Bhart Ratna for sportsmen

Bharat Ratna has lost its appeal. I feel pity for those who demand it for achievers who primerily excel for reasons of commercial gains (let's not forget this basic motive, collateral reason could be national pride). Similarly those who demanded this award for people of calibre like Subhash and Patel did injustice to them. If you check who all have received Bharat Ratna for political reasons it would be difficult to place Patel with them. Such honor should be reserved for very very exceptional persons and need not be given frequently but very rarely to maintian it's exclusivity. There are many more awards to choose from , for players, actors and politicians.

Mario Miranda

Mario Miranda shrunk cities in newspaper corners while creating stories in multidimensional visuals , one could even read the lips and eyes of the person caricatured most insignificantly among dozens of characters. You immortalized Bombay, you immortalized your unique style.There is no match to your art . Fortunately you made sure that you never die...RIP

Indira's grand wish from '71

In a war never had ever all happened as planned. We must count gains and determine that we won. When Pakistan invaded Indian airspace they were also not on suicidal mission . They must have been dreaming of checkmating Delhi . As Radio Pakistan used to announce (we used to hear from Radio Lahore during war as child and I still recollect) that Pakistan has taken over large areas including Amritsar, most of Punjab and are marching towards Delhi!!. But they actually and eventually failed to realize their dreams (Radio stories were reflection of those dreams only). It was a major victory for India, Indira's plans and expectations (incorporation into India southern part of Pak Occupied Kashmir, destroying Pakistani military for ever so that it should never pose any threat India in future- Indira being quoted by CIA cable to Washington ) from that war might have been too much and pleasant to expect from any war. Saying that the plans were leaked by an insider to affect the outcome is simplistic rationale to think of. This could happen anywhere even if true and it would be more of academic interest only. Setting up moles. is also war game.

"We are afraid that if nothing is done to stop it, East Pakistan will become a Bhutan and West Pakistan will become a Nepal."- Kissinger to Chinese Ambassador on December 10.

Things were not that very simple for such cables (above) to form or alter situation. This may have been one of many many resources which were determining course of action during those two weeks. It would be of interest to go through transcript of meeting on December 10 between Ambassador Huang Hua, Chinese Permanent Representative to the UN and Henry Kissinger (National Security Affairs Ambassador George Bush also there !!). The information and strategies were at far higher plane. Kissinger knew of surrender that day itself (Dec 10) as he informed Chinese.( on spy issue there is interesting part in this document Kissinger telling Huang "..We read that you brought a master spy with you... " 

so spy no big deal anywhere.) Check this http://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v11/d239

Let justice prevail with equity...

So many politician are in jail these days, some even for taking bribe of mere 3 Lakh. That's good justice. Now, why leave those who perpetuate (and lead ) violence and indulge in fake encounters to settle political score. Why not those who appeared so evidently in jain hawala diaries...why not those who sold govt. hotels for peanuts and made Crores in resales...why not those who hobnobed with terrorists in full glare of TV in name of negotiations ...why not those who sold Govt companies and let them make millions in property valuations only.... why not those who first formulated spectrum policy... why not those who sold national pride by walking to hijackers to gain false glory...And why not those who gave opportunity to Pakistan to reveal its, so far only doubted , nuclear arsenal ( +1 ours) and turned them nuclear state in one silly moment...why not those who openly impose illegal censorship on media and cinema...

Pseudo-patriots

If sedition is to be defined in its correct perspective ( damaging interests of our nation), I am sure all jails would remain full for many years with pseudo Deshbhakts who claim to issue certificats of patriotism to others while themselves gnawing at very foundation of the nation.

Illness in service sector

Apathy towards customers services from companies like Airtel, which have wide network effecting vast section of populace , actually releases cat of suspicion among politicians on efficacy of Pvt sector to serve better. Had Airtel been an individual it could as well be in Tihar jail for fleecing customers in name of high-speed UNLIMITED (?) broadband for their arbitrary definition of 'UNLIMITED' .

Earlier I had BSNL but they have no customer service concept. If net works it would go on very well but if it has to go down, no one would attend for month. And you can't make them sit up and listen any way. Govt should not be in service industry.They should set up strong regulator which has powers to punish rogue service providers and we should have easier means to register complains. TIMES Now was asked to deposit 100crore recently by court for their misadventure of showing a citizen in poor light ...that should be norm rather an exception.

Their times , our end

This is India...It would be slap on face of majority Indians, farmers and middle class consumers, who make core of national economy. Everyone s()ucks them but no one stands by them . They are taken for guaranteed. So called leaders of farmers in India would forever be villains for having failed to stand by FDI in Retail . Their true political leaning stand exposed as they take their place alongside those who have been practically holding 99% Indians at ransom for centuries. And so they would continue with bigger vigor now and feed political class who helps them loot more with impunity .

We almost live in jungle with beasts sharing consumers without any control . Let order be brought in,let prosperity of resources be shared with equity, let hoarders, adultrators be tamed with fair competition -one can always give sermons to protect and promote marginalized ones later... Let present day retail system and it's supporter be 'marginalized' for once and forced to improve 

Retail maze: Who fills Ramlila ground ?

I always used to wonder who are the people who go to Ayodhya despite such charged atmosphere. Who has so much time. Who fills up Ramlila ground. I saw none in my neighborhood willing to do so. All have jobs in hand to do. Back in my village, farmers never ventured out for such amusing expeditions for they lacked time. Then who has so much time and value system to please particular political class. It's clear now those who are supporting their cause are only repaying ...

Local retailers have been hated by public for centuries mainly for their arrogance and lately greed which is reflected in hoarding, adopting dubious means, escalation, adulteration what not. They can only be tamed with stick of efficient competition. Otherwise in a democracy voice of majority prevails and I am sure beneficiaries are several folds more. Margins will come down so the prices. If I am not happy I can write on fb, twitter, blog and make them listen to me or make them unpopular but I just can't make my local sabjiwala listen to me if he sells me artificially colored Capsicum.

It's time to expose what really plagues this nation. These are the people who corrupt low paying Govt officials to get petty contracts and make inferior supplies and then stand with Anna to appear clean. They color your vegitable and mix urea to milk, sell spurious medicines and still show you utter arrogance. They mark up price of commodities many fold and make vulgar profits . Marginalizing this class should be national aspiration.