Independence Day - Dedicated to our Mothers and Sisters

I was eagerly waiting to hear the first independence day speech by Narendra Modi and he far exceeded my expectations on all counts. He inspired the whole nation and did not use the platform to achieve petty political gains. It was neither a report card of his 100 day government nor was it a laundry list of new government schemes. Rather, it was a vision laid out by the supreme leader of the nation rightly raising the pertinent issues and chartering the path ahead.

Narendra Modi has truly shown a great ability by not getting intoxicated with success. He has shown a great promise by indulging in consensus building (which many believed is not his style) and by strengthening the federal structure (replacement of old, ailing and ineffective Planning Commission with National Development Reforms Commission). Though the biggest highlight of the address was his emphasis on women safety and sanitation.

NaMo through his speech has given a message to all the khaps and politicians such as Mulayam that rape is not a fault of women (as it is made out to be) but of men. This is a stern message for the deviated because I strongly believe that our man will follow his words with strict action.

His second best act of the day was emphasis on sanitation, specially for women. I personally know of remarkable results achieved in terms of girl student enrollment, reduction in drop out rates and increase in attendance that have been achieved in schools managed by Infotech Enterprises Charitable Trust in Hyderabad through provision of separate toilets for girls. If all corporates decide to honor their CSR obligations (2% of profits) and dedicate it towards construction of toilets in schools, the country will achieve a remarkable milestone in promoting girl education and strengthening the future of our Nation.

Here is a PM who despite being 60+, has the courage to commit on a public platform to deliver more man hours than the government staff. Unlike many previous PMs who were rote readers of the written notes, the current PM has invigorated the nation and reminded everyone of their duty to contribute to nation building. Look forward to many more such inspiring speeches from the man for years to come.

Jai Hind.

The big drama of Indian Politics - ELECTIONS

The Indian politics stages a big drama called Elections at an interval of every few years - ohh, you wondering how do they decide the interval, no big deal - just a few fat ladies like Jaya, Maya and Mamta decide to flirt around with old but eligible bachelors like Atal.

I know what you are thinking, I am writing this post - few years too late, how is it relevant - are we not living under the government of the religious sardar Manmohan Singh ??

If you are under any illusion that the gentleman with blue turban has any power whatsoever, you definitely have no clue of Indian polity. Everyone knows that this is a great remote control system with remote in hands of Madam. I have great respect for Manmohan Singh, the man who heralded the era of liberalization in India (thanks to him, I am working in an MNC) but today he seems to have even less power than Lalus, Paswans and Pawars of the world who are making him dance at the tunes of 10, Janpath...

And now that the elections have come, every party is demanding its own pound of flesh - the fight over the seat sharing is a precursor of the trouble brewing in. From the political commentary by pundits, it appears that the regional parties and alliance politics are going to play a decisive role....so much that someone like Mayawati can even dream of being the PM of the nation !!!!

With Rahul baba taking active interest and harboring the aspirations of the PM post, her mom would leave no stone unturned to gift the nation to her son. But, the country needs to rethink the question - are we as a nation nothing but the family inheritance of Gandhi family? Have we just replaced monarchy with the facade of democracy with a big drama known as ELECTIONS.

On the other hand, the saffron guys seem to have lost every sense of responsibility and are returning back to the commumnal agenda. Even the first time contestants like Varun Gandhi are trying to project themselves as the next Modi with Pilibhit becoming Gujarat. I had expected a better sense from someone who represents the lineage of Sanjay, Indira and Nehru.

And, the other Sanjay who was running from pillar to post to save himself from going to jail is now dreaming to do another Munnabhai, this time in real life with the famed Amar Singh as the director. Let us see how does junta like the new film.

Then, there is the set of Karat, Yechury and Vardhans who have successfully implemented the Cholbe na, Korbe na in West Bengal for last few decades with the latest being the ousting of Nano. I am sure it is a great idea to increase the short position on market with every seat going in CPM account.

But, to be truthful, I have enjoyed watching this drama since childhood. It involves thousands of crores of rupees to construct the set, lights and action (haan is movie mai sab hai - maya-mamta ka pyaar, UP-Bihar ke bahubali netaon ka war, love proposals, breakups, mystery, twist). Let us see how does the drama unfold this time.

Though while spending these billions of rupees on this drama, the politicians forget that thousands of people go back to bed hungry in this country and for them, this drama is utterly meaningless.

Janta Janardan really has no role to play in deciding who sits at the helm of Delhi Durbar.