** Aus quits Davis Cup **

Quoting security reasons, the Australian team has decided not to visit Chennai for the Davis Cup Tennis tournament. They have forfeited the game this year and stand to lose a huge sum of money. P Chidambaram, Home Minister has rubbished the Australians security fears. I feel the Australians have their point - because this is the same country which refused to conduct a tournament (IPL) quoting security concerns. No matter whether the tournament is of smaller or bigger magnitude - a security threat is a threat - no matter what the magnitude is. The next government, which would assume office in the next few days, has a tough task in hand - they have to convince lot of countries to take part in the 2010 Commonwealth Games scheduled in India.

** IPL Tamashaa on Blog **

www.fakeiplplayer.blogspot.com - thats the most talked about blog these days. The blogger has introduced himself as a team member of KKR (Kolkatta Knight Riders) - who stands no chance of getting into the team. He gives a lot of inner information about his as well as other teams. This fellow has a nice sense of humour and makes good fun of others. He has given a nick name to all those whom he refers to (there is another site which names who is who ;) ). This fellow's blog is a big hit and its followers increased by 1000 in two days !! Why not if he gives inner info about who is going out with whom to the night parties ??!! He has not even spared the commentators.

** Source Banking ?? **

A few have found a new meaning for the term "Source Banking" in Chennai. They cooly took away the whole ATM machine of Indian Overseas Bank at Kilpauk, Chennai. The ATM was installed before a few months - it neither was cemented to the floor nor it had any security guard. So, some found a new way of looting the ATM. Why take the trouble of breaking it in public - instead they decided to take the whole ATM machine to a safe place !! Afterall the bank has not put it in a safe place - right ??? I call this a smart idea - you?? :)

** IPL - first day special **

Though a bit late to make this posting, I wanted to make this message a part of my blog. All the three greats of Indian Cricket, Sachin, Dravid and Kumble, left their stamp on the T20 format on the very first day of the IPL tournament and that was very satisfying for me. Sachin and Rahul Dravid received the "Man of the Match" awards respectively for the two matches that was held on that day. I was particularly happy for Rahul, for he was hugely criticized and was declared unfit for T20 style of game by our so called pundits. Even in the previous edition of IPL, I remember, Rahul Dravid played some wonderful knocks but they went unnoticied as his team lost very badly. Another wonderful performance on the first day was from Anil Kumble who registered a figure of 3.1-1-5-5. With Five wickets giving away just five runs, he now has the best figures by an Indian bowler in all the three formats of the game - Tests, One Day and T20. What can I say about Sachin?? He is the God of Cricket.

** Bandh - another stunt by Karunanidhi **

Karunanidhi has called for a Bandh in Tamil Nadu tomorrow for the sake of Tamilians in Sri Lanka. If he is so concerned, why is he not going to SL to fight the war alongside his "friend" Prabhakaran?? How is the Bandh going to solve the tamilians plight in Sri Lanka?? Karunanidhi's latest stunt is to cover up the gross deficiences of his Government and to score a brownie point during the election time. This, I guess, is the fourth bandh in Tamil Nadu within the past 18 months. We have Bandh in Tamil Nadu only when he comes to power (and the Government itself calls for the Bandh - thats the irony!). People should atleast now understand that this old man needs rest and a retired life. We cannot allow him to continue spoiling Tamil Nadu. He knows every trick to ruin the State's economy - freebies, bandh, etc, etc., - you name it and he has already done that and is not going to stop doing it as long as he is going to be in power. Yes, all politicians do these sort of things - but Karunanidhi is the master of the art and is a trend setter.

** Why not eVoting ?? **

A few months before, I made a post in this blog about a country (Estonia) implementing e-Voting for the elections in their country. At the time of elections, I wanted to talk about it once again - especially after watching the naxal attacks on polling booths in some parts, where elections were conducted yesterday.

If we can safely carry out financial transactions online (eBanking) - then, why not eVoting? Look at the possibilities - (a) No big Qs and hence a lot of people will vote from within the comforts of their home (b) no poll related violence at polling booths (c) lesser Logistics (d) no security threat to polling booths (e) people can vote from anywhere, especially those who are settled outside India and still hold polling rights (f) no Bihar style booth capturing - the trend that is catching up everywhere, including Tamil Nadu (g) more good natured people will contest - as canvassing too would switch to e-style - a far better option than what is being enacted now with the support of "goondas and rowdies" (h) cheaper. These are just a few of the benefits that comes immediately to my mind.

On the negative side - yes, we need a foolproof arrangement to enable eVoting. We need to work out a methodology and implement this. We do have a wonderful possibility that is full of benefits and yes, of course with a few loop holes. We need to work on plugging the loop holes. If banks can administer secrecy to millions of its customers - then why can't the Government try it out for its citizens ?? Instead of pondering over the negatives, eVoting option should be actively pursued. We need to have eVoting atleast by 2020 !!

** Ban Computers & English **

"Importance should be given to human labour and workers would not be enslaved by computers and machines. Harversters and computers are the root cause of unemployment. We should work against use of English in education and computers in new projects" - Oh, NO - those are not the dictums of Taliban !! The above are the election manifesto of Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party, which is being touted as one of the party that will have a say in the next government formation. I was working in Defence when Mulayam Singh happened to be the 'Defence Minister' (yes, he was the Defence Minister for a while - you see, any one can become a Minister in our Government, that does NOT call for any qualification or eligibility - gone are those days!). When Mulayam was heading the MoD, he ordered that all communication to him be taken up in Hindi. We witnessed a great amount of comedy at that stage. It only increased the work load and not just that - it created a lot of confusion. I am sure that he has a big following in UP and is going to win a handful of seats and will be one of the King makers!! We have to live with such people as our rulers. Does that say anything about the future of our country ??

** Whom do we vote for ?? **

No party is going to get a majority in the forthcoming Parliament elections (2009) and that is the only aspect that has emerged clearly so far. In India, initially there was only one party, Congress, and people voted for it without even thinking for a second. Later, the Janata party emerged and then the BJP - paving way for a sort of two party system. Then we had the Third front and in this election we have what is being called as the "Fourth Front" !! How many fronts are we going to have in future?? With no party in a position to get a majority, after elections, this so called third and fourth front will split into smaller elements and will align with either Congress or BJP or will form a front of their own to form a Government at the centre. We all know very well that principles takes back seat and it is the money power that decides everything in our political system. So, parties aligning for the sake of power & money is going to be the next natural step - and that is where our confusion starts. What if the party that I vote for aligns with the party that I oppose and in turn help them to form a Govt?? This happened to the people of Kerala last time. CPI(M) and Congress are the two arch rivals in Kerala. People normally choose one amongst the two. They voted for CPI(M) during the last assembly elections. rejecting the Congress But, after elections, CPI(M) aligned with the Congress and helped them to form a government at the centre !!

Well in this election, when it comes to Tamil Nadu candidates, I dont want to vote for DMK because they are in alliance with the Congress. So, its going to be the AIADMK front. But, if I vote for this alliance, what if they help Congress to form a government after the elections?? My vote will be wasted, if I vote for the BJP or other smaller parties which are non-entities in the State. If I vote for CPI(M), what if they support people like Mulayam and Laloo to form a government after the elections ??

The only solution to all this predicament is a compulsory rule that makes it mandatory to stick to the pre-poll alliances. It should not be changed to suit the interest and needs of the party than that of the nation and people. Secondly, we should have a law that slowly eliminates parties that do not poll, say a 5%, of votes in elections. Thus, smaller parties cannot survive long, leading to a two party concept in India which would be far more healthier. Well, these are options that have been long discussed without any final outcome. For now, which party do we vote for??

** Indian victory in Nz **

It was nice to see India win the cricket series quite convincingly and comprehensively in New Zealand. I am especially happy for Sachin and Rahul, for they once again demonstrated their skills and in the process has shut lot of mouths. Without taking anything away from the test and one day series victory, did you all notice about the discussion on "pitches" that were laid out for the Indians?? No seaming tracks that Nz is known for. Only once was a seaming track laid out, for an one day match, and India duly lost it. Why we did not get to see seaming tracks?? Not one test was played on a seaming track?? Anything to do with commercial aspect?? Whatever those aspects may be, a win is a win and I am happy that Indian cricket team did that. Congratulations.

** Vaiko & LTTE **

Whatever "VaiKo" has said in his election speech about LTTE, blood bath and a separate Tamil Nadu does not need any mention in this blog. The Sri Lankan issue, as always been, is highly politicised one in TN. Nobody really cares for the innocent tamils of Sri Lanka. If at all they do care, let them go to Sri Lanka and help them. Why cry shrill from the safe Indian borders?? What they do is akin to what Pak does to Kashmir terrorists!! When VaiKo speaks of separate TN, he becomes no different from a Kashmir Terrorist. He should have been pushed into jail for one more year (as was done by Jaya few years before!). Such speeches are far worser. All they want to score is cheap political mileage. They are used to do that even over dead bodies. What pains me more is the over all political trend in India - which is becoming cheaper and cheaper with every passing day. Its sickening. In India, to get arrested or some action taken against you - you need to speak against the minority folks; Other than that, you can speak any damn thing about the nation and can easily get away with it. VaiKo needs to be condemned for his speeches and needs to be punished.

** Mohammed Azharuddin **

Mohammed Azharuddin, a well known and established "Match Fixer" is going to contest this election representing Congress. A person who can throw away a cricket game while representing a Nation only establishes the nature of the individual on how capable and willing he will be when it comes to doing things for the sake of money. If Congress happens to win this election and form a Government, I will not be surprised if Azharuddin becomes a Minister for Sports !! Azhar is a muslim and the Congress party will do anything for the sake of Muslim's vote bank. It is the Muslims of this Nation who should be aware of such cheap political gimmicks. Will they be??

** Varun Gandhi & NSA **

Varun Gandhi has been booked under National Security Act (NSA) for his inflammatory speech during one of the election rallies. I am not going to discuss the rights and wrongs of Varun Gandhi's speech. I am only surprised at the fact as to why certain blatantly harsher and inflammatory speeches by persons like Madhani are NOT considered as a security threat to nation !! Oops - why do I keep forgetting that terrorists like Madhani can speak anything and get away from this land because he speaks for muslims and is not a pro-hindu !!!???

** I WILL NOT VOTE FOR CONGRESS **

If you are following Indian elections- 2009 - did you come to know about the Congress manifesto?? If they win this elections, they have proposed to implement reservation in private sector too. That one reason is enough for me, not to talk about their promise for a separate quota for Muslims as well, to NOT to vote for Congress in this forthcoming elections.

We started with 18% quota on the whole and we all know where we stand now. The quota system is going to stay on for ever - thanks to the cheap and cunning politicians that we have. Quota - more than helping the downtrodden - is only helping the politicians to divide and exploit people. We have more caste based parties now than what we had in 1947 !! Congress, Mulayam, Mayawati, Laloo - everyone and ALL of them mastered the art of manipulating the votes based on caste. Please think before you vote to any one of them - because, you are only entrusting the life of our next generation into their hands. So, am I saying that other parties are not thriving on caste based politics?? Yes, everyone is - but not as worse as all the above. So, let us atleast try to delay the inevitable, if we cant avoid it. Well, I am NOT going to vote for Congress or any of the parties that support Congress in this elections.

** The IPL punch **

The congress government tried its best to scuttle the second edition of IPL . It has been discussed enough in the media that not the elections, but IPL being headed by a BJP man, Lalit Modi is the prime reason for refusing security cover to the tournament. The Centre and all the Congress governed States were the first of the block to refuse security cover to the matches. I am not a big admirer of Lalit Modi, but I am greatly impressed by the punch that he delivered to the government by simply taking the IPL matches out of India. Elections are important - but that does not mean that the Govt does nothing other than conducting the elections.

** Airtel CEO sells his entire stocks !! **

Airtel CEO, Mr Manoj Kohli, has sold his entire stock holdings with Airtel (123,000 shares) in open market (today - 11 Mar 2009). Another Satyam ??

** India & Chief Election Commissioner **

President, Prathiba Patil, as expected and as recommended by the Ministry of Law - has turned down the recommendations of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Mr Gopalswami for sacking Navin Chawla. Navin Chawla will now go on to take the post of CEC from Apr/20 this year when Mr Gopalswami retires. Navin Chawla is a stooge of Congress party. Some of the accusations against him are very serious and still he his going to take over the coveted position. The accused and the judge are on the same side of the fence here. Navin Chawla is a puppet of the Congress party and the Congress headed Government went into and decided on allegations against him. Isn't this strange??? (Well, not if you are not an Indian or used to Indian politics and ways). Navin chawla was deliberately and very planted in to the Election Commission by the Congress party and they will be immensely benefitted by his taking over the reigns of the Election Commission. Satyameva Jayadhe (honesty triumphs) can NEVER be true in this land of Gandhi. Jai Hind.

** India, Slumdog Millionaire & Oscar **

I saw the movie Slumdog Millionaire. Having seen a few Oscar winning movies, Slumdog Millionaire, I feel, was definitely not upto that standard. AR Rahman's music was good and there can be no second opinion on that. But, Slumdog Millionaire, as a movie was a good one - certainly NOT the BEST.

We, over the past few days, have heard a lot of accusations on how Indian poverty is being sold abroad. Having seen the movie, I would say that there is not a single scene which is grossly misleading or inappropriate or being falsely depcited. Poverty, violence, beggar mafia - its all very much present and rampant in India. Those who bad mouth about the way India is being depcited in the film, should realise that it is the actual state that India is in. We can not just see the rosy side of India alone and turn blind eye towards the state a large proportion of Indian population lives in. Abject poverty and mindless caste-ridden violence have all been and are going to be part and parcel of India. Above all, the situation is getting worser and worser and ALL our political parties are only adding fuel to the fire. To finish up this write up, Slumdog Millionaire is a good movie (not the best) and the way India has been depicted in the movie is not far away from the reality/truth. Not to forget, to this movie has opened up a lot of avenues for Indian cinema technicians and artists.

** DMK Govt's achievements **

Yesterday, there were full page advertisements in all leading New papers listing the achievements of the present DMK government, thus far. Free TV, Rice for Re.1/-, cheap loans (where it is not written off), free electricity (whenever supplied ;) ), free gas connection and stove... the list went on and on listing all about the freebies.

Dishing out freebies - do you call that achievement?? The Govt has done NOTHING to earn money. All the DMK govt has done so far is to dole out exchequer's money in a callous manner - in the name of freebies. Handing over Rs.2000/- to EVERY family in Tamil Nadu after the heavy rains last season is the icing on the cake. I saw people who own car and bungalows receive the money (if they do not collect, some body will swindle it anyway on their behalf). Latest mockery is to give a golden ring to ALL the babies that are born and being named in TAMIL !!

I do not know where and when will all this madness. At this rate, the deficit is going to get wider and wider and one day, this Govt will be in a position where it will not be able to pay monthly salary to the Govt employees (it was almost at that stage when this DMK govt completed its tenure last time, only to be revived later by Jayalalitha when she succeeded as Chief Minister).

Well... what matters to Mr Karunanidhi and his family is that they are getting richer and richer through deals, omissions and commissions !! So, who cares for the welfare of the State?? Does anybody ??

** Cricket - India & New Zealand (2009) **

At the time of writing this, India has already lost two T20 matches and hence the series 0-2. We have five one day matches and 3 tests to play. While I dont want to take a call in the Test series, all my instincts say that New Zealand will win atleast 3 of the one day matches and hence the series.

** Indians and Oscars **

I have never watched the Academy awards ceremony before - but, this time (2009), I was glued to TV to watch AR Rahman win two Oscar awards. It was really a proud moment. Indians winning awards in international arena is always a great feeling that leaves you proud and happy. AR Rahman, Resul Pookutty and Gulzaar made us proud with their award winning performances. Having said that, I do feel that AR Rahman has given even greater and memorable scores than what he has scored for the Slumdog Millionaire; but all those happened to be in Indian (language) movies and hence he missed out on getting Oscars. Right?