Politics… Really?

Politician: I’ll give you food, clothing and a roof.
Beggar: Oh this Emotional Torture!!!!

So, I was watching “The West Wing”, a show on the lives of people in the White House and the running of the government of USA and it got me thinking, as to why even after 66 years of independence we’re still a developing country and not a developed country. Ask anyone and they’d tell you “It’s the damned government”. And they’re right. It is the damned government. But ask them if they voted this year, and you get answers like “Who’s got the time or state of mind for this kind of stuff?” and “They’re all hooligans. No matter who we vote for. So why bother.”

Here’s a question about democracy that was asked on the show by a NASA employee to the Deputy Chief of Staff (to the President) –

If the theory of democracy is that the people have the most direct connection to officials at the most local level, how come everyone can name the president but no one knows who their assemblymen is?

The answer given was, “Complacency — who knows? That’s like asking why the sky’s blue?”

October Rain

So it’s raining cats and dogs here! My prayers have been answered! I feel jubilation and excitement, standing on the terrace doorway and just watching the heavens open up, holding a cup of hot coffee with my iPod plugged into my ears.

Just as I was marvelling at the beauty of the downpour, I had an epiphany. I thought of getting drenched. I ran down, kept my iPod and coffee mug, locked my room and ran upstairs and into the rain.

Image Source : here

I miss the rains….

Image Source: Here

It has been 7 years since I lived in Mumbai. The one thing I miss the most is the rains. Now, I’m not trying to be all poetic and all, but Mumbai rains are different. And different good. Maybe it’s because of the pollution or the population; I really don’t know what it is. Just sitting on my balcony, listening to the pitter-patter and reading a book is something that I miss, really badly. The icing on the cake would’ve been if I had a cup of coffee, to top it all off.

Image source: click on the image

Well since I am in the reminiscing mood, I’d also like to reminisce about vada-pavs, paani-puris and pav-bhajis.

Man! I do miss Mumbai!!

 

 

For those of you who really miss the rains go to this website and close your eyes. Trust me, it’s the best feeling you’ll ever have!

The Krishna Key – Book Review

Firstly I’d love to thank BlogAdda for giving me this book absolutely free of cost, just to review it here. So, thank you.

Now, about the book; The Krishna Key is the third book of Ashwin Sanghi, the author of the bestselling “Rozabal Line” and the award winning “Chanakya’s Chant”. Even though the author gives a fair disclaimer pertaining to the historical places, names and everything else being a figment of his imagination, it is pretty hard to believe that, once you read the book. It is filled with intricate details about everything, to an extent that one would actually believe all of the “facts” (in the book) to be true.

This book is the story of a serial killer, who has a misplaced sense of being the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. A history professor, along with his favourite pupil, has to uncover the secrets that the serial killer and his mentor seek. Many characters come and go, in this absolute page turner of an thriller, but Ashwin Sanghi has really managed to keep the readers hooked on to the story even as he balances the various characters effortlessly. Even though the title says The Krishna Key, the story revolves around nuclear reactors, radioactive substances, Shiva-lingams,  historical events, the advent of various religions, races and castes and with unbelievable “facts” that are made believable through the author’s keen usage of words and sense of language.

“Will you marry me?” OR “Will your daughter marry my son?”

Image Source: here

This is not a post for winning the Indiblogger contest. This post is a desperate attempt on my part to come out of the “writer’s block” that I have been facing recently. This topic by Indiblogger just got my thoughts running and got my fingers typing. But since the good people at Sony entertainment are giving out free hampers for every valid entry, the Indian or should I say the “Malayali” in me got greedy.

Love Marriage or Arranged Marriage?

As far as I’m concerned, one should only marry another person if they love each other. I’m a bit iffy on the whole concept of love (how there is no love between two people, just caring and compatibility), but that’s a whole different story.

Now, coming to the “love” marriage part. If two people believe they are “in-love”, and can bear each other for the rest of their lives, then I believe they should marry each other. And like Aamir Khan, so powerfully suggested in Satyameva Jayate, any person after they reach the adulthood age (so prescribed by the government), can marry anyone they like. And I believe in it. If you are happy in a relationship, then no matter what the society thinks or (I’ll go a bit bolder and say) no matter what your parents say, it’s your life! You are absolutely free to do anything. And I personally don’t think any parent can be unforgiving, if at all they think you are committing a mistake.