As most people are preparing their wish list for budget 2009, I too decided to make one. This is however more of a direction setter than a wish list. I expect a lot of criticism on this one ;P

1. Create a special fund to fight Swine Flu: Just in case it becomes big, you need at least 200 crore rupees to fight the deadly disease. I know that there are emergency funds in India but knowing the establishment I think the Government should take this up as a separate case.

2. Increase spending on scientific research and scientists: For heavens sake this is the least you can do. Increase spending by at least 10% and I am sure the scientific community will deliver more.

3. Increase spending on small and medium industry, setup SMZ’s: Set aside money to setup small and medium, I mean really small small and medium export zones across the country. These zones should allow only really small and medium industries.

4. Stop spending on loss making PSU’s: Do not spend even a single rupee on loss making PSU’s. I am saying this, assuming that all loss making PSU’s will be sold eventually.

5. Better the roads: I believe that we have enough roads. Please don’t build anymore. First you fix all the roads in the country, at least the national ones. Make them 6 lane and increase their life by ensuring the use of best materials.

6. Do not give even a single rupee to the Railways, BSNL, MTNL etc: These are supposedly the best government PSU’s. These units are apparently making profits, then why is the government giving them money?

7. Spend more on protecting the environment: Yes, protect the environment - this will protect our future.

8. Spend more on security forces: If you haven’t thought of this, please do so now. It will be a great favor to the people of this country. Please buy the latest technology. Improve the quality and size of central paramilitary forces. Somehow we are ill equipped to fight internal wars. Maybe we should start worrying now - before its too late.

9. Spend more on Green Energy, or build a nuclear plant: Now that you have the Indo-US deal done, please do something about the energy deficiency in India. Also spend more on green energy if you understand what that means. Spend some money on improving the energy distribution system. At least take the cables underground - everywhere, please.

10. Improve everything, for once forget about expansion: Yeah! my biggest advice to government of India is to improve. Please forget about new things. New things when old things are still rotten are useless.

Everything else can go as usual!

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This is what happens if you oppress free people for too long. You get revolution. Iranians are great and learned society which clearly loves freedom of speech and expression. I understand that during the first revolution they chose by referendum to make their country an Islamic Republic. The kind of governance they chose gave unlimited powers to the clergy over the democratically elected government. This also meant that the clergy have the right to choose even candidates for elections. I assume that this was done because of the trust they had in the clergy who had won them the revolution (so called freedom).

The thought of clergymen ruling them in dictatorial form - rigging elections and supporting a president who is totally hated by the world, never struck them. When such harsh realities hit you hard, you start revolting. I am sure that Iranians realize now that in an ideal world the clergy may deal with religion, and politicians may deal with politics. Countries may not be run by divine intervention, they maybe run by pure political mandate and peoples will.

Iranians however need to be careful of this new found (Half) love for freedom. The man fueling this drive for freedom is known for his love of the existing system. Though democracy may not be the perfect model for ruling a country, it is for sure the best among the worst. In my eyes the people of Iran should demand for pure democratic rule. They need to let the opposition leaders know that the mandate they possess to dethrone the clergy (if they do possess such a mandate) may not be misused.

The clergy in Iran have ruled Iran without any sort of opposition for over 3 decades now. This has given them the kind of dictatorial instincts which is very natural of regimes that face no opposition. In a democracy there will be opposition and change of leaders will happen as designated by the constitution. This does not seem to happen in Iran, at least for now. The kind of arrogance Khameini is showing today will not exist in a democracy because people choose, and they choose hard. They excersice their choice every 5 years or so and the fear of being dethroned will always keep successive regimes under check.

When Rohullah Khomeini dethroned the American installed puppet Shah, he felt that he was placing his country into a perfect system. A system that blended the best of religion and politics. A religio-political system that somehow seemed to have faith in god men like the present Khameini. Little did Khomeini imagine that godmen are only flawed humans like the rest of us. He hence ignored the idea of impeachment. The ability to Impeach tyrannous leaders is the key to any successful society.

Not blaming the past too much - I believe that Iranians finally have a chance, well a kind of a time machine to undo the system that they chose and created. I hope they seize this opportunity to travel back in time and undo their mistakes. The kind of martyrdom we are seeing among the people of Iran, from ones like Neda should not go waste. For the sake of their sacrifice, please make the right choices atleast now.

You already had a chance, don’t miss another!

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With approximately 13 million people watching her live performance, another 6 million watching her videos on Youtube and a few million more downloading her videos - Susan is all set to be a superstar. This unemployed 47 year old woman is the shining beacon of the world ridden with recession. She has captivated the minds of millions. Way to go Susan! Watch the video to get a glimpse of how amazing she is:

So, why are people so enchanted with Susan Boyle? Here’s a quick and dirty list:

1. She symbolizes a ray of hope in these tuff times
2. She stunned (for the first time) Simon Cowell and he was (for the first time) left searching for words
3. She managed to make the show “Britan’s got talent” one of the worlds most watched shows, overnight
4. Being unemployed she represents the whole new class of unemployed people dreaming of making it big

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This must be a topic that many of you are sick reading about. However, most of us seem to do nothing about this, simply because we don believe in doing. From most of us who are content with witnessing (and forgetting) such gruesome events to some of us who are a part of it - Everybody is guilty! Ok, enough of cribbing.

Before we get to the facts, the definition:

Violence against women is a technical term used to collectively refer to violent acts that are primarily or exclusively committed against women. Similar to a hate crime, this type of violence targets a specific group with the victim’s gender as a primary motive.

As we all know and accept, women are the weaker sex when it comes to physical strength. This is too trivial a weakness to exploit as compared to the mental strength that women posses. They are so used to violence being committed against them (all the time) that they (over a period of time) tend be the stronger sex - mentally.

The problem is pretty clear, what I am asking is, what does our beloved government do to protect our women folk? The answer is “Practically Nothing”. We have some defunct Women’s Right organizations that the government nurtures. They are practically ad-hoc, request-response organizations that swing into action, every time someone is harmed. Is this the kind of protection you women folk want? From what I understand:

Violence against women is the fastest-growing crime in India, a recent study concluded. Every 26 minutes a woman is molested, every 34 minutes a rape takes place, and every 43 minutes a woman is kidnapped, according to the Home Ministry’s National Crime Records Bureau.

Shocking? Not actually, because the average Indian mind is trained to ignore this kind of stuff. For those who are a bit shocked - please remember, these numbers reflect the cases that are reported. Most women dare not speak up as they fear social alienation.

Well, forget all this for now and take a look at the various kinds of violence women in India have to undergo in their day to day lives:

Eve Teasing: Probably the most common form of abuse that women experience is Eve Teasing. This is a social problem. Only better education and complete social change can get rid of this menace.

Dowry: Very common in India, a practice that demands that the girls family pay for the guy marrying the girl. This sometime creates a lot of pressure especially if the girls side is unable to pay up the promised amount.

Sexual harassment at workplace and schools: This could get nasty. Women are almost always subject to such violence because they are vulnerable and susceptible to these morphed forms of violence. Women folk can hardly raise their voice against such crimes because of lack of evidence or job insecurity feeling or male dominance. Companies should be monitored more strictly. Setup a body to investigate this sort of crime alone.

Domestic Violence: I guess almost all women go through this kind of violence. Either from their partners or parent or siblings. This sort of violence can be sometimes brutal. This again I guess can be halted only with social change.

Rape: Nothing much to explain here. This is the most evil form of violence against women. I hope they introduce capital punishment for rapists who are guilty beyond doubt.

Trafficking: Trafficking women for prostitution is another menace that we are facing. Women from Nepal are everyday brought to India to be sold off at the brothels across India. Similarly Indian women are trafficked from here to wealthier countries as well for pretty much the same reasons. Stronger rules and greater checks to release these women who are trapped are needed. More NGOs with better financial backing for this exact purpose are necessary to stop this measure. Criminals found to indulge in such activities should be put away for good.

Other forms of violence against women: These include, witchcraft related violence, devdasi harassment (In temples as slaves of preists), sati (death for widows), marriage trade (to rich Arabs for money) and now the latest menace - Cyber Harassment.

The list is endless and I am in no mood to enumerate all the different types of heinous crimes enacted against women. Coming to the point, before we loose the final bit of self respect we have, please do something against this. I hope the Government is listening. Please don’t comeback next time around asking shamelessly for votes from the women voters in this country. If you can’t make a difference in the pain being inflicted on them don’t rule them. Remember, it is the women voters too who gave you this thumping mandate!

Are you someone who has undergone such trauma or do you know someone who is a victim of violence against women? Tell us what you think, we would love to hear from you.

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For most (sane) people, watching this would be impossible, however I recommend you do. This is how animals are tortured for fur and meat. Primarily fur. This is the same fur that Europeans buy in their countries. Its sad but true, Europe just can’t stop its obsession with fur. There is nothing much to say, have a look ;(

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“Please stop it,” she begs. “Either kill me or stop it now.” These were the words of this 17 year old girl who was offered a shocking glimpse of militant brutality in the once-peaceful district. This is a clear, evident and understandably visible sign of Taliban’s influence spreading deeper into Pakistan. If this is not appalling enough, a group of men stand by, watching silently as the heinous act is carried out in broad daylight. Off camera a voice issues instructions - “Hold her legs tightly” as the helpless girl squirms and yelps.

I don’t care or neither am I here to talk about human rights. I don’t know what the exact reason was for the punishment given in this particular instance. My only question to the so called Islamic hardliners in Pakistan who witnessed, did or supported this incident is - “These men who are holding this girl and lashing her, what are their ideals? what are they preaching and where and in whose name did they get the authority to do this?”

From what I could understand this girl was punished because she was seen with another man. What about the man holding her and hitting her? Does YOUR Islam promote holding a woman by men? Does YOUR Islam promote lashing a girl like that? These questions are specially aimed at the guy in charge there in Swat Valley.

Believe this - the Chief Justice of Pakistan claims that he will deal justice in the girls case. Why, who are you kidding? The whole world has seen the atrocious video, it’s simple, identify the men in this video and lock them in. Why does the Chief Justice need any witnesses to come forward and talk about it? The video itself speaks the truth doesn’t it? Is the government of Pakistan slowing down justice in this case because of the so called peace talks between them and the Taliban! Everyone knows that this girl is being pressurised not to reveal anything. Justice in the land of the unjust - WOW, now that is what I would call a miracle.

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Courtesy: janchipchase.com

Yes, you heard that right. That’s what the welfare minister of the state of Bihar wants the poor citizens of Bihar to do. He would like to extend this scheme across the country. Many may argue that if you eat shrimp, you may as well eat rats as shrimps are the rodents of the sea. Though rat eating is highly stigmatized in urban areas, it might be popular in rural areas, according to Vijay Prakash - the welfare minister for the state of Bihar. Some consider Rat meat as nutritious and in many countries it is a delicacy. Rats are perfectly edible and he feels that breeding Rats in Rat farms is the best way to uplift Bihars poor. These farms will provide some form of employment for the poor of Bihar. The poor can work in these farms and eat low cost rats.

Wonder if he eats rats too? Jokes apart, I am not sure if it is ok to eat rats or encourage others to eat rats. Frankly, I don’t want to comment!

Gawd! when was that revolution coming again?

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There are many things about Indian Elections, many myths, many rumors, many tactics, many strategies and many many lies. However there is only one truth - the truth of Democracy. Trust me - that eventually prevails. I am writing this, hoping, praying that this article will help that truth prevail again.

There is only one prayer that actually hits me hard when we talk about our democracy and the state of affairs in a country as vast, as natural and as diverse as ours.

Lead me: from darkness… to light
from ignorance … to wisdom

Probably, just probably, it is one of those moments when you and I can think, think hard about the realities of life and how we can make things better for ourselves. This is not some rhetoric, this is not a plea - frankly, this is it, the moment of reckoning.

Elections in India is truly the only time when you see hyper activity from the political fraternity in the country. I do not wish to mention the dormant beauraucracy of the country. The political fraternity is in turbo mode right now. We have better roads, permanent power supply, employment opportunities, tax sops, lower petrol prices and every other promise that should have been fulfilled during the last regular term being promised again. We even have issues like elephant attacks on civilians, free power for farmers and hate speeches delivered again. As the election commission (the only body according to me that functions effectively after the post and telegraph system and the indian railways) swings into action to clean up the mess here are some facts to entertain you. Facts that they want us to know:

• Elections in India attract an expenditure of over $300 million to the union exchequer. What a great feat!
• Election reforms pertaining to absentee voting suggested in 2006 to the Representation of Peoples Act of 1950 that govern elections in India has never been implemented. No thank you!
• The election process involves over 650 million people, twice the number in the EU. Thats sad, the EU is a wasted place.
• Every bureaucratic machinery is put into action to allow smooth and fair elections. Good to know that it exists.
• A Million Electronic Voting Machines are used to ensure speedy and fair election results. Results? Who cares?

That is it for some facts. The facts are all so nice to read right? I recommend you read the real list of facts below. Facts about how your and I are squandered every year, year after year by the SYSTEM:

• The greatest threat to this nation is valentines day all issues are a waste of time. When was the last time anybody discussed a real issue?
• The first task that the union cabinet should undertake as the elected representatives is to sterilize all minorities. Finally they think they have found a permamnent solution to population explision
• Our politicians are encouraged to spend time in phoren countries while the Dalits and Farmers from across the country commit suicide
• During their term in office they learn multiple ways to torment us and pocket our money. If they are re elected they improve on these skills
• They strive to have unnecessary powers vested in their interest. They harass the man who strives to do his duty
• They realign themselves every elections. I would not be surprised if some day the congress and the BJP will fight elections as allies to against the 3rd or the 4th front
• They don’t have second thoughts about increasing salaries for our president or any other MP, MLA, Minister whatever. However they have second thought in increasing salaries for our forces guarding our borders
• Instead of trying to catch tax absconders or implementing a flawless system to collect more tax, these guys worry more about how to squander more tax from god fearing - tax paying citizens
• They don’t improve roads because frankly that is not their problem
• They squander money out of every building construction, every road that is built or every government project that is done
• State governments fight for more decentralization of power, so that they can share the loot with the central government
• More money is laundered into the economy and the parallel economy only grows in size. One day trust me, it will blow on your face
• Criminals are let free because they have ruling party affiliations
• Fake economic growth figures guarantee that no government ever lets us down, even in the face of the worlds greatest crisis
• Population grows at exponential rates and with it AIDS
• Our education system is filled with toxic waste, with hundreds of parallel systems for partial education
• Caste based politics and issues dominate everything. Sick!
• Reservations are a joke. When it comes to the truth everyone is reserved
• These politicians find it clever and easier to rename cities, roads and streets in the name of, god knows what to cover up, you know what
• Not to mention that we watch our Netas busy counting stool and table cash blaming democracy for us not being able to compete against the Chinese economies decades long double digit growth rates
• We have one communal riot or some tragedy of sorts to cherish everytime a government completes office
• We have vote for money scams the size of mount everest itself that go unnoticed
• We have “India Shining” and “Incredible India” to live with when we don’t really have roti, kapda and a damn makaan to stay in
• We have cross border terrorism that always finds a way-in to live with and no one to do anything about it. Our army men and soldiers are dying because of apathy. They are not given equipment, night vision goggles and they are made to wear normal shoes in freezing cold
• Our coast guard will soon have to send its men in fishing boats as the existing boats will no more be fit for service
• Our citizens are never that important, visit a gulf country and see how you are treated and compare that to a european or american who visits the same place
• There are no real opportunities for us in this country, trust me, show me one real opportunity. Economic progress is just an urban myth. We are all living in urban poverty
• Social security… hahaha
• Power security… hehehe
• Quit India… yes yes yes… Our talent pool is fit only for that
• We are being threatened by goons and moral police for anything that is against their whims and fancies
• Our television channels and newspapers show us bad news almost every time. The greatest bad news right now is elections themselves. They are showing us digging our own graves
• Our children are not safe, our women are never safe and truthfully no one cares.
• We have seen the system take us for a ride. Imagine we are still living a miserable life even being in a country truly rich in everyway
• We elect criminals to office year after year. WOW
• They keep us under wraps, far far away from the so called truth
• They deny us education, they deny us development and we say - its ok
• They are succeeding in their design to leave us bleeding, to kill us with slow poison, to make us believe that we are dumb, illiterate and we are meant to be this way forever
• They shamefully take our votes for granted, give us the big speeches, make us believe that change is here, just around the corner and give us false hope
• They fill their swiss accounts with zillions of dollars while we rot in this hell. Their kids get fake enginnering and doctor certificates. While we struggle to pay our fees to become one
• They make us feel miserable everytime and end it with a trip to the moon at the expense of our scientists working for the salary of a programmer

I don’t know if you are voting but I am not. I can’t see people take my vote for granted. I can’t see myself being humiliated time and again. I am not interested in petty politics and politicians leave us looking like ignorant fools time and again. I am telling you all for the last time. Do something about this, for the last time - Do something. Kill hate, corruption poverty, illiteracy and everyother menace chasing us today. Start the change NOW! Leave your thoughts and ideas in the comments.

I CARE!

For now here’s the modified version of the prayer that we all should be reading,

For heavens sake stop leading me: from darkness… to darkness
from ignorance … to more ignorance. I beg of YOU!

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