Indian Ethical Values in President's Address

President Patil (Yes we have a President and her name once again is Pratibha Patil) made the following statement inher speech on the eve of Republic day while refering to the scam and recent economic losses in Dalal Street - “The traditional Indian ethics emphasised saving wisely, investing productively and not borrowing more than the capacity to repay. These hold valuable lessons for the business world.”

How about Indian Govt demanding money from tax payers (Sometimes even in advance!) without any capacity whatsoever to "repay" through governance and administration. Was Madam President refering to that?

Going to God...

My daughter off late has been massaging in her head the thoughts of "going to God". When someone dies, he "goes to God" was an explanation that we had offered. She has lots of rejoinders to that:
1. If you grow old and only the we go to God, I will grow old slowly.
2. If God alone knows when He is going to take us, we can ask Him. Can't we?
3.Krishna is a good boy and my friend. He will tell me when He is going to call me or you or amma.

When I asked her, "whom do you want to go to God first and whom last?",she said,"We will all go last and Sundara Patti will go first" (all this talk came about only after Sundara Patti "went to God" sometime back).

Celebrating Democracy

Obama's inauguration ceremony costed the treasury $170 Million. It was a momentous occasion and it may deem fit enough to spend all that money from the treasury. Its also interesting that the REAL cost of the ceremony was more than just that. It also includes all the effort, time and money spent by the people who thronged the Mall in Washington and others who followed elsewhere elsehow. This made me wonder about the Republic Day Parade that I am used to witnessing each year on the 26th of January in NewDelhi. A number of Govt departments take part in it and a lot of people witness it as well by thronging the Rajpath. We realize that there are two types of Cost associated with these "Public" Celebrations of Democracy - A State Cost that all the Tax Payers pay and a private cost for all those who wish to follow it.

It made me wonder about the Democracy and Celebrations relating to that. Democracy very similar to "The Law" is reflected in "The State" and the process of forming "The State". Niether "The State" nor "The Law" knows emotions, hunger, pain, anger or any other feelings. If that is the case how can there be a Democratic Celebration? It cannot be said that ALL people would like to celebrate the Day or all people may not like to celebrate it the way "The State" chooses to. So, how is it justified in using tax payer money for Celebrating Democracy? Does that mean there cant be another Republic Day Parade or an inauguration Ceremony like the one Obama had? No. This is democracy. Its possible. I am sure if people could be allowed to contribute to a celebration fund that could be used to stage these events, I am sure it is possible. When millions throng to attend the ceremony, wont it be easy to get the $170 Million funding through public contribution? If people love to support the ritual, then more money will be collected and more money can be spent. But if people are not interested in the ritual, it would just die out. Fair. Ain't it?

Please liberate the Tax payer.

PS: Going by public funding assumption, guess the support and the scale of support the following would have had - Inauguration Ceremony of Obama, Sangamam State function of TamilNadu, Republic Day Parade, Independence Day Address, Beating the Retreat function after the Republic Day, Flag hoisting ceremony at Wagah Border, Karnataka Day Celebrations, Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (Indian Diaspora Day) etc...

India's MEA action against Terror - Bark! Bark! Bark!

Just take a look at the statements made by our honorable Minister of External Affairs - Pranab Da over the LAST ...No not since 26/1... No not since a month...Yes, Over the Last WEEK!
Yes, that's right. Over the LAST WEEK. Does he think issuing these statements will keep the JuD, LeT Al -whatever at bay? Does he think make HIMSELF a Terror watchdog barking away to keep intruders away from his master's house?

(And Sagarika Ghose et al will have the evening question to analyse for each of those statements...Great job!)
........
Mukherjee for global alliance to dismantle terror infrastructure
Make nations pay for abetting in terror: Pranab
Friends of terror must be made to pay heavy price, says Pranab
No link between Islam and terror: Pranab
India says it will take its own action
Pranab gives in, says Pak can try terror suspects
Pranab rules out Israel type action against Pakistan
Mukherjee flays Islamabad's 'flip-flop' on Mumbai attack
All options open if Pak does not act: Pranab
We will provide proof but Pakistan must act: Pranab
Nothing to de-escalate, says Mukherjee
Pranab rubbishes Pak claim that India created war hysteria
Mukherjee urges Pakistan to join hands against terrorism
Pranab urges Pakistan not to divert attention
‘Pakistan does opposite of what it says’: Pranab
.......

My dear Daughter...

Ramayana and Mahabaratha stories are ruling the roost at our home these days - thanks to my daughter's obsession with those stories. This evening, when I was reading something on the internet, she comes up and says, " I did not know that Arjuna also was Draupadi's husband". I said, "Draupadi was only one of Arjuna's wives. He also had other wives - Chitrangada, Subhadra, Uloopi etc.". I then asked her, "How many wives does appa have?" for which she promptly replied, "TWO.". I was surprised and asked, "HOW?". She explains, "One amma and another I will grow up to be one". I then followed up and said, "Hey dear, you are my daughter and will be so forever. When you grow up you will have someone else as your husband." She added with some tear collecting on the corners of her eyes, "No. But when I grow up I want to be always with you and amma." I just hugged her and said, "Don't worry. I wont leave your side."

Are strong emotions blinding?

As a third party to the conflict in Eelam, there are some questions that I would like to ask - Is it impossible to even think of a situation there without the LTTE? What will happen if the LTTE surrenders unconditionally? Wont that put pressure on SL Govt to come up with confidence building measures with Tamils all over SL? Wont India also be forced to support the tamils on the issue more vocifeously?
I do not mean to disrespect anyone's emotions in this or undermine anyone's or any organization's role or respect?
I am just wondering about the recent conflict resolutions that have happened in the country in the last couple of decades.
The Punjab conflict evened out ONLY after Khalisthan surrendered. The Bodo conflict eased out only after the Bodo Liberation Tigers folded in to The India State. This is not to mean that Khalisthan or Bodo leaders ceased to be leaders now. They are still very much respected in their parts as fathers of their voices. The only problem with conflict resolution in modern democracies is that Democracies are indifferent to any revolting faction by nature. The remaining part of the democratic sovereign crystallizes into the "Anti - Revolting Faction" mindset and now the scenario is antagonistic and not aiding any resolution. But the moment the revolting faction folds in, then all of a sudden democracies get forced to show political respect. Having said this, the revolt plays the role of sensitizing The Democratic State to listen and get attention. But beyond that, I don't see any credible role for revolt.

Constant Discoveries in Life

Isn't life full of constant discoveries? Sometimes each minute, sometimes each day. My daughter woke up this morning and was unaware that it was her daddy's birthday but when she was reminded of that by her mom, she was overawed by the fact that it was her "pappa's" birthday. She was very jumpy - jumpier than ususal and when I dropped her in her class - there she went advertising to every body - her teachers, her friends that it was her daddy's birthday and wanted her class to sing me the happy birthday song. I had been thinking that my daughter is in general in love with the notion of birthdays because of the goodies that come with it. But I learnt today that she is more refined than that. There were no cakes, nothing great really in the morning as well and there she was elated because it was her daddy's birthday. Oh my dear daughter!