Monday, November 28, 2005

End of an era at Matosree, and hopefully a dawn of a new one

Desi Fun(da)

The newspapers are all screaming about the falling within the Sena/Thackeray family with nephew Raj Thackeray quitting the party and seemingly on the verge of forming a new one. It seems Raj has the loyalty of the entire student wing of the Sena which forms most of the sainik force. Now that Raj is seemingly on the verge of forming a new party I would like to give him my 2cents.

This is definitely an unique opportunity for him and well for Maharashtra as well. I am no fan of the Sena and its underarm tactics that have bought a lot of trouble to many minorities in the state. It would be great if Raj can start out with a new outlook for the Sena of the 21st century and beyond. There is a lot to hope for from our younger leaders and Raj is in this pack of Gandhis, Schindias, Dutts etc. Give the voting public a viable option to think about the next time they go to the polls. Its not about the Marathas being treated as Sons of the Soil in Maharastra but it has to be about the Indians being treated as Indians anywhere in India and especially in Maharastra and more so in cosmopolitan Mumbai. I have been to quite a few cities in India now and I have to say Mumbai rocks not only in terms of facilities and venues and whatnot but also in the way that anyone and everyone can go ahead live a life and try to be a decent human being.

We dont want our leaders threatening us or any minority just because of the actions of a few from those classes. We have to set a common agenda for the development of the state and the country as a whole. The contributions of Mumbai towards India's GDP is legendary and let us see that we continue towards progress and enhance the opportunities of everyone who comes to the promised land Mumbai. Lets not get into name changing excercises again but try towards creating a name for yourself in a honest and civilized manner.

There is a lot to look forward from you. I hope that you have more secular and reforming thoughts in your mind that some of those you have been with. Maybe by your deeds you can influence their actions as well. Looking forward to hearing Raj's thoughts in the newspapers soon.

ps. Those who don't know about Matosree - it is the official residence of Bal Thackeray at Dadar in Mumbai, the ernstwhile Sena Fortress name after his wife, if I am not mistaken.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

The India China Debate

Desi Fun(da)


I just read this good article by Nikhil Bhandare on The Economic Times website about his recent trip to China and his thoughts. The debate on India vs. China or The Lion vs. The Dragon has been a long drawn out debate on how the two third world countries are fighting it out to gain dominace over this side of the world map.

Here are some of my thoughts:
Both countries have their share of problems but since China is much more closed in terms of news it is difficult to decipher what is the state of affairs in the Communist state. We share a burden of a large population. While China has got a tough hand over family planning India still lags in this regard we havent been able to curb this in any form. China's growth has stemmed from its massive investments in infrastructure. Its highways are comparable to any developed nation including the USA and there are many projects such as The Three Gorges Dam the highly touted high speed TGV-like transit system linking its major cities etc. India lags here too with only the Golden Quadrilateral Project coming close, that too not by much, to any of the Chinese endeavors. Though ruled by a dictatorial-like Communist government the leaders have kept corruption at its minimum with senior leaders being removed from positions on even an accusation of wrong-doing. In India we have people like Deve Gowda who have been Prime Minister. Moreover the communists of China have been able to evolve the concept of communism to the modern times and deciphering that any form of thought in governance has to start with the development of its people, which I feel the policies of the Chinese state are successfully providing. We are still stuck on various issues due to politicians leeching the nation and not caring about the people at all. Its become as if its each one to himself here.

What strikes out most in the article linked about is that the Chinese youth have as sense of optimism about the future. They want to be in China and they want to be a part of the uprising in economics that the country is going to see. Most of the students out here are more into "how do I give my GRE/GMAT/TOFEL". Just today I read that IIMB has a record number of summer internships abroad this year, is that something to be cheerful about?

Well its frustrating, to say the least, sometimes when you see and hear about politicians who are screwing India. If the amount of money amassed by out politicos is unearthed and bought back we may have a surplus sufficient to fund most of our programs for our underprivileged countrymen/women. But the question I keep asking myself is whether all this is going to change, soon or ever? Will the next generation of Gandhi's and Schindias lead India out of her misery by getting rid of this kind of politicians? Will we ever see the light of day? Or should we climb onto the bandwagon and look for better avenues on the other side of the fence and let the country fend for itself.

I love India and I hope I get to see her as that fair woman of beauty, glory and pride that she once was.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Let's Go Lions

Desi Funda"

The Lions are roaring again in Nittany Valley, home of the 9-1 Pennstate Nittany Lions. After a long drought of football seasons at Pennstate this year the team has finally gelled together as cohesive unit and attacked on the field. Starting the season as nobodys in the NCAA and being at BCS#5 with one game against Michigan State left the Lions have a lot to be proud of. As an ESPN.com article said about the men in blue and white "Its good to have a great defensive unit, or a great offensive unit and better still both". Polozny and Robinson have really lead this team into the limelight and hey it looks like Robinson is being seen as a long shot for the Heisman this year as well. What a team!!

All of JoePa's critics are finally hiding their ugly faces behind some furniture while we believers are revelling in the glory of a great Pennstate football season. This is how fall is supposed to be like. I only wish I was at Beaver Stadium right in the middle of the sudent section creating the thunderous noise during the Wisconsin or Ohio games. Wow what an amazing day it would have been.

It's great being a Pennstater and although I am not an alumni it feels even better being a part of JoePa's winning tradition at Penn. Wish you all the best at the Orange bowl JoePa.

ps. I just reamembered the "peachy paterno" at the Pennstate creamery... yummy.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Diwali Time

Desi Funda

"The shimmering flicker of a flame poised like a coy woman wrapped with her hands raised touching each other and gently dancing to the tunes of the wind like the waves on the ocean front".

Somehow any mention of diwali and lights takes me back to my 10th grade where we had a teacher by the name of Mrs.Ketki who used to teach use English at a tuition class. She had taken this article by Tom Alter from the Times of India and read it out to us as the perfect way to turn a mundane essay into an eye-catcher. Well I dont think I did a good job then but you can tell me whether the first line here was an eye-catcher or not.

Well anyways its Diwali time of the year. The office is all empty and what on earth am I doing out here in nimma Bangalore? Well letargic me didn't get the tix for Mumbai on time so am stuck here eating soggy dosas and idlis and bearing the brunt of the rickshaw brigade. But well wishing all of you a very happy deepavali. Wonder why people have stopped using that term in favor of diwali, the former sounds so much traditional.

Have fun, God bless and make sure you get some sweets.