Modi v/s Manmohan

The word 'Manmohan' should be added to the Oxford dictionary and the meaning for it should be given as - Indecisive, Incompetent, Weak and now Shameless. What benefit does a so-called 'liberal' and 'secular' PM when he can't guarantee the safety of common citizens. I rather have a 'communal' Modi who atleast takes the decisions and inspires some confidence.

Secular state at what cost?

Nehru and Gandhi might have seen a dream, which was ideal but maybe not practical. The events happening now clear show that Jinnah's two-nation theory was more apt that Gandhi's secular dream. It's time, India decides if it wants to be a secular soft state or be a Hindu state with respect and rights for minorities. That might atleast stop the vote bank politics and allow the state to act with iron fist on whoever hurts nation's citizens, the criminal be majority or minority. The secular soft state has now become like a soft couch with needles inside it. It looks great from outside but is extremely tough to sleep on it comfortably. US and UK have shown that a nation can be liberal and secular even without announcing itself as a secular state.

Mumbaikar?

Writing this as I sit in a bar waiting for the chaos to subside after the arrest and bail of Raj Thackera. Wondering what's this all about?

Are North Indians or non Marahis to blame for all Mumbai woes? Is Raj completely wrong? Haven't the latest lot of migrants added to the social woes of the city in terms of crime, cheating and daily corruption?

The answer is not all black or white. While Raj errs majorly when he says this city is for Marathis coz he does not take into consideration the contributions made by early Parsi, Gujarati, Marwari, Sindhi, Punjabi, South Indian and UP migrants. Mumbai would never have been an international city without these groups.

But when he talks about the latest wave, he surely deserves a patient ear, if he cares for one. While early migrants all brought positive energy to the city, the latest wave has brought with it a lot of negatives too. Rigged meters were a fairy tale in Mumbai few years ago except at Dadar Railway stations. But today 80% of meters in autos and cabs are rigged and common offenders are traced to UP or Bihar. This and much more is what irks common Mumbaikar, someone who might not be a Marathi.

So while it's perfectly alright to bash Raj for his narrow vision and hatred, it's time the migrant community of last few years mind their ways and become a part of the city like the early migrants.

And this post is incomplete without a toast to the inclusive Marathi character, which in first place allowed the city to become cosmopolitan.

The dance of democracy

Indian democracy once again showed that people on the streets think different than those who sit in AC rooms and want to change fortunes. The Gujarat poll results are like a slap on all those who don't tire of thinking and declaring that India should be thinking the way they do because otherwise they belong on an uncivil society. This is surely a loss of crediblity for all the 'Limousine Liberals' like Javed Akhtar, Teesta Setlavad, Achyut Yagnik etc. They need to have an unbiased stance and not be selective in their causes. Infact in one of the channels, Teesta lost her cool when said she has lost crediblity due to her silence on issues like Nandigram.

This also brings to notice one serious issue and that is in India, choices are Modi, Gandhi family and Prakash Karat, all with blood on their hands. If Modi was the Nero when Gujarat burnt, Congress was actively involved in killings of the Sikhs in 84 and Communists have been spilling blood in West Bengal and Kerela for decades now. So it always will remain the best of the worst race with choices differing from state to state and class to class

For now, one has to just step back and respect the judgement of the mass majority in Gujarat.

Merchants of death

No, am not talking about Sonia's statement and the aftermath and am neither talking about Modi as enough has been written about both. This is about mockery of dead bodies in Maharashtra.

Amravati in Maharashtra is one of the worst hit areas for farmer community. The place has seen more than 500 suicides by the farmers so far. The state government has been shying away from helping them out of their woes citing bad economic conditions of the state treassury. Even the cheques given by PM bounced due to lack of funds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But now the widows have a new gift from the government. They have a 400 crore International Airport. Can a mockery ever be more ruthless?

And the airport just because our President Pratibhu "who' Patil belongs to Amravati. So the parched lands of Amravati can watch airplanes fly by while their farmers hang themselves to death.

Has Dr. Prannoy Roy (NDTV) sold his soul?

Has Dr. Prannoy Roy sold his soul or are his red chaddis showing? As torchbearer of 'truth', NDTV has been at the forefront to expose, criticise and fight against any kind of injustice. Though there have been rampant accusations about NDTV being a mouthpiece of 10, Janpath at times and of Communists at times, no one ever questioned their search for information.

But their coverage (or non-coverage) of Nandigram exposes it all. While CNN IBN has been brave, honest and direct in its criticism of West Bengal Govt with both Sagarika Ghose and Diptosh Majumdar mincing no words asking Buddhadeb to resign, NDTV has been surprisingly silent or focussing on other 'non-issues'. Maybe any other state and we would have seen Burkha Dutt and likes out there on ground zero getting the scoops but then WB is not just any other state for them.

Makes one wonder if the pressures of running a media house has finally caught up with Dr. Prannoy Roy and he is finally showing how news media is dictated terms by money and political belief.

Any difference between Buddhadeb and Modi?

As Nandigram witnesses a wave of violence, murder, loot and brutal rape, one wonders if Left has lost the moral right to oppose Narendra Modi. Both Modi and Buddhadeb now stand accused of being involved in cleansing, one under the name of religion and another under political loyalties. They both have allowed their supporters to wreck havoc and kill at will. So, does the Left have any right anymore to talk about the Gujarat riots? Also noteworthy is the silence of the so-called Human Rights activists. Except Medha Patkar, no one (Shabana, Javed Akhtar, Teesta, Mahesh Bhatt etc) have even spoke a word. And that is because they belong to the same ideological group and derive their support from the Left.

The only difference one can see between Modi and Buddhadeb is that the media and social activists will remain silent to the misdeeds of Buddhadeb and his cohorts while they will not keep silent till Modi and his cohorts are brought to the book.

The racist Indian

Burn effigies when Greg Chappell shows his middle fingers to morons. Better still, make it a national tragedy when Shilpa Shetty is 'racially abused' but when it comes to you, go ahead and abuse anyone and everyone left, right and centre..

The treatment that Aussies got during their cricket tour was pathetic. Fans would say even Aussies sledge but then they forget that Aussies win 90% of the time. Remember Chak De when they said 'Pehle apni game uchi karo phir awaaz' (raise your game before you raise your voice at the opponents)

Symonds was subjected to some pathetic behaviour for his race. And no, this does not happen anywhere else but in the city of tolerance, Mumbai. Many would defend it because Indians have been subjected to it for years. But then the moment we indulge in racism or defend it, we have lost the moral right to speak over it.

So, next time, someone apes our cricketers as Curry Eating Ass Wipers, we don't have a right to object because we are just reaping what we have sowed.

And this is not just in sports but in all forms of life, India is possibly one of the few countries where the 'N' word is still spoken and did I read somewhere than we are children of Gandhi? My whatever....

Everyone with oriental look is a 'Chinky' (including Indians from the northeast) and we are fine commenting on their eating habits, talking habits and likes..

Domestic racism is a totally different story and is a huge menace anyways.. remember ghati, bhaiya, lungi, gaanda bhai and words?

We may not like it but the sad fact is India and Indians take the lead as the accused in art of racism. And to fight it will take a lot of cleansing to do internally.

Narendra Modi - development messiah or blood sucking villian?

Was watching Narendra Modi's interview on a TV channel and coud not help but think on who the real Modi is.

One one hand he is accused of 2002 riots and the minority bashing. He was described a modern Nero by Supreme Court. In a sense, he has blood on his hands.

One another hand, one can ask, which politician does not have blood on his hands? Rajiv Gandhi has Sikh blood on his hands and similarly others too. So where does it seperate them from Modi? Modi backers point out that he is undoubtedly the most efficient CM India has seen for a while. No one can question or debate that his government has been the most efficient and non-corrupt on all fronts except the social front.

People are divided and will continue to be divided depending on which side of social divide are they on. The debate will continue and till the time debate continues, Modi will grow in strength. Only history will say who the real Modi is.

Late Night Mumbai

After a long long time, did the Wine-Party-Andaa Bhurji routine. And repeated to my friend what I tell in other cities. If you wanna see life moving at any hour, come to Mumbai. Its the only CITY in India.

After an evening plan which went awry, visited a friends Art Store in Versova, the lovely Tribal Route. Bonded over some wine and met a couple of old friends. Decided to croak oops Karaoke after that and headed to Merlins. After hours of 90% Bollywood and hardly 3-4 classics, left hungry as hell and drunk as always.

Wanted to go to the classic bheja and kaleji with pao and pulav place at Andheri W but then realised I am a vegetarian till 31st Oct. Laxmi Punjab too was closed by cops at 3 am. So found a Pav Bhaji and Pulav place on Andheri East. Ate to the stomach and tongue's delight. Went home and crashed by 4 am

The whole evening, one thing was evident, everyone was alive. There is never a dull moment in this city. For that you got Bangalores and Chennais of the world.

Was the T20 cup fixed?

Bring on the bricks but I can bet my life that the cup was fixed by the highest authorities of the game.

What makes me think so? Well, the way the cup went on and ended. Close matches but rarely any earth shattering upsets. Right from the 1st match till the last.

What do the authorities gain? Well, simple!! The game was losing its sheen in India and Pakistan, the countries with largest cricket fans. The fallout of the WC debacle was reducing fan following in these two countries resulting in loss on sponsorship and revenues for the game. So, how to get that back. Simple, just 'rehabillitate' India and Pakistan cricket and the idiots will flock again to the stadiums and make heroes out of the mortals. So the dual mission of promoting T20 and getting the revenue back in game is accomplished, Indian cricketers are heroes again and Sharad Pawar is laughing all the way.

Angry on reading this? Think I am traitor or someone who just whines? Then just wait a moment, take a deep breath and think again on what I have said above. You might find the answers

Magic or madness, it's just the spirit

Have been accussed many a times by friends out of Mumbai that I overdo my love for the Mumbai spirit but then everytime I see it grow, I am tempted to write about it.

Please show me a place in India where more than hundred thousand people assemble and wait from 2am in the morning for a procession.
Please show me a place where this mass celebrates the festival with a gutso, prays soulfully and then leave peacefully
Please show me a place where the rich and poor, able and disabled, those who travelled on a hand cart and those who reached in their swanky cars, all get together shoulder to shoulder for a celebration of life.

Yeah, that's Mumbai for me. No two hoots for your lineage or you social status. You are what you are at that moment. That's why, all seen early this morning were just devotees.

Left at 2 am for the Darshan of Lalbagh Cha Raja. Stood patiently for a few hours as the procession took long to reach. more than 4 hours to cover a kilometre. Huge garlands tied on oppsite buildings, nearly a lakh of devotees patiently waiting, people serving devotees water, cold drinks, snacks. The procession arrives and people break out in jubiliation. But no stamping, no pushing, no jostling, Madness but orderly madness. And when that passes, the crowd breaks up peacefully for their homes.. just some method in madness I call this.

So, Mumbai is still the Rockstar City of India not because of anything else but just because everyone here be it a hand cart puller or an industrialist, is a rock star in his / her attitude.

Phool for a fool

Extreme reactions on websites on Katunanidhi's remarks about Rama and Hinduism. One reader on a leading portal went as far as saying 'Wish there is another Tsunami in TN and then the entire Rama believing north belt should show their middle finger to Tamilians asking for relief'. The sentence hits you as here is a countryman wishing that his fellow countrymen face a disaster and then be shown the door. What has brought about this?

Many would say BJP's stand on Rama Sethu but there was nothing divisive about it, at the best it can be called hypocrisy. But the man who has divided the country is none other than my favourite court jester, Karunanidhi (TN seems to have some taste when it comes to politicians). Not that he has practised athiesm all his life. Remember seeing pictures of his family washing Sathya Sai Baba's feet or him doing a havan before the last assembly elections.

He should be sent a bunch of flowers everyday and told 'You are sick, get well soon'. He surely needs a visit to the asylum for his actions which will have far reaching consequences.

Running a startup - The first 3 months

Ah.. Hayagreeva Consulting just completed 3 months. Been a journey. Highs and lows one after another and so frequent they are like playing hide n seek every few hours.

Business generation has been not a problem though closing the paperwork on contracts has been a nightmare. Partners have really helped in getting us noticed. Just this morning, closed the paperwork on 2 deals. Now the third one to close. Pipeline looks good. Though it's been a nightmare convincing the prospects to put faith into a start-up.

Office space and infrastructure has not been much of a pressure because help has come from the family. Now looking for a bigger space as more people join in October.

Recruitment has been a total disappointment. Can't fathom the lack of ambition, ethics and professionalism in many of the software engineers. Taking an offer, then not joining without informing or not taking calls or using the offers to get other higher offers.... good for individual short term benefits but a let down on all other fronts. I find this behaviour worse than politicians and goons. But then, that's the way the industry works. Inspite of this, have found ahve good guys ready to put their future with a start-up and I surely won't let them down. Whoever is on board seems to enjoy the kind of work because this is where they getting to learn the best technology and work on complex projects.

Spent few sleepless nights in last 3 weeks due to the uncertainty over the project contracts. Now that it's sorted, I want to sleep well tonight to start what I call the next journey for Hayagreeva - The journey towards growth and delivery

Castro & Guevara

I was watching a show on Fidel Castro last night on the TV and how different people involved with him either love him or hate him. Just wondered who and what was the real Castro? A pathbreaking revolutionary? A stubborn idealist? A bloodsucking dictator?

Went back to my books about Castro and Guevara. They both led one of the biggest revolutions in the modern history. Then when they reached a stage where they could meet their goals, Guevara moved on to fuel other revolutions and tragically died in Bolivia later while Castro went on to rule Cuba for decades. Who was right and who was wrong in them? Had Castro too left the task of rebuilding Cuba to others, he might have been as big a hero like Guevara but then won't that be 'turning ones back'? Would they have then blamed him for not completing his work? Is he being hated by many just because he chose to stay on run his country his way in process making him a dictator. Similarily, was it not requried of Guevara to join in the contruction process too after the revolution because revolutions are not only about a regime change, they are about a change in sociol, political, economic thinking.

All said and done, one just can't wash away the impact these two have had on generations after them. The more I read about Guevara, the more I wish I was born in that era and in that place where he fired people's imaginations with his idealism.

Who is steering us?

Writing this piece under some stress and sadness. One of my person very very close to me is in hospital and critical. Was thinking about my discussions with a friend over the weekend in Bangalore, while sitting at the hospital over the night.

Is there something wrong with our generation or is it just that the winds of changes have blown so fast that we haven't been able to react to it? We might be having a relatively more prosperous and successful careers, access to finances and luxuries. But then more and more around us including me have failed miserably when it comes to personal life and relationships.

Are there any rules to engagement? While we are ready to take on the world for our careers, why are we still hesitant when it comes to breaking shackles of social norms? Why are people suffocaitng their own pleasures and happiness just because society looks down on them? Why do relationships need a name?

This and many more questions as I battle them daily.

Mumbai on the boil?

The blast verdict is out. The voices (rightly so) are heard for verdict on 92-93 blasts again. The Muslim organisations are taking out a huge protest march next week. Shiv Sena, the right wing political party has said in it's newpaper that this thing can increase communal passions. This is a kind of indirect warning. Waiting with bated breath for next week and just hoping that both the sides don't ignite communal passions for their narrow gains. Mumbai certainly cannot afford another divide.

Priya Dutt and D P Yadav - is there any difference?

One is an uneducated mafia turned MP who is using all powers and methods possible to keep his son away from the punishment for his involvement in criminal acts.

Another one is an educated MP representing a metro city like Mumbai and knows the power of media and political affiliations and uses that to get her brother out of the jail.

The question is both are abusing their powers and so how can Priya Dutt be presumed any better than D P Yadav?

Does life turn you on?

I was asked this on Monday. What turns me on the most and I said the sheer pleasure of being in the world turns me on. The highs of despair and the lows of happiness. Isn't it a turn on when life shows you the entire range of colours it has? Life surely is the best weed and I love to be high on it

World without passports and visas

Just as I was collecting my visa for Singapore trip, I was glancing through the newspaper which spoke about international terrorism. This might sound distorted to the 'nomral' ones - Terrorists don't use or need passports and visas to travel across the globe and create terror. Then why are the peace loving humanists required to carry this piece of paper?

God certainly did not stamp a visa on our ass when we were born. Then what gives a right to the establishment to decide what piece of paper I should carry. Why can't the world be without passports and visas? Why control the cultural exchange that comes when people meet each other freely.

I really want a world without passport and visa