Lend me your ears; eyes, office, money, and whatever for I will change the face of India if my Party wins" is all what each politician has to say. Asking me for donations; why? The ruling guys are running their campaign on tax money - putting out adverts to make it known how much we have progressed ('cause it does not show we have); and the guys not ruling are spending a lot of the monies collected by whatever means (hint hint) in stating how they will ensure progress if we win and/or negating the claims of the rulers.
Election time is friendship time. LJP broke off partnership with BJP because of the Godhra incident. But when the Court has decreed Modi as "Not Responsible" the LJP too follows suit and joins its bogey to its election train. DMK a staunch critics of the BJP is also subtly coming out of the closet in expressing love love for NaMo. Election time is also make enemy time; specially for Lalu Yadav - LJP and Congress both leaving him curling the hair on his ears.
Being left out is something the armed forces are expressing. They are asking for newer and better equipment to compensate the falling enlistment based on it not being such a lucrative career anymore and also the high probability of dying in times of peace. The taxpayers are questioning the high defense spending bills if the armed forces have not been armed correctly (defense is one of the biggest forex cost to the nation). Our true guardians are faced with the case of the enemy within in terms of decision makers and the equipment they use. Very sad to see such wasteful deaths. So will the next political ad. read "We are Proud to have achieved regression in our armed forces"? How about another ad. which says "We allowed ourselves to be exposed - More than a 100 scams worth 150,000 + crores revealed in our rule".
Now; Mr. Modi has been branded as an "impotent" "chaiwalla" by his opposition; and he is smiling. Guess it means another large vote bank that cuts across all caste and religious lines will now consider him as the person to vote for. Rahul may be considering a show called "Comedy Nights (telecast in the day) with Rahul"- as an alternate career; but, I do applaud him for showing his ire at SK's remark on NaMo. Mr. Kejriwal is now all out to expose the potential Ambani - BJP nexus. Boss when no one could figure out who crashed MA's Aston Martin; it will be 54,000 times harder to prove the supposed gas-scam in the making - which apparently has been signed by MA with the Congress Ministry. As a Reliance Shareholder though, I am disappointed. Late Mr. Ambani started the Company with the philosophy "become rich and make shareholders richer". The sons however did not pay attention to the latter part. No longer do people swear by Reliance as they used to in reverence.
A person I think very highly of has been arrested and that makes me sad. Mr. Roy; the follower of Mr. Ambani Sr.'s principles has been clamped on charges which I frankly find quite strange when it was the same system that allowed him to run the writ so far. Conspiracy theory suggests that the timing coincides with elections and his arrest may have something to do with starving his supposed political benefactors of much needed funds. Its a story for Ripleys Believe it or Not.
Finally, with politics becoming so much more interesting; I have lost interest in following the travels and travails of the Indian Cricket team. I have a conspiracy theory on why they happen to have become the favourite losing team - but then maybe the answer is too obvious.
Disclaimer: This is a personal blog and while it is in public domain happens to be my personal property and written under the rights conferred upon its Citizens by The Constitution of India; which provides the right to freedom, given in articles 19, 20, 21 and 22, with the view of guaranteeing individual rights that were considered vital by the framers of the constitution. The right to freedom in Article 19 guarantees the Freedom of speech and expression, as one of following six freedoms:[1]
Monday, March 3, 2014
We all fall down
Ring a Ring o Voters
Offer pocket full of dollars
HushHush rush rush
or we all fall down
I may not be as funny as the situation out there. We had a Members of Parliament pepper spraying and beating other; tearing up bills tabled and behaving in a totally unparliamentary manner to oppose the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh redefining the definition of anarchy for those who thought of Kejriwal as one 'cause of his many "dharnas".
Talking of AAP and Kejriwal; the govt. they ran in Delhi resigned (knowing it's time is up anyway); but before doing so - filed an FIR against India's most powerful businessman in India - Mr. Mukesh Ambani and a couple of Ministers from the Congress party for colluding on gas pricing. While Anil Ambani was fuming about the electricity pricing audit; the elder brother was surely not amused either. Guess Ambanis will not be contributing to AAP election campaign funds for sure. By the way, no sooner AAP gave up governing Delhi it announced its candidates for national elections. Great strategy - while Delhi will be administered under President's rule, AAP has no more external and internal worries in as far as governance is concerned - it was doing a terrible job anyway. I heard this from someone "Dogs chase and bark at moving cars - put the same dogs in the car and they will not know what to do". AAP is a great watch dog but bad driver. Will this fact eventually benefit the BJP the most?
Then we have Kejriwal word bashing Modi & BJP Co. on corruption and collusion with the rich; Modi taunting Rahul Gandhi & Congress Co. on corruption and collusion with the rich; and Rahul Gandhi criticizing the whole world (including his own) I suppose on issues of corruption and collusion with the rich. Each of these guys can change the lyrics but the sound of it all is still the same.
Mani must be regretting calling Modi a "Chaiwalla" as I don't see a single person in the tea trade now voting for anyone but Modi; who has now made local corner tea-stalls a gathering point for BJP's discourses on how they will wave the magic wand to make India glorious once again. The interim budget made by the finance minister attempts to please any particular section of the society was an actual displeasure to all. The newspapers have become advertorials for the political parties and when you count the adverts; it seems like a completely sponsored morning rag. My message to these guys - you are wasting tax money to announce what you have done; but had you done what you had to do then there would be no need to announce. If there was so much progress why is the economy limping at sub 5% and inflation leaping above 10%?
Disclaimer: This is a personal blog and while it is in public domain my personal property and written under the rights conferred upon its Citizens by The Constitution of India; which provides the right to freedom, given in articles 19, 20, 21 and 22, with the view of guaranteeing individual rights that were considered vital by the framers of the constitution. The right to freedom in Article 19 guarantees the Freedom of speech and expression, as one of following six freedoms:[1]
Offer pocket full of dollars
HushHush rush rush
or we all fall down
I may not be as funny as the situation out there. We had a Members of Parliament pepper spraying and beating other; tearing up bills tabled and behaving in a totally unparliamentary manner to oppose the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh redefining the definition of anarchy for those who thought of Kejriwal as one 'cause of his many "dharnas".
Talking of AAP and Kejriwal; the govt. they ran in Delhi resigned (knowing it's time is up anyway); but before doing so - filed an FIR against India's most powerful businessman in India - Mr. Mukesh Ambani and a couple of Ministers from the Congress party for colluding on gas pricing. While Anil Ambani was fuming about the electricity pricing audit; the elder brother was surely not amused either. Guess Ambanis will not be contributing to AAP election campaign funds for sure. By the way, no sooner AAP gave up governing Delhi it announced its candidates for national elections. Great strategy - while Delhi will be administered under President's rule, AAP has no more external and internal worries in as far as governance is concerned - it was doing a terrible job anyway. I heard this from someone "Dogs chase and bark at moving cars - put the same dogs in the car and they will not know what to do". AAP is a great watch dog but bad driver. Will this fact eventually benefit the BJP the most?
Then we have Kejriwal word bashing Modi & BJP Co. on corruption and collusion with the rich; Modi taunting Rahul Gandhi & Congress Co. on corruption and collusion with the rich; and Rahul Gandhi criticizing the whole world (including his own) I suppose on issues of corruption and collusion with the rich. Each of these guys can change the lyrics but the sound of it all is still the same.
Mani must be regretting calling Modi a "Chaiwalla" as I don't see a single person in the tea trade now voting for anyone but Modi; who has now made local corner tea-stalls a gathering point for BJP's discourses on how they will wave the magic wand to make India glorious once again. The interim budget made by the finance minister attempts to please any particular section of the society was an actual displeasure to all. The newspapers have become advertorials for the political parties and when you count the adverts; it seems like a completely sponsored morning rag. My message to these guys - you are wasting tax money to announce what you have done; but had you done what you had to do then there would be no need to announce. If there was so much progress why is the economy limping at sub 5% and inflation leaping above 10%?
Disclaimer: This is a personal blog and while it is in public domain my personal property and written under the rights conferred upon its Citizens by The Constitution of India; which provides the right to freedom, given in articles 19, 20, 21 and 22, with the view of guaranteeing individual rights that were considered vital by the framers of the constitution. The right to freedom in Article 19 guarantees the Freedom of speech and expression, as one of following six freedoms:[1]
Friday, January 24, 2014
Bombay 2015 - The making of the 30th State
Hypothetically speaking; if AAP was to contest in Mumbai local elections and won, then who would head it here? Kiran Bedi would have been the right choice but she has decided to go on a different path. Who is that one person now that Mumbai can look up to and rally around to get it back on rails? Crucial because from being the financial Capital and richest city of India, it had become the "Second City" with every possibility of it moving further down the ladder. Every aspect of the City is now under control of a few political superpowers irrespective of the corporate face that actually shows up. The power and progress of Mumbai is on the wane; it was being mined dry by those in control. The City is ready to snap.
Disclaimer: This is a personal blog and while it is in public domain my personal property and written under the rights conferred upon its Citizens by The Constitution of India; which provides the right to freedom, given in articles 19, 20, 21 and 22, with the view of guaranteeing individual rights that were considered vital by the framers of the constitution. The right to freedom in Article 19 guarantees the Freedom of speech and expression, as one of following six freedoms:[1]
The order of the day seems to be corporate scam; political scam; falling buildings; illegal building; unsafe buildings; women
getting gang raped; senior citizens getting murdered; people falling off from over
crowded trains and buses; ATMs and jewellery shops being robbed; and the rich influential boys
and girls partying the night away on alcohol and drugs if not killing or maiming people with their speeding cars. The people of this City are angry with the whole situation, right from the artificially rising costs and diminishing supply of food and utilities; the broken down infrastructure (which is paid for by taxpayers from this city itself); to the open greed by public servants (who are paid for by taxpayers from this city itself) to do any part of their job. Large corporates are considering moving out lock stock barrel to the Delhi NCR and even the remaining industries are moving out of here to profit from the high real estate prices.
The City is full of contradictions. A new world class airport surrounded by a slum that poses a security and safety hazard to every plane that takes off or lands. A new monorail and metro system that is supposed to ease travel woes in the City and a local rail system that serves as a lifeline and life taker for the commuter. Expensive multi-million dollar high rise apartments with access from pot holed congested roads that would not allow any emergency service to access it in case of an eventuality; and connected to a dated utility infrastructure. A bullock cart using the same road as a Rolls Royce. The City has and will continue to live with such situations as long as their was some sanity in the system. The situation now close to a complete system breakdown where to get anything or do anything one requires money and more money. Even the honest middle class is now feeling poor and that is where the tipping point starts. The Bombay of "dreams" has become a Mumbai of nightmare.
The City is a global mega city and has to be dealt as one. It needs more open spaces; more civic amenities; places to entertain and be entertained; better public transportation; guaranteed utility supply; laws, rules and regulations tailored to be more more exacting; and a security system that respects and looks after the people and not just a privileged few.
Will this discontent that is brewing start off a revolution for a Statehood? The Bombay State was once the largest with a reach all the way to Sindh; it's ambition now would be a much smaller more manageable region covering the Greater Mumbai, Thane-Kalyan, and Raigad collectorates. If not an AAP will we see a BAP "Bombay Admi Party" emerge from the shadows and throw up a surprise to reclaim its right to survive and grow. It's often when there is a sense of complacency amongst those in power when such things happen; and the clock now is just about ready to ring.
“Development is about transforming the lives of people, not just transforming economies.”
― Joseph E. Stiglitz, Making Globalization Work
Wikipedia 2009:
Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the entertainment, fashion and commercial centre of India. It is also one of the world's top 10 centres of commerce in terms of global financial flow,[1] Mumbai accounts for slightly more than 6.16% of India's economy contributing 10% of factory employment, 30% of income tax collections, 60% of customs dutycollections, 20% of central excise tax collections, 40% of foreign trade and rupees 40,000 crore (US $10 billion) in corporate taxes to the Indian economy.[2] Headquarters of a number of Indian financial institutions such as the Bombay Stock Exchange, Reserve Bank of India, National Stock Exchange, the Mint, as well as numerous Indian companies such as the Tata Group, Essel Group and Reliance Industries are located in Mumbai. Most of these offices are located in downtown South Mumbai which is the nerve centre of the Indian economy. Many foreign establishments also have their branches in the South Bombay area. Mumbai is the world's 29th largest city by GDP.[3] Mumbai was ranked among the fastest cities in India for business startup in 2009.[4] As of 2009-10, Mumbai enjoys a Per Capita Income of $2,845. This is 16.6% higher than 2008-09 levels of $2,440. In PPP dollars, Mumbai had a Per Capita Income of $7,050 as of 2009-10 fiscal. In the recent years Mumbai is experiencing rapid growth. By 2020-21 fiscal, Mumbai's GDP Per capita at PPP is expected to reach US$ 23,000, making it South Asia's richest city[citation needed].
The City is full of contradictions. A new world class airport surrounded by a slum that poses a security and safety hazard to every plane that takes off or lands. A new monorail and metro system that is supposed to ease travel woes in the City and a local rail system that serves as a lifeline and life taker for the commuter. Expensive multi-million dollar high rise apartments with access from pot holed congested roads that would not allow any emergency service to access it in case of an eventuality; and connected to a dated utility infrastructure. A bullock cart using the same road as a Rolls Royce. The City has and will continue to live with such situations as long as their was some sanity in the system. The situation now close to a complete system breakdown where to get anything or do anything one requires money and more money. Even the honest middle class is now feeling poor and that is where the tipping point starts. The Bombay of "dreams" has become a Mumbai of nightmare.
The City is a global mega city and has to be dealt as one. It needs more open spaces; more civic amenities; places to entertain and be entertained; better public transportation; guaranteed utility supply; laws, rules and regulations tailored to be more more exacting; and a security system that respects and looks after the people and not just a privileged few.
Will this discontent that is brewing start off a revolution for a Statehood? The Bombay State was once the largest with a reach all the way to Sindh; it's ambition now would be a much smaller more manageable region covering the Greater Mumbai, Thane-Kalyan, and Raigad collectorates. If not an AAP will we see a BAP "Bombay Admi Party" emerge from the shadows and throw up a surprise to reclaim its right to survive and grow. It's often when there is a sense of complacency amongst those in power when such things happen; and the clock now is just about ready to ring.
“Development is about transforming the lives of people, not just transforming economies.”
― Joseph E. Stiglitz, Making Globalization Work
Wikipedia 2009:
Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the entertainment, fashion and commercial centre of India. It is also one of the world's top 10 centres of commerce in terms of global financial flow,[1] Mumbai accounts for slightly more than 6.16% of India's economy contributing 10% of factory employment, 30% of income tax collections, 60% of customs dutycollections, 20% of central excise tax collections, 40% of foreign trade and rupees 40,000 crore (US $10 billion) in corporate taxes to the Indian economy.[2] Headquarters of a number of Indian financial institutions such as the Bombay Stock Exchange, Reserve Bank of India, National Stock Exchange, the Mint, as well as numerous Indian companies such as the Tata Group, Essel Group and Reliance Industries are located in Mumbai. Most of these offices are located in downtown South Mumbai which is the nerve centre of the Indian economy. Many foreign establishments also have their branches in the South Bombay area. Mumbai is the world's 29th largest city by GDP.[3] Mumbai was ranked among the fastest cities in India for business startup in 2009.[4] As of 2009-10, Mumbai enjoys a Per Capita Income of $2,845. This is 16.6% higher than 2008-09 levels of $2,440. In PPP dollars, Mumbai had a Per Capita Income of $7,050 as of 2009-10 fiscal. In the recent years Mumbai is experiencing rapid growth. By 2020-21 fiscal, Mumbai's GDP Per capita at PPP is expected to reach US$ 23,000, making it South Asia's richest city[citation needed].
Disclaimer: This is a personal blog and while it is in public domain my personal property and written under the rights conferred upon its Citizens by The Constitution of India; which provides the right to freedom, given in articles 19, 20, 21 and 22, with the view of guaranteeing individual rights that were considered vital by the framers of the constitution. The right to freedom in Article 19 guarantees the Freedom of speech and expression, as one of following six freedoms:[1]
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