Almost a year since the horrific attack on Mumbai. The city is back on its legs quite some time back. Upholding once again, the spirit of the city. There have been many attacks on Mumbai. And this one's same but with a difference. India had managed to capture a terrorist alive.
And, he is becoming a liability. The amount that goes in to the security and well being of this lone person!! But is it in the benefit of India that this terrorist has been kept alive, as against carry out a sentence quickly as in many of the hardliner countries.
For one, India is the largest democracy with equal rights to all humans and blah blah blah....Bullshit!! He deserves to die a more cruel death. Just yesterday I read in some newspapers that after killing lots of people during the attack, one terrorist asked a person for water, drank from him, and then shot him dead.
Then why is he being kept under maximum security with all the expenses incurred? Well, he is an international figure now. And his well being will help India prove that our neighbours are the centre point of terrorism. A lots of proof has come up against our neighbours, and though they themselves in trouble internally, it is being proved time and again that they are the root of all the evil in the world. Day after day, more and more revelations come from this lone terrorist, and killing him would mean an end to this information inflow. It's worth a thousands of intelligence agents.
The whole exercise, by the way, is to prove to the "super powers", who is the real victim and who is the criminal. This might not warrant any inflow of counter-terrorism funds to our country, but might stop the funds being provided to the wolf in sheep skin to counter(read promote) terrorism.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Glorified Racists
A lot is being said about cafe leopold lately, due to its involvement as a victim in the 26th nov 2008 terrorist attack on Mumbai. The attack had killed 10 people including two staff of the cafe. But keeping up with the spirit of Mumbai, it reopened for business very soon, preserving the telltale signs of tragedy that was 26th Nov. Its a very good example of the phoenix rising out of ashes.
But now for the darker side. Does the cafe belong to Indians. It has been frequented by foreigners since its establishment, the most noted of all being the criminal turned writer, Gregory David Roberts, a.k.a. Shantaram. Its is visited my many a celebraties from India and abroad along with shantaram himself.
But you try to visit it. If you are not know to someone of "someone", you are sure to wait out for a long time. An incident with a friend of mine. He along with his mates had gone to this cafe for the first time. There were many a tables empty which could be seen from door, but they were kept waiting out side. On being confronted with a question about this, the staff informed that those tables were for foreigners and if they didn't have enough patience to wait, they might as well leave.
This incident can be compares to Mahatma Gandhi being pushed from the train, of Cassius Clay not allowed entry in an all white cafe. I do not have any word for this act, other than racism.
My friends didn't have large followers to take a march against this, nor did he win any gold medal to throw in the sea as a protest.
But now for the darker side. Does the cafe belong to Indians. It has been frequented by foreigners since its establishment, the most noted of all being the criminal turned writer, Gregory David Roberts, a.k.a. Shantaram. Its is visited my many a celebraties from India and abroad along with shantaram himself.
But you try to visit it. If you are not know to someone of "someone", you are sure to wait out for a long time. An incident with a friend of mine. He along with his mates had gone to this cafe for the first time. There were many a tables empty which could be seen from door, but they were kept waiting out side. On being confronted with a question about this, the staff informed that those tables were for foreigners and if they didn't have enough patience to wait, they might as well leave.
This incident can be compares to Mahatma Gandhi being pushed from the train, of Cassius Clay not allowed entry in an all white cafe. I do not have any word for this act, other than racism.
My friends didn't have large followers to take a march against this, nor did he win any gold medal to throw in the sea as a protest.
Political HeavyWeights. Literally!!
Lalu prasad's fall from the podium has strenthened his claims that he is a "Political Heavyweight".
Friday, November 13, 2009
Chandrayan Discovers Magnet on Moon
Chandrayan has discovered magnet on moon!!
I hope ISRO doesn't blame the moon for destruction of chandrayan...
Barter!! Its Still Exists !!!
Being a marine engineer by profession, my job took me around the world in past five years. This particular incident at an Argentine sea port, Necochea.
Me and an electrical officer had gone for a city visit in the evening. A very good and non crowded city it is. Both of knew only one word in spanish. Gracias. So with this asset in our hand we were going about the city. Well, time came for our return to the ship, and we started the search of a cab. And no one was ready to come. It was very difficult bargaining with them since there were only private cabs in sight. No meter based cabs were around.
Finally with the help of one cab owner, we managed to persuade a driver to take us. He asked us for five dollars, and we had three. And another 100 dollar note which they wouldn't have change for. We tried to explain the situation to the driver but couldn't, with the only word we knew. But some how he understood the situation and agreed to take us.
Half way to the port, he stopped, and made a sign with two fingers indicating that we should go walking from there. After all the unintellegable agrument that followed, the driver pointed at the shopping bag in my hand. I saw a bag of potato chips protruding from it , with the price clearly visible as 2$. Immediately we agreed and he reached us to our destination in exchange of 3$ and a bag of potato chips.
Well, who says barter is a thing of past?
Me and an electrical officer had gone for a city visit in the evening. A very good and non crowded city it is. Both of knew only one word in spanish. Gracias. So with this asset in our hand we were going about the city. Well, time came for our return to the ship, and we started the search of a cab. And no one was ready to come. It was very difficult bargaining with them since there were only private cabs in sight. No meter based cabs were around.
Finally with the help of one cab owner, we managed to persuade a driver to take us. He asked us for five dollars, and we had three. And another 100 dollar note which they wouldn't have change for. We tried to explain the situation to the driver but couldn't, with the only word we knew. But some how he understood the situation and agreed to take us.
Half way to the port, he stopped, and made a sign with two fingers indicating that we should go walking from there. After all the unintellegable agrument that followed, the driver pointed at the shopping bag in my hand. I saw a bag of potato chips protruding from it , with the price clearly visible as 2$. Immediately we agreed and he reached us to our destination in exchange of 3$ and a bag of potato chips.
Well, who says barter is a thing of past?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
We could do with this
As we know, Mohammad Rafi, the top class playback singer of yesteryears, was also a contributor as a play back singer for marathi cinema. I personally love his marathi songs, 'hasa mulanno hasa' and 'haa chanda jivala laavi pise'. Its difficult to make out that this person was a non marathi play back singer.
His entry to marathi cinema was with a quite examplary story. To whom, I will let you guess. He was asked to sing a particular song in marathi, but he was not well versed with the language. The lyricist of this song came to his rescue in a very innovative way. He, being well versed in urdu, wrote the entire marathi lyrics in urdu script and Mohammad Rafi sung the song in that script.
Can you guess who the lyricist was? Well it was Mr. Shrikant Thackery, father of our very own marathi maanos, Raj Thackery.
His entry to marathi cinema was with a quite examplary story. To whom, I will let you guess. He was asked to sing a particular song in marathi, but he was not well versed with the language. The lyricist of this song came to his rescue in a very innovative way. He, being well versed in urdu, wrote the entire marathi lyrics in urdu script and Mohammad Rafi sung the song in that script.
Can you guess who the lyricist was? Well it was Mr. Shrikant Thackery, father of our very own marathi maanos, Raj Thackery.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A Non Marathi Cyclone
Who says that the marathi manus, and overall the entrie marathi issue is for no gains?
Well, Phyan doesnt seem to be a marathi name, else it would have visited mumbai and cause destruction...
hehehehehheee
Well, Phyan doesnt seem to be a marathi name, else it would have visited mumbai and cause destruction...
hehehehehheee
Bid Farewell to our Zoo Friends
Most of us have seen elephants up close, rode them, fed them and had fun whenever we visited the zoo in Mumbai at Jijamata Udyan. But its time to bid farewell to two elephants as the central zoo authority has issued a notice saying all the elephants in the zoos around India ( around 140 ), are to be sent to sanctuaries and tiger reserves.
This is largely for the benefit of the poor animal as it requires large space to move around.
A good reason to take your children for a final visit, and prayers that they are not hunted down for tusks.
This is largely for the benefit of the poor animal as it requires large space to move around.
A good reason to take your children for a final visit, and prayers that they are not hunted down for tusks.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
A Non Issue
Just due to perssuasion of my brother, I pour in this post. Its about the issue picked up by our represented jokers, at the assembly, the temple of our constitution. I have finished pondering upon the incident. One fool tried to poke other fool in the most ticklish place, and the reaction was spontaneous, as claimed in the media.
What was the issue anyway? Someone wanting to speak in a language as per his wish!! Well who was going to stop him? But a political drama was staged in the name of constitutional rights. My dear bunch of jokers, please remember that along with the rights, you also get to look after your responsibilities.
This kind of political stunts have propelled these people much ahead in political race. Or they think so. It would be rather impolite for me to write down what I think of these people.
Want to know about the true issues? Providing the individuals of the state and the country with the basic rights, including, but not limited to, food clothing and shelter.
And I stop here, with a belief that writing further, will only be to their advantage as they are sure to gain unearned publicity, which is harmful for the country.
What was the issue anyway? Someone wanting to speak in a language as per his wish!! Well who was going to stop him? But a political drama was staged in the name of constitutional rights. My dear bunch of jokers, please remember that along with the rights, you also get to look after your responsibilities.
This kind of political stunts have propelled these people much ahead in political race. Or they think so. It would be rather impolite for me to write down what I think of these people.
Want to know about the true issues? Providing the individuals of the state and the country with the basic rights, including, but not limited to, food clothing and shelter.
And I stop here, with a belief that writing further, will only be to their advantage as they are sure to gain unearned publicity, which is harmful for the country.
A First Class Passenger
I am travelling in a first class compartment of the Mumbai suburban railways, and two youngsters come aboard at a particular station. By the way of their dressing it seems that they were in a wrong compartment. But who am I to judge. May be they are rich enough to travel by first class but not educated enough to have the right sense of dressing. But the people around me seem to take more than just notice of it. One particular 'gentleman' inform them in much more than a polite manner about the situation. They quietly alight at the very next station.
Another incident. Again in the first class compartment of a suburban train. Again a youth enters the first class compartment. His way of dressing is not to much of a high class, but he is accompanied by his mother, who, because of her age, might not be in a position to dress to the liking of the first class 'gentlemen'. People start giving mean stares and a self-appointed leader gets up from his seat to inform in a loud voice, "This is a first class compartment". The youth looks up at him, in to his eyes, and replies, sternly, "So?". The leader quietly sits down. Case closed. It's established that the youth, and his aged mother, are bona-fide first class travellers.
My colleague once said that he felt that first class travellers are kind of snobs with too much of self-pride. Though I travel first class, I do not take his statement as a personal offence. The above two incidents are case to the point.
In the first incident, these two youths looked to me like first timers to the city. Now, travelling in Mumbai suburban trains, is very difficult due to crowd. And more so, for people from outstation. I am sure these youths had taken tickets for their journey but landed in the wrong compartment due to lack of knowledge or, may be, lack of reading skills. Of course, Mumbai suburban trains are colour coded, but thats a fact known to mumbaikars, and not publicised to the nation. So the youths were not much in wrong. It was for the people to guide them properly and in a more polite manner. Who are we to judge whether a person is bona-fide passenger, going by his attire? If we go by attire, I guarantee that more of the very well dressed passengers are travelling ticketless.
The second incident was kind of a virtual slap on the face for the self-proclaimed leader. Seeing an old lady with the youth, he could have been more considerate by offering her his seat. But he prefered to be a leader. And he got his dues.
People....People...Let the ticket examiners do the job meant for them. For us, it a responsibility to look in to our pockets and check whether we are travelling ticketless.
Another incident. Again in the first class compartment of a suburban train. Again a youth enters the first class compartment. His way of dressing is not to much of a high class, but he is accompanied by his mother, who, because of her age, might not be in a position to dress to the liking of the first class 'gentlemen'. People start giving mean stares and a self-appointed leader gets up from his seat to inform in a loud voice, "This is a first class compartment". The youth looks up at him, in to his eyes, and replies, sternly, "So?". The leader quietly sits down. Case closed. It's established that the youth, and his aged mother, are bona-fide first class travellers.
My colleague once said that he felt that first class travellers are kind of snobs with too much of self-pride. Though I travel first class, I do not take his statement as a personal offence. The above two incidents are case to the point.
In the first incident, these two youths looked to me like first timers to the city. Now, travelling in Mumbai suburban trains, is very difficult due to crowd. And more so, for people from outstation. I am sure these youths had taken tickets for their journey but landed in the wrong compartment due to lack of knowledge or, may be, lack of reading skills. Of course, Mumbai suburban trains are colour coded, but thats a fact known to mumbaikars, and not publicised to the nation. So the youths were not much in wrong. It was for the people to guide them properly and in a more polite manner. Who are we to judge whether a person is bona-fide passenger, going by his attire? If we go by attire, I guarantee that more of the very well dressed passengers are travelling ticketless.
The second incident was kind of a virtual slap on the face for the self-proclaimed leader. Seeing an old lady with the youth, he could have been more considerate by offering her his seat. But he prefered to be a leader. And he got his dues.
People....People...Let the ticket examiners do the job meant for them. For us, it a responsibility to look in to our pockets and check whether we are travelling ticketless.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Televisions for Free!!
Last time Akai had entered Indian market, the consumers and competitors were taken by surprise when they launched tv's with price tag of less than 10000 rs.
This time around what should we expect? May be one on one offer? May be free TVs !!
I thinks others consumer electronics manufacturers might have started wetting their pants.
This time around what should we expect? May be one on one offer? May be free TVs !!
I thinks others consumer electronics manufacturers might have started wetting their pants.
Not Quite A Paisa Per Second
Yesterday I made a grab for the offer by our nations largest mobile service provider, Airtel, enabling me to make calls at a pulse of 1 second and the rate for which being 1 paisa. This offer has been made to compete the Tata Docomo's offer of 1paisa / second call rate, and since I didnt want to get a new number I went for the offer by Airtel.
But, the shock I got, when I found out that for each call made, I was billed for 2-5 seconds extra. My phone would say a call duration of 27 seconds where as the charge was for 34 seconds. This is quite unethical and truely cheating their customers. Remember, I had to pay additional amount to get this service activated.
I am not a cheapo. I wouldnt care much about the money. But I think India is not given the treatment that it ought to get from the service industry. Had is been the USA, I am sure there would be lots of compensations going out to the customers, where the service providers would go bankcrupt.
But, the shock I got, when I found out that for each call made, I was billed for 2-5 seconds extra. My phone would say a call duration of 27 seconds where as the charge was for 34 seconds. This is quite unethical and truely cheating their customers. Remember, I had to pay additional amount to get this service activated.
I am not a cheapo. I wouldnt care much about the money. But I think India is not given the treatment that it ought to get from the service industry. Had is been the USA, I am sure there would be lots of compensations going out to the customers, where the service providers would go bankcrupt.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Remembering the King Of Pop
During my school days, i pursued the hobby of stamp collection. I had very good collection of stamps from more than 70 countries and were neatly arranged in a notebook with any sort of info available. But during my college years I didnt carry forward this hobby much, so I exchanged this book for a Micheal Jackson's audio cassette.
I had played that cassette again and again till it got damaged. For now I use a more popular format of music, ie. Mp3. Not a day goes by, without hearing a single song from the kings albums.
Leaving aside all the proved and unproven allegations and controversies, I still feel that he was the best pop singer of all times. I can say that the exchange made with my friend in my college days was a very profitable one. Though I lost my stamps collection, my introduction to the world of pop was much more exciting.
He still continues to be a Thriller!!
I had played that cassette again and again till it got damaged. For now I use a more popular format of music, ie. Mp3. Not a day goes by, without hearing a single song from the kings albums.
Leaving aside all the proved and unproven allegations and controversies, I still feel that he was the best pop singer of all times. I can say that the exchange made with my friend in my college days was a very profitable one. Though I lost my stamps collection, my introduction to the world of pop was much more exciting.
He still continues to be a Thriller!!
A Milestone Achived...
17000...finally!! And there is no sarcasm in my tone, rather a very deep respect for the man.
Though there is not much significance to this figure except the hype created by media, each and every bit of it has been thrilling.
Alone, he has held many a war posts in his career. Alone, he has steered his country near to victory. Yet people say that he has never helped gain victory. All his valor out on ground has been lost to a pathetic display by his mates.
Though I have stopped watching cricket long back, Sachin Tendulkar manages to amaze me with his game. The only reason I might stay glued to a cricket match is Tendulkar being on the Pitch.
It will take a lot of time for him to pass his age and for India to replace him.
Keep Going Sachin!!
Though there is not much significance to this figure except the hype created by media, each and every bit of it has been thrilling.
Alone, he has held many a war posts in his career. Alone, he has steered his country near to victory. Yet people say that he has never helped gain victory. All his valor out on ground has been lost to a pathetic display by his mates.
Though I have stopped watching cricket long back, Sachin Tendulkar manages to amaze me with his game. The only reason I might stay glued to a cricket match is Tendulkar being on the Pitch.
It will take a lot of time for him to pass his age and for India to replace him.
Keep Going Sachin!!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Signboards
Though you are the 'greatest' supporter of marathi culture and the protecter of marathi manus and his rights, Raj, it seems that you have excluded your own 'domain' from your marathi banner drive.
I can still see www.manase.org spelt in roman script as against your order of having devnagri script.
Guess somethings cant be changed at all.
I can still see www.manase.org spelt in roman script as against your order of having devnagri script.
Guess somethings cant be changed at all.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Are we failing?
An incident..
Few days back I was riding on my bike. It was moderate traffic. I was riding in my lane being careful. Suddenly a guy came out of nowhere on a bike on my wrong side. I slowed down, as the car ahead of me had done so. This guy, on my wrong side took this opportunity, and cut across me from front to make way for himself. Quite a normal incident. But I had to brake very hard, else I would be ramming into him and we both could be hurt. But this guy, seemingly oblivious to the happenings, kept on driving. I had to shout to get his attention. Immediately he slowed down and came level with me. What happened would be completely outrageous. He kept staring at me as I said," Is this the way to drive, cutting across?". He replied,"So? What happened?". I asked," Can't atleast switch on your turn signal?". "My turn signal is not working,so?", was his reply in a high voice. I informed that he could have atleast given hand signal. To which he raised his voice and said,"No, I do not want t0 give signal, so what will you do?" Then he kept staring at me with a meaner look. He had a pillion rider with him who started ma
Few days back I was riding on my bike. It was moderate traffic. I was riding in my lane being careful. Suddenly a guy came out of nowhere on a bike on my wrong side. I slowed down, as the car ahead of me had done so. This guy, on my wrong side took this opportunity, and cut across me from front to make way for himself. Quite a normal incident. But I had to brake very hard, else I would be ramming into him and we both could be hurt. But this guy, seemingly oblivious to the happenings, kept on driving. I had to shout to get his attention. Immediately he slowed down and came level with me. What happened would be completely outrageous. He kept staring at me as I said," Is this the way to drive, cutting across?". He replied,"So? What happened?". I asked," Can't atleast switch on your turn signal?". "My turn signal is not working,so?", was his reply in a high voice. I informed that he could have atleast given hand signal. To which he raised his voice and said,"No, I do not want t0 give signal, so what will you do?" Then he kept staring at me with a meaner look. He had a pillion rider with him who started ma
Monday, October 26, 2009
All the Best....
All that I can say to the moviegoers, who stand in long queues and get the ticket for this movie is :
All the Best...
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Divided we fall!!
The split in sena has assured that a very good opposition is lost. MNS has been the driving force in this downfall, and figures from election commission are proof to it. The are many constituencies where sena has lost(including their fortress), but its not true that MNS has gained in those places.
Had they had the wisdom to stay together, sena would have been the driving force.
Also mr. Raj has to realise that when he speaks of the outsiders in aamchi mumbai, it may hold true for aamchi mumbai. But if he has to expand to state level, the need to address the issues of other cities/districts is very high, and the question of outsiders is a no issue there. Maybe thats the reason why MNS didnt field in around 50% of the constituencies.That could be his success mantra for 2014.
Had they had the wisdom to stay together, sena would have been the driving force.
Also mr. Raj has to realise that when he speaks of the outsiders in aamchi mumbai, it may hold true for aamchi mumbai. But if he has to expand to state level, the need to address the issues of other cities/districts is very high, and the question of outsiders is a no issue there. Maybe thats the reason why MNS didnt field in around 50% of the constituencies.That could be his success mantra for 2014.
Shiva sena....Maharashtra Navnirman sena.....and now Christ Sena!!
Amazing isn't it? Never had a catholic living in the coastal belt of vasai, supported any form of (pro) hindutva sena. Until august 2009, mr. vivek pandit MLA was much hated by christians due to his party ideologies.
But the equation changed, when the much "beloved" ex-MLA of vasai mr. thakur raised hand, physically in form of a slap to an activist, and politically by vetting for municipal corporation for that region against the will of locals.
Christians found themselves without a seasoned politician who would be recognised by all communities in the region. Mr. pandit found this to be a great opportunity to fulfill personal ambition by standing as an independent and gathering support of the people who despised him.
I donot oppose mr. pandit. The only thought that has crossed my mind time and again, is that, will it be possible for him to bring to the task, the resistance that is being offered by his supporters? Or will he be lost in his own abmitions?
One thing he has to remember, mr. thakur had won the previous election only due to the support of this community(for the lack of a suitable candidate). This time things have changed for him as he forgot that unity always triumphs. So if mr. pandit wishes this kind of support nex time around, he has to prove himself. He has been "selected" against the most non corrupt politician of the region( who, sadly couldn't make it to higher level, since politics doesn't support honesty anymore in India).
But the equation changed, when the much "beloved" ex-MLA of vasai mr. thakur raised hand, physically in form of a slap to an activist, and politically by vetting for municipal corporation for that region against the will of locals.
Christians found themselves without a seasoned politician who would be recognised by all communities in the region. Mr. pandit found this to be a great opportunity to fulfill personal ambition by standing as an independent and gathering support of the people who despised him.
I donot oppose mr. pandit. The only thought that has crossed my mind time and again, is that, will it be possible for him to bring to the task, the resistance that is being offered by his supporters? Or will he be lost in his own abmitions?
One thing he has to remember, mr. thakur had won the previous election only due to the support of this community(for the lack of a suitable candidate). This time things have changed for him as he forgot that unity always triumphs. So if mr. pandit wishes this kind of support nex time around, he has to prove himself. He has been "selected" against the most non corrupt politician of the region( who, sadly couldn't make it to higher level, since politics doesn't support honesty anymore in India).
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Eagerly Waiting to Start the Income!!
Will they be able to have even 40 winks tonight? Well the results will be out tomorrow and they are eager to find out if their "investment" will start reaping rich dividends this time around!!
For us all, One thief or another, we are sure to be looted.
For us all, One thief or another, we are sure to be looted.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Jenson presses the championship Button!!!
Jenson Button and the Brawn team has ensured that formula one is the final winner in the game!!
With all the excitements and the dramas filled in this season, it had never been so fun watching it. Though one race is still to go at abu dhabi, its just completion of formalities. Teams with low budget have proved that they can be competitive from the front. Case in the point is Brawn, Redbull Racing, Force India and many other troubled teams who have managed to score points. The era of big threes, Ferrari, Mclaren and Renault is over.
Surely we have a very exciting and more competitive season coming up next year with three more teams entering and few more tracks.
Eagerly waiting for the next season. For me, I am putting my money on Brawn GP again and also expecting Force India to do better still!!
With all the excitements and the dramas filled in this season, it had never been so fun watching it. Though one race is still to go at abu dhabi, its just completion of formalities. Teams with low budget have proved that they can be competitive from the front. Case in the point is Brawn, Redbull Racing, Force India and many other troubled teams who have managed to score points. The era of big threes, Ferrari, Mclaren and Renault is over.
Surely we have a very exciting and more competitive season coming up next year with three more teams entering and few more tracks.
Eagerly waiting for the next season. For me, I am putting my money on Brawn GP again and also expecting Force India to do better still!!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Where's My Candidate?
Never has an assembly election created as huge a turmoil as is being created now. Candidates jumping parties/loyalties, threatening to jump across, rejection of seasoned politicians in favour of dynastic line up is being seen all around.
But the question to ponder upon amidst all this is that whether there really is any candidate who deserves to be followed on one word? For me the answer seems to be no.
For now I have no choice but to follow the party that I have worshipped for years. Whether they have a good candidate or not is besides point. I guess, this is not just me, but a dilemma for a very huge percentage of citizens of India.
And now I would like to investigate in to the proposal put forward by the election commission to the government, to add an option "none of the above" on the voting machine. As we all know the ruling party and the opposition replied in unison, "no".
The reason behind this rejection is well known to the common man of India, no matter what excuse this politicians feed!! It's plain, they donot have many deserving candidates to place all around India/State. And introducing this option would lead to their candidate being disqualified, the candidate on which that particular party had poured money.
But had this option being brought on EVM's, I am sure, no party would have dared perform circus at the height of elections, fearing public outrage.
Before leaving here, an important point to ponder upon. What can we say about a party whose election manifesto comprises of legalising slums? I am not against slum dwellers, but this doesnt fit in a method to combat poverty. This is just pleasing vote bank...
But the question to ponder upon amidst all this is that whether there really is any candidate who deserves to be followed on one word? For me the answer seems to be no.
For now I have no choice but to follow the party that I have worshipped for years. Whether they have a good candidate or not is besides point. I guess, this is not just me, but a dilemma for a very huge percentage of citizens of India.
And now I would like to investigate in to the proposal put forward by the election commission to the government, to add an option "none of the above" on the voting machine. As we all know the ruling party and the opposition replied in unison, "no".
The reason behind this rejection is well known to the common man of India, no matter what excuse this politicians feed!! It's plain, they donot have many deserving candidates to place all around India/State. And introducing this option would lead to their candidate being disqualified, the candidate on which that particular party had poured money.
But had this option being brought on EVM's, I am sure, no party would have dared perform circus at the height of elections, fearing public outrage.
Before leaving here, an important point to ponder upon. What can we say about a party whose election manifesto comprises of legalising slums? I am not against slum dwellers, but this doesnt fit in a method to combat poverty. This is just pleasing vote bank...
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Formula for 1 and all.....Formula 1 for all
Force India has garnered its maiden points in its second season in the last grand prix by placing their driver on podium and did it again in monza after sutil finished in top 5 proving that there is enough competition left in formula 1. Me?? Am not supporting Force India due to my nationality. The events/results of this years GP have a great bearing towards where formula 1 is heading.
Take the case of Force India gathering points from podium. Its truly endorses the stand of FIA that formula can be ran on a tight budget, and yet be competitive enough. Cars run above 300 km/hr in a race. Does that mean that there cant be an exciting competition at 250 km/hr?
In their quest to achive maximum speed formula one teams lost directions. Just up till recently, we had cars running with traction control and launch control systems...!! Come on guys, we know that this technologies exist and are being used in commercial cars for improved safety. But in a F1 car to assist a driver, just so that he can run the car at a higher speed without worrying about skidding?? Imagine a driver who just floors the acclerator at the green light without having to think about a spinning wheel!! Now wheres the driving ability in that? I still remember those races where in older drivers like barrichello chose to switch off launch control just to get the complete control over how he starts the race, instead of a computer carrying the job for him. Had the development in that direction not been stopped by FIA , drivers would have just become puppets inside the car, with computers handling even the gear upshift!!!
Lets talk about ethics. Great teams like mclaren had got itself entangled in the spygate. The pressure to generate revenues for their investors have forced many into unethical ways. Stealing data from a winning team is not very competitive. Neither is favouratism. Many a times have seen ferrari favouring micheal schumacher and skillfully forcing barrichello to back out. It was heartbreaking to see when it happened to barrichello in front of his home crowd.
Safety!! Formula 1 is considered as safest with high level of research and development in that direction..Well , rubbish that. Formula should be considered one of the most dangerous and life threatening sport. Atleast going by the standards followed now-a-days. Sheer pressure to perform has forced seasoned drivers in to mistakes, resulting in injuries and loss of life. Let me be frank, I started enjoying formula 1 when i didnt even know what it was, but the number of dramatic accidents taking place on track kept me glued. And my interest in formula 1 increased to a point that i became fairly versed with its in's and out's. Though the number of accidents decreased, no foolproof safety measures can be implemented. In the promos for the singapore GP, videos from last years GP are aired. A driver running across the track cannot be termed as safe. Also you cant say that its safe for drivers to just tear apart a fuel hose and take half its length dragging all along the pit lane. It could have resulted in major fire.
Analyse crash gate. A driver accused a team manager of giving him order to crash at a certain point on track so as to give advantage to his team mate. Forget the validity of this accusation or the ethical outlook if they are true. Hey formula one people!! This is very dangerous game plan not only for that particular driver but also for other drivers, track marshalls, spectators and formula one as a whole.
All in all formula one needs a radical change where in its not controlled by handful of majors but by all the participating interests. Take the case of Brawn GP. They got their funding just in the week of their first race and they have shown that they are winning material. Same with Redbull Racing. Same with Force India. These teams were 'who are they?' of formula 1. But they changed the tide of the game. Current recession has crippled many teams and a tight budget can be beneficial for their survival and that of formula 1. Whats the point in having a race without the full starting grid? Its the battle of all the orders, the top, the middle and the bottom..
Take the case of Force India gathering points from podium. Its truly endorses the stand of FIA that formula can be ran on a tight budget, and yet be competitive enough. Cars run above 300 km/hr in a race. Does that mean that there cant be an exciting competition at 250 km/hr?
In their quest to achive maximum speed formula one teams lost directions. Just up till recently, we had cars running with traction control and launch control systems...!! Come on guys, we know that this technologies exist and are being used in commercial cars for improved safety. But in a F1 car to assist a driver, just so that he can run the car at a higher speed without worrying about skidding?? Imagine a driver who just floors the acclerator at the green light without having to think about a spinning wheel!! Now wheres the driving ability in that? I still remember those races where in older drivers like barrichello chose to switch off launch control just to get the complete control over how he starts the race, instead of a computer carrying the job for him. Had the development in that direction not been stopped by FIA , drivers would have just become puppets inside the car, with computers handling even the gear upshift!!!
Lets talk about ethics. Great teams like mclaren had got itself entangled in the spygate. The pressure to generate revenues for their investors have forced many into unethical ways. Stealing data from a winning team is not very competitive. Neither is favouratism. Many a times have seen ferrari favouring micheal schumacher and skillfully forcing barrichello to back out. It was heartbreaking to see when it happened to barrichello in front of his home crowd.
Safety!! Formula 1 is considered as safest with high level of research and development in that direction..Well , rubbish that. Formula should be considered one of the most dangerous and life threatening sport. Atleast going by the standards followed now-a-days. Sheer pressure to perform has forced seasoned drivers in to mistakes, resulting in injuries and loss of life. Let me be frank, I started enjoying formula 1 when i didnt even know what it was, but the number of dramatic accidents taking place on track kept me glued. And my interest in formula 1 increased to a point that i became fairly versed with its in's and out's. Though the number of accidents decreased, no foolproof safety measures can be implemented. In the promos for the singapore GP, videos from last years GP are aired. A driver running across the track cannot be termed as safe. Also you cant say that its safe for drivers to just tear apart a fuel hose and take half its length dragging all along the pit lane. It could have resulted in major fire.
Analyse crash gate. A driver accused a team manager of giving him order to crash at a certain point on track so as to give advantage to his team mate. Forget the validity of this accusation or the ethical outlook if they are true. Hey formula one people!! This is very dangerous game plan not only for that particular driver but also for other drivers, track marshalls, spectators and formula one as a whole.
All in all formula one needs a radical change where in its not controlled by handful of majors but by all the participating interests. Take the case of Brawn GP. They got their funding just in the week of their first race and they have shown that they are winning material. Same with Redbull Racing. Same with Force India. These teams were 'who are they?' of formula 1. But they changed the tide of the game. Current recession has crippled many teams and a tight budget can be beneficial for their survival and that of formula 1. Whats the point in having a race without the full starting grid? Its the battle of all the orders, the top, the middle and the bottom..
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