Saturday, April 26, 2025

Pahalgam Terror Attack

Modi’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
  • Demolished the houses of the families of the terror suspect - A good start, albeit it probably violates a recent Supreme Court order.
  • The Indus water sharing treaty was suspended —nice try. However, it has no impact on the ground. The water flows to Pakistan as usual.
  • The Wagah border was closed - The border is a showpiece anyway. I guess people will miss the fun parade.
  • Diplomats were sent back – good one. They needed a vacation anyway.
  • Visitors from Pakistan were sent back – Major inconvenience for those people. It doesn’t do much for Pakistan.
  • Warplanes are flying and warships are cruising in the Arabian Sea – Other than burning a lot of precious fuel I am not sure what exactly do they achieve.
I agree with Modi. Indian response to the brutal terror attack is beyond our imagination. No one imagined such a muted response from supposedly a tough PM. Even Deve Gowda would have done more.
I am against any military response to Pakistan. It achieves nothing. It helps the Pakistani Government to solidify their power.
What was needed was to investigate the intelligence failure. How four terrorists armed to the teeth avoided all check posts. Was there inside involvement? Why was no army presence in such a popular and vulnerable tourist spot? What is being done to capture those terrorists?
The most important part was accountability. Why no response from the home minister? Why didn’t he resign?
But if you ask these questions, you will be termed anti-national by the Bhakts. They would rather die than question their beloved Modi.
Good for them. I decided never to visit Kashmir. I will not visit there until it becomes normal, which is never.
The plight of the Godi media amuses me. They have precious little to show to defend their puppet master. But they have to keep up the #IndiaWantsRevenge hashtag. Tough job. But then they get paid handsomwly for their chamchagiri.

Wednesday, September 04, 2024

My Father - An Obituary

Born - 1st February 1934
Died - 3rd September 2024

My father was an ordinary man. He lived an extraordinary life. A selfless life of devotion to his family and care for others.

He never craved anything for himself. Never did he spend any money on luxury. He spent his meagre salary mainly on our education and in helping the extended family members. Countless people came to our town for studying, for treatment, for various other works were welcome in our home. So much so that our house used to resemble a guest house. We were happy to have so many friends and family members around. We didn't realise what a huge burden it was on his finances. But I never, ever heard him complain. Poor man he was, but he had a generous heart, bigger than the richest man. Not just that, he even treated them to rare luxuries like going to movies and picnics.

When we were at a lower standard, dad used to spend all his spare time tutoring us, not just our brothers but also our cousin brothers. He had an unwavering devotion to education and a refined taste of culture.

He was a simple man, innocent of the intrigues and treacheries of life. Even his close family members cheated him. But he never held a grudge against anyone.

Everyone loved him because of humility, simplicity and selfless behaviour. Even his daughter-in-laws adored him like their real father and always cared for him. For the last five years, my father was confined to his bed. But because of his popularity, his bed was always surrounded by loved ones, not just family members but also neighbours.

My father was full of life, but he was not afraid to die. When the end finally came, he embraced death and entered into प्रायोपवेशनम्. He refused all treatment. Only when he lost his consciousness could we take him to the hospital. That is one regret I have. Instead of allowing him to die in peace in his home, we dragged him to a far off hospital. All for our foolish sentimentality. Sorry dad. But I am sure he forgave us.

What legacy did he leave us? That of a simple life of moderation, devotion to his family and care for others.

My dad was an ordinary man. But I wish there were many such ordinary men around us. Our world would then be an extraordinary place.

Thank you dad. I will remember you, every day of my life.

This is a link for a few songs my father loved to listen.

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Modi Hatao Recipe

Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar are running a spirited campaign in Karnataka. Revanth Reddy, Tejashwi Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav are doing a great job in their states.

With their effort, we will beat the Modi menace. Here is how.

State Seats
South India 130
Maharashtra 25
Bihar 20
UP 20
MP 15
Rajasthan 15
Other States 30
Total 255

Of course we cannot count on Mamata, She is a Modi stooge. Had it not been for Mamata, Nitish and Sharad Power treachery, the vote would have been a foregone conclusion. Modi would have retired in Sabarmati.

But all depends on us. We need to go out and vote. Remember, the opposition candidates need to get 10% more vote than the BJP candidates to account for Amit Shah’s EVMs.

So if you want to kick the Modi-Shah-Ambani-Adani brigade back to Gujarat, please vote.

Sunday, April 07, 2024

Nehru

This book is a must read for every Indian. The full book should be made part of the school curriculum.

Not just for its historical significance but for getting a better understanding of India and the world.

The observations in the book are so in depth, the conclusions drawn are so accurate that even after 90 years they shine as diamonds.

This man alone understood India and we are so fortunate that he was gracious enough to write down his understanding in a book that is such delight to read. Through his work we can get a glimpse of India and the world.

He loved his country so much that every sentence of this book oozes out his empathy for his country men and his hatred for tyranny in equal measures.

I have never seen a politician so honest, straight like an arrow.

These days I enjoy reading classic fictions more than dry history. But this book is a delightful exception. I have about 100 pages left and I am almost sad that it will be over soon.

But that does not mean that I will start Discovery of India immediately 😀 I don't love India so much, not yet.

Next book - Three Musketeers, swashbuckling gallants and beautiful dames 😀

Friday, March 22, 2024

A Diabolical Conspiracy

The strong man Modi is scared of Arvind Kejriwal. So he made a plan to take him out of the campaign trail. Just after the election dates are announced, Kejriwal is arrested in a three year old corruption case. The ED seems to be the most active department in Modi’s government.

The timing tells it all. He had to be arrested just one month before the election so that there is no chance of getting a bail and it is guaranteed that he will be out of the AAP campaign.

Now I am not discussing the merits and demerits of the case. Every party needs to fight election and hence needs money. So AAP may as well have collected illegal money and Kejri may as well have taken a cut. I am discussing Modi’s actions, not Kejriwal’s. I do not like Kejriwal at all.

But I think Modi miscalculated this one. Kejri in jail is a better campaign prospect for AAP and the opposition than Kejri on a podium.

Even after subverting all the institutions, after using all the government machineries to cripple the opposition, after spending thousands of crores of public money on self-promotion, after completely eliminating the free press, he is petrified to face the public wrath.

For him only Modi matters, country, party, society can go to hell.

Do you want this insecure, self-centred, vengeful, mean person to be your next PM?

Please think and vote.

Monday, March 18, 2024

Pisir Chora

Thik duppur bela
Pisike dilo ke thela
Pisi ulte pare
Kapal gelo chore
Samne asche vote
Pisir kapale chot
Pisir kato na rango
Dekhbe e pora Bango
Khema dao pisi ebar
Shasti diecho dedar
Bange ebar dhando
Pisir dokan bando

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Bangalore Development

Bangalore Development

2004-14 2014-24
Bangalore Aiport Terminal 1 - 4 years Bangalore Aiport Terminal 2 - 12 years
Bangalore Metro Purple Line - 4 years Bangalore Metro Purple Line Extension - 11 years
Nice Road Bangalore Mysore Highway
Bangalore Metro Green Line Empty Promise
Aiport Expressway Corruption
Electronic City Elevated Expressway Contractor Extortion
Tumkur Elevated Expressway Sell Electoral Bonds
Old Madras Road Topple Elected Government
Signal Free Outer Ring Road Hijab Controversy

Some Notes:

  1. Most of 2014-24 Bangalore had triple engine sarkar, albeit illegitimate.
  2. Bangalore Aiport Terminal 2 - Most work including land acquisition were already done by 2008.
  3. Bangalore Metro Purple Line Extension - Most work including land acquisition were already done by 20011.
  4. Bangalore Mysore Highway - Nicely Done.