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.