HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY!!

गणतंत्र दिवस or Republic Day signifies the day we declared our nation as the one which is ruled by its people. After adoption and enactment of constitution on 26th November 1949, India was declared a republic and constitution was put into full force on this day in 1950. A 'Republic' is different from a 'Monarchy' (as in UK) or other form of polity as head of state is directly or indirectly elected by people themselves. Will of people is supreme in a republic. Today, however, will of people has been marginalized and a few power-mongers are calling the shots in every sphere of socio-political life. Oligarchy is becoming the de-facto governing system. Time is ripe for reclaiming the republic character once again. Jai Hind!!

BAPU BEWARE!!

Last year a Mumbai based businessman purchased a few memorabilia of Gandhiji from an auction in UK. A few days back the items arrived in India (which also include Gandhiji's blood stained grass and soil). But the irony is that these items were declared taxable by government even after the businessman declared that they are only for public purpose. The items were later handed over to social activist Anna Hazare and will be displayed all over the country in tours to promote Gandhian Philosphy. This also cannot deter taxman and Rs 20 Lakh worth of duty had to be paid before the belongings of Gandhiji could be showcased in his own country !!

MAHA KUMBH MELA and MAHA POLLUTION

Sangam or the confluence of the three rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and the now extinct Saraswati - is one of the most sacred places of Hindus where Maha-kumbh mela is organised after every 12 years. Today, these rivers need to be protected from a different demon altogether - the demon of pollution. PM on inception of the mela declared that polluters will be stringently punished. However, it is ironical that he himself chairs the supreme authority NGRBA (National Ganga River Basin Authority) that is responsible for keeping the holy river clean and he has convened its meet only three times since it was formed in 2009 when Ganga was also declared as 'National River'. Similarly, earlier Ganga Action Plans, precursor to NGRBA, and Yamuna Action Plan had also failed to impress despite draining thousands of crores literally. Pollution is a threat to not only the fauna of rivers, but also to the health of pilgrims.

ACT NOW INDIA!!!

Though ceasefire has been declared by both sides on Kashmir border, Pakistan has violated the sanctity of agreement more than 100 times in past one year alone. Its acts reached to their nadir when its soldiers intruded into Indian territory and brutally murdered two brave soldiers of Mother India and one of them was beheaded by Pak soldiers. India had adopted a softer stance since past couple of years even in wake of Mumbai attacks and repeated cross-border firings. This incident has shocked and angered the whole nation and this is the time for government to have a re-look at its Pak-policy and act as one retired Lt General quoted 'reply to Pakistan in its own currency which it better understands'.

BESHRAM BAPU

Bapu Gandhi once famously said that if you empower a man... you empower a single person, but if you empower a woman... you empower the whole family. Another self-styled Kalyugi 'Bapu' from Gandhiji's state claimed that the gang rape victim could have survived if she had fallen into feet of the beasts who raped and murdered her and it was her fault that she didn't call them 'brother'. Thus he implied that women still need to be on mercy of their male 'Bhai' and none other than girls are to be blamed if they commit such mistakes of not calling the rapist as 'Bhai'. What if his solution didn't work?... Will he next suggest that girls should go a step further and call all males as 'Bapu'?!!

BCCI or B$$I

After successive failures in tests as well as one-days, a veteran cricketer  commented that Indian Cricket Team looks jaded. Another commented IPL has ruined Indian cricket. When Olympic games were started, professional players were barred from participation to conserve the sanctity of the games and the spirit of sportsmanship. A century later, Indian cricket seems to be suffering from much more than mere excess commercialization of the sport.  Greed of BCCI is taking a toll on performance of team as well as on morale of team members and Team India is seen as merely a money-spinning machine by BCCI. BCCI should see to it that its golden goose remains healthy if it want the goose to lay bigger eggs!!

SACHIN SMILES POST RETIREMENT

Call it a mere coincidence or bad luck of Dhoni & Co. that India lost all its initial matches with Pakistan after Sachin retired. One expert even commented that 'For 20 years Sachin stood between defeat and team India'. At the same time media is also showing smiling pics of Sachin while he is holidaying in Masuri :P

KINGFISHER CRASHED !!

DGCA finally revoked the license of Kingfisher Airlines. The Indian Richard Barnson after much haggling with bankers and the aviation body found himself in a tight spot and his flamboyant carrier grounded in wake of mounting debt, airport dues, salaries of employees and what not. The tycoon who once remained in news for his extravagant lifestyle and company of thinly clad chicks is now living a low profile. Another aspect of the whole story is that while it is very convenient in this country to default a few thousand crores on the name of entrepreneurship and still roam freely around with head raised high, a poor man on the other hand is denied a loan of even a few thousand bucks and is put behind bars if he defaults this measly amount due to some genuine reason.

Liquor baron must be thanking his other 'Kingfisher' for standing by him in this tough time!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

FEMININITY BRUTALISED!!

A rape happens after every 18 hours in Delhi and more than one lakh cases still pending in India. Even conviction rate is less than 25%. Sanctity of the fairer sex has been terribly violated and masculinity has assumed more grotesque forms than ever. We need harsher socio-legal provisions to deter such heinous crimes against humanity and time is also ripe to take care of the weakened moral fibre.  

MERRY X-MAS!!

WHITHER A NEW INNINGS?

Indo-Pak series takes off from today from the T20 matches. While the cricket enthusiasts are excited about the upcoming matches, the series should is also seen in the larger context of Indo-Pak relations. India tried to salvage the situation by inviting Pakistan's internal minister, but he showed little interest in respecting this gesture of India and instead spoiled the broth by making unnecessary comments. It will be worth-while to watch how successful are two cricket teams in connecting hearts across the border. 

SALUTE!!!

The legends leaves behind an un-penetrable castle of records. His shoes will definitely prove too big for anyone else to get into those... All they can do is follow his steps.