Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Delhi's experiment to curb the pollution menace: the Odd Even rules... [Dec 30, 2015]

Maxxramblings: Delhi's attempt at salvaging its purity (😉 of air) is now just hrs away.
It is highly unorthodox and the end result is highly suspect, given the city's infamous trait of producing not so law abiding, brash and bellicose citizenry. However skeptical I may be I would still proffer kudos to Mr. Kejriwal on account of attempting to tackle the bull by its horns.

But amidst all the compliments I am also wary of a few fallouts of this decision. I think, given above mentioned traits of its residents, there may be spurt of the following things happening :
  • 1. An underground cottage industry of selling fake number plates.

  • 2. Doctors being asked and some acceding to provide certificates which can be used to fake emergency.

  • 3. Wives driving their hubbies to work or wealthier folks hiring female drivers.

  • 4. Households planning for a secondary car.

  • 5. Households owning a bike as a ride for the alternate days.

    The first three cases would lead to situations where the pollution level will not drop to expected levels, whilst the last two will contribute deleterious-ly by adding more cars in the mix.

    But as we all have read (and comfortably forgotten), the popular adage 'Failure is the pillar of success', let us keep our fingers crossed hoping that if not a success itself, this attempt will server in paving other more well thought of attempts.. Coz unless u try u will never ever get out of the rut.
    Here's wishing a cleaner new year to the Delhites...
  • Tuesday, December 22, 2015

    Juvenile delinquency... the lowering of the age bar for prosecuting a teen [Dec 22, 2015]

    MaxxRamblings: Yesterday the Rajya Sabha passed the act which would help try the juvenile delinquents aged 16 - 18, for heinous crimes which is unbecoming of their age. Some say its historic, some say path breaking, epochal etc.. I say it is another example of ridiculous policy making. Absolute lack of foresight. Why? May you ask..

    I am vehemently in agreement towards punishing the guilty juveniles, but this is pathetic. Why do we have to always mend rules after a tragedy strikes? Cant we be proactive and preemptive? How does it matter here? This particular law is being framed with the Nirbhaya(Jyoti Singh) case in mind where the person in question was 17yrs 11months at the time of committing the crime.

    But what if the next rapist, serial killer, molester or terrorist is 15 yrs 11 months, would we r-amend the law to add 2 more years to it? Wake up guys, people mature differently due to genetic and environmental reasons.. If a guy can commit acts of perversion at the age of 10, try him for that... Let the court decide whether it was an deliberate and preconceived act or a on-the-spur, juvenile one.. Innocents should be spared, but perpetrators of dastardly crimes should be awarded exemplary punishments too. Especially important in a country like India, where breaking the law is a way of life and part of our daily chores..

    Thursday, October 08, 2015

    Conflicts in US and the converted citizens [Oct 08, 2015 ]

    MaxxRamblings: Was watching a news article where parents of US Marines were lamenting the numerous conflicts that the US is engaged in around the world. In the interviews I could also make out that it is predominantly the middle or lower income groups who were being represented. I inferred that maybe the rich somehow manage to keep their wards away from the wars conflicts. 

    This also made me wonder that if tomorrow the US feels its troop strength is depleted and issues a conscription mandating all naturalized citizen and Green card holders to serve the nation which is helping them shape a glamorous career, will it still be as lucrative a proposition to stay or will they make a beeline for their respective hometowns.
    Will the famed American dream still be as alluring..
    Will they be able to serve their providing country with equal zest and gusto? How is the feeling to die for a country which is not your birthplace?


    General notion says it's not possible for one to be as dedicated..
    More than anything else, Can one have 2 mothers (err.. Motherlands)  :) :) :)
    With the deteriorating political conditions between US and China nothing is impossible....What say u?

    Wednesday, September 23, 2015

    Some interesting facts about Modiji's US visit [Sep 23, 2015]

    Maxxramblings: Was watching interviews with Indian expats in the USA gathered to welcome the PM, across multiple channels. I was particularly surprised to find most of the interviewees were unable to express themselves in English and were reverting to Hindi. Significantly, most of them were businessmen and women, Curious how are they managing to conduct their business with such an handicap..

    Some interesting facts about these interviews
  • 1. Most of these expats conceded that nothing much has changed in their lives since Modi's last visit but think that lives of folks back in India has improved dramatically!!! Did it???
  • 2. Most wanted changes to the visa processes to make it smoother and easier.. Truly the PMs highest priority item, it should be, which will springboard India to the first world😅 perhaps Modiji should drill some senses into the Americans to hand out Greencards to every Indians in the US, which would solve so many global problems like the economic crises, , poverty alleviation, Swachh Bharat, black money, removing bureaucratic red tapism and improing people's lives definitely..😜  People and their wants!!!!!
  • 3. Most showered plaudits over Modi for the Make in India campaign, stating it would make the westerners make a beeline towards India, but no one mentioned about they themselves coming back 😆  Basically pack all the westerners to India and bring all the friends and relatives to the US and enjoy the American dream...  huh!!! Guys you have come to the land of opportunities, do as the original settlers did and adopt the cultures and lifestyles which it offers and dont cling to your old identities too much, if it was so good why come here at all.
  • 4. They all had pretty strong opinions about most of the hot issues in India and believe Modiji possesses the magic wand.. Interestingly, on the question of reservations a person mentioned about how the same Indians are thriving in US without the shelter of reservation. Hmm.. that is an interesting point to ponder... How long can we roll out the red carpet treatment called the Quotas? And is it really doing any good? What are the beneficiaries giving back to the community? Or are they hoarding the knowledge so that only he and his family benefit?

    This is posted in absolute jest and without any malice at all...
  • Saturday, September 19, 2015

    Netaji Documents [Sep 19, 2015]

    Maxxramblings: Today Venkaiah Naidu issued a press statement that even though the WB govt released some confidential and archived documents on Netaji, Center will not act in haste but will have to weigh in its effect on the relation with friendly countries.
    1. Doesn't the narrative sound exactly like Congress', against which the present govt raised such hell.

    2. If publishing Netaji's papers could jeopardize relationship with another country, then, it must be involved in some kind of a unfriendly and nefarious act against Netaji, which could lead to public fury. Then as per me, more than the foreign country I would like to know about the politicians or bureaucrats who were complicit to the act.
    Some light also needs to be thrown on why would that country behave antagonistically against Netaji. Ws it on someone's behest?

    3. Acc to Maj Gen Bakshi, the video of which is available in one of my previous posts (the link is also posted below), the previous govts were actively spying on Netaji's family. What prompted this needs to be disclosed.

    4. It was also alleged that the previous govts had actively underplayed Netaji's image so that he doesn't get the equal focus as the existing stalwarts. Why was this, what were they fearing?

    5. Lastly, why is the BJP govt backtracking on their poll promise?

    Link to Major Gen Bakshi's lecture on Netaji

    Monday, September 07, 2015

    NDTV program on: "A Year after the Kashmir Floods".[Sep 07, 2015]

    MaxxRamblings: Today the TRP grabber for the day for NDTV is "A Year after the Kashmir Floods".
    All through the day you see politicians, activists, separatists and common people ranting against the Government about being wronged. They complain about inadequate relief efforts in rebuilding. A youth whose marriage was stalled due to the floods last year was focused, who stated that he is yet to get married..

    I am at my wits end in understanding why are they being placed in such high pedestal where in all around the nation we have instances where nature has wreaked far greater havoc. I don't remember a revisit of a similar nature for the Tsunami victims or the innumerable cyclone weathered villages of Orissa, or the flood affected areas of Bihar and Bengal.

    Right now the channels seem to be fixated on the dark and sinister life of a Assamese woman whereas Assam is undergoing one of the worst floods of its history. When will we have more sensible people manning the studios.

    Thursday, July 16, 2015

    NE folks cry of racial intolerance in the mainland but practice the same back home.. but that is OK [Jul 16, 2015]


    Maxxramblings: Didn't quite understand who was referred to as outsiders here in this article.. If they meant Bangladeshis, who are a plague of the entire NE, it is understandable.. but if it is people from the Indian mainland, it is not acceptable.. think what would happen if Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata etc would impose a ban of similar nature... that will break down the fabric of integration on which we so very depend on (being a country of such immense diversity) and will amplify the voices of division and separatism... 
    Needless to say, such a restriction, will affect a lot of Manipuris and NE guys as well, who like anybody else flock to these places seeking for a better life, education and greener pastures in general...
    These days we see so frequently see protests and gatherings calling for end to Racism, hatred towards NE etc.. For the champions of these causes, don't see anyone protesting now... demand for equality should not be a one sided affair..

    Saturday, June 27, 2015

    Britain is becoming the favorite haven for the tyrants and corrupt bigwigs of the subcontinent [Jun 27, 2015]

    Maxxramblings: Even if I completely sidestep the ongoing controversy of BJP biggies hobnobbing with the much tainted and supposedly hunted Ex IPL supremo, Lalit Modi, i am flabbergasted by how could UK accept his petition to stay citing persecution and retribution etc. Don't the Brit immigration office bearers read news papers or do a basic background verification? A cursory glance would have revealed that this fellow is on the run from the law of the land and is seeking asylum only to avoid being put behind bars..
    Surprised at countries known for their egalitarianism and high moral values shielding such swindlers like Lalit and tyrants like Musharraf.. Money seems to open all doors..Couldn't fathom how then is it different from Dubai who had been shielding the infamous Don.. Pls understand, India is no Banana republic that people need to seek political asylum citing persecution and please refrain from turning into safe havens for criminals with deep pockets..
    And now to add to the mix we also have Mr. Mallya who too have chosen the Brit land as his place of refuge after having duped the nation of 9000 crores.  he too chose to avail the famous British hospitality (for crooks?!!!)

    Heard a saying in the streets:
    - You steal a few 100 Rupees and are caught: You will be lynched by the crowd 

    - You steal a few thousand and are caught: You will be put to jail

    - You steal a few lakhs and are caught: You may endure jail term or may get out by hiring a strong Lawyer..

    - You steal couple of crores and are caught: You would have to be in cahoots of the mid level politicians and they will help save you, by setting a commission and which will drag for ages..

    - You steal thousands of crores and are caught: You definitely are close to the political heavy weights cutting across party lines, so you get to avail the British hospitality while the politicians will do their best to kill the issue from the media and public inspection and help you enjoy a pleasant vacation... 

    Saturday, May 16, 2015

    Communist parties and Child labour in India [May 16, 2015]

    Maxxramblings: Just read a news report where CPM honcho Brinda Karat chided the PM for posing for selfies with Chinese children whereas at the same time legitimizing children above 14 to work and earn. This she implies would wreak havoc to the lives of millions of children who are already under forced labour mostly employed in the trade of Beedi making. All hunky-dory and feel good, but i have couple of points against it...

    1. What happened all this while when it was illegal to employ children below 18, why couldn't it be effectively enforced.. Isn't the accountability in question here rather than skewering a policy change.Also what about the communist ruled states, are they to be considered the beacons for labour law enforcing? No under aged workers in WB, Tripura and Kerala? Might be true for WB, since the labour itself have become redundant with all the opportunities drying up because of the left rule...

    2. So then it means that just enforcing will not help in such a large and corruption ridden nation, so why not partially legitimize it and ensure that the children get proper labour benefits..

    3. If she is so touched and moved by the plight of the children and have spoken out in the public, it only implies that she speaks for the party, in that case why would such a social evil be so rampantly prevalent in WB, a state that her party ruled for over 3 decades.

    This also holds true for most other evils like, labour militancy, unequal distribution of wealth, hoarding and creation of artificial scarcity by unscrupulous traders,money laundering by politicians, poor infrastructure, appalling health situation, over politicizing of educational establishments etc.
    If they couldn't change any of these in 3 decades I guess dissing others for policy changes wouldn't make them any more popular either... Credibility doesn't return just by opposing everything, but by demonstrating it wherever you can.. WB now stands out as an example for the entire nation what can happen to one of the most progressive state and community when in wrong hands.. Most other states steer clear of all communist parties nowadays..

    Sunday, April 12, 2015

    Pakistan: Victim, or exporter of terrorism? [Apr 12, 2015]


    MaxxRamblings: The shady territory of Govt sponsored terrorism
    Watched this interview on TV today and it was making me deeply disturbed.. I searched for it online and watched it again to add to my dismay...
    Folks, watch this interview with General Durrani, former head of the ISI. Watch how he defends Pakistan's involvement in terrorism..

    Some startling highlights:
  • 1) He says Pakistan managed to fool the US in taking their money as aid and channel it towards the taliban et al

  • 2) He says the killing of the Peshawar kids is nothing more than collateral damage..

  • 3) Insinuates towards the fact that ISI may have been sheltering Bin Laden all along..

  • 4) Strongly defends the Pakistan govts political agenda of abetting terrorism

  • 5) Defends the military rule in Pakistan

  • 6) Defends the fact that ISI is not under control of the govt and is controlled by the army only, reasoning that the ministers are not good and incompetent themselves...


    Wow!!!! how he defends these strange notions with so much gusto and gumption! if it was not so sickening and depressing, I would have admired his spirit!!!
  • Sunday, April 05, 2015

    Saving Indians Worldwide: Governments added duty [Apr 05, 2015]

    Maxxramblings: Good duty the government has.. 

    First the residents wud go to middle eastern nations.. Most of the nations are borderline war-zones.. Still nothing deters them from going well aware of the political situations..

    Once they start to earn the tax free incomes as is common in these mid east nations, they feel like kings... I have first hand experience hearing them dissing and deriding the Motherland about the pay packets and how they can earn save and buy properties back home and how the life back in India was full of shit et al.. 

    I am not averse to people travelling to foreign shores, but don't be snotty towards the country which has ensured that its wards are capable of working anywhere in the world...She doesnt desrve the derisions too.. Any ways back to the situation of the middle east...So the people travel to these nations knowing that they are sitting on a powder keg which may blow up any moment...Then a war or rebellion erupts in these nations and it automatically becomes the duty of the Indian government to rescue them sending ships and airplanes into these hazardous strife torn zones.. As a bonus, the families back home wud also take turns in cursing the govt for not being effective enuff in their efforts in national TV.. 

    I bet the soldiers inside the warships wudnt be too enthusiastic about putting their lives in jeopardy when the country isn't even involved.. and to save folks who would remember the motherland and its duties towards them only their lives are at stake...

    Monday, January 05, 2015

    Resumed blogging

    Today, i downloaded an app to blog directly from my mobile.. I hope this will provide the much needed impetus to me to resume my blogging..