Vidharbha Region of Maharashtra is drained by the bloods of thousands of farmers. This inglorious land of pain and suffering has been bruised by negligence and political subterfuges.
Chunk of this region is consituted by the small farmers who succumb to death under surmounting pressures of indebtedness, and paltry produce.
A few days ago, Star News telecasted a talk with few of the families afflicted by poverty and further crippled by the death of working men. One woman completely broke into tears while telling about their deplorable condition-said she and her children have been starved for three days, and such adversities are perpetual- but what is the use of telecasting such shows?
-A common Indian would watch the show, sympathize with the poor, condemn the corrupt politicians and return to oblivion.
Hence,we are equally responsible for the blight and misery of these farmers................... Even if each Indian would have contributed a small amount for the benefit of the latter, their houses would have been lighted up on 'DIWALI'.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
‘NO’- DEAL FOR CPI(M)
Indo- US Nuclear deal has been vehemently opposed by CPI(M) on the grounds that it would engulf India in the tentacles of capitalistic United States. Is it a reason good enough to spurn down the deal?
Of course not!! India borders two belligerent nations, China and Pakistan. Pakistan has been our eternal foe ever since Independence. Now, China’s rigorous demands of inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh in its territory, abodes the two countries joining hands against India. In such a situation, to protect an invasion from hostile neighbours without compromising with the development process, India inevitably needs support from a superpower.
In this epoch of industrialisation , Marxist ideologies are unsustainable. To some who consider China’s prosperity as an exemplary, the irony is China is marxisist while being capitalistic within ‘Iron Curtains’. Therefore , CPI(M) should leave aside grudges so that the logjam on the deal is lifted , and a mid-term poll is averted.
Of course not!! India borders two belligerent nations, China and Pakistan. Pakistan has been our eternal foe ever since Independence. Now, China’s rigorous demands of inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh in its territory, abodes the two countries joining hands against India. In such a situation, to protect an invasion from hostile neighbours without compromising with the development process, India inevitably needs support from a superpower.
In this epoch of industrialisation , Marxist ideologies are unsustainable. To some who consider China’s prosperity as an exemplary, the irony is China is marxisist while being capitalistic within ‘Iron Curtains’. Therefore , CPI(M) should leave aside grudges so that the logjam on the deal is lifted , and a mid-term poll is averted.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
"SONG" & "GAANA"
Hindi songs(gaane) immensely lack variety. 80-90% of the hindi songs ever composed have love(“pyaar”,”mohabbat” in hindi) as the underlying theme. Some songs are on- betrayal in love, some are sung in order to propose the beloved , few on pledges to love eternally,some to promulgate their (actor-actress) love etc.
On the contrary is English music which is an eclectic collection of diverse themes. Ramifying into various genres (rock, rap, hip/hop, heavy metal, death and black metal etc), the theme of English music touches almost all aspect of ‘realism’ as well as fiction.
The probable reason for this contrast is the people that the music caters to. To our oblivious public, these inane themes are able to captivate the most.
Death and black metal comprises of songs which criticize and even abuse Jesus. If an Indian atheist dares to compose such a song, he will probably be ostracized or may be even put behind bars. Hindu activists (VHP, Bajrangdal,RSS etc to name a few of them) will create a brouhaha over it demanding the singer to be either expatriated or executed.
Keep aside genre, these days one has tickle his/her grey matter extensively to extract out meaning from those ‘esoteric’ words of the Hindi songs, and then to add to your discomfort , your efforts end in a damp squib.
Hence, ‘a song’ is quite different from ‘a gaana’.
On the contrary is English music which is an eclectic collection of diverse themes. Ramifying into various genres (rock, rap, hip/hop, heavy metal, death and black metal etc), the theme of English music touches almost all aspect of ‘realism’ as well as fiction.
The probable reason for this contrast is the people that the music caters to. To our oblivious public, these inane themes are able to captivate the most.
Death and black metal comprises of songs which criticize and even abuse Jesus. If an Indian atheist dares to compose such a song, he will probably be ostracized or may be even put behind bars. Hindu activists (VHP, Bajrangdal,RSS etc to name a few of them) will create a brouhaha over it demanding the singer to be either expatriated or executed.
Keep aside genre, these days one has tickle his/her grey matter extensively to extract out meaning from those ‘esoteric’ words of the Hindi songs, and then to add to your discomfort , your efforts end in a damp squib.
Hence, ‘a song’ is quite different from ‘a gaana’.
This is the logo of a Death metal band 'behemoth'-"SONGS"
And this is a poster of a Hindi movie with hit "GAANE"Saturday, June 23, 2007
USI ??
India is the seventh largest nation in the world in terms of area and second largest in terms of population,comprising of 28 states. Each one having its distinct culture- traditions, rituals and language etc.Among these diversities, the feeling of nationhood is being effaced. With regionalism, religionalism, linguism and casteism being conspicuously prevalent in the nation, national integrity is highly implausible.
A large part of South India( especially Karanataka and Tamil nadu) is unfamiliar with our mother tongue, Hindi.Conversation between a north and a South Indian is highly unfeasible which further leads to obscuration of each others’cultures on a quid pro quo basis. Without a common language which is understood by the whole country (common binding language) ,the notion of ‘integrity’ seems too far-fetched.
Secondly, a feeling among few sections to part away from the country is a major logjam in the process of ‘National Integration’.For example, a clout of Sikhs demanding sovereignty under a new state of ‘Khalistan’, with Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front(JKLF) , United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) as their counterparts in the northern and eastern provinces.
What is more distressing is that our leaders,( supposedly ‘the saviours of nation’ ) never think in terms of nation as a whole. In the crave for power , they forget nationalism and boisterously attempt to prove the superiority of the culture,language,tradititons etc of their ‘ vote bank’ in particular.
These are few among numerous factors which pose a threat to national integration .
On the contrary is United States of America USA , the third largest country consisting of 50 states.
Can our motherland ever be ‘United States of India(USI)’? I have some trepidations!!
A large part of South India( especially Karanataka and Tamil nadu) is unfamiliar with our mother tongue, Hindi.Conversation between a north and a South Indian is highly unfeasible which further leads to obscuration of each others’cultures on a quid pro quo basis. Without a common language which is understood by the whole country (common binding language) ,the notion of ‘integrity’ seems too far-fetched.
Secondly, a feeling among few sections to part away from the country is a major logjam in the process of ‘National Integration’.For example, a clout of Sikhs demanding sovereignty under a new state of ‘Khalistan’, with Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front(JKLF) , United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) as their counterparts in the northern and eastern provinces.
What is more distressing is that our leaders,( supposedly ‘the saviours of nation’ ) never think in terms of nation as a whole. In the crave for power , they forget nationalism and boisterously attempt to prove the superiority of the culture,language,tradititons etc of their ‘ vote bank’ in particular.
These are few among numerous factors which pose a threat to national integration .
On the contrary is United States of America USA , the third largest country consisting of 50 states.
Can our motherland ever be ‘United States of India(USI)’? I have some trepidations!!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Shoba De's Opinion about Pratibha Patil
CV of Pratibha Patil , UPAs presidential candidate - http://pib.nic.in/archieve/others/2007/jun07/r2007061405.pdf
The presidential election is beginning to come out of my ears. Like a lot of people, I’ve reached a stage when I feel like screaming, “Just get on with it — but spare us the tamasha.” The latest embarrassment to derail the anointment of Pratibha Patil involves her comments on the purdah. If the lady doesn’t know her history, one wonders whether her knowledge of geography is stronger. Would she be able to defend our borders as the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces? Someone aptly described her nomination as a ‘monumental joke’ being played on the nation by Sonia Gandhi. It’s likely to turn into a joke that backfires if the lady does in fact waltz into the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Though, going by the lack of enthusiasm even within Congress party ranks (and her purdah faux pas), she may just make it easier for the pro-Kalam or pro-Shekhawat lobby to rush past her in the final run-up.
The real tragedy in this debacle is not Pratibha Patil per se — poor thing, she is once again playing a familiar role of handmaiden to the Gandhis. It is the abject denigration of the post itself. From the sublime to the ridiculous, to the downright shabby, the pathetic wheeling and dealing, horse trading and lobbying that have scarred this election, this is nothing short of an insult to the high office. Kahan Radhakrishnan aur kahan Pratibhatai! Besides, nobody cares, nor is anyone convinced with the overnight ‘image makeover’ attempts to position and sell her as the ultimate Bharatiya Naari — a shining symbol of women’s empowerment. What a bogus claim. And as phony and suspect as the nomination itself.
Let’s face it, Pratibha Patil has been pulled out of her mothballed existence and shoved into the spotlight for one reason alone — she is the most accommodating and pliant of the uninspiring bunch that make up the list. She will ensure the safety of the seats of her political masters if it ever comes to that. Lacklustre? Of course. But loyal and obedient — prized attributes given the sensitivity (and fragility) of the numbers game. What if...? Yes, indeed, what if a situation does arise when a crucial presidential vote would decide the fate of the government? Will Pratibhtai have the credentials to take an independent, non-partisan stand? Will she dare to snub Sonia Gandhi and rise above party politics? Put the country first?
It is meaningless to argue the lady deserves a shot at it, or to be asked why we are writing her off without giving her a fair chance. My point is: can we afford such a luxury? If we are being asked to extend our generosity and “give her a chance”, why not be still more large-hearted and give Bhairon Singh Shekhawat the same chance?
Sorry, this isn’t about either petty nit-picking or witch-hunting. The truth is, most Indians don’t know who Pratibha Patil is. And what they have come to know, post-nomination, has left them cold. I wish I could get excited over a former table tennis champion or someone who organised kho-kho and kabbadi matches during her college days. There is nothing impressive or remarkable about any of her touted ‘achievements’. But the problem is, any voiced criticism against the lady is seen as a strike against women.
Come on, let’s leave phony sisterhood and solidarity out of this. It angers me each time a feminist angle is introduced into the debate. A true feminist will never endorse the wrong woman, for that itself goes against the tenets of empowerment. Unfortunately, gender has been superimposed in this case, and an attempt is being made to damn any woman who does not automatically sing hosannahs to Pratibhatai. I resent this sort of manipulation. Call me anti-women, if you wish, I feel like telling these newly-minted champions of stree shakti, but I will not join the chorus singing Tai’s praises.
Where was she all these years? Has anyone heard a peep out of her during numerous debates dealing with atrocities against women? What has she done that is pro-women? Has she raised her voice even once? Not that I know of. So, can we please leave gender out of this, for it communicates the wrong message. Patil’s accident of birth as a female is being flaunted as a badge of honour. God help us. By that definition, any and every woman of India qualifies for the prestigious post.
Let’s be upfront about this. Pratibha Patil simply does not have what it takes to be the President of India. As for all that rubbish regarding her simplicity, spare me the baloney. As if a khadi sari is the ultimate or only description of simplicity! Khadi happens to be one of the most high maintenance fabrics in the country. Ladies who make khadi their big statement invest a lot of money in it. Sonia’s saris are homespun too. But are they cheap? Half the women in India wouldn’t be able to afford these designer khadi one-offs. So, let’s not delude ourselves. Forget about her lack of a Page 3 presence, that’s the least of her problems. Can she make it to Page 1, without most of her countrymen asking, “Who’s she?” It’s time we grew up and stopped playing immature games of tokenism, symbolism, etc. The important thing is to rise above any and every kind of ism, from feminism to regionalism. Just because I am a woman and a Maharashtrian, should I support Pratibhatai? No way.
If Pratibha Patil does make it to Rashtrapati Bhavan, how will it benefit the women of India? Will it lead to fewer thrashings, beatings, torture, murders? Give me a break. This 73-year-old lady deserves to spend her retirement years with more dignity than as a puppet of her long-term patrons. Zail Singh had his jhaddoo. What will Pratibhatai use? Her pallav?
The presidential election is beginning to come out of my ears. Like a lot of people, I’ve reached a stage when I feel like screaming, “Just get on with it — but spare us the tamasha.” The latest embarrassment to derail the anointment of Pratibha Patil involves her comments on the purdah. If the lady doesn’t know her history, one wonders whether her knowledge of geography is stronger. Would she be able to defend our borders as the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces? Someone aptly described her nomination as a ‘monumental joke’ being played on the nation by Sonia Gandhi. It’s likely to turn into a joke that backfires if the lady does in fact waltz into the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Though, going by the lack of enthusiasm even within Congress party ranks (and her purdah faux pas), she may just make it easier for the pro-Kalam or pro-Shekhawat lobby to rush past her in the final run-up.
The real tragedy in this debacle is not Pratibha Patil per se — poor thing, she is once again playing a familiar role of handmaiden to the Gandhis. It is the abject denigration of the post itself. From the sublime to the ridiculous, to the downright shabby, the pathetic wheeling and dealing, horse trading and lobbying that have scarred this election, this is nothing short of an insult to the high office. Kahan Radhakrishnan aur kahan Pratibhatai! Besides, nobody cares, nor is anyone convinced with the overnight ‘image makeover’ attempts to position and sell her as the ultimate Bharatiya Naari — a shining symbol of women’s empowerment. What a bogus claim. And as phony and suspect as the nomination itself.
Let’s face it, Pratibha Patil has been pulled out of her mothballed existence and shoved into the spotlight for one reason alone — she is the most accommodating and pliant of the uninspiring bunch that make up the list. She will ensure the safety of the seats of her political masters if it ever comes to that. Lacklustre? Of course. But loyal and obedient — prized attributes given the sensitivity (and fragility) of the numbers game. What if...? Yes, indeed, what if a situation does arise when a crucial presidential vote would decide the fate of the government? Will Pratibhtai have the credentials to take an independent, non-partisan stand? Will she dare to snub Sonia Gandhi and rise above party politics? Put the country first?
It is meaningless to argue the lady deserves a shot at it, or to be asked why we are writing her off without giving her a fair chance. My point is: can we afford such a luxury? If we are being asked to extend our generosity and “give her a chance”, why not be still more large-hearted and give Bhairon Singh Shekhawat the same chance?
Sorry, this isn’t about either petty nit-picking or witch-hunting. The truth is, most Indians don’t know who Pratibha Patil is. And what they have come to know, post-nomination, has left them cold. I wish I could get excited over a former table tennis champion or someone who organised kho-kho and kabbadi matches during her college days. There is nothing impressive or remarkable about any of her touted ‘achievements’. But the problem is, any voiced criticism against the lady is seen as a strike against women.
Come on, let’s leave phony sisterhood and solidarity out of this. It angers me each time a feminist angle is introduced into the debate. A true feminist will never endorse the wrong woman, for that itself goes against the tenets of empowerment. Unfortunately, gender has been superimposed in this case, and an attempt is being made to damn any woman who does not automatically sing hosannahs to Pratibhatai. I resent this sort of manipulation. Call me anti-women, if you wish, I feel like telling these newly-minted champions of stree shakti, but I will not join the chorus singing Tai’s praises.
Where was she all these years? Has anyone heard a peep out of her during numerous debates dealing with atrocities against women? What has she done that is pro-women? Has she raised her voice even once? Not that I know of. So, can we please leave gender out of this, for it communicates the wrong message. Patil’s accident of birth as a female is being flaunted as a badge of honour. God help us. By that definition, any and every woman of India qualifies for the prestigious post.
Let’s be upfront about this. Pratibha Patil simply does not have what it takes to be the President of India. As for all that rubbish regarding her simplicity, spare me the baloney. As if a khadi sari is the ultimate or only description of simplicity! Khadi happens to be one of the most high maintenance fabrics in the country. Ladies who make khadi their big statement invest a lot of money in it. Sonia’s saris are homespun too. But are they cheap? Half the women in India wouldn’t be able to afford these designer khadi one-offs. So, let’s not delude ourselves. Forget about her lack of a Page 3 presence, that’s the least of her problems. Can she make it to Page 1, without most of her countrymen asking, “Who’s she?” It’s time we grew up and stopped playing immature games of tokenism, symbolism, etc. The important thing is to rise above any and every kind of ism, from feminism to regionalism. Just because I am a woman and a Maharashtrian, should I support Pratibhatai? No way.
If Pratibha Patil does make it to Rashtrapati Bhavan, how will it benefit the women of India? Will it lead to fewer thrashings, beatings, torture, murders? Give me a break. This 73-year-old lady deserves to spend her retirement years with more dignity than as a puppet of her long-term patrons. Zail Singh had his jhaddoo. What will Pratibhatai use? Her pallav?
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