in the report. Well, if its because of the text, then why is he being given a promotion transfer? Well need to kick him out. Also, what about the others. Why only the police is being investigated and why the political establishment is not under the scanner? I would like to see some text on political and bureaucratic establishment too on the report.
But more important information(that i felt) was that The ATS chief Hemant Karkare was lying on the floor near cama hospital, very close to the police quarters for almost half an hour. May be he could have been saved? Already, Mr. Kamte's wife has alleged that there are many things that have gone wrong and that she should be heard. Also, the Committee's purview is only limited to what happened that night and suggestions, but what about what has happened after that night? Does the Committee have the right to investigate how the Police , bureaucracy and the political establishments have changed themselves since 26 11 2008 ?
All I can say is that , I am eagerly waiting to see whats on the report when its tabled in the Maharashtra Assembly later this week.
Also, It will be great dishonor to our brave boys if we don't learn from our past mistakes. The biggest in my personal opinion.
I hope another 26 11 2008 never happens.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Support for Dhoni
Just in my last post i talked about media being high handed and see what is happening. Dhoni is literally being assaulted. First of all, there were not even the slightest indications of a tiff within the Indian team. Secondly, a captain has the right to be angry with a player of his. There are 15 individuals out there. There can be personality clash. If two persons have a go at each other, you can't just say that , they are not in speaking terms.
There could be tiff, but when no media house in this country is ready to come forward with proof i feel that they should hold their silence. This is typical yellow page reporting. The Indian media is literally manufacturing news. Headline Today showed the Dhoni and a media person having a go at each other during the press conference. But they comfortably showed only that part and skipped the build up. Well i should say, irrespective of competitive spirits, cross cutting and undercutting one thing that we all need to learn from Indian jurnos is the way they close ranks when one of them is being proved wrong or credibility being questioned.
I liked the way Dhoni handled the issue. He came out and made it clear , now more than once , that he ain't gonna take any nonsense. Especially, when he asked the jurno "am i leaking the news", "All of you are here, if u feel I am leaking, stand up and say now", conspicuously, always questioning media did not have an answer. I read in Times of India, saying the way the press meet was held and the team stormed out (the show of unity meet) was unbecoming of an Indian team and unprecedented. They also said this was never done by a previous captain. Well, two things. One, There is always a first time. Second, you asked for it.
The Indian media is unnecessarily distracting the team's attention, by creating a mountain out of a mole hill (even if there are some issues). Instead of focusing on a Dhoni Vs Shewag tiff, if they media could concentrate more on, why a player was allowed to fly to a international tournament of highest grade, when he was not even close to passing the fitness test. Why there is no pre-travel policy for inclusion of players, and if captain wasn't briefed before flying about injuries, then why?. If Indian media concentrates on these issues, it will do greater good for Indian cricket and may be even contribute for a better Indian team.
If there is a tiff, media has to report. It has to tell the fans. But, timing is even more important. Indian media is now doing greater damage to the team and the reputation of the nation with this shallow reporting at this juncture. Dhoni's in your face attitude really deserves good comments. Indian media needs to understand that they can't get away with this every time. This time they have taken on cricket, which is religion for our people. This time they are on the wrong side. I still haven't found one person who ain't on Indian Team's side.
There could be tiff, but when no media house in this country is ready to come forward with proof i feel that they should hold their silence. This is typical yellow page reporting. The Indian media is literally manufacturing news. Headline Today showed the Dhoni and a media person having a go at each other during the press conference. But they comfortably showed only that part and skipped the build up. Well i should say, irrespective of competitive spirits, cross cutting and undercutting one thing that we all need to learn from Indian jurnos is the way they close ranks when one of them is being proved wrong or credibility being questioned.
I liked the way Dhoni handled the issue. He came out and made it clear , now more than once , that he ain't gonna take any nonsense. Especially, when he asked the jurno "am i leaking the news", "All of you are here, if u feel I am leaking, stand up and say now", conspicuously, always questioning media did not have an answer. I read in Times of India, saying the way the press meet was held and the team stormed out (the show of unity meet) was unbecoming of an Indian team and unprecedented. They also said this was never done by a previous captain. Well, two things. One, There is always a first time. Second, you asked for it.
The Indian media is unnecessarily distracting the team's attention, by creating a mountain out of a mole hill (even if there are some issues). Instead of focusing on a Dhoni Vs Shewag tiff, if they media could concentrate more on, why a player was allowed to fly to a international tournament of highest grade, when he was not even close to passing the fitness test. Why there is no pre-travel policy for inclusion of players, and if captain wasn't briefed before flying about injuries, then why?. If Indian media concentrates on these issues, it will do greater good for Indian cricket and may be even contribute for a better Indian team.
If there is a tiff, media has to report. It has to tell the fans. But, timing is even more important. Indian media is now doing greater damage to the team and the reputation of the nation with this shallow reporting at this juncture. Dhoni's in your face attitude really deserves good comments. Indian media needs to understand that they can't get away with this every time. This time they have taken on cricket, which is religion for our people. This time they are on the wrong side. I still haven't found one person who ain't on Indian Team's side.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Media Gehetto
I personally believe that media plays the most important role when it comes to nation building, national integration and educated population. By educated, i do not mean literate. Even if we look at our history, the Independence movement was inspired and fed by the media. The strong media , without any fear of the administration had inspired the masses. It helped great leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Azad, Tilak and many more to capture the imagination of the people.
But today the same national media that has such a colorful history has lost its plot completely. Journalism today is still a service, but not a social service but a commercial service. I really feel that the major reason for the misdirection of main stream media is a direct capitalist influence. Its more like , 'don't cast a news if you can't sell the news' and lack of quality. Take any product range, there will be quality products and not so good products packaged hi-fi. Same is for the news today in India 'Amitabh Bachan ne cheka' and that too in a 16 point bold lettered breaking news.
Let me break down on what i feel our media needs to improve.
1) Language quality- I read 'Times of India' every day. The number of spelling mistakes and grammatical mistakes the paper makes is really appalling. Its not the only paper, I have found the same in many major dailies like DNA, Hindstan Times etc. Times of India is supposedly one of our flagship newspaper, giving us a sense of pride. It carries really good articles too (I never miss a Jug Surraya article), including about English language (One of the best articles i have ever ready in any news paper comes from the same one which delt with importance of comma in English language)
I make a lot of grammatical and spelling mistakes, but there is a difference between me making a mistake and Times or any other major media house making a mistake. Infact i would say, lot of us readers are influenced by the articles, we pick up words and spelling from papers. If they are gonna screw up then its not good.
2) Presentation quality - This is something I found common in most TV Channels like NDTV, CNN-IBN, Headlines Today and a lot more . eg: "Market went up by 200 points. The BSE shot from 12800 to 13000. 200 points is what the market gained. The day opened in 12800 and closed in 13000'
Well, could we not have finished that in a max of two sentences 'Market opened at 12800 and closed at 13000 shooting by 200 points'. Many presenters complicate things, repeat or rephrase a lot confusing the normal viewer. I some times feel like laughing at these guys. These same channels cut their guests to go into commercial breaks. Can't we reduce this Mumbo Jumbo and show ADVs there. Also, the viewer is not a computer, she is gonna lose interest and go for the remote.
3) Commitment to National Interests - This is something I found lacking in most mainstream media. 26 11 2008 mumbai terrorist attacks really proved that our media gives more importance to commercial interests than to national. Well, the defense team had specifically requested the media to not show any operational activities live and guess what may media houses delayed relay by few minutes. Some Jurno's even tried to interview officers in action.
There was this great article in Times of India where a female jurno describes what she saw on that day and how one of the jurno from a channel crawled to soldier who had take position and tried to interview him. NDTV's Barkha Dutt even issued a note saying NDTV delayed relay by 10 minutes. Well, for NDTV 10 mins may be life time but for national welfare it ain't. All the main stream media houses went live that day with the action thriller right out side our windows.
Media houses should act in a more responsible way , not showing live means, not give out any details that would help the enemy to change the outcome of our defense action. Now think abt the delays provided by media houses ? I even posted a reply to Barkha's post on NDTV website, but never saw my reply posted for next two days. I then did not follow up any more.
Another interesting case is that of CNN-IBN and the cash for vote scam. CNN-IBN took the video, did the sting operation, but did nothing from its side to stop a national tragedy from happening and then we saw wades of notes in the parliament and a national shame was broadcast live, replayed and again by many mainstream media houses.
4) Ethics - This is some thing really missing in today's media. There is nothing but sensationalism in there. 'If there ain't a story, lets manufacture one' seems to be the mantra of today's media. I can think of a lot of specific instances but will mention two to prove my point. One, the news report that Sehwag and Dhoni are having a tiff. After the strong statement from Dhoni, no media house has had the balls to speak of that story again. None is coming forward and providing proof for what they reported. I strongly back Dhoni in the way he responded.
Another case of Poonam Yadav, who was a strong contender in the show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa of Zee TV. Some gossip column reported about an alleged affair of this young girl with her mentor Ismail Darbar without any proof and just because she was hospitalized they said she had gone through abortion and tried suicide. Well, where is proof. When Editors allow this kinda story they should ask for verification to their journalists. She is an easy prey also since she is poor and the media house knows she can't afford to take them to court. I did a Google search on this girl to see how her career has shaped after the show (since she was my fav contender of that year) and I could find no website with the Info, instead all fed me with this news and that's how i came to know of this. The girl came forward to clear the air and call this character assassination. I also remember a Delhi teacher being maligned by a Hindi news channel sting.
Well,I feel we need stronger laws against such indecent publications. In Italy, you can't publish a person's photo without his permission. Well, I won't go that far, but still believe that we need to protected the common man more.
5) Follow ups - Our media never follows up on any issue. They write when an issue is hot or when it has a element of sensation or sting or any thing. But never follow up unless they get some really good sound bytes that will re sensationalize the issue. I completely dis agree with this attitude. Even the American Media acts in a more responsible way when it comes to follow ups.
I can think of a lot more, but i will stop this here since this post is getting too long. Will continue in another post.
I hope that our media will be more responsible at the face of another 26 11. Self restraint has been show by citizens, can media do the same is a very important question.
But today the same national media that has such a colorful history has lost its plot completely. Journalism today is still a service, but not a social service but a commercial service. I really feel that the major reason for the misdirection of main stream media is a direct capitalist influence. Its more like , 'don't cast a news if you can't sell the news' and lack of quality. Take any product range, there will be quality products and not so good products packaged hi-fi. Same is for the news today in India 'Amitabh Bachan ne cheka' and that too in a 16 point bold lettered breaking news.
Let me break down on what i feel our media needs to improve.
1) Language quality- I read 'Times of India' every day. The number of spelling mistakes and grammatical mistakes the paper makes is really appalling. Its not the only paper, I have found the same in many major dailies like DNA, Hindstan Times etc. Times of India is supposedly one of our flagship newspaper, giving us a sense of pride. It carries really good articles too (I never miss a Jug Surraya article), including about English language (One of the best articles i have ever ready in any news paper comes from the same one which delt with importance of comma in English language)
I make a lot of grammatical and spelling mistakes, but there is a difference between me making a mistake and Times or any other major media house making a mistake. Infact i would say, lot of us readers are influenced by the articles, we pick up words and spelling from papers. If they are gonna screw up then its not good.
2) Presentation quality - This is something I found common in most TV Channels like NDTV, CNN-IBN, Headlines Today and a lot more . eg: "Market went up by 200 points. The BSE shot from 12800 to 13000. 200 points is what the market gained. The day opened in 12800 and closed in 13000'
Well, could we not have finished that in a max of two sentences 'Market opened at 12800 and closed at 13000 shooting by 200 points'. Many presenters complicate things, repeat or rephrase a lot confusing the normal viewer. I some times feel like laughing at these guys. These same channels cut their guests to go into commercial breaks. Can't we reduce this Mumbo Jumbo and show ADVs there. Also, the viewer is not a computer, she is gonna lose interest and go for the remote.
3) Commitment to National Interests - This is something I found lacking in most mainstream media. 26 11 2008 mumbai terrorist attacks really proved that our media gives more importance to commercial interests than to national. Well, the defense team had specifically requested the media to not show any operational activities live and guess what may media houses delayed relay by few minutes. Some Jurno's even tried to interview officers in action.
There was this great article in Times of India where a female jurno describes what she saw on that day and how one of the jurno from a channel crawled to soldier who had take position and tried to interview him. NDTV's Barkha Dutt even issued a note saying NDTV delayed relay by 10 minutes. Well, for NDTV 10 mins may be life time but for national welfare it ain't. All the main stream media houses went live that day with the action thriller right out side our windows.
Media houses should act in a more responsible way , not showing live means, not give out any details that would help the enemy to change the outcome of our defense action. Now think abt the delays provided by media houses ? I even posted a reply to Barkha's post on NDTV website, but never saw my reply posted for next two days. I then did not follow up any more.
Another interesting case is that of CNN-IBN and the cash for vote scam. CNN-IBN took the video, did the sting operation, but did nothing from its side to stop a national tragedy from happening and then we saw wades of notes in the parliament and a national shame was broadcast live, replayed and again by many mainstream media houses.
4) Ethics - This is some thing really missing in today's media. There is nothing but sensationalism in there. 'If there ain't a story, lets manufacture one' seems to be the mantra of today's media. I can think of a lot of specific instances but will mention two to prove my point. One, the news report that Sehwag and Dhoni are having a tiff. After the strong statement from Dhoni, no media house has had the balls to speak of that story again. None is coming forward and providing proof for what they reported. I strongly back Dhoni in the way he responded.
Another case of Poonam Yadav, who was a strong contender in the show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa of Zee TV. Some gossip column reported about an alleged affair of this young girl with her mentor Ismail Darbar without any proof and just because she was hospitalized they said she had gone through abortion and tried suicide. Well, where is proof. When Editors allow this kinda story they should ask for verification to their journalists. She is an easy prey also since she is poor and the media house knows she can't afford to take them to court. I did a Google search on this girl to see how her career has shaped after the show (since she was my fav contender of that year) and I could find no website with the Info, instead all fed me with this news and that's how i came to know of this. The girl came forward to clear the air and call this character assassination. I also remember a Delhi teacher being maligned by a Hindi news channel sting.
Well,I feel we need stronger laws against such indecent publications. In Italy, you can't publish a person's photo without his permission. Well, I won't go that far, but still believe that we need to protected the common man more.
5) Follow ups - Our media never follows up on any issue. They write when an issue is hot or when it has a element of sensation or sting or any thing. But never follow up unless they get some really good sound bytes that will re sensationalize the issue. I completely dis agree with this attitude. Even the American Media acts in a more responsible way when it comes to follow ups.
I can think of a lot more, but i will stop this here since this post is getting too long. Will continue in another post.
I hope that our media will be more responsible at the face of another 26 11. Self restraint has been show by citizens, can media do the same is a very important question.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Back in action
Well, the title goes for both me and congress. Bfr explaining that let me just say "Congratz Congress".
Well, about the title. I had made a promise to make a post in this blog every week at least once and for last few weeks I haven't kept it. It's not because I forgot or smtng. It was just a simple thought that , when the political storm is on high, there will be loads of people in the virtual world passing their both educated and not so educated comments. I just wanted to take a break in the meanwhile and just shut up. I believe that a a whisper to a silent audience is more powerful that a 100MW speaker to a boiling Mob. So i just waited so that everything settles down.
Leaving all those out. Lets come to the core. I have been heavily critical of congress like many other blogger and critics and all. But there is one difference between me and many of them. Just because congress won I aint gonna go singing glory songs for congress. I still have many apprehensions about congress rule and I still believe that PM Manmohan Singh is a weak PM. If you cant get the benefits of your hard work across to the people , you should be ready for that tag.
I find it difficult to disguise my doubts on how congress is going to handle National Security with their horrible track record. Many analysts say that Mumbai by electing all its MPs belonging to the UPA has trashed the BJP's claims on National Security. Thats not true. I believe MNS played a huge role. I believe that if MNS was not there in the picture it might have been a reverse sweep.
But one advantage of having congress back is with regard to the economy. There is no better party in this country right now who can handle economy better, even though Pranab Mukherjee is political choice. I believe that somebody more educated and well versed with the economy should have been given charge.
The PM has said that this govt has to perform and the people are watching them in his first cabinet speech. But let me categorically state "Congress has fumbled in the first step". It has made some poor choices when it comes to ministerial berths. I am very sad that Sashi Tharoor did not make it as External Affairs minister. PM said, talent and experience was the major criteria. Well it does not seem so. If it was, I cant think of any other person having more international good will than Sashi Tharoor in the current parliament. His vast experience with the UN is not being fully utilized. Also , A. Raja had come under serious criticism for squandering the opportunity with regard to the 3G auction. Still he is back. I feel, congress has not faced arm twisting by allies in a bold way. Congress could have said a blunt no to A. Raja and DMK would not have been able to do a damn thing about it. If it does, it would have to sit out of power for next 5 years as there are a lot of parties outside the congress Gate to offer support. Also , no party would have the balls to go to a second Round General Elections. The Good Will for congress would alone have routed them all. The choice of the new speaker also seems to be more of a Photo-op rather than an educated selection. Of course, congress is well known for Photo-ops.
As far as the swan song singers for Rahul Gandhi is concerned all i gotta say to them is "Shame on You'. I have read some really critical statements about Rahul Gandhi and some real praises for Priyanka before elections. 80% have turned around to sing for Rahul. If the so called Rahul's strategy in U P, had back fired I just can't think of what comments would have come out on him. I still believe Rahul Gandhi has a long way to go before taking up a ministerial position and a lot to learn. I hope he learns that real India is not just a cow shed but also the jam packed Mumbai local and Delhi's fast track blue line buses.
Anyway, I wish the very best to congress and our country. The people have given a strong mandate to the Congress and a strong warning to divisive forces and Regional Parties. I really hope that congress would shun its pseudo-secularism and be really secular in all aspects of the Indian Government. Also, I hope they give due Importance to national security and not put a old man with a turban on T.V. to say "We wont bend our back to these attacks" without even a blink(few more blasts and we won't have a back to bend). I hope that they are able to revive the economy faster than expected with some quality and bold decisions keeping all its citizens aspirations in mind.
Hope a 26/11/2008 never happens again.
JAI HIND
Well, about the title. I had made a promise to make a post in this blog every week at least once and for last few weeks I haven't kept it. It's not because I forgot or smtng. It was just a simple thought that , when the political storm is on high, there will be loads of people in the virtual world passing their both educated and not so educated comments. I just wanted to take a break in the meanwhile and just shut up. I believe that a a whisper to a silent audience is more powerful that a 100MW speaker to a boiling Mob. So i just waited so that everything settles down.
Leaving all those out. Lets come to the core. I have been heavily critical of congress like many other blogger and critics and all. But there is one difference between me and many of them. Just because congress won I aint gonna go singing glory songs for congress. I still have many apprehensions about congress rule and I still believe that PM Manmohan Singh is a weak PM. If you cant get the benefits of your hard work across to the people , you should be ready for that tag.
I find it difficult to disguise my doubts on how congress is going to handle National Security with their horrible track record. Many analysts say that Mumbai by electing all its MPs belonging to the UPA has trashed the BJP's claims on National Security. Thats not true. I believe MNS played a huge role. I believe that if MNS was not there in the picture it might have been a reverse sweep.
But one advantage of having congress back is with regard to the economy. There is no better party in this country right now who can handle economy better, even though Pranab Mukherjee is political choice. I believe that somebody more educated and well versed with the economy should have been given charge.
The PM has said that this govt has to perform and the people are watching them in his first cabinet speech. But let me categorically state "Congress has fumbled in the first step". It has made some poor choices when it comes to ministerial berths. I am very sad that Sashi Tharoor did not make it as External Affairs minister. PM said, talent and experience was the major criteria. Well it does not seem so. If it was, I cant think of any other person having more international good will than Sashi Tharoor in the current parliament. His vast experience with the UN is not being fully utilized. Also , A. Raja had come under serious criticism for squandering the opportunity with regard to the 3G auction. Still he is back. I feel, congress has not faced arm twisting by allies in a bold way. Congress could have said a blunt no to A. Raja and DMK would not have been able to do a damn thing about it. If it does, it would have to sit out of power for next 5 years as there are a lot of parties outside the congress Gate to offer support. Also , no party would have the balls to go to a second Round General Elections. The Good Will for congress would alone have routed them all. The choice of the new speaker also seems to be more of a Photo-op rather than an educated selection. Of course, congress is well known for Photo-ops.
As far as the swan song singers for Rahul Gandhi is concerned all i gotta say to them is "Shame on You'. I have read some really critical statements about Rahul Gandhi and some real praises for Priyanka before elections. 80% have turned around to sing for Rahul. If the so called Rahul's strategy in U P, had back fired I just can't think of what comments would have come out on him. I still believe Rahul Gandhi has a long way to go before taking up a ministerial position and a lot to learn. I hope he learns that real India is not just a cow shed but also the jam packed Mumbai local and Delhi's fast track blue line buses.
Anyway, I wish the very best to congress and our country. The people have given a strong mandate to the Congress and a strong warning to divisive forces and Regional Parties. I really hope that congress would shun its pseudo-secularism and be really secular in all aspects of the Indian Government. Also, I hope they give due Importance to national security and not put a old man with a turban on T.V. to say "We wont bend our back to these attacks" without even a blink(few more blasts and we won't have a back to bend). I hope that they are able to revive the economy faster than expected with some quality and bold decisions keeping all its citizens aspirations in mind.
Hope a 26/11/2008 never happens again.
JAI HIND
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