City Bites: Mumbai Terror of 26/11; Justice Denied

This blog got featured in Mumbai DNA 'Around the Blog' on page 7, 5th Dec 2011.

This post isn't really a dedication to the people lost their lives and to those who are still suffering from the terror attacks in Mumbai on 26th November 2008 (26/11). The only dedication to them today, can be justice. 

Today, I saw political parties get another opportunity to put up banners and pay a tribute to the people who lost their lives in the terror attacks three years ago. What I also saw were elaborate photo and video shoots to show that 'We did something'. 

This is telling them that all of their something is nothing as long as justice is not served. We don't care if its a cold-blooded decision; we need it! Someone after all did say that justice is a meal best served cold!

Innocent Indian people here,

Candle marches as tribute to who are dear,

That’s how we people face the fears,

Innocent Indian people here!

Our government though takes us for a ride,

Only these simple things do they drive,

The only condemn the done and prise the peoples’ strive,

That’s how our government takes us for a ride!

How else would one explain this fact of life,

On the convict is spent 50 crores to keep alive,

But both justice and money is denied,

To all those families who lost a dear life!

Sadda Haq…Jhapad Rakh, The Harvinder Singh-Sharad Pawar Slapgate!

After a million requests, RTI, petitions and pleads; a hundred thousand peaceful protests and a few hundred candle marches, and one Anna Hazare, the common man lost it. A courageous Indian by the name of Harvider Singh slapped the daylights out of the Indian Agricultural Minster, Sharad Pawar at the New Delhi Municipal Centre; you can watch the video here. 

As always, there are divided views as to how can one slap a minister, this is sad and is condemned, and accolades for Harvinder Singh on the awesome job! It would have also been doing the rounds on social media like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and likes. Sachin Tendulkar also must have heard about it during a forced drinks break and decided against his hundredth hundred; or postpone it to Friday. And then there were news that our PM Dr Manmohan Singh, who is in dire needs of a good PR, said he ‘condemns the act’. And now you know why; be it terror attacks, bomb blasts, scams or this slapgate, all our PM does is just condemning the act; and of course, nothing thereafter.

I came across a comment of an eminent news honcho Rajdeep Sardesai saying that ‘All those who justify the slapping of Pawar should be ashamed. Violence of the mind breeds physical violence.’ Whatever little bit I had towards the Indian media simply died off with that comment. Either Sardesai resides outside India, he too has a Swiss Bank Account that’s fed regularly by Indian politicians or is just another double-standard cold-blooded media guy who wants to stay within boundaries and run his channel as well. Does he forget the enormous corruption levels in the country fore fronted by politicians and the violence and vandalism political parties’ lead for their own motives? However, a common man’s slap is VIOLENCE, such is the travesty. And what if this was an act of an 80 year old retired man living on meager pension? Sardesai would have come out in support saying 'the common man has retaliated'. And I wouldn't be surprised if some years ago he loved Rang De Basanti and watch it with great adore!

As far as the slap goes, I’m a little disappointed with Sharad Pawar. If all Indian politicians claim to be avid Gandhi believers, why didn’t he put forth his other cheek and go ‘hit me baby one more time’? As far as Harvinder Singh goes, he’s building quite a name for himself to be a slapgate specialist. First he hurled slipper at Sukhram, the former telecom minister, when he was sentenced to jail for his involvement in a telecom scam and now Sharad Pawar. 

Now as much as I enjoyed the video of he slapping Sharad Pawar, the question that comes to my mind is how? How did Harvinder Singh make it out there and manage to slap Sharad Pawar with that ease? I perfectly understand terrorists coming across the seas and land, beating the shit out of our intelligence and conveniently killing a few hundred innocent people, but Sharad Pawar? Knowing that politicians can stoop to any level of disgust, I won’t entirely be surprised if Harvinder Singh could have been planted. Or may be just the political party came in the mood of vandalism and breaking loose and getting a public holiday and took to course as part of actions against their leader? Or a deep routed political move that we don’t see now?

For now though, I sincerely hope on being wrong on it and without being devil’s advocate, could the Harvinder Singhs please slap up a few more ministers; a lot more?

PS: Anna Hazare, the man who only supports non-violence, had the cheek to say 'Sirf ek hi mara?' (did he hit only one (slap)?); quite contrasting to his own personal belief, isn't it?

 

The Adrenaline Rush - Indian Ministry is run by Jokers

‘Have you ever been involved in, supported, or encouraged terrorist activities in any country? Have you, ever been a member of, or given support to an organisation that has been concerned in terrorism?’

Visa forms for plenty of countries require you to answer this question; and I guess honestly. Though I wonder if a terrorist is ever going to tick Yes, but that’s another story altogether. What appears from the regular terrorist attacks on people in India is that India on the other hand seems to thrive on taking challenges. May be they do receive such applications with a Yes and also end up approving them. That seems to form the intelligence; the guys then probably pass that information to the police, who of course fail to take diligent action and ‘BOMB!’

So what happens when you tick ‘No’; well that’s something Nico Rosberg of Petronas Mercedes GP and half of the Formula 1 teams would know because they just learnt it first hand. It is ridiculous and embarrassing for India and we as Indians that visas are denied and/or rejected for sports persons, media, journalists, musicians and people of similar acclaim. Yes, we might be amongst the rare commonwealth nations to deny direct entry to British passport holders, but that’s just a fair and square protocol. No doubt, the visa should be required and must be issued with appropriate documentation, but can it and should it not be better facilitated for people who’s biography is easily available on Wikipedia coming for an event half the world knows about?

Nico Rosberg of Petronas Mercedes GP at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix. For more photos on Formula 1, click here.

 

It is also pathetic of the customs department to levy an INR 400 crore import duty for the equipment being used for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, which is supposed to be held in Greater Noida in October 2011. They would refund the same with a 2% deduction after the goods leave India, but that is just such an opportunistic way to get some money off a privately managed event. Why; just because the government hasn’t been able to make money and mockery like the Commonwealth Games last year?

This lame, irresponsible and shallow behaviour of the Indian Ministry is not going to help an international event of the magnitude of the F1. It may be a private event, but it is going to fetch the government hoards of money in form of taxes and tourism. In any event, it is certainly not a way to spread India’s name across the many first timers who are simply excited and delighted to be coming and participating in India. 

It’s time to wake up and take a step forward and assist Jaypee in putting up a smooth and successful event rather than causing embarrassment to the entire nation. If the Jokers in the Ministry don’t wake up, we’ll be a global laughing stock for the second year in succession!

The Capped Crusader

When corruption and crime took over Gotham city, the city desperately needed a messiah; a saviour who could take on the menace that existed in their society and restore law-and-order. One man took upon the act of cleaning up the city and we know him as Batman!

Of course, one man taking down the organised crime, which was coordinated and executed with the political and police force, was impossible. So, he too had support from a few accomplices in his butler Alfred, his RND business manager Lucius Fox, Commissioner James Gordon, Harvey Dent and Robin to name a few.

That of course is a fable, which they say, do come true. The wars of liberation, fight against corruption, monopoly and dictatorship, have begun across the world. And that movement has now hit India. Unlike the other nations that have faced these movements marred with violence, India, known for its stand on peace, has a man leading the movement peacefully sans any violence. He is what I would call a Capped Crusader – Anna Hazare.

I am not a Gandhi fan so I cannot say that I am all up for Anna Hazare’s method. However, what I like about him, which is why I might eventually be his fan and, is that he has managed to bring about a revolution in the country without much turmoil. Unlike previous instances when political parties who in the past, to have their way, only resorted to vandalism. We’re still a developing nation or as analysts would call an emerging market and cannot afford frivolous strikes and damage to property, knowing the fact that restoration will burn out funds by 420%; apt, considering that it is yet another opportunity for politicians, contractors, workers and everyone falling in queue to make quick big bucks.

Of course there are many arguments from the antagonists as to what and how much will a lone aging man do? But with this stand, he has made himself more than just an ordinary man.  He has devoted himself to an ideal, and the establishment haven’t been able to stop him; they’ve had to give in to his demands. It may not be long until be become something else entirely – a legend. He is gathering enough moss to make the establishment fall and that sure will go down in history if he succeeds. And his support is coming from all ends – school kids, collegians, housewives, the service class, the business class and even the public servants.

We needed a face or a leader because somewhere we’re all just too busy in our daily chores. However, we’re all livid with all the news that’s doing the rounds for the past year or so. The CWG scam, 3G scam, mining scam, politicians spending our money on building their houses, their own statues and fuelling their pockets with our money! In the bargain, doing nothing visible on inflation and rising costs, terrorism, increase in the number and amount of taxes, traffic snarls that plague people in covering 10 km over two hours, and the roads that have broken enough suspensions and backs along with taking a few lives as well.

The face may be Anna, but what’s certain is that the general Indian public is taking a critical stand on it. However, I don’t believe that it can just go on with fasting and having peaceful marches. Nor do I believe that by me not giving a 100 rupee bribe to be let off by a traffic cop is going to stop corruption. If corruption is to stop, it needs to be top-down and not bottom-up. The entire system needs to be reformed for transparency and accountability. And eventually down to the smallest of things where a common man does not need to spend hours and multiple follow ups to get his licence back for a petty traffic offence.

Introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos.

The initial revolt succeeded because it caught the government off guard. We need some anarchy on a regular basis for a change to come about. Sometime soon, how about a non-cooperative movement – citizens not paying taxes and the government having to recover all financials lost in these scams and running the show?

Eye Pay All 2010 – A Game of Politickers and Cricktics!

Cricket can get boring and Politics can sometimes be exciting. Pretty much the same when you see the Shane Warnes, the Shahid Afridi’s and the other many talk around like politicians. On the other hand, politicians have also been getting bored with politics and so have thought to come out on a green (green – also happens to be the colour of money) pitch and bowl some quick seem-up deliveries along with some nasty bouncers.

After all the drama around the auctions and the exclusion of the Pakistan players that took place in the first couple of weeks, the controversies that always somehow seem to surround the IPL, just – took off again! SRK came to the defence of the Pakistan players – early realisation? Well, that was just the opening politicians, who had gone quite and who had little to do in their hibernation, needed to wake up. Better still, they had two lovely ‘issues’ to rake – why is someone supporting Pakistan cricketers and that Indians are being attacked in Australia, Australians will not be allowed to play in India, more specifically in Maharashtra (by now you all know the political party).

The media covered this story with great enthusiasm, after all, King Khan had My Name Is Khan lined up for release – his first major release in over a year! On the other side, officials from the BCCI had a chat over the participation of the Australians and finally managed a ‘Yes’. SRK also sorted things out and his flick was about to release. Then the grapes turned sour – again there was a thought if Australians should be allowed or not. Shane Warne played hero trying the bridge the rift and did succeed but then now he too has been (incorrectly, I hear) citied by the Australian media on fears on playing in India. SRK’s flick was disrupted – a few things broken, a few hearts broken, but eventually – Aal Izz Well!

When the dust is settled it just so seems like the IPL does love the controversy or are some jinxed by it. How come, year after year do they get into some (or should I say many) controversy or the other? Not that they are any short of it, but publicity? Someone did put this question up to which Mr Modi responded – ‘We don’t create the controversies. We work day and night just to clear them. We get no joy by over working ourselves.’ Benefit of the doubt – given! But sometimes, ignorance is indeed bliss – probably just doing your work and staying out of controversy anyways.

On a special note – I don’t like getting too political, but yes, I’ve got my views and mostly they’re not too good. I loved the letter Mr Rajdeep Sardesai wrote to Mr Uddhav Thackeray. Time and again we’ve spent far too many resources on very irrelevant and highly avoidable matters and seen significant consequences happen on other grounds, like the ones in Pune (RIP)! Attention gets diverted into these frivolous matters to leave the flood gates open for the opportunists to cash in. And then what happens with the politicians – the same people simply sit quiet and tight with doubled securities. Please, wake up at the right times! Try control the people coming with dubious intentions and not those with valid visas and permits to play and entertain. It is convenient and an easy route to stop and create a ruckus about something genuine, and the easier route is mostly the incorrect one!

Bottomline – let sports be away from politics and politicians take up more serious issues other than something that is just a sport.

Hypocrisy lives, Democracy dies!

People are opportunists and even more so the politicians. Politicians and political parties stalk, wait and attack the smallest of issues and ensure that they are blown out of proportion. The intentions could be as ambitions as affecting global politics, taking down the opposition government or simply gaining limelight to show that they exist.

Recent events saw a political party in India come out strongly against the networking group Orkut. They demanded a ban on Orkut because there were defamatory comments and communities against their party leader and a state hero. Along the way, we all may have come across such communities against countries and political leaders because of a certain stand they take/took while addressing an issue. On most occasions, being politically correct and rationally correct seem two isolated concepts. Political correctness might irk a whole lot of us because it seems that the benefactors are only a small section, more often then not, the politicians themselves.

In their protest, members of the particular political party vandalised and ransacked cyber cafes, simply because Orkut was accessible. The abuse could have been from anywhere in the world, but a few innocent cyber cafe owners suffered.

The world has been blessed with the cyber bliss but also doomed with the hacks and crimes. I am sure most of us use networking communities to socialise, catch-up with long lost friends, communicate with friends and family, do business and so on. (Ironically, families of the political party involved in the ‘ban Orkut’ protest, themselves are very active Orkut members.) There can always be the other section of the crowd on these networking sites as well. Sadly, petty matters like these have been taken up to the Honourable President and Supreme Court, when there are bigger and more serious issues to be addressed.

Wouldn’t it be easier to report defamatory communities as abuse and have them blocked rather than ban a site like Orkut; or worse attack cyber cafes and innocent people associated with them? Are these acts of violence justified? Recently, The United Nations (UN) declared 2nd October as ‘World Non-Violence Day’ in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, India’s ‘Father of the Nation’; the man who helped India achieve freedom through non-violence. The very political parties praise Mahatma Gandhi but choose violence in daily practice.

Hypocrisy lives and Democracy dies! Sadly, on most occasions, people BECOME THE ISSUE rather than ADDRESSING IT!

You can support the petition ‘Do not ban Orkut in India’ by signing online at http://www.petitiononline.com/orkutban/petition.html.

Address issues, don't be one!

Referring the link -http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=15&contentid=20070608031030140e5a85652 - Where were these people when similar comments were made on India on Orkut? Some through our neighbouring countries and others via those who suffered due to India’s outsourcing boom? I guess busy fighting for reservations!

Sadly, it seems that Mumbai and Maharashtra are apart from a Democratic India. People cannot express their views and opinions, enjoy freedom and not be afraid of being or having their property attacked. Freedom and democracy are our right; however, they should not be abused.

Expression of love on Valentines and accessing Orkut (namely just two of the many instances) are a matter of choice. Why attack shops and cyber cafés and deny one of a daily lively hood? Will the purpose be met? In case of the so-called defamatory comments, they could be posted from elsewhere in the world. Why ban Orkut for that?

Wise men think that banning Orkut at cyber cafés is a good option. However, Orkut could be easily accessible through the Internet from home and office. Orkut is a modern day wonder of a simplified way of communication and expressions. If there is something defamatory, Orkut supports ‘report as abuse’ to permanently ban it if they receive a certain number of such reports. Why shut cyber cafés and install software to ban Orkut? It is like a classic case where the US invested millions to make a pen that can write anywhere and in any condition, whereas the Russians used a pencil!

Sadly, people wake up to issues of lesser importance rather than the ones that actually need attention. People sleep over these and it is through communities at Orkut where the cyber world awakens. It is sad that on most occasions, people BECOME THE ISSUE rather than ADDRESSING THE ISSUE!