Friday, September 28, 2007

Rahul-Gandhi- in the making……..

History repeats. Yet another high profile politician from the Nehru-Gandhi Family, is getting groomed for 7, Race Course Road. Just like his father , and before that his uncle, Rahul Gandhi has finally joined the official High Command of Indian National Congress. Being the General Secretary of INC is not an easy task,[just think of Kodikunnil Suresh who had to work almost 30 years in the party, and had to contest 5 [ or 6?] Loksabha elections before reaching the elite post], unless you are not born in the Royal Family of India, the Gandhis. I don’t know if people will mistake this as the family of Gandhiji, the poor influence less Father of the Nation.

And this is the first and foremost reason I hate the group of people who calls themselves a political party called INC. This lack of the backbone. Lack of self confidence and belief. The default or self-grown presence of subordination and slavery. Democracy, in its most brief description, pushes out the idea of dynasty rule or leadership-in –blood ideology. This powerful weapon of self governance took birth as a replacement for the empires and kingdoms of the society. It stands for the concept of equality, where anyone can rule and anyone can be ruled over. But even after 60 years of independence from the United Kingdom, the leaders and members of INC [ No: of leaders > No: of members!] still believe that their leader should come from one particular dynasty, from one single bloodline. And who ever thought different was kicked out of it asap.

Statistics might prove that each time with a Gandhi on top, INC performed well in elections . And this is the reason for that phenomenon also. The leaders of the party are not ready to agree each other and everyone is happy to have a Gandhi on top of them than a Pawar or Mukherjee. The cadre of the party also show a similar kind of mindset and they wholeheartedly work for the party, only when a Gandhi lead them. I was lucky enough to visit the National Defence Academy, Pune , way back in 2002 and they have a big encryption on the gate “CRADLE OF MILITARY LEADERSHIP”. I think it is high time we fix a similar board “CRADLE OF CONGRESS LEADERSHIP” somewhere in New Delhi.

I just remember a scene from the hit Malayalam film “Pathram”[NewsPaper]. A dialogue by Shekharan[ Actor:Murali] to a character name Kodikunnil Surendran, a congress leader.

Shekharan: “ Aniyaa, ithingane irumbuvala pole puthachondu nadanna pora[ khadhar shirt].. kuranjathu ithinu mukunna kanjipashayude enkilum bhalam ulla oru nattellu koodi venam ithinakathu.. enkile nannavoo ninte oke ee prasthanam”

Those who want a translation can contact me!

PS: Media is waiting for the corporate electoral campaigns and historic statements from the new Gen Secretary. Even though he couldn’t effect the UP election results much, he was a real treat for them!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Ramzan[ or Ramadan]- The Holy Month

Muslim fraternity all over the world are going through the holy month of Ramzan . They fast for the full day, infact almost 14 hours, during which they don’t swallow anything. I have seen people who used to spit all the time and said they were avoiding swallowing the salive. I don’t know if that is an exteme step, but I have personally seen how keen they are to maintain their fast and follow the rituals. I owe Hussain a lot for many things, and this is info one of them. He is a true muslim, from my point of view.

It was during the Ramzan month of 2003, that I joined him for fasting. We were staying in MES hostel near our college, and there were many guys there, who were on fast. They used go out to have food in a nearby shop which we used to call “Pootty Chettan’s Kada”. [ ‘oo’ as in door or floor, Potty is a non veg dish]. I started accompanying them daily, and then I got the idea of taking fast for a day, just to feel how it is. And then that became a habit. And I started going with them for the morning ‘athaazham’ too.

In the next two years, we were in college hostel, and we had a separate Ramzan Mess in hostel. And I too was a member of that. I too became a part of my muslim brothers and I really enjoyed those days. We used to have Rice and Fish in the morning. And we got Lime juice, Fruits, Chapathi /Porotta /Appam /Puttu with a non veg curry in the evening.Me too tried to getup who ever was fast asleep at 4 am to have the athaazham, and on the common Ifthar Party that we arrange for the whole inmates of hostel, I too participated as part of the organizing committee!

This year, as I am on a late night shift, I am having a routine similar to my Ramzan days of my college. I take breakfast at around 3.30 AM and dinner around 9.30 and mostly don’t eat much in between. Maybe a tea or two.

But then, me too will be waiting for the Lailatul-Qadr and the Shawwal , just like I did a few years back!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Virginity is Dignity! Not a matter of speculation....

Malayala Manorama is having the largest number of daily circulation, among all regional newspapers of India. In a country with 28 states and many many newspapers for each state, it is a commendable achievement for a Malayalam daily to lead the group since the population of Kerala does not constitute even 5% of the total population of India. But it also should be mentoned that the high literacy rate of the state is a reason for this. Also, Mallus , in general, are very partcular to keep themselves updated about the day to day incidents on this planet. [ But majoirty of them never care to respond to any of them, Irony!]

The Week, an english fortnightly from the MM group, had been in the market for quite a while and has got the reputation of a good mag, though not the best of its kind.But the latest edition of the The Week has crossed all limits of investigative journalism , or whatever crap they call for these kinda stinking/sting operations and surveys. The million dollar discovery they have made is going to shake the entire morale infrastructure of the country...." 34% of the teenagers of our country are not virgins any more!!!!"... Don't faint: " Another 10+ % have stated that they wont be virgins when they marry!!!!" Isn't that shocking??

The political scenerio of the country is at a crucial point these days. Terms like 'Hyde Act' and '123 agreement' are filling the headlines in a regular basis. People in Indraprastha have already started thinking about a probable mid-term election to the Lower House. But whats the point in having a stable government, atomic policy and healthy international pacts, if the Teenage population don't maintain their Chastity!

Media have always tried to exploit the soft sentiments of the audience with pieces of news, which appear non-dangerous in first sight , but malicious in the essence. They have spoilt the lifes of innocent souls, many of them being helpless rape victims or having a history similar to that, with colourful, steaming articles and live coverages. And the shameless society, of which I am also a part, have enjoyed them with a satisfaction that we get from a soft porn story, than a news, I confess. Personalisation of a these kinds of sensual events often keep the culprits in the background.

But more dangerous is the generalisation of these topics. What is the message that Week provides with that historical survey study? That every third teenager on the street is not a virgin anymore? That the budding generation of this country is losing their patience to enjoy the 'eternal' pleasure? I am so ashamed to listen this! And so do millions in this country. How can you bring out these kind of third rate analysis studies, after the so called secret surveys you conduct? The people in this society are not fools to believe that 34% of the people who attended your survey[ if at all you conducted one!] confessed about their virginity. And nor can we believe that another 10 % disclosed their future plans.

Your parent newspaper has history of booming their circuation with stories, which were proved fabricated later. If you are planning the same, no body can help it I m sure. But plz understand the danger behind this. Every third girl in your family too will be looked upon as a non-virgin,'cause thats what your survey says!

Shame on You!