Jaswant's Jolt

In a shocking development before the start of the much hyped chintan baithak held by the BJP to contemplate on the reasons for its failure in this year’s elecyion and to provide solutions and look for a revamp, BJP Leader Jaswant Singh was expelled form the party. The reason-he had eulogized Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who had so far been demonized by the highly communal BJP and is not held in high regard, even in India. Let’s look at the treatment from different aspects.

Why is BJP correct in its intolerance to jaswant’s views?

BJP, even though it claims to be secular is not. Everybody knows that. Be it the wounds of the Ayodha massacre still fresh or the alleged hate speech of Varun Gandhi in Pilibhit, they have left no stones unturned to drive home a point-that of secular intolerance. In that context, Jaswant Singh, who has been in the party for the last 30 years, and is one of the leaders instumental in driving forth the party;s image in public, did a blunder. By eulogizing Jinnah in his book. He attributed the India-Pakistan partition to Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (who the BJP look up to) more than Jinnah. I am not going to delve on Jinnah’s role in the partition. But, this idea, which is a clear anti thesis of what the BJP holds as its ideal, has been boldly presented in the book. Still in public life nd while attached to the principles of a party, Jaswant should notr have made his personal beliefs and opinions public. Also, Jaswant has been an old prick for the BJP. He targeted the team Lal Krishna Advani picked for Parliament, comprising of Sushma Swaraj as Advani's deputy in Lok Sabha and Arun Jaitely as Opposition Leader in Rajya Sabha. Naturally, for a party brass, so stringent in its outlook, it has led to serious consequences. The matter of the step taken is though, controversial.

Why is BJP wrong in sacking Jaswant?

Because he is a senior leader who is present in the team, the party since its days of inception. Holding high profiles in the cabinet, Jaswant was one of the most respectable figures in the party. 30 years of servitude, loyalty, devotion and service has in a whiff being dismantled and it has been a rude jolt for Jaswant, who was almost teary eyed during his press conference from Shimla. Out Constitution’s Fundamental Rights involve the freedom of expression and Jaswant, in sharing his personal views for Jinnah, did no wrong as an individual and as a critic. But the only ‘fault’ perhaps was maybe his affiliation to a party so strong in its outlook and so sudden in its actions.

What the BJP should have done instead?

I think that like every shrewd political party, the BJP should also have capitalized on the view of Jaswant in the book, blaming the congress and its members like Gandhiji and Patel for the partition and the Hindu-Muslim discord. This step, neglected, is a very foolish thing that the BJP has done and is a respite for the congress, which has averted a criticism. And I also feel that the BJP should have taken a less strict step for jaswant’s book. He could have been asked to step down from his post or asked personally to bring out an apology etc. The sort of treatment meted out to him-a phone call by Rajnath Singh, informing him about his expungement, that is after Lal Krishna Advani got away with his comments in favour of Jinnah three years back and also a nod of approval to bring out Jaswant’s book by the same man, is nothing less than a hasty step taken, which has created ripples against the party.

What it trickles down to...

Basically, Politics-not intolerance to opposition of principles, is what I conclude is the reason behind the expulsion. The Chintan Baithak aimed at revamping the party’s image has led the party to be quite non-lenient in its operation. This is the first step towards purging the party out of its obstacles, perhaps. But this step, I feel, was not called for, is hasty and I believe would be a source for dismay and regret for at least some of the party members later on. Let’s wait and watch what other chintans emerge out of the baithak in the cool and serene surroundings of Shimla. Another Jaswant episode, maybe…Beware Arun Shouries, Vasundhara Rajes and Yashwant Sinhas and put your hands up for the Varun Gandhis, the Jaitleys and the Sushmas.

Isolation in an urban dystopia

Isolation in an urban dystopia
One of the most disturbing C&H pieces I have come across.

Disturbia

4 president's bodyguards have been convicted of raping a teenager 6 years back. Justice has been delivered really fast. Justice of imprisoning them for life. No, I am not in favour of corporal punishment. But given our notorious law records, I doubt whether the miscreants will be given the maximum blow or not. The average price(sic) that you pay for raping a girl in this country is a jail term of 15 to 20 years, if I am not wrong. The girl can stay tainted. Its just a rape after all...A common practice in society, and specially India, for ages...

4 coaches of a patna bound train have been charred by some ticketless hoodlums who were questioned about their action. The passengers have complained that the officials reached late on the spot, otherwise the reaction could have been averted. Mamata stays mum...

A very reputed private hospital in Delhi charges around 5 to 6 times the cost of a night's admittance in a government hospital in the city. And this doesnt guarantee a foolproof system of treatment in the haloed hospital that Delhiites, mostly the well to dos, visit. A pregnant woman was first reported to be normally treated for the delivery, then announced a caeserian surgery to be conducted, charged high fees, then after a near fatal condition she was saved-more through the grace of God than the mercy of the doctors, then her family was forced to sign on a no-objection-all satisfied document and then released from the hospital. The have-money-will-spends. This is a micro example of the hundreds of private hospitals all around the country charging exorbitantly...

Shocking visuals of Auto union honchos, who called for a 2-day strike in the capital, beating up a driver who dared to defy their orders and brought out their autos on the street, mercilessly, flashed on the TV screen. The person who was beating was looking at the camera, then finding a suitable footage cover and then delivering blows to the poor driver, for whom a day's off would mean no proper meal...

God gave me patience
patience to breath
god give me reasons
to not cry anymore bout anything
(Tristan)

A disturbed Yash, sipping his caustic cup of tea, looking up at the churning of the ceiling fan, doors shut. He is afraid so as to not to collapse. He shouldn't have added these issues in the quagmire of his soggy and bleak mind.

Spare a thought

The covering deprivation classes in our college was not something that I was very fond of but yes it was an enriching experience to know about the plight of the poor and the downtrodden in our country and the lack of amenities and assistance by the state and the central government to them. like the tragedy of the Vidharbha suicides, the Kosi floods, the 2002 drought etc. And P. Sainath's lectures were the ones that all of us so waited to hear. The impressive personality and the plethora of knowledge that he displayed was very difficult to ignore. Many of my colleagues, especially my dear friend Siddhartha, considers him to be their hero. And why not? after the immense contribution that he devoted for covering deprivation. Even the trips to Sunderbans, Nagapattinam( I belonged to this trip team), Vellore and Kanchipuram were rejuvinatingly different from covering national and local stories. Coming in contact with the aggrieved Land owners in Nagapattinam, the fishermen community which had lost their catch and land due to the tsunami, their satisfaction and frustration stories on the rehabilitation was brilliant. The way the women's group worked in certain pockets were very laudable. The problem of water and state government subsidies were the main threats and disappointments for those poor farmers. And also the beautiful countryside, the fun travels, the visit to the organic farming grounds-all these were really an eye opener and a different experience for me. No I dont cherish any dreams to cover rural areas like my friend Siddharth in the future, but still now when I see the bold initiative by NDTV and some dailies in covering deprivation issues, I feel proud that yes, at least some group of the media is giving weightage to this issue.

20 Random stuff I 'm thinking about NOW. (part 1)

1) I interviewed a guy high on cocaine today; almost interviewed a girl high on liquor and spoke coolly to a lesbian couple. cool!

2) Losers are the selected ones. They are the real winners, maybe after this life completes.

3) While coming back home today, I missed around 8 to 10 seats on the bus today. The initial ones, I donated to seemingly unfortunates and the later ones were denied to me.

4) Why am I feeling dizzy from yesterday?

5) I hate yellow lights. I love tube lights.

6) I thought Farah Khan would set her show 'Tere mere "beach" mein' on a beach in Goa or Kerala, till I was proved wrong.

7) I think Vasundhara Raje is offered cash and property to step down.

8) Did the lady wanted to plant a kiss on Irrfan Pathan's chheks or...?

9) I just realized that I dont have any friends in Gurgaon.

10) Yesterday I received a 'gift' through mail from a once very close friend of mine. I did not open it. Further questions will not be entertained. Form your opinion (against) me.

11) http://pigcell.blogspot.com/ ...thoroughly impressed.

12) I am confused. I wanted 12 kids for myself. Now it has trickled down. I saw a cutie pie girl kid while coming back.

13) uff Ma pls Tv-r volume ta komaao

14) Arunava, Arka, Siddhartha. I wish they stayed near me.

15) Anushka Sharma. I find you really beautiful. dont expose on screen ever.

16) I predict that Wanted will be a runaway hit and so will Blue. Wake up Sid will flop.

17) I am sure 7 out of 10 persons reading this list will find it curious. rest of them will trash it.

18) Rahul Dravid makes a comeback. But I dont think he will open up against the Kiwis and the Lankans.

19) Another day. another pain. another joy. Another wish. Another prayer. If I could...

20) You actually sat through all this...?? Thanks a million, dude/dudette.

His name was Khan

I want to …But its difficult to.

Shah Rukh is a global figure. In today’s age of globalisation and integrated media reach, it doesn’t take rocket science to figure out what bollywood is and who the Badshah (so called) of Bollywood is. But it seems that the US official who was valuing his boss’s orders a little too seriously did not recognize the mass favourite and dragged SRK to a corner and detained him for questioning. Poor lad, doesn’t get too much breaks or offs to catch up with world news. A hue and cry have been raised (thanks to the Indian TV channels who found sufficient scoop in this masala of a story). Apparently, SRK was detained, thanks to his surname, which belongs to such a community, which has triggered ruptures in the global terrorist circle. Its absurd for a person to not to know someone of the status of Shah Rukh Khan. And what's more amazing and shocking is that he wasnt allowed even to make a call. And all that not to a Joe or a Sharma or a Richardson. But to a Khan. This sort of religious profiling has been a point of controversy for the US system of governance. If you are a democratic nation, then treat everybody equally. Why was the Sharma before him or the Richardson after him left out? Well, your guess is as good as mine. And quite naturally SRK has turned vocal about the incident, expressing his outrage and has also going on record saying that if given a chance, he would not like to set his foot again on the US soil, upsetting the strong Indian Americans and the native Bollywood lovers in the states.

On the other hand, it is quite evident that the participation of a single community in global terrorism is the highest and if I may say so, has the largest share in the pie. In that case (and after the 9/11 attacks) it is not unnatural that they have become prime and natural suspects. Not only in the US but all throughout the world. Maintaining that aspect, it is natural for a person (if for a second, I believe that he doesnt know who SRK is)to detain and question anybody belonging to the same community. Its harrassing I admit. very disturbing (watch New York) but natural for a country which does not want another 9/11. Its not only to SRK, but in the past to Kabir Khan, Mamoothy, Irrfan khan, APJ Abdul Kalam too. all because of their surname. I definitely endorse the question raised by these respectable gentlemen-where is my dignity, my respect, my social standing as an individual? But if its a law in the US, then its a law. If its a belief, its a belief. A storm has been aroused because it is SRK. But people like him, who are not so famous, but share his religion, are subjected to such screenings everyday. As once friend of Shah Rukh now turned foe, Salman Khan said-that, an image has been created of the community, that of terror, suspect-because of the misdoings by some certain people from the community. And for that innocents, famous or not have to pay the price.

So while I personally do condemn religious profiling, I endorse the reason behind it.
While I back SRK, I dont want to witness another 9/11.
Let peace prevail.

Before another Vidharbha occurs...

While the entire country is considering Swine Flu as a great threat to their existence and peaceful living, tucked away in a corner and preserved in newspapers is a bigger panic-the farmer suicides.
Due to the prevailing drought like situations and some areas getting affected by drought, farmers are exercising their only and the most safe option-to end up their lives. Drought has been declared in the arid, rain deprived regions in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh. In the last 40 days, 21 Andhra farmers have committed suicide. Taking large loans from private moneylenders in high interest rates- the lack of proper and adequate rains resulting in the failure to grow crops, which they would have sold and earned to pay back their loans- no cannot be repaid. This, coupled with other practical reasons like being unable to procure a square meal a day, health ailments, costs associated with them, a loss of hope (even due to Governmental callousness and the shrug shoulder syndrome) have led and is leading the farmers to end their own lives. The horrors of Vidharbha get recalled once again! We cant fight against nature. Nor do we stop the voluntary causes of harming the environment through increasing pollution levels. Though the PM has assured to forgive the farmers’ debts, postpone the loan repay dates of banks and to check blackmarketeering and hoarding, the truth remains that there are many farmers who take loans from private moneylenders and also those to whom the benefits promised by the Pm do not reach-they find their way into the pockets of the middlemen and the bureaucrats and the local ministers.
Though I laud Mr. Singh’s efforts to devise new scientific techniques to increase productivity of small and marginal farmers. But I still feel that there is a long way to go till we reach that level when the farmers wont have to be totally dependent upon a good monsoon to ensure productivity and sustainability. It’s a challenge that every one of us should pay heed to. People who can, should contribute to its fulfilment. The rice that we consume, the rotis that we eat are all due to those brown skinned bony structures that toil in exasperating heat everyday to grow our staples and feed us.
Though it’s a tragedy that in doing so, they often miss out on feeding their families and themselves…Give it a thought.