CWG Fiasco

As expected, CWG are over and so is the hue and cry over the scam. During the CWG, Kalmadi was no less than a national villain for all of us. Everywhere and on every channel, there was just him and his deeds. But, down the line, we Indians were somewhere sure that all this is till the Games are on and after that this would be dead. We are right again !!!! Forget the decision or outcome of the enquiry, we dont even get to hear about the CWG now.

Like salmon fish, in this country, scams are there for two reasons: Fill the pockets of our politicians and to die their own death.

The way entire episode was dealt with and the way it has died out, there is less doubt that the people on the top posts were involved.

No wonder, we may see India hosting Olympics also !!!!!!

Homecoming

Taking a leave after about a year. Fifteen days straight.

Enjoying like hell.

MTC

Rarest Of The Rare

Verdict in Priyadarshini Mattoo's case is out. Her killer gets a LIFE TERM and not a death sentence. I am really bothered by the Rarest of the Rare doctrine. Earlier the principle was that in most of the murder cases, the punishment was Death Sentence and in rarest of the rare cases was it a Life Term.

In Bachan Singh vs State of Punjab, the doctrine of the rarest of the rare was brought into existence which provided that now the bench mark would be a Life Term and only in rarest of the rare cases would there be a Death Sentence and because of this mostly all the convicts get away with a Life Term which gets reduced to 14 years or 20 years at times and before even having the sentence executed, their mercy petitions keep on lying on the President's desk for years at times. I am not sympathizing with the convicts by saying this.

I dont think that bringing in the Rarest of the Rare doctrine has served any purpose whatsoever. Crime rate, if not gone up, has not come down also.

Laws of a country are made to serve the practical purpose. They are not ornamental. The death sentence, if not anything else, at least has a fear which life term does not.

This was just a synopsis. I will be coming with more on this point.

MTC

To Be Or Not To Be

So, welcome another controversy in the CWG mess .. The Prince of Wales is coming down to open the Games instead of the Queen and the Indian Govt., at the 11th hour, is crazy and "sentimental" about the national pride for it wants the President of India to open the Games rather than the Prince.

Fair enough in the normal parlance, alright, but keeping in mind the CWG, I feel it is a move to divert the attention of the body politic from the mess the Government has made of the Games in general.

They are crying because in the present scenario, the Prince would open the Games and the President would stand beside him. There are a few things which are to be kept in mind in order to understand the whole thing. First of all, Indian Government knew this in advance. They didn't do a thing about that and are raising this issue now when there is not even a week left to officially open the Games. It would lead to nothing but would add more muck to already existing - Nothing but a diplomatic mess.

Secondly, I agree that it would be nice that the President opens the Games but we also have to understand the structure of the Commonwealth as an organization. Indian Government, and also the Indian people, are saying that letting the Prince open the Games is an indication of the colonial past, we are now about half a century ahead of the past and are well democratic and what not. The answer to this is that you cannot blow hot and cold in the same breath. The very existence of the Commonwealth is a relic of the colonial rule as all the members are former colonies and the Head of the Commonwealth is, by default, the Monarch of Great Britain or any appointed member of the Royal family -- Duke of Edinburgh was the Head of Commonwealth at a point of time and may be even now, I am not sure. By being a member of the Commonwealth, we are laden by ourselves with the memories of our past. If we are so particular about our independent existence and our sovereignty, it is better that we distance ourselves from the Commonwealth and cease to be a member. The day we do so, we are entitled to claim the authority of our President as of right. But till we are the members of Commonwealth, its better we stick to its protocol.

Thirdly, it is being said that if the Queen were coming, it would have been a different thing but now, as the Prince is coming, it is better we let our President do the needful and we should be strong enough to let our thoughts out. We should understand the capacity in which the Prince is coming and would be opening the CWG. He is coming as the REPRESENTATIVE OF THE QUEEN and would be reading the QUEEN'S MESSAGE !!! He is NOT opening the Games as the Prince of Wales, for God's Sake !!!! Technically, the representative has the similar status and the authority as the original incumbent. Its better that we understand the finer nuances rather than getting into small trifles.

Lastly, I was listening in a TV talk that if it were for the Queen to do the honors, WHY DID SHE NOT COME ?!? Did she have anything more important than to open the CWG ? Well, it is again a minor one as it is the tradition of the Royal families that every year, the events to come up are designated to various member of the royal household depending upon their seniority (The Prince of Wales is the senior most after the Monarch and his / her spouse, anyway) as the Monarch cannot attend each and every one of them. We should remember that Princess Elizabeth (Now Queen Elizabeth II) represented her father a number of times as his representative. And if, at all, we are concerned as to why the Queen did not come, it can be best answered by our Commonwealth Committee and their evident management of the CWG !!!

If our public understood the structure and nuances of the Organization, I am sure these minor questions would not have arisen at the verge of the opening of the CWG. They may think of me as devoid of national pride, but that is not the case. Along with my national pride, I would prefer and would request my fellow countrymen to give other its due share as well.

So, before being carried away, it is better to understand the structures rather than crying foul for no reason or, at least, when we have bigger reasons in front of us.

Animals And Humans

Today my cousin posted a video of dogs. No doubt, they were adorable as usual. But, when I reached the end of that video, it gave rise to a question in my mind. This video was promoting the adoption of an animal from a local pet shelter and the question in my mind was WHETHER WE HUMANS DESERVE THE TRUE LOVE OF THESE POOR BEINGS ?!?

They love us without wishing anything in return and we just dump them out because, one fine morning, WE MAY NOT WANT THEM OR THEY MAY BE PROVING TO BE A LIABILITY !!!!

Such buggers need to think that this animal is loving you truly without even knowing who you are. Even your own son may despise you once you grow old but this animal would be there with you even when you are on your funeral pyre. I am not talking about dogs but every animal for that reason.

And if not for any other reason, to be curt, RESPECT them just because animals are far more superior than humans. Just walking on two feet does not make us better. Even a monkey can walk on two feet but when it comes to solidarity between their group, even they are better than us. When it comes to labour, even a donkey can leave us miles behind. We cannot sense the love of dear ones and animals can sense the earthquakes coming and they migrate. Every individual animal has a quality which we humans would continue to say -- WE DON'T HAVE !!!

They might say that humans are better because we have got DEVELOPED MIND !!!! Considering the condition which we have made of our earth and nature, it is an answer in itself, I need not comment on that !!

MTC

MPs' Raise In Salary

So in the last few days we have seen a rare sight of our parliamentarians getting together unanimously for a particular cause, does not matter if it were only for their RISE IN SALARY AND EMOLUMENTS !!! C'mon countrymen, you are not going to see this sight for any other cause whatsoever so hail the occasion rather than cribbing over it.

Country is bound to face the humiliation at the international level because of the Commonwealth mess, in Leh-Ladakh the situations are bad, armed forces men are returning their medals because of your policies, Mayawati refuses to implement Right to Education Act because SHE HAS NO MONEY, she also refuses to compensate the victims of stampede in Pratapgarh because of money issues, Bhopal gas victims get only few thousands in compensation...a small list of issues of lesser importance, I suppose. Despite all this, we never saw even a fruitful debate on any of these issues, much less a full house. There was a proposal years back to make death sentence the punishment for the crime of rape. I didn't hear of that proposal seeing the light of day.

But the moment the proposal is passed for raising the salaries of the MPs..VOILA !!! It is passed the same day, will be implemented in the same session and also with retrospective effect !!!

I know that once a person is a politician, he/she is completely selfish, but he/she can be shameless and insensitive to such an extent that I came to know only now. They know that the load on the tax payer for this act of theirs would be upwards of Rs 100 Crore per annum. This is in the wake of rising inflation and constant increase in the number of people living below the poverty line.

Had this Rs 100 Crore (for one year) been utilized for any of the aforesaid causes, the people would have happily accepted your raise probably in the next session. MPs give reference of the service to the people. They know that the public is disgusted by this act of theirs. But to justify their cause, they come up with all the silly reasons - Naveen Jindal cites the expenses and the staff the MP has to maintain. He talks about a research person which an MP has to maintain. Has anyone ever heard of any research conducted by Mr. Jindal ?? Ravi Shankar Prasad cites, among other expenses, the marriages the MP has to attend during the marriage season and the money he has to give there. Don't you think MPs that you are getting a bit overboard in order to justify this disgusting act of yours?

Rather than bestowing this on yourself, it would be better if you deserve this by your deeds but neither have you done this in the past 60 years nor would you ever. You are right when you say that there are still some MPs who are very poor and who don't live the life of luxury cited by the people. Sohail Seth, in reply to this, says that they were not asked to become the MPs. They knew what they were about to get. But I do not agree with this view. If we despise the poor MPs like this, in future, we have no right to claim for an honest MP because an honest person can never be rich !!!! I would rather say that those poor MPs, along with the people of the country, are the victims of the Jungle Raj of our Regular MPs.

Guys, public is watching !!! Your biggest mistake is that you think the public is a sheep which can be made to move in any direction. But you are wrong. Be afraid of the future.

MTC

Commonwealth Or Common Wealth

Lately, I have been thinking on this PROJECT quite a lot as to whether it should be called Commonwealth 2010 or Common Wealth 2010 ?!?

Proud moment it was when India got the opportunity to play host to the Commonwealth Games 2010. It was, as well, an opportunity to strengthen our international image by hosting the Games successfully and gloriously. But, Indians being Indians, cracks in the preparations were visible right from the start when the news came out that the Capital was being just dug up here and there.

According to the schedule, the stadia and other buildings were to be handed over to the Committee in the start of August, 2010 for the final decorative works but, now when about only 55 days are left, even the construction is not complete much less the decoration works. It was there in the news the other day that the swimming pool for the games was constructed and then they realized that ITS NOT ACCORDING TO THE SPECIFICATIONS and, hence, it was to be redone. Was there any harm in being careful right from the start so that we could save time and extra expense now? Elevators are not done till now. All that could be seen were niches in the wall. Roofs are leaking. One can very well imagine what is going to be the spectacle once the games start. And before the Games start, the athletes would need the stadia for the practice also. Even if they COMPLETE the work, can they assure it would be of the international glory ??!!?? NO !!

Complete grip of corruption. We had reconciled with the fact that in our country, corruption is as much a part of the lives as is food and water but at least they could spare the national honour from being crushed in the clutches!!! But for our leaders, only thing that matters is their own self. Country is just the ATM machine for them.

The budget for the Games is about 1 Lakh Crores !!! According to Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, this much is not even budget of various States. Several crores have been spent on raising a massive balloon with modern gadgets installed and other several crores have been spent in importing that from the UK. Guys, these seasonings look nice when the basic work is complete. Wish you had sense enough to realize this.

Athletes have already started backing out. Some country has denied to participate if the preparations are not according to the specifications. Australia clearly said that they are sure they are not going to get anything and if they do, it would not be up to the mark and that they may have to stay at the top of a building with no elevators. UK is sending MOSQUITO REPELLENT with their athletes !! What the hell?!? Does it not give an idea of our reputation outside already ?

Seeing all this, still politicos are SURE that this is going to be the best Commonwealth ever !!! If this is so, why Kalmadi goes on back foot when questioned by the journalists and Gill utters shit in the Parliament on such a sensitive issue? When opposition starts to nail the Government on the corruption, Sanjay Nirupam of Congress, rather than answering the allegations, in turn gets down to point the corruption of the opposition. Our PM and Sonia are not heard at all till now. They say that the issue is being politicized, but I say that after so much the Government has done, opposition is completely justified in coming to the fore and these politicos need be completely nailed.

We Indians are already not respected outside for thousand reasons and after this seeming disaster of CWG 2010, disrespect will be amplified all the more.

I wanna ask the Government that what on earth have they made of this country ??!!?? You make a mockery of yourself, its your own life but you have no right to compromise the honour of WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA internationally. You may have distanced yourself from the country but we still are a part of her. And remember, we just ELECT you but don't ASSOCIATE ourselves with you. So we would really appreciate if you kindly leave us alone.

MTC

A Tale Of A Soldier

The other day, I was surfing through a website which showcased the works of various photographers. While surfing, I came across the work of one Mr. Todd Heisler which was named Final Salute. I casually clicked on it and what passed my eyes tore me till my soul and raised questions which are still unanswered but are raised more often than not !!!

He captured the MOMENTS BETWEEN THE MOMENTS of a ceremony called Final Salute which is performed by the US Army in which the body of the deceased soldier is ceremonially laid to rest by an Honor Guard of the US Army. "Moments Between The Moments" mean the Real and non-ceremonial ones where the emotions of the family were captured by this gentleman.

He captured many families but laid emphasis on the then pregnant wife of late 2nd Lieutenant James Cathy who was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, Katherine Cathy. I swear that the tender moments between the wife and her late husband's body shook me completely. The picture in which she keeps their wedding flowers, his favorite perfume and an ultrasound image of their unborn child in the coffin, the image in which she touches her belly on the coffin of her late husband, image in which the body of James Cathy is being taken out of the plane and the one in which Katherine is sleeping beside the coffin of her late husband the night before her burial for she wanted to sleep with him "One Last Time" are, although, concerning one family but are the tale of all families all over the world which have someone in the forces.

When I came out of the office that night, for me, everything ceased to have any meaning, everything was still. I was constantly thinking that whichever the country, the emotions are the same, tears flow with the same intensity, be it India or US. The politics around the world pushes these young men in the wars and conflicts and, in the end, what remains is the crying wife, parents and orphan children while the politicians marvel or brood at the materials gains or losses.

I understand that wishing to have a warless world is a far cry and there is no point wishing that but, at least, we can refrain from having worthless conflicts like the ones in Afghanistan and Iraq or the constant conflict between India and Pakistan for a little piece of land. By doing this, we can prevent another Lt. Saurabh Kalia (a soldier killed during Kargil) from being butchered and help another Katherine Cathy from giving birth to a child who can see the world on his father's shoulders.

I urge the leaders to think of that mother who so wishes that her son rises up and fights with her, the father who would do anything to have his son argue with him or the wife who would trade the world for that one kiss of her man. But that would never happen because that son and the man has been sent for an eternal sleep, a sleep to let u be awake and see the glitter of yer material WIN !!!

MTC

India and Kashmir

War is on for the last over half a century for this piece of land under the sun which we call KASHMIR !!! I cant remember any other reason except this for the conflicts with Pak. In fact the policy of Pak is centered around this Heaven On Earth !!!

But looking at the scenario, we can realize that Kashmir is more a prestige issue for both the nations than a part of country. In India, whatever laws we draft, we have a separate mention for it. Kashmir has its own Constitution (if I remember correctly). They have been crying AUTONOMY for donkey's years now. They, themselves, don't want to be a part of this country.

In the latest development, people there have been fired at by the Indian police for shouting anti-India slogans and creating ruckus. In this incident, about 14 people have died. I am sure this will flare up the issues more.

I suggest rather than fighting over a piece of land which doesn't want to be a part of us, we should do some introspection as to how to pacify the situation and, if that's not possible, let them go !!!!

Let them FIGHT Pak by themselves. They came to us only because they could not do the needful. If they think they are capable, let them give another try !!!

MTC

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

Bhopal Gas Tragedy verdict came out. Long awaited for sure. But, now we realize that it better should have been in wraps. At least, we would have been saved from this feeling of shame that we have now !!!

For the governance of this nation, 20,000 deaths and 25 years of constant suffering of the future generations are equal to just 2 YEARS !!!!!!! I don't understand how the Judge could even say this !!! Justice Ahmadi says that it was according to what law provides. Probably His Lordship has not heard that JUSTICE IS MUCH MORE THAT MERE CODES AND PRECEDENTS. By no stretch of imagination is this justified.

Anderson, the main culprit, was let outta this country by the State plane and then the reason is given that it was for the security reasons !! As it was in a debate that if it was necessary for the security reasons to take him outta Bhopal then he could have been kept anywhere else but why outta Country ??!!??

They are having a DEBATE whether this verdict should be changed. It took 26 years for the judgment to come out and would, surely, take 26 more for it to be changed or even more since the matter is actually decided !!!!

I think they are quite a fan of Joseph Stalin who once said "ONE DEATH IS A CASUALTY AND THOUSAND DEATHS ARE A STATISTIC " . Here we had 20,000 !!! So nothing to worry. WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA (The opening lines of the grand norm of the nation, The Constitution) have again been made to realize that the Government is By Us and For Us only on the papers.

Even the Bhopal Memorial Hospital that was created only for the Bhopal victims, now, treats only the rich and powerful. Recently there was a news that a lady who was a victim was denied by the hospital and she later died.

I suggest they read a bit of history in free time. It is engraved on the soul of the bygone era that whenever the Government has crushed the people more than their endurance, the governance and those responsible were granted their tombstones, be it Louis XIV of France whose head was chopped off or Benito Mussolini who was shot and later hanged by the meat hook or the Egyptian revolution !!!! I so wish that people of this country wake up now and bring the revolution. Its long awaited guys.

Beware u buggers. Fear the future.

MTC

Another Denial

Phew .. Over a year has passed since I have been contributing my pictures to National Geographic viewer section for their daily selection and not a single one published.

You would think I am crazy in thinking about a publication with NG. But it is a different story as NG has a viewer section where amateur viewers submit their pics and out of them, 12 pictures are selected daily.

I would have had no issues had all the pictures been worth. I dont say all are crap but some of them are so shit that you feel like jumping off the cliff, what with one bugger sending his passport size pic and the editor happily selecting that. There are many more examples to that.

By the virtue of the fact that I myself have been an amateur for some years now, I can at least make out if a particular pic is a bit worth. On the other hand, considering the other pics which have been published, comparison becomes all the more easy.

Yesterday I sent another pic which I thought could make it. But no !!!!

What to say !!!!

MTC

Sally Of Surrogacy

There are times when you are two persons in one. I mean it !! This is what I am right now. Just read a link on website of TIME magazine dealing with the surrogacy in India. (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1993665,00.html?xid=thepage_newsletter)

I really didn't know what to say to that. Whether to agree or disagree !! May be a mix of both. The layman in me tends to drift away and the Lawyer in me asks "What's Wrong" ?!?

Technically, and legally, they are 2 consenting adults who are getting into it and the child is being taken care of by one of them. This happens all over the world in normal course and no cries about that. Fair enough. Just that it is being done for money. But then, they are not doing anything illegal.

Layman in me gets pained by the article because it states that India has, lately, become the surrogacy capital of the world because Indian surrogate mothers are readily available and cheap !!!!!

Though, it is none of my business but if we get into the depth of the issue, it does become a matter of concern. Surrogacy is entered into by the woman, of course, not because of her will but because of her circumstances, be it US or India, and I am sure of that. She may consent to enter into a physical relationship but no woman would like to get pregnant with the child of the man who she does not love and doesn't even know, in the first place, and then give away the child who she nurtured for 9 months !!!! Even a pros will not agree to have the baby of the customer unless forced by some dire need. And when we come to know that India has become the surrogacy capital and that the surrogate mothers here are readily available and are cheap, it feels like a slap on the face of the woman and the nation as a whole.

One can think of 2 reasons - Either such women are of a weak character and they are ready to do anything for money or they are so crushed by the circumstances that they are bound to get into such a thing to sustain themselves. I am dead sure that first reason is certainly not the one !!!!

Surrogacy, though morally unacceptable, is going on all over the world and in some countries its even formalized. The thing that is a big shit is the fact that we are the frontrunner in such an activity and we are such because the women are so forced by the circumstances and are ready for much less money.

Like discussed above, they are bound to get into this because of the circumstances and the circumstances didn't crop up by themselves. The system of this country must be faulty somewhere. Somewhere there must be some lack which is causing all this and the lack lies in the political will and in the indifference of the leaders towards the plight of the people.

Moreover, such a thing is being treated as an INDUSTRY !!!! In order to promote, medical tourism, India legalized commercial surrogacy in 2002. It is expected by Confederation of Indian Industries that this INDUSTRY would generate about USD 2.3 Billion by the year 2012 annually.

Every thing has boiled down to money and profit.

In a country where the scriptures say that Gods reside in a place where woman is respected, women are forced to sell their womb to sustain themselves.

Nice Evening

Last evening, tired of all day of sleeping and TV, I got out in the night to have a stroll in the gallery. I must say it was a lovely climate. Cool breeze.

Night light and the broken clouds presented a really beautiful picture. I took my camera and snapped a few pics. Suddenly, I remembered to experiment with a LONG EXPOSURE (a technique in which the shutter of the camera is kept open for longer duration and the camera is moved so as to blur the picture intentionally). I tried that and I must say that the result was satisfying.

One more nice picture and one more acid test....PHEW !!!!

Lets see.

MTC

Planning Kills

It actually does. Don't you think that we spend hours and hours together in order to plan for a thing but the best moments do come out when unplanned. At least, I have seen so. I am talking about the photos that I have snapped and have been liked by people.

I am not a professional and so, I am never out on an ASSIGNMENT but still, despite the fact that I have a camera, some of my best photographs have been UNPLANNED in the true sense -- while just strolling on the streets, descending the stairs and seeing something, lying on my bed and seeing a pigeon on my open window. Though I have a decent camera with me, all the photographs I am talking about have been taken from my CELL PHONE.

Last evening was again one of those days. I don't know about other people but with me it happens. Sometimes, my ego comes into the way and I get hell bent on GETTING A PICTURE out of something. I had been seeing a wooden plank lying on the roof adjacent to my PG for months and every time I saw it, I was like "Why Can't It Be" ??!!?? So I took my camera, jumped over and took some pictures. But I found the pictures were not worth. Then my PG staff came over and I suggested I take some pictures of him, looked for a background and found this one quite suitable. After snapping him, when he was off, I found that this setting was a beauty in itself -- the evening colors (in photographic jargon, this is called The Golden Hour), the low clouds -- and VOILA !!! Here was my picture.

Like I said, planning may not get u the thing but being unplanned does. However, the acid test it still left. Not for others to know but my brother knows it well as to what that would be.. :p

MTC

Victimology

This is a phrase which my teacher in my college introduced us first to. I feel like remembering this in the wake of Ruchika decision. I am happy that 6 months have been enhanced to 18 months, but are even 18 months enough to equate the loss of life of that poor teenager ??

Victimology moves the other way round. It looks for the punishment of the convict from the point of view of the victim i.e. is the punishment sufficient to properly compensate for the act? Even Supreme Court, in one of its judgments, has said that the punishment should be proportional to the act done.

We just move by the word of the book. If 2 months are there, we would be taking 2 months, without even putting both of them in a balance and finding out if it is just.

Then we have the people who are against death sentence. May I ask them why ?? Probably because you have not lost any dear one of yours yet. May you never get to lose any one of yours but you need to feel by being in the shoes of the people who have !!!! These shitty Human Right buggers always come up for the human rights of the convict. May I ask them if there is no human right of the deceased or if there is no human right of his mother, father, wife, children. With each death, there is not one but many more slow deaths which happen as a Side Effect !!!

Get real guys. We need to be stringent with these people. Have you ever thought why arabian countries have lesser crime ?? It is because there are strict towards the wrong doers. Stop crying Barbarism. See the practical success. I am not saying that absorb them as it is. Absorb the spirit i.e. being stricter in your laws. For the rape cases, for example, we have the maximum punishment of 10 years, which is again less but even that we seldom see. Most of the time, the convict gets a 7 year term. Imagine, someone commits a rape at the age of 23, gets a 7 year term and is out at the age of 30. Do you think he has lost something? He is still capable enough to have a new life. But can the victim of rape get a new life ? What have you given Her ??!!?? A life long stigma, a slow death. India is not as broad minded as western countries and you know that !!! Has any proposal of the government ever come out for the rehabilitation of the rape victims? No. It may be argued that by doing that you may seem like separating them from society but any counselling sessions or anything which can dampen the thought of that horrifying incident? Has anything been done by you?

Like I said in my FB status that only way to get things done is throw someone of these people in the situation. I remember that, earlier, the statements of the rape or molestation victims were recorded in Open Court subjecting the victim to immense shame and humiliation. It was only after the daughter of a Judge was molested that they took a decision of recording them behind closed walls. Why ? Your daughter has a respect, other's daughter doesn't ?

There was a proposal for the death penalty for rape. But that proposal seems to have died its own death, probably because the politicians don't want to dig a ditch for their own selves. I am not pointing the finger at the politicians in person (though you never know). I am talking about the goons they harbor. If such law comes up, they may be in hot waters. Like I always maintain, politicians never think of the nation.

Machiavelli was the father of politics. He did say that to gain the power, every single move is justified for politics is meant to gain and hold the power. But for the betterment of the nation. Just getting the power and misusing it all the time is not going to do you any good, you politicians !!!!

If this will be the state of affairs, after sometime, use of the word "Politician" for someone would be perfect ground to bring a suit of defamation against someone. I so wish it happens !!!

MTC

Under Her Wings

UNDER HER WINGS !!!!!! This phrase can fit perfectly on Mohd. Afzal Guru, the mastermind of the Parliament Attacks on India. He, like any hopeful, filed the mercy petition in 2006 with the President of India. According to the requirements, the Union Home Ministry required certain documents from the Delhi Government to pursue the matter but, even after 16 reminders, the Government of Delhi is sleeping over the matter. CM Madam Dixit says that she hasn't received even a single one of them!!!! What else can be said other than that the fella is Under The Wings of the lady.

Its such a shame that political interests in this country are much more than the national interests. Even a terrorist convicted by none other than the highest court of the land is being shielded by the Government. As was in the debate last night, it may be a joint exercise of the Congress party to appease a certain section of the society which forms the lion's share of their vote bank. It sounds meaningful when the reporter grills the spokesman of the party that if the Center was so keen on getting the documents, why didn't it specifically ask the Delhi Government instead of just sending the reminders and the spokesman was just Ho-Hum.

Shiela Dixit always comes up with the most lame and most insulting of the remarks and comments. During the Blue Line incidents, when the people were dying @ 1 person per day, she comments that PEOPLE DONT HAVE SENSE OF WALKING ON THE STREETS. On another occasion of some molestation case, I guess, she said that GIRLS SHOULD NOT WALK OUT LATE IN THE NIGHT. Miss Dixit, should we gather from your comments that the state of affairs in the NCR would be the same. If people want to be safe, be that at your own risk ????

National honor is down the drains for the politicians in this country. All they care about is their political gains. I dont say that politicians in other countries are better when it comes to political interests but, at least apparently, they stand for their national pride. In our country they cant even do that.

I was reading a joke in which God was telling someone about the balance in the world. Everywhere, there was a Yin and Yan. After all the things God said, "....And I made India, where there would be prosperity, people would be most loving and the best of all." Audience questioned about the balance God had been talking about. God replied, "Wait till they are ruled by jokers....!!!! "

MTC

Colours and Racism

I wonder that, since times immemorial, this has been a common thinking that 'protect your eyes because they can see COLORS of life'. Since times immemorial, painters have strived to get a hold on the COLORS. Even the monochrome is a COLOR then why some of us humans are averse to COLORS ??!!??

I am talking in the light of the recent humiliation the Indian shooting contingent had to face at the hands of some morons. The Indian and the foreign authorities may be speaking a few words and writing it off as not a case of racism but the act of the English authorities speaks volumes !!!!

Do they have any justification why the door was slammed in the face of the Indian players and, even if it was done by mistake, the mistake could have been corrected and the door may have been opened up. But, in turn, English authorities came up and, allegedly, threatened the Indian shooters of dire consequences.

In another incident, 2 female Indian shooters were asked to get off the bus. Etiquettes flow from UK and the manners are still called English manners and then such an attitude ??!!??

I am sure that not all of English citizens are like this and that there are some worn out minds that still keep their backs at the rising sun.

But that positive thought does not dilute the situation, nor should we let it be diluted for it is not the insult of a few individuals but of the entire nation, which is not a new thing. As history has it, Mahatma Gandhi was thrown outta train for being coloured, Mrs Indira Gandhi was insulted by the US president and, if I am not mistaken, UK archives have some documents in which the ministers, during a conversation, have even abused. Mr George Fernandes, who visited the US as the then Defense Minister of India, was FRISKED ON THE AIRPORT and was even asked to take off the clothes or the shoes. He ought to have come back right away and India ought to have taken up the issue. But no !!!!

Our countrymen still, probably, live in the mentality of KSHAMA !!! For us, the respect of the nation is nothing. They say that in US every one is frisked. There is no differentiation when it comes to security. Does the protocol of the other nation not mean anything? It does !! Its just that we are spineless enough no to be able to press for that.

On the flip side, in normal course, even shoes are not permitted on Raj Ghat. Fair enough. But when US President visits India, weapons are allowed there BECAUSE THAT WAS THE SECURITY PROTOCOL OF THE US !! If you have a policy, stick to it. Just because the visitor is the US President, you bend backwards completely...Shame !!

Now, again the manager of the Indian contingent, when asked whether there is a possibility of the Indian team heading back to India, denied any such possibility. Can't you guys be strong enough? They are promising to take action. Dont JUST PROMISE yar, do something. Let us know that there is someone who can stand by our honour as the honour of the nation.

MTC

Hobbies

Pursuing a hobby is a different thing and pursuing a hobby SERIOUSLY is a pain..Boy, I have been trying to pursue photography as you all know. I am thankful to this gentleman in Lucknow to whom I mail my pics over and he sends his critique.

I think that a particular pic is good but when I receive his critique, he just blasts me off. For example, this pic. Apparently, it looks, if not good, OK. I mailed it over to him, as usual. And as usual, he slammed it saying "could have been better but for the 2 red flowers". Visually, they look good but aesthetically, for a photographic image, they are DIVERSIONS !!!!!

Whatever you do is less if you wanna be good.

On my way, lets see.

MTC

Blog

Why does it happen that after sometime your blog becomes irregular. Is it because you get bored or your life has lost all the new things which could be poured into one?

Is it happening only with me or does it happen with every blogger around?

MTC

Bangalore Saga

I live in such a "lovely" city called Bangalore and have no SOMEONE SPECIAL to "celebrate" that with .... Bogie !!!!!

Lol .. No nothing, I am not interested in anyone. Dont get ideas.

Its just that this city, dont know what, I have just no words to say.

I can write an entire gospel on this.

MTC

Sunday And Monday

As usual, Sunday was to be and was spent lazying around, reading novel and the stuff.

Monday was to be and is boring office day.

I wonder at times whether the life has chosen its track ???? No change in schedules, no newness. Everyday is the same day. The only difference lies in the calendar.

I remember a joke -- Life is So Busy That After Monday And Tuesday, Even The Calendar Says W-T-F !!!!

Office Works

Lotta work in office guys..Assignments and assignments..But its good. Getting to learn.

Had a visit to the doc today for my throat problem. He asked me to get the throat swab culture again and if it is positive again, I might have to get the tonsil removed.

I wish I don't have to.

MTC

Ajmal Kasab's Sentence

Ajmal Amir Kasab, the accused of the Mumbai terror blasts was sentenced to death recently. No doubt the decision was rapid. Took just 1 or 1-1/2 year in toto. But we are so habitual of delayed judgments that, along with the happiness over the judgment, we are forced to think if it is the baby of some over zealous judge or the pressure of the social sentiments !!!! Whatever it is, the bugger came to a rightful end.

Debate is on if such people should get the lawyers to defend them. I also think that why they should be fed in the Indian jails which are already over crowded with the under trials (corroborating my surprise over rapid judgment in this case) ?? A lawyer once gave a justification that let it be a FORMALITY so that the people don't raise the fingers on the judicial system.

I want to ask that which people are you worried about...Pakistan, which herself sent this asshole or US which screwed the International Law and screwed 2 nations completely or China which came into your boundary and painted the soil red? Down the line, why could you not hang him on the dome of the Taj in full public view? Who was stopping you? What if evidences were "inadequate" in his case also? Would you have acquitted him as well in the name of the justice while knowing fully well that he is THE ONE ?!?

I read once - "Justice is much more than the codes and precedents...." . The writer may have meant something else but I think it has equal worth if such buggers are given a PROPER GUN SALUTE !!!!!!!

Backlog

Phew !!! 3 days backlog !!! Started my new attachment from Monday onwards and was given the project to work upon.

Working on that for 3 days. Not that completely on that but ya, office time is being completely utilized for this...(understand in lesser words, lol).

Just made a rough body of it. Will work upon it and have a discussion. Lets see what comes up.

As I told that Bangalore's public transport is the shittiest of all, I know stand a living specimen of my own words !!!! Other day, this asshole bus driver stopped at my place. Fair enough. There was much rush that day and before I could step outta the bus, the bugger made a move. I got down, got disbalanced and hurt my knee. Luckily, it was no major injury but my trouser was damaged. Luckily again, one fellow resident of the PG was kind enough to go and get me a dettol since I didnt have any. Am fine now. However, the knee hurts a lil. Quite natural. Will get fine.

MTC

Same Ol Story

1-05-2010 - As I said earlier, there is nothing to write much on holidays, the day was spent in my room completely while surfing on net.

2-05-2010 - 11:30 am, just woke up. Had to meet my sister. Program changed a bit. Now we will be meeting in the evening.

Had a helluva evening with my sister. Outing, shopping, dinner..Halley's comet doing the rounds I guess !!!!

MTC

OFF From OFFice

No boss in the office, last day of the attachment..Why to go? Took an off..Wats wrong in that? Just like the way IMPOSSIBLE says I-M-Possible, "Office", by default, contains the word OFF !!! :p .

The staff of my PG !!!! Bugger thought I have gone to office and have forgotten to switch off the fan and he switched off the light from outside. Here I was sitting in scorching heat thinking that there is no electricity. Anyway, other one saw me and then the light was switched on.

Just enjoying my day doing nothing. :)

The Fan Saga And The Send Off Party

28-04-2010 - Story after 100 years ,"There once lived a strange creature in Bangalore city in India who switched off the fan when the people were feeling damn hot...!!!!". I am privileged to share time space with such a creature or rather I am her chronicler in this respect !!!! The stupid lady sits just next to me and the moment she enters the office, switches off the fan because SHE FEELS COLD (Thats what I remember she said)...The other day I asked to switch on the fan and she started whining 'WHYYYYYYYY ?? WHYYYYYYYYYY??? ' Damn !!!

Though AC is just above but we still need the fan, if at the slow speed, to circulate the cool.

In the evening was the send off party to one of our colleagues. Nice one, I must say. Nice ambience, good food. But I was worried about getting home because it was late in the night and I try not to travel in night in Bangalore.

Anyway, I got the bus and auto and reached home at around 11:00 pm.

29-04-2010 - In the office. Fan is already off !!! :p .. Today she apologised for switching the fan off, lol. She gave the reason that her hair will be disturbed if the fan is on. She didn't, probably, realize that her hair are tied already. No idea she has how stupid she sounded when she gave this lame excuse. Anyway, my training in this department is about to finish in another one day so why to worry?

MTC

Man Of Small Things

Well, today, I can say, I did some studies in the office. In the morning had a successful talk on Hague Convention with the boss. Later in the day had quite a confident discussion with the boss on a section of Companies Act. Colleague gave me a form to fill which I did as well.

On the way back, didn't have to wait too long for the second bus.

Lately, happiness in my life is dependent on such trifles. :)

I can say "Man Of Small Things".

MTC

Another Lazy Sunday And Boring Monday

25-04-2010 - Sundays really never have much stories to be told for the person is never out enough to have any. Just woke up late, was on internet nearly entire day surfing here and there. In the evening went out with the camera. I got some good shots and missed one. :)

That was all for sunday.

26-04-2010 - Day has just started guys. In the office. Will complete the story for the day in the evening.

Ok, formal evening bulletin now. They say 'every dog has its day'. I say today's day was a shit !!!! What with no electricity in the office post lunch (SHIT), no seat in the bus (SHIT), horrible traffic (SHIT)....So the outcome is that today's day was a COMPLETE SHIT !!!!!

MTC

Barso Re Megha-Megha !!!!

No..Aishwarya Rai didn't gimme a peck !!! I am wondering that how the requirement of a thing changes with the circumstances. It is hot and I know that the rain would be a solace but as I have a laptop with me and no conveyance, I wish it should not rain or at least when I am out.

It again rained when I was returning and bloody auto wala charged more because it was raining !!!!

Chalo no probs. I was, anyway, just wishing to get back to my PG asap.

Just about to have dinner.

MTC

Boss's Pen Fixation And Internet Trouble

Again lost a day in the etymology of my blog !!! No problem. Will make up for that. :)

23-04-2010 - The taxation department head candidly confessed that, for a pen, he either has a cap and not the body or a body and not the cap. He looked at me and asked if I had both. I did have. Suddenly, he set his eyes at the pen in my pocket, praised it and without even asking, took it from my pocket for the day and asked me to get 2 for him too. Though he would duly reimburse for that. Bought the pens for him in the evening and bought a novel for me (Seventh Secret, Irwing Wallace). Not bad. :)

I was thinking that God forbid, if he had "set his eyes" on my Sheaffer pen, I would have been ruined !!!!! :p

24-04-2010 - Woke up, tried the internet, found that it was NOT WORKING !!!! No probs. Happens at times. Tried again. Not working. A bit worried. Well, their server may have been down, I thought.

I am sitting somewhere, tried again. Again not working. Now I was mad. I tried their number and came to know that my account had actually been DISCONNECTED for the non payment of the bill !!!!!

I shouted at them for not informing before disconnecting and came to know that the information with them was partly wrong (because of their inadvertence, of course) and partly not active !!!! :p

Anyway, I made the payment and now the account is working fine. :)

Phew !!!!

MTC

Pange Par Panga

Sorry guys, my absent is marked for yesterday, I know. But can't help it. Was just pissed off at that asshole auto wala who messed up with me.

Really, auto walas of Bangalore are so Kamina a lot that National Association of Kaminas has cancelled their membership to maintain their sanctity !!!! :-/

Anyway, there was a big scene and his mobile cover also broke in a near scuffle. Good thing was that he just went away. I had taken a precaution that I did all the talking with my acquaintances around.

Today again it could be one but I just avoided that. For a change, with a jeep wala !!! :p

Now a days pangas are following me just like the way satellites follow the US Prez. Cant help.

MTC

A Down Day

The snacks of yesterday really killed me and I had to take an off from office today. I was really wishing an off but not by being sick :( . But now I am a lot better.

Again office from tomorrow...Phew !!!

Moreover there was no light nearly entire day.

Outcome is that though it was an off day, it was a pain in the a@#. :p

MTC

Ram In The Grounds Of Tiger

Nothing philosophical guys. Ram (I am Aries) and Tiger (2010 is the year of golden tiger). Today was a good day for me, a happening which is like the arrival of Halley's Comet - once in 75 years :p.

Managed to pull off the office assignment well.

Moved outta office at 9 pm only to find that the snacks I had in the evening didn't go well with me. Damn, not feeling well right now.

Another assignment waiting to go up my a@# tomorrow.

MTC

Dreams

How better the life would have been folks if the dreams were to be a reality and wishes were to come true. Not all but, at least, the small ones, capable enough to keep the smile on the lips every time. But No!!!! Even the sweetest and the purest of the dreams have, rather than a truth, a reservoir of pain in them.

Just feeling low.

And why do the low moments always come when you have fucking office work to complete ?!? :-/

Really Nice Weekend

Blasts in Bangalore. TV was on nearly entire day but I came to know about the blasts from a friend who called up in ask if I were alright ... GEEZZZZ :p .

Attacks in Mumbai, I moved out and had drinks with my friends and got fired by Ma. Blasts in Bangalore, I again had a drink and moved even a step further ... Even watched a movie. If Ma comes to know, she will blast me off !!!!! But it was a really nice company I was with. Really enjoyed a lot.

Also, I bought a FERRARI !!!!!!!!!! You don't believe me, right? OK, not a car, just a deo. But it is, after all, a FERRARI, ain't it? And like other FERRARI "memorabilia", for this one also a fortune had to be shelled out, but worth it. And moreover, this was the only one in their stable I could afford right now or probably a perfume next month till I graduate to the REAL FERRARI ;-). Lets see.

MTC

Bosseria

New disease, in fact, highly communicable. Symptoms are when someone tries to bully you unnecessarily, gives u shit work just for the heck of giving. Commonly found in the associates of any firm.

High placed people in the firm also get afflicted by it ( as I said it is communicable ). My boss today gave me the work of which I know just a l'il for the weekend which means that my weekend is gone.

But the positive part, of course is that I will be getting something to learn, though at the cost of my holidays.

Lets see.

MTC

Daily Life

Same ol' life folks, nothing new. PG to office, office to PG. In office, trying to get some work from my boss. Hope it works positive in the end.

For my colleague though, today was a one of a kind day and, that too, in a screw up manner. Poor chap wanted to have some money from the ATM. We moved out for the cash. He tried out in his own bank but the ATM was not working and then in another ATM where, again, it didn't work. The boy was shocked to see in the end that in toto, 2ooo bucks were washed off his account as he entered the amount of Rs 1,000 every time in both the ATMs. Cash was not given but withdrawal shown.

We will be meeting the litigation partner tomorrow and will try to get things right. Lets see.

MTC

God Of Small Things

In Bangalore, right now, small things are such a pleasure as life is damn busy. On that parameter, today morning was terrific. I got the bus on time, I got the seat in the bus, it dropped me on time and today was relatively free as I didn't ask for work today and my boss didn't give me one today.

Only problem was of the rain. It rained quite well today. Because of that, there was and is no electricity and the battery is about to die out.

Mosquitoes need to talk to me.

MTC.

Light Or No Light, That Is The Question !!!!

Indian government has different fundas altogether. Climate in which we need maximum electricity, we have maximum power cuts. It is same all over the country and Bangalore is no exception.

Lately, power cut is increasing everyday. Situations are worse in my office building because all windows are closed and our invertor is totally OFFICIAL in temperament !!!!!!!! This is justified by the fact that for the son of a b@#$h, the only thing that matters is that computers should be working....ACs, of course, dont work, fans dont work, even light in the bathroom does not work !!!!! :-/

U can imagine the way we have to use the loo !!!! They may be thinking of making us the SHARP SHOOTERS, but I have always been interested in using the Cheat Codes. I take my mobile in and use its light "effectively". :p

MTC

Day Of The Dragon

Bangalore's public conveyance seems to be having an enmity with me. When I move out comparatively later (which is, in any circumstance, one hour before the office time), the bus gets so late that other day it took 1 hr 45 mins for a journey which, in normal circumstances, does not take more than 30 mins !!!!

I have started moving even earlier so the bus dropped me at the spot at 8:50 in the morning..... :-/

Then there was a confusion with the boss over an issue.

Then there was a seminar in the evening of which I didnt get a thing for it was accountancy oriented.

BTW, I apologised to my boss for the confusion so that was kinda solved.

Phew ... Watching Quantum Of Solace right now.

C Ya ... MTC

Sunday Morning Saga

5:50 in the morning. Woke to the wild beating of the drums only to find that there was no electricity at the same. And what a beating that!!!! Sky was about to fall. But who was I to complain. These buggers were determined not to let even Almighty sleep in peace. Now that was some start of a Sunday. But could they deter me ??? No !!! Under protest, I slept till 10:00 AM.

Ok, there was a festival, I agree, but...??? Jane do.

This brought to mind a scene I saw in Banares which actually sent a chill down my spine.

Otherwise a regular sunday...Lazying around with a bit of office work here and there.

C ya..More to Come (MTC)

Starting Of A Blog

Hi everyone,

So, finally, I decided to start my blog. Well, no inspiration from Mr Bachchan or Mr Aamir Khan for that, :p.

I will be spilling beans, or let us say, pouring my heart out on my blog.