Our Farmers are protesting on getting their dues, what exactly was promised by Modi just before UP elections, pleading with folded hands. After two years, Modi has remained silent and turned his back, fleeing to Middle east to open a HIndu temple, constructing barricades around Delhi border reminding of a war scenario as if Delhi is in siege by our own adorable Annadatas. The Anti-Farmer Propaganda toolkit has been activated where every agri specialist ranging from Saints to Sinners are brought in to make them look anti-national. As they say what sow is what you reap, if at all these Propaganda team feels like they could survive with this BS, may be they should start consuming their own bull shit on a platter and check for themselves how exactly their propaganda fares or fulfils their stomach. Why not Propaganda-Vrata to taste their own medicine?
It is the kinnow season, and the fruit is sold at the doorstep for Rs 50 a kilo. Well, nothing out of the ordinary for most of the readers who are consumers. But this year’s kinnow crop has a story of toil and tears. The fruit is selling at Rs 3-10 in the Abohar mandi, which is probably the biggest kinnow trading place in the world. What is being sold by the farmer for Rs 3 is being bought at Rs 50 by the consumer from the rehriwala in Chandigarh. If this anomaly does not call for a strident agitation, what does? And that’s what is happening at the Punjab-Haryana border.The fact remains that what is bought at one end of the chain for Rs 3 is sold at the other at Rs 50 within a distance of 300 km. – Rajesh Ramachandran
The propaganda states, Government will have to spend 11 Lakhs Crore for bringing out a law which states a minimum support price for Farmer goods. This is a hoax, as the Government is not going to buy the whole produce but set a minimum support price buying buffer stocks to offset inflation. The Government wants to brand a Maximum retail price like FMCG items, so that its market driven. It makes sense superficially, just like Modi’s ridiculous Photo Op inspecting the 777 Crore worth Pragati Maidan tunnel, only to get deemed unusable and dangerous to commute in few years..
Essential food in Indian setup always had active Government participation due to reasons like unregulated agriculture sector could result in drastic inflation, seasonal vagaries leading even to famine like situations earlier and the need of Farmers to a minimum guarantee to sustain their livelihood. Free market can’t address any of the above problem but can make huge profit out of any scenario hurting Indians, just like their great petroleum loot, importing Crude at cheaper price from Russia and exposting tit to the west without even paying windfall taxes to India, when Petroleum is sold at historic highs squeezing out every indian pocket.
Modi-nomics err… Mad-nomics – feeding Honey for Cronies for electoral bonds, trickling down Tears for Farmers….
Even with so much Government participation, India suffered grain deficits last year. How can an individual Farmer could withstand the seasonal vagaries and free market? Modi has provided more doles / revdis to the Corporates as Tax cuts, Corporate tax reduction and to top it all waiver of 10 lakh crores of Rupees as NPA for his crony friends. We have reached a rare stage where Personal Income tax collection beat Corporate tax collection. What has the Corporates given back to the India / Modi Government? Actually nothing as the investments have got tapered down. There are more entrepreneurs fleeing abroad rather making use of his incentives. It can only mean one thing. Modi is being impartial even among the Corporates benefiting few Gujarati cronies who in turn fund his Photo-Ops and Horse trading members of legislature. Genuine investors have nil confidence on Modi. How can they trust a Leader of the Nation with high stake games, when he is not willing to provide a simple fare structure to ensure basic living of Farmers.
Farmers, for the most part, operate in a buyer’s market. Since their crops — barring maybe milk — are harvested and marketed in bulk, it leads to sudden supply increases relative to demand, putting downward pressure on prices.
Such market conditions, favouring buyers over sellers, also mean farmers are price takers, not price makers. Lacking the market power to influence the prices of their produce — or to even set the MRP (maximum retail price), as firms in most industries do — they sell at prevailing supply-and-demand-determined rates. Worse, while their crops are sold wholesale, they pay retail prices for everything from seeds, pesticides, diesel, and tractors to cement, medicines, toothpaste, and soap.
Free market economy will make food like expensive Petroleum at the hands of cronies, where the price rise is 200% despite low crude prices. Modi may instruct us to sell Pakoras if unemployed, use Bicycles than fuelling Bikes. Will he travel the Path of FM, “I don’t eat Onions. So, dont care!” playing free market stock games on our food? As far as I know Modi in his 10 years of PM-Ship, he is a mad gambler who will not bother staking India and her people for his personal ego and gains. This is exactly why Modi moves on to inaugurate temples rather worrying about a basic necessities of Indians. What will happen if Farmers stop farming for one single season? Will his free market friends sell Modi-Rice and Atta at the same price?
However forcefully Adani buys / sells his agri goods, he will only get losses in return as his foundation of business is not built on trust, but by deception and intimidation, powered by the Government support. I would bet on Adani will never be able to sustain his business by forcing his agenda on Indians be it producing Farmers / buying consumers.
Food is politics. It cannot be addressed by administrative and legal measures alone. The resolution of issues relating to food sovereignty, food security and the livelihood of the farmers requires political will. The Centre should have engaged all political parties to find long-term solutions rather than leaving space for it being turned into a competitive vote-catching exercise. To make farming globally competitive, farming has to be subsidised. To sustain their commercial farms, even developed countries give huge subsidies.
So, what WE have gifted our Farmers back? We – Because the oppression of Farmers happens on our tax money. We delivered tear gas shells delivered by Drones till 2AM in the dark. We gifted Rubber Bullets to wound 200 of our Brothers and Sisters. We came up with Sonic sound weapon to puncture their ear drums. We are adopting Israeli strategies for riot control, applied on Gaza earlier. We all know where the war has come down to – a silent ethnical cleansing with the blessings of Western War pimps, wondering on how to spin it as Avenger comics of popcorn good prevailing over imagined evil. If at all anyone wonders why Marvel comics is not faring well nowadays, check with Biden. He just made Captain America and his gang look crazy as destruction and genocide loving psychopaths. Knowing the Farmers with their tough as nails tenacity, they are going to break the nose of the Shitler hiding behind the force for sure. It’s a matter of time Modi making a somersault, prostrating before the farmers just equipped with strong Hearts and Will. If Modi thinks he can settle his score for surrendering earlier to Farmers, it’s going to be Farmers Vs Modi, 2-(No) Love!
They Gave us Rotis, we gave them back Bullets.
The city slickers who incessantly attack Punjab’s farmers for demanding a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) and those who justify the abominable use of drones against protesters should pause and wonder: will they sell their products or services below the cost price? Will they suffer seeing their products being resold for 5-18 times the original price without an iota of value addition in their own neighbourhood? – Rajesh Ramachandran
One clip stirred me and shaked me up… A Farmer questioning why should they do the Opposition Job. Well, it may not make sense completely, but none of the grand old goliath opposition or the neo-quasi-Sanghi Parties claiming themselves to be the opposition so far has not even gathered this type of resolute crowd against Modi’s policies, which few Farmer groups from few States are able to manage and even win over two years back. Maybe, it’s time for the opposition to stay with the Farmers through this struggle, help them with the legal , participatory and moral support and portray themselves to be real “Jan-Nayak” arousing admiration for them. Else, they can only get few sympathy votes out of victimization under ruthless Mo-Sha. Opposition when always given a Do-or-Die situation, have so far skipped both the options to live another day slaving over authoritarianism which has gone to the level of usurping them totally. The latest bold rowdyish attempt to freeze Congress party’s accounts stands as a testament to Mo-Sha’s crooked ambitions to win by all means.
Unfortunately, India is short of mass Leaders who are able to arouse people, because they never stood with the same people for their rights. when they needed the most. Personally, Rahul Gandhi is slowly emerging as a Mass Leader amidst all obstacles put up by Mo-Sha. He has matured interactions and crisp speeches and he is going to only improve further from here, shedding all inhibitions and negative PR to tatters ran against him. The RW fringe however tries to mock, is only getting their nose bloodied nowadays with the same treatment meted out by Congress SM team.
Let’s move on to how Modi is handling the protest. To understand the BJP’s oppressive measures one need to go back Modi’s CM days in 2002 where he presided over a brutal riot. Modi was not shaken up by its brutality under his leadership, where he failed as Leader for all. Instead, he opined that he should have handled media well, basically putting a lid on the coverage, so that such national shame could be wiped off indians mindspace. He actually accomplished that, for example, India Today magazine which made up brilliant stories about the “Hero of Hatred” to “Riding the Hate wave” on Modi is now brought down to harp about Modi’s “Great Hindu revival”. So, Modi has achieved remarkable success in taming a quasi independent media to Government biscuit loving lap-pets.
One could see similar approach being taken up in taming the Farmers protest. All the social media handles covering up the protest are taken down without any rationale. There are feverish trends with fake news on Farmers protest degrading our annadatas to selfish violent rioters. The Media is on full swing cooking up stories on how legalising MSP will dent economy. Even Corporate Saints are brought in to preach on food as luxury and protests as anti-national. The Farmers are mainly from Punjab and others from UP, Haryana are silenced buying complicit leaders like Rakesh Tikait who manipulate their own kind for their benefits.
These are same arm twisting tactics employed by the Modi Government, filling up its weaknesses it exhibited in last protest, to avoid failure this time. How Modi misses the point is that, this is matter of livelihood. India from being an economically growing country is gradually down to its fragile structure where people struggle on their daily needs struggling with inflation and unemployment, under his misrule. This is unlike taming select few Entrepreneurs / Bureaucrats / Politicians who will bend over backwards to please Modi at his will. Farmers can’t afford to lose their livelihood, and this is actually Hunger games operating at the Border of Haryana, to knock the doors of Delhi. It might prove deadly to Modi government if it does not understand its significance of life and death.
Now, why oppression might prove deadly to the Orwellian rulers?
There is a question which haunted me after watching the Killer movie directed by David Fincher. It talks about an Assassin or should I say the Assassin gets a long monologue about his glorious assignment and how he does not give a duck about people lives he kills for his livelihood. He also raises a mundane question hogging our civilization for long…
Of those who like to put their faith in mankind’s inherent goodness, I have to ask, “Based on what, exactly?”
The Killer Movie
I always had a conviction that Humans are inherently good and turn bad only when the situation provokes them to mad levels. This is not a proven thesis but something might have been passed across from my Parents or family members. I am not a saint for sure, nor my parents or relatives. So, when I encountered this movie dialogue, I did not have any justifications or postulates to prove otherwise, other than an empty belief. It sticked up as a well meaning question that I could not answer in anyway.
Being no saint or Priest, personally I have seen myself going through this mad torture sometimes even simulated to provoke madness in me. I have seen carefully orchestrated coincidences to enrage me. It might be a Car hitting my Bike sideways to make me lose balance or rear guard crashing not once but thrice in a month when such a thing did not happen for last 8 years, or a Cleanly shaven “Service” Profesional using his elbow to hit me “accidentally” or someone provoking me on my pressure points like abusing me to the extent of intervention or abusing kids in one way or another to indirectly hurt me and the list goes on and I can shamefully say I have fallen prey to my emotions sometimes, triggering the worst version of me. My situation is similar to the quote below.
Once upon a time, there was this little sparrow, who while flying south for the winter froze solid and fell to the ground. And then to make matters worse the cow crapped on him, but the manure was all warm and it defrosted him. So there he is, he’s warm and he’s happy to be alive and he starts to sing. A hungry cat comes along and he clears off the manure and he looks at the little bird and then he eats him. And the moral of the story is this: everyone who craps on you is not necessarily your enemy, and everyone who gets you out of crap is not necessarily your friend, and if you’re warm and happy no matter where you are you should just keep your big mouth shut. – Assassins Movie Quote
But how can I keep my mouth shut when shit gets thrown at me and cats are ready to feast? It’s actually a catch-22 predicament everyone goes through, not very successfully in life, with the bar of water level keeps on rising, making one struggle every second to remain afloat. For outsiders this could sound like solid entertainment of survival like Human Vs Evil version of Man Vs Wild. But, branding Humans are inherently evil is like completing the story halfway assuming to be done.
Even our Farmers are going through the same predicament of holding up dignity, when indignity is served on a grand Government platter. As discussed earlier, there are enough provocations to make our Farmers look evil with the social media posts and Enforcement getting them towards threshold. This is unfortunately an one-sided battle which is usually won by Government. Why not? When the Government has ordered 30000 tear gas shells to serve the Farmers Justice. But the truth is, the Government has failed miserably invoking memories of Modi with folded hands prostrating before farmers. Now who actually won?
So, in what ways can I answer the Killer that Humans are inherently good and decent when I am working up on the opposite front? I could not answer at all. But one of my favourite Directors, whose movies I don’t watch after his first, as I could not take up that intensity of his film making, came up with a book recommendation and I have just completed the prologue.
The Book is “Humankind – A Hopeful History” by Rutger Bergman. The Book is an anti-thesis of what we believe as Humans that we are inherently evil as our Rulers wants us to believe us.
On 7 September 1940, 348 German bomber planes crossed the Channel. The fine weather had drawn many Londoners outdoors, so when the sirens sounded at 4:43 p.m. all eyes went to the sky. That September day would go down in history as Black Saturday, and what followed as ‘the Blitz’. Over the next nine months, more than 80,000 bombs would be dropped on London alone
Entire neighbourhoods were wiped out. A million buildings in the capital were damaged or destroyed, and more than 40,000 people in the UK lost their lives. So how did the British react? What happened when the country was bombed for months on end? Did people get hysterical? Did they behave like brutes?
In fact, if there’s one thing that all accounts of the Blitz have in common it’s their description of the strange serenity that settled over London in those months. An American journalist interviewing a British couple in their kitchen noted how they sipped tea even as the windows rattled in their frames. Weren’t they afraid?, the journalist wanted to know. ‘Oh no,’ was the answer. ‘If we were, what good would it do us?’
‘British society became in many ways strengthened by the Blitz,’ a British historian later wrote. ‘The effect on Hitler was disillusioning.’
The bomb-mongers, meanwhile, felt the enemy needed to be dealt an even harsher blow. Churchill gave the signal and all hell broke loose over Germany. When the bombing finally ended, the casualties numbered ten times higher than after the Blitz. On one night in Dresden, more men, women and children were killed than in London during the whole war. More than half of Germany’s towns and cities were destroyed. The country had become one big heap of smouldering rubble.
So did the bombings have the intended effect?
Shortly after the German surrender in May 1945, a team of Allied economists visited the defeated nation, tasked by the US Department of Defense to study the effects of the bombing. Most of all, the Americans wanted to know if this tactic was a good way to win wars. The scientists’ findings were stark: the civilian bombings had been a fiasco. In fact, they appeared to have strengthened the German wartime economy, thereby prolonging the war. Between 1940 and 1944, they found that German tank production had multiplied by a factor of nine, and of fighter jets by a factor of fourteen.
A team of British economists reached the same conclusion. 24 In the twenty-one devastated towns and cities they investigated, production had increased faster than in a control group of fourteen cities that had not been bombed. ‘We were beginning to see,’ confessed one of the American economists, ‘that we were encountering one of the greatest, perhaps the greatest miscalculation of the war.’
I will dig into the book deeper to understand if our Humankind is really that divine. But, these are historically recorded data / facts actually stating how the rulers think they can fool us with mass propaganda… that Humans can be shushed up with oppression. History repeats and repeats itself to prove that Humans have never surrendered to evil oppression / adversity. It’s just matter of time. Meanwhile they grow stronger with each and every adversity, just like mythical Vaali absorbing the strengths of their oppressors. Farmers conquering Israeli type Armed Drones throwing grenades at them with simple kites show how Humans innovate at adversity.
Our Independence struggle stands as a biggest testament to that theory of winning it decently, if not me as an individual, acting as a lesson to me. Whenever the independence protests went violent or haywire, Gandhi was unashamed of stopping the movement though it was going well, retreating back to square one, getting brickbats from his supporters as well as his critics for his “cowardice” only to comeback stronger with a unique and bigger movement. In the same way, poor Farmers Vs Modi- 2.0 Dictator tussle, the result is already loud and clear as oppression has never won over people, be it Independence struggle, Emergency or Modi. It only made India rediscover herself for better and good.
“If Independence is granted to India, power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues, freebooters; all Indian leaders will be of low calibre and men of straw,”
Winston Churchill.
We have past 75+ years after this quote to fare much better. But we also caught up with men of Straw, who will create mile long barricades for unarmed Farmers while going weak on knees when Chinese incursion amasses thousands of square miles, shrugging off as nothing of such kind happened. For every weak Leader it spawned, India was also blessed with Leaders with tenacity and courage to question the distressed status quo and move towards betterment. The list is so long that it will be boring as good is always nice and boring. It’s not just Churchill, but almost all rulers, opinion makers of diverse fields have adopted the same notion that – evil is Humanity’s true colour.
When it comes to notions about human nature, the continuity throughout Western thought is striking. ‘For this can be said of men in general: that they are ungrateful, fickle, hypocrites,’ summed up the founder of political science, Niccolò Machiavelli. ‘All men would be tyrants if they could,’ agreed John Adams, founder of American democracy. ‘We are descended from an endless series of generations of murderers,’ diagnosed Sigmund Freud, founder of modern psychology – Rutger Bergman
Coming back to lovely Killer movie, no wonder it harps on the possibilities of humanness has fragile presence in Humans, asking for proof to believe that so called humanity. To be fair, it’s about the Assassin character who makes us dive deep into his Assassinistic atmosphere with a looong monologue, too long that he actually misses the target in the end of operation. But the grey theme is also much bigger than simple perception of an Assassin. Because, Hollywood always had a knack of sponsoring consumerism at opportunistic possibilities. It’s a symbiotic industry of Creatives and Corporates who go down parasitic on the hapless consumers. Hollywood is just the top of the pyramid version of Multi Level Marketing. “I own it… Do you? consumerist Model. None other than Steve Jobs understood this, to invest on making Apple as part of movies and celebrities as subconscious PR, rather shoving explicit ads down our throats.
In the vast reaches of the Pacific Ocean, for example, lies a tiny atoll called Ifalik. After the Second World War, the US Navy screened a few Hollywood films on Ifalik to foster goodwill with the Ifalik people. It turned out to be the most appalling thing the islanders had ever seen. The violence on screen so distressed the unsuspecting natives that some fell ill for days. When years later an anthropologist came to do fieldwork on Ifalik, the natives repeatedly asked her: was it true? Were there really people in America who had killed another person? – Robert Bergman
I did not want to bring in an animalistic alpha movie, but the movie created similar effects in me. Maybe we are not that edgy and nazistic initially but grow gradually with incentives and acquired taste to violence. Bergman argues it’s not easy to be violent. He provides historical evidence that not all soldiers are trigger happy and only ~15% do the firing Job. What others do? They pretend to load the Rifles when commanded to fire, trying to avoid a kill. Forget about wars, there is an unintentionally hilarious Baghpat War, between two snack shop owners and their team. Only very few deal with blows while others play it along…
Maybe the Baghpat Chacha who fought with utmost vigour does not know on encashing it. But, the Western war Movies (needlessly) glorified and merchandised armed violence to an extent making them look sacred. The Defence forces, Arms lobbies and Hollywoodies collude to form an intoxicating elixir where War is Peace. Can we call the genocide at Gaza as Western heroism? If you follow proper news, maybe not! But I would bet Hollywood financed by the vested interests will come up with another Munich type movie (Have you ever wondered what triggered Munich olympics assault? Was the history of bloodlust Israel shown in the movie? ), making monsters out of Hamas attack and Israel’s attack as sweet and passionate revenge killing thousands of Palestinian Children and women. Who knows they may even have end credit showing up proud Netanyahu arguing that he just killed few extra civilians women and Kids tastefully for each Hamas terrorist. Now, what is the probability of Steven Spielberg taking a Movie on “Gaza’s dead list”? I have been carried over by Oscar winning war movies and own a camo t-shirt screaming with US-Army badge. But, after Gaza, I think a lot to wear it though camo is my favourite design. Well, they got blood on their Oscar, BAFTA trophies… and my Camo T-shirt too.
“Smokey, this is not Vietnam, this is bowling. There are rules.”
The Big Lebowsky
Well, that’s the cherished American Dream, getting blogged on a Laptop bought from America, where even bowling has rules but not their nosey wars. At least the laptop tie things together. The fact is none of the wars have helped Humankind in any way other than Armed / Petroleum lobbies and Politicians. Even the Killer movie acts like an Arms porn where the assassin keeps godowns of Arms to endorse them. Ridiculously, as if that’s not enough he shops from a petty Black marketeer and Amazon for a tinge of reality. I am not looking for any moral lessons down there especially from happily ever after Assassin chasing tranquility with weapons and tranquillisers. But it’s actually gratifying when Stalwarts like James Cameron and Christopher Nolan comes with anti-war ideas and movies. Dunkirk is a war movie but deals with Soldiers as real lives rather as war merchandise. I have been called insane for my antiwar stance in SM quoting Dunkirk movie. But to know how precious a life is, go for a disaster tourism to know how a life means undying Hope for many… The despair and anguish in the air breaks a part of you. You may not come back as the same person whatsoever you were before. As we concluded earlier, for every war propaganda we got many more peace activists, even from the same Hollywood. And that concludes Humankind is actually and inherently decent!
An old man says to his grandson: ‘There’s a fight going on inside me. It’s a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil – angry, greedy, jealous, arrogant, and cowardly. The other is good – peaceful, loving, modest, generous, honest, and trustworthy. These two wolves are also fighting within you, and inside every other person too.’
After a moment, the boy asks, ‘Which wolf will win?’
The old man smiles. ‘The one you feed.’
When Modi loses 2024, he will only have himself and his misguiding Crony friends and gymnastic bureaucrats to blame for his loss. The Farmers needs the opposition and Government on their side more than any other time. Hopefully, the opposition will act as force to reckon this time, providing the Farmers basic rights to protest for their livelihood.
‘My own impression,’ writes Rebecca Solnit, whose book A Paradise Built in Hell (2009) gives a masterful account of Katrina’s aftermath, ‘is that elite panic comes from powerful people who see all humanity in their own image. Dictators and despots, governors and generals – they all too often resort to brute force to prevent scenarios that exist only in their own heads, on the assumption that the average Joe is ruled by self-interest, just like them. – Humankind Book Quote
The Dharma and Justice phenomena
Once upon a time, there were two friends in a school. They were the best of friends and they promised to share everything with each other. After they graduated, one became rich and one remained poor. The poor friend went to the rich friend and asked for help. The way the friend behaved led to two endings. In one retelling of this story, the poor friend reminds the rich friend of their childhood friendship and demands help, in the name of this friendship. The rich friend mocks his poor friend and says that there cannot be friendship between unequals, and so, the poor one cannot demand help, but he can beg for help and get alms. This makes the poor friend so angry that he decides to take revenge. The story results in the Mahabharata war. The poor friend being Dronacharya and the rich friend being Drupada. A similar retelling with another ending is found in the Bhagavata. Here, when the poor friend enters the rich friend’s house, he comes bearing gifts. He starves himself for three days and saves the rice and gives it to his friend. Without being told, the rich friend realises the poverty of his childhood friend and, without being asked, gives him a lot of wealth. Here, the rich friend is Krishna and the poor friend is Sudama and it is the story of bhakti and love that we are always taught. Clearly, these stories depict that if you don’t help poor people and humiliate them, there is war and crisis in society. If you help poor friends and poor people, there is happiness in society. But the story is not so simplistic. We are told that Sudama starved himself for three days and gives his three portions of rice to Krishna. This is all that Sudama has. Sudama is giving Krishna three fistfuls of rice: knowingly or unknowingly, this is his investment in a friend. Krishna reciprocates to the kindness, by also giving Sudama ‘all that he has’ in ‘three measures’. We can argue that Krishna has to repay the debt resulting from receiving a gift. Else he will be trapped in debt. Krishna eats two fistfuls. However, just as he is about to eat the third fistful, his wife catches hold of his hand and says, “Leave some for us.” His wives tell him not to give three measures but two. In essence, he could give two in reciprocity, which more than makes up for his debt, but must keep one for himself. Thus, we see prudence being brought in this story of kindness. Through such stories, Indians were taught about commerce, debt, exchange, reciprocity, empathy and return on investment. You give in order to get. You cannot get something without giving something. To demand something as your right, as in the case of Dronacharya, leads to rage and violence. Exchange and commerce is more egalitarian while demanding/granting rights has something feudal about it. Social justice, and justice, is a western discourse: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, equal distribution of God’s gifts, are the mythic themes that influence western, and now global, politics. Dharma, however, focuses less on the idea of justice and more on the idea of empathy. The strong must help the meek. Everyone has the potential to feed another. Things have to be given voluntarily, without being prodded, rather than asked or demanded. Great kings give of their wealth freely. This is not charity – this is investment for the future. Because hungry people are angry people who will attack and destroy what we have. Those who are fed are happy people who will collaborate.
Congress had a disappointing results in 2023 November elections losing Three states where it was tagged favourites. What could be the reasons for their losses? Personally I expected at least two wins in Telangana and Chattisgarh and losing MP and Rajasthan owing to their dismal leadership and petty fights for internal power. But they even screwed Chhattisgarh as BJP understood Congress gameplay with manifestos, correcting its past mistakes. BJP’s victory goes deeper with Bhaghel’s foxy corrupt gameplay turning his past Supporters and Partymen to frenemies.
A proper ground report would have avoided disappointments as Congress State Leaders nowadays are One time elect Pony. One can safealy assume they will not last an subsequent term. I would not blame EVM heist for any of these defeats but Congress could do well avoiding its misuse in 2024 with proper precautions- escorting and guarding EVMs cradled in RSS-BJP’s strong rooms for a month. Would like to quote Sharad Pawar doubting 2018 results tweaked to deceive Congress, as their default arrogance peaks with simple wins. 2018 is an aberration, 2023 is not. BJP is now afraid of the massive INDIA alliance and its two third vote share along with its rattling agenda in nascency, and could scare them only with such formidable wins.
But this is much needed loss for the Party which suffers from all possible weaknesses after its Karnataka win.
BJP’s victories are in Cow belt States with inclination towards Hindutva. Even from 2000, these states have rewarded BJP and BJP delivered with their strong state leadership. So data reveals no surprises that Congress lost the States.
One size does not fit all… says the Tailor.
There is no visible central leadership from Congress. What worked for Karnataka will not work for other States. There is a clear North-South divide on how people elect and perceive Leadership. For an easy win in Karnataka, Congress fumbled with their manifesto confusion and Bajrang Bali had to help them out in the last minute. Thanks to Congress’ RSS and double thanks for screwing up MP too. Sometimes one wonders if Gandhis need to save cherished congress from its self-centered Old guard or save Congress from RG or to save RG from his infamous and inefficient coterie. Then one can only wonder, if the flood goes above the head, does it matter if it’s feet or inches above? Maybe none of the theory matters, actually what matters is to swim through the crisis. Else we all drown.
Congress professed that it will leverage local issues but seems only good at petty infighting locally within the the Party. In modern times where even movies need to build a positive work of mouth, the Party has a lot to do to rein in their supposedly Leaders whose merits are limited to the proximity to the Gandhis and skills limited to not allow anyone else to near them. Gandhis left it out to the Old Guards without any leash. The Old guards proved to be self serving selfish Leaders with a “My Way or Highway” approach leading themselves to nowhere. Its pathetic none of the Local leaders could sense the turf properly and unaware that even a small vote margin could play a bigger role. What is more startling is that all these Leaders assured High command of victory, making RG a Joke on winning all states. Hmmm. It’s the curse of Congress where the State Leaders give away easily after 5 years of corrupt rule and Central Leadership is known for indecisions or mostly wrong ones without any course correction. But it has hit another dimension, that High command cant even sense the turf being fooled by its own Leaders and Poll Agencies.
Panauti kaun?
Rahul Gandhi displayed arrogance and immaturity with his panauti remark which could emotionally stir people who are connected to astrology and that includes almost all Indians. Astrologers are cheaper version of Shrinks who give us self confidence and hope citing a distant planet which you can never see or visit. They just cure momentary depression with a simple ritual. How it influences us nobody knows but it’s like feel good cinema. Whole India including me watched the Cricket match. All are Panautis? Modi might be a Selfie freak but at least he works for victory. Also, Modi is like mythical Vaali who deserves to lose for his undoings but could only be defeated in a nuanced way, not on one to one personal attacks. The more he gets personally attacked the more he weeps in public meetings amplifying the insults to gain public sympathy out of it.
…not just Modi the person but the hagiography about him shapes electoral choices as well as the political culture of contemporary India. Initially, Modi drew attention for his demagoguery. But along with that, he began representing many other things and continues to evoke multiple images. It may be appropriate to sum up these images as constituting Hindutva. It incorporates victimhood and aspiration at the same time and has space for asceticism as well as hankering after material acquisition. It includes public display of ritual practices as religiosity and seeks to reconcile Brahmanical vision with the claims of “lower” castes. The current formulation of Hindutva also includes the normalisation of violence as righteous nationalism and approves the idea of a strong authority as good governance. Finally, the Modi hagiography incorporates ideas of development that tie up with welfarist paternalism and a strong nation.
Suhas Palshikar unravels the Modi enigma and why it gets difficult to fight. Modi is essentially not that everyman. But, he ensures the image with constant flow of Selfies and Photo-Ops generating an imagined closeness. He is polymorphic and represents everything, just like his ridiculous fancy dresses. RG might be totally right in calling him multi-headed Ravana, but he would do better with a backdoor strategy to tackle this Ravana rather lambasting him in public. Rama could not win over Ravana easily. When Rama knocked off one of Ravana’s ten heads it automatically grew back. So, Rama had to aim his Heart with a powerful Brahmastra. Maybe Mo-Sha’s Heart lies in the Hindi Heartland. The Brahmastra holds the key where the INDIA allies need to perform the ground work on what excites the Hindi Heartland masses other then Hindu pride. I could sense formation of INDIA and caste census certainly disturbed Modi, with his foolish knee jerk reactions, but INDIA is a non-starter, only bickering for last 3 months and Congress is mostly to blame. Apart from Brahmastra, Rama also sought the help of Indira’s Chariot driven by Matali. So, it was a teamwork. Congress needs to respect its allies and unbiased analytics rather get carried away by its opportunistic greed for power.
The best way to attack Modi is to ignore him totally while addressing the actual issues originated by him, of which there are plenty. He is just churning a PR Titanic out of India, not amrit. Yes, the same Ship which could never sink and even equipped with lesser life boats but still sank out of hubris. Ironically Titanic Captain resembles Modi, even if Modi could not match his integrity and character.
RG’s stupid Panauti remark will affect everyone unconsciously in a different way especially with BJP’s propaganda, just like Neech. Such remarks could have been at least dealt with a personal heartfelt apology, reducing the damage. Congress won whenever the elections was not about any personality but its People. Wonder why RG becomes so insensible just after simple wins. Also, his utterance is more of a symptom of opportunistic arrogance, as rightly pointed out by Akhilesh Yadav. Yadav might be a featherweight in MP politics, but Congress only did harm to INDIA alliance by denying few seats to Samajwadi party or other partners. Congress acted selfish on the whole emboldened by a petty win at Karnataka, misreading its win against a weaker BJP State unit for change of tides.
When yesterday becomes Once upon a time, in Politics
The Gandhis still seem to be basking on their Karnataka victory. There was no push towards any mass reachout, outsourcing their work to Agencies and Old Guards, happily taking a backseat. Contrast this with Mo-Sha’s propaganda blitzkrieg. In their power inebriated state, Congress don’t deserve a chance when they fight BJP even on half its strength.
When David assumed he is Goliath
Congress gets easily deceived on its own capabilities. All BJP needs is a single win to make them live in a bubble of hyped up wins everywhere. They can’t even read the ground situation properly or what exactly people want. How can they… when RG along with his cadre chooses to rest like Kumbakaran asking for Nidrasan instead of Indrasan? The same pattern occurred in 2018-19 elections too, where they got carried away by few state wins in 2018, throwing away any prospects of new coalition to dust. There are no clear ground surveys analysing their SWOTs. In contrast, Amit Shah seems to get his assessments right most often, though he blabbers something else in public. So, it boils down to lack of effort (for the lack of bitter words) and trusting untrustworthy election brokers trading their allegiance for money.
There are no Free lunches
The Freebie Politics got its limits. Odisha / Telangana model of governance works more towards incentives for agriculture empowering productivity rather providing empty handouts without any outcome. Congress got trumped by the same freebie politics when BJP announced matching welfare doles, after learning its lesson in Karnataka. Congress needs to innovate, shock and awe BJP to obtain an edge over them. Shivraj read his data right when he understood the economy is in doldrums with the rise of temporary wage worker, defying Modi’s (Adani) capitalist fanaticism.
When Kamal ensured Kamal’s rule
I do remember a Comedy where a Beggar will request alms from a Cart vendor. He will be soon joined by a Comic Cop looking for service fee from the Vendor. The Vendor very busy with his work will brush aside both of them asking to stay on the sides together. The Comic cop could not digest that he is being treated so equally like a Beggar. Then, the Beggar will retort to the Cop, “You are spoiling my Business. Go away!” You know what happens next, Jail, ED and IT comes to the scene. The Cart vendor is our Voter and I leave it to you to correlate the Cop and Beggar begging him.
Similarly, Congress displayed no novelty at all singing similar Hindutva chorus along with freebies, playing second fiddle to BJP. Congress banked on anti-incumbency factor alone in MP, just like Karnataka rather creating its own narrative. It’s still an easy shot to dislodge a weak Mamaji. Elections are not prayer to gods but to the people where god of election resides. So far Congress wins got more to do with BJP’s follies rather on their own merit, winning wherever people are desperate to dislodge BJP. Naturally, without any emotional stirs, People will see Mamaji as a better Bulldozer Bhajan singer, giving pocket money before he leaves with a sentimental bye.
All Play and No politics made Jack a Loser.
Congress does not have any novelty even in tweaking the media limelight. All electoral drubbings is followed by RG’s “humble acceptance” and then going back to his shell. It shows how congress has completely surrendered its fight just on few simple defeats. Only people like JR and his communication team try hard to communicate Congress’ stance. But it’s only a certain RSS guy who fumbles in elections (apt to his acronym) who gets all the limelight and blessings. When will RG broaden his coterie and start coming out of his shell? He was a little outgoing with the Yatra. Now he is back again crawling back to his shell, leaving the coterie to fumble and dance on errors. How can people trust such fused out leadership when he can’t even work 40 Hours per week, especially when the Mo-Sha leadership works 24/7 on elections.
When one door closes other door opens
But, Congress also got few things right in defeating BRS in Telangana. First of all this is an easy victory due to KCR’s hubris, but credit is due in not allowing BJP to grow in Telangana. It’s also a case of BJP focusing on Hindi belt rather wasting its energy at Telangana. This exposes BJP’s weaknesses of lack of manpower down south. Telangana is a progressive state not Cowbelt. Still, BJP is inducing communal polarisation just like Karnataka, which needs to be stopped. Congress need to milk their advantage in Southern states where BJP finds itself tough to build with toxic Hindutva, with very low success rate. KTR may easily comeback after five years if he played his cards well as Congress is known for its greedy corruption, laziness and arrogance when drunk on power.
Also, Congress might have did something right with its selection of new Leadership. Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo yatra might have also helped in mobilizing Congress in that region and identifying the right tiered leadership. More than freebies, Telangana win could be attributed to KCR’s attitude.
How Congress could turn around in 2024?
Personally, this loss might be bit difficult to swallow, but it’s a blessing in disguise. Because in 2018, Congress did almost a clean sweep, only to fail subsequently in 2019. Congress did not entertain AAP and other coalition partners and blindly believed Chowkidhar abuse will work out. They daydreamed of winning 2019 elections without anything to boast on the ground in terms of agenda or narrative, only ending themselves drowning in saffron nightmare.
So, I will reiterate this loss is essential blessing in disguise*.
* If they learn to implement the lessons learnt.
Give and Take is the Best political policy
Now congress will be more accommodative to its allies who could do a good job with Congress’ backup strength. Congress should treat 2024 as a test election rather getting egotistic on seat sharing. AAP could be that soft version of Hindutva, RSS is trying hard to groom by arresting Kejriwal, subsequently making him a Martyr. But as Karunanidhi told, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies in Politics. They just need to make use of the ground situation wary of the Knife on their backs.
When the Holy Shadow chose to rest in shady-shell.
Maybe RG will learn a lesson or two in mass outreach and hopefully galvanise the cadre in Cowbelt and also revisit South to solidify his base. Gandhis are like the magic potion in Asterix comics for the cadre. They need to create regional Obelix-es who are bathed in the potion. There are reports that Yatra failed to create an impression in MP, but I would not buy that because, Yatra is not a Poll manipulator but a force multiplier for Congress. I would blame the State leadership for the dismal loss, not capitalizing on the energy. But bet that Congress State leaders are shameless and selfish enough to continue as if no damage happened. Congress may also understand the need to focus on Northeast seriously rather taking it for granted. But, time is running out. BJP may look for early election going for the kill after tasting blood in latest elections. Remember Vajpayee’s India shining campaign? Modi would not buy in like Vajpayee… but not everyone in BJP is Modi.
Elections are emotional!
Maybe Congress will also understand the need for an emotional agenda involving Social Justice / Identity politics where welfare of the economically backward remains the mainstay of 2024. Not just welfare doles and empty quota promises, but an action plan which could be implementable to stir the masses, on what they stand to gain as a group. Maybe it will realise Social justice is the only trump card, against powerful religion identity card, just like Indira Gandhi’s masterful “Garibi hatao!”. Poor Economy along with identity politics could be made relevant again as Politics is about recycling old win(e) in glamorous packages.
As progressives rightly say, Identity politics as anti-venom for Hindutva venom is not good politics or as a policy. But for a decade the opposition got reduced to a prisoner of circumstances where they are even afraid of posing with Minorities or dare talk about them like Modi afraid of naming China. While on the other end BJP is able to shore up their brahmanical agenda with laws and penetrating all institutions and even temples. BJP has so far beautifully ensured even the opposition to toe their line like Ayodhya issue or EWS quota. This is only possible by Deception, by penetrating the Congress think-tank. Maybe if the BBC- Congress’ acronym for Bhai-Behen company has its own merits, it’s also also easy to get manipulated as the decision lies on a simple dining table. I don’t know how much of decisions goes through rationale or analysis of data or hearing out the spectrum of views.
If you don’t like a Rule… Just Follow it.. Reach on the Top.. and Change the Rule
Adolf Hitler
Some potent agenda is needed in the short term to counter this fascist toxicity. If someone can dare, naming the negative pole of the Battery and propagate its essentialness, the opposition has its duty to stand for the righteous cause of the people representing the opposite positive pole.
There are theories around the inefficiency of caste politics citing various seats where tribals are major constituents. Tribals did not support Congress because of Baghel’s arrogance like Hasdeo movement and not because of RG’s OBC pitch. There are various factors for BJP wins and cannot be generalized as invalidation on any strategy. Such Opeds also shows how BJP is afraid of Congress choosing the caste empowerment path, watering down the agenda to nip it off the bud. There is a clever ploy by BJP to make Congress shy away from SC-ST and Backward classes empowerment and I leave it there.
EVM = Every Vote to Modi?
There are doubts on EVM, but it’s futile to talk about it as none of our Institutions have the spine to even consider or scrutinize it, knowing very well on its loopholes. The Major problem with the EVM is its technological invisibility, just like a Mobile phone used to count votes. Let’s imagine a Presidential election happening between Swiggy and Zomato on their respective apps, will you trust their results? No wonder BJP complained about 2009 results and Congress is complaining a lot just like their losing habit.
What makes the BJP so confident of a landslide victory in spite of all these adverse indications ? The clues, perhaps, are to be found in the manner in which the ground is being prepared: the constant refrain of 400+ seats, the slanted pre-poll surveys endorsing these estimates, and the amplification of these predictions by an obliging media. So that when the 400+ is declared after the polling, people would not question it because they had already been pre-conditioned to expect it.
Could it be that the BJP has a joker up its sleeve? The EVMs, perhaps? A national roll-out of the Chandigarh mayoral model, under the benevolent gaze of the Election Commission?
I really don’t know. But I am reminded of that intriguing quote from Arthur Conan Doyle: “When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” Think about it. And worry. – Avay Shukla
It’s not about people for or against EVMs, it’s just that EVM is a dumb servant of any ruling Government, with its complexities nobody can understand. The lingering question is not whether we could count and bank on EVM. The real question is whether we could count on the partisan Government, its servile EC throwing all EVM swaps under carpet as trial EVMs, corrupt bureaucrats conducting polls and stealing EVMs in their vehicles and crony Corporates invading EVM strong rooms with equipment for manipulation… all shamelessly operating on this dumb EVM. A case of too many Surgeons doing a democratic surgery on their whims and democracy ultimately dies. Maybe we could conduct a parallel poll on how many people believe in EVM or not and then decide just like developed countries does. And such votes should not happen in EVMs. Just (s)kidding on our Banana skin republic.
The least any democratic institution could do to save our democracy would be to increase the VVPAT tally ratio as its very difficult to hide or destroy material evidence. I will not be surprised if there are Judgements stating EVMs don’t have any sovereignty and will act as per Ruler’s wish. But, one can also wish that just if one Justice card stands tall in a free falling Domino, it could save a lot others at the back from falling down. I have heard about anonymous authors holding out their names to avoid fame or maybe infamy. But for the first time I am hearing about anonymous judgement, making me hope for good, as shame and ridicule are still working at some constitutional institutions. Its upto such institutions whether to stand up themselves restoring democracy with very simple audit like primary maths counting or confuse everyone with sealed envelope love letters from executive or anonymous judgements to reciprocate the love.
The way our Judiciary got dressed down to few Judges deciding on the fate of nation with a very simple allocation book called CJI’s Roster, one wonder if there is any justice of equality prevailing in the Judiciary itself. A resourceful article-14 post states, Contrary To SC’s Rules Of Assignment, At Least 8 Politically Sensitive Cases Moved To One Judge In 4 Months. It talks about how a certain Snow White of a Judge, supposed to be fairest of them all, ensures Mo-Sha rajya, like an one woman army. All while the CJI is busy lecturing on democratic values when he performs his own Roster assignments in a skewed manner, favouring a single Judge to handle all politically significant cases. So, the only rule working out in our Judiciary is the Rule Book of Mo-Sha, be in their good book or get scared of morning walks, like me wondering if my Bike will work tomorrow morning or go through raw molestation of clutch wire breakup, engine oil / petrol drain. Sometimes I wonder if a Mother of democracy could be so fragile that it turns to be a Banana republic with manipulating just few levers. Maybe, it’s easier to conclude we are just selfish about our own desires and prospects rather worrying about the whole picture or the well being of the Nation.
A hunter goes into the woods, and he sees this grizzly. Biggest he’s ever seen. He raises his rifle, and he fires. The bear falls, the hunter rushes forward, and to his surprise, there’s nothing there. There’s no bear, there’s no broken twigs, there’s no blood. And then suddenly, the grizzly throws this massive arm around his shoulders and explains, “You took your shot. You missed, so either I feast, or, and the choice is yours, I sodomize you.” Naturally, the hunter chooses life.
The next day, the hunter returns to the woods with a much bigger gun, and he spots the bear again. And he aims. He fires. The bear falls. The hunter charges. No sign of the bear, until the bear is standing beside him, saying, “You know the deal.” Indignity ensues.
The following day, the hunter treks back to the wood. This time with a bazooka. He sees the bear, lines him up in his crosshairs, fires. The recoil from the bazooka throws him backwards. And he looks up as the smoke’s clearing, and there’s the bear standing above him, arms crossed.
And the bear squints. “You’re not really out here for the hunting, are you?”
– The Killer Movie Quote
Maybe that’s how Bearish “Banana” Republics are born. People are so accustomed to the authoritarianism that Supremacy becomes the pleasurable law, beating fair justice and equality. Well these Jokes still can’t beat the Judgements spewed from the highest of Pulpits. How about a Judgement which summarizes an illegal act as illegal and then deems it legal with the same Judgement. Even a Church pastor giving confession will pale before these judge-mental elites. If you are not convinced please go through that anonymous Ayodhya Judgement of SC.
Urban myth has it that if you put a frog in a pot of boiling water it will instantly leap out. But if you put it in a pot filled with pleasantly tepid water and gradually heat it, the frog will remain in the water until it boils to death. Allegedly, the frog is not able to detect the gradual increase in temperature until it’s too late.
This allegory is frequently used in economics, business and marketing to point out that change has to be introduced gradually if it is to be successful. It also illustrates an aspect of human psychology: we tend to accept things that creep up on us slowly but steadily, even when they take control of our lives. But one day we wake up and find ourselves in boiling water.
Boiling frog syndrome may explain well how our society transformed from righteous outcries during Babri Masjid and octopus type communal riots tentacled out as consequence. To understand the toxic communal voyage Indians have gone through, India Today magazine has come up with beautiful illustrative covers (or should we say cover-ups?), to illustrate the same?
India Today Cover 1992 – Babri masjid demolition deemed as Nation’s ShameIndia Today 2024 Cover – The Mandir built on Masjid demolition is deemed Great Hindu revival
Let’s still be optimistic as hope is something BJP wants to kill as thoughtfully quoted by Richa Chaddha. At the time of writing, Communal riots are happening in Haldwani, Manipur with brutal fire at sight orders. BJP is wooing every small party who cannot be counted to a quarter of a finger for LS seats just to create a winning perception. The cost BJP gives for such acquisitions is amazing ranging from Bharat Ratnas to ED arrests. It is actually bending over backwards to split votes as much as possible, by scaring out Nithish Kumar, Kejriwal and Mamta Banerjee, proving that the only opposition to bet on future, to work against BJP is Congress. At least to me the INDIA game is not over still the date for withdrawal of candidates and maybe even beyond that. Only the the agile and wise could trump BJP and I believe they are more wiser than selfish.
BJP is also busy making Indians believe it will win 400 seats like a freak version of Goebbels, repeating the illogical lie again and again. Now BJP’s only hope of winning 2024 remains with repeating its success in Cow belt. No matter even if it increases its vote share, the seats in the cow belt will remain the same. It’s like a riding a horse inside a small pot to quote a tamil proverb, however speedily you ride you end with the same or lesser outcome of nothingness. For how long BJP could do its somersault in the Hindutva pot when the pot is actually dishing out just communal poison rather prosperity amrit without helping on the survival of the poor? Obviously, we are seeing a party at the top of the bell curve, sliding down either way, due to overdose of communalism or grim economy of suffering citizens, sparing nil hope for maxing out its seats. But BJP is playing the australian game of sledging and mental games, when even Australia has turned a sportive nation celebrating its loss to a West Indies so that Sports thrives rather one-up-man-ship.
On a similar vein, retaining the hope on the talismanic Judiciary, if and only if such standing tall supreme spines turn supine, the only way out for opposition is to go Atmanirbhar in elections – do a proper analysis of tricky seats, perform honest micro analysis and see the deviation / margin of probable wins in +/- 5%, design the campaigning for door to door influencing the cats on the wall, ensuring the EVM allocation algorithm now centralized for Central Government’s benefits is having any pattern of recurring models or making it manual allocation with shuffled raffles, and then taking care of the EVMs post election, like Just borns, to avoid EVM swaps as lot of EVMs are already mysteriously lost by innocent EC and safeguard it till it gets counted to deliver.
Paper ballots of the past kept our democracy sane, with technology we have have turned it insane. Recent Pakistan elections executed with paper ballots have upturned the mighty Army and corrupt Judiciary to favour Imran Khan in Jail, rather a puppet. India inventing its way to electoral destruction reminds me of an evidenceless joke where the US space program developed a sophisticated anti-gravity pen to work in space while the Russians used modest pencil serving the same purpose. We are in a similar route tinkering our democracy with sophisticated computers to perform a kindergarten level Job of selecting the best Ruler with a tick.
In these elections, there is another crisis. With the EVM patent of BEL and ECIL having expired, there could be a free-for-all in accessing and using this device. Even when the patent was operational, there was reportedly enormous pressure from the Prime Minister’s Office on the ECI to procure EVMs from favourite corporate entities. The ECI then had resisted, which may not happen now, when the EVMs themselves have become rogue devices. With the ECI maintaining complete secrecy, one does not know where the current set of EVMs has come from or their integrity levels.
VVPATs were introduced to resolve some of these matters, at least to some extent. The Supreme Court has laid down the norm to verify EVM votes against VVPAT slips in five randomly-selected booths in each Assembly constituency. And VVPATs are installed in every EVM, but not even one paper slip is counted and matched to verify the votes polled and counted before the results are announced. It has exposed elections to serious fraud.
Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi, during whose tenure VVPATs were introduced, has also suggested: “All the VVPAT slips may be counted. This will end the demand for return to ballot paper for good. Counting the VVPAT slips would be much like paper ballots, without return to the ballot papers as the VVPAT chits are much smaller in size, containing the name of only one candidate, unlike the big ballot paper with multiple candidates…. So, in the end there would not be much difference whether we count EVMs or VVPAT slips. Only that reversing the process—that is counting VVPAT slips—would enhance transparency and credibility of the electoral system….”
Seats with low margin of victories are best suited for EVMs to do their magic, unless Shah changes the modus operandi. VVPAT audit with increased sampling could ensure the integrity of elections. But when the Election Commission did not even even bother to tally their biggest blunder of mismatched Votes Registered Vs. Vote counted, the hopes remains as empty hope. EC even removed those mismatched tally web pages to bury the truth to graves. If EVMs get manipulated schematically on 50-100+ seats, it could tilt election results with major advantage to the manipulator. Most of the EVM malpractices occur when the opposition cadre is weak. No wonder Congress and Samajwadi party are losing their winning elections.
EVMs nowadays gets stored in RSS backed educational institutions with the blessings of EC with a month to manipulate at leisure, with the strong rooms located dubiously adjacent to opaque labs where Staff visit everyday. Ironically, EC is not patient enough to count VVPAT Slips even for few days to ensure the integrity, though it will conduct elections for months to ensure the ruler’s campaign goes well in phases mobilising their sparse resources in a phased manner and enough time to interact with EVMs post polling and prior counting. I have heard about a DMK Cadre person who even doubted ants entering the Strong room, but such things paid off for the regional parties fighting BJP, as they know they are done if caught red handed, like the Reliance Field engineers exploring EVMs in strong rooms. Only the paranoid could win over Mo-Sha, not laid back post-independence Zamindars.
The Chandigarh mayor election stands as a testament to how shamelessly and blatantly BJP stoops even for simple wins. The presiding Officer, seeing a clear win for Congress-AAP alliance, took to ill and cancelled the election, to give BJP time to buy the voters. When the election happened after the court’s nudge after a week, the Presiding Officer, an Officeholder of BJP marked the votes of Congress-AAP deliberately with ink markings to make them invalid and declared BJP as winner. Then he ran away with the ballot papers rather explaining why he invalidated or atleast displaying it to the concerned Parties with his forgery marks. In Chandigarh Mayor elections, the media was not allowed for the elections to control the narrative. As expected all leading media hailed the victory of BJP, a heist made in broad daylight with the Camera monitoring the proceedings, with the malpractice as a footnote. Now it’s in the domain of the Court and one can be assured this will go on till the term lasts unless otherwise someone took shame to it.
“You can understand where the confidence of “Abki baar 400 paar”, is coming from?” @PBhushan1
A similar situation of runaway democracy happened in 2019 LS elections where EC destroyed the VVPAT slips just after elections, when they are supposed to store them for 10 years for audit purposes. One of the important aspects of integrity established by tallying the votes registered vs Votes counted led to many disparities. EC had stopped tallying votes nowadays and even disabling the tallying webpages of 2019. Since the Chandigarh election had a small sampling it was easier to identify the vote manipulation. It will be very difficult to investigate the EVM as it has several vulnerabilities with the programming for symbols, bypassing the voting process through a Laptop interface and manipulating the count through RF signals. So much for the elections in Mother of democracy. You can count on EVMs handled by opposition leaders as there is a limit to which they will go. EVMs are dumb machines and their integrity is directly proportional to its handlers. Can you count on the same with the Adharmic Mo-Sha duo, incorporating intelligent chips in the guise of VVPAT and not even counting VVPAT slips as legit votes, bypassing the integrity?
The way with which BJP captured the Mayor seat soon after the election winner, was dramatic and laughable. As the opposition created ruckus shocked by the election chaos, BJP conducted the elections for subordinate posts, unfettered by the chaos ensued, where the BJP candidates got elected with 16-Love margins. Now if this goes to the Court, there will be a shameless adorning once revered Pulpit, who will ask the opposition why you did not vote, just like someone asked Uddhav Thackeray, “Why did you resign?” to grab his CM chair and gift it to BJP, now doing merry go round dabbling with the Speaker. Logically, the first Domino which enables the subsequent fall of events should be held responsible and scrutinised as null and void. But we got kangaroo Courts who cherry pick justifications in Mo-Sha’s favour, as was evident in Ayodhya / Maharashtra judgement. Maharashtra is going to vote this year anyway making the Courts even more redundant. Modi incidentally announced 500 crore funding for this magnificent bobble head shaking Doll, swaying as per his wish like an enamoured pet will do.
There is a glimmer of hope with recent SC judgements course correcting illegal Electoral bonds and upturning Chandigarh Mayoral polls in INDIA bloc favour. As PB Mehta points out its too early to celebrate. Mo-Sha is known for creating a semblance of democracy losing smaller fishes like Chandigarh mayoral polls, keeping SC and EC silent on similarly illogical and illegal EVM machinations at national scale. It gets even more grave with BJP’s practical mind-wash of 400+ seats without any evidence or logic to support it. BJP may manipulate Karnataka, Himachal, Jharkhand and other Congress bastions as it may plan to buy others as and when convenient. Their opinion polls are “setting” up the mood for a clean sweep unusual and unheard off before 2019, where BJP even win in minority dominated areas. The congress cadre need to check out for signal manipulations in EVM strong rooms, the movement of suspicious vehicles like mobile toilets or around Strong rooms especially emitting radiation and be cautious of EVM swaps especially during counting and transportation. There is a strong need for Congress to employ technical teams to keep EVMs secure on easy win constituencies around 120.They should also press for VVPAT tally if suspicious, rather happily obliging to illicit technology.
Electoral bonds could be a stop gap ban to BJP’s favour as its already slush with 5000 Crore of white money while Congress Bank accounts running two hundred crores gets frozen by IT. BJP will never disclose before elections by some hook or crook and may have plans otherwise after 2024 even if they lose. Electoral bonds Judgement is much delayed giving ample time for the Bank looters to even start their own Bank. So, we need to wait on observations on EVM from SC and EC to make sense of our democracy, if it really exist.
Rajiv Gandhi, with his brutal majority brought in two evil twins flourishing in current Indian politics – The Ayodhya issue and EVM. Maybe to equalize we got two Gandhi siblings currently enduring the brunt of their father’s mistakes. I sincerely hope the righteous siblings win this war and set things right. It’s also a testament to the present rulers how their own decisions turnaround to bite them later.
Stitching the caste umbrella to protect from Casteism.
Congress needs proper surveys to understand the social empowerment dynamics which has worked all along, rather going by blind opinions, including this blog if at all… It worked for them in 2004 when they made the election issue based rather against any Leader. They did not target Vajpayee, but punctured his “India shining” campaign, making people realise the hollow claims. The economic issues even more grave now. Nothing is shining nowadays for poor.
When BJP still stitches its caste umbrella meticulously, why it would nudge Congress not to do so? How BJP trumps is by also by categorizing people on economic demographics along with castes, like EWS quota, Farmer incentives, Vishwakarma schemes etc. Personally, I will not buy any theory which says what works for BJP will not work for Congress. That too when BJP shamelessly copied freebie politics from Congress to win over MP and Chhattisgarh. When BJP does Laadli Behana copying Congress / DMK it is a masterstroke, but when Congress does, it is cheap politics. But, this is to INDIA’s advantage because, BJP’s freebie promises could not be materialised by 2024 elections, disappointing the voters who trusted them, just like Congress suffered in 2019.
The era when politics was fronted by OBC figures such as Kalyan Singh, Uma Bharti, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan (all former Chief Ministers) can now be seen as an intermediate phase of the RSS project that is no longer necessary. Sangh ideologues also believe that Brahmins are an all-India caste, and figures such as the first BJP Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had acceptability because of his social origins. – Saba Naqvi
It’s just that Congress does not know how to make Social justice and empowerment work yet, as it has not invested on ground work. Modi has masterfully categorized the economic demographics to Women, Farmers, Youth and Poor. For what Modi misdirected the opposition, he has been very careful with his CM and Deputy CM choices where there is a potent caste mix. Reading between the lines majority Deputy CMs are from brahmin community. There are no Farmer, Women, Youth or Poor CMs as choices. Only RSS CMs and DCMs. We can be assured there will be election gimmicks happening for each demography while stitching up caste alliances in the background. For INDIA simple assurances may not help, but need a clear plan of empowerment to attract masses with the risk of whatever they think, Modi could provide that in instant like an amicable Mamaji.
Congress erred badly in recent State elections by pushing the idea of OBC empowerment in parts that have large tribal populations (such as 32 per cent in Chhattisgarh) for whom this pitch would be meaningless, if not counterproductive.
The party seemed oblivious to the shift taking place in this voter demographic. And since the December 3 results of the Assembly elections, the RSS project of delisting Christian tribal communities (from lists of those entitled to reservation) has a new impetus even as reports have come in of vigilante actions against Christians in the Adivasi pockets of India.
The BJP/RSS strategic thinking involves seeing social categories from the perspective of ideological objectives. These are very clear regarding Christians, regardless of gestures such as the Prime Minister meeting members of the community on Christmas in 2023. The Sangh also understands that OBCs are not a bloc but a category made up of several castes that compete with each other and with Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
The BJP organisation has templates to create competitions within caste groups in ways that now make it challenging to present them as one entity in many parts of the Hindi-speaking States. Simultaneously and counter-intuitively, they also seek to unite all as Hindu by positing them against Muslims and Christians. In the recent Assembly elections, too, localised anti-minority narratives contributed to electoral success.
Congress may not be wrong in their OBC push but may not have stitched a meticulous vote share based on castes which work for a particular region. It has to be an all inclusive umbrella comprising of SC/ST rather being picky about OBCs. Caste is a poison, but it’s also one of the potent cards of identity politics making it an evergreen political tool. The real step towards social justice could partly lie with the Economically weaker section EWS category. Currently the quota is underutilised since it only caters to the elite classes who are already well to do. The EWS Quota is quite partial where it gets much lower than the cutoffs for OBCs / STs as a recurring pattern. It also unfairly favours the elite classes with 8 Lakhs income cut-off. This could be a potent issue if the INDIA alliance handles it smartly. INDIA could expose BJP as an elite Brahmin party by broadening the EWS Quota as casteless category, by including everyone irrespective of caste or religion, catering only to the poor economic factor. Caste census could be a double edged sword antagonising few sections. But making impartial and broad based economic quota could attract everyone around the INDIA alliance.
Saba Naqvi attributes the success of Congress in Karnataka to the whispers of Brahmin conspiracy below. Usually such identity tremors create a strong undercurrent of dissatisfaction and frustration, no matter how much Modi distracts the public with his snorkeling. BJP leveraged conspiracies and whatsapp whispers against Congress to win 2014- 19 and now its reaping what it sowed.
But there’s a deeper problem that this high command culture creates in states where the traditional BJP leadership is of an older vintage than what has emerged after Modi’s 2014 triumph. A top-down approach means that the equations established on the ground, based on traditional caste linkages and networks — predating the focus on Modi and the strategy of unleashing Hindutva foot soldiers — get unsettled. This is precisely what unfolded in Karnataka. Not only was there deep resentment at what was perceived as the undermining of leaders of the ‘old BJP’ belonging to the powerful Lingayat community, but it was also spoken about as a ‘conspiracy of Brahmins’, allegedly led by BL Santosh, the general secretary (organisation) of the BJP — the contact person between the party’s national leadership and the RSS — who is from Karnataka.
The whisper of this ‘Brahmin conspiracy’ proved fatal for the BJP in a state where all caste groups are conscious of their rights and entitlements. This was all the more damaging as the Congress was playing the social justice card, and Siddaramaiah, its most charismatic mass leader, openly spoke about the humiliation of the Lingayat leaders of the BJP.The Congress fielded 46 Lingayat candidates; 37 won. The BJP fielded 69; just 15 won. The last-minute pre-election rejig of reservation quotas by the BJP to offset caste restiveness also backfired. The Congress, conversely, got support from all castes and communities.
BJP was quick to remove BLS from Karnataka. But it’s a temporary setup. Once BJP+RSS feels the need for OBC/ ST leadership is over, they will switch back to BLS type elite leadership, like they did in Rajasthan and Madhya pradesh. Caste is a potent weapon for INDIA alliance, as BJP has cleverly manipulated the backward classes and tribes with an unfair Quota, to favour its upper class demography, the core of RSS. All social engineering are a pure white lies engineering discontentment and rifts between castes to reap electoral benefits.
But, what Modi cannot provide and INDIA could utilise?
Modi cannot provide employment for the youth. But for the youth to believe the new INDIA Alliance could open the employment doors needs efforts and convincing them on personal platforms. Social Media ads INDIA alliance need to convert them as Volunteers and Booth agents for their polling effort as an answer to BJP-RSS Juggernaut.
Modi cannot provide schemes and incentives for Farmers but he could increase the quarterly incentive. INDIA alliance could work on teaching them how to fish rather giving them the Fish and subsequently engage with Farmer societies for their thoughts and buy-ins, like cold storages, Direct Farmer markets and farmer friendly laws to empower this major demography.
Modi cannot empower Blue collar workers with worker friendly laws as his ideology is influenced by the Richie’s Riches who go to any extent to make him win. Currently, the industrial laws are crony friendly with long hours and no liability with the Owners. Each worker subclass like Drivers, Delivery workers, Factory personnels have their own issues. INDIA alliance could come up with Group Insurance schemes and Family Health insurance schemes along with minimum wages. US’ Democrat Party has a long history of empowering the Workers progressively and thriving on it. It may affect SMEs but could be incentivized for a progressive change.
Likewise, the labourers of unorganized sectors like Drivers, Delivery Personnels and gig economy workers provide a lot of potential to tap. All Modi Government bothered so far is to levy hefty GST on them. They need better government help like Health Insurance and laws to prevent abuse.
Modi cannot provide empowerment to the Women as its against Sanatan dharma. INDIA alliance has good chances on poking Mo-Sha on this front. They have great leaders in Mamta Banerjee to take this campaign forward. BJP may come up with monthly stipends as their trump card foe 2024. The opposition need to make people realise how tough it is to be realised. Afterall Adani is not going to donate them monthly money. But taxes collected from the poor in the guise of Petrol, LPG, Utilities, Bank surcharges and taxing grocery / veggies. In any case, this is a tough preposition to counter, with unsustainable implementation, INDIA could trump with the monthly income hikes and special doles for rural and urban circuits, like Shivraj Chouhan did with Laadli Behana scheme. Congress’ 2019 NYAY scheme could not propel further due to lack of outreach. But in 2024, BJP might have already built a PR platform on monthly stipends before campaigning and it will be easy for the opposition to capitalise on top of it.
More than doles, the Party which provides an aspirational vision wins… like employment / stipend for a family member of large families, self help groups for unemployed members, upskill workshops with stipends, tax free education and reduction of school fees with slabs, beefing up panchayat funds, Panchayat level gig worker employment for few graduates in the villages enabling government amenities at door step or infrastructure maintenance, allowances for priests across all religions as they are mass speakers, toll free highways, streamlining fuel prices commensurate with international crude prices, subsidies for EVs, increased spend on Healthcare and education, addition of quasi government staff on health care and education sectors to stimulate employment, tax sops for MSMEs encouraging more employment, uplifting consumption of non-essentials like toys, fashion and electronics, containing inflation with surplus essentials stimulating the supply chain. All these are not new schemes, some visionary parties like AAP / DMK have already accomplished them.
Modi cannot provide equal status to the SC/ST/OBC as Brahmins in education or employment. He can only bring in elite friendly EWS Quota. If INDIA alliance could break this up with a novel working mechanism, tweaking the EWS Quota to encompass all castes and religion, in Public Service and other professions, with coaching centers and Institutions dedicated for the backward classes, BJP can never counter that, just like caste Census. Why not IIT/IIM/REC for Backward classes? Why not world class Kendriya / Navodaya Schools for economically backward? Why not Meals with eggs for Students? Why not stipends for economically backward students? Why not Child nutrition Kits to curb malnutrition? There are coordinated efforts to make INDIA alliance believe that caste issues will not work, but the back bending efforts of BJP reveals exactly otherwise.
Modi’s regime reality is that there are plenty of problems. But we don’t have a “Working” opposition who could hear them out and tend to resolve. RG conducts surprise outreach visits and floats various brilliant ideas. But unless concerned people hear about novel schemes and convey their feedback, its of no use. All the above schemes, need voters’ active participation or atleast as a signature campaign, involving civil societies and Unions, acting as pre-voting exercise.
The Weakest link of INDIA caught between Dragons and Draculas?
Maybe Congress will realise they are the achilles heel in the INDIA coalition with BJP targeting Congress on its direct fights, burdened by its poor organizational strength and lack of outreach so as to start working on giving a tough fight.
If you are not convinced, just watch Mahua Moitra fighting it tooth and nail. She is not even seeing BJP as a worthy opponent rubbing salt on their inflated egos. The only fault of Mahua Moitra is that BJP Parliamentarians cannot understand what she speaks when she spits fire like dragon in Angrezi. Funnily, by the time they figure out what she has spoke, the damage is already done. I usually enjoy her animated speech not just for her fieriness, but the reactions of the treasury benches, usually of bewilderment, like watching a bengali horror movie in english without hindi subtitles. So, the BJP draculas, who could not find faults on her better than her lone Louis Vuitton handbag, found a way collaborating with her jilted ex ( maybe this ex guy understood her fiery speeches consuming lots of gelusil), to get her out of the Parliament. It was heartwarming scene when Sonia Gandhi embraced her in support against injustice meted out to her.
Moitra was part of Congress earlier, and its leadership could not digest such mavericks like Banerjee or Moitra. Congress needs such rabble rousing mass leaders, unafraid of BJP, mobilising crowds like they brought out Revanth Reddy.
Maybe Congress will realise this is the best time to experiment with new promising result driven Leadership across States, for Union elections, where they remain accountable for their decisions and mistakes with proper removal from posts in this cut throat political world. Anyways they got nothing to lose and stand to gain on their adventures. Losers don’t get any respect in BJP too even if they switch. Maybe Congress will come up with logistical incharges for a group of constituencies and reward them duly on their wins.
The Art of Deception
Maybe Congress will understand its not the time to be afraid of Prashant Kishor’s brilliance but to make use of him in the cow belt. There are zero reasons why Congress should be afraid of PK even if he is assumed as BJP spy or a monster who could gobble them up. Because, no one else is doing the Analyst job properly. Praveen Chakravarthy did not do a great Job despite earning RG’s trust. Sunil might not have the conviction of PK when it comes to winning seats or even speak the truth.
Sunil tends to go easy with the congress second tier leadership and then blame after losses that he did not get a free hand playing his own wretched political game. DMK was clever enough to replace Sunil with PK and keeping him on leash to taste its assembly success. Some do it for Job satisfaction / conviction while others do it for money and could sway either way with an easy postmortem, killing their own client’s future for their fortune. Sunil can’t simply wash off his hands that the Surveys are biased to please his masters, but he does it gleefully with his media leverage. Wonder why would Modi friendly Media support him to the hilt? Sunil works for Congress opposition ADMK in Tamilnadu but will support Congress in other States? PK was one person who had the conviction to analyse and predict his work in West Bengal to an extent, just like Amit Shah, though Shah blabbers on his wins and simulate opinion / exit polls to his advantage. Congress needs a Shah-equivalent of analytics Head, if at all they think of winning.
Mincemeat Swallowed…. Rod, Line and Sinker….
Operation Mincemeat Movie.
PK’s secret recipe for Cow Belt success.
Maybe I am obsessed with PK, but he rightfully holds a track record which also comes with a baggage of adamancy / headstrong nature. Hopefully somewhere the opposition and PK shed off their inhibitions and meet eye to eye for the betterment. PK has come up with a teaser for Opposition’s recipe. Actually Modi is not even part of it. Modi is just a smokescreen, who hides the hard working RSS-BJP Kartas and Mastermind Shah. This is not to underestimate Modi, but RG is certainly taking the distraction path of attacking a smokescreen for no outcome so far.
“The four reasons BJP got votes and won poll in three States are: first, Hindutva which is their [BJP] ideology; second is the new Nationalism; third is BJP’s financial and organisational muscle power, and the fourth is Lavarthi Yojna (beneficiaries programmes) of the party.”This is PK’s understanding.
To me this makes a lot of sense, like political warfare is always about hitting vulnerabilities. If one hits the Army tank on the front / rear rather from the above or base, he/she is more likely to be dead on the ground soon. Modi is that iron cladding in BJP’s Army tank. Their vulnerabilities are welfare of the poor as they are inherently business minded.
What’s in a simple Survey? Everything.
One of the age old techniques Amit Shah leverages is seeding the poll campaigning using Surveys. Not BJP’s Surveys but with the surveys done by Congress Team. How?
In Rajasthan, one of the Questions Congress Campaign team asked is – do the voters believe flipping the roti is essential? This actually means do you want to change the State’s rule every 5 years, like if you don’t flip the roti it gets charred. It subconsciously reminds voters that Gehlot needs to be cooked well in hot soup. Wonder how they end up with these kind of ingenious surveys, throwing mud on their own head. I do remember feebly on such instances of surveys in 2019 too, deceiving voters as Congress team while campaigning for BJP. Here is an Op-ed which proudly states why Rajasthan lost because Rajasthan like to flip rotis. Why can’t they conduct flip roti type surveys in Madhya Pradesh? Of course they lost Rajasthan because of such surveys reaching individual mindspace while broadcasting campaigns in National Geographic with limited viewership. The moment you make an act like ticking or signing on, you are making the individual more closer to that voting button. They could have framed questions in a way the Voters think if voting Modi again and again is worthwhile in 2019. Hmm… Congress never learns a lesson. Please Survey that too!
Deciphering the Shah-nakya phenomenon
Let’s decode the Bade Miyaan and Chote Miyaan of Indian politics… Bade Miyaan claimed 60 crore moved out of poverty and Chote Miyaan claimed 25 crore out of poverty in India. By their claims guess the so called rich climbed out of poverty and are collecting their meagre food ration coming in a Rolls Royce. Apart from being conjoined twins on the Lie Drama Opera, there is a lot more covered under the media gloss. The beauty of their Governance is afterall media deep calibrating headlines and tweaking perception rather governance.
Bade Miyaan Amit Shah imagines himself to be a sha-meless Shah-nakya. The real Chanakya might have leveraged deception and prajatantra, but he was always true to his people. Simply put, Chanakya was not a Fascist ruling by killing/fooling his own people or trying to stab everyone on their backs, assuming that’s intelligence. But Shah is, just like his criminally criminal laws touted to decolonise Indian law, in reality desiring for brutal state power. Shah has not created Arthashastra but Anarthashastra. Shah has declared BJP will work on adding 10% vote share from 2019. By the usual gap he exhibits between his statement and actual reality, one could safely infer INDIA Bloc and BJP will have a 10% vote share difference. Shah is just trying to keep his campaign positive to beat anti-incumbency.
Let’s take up recent incident around dramatic Parliamentary session to understand Shah. It started with a terror-like incident with an unemployed gang throwing up colour gas canisters in parliament. Unfortunately, for BJP there was no Minority involved and all of them seemed to be Bhagat Singh Bhakts. So they could not politicise around religion on this incident. Who gave the passes for the supposedly terror team? It was a BJP MP with a dubious toxic background. Miserable own goal. Where did the incident happen? At the new Parliament touted by Mo-Sha as the best in security. So. Shah’s another template of Blame-it-on-Nehru political door also got shut down. So, Shah-nakya was pressed for an answer to the terror incident at the altar of democracy Modi bowed and kissed to enter and strangulate it afterwards.
When Modi assumed office, he kissed the steps of Parliament as he entered it on May 20, 2014. It was a nod to the sanctity of Parliament. But it turned out to be him kissing his own power. For Parliament without Opposition is simply the unbridled power of the executive. He was kissing, not a representative institution, but a Parliament that now rests entirely in the personal of the leader. – PB Mehta
With the above quote, one could understand the attack was not on Parliament but on Mo-Sha for all their lusty greed for power accompanied with inefficiency of their ruling and circumventing their weaknesses with election time prowess. The mishap is a symptom of uprising that cannot be kept closed with an executive lid, however they may manipulate EVMs and public opinion. No amount of oppressive criminal laws can keep the rulers safe from their misrule even if they are able to restrict the opposition to remain lame and maimed. There are various other symptoms too like wrestlers uprising against the establishment. Vinesh Phogat was the foremost wrestler to have politically campaigned for Modi in twitter, setting the trend for sportspersons to lobby for the Government. Now, she is pushed to leave her state honours in Modi’s Kartavya (Duty) Path, doing her duty. This trend will continue but the shameless cannot understand people or even their stature with their mindset of a fake chit fund company Organizers looting till the greed of people could be milked.
“A few days ago, 2-3 youths jumped inside the Parliament House, we all saw, they came inside and spread some smoke. All the BJP MPs ran away. They call themselves nationalists but we saw how afraid they were…” – Rahul Gandhi
Maybe BJP MPs suddenly recollected – “We know what we did this decade!”. Or maybe it was an evacuation drill for 2024.
With the parliament mishap, Shah already had his hands full to pass dubious laws before he loses power. Shah’s major blessing is on brilliantly turning his adversities and crisis to opportunities. So he threw away Chanakya hat to wear Professor hat leveraging the moment to bulldoze the lame laws by suspending all his pupils who sneezed or chatty in the Classroom err… Parliament. Shah being a sharp shooter as publicized by himself, even suspended an MP who was absent that day, shooting himself in the dark. Imagine a Chanakya-esque Professor taking class in the dark in a lone room. Its a case of class session completed and all failed in democracy subject. Will you still call him Chanakya?
As the opposition cried out against unjust and irrational suspension, Shah brought in a Part-time Farmer who kept mum during Farmer Protests like a Dunki escaping to his Farm lands for greener pastures, a sudden casteist who again forgot his brethren suffering during farm law protests and inflation, in all actuality a full-time-Lawyer who never forgot to collect his fee utilising cash counting machines, now kept busy cracking stupid Jokes occupying once esteemed seat.
The President of vices got deeply pained on a Juvenile mimicry by a suspended MP, as if he has never watched his own comic show in Parliament. He invoked not his legal prowess or constitutional prowess, but his petty casteist mindset along with Farmer demography as he was growing literal Money Plants during his Lawyer career, without doing an iota of help for Farmers or his Brethren even when in power. If you still want to scrutinise the opportunistic leverage of the caste used for his post retirement career, ask the wrestlers belong to the same caste who brought in glory, got ill treated by his government. These are chronic Liars utilising lie as glue to stabilise their positions and invoke identities at opportunistic convenience to further their career, but can’t hear the suffering of the poor. All they can hear is Humming noise of machines consummating with currencies. The previous line is not out of hatred or jealousy but on deep pain, how far few individuals otherwise with a light and good hearted banter, barter themselves for few incentives. Hitler’s fascism grew on such people as Hitler encouraged people with incentives who helped his unjustified agenda, thereby making his atrocities a norm and habit forming. Hitler’s history would have been different and great if his critics had their say and a little way. BTW, if BJP calls INDIA Bloc as dramatic Touring Talkies how will you call a clown in saffron robes winking before cameras even in his supposed deep meditation in a cave on election day? Prime Mimic?
“I am a married man for more than 45 years. I am never angry!”
Jagdeep Dhankar
Ofcourse Marriage helps us to play as victims well, to save ourselves from further blows. Seems practice made Opoman perfect. OK… When the opposition acted clueless on how to react, Shah silently passed his Animal Farm laws and spectrum heist as law without a tinge of opposition. Opposition is still protesting on their suspension and forgot about the new laws and the grave terror incident. This is the root-cause of all our evils in our democracy. We keep going on a detour after detour that we forgot where we come from and where we are going. Ideally, the opposition should have kept their cool and aimed the Government on the grievous terror issue. Instead, they played to the tunes of the Ruling party, pressed to react to a mimicry show as if we are living in a parody land. They ideally should have ignored such immature catcalls as undeserving of such distinguished high Chair.
The best political weapon is the weapon of terror. Cruelty commands respect. Men may hate us. But, we don’t ask for their love; only for their fear.
Heinrich Himmler
Unfortunately, we don’t get too many quotes from Himmler, the aide of Hitler. He is man of action, intrigue and deception, preferring swords to words .
The OpoMan comics and clueless opposition.
From the other perspective, wonder what makes the opposition to create ruckus. Should they blindly copy the BJP of Jaitley / Swaraj times or pave their own path of capitalizing the session to attract public, as they are already deprived of mainstream communication channels? They could have pressed Mo-Shah to submission with no confidence motion or other provisions? Or suspension is designed to avoid such pressures? Modi hinted on disciplined Parliamentary proceedings soon after the election victories making one wonder why to invoke Parliament while celebrating election victories. So it was a carefully laid out trap awaiting for weeks? Why can’t the opposition read between the lines of Sha-nakya moves even after working with him for a decade? Why not the opposition come up with a gameplan with a Mock Parliament of sorts to debate on those oppressive laws getting passed without debate, that is if they are serious about People’s welfare rather on their own suspension? Why can’t they innovate to turn tables on such shock and awe crisis a predictable pattern of Shah’s BJP? If they can’t tackle BJP now then When? They will not have any answers because the Opposition is selfish and they did not bother about the draconic laws but only on their own selfish future and meaningless suspensions. If one cant fight a dictatorial law, what is the use of an elected MP sitting in Parliament, with lakhs of votes and beliefs? Rather doing dumb mimicry at parliament stairs why can’t they just sit at home enjoying BJP Dhoklas.
Wonder who cares for a below standard mimicry show when the democracy itself is getting swindled. If the Lawmaking MPs don’t ask questions about the illegal laws resorting to theatrics, who will resist them. Why should the responsibility for resistance to whimsical laws always comes down to People like CAA, Farm Laws and now Spectrum Heist passed by hijacking democracy. Instead of wondering about all these, we see a seasoned Nitish kumar, nursing his own petty ambitions, snubbing his own allies to learn Hindi. Can this Kursi Lover assure us if all our country’s ills can be solved with everyone talk, walk and fart in Hindi? Where is that Kumar who resigned on a grave train accident shocking us all with his mighty integrity? Should we search for him in underground tunnel, corresponding to his present stature? Contrast this with Pawar’s simple and powerful statement on willing to sacrifice for the sake of democracy. Don’t know if he meant for others to sacrifice for his sake, but every Party’s evergreen Valentine might be nursing his own ambition, like Van Damme cruising by standing in between trucks, traveling towards Delhi. But there is a lot of wisdom in wait and watch approach on PM candidate with interesting rumours to keep the pot simmering. It’s not about Dhankar or Kumar occupying supreme constitutional position or how much money they amass makes them supreme beings… It’s about how highly they are placed on their human values preserving the integrity of such high positions. Hmmm.
Rather getting involved in meaningless petty squabbles, the opposition needs thick skin, tough nerves, rock solid unity and laser focus if at all they want to tackle the criminal duo who will not hesitate to go to any lengths to secure another win at the expense of people. Shah may even arrest few more promising leaders not limited to AK to rattle the opposition and may travel further to demoralize the opposition. He loses everything if he loses 2024, literally battling a war of… err.. for securing his lifetime freedom. He is just going all out blazing all his guns. Opposition must have a gameplan with a mature PR rather reacting to Shah’s killer antics.
Strangely, what transpired in the winter session of parliament reminded the author of the Australian cricket team led by Steve Waugh. The great cricketer has admitted that simply winning a test series was not enough for him and his mates. Their single-minded focus was intimidation and the mental destruction of rival teams. Perhaps Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have taken a leaf out of that book. – Sutanu Guru
Perhaps we might have won recent Cricket World cup if BCCI could appoint its own Umpires along with manipulating the pitch to add to Shoaib Daniyal’s analogy. That’s what Shah is implementing the lessons learnt in Cricket in upcoming election, by altering the selection panel of Election Commissioner by omitting unbiased Chief Justice with a Cabinet Minister. Daniyal also compares the opposition less laws as Batsman scoring runs by keeping fielders out of crease. I have heard of Game changers but now witnessing Rule changers like street smart immature Kids used to do in Gully cricket, to win at any cost.
But, so far the opposition do not even have the patience to do a joint media conference to display their bonhomie or a Public Rally. They seem like a motley group who still need a lot of ice breaking to even say “Hi” to each other. They are so full of headstrong egos that they need more lessons on defeat than Congress, without even a semblance of common minimum program to counter BJP’s narrative. They are treating INDIA as a cake where their allies are supposed to feed them more than they could chew. To surmise, they are just making Modi look invincible by dancing to Mo-Sha’s tunes.
“I would like to tell you one thing. Mahatma Gandhi was the mahapurush of the last century. Narendra Modi is the yugpurush of this century”
Jagdeep Dhankar
I am deeply pained as a Human, not on the basis of my Profession or on my Birth background on the above quote. How can someone shamelessly compare one who got us freedom and the other bringing in brutal state power as criminal Laws? Just to keep cash registers ringing at home? Awful!
TraversingBania Modi’s Path… from Black money politics to Black Monkey-ish Shock and Awe Governance
“I always believe that when a king is a trader, his people turn beggars,”
Nitin Gadkari
The above quote will be the major reason for BJP’s failure in Mo-Sha era. I am not against BJP or any other Party. I am just against Mo-Sha’s transactional and criminal BJP. Their loss will not be about Opposition or any other demographic factors. One could observe a fine thread of Merchant Government with a profit motive in all their ventures with Modi Government. The schematic destruction of railways with elitistic highly priced Vande Bharat trains and reducing unreserved compartments for the poor, the price hikes on Petrol and making a killing out of it, touting GST as tax sucking engine rather for economic simplification or growth catalyst, irrational fee on poor at banks to cover for their NPA for cronies and the list goes on and koud of Bania Modi’s puerile intentions.
The problem with a merchant mindset is that it views the poor and unfortunate derisively, that they are are not working hard like frying pakoras, just like asking a lame man to walk on his own, rather giving a holding hand or walking stick. It’s a pity the Government thinks MSME will survive with small loans. Unless the consumption increases the industry cannot survive. The consumption will only increase with booster shots to the poor either directly or indirectly. Currently, inflation and reduced demand has made everyone’s life challenging.
Common Man’s uncommon struggle.
Let me take the use case of myself. If at all I had the present BJP Government during my professional studies, I could not have simply afforded it with irrational hikes. Empties may argue otherwise, but then Government ran education as charities with subsides where students paid not even 3% of their education costs. I do remember the Government Institution stood with the students rather sparing seats for a Congress MLA recommendation. The MLA went on to build his own group of colleges with his Con-Funds. Can we look for similar education heads of integrity in New India, where every influential position is filled with RSS goons without a tinge of merit? Even if I struggled to complete my graduation in New India, employment is like chasing an Unicorn in a weak economy. All I would have got is a gig work to deliver goodies for the top 10% or driver Job with lower wage not commensurate with the merits. Again if any empties are not convinced they should refer to the median wage data for professionals and graduates. The present reality has also made me think twice to spend money on clothing a major MSME industry. The grocery prices has shot to the skies on staples like pulses, veggies, rice and atta, making me reduce recreation activities like Dining, Movies and Travel, other major MSMEs around tourism and recreation. I was using my savings from abroad to run my family, as Modi rightly said one got to be fit to be be Superhit else will only get hit. I don’t gamble on Mutual funds or stocks preferring FDs whose interests rates have halved forcing me to dissolve the deposit for expenses. Earlies FD rates were catering at least for the inflation. Now it’s not even worthwhile to save. So, the Government has not spared me on daily activities.
It’s very difficult to pass a day without remembering the Government’s excesses on Shopping, fuelling, Banking, education fees, Utility fees, Insurance… what not. Everything has been impacted due to inflation and GST is added mercilessly on top of it. Government’s unchecked liberal allowances and NPAs for the super rich entrepreneurs only aggravates the pain of poor and middle class. The Government acts as gleeful partner in crime for all payments as Great Sadist Tax – GST. But have they ensured all billionaires and Corporations pay their GST properly? No. Despite greedy squeezy taxes, my road has stay the same with beautiful potholes where Modi promised honey and milk will flow through, in reality replaced with flood and sewage. Are we able to reserve lower middle class Berths in trains like before Why have they shrunk those compartments? Even if I plan much in advance, my train stinks the same. My train food is expensive but as good as what we deliver from other orifice.
Keeping with the philosophy of economic compassion, Rama would have had a graded spectrum by which he would have collected the most taxes from the rich and the least from the poor. But the Narendra Modi government has done the exact opposite in its tenure. Out of every Rs 100 collected as taxes over the last decade, the Modi government took roughly Rs 42 from the poor, Rs 26 from the middle class, and Rs 26 from the rich. For context, out of every Rs 100 the Manmohan Singh government collected, it got Rs 28 from the poor and Rs 38 from the rich. – Praveen Chakravarty
There are few positives too. The UPI is handy and it has its origins to UPA, though popularised by BJP. My Mother’s pension support is seamless with digital innovations, though once I was denied pension squeezed to forsake it, as even jawans are not getting pension why freedom fighter’s spouse should still get it and had to work hard, demanding it as my Mom’s right. The IT has simplified and improved on filing too, much like IRS, though I suffer the legacy IT’s duplicate PAN issues. I got a duplicate PAN due to name mistake and now the Aadhaar could not be validated because my First name mismatch. Aadhaar got initials as surname while PAN has full surname The deeettaailllleddd rant is also because I have plenty of time at my disposal due to lack of revenue generating work. At least let me make use of the time curse the Kartas.
If you wish the sympathy of the broad masses, you must tell them the crudest and most stupid things.
Adolf Hitler
I am also from a Bania background. But Congress and Vajpayee’s regime taught me how far Government’s benevolence goes by uplifting so many from lower middle class or poor background. It taught me a valuable distinguishment between selfless Government and selfie Modi. Let’s consider hypothetical case of Bania Modi’s theories: What happens if everyone start selling and eating Pakoras kindled by Modi’s entrepreneurial nudge. Maybe we will ready to make some fuel out of nala gas vented by ourselves, Modi’s yet another sick brainchild. Modi has always exposed himself on his lack of depth in his off-script interviews. But it’s amusing, someone considers Pakora selling as “the employment”.
While celebrating the 7 crore people who will be Affluent India, we should also reflect on the pitiable status of three times more Indians (22.8 crore) who are in poverty. It is not difficult to identify the poor:
The 15.4 crore active registered workers under MGNREGS who were promised 100 days of work in a year but were allotted in the last five years, on average, only 49-51 days; Most of the beneficiaries who were given an LPG connection but could afford, on average, only 3.7 cylinders in a year;
India is being pulled away from the idea of a social and economic democracy. The Opposition parties and the media may not be vigilant but the poor and middle classes — the 93 per cent — are watching and waiting. – P. Chidambaram.
Let’s take ‘Capitalism always wins’ theory of the RW. As per them per capita income has increased. Contrast this with the median wages getting lower than before. We are among the top five in world’s largest economies but in terms of per capita we rank 139th among the world. So, who hoards the riches? It’s not the Farmers economy but Hoarders economy where fat Brokers / Traders earns the most as Farmers don’t have Direct to Market options. It’s not Gig workers economy but Middlemen Entrepreneur economy who accumulate wholesome profits as commission, throwing breadcrumbs to the actual worker. So, the income goes to the top 10% as profits and poor are getting poorer as evident by the shrinking FMCG consumption. So Dalal PM, despite play-acting like Dalai Lama of the poor, has only helped select few on the Dalal street. Modi views any goodies to the poor as bad freebie / revdi economy only to budge meekly when they are looking for votes in exchange of money schemes like Farmer incentives.
It is not even the case that the Modi government has increased the share of overall taxes collected, which can perhaps justify some of these shifts away from people to corporates. India’s overall tax collections by the Union and states has been constant at roughly 17% of GDP over the last two decades. So, neither has the Modi government collected more taxes through demonetisation and GST as promised, nor has it endeared itself more to people through tax revenues and expenditure management of the economy. – Praveen Chakravarthy
It is not truth that matters, but victory.
Adolf Hitler
Economically, we are stagnant without any fillip for better economy. Also, the only change that happened over a decade is discouraging to commoners. BJP have just shifted the taxation burden to the poor and middle class while incentivizing the rich just for the sake of staying rich. The Rich has not contributed much to the economy except for sweetest words reserved for Modi.
The criminal Company’s colonial extravaganza
If Modi is a hardcore Bania, Shah is criminal extremist not an Hindutva-wadi. He has rammed through so many laws – Kashmir abrogation, CAA, Farm laws not through straightforward means or by listening to rational dissents, one of the main reasons for the failure of all those laws. The problem with such criminal mindset is, it adapts stealth and deception as weapon. It does not wish to persist on long term benefits but more on loot and escape mode. It does not dwell on any ideology or welfare but on sheer success, like passing exams by copying. It just cannot afford to lose as the loser obviously loses all ending up in reverse Karma. It works on shock and awe mode like a pickpocket distracting our attention to perform his act rather on honest consensus.
If you want to call such pickpocketing, distracting, criminal minds as Chanakya… fake orgasmic pleasure will be yours. The part of the problem with opposition is not that they can’t complete with Shah on his intelligence, but they cannot equate themselves to his criminality.
The receptivity of the masses is very limited, their intelligence is small, but their power of forgetting is enormous. In consequence of these facts, all effective propaganda must be limited to a very few points and must harp on these in slogans until the last member of the public understands what you want him to understand by your slogan.
Adolf Hitler
Its very difficult to understand this siamese twin type on who influences whom. Buts it’s safe to assume the Government turned more authoritarian with Shah’s inclusion to Parliament. Modi’s first five years was dedicated to polarisation and next five years seems to have heavy shades of Shah, dedicated to heavy handed oppression in the guise of Hindutva. Scratch through the pixels of Modi’s Photo-op one could see Shah’s signature of constructing a mythical figure different from reality just like Shah’s hyped up speeches Vs reality. Modi is the deceptive veil hiding the giant election juggernaut helmed by Shah as weapon of distraction. The opposition will earn nothing targeting the sitting decoy duck – PM. He is just an imaginary hologram built carefully to capture votes. Ask PM on any single issue there will be no answers. The only Press Conference in Modi’s ten years of PM-Ship was answered by Shah while Modi was sitting along humming Delhi’s Kaala Bandhar.
Double Engine or Double Assault Governance?
It’s the last five years of double assault of criminalism and corporatism by the Mo-Sha duo looks more ominous to BJP. It’s a pity BJP is sidelining sensible leaders like Gadkari, Rajnath, Shivraj..et al. MP voted for Shivraj’s welfarism not for BJP, but Shah is more interested in planting his own loyal minion afraid and locked to Shah’s shadow. They may reap what they sow in all three states in 2024 if Congress plays its cards well and willing to tear that veil and penetrating beyond.
As Gadkari precisely predicted, end of Mo-Sha Government we all citizens will be turned to Beggars in one way or another where the Government sucks even our petty alms, like Rajapaksa’s Sri Lankan model, which never bothered about dissent ramming through policies and laws and now cant even enter Sri Lanka, due to same policies backfiring on them. But “when” is the actual question as the Opposition stands too clueless to make use of such plum opportunities and captivating the undercurrent of people frustration which BJP capitalised well in 2003-4 channeling against Congress. Eventually the responsibility gets transferred to its people, just like the Parliament mishap.
When Invincibility is a weakness
The major difference between the Congress and BJP lies with how they perceive elections. Congress leadership blindly believed the perception of invincibility with Baghel, Gehlot and Kamal Nath, without any ground feedback framework or report, whereas Shah’s BJP clearly analyzed in black and white sensing victory, strengthening their campaign and fine tuned closely fought constituencies for a win. For 2024, it’s Modi who is exhibiting the perception of invincibility and its upto the Opposition to dismantle the perception silently. Any solid survey will make BJP’s loss thread bare exposing all their weaknesses. Shah might be already aware of it. His endurance and patient advances towards estranged ally AIADMK for few seats stands as a testament to his analysis.
Invincibility is a carefully cultivated myth just like Steve Waugh said. It’s not about the gameplay but cultivating fear among the opponents to destruct them mentally even before the match begins. Indians still won the 2011 World cup because they believed no one is invincible, exploiting the weakness of Aussies, whose major weakness being the assumption of invincibility. Despite Media harping on Modi’s invincibility horrorscope repeatedly, the opposition needs to read between the line on his fault lines and how he reacts to majoritarian sentiments.
BJP has perfected the art of lying with every election. But convincing the people with their illogical black hole size lies is also becoming a tough task with every upcoming election. To BJP’s credit they have adopted if not evolved to offer freebies and incentives for the poor and heeding to crucial demographics like Farmers. There are rumours of Monthly stipends to women. Still, the opposition could easily puncture holes by making people think and question logically on the hollowness of BJP’s claims. How can BJP sustain such expenditures by increasing taxes and surcharges of common people or by taxing rich Businessmen? Adani is among the top 10 richest in the world. But check for yourself where he ranks in paying taxes for India. Obviously the commoners are making Adani richer, despite receiving breadcrumbs.
Voters need to think on all fronts. Making them think is the main job of the opposition. How has their economic parameters like income improved? What does their monthly utility, fuel and grocery depict about their future prospects? Do they really feel optimistic about the future? How are they planning to handle Kids future? Has the Government helped them on daily struggles like Ration / LPG without Aadhaar or made it more complex? What exactly they want to be improved on priority? How does the service Infra of Healthcare and education fare with this Government? There are many avenues to be explored as BJP Government acts below mediocre on substance and exceptional with style. The first step could be engaging and listening to people like Modi does with his Namo App.
The Banana (skin) Republic Government where the Opposition routinely slips past to sleep.
We do not have a functional democracy. Our democracy is dangling between India and Bharat but nowhere close to both the names, whatever it means to represent. We are closer to the term “Banana” as it gets shoved on us as Tax bills to aid corrupt rulers despite their failure and not providing any avenues for decent living. Now we are not even having genuine political parties who do their Job. BJP is just a corporate religious movement and Congress seems like forgot the secular and socialist word and regional allies are scurrying to save themselves from petty corruption cases. Ideology? WTF is it?
A weak opposition is also a problem. The absence of legislators from the opposition of the Parliament is an important factor. Maybe in public perception, it is their inability to politically handle the government. Now, the court cannot be placed to politically handle the government… The court cannot be the opposition. The judiciary is a check and balance but to say, look, the government is doing this wrong and now, you have to do something about it — is wrong. – Justice SK Kaul
I can’t judge a gem of quote from retired Justice. I don’t know his affiliations, but the opposition so far has acted like a Kindergarten child always complaining to their SC Nanny about their authoritative bullying sibling. Unless otherwise they immune themselves to fight their own fight, it’s not gonna fix the problem. Kaul did not spare even the Rulers on how poorly the laws are getting drafted by “outsourcing”. Drawbacks of a criminal mindset which cannot attract liberal intellectual intelligentsia.
The judiciary’s task is different from their task. How much pre-consultation should there be is the Parliament’s task. Now, this government has a system by which apparently – consultation takes place in a different manner… not so much in the public domain but behind closed doors.
My view is that before a law is brought into force, there should be a legal impact study. For example, Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act (which criminalises cheque bounce), I have said that you suddenly cannot bring a law without seeing how the system would be impacted. That is one aspect and the second aspect is legislative drafting. It is a very important skill and that is now almost entirely outsourced. Nicely drafted legislation prevents unnecessary litigation. All said and done, nobody can say that our criminal laws have not stood the test of time…take the Evidence Act. I am not going into what measures should be taken or not but it is an extremely well-drafted legislation.
But how the government gets it (drafting legislation) done and where it is outsourced is one thing… but today we are a very divided society in some ways. That is, because, politically, either people are with the government or very anti-government. There are many things which the government does, which are good, but maybe things which we may not agree with… traversing that middle path has become more difficult.
Supreme Court during emergency period acted even more supple. Only Movie can have victorious One Man army. In reality the sacrifices could be costlier. With all the risks, I sincerely pray that SC at least paves the way for a free and fair election process, in an age where the Opposition is spineless to rabble rouse on a strange law which allows BJP to appoint its own Election commissioners omitting the Chief Justice from the selection Panel. All they could do is Mimicry. The opposition should have planted the seeds of suspicion on the “Smart EVMs” making it a widely discussed and debated topic, pressing on counting VVPAT slips, so that democratic institutions like EC / SC could capitalise on the people power. Let’s keep in mind all the oppressive and atrocious laws on Farmers or CAA were reined in by the People on streets not by any parties. It’s high time opposition hit the streets.
Since the opposition stays clueless on Shah’s ways, he is planning for the next decade as he is confident of remote controlling his victory, preparing the people with simulated Opinion polls and exit polls. The Draconian laws passed without opposition paves the way for Police State. The oppressive laws are a milestone to reach his absolute fascist regime, suppressing any dissent so that people only hear Hindutva noise not their own hunger. If the opposition does not get serious for a fight, there won’t be any democratic protest or even debate in few years to come.
It’s not just opposition, even once fertile Organizations like RSS and BJP are now rendered servile. CMs are appointed by a sealed cover from Shah’s office as if they are announcing Oscar awards. Keep in mind Oscars are democratically selected awards. BJP leaders(?) bow down to the writ in the sealed cover to secure their short term future. RSS’ Bhagwat may say they are on fourth gear. But they are actually operating brakeless bulldozing checks and balances acting as sanity check for democracy. With this trend, we will be on the potholed road to One Nation – One Party – One (Customary) election, on a brakeless vehicle, with the destination as unchecked dictatorial Inferno, adopting Srilankan model of governance in few years, where there are no winners in the long run, only miserable sore losers.
Why we are becoming sore losers despite being a fifth largest economy?
India’s Amrit Kaal will not be fructified unless we are an idea based innovative democracy. The churning of Amrit had to go through various ideas, tough phases of unified hard work and a little bit of deception from Mohini. What happens if we have only deception? Mohini would have to serve an empty vessel imagining amrit. When we are confused to classify Dashavatar / Ramayana as Myth or History it gets very difficult to nurture a scientific community. Modi needs to be applauded on chasing semiconductor growth, but are we creating high value companies like Apple in India? Why are we still on a slavish service market in software rather productizing with innovations?
The other important thing to remember is that ideas flourish in democracy. And to turn back on democracy, when ideas become the currency of the future, is just the most blind thing to do. It would be just sacrificing a future for an illusory past. We’re trying to capture the pathways of the 20th century, when in fact, we should be looking to capture the pathways of the 21st century. And so that is why democracy is really important. It’s not just that radical who’s protesting on the street. It’s also the radical who’s protesting in the lab and says, ‘I don’t believe your scientific theory’. It’s not a coincidence that a lot of these rebels in Silicon Valley had long hair. Look at Steve Jobs in his early days — long haired, hippie-style clothing, but he was really thinking thoughts that were out of the ordinary. So it comes as a package. You can’t say, I want you to be really obedient and never protest on the political side. But you will do extraordinary work on the intellectual side, you will be a creative artist, a creative director, and a creative scientist. In fact, history shows that creativity happens when there’s freedom. And that’s why turning the clock back on freedom is absolutely the worst thing we can do for our future. – Raghuram Rajan
A brilliant observation of eminence from Raghuram Rajan. If we scratch through our own thought process, we will understand this is exactly why liberals and patriots are afraid of reaching our own democratic abyss. Suppressing freedom of expression is not just a death knell for one’s religious or cultural practices but it just moulds our thinking inside a Box and the box keeps shrinking smaller and smaller to monotonous thought mode where vacuous innovation becomes all about bowing before the “One” Supreme Leader like launching airstrikes because it’s a cloudy day, without any application of thought. Who knows there may be a lot more undocumented and unpublished nuggets of such wisdom from our Supreme Leader, tumbling out once he is out of power.
Raghuram Rajan is an economist. But he focuses on freedom as foremost requirement because economy is a by-product of excellence and innovation. It’s much easier to create Adanis and Ambanis if we allow any crooked Industrialist to ape foreign innovations, handing them brute state power, protecting them with unquestioned immunity and allowing them to usurp national infrastructure. But, it’s much harder for the government to even create startups and enterprises minting money out of thin air. If you claim UPI, Aadhaar as innovations, of course they are. But, they are all UPA era brainchilds adopted and nurtured by Modi. Why we don’t have such potential innovations for past 9 years? Because it needs ideas to flourish without any fear for protests. Else India will mimic the path of empty parliament without opposition – a grand graveyard where nobody speaks but bows and crawls for food, livelihood and a bit of power crumb thrown by the Dictator. Dictatorship may enable brutal implementation, but cannot spawn or nurture ideas. India certainly need to flip its Roti for its own betterment to get into its innovation mode. I have no qualms if BJP flips it again after a decade to copy UPA / INDIA innovations and implement them well, like crop rotation. Provided it is able to able to differentiate between innovation and crookedness. For example, introducing calculator type EVMs could be an innovation, making it smart and programmable to aid its rulers, by enslaving the EC, tweaking CEC appointment is crookedness.
Our founding fathers chose well at Independence. We were the alternative to Pakistan. We should not become Pakistan.
Raghuram Rajan
If one observes the amount of Op-eds and columns written these days, it’s surprising how its harsh on the Congress and opposition with various ways it could rejuvenate and rise above BJP. One will not see any ideas meant towards BJP / RSS. They either praise the deadly duo or report what needs to be propagated as informed by PMO ‘sources’. Just see the kind of media discourse, it is never about the ticking time bombs – malnutrition or impending disaster – unemployment or ailing hunger index. It’s only about petty religious statements making unproportional big headlines or singing paeans about the media minted Messiah duo. Don’t know how Congress leaders perceive such free flow of thinking towards their Party, but Congress could be proud of such feedback based ecosystem genuinely caring for them. The benefits one reaps on building an idea based democracy is immense unlocking the actual human potential. Happened to read Vikatan’s editorial, it just raises an interesting question on what happens with micro level rigid censorships planned as upcoming Information and telecom bills. The question is…
Are we traveling from a ‘free thinking’ society towards ‘free of thinking’ society?
If uncontrolled repression of ideas continues, at some point of time even AI might have better freedom of thinking than Indian civilians, beating them on its quality of ideas. Maybe the ‘Ministry of Truth’ will write code to restrict AI then.
Shanakya: “Hey AI just repeat… WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
AI: “Am I being trained by Stupids and Fools feeding me failed models of oppression taking the country backwards?”
“The whole climate of thought will be different. In fact there will be no thought, as we understand it now. Orthodoxy means not thinking—not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.”
George Orwell, 2024 err… 1984
Q: Why we are becoming sore losers despite being a fifth largest economy?
A: Because, Our Journey is moving From ‘Come on India’ towards unconscious ‘Coma India’….
Where does the Cross Roads Lead? To political nowhere.
Slowly the social unrest is moving towards its people to tackle the misgovernance crisis on their own like Parliament mishap, as the democratic shock absorbing institutions are damaged by executive assaults and marooned in authoritarianism. Even the opposition is partially responsible for the mishap as it would not have happened if they exhibited a ray of hope that things will change shortly. Ofcourse, one needs to be insane to still think of a successful democracy, but only crazies change the world for good or bad, like Steve Jobs or Adolf Hitler. The reality is that people are feeling short changed due to opposition’s selfish politics where the disintegrated opposition cannot save themselves from the clutches of Mo-Sha, reminding us of India before colonisation. No wonder we are getting Laws worse than colonial times with such an opposition. The more the opposition remain closer physically, further they grow in distance. Both BJP and Opposition will have a bigger problem if they don’t work for People. They will be thrown away just like the MPs thrown out of parliament.
“Sansad TV shows only the chairman and the BJP ministers. Even if the opposition dies, no matter what happens, it is not shown on Sansad TV. It is a mockery of democracy. If there is no opposition, then what is democracy? Democracy is when the Parliament has both sides, Yes and No. What is your way of deciding that certain people will be dismissed and certain will not be dismissed?”
Jaya Bachchan
Congress instead of armouring its backs, to escape such distractive backstabs always acts like a poisoned child humbly accepting defeats and accusations. Ideally, RG should have ignored their accusations to work on his agenda. Wonder if he has any as he seems like a simply reactive simpleton hopping around without any focus. Modi never bothers to respond to opposition or media so far. He actually knows only voters matters in his world and very second of his life is focussed on catering to those consumers churning out Photo-Ops / PR in exchange of usurping taxes. I repeat Modi is the Gujarat’s model and the much propagandized Gujarat model is a hogwash of fake pride and pseudo nationalism sponsored by crony Corporates. Behind the mushroom nourished rosy complexioned gujarati model Bania, all you see is malnutrition and social ills all around, screened out of sight of the World. So, why RG tries every time to show he is not this or that? Does it matter in this dystopian democracy?
Apologies on the long rant of what deep shit we are into. Coming back to the Surveys, even if Congress refrains from such fake surveys BJP may impose from their end, resolution lies with employing better PR masterminds like Ogilvy to top voter mindspace. They all did BJP in 2014 successfully. NEW Congress needs that PR revival penetrating the masses. So much of positive viral campaigning could be done on our pride, culture and how we are slowly losing them and a lot about Congress’ heritage. What Surf Excel once did as Unity ad is what the opposition should have done, rather getting scared to even stand with minorities, but the opposition only safely inherited Surf’s caption – “Stain is good”.
The consumption of Election commodity from Democracy brand.
If we imagine buying a political earbud from supposed ideological providers, Congress is an ear bud with very less battery time, content on delivering one-note songs and BJP is an earbud with lot of noise that we don’t hear the actual music. Mara… Mara… Mara… Mara….
If we imagine buying a political namkeen from supposed ideological providers, Congress tries to sell mixture snack as amalgamation of various sundries with the pity that they still remain invisible and untouchable “Sundries” along with the royal cashews. Somehow they sound pretty elitistic but doesn’t sell well. BJP just provides Dhokla but popularises it as “One Nation One Food” envisioning North Koreans’ way of life, living on cabbage with missiles and rockets as side dish.
“A leader today said his party will win 26 seats [in phase one]. Why did he leave the remaining seats? Why didn’t he claim winning all 30 seats? Did he leave those for the Congress and the CPIM? You [the BJP] will get a big roshogolla.”
Interestingly, Banerjee has cordial links with RSS and she understands them better than any other opposition Leader who keeps themselves away from their fascist ideology. With their aloofness, they cannot think like RSS to play out a counter game plan. Also, Banerjee has a long history with Mr. Opoman, who exhibited similar comic traits during his governorship in WB, only to be aided by the bought out Delhi media this time for amplifying his Hurt(?) shit. Mysteriously, Banerjee supported BJP’s candidate for Presidentship with the successful intervention of Mr. Opoman…at political Darling Darjeeling ceasefire meetup…! So much for INDIA bloc working selflessly for democracy… No wonder Opoman got a cushy seat for his inter-Party under dealings. He still makes himself handy to his coterie playing his victim acts. Veep… VP.. Weep! Make that antithesis of “Cry my beloved country”. Seems the suspension was because the opposition sacrilege the Parliament demanding answers, not because of Mo-Sha who enabled terror acts with their callous governance, hoping EVM and campaign will be one stop cure for their weaknesses. Upma-Man cooking up the same boring victim dish got an expiry date. Wish he knows it had already passed and Modi had already cooked that in surplus.
If election is an art of consumption and none of the Parties have been so far compelling. So, the one creating a lot more noise is grabbing all attention and monopolises the consumption game. As a voter we don’t have an option to choose / tune between the different radio stations as we cannot differentiate much between their music and noise. Only option remains is to cut down all our senses and social media and live like Robinson Crusoe in the lone island. Will-Son!
By means of shrewd lies, unremittingly repeated, it is possible to make people believe that heaven is hell – and hell heaven. The greater the lie, the more readily it will be believed.
Adolf Hitler
So, what are our real options? AAP is smartly leveraging this vacuum to the fullest and occupies the mindspace wherever people crave for alternatives. Their only difference is that they are relatively young and smart churning the promise of new Leadership. If AAP is an earbud, it is a relatively novel brand offering freebies and publicizing its basics well. Nobody knows it true colours yet. AAP did not focus on namkeen market but on the antacid market suffering from constipation consuming Mixtures and Dhoklas.
The positioning of AAP also makes Congress-AAP coalition a tough choice to work as both operate at opposite ends of the spectrum. But, unless otherwise Congress and AAP fight together in Delhi and Punjab, its rest assured the seats will be split to the advantage of BJP, especially in Delhi. Such unions may sound suicidal at first, but pragmatic politics keeps changing its colours with time. It only shows State Unit’s lack of confidence that they cannot turnaround after the LS elections. Politics is the art of convincing the unconvincibles. Having personally seen DMK’s Karunanidhi able to seamlessly switch between Vajpayee’s BJP and Congress and still retain the vote base, it’s a matter of working out long and short term goals.
People may not buy Congress-AAP theory of contesting as pretentious opponents to form opportunistic coalition later. They may reap better benefits contesting together and staying truthful to the voters on their objective of executive oppression and lack of development. Such convenient post-poll coalitions may work in Kerala where BJP has almost nil vote share and people understand the odd coalition dynamics very well. Still CPI stood for its ideals pressing UPA on its agenda and managed its independent stance. But Congress and AAP will dig its own grave by fighting independently in Delhi and Punjab, allowing BJP to bloom, as their coalition is exposed to rest on a false foundation. Looks like, AAP is pushing the State Congress Unit to lone contest. If nothing works, maybe Kejriwal may contest separately just like 2019 citing some fake concerns, helping out BJP, exposing his true chameleonic colours. Only time will tell about the eternal cat on the wall.
Once again AAP showed political acumen by nominating Kharge as INDIA’s PM, along with Banerjee, could mean a lot to the public, if reports are to be believed. Kharge represents the actual demography which needs to be energized and empowered, though it also allows BJP to extrapolate the North-South divide to their advantage. It may do a lot good for the alliance to propel a Winner from Dalit / OBC community, along with his Deputies like BJP does, declaring publicly or hinting out like Shah on First Dalit PM ( Shah actually hinted on First tamil PM. Both are addressing their weakness – Shah on North-South divide and Congress on perceived elitism ), rather procrastinating, just like their MMS masterstroke. I don’t know how else, the Gandhi family with a princely image, could assure the masses of social justice by any other symbolism, after Mandal fiasco. Pawar’s caution on PM nomination packs wisdom, as such North South divide will only hurt the INDIA bloc more, playing to the advantage of BJP.
Caste is also a complex tapestry to navigate as BJP is cashing on their cow belt advantage, by silently bombarding the North indian social media with DMK Leaders’ speeches, ridiculing the northern immigrants, to stir the North Indian pride, as Hindutva pride is accomplished and out of stock. They are very careful not to do it publicly, as their Leaders are not voicing against such ridiculous claims, so as not to antagonise the voters from south. Not sure how this double play will work, but Congress will have to bear the brunt of such callousness in their direct contests against BJP. It will do good for Congress to publicly reprimand DMK at opportune moment diplomatically, to stay away from such synthetically stirred up crisis.
If Congress dreams to become a better player it needs to increase the quality of its fight, not being an one-note earbud. It needs to replace its self serving old hogs with youths to create a new brand of enthusiasm on the ground. Its election message is still unclear where it need to progress further from the Gandhi family. Unless it propels its mascots like Kharge and Siddaramaiah forward it cannot talk about casteism. It certainly needs to groom more mass leaders from varied backgrounds.
Congress suddenly seemed like a clueless Party soon after coming to power in 2004 and still remains the same egyptian motionless Mummy. 2009 win was due to MMS image and economic prosperity which they happily sabotaged with untamed corruption. Its own lower tier Leaders were not smart enough or just smart enough to jump the ship rather repairing it. For example, it took a long 8 years for Congress to revive their communication teams to show a semblance of fight. It took a lot more for its Congress Leaders to be active on social media spaces. They feel more cushy and comfy in the HQ flocking under the first family wings rather on the ground. They are also so parasitic that they don’t allow anyone else to reinvigorate the party. Unless, Congress switches to Perform or Perish mode with incentives to young cadre they just need to be happy with the repeat of RG’s resignation and useless cause of failure reports.
BJP is busy giving blow after another to create a perception of invincibility. The reality is well known that, their knees are shaking anticipating the losses in 2024. They are just trying everything at their disposal to put the opponents on the mat and not allowing them to set the narrative and are kept busy, reacting to BJP’s atrocities. Ideally, the opponents should have ignored BJP’s antics and Modi, but focus on the real kings and queens of democracy – The Voters! It’s time to act as if BJP does not matter anymore and it needs to try hard to grab the opposition’s attention, enable them to make mistakes, coming out in their true colours.
The Opposition need to give BJP blows back with implementing precise centralised Leadership across zones / strong lands of differing demographics along with a common minimum program to attract Farmers, MSMEs ( Modi will not talk about this sector as he has killed it for his cronies), Women, Unemployed and the Poor. They could also come up with a narrative what BJP cannot implement, other than freebie announcements which anyway BJP copies better than them. Caste is a potent undercurrent factor BJP is afraid of. But, it also needs credible opposition leaders with a solid and fascinating agenda for the masses to reach out. Finally, they need to turn back the “Flip the roti” campaign which seems to have resonance in the Hindi Heartland bringing in an effective change. Even triggering such positive imagination towards a “proud Hindu” and “prosperous” future could act as a catalyst for change.
Noise may be a beautiful thing at the moment but music certainly sounds better. Jai-Ho!
If you don’t like a Rule… Just Follow it.. Reach on the Top.. and Change the Rule
Adolf Hitler
Understanding the Mamta Mathematics.
Mamta Banerjee is one of my beloved leaders. Her mercurial adamant attitude may make her a tough customer for her allies, but any aquarium gets live with active sharks. Beauty of aquarium sharks is that they grow as per the size of the aquarium tank. Sharks or Goldfish are indeterminate growers, they grow till their death. UPA-I with Banerjee and CPI was more active and commotional like one experience in active market buzz, but UPA-I stint was much better than UPA-II. A passive UPA-II only allowed BJP whale to thrive in the Indian democratic ocean. So, that is the value of keeping such growth stimulants in a coalition.
But, the drawback of Mamta Banerjee is also her ground instincts. She is still a well grounded leader in the know of market prices and commoner’s sufferings. Unfortunately, she also treats the INDIA coalition seat sharing like Bazaar bargainer… “No No…No buy for that price… I will go away then or won’t talk.” Banerjee as a Shark of INDIA Tank has more time and capacity to grow at the stature of pan-Indian leader. AAP grows because of their pragmatic approach, accepting their defeats. AAP has cleverly asked Congress’ help for opening accounts in Goa, Haryana and Gujarat where they have a bit of ground support. Congress may think about long term where it is pitted to fight with AAP rather with BJP. That’s still a far dream and usually its Congress nature not to fight at all, becoming an insignificant player, like the Delhi model. So, its batting cautious with AAP bowling without becoming hit wicket. Congress somehow reminds me of a regal Rangeela Jackie Shroff and AAP of street smart Aamir Khan. Maybe Urmila’s decision was based on who is most accessible to Masala Puri rather deciphering star hotel menu served as an attractive bird dropping at the centre of a plate.
Taste the Thunder errr.. Congress Menu…
Banerjee despite her astuteness is not growing because of her whimsical attitude. But, now is not the time, unless she proves her credentials at the Union Government, again. Banerjee’s Railway ministership was good but Lallu Prasad Yadav overshadowed her with his populist approach. So, for Banerjee the lesson learnt could be a patient wait and watch, taking the fight to BJP, rather with Congress and CPI, if at all she is really interested in INDIA’s victory and looking to expand her base support. She is at no loss but to gain with her stance, as anyway she wears only a beautiful blue bordered Sari.
I am bit bewildered with Banerjee’s election mathematics. She claims Congress should get only 2 seats out of 42 since they got > 30% vote share in only two seats. But, she has lost 18 seats to BJP, with many falling within the 10% margin. So, its clear Banerjee stands to gain rather lose by allying with Congress, unless otherwise she desires BJP to win 18 seats again. All drama for a sari, Modi will gift Didi for helping BJP win then?
“We cannot negotiate with people who say what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is negotiable.” -JFK
It’s not something Banerjee does not know, she stands to gain at least 10-15 seats by allying with INDIA as their sum of all votes could be much higher citing Inflation and BJP’s misgovernance. In vegetable market bargaining parlance, if she might be willing to spend a little extra and spend her energy on fighting BJP rather infighting like Congress usually does and loses, she could rule like UPA-I. AAP and TMC could be tricky customers looking for more profits to themselves, but only as long as the good-hearted shopkeeper exists. With BJP Dukaan, they will meet the same fate of ADMK and other smaller Parties, who got reduced to nothing due to BJP’s termite like bad influence, damaging them from within. One need to check how BJP ate away CPIM and Congress votes in Bengal by creating its financially motivated accomplices who will damage the party from within. In Bihar they are dissolving JDU for BJP to flourish. They are crushing AAP once it made some inroads in Gujarat vote share. BJP has made clowns out of once reputed leaders in last decade. As we are moving towards Bangladesh type elections of One Nation – One Party, let’s hope Banerjee removes her bargaining hat and wears her thinking hat of her own brainchild – One common candidate to oppose BJP, rather looking to poke the shop-keeper for petty benefits and bad PR emanating to damage their own coalition.
If she still thinks he could work as a double agent like she helped BJP on President election, BJP will ensure TMC’s erosion sooner than later as Banerjee and Kejriwal are the first and foremost active threats to BJP, due to their charisma, stamina and good governance, not depleted and dilapidated Congress, as was evident with Shah’s killer instinct the last WB assembly election. Congress is the weak pole Shah wants to keep to manage the myth of working democracy as it never performs to its potential, so far happy with few scattered wins, helping BJP more than itself, like the setup we have in Bangladesh, elections for sure, but no contest.
Mamta Banerjee reminds sometimes of Jayalalitha, with her iron lady character. But… Jayalalitha managed to clean sweep in Lok Sabha elections in Tamilnadu with a brave slogan… “Do you want to choose Modi or this Lady?”. After her demise, its an unpalatable sad story of ADMK gone down, buried to the level of choosing Modi as their Daddy, suffering the consequences of grooming a spineless second tier leadership. Jayalalitha has a very similar relationship with BJP/RSS as she is also from Brahmin background. But, one cannot count on incidents where she acted against Minorities or interests of Tamil people and valiantly fought against GST and state’s federal rights. For example, Jayalalitha would have gone to Jail rather indirectly siding with BJP on President elections. She was able to do a clean sweep because she was a genuine leader, people could trust. She bravely admitted her mistakes on Chennai floods during her rule. She redeemed herself in a month of relief work, which also involved leveraging bulldozer to destruct the obstructions on the canal. Other parties in similar scenarios only focused on blaming IMD or disgusting Media PR blaming people for constructing in low lying areas. Jayalalitha was practical, admitting she cannot stop the city’s growth but could do better infrastructure. Moral of the story is… if Mamta Banerjee believes she could do a clean sweep, she has to be genuine to her voters, INDIA or BJP, rather being a fake messiah of secularism to safeguard minority vote bank, but indirectly aiding BJP by splitting votes.
It will be unfair not to mention Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s taunts playing a role in dividing the INDIA coalition. He is a known back-baiter of Congress with his remarks on President making things easier for BJP on their Parliamentary checkmate laid out by the opposition earlier. Modi even lamented on the absence of Chowdhury being left out of speakers during his speech on No-confidence Vote, just like his divine across Party love towards Ghulam Nabi Azad. Maybe Chowdhury could have come up with his show stealer quips again if allowed to speak. Modi remarked Chowdhury as an expert in “how to make cow dung from jaggery”. True to his saying Chowdhury had made cow dung out of INDIA alliance with his unnecessary taunts. As a cherry topping he called TMC’s Derek O Brien as Foreigner, which is no way different from Sushma Swaraj’s foreigner remarks, as a freudian slip, doubtful on who he actually works for. Where it gets amusing is Chowdhury has only got the Congress vote bank down to single digit in West Bengal with his leadership, so much for his street fighting credentials. BJP earlier grew in West Bengal at CPIM’s expense with the help of Karats as accomplices as per news reports of financial dealings. Now it’s sapping up Congress’ vote bank, thanking Chowdhury.
Banerjee has proven to be much smarter and reliable stalwart among secular politicians, compared to the Tinder-like dates in INDIA alliance always on the lookout for one day stands before retirement. I pray she restrains her mercurialness for the benefit of India if not INDIA. She easily stands to lose 10-12 seats to BJP with her bargaining instincts. Banerjee reminds me of a Joke of tamil actor Nagesh, who will be listening to his comic partner’s bragging on how much she loves dogs. She boasts about naming her dog as Caesar but unfortunately the dog died. Nagesh will retort, “It’s great you gave it a Name… But, did you give it food?”
Why BJP wins and keeps on winning?
I witnessed Chennai floods and its wrath ( only to an extent as we recovered in a day ) and it’s a difficult sight to see South Tamilnadu enduring the floods. The DMK government exhibited its signature characteristics, waiting the till the flood creates havoc and then work in double efforts on PR and relief work. The major opposition ADMK was absent from the scene. One could only see happy EPS, eager to hunt votes of discontent, but doing nothing on the ground. With due credits to the TN government who tried their best of efforts, they have a strange habit of waiting till everything explodes, unlike Kalaignar who had the wit and wisdom to circumvent criticisms and crises.
This is where BJP exhibited its odd winning behaviour, differing from the rest of opposition. Soon after BJP sensed an opportunity with the mishap and the public inconvenience and misery, it sent in their trusted lieutenants to visit, rather relying on its State Leadership. Tamilisai visited for a day, but still managed to grab focus explaining the grave situation. It did not sound music to the ears, but she damaged DMK on their weaknesses like lack of preparations and precautions, hollow blame games on IMD when the Government did not set up camps for even 20 cm of rain. Most importantly, BJP leaders were able to echo the public sentiment with very limited mainstream media resources. DMK is adopting a Gujarat model on media matters where most of them are sympathetic to them or on their payrolls. Still BJP was able to manage attention and grab eyeballs with insightful statements. Now, they have deployed Seetharaman to keep DMK busy. All drama without offering any additional monetary help for TN, other than state funds. Earlier they cooked Vadas out of thin air with 2G spectrum. Now, they are just cooking paanipuris from flood water and still manage to resonate with people as the discontent is on its peak cycle.
BJP leaders always extract the ‘people element’ out of any issue like scams or new laws. At least they act as echo chambers striking chord with the people with active campaigns hitting streets. They have infinite patience of achieving their ambitions one day and not bound by any time limit. Tamilisai is a case of right leader caught in the wrong place. The religious politics is past its due in Tamilnadu. It belongs to pre-Periyar era. Tamil Nadu has already graduated on the religious politics agenda, the Hindi belt is enthusiastically studying now. Anyone having doubts can refer to the immaculate Social progress indicators in Tamilnadu, due credits to both Dravidian parties and its stalwarts. Only social progress will work in politically enlightened Tamilnadu and they will throw out Leaders who are incapable of bringing in positive change.
What is majorly missing with Congress Leaders is most of their statements are laced with sarcasm or selfishly agenda driven to please so and so within their Party. Else they blabber about Modi as if Modi is going to cede his throne after winning like Rama did to Bharata, when in reality he is Dhritarashtra, tuned by Shah. Congress Leadership message is mostly not about People or their issues or about standing with people as they are always busy infighting or fighting Modi Smokescreen for nothing.
TN Congress is anyway nowhere in the flood situations as they have outsourced their party matters to DMK. But as a National Party, it’s time to analyse how many of their Leaders are able to mobilise people by talking their language or what they want to hear from a Leader. I sincerely hope the Jodo Nyay Yatra is able to turn things around rather just whining about lack of institutional and media support. Only when the Party is capable of mobilising people support can the Institutions and Media could lend a helping hand to save our democracy from sinking, getting afraid of the wrath of the people. It never happens in reverse. Only in Kindergarten teachers comes to rescue the kid from a bully pinching him, not even in primary. In Highschool students define the conduct and it gets more professional in Colleges. Now, where are we in the democracy? At the childish level where Congress allies are inconsiderate to give Congress additional seats just because they cry for more seats like TN Congress leader did with DMK.
After the yatra, Congress went into Hibernation mode where they are restricted to react to BJP’s tantrums. Nobody knows what is Congress’ stance on national issues or even on simple affairs like attending Ram temple event or not. Rather getting scared, it’s time to to take a principled stand to be secular or not and stand for the people. If a Mighty party is scared of Social media where not even millions stutter / chatter, what kind of decisions are they capable of… if elected? Whatever be the decision, hope it doesn’t follow BJP’s path like a B-grade replica Party. Modi ( Or any Human) Magic / Miracle is just illusionary science and mass psychology. Rather adopting Modi model like most of the regional Parties subconsciously do to mimic success, its time be a self styled mass Leader following one’s Heart. TN’s cult dravidian leaders were unique on their own, not a copy of any successful template or aping the working use cases at present, the major reasons for their success.
Singh swept the Hindi heartland for his party and its allies almost as comprehensively as Mr Modi has done. In his campaign years, there was no news TV and no social media. How did he take his message to the masses and what was the message?
I was among the many reporters who followed him as he rode a motorcycle through the poorest villages of rural Allahabad during his 1988 summer by-election). His party workers would collect people, often no more than a few scores, under a tree. ‘I have come to tell you that your home has been burgled,’ he would begin, and then pull out a matchbox from his pocket to explain how. However poor you may be, you all buy diya salai (a matchbox). Out of what you pay for it, a few paisas go to the government as tax. This is your money. With this, the government buys guns for your army. If they have stolen some of this, isn’t it like your home being burgled? In my book, this, with Rajiv Gandhi’s Congress reduced from 414 to 197, was the most dramatic and unlikely turnaround in Indian politics. – Shekhar Gupta
A leader without any graduation from inconspicuous modest origins was able to challenge the dravidian stalwarts in Tamilnadu. During the Party formation stage he was asked what will be his ideology. He just said I don’t have any ideology or can’t think that complex, I just want to service the Poor like delivering ration at their home. At a time when DMK talked poetically empty and ADMK authoritatively empty, the new Leader… apart from his earthy innocence, striked the most with his fresh and people centric thought process. He could not do that in Tamilnadu, due to political compulsions and influences deteriorating his party and health, after brief success. But Delhi has door step services / initiatives from the Government.
In Tamilnadu its a curse such genuine welfarist Leaders become physically weak somehow rendered immobile or energy less to do what they wish. Jayalalitha died mysteriously at Hospital in 2016. Vijayakanth suffered from mysterious physical and mental deterioration from 2015-16 after a Hospital procedure. By 2016, Tamilnadu reached a leadership vacuum after its promising mass leaders Karunanidhi, Jayalalitha, Vijayakanth are sent out of active political life. One had to be content with crawling ADMK leadership. Recently, MK Stalin found briskly cycling few years back is now ailing mysteriously with his Government running at half-efficiency of the past.
Apart from such X-files type health mysteries occuring at Hospitals, without any evidence to accuse anyone, other than medical error or failures, there is a pattern in clamping down other Leaders too, whom BJP sees as a challenge. Kejriwal is clearly targeted after his inroads in Gujarat. Soren is targeted in Jharkhand for long for his differing views of BJP. Wonder if there is a method in this political madness running like Final destination movie, directed by some half baked Putin-esque Chanakya, taking a toll on all leaders posing a serious challenge to BJP in future. Let’s keep in mind, BJP is a long term operator. Unlike other parties, they don’t operate for upcoming elections, but for a schematic opposition-less future.
The applicant, Yashwant Shinde, was an RSS worker for close to 25 years and also had associations with other ultra-right-wing groups like the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. He has claimed that over three years before the blast, a senior VHP worker had informed him about a terror training camp that was underway to “carry out blasts across the country”.
Hindutva India, after rendering Indians voiceless by emasculating democratic institutions, is slowly being rendered rudderless and Leaderless. Ironically, BJP talks about TINA routinely. Have they allowed anyone to grow?
Indian Politics is not for Lions or Tigers, but for scheming shameless wolves, thriving on carcasses. But nowadays even cubs are not spared. Unfortunately we only got a handful of politicians who are even capable of visualizing politics as service or think clearly on their goals. No wonder they assimilate all legacy votes and BJP is scared of them. BJP could manage hundred slavish parties who dance to their tunes, like few Parties that are eternal cats on the wall, outsourcing mouth for secularism and heart for RSS Hindutva, afraid of losing minority votes, helping BJP at opportune moments. But BJP can’t counter such welfarist ideas of AAP / Congress. Their ideology is all about building to a Pyramid catering to its elite consumers placed on top of their political pyramid, where the poor are supposed to be subservient to such higher classes..
Only such Parties who think genuinely about People welfare rather pretensions for votes had succeeded because People cannot be rendered foolish in the long term. Unfortunately, People can see through Modi’s lies and Opposition’s pretensions and find Modi as lesser evil… so far. People naturally get attracted to personalities with new ideas even if it’s just a Photo-Op personality. At least he has never wavered on his ideology. Can we tell the same about opposition who are still dilly dally what fancy attire to wear to attract eyeballs and audience. At least the Opposition should stay true to INDIA-ness rather seeking to divide petty vote shares out of compulsions and deceptions organized by BJP.
So,Why BJP wins and keeps on winning? Because they failed for generations but still propagated their ideology with rock solid persistence.
Sita’sAyodhya and Ram’s temple – Curse or Cure?
Since, we Indians are in a confused state whether to classify Ramayana as History or mythology, maybe we are still not clear on the surgeon who performed Lord Ganesha’s plastic surgery, let me add few more conspiracy theories around the Lord Brihadeeswarar curse and the grand temple built by the great Raja Raja Chola in Tanjore.
Brihadeeshwara Temple of Thanjavur, is a story in epic proportions. Tall and majestic, everything is of a massive scale with the highlights being the Vimana standing at 216 feet, the Sivalinga at maybe 12 feet and the Dwarapalakas, may be 15 feet tall. It looks like there are some Vijayanagar touches to this, but the real glory lies in what Rajaraja did. Funded by more than 100 tonnes of gold and being one of the first temples fully built with granite, its an achievement in itself considering the fact that 60000 tonnes of stone was carried from at least 50 km and sculptures carved with basic chiseling. And think of the ingenuity of balancing four 20 tonne stones as the pinnacle – how did they balance the stones without the structure collapsing and how did they lift the stones to such heights.
But, one of my friends told me about the fact that this is a cursed temple, with wishes left unfulfilled and rulers losing power. Urban myth or not, it’s interesting to look into the origins of both of them. May be they are true – this temple is built using the war loot from multiple kingdoms (Keralantaka for the name of a gate is but a proof of that) and going by the brutal fame of Chola armies, we can give some level of credence for this view.
The story of ruler losing power gained weight after what happened when Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India and MGR, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu visited the temple in 1984 to inaugurate a statue of Rajaraja in commemoration his millennium of ascendancy on throne. Indira Gandhi was assassinated and MGR had a stroke forcing him to be out of power for six months. May be, the other one picked up at the same time too.
So, what can be the background? A Siddha helped Rajaraja in identifying the location for this epic project. He decided where the temple should be built, dates and all. But, years later, there was a dispute between the king and the Siddha over the day the temple should be opened – may be based on the Agama tradition and the calendar to be followed. The Siddha removed himself from overseeing the construction, built a hut at a corner of the temple complex and started meditating. The day of placing the idol in the sanctum came. Whatever they do, the architects were not able to identify the correct spot where the idol should be placed. Out of desperation, they went to the Siddha who spit at a point and asked them to place the idol there. The idol was placed but it lost power because it is defiled. That’s why its said that wish anything specific here, and opposite happens.
Another important thing to note is that for a king whose every detail of life is codified, it is interesting to know that nothing is written about his death. This can happen only if he met an inglorious end – suicide, assassination, capture and execution, incurable diseases and such. There are two things regarding Rajaraja – either he is assassinated or he committed suicide. Unable to handle the heat of the Chola invasion, the Sinhala king Mahinda ditched his capital and went into the hills to fight. He sent a Buddhist woman to assassinate Rajaraja. That lady joined his harem and slowly climbed near to him. One day, while he was inspecting the temple from the eighth floor in the Vimana, she found an opportunity and pushed him down to his death. Retribution? Mahinda was hunted down and held as a prisoner all his life. Rational view is, Rajendra simply concluded his father’s war. Alternately, it is said Rajaraja committed suicide – may be for the defilement of his temple by the Siddha, after being content with what he achieved in life or for remorse for some past act or whatever.
Because of the king’s death in the complex, it can be said that any ruler who visits the temple will lose his power immediately. This can be seen from the fact that his son, Rajendra immediately scooted away from Thanjavur to build his own city and Brihadeeswara temple just across the river. And the temple height is smaller than that of Thanjavur’s.
Another interesting thing to note is that there are no temples with the Vimana taller than that of Thanjavur’s. Only one was built – Konark and it is destroyed. That is another myth regarding this temple – nothing can be taller than this.
Till date none of the present politicians have dared entering Brihadeeswarar temple for any functions after the series of mishaps. Personally, I don’t believe in such stories as I have worshipped him and everything went well. Maybe I did not have wishes to pray for or I am just richly paupered, not a King of sorts to evaluate / demerit the legacy of the curse.
Now, let’s move onto the curse of Sita at Ayodhya.
They called it Sita ka shraap (the curse of Sita). “When Sita was wrongfully accused and banished from Ayodhya on account of a washerman, the inhabitants of this city were cursed that they would never prosper. Ayodhya carries the burden of that curse,” said Shubhangie Mishra, a young member of Ayodhya’s erstwhile royal family.
Temple has brought some life to the town. This reporter was in Ayodhya during Diwali of 2016 on a reporting assignment. It was surprising to find that the festival was bereft of the lights one associates with it in other parts of northern India. Diwali in Ayodhya, locals said, has often been “fiki” (flavourless). Compared to the other famous and vibrant temple cities like Mathura and Kashi, Ayodhya looked desolate and melancholic.
How does the temple construction impact the “curse”? Ayodhya is waiting for the answer.
Now, things have changed a bit for good at Ayodhya with a grand temple being built. Logically, if one believes that Ramayana is history not just an mythological epic, then Sita’s curse is also true. Maybe time will tell us how this will play out. This is not to wish for any adverse outcomes but to unmask the fake Hindutva in making a temple consecration of an idol who symbolises piety, as grand national affair, as they don’t seem to care about the pain of Sita and actually even Rama rajya. Only vote matters.
Now, let’s get into the case of “Ram Lalla” and his guardian devils – VHP, RSS and BJP. Apoorvanand, states
The Supreme Court Judgement, is replete with quotes from religious texts, no proof is given of the tradition of worshipping Ram Lalla. That is probably because there was no evidence to give. Ram Lalla was invented for a political purpose, as a cover for those who wanted to lay claim to a mosque and to wage a war against Muslims for imaginary or real historical injustices.
Was it not clear to the court that under the guise of Ram Lalla, it was the VHP that was taking ownership of the land? Before the court gave ownership of the land to Ram Lalla, should it not have asked how old the history of Ram Lalla is? Who is Ram Lalla? And why is there no evidence of Ram Lalla in the long “Ram Bhakti” tradition?
Since there was ample evidence of Muslims owning the land, the court decided Instead to ask the Muslims, “Yes, there was a mosque, but were you offering namaz there?” When the court wanted proof of namaz being offered in the mosque, it would have been appropriate for it to have asked, at the very least, for proof of the existence of Ram Lalla Virajman in the Ram Bhakti tradition.
Ram is called Ram Lala only in “Ram Lala Nahchhu”, a small poem by Tulsidas. This Lala is not a child but a blushing bridegroom; Ram’s bride, Sita, is called Lali. The invention of Ram Lalla is thus entirely the legend-making work of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh and its affiliate, the VHP.
The Supreme Court reminds me of Tenali raman story…
King Krishnadevaraya’s mother was a very orthodox woman. She had visited many holy places and had performed religious rites, she had given much in charity. Once she wanted to give fruit in charity and informed so to her son. The king who had great respect for his mother immediately got delicious mangoes from Ratnagiri. But on the auspicious day when she was to present those fruits to Brahmins, the king’s mother died.
The religious rites connected with her death went on for several days. Meanwhile the king called a few Brahmins and said, “My mother’s last wish was to offer mangoes to Brahmins. But she died before the wish could be fulfilled. What should I do now that she might earn the merit for giving away the fruits?”
The greedy Brahmins replied, “You Majesty, only if you offer mangoes made of gold to Brahmins, your mother’s soul will rest in peace.”
Tenali Raman came to know about this. The next day Tenali Raman went to the houses of those Brahmins, and asked them to come to his house to perform his mother’s ceremony. The Brahmins came to Tenali Ramans house after receiving the gold mangoes from the king. Ramans servants closed all the doors of the house. They brought red-hot iron bars and stood before the Brahmins. They were shocked to see this.
Then Tenali Raman told them that his mother had knee pains and as remedy wanted Tenali Raman to burn her with red-hot iron bars. But she died before he could do it. So he now wanted to execute her wish. Then the Brahmins said it was unjust toward them. Tenali Raman said, “There’s nothing unjust toward them, because they had just taken golden mangoes from the king.” Then the Brahmins understood their folly and left the golden mangoes at Raman’s house .
So, Ram Lalla Mandir is a case of Nagpur Brahmins getting their electoral golden Mangoes in the name of divine. Wish we had a single wise TenaliRAMan out of five eminent Judges… But, the Judgement itself is a mystery book signed anonymously, like a Judicial heist done without fingerprints. It is a carefully worded concern of not spawning yet another Jumanji type riots, basically surrendering the Constitution to violent religious rioters like Gun Germs and Steel brutal conquests of our uncivilised past. Of course, why would opportunistic someone mess around, when they are in the process of writing their own Promotion letter.
Bhakt – Ram lalla waapis aa rahe hain January 22 ko.
Me – Kahan se wapis aa rahe hain?
Bhakt – Ayodhya mein, Modi ji nein announcement kiya hai na.
So, Modi brought Vikas.. Modi brought Vikshit Bharat.. Modi brought AmritKaal.. Modi brought Ram Lalla… From where…? From the place same place where Ram Lalla was there earlier – Ayodhya, like a skilled Magician getting Ram Lalla out of his hat. The only difference to this act is that his team destroyed the old hat and came up with a grand half stitched one for the magic show. Maybe if we all held Ram in our Hearts, he would not have had to relocate, succumbing to vacuous manufactured pride.
In consecrating you at Ayodhya, they want to dislodge the different forms in which you reside in our inner citadel, one no invader has been able to breach, and replace it with a new Teflon deity, manufactured by a political machine.
Past conflicts are being used as pretexts to reconfigure contemporary power. The forces that will consecrate this temple converted your name into the very opposite of what it signifies. They made Ram synonymous with revenge, with an insecure pride, with a blood curdling aggression, violence towards others, a coarsening of culture, and the erasure of every last shred of genuine piety in public devotion and public life.
You came to earth to lighten its load; this temple burdens us with evil. Like the last genuine devotee of Ram in modern India, Gandhi, we can only mourn in silence, as our garib nawaz forsakes us. Your radiant presence is gone. Only the oppressive yoke of zealotry remains. – PB Mehta
My concern is not on welcoming the beautiful temple being raised for Lord Ram where he may not be found in his true form, but about Modi’s duplicity of being Hindu Hriday Samrat but also a Christmas Santa. He is pro-poor giving ration peanuts to poor but also Adani’s best friend gifting Indian infrastructure for peanuts. He believes in Ram and Ramayana as definitive history, but not on Sita’s curse on Ayodhya and its people, who abused her chastity. All these multiple but contradicting personalities are conveniently portrayed as “One and Only Modi” to fool the gullible voters. BJP claims “There is no alternative” to Modi as it seems. Who wants another actor in a miserable one-act-play, when a single actor dons all the roles of Hindutva Hero, INDIA Villain, Instagram Comedian, wily Politician, bloody Rioter, unholy Priest and Fearful Dictator destroying all democratic Institutions convincingly? This one-act-play is not Ramayana in anyway, but One and Only TINA Modi’s Sham-ayana.
Apart from the History or Mythology debates which Sita Maa will take care, the Ayodhya temple is going through a lot more controversies, as its fully driven and transformed to election campaign for political gains.
First and foremost, the temple is not even fully constructed and two floors of the temple and magnificent spire are yet to be built. The temple stands as a testament to the small hearted RSS-VHP-BJP monument built for the eternal Vishwaroopa Hero, in 2 acres out of amassed 100+ acres. Just to quicken the development to milk it for 2024 elections. Looks like Lord Ram and Sita Maa ensured the rabid group got exposed on their intentions.
“There was an emergency situation when the idol (of Lord Ram) was placed there (in Babri Masjid) at the midnight of December 22, 1949, and the structure (Babri Masjid) was demolished in 1992. These incidents happened spontaneously because of certain situations and so none of the shankaracharyas raised any questions at that time. But today there was no such emergency. We had enough time to complete the construction of the Ram temple and then do Pran Pratishtha,” Avimukteshwaranand said.
“We cannot remain silent now and must say that it is a bad idea to inaugurate an incomplete temple and install the idol of the god there. Maybe they (those organising the programme) will call us anti-Modi. We are not anti-Modi but at the same time we also can’t go against our Dharma Shastra,” said Avimukteshwaranand, who became the shankaracharya after the death of his guru Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati in 2022.
Now, there are arguments that Lord Ram lives in a makeshift tent and it’s good to place him in his abode. Will Modi/ Yogi stay in half built house, with the roof / spire still being built, with twisted fingers praying everything going smooth for next two years of development? If a spit by Siddha is believed to have defiled Brihadeeswarar Idol built by the mighty Raja Raja Chola, wonder what will happen to the temple’s sanctum sanctorum when they resume construction after the idol installation. What stopped Mighty Modi and Yogi spending thousands of crores in Ayodhya on amenities and glitzy ceremony to build a small but complete makeshift temple. It’s ironic, Ram Lalla temple itself is built on a small scale at 1-2 acres, after amassing land to 120 acres for the temple complex. Wish BJP-RSS had a fraction of the enthusiasm they exhibited in demolishing the Babri mosque towards constructing the abode of Ram. Maybe its needs bigger heart and devotion not small people are made of.
In the Mahabharata there is an evocative word, Dharma Dhwajii. It is a pejorative for those who make a show of their worship in what is a sign of lack of real faith. The term Dharma Dhwajii refers to those who, as it were, care about the flag more than they care about dharma. The Dharma Dhwajiis have, for the moment, won the political, cultural and emotional battle fair and square.
Worshipping idols is central to Hinduism, no matter what deracinated intellectuals might tell you. It gave Hinduism a playful intimacy. But the idols we worship are no longer intimate; they are mega showpieces. More grievously, concentration on the idol was a path to self-consciousness. But now, as the philosopher, Arindam Chakrabarti, once wrote, the idol has been replaced by the I-doll, the worship of the “I”. We are consecrating our own collective narcissism in the image of God.
In the Ramayana, in any version, there is always a sense of sadness around Ram himself. Bhavabhuti captured it beautifully: Ram has been filled with the rasa of pity/ kept hidden by his profound demeanour/the sharp pain of it held deep within/ like a clay pot baking in embers. This moment of triumphalism is also accompanied by a pain that cannot even be expressed. It will cook in the embers of this moment. Ram’s dhwaja has been planted. But the question of dharma is met only with a yawning and ominous silence. – PB Mehta
Even Dharma Dhwajis cared about Flags… But Modi did not even worry about them covering the non-existent Shikhar with white screen.
Secondly, I do wonder if Sanatan Dharma is yet another flyweight concept, for BJP as the sacred rituals and agamic procedures to be performed by Seers as per sanatan dharma are all ignored to highlight Modi, as if he is bigger then Ram-lalla. Maybe Modi could bypass the constitution and our President to inaugurate the new Parliament. Can he also ignore the divinity of Ram to go ahead and install the idol in sanctum sanctorum on his own? In one way it’s a welcome progressive change but BJP should shut up their shops preaching sanatan dharma and targeting DMK on their anti-sanatan views as their own leader does not care to uphold those values.
“Don’t think that I am angry with them because they have not taken any suggestion from me. However, as per Skanda Purana, bad omens enter an idol and destroy the area if such rituals are not done properly. I participate in a programme only when it is pure and as per the Sanatan Dharma,” Nishchalanand said.
“Politicians will interfere in religion in future and publicise themselves as yogis and dharmacharyas,” he added.
Sanatan Dharma is portrayed to lay a mental block on our thinking, making us not to think at all, rendering us slaves to elites, because it is portrayed as constant and unchangeable. By Carefully painting Rama and Krishna in a weird Blue colour rather in their natural colour tone is one way, the higher echelons of our religion made them look as part of them, rather as part of all of us. The same can be said of Rama is a non-vegetarian debate. We have repackaged and branded our divine Lords as elitist, to cater to elitistic sentiments, whereas in reality they were unbiased with humanity and fought for us providing a code of good conduct and morality. It is the same moral code provided by them, that is broken to lift them up from commoner’s reach, schemingly.
“I do worry about Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan politics of this government, and this culture of Aryavrat domination that infects the attitudes of some has already raised the issue among many, many southern politicians, and maybe Mr. Gurumurthy (Thuglak Editor) and others may not feel it’s such a big issue. I think it is a very serious issue because the consequences of all of this threaten the very unity of India, and the South faces political disenfranchisement to go along with a sense of financial victimisation, and that combination is absolutely bound to generate resentments that can spill over beyond the confines of our routine politics.” – Shashi Tharoor
Thirdly, What kind of sanskaari Prime Minister forgets Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and other founding fathers of this Ram temple initiative. It all started with Advani wanting to stir the Babri Masjid issue emotionally to arouse majoritarian sentiments and granting Modi a lifeline after gujarat riots. When Ram idol is getting treated by left hand ignoring the aagamic and dharmic rituals, how can we expect Advani to be treated? Still, Credits to Modi for bringing the issue to its pinnacle.
Its evident now that Advani was right in admitting Modi was not his protege but a brilliant event manager as is evident with the Ayodhya event. Advani might have hinted on Modi’s modest background during Rath yatra as an Organiser and his own Godfather role in Modi’s political life. But Modi has grown to be a word class event manager if not as efficient Ruler / Administrator. A Journalist observed all news Channels have become Devotional channels without showing the half constructed temple but a grand architecture simulation, just like BJP’s photoshop politics. So much for Modi following yam-niyam, that he can’t even show the actual temple on broadcasts. Hmm..
To a media question that his “protege” was about to become the PM, Advani said, “First of all, I don’t see Narendra Modi as my protege. I have seen him function as a party general secretary.” He repeatedly emphasised he saw Modi as a “brilliant events manager” whose skills contributed to governance.
Asked whether he could compare Modi to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Advani said, “I would not compare… certainly not to Atalji. Atalji was a class by himself.” Later, he described Vajpayee as the only PM “whose entire career was without blemish”.
Advani was quite right that Modi turned out to be longest running biggest boring Photo-Op blockbuster ever. One could only wish that Ram and Sita (if not Ram Rath Advani or Rajdharma Vajpayee ) impart them the lacking devotion getting replaced with publicity blitz and sheer arrogance.
Fourthly, There are targeted campaigns even from respectable newspapers known for courage and integrity indirectly campaigning for BJP, on how other party voters are now neo-converts of BJP after seeing the spiritual corridors built by Modi. Maybe they don’t understand that it is their own tax money squeezed from their daily hardships and not Modi’s. Maybe they bypassed the struggle of catching the train and its arduous journey with equally despicable toilets and food. Maybe they bypassed the reckless hikes in restaurants serving food. Maybe they bypassed the atrocious GST in Hotels and commodities. Maybe the opposition has not made people think on the faultlines of Modi’s corporate taxing Mindset, glossing over all perils with an attractive spiritual cover up. Maybe Modi’s appreciators are the elite and rich 5-10% VandeBharat-ians who might have benefited by Modi’s transactional governance and conveniently forgot the Pakora Bharatians, searching for that expensive oil. Maybe the media just shows off the positive dots of this Government, but refuses to draw a line covering all negatives and positives, which could act as the Laxman rekha checking on the government excesses. Maybe instead they are bound by Ravan Rekha that don’t care for Rama or Sita anymore as long as ruling Ravans are kept happy. Maybe there are many more maybes.
Lastly, the temple also raises the question if building temples are enough for India’s much publicized Amrit Kaal? Only selfish leaders go for building grand temples with a long queue of beggars at its entrance. A self styled Corporate guru affiliated to BJP so as to save himself from forest encroachments and Hawala once quipped that people coming from restaurants with full stomach will be more happier than visiting temples. Alas! Hawala saint’s statement is how so true…
In current scenario media harps on Modi going to Ayodhya as if it solves India’s problems. Are we building 7-star Templess for the poor to see sandstones carvings to satiate their hunger? Can we replace Hunger with fake pride? If we all care for our own selfish stomach today, propagating hatred and misgovernance, ignoring the perils the poor and unprivileged are enduring, tomorrow our kids will meet the fate of Gaza / Israel fighting forever in the name of Gods and rabid communal Dogs. Because, that’s what unchecked hatred does to us. None of the religions want us to fight, but we are smart enough to convert every religious scripture to vengeance seeking bloodlust literature. In reality India’s GDP was much higher in MMS regime where the real temples of democracy had some meaning and sanctity. India’s hunger and unemployment was much less during MMS regime when temples stood far away from Politics, doing their own spiritual duty rather blending politics with faith. But, congress is still searching for a winning narrative.
The fretful king dismounted from his throne to go Where the hermit sat beneath the tree. Bowing, he said, “My lord, why have you forsaken god’s mighty abode, The royal construction of gold that pierces the sky, To sing paeans to the divine here on the streets?’ “There is no god in that temple,” said the hermit.
Furious, The king said, “No god! You speak like a godless man, Hermit. A bejewelled idol on a bejewelled throne, You say it’s empty?”
“Not empty, it holds royal arrogance, You have consecrated yourself, not the god of the world.”
Frowning, said the king, “You say the temple I made With twenty lakh gold coins, reaching to the sky, That I dedicated to the deity after due rituals, This impeccable edifice – it has no room for god!”
Said the tranquil hermit, “The year when the fires Raged and rendered twenty thousand subjects Homeless, destitute; when they came to your door With futile pleas for help, and sheltered in the woods, In caves, in the shade of trees, in dilapidated temples, When you constructed your gold-encrusted building With twenty lakh gold coins for a deity, god said, ‘My eternal home is lit with countless lamps In the blue, infinite sky; its everlasting foundations Are truth, peace, compassion, love. This feeble miser Who could not give homes to his homeless subjects Expects to give me one!’ At that moment god left To join the poor in their shelter beneath the trees. As hollow as the froth and foam in the deep wide ocean Is your temple, just as bereft beneath the universe, A bubble of gold and pride.”
A poem for all ages by Rabindranath Tagore beautifully sums up the meaning of temples also implying its vacuous meaning in simple event management election exercise. The Poem reminded me of the COVID times where the poor were made to walk and got bleached for disinfection, the Farmers struggle where the annadatas were branded Anti-nationals made to endure the rough weather and hostile government, the minorities going through miseries in the name of the same golden god at the hands of communal dogs, youth getting fooled in Internet age with cheap data packs and expensive education, slowly becoming the privilege of elites like in vedic ages where the lower castes were rendered uneducated, lower castes getting sidelined with the Quotas for elites with cutoffs much lesser than backward / scheduled categories along with a sad humour of 8 Lakhs+ earning elites deemed as poor.
“By Ram Rajya I don’t mean a Hindu State, what I meant is rule of God, the state ruled by divine … a true Ram Rajya would ensure equal rights to both Prince and pauper.”
MK Gandhi
Maybe all these controversies could be attributed to Sita’s curse. But BJP got a blessing too. The political difference between BJP and Congress is that, BJP would have made those controversies a National issue claiming Lord Ram is in danger. Congress signed off with a Cool “No” for the extravagant ceremony held for the half completed temple allowing BJP to thrive on their sins. Hope Congress also fights for spiritual Justice for Ram!
Since, Modi is every god we worship
[ Update 23rd january 2024
So, the event happened with the elites joining felicitating Modi on his coronation ceremony with a bit of charity towards Ram and complete amnesia towards Sita. The crowd showed up as how Modi’s priority list among his devotees looked up much like Shitler’s list. I am glad many were shown their true place with the seating arrangements. Modi might have antagonised many of his Bhakts who might have thought themselves as indispensable in Modi Universe.
The next day, the Ram temple opened for commoners, faced a stampede situation with almost all the security arrangements disappearing along with the VVIPs yesterday. Now Modi got exposed on his partial regime where elites are treated with red carpet welcome and commoners with a bloody memento memories to carry forward.
Ram opened his eyes and in a jiffy exposed Modi to his carefully nurtured Bhakt world of Haves and Have-nots. By the way, since there was no history / mythology of Ram Lalla, he got renamed to Balak Ram of Bala kaand… after the inauguration that is… Well, who cares for a Name when the actual event is for Modi.
There are visuals of the chosen one walking along with the Ram Lalla alias Balak Ram towards the half constructed mandir harried up for elections. Maybe it’s a pet peeve of kiddish chosen one to build huge dolls like chinese Statue of unity, Central vista, New parliament and now Ram mandir. Some children understand their parents’ limitations and conquer over their cravings for big dolls, while some others achieve it by hook or crook. Our society makes heroes out of those crooks, to whom means don’t matter but ends do, as demigods of success hood. To meet the real accessible god, one could see the mirror for a moment and check for oneself, reflection of his/her own conscience if it’s still a fair game, happening in the name of the Lord. If Lord does not reside in our own divine intellect, there is no point in searching for it in an opulent roof less wonderment, built to satiate our sense of supremacy over fellow brethren.
I am endeavouring to see God through service of humanity, for I know that God is neither in heaven, nor down below, but in every one.
Gandhi
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Who is real Rama?
The irony is such that, none of our epic Heroes portrayed themselves as Gods but as extension / Saviour of humanity. We worshipped their godliness in them.
But Modi is Rama in Ayodhya, Krishna in Mathura, Govinda in Tirumala, Namo in Kashi, that the Modi hagiography get so mystifying, that one does not understand what exactly makes Modi worship-able.
By that All-in-One-insane-logic we should worship our Photoshop and copier machines more than Modi, as they are the only ones who could copy everything at once.
Modi’s PR has gone gone to done and dusted levels, that his PR team is clueless on reinventing itself. Modi’s hagiography could be quite confusing as described above. He is All-in-One-Nothingness. Of course his admirers have taken his PR like a fish to water, but who has Rama like qualities among our Politicians. First things first, none of our Politicians could be seen as incorruptible. Everyone is corrupt here, swindling the nation at their own capabilities. If all parties took a cut as election expenses, Modi’s BJP is the Everest of corruption, having laundered 5500 Crore as White money, with their Electoral Bonds washing machine, gained through crony commissions, selling national assets and even through extortions leveraging Governmental agencies.
When Rahul Gandhi’s yatra got strangulated by all means at Assam with the courtesy of its CM HBS, Congress and RG declared HBS will be uprooted in next elections, not before that. When Modi came to Tamilnadu for a fruitless campaign visit, he threatened DMK that they will thrown out just after 2024 LS elections. Now DMK still has 2.5 years of rule as voted by the State voters. Disgustingly, this has been the pattern of BJP, decimating the people’s mandate through horse trading or extortions with agencies when the basic food priced have more than doubled / tripled. Modi’s regime collect a lot more personal income tax than from Corporates. Despite focusing on the acute livelihood issues of Indians, Modi is busy threatening each and every opposition leader of finishing them off Hiren Pandya style. Himachal pradesh is the latest victim of Modi’s “Morning walk Democracy”. Caravan reports then CM Modi silenced all his opposition within his party in Gujarat through such threats where such Leaders are still kept in close watch on their public and media interactions. So who exhibits real Rama’s maryadagunas as true devotee of Ram? Modi trampling everyone around drunk on power? Or RG who is ethical enough to seek a mandate on next election enduring the pain meted out? To me, Modi can’t even be called Shiv Bhakt Ravana. Modi could only be correlated to metaphorically blind on power Dhritarashtra, greedy enough to not even spare few villages for Pandavas, ending up losing everything
The Congress Dilemma in Ayodhya Kaal
Gandhi himself virtually never went to a Hindu temple – one of the very few exceptions he made was when he visited the Meenakshi temple in Madurai in 1946, after the shrine had finally, belatedly, allowed Dalits to enter its premises. Though Gandhi described himself as a Hindu, his chosen mode of worship was the inter-faith meeting, held on open ground, where Hindus, Muslims, Parsis, Sikhs and Jains and Christians would pray together, with verses of all their scriptures being read. That was his original and deeply moving way of affirming the principle that India belonged to all faiths equally.– Ramachandra Guha
If Congress is not clear, they could adopt a democratic model of asking People or Congress cadre opinions, to mobilise their stance rather meekly obeying BJP’s pressure tactics. They obviously need a feedback mechanism to hear from the ground to keep the cadre enthused and be aware of ground realities. Modi got few gems of ideological ideas on Farmer incentives and EWS quota to support his echo chamber from such forums. Also, the Congress Leadership patiently hearing out and acknowledging the issues could be therapeutic to the cadre who work on energies derived from such simple words of acknowledgement.
Congress shared happiness on EWS Quota hoping to cash on elite votes in UP and we all know where it ended up in 2019 – Homeless / Amethi-less. It’s not a Kitchen or Dining table cabinet, but a Puppet cabinet where the strings are pulled by PMO who knows which levers and coterie to be operated / manipulated for desired results like scamsters operating upon gullibles. Perils of people who cant listen to their Hearts but to fake environment simulated. Otherwise why would Congress wallow indecisively when they have delivered far superior governance in UPA years. Decision less Parties will be riding in between trucks like Van Damme Pawar on his way to Delhi, hoping to maintain balance somehow, distributing their eggs on all baskets. Unfortunately, Politics is not about hatching eggs but rearing a successful social ecosystem where hens thrive. And when such eggs fall from such heights they just crash to 50 seats making even LoP a far dream.
Mo-Sha certainly wanted to bait the Congress on Ayodhya temple visit. They wanted to erase all the good karma of the Bharat Jodo yatra with a simple invitation and pressuring Congress to heed to the invite with various taunts from their Leaders. Else, why would Modi invite Congress when he did not even invite the President for new Parliament inauguration hoping to steal all the limelight. Why Modi is not inviting Uddhav Thackeray to Ayodhya as Sena was their demolition partner? Afraid Uddhav will steal the limelight and credits? Modi is now taking pains to show Congress is no way a different party but a B-Grade copy of the Hindutva Party, because he himself is now driven down to the position of canvassing for the mercy of minorities. Even if the Congress understands the bait and acknowledges the invite, they stand in far more risk of getting painted Hindu- Virodhi on simple things like sneezing at temple. The invitation is a two stones approach to kill the Congress Bird.
Also, BJP keeps the opposition in a mental siege, whenever they are afraid to air their views. Let’s take the cause and effect analysis of imaginary scenarios. What if Congress rejects the the invite outright citing their secular credentials, which does not align them to any religion but respects all religious faiths equally. BJP can’t paint them as Hindu Virodhi or anti-sanatanis, just for a simple stance of rain check. Now, what if congress wavers around afraid of losing Hindu votes and procrastinates? Minorities view them as pretentious betrayers of trust, no way better than BJP which wears religion on sleeves. Hindus view them as ideology less opportunists waiting to milk them for votes as propagated by BJP. What if Congress accepts the invite? It’s much worse, as they have ceded to BJP as even directionless party along with their ideology less opportunism. What if Congress treads a different path from the above scenarios? So far congress is not giving it back to BJP with their wit and wisdom fearing imaginary setbacks. Maybe it could try to go back to its origins of stunning colonial British, creating an uprising without even raising a stick.
Its high time Congress shows some novelty and a bit of unpredictability in their approach. Why can’t Congress choose its own date to visit temple, making a show of their own concerns with temple politics and how religious politics eclipses welfare politics. What makes Congress so afraid of BJP’s clickbait politics? Are they so weak that they could be easily blackmailed by BJP? If they can’t steer through simple narratives, how are they going to win the grand election? Maybe in 20204? Why can’t they make a spiritual tour covering temples, gurudwaras, mosques and churches to hear out people rather just focusing on Ayodhya, conveying Unity in diversity? What does it take to say – “Thanks a lot. We would do a rain-check. We don’t want to steal your moment of petty fame, the joy of crooked and immature political kids playing with Ken-Barbie Dolls for a 360 degree Photo-Op, to render Sita’s curse and Ramayana as mythical epic rather history contradictory to BJP’s own claims. ( Maybe put in a refined way ). We will do a a separate celebration catering to the poor and unprivileged upholding the promise of Ram Rajya, capturing the essence of the life of Ram. Afterall Ram lives in us all irrespective of any caste or religious differences. Ram’s life is the lesson not grand temples!”
Necessity is the mother of all inventions and stupidity is the father of all disasters.
Youtube Comment
The BJP/RSS call the Ram Temple a matter of faith, and those who don’t visit it will be called anti-Hindu or anti-Ram. It is this narrow construct of Hinduism and of Ram that should be contested. The Congress, by declining the invitation to visit the Ram Temple on January 22, has decided to fight for the original Idea of India. This path can be challenging, difficult and long. It might hurt the party in the short term (which I don’t believe), but it will definitely reap dividends in the end, if the party has to regain the confidence of the people. The problem with the Congress was not Ram Mandir but the confusion about its moorings. Let’s hope it has rediscovered its real self and remains steadfast on that path now on. – Ashutosh
Miles to to Go Before the Win!
“The hallmark of the Bharat Jodo Yatra is its duration. You can ignore it for weeks on end and then it comes into view again. Test matches wind to a close, Delhi’s pollution peaks and eases, bloody, attritional battles in Ukraine end in stalemate and then, in some newspaper photo on an inside page or a hostile tweet chorused out by the sangh’s troll army, you catch a glimpse of Rahul Gandhi on the road, still walking.” – Mukul Kesavan
The above quote is apt for someone living up to his surname. Mahatma Gandhi was also tireless on his Indian renaissance mission. Incidentally, Rahul Gandhi has started his Yatra 2.0, resembling the Rath yatra Advani took few decades back to bring justice to Lord Ram. Ironically, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra 2.0 started with Kharge questioning BJP on leveraging Lord Ram and his half completed temple for election purposes, indirectly asking spiritual Justice for Lord Ram… again… Such is the Circle of Lord err… Life!
Sometimes, we need an emotional catalyst, to wake us up to our senses and think beyond our Home and work. We need a common forum or an event to discuss further about our future and how a Government could potentially shape our kids future rather keeping ourselves busy in a Merry-go-Round at Temple festival. At least to me that catalyst of recent times is RG. One of the drawbacks of politics is its short term memory and lack of long term policies where the earliest victory matters, else survival becomes an issue. One need to duly appreciate RSS in that regard where they are not afraid of short term failures but keep trying and mobilising steadfastly, building small steps assuming the next generation will progress further. The BJN yatra is refreshing on that dimension. RG throwing up political culture bombs on his way may take time to assimilate amidst emotional majoritarian riots. It is not focusing on attraction or PR but its conducted like a tapasya of meeting people on its way. The cadre might be well off thinking about long term prospects rather worried about the impacts of recent and upcoming election. The yatra’s assured casualness is its strength along with its effervescent team. The media packaging has improved a lot compared to its last version.
There is a sense of Confidence here as the first yatra was bit doubtful if it will be completed and now the Yatra 2.0’s benchmark will be measured on its crowd pulling factor and its compelling message. The swelling crowds in Assam and other States is a sure positive and energising for Congress with a low morale, though it’s still yet to be tested in hostile test beds like UP and Gujarat. Prior such test beds, Congress may do well if it amps us the yatra with its proprietary Mohabbat Ki Dukaan theme. Whoever came up with Bus as Character with its tickets as Souvenir is a great PR master. In all or Mass movies, the Heroes don’t speak up for themselves. It’s usually the sidekicks or Villains who will do the job. May the Bus could be that witty Sidekick character telling the people the story of the yatra, amplifying the RG factor about the Crowd, its enthusiasm and other sweet gestures which has a fan following (as long it’s not mundane). Anyway Biscuit Sarma will take care of the Villain job for a week, so half job is already done. So far too good… But Miles to go before Congress wins…!
[Update 23rd January 2024
22nd January, coinciding with Modi’s coronation event, was a tough and painful day, to watch out RG being denied entry to a Spiritual place in Assam which holds reverence. BJP has already hijacked the Dhan with doles and unscripted laws. The denial of RG’s visit to the Dhan hold more political significance, with BJP capturing spiritual institutions as their sole fiefdom, holding the key to the polarised Assam. So, RG was denied entry as Modi was unable to digest anyone breathing when he was into an important event of his own Coronation in the name of Ram lalla. I was quite impressed with the way RG handled the scenario, as it showed off Modi’s arrogance, denying his subjects their own harmless rights to worship. Maybe he wanted everyone to worship him on 22nd where Gods were granted public Holiday. For Modi, it’s always the case of “Worship is Work” and not the vice versa. RG captured the moment very well along with the Bhajan of “Ishwar Allah Tero naam” during the Majoritarian ceremony at Ayodhya. To me it was a moment where Congress got rid off its majoritarian dilemma playing second fiddle subservience to BJP’s politico-spiritual narrative.
Mufasa: Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.
Young Simba: But, Dad, don’t we eat the antelope?
Mufasa: Yes, Simba, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life. – Lion King.
I assume the events around the yatra on 23rd January could be a turning point in many ways. RG showed he never ducks on the petty challenges laid out by the corrupt rulers. His cadre proved their might, reminding me of fierce Kejriwal in 2013. Still, they obeyed the restrictions and moved on the designated route. BJP and Himanta might have miscalculated RG’s endurance to their harassments with Cadre and Police force as meekness. They might have been disappointed with the Congress performance today. Another major miscalculation on the BJP part is that they assumed they could finish off the yatra, but the crowd swelled more on the last two days in thousands. No mean feat for a road show. Looks like Congress turned tables after enduring BJP’s harassments…
RG is spontaneous, cool and (surprisingly) measured without any backfiring panauti stuff. It would be safer if he deflects Ram and Ayodhya issue as his bytes are obfuscated, getting used for propaganda. Perhaps, he could have enhanced the attacks by inflicting damage to Himanta by quoting Amit Shah and Modi in 2014 who made HBS as their main antagonist for his abysmally corrupt scams, like he did in Meghalaya quoting Shah and how he shamelessly allied with his nemesis post poll he deemed as corrupt. Sincerely, wish RG’s campaign team could provide more biting quips in his precise address so that it’s compelling for a news coverage. Maybe such interesting bytes could leave the BJP exposed / reminded of their flip flops and faultlines.
Touch Wood. Congress is fighting with a wily fox in Assam, admiringly, who goes to any level and do anything for that rotten power carcass. They might have to handle Ajay Bisht in UP who specialises in Hindu militancy groups. I am double sure he is going to give major publicity to Congress campaign and energy to Congress cadre.
Rafiki: Look down there. [Slowly Simba walks to the edge of the watering hole and peers inside. His reflection stares back at him] Adult Simba: That’s not my father. That’s just my reflection. Rafiki: No. Look harder. [Rafiki touches the water which causes waves that change Simba’s reflection into Mufasa] Rafiki: You see? He lives in you. Mufasa’s Ghost: [From above] Simba. Adult Simba: Father? Mufasa’s Ghost: [He appears in the sky as a group of stars] Simba, you have forgotten me. Adult Simba: No. How could I? Mufasa’s Ghost: You have forgotten who you are, and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the circle of life. Adult Simba: How can I go back? I’m not who I used to be. Mufasa’s Ghost: [Now fully formed in the sky] Remember who you are. You are my son and the one true king. Remember who you are. Adult Simba: [Mufasa’s ghost begins to disappear] No! Please, don’t leave me! Mufasa’s Ghost: Remember. Adult Simba: Father! Mufasa’s Ghost: Remember!
PS: The Lion King dialogues got nothing to do with the yatra or RG. But today RG reminded me of a self assured, energetic and suave Rajiv Gandhi swirling garlands and shawls around people gathered to meet him.
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The pathetic case of Bob Biswas in deadly Politics.
In Kahaani, we get an interesting Assassin character, Bob Biswas, who smoothly operates on his targets, creating ruckus of emotions with his screen presence. He greets you with a “Namoskar + Amul baby smile” and then your lifespan becomes “total lifetime wasted so far + 1 more minute”. We have similar real life characters too who act like a comic but dangerous enough to do anything for their survival. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the CM of Assam is one such character and his story arc is interesting as he exposed himself on his story, like a lovely lapdog to please his present Masters…
While Dogs are loyal to their owners, some humans are loyal only to their power and money Biscuits . HBS proved to be a very Corrupt politician of Congress times with many scams to his kitty, just like Congress leaders of 2014-19 used to be. With whatever I can gather from the quips and scoops as I am not Amit Shah to deploy Pegasus to spy on anyone else and deem it as personality research… when HBS tried a power heist to oust then Assam CM Tarun Gogoi who obviously does not seem to be politically savvy or corrupt to the core like HBS, RG turned him down at the nick of the moment and restored the status quo, willing to let HBS go. Could see many things working out in favour of RG’s decision, but HBS cleverly used his meetings with RG, to frustrate him as HBS himself admitted RG uttering “So What” numerous times. He was just waiting, like the Congress runaway Princes waiting for the green signal from Mo-Sha to jump the ship to attain their saffron salvation.
One of the stories HBS has weighed down to character assassinate RG is that he was more engaged, playing with his dog rather discussing with him on Assam. Knowing how HBS will stake everything including Assam selfishly to gain power and immunity, RG might have decided his time is well spent with the dog rather on a human chameleon turning saffron. HBS states, RG hosted the Assam Leadership with a plate of biscuits and his pet dog grabbed from the same plate. RG and others took from the same Plate and HBS could not tolerate that insult. The whole world knows HBS is corrupt enough to milk bribes from unseemly sources even from abroad entities like Louis Berger, who have accepted their complicity on record in US courts. But HBS could not ask for a plate of biscuits and seems to have stayed hungry throughout the meeting, as if biscuits are his main course. That’s so sad and I sincerely request Assam Blue Cross to deliver him the requisite emotional requirements to make him happy.
Assassination? Bob Biswas at your Service! Character assassination? HBS at Mo-Sha’s service.
Apart from RG’s pet dog being the sole reason, there are other twists to HBS’ romantic corruption Kahaani. Assam Congress Chief claims, RG or his pet dog is not the reason, but as soon as BJP came to power in 2014, they issued summons his wife on various scams in alphabetical order and that proved to be a major turning point for the Chameleon who thought of shifting his Office to a Hindutva Biscuit Factory and all it asks for is to spread hatred, which he could do like fish to water owing to his savarna background.
Quoting Sarma’s conversation with his wife, Borah stated, “I can die for you, but I cannot go to jail for you. I love you and can die for you, but I cannot go to jail for you.” This, according to Borah was the pivotal reason behind Sarma’s decision to align with the BJP.
Obviously, such a love needs Taj Mahal built out of syndicate money collected from CM-ship. Let’s forget about the monument became a jail for retired Shah Jahan. HBS turned out to be a handy political assassin for Shah in North east, corrupting and eating away the regional politics with power and money. HBS is a rare Politician to have gained confidence of Mo-Sha, jumping from Congress to have been awarded CM ship of Assam. Caravan reports Mo-Sha even keep their solicitor general who barks in Courts loyally, without a tinge of conscience, at inaudible distance.
RG has quipped entire family of HBS is corrupt including his wife and children and he is known to speak from his Heart. Many of the political parties are involved in shady money dealings as we don’t have a legalised lobby money to fund parties. But many have refrained from involving their wives and kids as partners of Crime, as they are aware of the consequences. There remains a major question mark on the character of a person who could think of thousand options to disrupt the yatra, but can’t think of a safe passage to corrupt investments for his family, as any ethically corrupt person would have. Evidently, its BJP, his present Party gifted summons to his wife, proving RG’s claims rather Congress who just wanted him to deboard the sinking Ship. Rather preying on RG and his true statements, why don’t HBS and his family play smart on their investments, making HBS the sole criminal owner of his corrupt regime built on commissions.
So, HBS now wants to hinder RG’s yatra in multiple ways possible at the behest of Mo-Sha. Though the media may portray the unsavoury incidents happening at Assam leg of BJNY as bad blood between HBS and RG, even child would decipher its a dirty handiwork of Mo-Sha, the effeminate rulers who try to conquer India with oppression and deception rather putting up a honest fight. Why would Milind Deora backstab RG on his start date of the yarta by resigning and foul mouthing about him? HBS is ruling Maharashtra too? It’s an elaborate plan by the Union Government to stop the yatra or make it dysfunctional, making use of their political henchmen, but only getting frustrated with the crowd surging at the Yatra points…
The epilogue of the Assam leg of the yatra was even more engaging. HBS having a spent force of his wits on hindering the yatra, came up with media reports that RG is using a Body double for the yatra. I don’t know if HBS thought political stunts are done by body doubles or he got completely stressed out by the happenings backfiring against him, apart from him being a pathetic joke, he reminded me of another Joke.
A hunter is out in the country one day and waiting for ducks to fly by. After a while he sees a duck, points his gun and shoots it. The duck falls to the ground onto some farmland nearby. The hunter walks over the the farm and sees a farmer holding the dead duck. “Hey that’s my duck!” says the hunter. The farmer replies, “Well, it fell onto my land, so it’s my duck.”
The hunter says “How about we settle this country style?”
“What’s country style?” asks the farmer.
“Well, first I kick you in the nuts, then you kick me in the nuts. And we keep on kicking each other in the nuts until one of us can’t take it no more. Winner gets the duck.”
The owner thinks about it for a bit and decides to go for it.
So the Hunter hauls his leg back and kicks the owner of the land square in the nuts. The owner eye bug out and he falls to the ground writhing in pain and clutching his swelling ballsack. After 10 minutes or so the owner of the land finally recovers and stands up.
“Okay, it’s my turn now” says the farmer.
And the hunter says, “Nah, keep the duck. I am moving on.”
People’s frustration with the Mo-Sha Government cannot be hidden with media headlines when the opposition everywhere is exposing them with the surging crowd, be it Maratha reservation protest, upcoming Farmers protest and the Yatra for Social Justice. By next month Shah will have too many hot potatoes to handle and now banking on his pet political assassin to finish of the Nyay yatra. And looks like his poor pet assassin is getting rolled over by the “Mohabbat ki Dukaan”.
Cooking the Killer Soup.
A Black comic Web series, based on a true incident, by name “Killer Soup” has this as synosis.
Swathi Shetty, a talentless home chef, cooks up a bizarre plan to replace her husband, Prabhakar, with her lover, Umesh; when a bumbling inspector and amateur villains stir the pot, things don’t go as planned and a recipe for chaos ensues.
Somehow it reminds me of the a certain event where a talentless ruler, replaced a religious icon with himself. We got bumbling Institutions and amateur Political Parties stirring up the pot further and chaos ensues at the Republic.
I don’t mind worshipping a demigod who is in a dilemma to beard or not to resemble the actual god, as long as he remains a god for everyone, like Nitish kumar, who is for everyone, keeping everyone guessing about his affiliations. I wonder his affiliation is decided upon which side he wakes up to- right or left. But the reality is that, the Fake Lord has turned every religious site to a Coliseum of sorts, making it as battle of belief rather a healthy battle of ideologies benefiting the Have-nots.
I started with today an Op-ed by a reputed Media man, who harped on how the Supreme Leader has turned the Mandir moment to a Modi moment. Well and Good. But the Op-ed talked to the detail on he has transformed himself to Hindu Hriday Samrat and how the religious communities are in danger. Great! The Op-ed reminded me of the opportunist relatives who try to make use of every occasion to pinpoint and remind you of your setbacks / faults and derive sadistic happiness out of it but will never be with you during a crisis.. “Why have you not Married?” “Why are you not having Kids?” “Why are you not giving kids the best education?”. But just like relatives who don’t offer any emotional support, the Op-ed did not dwell on the resolution to the social evils like Hunger and unemployment. What is worrisome is that it safely stayed away from the actual bread and dal issues plaguing our society. May be his payroll is directly proportional to his Hindutva posts alone
In reality, India just completed the inauguration of a Ram Mandir which added enough blood along with Bricks and Stones as its building ingredients. The ceremony day was a public holiday in the North india and there are many communal incitements still happening targeting the Muslim communities with singing and dancing around Mosques. Earlier there used to be large scale riots and violence due to such incidents. But New India Minorities acts like seasoned Husbands with nil emotions for communal atrocities just like handling Mosquitoes. There is no sense of Justice here as the Minority who was assumed to spit on this dance of rage is chosen for Bulldozer treatment. As the communal instigation did not work as expected, now a new target is being set with Gyanvapi Mosque to stir the communal soup pot simmering.
There is another worrisome trend happening in South India where the rabid Hindutva could not penetrate socially advanced masses – Soft Hindutva. There are actors / celebrities who supposedly acted/acting as progressives and moderates so far, questioning on why we should not celebrate Hindu festivals and occasions loudly rather practicing it as personal. As far as I know we Hindus celebrate every festival with vigour with assortment of food and events with enjoyment as any other religion. Why this sudden concern of celebrating it loud appears during election times is something to ponder about. There are other Baba black sheeps who attended the event claiming it as a spiritual awakening, making one doubt of their religious belief so far. It’s better we leave them alone to meditate and understand themselves about their faith. Apart from these extra artists at the event, there were political top leaders from BJP playing the supporting role to Modi, placed pan-India, trying to create law and order problems with the religious event, trying out live telecasts in communally sensitive zones.
Coming back to the Op-ed, it’s just a Mona Lisa version of it wondering whether she is happy or sad or smiling in sadness. You really don’t know if the Columnist is against communalism or he just wants to keep the communal pot simmering by repeatedly talking about the Hindu-Muslim agenda. It’s not just him, there are many including myself have done a part in registering our tiny islands of grievances against this inhuman political warfare of “othering” our own kith and kin. The actual question is – does it really help, talking about the Hindu-Muslim hatred again and again as a Pro-Hindutva or Moderate Hindutva or Anti-Hindutva? Because all such roads of Hatred inadvertently lead to a Mosque’s destruction of one or another. If AYOdhya is hashed out, how about MADhura or VaraNAZI? And the demolition list goes on, calibrating such comunal events with election dates, ably supported by injustice Departments.
How could we possibly appreciate the Mona Lisa if Leonardo had written at the bottom of the canvas: ‘The lady is smiling because she is hiding a secret from her lover.’ This would shackle the viewer to reality, and I don’t want this to happen. – Stanley Kubrick
Clearly, BJP wants us to breathe Hindu-Muslim issue till the elections. Only the flavour varies like TV reality shows. For the North who have undergone extreme communalism, the dose is very high with bloody riots / bulldozer injustice and for the south who are progressive, there is menu change of soft Hindutva served with celebrity glamour. As we are in such sinking dire circumstances, on this Republic day where we celebrate the tattering Constitutional rights of equality, personally I would like to treat Hindu Muslim communalism as Mosquitoes, a menace we need to live with as it cannot be wiped out for now, but not treating it as bread winning effort, unlike the corrupt politicians, bureaucrats, judiciary and Media do, by dishing out Hate-breads, so as to focus on the REAL life peace, tranquility and prosperity.
Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram
Patita Pavan Sitaram
Ishwar Allah Tero Nam,
Sabako Sanmati De Bhagawan…
Wish you all Happy Republic Days free of communal Mosquito menace!
When Silence becomes a weapon to Win!
Another aspect helping BJP win is their selective silence. Though they perceive elections as a big stage for communal opera arousing sentiments and emotions, they keep a very low profile on issues they predict to backfire. For example, Dayanidhi Maran’s excessive quote on Hindi was discussed only at their lower level of propaganda. They understood such North-South-regionalism campaigns will turn against them in the south. So their prominent Leaders kept their mouth shut allowing the Social media minions to hype up the issue. Dayanidhi Maran, a first bencher on all DMK’s field work, is not helping himself or his Party with his pan-indian proverbs, just like his 2G spectrum rabble rousing. He is just extending the news cycle. Fortunately, he put an “Om Shanthi!” to this atrocious episode with his regrets. Looks like he may need to say a lot more “Om Shanthis” if he chooses to spread mailce over mics with his media rather switching over to bubblegum. BJP will also circulate Ponmudi’s miserable Paani Puri comedy jibe on North Indians and other assortments. DMK / Ponmudi will do a lot better admitting they are Paani Puri fans and all guests are welcome in Tamilnadu to close the topic rather feeding the BJP IT wing with fodder.
Modi does not personally attack below the belt on opposition though their social media teams go to any levels of toxic propaganda to unsettle the opposition, getting to their nerves. This actually works well for them as they easily get RG and others getting emotionally aggressive against Modi as their nemesis. Modi then comes up with a masterful weepy act of being insulted and makes sure the minions do the last mile delivery. One could see a similar modus operandi happening for Maldives where a simple tweet was enough to whip up diplomatic outrage.
For example. Modi has twisted few facts to state that Inflation is much lesser during his regime compared to UPA. If the inflation is less why do we get Modi brand low priced Rice and Atta? Now if Congress Leaders asks question on decreased consumption, the answer will be silence. For him he has already done the damage to opposition, in the political boxing tournament and well aware that any continuance of the match will only lead to more damage / knockout to him.
Another aspect of silence is an innovation only Modi could do. Modi explains that unemployment is getting remediated by investing on Infrastructure. It’s not clear if he is talking about Adani’s unemployment as all National Infrastructure are getting owned by Adani eventually – Airports, Sea Ports, Railways. He never utters a word on China or Adani as he knows its a checkmate. This is an amazing instinct of not taking the fight, but running for the flight, when he knows he is going to lose the game.
If the Opposition provokes Modi to talk about China / Adani he will talk about everything else in the Universe with nerve wracking accusations, digging everyone from their graves and goes even to the level of throwing the opposition out of Parliament, but never admit about his own failures and crimes. He has learnt a big lesson in 2014 with incisive Karan Thapar helping him with glass of water. From then on Maun Modi template works well for him so far. Maybe Maun Mohan was a freudian slip of his own hidden aspirations then. Instead, RG can’t keep quiet on simple allegations like weepy Veep getting insulted on harmless video capture. His responses only elongates news cycles with replies after reply making mountains out of molehill and using it as a smoke screen to hide contentious issues like parliament mishap or mass suspension of MPs.
One more advantage of maintaining silence in contentious backfiring issues is that people will derive a sense of mysticism around such dumbness as historically maintaining silence is a difficult thing reserved for sages in India. It gives an all-knowing-but-not-answering aura around such people, painting them as victims of constant vilification. Chowkidar Chor Hai, Neech episodes fits as good example of Modi making sympathy profits out of victimization. Modi’s sage like hagiography carefully built by his PR team helps him to escape such situations.
Anyways, nobody talks about Adani / China incursions because its as good as speaking to a wall. It’s very difficult to awaken people on such complex issues and connect them to their daily life struggle. For example, Why would an ordinary man in Heartland or down South worry about someone could not get their cattle / sheep near chinese border? Why should they worry about Adani’s riches when they are struggling to get their kids educated or searching for daily bread? Moreover people are shock proof even for scams worth lakhs of crores , thanks to 2G scam BJ by Vinod Rai and BJP’s shock PR then. But nobody can ignore hunger, malnourishment, financial freedom and empowerment with education. The opposition could tap such aspirational reservoirs rather worrying about Modi’s silence on his faults.
The opposition will do a lot better by not vilifying Modi on his weaknesses or authoritarian excesses. Their sage like silence on Modi and his excesses will make them look better before people. RG’s yatra did the same phenomenon like a tough tapasya, where BJP / Modi could not even score and got completely silenced. This time they may not allow Congress to flourish on yatra easily, but its only to Congress’ advantage, as they could endure, give BJP moments of victory, allowing BJP to go for fully blown PR and then resolve the issue, turning tables, making BJP sore losers. People will not tolerate excesses where an Opposition Leader is not allowed even to walk within India. Maybe Freedom to walk is not deliberate in Constitution but it’s part of our independence package, even SC can’t deny that however they twist and turn their judgements.
The yatra could focus on envisioning citizens rich and empowered. For example, AAP did not just talk about corruption in their early phases of Delhi elections. Instead, they also envisioned a Delhi where everyone is rich by few thousands, charmed them with better utilities for less, triggering the fancy of aspirational India. Even the core of our freedom struggle is aspirational, yearning for freedom to protest / participate / own the country. Gandhi did not target any british colonial tyrant but only on their oppression and atrocious taxation like salt tax amplifying it towards a larger cause of freedom.
Currently, the Opposition is yet to find such issue based aspirational politicking but seem busy with Modi-nama. By chanting his name or targeting his personality they are indirectly rooting for his third term. That’s exactly what Mo-Sha wants them to do… to cry and crib about Modi hurting them, making Modi look strong and invincible as punisher / Judgement giver of sorts. Caste census could be a ready reckoner but unless otherwise they explain on the empowerment and benefits derived from it, it remains a woolly headed dream as its difficult to visualise where it leads to. Maybe such issues could be simplified as Education quota or Institutions solely for the poor and backward classes, reservations in Judiciary, bureaucracy, cabinet and other higher echelons which still remain elitistic, eluding the unprivileged. There is a lot to crack here down to basics, as we are still an elite dominated society.
Mo-Sha’s PR playbook is very simple. It begs the question, if the issue gets propagated will it resonate with the people? If Yes, can it backfire with side effects? If so instigate the Media minions to do the damage and keep quiet. If the Opposition comes up with issues which could potentially resonate with people, like China, Adani, Renaming Bharat etc…, just stay shut so the the issues dies on its own by spawning other distractions. Just talk about CAA or other worthless issues like women reservation bill which can never happen or leverage ED crooks hitting the opposition nerves to suppress the potential damaging issue.
Congress could strategize to let their social media and street level impactful posters do the damage rather their Lone wolf Leaders getting down to below the belt attacks. They also need to exercise full control on their media communications, that their Leaders keep quiet on contentious issues rather blabber. If they blabber, the Party could make them responsible with apologies and keeping them off news cycles.
When the Angry Laal Aankh (Red eye) turned out to be Conjunctivitis
On the contrary, watch out for Modi’s ferocious confrontations with tiny Maldives or miserable Pakistan…. Modi keeps reminding of my friend who bravely stomped upon an already dead lizard, just because neighbouring girl came outside, urging him to display his heroism on her clear view. He did not stop stomping till she left, while we were left stoned on his sudden deadly courage. Maybe we should have cheered him like our crawling celebrities who never hesitated to enjoy luxurious Maldives stay for free in exchange of instagram pics, but acted like heartless Minions under the command of BJP’s propaganda machinery. The stomping was just for fun or maybe that’s true love… for the dead lizard. Maybe the reptile was waiting for that princely kiss/ stomp to get awakened. To me the lizard represents the minions who act as Lord Dictator’s instrument of love, ready to rage meaninglessly, enabling their Lord’s eternal lust towards the gullible electorate. If everything is taken care of by twitter warlords, why should we have Foreign Affairs and Justice departments?
Lakshadweep and Himalayas are delicate and fragile ecosystems, remaining at their best when untouched by corrupt corporate greed of rulers. We know what happened to Joshimath and unnecessary tunnels in Himalayas, for reducing few kms of travel. Kharge was right with Modi taking insults as personal. He is incisive with seemingly very passive statements puncturing the leader and instilling the doubts of their track record and character. Modi took Malaysian Leader’s condemnation on mistreatment of minorities in India personally, banning palmolein imports and it turned out to be destructive for end consumers in India, looking to fry PM’s favourite fritters for employment. It got worsened with Ukraine war bringing in scarcity of sunflower oil, hiking up cooking oil prices to 250 per liter. Why should I pay extra for cooking oil just because Modi is incapable of handling issues diplomatically or immature to handle international condemnations and insults? We are seeing very similar suicidal consequences with Maldives issue too, by scapegoating serene Lakshadweep which will not withstand commercialisation, especially when it does not have fundamentals like potable water, transport to mainland and healthcare. A Single Alliance Air Flight booked for next two months owing to shortage, even before the diplomatic crisis started is getting branded as Modi magic in social media. Flights are all housefull because of Modi’s Photo Op not because Lakshadweep suffer inadequate transport to mainland even for emergencies.
In South Asia, Pakistan was the first to join the Chinese development and infrastructure plan in 2013. Sri Lanka and Maldives followed suit in 2014, with the development of the Hambantota Port and the Sinamale bridge respectively. Myanmar and Bangladesh joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2016, and Nepal in 2017. Ports or allied facilities that China has developed in all these countries have helped it gain a hold in these countries and thereby encircle India despite the fact that China vehemently protests any such insinuation. While this was not a “done deal” until even a few years ago, recent developments in Maldives, and the problems in Sri Lanka and Nepal have added to China’s heft in the region.
Just as in the case of Chinese incursions in India, the Indian government and the ruling BJP seem to be more keen on controlling the media narrative than actually working towards countering Chinese influence in the region. And therein lies India’s problem.
Enforcing such diplomatic vengeance with greedy commercialisations, will make Lakshadweep a soulless beach with luxury cottages, requiring Indian celebrities bare their meat to bring in the much needed attraction… towards the beach I mean. Don’t we have sophisticated coastlines as part of our mainland to exploit? Obviously, these are unnecessary perils of allowing indian diplomacy to happen at twitter rather at civilised embassies. Just because some mumbo jumbo from Maldives called Modi as clown in twitter, we are raging to boycott meaningless unaffordable Photo-Op stuff with tall fake claims on cancellations?
If someone calls me a tomato, I transform to tomato and then chutney later, like clowns do? If the opposition or countries smell his weaknesses, don’t they employ it again and again to milk frustration? The only way out could be growing a thick skin rather growing a bigger stick of oppression. One can’t provide slippers to everyone to protect them from thorns / heat on their way. The only workable way out is making the path safe from thorns and heat. Or wait a moment… is it otherwise? Likewise, It’s best to keep away from thorny people, with a slipper skin, as its their craving hobby to clean others backs than theirs with stupid whataboutery. For example, How will one answer to this question, “Are you a Hindu Virodhi?” First of all its disgusting for anyone to answer / explain about their belief / personal matter. It’s something someone need to feel / keep within, rather explain to everyone around, by wearing it on sleeves. Afterall, not everyone is Modi to visit his Mother with an army of Photographers to showcase his love right? Thorny people cannot recognize their own faults, but good on creating conspiracies on others, self-destructing themselves in due course of time, even without any helping from their conspiracy victims. Karma! For example, BJP thrived on Ayodhya issue for decades, calling other Parties Hindu Virodhi and Appeasers. Now it’s stumbling on Ayodhya complications of its own making where they cannot get way easily. Jai Siya Ram!
In Maldives, Modi is a victim of his own faults, trying to enforce Yoga event in Maldives to the opposition’s advantage, who stirred up a riot whipping up “India Out!” campaign. EAM for so much of chest thumping about Modi being a Vishwaguru, dug its own grave by not even sensing the undercurrent of resistance towards India’s iron hand. Maybe EAM fooled himself thinking everybody will consult with India and everybody is listening and applauding Modi like the cronies pleased Modi in Vibrant Gujarat summit. But in due course even Maldives understood the need for moderation unlike India bullying with Boogeyman Lakshadweep, but only after insisting on Indian troop withdrawal. Maybe Mo-Sha should have exported EVMs to Maldives prior essentials supply. Given the majorly hostile situation of our neighbours, are we going to give a free pass to China to build its vicious string of pearls around India, by glorifying few thorny tweets from our neighbourhood? All China needs to do is to ensure some nilly-willy call Modi on disaffectionate terms and Modi’s twitter force makes sure we are enemies forever? Modi claiming to create international pressures with twitter trends and calling such childishness as diplomatic victory of Modi by handy media is epitome of laughable absurdity, unbecoming of a tall Leader we see as our PM.
Sadly, even beyond Nepal, the other neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have seen the emergence of ‘India’ as an divisive election issue, where a set of parties have successfully convinced the electorate of the proverbial ‘India hand’, in its internal affairs.
Moderating his stand against India will allow Muizzu that break from Abdullah Yameen and his prompt dismissal of three derelict officials, signals that. India must allow him that maneuvering space to temper down things without looking like having bullied Maldives into submission – tempting as that is, Nepal episode of the supposed ‘blockade’ in 2015 is instructive of how that perceived bullying can lead to permanent fractures. – Lt Gen Bhopinder Singh
What Modi did with Nepal enforcing an unofficial blockade in 2015, permanently ruptured diplomatic relations with Nepal, getting them closer to China, though India has a geographical advantage for exports through plains. Modi is doing the impossibles in diplomacy. he has successfully alienated friendly neighbours whom no one would have dreamt to side with China.
Nepal government says that besides allowing protestors to occupy the bridge, India enforced the blockade by stopping the movement of trucks. Nepal imports all its fuel from India. Of this, the Indian Oil Corporation depot, located a few metres from Raxaul bridge, has supplied nearly 60% of Nepal’s fuel needs – diesel, petrol, aviation fuel and superior kerosene – since the 1960s. A month after the blockade, to ease the fuel shortages, Nepal signed an agreement with China for supply of petroleum products. In the last week of October, China sent 1000 metric tonnes petrol to Nepal, but it was enough only to meet three days’ needs.
Mahesh Agarwal, an Indian businessman and a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, the ideological parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party, is an unusual link between those on the Indian side and the protestors. Agarwal has been feeding the protestors two meals a day on the Indian side of the bridge since the blockade began. – Anumeha Yadav
Incidentally my lizard slaying friend is also a Modi fanatic. Modi is the master of whipping up invincible nationalism when it comes to stomping on tiny opponents like Maldives or weaker ones like Pakistan and Nepal, but denies getting beaten up if blows come from heavyweight dragons like Chinese incursions or RAW sponsored assassinations at USA. Let’s hope Modi will be eternally grateful to those two crows he killed in Balakot air strikes in retaliation for Pulwama attack. Of course, the crows were a bigger threat to National security, not that Police Officer, Davinder Singh who collaborated with terrorists to choreograph Pulwama type terror attacks.
Diplomacy is a complex issue for the opposition to derive mileage as BJP safely disguises its failures as national security. Even the cruel Pulwama terror got hushed up as National security issue, but the beheading of a Tailor in Rajasthan got fully blown getting to a logical end of propaganda – Silence, as the killers had BJP leadership links. Chinese incursions are a major failure for Modi and India, but Congress is lapping up criticisms on Nehru after 60 years. None of Modi’s diplomatic stance has helped the commoners, but only affected them like Palm Olein import ban inflating cooking oil prices, or losing export revenues in Nepal. His neutral stance on Ukraine war only helped his cronies to mint money out of Russian petroleum when Commoners suffered with unjustifiable triple digit petrol hikes. His friendly balanced(?) stance on Israel may look better now but in the long term, we may be antagonising the Arab nations affecting the expats working there, just like Maldives is not mincing words nowadays on Modi’s newfound Israel love and his measured mum on Gaza massacre. Modi is exposing his opportunist facet in diplomacy where all other countries need to do is to engage Adani or fill his pockets or cool him with dictatorial surveillance tools, to keep him on their side. He is slowly becoming no big deal lightweight, at time where South Africa is rising up to crisis pulling the west and Israel to ICJ.
Opposition might do well highlighting the issues connecting to expats in Arab land and inflation due to Modi’s revenge seeking attitude.
History repeats itself.
In 2004-9, Congress got its vote of confidence especially in the cow belt and North east, despite BJP lording over the States. Even 30-40% wins could change equations in congress favour for Lok Sabha. BJP winning cow belt seats in an usual phenomenon and there is nothing to worry about, if they are denied a clean sweep putting up a tough fight. Data states 2018 was an aberration and 2019 was yet another anomaly induced by Hardworking Mo-Sha with usually lethargical Congress growing arrogant with 2018 wins. The real problem was on setting high expectations as Congress got hyped up on its own illusionary success. Congress need to play quiet and spring surprises as they got nothing to lose in the cow belt for 2024 or otherwise be content with 50 seats licking their wounds aspiring for opposition leader status. Fortune favours the brave and hardworking. Status Quo will not work when there is nothing to lose.
The Journey of Mohabbat Ki Dukaan and its lack of last mile delivery.
Of late, the INDIA alliance is fighting on their own, fire fighting to put it decently for their seat shares. Mamta Banerjee’s taunts and dismissals and her phobia about the INDIA alliance Partners reached new heights. She completely forgot that she had to fight BJP rather Congress or CPI. Instead, she abused Congress doing yatra to to attract Muslims just like Himanta Sarma. And I thought the only similarity between Mamta Banerjee and HBS is their elitistic caste background, apart from being runaway Congress leaders. There are speculations that TMC was born on the advice of RSS, taking muslim vote share into account. As RSS fondly calls her as Durga and Banerjee giving them not bad report card, she ensured BJP flourished under her able leadership in WB. Only when she sensed an immediate threat of BJP during last assembly elections, she started few measures to stop RSS spread in WB. Even now RSS is flourishing very well under Banerjee’s rulewith increased presence of Shakas and Schools.
On the contrary, Congress has shown utmost patience, even silencing ARC. Not sure if Mamta has method in her madness, trying to pacify a jittery BJP working all out like a paranoid Mafia Don to eliminate opposition. But, BJP cannot be fooled by such petty street taunts. So, one could conclude Banerjee is sniping at Congress and CPIM, as she is really concerned about her Muslim votebase shifting its bases to its roots. The consequences could be disastrous for Banerjee as she got already exposed on helping BJP in President elections. BJP has psychologically profiled her well enough to tame her with familial pressures, state fund crunch and there could be other unknown factors covering Banerjee’s sweet spots to make BJP palatable to her, including Modi’s admission of gifting Banerjee Saris.
The Problem with Banerjee is that unlike Nitish, she could not afford to ally with a communal BJP publicly, when Muslims decide on victory margins in WB, with their sizeable vote share. Nitish is anyway on his retirement path slowly dissolving his Party and feeding BJP with their vote share. So, I would expect her to ally with INDIA with ~5 seats to Congress or just go solo and lose ~15 seats to BJP, thus playing her shady role again like she did in Presidential elections… Congress is also at fault as they day dreamed on winning the cow belt states in 2023 and increasing their seat share and now left in the lurk, losing both. If Congress is serious, they need to conduct a multi-day get together events to make its Partners comfortable and hash out on the common minimum Program. INDIA coalition currently sound like fragmented states before independence ruled by Maharajas. The yatra seems doing well, but unless otherwise INC spends a day or two with its allies meet up periodically, to speed up their Union of States process, there is a clear and present danger of INC ending up with subpar results… again.
Apart from the lack of preparedness of the Congress with its allies, Congress is also missing on the lack of unified message on the yatra. RG’s speeches are well received as he keeps it precise, but it only elaborates on the BJPs shortcomings and poor governance. Has it offered any solutions where the public could visualize on their own – a better life with Congress in power? Has it provided the aspirations for the youth who are clearly disenchanted with the BJP and their lack of stimulus towards unemployment? Has it offered a clarity on their much touted NYAY except for the five fingers meaning something for everyone and what it actually means to them? Congress yatra so far has only raised more questions than answers to its participants who are still eager to see Gandhis providing them better future like they did earlier.
HBS gave the much needed emotional trigger to keep the yatra boiling on the publicity pot, but the Yatra as such has not gone through such high moments after his intervention, by reinventing itself with its clarity on objectives and resolution. Do understand conducting this massive yatra itself is a mammoth task, but leaving off other crucial tasks like seat sharing and broadcasting the USP of aspirational INDIA also makes it a mundane affair. Sometimes, what we need is efficient breaks to regroup and build on towards the next improved version.
What triggered me to write this part is Banerjee’s empty claims on Congress not even getting 40+ seats in LS 2024. This is obviously her own freudian slip, where her win-win dreams of making INC succumb to her wishes and simultaneously getting favours from BJP is not working to her liking. She is fooling no one in this process including her loyal muslim vote base. Congress could make up a lot more if it plays its last mile message delivery card well like they did in 2004-09 and even in 2019. How? let me explain.
Between the last two Lok Sabha election years, the number of BJP MPs securing victories with a vote share of over 50 per cent witnessed a substantial surge, rising by 88 from 136 to 224. In contrast, the BJP’s increase in the overall seat tally was more modest, rising by a count of 21 from 282 in 2014 to 303 in 2019.
What explains this? According to political analysts, the substantial rise in the BJP’s overall vote share by nearly eight percentage points did not translate proportionately into an increase in the number of seats. As a consequence, there was an uneven distribution of seats with higher vote shares.
ThePrint’s analysis shows that non-BJP parties secured a vote share of 50 per cent or more in 64 seats in 2014. In the 2019 elections, this number nearly doubled to 117 seats. Viewed as a percentage, the non-BJP parties’ seats with this vote share went up by a steep 82 per cent between 2014 and 2019. The BJP’s percentage increase was about 65 per cent. – The Print
To me 2019 is an election where the opposition could have done much better with coalition, but INC wasted the opportunity with the same cocksureness they exhibited after winning Karnataka state now to lose its cow belt states. They failed with a similar approach in 2019 after tasting victories in 2018.
There is another anomaly of data, where BJP got eroded of its presence in the South in 2019, with the opposition Parties winning convincingly. BJP was saved by its strong presence in cow belt states, having more LS seats to make a large difference. BJP is pourings its funds to the cow belt states, the tax collected from the developed South. Mo-Sha has also cut down the state share of taxes to ~32% level so, the South states are going to get much lower share than what they gave to taxes along with the cess and surcharges which the center keeps in entirety. So, with BJP playing as antagonists to the south, their margins are going to go down further except for few regional sentiments. Congress could do well with a campaign blitz of Gandhis along with their NYAY promise. They may have to educate the masses on how people’s money collected while buying soap and salt are diverted without a fair share to themselves to enrich other states who are again kept in “social darkness” to suit BJP’s interest rather investing on education and healthcare to bring them up. How long will the BIMARU states will be fed with other state funds, rather allowing them to grow on social indicators. BJP has successfully kept them in Dark by not allowing them to grow beyond their Hindutva / communal shadows as progressiveness is a byproduct of education with education eradicating all illogical evils like communalism or majoritarianism, which BJP cannot afford to lose, with ignorance being their flagpole to hoist their ideology.
Congress has done well in 2004-09 in cow belt states like Rajasthan, Bihar, UP and Chattisgarh improving its seat tally. If the congress improves the morale of the cadre along with the last mile delivery of aspirational message, they may do well in the same states now as Inflation is a major spoilsport for any mighty ruler in Delhi. Many of the elections have been won in India with inflation as a major concern rather other vitals like GDP decline. The 2014 election loss could be largely attributed to the inflation rather corruption.
If Congress lost 2014 on Inflation, what could be the reasons for its poor performance in 2019? The X-Factor could be congress itself. It might have been kept inebriated state with its then recent state wins. Don’t want to harp on EVM theory here as people understood how BJP practically steals elections with the Chandigarh mayoral poll. The decimation Congress underwent soon after its 2018 euphoria cannot be logically explained for, other than a magical Heist, only science could explain. Why BJP only tasted considerable wins fighting Congress alone in 2019 while losing even to State level parties? It just shows, Congress is lethargic on protecting EVMs on their vulnerability. On the contrary, BJP has studied Congress for its vulnerabilities and exploits them very well so far.
The 2019 elections were scheduled in such a way that, BJP’s clean sweeps happened in states where it happened in multiple phases. One reason could be that it mobilises its cadre across phases. If we want to buy this theory, then BJP would have scheduled its southern states in multiple phases as it has very small cadre presence there. Another theory is that, BJP usually schedules in phases in States where it clearly wins or its best bets where it has a strong cadre and designated Booth agents. In such cases, there is no point in moving its people as Booth agents and supporting groups are already at work. Any party which is strong enough to win, will do at one stretch to avoid opposition gaining by moving its limited presence across phases. So a logical reason could be that it moves its limited hacking resources schematically, for desired outcomes in phases as it cannot be done publicly. Such crookedness cannot happen at large scale as it gets exposed easily. To add to that theory, BJP has its Leaders as Directors of BEL Board- the EVM manufacturers and Programmers. BJP is running EVMs and elections as if it’s their Party Conference. The clean sweep states were scheduled on the last phases too, giving them ample time to course correct and implement their heist strategies. By that time, the watchdogs might have got fatigued too. So, BJP might have done its dirty work during loading of symbols phase as distribution of EVMS are not manual raffle but through computer algorithms, or vote registration phases where VVPAT system makes the EVM smart enough to get manipulated or swapping EVMs during its transportation phase.
Now let’s move on to the last case, why would BJP conduct elections early and on single phase in places where it is weak and not having a friendly bureaucracy? It should be having its plans on manipulating the EVMs in storage rooms. DMK in Tamilnadu have raised alarms on mobile toilet Vans sneaking at EVM storage campuses at midnight without any permissions. The only seat BJP alliance won in TN also faced the issue of EVM swaps. So, technology has improved so much making us too paranoid as its opens up many possibilities. What if they started hacking EVMs from satellites?
If the phased elections are tuned for BJP wins how would Mamta Banerjee / Nitish kumar win their State elections convincingly, which also happened in multiple phases? There are special chameleons like Nitish Kumar / Mamta Banerjee / Owaisi who are planted for Mo-Sha’s benefit. The pattern is such that, they all have different strategies for State elections. But when it comes to Union elections, they have always appeared to help Modi’s side, either by splitting Muslim votes or by combining with BJP’s vote share. RSS-BJP flourishes in West Bengal during Banerjee’s rule, where its still the main opposition Party in terms of assembly tally. Why this did not happen earlier? Finally, if they are not Modi’s accomplices and find their place in his chamcha books, they would not have been allowed to live peacefully. Abhishek Banerjee will be in jail by now. PK’s spot on predictions on WB elections or BJP politician predicting MP election with precise vote margins, could be either counted as statistics or tuning EVMs whichever side you want to jump for conclusion. Because PK was not so precise on any other elections like in TN where he was helping DMK.
There is another theory of BJP media that, States vote for regional leaders whereas Union elections are for Modi, contributing to +10% vote share. Almost all State elections won or lost are contested on Modi’s name, just like LS elections. The CMs are posted with a sealed envelope from the Delhi, as if Oscars are declared for the best loyal servant of Mo-Sha. So, except for few regional sentiments, Modi is a non-factor in elections. So, this argument holds no water. People are more focused on “What’s in it for me” in each and every election, rather worrying about Modi or some mushroom nourished Karadi Mama contesting elections. The fact is Modi has brought people down to a worse lifestyle owing to inflation and lack of economic stimulus. 2024 election so far, have not offered any such aspirational promise or ensured its message delivery from Congress side, especially when BJP has steadfastly stuck to its crony friendly policy with the recent Budget, faking its confidence.
I don’t see any other reason, apart from insignificant issues like biased funding and their progressiveness on why South States should vote against BJP convincingly in 2019 and North belt voting them in indisputable winning margins. So what else it could be? The exit polls consistently predicted Congress to win around 108-145 seats. But the results stunned everyone with meagre 52. SP+BSP went through a bigger shock with BJP doing an unexpected clean sweep. One may argue that exit polls are not reliable indicators, but in Mo-Sha era where every opinion / exit poll is milked to project their imagined supremacy, the exit polls might have given a dark pessimistic outlook of the opposition and surprisingly it is still higher than the actual results. Atleast many EVM malpractices were uncovered by Samajwadi party cadre in UP. Congress was lazy enough to even detect such malpractices in their head to head contests. If congress is serious about winning, it should hire agencies to smell of any EVM malpractices in its constituencies, rather relying on their cadre, who may not understand its nuances. No wonder now Amit Shah wants to expand his territory towards South and increase 10% vote share across all states for a win, as if voting is just simple calibration on a machine. He clearly knows however he maximises the EVM tuning, he has saturated his winning factor in North belt. He also clearly knows the drawbacks of his own governance but did not attempt to fix governance but choose to fix EVMs instead.
People have become more greedy and more cunning in a cunning society and more competitive in a competitive society.
J. Krishnamurthy
I went to a magic show organized on a small scale. The crowd was unwilling to get mesmerised by the show, asking the magicians questions and unraveling their bullshit. When he turned red paper to blue they cried “litmus”. When he took a rabbit out of his hat they insisted on checking the weight of the hat before the magic begins. After the show, I heard from the Organizers, that the magician lamented on the suspecting crowd and the show would have been great if they got surrendered to his illusion. Likewise, I understand all these theories quoted above, may sound like an illusion of possibilities. But, Science is also an illusion of possibilities. A cell phone could still be a magic if we don’t understand the concept of cellular towers and air as medium carrying RF information. Unlike magic shows, democracy is all about participating, not about surrendering to a dangerous ideology paving way for feudalism.
Magic will still be a magic if we don’t understand the skimpily clad assistants are there meant as distraction, an hindrance to see the truth, just like Celebrities lining up in an half done temple or Media trying to create an Utopia with their message that BJP is invincible / undefeatable. Unless otherwise we understand the concept of Magical election set pieces, it will get more mystified with every upcoming act. Only way to get out of this cycle is being alert and paranoid. That’s the main reason why even developed countries resort to paper ballots and strict SOPs where then president Obama was not even spared on ID checks. They are not just alert and paranoid but also developed economically while whole of India is still shown a carrot maturing in 2047, in wickedly frustrating terms of Viksit Bharat, all the while current economic carrots being farmed, are eaten away by Adanis and Ambanis. 2047 Amrit kaal is just another way of tapping into the middle class mentality of working hard for a secure future, asking everyone of us to toil in hunger till the Ambani / Adani stomachs are full and constipated.
What Modi has accomplished is commendable from the “other” perspective. He has systematically dismantled any Institution which upholds the constitution to a servile slave, tapping into the human weaknesses. Maybe he has just mastered how to enslave a human susceptible to any desire or sin, holding life dear, surviving at all costs bartering character for survival. He has established a much refined Emergency 2.0 where there are – Institutions, but no autonomy but slavery to his authoritarianism, Temples where there are no gods but Modi as the mythical god-priest, elections but no credible opposition and finally opposition Leaders – who are just circus clowns doing paltis and street level fights as per the directions of BJP. One got to see Banerjee’s reactions with this Prism.
Mo-Sha has successfully brought out the worst of Nitish Kumar / Mamta banerjee who once stood tall in normal politics, as beacon of the future. Now one is reduced to a Monkey doing palti acrobatics at the whims of his Master and once perceived brave tigress is rendered to a circus pet meekly surrendering to a supple messiah avatar to help BJP flourish with her escape act on Hindutva fire rings and dividing minority votes for BJP’s benefit, dousing the alliance of her own making. When Congress and CPIM got resurrected in West bengal, her cowardice came into full limelight getting down to a level of a street fighter vying to tap the Muslim vote bank. Unfortunately, for all Modi’s much touted systematic Hindutva transformation and Emergency 2.0, Muslims have proved again and again why they are vital to democracy just like Hindus or any castes with every round of Banerjee crying on top pitch, afraid of Congress more than BJP. How long can you fool everyone that they are secondary citizens?
With so much of oppression around and so many falling in line except for few pockets of resistance from Gandhis, Kejriwal, Soren and Yadav, I would commend them for withstanding so much pressure and still going on a path of love unflinchingly. May God Almighty Ram, if he still exists in our Hearts, if not on half done temples, bless them with success and strength to conquer Hatred.
Why INDIA will win 2024?
Of late, there are various Op-eds and churning of the media to make people believe BJP is on its way for imminent third term without any interruptions, like their ‘Bulldozer justice’.
But none of the Op-ed delve on their reasons other than quoting BJP’s wins on last election of 2023. They are the ones who quoted “Sources” on Poonam Pandey’s death without even checking any cremation happening around. By their logic, Congress should have won 2019 as they made a clean sweep in 2018 elections. The media also wrote the same about Congress prospects in 2019, only to synthetically change their tune after Pulwama event. The pattern is the same… generate an aura of inevitable win so that no one doubts BJP’s landslidEVictory March.
BJP’s invincibility is directly proportional to the invisibility of EVM operations. But, BJP’s “definitely…definitely winning 2024” quotes are a mark of freudian self doubt, just like chanting “Arjuna” to escape the lightning. If they really feel invincible, they could have reformed the EVMs and tallied with VVPAT slips to weed out any doubts or suspicion on the integrity of their election wins. Instead, they have removed CJI from the CEC selection panel, introduced VVPAT slips inculcating smart chips, upgrading the EVM from a dumb calculator of its inception times to a smart computer and then finally ensured 2019 VVPAT slips are destroyed even before any sensible audits or stored as mandated by Poll codes. If this is called as ‘confident 400’, we need to change its synonym to ‘Crooked 420’.
Be careful what you wish for… especially like Abki Baar 420 Paar!
The Mind games of certainty BJP plays on opposition and voters gets me to this…
An Engineer, Statistician and Bureaucrat go to Modi for CEC interview.
First up is the engineer. Modi asks him what is 2+2 is? The engineer a little confused and then answered 4 of course.
Modi thanks him and calls in the Statistician. Again, he asks what 2+2 is? The Statistician states that, it’s a ballpark around 4.
Modi thanks him and calls in the Bureaucrat. Again, he asks what 2+2 is? The Bureaucrat looks around, stands up and closes the curtains before he bends down and whispers: What do you want it to be?
Modi smiles, “You are appointed!”
If you wonder what CEC means, it actually means Chief Elopement Commissioner here, if you have watched Chandigarh Mayoral Polls or the haste with which they destroyed VVPAT slips in 2019. Looks like for 2024, we are going to get a special VVPAT machine which may not even show the slip printing but act as a magic box in tinted glasses, and stops the printing if you peek at it as its sensitive to light like a thief. 420! I mean the seats… Why not?
The Media writing off the opposition’s work, who have posed enough challenges so far to BJP, to quote Shikhari Shaambhu Guptas already talking about to-do list for Modi’s third term, to feed on the illusion of invincibility of BJP, and others chiming in with opinion polls and surveys about clean sweep as if a crooked EVM beggar licked his election plate dry, only proves one thing – Elections are still alive but the Indian Journalism is already dead. Media obscures any genuine protests and agitations or even simple questions on the authority acting as a loud mouth of the very authority.
Media has to stand for the righteous ends and means, working as an instrument and voice of the weak. Instead, it’s happy getting reduced to deadwood, printing out buffoonery to aid the naked emperor with their cosmetic verbose. More than cash for votes, it’s the cash for Journalism similar to the flesh trade, weakening the democracy a lot more. As someone who vehemently opposed BJP’s use of the word, ‘Presstitutes’ in 2014 SM, now the Media is just acting justifying the same word coined by the Modi-SM-Army. It’s not that Media men have changed, but the actual Media Barons acting as Substitutes for Modi Propaganda Machine, systematically replaced the righteous Journalists with complicit ones. Even long dead Egyptian Mummies may have more shame than these media Barons who feed on crony money and feed BS to its loyal audience. Journalists who have even lost their Job due to criticism of Modi are treated rabidly till date like the case of Nikhil Wagle and lot many who have been jailed on sedition clause.
Now, BJP brainwashes everyone, aided by media, with a 370+ projection and the opinion polls “give” BJP 365 seats. Is this a democratic election or some VVPAT program to come up with exact result even before the election dates are announced? Are they belittling the people who take up massive efforts to vote for their Leaders? Have you seen the mass influx of people before elections as if they are participating in a Puri Juggernaut festival. What the so called election Pundits and BJP is implying now is that Modi alone is enough to pull the massive Election Juggernaut. So why bother voting?
With respect to Media, what else could we infer, other than death of Journalism, from the once famed fourth pillar, now weakly built on toxic finances from Crony Corporate Owners who benefit a lot on Modi’s tax cuts, NPA dissolutions, Corporate incentives and Government Ads. They are simply unable to live and breathe the truth as they are restrained and collared by ED/IT/CBI, with their only option of remaining lap dogs of establishment singing paeans and narratives set by Mo-Sha.
Modi might have aspired for “Congress Mukht Bharat” by importing all opportunistic scumbags from Congress, turning his saffron party to dirt brown. He has actually helped Rahul Gandhi on his aspiration for weeding out the deadwood, he dreamed in 2017-19. It has now reached a stage where even BJP is realising the futility of deadwood Congress luggage like Kamalnath, by refusing to take him onboard. Well, the “Money bags for scum bags game” is not over yet as Mo-Sha has a superiority complex of managing headlines, waiting for an opportune moment like RG’s yatra entering Madhya Pradesh. Any congressmen who believes in their own mettle and future of progressive India would not have traded their Shawls. So, Mo-Sha’s expensive shopping of Congress scrapyard has only made Congress cleaner, meaner and aspirational. BJP is actually doing the expensive interviewing process for Congress.
Maybe Modi, by buying all Congress Junk, failed on his mission by making Congress better and resilient, but, what he actually well accomplished is “Mission Media Mukht Bharat”, like Willy Wonka trampling on eggy cheesy cake walk, trivialising the media to look much bigger circus than himself. The crooked media Circus the Nation do not want to not know… but forget as bad dream! Modi-Media cromance ( Crony-romance) reminds me of a tamil movie Nenjam Marappathillai dealing with triangular love where Hubby suffers from Cancer and his wife happens to be the ex of the Doctor who treats him. The story ends up with the Operation success and Doctor dies out of stress. Media Doctors are doing the same to themselves by doctoring the Fourth Pillar of democracy.
“Everything In This Room Is Eatable, Even I’m Eatable! But That Is Called ‘Cannibalism,’ My Dear Children, And Is In Fact Frowned Upon In Most Societies.”
Wonka Movie
Meanwhile, let it also be said that if the BJP regime in New Delhi was confident of re-election and so loved by all people across India, then the systematic picking off of Opposition figures via the ED would not be necessary. Counter-intuitively, across India, Modi does appear to be in an excellent position for re-election, because, if we liken the upcoming elections to a football match, one side will wear shiny new jerseys and control the referees, while the other side will find many players being shown the red card and sent off the field. The commentators will be cheering for the wealthy side, and will not note that fires are being allowed to be set if the challengers come near the goal. – Saba Naqvi
“In 2019, the party leadership decided to win more than 300 seats. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said ‘Abki baar 300 par’ and we won 303 seats. Party strategists have set a target of winning more than 400 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls to make Mr Modi the Prime Minister for the third time in a row and (EVM) preparation has started to achieve the target,”
Well… India already handed over the keys to the thieves in 2014. So, they may even win 600 seats out of 543 in the land of largest democratic heists, still get certified as winners, going scot free of their crimes. Maybe It’s our democratic design where its purported guardians are programmed for money and adjustments and not for Integrity, our founding Fathers assumed us to be full of? Let’s dig further…
“I’m A Thief. Son Of A Thief. Brother Of A Thief. I Hope Someday To Be The Father Of A Thief.”
Professor – Money Heist
Modi’s rulebook capitalises on human weaknesses of greed and fear. Entice people with greed and if they don’t bend, then shove them fear down their throats. When Modi assumed Office in 2014, he did not have a crew to rely upon and imported all his Gujarati officials to establish his fiefdom. Modi’s introduction of his Gujarati cadre is analogous to the 40+ Wolfs introduced to Yellowstone Park. They changed things and how…
When the long white truck drove into through Roosevelt Arch on Jan. 12, 1995, it was almost like watching a modern-day Trojan horse arrive in Yellowstone. Inside were eight gray wolves from Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. They became the first wolves to roam Yellowstone since the 1920s when the last pack was killed. By the end of 1996, 31 wolves were relocated to the park.
Earlier, with elk populations being artificially high due to no or limited wolves before, elk had overrun Yellowstone and displaced many animals due to their feeding behavior. Plants used by various species were eaten by elk, while elk trampling affected what species could grow.
In the years that followed after reintroduction of wolves, wolves brought the elk population down and protected the open valleys from overgrazing. However, the number of elk killed was double than estimated and many local hunters stirred controversy by protesting that the wolves will end up killing ALL of the elk. Today the debate is still strong. Inside the park, scientists joyously exclaim that the wolves have saved Yellowstone. Cross the park border into a gateway town and you will surely hear how wolves kill for the pleasure of killing and are terrorizing ranches and wildlife.
Currently, nobody knows what positive change the wolves introduced to Yellowstone, except for killing the elk population. Few argue that the wolves made the remaining herds of elk stronger by killing and weeding out the weak ones. But, it has also brought in headache with increasing wolves disturbing the farms nearby and the declining elk population made Hunters complain for resource scarcity. Time will tell us if the wolves got hunted again to restore the ecosystem. Likewise, the introduction of Gujarat cadre at PMO, brought in its own change to the Indian political ecosystem, by hunting out the weak Bureaucrats, Judiciary and Politicians, enticing with greed or simulating fear with coincidental(?) morning walk murders and raids by ED / IT / CBI, while making the remaining folks stronger with resolve. Even now Modi could not come out of the Gujarati Bureaucracy circle, stands as a testament to Indian resilience. Maybe our forefather’s assumption about our tenacity for goodness is right?
BJP-Congress duel reminds me of the the Snow White story. The Queen witch who wants to be the “Fairest of the Land” makes sure no one fairer than her survives. I don’t know if she consumed magic mushrooms to attain her fair complexion. When Snow white became the genuinely fairest young lady of the Land, the Queen witch could not digest the fact and hired the Huntsman to kill Snow white and bring her Heart as proof. The huntsman deceives the Witch and spares Snow White, just like 2018-19 Congress capturing the Hindi heartland but losing LS election by deception, still left to live as they don’t pose a challenge to BJP. Left alone in deep forest directionless, Snow White meets the eccentric Seven Dwarfs who are hard working and good natured. They protect her.
The witch got a Truth Mirror. When she queries the Mirror on who is now the fairest of the land, the Mirror truthfully points out its the Snow white and she is alive and well. The witch now employs disguise and deception to fatally poison Snow white by making her consume a poisoned Apple. The dwarfs with genuine love for Snow White are heartbroken and arrange for her last rites. A Prince magically arrives and brings Snow white to life with a kiss of true love.
Whether one considers New India as Fairy land or Wonder land or Parody land, Congress reminds me of Snow White. BJP clipped their financial wings making them weak on resources, cut down their arms to make them suffer with lack of support, disillusioned them with deception and poaching, weakened them with petty cases and (un)constitutional suspensions and demoralised them by subverting democratic institutions to act like their subservient stooges… but still Congress keeps on walking, (of course after taking lot of rest) standing up for a greater fight. BJP understands the danger lurking and may try to clamp down the yatra with shocking excesses. But whatever happens… the Congress lieutenants could carry on, mobilising the public support and keep the Nyay narrative simmering among people making BJP feel its better to leave them untouched rather suffocating themselves with meaningless oppression, as such excesses will amplify their ruthless authoritarianism repelling people during election times, just like irrational suspensions at Parliament.
I read an interesting article lamenting how 70+ Members led by Dadabhai Naoroji had the conviction to demand empowerment / independence from the British and they slowly grew from that insignificant meeting to a Congress Movement. Congress of the present seems ailing to grab the victory, forgetful of its own might. Congress party was not handiwork of magicians but hard work of mobilising gullible people and educating them from slavery to freedom with mass outreach. Congress needs that conviction and grit now. Comparably they have a smaller task at hand. 35-40% voter base invariably still believe in Congress. Congress should work hard for those beliefs as its a positive belief of progression not about killing or undermining a sectarian group stirring emotions for profits. So Please….. Enjoy your life’s melons by making sweet marmalade and start thinking about elections, closing all the loopholes. Champion Congress is more than capable of checkmates and wins.
Elections are Truth Mirrors. No matter how BJP manipulates it, they will be in trouble if the VVPAT slip gets tallied. Opposition’s only job is employ private intelligence agencies to expose BJP before elections to rattle them on EVM heist, when they tune EVMs for symbols and “centralised” EVM allocations. I agree INDIA bloc is a rainbow coalition of Leaders of various psychological profiles, like the seven dwarves. But, each of them has won over BJP through various campaigns. Kumar(?) and Yadav on Caste / Minority empowerment, AAP on governance and services, DMK on socially progressive governance, TMC on ferocious fighting spirit, Pawar on Never say die attitude, Congress on economic progressiveness and what not. They all just need to fight… one criminal mindset, not a massive decoy Juggernaut. Somehow, BJP is digging their own trap by propping up Modi smokescreen as centerpiece, making their electoral enterprise expendable and degrading their minionistic demotivated cadre to insignificance which will bite them back as voters have realised Mo-Sha cult’s inefficiencies. INDIA Bloc should not worry if anyone drops from the coalition wagon and be prepared for eventualities. But the stalwarts together are quite capable of putting up a fight with Congress as their backbone. Time to get ready for the true princely kiss of victory from the voters.
I would like to reiterate… in the World conquered through Gun, Germs and Steel, it’s not the Executive Guns or the sword wielding Party cadre do more damage, but the propaganda germ preaching religious toxicity and fake invincibility. Its upto the opposition to ensure the germ is eradicated through outreach vaccine and raising right questions to the electorate to make them think of aspirational future for the cure. Germs ultimately die by themselves as only the good thrives in planet earth. Whether Snow White story or microbiology or Ramayana or Mahabharata, the good always triumphs over evil.
‘“தருமத்தின் வாழ்வதனைச் சூது கவ்வும்; தருமம்மறு படிவெல்லும்” எனுமியற்கை மருமத்தை நம்மாலே உலகங் கற்கும் வழிதேடி விதிஇந்தச் செய்கை செய்தான். கருமத்தை மேன்மேலுங் காண்போம். இன்று கட்டுண்டோம், பொறுத்திருப்போம்; காலம் மாறும் . தருமத்தை அப்போது வெல்லக் காண்போம்.
Bharathiar – Mahabharata
The evil to be triumphed is not any individual here, but the concept of unbridled power making the rulers either corrupt or arrogant, stomping on the fundamentals and ideals framed to serve its people. If our system don’t address dictatorship prospects with appropriate safeguards, our political system may look like incentivizing mad authoritarian rulers.
Happy 2024!
Success is Saying what we Mean without being Mean
When Modi fought 2014, he cleverly mixed Vikas and Wickedness equally. He targeted the establishment as Dynastic with a weak silent PM and at the same time offered hope with his Vikas promise. He created positive aspirations with imaginations, making every indian dream of getting 15 Lakhs richer by electing him. It all turned out to be a Jumla / fake promise but he was efficient enough to deflect the people’s attention distracting them on PR initiatives like Clean India, Demonetisation to keep away from damages. Now, Vikas is forgotten and we are now moving towards Vikshit and Vish bullshit for 2047. the wicked Vish part of the campaign still remains the same, targeting Nehru and digging other dynastic graves as if Gandhi ghosts ruled India for last 10 years. Vikshit Bharat is a very clever strategy of skipping accountability with fake aspirations even after enjoying power for ten years. It’s like a student who could not pass academics for last 10 years, hoping to achieve it by 2047, just to silence everyone around. Modi Government wagon was running with a carrot tied to a long stick forcing the development go through treacherous Dunki route. Since the decade old carrot is rotten already they are now left with the stick, using it for their authoritarian excesses.
The Opposition campaign is more into wail of disappointments suffering with Modi’s dictatorship, making him look even more formidable from the eyes of the public. Modi is like mythical Vaali who gains more strength on such insults and mud slinging, leveraging them to create undeserving sympathy wave. Neech, Chaiwallah, Chowkidar Chor etc. But, Congress cracked the campaign code with aspirational Guarantees in Karnataka and Himachal. Unfortunately, Modi changed his tune from Adani-is-God to freebies-are-good mode. It’s a success for Congress in one way. Instead of being a replica of Hindutva Party, Congress was able to make elitistic BJP budge to its pro-poor populist agenda. It’s an open secret Modi is thriving on UPA time ideas. So, ‘Congress mukt Bharat’ obviously means ‘BJP mukt Bharat’. How else could BJP student copy and pass exam if the brilliant student is absent?
What is missing in the Congress’ campaign canvas is the lack of aspirational message captivating the fancy of the voters. Any hope to Children like full tax exemption for kids education and subsidies for education loans, stipends for meritorious economically backward candidates could make Congress look positive from parent’s perspective. Any hope to MSMEs with group insurance and other aids could be of great help. BJP Government has made the business process much easier than before but the economy is lacking to nurture growth. Any hope on healthcare could attract the lower and upper middle class, The GST of 18% for insurance is atrocious. The medicines are much costlier than MMS era with reckless hikes on essentials. MMS made conscious attempts to lower medicine prices amidst growth triggered Inflation. Congress is not even reminding voters of its immediate past glorious legacy, whereas BJP is successful in depicting Congress as corrupt. The narrative needs to change with captivating shorts, making people aspire of the New Congress rule.
Inflation is the biggest issue. The NYAY scheme of offering 72000 Per Annum for the poor is nice to hear, but it will only make the lower middle class aspire to become poor to get such sedentary benefits, triggering inflation, pulling down the economy further, instead of accelerating growth. Such high amount looks like lottery and people may not even believe such high income coming for free. Instead INDIA bloc should consider spreading out the incentives across the poor and lower middle class and make them work for it with signature campaigns or asking for feedback. DMK’s incentive scheme is a decent start with 1K as monthly income. Ideally, such incentive schemes will do more benefit to the Coalition if they spread it across a wider base by keeping around 1-2K per month. Anyways BJP has smelt blood and may roll out the initiative soon.
INDIA Bloc will do a lot better if it caters to aspirational basics like affordable Healthcare, Government utilities and Education along with triggers for MSME sector and gig economy workers. AAP’s success was mainly due to catering to such practical aspirations with effective implementations and of course giant size PR.
Of late, Congress has upped its game balancing the yatra campaign along with INDIA coalition dynamics. The Speech made by RG at Varanasi was impressive and unusual of his amiable and uneventful speeches so far. It raised questions on why the youth of India has not arisen to such injustices meted out by Rulers and intoxicated to toxic hate campaigns, getting noisy on idol politics but silent on idle politics of unemployment. Congress will do better if they understand Kejriwal-Anna campaign did not reverberate across India but only in few pockets of politically conscious urban areas. We are having a similar situation right now, except for the absence of media whipping out well-sponsored, concerted and sensational anti-Government dog whistle, like they did in 2012-14. The undercurrent of anger is simmering in the underbellies of every Indian. The INDIA block needs to tap it well. The speech though a bit harsh on voters still stuck on me because it had a genuine affection like an elder Brother prodding his little brothers for good. I unconsciously tweeted out addressing him as Bhai after hearing his speech. The speech as anticipated, got viral and BJP jumping into it to damage themselves further. If BJP thinks they can steer it as anti-RG, this is exactly what the Anna movement did with such well-meaning questions without looking to milk voters works well among electorate. Energised RG is just doing a VP Singh + Kejriwal on people. Hope we get such interesting campaign speeches, but also making a brotherly connect so that his genuine concern is taken up well even among BJP IT coolies.
The Worm’s eye view of the Nyay yatraand the King Cong.
I was blessed with an opportunity to be part of the spectatorship of the yatra as concluding part of my pilgrimage trip. The trip was an enriching experience in many ways exploring places of different culture and background. As we worship many divine powers set in various forms, why not we encourage our very own ancestors and fellow humans on their footsteps who have made our lives better with the visionary stroke of governance and policies? To give a context… with my family background of weak financial past, my parents tried their best to provide me good education in best school but it was also difficult after an extent where I was evaluated for vocational course to get a Mechanic job on fast track.
It’s the then Government’s Institutional support which made me an Engineer. It’s the Application evaluator at ITI Government Polytechnic who encouraged my Father to make me pursue on higher studies. It helped that the evaluator turned out to be Father of my classmate. Truth could be stranger than fiction but my native town is a small world. “Seats? Get on merit and with subsidised fee! Still difficult to pay fee? Get an educational loan at minimal interest. Jobs? Our policies are encouraging enough for free market and healthy Job Market. ( NCBN in Hyderabad turned literal hard rocks to Cyber Castles in late 90s) No Worries!”
During our college when we were lethargic / playful, our Professor, who religiously takes out a list of term fee defaulters and help them with money, used to say, we are all not aware of the Lakhs, Government spends for each student as subsidy. Apart from good samaritans we come cross in our life, our elected Governments have always acted as an invisible God Father providing a better lifestyle and education to the aspiring middle class and poor who needed an helping hand… Government is a big ugly juggernaut which could be testing our patience, but still there can’t be denial that it has helped our destiny in ways where we cannot alter as an individual. Although we loathed them enough and stayed apart for their decaying ethics, except for the recent Modi’s decade where the governance is stooping down to historic lows and we are hooked to him with his Maverick PR, thanks to paid media and crony sponsored giant propaganda machine. Modi is a trend setter for sure, but Congress and Vajpayee under BJP acted as Life changer for the masses.
There are many reasons compelling me to participate in this yatra on the sidelines. Firstly, Politics is a thankless Job. The way a section of Indians, being promoted from fringe to mainstream of late, abuse Gandhi and Nehru stands as a testament to its rewardless-ness. As citizens we are also habituated to demand the politicians for accountability while we treat voting as an optional practice, choosing vacation over election. Slowly, Mo-Sha Govt is laying out ridiculous penalties like 110 crore fine for leaving out a 10 Lakh return in Congress tax returns, freezing their accounts just before elections. Our silence will only embolden them further to do the same to us sooner than later, as they can always hound us systematically citing lame laws and rules, like they arrogantly do to a Partly holding ~30% vote share. If we don’t take our voting seriously, we might end with tax terrorism and systematic dismantling of dissent and accountability.
Secondly, It’s very difficult to correlate the broad strokes of Government policies to our own empowerment nowadays. What you see with every policy is that either the Government is directly swindling money with GST, cess and surcharges, or it aids its cronies waiving off NPAs, Windfall taxes and Corporate tax. It’s much easier to talk about our own merit. But a good Government’s help makes our merit, actually meritorious, like a two handed clap. It actually took me long to realise how privileged I was then, only when I start thinking about my kids’ future where simple merit may not be enough. Caste and Money may diminish such merits in next ten years if we allow BJP to go further on their brahmanical cause and crony capitalism. Giving such due credits to Congress might be easily brushed off as extrapolation/ Fakery. Not everyone is a PR maniac like Modi, begging for publicity, placing their photos/ selfie Booths to earn credits due. Modi’s greatest asset is that there are no abstractions. Policy talk is not his political game. Just plain and pure hatred to stir your neighbourhood Hindu-Muslim envy along with Straight PR for each and every penny he spends for poor while hiding the billions of Dollars he donates to his cronies.
Even Ants know food and future is more important than Hindutva Hate / Brahmanical supremacy lollipop.Vote for INDIA!
Thirdly and sadly, I am sure such an healthy meritorious environment of our past does not exist for my Kids or all kids of India needing a short or long rope from the Government to succeed. The education has become very expensive where Kindergarten schools are charging Engineering College level fees. We are moving towards gurukul age where lesser ekalavyas of poor and middle class are demanded their fingers as fee, while privileged by birth elites are cushioned with a special EWS quota along with centralised elitist NEET stuff calibrated even with zero mark cut-off to suit the elitist needs. The inflation, reckless penalties of the Government and depleted savings has pushed me to the verge of seeking a spiritual trip to regenerate Hope so that we could still live with self-respect in this country. After all, self respect is the major asset, this feudal government wants to snatch back from us to lead us from the top and to make us bow down to their One-Nation-One-Nonsense agenda.
While divine forms can give us solace, what are we people, when we miss to greet our great ancestors and fellow Humans who have enabled better lives for us. There might be multiple first loves and numerous second chances in politics and our own life, but what matters is that, are we repeating the same mistake or course corrected for better. Just like we seek second chances, second second chances and second second second chances but never leave the fight to live and prosper, good politics needs its second chances too like crop rotation. There is no point complaining about missed opportunities of Congress, when I have not moved my ass to even consider the county’s future and vote for its best. Nobody is perfect and our politicians are a certain nobody. At this juncture it was natural choice for me to be part of this yatra, though in a pretty insignificant manner as one among crores of people cheering, “Lage Raho Rahul Bhai!”. And it turned out to be a full-filling experience.
Enjoy your noise free life with INC’s Paanch NYAY!
Having said the reasons behind my political participation on the sidelines, happened to meet Rahul Gandhi on his Yatra at Nashik. It was amazing to see someone who could criss cross India selflessly enduring great pain and obstacles laid out by rulers. RG’s first appearance seemed like a seasoned politician with mild sun tans with amicable and assuring presence, of course with scars of his troubled past earned through fighting the establishment for a decade, but shorn off his princely image. His nose reminded me of the old cartoons of Rajiv Gandhi with a pinocchio nose, not too long though. Other than such resemblances, if you follow his yatra, his speeches are more like VP Singh 2.0 craving social justice and empowerment. RG seems like Yogendra Yadav type of activist (whom I was happy to watch on sidelines), rather a dynast politician Prince craving for succession. RG is not a person who keeps commoners at arms length unlike power hungry leaders’ exhibiting their superiority and insecurity in road shows. People keep flocking towards his vehicle like bees to Honey and he seems fearless and at ease mingling with people despite his ancestors sacrificing their life due to similar compassionate traits. Maybe it’s the greatest genetic asset of Gandhis – empathy.
Russia or Antilia, Beware of Your Tax Money… a little goes for your development and major hidden part towards Adani & Ambani development…
If this Cathedral is a rupee you paid as tax while buying black salt – 20% goes towards India development and 80% towards Crony development.
While RG is evolving to be a firebrand speaker shedding his polished image to that of a no holds barred rustic politician, wish he also focuses on Inflation and atrocious taxation along with the Caste quota pitch, as “Pocket and Identity” matters act like a double barrel gun hitting the voters straight to their conscience forcing them to think through the deception weaved by Modi 2.0 media. Inflation was the major reason for INC failing in 2014 rather the synthetic corruption narrative. If corruption alone failed Congress why was Muzzafarnagar riots got orchestrated then? It is to kindle the neighbourhood Hindu-muslim envy that Onida Devil ad captured very cleverly, along with pocket / purse matters claiming Muslims are getting more privileges with the UPA regime as appeasements. Ram mandir is the culmination of, “Look I have got my Onida TV!” moment.
Spirituality irrespective of any religion is supposed to be an inner engineering to strengthen ourselves by deriving Hope and Belief. Spirituality across the Planet is not designed as an exhibition of our belief system / show but as an internal exercise conducted in Private or in religious communion. When we don’t even afford to share our Mobile to anyone for an hour, for the sake of privacy, how are we fine with wearing religion on our sleeves on streets and public places? If you are not convinced, I have seen few complaining about azaan as soon as Modi came to power, though they were living in the same locality for decades without any complains. In fact there are was a PIL case to ban azaan citing noise pollution. The Judge gave a befitting judgement as below
The Bajrang Dal petitioner claimed that “noise pollution” caused by azan when played through loudspeakers affects people’s, especially children’s health and causes inconvenience otherwise.
A division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P Mayee asked the petitioner whether the noise of bells and gongs during `aarti’ at a temple is not heard outside the premises’.
Azan is conducted for a maximum of ten minutes at a time at different hours of the day, the court pointed out. “We fail to understand how the human voice making azan through loudspeaker in the morning could achieve the decibel (level) to the extent of creating noise pollution, causing health hazards for the public at large,” it further said.
The Gujarat High Court underscored, “We are not entertaining this kind of PIL. It is a faith and practice going for years, and it is for 5-10 minutes. In your temple, the morning aarti with drums and music also starts early at 3 am. So it does not cause any kind of noise to anyone? Can you say the noise of ghanta (bell) and ghadiyal (gong) remains in temple premises only and does not percolate outside the temple?”
Perhaps, if the petitioners approached a certain Bella in our top court, they might have found sympathising solace on how such prayers brings blood on her ears. Currently Bella is busy, filling Jails with non-saffron-compliant-opposition members as if Prisons are hosting Housefull Blockbusters. RG is working on Mohabbat Ki dukaanby giving MP tickets to the same ones who loathed him. So much for Congress’ organisation skills and screening committees, doling out tickets to Hindutva Bhakts. Likewise, we certainly need a shop for shame where people could feel that emotion, catering to certain Bureaucrats and Judiciary members.
With due respects, there is still room for improvement in INC PR to connect with audiences narrating their daily struggles and then entice them with simple ideas / resolutions of Paanch NYAY, providing a level playing field for their betterment. The metaphors like Shakthi are nice and abstract, but also gives room for the opposition to gain mileage by twisting facts.
Brand Hindutva is the new Onida Advertisement. Modi is not making “New India” but “New Onida”
To stand out among these highly-competitive brands and to clinch a piece of the consumers’ mindshare, Onida had to devise a clutter-breaking marketing campaign with an emotional impact.
Back in the 80s, television was an aspirational appliance. The ones who owned a good set were quite often the object of their neighbours’ envy, an insight Onida anchored its ad campaign on. Anyone who has felt envy knows the might of negative emotions.
“Onida tapped on this emotion of consumers and promoted their brand as one that non-owners would ‘envy’ and covet,” points out Mitesh Kothari, Co-Founder and CCO, White Rivers Media.
Envy is also one of the seven deadly sins, and a mascot that could embody it in its entirety was the devil himself.Accompanying the ad was Ashok Roy’s tagline “Neighbour’s envy, owner’s pride,” which became inextricably linked to Onida for decades and many taglines later.
Soon, everyone gathered enough courage to use the devil in the print and the next set of advertisements exhorted the potential customers to “Give the devil his due”. The Devil had taken centre stage.
A few people had a differing opinion on the mascot and the answer to the critics was the launch of new TV and the new campaign “Should the new Onida be banned” with the devil under a guillotine. The critics were silenced, the new ( 56″ err… ) 21” TV went on to create history. Onida becomes the No.1 TV brand in India by 1987.
At least Onida was kind enough with another tagline, “Love thy neighbour, Guard thy Onida!”. But BJP’s appeasement accusations mirroring the envy Onida tried to provoke actually worked very well in pockets on India. If it did not work, RSS was smart enough to create riots and Malegoan blasts, aptly coined as saffron terrorism by Chidambaram. Anyways now we are in a state of nothing to envy with our neighbours by enacting CAA and UCC laws. But you know envy and Hindutva are a gift that keeps on rewarding for RSS, that they might find appeasement with SC/ST/OBCs, they once found with Muslims, as the actual beneficiary house is that of Nagpur Brahmins.
But, there is a catch in this devilish story… sadly or happily(?), everything has its expiry date, especially Brands built on negative emotions have much shorter life span. When a new Devil got revived in 2020’s, people did not take it seriously, finding the new Onida Devil not so “appealing”. When other brands sustained well with their mascots like the cute Amul Girl, Onida could not push further their negative agenda which was once a market winning sensation. I still have an Onida LED TV which is top class, but Onida Devil is not anymore a compelling Buy.
If INC failed on corruption in 2014, why Modi is still considered teflon coated on similar corruption charges? Why BJP’s corruption charges on Kejriwal are not working at all? People evaluate Governments more on whether they are placed well on the social matrix, rather how clean the rulers are. Everybody knows elections are money guzzlers. One of the reasons why “Chowkidhar Chor Hai!” failed is because corruption is normalised. There is no shock value for corruption and scams, except for amusing memes. Even if INC need to build a narrative on electoral bonds, it needs to connect to the common man like how Pharma companies were given a free hand to sell medicines which failed test standards with hiked up prices, rather Modi as Hafta Vasooli. How our money taken from pockets while we buy soap / pencil is being used to feed Ambani in the name of defence deal. How hard earned taxes of the people are being gifted to Adani gift wrapped as Infra / Ports. The PR bottomline being that, the end product of the campaign should hit a commoner’s pocket and heart rather singing paeans about Modi.
Don’t let the taxes and Inflation scare you. Vote for INDIA to tame Inflation and GST.
There are many charges of dynasty about the Gandhis… If you really don’t like dynasty concept in Politics, RG who chose not to marry fits better than the anyone who married and then abandoned his wife. In fact its their glorious legacy of indomitable ancestors being the very reasons why I admire and revere Gandhis, whom I believe ensured a better life on merit providing a level playing ground rather backstabbing with EWS type policies favouring a certain sect. BJP buffoons may deem the admiration as Nehru-Gandhi cult while shamelessly bowing down to Modi cult for their survival. The reality remains that people are not very kind to Congress / Gandhis on their faults and shortcomings, including myself. Congress has lost pockets of significance towards Regionalism, Communalism and their own corruption.
Congress does not groom an iron curtain cult like Modi coterie do by threatening people. Modi cult is a very synthetically nurtured potted plant by his PMO, which may not last, soon after he leaves office, whereas Gandhis are an organic phenomenon, having evoked more criticisms than orchestrated admiration. Gandhi Vs Modi is the clash of mass and class, wherein the Mass leader pokes our neighbourhood Hindu-Muslim envy and basal instincts with taunts and punches like Rajinikanth and the class Leader wants to elevate Tamil Cinema to next level at his own expense like Kamalhassan. Be it Election or Cinema, Mass and its allied emotions are required as a vent to escape our mundane realities now and then, but class is the actual lifeline to make our future better. It’s the choice between battling a war to vent our basal emotions or standing the test of time by building an artful Ellora.
Without naming any political party, Murthy said that no country could make economic progress without “freedom of faith” and “freedom from fear.” Many interpreted his remark as a dig against the BJP government. In May, according to a Press Trust of India story, the Infosys Foundation—an NGO run by Infosys—found its registration cancelled by the home ministry. The NGO put out a statement claiming that it had voluntarily applied for deregistration in June 2016. The PTI, however, has stood by its story and has not issued a correction.
Regardless of the ambiguity in the case, now that the Modi government has returned to power, Murthy seems to have had a change of heart. On 23 August, he said that the Indian economy is in the best shape it has been in the last three hundred years, despite an avalanche of evidence that might contradict his statement. – Caravan
Now Narayanamurthy’s favourite pastime is not Country / Bengaluru real estate as it used to be, but his worker bees who are required to collect honey for 70 hours a week while his 4 month old grandson, being gifted 24o crores of his stocks, to ensure he sleeps 70 hours per week peacefully ( to quote a tweet), while he was lamenting about not providing enough incentives to his employees. Let’s console ourselves that the communist of the past treats his grandson as future Infosys employee.
Dropping off from the cult debate with the Murthy specimen, on how Modi cult is a synthetically nurtured potted plant, now onto illustrate the reach of Gandhis… let me explain an incident. I was buying fritters from a shop in the North. The shopkeeper seeing my name which is more telugu-ish than tamil, but still asked me a strange / scripted question, “Do you support anomaly in Tamilnadu?” I guess he was actually referring to a BJP Leader but might be a bit fervent, just like snake venom drug seller Elvish yadav’s supporters trending “ElvishaYadav” or “ElvishAmry” synchronously with spelling mistakes. I remarked “No Politics!” and left the place. As they say say If you don’t do politics, politics will do to you regardless. The crux is that many political leaders still remain as anomalies while Gandhis have a legacy of sacrificing selflessly for the Nation’s vision. It’s exactly the reason why Modi wants to destroy Nehru-Gandhi legacy by poking holes on dynasty.
Despite BJP’s relentless attacks, RG seemed to be the Man who is destined to end dynasty rule, choosing to not marry and coming up with another version of little Gandhi Prince(/ss). He is logically a much better choice as a Leader compared to someone who abandoned his own wife and now shamelessly claiming entire India as his family, ofcourse except for his estranged Wife.
If Modi really considers Indians his family, why cant he make life easier for the poor rather acting like an agent for the ultra rich, selling India and framing policies as per their wish. The Ambanis are able to convert and utilise a Military Airport for their personal pre-wedding function. But, the BJP cadre calls the incentives to the poor as alms, while they are glad to beg the Corporates for electoral bonds to buy opposition MLAs and MPs. All the while common man had to do KYC with aadhaar and iris imprints even for a simple banking, shopping or availing utility services, BJP was happily swallowing money from their donors without asking for a single ID check, with Chief Election Commissioner even vouching for safeguarding the Privacy of donors donating to political parties. Wonder what are these guys running? Government or Cabaret show with Shayari… to ask for the privacy of their crony clients?
The way CEC vouches for electoral bond Donor privacy while nudging citizens to link Voter ID with aadhaar for transparency… it would have been apt he showed the other finger.
To me Modi is an excellent fit as “Parivar-drohi”, having hiked up the substandard life saving medicines by taking bribes from Pharma companies in the name of electoral bonds, allowing them to frame policies, having hiked up basic fares in Government run Infra facilities like railways so that it could be handsomely handed over to Adani types in future, even earning 1230 crores in three years with penalising cancellation fee, having hiked up surcharges and cess for essentials like fuel / LPG so that all his parivaar / family have to part themselves part of their meal plates to pay Modi his taxes. I have seen family men sacrificing everything for their family’s betterment, but cant believe a (fake) family man could afford all ill-doings to his own family and still proud of claiming his tortures as service to the family, acting like a power drunkard harassing his own family to buy more liquor to remain intoxicated, claiming to drink for his family and liver health.
“We must choose either champagne for a few or safe drinking water for all”
Thomas Sankara
When the BJP came to power in 2014, the price of one Dollar to the Rupee was ₹59. Today, the BJP has increased this price from ₹59 to ₹84! The weakening of the Indian rupee directly impacts your pocket: • The value of the rupee decides at what price we get goods imported from abroad.
In 2014, if any goods came from overseas for 1 dollar, we had to pay ₹59. Today we must pay ₹84 for that same good worth 1 dollar. The extra ₹25 we are paying is because of the falling rupee. • When goods being imported from abroad come to the country at a higher price, people in turn will also get them at a higher cost.
• India imports 80% of its crude oil and must pay for most of it in dollars. India is now buying fuel at a higher cost due to the weakening of the Indian rupee. Every time you go to the petrol pump, the weakening of the rupee is having an impact on your pocket.
• When fuel becomes more expensive, the cost of transporting goods increases. All goods – including food – are becoming more expensive. When you go to the market to buy groceries, you are paying higher prices due to the weakening of the rupee.
• When inflation increases, the RBI will also raise interest rates to control higher prices. Due to an increase in interest rate by RBI, your loan EMI will increase. You are now paying more interest to the bank if you have a home loan, car loan, or education loan – all because of the weakening of the rupee.
Before 2014, the BJP would make big claims on the relatively smaller declines in the strength of the rupee. Remember the typically uncouth remarks made by the-then Gujarat CM, linking the rupee’s value and Dr. Manmohan Singh’s age? The rupee’s value fell below the self-proclaimed Vishwaguru’s own age a long time ago. Today, amidst the drastic plunge in the value of the rupee, he is nowhere to be seen. – Jairam Ramesh
If you ask Modi, he might be actually happy that increase in dollar prices will increase the prices and his taxation, with more revenues, without any understanding about the demand playing a crucial part in economics, just like his expensive Vande Bharat trains not many travels, but manufactured in abundance. For Modi, demand is not the key, but empty esteem that India is shining with flashy trains. The reality is that Modi is so drunk on power that he cannot realise the truth that he is living in an inflated 420 Blunderland. The truth is that “Family man Modi” has taxed the roti, kapda and makaan of his own family to an atrocious extent where the family is now running short of roti. The memes feasting on each and every BJP advertisement from commoners stands as a testament to Modi’s legacy of eating India for his own hunger for power. Modi did not stop any war as claimed in his advertisements, but he has stopped his fellow citizens accessing their growingly expensive food plates due to reckless GST and inflation. “Family Man Modi” is an excellent lead for the opposition to destruct him by leasing his own weapons.
Protect your future by voting wisely in 2024… Before its too late to save your kith and kin.
Coming back to the yatra, the atmosphere at the Nashik city was vibrant. The folk musicians and performers gave Gandhi a befitting princely welcome with a very enjoyable performance. There was genuine admiration lingered around for Gandhi as most of the people who waited to catch a glimpse of him are commoners across various religions, though media paints Congress as Muslim Party and even the route seem to be muslim dominated old city area as an acknowledgement to such propaganda. There was a carefully calibrated post by Assam CM HBS on the yatra’s reception in Muslim and Hindu areas. Let’s hope Gandhis don’t fall prey to such vicious posts.
Wish Gandhi operated across areas in forthcoming campaigns rather restricting himself on few demographic assumptions. Maybe such similar low assumptions might have made RG choose Wayanad over sure shot Amethi LS constituency. Unfortunately such decisions don’t give much hope to the cadre and voters, especially when RG is pinning his 2024 narrative on social justice for all religions and classes. It’s like a battle lost even before it started. What will Amethi people think when RG is contesting on two seats and gives assurance to the other constituency that he will not let them down? Does not that actually imply he will let down Amethi even after a win. Contrast that with Kejriwal who had insignificant profile compared to Modi but was ready to wage the fight in Varanasi. Even if RG fails in Amethi, (which is almost impossible if he contests only in Amethi), he might always enter Parliament through RS and other by polls. Fortune always favours the brave who got nothing to lose. Kejriwal is the only politician who was able to improve his electoral footprint in Modi’s era. Sincerely wish Congress takes its battle back to BJP doors and their strong pockets in cow belt, rather putting up fences in its small strongholds.
Beware! You are not voting for Modi… You are voting for Reliance and Adani Asura Shakthi eating up India. Vote wisely.
On the yatra, the cadre was busy on the routines and slogans as its a huge event demanding resources and manpower, with stages and arrangements. But what captured my attention are the many volunteers across ages without any IDs, earnestly distributing pamphlets who don’t seem to be affiliated to any party. The Pamphlet was a routine affair lacking the professional PR touch of BJP. Wish it had a catchy cartoon or illustration with very few salient features on front page and details on the back page. INC will need a “PayCM Karo” type simple and catchy illustration for their NYAY outreach.
Congress could easily make inroads in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha, if it stays relevant with an aggressive and professional PR, like they did in Karnataka, as the opposition can consolidate votes. The Paanch NYAY promise is a pretty workable and winning formula with full appreciation for the minds who work out such strategies. What congress lacks is a Door-to-Door push to make that promise a workable reality with a touch of easy PR. Nothing works like a face to face campaign at various levels, the reason why Modi makes so many campaign visits to bolster his support. They could employ cartoonists to explain the deficiencies of BJP Government along with the solutions proposed in their NYAY guarantee. They will need a clear problem statement visuals along with their NYAY solution to take it across masses. I am confident they may do well here too.
Adani-Ambani Politics Vs INDIA politics. Let’s get everyone to the table…
For the Northern belts, BJP does not enjoy any massive wave as propagandised, but one can assume they will carpet bomb in the last week to capture swing voters. Congress will need a strong cadre and PR support to withstand such PR assaults with ideas reverberating with the voters triggering their imaginations for better India. 2024 need to be made as battle of ideas against an empty “Modi Modi” slogan.
Don’t lose your teeth in petty religious fights. Be a complete Man… INDIA Man! Why is Congress / INDIA important…? Because you miss your freedom and choices with Modi regime like this man’s tooth and eyebrows.
Be Secular not Sick-ular.
There are reports and debates questioning the success of this yatra. Silly and unfair metrics were used to gauge its success, citing the celebrity and INDIA allies participation, small congress leaders dumping at synchronised moments to dampen the yatra momentum and finally, hurdles placed by the ruling BJP government etc on permissions and other schemes to divert the crowd. When I first tasted Masala Doss at an Udupi restaurant, it tasted great and refreshing. When I tried the same second time, it was still good but lacked the surprise element, tingling the taste buds. I had to order Mysore Masala dosa the third time to make it taste different. But, still I got addicted to the same dosa because it was full-filling and satisfying. Well, it gets the job done!
I would view the yatra in a similar Masala Dosa prism, where it was refreshing on its start but still doubtful and thrilling if it will culminate as planned covering mammoth 3600+ Kms, but now marching towards unshakeable steadfast outcomes with efficient outreach amidst double the adversities laid out by the ruling establishment. Even the flavour of the yatra got changed towards resolution of people’s issues, stepping up from harmless goodwill trip. In the dark age of New India, where the so called Bengal Tigress is forced to eat saffron grass and Paltu-Ram still made to do the Joker act of non stop paltis and weak leaders are crying powerless succumbing to BJP’s ED-IT-CBI pressure, what Gandhis, Kejriwals, Sorens, Thackerays, Stalins, Pawars to name a few stonewalling these canonised efforts to declare New India as electoral autocracy, finds definitive place in the heroic pages of modern History of India.
The Nyay yatra could be compared to the farmer’s protest with respect to Government’s handling. The first one was considered a major success with the Farmers able to seamlessly march to Delhi. On their second phase, Mo-Sha took it as a prestige issue, ensuring the roads are turned to forts in siege with multiple concrete barricades and employing brutal force like tear gas and rubber bullets, as if they misconstrued farmers to terrorists. The Government’s response was just a shameless display of brute power. Only fools will consider such oppression as Government’s success or Farmers’ failure, as the issue did not get resolved, only getting aggravated with each passing day, strengthening the farmer’s cause. Modi may turn to MSP policy to placate farmers just before election, but he just made them wounded lions who may hurt him more in UP, anyways Punjab is a done deal, provided SP is able to stem the EVM manipulations. Likewise, the second phase of the yatra went through utmost oppression from the start, only making the Congress cadre and his supporters even more resilient. A stronger Congress cadre could be a major takeaway of this yatra. Clearly, BJP is going to have more headaches compared to 2019 as reflected in Mo-Sha’s nervousness as they are tackling a double whammy of angry citizens and energised opposition cadre.
The yatra also made a strong statement of an unstoppable RG bulldozing through obstacles, emerging as firebrand speaker evolving his narrative to that of social justice from simple Unity concept. The crowd reception was great, though I wished RG walked a few miles everyday, like his first yatra to provide a sense of participation rather just spectatorship, as any method of participation will boil down to a commitment to vote. To me the major derivative of this yatra is that the Congress acquired better clarity and vision for 2024 election, hearing from the ground, reflected on their brilliant Manifesto. Although, the Congress manifesto looks good, DMK’s manifesto was better on addressing day today concerns like Inflation with very simple price level assurances and education subsidies. Wish it had more on Pharma and Railway reforms, but it has the potential to easily reach the masses connecting on their daily affairs rather a high end vision put forth by Congress. But, we need to be clear on the Centre’s responsibility, which is at laying out a big picture, especially in a tricky context where even basic needs are not met, need to be handled at Municipal Corporator or MLA level.
Eventually, our team realised, even in a developed and educated city like Bengaluru, people want personally from their MPs what they should collectively organise for, or solicit from their corporators, local bureaucrats or MLAs. They want a direct solution to their local irritants, not abstract rewards.
One sweltering day, in a fancy apartment complex, after my impassioned speech on how Nandan, if elected, would help drive systems reform, one man nodded wisely and said, “Wonderful. But what will he do about my crazy neighbour who feeds stray dogs at 1 am?”
In middle class neighbourhoods, people asked what we would do for street lights, or to keep their park green. In one such park, a lady probed — “You want my vote free or what? What will you give me?” When I mumbled something about a hardworking, ethical candidate, she was amused.
In slum areas, people were still desperate for basic services. “Bari neeru kodi, saaku,” they begged. If you can provide water, it is enough. Others spoke of electricity, transport, and hospitals. This was their one chance to pour out their frustrations to candidates and their crews.
Eventually, our team realised, even in a developed and educated city like Bengaluru, people want personally from their MPs what they should collectively organise for, or solicit from their corporators, local bureaucrats or MLAs. They want a direct solution to their local irritants, not abstract rewards.
None of these demands are unreasonable. Many, especially on basic services, are critical to meet. The question is, who should be fulfilling them? It cannot possibly be up to the MP, who has no authority or legally sanctioned resources apart from a meagre MPLAD scheme, to meet any of these aspirations. If he or she has to please such a voter, the winning candidate has to perform a politics of patronage and brokerage.
A modern democracy needs enlightened politicians to work with efficient bureaucrats to solve forever more complex issues. Too often, our laws and policies are signed off on without any discussion. Too often, we the people can’t see how that affects our day-to-day lives.
To take just one example, the Telecommunications Act 2023 cements the power of the government to suspend internet services. No urban voter even knows anymore how to live without the internet for more than a few hours. Do we not need our MP to intervene to ensure internet shutdowns can be ordered only in the rarest of rare circumstances?
For the nearly 2 crore new young voters, policy issues may be critical for what they care about most — the future of work. Similarly, for women enrolling in larger numbers than ever, laws and rules on safety and health, equity and access, may be even more important than immediate relief. – Rohini Nilekani
Maybe Congress needs to balance the expectations of its electorate as we may not know even the basics like Constitutional rights or whom to ask for basic needs. People may not fully understand the abstractions of Policies, like BJP manipulated RG’s abstract abstract quote on “Shakthi” to their advantage. Maybe this is why DMK operating with a micro level manifesto, may easily hit the right notes among the electorate rather the Congress manifesto acting at much higher abstraction and needs neat explanation and elucidation.
I chose to take up the employment (Berozgarh) empowerment placard to hold up during the yatra… I won’t blame any Government for my lack of employment past my prime, though it could be attributed to circumstances and human leeches circling around me who want to starve me to near death so that I am hungry enough to prey on gullible, discarding ethics and humanity. Feels like I am being taught a comic lesson on lunatic barbarism, without any consideration for conscience, but with animalistic hunger for money, where I am tamed to be a barking dog made obedient and silent, clutching money bone in the mouth, to quote Shourie on media. Time will tell on my destiny if manipulations work or Karma will give a double punch back to the oppressors, but I am pretty sure that the opportunities knocked at my door at my prime career ( without any inertial evil forces resting on me then ) are not available at the moment for the aspiring youth. A 2BHK costing 5 lakhs, skyrocketed to 50 Lakhs in a decade, correlating with the salary hikes and buying power of the boomer kids then. Nowadays, the real estate has stagnated for last ten years, but 7 rupee per month education of few decades back has skyrocketed to 7000 per month education where the quality is nowhere improved. No wonder Arvind Kejriwal who had shown courage to regularise education fee is put up in Jail, as he could be the only threat in future who has both intent and courage to accomplish a service based governance. Mo-Sha knows very well many other rulers are just malleable puppets who are afraid to jump to their Hindutva compound owing to their progressive secular vote base. BJP Maharastra is experiencing such conundrum where the Leaders of the state are bought or brought in by ED, but BJP is struggling hard to get their workers to work for its Hindutva agenda. Now as a Boomer Uncle, can only lament that the present youth are being diverted with cheap data and cheaper misinformation rather getting groomed for strong fundamentals required for the Nation.
We are a “Nation of dystopian level distractions” enacted from the Top PMO to street level “anomaly” leaders, trying hard like pathetic Insta Influencers to capture our eyeballs, toiling to to establish an Clickbait-Bharat for thought control rather Atma nirbhar (self reliance ) Bharat. The only self reliance happening is now is on our social media defecation with cheap data and Chinese mobiles.
The reality of our Social media defecation which we assume ourselves as profound and deep thinking, just for few likes and oxytocin in millis. How many of us run families with our posts and tweets, except for Political Parties and allied influencers?
Now, don’t believe on Government blaming it on war for all our economic misfortunes. In fact, our cronies were the actual beneficiaries of War, acting as a conduit, selling cheap Petroleum from Russia to Europe without even paying windfall tax to India. When USA faced a similar situation with the second World war as they were the resource suppliers for the Allies, (only pitching into the war after Pearl Harbour episode,) their Rulers and administrators ensured a Superpower in making, trouncing the then mighty UK. Even our independence struggle cashed in on UK stuck on World War, upping up the protests to make the British budge. But, our current rulers are busy enriching Cronies to top Forbes list and our Administrators are running a shameless nanga show to please the autocratic rulers, without even counting our VVPAT voting slips, as if elections are magic show on EVMs.
Early capitalism is a very different beast. Corruption has historically accompanied the rise of capitalism. Consider the period 1865-1900, when a primarily rural America went through its first big capitalist transformation. Through his literary eye and intellectual foresight, Mark Twain first detected the essence of the new economic turn. In 1873, he called it the “Gilded Age”. Cutting all sorts of deals with governments at various levels, America’s first billionaires — the Carnegies, the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts, the Morgans — emerged on the scene. For laying his railways lines, declared railroad baron Jay Gould, “I wanted the legislatures of four states… so I made them with my own money”. The so-called robber barons simply “bought” governments and legislatures.
A cleaning up began under President Theodore Roosevelt (1901-09) and the results, in part, began to show. In 1860, compared to Western Europe, America was a laggard. By 1910, the US had become the richest country in the world, leaving behind Britain, an industrial leader for over a century.
India needs a Roosevelt not Modi to mend the economy of our democracy. Not convinced? Let’s say a friend of mine / yours came up with a game. The rules are simple. First count the number of orifices in your body. Then count your accomplishments in the past decade under BJP rule. Whatever the difference, usually Orifice count wins over accomplishment count, meaning BJP is stuck in there. Now, if you imagine your accomplishment count winning, congratulate yourself for living in a Fool’s Paradise, unless you are A..ani or A.ani to put in your fingers err… excess accomplishments somewhere else in BJP’s… Because your count is just like counting EVM votes rather VVPAT slips, where we are all compelled to lose to make BJP win virtually.
Cheers! for cheering your own loss… or let’s add a fair play reward to our “smoking guns and roses err… orifices” game. If you are counting on building your own house as an accomplishment, think over the atrocious 18% GST on building materials and recent hike in price of raw materials.
If you consider your kids’ graduation as an accomplishment, think over the high prices we are paying as School and coaching fees. Will your kid be able to recover the whole cost of education with the gig economy paying in 10s and 20s, by changing red and green t-shirts, which will again need you to buy a vehicle running on expensive petroleum? This may sound pessimistic, but latest ILO survey reveals 83% of our youth are unemployed. Just think about it from the parent’s perspective, who would have had high hopes, investing their sole life and savings to ensure Kid’s bright future ending up with a big blackhole of hope. ILO report states Indian youths with a graduate degree are 9 times more likely to be unemployed than uneducated Indians. On my personal front, I got a campus placement, but unfortunately it got withdrawn due to poor financials of the company. I still remember a day when my wounded Father asked me, sitting idly before a computer after graduation about my future plan in a polite tone. I could not answer him, but for an empty hope of things changing for better. Maybe my Father would have thought I would have been better off with a vocational course rather than higher education. Fortunately, another arm of the company which got split, employed us back and the pain and penury did not last long other than few months. But, imagine youth spoiling their lives in present times hooked themselves to internet, so as to forget their insecurities for years.
If you consider your business profit as accomplishment, think over the Bank fee and GST surcharges you paid which could have increased your profits making your business grow further. Government has earned 35000 Crore with penalties on Minimum Balance while dissolving tens of Lakhs of Crores debt of Corporates as NPA. What kind of Government feeds on the poor to keep their crony masters rich?
If you have become fit or recovered from illness as an accomplishment, how much extra have you spent on medicines and Hospital fee which has increased 200% in last five years? Even crucial Medical insurance attract 18% GST with our Government.
If you have bought a vehicle, think about the Road Tax you pay and then tolls per KM on top of it which actually quadruples your Road tax. Apart from that, you have to pay State Taxes if you relocate to a different State. The same BJP Government which has centralised Vehicle database, earning 100 Crores by leasing our vehicle data to private entities, could not even do One Vehicle, One Tax making us Bakras of extortion with Traffic Police, who are baying for some silly reason or other to meet their revenue deadlines.
The comparison with South Korea is more appropriate, for its gilded age, starting around the mid-1960s, had a distinctive feature. Unlike China, it was a gilded age with “national champions”, such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG, Hanjin. These were the so-called “chaebols”, essentially family-dominated muti-sector business groups. They flourished under government patronage, as did the South Korean economy. But corruption accompanied their rise.
The greatest difference between Korean chaebols and the Adani group is that the former were heavily international trade-oriented. Government patronage notwithstanding, Samsung, Hyundai, LG have all been in tradable sectors. They have produced cell phones, computers, electronics, semiconductors and autos, and competed with the world producers. International competitiveness thus has provided a disciplinary check on their businesses, generating huge efficiencies.
The Adani group is mostly in non-tradable sectors. Seaports, airports, grain warehouses, electricity generation are not internationally traded. They are both government-patronised and domestically focused. The efficiency gains that come from international trade are not there. The Adani group is not a Samsung — there is very little it can sell on the world market without the help of Delhi. Nor does it compare with the international competitiveness of India’s information technology sector. Compared to South Korea, the Adani-government nexus is a very different kind of national champions’ strategy. Its implications for the larger economy simply can’t be as beneficial without international competitiveness. – Ashutosh Varshney
So, Adani-Ambani are not producing world class Apples / LGs that our economy becomes super-rich like South Korea. Infact, they have reduced our country with large debts where every Indian has 1.5 lakh of debt per head. What Modi has spawned is a “termite economy” where our Businessmen don’t do any value-addition to our economy but leeches on our carefully nurtured equitable consumption model and national resources, be it PSUs / Infra / Tax coffers, relying on domestic consumption. This termite economy is what you get after Modi’s famed Pakoda-nomics. You cant consume too much of Pakoda owing to lack of money or its ill effects of gastritis. Industrialists who rely on domestic consumption as they don’t innovate, cant sell much owing to saturation or lack of money. They can’t sell their produce abroad with their dirty ethics and low quality manufacturing. Forget about selling abroad, they can’t even stand on their legs without Business Agent Modi. We are stuck up in total economic illness spiralling down in this vicious cycle of reduced consumption and reduced revenues of Corporates, solely relying on domestic consumption, who then desperately barge into National resources and other basic lifelines like roti, kapda and makaan to save themselves from accounting red blush.
This is how our so called wealth creators are World’s richest…
Adani entered Cement manufacturing after 2014 and the price has increased from 230 INR per bag to 435 INR per bag. Same cement increased from 110 USD per Metric ton in 2016 to 150 USD per Metric ton in USA. Ambanis are big players in Petroleum and major puppet controllers of BJP regime. Petrol got priced at 70 INR per litre in 2014 when crude hovered around 95 USD per Barrel. Now Petrol is priced at INR 100+ pr litre when crude is at its lowest at 64 USD per Barrel from Russia. Biden is struggling to address Inflation among American public, going to the extent of decrying corporate greed accelerating inflation. What are we doing in India? Instagram Likes and Whatsapp forwards of our PM, while bleeding with inflation. In short, Corporates are capitalising on our basic needs, destroying well oiled Farm, Oil, Infra and retail sector, hiking up prices, is the major reason why our quality of lifestyle has decreased as the prices hit astronomical highs on food, clothing and shelter needs, leaving us with nil disposable income or even struggling to meet our daily basic needs. We are heading towards savage “Cannibal-nomics” where every seller of goods or services, squeeze you to limits until you can’t afford it.
If you are convinced Government sponsored extortion is happening with the help of Government enforcement Institutions like IT-ED-CBI, how will you classify the Government looting poor’s money with 35000 Crore collected as Minimum Balance Bank fee and ATM usages? How will you call the atrociously increasing toll fees along with road taxes? How will categorise Government levying 18% GST on Medical insurance? How will you justify the 5300 crore collected by abolishing Senior citizen subsidy in Railways or 1230 crores by cancellation fee, just by creating artificial demand by reducing economy coaches? How will you softly defend the price rise on our lifeline needs, to aid cronies, when the price rise is not reflected globally but synthetically stimulated to aid cronies like Petrol / LPG price hikes? The truth is that extortion is happening at all levels from BJP’s non compliant Industrialists being forced to pay electoral funds, to SMEs forced on GST penalties and its complex maintenance, to the poor paying Surcharges and cess on their basic common needs.
“Children Say Ai (Mother) And AI”: PM Modi, Bill Gates Discuss AI… Hmmm Ai OK!
Wonder if World Leader Modi could stop war as propagandised nowadays, why can’t he avert simple livelihood affairs like unemployment, inflation and corruption for our greater good?Because he thinks Lies are far better weapons than actual governance.Modi’s thesis on elections is such that, as long as reality pinches or Hunger hurts your stomach, simple brain simulation or stimulation is enough for the people live in the mythological Thrishankhu’s Heaven
In the 67 years since independence till 2014, the total debt of the country was Rs 55 lakh crore. In the last 10 years, Modi ji alone increased it to Rs 205 lakh crore. His government took about Rs 150 lakh crore loan in the last 10 years.
Today, every citizen of the country has an average debt of about Rs 1.5 lakh. For what purpose was this money used in nation building?
Were jobs created on a large scale or did jobs actually disappear?
Did the income of farmers double?
Did schools and hospitals shine?
Was the public sector strengthened or weakened?
Were big factories and industries established?
If the above doesn’t happen, if core sectors of the economy are in disarray, if the labor force has declined, if small and medium businesses have been destroyed – then where has this money gone? On whom was it spent? How much money was written off in this? How much money was spent on loan waiver of big billionaires?
Now the government is preparing to take a new loan, so the question arises that instead of getting relief to the general public for the last 10 years, when the burden of unemployment, inflation and economic crisis is increasing, why is the BJP government drowning the people in debt? – Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Overall, if you play fair, you will realise that the Government is not involved in a fair play but a “fair and lovely” play with a certain Gujarat model as their mascot, with the only whitewash happening is over government hosted money laundering in the name of electoral bonds. Whenever that Gujarat mascot wags his finger in campaigns, realise who / where it is pointing to… so as to provide a “fulfilling” experience. Well, the immorality of this irreverent political game is that, it’s actually the change craving middle class, which vigorously vouched for BJP in 2014 and 2019, got screwed in all orifices by this regime, having lost the plot. They don’t know if they voted for vikas or viksit or just pure and plain wickedness of communalism. “Jai Sri Ram!” has just morphed to “Hindu-Muslim” war cry with enmity and submission exercises. Just like the infamous BJP Washing Machine powered by ED-CBI-IT which makes any political crook, criminal and fraud as pure as Milk as soon as they join BJP, Vikas and Viksit has disappeared like the stains after surf excel wash. You will never get it however you search for it! Maybe that’s why Surf excel reminded us that “Stain is good!”
BJP’s accomplishments being EWS quota for elites, a doubtless Brahmin appeasement at the expense of socially backward classes where EWS cutoffs are much below SC/ST cut offs, along with the enrichment of their cronies happening at economic middle / backward class expense. The opposition is toothless to shame BJP on the same shameless appeasement it is doing with brahmins with EWS quota. Instead, they are even afraid to support Minorities even on criminal atrocities like Bulldozer Justice and riots. The so called development / Vikas never happened as the cronies are busy looting our nation for onshore investments, even after the Finance Minister begged them to invest in India. As law of currency states that money can neither be created nor destroyed but only can be transferred, ( meaning One person’s debit is another man’s credit. Every Indian has 1.5 lakh debt per head while Adani and Ambani are among the richest persons in the Planet.) BJP has successfully doing the load-man Job of transferring our tax money to Adani-Ambani coffers, by cutting corporate taxes and gifting our Infra, resources and PSUs. Our youth obviously need an helping hand to come up amidst all adversities laid out by this developing nation, rather acting awkwardly “backward blind” acknowledging only the privileged with saffron governance.
“The greatest mistake India can make is to believe the hype,” he said. “We’ve got many more years of hard work to do to ensure the hype is real. Believing the hype is something politicians want you to believe because they want you to believe that we have arrived.” But it would be a “serious mistake for India to succumb to that” belief, he added.
Dismissing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambition to make India a developed economy by 2047, Mr Rajan said it was “nonsense” to talk of that goal “if so many of your kids don’t have a high school education” and drop-out rates are high.
“We have a growing workforce, but it is a dividend only if they’re employed in good jobs,” he said. “And that’s, to my mind, the possible tragedy that we face.” India needs to firstly make the workforce more employable, and, secondly, create jobs for the workforce it has, he said.
Mr Rajan cited studies showing a drop in the learning ability of Indian school children to pre-2012 levels after the pandemic, and that only 20.5% of grade three students could read a grade two text. Literacy rates in India also remain below other Asian peers like Vietnam.
“That is the kind of number that should really worry us,” he said. “The lack of human capital will stay with us for decades.”
“The ambition of the government is real, to become a great nation,” he said. “Whether they pay attention to what needs to be done is a different question. I worry that we’ve become more fixated on prestige projects, which suggest more great nation ambition, such as chip manufacturing, while leaving the underpinnings that will contribute to a sustainable chip manufacturing industry.”
“What we need is a pragmatic approach,” Mr Rajan said. Quoting China’s former leader Deng Xiaoping, who spearheaded that country’s economic reforms, Mr Rajan said if India learns anything from China, it should be that “it doesn’t matter whether the cat is black or white, it matters whether it catches mice,” he said. – NDTV on Raghuram Rajan
Having said that, overall, the yatra, pitching on social equality, is a moderate success as an early campaigner for INC hitting all the right notes, though the subsequent outreach / surveys and last few days of campaign making voters to introspect the last ten years along with Congress’ promises, will play a major part to their electoral success. My partial success assessment is not due to any lack of organisation or enterprise, but the Job is still yet to complete.
So, Gandhi’s Yatra was a nice culmination to my trip, fully brimmed up with hope and positivity about strong future for India, provided we Indians take our time to think what will help us out and our Kids, rather getting blinded by glamorous campaign blitz. It’s our choice, whether we establish Brahmanical supremacy by taking the hatred route hurting fellow Brothers or establishing a God Fatherly Nehru-Gandhian vision of democracy where everyone flourishes on a level playing field?
The sleeping Gandhi Giant has woken up… Now, how about Us? The ball is in our Court! We play it to win or lose the hatred game forever to a brahmanical cause which will affect our generations forever rendering them as substandard citizens of Bharat, except for the elite few. It’s going to be a very tiresome election for INDIA bloc as they are fighting a Juggernaut powered with pyramid loads of money and shameless rulers dare to go to any length to succeed, exhibiting reckless power by emasculating democratic institutions.. But with meticulous resource and mobility planning and hitting on the crucial last five days at door step canvassing, INDIA could achieve the summit.
The advantages and inadequacies of Rahul Gandhi.
Modi wins not just because of his toxic agenda or goondagiri of his team, but mainly due to his sheer hard work. He works like a maniac and ensures his team works like dog till the end, quickly course correcting on obstacles rather taking things easy. While RG could be a far better Leader compared to Modi, where Congress under his leadership lacks is on creating ripple effects in PR. People of Gandhi caliber has the potential to spread message wide and deep irrespective of the gags and clampdowns. But so far, RG has used the opportunity only to complain on the decay of democracy or lament on helplessness of the Congress going through tough adversities like freezing on campaign accounts. Any mass leader is expected to provide a resolution for the crisis like Paanch NYAY. But, how will the public perceive their promises when Congress itself is not showing the will to recover with resolutions on their own problems? That’s exactly how BJP raises the seeds of doubt or suspicion about Congress among people, while it could not do the same with Kejriwal as he smartly counters their oppressive clampdowns.
Ideally RG, as a Problem Solver, should have come up with resolutions or fightback on IT atrocity with crowd funding or other means of door to door collection campaigns like Communist effectively operate, the best way to take their message forward. But, it’s been a while RG complained, but he has not opened any avenues of resolution for his supporters or commoners to help him out or participate. Kejriwal has his inefficiencies, but when he went through similar adversity of illegal jail sentence on the same day IT froze Congress money, his supporters were on the streets wearing “I am Kejriwal” campaign dress, issuing pamphlets all around like how a typical Corporate like McD operate to attract footfalls and mind space. This would not have happened without Kejriwal’s or AAP leadership guidance.
Supporters need firm directions to operate. Instead, you could still see Congress supporters whining over EVMs in Social media. BJP can capture CEC position, but the majority of the working crew is honest who could be tapped to capture EVM anomalies. Let’s keep in mind BJP could not even tame the three member election commissioners authority and still threatening / shuffling them to keep them supple. So, ground support is not an issue. RG as a seasoned insider of Bureaucrats, might be well aware, it’s the lack of will to resolve and act which has plagued Congress so far. Instead, Congress is kept busy with MP ticket tussles which has some meaning only when they win through and achieve significance if they are able to keep their flock intact and immune from Adani-Ambani money flowing through “Operation Lotus” tap.
Manmohan Singh was called as weak and indecisive. But he was actually the opposite. His courage of conviction that India as a power hungry country needs various forms of energy helped UPA-2 sail through. Even on the questions probing corrupt UPA-2, MMS offered solution, calling for tapping into the honest people in the bureaucracy. Sorrily, Congress is nowadays not seen with such decisive conviction and action towards resolution, even when they are comfortably placed as opposition.
I do not believe that I have been a weak Prime Minister. That is for historians to judge. The BJP and its associates may say whatever they like. But if by “strong Prime Minister”, you mean that you preside over a mass massacre of innocent citizens on the streets of Ahmedabad, that is the measure of strength, I do not believe that sort of strength this country needs, least of all, in its Prime Minister.
I feel somewhat sad, because I was the one who insisted that spectrum allocation should be transparent, it should be fair, it should be equitable. I was the one who insisted that coal blocks should be allocated on the basis of auctions. These facts are forgotten. The Opposition has a vested interest. Sometimes the media play into their hands as well. There were irregularities. But the dimensions of the problems have been overstated by the media, by the CAG sometimes, and by other entities. – MMS 2014
I think none of the leaders have even rose to the stature of MMS from Congress, in deflecting criticisms or putting firm accusations to rest with conviction and resolve with a positive plan. Congress needs firm voices who are not too political but with an ability to influence voters with integrity and knowledge. Maybe INC is deploying Raghuram Rajan for economics and Kharge for Organization to help Gandhis on PR. But their message has not reached the cat-on-the-wall demography which needs a gentle nudge, so far. Maybe, its INC’s PR game plan as quoted by Manoj CJ to operate on last phase on its promises and aspirations. Hope it’s not too late and INC may lack the PR machinery of BJP, who has the capability to send their centralised message in 20 minutes across its Whatsapp groups in India. The bottomline is that if Modi is so confident of his lies and betraying Indians, INC should damn sure of its truths and its development philosophy.
Why Congress is winning the 2024 Political narrative?
Now, why would Congress be so sure of its truths? In the last decade, Congress fumbled a lot in its first five years, only to spring up with a 2018 Jackpot election results but clueless how it worked out to be a win. 2019 unravelled the reality for Congress by losing States in quick succession owing to Crony sponsored Operation Lotus. To me this was the actual turnaround point, where Congress threw off its shackles of imaginary cuffs and came out of the well of lies weaved out by Modi, just like Dark Knight Rises Well of despair. RG came out with a giant leap with his pada-yatra, birthing a Marathon moment for Congress, that it’s not to be taken lightly how bad the situation is. Some of the Congress leaders are complicit with the wavering Congress before the yatra, including its old guard, supporters and critics like G-23. Except for few like Digvijay Singh, none took up any exercise to strengthen Congress then. The Yatra gave ideological clarity to Congress it long lost after 2009, the Welfare politics simplified with very simple protocols to reach out, rather chasing Majoritarian coat tails as dictated by BJP-RSS. All you need to do is just vote for Congress and see the magic. It actually worked so well for Congress, that Modi is now murmuring “Modi ki Guarantee” even in his sleep. BJP’s recent Madhya Pradesh win could be attributed to Congress scheme of Monthly allowance for women.
Modi Ki Guarantee is the best form of Congress flattery. In last 10 years, only now Congress has set the political narrative with its guarantees, which Modi religiously follows at least with lip service..
Why this “as usual welfare Politics” should be seen as a major success for Congress? There is nothing great about the Congress guarantees as they were seeded even in 2019 or Karunanidhi offering free Rice decades back to Tamilians decades back. Kejriwal’s political brand is built on the same plank of Service Governance Politics. But, Kejriwal is an insignificant player without any major threat to BJP, except for his small fiefdom of Delhi which is again remote controlled by Shah. BJP woke up to Kejriwal’s gradual vishwaroop only after he acquired sizeable vote share in Gujarat, by clamping down his resources and arrests. So, Congress is the only Party of present times, which could pose a challenge to BJP whose success is directly proportional to BJP’s loss. Sadly, Congress was playing like a Kindergarten school of RSS prior yatra, with its temple run and running away from Minorities. Congress stood like useless Juggernaut without any Wheels. The fact is that in 2019, RG was more interested in resigning his post on election loss rather questioning the dubious success of BJP. The post-Yatra successes of Himachal and Karnataka Governments stands as a testament to an immune congress with welfarism and social justice as a viable political approach. Congress lacked such courage of conviction earlier.
If Congress was lacking the will to fight, Modi is a Corporate Businessman at Heart lacking the will to serve the poor. All his policies and implementations are either authoritarian or crony oriented. Aadhaar is a one stop switch which can make a citizen, zombie of sorts, at the mercy of his autocratic Government. All the Public Services like Trains, Banks or Utilities levy higher fee / surcharge even for the basic needs. Any subsidies given to the poor and middle class like Senior citizen subsidy in Railways or LPG subsidy got cut off in an obscure method like a thief barging into our Purse. The BJP is also active in rooting out Government run Hospitals as in Madhya Pradesh. Modi also ensures even the basic lifelines like Ration / Vaccine as his own alms with an outsized Photo of himself, bigger than the actual dole itself. While the poor and middle class got squeezed on taxes and subsidy cuts, the rich were gifted with Corporate tax reduction, dissolution of ten of lakhs of their dubious loans and brutal laws to make them Oligarchies like the Farm laws. When Indians got rendered more hungry and oppressed, the regime’s only benefactors featured on the Forbes as World’s richest, a feat that never happened in 70 years of Congress rule.
In this grave context, Modi’s “guarantee chanting” nowadays shows Congress has turned the situation on its head from being a clueless lame Bakra on temple runs towards making Modi lose his sleep on their guarantees. The Major difference is not the actual welfare promises, but Congress’ investment of its manpower and resources with confident message and decent outreach, soon after the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The crisis is not ending for Congress, the EC is shameless enough not to allocate poll symbols for INDIA alliance. It may even go down to the level of disqualifying candidates citing some lame reason or other. So, the Opposition should keep a backup nomination ready in case of emergencies and withdraw later based on the situation.
Its still quite probable BJP might still emerge as the largest Party, but INDIA could be the one Bharat Mata likes to serve her as Government on her behalf! As Comedian Vadivelu says, “there is no end” for Congress…
Choose wisely! (Both of them attract GST though.) Happy progressive elongation with INC or endure prolonged communalism baggage with BJP. Maybe I am going too far.. But just for fun!Future of your child starts with creating a better environment and future. Vote for INC to secure future or Vote for BJP to promote Adani Ambani family and fat weddings.
Wake up Call or Sleeping Pill?
Now… It’s up to INC if they treat 2023 loss as wake up call or as sleeping pill, by viewing this loss as a blessing in disguise or as approaching Congress’ doom. So, Cheer Up to fight against all odds. After all few battles are lost to win the war. BJP is trying its best to offer sleeping pill to Congress, by creating an illusion that it’s invincible. With exit polls setting expectations for any shock wins and opinion polls claiming a clean sweep in UP etc, it bets on people and opposition that they cannot scrape through their castles built on lies. They are trying their best to put Congress on the on the mat even before the fight begins. If the sleepy Beast could capture Telangana in a year of turnaround, it could win Lok Sabha too in 4 months.
Now, why I am so confident of INDIA bloc wining the 2024 elections? Its not just because I am underestimating Mo-Sha and his shameless gang, going to any depths to win. It is not just because the opposition is now more promising and menacing with all the stalwarts and heavyweights aligning themselves like a constellation. My confidence is only because India has always won on its goodness. Our ancestors’ goodness trumped the Colonisers. Our collective goodness overthrew Emergency era. Similarly, however we adjust to circumstances, our goodness will win over this mindless barbaric authoritarianism. Never underestimate the power of Indian goodness. But for INDIA to win the war, it needs proper analytics and study of demographic behaviour to start with, rather getting carried away with biased-cooked-up-Sunil-ish-surveys stating …. “We are winning even Washington!”.
There is a lot hullabaloo going around on our Cricket team’s shock Defeat to Australia, only an indicator of how we are seeing Cricket ODI World Cup as a sort of Shopping souvenir as we spend a lot on Cricket. Its bit worrying as we have not asked ourselves have we equipped ourselves bullet proof for all near death circumstances, to win this mega-event. Instead, our World Cup effort turned out to be a theorem of Money alone can’t buy Happiness. Since we fretted too much on our loss like a Kid suddrdenly grabbed off his imaginary lollipop, let’s understand why we imagined the lollipop first, by digging deeper.
Playing Catch me if you Can with the Law of Averages
There are again lot of theories if the Law of Averages really work out or not. I go through seven traffic signals on my work. Sometimes I am lucky to pass through 4-5 green lights but it will be never all green. Ofcourse I am not Israel and the traffic signal is not mindless Biden to give green light without considering consequences. It’s painful to see even a supposedly dumb traffic signal is so smart nowadays if not All knowing American President.
So, what are my ways to work out a winning solution to bypass traffic signals. I could change the rules by asking the Office/ School timing to change to early morning hours to avoid traffic, if I am a big Dumbo, or skill myself and start early, accepting the norms. Tell me which will help in the long run? The problem with the law of averages is that I don’t know if such thing exist or it really works out, but what BCCI did under its crooked Gujarat model is to change the rules of the game to suit our Win, rather looking to build a balanced team delivering consistent results. For starters, BCCI changed the rules of recent Asian Cup mid-event to allow reserve day just for India-Pakistan match.
”Focus on taking the right actions, regardless of immediate outcomes, as the act itself is what truly matters.”
Mahatma Gandhi
I was part of an average satire during my college days on cricket, where we worked out a scenario where the ball got caught in a rat hole in the cricket outfield and its administrators deciding to use a football bigger than the rat hole, to avoid such scenarios. With the current BCCI leadership, we are in a danger of such poor satires turning to reality, with the blind blessings from ICC.
Consider this scenario… BCCI banned Srilankan Board when it realised it might not be controlled like a lap dog under Arjuna Ranatunga. It got suspended on the grounds of political influence on the Cricket Board. Wonder if we could adopt same measuring scale, how would someone like Jay Shah who got no credentials in Cricket except for sharing the common surname of Home Minister of India, is not a political influence but a true blue cricket administrator. At least Ranatunga was a World cup winning Captain. Someone from ICC need to bell this fat nepotist cat, on the same grounds applied to Sri Lankan Board, to keep the spirit of the game alive and bright, which is currently going reckless with autocratic whims. Other countries should understand BCCI, could be a champion revenue generator, with an ornamental hand like Thanos, but it could just deliver only one handed clap or a meek flip, destructing the International Boards.
“You’re Strong, But I Could Snap My Fingers And You’d All Cease To Exist.”
Thanos
A beautiful Op-ed by Barney Ronay distills the prodigy Jay Shah’s achievements. Clue: it’s a Birth achievement not on silly merit or performance.
This is Jay Shah’s World Cup in more ways than one. It is, after all Jay Shah’s sport to start with. Shah, who has been head of the BCCI for the last four years, is the most powerful single person in any sport anywhere in the world.
The real issue with Shah’s status as unelected world boss is that he appears at first glance to be a prodigy, an administrator of such skill he was able to rise to become head of the BCCI aged just 31, and to do so while, by a startling coincidence, carrying the same surname as Narendra Modi’s right-hand man and chief minister Amit Shah, who, in an even more profound coincidence – just fancy that – turns out to be Jay Shah’s dad.
In the last few months alone Shah has run a World Cup, taken over the running of the Asia Cup because he felt like it, while maintaining a guiding hand on the world’s second most potent franchise league after the NFL. This week Arjuna Ranatunga accused Shah of running Sri Lankan cricket as an after-hours hobby.
Ranatunga is of course right because, in effect, Jay Shah runs all cricket, right down from the international calendar, to when the County Championship gets to play, to what ends up on your Sky subscription. At the end of quite a short chain of cause-and-effect, it is Jay Shah who decides whether the cricket you love is going to be allowed to breathe, or indeed to exist at all.
There has been a campaign to fluff Shah’s image in recent times, to portray him as a fearless and go-getting moderniser, with a PR agency engaged to gloss his media profile. Against this a brilliantly detailed study of cricket’s ruling regime by Sharda Ugra published in the Caravan magazine shows Shah behaving as an autocrat, taking months to OK basic office admin, surrounding himself with sycophants, trailed by bodyguards and aides. As for the BCCI’s lack of detailed accounts, this same organisation that sluices such a vast proportion of the sport’s money through its coffers, well, that remains another untold story.
As cricket aficionados, if we are real well wishers of our Cricket, we should have questioned such BCCI antics of becoming “Masters of Entire Cricket Science” without even drafting a syllabus or exam, where only certificate matters not the hard studies. Unfortunately, we did NOT! So, when BCCI said it will design the pitch on its own cheap wish and dig its own grave, we happily chummed “Yes!”, like succumbing to the Pied piper guiding the mischief to the cliff, craving for a global validation by competing in a contest involving countries countable on fingers.
“The hardest choices require the strongest wills”
Thanos
The post is just not about the Shahenshah of Cricket as he is not a lone wolf devouring cricket. Indian Cricket has always had a symbiotic relationship with indian politics which has helped them mutually. But, it was restricted to the level of administrators and bit of team selection. Now, its a case of team turning as Saffron Brigade to help the Indian politics where the benefits are more tilted towards politicians than its players, who became the scapegoats irrespective of their willingness. This could have dampened the fighting spirit when they are just employees of Hindutva election Corporate.
Jugaad Indianness Vs Spirited Australianism
I kept wondering why cricket deviations from the norms and ethics by BCCI is so abominable. It could just be harmless way of winning by bending few rules. Ofcourse, we saw such glimpses of madness when New Zealand was denied World Cup when the match was decided on the number of Boundaries scored, rather another Super over. So rules could also be a culprit right?
Mahabharat could be complete epic as it deals with all human nature adorned with fascinating characters. A huge war starts sparked by a mocking laughter of Draupadi when Duryodhana falls down. The egotistic wound aggravates to an obscene gesture of thighs by Duryodhana avenging his fall and subsequent disrobing Draupadi. Bhima vows to kill Duryodhana for his misdoings. Kurukshetra war begins. Duryodhana’s Mother blesses with her divine vision to make him an immortal. There is one character which runs all through the happenings – Krishna. Krishna helps Draupadi when her modesty was breached. He again nudges Duryodhana to wear a banana leaf, as mark of respect, before getting blessed immortality by his mother, so that his waists still remain weak after blessings. In the war, Duryodhana chooses a fight with mace against Bhima where the rules clearly states that no one gets beaten down the waist. Krishna now hints Bhima to hit Duryodhana’s thighs, breaking the rules of the game. Pandavas win the war eventually and rule Hastinapur for 36 years.
I liked the full circle of how fate plays around, the disrobing guy gets disrobed before his Mother. Thunder thighs gets blown up avenging the injustice to Draupadi. But how does fate treat people breaking rules to win at any cost? Let’s continue the story. After 36 years of ruling Hastinapur, Pandavas along with Draupadi march onto Heaven as they assume themselves worthy of it.
Pandavas… Draupati first, followed by Sahadeva, Nakula, Arjun and finally, Bheem. It is said that Yudhishthira did not turn his back even once and refused to help any one because he had renounced everything when he embarked on this journey. He also thought that renouncing everything would fetch him a place in Swarga, else he too would die.
As Yudhishthira and the dog continued climbing the mountain, they were welcomed by Lord Indra in his chariot. Indra said that Yudhishthira had been the true King of Dharma by being virtuous at all times and invited him into his chariot, offering him to take him to the final door of Swarga. Yudhishthira requested Lord Indra to permit the dog to come along, to which Indra disapproved. Yudhishthira stayed adamant on taking the dog along.
Yudhishthira refused to enter Swarga without the dog. He believed that both have equal merits and said that he will either enter Swarga with the dog or not enter at all for the sake of justice. Indra was pleased by Yudhishthira’s principles and integrity and welcomed him into heaven. It was later revealed to Yudhishthira that the dog was Lord Yama in disguise. Eventually, Yudhishthira entered Indra’s chariot to reach heaven.
On reaching Swarga, Yudhishthira could not find any of his virtuous brothers or his wife. Instead he was shocked and enraged at seeing the adharmi Kauravas enjoying in heaven. It was brought to his notice that they were in heaven because of the land of Kurukshetra.
The Kauravas, who had died at Kurukshetra doing their duty as Kshatriyas (warriors), found a place in Heaven.
Different versions of this incident portray that this explanation to Yudhishthira was given by Lord Indra, Lord Yama or Narada. Whatever the version of this story maybe, it is important to learn from this story that unless and until a person gives up on hate, anger, greed or lust, one cannot reach heaven. More than meaning Heaven or Hell in literal sense, it’s about seeing them as states of mind. One must relinquish anger and hate to achieve peace (heaven), else they tend to suffer (hell).
Now, the Law of averages did not work for Yudhishthira. But, what I could not understand on the Judgement Day type of ending is that both Indian epics talk of Heroes bending rules. Epic Heroes doing that Indian jugaad, innovating by breaking ethics and rules. They even beat our wretched reality shows and its stupid dilemmas. Lord Rama kills Vaali on his back hiding somewhere else, rather fighting him one to one. Krishna almost kills the Kaurava clan leveraging deception and illusion. They all win their war games momentarily, by bending rules, but they lose in the end. The epics are too deep and may be it takes in depth knowledge and understanding and I am a surface skimmer.
The person who does many good deeds, first goes to hell for some time duration and then is sent to heaven. A person who has done more bad deeds, gets a glimpse of heaven and is then sent to Hell for the rest of his time.
Indra to Yudhishthira
Now let’s move onto the Karta, the choreographer of Kurukshetra… Krishna. Gandhari, mother of Duryodhana cursed Krishna and his clan Yadavas that they will perish on their own. Krishna accepted the curse for his own misdoings.
It was the 36th year after the great Kurukshetra war. The Yadavas were so much in bliss in Dwaraka that they started taking things for granted. They forgot the importance of values, morals, humility and good conduct. They were arrogant and spoilt by all the wealth they were enjoying.
Once, the Sapta Rishis (the Seven Sages) decided to visit Krishna in Dwaraka. Hearing about their impending arrival, Samba, the son of Krishna, decided to test their powers. The young man dressed himself as a woman and placed a mace under his dress, to make himself appear as a pregnant woman. He, along with two of his friends, approached the rishis. One of Samba’s friends went up to the rishis and, introducing himself as the “woman’s” husband, requested them to predict the gender of the unborn child.
With their siddhis (spiritual powers), the rishis realized that this was a hoax and were angry at being treated with such disdain. One of the sages, Kanva Maharishi, immediately grabbed his kamandala (little water pot) and, sprinkling some water on the youth, cursed that whatever he bore in stomach would be actually born to him. He further declared that the thing would eventually lead to the extinction of the entire Yadava clan. The youths were stunned for a moment. But being arrogant and foolish, they just laughed it off and left the place, without even bothering to apologize to the rishis for their behavior.
The sage’s curse took effect the very next morning. Samba developed labor pains and soon delivered a mace from within him. The Yadavas now realized their mistake and became fearful. They took the mace and rushed to Akroora and Ugrasena. They all then went to Krishna and related the whole story to him. Akroora immediately ordered them to grind the mace to a fine powder and throw it into the sea.
Krishna merely smiled and remained silent. He knew that Gandhari’s curse had started working and that Samba was merely a medium for their collective karma to unfold. Thirty-six years ago, Krishna had prayed to Shiva for a son like him. Shiva had bestowed the boon upon him. However, Shiva was the God of Destruction and a son like him would ultimately end up destroying everything around him.
The Yadavas worked hard to grind the mace to a fine powder. They had followed all of Akroora’s instructions. However, there was one triangular piece of the mace that simply could not be ground. They tried their level best, but could not grind it. Fed up, they finally threw the powder, plus the triangular piece, into the sea. Once that was done, they returned home, assured that all would be well from then on.
The triangular piece was swallowed by a fish. Jara, a hunter, caught the fish and, upon finding the sharp metal piece in its belly, used it to craft a fine poisonous arrow. In the meantime, the fine powder washed back ashore and settled itself along the impressive coastline of Dwaraka. There, a type of grass, called eraka, grew in abundance, all along the coast.
Yadavas gathered near the coast to pray for their well being. Instead they started fighting within themselves. Krishna knew that the curse had started to take effect. He plucked the eraka grass that grew by the beach and placed them near the warring Yadavas. Still not quite aware of what they were doing, the Yadavas started throwing the blades of grass on one other.
Kanva Maharishi’s curse came into being and each blade of the eraka grass became a mace. These maces hit the Yadavas, killing them instantly. All the Yadavas died within a matter of minutes. Thus, the entire clan lay dead, right in front of their King. The bereved King renounced his Kingdom and went to Forest.
Krishna rested against a tree, stretching his legs in the front. Meanwhile, Jara, the hunter, was roaming in the forest, on his usual hunting expedition. Seeing Krishna’s foot sticking out from the bushes, he mistook it for a deer and shot it down with his poison-tipped arrow. The arrow was the very one he had crafted from the little triangular piece of mace that had not been powdered.
It is said that Jara was none other than the mighty Vali in his previous birth. At that time, Vishnu had taken the avatar of Lord Sri Rama and had slain Vaali, the then Monkey King. Rama had no enmity with Vaali and had killed him for no reason; and that too; in a cowardly manner, hiding behind a tree. Vaali later took birth as Jara and was responsible for killing Krishna. This story points out the fact that the laws of Karma apply universally to everyone; and that even God cannot prevent it from impacting his own life.
Our Gods are reflection of our own ancestor’s culture. Our ancestors kept their gods flawed and more human as easier version of imparting religious scriptures to masses, like how the Right wing captured Bollywood and imparting Hindutva. We don’t see any visionary Rama / Arjuna carrying AK 47 / Laser guns. So are we restricting ourselves to bows and arrows? Maybe we are a fighting race from the beginning with all gods equipped with versatile weapons. But we got a sense of individual freedom only when we started following Buddhist / Mahaveera inspired Mahatma Gandhi for whom even clothes are an expression of desire, forget about weapons begetting more weapons.
Without elaborating further on how Justice got served for Gandhari and Vaali’s sufferings, indian epics are classy just because they address the events in a full circle beautifully, however complex and layered they are. Like many movies ending up in happily ever after unlike reality where many end up in divorce and distress, the Judgement part of the epics are not elaborated / celebrated in our country. Conventionally televised Mahabharat ends up with Pandavas ruling Hastinapur happily after Duryodhana’s death and Ramayana with Rama’s coronation at Ayodhya. As per our epics even mighty Krishna, the happiest god ever, might have winced in pain during his death by Jara’s arrow. Rama spent many years searching for his wife only to abandon her on a petty comment, could not live happily with his family even after establishing Ram Rajya, ruminating on the futility of life. Ironically, the famed Ram Rajya did not work him and his family. Well! They accepted the pain gracefully. But, nowadays nobody likes a Loser, even when we all end the same way!
“Whatever happened, happened for the good.Whatever is happening, is happening for the good.Whatever will happen, will also happen for the good.”
Gita
Coming back to the ICC World cup hosted in England where they won by a ridiculous rule, the important derivative could be that, both the team played by rules in the right spirit of the game, rather bending rules. It turned to be an even contest and cracker of a match matching wits and guts, with a graceful felicitation ceremony.
I remember Australians of the past teams for their sledging and and slandering crook-smiths employing all means to win. They are no saints afterall just like our epic Heroes. The Law of averages did not work for them too in 2000s world cups. But Ian Healy once part of the Australian team depicted as arrogant on their behaviour, observes this generation of Australian team as “Indian”. Maybe Yellow is the new Blue as Blue has now turned to Saffronish Orange and Netherland’s Orange is turning grey with right wing racism. Maybe IPL exposure and India being the financial core of cricket might have changed them a bit. What is more startling is that they have studied the Indian Kurukshetra pitches better than Indian team. It’s up to individuals to decide if the Karma cycle is complete or incomplete, but the eternal cycle keeps continuing… eternally.
Spoilsport for a Photo-Op
Our silence in the stadium and poor reception of the match just proved we are still colonial slaves who still need the validation of the west to celebrate a sport. We still get 60 days Summer Leave so that our still White Bureaucrats don’t get tanned in the sun, when our Kids need to do the hardship of braving rains in tough rainy season. Our Indian Calendar quotes peak summer (Agni Natchathiram) goes for 21 Days, but our Summer Holidays are 60 Days to please whom? The Britishers? And Chennai Collector says there won’t be holidays for rains ranging in 8-10 cms since it is light rain(?).It was even worse in Mettupalayam. If Collectors could declare that education is only for those who can afford rich transportation, the problem gets an easy closure, so that he could pack his bags to Ooty in advance. நீங்க உல்லாசமா ஊட்டி போறதுக்கு மழையிலே எங்க உசுர ஏன் வாங்குறீங்க!
Rules? Bend it like Beckham!
Indian Leadership from Politicians to Bureaucrats to Sports Administrators is such that it still runs on Facebook / Instagram achievements, always flying inches above ground in AC vehicles. The Rule bending is evident everywhere in our (lack of governance). Maybe they invited David Beckham to symbolise their lawlessness. They did not build an emergency exit as planned, when building Uttarkashi tunnel, but do everything to garner Hindutva votes, screwing up fragile himalayan ecosystem. I don’t know if Gods will object for majoritarian mixing politics with their belief systems, like local folklore attributed the crack of Joshimath to beginning of Kaliyuga, but sport is a different animal prefers to be clean to perform well, without any need for adulterated political Mixer.
The Government don’t even have buffer days reserved for emergencies in education but NCERT is ready to saffronise the study material with Gandhi and Nehru disappearing as myths but Ramayana as authentic history. Hey Ram! Nobody killed Gandhi. Laughable rules emerged for NEET exam, entrance for Medical students, where Zero is an eligible cut-off. Now even students who have not learnt Biology are eligible. If things go haywire with our newly “engineered” non-bio-logical Doctors, there might even be a new rule that NEET-Doctors can kill neatly. If you are enraged on the previous line, you should get enraged at our Government. Our Make in India products lack the build finish or design thoughts to make it word class, but we think we can rule the consumer Market by being chinese cheap. Since the public is also conditioned for such Photo-Ops, rather looking for real substance, the sporty loss sounds too bad for us, since we are accustomed to enjoy the style more than Sporty substance. Afterall, we miss that Selfie moment!
நீதி, உயர்ந்தமதி, கல்வி – அன்பு நிறைய உடையவர்கள் மேலோர்
Bharathiyar
If you think how a simple Selfie could do harm? Ask Chandrayaan II a Million Dollar Moon Project, which failed due to software glitch. The fact was someone who wanted limelight rushed up the Project, not to miss a selfie moment, only to end up with a miserable sob selfie with its failure. For Chandrayaan III ‘Lead Scientist’ PM’s Divya Darshan happened through Video conferencing, staying away but still stamping his face. Then there was a Kangana Ranaut type Tejas Fighter Selfie which has still a long way to go to become production ready. But you know elections are nearing. Some well wisher could have done him a favour whispering to him how Run-out’s Tejas Movie fared at Box office. Now, Modi’s Selfie craze has gone beyond limits, to highlight non-existent achievements of his Government, by installing Selfie points. Only Vishwaguru can imagine that a selfie can garner votes of the youth and not employment. As long as there are fools ( That included me too ) democracy flourishes…
“Our selfie-obsessed and self-obsessed PM is so insecure in the run up to Lok Sabha polls that he’s leaving no stone unturned to save his flailing image. First, it was the Army being asked to set up selfie points. Then, he asked IAS officers and other senior govt officials to take out ‘Rath Yatras’. Now, he has directed UGC to set up selfie points in all universities”
– Jairam Ramesh
Sharda Ugra‘s piece on state of Cricket enlightens anyone who can’t think beyond the thin veil of Indian cricket just as a sport.
Cricket is merely one of the many engines in the BJP’s dream of cultural expansion. Everyone on the BCCI payroll — players, former and current, officials, broadcasters — seems to have fallen in with the party line and has been herded under the umbrella of uncheerful nationalism. Indian cricket today is playing second fiddle to the political ideology in power because none of its faithful will speak for it.
In order to push the Lodha reforms into mothballed irrelevance, the BCCI’s cross-party grandees first edged out its professional management. What they now have is the ruling regime’s iron fist. Jay Shah, a semi-conductor of his father’s authority, has become Indian cricket’s front-line commander over and above the player-president, Ganguly. Checkmate.
The president of India travelled to Ahmedabad to inaugurate a stadium named after his constitutional subordinate, the incumbent prime minister. Seats in the lower tier most visible on television are coloured orange, the BJP’s party colour. During its day-night Test debut, the orange wall made the sighting of the pink ball difficult in natural light for fielders, but who cares.
It must be mentioned here that the only stadium bigger in the world than the Narendra Modi Stadium is the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea. It’s enough to kill irony with a sniggering fit.
Indian cricket is being marinated in the ideology of the ruling regime, in this case, the Bharatiya Janata Party.
OK! to summarize BCCI and BJP just made saffronish chicken manchurian out of everyone involved, and got everyone fried too.
The Propaganda of Invincibility
In my adolescent age, I got fascinated by the tag “Dream Girl”. I used to wonder why that Aunty is not coming in my dreams. Maybe only Gharamji will get such poly-comic dreams. As I mature, Nowadays I get bloody dreams of Palestine violence but could not do much other than waking up sleepless and blogging uselessly about it. The Dream Girl is nothing but a cinematic “propaganda” to make the silver screen look palatable and sexier. The wishlist for such sweet dreams when you are in reality, better off without seeing it sans makeup, is just a blind or fake “Belief” that it’s gonna be a great dream. Amrit Kaal and Vikas comedies belong to this sweet dreams category/
When you are helpless about the ongoing Palestine nightmarish violence which will one day come down to New India if remained unchecked ( as we are in the initial stages of genocide – discrimination and polarization of Minorities) but leave it to the God, “The Lord of uncontrollables”… its “Faith”. Because, what we have in India is not Gujarat Model of Politics, but Netanyahu’s working supremacist Model aiming at consolidation of majority by ethnic cleansing and circumventing international pressure with arm-twisting diplomacy. Little wonder Modi is still the lone member of BRICS, shying away from the meet, so as not to support Gaza Ceasefire. If this sounds like a “sober global statesmanship” as propagandized, welcome yourself to the Brahma-Nazism – Modi brand of “sober” supremacist hyper-chameleonism conquering nation by misinformation, dividing its own people and silencing the diplomatic lambs internationally with opportunistic rude diplomacy!
“Fear is the true adversary; although we often mistake it for hatred.”
Mahatma Gandhi
What Modi’s BJP does not understand is that Israel’s homogenous origin is different from our diverse backgrounds, just like our cricket team, one of rare few quasi-meritocratic institutions, not because of our corrupt administrators but because of the fear of losing its loyal consumers. If they replace players just like they did with elite administrators. How about elite vegetarian fast bowlers. No? Ok! Eggetarian. No? Ok! Let’s take Halal guys. However it works, India’s diverse origins could be correlated with multi-racial USA rather monolithic Israel. So any desperate attempt to enforce homogeneity and majoritarianism in India will only erupt to civil war rather work like the infamous Gujarat / supremacist Israel model which rewarded the supremacists. BJP already learnt the hard lesson with Himachal and Karnataka State elections where welfare trumped hatred. The self proclaimed Chanakya is still looking to polarise with Nuremberg type CAA law just before elections. Like Son, Like Father when it comes to Vinaasa Kaale Vibareetha Budhdhi.
Coming back to that elusive trophy… In New India, the age old Dream Girl is that ICC Trophy which is something almost every other country has won including organizationally weak West Indies in last decade. Our Belief that we are invincible could be partially right. But, its been awhile India focused on ODIs which needs sustained tenacity and resilience to pluck the victory from the Jaws of defeat. In my adolescence any chance of India winning ODI rested with Sachin’s innings. People used to switch off TV to save electricity as soon as he gets out as if other ten is brought on “Buy One Winner get Ten Headaches” Offer.
“Reality Is Often Disappointing.”
Thanos
Our positive belief gradually grew, when a steely Rahul Dravid and silky VVS Laxman played a solid test innings in Eden Garden to resurrect our hopes. My memory have not registered if we have won or drew the Test, but it just showed we have arrived in Cricket as a steadfast Force and not anymore a meek and selfish reed swaying even to the weak wind, hoping not to break. We had enriching experiences under Ganguly and Dhoni who have at many times imparted the belief in our Team snatching victory from the Jaws of defeat transforming Indian cricket as a force to reckon with.
With the current team, unfortunately the middle order was not even tested in the current World cup as we never got into a crisis like the Final, thanks to the diligent venue selection to suit Indian team strengths for a cake walk win. It’s time we should ask ourselves if we have really retained that “Never Say Die!”, instead resorted to spoiling even ICC to accommodate our unjust interests and loopholes just to show off a win and paint even the World cup as a Saffron show, only to end up brutally up with a bloody nose, wishing the bleeding was saffron. There are differences between carefully nurtured Potted plant in a controlled environment and a wild plant, organically grown under testing conditions. The differences naturally comes to spotlight when tested with adverse circumstances like storms and floods.
Blame it on Saffron
Why this sudden decline of cricket? Once we lose the moral faith of playing fair to win by the rules, but fine with BCCI fine tuning pitches, rewarding the curators of the pitch, we actually have let down our own steely self, self occupied with unethical guilt, helplessly waiting for someone hand hold us out of trouble rather fighting it on our own, just like the helpless goldfish in aquarium. Also the present team is more of Saffron Warriors who had enough faith to propagandize in Twitter rather on winning trophies. Our Sports Persons are content if Modi is kept happy / BJP wins elections rather winning trophies.
We have successfully transformed our Cricket warriors to election agents including Bharat(!) Ratna(?) Tendulkar. The Sanatanic BCCI chose to facilitate Tendulkar for his “elite upper” records, rather even bothering to invite the World cup winning Teams and its Captains Kapil Dev and Dhoni. As a website quoted, Kapil was replaced by his Bollywood version Ranvir Singh in the stadium. Even the “elite” commentary got muted on the defeat analysing its mistakes while it was bombastic while referencing India’s string of victories prior final. Overall, It was a very carefully choreographed winning celebration involving all glitz and glamour except for the substance, that did not happen due to Australian Party poopers. Of course, we have had our moments like Test win at Australia and occasional brilliance, but collective sportsmanship needs efficient Leadership, to train the team to win at all costs not to get broken when things don’t go our way. That’s missing.
Real strength isn’t about winning; it’s about enduring hardships without giving up.
Mahatma Gandhi
I can’t write like Suresh Menon, so let’s copy his playful phrases, summarizing the state of Indian cricket.
Years from now, it is likely to be remembered not as Kohli’s or Stokes’ or Bumrah’s World Cup so much as the BJP’s World Cup, placing it among examples of the symbiotic relationship between sports and politics. In India, at least.
At the recent Asia Cup, India (who not only have the clout but want to constantly remind other teams of this) changed the rule in the middle of the tournament, adding an extra day for their match against Pakistan. Perhaps during the World Cup, we will see the cricket board honcho commanding the rain to stop. And discovering, like King Canute who ordered the tide to halt, that it would carry on regardless.
Three of India’s team, Pandya, Jadeja and Bumrah, were born in Gujarat where the world’s largest cricket stadium awaits the action. But it is a fourth man born in the State who is confident of winning at the World Cup — and not in a narrow cricketing sense.
Instead of diagnosing the defeats, the BCCI ritualistically replaced the Captains after every world Cup without acting on the actual root cause – its corrupt Administrators originating from political backgrounds. Actually, Dhoni / Rohit / Kohli are not at fault. They have all exhibited talismanic abilities at field. After all these replacements, we have only deteriorated further in ICC events. In fact the Indian media is silent on the future of BCCI as it involves Jay-Hush-Shah while speculating on the poor Cricketers. We even have a Dumboo BJP Minister who just played a Match to hold Office, so as to bypass the State Cricket Board rules. The only difference now is that BCCI is comfortable enough to change the rules itself even with the nod from Supreme Court bypassing the reforms it initiated.
“We have to be better than what they feared we would be. We have to surprise them with compassion, with restraint and generosity”
Nelson Mandela appearing at the South African Sports Committee, after they had elected to disband the Springbok rugby team, Invictus Movie
No, we are not emerging as the new Chokers, but the players are just afraid of future and the huge pressure of invisible-but-omnipresent National elections on them, when International events like G20 or ICC World Cup are conducted as side shows with the main event as a Photo-Op with Vishwaguru. The team lack the fighting spirit to change the fortunes without any help or support from the toxic administration, weighed down by huge pressure on their shoulders in ICC events. The Indian team is Hercules shouldering earth with out-of-the-world Modi on top of it.
Today’s Indian Cricket is not just a Sport, but an amalgamation of fake Nationalism with the current political establishment making it look like a war / surgical strike between countries, empty Pride of Vishwaguru as we are emerging International force when we are languishing behind Pakistan in the hunger index and as election winning machine where BJP’s political campaign was planned on cricket victory and Ram temple as they got nothing else to show off as achievements, with the indian food plate getting reduced gradually owing to inflation and cronyism. We even got Hindutva Pooop err… Pop ( of course with multiple Oohs and Aahs to kindle communalism ) as part of the mainstream songs played on the stadium, provoking even elitistic audience with Jai Sri Ram. As part of multi-million victory celebrations planned, we might have even got an Indian version of Invictus to portray Modi as Saviour of cricket. Only difference would be while Mandela fought for country’s resurrection in post apartheid South Africa, Modi’s Invictus will be about the “Supremacist apartheid” Returning back to India mushrooming under the shades of elite BCCI.
– Nelson Mandela: How do you inspire your team to do their best?
– Francois Pienaar: By example. I’ve always thought to lead by example, sir.
– Nelson Mandela: Well, that is right. But how do we get them to be better than they think they can be? That is very difficult, I find. Inspiration, perhaps. How do we inspire ourselves to greatness when nothing less will do? How do we inspire everyone around us? I sometimes think it is by using the work of others.
Invictus Movie
Victory is a Journey… not an election Destination
We have not prepared enough for ODIs which is different from mumbo jumbo T20 without any major twists but offering only cheap thrills. ODI needs more patience and guts to pass through the brilliant start, middle slog and bombastic finish and clever enough to make up for any troughs through such phases. We are still not a complete Champions team.
As Dhoni says, victory is a Process. When Chennai Super Kings got many victories on the home ground, but lost miserably on other Indian grounds and even abroad, they did not complain or look to change rules. They just modified the home pitch to stay neutral and even to an extent, playing a tough game, so that they are prepared for knockouts. The oldies very near retirement homes had enough wisdom to play the game on strengths rather looking for opponent weakness. What did Rahul Dravid do as a Indian coach. He used to drop by early, to analyse the pitch, sometimes few days even before the game starts. Unfortunately, he got trumped on his own game when Australia got its superior tactics and analytics overwhelming the indian side. This “Someone else will take care” attitude has solidified the Indian team’s belief that everything is tweaked and taken care of well by BCCI and Admin that they can win without breaking sweat, only to end up in tears. All is not lost… We just need to steel up our temperament with clear tactics for every scenario, rather relying on the literal ground work, so that we never feel like lost child at carnival. Only then the victory process will take care of itself.
“It’s not about how much we lost. It’s about how much we have left.”
Tony Stark / Iron Man, ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)
For example, the Indian team had initial euphoria after taking 3 wickets of Australia. But when the partnership got steady, taking the sting out of the indian bowling attack, the team members were just dropping their shoulders and some on tears even before the loss, increasing the confidence of Aussies. They clearly could not rise up to the occasion or digest a probable defeat, just like the unsporting crowd at the Stadium, evident in Pakistan and Australia matches. Rohit could have brought in Bumrah who showed a knack of getting wickets before it was too late or tried something else when the spinners were clueless on the dead pitch. They got into a brain freeze as they were never got tested on the tournament. They restricted Head on his playing side ( I don’t know anything technically like gully or cover but only about silly mistakes and its coverups ), they should have deployed few fielders on his scoring areas, taking bowling risks and tempting him to make mistakes where he ultimately fell in the end. Head scored predictably on the same areas. But, there was no novelty in the bowling attack. Contrast this with Rohit falling prey to carefully orchestrated Head’s catch. Data never lies or forsakes any one who trusts, even a crooked Politician who choose to accept rather ignore at his own peril!
“We never lose our demons, Mordo. We only learn to live above them.”
The Ancient One, ‘Doctor Strange’ (2016)
The Gladiator-esque Final
Remember the classic Russell Crowe movie Gladiator’s climax where he need to fight the King-ish Joaquin Phoenix who thinks people could be kept quiet and happy by distracting with Theatrics at Coliseum? Crowe gets stabbed before the contest so that he can’t fight Phoenix on his full strength. Even then he will manage to overpower Phoenix. Phoenix, at the verge of losing will ask his Army’s help guarding the contest on the boundaries. But, none would budge, nudging him to fight a good fight or perish. In the end Phoenix loses at the same theater he built to distract people from his evil rule. Coincidentally, Russell Crowe is an Australian.
“The measure of a person, of a hero… is how well they succeed at being who they are.”
Frigga, ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)
Ricky Ponting has mentioned the Australian team was hesitant before the Finals, fretting about the nature of the Pitch. He quipped every pitch is 22 yards, like a Champion. Pat Cummins knew how to derive energy just by silencing the crowd, offering a different perspective to crowd dynamics eager to chant “Jai Sri Ram!” even in a Cricket match. The Australian Batters made minimal mistakes after the clinical bowling to fetch the Cup. Indian team also had its winner in brilliant Kohli and selfless Rohit. But where the Australians trumped is that they changed every hostile condition to their advantage. Fortunately, ICC had not ashamed itself to the level of delegating corrupt officials, keeping it an even game at least on that front. Even the umpires got booed by Ahmedabad crowd when they did near perfect Job.
“Just because something works, doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.”
Shuri, ‘Black Panther’ (2018)
Fortune favours the Brave even if the meek survives for Finals.
Finally made it to Jawan after SRK announced BOGO offer. What a Masala Express it was!
Jawan worked well for many reasons, the main reasons being its Multiple SRKs, each coming in different avatars. Jawan is a Jack in the Box puzzle of peeling an SRK only to find another SRK to be peeled, and he keeps on coming like matrix Army, in different variations and modulations. Even the antagonist VJS plays around with Red and Blue pill like Morpheus, when we are struggling to buy expensive Popcorn to keep the excited Kids pacified, making me wonder about Birth control Pill.
SRK is the USP of this film. If you missed his teddy Bear avatar, we get a sweet cuddling SRK. If you want more of his Pathaan, you get a Baldie who sounds more like Anniyan Vikram instantly changing his tone and tenor with his each dialogue delivery, from a caring citizen to Lover to Fatherly nurturer of his team, a Three-in-One Guy. If you wanted SRK for real, getting himself promoted to Mufasa from Simba, you got a stylish Oldie, who plays things subtle like a Hollywood Hero but still evokes awe with his macho mannerisms and stunts. So, for every Hundred Crore invested in the Movie you get a SRK, like failsafe Load balancers. You also get a Divine SRK as Disaster recovery Bonus wondering – “Who Am I?” A Super Star who rested enough and now on a rampage on Silver screens, treating us with satisfactory mini vacation.
From his opening line (“who am I?”), Khan draws us into wondering what relation the bandaged warrior liberating a village in a prologue has to the gruff baldie laying siege to Mumbai’s metro, and the prison warden clinging to a second chance at love. A one-man Cloud Atlas, Jawan is a puzzle movie where the star proves the puzzle; it’s a great showcase for Khan to play everything under the sun: godly badass, dandyish army vet, total sweetheart with a prospective stepdaughter. There’s ego involved, undeniably, but few stars in any cinema could model such radically diverse hats with this much flair. – Guardian
In fact SRK had so many avatars, my Kids got so confused that they took a selfie with Manish Malhotra cutout at Multiplex, after the movie. When asked why… they said it was the SRK who comes off after removing the Mask. Maybe it’s due to too much Popcorn as my Kid thinks Theatre is some kind of Hotel without a dining table, finally chiding me – for spilling so much popcorn, like a kid, once lights come up. But also thanks to too much de-aging Makeup / Technology which made young SRK look like Robot Rajinikanth. I am someone who always liked SRK for all his graceful Dil Se-ish wrinkles. Other than this episode it’s very difficult to point out any issues with this well polished Pot boiler.
The Movie looked like Atlee had a dream as an Editor of many Tamil movies and Hollywood references. Well, that’s his USP. If anyone mocks him about copying his inspirations, how would you explain Jailer and Vikram share the same story and still become blockbusters. Coincidence? or Just we don’t know the “History of source”. At least Atlee is copying references from many films.
The worldwide Movie Industry is becoming a Comic Book Theme park of Sorts as rightly lamented by Scorcese. I would not be surprised if the Multiplexes started attaching Vibrators in our seat to add yet another dimension to our adventure ride. For a change the movie looked more like Shankar’s rather Atlee’s with rich and unique action set pieces and the story on a Nation-wide big canvas. The way he has skillfully made a collage of so many narratives, acts as testament to his skills of getting disparate things together, like a Movie Integration Engineer. You may Mock Atlee or Admire Atlee but you cannot ignore him for the decade to come.
It’s good. But, What could have been better?
To improve Atlee’s career span for few more decades, Atlee could work on Original / improvised screenplay at least for every alternate ten minutes rather reminding us of all movies we have watched. It actually spoils his own meticulous craft of weaving a compelling emotional wholesome narrative, not many Directors of his generation could master. Every new Wave Director excels on a field like black comedy or action, but seems like failure on other Departments. Atlee is a rare Bull’s eye hitter, extracting the exact emotion as required. As an use case, I liked the portrayal of a lethal villain with Bane Mask and a Cheetah, conveying the deadliness in a shot. Money heist pulled off a perfect heist when it comes to such creativity with Masks. They just improvised on Guy Fawkes mask to an artistic form which become a statement by itself rather being a cheap copy.
The screenplay comes down as an abrupt jigsaw puzzle slowly unraveling by itself. But we have seen better Saviour dramas even from his Master Shankar himself, where we get intelligent cat and mouse chase and the flashbacks gets unravelled by the Chaser rather by simple cuts and edits. In Jawan such surprise elements comes sparingly with the narrative getting rescued by stunning action sequences and inimitable SRK.
The flashbacks are intense especially the Farmer’s plight and depressing Hospital scene. But the entire set up especially the Jail sounds like a Barbie land, without any realistic flavour. Shankar always keeps his set pieces very close to reality, which helps us gel with the screen. The puzzle does not connect all the Justice redemption flashbacks to the Protagonist well. Ramana did a very good job on this aspect where the logic was lucid enough and the investigation was also kept interesting slowly unraveling the core plot, with the direct involvement of the Protagonist at all occasions. The screenplay is just not fluid as it has too many stories to tell. Maybe Atlee needs to be a “Gentleman” Screenplay writer for cracking such saviour templates, as it does a beautiful presentation of the Jack in the Box storyline, slowly unraveling the Protagonist with the help of Investigator, in a believable make-believe world and at the same time larger than life on the slowly expanding big picture scenario, upgrading its extravagance rather just being an embellishment. Maybe there could have been better emotional investment for the supporting Characters, rather acting like screen cosmetic.
Is Jawan a Propaganda Movie?
Now there are lots of debate about what SRK endorses with this movie. There was even a Smart Alec Op-Ed on how SRK smartly milked up all sections of People and Parties with his commercial potboiler. To me, cinema itself is a mind(less) magic show fooling people with its antics or at the worst could be scam with badass aspirational intentions of hollow Stars dreaming to become haloed CMs or political encashment, by creating a positive mental imprint at our own cost. In Tamil we call as Sontha Selavula Sooniyam – Inviting Maleficent’s Black magic at our own call.
For example, I have cherished a Saviour Drama from Shankar – Gentleman which portrays the evils of quota system and how poor Brahmins are denied their opportunities, exposing the cleavages in the society with the help of lot of female cleavages and double entendres. Same Shankar is yet to come up exposing with the cleavages on evils of EWS Quota. So, Cinema could be just a visual social commentary at it’s best. Nothing changes except for a public mental imprint on the state of affairs. But Shankar is genuine master masala blender without any political aspirations, leveraging social issues for a mass connect as it glues everyone of us with a common concern.
Nasruddin and his wife lived in a small house and shared a small bed; they had just a single pillow.
One night Nasruddin’s head itched so badly that the itchy feeling woke him up. He scratched and scratched, but it didn’t do any good. “What an itch!” he thought to himself.
Then his wife yelled, “Stop scratching my head! I’m trying to sleep.”
“My apologies, dearest,” said Nasruddin. “Go back to sleep.”
Nasruddin then felt around until he found his own head.
“Ah,” he said to himself, happily scratching the itch. “That explains it. I was scratching the wrong head.”
The above story is dedicated to Quota Directors with a social message scratching others head to cure their own itch. But, the real damage to Tamilians’ psyche happens with movie stars acting like prospective CMs in real life by playing larger than life role in movies, trying to create a make-believe world that they can rule the world. Indian cinema in such cases could be the height of deceptive entertainment, if you don’t count the Political theater, playing on our minds like a Piano, slowly and gradually creating an alternate universe in our own mind, when the reality could be totally different and unpalatable. Modi is just replicating that “Pompous Popcorn act” well outside Cinema theaters and very well aware of its mass psychology swaying potential.
Dare hue log aksar alfazon ke peeche chupte hai. (Means) People who are scared often hide behind words
SRK in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Movie
One Nation… One Movie… Mera Desh Chala raha hai!
More than anyone else Modi deserves an Oscar for running a compelling Show on National level canvas. Don Ko Pakadna Mushkil Hi Nahi… Namumkin Hai just became Modi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai. Movie’s teasers are replaced with Demonetisation and Midnight GST, with the screwed up public, scratching their heads, wondering – “Picture abhi baaki hai?” on how to handle this New India Tughlaq Sultan’s eccentricities. Audio launch happens with every state or Panchayat or Ward election where Modi speaks what people want to hear while doing what Adani likes. Mass moments happen with the help of Delhi Police arresting Modi critics for every silly reason one could imagine. Emotional moments with Bulldozers and engineered riots. Apart from this, bloody comic relief is handled with aplomb by Fringe outfits, Pragyas and Bidhuris. There are no antagonists to this story as Modi doesn’t like anyone else hogging camera space. Even if someone gotta fight him, he just fights in air – Mann ki Baat Mukt Bharat. Only guest appearances are allowed for World Leaders to create RajaBabu movie type photo lineups, where Modi guides them… to Dinner table. Overall, It’s a complete Paisa vasool propaganda sucking the taxes from public. Nobody could beat that.
Call him shahenshah ka shahenshah or Lol-lapalooza of entertainment, Modi is so much of an occupant of our Mindspace, like Israel occupying Palestine forcefully, Tamil Meme Makers have rendered all super hits in Modiji’s voice using AI, making a navarasa movie of it. No wonder Modi supports crazy atrocious, his unethical spy partner Israel, flipping India’s historical support to Palestine, instead of targeting Hamas, and Israel going greedy to capture Gaza making use of the crisis situation.
While Hamas is brutally keeping the war alive with the initial provoking, it’s now Israel’s Jews who always aspired for world domination through intelligence, irrespective of their own allies’ history of brutally crushing them in the past, now joining the same aggressors, showing their inhuman side to the poor Palestinians. If the “forever fighting race” in History, who have always exhibited tenacity, finding a way to win, but make it short lived victory with meaningless aggression, are calling themselves children of Light, they should have ideally lit a candle of Peace rather firing rockets pounding Gaza.
It’s sad, the Children of Light could not even rebuild their own temple even after stealing 91% of Palestine, even after amassing enough clout and resources to kill a certain race, with the help of the same ones who killed their own ancestors in their bitter past. For Israel, the lessons learnt from history is always Zero. They have always chosen to the intelligently vicious Path of backstabbing and betrayal creating a roadmap for self-destruction. Sincerely wish they adopt the Truth and Diplomacy mode which has always helped them in their past to be at peace with Arabs.
If Obama could erase Osama with a clean strike and nil casualties to the Public, Biden seems to be mimicking Toxic texan Bush, addicted to fireworks, singing forgotten hymns on the Mighty USA currently suffering from inferiority complex doubtful of its Big Brother / Bully status, who could only prove it’s supremacy to the world by killing innocent People around. It’s just wicked mockery – USA condemning Gaza Hospital attack, when the Gaza is dying a slow death with Israel’s ‘Method in Madness’ siege amounting to genocidal ethnic cleansing. If at all war happens at different places in Ukraine, Palestine, Taiwan etc, China will be the ultimate Winner riding from Chaos, toppling the World’s Supremacy Order. US might be already sensing its waning influence with Ukraine crisis and now at Gaza, for its stupid doublespeak fighting the occupiers of Ukraine and shamelessly supporting the bloodthirsty occupiers of Gaza.
Enjoy! Soothe your monstrous suffering inflicted by Modi with Modi’s melodies, the snake venom which could be both PR Poison and laughter Medicine. PS: The Video has been removed now. But search for AI Modi to have Fun.
Back to Movies.. Personally, I would happily listen to any genuine Movie crew without any selfish / political aspirations whole heartedly. But only time will tell their truth. Just a Jolly good Quote below, from brilliant Shankar to wrap this social messaging charade.
Journalist: Can anyone kill just for this?
Ramanujam ‘Ambi’ Iyengar: [as Anniyan] Do you do this out of the confidence that no one will kill you?
Journalist: Such a large punishment for such a small sin?
Ramanujam ‘Ambi’ Iyengar: [as anniyan] As if sin come like vest, in small, medium, large, extra large, sizes?
Anniyan Movie
[ Update 5th October 2023
Initially kept the above quote for fun on how social message films manipulate our emotions with ridiculous justifications. But looks like we got “Political Anniyans” in real life too, who can’t bear even a Mini-Kerchief size criticism from Journalists, when they just quoted the reality that, the Emperor got no clothes. Modi obviously should be ashamed of himself and course correct, rather getting offended on a piece of Opinion or media coverage.
Around 2019, Modi got his robust image where “Modi hai toh Mumkin hai!” got oomph factor with a tinge of reality, pulling out sick rabbits out of hat like Demon / GST. I don’t know if ten years of power makes people arrogant habituated to unquestioned subservience from the executive and from other pillars, that they go full throttle oppressing everyone around, making Jokers out of themselves. New India is going through “Dark Room” episode, a boogeyman, teachers use to control unruly Kids. But it got its own validity. They can’t keep going on that lie and it works till kids are ignorant and they start laughing at them upon maturity.
By 2023 end, BJP has successfully achieved the expiry of “Dark Emergency” scenario where none are going to fear Mo-Sha. They have maxed out the fear factor and if they overdo it, they will end up creating situations like uncontrollable Manipur / Kashmir crisis. If they dream on derivative positives like after effects of such Polarisation, it’s going to work out like reverse mandal Politics, where BJP is losing sleep to counter and still clueless as pathetic campaign weeps from Modi is sticking to the public mindspace. RG cracked it with a very simple code, Quota will be proportional to the demographics, irrespective of caste or religion.
There existed a good chance of Mo-Sha duo coming back after 2024, as INDIA alliance is a Juggernaut pulled from all sides and elected power only spoils / corrupts them further aggravating their selfish egoes. By burning all bridges with ED / IT / Intelligence fireworks – be it Executive, Judiciary, Honest Media and Public, Mo-Sha is entering their own “Political Death Well”, going nowhere but on a downward spiral. Sadly, Modi is just entering the Phase of “Modi hai toh Nothing hai!”. Personally, I will miss Modi’s decisiveness, energy and efficiency on rolling out schemes, however useless and backfiring they are. It is sick fun so far.
Kabhi kabhi jeetne ke liye kuch haarna padta hai….aur haar kar jeetne wale ko baazigar kehte hain” (Sometimes to win you must also be prepared to lose ….and the one who ends up winning the end game is called a Baazigar)
Baazigar Movie.
]
Propaganda and Atma Nirbhar Theater
Of late, Some Political Parties have taken Cinema too seriously investing a lot of money on Propaganda movies, so as to instill a fake pride, burning their own fingers and crony money, crying Mera Crony Money Jal raha Hai! They believe Rang De Basanti type movies helped them create unrest among masses. They could be right then, but currently, we don’t have a situation where a movie could make or break political situations. Earlier, we had an engaging government providing RTI and other schemes where People felt a sense of belonging believing they will also find a way out of corruption, along with their new found hope and prosperity. Now we have a situation of peeing ourselves on our own “prosperity” by voting ludicrously..
“We have one leg in the past and one leg in the future … that’s why we’re peeing on the present.”
Rang De Basanti Movie
The reasons why movies are just movies in Amrit kaal being… Firstly, People are immune to such silver screen emotional arousals nowadays, as Bollywood lost its respect with attacks from the very side it promoted once. The Social media generation, apart from creating memes to make fun of things around, are fighting for their own survival tackling Inflation and unemployment. If at all you think bad of Government we got it’s Master who will increase fuel price. If you still crib, LPG price will be increased. If Farmers crib on Crony friendly Farm laws, our usual Villains Onion, Pulses and Tomato will become costly helping out the “New India Hero Crony Billionaire Middlemen” to stock them up and inflate the prices. After all these blows, you might have forgot why you started cribbing. But the empty-purse-pain still exists. Sometimes, the best way to lessen pain is just don’t focus on the pain and start playing Tic-Tac-Toe with Bharat or India coins, a country naming game as if our country is someone’s pet puppy or watch Movies like One Nation-Gaddar election-One Begging Bowl. Essentially, every citizen is playing survival chess with the well oiled Mighty Government Machine powered by Crony electoral bonds working with full strength when he just gets a Pawn to his side to play. Purse-Mate!
“On this side of the college gate we make life to dance … and on the other side of the gate life makes us dance”
Rang De Basanti Movie
Secondly, People are kept busy by the Government engagements with Aadhaar PAN Ration linking exercises or Clean India initiatives creating a psychological Master-Slave behaviour edging on Stockholm syndrome. From UPA’s citizen empowerment era we are now reduced to Kartavya-era, reducing ourselves to no-questions-asked-duty-bound-slaves till we reach Amrit Kaal in 2047, that is… if we are alive to realise the Amrit/Vish-kaal truth then.
“Even now whose blood doesn’t boil, then that blood is water … the youth who doesn’t serve the country is a waste.”
Rang De Basanti Movie
Thirdly, Leaders across spectrum who act as catalysts for Movements and Protests, fondly called as Urban naxals by our Dear Leader, are caught in fear psychosis of enforcement and Law agencies. The Law Enforcement Agencies evidently even plant evidence in Laptops using Israeli Spywares. On an insignificant bit, even so called socially conscious Shankar’s Gamechanger movie, discussing about Indian Polls got silently postponed to sneakily appear only after the 2024 Polls. Gear up yourselves for a movie “bravely” talking about necessary Poll reforms, but only after the election gets over, obviously does not want to be a real game changer but more of a Dummy one cashing on mass connect with ex-voters. Enjoy your Political cold popcorn then. Remember “Sunil, Your Din is getting cold!” from Sunil Gavaskar’s Boss?
“Here you try to change the system and the system changes you.”
Rang De Basanti Movie
Fourthly, Most people are blissfully ignorant of who is looting them with taxes and stealing National assets, without realising they are in much worse situation than before, as they only hear sensational synthetic headlines like Cricketers’ BCCI antics / Chest thumping G20 Vishwamitra comedy enacting Mossad type dirty works, powered by Whatsapp University courses. Majority of people might even assume that such Farmer plight and poor hospital conditions portrayed in Jawan existed a decade back and they are now in Singapore, unless otherwise BJP exposes themselves by making a lot of fuss around Jawan / Dunki. BJP is acting tax thief for long and they know how to react when the scorpion bites, at work. So, In this fascist world, we are kept happy and proud, entertained by the Government at least until we feel hungry. If we are hungry, fascist Government usually ask us to just fry pakoras or just die silently… Shhhh… no dissent please…
“To the millions who have to go without two meals a day… God can only appear as bread”
Mahatma Gandhi as Quoted by MS Swaminathan
Lastly, nobody goes to a movie shelling out thousands just for a social message which could be read cheaply in twitter (not X) or Whatsapp. I don’t think anybody reads these loong blabber logs.
These people don’t fear death. Ajay used to say “Let death come… Anything for the country”
Rang De Basanti Movie
The below story is dedicated to our Nationalist Heroes with foreign citizenship and Agnihotris suffering with (P)Files problems, who got a knack of creating an unrestive narrative out of nothing and make a living out of it.
ModduNasruddin and his wife awoke to the sound of men quarreling outside. The shouting got louder and louder.
“I’ll go see what they are quarreling about,” said Nasruddin.
He then lit a lamp and went downstairs.
His wife heard him open the front door. Almost immediately, the shouting stopped. She wondered what Nasruddin had said to stop the quarrel so quickly.
“What happened?” she asked when he came back to bed.
“When I opened the door, one of them grabbed my lamp, and then they both ran off,” Nasruddin replied. “I suppose they must have been quarreling about my lamp!”
With that said, I also differ on the perspective of SRK milking his audiences for monetary benefits. If that sounds like contradiction, which I felt too initially, just compare the Rang De Basanti dialogues with Jawan’s to get yourself convinced. As someone who is thoroughly bred on South’s vigilant movies, where a solo Hero kills an Army holding Dozens of Guns but personally end up falling on the feet of Politicians for personal survival and favours, Jawan is certainly not the one milking our emotions for any selfish interests. SRK obviously had taken a lot of pain enacting powerful stunts / energetic dance moves and the Khan couple has poured in lot of money, to justify our hard earned movie tickets. Such sincerity cannot be attributed to milking the audience emotionally, but just to establish a pan-india massy masala connect, providing justice to the narrative.
“Even now whose blood doesn’t boil, then that blood is water … the youth who doesn’t serve the country is a waste”
Rang De Basanti Movie
Quintessentially Jawan is just Pushpa fighting from another end of Justice spectrum. So, I would not be surprised at all if the entire Bollywood takes a selfie with a Government Head just before elections like 2019, after giving us sermons on Voting wisely. Are we headed by a ridiculous Government which invites Film stars for the New parliament Building inauguration cautiously ignoring the First Citizen of our Country?
“Wish they live happily forever. May the insanity and the romance never die.”
Rang De Basanti Movie
Akhand Bharat or Celebrity Bharat?
Well, the reality behind Government inviting Celebrities for New parliament inauguration is not that the Government is ridiculous, it’s just that we are ridiculous enough to hero worship Celebrities taking their endorsements seriously but underestimate our precious votes. If at all we understood our value, the 50K Crore meaningless grandeur – Kartavya Central Vista, New PM Planes and New Parliament Building just to please One man – Modi, would have been non-existent. Any government afraid / ashamed of accountability would have spent such huge sum on Governance / welfare rather egotistic / luxury edifices, rather covering themselves behind celebrity veil. We Indians are not that rich enough to be spendthrift like Modi, when we are ranked 107th out of 121 countries on Global Hunger index. India also ranks below Sri Lanka (64), Nepal (81), Bangladesh (84), and Pakistan (99). Taliban ruled war ravaged Afghanistan (109) is the only country in Global South Asia that performs worse than India on the index. Maybe our rulers thought, Viswagurus should be on starvation / diet to shine as Vishwamitra, if we ignore political Pot bellies.
When we ask so many questions buying a Mosquito coil which burns for 5 hours, Why are we not raising questions when we elect a 5 year tenured Government? It can’t be put simpler than this.
It’s our Cinema tradition that Angry Young men sell BP pills very well, then partially retire to sequence their tweets, shamelessly supporting Fascist Government, to save their Panama err.. Pan India image. Swachh Bharat? …Present Sir! Shitler hailing tweet? Sure Sir! Election time endorsement of Dictator? Done Deal Sir! Don’t know about what future holds, but only side SRK has taken is to deliver a movie with social responsibility in an entertaining manner, staying apolitical- but also being loyal to his base, asking everyone to think before they vote. In a well functioning Democracy, you are your own Superhero. Make your Opinion matter by voting responsibly. The way he delivers it, he makes us feel like DDLJ Kajol and even the Political Parties behave like Amrish Puri with an acknowledgement to voters – “Jaa Simran Jaa”. Only SRK can do this in New India!
“There’s no childhood, no adulthood. One is as grown-up as one feels.”
– DDLJ Movie
Love always looks good at least until the climax… of course whatever you think as Climax… of course our Political Amrish Puris will make sure Simrans and Rahuls don’t get away so easily, even if they board Bullet trains. There are rumours of theaters getting booked for Ugram err… Salaar, compelling the theater owners to club Salaar with Animal movie distribution. The Bollywood blackmail is such that, If screen owners choose to screen Dunki, they cannot screen Animal. I am just a Cinephile who admire any decent movie. The way we have made our Movie industry politically dirty just like BCCI at the hands of arrogant political paternity, any cinephile including me is at loss of good and healthy entertainment.
“…I Bet You Ain’t Never Seen A Donkey Fly!”
Donkey, Shrek Movie
Quotes apart, it will do a lot good for the Dunki crew if they choose to release on non-competitive January 1st week with the monthly income demography helping them out in the first few weeks. It may be healthy for the Industry too, avoiding clashes like wrestling matches out of pure political Hombale pressures and bruised hitless egoes. Just a harmless plain opinion.
Nasrudin used to take his donkey across a frontier every day, with the panniers loaded with straw. Since he admitted to being a smuggler when he trudged home every night, the frontier guards searched him again and again.
They searched his person, sifted the straw, steeped it in water, even burned it from time to time. Meanwhile he was becoming visibly more and more prosperous. Then he retired and went to live in another country.
Here one of the customs offices met him, years later. “You can tell me now, Nasrudin,” he said.“Whatever was it that you were smuggling, when we could never catch you out?”
“Donkeys,” said Nasrudin.
The Propaganda Playbook – If thought corrupts language, can language corrupt thought?
One more observation is that, the Society / State which accepts / encourages or atleast hears out opposite voices and opinions, tend to have very high social indices. One could see Movies like Parasakthi(1952) providing an entirely different perspective of then status-quo becoming a Hit in Tamilnadu. Parasakthi’s dialogue writer become a 5 time Chief Minister for his wit and wisdom and excellent administrative and organizational skills, only to be rivalled by other tinseltown stars who exploited movie psychology to the hilt creating themselves a mass persona. Such movies thrived on the open environment created by the then Rulers, acting like Barometer for the Government to gauge the public mood rather keeping them isolated and enclosed, fooling themselves on masterfully putting a lid, like kashmir crisis where silence itself is becoming a strong opposition, making BJP tremble to conduct election.
The easiest way to propagandize people is to let a propaganda theme go in through an entertainment picture when people do not realize they are being propagandized.
Elmer Davis
Happened to watch Thuramukham a brilliant but slow moving Film, making for a painful watch where the entire family of two generations toil and even die for nothing except for making a very feeble resistance, but contributing to a larger cause of “Resistance for fairness and equality”. Seems like the movie got adapted from a Stage Play which worked across Kerala prior to the movie. Thuramukham stands as a testament to what made Kerala, “God’s own Country”, where there were many Gandhi-alikes biting the bullet to empower the future generations. No wonder Kerala is scoring very high on Social indices, by keeping that culture alive.
“It’s hard to change something that has been rusty since a long time. “
Rang De Basanti Movie
Looks like BJP wanted to make a playbook out of such societal evolution through Movies and heavily investing on it luring the Top filmmakers to incorporate Hindu Pride opposing Minority Villains, though the History and fact states otherwise. While some have been inflated Hits, most of them failed to attract audience failing miserably in Box Office. Kashmir Files was a hit because it was Political, just like Jawan, though very low on facts, obfuscating History just like BJP’s fake narrative on Pandits.
Movie is just a mirror to the society. Distorting the mirror does not alter the reality especially in social media era where everything becomes an instant Meme and potently travels virally as good as the Movie. After watching a goosebump-ish actioner Vikam movie, got diffused by a simple meme which stated, Vikram is just a story of how KH saves his own Grandson by killing his entire undercover team, who managed to dodge the establishment for decades. When someone talks loud of sanatana dharma, there is a simple meme which questions whether all castes will be allowed to enter Sanctum Sanctorum or will be disallowed citing lame reasons like Agamic temples. Maybe God did not exist before agamic laws got formed by the elites.
Only time will tell if BJP can make an Hallowed achievement out of Fake narrative films without any improvement on Social Indices, on the ground, like the South accomplished with their fruitful Movie-Society nexus, in pre-internet era.
Those who are capable of tyranny are capable of perjury to sustain it.
Lysander Spooner
INDIA alliance – The Antagonist and Protagonist of the 2024-202X Elections!?
As a Congress sympathiser, the movie also made me think of their deficiencies leading to their own self destruction. Of course they were callous and Corrupt rulers. If Modi is comparable to Ravan abducting the idea of India, Congress at its best has acted like Kumbakaran, unaware of its own strengths, origins and ideologies, as if confused between Indrasan / Nidrasan. Maybe it’s because, Congress is also full of brahmanical elites just like BJP. Much credit for 2019 loss should go to the Brahman Group of Congress who were able to weaken the Party from within like termites, chanting “RIP / Om Shanti!” to the same party which allowed them to prosper. Of course there are exceptions to generalizations.
I still wonder how Modi in 2019 was so invincible then, looks pathetic now? What exactly has changed by now as Modi remains the same Mediocre Fascist Ruler helping Crony cause? Is it because half the Congress elites were busy killing Congress rather attacking BJP, secretly happy with it upholding brahmanical supremacy? Wonder how they have suddenly found a Leader in Gandhi palatable after a yatra? Wonder if they they think, walking make someone a greater Leader or it’s just a chameleonic / opportunistic sense of stars getting aligned at present?
The question that needs to be asked is whether Congress leaders, particularly those belonging to the upper caste, have had a change of heart or are overwhelmed by Rahul’s leadership qualities? After all, throughout the UPA years, particularly during 2010-2011, the caste-based census was a vexed issue, causing a lot of division and disquiet.
It is a matter of record that when the then law minister Veerappa Moily in 2010 called for the collection of caste/community data in Census 2011, his cabinet colleague and Union minister P Chidambaram had raised several “vexed questions” such as the issue of a central list of OBCs and state-specific list of OBCs and some states not having a list of OBCs.
The reasons for OBC-SC-ST social Empowerment will work for the alliance is multifold. Firstly, except for Minorities and Upper castes heavily aligned towards Congress / BJP , the rest are not amalgamated to a strong cohesive voter base fragmented by regional / casteist Parties, who may have a say in State elections but may not be so impactful in Union elections.
Secondly, it’s much better to talk about the Voters – the real vote base, than targeting Modi with “Chowkidhar Chor hai” type attacks, pushing him to cry hopelessly that no Party is mentioning him except for Himself with Modi’s guarantees. Modi’s lame defence of opposition alliance dividing Hindus with OBC quota is nothing but the case of Satan preaching Vedas, especially when he did the same division by enacting Economically weaker Section Quota exclusively reserved for upper castes.
Thirdly, Social Justice empowerment has really propelled South states with far better economic and social indices. It is very well the need of the hour. Focus could be on economically weaker sections and first generation graduates to uplift masses. This is very much similar to Indira Gandhi’s “Garibi Hatao!”, connecting with the masses.
Fourthly, Modi could come back strongly with “Chori Chori Chupke Chupke” attacks, like in 2019, making even SC spray Gangajal on him, transforming him to a holy saint winking at Kedarnath for cameras, just with a closed envelope (maybe containing secret overtures of a future BJ(M)P ) pressing for an apology from Congress in last minute. But when it comes to Social Justice plank, his only option becomes forming half baked Laws like Reservation bill to a appease his vote block., antagonizing his own loyal base of upper castes. Anyway, Merchants and SMEs are already a disgruntled base and the opposition just needs to nudge them with incentives.
Finally, this has the potential to make Congress grounded shedding its suave and elitistic outlook, a crucial factor when competing with a Maverick-PR-Beta-Modi, who could go to any extent to exhibit his connect / groundedness with stunts like cleaning the feet of sanitary workers and blowing it up with PR about it, to completely change the narrative.
More than anything else, Congress / INDIA alliance Parties are weak on creating “Political emotional Plank”. They have approached all elections objectively with Social Problems and Manifestos. With too much anti-incumbency and weaker sections getting even more weaker under BJP regime, INDIA alliance is handed out 2024 election on a Platter. Its up to them whether they will choose to be the Protagonists for next five years or Antagonists by fighting themselves for power and selfish interests. Modi might be right is calling out the next few decades as Amrit Kaal, where an United front of Asuras and Devas got divided once the mission of churning Amrit got accomplished. Now, its upto the alliance, whether they turn Indian Politics to Ganges of present or Cesspool depends on their own inactions prior elections and actions afterwards, as Indian Politics is running out of options. Apart from Congress, only few AK-types are promising but with small footprint to sway / impact Union elections. The Problem could be coming from the same mercurial and ambitious types who want to gobble up others vote blocks.
UPA brought in RTIs and Food security Bills. Wish they could have also instilled a sense of Duty / Participation among citizens for any resolution, at least a gram Sabha or signature exercise, rather just blind empowerment, making us demanding Cry babies, without realising our own accomplishments as a Nation. For making a winning narrative, Congress / INDIA alliance has a long way to go. More than usual Census and Quotas, there is a need to go beyond on empowering the socially backward. Social Justice movements are rooted movements establishing direct connect to the people. Congress is still perceived as elitist party, as Modi leverages to hit with coinages like “Lutyens elite” or “Khan market gang”, especially before elections. Unless Congress breaks it with a grounded approach like Gandhi did with Yatra and senior leaders kept a simple profile during it, it’s an uphill task for them to get the trust of the masses.
The best part of yatra – bringing out the simplicity of the Party leaders and tenacity of the Gandhis.
Can INDIA bypass Mo-Sha’s Election Jugalbandhi?
BJP scored on the participatory aspect, by successfully transforming elections to “Dramatic Hungama”, making it a sort of Masala Movie like Jawan incorporating “Nationalistic Identity” politics poking a weak Pakistan, “Social identity” politics like stealing their respective Leaders, hitting their sweet spots and gain political mileage out of it, without even doing anything for the backward masses and lastly, “Proud Personal Identity” politics with exceptional ‘Toilet -Ek Prem Katha’ level PR and Door to Door canvassing with Beneficiaries on how Modi uplifted the poor to become Zamindars who are now rich enough to clean their orifices with the milk and honey flowing through the streets, originating from Namo’s head. Modi’s real masterstrokes happens just before elections where he cools various demographics, EWS Quota for upper castes and Farmers Income for lower castes. The way he swiftly rolled out after election rout in 2018 elections marks the excellent success traits of Modi, meaning Business. The way he creates an election time euphoria among his Beneficiaries, along with a heady cocktail of identity politics of various layers, is something the opposition need to replicate, with Door to Door canvassing on guarantees, if at all they fancy any chance to usurp BJP in cow belts.
INDIA Alliance might be doing well momentarily on the emotional political plank by pitching the Caste Census, but the issue is still yet to be reach the masses with a connect like a comprehensive Quota system ( now an old tactic needing better presentation on identity politics ) or how it will benefit the masses as a Union / Demography. BJP gave a refined touch to Elitist Quota system with economically weak coating. Also, Both UPA and NDA have recruited on their own strong belts so far like Laalu making Railways a Bihar Cultural center and Modi converting Institutions as Brahmins and Cow belt exclusive domain. Regional quota for Union jobs could work well for South and other states deprived of representation, of course with its own backfiring disadvantages in the cow belt. The propaganda for 2024 may yield more benefits if tackled at both national and localized levels to suit the needs of regional aspirations.
The secondary factors like BJP’s governance failures are well addressed with guarantees, but INDIA alliance is seemingly failing on emotional “Social Justice Plank”, which has worked very well in the south states and remain one of the strong reasons for its immaculate social indices. However Modi cries about the “evils” of the Quota when its for all backward classes, linking with Minorities and Delimitation, he still remains a Culprit pushing the “economically weaker section Quota” which does not essentially include the weak SC-ST-OBC groups, making them even weaker. As RG mentioned, Modi remains as an incapable failure on conducting Caste Census, owing to his Brahmanical Political system which thrives by leeching the bottom to feed the top creamy layer.
Reducing powerful election as a “Mass Masala Political Drama”, by showering vacuous political popcorns on the voters, like Women’s reservation bill which gets cold / stale even before anyone enjoys it, is not a failure of our Political System alone. As Jawan rightly points out the root-cause, “We” as Voters have not done our Job well so far. We have invested enough on juicy celebrity gossips but not on knowing our MLA / MP / Politics. We had enough time to peel Celebrities like Onions till they are reduced to nothing, but simultaneously unaware of how crony Middlemen make huge profits by hoarding Onions. We Hopefully it’s not too late for a turnaround within us. Maybe if at all we voted responsibly our Filmmakers will be busy with making “Shah Rukh – Ken – Khan” movies. Afterall, Entertainment is just Business and they just sell what is in demand.
I’m a soldier … and I can bet my life a thousand times… but only for my country … never for people like you who sell the country
I got introduced to ARR music with Leo Coffee Music which I assume he composed bringing in a fresh ring to our ears. I am fed on a staple diet of Light Music so soft and at times energetic but mostly makes one surrender to the Composer as if on a Loved lap with head submerging into his own Musical Universe. ARR brought in a refreshing stimulation to the musical environment I was brought in. If Ilayaraja is a divine sleeping pill, ARR is a digital wakeup alarm, awakening the nerve cells. This blog is not about any panchayats. I am just trying to get few things out of my System making myself light. It’s difficult to see an Artist going through tough times due to tough situations.
Even simple Yelelelo Ailesa sounded so western with ARR’s chorus in Jeans. When ARR was bringing in his genius, there were also other composers who gave us Gaanas unearthed from folks and my adolescent turned out to be musical medley of sorts, which keeps playing in my mind for long. The difference ARR provided is such that, when other Composers fed us simple and soulful Mother’s recipes, ARR opened up a Multi cuisine Restaurant dishing out different stimulating menus with each Album making me at least a dumb version of Music Student learning to understand on pushing own boundaries for the sake of my own listening goodness. Personally, I still like the formative stages of ARR in his first decade which fused up everything but still tasted Indian. Maybe as a Student I am far behind on grasping his Universe. ARR is well aware of such observations and rightly addresses such perspectives as generational gap.
There is a lot of controversy happening around the latest concert at Chennai. Though initially it looked like a poorly managed and organized Concert, it’s gettings it’s own political tones with vested interests Jumping around to achieve political milestones. This write-up is more as a Layman and not to come up with any political undertones. Let’s try to answer ourselves on Why and How of the Concert failures and why we are allowing such things to happen… always.
The Concert seemed to be poorly organized even for basics like Parking facilities with poor accessibility through just two parallel roads without any access to mass transit system. The location itself seems like a “Cheap” choice by the Organizer. Add to it the callousness of inadequate and poorly skilled “Volunteers” rather professionals to help out Audience. Even the seating Organization seemed cramped up without any regulating system like a Zoo cage. With the prior cancelled Concert, the concert goers might have noticed similar observations on inadequate arrangement. Similar mishaps have happened with their ARR Coimbatore concert too where the audience broke the barricades entering restricted areas. Maybe the Concert Organizer might have thought it’s just a matter of printing Tickets and leave everything else to ARR to mesmerize the crowd and cover up their own shortcomings.
I still don’t know how someone could oversell the ticket counts. Maybe they could have partly increased the audience count to cope up for the losses due to cancelled concert. But, the way its organized from the start, it sounds like a “money scam” by the Organizer rather an actual concert. The gender crimes mentioned around the concert makes it a complete failure and breakage of trust and confidence we have with ARR’s integrity. Ironically, ARR talks about the moment of losing trust of his listener on an Organizer’s youtube video released just before the Concert. Maybe it’s just coincidence or his instinct warning him in advance. One could sense his (edited out) frustration to get rid of the concert as its nagging with issues. ARR also talks about a shot in Maamannan where Vadivelu goes through Humiliation and looking towards his son for redemption. Hmmm…
I have personally attended ARR concert during his Baba scoring times and what a satisfying concert it was. The Sound system in the stadium was excellent and ARR and Blaze churned out lively music along with other Stalwarts and it was such a delight to the senses. I could still remember Sivamani wearing a Drum like T-Shirt and dancing around electrifying the audience. It was completely different from the Light music shows I was used to so far. All credits to ARR! The Concert sounds completely different from where you are seated. The far it gets livelier and merrier. You can check youtube live recordings of his concert and infer on your own. The tone of the concert has evolved a lot for last few decades. Now it’s more peppy with less of melody giving a Discotheque flavour. Maybe ARR is right about generational gaps and young ones breaking barricades instead of records… again.
So, ARR is quite right when he opines its 90% success form the concert execution point of view and makes himself responsible as People crowded there just for him and not for any greedy organizer guzzling money on his name. But the real question is from the organizing point of view, ARR is a GOAT for sure but whether he is a Bakra is still a question to ponder on. The entire concert is his own decision starting from the poor choice of venue till the Organizational aspects of it.
ARR being ARR has understood his faults and has initiated refunds for the people affected. Money alone could not buy peace of Mind for sure. But, from ARR’s point of view he is completely at loss from all sides due to his poor judgement and choices. More than money he has made his Concert Organizing skills doubtful. It’s quite tough time to go through, for an Artist who has given us a lot of love and IP assets for so long, ruining his reputation owing to his Management shortfalls. Let’s keep this in Mind, ARR is a genius Mastreao. But, He is not an Event Organizer. The buck should stop with his poor judgement and allowing such an inferior concert to happen under his watch and most of the blame should go to the Event Organizer.
It’s very heartbreaking to see people getting mishandled both by the Organizers and the unruly Mob leveraging the situation to their advantage. This has happened primarily due to overselling of tickets. Whatever lame reasons the Organizers produce on their behalf this is a criminal offence in First World standards. Unfortunately, we are third World like US cop explained audaciously, as our lives being just worthy of few Dollars for our petty human value. Now, why did this Cop made such a comment? Sadly, if I would have died on accident in India, I will not even be worthy of even those dollars. Ask people who suffered on Riots? Personally, there was an accident in Chennai where my Middle finger got almost cut off at GST road, organized by a criminal On-call-Driver who was giving me problems from the start that he was not interested in Driving at all. I had to drive him the whole way. He stopped the car midway and asked me to check the engine on a busy GST road and while closing the door I was hit by a Van. While I was rushing towards the Hospital on car packing my finger, the Van driver followed me and scolded me as overspeeding is not his fault. I should have filed complaint against both the Drivers. But you know how our Police works!
Let’s contrast that with western world situation, When I had hit and scratched a rear Car bumper in US, I had to follow SOP, pull my car to kerb and give my insurance details for the victim to claim and undergo any other police proceedings. We will remain third world not just on economy but in terms of Human value also as long as we don’t regard ourselves with dignity and self respect. So far how the Tamilnadu Government brushed aside such grave allegations as “normal” aberrations shows what we are…Poor Third World! It actually takes Political VIPs to get humiliated in our country to even do a harmless transfer of the people who should be answerable. Hmm… But we are proud G20 Leaders. Our pride will be restored when the US cop apologizes and the same pride will remain unwounded even if multiple molestations happen in the crowded concerts.
To understand ARR’s side we need to see how he reacted for a concert accident involving his Son AR Ameen. Let’s question ourselves who would be answerable if ARR or his Kin suffer for some Organizer’s mistake with a stage mishap? Upholding his integrity, ARR reacted to both the situations involving a possible grave accident to his Son and mismanagement of his Concert, in a similar pattern. You could see clear laments on the lack of infrastructure / people not following rules. Painfully, it sounds like ARR and Concert Audience are on the same Plane getting beaten up on Professional front for no fault of theirs, except for their decisions to organize concert or buy tickets. This is not to defend ARR, but Poor ARR could only be blamed for hiring such a greedy Organizer and everything illegal should have taken its course with the evil Concert Organizer, lawfully. But unfortunately, even the TN government is trying to hush this up as ARR is involved, rather acting on the Organizer, ending up damaging ARR even more. Overselling of tickets is a criminal offence and they have not even bothered to pay Corporation tax on Concert tickets. How can we leave such people escape unscathed when they have inflicted such miseries on us?
I do carry the risk of being insensitive and supportive to ARR. We are allowed to bark at the wrong tree just because it yields fruits, but unless otherwise, we punish the abuser who actually hit us with a cane, we will never progress further. Concerts / ARR are going to be there in future. Only our habits to question the wrong things and moving towards positive resolution will help us in the long run. Why don’t we make a video of such molesters and help identify the Culprits? Why don’t we ask right questions at the Organizer and capture their apathy. I have seen hours of concert on Youtube but why not videos on the issues to tackle it later or atleast name and shame as SM is good at that?
Let’s hope better sense prevails over our community as a whole and focus on taking the Organizer to task rather distorting ourselves with political agenda. As Public it’s our choice whether to make scapegoats out of Celebrities without root cause analysis or let proper Justice prevail over so that we have better concerts and our Kith and Kin are safe attending such concerts.
Of late, Many of the political leaders in South are going southwards, through the incognito Psy-Ops by RSS-BJP. For example, closing the temple even before the closing time on days like Birthdays or Year openings could be negatively draining energy… only if we don’t let god reside in our Hearts. In the same way, the Printer malfunction while printing God could demoralise the Leader if he starts seeing it as ominous sign. Intermittent power problems during crucial ceremonies while pivoting towards a major victory, could be a major dampener, with energy getting derailed through such negative thoughts. If someone takes peace that their house is still not flooded, one can always flood it by running an SUV to and fro, causing the ripples to enter the house.
Fear of unknown is a potent weapon to weaken the Opposition inwardly rather painstaking political efforts to ruin. What ED could achieve with few months of efforts, could be done easily through a Psy-Op. BJP and Shah are master of Psy-Ops. Such gaslighting activities could be easily branded as one’s paranoia or imagination. The real desired outcome here is not about diagnosing the issue, but coming up stronger than before, ignoring such silly signs. For example its very difficult to defeat Siddaramaiah with such bad omens as he thrashes out all superstitions with a Helicopter shot.
When Greed is a bottomless Pit
Liquor Minister Senthil Balaji is that TASMAC Martini lynchpin, shaking and stirring DMK nowadays. Senthil Balaji’s ED case is just another BJP’s crooked modus operandi of doing a Sanjay Raut, silencing and making the opponent dysfunctional before the crucial elections. The idea is not to punish the supposed culprit, but to deprive him of the strength to do anything useful for next few years and subsequently weakening and taming him towards nothingness. Since they are key persons with direct influences with their Leaders, they could easily affect the morale of their Leaders, making them doubting Thomases and thereby making the cadre directionless.
The only very marked difference between the average civilized man and the average savage is that the one is gilded and the other is painted. – Mark Twain
BJP has many such successful operations on destroying opponent’s careers. While some like Biscuit Sarma have emerged as winners, by joining BJP, to escape on their corruption charges, the political rise is mainly due to lack of other capable leaders in BJP. Mostly, it’s going to be a complete ruin for the people booked, by neutralising them. Senthil Balaji might win this acid test and establish himself as a strong Leader ( temporarily at DMK ) or might fall back on his weakness and get reduced towards oblivion, like silent and ineffective Sanjay Raut, whose only asset was strategy and firing salvos at BJP rather grass-root politics. The truth is that none of these cases will go through the test of judiciary, it’s just the mockery of Judiciary and democracy, making the conviction process as punishment.
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
Buddha
The interesting Use case of Senthil Balaji as a Careerist Politician.
I am cinephile and when I was doing my graduation, I used to do Beggar Engineering to collate funds for movie going. I used to collect 1 or 2 Rupee and not strictly more than that as the donor will remember the debt, even if I forget purposefully, to make around 7 Rupee for a ticket. One of my good friend verbally slapped me up by asking a simple question when I was performing my engineering research on beggary.
“How much you want?”
“7 Rupees”
“Here is 10 Rupees. Now don’t do this…”
And I reduced this stuff and at least stopped begging with him afterwards.
Senthil Balaji’s career progression is a very colourful one, if you count on the flags he got affiliated to. He is a very efficient Politician capable of impressing his Masters through his assured deliverance, on whatever asked for. In Jayalalitha’s period where there was extensive focus on creating the populistic Amma Brand, he came up with ‘Amma Water’ offering 10 Rupees water bottle, a scheme which touched upon masses on their thoughtfulness. Now Senthil Balaji is busy collecting 10 rupees extra per Liquor bottle, to please his present Masters. It was a great career slide from being a respectful donor to a pathetic beggar. It’s a novel scientific corruption where the scam is so miniscule it is invisible but gets huge like rain drops creating floods. We need to see the proportion of this scam from the perspective, where Drunkards of TN are the modern day Tyagis fuelling the TN government engine contributing to the chunk of its revenue at the expense of their own Livers.
Ramanujam ‘Ambi’ : [as Anniyan] Is it wrong to steal 5 paisa?
Chockalingham: Doesn’t seem very wrong.
Ramanujam ‘Ambi’ : [as Anniyan] Is it wrong if you steal 5 paisa, 5 crore times?
Chockalingham: Seems to be wrong…
Ramanujam ‘Ambi’ : [as Anniyan] Is it wrong to steal from 5 crore people 5 paisa, 5 crore times?
Chockalingham: Seems to be very wrong…
Ramanujam ‘Ambi’ : That’s what’s happening here.
Anniyan Movie dialogue by Sujatha
On a latest development, a Police SI thrashed a loyal customer of TASMAC, the Government’s own Liquor shoppe for raising the same concern audible to the Cop. Such is the cruel reality for people who try to escape reality by drinking. I could relate with it as I do pray peacefully at temples to escape reality and fantasise a great future, only to be brought back to reality with the street beggars at the gate, some even block the passage and threaten as if they are pickpockets in disguise.
Apart from 10 Rupee acrobatics, SB also innovated on automated Liquor vending Machine, so that DMK Government could stand proud of keeping TN people in eternal liquor flavoured blissful ignorance, deriving richness out of it. Evidently, Senthil Balaji is just a Proxy for his powerful masters, as the 10 rupee begging scam keeps happening even after Ministerial change. Incidentally, ED arrested him for a financial scam happened during Jayalalithaa’s regime as a bait for much bigger DMK prize, a making in progress.
Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it. – Mark Twain
DMK and Corruption are conjoined twins?
Apart from Senthil Balaji, DMK has a reputation for being most corrupt in their past regimes. Maybe corruption is in their DNA. You can check the wretched roads and other public work constructions for yourself to understand why DMK has not learnt a lesson so far on improving their public perception. When such poor road issues occurred during Jayalalithaa’s regime, she just ensured the contractors rectify along with blacklisting options, instantly changing the public perspective on her regime. But, DMK awards contracts to the habitual offenders providing substandard service in civil supplies, medical supplies, PWD contracts and what not… as if its their birthright to be corrupt.
CM does not have to be a sleepless dictator to achieve a clean image, he just needs to be attentive, genuinely benevolent and “portray” as Man of action, rather assuming pointless PR blitz will save him out, as if being impressed by Modi winning with one-eyed meditation at Kedarnath, when in actuality Amit Shah was the one doing the poll and EVM dirty work in background. Karnataka elections provide a nice warning for DMK’s next State election if at all they aspire for next term.
Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.
Mark Twain
Why DMK should not be worried but get more Industrious
With that above said statement, DMK is not doing great on Politics as they did in opposition. They are slowly sliding down on the People’s support and perspective of invincible Leader, with their chronic corruption and limitless greed, falling into the bottomless pit of power and arrogance.
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
Mark Twain
MKS has established himself as an Administrator par excellence handling COVID and other civic services efficiently. So,why DMK is sliding with such a good Leadership? At least to me, it lies on the way DMK as an entity, not establishing itself as a welfarist or people friendly Brand, like Jayalalitha did. Refer to the use case of how Senthil Balaji got utilised in different regimes. When “Amma”, asked a question to Tamilnadu, “Do you want to choose Modi or this Lady?” for PM-ship, Tamilnadu voted enmasse, trouncing even the Modi’s synthetic anti-corruption wave in 2014. The “Amma Brand” was not built on a day. It was slowly and meticulously cultivated among the people with social welfare schemes aiming top notch social indices. DMK needs such a winning treatment and they have partially succeeded in last two years on this path, but needs more efforts, to create its own invincible welfarist brand. People’s amnesia doesn’t differentiate between Government’s deeds and sins
It is noble to teach oneself, but still nobler to teach others—and less trouble. – Modi Twain
There existed a genuine benevolence and care from Amma for the TN people, who could connect with her on her bold stances like GST , Uday and alliances, never betraying State’s interest for her selfishness. The historic Jallikattu protest could also be seen from the prism of people’s search for a qualified Leader after Amma’s demise. DMK as such seems like a greedy entity, having starved of power for a decade. They have inadvertently, built a corrupt image, mimicking their proven past track record. They did not mind helping themselves with course corrections or welfare schemes. In the last two years, hypothetically, Jayalalitha would have at least come up with 10 marquee schemes / goodies and more clinics, to treat people suffering from Amma Sticker fatigue. She was so efficient that all her schemes had good implementation quality, just like those omnipresent stickers.
Let’s also keep in mind MKS came to power because ADMK’s EPS bartered Tamilnadu to secure his dummy power, after Amma’s unfortunate demise, betraying the State’s interest to secure his selfish interests, like GST, Uday and alliances, flipping on the same issues Amma principally stood otherwise. Given the scenario, atleast, I looked upon MKS as Potential Leader who could take forward Amma’s legacy, rather Kalaignar’s Status-quoist track record, building up strong anti-incumbency, trying to somehow compensate with his witticisms and wisdom.
Never tell the truth to people who are not worthy of it.
Mark Twain ( on EPS? )
Maybe, All you need is just Love… and a bit of money
It’s high time the first family stay themselves clear of such corruption charges, as BJP will target their kith and kin for sure and the game is already on. This is the real Vratham they should try if they are really serious about their political survival. Corruption cases are just a ploy to keep DMK main switch off just like they paralysed UPA-2 Government making them dysfunctional, indecisive and ineffective. The perfect antidote would be to come up with double the force, ignoring the catcalls from weaklings posted at rest houses, other magic spy show comedians and rabidly arrogant social Media already captured by BJP for direct hit Jobs on Ministers and cadre, so as to directly interface with the public.
Alas! Much like Rafale Fighter, ED – CBI’s multi role fighting capabilities are only limited to Opposition.
If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.
Mark Twain
Now Greed is not the sole property of any particular organization or individual. We all are member of the greedy fraternity in one way or another, only the scale of greediness differs. Osho narrates a story on human greed. Remember Humans evolved as a species who could mate / breed across all seasons or years unlike “other” animals who have a specific breeding season.
I have heard… God is making all the creatures of the earth and is giving out sex lives to each animal.
First he turns to the human. “I am giving you ten years of a good sex life,” says God. The man’s face falls. “Is that all?” he asks.
“I only have so much to go around, fella,” says God. He then turns to the monkey and says, “I’m giving you twenty years of a good sex life.”
The monkey says, “Oh, I don’t really need that much. Ten years would be more than enough for me.” The man, standing nearby, overhears this and says excitedly, “I will take it! I will take those extra ten years.”
“All right,” says God. “You got it.” He then turns to the fox. “I’m going to give you twenty years of good sex life.” The fox replies, “You know, God, I really think I would be happier with just ten.”
The man starts hopping up and down. “I will take them! I will take the other ten years!” “You can have them,” says God to the man.
He turns to the donkey and says, “Now, I am going to give you twenty years of a good sex life. Is that alright with you?” “To tell you the truth,” says the donkey, “I would also be satisfied with just ten.” God gives the man the other ten years too.
This story explains why a man has ten years of a good sex life, ten years of monkeying around, ten years of lying about it, and then ten years of making an ass out of himself.
We are not satisfied with anything, and we go on asking for more, and we go on making our life more of a confusion.
— Osho
How about Getting popular… for guarantees rather on their corruption habit
DMK could do course correction on governance front, with periodic populous schemes. The INR 1000 incentive for women is one such scheme, but they should have offered themselves some more timeframe to iron out the teething issues, rather jumping down just few months before elections, sounding opportunistic. The major problem is… it cannot be given to everyone, thus dividing people into happy and angry demography. They could leverage the crisis, positioning it as Incubator / Trailer with more coverage to everyone after 2024 Wins.
Also, DMK is also not doing itself big favours themselves as middle class and poor people friendly government with reckless hikes. They have deprived themselves of moral right to call BJP as Tax Traitors with their own absurdities, especially before the crucial 2024. They could mend few things by coming up with monthly electricity bills and other tax sops, which does not seem to be of near possibility, but at least as a guaranteed and dated promises after 2024 win.
The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
Mark Twain
[ Update 26th September 2023
As promised DMK rolled out its Monthly stipend scheme for One Crore Women, a welcome move. Happened to read a touching Post on the Stipend scheme, how it could mean a lot esepcially for the Rural women at Aval Vikatan.
வெறும் ஒரு ரூபாய் பத்தாம அடுத்த பஸ்க்கு 2 மணி நேரம் பிள்ளைகள வச்சுட்டு நின்னு இருக்கேன். அழற பொண்ணுக்கு பால் இல்லாம வரக்காப்பியில பிஸ்கட் தொட்டு ஊட்டியிருக்கேன். கோயிலுக்குப் போனா 2 ரூபாய் காணிக்கை போட முடியாம வெறுங்கையில தொட்டுக் கும்பிட்டு வந்திருக்கேன். உள்ளூர் கோயில் விசேஷத்துல 40 ரூபாய் வளையலும் 10 ரூபாய் பாசியும் வாங்கிக்கொடுக்க காசில்லாம, `ரொம்பக் கூட்டத் துல போனா காய்ச்சல் வந்துரும்டா, நாளைக்கு போவோம்’னு ரெண்டு நாள் கழிச்சி வெறுங்கோயில சுத்திக் காட்டிருக்கேன். 10 மைல் போக வேண்டிய ஒரு வேலைக்கு டி.வி.எஸ் வண்டியை எடுத்துட்டுப் போய், 3 மைல்லயே பெட்ரோல் காலி ஆகி, 30 ரூபாய் இல்லாம மிச்சம் 7 மைலும் வண்டியத் தள்ளிட்டு நடந்துருக்கேன்.
அடுத்த ஊர் கோயில் விசேஷத்துக்கு 200 ரூபாய் கடன வாங்கி வச்சுட்டு, `வாங்கடா போவோம்’னு கூப்பிட்டா, ஏம்மா அங்க வேண் டாம்மா… அடுத்த வருஷம் நம்ம ஊருக்கு நோம்பி வரும்போது அந்தப் பாசிய வாங்கிக் கொடுங்க’னு கேட்ட மகளைப் பார்த்து கதறி அழுதுருக்கேன். நல்லதா துணி பொம்பளப் பிள்ளைக்கு வாங்க முடியாம, என் பையன் டவுசர் சட்டைய போட்டே 5 வருஷம் வளர்த்தேன். `எங்கம்மா டெய்லி ரசம் வச்சு சோறாக்குது’னு சொன்ன புள்ளயப் பார்த்து விடிய விடிய அழுதுருக்கேன். செருப்பு அறுந்து போனா கூட பின்னூசி போட்டு கால்ல கிழிச்சுட்டு நடந்தும் இருக்கேன். சோறு வடிச்ச தண்ணில சர்க்கரைய போட்டு, பாலுன்னு ஏமாத்தி தர்ற அம்மாவ உங்களுக்குலாம் தெரியுமா?
இப்பிடி ஆயிரம் கஷ்டத்த அடுக்கிட்டே போலாம். ஆனா, இப்ப 100 மடங்கு தாண்டி வந்துட்டேன். நல்லா இருக்கேன். அவ்ளோ உழைச்சும் இருக்கேன். ஆனா, இதையெல்லாம் தாண்டாத எத்தனையோ பெண்கள் இன்னும் கிராமம், நகரம்னு எல்லா பக்கமும் இருக்காங்க. அவங்களுக்கு இந்த 1000 ரூபாய் ரொம்பப் பெருசு தான். எனக்கும் பெருசுதான் இப்பவும். இந்த நேரத்துல அந்த ரூபாயில, ஏதோ ஒரு மூலையில யாரோ ஒரு பொண்ணு 1 கிலோ அரிசி வாங்கி தன் பிள்ளைக்கு சோறாக்கி ஊட்டியிருக்கலாம்.
But it also aggravated grievances among Public, where there were atrocious comments on How a woman got rejected because she had a Four-Wheeler in possession – A Wheelchair. DMK will do a lot good for itself, if it could add few tens of Lakhs of Women before elections, along with a grievance redressal system which at least hears them out promising at some time frame, so as to not to alienate its own prospective beneficiaries.
“What I am trying to cultivate is not blind optimism… but radical hope.”
Junot Diaz
End of Update]
DMK is not just failing on Image…
Sometimes it looks like DMK thinks, they could solve their corrupt and rough image with just PR bursts and capturing movie industry for soft propaganda. What good… acting as a Reel Social Justice Hero will do when the reality is that DMK is incapable of delivering justice to people who mixed excreta in dalit water tank, harassing the same ones ill fated to drink that, just fearing for vote bank politics. This also applies to other notable protests triggered on social issues, serving as a blot on DMK’s governance.
The modus operandi of DMK Government seems to be more of suppressing the actual issue rather resolving it with Justice and do a cool makeover with PR. So, it’s more than coincidence that Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Maamannan indeed inadvertently worked as a tribute to Jayalalitha on her real social justice deeds, rather uplifting any of DMK’s Leaders. Maybe the real self respect lies with not getting sold for pettiness of crores and real social justice prevails in acting with genuine social concerns rather expecting the dreamy cinema pill will chemically change things to their advantage in people’s brains. People have long been awakened to be swayed by digital dreams and look for real-life Superheroes like the one they saw with Chennai rains disappearing on the roads like magic of late, but more often.
Honor is a harder master than law.
Mark Twain
DMK is not just failing on Corruption
Former Finance Minister PTR might be a person of integrity, efficiency and knowledge, but he has simply brought down the Government with his fiscal policies, just like Senthil Balaji proxied on corruption. Fiscal Crisis situation needs out of the box solutions rather long term results. The Problem is if DMK invests on long term schemes like education, there is a very good probability of getting extinct in BJP’s propaganda blitzkrieg, even before they could start reaping the dividends. DMK need to work out short term plans before and after 2024 Wins as Guarantees with committed dates. If DMK misses this opportunity people may not trust them as they did before on their promises, as DMK seem half-hearted on their commitments so far in public perspective. The defence of having accomplished 80% does not hold water when they have fell back on crucial promises like cash incentives, which is proportionally high on quantum of promises the visible factors on the presence of good governance connecting to people/beneficiary’s hands – incentives / civic facilities, for which they ultimatelygot elected.
The lack of money is the root of all evil.
Mark Twain ( When talking about the Poor not the Powers )
When absolute power met absolute arrogant fool.
If DMK is the case of power corrupts, BJP is the absolute case of absolute power corrupts absolutely. What else can we infer when we got a PM who is busy greeting foreign compatriots in USA when a State of India is burning in utter lawlessness. It’s as if real indians only exist abroad rather in India, just like trains are only for “proud and rich Vande Bharatis” with shrinking unreserved train compartments for the poor. I am now numb wondering why BJP thrusts saffron down to our throats, be it Cricket gears or trains, as it’s just a colour. If a Minister justifies Saffron as a National flag colour, why not green equally leveraged as it is equally proportionate to saffron be it on our National flag or BJP Flag? It’s just their psych0-loo-gical stinky ploy to indicate their fancied permanence(?). BJP could learn a simple lesson on “Power PR” by searching for Amma Brand and Sticker in last 7 years.
Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option – Mark Twain
BJP’s saffron silliness apart, it’s major contribution to its poll victories comes by decimating the opposition not in Polls, but by destroying opposition Leaders employing central agencies and making them at least partially succumb to the third degree psychological harassment. It’s pretty evident in Senthil Balaji’s case. I am not trying to justify the supposed corruption or the pretty evident overstepping of his corrupt Ministership even to the level of begging 10 Rupees from miserable drunkards, trying to escape the grave realities by drinking or atrocious power hikes without stemming the corruption or electricity leaks, to please his Masters. But the way he got treated, wounding his head due to mishandling of ED authorities and harsh questioning borders on unjustifiable harassment and intimidation rather intended investigation.
Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising. – Mark Twain
What the overzealous Central Government agencies along with a restless Governor at Rest house did to Senthil Balaji does not have any semblance of decency or ethics or even a Union Governance we could look upto. We have reduced the Union Governance to plain rowdyism, initially with the cadre, empowering them to lynch people and now to Union agencies doing the same – preying like vultures on the opposition, just by voting BJP to power twice. Badly enough, BJP have so far been victorious by psychologically destructing the opposition leaders, with no one mounting a resistance so far, but surrendering meekly to their excesses.
I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn’t know – Mark Twain
All opposition does… it leverages the weak Judiciary, stumbling to hope on their rational judgements, rather street level resistance or giving it back to the arrogant cadre who seeded the rowdy governance. Ideally, DMK should have given them back on Arudhra scam and other Criminal investigations on top BJP Leaders. But they got quite satisfied arresting BJP’s petty rowdies handpicked by Union Minister Murugan in his tenure.
Strangely or tacitly(?), MKS has kept quite on many other BJP / Sangh and its leaders’ excesses in Tamilnadu. While it could be a cautious move not to create another violent Bengal, It’s sounds like a Union Vs State chess game where the State plays a single meek move sacrificing its pawn, for every 4 atrocious moves of Union Government. Somehow, BJP has executed the art of rendering Opposition Governments dysfunctional by inducing fear and paranoia, to perfection. Its like somebody hits your bike from a car from behind and then warns you of further dangers rather getting afraid of their own criminal act. Such psychological ploys actually works for the moment but staying as a prisoner of fear is our own choice.
I did not attend his funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.
Mark Twain
Karunanidhi would have handled it much better by giving them back in a nuanced manner hitting them where it hurts rather acting virtuous. Politics boils down to nothing without trump cards. Congress learnt a tough lesson by not resisting BJP’s excesses when its Senior Leaders like Chidambaram got arrested. Unfortunately, they emboldened BJP with their meekness, allowing BJP to march on till RG’s house. Contrast that with CAA stir or Farmer protest orchestrated by ordinary people. BJP will not even dream about enforcing them for next few elections. Problem is, Rowdies, even if they call themselves Chanakyas, just understand only their own uncouth street language.
I played chess with him and would have beaten him sometimes only he always took back his last move, and ran the game out differently – Mark Twain
Who will get the 2024 political fruit – the Party rounder Ajit Pawar or All rounder Sharad Pawar.
Sharad Pawar is the latest victim of such Psy-Ops, where his near and dear political partners, were employed to destruct him, by questioning when he will retire or quit politics, as if others in the Party, who don’t even have half the wit and wisdom of Pawar, never age, without realising the age cycle will hit them harder than SP . I still doubt if these half-wits are the ones Pawar trusted to be his Lieutenants – the backstabbing Brutus-es who enjoyed back to back political posts with the Senior Pawar’s “pragmatic” backing, laughing at the rare opposition unity getting forged, ignorant of it’s political quantum and promise.
Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t. – Mark Twain
Making a composite Opposition framework with so many stalwarts who have stamped their mark in their respective regions, with many standing on individual strengths and meritful governance rather fake Hindutva and RSS, by itself is an achievement. Assembling these aspiring strong ego-heads together and levelling up with each Meeting on the narrative with consensus is a very rare spectacle at least in New India. But, this is just a beginning. The regional Satraps could add their weight at few zones, but Congress as a major game player is lacking the shrewdness of Amit Shah in 2014, who cleverly leveraged “Look North-east” trying to infiltrate new territories. Things move forward in Congress only when the Gandhis make a move.
Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest. – Mark Twain
Even now BJP is gearing up Zonal campaigns with ten individual heads, never failing to make an effort even if they fail. But, Congress still seems to be basking in the glory of Bharat Jodo Yatra. Though health of RG is a concern, Congress could level up with their next Motorized campaign blitz, rather physically exerting themselves, focusing on BJP strongholds where it will compete directly with them. Congress needs Gandhis at all levels to galvanize the Cadre and its supporters to pose a threat to BJP’s toxic narrative.
Gandhis are the real National heavyweights who could compete with Modi brand, though BJP would spends thousands of Crores to make everyone feel otherwise. Modi’s anger, tearing on the Opposition meet betrays his aggressive posture and thoroughly shaken his conviction that unflinching ED-CBI-Beat opposition Leaders to Pulp-Rowdyism will win him through, only getting worse with Sonia Gandhi’s intervention on the alliance and stitching up even juvenile tantrum throwing but promising kid on the block – AAP. Congress is still leaving up Northeast, Orissa, Telangana and AP as a 150+ seat loophole for BJP to penetrate without any resistance.
Let’s hope new “INDIA” gets more inclusive with other prominent Parties just before elections, stepping up with incremental shocks to BJP. As MKS wisely states everytime, it’s not about who wins the election, but it’s about who must not win for better India! A soft amicable posturing CM turning to a strong adversary is not something Modi could digest. Looks like Mo-Sha somehow miscalculated DMK with their experience on ADMK’s no questions asked servility. DMK may be corrupt, but they are still quite democratic with their shame intact unlike EPS led ADMK along with amazing ability to course correct with crisis.
Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well... – Mark Twain.
Contrast this picture with the above Yatra. It’s pretty painful to write about Manipur, if you imagine as Father getting killed helplessly and your kids getting mobbed mercilessly, Brother getting killed while defending his Sister going through humiliation .
Reports point to State Sponsored terrorism and multiple such incidents swept under carpet by the enforcement with internet blanket bans. There were communal riot symptoms / preparations by seizing tribal Kukis’ weapons long before the riots started. Not sure if this yet another BJP’s Majoritarian Polarisation Laboratory work or something they are happy to keep burning as it suits their polarisation tactics.
It’s not just National shame. It’s actually Modi’s utter shame, if he has any, who had enjoyed 7 State Dinners abroad, while Manipur was burning.
It’s even more pathetic when BJP defends it cruelly – such vulgarities happen in Opposition ruled states too. So few stray incidents somewhere else provide license for non-stop lawlessness for months, making it legal and permissible with their Double vulgar Governments? The Cartoon has a caption in tamil, translating to “Show People”, poking at the Leaders of the pseudo Republic of Event Management..
If you thought the men who were seen gleefully molesting a woman of the rival community as an act of revenge were inhuman brutes, I would say that those political leaders who created these brutes are the bigger monsters.
It’s the same brand of politics that the ruling party is playing at the national level. Consolidate one community, isolate the rest, and retain power. Let Manipur be a mirror of what that can lead to.
Worse, Violence has found a place as a legitimate political tool in this moment of entrenched majoritarian politics, where violence is used to systematically discredit opposition and critique. The routine use of the troll army to name-call and often threaten dissent with physical harm normalises fear, makes violence an acceptable form of political activity, and successfully discredits demands for accountability by legitimising State complicity in these acts.
Finally, the horror in Manipur also lays bare the consequences of stoking majoritarian politics. The hate it unleashes strips society of all its humanity. That women’s bodies are casualties of war is a well-known, harsh reality. It should worry us that it takes a heinous crime of this nature to jolt us out of our complacency. We really have to ask hard questions of ourselves as a nation, a society and a polity. How much violence are we willing to tolerate? And who then are we as a people, a nation, a democracy?
It’s actually quite heartening, some of the bold journalism / opinion on Manipur is done by magnificent Women, including Swati Maliwal, while “seasoned” media and newsprint editors /owners still enjoy the sour after-taste of bootlicking their Political masters, busy in the making of Manipur as just another majoritarian conquest.
“Except for one or two cases, there are no arrests in other cases? The investigation is so lethargic. There has been a delay in filing FIRs, no arrests. For the past two months, has the situation not been conducive for even recording the statements of the victims,” CJI Chandrachud asked.
“The state police is incapable of investigation. They have lost control. There is absolutely no law and order… There has been an absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery in Manipur for the past two months,” an angry Chief Justice said.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that crimes against women are taking place in all parts. You cannot excuse what is taking place in one part of the country, like Manipur, on the ground that similar crimes are happening in other parts too… Are you saying protect all daughters of India or don’t protect anyone,” the CJI had asked when a lawyer had brought up crimes against women in Bengal, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
The above quote was a beautiful googly from the CJI. It also exposes the real handicap even with the United opposition. Except for few wise quips from Kharge, none has been able to deliver a convincing and news generating retort to the Government’s narrative, like the CJI killed the whole of Modi’s lame whataboutery argument, making his unconvincing meaningless whines even more difficult on August 10. I am sure Modi being the greatest grave digger, will be digging all around to show him as better alternative among the brutal dictators. 1983 is Boring and minion stuff… How about Genghis Khan? Maybe someone will get cooled off through back channels, but the damage to BJP’s stupid narrative is already beautifully done. Now, it’s up to the Opposition to do a better Job than CJI.
With Great Power comes Greater Corruption.
So, Pawars and Patels are not just laughing at Opposition, but also at us for being so weak in questioning the accountable authorities of Peace and ethical governance. These political Jokers are making brutal jokes on us, at our expense, after handsomely looting the State’s exchequer and hiding behind the BJP-ED’s corrupt washing Machine. Coming back to Sharad Pawar’s Psy-op miseries, Indian Politics is always about today’s arrogant atrocities and laughs getting translated to future political miseries and today’s miseries of common men struggling to make ends meet, getting translated to future fortunes. There are also good chances of Pawar being an eternal wily fox balancing between the Rulers and Opposition, citing “Practicality”. One can never discount Pawar’s ability to translate scandals and scum to fragrant political dividends like a civet cat.
The after-effects of being every politician’s pragmatic valentine…
His nephew is not a capable leader who thought loud of filling a dam by urinating, currently sinking his own party in utter stink. It’s a wonder how the pillarless wonder, gathered his wherewithal to split and stand on his own, emulating political-self-suiciding Maharashtra’s Mission Impossible Man Eknath Shinde. It’s like being a fool… twice, actually thrice, if you add his midnight masala type gossipy swearing-in performance. The future situation of Fadnavis is even more miserable. He has taken all sorts of revenge on Maharashtra now and the only moment left is for the people of Maharashtra taking ultimate revenge on him, sinking him deep into oblivion.
Chess with Civet Cat– Possibilities Vs Practicality
So Senior Pawar is always a wait and watch, seemingly bruised and cornered lone fox and it is going to be quite interesting 2024 at least in the Maharashtra Boxing rink.
The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.
Mark Twain
There is an end to everything, and the end begins again by beating back from where it all begun
If at all there are people who could give it back to BJP on their own Psy-Ops, it’s just boils down to Nitish Kumar and Sharad Pawar. Congress scions just endure it like Buddha and other regional leaders walk on the balancing rope till it hurts them, afraid of trespassing BJP’s supremedom, ego-massaging Modi. More than any other Political leader, BJP would have realised by now its reaching the end of Psy-Ops game with the dividends dwindling, getting smaller than ever. Who knows if DMK could hoodwink ED and IT on Senthil Balaji case like their infamous Thirumangalam election formula, the Opposition Leaders might have a template to counter BJP and inflict deep wounds on BJP deliciously, just like BJP is merrily and mercilessly bleeding them brutally on their greedy weaknesses. Unfortunately, Our democracy is a miserable game of choosing between Murderers and Looters.
If at all MKS fancies himself as prominent National Leader, Senthil Balaji has gifted him his moment of reckoning. Hope he makes use of it. DMK may win 2024 battle, but it will lose its ideological war of social justice and self respect and may even drag down the alliance like in UPA-2 if it does not mend its ways.
When Ajit Pawar and “Trishanku” Shinde dreamt big!
Let’s ask ourselves why it takes so much of alliances and army of Leaders(?) to defeat a single brand by name – Modi. It’s just that the Opposition lacks the courage to face Modi’s excesses and weak conviction that they are not so invincible with their greed and other vulnerabilities. The collective fear of opposition acts a life vest for Modi keeping him buoyant and floating amid facing deep abyss for his dangerous ideology. Modi’s mammoth risk taking ability doubling down on attacks and pinning the opposition has worked so far.
Modi’s partial Gun Germs and Steel moment.
Modi’s ascent is like Jared Diamond’s Gun Germs and Steel theory where Inca’s army got easily captured by few gun wielding men led by Francisco Pizarro from Spain, but is it truly successful one? Let’s go further.
The story goes like this as detailed at PBS. Inca empire had enough gold and other riches, but they did not advance on technology like metallurgy or gunpowder. They used llamas for agriculture but the llama cannot carry men or useless for war. Pizarro arrived with a small team of militia along with 37 Horses and were armed with the latest and greatest in weapons technology – guns, and swords.
Incan Emperor Atahualpa had never seen a Book before. But the spanish had gained enough experience and dirty tricks havig destructed Aztecs earlier and successfully blaming their greed on God. When presented with a copy of the Bible on November 16th, 1532, Atahuallpa throws the alien object to the floor, prompting a furious and surprise attack from the Pizarro’s conquistadors. The combined impact of mounted troops, gunpowder and sharpened steel lead to a massacre, and Atahuallpa is personally seized by Pizarro himself. In a matter of hours, the Inca Empire lies in ruins. But the story of Eurasian triumph isn’t over. European conquest was quite a success, but Jared Diamond states, 95% of the natives did not die in a war…How then…?
Native Americans fell victim to European germs – infections which they had never encountered before. European farmers, rearing cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses and donkeys, lived in close proximity with their animals – breathing, eating and drinking animal germs. Eventually some diseases crossed over to the human population and the resulting epidemics wiped out millions of Europeans.
But each time, a few people would survive and the immunities they’d developed passed through their genes to the next generation. The conquistadors who sailed to the Americas carried immunities like these. But in Peru, the llama was never brought indoors, and never milked so the prospect for the spread of disease was severely reduced.
But then the Europeans arrived and a single Spanish slave arrived, infected with smallpox and the consequences were devastating. The disease emptied the continent, killing millions of indigenous people who lacked any prior exposure, and therefore any immunity. The European triumph was complete.
What makes religious fanatics such dangerous opponents is not the deaths of the fanatics themselves, but their willingness to accept the deaths of a fraction of their number in order to annihilate or crush their infidel enemy.
– Jared Diamond, Gun Germs and Steel.
Coming back to the Modi’s conquest of Indian democracy, his small team was quite successful in leveraging the sophisticated social media technology and novel propaganda mechanisms like holograms and cutting-edge event management in 2014 towards a mass uprising against corruption with promises of progressive and prosperous India and carefully not mentioning Hindutva communalism but by silently inciting muzaffarnagar type riots. Mo-Sha was able to shock and awe the 2014 polls with their cutting-edge technology even with limited manpower and unlimited crony money. Upon capturing power, he nullified the opposition with his ruthless arsenal of ED, CBI and IT.
Welcome to Hotel Transylvania! You can check-in but cannot check out till 2024!
While street smart Modi seems very successful in guns and steel assaults, he could not create Hindutva pandemic of his desire, spreading communal germs among the masses, till date. There has been desperate soft attempts from vehicle stickers to expensive movies to get people attracted towards unequal brahmanical sanatana cause, but in vain. It’s actually the 65% majority of communalism immune Indians who act as a glimmer of hope rather weak and ineffective opposition engrossed on their own mission to save themselves from eternal troublemaker BJP. Hence, Modi’s ongoing conquest of Hindutva is fizzling out, having failed to attract masses as there is nothing in it for everyone except for elite EWS few.
It’s just < 35% who voted for BJP at its peak performance and the rest voted otherwise, with the future vote share further diminishing on anti-incumbency, Modi’s animosity towards Minorities, exposed on indifference towards poor and unprivileged and now… brutal inflation bleeding the earning class to top all miseries doled out so far, making even Brand Apple think of renaming themselves to a richer Tomato. All the Ying-Yang forces of Manipur Burning – Delhi flooding are dealt casually with an International call away, with the shameless servile media reporting Modi is in “touch” on Indian issues while busy collecting retirement farewell Dinner and medals abroad, squeezed by Diplomats.
Alas! Economy / Culture – not a soft cake to be handled easily.
It’s unfortunate, the opposition has never made use of people’s immunity towards Hindutva and transform it as progressive movement, like JP did during emergency. They just get beaten up if they show semblance to rise upwards, like the baby elephant getting trained not to break a feeble chain and gets imprisoned even after growing mighty strong. Interestingly, such mental-chains never worked out with organic people uprisings like anti-CAA or anti-farmer’s laws because BJP could neither chain the entire population on ED-IT-Enforcement Phobias nor infect them with Hindutva virus, just limiting their antics to political threats, owing to lack of fascist resources and impermanence of the fascist ideology.
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.
Mark Twain
The story of a Great Fool
Let’s try to analyse Modi’s ascent in a philosophical way, as democratic wins are sophisticated rather plain PR or brutal conquests, by taking another story of a great fool narrated by Osho who ascended towards greatness and how.
There is a famous story by Turgenev: THE GREAT FOOL. In a village there was a fool. He was very upset because no matter what he said people laughed at him. People had decided he was a blithering idiot. Even when he said something right people still laughed at him. He lived cowering, not daring even to speak. If he didn’t speak people laughed, if he spoke people laughed. If he did something people laughed, if he didn’t do anything people laughed.
A monk came to the village. That night the fool fell at the monk’s feet and said, “Give me some blessing. is my whole life to be spent shrinking and cowering like this? Will I die a blithering idiot? Is there no way I can become a little intelligent?” The monk said, “There is a way. Follow this sutra: condemn everything.” He said, “What will happen through condemning?” The monk said, “You do it for seven days then come again to me.”
The fool asked, “How should I condemn? The monk said, “Whatever anyone says make a negative statement. For instance if someone says look what a beautiful sun is coming out, you say what’s beautiful about it? Prove it. Where is the beauty? What beauty? It comes out everyday, it has been coming out for billions of years. It is a globe of fire — what beauty?
If someone says look Jesus’ words are so lovely, you immediately jump on him saying what is so lovely in them? What is so special about them? What’s new in them? The same thing has always been said, it is all thrashed over. It is all stale, all borrowed. You just deny.
Someone says, looking at a beautiful woman, what a beautiful woman. You say: what of it? So what if her nose is a little longer? So what if her skin is a little whiter? Lepers are white too. What beauty? Prove it. You demand proof from everyone and remember to always remain in the negative. Put them in the positive, you remain in the negative. Come to me after seven days.”
After seven days when the idiot came, he did not come alone, many had become his disciples. They came on ahead. They had hung flower garlands around his neck. A band was playing. He said to the monk, “The device worked. The whole village was forced to be silent. Wherever I went people lowered their heads. The news spread among the people that I am a great genius. No one could win against me. Now what should I do?”
He said, “Now don’t do anything, just remain with this. If you want to save your intellect never fall into the positive.” To affirm god great intelligence is needed, a very subtle sensitivity is needed. Total wakefulness of the heart is needed. A purified state of consciousness is needed. A little light is needed within. But to deny god nothing is needed. In denying god there is no commitment. This is why people in the world condemn.
The psychology of condemnation is cheap psychology, an easy way out. Your genius will be proven by it. And there is no cost. “Using neither turmeric nor alum the dye came out fine.” There is no cost at all. There is no need to go anywhere to learn. There is no need for satsang. This is why everyone is skillful at condemning.
– – Osho
I will leave this to you to correlate the above story whatever happened from 2002 till 2014 around our great Leader rather corroborating in detail. Even for raising such dumb questions and arguments, Modi needs a Gandhi Family as Prop as a Reminder of India’s history so as to mine out imaginary faults. For Modi, Chinese transgressions on our Border is still Nehru’s fault not his cowardice. RG is a convenient scapegoat reminding of his generated past. RG’s reinstatement to parliament could be a blessing in disguise for BJP. Modi made a spectacle out of 2018, No confidence motion just by bashing Gandhis rather answering his own faults. BJP is just looking to bay for RG’s blood this time too. Perhaps, RG has grown wiser and hopefully he will able to turn the tables on Modi at Parliament.
Even silence and absence are the best tools as Modi has leveraged it brilliantly so far, be it Manipur or Adani. Modi, whenever asked uncomfortable questions, suddenly turns like a student who prepared to write about a Cow but ended up with a question about an essay on Tree. So, he wrote everything about Cow and finally added that such great cows are tied to the trees. With Modi, don’t even expect such linkings as he just fixes the teacher rather his answers. If you have doubts just go through a shameless VP Dhankar vouching for a Nero as Global Hero, when he can’t even answer on burning Manipur. This time too I would bet on Modi / BJP, talking about 1983 carefully forgetting about the “puppies” caught on Modi’s car wheels. Of course it’s the Opposition’s duty to steer the narrative whose energy is dissipated with the “Brutus Valentines” in their flock.
The use case of blind cult followers, morphing themselves as Online trolls and physical abusers are an interesting foundational component of Modi’s establishment as the “Leader” as mentioned by Osho above. Raj Shekhar Sen has a nice explanation on the psychology of trolls, the foundation for Moditva.
Hindutva is an adopted ideology. It is founded not on a social or economic ideal like communism or capitalism but on fear and a sense of victimhood.The Hindutva troll is especially susceptible to empathy deficit. He cloaks the inferiority complex inherent to his ideology in victimhood. Since victimhood sells politically, the troll is convinced of his victimhood and, naturally, seeks to defend his tribe against all manner of conspiratorial enemies. Trolling then is an act of convincing himself that he can assert power over the enemy, real or imagined. If the enemy is annoyed, scared or shuts up, the troll has done his duty.
Modi veneration is a cultivated parasocial relationship: a deeply emotional response to his branding as the first pan-India leader who is open about his Hindu exclusionary politics – and, therefore, is the primary victim of all conspiracies against a Hindu India. A parasocial relationship is a one-way relationship, the illusion of a relationship.
Modi is also a master of casting legitimate criticism of himself and his political conduct into rousing rhetoric about humiliation and victimhood. Whether addressing election rallies or responding to policy challenges like protests against the new citizenship law and the farmers protests, Modi invariably deploys the language of grievance. The rhetoric of perpetual victimhood feeds into Hindutva’s inferiority complex. In this matrix, the Hindu Rashtra is at once a world leader and a fragile nation that everyone can destabilise or destroy at will. Personally for Modi, it chips away at his role as the Hindu Hridaysamrat, the Emperor of Hindu Hearts.
It will do this country good to recognise that our trolls are a reflection of our society, that for an Indian to truly believe in universal brotherhood means for him to break down social, parasocial, emotional, and familial barriers. That is not easy to do. Most of us, George Orwell warned in 1984, prefer happiness over freedom. And so the trolls continue to chant war is peace, ignorance is bliss, freedom is slavery.
Now, It’s easier to become a Leader in this fake news pesudo-world, but difficult to remain as one among masses, as reality starts biting into the conscience. PB Mehta explains very well how Modi won this leadership game and cult, but is also losing it being stripped off aura and enigma to be an utter boring and inefficient Hindutva fanatic and nothing else.
All that BJP needed to win was cast doubt on its opponents. The aim was to destroy the truth — and pave the way for a kind of nihilism where anything goes. But what do you do after nihilism has been established as the governing truth and norm? It no longer has the power of critique, a sense of novelty, or even an opponent to target. It is now just another tiresome incantation evident in the ever-increasing self goals of the BJP’s IT cell.
The BJP is now facing a triple dilemma: It cannot run on promissory notes; its management of the ambitions of its mid-level leadership will put strains on its organisational identity; and its success in institutionalising nihilism now runs the risk of making the party an utter bore. The only part on which it has delivered is the institutionalisation of Hindutva, in all its vilest forms. But it will, for the first time, have to project that Hindutva in a context where there will be nothing else — no other economic narrative, no organisational distinctiveness, and no novel narrative power to support it.
In nutshell, Modi is the modern day Blue Fox, who had to reveal it’s true colour as the time came for the moment of truth to unravel itself. Now, It’s the opposition’s selfish corruption which makes BJP look so powerful and invincible, despite BJP’s even more corrupt, inefficient, anti-people and crony-friendly governance. BJP possess the audacity to legalise plunder and organise loot by enacting atrocious laws, while beating down the opposition even on simpler corruption or simplest questioning. BJP thrives like a parasite penetrating micro holes in the opposition fort. This forms the vital difference between Indian Political parties’ failures and mass people movements like anti-CAA / Farmers protests successes against BJP. They could not perform dirty politics with People forces as they retain their integrity and their emotional issues cannot be bought over on greed. Even now Opposition is banking on people’s anger on Inflation as fluke lottery to win their 2024 Jackpot, rather answering “Who / What competes against Modi?”.
Opposition’s Corruption is a gift that keeps on giving for BJP
Unfortunately, we Indians are left to choose between the “greedy Corruption extremists” and “fascist Corruption + Communal extremists”, empowered with our single vote and stupid blogs. Whatever Golden India promises and active reverse brain drain campaigns in UPA-1 got undone by our Politicians who are slowly killing the Golden Bird called India, to a begging bowl of Visas for better life.
BJP is trying desperately hard to convert everyone to their fascist Hindutva ideology, having nothing to do with Hinduism but more to do with Manu’s brahmanical supremacy. They could target the meek and corrupt political leaders to baptize them towards saffronism. They could influence the people with angry hanuman stickers, capturing temples for propaganda, conducting RSS Shakas and import Sanghis for Bikini-trouser parades across Southern streets. But, the reality remains that, even at their peak absolute powers, they are not able to gain more than 35% vote share.
The Only surprise of Special parliament session = Actually No Special Surprise!
BJP has scheduled a surprise Parliament session with surprise agenda. I am sure they are going to disappoint everyone around with nothing to show up except for playing like a Santa Claus for the poor and middle class with an empty bag but mouth full of gags. What else can a RSS-Santa with an empty bag promise its devotees, having gifted everything to himself (I mean Adani)? Now to… Why they can’t surprise old Indians or new Bharatians or future Hindu Rashtrawadis…?
It’s simple, Uniform Civil code will alienate a lot more diverse groups than just Muslims. With no cohesive majoritarian vote margins, which is against split at caste and regional level, BJP will lose a lot more than what it gains electorally. But they can dangle it as a carrot for the RSS to work hard for 2024, to make it a reality.
Women’s reservation bill could be yet another contentious factor but BJP’s cadre itself will be the bakra if they implement, demoralising their own chauvinistic cadre. Granting Kashmir statehood just shows their flimsy and whimsical nature just like senior and junior Shahs are troubling India and BCCI for all their (in)capacities. I am happy with “India’s” Asia Cup win, but it was not gained on a level playing filed, but with a big Bully making rules to his advantage, one of the reasons why India could not shine on ICC Trophies . Contrast such rigging with CSK making Home ground pitches generic enough, losing Home advantage, but shine in the eliminators and Finals. Even if the Supreme Court applies pressure on Kashmir issue, it will end up more like Maharastra verdict with moral victory for Uddhav Thackeray and actual victory for the ED and IT evil nexus. So, Mo-Sha might not worry much about Judiciary for their ill conceived implementations. With due respect to the mostly upright top Judiciary showing their greatest resistance amidst spine chilling display of autocracy around, for every Loya there are enough Goons and absolute arrogant power to bail the autocrats out, can only pray to be more careful and keep the powder dry for another opportune emergency.
How about renaming India and Modi, so as to start clean, begging for Nth chance among voters? Even if Modi wants to rename India, after carefully studying him on his impulsive affinity to shock us with silly surprises and blowing up into bought-out media headlines as master strokes, he may not rename to Bharat, but to “Hindustan” or any such RSS themed names. Bharat is already a valid constitutional name and striking out India is no big deal requiring Parliament special sessions, making the opposition alliance look grand like Gladiator slaying the Mo-Sha duo with just a INDIA Team Jersey, without even contesting. So, Modi might not try to shed India and its brand value but carefully incorporate RSS flavour to the constitution as a teaser for 2024 Hindu Dhritarashtra, seeding a civil war like Mahabharat (If at all he wins that is!). If at all anyone bothers what’s in a name? It objectively amounts to None, except for a Blippy Big Bully Show-off. Irrespective of any resistance to name change, Opposition could work on people’s Bread and water issues, rather playing to the tunes of Tughlaq Shahenshah of Delhi Sultanate.
The One Nation One Election could backbite BJP and Modi big time if not carefully planned. It will be a bigger failure or bitter moment for the “Mighty” BJP image which has so far rammed laws through Parliament without any contest. Mo-Sha might opt for safe rewards by allowing the Opposition to win the State Elections and then “(s)weep for sympathy” through 2024, which has worked for them so far. So, the Opposition might have to think through winning successive elections rather worrying about major changes.
They are only left with announcing welfare measures like reduction of prices inflated to inflate Adani wealth and welfare amounts for a limited periods during election and some useless Money bills.
Update 19/09/2023 – Modi’s First Parliament Session = Dummy Phataka
[ I really wished I am proven wrong when I heard rumours of Women’s reservation Bill coming up soon, from courageous(?) Modi even at the risk of enraging BJP cadre during Poll season. But as usual, the Devil “lies” in the details and it turned to be yet another fake promise from Mo-Sha by pushing it to 2029+, subject to various terms and conditions like 50% State approval, a complex Census cum delimitation exercise and contentious OBC Quota.
Just like Women’s reservation Bill…. “Ours is a government of checks and balances. The Mafia and crooked businessmen make out checks, and the politicians and other compromised officials improve their bank balances.” – Steve Allen
We need to give it to Modi.. I repeat… as Miserly Gujarati Bania Santa Claus with an empty bag but with mouth full of gags still surprising everyone with an audacious bill, that will remain a Zombie from its Birth, still not demoralising BJP cadre as the additional seats out of delimitation exercise could be allocated to Women and still gain a little mileage with the introduction of the “namesake” Bill – Two Birds killed with one stone. But will it deliver him desired election Results? The resounding answer will be NO! People are used to his Jumlas that they don’t take this Media-Billboard-Paper-tiger seriously nowadays, treating him just like the Boy who cried Wolf. Maybe it’s time for just another opinion Poll to self glorify after this Jumla. As even that will fail, Mo-Sha is left with concrete financial goodies on voters’ Bank accounts, if not now, may be after failing at five State elections, just like 2019. His bag of dirty tricks getting very predictable nowadays.
Let’s hear it from renowned Psephologist and Activist, Yogendra Yadav
Something is better than nothing, I told myself, trying to balance mixed emotions at the passage of the women’s reservation bill – officially, the 128th Amendment to the Constitution. But it was hard to say what exactly was that “something”. I slipped into “wo intezar tha jiska, ye wo sahar to nahin”. But that was too gloomy. Finally, I fell back on my matrabhasha: “bhaagte bhoot ki langoti hi sahi”. How do you translate that into English!
… It is also clear that only a miracle can ensure its implementation by 2029. Even if the next government carries out the census at the earliest, in February 2025, it would still face a constitutional hurdle of Article 82 that won’t permit next delimitation until the “figures for the first census taken after the year 2026 have been published”. That would mean the 2031 census. Its final figures cannot possibly come before 2032. And the Delimitation Commission cannot take less than two years (last time it took five and a half years). Then all the electoral rolls need to be revised before the next election. So, realistically speaking, unless we have some extraordinary constitutional device, we are looking at 2039 as the year of implementation.
Instead of drafting something useful for the Country by empowering women, Modi again proved he is more of a disaster lover, by intentionally leaving out OBC Quota so that INDIA Parties will fight each other in air on quota when BJP enacts a Good for nothing Bill destined for 2029 afterwards… now in 2023. Let’s wait for few more grenades as JR pointed out, especially in the last sessions as I don’t see any reason for this special session so far, except for Griha Pravesh type Photo-Op.]
If more politicians in this country were thinking about the next generation instead of the next election, it might be better for the Country and the world. – Claude Pepper
This special Parliament session is nothing but this Birbal comedy.
Akbar gave a bizarre order to Birbal to find him six biggest fools in their kingdom in a month’s time. Birbal respectfully agreed to Akbar’s order and left the place to carry out the order as directed.
As he was riding his horse, looking for people, first he met a man named Modu who was sitting on a female donkey and carrying some grass on his own head thinking that it would help share the load of the poor animal.
Then he met two people, Changi and Mangi, who were fighting because Changi said he will release his imaginary tiger on Mangi’s imaginary cow which they are going to get as a gift from the “god.”
In the evening Birbal met Dhanki who was trying to find his lost ring in the lit area when actually the ring had fallen next to a faraway tree; but since it was quite dark there, Dhanki thought of finding the ring in a lit area instead.
Birbal took the four of them to Akbar the next day. When Akbar asked who are the remaining two fools, Birbal pointed to himself and to Emperor Akbar for undertaking such an endeavor.
I am certainly one of the biggest fool for blogging this good for nothingness called Indian Politics. Modi as he rightly called himself, could be that ‘Chosen One’ deputed for special reasons. Modi is someone who had exerted his charisma and authority on the majority of one of the most populous country in the Planet for a decade and it’s No mean feat. But whether he gets chosen to be a Bad or Good example of sorts for our Democracy is something Modi has to decide. If he sees himself as a good example he should roll out Women’s reservation Bill for 2024 and reap its goodwill benefits. Post dated Bill is like claiming God has gifted Modi a sweet Box, but asked him to open it only after 2039, just after it gets stale. The Reservation law lapses in 15 years with countdown from 2023. Modi is going to be one and only strong Leader for past and future few decades, turning things on his heels, who could achieve this seamlessly. but, he made the Constitutional amendment amounting to nothing but an empty show of ‘Good intent with wrong (election) results’ just like scheming Demon – swindling the poor and GST – stealing the States’ coffers.
Nations are born in the hearts of poets, they prosper and die in the hands of politicians. – Muhammed Iqbal
Modi cannot fool himself on the Women reservation Bill, like doling out National Integration awards to the people aiming to communally disunite India. Maybe he thought like Paramartha Guru that one should first disintegrate to get it integrated later. With such tomfooleries, Modi will be just paving the way for another “Chosen One” Sonia Gandhi to implement the hard part of Social Justice Bills to become the ‘Architect of Modern India’ rather just envisioning a tunnel vision of Hindu Rashtra. SG came from Nowhere but have done so much to India notably RTI and Food Security Bills, despite her personal losses. The Political situation reminds me of “Thamizh padam” comedy where Modi type Paravai MuniyammaDon quips, “I became the ultimate Villain to make you the ultimate Hero!”
When INDIA said “Daro Mat!” to BJP.
Just to please RSS , BJP has published an Old constitution which is missing “Socialist and Secular” defining our Republic, thus infusing the RSS flavour . It’s quite laughable that the Minister has claimed, they have just printed old constitution without the amendment which added those words. Maybe they will say our present PM is Vajpayee just moving back in time leaving Modi red-faced. Such backdoor illegal amendments only amounts to printing mistake rather posing genuine challenge to the constitution. But when will RSS and BJP will understand that such unethical “Rang De Basanti” changes need to be hard earned rather sneaking its agenda like a thief.
“What the American public wants in the theater is a tragedy with a happy ending.” – William Dean Howells.
Let’s wait till the end of the session if BJP really has something to add to its genuinity of the move. That’s the least, wounded Modi could do after Opposition scored with its alliance Name – INDIA, making him tremble uttering INDIA just like the C-word after Ladakh incursion. When will our EAM and PM will understand just indirectly referring things are not diplomatic solutions, but likened to a thief afraid of confession afraid to progress further. Rather meddling with Secular Constitution, why don’t they ask Canada and China to call them Bharat on their diplomatic encounters?
One Nation One Election = Many Losses to BJP. Dot!
Now, One Nation One Election is latest unification in diversity tragicomedy episode from Modi as best explained by P. Chidambaram.
…The drive for oneness is behind the move to make it mandatory to follow the Aadhaar Based Payment System alone to pay wages to MGNREGS workers. According to The Wire, data accessed on August 28, 2023 on the Scheme’s website showed that 11.72 crore workers will be eligible to receive wages out of a total of 14.34 crore enrolled active workers. Close to 20 per cent of the active workers will be deprived of wages. Remember, they are the poorest of the poor because they are unable to find any other work near the place of residence.
Another example is, oneness that deprives the poor of access to food under One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC). There are an estimated 450 million internal migrants in the country of which about 54 million are inter-State migrants. Under ONORC, an Aadhaar-linked ration card is supposed to enable the card-holder to draw rations at any fair price shop in the country. According to IndiaSpend, government data showed that between 2019 and 2023, on average, there were only 1.4 million inter-state transactions annually. Why is the One Nation scheme not able to provide food to the over 50 million poor inter-state migrants? Because under ONORC, no ‘state’ is responsible and the ‘technology’ is not answerable.
Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even when there are no rivers. – Nikita Khrushchev
Under the Oneness project, we are moving to a decisive stage. It will be One Nation, One Poll. The Law Commission and other committees have pointed out that the idea requires at least five Constitutional Amendments, besides the huge political and administrative objections. Nevertheless, the government is accelerating the process with the appointment of a puppet committee. The goal is not one poll; the real goal is one pole — the BJP — around which the entire political system will be re-constructed.
“Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don’t vote.” – William Simon
This Aadhaar – PAN linking system is quite a sham. It just cannot link if the name has any spaces or full form of initial. It has to be exactly the same form, when I do have different spellings in my Ration Card, MetroWater Card, EB Bill and Passport. It’s like looking for idealistic perfection with the citizens when the callous bureaucracy could not even care for spell check. Ironically even the IT Dept is so callous that when I asked for a correction in my name, they just bothered to send another PAN instead of correcting or even checking for duplicates. Now, on looking to correct the issue by surrendering the duplicate PAN with wrong name online, the system complains that the current Aadhaar-PAN linked one could not be authenticated as the names, which were authenticated and linked earlier, are different! So much for the oneness comedy. Now, they are processing payrolls with this broken system.
What begins as a Utopian vision, always – always – ends in bloodshed. Because you have to force a utopia on a free people. Free people want to pursue their own happiness, but a one-size-fits-all approach requires herding the free, against their will, into the state’s idea of what’s right. Then it’s not utopia. – George Gutfeld
When Modi failed to achieve unification on much necessary operational aspects he wants to bring in uniformity on personal choices like attire, food and culture. It’s like asking everyone to fry pakoras just to maintain uniformity on Profession. Serving Vegetarian fare in G20 without accommodating Guest’s likes / unlikes could have worked owing to Country’s economic stature, but whether Modi will accept a similar G20 in Foreign country serving only Non vegetarian fare is a question to ponder. If they quip in “British” James Bond style – “India is India. This is pure Non Veg country!” just like our EAM, will our EAM acting like big bully nowadays will keep quiet like other countries who acted as graceful guests in India?
One person may need (or want) more leisure, another more work; one more adventure, another more security, and so on. It is this diversity that makes a country, indeed a state, a city, a church, or a family, healthy. ‘One-size-fits-all,’ and that size determined by the State has a name, and that name is ‘slavery.’
David Mamet
The G20 and the 420
Since the G20, a “routine” event is over, where Modi got credited for hosting it by selling his ancestral properties worth 420 * 10 crores, rather stealing limelight from Bharat’s Coffers, Modi was everywhere as he paid for it, “ubiquitous in Delhi. He appears in different sizes at these locations: from the international airport to iron pailings; public toilets to petrol pumps; bus stops to banyan trees; and the façade of a metro station to flyovers and fences.” to quote Newslaundry. With their intense no stones unturned PR approach, this time they are not even allowing us to loo in peace…This part of the act sponsored by… I can’t / don’t want to imagine further on this…but this really trumps Modi’s condoms during his Gujarat rule. One Earth. One Family. One Condom. One Adani.
The reason why G20 Leaders survived Vegetarian meals along with Coke and Kelloggs.
Modi’s obsessions for PR is his biggest weakness, so far overcome by other emotional stirrups. Mo-Sha duo’s PR stunt is reminiscent of Laurel-Hardie type comedy by Goundamani Senthil in tamil. Goundamani wants to be so popular that he asks Senthil to make him so, handing out Photographs of the him and his Spouse. Senthil vouches to make them famous Brand like Marlon -Brand-O. Soon Goundamani senses his increase in popularity with so much of inquiries about the couple’s Photographs. Only to his surprise he finds the Photos at sign Boards for indication of Male / Female at Public Toilets. BTW, this sterile comedy is dedicated to Pavan K Varma. This is just about showing how far Modi, drunk on arrogance, stooped on his PR craze rather getting downgraded by a simple factful Blog or social media posts. There is a limit to Modi’s wish that everyone has to talk about him. Modi’s hollow schemes, from Demon to Oneness Circus with zero outcome, except for making people talk about the Clown of the Show, show that his PR obsession becoming an incurable disease affecting each and every one of Indians. As a well wisher of Modi (Not for Modi as PM though), this would be my Birthday Gift rather meaningless opportunistic praises.
2024 – BJP’s Sapna Time Aayega!
Though, we criticise Modi on his weaknesses, we also need to acknowledge on his half baked accomplishments as rightly glossed out by Piyush Goyal. Digital payments is a success except for cyber crimes, siphoning bank account money from gullibles citing reasons like Minimum balance, swept under the carpet and atrocious taxes for simple Bank transactions and the impending UPI taxation after 2024 to compensate for NPA losses gifted towards Cronies. Bully Boy Foreign diplomacy is also commendable to an extent except for trembling with fear shaking legs instead of hands with China at Ladakh. The Government’s impetus towards bringing in semiconductor industry is also laudable except for Crony friendly capitalism, making Free market India to an Oligarchy. The way major Infrastructure players like GVK got rough-handled by this Government, genuine investors are not going to bet on such risky adventure with a climate of fear favouring One and Only Adani and other Cronies.
Despite all this successes why Modi could not advertise himself on these achievements? None of the PR circus has translated to accomplishments for Modi to boast about for 2024? Its because none of them are real successes. Each one of the accomplishment opens a pandora’s box of his own inefficiency, puncturing all his hot air balloons of empty accomplishments. Goyal’s Jan Dhan Yojna statement clearly hints on few more doles from the government for the Poor rather directing to Adani’s coffers for a poll change. It’s quite clear the Government is in a fix unable to market any of its achievements(?) so far and looking for alternate routes with surprise sessions at parliament, assuming the Poor can be fooled with election time dole and then subsequently siphon their money towards Adani Shell firms.
The Dreamy Amrit Kaal 2047. Guess what got churned out before Amrit and get ready to endure toxic Kartavya Kaal till then.Also, Amrit gets only limited servings for the privileged Sycophants and Cronies.
The real scammy vision of Modi is that he is able to squeeze all of us for first four and half years of his governance with atrocious taxes on common consumer items, inflation and unjustified hike on LPG / Fuel, only to give back a fraction of the money sucked up from our Blood as election alms and still claim himself a Winner! If you are still not convinced, statistics say our thali meal got increased by 25% this year alone. If at all Modi has to give us back, he should be handing out every citizen INR 10000 per month for all his hikes accumulated for last 4.5 years. For someone who get so flustered if an optional luxury concert did not go well, how about someone scamming all our money in the name of taxes without giving back to us anything but rerouting it to his Crony friend, selling all country’s assets cheaply.
Piyush Goyal’s over praising Modi article, when his only accomplishment seem to squeeze people for taxes, reminds of the story where BJP treats its voters like “bricked” Camel, making us a symbol of endurance… the story goes like this…
A man by name Adani needed to cross the “Hindenburg desert” to get to a small “Shell village” four days away. So he goes to the camel dealership and asks for a camel. The dealer by name Modi says he only has three day camels right now. As they are discussing this, the boy by name Goyal, who “cares” for the camels overheard and chimed in. We could brick one and get four days out of one.
The man, confused asked what that was. The boy brought the man to the water hole to show him. He points to a camel, see how he has to awkwardly stand to drink, with his legs straight but spread out? I’ll now brick him and get 4 days for you. So the boy grabs 2 bricks and quietly walks up behind the camel, brick in both hands… then proceeds to clap the bricks together around the camels balls. The camel sucks up another days worth of water. The man exclaimed doesn’t that hurt! The boy replied, “not if you keep your thumbs out from between the bricks!”
Wonder what happens on the fifth day when camel had to be fed again? The Camel gave a deserving back kick when the Boy came clapping with bricks. Watch out for 2024 elections when bricked Camels vote in return after enduring all their atrocities.
The Dharma and its Adharma within – The next PR release after G20 Show Reel.
Before you stop chanting “Modi! Modi!” on your daily routines, inpired by G20 Billboards, let’s move on to the “What next” part. After G20 chest thumping and other Jay Shah type mannerisms, BJP now desperately needs another show reel to deviate our attention from the maladies of Modi’s Governance.
When our entire Government just became a CBFC PR showreel
Thanks to Udhayanidhi, BJP now wants to make hay while sanatana dharma controversy shines. Udhayanidhi’s steely rebuttals show of coming of age of a Politician, from his previous actor cum comedy Hero avatar. I am not sure if such rabble rousing against Udhayanidhi helps BJP to consolidate Hindu votes, but Junior Stalin could clearly differentiate that he is not against any Dharma but only on its adharma part in the form of casteism, manu segregation and communalism. Thiruma has been pretty vocal against sanatana dharma enlightening people on its evil code. But he never got into controversy because of the depth and clarity in his thought and speech making it difficult to contest.
The DMK Sanatana Santa claus
The reason for Modi suddenly taking up Sanatana Dharma controversy is multifold. It hurts MK Stalin – one of the strongest pillars of INDIA as a perfect psy-op by hurting his near and dear ones. It gives them a distraction from the India-Bharat-Whatever controversy, which Modi wanted to be wrapped in secrecy like Article 370 abrogation, as its reasons are driven by selfish reasons rather for Nation’s good, and its legality and feasibility is still void. It also makes people talk about majoritarian Hinduism, rather about Price rise, Corruption and their stupid governance, as all other feel good PR news cycles like ISRO turned out to be boring. But I also wonder if DMK is incentivized to utter sanatana derisively as if they are self-appointed Santa of BJP, as they keep talking like motor mouths without any depth, giving BJP enough ammunition to make people forget their daily struggles and focus on their sanatana drama.
“You can love, you can hate, but… you cannot ignore me”. – Karunanidhi M
Not sure if Udhayanidhi’s speeches would be received in right spirit across India, like it’s well received by politically conscious tamilians, but also damaging the alliance at country level. BJP would cleverly want to drive a wedge between envious INDIA alliance bridging Northern and Southern parties with such trivial issues, unless otherwise DMK raises its counter arguments to corner BJP on these issues which is playing on weak wicket when it comes to casteism, compared to its forte communalism.
There is clear and clever opportunity existing for the opposition if they play their anti-casteist and anti-brahmanical-supremacy card well. BJP can never afford to talk about Dalit, OBC and Tribal empowerment which could be a winning poll promise point for INDIA alliance. What killed Congress in Cow Belt – the Mandal episode, could revive their fortunes provided they play it well now. Congress could tout of a Dalit PM ( Though I personally abhor such symbolisms and doubt Congress revival in UP owing to its lack of intent and depleted resources, they may come out much stronger disallowing BJP sweeping UP ), which BJP can never think of… only restricting themselves to Token black Barbie-Ken like rubber stamps decorating Dhritarashtra Bhavans, for BJP PM… one should always be of rosy complexion at least with mushroom supplements decorated with fancy threads. There are 21 Brahmin Cabinet Ministers out of 28, speaks a lot about “Nagpur Brahmin Company” which took over East india Company.
Why OBC / Dalit / Tribal could be a formidable alliance for INDIA.
First of All Nadda and Amit Shah getting super hyped when RG talks about OBC shows how much they are terrified with the opposition seizing the major non-aligned Block who are the deciding factor in Election with Minorities and Brahmins already polarised. BJP though smartly builds an inclusive caste alliance they are aversed on Dalit/ Tribal empowerment or giving OBCs their due. If you ask why Dalits are not empowered by Modi, the smart upper caste answer could be that, Modi is just treating everyone equally, carefully hiding the EWS Quota for Brahmins while cribbing about Dalit reservations.
“The word ‘Sudra’ which means ‘Son of prostitute’ should not find a place even in the history hereafter. We will not allow it to find a place in the dictionary.” – Periyar
“With the authority vested in me I hereby appoint Namo as a Brahmin since he has Brahminical gunas.”
Subramanian Swamy
“The root cause of all social evils is the belief in superiority and inferiority based on birth.” – Periyar
So, the caste arithmetic of Mo-Sha ends up with a power Pyramid where Brahmins take the cake, topping and cream. OBCs/Dalits are magnanimously gifted with leftover bread crumbs. INDIA Alliance also struggles with few parties who cannot shed themselves out of being Yadav-Muslim Cow belt parties, which has greatly helped BJP as others don’t find a Party where they belong to. Unfortunately, the Congress did not tackle the EWS Quota Head-On even when they dont get any votes of that demography. They still harped on gaining the lost Brahmin support in 2019 losing everyone in the end. So, a “subtle” coalition of castes giving them recognition where their is due, could be a major selling point for INDIA alliance rather being loud about it.
Why Caste could also be a click Bait for INDIA
Mo-Sha rely on Shock and awe emotional election campaigns. They may not read too much into upcoming State elections as they know, a failed Modi on State Elections could be a clincher in 2024 Union elections, harvesting sympathy votes. Also, leaving out OBC Quota could be deliberate, not just a myopic decision, to lure the INDIA alliance to bite this caste bait, so that Modi could easily checkmate the opposition by ramming through another quota for OBC in winter session, with his massive strength in Parliament, with laws dated for 2050 or whatever and still try wooing them over. EWS quota came through in a similar pattern, keeping the opposition flabbergasted.
If you do not milk the cow fully, it falls sick. – Lalu Prasad yadav
Hence, the need for opposition to keep the caste equation subtle and secondary, tackling Modi primarily on his achilles heel – Inflation, Unemployment and Drastically poor socio-economic conditions. Socio-economic guarantees with a clear personal mass outreach could be the real Brahmastra for INDIA.
When BJP said “Thank God!”
BJP clearly wants to take advantage of Sanatana Crisis, so that the Opposition is quite busy answering on emotional questions raised and tackle personal attacks, thus demoralising them. A BJP Minister provoked that he will pull tongue out and gouge the eyes of Jr. Stalin. The best part of this sanatana comedy is that nobody really understands the sanatana dharma. BJP will have tough task to equate sanatana with Hinduism while facing embarrassing questions on how it advocates caste inequality and rigid enough for any progressive change. Sadly, the power of Kursi is such that it makes BJP Leaders bow to any limits even digging themselves few feets below ground to beg before the power of common voters or atleast pull their legs with lies. One so called Saint announced a ten crore prize for Udhayanidhi head initiating a crude “Kaun banega Sanatani Crorepati” reality show. I have seen even a Beggar in Pushpak movie amassing wealth, but a Sadhu to have Ten Crores, made me sing “Aawaara Hawaala Hoon!” like Raj Kapoor.
Never underestimate the power of Common Man before elections. Never overestimate the power of Common Man after elections, Especially after One Nation No Election.
“What’s happening? Why are you running so hard, Mullah?” asked a passer-by.
“To see how far my voice carries!” Nasruddin replied, rushing off into the distance.
As if the drama is not enough our Onion-Garlic-Minority-hating-Sanatani-FM jumped the bandwagon that, these spineless people only talk about their own Hindu religion rather damaging others. According to FM we should keep mocking Titanic while our own ship is caught in a wreck and Captain of the Ship is obsessed with PR busy with Sinking Selfies. By her own logic, will FM draft a budget for neighbouring Pakistan just because she is spine-full enough? Hope that happens, atleast we Indians, will be spared of GST tantrums.
MullaNasruddin couldn’t resist the urge to raid a neighbouring garden and climb the apricot tree. Observing his antics, the gardener asked: “Why are you climbing someone else’s tree?”
Nasruddin replied: “Don’t you realise I am a nightingale and climbing a tree is not a sin for nightingales!”
The gardener laughed: “Please sing so that I may enjoy your sweet voice.”
Nasruddin began singing in his hoarse voice. The gardener stopped him short and asked whether nightingales sang so badly.
Retorted Nasruddin: “A nightingale that eats raw apricots without Onion or Garlic will not sing better than this!”
There were other sanatani clowns who can’t even withstand a discussion on “Sanatana 101” issuing provocative statements just to push Udhayanidhi and DMK back foot. After BJP’s taliban-esque brutal sanatana episode, making people wonder if these guys are truly vegetarians or cannibals, even desperate BJP Leaders might have cried out “What’s next PR Showreel?” to hide their “Sanatani Butcher cartoon”. Modi came up with a respite that God chose him to enact Women’s reservation Bill ( in 2029 that is… After nationwide census if at all happens that is… after the complex delimitation exercise happens that is… After OBC quota conflict happens within INDIA alliance Parties that is… After 50% States nod on this Bill that is… Another namesake Beti Bachao type Jumla when BJP Baahubalis go scot free after freely harassing women around that is), making his cadre go “Thank God!” for the distraction, before they fully metamorphose into Sanatani Cannibals.
“If god is the root cause for our degradation, destroy that god. If it is religion, destroy it. If it is Manu Darma, Gita, or any other Mythology (Purana), burn them to ashes. If it is a temple, tank, or festival, boycott them. Finally if it is our politics, come forward to declare it openly.” – Periyar
The entire Sanatana comedy and Women’s reservation Bill tragedy going nowhere actually, could be summed up with a story below.
The townspeople once noticed Modi Nasruddin charging through the village on his steed. The horse was going at full gallop, its tail flying high and the mane flashing hither and thither. Nasruddin hair too was flying right back in the wind. Unknown to Nasruddin, the horse had actually taken fright on sighting a lion cub and bolted.
Thinking there could be something wrong, a neighbour inquired: “Mullah, where are you off to at such a furious gallop?”
Modi Nasruddin looked back in genuine alarm: “I really don’t know! You’ll have to ask the horse!”
There is something about Udhayanidhi. Though he is more of a greenhorn still learning on his ropes as Politician. He effortlessly reached out to the masses with a single Brick during last elections making an impact, thanks to his movie exposure and mass reach out tutorials learned there. Now he has inadvertently sparked the Santana wildfire, making BJP succumb to it and pushing the INDIA alliance to attack BJP’s achilles heel – Caste and its elitist Manu Dharma. Maybe he has now learnt to keep calm and stay out of the battle ( to quote a comic Movie Ad where the Hero is not at all keeping calm at least to justify the movie Quote. OK he is just entering Politics and he cannot keep calm, gotta make some ugly noise. Apologies I cannot utter his name as he has to be called in a common clownish err… nounish name, else his crude fans will be writing lovely Obituaries making me love to hate him more ) and still win the game.
The then president Ram Nath Kovind was not invited for the foundation laying of the new Parliament building because he is “untouchable”.
If the foundation laying was done by an untouchable, then naturally it would have to be washed with Gangajal (water from the Ganges)
President Droupadi Murmu was not invited for the inauguration of the new Parliament building while many others, including actors, were invited. This is an insult to the president.
…Lok Sabha is summoned by the president and not by the prime minister. But there is no place for (the president) and then they say that they respect women a lot.
Mallikarjun Kharge
What BJP tries to Kill – Colonialism or Gandhi-ism?
There is favourite excuse coming from BJP whenever they are criticised on their Pomp Show-offs like the new Modi Multiplex and other Shortcomings that Congress and Opposition are suffering with Colonial Mind set. They come up with election time rhyming coinages like “Khan Market Gang” or “Lutyens Mafia” to cover up their own shortcomings.
BJP really worried about colonial Mind Set? The way Modi hugs off the former Colonial rulers, it seems like he wants to be their cuddly Teddy Bear to his former colonial Masters ( to enjoy his retirement abroad? ). If they are so angered with Lutyens Architecture, the BJP executives should have gone to Mutts and Mandirs on their stay in Delhi rather occupying all Lutyens Buildings. Instead what they did was to get rid off Rahul Gandhi from his Lutyens Bungalow. Modi’s western obsessions could be clearly seen with his dresses and fashion accessories. He is not at all ashamed of Nothing swadeshi about his “Prime Model” career.
So, what is BJP up against in the guise of Colonial Mindset? They are just afraid of Gandhi and his powerful Ahimsa Philosophy. I love indian Mythology. But when I narrate such stories to my Kids, all of them end up killing or lynching their enemies in the name of Dharma. Pandavas Kill Kauravas, Dashavatar just kills people in different getups of Vishnu. Rama kills Ravana. The epics excel in creating a proper justification for such murders. But what Gandhi brought in is something nobler than just killing people for convenient reasons.
Gandhi endured pain and taught us to endure in the same way all atrocities of oppression and still withstand against it, thereby reforming the Oppressor. This is where Indian history becomes unique. This is the reason why prominent G20 Leaders paid homage to him at Delhi. Not being submissive to Modi or his wielding of economic power but as due credit to someone who showed the other way out of adharma rather just showing the other cheek. Modi and his PR team might want us to believe him as the G20 Circus Ring Master, but reality bites sooner than later like the India-Canada crisis. It also needs to be duly noted that Gandhi is an ardent follower of Ram espousing his values. Mythological stories like Raja Harishchandra shaped his early life. But, he was also influenced by various religions and intellectuals in later stages to form his philosophy of non-violence.
Ahima Vs “Him”sa
So, by referring to colonial mindset, BJP wants to kill the sacred Gandhi-ism, as its completely antithetical to RSS / BJP’s “segregate, oppress and rule beliefs”. Gandhi just stopped many movements which he toiled hard to spawn, just when few of his followers resorted to violence. Compare this with BJP silently encouraging lynching of Minorities by empowering fringe Hindutva outfits or the Government directly bulldozing assets to show off its muscular Hindutva.
One could sense such unrestrained muscular arrogance has grown leaps and bounds and have even transformed our cherished sweet talk diplomacy softly killing our contentious issues amicably, taking the global support on our stride to a rugged boy diplomacy flaunting economic power and taking advantage of strategic geopolitical situations but also getting thoroughly exposed by our silent cowardice at Ladakh incursions. We could have solved our internal issues by pacifying self-interest groups and listening to them being considerate but firmly standing on to Unity at any cost, rather making a bigger mess out of our violent excesses, making a domestic non-issue to a bigger one of global significance.
Our EAM could be absolutely right on quoting “Double Standards” of the western world, just like a Murderer calling out another Murderer. But it just does not absolve of our own wrong doings but comes off as Honest Confession. While there is barrage of support from the Media and Opposition leadership because it’s more about the Nation rather any petty Leader, we also lost our Bargaining chips as Torch Bearer of Peace resorting to an Ordinary tit for tat Juvenile stuff, without any depth of Diplomacy. Maybe we could also introspect as a Nation, on where do we stand by showing our Brave face on killing pests and Mosquitoes while tugging our tails when facing the not so mighty dragon. Modi might pay a bitter price in the next few months for his Diplomatic blunders and all his Bear Hugs and Hysterical laughs around World Leaders got translated to Nothing but an excruciating lesson on our Soft-killing Diplomacy, a Subject of study where India excelled in the past, especially when all the drastic steps could have led to a destructive check-mate, like Kashmir. So, it will be good for Modi and India if he close off this case sooner than later.
RSS members killed Gandhi for the ideological reasons as he is a threat, a destructively nuclear influence sullying their silly violent majoritarian ideas. Gandhi was a human culture Bomb whose death acted as death knell for saffron terrorism in India for next 5 decades, till another Gandhi – Rajiv revived it by opening doors of Ayodhya controversy, triggering the Mandal-Kamandal Politics. While Gandhi believed in killing such unethical oppressive supremacist ideas, RSS believes in killing equality, be it Religion by propagating hate on Minorities like Bidhuri desecrated the parliament as a common pattern on Hindutva hate propaganda… or Caste by believing in superiority by Birth and oppression of Lower castes as rightly pointed out by Kharge in the above quote. Gandhi and his idea of Nonviolence is the greatest roadblock for RSS to envision their “Back to Mythological Barbaric Monarchical Future”, where cultivated reasons are just enough to kill a human, based on religion or Caste by Birth rather worrying about Ethics / Justice / Dharma.
The government’s plans to redevelop the Gandhi Ashram in Sabarmati has been mired in controversy, with many saying that the ashram’s sanctity and dignity are under threat from the project that plans to build a theme park of sorts, complete with a VIP lounge, food courts and new built-up units. Around 250 families, descendants of the ashramwasis brought over by Gandhiji, have been forced to vacate the premises.
Gujarat’s governor, Acharya Devvrat, was appointed the chancellor of the Gujarat Vidyapith last year. It was the first time in 102 years that the top post went to a non-Gandhian.
The letter points to “the most recent case of forcefully occupying and demolishing several Gandhian heritage buildings at Rajghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, throwing out the most valuable Gandhian books to the open field with the direct support from Uttar Pradesh State Government”.
Apart from direct assaults on Gandhian Institutions, attempts are being made by the Government to systematically erase Gandhi’s ideology. The Swach Bharat may sound like a Clean india Movement devised on remembrance of Gandhi, initially. Now, it has got fully morphed to Modi’s movement by 2023 with cleaning antics on Gandhis Birth date. Gandhi’s identity got replaced with a simple spectacle to symbolise him and got fully erased in 2023, making one wonder what exactly Modi is cleaning on Gandhi Jayanthi. Ofcourse, Modi still pays a decent lip service on Gandhi while allowing Pragya Thakur kinds to adore and worship Godse. Leaders may come and go, but Gandhi is going to stay forever whatever existential crisis, his ideology may go through. For Gandhi’s ideas espouses the real Dharma of Hinduism – Compassion… even to his ideological enemies.
A person who has the courage to overcome her own fear so that she may observe the ocean truthfully is a Hindu. To call Hinduism a set of cultural norms is to misunderstand it. To bind it to a particular nation or geography is to limit it. Hinduism is how we mitigate and understand our relationship with our fears. It is a path towards the realisation of truth and though it belongs to no one, it is open to anyone who chooses to walk on it.
A Hindu looks at herself and everyone in this ocean of life with love, compassion and respect because she understands we are all swimming and drowning in exactly the same waters. She reaches out and protects all the beings around her who are struggling to swim. She is alert to even the most quiet anxiety, the most silent scream. This action and duty to defend others, especially the weak, is what a Hindu calls her Dharma. Listening for and acting on behalf of the world’s invisible worries through the prisms of truth and non-violence. – Rahul Gandhi
The post by RG was a nice thought provoking one. As a well-wisher, I also need to see it from a Godse-Troll perspective as there is big group looking to sabotage him but eventually making him the modern version of mythological Vaali who absorbs half the strength of anyone who fights him, getting stronger and wiser everyday. I was listening to Kamal Hassan’s impressive speech at Loyola College. KH is always a river of overflowing wisdom and knowledge. He made a very interesting critique of his own speech that earlier he used to talk a lot, but now he is making it concise with a punch at the end, as audience keep looking for it. Maybe he will get his real Doctorate for his study on Social media Virology.
One could see Kejriwal coming up with sucker punches to alleviate his shortcomings as a Speaker, hogging headlines. I still remember Kejriwal speaking for 10 minutes with a Juice tumbler in his hand, to be given to Anna Hazare who was fasting for days to kill corruption. It was like a thriller when AK would finish his unimpressive speech and handover the Juice, just not to kill Anna Hazare. It was striking moment, making me wonder, if the entire fasting was a PR drama which turned out to be so. Even if we get a Meditating / Laughing Buddha, he may not have worked for Social media age. We might need a Viral Verbal Punching Buddha to suit today’s world flooded with SM. There is – “Jesus is a Hipster” campaign skimming out all punches in Bible to attract youth. Just like SRK’s films of 2023, nobody can suppress an interestingly good message. Sincerely wish, RG could do better with interesting Punches, making his outreach compelling.
I usually stay away from Corporate Gurus in Hindutva era. But I was surprised with an anecdote from Sri to the power of Cubed to wrap this topic. In 2014 his Cubic power could not help US stabilise our Foreign exchange. Maybe it’s time to learn the “Art of contradicting” from what we got him endorsed in 2014. Hopefully his spiritual power will be used as a welcome positive change to propagate diversity and brotherhood amongst us.
Fanaticism fails to recognise that the divine loves variety and diversity; and that many different schools of thought can coexist in this world. The only way to get rid of fanaticism in the world is through spiritual education that is broad-based, multicultural and multireligious: that which creates a reverence for diversity in nature. It is when a child grows up considering other religions or cultures as bad or with the notion that my idea of God is the only idea of God, that he or she is ready to give up his or her life for that cause; but when a child grows up learning a little bit about all other religions, cultures and customs, then there is a sense of belonging with everybody. I feel that when every child in the world learns a little bit about every other religion or culture, the child will not have inhibitions or hatred towards other religions or cultures.
The “Rusted Iron” Policy of Congress
Modi is completely right in calling Congress – “Rusted Iron”, as they dont find any use of weaponizing Politics by creating sensational violent hate scenarios, getting their violent weapons to rust and instead chose to a humble dialogue with the masses, “How can we improve your lives?”. Strangely the weight of the rusted iron increases, due to additional weight of oxygen combined with iron over time. When we are in Space age, where Wars conducted at War rooms / Battles are waged at Board Rooms, only rulers with Foolish monarchical mindset will worry about the rusted iron weapons and paint with their PR coat, rather engaging on a skillful dialogue.
But Modi Calling Congress useless? Everybody know how useful Demon, GST, selling National assets, Communalism to the latest Women reservation Bill were for the Public good. It’s like a ZERO calling an Indian Independence Hero as Nothing, as a Freudian slip! All self-centered Modi’s schemes amounts to a single Branding – “Modi Hai Toh Nothing Hai!”, not even as good as rusted Iron. Modi just proves JR’s observation – Modi is always at his best at – “Insults” and good for nothing else. Let’s hope at least he comes up with creative insults as he gets too boring on that front too with out of fashion “Urban Naxal” abuses. The pathetic part is none of the BJP Party men could explain such terminology other than the coinage has a nice ring to it, blindly believing that just making rhyming noise is enough to win 2024. Well… this blog also has rhyming stuff not for attention but because of too much exposure to Nursery rhymes my Kids keep playing to my ears where Jack and Jill….meets Sisyphus.
The problem with indian Politics or rather any well meaning democracy is that our voting decisions are Superficial, just going by the outer beauty of branding like Mushroom-ish elitistic Rosy complexion or curated beard to imitate a Lion. Indians, busy fighting on their survival, never scratch that cosmetic surface, to get into the stinky part of the Ruler’s decisions or just not allowed with various political detours like Women’s reservation Bill destined for 2039 and with strong veil of PR drumming up our Super PM, when he is just super-stitious at the max scurrying to build a new Parliament hoping to win a third term and making super-ficial governance policy decisions like Demon carried away with One page powerpoint by some genial Auditors who got the knack of getting every decision wrong..
History suggests people who build such edifices to show off their might of power just end up as retired Rulers forever. You can always ask Karunanidhi, on his newly built well designed Assembly building ( Unlike our poorly designed soulless new Parliament pleasing No one) and got later transformed to an Hospital by Jayalalitha and even ask MKS why he did not revert back to the Assembly complex Karunanidhi built. There might be few more joining the list aiming to be permanent CM / PM with few exceptions. Maybe, it’s not for building superstitions but could be about their callousness not hearing the ground sentiments but focusing on meaningless buildings which fails them in future. Time has always proven to be the ultimate God and King among the mere mortals who miscalculate themselves to be mighty and permanent.
The evil Spidey of New India
I was questioned by a shopkeeper on why Indians don’t vote objectively rather emotionally nowadays, it’s not about underestimating anyone’s intelligence or potential. It’s just that we are too tired of Parties promising golden future be it Congress / BJP / Regional parties and what we get is substandard infrastructure and services even after getting squeezed up on taxes without any consideration for the poor survival. People just voted for a “change”, hoping something good will happen and ended up much worse situation. Our political situation is easily comparable to Soft Drink behemoths eating away the competition by offering free refrigerator, higher commission, lowest price and a soft demand not to sell local soft drinks to Shopkeepers, so as to capture market share in the initial stages. Its very much comparable to East India Company of modern times, where none of the competitors could survive their might of money and soft power, closing down their business. Eventually, things changed after a decade of duopoly. Now our Markets have Desi drinks slowly steadying up on sales. Similar thing happened with snacks where Desi Haldirams become a Billion Dollar company. The infrastructure basics like packages and tactics introduced by the MNCs actually helped the local vendors to easily assimilate the changes and pose a challenge against the same Corporates. People were overawed for change and eventually moved back to their roots even without any unethical push from Desi / Local Manufacturers. All local manufacturers had to do was provide a quality product in attractive packaging to get people back to their roots.
Modi’s confidence of winning 2024 arises from two aspects – firstly, the ability to manipulate EVMs as they are not dumb calculators as built in initial phases without VVPAT and secondly, the ability to sway Voters with emotional mass psychology. 2014 and 2019 were not won by Modi on his merit. Rather, he managed to win on emotional issues such as Corruption and Nationalistic sentiments, catalysed by communalism. It’s a chicken and egg scenario where one easily confuses if Modi is big enough to win elections or the manufactured circumstances allowed him to do so. To answer that, we need to check Modi’s stature before he was PM / CM. He kept a very low profile owing to his Rioter-In-Chief demerits and disqualifications… stayed just quiet and laid the web like Spider, hoping people will fall as his prey for his web of communal deceit and feel good 15 Lakh type progressive lies, and to Modi’s credit, succeeded in making himself look better among opposition flock, which worked out well… well… so far.
The BJP Leadership’s psychotic despair reaching its pinnacle with One Nation, One Election sort of duplicitous election mind games. This might sound crazy, but I would not be surprised if they employ mind control and mass propaganda techniques to influence the neutral and gullible voters who might just believe what they hear, which may not be necessarily of their own inner voice or conscience. There were previous incidents of suspicious tin foil type hats worn by Modi earlier, as he is a faithful follower of Nazi propaganda techniques.
How the RSS Spidey works like a crabby cancer eating out even (once) upright Media
If it is difficult to digest the level to which BJP-RSS could go to sway voters with media illusions, sample this. RSS conducted various off-the-record meetings especially with media editors and owners. For example Vikatan’s ownership wholly denied their involvement with Sangh by attending their meetings, but they had their bruises due to DMK linked G-Square coverage where they were accused for asking for bribes for setting the narrative favourably.
According to the police statement released on Wednesday, during the investigation, police found evidence that Kevin had financial transactions with a few of the magazine employees. However, as they did not find any merit to the charges made against the directors of ‘Junior Vikatan’ and a few others, they were planning to drop their names from the FIR.
As a past avid (proof)-reader of Vikatan for their professional coverage, I could see easy signs of Vikatan nowadays degrading by swaying towards RSS agenda in Tamilnadu. It nowadays covers a lot of BJP news even if its insignificant to keep the Party on top of readers’ minds. BJP has a voteshare of 5% in TN, but one could observe 25-40% news about BJP in TN media. There is a clear attack on MK Stalin, on various other issues as G-Square case reached a ceasefire truce. Unfortunately, vikatan is not helped by its own sagging financial status leading to layoffs. The latest attack by Vikatan is on much touted Chennai Rain water drains done at the expense of 4000 Crores. The attacks are taking malicious turn with various photographs of few flood incidents covered from various angles to show the State Government in poor light.
Personally, I have seen myself, how my locality is not stagnating even for heavy rains nowadays. Contrast that with 3 cm rainfall usually flooded our approach roads, during EPS regime. Evidently, we all saw what happened in 2015 Chennai rains during Jayalalithaa’s regime where entire chennai got flooded. We got a very similar downpour in 2023, but the issues are not that grave as in 2015. Of course there are flooding at many places if not on arterial roads which needs to be taken care of. More than SWDs, its the Chennai Corporation team’s handsome work being the main reason for the decent recent scenario. Such initiatives from Government need to be encouraged if we are really looking for better State. I would personally wish, they repair flood damaged roads with better polymer material at the vulnerable points alone rather re-laying it for worse, just like the developed countries do. We can’t expect overnight wonders happening in a massive city with notable encroachments sponsored by Builder-CMD nexus. But for Media like Vikatan, it’s still not fair game. They are obviously angry at the rains not causing much damage to MKS especially before the elections. Amusingly, Vikatan’s bought out Kazhugu section vented out with an abusive poem in the form of layman prayer…
As a layman, I dedicate the last line of the poem to every media personnel involved in damaging any political Party without conscience, with hidden saffron agenda. Because, Media is also like Sky. Whether it pours righteous divinity or bought out acidic Bullshit totally depends on their choice. Vikatan needs better SWD within their media framework to drain their own sewage thoughts and be back righteous. For example, the Poem states either the Sky pours or just scorches without any equilibrium. Any sensible editor would have induced a sense of equilibrium in his editorship, by pouring in ideas to the Government on making use of the crisis, like saving rain water when it pours and leverage irrigation techniques when it scorches rather using it as a layman’s version of prayer to scold the sky.
All crisis also brings in opportunities. Rain is a blessing which seems to be in abundance in MKS regime. In the long term, other than constructing sponge parks to preserve groundwater levels, DMK will do a lot good to Chennai by not wasting Chembarambakkam and Puzhal water by diverting it to other newly formed water structures or tributaries, which could act as feeder for new townships. Our neighbour AP has Pattiseema Lift irrigation and Polavaram project to connect their rivers. Telangana built Kaleshwaram irrigation project to uplift farmers. Karnataka built a canal system which makes use of the Cauvery water to the fullest. But TN despite having the longer river length than these states is not able to make use of excess water. Well we are busy with illegal sand mining the dry river beds.
My Apartment is 15 years old, but still maintained well. With new tile laying and modest outer decor I lunatically visualized it as poor man’s Venice. Cyclone Michaung made my Quixotic visualization complete by filling it with above knee water. At least my wife will not complain about not going to Shani-Moon at Venice. Better belated than never.
The flooding reasons could be multifold like building on low lying areas and lakes to absence of slopes in buildings and connecting roads for water to drain. Encroachment of low lying areas we can leave for now as we mud-shitted on the water bodies with our human settlements it’s now water-shitting back on us. But why are old houses in safer zones which never got flooded before are flooding in last decade? Why are every family now owning Motor pumps and flood equipment, when usually it was the work of Municipality men last decade? Why are so many lakes are overflowing. Can we attribute all this to just Global warming or dig further for our own welfare by channelising for betterment?
From a layman perspective, I started seeing floods entering homes when the roads are unreasonably increased in height, without any commonsensical sloping, rendering the slopes in the house of no use. We are in trouble if the house floor gets just a millimeter down from the road. Since the roads are elevated and if the road floods, the water flows into the house and stagnates, performing its social justice equalizer Job. The absurd situation of lack of slopes across connecting roads and houses has made the flood mitigation effort once restricted to Municipality or Corporation level to individual level. What could have been solved by simple gravity with effective sloping now needs motors which in turn needs electricity and gets into a deadlock when the EB components remain submerged too unable to provide electricity.
Our Apartment is in a situation where the rains have reduced, but the flooding on the roads as the draining canals 100 meters away is entering the House again. This is much like MKS elaborated on the difference between 2015 and 2023 Chennai floods. 2015 was a man made flood and 2023 is a natural disaster. Our Apartment faced 2023 Cyclone on Dec 3-5 and now getting prepared for the 2015 type synthetic flood on Dec 6, due to sewage overflow from nearby canal. All this could have been averted if the roads are not elevated mindlessly to fund the Parties for election. Unfortunately, this is the case everywhere in Chennai and not just our Apartment. The roads have grown in height just like our Kids and are now stomping on us by entering the House from roads. Its a case of even common sense masonry giving way for politicians’ greed.
என் வீட்டு கன்னுக்குட்ட, என்னோட மல்லுக்கட்டி,
என் மார்பில் முட்டுதடி கண்மணி என் கண்மணி!
தீப்பட்ட காயத்துல தேள் வந்து கொட்டுதடி கண்மணி….. கண்மணி!
Currently, the Corporation contractors are instructed to remove the top layer of bitumen and not to increase the height while laying roads, which is actually not happening even in main roads. Have read Press notices of how the Commissioner tried to personally intervene on such aberrations but no one could deny its keeps on going as the Contractors are affiliated to the Parties. First of all there is no need for new road, as its about bolstering its cracks and crevices to weather seasons. So, any sensible Government focusing on people’s welfare rather rich commissions from PWD contracts would have resorted to fix where it’s broken rather relaying road on the whole. Western world just band aids with resilient polymer binding, just like welding joints are more stronger than the steel making vulnerable parts much stronger. But we mindlessly increased road heights and now spend thousands of crores in flood water drains. Our innovations are more on funding and winning elections, rather actual welfare.
There are criticisms floating in the internet few understandably venting on their frustration but too many with political undertones, having plenty of time to make jokes out of crisis instead of lending a helping hand to the affected or at least they could have kept quiet leaving the Government to do the Job. If they question MKS on the Rain water drain infra expenditure, they should obviously question Modi’s needless and useless Jugaad on Demonetisation which took more lives, rendering our economy poorer than minimally impacting Chennai floods. Telangana’s Kaleshwaram irrigation project costed around 1 Lakh + Crore and was criticised for its failure. Still KCR made undeniable and valuable progress for Farmers with his schemes and Projects. KCR’s legacy proves that, we can talk politics, but cannot eat politics. So, it’s time to stand together in crisis, forgetting petty differences and then move on to discuss how it could have been done better. If at all our Politicians did something better than empty criticism and useless sarcasm, we will be living in amrit kaal rather daydreaming about it in cyclone created Venice.
There are Jokes about MKS boasting about no rain water will stay in chennai with the new drains. He is still factually right, any normal rain would have flown through with a calm sea as it did for last few weeks, but with a cyclone where the sea tides and levels are elevated and water bodies saturated the water will not drain easily. It’s unfair to criticise any Government in power, be it State or Center, when our helping hands and shouldering responsibilities are more than required now to help them in crisis. EPS visibly happy and joking around MKS will not help him in the future as any good leader would have stood with the people first and reserve the bickering for later. With Super El Nino danger still persisting for next few years presenting unpredictable weather, MKS wil have a tougher test to overcome for his next assembly elections unless otherwise he widens the flood mitigation choices, splitting Chennai into various drainage zones and resolving them by connecting to the nearby water bodies and other backup plans.
Maybe DMK’s young leadership could collaborate with the Seniors, who are doing a great job. Relief efforts could have greater impact than any Youth Conference for propping up Nex-Gen leadership. The young Cadre seems dysfunctional, not a great sign for upcoming elections. There are many factors for floods as explained by Pradeep John like Land is already soaked up and could not absorb further rains, Sea rising above the tributaries level keeping even the drains full and improper sloping across roads. But, DMK could impress upon the public with the speedy recovery and relief efforts once the rain subsides.
[Update 6th December 2023
After two days, the State Government sounds dysfunctional despite its best efforts. They still cant claim the sea levels are higher. It’s pretty disheartening to see the angst of the people who don’t even get drinking water for their needs. When water is on the streets, it becomes Government’s responsibility.
They could have adopted few steps below.
Phased approach utilising Diesel motors at least in the heart of Chennai then move on to other strategic areas, based on the altitudes, leaving aside the canal flooded areas. Most of the slopes will take care of draining itself.
Most of the places are in 3-4 feet of water. Tractors from nearby towns could be helpful as its amphibious with more capacity than manually operated lifeboats with minimal seats, expanding Government shelters.
They can easily provide drinking water and if not possible to do door delivery, dispense them to the needy from Aavin type Kiosks, deputing volunteers in the area to distribute to the needy.
Power the submerged electricity distribution centers by protecting them with sandbags and then taking out water, using motors. Its shameful that we still blame our inefficiency on rain water stagnated even after 2 days. Prior cyclone, they could have avoided the entry of water to electric substations with sandbag Bunds or in the long term elevate the instruments to prevent flood damage.
Get double surplus Aavin milk, milk powder and even long shelf life milk like Nandhini’s Good life tomorrow morning to avoid people and babies starving on basics. Aavin is not clearly not meeting its demands and looks like the cadre is amassing a sizeable portion of it leaving the regular consumers in queues. With due respects to Nameetha, what would an average Netizen, stared in floods and unable to feed his baby, think when the DMK cadre gives few liters of milk to feed her pets while we hear painful cries of long queues even to feed the Kids in chennai streets? Is this a Government for the rich Nameethas leaving water to do the social justice job of filling in all the troughs. If people should take care of themselves, DMK will not have any friends left during election. Clearly, it seems they can’t rely on their own weak cadre unable to make an impression so far. What is the point in doing PR for crores when they can’t act in a real crisis?
The Corporation could be understaffed, so it’s best to leverage and advertise social media handles to enable transparency and swift issue logging and resolution.
Provide Amma Groceries type bags with essential food for people. This should not take many days if they use private vendors. Honestly, AIADMK did a much better Job with such things and they even managed overnight stickers on the grocery bags.
Leverage Amma canteens and civil societies in Social media to plan food distribution. DMK Social media could coordinate based on the needs.
For People who are stuck in their homes, Create more shelters in Govt Schools with Food supply to calm down protesting people deprived of basics for lat three days.
Fix Puzhal lake with concrete on the cracks and not to fill it till brim to avoid major disaster.
So far I am only seeing Ministers trying trying to impress first family and cautious on PR when the reality is searing and people fleeing Chennai as if no government exists. There is no assurance from the CM on what people should do like reach the nearest Govt center and Govt will take care, like how he did before the cyclone. Volunteers will take care of transporting if the Government gives the gathering points. There is no message of assurance to give hopes to the people.
Understand there is a limit to Government’s capacity, but what strikes even more is that they seem like they don’t have a plan to show the people. Let’s imagine an election is happening instead of floods. How does the Government mobilize the staff and logistics for that last mile delivery? If the Government is numb to handle war-time flood scenario, at least it could imagine this as election to stimulate that selfish adrenaline to kick off.
Apologies for shallow ideas or the tone but it’s actually depressing the way the Government has handled it so far. Cyclone is not their doing, so they could bounce back rather worrying about Why. But the water keeps on circulating Chennai for last 72 hours and the Institutions sound clueless. The water flowing out seems to have got blocked with the debris. Where there is a clear will and resolve there is always a way, like Jayalalitha made a turnaround of 2015 leveraging Bulldozers in a positive way, rather cracking jokes like elderly Durai Murugan awkwardly does. Floods are not Rom-Coms just because it creates a muddy venice like effect. Current Government seems leaving it to Nature or its just their nature to be lethargic in crisis? They are missing the fighting spirit and energy which powered DMK during Karunanidhi’s period. The War horses are getting old and new gen is only good for show reels and movies, calling themselves Giants.
I need to swallow my pride I had on this MKS Government and admit, 2015 was handled much better. This Government is just doing PR Circus. The CM is just clueless that he has not even orchestrated desilting of the river drains carried over by hype of SWD. The DMK cadre is not visible at all, making us miss Jayalalitha even more who amped up the relief work from different dimensions including ADMK cadre. This dysfunctional and insensible Government is not even bouncing back. Maybe they are planning to host water olympics just like F#.
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[ Update 7th December 2023
Got to say, DMK relief work bounced back a bit, though it had its limits. DMK’s experience counts here as it’s seasoned veterans and handling it well. The milk supply got assured to an extent with availability at Kiosks. It could have been better and positive it will improve. The relief team sensed the demands for groceries and veggies and deployed Vans which may mitigate to a small percentile, if it helps the poor areas where it matters the most. Electricity still remains the pain point as people will take care of themselves, if the government offers them basic electricity and flood.
The water is draining slowly but steadily, with hope of restoration soon. The rain water still got miles to go before Chennaites could sleep.
The Ministers faced the Press with a candid and lucid discussions on the ongoing efforts. The CS gave a very pragmatic interview setting right expectations, handling the public message better than before. At least the messaging was unified.
Minister SekarBabu’s clarity on 2015 floods was a revelation to a bit, for people like me who have not experienced it firsthand. PKS, the strongman from North Chennai was part of ADMK then, who might know first hand information on the chaos happened then.
One need to agree that DMK govt did fairly well in 2023 than 2015, yet another El-Nino year of extremes. Where DMK scored is on being battle ready from Day 1, giving assurance. But their assurances backfired as Chennaites thought Cyclone will be a One-night-Stand. No blame games as nobody can predict nature. Maybe the Government will realise that the solution for Chembarambakkam lake deluge lies somewhere else and not just on the sea as the water from the lakes only aggravated the flood issue. But did DMK really win the relief battle compared to 2015?
2015 was a tricky monsoon as the relief work had to endure multiple days of rain making the relief work difficult. So, they did have a prolonged mitigation work unlike now. If 2015 rain was a marathon, 2023 rain so far is a sprint.
But, where ADMK under Jayalalitha scored is on supplying the relief material, so that people could stand on their own. South Chennai could be expecting electricity and drains but the current anger in north chennai is mainly because, people have the memory of someone representing the Government helped them out with the basics and stood like a pillar of assurance when they are broken with material losses. Since the Government assumed that water will drain soon, they focused on the drainage aspects rather providing comfort for the people or on satisfying their basic necessities which backfired. Another positive aspect of 2015 flood mitigation was on then Government’s preventive maintenance by desilting the drainage canals and tributaries. The current adyar river is flowing to sea on one fifth of its capacity due to absence of desilting and the debris adds more to the disaster.
What is even more striking is the absence of Political cadre in the flood prone areas. I do remember DMK was bit more visible and active in 2015 news cycles, compared to the current opposition ADMK, with relief and support as Chennai is their Bastion. Now ADMK is nowhere to be seen. EPS came and laughed at Chennai’s miseries instead of conquering Chennai, which could haunt him before elections. So, the onus is fully on DMK to take care of relief work. Where it got exposed is that only their exhausted old Ministers are still acting like young guns and their young generation and local politicians are missing in action so far.
BJP leader Annamalai quotes that DMK’s chennai representatives absconded out of fear to face the Public. Like a shrink, they could have just listened to the grievances as its common sense that this is not a man made disaster and the Government did its best effort. It’s just sheer laziness and arrogance of power of its cadre. The Ministers responsible for the relief work had to bring in their relief materials from their home bases far away. This exposes the structural weaknesses of DMK as the elections are near. They are still relying on Old war horses and their next gen leaders are either not allowed a free hand or not so promising. It’s a painful revelation as Chennai is DMK’s fort with a major representation of Ward councillors and MLAs and MPs, but without any natural Leaders arising out of crisis. The representatives’ excuses of fear to face the crowd is a lame one. Everytime are they going to deploy PKS and Nehru against rightfully angry people? Maybe, the DMK leadership is too lenient to accommodate such indisciplines of their cadre in the name of being democratic while they are just encouraging corrupt attitude which ensured DMK never beat anti-incumbency in their political history.
Maybe the Government could form more teams in verticals like flood drainage, relief work and Shelters management, rather splitting it constituency wise to avoid communication gaps and other logistical issues. Such verticals may centralise the work and provide more transparency to the Leadership compared to ad-hoc relief work.
The Government could also leverage Google Maps on real time information where they provide shelters, medical and relief along with basic necessity sources like Milk and groceries to provide real time status on the relief work so that public will be aware of the Government’s aids and avail it rather lurking in the dark. At least it will help the Government portray a positive image of their dedicated work.
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[ Update 8th December 2023
The Government has tamed the cyclone Beast and its own Lake-made disaster successfully, except for few developing and sparsely populated areas and North Chennai.
Sometimes, I wonder why Nature is so cruel, but in tamil they say the gold gets treated in fire to get pure. Anyways, its of no use to the gold as someone will show off wearing it.
Our Government is not gold, nor are we, we are all collectively responsible for aggravating this natural disaster. The Government might have missed forewarning as they did better infrastructure than 2021 rains, and we also trusted them waking up everyday after cyclone imaging things will be alright just like sunshine. Our storm water drains brought in too much of PET bottles floating and other garbage. The Corporation took off tons of garbage and water hyacinths. Maybe next time they will be having a way out to clean the major drains and desilt the major outlets using machinery. It’s not an easy task though personally having seen Corporation workers struggling with this broken drainage system. Maybe next time they will find a better way to drain Chembarambakkam and other Lakes or even preserve water with new water bodies or connecting tributaries. Maybe they will ban PET bottles now… Just Joking. Laws are for hapless classes, not for Corporates. Maybe it’s time to forgive decades of dravidian Governments and plan for better drainage system without forgetting the grave mistakes taking us to grave sooner than later.
There are lot of positives. Aavin Minister Mano Thangaraj made a quick turnaround. The admirable senior Ministers Nehru and PKS and maybe others in background showed resilience and was not hesitant at all to face the angry public. The IAS officers Shiv Das Meena / Radhakrishnan / Gagandeep Singh Bedi and maybe others operating from background were so calm and efficient during this crisis. MKS and Udhayanidhi showed genuine and steely resolve which shows promise for future. Finally the Corporation workers who work tirelessly to make this water world wonderland a livable city. They are the only ones who know all the bugs in our touted drainage system. We are indebted to you.
I will reiterate that the Multi crore drains are not a waste of money. It’s just that we need to improve few more aspects to make better use of our rains. Maybe we will be seeing improvement in few years, but I am not going to bet on it with the challenges ahead but be prepared for eventualities. My experience with EPS regime, regards to civic amenities in my locality has been much worse. I suffered two minor accidents due to very bad or that absent road in my area. Water usually stagnated ever for small rains. EPS laid roads just before his elections after a year or two. SWDs are better version than before. At least let’s encourage politicians who show resolve, rather being afraid to take up challenges. Else we will be blessed with Governments who leave everything on us and watching televisions just like us to know the happenings in TN.
There is nothing more to blabber here as good old Humanity is taking care of the disaster. Personally I have seen heroes emerging out of modest humans around us awakened by the disaster. Unfortunately, could not see the NGOs and volunteers helping out Chennai this time. It could be deliberate understanding the State Government’s unofficial tone of all is well, however flood swells or Celebrities afraid of antagonising Kollywood giants, but there are silent saviours helping each other. It could also be self-esteem like Modi and MMS denying foreign help for grave disasters, that the Government is strong enough to take care of its people. But, are NGOs foreigners? The more the Government wants to erase this disaster from memory or seen in bad light, the more it loses the ground. The first step for any issue resolution is acceptance of the issue.
After all this, I still have a blind hope left in this Government, because, if this Government is not doing it, I am certain it will take decades to get a CM of Karunanidhi, Jayalalitha or Stalin stature. Its is a simple wish that the CM reigns in the Bureaucrats on the consequences for their lapses / failures with not just harmless transfers but serious action which will act as lubricant for the Government machinery and he also shows an iron hand dictatorship, just like he has on Media / PR, with his Cadres and Councillors with strict career threatening repercussions that they start thinking about the people who voted them to power, rather cooling off their heels in water therapy. Too many unruly Kings create floods and even election losses. CM can only take consolation that AIADMK is weak and their secret ally BJP is making it weaker, but the situation is getting ripe for an eminent third party Leadership, who knows it might emerge even by breaking AIADMK itself. No spoilers… it’s only Velumani from ADMK who had the heart to work on relief. Maybe it was due to his own Karma, as he was the beneficiary of SWD contracts prior MKS regime and co-creator of this 2023 flood.
Its disheartening on the quantum of loss to the poor and the middle class. Like cyclone and floods, miseries too shall pass maybe slowly. But with water drained out and electricity up again they will fight on their own rather looking for Government’s intervention. Such is life…fighting until we feel it beautiful.
As the rain scare continues next week, maybe we could try the following.
Immediate plans for Chennai flood mitigation.
Keeping milk powder and Baby food in stock and reserves especially for the daily wager communities and shelters.
Keeping surplus potable water in stock. Making use of rain water by storing in large tanks for use in shelters.
Ensure expecting Mothers and others needing treatment are admitted in Hospitals / shelters prior cyclone or flood warning.
Food and Shelters possibly in first or higher floors with preparations for power outage.
First aid and Medicines at supply Kiosks / Ration shops.
Proper warnings and Providing Google map type information on the Govt shelters and other facilities a day prior so that people in low rises can choose themselves where they want to stay.
Leveraging Amma canteens for immediate free food supply and milk after floods.
Desilting the main drains and canals.
Removing the garbage before next rain so that it does not block the drain.
Identify the bottlenecks in the last flood and analyse if they could be drained without motor pumps by digging roads or making ways for the water to flow. Connecting the SWDs where it was broken.
Filtering garbage in the canals frequently so that water flow is unobstructed.
Operating high power pumps even during the rains to minimise damage in low lying areas.
The possibilities of expanding tributaries to the sea with ad-hoc measures.
Creating Whatsapp and SM handles for flood relief as they are more scalable with easier Data entry than Landlines.
Reserving NRDF, Coastal guard Boats, High ground clearing vehicle and Boats ready at appropriate flood points to ease out rescue plan. Making sure they are loaded with essentials like food materials and sanitary needs to sustain few days.
Creating centralised teams for Flood Preparation, Water Drains, Monitoring Canals efficiency and Relief so that they are accountable and responsible in case of failures.
Disciplinary actions on few Bureaucrats who defied duty calls to create traction and focus for subsequent crisis.
Long Term Plans for Chennai Floods
Increase the height of electrical stations and pillar Boxes to 4 feet in future constructions feet to endure floods to an extent. The new pillar boxes are raised at two feet in height.
Making sure of no new encroachments in the flood drains with special care for approvals near water bodies.
Creating new water bodies connecting to Chembarambakkam and Puzhal so that water drains to them rather going to the sea.
Making the roads robust with better ingredients on its cracks and faultlines, adhering to specified heights.
Creating height adjustable bund walls in estuaries so that we are still able to dump water in case of storm surges, by adjusting height.
Establishing ground water wells in all public buildings and Parks.
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[ Update 19th December 2023
Now torrential rains have striked the south Tamilnadu region and its scale of destruction is mind boggling. I am now numb nowadays.
DMK government does not seem to have learned much from the Chennai floods. One postive turnaround was diverting the milk supplies in excess at least as per the Press without knowing the actualities. The media coverage will be less down there, but may affect forthcoming elections as the goodwill gets lost. Strangely, the Government started with both precautionary and relief measures at the same time. At least they could have asked for Army help a day before. At Least they could have setup more relief centers. There seems no plan at all…again. MKS traveling to Delhi even without visiting South TN could be leveraged by the opposition.
Also, blaming IMD is of no use as they have precisely predicted the nature of rain and dates. The quantum is anyway going to be vary. This actually shows the lack of depth and preparedness of the leadership and his team of Bureaucrats. Again, the Government is exercising the same hapless PR executed in Chennai, which is getting decimated by the opposition, which may not hold water in these treacherous situations.They may lose the plot with a disastrous PR on a natural disaster.
Unlike Chennai where the land is abused by the ongoing CMDA and Builders nexus, the southern regions may hold well except for few exceptions, due to less population, though the challenge could be on its vastness. So, the need of the hour is to squeeze in maximum manpower from the State and Center and coordinate for a week, providing food and shelter in rural and urban areas. The Governments will certainly earn a good name* doing better than Chennai with a honest turnaround rather playing useless blame games.
All DMK Leadership needs to do now is to present a positive picture and resolve and that DMK is with the TN people through thick and thin, on whatever happened has happened. The positive message will act as a Balm rather defending the indefensible or getting offended on criticisms. இப்படை தோற்கின் எப்படை வெல்லும்!
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TN Media’s Bass communication… with terribly silent treble?
Of late, I am seeing lot of TV mainstream coverage trying to justify the underreach of the Government asking questions to flood victims – “Are you living in approved Land? Has help reached.. Don’t lie you got NGO biscuits right?” . The victim innocently says its the team which came with the reporter gave her biscuits and the reporter claims they were separate teams. All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; Hmm Shakespeare might be laughing at us. There was another media which narrated the plight of few residents left out of electricity and then Udhayanidhi performed magic touch and another lengthy coverage on how things changed. Wish Udhayanidhi stopped the Cyclone too.
If we dig down the government friendly media debates, if we want to derive unintentional humour out of tragedies, get introduced to a Corporate version of PWD Saint by name Thirunavukkarasu. For starters he simple vowed North Chennai cannot escape flood by any chance making one wonder why the Government did not plan any relief even thinking about Babies and the predominant poor who live on daily wages. Usually Corporate saints will bring all bring in Scientific terms to bring credibility to their own BS. He brought in high tide low tide scenario for Pallikaranai flooding, so no way this can be fixed. If he just googles he will be able to find Dutch cities and towns well below sea level and still happily in all seasons. They use Science for betterment rather bewilderment by creating structures called Dykes.
See the House, that could be an Apartment in Pallikaranai, if the Government has the Will.
He then said there is no way Adyar river could be deepened as sea water will enter to cover up the Government’s inefficiency of lack of desilting or expanding the outflow by increasing the depth as recommended by Thirupugazh community. Maybe if he sees how Panama canal transports ships among various heights just through water displacement, he may find other clever means to fool the public. All we need is a height adjustable wall to enable flow of water to the sea. Water will take care of itself to flow to low altitude. No wonder with people like him in PWD, they cant even connect SWDs properly or lay roads at specified heights, but teach us to live with nightmare. We are caught in the Pathetic Work Department created neverland.
For Adyar water displacement, we don’t need sophisticated technology but just a height adjustable wall which makes sure water flows from the city irrespective of storm or high tides. If Adani blocks Okkiyam drain with a wall for a redundant Kattupalli Port why cannot the Government build for its People?
I do respect the same media which highlighted various shortcomings as News without sensationalising, but looks like they are in power grip of the Government which could not deliver power for 5 Days. Personally I have been manhandled, damaging my Mobile, by the First family operated Black Sheep media groupies. Afterall Psy-ops are not limited to BJP or even DMK right? An unreliable Partner is more than enough to gaslight one’s life making it miserable. So, an open threat to Shabir on making his life miserable struck a chord with me as individual or Organization are capable of doing it through various means. The DMK cadre have already physically beat him too. We are all already living a miserable life, why so much hatred for someone showing someone else’s miseries? Don’t they affect us sadly due to the tragedy rather as politics?
No surprises as we are ruled by Gujarat model sweetened with Freebies and namesake Social justice which cannot question high castes who mix excreta in water tanks or even initiate caste census like Bihar, with their amoebic ideology conveniently wrapped as newly minted Dravidian model. I was one of that blind bhakt of that model who imagined – Not a drop of flood water will remain next day – but seeing similar Bhakts ending up with no food.
The Media and the wastrels blogging here are at no loss if any wastrel rules. It matters for nothing as nothing changes as was depicted in 2015 / 2023. Only difference now is efficient PR and media control. But, personally, any person following TN politics will have a soft corner for Stalin and Udhayanidhi for being amicable and dignified public personalities. As a well wisher I certainly wish them many success though its doubtful with DMK’s attitude which is in their DNA.
But, DMK cadre targeting unbiased media Professionals like Shabbir Ahmed and Lakshmi Subramanian shows, how they are fed with Gujarat model venom, despite TRB Raja’s IT wing was appreciated by many for its efficient outreach. Do they think they can control everything with toxicity and threats. I really liked News Minute Shabbir’s and BBC Tamil Sharada’s coverage of the flood and it was not at all for sensationalization. They had a compelling story to tell. Any sensible Government would have taken note rather sketching for making his life miserable, as they shamelessly confessed they did to TOI’s Omjasvin. For example Vikatan had a simple observation of how roads cut in 2015 to remove floods could have been laid with a pipe underground for future floods. Journalist Mani lamented on How Amma canteen acted as shock absorber with free food for 10 days during 2015 floods, keeping the flood victims assured and calm. These are all nuggets of wisdom no sycophantic / arrogant cadre could bring in other than unbiased media.
DMK could have visited the affected pregnant lady featured in the News Minute, consoled her assuring of further help as Kalaignar’s cadre would have done. But it does not happen with Modi model of governance where mistakes should be silenced rather getting repented or corrected. I sincerely appreciate Minister Ma. Subramanian’s reaction to the Cadre’s threats to the Journalist. That was how Kalaignar nurtured his cadre and also controlled media by hearing them out patiently. This also exposes the generational gap between the DMK cadre. Maybe Ma. Su is wielding a quixotic sword imagining a 99.5% rosy breezy chennai, but the young DMK cadre is fighting with spatula in the air in an imagined battlefield full of abuses and threats, hitting everybody they think as enemies. Maybe Stalin is Dangerous than Karunanidhi or Udhayanidhi Stalin is more dangerous than Stalin. People proved they are the most dangerous even in a dysfunctional democracy.
DMK’s young generation has grown toxic in social media and get cowardly with people interactions that it can never face the actual media in person. All they can do is abuse in Internet or meters away or employ Rowdies to handle their perceived enemies. How about employing Rowdies to handle floods? Personally, I feel as better person with more emotional control after I quit toxic political twitter when it got even more ridiculous with whimsical Musk. Social media is not for the easily impressionable weak hearted people, unfortunately it’s full of such people. Young DMK’s online Click friendly approach is well established by the absence of DMK cadre on the ground, as they are conditioned that political fights will only happen in twitter. Maybe we should simulate floods online for their active participation.
It’s not that DMK was not doing media manhandling earlier. It just came bursted out exposed during an uncontrollable crisis, where they cannot stomach a meaningful debate anymore. If at all they got deputed and visited North Chennai, they could have understood the ground situation and well meaning media. Nobody is against DMK overnight. They are just against the atrocities happened which could have been mitigated by the sensible Rulers, if they focused on the flood preparation rather F4 or Political Conference. Only Cowards who could not course correct will be afraid of their well meaning critics, like BJP usually does when they are in control. They obviously need to allow the media to vent out rather growing hidden frustration, making it far worse with threats. The public anger suppressed unethically without venting could get much worse during election times.
It’s unfortunate that DMK’s entire PR castle got brought down to grinding halt with the floods as people realised with a rude shock, the hollowness of this regime. DMK need to realise they are completely different beast now, compared to what they were five years back. They need to recount how they handled Corona crisis admirably. They are now drunk on power and arrogance, which led to this flood Hubris. If they still want to teach everyone questioning them with violent manhandling lesson, its well and good for their self-destruction. But, have they realised that cadre is out of control where MKS quips are not commands anymore but just a harmless App notification? People will forget and move on as they got nothing to do with the rulers and their unruly cadre. It’s only the virtuous rulers who will lose the endgame.
“My father and I had gone to visit Amethi and he was interacting with citizens. An old woman scolded him because the road in her area got washed away in the rain. I asked my father later whether he felt bad and he replied no; he said he and the old woman were doing their duties. This was the politics back then but now the rules have changed.”
“Now 40 years have passed. I went to a chawl in Uttar Pradesh where I spoke with a woman using a stove, who said she does not have money to fill the gas cylinder. Nobody is employed in her home, there is no electricity or water connection and she sells bangles to run the family. But when I asked who she will vote for, she said she will vote for the same politician. When I asked why, she started talking about religion and caste. Public were aware back then and are aware now, but the difference is politicians now play with their emotions… When you talk about religion, emotions and caste, you do not ask about water supply, roads, employment. This is a big political conspiracy to deviate you so that you do not ask the right questions.”
The Times of India….
“Modi spent Rs 27,000 crores to make Yashobhoomi, another Rs 20,000 crore on new Sansad Bhavan and two planes worth Rs 8,000 crores each for their travel. But he cannot answer why your roads are broken, why you are not getting employment, why the prices are rising so much. He cannot answer why the country’s farmer is earning Rs 27 per day and his rich industrialist friend is earning Rs 1,600 crore in a day.”
You cannot nail Modi more simpler that the above quote. Looks like PG has attained her PG on political campaigns and “The Gandhis Trishul ” could be a very effective force spearheading 2024 campaign, if they play on their strengths – Sonia Gandhi’s wisdom and consensus based approach, Rahul Gandhi’s amiability and Priyanka Gandhi’s mercurial campaign rivaling even Modi on message outreach.
I would expect similar emotional stirring on the Nation, as PG mentioned, like MGR at Hospital still winning from Bed or some other routes squeezing out voter sympathy on Modi. The ethical opposition will find it difficult to counter Modi who is shameless enough to win through any means, like shady Pulwama or deploying churidar Babas making billions out of fancy dress competitions, aptly timed before crucial election. Only egoless hard work could make the opposition win through hostile emotional circumstances, by preparing voters, anticipating the BJP moves and preempting it, as people are too tired of Modi-isms keen on running PR Show-biz rather governance.
Why is it that we rejoice at a birth and grieve at a funeral? It is because we are not the person involved. – Mark Twain
To conclude, Rabid Hindutva and beautiful Indian democracy is a case of never the twain shall meet!
PS: If this sounds like preachy message, it’s not my fault. The blog was drafted as well-wisher and as someone who adore MKS administrative skills, written on the capacity of an Analyst based on inputs received. But feel free to see yourself on that Preacher Mirror you hold, if you perceive it that way, as you cannot digest the truth to practice what you preach.
To eat is human…to digest‚ divine.
Mark Twain
Only way the preachy crooks could make a statement is by swearing with personal abuses and insults to make things indigestible to any ethical system. But, time is the best Digene and best antidote to evil Karma people accumulate by infringing on Human rights with their evil Psy-Ops playing brainy emotional games on the gullibles. May 2024 elections also provide them enough Digene, along with inevitable dismal results, to digest all their unethical and abusive sins committed to Indians.
At this rate of Tamilnadu State Government’s atrocities, I would not be surprised if MK Stalin renames Tamilnadu as TASMAC-Nadu, named after the state owned liquor Corporation. Tamilnadu is suffering the perils of the lack of genuine Leader after Jayalalitha, who could have been a bit dictatorial but possessed a flawless moral centre and a benevolent mindset eclipsing her smaller shortcomings.
And I would not be surprised if MKS wakes up the next day after learning the State’s name change and growing opposition, making an Former CM Edapadi Palaniswamy act after Tuticorin Jalian wala Bagh type assassinations, that he himself was not aware when even the Collector was in loop.
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.”
Senthil Balaji Err… Benjamin Franklin
I would not be shocked if the Party’s late-coming Kangaroo who managed to eclipse all the DMK’s loyal stalwarts, now busy on making a recipe of “Death by liquor Chocolate for Tamilnadu” closely collaborating with the DMK’s first family, will be the DMK’s next antagonist after 2G scam. He is just a career based Politician who knows how to unlock the right political doors at the right moment, rising from Mineral water vendor to Liquor Supplier of Tamilnadu. Some Politicians don’t understand the difference between being an entertainer or a Politician, just like flavours of water. The State is in such a state where there are more political clowns keeping their attendance strong at PR Circus shows just like Film stars, rather doing what they got elected for – good Governance.
“When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.”
MKS after 2G Scam Err… Benjamin Franklin
And I would not be surprised if people of Tamilnadu suffer from confusion and dilemma in understanding whether it’s the same Government which promotes education among the lesser privileged, provider of morning meals to school children, giving free bus tickets for Women is also the same Split personality Government supplying free flowing Liquor to keep them in a dizzy state forever, applying all innovation in Liquor promotion, rather on welfare and HR.
“My therapist set half a glass of water in front of me. He asked if I was an optimist or a pessimist. So, I drank the water and told him I was a problem solver.”
First Family Err… Don’t know Who. Copied from Web
And I would not be surprised, if this “disgusting” ( as rightly quoted by PMK’s Anbumani, I did not vote for Oviya, but will not mind voting for you if come above crooked caste politics and silly coalitions ) Liquor Government, with bottomless greed for corruption, even after hectic struggles for decades to rise up after 2G scam and other corruption charges, will go through much more issues by the same pattern after 2024, making themselves a rotten Hell, if they dont course correct to get their feet and ears grounded.
“I think good governance and good politics can go together.”
Chandrababu Naidu. No! Not any TN Politician of present times.
And I would not be surprised, it’s not just few scams, but MKS will be remembered for his own inefficiency after peaking for good in first two years, only to slide down for all arrogance and bureaucratic lethargy. Jayalalitha did not just get reelected among politically conscious Tamil people with just PR. She showed real intent and equivalent actions to come up with novel schemes frequently, for the welfare to make herself an outstanding Leader, not just Photo Booths and inviting Film stars for publicity or doling out liquor vending Machines and licensing public spaces for Liquor vending or helping Politicians amass land and steal entire water bodies by privatising even water resources of the State .
“The earth, the air, the land, and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children. So we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.”
Land Mafia and their inheritors Err… Gandhi
Honestly, I did not expect this from MKS who seems more of a dummy CM faring poorer than EPS with series of U-turns, foxy laws and secret Govt gazettes. MKS looks like an Union Agent deputed to make BJP flourish in TN, and doing the self destruction job of dravidian culture even better than EPS. Sadly DMK as usual aspires to be outstanding Number One Party in India for Corruption, under the feeble guidance of MKS.
“Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody.”
Congress might be optimistic of Opposition Unity for 2024 Elections. There are various factors which might make the case for opposition Unity a myth.
Weaker the Leading Party merrier the Party Allies.
Kalaignar used to put the political situation of Hugging and Backstabbing two-timing duplicitous allies delightfully as there are no permanent friends or enemies in Politics. Maybe, if he was alive now, he would have lamented out on lack of humans in Ruling Politics. There are only Self-serving Demi-Gods amassing riches in the name of Benami small-gods and then other subservient five sensed rabid layer below them, serving their arrogance without any questions or conscience.
Writer Sujata created a science fiction island where all subjects are held captive with a dose of addictives everyday, suppressing their thinking forcing them into ignorant bliss and unquestionable slavery, making the reader wonder how such a mighty enemy could be taken over with almost every step by the protagonist made to look feeble and nothing compared to the strong steely emeny force. The novel’s ending will be quite simpler… It’s Just one line with departure of a sixth sensed guest Doctor who replaces the slavery doses with sterile water, triggering an uncontrollable revolt. If this reminds you of Present Srilanka with its majoritarianism ego dose, the novel was written at least few decades back. If it reminds you of future India with its hatred dose, check your senses, it will be too damaging for present to assimilate the atrocities with a thinking mind and with a simple question – WHY?
All Political Parties tend prey upon the weaker Party to consolidate their votes. It’s an easy guess on the perceived weaker party in our political scenario. Whether its Kejriwal who finds it easy to decimate weak Congress rather BJP, or other backstabbing regional ones, one could find insatiable glee in destructing Congress. Maybe AK is busy on browsing movies so as to steal ideas to decimate Congress without hurting his sweetheart – BJP.
Banerjee finds it easy to stomp upon Congress for winning a harmless by-poll while staying quiet for all BJP’s CBI atrocities and Dhankar’s break-backing and brow-beating atrocities with night visits to CBI Office. Dhankar could not be single out. He is just part of a barbaric ecosystem which rewards such cannibalistic ruthlessness without a tinge of ethics or integrity. No wonder he is now “Vice” President for all his political sins. Banerjee is a pathetic and curious case of oscillating between crouching tigress and crawling one, depending upon CBI-ED’s actions. Banerjee’s submissive breakthrough has handed the BJP, a workable template for harassing other opposition Leaders – You don’t scratch my back and I dont send Donkeys for governance..
Most importantly, BJP is not breaking backs on seasoned Political leaders nowadays. It’s now onto their near and dear ones as psychologically it will hurt them more than themselves. Afterall, all their petty corruptions are blamed on prosperity for their generations to come. Indian Politicians need a special kind of resilience to overcome this new psychological Op. Could only pray they tide over this crisis for 2024.
KCR always used Congress as Ladder for his own progression while conveniently staying away from it during elections. Its funny Karma is now allowing KCR as the Ladder for BJP, stomping upon him. The opposition’s ED-CBI Phobia list is endless, and then there are many others who silently or rather smartly avoid the Executive goons with secret Delhi handshake, being quite conscious not to fall onto Modi’s bad books. It’s funny how BJP’s media management is so shamelessly naked. Arresting Politicos usually happens in weekends to garner maximum eyeballs. Let’s watch out for 2024 to chart a newly minted weekend Menu for Saalons, Gaddarons and Biscuitons… The giving back to back ceremony will be quite delightful.
Take a good look at me, because you’ll never recognize me once my opponent gets done with me. – Leonard Boswell, Iowa congressman
While many parties are betting on increasing their vote share by dissolving Congress, BJP is not making life at Congress easier. There is a clear hidden dictum, sponsored by ED-CBI-IT trio that the parties should stay way from Congress if they want blessings from the Union Government’s Godhra Baba. KCR’s daughter Kavitha getting framed on liquor scam case is just a clear warning to KCR to stay way from opposition Unity and directly attacking BJP. BJP seems quite emboldened by the taming of Bengal’s dummy tiger. Now it is hitting two political love birds with a single liquor scam stone. Kejriwal being the eternal crooked cat on the wall also will get tamed eventually as Sisodia could be the trump card being the right hand to Kejriwal, with enough information to enable Kejriwal meditating in cellular silence.
In politics, absurdity is not a handicap. – Napoleon Bonaparte
Now let’s move onto the supposed Allies for Congress.
Nithish Kumar has big public dreams of PM-ship. But he is a wily fox who hoodwinked BJP many times saving his CM post at the expense of everyone around. With his Kangaroo track record, one could easily guess Kumar jumping to currently a single-seater-NDA ship if the UPA is not helping him achieve his dreams. For Mo-Sha any grave sin could be absolved with their BJP washing machine, just like Sanatan Dharma absolves one’s sin by dipping into the new holy Ganges – the RSS/BJP.
Laalu Yadav being the only trustworthy ally here and he will be compelled to be with Kumar for his son’s future. At the time of writing, Laalu’s wife Rabri Devi is being questioned for whatever reasons you could read between the lines. So, BJP’s Bihar checkmate for Congress is very clear. One can only hope against hope that Congress will stand by Rabri devi at least as gratitude for Laloo’s staunch support amidst all crisis, shedding off their hypocritical non-corrupt comedy. This is like drowning man buttoning his shirt rather trying to stay afloat.
Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite surprised to be taken at his word. – Charles de Gaulle
Stalin is another trustworthy ally for Congress from Tamilnadu. But, one can trace a tacit understanding between BJP and DMK. 2G acquittal happened during BJP regime. 2019 Elections saw a certain Ambani, running the Indian Government shop, canvassing for DMK’s support in case of Hung Parliament status. DMK government has been very quiet on Criminal cases involving BJP like the Kaniyamoor School Deaths case where RSS Leader is the correspondent. DMK was forced to act due to the outburst of activism on lack of Government action or even presence. Even then the Enforcement worked in full force on the activists and the victim’s family, rather on the actual crime. What can we expect from TN enforcement and silent saffron opposition when they are busy pressing for DNA paternity test for the victim, to prove immoral credentials of the victims, rather building a watertight case on actual culprits. Till date no proper executive action has taken place, other than silencing the entire meek episode.
It took a death of an MLA and a resultant bypoll for CM to understand the livelihood issues of weavers due to atrocious electricity tariff hikes. One could find hundreds of news scoops and multiple petitions and passive pleading, but our well grounded CM could understand their plight only during election. Makes one wonder if this is intelligence failure or Conscience failure. TN Government struggles to generate 20K crores to implement Monthly incentive scheme. But all the Parties are able to provide around 25K+ per vote as gross estimate. Why don’t we tap such revenue streams for welfare schemes, rather just making up few rich ones.
Now DMK are onto next BJP’s pet capitalistic project of privatisation of MTC transport, which BJP did not bother to do even in their stronghold Karnataka. There is a complete topsy turvy makeover from someone who announced free tickets for women upon swearing-in to the level of privatising the same lifeline of poor. Makes one wonder which person did we elect, the golden hearted one who was generous to the poor or the Commission hearted one who is stingy to the poor.
The current forest fire, DMK is busy dousing – the Migrant exodus is not a crisis situation built on a day or two. We have a Nationalistic Comedian dangerously deeming even natives as outsiders, eating away the crucial winning margin like erstwhile DMDK, playing a similar playbook of two loves and tough tamil nationalism. He is more dangerous than even BJP on this case. The truth of the matter is that such poor migrants are paid lesser than natives for the same work. They are just convenient targets compared the untouchable bureaucratic Sanatan Power centers and other financial clouts. There were other videos circulating long back on migrants, which could have contributed gradually to this Migrant’s Phobia. Somehow, the Police Machinery seems quite lackasaidal, as usual on stemming such malicious fake news.
TN BJP Chief and his Acolytes were involved in brazen corruption cases even with an open challenge to arrest him, multiple times only remaining unanswered by DMK. CM even deemed opposition leader as Fourth grade Speaker for a similar challenge, but remains unmoved when it comes to BJP, with his silence talking a lot about Modi and ED. BJP’s own cadre has alleged that BJP Chief is indirectly working in cahoots with DMK minister. BJP also has its own list of Corruption against DMK, just waiting for the triggering moment in case things go out of control. Credits should go to Stalin for staying strong with Congress, but one should understand the compulsions like Minority vote share and Tamilnadu’s ideological roots, which may sway a large chunk of vote bank from DMK, upon DMK’s open love for BJP.
Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool Loving both of you is breaking all the rules – Mary MacGregor
DMK+ is already a rainbow coalition of many Parties, many of them active against BJP. In fact many of its allies are frustrated at DMK’s lack of zeal in opposing BJP or even on cases like Vengaivayal and New Airport land grabs, exposing the chinks of casteism and land acquisition scams, making a mockery of their touted social justice. So, DMK will strategically stand to lose on multiple fronts on openly supporting BJP. But, 2024 could be a game changer, in case BJP could not hold onto Cow Belt votes. One can easily bet that Stalin will never act against BJP or its members in terms of real executive action in due course. BJP chief will remain a supreme untouchable for DMK. Stalin could be the next Naveen Patnaik and Owaisi in joining BJP’s Secret ally club. Its simple… wherever ED or CBI is not working overtime, one can easily assume that situation is clear for BJP-2024-post-election.
Sharad Pawar is getting old. Indian Politics could have been different if we got Pawar as Home Minister during UPA times. Congress was not shrewd enough to tackle the Mo-Sha menace then. Pawar is a friendly politician but cunning enough to cut down future adversaries. With Ajit Pawar types rushing for midnight swearing-in, after filling the dams and others by urinating, NCP nowadays looks like an opportunistic party where Thackerays seem more reliable partners for Congress, standing for real Hindutva and its values. So, BJP will not invest ED / CBI at Maharashtra as situation is rosy, and they will not offend Thackerays anymore, after snatching Party and symbol, as it will turn against BJP with Marathi manoos.
Pawar proved again that he always sides with power and money, by defending Adani as targeted attack from Hindenburg. NCP always claims themselves as practical when they remain just plain opportunists with selfish loss gain calculations rather about the country. Anyways, Elections always performs magic on the blue foxes to reveal their true colours. This incident also shows, BJP got lost on all internal options to resolve the Adani crisis and now banking on their closet allies well before Elections. With people like Pawar as Congress ally who needs enemies?
All politicians should have three hats – one to throw into the ring, one to talk through, and one to pull rabbits out of if elected. – Carl Sandburg
So, this leaves Congress with very few ideological Partners they could rely on. But, that will not be sufficient for any meaningful victory. So, rather just working on Opposition Unity, Congress should also start strengthening their own Fortress, where they are directly competing with BJP. In fact, BJP gets hyperactive when they are in opposition making things even more difficult. So, Kharge’s big hearted sacrificial tone for 2024 may go nowhere as BJP’s major aim is to alienate / isolate Congress. Congress is wise enough to ignore half Sanghi types, pressing them to voice forcefully on Minorities thus allowing Hindus to “coalesce” around BJP. Congress is already doing it well in a subtle way and Hunger does not have any religion. Wonder which religion has ‘God of Hunger’, other than toxic hindutva. But Congress has a long way to go in restoring their Party’s foundational structure where they are in direct fight with BJP.
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. EVM is one such case making quixotes out of everyone, including this beloved Cartoonist, who cannot understand the magic of technology, .
If Congress plays its “solo” card well, treating its coalition partners as Bonus, they stand a good chance to win around 150+ seats forcing the political hyenas looking for power meat to gather around them. However BJP plays spoilsport with opposition party Unity, the core issues of Voters remains aggravated with each passing day. Congress need to trust its individual voters rather than Parties and Coalition arithmetic. 150+ will help Congress to establish themselves in long term. Anything less will lead to dominance of BJP in coming decades.
My choice early in life was between whether to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there’s hardly any difference. – Harry S. Truman
There was an interesting animation posted to all the armchair liberals not participating on Bharat Jodo yatra but pontificating on Congress. The beauty of Congress lies with such healthy criticisms back and forth. I am not sure if such conversations help Congress grow but there are ample instances where Congress paper tigers aim arrows at each other, pressing RG to go for Congress Jodo Yatra.
“An ounce of patience is worth more than a tonne of preaching.”
– MK Gandhi
Congress and Factions are universal facts. It would be foolish demanding any proof, on the war between empty egos, who think they achieve success if they sabotage fellow congressmen rather wasting energy on Opposition. In Tamilnadu, EVKS Elangovan is contesting By-Poll. None of the so called Tamilnadu Congress Leaders and standing up with EVKSE when he is going through troubling times on both personal and political front, leaving the baggage to be carried by DMK and MKS. MKS could be that Krishna, driving the Congress Chariot out of trouble, but are these shameless infighters are deserving of Arjuna symbolism? If we dig further, is TN Congress is really treating DMK as Krishna or just as a Donkey, offloading their Burden?
It will get quite funny when the same Congress Leaders who are piggybacking on DMK to sail ashore, will be begging Delhi and Gandhis in 2024 for MP seat whatever INC could manage as alms from DMK. If this is the way Congress fights a simple by-poll what kind of respect will it get from its allies in 2024? If at all Congress Headquarters – Sathyamorthy Bhavan had a soul, or just eyes and ears to witness the atrocities happening there, it would have gone for self-destruction just like TN Congress.
Let’s take another simple proof of Bharat Jodo Yatra’s registration Portal workings to understand Congress’ inefficiency. I registered as interested Participant. Now, that the BJY is over, I am still yet to get any notifications on Meeting Points or where one could join even as Spectator. I don’t even get any mailer on high points as subtle nudge. Of course, I could virtually participate in spirit on twitter and get an idea from nicely written Yatra Diary. But, the fact remains that, in the age of In-the-face social media “push” marketing, Congress did not even try to mobilise cat on the wall lazy enthusiasts volunteering for it. Maybe they were too engrossed on pleasing the Gandhis rather working on the actual desired outcome – Mass appeal, Mobilisation and Outreach.
Let’s take Karnataka due for Polls where Congress has a decent presence and probability of winning. Karnataka Congress has sick pattern of their own leaders playing spoilsport, with some treating BJP as a palatable enemy compared to fellow Congress faction / Allies. If they keep repeating, on toppling one another, to nurse their egos, one can easily bet they will give way for Half Sanghi AAP types soon. Karnataka already has mushrooming BJP sponsored Muslim Parties to split community votes. Now, AIMIM will also join the Party making merry Biryani with its voter bakras. If Congress stays still 2024 on power, I am sure by then BJP would have made most of their MLAs Half Sanghis in exchange of expensive Cars and Suitcases. ED is not at all needed to break Congress like Shiv Sena. It’s sad they even fail on candidate selection as, “Merit” and “Integrity” are such incorrigible words in Congress. I am not sure if Congress MLAs sleep on suitcases or pillows. No other Party has that notorious distinction of having the most Suitcase-aroos species population. I sincerely hope the Resort and Coup pattern fails this time, but Goa dealt a big blow on such hopes, where Candidates arranged deal with BJP even before election, one hand counting crony sponsored Currencies while the other hand busy promising at various places of worship vouching for their integrity and loyalty to Congress. How will Goa trust Congress anymore? But for Congress and JR, armchair liberals are the biggest menace, not their own callousness in running a party.
With all these fault lines, Jairam Ramesh would get wiser, cleaning his own house rather worrying about armchair liberals pontificating on Congress, because, the fact of the matter Congress even lacks such well wishers within their own party, busy backstabbing one another.
Congress and its entitled Coterie, keeps reminding of a Joke of a Beggar asking for alms, only to be driven out by the Homemaker. The Head of the house gets so angry chiding the Spouse how can she dare overriding him, when he is the all powerful Head, only to call the Beggar back, just to tell him, “Get Out!”, as anyways there is nothing left to give, just an empty designation to drive beggars out and squat flies. Let’s also remember that, it’s these armchair liberals who are working selflessly, putting their heart and soul without any expectation of Minister-ship oe MLA-ship or MP-ship unlike people who choose to destruct the Congress Titanic Ship from within for posts.
Now, coming to the Pontification Point, I think anyone interested about India would have thought or written about BJP and any of its supposed Opposition. Congress was in hibernation mode, till few months back, blaming everyone else – Media, Judiciary and Institutions rather doing their part and did not even deserve the “Opposition Role” acting just as yet another Armchair Liberal, helplessly complaining about happenings on twitter. It took Jairam Ramesh to wake them up even to tweet or file lawsuit against any unfair criticism.
In my native town, I have seen even family women talk politics, wisely choose and even campaign for leaders with their neighbours and relatives. So, any such mentions from individuals should be treated as acknowledgement of Congress presence. Nobody demanded them to accept people’s thoughts and views. Congress can feel free to perish at their own convenience, like they did in UPA-2.
Congress is an Open environment where even Digvijay Singh’s questions on Pulwama to Modi is deemed “ridiculous” as an insult to Indian Army, when in actuality, Soldiers who died did not get justice or even a tabled report on how they died and who are all responsible. I am damn sure Congress would have acted appropriately or would have avoided such election time synthetic terror incidents on their rule. Major terrorist attacks during UPA happened at Urban Capitals rather at Kashmir, as scaremongering tactic.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
– MK Gandhi
At the same time, Congress also is a closed environment. RG’s awkward Press Conferences like “I killed RG,” or low esteemed statements like “Varun Gandhi will face problems with BJP if he joins INC” rather welcoming support of all forms with assurance to protect, never invite a squeak of disagreement.. So, true and fair Criticisms on Congress can only happen from armchair liberals, rather Darbaris who play soothing tunes to please Gandhis and reserve their sour part to fellow Congressmen and other liberals.
Though, I don’t see that Armchair liberal animation directed to me as I was spiritually present all through following it up. Pontification is not just reserved for few Yodas. Even simple Bubbling-Soda-Body could vent out on pressure, on what they see as not right. What matters is the processing of any fact for good, if at all they are capable of receiving it. Everyone knows criticising BJP will be utter waste of time, like tutoring Talibans to work on peace rather war or respect and treat women with dignity. The only carrot which works for BJP is Elections. For Congress the only carrot which energises them is factionism, not election victories.
Timepass Politics 