11th May, 2012 : Politicians create an uproar in parliament over a cartoon featuring Dr. Ambedkar. This cartoon depicts Dr. Ambedkar in a manner which is supposedly demeaning to the father of the Indian constitution. HRD minister is forced to apologize. A group of youths belonging to RPI, ransack the office of an ex-member on board of NCERT, which is responsible for publishing the cartoon. All parties unanimously claim that, this cartoon is a big blow on the image of Dr. Ambedkar.

13th May, 2012 : We celebrate 60th anniversary of Parliament and Parliamentary form of democracy. The same politicians go ga-ga over how we are one of the very few surviving democracies in the world, in spite of being a multicultural society and how we should uphold the freedom of expression to preserve democratic principles.

Irony at its very best!

Political satires have been mainstream since times immemorial. We have had great artists like R.K Laxman, Shankar, who have made us look at the unattractive world of politics with humor-tinted glasses. We even have had politicians who take a dig at other politicians and governments through their caricatural masterpieces. Then what was so offending about this particular cartoon (in which Dr Ambedkar is merely shown sitting on a turtle named "Constitution" with a whip in his hand) that made our revered politicians go berserk? Was it

• Their love for the Constitution
• Their undying affection and respect for Dr Ambedkar (which the cartoon had nothing to do with)
• Playing the card of caste politics

You obliviously don't need to be a rocket scientist to answer that.

Using the names of iconic figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, etc, for petty personal gains is an art that our current politicians have attained a mastery in. Its a matter of utter regret and shame that, they have not realized the vision of modern India that these great leaders had dreamt about. Our founding fathers had envisioned a country, that, is free from all socio-economic barriers; is free from social evils like fascism, fundamentalism, authoritarianism that plague the society; takes into consideration views and opinions of all its people, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion and is self-sustaining economy where no countryman sleeps hungry. This was the very same reason why it took such a long time for an intellectual personality like Dr. Ambedkar to frame our constitution. He wanted to incorporate all of the above and much more. He wanted a state where a person, dalit, under-privileged or otherwise, can live amicably and prosper; a community where woman, children and old are all treated equally with honor and respect; a society where a person is not “identified” by his last name and a country where every Indian puts his nation and its people before self. This is exactly what the cartoon along with its sub-titles was implicitly intending to portray. But, leave it to our genius politicians to misinterpret it, twist it and weave a story to ignite mass sentiments.

To cut a long story short, in a modern day India, all it takes is a facetious cartoon for all our politicians to unite and raise their voice in protest. On the other hand, acts involving money laundering, million dollar scams, corruption, land grabbing, terrorism etc, are all perspicaciously brushed beneath the carpet.

Sometimes, I wonder, if Dr. Ambedkar (or any of our great freedom fighters) would have been alive today! Would he be more angry on the cartoon or deeply worried about the saddened state of current leadership of this nation? A nation, which he loved so immensely and wanted it to be one of the greatest and fledgling democracies of all time.

• Director of the project to develop India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III)
• Responsible for the evolution of ISRO's launch vehicle programme, particularly the PSLV
  
• Responsible for developing Indigenous Guided Missiles at Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
• Responsible for the development and operationalisation of AGNI and PRITHVI Missiles
• Chairman of Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC)
• Author of 4 books "Wings of Fire", "India 2020 - A Vision for the New Millennium", "My journey" and "Ignited Minds - Unleashing the power within India"
• Awarded the coveted civilian awards - Padma Bhushan (1981) and Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna (1997)
• 11th President of India…and the list goes on
  

Such is the stature of one of the most respected and distinguished personalities of modern India. No doubt such a furor was created when a foreign airline was involved in frisking him, making him wait in the aero-bridge and treating him like a “normal airline passenger” as a part of the routine airport security exercise. However, what boggles my diminutive brain is, WHAT CRIME DID THE AIRLINE OFFICIALS COMMIT?

The airline officials lucidly stated that, they did what is to be done according to their company policy i.e. to scrutinize every person using the airline, irrespective of whether that person is a VIP or a VVIP. Instead of applauding them for their unprejudiced and impartial act, they were forced to dole out a public apology. The fundamental question to be asked here is why is there a different set of rules for a different set of people in the first place?

This is one of the many flaws which makes way for other debauched malpractices like Corruption to seep into the system. Our great MP’s and MLA’s have customized, reshaped and revised the red-tape in such a manner so as to be suited for their own convenience. No matter in which part of India you are, there is always a separate parking space, train berth, airline seat reserved for our dignified VIP’s. Heck, there is even a fully furnished “cell” waiting for them when they are sentenced to a jail term.

The irony of the fact however is that, according to the airline officials, Dr. Abdul Kalam was very cooperative and underwent the entire process without any hitch. So who were the ones who created such a ruckus over the entire issue? None other than those very same politicians who felt that their VIP stature was at stake if they would be subjected to such “blasphemy” as “airport security”.

So next time, if you want to smuggle that expensive 80 Gig IPod or bootleg that chic Sony PSP you desperately wanted to lay your hands on, you know whom to call; Your friendly neighborhood VIP, of course!

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Thanks to Munnabhai, Gandhigiri has become a part of our everyday vocabulary. Innumerable new sites promoting Gandhigiri have cropped up. Every second editorial in every other daily has a mention of it. There even have been instances of Gandhigiri been used in parts of our Country to fight injustice. But is this hoopla created by it justified? Is it...really worth the HYPE?

How many of us believe that Gandhigiri would be effective in tackling the problems of a modern day INDIA? Do you think that problems as grave as a Militant attack or an imminent threat of a Nuclear War can be solved by the use of Gandhigiri? Can a person simply walk up to a Suicide bomber, offer him a rose and request him not to bomb us? Would K.P.S Gill have been successful in weeding off Terrorism in Punjab if he had not answered the bullets of Khalistani Militants with his own?

Forget Terrorism. Consider the case of a more "home grown" disease called Corruption. Do you think that maligning or humiliating a "BABU" in Public, a la Munnabhai, will make him aware of his Moral Duties?....CRAP!! Ever since our bureaucrats and Politicians took the oath of "SERVING" the people of India, they lost their hearts and long forgot the meaning of the word SHAME. Gandhigiri or for that matter any other "Giri" will seldom have any effect on them. All except "RISHWAT"giri of course!!

Gandhigiri or as it is more sophisticatedly called, Satyagraha, was not even successful in the days of British Raj. Why do you think that M.K.Gandhi himself, who had promoted the path of Non-Violence his entire life, finally gave the slogan of "DO or DIE", which when translated literally, meant "KILL or DIE trying"? It clearly highlighted the fact that his path of non-violence was a failure. British didn't leave India after succumbing to the his style of agitation, but they left because they had nothing left to STEAL from this, once rich, country of ours.

Plain and Simple, Gandhigiri never was and never will be of any use to our country.

Today, nothing interests me more than the topic of Mohammad Afzal Guru, the prime suspect accused of orchestrating the most spineless of attacks on the largest seat of Indian Democracy, the Indian Parliament. For me, he has now become a living epitome of our pathetic judicial system and a perfect example of how a Democracy can fail.I am not a supporter of Terrorists or Militants or Freedom Fighters or Mujahideens or whatever crap they are called, but it is surely wrong to pass a judgement by hearing just one half of the story.

Today, Kashmir, a one-time paradise on Earth, has become nothing more than a living HELL. A common Kashmiri dreads of a BSF personell as much as he dreads of a terrorist. And what other choice do these people have? If they don't support the cause of Militants, their lives are at stake, if they don't support Indian Military forces, they are branded as terrorists and are executed. Its death for them either way. And here we have a Pak-returned guy who was against all the Pro-Pakistani groups, and who made a simple mistake of surrendering to BSF in hope of leading a normal life, What did he get in return? Months of being subjected to endless tortures beyond anyone's wildest imagination, beating, electrocution and finally a tag of TERRORIST pasted on his forehead and a sentence to be hanged till death! What kind of Justice is this? He was not even properly represented in the court. No lawyer was ready to accept his case and the court refrained from providing him any. And we take pride of calling our Country the Biggest Democracy in the World.....Pure HOGWASH!! Same was the case with Maqbool Butt, founder of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) when he was hanged back in 1984 on charges of killing an Indian Intelligence Officer, even though the charges levelled against him were not proved.

Now with BJP joining in the fray, the issue has taken a political turn, for worse. Many people in the country would support the judgement of hanging him, even would have I, but only if the charges against him were proved with suitable evidence in the Court of Law. Then there would have been no question of granting clemency. But just because of the fact that he is a Bearded Kashmiri Muslim should in neither way influence the judgement agaist him. Uptil now, he is no more or no less than an INDIAN as we all are.

Rang De Basanti, can aptly be titled one of the most influential and mesmerizing movie that has ever rolled out of the Bollywood stables. No other movie made this year (execept Lage Raho and Omkaara ) had the potential of keeping the audience hooked onto the screen until the very end. Every aspect of the film, the direction, the cast, the acting, the cinematography, the story was synonymous with the word perfect. Even the songs were expertly assimilated into the main plot; not like those extra bits, which are thrown in haphazard way and dont gel with the film. Obiviously, RDB's nomination for OSCARS came as no surprise.

The way in which the director has succesfully incorporated the problems faced by two different eras is worth applauding. The film instigated the people to outgo their 'Chalta hai' attitude and awakened the spirit of patriotism, which is seldom exhibited by youngsters of this age.

As far as RDB's nomination for OSCAR's is concerned, it is up against a tough list of competitors ( Germany's The Lives Of Others, Netherlands's Zwartboek, and Canada has Deepa Mehta's water ). Water is more of a lyrical film highlighting the socio-economic dynamics of a society in transition while RDB is more up-to-date with smart young mobs et al. However, Water has a more probable chance at winning because of the fact that it is teeming with Satyajit Ray-style rural exegesis, which has been a hit with the academy in the past.

Ultimately, may the best film pick up the Golden lady. But one can surely infer that after Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan, RDB has got all what it takes to rule the roost!!

I never thought I would say such a thing, but the current prevailing situation compels me to say so. "Fanatic Muslims are the root cause most of the evils faced by India today". When a democratic nation like ours offers them so much opportunities to grow and to develop themselves, they are hell bent on dividing the Country with their 2nd Century mindset!

They have the freedom to blare gibberish from their Mosques 5 times a day. They have 3 holidays dedicated to their festivals in a year. We have a HAJ committee wherein the Government pays for a Muslim's HAJ expenses with the TAX-PAYER'S money. Some states even have reservations in Government jobs for them. Do they have such kind of facilities in US or for that matter, in any other non-Islamic country? I don't think so. But, do you hear us cribbing about it?

All most all of the non-Muslim Indians are peace loving lot (Except those BJP Bastards) and we have always believed in the policy of Live and Let Live. We have never liked creating unnecessary tension based on Communal lines, nor will we ever do.

Muslims on the other hand are habitual of bringing Allah into every single crap they can think of. What was supposed to be a matter of just singing a SONG has snowballed into an issue that has put communal harmony in jeopardy. All because of some crazy Muslim lunatics refusing to sing the song, saying that it is anti-Islamic.
First of all, let us be clear of one thing, This is not an Islamic nation where you have to think if a particular act will be good for Islam or not? This is a Democratic Country, wherein Nation's interests are considered to be of foremost importance. We will do whatever we want to PROMOTE AND PRAISE INDIA, and those who don't like it, the Door is always OPEN.

The title of editorial for Monday's edition of TOI read , "Its bad time to be a Muslim". But as far as India is concerned, it must have been "Its bad time to be a Student from Open Category"!

What else can you think of when you see students from prestigious Colleges being subjected to atrocities, more suited for hardened Criminals? And what is their crime? That they are demanding equal opportunities for all, based on merit, irrespective of one's caste or creed. According to our politicos and self proclaimed messiah's of backward classes, this is a grave OFFENCE! Graver than multi-crore scams, corruption, scandals, riots, all of which are orchestrated by those very same politicians. Heart bleeds when you see, on one hand, Students being Lathi charged and Tear gased, while on the other hand, criminals like Lalu Prasad Yadav (He is not fit to be a politician in the first place!) getting acquited of all charges levelled against him or a corrupt person like Bangaru Laxman getting out on bail!
The irony however is the fact that, these people, most of whom haven't even completed their basic schooling and who can't even tell the difference between an IIT and an IIM are given the power of charting our future!

16,000 crore! Thats the amount of moolah that is being spent on implementing the 27% hike in the OBC quota! Imagine what can be done with that kind of cash! New universities of the calibre of DU and MU can be established! Innumberable new schools providing free primary education can be setup! Tourism can be given a boost. Defence of this country can be beefed up. Infrastructure can be given a much needed overhaul. Farmers can be given financial grants which will indirectly help in curbing their suicide rate. Scores of homeless can be provided with free accomodation. The list can go on. But for our Politicos, all these things sound trivial. For them, implementation of QUOTA is of foremost importance!

But, at the end of the day, it is for the people of this country to understand that, using the policy of Divide and Rule, these politicians are trying to create a situation of civil unrest in the nation, just to secure their vote bank! They don't care for India. Their only motive is to fill their personal cash coffers with as much wealth as they can. Giving socially oppressed an equal opportunity by providing reservations in IHL (Institutes of Higher Learning) is just an alibi for doing this.

What is needed as of now is a complete revival of our Country's political system. Though this may seem far fetched, it is certainly not impossible. Or the day isn't far when we will be counted amongst the poor African Nations!!

When SRK met Kajol against the backdrop of scenic snow-capped Swiss alps in DDLJ or when Hritik and Amisha sang duet on the banks of pristine Kiwi River in New Zealand, it made love blossom in our hearts too. Such is the impact the reel life of Bollywood can make on our real one!!

Most of the movies that are made today, are shot in various outdoor locations in countries like Switzlerland, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, US to name a few of them. The industry people say that shooting movies in exotic locations makes for a more pleasurable visual experience for the audience.

As far as EXOTIC locales are concerned, yes, they do play an important role. But why they have to be OUTDOORS? Or more precisely, why they have to be from other Countries? Why can't they find such locales right here in INDIA? Don't we have locations that are good enough to be shot in a movie? We have the wettest place on Earth at Cherrapunji as we have the arid desert of Thar in Rajasthan. We have the snow laden mountainous backdrop of Himalaya as we have the Sun kissed beaches of Goa. There is a very good anecdote that complements this situation perfectly. A Japanese couple who were visiting Switzerland, when asked by a tourism mag journalist, wether what prompted them to visit Switzerland, their reply was not that they had read about it in any dailies or magazines, but, they said that, they had seen the movie DDLJ almost 10 times (because of SRK..Of Course!!) and that they were dying to see the place where most of it was shot at. Such is the impact a Bollywood movie can have! Imagine if the same movie would have been shot at Lakhswadeep islands (which by the way has the potential of becoming the Hawaii of Asia), it would have turned the fortunes of the until-now neglected Union Territory. This is what Australia's MP Fran Bailey had to say after Salaam Namaste (Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta starrer) was shot in Victoria, Australia, "Bollywood is doing a commendable job for our tourism industry. The many aspects of Australia's unique tourism experience, including our vibrant cities, scenic vistas and unique culture that are being profiled widely by Bollywood, which is a great news for us.” It is clear that OUR movies are helping them fill THEIR cash coffers! No wonder that Australia's government has given special discounts and privileges to Indian producers who are willing to shoot their films in Australia!! To add more to the insult, nearly every heavy budget film released this year has been been shot in Foreign locations, right from Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (US) to Krissh (Singapore). Even a movie with theme based on KASHMIR (Fanaa) was shot in Poland!!!

I just can't comphrehend the reason for doing this. Are these Bollywood people ASHAMED of shooting in India? Do they think that shooting in US or Singapore will make the film more popular? When Mother Nature has provided us with such diversity in climate and terrain right here in India, why go scouting over for them the World over?

Bollywood, has now ballooned into a professionally driven industry with personal worth of more than 2875 Million $. It ranks first in the World in terms of the number of movies that are churned out from it every year . As far as viewership is concerned, with an estimated viewing population of 5 Billion, it far surpasses the Hollywood. This clearly proves the fact that Bollywood movies have the capacity of promoting India like no other mediums can ever have. They have the power to revive our Tourism industry, which by now is in complete shambles, thus indirectly boosting the Nation's Economy!

Wake up Bollywood, Mother India is calling!!