GAUTHAM MACHAIAH'S BLOG

Sex tourism: Is Tashkent going the Thailand way?

2012-01-17T20:48:00.001+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

“Sir, do you want a girl?” This is what the cab driver is most likely to ask you in Tashkent, rather than, “Where do you want to go?”

Welcome to the Thailand of Central Asia.

Though it might be difficult to replace Thailand as the sex capital of the world, Tashkent with its booming underground prostitution industry, is set to give Pattaya and Bangkok a run for their money.

Tashkent, which is now the capital of Uzbekistan after the disintegration of Soviet Union, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its immaculate tree lined streets, wide walkways, large parks, historic monuments, imposing buildings, 8-D theatres, ballet shows, snow capped mountains, excellent public transport system, pristine rivers and pollution free environment. But these hold no interest to the average sex-hungry traveller.

The stage was set the moment we landed at the Tashkent airport, with prying eyes virtually stripping every passing woman. This being the first day, we were treated to a gala dinner and belly dance, where our Indian group mates were at their obnoxious best. After some failed attempts to grope the girls, the guys wanted some ‘action’ which the tour operators readily organised elsewhere.

The second day was a shocker. After a hurried sightseeing trip of the City, our tour operator pompously took over the guide’s microphone in the coach and announced two interesting options for the evening. One was the Villa, the other being lap dance.

Now, what’s a Villa? Listen to what our illustrious operator had to say: “A Villa is like a farm house on the outskirts of Tashkent. It has a massage parlour and sauna, a dance floor and two-three bedrooms. You can have a massage, dance with the girls, have some Vodka and then take the girl of your choice to the bedroom. That is not all. After you have had your share of fun, you can even swap your girl with others.”

And then, what about lap dance? “It is a strip tease where the girls will dance completely naked. They will grind on your lap and you are free to fondle them to your heart’s content,” the operator volunteered.

Exciting options indeed!

We then adjourned for lunch so that a considered view could be taken on which of these options to choose from. But even one hour after the lunch, there was no sign of the operators. A little bit of probing revealed that they were busy collecting the advance from those who had chosen their options. After some heckling by me, everybody was herded into the coach to continue the tour in which most were not interested.

“We have come here to see the place, not to drink, dance and womanise,” I protested, but the tour operator shamelessly responded, “That is what people come to Tashkent for. There is nothing to see here.” That was when I realised Tashkent was being sold as a sex destination and the operators were doubling up as touts and pimps. Obviously, a cut from the Villa and strip tease goes to them.

The operator then went on to proudly announce that in the next few days he would fly in a 180- strong contingent from India on an exclusive sex package. “We have factored in all costs ranging from Villas, lap dance and night clubs. There will be no sightseeing, only fun.” While a trip to Tashkent costs less than Rs 50,000, the Gujarati team had shelled out over Rs 1 lakh each,” the operator boasted.

The second half of the City tour ended sooner than it began. While we decided to call it a day, most others made their way to the Villas.

The next day on, we decided to break away from the group and explore the City on our own, but that too did not really solve our problem. Every taxi driver we hired was only interested in making a fast buck by selling to us what seemed to be the most easily available ware – young women.

One night when we were returning to the hotel after dinner, the only question the Hindi speaking cabbie asked us was, “Do you want girls?” We politely declined first and then firmly when he persisted. Instead, we asked him to take us to a pharmacy as my friend was suffering from a headache. The driver was so upset by our refusal that he drove straight to the hotel and declared, “There are no pharmacies in the City.”

That this driver could speak chaste Hindi only shows his large clientele from India. As our guide, a post-graduate in Finance from London, explained, “We would like to promote Tashkent as a family destination, but most Indians are interested only in sex. In fact, I have been propositioned by some tourists. On one occasion, I had to threaten an Indian with police action after he offered me 100 dollars to spend the night with him!”

Well, the Indian cannot perhaps be blamed for that is the reputation Tashkent has built for itself in the recent past. Today, people from across the world, not just India, throng Tashkent to satisfy their baser instincts.

The City is also known for its various dance forms, particularly belly dance. There is nothing vulgar about them and the dancers are the epitome of grace and poise. But that does not prevent our disgraceful Indian tourist from doing his best to paw them, despite a clear sign board that the dais is only for the dance troupe.

Most restaurants boast of a dance floor and a visit to Tashkent is not complete without a visit to its famous night clubs. A taxi driver, who was referred to us as an honest man by a friend who had visited the City earlier, promised to take us to a club which showcased the best of dances.

This was one of the top clubs in the City, we were told, and as such we were to pay an entry fee of 15 dollars and a table charge of 50 dollars for two. Mind you, the table fee does not refer to the cover charge...it is a kind of rent to use the table!

We decided to order a beer, but the bearer declared that drinks would be sold only as a package comprising two pints, a bottle of water and soft drinks. That set us back by another 75 dollars.

As we waited, there was no sign of any dance. There was a huge floor where anyone could shake a leg. We soon realised that our ‘honest’ cabbie had conned us by bring us to a pick-up joint where you could choose any girl from the dance floor and take her home. We beat a hasty retreat, having ended up paying over Rs 6,200 for two pints of beer which back home would cost no more than Rs 600 in an upscale restaurant.

We returned to our hotel and another sight greeted us. The lobby was full of hookers and for a moment the place resembled a brothel. Apparently, it is legal in the country for a guest to take a prostitute to the room after paying a fee at the reception. With easy money luring young girls, and the administration turning a blind eye, prostitution seems to have assumed epic proportions.

Tashkent is said to be the one of the biggest exporters of sex workers to Thailand, where ‘Russian girls’ are in great demand. They have now set their eyes on India forcing the government to issue an advisory that abundant caution should be exercised while issuing visas to girls from Central Asian countries.

Uzbekistan is ruled with an iron hand by President Islam Karimov, who commands considerable respect among the youth. “This is a Muslim country and we have a strong President. He will never allow Tashkent to become another Thailand,” says our local guide. But the ground realities belie her claims.

This 20-year-old fledgling country needs to bolster its business and commerce, but flesh trade is definitely not the answer. Sex tourism brings in only limited revenue as people who travel for sex buy only sex, whereas family travellers splurge on shopping thus boosting the local economy.

Tashkent should fashion itself as a family destination rather than a sex hub. It is high time Tashkent realised it has much more to offer to the world, than the nubile bodies of its young daughters.

And a star is born…

2011-11-25T16:29:00.000+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

When I received a friend request on Facebook from Mohan Unlucky, the unusual suffix caught my eye. Why would a young smart lad call himself unlucky, I wondered as I shot off a cryptic message to him.

His response was instant: “I have always been unlucky in life. I lost my father…I could not complete my engineering course…my relationship failed…I have been looking for a job for one year, but have not succeeded.”

An aspiring film director, this small town boy knocked on several doors seeking an opportunity, but all his efforts were met with humiliation and discouragement. This impacted Mohan’s psyche so much that he came to believe that luck would never favour him.

I forwarded a small note on positive thinking and urged him to watch the ‘Secret’ video. Barely a day later, I received another message from him: “The video and your positive words have changed my outlook towards life. I am now rearing to go.”

Mohan wanted to meet me and I called him over for a brief chat. “What do you want to be in life?” I asked and he appeared a bit lost. I then asked him to go back home, make a list of all his aspirations, and finally shortlist two among them.

The very next day Mohan was at my office. “I want to become a film director and a lyricist,” he confidently declared as he handed over a neatly typed copy of his resume. For a moment, I could not believe myself: “Is this the same Mohan who was a virtual wreck just two days ago?”

That is the power of positive thought!

A day later, I received another friend request. This time from Mohan Goldenstar. He was no longer Mohan Unlucky. “I will never harbour negative thoughts again. From the moment I became positive, I have only been receiving good news. I am confident that I will conquer the world,” he messaged.

And I am sure he will, for with the death of negative thoughts a star is born.

Passion in a pair of shoes

2011-11-23T16:48:00.005+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Purchasing a pair of men’s shoes is not the most exciting of shopping experiences. Or so I thought until I walked into Roush, a retail store at Indiranagar, Bangalore.

I had wanted to buy a pair of smart boots for sometime and my search through upscale brands had drawn a blank. That is when the brightly lit Roush showroom caught my eye. Being extremely brand conscious, buying an unknown label was the last thing in mind when I strolled into the store out of plain curiosity.

At the door I was greeted by a young girl not with the standard sales pitch, “What are you looking for sir?, but with a rather unusual request, “Sir, if you have the time can I please tell you about our shoes?”

“Look at her passion,” I murmured to myself. I guess I had spoken a bit too soon. The girl pointed to a panel where the logo of the store was mounted and said, “Our store is called Roush, which in Sanskrit means passion. A lot of passion goes into the making of our shoes.”

As she took me through the store excitedly showing off various designs of shoes as if they were personally hand crafted by her, I smelt the distinct whiff of passion in the air. My unintended attempt to puncture her enthusiasm with my remark, “But I have never heard of this brand…” proved futile when the girl and her colleague put up a spirited defense.

“Roush is a Bangalore based company which supplies shoes to international brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Louis Phillipe. We have now decided to come out with our own chain of retain stores across the country and serve our customers directly,” they echoed as they went into a zealous speech on the company’s background, future plans and orientation to customers.

“Are you the promoters of the company? For how long have you been running this place?” I asked just to add to the conversation and was surprised to learn they were only the sales representatives. How often do we come across such passion and commitment?

No, this was not just another sales spiel, but an important management lesson worthy of emulation by large corporations usually filled with soulless employees.

This experience transported me back to a book I had read sometime ago, ‘The Art of the Start’ by Guy Kawasaki, which speaks of creating a mantra for the organisation. A mantra is a guideline for the employees as against a tagline which is aimed at the customers.

For instance, Nike’s mantra is “Authentic Athletic Performance,” while its tagline is “Just do it.” Thus, every employee in Nike from the receptionist to the CEO is aware that the purpose of his existence in the company is to create “Authentic Athletic Performance”.

Now, contrast this with the mission statement of Coca-Cola: “The Coco-Cola Company exists to benefit and refresh everyone it touches.” Would this not have been more powerful had the company adopted a simple mantra like “Refresh the world”?

The author gives another example of March of Dimes, whose mission statement is: “March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health, prematurity, birth defects and low birth weight.” Compare this with the hypothetical mantra Guy Kawasaki has evolved: “Save babies.” Which of these have a greater impact?

This is exactly what Roush did. Knowingly or unknowingly it created a mantra called passion, which then got ingrained in every employee from the topmost to the lowest level. This is why their shoes are not a mere product, but as a work of passion.

In the end of the day, I bought their shoes because I loved them. But I loved their passion more.

Are you a thief of time?

2011-05-23T14:36:00.003+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Many years ago, a well known philosopher was invited by one of India’s most revered spiritual leaders, the late Sri Sathya Sai Baba to lecture the students at Brindavan, his abode at Whitefield on the outskirts of Bangalore. The speaker had not arrived and Baba was already looking alarmed though it was just two minutes past the scheduled time.

Seeing Sai Baba anxiously waiting for him at the door, the perplexed philosopher profusely apologised: “Kindly excuse me Swami; I am late by two minutes.” But the god man responded with a straight face: “You are 80 minutes late.”

The speaker protested, “I am only two minutes late Swami. My lecture was at 11 am and I have arrived at 11.02 am.” To which, Sai Baba replied: “There are 40 students in the class. You have taken away two minutes of each of them and that means you have wasted 80 minutes.” What a profound statement!

Sometime ago, I was at dinner with an Australian Chairman of a multi-national company, who drew my attention to the “two minute syndrome.” The words “two minutes” have become a figure of speech in India. When somebody says: “I will be there in two minutes”, it could range from anywhere between two minutes and 20 minutes, if not more. For some reason, we have come to believe that time is the most expendable resource.

Two minutes is quite a lot of time, as I realised at Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala, Mysore, where I studied. We could never afford to be even a second late, forget two minutes: 8 am meant 8 am, not even 8.01 am. Not being punctual was regarded as the biggest crime.

As students, we were told the story of the then Prime Minister who arrived late for the inauguration of the swimming pool. The school authorities garlanded his photograph and went ahead with the ceremony without waiting for him. That was the importance the school gave to time.

Punctuality was ingrained in me right from my childhood, as I hail from Coorg, the picturesque hill district of Karnataka which has contributed some of the finest soldiers to the country. One of them was Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, the first and only commander-in-chief of free India, whose penchant for punctuality was legendary.

When Cariappa became the Field Marshal, a civic reception was organised in his honour at Mercara. Cariappa arrived half-an-hour in advance and patiently waited in his car outside the venue. And at the appointed time, he got off his car and walked into the venue. As William Shakespeare would say: “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.”

There was an occasion when a Chief Minister arrived at Cariappa’s residence 30 minutes late. The Field Marshal, had by then closed the doors and taken his seat at a window overlooking the foyer. Standing on the other side of the window, the Chief Minister virtually begged that he be let in, but Cariappa remained unfazed. It was only after half-an-hour of pleading that the Chief Minister was finally let in, but not without a reprimand.

As children, we learnt our first lessons in punctuality at home. One of our earliest teachers was my father’s driver who unfailingly arrived on the dot at 9.15 am day after day; something modern day chief executives should be envious of. And my father would make it a point to be ready by then so that the driver did not have to wait even for a minute. This mutual respect for each other’s time was truly admirable.

Having been brought up in such an atmosphere, I find it very strange that even well educated people in high positions have scant respect for other’s time. How many times have we not heard the excuse: “Sorry, I am running late…Sorry, I am stuck in a traffic jam…Sorry, I did not find a place to park”?

To them, I would like to quote Richard Cecil: “If I have made an appointment with you, I owe you punctuality. I have no right to throw away your time, if I do my own.” American theologian, Nathaniel Emmons went a step further when he said: “I could never think well of a man’s intellectual or moral character, if he was habitually unfaithful to his appointment.”

To me, my time is precious and I expect others to value that. I am never late for my meetings, nor does anybody who has an appointment with me have to wait for even five minutes. As the French proverb goes: “The while we keep a man waiting, he reflects on our shortcomings.” Punctuality is the soul of business.

Every time I have to attend a meeting or a social gathering, I keep a buffer of 15 minutes and for good measure set my watch at least five minutes fast. That way I am never late.

I have come across many people in life for whom punctuality is God. The Publisher of the Indian Express, which was my first port of call, was so particular about being punctual, that even when he has to attend a private dinner, he would send his car on a recce the previous day to measure the time between the office and his friend’s house.

Another person who swore by his watch was former Chief Minister of Karnataka, R. Gundu Rao. As a journalist, I was invited to cover a function where Gundu Rao was the chief guest. Gundu Rao had arrived on time and when he saw no sign of the function starting, he walked straight to the microphone, delivered the welcome address, his own speech, the vote of thanks and simply walked out of the venue, leaving the organisers gaping!

I strongly believe in Lord Nelson’s words: “I owe all my success in life to having been always a quarter of an hour before my time.” Despite my hectic work schedule, I have the time for books, movies, drives, pubs, shopping and travel. I have all the time in the world and my work has never taken over my life, because I believe in the power of punctuality.

Punctuality adds grace to our personality and years to our life. As Louis XVIII of France said: “Punctuality is the politeness of the kings.”

COMMENTS

Inspiring!
- Vachana Shetty, Bangalore

Will Ayyappa come to Jayamala's rescue?

2010-12-15T17:31:00.008+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

The storm over Kannada actress Jayamala allegedly desecrating the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala refuses to die down with the Kerala police now chargesheeting her for hurting religious sentiments by making false claims.

The actress had raised the hackles of staunch Ayyappa followers in 2006, when she claimed she had entered the sanctum sanctorum of the temple at the prime of her youth in 1987 and touched the feet of the celibate deity, thus violating an age old custom which bars women in their reproductive age from entering the hill shrine.

The controversy has all the ingredients of a potboiler. The first question that crosses the mind is why did it take nearly two decades for Jayamala to make her confession? Therein lies a story.

In June 2006, a well known astrologer, P. Unnikrishna Panikker, performed the ‘Deva Prashnam’, a tantric ritual which revealed that the temple had been defiled by a woman. The very next day, the temple authorities received a facsimile message from Jayamala that the woman that the astrologer was referring to was indeed her. The actress detailed the sequence of events on that fateful day and expressed a desire to perform penance to overcome her sin.

High drama began to unfold with the letter being ‘leaked’ and Jayamala herself narrating the story with great relish to the media. But the actress had bitten more than she could chew. Distressed by this “sacrilege”, the devout, who too maintain a period of celibacy before visiting the temple, bayed for her blood, forcing the Kerala government to order an inquiry by the crime branch of the police.

In the midst of this brouhaha the chief priest of the Sabarimala temple, Kantararu Maheshwararu debunked Jayamala’s claim saying it was impossible for a lady to enter the innermost precincts of the shrine slipping through several rungs of security. And even if she did, touching the Lord’s feet was out of question because the sanctum sanctorum is on an elevated platform with a flight of steps leading to it. But the actress continued to narrate her story with even greater flourish, basking in the glory of all the publicity it got her.

But the actress has now received a rude jolt with the police filing a charge sheet against her for making “false claims”, thereby vindicating the chief priest’s stand. According to the police, Jayamala was part of a conspiracy hatched by astrologer Unnikrishna Panikker and his assistant who had an axe to grind with the temple authorities.

The astrologer had claimed then that the poojas and rituals of the shrine had not been performed with due sanctity and dedication by priests and that there were even signs of the idol having been touched by a woman. The whole episode, the investigation says, is a conspiracy to buttress the claim of the astrologer about the poor state of temple affairs, and Jayamala apparently was a willing accomplice. The accused have been arraigned for being involved in “a deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings”.

The last word has not yet been said on the episode, but ever since the actress made her claim, a debate has been raging across the country on practices like barring women from entering the temple, with the Supreme Court too being seized of the matter. Soon, Jayamala will be relegated to the background with secularists, conformists and pseudo-secularists splitting hair over the “larger issue” of women’s entry into Ayyappa’s abode.

Gender discrimination is no doubt a cause for concern, but emotive questions with religious connotations is better left untouched for the time being, especially when the country is battling other series issues development, literacy, health and corruption. It is best to allow such issues of faith to resolve on their own in due course as the society evolves. Several such practices which were in vogue for centuries in the country have slowly disappeared with the spread of literacy and awareness. This too will pass.

Any attempt to find a legal resolution could backfire as similar questions could be raised with regard to mosques. Will the Supreme Court or the government then intervene and make it mandatory for mosques to permit women?

Sometimes, the best course of action is inaction.

COMMENTS

Gautham, Anyway Lord Ayyappa will not come Jayamala’s rescue. Your detailed report is so good. Through your blog, many people can understand the issue much better. Thank you.
-Machaiah B.U., Wayanad

As usual, just the 'write' stuff!
-Ananthakrishnan M, Bangalore

Has resignation saga dented Lok Ayukta image?

2010-07-13T15:55:00.005+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Now that the brouhaha over the resignation of Karnataka Lok Ayukta Justice Santosh Hegde and its subsequent withdrawal has died down, it is time for some introspection.

Justice Hegde announced his resignation at a press conference over the government’s failure to empower the Lok Ayukta, and then withdrew it under equally dramatic circumstances in full media glare.

During the entire drama, Justice Hegde washed dirty linen in public, spewing fire and brimstone at the government, even levelling serious allegations against the Chief Minister and his ministers. The Lok Ayukta’s disgust at the state of affairs is understandable, but those holding public offices, especially judges, are expected to act with a certain degree of restraint.

Even as of lakhs of people of the State led by none other than Governor Hans Raj Bharadwaj made an impassionate plea to Justice Hegde to withdraw his resignation and continue the crusade against corruption, he refused to budge.

Then one fine day, BJP president Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa come calling at the Lok Ayukta’s residence preceded by a phone call by party boss L.K. Advani, and Justice Hegde withdraws his resignation in deference to their wishes!

Judges are expected to strictly adhere to a code of conduct, and propriety demands that they do not entertain politicians, particularly at their residence. And now that Justice Hegde has openly professed his respect for “father figure” Advani, all his decisions will naturally be viewed with jaundiced eyes. Caesar’s wife should be above suspicion.

No doubt, the government has announced certain steps to strengthen the Lok Ayukta, but it is no secret that this is merely eyewash aimed at appeasing Justice Hegde and buying temporary truce with him. One fails to understand how a seasoned and distinguished judge like Justice Hegde had bitten the bait. Had the judge stood his ground, he would have emerged taller.

Unfortunately, the propensity to play to the gallery seems to have become the biggest bane of the justice delivery system today. While sitting judges mostly live behind the iron curtain, retired judges discharging judicial responsibilities seem to enjoy basking in media glory.

Justice Hegde’s crusader predecessor Justice N. Venkatachala, now a forgotten hero, always had the media in tow during his so-called raids on corrupt officers, but the same enthusiasm was not seen in the prosecution of the accused. In fact, many of these cases fell through.

More recently, the Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights banned the telecast of two reality shows on television, clearly exceeding their jurisdiction. These decisions received huge media publicity, but both the orders were stayed by courts, thereby severely denting the image of these institutions.

The Karnataka Lok Ayukta should resist falling into this trap. One wishes that lions like Justice Santosh Hegde do not end up as paper tigers.

(Picture sourced from www.flickr.com)

What’s in a name, Mr Mayor?

2010-07-06T16:07:00.006+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

The latest to be bitten by the language bug is Chennai Mayor M. Subramanian, who has taken the drive against non-Tamil name boards on commercial establishments to ridiculous levels.

On the face of it there is nothing wrong in the Mayor’s campaign. In fact, the first citizen’s diktat is mandated by the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishment Rules, 1948, which state that the name board of every establishment should be in Tamil and wherever other languages are also used, the English version should be in the second place followed by other languages, if any.

To be fair to Subramanian, he has not imposed a blanket ban on the use of English or other languages. All he is insisting on is that Tamil should occupy 60 per cent of the sign board while other languages should be given lesser prominence.

The operation began during the countdown to the recently concluded World Tamil Conference, and so far, over 4,000 boards that do not comply with the rules have been pulled down. Buoyed by the encouragement from all quarters including political rivals, the Mayor has now chartered unto a course which he should not, in the process biting more than he can chew.

In one of the most ludicrous moves he has directed two hotels to change their names from Taj Mount Road and Rain Tree Mount to Taj Annai Salai and Rain Tree Anna Salai! His argument is that the name of the road was officially changed from Mount Road to Anna Salai several years ago.

By that logic, the use of Madras too should be banned. But would the worshipful Mayor have the gumption to direct that the Madras High Court should henceforth be called Chennai High Court? Why has he not turned his ire against Madras Rubber Factory (MRF), Indian Institute of Technology, Madras; the public sector, Madras Fertiliser Limited; or the State-run Madras University?

Subramanian has earned a name for himself as a proactive Mayor and it is better that he reins his horses before his imagination runs wild.

Who knows? Tomorrow, he might want Madras eye to be called Chenn-eye!

(Picture sourced from www.chennaionline.com)

No monkey business this

2010-06-21T13:00:00.009+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

At a time when animal rights activism has become more a fashion than a passion, there are still some good Samaritans whose heart genuinely bleeds for these speechless beings.

Armugam, a poor resident of the picturesque water spot Hogenkal, on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border is one of them. Away from the media glare, this 65-year-old man has devoted his life to the cause of wild monkeys.

Hogenkal is known for its primates, with hundreds of them making the road leading to the town their play area. Almost every day, at least one monkey gets knocked down by a speeding vehicle.

Arumgam’s day begins early in the morning, when he stations himself by the side of the highway. Every time he finds a monkey killed in an accident, he lovingly picks up the animal and dresses it up just as one would do to a human being.

The funeral takes place right by the highway, where local people and curious onlookers pay their respects. With the money collected from the people, Armugam conducts the last rights, before laying the animal to rest.

“These monkeys are a part of my life. It depresses me when they die in an accident, and it makes me even sadder when several other vehicles run over the body. Even an animal should be treated with respect,” he says.

May his tribe increase.

COMMENTS

How nice. We need people like this in Bangalore to take care of the stray dogs. We end up seeing so many of them killed by speeding vehicles but it is shameful that none of us stops to even move them to the roadside.
-Vachana Shetty, Bangalore

Good story. He is an inspiring Indian.
-Anantha Krishnan M, Bangalore

A very touching story. But the question is how many of us can actually contribute to such causes when 'TIME IS MONEY' concept has become the order of the day.
Injured humans are not attended to by their fellow beings these days, not to mention animals.
Hope this story will help in saving at least some lives.
-A. Anju, Hyderabad

When cars on highways do not bother about humans, will they care for animals?
I am glad that there are still some people who take care of animals even after their death. Now, that is true love for animals. Armugan’s efforts need recognition and support.
It is a well written article. Cheers.
-Jasneet Kaur Sahni, Hyderabad

It is an impressive story. The forest department should plant some fruit bearing trees in the jungle so that monkeys do not venture out to the roads.
-Machaiah B.U. Wayanad, Kerala

Cooum: The murder of a river

2010-04-20T14:48:00.004+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

There could perhaps be no murder more foul than the slow death inflicted by the citizens and the callous administration of Chennai on the once pristine Cooum river which cuts right through the heart of the city.

Considered one of the shortest rivers, the Cooum which takes its birth in a village of the same name in Thiruvallur district, traverses 65 km before draining into the Bay of Bengal at Chennai. Once, a source of drinking water, the river also was used by the tourism department for boating until the mid-eighties.

Today, the entire 18 km stretch of the river which flows through Chennai is reduced to a cesspool of filth and stench. The once green virgin river has now turned to a sewer line brimming with toxins.

While the insensitive attitude of citizens of Chennai who constantly pump tonnes of sewage and pollutants into the river is abominable, the lackadaisical attitude adopted by the powers-that-be is equally appalling. Thanks to them, the river which was the pride of Chennai is now an eye-sore.

Over the years, politicians have made the right noises about cleaning up the waterway, but as usual these have remained mere promises. And the Cooum continues to remain a cursed river.

Now, Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has taken a personal interest in initiating a Rs 100 crore World Bank assisted project to restore the Cooum to its original glory and develop it on the lines of the Thames in London. Preparatory work has begun in the right earnest and there is every indication that this ambitious plan will not be a castle in the air, as in the past.

And if indeed Stalin keeps up his promise, Chennai might soon be called the Venice of India. Let us hope that day is not far.

(Picture sourced from The Hindu)

A story of true love…

2010-03-08T12:34:00.014+05:30

She said 'I Love You' to a German boy and took on the world to keep her promise

By M. Gautham Machaiah

There is a popular Kannada song which goes: “Preethi maadabaradu, maadidare jagake hedara baradhu.” Loosely translated, it means: "You should not fall in love, but if you do, you should not fear the world…" And that is what Banu, who belongs to a traditional Muslim family has proved.

I came across 27-year-old Banu and her 40-year-old German companion Sasha at Samvad, a public contact programme of Zee Kannada’s popular show, Baduku Jataka Bandi, held at Mysore.

Banu met Sasha, a western classical dance teacher over a year ago, and both soon fell in love. When Banu revealed the news to her parents, who live in the communally sensitive Tannery road in Bangalore, all hell broke loose.

“This relationship will never work,” they said pointing to the age difference and cultural diversity. Within days, they found a groom from within the community, confined her to the house, and tried every trick in the book to wean her away from her lover, but Banu stood her ground. “How can I be in love with one person and marry some one else?” was her firm stand.

Her parents coerced her, threatened her, emotionally blackmailed her, but Banu remained unmoved. Banu tried to reason with her parents, but when they refused to listen, she simply walked out of the house. “I, no doubt love my parents, but I have given my word to Sasha. If I did not have the guts to stand up against the world, then I should not have fallen in love in the first place. Going back on my words would amount to cheating him,” she says as a matter of fact.

Sasha is in India on a tourist visa. He does not have a secure job, he does not have a resident permit and there is every chance of being deported if he overstays. But Banu has not allowed these adversities to cow her down. Nothing is more important to her than living with the man to whom she has given her heart.

Banu’s travails did not end with walking out of the house. The couple is under constant threat from goons hired by Banu parents, but it is their undying love for each other that makes them look forward to another day.

However, Banu and Sasha are yet to be married due to various legal hurdles, which is why they were at Samvad with a plea: “We do not have anybody’s support. Please help us get married.”

It no doubt takes a lot of courage for a traditional Muslim girl from an orthodox family to walk up to the stage and make this request in the presence of hundreds of audience. But then, that is the power of true love.

Mysore Police Commissioner Sunil Aggarwal and Deputy Commissioner P. Manivannan, who were present at the Samvad, have now promised all help to the couple.

The story of Banu stands as an example to many for whom the word love has been reduced to a game of use and throw. Banu has proved that if you are really in love, no force on earth can separate you. Perhaps, had Euripides met Banu, he would never have said: “She is not a lover, who does not love forever.”

COMMENTS

A very nice piece...
-Vinita A. Shetty, Bangalore

A very touching story indeed.
May true love shine bright and create many happy families in this world.
-Deepti Ganapathy, Mysore

Nice story.
-Parisa Sharafeh, Sweden

Hope this story has a 'happily ever after...' ending.
-Mohena Singh Shourie, Bangalore

Do let us know what the climax is. It is indeed a touching story. Hope this story will have a happy ending .
-Ashwini, Bangalore

"There is no fear in love, but a perfect love casts out fear" as said in Bible. I wish elders could understand this and bless them.
-Divya

Love indeed! They will get married and live happily!
-Sargam Gupta, Mumbai

(This story was also posted on MSN. Some of the responses are reproduced below)

A good story on the occasion of the 100th International Women's day. As the Hindi saying goes: "Jab pyar kiya tho darna kya!" All women need to be challenging to make the world a heaven.
-P.V. Murty, Bhimavaram

Good story...Hope guys also take an example from this story and stand by their girl friends or wives...True love rarely exists today...
-Sambhavna, Mysore

We Indians have an orthodox mindset. We do not approve of inter-caste marriages. We have a conception that marriages are only possible in the same community and caste. Marriage is regarded as the most important social custom of society. Inter-caste marriage is mostly the phenomenon of the city culture. The rural parts of the country are still intact from this blessing (or curse).
A successful marriage is not dependent on factors such as same caste and religion but on happiness which is a very complex commodity. Once the goose-bumps of honeymoon are over, the couple has to face the SAMAJ, a very real thing which has a history and prejudices of thousands of years. Both the partners have to encounter the approvals and disapprovals of immediate in-laws and the immediate cluster of kith and kin. Acceptability is not easy to come. Time runs fast.
Once this phase is taken care off, the next one is Mohalla and Shahar. With the backing of over-flowing wallet you can surmount that hillock also. What happens when the kids are born? By that time the glamour and glitz and fascination of marriage is overtaken by bitterness of realities, not created intentionally, but as a fait accompli. Kids demand to know their identity. Old faiths of partners and contradictions raise their heads. The kids face a very provocative Samaj and sometimes begin to wonder about the folly of their parents.
All that happens in the name of ephemeral infatuation. We are not from outer space and we all are not blessed with material resources like some political, film and business icons to trample upon the values of our parents and Samaj. What happens when poverty crops up? Poverty is a strong mortar and breaks up every feeble bond and in the end both the partners cry over the spilt milk. I am sorry but it is the reality of our society.
-Naim Naqvi, Mumbai

I think it is foolish on the part of Banu to marry a guy without a job and visa.
- Gopal, Chennai

Success of love is not marriage. How they live after the marriage has to be considered as success. I do not think the marriage will work in this case due to cultural differences.
-Balaji, Coimbatore

When Sushma Swaraj canvassed in Kannada

2010-02-09T12:39:00.004+05:30

FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE TIMES OF INDIA

Title: Sushma knows enough Kannada for the battle
Author: M. Gautham Machaiah
Publication: Times of India
Date: August 20, 1999

BELLARY: BJP candidate Sushma Swaraj, who is pitted against Congress president Sonia Gandhi, will campaign in Kannada. "Nanige swalpa Kannada baruthe (I know a bit of Kannada),'' she says as she reels out a long complex sentence.

How did this lady from Haryana acquire a knowledge of Kannada? The story goes back to two decades when she actively campaigned against Indira Gandhi in the fiercely fought Chikmagalur by-election. Now in Bellary, Ms Swaraj faces Ms Gandhi’s daughter-in-law.

"I have a working knowledge of Kannada, but will have to brush it up a bit,'' says Ms Swaraj, and adds with confidence, ``I will win and represent this constituency for five years. Then, I will be able to speak to you in Kannada fluently.''

Bellary has already taken its toll on her. The water and dust have confined her to the bed with a bad stomach, but this does not prevent her from receiving well-wishers who visit her from all parts of the district and pledge their support. ``Madam, we are with you,'' they all say.

And Ms Swaraj assures them that she will not step out of Bellary until the elections are over. As an after-thought, she adds: "Even after the elections, I will be here because I am going to win.''

But how can she exude such confidence when she is contesting in a constituency where the Congress has not lost even once? "True, the Congress has never lost here, but what has the party done for the constituency? Bellary still remains one of the most backward areas of the country. So why do you want to elect the Congress again? I will change the face of the constituency. The constituency needs motherly treatment which I will provide.''

This is going to be her election promise to the people. The poll plank obviously will be Ms Gandhi's foreign origin.

Ms Swaraj also brushes off criticism that she is as foreign to the people of Bellary as Ms Sonia Gandhi. "I am here only because Ms Gandhi is contesting. My blood boils when I think of India having a foreigner as the Prime Minister. Are we not capable of finding a single Indian to hold this post? I have not come here to fight an election, but to fight the battle of India's self pride,'' she signs off.

The Firm: A lawyer’s brush with law

2010-01-15T16:36:00.005+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

“You get nothing for nothing,” Mitch Mc Deere’s brother Ray serving a prison sentence at Tennessee jail would often say. Mitch should have realised this when a small time law firm in Memphis, Bendini, Lambert and Locke, paid him a handsome package, leased out a BMW, arranged a house mortgage and paid off his loans. But he did not. Until it was too late.

The Firm, by John Grisham is the story of a young and much sought after law graduate who lands up a plum assignment in a little known law firm, whose members carry their ethics, morals and family values on their sleeve. Bendini, Lambert and Locke makes an astounding offer which this student with only one pair of worn out suit and a jalopy for a car, cannot resist.

Soon Mitch and his wife, Abbey are in Memphis enjoying all the trappings of a life they had not imagined in their wildest dreams. The Mc Deeres had arrived.

But soon the good tidings come to an end. Mitch is accosted by an FBI agent and learns that his dream firm is under the scanner of the federal agencies. Then on, life turns out to be roller coaster ride for this young lawyer who is caught between the FBI and his firm. This is where the gripping story begins.

The Firm is yet another testimony to Grisham’s writing and imaginative skills. Nobody can perhaps breathe life into a mundane subject like law, as Grisham does. Like all other works of the author, The Firm is absorbing, riveting and spellbinding.

And it teaches you that you get nothing for nothing.

Watch your words, Mr Deve Gowda

2010-01-11T10:34:00.008+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has brought shame to Karnataka politics which has always been characterised by a certain degree of dignity and restraint, by using intemperate and below the belt language against Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

Gowda who used expletives like bloody bastard (which he pronounced as bastar) and son of a bitch in full glare of the camera has to do some soul searching himself.

The former Prime Minister has been waging a relentless battle against Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE), which he accuses of grabbing the land of poor farmers with the connivance of the Chief Minister. Incidentally, it was Gowda who during his term as the Chief Minister had handed over the Bangalore-Mysore expressway project on a platter to NICE without as much as calling for tenders. Rightly so, Yeddyurappa describes the NICE project as Gowda’s illegitimate child.

If Gowda fathered the “illegitimate child”, successful governments nurtured it. The interest of farmers is just an alibi. With the real estate prices skyrocketing following the implementation of the road project, everybody now wants his pound of flesh.

Gowda, by his own description, a born fighter, has every right to take up a public cause, but one would expect a person who held the high office of the Prime Minister to exhibit some decorum, at least in public. Gowda’s remarks are despicable, undignified and unbecoming of a senior politician. He owes an unqualified apology not just to Yeddyurappa but to the people of State for sullying their image by using such unpardonable language.

The former Prime Minister’s outburst might be the result of his frustration, but he would do well to mind his language in the future. Let us not bring gutter politics to Karnataka.

With politicians indulging in mindless mudslinging, the real issue—the NICE project—might get sidetracked. The only way to put an end to the controversy is to order an independent inquiry into all aspects concerning the project, right from according sanction to the allotment of land.

Who knows, an inquiry might reveal a not-so-NICE-story.

Picture sourced from www.rediff.com)

COMMENTS

The Machiavellian Gowda will have no compunction whatsoever, in denigrating the august office of Prime Minister which he once occupied, though briefly. This act of his has exposed the abyss in Indian politics, not just Karnataka politics. This further reinforces that only personal greed is the motivation behind politicians under the garb of socialist ideals.

-Mahesh M, Bangalore

What Deve Gowda said in public is actually an insult to the common man of Karnataka. He insulted not only an individual; he insulted Karnataka`s Chief Minister. SHAME ON DEVE GOWDA
-B.U. Machaiah, Wayanad

Haradanalli Doddegowda Deve Gowda’s latest outbursts are not a matter of surprise to all those who have observing him for long. Had the existing Bangalore-Mysore highway been widened into a six lane carriageway, there would have been no need for the NICE project. In addition, to the existing road which passes through Mandya, motorists can also reach Mysore through Kanakapura. If both these roads are developed, we need not even think of the NICE road.
Gowda might have raised the banner of revolt against NICE promoter Ashok Kheny, but the moot question is: “Who brought these land sharks to Bangalore?” Kheny and the NICE muddle are Gowda’s creation.
Gowda is an opportunistic politician who cannot be trusted. Drama is his brand of politics. As an MP, he led a delegation demanding that the headquarters of South Western Railways be set up in Hubli, but after becoming the Prime Minister he set up the headquarters at Bangalore.
Many years ago, he led a padayatra to Nagamangala, demanding the arrest of Congress MLA Shivaramegowda for his alleged role in the murder of journalist Kanchanahalli Gangadharamurthy. Within a few days, the murder accused joined Gowda's party and what happened later is history.
Disgusted with Gowda’s petty politics all his loyalists deserted him. They include G. Puttaswamy Gowda, B.L.Shankar, D.B.Chandregowda, C.Byre Gowda, K.N.Nage Gowda andY.K.Ramaiah
.People who know Gowda are not surprised by his shameless reaction to the NICE controversy.
-Manohar Yadawatti, Editor, 'Nation Age', Bangalore

Why are the so-called intellectuals not reacting? Is there no end to the Gowda menace? If he is allowed to go scot free, it will be a shame on responsible leaders of the State.

-Jayakumar Gurupad, Bangalore

Where were you when Janardhan Reddy abused H.D. Kumaraswamy when he was the Chief Minister? Where were you guys when B.N. Bacche Gowda held an exclusive press conference to abuse the Deve Gowda family?
I regret the words used by Deve Gowda, but at the same time, I and also surprised that the people who are hurt by his words are not bothered about the poor farmers who lost their lands due to the NICE project. Yeddiyurappa seems to have leased out North Karnataka to the Reddy brothers and the South to Ashok Kheny.

-H.D. Vinayraj Gowda, Janata Dal (Secular), Hassan

This article was also posted on MSN. Some of the responses are reproduced below:

Well, our former Prime Minister should not have used such language. But most people do not understand the facts behind the NICE scam. Yes, agreed it was Gowda who handed over the project to NICE and there is no doubt that there have been several irregularities from inception to this day.
Lands which are not part of the NICE road were acquired with the help of corrupt KIADB officials in the subsequent governments. They colluded with NICE and acquired prime land from innocent farmers. We have been turning a blind eye to the large scale irregularities which have been taking place from 1994. To whom can we complain when the fence itself is grazing the field.
All the succeeding governments, ministers and the entire KIADB are part of this mega scam which is much bigger than the Satyam fraud. We are further hurt by Chief Minister Yeddyurappa’s statement that the protestors are not real farmers. I request the Chief Minister to refer to the revenue documents of these lands from 1925 to date and cross check the names of protesting farmers.
The truth which most urban Bangaloreans are failing to understand is that we farmers are not opposing the construction of NICE road. We are opposing the extra lands acquired illegally and at dirt cheap rate. The government has paid only Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12 lakh per acre of land. With this money, the farmer who sacrificed his land is not even in a position to buy a small residential plot.
We sincerely request our beloved Chief Minister and other politicians to help the poor farmers recover from the scam rather than wasting valuable time on criticising each other. Ultimately, it is the common man who is going to suffer. We also request the Chief Minister to personally spare some time and study the original project plan (frame work agreement) that was signed in 1995 and the current status of project execution. The present Government should not forget the promises made to the people.
-Sreenivas, Bangalore

By using such filthy language, Gowda has exposed himself. We now know what sort of a politician he is, the former Prime Minister tag notwithstanding. Media hype made him bigger than what he actually is. India does not need such brand of politicians; it is high time he is thrown into the dustbin of history, never to come back into media attention.
-Krishnamurthy Ramamurthy, Toronto

I do know why so much attention is being paid to an old and senile man who became the Prime Minister due to circumstances.
-Ramnik S.Mamik, New Delhi

Gowda might have used these words out of anger. Anyway, such words are always used behind the scenes. But Gowda has used them openly. Instead of attaching too much of significance to his words, we need to focus on NICE, which has fed politicians from time to time. It is better to handover the issue to the CBI.
-Akshay, Pune

The good or bad that you do, come back to you, not necessarily from the same person. The vile language that the BJP uses against the Muslims, Sonia Gandhi and others is coming back to it from Deve Gowda. We can only wish that such a thing should not have happened; but man proposes and God disposes.
-Chandrasekar, Dubai

Gowda is a frustrated politician, who has no work to do. He has proved his critics right—that he was no Prime Ministerial material and occupied the chair by sheer accident.
-B.Vinay Kumar, Secunderabad

Gowda is frustrated because he is not in power. He wants to control the affairs of the State like he did in the past. I would request Gowda to retire from active politics in the interest of the people of Karnataka.
-Mahendra, Bangalore

These days, every political party has stooped to such a level in Karnataka, that the public is disgusted and dejected, with these unworthy politicians. Even at the national level things are no better. It is needless to say that the present gloomy situation of unrest, chaos, instability, price rise, security risks, regionalism and casteism is the end result of the selfish, greedy, power hungry politicians who have the least respect for the welfare of the common people.

It is the opinion of crores of right thinking people that a political party which was at the helm of affairs of this great country for more than 50 years, which boasts that it has liberated our beloved motherland from the cruel clutches of the British rulers, which was supposed to be dissolved soon after the declaration of free nation, as per the advise of the Mahatma, but enjoyed power and position by not heeding to his advise, is the root cause for all the ills of this country.

Mahatma’s physical body might have been hit by a bullet , but his soul, the simplicity, integrity, service, sacrifice, the ideals he stood for, have been destroyed by these unworthy politicians and in that respect they are the real killers.

Psychophancy is the order of the day and it is leading to the dynastic rule. It is disgusting to note that, corruption at high places, psuedo-secularism, appeasement of so-called minorities, emergency excesses, plight of Kashmiri-pandits, anti-Sikh riots, division of the country, are some of endless list of unscrupulous ways taken by this party to somehow retain power.

Let us look at another rightist national party, which pats itself on the back by proclaiming that it is a disciplined party, a party with a difference and cadre-based. It also suffers from infighting, disunity and blackmailing. Karnataka is a case in point. The people gave this party a chance hoping it would govern them efficiently, deliver goods and restore Karnataka’s past glory. The same people are now regretting their decision as the party has shattered their dreams and hopes by not caring for the common man.

The people have understood that this party is inefficient, inexperienced and is only fit to sit in the opposition. It is going to be difficult for the party to get elected in the near future.

If party politics is bad, Independents who have turned out to be fence-sitters waiting to grab power are worse. So who do we choose? Only God should save India!
-Subbaraman, Bangalore

Yeddyurappa's politics might be irritating to many in the country and I can understand the frustration of Gowda, but I cannot appreciate his language. The former Prime Minister has brought shame to the Indian political culture and pushed it to a new low. It was an outburst of shame for him, for his State, for his profession and for the whole country.
-Naim Naqvi, Mumbai

It is the most uncivilized behaviour. Whether Gowda has uttered those expletives against Yeddyurappa or the Advocate General or somebody else, it is highly indecent and the entire nation should bow its head in shame for having had him as the Prime Minister for some time. He has lost all regard of the common man.
-K.S. Karnic, Bangalore

Hurling such abuses has become common for politicians. Recently, Karnataka Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy used indecent language against former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu. This will go on. But somebody should come to the rescue of poor farmers who are being exploited by government itself with the joint support of private organisations like NICE and many land developers in and around Bangalore.
-G.C. Muniraju, Bangalore

Excellent advice to the grand old man, our former Prime Minister (by default). He is still defending his action, despite the fact that his son has also indirectly condemned it with the alibi, “He is agitated because of the grievances of farmers”. If he is agitated, does he use such foul language at home also? It is bad culturally, socially, ethically, and politically.
-Arjoo, currently on a short visit to Australia

Very well written. You have hit the nail on the head. As a punishment Gowda should be asked to write 1,000 times “I will not use gutter language in future” (In my school days an errant student was punished in this manner by the teacher) and displayed on public hoardings for all to see. Nonetheless, as the article points out, the BMIC muddle calls for an inquiry.
-Basant, Mumbai

BloodLine: Entertaining but not intriguing

2009-11-27T16:38:00.003+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Sidney Sheldon is the master of intrigue, sex and suspense, but BloodLine falls short on all counts. Perhaps, it is because this is one of his earlier works.

BloodLine is the story of Roffe and Sons, a large global entity whose Chairman dies in a mysterious accident leaving the controlling stake of the family-held enterprise in the hands of his inexperienced daughter, Elizabeth. The plot thickens with Elizabeth taking over the reins much to the disappointment of the other partners who had hoped to benefit from Roffe’s death.

There is an element of mystery, but the reading experience is by no means nail biting. One wonders if Sheldon had to encounter the writer’s block when he penned this book. The book though, has enough ‘masala’ for a good Bollywood film.

It is only after about 200 pages that narration gets racy. Finally, you are relieved that the Sheldon magic has begun to work. But barely when the adrenaline rush begins, the novel ends on a filmi note.

However, the novel is easy on the mind and sustains your interest all through.. Though it might disappoint die-hard Sheldon fans a bit, it nevertheless keeps you entertained from start to finish. Overall, the book is good, but it could have been better.

(Picture sourced from: fantasticfiction.co.uk)

Understand your limitations, but focus on strengths

2009-08-31T13:14:00.009+05:30

BOOK REVIEW
Strengths Based Leadership
Tom Rath and Barry Conchie
Gallup Press, NY, 2008
Rs 650

By M. Gautham Machaiah

For years, management gurus have told us to identify our weaknesses, work on them and convert them into strengths, but now, here is a book which advocates quite the opposite. Strengths based Leadership prescribes that the path to leadership is to focus on one’s strengths while understanding the limitations, instead of being bogged down by weaknesses.

“It is hard to build our self-confidence when we are focused on our weaknesses, instead of our strengths. If you focus on people’s weaknesses, they lose confidence.”

Based on the research by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie, the book identifies three keys to becoming a successful and effective leader: knowing your strengths and investing in other’s strengths; getting people with the right strengths on your team; and understanding and meeting the basic needs of those who look to you for leadership.

If you spend your life to be good at everything, you will never be good at anything. Perhaps the biggest misconception of all is that of a well-rounded leader. World leaders have succeeded because they have exceptional clarity about who they are- and who they are not. If any of them had chosen to spend a lifetime trying to be “good enough” at everything, it is doubtful they would have made such an extraordinary impact. Instead, they have all been wise enough to get the right strengths on their teams and this has led their organisations towards continuous growth.

The book which lists 34 strengths contains an access code which allows one to take an online test to identify your top five strengths which are distributed under four leadership domains—Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building and Strategic Thinking. It is not necessary that one should have the relevant strengths in all four domains. As the book cautions: “Those who strive to be competent in all areas become the least effective leaders over all.”

Instead, a leader should ensure that his team as a whole has strengths which fall into the four leadership domains. The ground rule is to identify each person’s strengths and leverage on it. Although individuals need not be well-rounded, teams should be.

The book draws an interesting comparison between Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi to indicate that is impossible to lead effectively without an awareness of one’s strengths.

Churchill’s bold and commanding leadership succeeded in mobilising a war-ravaged nation. It is unlikely that he would have had as much success if he had tried to emulate Gandhi’s calm and quite approach. Yet, Gandhi’s leadership during India’s freedom struggle was much more effective because he did not try to emulate the domineering leaders of the past. Both men knew their strengths and used them wisely.

The book takes the reader through the stories of top-notch executives to illustrate how they used their strengths to make a perceptible difference to the businesses they headed. Take for instance, the case of Simon Cooper who used his strength as an Influencer to maximise one of the world’s greatest brands Ritz-Carlton.

“You get a sense that this is one man who realises he can change the world—even if that means influencing one person at a time,” the authors note.

Then there is the case of Mervyn Davies, Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank, who effectively utilised his relationship building skills reaching out to each one of the 70,000 employees spread across 70 countries. While other chief executives were focused exclusively on their bottom lines, Davies was just as concerned with building an organisation with a heart and soul.

What set Davies apart was that he surrounded himself with people who could do specific things much better than he ever could.

Another interesting story is that of Brad Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Best Buy, who through his Strategic Thinking skills and unconventional approach helped create unprecedented growth. Had you invested $1,000 in Best Buy’s stock in 1991, when Anderson took over as president, it would have been worth $ 175,000 by 2008.

The authors also analyse why people follow certain leaders. Based on the findings of the research, the book concludes that employees look for four basic needs in their leaders—Trust, Compassion, Stability and Hope.

The last paragraph of the book is as effective as its opening lines: “Perhaps the ultimate test of a leader is not what you are able to do in the here and now—but instead what continues to grow long after you are gone.”

(Picture sourced from: Strengths.gallup.com)

COMMENTS

Nice one.
-Anantha Krishnan M, Bangalore

Nice blog, Gautham. There is another very interesting International Bestseller 'Now, Discover Your Strengths' by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O Clifton.
-Abha M. Banerjee, Mumbai

Useful book. Contains good information.
-Madhusudan, Bangalore

Good one Gautham.
-Lakki

Banning Jaswant's book is an insult to democracy

2009-08-20T16:01:00.011+05:30

If you do not agree with Jaswant Singh, take him by the horns, do not gag him. Let us have a society where the mind is free and without fear. We should be like an ocean that is all encompassing, rather than a pond that is stagnant

By M. Gautham Machaiah

The ban on Jaswant Singh’s book, ‘Jinnah-India-Partition-Independence’ by Gujarat, indicates that India is yet to mature as a democracy that accepts alternative thoughts which question the established order.

The BJP has expelled Singh, because his thoughts are in variance with the ideology of the party, while the Gujarat government’s stand is that the book questions the patriotic credentials of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Keeping aside the politics behind this sordid drama, it needs to be pondered if the culture of banning books augers well for the world’s largest democracy. Such censorship of thoughts hits at the very foundation of the freedom of speech and expression, enshrined in the Constitution.

It is sad that even 62 years after the country attained freedom, the political class continues to behave like feudal lords, gagging every dissenting voice and independent thought. Even worse is that the BJP bandies about out-dated concepts like ideology which belong to the communist world. The message is clear: There is no place for those who do not toe the ideological line. Is this democracy?

In a democracy every individual is entitled to his views, right or wrong, good or bad, palatable or unpalatable. So is Jaswant Singh. If you do not agree with him, take him by the horns, engage him in a debate, criticise him, argue with him, challenge him, or simply ignore him, but do not gag him.

Dissenting thoughts, however uncomfortable, are the pillars of democracy. Let us not stifle this thought process for our selfish gains.

Jaswant Singh’s views might be contrary to public opinion, so what; there are no holy cows in a free society. Even in the case of Mahatma Gandhi, the Supreme Court has declined to evolve a code of conduct on showing respect to the Father of the Nation. Surely, no other leader, however big, can be taller than Gandhiji.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.” Yes, let us have a society where the mind is free and without fear. Let us be an ocean which is all encompassing rather than a stinking, stagnant pond.

(Picture sourced from: www. indianexpress.com)

COMMENTS

This is cent per cent correct. Banning Jaswant`s book is definitely an insult to democracy. I fully agree with you
-Machaiah.B.U, Wayanad, Kerala

Do you think any of the BJP guys would have read the book? Unlikely. They must have ripped him for supporting Vasundararaje Scindia. Or something else altogether. I do not think they could have all read the book so quickly and then voted to take action. The book is the excuse not the reason.
-Vedam Jaishankar, Bangalore

Yes, banning the book is an insult to democracy and to a democratic country. What is the difference between India and autocratic countries? Jinnah was a gentleman and even in the movie Gandhi, he is shown as a clear and a straight forward person. It is time that such freedom fighters are brought into the limelight. The young generation should know of them.
-Maanan Desai, Dubai

Shastri's death: What is the Govt trying to hide?

2009-08-10T17:30:00.019+05:30

Even 43 years after Lal Bahadur Shastri’s mysterious death, the needle of suspicion continues to point at various quarters. The decision of the Centre not to declassify documents related to the death, has added intrigue to mystery

M. Gautham Machaiah

The Government of India’s refusal to reveal details pertaining to the sudden and mysterious death of the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Tashkent in the erstwhile USSR gives rise to suspicion that it has many skeletons in its closet.

The cause of Shastri’s death has been shrouded in mystery for over 43 years, with several conspiracy theories doing the rounds. With the end of the Indo-Pak war in September 1965, Shastri and Pakistan President Ayub Khan signed the Tashkent Declaration on January 10, 1966. Shastri died the next night after he supposedly suffered a heart attack.

One theory is that he was killed by America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), while some others describe this as a political murder. There have also been several suggestions, all of them unsubstantiated, that Shastri’s successor Indira Gandhi had a role in his death. The Government’s refusal to declassify the papers relating to the death has only added to the intrigue.

Shastri’s family including his wife Lalita Shastri had alleged that he died due to poisoning as his body had turned blue. It is said that the death came soon after he consumed milk allegedly laced with poison.

There are also conflicting reports on whether a post-mortem was conducted on Shastri’s body in the USSR or in India. Now, in a response to a Right to Information (RTI) plea filed by Anuj Dhar, author of CIA’s Eye on South Asia, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has stated that no post-mortem was conducted in either of the two countries.

However, while admitting that it had one document related to Shastri’s death, the PMO refused to declassify it as it could lead to harming of foreign relations, cause disruption in the country and lead to breach of parliamentary privilege. The Government has also stated that it is in possession of a medical investigation conducted by Shastri’s personal physician.

The people of this country have every right to know what caused the death of their second Prime Minister, and the right step in this direction would be for the Government to declassify the relevant documents.

The Government's cloak and dagger attitude has raised many questions: Did Shastri die a natural death or was it a political murder? If indeed, he died of a heart attack, why is the Government shying away from making the documents public? Was there a foreign hand in his death? Were the Americans, Russians or Pakistanis involved? Did the Congress party play a sinister role in the sordid affair? Many questions, very few answers.

Even in 1966, the Government made no credible efforts to ascertain the exact nature of Shastri’s demise. It is sad that the same apathy continues even to this day.

Thus, the question remains: What is the Government trying to hide?

(Picture sourced from www.thehindu.com)

COMMENTS

Such issues are always shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Take for instance, the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi or John F. Kennedy. Do we need to dwell on these issues? Are they relevant to our times? It is a debatable question. Jai Jawan Jai Kisan.
-Manna Mandanna

Conspiracy theory?
-Sudesh Pai, Bangalore

The people of India have a right to know the truth.
-Manan Desai, Dubai

(This article was also posted on MSN. Some of the responses received are reproduced below)

The reason for the death of our most efficient Prime Minister must be known to us. It is a great effort by the author.
-Saurav Agarwal, New Delhi

Lal Bahadur Shastri was a great statesman and a true leader. Conspiracy or not, we have lost a man who could have rightly pressurised Pakistan into not attacking us again, but after his death we all know what has happened. India not only let go the huge territory it occupied during the war but also remained mum over Pakistan’s propaganda that we had lost. And today we look like real losers.
-Ravi, Hyderabad

There must be something about the document so as not to be made public. All the governments in power in India do know the contents of that document. Why has nobody taken the initiative to make it public? If the classified document has no direct relation to Shastri's death, the government can issue a statement to that effect.
-Bobby Sakariah, Jeddah

I do not agree with the author. Some things are better kept hidden especially since it is not going to change the past. Why screw up the future?
-Bbby, Hydeerabad

People like me have a reason to believe that there may be plenty of skeletons in the cupboards in high places. This is the reason the Government is not coming clear on this issue. Moreover, the country is now ruled by the people of the dynasty which is suspected to have a major role in the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri. It is meaningless to expect this Government to be honest in sensitive issues of this nature.
-Murali Shastry - Chennai

There are lots of skeletons in con(g)men's closet. Will they ever reveal the truth?
-Autar Gurtoo, NOIDA, UP

We do not have any mechanism in the country which works independently. How can we expect such disclosures which can upset the whole system?
-S. Pandey, Allahabad

You have penned your views in a brief but very precise manner.
-R.K. Mehta, Mumbai

The "Dynasty" is hiding facts. This is quite obvious. They have too many things to hide. When they want to possess power, they can go to any extent. Remember the mysterious death of Subhash Chandra Bose. Even to this day, we do not have an answer. We all know what caused his death and who caused it.
-Rohan, Bangalore

This shows that the dirty politics pursued in our country continues even to this day.
-Anuradha, Gurgaon

Is it only the Congress party that has been ruling from the day of the incident and sitting on the classified document? In between other parties too ruled the country. Why did they not let the cat out of the bag? If Indira Gandhi was really behind this, they could have gained political mileage out of it. Thus, theory about her involvement fails.
-TPS, Hyderabad

TPS of Hyderabad, please note that the Congress party has ruled India for 90 per cent of the time. The first non-Congress Government came to power in the late 70s in the form of Morarji Desai, then V P Singh in 1989, followed by people like Chandrashekar, Deve Gowda etc., who were all ex-Congress people, who ruled for a very short time and did not really have any focus on such issues.
The BJP Government did not come to power until the 90s, three decades after Lal Bahadur Shastri's death. By that time other, more pressing and immediate national security issues needed to be handled. Also, just because the Government changes, it does not mean that everybody in the Government changes. It is more than likely that the people guarding the secret of this murder, are those who are affiliated to the Congress party and are in all probability paid or even threatened to keep their silence. Hence, just because there have been a few other coalition Government for a short while, it does not mean that Indira Gandhi was not behind the conspiracy.
-A K Anand, New Delhi

The Nehru-Gandhi families have done good as well as bad to the country. It would be better for the country if this family moves out of politics and gets into social work. Gandhiji has stated way back that the Congress should be dissolved after independence, but it continues to be in existence. Hope they get enough wisdom to move out of politics.
-Sagarika, Pondicherry

The manner in which our Government is dealing with issues like the death of Shastri and Subhash Chandra Bose smacks of Indian involvement, rather than the foreign hand.
-Ankur Priyadarshan, Kolkata

What about the recent deaths of Madhav Rao Scindia, Rajesh Pilot, Pramod Mahajan and others? All of them are mysterious deaths which have not been explained... or have been explained away as accidents... I can attribute all these to only one family.
-Rahul, Bangalore

The Congress party and its leader were the culprits in the "assassination" of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the most patriotic and honest Prime Minister India ever had. These culprits were experts in the art of hushing-up these allegations (facts). The people of this country should open their eyes to the true picture of the leaders of the Congress party.
-Himard , Vishakapatnam

(The views expressed in the Comments section are that of the readers and the author may not subscribe to some of them. For a full compliment of views, please visit: http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=0e964653-f101-49ed-af30-276e0d519d31)

Mumbai attack: Will Ajmal Kasab ever be hanged?

2009-07-22T17:55:00.011+05:30

Rajiv Gandhi’s assassins have defied the noose for 18 years, so has Afzal Guru, the prime accused in the 2001 Parliament attack case. Given this backdrop, will Ajmal Kasab ever be hanged?

By M. Gautham Machaiah

“Whatever I have done, I have done on earth, and I should be punished here. I do not want to be punished by God. Please punish me by hanging,” Ajmal Kasab, the prime accused in the terror attacks on Mumbai has told the trial court. But given the Indian legal system, it might take at least a decade to hang him. That is, if the court awards him capital punishment.

For Kasab, it is a long way to the noose. Once the trial court pronounces its order, Kasab’s advocate will approach the High Court and subsequently the Supreme Court. Assuming that the trial court condemns him to death and Supreme Court confirms it, he still has one more lifeline—filing a mercy petition before the President of India.

If history is any indication, Kasab may succeed in defying the gallows even for the next 20 years. Take for instance the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. The former Prime Minister was killed by a suicide bomber in 1991 and his assassins who were condemned to death are yet to be hanged even 18 years later.

The assassination trial took six long years and in 1998, all the 26 accused were sentenced to death. As the accused were booked under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), where the court of appeal was the Supreme Court, a long pending appeal before the High Court could be avoided. In 1999, the Supreme Court upheld the conviction of four of the 26 accused.

The four who were convicted to death filed a mercy petition before the President, who is yet to take a decision. Meanwhile, the death penalty of one of the accused, Nalini who had become a mother while in prison, was commuted to life imprisonment after Congress president Sonia Gandhi pleaded for clemency.

The remaining three continue to remain on the death row. If the assassins of a former Prime Minister can escape the noose for nearly two decades, it is difficult to believe that Kasab will see his end in the near future.

A parallel may be drawn between Kasab and Mohammed Afzal Guru, convicted for his role in the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001. Guru’s trial was relatively speedy when compared to that of Rajiv Gandhi. He was awarded the death sentence by a trial court in 2002, which was upheld by the Delhi High Court in 2003 and confirmed by the Supreme Court in 2005.

In 2006, Guru’s wife filed a mercy petition before the President, which continues to hang fire even to this day.

Only in the case of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination was the entire process of appeal exhausted in about five years. Indira Gandhi was shot dead in 1984, while her assassins were executed in 1986.

The opposition BJP has been demanding that Afzal Guru’s mercy petition be rejected and that he be hanged immediately. But the Government does not seem to be in any hurry.

Union Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily has said that Afzal Guru is twenty second in the list of 28 mercy petitions pending before the Government. “You cannot pick and choose and hang people in a country which believes in the rule of law,” is his argument.

Thus, Afzal Guru will have to wait his turn. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has announced that he will attend to one mercy petition every month. This means it will take at least another two years before the Home Minister even has a look at Guru’s file. It is anybody’s guess when he will be hanged, if at all.

There has been a demand from citizens and a section of politicians that cases involving terrorism should be fast tracked, instead of following the queue system. But in India, political expediency takes precedence over national security.

And who knows, one day Kasab may walk a free man!

(Picture sourced from: bajan.wordpress.com)

COMMENTS

Nice blog on Kasab! But I think they should just let him go. Who are we to punish him? We have no right to take somone's life! Yes, He killed all those people. But if we turn around and kill him - then what is the difference between him and us?
-Sindhu M.C., New Jersey

I agree with you. This is what I have written in my blog, sangeethvinayakan.blogspot.com. But unlike me, you have done it well. Jai Bharath!
-Sangeeth Vinayakan

Your employee is not an asset!

2009-07-17T15:05:00.007+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Corporations today have derived different euphemisms to describe their employees. Some treat them as assets; others refer to them as human capital, while most stick to the time-tested description of human resource.

But how many companies look at their employees as simple human beings? Do you view your employee as a machine which needs to be overhauled and oiled periodically in the form of increments, or as a living being with emotions, mood swings, joys, sorrows, pleasure and pain?

Your employee might be a resource, capital or an asset, but remember, he is first a human being.

A person spends a major part of his life at work, away from his family, which is why it is important that he looks forward to attending office and enjoys spending time with his colleagues. As a boss, this is in your hands.

You treat your employee like a machine and he will respond mechanically. He will perform because you incentivise him with increments and bonuses, not because he shares an emotional bond with the company. Such workers, who perform from the level of their body and mind, without giving their heart and soul to their work, can often prove to be a liability.

Only a good boss can fire the passion in an employee. And who is a good boss? Somebody who has business acumen, leadership qualities and marketing skills? All this, and more. You can never be a good boss unless you are first a good human being.

As you read this, sit back for a while and ponder: Do your employees respect you because you are a tough boss, or because you are a decent human being? And if your answer is the former, you have some soul searching to do.

All of us carry personal and professional baggage with us. Our personal lives reflect on our work and vice-versa. As a boss you have no control over your employee’s personal life, but you can at least ensure that he carries a happy baggage home. After all, he spends a better part of his life with you.

Many a time you would have pulled up an employee for under performance on a particular day, but have you ever given a thought to what could be running in his mind. It could be as simple as a domestic fight or something as serious as his father’s illness. But have you offered him solace?

How many times has your employee felt comfortable to sit across the table and discuss his personal life with you? Does he see you just as a boss or as a friend, philosopher and guide? Does he trust you enough to share his problems with you? And if he does, do you give him a patient hearing?

It is not just sorrows that your employee would like to unburden. As the boss, are you among the first to know about a joyous event at home, like a new arrival or the purchase of a car? Or, do you remain distanced from the personal life of your employee?

It is the small things of life that matter. How many times have you taken time off to have a one-on-one discussion with your employees on their personal lives—their parents, wife, children or even their problems. Is your relationship with your employee confined only to business or do you genuinely care for his well being too?

Little gestures can often go a long way in winning over your employee’s trust, confidence, respect, and above all love. All you have to do is show that you care.

When was the last time you visited an employee’s parent who was hospitalised? When was the last time you attended a puja in your team member’s house? When was the last time you bothered about how your employee reached home from office late in the night? Or, when was the last time you remembered and personally wished your employee on his birthday?

This does not mean you should forever mollycoddle your employees. Be firm when needed, but be reasonable. As a boss you too are human and may be given to bouts of temper. You may sometimes give him a shelling, but do not forget to make up.

One question you should never forget to ask yourself every evening is: “Has my employee gone back home today with a smile on his face?”

Employees do not despise tough bosses, what they hate is bosses without a heart.

Several studies have indicated that when a person quits his job, it is not because he is unhappy with the company, but because he is dissatisfied with his boss. Such people separate with a bad taste in the mouth and hold the company in utter contempt through out their lives—all because you were a bad boss.

Yet, there are instances where people quit their jobs with happy memories and remain in contact with their former bosses for years to come. A good boss does not merely develop a working rapport with the employee, but a relationship for life.

As Russel H Eving said: "A boss creates fear, a leader confidence. A boss fixes blame, a leader corrects mistakes. A boss knows all, a leader asks questions. A boss makes work drudgery, a leader makes it interesting."

So, what are you? A boss or a leader?

COMMENTS

(This article was also posted on MSN. Some of the responses received are reproduced below)

The fact of the matter is whether you call people as resources, assets or capital, none of them in business are treated like humans. A machine gets respected;, if it gets heated it is switched off, dusted and greased as per schedule. Plant maintenance has a scheduled check-up and downtime? But how many times has your boss/company insisted you go on leave once every six months? Only when they want to reduce costs not when they want to improve performance.

Essentially, I mean even machines are treated with respect and maintained to improve performance. Men are lectured by glib and swanky managers who do not recognise you when you are waiting for a bus, never have they asked if you could be dropped someplace, but that half-hour of pepping is expected to better your performance by leaps or bounds.

Today, people are not bothered about the company. As they are paid more and more, they seem to care less and less. Management as a subject is key to human development, as a practice it does not exist.
-Rajesh, Hyderabad

Dear Gautam, the managers of today are even afraid to appreciate good work. They are worried as to how then will they justify having denied a promotion or an increment later. In our country promotion is not based on performance; it is based in chamchagiri, caste, and religion. Professionalism is only in our words and not in actions.
-Bobby Sakariah, Jeddah

My case was different. I had horrible bosses in most of the companies I worked. I believed in hard work and sincerity, they believed in time pass and sadistic pleasures. I ended up being tortured. I still delivered and grew up the ladder.

The attitude of my bosses had an impact on my personal life and I lost my wife and kids to this turmoil. My bosses who were known for their regional bias, tampered with my career. I have found bosses to be scheming and political in their attitude. When I could not help it any longer, I moved on.
-Natarajan VG Iyer, Bangalore

Dear Natarajan, Do not be sore, it is not worth all the tension. No one in the IT industry is happy. How many bosses will you find with a smiling face? Do we have to become graduates, engineers and doctors to face such unhappiness at work. I have always felt that I am working among dead people. I even mentioned this to one of my bosses and he smiled!
-Rajesh, Hyderabad

Very interesting.
-UPOP, Mumbai

What a good article. It should be published in the newspapers.
-Lucky Charm, Kuwait

The concept of boss itself is a curse from the colonial British rule. The Indian way is partnership and mutual respect as a human being, which in my opinion yields better results. We should shun the boss system for our own progress.
-Karthik, Hyderabad

"You can never be a good boss unless you are first a good human being" Well said. Some deep thoughts for consideration. Thanks.
-Dr. Cajetan Coelho, Goa

This article is admirable. The boss should be balanced in his praise and criticism.
-Phani Krishna, Hyderabad

Fantastic content!
-Gnana, Chennai

A boss is a boss is a boss. He can never become your family member. It is unfortunate that you have to spend most of your time with him rather than with your family, because both you and your family are greedy for money.
-Bosskey, Chennai

I would like to speak from the perspective of a businessman. Initially, people join as salaried employees. They say any salary is fine with them. Slowly as time passes, they start a trade union. They start demanding a share in the company's profits.

As a businessman, I never recruited you saying you are my partner. I recruited you for a salary. So, if you have high expectations, that is not my problem. With regard to the boss, well, as a businessman, it is my duty to ensure that he/she as a boss is the right person for the right job. But unfortunately he/she is saddled with blunders that the juniors and subordinates have committed assuming that it will not been noticed.

You will be surprised that many employees who are not even managers, swindle the company’s money, indulge in sexual harassment etc. Business challenges are so huge that as salaried employees you do not understand it till you yourself become a businessman.
-S.S. Sharma, Bangalore

When I started my company ten years ago, I tried to be a friend to every employee. I extended them monetary help and was always around in their times of need. But what did I get in return? They indulged in theft and made me bankrupt. I was an emotional fool and gave them more than what they expected. But having learnt my lesson, I hardly speak to my workers and give them what they deserve. I do not extend any help to them. As a result my profit has begun soaring. Here I am, a boss with leadership qualities.
-S Salim Sarang, Mumbai

Hats off to Gautham. This article is really good.
-Shehensah, Bangalore

You are right, Gautham, not all bosses are the same and not all employees are the same. We have both types; some who discuss and want personal things be heard and some who do not care about anything except their work and the money they get. All they see and make sure is kill some time and go through the routine. You cannot help but be a moron sometimes.
-VB, Bangalore

It is interesting. I want to be a leader and not a boss. I have a small company where 25 employees are working with me
-Leela, Chennai

I was once a worker and now I am the boss of my own firm. It is 100 per cent true that what a leader can achieve, may not be achieved by a boss. If a boss is made up of leadership qualities then the whole team becomes a winning and productive organisation.
-Ragu, Johannesburg

Very good and useful.
-Prabhakhar Varma, Hyderabad

Enlightening!
-Anannd R.Kulkarnii, Thane

Good one Gautham. 'Resource' is a very commonly used word in the IT industry while referring to an employee. Eg : "I need a resource with good communication skills OR can you send that resource's profile across". I particularly get very irked when people do this and give it back to them irrespective of their designation at the work place.
-Kartik Krishnaswamy, Bangalore

That is exactly why Shruthi and I would want to work with you even today (given an opportunity). You are a great boss and a great human being. Thank you Gautham.
-Surabhi Shastry, Bangalore

Kingfisher: No longer the king of good times?

2009-07-15T19:40:00.007+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah
Bangalore

After an international beer conference in London, all the world’s top brewery bosses decide to go out for a beer together.

The Chairman of Budweiser says, “I would like the most refreshing beer in the world, ‘The King of Beers’, give me a Budweiser.”

The Chairman of Guinness says, “I would like the only beer in the world worth really, truly waiting for, give me a Guinness.”

The Chairman of Carlsberg says, “I would like the world's best beer, drunk in more countries than any other, give me a Carlsberg.”

Vijay Mallya sits down, looks around and says, “Just give me a Coke.”

The other brewery bosses laugh loudly and say, “Hey Vijay, how come you are not drinking a Kingfisher?”

“Listen,” says Vijay Mallya, “If you guys are not drinking beer, neither will I.”

Well, any Kingfisher fan would agree with Mallya. In fact, until recently you would walk into a restaurant and just ask for a beer. And a beer in most parts of the country invariably meant Kingfisher. Beer and Kingfisher were synonymous with each other. Not any longer.

With the entry of several international brands like Carlsberg, Foster’s, Tuborg, Budweiser and Tiger, the consumer is spoilt for choice. But that is not the only reason why bad days have befallen the king of good times.

Over the past few years, Kingfisher could not match up to its rivals in terms of aggressive branding, advertising and marketing, thus failing to encash the equity that it enjoyed.. While other brands launched a blitzkrieg targeting the youth, Kingfisher remained content resting on its laurels. Thus, the younger generation today considers it more hip to be seen with a bottle of an international beer than good old Kingfisher.

There was a time when competitors struggled to get even a toehold of the market, but in a reversal of roles, Kingfisher has been shown the door in many up-market pubs. Some pubs even consider it infra dig to serve the popular home grown beer. Another common excuse of pubs is that Kingfisher is in short supply, something unheard of in the past. Unfortunately, this is the state of affairs in Kingfisher’s hometown Bangalore too

Whatever be the reason for this dismal performance, Kingfisher fans are a distraught lot. Beer like wine is an acquired taste and Kingfisher lovers swear by their favourite brand. However, with Kingfisher often being unavailable, patrons are forced to sample other brands. Though many affirm that “there is nothing to beat Kingfisher”, some others have slowly begun switching loyalties.

Has Mallya taken his customers for granted, is there a genuine shortage of Kingfisher beer or have his executives been lax? Whatever be the reason, after seeing many moons of good times, Kingfisher fans may have to brace themselves up for some bad times too. That is not something you can raise a toast to.

(Picture sourced from www.travelpod.com )

COMMENTS

Yes, there has been a lot of competition for Kingfisher, but do you have some statistics on the sales and market share? May be that would prove your point that Mallya is not heading for good times..I believe that market is growing bigger for beer and KF still holds large chunk of it.
- Lakki

I was pleasantly surprised to know of its popularity among New Zealanders when I was there recently. The brand is popular at the innumerable Indian eating places there. Was quite amusing to watch the Kiwis order for a strong version along with naan and butter chicken. It is considered an essential part of the Indian platter! I also remember a Kiwi who had been to Mumbai some years ago, lamenting about the mild headache he had when he downed them. “I believe they add Glycerin to your beer?” he asked me. Well, 'The king of good times' does need a revamp of its packaging and marketing.
-Deepti Ganapathy, Mysore

Well, there is no doubt that competition has increased, but the fact remains that Kingfisher is still the king of good times. In the alcoholic beverage industry in India, it is not just about establishing a brand, but it also about building a strong distribution network besides liaison with government officers.

People have now got an opportunity to taste other MNC brands (Of course, even KF is an MNC brand now), but how far they will be loyal to new brand in long run is the question to be asked. In Andhra Pradesh, for instance, there was no supply of Kingfisher during the peak of summer, which actually is the season, due to the legal tussle between UB and Andhra Pradesh Brewery Corporation Limited. Thus, Kingfisher was off the shelves during the months of April, May, and first half of June. The new MNC brands did take the advantage by trying to flood the market with their products.

But the moment Kingfisher was back in the market, stockists found it difficult to sell other brands like Tiger, Budweiser and Carlsberg. Mallya's UB and USL (United Spirits Ltd) empire has grown with a good dealer and distributor network along with strong support from the government authorities. This lethal combination at any given time can make or break a brand overnight no matter how strong it is out side India!
-Anju A, Hyderabad

Nobody is denying Mallya’s network of dealers and contacts with the Government, the question is: Why is Kingfisher beer not available in many pubs of Bangalore? Is there really a scarcity or have other brands succeeded in convincing pubs not to serve Kingfisher?
-C.L. Mohan Kumar, Bangalore

Govt should ban political 'titles'

2009-07-12T22:06:00.007+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

The Congress party has recently issued an advisory to its blue-blooded members to drop their feudal titles, but why are the neo royals, the political class, still allowed to use pompous honorifics?

Royal titles ceased to exist with the abolition of Privy Purse by Indira Gandhi in 1971, but many Congress leaders continued to use titles like Maharaja and Maharani, prompting this directive from the party high command. But the political masters who have replaced the royals, continue to use appendages like Excellency or Honourable.

For instance, any reference to the President of India and Governors of States is prefixed with His/Her Excellency in all official records and communication. There has been no instance in India where a President or Governor has voluntarily given up this ‘title’. In fact, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Raj Bhavans expect the President or Governors to be addressed as His or Her Excellency.

Similarly, any reference to an elected representative, be it the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Minister, MP or MLA is preceded by Honourable. It is always Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable Chief Minister or Honourable Minister.

The Mayor of a city, on the other hand, is addressed as Worshipful Mayor. One wonders how many Mayors in India are worthy of worship.

One of the arguments put forth by the Congress while issuing its advisory was, “Everybody is a common man in India.” That being the case, why are politicians being treated as a special class?

The situation is worse in the judiciary. Judges in the lower courts are referred to as Your Honour, while in the High Court and Supreme Court they are addressed as My Lord. It is not just the advocates; even judges refer to each other as My Lord. Will a mere Sir or Madam not suffice?

To be fair to the judiciary, the Supreme Court has on several occasions advised that such honorifics should be dropped, but the Bar Council of India has failed to rise to the occasion.

If the Congress really believes in the equality of all, the UPA Government should issue a directive banning political titles like His Excellency, Honourable and Worshipful, besides feudal references like Your Honour and My Lord.

Politicians are the servants of the people and as such they have no right to pamper themselves with lofty titles which do not have the sanction of the Constitution.

(Picture sourced from: www.timeotcchem.com)

COMMENTS

Good stuff. But Congress workers should be allowed to refer to their respective state chiefs as `Oh Great Fearless Leader'. May be then the odd State chief might even be emboldened to rebel against the High Command! Nevertheless, should be fun at the national plenary when a great number of `Great Fearless Leaders' would be seen sucking up!

-Vedam Jaishankar, Bangalore

Well, I agree with you, but sometimes people themselves want to address you by bestowing such titles and honorifics. It also makes room for creative expressions in rather boring speeches and write-ups. Just being a bit democratic about my own opinion!

-Rajesh Gundu Rao, Bangalore

Madras HC should act against Union Minister

2009-07-01T13:10:00.003+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah
Bangalore

Justice R. Regupathi of the Madras High Court has stirred a hornet’s nest by announcing in the open court that a Union Minister tried to influence him to grant anticipatory bail to a doctor and his son in a forged marks sheet case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Such interference by politicians which smacks of gross impropriety deserves to be condemned, but the judge too failed in his duty by not naming the Minister at the first instance.

The judge has threatened to incorporate the name of the Minister and details of the conversation in his order if the accused fail to tender an unconditional apology. Why is the judge insisting on an apology from the accused and not the Minister himself? Is it because the accused and the Minister are powerful people?

Would the same concession be granted to a common man had he tried to influence a judge? The judiciary’s history is replete with instances where people who have interfered in the course of justice by writing letters or making phone calls to judges have been punished. Why this preferential treatment for the Minister?

No doubt, Justice Reghupati needs to be congratulated on his bold stand, but the right course of action for him would have been to haul the Minister concerned for contempt of court. The law of the land should not differentiate between a politician and the common man.

India takes pride in its independent judiciary and any attempt by self-serving politicians to subvert this should be nipped in the bud. One hopes that the judiciary will stand solidly behind Justice Reghupati in his fight against the interference by the executive.

The judiciary need not look to the Prime Minister to bring the Minister to book. The court is well within its powers to initiate appropriate action and hand down exemplary punishment to the Minister so that it serves as an example to his entire ilk.

Unless the judiciary deals firmly with the truant Minister, the common man will get an impression that some are more equal than others in the eyes of law.

(Picture sourced from www.skyscrapercity.com)

COMMENTS

(This article was also posted on MSN. Some of the responses received are reproduced below)

I believe this is only the tip of the iceberg. I think this judge has the courage to at least speak. Most others will not even speak.
-B. Kumar, Allahabad

Justice Regupathi will be remembered for the strength of his mind if he passes a proper order on this issue. It would have been more appropriate and would have served as a deterrent, had he spelt out the name of the Union Minister in the open court.
-Amal Datta, Chennai

How does the judge or any one else know that it was not an imposter pretending to be a Minister just to ensure that the accused does not get bail? There are always more angles than one when looking for the truth.
-Ajit, Mumbai

The judiciary of India has become corrupt and the judge who has took a bold step against a Minister should be praised.
-Shri Paul Sharma, Ludhiana

Which Union Minister are we talking about? Does not somebody have the guts to come out upfront with his/her name? If we can make these allegations, then we should be bold enough to give out the name of the person concerned. This practice of hiding the name is pure cowardice. Media persons think they are doing the public a great favour by reporting sensational news. If the report comes with inconclusive news, then they may as well have not reported the issue.
-Johnny Walter, Lucknow

Life is miserable for the people who are truthful. They can end up in a mess. Such is the fibre of our country. Only now some people are becoming bolder. It is good that the judge came out with the statement. I pray to God to bless this country and the people with great transparency while performing their duties. No one can be proud unless and until people feel that it is worth living in this country. We have lived in fear, and continue to be in fear as right can be turned wrong and wrong can be turned right. The mighty wield the power. We all wish to live in state of happiness and that too fearlessly.
-M.S. Rao Chennai

The article is a trend setter to the judiciary and the politicians in the country.
Subhash Chand, New Delhi

I am a sufferer under the corrupt legal system widely prevalent in India. First of all, the law of the land is not easily available to the common man on the street as it should be. Lawyers and judges have a similar nexus as the politician and the bureaucrats. They are always in connivance with the rich and powerful.
I hail from Bihar where the law is non-existent. If someone has the misfortune of protecting their rights through a court of justice in such lawless states then only God can help him or her. There is a goonda raj and politicians are goondas. The greatest irony is some of these people who are roaming the streets under the protection of Z security should be put behind bars. But they think they are above the law.
Only a miracle can save Indian democracy. It is a sham democracy. Judicial process is slow and compels people to take the law onto their hands.There is a saying which totally fits the Indian judicial system, 'Justice delayed is justice denied'.
-Kumar P, New Delhi

Liberhan panel report has lost relevance

2009-06-30T16:32:00.005+05:30

By M. Gautham Machaiah
Bangalore

The Liberhan commission, appointed in 1992 to probe the demolition of Babri Masjid has finally submitted its report to the Prime Minister, after over 16 years.

At the time of its appointment, the commission was given a time frame of three months to submit the report. Little did any one imagine that it would seek one extension after another, 48 to be precise, and drag the inquiry for 16 long years.

Whatever the justification of the commission for this undue delay, the end result is that the report has lost its relevance and will serve no purpose, except to stoke old flames. At best, it can be a stick in the hands of the Congress to attack the Sangh Parivar.

The term of the Liberhan commission is the longest in the history of India. But there is hardly any other judicial commission in the country which has submitted its report within the stipulated time. It has become a norm for commissions to seek innumerable extensions, and by the time they submit their report the very reason for which they were set up becomes irrelevant.

Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily who has promised a plethora of sweeping changes in the first 100 days in office, should immediately focus his attention of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, under which judicial commissions are appointed.

Today, a judicial commission is seen as a handy tool for politicians to brush contentious issues under the carpet. The reports of these commissions are not worth the paper on which they are printed because they are not binding on the government, which can summarily reject unpalatable findings. Besides, judicial commissions have no power to punish the guilty.

From the point of view of judges, a judicial commission is seen as an avenue for permanent appointment. It is said soldiers never die, they just fade away. But in the case of judges, they never retire, they always get appointed to a commission.

(Pictute sourced from: www.judiciaryreport.com)

COMMENTS

(This article was also posted on MSN. Some of the responses received are reproduced below)

I wonder what would have happened if the retired judge had died in harness. As for the findings, may be there will be a serious public debate. It should be, so that young people can refocus on what is happening to their democracy which is being hijacked by old hooligans.
-Kulamarva Balakrishna, Vienna

The report has outlived its utility. There is no issue now for the BJP or the secularists. The report could spell bad news for the Congress as it may bring back Kalyan Singh and Uma Bharati back to the BJP fold.
-Sanjay, New Delhi

I agree with what you have written. In India, no heavy weight politician has ever been convicted even if he has violating the law of the land. The worst part is that after the Liberhan commission report was presented to the Prime Minister, Uma Bharti was quick to own responsibility to brighten her lost political career. Such political terrorism is common in India. We have commissions, more commissions and yet more commissions and no one is hurt except the reputation of the commission itself.
-Hamzah, Kashmir

The Liberhan Commission could not have gone on for another five years; its report had to come and eventually buried in the pages of history as with all such judicial commission reports. The Congress thought this to be the best time to do it. More than the Congress, it is the BJP which would have drawn more electoral advantage if it were to come say six months ago.

Even now, if the Congress government acts against the BJP leaders, it will revive all past memories and create a communal divide. The issue of Ram Mandir may have got buried under the present day issues of downturn in the economy, job losses, rise in food prices etc., but that issue will remain most emotive to millions of Hindus who believe this to be the birth place of Lord Ram where a mosque was constructed by the invaders, like it was done at the birth place of Lord Krishna in Mathura.

Any spark will ignite flames again. It will be good for the UPA government to quickly get over the formalities of putting this report where it belongs and not to attempt to use it for electoral advantages now or any time in the future. It will only be a loser in the game.
-H.P. Narang, New Delhi

Inquiry Commissions serve as safety valves for every government to diffuse the immediate crisis. No action follows in the aftermath of these inquiries. The members of these commissions enjoy unlimited favours for doing little or nothing. The Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, is unnecessary as these inquiries should be undertaken by agencies which should be independent of any government. These agencies should be empowered with all judicial levers. The Act should be scrapped.
-Naim Naqvi, Amroha

There should be a relevant debate on a seemingly irrelevant report.
-Dr. A.K Tewari, Allahabad

It is high time that we put communal agents like LK Advani, Uma Bharati, Kalyan Singh, Manmohan Joshi, Narendra Modi in the jail forever till they die. Organisations like the Bajrang Dal, Viswa Hindu Parshad. Indian Muslim League and several other communal organisations should be banned and their leaders should be put in jail. Nobody should be allowed to collect votes in the name of religion which has been misused by our political leaders. Varun Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi should be expelled from the Lok Sabha for inciting communal passions.
-Feroze Katrak, Mumbai

Is the post of deputy PM/ CM legal?

2009-06-08T15:58:00.004+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Are the posts of Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Chief Minister legal or are they unconstitutional?

The trend of having a deputy is not new. Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel was the first to hold the post of DPM (1947-50), the latest being BJP’s L.K. Advani (2002-2004). Over the years, this has cascaded to the States, the most recent instance being that of M.K. Stalin in Tamil Nadu.

But not many seem to be aware that the Constitution of India does not provide for a DPM or DCM.

Article 75 (1) reads: “The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.”

Similarly, with regard to the States, Article 164 (1) lays down: “The Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, and the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.”

Clearly, there is no provision in the Constitution for a deputy. However, there have been umpteen instances where the President of the Governor issues a notification appointing an individual as the DPM or DCM. There have also been several cases where individuals have been administered the oath of office as Deputy Chief Minister.

Is it legal to make an appointment to a post which is not sanctioned by the Constitution? Can the oath of office be administered when the post itself does not exist?

Present day political expediency and coalition politics may have made these posts a necessity, but should not the Constitution be amended accordingly so that there is some legitimacy to such high offices?

(Picture sourced from www.loc.gov)

COMMENTS

(This article was also posted on MSN. Some of the responses received are reproduced below)

The Constitution makes a mention of Prime Minister and Ministers / Chief Minister and Ministers. It can be taken that DPM and DCM are included in the "Ministers" category. There is nothing unconstitutional or illegal about it.
-Murali, Bangalore

No, there is no constitutional provision for the same
-Godfrey Pimenta, Mumbai

It is alright if deputies are appointed. In fact, it gives the person concerned some experience to occupy the No.1 position. Also, it may help in a crisis situation when the No.1 is not available due some reason.
-Dayanand Patil, Navi Mumbai

An additional chief executive means extra burden on the Indian public to feed these highly paid bosses. These politicians are very smart. They create one post after another to gain more salary and incentives at the cost of the poor Indians.
-Alex, Kuwait

Wonderful query. But everything need not be amended in the Constitution. It is already bulky. Let us start some healthy precedence. Are not companies having many high level posts like deputy, associate, joint, etc? Executives should be left free like in the US, but of course within the basic structure of Constitution.
-C Seshu, Hyderabad

It is alright if a bachelor like Vajpayee has a Deputy.Prime Minister, but why should Karunanidhi have one when he already has three deputy wives? Jokes apart, having deputies is not a healthy sign, leave alone constitutional validity.
-Dayanand P, Chennai

Karnataka CM dumps politics for development

2009-06-01T14:00:00.005+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

When it comes to development, keep politics aside. That is the message Karnataka’s BJP Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa seems to be sending out loud and clear.

In what may be described as an extremely gracious move, the Chief Minister personally visited the houses of the Union Ministers from Karnataka and felicitated them, unmindful of the fact that they belonged to the rival Congress.

Karnataka politicians have always complained about the State receiving a raw deal from the Centre, be it the Cauvery water dispute or developmental work. Unlike neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Karnataka has consistently failed to utilise the services of its MPs and Union Ministers to lobby with the Centre. Political one-upmanship has always taken precedence over the interests of the State.

By extending a hand of friendship, Yeddyurappa has sent a strong signal that there is no longer any room for petty politics. One hopes that the Union Ministers too reciprocate his gesture.

(Picture sourced from: bjpkarnataka.org/.../?album=KarnatakaMinisters)

COMMENTS

(This article was also posted on MSN. Some of the responses received are reproduced below)

Good move, Mr Yeddyurappa. We hope the Union Ministers deliver the goods and work towards development.
-Subramanyam K.V., Hyderabad

I hope these politicians will keep politics away and concentrate on development and infrastructure till next elections.
-Uday, Bangalore

It is Bangarappa who brought Bangalore, Mangalore and Karnataka on the path of development. Karnataka takes advantage of the fact that it is centrally located in South India. I for one had the best pleasure and memorable trip to Bangalore, Ootacamund and Kodaikanal before I boarded the flight back to Mumbai from Coimbatore, in 1987. Bangalore is second to Mumbai in the pace of infrastructure development in the country.
The writer welcomes comments and views of readers at prashant.pscl07@gmail.com
-C.A. Prashant Chavan, Mumbai

Gautham, I totally agree with you. These days it appears the Chief Minister is concentrating on development. Let Yeddyurappa follow in the footsteps of Narendra Modi.
-Shankar, Bhadravathi

Kannadigas have high hopes on the Chief Minister. We Kannadigas expect a lot from him and hope that he excels in all sectors, especially agriculture.
-Vijayalakshmi, New Delhi

The MPs from Karnataka should set a good example by persistently lobbying with the central ministries to get all the help so that the IT Capital of India will become a "Jewel in the crown". In this regard, the Chief Minister, has taken the right step in calling upon the Congress ministers and MPs from Karnataka.
After all, improving the infrastructure and other facilities in the State is a collective effort. As for Tamil Nadu MPs (especially DMK) they have shamelessly arm twisted the Centre to get all the facilities. The DMK ministers have set a bad example by being highly corrupt, inefficient and controversial.
Karnataka MPs and ministers should set a good example by safe guarding the interests of the State by being efficient and enterprising in their work. The Union Ministers should be impartial in extending facilities to all the States of the Indian Union.
-S. Ravindran, Mysore

It a good move by Yeddyurappa. Karnataka MPs should work for development of only Karnataka, not Tamil Nadu..
-Gireesh, Hyderbad

I wonder if this is the reason for the powerful ministers and legislators trying to revolt against the Chief Minister. If so, God save the party!
-Rao, Bangalore

This is a very good move by the Chief Minister. We hope the Congress Ministers in the Centre will agree and work for the development of Karnataka. We have a good Chief Minister in the State and experienced Ministers at the Centre. Please work together for Karnataka's development
-Vijaykumar Gotakhindi, Bangalore

I am sure if BJP continues to be in power, Yeddyurappa will make a difference to the State. He will develop Karnataka as one of the most modern States and help people living below the poverty line.
-KH Shettigar, Bangalore

.Gautham has rightly pointed out that Yeddyurappa has kept politics aside for the sake of Karnataka. Other BJP members should follow suit instead of attacking the Chief Minister for the entry of his son into politics. Why is nobody raising an issue about the kith and kin of Congress leaders contesting elections?
Union Ministers from Karnataka should also forget their political affiliations and work for the development of the State.
-Sukanta, Bangalore

Yes, a good beginning. I request the Chief Minister to urge all MPs and MLAs to start educational institutions right from school to college level in their constituencies. This should include polytechnics, science, arts, engineering and agriculture institutes, so that our State becomes the hub of educational activities. Free education should be provided up to the degree level for the benefit of the poor.
-S. R. Shetty, Mumbai

It is too early to comment on this issue. It is only one year since this government came to power. I believe we should wait patiently. Let us hope this government considers aam aadmi over politics.
-Sahil, Bangalore

Good move by Yeddyurappa.
Ven, Delhi

Dynastic rule no longer limited to Congress

2009-05-26T12:59:00.004+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

The Congress may be accused of patenting dynastic rule in India, but other political parties are not far behind.

Dynastic rule is today universalised in Indian politics, cutting across parties, regions and ideologies. Politicians, like erstwhile monarchs, seem to believe in the concept of divine right to rule. No doubt, opposition politicians who once harangued the Congress for perpetuating dynastic rule, have their tails tucked between their legs.

The BJP which has been the most vitriolic in its attack on the Congress has itself become a victim of dynastic politics. Take for instance, the case of senior leader Jaswant Singh, who has passed the mantle on to his son Manvendra Singh, or Maneka Gandhi who has handed over the baton to her son Varun Gandhi.

But nobody could have been more brazen that BJP’s Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa who publicly swore in the name of God that he would not field his son B.Y. Raghavendra for the Lok Sabha elections, only to eat his words a few days later. Incidentally, it was the same Yediyurappa who had spewed fire and brimstone against his arch rival and Janata Dal (Secular) president H.D. Deve Gowda for running a “father and sons” party. Pray, how is Yediyurappa now different from Deve Gowda?

It is no secret that for Deve Gowda, the Janata Dal (S) is no more than a family venture. Deve Gowda made his son H.D. Kumaraswamy the Chief Minister of Karnataka, while another son H.D. Revanna became a Minister. Now, the focus has shifted to the daughters-in-law of the family, with one of them Anita, wife of Kumaraswamy, already becoming an MLA. More are likely to follow.

Deve Gowda seems to be having some serious competition from M. Karunanidhi, Chief Minister of the neighbouring Tamil Nadu, who wants all plum posts for his extended family. His son M.K. Stalin is already a Minister in Tamil Nadu. Now, Karunanidhi has succeeded in securing central cabinet berths for his elder son M.K. Azhagiri and grand nephew Dayanidhi Maran, though his unabashed attempt at ensuring a ministership for daughter Kanhimozi too, has fallen flat.

The Sharad Pawars, Mulayam Singh Yadavs, Bal Thackareys, Farooq Abdullahs and Shibu Sorens of the world are also no exception.

Maharashtra satrap and National Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar has already anointed his daughter Supriya Sule, who is now an MP, as his successor. His colleague in Meghalaya, former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma has followed suit by making his daughter Agatha an MP.

In Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav has emerged as successor to his father, Samajwadi Party chief, Mulayam Singh Yadav. In Haryana, the reins of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) have passed from the legendary Devi Lal to his son Om Prakash Chautala. In Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference president Farooq Abdulla has already crowned his son, Omar Abdulla as the Chief Minister of the State. In Shiv Sena, power has changed hands from Bal Thackarey to son, Udhav Thackarey. It is the same story in virtually every State and party.

But there are many politicians who have not reduced politics to a family business. They include former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, AIADMK chief J. Jayalalitha, Union Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Well, all of them are unmarried.

With dynastic rule being ingrained in all political parties, none is in a position to point a finger at the other. At least on one issue there seems to be a consensus among all parties!

(Picture sourced from www.merinews.com)

COMMENTS

(This article was also posted on MSN. Some of the responses received are reproduced below)

Dynastic succession implies the passing over of the mantle by virtue of being related in the capacity of being a heir. Therefore, it means a person gets to occupy the office of his father merely because he happens to be the son or daughter, next in the succession line.Now, in all the cases mentioned, the sons/daughters have won elections. They enjoy the mandate of the people, and by virtue of this mandate have come into office. How is this dynastic rule?

Dynastic succession was a stick used by opposition parties when Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister. It was purely political rhetoric and has no legal sanctity in cases where the person was elected. Just because a person happens to be a minister or member of parliament, it does not foreclose the chances of his children entering politics.

Look at it this way, the children of politicians get a close look at how governance works from an early stage. So they may be better-placed to do the job at a later stage. As long as the route to parliament is through an election, it does not matter who the person is or who is parents were. All that matters is how well he does his job. This too is part of the great democracy that India is.
-B.S. Manu Rao, Bangalore

Politics is a real field for real men. If you can make a difference for your country, then jump in. Of course, even in countries like the USA and the UK, politicians come from certain privileged sections of the society. Children wanting to be politicians attend really good and special schools, they go to chosen colleges and take up courses which help them for their future political career.
Whether you like it or not, politicians of even advanced countries mostly come from politically or economically or socially elite families. Because of people talking of dynastic rule, Rahul is keeping away from being a minister. Give them a chance. If you or I go to Indian Parliament, they will boot us out the next second.
-Sarang, Chennai

Dear M Gautham Machaiah - your article makes very good reading. What I want to lay emphasis on is that all this points to senior politicians making way for Young India. It is for this very reason that the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has been formed in Maharashtra under the aegis and leadership of Shri Rajsaheb Thackeray.
-C.A. Prashant Chavan, Mumbai

There is nothing wrong in politicians' off-springs entering politics. In any profession, it is but natural that the fathers want their children to enter their profession. Here, it is a different case with Congress. The party itself has got many children from other members (may be more capable and qualified, than the Nehru clan), but sycophants like Arjun Singh, Pranab Mukherjee and Manmohan Singh, want Rahul (and not their own children) to become Prime Minister of this country, as if the country is owned by Nehru dynasty. That is what is resented by right thinking people.
-V.R. Mandalika, Hyderabad

Fully support Mr VR Mandalika's views.
-Prabha, New Delhi

I agree with you Gautham. Please include Patnaik from Orisaa as well.
-Paalayan, Chennai

Let us not forget MGR, Janaki, Jayalalitha and their relatives. Dynasty never dies in Tamil Nadu. Moopanar to Vasan, Ramadoss to Anbumani and Kaduvetti Vijayakanth and his wife No one is an exception in Tamil Nadu.
-Astromurthy, Chennai

I agree with the article.
-Sameer Banerji, New Delhi

I am happy that you have openly brought this issue to the public eye. Will these so called leaders accept that the Indian politics centers round a few people mentioned by you?
-Ayyappan Subramaniam, New Delhi

I do accept all that you have stated. This trend needs to be dispensed with.
Dr P. Kaliyaperumal, Chennai

Politics has become the only profession with least investment and multiple profits and No fear of law.
-Present Times, Mumbai

I think the only exception to dynastic rule is the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. If he had been alive to witness what is happening, I wonder how he would feel.
-R.S. Kuppusamy, Coimbatore

Anjali Waghmare: Breach of professional ethics

2009-04-15T14:39:00.010+05:30

It is elementary knowledge that an advocate cannot represent opposing parties in a court case. As an advocate handling a matter of national importance, Anjali Waghmare should have displayed a high degree of propriety and professional ethics. You cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds

M. Gautham Machaiah
Bangalore:

Even a novice in law is aware that representing opposite parties in a court case amounts to conflict of interest. But a seasoned advocate like Anjali Waghmare has done the unthinkable by accepting the brief of a witness and an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case.

Waghmare who was appointed by the court to defend Mohammad Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving accused has rightly been removed by the judge for professional misconduct.

It is beyond one’s comprehension how Waghmare would have argued the case of both, a witness and the accused, who essentially are opposing parties? Would she have defended the witness or the accused? On the one hand, she would be handling the prosecution’s case, while simultaneously representing the defendant.

Have we ever heard of an advocate representing both the accused and the victim in a murder case? Will an advocate appear on behalf of both the police and the thief?

As an advocate in a case of national importance, Waghmare should have displayed a high degree of propriety and professional ethics. Her misconduct besides delaying the case, will also give critics an opportunity to question the credibility of the trial.

After all, you cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.

(Pic sourced from: www.asianews.com)

COMMENTS

(This article was also posted on MSN. Some of the responses received are reproduced below)

Gautham, you have made a very valid point. It is very strange that a fact so obvious was over looked while appointing Waghmare as the counsel for defence. Moreover, looking at the hype created by the media, I feel that a trial of this nature should be kept completely 'in camera' and the media should not be allowed to waste reams of paper and ink in writing articles about the minutest things they happened to catch a glimpse of at the trial. It only sensationalises a trial of this degree of importance.
-Priyam, Mumbai

Possibly it was her way of getting out of the quagmire of the controversy generated by the case and pressure from various people and organisations regarding representing Kasab. By this breach of ethics (likely to be deliberate) she has created a situation for being withdrawn officially by law than on her own to let the world know that she was always willing to fight Kasab's case thereby killing two birds with one stone, ie., to appease all those who were opposing her and yet make a respectable withdrawal (though unprofessional) in the eyes of common people, media and society.
-Anil Tewari, Bellary

I agree with the article. A lawyer can not defend both the witness and the accused.
-Shailendra Sharma, Dehradun

Anjali made a technical error, a serious one at that. Kasab is an international criminal and she could not comprehend how to deal with the situation. Her mistake has delayed the trial by another month.
-Raoojee, Secunderabad

I think nothing has gone wrong at this initial stage of trial. It would have been more disastrous if this conflict of interest had come to light at a later stage.
-Dr.A.K.Tewari, Allahabad

It cannot be an oversight but a deliberate attempt to hoodwink the law for financial gain. If such experienced lawyers commit these so-called mistakes, then they should also be appropriately punished so that these deliberate mistakes are not committed by others.
-Surinder Pal Kanaujia, Faridabad

Did anyone of us know of Anjali Waghmare a few days ago? Did we know of Shilpa Shetty before the reality show? Well, they both played their publicity cards well and are now reaping the benefits of it.
It is people like us who spent our precious time watching them on TV and reading about them in newspapers. Do we honestly think that Anjali never knew what she was getting into? Well, a few positive things have occurred because of this episode. 1. Anjali is famous 2. She has saved her skin 3. People who wanted to delay the case have succeeded 4. Shiv Sena has scored a few brownie points 5. Media has got something to chew, bisect and dissect.
We have to pity the police who have to provide security to Ajmal. As someone pointed out if he were caught in the Gulf, he would have been hanged or shot dead by now. India is trying her best to be magnanimous.
-Lisa, Chennai

I strongly believe that the court must have found her incompetent to pursue the case and could not say that openly. It thus allowed her a graceful exit. She got the assignment on a first-come-first-served basis from a panel of lawyers. Anjali is also happy that she has been removed because she did not express any remorse or indignation at the court's decision.
-Bobby Sakariah, Jeddah

All these games are played by our stupid politicians. There is sufficient proof of Kasab’s involvement in the attack. Why can the court not straight away hang him? It is in the interest of the nation. I am scared that politicians are at work again. Only God can help India...
-Rajeeb Swain, Bhubaneswar

I am an Attorney and I completely agree with Gautham. This only shows the level of greed and corruption prevailing in the Indian Bar. This is MOST UNFORTUNATE for the country which is otherwise making good global progress. India can afford to have fewer Wagmares for sure!
-Tim Chollet, Calcutta

Why is no punishment imposed on the advocate like suspending or barring from practicing for her professional misconduct? Or is it not a professional misconduct? Will any court take up this issue suo moto?
-N Srinivasan, Chennai

I do not think any responsible advocate would ever do this. Is it possible that she is threatened by some parties/terror groups to quit from handling the matter, knowing that she is well experienced in handling such matters?
-R Marwah, Mumbai

Open debate: Will Advani take on Sarabhai?

2009-04-07T11:20:00.017+05:30

Advani who dared Manmohan Singh to a televised debate should accept Sarabhai's challenge. The people of Gandhinagar have every right to know what he has done for them in the past 20 years. Advani is an MP first, then a PM-in waiting

M. Gautham Machaiah
Bangalore

BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate L.K. Advani who recently challenged incumbent Premier Manmohan Singh to a televised debate has got a taste of his own medicine. Advani has now been invited by danseuse Mallika Sarabhai, who is contesting against him as an independent candidate at the Gandhinagar parliamentary constituency in Gujarat, to an open debate.

If Advani believes in practicing what he preaches, he should accept Sarabhai’s challenge. Advani might be the Prime Minister-in waiting, he might be a national leader, but he is first a Member of Parliament. Thus, his primary responsibility is towards his constituency. The people of Gandhinagar have every right to know what he has done for them during the four terms that he has represented the constituency.

Sarabhai has posed five questions to Advani, all of which pertain to his performance as an MP:

How many and what kind of questions have you raised in the Lok Sabha about Gandhinagar in the last five years?

What efforts have you made towards opportunities for education and livelihood generation in rural areas of the constituency?

Why have you not spoken out against violence and atrocities against women in Gujarat and specifically in Gandhinagar?

Despite being an MP representing Gandhinagar for two decades why have not shown any concern towards local issues of the constituency as well as the State?

Have you used your funds under MPLAD (Member of Parliament Local Area Development) scheme to benefit the deprived and underprivileged in your constituency?

Critics might ask what Sarabhai’s contribution to Gandhinagar is, but it should be remembered that she was not an MP for 20 years, like Advani. Besides, the questions she has posed are what every voter would want to ask his representative.

It remains to be seen if Advani will take up Sarabhai’s challenge. If he does, he will set a healthy trend which can be emulated across the country, if he does not, Advani will prove that he is no better than others of his ilk.

With election campaigning becoming increasingly communalised and personalised, the real issue, that is, the contribution of an MP to his constituency had got sidetracked. Sarabhai deserves to be congratulated for bringing the debate back to the basics.

(Picture sourced from: http://www.indiasummary.com/)

COMMENTS

Well, I am sure he would if he had the time. Being the Prime Ministerial candidate, many voters want to know what he would do for India. I guess that would encompass Gandhinagar too.
-Manna Mandanna, Bangalore

Yes, Sarabhai should be praised for taking the initiative to give a right direction to Indian politics and thus political leaders. But I am afraid, she chose the wrong leader in the form of Advani, I am sure he would have totally safeguarded the interests of Gandhinagar, under the watchful eyes of "Vibrant Gujarat" Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

I feel we should not ask Advani how many questions he has raised in Parliament pertaining to Gandhinagar. We cannot confine him to one constituency, as he has bigger issues to be addressed in the interest of entire nation.

However, it will be definitely interesting to see if the debate takes place. Personally, I would want Advani to accept the offer. He should also not hesitate to gracefully accept non-performances if any. Let the "PM prospect" be a role model to the existing and up- coming politicians of India.
-A. Anju, Hyderabad

(This article was also posted on MSN. Some of the responses received are reproduced below)

Advani’s mere presence in the Parliament as a representative of Gandhinagar is enough for the people. Not only Gandhinanar, but for all those who love Indian culture and religion.
-Dr.A.K.Tewari, Allahabad

Advani is a communal person by nature and has always protected Narendra Modi and communal forces in the country. He has developed a negative mind and will never be positive. Thus, he cannot think positively for the good of the country. It will be good for the country as a whole if the people do not elect a communal Prime Minister.
Ozzy, London

Nobody really cares about what you and I or the common man thinks. Politics in India has become a business. The MP representing a particular constituency should be a local from that place, so that he /she can take some personal interest.
-l dsouza, Goa

Advani is a coward. He only knows to show his smartness with the weaker section. He will not be able to face Sarabhai. He was born in Pakistan. If he comes to power he will sell India to Pakistan. After all, Pakistan is his birthplace.
-Sarla Chabbria, Gujarat

It may be true that Advani hails from a place which is in today's Pakistan. But how could he be responsible for dividing the country and creating Pakistan? Can we stop speaking like ignorant people and think rationally?
Chandra Shekar, Bangalore

Sarla says Advani was born is Pakistan and hence he is not fit to be in India and become the Prime Minister. Does she mean that Gen Musharaff was born in India, and he deserves to become the Prime Minister of India? This is ridiculous.
-Anil Kumar Shinde, Mumbai

Sarla's comments are absurd. When Pakistan was created by Congress, where is the question of Advani selling India to Pakistan? Everybody knows who has been playing with the sentiments of the minorites since independence.
-PM, New Delhi

I have one question for Mallika Sarabhai: When you declared your worth as above Rs 2 crore, why did you beg money to pay the security deposit while filing your nomination? L.K. Advani and Manmohan Singh are Prime Minister material and they can pose questions to each other and challenge each other. Mallika should confine herself to dancing or making a few visits to Parliament, whenever she is free from her dancing programmes.
-VR Mandalika - Hyderabad

It is like a recently hired graduate engineer challenging N.R. Narayana Murthy to a debate on IT.
-Hitesh Tiwary

Sarabhai’s invitation to Advani shows the truthfulness of a candidate fighting an election in the world’s bigest democracy. Everyone should support Sarabhai. Advani must accept the challenge.
Rohit Chhabra, New Delhi

If Advani accepts such challenges posed by any Tom, Dick and Harry he will lose his stature.
-Dr.V.S.Bhaskar Rao, Hyderabad

So, Sarabhai wants to piggy ride on Advani's fame. She is trying to fool the people even before getting started. Advani is a national level leader and has earned this stature after contributing more than five decades of his life for the people of India.
-Sameer Agarwal, Mumbai

Development of a nation is more important than that of a particular constituency. If the nation progresses so will all the constituencies. Being a true national leader, Advani has done his part of the job, be it raising questions on the security of the nation or contributing towards the development of the country during his stint as the Home Minister. As rightly pointed out, a debate should only be between equals.
-Shashank, New Delhi

Now, our nation should ask Advani to respond to our well known fellow citizen's challange so that he can set an example of himself. But I do not think he will take the risk of losing face in public. He is an almost retired person in public life who pretends to be a very smart person! Let him go to the Himalayas to get mental peace.
-Siba, Mumbai

How much has Sarabhai contributed towards the well being of Gandhinagar or its people? It is time such would be politicians do something for the country first instead of questioning other’s integrity. Ms. Sarabhai please concentrate on your dancing career.
-Vijay, Mumbai

Advani’s political career is self- explanatory. Instead of asking petty questions to him, Sarabhai should have tried to know, on her own, what are his contributions to the nation. She is playing a political gimmick to fool the voters. A good beginning!
-Prabha Menon, New Delhi

Great Mallika, This is a question all Gandhinagar voters should be asking L K Advani. Although the BJP government has done a lot for Gujarat, it is Chief Minister Narendra Modi who should be commended, not Advani.
He fights from Gandhinagar because it is a safe seat for the BJP. The only main contribution Advani has to his political glory is the infamous Rath Yatra which led to the huge communal division of our great country. Way to go Mallika. Kudos!
-Naveen, Muscat

The questions she has asked should be answered by all the MPs who have been re-nominated by their respective parties. Anyhow hats off to the bold and fearless Sarabhai.
-Abdul, Chennai

Please spread this awareness to one and all that one must first practice what he wants other to follow.
-Anil, New Delhi

It is time Advani got a taste of his own medicine. Advani has made it a habit of denigrating anyone who he feels is in the way of him achieving his life time ambition of becoming the Prime Minister, an ambition which will never be realised.
-Bala, Coimbatore

I do not think L.K. Adwani will accept the challenge. He is an opportunist. He is daydreaming that he will be the Prime Minister. In the past he was in the shadow of Vajpayee and hence he was not exposed. I would prefer Narendra Modi leading the BJP.
-R.K.Yadav, Bhuj

Advani is too big a person to debate exclusively with Mallika Sarabhai who has absolutely no contribution to the society except publicity mongering. Let her debate with her equals. As far as Advani is concerned, he expresses himself in public which is reported in the media. So, the country already knows Advani's views.
-Virendra Kikani, Ahmedabad

Sarabhai is no match for Advani. A fight has to be amongst equals. Why are Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi not accepting Advani's offer for a debate?
-G.S. Rau, Bangalore

An ant inviting the elephant for a wrestling duel?
-Dr Chhabra, Chandigarh

Advani does not need to get into a debate with a novice like Sarabhai. Sonia Gandhi or Manmohan Singh should come forward and accept Advani’s challenge for an open debate. I wonder what Sarabhai is trying to prove by being a hurdle in Advani's way of getting elected to the Parliament. He is one of the most deserving persons to be in the Parliament.
It is up to the people of this country to decide whether he should be the Prime Minister, but he for sure should be elected as an MP.
-Surya,Hyderabad

Yes, I do agree with Sarabahai. Please vote for her.
-Sanjay Sheth, Mumbai

For an MP, it is very important to make sure that the constituency he represents is developed. If constituencies do not develop, the nation can never develop. Questions raised by Sarabhai are shocking. I never thought Advani can be so careless and not even spend money on the people of Gandhinagar. Regarding raising questions on security by Advani and focussing on issues of national importance, it is very easy for anybody to ask questions and declare himself in advertisements as a tough leader. Has the nation forgotton what BJP government did with Kandahar hijackers? They shameless bent their knees and released the JeM leader who is now free to inflict damage on India.
-Parvin Seth, New Delhi

Many have written here questioning the 'equals' status of Mallika. If you look at Manmohan Singh's educational qualifications and his contribution to the country, Advani is in no way an equal to Manmohan.
-JC, Mumbai

Manmohan Singh is an honest person unlike Advani. Manmohan has much better qualifications than Advani. Advani praises Jinnah when he goes to Pakistan. Economic liberlisation whose benefits have been reaped by India with booming IT and BPO sectors was initiated by Manmohan and envisioned by Congress. Advani can envision Mandir- Masjid issue. Advani can think of Rath Yatras to divide the nation. He comes nowhere near Manmohan Singh.
-PS, New Delhi

I am very much surprised and shocked at many of the comments here questioning Sarabhai challenging Advani for an open debate, especially so, because all the people who are in a position to comment here are all well educated intelligent people.
It is sad to see that even the intelligentsia of the country does not have a clear understanding of the democratic process. Both these leaders are candidates contesting for the same parliamentary seat and as a rival candidate she has asked him for a debate.
What is wrong with that? It is very much a part and parcel of the democratic process - not that much of it is followed currently in our political setup
Advani has a chance to accept the debate and show that he respects and follows the democratic principles that he so much propagates. I for one believe that such debates on local issues should be mandatory in each and every constituency in the country. All candidates should be able to answer questions on any local issue and also what they have done in the past and what plans they have for the future. This would enable local citizens to actively become part of the democratic process.
-Manoj, London

Mallika might be trying to get undeserved publicity with this debate. What are her credentials except being the daughter of a renowned scientist? Her questions have no substance and relevance.
-Rajeev Raj Suri, Ahmedabad

Advani is an opportunist. He is scared that if he does not make it this time by hook or crook to the hot seat, it will be the end of his career, because his age will never allow him a replay.
-Hamid, Bangalore

At least, L.K.Advani is a Lok Sabha MP unlike Manmohan who is just a Rajya Sabha member, that too, not elected from his home State of Punjab, but from a safe State like Assam. Manmohan is not in a position to get elected to the Lok Sabha even from the safe State of Assam. He does not have the courage to face the people. Kudos to him and his credentials.
In a democracy, at the least the Prime Minister should be elected directly by the people. Did the highly educated Manmohan Singh respect this sentiment?
L.K Advani is less educated compared to Manmohan , but at least appreciate his courage to fight an election and get the mandate of the people directly.
The Congress has fielded Mallika Sarabhai against Advani. Why? Do they have the guts to field Manmohan against Advani in any Lok Sabha constituency? They know very well what the results will be.
Sarabhai is a novice in electoral politics; she is a first timer. I remember that when Sonia Gandhi got elected from both Bellary in Karnataka and Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP had the guts to field good candidates against her.
-Shivakumar, Bangalore

So, Mallika wants to know what Advani did for Gandhinagar? Why did she not pose these questions earlier? Obviously, her only intention is to seek publicity. Does she expect Advani to supervise the cleaning of drains in Ahmedabad?
-Teesar, Secunderabad

Mallika as a citizen of India and moreso as a voter from the constituency of Gandhinagar has rightly asked Advani to answer questions that should not be brushed under the carpet. If Advani can call people weak, crippled etc., then he has to be willing to answer some straight questions.
If Mallika is gaining mileage by asking such questions it sounds fine because if Advani thinks the onus of the country is on him and we should trust him, without him proving what he did for his constituency how do we accept his leadership for the country? This applies to each and every Member of Parliament irrespective of their party. Their voters should actually have an annual progress report of the MP which decides whether he should even contest for the elections the next time around
-Albe, Chennai

Everyone knows that you cannot start having debates all over the place, or there would be chaos. In the US, debates are held between presidential candidates only. Congress is clearly afraid of the real challenge and is trying to escape the main debate by trying to field an unknown person against Advani. Even if such a debate is held and the lady loses, it would mean nothing, for the lady is currently a nobody. This is just a clever ploy by the Congress, nothing else.
-D K Anand, New Delhi

Leave Mr Advani alone. Let him be busy in communal issues instead of the country’s progress. He knows how to get the poor people’s attention.
-Rahul, Delhi

I do agree that Advani should accept this challenge and respond immediately.
-Basanta, Jajpur

Basanta: Let Manmohan accept Advani's challenge; then you can think of Advani accepting Mallika's challenge. How can you expect Advani, or for that matter even Manmohan Singh to accept every Tom, Dick and Harry's challenge?
-Anil Kumar Shinde, Mumbai

Healthy questions like these should be the basis of every voter’s vote for the candidate in his / her constituency. Do not let communalism be the basis of elections. Keep it up Sarabhai. Hope others follow.
-Asad, Mumbai

Madam Sarabhai, where the hell were you till now? Hope you are not speaking on behalf of some one else/party. Why should Advani respond to youl? And finally, what is your contribution? Tomorrow any Ram, Shyam or Ghanshyam can get up and act the way you are acting today. It would be better for you to withdraw from the elections.
-Naren Kumar, New Delhi

Elections behind gang wars in Bangalore?

2009-04-06T11:15:00.006+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah
Bangalore

Rowdies are falling like nine pins in Bangalore on the eve of the elections. In less than a month, about half-a-dozen rowdies have been hacked to death in broad day light by their rivals. But what has this got to do with the upcoming polls?

On the face of it, the incidents appear to be gang wars spilling unto the streets, but there seems to be a sinister design behind this. The question doing the rounds is: Is there a political hand?

The underworld plays a crucial role during elections, mainly in intimidating voters and rival party workers. They form the backbone of any political party, though nobody openly acknowledges this.

With elections round the corner, political parties are said to be neutralising rowdies owing allegiance to their rivals. Once the leader is eliminated, it sends strong signals to the rest of the gang to remain out of the constituency until the end of elections.

Two important points call for attention. One, all the victims are aligned to one political party or the other. Two, these gruesome murders have been committed during the day in full public view to ensure that the message is loud and clear.

In their game of one-upmanship, political parties have turned Bangalore streets into a bloody battle ground, but in the process the garden city might become a better place to live in.

Those who live by the sword die by the sword and there shall be no tears shed for them.

(Picture sourced from: http://i.pbase.com/o6/01/743501/1/73243349.WPB9uXB6.KnifeBlood_11.JPG)

COMMENTS

It is true that rowdies are going to play a major role in the present elections. In fact, rowdies are one of the most influential factors having a bearing on the voting percentage. It is clear that by creating havoc in the society these rowdies do not want the supporters of a particular political party or candidate to come out to vote on April 23. The gruesome day light murders of aides of political leaders in Bangalore is just an example of politicians’ nexus with the underworld. The Election Commission and the police should create a conducive atmosphere for people to cast their vote fearlessly.
-Siddappa Kaloji, Bangalore

Damn good copy. You hit the nail on the head. Cheers!
-Vedam Jaishankar, Bangalore

Congress leader does a Varun in Karnataka

2009-04-02T11:25:00.009+05:30

Chop the hands of Hindutva says Kagodu Thimmappa

M. Gautham Machaiah
Bangalore

Senior Congress leader Kagodu Thimmappa has done a Varun Gandhi in Karnataka by giving a call to chop the hands of Hindutva.

While Varun Gandhi shied away from naming any particular community when he made his infamous statement, “If anybody lifts their hand against Hindus, Varun Gandhi will chop it,” Thimmappa launched a frontal attack on Hinduism while campaigning at Shimoga.

Thimmappa’s ire was particularly directed against BJP’s candidate from Karwar, Ananth Kumar Hegde, who openly announced that he did not need the vote of Muslims as the majority community was with him. In his speech, Thimmappa not only questions the percentage of the majority population, but also mocks at the way ‘prasadam’ is distributed in Hindu temples.

On the face of it, the Congress leader’s diatribe appears to be as rabid as that of Varun Gandhi’s, if not worse. If Varun Gandhi can be arrested and booked under National Security Act (NSA), why should Thimmappa be allowed to go scot free for a graver offense?

Thimmappa’s attack on Hindutva is a clear attempt to divide the society on communal lines and create ill will among people who are otherwise living harmoniously. These pseudo-secularists are a bigger threat to the society than the proponents of Hindutva.

It is unbecoming of a seasoned politician like Thimmappa with socialistic leanings to play the caste card. Politicians like him should set an example to the youth instead of provoking them. By his irresponsible remarks, Thimmappa had done a great disservice not just to himself, but to Karnataka and the Congress.

It remains to be seen if the Election Commission will act with the same enthusiasm in this case as it did with Varun Gandhi. After all, everybody is equal in the eyes of law.

(Picture sourced from: http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/20030731/ehm2003073102.jpg)
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COMMENTS
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Varun may not have directly named a community. But didn't his mom falsely accuse a police officer for opening fire against innocent persons near the jail by his religion, when in actual fact the officer was elsewhere on duty and nowhere near Pilibhit? In any case, everybody knows who are Varun's targets or, for that matter, those of his BJP supporters. Ultimately, all politicians think and act in the same manner, invoking caste and religious sentiments to reap the maximum votes. If BJP men are past masters in this game, Congress or those belonging to other parties are not far behind.
- Gabriel Vaz, Bangalore
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It is time these politicians stop speaking about religion and instead think of the country's economy and development.
-Milind
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Varun Gandhi: Mama’s boy to Hindutva icon

2009-04-01T17:32:00.005+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah
Bangalore

Until the other day, Varun Gandhi was a non-descript scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family. But that changed after his infamous communally sensitive election speech at Philibit in Uttar Pradesh. Overnight, Varun catapulted from Maneka Gandhi’s shy son to Hindutva’s poster boy.

Call it rabble rousing or saber rattling, the 29-year-old’s immature speech should have been dismissed with the contempt it deserved. After all, Varun never had the benefit of political mentoring that his more illustrious cousins Priyanka and Rahul were exposed to.

What is this provocative statement that has turned the nation upside down? “If anybody lifts their hand against Hindus, Varun Gandhi will chop it.” Much more inflammatory statements have been made in the past, with the self proclaimed guardians of the society’s collective conscience conveniently turning the other way.

In an unprecedented move which raised many eyebrows, the Election Commission added fuel to fire by advising the BJP not to field Varun. One wonders why a similar advisory was not issued to parties who have murderers, rioters and pilferers in their list of candidates.

The Uttar Pradesh government in its enthusiasm to earn some brownie points with the Muslim voters, fanned the fire by arresting Varun and booking him under the National Security Act.

Predictably, BJP supporters brought the roof down at Philibit; the Vishwa Hindu Parishat and RSS rallied behind Varun; and the Prime Minister-in-waiting L.K. Advani has promised to campaign in this new Mecca of Hinduism. And now Mama’s boy is even on the hit list of the D-Company.

Clearly, Philibit has emerged as the Ayodhya of Elections-2009. And the credit or discredit for this goes not to Varun but to the Election Commission, the Congress and the UP government which gave his juvenile rambling an exalted status instead of relegating it to the dustbin of history.

Varun Gandhi is named after Varuna, the God of rain. Let us hope the rains of sanity cleanse the polluted waters of Indian elections.

(Picture sourced from: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040217/nat3.jpg)

COMMENTS

I agree that the issue has been blown out of proportion. There are those who have not only spoken worse but have also put it into practice. Unfortunately, they did not have the Gandhi surname and so could get away with it. Its really sad.
-Shivanjali Gaikwad, Mumbai

Sanjay Dutt case: Law breakers can't be law makers

2009-03-31T17:23:00.005+05:30

By M. Gautham Machaiah

The Supreme Court’s refusal to stay Sanjay Dutt’s conviction in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and thereby disallowing him to contest the Lok Sabha polls will go a long way in cleansing the Parliament of criminal elements.

Dutt was disqualified under Section 8 (3) of The Representation of The People Act, which debars a person sentenced to two or more years of imprisonment, from contesting the elections. Dutt was convicted to six years imprisonment under the Arms Act for possession of an AK-56 rifle, a 9 mm pistol and grenades given by co-accused Abu Salem before the Mumbai blasts.

The actor who was fielded by the Samajawadi Party from Lucknow had approached the Supreme Court seeking suspension of his conviction in order to enable him to contest the polls. Had the apex court upheld his plea, it would have opened the floodgates for several other politicians convicted of much more heinous crime, to enter the hallowed precincts of the Parliament.

Sanjay Dutt evoked the magic of his patriotic father Sunil Dutt to convince the court that he was not an anti-national. Apparently, he had kept the weapons in his house for self defense! The actor not only tried to reason with the court that there was no criminal case against him before the blasts, but also did his best to impress the judges about his good conduct thereafter.

The court has rightly thrown the case out of the door. Can a person be absolved of a serious crime just because of the patriotic credentials of his father? Is Sanjay Dutt a little child not to understand that it is illegal to posses an AK-56 rifle and grenades? Would law abiding citizens stock hand grenades in their houses even if it is for self-protection?

Let is not be forgotten that the actor was in possession of these weapons at the time of the blasts, and that he procured them from the very perpetrators of this operation which left many innocent people dead. This clearly establishes his link with the underworld.

Mere good conduct after the commission of a crime does not entitle one to lenient treatment. Terrorists, their accomplices or associates must be dealt with the severest of punishment and Sanjay Dutt is no exception.

By its historic order, the Supreme Court has proved that law breakers cannot become law makers.

(Picture sourced from: http://content.msn.co.in/NR/rdonlyres/F1D53E15-519D-4FEC-85B9-F6FA82198FD0/0/SanjayDutt6.jpg)

COMMENTS

Justice is not just to be done, but seen to be done.SC's is done and also seen. As you rightly said Supreme Courts judgment will go a long way in keeping people of criminal record out of the political system.

-Abha Banerjee, Mumbai

Aaah. Now Sanjay Dutt can sit back and ponder about what could have been. On tbis note, should there be a retirement age for politicians? Experience, of course, comes with age. So does dementia. Good blogs Gautham.

-Cherian Thomas, Dubai

Every now and then our judiciary has been taking an active part in protecting the interests of voters and thus helping to bring back confidence in "Elections & Leaders"! The youth of India, at least now should take an active part in the up-coming elections. Please go and vote so that it is not mis-utilised by some anti-social elements. Good read Gautham.

-A. Anju, Hyderabad

Cutting the nose to spite the face

2009-03-11T16:03:00.012+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

BJP’s four time Member of Parliament from Bangalore (South) in Karnataka, Ananth Kumar, appears to be a worried man today. While on the one hand the Congress is contemplating fielding former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna against him, on the other, some of Ananth Kumar’s own party colleagues are set to pull the rug from under his feet.

Ananth Kumar who was the Civil Aviation Minister in the Vajpayee cabinet has been representing this constituency from 1996. A staunch RSS loyalist, he is the moderate and modern face of the BJP in the State.

What today threatens Ananth Kumar is the game of one-upmanship that he and Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa have been playing for over a decade now. Ananth Kumar had an upper hand while he was the Union Minister, while now the wheel of fortune has turned in favour of Yeddyurappa. Many in the Chief Minister’s camp believe this is the best time to clip Ananth Kumar’s wings by ensuring his defeat.

If Krishna is fielded by the Congress, there is every possibility of former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Deve Gowda extending direct or indirect support. Though Deve Gowda’s animosity towards Krishna is well known, both belong to the dominant Vokkaliga community.

Gowda has nothing to lose as anyway he does not have a formidable candidate to field from this constituency. But ultimately it is his hatred for the BJP than his love for Krishna that will force the former Prime Minister to bury the hatchet at least for the time being. To make matters worse for Ananth Kumar, some BJP ministers from the Vokkaliga community are said to have extended their tacit support to Krishna.

With daggers drawn from all sides, there seems to be a possibility of Ananth Kumar shifting his constituency to Dharwad, his home district in North Karnataka. But unfortunately for him Dharwad has a large population of Lingayats, the community to which Yeddyurappa belongs.

Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, Ananth Kumar would perhaps be ruing, “God save me from my friends, I can protect myself from my enemies.”

(Picture sourced from: http://www.indian-elections. com)

COMMENTS

Ananth Kumar is a clever politician. I have seen him as a small boy, during emergency. He is a true and honest (?) politician who will convert the situation to advantage. I am sure he will convince Chief Minister Yeddyurappa and also get along with him, since this is election time. If BJP comes to power in the Centre, he is sure to become a Union minister (After all, he is a chela of Advani).

In the interest of our State, it is good that the BJP comes to power in the Centre. What is unfortunate is that at most times we have opposite parties ruling the Centre and the State.

-K.S. Guru Raja, Mysore

Ananth Kumar who is a four time MP and contesting again for the fifth time is sitting pretty in the Bangalore (South) constituency. Out of the eight assembly segments in the constituency, five belong to BJP. Thus, Ananth Kumar’s victory is a foregone conclusion.

In contrast, S.M.Krishna won narrowly in the 2004 Assembly polls in Chamarajpet. His brother's son lost his deposit in Maddur assembly by-poll recently. The popularity chart of both Congress and Krishna is at its lowest. In the event of his defeat in these elections, Krishna will lose even the little credibility that he enjoys now.

-S. Prakash, BJP

From jail bharo to pub bharo

2009-02-17T12:48:00.006+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Thank God, Renuka Chaudhary was not born during the freedom struggle. Had she been around, our netas would be thronging some watering hole instead of jails in their struggle for freedom.

Chaudhary, the Union Minister for Women and Child Welfare has turned the much revered slogan jail bharo upside down, with her own pub bharo call, urging the youth to visit pubs in droves to protest against moral policing. What abysmal limits politics has plunged to!

Obviously, the honourable Minister has not read the Constitution of India, particularly Part IV, which lays down the Directive Principles of State Policy. Here is what Article 47 says:

Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health: The State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties and, in particular, the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health.

Chaudhary’s own party, the Indian National Congress, has banned its members from consuming alcohol, at least in public. And here we have a Minister who urges the youth to fight for their freedom by cramming into pubs. Visiting pubs and bars is a matter of personal choice, but to have a Minister openly advocating consumption of alcohol by the youth is disgusting. Surely, Chaudhary would not expect the youth to have nimboo pani and masala chai at pubs!

It is time the Government and the Congress rebuked Chaudhary publicly for her irresponsible statements, more so because she is entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the welfare of women and children.

Thankfully, the Valentine’s tamasha has come to an end. And hopefully, the pink chaddis and condoms are back in their rightful places, lest the Minister has some more wise cracks to make!

Picture sourced from: broadband.bigflix.com)

COMMENTS

I totally agree with the opinion that visiting pubs should be the personal choice of an individual. It is shocking to see such an invitation from the lady, who is sitting in a responsible position. As a person from the same State (Andhra Pradesh), we are aware that Renuka is kind of flamboyant person who strongly believes in up-bringing of children in a "free" society. But she has got no right to influence the youth of India to misuse freedom! She should rather focus her attention to lakhs of families whose lives have been ruined by cheap and illicit liquor. The Minister should be more concerned about these women and children.I would strongly request the youth of India, not to fall for such cheap tricks played by these politicians, be it Renuka, or any other political leader who tries to mix up their personal agendas with general public's sentiments.

-Anju A, Hyderabad

Now, if men didn't turn into Ravana in Rama's name, the honorable minister would not need to make such statements, would she?

-Cherian Thomas, Dubai

It appears that most of us have taken the right of freedom to expression for granted. Thanks to the tabloid like TV channels of this country, an unknown person like Pramod Mutalik has become an internationally renowned personality. Union Minister Renuka Choudhary has proved by her utterances and actions that burning issues like female infanticide. child labour, child beggars, child illiteracy and malnutrition among children are insignificant to be bothered about and gives a clarion call for 'Pub Bharo'.If the Women and Child Welfare Minister were to issue sermons on the law and order problem of a State, then why do we need a Home Minister? If he is supposed to be in charge of law and order, why has the gentleman shut his mouth and allowed the unconnected woman to make a mess of herself and the cabinet as well. After all, hell has not descended on Karnataka? If some elements have tried to take law into their own hands, the government has ensured that the culprits are brought to book. What more can you do in this country, where the courts are supposed to decide on all cases? Can you hang them in public, like in some other countries? It is a disgrace that we have many 'sensible' and 'learned' characters manning the show on the top not knowing their own duties and responsibilities, but very keenly waiting for every available opportunity to grab headlines whether for right or wrong reasons.

-Manohar Yadawatti. Bangalore

Will the real ghost please stand up?

2009-01-02T11:17:00.003+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Controversies continue to haunt the beleaguered Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) at Devanahalli. And this time, literally.

Rumours about a ghost haunting the airport premises which first surfaced about two months ago simply refuse to die, with new stories emerging each passing day. The stories are no doubt the result of somebody’s fertile imagination, but they have nevertheless left the airport staff petrified.

The ghost has been running riot at the airport since September after the pilot of an international airline spotted a lady sitting in a white saree and long hair in the middle of the runway. After making two abortive bids to land, the pilot succeeded the third time.

The story goes that the pilot radioed the ground staff who immediately arrived on the spot and ferried the lady to the terminal. Upon reaching the terminal they discovered to their dismay that the lady had disappeared from the vehicle. A hazy picture of the lady apparently taken by a staffer on his mobile phone had even made it to the pages of some newspapers.

Another version is that the lady was actually standing and was picked up by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel and not the ground staff.

Apparently, pilots have for long been experiencing disturbances while landing due to the ghost effect. Recently, a pilot had to actually abandon landing and return to the place of origin. That is what the rumour mongers would have us believe.

It is not just the pilots that the ghost has been targetting. It is rumoured that the lady in white is often spotted taking a stroll around the cargo area. There are others who claim that the airport cameras have recorded the movement of a headless torso. Another version is that the airport lift is often found moving on its own without anybody inside.

Now, the ghost appears to have turned its attention to taxi drivers. A taxi driver recently offered a lift to a lady in the middle of the night. However, midway when he peered into the rear view mirror, he found a ghost occupying the seat. Many of his colleagues too claim to have experienced this. They say there have been several instances when the drivers have abandoned their vehicles and taken to their heels. With such stories gaining strength by the day, drivers shudder to ply on the “haunted” stretch leading to the airport.

The airport staff live in constant fear, staying away from lonely areas, while some reports indicate that the security personnel refuse to patrol the far ends of the runway.

Stories about the ghost are aplenty, and so are the questions.

The pilot of the international airliner who encountered the lady on the runway is not yet identified, nor are there any records with the ATC to substantiate this claim.

There is no proof to indicate that an airliner had to return unable to land.
A picture of the ghost clicked by an airport staffer is a fake. Nobody is even in a position to name the staffer who clicked this picture. The names of the employees who picked the lady from the runways are also unknown.

There is no single person who has seen the ghost at the cargo area. These stories are attributed to unnamed sources.

So far, no taxi driver has come forward to confirm his experiences with the ghost. Drivers only talk about the experiences of their colleagues, not of themselves.

The footage of the ghost without a head is not available.

But the bigger question is: Who is benefitting from these rumours? Is there a sinister design behind these stories?

What raises eyebrows is the presence of the ghost in the cargo area. Is this canard being spread by unscrupulous elements who are indulging in pilferage at the cargo hold? Is this a ploy to keep the security personnel at bay? Is there a prostitution racket thriving in the name of ghosts? Is this a terror plan to ensure that the security personnel keep away from strategic locations?

Many questions, but very few answers.

It is time the security agencies thoroughly investigated the ghost stories, instead of merely dismissing them as rumours. There seems to be more to this than meets the eye.

(Picture sourced from: ashleylovespizza.org/?p=7)

Downturn: Opportunity in adversity

2008-12-22T11:49:00.004+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

The economic downturn has come as a bolt from the blue. The resultant negative sentiments and doomsday prophesies have cast a spell of gloom across the globe. But all is not lost. The world has not come to an end, nor will it.

It is up to us to sit back and brood or stand up and convert an adversity into an opportunity. You can either be a force for positive change or an advocate for negativity.

The downturn should be seen as a blessing in disguise. It has woken us up from our slumber…it has shaken our complacency…it has demolished the artificial highs reached by certain sectors of the economy… and, it has grounded us in reality. As the saying goes, “Sleep, riches and health, to be truly enjoyed, must be interrupted.”

The global meltdown, no doubt, has frightening prospects and it is a matter of time before it impacts us. Yet, the consequences on India may not be as disastrous as it has been in other parts of the world. We need to tackle this crisis with confidence, but at the same time, let not our vision be clouded due to over confidence.

In times such as these, our primary focus should be on our customers and viewers. It is not enough to merely retain, service and satisfy our existing customers. Let us give them more than their money’s worth. We can afford to ignore the customer at our own peril. The moment customer satisfaction becomes our priority, half the battle is won.

In any economic strife, cash flow management is the first casualty. This calls for financial prudence, optimum utilisation of resources, judicious capital investment and drastic rationalising of variable costs. A word of caution though…let us not cut the nose to spite the face…let us tighten the belts, not stifle the oxygen flow…let us cut costs, not corners. Instead, let us make each rupee work harder; let us make each rupee run that extra mile. After all, a rupee saved is a rupee earned.

This is also the time for stock taking. Let us get out of our cocoons and step down from our ivory towers. Let us view our businesses dispassionately. Let us not hesitate to restructure businesses that are not performing and revisit business plans that are not delivering. Above all, let us not stop innovating.

As individuals a great responsibility rests on each one of our shoulders. We have to make up with our hard work, what we may lack in resources. Let us put our best foot forward.

We can unitedly overcome the challenges that the coming days will throw up. As Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “There is nothing to fear, but fear itself.”

COMMENTS

Whatever goes up has to come down.The rule applies to business also and is termed Business Cycle. The Cause- Overstretching. Let me explain. During upswing, over optimism causes the businessmen to contemplate grandiose plans and he overshoots his budget manlfold. As soon as recession sets in, the potential customer as well his regular customers are not wiiling to pay the price he quotes for his product, because they themselves are caught in the throes of recession due to spending beyond thier means during the upswing. Almost everybody gets trapped in the vicious cycle. The solution- Let us all learn to curb extravagance at times of upswing and learn not to exceed our limits. We have to lay down certain parameters and learn work within these parameters.

-Prabhakar, Mumbai

This was indeed a very interesting, unique and may I say the humanitarian way of looking at the current slowdown. The popular belief across a lot of conversations today is that the tough times would last out for another 18-24 months and that new leaders would emerge at old levels. The idea is to prepare for that eventuality and work towards being a leader in that scenario. Thank you for sharing a very practical and clear way forward for the forthcoming troubled times.- Harsh Deep Chhabra, MumbaiA truly a breathtaking article!Just as products have a life-cycle, organisations too go through a similar phase.A paradigm shift is inevitable for most organisations at this stage and hence the global meltdown is a natural phenomenon in its own sense of developmental activity.Yes indeed, every individual needs to wake up, realise the change and move forward to make things better than the best.

- Ramkumar Gopisetty, Bangalore

I agree with you that Positive thoughts and actions are the neccesity at this time. Thanks for sending the link and congrats on a well-written piece.-Deeptie Ganapathy, MysoreIndeed, the present economic crisis is matter of concern for all. But, at the same time it is an opportunity for innovation and creativity. We should think positively and work out comprehensive long term strategies to over come this crisis. Ultimately, the consumer/viewer satisfaction is the sole mantra for success. How we do it is the challenge before us.

-Siddappa Kaloji, Bangalore

If tomorrow comes: A review

2008-10-05T19:16:00.005+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Sidney Sheldon’s If Tomorrow Comes, is the tale of Tracy Whitney, a computer expert at a bank who is wrongly framed in a criminal case and incarcerated for an offence she did not commit.

Tracy’s make-believe fairy world crumbles with her mother’s suicide. Her botched attempt at bringing to book the perpetuators of her mother’s death, the 15 year jail term imposed by a conniving judge and the desertion by the father of her unborn child, leave Tracy shattered and bitter.

After her release, Tracy wastes no in time in wreaking vengeance on the men responsible for wilting her blooming lily of life. Soon, she takes to a life of crime pulling off one heist after another in different parts of the world with relative flourish. She virtually leaves no evidence as she strips the unscrupulous of their millions, even as the police are left red faced.

The novel is racy, spell binding and addictive, though John Grisham may smirk at the naivety of the crime plots. Yet, the novel arrests your attention from cover to cover as Sheldon the master story teller unveils his spiel of fantasies, leaving you captivated.

(Picture sourced from: http://www.arvee.com.my/images/books/200701141605190.tomorrow-comes.jpg)

Attack on Christians: Two sides of the coin

2008-09-18T11:09:00.006+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Historically, communal tensions in India were confined to Hindus and Muslims, with the exception of the anti-Sikh riots in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination. The last few years, however, have witnessed a new phenomenon with Hindus and Christians being pitted against each other.

Christians have generally been regarded as docile, peace loving people who mind their own business. Why then is this community being targeted and their places of worship torched in Orissa and Karnataka?

There is no doubt that the complexion of Christians has changed over the years. While the average Christian continues to remain harmless, there is a spurt of foreign funded rabid fundamentalists within this community who have made religious conversion their main avocation.

Though armchair pseudo secularists may see a deep rooted conspiracy where none exists, it is apparent that the Hindus are retaliating against forced conversions. Cornered by Islamic terrorism and now the Christian assault on their religion, it appears that the Hindus are giving vent to their pent-up feelings.

In Karnataka for instance, there seems to be direct correlation between the simultaneous attacks on churches in three districts and the rampant conversions taking place of late. It goes to the credit of the Hindus that though they are the majority community, there is virtually no case of forced conversion of Christians or Muslims to Hinduism.

Hindus have every right to feel agitated, but resorting to violence deserves condemnation. The governments in Orissa and Karnataka need to take immediate steps instead of remaining mere spectators, to ensure that these incidents do not escalate into a major law and order problem.

At the same time, Hindus too need to introspect on why their brethren are embracing other faiths.

Even to this day, Hindus discriminate against the backward classes who are treated as sub-humans. They are regarded as inferiors, denied access to the common village well, refused admissions to schools, humiliated and condemned to live a life of degradation. Why would one want to remain in a community or religion which does not treat them with dignity…which does not look at them as equals?

This is what attracts the pariahs of Hinduism to other religions which promise them dignity and honour—an environment where all humans are equal.

Let Hindus first ensure a class less society. Conversions will stop on their own.

(Picture sourced from: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/EOARC/kids/fire.html)

COMMENTS

The happenings in Karnataka can best be termed as the politics of conversion. While on the one hand, conversions are vitiating the atmosphere, on the other, it is being politicised. Both the ruling party and the opposition are unnecessarily adding fuel to fire, so that they remain in the limelight. Nobody cares for the innocent lives that are lost. The media too should share the blame for hyping news which has no relevance to the public. Television channels telecast the same fabricated news over and over again solely with the aim of increasing their TRPs. They are also equally responsible for instigating the people.
- K.S. Guru Raja, Mysore

From time immemorial religion has played a role in polity. What is new about it? It is all about power, power and power. Our focus should be on economics, not religion. The world is about economics today, not faith, worship, hatred or love.
-Manna Mandanna, Bangalore

The majority is under threat in India. Probably, this is the only place in the world where this unique phenomenon exists. Hindus are facing a double edged sword—Islamic terrorism on one side and Christian conversions on the other. No doubt, the Hindu society has many drawbacks but this will not end with the change of religion. The discrimination continues. It is time Hindu organisations and swamijis started thinking of reforming the society and bringing about drastic change in the religion to ensure that equality and dignity of one and all is respected.
-S. Prakash, BJP, Karnataka

Three cheers to prohibition

2008-09-05T10:33:00.002+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Gujarat, the land of Mahatma Gandhi, is the only State in India where prohibition is in force, but in reality liquor flows as freely as the Sabarmati.

This is not a recent trend. Bootlegging has always been a thriving industry in Gujarat, with the present annual turnover pegged at Rs 5,000 crore. Yet, the votaries of prohibition would prefer Gujarat to remain a dry State.

Prohibition works to everybody’s convenience. The revenue from the sale of liquor which would have otherwise filled the State’s coffers is now being pocketed by politicians and policemen.

Even the average Gujarati stands to gain. With prohibition in place, the Government is not in a position to impose excise duty on liquor, which ensures that the people actually pay less for their favourite brands. They fear that lifting of prohibition will render liquor expensive.

Another argument advanced is that prohibition helps to maintain law and order, with the government coming down heavily on illicit liquor making it inaccessible to the common man.

Not many are aware that despite prohibition, liquor is also legally available in Gujarat. The State has set up permit rooms where the local people can purchase liquor on production of a doctor’s prescription! But with the rates at these permit rooms being prohibitive; the people would rather rely on the bootlegger who supplies liquor right to the door step.

However, following demands from corporates and the tourism industry, Chief Minister Narendra Modi has announced that consumption of alcohol will be permitted at international conferences and special economic zones (SEZ). But the move has met with stiff opposition form various quarters. And predictably so. Who would like to kill a goose laying golden eggs?

Hey Ram!

(Picture sourced from: www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id...)

Shabana Azmi stoking communal passions

2008-08-20T15:13:00.004+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Actress and social activist Shabana Azmi recently claimed in a television interview that she and her husband Javed Akhtar could not buy a flat in Mumbai because they were Muslim.

Shabana then went on to say that Indian democracy lacks the understanding of security for minorities while Indian politics makes only token gestures to Muslims.

Shabana’s statements deserve the strongest of condemnation as they attempt to drive a wedge between Hindus and Muslims. Such self-styled social activists thrive by encouraging animosity between the two communities, because the absence of hostility will render them jobless. They would rather fan the fire, than douse it.

First, the issue about Shabana’s house. What the actress forgets to mention is that it is common in Mumbai for different communities to form a housing society to cater to their members. Besides bonding the members of the community, this arrangement also gives them a sense of security.

Such societies have been formed by almost all communities, be it Hindus, Muslims or Parsis. In the same way that Shabana could not purchase a house in a Hindu society, a Hindu or Parsi will not be allowed to own a house in a Muslim society.

Shabana was denied a house not because she was a Muslim, but because she was not a Hindu. Similarly, she will not be allowed to take up a house in a Christian society. Again, not because she is a Muslim, but because she is not a Christian.

It is unfortunate that a person of Shabana’s stature stoops to distorting facts for the sake of cheap publicity.

Now to the second point raised by the actress. Shabana says Indian democracy is not sensitive to Muslims. Nothing can be farther from truth than this. The quality of life led by Muslims and the opportunities available to them in India are much higher than in neighbouring Pakistan.

Shabana should remember that this democracy has paved way for Muslims to hold the highest office in the country, that of the President of India. Muslims have risen to the posts of Vice President of India, Chief Justice, Governor and Vice-chancellor. Muslims have captained the Indian cricket team…they lord over Bollywood…they run business chains…The list is endless. Yet, Shabana Azmi would have us believe that the community is persecuted.

It has become a fashion today to assail Indian democracy and the majority community. If people like Shabana Azmi are unhappy, they are free to migrate to Pakistan. India has nothing to lose. At least, Hindus and Muslims will live in peace.

(Pictures sourced from: http://www.nilacharal.com/enter/celeb/images/ShabanaAzmi.jpg)

COMMENTS

I completely agree with what you have mentioned in the article. In this country, whether one likes it or not you are identified by a caste, community and religion. But that does not mean you to play on people’s sentiments.I have great respect for Shabana Azmi for her acting capabilities and her frequent outbursts on social issues. But the current controversy has exposed her. Probably she would not have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha had she not been a Muslim. Being a beneficiary herself it is strange that she makes derogatory remarks on Indian democracy.Let her think twice before making such nasty comments.
-Manohar Yadawatti, Bangalore

It is indeed shocking that a person of Shabana Azmi's stature who has got in return so much from the Indian society than she has contributed to it speaks in this fashion. Having received awards like the Gandhi Peace Prize, Rajiv Gandhi Award and many more accolades from the society, Shabana should think twice before shooting her mouth off. It would be appropriate for a literate (I am not sure if I can use the word educated) person like her to leave cheap publicity stunts behind and work together with the society to remove these feelings of majority/ minority. Most Indians do not think and act on the basis of religion and as such she should not generalise the people of a vibrant city like Mumbai.
-Vijay Grover, Bangalore

Correct me if I am wrong. I think India sends more people for Haj than most Muslim nations. And the cost, if not all of it, is underwritten by the Government of India. We are a secular country and will always be one. Shabana is starting to get the foot-in-the-mouth disease.
-Cherian Thomas, Dubai

I totally agree with what you have written. I have experienced it myself when I was house hunting in Bandra. I did not get a place there because I was not a Christian. It happens with every person irrespective of whether he/ she is a Hindu, Muslim or Christian. Public figures like Shabana Azmi should not make such a big deal out of it for the sake of publicity.
-Shruthi M. Rao, Mumbai

I agree with your write up. It is very unfortunate that a veteran actor like Shabana Azmi has made such a statement. It is common in any society for people to rent out or sell their houses to members of their own community. There are also several instances where vegetarians refuse to rent their houses to non- vegetarians. This is done only for mutual convenience and not to target any community.One should not forget that Mumbai is a social melting pot of people from different religions, regions and cultures. For years, people of all communities have been living together harmoniously on the footpaths and slums across the city which never sleeps.It is also very sad that she made very negative comments about Indian democracy of which she has been important part, as a Member of the Rajya Sabha. Such comments to gain cheap publicity should be condemned universally.
-Siddu, Bangalore

Read the stuff … shocking! Guess she has run out of roles in movies. Besides, her political career is not taking off as envisaged. It is for this reason that she is indulging in gimmicks. It is sad that these kind of people fuel unnecessary issues.-
-Manna Mandanna, Bangalore

Nice one! Completely agree with your views!
-Sindhu M.C., New Jersey

Quite a strong blog!
-Varsha Gowda, Bangalore

The very fact that Shabana has voiced her opinion shows the true character of our democracy- the freedom of speech.Sadly, celebrities like her who make such comments, fail to realise this. Azmi, at least in the public sphere came across as liberal in views and actions. This revelation is indeed shocking. It has become a defence mechanism to flaunt the 'minority' tag. A trend which is now permeating into the elite circles too, to gain sympathy and publicity.
-Deepti Ganapathy, Mysore

Aaahh... these film stars! They always find a nice way to attract attention. Must say... Shabana Azmi's seems to be the best one in the recent past.
-Surabhi Shastry, Mumbai

Demise of Bangalore

2008-06-27T11:24:00.004+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

While there is a chorus to put the bang back into Bangalore, the city itself is suffering from an identity crisis.

Ever since the government decided to change the city’s name from Bangalore to Bengaluru two years ago, confusion has reigned supreme. Even as the rechristening is awaiting Central approval, several private organisations, particularly airlines have gone ahead and adopted the new name, leading to further chaos.

Jnanpith Award winner U.R. Ananthamurthy who first mooted the change of name, is himself peeved. “It should be Bengalooru not Bengaluru, as proposed by the Government,” he says.

The way the city’s fair name is butchered has come as a nightmare to those harping on ‘Brand Bangalore’. The other day, on a flight from Mumbai to Bangalore, the hostess all through preferred to call the city Bangaloru. On landing, the boards across the airport proclaimed, ‘Bengalure International Airport Limited’. However, at the exit of the arrival lounge, there was yet another signage, ‘Welcome to Bangalore’.

Bangaloru, Bengaluru, Bengalooru, Bangalore…

Brand Bangalore. What is that?

Picture sourced from: www.sunmediaonline.com/.../travel.html

Why is Jet lagging?

2008-06-26T12:05:00.002+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

Jet Airways, touted as one of the most professional airlines till recently, slowly seems to be losing its sheen. No, it is not the competition in the skies, particularly from Vijay Mallya’s Kingfisher, that is threatening Jet, but its own complacency.

Having been a Jet-loyalist almost since its inception, I have noticed that the feel good factor that was the airline’s USP has almost disappeared. These days a Jet flight leaves you with a bitter experience.

Almost every time I have travelled in the recent past, the flight has been delayed either due to “late arrival of the aircraft” from the previous destination or air traffic congestion, though Jet cannot be blamed for the latter.

The clock work precision that Jet Airways staff was known for, is sadly missing. While the ground staff is usually grumpy, the air hostesses are down right shoddy.

Normally travellers are welcomed aboard with a broad smile, however plastic it might be. But at least on two occasions I have been greeted by the posteriors of airhostesses unmindful of boarding passengers. Grooming is another area that requires attention. Chipped nail paint, unpolished shoes and poor make-up seem to be the order of the day.

The in-flight service too leaves much to be desired. While dropping bowls and cutlery are common, there are instances when the staff simply forgets to serve coffee or water to an entire row. The whole process, from serving to clearing the trays, is often marked by total confusion.

But what takes the cake is the absence of adequate number of coaches to ferry the passengers from the aircraft to the terminal. I have experienced this on two occasions, and a friend of mine says this is common with Jet flights across the country. The friend who recently travelled from Bangalore to Chennai was stranded in the aircraft for half-an-hour waiting for the coach, that it, more than the travel time between the two cities.

How can an airline which led by example, suddenly slump? How can every thing go wrong—from ground handling, to in-flight service, to baggage arrival to logistics?

Most of us preferred Jet to the glitz and glamour of Kingfisher, mainly due to its professionalism. I would always remark, “Jet is a well oiled machine.” Unfortunately today, the oil is drying and the machine is rusting. A sad day for Jet, and an even sadder day for passengers like me who love the airliner.

COMMENTS

I agree with you. The crew is downright rude these days. At least my flights were on time.
-Cherian Thomas, Dubai

You are right. Jet is my favourite airline too. But off late it reminds you of our national airline which is known for its rude airhostesses and sloppy service. Complacency is dangerous for any organisation. In an age of competition and consumerism, it is only a matter of time before people dump poor quality services and products and move on.
-Seethalakshmi S, Bangalore

Intense competition must also be making things hard. The way it was going, one thought planes would be the most preferred mode of transport! Okay, that is changing!-Pradeep, BangaloreThe entire Zee (including the Chairman) has shifted from Jet to KF. But, you still want to stick to
Jet!
-Surabhi Shastry, Bangalore

Brickbats for Bengaluru airport

2008-06-10T16:31:00.003+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

If you had tall expectations from the newly opened Bengaluru International Airport at Devanahalli, you would be disappointed. A visit to the airport, and the image of the much touted world class facility crumbles like a cookie.

The airport is no doubt a welcome relief from the ramshackle HAL airport, but it is still a far cry from what it was portrayed in the glitzy PR blitzkrieg that the management unleashed.

The departure terminal is spacious and roomy, but the absence of adequate number of counters, makes the check-in process an ordeal. Unlike other airports in India, the waiting bay after the security check has a shopping arena, which helps you kill time during flight delays.

But on the flipside, with retail space occupying much of the area, you end up with a claustrophobic feeling. This area could have definitely done with some breathing space. Almost everything about the airport is cramped, including the washrooms.

The food court is nowhere near the snazzy pictures that you were bombarded with during the run-up to the airport’s inauguration. It is no better than the run down food counters that one encounters in shopping malls, teeming with people. You should consider yourself lucky if you find a seat here. The highlight, of course, is the Time Out Bar, which does not serve alcohol!

After a suffocating wait, it a long drive to the aircraft from the departure lounge. One wonders what ever happened to the aerobridges that the management has been crowing about.

And if you thought that flight delays were a thing of the past with the new airport, you are sadly mistaken. One still hears in-flight announcements about air traffic congestion. Was this not the main reason why the HAL airport was closed?

The arrival lounge, however, is one of the best in the country, that is, if you ignore the undue delay in baggage transfer. The coffee shop and the book store, make waiting for a delayed flight a pleasure. But the joy is short lived, for, when you get out of the airport, you realise that the parking system is so badly managed that you will have to wait eternally for your vehicle.

It appears that the airport was opened in undue haste, to beat the deadline. In the process, the management has had to contend with brickbats from all quarters.

In most countries, airports are planned with the future in mind, but the Bengaluru International Airport woefully falls short of even the present day requirements. It is not an airport which is ahead of its times, but one that is behind its times.

COMMENTS

It seems to have become fashionable to cast stones at the new airport in Bangalore. While some issues are justified, others are not. A point I would like to make is, it was the media that hyped the airport, and made it out to be some sort of landmark building in the city. Pictures of interiors made the rounds through email forwards. All this raised expectations. Actually, it is a functional airport.

There is no point in comparing and expecting it to be along the lines of Changi or Heathrow. Neither is there that sort of space or economy to support it. At this rate we will expect the city's Metro to be as efficient and aesthetic as London's tube. Is it possible? Considering the population and economy (who wants to pay a user development fee?), this is as good as it gets.

We need to look at these facilities for their functionality only. Forget about shopping and extravagant food courts. After all, you are not going there to spend an evening.

-B.S. Manu Rao, Bangalore

I do not wish to subscribe to your views on the airport. I happened to use the airport to take off and land, but never felt it was as bad as you mentioned. Probably it will take some time for people to get used to the new airport. Did you notice the change in Albert Brunner's face? He seems to have grown old by a couple of decades! And what for?

-Manohar Yadawatti, Bangalore

It is a third class airport and it will not be appropriate to invite the Prime Minister to inaugurate it when the desired facilities are yet to be in place.
-H.T. Sangliana, MP, Bangalore (North), in The Times of India

Net citizens get results right

2008-05-27T10:48:00.002+05:30

By M. Gautham Machaiah

As usual, most psephologists were way off the mark while predicting the results of the Karnataka assembly elections, but netizens with their ears to the ground seem to have got the numbers right.

A poll carried on this blog in the run up to the elections, clearly indicated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would romp home to power. The poll question was, ‘Who will win the Karnataka elections?’

While 55 per cent voted in favour of the BJP, 27 per cent felt the Congress would emerge victorious. Nobody voted for the Janata Dal (S), while 18 per cent felt the results would throw up a hung assembly.

The election results have vindicated the stand of the netizens, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party bagging 110 seats, followed by the Congress with 80 seats, JDS with 28 seats and independents with six.

It is perhaps high time psephologists got their act right!

Picture sourced from: chickmagalur.nic.in/htmls/about_chickmagalur.htm

COMMENTS

Predicting election results are not easy because of the large number of variables involved. Even the best of the scientific surveys in the US have gone wrong!

-Pradeep, Dubai

Those psephologists assess the mood of the people with a coloured glass can never be accurate. The CNN-IBN post poll and exit poll survey gave 70 seats to BJP which proved terribly wrong. This was not the first time that they have erred. Even during the Gujarat polls they were off the mark by a huge margin. Yet they do not stop this kind of biased and misleading surveys to please those whom they are working for. Electronic media is losing its credibility. The sooner they realise this, the better for their TRP rating.

-S. Prakash, BJP

By and large there was a feeling among the observers of State politics, that this time BJP is bound to make it either on its own or with the support of a few MLAs from outside. It appears they have got it right. You may refer to my reaction of BJP coming to power, for your piece on the CM candidate of Congress.Probably a few media exit polls were over enthusiastic to predict that the Congress would win. Time and again they have proved themselves wrong.

-Manohar Yadavatti, Bangalore

Money bags rule Karnataka elections

2008-05-08T12:10:00.007+05:30

Politicians’ assets increase by 677 % in four years

By M. Gautham Machaiah
Power corrupts, while absolute power corrupts absolutely. The details of assets filed by candidates contesting the first phase of elections to 89 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka on May 10, amply prove this.

The 2004 elections resulted in a fractured mandate which was manipulated by all three major parties, the Congress, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to share the spoils of power. And predictably, the asset value of the candidates fielded by these parties has increased by a whopping 677 per cent in just four years.

With no party security a simple majority in the previous elections, the Congress and the JD(S) formed a coalition government. In about a year, the JD(S) pulled out of the alliance and formed the government with the BJP, which collapsed in 2007, leading to imposition of President’s rule.

The JD(S) which enjoyed power for the longest spell, has also cornered the highest booty. According to figures released by the Karnataka Election Watch (KEW), the assets of JD(S) candidates have increased by an unbelievable 1,292 per cent. At least, 25 of its candidates are worth over Rs 205 crore.

Congress candidates have posted an increase of 561 per cent in asset valuation, with 28 of its candidates being worth over Rs 147 crore.

The BJP has recorded an increase of 532 per cent, with 20 candidates being worth about 114 crore. Interestingly, a BJP candidate who was a minister for two years has reported a 2,604 per cent increase in his assets. His assets have gone up from Rs 37 lakh to over Rs 10 crore.

Among the super rich candidates in the fray are the sons of the self-proclaimed son of the soil, JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda—H.D. Kumaraswamy and H.D. Revanna. While Kumaraswamy has assets worth Rs 52 crore, Revanna has valued himself at Rs 103 crore.

Humble farmers indeed!

(Picture sourced from: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/287306.stm)

COMMENTS

Very true. Money bags rule the elections in Karnataka. Our guys are worse than the erstwhile rulers of Bihar.

-Manna Mandanna

Bangarappa abandons SP candidates

2008-05-07T17:34:00.004+05:30

By M. Gautham Machaiah

The old war horse of Karnataka, S. Bangarappa, who is often described as a veteran party hopper, an opportunist and habitual defector, is said to be all set to cross the fence once again.

Bangarappa who is now with the Samajawadi Party (SP) is slated to return to the Congress, a party he had quit and rejoined three times in the past. This will be the fourth homecoming for the former Chief Minister who has shifted political loyalties a dozen times.

With Karnataka in election mode, Bangarappa’s sudden volte face has left the SP leadership red faced. Though Bangarappa had issued tickets to about 50 candidates in the first phase of the polls, he has now conveniently abandoned them.

With neither funds nor publicity material reaching them from the party, the candidates who have been delving into their own pockets, feel cheated and let down by Bangarappa. Some of these candidates who accuse their leader of stabbing them on the back, have already retired from the contest to join other parties. The plight of these aspirants who blindly trusted Bangarappa is truly pathetic.

But unfazed by this criticism, Bangarappa himself is contesting from Shikaripura constituency in Shimoga district as a Samajawadi candidate, with the backing of the Congress and Janata Dal (S). The election outcome will decide if Bangarappa will rejoin the Congress formally or lend outside support.

To a candidate who approached him, Bangarappa is said to have remarked: “The Samajawadi Party is dead in Karnataka. Now on, it is the Congress.”

Politics in India has no doubt hit the nadir, but leaders like Bangarappa who sacrifice the careers of hundreds of dedicated workers at the alter of elections for their own selfish gains, put even the most unscrupulous politician to shame.

(Picture sourced from http://www.thehindu.com)

Mocking at elections, cyber style

2008-05-06T11:48:00.007+05:30

M. Gautham Machaiah

With elections round the corner in Karnataka, netizens are flooded with e-mails which amply reflect the cynicism of the electorate.

One particularly interesting e-mail is an application form to be filled by those contesting elections. The origin of the mail is unknown, but it succeeds in aptly capturing the political scenario in the country.

Here is how the mail goes:

Application form to be filled for contesting Indian elections

1. Name of Candidate:

2. Present Address: (i) Name of jail (ii) Cell number (If not in jail, attach proof of residence)

3. Political party: (List ONLY last five parties in chronological order).

4. Sex: A:Male; B:Female

5. Nationality: A:Italian; B:Indian

6. Reasons for leaving last party (circle one or more) A: Defected; B: Expelled; C: Bought out; D:
None of the above; E: All of above.

7. Reasons for contesting elections (circle one or more) A: To make money; B: To escape court trial; C: To grossly misuse power; D: To serve the public; E: I have no clue. (If you choose `D' attach certificate of sanity from a recognised government psychiatrist).

8. How many years of public service experience do you possess? A: 1-2 years; B: 2-6 years; C: 6-15 years; D: 15 plus years.

9. Give details of any criminal cases pending against you (Use as many additional sheets as you want).

10. How many years have you spent in jail? (Do not confuse with question 8) A: 1-2 years; B: 2-6 years; C: 6-15 years; D: 15 plus years.11. Are you involved in any financial scams? A: Why not; B: Of course; C: Definitely; D: I deny it; E: See a foreign hand.

12. What is your annual corruption income? A: 100-500 crore; B: 500-1,000 crores; C: Overflow...(Convert all your $ earning from Hawala etc to rupees).

14. Do you have any developmental plans for the country in mind? A: No; B: No; C: No; D No.

15. Describe in space provided, your achievements: --------------- .

Thumb impression of the candidate.

(Picture sourced from: http://www.animationstand.com/gallery/rubberco/Jail.jpg)

Where did the Coorgs come from?

2008-05-06T11:15:00.007+05:30

The hypothesis is that they could be Kurds or Greeks

Publication: The Times of India
Date: November 23, 1997
Author: M. Gautham Machaiah

The origin of Kodavas (Coorgs), a martial race inhabiting Karnataka’s picturesque hill district Kodagu, has always been shrouded in mystery. But a book which has scientifically analysed their origin has come to one conclusion: They are not original inhabitants of India.

While the book, A Study of The Origins of Coorgs, by Lt Col Kongetira Chinappa Ponnappa, has not succeeded in pinpointing the roots of Coorgs, it says that they could be descendants of either pre-Muslirn Kurds or pre-Christian Georgians.

“All available clues point to the strong possibility that the Coorgs came to India as part of the pre-Muslim forces of the Persian emperors or with the light troops of Alexander the Great, or as part of the troops during the time of pre-Christian Bactrian Greeks.”

There is a great similarity between the Coorgs and pre-Muslim Kurds. Like the Coorgs, the kurds dwelt in mountain country for more than 2,000 years. Their dress, physical features, history in fighting various wars, bear a striking resemblance to Coorgs. However, after the Kurds embraced Islam, their cultural traits were overwhelmed by Islamic culture.

Stating that the Coorgs have no similarity to the Dravidian race, the book quotes Sir Erskine Perry who points out: “The Coorgs have no resemblance to any races of South India. By far they are the finest race I had seen in India in point of independent bearing, good looks and all outward signs of well-being.”

Coorgs are a different kind of people as compared to others in the country. They do not celebrate any of the Hindu festivals or follow their customs. Unlike other communities, Brahmins have no role in any of their ceremonies, be it marriage, death or festivals, the book says. Drawing a parallel between the character of Greeks and Coorgs, the book adds, “Like the Greeks, the Coorgs have an instinctive hatred for servility or sycophancy. A Coorg will never show more than the obligatory respect to a man in the higher orders of officialdom unless he positively respects that man.”

The Coorgs’ strong foundation of Greek culture indicates that they directly descended from the pre-Christian Greeks or were in close intercommunication with the Greeks. It is also likely that the Coorgs originally dwelt in the mountains of northern Iran, Taurus, Asia Minor or Caucausus and came to India as part of the fighting troops.

Their basic dress, ‘Kuppya’ and ‘Chele’, is suited to the cold climates and is similar to the attire in central Asia and Caucausus.

“Another possibility is that the Coorgs descended from pre-Muslim Kurds. There is no doubt that they were mercenaries in the Persian Army and probably in the armies of Alexander the Great Looking at the Kurds even today in Northern Iraq or Northern Iran, one is struck by their similarities in dress with the Coorgs."

But until a final conclusion is drawn, the debate will continue: Where did the Coorgs really come from?

(Picture sourced from www.boloji.com/places/024e.htm)

COMMENTS

These days there are enough books and theories on the origin and decendancy of the Coorgs. But why is no one from Coorg bothered to study the contribution of the dynasty that ruled the kingdom for almost three centuries. The palace is now housing government offices and the area around the tombs has been encroached. Is this the attitude one shows to monuments of historical importance? Are these not of any archaeological value?
-Manohar Yadawatti, Bangalore

Thanks Gautham. I just sent the Coorg story to a bunch of people. Do we have any more material for reading on this topic? Thanks!
-Sindhu M.C, New Jersey

Gosh ! Coorgs then are a totally mixed up race. Pre-Kurds, Pre-Georgian and what not ! And where does that leave me - a cross between a Coorg and a Tamil Brahmin ? A total Mocktail !!
-Kartik Krishnaswamy, Bangalore

I knew that our race had some Greek origin because apparently in Greece there are a few streets with Coorg names(not quite sure how far it is true).But this was something worth reading.. Thanks Gautham. It is time to do a little more research on my own race!
-Sneha

A really good post.
-Raky

Who is the Congress CM candidate in Karnataka?

2008-04-28T12:05:00.007+05:30

The people of Karnataka have a right to know who will be the Chief Minister if they vote the Congress to power

M. Gautham Machaiah

With elections in the horizon, the people of Karnataka are expecting the winds of change to blow through the State, but is it not logical that they should know who their Chief Minister is going to be, before casting their votes?

The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have emerged as the principal opponents in Karnataka, while other parties like Janata Dal (Secular), Samajawadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) are set to play the role of spoil sports.

While the BJP has declared that B.S. Yediyurappa will be its chief ministerial candidate, the Congress has shied away from projecting any leader. Thus, when it comes to the BJP, a voter is aware well in advance what is in store for him, but with the Congress, it appears to be a cat and mouse game.

Will the party foist an unimpressive Dharam Singh as the Chief Minister, like it did in 2004? Will S.M. Krishna be in the hot seat? Will KPCC president Mallikarjun M. Kharge be given a chance to rule the State? Or, will a now low profile leader like former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily emerge as the dark horse? It is high time that the Congress high command made its mind clear.

The people have a right to know who their leader will be if they vote for the Congress. Why should they vote for a party which is headless? It is a sad state of affairs that a century old part is incapable or projecting a leader before going to the polls.

(Picture sourced from www.democracycellproject.net)

COMMENTS

In the Congress, it is the envelope from the high command and not duly elected legislators, which decides who should be the CM. With a plethora of leaders, the party can ill-afford to declare the CM in advance. But why bother about the Congress, when the BJP is sure to form the Government?
-Manohar Yedawatti, Bangalore

Democracy means both within and outside a party. Even a party president and other office bearers must be by election, not appointment as it happens now. The party nominees too must be chosen by election from within the party. In the same way, the MLAs of each party must elect their leader. The party with majority will form the government. By that logic, a party need not project its CM-candidate but can better leave it to its MLAs. A party naming a CM before polls is like undermining its wannabe MLAs' abilities to choose their leader.
-K.R. Balasubramanyam, Bangalore

Congress Chief Minister? Jaffer Sharief. He He.
-Manna Mandanna

What if the person projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate loses the elections like B S Yeddyurappa is destined to ?Besides, it is nonsensical to project a Chief Ministerial candidate. In true democratic spirit, people should elect the MLAs or the MPs, who in turn choose the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister. How can a party foist its "chosen" candidate for the post of Chief Minister on MLAs of the party on the pretext of discipline. It is worse than the tradition of Congress High Command to send a sealed cover containing the CM's name. Besides, it appears that the BJP's claim to power is that the issue of its Chief Minister is settled. They are making it out as though it is their pre-poll promise. Nonsense it is. How will it help the people?
-Desi

I am surprised to read the comments about internal democracy. Any one with an elementary knowledge of politics is aware that in the Congress, the MLAs have no role in electing the Chief Minister. For instance, in 2004 a majority of the MLAs elected S.M. Krishna as their leader, but the mantle finally fell on Dharam Singh.
As it has been rightly pointed out by one of your readers, in the Congress it is the envelope from the high command which decides who the Chief Minister should be. Under the circumstances, the people of the State have every right to know well in advance who their Chief Minister will be if they elect the Congress to power. If we are told that a person like Dharam Singh will lead the State, we would rather not vote for the party.
Readers who have made a mention about internal democracy also do not seem to be aware of the Constitutional provision. It is a settled practice that the Chief Minister should enjoy the confidence of the House. Nowhere, does the Constitution mention that he should be elected by the MLAs of his party. There is also no Constitutional bar on a party projecting an individual as the Chief Minister.
I would go a step further and suggest that India should shift to the Presidential system.
-A Journalist

The road to Devanahalli

2008-04-20T23:19:00.005+05:30

By M. Gautham Machaiah

The media has been going hammer and tongs over the poor connectivity to the newly constructed Bangalore international airport at Devanahalli. Newspapers and television channels have estimated that it would take at least two to three hours to reach the airport from the city centre.

Two weeks ago, I decided to do a reality check. On a Saturday, I left MG Road at 11 am. At 11.45 flat, I was at the trumpet interchange leading to the airport. Agreed, the traffic is thin on a weekend, but two to three hours seems to a bit far fetched.

Once the ‘magic boxes’ which facilitate the free flow of traffic are in place, the drive should not exceed one hour. However, there are still some bottlenecks which need to be addressed.
The first is the junction at the erstwhile High Grounds police station, where one is confronted by an unending stream of traffic. The next potential nightmare is the road over the tackily contructed ‘magic box’ near Cauvery theatre which does not facilitate a smooth U-turn.

Numerous intersections dot the road up to Yelahanka which severely hamper the free flow of traffic. After Yelahanka, it is smooth drive up to the airport. Construction of flyovers, underpasses and skywalks at these intersections will guarantee a hassle free ride.

However, on reaching Devanahalli one notices that the trumpet interchange leading to the airport is still under construction. Which means, there is no decent approach to the airport from the highway. Under the circumstances, one wonders why the Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) has been pushing for an early inauguration.

Was it just to prove a point that the project was completed well within the deadline?

BIAL might have built a world class airport, but let us not forget that the cake is incomplete without the icing.

Poll blues: Early night for Bangalore pubs

2008-04-14T16:45:00.003+05:30

By M. Gautham Machaiah

For the beleaguered pub and restaurant owners of Bangalore who have been complaining about the absence of a night life, the Assembly elections in Karnataka have come as the proverbial last straw on the camel’s back.

Restaurateurs and tipplers have for long been up-in-arms against the strict 11.30 pm deadline imposed by the government, in the Silicon city which works 24/7. Efforts by the Tourism department to get the deadline extended to at least 1 am have also come to a naught.

The early deadline coupled with a ban on dancing, have already taken their toll on Bangalore’s night life. Now, with elections round the corner, restaurants and pubs have been ordered to down their shutters not later than 11 pm.

The authorities perhaps apprehend a law and order problem if watering holes remain open till late in the night. But is it not their duty to maintain law and order? Such ham handed measures only point to the ineffectiveness of the law enforcing agencies.

It is no doubt prudent to prevent the sore, but would you cut your leg to avoid the sore?

Kharge to contest from Bangalore?

2008-04-10T11:39:00.005+05:30

By M. Gautham Machaiah

Gossip mills run overtime during the election season. With Karnataka going to the polls in May 2008, speculation is rife that State Congress President Mallikarjun M. Kharge may contest from Pulakeshinagar (erstwhile Bharatinagar) in Bangalore, instead of his traditional stronghold, Gurmitkal in Gulbarga district.

Gurmitkal which was hitherto reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates has now been converted to a General constituency, with the re-drawing of the State’s political map by the Election Commission. Bharatinagar which was a General constituency, in its new avatar as Pulakeshinagar is reserved for SC.

Kharge is the undisputed king of Gurmitkal, having won eight elections in a row from 1972. With Gurmitkal now being thrown open to General candidates, Congress circles are abuzz with rumours that he has zeroed in on Pulakeshinagar.

However, such assumptions may be based on misconceptions. There is no bar on an SC candidate contesting from a General constituency. Thus, Kharge can continue to contest from Gurmitkal even under the changed circumstances.

With Kharge holding sway over this constituency for nearly four decades, there are not many who can take on him. Besides, with Gurmitkal being a Reserved constituency right from the first elections to date, it may be difficult to find a General candidate of Kharge’s stature.

Thus, the rumours not withstanding, Gurmitkal continues to be a safe bet for the Congress leader. But in politics, nothing is impossible. Time is the best judge. Until then, let us keep our fingers crossed.

Is RSS out to get Yeddy?

2008-04-08T14:13:00.002+05:30

Grapevine says Yeddyurappa may contest from Tumkur, but BJP denies it

By M. Gautham Machaiah

Elections always provide a fertile breeding ground for political gossip. With the Assembly poll dates announced in Karnataka, the latest rumour is that the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa might prefer to contest from Tumkur, instead of his home constituency Shikaripura in Shimoga district.

According to grapevine, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha (RSS) is so offended with Yeddyurappa’s lust for power, that some of its members are leaving no stone unturned to ensure his defeat at the hustings. This is also said to have the tacit support of at least one senior BJP leader whose antipathy towards Yeddyurappa is well known.

The RSS apparently is piqued with Yeddyurappa, for promoting his own self-interest at the cost of the party. The first such instance was when the leader threatened to split the BJP and join the Janata Dal (Secular) with the sole intent of grabbing power in Karnataka. This, however, was averted following a meeting of the BJP Legislative Party (BJPLP) at Keshavashilpa, the RSS headquarters.

Ultimately, the JD(S) ditched its coalition partner, the Congress, to join hands with the BJP, catapulting Yeddyurappa to the Deputy Chief Minister’s seat. As per the power sharing agreement reached between the two partners, the JD(S) and BJP were to rule the State for an equal term of two years each.

However, when the JD(S) failed to honour its commitment at the end of two years, the BJP ministers submitted their resignation, leading to the collapse of the government and imposition of President’s rule in October this year. The BJP went hammer and tongs against the JD(S), unleashing a State-wide protest.

But the drama was yet to end. Even as a wave of sympathy engulfed the BJP, it once again got feelers from the JD(S) to kiss and make up. Yeddyurappa who was spewing fire and brimstone against JD(S) leaders meekly rushed back to Bangalore, much to the chagrin of many of his party colleagues.

On November 12, 2008, Yeddyurappa’s life long dream came true when he was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on the majestic steps of Vidhana Soudha. But his joy was short-lived with the JD(S) once again stabbing him on the back. On November 19, that is, barely eight days later, he had to submit his resignation after the JD(S) issued a whip to its members to vote against Yeddyurappa when the motion of confidence was moved in the Assembly. Indeed, a loss of face to both the BJP and Yeddyurappa.

Yeddyurappa was once again on the streets crying hoarse about the unethical behaviour of JD(S). But by then, much of the sympathy that the BJP had gained was lost. The BJP was seen by the people as just another party which would go to any length to share the spoils of power.

While Yeddyurappa’s bete noire in the BJP, Ananth Kumar, smirked at his adversary’s fall from grace, the RSS was equally miffed that the party had become a laughing stock in the eyes of the people. It is against this backdrop that some RSS members are said to be keen to rap the eight day wonder on his knuckles.

With murmurs that the RSS is working against Yeddyurappa gaining momentum, the BJP leader is said to be toying with the idea of contesting from Tumkur, instead of Shikaripura. Tumkur is considered a safe constituency due to the large Lingayat population, the community to which Yeddyurappa belongs.

However, senior BJP leaders are quick to denounce any such move. According to them, there is no question of Yeddyurappa shifting from Shimoga district which is considered a stronghold of the BJP. The RSS, Yeddyurappa and Ananth Kumar, have buried the hatchet in view of the forthcoming elections, these leaders claim, adding, “We will unitedly fight the polls.”

Whether or not Yeddyurappa decides to shift his constituency, these elections are sure to provide enough fodder for thought.

Not a NICE story

2008-01-22T18:44:00.001+05:30

People remain mute spectators as politicians scuttle road project

By M. Gautham Machaiah

On a lucky day, it would take you at least four hours to travel between the Jindal Institute on Tumkur road and Electronic City on Hosur road. But on the newly laid Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) peripheral ring road, it would take barely half-an-hour to zip from one corner of Bangalore to the other. But the dream-come-true story ends here.

Though work on the 41 km road is almost complete, it is yet to be fully operational as the government has failed to grant land to NICE at crucial intersections. Thus, while you have international standard roads on either side of the intersection, there is no bridge to connect them.

After comfortably cruising on the NICE road, you suddenly encounter a dirt track at each intersection. This small stretch is in such a pathetic condition that it can take a heavy toll both on you and your vehicle.

The fact that land has not been granted to NICE at key locations smacks of bureaucratic apathy and political vindictiveness. Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and his coterie of officers have spared no efforts to scuttle the project solely to settle scores with NICE Managing Director Ashok Kheny.

Though Kheny has been fighting a lone battle against his detractors, the citizens of Bangalore have remained mute spectators. The citizens would rather stomach a roller coaster ride or drive through maddening traffic, but fail to raise their voice against insensitive politicians and bureaucrats. This is what emboldens our netas.

None can stand up against the might of the people. But the people of Bangalore do not seem to know their own strength. They would rather meekly accept the diktat of self-serving politicians than stand up against them.

With President’s rule imposed on Karnataka, politicians have taken the backseat. The Governor and his Executive Council of Advisors who now run the State should seize the opportunity and clear the roadblocks in the way of the project.

The people of Bangalore who are notorious for their adjust maadi culture, have been patient for way to long. But history has also demonstrated that Bangalore is like volcano which can erupt with fury any moment. It is time the powers-that-be stopped taking Bangaloreans for granted.

Review: The Innocent Man, John Grisham

2007-12-05T12:23:00.000+05:30

By Dr M. Gautham Machaiah

The Innocent Man is John Grisham’s first work of non-fiction. It is the disturbing story of Ron Williamson who was condemned to death and almost executed for a rape and murder he did not commit.

The law believes in the dictum of innocent until proven guilty. But in the case of Ron, it was, guilty until proven innocent. A baseball hero, Ron left his hometown of Ada in Oklahoma, in 1971 to pursue his dreams of the big league. He was back six years later, his promising career and dreams shattered by a life of drugs, alcohol and women. Reduced to a mental wreck, Ron moved in with his mother, often sleeping for 20 hours a day.

In 1982, a waiter Debra Sue Carter was found raped and murdered in her apartment. For five years, the local police remained clueless. But as pressure began to mount, they arrested Ron and his friend Dennis Fritz and charged them with capital murder.

With absolutely no evidence at hand, the police built their case solely on their imagination aided by outdated forensic methods and the testimony of convicts, who lied on oath in exchange for clemency. On the strength of this fabricated evidence, Dennis was awarded a life sentence while Ron was sent to the death row.

Ron was kept in prison for 20 years awaiting death until the truth stumbled out. Ultimately, Ron was out, but with two decades of the best part of his life taken away by a faulty criminal justice system. Ron was plain lucky. But many more Rons await the electric chair or the lethal injection in US jails, for murders, rapes and burglaries that they have never committed, while the real culprits continue to stalk the streets.

This real-life story comes as a shot in the arm for all opponents of capital punishment, which has failed to serve as a deterrent. Death is a punishment that cannot be reversed. Life cannot be restored if innocence is established after a person’s execution. Besides, it is often only the poor with no access to quality legal aid, who face death penalty.

Even if a million criminals go scot-free, one innocent man should not be punished. Grisham deserves accolades for awakening our senses.

Shantaram-Book Review

2007-10-19T16:34:00.000+05:30

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts is a spell-binding novel which draws its inspiration from real life happenings.

It is the story of a convict who escapes from a high security Australian prison and lands in Mumbai. It is a fascinating account of how Lin, which is Roberts’ assumed name while on the run, sets up a clinic in a slum, indulges in small time drug peddling, joins the underworld headed by Khader Khan and ends up fighting along side the Mujahiddin in Afghanistan.

Shantaram is an extraordinarily beautiful book, a fascinating tale, with a gripping narration, which leaves the reader captivated. The bouts of philosophical meandering, however, may at times force the reader to skip a few pages.

Roberts has succeeded in eloquently capturing the soul of India, particularly the undying spirit of the Mumbaikars. Amidst narratives of Bollywood, romance, mafia wars, counterfeiting and cold blooded murders, the novel pays a befitting tribute to the large heartedness of the ordinary Indian.

At the end though, Roberts leaves the reader craving for more, with many unanswered questions including that of his lady love Karla. The book is silent on what happened to Lin after Shantaram. That is reserved for a much awaited sequel.

Shantaram is a marvellous creation. Shantaram is not a book, it is an epic. It is not a work of art, it is a masterpiece.

Dr M. Gautham Machaiah, Bangalore, India

Internet has no takers among legislators in IT capital

2007-10-03T12:03:00.000+05:30

By M. Gautham Machaiah

The internet is fast emerging as a popular tool among the political community in the developed world, particularly the United States. Though Indian political parties too have effectively employed the internet in recent elections, the World Wide Web has evoked little or no interest among the legislators in Karnataka.

Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka prides itself as the Silicon Valley of India. The State is often referred to as the powerhouse of Information Technology (IT). However, despite the increasing utilisation of technology by the political class globally, the law makers of Karnataka do not fancy IT.

As a result, the usage of the internet and e-mail is abysmally low among them. This is the conclusion of the thesis, Media Habits of Legislators: A Case Study of Karnataka MLAs and MLCs, for which the author was awarded the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by the University of Mysore.

Internet in US polls

Various studies indicate that in the United States, the internet is set to become the most potent instrument in election campaigning, with distinct capabilities surpassing those offered by the traditional media. The 2000 US presidential election marked the first full-fledged online election campaign, although the use of the internet for political campaigns began earlier.

Through the 2000 presidential online campaigns, the web showed its potential as an effective political campaign tool. It gave presidential candidates a multi-faceted form of communication, primarily involving persuasion to vote for them. Practitioners not only raised money online, but also attracted volunteers and involved people in political campaigns through interactive web sites.

A study reported in the Public Relations Quarterly, elucidates the role of the internet in American politics: “From the public relations perspective, presidential candidates can gain almost unlimited access and visibility and maintain total control of the message at less expense. Interactive web sites allow candidates to finely target an audience and communicate with them directly through direct e-mail. They involve real time interaction and a sense of community. They are dynamic, not static. Step-by-step on the campaign trail, candidates have been using the internet to build relationships with voters through symmetric two-way communications, especially, with younger voters.”

According to a study by the The Pew Internet and American Life Project, during the 2004 presidential polls, there were an estimated 3,000 web sites devoted to the election, with roughly 75 million Americans using the internet to connect to politics.

Over the years, the internet’s impact on the American political system has been profound. In their book, Campaigning Online: The Internet in U.S. Elections, Bruce A. Bimber and Richard Davis, note: “ The internet—a term that was not even in the public lexicon a decade ago—has captured the attention of the media, the government, and many of the public. It has changed the way many Americans receive information and communicate.”

Internet in UK elections

While in the US, the internet’s influence was felt way back during the 1996 elections, in the United Kingdom it was not until 2001 that politicians discovered the power of the web. The UK Hansard Society's report on the internet in the UK elections, described the 2001 general polls as the first internet elections of the country.

According to the report, though the 2001 election was not fought on the internet, the web played a peripheral, but significant role—especially for younger voters.

While 18 per cent of the voters with internet access used the net as an information resource, 21 per cent of online 18-24 year-olds used the net to find out what the parties stood for.

While in the 2001 elections, none of the parties had an online strategy, during the 2005 polls, both the Tories and the Liberals embarked on a more systematic net campaign which involved sending direct e-mails to voters.

Internet in Indian elections

According to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), internet is the fastest expanding medium in India with the growth expected to accelerate in the coming years.

Predictably in India too, politicians have over the years successfully harnessed the internet, particularly to address the apathetic urban electorate. While the 1999 general elections saw the application of internet to politics for the first time, the 2004 polls saw the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unleashing a full-fledged online campaign.

The Congress, for instance, hired a company to compile a database of 8,00,000 e-mail addresses to send campaign slogans, letters and pictures of candidates, while the BJP set up an exclusive unit to monitor e-campaigning.

Karnataka was among the States which pioneered the use of internet in politics, with Mr Ananth Kumar, a member of the Parliament form Bangalore (South), becoming the first parliamentarian in the country to launch his personal website, in the mid-nineties.

Against the backdrop of Karnataka emerging as the undisputed leader of Information Technology in the country, this study explores the exposure of the legislators of the State to the internet.

E-governance policy

Karnataka is one of the first States in the country to recognise and exploit the potential of Information Technology.

The policy statement on e-governance released by the Karnataka Government says: “Use of IT in government facilitates an efficient, speedy and transparent process for disseminating information to the public and other agencies, and for performing government administration activities. The government of Karnataka believes that effective implementation of e-governance will take IT to the common man. The government would like to be pro-active and responsive to all its citizens, particularly the poor.”

One of the most successful initiatives of the Government is the much acclaimed Bhoomi project, where all land records were computerised. Bangalore One, another successful venture which enables the people to pay all their utility bills online at one point, is also touted as a major success.

High computer penetration

In keeping with its IT-savvy image, the Karnataka government allots a computer to all its legislators. As such, the computer penetration among them is almost 100 per cent. In most cases, the computers have remained a show piece or are used by the personal assistants.

Thus, the exposure of the legislators to a new media like the internet is negligible. A majority of 76 per cent of the legislators do not surf the net, though internet connectivity is available both at the Legislators’ Home and in their constituencies.

Even among the small band of internet users, the frequency of usage is extremely low, with 86.1 per cent stating that they surf the net occasionally. Only 13.9 per cent of the users visit the web regularly.

The study also indicates that even the amount of time spent by those who log onto the net is extremely low. Only 25 per cent among the surfers spend one hour and above on the net. While 38.9 per cent surf the net for 30 minutes to one hour, 36.1 per cent hook on for less than 30 minutes.

Nationally, the average time spent on the internet by Indians has seen an increase. According to the Indian Readership Survey, which tracks media consumption, the time spent on the internet has increased from 58 minutes on weekdays in July-December, 2003 to 63 minutes in the same period during 2005.

Another indication of the lack of interest in the World Wide Web is the number of sites visited by the legislators. Though the internet offers thousands of sites, a majority of 83 per cent regularly surf only one or two sites.

The legislators also do not believe in the efficacy of a modern communication tool like the e-mail, with a majority of them preferring the personal touch. According to the legislators with the internet penetration being low in rural areas, the e-mail has virtually no role to play in interacting with the constituents.

Similarly, the legislators also display a disdain towards Information Technology. An analysis of the legislators’ news preferences indicates that IT is way down their priority list.

With a majority of the legislators disinclined towards the internet and the interest levels being low even among those who visit the web, the study concludes that IT holds no fascination for the legislators of Karnataka.

A silver lining

While the response to the internet is marked by a general lack of interest among the legislators, there are some exceptions like Mr K. Chandrashekar, MLA from Basavanagudi in Bangalore, who have exploited technology to the fullest.

The MLA has set up a website, which provides complete details of all households in his constituency. The interactive site also enables the constituents to update information like pot holes on roads or fused street lamps. This helps the legislator to receive feedback and initiate corrective measures. The MLA also uses the internet to study the traffic management system and infrastructure projects in different parts of the world.

Indeed a silver lining in the cloud.