Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Tribune-Chatterati-29th November.10

"Some politicos richly deserve praise!"

Our politicians are not as rich as they seem. The richest Member of Parliament at the moment is Praful Patel. His wealth has nothing to do with politics. In fact Praful is the “beedi” king of the country. So he was a successful business man even before he entered politics. Jyotiraditya Scindia’s the Maharaja of Gawlior’s wealth is all ancestral. What amazes me is the lifestyle of our “Netas”. Sharad Pawar is much poorer than his other state leaders like Praful Patel and Murli Deora. A. Raja the head of a telecom scam has only a crore or so. Mamata Banerjee is the poorest of the lot. Senior minister like Kamal Nath has brought a Nano car while our defense minister A. k. Anthony had to borrow money from a bank to buy a second hand wagon .R. one does wonder of all these scams one hears off so often. If they are true then where do they put their money? Does the government of India know? Does it mattes because as a new scam come to light the old one moves away from the headline. It is also good to know the assests of several ministers to see that most of them are really not rich at all.

"Life cycle of scams"

Scams and scandals, tapes and taps, theft and trickery, all there and more have dominated the capitals chatter circuit for the last few months. It just does not seem to stop. Yet it follows a some what pathetic life cycle of its own. An expose or an exposion followed by preventing a public anger, fuelled by a media circus. Then comes governments delayed and often apologetic response, a promise of action and some minor punishments for those caught in the live light. A few months of being treated as tainted and then it’s back to normal. The tainted and the painted, the pathetic losers unite around their favourite watering spots again and life is back to a new semblance of reality for those who survive the onslaught and manage to retain the loot. Whether it’s the CWG mess, the ‘adarsh land scams’ the, ‘housing collapse’ or the ‘media gate’ exposes, this pattern seems to repeat itself. Most of the time it is the ‘little guy’ who is caught and punished. The big guys after all are a part of the establishment and must come back to prop up the barl. The moment one scandal rocks the situation an earlier one get a convenient burial. But beneath all this there may well be a flood of public anger which we don’t see yet. The public will often wait to settle scores, not just once but even twice, as the Bihar elections and the destruction of scams fuelled Lalu seems to prove.
The BJP is on a high and in a mood to celebrate. And rightfully so. The victory in Bihar has given them a new life. It is amazing how the young leaders of BJP like Arun Jaitely and Nitin Gadkari are articulate and above all. That gives them the moral ground to talk on any matter eloquently. After the Bihar landslide victory, on 3rd of December in Nagpur there will be more celebrations. The BJP president’s son Nikhil is getting married there and a lot of invitations seem to have gone out. Gadkari does not forget to ask everyone personally in town, if they have received the card. The card very clearly says’s that no presents and no bouquet’s not that people will adhered to that. If you happen to attend a wedding in Delhi you actually end up feeling bad at the waste of beautiful flowers lying around crushed at one end of the stage. So, it is literally ladoo time for the BJP and its allies even though some of the senior leaders are diabetic and Nitin is always trying to say that he needs to diet.

The Pioneer-Dilli-billi-28th.November.10

“The Collapse of a building in east Delhi has yet again pointed towards unscrupulous builders”

This is not the first time that a building has collapsed in Delhi and that the blame game started between the Delhi administration and the MCD. It is unfortunate and extremely sad at the way lives are lost and people are left handicapped for life. Money is announced by the government for the families who have lost a dear one. That I find again is a joke. In this recent building collapse a seven year old was left an orphan how much money will be enough to compensate for his lonely life and secure future.
Around 60 deaths on the whole. The occupants were mainly migrants from Bengal and Bihar. In some rooms a dozen lived in a room. There is no way you can stop these migrants as they are looking for work and prosperity as they come in the town. The unauthorized buildings and various constructions crop up everywhere under the eyes of the authorities. There is no checking on safety norms followed in most of these buildings. The question that comes in everyone mind is, Is their a way to stop this illegal construction. It is the same old answer to it we have to stop bribe and start punishing the guilty. Who either shut their eyes or are paid in large amount to pass the plans of the building, also not to visit the site, or to check the material that is being used. Savy builders are hand in hand with the corrupt officials who break all rules and regulations. Corruption is so seeped in our system that we all have in a way just given into it. The builders are happy, the occupants are happy till the disaster occurs and in most cases the politicians are silent either because he has a share in loot or look s at some kind of vote bank.
It is high time that the “Jungle Raj” of these builders stop. The Prime minister and the Supreme Court is on a cleaning up of these corrupt tribes they should take stern actions. Whoever is involved in it should also be punished. We are proud of the growth rate of the country but such incidents do point to the systematic failure of governance planning and regulations. We do need to punish the municipal and the other officials involved. This leaves a bad taste in our daily lives. It is the poor who suffer. If it was a building of the rich or famous. What a rakus would have been created?
It is an eye opener if one visits these clustered colonies. You look around and see open cable electricity wires and get scared. Gutters are lying open and the roads have holes which can be a death trap for anyone. There are municipal officials and local politicians who can not see all of this? They choose to be blind, deaf and dumb. They are all of course hand in glove with the builders who build these blocks. No, checking of the material used is ever done. Illegal floors are constructed in front of all. Why they are not sealed or pulled down there and then? Why a notice is not given to them at that moment? Isn’t it high time that the top officials of the government strike now on these killers? Should they not check the track record of these builders? Some of them are even black listed but then bounce back and we all know how. Well, it’s a shame and an early action which is followed up should be one remedy for sure.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Pioneer-Dilli-billi-21 Nov

"Weed out the corrupt"

The BJP and the Congress should not be taken for a ride by their coilation partners

Thanks to the media, it is not only the common man who gets to know about the various scams in the government but it seems even the high up’s in power get to know from the same medium. It is the media which make the public aware and the opposition to make noise about the leaders involved in the corruption cases. I can not; for one minute believe that the high command does not know what is going on in the different ministries. I am sure that through various agencies they do get their reports. If not then, they must be some thing really wrong with the system. And it needs to be put right immediately. Why t a spectacle is made by delays in pulling up the slimy ones. All corrupt members involved are left till the last minute to take action. It is absurd. If the media knows then the public has an inclination of things happening too. The journalist knows it but, how come the head-of -government does not know? It is a shame that when we have a whole lot of clean, experienced and capable senior’s at the helm of affairs we have to face these embarrassing situations. Parliament is stalled. Media goes hoarse crying about corruption charges as we are becoming a laughing stock world over.


Asking the resignation of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra was an excellent move by the Congress. Suresh Kalmadi was thrown out after the Obama visit. Would it not have been better if, without the media making noise when corruption is so much on the face the high command should take action as soon as they realize that the politicians are making so much money so that it can set a standard? Half these leaders claim that the money they make in their respective states is handed over to the leaders in centre. Are they saying its kind of “Hafta Vassoli”. But the Congress has made sure that once their leaders are caught they are thrown out. So, the clever ones remain while the clumsy ones go. There are of course bigger fish who go untouched. Infact they get promotions.


But it is amusing; to the common man when the BJP chief ministers are openly corrupt. If we look into Karnataka who can be more bluntly corrupt then the ‘Reddy’ brothers with, who the BJP leaders dine and wine with. BJP leadership is blind to their charges. The BJP does have so many clean yet capable Chief Ministers. Jayalalitha talking about corruption is a joke. DMK I am sure has a whole library on her. We have today nearly all leaders of various regional parties with some corruption story or another. Except Mamata Banerjee the Lalu’s and Paswan’s all of them are the same.

We have a clean P.M with many clean senior ministers. So, why do they have to tolerate corruption? Its all for power. The problem of coalition politics. So, it’s better for the Congress and BJP the major two national parties to go alone in the elections now. It will be easier for them to win back their carde and vote banks. But a couple of more scams of their regional partners and the now aware public will want single party rule soon. So, it’s best to let these regional leaders make a nuisance of themselves and then strike. They really do not need to be so power hungry and should not let the Raja’s, Maya’s, Jaya’s blackmail them.

The Tribune-Chatterati-22nd Nov.10

“Stars at big, Fat Dilli shaadis”

Shaddi time is always fun time for “Delhities”. Delhi being a cosmopolitan city we have all kind of weddings here. The expenditure of a wedding can vary from a thousand rupee’s to crores. Elaborate and over the top is an understatement here. This year it seems there is a craze for Bollywood stars performing in the wedding. There is also demand for Pakistani gazzal and sufi singers. Recently, we had the not so busy star like “Ameesha Patel” perform. Singer Sunidhi Chauhan in fact acted pricey and so arrogant at a sangeet even though she had charged a large amount for her performance. The host had to ask her to leave with out performing. The Gutka weddings in town were paying approximately 25 crores for stars like Katrina Kaif, Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan all there. But, the designers who dress the Bride and the Groom also get richer by lakhs. Real crystals and gold embroidery etc. It is not rare in Delhi for the bride to be wearing a lengha worth 10 to 15 lakhs. The card itself for these wedding cost anyway between 15 to 20 thousands. It is amazing that while the rich have so much to spare, the poor in India hardly afford one decent meal a day. Witnessing all this even though India is on a rise economically, I would still support the Indira Gandhi regime rule of serving four kinds of potatoes and simple marriages with limited baraaties.

“Builders’ jungle raj”

This is not the first time that a building has collapsed in Delhi and that the blame game starts between the Delhi administration and the MCD. It is unfortunate and extremely sad at the way lives are lost and people are left handicapped for life. India may be emerging as a large economic power in the world but, we have a lot of poverty.
A six storey building in which 200 hundred people lived where around 80 died were occupants mainly migrants from Bengal and Bihar. Some had dozen’s living in one single room. There is no way you can stop these migrants as they are looking for work and prosperity as they come in the town. We are all aware of the fact that the unauthorized buildings and various constructions crop up everywhere. As a result of these accidents, there are orphans, widows left alone. Is their a way to stop all this? The answer to it is by stopping bribe and punishing the guilty. Officials are bribed to pass the plans, not to visit the site, or check the material that is being used? When unauthorized floors and constructions are done one wonders whether the department officials were sleeping? Corruption is so seeped in our system that we all have in a way just given into it.
It is high time that the “Jungle Raj” of these builders is stopped. At this time when the Prime minister and the Supreme Court is on a cleaning up spree of the corrupt tribes stern actions should be taken on these killers. We are proud of the growth rate of the country but such incidences do point to the systematic failure of governance planning and regulations.

“Farooq the star”

The evergreen energetic leader from Kashmir Dr. Farooq Abdullah is clearly the flavour of the season. He was the chief guest at the Godfery Phillips Bravery National Awards ceremony. This ceremony is held every year to honour the brave hearts of our society. Farooq is clearly the star at any do that he attends. The evening was anchored by film star Kabir Bedi. Here Farooq had a special word for each winner, applauded and appreciated each one individual. There was a musical recital in the capital last week were he was in full tune with the singers and was actually the star of the evening. He had everybody amused by his great sense of humour. His party M.Ps swear by him and claims that he is the best crowd and vote puller for them. He clearly is a man who is popular with all classes of people and is yet humble and grounded. He is one politician who can easily be said as not a hypocrite because his way of life is an open book and he has his fundas all clear.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Pioneer-dilli-billi-24th october.10

"Time To pat our backs"

Delhities are patting their backs for good behaviour during the CWG. They think they managed to deliver the best possible. It was a matter of great concern to all as the media went hysterical over the bad arrangements and corruption in the Organizing Committee. As usual after the 15 days of extravaganza the politicians and the public started blaming the media on how they go crazy about certain matters. But on a serious note had it not been for the media exposure would we have witnessed such an affair?

Today, we have a brand New Delhi with us. Wide roads, metro, new buses. A friend of mine who attended a lot of sport events has not stopped singing praises of the smooth sailing he had as he traveled to the stadium. He could not imagine in his wildest dream that the Police force on duty was so polite and helpful. Their uniforms and mannerism were impeccable. They were helpful and guided everyone with a smile. They were so polite yet firm. It’s surprising that there were hardly any complaint of pick pocketing or eve teasing. It was such a refreshing change to see our youth who were volunteers go about their duties with such pride. I must say the youth of this country need to be saluted for their patriotism. Well, the youth leader Rahul Gandhi along with his mother UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi returned their official tickets and bought ordinary tickets and sat with other spectators to watch the wrestling competitions. They cheered the wrestlers through the game. It was such a delight for the citizens of Delhi to witness their leaders sit amongst them as one of them. Dr. Manmohan Singh also came for some sporting events. But surprisingly his colleagues from the Cabinet and members of Parliament were no where to be seen except for the opening and closing ceremony.

On the whole of course we did a great job thanks to the PMO interfering. Sheila Dikshit taking over and the Home Minister and his team made us all proud. The public of Delhi was on their best behaviour. The shopkeeper’s courteous and reframed from over charging the tourist. No major health causalities thankfully. Let’s hand it over to the media for exposing everything in time. So, those precautions were taken in time and things went off smoothly. This also proves that we are capable of delivering as good as any other nation in the world. And above all also behaving ourselves when it comes to matters of national pride. The opening and closing ceremony were spectacular and has left us all beaming. Hopefully, the leaders in charge will gracefully take the thank you from the public. The guilty should be punished and the people who delivered should be rewarded. It was the part of the duty to deliver after spending the tax payer’s money but we really do not want to see any slanging matches in public. Let’s handle the after effects as gracefully and competently as we handled the games.

There is no use of taking credit as the whole world knows who did what. Sure, Kalmadi did his two bits but the other’s involved had to put things together or this nation would actually have been shamed world over.

Pioneer-dilli-billi-17th october.10

“She Delivered Well”
As I was driving on one of the streets in Delhi my driver commented on how clean the city was looking. This is an uneducated but responsible citizen of the capital. Delhi seems to have become a new city in the last one year there are no argument to the fact that “Sheila Dixit” has delivered. This grandmotherly lady has faced one hurdle after the other but has come out clean. She took criticism in her stride. She was positive even as the media lambasted her time and again. This is only because she was confident that the end result of the inconvenience to the public would only be temporary. This is a lady who knew her goal. This is not my observation but the observation of my driver. This is the major population of the city. The poor as the call them.

For the common man who is, the real voter has been provided all facilities possible. To a tourist Delhi now looks like the capital of the largest Democracy in the world. The metro has connected commuters from New Delhi to gurgoan with in half an hour. The new buses are air conditioned, swanky and on time. The BRT lanes which got Sheila a lot of flak from the middle class and the elite today are so happy because it is commuting without any hitches. It is Sheila Dixit who has worked with the plan and that plan worked. She has moved the Basti’s by giving them stable houses and school for their children to study. The Bhagidari programme got her lots of votes in the last elections. The ‘Ladli’ scheme also did wonders and so their is no opposition to her. She is respected with out any doubt across party lines. Taking criticism in her stride. She never let it take her away from her focused goal. There are no false promises here.


The image of Delhi has undoubtly improved thanks to CWG. I just hope that this ‘Jugaad’ work lasts. As we are all aware the work was left for the last moment. So, whether the cement was set or not top coating were plastered. Flower pots were put in the dug up pavements. Dirt and filth was hidden behind huge hoardings. Well, can this be permanent some will argue. But what we do need to see is that Delhi is new now. ‘Kacha’ or ‘Pakka’ is besides the urgency way have been three times the budget that would actually been spent in other circumstances.


Now, even as the CWG games got the flak world over Sheila had to step in last minute to take the charge. She took the challenge, got all her resources and her good will to act and delivered with in days. The saving grace has been Sheila in the end.

Pioneer-dilli-billi-3rd october.10

Will the young get a chance?

Last week I wrote in the same space about how the CWG games have become a matter of national pride and we should all do are bit to make them a success but as the games approach the callous behaviour of our organizing community has left us wondering if they really care.

I overheard a group of youngsters the other day abusing the organizing community and the government for the way these games have been handled. The younger generation is an educated lot, they have seen the world, are exposed to all kinds of things on the net sitting at home. I’m not able to answer their question as to how and why our system runs like the way it does. Some of these kids have studied abroad and sum locally, they want to know why the games were handed over to people who couldn’t deliver. And also not that they have such a great reputation. Seven years is a long time for the infrastructure to be maid. Why was everything left for the last minute? They feel that the organizing community was so busy making there own under hand deals, travelling the world with family and friends at the organization expenses. The young generation is completely in agreement with the former union sports minister Mani Shanker Iyer that these games were a sham right from the beginning. It was useless exercise. A waste of tax payers’ money which could have been used for better to better use for the poor. I’ve realized during my interaction with modern young professionals that they think that our system stinks. They would prefer a Hitler like dictator at the top. They want some one to crack the whip and punish the guilty so harshly that the others would learn a lesson. They see us day and night bribing the system. They know it’s an easy way out for us too. Otherwise your work will be stuck in the system for years. We are also lot more patient than the youth. They want instant recipes.

They are fed up as everyone else in the country of the nexus between the politicians and the bureaucrats. They have huge hopes on Rahul Gandhi and his way of politics but they are not sure that the system would allow him to emerge as he aims too. This system is full of corruption, Sleazy ways and everyone is hand in hand in this. Will Rahul be able to clean the system and get some efficiency or will the politician ruling today for there own survival will confuse and disilioun him. He is trying to set new standards. But will the others allow them to change. Rahul Gandhi is a youth today. He also must be felling suffocated in this system. Cutting across political party lines the youth all want a change. But the elders who should be retired are getting extension all the time. When will the young get a chance? When they are also old? Well, they have a stronger and more aggressive voice than we ever did. Hopefully it will work.

The Pioneer-dilli-billi-14th november

All thanks to the media


Thanks to the media, it is not only the common man who gets to know about the various scams in the government but it seems even the high up’s in power get to know from the same medium. It is the media which make the public aware and the opposition to make noise about the leaders involved in the corruption cases. I can not; for one minute believe that the high command does not know what is going on in the different ministries. I am sure that through various agencies they do get their reports. If not then, they must be some thing really wrong with the system. And it needs to be put right immediately. Why t a spectacle is made by delays in pulling up the slimy ones. All corrupt members involved are left till the last minute to take action. It is absurd. If the media knows then the public has an inclination of things happening too. The journalist knows it but, how come the head-of -government does not know? It is a shame that when we have a whole lot of clean, experienced and capable senior’s at the helm of affairs we have to face these embarrassing situations. Parliament is stalled. Media goes hoarse crying about corruption charges as we are becoming a laughing stock world over.


Asking the resignation of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra was an excellent move by the Congress. Suresh Kalmadi was thrown out after the Obama visit. Would it not have been better if, without the media making noise when corruption is so much on the face the high command should take action as soon as they realize that the politicians are making so much money so that it can set a standard? Half these leaders claim that the money they make in their respective states is handed over to the leaders in centre. Are they saying its kind of “Hafta Vassoli”. But the Congress has made sure that once their leaders are caught they are thrown out. So, the clever ones remain while the clumsy ones go. There are of course bigger fish who go untouched. Infact they get promotions.


But it is amusing; to the common man when the BJP chief ministers are openly corrupt. If we look into Karnataka who can be more bluntly corrupt then the ‘Reddy’ brothers with, who the BJP leaders dine and wine with. BJP leadership is blind to their charges. The BJP does have so many clean yet capable Chief Ministers. Jayalalitha talking about corruption is a joke. DMK I am sure has a whole library on her. We have today nearly all leaders of various regional parties with some corruption story or another. Except Mamata Banerjee the Lalu’s and Paswan’s all of them are the same.

We have a clean P.M with many clean senior ministers. So, why do they have to tolerate corruption? Its all for power. The problem of coalition politics. So, it’s better for the Congress and BJP the major two national parties to go alone in the elections now. It will be easier for them to win back their carde and vote banks. But a couple of more scams of their regional partners and the now aware public will want single party rule soon. So, it’s best to let these regional leaders make a nuisance of themselves and then strike. They really do not need to be so power hungry and should not let the Raja’s, Maya’s, Jaya’s blackmail them.

The Pioneer-dilli-billi-31st october.10

Give the same treatment

I was traveling to America after nearly twelve years and I was apprehensive and so hyper about my trip. I had heard stories of how the strict security rules there end up hassling our VIPs. So, traveling alone to New York there was a fear which I realized even the frequent visitors to America in the plane had.
As I landed in JFK airport there was no line at the immigration and must say to my surprise it was smooth sailing. I let out a sigh of relief as I got into my cab and was on my way to the Hotel in hardly half an hour. So, a happy start made me cheerful as I went about my work in New York also keeping enough time for shopping and meeting friends. As my Hotel was right in the hub of downtown the famous and fashionable Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue were hardly five minutes away. I noticed one thing immediately that the police, security personals, and cop cars with their trained dogs were every where. Obviously, this must have come up after twenty six eleven. Manhattan looked very secure and safe. So, I went about happily all alone discovering different lanes, walks to the Central Park and trying out the new popular restaurants.

As I got talking to different people I was shocked at one thing that they all had in common. They were all feeling let down by Obama. The much hyped President of the United States the most powerful man in the world has not delivered what he had promised and what he had set out for he could not achieve. The fresh young President was not experienced according to them. It was an amazing revelation for me that right from cab drivers from world over, professionals whether doctors or engineers were not happy. Bank or large company executives were not satisfied or up beat with his policies and the way he took decisions. The recession was no where near gone and the extra taxes in New York City had most essential things out of reach even for the middle class there. The tax is obnoxious even for a visitor. Unlike Europe and UK there is no VAT refund as you leave the country. So, if it’s a shopping trip to America its best to leave out New York and Los Angles and head to places nearest like New Jersey etc. Half an hour away and so much cheaper. In fact a Pakistani cab driver of mine told me that on his day off that’s what his family does. They head off to buy their essential stuff from out of New York border limit. Asians are loosing their jobs fast. The Americans go around doing their work with swollen sulking faces.

One complaint that all Indians had in common was that they were very upset and hurt when top officials and politicians of our country are at times stopped and hassled at Airport security. Whether it was George Fernandez, Shah Rukh Khan and recently Praful Patel. Some senior ministers have been asked to strip and frisked .The demand was, when American officials travel to India they should go through all our security norms and regulations.
Must say in the end I realized that our nation is progressing well and we Indians are a proud lot where ever we travel in the World today. Our Prime Minister’s policies have made sure we are a nation which is progressing steadily and confidentially. We should take offence when our respected leaders are not facilitated as we do theirs. America’s top guys should also be given the same treatment as our leaders of the country get there. Rest, Mr. Obama really needs to do some thing about his image and policies. His over hyped PR during the elections seems to have fallen flat now. The expectations were too much with the publicity and obviously it is impossible to deliver in such a short time. He needs more time and experienced people around him.

The Tribune- Chatterati-18th. october.10

After the storm, the sunshine

In the end India has won not only a hundred and one gold medals but also an applause world wide. Everything was in order. The financial mismanagement, the threat of diseases and the over bridge that collapsed was in the past. It was a complete Indian wedding being put together in a chaotic manner and as usual everything ended well. The hard work of the athletes gained a renewed interest and respect for a variety of sports away from cricket. The Pakistani delegation in the opening ceremony got applause of a lifetime. The 71 countries that participated in the two week’s fun and games went home happy and satisfied with everything. There was non-stop entertainment and excitement from the beginning till the end. The markets in Delhi were full of visitors. The one person who was booed through and through was Suresh Kalmadi. During the week, when he went for dinner at a local restaurant the crowd went hysterical and asked him to leave the restaurant. They did not want to share the space with somebody so corrupt and shameless. Everybody is now waiting and watching with interest as how Suresh Kalmadi is going to answer at the mismanagement of funds. As the country powerful and elite sat with the common man to watch the 15 days of the largest sports event that the country has ever hosted there is matter of national pride which has been saved world wide.

Social worker galore

Uttar Pradesh has the largest numbers of Social Workers elected to the Parliament. It seems all our big wig politicians like Kamal Nath, Farooq Abdullah, Bhajan Lal and Lalu Prasad Yadav are also Social Workers who have drifted into the Politics. The Member of Parliament from Andhra Pradesh who has become famous for slapping the bank manager is also a Social Worker.

This is the list of professions that the newly elected members of Parliament have given to the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The second largest numbers of members of Parliament are Agriculturists. Sharad Pawar, Deve Gowda and his sons are all Agriculturists Charan Singh’s son Ajit Singh has listed himself as Computer Scientist; the Industrialists are Praful Patel, Milind Deora and Navin Jindal. We have two Professors in Parliament Girija Vyas and Manohar Joshi. The lady speaker Meira Kumar is the only Civil Servant who has come to Parliament.

It’s a great mix in variety where Jaya Prada being from the Film Industry and what a co-incidence that Rahul Gandhi’s brigade including him are listed in the Farmer’s list. The Lawyers who are the party’s best spokesperson also are Kapil Sibal, Salman Khurshid, P. Chidambaram and Sushma Swaraj. Its an interesting list of personalities but the Social Workers take the cake.

This is truly a house whose occupants are democratically equal in wealth. Among the 55 members elected to the Rajya Sabha from 13 States, 43 are crorepaties with their average net worth being Rs. 25.24 crore. The richest of the new lot is United Breweries Chairman Vijay Mallya with Rs. 615 crore. The second time MP from Karnataka is an independent member of the upper house. MP Y. Satyanarayanayan Chowdhary from Andhra Pradesh is worth Rs. 187 crore, while MP Kanwardeep Singh has Rs. 82.6 crore in his kitty. The poorest Rajya Sabha MP is Anil Dave from Madhya Pradesh, according to a survey by the association for democratic reforms. Quite like the Lok Sabha, the upper house is not bereft of its back either, 15 Rajya Sabha MP’s have criminal charges pending against them, with six involved in attempt to murder, cheating and forgery cases. These notables cut across all party lines and belong to the Congress, BJP, TDP and NCP.

The Tribune-Chatterati-27 october.10

National Pride, taken for a ride


The CWG organization community has never had it so bad, the capital pundits are having a field day being paid for the predicting to find out if the games will be a success or not. The shoot out at old Delhi, was enough to scare the visitors from abroad. The diseases are spreading like wild fire has put everyone’s programme on hold. The day the OC opened the games village and everyone was busy giving sound bites to the media, enjoying the luxurious spread of food. There was chaos as a water fountain had burst and water came gushing. To top it the power department is now not sure about there services. The rain God’s have also not been kind as the rain have been hampering the CWG project’s progress.
The response of the CWG officials on the filthy state of the village was understandable. But Indians could not help get angry at the response from OC official saying ‘Hygiene Standards Wary’ Oops! Are we a filthy nation? We claim to be a superpower today but when will we clean the dirt in our system? Most locals have fled from the city while the others will have to wait hours long traffic jams to reach their offices.
Delhiets are felling let down, cheated and ashamed. The sleazy way of the CWG is giving the people here sleepless night. They were o.k. with spending hours in jams, with diseases spreading like wild fire; after all it was for national pride. It was an issue of every Indians pride. But what they saw on media was disgraceful after huge sums of the tax payer’s money being spent on these games what does one get. That we are a super power today but we cannot organize the games. Seven years we had to make the village stadium, roads and the bridges. Obviously too much time was spent on arranging the under hand deals and roaming the world with family and friends and left everything to the last minute. The government too is answerable for leaving the arrangements to clumsy corrupt officials. Do human live have no value? Bridges collapsing, ceiling giving way and water and mud all over the roads. The public is asking for answers but no one has any answer. Delhities are upset and fed up of the everyday chaos and the next two week will only make it worse.

A rich party!

The BJP is concerned about the disappearance of an envelope which contained money during the meeting of the executive members. The Delhi unit president even called the SHO to complain. During the last election a sum of 2.5 crores disappeared and no fuss was created. Loads of money disappearing from the political offices is not a healthy sign. And the BJP high flying Mumbai based treasure should be a worried man. A rich party no doubt where loose charge is in crores.

Didi's cyber enemy

Mamata Banerjee is an impatient angry lady at the moment. Miffed by Rahul Gandhi’s press conference in Kolkata; she has openly criticized the Congress with whom she is partners in the centre. Mamata is known for her mood swings and her temperament. These are things she can handle as she’s is on a high in Bengal. But what she can’t fathom out is the campaign against her in cyber space.” We hate Mamata banerjee” has come up all of a sudden and is getting a lot of response. As the railway minister is not net savvy her supporters have taken it upon themselves to counter this attack. A Chinese company has also hacked the official website of the Kolkata Metro railway. Our ministers should be conscious about there enemy’s inside cyberspace.

The Tribune-Chatterati-1st Nov.10

Delhi Ready To Welcome Big O

As the most powerful man in the world The President of The United States arrives in Delhi next week, the city is gearing up for his visit. He is going to be staying at The “Maurya Sheraton Hotel”, which is now out of bounds for all. The Maurya has hosted the former President George Bush and Bill Clinton. It is also Hillary Clinton’s favourite hotel. Heavy duty security personals and the F.B.I have already started making round of the places that Obama will be visiting. Mr. Obama and his much more popular wife Michelle first stop will be at ‘The Humayun’s Tomb’. The Humuyun Tomb is the 16th centaury epitome. This Mugul architecture is a world heritage site and is in good condition now, as in 2004 The Aga Khan Trust did a lot of restoring work on it. Obama’s reception in The Maurya would be done by girls dressed as “Brides” of India. The floor that Obama will be staying in has a personalized gym and the bathroom has Mother of Pearl accessories. Obama will be addressing the two houses of The Parliament where security will not allow any visitors. Michelle in the meantime will go shopping to ‘Santushti’. The favourite of all dignities. Hillary Clinton always makes a visit there. So, do all visiting elegant first ladies of all nations who have travelled to Delhi.
As India looks forward in welcoming The President of the United States, one can not help notice how the ratings of this President have fallen so low, so fast. In America where I was last week, no one, from the cab driver to a senior executive has a good word for Obama’s policies. Recession is nowhere gone and Obama really needs to thank his over hype stature made by different agencies doing his publicity and public relation during his elections. Today the once charismatic Obama’s credibility is at stake and he needs to act real fast and boldly to put his house in order.

Fashion fatigue

As the fashion week concludes in Delhi, there is obviously a fashion fatigue. For the people of Delhi it’s become an everyday affair where now numerous fashion weeks take place in a year. First it was two a year. The top once like Rohit Bal and Ashish Soni are of course the most well attended. There collection is impeccable with chic cuts, drama, attitude and panache in every show. But, in the last two years fashion week has much more to offer than just fashion shows. It’s the party’s after the shows at different pubs mostly sponsored by some liquor company which are wild and what you can call in modern language “cool”. This is where most socialites, models and the wannabe’s hang around together. Over the year’s our models are more confident and happily carry off a bikini on the ramp. There was a time when socialites were given preference over buyers to sit in the front row but now its buyers who mostly sit in the front row. As designers realize the difference. It’s also the Behenji’s in salwar –kameej and their designer bags who occupy the front row, rather than the stiff lip-ones perfectly turned out women of today. In Mumbai it is always the film stars and especially in the last two fashion shows it is the 30+ actresses who are more out of jobs like Preity Zinta and Sushmita Sen who are either sitting in the front row or are the showstoppers. Our Indian designers are no doubt of international quality but with the international brand easily available in India, they sure have very tough competition and need to work extremely hard. Fortunately there were no cat fights this time, or tantrums. The buyers and designer went off happily and content. This season one saw lots of colour, bold prints and lace with metallic really in vogue.

The Tribune-Chatterati-8.Nov.10

Time to eat, drink and make merry
The holiday mood in Delhi starts near Dussehra and the hangover from Diwali carries on for a week after. So, basically its fun time for three weeks. The Chatterati of Delhi chatted about the pending cabinet reshuffle and the visit of President Obama.The gambling scene in the capital was not so open this time but, the stakes were extremely high. It is the new rich middle class which is having a field day today. The Indian women are having a ball. Their days start from the best spa in town to have their massage. Whether it is to relax or cut cellulite to fit into their dresses in the evening. Then facials and makeup. Everyday their make-up has to match their designer dress ordered for that evening. It’s an amazing life that these bhenji’s have. They roam around in swanky big cars with bouncer like security guards, with their walky-talkies and making the occupant of the car feel and look very important. And in the evening they have a blast, Playing cards, sipping pink champagne, fully loaded with solitaires and confidence. The today’s husband’s earn and spend open heartedly. They spend over the top to get the best event managers to put together even a five table card party. They bet from luxurious cars to farm houses and even half a crore. But these party’s are very hush-hush. They do sometime call in one or two paid celebrities too.
The college going kids of the rich parents do try their hand at gambling at Diwali. If their fathers are betting ‘Bentley & Lexus’ cars then the children bet close to lakhs. They are dressed in the best international branded clothes. They know their wines etc. They are the net age and do manage to change the outlook of their parents too. So, irrespective of class, India’s economy is on high and so are the Indians. Hopefully, the visiting American delegation would have soaked in the new rich India with a positive note and flown back home with a feeling of warmth yet caution when they deal with the new confident India or Indians in the future.

Sonia wins over her detractors
As Sonia Gandhi takes over officially as The President of the Congress Party again, one can not but admires the lady. This lady keeps her cards close to her chest and nobody knows what they are she takes over for the forth time but, she has also proved that she alone is the party’s savior. The Congress party has had 71 presidents in the last105 years. Her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi took over the congress party when the party was beset with internal strife but, the party was struggling for survival. In 1998, when Sonia became party chief the congress had 146 seats. But, today after 12 years they have 206 seats. She plays her cards well and has even got her detractors back like the grand Maratha ‘Sharad Pawar’ back in her fold. The allies who showed her eyes are now forced to acknlowging her as a leader. Sonia is 63 years old today and Rahul is in no hurry to take over. So, Sonia Gandhi will carry on being the President of the largest party till Rahul Gandhi is ready to take over the Mattel. The mother and son speak mostly on inflation, and terrorism. But, they can never be accused of over speaking like most politicians.

Offbeat choice
With everyone becoming cautious about health and pollution. Delhi markets were full of healthy sweets. Available were ayurvedic Ladoos made out of 16 medicinal herbs which help in common cold and chest condition. Then there is papaya barfi which sets your stomach disorder’s and lowers your cholesterol. The aloevera halva is known for its anti-ageing qualities. The bharurani ladoo is 700/-rupees per kilo. Most of these sweets do not have sugar and are made out of jaggery or honey. So, they are good for diabetics also. In U.P. if you go pataka shopping you will find Rahul Gandhi’s rocket and Varun Gandhi’s anar and as you light up they burst into shimmer with minimal sound. But, the most amusing are the elephant bomb’s in blue. They have not been given any name but, obviously they are the “Bhujal Samaj party” but, the dabangg bombs dominate the market this year.
We are innovative no doubt.

The Tribune-Chatterati-15 november

Michelle, charm personified
It is not easy to be the wife of the President of America. The First lady has to always be perfect as she represent her country. One has been observing Michelle Obama ever since she started campaign in the U.S. elections for her husband. She comes across as a modern yet grounded and very family oriented person. On her first trip to India she floored the young and the old with ease and charm. Michelle is obviously good at dancing and so struck an immediate cord with the Indians as she spontaneously took to the floor with the right bhangra steps with the special children in Bombay. Her relationship with her husband is a pleasant change after the Clinton’s and Prince Charles and Diana. Unlike these couple’s one noticed that The Obama’s held hands, exchanged smiles and made eye contact which shows that the chemistry between them is strong. Her slick gelled hairstyle, with casual printed blouse and pumps showed great attitude and style. And much like any lady she also ran out of money shopping at the crafts bazaar. Barack Obama has a special connection with India because he is a Gandhi follower and carry’s a little Ganesha in his pocket for good luck. Michelle’s choice of bold colours like hot pink and turquoise showed her Indian touch. She may not appear porcelain perfect like a “Carla Brunei” or “Jacqueline Kennedy” but, she knows what suits her frame and skin tone best. So, she sticks to that. She is a perfect companion to the President of America as she is intelligent, articulate and chooses to support her husband. But, there is no doubt, that she is a star in herself. The guest’s at the Prime Ministers private dinner found her warm, charming, spontaneous and easy to get along with.
Delhi's ethnic scene

While Delhi is dominated by the loud and expanding or rather exploding Diwali culture it is easy to miss out on the growing impact and the influence of festival sub cultures. It is an index of both of how Delhi is growing and expanding but also of how cosmopolitan it is increasingly getting. Barely had the crackers of an unusually loud Diwali died down and hardly had the fire tenders get a chance to rest than the, Chhath puja preparations peaked up. The most auspicious festival for the Poorvanchali. Chhath puja used to be an eastern U.P and Bihar festival but is now a big local event. Big enough, politically too, since this year the BJP has demanded that a public holiday be declared for their festival too. Before the ghats can be emptied out along comes yet another festival ‘the favourite of the growing Oriya’ population and the ISKON followers. Orissa just having got itself renamed as ‘Odissa’ is also an increasingly vocal aspect of Delhi’s ethno-culture scene and demand to be heard too. In between all this one wonders whit the Diwali hangover Delhites will ever get back to work.
'kissa kursi ka'

Politics is a game of musical chairs. We have seen it literally happening all the time. One observes that in the cabinet reshuffle and chief ministers changing. One goes and the other arrives. But each one has his own good luck charms and prayers done before sitting on the chair. Recently when Obama was to address The Parliament, The M.P’s ran around looking for seats in the front rows. Subi Ram Reddy got a perfect seat but Subi being Subi could not sit still as he saw leaders and went to say his ‘Namaste’s’. As it happened his colleagues did not let any one take his seat. So, everything went well. Then came Rahul Gandhi and asked if the seat was vacant for him to sit. ‘Of course’ said the M.P’s and when Subi came back after doing his PR and he had to stand at the back till the end. ‘Kissa Kursi Ka’ is a saying Subi needs to remember in the capital all the time. The others who had tried to sit on Subi’s seat and were turned away were ‘Mohsina Kidwa’ and ‘Moti Lal Vohra’ , but Rahul, who can say no to him?