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.
Jailer is an Out and Out Rajinikanth film rather being anything else. But, Nelson brings in his brilliance by making him an Old saintly person, who does not hesitate much to tackle his opponents in a fitting way. It was refreshing to see Rajnikanth in a calm demeanor but still getting menacing as and when required. His gradual ascent to mass elevation happens in a very measured way, combined with Nelson’s intelligent scripting of bringing out the best out of grim situations. But still I would rate Doctor as his best film , which fired from all cylinders from the start till the end.There were lot of positive reviews and equally hateful reviews too, but the film dusts off everything in a flick by making it a watchable and even enjoyable treat. I especially liked the way Rajnikanth admirably making himself a adorable grandpa dancing on the sideline compared to his sacrilege with Sonakshi Sinha. But he never disappoints audience with his massy and blessed screen connect, be it teary eyed Rajini or the gaiety one in the Climax or flashback. I could not see any negatives with the first half and second half, may be I am inherently biased towards his screen persona.
Now what could have been better?
The first 15 minutes worked out like Veedu movie, where Rajini plays out like stylized version of Chokkalinga Bhagavathar, without any high moments. The mass moment of his kidnapping could have been far better, with few more intelligent moves from him, maybe like showcasing it as accident to avoid displaying his other persona. Ramya Krishnan could have been a lot more engaging, compelling and competing character, unknowing of his persona, shining back on their legacy, which could have elevated her impactful Dialogue, blaming the Hero on his son’s death. She could have even elevated the pre-interval scene, like how Kamal Hassan surprised his spouse in Vishwaroopam.
The Father-son bonding is the core of this film. But except for a beautiful song and easy to miss shots on their bonding, the movie fast forwards to his death. The climax twist is even more indigestible as there are no scenes earlier to underscore his chameleonic character. Vikram again handled it quite well at the appropriate segments to stress on the weight of emotions. Nelson could have done better with impactful Dialogues and making compelling shots which required to be registered on audience minds. For example, Rajinikanth opens all windows in the pre-interval scene does not register well or convey any meaning, unless you watch it second time or in trailers. Maybe Ramya Krishnan could have questioned on such mad behaviour. Such buildups adds up well later with Snipers.
Anirudh has played a large catalyst on this film. He does not hesitate amping up the BGM, where even ARR shies away. Kudos to him, though he could have done a lot better replacing Jujubee song.
Shiva Rajkumar gets a better massy intro than Rajnikanth. Both of his scenes were quite enjoyable. I have endured an unbearable Kannada movie in KSRTC bus, but it’s quite awesome how the industry have turned tables in an admirable way. He made me an instant fan with his climax shot carrying a box of tissues. Mohanlal gets a stylish scene just like Lucifer. Few more scenes could have amped up the excitement. Maybe Nelson thought of bringing in Balayya in the place of brilliant Kishore on the Heist scene. Well it could have been pretty massy rather prolonging Sunil’s portion though I enjoyed it and nothing to complain there. Maybe Balayya could have been that CBI officer who gives his best on Sunil and his triangular sob story and the educating the goon who asks for his ID but could not read. He could have handled the heist better with an equally massy fight between the two veterans. Just plain wishful thinking, but Nelson has certainly opened the gates for multi-starrers with interesting cameos. Audience love such Limited editions be it Rolex or Shiva Rajkumar.
I don’t know what honesty Ramya Krishnan was speaking about Jailer. How can a honest cop could throw a bomb using another goon and take pride in the next scene of reforming the same goon. Doctor had a better character build up rather Jailer, But Rajini being Rajini defies all the logic and science involved and lifts the film with his emotional connect. It’s no wonder this movie become a blockbuster as it manages to touch the right nostalgic moments in a very new backdrop. I especially liked Rajini playing a chess master like character, delegating to others, rather doing unbelievable action scenes.
Honesty is the worst policy
Just like the film’s honesty, we could see Rajini touching the feet of Bulldozer Baba in UP for real. It just reminded me of the eagle you see in the Karumegangal Kalaigindrana trailer, where GV Menon is that legal eagle who flies high but feasts on its hapless prey for its own survival. I always felt Rajini is different as an actor or as part-time politician. Hopefully this eagle does something good for the society or atleast dont hurt the society, becoming an irrelevant “Blue Shirt” in Politics, just like that youtube comedian. Let’s pray Rajini as an eternal Superstar keeps on winning people’s Hearts, rather aspiring for meaningless political chair.
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#.
]
[ 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.
]
[ 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.
]
[ 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!
]
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.
Personally, I don’t have a loving experience with Chennai. It started with intimidating auto drivers fleecing money above meter rates in my childhood to till date crooked Optician fooling around with the cheapest available lens getting foggy in few months and worst specs frame going off in few months still managing to fleece few thousands. There was another optician who even threatened and manhandled to remove my google review. You get variety of roady rowdies and juveniles flocking around School campus. The Climate making you feel like you are getting fried in a giant Oven.
You get fired or fired up by Tam-Brahm Managers who are shameless enough to talk about all nuisance and dirty political culture to push their agenda ahead. Unless you love something here, it’s very difficult to stay put in Chennai. Also, it is tough to love when you are in a pattern of getting slapped up on your eye while sleeping at home like modern gorilla attack, making you lose balance as other ways of inciting anger gone fruitless. Love obviously must be blind. The pain says so. In short, Chennai ennai Poda vennai endrathu…
To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.
David Viscott
When all you need is not a Sweater but a swatter of sorrows
In Chennai the above quote could be an equivalent of barbecuing me, well done on both the sides. Modern Love Chennai offers excuses making the mention of scorching Chennai pleasant. Ilayaraja is one such compelling chill factor making this series a treat to watch. The soft interludes played on budding love or infatuation in Margazhi is more than enough as testament to his genius. But, it’s just a starter with the master serving his main course in Ninaivo Oru Paravai.
Margazhi is supposed to be the coolest month of Chennai where Chennaites pretend as if it’s snowing for a 25 Degree weather. Well, I bought two sweaters for my Kids. Don’t know if it was the Discount or just pretending like a proud Penguin in the Arctic. Margazhi is a simmering budding love tale of teenagers. IR just rendered a flat slow paced story very beautiful with his music, aided by a mystical Sanjula’s appearance. It’s a slow burn teenage story, still beautifully crafted with a tinge of soft pleasantness. Really don’t know or infer on the repetitive scenes including the monotonous cycle locking. But the love or infatuation tinged with the teenage innocence makes it pretty much close to reality, making it a warm experience. Sometimes, all you need is an admiring Crush…
Love is the answer, but while you’re waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty good questions.
Woody Allen
To believe or not to believe…
As TK is someone who is keen on opening avenues of thought provocations rather prioritising commercial success, would like to delve a bit on the beautiful and humorous scene, I liked, wherein Church Pastor attributes Sanjula’s happiness to the grace of God, while she gets simpy enamoured by her Crush. While this may deliciously sound like attributing human intervention to the credit of God, I have seen many instances where atheists, sticking “There is no God” sticker in alarm clock, mature into ardent devotees of God.. with due respects to the atheists for the same attribute, asking questions to themselves, till they are convinced of the answers.
As Yuval Noah Harari mentions in Sapiens, the greatest power of Humans is – Imagination. Humans created Associations and Business entities out of their imagination and conveniently ensured such entities becomes liabilities or casualties for their own individual faults. It’s the imagined Corporate, with mere existence on Billboards and Papers, goes Bankrupt never its physically present owner, check with Anil Ambani for any doubts. God is one such imagined entity to cover up “God’s creators” faults.
Apart from Corporates, Self styled God-men of all flavors, on direct business with God, enjoy all pleasures and fame due to his Godliness USP. When it comes to troubles, they can just blame it on God and remain unblemished with a teflon coated image. Our derailed economy is just “God’s own act”, if you ask our FM, not due to stupid demonetisation, reckless GST, Crony friendly Farm laws, looting of national resources among the big Four Gujaratis and poor handling of pandemic. God can never pay your Hospital bills, but you will be guided to pray and avail his helpline, indirectly blaming the almighty for your sorrows when bitter things happen, while someone else happily harvests your savings. Panam oru pakkam Pazhi oru pakkam. This is where atheists get things right about God.
But, God-imagination has its own benefits, based on what you imagine and expect out of it. If we healthily imagine God as that omnipresent Camera, looking upon us as ARR said, our conscience gets better. If we imagine God’s prayer as a means of self resolve, we get motivated.
Jesus is sexy. A handsome Jewish boy, just like you. I ask him to come into you. Ask him to enter you.
You can’t ask Jesus to do tricks to impress you.
FabelMans Movie
Think, sensible prayer or childish craving for magic wand lollipops like, promoting things cheaply or getting more views with hit-job on someone is clearly our choice. Prayer is just another form of convincing ourselves – Neraiya sothippaan aana kai vida maattaan to quote Rajinikanth.
There is a saying… Trust in Allah but tether your camel first.
Why trust Allah if you are tethering the camel? — because a tethered camel can also be stolen. You do whatsoever you can do: that does not make the result certain. Then he knows best.
It is very easy to trust Allah and be lazy. It is very easy not to trust Allah and be a doer. The third type of man is difficult — to trust Allah and yet remain a doer. But now you are only instrumental; God is the real doer, you are just instruments in his hands.
Osho
Apologize if all of the above is bit preachy, but hope it opens few more doors for healthy discussion. Enna sariyaathaan pesuranaa? OK. Now a preachy story…
Mulla Nasrudin, a wise yet sometimes foolish man, was invited by village elders to speak in their village mosque for three consecutive weeks.On first friday morning, he stood at the door of the mosque, puffed out his chest and decided to wing it. He turned to the people and asked,
“Do you know the subject I am going to discuss today?”
“No” said the people.
“Then I refuse to preach to such an ignorant assembly. How could you not know given the events of the past week?” asked Nasrudin and left hurriedly.
Next Friday he went up the pulpit and asked: “Do you know the subject of my sermon today?”
People fearing a repetition of what had taken place a week before nodded and said: “Yes yes, indeed we know.”
“Well, then. There is no point in telling you what you already know”, said Nasrudin and left.
On the third Friday he ascended the pulpit and asked: “Do you know what I am going to speak about today?”
Not knowing what to say, some said yes and some said no.
“Then those who know can tell those who don’t”, said Nasrudin and left.
Jokes apart, God / Belief works better when unexplained and un-imposed on us. As a Confused-Atheist-Religious-Nonconformist, trying to find answers, my version of god exists in all of us. God exists in Ilayaraja’s Music. God exists in TK’s screenplay, where Dhanasekar in Superdeluxe gets questioned on his blind belief as he gets saved by a floating Jesus statue at sea, what happens when he gets a teddy bear to crutch on instead of a statue, will he worship that Doll? In my case, why not “Teddy God”, when Hindus worship every benevolent entity in the Universe including Sun / Sea. God exists in all our questions, making us find answers on our own rather blindly go by tutored / spoon fed fables.
Whether its Jesus walking over water or splitting seas, Vasudeva crossing the river with infant Krishna, they are all metaphors to establish our beliefs rather taking it up literally. It’s just a story to impart belief that God will help us out in crisis and he will arise when the evil tries to win over good. If we believe that as reality, missing the subtext god lies in the good, we must be having Jesus Waterways or Krishna Snake safari offering ride on snakes now.
Faith… must be enforced by reason… when faith becomes blind it dies. – Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi
Unfortunately we miss the reality but carried over “magical and shiny metaphors” like fake pride on Ganesha’s mythical plastic surgery. Sometimes, we may need to correlate ourselves with Buddha’s story of giving life to a deceased kid as per his Mother’s request, for a reality pinch. He simply did not perform any such miracle, but made her realise the inevitability of death by asking her to get mustard from a Home where death never happened. It’s easier to instill belief with a miracle which works best among the impoverished and uneducated. But it’s much better for society when people understand the reality and work towards their own salvation. This level of understanding, surmises the difference between scientific and communal mindset.
Godly Quote from Osho…
The man who has the sense that “God exists, and I am needed by God,” never feels worthless — never. To the last moment, to the last breath of his life, he is functioning, serving something higher than himself. He has a context bigger than himself; in that context, meaning arises.
Meaning is always in a certain context. A single word is meaningless; when it is arranged in a poem it has tremendous meaning: now it has a context. The color in a tube is meaningless; once it is spread on the canvas and becomes part of a picture that is bigger than it, it has a context, suddenly meaning arises.
It is reported that once a very rich man asked Pablo Picasso to make a portrait of him. Picasso said, “It will be very costly.”
The man was so rich, he said, ”Don’t bother about it. You need not even talk about the cost, money doesn’t matter. Make my portrait and whatsoever you demand, I will give.”
After six months the portrait was ready.
The rich man came, but the price that was asked was fantastic: one million dollars, just for a small canvas and a few colors! The rich man said, ”Are you joking? Just for a few colors and a canvas?”
Picasso said, ”Then okay, you can take an empty canvas and a few tubes full of color and you can pay as much as you want.”
The rich man said, “But that is not the same.”
Picasso said, ”That’s what I am trying to point out to you. I have created a context, I have created a gestalt, a pattern. And nobody else can create it, hence the price. It is a Picasso painting: nobody else can do it the way I have done it, it has my signature on it. The harmony of the colors, the music of the colors, the poetry of the colors – that is the thing. I am not asking the price for the colors, but for something that has become expressed through the colors.”
A real painting is not just the sum total of the colors, it is more – and that “more” is the meaning. A real life is not the sum total of what you do; unless there is something more to it, you live an inauthentic life. That ”more” is God. That poetry is God, that music is God, that surrounds you and floods you.
People come to me and ask, “Where is God?” It is not a question of asking “where”; God is a meaning, not a person. I cannot indicate, “There – go there, and you will find him.” God has no address, God cannot be located, it is a meaning. You have to create meaning in your life, then God is. God has to be created.
Maybe, the idea of “Belief” is to just believe in us first, for the idea of healthy and good God does not seem to be the Micromanaging Dictator who makes each and every one of us, and eventually control like Puppets. We wished for one such character in early 2010 and now we know where we are after enduring nine years of divine comedy.
2024 Election in a single Cartoon.
It’s not Modi or God to be blamed on our craving for Dictatorship then. Even recently, after 9 years of enduring harassment from BJP, we all knew how Karnataka Congress fought like uneducated children fighting for power goodies, rather worrying about their responsibilities / guarantees. Now they have moved on to stir the Mekedatu pot arousing regional sentiments to hide their failures. It’s only during Congress / DKS / Siddaramaiah regime, we get Cauvery sensationalization and water riots. Modi may have his shortcomings, like his well known poor judgement skills and ruthless majoritarianism, but he is decisive and fights for his beliefs till the end rather giving into power cravings and petty greed. His decisiveness and resolve, like his notion of water as national resource, not to be politicised along with concrete steps, may want people crave for more such dictatorship in future, rather looking upon to resolve weak leadership crisis in Congress, like SG/MMS UPA2 regime, good intents but weak and indecisive leadership.
Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Let’s take this Political use case of BJP making even Machiavelli blush, BJP is ruthless enough to convict RG on a simple defamation case and getting ready with much more brutal version colonial sedition law to tame the Opposition and democratic groups, with Modi “shamelessly” ( the signature style of Modi Rule ) coining it as “Hindutva Vision”. But, Congress could not convict the gujarati duo on most brutal Riots post independence or other grievous cases and the w*nising Judge who judged them innocent, under Congress regime, earned(?) himself a Kerala treat at Governor’s Bungalow, under their nose. Even Vajpayee with all of his empty actions but a good “Rajneeti” quote made himself look better on this issue. Granting Death merchants, such allowance is Congress’ big heartedness or just… let the country go to dogs type inefficient and lazy rule? If Kejriwal is the new challenger to BJP, just like Mo-Sha to congress in 2014, we all know how they are clipping his wings even if it’s immoral and unjustifiable.
A thermometer is not the only thing that gets a ‘degree’ without having a ‘brain’! – Anonymous Quote
The dictatorship cycle may go on if Congress Mother-ship does not fix its sails and cracks, at least now, to avoid a repeat of 2014 in 2025-30. The only treatment RSS-BJP understands is the same treatment it metes out to others. If not convinced, lets question ourselves why the mighty tentacled, ever demanding RSS group’s current head Mohan Bhagwat is so silent nowadays, like Modi’s pet little lamb? Is this anyway related to the desperate saffron terrorism orchestrated to win 2014, and the after-effect of sins knocking on his door? If Gandhis are the glue for Congress, Blackmailing their own Cadre and public deceit is for Modi’s BJP.
Moving away from dictatorship cravings, the God Delusion / healthy imagination, unfortunately, often gets hijacked for selfish gains and communal violence, creating more doubts than belief. Jai Bajrang Bali! Just like there is a Partner behind anyone’s success, there is always a mythical and illogical story woven around dubious Godly Dictator. Om Namo Shivayah!
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi
Searching for God in “God’s own Party”
In the name of God, We, Indians have torn ourselves to polarised opposites – EWS quota Elites Vs Nuremberg/Sedition-Law-in-Process Dalits and Minorities as vote shares of last few elections factify. As TK rightly questioned on God’s futile existence when so much of atrocities happening around, maybe middle class and well to do People who pray to God thanking for their morsel of rice granted by the divine grace, should also question the so called… “God powered God-Men”, when it becomes out of reach or unaffordable to poor by the policies leveraged by the so called God err… Adani’s own Party’s misgovernance.
“My mother always used to say: The older you get, the better you get, unless you’re a banana ( or BJP ) ” – Betty White
Current BJP Government runs on finding solutions to problems that don’t exist like Upper class pleasing, expensive and glossy Vande Bharat trains, for some empty pride ride, rather focusing on real problems – basic train safety systems like cheap Autonomous Driving technology with alarms foreseeing collisions. After the drastic three trains collision piling up on one another, as if its traffic jam in a congested road signal, Modi wants to punish the culprits severely. It’s anybody’s easy guess who made Railways perform poor Vande Bharat magic on weak tracks, as if plying Vande Bharat trains on waters and failed miserably. Because, All who pretend are not Jesus ( like Bharatiya Jesus Party). Just yet another alarm bell for people in Metaphor-land. Even magician like PC Sircar who magically makes train disappear cannot save this Government from accountability, for their sins on poor and unprivileged.
Faith is much better than belief. Belief is when someone else does the thinking.
R. Buckminster Fuller
Life is Beautiful Metaphor
Modi installing the “Sengol for Fair Governance” in Parliament, is a metaphor, yet another imagined fable for good governance, like the symbolic miracles of religious literature, like the Vande Bharat train, a lipsticked Pig among our god forsaken trains. The real question is how fair and impartial he is, to his subjects, and I am not talking about “entire political science” miraculous graduation, but the real people. BJP has trained us so much to live and breathe in metaphors setting aside the realities, that I will not be surprised if one day Modi asks us to eat empty plate, imagining Amrit in it. We are already in advanced stages of such amrit kaal wherein our Parliament got Amritkalash now, if not ethics and dharma.
But are not our beliefs are beautiful metaphors? I was happily enjoying by afternoon siesta after a gruelling session of breakfast and GST Nil filing with late payment. I was trying to milk GST with input tax credits to make something out of it. But our Taxies are too smart that they recovered money from me. My wife woke me up in a rushed manner informing on a bomb scare at my Kids’ school. She acted more like a terrorist terrorizing me with the possible outcomes. I was pretty convinced Indian terrorists of any colour / shades are more human than Israel’s IDF or that weak kneed old Psycho terrorising the world towards Third World War to establish his supremacy pulling down once mighty country to third world democracy. Still it was bit fearsome for 0.01% in case of a hoax turning to reality for my dearsomes.
She rushed me to drive fast. Unfortunately, my Royal Enfield was going through a tough phase of molestation by the Burglar Mechanics stationed well inside like trojan horses as it usually surprises me in the morning with hiccups. It reminds me of the Captain Miller / Vivek’s Minor Kunju joke. Maybe the burglar mechanics thought on the Bike as my bodily extension of Brother leg and got expressive with all their vengeance. Only god knows how it becomes magically restrained. TO whomsoever concerned, my little brother’s name is not Thunderbird. Once touted to be a war horse of World Wars, my Enfield slogged like a Bullock Cart, tugging along with the heavy luggage – my wife. Now, I don’t know whom to blame… whether its a weight issue or pickup issue or both or just my bad times. Thinking in futile about it, we concluded our slow procession of reaching the bomb scared school after half an hour. I was bit scared if the school will levy additional fee of Bomb scare relief fund just like our FM waiting to charge on us by some way or other like non-onion-eating-high-profile-pickpocket.
Now, on the way back, my spouse was mocking on the Bullock cart I am maintaining, maybe I am that bullock, wishing that she hired Lord Murugan’s peacock after sighting his image and his vehicle on the way.
Spouse: Wish we had that peacock for a ride to avoid bomb scares and rush to school.
Kid: How can a peacock carry such heavy weight. It will fall.
Spouse: Lord Murugan will power it to carry.
Kid: What if we fall down?
Spouse: Lord Murugan will take care of our safety.
Looks like Kids are Born Periyarists. We ensure them turning to believers with all our metaphors, only to be utilised of by Modi types in the guise of Hindutva. I pray to the Lord, she always thinks analytically and critically. Long live Periyaar for being the eternal Kid and enlightening us on our blind beliefs.
The Fall of PR daredevilry
It’s the same metaphoric gaslighters gambling on the gullibles, on Opposition’s voice deeming them as insanity / dim wit-ness, carefully position themselves closer to God, building swanky temples, while secretly hand shaking with parasitic Crony Corporates, shadily invested with self interest. Correlate yourself with 100 Lakh Crore Loans by our Government in last nine years from , with the Government’s only accomplishment is pushing a Crony puppet / benami to Top 5 Rich list with that money. The real question is how long one can build castles in the air, ride on unicorns, singing Mon-Key lullabies and make citizens feel better in Utopian world. the answer seems to be 10 years.
Not lance gives kings the victory, But sceptre swayed with equity. – Thirukural
Maybe (to the squared), There won’t be any need for God, if the religious ones are bound by their dharmic beliefs set by their religion and atheists do a little bit more to the betterment of humanity, rather just raising questions, where even science struggles to convincingly explain / answer.
Back to the Barbie Dolls.
Coming back to Modern Love Chennai, Raju Murugan’s Laalagunda Bommaigal is a brilliant stuff, lacing humour even in heavy situations, giving the audience the much needed “Glucose” after surgery. I did not sense a clue on where it starts and where it goes but the narrative was gripping enough to keep things engaged packing up even a nice song. It had pleasant twists or ugly twists made pleasant by “mixing” up witty dialogues with awkward situations. The end was riotous with the ex lovers or flames showcasing their better halves. It’s still a mystery if the Flame got 6 Paani Pooris or just 4 in the end, from Nathuram, serving his (aborted) love. I did not expect this pleasant firecracker from Raju Murugan, kickstarting on a high note. Un Kuththama… En Kuththama…yaara naanum kuththam solla.
My best birth control now is just to leave the lights on.
Joan Rivers
When all you need is blind love.
Balaji Sakthivel’s Imaigal is an intense film. TJ Bhanu is something special on screen, delivers a magnetic performance, with even more special eyeliner making the theme jet black, reminding of Chandramukhi Jyothika. Ashok Selvan gets a superficial character or he just underplays… I am not sure. The verbal duel in the end could have been more impactful and end could have been a lot better. Wish it could have been much better boosting confidence of Heroine rather just making her play Veena. Short stories need a punch in the last line / segment to have an impact, which is sadly missing in this well crafted story. Baalu Mahendra’s anthology of great stories still remains a benchmark. Balaji Sakthivel is one of my favourites who could turn simple moments to great pleasure or pain like he did in Kadhal and Vazhakku En. Who could forget when the Kadhal‘s lovers are lured back to their home, only to get betrayed brutally. Here, I expected a lot better from him… Ennamo Poda Maadhavaa…
Love is blind but marriage is a real eye-opener.
Pauline Thomason
Romantic Master-bation
Krishnakumar Ramkumar’s emoji story is essentially a Gowtham Menon’s film rehashed. It starts with Ritu Varma dancing in rain as School going(?) girl and then she eventually matures ( Thank God! ) With no luck in love. It ends up very well on a satisfying note with rain dance of the couple, thanks to that 90’s Kid who seem desperate to do anything on his First night to fevicol his marriage and its blackhole-ic after effects. He even exclaims “Fck the World!” instead of doing it to his spouse, to please her with his pea-Cock/Mic dance. Varma’s transformation is bit ridiculous like growing obese just with a sweatshirt and ageing just with hairstyle changes. Don’t know if my mind unconsciously moves back to Vaaranam Aayiram with a marvellous Suriya and his brilliant transformations. But, this story is light in treatment and also very light in its making. We get many Filmmakers dating Ritu Varma on Tinder, somehow all escape, maybe after seeing her hairdo. We also get the man with best hairstyle Bharadwaj Rangan in a cameo declaring, “Cinema is the most beautiful Fraud on Earth”. Could not agree more as my Father used to say Frauds know much better about fellow Frauds, just kidding, no offence intended. Nalla Irukkaam… Yaaru sonna… Devave sonnaan…
Romantic love is mental illness. But it’s a pleasurable one.
Fran Lebowitz
When Deers elope in a dignified manner.
Bharathiraja’s story is a pretty mature mid life crisis story turned to a triangular love story. Wonder what happens if everyone starts loving the fellow traveller in Metro just because they happened to attend a wrong call. Anyways, “En Iniya Pon Nilaave” comes to the rescue, to forget the logic, as Vishal Bharadwaj says in Kuttey, fck the logic, it’s all about character, frog jumps, scorpion stings, Humans love everyone else even in a Metro other than their spouse , etc. I did not see any rationale with this so called love. But, the matured treatment of after effects of that whatever makes it a credible one, thanks to Ramya Nambeesan’s role. BR is just brilliant in few shots like the two selfies at the start and end, Delhi Ganesh’s superb performance, justifying from audience perspective. Finally, BR escapes any scrutiny by thanking legendary Balu Mahendra. As an Op-ed noted, BM’s Marupadiyum empowers women rather fall-guys. But this story and its warm ending reminded me of BM’s own short story creations, crafted with finesse and flair. Kudos to BR’s ability and his art of convincing the inconvincible. Legends don’t fade! Nalam vaazha ennaalum en Vaazhthukkal.
Eighty percent of married men cheat in America. The rest cheat in Europe.
Jackie Mason
When Memory is a Monster…
Thiyagarajan Kumararaja’s Ninaivo oru Paravai comes with a notification not to adjust brightness as he wants to highlight cigarette lighting. One would wish for another notification that he starts with an intensely orgasmic scene, so that any kids peeking around should be kept away, so that people could avoid advising kids that fatso Aunty is smoking as punishment and Uncle is punishing her severely, for heaven’s sake, just borrowing from the BR episode. This one more or less sounds like TK’s own story at-least on the romance part with the actor looking like a dyed up version of TK. TK is always something special. Think this is the longest of the anthology and it goes off in a jiffy with so many enjoyable moments, mind blowing performance and captivating music, sometimes looking like extension of Super Deluxe, exploring sex and love. Thanks to his initial film making Gurus… I meant the Protagonist’s initial Film gurus, to play it safe. Don’t know what he did to Ilayaraja, to tickle or pinch his creativity. If he could share that secret to other Filmmakers Cinema will be blessed with a lot more musical masterpieces from this 18 year old Amadeus. Raaja… Raajathi rajan intha Raaja. Applies to all Rajas involved.
Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop.
H. L. Mencken
I liked this scene, as I could relate… like me going to Restroom for Interval, to dump the load and memories.Just Kidding.Beautiful scene though, from Full-time Architect and Part-time Filmmaker!
Tamil OTT has been serving mediocre fares, except for Sony Liv for its clever choice of web series rather investing on the done and dusted cheaply made Whodunits or other inferior love stories with flat action scenes on Bed. Modern Love Chennai is a refreshing and lovable experience taking Chennai a bit closer to heart, breathing warmth and relatability, like Cadbury silk chocolate ads, getting shot in Chennai rather scenic Goa or Puducherry, tough task though, but well accomplished.. Maybe it could have showcased Chennai landmarks rather just cliched claustrophobic set pieces, just for the chennai vibes. Still, it is a sincerely crafted series with pretty good film-making elements, even for its “action” scenes on the smallest landscape.
Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.
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.”
I would like to express my sincere gratitude on the grievance redressal system and on its great execution. I got a call from the concerned authority on the very next day something unusual for Indian Government, especially as someone belonging to the generation who used to wait for months for a Telephone connection. I still wonder if that was a hoax call. We have come a long way towards making efficient governance and will be indebted to your swift and meticulous resolution of Government Projects especially the Sewage Drains.
Believe it’s just human expectation a bit greedy to expect more from a true performer rather feel satisfied with the status quo. Hence, I would like to bring to your notice on the inhuman treatment being meted out to me, treating me like a Scientific Guinea Pig, as if someone betted his/her life savings on behaviour, on various occasions, violating blatantly on Human rights, self respect and dignity. The latest incident pushed me to the brink to write this letter. I have been meted out staged and synthetic abusive situations of physical and mental abuse, depriving off my dignity. Now it has nowadays moved on from verbal abuses and harassment towards Physical intimidation and harm, also causing damage to my phone at even public place in Chennai. In another perspective, everything could be characterised as blabbering of mentally unstable, but evidences speak reality that sometime the powerful truth is stranger than fiction.
Earlier, I have gone through physical intimidations, completely simulated out of situations by denying me an ordered Specs and then physically manhandling me, grabbing my belongings at the Premises. I had to seek the help of Neelankarai Police Station to help me resolve the issue without raising any official complaint. Infact, the cop who inquired was more persistent upon deleting the evidences I held and on even deleting a genuine google review, biased towards the Manhandling Shopkeeper in the presence of my scared kid. Having said that, my perception has changed nowadays, that only injustice happens when we meet Cops with complaint with long wait times and unnecessary taunts and stories in the name of enquiry. Now, looks like it was not one-off and such situations keeps unraveling. It’s sad all such incidents only happen from last one year.
Of late, I have been forced to pick and drop my Kids as the School van had issues in protecting the Kids from harassment happening inside the van during their commute and was not willing to resolve either. Earlier, prior School, my Kid has gone through physical harm, like Boiled water burns and Cuts in abnormal situations at home, which has made me more sensitive and even paranoid to an extent about their well-being. So, rather risking anymore, I started dropping and picking them, on three hour commute per day due to different timings up to avoid any mess. There have been multiple taunts and abuses on the way, especially from the Uniformed Kids near the School premises, I did not pay heed initially. It so happened the School Uniformed Kids had to shout so loud like calling “Paithiyam” / “Pottai” / “Poda Pundai” to grab my attention, on their awkwardness, when I just pass by the road near the premises to pick my kids. Only god knows how they recognise me. I am not used to such treatment from Juveniles, as my schooling never allowed such indiscipline with Transfer Certificates served hot on misdemeanours. The School Uniform had and deserved respect due to such disciplining measures, just like many other Uniforms.
I hurt myself today To see if I still feel I focus on the pain The only thing that’s real
Johnny Cash
It’s still a shocking surprise, even the School campus allowed such abuses to happen, with their uniformed staff acting as threateners, taunting and teasing in the same manner, making one wonder, how could a perceived esteemed School, allow such distasteful malpractices at their own campus. This is akin to gambling on human Horses, poking them in all inhuman ways possible, hitting where it hurts, destabilising the Person mentally and physically, forcing him towards edge of life. Even if this sounds like cruel viral entertainment for some, are we as a society moving down the ladder towards enjoying others miseries, especially the meek ones who could be easily stomped upon?
My Moto going through a cruel bend, but still capturing its memories. Thank you Moto for being a true friend!
The perversion has reached the pinnacle for the moment, when the School Uniformed Person, a routine taunter, the “Poda Pundai Guy” worked along with civilian private Van drivers, inviting people passing by like “Aambalaiya iruntha Vaada”, a boring trap, making an outrageous scene, which made me ask why such uncivilised and animalistic shouting near the primary school campus corrupting the kids watching the scene. The rude Civilian acknowledged that I fell to their trap and started forcefully grabbing my Phone for recording the nuisance. On taking photos of Van he claimed to be his vehicle, he bent my Phone breaking it with cracking noise along twisting my wrists heavily. I do have all the evidences of my Phone breakage and on the culprit. I do have recorded evidence to establish this case.
What have I become? My sweetest friend Everyone I know goes away In the end
Jonny Cash – Hurt
That private School Van.
I have lodged a Police complaint on the same crime on intimidation, harassment, physical hurt and damaging property, with the TN Police Online complaint number, MCJ23026774. At this point, I am not clear on why such simulated insulting situations happen as a pattern, but it has caused lot of mental stress and agony, everyday as if I am going through some kind of a cruel thing, with innumerable teases and taunts everyday on the way. I am also quite afraid if such harassments will percolate to my Kids. I sincerely hope and Pray for a quick resolution on this Police case, so that the culprits are sufficiently probed till the root cause uncovering the instigators behind these crimes.
The “ManMathan – Cupid” Decal Van Driver, justifying his Hooliganism with I did not grab anyone’s hand!
And you could have it all My empire of dirt I will let you down I will make you hurt
– Johnny Cash – Hurt
Apart from this, I would like to bring in few concerned opinions as a Civilian in Chennai.
I am pretty much amazed at the Infrastructure work – Velachery Flyover, SWD drains, Metro with my restricted world view, showing the Government on Development Steroids. But, it’s no surprise from a Chennai Mayor who brought in Infrastructure boom. Of course, all such developments needs finance along with vital energies. Probably, it could be the reason behind, State level price rise on Electricity, Milk, Property Tax and incremental taxes on Electricity, Water and Sewerage. I sincerely, wish the Government could have also considered other forms of revenue from Natural resources like Mines and Taxing the Rich Corporates and Institutions charging a loot, as a concerned Middle-class person on fast-track towards poverty class. It’s really heavy on Us, to meet the heavily inflated food expenses with its irrational GST taxes, along with State tax burden.
Sir, I also would like to bring to your notice on the Law and Order system. Again with my restricted worldview, I am going through various budding rowdyism incidents in last one year, which never happened before. Looks like there are many incentives for nascent Rowdies to operate by sheer intimidation and threats. In many cases, they don’t hesitate at all even upon telling them, “I will go to Police” which worked earlier like magic. At the same time, we as Public are not seeing any meaningful investigation closures on sensational cases like Kaniyaamoor School deaths, Vengai vaasal excreta mixup in Harijan’s water tank or brutal Lockup deaths. With not much evidence in my hand, my assumption would be that somehow Arrogance and Rowdyism is more prevalent post COVID times and I could see such abnormalities even with School kids. I am sorry, but got to admit, previous regime was quick in handling such sensational crimes which stirred up the State’s soul. This is one aspect where DMK government could have done better as feather in cap with all its other rare achievements.
Honestly, I could not understand what could be the reasons behind such sudden degradation of our esteemed Police Force so fast. We grew up on few real Police stories in Pondicherry where concerned CIs patrol for preventive action, nipping off prospective crimes. We have our own Law and Order stories rivalling New York’s transformation, without any exaggeration. It’s usually the First-time matters for any sin be it Alcohol, Violence or any other sin, after it becomes a routine behaviour, with tendencies to double down further for satiation. The patience I have exhibited in enduring the taunts from School Juveniles only emboldened them to scream further, singing like Sid Sriram on high pitch, that I should hear this time clear even with my helmet on, even when few cops are nearby for traffic and patrol.
I have personally seen how just few good and compassionate Bureaucrats and Executive could change people’s lives. Instead, nowadays, I could only see hyper-active Traffic Police Force who seize vehicles even for dropped letters in Name boards. With all due respect and salutes, I fully oblige on any such mistakes and humbly fixed it, but it also looks like an overreach, exerting authority of seizing vehicles till the name boards are fixed. I did not realise this impact even while reading News Scoops on Traffic Police charging in tens of thousands on poor people, but could relate to them upon this incident. I am afraid if we are into Gujarat Model, trainiing people in no questions asked submission, so as not to question the powerful, especially the Police?
The State Politics may have an illusion of revolving around fake news and curated edits on Cadres misbehaving. Of course, DMK may, had and will face such perception tests. But, the above topics of biased and partisan Law and Order and excessive taxation could be of more impact along with local issues, during major elections. Hence, Grievance redressal system gave me a new ray of Hope that there are people from the Government, who will listen and try to fix things, which is great. Maybe more such feedback systems will give a clear picture on the ground, acting as good addition to executive Dashboards. The clouds on the sky don’t deserve our worship. But it’s totally different story, when it comes to the ground as rain.
Dear Sir, as someone who sincerely wished for Son Rise and continued Rule and even more success in upcoming LS and State Elections, ( Honestly, with all the happening around especially on law and order and excesses of your cadre, not just once or twice, but I am seeing more deliberate and personal provocations in your regime, with the blessings of enforcement. Wonder if the “Son rise” has contributed to this ugly fiasco of excesses. I am scared, if I am being careful enough on what I wish for! ) I humbly request you to consider the above macro issues, for meaningful resolutions, since they got potential for heavy ramifications.
We as a nation has been selecting National Leaders in recent times based on idiocracies of chasing an Oasis within a Mirage. We as a nation could not support a Mr. Clean, with not even a single show of support even from his own Party. To conclude, people look for few perceived factors rather real performance, like Decisiveness, personal impact due to Govt Machinery, compassion towards the economic classes and clear communication on State’s soul stirring issues. I sincerely hope you will bring in a fresh change towards efficient National leadership. This letter may sound like a cat meowing, thinking the world gets dark on closing its eyes. Sometimes, our thoughts are also holds a mirror to the other side. Erode Bypoll may have been bought with a novel type of ‘Animal Farming”, but Human sixth sense is a fascinating one capable of doing wonders, as history says so.
You are a ray of Hope amidst grim circumstances of our Nation. Wish you all the Best for Course correction!
Insane
PS: Miracles do happen! One such miracle is your Grievance Redressal System.
If I could start again A million miles away I would keep myself I would find a way
Timepass Politics 