Sunday 27 October 2013

Blasts, Congress and Digvijay Singh

We do not take seriously what Digvijay Singh has to say; No one does. But when his words on recent blasts seem like an echo of what some other Congress leaders said after a previous blast, disgust erupts. 

On blast outside BJP office in Bangalore on  17th April 2013, which left 16 people injured, including 11 policemen, Shakeel Ahmad had this to say : twitter link

On ABP News debate on the same subject, Roshan Baig raised his suspicion saying "is this just a coincidence? when elections are so close and BJP is losing its credibility day-by-day, ye patakha phoot'ta hae. daal mein kuchh kaala hae".

One right away weighs Political advantages and disadvantages of the blasts while the other not only blames it on the other party but even trevialises the issue! No one seemed to care for the injured. Just a day back, Boston too had faced a tragedy but the reactions were totally different. Our anger and disgust for these filthy Politicians came out on our blog - Blasts : Boston and Bangalore

Today, on 7 blasts in Patna which claimed 5 lives just before Narendra Modi's Hunkar Rally, Digvijay Singh spewed similar disgusting remarks! The conspiracy theorist had nothing to say about the 5 innocent individuals who lost their lives, no words to comfort their loved ones but is ready with a challenge for Nitish Kumar and his Government, hinting BJP's involvement! He shamelessly weighs how this tragedy presents itself as a "Perfect setting for Modi's Launch".

Whenever the blasts point out at Jehadi outfits, we repeatedly hear dialogues like "Terrorism has no religion"; but for such blasts, the same people don't waste time before pointing fingers.

its futile to expect any better from Digvijay Singh, but when the same behavior gets repeated again and again, It becomes difficult not to react. 



Monday 7 October 2013

can we not be totally spineless?


Once again, America captures one of the World's most wanted Al-Qaida suspect who was hiding in Libya, in a raid - Abu Anas Al-Libi. The al Qaeda leader captured by US special forces in Libya has been wanted by the United States for more than 15 years for his alleged links to the twin 1998 US embassy bombings in East Africa. The operation was one of two raids carried out over the weekend, in Libya and Somalia. While Libya asks for clarifications, US Secretary of State John Kerry responds saying that the raids his country conducted would send the message that terrorists can run but they can't hide

on May 2nd, 2011 Osama Bin Laden was killed in a similar raid by the US special forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan. 

Meanwhile...

I do not expect nor desire for the Indian Government to take such harsh measures as the US and Israel, but none the less, can we not be totally spineless? I know expecting the current Govt to take a military action will be too much, but why cant India's PM show some respect for the Martyred Soldiers and Nation (not asking to show self respect, He can't, for he doesn't have any.) and refrain from holding talks with Pak for a while? 

Saturday 5 October 2013

Measuring People's IQ with Toilets and Temples


  1. "That Senile old Man finally Kicked the Bucket."
  2. "That aged gentleman passed away." 
IFF (If and only if) you can understand the difference between these two sentences, go ahead and read the article, else this article will be a waste of your time.

Recently, while speaking to the youth in New Delhi, Narendra Modi expressed his views on sanitation as : "Pehle Shauchalaya, Phir Devalaya."
which literally translates into - "Toilet first, Temples later."
now this could have following meanings - 

  1. Toilets should be built in front of Temples.
  2. you should 1st go to toilets, and then visit a temple.
  3. 1st build toilets, Temples later.

The News channels, that sit with a microscope waiting for a chance to stir a controversy for the sake of TRPs, isolated the statement form the context and did what they do the best. 
Yet It surprises me, the 1st two interpretations of Modi's statement weren't used!

almost a year back, the Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh had made a statement that sounds similar and stirred a controversy. Here is the complete statement:
"ab tak yaatraein Vinash ke liye hui hein, ye yatra asli vikas ke liye hae. ye yatra ek sakaratmak aur rachnatmak kam ke liye hae..ye yatra wo cheez banane ke liye hae, jo main samajhta hoon, Mandir se bhi pavitra hae, aur wo hae Shauchalaya.
Anyone who has even a little knowledge of Hindi language would translate the words "Mandir se bhi pavitra hae" to "(Toilets are) holier/purer than Temples".
Though the intentions were right, the choice of words were derogatory. 
yet, (no surprise) the News headlines were: 

  • country needs toilets more than Temples. 
  • Toilets need to be given more Priority. 
Media had Absolved Jairam Ramesh of his folly. The same media only showed Modi's isolated statement again and again on TV, editing the rest of the matter. 
Here is a video link of the complete speech : Narendra Modi Full Statement on "Pehle Sochalay, Fir Devalay" - where he clearly mentions that if you have funds, you should build Toilets, before building temples. 

saying "Toilets are holier than Temples" is totally different than "you should build toilets before building Temples." While the former is Derogatory, The latter expresses concern for sanitation. 

A similar campaign was launched with RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement about "India and Bharat" statement, for which the News channels had to apologise later. 

If you still don't see the difference, please again read the warning at the top of this article.

Wednesday 2 October 2013

remembering the Prime Minister who died Poor

 People who forget their Heroes are bound to be ruled by Villains. 
While the Politicians, News channels and common junta sing songs about Gandhi; On his Birth Anniversary, I recall three stories about Lal Bahadur Shastri - the 2nd Prime Minister of India, that made me his ardent admirer. 

1.Life and Death, in Poverty:
During Quit India Movement, Lal Bahadur Shastri, was released from jail on parole, as his Daughter was seriously ill. Shastri ji, who had no savings, couldn't save his Daughter; the drugs prescribed by the doctor were too costly. Even after all the years being in cabinet and serving as Prime Minister of India, when Shastri ji passed away, all he owned was an old car, which he had bought in installments from Govt. and for which he still owed money!

2.The 1965 War with Pakistan:
In just a year after being appointed as the Prime Minister of India in 1964, Pakistani Army skirmished with Indian forcen in August 1965, Laying claim to half the Kutch Peninsula. In his report to Lok Sabha on the matter he said :
"In the utilization of our limited resources, we have always given primacy to plans and projects for economic development. It would, therefore, be obvious for anyone who is prepared to look at things objectively that India can have no possible interest in provoking border incidents or in building up an atmosphere of strife... In these circumstances, the duty of Government is quite clear and this duty will be discharged fully and effectively... We would prefer to live in poverty for as long as necessary but we shall not allow our freedom to be subverted."
Under scheme proposed by British Prime Minister in june 1965, Pakistan obtained 10% of its original claim of 50% of the territory. 


Shastri ji on top of a captured Patton Tank.
Pakistan, now diverting attention to Kashmir, attacked in September, the same year and war broke out. Shatri ji displayed a knack for taking quick and decisive actions during the war. He swiftly took the advice of his commanders and ordered a strike across the Punjab border. (This was in stark contrast to Nehru who in a similar situation in 1962, had refused to call in the air force to relieve the pressure on the ground troops.) Result - Indian Army inflicted a crushing defeat on Pakistan! after the UN's mandated cease-fire, on 23rd September 1965 in a broadcast to the Nation, Shatri ji Stated :
"While the conflict between the armed forces of the two countries has come to an end, the more important thing for the United Nations and all those who stand for peace is to bring to an end the deeper conflict.... How can this be brought about? In our view, the only answer lies in peaceful coexistence. India has stood for the principle of coexistence and championed it all over the world. Peaceful coexistence is possible among nations no matter how deep the differences between them, how far apart they are in their political and economic systems, no matter how intense the issues that divide them." 
3.China playing monkey in the conflict of two cats: 
On 17 September 1965, while the Indo-Pak war was on, India received a letter from China alleging that the Indian army had set up army equipment in Chinese territory, and India would face China's wrath, unless the equipment was pulled down. In spite of the threat of aggression from China, Shastri ji declared: 
"China's allegation is untrue. If China attacks India it is our firm resolve to fight for our freedom. The might of China will not deter us from defending our territorial integrity.
The Chinese did not dare to respond back.

These were just 3 incidents among the many achievements of the Politician who made no money and died leaving no great wealth behind for his family; one that within his small tenure as the 2nd Prime Minister of India, made huge contributions and who with his short physical stature achieved great feats. 

We remember you Lal Bahadur Shastri with Pride that we were fortunate to have you as our Prime Minister once...and yet with sad hearts that ...
tho you were the 2nd Prime Minister of India, 
India never got a Second Lal Bahadur Shastri.
On your Birth Anniversary, I pay you my humble respects.