A Tribute to my Mother!

Today being Mother's Day I thought I will write few words about my Mom.

Just like everyone's Mom, my mother is also a special woman. A God fearing woman I can say. I and my Mom share a relationship that is more like a friend than a parent. I mean that never stopped all the spankings and corrections though! But I hardly would think twice to share anything with my mother. She is like the shock-absorber of my family. She can contain a ton of worries and still be very calm and composed. Though me, my bro and my dad get to her nerves, at the end of the day she still makes our favorite dishes! Her patience is like a perennial river which never runs dry. I can easily write a book on how her life has had a major influence on mine. I am truly thankful to have a Mom like her!

Finally I would like to wish my Mom and all the mothers a very Happy Mother's Day!

INADEQUATE IS INADEQUATE

Eventually I end up with the inevitable. Inadequate is inadequate of words to speak, of moods to convert, of emotions to express and of the mind to comprehend. As the clock ticks by every second, the entropy of life seems to be all the more increasing. The randomness has been a conspicuous attribute of my daily routine. Someone once said, “Every morning I wake up I realize I am one more day closer to my grave.” Though it is an unpleasant statement to make, it certainly has an element of truth in it. There is a portion of solace that I derive from that thought. It helps me live my life with utmost meaning and abundance. Surely God would want the same from me.

My profuse introspection makes me realize that I am inadequate of things that could make me better. It’s like thinking how can a bird in the cage which wants to fly be different from a free bird that does not want to fly. Is it true that at some point in our lives we virtually build cages around ourselves and fail to exercise our wings? The void in my mind has been uncontrollably overflowing and all I can do is sense it. And sense it in excess always. The only thing that comes to my mind is everything is worthless. I mean look around I see the meaningless elections (no matter who comes into power it’s a truth that nothing is going to change!), the rat race for power, the spit spat of the rulers, the lack of money, the deprivation of life, the excess flow of money in IPL (a million dollars for KP who could hardly score), the cheerless cheer girls, the unending fight against terror, the suffering of the people and the peace of the dead. All this is reality but then does anything make sense? At least not for me! When I am gone I think the only thing that matters is the difference I could make in people’s lives. Between, I always had this doubt – Do people add meaning to our lives or does life add meaning to people?

I reckon each one of us come to a point where we are left with some unsolved puzzles. What if all my rest gives restlessness? What if all my efforts keep going a “waste”? The exquisite concern of oneself can only make one overwhelmingly confused. No matter how far you go, how high you fly, how deep you swim you cannot escape from your conscience, your irresistible thoughts and above all God. Looks like I am inadequate of space to contain my thoughts! If my words cannot make sense then how on earth can my silence be heard? Anyways the perplexing fact is I am inadequate of words to describe my very own silence. You can obviously see the inadequacy of order in my writing today!

Howbeit I resolved to break out of this cocoon phase of silence or inadequacy or “orderlessness”. The added surprises (in a depressing way!) are passing clouds with lasting effects. Well you guys have to figure out what that line means for yourselves.

Inadequate of more to pen, I’m signing off….

p.s: The title was not coined by me, but you can be sure that the words of inadequacy are mine ;-) !

Simply Smitten!

This post is dedicated to all my friends who made my birthday very special and made me feel special :)

Well it is true that sometimes what others do unto you actually helps you learn more about yourself. One of my friends was saying that God has blessed me with very good friends. Yes I know God always gives me the best was my reply! :) This birthday, I thought, would just pass by silently unnoticed. I really was not in the mood of the day since I was on the spree of sleepless nights. With heavily loaded eyes and fidgetiness, all I wanted was some rest and peace. I knew I wanted to be alone. However that proved to be absolutely wrong when I was swept away with all the surprises and lovely gifts I received from my buddies. I was simply smitten by the love of all my friends. I was humbled by their affection. All my spirits went straight up and I had an amazing time with all of them. Their simple thoughts and plans for my day is something very precious and invaluable.

One good thing about birthdays is you get to speak to all of your friends whom you have been away from for ages. Though we are very close we are very far! Reminiscing all those sweet memories can only strengthen your faith that there still exists love in the air. The beauty of life, family and friends kept overwhelmingly unfolding to me as the day passed by. Though this birthday was different in many ways from those in my past, I can very easily say it is one of my most memorable birthdays.

I want to thank all of my friends for their wishes and above all God for blessing me with such wonderful people.

p.s. I know this post seems to be kinda sentimental...could not help it folks, words just came after a real long break :)

Satyam- A Shocker!!

The other day as I entered my home , my Mom was on her feet staring at the television set. I reckoned it was the "Grand Finale" of some music show. I was wrong! She said Ramalinga Raju, Founder and Chairman of Satyam resigned admitting fraud and the next moment I was also starring at the television set. I had no comments to make but was absolutely shocked at the horrifying magnitude of the fraud that was involved. Can this actually happen? Is this some kind of a practical joke? Or may be the whole world was being Punk'd and probably we'll get to see Ashton Kutcher!! (sorry that was a little over the line...! )

By writing the letter and very plainly mentioning that it was all his fault and that none is to be blamed for, what was Raju trying to display? All I can see is another big lie. Such horrendous stuff cannot be single handed and he cannot be blinding the eyes of the public and more importantly the investors, the employees and all those who trusted in him and the company. Nevertheless there is a human side of him that he atleast admitted the whole fraud and took up responsibility for his act. But does that help? Such corporate crimes are like eye openers to the governance bodies and need to remind them that they have to prudently circumspect all the other companies who are sailing on the same boat yet have managed to be under the cover so far. I mean atleast there is a chance that one of these many big shots in the corporate world are playing it safe and pulling it off just like Raju managed for nearly 10 years. I heard on TV it was 10 years and I quote from his letter "The gap in the balance sheet has arisen purely on account of inflated profits over several years (limited only to Satyam standalone, books of subsidiaries reflecting true performance). What started as a marginal gap between actual operating profit and the one reflected in the books of accounts continued to grow over the years."

Whatever might be the laws of the land to punish Raju, whatever be the assurances given by the Interim CEO, whatever steps are taken to bridge the gap, I am more than certain that the damage is irreparable. Things are never going to be the same for Satyam. Many corporates, banks and agencies all over the world have rebuked this shameful act. Finally there are few questions that remain flummoxing to me:

• Why did he want to own Maytas when he knew he was already in a mess? Was it personal or motivated by the interest of the company?
• Was not 10 years if I am correct, too long a time for a person of his stature to realize that he was playing around with nearly 53,000 lives?
• He mentions that he was making efforts to fill the gap. What were those efforts? Is it not that making a lie of Rs7000 crores causes every effort to be meaningless?
• Satyam has been kicked out of the World bank and other indexes so what damage control steps as mentioned by the Interim CEO, Ram will bring them to their past glory?
• Will the company actual emerge stronger from this crisis and reinforce the faith of those broken?
• Last but not the least if Raju was courageous enough to write a letter and take the blame why is he sneaking into hotels or not answering calls? Why can't he make himself public?

All we can do is WaW!! (Wait and Watch!)

Slumdog Millionaire

When I first heard the name of the movie I anticipated that it would have some interesting scenes to watch out for. After I watched it I must say it was one heck of a movie! It blew me off! Directed fantastically by Danny Boyle, written and screen played incredibly by Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire is about the journey of a boy, Jamal from the gutters to the stars. It is based on the book Q and A written by Vikas Swaroop. Jamal played by the new comer Dev Patel looked more like a professional than a new comer. He did a tremendous job and most deservedly won the critical acclaim and numerous awards as well.

There is drama, romance and suspense in the movie that keeps you glued to the screen until the end. Salim, the brother of Jamal was astounding in his acrimonious character with the right attitude he was supposed to hold on to until the end. All the roles played by "the three musketeers" at three different stages of their lives were simply marvelous. The film depicts the bare naked Mumbai with all its exceedingly gross slums, gangsters rein, hindu muslim extremism, betrayals, murder and money chase. However it eventually unfolds the fabulous and gorgeous love story of Jamal and Latika. The musical montage offered by A.R Rehman was just a delicious touch to the entire movie which moves on from rags to riches.

If you have watched the movie I am sure you would agree with me and if you have not watched it yet I strongly suggest you watch it right away! Three cheers to the "the three musketeers(Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy and Dev Patel)"!!! :)

Good bye 2008!

Dear 2008,

It has been wonderful knowing you and being with you all through the year. The fact that I will never see you again is something that pinches me but is abated by the exuberance of the arrival of a new year 2009. You sustained me through joys and sorrows. You have given me pains and pleasures.

I an indebted to you for all the lovely people you introduced to me and I am glad for the difference they could make in my life. I am overwhelmed by the fun you gave me every moment. You taught me that life is like a treasure and the more you explore the more you are humbled by its vastness and intricacy. The lessons you have taught me and the love you have shown me will continue to remind me about the faithfulness of God of wonders beyond our galaxy!!

I hope 2009 will also have in store for me much more fun, adventure, challenges and excitement. No matter who comes and goes no one can replace you. I will not make promises or demonstrate devotion saying "I will not forget you!". All I can say is a simple "Thank you!I really enjoyed your company."

Good Bye 2008!
Stella.

White Ribbon Day

The following video was made by us (the Arts Team) for our Christmas Programme. It was a tragic coincidence that during the time we were working on the video did the Mumbai terror attacks take place. For those who missed the video that day, you can check it out here.



How can it be that God is love?
When blood rolls down upon our land
And fathers lose their only son
Where is the hope?
Oh God we pray for white ribbon day

How can it be that you could love?
When blood ran down that wooden cross
Your father gave his only son
You came for peace
You came to die for white ribbon day

And we pray for peace
To flood our hearts again
Only god can save our nation now
And we long for joy to fill our streets again
Only god can save our nation now

How can it be that God is just?
When flesh is torn from young and old
And children run in bloody fields
Where is the hope?
Oh God we pray for white ribbon day

And we pray for peace
To flood our hearts again
Only God can save our nation now
And we long for joy to fill our streets again
Only God can save our nation now

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah for white ribbon day

And can it be that You are just
When flesh was torn for young and old?
And here we stand saved by Your blood
We'll stand with courage
We'll live and die for white ribbon day

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah for white ribbon day

What. A. Victory.

There cannot be a better way to get back Cricket into going after the recent Mumbai terror attacks in India. I applaud the England team for returning to India after the atrocious things that struck India. I applaud the IPS of Chennai and his team for all the security and the efforts they put in to make the game possible. I applaud the crowd of Chennai who never backed down no matter what to see their heroes play (5000 on the first day to 30000 on the final day). I applaud the Indian team(specially Sehwag,Yuvraj and Gambhir) for their brilliant performance after coming back from a bitter recent past. Last but not the least I applaud Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar for that extra ordinary stupendous century that lead India to the win!

What more could one ask for in a test cricket! In a time where the 20-20s and one day forms have been over shadowing Test cricket, this match stands out as an answer to all those in question. No doubt that this has been a pleasure and treat to watch for every cricket lover. Most certainly it was a record breaking performance from India because chasing a huge score like 387( fourth highest) is no joke! Champion knocks from Sehwag who marked the perfect start for India and backed by composed and conitnuous tempo maintaining games from Gambhir, Laxman, Sachin and Yuvi and the bowlers who could previously restrict the English players were all part of this very special and amazing victory. England played well by dominating 70 percent of the match but India played even better and snatched the match away from the visitors. Surely a very very bitter pill for KP and his men to swallow!

But it is a privilege to witness such a victory which could easily be among those unforgettable wins right on the top! Way to go India!! After beating Australia 2-0 in the test series and England 5-0 in the one day series and now going up 1-0, I only wish that this momentum keeps going and we go on to make a World Cup winning team!! Bravo India!!!

A real break..

This post was actually meant to be on terrorism but later I thought I would post something pleasant and ecstatic. Yesterday I happened to witness the live concert by Jethro Tull and Anoushka Shankar. To be honest I was not an ardent fan of any but I just thought I will go and check out. I never had any expectation or any clue what so ever about what was coming. Infact I thought the audi would be noisy when Tull plays the contemporary or the progressive rock.

So after a long wait in the queue I enter the Shilpakalavedika (for the first time!) and the first impression was not so overwhelming though. The best part was I ran into my ex-manager at the entrance and it was such a heart warming surprise. Finally the show starts after a delay as per the Indian Stretchable Time (IST) and of course it was expected. Anderson, the lead vocalist of Jethro Tull came onto the stage and introduced Anoushka and her team. She was looking small, with a cute smile though! They started the show with a south Indian raaga mixed with her own composition which she called as "Voice of the moon" It was idyllic and pleasurable to the ears. The tabla and flute made it even more enjoyable. She continued with another number of her own composition.

Next it was Jethro Tull and they just rocked the show! I reckon the average age of the band must be around 50 yet the energy and the exuberance they were displaying was awesome. Especially Anderson, by whose flute and vocals the band is characterized has been simply brilliant. He was all over the stage, standing on a single leg most of the time and doing acrobatics. Hats off to his enthused performance! Needless to say the variety they had (guitars, drums, mandolin, flute, harmonica and some other instruments names of which I do not know!) the perfect timing and amazing sync. They played some of their all time hits like "Thick as a Brick", "Too Old to Rock n Roll" and "Heavy Horses" . Moreover there was no screaming and screeching like in the usual rock shows!

As they say the best is saved for the last, I was smitten by the fusion by both Jethro Tull and Anoushka. It was a perfect blend of Classical and Western music forms. This provides a huge platform for our Indian music to reach to better heights in today's world of music. I thoroughly enjoyed the fusion part and that stands out to be the highlight of the show for me!

All in all amidst all the rallies and chaos lost in the storm of terrorism, this was a good break for me and I am sure for all those who were a part of this concert!

Break the Habit....

If it is the habit of the leaders of a country to cover up their mistakes, then break the habit. If it is the habit of the politicians to play the blame game, then break the habit. If it is the habit of the Intelligence groups to play safe at the cost of losing lives, then break the habit.

Our country needs to be prudent enough to be prepared for such outrageous attacks on innocent people in advance. And if they fail in that, they atleast need to promptly respond to the stimulus when terror breaks out in an unimaginable manner. If they are not able to convert any one of these, then they just need to quit and give the compass to others who can handle it. There is no hierarchy of power, no balance of information, no availability of resources, no preemptive efforts and no cooperation from the high command. If the attacks on Mumbai are what the Government is waiting to tighten their Intelligence, Law and Order then it is a shame on them. If they are not able to see beyond the invisible, then how are they different from the common man?

My home is no more a safe place for me to stay! Where do I take shelter then? It is extremely disgraceful to watch the foreigners dread to come to our country. I feel like an untouchable when guests are just leaving my home and going away. The trauma that each hostage faced is incomprehensible. Every second is like a million years for them. But on the outside for the people who are supposed to protect a million years is like a second! Why should the NSG wait until morning 11:00 am to go to the battle field? Why should the M-17s be deployed only 24 hours after the attack?

For me it is no more the Prime Minister or the Home Minister who are in control. The situation reflects the media having the utmost concern for the victims. It is they who actually are on their toes to rise to the occasion. If they can keep the people aware and sympathize with them, if they can make conclusions and draw solutions, then why cannot the Home Minister have the minimum courtesy to do so? Amidst these chaos and frantic fears it is the opportunistic politics that leaders can think of. The mediocre speech delivered by the PM had nothing in it. Not a word of comfort, not a word of assurance! Expecting just a line from my very own leader is a big joke!

Our pledge says and I quote “To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion. In their well being and prosperity alone, lies my happiness” I hope the Home Minister acts like a citizen at the least. He seems to be happy in our ill being and destruction alone! What protection was he able to give to the ATS Chief? How can he send a 56 year old man dressed in a formal blue shirt and black trousers into the war zone? These people should be the master minds behind the operation and make things happen. Their duty is to run the show and not to play the game. Now how invaluable has it turned out to have lost him. Can you get back the experience, exposure and knowledge lost? Do you see Osama Bin Laden coming and fighting anywhere? Do you see the Al Qaeda or the Lashkar chiefs coming into the battle fields? They steer the rod, they maneuver the troops.

Where is the distribution of power? Where are the secured guidelines? Where is the integrity? Where is the coordination of groups? Where is the use of technology? How can we tackle the terrorists if we take a back seat in using the most modern infrastructure to counteract them? The terrorists make the best use of all the available resources to keep themselves well equipped and well informed at all times. If they are smart then we need to be smarter and that is how it works!

It is time to break the habits of those lapses in security, intelligence, law and order. Give the people in command what they need. Give them the power to take decisions independently and swiftly. Give them the authority to handle situations in their own way while monitoring them. Structure the Intelligence personnel and allot defined duties and responsibilities. Delay is poison and it will only make the infection worse and eventually fatal! This incident is going to change the world view of our country. I cannot fathom the isolation that we will have to face for the coming years. The damage caused in the minds of those country men and outsiders can turn out to be irreparable.

Power, knowledge, determination and accountability alone can instill a sense of security among the citizens. It is better to fix the disease in the early stages than mess up in the advanced conditions. The diagnosis needs to be done and transformed into complete solutions. Let today be a hard and strong reminder of our faults and a lighthouse to direct our future.

I wish...

I wish the night would end now,
I am dying to see the dawn…
Wallowing in my fears, hanging in hope
My reality is my only nightmare
I can’t succumb anymore to this pain
When is the day of deliverance?
The moon and stars are lovely
Lo! Their light is drowned in my darkness
I can’t wait any longer to see the day
Oh! It’s the next revulsion of this life
Yet another day of dismay passes by…….

I am struggling to hold back my tears
The fear of the future is weaker than
The power derived from my past….
I am a soldier but I am also human
I fight unto death and I fight for life
There is no mine; it’s all yours…..
There is no turning back until death….
Tired of washing the blood of my fingers
I am today; there may not be a tomorrow….

Quantum of Discomfort!

After the retirement of Pierce Brosnan as the Bond, there was very little motivation for me to go and watch Daniel Craig. Though I watched Casino Royale which has had very li'l bonding to my good books, me and my bro went on to "Quantum of Solace". The driving factor was the critics rating that was 7.6! However I did not find it worth more than a 5.5..Are you alarmed? Well even so was I...

Too much of talking, relatively less action and kinda creepy sentiment which made it all the more drab! It was vengeance for his so called love in the previous movie but I was all the while so confused! I dint make head or tail until half time and was expecting for something to actually break through after the break! But I still had to break my head!

There is hardly anything that stands out..even the much hyped Bond theme for the season given by Alicia Keys and Jack White also did not seem to impress me...All in all it was an OK types of movie with not much to be considered except for the hard work put in by Craig to make a mark. He might be a topic for the critics but does not seem to be the Bond that people like me watch out for!

Fools of the Nation!

The other day I was browsing through the TV channels and finally landed on one seeing Sylvester Stalone. It was Rambo- First blood 2. I watched it in bits and pieces as I shuffled through the other stuff. There was one extra ordinary scene in the movie that caught my attention like never before. In the end while Rambo walks away after he accomplishes his mission, the Colonel stops him. He insists Rambo to stay back, apparently no one would want to lose such young combative fighting machine. Rambo without much thought refutes and continues to walk away. Then the officer placates him saying "What do you want?" as if very assuredly he was willing to give it right away. Then comes the killer dialogue, he gives a contemptuous reply "What do I want? I want what these people want. I want my country to love me the way I love it."

Boy! What a dialogue? I know it is in contrast to this well known quote which goes something like this "Before you ask what the country has done for you, ask yourself what you have done for the country." I could not agree more but all the while I would also want my country to love me right? I mean with all these chaos in Maharashtra and unrest in Bihar, Orissa and UP, there are many who would be echoing along with me. People are being killed, beaten, brutally harassed and the list will go on. But where is that assurance that I am longing from my country. Where people are ready to die for this country, all I see is people being killed. When is the line going to be drawn? Can it get worse than now? I suffer from insecurity, lack of assurance, lack or protection, deprivation of justice and the only thing that keeps me alive is hope.

I wish there was some potion of wisdom which these people can drink. A potion that will wake them up from the night mares we are living in. Or on the other side I wish there was some anaesthesia for the country men to endure all lamentation and grief without any sensation of pain and shame. It is no more the rulers of the nation running the country but I see the fools of the nation gaming with peoples lives. I guess that would be a perfect title for a movie to let go of all the vexation that is piling up like the lava under the mountain waiting to erupt like a volcano. Yes they are the "Fools of the Nation!" They need help before they turn into a bunch of sissies rolling in the dirt rather than cleaning it up.

Lousy Lucy!!

It has been hard to beat against the winds of lousiness just to keep my ever closing eyes open. A stupefying fact here is that I can sleep for more than 12 hours at ease. Is that normal? I hope so. It is kinda corny to work at home with the alluring bed by your side and your bedsheets and pillows calling you to get cozy. Boy I can say this is harder than standing the seduction of your dreamboy by the road! Excuse me for that bad wit but looks like I am still drowsy.

I read two books recently To Kill a Mocking Bird and The Catcher, In the Rye and it was irritating to find that the best part of both the books was to do with the bro-sis sentiment. I am no hater of that sentiment though but just that I don't get to see that in my real life actually chafes me!! Anyways I count these to be fortunate to atleast remind me that there is such thing in life!! Well I would recommend the first book which is all about these wild childhood dreams that we have had. Harper Lee did an excellent job is recording the emotions and drama of a little girl who is ever enthued and tomboyish!! I guess that was why I could identify myself very much with it. And ofcourse the angry young man types of brother that she had was just like my bro!

I remember once when I was around 10-12 years old and my bro was just one and a half year elder to me. We were getting bored to death during our vacation and decided to play cricket. I always had this attitude not to go and ask my brother. So he came up to me and asked if I would like to play cricket. Girls as you know have this knack of making people beg. So I allowed my brother to convince me for quite sometime. My Mom knew my trick and smacked me on my back and told me not be a sissy..Are mothers really our best friends??? That was what I thought...Finally I set out to play on a condition that I would bat first. Obviously there was no toss n all.. The deal was I bat six overs and then I bowl six overs. So I batted happily the first six overs and made my bro run all over the place..Finally it was my turn to bowl and I was kinda tired.. I began to give some lame excuse saying that some cartoon was coming on TV and I would like to watch it...It sometimes sucks when brothers read sisters very well..He knew I was trying to escape and began to force me to bowll which eventually turned into a fight..I ran onto to the terrace to escape him but boy his stamina was lots better than mine..He became real furious! He was catching hold of my neck and threatening to throw me down if I did not bowl for him..Can you believe that?? No right?? I know he was trying to kill me and I was very sure that Shaktimaan will come and kick him while I would be rescued safely! What happened next? Don't ask me..I was so angry that Shaktimaan did not turn up but my Dad came running to my rescue..I mean why Dad?? The rest of the story is the uninteresting part where my bro won my Dad and I had to bowl for the rest of that forsaken day..I only wished it would rain or get dark suddenly due to some solar eclipse...

The second book I would not recommend to anyone! But I am sure people now will defnitely want to read it coz of the curiosity levels pushing up :) J.D Salinger did get excellent reviews for the book but somehow I began to feel much more lousy as I read it... Again the book is about one young fella for whom nothing under the sun except his sister could interest him! Oh how I wish....forget it...Hmm I was kinda getting senti reading all this stuff.....

Anyways I shall go and catch up with some coffee before I sleep off...
More later guys......Ciao...

McCain Strikes Obama Stands!

This was by far one of the best debates I have seen. I tell this not only by the quality of the discussion but more importantly by the quality of the questions and the way Bob lead them to. There were several issues that were ignored in the past like the supreme court and abortion that came up today. It was interesting to observe striking differences in both cases. Well since I watched the later half of the debate I can only say that Obama cracked open from his defensive flat shell that he has been hiding behind over weeks. He was more to the people's actual needs and reforms which I am sure was welcomed by the people of America. His answers to questions on strengthening education primarily which is an bi-implication to national security and economy outplayed McCains answers to change of reforms right from the 4th and 5th grades. But when it came to "Joe the plumber" I think McCain gave a better assertive answer by attacking Obama's tax policies. Also McCain gave one heavy weight statement saying that he is not George Bush by distancing himself from the failed economic policies of Bush. This earned him few points but I think will not be bought by most of the Independents out there. Both of them once again spoke about where they stand on their economic policies and how they can help the distressed people of American from this present situation.

One interesting feature of the debate was McCain showing his unprecedented "angry old man" expressions which was not accepted in the right way by most of the viewers. However the republicans say that he spoke like "fighter pilot" and so has been offensive and made his point clear which is required sometimes in a debate. But this point would be highlighted by the Democrats who would be showing the fact that a uncool Senator who cannot control his temperament could be a man they would not want to see in the coming term. Having not watched the first 30min I go by the verdict which says McCain came out stronger but later began to drag on certain personal issues and gave more attention to attacking rather than addressing the actual issues. Obama however did really well by being composed in the end and I think he made more sense to me than McCain.

By opinion polls where democrats were a larger portion of the viewers Obama seems to be significantly leading. Winning all the three debates in a row I think Obama has a slightly greater chance than McCain though today's debate unravelled Senator McCain's best! So McCain won most of the points but lost the debate. This looks like the path for McCain's win is narrowing down with three strikes in a row!

None to care for a Nun!!

I am so distressed at the state affairs of Orissa all through the Kandhmal row. I have many a things to crib about and many more to condemn. I know it would not make much of a difference but atleast I will let go of my frustration.

It has been around 40 days since this atrocity took place in Kandhmal where a Nun was brutally dragged on the road and raped in broad daylight. All this happened while the locals and even the police men were standing "like stones" in her words just as spectators. There was another Father who tried to fight back and protect the sister. But these criminals poured kerosene all over the Father and threatened to burn him alive. She went around begging for help crying that she was like their sister and mother but in vain. Hiding behind the police men did not refrain these anti social elements from pulling her hair and getting hold of her neck and tearing her saree, her blouse and eventually her bra. One of them fell on her, harassed her and raped her. They were also speaking among themselves that 100 of them will gang rape her and leave her on the street followed by monstrous laughter's. It might sound gross but these are exactly the words used by her to describe the incident a night mare which she chooses not to forget.

It was more than 40days that she filed an FIR and until now there was no action or atleast a response from the police. Even the media comes to its senses only now to focus on the incident and make it an issue. Probably they were too busy covering the Nuke deal, Orissa floods, the Home Ministers' overdressing and all the entertainment news!!! I reckon the injustice against the minorities seem to draw their attention only to a minor proportion. Better late than never, media now looks to mount pressure on the state government while the Centre is still battling with their thoughts about imposing President's rule. If stopping such violence is one task then heeding to the rescue of the victimized so far is another important task. This injustice against Christians is being condemned by people all over the world. It is an insult to India if it ignores its duty to protect the minorities and make sure security measures are provided.

The sister is in no fluctuation to fight for justice. She says she still has the mental and physical strength to see that justice is done and all those people including the onlookers are subjected to punishment. She says she has lost faith in the Orissa police which is an utter shame to them. I being an optimistic minority (christian) literally lost hope and can give in written affirming such things will definitely repeat in the future and will again lack the prudence of the police. India is losing the dignity and pride of boasting about itself as a secular country with such abhorrent incidents and indolent administration.

God save India!!

I aint...........

I aint have the words to say
I aint have the heart to feel
I aint have the love to live
I aint the person I wanna be
Where is the honey? Where is the touch?
Sour and malign is all I am
My thoughts subtle and catastrophic
Flickering lights pass by my night
Death in my life and in my dreams
I reckon it will soon be over
Can it get any worse than now?
My present has leveled my past
Happy hours ecstatic days
No more whining and groaning
I reckon it will be the end
It’s gonna be fine!!
I’m gonna live it through!!

Lukewarm start!!

After having a lukewarm start this season the Reds have a lot of catching up to do. There have been significant positives that could be extracted with their 0-0 draw with Villareal. Parker who stole the show in the Champions League match however could not pull it off in today's match against Chelsea. It was a hard fought match with many chances created on both sides and many cards very freely dispatched  to ManU.

With a 1-0 lead more than three quarters of the match the Reds just could not handle the pressure and possess the ball to pocket a win. Neither did the entry of their star player Ronaldo and the attacker Tevez bring any luck to Dr.Alex. However Kalou from Chelsea who was substituted did make a difference with an easy go header in the 80th minute to draw the match in the end. Reds continue to tail the EPL table and are yet to warm up a level from their mediocre performances. They need to settle down soon and pull up their socks!! Specially the costly Berbatov needs to get acclimatized to ManU as his game was all over the place today.

The arch rivals Arsenal do have some good news with todays result as they top the chart but have in shelf all the bigs game ahead. Way to go ManU!! You guys still rock!! :D

It's my life!!! :P

12 Stones - My life

A Beautiful Day...

"It's a new day bright and lovely
I wake up to see the world anew
No more illusions no more dreams
It is all real and its my life



I gotta live it out loud
I oughta soar over the past
I still believe I can make it
I see the horizon I see hope"