The Great Indian Politics.

So much has been spoken about our dashing politicians. Indeed we never do tire criticizing them, or for that matter, taking them for granted. They have always been included in our jokes and this time is no different. Though how one can control the humor in such whimsical situations is a mystery.

Like we have our esteemed municipal commissioner Mr. Phatak trying to exercise restraint on journalists. Boy, did they have a field day writing about him later! Then the poor fellow thought of redeeming himself through his “ask the public” sms campaign, and here he is now, struggling against impeachment! Then there is our ex-chief minister Mr. Deshmukh, who was so unceremoniously sacked after the 7/11 debacle. Back he is again with a cabinet post! Wonder whatever happened to accountability.

The Prime Minister, inspite of all his qualifications and degrees, failed to decipher a few additional lines in a path breaking treaty, making Pakistan and the opposition so much happier. The great Mayawati goes about erecting her own statues even before her death (coz’ she’s so sure no one would do so when she’s really gone). If nothing else I sure admire her guts. And no one seems to be able to raise a voice against her! Then of course, everyone knows about the famous ‘Abdullah walk out’ from the Kashmir assembly. The fact that he didn’t resign in the end doesn’t matter. After all, its the “thought” that counts.

Mr. Advani is still standing firm; indeed he is the strongest 82 -year old I know. He’s still not let go off the chair everyone else has been trying to pull away from him. Modi still goes around suspecting every face on the road of being an LET member out to kill him. After all he’s bigger than the President! And the President herself! Apart from increasing her own salary by a whopping 200%, I don’t recall her having done anything else. And yeah! Where is our supposedly “educated” Chief Minister Mr. Chavan? Ab tak uski ‘fakal’ hi nahi dekhi.

The railways ki “mamata” is shining, but only on West Bengal, with us being left in the lurch. Choosing a backward class speaker in the Lok Sabha was considered to be a UPA masterstroke. Though isn’t a speaker actually supposed to speak?? That too loudly? And finally, the one having the last laugh must be Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, our Finance Minister. Comparing his budget prepared before and after the elections, every Indian must fell slapped in the face! I can just imagine him performing a jig singing, “April(sorry June) fool banaya!”

These instances are just the tip of the iceberg. After all this, I still wonder how our politicians complain about getting a raw deal. Or do they complain at all?? Oh no! They are a happy lot, content in their twisted game of politics. Just as we are content sitting back and enjoying the saas-bahu type dramas that our country’s leaders enact.

2008- The year of turbulences

Another year gone by.........another one takes its place. Was 2008 any different from the rest??

Oh yes!! Twas the year of joy and sorrow, of hope and despair and all that comes in between. Coz' it was the year I experienced every damn emotion that my brain could think of.

I turned 18 without much ado. I got my driver's license but lost interest too soon. So what if I turned 18. Theres no huge change in my life or anything.

2008 started with exams.....exams and more exams. I still remember that feverish studying, that crazed apprehension all due to the arrival of the day I had spent two years studying for. But CET came and went. Leaving me horrified at the blunders that followed. I lost out on the coveted government medical seat....and was more depressed than I could ever be. I must confess those days sitting at home were my darkest days....despair I had never known.

Somehow, through sheer luck, I got through a private medical college....and breathed again. Fears of a new college, new people soon evaporated when I got myself a set of dedicated friends at Terna. It helped with the travel too.

Then there was 26/11 the shocker, horribly etched on everyone's minds. That led to a lot more patriotism and me yelling "Jai Hind" at home a good 10 times for no apparent reason.

There was a flurry of 'growing up' stages with a crush gone wrong, dear friends letting you down and also acqaintances gradually turning into best of friends. The last 12 months taught me that nothing, absolutely nothing is what it seems.

In the end, I wont mark 2008 as a great year or a real horrible one either. I still believe everything happens for good. Im glad 2008 happened. Just as it did. Coz' twas the one year that taught me more than what anyone or anything ever has.