For Voters Only

In lighter vein:
(1)Privacy!
Candidate:Vote for me, I'd always be with you.
Voter:That's why we can't vote you.
Candidate:Why?
Voter:We'd have no privacy at all!

(2)Misrule!
Son: A TMC candidate claims people want to get rid of LF's misrule. Is it true, dad?
Dad: Yes, my son.They want TMC's Miss-rule.

(3)Walking!
Son:Why does Didi walk long distance on foot for poll campaign almost every day?
Dad: Didi's health conscious.She knows walking is a good exercise.

Writers' Trophy!

Twin wins
It was way back in 1983 India won ODI W.CUP under the captaincy of Kapildev.Now in 2011 India again lifted this trophy under the leadership of M.S.Dhoni after 28 yrs.Interestingly,it's also the same year like Dhonis, Didi's also is trying hard to wrest another prestigious trophy known as Writers' Trophy.This most valuable trophy transferred hands long way back in 1977.There after the recipient won it consecutively as many as seven times.In fact,Didi has been dreaming for winning this most coveted Trophy since she floated her new team in 1998.In 2001,however,Didi thought she'd surely win it but she was let down.This time Didi's quite confident her dream would come true and this confidence stems from her unexpectedly brilliant performances in earlier electoral matches.So we expect to celebrate twin wins in 2011-one by Dhoni and other by Didi. Remember in 1911 Mohun Bagan defeated the British football team in IFA Shield.11 is a lucky number for Indians.Hope, it'd be a lucky number for Didi too as Didi is an Indian to the core of her heart.

Just Smile

(1)Sagar syndrome
Son: Buddha tried hard to retain Nano factory at Singur but due to Didi’s agitation Tatas shifted it to Gujarat.
Dad: Yes, my son.
Son: But people routed Buddha in L.S polls and rewarded Didi with more seats. Why, dad?
Dad: It’s called people’s Sagar syndrome, my boy.
Son: What’s all about, dad?
Dad: Once someone reported to Vidyasagar that a man was calling him names. ‘I must have done him good’, replied Vidyasagar.
(2)A- begging
Man: Where’s your father?
Son: He’s gone out a-begging.
Man: He must have squandered away all his fortune by gambling.
Son: No. He’s amassed fortune rather .He’s contesting election and has now gone out to beg votes.
(3)Win-win:
Son: Both Didi and Buddha claim to win polls.
Dad: It’s what we call win win situation, my son.

Miss the catch, miss the match!

Cricket World cup Semi Final,2011:
Those who miss the catch miss the match.Result of W.Cup semifinal match between India and Pakistan has not mismatched this common saying.The way Sachin's catches were missed repeatedly he seemed to have been blessed with charmed life.Sachin's catches were dropped as many as 4 times at 27,43,70 and 81 runs respectively.If catches at 27 or 43 were not missed Pakistan could have own the match.But 'if's and 'but's are part and parcel of every game and they determine the fate of the game.Admittedly, luck has fafoured Sachin a lot and he's made it to the 'Man of the Match' and along with India's made to Final.Now is the time not to look back but only to look forward and strive hard to win W.Cup 2011.

Wikileaks!

1)Wiki leaks
Son: Dad, now many politicians are trembling in their shoes afraid of wiki leaks' disclosure about them in coming days.
Dad: Yes, my son.Soon in parliament debates on Wiki leaks' revelations would stop.

(2)Alliance with honour
Son: Dad, Congress clamoured for a respectable alliance with TMC.
Dad: Yes, my boy.
Son: Is it alliance with respect?
Dad: Yes, my son.It's an alliance to respect the High Command.

(3)Whom to vote?
Son: Dad, are you pro-changer or no-changer?
Dad: I'm always a pro-changer,my boy provided, of course, it's a change for the better!

Poll Prospect Of Congress In Bengal

Congress took more than three weeks to declare the names of the contestants in upcoming assembly election since the announcement of poll dates.But what's unfortunate the list has practically satisfied none.So now all hell has broken loose.Infighting among the Congress workers has started almost in every district.Workers from many constituencies are staging demonstrations at Pradesh Congress office for change of candidates.However, it's nothing new for Congress.Before each election almost similar things happen.What is worrying is this time resentment among congress activists is quite high.Many heavy weight Congress leaders have been denied tickets.At many places the disgruntled leaderships are fielding candidates to contest the official ones. Heavyweight leaders like Adhir Choudhury in Murshidabad and Shanker Singh in Nadia have declared rebellion openly.Again, some Congress workers at Murshidabad have reportedly burnt the pictures of Adhir Choudhury in protest. Congress party seems now to be in total disarray.SUCI, PDS and other small parties which were scheduled to form alliance with Cong and TMC are now forming a separate front which would plant candidates against Cong.It's really difficult for such a disintegrated and disunited party to fight an election.It's very likely the workers won't put in their whole hearted endeavour to see their candidates win.On the contrary they might sabotage the candidatures of their own party.However, things might apparently shape up at the last moment, but under current of discontent might flow and that would stand in the way of faring well in polls,.

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Trinomool-Congress Alliance

Regarding alliance between TMC and Cong in the upcoming assembly polls it happened what ought to have happened.Cong High command was in no mood to let the opportunity of dislodging the LF from power in Bengal go wasted.Her experiment proved unbelievably successful in Lok Sabha poll as the left fared very badly at the hustings.She didn't,however, interfere in seat sharing that failed in civic polls perhaps because it was beneath her dignity to intervene in petty matters like municipal elections where only 17% of the electorate particpate.Her aim is to cut to size the Left in national perspective.As wikileaks have revealed US often meddle in internal politics of our country perhaps cong High command's decision to help TMC oust Leftist govt in Bengal might be influenced by US suggestion.That apart, position of the scam ridden UPA govt at center is abjectly bad.Its relation with one of its largest allies DMK is more or less sour with scamster A. Raja behind the bar in 2G scam.So High Command can't afford to incur the displeasure of TMC supremo who might opt out of UPA govt to refurbish her image.UPA is now more a liability than an asset to her as being an ally of UPA she's to face the criticism made by the opposition.However, she's a stake as well.She can highlight her successes as rly minister of UPA in assembly poll camaign.But what's feared her claims of achievements might not be accepted by the opponents lying down.They'd point out the disparities between her tall claims and actual work done for which they've requisitioned privilege motion against her in parliament.There's another interesting point to mention is High command probably looks upon this alliance between TMC and her party as an opportunity to teach the Left a lesson for their abortive venture to pull down UPA-1 govt in collaboration with BJP on nuclear deal issue.What ever be the reasons Congress High command is trying her best to make the Left non- relevant in national politics.

Though Pradesh congress leaders are not at all happy over the way the alliance was forged.But Congress High command in fact is least interested to assuage their feelings in view of her single point program to clip the wings of the Left in national political scenario.It's true if TMC gets single party majority, Congress will play the role of subservience as second class citizen in the TMC-Cong led govt.Congress men will gradually switch their allegiance over to TMC and Congress will ultimately reduce to a sign-board party.So wait and watch what's in store for more-than-century old national party in our state.

In lighter vein only!

(1) Conspiracy:
Son: Why does Didi blame CPM too for failure in seat-sharing till date?
Dad: Didi's correct! There's conspiracy hatched by CPM.
Son: How?
Dad: With in a few days of announcement of election date CPM deliberately declared the list of candidates of LF and started poll campaign.
Son: So what?
Dad: Didi can't stay far behind.So she could not afford more time as asked by Congress to come to consensus in seat adjustment.

(2)Wind of change
Son: Do you think even now 'wind of change' is blowing as hard as during Lok Sabha Poll?
Dad: Definitely not, my son.It's nature of wind that its speed gradually subsides after blowing too fast.

(3)Majority
Son: Didi claims she'd get 2/3rds majority in the assembly poll.
Dad: It's her magnanimity she'd concede 1/3rd seats to others.

Horse-trading

UPA-2 is going through extremely bad patch of time.Scam after scam strikes it every other day.Now comes MP-purchase as revealed by Wiki Leak.However, horse trading is nothing new in parliamentary democracy, particularly in India. Interestingly, the amount is mind boggling-10 cores for each MP.Now as bribe taking has come to the fore, Govt should initiate an enquiry into the matter without wasting time and come clean.Pranab Mukherjee's contention that' what happened in 14th Lok Sabha can't be decided in the 15 th' is not only over simplification of the matter but is immoral too.Crime is crime whenever detected and it warrants prob and punishment.

Smashing a Lofty Ball!

It's simply idiocy to ban any drama or song or poem and for that matter any form of art as because it delivers some message that you think is prejudicial to your ideology.In fact to strangle a dissenting voice proves always counter productive and helps that voice itself.In fact ,by preventing to stage the drama Pasukhamar(dramatization in Bengali of Animal Farm, the most widely read book of Gorge Orwell) the administration, though it's now under total control of Election Commission, has put the ruling party, particularly CPM, on back foot before election as Rupchand Pal,a high profile leader of CPM, applied to the administration to stop staging the drama.However,local administration claimed they didn't permit to enact the drama on technical ground only and not on the request of Rupchand Pal.Chief Minister has openly disapproved of such action like prevention of staging any drama.But it's difficult to control the damage done by Rupchand Pal.As the election is near at hand the anti-LF lobby is up in arms against the 'govt's policy to gag voice of dissent'.If you make mistake, that too before election, must you pay price for it.If you give your opponent a lofty ball at net, he must smash it.Pity for LF!

In lighter vein only!

(1)Prac exam in pol.sc.:
Son: Dad,two groups of students are fighting with each other in the college campus in our locality even in presence of police.
Dad: Don't be afraid, my son!Students are only taking practical exams in their political science papers.Men in uniform whom you mistake for police are, in fact, acting as external examiners.

(2) Political Tsunami:
Son: Dad, a leader of a political party says tsunami is going to hit our state soon.
Dad: Don't worry.What he refers to is political tsunami, my boy.
Son: Still I'm afraid, dad.
Dad: Why, my boy?
Son: As after effect of a tsunami is always bad.

(3) Bargain:
Son: How many seats do you think Didi would concede to Congress?
Dad: Not more than 62 seats,I presume.
Son: See, congress demanded 98 seats at the out set.
Dad: Visit market places,you'd see women are better bargainers than men.
Son: Then no. of seats for cong could be increased if Sonia Gandhi directly participate in bargaining.

Playing second fiddle!

Perhaps Didi's not going to award more than 60 seats to Congress in assembly poll for contest. Congress has demanded 98 seats which they also know TMC supremo would never concede to them.But perhaps it's humiliating for them to settle at 60 and so they're clamouring for respectful alliance.However, respect would ever elude Congress till it emerges as a powerful force to reckon with in state politics.Had the political situation now prevailing been akin to that during Lok Sabha polls,Didi did not dither to go alone.In last few months situation has changed in favour of the Left.So Didi perhaps feels it's not prudent to contest alone.So she's sparing time to forge alliance with congress.However, even if there's alliance which is likely to ultimately shape up and TMC-Cong combine wins power, even then Congress won't expect respect from its ally if it(TMC) secures majority alone.Congress will have to play t second fiddle to TMC in Did's cabinet.

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Going Alone!

Wind of change is not at present blowing that hard as it did during last Lok Sabha and civic polls.It's much abated and LF's regained its lost ground to a considerable extent.It might be due some populist measures adopted by the govt.TMC have also contributed to some extent to the turn-around of LF.Its dismal performances at Zila Parisads at N- and S- 24- Parganas have disappointed voters in general.TMC supremo as rly minister is not successful either despite introduction of large number of trains and opening of innumerable computerized reservation centers.In fact her announcement of a large number projects has appeared to be too-good-to-be-true to voters.People have come to learn also the pathetic financial position of rlys.So they believe many of the projects declared will never see the light of the day and are mere election gimmicks.Again,TMC supremo's alleged hobnobbing with the Maoists whom the PM considers the greatest internal threat to the nation is also looked upon by many as political opportunism to wrest state power by any means.Nevertheless, this time,TMC has a fair chance to dislodge LF from power if they make alliance with Congress.However,if it goes alone it might miss the bus.

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Self- immolation!

It's really very shocking a young man in his thirties has had recourse to self immolation for some reason or other.What's no less shocking is the way a political party tried hard to hush up the incident and project it as an incidence of no consequence.A responsible member of the opposition hastened to say even without primary investigation that the man was mentally deranged and so there was nothing to clamour about the incident.Such an off-the- cuff remark is really unfortunate.On the other hand, it's equally sad some poltical parties are trying their best to derive a political mileage from this tragic issue particularly before election .It's not exactly as yet known why the man resorted to such an extreme step to end his life.However,contrary to Opposition leader's apparent conviction that the man is mentally ill,people of his locality and his dear and near ones have certified the man as normal and is in the bargain of philanthropic disposition.Though he's a TMC activist but he's very popular to all cutting across party line.Some say he went to Mamata's to report to her rly forms are being sold in her name for employments but he could't meet her as she was in Delhi.Out of frustration he doused him with kerosene from a jar and put fire to it near Mamata's house.Such an explanation is too naive and can't be believed.But as kerosene was with him, he went to Mamata's prepared for self immolation.Why did he take such an extreme step?It's a very difficult question-so queer is the human psychology!He's now battling with death at hospital and let us pray for his recovery.Only he can answer this million dollar question.

Perverse Presentation!

About a news TV Channel:
The way you're almost barracking a particular political party at every step and on the other hand brokering for its opponent is really shocking.You've made your channel almost a party organ.To serve your end you present news the way that practically panders to bad taste.Even the staunch supporter of a the party you betrays your tilt to would not perhaps approve of your endeavor.In fact, a sensible and knowledgeable viewer with any political affiliation would feel sorry to see how low a news channel can stoop.Unfortunately, all regional channels are more or less biased.They support either ruling party or the opposition.However,many of them do it in a very subtle way.But what's most irritating, you do it in a very crude way, if not bordering on giving a go-by to all decency and decorum.Now though honest and unbiased journalism is a myth and news are allegedly often paid the journalism you indulge in is not as yet happily very common either.Thank you.

Poll-vault

(1)Chief Minister:

Son: Didi’s not contesting assembly election.

Dad: Yes, my son.

Son: But, why dad?

Dad: If she contests election, she’ll have to be projected as next Chief Minister.

Son: What’s wrong in it? It’s a fact.

Dad: May be .But she hates Buddha and for that matter the post he holds .



(2)Poly phase elections:

Son: Why will elections be held in our state for so many days while it’s One-day or two-day affairs in other states?

Dad: Simple. Election Commission feels relaxed in our state and dare hold polls in leisurely manner over a couple of days unlike in other states.

(3) 8th LF government:

Son: Do you think 8th LF govt would be formed this time?

Dad: Perhaps not.

Son: Why, dad?

Dad: The Left is tired of governance .They need rest for some time provided Didi agrees to sanction it.

Willy nilly

Corruption,the order of the day!
In our country when a scam comes to the surface-normally it's unearthed by media- efforts are made to cover it up as Kapil Sibal has unashamedly done in case of 2G spectrum scam.But as media go on clamouring about it govt find no alternative other than initiating an inquiry into it at least willy nilly.The inquiry in such cases is an endless process as host of people are involved along with the main beneficiary. People ultimately forget about it and a new scam overtakes them.Not any effort is made by the administration to make the results of the scam public either.So nobody would know the fate of A.Raja after the probe is complete and by this time some other celebrity involved in a scam would engage their attention.Scams are too common in our country but perhaps equally uncommon are the instances of persons involved in scams being awarded punishments.So India has left a host of countries behind in the international scale of corruption.

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General Budget-2011

It's customary for the opposition to criticize general budget and the ruling party to eulogize it.So it's futile to ask P. Chidambaram to make comments on the budge or call upon Susama Swaraj or Gurudas Dasgupta to spell out their over all impression about it.Economists too differ in their opinion either.Some say the budget is more or less pro-people and others say it is not.Common people in general are only confused.They can't make out if the politicians simply criticize or laud the budget out of political compulsion.They can't realise the nitty gritty of the budget the economists discuss in print or electronic media either. However, after some time they could at least understand they've hardly anything to gain from the budget except the message that they should get prepared for harder days lying ahead.

However,only the fortunate few who pay income tax are marginally benefited in the budget for change in the slabs of income tax.In the present budget the finance minister has done a commendable job for elderly people by lowering the qualifying age from 65 to 60 for enjoying income tax benefit.In every sphere of conceding relaxation to senior citizens 60yrs is considered the eligible age but for some unknown reasons 65yr was the age to enable an elderly man to have concession in income tax .Govt could not answer why such a disparity existed.Any way, it's better late than never.

Once again,to ordinary man budget doesn't appear that important as it's to people at higher echelon of the society.The middle class people are endowed with the fringe benefits only as mentioned.So while the people at the lower rung of the society suffer in silence, the higher ups represent face of shining India as wished by almost all finance ministers.

Rly budget & role of Press

Press and politicians together can confuse and misguide people the way they like to.Common people naively believes what they say.Most of the ordinary people have neither time nor temperament to read between the lines what the politicians spell out to achieve their end.Unfortunately a section of press unashamedly help the politicians in this regard.Rly minister's wish fulfilling(Kalpataru) or dream budget particularly in view of hard financial constraints Rlys are now passing through is deliberately presented in a section of press as one that deserves all praise. Most of the projects incorporated in the budget would never see the light of the day for lack of funds.Performance of the preceding years in this regard bear testimony to what is feared.Rly minister is also aware of such fate for many of her proposals.It's also known to Prime minister and finance minister too.But they're all praise for the budget.This is all play acting to hoodwink gullible public.Rly minister knows well there's a fair chance of her being chief minister and then she'll have the opportunity of shrugging off all responsibilities of implementing the budget proposals.So open the flood gate of proposals in the budget at your heart's content.Thank you.

On The Brink Of Bankruptcy

Pre-rly budget review:
It's true most of the trains, particularly Durantas, introduced by Mamata Banerjee have been very popular among people.So are the computerized reservation counters.But the amenities provided to passengers are regrettably far from satisfactory.In this sphere much is left to be done and passengers are highly critical of travails they've to face during travel.The less said about her other promises , the better. What's most alarming is her luke warm attitude to the safety and security of railways which deserve first priority.So in her regime there have been record number of accidents in rlys.In fact she's been prisoners of her populist attitude and impulse to do large number of things in the shortest possible time to showcase her ability as an able administrator to burgeon her vote bank.No noble thing can be done by humbug.Rlyways have to bear the brunt of her short sightedness and rashness as well. It's now on the brink of bankruptcy, which has never happened before.Today also she'd announce a plethora of new proposals in her budget speech with an eye to the assembly election in the offing.What's unfortunate a section of press is unashamedly brokering for her and pampering her nakedly.

Mamata & Foreign Press

The foreign press which is primarily staunch anti left is eager to see the fall of LF govt in Bengal.To them it's the wonder of wonders as to how a LF govt can survive for as many as 35 yrs(if the govt really falls this time) in a pocket of a vast subcontinent that essentially follows rightists' ideology.Why did people elect the govt for seven times consecutively?Perhaps it's no parallel in history of Parliamentary democracy.Mamata Banerjee's politics are in fact based on negativity bereft of any ideology or program, whatsoever, except an ardent efforts of coming to power by any means.As a personality she's nothing extraordinary to gravitate foreign press either.Perhaps what interests American press is her possibility of being an instrumental in fall of extraordinarily long lasting anti American Left Front govt in Bengal(if it at all so happens).It's natural for anti-American stance LF is an eyesore to American press and for exactly the opposite reason,that's for anti Left stance, Mamata Banerjee stands out as favourite to them.So NY Times heaves praise on Mamata Banerjee for her enormous zeal and doggedness to oust Left forces from the seat of power, though her party is ideologically a bankrupt one.

Eve teasing

There's sudden spurt of eve teasing at different parts of the state.The tragic incident at Barasat, as it were, has opened the can of worms.In fact, incidents of teasing women are taking place everyday and almost everywhere. They go unnoticed as the victims feel shy of making it public or reporting it to police.In most cases they suffer in silence or have taken this social evil in their stride.Many think it's part of their life or they're destined to be treated this way by their male counter part.These ugly incidents come to light only when the offenders blatantly cross the limit or the victim is courageous enough to register protest against the display of the bestial instinct of man.In work place too women are more often than not subjected to sexual harassment.It's also a form of eve teasing.Pathetically in our male dominated society women often fail to receive the respect they deserve.

Eve teasers are obviously a perverted lot.Many of them are hardened criminals too.They react vehemently when they're challenged.Like the Barasat boy there're instances of being brutally assaulted and killed by the eve teasers when one ventured to protest against their wrong doings.So when a helpless woman fall prey to eve teasers' lewd comments or even an attempt to harass her physically hardly people dare stand by her.In such cases police too normally remain mere on lookers.Eve teasers even didn't spare the police surgeon Bapi Sen and mercilessly beat him to death. But would we allow the nasty practice of eve teasing continue unabated and unopposed?Would we allow some people with mental aberration and perversion hold sway in our society?Definitely not.We would collectively protest against eve teasing and mount pressure on the administration to act properly and take appropriate action against the act of outraging the modesty of women by the eve teasers.

Now Jadavpore Sisters!

In the wake of eve teasing incident of Barasat where Rajib fell prey to eve teasers and was brutally murdered while he was escorting his sister home from Barasat rly station at midnight another incident of eve teasing took place at Jadavpore where the culprits not only misbehaved with two sisters but also went on rampage at their residence and roughed up the inmates of the house.Police arrested the miscreants, though very reluctantly, and much to every body's surprise they were released on bail almost immediately after arrest.In fact police framed the case in such a manner court could not but grant them bail without delay.Offence perpetrated by the culprits should have constituted a non-bailable case but police presented it under bailable section of law for reasons best known to them.It's likely there must be some foul play some where in the present case,which warrants attention of the appropriate authority so that victims get natural justice.

Barasat Boy

It's no wonder that political parties fell over board like vultures on the dead body of the Barasat boy killed by drunken ruffians while escorting his elder sister home from railway station at mid night for petty political gain.It's also no wonder some political leaders of the opposition claimed they came to the boy's home much earlier than the Chief minister and also claimed the slain boy was their party comrade who gave his life to save the modesty of his sister only inspired by the ideals of TMC supremo.Such histrionics or calculated hysteria of the political parties might serve as a comic relief even in such gruesome and tragic circumstances.Thanks to people of Barasat, they have called the bluff and unswayed by crocodile tears shed by political personalities refused to entertain them in special way and did the last rites themselves.

To Editor,TOI about Brigrade Rally

Thank you for your 'unashamed' attempt to play down the massive Brigade rally of the Left Front day before yesterday in your report(Jan 13) on this event.Thank you that you did make room for the photograph of the rally at least at the corner of the front page though apparently very reluctantly as it strains one's eyes to have an impression of the massiveness of the gathering.Tenor of the report your scribe wrote about the rally giving go-by to honest journalism altogether did echo what Didi said about this unprecedented gathering.She pooh poohed the rally as farewell ceremony of the Left Front .You also deserve thanks for your invention that rallies arranged by political parties are all spontaneous and no vehicular traffics are used to bring the people to the rally site.In Didi's rallies perhaps people come on their own and no automobile is pressed into service to bring the supporters to rally.What appears conspicuous is your biased attitude that honest journalism veritably abhors. As a discerning reader one finds you've betrayed your tilt to a particular political party whose interest you've been seemingly vindicating for reasons best known to you.

Please don't lose heart. Such a mammoth rally is only a moral booster to the Left and it has hardly any bearing with ballot box.Rest assured Didi'd come to power belying all speculations.

Worst of Times!

It's the worst of times for Bengal.The hills are burning,violence rules the roost at many places of planes.Our state is facing the threat of division again.Assembly election is near at hand.Political parties including the chief opposition are busy engaging themselves attacking the govt instead of unitedly attacking those indulging the division of the state.Center is reluctant to sending forces to the hills to curb violence.Forces are lifted out of Jungalmahal and sent to the hills making it vulnerable to Maoists' menace .It's high time good senses could prevail upon all political parties to combat the prevailing crisis of the state instead of delving into blame game for political mileage.

Call it a day!

It’s high time Sourav Ganguli could call it quits from IPL fray. He should have done it much earlier when he had no takers during IPL auction. It was a sheer humiliation for a player of his stature. It bitterly hurts his fans and admirers when he’s found looking for a stray chance coming up for him to play in IPL. Sad, he’s at the bare mercy of the franchisees’ agreeing to filing no objection to his inclusion in Kochi team. Unfortunately, some of the franchisees have reportedly objected to such proposition. It’s really shocking to see the Prnce of Kolkata begging for a berth in an IPL team.It’s no denying the fact Sourav is one of the most shabbily treated cricketers ever born in India, if not in the world. No cricketer has suffered so much of humiliation in cricket for non-cricketing reasons. Nor has any cricketer like Sourav ever turned around and awarded a fitting reply to injustice meted out to him. However, enough is enough. We like to see an end to the suffering of the tragic hero of Indian Cricket.

Written 3 days ago

Mamata Banerjee and Railway Projects

No Rly minister has ever declared so many projects for Bengal as Mamata Banerjee has done. Railways normally offer priorities to matters like introduction of new trains, improvement of infrastructure, betterment of maintenance work, enhancement of passengers’ amenities etc.But Mamata Banerjee has gone out of the way and extended her attention to making of hospitals, schools, factories, business hubs, sporting complexes, auditoria and many other activities too. Almost daily Railways splash full-page ads in leading dailies announcing mostly laying of foundation stones and sometimes inauguration of new projects by Miss Banerjee. She introduces new trains and opens computerized reservation counters at regular intervals. It’s no doubt true newly introduced trains have benefited a lot of people and so are the newly opened computerized reservation counters. But it’s difficult to pronounce judgment on the projects whose foundation stones have just been laid. Some critics of Rly. minister argue many of the announced projects would never see the light of the day as Railway coffers have run dry. Many even say a lot of projects are being announced without caring for availability of funds only to woo voters. These statements might be taken as malicious and politically motivated to discredit and malign the TMC supremo.But it’s no denying the fact the money required to implement the projects already declared, let alone those in the pipeline, has reached astronomical figure and it’s difficult to imagine where the money will come from particularly when precious little has been done to enhance the revenues of Railways. So even by common sense the situation is not as rosy as it’s shown. However, if Mamata Banerjee becomes the Chief minister, she might wash her hands of the projects . Perhaps it’s her game plan and there’s nothing unfair in politics as in war.

Smile!

(1)Height of innocence!
Son: We need many more banks in our country, dad..
Dad: Why, my boy?
Son: As many people deposit money in foreign banks.
Dad: Yes, my dear.

(2)Distinction!
Q.What’s the difference between Eden gardens and Garden of Eden?
Ans.One goes to Eden gardens for love of sports but Garden of Eden is meant for sports of love.

(3)Gory Uncertainty!
Son: Dad, we were kept guessing from dawn to dusk and expected ICC would allow more time. But unfortunately venue for the first match of W.Cup,2011 was shifted to B’lore.
Dad: Never mind my son. Cricket is always a game of uncertainty.

In Lighter Vein !

(1) Black Money
Son: Dad, what’s black money?
Dad: It’s unaccounted money, my boy.
Son: What’s unaccounted money, dad?
Dad: If you don’t pay tax on your taxable income
it becomes unaccounted money. It’s a crime to evade tax, my son.
Son: Dad do you pay tax on your income from tuition?
Dad: No, my boy.
Son: Then it’s a crime, dad.
Dad: No, my son.
Son: Why, dad?
Dad: Guardians have already paid taxes on the money they pay me as tuition fees, my boy.

(2) Black Marketers
Son: Jawaharlal Nehru, the 1st Prime minister of our country promised to hang black marketers at the lamp posts. But he didn’t keep his promise.
Dad: It was not his fault, my son.
Son: Why?
Dad: Just after independence there were fewer power generating stations and and so were very few lampposts, my boy.

(3) Eden
Son: ICC’s disqualified Eden Gardens as a venue for Cricket W.Cup 2011.
Dad: Yes, my son. CAB’s failed to prepare Eden to hold the scheduled match as yet.Much work is left to be done.
Son: ICC’s done injustice to CAB, my Dad.
Dad: Why, my boy?
Son: Instead of declaring Eden unfit for W. Cup, ICC could have requested Suresh Kalmadi to finish the unfinished work in due time.

Apparently No Way-out!

Central govt is making all-out efforts to combat and contain Maoist menace. According to Prime minister Monmohan Singh Maoists are the greatest internal threat to the nation. Maoist infested states are awarded all-out help to fight Maoism. Maoists don’t believe in ballots, they believe in bullets to capture state power. Their aim is to free the poor and the downtrodden from the shackle of exploitation by the bourgeois system and ameliorate the subhuman condition they are now living in. No doubt they are guided by a noble purpose and all sensible men must stand by them in this respect. Only where people differ from them is their means of achieving this end. No well meaning people want violence, they opt for peaceful means. But in reality the plight of the poor is going from bad to worse in our ‘peaceful system’, the gap between the rich and the poor is increasingly widening. Again, in Maoists’ battle to achieve equality and prosperity of the poor, it’s the poor who are falling prey to the bullets. Senseless violence and killing hold sway. Can it ever serve the purpose of reaching the noble goal of the Maoists to improve the lot of the downtrodden? Perhaps not. Then what is the way out? How can we at least minimize the burgeoning social disparity and do good to the poor? We’re in fact confused and apparently find no escape route. So we sometimes happen to ventilate our soft corner for the Maoists more from our pent-up rage against social inequality than from rationality. Such feelings are accentuated when a man like Binayak Sen has to suffer behind the bar for his noble attempt to stand by the suffering humanity.

How Long?

The grave concern expressed by the Chief election commissioner about the law and order situation of the state is true and genuine. All well meaning people will fully share his view. Any attempt from any corner to criticize his view as one prodded by political motivation would be unjust and biased. Some raise the question of constitutional propriety in this matter but that too is not a well conceived view. Now what’s necessary is restore law and order and stop senseless killing particularly at sensitive and violence prone areas by any means. The concept that law and order is constitutionally a state subject sounds meaningless when state machinery fail to protect people’s lives for some reason or other. Of course, state can’t be unilaterally blamed for its failure to maintain law and order either. In a democratic set –up govt alone can’t maintain peace and tranquility unless the opposition extend their whole hearted co-operation. Unfortunately, in our state the ruling party and opposition are always at loggerheads . What’s most shocking they’re not even on speaking terms. It might sound bizarre that here the opposition leaders have been advised by their party supremo not to share dais with any member of the ruling party but it's absolutely true and party’s declared policy. So its no wonder any all party meet convened by the ruling party is scrupulously boycotted by the chief opposition. Developmental activities in the state have become casualty of this senseless non-cooperation. Had the ruling and the chief opposition parties sat together the present law and order situation could have improved a lot. But that’s destined not to be and our ill-fated state would continue to suffer and no body knows how long.

Going Global

Mamata Banerjee has rightly fascinated the reporter of New York Times(TOI 16 Dec) for
her sustained efforts and doggedness to over throw the Leftist govt from a pocket of Indian subcontinent after its unbelievable 34 yrs of governance based on popular consent.Stubornly anti-American Left govt’s ouster might pose a pleasant surprise to NYT scribe His interest in Miss Banerjee’s political activities is not misplaced in other senses either. Her anti land acquisition movement that began from obscure places like Singur and Nandigram has now rocked the entire nation. Wherever land is going to be procured for public or private purposes for people’s benefit land owners start agitation in Singur like way. As a result developmental activities grind to a halt. History will ever remember Miss Banerjee at least for her anti-land grab movement as procurement of land is a global phenomenon. So she rightly deserves to go global in newsworthiness.

Home Truth

War Of letters:
Hardly ever a letter from Center to a state has created such a ruckus in state’s politics as Chidambaram’s letter has done. Content of the letter got leaked to press even before it reached the state govt after inordinate delay. The letter was claimed to be highly confidential in some quarters but it was sent by speed post in ordinary way mingled with other mails while it’s customary to send such letters by courier. Perhaps, Center did not attach that importance to this letter as the state did. It’s an open secret Chidambaram had to issue such a letter more out of political compulsion rather than anything else. In the face of TMC supremo’s threat to quit UPA what else the Center can do other than taking the state govt to task to save its govt as TMC is an important ally to reckon with so far as its stability is concerned? What has shown Chidambaram, who has a reputation as a perfect gentleman politician, in poor light is use of word like ‘Harmad’.It definitely smacks of his bad taste. However, some even surmised the letter was not drafted by Chidambaram himself but as it contained his signature he can’t disown the onus of what was objectionable in his letter .
Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee, however, had taken care that his rejoinder to Chidambaram was not leaked before it reached him and made it public only after home department acknowledged the receipt of the letter. Content of CM’s letter was precise and more or less matter-of-factly.He, however, made no bones about his reservation against the leakage of the letter before it reached him and use of word like Harmads. However, Chidambaram in his rejoinder scuttled the ‘Harmads’ issue but stuck to his gun against CM over his allegation about presence of armed camps of CPM in Jungalmahal.He also invited CM to Delhi for discussion on this issue. However, in another letter Chidambaram defended the use of ‘Harmad’ claiming it a common parlance in the political lexicon of the state.CM vehemently opposed it again and accused him of being mum over Trinomool-Maoist pact when Center claims Maoists are the greatest internal menace to the nation.Incidentally,CM did neither deny nor confirm the presence of armed camps of CPM at Jungalmahal.

Chidambaram has not yet refuted the allegation made against Trinomool about their rapport with the Maoists, Nor has CM clarified if armed camps of CPM are there at Jungalmahal.Now it’s all quiet on Chidambaram’s front Apparently, both sides have called it a day. It’s really difficult to categorically deny the charges they’ve leveled against each other.

Chidambaram's Letter

Home minister P.Chidambaram’s letter that’s yet to reach Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee is no shot in the arm of Trinomool as construed upon in some political circles. Some, however, challenge the veracity of the letter as it’s not reached CM even after three days and the language used in the letter particularly ‘Harmads’ does not fit in with Chidambaram’s perfectly gentlemanly style of writing. However, even if the letter is written by Chidambaram, it’s the political compulsion that prompted him to write it. The threat of Mamata Banerjee to quit UPA in the event Central govt continues to ignore their complaints repeatedly made against state govt regarding law and order problem and misuse of joint forces at Jungalmahal has worried Chidambaram a lot particularly when Center is not very comfortable in the face abnormal price hike through out the country and one mind-boggling scam after another unfolding itself almost each day. To pacify TMC supremo who has constituted the second largest ally of UPA govt Chidambaram has perhaps written such a letter to CM.But whatever be the content and tone of the letter home minister is unlikely to take any action against the state govt as it’s neither politically prudent nor constitutionally viable for Center to embark upon any such step particularly when the assembly elections are near at hand.

Shrugging off stigma!

Homeopathy: Staunch critics of Homeopathy often say ‘Who has nowhere to go, goes to an homeopath’. They mean when a man can’t afford any other treatment, try their luck with an homeopath. Perhaps homeopathy has to suffer such humiliation or adverse criticism because modern sciences can’t explain how it works. But in practice it’s found to cure many diseases that can’t be even cured by other conventional therapies. Many times it works wonder. Still critics don’t relent. Some even call it faith healing. In many developed countries practice of homeopathy has been banned. But is it the fault of the this therapy that tenets of modern sciences can’t explain how it works? Or isn’t it the other way round? It’s the limitations of modern sciences that it can’t explain the working principle of homeopathy?

One argument is often put forward against homeopathy is that here medicines are potentised by dilution and in an extremely dilute solution starting material is expected to remain virtually absent. So then how can the medicine work? But recently Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay has established homeopathy medicines work on the basis of nanotechnology. Here researchers have shown even extremely diluted solution of homeopathic remedies contains measurable amounts of starting material. So now homeopathy can shrug off its stigma that its working principle can’t be interpreted by modern sciences.

La Miserable!

The whole episode seems unbelievable.Can a teacher ask for a laptop from his pupil to promote him to higher class? Yes it did happen in no less an elite school than La Martiniere for boys at Kolkata.Sanjay Smart, class teacher of 11-yr old Srijan Banerjee allegedly asked his father for a laptop to promote him to class V. Sujan’s father did not oblige Smart and as a result the boy was expelled from school.Sujan’s father is not a man to surrender to such black mail. He dragged the matter to court and high court gave verdict in favour of Sujan. It asked La Mart to take back Sujan to school and promote him to class V.Unfazed school authority contested the HC order at Supreme court. The apex court upheld the HC’s verdict and asked La Mart to lift expulsion order and promote Sujan to higher class. School did implement SC’s order.

The above episode might raise many unsavoury questions in people’s mind. Is it a common practice in many elite schools to bribe teachers for promotion of their wards? If not, why did school authority punish Sujan in stead of the teacher who allegedly asked for bribe from the boy’s father. School authority could have at least initiated an enquiry into this matter. On the other hand authority went to the extent of going to the apex court to defend the errant teacher. Such an instance is bound to send shock wave to the teaching and students’ community as well.

A Withering State

Perhaps now West Bengal stands out as the most unfortunate state in our country. Despite resources and opportunities Bengal is gradually lagging behind . This setback can be attributed to unique political scenario prevailing here. To start with the ruling party made serious efforts to advance the state through industrialization which is in fact the need of the hour for employment generation. There was nothing wrong in it. But what stood in the way was the govt’s unnecessary hurriedness to bring about the change and not to take the opposition in to confidence in this regard. It did it as it enjoyed the brute majority reducing the opposition to microscopic minority. It tried to go alone as if opposition was a non-entity.

After land reform in Bengal small land owners who once tilled in other’s lands developed emotional attachment to land. This attachment was much intense with those who’ve multicrop land in particular. For them to lose land is as good as losing near and dear ones.Incidentally, in Bengal most of the land is cultivable. Govt failed to understand procurement of land was a very sensitive issue. It requires time and patience to convince the farmers that they’d be ultimately benefited if they part with their land.Govt, however, could not afford to spend that amount of time lest the delay could help the other states to attract the entrepreneurs. So in many cases land was forcefully procured against the will of the farmers. Land thus procured included multi crop land also. The opposition, particularly Trinomool Congress made this acquisition of land against the farmers’ will a big issue and started anti-land acquisition movement in a big way. The land movement awarded TMC unexpected popular support. They got back sufficiently firm land under their feet to stand on and threw challenge to the govt against land acquisition. Enthused by their unbelievable success TMC devoted whole heartedly to organize farmers against acquisition of land, whatever be the purpose of acquisition . So all developmental activities that needed land did grind to a halt. What’s most unfortunate Tatas shifted its automobile factory from Singur to Gujarat in the face of political turmoil even after near completion of the project. What’s worse TMC embarked upon policy of non-cooperation with the govt and they were not on speaking terms with any member of the ruling party. Perhaps such a situation has never cropped up in any state of our country.

Now opposition has directed its attention to Rajarhat Newtown, recently named Jyoti Basu Nagar.TMC’s started movement in the same fashion as in Singur and Nandigram.Their bone of contention is that land has been forcefully grabbed from poor people at Rajarhat at unjustified price to make the township. Now at Rajarhat IT hub Wipro is going to establish its second unit after one at Salt Lake City and Infosysis has been allotted land to open their unit. These new establishments would generate a large number of employments. One might fear such political agitations would stand in the IT giants’ way of establishing their units as it happened with Tatas at Singur.What’s unfortunate the opposition could have sorted out their grievances simply by negotiation with the govt in stead of launching agitation. This land acquisition issue has in fact stalled all developmental work in the state. It’s not spared the TMC supremo too. At Sankrail, Howrah construction of a railway factory has halted in the face of anti land procurement movement by her own party. In the event TMC comes to power and the Left parties resist procurement of land at each and every step, where would this poor state go? It’s high time all parties could pause and ponder over this issue and behave sensibly at least in the interest of the state.

Corruption begins at home!

To indulge in corrupt practices has been the way of our life. Perhaps no body brothers about it now a days. For people at all places corruption is their prerogative. Majority of our MPs are corepaties and their declared assets enhance many fold in each election compared to earlier one. No body questions how their wealth burgeons in such unusual way. Nor they care to hide their wealth. On the contrary they vie with others in flaunting wealth. Recently an MP hired an entire train for carrying invitees to the marriage party of his son. Administration won’t bother to enquire how the MP concerned has amassed so much of money. In majority of cases people in power have wealth which is glaringly disproportionate with their income. A minor scrutiny might unearth their dubious source of income. But who’ll do this precious job? There prevails an unholy nexus among the custodians of law and justice and perpetrators of malpractices. So corruption has pervaded all strata of our society. Imagine a professor of IIT Kharagpur who happens to be the chief of the vigilance committee too was running a parallel institute for years at the campus illegally and was fleecing unsuspecting students hefty fees. It’s been also revealed other reputed teachers of the institute also joined the fray. The main accused is now suspended and an enquiry is going on. Recently a renowned doctor heading the inspection team awarded affiliation to a substandard medical college at the cost of 2 crores of rupees. The doctor is also suspended and enquiry has been initiated. These are only a handful of cases where probe is being made and in other cases wrong doers generally get scot free. Big scam involving mind boggling amount of money is unfolded almost every day. Scam in miniature form starts at grass root levels and at later stage it ramifies and take dreadful proportion. So miniscams at lower levels must not be ignored to ensure minimizing corruptions at higher levels. Now corruptions have been so very rampant, who will stem the rot?

RSVP!

English people earlier posted an abbreviation RSVP at the end of invitation letter.RSVP is in fact an abbreviated form of French words which in simple English mean reply if you please.RSVP is supposed to serve a very useful purpose if the guests cooperate with the host by informing him if he’d be able to attend the party. It helps the host make almost exact head count and make arrangement of food accordingly.It’d also minimize wastage of food due to guests’ failure to attend the function. In Indian culture , of course, guests are only cordially invited to the party and never are they asked to speak their mind if they’d be able to be present at the party. In fact, it’s feared the guest might take exception if such a question is put to him. However, some people on their own spell out their inability to attend the party on the appointed day for some reason or other. But majority of the invited guests remain silent in this regard or think it not proper to say their ‘inability’ to the face of the guests. However, sometimes the host can read the invitees’ mind from body language .In general, the guests need to speculate how many invitees would attend the function .The more precise is the speculation, the less will be the wastage of food or hassles to preserve the surplus food for distribution among the next door neighours.Some times food rots and it has to be thrown in the dustbin. It’s really a criminal offence to waste food in this manner in a country where the majority of people can’t make both ends meet. That apart, it means wastage of money for the host. Sometimes loss of money runs into thousands. I know, in a wedding feast 400 people were invited but only 200 odd guests attended the party. Now imagine the predicament of the host. Only way to wriggle out of such intriguing situation is to launch a social campaign to motivate invitees to let the host know if they’d be able to attend the party so that host could have a rough estimate of food he should keep ready for the guests to avoid wastage.

Protocol

It’s controversy hovering around acquisition of land that has given Mamata a secured and firm land to stand on in politics. So Mamata can’t afford to let any opportunity on land issue that might pay her dividend go wasted. Hence after spectacular successes in Singer and Nandigram she turned her attention to Rajarhat township, now christened Jyoti Basu Nagar.The township is based on vast tract of land. So it’s not difficult to allege even off the cuff that at this township in many cases land was acquired forcefully or by other dubious means as in Singer or Nandigram.There might be many takers of such arbitrary allegations and the administration could be put on the spot. But Mamata’s allegations were strongly challenged by the housing minister Goutam Dev himself and refuted many of them with relevant documents. He also asked Mamata to answer some of his questions and kept the ball rolling in her court. Here happened a very interesting thing that people never came across in our state.Mamata refused to answer Goutam’s queries on the ground that she belongs to ‘ grade’ that is superior to his in administration. Perhaps now on TMC supremo would ask his men to strictly follow ‘gradation’ system introduced by her while giving answer to some one in ruling party or even in her ally. Mercifully, this newly initiated protocol won’t work in direct conversation between the ruling and opposition parties as they’re not on speaking terms with each other. It’ll come into effect only in answering allegations and counter allegations only. For cadres, however, it’s hand that speaks more than tongue.

Unwarranted Critcism Of Mayor

Opposition unnecessarily grudge Mayor for having 5 cars.In fact the number is much fewer than necessary.Our Mayor is the most democratic one the KMC has ever had.He's 100-odd advisers who're mostly City's luminiaries in their respective spheres.Mayor infact run the civic administration acting upon their valued advice and blessings.He's to engage the cars to bring these celebreties to KMC for interaction whenever necessary.So imagine how many cars he actually needs for this precious job.We should rather thank him for manging the work of such magnitude with only 5 cars to save KMC's money.

Scams Galore

The public representatives who handle public exchequer are obviously answerable to public. They need to explain how the money is utilized to appropriate authority. Despite these checks and balances rampant corruption s are going on in public life. What’s most unfortunate, these malpractices are rising leaps and bounds. One scam after another is unfolding almost every day. Many of the scams are mind-boggling and they involve cores of rupees. Sometime it reaches astronomical figures. These are all our moneys and a large portion comes from poor people who dominate the economic scenario of our country. What’s most interesting people in high places who play ducks and drakes with public money are hardly brought under scanner. Most of them escape unnoticed and unscathed with their booties and only an unfortunate few come to the glare of media for their misdeeds.Thanks to media, for their investigative reporting and sometimes very risky and courageous sting operation scams of big magnitude come to light. In most of the cases CBI enquiries are initiated but results of the enquiries are not made public though it’s public money that the scam is all about. So one can hardly remember how many public figures have been so far brought to book for their financial irregularities. In fact the network of the scamsters are so well knit and well organized, it’s difficult to lay hands on them. These are very shocking stories for our society but perhaps we’ve nothing to do but to be shock-proof.

A Controversial Politician

Siddharta Sanker Ray Passes Away!
Let us condole the death of Shri Siddhartha Shanker Ray,a successful barrister,an able administrator,the most controversial politician, a ruthless supressor of Naxal and Khalisthani movements.Though he died at ripe old age but every death is sad and painful.We pray, may his soul rest in piece.

Ray in fact lost relevance in national and state politics long since.He tried time and again to assume a meaningful role in state political scenario but he failed to achieve acceptance from any fraction of Cong,nor from Trinamool either.Some times he dished out uncalled for advice to politicians of his party, but they were more ignored than observed.Normally, he seemed to have assumed political renunciation, but old habit dies hard.He came out of hibernation to make her presence felt with some remark castigating the Left or eulogizing Congress.


Reportedly,his advice to Ms. Indira Gandhi to promulgate emergency and making draft of emergency proclamation goes down in the history of Indian democracy as the shabbiest work ever done by a politician. What's more he shrugged off the responsibility of the misdeeds and passed the buck to Ms. Gandhi while deposing before Shah Commission to come clean.Sadly it makes the darkest chapter of the world's largest democracy.

Every man has weakness and stenghth.He'd also many good qualities too. However, though Trinommol and Congress are vying with each other to highlight their proximity with Ray for political mileage, it's a futile exercise as there's nothing to cash in on Ray's death.

Let us pray again that his soul may rest in peace.

Looking For Largesse

We're really proud of our boys and girls for their brilliant performances in different events in CWG.But when they clamour for largesse from the government in return for their success, perhaps they belittle their position in the estimation of public.They're sports persons,sports and games are their passion.They should demand to make better facilities available to them for their better performance in future.State should also see to the fact that financial constraints don't any way hamper their ability to perform.It doesnot necessarily mean they should be given land free or at throw-away price or lump sum money or other largesse as reward.Incidentally, state govt has made such precedence like giving away land to people who have made their mark not only in sports and games but in any other field also.It has now been the matter of right for any successful person in any sphere of life to claim land from the state govt.It's really unfortunate.

Seditious Statement

Freedom of speech is enshrined in our constitution.But it does not necessarily mean you'd say any thing you like - anything that's prejudicial to the interest of your country and nation.Pakistan has been wrongly claiming since its inception that Kashmir is its part and the writer Arundhuti Ray too now echoes the same demand supporting Pakistan.May be, she's doing it to draw public attention to her but it merits a case of sedition that warrants her immediate detention.Were she born in any other country(say in Pakistan) she would have definitely been behind the bar by now. As here law is much liberal and people are much tolerant she has been still getting away after making such a seditious statement.It's high time aministration could pull her up otherwise many of her followers and admirers would follow suit.

Sharing decision,opposing implementation!

Mamata is harping on withdrawal of joint forces from Jungalmahal and the Center’s rightly turning a deaf ear to her. Operation of joint forces at Maoist infested states is a decision taken at Central cabinet in presence of Mamata.She didn’t register note of dissent on the issue, nor did she stage a walk-out in protest. But she started clamoring against the presence of joint forces in Bengal. She now demands deployment of only Central forces to contain the Naxals as per report of TOI. However if it’s true, it’s only to show that she’s no rapport with the Naxals, though in many instances she betrayed her connections with them. She, in fact, says different things at different times. For instance, she claimed there were no Naxals at Jungalmahal.She’s recently said all Naxals are behind the bar in Jungalmahal,CPM are playing the dual roles of Naxals and CPM.She even claimed Naxal leader Azad was murdered and not killed in encounter as reported by home ministry. She never blames Naxals for railway sabotage despite ample proofs of their sabotaging activities. On the contrary she passes the buck to the ruling party. In fact, what she’s looking for is to bag a few seats from Jungalmahal in assembly polls with the help of PCPA, a frontal organization of Naxals.What remains to be seen is what stance she’d take about Naxals and joint forces if she happens to come to power and how Naxals would behave in her regime.

Metro Diary!

Metro derailment in the tunnelTo day's metro derailment could have been the worst-ever disaster in the history of metro rail.Since metro services were extended not a single day has passed without snag.Metro was extended to play to the gallery by the railway minister without considering if the existing infrastructure was adequate enough to bear the brunt of extra load.So metro which was once our pride now has become our nightmare.What's unfortunate, the railway minister seems to take very casually what is happening with metro and pass the buck to CPM for engeneering sabotage.But her sabotge or conpiracy theory has unfortunately failed to click and people now know it's her indifference,negligence, lack of proper planning and above all her populist politics have brought the things to such a pass.So it's high time to pause and ponder over safety of Metro.For this purpose metro services shoud be reduced as before till infrastructure is available to ensure metro services over entire stretch.Other wise luck might elude us and a big disater incurring loss of many lives might happen.

CWG Enquiry!

Prime minister has rightly called for investigation into alleged corruptions in just concluded Commonwealth games immediately after the games are over.Instances of malpractices those were reported in media were mind boggling and apparently unimaginable.They might be the tip of the ice berg.CWG was a mega event with which huge number of people were associated and amount of money handled was also almost in astronomical figure.Hence it might take time to scrutinize the account.So tenure of OC has been extended for some time more.If OC is now dissolved, it might prove difficult to track down the culprits after the enquiry is over.

What's one afraid of is results of such inquiries are never known to public and the guilty go scot free or unusally long time is taken in investigation so that people ultimately forget the matter and the issue is selved.But this time, however,the Prime minister himself has taken the initiative and so the guilty are expected to be punished.

Feed back

Star Ananda,Puja coverage!
I normally have my TV set shut down during puja days till immersion.Not that I'm a puja reveller or a pandal hopper.I refrain from viewing because it's the same thing beamed year after year without any novelty or innovation,whatsoever.It's the same head counting at pandals and asking silly questions the pandal hoppers.It seems you're rerunning the cassettes of previous years.Quality of 'adda' programs have so deteriorated that they're not worth seeing.However,I chanced upon some of your programs telecast recorded or alive from London and they're worth seing.The 'walk the talk' or 'sit and talk' interviews are particularly enjoyable.However,in near future you need not have the hassles of going to telecast these programs from London as our Kolkata would be London in days to come.

Puja days over, politicians will swing back into actions.Turmoils and terbulence will take sway.Try to analyse events in their right perspective without being biased, though it's a difficult proposition now days as TV channels are also politically polarised.Any way, tough days are ahead.Do justice to your profession and people you serve with news and views..Please excuse me for intrusive or uncalled-for advice.Take heartiest Vijaya Greetings.Thank you.

All's well that ends well

Commonwealth games
With lesser gloss in concluding ceremony than in inaugural one the much hyped Commonwealth games for disastrous preparations ended with grand success and glorious note. Only a few days left for the games to kick off almost every thing in games village was apparently in a mess apprehending unprecedented mismanagement during the game. But as if the management some how managed to have a wonder lamp of Aladdin, the games took off with a gorgeous spirit through spectacular opening ceremony.It’d not to look back any more and ended with phenomenal success that received compliments from all over the world. What’s more India stood second in gold
medal tally and fared unexpectedly well almost in all the events.

Games management now blames media of their proactive roll to accuse organizers of poor preparations for this mega event. It sent bad signal to all concerned and many renowned athletes pulled out of the games. But media shouldn’t be blamed. It’s media that pointed out the lapses and management took initiative to mend those on war footing. Games management should take this criticism sportingly and in right perspective.

Now charges of mind-boggling financial corruption that media mentioned during preparation of the games should be thoroughly probed and the accused be duly punished. That apart, though CWG has happened to be a spectacular success, management should finish preparation of any mega event well in advance in future so that at the eleventh hour people have not suffer from anxieties and tension along with the organizers.

Invitation from China to Mamata

We're happy and proud that Railway minister Mamata Banerjee has been invited by China to attend a conference on matters related to railways.Many other railway ministers from other countries have also received invites.But it's unfortunate press is trying to give political overtone to this simple and innocent incident.They find CPM to be ill at ease for this invite to Mamata.Mind, Mamata has been invited not as a leader of a political party but as a railway minister of India.Regrettably,to look upon every thing obliquely and give it an uncessary twist and turn to politicalise it is now the common practice of a section of press.We do hope Didi would attend the meet and would participate in the discussion that is primarily focused on how to run high speed train.

China has made tremendous progress in science and technology.It's introduced very fast moving trains with unbelievable speed of 350Km/hr where as Japan and France who have very fast moving trains too have lagged far behind.In India, however, trains move with much slower speed.How far the nature of Indian soil would rev up the speed of trains is difficult to ensure.

Nobel Peace Prize

Perhaps controversy never eludes award of Nobel Peace Prize almost every year. Last year awarding this prestigious award to Barack Obama with in seven months of his assuming office as the President of USA kicked up a row. This year conferment of Nobel Peace prize to human right activist Liu Xiabobo of China who has been sentenced to 11yrs. imprisonment and is now incarcerated. He co-authored charter ’08 claiming political reforms in China that was published in UN’s universal declaration of human rights. Liu participated in Tiananmen protests way back in 1989.China has naturally taken exception to awarding peace prize to one whom it considers a simple ‘criminal’ and takes it as a calculated move and conspiracy by Nobel Committee to embarrass it and belittle its position in the estimation of other nations. China has now the world’s second largest economy and a very powerful nation. It must react vehemently to this seemingly confrontational attitude of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Perhaps, any other country under the similar circumstances would have reacted this way. It’s well known unlike other Nobel prizes, peace prize is awarded more or less on political considerations and hence it has been devalued over the years. So it’s to run into adverse criticism on most of the occasions. Nobel Committee could have easily averted such an unpleasant outcome by awarding this prize to some other person nominated for this award.

Discourteous!

Renaming Rajarhat township as Jyoti Basu Nagar:
It's heartening Rajarhat township has been named Jyoti Basu Nagar after Shri Jyoti Basu, the longest serving Chief minister of any state in India and the founding member of CPM Politburo who passed away last January.On this occasion a function was held at Rajarhat and it was attended by a large number of people from all sections of the society irrespective of their political faiths and affiliation.What's most unfortunate not a single leader of Trinomool attended the meeting though they were invited.In fact,there's reportedly a standing instruction from the TMC supremo that none of her party would attend any function or meeting organised or convened by the ruling party.What a discourteous stand it is! What would our young generation learn from such leader who aspires to rule the state?Would not they learn to give a go-by to all decency and decorum?This Culture of discourtesy is her contribution to the state which has never seen it before.What's most alarming if such things continue progress of our state will continue to suffer a serious set back as it is doing now.

More sinned against than sinning!

Governing body of La Martinier school has taken correct decision. They've decided they'd take no punitive action against the teachers who have been accused of awarding corporal punishment to Rawla who happened to have committed suicide later on.No clue has been established that corporal punishment led to boy's suicide.Now the matter boils down to the fact three teachers along with the Principal were arrested and subsequently released on personal bond as because awarding physical punishment to student is a cognisable offence.Such routine or mechanical use of this law would do more harm than good to the students.It'll be difficult for teachers to enforce discipline in class room.There are many pupils who're by nature naughty and mischievous.To tame them only by counselling is not possible.In their cases harsher measures are warranted and otherwise they'll not only spoil themselves but spoil others too.But after La Mart episode, teachers would not even dare chide a boy lest he could commit suicide.If teachers are often grilled for taming an unruly element in a class,how would the head of the institution run the institute properly?It's high time we could pause and ponder over the matter seriously and dispassionately.I think teachers are being more sinned against than sinning.

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Arrest of Teachers!

Awarding corporal punishment to students is nothing new in our education system.Rather it's an age old practice.It's very sad Rawla committed suicide after being canned by the headmaster who also canned two other boys along with him for playing truant.Other students however didn't take the punishment as seriously as Rawla.In fact those who commit suicide are not in normal frame of mind.Perhaps so was Rawla.Headmaster begged appology for canning and promised not to use cane ever in life.Had he known Rawla was so sensitive a boy perhaps he would not have puunished him this way.After all he'd no bad intention.Why other three teachers behaved roughly with the boy as alleged is difficult to understand.Was the boy himself very unruly or mischievous?How was it conclusively proved canning led to suicide?Now on teachers would be afraid of chiding a student even under compelling situation lest he or she could be so hurt as to commit suicide.The whole episode is unfortunate!

Denying Justice!

"Who's delegated Power to Partha Chatterjee, leader of the opposition to deny dispensation of justice by human rights commission to people for a reasonable period of time?This question arises because he boycotted the meeting convened by govt to select members of human right commission and suugested to get the members selected by the new govt,perhaps taking it for granted TMC is coming to power,to be formed only a few months from now.How could he behave like self-appointed guardian of people?Due to his boycott information commission is also defunct denying people's rigt to informaton.Why would people suffer for his party's noncoperation with govt?Why should he not behave like a responsible opposition leader in the interest of the public?"

Mass Murder In Midnapore!

Mamata Banerjee requires a share of sizable number seats in Jungalmahal where CPM hold sway to ensure win in assembly polls. To achieve her end she, though a cabinet minister and a party to the collective decision of deployment of central forces at Jungalmahal,is clamouring to withdraw joint forces. Incidentally, PM says the Maoists are the biggest internal threat to our country. What’s more, after sustained efforts the joint forces have achieved at least moderate success and the Maoists are on back foot in Junglemahal.But she plays down the success and fabricates the story of mass murder in Midnapore by CPM and state police. What’s interesting, PCPA’s come forward to corroborate her views. They’ve even added they would give evidence if CBI enquiry is made as demanded by her. Such spontaneous overture of PCPA to come to establish Didi’s contention of mass murder in Midnapore might raise eyebrows among political circles and helps lend much less credence to Didi’s claim. In fact no other source, police or administrative, has yet vindicated the claim. That apart, CPM might find it convenient to tag her party with the Maoists once again. Of late, Didi’s continuous slapping of perpetration of crime on a particular political party has blunted her edge of attack as people have got accustomed to it. So it’s time she could attack her opponent some other way.

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Mamata's Uphill Mission!

The more hill people would pin hope on Mamata, the more they would pin her down late on. Most of the leaders in mainstream politics in the state are their eye sores, it’s Mamata’s turn to be so to them. Due to her Charisma, Mamata pulled crowd, so did people receive her with all verve and zeal.Neatas met her with expectation that she could get their grievances redressed. But their nature of problem is so that no body could solve it. In this regard Mamata would prove no exception. So their initial exuberance would not take much time to ultimately reduce to utter disappointment.Jaswant Singh garnered their overwhelming support by holding aloft the false hope that their dream of separate Gorkha land would come true. But Mamata’s a seasoned politician, she won't ever give them such hope as it'd adversely affect her vote bank in the plane. She might give them some assurances in other matter. But except offering a new train for them, she’s nothing to do at present and in future too. So her mission ends where it starts.

Just in light vein only!

(1)Didi at Cambridge!
Son: Dad, Didi has been invited by Cambridge University to deliver lecture.
Dad: What a great fall thy cantabrigians!
Son: If Laluji can deliver lecture at Oxford University, why not Didi at Cambridge?
Dad: Laluji delivered lecture in rustic Hindi which no body could understand(despite interpreter’s best efforts) while Didi would lecture in English which people might misunderstand.

(2)Commonwealth Games!
Son: Dad, why did the organizers of Common wealth games start preparation so late making mess of every thing at the last moment?
Dad: They’ve done it intentionally, my boy.
Son: Why dad?
Dad: Due to mismanagement the best athletes would pull out and our athletes would hold sway!

(3)Expiry date:
Customer: This medicine has no expiry date.
Pharmacist: Don’t worry it’s very long expiry date. You can take it till you expire.

Playing ducks and drakes with nation’s prestige!

Commonwealth Gammes
A few months ago it started with the complaint of rampant corruption going on in Commonwealth village. The organizers were alleged to have been squandering away money at their sweet will. They’re now accused of playing ducks and drakes with the honour of our country. Our heads hang in shame before the wolrd.It’s not yet certain how many prospective participants would withdraw their names from the games for the ugliest possible arrangements in games village. Foot bridge collapsed, false ceiling gave way, dogs left their foot prints on participants’ bed, and the toilets were soiled by outsiders. Are they not sufficient to give one an impression about games village? Who can guarantee the roofs of the indoor games venues or hurriedly constructed stadium wouldn’t collapse during play? So it’s very likely the participants might suffer from a sense of insecurity . What’s most deplorable, organizers try hard to play down their lapses and pose as if nothing unusual has happened. If more performers continue to withdraw their names, the Commonwealth games would lose all gloss and finish as a dull and drab event. What’s more, in future India will be denied all opportunities to host any mega event. Only a few days are left for the games to take off, now Prime minister’s personal intervention is unlikely to make any difference.

Mass murder!

Mowing down elephants
Incident of seven elephants being run over has been truly termed ‘mass murder’ in some section of press. The driver of the goods train could have averted the situation by slowing down the speed of the train while passing through the forest as earlier too elephants were run over on railway track in the forest. The driver in fact did nothing to save the animals as if he took it as a game. Perhaps he was testing how many elephants he could mow down at one go. What’s sad, Railways have not taken it seriously. Nor has Railway minister herself regretted such a tragic incident. State govt has rightly filed an FIR against the Railways for this ‘mass murder’. It’s high time forest department and railway authorities could sit together to find a way out so that such an incident might not recur in future.

Bidding farewell to courtesy!

It’s unthinkable that Chief minister of the state was not invited to a function presided over by the President of India. Yes, Mamata Banerjee displayed how it could be done. In an inaugural function of Metro Railways presided over by the President of India Mrs. Prativa Patil, the Railway Minister Miss. Mamata Banerjee invited all her party leaders including the ministers of states in union ministry and the mayor of Kolkata Municipal corporation but meticulously left out the ministers of the state govt including even the Chief minister of the list of the invitees. Thus she proudly exhibited how one can give a go-by to all decency and decorum , let alone abide by protocol, if any. She’s well aware the project can’t completed unless state govt extend their co-operation. Miss. Banerjee aspires to be the chief minister of the state and we’re ashamed we’d have a Chief minister without minimum sense of courtesy and for whose uncivilized behaviour our head hangs in shame to people of other states of our country.

Teaching, the most hazardous job!

Turbulent Students’ movement is nothing new in our state. Now students go in for agitation at the drop of a hat. Issues are not wanting too. Any minor issue is enough to make it blow out proportions.Gheraoing authorities for hours together to coerce them to concede to their demand has now been a commonplace incident. Sometimes teachers are gheraoed enbloc too. For this turbulent behaviour of student authorities can’t impose discipline in the campus or in any institutions which might ultimately benefit the students. Sometimes things have gone to such a pass students consider the teachers and authorities as their class enemies. Now each and every issue big or small is some way or other politicalised, thanks to the instructions from party offices

The management is also not Caesar’s wife. They’re on the contrary more politicalised than students. They seldom come to consensus of opinion on a certain issue and this division among them stand in good stead for students. It’s seen in most agitations in academic institutes students make the last laugh and management has to concede a lot. Take the cases of ragging in engineering colleges. Management routinely declare every year with much ado that raggers would be prosecuted, but ragging is going on almost unabated and instances of meting out punishment to raggers is few and far between, except in extreme cases. In short, the students hold sway in most of the academic institutions and any resistance from the management against their wrong doings meets with greater resistance from students so that management have to retreat ultimately.

General lawlessness ,violence ,impatience and intolerance that now prevail in all spheres of our society have their impact on students’ movement. So we often see educational institutions assume the look of battle fields during students’ union elections. But what happened at Herambachandra college, Kolkata in the name students’ movement is really horrifying. A student sprinkled petrol on the principal of the college to burn him alive. The student poured petrol on his body too for self immolation. Luckily police interfered in time and a macabre incident could be averted. The issue was admission to college. However, the Christian teacher in Kerala was not that lucky as the principal of Herabachandra college. His palm was chopped off for setting a question that allegedly hurt the religious sentiment of a particular community. If such is the trend of students’ movement the days are not far off when teaching would prove to be the most hazardous job one has ever faced.

In jest!

(1)Wooing voters!
Son: Dad, why has Didi compared Rahul to Cuckoo bird?
Dad: Cuckoo is a seasonal bird, it comes in Spring. Similarly Rahul too comes here before election to woo voters.
Son: Rahul also could have compared Didi to Crow.
Dad: Why, my son?
Son: As she cries herself hoarse all the year round to woo voters.

(2)Buddha said!
Son: Buddha said ‘if his party could come to power’. Did he mean LF would lose in assembly polls?
Dad: No. He’s been misunderstood by media, my son. Buddha deeply believes in democracy. He meant to say with all modesty ‘if his party could come to power with people’s mandate’. Unfortunately, his humility has been misread as his weakness.However,he’s today dispelled the misconception by saying his party would surely come to power.

(3)Commonwealth Games!
Dad: See, participants are coming to our country for Commonwealth Games. But they’re not at all satisfied with the arrangements made in Commonwealth Games village.
Son: How can they expect the facilities of cities in a village, dad?

In jest only!

Problem of plenty!
(1)Quitting Rlys!
Son: Dad, why is Didi asking for advancing the date of assembly elections?
Dad: The way train accidents are taking place regularly, Didi’s trying to quit
Railway ministry as early as possible. But unless she becomes chief minister, how can she quit railways?

(2)Problem of plenty!
Son: Dad, do you think now Congress is suffering from leadership crisis?
Dad: There’s no crisis of leaders in Congress, my son.On the contrary, Congress is suffering from problem of plenty. There’re too many leaders in congress!

(3)Honour killing!
Son: Rahul Gandhi is harping on alliance without killing honour in assembly poll. Do you think Didi will give Congress that honour?.
Dad: Of course not!
Son: Then?
Dad: Congress will die with dignity!

Alliance with dignity!

Alliance with dignity is a difficult proposition
Perhaps Mamata Banerjee is laughing up her sleeves when Manas Bhuinya in utter exuberance compared Rahul Gandhi with Shri Krishna probably meaning saviour of Congress and claims no-alliance with Trinomool in assembly polls unless they pay proper respect to his party. In earlier elections Congress had to completely surrender to Trinomool and played to their tune. In many instances of seat sharing congress’s justified demand was ruthlessly trampled down by Trinomool Supremo.But the party tolerated the humiliation apparently with good grace perhaps to see CPM routed in polls. Yes, CPM faced electoral debacle, but at state level congress was not in any way benefited, nor did it get proper respect from Trinomool after Lok Sabha poll.Hoewever, at Central level congress was complacent with Left’s strength being reduced significantly, though it does not feel very comfortable with Trinomool as its major ally in parliament particularly for mercurial temperament and unpredictable nature of its supremo.More often than not she put UPA on the spot for her unbridled utterances and actions. In civic polls Congress couldn’t forge alliance with Trinomool and it did not make the latter loser in a significant way. On the contrary in absence of alliance Trinomool could assess its strength much to its satisfaction. One might argue in civic polls only 17% electorate exercised their franchise, so it couldn’t reflect the verdict of the whole electorate. But nevertheless the poll results more or less reflected general popular swing in favour of Trinomool Congress.So whatever Manas Bhuinya says or how many times Rahul Gandhi visits Bengal, in Assembly elections which are only a few months away Mamata Banerjee would say the last word in seat sharing .If Congress sticks to its so-called concept of ‘honour’ and ‘dignity’ there’ll be no electoral alliance in assembly polls, which perhaps Sonia Gandhi wouldn’t afford to bear with and Congress would go back to square one as in Lok Sabha polls.

Rotting of Food Grains

Supreme court’s suggestion to distribute huge quantity of food grains rotting due to lack of storage facilities among the poor is quite humane. But in such a sensitive issue it’s unbecoming of no less a person than our Prime minister to openly contest the SC’s jurisdiction to offer such a suggestion to the executive. May be, SC’s has transgressed its right in issuing order to the executive, though it’s a debatable point, it remains true that administration is accused of rotting million tons of food grains simply because of their faulty planning or indifference to ensure adequate facilities for storing them. Isn’t it inhuman to let million tons of food grains rot while millions of people in our country go unfed or half fed? Isn’t it unfortunate that our Prime minister becomes highly critical of judiciary with out being self critical for such utter negligence of the executive? We people like to see an administration with human face!

An Inhuman Act!

Teacher's palm chopped off and then sacked
It’s unbelievable that such Talibanism like chopping off the palm of a Christian teacher and then dismissing him from service for setting up a question that allegedly offended Islam in the most literate state like Kerala.It indicates fundamentalists are so powerful in Kerala that the college authorities instead of awarding exemplary punishment to the miscreants punished the victim instead. What’s most interesting local church lent support to the decision of college authorities, perhaps afraid of the fundamentalists. College authorities by their arbitrary action against the concerned teacher are accused of aiding and abetting fundamentalist activities in a secular country like ours and so deserve punishment.Govt can’t ignore such a barbaric incident simply because such colleges are not under its direct control and it should take appropriate action against perpetration of such heinous crime in the larger interest of the society.

Land to Land On!

Land aquisition Bill
It’s land that has given Mamata political land to firmly stand on. So she’s the last person to compromise on land issue. Central Govt reluctantly obliged Mamata to leave the bill in the cold storage for long. However, such an important bill which is in fact the vehicle of develovelopment can’t be left in the cold for long. So now it’s been taken out for reconsideration. But Mamata likes to have the bill drafted anew to incorporate her own suggestions. However, some of her suggestions can’t be accommodated in the bill for practical difficulties. First of all she advises land can’t be acquired without consent of the farmers. Does one ever expect that all the land owners would unanimously give their consent to give away their land particularly when a reasonably large tract of land is required? It’s very likely some of the land owners would always object to parting with their land at least for emotional attachment or for political reasons making whole land procurement drive a futile exercise. So land acquisition bill should incorporate a provision that a farmer must be obliged to give his land in greater public interest( of course against hand some compensation).Secondly, her suggestion that for private players govt would have no say in acquisition of land. This part is also impractical. In absence of govt’s intervention private players may purchase land at any site convenient to them but inconvenient to public. That apart they may purchase multicrop land if it suits their interest paying a lucrative price to the farmers. It might adversely affect our food production too. This system would also give the land sharks free run as was found in Vedic Village land row. So even for procurement of land for private parties Govt should have a significant role to play. In considering land acquisition bill all political parties should consider the hard realities and refrain from playing to the gallery with an eye to the vote bank.

To Editor,TOI

Story of an innocent girl
Your story(Note of thanks from girl who won over pain,Sept 11) on the girl extending her gratitude in her hand drawn card to the Railway minister and the members of the Railway board for care and attention she received after she was injured in Jnaneswari Express train accident engineered by PCAPA, a frontal organization of Maoists that recently actively organized Railway minister’s meeting at Lalgarh is really fascinating.Sad,the girl’s one hand was amputated and she drew the card with another hand in good faith. What’s sadder perhaps little does the innocent girl know Railway minister as well as the Railway board were reluctant to lodge even FIR against the prime suspect PCAPA for whom she had to lose her hand and tried to pass the buck to a particular political party . Now they exhibit her letter of gratitude as a proof how carefully they handled the cases of persons injured in the accident. Shame!

Rahul the Saviour of Congress?

Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the state ended yesterday with much ado. Madly and medley crowd thronged him. Fortunately for Mr. Gandhi they came in thousands to have a glimpse of him and fewer came to hear him intently. Those who came to listen to what he liked to say went back certainly dejected.However,those who came to see him were satisfied with his good and glamorous look, though not as good and glamorous as his father. What’s most important, he needs much of grooming to make a mass leader. He’s not a prolific speaker either. He needs to be more knowledgeable too. His father however, mastered the art of speaking in astonishingly record time. In oratory Rahul is neither impressive in form nor in content. His two-in-one India concept-one India for the rich and another for the poor has been hackneyed .Many refer to such phrase while referring to shocking and abominable social and economic disparity in our country. However, Rahul used it in the context of Bengal where rich Bengal belongs to CPM and poor Bengal to others who’re denied the bare necessities of life to whip up the anti-govt sentiment. But such utterances sound silly, cheap and lack of intelligence particularly for one who might be once the Prime minister of India.

In Bengal, Congress is fragmented and in total mess. It’s sad that a century old national party like Congress has to play the second fiddle to Trinomool Congress, a party of yesterday. Those who think Rahul Gandhi could rejuvenate Congress and it will earn the strength to go in for honourable seat adjustment with Trinomool in the coming assembly polls perhaps live in fools’ paradise. Whatever way the things start, it’s more or less certain that Congress would ultimately stoop to terms and conditions Trinomool would dictate in seat adjustment.Rahul or no Rahul it’s the hard reality for Congress.

Employment from Sabotage Quota

Perhaps never before train journey was as unsafe as now. Not a single day passes without remarkably untoward incident happening with the Railways. It might range from a major accident or an arising of a situation that betrays possibility of an accident to a daring robbery. No passenger feels safe on way to his or her destination. However, the Railway Minister attributes all these incidents to act of sabotage and saboteurs are chief ruling party, she hints at. She’s adopted the easiest way to lessen Railways’ responsibility in this matter by ‘sabotage’ or ‘conspiracy’ theory. To make her claim more convincing she’s also promised employment in railways if somebody helps track down the saboteur. She’s as if opened a new quota called Sabotage Quota for employment in Railways. What’s unfortunate, there’re few takers of her theory. Though sabotage is there as it was in case of Jnaneswari Express Tragedy, but all incidents are not results of sabotage. In most of the cases, railways’ ill maintenance and callous management lead to untoward incidents. Introduction of new trains almost daily without caring if the existing infrastructure is worthy of bearing the burnt of new load, shortage of man power and lack of modernization of railway net work contribute to present deplorable state of Indian Railways. Railway minister should see reasons, admit to what’s exactly going wrong and address them as early as possible without going into squabbles with her political adversaries as it’s the matter of life and death for million people who use Railway services.

Assault on Press

Assault on the journalists is always condemnable.Infact, attack on reporters become immensely counterproductive for the cause such attack is mounted. A party or people behave such a way when their interest is jeopardized by exposure by media or their cause is wrongly or biasedly presented. In the present case at Jungalmahal a particular section of press was perhaps attacked to prevent their efforts to prove that claim of a particular political party that they’ve no armed camps at Lalgarh is baseless. In fact, for the party concerned had no alternative other than desperately resist the reporters to proceed further as otherwise it might prove disastrous for them.

Armed Camps in Jungalmahal

It’s likely CPM has armed camps at Jangalmahal as P.Chidambaram has said without naming of course CPM.CPM is infact the prime target of the Maoists as is evident in almost daily killing of CPM men at Jungalmahal. So it’s no wonder CPM might take up arms for self defence.True, unauthorized possession of arms is not permissible under law, but for self defence to carry arms is not at least an immoral act. In fact, joint operation of joint forces and the armed CPM cadres whom political opponents call Harmads yielded some positive results as is evident in surrender of Maoists to the administration and marked decline in surprised Maoists’ attacks on joint forces. Though participation of armed CPM in propaganda against the Maoists is unethical and not legally admissible, still there’s nothing unfair in war as Govt has virtually declared war against the Maoists.

Just in lighter vein!

(1) Match fixing!
Son: Dad, why is so much hue and cry over money spent in match fixing?
Dad: Why not, my son? It’s a grave offence and punishable under law!
Son: But in our country it’s no offence, rather it’s a well recognized profession ,Dad.
Dad: It’s also a cognizable offence in our country too, my boy.
Son: It can’t be dad! Many leading newspapers and organizations charge hefty amount for match fixing!

(2)Suicide!
Son: Why do people now prefer to commit suicide at metro rail rather than at surface rail?
Dad: As train comes on time at metro stations, my boy.
Son: So what, dad?
Dad: See delayed arrival of trains are normal for surface railways and it might change the mind of the person who’s decided to commit suicide.

(3)Diabetic!
Son: Dad, Indian express reported when Didi was having refreshment from a sweet shop on her way back from Lalgarh rally the truck dashed against her pilot car.
Dad: Yes, my son.
Son: Why did the driver lose control of the truck? Did the brake fail or had he any ill motive?
Dad: See, it was later known the driver, a Sarderji was a diabetic.
Son: So what?
Dad: You know diabetic patients have irresistible desire for sweets. So all his eyes were glued to Didi’s sweets and he lost control of the truck.