Wing Cdr Abhinandan. Indian Media gave many a scary moment.

What a relief Wing Cdr. Abhinandan Varthaman is back. Those were difficult days from  27th Feb. to 1st March'19. To make matters worse, some TV anchors were loud and extremely hollow. Just anything could have happened. And rightly so, the release was delayed by several hours. Instead of 2.30 pm, Wing Cdr. Abhinandan  was released at 9.20 pm, Indian Standard Time. 
Wonder why the Supreme Court or senior authorities did not raise objection? Sarabjit Singh case couldn't have been forgotten so fast. 
Sarabjit Singh was not an armed forces man. But he was an Indian nonetheless. His folly was that he accidentally entered the enemy country. Since then the Indian Government was making continuous efforts to bring him back. In 2012, there came a ray of hope in the form of news that Sarabjit Singh would be released the next day. The country was jubilant. As expected, our media took to loud-mouthing. Sarabjit’s family distributed sweets and waited eagerly to receive him the next day. That’s when the enemy country took a U-turn and released Surjit Singh instead! Yet another Indian. Yes, good that Surjit Singh came home. It would have been better still if both had returned home together!  But that did not happen and Sarabjit Singh died in 2013.
Yet another thing that nobody noticed was that we stood the risk of losing the support of other countries because of our loud-mouthed media. 

Legislature, Executive, Judiciary and Press (Media) are four strong pillars of Democracy. And each should be a check on others.

Anyway, it's good that Wing Cdr. Abhinandan Varthaman is back and as per the reports he is doing well. 

Salman Khan's rape remark

Do read my latest blog on Salman Khan's rape remark-

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/so-salman-understands-horrors-rape-sulabha-dhavalikar

Media Very Unfair to Navin Nischol!

   I was in 6 or 7th class when I saw Sawan Bhadon. Rather, it was on my insistence that my parents took me for the movie.It so happened that in one of the magazines, it was mentioned that a promising young man from FTII with a Gold Medal in acting was making a debut in a movie called Sawan Bhadon opposite altogether a new heroine, Rekha. In those days going for a movie was itself a big thing. Yes, I liked the songs and the usual family drama that ensued.
Later, I happened to see 'Parwana' on TV, where Navin Nischol was the hero and Amitabh Bachchan, a villain, who kills somebody in the movie. Somehow I guess, luck did not favor the actor and he went into oblivion.
But I think God makes sure that you get your dues in life! And so one fine day,  Navin Nischol came back with a bang in the movie 'Khosla Ka Ghosla'. A superb movie that brought home the point that the actor had not won a Gold Medal for nothing! Oh! It was a real treat to watch both him and Anupam Kher together. In fact, I still watch it every time it comes on TV. I really thought that the bad days were over for Navin Nischol and that, we would get to see more of his talent in the coming years. But that was not to be!
It is really sad that the great actor passed away so suddenly. Worse still, that that the media did not cover his death properly. While so much was said about the Hollywood actress even in Hindi newspapers, Navin Nischol's death was just given a small space. Not fair! Not fair at all!

Aarushi Murder Case. Media Should Stop Interfering

Yes, I do understand what is Public Opinion. And also, that debates help in forming Public Opinion! But then, how should such debates be? In my view, they should be based on serious exchange of individual opinions, facts and overview of contemporary situation. Unfortunately in this case, it is more a play of words than any of the above.
The Talwars' have been given summons to appear in court on 28th Feb, 2011. So let us see what happens there. I am sure, the defence lawyer will be given adequate chance to speak.
I don't understand why media is trying to deliver the judgement!

2010 Commonwealth Games

The ad by Sahara India's Subroto Roy today in the newspapers, seeking peace and harmony in the wake of the Commonwealth Games has come a trifle too late. A lot of damage has been done to the country's image. At first we had Mani Shankar Aiyer speaking maliciously and then the media talking of corruption as well as discussing the qualifications and salaries of the people handling the project.

What was the media doing when the preparation for the Games actually started? Why didn't they question then? Isn't it shameful that when the Commonwealth Games are round the corner, some people in power have got down to spoiling the image of the country! Can we imagine this happening in any other country? If there has been misuse of money or power, let the inquiry be conducted after the event. On my part, I am really not bothered if Kalmadi's team members are post- graduates or mere graduates. For, if they have the required expertise there seems no problem at all. I know of several reverend men and women who are not qualified enough and yet have left a mark in this world.

As an Indian I wish the Indian Government all success in the Commonwealth Games.

College Students and Job Seekers.

It's not easy teaching students of professional colleges, particularly the students of media. And, I say this every time I check the Test Papers.

Barring a handful who do exceptionally well, I find the rest confused, over-confident and lost in the maze of uncertainty. These are students who after a massive struggle of getting into the college feel that classes are no good. And, that theory classes are a big humbug. Thus, even if I and the rest of the faculty tell them that there must be a genuine reason for starting these courses by the university, it makes little difference. These students believe that teachers are mere degree holders with little or no sense and that the best knowledge can only be gained by men in the field. Well, right and wrong! For knowledge gained from an authentic person can certainly be helpful and there is no doubt about it. Conversely, knowledge gained from an unsystematic, slimy and unreliable person( particularly in the initial stages), can destroy a career graph altogether. Mainly because it is not easy to unlearn what you have learnt. But then, that's that!

No amount of forceful argument helps. These willful students spend the next few years of their college life in canteen, parking stand, etc. and in short doing nothing to improve knowledge or skills. Yes, they do go about meeting the media people but not with the genuine intention of learning but with all desire to show the teachers and friends down.

Thus, they never do the assignments, never work on Grammar and Spellings so very essential in the field. They never understand the difference between 'Its and It's' nor between 'lets and let's. Yes, they pick up a few heavy words like 'Positioning' and 'U.S.P.' without understanding them truly. Naturally, they are unable to apply them in their Resume or Bio-Data which therefore remain as vague as ever!

But that's not all. Even if by dint of luck, these students get a chance to work at a good place, they show their egos. They scorn every small job, little realizing that it is these small jobs which take you to big projects and eventually have you accepted by seniors in their team. It has to be remembered that a perpetual reluctant person gets sidetracked and sidelined. Such a person is just left with false egos and nothing else. For soon, he realizes that the very friends who praised him have left him far behind in the promotion ladder.

But then, it all depends on one's luck I guess! Anyway for all my complaints about paper checking, I wish my students all the very best with a lot of prudence in life. God Bless.

I wish all my Readers

A Very Happy and a Joyous Holi

Long Live SRK. Long Live Courage

My salute to you Shahrukh Khan! You have shown the way. It was not a battle of strength. It was a battle of Right and Wrong. And in spite of tremendous pressure such as -(1) the money incurred in making the film, (2) gambling with the feelings and hard work of everyone associated with the film, you stood and faced the 'bull-ism' of the highest order. The people of India are going to remember you for this.

There is one thing I am going to say, which has been troubling me for the past one month or so. I regret that Mangeshkar Sisters chose to keep quiet on the fanaticism of Bal Thackeray i.e. Shiv Sena. Even when he made disturbing remarks on Sachin Tendulkar-the great Indian Player! Lata Mangeshkar's voice would have sounded sweeter than even the nightingale, if she had checked Bal Thackeray that time. After all she is known to be fond of Sachin Tendulkar. I am sure Bal Thackeray would not have the guts to speak or stand against the great legend. Not just Mumbai, but the entire India and the world would have come down heavily on him then.

How the poor deal with their loss.

It's very, very difficult. Kudos to all our governments past, present and future for not giving up despite all odds. To think of it, uncountable amount is spent each year on ads for promotion of literacy. But I wonder how many really listen to the good word?

Take my maid for instance. She has been with me for last 6-7 years. From the intermittent talks I have gathered that she has all the amenities at home like refrigerator, 2-wheeler, sofa- set, washing machine, TV, etc. In fact the house she lives in, is also hers. And I sure appreciate her for this. But none of her children have studied beyond 8th or 10th. Somehow she has never considered this important. I remember telling her to have her daughters trained or educated up to a decent level. But she and her husband have believed in getting them married early.

And so this daughter of hers got married about 4 yrs ago. In due course she was blessed with 2 kids. And so all was fine till last month when she came and told that her son-in-law had suffered a head injury in a road accident. He died within 3-4 days. It was just very, very bad. If that was not enough, the girl was asked to leave the husband's home by her in-laws. It was upsetting to hear this particularly because I had seen her in the bridal attire. But worst was when my maid announced that she was going to get her married again. That's when I blew my top. "Leave her alone. She has 2 small children and she also has the memories of her husband. Let her first come to terms with the tragedy. Help her stand on her feet. And then get her married if you want. But don't force her now. Please!"


I wonder if she understood. It was an outburst I could not control. On second thoughts, I wonder if I over reacted? May be the weaker section is geared up that way. Could be, that as a kind of defence mechanism they avoid getting deeply attached to anyone? In that case I made the blunder of speaking. God only knows!

Required Urgently Foresight & Problem Solving Skills!

In India, that is to say!

The humiliation of Pakistani Players during IPL selection was coming, wasn't it? At least I am not surprised. The ugly situation could have been avoided, had India acted swiftly and punished those guilty of 26/11 terror attack. It was also not fair for one Daily to talk of peace when the wounds were still raw. It only signified that we were in a hurry to please others at the cost of our own pain.

What is happening in Mumbai is also no surprise. The country should have woken up the first time Bal Thackeray said, "Mumbai is for Marathis". Unfortunately the vote bank was important for the parties then. I always wonder why Bollywood plays so safe. If Ratan Tata could act tough, so could Bollywood! Anyway they are all facing the brunt now.

Education helps us to gauge, analyse, foresee problems and face them squarely. Instead we have ended up learning to connive at every alarming situation. And that's a sad part.

2010.Time to change for the better.

But for the fact that I failed to keep my promise of being regular and punctual, the year 2010 did seem to start on a positive note.

The rising of the Indian people against DGP Rathore is certainly a good and healthy indication. Kudos to Aradhana Gupta, a friend of late Ruchika who fought a relentless battle against the former DGP. The other day, when the legal expert Ram Jethmalani angrily remarked that neither the media nor the people were following any correct procedure. She was quick to reply that a common man does not understand the legal language which is often confusing. I could not help but marvel at the way she kept her cool. This, especially when she saw her friend Ruchika committing suicide because of lack of justice. Yes, here was a young woman in her early 30's who fought the ugly world without giving up.

Well truly, harassment, cruelty and sadism have to be dealt with strongly. Be it a man or a woman. Every human being on this earth has a right to live a life of dignity and happiness. And we don't need a UN to tell us this. We should realize it ourselves.

As I say these big talks, the death of more than 100 people in the recent cold wave in India is shocking. My husband happened to tell me this when I was laying the table for dinner. It was just bad! Afterwords when I sat reflecting on this all, the advice of my father in childhood came rushing to me yet again. "You know, your grandmother was not very learned in the true sense. Probably just First or Second class Pass. But when I picked up my first job she said one thing. Your salary is not yours entirely." Your family, neighbours and those around you have a certain share in it. And I have not forgotten these words!"My father concluded.

Certainly a very difficult thought to understand. I don't remember seeing my grandmother. It must have been somewhere in late 1940's or early 50's when she said this to my dad. But,I really don't think I ever comprehended the meaning. Till I think yesterday when I felt miserable. Somewhere I felt guilty too. Let's face it, I have not been a very good human being. I have been too busy in my own challenges and difficulties to pay attention to others. But maybe I can still help whenever possible? I can always try. For all I know in these deaths, we may have lost some good teacher, scientist, doctor...

Oh God give me the strength and will to rise above myself and do something for my fellow brethren. Amen.

Farewell Amrita Pancholi-IIM Indore Professor

The whole of Indore is shocked at the cruel murder of IIM Assistant Professor,Ms. Amrita Pancholi on Thursday,the 18th of Dec'09. Be it office, or a paan shop (beetle), the talks are only on this these days. Hazaar muh hazaar baten...Something beyond control and most unfair. After all, the death of a single woman aged 32, staying alone in the campus in one of the staff quarters is bound to make a spicy tale.

It is the work of an insider as per the police. And all evidences points to that. Everything will be clear in a day or two. All in all, it is a terrible thing to happen. A high- potential girl who could have contributed a lot towards the society is no more. The repercussions are going to be many. Particularly in a place like Indore where girls had just begun to dream big, this happening is going to scare them in a big way. The parents are also likely to put a halt to their daughters careers. Very much a case of,"One step forward, two steps backward".

This sure makes it imperative to look into the possible reasons for murder. As a working woman, I have often seen how unkindly people talk of single and slightly older women/girls. Students who come from various backgrounds are not to be excluded. There is, in fact, always a lot of curiosity, doubt, as also aspersions cast on working girls. If unchecked, they also take the form of overtures. It hurts to talk like this, but we have lost a precious life here. And something needs to be done fast. It cannot be ignored that in the case of Ms. Amrita, the age gap between her and the students was less. It is also not to be forgotten that students do at times pressurize teachers for marks. Ofcourse, the person does learn to handle it as he/she grows older. But, all these points do need to be taken into account.

Further, justice has to be imparted fast. We can't certainly have Taliban kind of system come into India. The best would be to have an Ombudsman, seperately for students and teachers. The students and staff will also have to be encouraged to go and speak to the Ombudsman once a while. So that any form of wrong behaviour will be nipped in the bud itself. This could help save a person from becoming a criminal and it could also save a person from falling a victim.

But, first in this case let's hope the culprit is caught at the earliest. We can't have a brave girl's story end this way.
Farewell Amrita!

Indore Municipal Corporation Elections- 11Dec. 2009

Yet again, elections are round the corner! The city is well charged. People of Indore will be voting for Mayor and Corporator on Friday, 11 Dec.2009.

Indore bears a festive look these days with processions, loudspeakers, songs and drum- beatings taking a preceding. Whatever! It does liven up the spirits and I feel happy. And so do others I feel. Indore. A city of Festivals. Nay! A city of marriages. If I may say so. For be it rich or poor, marriages take place in an elaborate manner here. But let me come back to the point. Just the other day, while returning from work late in the evening I noticed a lady contestant, with shimmering red 'chunni' over her head, going from door to door asking for votes. At the first glance she did appear a bride to me.

Be it BJP, Congress or the independents, I know everybody's agenda by heart now. "Plenty of water... Cemented paths... Good roads...Development of the city and blah, blah, blah! And that's when my mind shifts to the big challenge we are facing now-Climate Change. But then, I feel sorry for the political parties. I know they have to talk of "plenty of water" to the down-trodden and the ordinary folks, for they are the ones who nurture huge expectations. And, they don't understand environment problems. Besides, they are the ones who vote for sure. So, that's that.

The other day, I told my maid to close the tap when not washing the utensils. An everyday refrain, frankly speaking! She probably had it enough for she spat out," Here you tell me to close the tap, and several times during the day I notice one or the other overhead tank overflowing."(meaning me I know). "I will tell Chowkidar Bhaiya (watchman) to check the tanks more often." I murmur. If only all residents of our colony were careful, the supply would remain in limits. I mutter to myself.

Talking about 'Cemented roads'. My mind races back to what happened a month ago. It was one of those lazy Sunday afternoons. While I and the rest of the residents of our society, were merrily enjoying the afternoon siesta, my husband noticed a group of 3-4 men all armed to dig a big hole in the newly cemented path right outside our Complex. They wanted to insert a pole for a small community function they were organizing there. And that called for a canopy. That was when I was rudely shaken up by my husband's shouting, who also immediately went down to give them a piece of mind. But that makes me think, how long will our cemented path survive?


I belong to the breed of 'Common Man' and I am helpless. But I wish to draw the attention of all politicians to the stray animals- namely cows, dogs, pigs that cause a lot of inconvenience while driving on the roads. I wish something would be done on this regard.

26/11

One year has passed since the ghastly attack in Mumbai. We lost so many lives.

My brother rang up today as to why I had not commented so far. I said to him," I have no words". I really don't know how to console actor Ashish Chowdhary who lost his sister and brother-in-law in the dastardly attack. I don't know how to console the brave wives of the police officers who died fighting the terrorists. Nor do I have the courage to say comforting words to late Maj. Unnikrishanan's parents. The late Major's father has rightly said that brave men like Shahid Bhagat Singh should be born in neighbour's house.

I have done a lot of thinking in this regard and over the last one year. I have asked myself repeatedly, what I would have done as a politician, a lawyer or for that matter as a judge. And the answer I get is that I would have been worse. I would have also tried to be very just, objective and fair! Thus delaying justice and making true the famous adage-Justice delayed is justice undone. I think, we Indians have too much of Dharmaraj (Yudhishthir) in us. When will we come out of 'this' is the question.

A Peaceful, Naxal-Free Village called ' Tale ' In Maharashtra

These days I remember my parental village a dozen times in a day. A small village named 'Tale' in Kolaba district, now Raigarh District in Maharashtra- a few miles from Pen and Panvel. I remember the S.T. Bus that we would catch from Mumbai. In the 60's and 70's, the bus would roughly take 6-7 hrs to reach our place.

The bus ride used to be fun. From absolute non-entities, we would become very important at the bus stand itself. I would find the driver and conductor knowing my mother and vice- versa. "oh, they are Vatsala's children. And so, me and my brother would get a royal treatment. One particular incident remains etched in my mind even today. We were going for the last rites of my paternal grandfather. As our Mumbai bound train had got delayed, my mother feared that we would miss the bus to Tale that day. Hurriedly, she took us from station to the bus stand. And rightly so, the last bus was about to leave. The tickets had to be purchased and what not. That's when my mother hurriedly looked for the conductor. And there he was telling the passengers to get in fast. As expected, she knew him. Next minute, I saw her rushing to him. Well, if you can guess the problem was solved. The bus waited till we got the tickets and climbed in. Maybe management people should learn something from this?


I also remember the Tais' and dadas' ( the elder girls and boys), who were like elder sisters and brothers, They would ask us about city life. I being more talkative, they probably found me an ideal source for securing information. On one of our visits I told them, that my father now had a motorcycle. My elder Tai asked her younger but more intelligent sister," what is a motorcycle?" " It's...a phatphati", she replied. Now as I look back, I realize there was never any jealousy in their talks. If I have to put it correctly, they were trying to learn the ways of the city life. And today I am really proud that all my cousins, Tais and Dadas are doing very well. Even better than me or my brother! Some of them have even gone abroad. Naturally, their children are doing well too.


My village'Tale" has come up very well, I am told. I think, they only lack a college now. There are auto-riskshaws and all facilities there. And so from filling pots of water from the wells, these simple village folks have come a long way indeed. It is their positive approach that has helped them, I guess. Also there were lucky not to have Kishenjis and Thackerays i.e. Maoists/Naxalites and Shivsainiks to pollute their innocent minds! Or else, these folks would have also taken to arms and destruction instead of studying to improve their lives.

Indian Education System. A total mess!

The other day, my husband appeared gloomy and upset at the dinner table. I asked him why.
He answered, "I had been at the bank today." So, where was the problem, I asked. I saw the bank cancelling educational loan for some engineering students. "Why", I asked a trifle surprised. " Because, they flunked in their semester exams." He said. I felt sorry. He continued,"You know, they were just hanging around...I feel so sorry for them and the parents."I felt miserable too. We had our dinner in utter silence.

Later, it was my survival instinct that made me speak. " The college or the university should have given them grace marks." Finding no answer from my husband, I realized I was talking nonsense." May be they should have taken up some other course. Maybe..."At this my husband snapped, "Who will guide the parents? Often, they are poor and an ignorant lot. Besides, engineering is such a lucrative profession. A kind of gamble. After passing, one has a good job ..."
It was a messy situation. "What a way for the day to end!" I mumbled. "Banks should appoint some counsellors." Anyway, it didn't make sense. The evening was spoiled alright!


The next day,we woke up to read,"CBSE makes it tough to fail students in standard 9th and 10th. That sports and extra curricular marks will be taken into account. That, if a child does badly in writing, he will be tested orally! Well, who ever has thought of this 'brilliant idea' has not fathomed the extent of damage it is going to do. It means, more and more gullible parents and children are going to be left in the lurch. Because in the job field, the child will prove a total mess.


Finally, all these improvements in the education system is a big sham! A farce and a total mess. If we have to improve our lot, it is essential that we understand our goal and work systematically towards it. That,we all have to think. Regardless of the fact we are poor, uneducated, illiterate or whatever! I bow to Lata Mangeshkar, Rafi Saheb, and all the legends in film industry and elsewhere who relied on their talent and comfort level and did not think of doing anything just to show of. Nor did they look for short-cuts. Finally I think, there lies the true answer.

Mr. Kapil Sibal- Wise Step.Poor Support.

I was delighted to watch HRD minister,Mr. Kapil Sibal announce on TV that minimum marks for appearing in IIT-JEE exam would be raised to 80-85% instead of 60% in class 12 board examination. It was mainly to check the mushrooming of coaching classes. And, he was very right. I wish the politicians (be it any party), had not made it a political game. Which they actually did! Stating that village children would be deprived of opportunities.


I wonder why the media kept quiet on this issue. This was the time when they should have gone all out to gather statistics as to how many children in the villages have really heard of IIT i.e. Indian Institute of Technology. And if they have, how many really think of doing this course. Absolutely no opinion poll was conducted. If only they had, all the opposition parties would have kept quiet.


I work in an ad agency and I know what happens on the eve of IIT-JEE, Engineering or Medical results. In fact before the actual facts and figures come out, we at the agency start writing ads declaring these coaching institutes No.1. This naturally triggers a mad rush for admission to institutes. Not just that, some parents even think it wise to remove their children from regular schools and have them registered at places the coaching classes suggest just to fulfill the minimum attendance.



Frankly, the Indian media knows it all too well! It is just profit, business and money that is keeping everybody quiet. But then someday, it is all going to backfire. Something like, when we dig holes for others, we fall into it ourselves.

We Indians. A confused lot!

We think, worry, care... so much about ourselves! Our beauty regime, health, salary, promotion. and when it comes to our family, we try to have the best there too! A classy dwelling in a posh colony, an excellent school for our children and what not. And too all very quickly.But we are so distant when it comes to our country. I really don't understand.

There have been floods in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and several places but no one is bothered. Several policemen were killed last week by naxalites. A day prior to this Inspector Induvar was beheaded and killed by the same naxalites. But I didn't see anyone even talking about it in the university or the agency where I work. Now we also hear that the same Inspector was on a punishment posting and had not been paid for six months. But, on TV we had the Human Activists refusing to call this an act of terrorism. As per their definition, terrorism is when poor people are deprived of food, etc. Yes, Human Activists! People going without food is bad and we have to work collectively and fast to solve this problem. But, we also cannot have our brave policemen killed this way.I shudder to think how their families must be feeling, while watching others ready for Diwali-the festival of lights.

Much as I respect Mr. Jairam Ramesh, I am surprised at his rhetoric that linking of rivers will be harmful. This one liner makes no sense, especially when scientist and former President Dr. Abdul Kalam, too, has shown considerable interest in this project. I think we Indians are just very, very cool when it comes to solving a problem at the national level. It's not correct...just not correct.

Politics!

Politics at workplace; politics in friend circle; politics at home amidst relatives; and politics everywhere! And for sure politics will never end. Thanks to human nature.





Ever since I joined this agency I have been telling my junior ( also, my student in college) not to fret about someone who shirks work. Also, not to despair and fall victim to evil plans of some instigator. For often the instigator has his own interests in mind. As is true, a job shirker eventually meets his fate. But somehow I have not succeeded. And so last few days I am seeing my junior lose interest in work. It's affecting her creativity.... Let's hope she sees sense.






But, the same thing is there everywhere. The other day, I happened to see Mr. Raj Thackeray and his wife Sharmila on TV. The great Marathi politician, devoted entirely to the cause of Maharashtra! But how come his wife has a non- marathi name? And for the little glimpse I got, I felt she was dressed in salwar-kameez ( a punjabi attire)! Or was I dreaming? But whatever- Wake up innocent Maharashtrians. Work hard and get the jobs you deserve. This pampering by Raj Thackeray and such could just make you worthless and no good eventually. Remember, too much pampering spoils a child.

Insignificant is significant. That's India for sure!

Anybody closely following Shashi Tharoor's 'Cattle Class' will agree for sure! Agreed it was a lousy joke, but then don't we all make mistakes at times? And frankly, apart from media and our reverend politicians none have taken exception-not even those who fly regularly by economy class. I am glad our PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh, intervened or else it would have continued till some major mishap took place.

I know, I should not be saying, but everytime there is some such nonsense, a bomb blast takes place in that area. Our politicians and the learned media should have long realised this! Further, are we going to be so sensitive about everything? This way, we'll end up having very dull people at the helm who will do nothing but mind their P's and Q's!

Violating Nature?

The other day I read that Congress leader Mr.Rahul Gandhi is against linking of rivers as that would amount to violating nature. Now, this statement comes just when I started looking up with hope, at the Congress leadership! And that's really sad. And sad more so because all of a sudden our political leaders have started making scandalising statements in public without once thinking about the repercussions. Yes, I am referring to Mr. Jairam Ramesh who recently compared Mr. Jinnah to Lord Shiva. Ofcourse, the media has also played foul by not narrating the entire story. And so, as I have always respected Mr. Jairam Ramesh I give him the benefit of doubt.

But then let me come back to where I digressed! Linking rivers is certainly not violating nature. Mr. Rahul Gandhi must read the story of King Bhagirath and how he brought the holy river Ganga on the earth.

Millions of years ago, in northen India there had been a drought. People living in the kingdom were dying. It was then that King Bhagirath went and prayed to Lord Shiva to realise water. But while this is a mythological story, the actual fact is that King Bhagirath had himself dug the path for the holy river Ganga. This is how he brought back life into the kingdom. And this is how the dead received salvation.

And so Mr. Gandhi, linking of rivers does not amount to violating nature. Yes, building of dams could amount to one, if done without planning. But areas where we are seriously playing with nature are female foeticide and infanticide, surrogate motherhood and cloning. Here I think God will never forgive us.