Why America in always on the anvil?

Two things that define the 20th century world are Petroleum and USA. Of course the two things are intertwined; for hadn't it been Oil, America wouldn't have dragged it's foot in so much mire as it had. Personally speaking I, myself, am not a big fan of USA given that its the same country that sent its naval ship against India during the war of 1971 and its the same country that continues to fund Pakistan's military budget (even though implicitly) but the thing that has alarmed me in recent times is criticism of Uncle Sam from a select few countries.

I would be more specific here and point out to three countries - North Korea, Venezuela and Iran. Its rather funny to find that leaders of these countries- Kim Jong Ill, Hugo Chavez and Mahmoud Ahmedinijad are either dictators themselves or are running them anyways implicitly. There are blatant human rights violations in these countries, unstable financial conditions (except Iran, I would say here) but still the focal point of the leaders of these countries seems to be lambasting America on even the minutest of issues. whenever I think of this my naive mind can up with only three reason to explain rather abnormal behavior of these countries:

1. USA with its historical record is no hero in eyes of many a people and leaders of these countries want to thrive on those feelings to gain popularity. UK and USA were seen as main villain in Iran and were seen to be the guardians of the monarchy over there prior to Islamic Revolution in 1979. America's involvement in the Korean war and its "big Daddy" role in western hemisphere justifies hatred of North Korea and Venezuela. But take another of america's victims Vietnam- the country most savaged by USA and its belligerent policies. But this decided to move on and is presently one of the most thriving economies of the world. I don't say that Vietnam in any way has forgot the trauma of Vietnam war but it is focusing on rather more important issues now. The leaders of the aforementioned countries , on the contrary, still like to dig old graves.

2. USA provides a perfect shield for these leaders to shield their own shortcomings. Have a look at North Korea. The country still lives in darkness, literally, the only urbanized place is PyongYang, their capital, and most of its citizen living below poverty line. Few days back I saw a documentary where many North Koreans were shown making prior appointments for cataract operation and somehow they were made to believe cataract operation was more important and expensive than say cancer treatment. And in their ignorance those patients really believed in what they were said and thanked Kim Jong Ill, like God,for the operation. And in this country the only news that makes headlines is USA.

3. Lastly USA plays a perfect deviation for these leaders to carry out their black propaganda. Take Hugo Chavez for instance. This guy has been making many a attempts to land himself absolute power and infinite term but the only news we get out of Venezuela is Chavez's criticizing USA for this or that reason.

Its true that people of these countries have their hatred for USA but so does the citizens of many other country, but while other countries have moved on and are catering to more important issues, people here are still stuck with USA and reason their leaders. Its time they should move on to and look for other important matters.

Spontaneous!!!

I was relaxing on Jhaji's bed, getting my back straight as the bed had no cushion... suddenly taste of dosa ran across my mouth...asked to Pankaj "feel like eating dosa?"...replied in affirmative and there we went...not thinking about 40+ temperature outside and 70+ humidity...now thats spontaneous.
Not long ago I used to take spontaneous as whimsical, having a notion that spontaneity may lead to wrong results but not anymore. Of course I am yet not as spontaneous as many people are, I might not even be counted as one yet, but for a person like me, who used to make every decision from brain and not allowed spinal cord(master of reflex action) to even control blinking of eyes, I think its a long stride.
Now most of my decisions are spontaneous, even the decision to write this blog and I have no grudge that I made this change in myself for first it saves a hell lot of time used otherwise on planning and second it allows one to live life minute by minute. I have seen people thinking a lot before committing to anything and yet catastrophe occurs so why not save brain and time.
Having said that I would like to add not everything has to be spontaneous. Something in life need meticulous planning and they should be done likewise.

what has become of me!!!

I always wanted to be big, big in achievements, big in stature, big in social position rather the only place i turned to be big is size, a big stomach.
Tomorrow Microsoft is visiting our campus and I find myself well short of preparations. I have a job in hand and that too in a good firm but I never wanted to end there. I now realize somewhere, at some point of time I had become complacent. I always said to others never to allow smugness to enter into you, but unfortunately I had.
I have a good friend circle and I enjoy their companionship, but to say the truth they all seem "satisfied" with the position they are in. I always avoided this mentality but not after I got myself a job.
Here I am not lamenting but rather writing this post so that in future I don't loose my sight. Enough is enough, hopefully I won't repeat this mistake again.
Bye.

The worst mistake during my stay at ISM

You don't know why it happened once it has happened... only thing you wish is it should not have happened.
Today I made worst mistake while being at ISM. It was sudden adrenalin rush and I strangled and pushed him, even though I never intended to hurt him, he started bleeding.
But I couldn't have controlled either. Throughout my life I have lived by a rule to never talk (or ignore) to those people with whom I can get into problems( read "fight"). I take this decision only when I exhaust all methods to get along that person. Its better to leave a shimmer of hope than killing it all together by having a bad fight.
But this was not the case with this boy. He could keep from interrupting into my corner. Today was it and on a whit of provocation it came out.
Sorry for that... I cannot say sorry to him and I know I shouldn't , I am saying sorry to myself

Israel, Palestine and Waltz with Bashir

You never expect an animation movie to arouse feelings or emotions in you and certainly don’t expect it to cause an epiphany, but “Waltz with Bashir” stands different from other animations in this case. The movie is filled with emotional scenes and passions run very high towards the end of this movie.
I started watghing this movie in a subconscious state still struggling to get over the adventure I did a day before, and by the time it ended I was completely awake. To be honest here I have always tried to justify Israel’s repeated attacks on Palestine and other neighbouring countries even if it involved civilian casualties. But this Ari Folman’s movie portrayed how dirty Israel plays during wars. Standing as a mute spectator while Christian Phalangists from Lebanon were massacring Palestinian civilians in refugee camps was not expected of the Israeli forces. This makes me believe that not all the hues and cries for stopping civilian casualties, in wars involving Israel, is not without any reason. And since this movie was made by a high profile Israeli director, it further enforces my newly found belief.
But even my previous ideology that war against Palestine (to eliminate extremist groups) is justified, even if it meant civilian deaths, was not without any rationale. Amidst this entire dilemma I decided to pen my thoughts.
Only god could say whether land of Israel belong to Muslims, Jews or Christians for according to Old Testament that land was “Promised land” for the Hebrews and was first inhabited by Mosses along with his followers from Egypt , but was taken over by Muslims in the medieval era and once again transferred to Jews by United Nations. But once settlements were made Muslim nations bordering Israel should have stopped bothering Israel and let her on its own. It was their first act of provocation that turned Israel into a military state. And add to that the frequent attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas and other extremist groups and one would come to think that Israel’s attacks on its neighbours is as justified and inevitable as it gets. After all not every country has limitations like the one that India faces while dealing with Pakistan.
But having seen “ Waltz with Bashir” and thereafter reading articles on “Sabra and Shatila genocides” , I would say that any attempt to eradicate terrorist outfits must first and foremost ensure the safety of civilians. Perhaps the very reason that Israel fails to isolate civilians from war keeps on increasing the number of muslims resorting to violence against them. Exactly this is the reason US troops are facing stiff resistance from Iraqi people as they were unable to prevent civilian casualty while war and thereafter.

Not a Jingoist

15^th August 2007 – 60^th anniversary of Indian independence and a sixty years of democracy. If I had to point a single person for these 60 years of sustained democracy , it had to be the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi . Hadn’t been this person and his ideals of truth, equality and non-violence (which are certainly rooted deep in our own soul even if we fail to recognize it), we would have suffered the same fate as faced by some of the countries post their independence ( see the civil war faced by USA , tyrannous communist regime faced by USSR and its subsequent splitup and current instability in Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe ).The lone and sole threat to our democracy from within came under Indira Gandhi regime but it was met with countervailence from Jai Prakash Narayan .

Well all this about our sweet democracy. Now have a look at our reportcard of these 60 years and see where we stand . Lets mull over all those spheres which define the status of a country .

First the political realm . When I do look at the political scenario of the USA , England or France , I feel ours is the worse but when you look at of Pakistan , Thailand , Argentina or even China , I get to feel it isn’t that bad . At least we have a government which is certainly not dictatorial and is responsible towards general people ( thanks to our media which acts as playmaker here ) . Our government still don’t have the clout to stage a coup ( as is always the case in Pakistan or Thailand ). But on the other hand constant scams , scandals , libeling and slandering against others prevent our government and ruling class from being closer to perfect or even good . Insatiable appetite for power , forcing them in illegal purchasing of votes or booth capturing , does no good either . My verdict here – average.

Come to Economy. IT boom , services sector surging , manufacturing skyrocketing We are certainly one of the biggest things happening in the world . A growth rate in excess of 9 , which is just next to China , says it all . But don't you think all these are just a fig leaf to hide something gloomy deep beneath . Have a look , of all the sectors agriculture has the least growth rate ,just about 4 . Our farmers are still committing suicide . Then get to the infrastructure - our roads still having numerous potholes , there are still places where people haven't had the taste of electricity , health services still inadequate . This is exactly what is preventing India from achieving growth rate as that of china . Now to "lobbying" of money . Recently when our PM expressed worries over the staggering salary being received by some of our CEOs , a wave of protest by CEOs and business houses flashed . Right after they started to show comparisons between salary of American executives and themselves but did they had the guts to show a comparison of a general Indian and American paycheck . No . Our PM’s statement was badly misconstrued. I don't have any objections on the affluence of CEOs nor do , I think , PM has but they need to channelize some money for the welfare of poor . Recently I got to know , from an article of a reputed magazine , that some of the top CEOs and top executives indulge themselves in siphoning of money to get rid of taxes . Now thats pathetic . They need to close the chasm between the 'Plebeians' and 'Patricians' and not widen it .My verdict - good but need improvements.

Now to sports . Cricket seems to the only sports hailed by Indians . In India the athletes are recognized only when they reach the top level in their sports. No proper grooming at young age or proper facilities at grassroot level to support them . Conservative nature of Indian parents coupled with cold shoulder of the government is doing no good to the future . No verdict needed here.

Science and Education . Our literacy rate is still hanging around 65% . Rural class a further back . Research facilities , even in the best institutions , are very poor . A rare progress in Space research , medical field or nuclear technology won't make up for the general deficiency.The only thing that stands out is that education , in top institutions ,is now oriented such that the students now tend to play the the role of employment creator , rather than job filler , after their education. My verdict here - average.

Last but one of equal importance - entertainment or cinema to be precise . From Dada Saheb Phalke to Yash chopra ,about 100 years . Ours' releases the maximum number of films . We have seen some excellent movies, artists , directors but still we have only two Oscars in the bag . We suffer from acute quality shortage . But I see a safe future for Bollywood in the hands of new mavericks taking the job of directors . Their non-conformist ideas and their dareness to show the truth of real life deserves serious attention . Perhaps these things existed before but were somehow not getting the attraction of global media , now they really do. My verdict - good.

Having said all these , I would like to mention here that I am not a Pessimist but I am certainly dismal of the way we progressed . I have often compared our country with developed countries in this blog which some might say is unfair but if we want to be the best we need to compete with the best . Here I would like to quote a sentence from one of my favorite movies , Swades " Ours' is not the best country but we certainly do have the ability to be the best ".

"Made in China" . Read it as " Buyers beware"

In the recent past , China has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons (often or not China is in the news for wrong reasons ). The quality of Chinese products has always been has always been questioned by punters ( their low prices foments all the suspicion ) but seldom one does think them as life threatning.
The dog food products exported to USA , reported to have contained a cheap protein enhancing chemical melamin , proved fatal for many dogs there. In Panama , it were humans who had to loose their lives and this time by a syrup! which was meant to cure their cough and cold.Just now an American company sent back a consignment of tyres from China stating that it didn't fulfill the safety standards ( not surprised this time).
Even a decade or so back China's reportcard was not that glistening . The vaseline products exported to USA , UK and other European countries were tested positive for human parts . Its fortunate for me that I don't use those .
It seems Chinese exporters , who are already benefitting from the underevaluated Yuan , have an insatiable appetite for money which is driving them to all these. The mandarins also vacuously allow these products to be exported without verifying for their safety standards.Now to make up for loss in prestige, Chinese officials are running. They have reportedly shut down some 180 food producing factories . Well I don't think thats going to do it for them.
And with the race to acquire the topspot getting fierce , I don't think see such cases going down. So next time you buy a 'made in China' food product , first let your dog eat that!!! no, don't do that , better do'nt purchase that. Take 'Made in China' tag as "Buyers beware" or "poison" sign.