Politics above the Nation?

I don't usually blog on the political happenings - although I have my views on such things - whether or not I know the subject completely :) But the headline today on The NYTimes ticked me off.

The US House Speaker's invitation to the Israeli Prime Minister, to address Congress next month - without the express permission from the POTUS (President of the...), let alone the State Department - leaves a bad taste in the mouth of any sane, right...er...correct thinking democratic person. How can someone invite a foreign personality, without proper permission - when the two nations are at unease, diplomatically?! That too - when that someone is lower down the chain of command...

I see only politics at play here at the cost of demeaning the position of the POTUS - and there by the position of the nation. With the general elections round the corner (2012) and the 'minority vote' at stake - this is a cheap trick by the Speaker. Someone cut the Speaker's tail please....

Swasti!!

Too long...

Chandra has a natural affinity to academics. He loves reading, writing, math etc. Datta is quite the opposite. He complains 'but it takes tooo long' for everything. Today, he's supposed to write 5 letters (QRSTU) in his Pre-K workbook. After an hour - of which 50+ minutes was spent playing around, 6 minutes spent whining and 4 minutes writing - I checked into his work - and he finished writing only two letters.

I asked him to write 'S' as well - but he said he will write two today and two tomorrow. I asked him to write S and T today, so he can write two more tomorrow. And he gave his favorite answer - 'but naannaa... it takes toooo long'.

I said to Usha: 'If we tell him that he has to study in school/college for 18 years, he probably won't even get started with school. Shall I tell him?!" We both had a hearty laugh...and I have to see how I can make enjoy writing. hmm.... writing...and enjoy... tough proposition for Datta for sure :)

Swasti!!

'Manners are not for following'

This past Friday I had an interesting conversation with Datta - my soon-to-be 4-year old son.

Me: No computer for you today, as you were not listening. (The kids watch playhouse disney episodes on the internet)

Datta: Please naanna (dad). Can I watch Handy Manny?

Me: I said no computer on weekdays. Also, you are not listening to us. No good manners, no computer.

Datta: But I said Please... that's a good manner?!

Me: Yes, but you have to listen to mom and me as well - and follow what we say. You can't do as you please for everything.

Datta: But naanna ... good manners are only for saying. Not for listening and following....

Me: What do you mean? What are good manners?

Datta: Please, Thank You and Sorry... these are all good manners. Not listening and following....

hmm... Barney and Mickey episodes on manners have greater influence on him ...what can I say, but to burst out in laughter at his innocence and unintended humor?!

Swasti!!

Lessons learned from Mumbai attacks?

The first anniversary of the tragic Mumbai attacks is already upon us - but there's no progress in the investigation (huh?!) nor could we hold Pakistan accountable and get them to act. How much did we expect and hope our politicians would act tough and get the real culprits to pay?! Alas! It's just a distant wish and our political bandits lack the will, and it's proved once again.

Are our cities any safer than they were in Nov '08? Are there any new security measures in place to check the visitors coming in by air, land and water ways? Have the laws of the land been updated or the existing laws being enforced any better? Have there been significant improvements in how the intelligence is gathered and shared amongst the various security agencies?

Sadly, the answers are all negative - even after such a tragic incident in which just a handful of rogue militants made a mockery of our system and played with the lives of hundreds, and more so - with the sentiments and emotions of crores.

The political class in the country proves they haven't let us down to the deepest depths yet, with each passing tragedy. Every time we feel it can't get any worse, and it can only get better from here on - our 'leaders' prove otherwise.

Hope things change for the better soon and we can see some positive developments that gives us hope for a better and secure future.

Swasti!!

R I P Y S R

Setting aside political and ideological differences, my heart goes out to the sudden and tragic demise of the Chief Minister of A.P. - Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy. Here is another avoidable tragedy that could have been easily averted, if only politics is simplified and power is decentralized in India; and political leaders are not looked upon as demi gods beyond questioning. My heart also goes out to the pilot, co-pilot, Chief Security Officer and YSR's Secretary (IAS officer) who went with Dr. YSR.

I can't help but think at this juncture that had the various govt. departments been allowed to work independently, with authority, the meteorologists/security personnel/pilots could/would have forewarned and refused to fly the chopper taking into consideration the grave weather conditions. But given the power structure in India, nobody can dare dictate what a CM can or cannot do, despite clear evidence/facts available otherwise.

In any case, that argument aside - it pains me deeply at the circumstances in which Dr. YSR met his end - untraced, unattended and un-covered - in that hostile weather in the open for more than 24 hours. For someone who transformed himself into a people's person over the course of the past 6-7 years, leaving his radical/violent past behind, he deserved a lot better. However, destiny is so powerful and its ways so mysterious, one cannot fathom any rhyme or reason.

Despite the political differences, I appreciate some of his good qualities - thinking big, dynamic leadership, going after what he thought is right - being a few.

May his soul rest in peace. May the others' souls rest in peace. May their families find strength in God in this hour of sorrow.

Swasti!!

If only Khomeini intervened

What a selfish, timid and weak leader Khomeini is! ha?! If only he were a true and strong leader, and acted as such, we wouldn't have so much unrest world over now. Look at this -

If only Khomeini intervened back in 2000 November and issued stern warnings of oil sanctions, we wouldn't have had a buffoon rule the US for 8 years.

If only Khomeini intervened then, we wouldn't have had 9/11 and the world would have been a far better place to live in today.

If only Khomeini intervened then, we would probably have seen a lady President by now, with a Black VP.

If only Khomeini intervened then, we wouldn't have seen the US automakers go under.

If only Khomeini intervened then, I could still arrive at the airport just 15 minutes before the departure time and still board the flight.

If only Khomeini intervened then, .......

Oh! The possibilities are endless. Suffice to say, 'World Peace' couldn't be used as a lofty goal any more! :)

But that's not to be! May be in another generation!

Swasti!!

My election experience

I called the Khairatabad Constituency voters (in Jubilee Hills area) in Hyderabad (first phase). It has been a wonderful experience for me personally and made a convert out of me, from being a long-time TDP supporter. I almost felt like I was canvassing door-to-door in the constituency, meeting various folks, listening to some of their issues, their struggles, their appreciation for JP garu, their frustrations, so on and on. I also had the opportunity to talk to some veterans who saw many a party come with a lot of promise only to fool them time and again by working for their own personal gains and greed. At the end of the conversation with some of them, I was made to believe I have them convinced to give Loksatta a chance. Then there were some more who didn't hide their affinity to the traditional parties, and said they appreciate JP's work but they have their candidate finalized already.

I must say the most intriguing analysis of the situation in villages was provided by someone I talked to, who summed up thus: It's very difficult for Loksatta to gain a mass following in our villages. In most of our villages, there are predominantly two groups that fight with each other. Political parties support one or the other group to further their objectives. People have to belong to either of those groups for their survival. Getting associated with Loksatta in such villages doesn't help them - as the details of ground reality are much harsher than the ideology we paint in broadstrokes.

In this context, I must also add the following. Although calling the voters and talking them towards LSP was a good feeling, the greatest satisfaction for me came from talking to some of the contesting LSP candidates themselves. I am completely overtaken with emotions listening to their account of the sorry state of affairs for the common man, especially farmers and their plight; the selfless service they rendered for many years before and since their association with Loksatta. It showed me firsthand what a bunch of humble, good minded, passionate and dedicated candidates LSP has in the fray.

If one of the candidates felt ashamed at his inability to see more success in driving people away from money and liquor enticements thrown by other parties, after many years of service and hard work in that direction - we can understand the humility of these candidates. However, the good thing is they see these elections as just another step in their effort to bring about a change, rather than the only means to effect it. They are all determined to move on with their efforts and each one of them serve as a guiding light for me, in my own conduct henceforth.

Swasti!!

Self imposed silence

Not that I am an avid blogger, blogging each and every thought every other hour here. But I imposed blogging silence upon myself for the past 20 days as I decided not to blog about the elections in A.P. given the sorry state politics are in, these days. Anyway, now that the polling's done there - I come out of my silence.

However, I am proud and glad to state that I associated myself with Loksatta Party and did my bit of volunteering by calling up some voters to urge their support for the lcoal LSP candidate. I also 'interviewed' 6 LSP candidates to prepare their profiles to be uploaded to the LSP website. I must say I am inspired by the stories they shared, of their lives, their electorate and what they face day in and day out. I'll see if I can summarize my findings, thoughts and feelings here sometime soon.

Swasti!!

My favorite moment of the Inauguration

I have been wondering what Barack would call himself during the Oath ceremony. The announcer earlier introduced him as Barack H. Obama. But when the time came to be sworn in as the 44th POTUS, he boldly, rightly and confidently called himself Barack 'Hussein' Obama without trying to omit, hide or ignore his origins.

It showed his great strength of character. It showed his unwavering integrity to what's real - the fact. It showed his belief in looking to the future while standing his ground. It showed great hope for the peoples of the world to be ones own self and strive for excellence. He glowed all through his campaign and this definitely is a very defining moment. I am impressed.

Looking forward to a great Presidency and wonderful times...
Swasti !!

Different story line please...

Going by the seemingly orchestrated surrender of Satyam founder Raju, and the Govt/Police tactics in helping him skip the SEBI interrogation on Saturday, methinks - by Monday or thereabouts Mr. Raju and his brother will suffer some severe health problems (chest pain/heart attack being the top of the line item in these circumstances) that necessitate their corporate-hospitalization. Whenever SEBI officials approach for interrogation, the patients will be unconscious due to sedation etc. etc. You get the plot...

Haven't we seen this plot being played out in umpteen high profile cases already? I would like to see a different, 'just' plot played out this time around... but as long as the 'producers' and the 'directors' are the same, we can't expect a different kind of movie - come which ever actor plays the lead role :(

Some spice to fill the headlines when the media is getting worried about a bland January...

Looking forward to Obama's inauguration...

Swasti!!

Corruption - the common language

More and more cases of political corruption are seeing the light of the day in US recently. It was the NJ Governor 4 years ago (my first home state in US); the NY Governor earlier this year (my current home state); and then it's the Illinois Governor's turn today. Thank God I didn't live in Illinois - otherwise I would have felt miserable.

Add the scores of senators, members of the Congress and State Assemblies and others in public offices all across the country - and the list really grows big. Well one would say - the India CP (Corrupt Politicians) list would still dwarf the US CP list. That might be true. But still, for a country that's ranked in the top 20 non-corrupt nations - it's still a huge embarassment. For India, the length of the list is in line with its ranking (#89).

It is despicable what Rod B. tried to do - selling Obama's senate seat. It looks like two ends of the extreme - with Obama winning on the reform plank. It only goes to show that politicians across the globe speak the same language.

Don't Forget: Dec 18th is India's National Non-Corruption Day. Your part is simple: Don't give-in; Don't give-out; Don't even think about it - And keep reliving these thoughts every day thereafter. Please pass the word around.

Swasti !!

Hope and Reality

With Megastar Chiranjeevi making his entry into Andhra Pradesh Politics and forming his party setup, as with any new entrant, I look forward with hope and pray the reality that set in, in the past, doesn't repeat.

I hope Chiru:

1) brings in the much needed change in the AP politics
2) does not resort to cheap tactics of mud slinging at the opponents
3) comes with a clear and succinct agenda
4) proposes good ideas for development and welfare
5) backs them up with good plans of action
6) builds a grass roots level movement to combat the primary evils in our society - corruption, extremism and economic imbalance (poverty)
7) brings in fresh blood into the polity rather than harboring the so called 'leaders' with corrupt and criminal background
8) joins hands with the idealistic parties like Lok Satta and work for improving the politics
9) studies the issues plaguing our society and talks about them and his ideas from his heart
10) breathes and becomes the change we want to see for a Better AP

So far, the reality has been anything but reflecting my hope. Agreed, he is a novice and needs the support of the veterans who can steer him against the dirty dozens in the opposing camps. Our society needs a fresh start - fresh minds, fresh thinking - from the roots. Not from the top.

As Einstein once famously said: No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.

If Chiru is trying to bring about the change by surrounding himself with the same people who were part of the problem in the first place, he is already dousing my hopes.

However, Hope is Eternal and I continue to hope for better - until proven otherwise completely.

Swasti !!

Obama all the way

I am amused at the way Obama is bringing all opposing voices into his camp by making them part of his administration. Either he wants to please every one or doesn't like voices of dissent.

Today's appointment of Hillary, his Primary opponent, as Secretary of State is a master stroke - I must say - in many respects.

1) She cannot grow into an alternative power center in the Democratic Party
2) She cannot voice her dissent any more on anything of importance, done by the administration - being a part of it.
3) If she performs great - most, if not all, of the credit goes to O - for hiring her as the Secy. of State.
4) If she doesn't perform well - he can ease her out and can't be blamed for trusting such a strong lady with the plum post. The fault is all hers.
5) What more - she doesn't stand a chance of challenging him, if she wants to, for the 2012 election - whatever his administration's performance is. 2016 and beyond will effectively be beyond her anyway.
6) This particular position was occupied by at least two other ladies in the recent past - Madeline Albright and Condy Rice - so nothing special for Hillary.
7) She can't even pay off her campaign debt, as she can't raise any more funds being a part of the administration - and not seeking re-election. It has to wait longer.

If Obama and his inner circle of advisers are so shrewd and smart - I hope they are as smart in governing. Let's hope for the best - and look forward to Jan 20th. I also wish Hillary all the best for bringing about the change in the world's perception of USA; and effectively managing the 'challenging' states.

Swasti !!