God can be bribed

Does astrology and politics go hand in hand? With the way our politicians take decisions, it seems that it is astrology that is ruling India today and not democracy. I have nothing against astrology, but I don’t understand why politicians have to consult astrologers for every step they take. Don’t they have minds of their own? Another question that arises is that if astrology makes politicians more powerful or gives them some supernatural powers. When they fear that they won’t win elections or they would not get the desired position, they conduct homas, and even claim that they get what they want. The recent case is that of Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who became a chief minister despite all odds and even despite most astrologers saying that he did not have the fortune of the Chief Minister’s post. So, adherence to an astrologer’s advice has actually made Yeddyurappa more powerful that the stars itself. He is not the first politician to do so. He has simply followed what his seniors including Indira Gandhi and Devegowda had done. This also means that God has no power to decide what is good for the world. His designs can be easily changed by some power hungry and ambitious man. “Let thy will be done” no longer seems to be an accepted prayer. For our politicians’ tales make God seem weaker than man, who can be bribed with pilgrimages and homas.

Terrorism better than patriotism

It is better to have terrorist links than be a martyr fighting for the country. This was clearly seen in the Bangalore in August. At the same time, we had two people arriving in Bangalore. On last Thursday, mortal remains of Naik K K Ramesh Thimayya, an army jawan who lost his life fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir were brought to Bangalore. On Saunday, Haneef who was said to have terrorist links arrived in Bangalore. The media thronged to report about him, and stayed put outside his residence in the rain, even when his relatives abused them. But when an invite was sent to cover the arrival of the mortal remains of Thimayya, there were hardly any photographers at the airport. The next day very few papers wrote a small item about the martyr’s cremation at Madikeri. Even the government hardly notices the sacrifices for the country. Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has met Haneef and even promised to give him a government job. But the CM has not called on Thimayya’s wife and a one year old daughter. Haneef has earned fame and money, while Thimayya has left behind a widow, who has to struggle to bring up their daughter. Isn’t terrorism more lucrative than patriotism?

No Ram Rajya in the name of Ram

“Was Ram an engineer? Which engineering college did he graduate from?”- These words said by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in his speech supporting the Raman Sethu project. Of course the words make a punching speech, so much so that people had to lose their lives because of it. On Tuesday night, a TNSRTC bus was burnt on Hosur road in Bangalore and two people were charred to death. It is not that Karunanidhi was unaware of the consequences his speech would cause. It is just that he did not care. The Union government too in its affidavit questioned the existence of Ram. Thankfully, the centre withdrew the affidavit as soon as the objections began. These remarks were made as if the leaders were unaware of the Ayodhya riots. When public figures make their opinion in public they should also keep in mind the sentiments of the people and the impact their words would have on them. Of course the leaders keep the people’s sentiments in mind, but it is only when it benefits them. Otherwise they just don’t care. Gandhi always talked of a ‘Ram Rajya,’ a country which would be the way it was when Ram ruled it. Now, Ram’s name is itself used to ruin the peace.

Role model Ash?

The role model for Indian girls today is mostly Aishwarya Rai. Is she worth being a role model? What ideals does she stand for? Ash has walked out of Karan Johar’s film because the role demanded her to be sexy, and she thought that it was not befitting a married woman. The movie also had Abhishek Bachchan who would have lusted for her along with John Abraham. Now Abhishek will be lusting for Priyanka Chopra in the movie. Does this befit a married man? Well, yes, because he is a man. Anyway, he is just acting and he is an actor by profession. So is Aishwarya, but she is a woman. When role models like Aishwarya, who are looked up to, are turning into ‘bahus’ who sacrifice their career, how can we expect other Indian women to stand up. After the Ash-Abhi engagement was announced, a kissing scene between Aishwarya and Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2 was cut, just because the Bachchans did not want the people to see their ‘bahu’ kissing some other actor. Ash also went through all the rituals to get off the manglik dosh. All this just makes me pity the woman, who once made me look at her in awe. I pity her for giving up her identity. The Ash who became Miss World without having the tag of a male name, is now making unnecessary sacrifices to cling to the Bachchan tag.

Kannadigas first, not Indians!!!!!

A couple of months ago, a pro-Kannada organization destroyed the wares of a pirated CD shop hawker. The reason, they gave for it was not that he was selling pirated CDs which is illegal, or that he was blocking the footpath. But the reason they gave was first “he is a Tamil,” and “he sold only Tamil and Telugu CDs.” Forget about being ashamed of their cheap thoughts, but they were in fact proud of it. They said that the hawker had no respect for Kannada since he didn’t have Kannada CDs, and proclaimed themselves to be true Kannada devotees. By doing this, they are actually making us Kannadigas feel ashamed.

Why can’t we think of ourselves as Indians first and then identify with our language, caste or creed? The Kannada Rakshana Vedike, which started the pro-Kannada protests is itself not united. They have split into two- the Narayan Gowda faction and the Praveen Shetty faction, and are constantly fighting. Praveen Shetty alleges that Narayan Gowda was into extortion, and so he split to form the true Vedike. Whatever may be the truth, aren’t most of Kannadigas becoming pawns in their hands?

Thank God! The flyover is complete

At last the Airport Road flyover is completed. The last and final loop of the airport which is to take vehicles from Airport Road to Indiranagar was inaugurated in 2007. Though the flyover looks good today, Bangaloreans will always remember it for the inconvenience it caused during its construction. The flyover which was supposed to be completed in 2004, but it was later extended to 2005, finally it is completed after two years. The project was stalled for two years because of a suit between BDA and the construction company, Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation. This period was the most difficult for people commuting through Airport Road and Indiranagar. Other than the construction material hoarded on the road and the traffic jams, there was stinking sewage near it. It was called the eye sore of Bangalore, which everyone had to bear, including outsiders as soon as they got out of the airport. Thank God the eye sore has finally been replaced.

Politicians or leaders?

IT minister Dayanidhi Maran’s resignation has once again proved that we are ruled by ‘politicians’ and not ‘leaders.’ DMK leader and his granduncle Karunanidhi dropped him from the union cabinet, stating that he was not adhering to the party leadership. Maran, who is one of the few sophisticated politicians, had earned the liking of many businessmen, with his wit. His performance in building the IT industry of the country has not been able to save his post. Feud and jealousy in the Maran family, and insecurity from Maran’s growing popularity were more important than his performance. Now A Raja is shifted from Environment ministry and made the IT minister. The vacancy in the cabinet created by Maran will be filled by Radhika Selvi of DMK. Selvi has been a house wife throughout her life and won the MP seat on sympathy votes after her husband was killed in an encounter. This episode tells politicians that it is not necessary to carry out their duties towards the country, but what is more important is to obey their party leaders.

Budget and IT guys

It was the time for the state budget. But no one was bothered. Especially, the IT sector which dictates the government hardly knews of it. I remember asking people last year about their opinion on the state budget. While some IT guys asked, “What is it?” some others blatantly said, “I am not bothered. It doesn’t affect me.” These same IT people can go on complaining about the state and its conditions endlessly. After tax was levied on ESOPS in the union budget, the highly paid professionals had no qualms in condemning the government. Lines like, “Damn the government and damn the budget,” were posted on the internet. The pro-farming budget did not interest them. But the pathetic conditions of rural India and heart-rending stories of farmers committing suicide are the favourite topics of discussion. I have met people who say, “I am tired of the boring job. I want to do something meaningful. I want to go into a village and work for the children there.” When they take a break, what most actually do is join management institutes, so that they can boost their CVs.

Escape brings boon

The 46-children who escaped from the Observation Home in Bangalore should be thanked. At least because of their filmi escape, the ministers and bureaucrats have visited it. The Women and Child Welfare department at least thought of the needs of the home. For four years, there was no probation officer, and the superintendent handled the responsibilities of the probation officer. The superintendent kept demanding for more staff, but it all fell on deaf ears. Now, atleast a probation officer is appointed. Superintendent Kamalamma has been suspended and a replacement was found on the same day. The department never took interest and has made Kamalamma the scape goat. She was suspended because she was not in the home when the kids escaped. But at that time she was carrying out the work of the probation officer. She was visiting the children’s homes, though it was a Sunday. The top officials did not have to bear the brunt for their lax attitude towards the home, but poor Kamalamma who was working for the home’s inmates even on a Sunday, got punished.

Riot was good

Bangalore East burnt for three days in January last year. All called it communal riots, and the enmity between the Hindus and the Muslims. But the riots victims called it a political game. Even with broken limbs in the hospital, the ones who had suffered from the riots did not blame their neighbours from the other community. All they said was that the goons hired by politicians who created the mess. The Muslims who are the main vote bank of Congress blamed Congress leader Jaffer Sharief, who is himself a Muslim. The Muslims also blamed Bhartinagar BJP MLA Nirmal Kumar Surana for creating the mess. But the same Muslims did not point their finger at Shivajinagar BJP MLA Katta Subramanya Naidu. The Hindus too did not blame their Muslim neighbours, but held the politicians responsible.
The good thing that came of the riots was the knowledge that people are not blind. Despite the religious clout of the politicians, people can see their true colours. Trust and friendship with their friends of their community is still dearer to a Bangalorean.

Plump Posts for politicians

Apart from the Chief Minister’s post, the other thing that is discussed about during the ongoing political crisis in Karnataka is plump posts. These “plump ministerial posts” don’t refer to posts with high responsibilities, but with posts with high revenue. Of course by revenue I don’t mean revenue for the state exchequer but under-table revenue. Corruption is openly talked about, and the best posts where corruption thrives are the most wanted. The home ministry, finance ministry, revenue ministry and urban development ministry top the list. Our elected representatives, want to do the most during their tenure, not for the people, but for themselves. Parties look at elections as investment and profit if they win. It is a bonanza if they get a plump post. The same politicians talk of a corruption free India and are the first to suspend government officials when the media reports about corruption by the officials. When corruption of politicians comes to light nothing happens. A few fiery speeches, accusations hurled at each other, the opposite parties making the maximum use of it for their own benefit and it just fades like it never happened. It’s the people who have to judge them. But the people just choose to turn a blind eye and continue to crib about the system.

Joy that comes with responsibilities

Oped


I wonder why people celebrate on getting additional responsibilities. If responsibilities bring joy, then why do they crib that responsibilities burden them? The birth of a child, a wedding, a promotion is all reasons to celebrate. But these moments of joy come with responsibilities too, and these responsibilities seem to out do the joy later. A friend, tried to draw an inference of celebrating on getting greater responsibilities and this is and he came out with a mathematical equation, “With great power comes great responsibility" – Spiderman. The converse is also true. Hence we can state that "With great responsibility, comes great power." Power=work/time, time=work/power. So the greater power you have, the lesser time you spend which is a good thing.”

Whatever may be the thing, the human spirit seems to rejoice when it has responsibilities and is kept busy. Though we later crib about the responsibilities, we would feel sad and hurt if the same responsibilities were taken away. Imagine the death of a child or losing your job, we cannot live without the joy that comes with the responsibilities. Those who learn to enjoy the responsibilities, also learn to keep the joy alive, and hence don’t feel that the responsibilities burden them.