ROADS TO HELL

I am back again with another blog after a long gap of three months. This is a blog I started long back but was left uncompleted.

I am dealing with the conditions of the roads in India which is the same in almost all the cities. Now what prompted me to write the blog is the pathetic state of roads in my home town, Palakkad. The roads are the lifeline of any nation and good roads lead to prosperity of the nation. But unfortunately in most cities of India, the civic administration is too careless even to attend and tender the basic repairs of our roads. In my town, many roads which connects the important points of town is laid up with full of holes that inter city transportation is a nightmare with long traffic blocks and accidents which have increased 100 fold. Added to the voe of the common man is when there is a drizzle that will make the entire city go haywire with flash floods and submerged roads.

India is stated to be the most vibrant democracy in the world with the democratic institution peculating to the grass root level. We elect leaders be it for Panchayath all the way to the parliament. But what our leaders need to understand is that when we the citizens elect them, we do so for entrusting them with the most important job in the country, to rule and administer the country. When we elect these leaders, we expect them to do their job and at least provide with good amenities to live which include good roads,decent standard of life. minimum guarantee of food for the common man. But when these leaders get elected, they forget the way they have come and start thinking about themselves, trying to enrich themselves. What they forget is that they are sitting in the chair because they are elected by common man who have entrusted them with a job of running the country.

The civic administration has been blatantly careless in executing their work. They are public servants. That means servants of the public, appointed to serve the public. They have unfortunately to say sitting over their responsibility. No repair work has ever been undertaken. Even if some patch work is undertaken, it can at best be stated to be cosmetic in nature and the repair ware off in a matter of days and the holes are get back to their original shape. What is required is a road map for development and maintenance of the civic amenities without which the country cannot prosper. No country even if it is termed to be the fastest growing economy in the world will become great unless the life of the common man , the heart and soul of any country becomes better and he is assured of a decent standard of life which include safe roads. The laws of the land also binds the civic authorities to do their job. Otherwise they can become liable for criminally and also under civil liabilities. Let us get together and ensure that the broken roads and other amenities are repaired and common man's life made dignified. It is time for the common man to rise up and fight for his rights

VANTHE MATHRAM

Manoj Ambat's Personal Blog: 26/11- A YEAR LATER

Manoj Ambat's Personal Blog: 26/11- A YEAR LATER

26/11- A YEAR LATER

It was the day that will be written in red letters in the history, a day when India and all the things she stand for was attacked.

I still distinctively remember the day. As always after my work, I took the break at 9 PM for my supper and also to relax before getting back and working late into the night. I was enjoying some English movie in either Star Movies or HBO. In the breaks, I would browse the English News channels for the latest news. By about 10.15 PM the first report started coming in of shoot outs in several parts of Mumbai. At first it was speculated that it might be inter gang revelry that may be the cause of the shoot out. But as time went by, it became increasingly clear that this was no ordinary day and the shoot out was part of the most dastardly and the most terrifying acts of terrorists attacks in Indian history.Mumbai was under attack.

I was worried sick about my near and dear at Mumbai and immediately in Mumbai. Most of them were not aware about the ensuing attack as it was late and most had turned in for the night. As the night progressed, the real extent of the attack came to light. The horrific images of the TAJ burning still lingers in my memory. I got up early next day and was glued to the TV for the most of the day, even in court phoning home to know the latest news. The sound of the guns from inside the TAJ still lingers in my ear. The operation at NARIMAN house and the dramatic rescue of little Moshe by the servant are all vivid in my memory. After 60 hrs of gun battle, when the last of the terrorists was liquidated, a flow of pride for our mother land and her brave children in uniform swept India. India was changed for ever.

But now the big question is have we learnt from our mistakes and taken remedial actions? It is our short coming that we do not learn from our mistakes. India was attacked so many times, The Akshardham carnage, The attack in Parliament. Each time there is a hue and cry. But we conveniently forget the incident until the next attack take place. Why is that there is such lagging in taking necessary steps? United States after 9/11 has taken such successful steps that no untoward incident has ever been reported again. But why is that India could not do the same.

URGENT STEPS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN

India need to take some urgent steps to cure our illness. The first is to create a department of homeland security, carving the same from the already stretched home ministry. Such department will help in streamlining the internal security apparatus. Intelligence need to be beefed up with induction of local eyes and also electronic resources. India also needs to train local police in Counter Terrorism operations so that the NSG can be less stretched. A state alone or two or more states combined can develop crack Anti- Terrorism/Hijack commando force in line of NSG with ample training and also be equipped with the latest gadgets, weapons and also backed by resources for quick mobilisation and deployment. NSG should remain as the ultimate strike force. Greater synergy between the central, state and other forces including Intelligence agencies is required.

We cannot have another such attack. It is time to sit up and take curative actions and make our country impenetrable. Remember our nation is strong and no power should be allowed to challenge that. In the end let us take a movement to remember those who have lost their lives in Mumbai. Let us pray for the well being of their near and dear and also for their soul. Let us remember the ultimate sacrifice made by our brothers and sisters in uniform for our motherland and her children.

VANTE MATHRAM

BOAT TRAGEDY AT THEKKADY

Hi all, I am back again with another blog. I have slowed down a bit in blogging and am writing only about my take on most interesting events.

Today's topic is about the really unfortunate boat tragedy at Thekkady, Kerala's wild life sojourn that is a hit with tourists. In this unfortunate incident, so many innocent lives were lost.

Kerala has witnessed a lot of boat tragedies. After each tragedy, the government sets up some commission to go into the tragedy and submit the report. Even after an authoritative assessment and report is submitted, no follow up action is ever taken. It is said that most of the boats plying in Kerala are not sea worthy. This incident comes immediately after now infamous Thattekkad boat incident where in so many young boys and girls lost their lives, an incident which could have been avoided if a little care is taken. Mandatory fitness certification are in most cases not taken.Life Jackets which is must for the protection of the passengers in the event of such an unfortunate incident is never provided.

Has our government become so careless that even the lives our citizens are not valuable. Why is that we do not have such stringent regulation that governs the safety of these boats like we have as far as vehicles plying in land are concerned? It is time that we take stock and take immediate remedial actions before something more unfortunate incident again happens. It is time to awaken and take immediate actions. It will be real unfortunate if the Thekkady incident just becomes a news of yesterday and we move on. It is time for us to act and take immediate remedial actions.

Please join me in expressing our deepest condolences to those families who have lost their near and dear in this unfortunate incident.

LET US SIT UP AND TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. THE TIME IS NOW.

THE LOST SYMBOL

"A DEMOCRACY IS FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND OF THE PEOPLE"

This immortal words define what India stands for in the modern world. The eternal symbol of free India revolves around this icon, The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, the man who left all the luxuries to roam and live with the people of grass root level. He is the abode of simplicity and containment.

Now India has travelled afar from the times of these great leader. 60 years down the line, we are ruled by leaders who has scant regard for the common man. They feel that they are destined to rule us with absolute no regard for the well being of the common man.

Now what prompted me to write this blog? Well, I am disillusioned to hear a present day leader who is obsessed with putting up the statues of herself. She in open television warned that if any person tries to pull down any statues of herself, then India will burn. Are we to believe that by erecting her own statues, she is propagating the cause of the down trodden. But remember, oh politicians, you derive the power to rule from the confidence reposed on you by the common man. Never take his silence for being ignorant. It is a volcano that one day shall erupt and in the deluge will be gone those selfish patrons of richness who has no regard for the up liftment of common man, but who are bent on enriching them selves. No individual is greater than the country. Our nation is supreme. Her strength is the common man, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and language. It is the umbilical cord that connects all those who are born to this great nation. As a leader, work for the up liftment of the poor and down trodden. The reason you are selected to rule is for the reason. Ensure that there is no poverty, each and every person has access to food, water and shelter. The person fails as a ruler if even man or a women goes hungry. It is your time. Prove your self by your good deeds that will enshrine you as the great in the sand dunes of time. remember, "TIME AND TIDE AWAITS FOR NO ONE. A PERSON WHO IS NEWS TODAY WILL DISAPPEAR IN THE SAND DUNES OF TIME. "The nation asks only that much from you . Serve our country and work for the up liftment of the needy.

VANTE MATHRAM

An excellent article recreated for my viewers (Courtesy: Sangh Parivar)

(An excellent article by Sri R.P Malhothra, thought to add the same to my blog.-Manoj Ambat............)We have just voted for 15^th Lok Sabha. Despite dismal performance and nothing worth-mentioning to its credit, the verdict has gone in favor of UPA. Nothing is going to change. 26/11 Mumbai attacks witnessed total system failure. Just ten people inflicting hundreds of fatalities held the entire country to ransom for three days. People of the country were dismayed. Their anguish was not against the perpetrators but towards those who were responsible for total collapse of the system. As per Media reports vital clues were available with the intelligence agencies through phone interceptors about the 26/11 attack but every warning fell on deaf ears.

Notwithstanding widespread condemnation of their role, during post 26/11 episode candle light public rallies organized by many of the nonpolitical NGOs in various parts of the country to pay homage to the departed souls and soldiers those sacrificed their lives for the great cause, politicians were busy in politicizing the incidence.

But the unanswered question is; who is to be blamed - the irresponsible political system, the corrupt bureaucracy or lack of coordination among the intelligence wing and the law enforcing bodies?

It is more worrying about those who come by vote than those who sneaked in by boat. Political character has steeped too low to endanger the country’s safeguard. Vested interests reigns supreme over nation’s wellbeing in present day polity. If political rulers are least bothered about the public woes, corrupt bureaucracy, too, is little accountable.

The elected representatives run the country- the largest democracy of the world. Then should we say the people who elect them are to be blamed? No – the electorate have little choice. Practically, democratic set up in India is rightly elected by the people but functionally it is run by the bureaucracy for the politicians. Voters are just statistics. In our democracy those who turn up to the ballot box are easily wooed, misled, cajoled and bribed for desired ends and are then left to fend for themselves. The elite and enlightened seldom cast vote; they just discuss the outcome.

The political class, irrespective of the parties, has pooled together to form an exclusive group in which party tickets and plum positions are distributed within their circles and in most cases are inherited.

Performance or for that matter profile of a politician is no criteria for winning an election. Raw-hand youngsters and children of politicians inherit the business of politics. No ordinary person or for that matter a right thinking and able individual can manage to possess the kind of money, muscles and unethical ways- needed for winning elections; thus monopolizing the election process with a select class.

Officialdom is corrupt and the entire setup dedicatedly works for political bosses. Not a stone is unturned without suitable gratification and/or recommendation of some political bigwig. And in an exception where a team of officials just tries to work independently the politician at the helm of affairs starts fighting tooth and nail for supremacy even at the cost of stalling the development. Chandigarh is a union territory. Its affairs are run by a bureaucratic setup headed by an administrator appointed by the union government. Under the administrative setup the local Member of Parliament has no direct interference in the working of the administration. As sole people’s representative with the union government, he could have been instrumental for the overall development of the city. But instead the fight for the supremacy between the MP and the administrator took the ugliest shape to the extent of abandoning a number of prestigious projects.

Political interference in the working of police force needs to be curtailed. Accusing the political class of holding on to the reins of control of the police force, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi said the country was a soft target for terrorists and that the ‘neighbors’ were aware of it.

“Our system is old and medieval and the neighbors know this. We have not let the police system become professional and fully accountable because politicians and bureaucrats want to retain control. Professionalizing the police means true rule of law. The police is fully accountable to law and no one else,” the first woman IPS officer said. On the recent terror attack on Mumbai, Bedi said, “All those who had access to information, be it politicians, bureaucrats, law enforcement agencies and the police among others, should be held responsible for the attack.” “Breach in accountability ought to have meant dismissals and not mere transfers or suspensions. And later, reinstatements,” she added.

Electoral Reforms is need of the hour. Need is to make the politicians accountable. For that stringent laws are required for the candidates to qualify for the elections. To make the politicians accountable to the electorates, the electors should have the right to vote to dislodge (recall) the elected.

As said above the voters who turn up to the ballot box are easily wooed, misled, cajoled and bribed for desired ends. In an era of IT advancement, there is a need for foolproof polling. A system to cast vote through smart card, mobile or email should be devised to check widespread rigging and use of money and muscle power during polling.

Vote is a powerful weapon to change government- punish the corrupt and wrongdoers. It is not only one’s right but a social responsibility of each of us too, to use this weapon judiciously. Apart from sparing a few hours to cast the franchise, one should keep in mind to cast for a righteous candidate. Rising above the party line, past performance and/or profile of the candidate should be the only criterion in mind while casting the vote.

R.P. Malhotra

VIJAY DIWAS-LEST WE FORGET

As India celebrates the 10'th anniversery of her victory at Kargil against Pakistan, it is time for us remember those unnamed soldiers, our brothers in uniform who risked everything for our great mother land (our great nation) and laid down their lives so that we will be secure.

We idolise our film stars, our cricketing icons, our politicians. But do we ever stop for a movement to think about those valient heroes who stand guard at the frontiers of our mother land guarding us, repulsing any person who may try to invade us and destroy the very fabric of what we live and what we profess. Let us take a movement to pray and express our homage to these great sons of our mother land.

WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. YOU HAVE LAID DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR US. MAY YOUR NAME BE IMMORTALISED IN THE GOLDEN LETTERS OF TIME. MAY YOUR SACRIFICE BE A MATTER OF INSPIRATION FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. VANTHE MATHRAM

INS ARIHANT- JOINING THE BIG BOYS IN THE SEAS

Today is a historic day not only for the Indian Navy, but a day of pride and joy for the entire country. Today marks the formal launch of INS Arihant, India's first Nuclear Submarine. Today is also significant because it marks India's 10 anniversary of the decisive victory over Pakistan in the heights of Kargil.

Today, our prime minister formally launched The INS Arihant at the Ship Building Centre, Vishakapatnam. It is India's nascent step for acquiring credible second/ retaliatory strike capability. It is historic in many ways as India joins the select league of five nations which has mastered the intricate technology involved in the manufacture of Nuclear Powered Submarines. Only the big five including The USA, Russia, United Kingdom, France and China has this capability.

Generally these submarines can broadly be divided into two groups, The SSBN ( carrying ballistic missiles) and SSN ( fast attack submarines). There is a general conflict weather to classify INS Arihant as an SSBN or an SSN. Now it is generally acknowledged that the Arihant is an SSBN.

SSBN generally connotes Submarines that are larger than conventional submarines. Their main role is not to engage any enemy fleet . Their main responsibility is to carry nuclear tipped missiles and hide deep in the ocean depths with out detection and in the circumstance of a war tiptoe close to the enemy shore and launch it's deadly arsenal of nuclear tipped missiles. The ships of this class of Subs includes the USN Ohio class of The United States Navy and the Russian Borei class. These ships are behemoths and giants of sea compared to Arihant tipping the scale above 18,000 in tonnage when submerged and close to 16,000 tones when on surface. The Americans fondly call their Ohio class subs "Boomers". The Arihant on the other hand have a surface displacement of only 6000 tons and when submerged only 8000 tons. Hence Arihant can best be described a "BABY BOOMER". But Arihant far out class the general and conventional subs. The subs that is presently used by India has less endurance and has to come out to charge their batteries, making them vulnerable to enemy detection. Arihant on the other hand like all the other nuclear subs can remain submerged for many months on end, limited only by the food supply. Hence subs like Arihant has greater flexibility for long endurance operations.

The weapons system on the Arihant mainly consists of the K-15 Sagarika family of SLBM/SLCM with a limited range of around 750 KM. The larger range, possibly Agni-3 (SLBM variant yet under development) and possibly ICBMs too may be deployed. Until that time, India will have to be content with Sagarika which has a limited range, hence has to be deployed much closer to the shores of the possible adversary thus risking the chance of detection. Ohio on the other hand is equipped with the "TRIDENT-II" missiles with over a range of 11,000 KM. Hence India has to travel afar before we have a credible second strike capability.

In Asia, India becomes the second country to develop these potent subs. The other country is of course China which is way ahead of us having already operational fleet of subs. India will have to leap frog if we have to catch up with the Chinese, possibly India's main threat in the future. That beginning is made with the acquisition of the Akula class sub from Russia, The NERPA specifically for the training of our sailors to ready them for Arihant and her successors. India has a long way to go. But a promising beginning has been made.

THE ENTIRE NATION JOINS ME WISHING ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN BEHIND THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF ATV PROJECT WITH THE OFF SPRING IN THE FORM OF INS ARIHANT. MAY SHE AND HER SUCCESSORS BEARING THE FLAG OF OUR GREAT NATION CONQUER THE SEVEN SEAS AND IMMORTALIZE INDIA'S NAME THROUGHOUT THE GLOBE. MAY SHE BE THE MESSENGER OF PEACE AND BE A DETERRENT AGAINST ANY ONE WHO MAY BE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO ATTACK US. THE NATION IS PROUD OF YOU

STAR TREK- ABOVE AND BEYOND

"SPACE THE FINAL FRONTIER, THESE ARE THE VOYAGES OF THE STAR SHIP, ENTERPRISE, IT'S FIVE YEAR MISSION TO EXPLORE STRANGE NEW WORLD, TO SEEK OUT NEW LIFE AND NEW CIVILIZATIONS, TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS NEVER GONE BEFORE"

These words specks it all. Welcome to the world of the Star Trek. My fascination for the Star Trek began when I was a kid when Dooradharshan ran one season ofthe Star Trek, Orginal series. At that time, I could hardly understand the series, but I loved the Gizmos being shown in the series. But my real window to the amazing world came much later in my teens when the cable and the satellite TV revolution took form in India and Star Plus started broadcasting the original series. What had attracted me to the series?The reasons were many. First and foremost is the thought of man traveling to the lands and stars far away above the speed of light.I was always fascinated with the stars. Man from the beginning had the innate instinct to travel and explore. That instinct had made him explore strange new lands, witnessed by the discovery of the new continents and new civilizations. Man has explored the entire planet. Now his foot print will explore the galaxy, the final frontier. I strongly believe that it is only a matter of time before man breaks that barrier that ties us to this solar system and start the galaxies far away.

The second attraction is the fact about the existence of other new civilizations in far away galaxy who may be more advanced than us. Now I see many people talk about the lack of evidence about the existence of any intelligent civilizations out side our little planet. Such people talk with authority when they say that probably Earth is the only Oasis in this galaxy which supports life. Such arguments I feel is ridiculous. The fact that there are tens of billions of galaxies and each galaxy has tens of billions of stars negates the possibility of the arguments that we are alone in this galaxy. That fact that we know nothing about our own solar system or our neighborhood is a fact that has to borne in mind when we authoritatively profess the fact that we are alone. Such argument can only be because our arrogance or our ignorance as to where we stand in this universe.

I feel that the Universe is teeming with life and civilizations and life forms. As we start to explore the galaxy, we will meet life forms that will be from worlds far away. How they will react to us is a matter of speculation now. I am also a believer in the phenomenon called the UFO. No, I am not neurotic about the government cover up and all other stuff. But the very thought that we are visited by other living organisms rekindles my confidence and my cements my belief that we are not alone stranded in this island we call earth, our home.

I have full faith in the glorious future of humanity, when we step out of our littile island called earth and bravely explore the strange new worlds, seek out and establish contact with new civilizations and new life forms and boldly go where no one has ever gone before.

In confidence of a bold new future, this me signing off

MONSOON JOURNEYS

It is that time of the year when the rain starts to fall in Kerala. For me, rain holds a special place in my life. I was always fascinated by the rains from my child hood. My first memory of the rains is from the quarters of Co-Op Sugars where my father was working. Rain was a celebration. The scent of the virgin soil still lingers in my memory.

At that I time I was studying in the SCEMS school. My memory also takes me to those wonderful times long gone by of my school days. I used to carry an umbrella to the school. It was those umbrellas that at that time was not available in India with a lot of red flowers and also the switch to open the same. But I still remember the colorful umbrella that my fried used to carry to school which had all the colors of the rainbow. At that time, I was studying in the LKG but these memories still lingers deep in me even after so many years. These are memories that keeps one self worthy of life, memories of times long gone by when life was a little bit simpler.

At that time, we used to have landed agricultural lands in Kozhinjanpara, in Palakkad District. Rainy season was the time for planting the paddy with a dream of a strong down opour and a bumper harvest. These were the times when I would go with my father to those places. I still remember the laborers working in the strong down pour in the fields with the Bullock plowing the field. I used to enjoy the greenery that the rainy season brings. The green lush fields with the dirt where the cranes and king fisher comes to hunt for fish was a sight that still remains the in the recesses of my memory.

As I grew up, the memories changed a bit. My father procured me a rain coat, at that time a rarity. I always found the attire a little arduous and stiff to wear. I was a sort of in a strange attire in school and that also made me have revulsion to the rain coat. But there are also some other memories of the rain that I like to cherish including those long cycling in the strong down pour and welcoming all those rains much to the disgust of my mother. I also distinctively remember my father making a small wooden boat which I used to set adrift in the water flow along with all those tiny boats made of paper . Many of those boats disappeared and I always wondered where they had all gone. I never thought I will have such strong memory of all those little things in life.

Rainy season also brings to me many bad memories, memories I would rather forget. It was in one of those rainy days in June, 1989 that there was a serious jolt to the little world I was living on. I was awoken to the stark reality of life which can be rather ruthless to the man. The world that I was living came tumbling down on me and changed me for ever and made me what I am today.A season when I left the place I called home for ever and forced me to move to newer surroundings and newer opportunities. A rainy season that thought me that nothing is static in life and change is the only real truth in life. A rainy season when I first knew that the world I was living in until then was only made of glasses to be shattered by the throw of a small stone. A rainfall that changed the life of my parents for ever.

As I grew up, I now have mixed emotions about rain. While always relish those wonderful memories of my childhood that the rain brings to my memory, it also brings those bad dreams constantly reminding me of what I have lost in life and what I have to do to faught it out and be successful and be the best in by life. Life is never ending and it beacons me with a lot of newer opportunities and dreams. Life beacons me with the invitation to get to know newer friends and near and dear ones. But the the chill of the rainy season will always be dear to me and the memories that it brings soothing and at the sajme time painful deep in my heart.

THE LOSS OF BJP- THE FALL OF THE GREAT NEW EXPERIMENT IN INDIAN POLITICS

I am back yet again with another blog after a long time. My personal and professional commitments had kept me away from writing another blog after the general elections.

Well, Elections-2009 had brought out a surprise in the form of the unexpected victory of the Congress, a pro incumbency factor unexpected in the present elections. The victory has to be attributed much to the clean image of our prime minister. The media had much hyped about the arrival of the new Gandhi (Rahul) in Indian politics, but it is undeniable that Dr Singh's clean image had helped the Congress to retain the power. It is time for rejoicing for the congress and set about to govern with out carrying the bane of the communists. They can rule with out being restrained by the black mail tactics of the left. It is the victory of the congress and it is their time.


BJP's LOSS

The loss of the BJP was a great surprise and a disappointment. There are many factors that attributed to the loss of the BJP in this Elections.

BJP is steeped in defeatism, a psychic which they imbibed after the Elections-2004. BJP failed to capitalize on the failures of the Congress Government. The BJP had to effective game plan when they went for the Elections coupled with factionalism and groupism with in the party. The BJP also lacked a towering and a national leader like Vajpayeeji in this elections who can transcend the difference and can be a unifying factor for the entire country. Their greatest folly was their tirade against the minorities and also the personal attacks on the Prime Minister.

THE WAY FORWARD

The road has not ended for the BJP. In fact they are entering a new phase. But they need to be a deep introspection on the way the party is going. It is a good thing that we have some one to highlight the plight of the majority community. But the BJP needs to awaken to the reality that India is not just made of the Hindus, but there are the Christians, Muslims and other religions. One cannot rule India by out right rejecting these communities. They have been part of India from time immemorial and there is no India with out them. Hence the BJP should reach out to these religions. Greater opportunities ought to be given to younger leaders. The BJP has to create a whole new bank of leaders who are young and who will play the key role for the future not only for the party, but also for the country. BJP has to prove that they can be great unifying factor for India. Otherwise the demise of the great dream of a change can be death knell for Indian Democracy. It is BJP's time for rejuvenation and they should be back fighting fit. They along with the Congress are the future.

ALL THE VERY BEST FOR THE FUTURE, BJP. TIME IS THE BEST HEALER. YOU WILL BE BACK FIGHTING FIT WITH NEW FACES. YOU ARE THE FUTURE

IN MEMORY OF A DEAR FRIEND

Devadas, what can I say about him? He was a constant friend all through my school days. I first met him when I joined Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kanjikode. He was a person who would stand alone in the crowd. A person with a bubbling character full of energy, he would go on to become one of the closest friends of my school days.

When I think of him, the first picture that comes to my mind is that of his dance. His performances in school including as Krishna for the school annual day was a big hit and made him popular among the teachers and students alike. As our years rolled by, Devadas became a constant friend. At that time our school was functioning from the Sathram, an old and a palacial building at Kanjikode. I still vividly remember sharing our lunch between our selves. Devadas was highly active in all the cultural activities of the school.

As time went by, I moved on in life. After completing my Pre-Degree, I moved to Calicut to complete my studies in law and after that 3 years of practise. But at this time, I would get the updates of Devadas from common friends. He was flourishing as a teacher, earning high regards with the public. He was a born teacher, a sort of a jack of all trade proficient in dealing all the subjects with ease. He was a teacher working with Assisi and Seventh Day schools. He also ran a successful tution centre from his home. On my visits back to Palakkad, I used to bump on him in town some times. One of those occations was in the town where I could find him escorting a big train of students for some function. We had a long talk on that day. After I moved my practise to Palakkad, I would occationally meet him in town on his eveining walks and visits to the Ganapathi Temple. The last I met him was over 1 year ago. He was returning from the Ganapathi temple in town and saw me at Sulthanpet. We had a long talk, vividly and nostalgically recollecting our days in school. After some time, Devadas insisted that he had to meet my parents and visited my home where he had a long talk with my parents which lasted upto 8 PM. I dropped him at the Stadium Bus Stand on that day. That was the last time I saw him. Of course, we used to keep in contact through ORKUT. But my professional commitments kept me busy and any contact with him was rare and far between.

Last week, I got the disturbing news tha Devadas was suffering from acute illness and also saw a picture of him taken by a close friend. I was shocked to say the least. He looked weak and fragile. I wanted to call him after that but my work kept me busy. Today when I was in the courts working in the morning, I gotthe call from Mahendra informing me that Devadas has left this world and us for ever to attain the heavenly abode. I cursed my self for not calling him when I could, a blotI would carry in my heart for the rest of my life. I visited his house to pay my homage to him. He looked composed but that rediant smile that is the hall mark of Devadas still in his lips. He seemed to be resting peacefully.

Devadas
You left us early, it was not your time. Anyway you will remain part of our lives and our minds for ever. May you rest in peace and find the deserving place in the heavenly abode.

Manoj

VISHU

(Picture Courtesy: Priya Tulasi, USA)

Vishu, the celebration of lights and celebration for the Keraliets. It is the beginning of the Malayalam New Year. A time when the schools close for the long summer vacation after the end of an academic year. The children unshackled from the burden of education celebrate to their hearts fill.

For me, Vishu has special place in my heart from my child hood. It was the time when after the annual exams and closing of the school, we used to travel to my father's native place of Trichur. There all the cousins would come for the vacation. There used to be my brother Anu. with I always had a special bonding. We used to play many games including cricket. Then there was also the festivities in Trichur associated with Vishu, the cultural capital of Kerala. There used to be the Trichur Exhibition at the Thekinkaddu Maidan. We along with our parents used to visit there. There was all types of toys including motor boats. These things used to have special fascination in my heart. Those were the times when such toys were not available off the shelf and we had to wait the exhibitions. Then ether was the Giant Wheel. Even though I was the timid one afraid of such adventurism, my cousins including my sisters would have a bash out there even taking a ride in the Giant Wheel. Now consider that time when there was no theme parks like today. Hence these melas had a special attraction for the common man and there always used be a lot of crowd in such occasions.

Now the day of Vishu would begin with the Vishukanni. My grand mother and my aunt would decorate the Kanni in such a beautiful way that the beauty still lingers in my mind even now. The beauty of the Vishukanni used to radiate with the light from the Vilakku or just the oil lamp. After the Vishukanni, there was the Vishukainittam, the highlight when the elders would give us the money. The only earning of us youngsters, we would spend the money on buying crackers or some fasinating toys. Then would start the time of fire crackers. The Chakram, Malapadakkam, Pookutti, rocket, Kambithirri all stocked up my aunt will find their glettering best in our hands. My father was the boldest one who had the duty of lighting the malapadakkam. My brother Anu would do his bit. I used to confine my self to small crackers. We had the bash of the time. Then after bath, we used to addorn in new cloths and visit the temples of Trichur which include Kottapuram, Shankaran Kulangara, Parmekavvu and Thiruvempady. The highlight of the day was of course the Sadya or the feast. After a grand feast typical in Kerala fashion, it was time to return to daily life and return to Palakkad.

Now as I describe it, I really this from the bottom of my heart. The times narrated above was from my child hood. As we grow older and all my sisters and brother get settled into their lives in different parts of the world and I get busy with my own carrier, we feel deeply all those times we were together. In dome corner of our hearts, we have a special place for the times long gone by and the good times we had together. It is such pleasant memories of the past lingering in our minds that gives us the strength to move ahead in life with strength and resolve knowing fully well that there is always my sisters, brother and other relatives whom you can always trust for emotional support at times of need. That gives us the strength to move forward in life.

WISHING ONE AND ALL A VERY HAPPY AND A PROPEROUS VISHU AND A SUCCESSFUL YEAR AHEAD

ELECTIONS-2009

The largest democratic excise in the world is again upon us. As we prepare for the General elections,2009 more than ever before the entire political setup is in flux. The largest parties have failed to get their act together and are sown by infighting and unreliable allies. We have a third front who have come together without any common agenda but just ti flex their muscles and make themselves relevant nationally.

India entered the coalition era when the congress lost it's foot hold and the appeal to the grand old party got waned in the popular mind. The first test of the third front was the Janatha Party led Government in the 70's which for the first time ousted the Indira Gandhi led Congress which at the time was resented by the people for the infamous emergency. But that experiment did not last long and the people again returned the Congress to power led by Indira Gandhi. After the death of Indira Gandhi, the mantle of power was taken over by her son, Rajiv Gandhi. Later the experiments of Coalition politics through up leaders like V.P Singh, Chandrashekar, Devi Gouda and I.K Gujral who due to the contradictions of the political parties did not last long as the Prime Ministers.

The political process and evolution by which the contour of Indian history has been significantly changed over the years. Congress which lost it's relevance as a national party and the BJP the principal opposition has to rely on the regional parties to cobble together enough seats to form a government at the centre.Now a small analysis of the three major political forces now entering the battle for the Elections,2009:

CONGRESS
The grand old party of Indian politics with a legacy of 120 years, still relies heavily on the Dynasty to pull them through. Could not ever create a credible leader base which can fight out with out the charisma of the Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty. Going to battle with the anti-incumbency factor weighing heavily against them with many unreliable allies including the NCP sitting in the wall to jump to the other side. Heavily dependant on the kitchen cabinet. The strength is that they have a strong second rung leaders. Banking heavily on Rahul to pull themselves through

BJP
Probably the weakest at the time, dogged by internal rivalry and factionalism, ditched by key allies and dithering on the tracks, hugely counting on the Charisma of Advani to get them the power. Advantage has that they have a strong bank of leaders for the future like Narendra Modi and others who shall ensure the revival of the party. BJP should understand that they are ruling not just Hindus but India as a whole which also includes Christians and Muslims. My choice of the party, the recent Social Policing by affiliated elements has tarnished the image of the party. Should work hard to regain lost support of the middle class.

THIRD FRONT
The reg tag coalition of 10 odd parties with 8 Prime Ministers waiting in the wing, bound to be a non starter from the beginning. Greatest weakness is that no single party has a national base and national agenda, come together just to ex cert the influence nationally which shall not last long. Constituents shall become the king makers of which ever coalition comes to power.

Generally it is predicted that the elections of 2009 will not throw any majority for any party. Political instability is bound to arise but with it will be the evolution of politics in India to a more mature phase.

ASPIRATIONS OF A CITIZEN
The ordinary citizen seeks a Government that is just their cause, bring social order, work for common good of all, is not communally biased and bring security to all. Should take steps to elevate the sufferings of the poor. Sounds too Utopian, but such a day will surely come some day.

As an Indian Citizen, it is our bounden duty to make sure that only the best are elected to the Parliament. Nothing comes in a day. But let us make a beginning. Exercises your vote judiciously and elect only the best.

TALIBAN IN SWAT

Well, I am back with another blog, my second this year. Lately my professional commitments had kept me well away from the net. Many things have happened in world during this time, The Satyam Fiasco, The Malegaon probes, the advent of the Hindu Social Moral enforcers and many more. I hope to deal with the subjects in detail in the future.

As my first subject, I am dealing with the rise of Taliban in Pakistan.The Pakistan Government has given control of a large part of the country to the Taliban. The Taliban, literally meaning "Students" are a band of rag tag militia that found it's origin in the Afghanistan and was one of the predominant force there until ousted by the American lead operations post 9/11. These militants are dominated by Pusthoon tribals . Notorious for the following of the strictest following of Islamic laws which is even severe by normal standards, they never got recognition in Afghanistan and soon became very unpopular due to their brutal ways. they also never got international recognition expect from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

After their ouster, they regrouped and became a potent force fighting the NATO led alliance in Afghanistan. They also started dominating the political land scape of Pakistan especially in NWFP. They finally got legal recognition in the form of the agreement with the Government of Pakistan which gave them administrative control over a huge territory.

Now such an agreement will have far reaching consequences not only for Pakistan but for the rest of the world at large especially India. Pakistan is no ordinary country. Pakistan is dangerous because she is armed with nuclear fangs. If the march of Taliban is not arrested, then there is every chance they may run over Pakistan and in the process the nuclear arsenal will fall into their hands . India should also be really concerned because the Taliban in the door step will give fresh impetus to the insurgency in the Kashmir valley and also the terrorism in the rest of India.

After the deadly attacks on 26/11 in Mumbai , India launched a diplomatic offensive against Pakistan. Pakistan on it's part put the defense of total denial until the deadly Lahore attacks on 3/3 took place. Now Pakistan has become the nucleus of Global terrorism. It is also undeniable that the Diplomatic pressure tactics of India has not borne fruit and the perpetrators of 26/11 still roams free in Pakistan. Pakistan on it's own is slowly slipping to anarchy. Such a situation will be the perfect breeding ground for religious fundamentalism and may pave way for the growth of Taliban in Pakistan as a Pan-Pakistan movement. It is time we woke up to the reality. It is time India changed it's strategy and started taking steps including "by all means necessary", lest the time may come when the damages done will be irreparable for India and the rest of the world

INDIAN REPUBLIC AT 60

My first blog for the new year, what a day to start off the year than this day when my mother land celebrates her 60'Th year as one of the best, most prolific and one of the most successful democracies in the face of this earth. India has come a long way since 1950 when we became a full fledged republic. We have problems but with such a diverse country like ours, the gains that we have made is remarkable. India today stands at the cross road, treading the path few have taken before in the process joining the galaxy of nations that have made a mark for themselves in the history of humanity.

Even though we claim a history of over 3000 years, India as a nation is quite young. We are still in the infancy of nation building. 60 years in the history of humanity is a Milli second and in the history of earth a nano second. We have many challenges. Poverty, hunger, malnutrition, infant mortality, providing basic necessitates  to her population are some of the challenges faced by us today. For every tycoon that is shown in the splendor in the news channels, there are millions who struggle to make the ends meet, who have to hungry or days and have to content with a meal. Blessed are those who can afford a decent living with food to spare, a good roof to sleep on, a good education for their children, access to good health care and sanitation. At this time when we enjoy all the blessings in life, we should take time to remember those who live in the streets, the children who study in the light of the street lamps, yet excel in their class. It is in such young minds that India's future lies. 

We are duty bound to provide these children to give them decent education, a chance to excel  in life. The Indian ruling class should understand that the political bickering and the self interest that they show and the scant regard that they have for the nation and her children will not go unpunished. The time is against them. They will, if they fail in their duty towards India's citizens be held accountable by the public and put to trial. No, not through any trial but through the power of ballot that is and shall be exercised by the public. And here in lies the strength of India. While many other nations have bloody military take overs, the so called "the third world country" with it's vibrant democracy that goes to the grass root level has thrown out non performers and those who act in self interest. Those who act in the welfare of the nation and her children will be written in eons of history as the greats. Names like Mahatma and Netaji are one among many names. But those who live and work for them selves even though prominent at their times will fall down and disappear in the deep recess of history.

For the young generation, the path ahead is both challenging and exciting. The building of a strong and a secure nation embedded in the principles of equality, justice and equal opportunities for all with out any differences of religion, cast or creed , principles on which our for fathers made this great experiment that is India is upon us. Let us awake and act now for making an India that is strong and powerful. Let us make the great Indian dream come true. This century should surely belong to India. But our work will only be done when all petty differences on the basis of caste, creed, religion, sex and ethnicity is wiped out. We will surely succeed when we provide food, clothing and shelter to all the under privileged in this country. We will succeed when stop the killing of the girl child in the mother's womb because she is a girl. We will succeed when the death and terror that is brought out in the name of religion is wiped out. We will surely succeed. The path ahead may be long and difficult, but we with the strength of this great nation that is our mother, will bring success and laurels to India's children. Let us start now on that dream journey

VANTE  MATRAM