SC is to hear the petition-challenging quota tomorrow .The apex court had declined to lift its stay over the implementation of the quotas for the OBCs.

The reservations proposed by the UPA government, are based on the Mandal commission report submitted in 1980.I am surely not against reservation to the deserving but surely against the mechanism that defines these so called deserving categories.

The Mandal commission had the following categories to define an a Caste/Tribe, OBC:

SOCIAL:

“(i) Castes/classes considered as socially backward by others.(ii) Castes/classes that mainly depend on manual labor for their livelihood.(iii) Castes/classes where at least 25 per cent females and 10 per cent males above the State average get married at an age below 17 years in rural areas and at least 10 percent females and5 per cent males do so in urban areas.(iv) Castes/classes where participation of females in work is at least 2 per cent above the state average. “

‘Classes which depend on manual labor’ is fine, ‘Considered backward by others’, though ludicrous, is apprehensible. But how on earth can percentage of men and women married under the age of 17 be considered for reservations. And ‘Participation of women in work’ – How clear is that definition.

And the most absurd part is that this is the category that gets the maximum weightage , i.e three points for each criteria.

EDUCATIONAL:

“(v) Castes/classes where the number of children in the age group of’ 5-15 years who never attended school is at least 25 per cent above the state average.(vi) Castes/classes where the rate of student drop-out in the age group of 5-15 years is atleast 25 per cent above the state average.(vii) Castes/classes amongst whom the proportion of matriculates is at least 25 per cent below the state average.”

Now this is meaningful as long as the interpretation and the intent is correct. These have been graced with two points /Criteria.

ECONOMIC:

“(viii) Castes/classes where the average value of family assets is at least 25 per cent belowthe state average.(ix) Castes/classes where the number of families living in kuccha houses is at least 25 percent above the state average.(x) Castes/classes where the source of drinking water is beyond half a kilometer for more than 50 per cent of the households.(xi) Castes/classes where the number of households having taken consumption loans is atleast 25 per cent above the state average.”

This is the Justest category, But sadly the last one and also the one with the least points – One point each.

How is this reservation going to help build equality? In today’s world the greatest inequality is the economic one. You never see a rich person belonging to a OBC being ill treated in a restaurant, beach, temple or any place for that matter. The basic categorization of the commission report which has least importance to the economic backwardness is digressive in present-day.

And the biggest blunder was that the commission had no caste wise data available with it, so used the 1931 census data to calculate the number of OBCs (based on the ridiculous categorized point system mentioned above).That was 49 years old data and now when the government is planning to implement the suggestions, the data would be 76 years old. Even most of the people who took part in the census must be dead by now (No offence meant).

Should such an important life defining decision be made based on some ridiculous point system which takes into count a census 76 years old, with a “devil-may-care” attitude.

The commission report lacks the main ingredient – THE LOGIC.

The times have changed, economic inequality overweighs social one. Reservations if is to be implemented, should be based on the economic status of the individuals and not based on some illogical commission report.

Recently Gordra carnage was discussed on TV channels and the editorials. As per the editorial of The Hindu, Muslim victims are still leaving the hell that started 5 years back. They are being treated as second class citizens in the state which boasts to be a Hindu Rashtra , in a country known for its integrity. Victims, the article says, are denied even the social and economic freedom. No Muslim is allowed a flat in the Hindu dominant area, even if he is ready to pay the premium. This is true in many other parts of the country-A friend of mine still finds it difficult to rent a flat in Coimbatore ‘bcoz hez a muslim’.

But no one’s bothered much about discrimination-not the UPA government, busy planning the Ariticle 356 against UP government- not the media which claims to be behind the justice to Jesicca Lal, Pridarshini Matto and others- nor the well known social activists starving themselves with ‘Tropicana’ .Hope some of these would open their eyes and give it, at least the concern they showed to the so called ‘racial discrimination’ faced by some outdated actress.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/28/stories/2007022802811000.htm

And about what ‘Nishabd’ is doing in the title, I recently watched the movie, which has wonderful performances by all the characters (‘all’ also bcoz there are only 6 actors altogether). The characters are well written but don’t expect to be touched bcoz the movie somehow doesn’t do that and neither story is ment to.

The movie though not Mani Ratnam’s greatest attempt, surely brings out a marvelous performance by by Abhisheik Bachan playing the central character .The performance was so splendid that the media even stated that it could beat some of his dads performances. For this year’s awards, all the others actors already seem to be out of contention. 

The characters in the movie have shades of real life people of the Dhirubhai legend with bollywood war paint , the most prominent ones-

The name Gurubhai-Dhirubhai, Manikdas Gupta played by Mithuda – Ramnath Goenka of the Indian Express, Swatantra- The Indian express, Contractor sahib-Nusli wadia of the Bombay Dyeing and of course the basic story line. 

The movie shows how out of sheer determination of a villager to succeed, he finds his way thru the obstacles put before him by the already established business houses and the well know ‘License Raj’ of the pre- globalization era. He used the rules and licenses to his befit, which surprised many because these were never thought of before him.The company, people and the country grew with him (“Shakti Parivar ko Guru bhai ka Namaskar”,”Duniya ki sabsee badi company banna cahte ho”).Guru is no victory of good over evil story but the ambition determination and sheer will portrayed keeps you inspired even after the movie is over. 

The end (the court scene) is not very convincing and you are left with a thirst for something more griping, feel is like awaiting pudding after a wonderful dinner and being severed toffee.

Ever since the judgment was announced on Nov 5, I have been searching over the net for something ‘positive’ about this person( Always ‘Bad about the Good’ and ‘Good about the Bad’ is interesting). But as expected, he found place next to the devil, in most of the articles. Every page was filled with the data of the number of people killed and the information on his attacks on Iran & Kuwait.

There is no denying of his criminal doings. But, as the person is now dead and gone, there should be something written about the other side of the ‘Butcher of Baghdad’- even the butcher has a human side.

None has a digitized character of black or white, but shades of gray, some darker some lighter.And here are the lighter one (by lighter I surely don’t mean the funny one).

Like all the Villains in history & anti-heroes in movies even he had a unhappy childhood. He never knew his father, Hussein ‘Abd al-Majid, who disappeared six months before Saddam was born. He was the son of Musa Al-Kazim, one of the Sunni Imams of the Ahlul Bait. Shortly afterward, Saddam’s 13-year-old brother died of cancer, leaving his mother severely depressed in the final months of the pregnancy. The infant Saddam was sent to the family of his maternal uncle, Khairallah Talfah, until he was three. His mother remarried and his step was very harsh to him.

Those cannot justify the killing for sure but can help lighten the grays.

Iraq was no paradise before Saddam came into power. it was spilt faction based on social, ethnic, religious differences.

During the years before the war with Iran, he was seen as the most secular and modern leader in the Arab world. He ended the foreign control on the oil in Iraq and thus stopped the outflow of money from Iraq. He established national campaign to eradicate illiteracy, provided free schooling upto the highest education levels and created the most modern healthcare system in the entire Arab world. And very few may know that the UNESCO had even awarded Saddam for his efforts.

Saddam implemented a national infrastructure campaign that made great progress in building roads, promoting mining, and developing other industries. The campaign revolutionized Iraq’s energy industries. Electricity was brought to nearly every city in Iraq, and many outlying areas.

During his rule women were given freedom to work at par with men. Saddam also created a Western-style legal system, making Iraq the only country in the Persian Gulf region not ruled according to traditional Islamic law (Sharia).

Being a minority sunni Muslim he had stiff opposition from the majority Shia and Kurds. To maintain his regime Saddam tended either to provide them with benefits so as to co-opt them into the regime, or to take repressive measures against them.

With the Iranian Revolution in Iran, there was greater support for the Shia rebellion in Iraq. Now with all his appeasing methods failing Saddam did what he knew best – use ruthless means to suppress a could-be-coup.

Even the killing at Dujail, for which he was convicted was such an act out delirium. Saddam Hussein was visiting the town to make a speech praising those who had served Iraq in the fight against Iran. While driving through the village center, his motorcade was attacked by one or more members of the Dawa Party. The president was unharmed in the three-hour firefight, which ensued. And Saddam ordered the killing.

His decision of attacking Iran, which lasted for 8 years, back fired at him. He was supported greatly by the US and other allies during the war with Weapons & ammunitions. But after the war economy of Iraq was in shambles. Saddam wanted to rebuild it to the state it was before the war, and expected help from his western friends. But he found none. Then to add fuel to his fury Kuwait started reducing the oil prices at the behest of the western forces. The price reduction did not effect Kuwait much but for Iraq it was loss of millions of dollars everyday. Saddam was now feeling cheated. And again out of fury decided to attack Kuwait. This distanced him from the US and rest…the gulf wars…US Sanctions…George Bush Jr to Power…9/11…WMD…capture…trail…conviction…

Saddam was a very ambitious individual who had great ambitions for both himself and his nation. He wanted to see himself as a great leader of a great nation. It’s true that he built mansions for himself but it would be unfair to say he didn’t do anything for his nation.

And it’s a FACT that people who were behind him for most of the killing he accused of are now acting protectors of world peace.

I wonder what would have been the situation if Saddam was ousted earlier, may be the present situation would have been proponed. Now even with no butcher to order the killing, thousand are dying in installments of hundreds daily, in the civil that has engulfed the entire of Iraq. Even the most powerful US doesn’t have any other solution out of this mess, other than dividing the nation into three. This was the same nation which Saddam ruled –UNITED- for more than 24 years.

I DARENOT justify the crimes he had done against humanity and people who suffered it all surely wouldn’t agree with me. And Its easier for me write all this at safety of being in an different nation and in a different era.I mean no offence .This was an attempt to write something abt what ever positive this man had done, now that he is DEAD & GONE.

Some of the lines have been quoted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddam_Hussein

This show isn’t much different from the many other reality shows aired these days. But I found that it was one participant who was making this otherwise usual reality-game-show interesting. It was Gurbani Judge aka Bani, a really ‘Hattke’ gal from Chandigarh.

She with her ‘Don’t mess with me’ attitude makes you either go crazy about this 19 year old or hating her especially if you are a female (All females in the show hates her). She is less feminine by her attitude but surely not by her looks. I was greatly attracted to this girl, may be her attitude does the magic.

Attraction apart, it would surely be a bit difficult to always have her attitude around. I mean in real life having a Girl friend with such ‘wonderful’ attitude might be,just a bit diificult. BUT why bother when I am at a safe distance from the TV and can change the channel whenever I want to. As long as she is within the walls of my Idiot Box, I love this girl and would feast on her attitude and equally gorgeous eyes.

Say whatever, the fact is GurBani is ‘DIFFERENT’ and has got the charm.

She surely is the show and would end-up winning the game. And I believe the MTV guys have already taken note of this lady and maybe she could be the next host for Rodies 5.

**************************************

I have been getting Max hit for this perticular blog about Bani.

The Rodies 4 has finally come to an end with Anthony being declared the winner and Bani the runner up.If the entire show is ‘scripted’ like the WWF,as some claim,hats off to the script writer.Atleast its better than some of our bollywood movies these days.

I don’t mind admitting that I have been taken over by the show and that when I saw the finals, wished Bani and Anthony were together rest of thier life.From what was shown on the show ,they are made for each other,they actually seem to complete each other.It may sound like wishing ‘Raj’ and ‘Simran’ (DDLJ yaar) to have twins………..

Here are few links to the Rodies 4 vedios:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdgF4TUxGh0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsN2_NkHWIA

This was a case that explained me the meaning of stuffs like ‘Power of Media’ or ‘The Public Opinion’.This was a case in which Manu sharma and others were earlier acquitted due to lack of evidence. It was luckily also the time when the competition between the English-news-channel giants CNN-IBN and NDTV was heating up. And with this acquittal making news, the channels, with what ever the intentions, took upon themselves the responsibility to generate public opinion against the Verdict.

And with the cultism of ‘Rang De Basanti’ still in the air, Candle marches, Signature & SMS campaigns were organized. Even I persuaded many of my friends and relations to join the SMS campaign. Though there were some articles written about the kind of money these channels along with the mobile operator were reaping, these did have their effect of successfully coercing the Delhi Police to appeal against the acquittal. And maintained the heat until the justice was finally done.

Whatever was the real intend of the media it did wonders in re-establishing peoples faith in Justice. Finally we have something look with hope when except the doors to god everything else seems closed.

This would surely mark a refreshing change in the Indian temperament, with media attaining the power it never had in the history of Independent India!!!!

After seeing the movie I searched the net for the reviews on the movie, but was shocked to see that the ‘great critics’ have rated it one. But felt relieved that at least the people who commented about the articles felt the other way. The film did bomb at the box-office, but that’s no measure of a movie bozo films like ‘Don’ & ‘Dhoom2′ do well at the Indian box-office where as the movies like ‘AA’,”CC’ & MAHH -gud movies with less know stars – bomb.

The tastes of people would change for sure, but may be ‘Ahista Ahista’

The video has a interesting theme.It has been well choreographed and enacted. Though a mushy stuff it looks nice and syncs well with the song.

That’s all for the appreciation for the video that made me droop the remote for some time.

Today found lady P’s scrap informing me of her wedding. This was a one of my childhood crushes (-That reminds me another of my child crush is also getting married soon, “God!! Am I lucky or what!!”) .It would date back to the start of 90′s.

She was a pretty little girl from Kerala , settled in Vizag then. And I was as good as am now and that makes me lousy with girls. Though I looked damm gud (tats self hypnotism…its makes u confident) but it somehow didn’t attract the female species.

So as a matured person (yes!! at the age of 10…it even surprises me at times) I realized that it was not my age to bother abt attracting  girls and decided to keep  it for my ‘later years’.

And now I never even bother think wat happened in the ‘ Latter Years’

My case can be titled ‘Ustad & the Divas’ ,the only thing is that The Ustad knew the Divas but Divas never knew who the ustad was.

Jumping back to the present:

I got her number from Siva and called to congratulate her on the find of her life.

She was nice and spoke well. We spoke for about 8 min (that’s a pretty long time considering my standard)

I enquired abt her’s and she abt my family and other usual conversation stuff. Though she was one who suggested ending the conversation. It was altogether nice. Although it didn’t generate in me the so-called ‘NOSTALGIC ENZYMES’ when I was in conversation with her, it did make me feel good.

Let me quickly start. Last Saturday my sis called to invite me to my nieces’ birthday party. So on the way back home I dropped in at the H&C stores to buy my niece few storybooks as gift. You usually gift people the things u expect others to gift you back. But there was also a novel intention after my buying her books. I want to incite in her the interest to read.am counting on her to growup and read all my posts.

I was expecting mother to make up some reasons not to avoid yet another gathering. But some how she got dressed up on time and we reached my sis house.As usual am losing the steam to write further about this. Anyways am forcing myself to finish it off. So there I was, in the party. Feeling very uncomfortable, as there were very few people I knew or rather people I was comfortable with. I was trying to make my mom feel easy by sitting with her in the drawing room where all the women were gathered. After some time my mother started shoo-ing me away, asking me to go to the living room where there were all the men were seated.

Then arrived my aunt with her daughters and I did what I naturally am best in, I almost ignored them just bcoz I didn’t want to take the trouble of not ignoring them. Sounds stupid but it happens with me.

I waited desperately for the lunch to be served. Finally someone called for the Feast saving my dad & me from the total uneasiness. I finished it and rushed out with my parents. As I approached the gate I could feel the oxygen gushing into my lungs, I was literally suffocating earlier.

One day I will surely find the cure for all this.

Plz don’t be scared away by this…I will improve with each post…am very sure

….Almost…

Everyone is writing, reading and taking about Gadhigiri .May be am the one who is the last to join this vogue. This,the movie and the ‘josh’ generated, would turn out to be a fad as some people say, but surly ‘Gandhigiri’ coined by the movie ‘Lage raho munnabhai’ has generated some interest in Gandhism or something synonymous to good, nice and godly.

The things shown in the movie may not exactly be practicle and shouldn’t even be expected to. It’s after all a movie. Its at least successful in permeating the idea across people. And the people behind movie are to be lauded for that.

Criticism shouldn’t be just to criticize & to satisfy the cynical hunger.

There were articles, which said that the stuff shown in the movie is anything but practicality. It said for that matter, even Gandhi’s ideologies would never have worked if it were not the British who ruled us. The author said if it were the Nazis, ‘Dandhi march’ would have been a totter with few people coming alive out of it. It does make sense that for such acts to be successful both parties should go by the law. But does that abridge the fact that the heart & soul of the entire nation was put behind that and it was indeed successful.

It also makes sense that Nehru nor Gandhi would have never been able to write in the prisons- writings which played major role in maintaining the passion in the hearts of the nation- if the British didn’t go by the law. But that again don’t deserve a mention among the extolments for the literary works of these men, which not only woke the then generation but also kept them awoke at least till the freedom.

Such were their powerful words and ideas.

Movies like ‘Rang de basanti’ , ‘Munnabhai ‘ should be encouraged, made and appreciated- though this generation seems to awaken with a movie and then go back to sleep until the next one’s released. We should be happy that at least the sleep is broken at times.