Can the USA ever stand competition?
Is this fear behind their new found Pak-compassion?
Supported India against China's gainsay,
But it is a superpower on its own today,
Where Chinese communism could never win it allies many,
India's secularism has won friends already.
Nuclear deals struck are now a pain,
Pakistan's accession is suddenly a gain,
A country that's sponsored terrorism,
It deserves more than Iran's defiance.
- Written on 20 May 2009
- Refer to Hillary Clinton's statement granting aid to Pakistan, taking back the statements she had made a month ago deploring the administrative system in the said country!!!!!!!!!!! Two facedness Zindabad!!!!!!!!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
India with Gandhi
Welcome stability,
End fragmented polity,
Give a party support to shine,
Do your civic duty and do not whine,
The people of India have to a large extent,
Seem to have worked out their intent
And voted for the least militant.
Hooray! No more 24 hours of news,
Cagey politicians being asked their views,
Introspection called for naturally,
The mass seems to have hood winked even the punidits' wizardry.
Cheers Young India! the party that's come to power
Is most representative of the Indian hour.
Ramchandra Guha may well now write
India with Gandhi and The BJP's f(r)ight.
Hip Hip Hooray!!!! :)
-Written on 16th May 2009
End fragmented polity,
Give a party support to shine,
Do your civic duty and do not whine,
The people of India have to a large extent,
Seem to have worked out their intent
And voted for the least militant.
Hooray! No more 24 hours of news,
Cagey politicians being asked their views,
Introspection called for naturally,
The mass seems to have hood winked even the punidits' wizardry.
Cheers Young India! the party that's come to power
Is most representative of the Indian hour.
Ramchandra Guha may well now write
India with Gandhi and The BJP's f(r)ight.
Hip Hip Hooray!!!! :)
-Written on 16th May 2009
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Response to Easwar's Comment on the previous post - Love...
A piece of advice kindly given
Without realising its repercussion.
If I start commenting on Indian politics
The world would be deeper in the pits.
I have a mixed strain of idealism and pragmatism
It is a cocktail that smacks of just impressionism.
Details get conveniently bypassed many a time
That I am laziness personified only aids the crime.
Dear cousin, I am certainly not an authority,
However, when I strongly feel, I do try writing poetry :)
AND when I do not even regularly BLOG about everyday events
How, pray, do you justify your suggestion, for many a punishment?
- Written on 9 May 2009
Without realising its repercussion.
If I start commenting on Indian politics
The world would be deeper in the pits.
I have a mixed strain of idealism and pragmatism
It is a cocktail that smacks of just impressionism.
Details get conveniently bypassed many a time
That I am laziness personified only aids the crime.
Dear cousin, I am certainly not an authority,
However, when I strongly feel, I do try writing poetry :)
AND when I do not even regularly BLOG about everyday events
How, pray, do you justify your suggestion, for many a punishment?
- Written on 9 May 2009
Friday, May 08, 2009
Love as an aid to self-destruction
I just saw The Believer. It got me thinking a bit more. Last night as I sat typing questions and formulating explanatory answers late into this morning I also kept shuffling the various news channels that had repeat telecasts of 9PM news at 2:30 AM. After a point I felt that they did not really care about what they had to communicate.
The purpose was to fill the air time. There were no debates. Everyone knew what the other party would say and since we have so many experienced politicians who never to seem to let go we have been hearing the same speech almost verbatim for the past many years. The Congress perhaps helped us poor citizens a bit by allowing Jyotiraditya and Sachin Pilot to speak. That they entrusted youngsters to damage control what another "youngster" Rahul Gandhi had wrought was ironical. Of course, they could always backtrack from any political goof-ups by stating novices do not know what the experienced and the 'truly' powerful leaders in the Congress are about etc. etc. Master move, I think.
I also think that the media is a bit more in love with Rahul Gandhi as they have been gagged a bit themselves by the Election Office and can question the politicians on the various hints that "the young Rahul" has shared with them. Is he being "naive" or "shrewd"? The focus is firmly on the Congress as a result. Whatever the various parties may be thinking of Congress is never far from their minds.
The BJP seems to have it down to a pat. As Sachin Pilot pointed out, they will tell what is wrong with the Congress, what the Congress wants, what the Congress should do, what the other parties allied with the Congress or formerly allied with them want or should do, how hypocritical the Congress is, how opputunistic it is and so on and so forth without once focusing on "what is right with the BJP" and what are their strategies etc. With Rudy only confirming everything that Sachin had stated in his answers to Barkha Dutt, one feels that be the Congress in power or not, they are the ones establishing the government. They will be the ones to help form the government by adhering to their principled stand (Manmohanji is our PM) or by merrily eschewing this for higher "moral" grounds of keeping the BJP out of power which could well be about the only thing they learnt from the Left in their long association.
I wonder what will happen. But as my brother says, whatever be the outcome is it going to truly affect the mass in any positive manner? For that I suggest we re-read Freakonomics to know how a single event can shape the trends of the coming generations.
As for the reason I began by saying that I saw The Believer, there is a reason for that. I had had similar thoughts last night (I will share below) that the anti-hero expressed even better in this complexly wonderful film. He says something to the effect that the only way to destroy the Jews is to "love them. Sincerely." They only answer they cannot take is a 'yes'. If Hitler had not happened they would have invented him!!!!!! I thought these lines were wonderful.
India has long been looked down upon, we struggled then to build our nation, but any time we seem to go through times of peace and prosperity, we sure seem to go all out to destroy ourselves. We do not need foreign leaders to ruin us, we have proven that we do not even need Indian leaders to ruin us, the urban middle class that has risen through the cracks of prosperity will ensure that these cracks remain and in fact become larger. They will not go and vote and the politicians who feared these members coming out in full strength happily excuse them with reasons like long weekends and hot weather. I fully endorse the lines in The Believer if applied to the Indian context. Love us to help us destroy ourselves :)
Well my piece composed at 3:30 AM reads:
I wonder what the state of Congress will be
As it desperately fights the effects of incumbency?
Mamata vs. Brinda, Mulayam or Maya
Who will help form the government - DMK or Jaya?
Will swords be sheathed temporarily
Only to be weilded at times of power sharing calamity?
Will enemies be allies and vice versa
Will we see the results of a new political diaspora?
Will Rahul Gandhi's speech come to haunt him
Or will it be remarked upon later for its political wisdom?
For now, the Congress is in the limelight
Other parties are media-hounded to rethink their strategies in this fight.
Will we ever have parties truly secular
Or will we forever adhere to notions that are currently popular?
Independents are the flavour of the season
What matters if their win or loss does not truly serve the nation?
We need a party that will be strong
To take the right decisions in face of all wrongs.
Such courage works best when supported
But alas! our young citizens have not adequately voted.
Come Terrorism, Come recession,
Come corruption, Come pollution
Come crime, Come evil,
Our protests are short lived and very feeble.
We will accept any government - The shakier, the better
Just give us reason to crib louder and longer.
Maoist, Democratic, Republican or even Talibani
Do not bother us about politics, we are only 'aam aadmi'.
We will suffer poverty and lack of liberty
We shine becuase of these you see.
Afterall, it's Slumdog and the NASA Swades
That truly represents our Indian race.
Personal triumphs guided by luck is better
Than working hard as a community to prosper.
Worthy of your salutations, WE ARE INDIANS,
We have no enemies, who can better our self-destructive millions?
-Written on 8 May 2009.
The purpose was to fill the air time. There were no debates. Everyone knew what the other party would say and since we have so many experienced politicians who never to seem to let go we have been hearing the same speech almost verbatim for the past many years. The Congress perhaps helped us poor citizens a bit by allowing Jyotiraditya and Sachin Pilot to speak. That they entrusted youngsters to damage control what another "youngster" Rahul Gandhi had wrought was ironical. Of course, they could always backtrack from any political goof-ups by stating novices do not know what the experienced and the 'truly' powerful leaders in the Congress are about etc. etc. Master move, I think.
I also think that the media is a bit more in love with Rahul Gandhi as they have been gagged a bit themselves by the Election Office and can question the politicians on the various hints that "the young Rahul" has shared with them. Is he being "naive" or "shrewd"? The focus is firmly on the Congress as a result. Whatever the various parties may be thinking of Congress is never far from their minds.
The BJP seems to have it down to a pat. As Sachin Pilot pointed out, they will tell what is wrong with the Congress, what the Congress wants, what the Congress should do, what the other parties allied with the Congress or formerly allied with them want or should do, how hypocritical the Congress is, how opputunistic it is and so on and so forth without once focusing on "what is right with the BJP" and what are their strategies etc. With Rudy only confirming everything that Sachin had stated in his answers to Barkha Dutt, one feels that be the Congress in power or not, they are the ones establishing the government. They will be the ones to help form the government by adhering to their principled stand (Manmohanji is our PM) or by merrily eschewing this for higher "moral" grounds of keeping the BJP out of power which could well be about the only thing they learnt from the Left in their long association.
I wonder what will happen. But as my brother says, whatever be the outcome is it going to truly affect the mass in any positive manner? For that I suggest we re-read Freakonomics to know how a single event can shape the trends of the coming generations.
As for the reason I began by saying that I saw The Believer, there is a reason for that. I had had similar thoughts last night (I will share below) that the anti-hero expressed even better in this complexly wonderful film. He says something to the effect that the only way to destroy the Jews is to "love them. Sincerely." They only answer they cannot take is a 'yes'. If Hitler had not happened they would have invented him!!!!!! I thought these lines were wonderful.
India has long been looked down upon, we struggled then to build our nation, but any time we seem to go through times of peace and prosperity, we sure seem to go all out to destroy ourselves. We do not need foreign leaders to ruin us, we have proven that we do not even need Indian leaders to ruin us, the urban middle class that has risen through the cracks of prosperity will ensure that these cracks remain and in fact become larger. They will not go and vote and the politicians who feared these members coming out in full strength happily excuse them with reasons like long weekends and hot weather. I fully endorse the lines in The Believer if applied to the Indian context. Love us to help us destroy ourselves :)
Well my piece composed at 3:30 AM reads:
I wonder what the state of Congress will be
As it desperately fights the effects of incumbency?
Mamata vs. Brinda, Mulayam or Maya
Who will help form the government - DMK or Jaya?
Will swords be sheathed temporarily
Only to be weilded at times of power sharing calamity?
Will enemies be allies and vice versa
Will we see the results of a new political diaspora?
Will Rahul Gandhi's speech come to haunt him
Or will it be remarked upon later for its political wisdom?
For now, the Congress is in the limelight
Other parties are media-hounded to rethink their strategies in this fight.
Will we ever have parties truly secular
Or will we forever adhere to notions that are currently popular?
Independents are the flavour of the season
What matters if their win or loss does not truly serve the nation?
We need a party that will be strong
To take the right decisions in face of all wrongs.
Such courage works best when supported
But alas! our young citizens have not adequately voted.
Come Terrorism, Come recession,
Come corruption, Come pollution
Come crime, Come evil,
Our protests are short lived and very feeble.
We will accept any government - The shakier, the better
Just give us reason to crib louder and longer.
Maoist, Democratic, Republican or even Talibani
Do not bother us about politics, we are only 'aam aadmi'.
We will suffer poverty and lack of liberty
We shine becuase of these you see.
Afterall, it's Slumdog and the NASA Swades
That truly represents our Indian race.
Personal triumphs guided by luck is better
Than working hard as a community to prosper.
Worthy of your salutations, WE ARE INDIANS,
We have no enemies, who can better our self-destructive millions?
-Written on 8 May 2009.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Incommunicado period hopefully past
Hey guys,
I have got mails, smses, and or calls asking me what I have been upto and if I am even alive. While I did not realise I had been that lackadiasical in my communication that you would wonder about my state of existence I do apologise for not being in touch and hope that you all know that if you had needed me I was just a phone call away. So what have I been upto huh.. well
First there was this buliding that I stay in
The BMC ruled that 30 years old and more and it might cave in
So began structural repairs partial
The top floor flat we live in was deemed experimental
Since we live on salt commission land
If the building falls the place will be out of our hands
So the repairs were begun with many false starts
As South Indians we had to be stingy with the costs
A whole wall fell in our bedroom
Mosquitoes galore that night on our blood we groomed
A part of the drawing room wall was the next to be demolished
By that time we had almost got used to our blood needing to be repienished
Hammers and tongs above our flat was not enough
As the terrace got redone we had to have not seepage but flood.
As our newly painted walls cropped up new designs
My brother and I almost decided to disown our family ties
Unfortunately my mother had instilled values
We stayed on and even helped the workers in the mileu
So it goes on even now
We water our walls as our plants are gone
We dust the dust on the dust covering the dust of our stuff
Our CPU languishes in our technician's shop filled with dust and what not
Our AC and stuff we do not even want to touch
We fear they will crumble with all they have endured.
Somehow the brave TV and washing machine soldier on
We take our blessings, whereever they are found.
Of ocurse it is not enough that I wake up to Dust and sleep in Dust
Since I teach at various colleges, projects and stuff carry home I must
Then correct them and then dust them and then store them and then dust them
Meetings and travel will come my way
I will brave the pollution and population fray
Work on not just the weekdays but weekends too
Public Holidays just meant there was time to catch up do
Lectures that begin at 7 am and some that end at 10 pm
A parcel of life that I have wilfully chosen
How do I complain when I was the one to gainsay
The saner voices that I now wish I had allowed to prevail?
I earned a bit more and spent a lot more on travel
I came across many whom I taught who are far more sensible.
Projects of editing and constructing reports I could not say 'NO' to
My doctor's advice though I constantly did NOT adhere to
Sheer common sense does not accompany the genius see
I have grand delusions about my abilities.
Then I decided that enough was enough
So many years that I have spent sheltered and cossetted
I had made a decision: I would go out more and meet my friends
Late nights if need be I would not forsake
In fights with my folks I would partake
Freedom, however, was my birthright
I am, by God, going to finally it enjoy.
So kind of my friends that they arranged
Weddings and functions and parties for me to hold my sway
Daring I went and fun I had so what if a few hours sleep was also set aside
Memories I made and spent more time and energy on travel on again
Rickshawalas and taxi guys are a smart lot I learned as politics and waht not we discussed on our way
Kala Ghoda was fun too.
Of my poor cousin I made full use
His good nature I admire
As he spent more time trying to ignore my tired sighs.
Cakes and samosas and jalebis and pizzas
I have partied hard this winter past
While still not accomplishing much I have done more than ever before
I am proud of myself, please this time my selfishness ignore
The year upcoming I will try to be more organised
And for mails and calls too I will time prioritise.
You were there in my thoughts a few moments here and there
But time flew past before I could my thoughts with you share.
I am trying to do better as you can see
To be more outgoing and a better friend be
A slow learner I admit, however, I will succeed surely.
I hope that you guys will also contibute and teach me
How you mange to accomplish so much so unassumingly.
Apologies and Love
Anusha
- Written on 15 April 2009
I have got mails, smses, and or calls asking me what I have been upto and if I am even alive. While I did not realise I had been that lackadiasical in my communication that you would wonder about my state of existence I do apologise for not being in touch and hope that you all know that if you had needed me I was just a phone call away. So what have I been upto huh.. well
First there was this buliding that I stay in
The BMC ruled that 30 years old and more and it might cave in
So began structural repairs partial
The top floor flat we live in was deemed experimental
Since we live on salt commission land
If the building falls the place will be out of our hands
So the repairs were begun with many false starts
As South Indians we had to be stingy with the costs
A whole wall fell in our bedroom
Mosquitoes galore that night on our blood we groomed
A part of the drawing room wall was the next to be demolished
By that time we had almost got used to our blood needing to be repienished
Hammers and tongs above our flat was not enough
As the terrace got redone we had to have not seepage but flood.
As our newly painted walls cropped up new designs
My brother and I almost decided to disown our family ties
Unfortunately my mother had instilled values
We stayed on and even helped the workers in the mileu
So it goes on even now
We water our walls as our plants are gone
We dust the dust on the dust covering the dust of our stuff
Our CPU languishes in our technician's shop filled with dust and what not
Our AC and stuff we do not even want to touch
We fear they will crumble with all they have endured.
Somehow the brave TV and washing machine soldier on
We take our blessings, whereever they are found.
Of ocurse it is not enough that I wake up to Dust and sleep in Dust
Since I teach at various colleges, projects and stuff carry home I must
Then correct them and then dust them and then store them and then dust them
Meetings and travel will come my way
I will brave the pollution and population fray
Work on not just the weekdays but weekends too
Public Holidays just meant there was time to catch up do
Lectures that begin at 7 am and some that end at 10 pm
A parcel of life that I have wilfully chosen
How do I complain when I was the one to gainsay
The saner voices that I now wish I had allowed to prevail?
I earned a bit more and spent a lot more on travel
I came across many whom I taught who are far more sensible.
Projects of editing and constructing reports I could not say 'NO' to
My doctor's advice though I constantly did NOT adhere to
Sheer common sense does not accompany the genius see
I have grand delusions about my abilities.
Then I decided that enough was enough
So many years that I have spent sheltered and cossetted
I had made a decision: I would go out more and meet my friends
Late nights if need be I would not forsake
In fights with my folks I would partake
Freedom, however, was my birthright
I am, by God, going to finally it enjoy.
So kind of my friends that they arranged
Weddings and functions and parties for me to hold my sway
Daring I went and fun I had so what if a few hours sleep was also set aside
Memories I made and spent more time and energy on travel on again
Rickshawalas and taxi guys are a smart lot I learned as politics and waht not we discussed on our way
Kala Ghoda was fun too.
Of my poor cousin I made full use
His good nature I admire
As he spent more time trying to ignore my tired sighs.
Cakes and samosas and jalebis and pizzas
I have partied hard this winter past
While still not accomplishing much I have done more than ever before
I am proud of myself, please this time my selfishness ignore
The year upcoming I will try to be more organised
And for mails and calls too I will time prioritise.
You were there in my thoughts a few moments here and there
But time flew past before I could my thoughts with you share.
I am trying to do better as you can see
To be more outgoing and a better friend be
A slow learner I admit, however, I will succeed surely.
I hope that you guys will also contibute and teach me
How you mange to accomplish so much so unassumingly.
Apologies and Love
Anusha
- Written on 15 April 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Kala Ghoda 2009
So many days past since this feeling
Debilitated me till I was almost past thinking
The pain was just too much to bear
Perhaps all the more so as I had ceased to care
That perhaps I could fall prey
And so should control any foray
Into the world yonder
Even if I had few wishes fonder.
Yet, years of experience came handy
When I thought I would fall I made out like all was dandy
I don’t know that I fooled anyone
But at least no one was compelled to question
Yet, despite the faintness, the pain
I would want this day all over again
Snatches of the day flash past
I smile and want to hold the moments fast.
I had a laugh in my heart through the day
Even if I had not my happiness always brayed.
There are records my cousin took
That I had my usual staidness at times forsook
These only lend credence
That this day had a hollowed sense.
I remember snatches of colour and taste
I know in memories I will happily relive the day
Flora fountain spouted water
What but happiness then could the day harbour?
Samovar baingan bartha that was spicier than assured
Jehangir Art Gallery where paintings were appreciated
For hours we laughed at some of the awardees
Wondered aloud why they could not mean what they seemed
Gasped at some of the price ranges
Even as we enjoyed the air conditioner
The collages were truly wonderful,
A woman looking over her shoulder
Hands held behind her back, filled my cousin with wonder
Some landscapes and the Mumbai based representations
Made us sigh and placed every clue in the frames
The pavement gallery housed art that was base and splendour
Easwar of course had to experiment with snaps and a mirror
Moshe’s chocolate ecstasies were to die for
We whiled away time in the Fabindia coffee bar.
Then back to the Kala Ghoda and more pictures
A Ganesha made of cycle scrap,
A man blaring his industrial angst,
Multi colored buckets, taps and windows
All photographed in clever ways
Bubbles, Chai’na in trunks,
Metal creatures dispelling any funk
Glimpsing performances, Friends greeting,
Catching up, though not always talking
Sharing, communicating; different from the surface discourse
Do I want a repeat? You betcha. Of course! :)
- Caught up with Easwar on10 Feb 2009 on a day long wished and planned for at the 11th Kala Ghoda Festival. All I wanna say is thanks Bro. It was a marvellous day that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Still wonder what the balloon stuck half way with red glaze paper was supposed to represent and wish we could have tried the chocolate mudpie as well :)) Thanks for the treat.
Debilitated me till I was almost past thinking
The pain was just too much to bear
Perhaps all the more so as I had ceased to care
That perhaps I could fall prey
And so should control any foray
Into the world yonder
Even if I had few wishes fonder.
Yet, years of experience came handy
When I thought I would fall I made out like all was dandy
I don’t know that I fooled anyone
But at least no one was compelled to question
Yet, despite the faintness, the pain
I would want this day all over again
Snatches of the day flash past
I smile and want to hold the moments fast.
I had a laugh in my heart through the day
Even if I had not my happiness always brayed.
There are records my cousin took
That I had my usual staidness at times forsook
These only lend credence
That this day had a hollowed sense.
I remember snatches of colour and taste
I know in memories I will happily relive the day
Flora fountain spouted water
What but happiness then could the day harbour?
Samovar baingan bartha that was spicier than assured
Jehangir Art Gallery where paintings were appreciated
For hours we laughed at some of the awardees
Wondered aloud why they could not mean what they seemed
Gasped at some of the price ranges
Even as we enjoyed the air conditioner
The collages were truly wonderful,
A woman looking over her shoulder
Hands held behind her back, filled my cousin with wonder
Some landscapes and the Mumbai based representations
Made us sigh and placed every clue in the frames
The pavement gallery housed art that was base and splendour
Easwar of course had to experiment with snaps and a mirror
Moshe’s chocolate ecstasies were to die for
We whiled away time in the Fabindia coffee bar.
Then back to the Kala Ghoda and more pictures
A Ganesha made of cycle scrap,
A man blaring his industrial angst,
Multi colored buckets, taps and windows
All photographed in clever ways
Bubbles, Chai’na in trunks,
Metal creatures dispelling any funk
Glimpsing performances, Friends greeting,
Catching up, though not always talking
Sharing, communicating; different from the surface discourse
Do I want a repeat? You betcha. Of course! :)
- Caught up with Easwar on10 Feb 2009 on a day long wished and planned for at the 11th Kala Ghoda Festival. All I wanna say is thanks Bro. It was a marvellous day that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Still wonder what the balloon stuck half way with red glaze paper was supposed to represent and wish we could have tried the chocolate mudpie as well :)) Thanks for the treat.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Adieu 2008 Welcome 2009
It was a year when we shone in the Olympics
It was a year that nuclear power was ushered in overcoming political dynamics.
It was a year when unexpected results were yielded
To showcase how strongly the Indian spirit is welded.
A year when courage was show through actions
A year when people of all walks felt every event's repercussions.
A year when unity was newly forged
A year that sowed the seeds of change for years henceforth.
A year in which we learnt much
Never was or will there be a year such.
Welcome 2009 we hope that you bring
A season of hope and joy may you ever spring.
May 2009 herald Love and Peace
May it usher in Prosperity
May health be a constant friend
May all adventures have a happy end.
Happy New Year folks :)
It was a year that nuclear power was ushered in overcoming political dynamics.
It was a year when unexpected results were yielded
To showcase how strongly the Indian spirit is welded.
A year when courage was show through actions
A year when people of all walks felt every event's repercussions.
A year when unity was newly forged
A year that sowed the seeds of change for years henceforth.
A year in which we learnt much
Never was or will there be a year such.
Welcome 2009 we hope that you bring
A season of hope and joy may you ever spring.
May 2009 herald Love and Peace
May it usher in Prosperity
May health be a constant friend
May all adventures have a happy end.
Happy New Year folks :)
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