Nine Months

Exactly nine months from now, India will face another general elections. Nine month is symbolic equal to the labor months of pregnancy. The situation now is of pregnant uncertainty as proclaimed by opposition or of pregnant optimism as proclaimed by incumbents. Though bit away from ground reality lets assess key points which matter.

We start with initial gains and publicity of Scheme like Swattch Bharat Abhiyaan (no past govt even addressed those issue , Beti Bachao, Make in India , Jan Dhan yojana and many more ground level schemes involving irrigation, education, social justice etc. Also there was change in functioning pattern of bureaucracy.

The focus on infrastructure was evident especially visible in Road construction, Railways modernization, electricity, airport modernization etc. Science and Technology missions like those by ISRO, DRDO, Universities and Institutes, healthcare  

Then came big ticket policy of Demonetization. It was a political move. The overnight transformation was almost impossible so a big risk. But men on streets accepted the problem and pain for larger picture. But ultimately things did not result in much significant step against corruption though actual statistics show some significant improvement in govt revenues. Those who suffered were most who had some vested interests, opposition to PM personally due to agenda difference or opportunism.

GST was discussed at all level during previous regime but finally it was implemented in this tenure. There were many technical glitches but finally people accepted and govt revenues improved at Country , state  and local levels. Those opposing were claiming negative imppact on Manufacturing etc which is a fact but reasons is not GST alone there are many global, local , and simple business feasibility factors.

Established and sold media left no stone unturned to create negative perception of govt and people of India. List started with Award wapasi, Anti dalit vs others division led by pro naxal/jihadi nexus of individuals in JNU, Hyderabad, leftist authors, foreign elements. Then there was  Intolerance based on politicization of issues like cow protection lynching, Rape, selective treatment of activist murders etc , Aslo there were political criticism equating PM as a Dictator, lack of his democratic values, lack of team work.

But impact of social media might help incumbents as they have their followers who are more active, techno-savvy and vociferous on most of the popular social media platforms. After having fed up with lopsided coverage laced with bias towards establishment, social media found a relief vent for those who wanted to  be heard and influence opinions.

Alliance with PDP ensured entry of BJP in J& K. Though it complicated matters in the valley, it mattered in Jammu and Ladakh the neglected population. Kashmir problem created by past regimes immediately after Independence need some harsh decisions like total authority to armed forces, constitutional changes in treating it as any other state, focus on tourism and economy, focus on education, infrastructure, rehabilitation of those forcefully displaced.

There are some Allies in NDA who feel they are neglected and wronged be it: TDP, SS, SAD and others. How will that impact depends on influence of each in their region but can emerge as factor to reduction in votes

Now one trend that was set after Karnataka election is so called Opporsition Unity. This is an opportunistic coalition of few very notorious dynastic. Ultra corrupt  national and regional politician. If they manage to avoid ego clashes and field a single candidates then there might be significant impact.

Inflation has hurt back of common people. Be it rise in oil prices, basic household purchases, housing, transport, entertainment and so on. That might bee serious impact issue

One of the biggest challenge before incumbents  were the High Expectations people had from incumbent when they took over. They wanted end to corruption, they wanted better and cheaper living, they wanted strong India in world order. How did they fare on those expectation is relative individual perception which will define votes after Nine months. Interesting all these factors make 2019 election a black box though expressed electronically.

Finally there is TINA effect. There is strong mistrust towards opposition which leaves incumbents as only possible and capable party to govern. TINA stands for There Is No Alternative

Very Interesting Nine months. Nine months is long time in Politics but for now its a literal black box though electronic one.

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Detective

Prelude:

I accidentally ran into an alternate occupation which I had I never dreamed. As a child, like a majority of kids, I had dreamed of being a truck/bus driver or wanted to be a policeman. But the events unfolded in the month of March actually found a hidden talent in myself. You can call this entire episode as Serendipity amid ides of March (only for those studying for verbal MCQ competitive tests).

It started with the housing society committee meeting held in August earlier year. I am part of managing committee. Our society is complex of 8 building each having 11 floors and each floor having 6 “luxurious flats with latest amenities and facilities” as published in ads and brochure published by the promoter” . Thus we were a village of 528 families. In first two three years of completion all flats got sold thanks to a new planned 80 ft wide road access and social establishments coming up. So we are one of the prestigious residential complex in the area. Committee meetings are stormy with various issues, personal grudges, egos and rules termed as society by laws which are unclear to most.

In that meeting, we had an agenda of granting NOC of sale of flat which was exactly one floor below that of mine. The current owner an IT professional had his GC filed in US for long term assignment. The buyer was a party from Mumbai. We deliberated with a letter to owner to pay transfer charges, and let us know details of new owner for records. The owner then provided the detailed paid and their registration documents were submitted for records. As per details provided by current owner, Mumbai based party had multiple business interests. This flat purchase was personal investment as and also they were planning to have a unit near Pune in future.

Marching Ahead

Nostalgia

I have few questions for old punekars

What is status of old movie theaters in and around Pune like Alka,Arun, Jaihind, Hindvijay, Apsara, Vijay, Deccan, apollo and so on. Few still exist. But we Punekars  have memories. Isnt it?

Have you rented bikes esp small ones for learning cycle on roads in summer?

Did you learn swimming at swimming pools like Mandal, SP, Tilak, shahu, Gopal ?

A trip to Sarasbaug Peshwepark followed by bhel was your idea of ultimate happiness?

Did you think that  camp, Deccan were other worlds, kothrud, pashan, hadapsar were villages on outskirts?

Did you attend Vasant Vyakhanmala, majestic gappa?

Were your picnics conducted at Univ campus, empress garden, shinde chatri, aga khan palace?

Did you select ganesha idol for your house and spend whole night to decorate the seat.

Do you still have artis etc by heart?

Were you awake whole night to take a glimpse of dagdusheth rath ?

Did you roam around streets of peth areas watching Ganpati decoration?

Were Udpi hotels only source of eating out experience?

Did you feel proud of travelling by Deccan queen?

Did you count no of tunnels in Ghat?

Did you travel by ST to places beyond katraj Ghat or by those roads in north east of Pune?

Did you attend political rallies prior to elections on streets and grounds?

Did you see children theatre in summer at bharat or tilak or balgandharv?

Did you join a library in summer to read books in a group along with you friends.

Did you stand in  queue for only PMT bus to sinhagad paytha ?

Did you venture out of house during curfew imposed by super popular TV serials?

Were you fan of then established brands like Chitale, sujata mastani, bedekar misal, etc?

Did you wonder why rangpanchami was always close to final exams?

Did you venture to appa balwant chowk as the schools were about to reopen after summer vacations?

Did you shop at laxmi road before Diwali?

Were you the first one to light cracker on Narak chaturthI?

Did you go to sarasbaug on narak chaturdashi mornimg?

Did you prepare clay fort and decorated it with idols?

Did you enjoy eating faral or helping ladies in the family prepare it?

Was watching TV idea to spend new years eve?

There are many and may memories about life in Old Pune. You may add to this list…..

Rebirth

Life does not give a second chance to anyone. Few lucky ones get this chance. Change is only constant is a cliche but speed of those changes sometimes dazzles you and you wonder if is it a  virtual reality or plain windmills of god. So as this space (blog) gets its rebirth, let try to do some good work.

On world front, lot of things are happening at speed mentioned above be it US politics, Brexit, Koreas, Syria, Saudi, Iran, Russia, Mexico, Afghanistan. As world enters few treasured months of summer, these are the issues which impact economy and directly the spirits of masses. Good days for some sectors which not for some. Technology scene is intriguing and promises some key inflection points.

Indian summer has led way to Monsoon on which its economy depends. Indian It also awaits paradigm shift thanks to various trade issues. We gear up to 2019, lot of political activities are shaping up. Only time will tell if the  opposition unity as shown in Karnataka is sustainable? Will it be applicable all over. Kashmir issue has turned more violent as it happens in summer. Pakistan is walking tight rope. There seems to be some sinister agenda on left to divide the nation on caste lines. Govt has taken lot of flak on implementation of aadhar linkup, demonetization, GST. Don’t expect more reforms and brave decisions till 2019.

In Maharashtra, SS is acting strangely just like any opportunist party. Even BJP is unsure to position itself due to tradition issues like separate vidharbha, their need to access keys of BMC, lack of local nuances in western maharashtra, marathwada and Konkan.

Pune having voted out NCP and having BJP in control, has got metro. Law and Order, Roads , pollution, traffic,environment, river cleaning etc issues are still in limbo.  Water issue is still a problem each year depending on Monsoon performance in the catchment areas. That reminds me of beautiful season for outings, trekking, tea, kanda bhaji, vad pav, bhutta…

As world will turn into soccer zone staring 14^th june in Russia, indian cricket also has a summer to prove in England…..

Come December

Finally its December again. Its that time of year which demands all celebrations with three birthdays, anniversary, Xmas and year end apart from other events planned around.

This forum is dormant for a while thanks to various new challenges, geography shift and events.  Last year has been hectic.

With 2019 looming and Congress less India seem to be a reality its all about three states: Karnataka, Kerala and WB. These states are real concern thanks to worst politics played.  In J&K,  J  is dominant over K and with forces squeezing out bad elements things are going north.

This part or world also has various political connotations impacting politics , sociology , healthcare and economy. Only time will tell the outcome but lot of uncertainly still prevails.

Technology domain remains turbulent thanks to disruptive technologies and processes but India has few things to offer. Its all about innovation.

Changes due to demonetization and GST have been absorbed and man on street has coped well. Make in India is not moving forward so is needed is momentum on swachh Bharat as pollution control.

Cricket has seen glorious seasons but no lies the real litmus test in overseas conditions.

Next year is the year of WC soccer and with draws just out will witness first WC without Italy or Netherlands.

Bollywood had very few creative moments but dogged by controversies.

My city Pune had few announcements like Metro, but real problems still persist without solutions like traffic, roads, waste management, crime etc.

Finally wishing all a very happy new year 18. Lets hope we have better 18 as this century turns adult.

Midsummer Night's Dream

Searing heat, Holidays for kids so keeping them busy with hobbies, camps and books, Mangoes, Vacations, Guests, Ice cream/beer parties depending upon your age/vices, Swimming, and finally since 2008 IPL made it into rituals of typical summer landscape of lifestyle.

Every night 8 pm was the time to switch on, see the best of international cricketers  in a mix with the new Indian talent hitting "Maximums" , Fours, getting wickets, catching and getting runouts. 

Initially when it all began in 2008, there was MonkeyGate looming after landmark Indian tour down under, so coming at right time IPL diffused tensions and made cricket a gentleman's game again. But that doesn't mean the aggression has died down on field.

There are many naysayers who feel IPL is circus, fixed, over rated, overkill of cricket. corrupt. And add to that wham bam non classical nature of t20 cricket over the longer formats. But for someone like me who has grown up on watching cricket and being a diehard fan (self proclaimed), any ball getting a wicket, or any stroke getting run is cherished. Add to that the drama of asking rates , match situations, brilliant performances, wrong decisions, and on the field tensions. They may say that only foolish watch ipl where players, officials, broadcasters, advertisers , all those who matter make money while we spend it as well as time and efforts. But watching IPL has been fun for last 10 years or so. It's more fun than watching unending serials, talk shows and stereotype movies. Aren't these cliché as well ?

It's been one experience watching in comforts of living rooms but also another to watch it in stadium. It's a big pain , crowd, heat , queues, traffic etc, but still the atmosphere compensates for all this.

There have been issues , controversies, scams, owners problems,  accusations , even murders. But then watching Gayle hitting sixes, AB playing those incredible shots, Virat's skills, Malinga's yorkers, Dhoni's finishing, young players showing off their talent, incredible fielding all makes these issues irrelevant for someone who is focussed on cricket. As far as T20 format is concerned its only way cricket can be globalised. Cricket is followed by at least 25% of world population so means something and cannot be ignored.

Uncertainty of results add the intrigue. Any bottom finisher team can upset board leaders on any given day.

Staring with Mcullum's innings, Sachins innings, Gilchrist final innings, Dhoni's sixes in last over, Gayle double century, Pollards hitting , hattricks, Maxwell miller hitting, KKR's consistency there are many memories. Add to that personal memories of get-togethers, parties, public viewing events , those seen at exotic places while on vacation around important memorable matches. It's been an enjoyable experience

Mumbai, KKR, CSK won twice, Hyderabad also did same twice though they had different owners. RR inaugural run under Warne was intriguing as well as conspiracy theory angle. Let's see who wins 10th one.

Please note i am not on BCCI payrolls or of any stakeholder but plain simple cricket fan. But it's been fun all the while. It's now a part of Indian Summer just like Alphonso Mango: Delicious.

Dream Season for a Die Hard Fan...

What a season this has been on cricket front as well as for the nation.

It's been a while that  this space had  commented 'on the field' moments on  subject as trivial as cricket. But as everyone knows including the big brothers (Orwellian reference in this age) that this space belong to a blogger.

The season started with 4 tests in WI which was on the road and then home season run of 13 tests. Nevertheless the efficiency of Indian team on its own  shores was always been granted. There were the aberrations as  I recount like 2000 series with SA , 2004 Aus series. These two series were won by pace  which followed  a set trend  by WI wins in 80s (Marshall Holding and others). I remember the terror of these fast bowlers. I remember that series when we grew up to  drinking Thumsup and getting a player picture on reverse of the lid and completing the team to win fun bottles. How fooled we were just after a triumph at the Lords versus WI  when we claimed ourselves world champions on that glorious evening in London in June 03. But it was '85 Melbourne which made us felt like real champions which was followed with Rothmans trophy victory in Sharjah . Only instance when foreign spinners won on Indian soil in my cognizant  cricket memory is 2012-13 England in India . The pitch strategy had to be blamed apart from exceptional skills by Cook, Pieterson, Monty and Swann....

This season has been most memorable acknowledging the winning ratio of Indian team .  To say that it was a team effort is a cliché' but then all stood up when it counted; be it skilful spin of Ashwin, unsung batting heroics of Pujara, Rahul, Rahane , Vijay and most surprisingly pace efforts led by Umesh ( who was exceptional in his bowling ahead of leading pacers servicing their respective teams like SA, NZ , Aus , Eng), Ishant, Bhuvi ( priceless wicket of Smith whom we had no clue of getting out but this bowler had that in final decider innings). Few new comers made their inclusions count like Kuldip, Nair, Jayant . Lost were  the old guards like Mishra (Hard Trier), Rohit and few more .  I would like also to acknowledge the rubbing effects of Captain HOT ( as against reference to MSD) who mattered in all the season with his bat except that the  law of averages caught up in final series where he mattered in a different role  countering everything said against him and his team verbally . We did not miss Dhoni thanks to non fussed Saha behind wickets and scoring crucial runs. And last but not the least it was light and sound show of Sir Jadeja.  Also Kudos to Team Australia and captain smith for their performance and spirit.

It was not just the result of series vs Australia but consistent performance of team against England , NZ and WI ( Not that I discount Bangladesh) that made all fans, who followed Indian cricket religiously since the times of Gavaskar and the great Kapil Dev take a special note. We always will miss the generation of Ganguly, Dravid, VVS, Kumble neither we ignore the impact of greatest SRT in all formats and game patterns. Then Dhoni led us to ultimate glories in WC, ICCT20 and CT. Next Gen comprisng of Sehwag, Yuvi, Bhajji, Gambhir, Pathan  also clicked when it mattered the most. Unsung heroes like Kaif (lords 02), Agarkar (Adelaide 03), Bangar (Leeds 02), Akash Chopra and few more with due apologies for non  inclusion.

But this is pinnacle of history for a hard core fan like yours truly. I hear someone say that victories in away conditions matter most which they do but for now it's the best moment. Then always there is a final frontier for everyone in cricket and life as said by indomitable Steve Waugh . Just to mention that the Final Frontier  is as fictional as star trek for all teams playing now. There were teams like  WI in 80s and Aus in next two decades who managed to dominate everywhere. Wishing that this team does same.  Dil Mange More......

Year of November Rains

Sorry friends, it was really an year of hectic activities be it demonetization , US elections or physical displacement.

Rest events were not as important unless if cricket is your religion . I am one of those who admire Dhoni . End of era or baton change. Legal problems of BCCI apart good time to be an Indian cricket  fan but for one semi-final in Mumbai during ICCT20WC.

I am no more fan of clichéd Bollywood but Dangal got one  of the Khans back  on tracks (despite parental guidelines in TZP) . Big B  rules again in Pink.  Year starting with Natasamrat  for Marathi but feel it's time to  get off Ventilator and move on from going wild as in Sairat.  Sorry theatre folks (including those at Happy colony Kothrud sangha) was not there to comment.

On world stage US elections ruled under awe for the incumbent who had defied everything in past but had to accommodate a new comer who deserves a chance despite a surprise. Need a full stop on terror . Lot of expectations for a newcomer.  World had refugee and terror issues (europe , turkey etc) which are still to be solved. Brexit also opened Pandora's box.

On demonetization having debated with all stake holders ,  it was  a  good move . Though could have been implemented better. Point is we have someone who acts despite odds. Being away from action  never helped for  me to comprehend but nothing mattered eventually for those on ground that what ground reality is. Move towards cashless (or less cash) was needed. Opposition got further into abyss and really feel there would have been better leaders to challenge the incumbents. But then few idiots on helm spoilt that . Not good for democracy. State elections in 17 will help us really gauge the winds of change.

Don't want to comment on IT and business these days.  There is a game changer evolving every day. Exciting time to be an entrepreneur. Real estate though needs to reinvent after November.  Make in India story needs impetus  and innovation.

Pune will go to municipal elections in 17 and post November we have seen many equations changing.  Metro and other few important plans have been approved but feel really sceptical about implementation. Thankfully we had good monsoon in 16 which eased out few problems.  Pune no more is as safe it was say in earlier years but still in comparison to peer cities its ok.

Year  2016 experienced  November Rains  but then  only  the time will tell its consequences

Year 2017  is  very important  new year and  has lots in store.  All the best. Lets enjoy 17th year of millennium. Last few years left as a teenager.