Pseudo democracy

Relaxing at home, trying to slow down the fast paced world I live in. Its a nationwide bandh today in India against price rise and govt decision to increase petrol and diesel prices. In Bangalore the response to this bandh call has been quite effective. Though the timing has been apt for me (considering the hectic weekend i had), the fact that most of the business establishments and normal life is shutdown denting the economy, such strikes should not be supported. I understand its a sign of protest against the govt policies and price rise n blah blah blah... but surely there are other ways to voice your opinion against govt apathy.

Sipping coffee and sitting on my bed, this is exactly what i am thinking How else would one protest without bringing public life to a grinding halt and still ensure that public is active in this democracy? How may from your neighbourhood feel that the price rise is an issue? Even if they feel its an issue, how many of us feel that we need to come out to the streets and shout slogans against it? Well, the number is very very small. Its only those who wish to gain some political mileage and publicity call for agitations and strikes. Aam aadmi, or the mango people, are least bothered on what is happening at the global level, and how India should react in a mature way thinking ahead of times and well within the boundaries of democracy. Active participation from the public, and questioning the usual should become the order. Dont blindly follow the selfish politicians who at the end of the day are just playing political games. Its funny how the word 'politics' is made up of the words 'poli' meaning 'many' in Latin, and 'tics' as in 'bloodsucking creatures’. I would say, instead of the Suprme Court banning strikes, they should legalise it. And ensure that there is a representative of such strikes and he is made accountable till the end of conflict, not only to maintain peace during the agitiations but also  to bring about a legal and an amicable solution keeping the interests of the public in mind. He should work hand in hand with the govt to see that the objective of the agitation is achieved. Thats where the real test of democracy (of the people, by the people & for the people) lies... lets who will come forward to organise strikes and agitations. Sad but true, what we are living is pseudo-democracy...

Anyways, not entirely happy staying at home today, as i have to compensate for today's off in the coming weeks. More when i return to my lappie...till then munch on some FIFAWC news (casualities galore!)... Dunga is fired as Brazil coach, CR7 may be stripped of capatincy and the man with the Hand-of-God is ready to give way for a new coach.

Rangashankara Theatre Festival 2007 is happening in the city, be there for some wonderful stage performances. Dont miss it!

Flying high after Corus

Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata on Thursday soared to new heights when he took off in a multi-role combat aircraft F-16 at the Aero India 2007 show in Bangalore. Tata, 69, undertook the flight in co-pilot's seat, which was commandeered by Paul Hattendorf, the test pilot of Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the aircraft. F-16, also known as Fighting Falcon, is in the race for Indian Air Force's mega plans of acquiring 126 multi-role combat aircraft. Lockheed has been lobbying hard to sell its jet to India. With this flight, Tata has now become the oldest Indian to fly the American-made aircraft. Tata, who holds a pilot's licence, had said the thought of the F-16 flight "excites me very much." The Tata group has recently picked up a 7% stake in domestic low cost airline Spicejet through its investment arm. The move to get Mr.Tata to fly on the plane is being seen as a coup for the Maryland-based Lockheed Martin, especially after Tata’s recent success with the Corus takeover.

The Tatas are not new to aviation. Ratan Tata's predecessor JRD Tata is celebrated as father of India's civil aviation. JRD Tata had launched Tata Airlines in 1932, which was nationalised in 1953 and rechristened Air-India and taken over by Goverment of India. Wow!!! Well Mr.Tata, whats next!!

Sources-
Timesofindia.com
Rediff.Com
Economictimes.com
CNBC.com

Dont miss it.....

Art, crafts, music, drama, theatre.... has always made me go mmmmmmm http://livingdreamz.blogspot.com/2005/12/bangalore-habba.html. Just the thought of the cultural and artistic performances makes me feel happy about it.. for all the emotions involved, for all the effort, for all the interest that goes in and for all the message it gives to the society. I always had the interest for dance n drama... n I have this feeling that there is something more in me for all this. I enjoy every bit of it whenevr i read or see something on tv or elsewhere. But i hvnt been able to give much time to read, or witness such events. This october, The Rangashankara Theatre festival has drawn me towards it, n is already making news. Started on Oct 8th, this colourful, spirited celebration of theatre will go on for another 4 days i.e. till Oct 15th. However the magic and the sounds of the plays will resonate in the magnificent theatre at the Rangashankara all 365 days as dramas, plays (natakas) are scheduled round the year. Check out the schedule for the list of plays during this Theatre festival. Its truly a treat for all the theatre lovers, dont miss it!

Know more about Rangashankara @ http://www.rangashankara.org/

The beginning of the end...

The one n only Windsor manor, the beautiful Bangalore Golf grounds, Le Meridian, Governer's residence, Chinanswamy stadium, Mahatma Gandhi road (MG road), Trinity Church, Diamond district, The Leela... I used to ride thru the best in blore.. but not anymore. My office had been shifted and we are sitting in CV Raman nagar office (Bagman Tech Park) starting today. Well, it kinda getting back in time for me.. the thot of the legendary Sir CV Raman takes me back to my school days... the whole of Hymamshu Jyothi Kala Peetha (my school in malleshwaram, bangalore) was grouped into 4 different houses named after the great legends from the glorious Indian History. Jawahar, Subhash, Raman and Sir MV were the four houses.

I was in the Sir CV Raman house.. the nobel laurette (his exceptional work in physics). Blue was the color of our house and it was a great bunch... every kid, every student .. right from 1st standard till 10th were grouped into one of these houses... and we used to compete against each other in all the school activites.. right from sports, cultural events... to exams n competetions. This wud bring the best out of each individual everytime. At the end of every year one of the 4 houses would be identified as the best house and best contributer for the school's progress and would be given the prestigious HJKP Shield during the school day celebrations. Being a part of Raman house my contribution was in the field of sports and science shows. Also on a few occasions for school day cultural programs.. but sports was serious business at HJKP... the Sports day was one of the days i always looked forward to.. , and now getting back to the CV Raman nagar (has his bust at the entrance of the loacality, which i make sure i watch everyday i ride into office) is like a rejuvination for me to look ahead with great pride and enthusiasm. Many such changes have rippled in my recent past... say last one month or so,.. which has kept me awesomely amazed with life's strange offerings. (somehow) I also feel that this is the beginning of the end of a few good things in life.. obvsly for many more to come :) hmmmmmmm....well, . okay!!! .. enough for the time being.. as of now need to get ready for office and get going... just to add our office is neighboured by iflex, motorola, samsung, hp and Texas instruments... (amidst some scenic lanscape.. still under construction though, shall attach a snap soon).. bye for now... btw .. the Indo-US nuclear deal has been introduced in the US Congress. The world is real curious to watch wat happns next.. will it be passed or shelved!!!!

Riding High

Riding fast on my fiero on a bright sunny early morning was all that was required to spur me up for wat seemd to be quite a long day ahead at office. I started from home pretty early.. wantd to reach office before the Bangalore (bengaluru) traffic peaked. its a 15km ride from my home. and boy! it was one terrific ride today... no signals, not many vehicles, smooth ride all the way... felt as if the road was laid only for me. Also today was one of those mornings when u carry forward the feeling of larger than life attitude from the yesterdays !!! Feeling light and cheerful is certainly contagious.., moreover as they say - "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up" ... so smile maadi!! :)

Bangalore Habba!!

Its Habba time, when our city celebrates its cultural spirit with panache.

The third edition of this annual cultural event will be celebrated from Dec 2 to Dec 11, 2005.

>> 'Habba' in Kannada means 'Festival'.

>> This year it will be bigger, better to mark the 'Suvarna Karnataka' (50 yrs of formation)

>> Over 2750 artistes from Karnataka and 250 artistes from across India will participate in Bangalore Habba.

>> Habba will spread the festival across towns in Karnataka such as Mysore, Dharwad, Chikamangaluru, Mangalore, Tumkur and Mandya to create awareness about different performing arts and share euphoric experience of the Habba with people living outside Bangalore.

The programmes will be conducted at public places like parks, temples, malls, Cubbon Park and Art Espresso to facilitate more people to witness them.

Dance, music, theatre, fashion and interactive sessions are planned in malls and the Resonance and mega events at the Palace Grounds. This event aims to reinstate Bangalore as the culture capital and not just IT/BT capital.

Login to know more about programms.

http://www.bangalorehabba.net/

Come celebrate the Habba and Dazzle along !!