Mumbai. Different people describe this city differently. City of dreams, 'mayanagri', a city that takes in everyone are jus few of them. we have seen quite a lot of such descriptions on celluloid. Also when the city is attacked and the very next day people in the city are back to work. It happened on 26/7,11/7 and 26/11. They say the city bounces back quite soon.
But what is all this from the view of a bombayite(or shuld i say mumbaikar...lets leave that for some other post).
I, having been stayed in here for all my life always felt why is it that such a big deal is being made about people going back to the normal life. I got a satisfactory answer while walking my way on a busy weekday morning-afternoon on the busy streets of mumbai.
If you go on a stroll on one of the busiest road which is used by most top exectives of the top companies to go to work....u'll also find one of the poorer sections of the population on the very same road. they may be selling stuff on the signals, or may be having their own vada-pav and tea stalls, or may be serving as the watchman to the very same buildings, or may be driving for these executives,or may work as labourers in construction of buildings, or serving us in the udipi resturants. These people are mostly migrants. They come here leaving their home in search of greener pastures. They cannot afford to take days off at leisure. They are mostly on daily-wages. They have to send maximum possible money back home for the livelyhood of the family. They have to have to go for work.
Also you see people in the cars on these crowded road. AM sure all of them will be complaining about the traffic on the road so much so that on somedays it may actually be possible to reach on cycle earlier than in your luxurious four-wheeler.
While walking on the roads of the city which boasts of more than 1% of the country's population-about 1.2 crore by 2001 census- what can be the odds of meeting someone you know randomly on a road which is nowhere near your home or work. Just then I met a friend right there. So if you have been living in the city and socialize a bit, you will keep bumping into people you know when you are least expecting it.
Then I also went to BSE, the place on which India's Economy depends to a large extent. The richest people of the city or country are at those enviable positions because a lot is at stake in this building. Though now after so many security concerns this building is guarded like a fort but the area around the building is far from being opulent. Except for the extra security the area is just like any other area of the city - same bhelpuri wallas, same udipi restaurants etc.
On my way back home I reached from CST to home in abt 70 min. Got a fast train very soon with a seat to sit at 8p.m. then got a rickshaw soon at thane station with almost zero stopping because of traffic or signals.
Also if you have a walk on the streets of the city even after mid-night they are reasonably safe - definitely more than any other part of the country. In that sense Mumbai gives more freedom to its citizens than rest of the country.
So in all I had a really good day.Not just because of the above described but I realized how lucky I am to be born in a city like Mumbai and even more lucky to be born in a reasonably well to do family. Would especially like to thank my father for giving me such a wonderful life...Thanks PA...
Friday, December 10, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Pakistani players - IPL saga
A lot has been said and written about the exclusion of Pakistani players in this years’ IPL. Let me write here of what me as a common Indian thinks about this issue.
Way back on 9th December Mr. Lalit Modi hinted that it will be difficult to include Pakistani players as they were unable to get the visas to play in India. The next day four Pakistani players were granted the visas for IPL III. But Mr. Modi said that these players remain suspended as they failed to meet 7th December deadline.
Now coming to the 19th January auction, none of the eleven Pakistani players got bidders. And this rejection of the players is been blown up everywhere. Who is responsible for exclusion of these players? Pakistanis blames Indian government for the fiasco. Indian government says that it has nothing to do with IPL and they haven’t given any suggestions to the IPL or BCCI. IPL organizers on their part say that like they government even they did not issue any diktat against the Pakistani players and it was the franchises who did not select the players. Basically everyone was trying to pass the buck. At this stage the franchises’ came ahead and faced it by saying that they were not sure if the Pakistani players will be permitted to play in IPL because of the political tension between the two neighbours. Doesn’t it make business sense? How can someone put hundreds of thousand dollars on some players and then end up not getting their services. Franchises were completely right on their part. They are in IPL only for one reason – business. They will obviously look ways to make profits from whatever they do.
After about a week of media dance over the issue, some franchise owners came ahead and were willing to take Pakistani players on board. Again they were doing this only after thinking of their business first. Firstly they had to shell out lesser money for the players now since they were being taken out of the auction and also the chances of they being denied permission by the government were negligible now because each and every step of all involved parties will not only be watched but will also be scrutinized thoroughly by the media.
But this move of the owners was not welcomed by a political party in Mumbai which first protested against Mr. Ambani and then against Mr. Shah Rukh Khan. They have threatened that they will not let their other businesses to function normally (Mr. Ambani’s retail chain and Mr. Khan’s upcoming movie). How can you expect these owners now to go ahead and extend an olive branch to the Pakistani players?
Last year, when Pakistani players were not taken in IPL, inspite of the fact that it was being held outside India, these players did not express their disappointment. They are doing so as they were instigated by some politicians who immediately made it a political issue by commenting on it.
Thus I would say the one who is to be blamed for this fiasco are the politicians on both sides of the border. They should abstain from commenting impulsively.
Above stated are my views on the issue. If you think I am going wrong somewhere, please feel free to correct me.
Way back on 9th December Mr. Lalit Modi hinted that it will be difficult to include Pakistani players as they were unable to get the visas to play in India. The next day four Pakistani players were granted the visas for IPL III. But Mr. Modi said that these players remain suspended as they failed to meet 7th December deadline.
Now coming to the 19th January auction, none of the eleven Pakistani players got bidders. And this rejection of the players is been blown up everywhere. Who is responsible for exclusion of these players? Pakistanis blames Indian government for the fiasco. Indian government says that it has nothing to do with IPL and they haven’t given any suggestions to the IPL or BCCI. IPL organizers on their part say that like they government even they did not issue any diktat against the Pakistani players and it was the franchises who did not select the players. Basically everyone was trying to pass the buck. At this stage the franchises’ came ahead and faced it by saying that they were not sure if the Pakistani players will be permitted to play in IPL because of the political tension between the two neighbours. Doesn’t it make business sense? How can someone put hundreds of thousand dollars on some players and then end up not getting their services. Franchises were completely right on their part. They are in IPL only for one reason – business. They will obviously look ways to make profits from whatever they do.
After about a week of media dance over the issue, some franchise owners came ahead and were willing to take Pakistani players on board. Again they were doing this only after thinking of their business first. Firstly they had to shell out lesser money for the players now since they were being taken out of the auction and also the chances of they being denied permission by the government were negligible now because each and every step of all involved parties will not only be watched but will also be scrutinized thoroughly by the media.
But this move of the owners was not welcomed by a political party in Mumbai which first protested against Mr. Ambani and then against Mr. Shah Rukh Khan. They have threatened that they will not let their other businesses to function normally (Mr. Ambani’s retail chain and Mr. Khan’s upcoming movie). How can you expect these owners now to go ahead and extend an olive branch to the Pakistani players?
Last year, when Pakistani players were not taken in IPL, inspite of the fact that it was being held outside India, these players did not express their disappointment. They are doing so as they were instigated by some politicians who immediately made it a political issue by commenting on it.
Thus I would say the one who is to be blamed for this fiasco are the politicians on both sides of the border. They should abstain from commenting impulsively.
Above stated are my views on the issue. If you think I am going wrong somewhere, please feel free to correct me.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Valentines Day - What the Fuss!!!
Yes exactly.what the fuss!!! why is so much hype made on it. The only reason I can see is selfish interest of some politicians.
Valentines Day is celebrated all over the world as it symbolizes a day for love. This LOVE need not be always that a guys feels for a gal.it can be one a child feels for parents(or the other way) or what siblings feel for each other or for that matter even friends feel it. Mostly it is expressed by couples as there is more need to express it there. Other Relationship feel less need for the same. I don't know the reason but this is what generally happens.
Till a couple of years back Mumbai used to witness regular protests by Shiv Sena on this day. last year MNS was seen instead of SS. Now this phenomenon of protesting has took a national scale with Shri Ram Sena planning to Protest this year. All this Protest is just to gain free publicity by the ever hungry media which need things to fill its 24-hour service and 24 pages. Who had heard of someone named Mudalik 2- months back. He is the chief of Shri ram Sena whose workers molested women in a Manglore pub and these parties claim that they are saving them from the 'BAD' modern culture. But some one needs to tell them that by going to a pub or by celebrating valentines day, people are not breaking any rules. Infact they have the right to do so as they are citizens of a free country.Freedom of Expression is a right of every individual.
Am also sure that if any of these politicians si wished on the 14th by a family member he will reciprocate in similar manner. If at all he opposes it, it will be just for the heck of it.
GUYS PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP YOUR DESIRES FOR THESE POLITICIANS. THEY JUST WANT TO STAY IN NEWS FOR SOME OR OTHER REASON. IF WE DONT ENCOURAGE IT,THEY WILL LOOK FOR BETTER WAYS TO STAY IN NEWS. HOPE THIS REASON HAPPENS TO BE SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS THE SOCIETY AND DISCOURAGE THIS NON-SENSE.EXPRESS YOUR LOVE THIS VALENTINES DAY.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.
Valentines Day is celebrated all over the world as it symbolizes a day for love. This LOVE need not be always that a guys feels for a gal.it can be one a child feels for parents(or the other way) or what siblings feel for each other or for that matter even friends feel it. Mostly it is expressed by couples as there is more need to express it there. Other Relationship feel less need for the same. I don't know the reason but this is what generally happens.
Till a couple of years back Mumbai used to witness regular protests by Shiv Sena on this day. last year MNS was seen instead of SS. Now this phenomenon of protesting has took a national scale with Shri Ram Sena planning to Protest this year. All this Protest is just to gain free publicity by the ever hungry media which need things to fill its 24-hour service and 24 pages. Who had heard of someone named Mudalik 2- months back. He is the chief of Shri ram Sena whose workers molested women in a Manglore pub and these parties claim that they are saving them from the 'BAD' modern culture. But some one needs to tell them that by going to a pub or by celebrating valentines day, people are not breaking any rules. Infact they have the right to do so as they are citizens of a free country.Freedom of Expression is a right of every individual.
Am also sure that if any of these politicians si wished on the 14th by a family member he will reciprocate in similar manner. If at all he opposes it, it will be just for the heck of it.
GUYS PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP YOUR DESIRES FOR THESE POLITICIANS. THEY JUST WANT TO STAY IN NEWS FOR SOME OR OTHER REASON. IF WE DONT ENCOURAGE IT,THEY WILL LOOK FOR BETTER WAYS TO STAY IN NEWS. HOPE THIS REASON HAPPENS TO BE SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS THE SOCIETY AND DISCOURAGE THIS NON-SENSE.EXPRESS YOUR LOVE THIS VALENTINES DAY.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
How India functions.......
Right now there is a lot of energy in the mass public against the authorities especially politicians. So much has been said and written against them. This blog partly does that but if you see it in the way I see it, it doesn’t.
It is very important for us to understand how our country functions. All this what I will be writing over here is known to the school going children as they study all this in their theory but when it comes to using it in practical life, we don’t remember lessons taught to us in school. What I am trying to do here is recollect as much as I can and am writing it here. I want my readers to read all this carefully and try to understand what I am trying to convey. Also I request all of you to correct me wherever you find me wrong.
There are three main pillars on which our country functions: 1- Administrative. 2- Legislative.3- Judiciary.
Administrative is class of people who are into government jobs. It includes everyone from the National Security Advisor to the various IAS, IPS, IFS officers to the people working in postal department, municipal bodies of different cities, towns, metros to the one who sweeps the roads of your city to the one who collects garbage from your building. All these people work so that the majority of us live a comfortable life. Now the question is how do these people get these jobs? The people at the higher levels in the hierarchy of various govt. organizations are selected through various competitive examinations like civil services examination for IAS, IPS etc. and various other examinations for various other posts. These examinations are very difficult to clear and are not such that any Tom, Dick or Harry may clear it. So basically these people must have gone through some sacrifices to get what they have got.
When India got independence, our countries constitution was made. This constitution is nothing but a rule book to be followed not only by the citizens but also by the visitors to the country. The judicial system was built in order to take care that the rules are being followed and the ones who were found not to be following them were to be punished. Thus even judiciary holds a very important place in the smooth functioning of the nation. The ones who constitute the judiciary system are the lawyers and the judges. Anyone who studies the law from a recognized institute and clears the required examination becomes can practice as a lawyer. These lawyers after gaining some experience can apply and become judges. There is also a hierarchy followed in the judicial system. There are various courts where any matter in which law is not followed is reported. There is a Supreme Court which has the highest authority. Each state has a High Court which is at the highest level in that state. There are various district and sessions courts under all the high courts. You have any complaint report it in the court by filing a case. If you are not satisfied with the judgment made by the court you can appeal in the higher court.
As India is a democracy the people should have the supreme power in the country. And it is so the people have the supreme power. But it is practically possible to get each and every persons opinion regarding any matter. Hence we have a Legislative assembly which does the work. The legislative assembly constitutes of an upper house and a lower house. The people in the upper house are the ones who are elected by the people. These are the people for whom you will be voting in the 2009 assembly elections or the general elections. The people in the upper house are the ones who are selected the elected candidates. A similar legislature exists in each state. There is also a similar legislature in various municipal bodies. All these people are selected by us. We have a responsibility which is bigger than that of all these people and that responsibility is that of to elect the best suitable candidate to represent in the constituency of which you are a part. When you vote in the next elections have a look at the candidates beforehand. Try to get as much knowledge about them as you can and then decide which candidate is the most suitable for your constituency. Please do not vote the candidate with respect to the political party he/she belongs to. Also do not vote with the opinion that,‘ I want xyz party to win in the election and so I will vote for this party irrespective of the candidate’. If you do so then you should not play a spoilsport by criticizing the candidate. It is not important to just vote but to vote by applying your brains.
So next time you have a election in your area don’t just vote but think and vote
Monday, December 1, 2008
lessons to be learnt from 26/11 Mumbai attacks
What Mumbai has seen in last 5 days is something that none of us would even think of having been repeating again.
The reports that i have heard is that IB knew of two things: first being the attacks could happen through sea and second is that there was a threat to TAJ. Taj was informed and i believe that they took all possible steps to awoid these attacks on them.still inspite of this the attacks took place not because they were any less prepared it was because they have a limitation to what they can do.
Now suppose it the cost guards or navy or all those concerned in guarding our seas would have taken care i am pretty sure that even if these attacks could not have been avoided atleast the damage would have been much less.A very popular English news channels under the leadership of a very popular journalist telecasts a string operation that they conducted on these concerned authorities atleast more then a year ago of how anyone could easily enter out country without even a single person looking at him forget about stopping him. well it could be that those intruders also saw this string operation when it was first telecast and could have got inspiration that it is not that difficult to enter this country.
We need to find a solution to the problem of terrorism."Enough is Enough" this is what the media seems to be saying as of now. Since the night of 26/11 have hardly seen anything on news channels not related to the 26/11 carnage. well this is what the media does time and again. atleast of what i remember, it happened during 26 july deluge as well as during the 7/11 train blasts.(cant comment on 1993 blasts as i was too young to make an attempt to understand all these things) I do not mean to say that media is wrong but its not even right.they are doing the job well of inspiring people but alongwith that they are also making news in such a way so as to boost their TRPs and cash in on this time.A popular Hindi news channel again under the leadership of another popular journalist telecast a conversation of what they spoke to one of the terrorists. That is one of the most ridiculous things i have seen by a news channel.well if i had the powers i would certainly take some action against them or book them under some case.they seem to be exploiting the freedom of expression
LESSON FOR THE MEDIA:they should be a bit more responsible.
Since i am in a criticizing mode how can i not be like all others. i take this opportunity also to say something about our politicians.its high time that they realize that their VVIP status comes with a very BIG responsibility of taking care of this huge country.i do understand things like 'our country is too big to handle' ' they no of policemen per thousand people is least then any other country' .................I know it is a difficult task but not an impossible one. i have always believed that the people at highest positions must have some experience and must have some special ability but i fail to understand what made the CM take his actor son and a bollywood director on a "sight seeing trip to TAJ" or what made the Dy.CM make a comment like"bade bade shahron mein aise chote chote hadse hote rehte hain"
LESSON FOR POLITICIANS: understand and live upto the responsibility you have been given else quit the job
Third and the most important section that needs to learn form this is U and ME- the 'aam janta'.
Till when will we keep seeing all this and writing blogs like this one to express our opinions/anger. why not do something that will make things here happen.
first thing please vote next time and vote for your candidate next time you cast your vote.dont vote for the political party.
We say that politicians getting all this security and they use it just to show off their status and a huge no of such tantrums are bombarded on the politicians. why cant some of us who have the capability dont enter it.they say yeh ek gandi naali hai. but people who say this should realize that yeh gandi naali koh saaf karna hai toh kissi ko toh is naali mein utarna padega
Well its not only this that we need to learn from these attacks. there are a whole lot of things. if you think you yourself can think of huge no of them.the thing you need to start doing is to start thinking
The reports that i have heard is that IB knew of two things: first being the attacks could happen through sea and second is that there was a threat to TAJ. Taj was informed and i believe that they took all possible steps to awoid these attacks on them.still inspite of this the attacks took place not because they were any less prepared it was because they have a limitation to what they can do.
Now suppose it the cost guards or navy or all those concerned in guarding our seas would have taken care i am pretty sure that even if these attacks could not have been avoided atleast the damage would have been much less.A very popular English news channels under the leadership of a very popular journalist telecasts a string operation that they conducted on these concerned authorities atleast more then a year ago of how anyone could easily enter out country without even a single person looking at him forget about stopping him. well it could be that those intruders also saw this string operation when it was first telecast and could have got inspiration that it is not that difficult to enter this country.
We need to find a solution to the problem of terrorism."Enough is Enough" this is what the media seems to be saying as of now. Since the night of 26/11 have hardly seen anything on news channels not related to the 26/11 carnage. well this is what the media does time and again. atleast of what i remember, it happened during 26 july deluge as well as during the 7/11 train blasts.(cant comment on 1993 blasts as i was too young to make an attempt to understand all these things) I do not mean to say that media is wrong but its not even right.they are doing the job well of inspiring people but alongwith that they are also making news in such a way so as to boost their TRPs and cash in on this time.A popular Hindi news channel again under the leadership of another popular journalist telecast a conversation of what they spoke to one of the terrorists. That is one of the most ridiculous things i have seen by a news channel.well if i had the powers i would certainly take some action against them or book them under some case.they seem to be exploiting the freedom of expression
LESSON FOR THE MEDIA:they should be a bit more responsible.
Since i am in a criticizing mode how can i not be like all others. i take this opportunity also to say something about our politicians.its high time that they realize that their VVIP status comes with a very BIG responsibility of taking care of this huge country.i do understand things like 'our country is too big to handle' ' they no of policemen per thousand people is least then any other country' .................I know it is a difficult task but not an impossible one. i have always believed that the people at highest positions must have some experience and must have some special ability but i fail to understand what made the CM take his actor son and a bollywood director on a "sight seeing trip to TAJ" or what made the Dy.CM make a comment like"bade bade shahron mein aise chote chote hadse hote rehte hain"
LESSON FOR POLITICIANS: understand and live upto the responsibility you have been given else quit the job
Third and the most important section that needs to learn form this is U and ME- the 'aam janta'.
Till when will we keep seeing all this and writing blogs like this one to express our opinions/anger. why not do something that will make things here happen.
first thing please vote next time and vote for your candidate next time you cast your vote.dont vote for the political party.
We say that politicians getting all this security and they use it just to show off their status and a huge no of such tantrums are bombarded on the politicians. why cant some of us who have the capability dont enter it.they say yeh ek gandi naali hai. but people who say this should realize that yeh gandi naali koh saaf karna hai toh kissi ko toh is naali mein utarna padega
Well its not only this that we need to learn from these attacks. there are a whole lot of things. if you think you yourself can think of huge no of them.the thing you need to start doing is to start thinking
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