Being Cynical™: May 2010

Security Is A Comedy In Our Country!

Published on: Monday, May 31, 2010 // India, Politicians, Politics, Public Interest

The death of 140 odd passengers of a Mumbai bound train early Friday made us revisit the question all over again. How safe we are and how efficient and foolproof our security apparatus are? Answers to both is we are pathetic on these two fronts and don't show any encouraging sign that we would improve anytime soon.

Everything and everyone seems to have shown some improvement including the notorious terrorists, except our Sarkar. When the nefarious elements wield around with Kalashnikov and some high end hand grenades, our security forces (I am not talking about Indian army), who are supposed to take on these cowards heads on are still continue to be equipped with the British Era 303 rifles, which many tout are the same set of guns for which Mangal Pandey started the Sipahi Mutiny back in 1857 and even our police force are skeptical if these guns would fire at the first place or not as the last operational testing of those were done way back during the time of World war-I. Worse, at places even these 303 are all together absent and our security forces are left with the blessings of the almighty and of course our own indigenous invented weapon of ass destruction : The Lathi. Don't get me wrong. If used properly these weapons of ass destruction can be as deadly as anything, at least few home ministry sleuths believe so. So what our poor police Havildar, only equipped with this dreaded weapon of ass destruction is supposed to do when he sees a terrorist roaming around with an automatic assault weapon?

(a) Throw the lathi right there and run for his life
(b) Get faint with some awkward sadma as shown in Hindi movies
(c) Wet his pants and stand in a corner like a statue, doing nothing. Not that he could do anything better.
(d) Run towards the terrorist and whack his posterior as hard as possible with the lathi :- The weapon of ass destruction

In any whichever option, things would look really bizarre. Leaving aside few government offices and our airports all other places do give you a sorry picture of security. Shopping malls seems to be bit better as they do some security drama outside their gates, but on ground reality they are no better either. The deserted look (in terms of security) of all our major railway stations speaks volume about our nonchalant attitude towards security. The metal detector which is supposed to detect unwanted items getting in, most of the times doesn't work. If at all it is working, no one seems bothered enough to go through them. The Paan chewing Havildar sitting in the corner with that weapon of ass destruction in his hand, who is supposed to make sure that all pass through the detector, doesn't do anything on it. As it is he is pretty confident he won't be able to do much in the event of a real terrorist attack, so why bother?

When we are surrounded by two phase attack both from outside (LET, JeM etc) and inside (Maoists), the first thing we should do is send those 303 rifles to the place they belong - yes the museums and should also get rid of our fondness for the deadly weapon called Lathi. Does anyone remember (looking at we Indians short term memory loss) the immature video capture of Kasav at Girigam Choupati or for that matter the CCTV footage of the railway constable firing from that 303 at the two terrorists? Both these clips have enough ingredient to make us one laughing stock. Our police forces at one place seen kicking and punching a terrorists with lathi in their hands and at the other place the 303 holder doesn't know how to fire a rifle, as he hasn't done even once before and worse when one of them did manage to pull the trigger, the rifle never went off for first few attempts and we clowns still believe we can fight these maniacs with these set of weapons and skill set.

Whose call it should be to streamline our security apparatus? Where is the strategy? Post 26/11, when all thought the change is in the air for better, surprisingly the same set of seasoned crooks were back at the government and funny, it is we who brought them to power again. What the lesson learned for the buffoons whom we elected to power again? - The fool voters actually like our non-availability of any strategy to counteract the terrorism and lets not waste our time in thinking for any such strategy either. It seems there is only one strategy that is intact and at full swing - The strategy to keep the vote bank intact. If few lives are lost in the process, what's the big deal? That's the reason our Home minister doesn't think twice before announcing to the world that the captured joker in connection with Pune blast is just another suspect. That's the reason Mamtadi threw the tantrum when she said the DG of Bengal is a useless and at the same time a nonsense fellow for associating Maoists with the recent train tragedy. Surrounded by black cat commandos these so called leaders doesn't realize the value of security as it is the tax payers are taking care of that by the generous contribution of their hard earned money on the security aspect of these grossly incompetent, lazy, good for nothing individuals.

First step could be to take away these commandos from their security system and drag them out in the open to face the summer heat all alone. Then I feel entities like Mamtadi would refrain themselves from uttering nonsense like - law and order is a state matter. If that is so, could anyone please ask this lady - what she is doing out there? Can't the railways be better without one such useless individual? Little point in discussing (read negotiating) with a rogue nation. It is about time these composite dialogue stuff should be thrown out of the window and if possible make few politicians follow the trajectory right after. India then would be a cleaner and safer place to live after. Amen!

Petrol is not an expense:- Mind It, Indeed!

Published on: Friday, May 28, 2010 // Humor, India, Story

Murli Deora and few others at OPEC has at least one gentleman to vouch for them and their idea of increasing the fuel price every now-and-then for some fun. Mind the words of this easterly brilliant mind when he delivered this path breaking statement (read them in bold and quotes too) to another hapless, perpetually confused entity, who has one confusion or the other for anything and everything in the face of the planet. I am not sure about the fortunate one who happens to be the first hand receiver of this bizarre piece of unintended gyan, but for most of the rest, I advise you to take this blog with a truck full of salt.

As any encyclopedia would suggest to go through the origin of anything that is special and unique, this piece of gyan dearly need some serious root cause analysis. The chap who weathered the inflow of this gyan single handedly happened to be a proud owner of a car a year and half back. I am not too sure of the reason for him to go for the car, as he seldom drives it and his car is more often found inside his garage than out of it. The possibility of the covered distance of his car never crossed the thousand mark barrier could be

(a) His driving skills is far from being one decent
(b) It is just that he loves the brand that, he thought of giving some much needed profit to the car manufacturer
(c) His love for biking till eternity, which ironically he forgot for a moment while going for the purchase
(d) None of the above

But for the individual who later on gave him that valuable piece of gyan had decided to go with the option (d) and hence thought of passing on some silly economics and the subsequent finer points of assets and it's devaluation attached to it.

The self belief of having the real reason in hand the coupled with the confusing attribute of the receiver the gyan session did started. First jargon that had to suffer the autopsy was our poor insurance companies. The mathematics of the premium paid to the insurer for the car which was never driven and the wastage of few thousands against it was promptly attached to the liability factor of the car. By the time our friend was finished with his assassination of the insurance companies, it was clear that, if you have your insurance and don't drive it, then you are the biggest fool that one can find. In the same line it makes it mandate to fall ill at least a couple of times of high magnitude in a year if you unfortunately happens to have one health insurance, or else that's a liability. Good logic, I must admit. Next belief to be rubbished is the whole idea of buying a car. If you are still getting drenched in rainy season after having a car, is as useless as running to participate in a sword fight with a fountain pen in your hand was his assertion of the confused brat buying the car. This theorem definitely has some credibility to ponder. The listener was enlightened with the fact that the price of the car in second hand market is bound to comedown, irrespective of it being driven or not, with every passing year. True again.

Before the listener could reply back, the fuel factor a complete non issue for him, the gyan on fuel has already started. From the woodwork came that earth shaking statement "Petrol Is Not An Expense", not at least comparing against all the loss the poor chap bearing, just only by not driving his car, as proudly listed out by the brilliant mind. Even if guys like R.K.Pachori might just throw a heavy garland on this guy for not driving and adding few kilos of carbon particles to the atmosphere, our brilliant mind made sure our confused brat would look more confused than to begin with and that unspeakable expression of gratitude for being fortunate enough to sallow this million dollar gyan. As far as my enlightenment is concerned I never knew 50 multiplied by those many numbers (read liters), is never an expense.

Good for our petroleum ministry and bad for those rabid mongrels of the Yadav colony and CPIM, who are fighting hard for a roll back. You need some serious counselling before you could open your filthy mouth next time confusing a whole generation by your lectures on the mayhem called fuel price. I don't know how it would workout, but would suggest to take some time out from your ever so busy strike and dharna schedule and talk to a certain Gyan distributor from our office. Thank you so very much !!

Err India:The National Crasher

Published on: Thursday, May 27, 2010 // Corruption, India, Politics, Public Interest

A lot has been talked about the Mangalore crash both in print and televised media, close to 50% of India's population blamed for this horrific incident, somewhere around a million blogs written about it, and we are almost in the verge of getting done away with it in exchange of our daily Ekta Kapoor doze or some funny singing competition. For a change I am not going to write about how and why one of our national carriers toppled over a table top airstrip like a golf ball to the adjacent valley killing many. I am here to elaborate the colourful characters of the employees of this phenomenon called Air India and their ever so active unions, which strongly believes, taking the country and their passengers to ransom is just another of their daily jobs.

It's kind of funny to see these bunch of employees are more engaged in strikes and stuffs related to it than actually flying. It's almost a regular site to see many number of flights getting cancelled, reason - one union or the other are going the left way and are in some sort of Dharna or strike.

Why these set of guys are so strike prone? As if, it is like - getting bored with the monotony, lets go for a strike. For heaven's sake, what the hell is this flash strike? Fresh after the Mangalore tragedy which delivered a strong blow to the already degrading brand name, the last thing the AI management would have thought these guys to do was to go for a strike. Being the pick travel season, the Maharajah might have hoped to get some good revenue to ease off some much needed debt, so as to have some room to breath, but his employees had the idea completely at the opposite corner of the river. This very opposite idea did end up with 13000 passengers stranded at various locations, Maharajah losing a handsome 12 crores in two days, the already diluted brand name gone for a toss and of course all have to see the sorry face of Praful Patel again on TV. Trust me the last one was the most torturous of the lot. We as individual citizens, the tax payers are least interested on the ego clash between the management and the employees as long as our interests are not taken hostage and few dirty individuals go on a blackmailing endeavour.

Isn't it the same brand which was made to survive when we Tax payers paid huge booty from our pockets, so that our Maharajah keeps on flying and these blackmailers get their regular salary without doing much beyond striking? If we can be so generous and concerned towards our national pride, why can't these clowns show the same concern for the passengers, if not for anyone. AI head Mr.Yadav might have a truck load of flaws and ego, the union might not fancy having this guy at the top and what not, but why we as fliers should bother? It should be none of our business to bother much beyond getting the boarding card and ogling beautiful cabin crew members (if at all any, looking at AI's preferences), during the flying time and of course fasting our seat belts during take off and landing. Ours job should be strictly confined to this (many senior citizens might very well let go the second responsibility), than waiting outside the airport in sultry heat giving a facial expression-'done a huge mistake in choosing to fly with the Maharajah, than with some private players with better ogling opportunity'. If not for the tax payers this airlines would have been part of our history books long back and for that matter, it is only India where we are tolerating these perpetual criminals for ages, in any other country this kind of airlines would have been wiped out of context quite early.

Thanks to the honourable Delhi high court, these insane individuals were brought to the ground. During the strike, when the media asked one of the so called union leaders on the reason of their strike, the answer seemed like a nonsense reciting the Ramayan. It is just that the AI management suggested these bunch of grossly unprofessional and erratic lot to keep their mouth shut in front of the cameras and refrain themselves from going around vomiting all over the place, these clowns thought of replying via a strike. Any equation can't be funnier than this. The shameless lot should have understood the dilemma of their management, fresh after a huge tragedy, which made them issue this statement, so that no more embarrassment be brought to the already over embarrassed brand. I don't think there is anything wrong in this decision of the AI management.

With honesty, I must admit, our own Maharajah is testing my patience to the core and I am somehow losing it also. The attitude of AI employees for last 4-5 months is not at all flier friendly to say the least. It seems a better idea to book in one of those private airlines than waiting for some erratic idiots to call off their strike and get you the feeling of being either straight from a destitute home or from some orphanage. I am sorry to say, for someones overhead tendency and for some absurd ego clash, I am not going to bake myself in hot 45 degree summer sun, and still be called a patriot. I know it is really tough to be a patriot, but I am not definitely going to take this tough route to be one either.

Mr.Prime Minister, You Dissapointed Again!

Published on: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 // Manmohan Sing, Open Letter, Politicians, Public Interest

I was fortunate that this phenomenal event occurred in a working day and more so at a time I and many current affairs buff like me are busy in their respective offices. The watershed event which finally took place after a long wait of six years turned out to be a shear torture of 1.5 hours for many who were unfortunate enough to sustain the torture on TV. Spare a thought for those helpless seven hundred odd journos present in Vigyan Bhawan to take on the torture head on.

Honestly Dr.Sing might not get a better opportunity to set many things straight for once but opted otherwise. Many had thought Dr.Sing would have truck loads of information to share since he last interacted with the media some six years back. Even if we can forgo the amount of information that was expected from him, the least expectation was some excitement, energetic and thumping reaction from him. But as usual he choose to go with his trademark monotonous, emotion and expression less narration of some pre-decided stanza, which many thought was only copyrighted by Tushar Kapoor. When the brilliant minds of different media houses struggled to come up with a decent headline to publish Dr.Sing's press conference, it is easily evident how non starter the whole thing was. Hang on - I guess I am going away from the topic. I am not disappointed for Dr.Sing's Tushar Kapoor act but the nature, quality and honesty of the response he delivered that day.

There were many questions hurled at him, but lets analyze few of those which has some interest for us. Certainly we are not much bothered on the PID issued to foreign journalists on which our MEA and I&B ministry are at a lock horn. When asked on A.Raja's brilliance and his uncanny ability of stocking government booty at his private bunglow, the answer was far from being termed as an answer even. 'Investigation is on and culprits would be dealt with iron fist'. What's new on this PM? If we leave apart the investigation part, then the second part is very well authorised by our constitution and we definitely didn't wanted an assurance from you on the authenticity of our constitution for an answer. 9000 crores for 2G auction and 70000 crores for 3G. Isn't there a glaring loss for the government in 2G auction? A 2nd standard student can tell this, if he has got some idea about numbers then what and why in earth some investigation needed to figure this out? The bizarre statement of - culprit be punished, should go unsaid. The whole answer suggested nothings going to happen to the culprits as the most visible culprit happens to be a big allie of the running government.

Dr.Sing was at his monotonous best when asked about the security part of our country. The same age old dialogue of trust deficit with Pakistan was his agenda. Forget about the deficit or surplus, the idea of associating Pakistan with the word trust is laughable. The example was promptly provided the very next day when Hafiz Saeed was let off before anything could even start. What significant really happened post 26/11 that our whole machinery are running all around with Olive branches and proposal of talks is beyond my comprehensions. If someone asks me on what grounds we scaled in terms of security, I would reply with a big silence. 162 of our states are under Maoists mayhem, our brave Jawans are getting killed on daily basis, railway tracks are blasted almost every alternate day and what our response to all those - A top Maoist leader goes off the hook in Westbengal, in lack of evidence. It is strange, we are ready with our Air force jets to bomb around our own people but run around like a bunch of school kids behind a USA sponsored lollipop and go on a hugging and kissing spree at Thimphu. Irony I must say.

His answers on our economic growth is insignificant to me. Touting with big mouth on the upcoming malls, shopping junctions and international airports means nothing when still 40% of our populace struggle to get hold of a decent square meal per day. Don't believe me, then better ask Montek Sing Ahluwalia, who is expecting 2 lakh more families to be inducted into the latest below poverty line list. Is this the 8% growth that we were talking about? All these statistics are jargon best be kept in books and reports and go on a chest beating exercise on global platform, giving a scare or two to China and some envious punch to Pakistan. On grassroots they mean nothing.

Only time Dr.Sing was seen excited when asked about Rahul Gandhi's prospect of becoming the prime minister. Come on sir- our's is a democracy, aren't we? let the people decide whom they want to lead the country. The very question seems out of context, as the whole press conference was there to discuss the gains & losses till the last general election. When the PM has to say that he would continue his term to completion before a certain Rahul Gandhi can take over or worse is ready to forfeit his post if the party and it's chief wants in between, is quite bizarre. Being an astute politician, you must be aware that it is you whom the country has voted to power not someone whom your party prefers or for that matter your party's chief prefers. Aren't you answerable to the country also, other than your party chief?

Torture or without torture, the whole media briefing needs to be forgotten in a hurry. After a One and half hours circus, nothing significant seems to come out of it. All the issue and the clarity on them remains as docile as they were before the press meet. If not for anyone Dr.Sing could have shown some aggressiveness and settle the tag of him being weak and possessing a media phobia, as attached by the opposition, for once. But instead it all turned out to be a big torture like a One and half hour long Yawn. Don't believe me? then try taking the yawn first.

Tragedy On Day Break: Could This Have Been Avoided?

Published on: Monday, May 24, 2010 // Corruption, Crooks, Nepotism, Public Interest

158 lives perished within no time. The unfortunate event at Manglore airport brings us back to the same question again. Are we safe as fliers in India and how safe are our Sky's? Answer to both is 'Not Much'. What happened is for sure unfortunate and can't be rewind back but tough questions need to be asked and disturbing answers need to be digged out from the derbies out there much like our investigating authorities working overtime for that dreaded black box.

A casual look at one of our busiest airport at Mumbai would confirm on how serious we are for security. The slums surrounding the airport with a waist length boundary wall doesn't give that confidence on security aspect. Much worse none seems guarding those venerable areas and I am sure if some one wants can just jump upon the walls and go for a evening walk along the air strip. Many would say that's nothing to do with aviation security but physical. Agreed! but this small effort of ours definitely suggests our attitude towards the very word: 'Security'.

I had some first hand experience of Manglore airport. Not the one where the flight skidded off, as it is operational for last couple of years only, but the older one which was no less worse than the current one. The approach for landing is a fearing one, at least for first time flyers. Initially I thought, the flight might be heading for an emergency landing somewhere in those deep valley and the pilot has gone insane for deciding to do so, only to be relieved when actually we landed on some sort of airstrip. The moment I got out I did pointed the funny topology of the airport to one of my friends who was accompanying me and equally frightened with that nightmarish landing. I am no aviation expert, but definitely I have some reservation on that very airport, much less making that one international airport.

As all idiots across the globe do to figure out some details, I also got my hands dirty on Google to find out what and where we were wrong for this incident to happen, and trust me, if the results of Google are to be believed then they are disturbing to say the least. For the records there were at least 10 PILs lining on the very geography of the airport. Like a modern day Nostradamus, one such PIL outlines exactly what happened on Saturday morning from the skidding part to the plunge deep down the valley. If a complete novice on aviation security can fore see to that detail are the so called experts on this sleeping when they approved this death strip to go operational?

There is this perpetual controversy of foreign pilots flying all over the place on Indian sky and bringing that ever existent communication problem to the fore. Even if we can somewhat overlook it, but the core of the issue remains. Are we so bankrupt when it comes to having our own pilots, so that we have to borrow all those expat from all over the planet? The answer is no. We certainly are not bankrupt, but it is the shear talent and brilliance of guys like Tulsi Das who was ex Air India chief who could run a consultancy somewhere in London to stuff our own national aviation office with all those retired, non-english speaking pilots on daily basis. If we think Mr.Das was doing this for charity and social well being of few retired individuals then we won't need any second opinion to confirm that we are fools of highest order. As usual, whenever there is some catastrophey of this magnitude we promptly get hold of some scapegoat and get our backs off the mud. Pilots are dead, so so long live the pilot error happens to be the mantra this time around. When a novice individual can see the horror coming someday and file a PIL to stop it, how in earth the authorities can't see this? Or is it also has got something to do with politics and lobbying? If so then all those individuals who were responsible in commissioning it should be brought to justice with criminal negligence tucked behind them. We just can't keep our arms folded and blame entirely on couple of guys who were flying the beast.

Who will book DGCA authorities for giving the green signal, who would book Tulsi Das for his continuous feeding of expat pilots, who would book Prafull Patel for thinking the Aviation ministry is at the disposal of his daughter's wish, who would book those who behind the close doors lobbied for the airport to be there, who would book the big mouth Air India spokes person who is going around uttering nonsense on disaster management when the disaster management is a disaster itself? There are so many such uncomfortable questions need to be answered and answered in a hurry. 158 lost their lives and lets not talk about their bereaved families. No words can define there stigma, and I won't be surprised if few of them won't fly in future.

Far from getting into the truth our investigating authorities are busy searching for the black box and running around the offices of NTSB with their request of helping them with this. Is this the disaster management that big mouth spokes person was touting about? From 26/11 to today, it seems we are a clown lot when it comes to investigation. When we can't find of our own on what went wrong, much less expected, if we could ever learn anything from it. The simple reason could be we don't want to learn. The classic example of it could be the miraculous escape of our law minister Mr. Veerappa Moily on this very airport a decade back in much more the same scheme of events, only that his flight never tipped off the runway to the valley and the same person was seen giving all the gyan about aviation on the day that this new death strip opened for operation. This shows we didn't learned anything from past mistake, as we don't want to learn at the first place. As simple as that!

Afridi's Big Mouth

Published on: Friday, May 21, 2010 // Cricket, Humor, Losers

The mouth that once tried to take a much larger bite of the cricket ball that possibly he can chew is wide open again and spewing the dirty secrets of a bunch of clowns whom we used to know as Pakistan cricket team. Thanks to the leaked tape of Saheed Afridi's interview with the PCB officials by the express TV, the dirty truth with the smell of an unlaundered socks is out open in the streets for all to see and smell as well.

According to his version of things, it is they who lost the crucial matches in recently concluded T20 world cup more than the opponent winning them. I am not at all shocked with this revelation. The inevitable did happened finally when I was never able to associate Pakistani team of any period with decent and fair play. Starting from ball tampering to taking a bite out of the ball, from travelling with Hashish and Cocaine in their bags to fixing matches behind closed doors, it is this team which was always a front runner and would remain one if ICC doesn't take some corrective measures in a hurry. Their self ascertained legend Imran Khan has admitted of committing the first ball tampering of the history with help of a Coca-cola cap, to get that much needed reverse swing which these Pakistanis claim to be their invention. No wonder when a so called legend can dig himself to this level, nothing better can be expected from lesser mortals like Kamran Akmal. When Afridi has to say that the players were more interested in giving autographs and ogling women spectators in the crowd is bit laughable. Not because few young men ogled some pretty faces but because the captain has that much of time in his disposal to mark these finer points during a match. This statement of Boom Boom Afridi reflects the whole chemistry these players share among themselves. Hang on: What is that Boom Boom stands for by the way? Is it another useless jargon to over hype a perpetual under performer?

Many would say Pakistan cricket team and controversy? Spare us and tell us something new. Even if we can accept the match fixing thing as part of the game in worst case scenario, but a player flying around with drugs in his bag and when asked, showing disbelief by saying it is not mine and is a handy work of some conspiracy is bit too much to digest. Please someone educate Mohammad Asif, that the packets of drugs certainly doesn't have a pair of legs to walk into his bag of their own and if the conspiracy part to be pondered, then none would be interested either to frame a not so important or prominent player like him. Guys have better things to do, let me assure you Mr.Asif.

If not anything I am quite sure the whole team is rampantly attached with match fixing. Not now but from the infamous days when it was all about match fixing more than a game of cricket. Remember our very own Azharuddin and Jadeja? The chaps who were unceremoniously booted out, taking Hansie Cronje along side? In one such match of that era both Azhar and Salim Mallik have bribed themselves to throw away the match. Being loyal to his commitment Azhar promptly gave at least four catches to Mallik who was at slips. You guessed it, none of them were taken as Mallik was also equally committed to his promises. If some insider to be believed then there were as many as 9 players from that side of Pakistan were actively involved in match fixing.

So whom Afridi was explaining? The PCB bosses, few of which might be taking their share from the illegal income? All countries have taken concrete steps to curb down on match fixing except Pakistan. Even if that was not enough, the whole team is rapidly turning out to be a big embarrassment. not only for PCB but for ICC also. Much like Shoaib Mallik who hasn't done anything worth mentioning in last couple of years, other than marrying an over hyped tennis player (If I may call her so), this Afridi is another nuisance in the making (If he hasn't already become one).

More than PCB, it is the ICC who should consider enough is enough and reprimand, starting with the PCB and down. If things are actually as hopeless as it seems, then it oughtn't be a penny of an issue if a carpet ban is imposed on the whole team till a period some sanity returns to the game. Whether acceptable or not, it is for better that the set of rotten apples be taken out from the lot and don't allow the fresh and good ones to follow the same fate.

Is Burqa Banning Correct?

Published on: Thursday, May 20, 2010 // Politics, Public Interest, Religion

When a sovereign and prospering government like France does the unexpected, which many might term as a nasty piece of cynicism and an overdrive towards sabotage of one's personal belief and choice, it definitely invites some discussion. But what's there to discuss? could be the reply from the guys at the top of French helm of affairs. When it comes to our national security and when things boil down to make sure that all our citizens remain safe, we are answerable to none, is what one senior minister was seen briefing the media.

More off, we are an independently running state with our own set of priorities and rules, so would appreciate if none shows any uncanny interest in interfering in our internal matters, he added. Fully accepted. On a second thought, isn't the commission which would monitor this new rule is somewhat similar to few groups present in India? It is just that here we call them Sriram Sene.

Jokes apart, does the whole argument of national security hold any water on this context? Many including me would perhaps say yes. Thanks to sudden rise of modernity and communication system, no place in the world remains unreachable. When the whole world has turned into a big chaotic fair like the Kumbh Mela, we the visitors need to take guards against the pickpocketers. That's exactly what the French government did: saving themselves from a bunch of fanatics which in Kumbh Mela terms could be addressed as pickpocketers.

Having said that, I am still not fully convinced, how in earth burqa could be synonymous to terrorism? Are all burqa clad entities terrorists? Of course not but they represent a community who are pioneer on that front could be the counter argument. We are just taking precaution without thinking much beyond is what the rational behind this French government's decision. This reason sounds somewhat convincing to me. Think of the irony of the security forces at various airports when they had to screen a burqa clad woman. With all respect, it even brings about a question mark on the gender of the person behind it. Don't believe? then just ask the Indigo flight crew member who raised an alarm doubting the gender of the burqa clad entity on board resulting in an emergency landing of the flight at Kolkatta airport. Even if the incident might look bizarre, the facts and the anxiety remains there. It is just that we are not following French footstep doesn't mean we don't share the same fear which the french authorities do.

Your faith and belief is one thing but to be a matter of concern for many, either intentionally or otherwise is another thing. With all respect, Muslims around the globe should introspect on this global psyche which might not be entirely correct, but definitely have substances attached which needs some serious considerations. By banning burqa at public places, the french government has no way insulted the Muslim women but took a precaution against all those religious fanatics who might take advantage of the burqa to carryout their nefarious activity. I don't see any harm in doing so either. On the same line when the Khalistani movement was at it's pick every Pagdi top Sardar was seen in the same light. You can only feel sorry for the innocents getting snubbed off because they belong to a certain community but can't help much as by nature we humans believe by example.

Before blaming the French or Belgian government, it is high time some introspection needed. Many might term me a religious bigot, but honestly when I can't come out from my own set of psyche on the whole issue, I just can't blame the french for theirs. I would feel much safer if I don't see a burqa clad entity on board when I am flying than the other way. If someone thinks his/her faith and believe is his/her priority then so as my and my family's security to me. The equation couldn't be simpler. In nutshell I am fully in line with French government's decision and if it had caused any agony, insult, humiliation to someone or some sections of the society then I am extremely sorry for that but my security is paramount for me and need none to ask me why is that so. Thank you so very much.

Aamar Baadi Kothaye?

Published on: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 // Dirty Tricks, Losers, Politicians, Politics

Delhi ki aamar baadi (Is Delhi my home?) is what the obnoxious explanation Mamta Didi gave when hounded continuously by the opposition for her prolonged absence from the responsibility of Railways ministry of which she is the big boss. Let me assure you didi, none is disputing where your baadi is, as it is quite evident from the ascent you carry and more off none is bother an ounce if you belong to any part of the world or for that matter planet Pluto even. For God's sake, the question is about shouldering responsibility for which you have taken an oath in the name of our constitution and how fare you are to your commitments, not to which place you belong.

Your second argument in favor of your acts is funnier even. The very question on why you should loiter around Delhi when there is no parliament session going on makes me confused - whether to laugh or cry. To clarify the matter further, let me remind you, the railway ministry or the railways are not your personal property and you are just an employee of it. Hope this message gets straight into your already seven layered sealed head. If a normal member of parliament without any extra responsibility (other than hurling chairs, mikes and abuses against rival party members) says his presence/absence depends on the running of the session, still makes some sense, if not great deal but a cabinet minister handling a huge ministry of the magnitude of the railways, which many argue a government in parallel, go ahead and give the parliament session as an alibi for her non availability is certainly criminal.

The thousand of trains that run around daily, the stamped at stations, the strikes of motormen, bringing Mumbai to a halt, the blasting of train tracks by Maoists are certainly non dependent on the parliament session and more worse can't wait for the session to begin so that the big boss would honour all with her presence and take a stock of the situation.

When none requested you to leave your baadi and head for Delhi to take up this job at the first place, then the explanation on the geography of your baadi is bit bizarre. If I may dare to ask : where were you when Mumbai was brought to a halt by some errant junior colleagues of yours? Shouldn't it be your prerogative to take the matter on priority and get to a solution, sooner than later, irrespective of the running or non running session? To say the least, you thought otherwise and was seen busy in campaigning programmes for the upcoming civic polls of your state. More than your absence at the time where your presence was solicited the most, it is the very attitude that as if you have done a great favor to the nation by honoring the position by your gracious acceptance is disturbing. You are not doing a charity. Are you? There is certainly much more than hurling abuses and chairs and going on a CPIM bashing attached to a people's representative. Sooner you learn this bitter aspect of politics is better for you and the nation at large.

Didi is unfortunately not an honourable exception with the current set of ministers of UPA-II. Our fertilizer minister Mr.Azargiri is another feather in an already proud cap. Mobility is a phenomena seems this gentleman was born with, much like Karna of Mahabharat era with those Kawach and Kundals. When someone took the pain in going through his itinerary over the last twelve months, it all came to light how this gentleman fly every alternate day. Too mobile I must admit. If I am not wrong with my mathematics then he might have spend close to 4 months at 30000 feats on tax payer's money. Why this luxury Mr.Minister? like didi none I remember has ever requested you to take up this job in Delhi. None has asked you to leave your potential chief minister's seat to your step brother M.K.Stalin back in Tamil nadu? Thankfully he was never seen explaining his fascination towards flying much less telling 'Delhi ki aamar baadi?' or a Tamil variant of this. He being the son of a big allay of the current government certainly doesn't justify his high head attitude towards his ministry and definitely doesn't make it official that he would carry on with his charity work.

I always had an impression that your job demands you to be present in your office (thanks to didi, it cleared a huge wrong belief of mine). Unlike IT companies I am sure our ministry doesn't float a work from home culture, as the plight and need of the common man can't certainly be addressed over the cyber space. It demands guys to be at the ground level taking a note of anything and everything that benefits the common man. I hope to get hold of that dialogue delivery clip of didi and head straight towards my manager's cabin and through up this counter argument and runaway to my hometown to enjoy some yummy home food. Amod: Hang on, I am right away coming with the CD.

Obama's Day Out

Published on: Monday, May 17, 2010 // Humor, India, Obama

For Barrack Obama to say that it is India and China who are responsible for this unimaginable upsurge in fuel price as both these countries are in a massive car purchase spree, is kind of bizarre. This antique is the second shocker from US administration in as many days, the first being their concern over couple of our state owned oil companies having commerce tie up with Iran and their subsequent plan of imposing sanctions against these companies and few other who have got nefarious association with Iran.

For them to say if our commerce is important for us then so as their security and national interest is again kind of bizarre. No doubt when many are suffering from this perennial 'foot in the mouth' decease, we hardly expect the Babus the top of US administration as well as the president himself could be spared from this highly contagious decease. Mr.President does the world forum works this way? Does the world diplomacy works with the principle: My enemy should be enemy to all those who want to befriend me? If unfortunately yes then lets start an exercises of identifying each other's enemy and lets prepare a list of all those entities cajoling our enemies and get on with our vengeance against them. Should we start with a certain rough nation called Pakistan?

If Indian Oil getting associated with Iranian authorities purely for business purpose irks uncle Sam so much then what we are supposed to display in our reaction when guys from your side show huge volume of sympathy both in kind and money to Pakistan when we see half of your donated money getting used in anti India activities. Your secretary of state's theatrics some months back and in a verge of doing the act that might have given a scare or two to Mr. Bill Clinton, all those almost affectionate hugs which brought about the sense of humor aspect of otherwise grim Shah Mehmud Quereshi, all those millions that your administration continue to finance Pakistan, and the list is endless. Whom we should impose our ban to? The whole of USA or the thousands of US companies that are operating to maintain a low recurring cost and high quality labour? If you guys are so reserved about your own interests then so does we lesser mortals. But fortunately, things doesn't work this way. If that would have been the case then we would have banned NOKIA long back when the foreign secretary of Finland gave us a lecture on foreign policy and his strong interest towards mediating between us and Pakistan if his service is asked for.

Why these two set of rules: One for yourself and another for the rest? If you feel pinched by your enemies, so do we. Coming back to the nonsense of we purchasing cars and contributing handsomely to fuel price and so as global warming. Mr. President either you are extremely funny or blind to some extent. Haven't you taken a note of all those fuel guzzling SUVs that run in US roads. If a proper statistics would be carried out I guess you guys might be using more fuel than India & China put together. All the halla-gulla in Copenhagen was a mere farce when it comes to implementing. End of the day it boils down to nasty blame game as exercised by you when you pointed finger to two major economy of Asia. Not only we also do have fingers and let me assure you, we are master in pointing them too.

The latest joker apprehended for Times Square bombing attempt was an eyeopener for many including your secretary of state. She promptly threatened of dire consequences if any Pakistani link is established only to be seen putting her foot in her mouth couple of days later when the federal government denied any such threat emanating from the lady. Thanks to your media which are more interested towards your baseball and basketball player's personal life and acting funny as paparazzi and sending back intimate images from Caribbean, unlike our media who more or less do the same thing except the entities exposed are politicians, or else what went behind the close doors and how severely the hugging lady was reprimanded for her 'foot in the mouth' syndrome would have been too open for all to see.

It's about time you guys need to get rid of your jingoism and stop acting funny. Some maturity is highly needed and needed in a hurry. Running around all over the place and blaming whoever comes your way doesn't make you guys any smarter but builds a wrong impression about your mental stability and sense of thinking. The whole world is watching and the last thing that is expected from the so called world leaders to maintain the dignity of their respective position and don't make themselves a laughing stock and a huge source of embarrassment for many. Thank you.

Vishy Anand Vs Sachin Tendulkar

Published on: Thursday, May 13, 2010 // Cricket, India, Public Interest

Both are sports icons of exceptional talent and perhaps one of the best their respective games has ever seen in history. One being the king of 64 squares while the other the sultan of 22 yards. One plays an indoor game most of the times in A/C rooms while other sweats it out in gigantic stadiums full with spectators. When there is almost no similarity between these two except both being true gentlemen and great ambassadors of the sports they play and carry the country up their sleeves every time they go out to perform, then what is that I am up to when I say Vishy Anand Vs Sachin Tendulkar?

Don't get me wrong. I am not here to compare their individual achievements or their contribution in making our country proud, as it is proven beyond doubt that both of them stand comparable to none when it comes to accomplishing the above mentioned attributes.

Somebody once told me: when you see millions hooting for you and trillion hands eagerly waiting to pat your back for the smallest of your achievement, that's what brings the best out of you. Having said that, I have read somewhere that a true fighter didn't necessarily fights for rewards or recognitions. Think of Tendulkar. Whenever he goes out to bat he carries that billion plus revolving eyes with him. A huge pressure one must admit. But the reward is even equally huge. Every cover drive of him is cheered as if all hell has broken lose. The fans don't even think twice to give their office a skip to see this little man bat. If that's not enough few even take that huge risk of annoying their wives by watching the highlights all over again. Ekta Kapoor can go for a walk so as fuming wife. Interestingly fans doesn't necessarily stop at the highlights. Many take that extra burden to follow the master and his activities even if he is not playing. Sundry like when he started practicing at which local ground of Mumbai, where he was last seen with his family for shopping, which is the last car that's been just drove into his garage and a whole lot of other things.

Love for the little master doesn't end here. Some dedicated fans have erected a temple and tout him close to being a God. The latest dedication of a Mango in the name of Sachin speaks volume about the love and respect this man carries on individual heart. Won't you think, this is enough of pedigree for anyone to perform like Sachin do, if not more?

Here comes Vishy as brilliant performer as he used to be some 15 years back carrying the national pride up his shoulders, if not a billion plus hope. His performance needs no introduction as it is evident from his fourth world championship title on the day our cricket team literally being kicked out of a global event. Honestly, even if his performance and accomplishments doesn't need any introduction, unfortunately he himself does. A person who is the sole flag bearer of our country in this segment for close to couple of decades, being there at the top three for last decade or so, crowned world champion for the fourth time and let me not list out all other international events he has won, needs introduction is definitely represents the sorry state of affairs of our sporting knowledge. Terming it unfortunate is actually a very light statement to define this.

None seems interested for this gentleman's performance, not even our media who would write a full page if our cricket team somehow manages to squeeze into the semifinal of some event. None seems hooting when Vishy does a Queen's gambit. Nobody cheers out full throat when Vishy formulates a Sicilian defence to negate the threat from the likes of Kasparov or Kramnik. Still this guy continue to perform and perform at the highest level, if you want to believe even better than Sachin. Vishy doesn't expect a mango getting dedicated to his name let alone someone erecting a temple somewhere in Tamilnad. As a true fighter doesn't eye for rewards, this guy keeps on performing so that we can keep our heads high as Indians. He doesn't carry a billion hope but always makes sure that the billion back home does have a smile and proud feeling when he is done with his job, unlike our cricket team which carry a billion hope but doesn't bother or care to bring smile on the face of a single soul even.

Defying all odds to bring glory to the nation is a rare attribute that I associate Vishy with but honestly can't say the same for Sachin. When Sachin did exceptionally well in IPL, all thought the little master would change his decision and would return back to the T20 team flying to the Caribbeans. Hopes riped further when Shewag got injured at the nick of time, all thought now it has to be Sachin. But the little master had other ideas. He stood firm to his decision and said no to join the team. Just wondering, if he can play IPL whole through, can't he spare couple of weeks for the national team, the game, the billion plus fans who have given him the stature of God? Now look at Vishy. In the game of chess at the highest level, having black pieces is a huge back foot even before you move your first pawn. With black, the best you can expect is a draw. Faced with this setback when Vishy appeared for the 12th game with scores at level many might not have fancied Vishy winning it. But when the prestige of the nation is at stake, it brings the best out of a patriot. There comes Vishy with all guns blazing and thrashing the opponent out of the way, eventually winning with black pieces. Not to mention his heroics did saw our tri colour flaying high on the soil of Bulgaria. Vishy could have chosen his comfort like Sachin and could have easily settled for a draw. This is what I say defying odds to see your nation stay proud.

For the first time I saw his fourth world championship title was at the front page. Thanks to Dhoni and team getting snubbed out on the same day or else our newspapers would have filled with the news of we entering semifinal and Vishy could have gone for a walk. Sachin's 200 takes the front page but Vishy's Minz title even struggles to find some place in page 15. Even if both these gentlemen are second to none when it comes to achievements, given any day I would rate Vishy a notch higher than Sachin, if somebody asks me to name the better sportsman among these two. No offense intended, as I am as big a fan of Sachin as anyone is.

Team India: Pathetic Is An Understatement

Published on: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 // Cricket, Public Interest

We came, we saw, had our backs to the wall and as expected lost pathetically would might just sum up our painful crusade of the Caribbeans. More than the results, it is the way we performed is disturbing and brings back the age old question: Whom these bunch of cricketers are playing for? Is it the game or the country or the millions of fans? The answer is none of the above. It is money and only money that these set of national representatives are playing for.

Losing is part of the game, and I would be the last person denying this funny attribute of the thing called sports. Having said that, won't you think even to lose you need to play at the first place. Now I guess you got where I am coming from. I am not disturbed that we again booted out quite unceremoniously from yet another ICC event, but the nature, attitude and vigour we participated in the event. The very question that if we ever looked like a team participating not just to fill the numbers but to leave a mark there is disturbing. Even a team full with refuges from Afghanistan seemed more interested to leave a mark than our own so called one of the best teams in the world. Like justice, effort also not just be put in but should appear to be put in. In either way we were never there as we never put the desired effort to begin with let alone make it appear so.

How does this happen? The answer is we didn't batted well, bowled well or fielded well. Is there anything other than these three aspect left in the game? Oh yes we partied well and had a good session of beach volleyball with bikini babes. We started with sending an awfully wrong team and if that was not enough we continued playing the wrong eleven in almost every match. Like our government offices our captain suffering from a sudden bout of superiority complex continued showering his favors to all the non performers in the team. I don't have a clue: how in earth, Dinesh Karthik always gets a slot in the team as the stand-in keeper and almost always end up opening the innings at some point of the tour. Even if there is nothing much to write back home for this guy, our selectors continue loving him giving seasoned opener like Manish Panday or for that matter even Robbin Utthapa to cool their heels. Poor Pragyan Ojha might be doing rounds to a Jyotishi to figure out the reason of he being axed from the team after being the highest wicket takers in the last IPL. He dearly needs some Grah Shanti hawan in a hurry.

Other than Suresh Raina and Asish Nehra others look like a bunch of school kids out there to have some fun. When people back home were awake till 2 in the morning, fans flying down to St.Lucia from far off places like USA for this miracle match and seeing their team going down, without even giving a fight is disappointing. I am not a player myself but still struggling to equate the reason behind Mahendra Sing Dhoni promoting himself up the order leaving hitters like Yuvraj, Rohit Sharma and Yusuf Pathan baking in the dugout. At some point of the match I felt as if Dhoni need to be reminded, it is a 20-20 match not the Test cricket where some say we are topping the ICC list. Scoring only 35 runs from your last 5 overs when you are only two down with big hitters in your rank later is criminal. As soon as Raina gave some glimmer of hope that we might just reach 180+ and give the miracle a chance to help us our captain seemed to have some other ideas. Thanks to his ideas we fell well short of 180 mark and gave ourselves only 143 to defend for the miracle to take over.

I was sure of we losing badly as bowlers haven't won us a match in last decade or so and this wasn't going to be any special day either. Two quick wickets did sparked some hope but only to be shot lived when Dilshan hit Turbunator for 13 runs in his first over. Harbajan is another selection which baffles me a lot. Here is this bowler who is playing international cricket for a dozen year end up taking 0 wickets in whole of super 8 stage. Need some serious introspection before we tout him to be a world class stuff.

Now we are back at the same question: has IPL got anything to do with this pathetic performance for two consecutive years? We would get advocates supporting both sides but as of Dhoni goes, he admitted the after effects of IPL partially. Well my sympathy is with him as he has to please his bosses in BCCI at the same time taking up the blame and furnishing few excuses. The moment I start believing the IPL to be the demon in disguise I see Jayawardhane, Malinga, Shaun Tait, Dev Warner, Shane Watson performing exceptionally while they have played equal amount of cricket in IPL if not more where in Ravindra Jadeja who seemed out of place and ideas haven't played a single match of IPL.

Im whichever way, another ICC event passed by with we searching for answers and busy packing our bags too early. IPL or no IPL, I feel we continue to do glaring mistakes: starting from team selection to deciding the playing 11. Somehow we are not still sure of our strengths and weaknesses. Honestly before even thinking of winning any ICC event we first have to set straight all the disjoints in our basics. Kris Shrikanth are you listening?

We Came, We Saw And We Failed

Published on: Monday, May 10, 2010 // India, Losers, Public Interest

When I was in school, our teacher once asked: Which quality of we Indians, do you guys think is unique and makes us stand apart from the rest of the world? Being as novice as anyone can get on the knowledge about the rest of the world, we left struggling for answers and end up answering nothing.

It is just that nobody is asking me this question again when I feel the answer to it is with me. Weather there is a question or not the answer to the question asked some couple of decades back is: We are a country full of entities having the unique attribute of loosing the plot at the last moment. We start with a vigour comparable to none but it is the capability of us flunking badly at the end, which makes us stand apart from the rest of the world. Let it be our day-to-day sundry stuff, our politics, our media, any small time or large scale business or even in sports, we shown this unique quality of ours for generations.

Let me revisit the 26/11 saga before it fades out from our memory as we all collectively suffer from a serious case of short term memory loss. Thanks to all those Hindi movies which most of the times has a character who unfortunately losses his/her memory due to some sadma or something and reoccupies his/her memory when accidentally goes through another or set of sadmas later. As we always behave like one of those characters, I thought to revisit the 26/11 sadma again to get hold of our already almost lost memory.

No sooner few evidence came out of some Pakistani hand in the attack all our diplomatic machinery spring into action. All able ministers along with our PM were red faced with this discovery and within ours after we rounded up all 10 infiltrators, our PM decided to make a STD call to Pakistan to show his displeasure. Without any fuss he demanded the ISI chief to fly down without wasting anytime and be answerable to the acts carried out by the 10 thugs. Trust me no leader of any country can be more aggressive than this. Seeing a fuming Sardar the Pakistani establishment did accepted his demands and we suddenly felt a heavy bout of mini victory only to be disappointed within hours when the guys at the other end of the phone rubbished all the claims of India and refused to send even the havildar at the ISI's gate, much less the ISI chief. After getting the thumb we were back at our basics of flunking at the last minute. Without putting any more pressure we decided to mellow down considerably and go with a dossier sending spree leading to a storage space crisis out there somewhere in Islamabad. The stand of 'No talks till terrorism is exported' taken after that was an aggressive approach. Again we suffered from the illusion of mini victory only to be disappointed again later when we brought home some humiliation from Sharmal-E-Sekh and the latest kissing and hugging exercise by our PM in Thimphu. Not to mention the dossier exchange programme is still on and perhaps would continue for next ten odd years it seems.

Our media also are paranoid by this virtue. They start covering anything with the vigour which even Julius Caesar would loved to have. The latest from their factory was the Ruchika case. The whole of the prime time seemed to have been dedicated to this story which these media gray hounds made the story of the nation. The poor chap Rathore was beaten black and blue by the verbal diarrhoea of these media houses and in fact their efforts encouraged a youth to stab Rathore in court premises. Now no talk on that issue and none seems to bother if the justice was delivered to that girl or not as the IPL gate got the center stage where there are few high profile thugs to be beaten black and blue.

From IPL it reminds me: aren't we choking at the last minute of this editions T20 word cup? After beating a bunch of individuals from a war torn nation, who were best at operating a Kalashnikov few months back and straight out of refugee camps, we went ahead and thrashed another set of chokers (a notch above than Indians) in the form of South Africa. As usual we again suffered from a sudden bout of mini victory only to be disappointed later to see the Aussies making our batsmen do the Penguin dance with their short balls. Far from learning anything our batsmen decided to repeat their Penguin dance performance against West indies and end up losing both the super 8 matches. Now we are left with the mercy of some weired mathematics and a little help from Australians to see ourselves in semi final. With or without the mathematics, we honestly doesn't deserve a place there.

Our investigating sleuths are no different either. They start with a vengeance which gives an impression, as if this is the last day for all the touts, thugs, criminals of this country. All nefarious elements would be wiped out ruthlessly in one go but end up giving us high end liver chronic and some unwanted constipation. Mayawati was hounded up and down, left and right both by CBI and enforcement directorate against some disproportionate asset case only to be given a clean chit when it was time for the lady to be taught a lesson or two on morality and ethics. No wonder some other definition of CBI than the official 'Central Bureau Of Investigation' is not giving any good impression. The beneficiaries like Mayawati and hundreds alike might not complain though.

In any whichever way, flunking and failing miserably intentionally or unintentionally at the nick of time is our national identity. The other day when one of my friend asked his 5 year old son the same question, asked to my class, the toddler was seen as confused as we were that time. He thought for sometime all the while breathing uneasily and ran towards his room only to reappear with a news paper in his hands. When the newspaper was spread out we got the news headline: "PM Manmohan Sing assures PM Gilani on the trust factor he have with his counterpart." No need of explanation I feel.

Kasav Shown The Gallows: What Next?

Published on: Friday, May 7, 2010 // Appeasement, Dirty Tricks, Politics, Vote Bank

Justice should be done and more importantly should appeared to be done. After the sound of all those crackers at CST which went off seconds after Justice Tehliani announced the quantum, subsidised a bit, all those shake of hands, affectionate hugging, sweets distribution are done away with, we need to introspect and ask ourselves What Next? as till now it seems only justice has been done but far from appeared to be done. Many would say, only some credible action would fulfil the second criteria of justice.

Now the larger question is: Are we going to make this delivered justice appeared to be done? The answer I feel is 'No', not any sooner at least. The clown in question has close to 'n' number of options to exercise to delay the inevitable. As per the law this quantum of punishment must have to be confirmed by the Mumbai High court before could be implemented. The home minister of Maharastra seems very confident of getting it through in 2-3 weeks time. Is it? If so, then lets congratulate ourselves (No more crackers or sweets please!) again for saving some time there. If this happens, which is highly unlikely, then this joker could appeal in Supreme court. Looking at the nature of the case I don't see the case coming out of the door of Apex court before one and half years. So with some grossly optimistic estimates, we can see our apex court signing the death warrant in 2 years time. Knowing the painfully slow nature of our President's office bearers and the 50 odd beneficiaries of it, this thug would definitely knock the doors of Rastrapati Bhawan with a mercy petition. That's where the buck would stop and stop for ever, many feel.

On an argument over this laziness of President's office, Mr.Manish Tiwari of congress was far from convinced with the counter arguments hurled at him. When asked why Afzal Guru is still alive when his mercy petition is biting dust in the home ministry for last five years, his answer was far from being termed as an answer even. According to him all those mercy petitions lying around are being considered on first-come-first serve basis. Hello Mr.Tiwari, I think you have misunderstood the whole context. We are discussing about national security and interest not railway ticket reservation. If he hasn't misunderstood the context then, I would term this answer is shear nonsense. Does he mean to say if Kasav goes through this route, which he eventually would, then he would be at the bottom of the already elongated queue of 50 mercy petitioners? If so then God only can save this country from going to dogs.

Can't the cases like these be given some priority and should be taken out of the queue to be acted upon first? If we have followed the first-come-first serve theorem then it would have taken some 15 years before this case could have gone to the session court even. When we can have a fast track court exclusively for this why not pull this out of the queue along with Afzal Guru's case and act upon them swiftly? More than the efficiency of our judiciary, it is the political will that drives in delivering justice in cases like these. If a former solicitor general to be believed, then there are provisions in our IPC and constitution to mend some exception and take cases like these on priority. But Mr.Tiwari seems unfazed by this disclosure.

So it is higly likely the buck would again stop for eternity at the president's table on the pretext of some new found excuses like Kasav being a prime accused in so many case going in Pakistan, we just can't execute before all those cases were rounded off or more worse of this first-come-first fund as an alibi of vote bank politics. In any whichever way I don't see justice would appear to be done anytime soon. I am sure (if not convinced), this brat is another Afzal Guru in the making, enjoying some free food on tax payer's liability. God save our country and lets stop all those firing of crackers and keep them in cold storage for your grandchildren, to be used then when eventually the justice might just be seemed to be delivered some 50 years later!

Being Cynical�

Calling a spade, a spade