Change, I had rather live without

So, the Obamania is at its crescent, and the world is celebrating along with America, its new Hero. And it is great for the US society to have a president that comes from a disadvantaged race.

And yet, the sounds emanating from the President-elect in the first few days after the election, and even some time before, have been disconcerting. Atleast from an India perspective.

Some of these noises:

- Revive a peace dialogue between India & Pakistan on Kashmir, but WITH the USA acting as a key intermediary. This is something India has always resisted, and Bush & Clinton administrations have also agreed the way to resolve the issue has to be only bilateral. After the possible cold response from India, I read in today's papers that they have not raised the K issue in recent interactions.

- The Big O after being elected calls up 20 Heads of State in his first couple of days, including countries such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, but omits South Korea, China, India. Symbolism maybe, but for someone who got elected & got a majority of his support on the very notion of symbolism, I think it is important.

(Updated: The latest news do seem to suggest he did try to contact the PM)

- His key transition team includes the Indian origin Ms Shah, whose family has been associated with the VHP for years. Narendra Modi apparently stayed with them on his last visits a few years ago to the US. While this should not take away from the merit of the lady, it also reflects on the Obamadministration - either they have taken a rightwinger knowingly, or their multi-billion dollars were unable to screen such a key fact that Indian press could in a day. Either way, not too flaterring. Especially since Ms Palin was panned all around for her right wing thoughts.

(Updated: Ms Shah denies any links with the VHP & the Sangh Parivar)

- The India Moon mission, achieved successfully on a shoestring budget, evoked a response from the man that was neither gracious nor appreciative. The first reaction: I will increase our spendings on our space mission so we can retain our superiority over countries like India and China. Thoughts of a world leader or a petty politician ?

- Though I have not paid much attention, nor am interested, about his comments on seances, I understand he poked fun at Nancy Reagan and Hillary Clinton there. The victor making fun of past rivals?

- The noises he has made about Indian outsourcing and punishing US companies that perform outsourcing are quite well known. Again, this is sheer local popular politicking at work. Not an inclusive world leader he is being made out to be.

- And from an economic perspective, he espouses some of the worst possible policies. My previous post, here.

- And he did give a great speech, yes. All about inclusion, the challenges, and that he is going to save the Americas, and the planet. Yes, but did he even write the speech - Hillary might have done an equally good/ better job delivering the same speech, probably.

Yes, he is a great symbol. And I think it is important to recognise that, currently, that is all he is. Like people wanted change from Bush Sr., and got Clinton, they wanted respite from W and got him.

A symbol like our very own Rajiv Gandhi, a symbol of change and everything new.

I am not putting too much hope on him, No.

Am only wishing he does not have his own Monicagate or Boforsgate scandals, and if he manages only that, he will be a success as far as I am concerned.

..

My (only) good act of the week

Ah, so I too am a good citizen of the blog world. So here are some tips from a research of some of the Top Blogs around, to improve the blogging experience.

The research article is here.

And one of the suggestions in the article is to keep the web page size down, & reduce the number & size of images.

Well, for this post atleast, I am taking their advice.

Have a nice weekend.

Family Honour

We still live in medieval times, and upholding family honour is considered the 'right' thing by so many.

In 2008, here is a story of 2 girls being murdered by their cousin because they had gone on an outing without informing their family, and not telling who they had gone out with. (TOI article)

The accused obviously has grown up in an environment where it has been ingrained into him that:
> women are subservient,
> do not have the right to lead their own life
> they exist only like other living things (example, cattle)
> they are the property of the family
> Honour is about keeping your women 'pure' and 'unviolated'

And it is up to the men to ensure and protect the family honour.

While this misguided one will face the law of the land, is he the real criminal?

Or his entire family and his social circle that has given him these messages all these years?

And will they be ever punished - by law or atleast by society?

Or, will their social circle actually make a martyr out of him & his family..

My City

Isn't it lovely

Worth fighting over

Worth living for

And killing for


Worth branding with -
my religion,
my caste,
my language,
my colour,
my sex,
my authority

So that, to the next generation, I can hand over my Legacy..

My politics of division
My ability to classify every human as one or the other type
My hatred
My jealousy
My statues
And Roads, named after me, my father, my family, my dog
My ability to turn a group into a mob
To stop people thinking
To control their minds.


My legacy of vote-banks,
Mastering how to milk them
This generation
And my children will do it, the next.


Oh is not this city lovely
That it lets me be free
Free to do what I want
And pass on my legacy

..

Help!

Dear God,

I confess I have not been a believer, not till yesterday. But now, I am, and beg for Your forgiveness.

Take me into Your fold, and grant me Your blessings.

I agree, I am doing this for a selfish motive. But then, You are the all-powerful, omniscient authority, and I know You will forgive me my trespasses.

As You would also know, I have been trying, and trying hard, to get rid of my pimples. But the expensive creams, the exotic treatments, the exclusive skin clinics, have all failed me.

And I want to get married.

So God, in order to let me have a happy married life, please, please get rid of these pimples for me.

Because, God, the Courts of India have decided - it is not allowed to be pimply and married, all at once.

Oh, when, You ask? Just yesterday, God, just yesterday.

I know, its not a decision you made. But the Courts of India have made it. And now, there is nothing even You can do about it.

At best, God, you may decide if the Court judgement applies only to women, or also to men.

Help me!


Yours sincerely,
Pimply-and-unmarried

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Edited for Disclaimer:!

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction.

Posting this post does not imply that I have pimples, am unmarried, wish to/ do not wish to get married; nor does this post, in any way, indicate my sex - current or preferred.