Who will be Raj Thackarey's next target? Amitabh Bachchan?

When I first heard about Raj Thackarey and his gang's hatred campaign, I felt kind of disgusted with being an Indian. Not because I happen to be a North Indian who has lived in South and West India for last few years and made a life and career here. But a disgust at what is India finally coming to? Years ago, a section of Sikhs, demanded Khalistan, a separate state for Sikhs, separate from Hindus and India. I was too young at that time to remember anything. But my maternal grand-parents, uncles, and aunts were settled in Punjab at that time. All I have heard of the Hindu killings is from them and from my own parents. After a while even Sikhs were not spared. The terror had to be unleashed. The terror stopped recognizing the purpose it was started for.

The point is, isn't Raj Thackarey a terrorist in his own right to do what he did in a unified country, India? And one entrance examination may just be the beginning. Mumbai's biggest, most popular industry is Bollywood and the guy who rules it - a straight off Uttar Pradesh export! So, going by Raj Thackarey's logic, Amitabh Bachchan should expect a murderous attack or atleast expect being expelled from Mumbai.

 

 

New Era with Obama, My New Blog, and Whatever!

Obama became the President-elect from being the most globally popular US Presidential Candidate last week while U.S soldiers at a faraway Post near landai River in Afghanistan prepared for yet another attack. I was still jubiliant with Obama's win. Not because I felt he could make a difference. Because I think it's people like him, who need to be elected all around the world. It's people like him who draw the right combination between intellectualism and street-smartness. I was watching a video of his appearance on Ellen's Halloween show. He danced. And yes, he dances really well. I am sure he danced right into the hearts of many young Americans. Contrast that to the way he collected the economists in his first news conference after becoming the President-elect and the way he kept himself to short, crisp answers to all questions. It was an intelligent street-smart thing to do. 'I  got a band of qualified people to get past the crisis and this is the time I will bounce you around and not give you any details but you can still trust me. Coz' I got all these people with me right here, working on important issues.'

Now don't get wrong ideas. I am not criticizing him or the news conference. There are no clearcut right ways to deal with the US economic crisis. and all measures will take their time to show any measurable impact. Without understanding that, if we just try to make a Superhero out of a man and expect answers and results for everything then it's not going to help anyways. So, Obama did a smart thing by taking just the first step, that is of getting the right people, in his first public appearance. 

In fact, there was the interesting article in nytimes today about how people who are rejoicing around the world can really be partners in changing the world, in bringing the new era that Obama's win promises. I don't support all the views in this article but what I liked was the attitude. If you give me ownership to solve the problems of the world, then help me solve them as well. Do whatever you can within your powers but don't make a hero out of me. I don't need your love and awe. I need your support to do what you think only I can do. You can read this article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/opinion/09friedman.html?em

Anyways, this is my first post on this blog. I had another blog on another site. Most of what I wrote there was like a personal diary stuff! It's a new world of Obama and Web 2.0. A world that's got place for things and views beyond our own life and platforms to share it all. So, I too start a new life in the new era.