First of all, I would like to say that there was too much tension in the air yesterday. It was an uneasy calm. You could count the number of people on Andheri's streets and there were more policemen than passengers at the Andheri station. This is the fear that a verdict created in a country where mobs can be assembled in minutes!
Having said all that, I think the verdict was fair and in the best interest of the nation. The Archaeological Survey of India was able to able to establish that a temple stood at the same spot that mosque was built. It is a historical fact that Islamic invaders destroyed religious structures in countries they conquered and built mosques. It is as evident in Istanbul as it is in Delhi. The verdict calls for the division of the land and is in the true spirit of Indian plurality.
Despite the fact that communal monsters like Barkha Dutt and Sagarika Ghose have been trying their best to provoke a riot, no such thing has happened. The BJP has behaved in a very responsible and mature fashion. I wish the Wakf Sunni Board would do the same.
Unfortunately the Muslim parties have reacted angrily and have taken a very belligerent tone. Their lawyer went on national television and said that the reason that Muslims in India haven't taken to the streets is because they asked them to wait for the Supreme Court verdict. The lawyer said he would accept the Supreme Court verdict but didn't respond when asked about how the Muslim community would react if the verdict went against them. The fact is that people who make provocative and belligerent statements need to be condemned.
The verdict is fair and India needs to move on.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Maharashtra Home Minister Patil caught on camera with Dawood Ibrahim aide
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/rr-patils-underworld-connections/131936-37.html
R.R. Patil here was caught on camera fraternizing with Salim Patel - a man known to be close to infamous gangster Dawood Ibrahim and Mobin Qureshi - a suspect in the murder of a BJP MLA Prem Kumar Sharma.
Folks, this is the same man who said in the wake of the 26-11 attacks on Bombay that "in big cities, these kind of small things happen." He was sacked after those comments but quietly reinstated after the last elections in 2009. Those were the same elections in which Bombay witnessed a poor turnout. After 26-11, many acquaintances of mine spoke about how they would hold the government to task for the lapse in security that led to the killing of 166 innocent people. Alas... the same people didn't even bother voting and now we have a government with ministers that are close to terrorists!
They say a country gets the kind of government it deserves. I couldn't agree more. Until the middle class of this city realise that they have responsibilities as citizens, we're going to have criminals in power.
R.R. Patil here was caught on camera fraternizing with Salim Patel - a man known to be close to infamous gangster Dawood Ibrahim and Mobin Qureshi - a suspect in the murder of a BJP MLA Prem Kumar Sharma.
Folks, this is the same man who said in the wake of the 26-11 attacks on Bombay that "in big cities, these kind of small things happen." He was sacked after those comments but quietly reinstated after the last elections in 2009. Those were the same elections in which Bombay witnessed a poor turnout. After 26-11, many acquaintances of mine spoke about how they would hold the government to task for the lapse in security that led to the killing of 166 innocent people. Alas... the same people didn't even bother voting and now we have a government with ministers that are close to terrorists!
They say a country gets the kind of government it deserves. I couldn't agree more. Until the middle class of this city realise that they have responsibilities as citizens, we're going to have criminals in power.
The impact of the Ayodhya verdict on Bombay
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the petition to defer the Allahabad High Court's impending verdict on Ayodhya regarding the settling of the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit issue.
http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-51784820100928
There is a genuine fear in this city that a verdict in favour of the Hindus may trigger riots by Muslims or vice-versa. Students at the Alliance Francaise and the university are demanding holidays, etc. It's an open secret that riots are triggered by politicians who use criminals to kill people and destroy property.
In fact, local criminals more than welcome riots as an opportunity to settle old scores and benefit from the widespread looting. Murders, rapes and looting during riots usually go unpunished. So has it been since the riots that took place during the partition of India. The Congress party would benefit the most from riots as these could be used an excuse to convince Muslims and other minorities to vote for them in the next election. "Vote for us or face the communal BJP," the Congress would convince scared minorities after taking an active role in the riots.
I don't think there will be riots in the city at this point regardless of how the verdict goes. The fact is that the Congress is more than eager that the Commonwealth Games pass off without any incident and with a large media contingent in India, they'd hardly want images of riots and arson being beamed to all corners of the globe.
Having said that, it would still be prudent to watch one's back in this city, especially in so-called sensitive areas. The Bandra skywalk is close to some Muslim-inhabited slums and I see increasing amounts of aggressive adolescents indulging in aggressive activities on that bridge which border on violence. A few weeks ago, some kids attacked a passer-by for no obvious reason. It's these kind of things that hooligans would love to take advantage of.
http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-51784820100928
There is a genuine fear in this city that a verdict in favour of the Hindus may trigger riots by Muslims or vice-versa. Students at the Alliance Francaise and the university are demanding holidays, etc. It's an open secret that riots are triggered by politicians who use criminals to kill people and destroy property.
In fact, local criminals more than welcome riots as an opportunity to settle old scores and benefit from the widespread looting. Murders, rapes and looting during riots usually go unpunished. So has it been since the riots that took place during the partition of India. The Congress party would benefit the most from riots as these could be used an excuse to convince Muslims and other minorities to vote for them in the next election. "Vote for us or face the communal BJP," the Congress would convince scared minorities after taking an active role in the riots.
I don't think there will be riots in the city at this point regardless of how the verdict goes. The fact is that the Congress is more than eager that the Commonwealth Games pass off without any incident and with a large media contingent in India, they'd hardly want images of riots and arson being beamed to all corners of the globe.
Having said that, it would still be prudent to watch one's back in this city, especially in so-called sensitive areas. The Bandra skywalk is close to some Muslim-inhabited slums and I see increasing amounts of aggressive adolescents indulging in aggressive activities on that bridge which border on violence. A few weeks ago, some kids attacked a passer-by for no obvious reason. It's these kind of things that hooligans would love to take advantage of.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Delhi Half-Marathon 2010
One of my moments of glory last year was when I ran my first half-marathon in Delhi. It was a wonderful experience and I enjoyed every second of it.
http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2009/11/01/delhi-half-marathon-well-done-delhi/
I have 57 days to prepare for the 2010 version of the event. A few factors will work in my favour. For starters I am a lot fitter than I was at this time last year. I will be in the city a week before the event on account of the India Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum. So I can run in the evenings and early mornings and get used to the early-winter conditions in the city.
http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2009/11/01/delhi-half-marathon-well-done-delhi/
I have 57 days to prepare for the 2010 version of the event. A few factors will work in my favour. For starters I am a lot fitter than I was at this time last year. I will be in the city a week before the event on account of the India Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum. So I can run in the evenings and early mornings and get used to the early-winter conditions in the city.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wonderful Ganesha festival evening at Chowpatty and Gamdevi
The city was alive, kicking and there was a complete carnival as people took their Ganeshas to the Arabian Sea. I was completely caught up in the energy and festivities and enjoyed every second of it. I'm not sure that the pics I took were outstanding by any stretch of the imagination. But the best part of yesterday was that I was completely involved in the celebrations and had a blast.
The locals in Gamdevi and Chowpatty were more than happy to be photographed and this made it a win-win situation. In all fairness, this is the most fun I have ever had on a Ganesh immersion day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7444188@N05/sets/72157625015872892/
The locals in Gamdevi and Chowpatty were more than happy to be photographed and this made it a win-win situation. In all fairness, this is the most fun I have ever had on a Ganesh immersion day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7444188@N05/sets/72157625015872892/
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Goodbye Ganesha
This is the first time since 2001 that I am in the city to witness the immersion of Ganesh idols into the Arabian Sea. I am really excited about being on Girgaum Chowpatty and witnessing the spectacle. The colours, the sounds, the energy!!!
For those that say that it isn't safe since the Lakshar-E-Tayaba or some other terrorists may try and attack the place, all I can say is that Paki loonies are not going to dictate where I go and what I do in my city.
Ganapathi Bappa Moriya.. Pudcha Varshi Lokariya!
For those that say that it isn't safe since the Lakshar-E-Tayaba or some other terrorists may try and attack the place, all I can say is that Paki loonies are not going to dictate where I go and what I do in my city.
Ganapathi Bappa Moriya.. Pudcha Varshi Lokariya!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Ganapati Bappa
Everybody has the right to celebrate festivals. The poor in this country need these festivals as a way of relieving the stress in their difficult lives. But surely those indulging in violence and hooliganism needed to be brought to the book.
A friend of mine narrated a story about how some people in a procession attacked a terrified dog that was hiding under a rickshaw. They threw a fire-cracker at the poor animal and it died. These sadists seemed to enjoy this. People in these Ganesh processions also molest women and attack pedestrians.
Ganapathi Bappa would strongly disapprove of such actions.
A friend of mine narrated a story about how some people in a procession attacked a terrified dog that was hiding under a rickshaw. They threw a fire-cracker at the poor animal and it died. These sadists seemed to enjoy this. People in these Ganesh processions also molest women and attack pedestrians.
Ganapathi Bappa would strongly disapprove of such actions.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Sympathy for Maoists
One misinformed professor at university went on an anti-government tirade while giving us exercises. I won't go into further details so as to avoid revealing this person's identity. I was flabbergasted when the murdered Maoist Azad was classified as some martyr.
The Maoists are blood-thirsty terrorists that are power-hungry and will murder as many innocent people as possible to meet their goals. What alarms me is that there is an increasing number of people from the Arundhati Roy school who glorify the Maoists. I'll admit that the tribals and people living in the poorest states in India are victims of government oppression. But to glorify killers who want to turn India into a Maoist state... That's just taking things too far.
For those Bombayites that cry over innocent deaths, I wonder how many of you would help an injured man on the streets let alone someone who is dying. More people die in Bombay via road accidents, food poisoning, contagious diseases and falling off local trains than those killed in violent acts. Where is your concern for human life here?
The Maoists are blood-thirsty terrorists that are power-hungry and will murder as many innocent people as possible to meet their goals. What alarms me is that there is an increasing number of people from the Arundhati Roy school who glorify the Maoists. I'll admit that the tribals and people living in the poorest states in India are victims of government oppression. But to glorify killers who want to turn India into a Maoist state... That's just taking things too far.
For those Bombayites that cry over innocent deaths, I wonder how many of you would help an injured man on the streets let alone someone who is dying. More people die in Bombay via road accidents, food poisoning, contagious diseases and falling off local trains than those killed in violent acts. Where is your concern for human life here?
Monday, September 13, 2010
Salman Khan's 26-11 comments
Bollywood actor Salman Khan was in the news once again for the wrong reasons.
http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/sep/12/anniversary-26-11-salman-khan-comments-spark-outrage.htm
Anyone who knows me knows that I am no fan of the actor. The man belongs in jail for running over and killing a couple of labourers who were sleeping on a pavement in 2002. Having said that, I believe that there is nothing wrong with his comments. (He has since apologized)
The fact is that the hype over 26-11 has very much to do with the fact that Taj and Oberoi were attacked. The elite of South Bombay never bothered when blasts went off in Ghatkopar, the local trains and Zaveri Bazaar. It's when their so-called comfort centres were attacked that they even bothered to care.
http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/sep/12/anniversary-26-11-salman-khan-comments-spark-outrage.htm
Anyone who knows me knows that I am no fan of the actor. The man belongs in jail for running over and killing a couple of labourers who were sleeping on a pavement in 2002. Having said that, I believe that there is nothing wrong with his comments. (He has since apologized)
The fact is that the hype over 26-11 has very much to do with the fact that Taj and Oberoi were attacked. The elite of South Bombay never bothered when blasts went off in Ghatkopar, the local trains and Zaveri Bazaar. It's when their so-called comfort centres were attacked that they even bothered to care.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Jump off the Empire State Building
When I was in 7th grade, my teacher asked whether I would jump off the Empire State Building if "everybody" was jumping off. I replied that I would with a parachute. That remark didn't endear me with Mrs Eliason.
Back to 2010, for days I was watching people get into a service train at Bandra station that was supposedly going to the railway yard. A fellow commuter told me that the train skips three stations and goes to Andheri station before it goes to the yard. So, yesterday I took the "plunge from the top of the Empire State Building" seeing that I could get a seat on a empty train at rush hour and get home faster. The danger was of course that the train would stop at the yard and that I would have to walk on railway tracks.
I felt a slight tinge of uneasiness when the lights were switched off but the train ride was a pleasure and in 8 minutes I had a comfortable ride to my preferred platform in Andheri. I am definitely going to make an attempt to get to Bandra station before 8:45 pm every evening, so I can take this plunge everyday!
Back to 2010, for days I was watching people get into a service train at Bandra station that was supposedly going to the railway yard. A fellow commuter told me that the train skips three stations and goes to Andheri station before it goes to the yard. So, yesterday I took the "plunge from the top of the Empire State Building" seeing that I could get a seat on a empty train at rush hour and get home faster. The danger was of course that the train would stop at the yard and that I would have to walk on railway tracks.
I felt a slight tinge of uneasiness when the lights were switched off but the train ride was a pleasure and in 8 minutes I had a comfortable ride to my preferred platform in Andheri. I am definitely going to make an attempt to get to Bandra station before 8:45 pm every evening, so I can take this plunge everyday!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Ramzan treats at Bhendi Bazaar
I was very apprehensive about taking photographs at Bhendi Bazaar during the Ramzan evening festivities but decided to take my camera along anyway. The highlight of my trip there wasn't the photography but the amazing food. I had my heart's content of haleem, a delicious and spicy soup available only in the holy month. I also had kababs, malpuwa and falooda.
The atmosphere near the Minara Mosque is electric and I was touched by the friendliness of the locals. Not only were they open to me photographing their area but many of them wanted to be photographed. In fact, even the women were keen to be photographed. So much for the stupid stereotypes and fears that I had.
I am so proud of the diversity of this wonderful city. I was transported to another world yesterday evening but at the same time, I was right at home. The "differences" between people of different communities is a fabrication of the media, manipulated by opportunistic politicians.
Bombay- I love you.
P.S. Some of the pics can be seen here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7444188@N05/
The atmosphere near the Minara Mosque is electric and I was touched by the friendliness of the locals. Not only were they open to me photographing their area but many of them wanted to be photographed. In fact, even the women were keen to be photographed. So much for the stupid stereotypes and fears that I had.
I am so proud of the diversity of this wonderful city. I was transported to another world yesterday evening but at the same time, I was right at home. The "differences" between people of different communities is a fabrication of the media, manipulated by opportunistic politicians.
Bombay- I love you.
P.S. Some of the pics can be seen here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7444188@N05/
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