** Nepal **

Monarchy in Nepal is gone and the Maoists are in !! Down the line, say after a few years of Maoists rule, I see China coming in with all its might into Nepal. The Himalayas is no more going to be a border for India in North !! Islamic terrorism is going to get deeply rooted in Nepal !! The present Indian Govt may applaud the present "victory of democracy" in Nepal - but, I strongly feel that we are going to pay a heavy price for this !! Now, India has too many huge windows open along its border - Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh... !! Thank God, we have oceans on the other three sides !!

** Iran - Pak - India Gas pipeline **

One thing that I like about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is that they were careful when handling with issues relating to Pakistan. When it comes to the Congress (I) Party, they always want to show that they are more "secular" in their behaviour and they think that their actions against Pakistan would be seen as anti-muslim and hence would undermine their Indian Muslim vote bank. What else do you call the Petroleum Minister, Mr. Deorah's statement that India would go ahead and sign the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project in the next two or three months ?? The Congress Govt has not learnt its lessons from the past 60 years behaviour of Pakistan. Nor is the Congress Govt looking at the present. If so, it would have seen the anarchy that is prevailing in the border areas of Pakistan where the pro-Islamist groups have taken the reigns and wield better control. All the Congress government doing is handing over the advantage to Pakistan and thus to the Islamic terrorists and is also dropping its pants down allowing Pak to rape it and thus our nation, India.

** Governance - Congress Style **

In Canada, a huge procession was taken by Sikhs supporting and glorifying Indira Gandhi's assassins. Indian Intelligence bureau has warned the Punjab Govt that the Khalistan movement is on the rise (Fanatic, but more prominent Punjab political groups are supporting it - calling it as people's movement). Former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Mufti Mohammed Syed has said that the use of Pakistan currency should be allowed in Jammu & Kashmir. As a true citizen, you would believe that Government would against all such prominent and disturbing happenings !! Unfortunately this is India and the ruling party is Congress .... nothing of any sort, in the name of action is seen - atleast till now.

** Tamil New Year's Day **

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr Karunanidhi has passed a resolution changing the Tamil New Year's day from April/14 to Jan/14 !! Given the sort of politician that Karunanidhi is, this is not a big surprise. This change of New year is nothing but another gimmick that Mr Karunanidhi has pulled out of his hat. What has he achieved by it?? He has proved that his so called "secularism" is nothing but fiddling with Hinduism. I can challenge him and the folks of his ilk that all they can do in the name of "secularism" is to 'finger' Hinduism - for, they do not dare to touch Christianity and Islam. Because, people of those religion are better bonded when it comes to the question of religion. Almost everyone has kept quiet on this issue of changing the Tamil New Year, because, Karunanidhi was clever enough to label his resolution as "pro-tamil". If you speak against the stupidity of this exercise, you would be branded "anti tamil". No one will dare to say that the King is walking naked !! I only wish that everyone start looking into such cheap tactics - than consoling ourself that all such historical changes were first met with some stiff resistance and will, over a period of time, be accepted by people. [ Here, I also see a behaviour pattern of certain set of people. Pervez Mushraff has to be more aggressive - or rather, visibly more aggresive, against India, because he has to prove to the people of Pakistan that though his birth place is India, he is a true Pakistani. Actor Kamal Haasan has to be more (visibly) aggresive against "God" and has the need to support EVR Periyar - because, he has to prove that though he is born as a Brahmin, he should not be seen as one. Over a period of time, it is the role that they attire than the originality that takes prominence. Do you now see the reason as to why a lot of Brahmins have kept quiet - or even have supported this issue ? ]

** Reservation- More on Quota **

Supreme Court in its decision favouring 27% quota for Other Backward Class (OBC) people, has said that the quota system should be reviewd after five years. After five years, Review, they will - to see whether the quota need to be increased further and not to decrease it !! I dont think I will ever get to see the quota system being removed in my life time ! Basically, more than the upliftment of Backward class, this quota arragement is more about Politics. Supreme Court has played to the tune of Politicians and has helped pave way for faster degradation of premier institutes like IITs and IIMs - and India as the nation on the whole !! Jai Hind !!

** Times of India **

Times of India (ToI) has started its Chennai edition from today (Apr/14/2008). ToI is the sort of newspaper which gives 'what people wants' - a lot of sex & glamour !! They also do sell it at a cheaper rate - aggressive marketing !! I would not consider ToI as a threat to "The Hindu". But lesser mortals like, "The Deccan Chronicle" and "The Indian Express" may slowly fade away from the arena; or at best, they also would switch to the "style" of ToI. If you wish to read lot of tit-bits, masaala news, glamorous news and wish to see some sexy photographs in glossy sheets, goahead and subscribe to ToI - but in the least, subscribe to ToI as an additional newspaper for your home, not the sole one !!

** Kathipara Overbridge **

After a pro-looonged delay, construction of a part of Kathipara overbridge in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India was completed and opened to traffic on Apr/09 ! Some relief to the choking traffic at this junction. When this bridge is totally completed and also when the overbridge near the airport is completed, traffic from Tambaram to Anna-Flyover will ease to a greater extent. Hope we will get to see that soon.

** Hogenekal Project **

The dust has settled down a bit as the Tamil Nadu Govt has decided to put the Hogenekal drinking water project on hold. This project was envisaged to supply drinking water to the people of Krishnagiri and Dharmapur district. This project was earlier worked out on a sort of 'barter' arrangement. Way back in 1998, Tamil Nadu Govt gave a clearance to the 'Bangalore Drinking water scheme' to use the Cauvery water, for which in return, Karnataka Govt, gave a clearance to this 'Hogenekal Project'. The fluoride level in water, in the districts of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri is at 9.0 mg/L (against the WHO norm of 1.5mg/L). The Hogenekal project would have benefitted both these districts - or around 2.2 million people (most of them, according to one estimate, are Kannada and Telugu speaking people).

Though we have the previous clearance... why the storm now??? "ELECTION" - is the magic word !! While there is certain amount of truth in Jayalalitha's accusation that Karunanidhi has given up to Karnataka - we need to realise that, at this stage where elections are round the corner in Karnataka, going ahead with this project would only have made every political party in Karnataka fight tooth and nail against the project. Afterall the politicians care for nothing but for votes. Worst of all are the statements from one of our former (unfortunate) PM - Shri Dewa Gowda !!!

God, save this Nation from Politicians !!

** Vellore Golden Temple **

I have seen quite a few beautiful places in India. On Tuesday, after my visit to the 'Golden Temple' built in Vellore, Tamil Nadu (India), I would, without any hesitation, rank it as the best that I have ever seen so far. Its simply breath taking, even better than the Lotus temple and Amritsar Golden Temple. The pathway that takes you to the central main temple is designed in a star shape and the landscape on both sides of this pathway is breath taking and well maintained. Let me not waste too many words - dont forget to get this place on your 'must see' Indian site. To enjoy your trip, plan it on any of the week days and during early morning hours when the place is not crowded.