Osama is gone and Obama reigns

............ and that is what we all are made to believe. Hopefully right !
The difference between the Os is only SB - you may expand this acronym as you like .
As an Indian, I feel we would have been better off with Osama alive, not that I like him
but he being at large would have kept US busy looking for him and keeping the pedal
on Pak. Our cries to US about Pak harbouring people India want will fall on less sympathetic eras now.
US is going to turn around and say " Boy look, be realistic, we wanted Osama for 10 yrs and spend over 3 trillion
and 'our partner in fight 'kept him and fed him with money we gave to find him. Fight your war on your own, if you
don't have to muscle, am sorry". Dawood, Mazood etc are our issues to be dealt with , not US issues. So they
can all breathe easy.

Now the infamous ISI. This acronym should be expanded as Inter Service Involvement.
If they did not know that Osama was there in their chiefs Bed room, then they are inept to the core.
If they knew ( as the world thinks) then they are Involved and partners in crime across the globe.
Either way they have discredited themselves.
Now I wonder how long the US will keep playing the double game. Almost all in US military know that
ISI is the chief patron of terror, but will not admit it openly and challenge it. Its nothing short of a
self defeating policy. Digging own grave, go on till another 9/11 sorry 9/12 happens.
Coming to the 'terror info gold mine' recovered from the Mansion at Allottabad - I think that holds
the key to nailing ISI if US so wishes. But the on going war in Afganistan and Paks willingness
to tilt to China makes this choice very difficult. I feel a Us dependant Pak is better for India than
a China tilting Pak. Need to Appreciate pak for their ability to really manage this complex puzzle.
Pak has an interest to keep the terror issue alive. The Pak army sacrificing their citizens to keep
the money tap from US open. In a TV visual I happen to see Lt Gen Hamid Gul in his house- A house
its almost looked like a palace with very possible sophistication. How he managed so much just by being
military person. There are other sources - opium to onion ! He has been one of the most rabid chiefs of ISI.
For India, Pak is a 'neighbour reality'. Lahore and Islamabad are closer to Delhi than Chennai, Bangalore and
may be Mumbai. So we need to act knowing that. Although the purpose of every war is peace, that is not
ging to happen in India , Pak case.

The Peoples’ Democracy……..

It’s heartening to note and see the maturing of our Democracy. The wisdom and grace shown by Mr Anna Hazare team and the Govt in resolving the issue augurs well for our ‘young’ democracy – a sort of coming of age ! It can’t be and should not be seen thro the narrow spectrum (though spectrum is one of the causes for the whole issue!) as a victory of one over the other. Media uses phrases like ‘the Govt blinked’ – its irresponsible. The whole event, however shows how, far removed are our ‘netas’ from people. It is similar to what happens in big companies. The ones at the top and responsible positions have no idea of ground realities of customers nor their changing preferences. Political systems also throws up such situations- the current one is an example. Will the Lak pal or Jan Lok Pal eliminate corruption? No one is novice even to think in those terms. But if it helps to ‘instill a sense of fear ‘ on the corrupt – then it has done its job. No, we have or no one should have any intention of undermining the supremacy of our Parliament. In our democratic system, Parliament is sovereign and supreme law making body. Nothing can be above the will of Parliament. However, in practice Parliament has become ‘ self serving’ and hence agitations and Satygrahas like the one we see today. Make no mistake, no one is advocating anything above Parliament/ judicial review. Also, we need to ensure that in this euphoria, we do not end up creating another ‘ Frankenstein Monster’ - A Lokpal which is law by itself ! To bring more accountability and to ensure that law takes its course with out hindrance, we need to limit to 10 yrs/ 2 terms constitutional position of individuals. This is nothing new, most of the established democracies have such limits on individuals’ ‘ability to manage’ Finally, am thrilled that in the current world of ‘ Absolute violence’ a non violent means like Satyagraha has delivered and delivered in abundance! On a lighter note, we need to thank the Rajs, Kalmadi s and Thomases for making this happen. Even the darkest night is followed by light at Sunrise ! Jai ho …………….. Thanks Tony Augustine.

They cry For Democracy and We cry About Democracy !

That is the pity we Indians face. West Asia and Arab world is still rocking for change , a change to democracy. Now we need one against the blanket corruption that has enveloped and corrupted our civil society unfortunately aided by our liberal democracy. There is so much latent revulsion against the rampant corruption that it has been waiting for an enlightened soul to ignite the fire. I think and hope that the efforts by Mr Anna Hazare will resonate with people at large. The magnitude of corruption in India and the overall success of people's revolutions across the world are helpful factors to impart ' Escape Velocity' to this propulsion to break free. Some more respectable social activists, bollywood ( Aamir has already joined) , Sports personalities, Artists etc can help it to really make it a peoples movement- not to be hijacked by vested interests. This movement need to rock the ' Temple of our Democracy ' - the Parliament which is nothing but a Den of thieves ' except a few occupants. I hope and wish that Mr Anna Hazare succeeds and his success is a must for the success of India. Govt and politicians have a respond and respond fast for an acceptable Lok Pal bill. 'Thieves alone can't be allowed to decide on the punishment for 'Theft' Thank you.

To kill or Not to Kill............... that is the question.

That is the pitiable state to which we have reached as a nation.
The case of Aruna has thrown up this issue and even supreme court has come out with a disturbing view-
partial/ passive euthanasia is acceptable.

What does that mean ? A person can be allowed to die by not supporting his/ her needs to sustain life.
But you can't inject or do anything which can speed up that death.

What is the difference - except time taken to the eventual death.

In my limited understanding of law and medicine both are equivalent to murder.

Euthanasia may a solution to many developed counties where there is strong checks and balances.
In our country, this is very likely to be misused if not abused by vested interests.

State exists to support and sustain life of its citizens.
But if immediate relatives shun that responsibity then State should come forward.
State may charge the relatives if they can afford it or develop a corpus by a spl tax.

Otherwise at some stage we all can 'RIP '

The Arab revolt - the theories ..............

1. They all know what they do not want ; but not many know want exactly they want .

2. They all hate someone ; but do not know whom to love or accept.

3. They are all 'pulled -in' with out knowing the centre ; but its actually a push of common hatred towards the ruling class.

4. Such revolts will feed on itself and even the establishment of a good democracy do not guarantee a repeat of such revolts not just in Arab world but across the world.

5. Face book/ twitter / Blogs etc gave the population the freedom of mind - to think , share and communicate in virtual world.
But the physical world around them did not allow that freedom to get manifested in action.

So mathematically

Freedom of Virtual world - bondage of Physical world = the revolt

In the Middle east - the Monarchies seems to survive and Presidents do not .............

That is the pattern emerging - Saudi, Jordan, Bahrain , UAE all Kings or Monarchies seems to be surviving .
Luckily they all seems to have some one or a cabinet to dismiss and reappoint some one else.
More than that , they are all declared Monarchies - no one , both citizens and kings ever said they are elected.
So there is no democracy , that is fine , importantly there is no Sham Democracy.

I think that is the issue with Presidents - they are all sham - claim to be elected , but not by majority.
Egypt, Tunisia, Libya etc are projected democracies for last 30/ 40 years with same person as ruler.

This hypocrisy is what people are revolting against; of course there are other issues too.

Are they not justified, they are ..........
but I still worry about the possible outcome with theocratic majority becoming the rulers .

If the Arab world rocks , can China be far behind ..............

Sounds strange ? What Connection?

I see many - the growing middle class in Chinese cities and the growth of media is the biggest challenge to
the current ruling class in China.

Exactly the mix which has challenged the rulers in Arab world leading to current unrest.

They have ordered the army/ police to nib everything protest at bud itself.
But how many buds can they keep ' nibbing'?
How long can they keep doing it ?

The Answer is blowing in the wind ..........................


If a division emerges in the Red army ( which is a clear possibility), that will be beginning of real 'People's Republic'


But there is difference with Arab world.
Most of the Chinese speak and understand only Chinese and that is actually a real help to the current ruling class.