A Confused State

Many iterated about a nation in South-Asia being a failed state; a state borne out of divide and hatred. A state driving its national policies on hate quotient and abnegation of democratic principles. Such state would never prosper on global frontier. The entire world is swathed with various problems/issues, be it economic, ecologic or geologic. While most part of the world is grappling to stay just above the sea level there are states which challenges segments of other states with terrorism.

The society that has grown over past six decades under many distorted facts ingrained into their minds, bodies and blood. This cannot change overnight without the willingness of government. A larger section of society kept harping against the largest democratic society of this world. While the rest have been bullied into submission. The piteous people of Pakistan deserve better than this. They need a better society that can march ahead and shoulder the world to solve problem instead of inciting terrorism. The extremists (while all of them are so I would still stick to the usage) must mollify their stand and pledge to become the developing nation actively contributing to the global economy.

The first hand problem for Pakistan is not that they are on a verge of becoming a failed state but the fact that they are confused state. A state that has only single agenda of becoming a powerful state to combat precluded war will only further leave thm bemoaning the aftermath of the situation. The so called government is pronged with many internal issues which no longer continue to be their own syndrome. Pakistan government even if intriguingly foster to become economically conducive society there are enough elements there which keeps pushing the nation behind hard.

Their statesmen kept steering views; changed their mind every hour; kept people across the world guessing what would be uttered next. Indians were for sure not surprised on these swinging words and then the uncalled war hysteria & propaganda by the government (I mean the army) when the Indian government out rightly rejected any military action against the nation which continue to support the terrorist perpetrators in views and harness the future activists by giving enough ground to assist the assailants.

A day the government wishes to snub terrorists, call them non state actors. The next day these non-state outfits claim to support the Pakistan army. The other day the government asks the Indian counterpart to start the friendly talks, the next day they bring forth views to defend themselves and deploy artillery and military across their borders. Someday media reports of the cordoned off village of the only terrorist captured in the heinous Mumbai attack. The next day the same media house tries to fool people of Pakistan claiming reports of an Indian spy being captured. Well the very next day an outfit claimed of performing the crime. A morning Pakistan foreign ministry pledges to fight against their non-state actors, the same evening message erupts from the Pak-PMO world must help them to fight against the evil. Offfff…. Is there an end to their massive hypocrisy, I pity pak people, wonder how confused they must be!!!!!

Section 49-O

The question, "Can we protest against the incompetency of candidates facing the election", I asked in my last blog seemed to have got answered today. I received a chain mail describing about section 49-O. The verse goes like this

"

Did you know that there is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section "49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone! Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O". 

Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"... because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received "49-O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them. This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way; of our whole political system... it is seemingly surprising why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public.....

Please spread this news to as many as you know...Seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India... show your power, expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than voting... so don't miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O) and pass this info on...

"Please forward this mail to as many as possible, so that we, the people of India , can really use"

"

I would like to set some facts straight and clear some dark cloud around the section of 49-O.

a) There is no system in our constitution with section called 49-O

b) There certainly are two amendments to 1969 ACTs namely 22nd & 23rd referring to anything other than electoral provisions

c) The section 49-O does exist in the bye-laws of election volume II. It states 

"Elector deciding not to vote.—If an elector, after his electoral roll number has been duly entered in the register of voters in Form 17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon as required under sub-rule (1) of rule 49L, decided not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark."

The difference definitely is in interpretation. The former states "I vote No Body" & bye law "Elector deciding not to vote". Though people can caste their vote in form 17A it is as good as not casting the vote. Apparently the counting method is not at all empirical. The vote count ignores the invalid vote and counts the total number of valid votes against each candidate. The bye-law no where has any further mention of the said section.

The faux interpretation in the chain mail was misleading and hurting in nature to many people as their emotional quotient has never been as high. The slightest of light in dark tunnel sends the false message of nearing the end of tunnel.

Last words "Desist from broadcasting wrong messages without correct connotations"

Seized Mind

While I was glued to the television broadcast watching the coverage of rescue operation of security personnel of seized South Mumbai, I was wondering why it is done so. A television news channel proudly claiming to be one of first among all to bring pictures live of a combat operation was a dubious distinction. It was an obvious first as no media house in any country would have such an insensitivity of covering live combat operation, an in the process assisting the assailant. Hence this unique distinction!!!

I received the jaagore registration email from one of my colleague. I obliged to that immediately as responsible citizen i am as i always showed up on every election date the day i turned an adult. I was musing over the thought though. Does our vote really count? Every time, every instance i went out i felt my chance of choosing the best man has gone a begging. People go through the motion, but they do not have the option either, may be we as citizens do not have enough patience to ponder over apathy of the candidates nominated. It is often the case of choosing bad ones among the worst. "Watch the dance of democracy or read the section in TOI" to get the pictures of leader (so called) representing people on how they woo the citizens for vote. The issue is big i understand the root cause solution is cent percent literacy; but that is the long process and it will take ages before India achieves that milestone.

I have basic question: Can we start the civil movement against the parties, when political parties nominate an incompetent candidate, and appeal to election commission & the parties to bring forth candidates who are capable for the job, who can lead the constituency representing the country and not a particular caste, creed, class and section of society, who has sense of responsibilities for the citizen whom they represent.

The ghastly act of terror would leave feelings dented, heart wounded and thought exasperated, on a whole a completely seized mind. I wish and hope the seize over the mind is not over soon enough.

Potpourri

Back from a pleasing diwali vacation (a continuous holiday of 5 days does qualify as a vacation) largely spent troubleshooting my troubled desktop at home, enjoying a diwali evening with family and a pleasure trip to pune for two days. Was largely glued to television set for rest of the time in between all events around.

These days, Stars (Of course, I am not referring to twinkling heavenly bodies) don’t endorse ads that convey a social message, I learnt this. I was amazed to see Aamir Khan washing utensils and cloths and claiming that it is nothing wrong in helping one's wife in her daily household routines. It wasn't wrong anytime but it made sense now in current global socio-economic conundrum. With as many as 10% of global workforce being brought to rest, this advertisement really made some sense. I started fantasizing him of getting involved in yet another good screenplay after Rang de Basanti. This had to be paid assignment but I was not willing to agree to my brother's comment that some follow through of this was coming. Well that was true as the snapshots were just sneak-preview of a commercial.

The global meltdown is now local and it is as local as one's own bank account. Every day of week has some news of brokers or direct investors committing a suicidal crime. People from non-economic front have already given many adjective to current market behavior. Some call it a meltdown, some hurricane, many have named it storm, and few call it tsunami. But largely fundamentalist believe market behavior to be wavy in nature, a sinusoidal one. One would be able to reach shore(financial goal) only if he takes tide, remember even tsunami is wave, a large one and eventually it does make it to shore, the only factor though is that the shore in this case is at a distance. The most important message in my opinion is 'RIDE THE TIDE'.

A glorified career was fazing and calling a quit was always on cards after the shoulder injury he sustained in Bangalore Test. I would like to pay tribute to one of the most competitive yet the only gentlemen of modern cricket. It was privilege watching a spectacular bowler bowling his not so spectacular last delivery (juicy full-toss driven down for boundary). He would be remembered for many things associated with the Indian cricket the list can be exhaustive but my top five pick 1. Scalping a perfect ten, 2. Breaking in the pads of greatest batmen with broken jaw, 3. Sneaking runs with ball rolling between legs of wicketkeeper to complete hundred, 4. His statement at press conference after Sydney test, "Only one team played with true spirit, 5. Catching on his own bowl to pick his 619th wicket with broken finger. The only thing in common in all these picks is his relentlessness.

I think of development in and around Indian politicians and exclaim, 'It is unfortunate'. It is unfortunate that at a clinch of finger a city is brough to standstill. This is primarily becuase today we have mob leaders and no national leaders!!!! The recent development is extremely distressful considering that India all around the world is famous for its cultural, social and regional diversity. These developments tarnish our respectful image that glorifies our country. Damage is already done, after spitting venomous exchange of thoughts and ill views, in the minds of kid. The divisive politics is extremely dangerous and had a potential to damage the integrity of the nation. Constitution & judicial system are in place for effective governance; however the election commission must be given adequate power to govern the progress of political parties. Every political party must have vision addressing larger national issue and a tentative roadmap to attain it. A progress report to benchmark party’s performance should be sole basis of existence of a political party. This measure would have a two fold advantage, one the party by policy would have local agenda which weaves through nationally and party members can be made accountable of the responsibility assigned in order that the party on whole is growing.

Google Chromed over IE

I am back after quiet some time with my recent experience of chrome. This would be my first blog on technology. A day after a launch of Google's own browser I could not stop myself expressing just as I could not stop my laughter after a quick review. A journey which began with a search engine has now myriad of services (I purposely do not wish to use the term, product) for people and mind you all them are evolving. Period!!! I do not want to narrate a Google story here, what I want to do is present to people some great experiences that they would have with chrome (well I am not paid by Google for this!!!!).

 

The Chrome is true to its name. It has been painted over IE and many other browsers. Some distinctive features that are native to Google’s innovation, I believe most web users would love them and some must have browser feature. The reason behind my amusement or laughter though after having a glance of the product was the immediate realization that chrome (it is a beta version of Google’s browser released for WinXp and Vista) sits over windows. It is like ruling (read riding) the roost(er). Being at customer's place at most times I have to route all my web request to their local proxy. To my astonishment, I got my requested page immediately (of course that Google’s homepage) on completing the installation . My initial impression was just as any other browser imports all the configuration from IE even this would have done that. However I quickly learnt that this doesn't need to do import the setting(check the change proxy setting under 'under the hood' tab of option menu) as it uses them. Yup that’s true; chrome does not maintain its own browser setting rather it uses the ones defined in IE. That could well be the reason why it is light. Even the installation file is half the Gigs while other counterparts are at least number of Gigs.

 

Have u ever got livid while you had been presenting some solution to customer over browser and it crashed even before you had concluded? Well I had faced this over number of occasion. When I initially faced this I was furious so were my clients but then we all eventually learnt to live with it and exchanged the wily smile over this disastrous crash every now and then. Google has tried to fix this up (well it is initial days though I hope it is fixed, certainly looks at the face of it). The tabbed feature was first brought in by fire fox with its beta version, Microsoft as always immediately aped it in its entirety and launched the same feature in IE 7.0, it made a blunder though. It released the crashing version in the market. The tabbed browser are all memory hungry, these browsers have tightly bound all the tabs to single instance which means error in one of the tabs would lead to crashing of the browser. Fire fox has not mitigated this; however they gave their users with the option of restoring the session. Google had made a brave attempt to mitigate this problem. Every tab is its own instance tied to first instance (check the processes tab of task manager!!!). A rogue website might lead to single tab crash keeping all other instances kicking.

 

Do you wish to browse something and still not leave any trace? The incognito window does it for you. It does not log your browsing history, searching history and cookies. A word of caution from Google here as incognito might leave an other side of impression to consumer. This feature does not prevent the source website from picking up your information, so be wary of this. That kind of prevention might be a good step and actually a landmark step by Google. And the browsing history pages on the introductory window looks great.

The coolest one is here though, you dont have to google to find the link :) of any website that you donot know. Just key in few letters and link would come up in your address bar as though you had browsed it earlier. It resembles the history of your earlier browses. 

These were some distinctive feature while the rest are same browsing experience as other. Oh! I missed the catchy line 

"Dont miss the light and zippy chrome

As tool for your webby roam" 

Vasudeva Kutumbhakam

Champion people are, aren’t they? Masters in setting news out of none, generating a sensation which doesn’t make sense and storming a controversy from a blank verse. Such people are around every where but it’s not easy to cover them by the already thronging media, the danger however is when people who are a figure, writ a statement that is uncalled for.

Unwillingly though, as lot has been said & written that were either provoking or said without rationale, I thought of penning down for the events that the state (Maharashtra, India) has witnessed over past few weeks. Needless it is to say that a political party sets up a debate which actually does not justify being a subject. Just the other day a news channel aired a debate ‘Regionalism v/s Nationalism’, Ridiculous! as this does not go as a topic of discussion / debate in my books. A comparison or debate is of the equals. How does a state qualify for a comparison to the Nation, I fail to understand.

The debate always has a propensity to a conclusion, which is not agreed by other side. By debating on this subject you from the outset bestow a premise that a subdued conclusion is spread out in the minds unconsciously at the end, which does not augur well for this subject. Anyways, the message out is clear that all are aiming for the ‘Brownie point’ giving little heed to common man. Politics has been declared as dirty game, but it is getting murkier as all sides indulge in the game loud and thick again to gain the same point.

Many centuries back, many Aryans migrated to south-east Asia, which was large continent then. Humans are nomads by nature and this migration was no different. It was for a congenial habitat, which for obvious reasons this region had a plenty. Nothing has changed from then except for the means; globalization has only added itself as a medium.

People should only stay away from the brook thought & render them innocuous by not indulging in it, as the ones inciting provoking thought and hatred among people would deny once the people cross sword against each other & disharmony is left behind. Heard of ‘Vasudev kutumbhkam’ it means the world is my family. This phrase has its mention in our Vedas.
Kyun yeh bhool jate hain hum hardum,
Ki humi ne kaha tha Vasudev kutumbhkam