The PM who never spoke

Dr. Manmohan singh, the prime minister of India, is perhaps one of the best politicians to have ever been born in the country. The top most economist who helped India overcome the crisis it was facing in 1990-91 would have never realized that he would be ruling the country he saved then.

The soft spoken, finance minister, of the Narsimha Rao government, was highly appreciated when he first came to power. Although at the same time it was seen by some, as a strategy to win the sikh votes, after the 1984 riots, and hence the criticism fell onto Congress led UPA, and ultimately on Sonia Gandhi.

The petty Prime Minister in spite of being criticized for his walk, talk and been called a puppet in the hands of Mrs. Gandhi, did appreciable work during his term as the prime minister. One of the most celebrated act, which also led to him winning the second term also as the Prime Minister was the Right to Information or the RTI as it is usually called, is perhaps his something for which he will always be remembered (most of the scams that you read in the newspapers today, are out in the open because of this RTI). The RTI over powered everything and made sure that the Congress led UPA came into power once again. 

But this is where it all begins, the second term, has somewhat been a bumpy ride for UPA- II, with the RTI back firing and that literally meaning backfiring. The biggest scams in the history of free India came into light because of the RTI and had a direct or indirect connection with the UPA. Hence bringing all the negative attention that it could possibly need and to further degrade the matter Anna Hazare, a nationalist and Gandhian started an anti corruption campaign (which is kind of ironic, "a Gandhian on a campaing against Gandhi’”), and started to demand for Jan Lokpal Bill to be passed in the Parliament. It must be admitted, that his agitation did stir up things a little bit, with the people joining Anna in his campaign. But like everything in this country, the movement too died down.

Next came, to increase the problems of the UPA-II, the increment of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail sector and if the problems inside the party were not enough, the opposition and various NGO’s too started to disapprove of the decision. Although, one very radical thing took place during this resistance, the Prime Minister spoke, yes he spoke, in a national wide addressing; he listed the positives of the FDI in retail sector. 

The last criticism which came very recently to the UPA, was the growing insecurity of women, in India, and specially in the national capital. With huge outcry over the Delhi gang rape victim, it was thought that the Prime Minister will speak, and he did, but his speech made it to the centre of all jokes.

During the time between these big events, there was always, Trinamool Congress to threatening to pull back its support, and Ministerial comments to increase the problems of the UPA, however one thing remained constant if you would have realized, that the Prime Minister never spoke. The fact that India did not face as big as problems because of the economic depression in the world and its credit should have gone to Dr. Manmohan Singh, did not go to him only because of his keeping to himself attitude. While there is no doubt that he is an excellent scholar, who has the ability to run this country, must try to be more expressive, because he may be the Prime Minister but he does enjoy the same right as the people of this country (freedom of speech). The country is eagerly waiting what the Prime Minister has to say, for, all the work he has done he might just be remembered as the Prime Minister who never spoke.

International Film Festival of India

IFFI which was recently held in Goa, is perhaps one of the best places where you can see movies which have been critically acclaimed and interact with actors, producers and directors. The ten day festival which takes place in the city of Panaji in Goa, is almost situated at the coast, in fact one of the theatres has the beach in its premises. The festival is not only of Indian acclaim but it also receives appreciation from a worldwide audience and  the guest list includes directors and actors of international national fame. This year was no different with stars like Amitabh Bachan, Akshay Kumar, Amir khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Ilyana D’cruz, Imtiaz Ali, Muzzafar Ali, Vinay Pathak and many others attending the festival from India and the likes of Ang Li (world premiere of his Life Of Pi took place here), Suzane Bier ( Oscar winning director), Jacob Switzer, Jakub Tarkowski and Tomasz Leniask ( Polish directors) were among a long list of other international guests who attented the festival. Although the approximate number of movies screened during the 10 day long festival was 250, one movie which remained the centre of attraction was Ang Li’s “Life Of Pi” which had its world premiere during the same time. The International Film Festival, remained true to its words, with it telecasting movies from around the world and celebrating world cinema in its true form, and once again allowing people to come close by giving them a platform to meet and know the world as seem through a camera lens, for it is said “that movies are the mirror of society.”

Spitting glory !!!

We all, over the years have come across, the periodic discoloring of walls, buildings, stairs and mostly all of the public property that we see daily, but what we fail to grasp is that, this excellent piece of modern art and graffiti is not one of the projects undertaken by the government. Rather it is the excellent work of some men amongst us, who achieve a sense of glory when they recolor the public places. But sadly this art of theirs is not a dying one, although tobacco still continues to be hazardous to life and is being banned throughout the country, the art of spitting still continues.

 This is, I guess, the dedication of these men that makes sure that this, no good; danger to life, art form, is still prevailing. The reason that this art form is still prospering is because it gets the support of the educated, urban class with much status and dignity, how else do you explain it exceedingly doing well in the metropolitan cities. I mean for a country to prosper, it is essential that it continues to believe in its culture and spitting has over the years become our culture. But as a nation is this what we want us to be seen as, a bunch of HOMO SAPIEN SAPIENS, who can walk, talk, eat, and most imp of all, have power of endless spitting. 

I know that my saying all these things won’t stop people from spitting, but I hope you do think about it for a minute, I mean if you won’t do it in your own house, why do it outside it. Yes I understand that this has become a habit and old habits die hard but they do die, change is inevitable no matter how big or small, things change and that is the hope with which I am writing this article. Hope this brings some change and for some good.