Summer of 14

Things got haywire this summer with usual summer trips, business, marriages and events. Sorry for the break.

At the start of summer, I had written in this blog that how important this summer is mainly due to the elections. We eagerly await monsoons here in this part of world. Schools are set to begin next week. Transition of seasons makes you feel nostalgic about something as transient as time spent. I just remember New Year ringing in and we are almost half way down the road. First World War started 100 years ago. 20^th century which shaped our generation is almost a forgotten just as the great wars, cold war, Berlin wall, opening of Indian economy and finally Y2k. Tinaeman square celebrates silver jubilee this summer. It was 1989 then. It was also 1989 when someone as unknown as Michael chang won French open and this year it’s known face of Nadal at Roland Garos. It was 1989 when i did my first Himalayan trek after 10^th exam. It was 1989 when India had the last non coalition government and it is 2014 when we have same again.

25 years is a long time. It is a quarter of the century. It is also a one third of human life on an average. We 89ers (as we call them at school to batch passed xth in 89) have spent that much time in our education, career, and family life for those many years. This summer we had opportunity to revisit that in form of a nostalgic trip. Our gen next has grown to their primary school. I still remember day in 1990 when karsevaks were shot at and we heard BBC radio reporting then due to DD blackout. Rajiv Gandhi govt was on verge of ouster and protagonist was the dangerous man called V P Singh. To admit even thought leaders had imagined him to be real Hero forget about teenagers like me. But he ended up leading nation to disaster followed by some worst governments leading to 91 crises. 91 saw another good PM in P V Narsimharao who was force behind liberalization executed by Manmonhan Singh. India changed after that irreversibly.  BJP grew in 96 after failed 13 day experiment and 13 months one in 98.  Meanwhile people like H D Devegouda and I K Gujaral won the roulette.  NDA govt in 99 became first non congress govt to complete full tenure and had some great push towards infrastructure and development under Vajpayee prior to stumbling on India shining disaster. Last 10 years have been shambolic with India story at its rock bottom. Corruption at high , populist subsidies, direction less non decisive government out of coalition games.  I remember day in 86 when we walked from school which was 7 kms away due to strike of transporters. That day as we passed by sarasbaug, we saw people distributing pamphlets of in Ayodhya movement. Latching to that movement, from strength of 2 in 1984 shok sabha till 288 on May 17^th in 2014 much water has flown under Ganges.

After the resounding success of BJP under Modi on May 17^th, I have been closely observing media, thought leaders, politicians who had put Modi under continuous scrutiny and abuse for last 12 years. In fact I never believed US and European governments to be so fool hardy to be influenced by these thoughts. But then west govt always have played in hands of hidden expansive religious agenda. All these people now had started being what i term as ‘cautionist’. These are very clever people. In every article or chat they proclaim to have open mind about Modi’s actions (which have been great and need to be lauded upon) , but every praise comes with a foot note of caution. So they have a chance to retreat to their original positions in case something happens in future which they have been scaring people about. But if things go as per development vision of Modi and Modi fulfils promises he made, then they don’t have to lose face. Maybe now only old congress stable of Iyers, Digvijays are still following ostrich policy but all those doyens of media, intelligentsia, and activists have fallen in place. Though some cried accusing Indian voters to be fantasists, but no one was there to hear these voices. Even foreign media saw a change in stance. Mankind has always been pro winner. There is no one who supports losers. But life is a great leveller. Losers have turned into victors and vice versa. What matters from now on is performance, performance and performance as Viday Balan said in dirty picture in different context. And within a month Modi has proven that he can do it. Though this month had strange controversies like Smritu Iranis education, Gen Suhaag vs V K singh, UP rapes, Pune killing, Beas tragedy and riots over fb posts ( seems some sinister agenda here as we face assembly elections in Oct), tragic death of Gopinath Munde and add to that bleak monsoon predictions and delay in monsoon. This government has its hands full mainly due to inherited economy. Hope Acche din aayenge. Only time will tell.

Analyzing the elections, no one predicted such a margin of victory. I think people were really fed up with inflation, lack of opportunities, corruption, non decisions on key issues. And young voters really made an impact. They don’t have any baggage of obsolete idealisms. They care only about growth and opportunities. They care a damn about history. One may also accede that polarization worked especially in northern states of UP and Bihar but a stage was set for decisive government without political compulsions. Modi had caught that imagination as someone who can be trusted to deliver on promises after 12 years of Gujarat (some may call marketing of Gujarat). I was initially sympathetic to Arvind Kejriwal and AAP to provide some option but somehow these people don’t come out as someone with honest interest to change systems. Many foreign supporters and arm chair philosophers have fought with me on various forums on putting BJP and Congress in same boat vs AAP.  I am also scared by their funding patterns which can undermine national security. But the AAP made a self goal by running away from Delhi and some arbitrary decisions to fight from Varanasi. The organization was young and needed time. Anyways they can still play a role of effective opposition as compared to some regional satraps or a dead party. They need valid policies not driven by egos, direction and should have patience. Their supporters barring few have vanished from social media for now. But am sure they are licking their wounds to return on every negative point about new government.  So for new government the mantra is to perform or perish.

IPL happened this summer. Some credibility was won back thanks to some intervention by court and involvement of Gavaskar. Initially no one cared but as we saw some terrific cricket on field by Maxwell, Miller, that catch by Lynn, people started being interested. There was some good batting by Uthappa, Pandey, some scintillating chases scripted by Pathan and Mumbai Indians, some tight bowling esp by Narine, Bhajji, some great fielding. Many young Indian cricketers did well.  I feel this was best IPL in terms of cricket and felt honesty in efforts. But then cricket is on sidelines for a month thanks to carnival in Brazil and already after first 11 matches we have seen some great action. Big names have delivered. Absolutely a treat till july 14^th. Then we will change focus to an important series in England. Nadal created history and Wimbledon will be drowned amidst soccer action as it happens every 4 years. Shumacher is out of coma just to end on good news for sport lovers.

Pune voters have uprooted cong and NCP and same trend continued in Maharashtra. 42 seats is not a joke. That shows anger of people. Hopefully we will see govt change in Mumbai as well. But state politics has a twist in tale after Munde tragedy. LBT issue also needs resolution. And four months is long time. Pune has a minister, but no one has any say on BDP, Metro, Old city development plan, PMPML revival. As we near monsoons, concretization of roads has taken pace. I am not sure who is driving this and for what reason?

This was again hot summer worldwide, with lot of violence in Nigeria, Sudan, Iraq, AfPak, Egypt, Syria, Vietnam, Thailand, and Ukraine. Even Brazil had demonstrations against world cup. US had many gun attacks. Of course summer has just set in the northern world.

On personal side, I had lot of action both on leisure and work side. But as always it’s your children who are the happiest people during summer. This year was not an exception. Eagerly awaiting Monsoon to turn this part of world into heaven......

Important Summer

It’s the holiday time again for kids here. Another academic year is done and dusted with and we are witnessing heat all around. Summer is scorching so are elections. IPL season 7 starts today amidst raging controversies and credibility deficit. A world cup was lost in final where an ex hero turned into a villain. A plane is missing without any clues. There is a crisis in Crimea.

But nothing takes away an iota of attention from LS elections. It’s now or never situation for those who mean for India. Yes I can hear many accusing me to be right fundamentalist etc but asking my erudite friends if we have any choice. UPA 3 will be disaster for country.  The self proclaimed purists and agents of change who lived by media have been put to death by media (though some life is being infused from foreign shores in terms of support and money).  They had chance to create case study in Delhi but again individual ego and ambitions prevailed. Third front is nonexistent. If one believes in the pulse and the opinion polls, we will have NDA govt. But then Indian voting system is strange. It has sprung surprised in past and one should not rule out incumbent’s hold over systems and below the table practises. They have ruled of 60 years so they can still spring some surprise. You never know in India. Last night before voting is crucial especially in slums and rural areas where booze flows along with cash and kind incentives for poor people.  So as they say in Marathi ‘raatra vairya chi ahe jaaga raha’ (Enemy is around so be vigilant). This is true especially last night before election. Tomorrow we vote here in Pune. May 16 is month away.  So the things will get interesting every day till then. Growth which includes all and focus on basis infrastructure are the only things which will take India ahead and not some subsidies, wasteful schemes. I can also hear slogans from newbie party supporters that both NDA and UPA are same and corrupt. But are these newbie parties ready to deliver in 14. Come on, common sense should prevail and not idealism or pessimism of NOTA.

On cricket side, i felt BCCI has an opportunity to cleanse the system but power as they say blinds. Induction of Sunil Gavaskar is right step. Let Kumble, Ganguly and Dravid also join in ensuring no conflict of interest.  This is the time for gentlemen with honour to show these power hungry incumbents how to run the show. IPL thus is slow starter for me. On world cup loss, its combination of wrong selection by India (right from the start of tournament when they crushed everyone till finals) and excellent performance from Srilanka on day mattered most. But solace is only fact that we reached finals. The recovery phase in 13 again lost momentum in NZ. Now again it is the time for selectors to hone right talent and for youngsters (apart from Virat Kohli) to stand up and be counted.  Still the team is in transition.

On international front Crimea issue, MH370, China-Japan, Afghan elections offer intrigue for observers. Economy in US has improved. Now we look forward to world cup soccer in Brazil to catch imagination amidst lot of controversies later in June.

Interesting summer ahead, and very important one....

Modi, Moral rights and my take.....

I read an article opposing Modi on the grounds of moral rights owing to Gujarat riots (link below) with an extreme open mind from start till end. This was so typical of arm chair intellectuals deeply disconnected from India either living in india and abroad. In between being extremely one sided and myopic which is a result of authors own jaundiced view (which i can attribute the thought process to as liberal elitist with whom i fight on social media day in and out and winning handsomely  if public reaction is the parameter). Though i can hear a ‘fiberal ‘accusing this as jingoism from majority or in plain term mobocracy. (Fiberal is my term for people of this mindset. i am including a separate definition what i mean by term fiberal.)

But coming back to this piece of one sided commentary i tried again and again to bring forth valid points for debate amidst all venom.

1.       Theory of Justice for Gujarat: Author claims modi has no moral right to rule country due to Gujarat 2002.

2.       Even if he apologizes in that case he is incompetent to control riots how he can rule country

3.       Other proven performance parameters for last 12 years like economy, growth etc don’t matter so long as moral grounds of justice for Gujarat are upheld.

4.       Author thinks that Modi thinks like Hitler and India will be Nazi country.

I am discounting the comedy of point no 4. i am not answering that. Tomorrow i may think  AAP is funded by CIA. Thats my though process to which no one else can argue. So i am not getting into this idiotic point.

(pls let me know if i have missed any other vaid intellectual point from this jaundiced article, as with my limited abilities i am unable to. In case someone does i am game to debate on valid debatable points)

Point 1.

I am not saying that one riot is better than other. But genocide is where all victims are of one community or group of people. In Delhi, not a single hindu was killed where as more than 2000 sikhs were butchered. So does that give congress right to rule county by authors logic. Author himself states that more than 200 hindu were killed in Gujarat 2002. How were they killed? By police. So that means that administration was atleast doing something though they were unsuccessful. Lastly Supreme Court has given clean chit to modi for his individual involvement. If you don’t believe in courts of India, pls do so in US as US is not granting modi visa which he has not even applied for. In Delhi there is not a single conviction but at least Gujarat govt has ensured accused to be brought to justice. Not a single congressman was brought to justice in Delhi. Now forget Delhi, what about riots in Mumbai in 1993? Do you remember who cm was then? I would give a small gift to someone who does. It was sudhakar naik, is he being accused of perpetrating violence in Mumbai 1993? So that means anybody from congress does not have moral right to rule country. Now what about Tarun Gogoi aasaam riots in 2012 and muzaffarnagar riots in 2013 under akhilesh yadav. Why no one is singled out? I will explain what makes modi different for media and fiberals in my corollary.

Point no 2 and 3:

Congress has apologized for 1984 by appointing Sikh PM and PM himself has said so.  Author says even if Modi does that he does not feel him to be competent to handle issues of India.  Now author has forgotten that Gujarat is the safest state in India for women. Crime rate is lowest. Terrorist are dealt with as they should be. We have proven case study for last 12 years.  So by the same logic, crime against women, law and order is worst in Delhi right under congress nose. So does that make competent.

All other matters don’t count unless basic issue of justice is resolved.  So who delivers justice? It is the Supreme Court in India. And it has given clean chit.  So pls cry in front of US embassy for final justice. And what matters most for common man in India is to be part of growth story which was given by P V Narsinha Rao (most maligned leader of congress and he was most away from congress mentality)and A B Vajpayee (BJP). What we are today are thanks to these two gentlemen. If you disagree, then all the best for wasteful subsidies like MNREGA, FSB, RTE. But then for fiberals, Justice for Gujarat is more important than having better life for everyone.

If that doesn’t convince remain at 3-4% of India growth story and India will be taken back in old license raj of 70s. And i can also hear someone from opposite thought process accuse me of jaundiced view from other side. But then let’s only discuss points, not the personal views.

Thanks

Corollary:

Fiberal: Is the liberal minded, English educated, socially elite Indian who has been benefitted by system for being close to establishment. This establishment of elites are part of admin, media, politics and education. This establishment replaced the British at Luytens after independence. British had reasons to promote minority interest to sustain divide and rule policy. So these are leftists, elitist always bark about minority rights. His group has voice in established english media, they travel abroad and have lot of clout in other government. They are now scared that an outsider like Modi who comes from vernacular, non elite background to replace their interest. Thats why Modi is different from other CMs i named under whom worse riots have taken place.

Link to original article:  http://qz.com/178362/india-crosses-the-moral-line-of-no-return-if-narendra-modi-becomes-prime-minister/

New Innings

Another year passed by as we enter crucial year of 14. Hope we will be in much better shape as a nation than we are today while we celebrate New Year party for 2015.

AAP is the most talked about event. They rode on anti establishment votes, Anna agitation and nirbhaya ordeal. And as i had predicted they played spoil sport to BJP cutting seats and votes. I have hotly debated that leftist idealism bordering on naxalism and aided by outsiders and incumbents is something we define as AAP won’t work as they never have in history. I don’t buy arguments that they have changed system as yet. But as demanded by many let us give them time. But they seem to be men in hurry as they plan to contest 400 seats. My advice for them is to focus on job in hand without cutting anti incumbency votes. End of the day the will create anarchy by means of hung parliament which will further dent us a nation. Then opportunist like nationalist, socialists, re-constructionists etc will have field day. It’s high time for development and Modi is only hope for now which was validated by much publicized interview of Raga.

For me more cause of worry is state of beloved Maharashtra and city of Pune. Both have no chance with tussle between NCP and congress leading us nowhere. There no one to lead. Opposition is in total disarray and disunited. As demonstrated in toll agitations, no one is ready for transparency. Lets hope we will have change for 2014.

Obama is fighting his battle with US congress. US system is much complex and i hardly care. Only thing i care about his protective polices hampering Indian IT and his empty political rhetoric. His healthcare reforms is something closely related to what we do. Thus keeping my fingers crossed. China vs Japan positioning is intriguing. AfPak policy targeted by Obama in 14-15 will also impact us.

We will see World cup soccer in 14. Indian cricket team needs to find its feet overseas and for ICC world cup in 15. I somehow feel these young guys have it in them as momentarily displayed in south Africa to lose the series thanks to one bad session. Lets see if they resolve ODI bowling issues.

Life has entered second innings in December 13. As in a test match, batting in second innings is always tougher than first. Pitch gets deteriorated. There is a pressure of first innings lead/debit. You need to score quickly if you are ahead. You need to hang to salvage a draw or you need to attack to achieve target. Now age of 40 may be defined as end of first innings or for some life can be ODI .till now it was net practise and match begins now. Various people have various takes on same. For some it can be even 20-20. Do or die. I still remember the old Marathi song sung horribly by Sunil Gavaskar in early 80s called “He jeevan mhanje cricket raja, hukla to sampala”(Life is like cricket, one who misses is finished).  That’s on personal note. But then had some wonderful surprises to see videos of old friends and partied with closed ones. Last 35 years so flshed by satrating with old sadashiv peth wada till ownership flat, XIIth , Purshottam, Kharagpur, Jobs, Entrepreneurship roller coaster rides in India and abroad, houses, travels, family, friends.  I still need to come to reality of the message or landmark of 40. Or is 40 just another number. Life begins at 40 as many say. 

There are new hopes and challenges for 14. Let there be new start. I have taken my stance and guard as I face the fast balls or spinning deliveries by destiny. Let the play begin...

Greetings

Change is inevitable as they say. 13 is almost behind us and  has promised us that 14 will define a change. Each changeover promises same yet very few
promises are delivered. Nevertheless journey continues. Now is time to fulfill promise. Lets all be happy, healthy and helpful to others in 14. Signing off 2013.
Pls promise to be in touch in 14.
Happy Holiday season.

Half cooked year

13 started with slogans that this year belongs to you (saal tera hain.) Year started with outrage over Nirbhaya. Obama took over his second term. Indian economy sluggish and Govt at helm paralyzed. What has happened over the year? Year of 11 was revolution. Year of 12 was year of failures. I would define this year as semi cooked. We had semi finals of elections won handsomely by opposition and has given rise to another uncooked player called AAP.  Government tried to be decisive but again failed on all fronts the situation being undercooked. BJP has shown hope in declaring PM candidate who definitely will mean business irrespective of empty rhetoric of unacceptability around him making him appear semi cooked again. Year 14 will be landmark as we will see finals and finally someone will complete the process.

On International front, Obama took over his second reign which took severe beating during standoff on healthcare reforms which were found undercooked, Snowden snooping accusations. But then did some diplomacy with Putin and Iran over Syria and Iran nuclear. Thankfully US economy has shown signs of recovery due to inherent basics. China continues to be aggressor across East Asia and had unstable issues with India. Though Chinese growth story is not impacted by global recession as it has Indian story but some sheen veered off. Also basic issues of freedom and separatism impacted it internally. Arab revolution countries continue to be unstable like Egypt, lybia. Syrian crisis now has taken serious turn. European economy has done very little to show signs of recovery though Northern countries remain solid as usual. Pakistan the perpetual migraine had elections and Nawaz Sharif returning but with imminent afgan pullout things stand fragile and its warning for India as well. SAARC neighbours had their set of problems where India has to be very careful especially in Bangladesh, Srilanka and Maldives. The ASEAN movement participation was the only positive for India.

On domestic side, country remains indecisive, paralysed and corrupt. On defences matter we remain weak as our soldiers were killed and mutilated. On foreign policy we remain weak. We had new scams and old scams returning. We have dual power centres: MMS vs Gandhi family. We had corrupt UPA allies having their pound of flesh. We had good for nothing ministers. In any other country, this kind of performance had no chance of returning to power in 14. But in India, things work differently and our voting patterns, politics we cannot say that for sure. BJP won in 4 states (I include Delhi as its largest party). System has shown what good meaning executives can do. People like them. I don’t say BJP is incorrupt but Nation had done well from 99-04 under Vajpayee and UPA1 reaped benefits before destroying economy since 09 under UPA2. AAP is new entrant and its largely driven by individual egos. The success in Delhi can be attributed to situation in Delhi which saw public anger during Anna agitation and Nirbhaya protest (13 saw more cases like Gudiya etc). But their agenda seems more flawed than communists and even UPA in terms of free lunch promises. The idealism can sound good but my advice to AAP is to be more mature and wait till 19)

Indian economy has gone worse and if you add impact of faulty UPA promised of food security, RTE etc, 2014 sounds worse. Only hope is elections and reforms which can be as a part of election agenda. Also RBI under new leader remains firm against politics. Slowdown has impacted various sectors. IT industry has taken up new challenges in cloud, mobile, healthcare.  Many new products are emerging from India. Good reports out of silcon valley also help us indirectly. Education though suffered thanks to political intervention. Aviation industry has some new hope after kingfisher debacle in form of tata ventures. World business has some new paradigms opened by internet 3.0 Analytics, Big data and social media 2.0. Core manufacturing, clean and non conventional energy have taken centre stage

Environment continues to suffer and we have seen more catastrophes in 13 than any other year. In India we had a semi man made disaster in Uttarakhand where thousands of people lost lives. Worldwide Hurricanes and earthquakes pounded people. It’s high time people do something to mitigate and help future generations.

On sports side, to start with cricket we had God retiring. Cricket will never be same. Nostalgia hit us when we actually realized that how we have evolved along with Tendulkar as a country. Of course in 12 we had seen lowest point of home defeat against England. 13 saw revival which again is half cooked. We won at home vs Aussies. New team India won champions trophy and few odi series. But the real test (or final) will start in SA during Dec 13 and later in Eng, Aus, NZ in 14. But new generation has sown some promise. Bowling continues to be a worry. On world scene Aussies are reviving and England seem on decline. SAF continues to rule but unless they have some ICC silverware they will not be treated as champions.  Viswanathan Anand’s reign ended in Chennai. Leander amazed everyone by winning US open doubles at the age of 42. Saina struggled. Hockey team struggled. Politics and drug again hampered other sports. Lance Armstrong was disgraced and corruption in soccer and tennis also saw its ugly head. IPL in India was disgraced by spot fixing as well.  Federer had an ordinary year when Joker , Murray and Nadal shared the spoils. All look forward to big year for Indian cricket with away series, ICCT20 and biggest soccer carnival in Brazil .

On cinema, again new directors and genres tried but stars and half cooked idiotic comedies in 100 crore school ruled. Hollywood also continues to have vampires and werewolves to rule though there is new trend of cinematic dramatization of classics. Marathi drama saw top actors performing but we lost many stalwarts. Art and Music saw some new entrants with promise.

On state front, even in later of 14 we will have finals.  Its really time to change this governance where there is corruption, law and order situation is so grave that activists are murdered in broad daylight even i city like Pune. What can you expect from such team of self serving leaders? Do we have option? New parties again serve interest of their leaders with large egos. Opposition is totally divided. Its high time people unite and provide stong option. Thankfully 13 saw good monsoons as compared to the draught situation in 12. Hope irrigation scams wont impact in 14.

City of Pune saw man made tragedies like Shindewadi. BDP, new DP, BRT, Metro, water situation remain unchanged. City lacks leadership and hope in 14 we have one. Expessway and National highways around pune continue to be death traps. We wish real change in 14

On personal side, this year saw a landmark birthday celebrated in that stature. I had change in address which again was landmark. I was able to do some service to society and IIT almamater. Professionally and personally things went well though hectic towards end, though some issues remain uncooked for 14. Need full attention, intent to make those fully cooked in 14 which seems to be the final frontier on all counts.

Lets hope 14 brings all those changes and cook the broth fully. Bit it comes with warning that if cooked more it will be burnt. And thats a possibility as well.