Your mouth and Society's Gender Biases

“Why do people say "grow some balls"? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding.”- Betty White

Back in December 2012, much of the nation's educated urban class youth took to protesting in reaction to the brutal rape of Nirbhaya. As educated and smart and gender neutral supporters of gender rights, we all live in a patriarchal society, making it difficult for us to truly escape gender bias even in our own lingo.

The above quote is a perfect example of this. Friends tell each be courageous, though not always in a serious manner and hence the quote, 'Grow some balls'. Understandably when this is said no-one means any gender bias, but when such a line is being used, the speakers must understand where it is coming from. Grow some balls might as well mean man up, or be a man or to be courageous is to be a man. Once again, understandably the speaker does not mean this gender bias when they say this, but a long time ago this was where the meaning was being derived from. 

The same goes when a person uses the term 'pussy'. The term is usually to call some one a coward. Understandably when the person uses this term there is no gender bias intended, but long ago this term was derived from the idea that girls were weak and cowardly.  

These are only two such example and such lingo is present in our vocabulary and though we do not mean any gender bias when we say it, lingo reflects the biases of our society which we inevitably, adopted because heck society is just too great to resist. 

If we hope to live in a gender neutral society in the future, we need to clean up our lingo too. We need to shed out all things that stem from a patriarchal view.
Sure we can evolve the meaning. The word 'fuck' has evolved and transcended all sorts of meaning and no longer just means sex. 

But understand, we have to shed off gender biases which humans have been developing since we were cave people and to not shed some of those linguist terms that have some background in gender biases is just risky. 

Note: It is understood that balls refers to the male genitalia and pussy refers to the female genitalia.  

Kill the Railway Minister

The shocking increase in prices of railway tickets as promoted me to write this post.
Ministers act when only their backs for political reasons are against the wall. Otherwise, they are content with bickering among themselves.
The reason for the rise in railway prices is many, among the chief causes is the rising fiscal debt in the economy which is not a good thing in the long run, plus the rising demand of international loaning agencies to pay back the loans, which means international pressure. Another reason floated around, is the increases in prices to counter looses incurred by subsid pricing.
These rises are just blatant with no really benefits to the consumer, us.
Go back to last year, 2012 when Dinesh Trivedi was the Railway Minister and he proposed the railway budget in March 2012. Though he did increase railway fares, he planned to introduced more safety measure, improve services and create a better travelling experience for the public. Heck, he decided to do away with open defecation in trains and install organic tanks to collect the waste.
The result, every politician abandoned him, including his own party, Trinamool Congress. He was immediately removed for his decision. Politically speaking, what he did was considered political suicide by the his peers , because railway prices are rarely increased and the aam aadmi would be hurt.
So yes, he was removed.

A year later, the prices have been increased because the Government's back is against the wall. No promises of any kind have been made.

Interestingly while all other national and international issues are being question and covered in the mainstream media, such a issue which hits every Indian is not even being discussed or question.

Heck, when I googled the question 'Why has the railway increased prices India?'
There was no google prompt.
Maybe people are just not bothered about this.

Juvenile Death Clamour

Two of the suspects caught in the Jyoti Sing Pandey are under eighteen and hence can only be persecuted in by the Juvenile laws, which do not result in sever punishment, but instead leads to the juvenile being put in remand homes.

Since the arrest of these two juvenile suspects there has been growing clamour for the death sentence to be used against the juvenile suspects. Rumours have even floated that the government would take such action. 

I strongly object to any such positive action towards these clamours. 

Given that rape as worse as it is worse than death. The post-rape psychological trauma is beyond death. Perhaps it can be argued that death penalty will act as a deterrent, but in no country has approved death penalty for a juvenile and no country developed or developing or non-developing has rape stopped. Rape is about power. But that's not my point.

Juvenile law applies to those below eighteen who are not only accused in rape cases, but murder, thievery, molestation, fraud, and any thing that is illegal. 

 The argument for juvenile law is that the person is not fully mature enough to make the right decision and is strongly influnced by those around him/her. Hence the juvenile law shows leniency and sends juveniles not to jail, but remand homes (which in reality are terrible in India)

It is absurd to think of involving juvenile with death penalty. What needs to be done is amending the juvenile law, and lowering it to a lower age, perhaps sixteen. India is a developing country and with the media enriched world we live in, children tend to mature much faster.
Still that obviously does not fix the problem when one finds fourteen year old's or eleven year old's.
The answer is never simple.
Clamouring for a Juvenile death penalty is not the answer, in any way.

A need to evolve

Widespread protest, largely concentrate in Delhi have been going on for over a week and are pushing for action by the Indian Government to improve the situation of women in response to the brutal gang rape.

In response to this, other than the Government’s repressive tactics on peaceful protest, the police have taken a spew of steps across, the urban quarters. They have initiated classes to sensitize more police personal on the topic of rape and dealing with the victims. Plus the police have increased their personal power in ladies compartment trains and other areas.

As this movements/protests progresses, there is a need for it to evolve. Most movement needs a leader. The only leaderless movement/revolution was the Egyptian and Tunisian revolution, and in that they all the citizens chanted for a total upheaval/change of the government (and they got it). The Occupy Wall Street moment was completely leaderless, and though it was amazing to see people wanting to change an outdate financial system and attitude of corporatism; it really did not achieve anything in reality other than awareness.

There is no denying that such moments don’t have their effects, but there is a drastic need in many situation that call for quick change.

The Anna Hazare movement had a Bill that it wanted to pass to eradicate corruption. Just clamouring for change is not enough, the Indian government needs to be lead on with strong well thought out ideas, plans and maybe even a bill.

The protest can go on and on, but eventually they will fizz out. A good example is Anna Hazare moment which eventually lost momentum. The protests aim is to change the ground situation for women. The protest needs to evolve. 

Egypt Once again, Where are you Headed?

The situation in Egypt has raised a lot of eyebrows including mine. When the Egypt Revolution occurred, its was truly a revolution, for the first time the internet as a medium spearheaded the organization of the revolution and because the army decided to step back, on a whole it was a peaceful.
When Muslim Brotherhood was elected to form the new government, in the Egypt, a lot of eyebrows and concerns were raised. Yet people were hopeful.
The moment President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood appointed himself extra powers to help built Egypt. Prior to that he has had shuffled and fired high ranking members of the military.
President Morsi is trying to pass a Constitution through a referendum which has strong groundings in Islamic law, in civil rights too and many vague articles too.
President Morsi's move to boost his powers, occurred at a politically motivated moments as the Egyptian Government had just played a key role in the ending the violence of Israel on Gaza Strip. Any form of criticism on the Egyptian Government role would undermine their role and therefore the peace.
The greatest thing to applaud is the Egyptian citizens who without hesitation took to the streets and Tahir Square.
And so the protest goes on. Christian and members who are considered moderate members who were the part the newly formed Egyptian Government resigned from their positions.
The army has been called in to protect the Presidential Palace due to a large number of protests occurring outside it. President Morsi has given up his extra powers, but in turn he granted the army powers to arrest protesters. However reports claim that so far the army has not used them.

Now this is nation of people who are willing it to change into the democracy they want.  

Palghar Action Not Enough

The news on the action taken on the issue of arresting two girls for their facebook status is a joke and not enough. The Superintendent of Police Ravindra Sengaonkar, who made the arrest on the charges based on vague sections in the cyber law has been suspended. The First Class Judicial Magistrate Ramchandra Bagande who seemingly may have ratified these charges, by not throwing them out the window in the Court when they were presented and charged a bail has been transferred.

Considering that there has been a violation of the expression of freedom and the right to freedom, the only action being taken is a suspension on the Superintendent and possibly he may be transferred in near. The question is what is to prevent such police members and more across the country from taking action again? What is the deterrent? Is a suspension enough?

A more important issue at hand, and one that is not been asked about, simply because it could bring in contempt of court is how did the magistrate allow such charges to be accepted. The Judiciary has always been the constant wall that stands up when any government official is misusing power. And at times it has failed, and this is one of them.

Perhaps Ramchandra Bagande needs to be sent back to law school to know a when a worthless  charge that violates the freedom of expression has been accepted, a transfer is not enough. One day Ramchandra Bagande may be in the High Court, and be making decision regarding whole communities, not that the freedom of a single individual is greater than the freedom of a community.

The Government, at the end of the article the government has to be bought into question. It is only because of public and media pressure that action has been taken. So the deeper question is what about the other instances which are unheard of, which are not in the public sphere, what about them?

Contemplation of Balasaheb's Death

This position of Bal Thackeray is an obvious inspiration from Fidel Castro   

With the death of Bal Thackeray, there is a blast of comments of the internet and facebook, the pages of newspapers filled with news on him. All this cannot but force me to have some thoughts on such a topic.

My first reaction to the news of his death and the turbulence, and not a surprising reaction is ‘fuck them.’ I’m anything but a fan of Bal Thackeray and the rest of his family, to me they have always seem a bunch of hungry-powered, crazed warmongers with an unruly mob following them. Those reading this, don’t take me for some half baked person, I do have a decent knowledge on the doings of the history of the Thackeray’s.

As much as people glorify Bal Thackeray as a great leader, here’s a fact, Shiv Sena really influence has always been centralized in Mumbai and never managed to spread greatly throughout the rest of Maharashtra. Don’t believe that, then take a look at the current Maharashtra’s government, there is a reason why it is Congress and not Shiv Sena.

Post the 1980s, if one sees through the violent activities guise the Shiv Sena really did not do anything magnificent unless you count the changing of the Bombay to Mumbai.   

Mumbai has and will continue to transcend any form of ‘sons of soil’. I’m from the East Indian Community, and we are more of a Mumbaikar than anybody else, because we have been in Mumbai even before the Portuguese discovered called it Bombay. Then again, all my Gujrati, North Indians, North-East Indians, South Indians are much of a Mumbaikars as I. Mumbai belongs to India and the world. In spite of what any political party thinks Mumbai is a global city, part of something much bigger than itself.

For sensible people, it’s a time to celebrate (unfortunately damn bars, restaurants and shops are closed). There won’t be another person who will have such an iron grip on Mumbai, hopefully ever again.

A few articles now and then, and today quite a few of Muslim support will not convince me of Bal Thackeray’s tolerance. The man advocated, gave his booming voice to the support of 1991-92 riots, and 2006 riots.

"The evil that men do lives after them; the good is (often buried) with their bones,", to quote Shakespeare from his play Julius Caesar, and perhaps one may think I have disregarded all his ‘good deeds for Mumbai’; and there are people who remember a sea of such deeds. But the fact is a lot of his good deeds are bad shit, that’s why I see it, while a large number of people see them as good and there is a sea of people at Dadar.

Chokehold

Chokehold

Bal Thackeray’s condition in the hospital is stable. However as a friend of mine aptly put:

Bal Thackeray- Stable

Shiv Sena- Unstable

Mumbai- Critical

For some reason Bal Thackeray’s condition is tied in with the law and order situation of in Mumbai. Many people leave for work with fear, that Mumbai could ignite any time. Anti-social elements among Shiv Sena may go on vandalism and other violent activities.

Such a fear tells us a few things.

    A)    That people expect Shiv Sena could start a riot or vandalism acts across Mumbai if Bal Thackeray expires.

    B)    People believe that even though Mumbai will have nothing to do or contribute to the cause of his death, the Shiv Sena for an unreasonable reason will cause violent acts. 

   C)    The public believes that its in Shiv Sena’s nature to take such drastic action.

The public fears are not unfounded as the history of Shiv Sena reveals. However the Shive Sena has really never conducted violent acts without a reason, even though these reason maybe called unsound.   

Yet the methods of vandalism among political parties are strongly disapproved today. With the Raj Thackeray split Shiv Sena’s power has weakened and so has it ability to cause riots.

Though the public’s fear is not unfounded, it is unlikely such a thing would occur. 

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SYRIA?

While a great international event such as the Olympics is underway. Since the past last year, there has been turmoil running through Syria. The Syrian public first began to demand for freedom under the shadow of the Jasmine Revolution, the Egypt Revolution and the Libyan Civil War. However, today this demand has snowballed into a civil war. From the beginning there has been an encroachment by the terrorist organization Al Qaida on this movement which is a strong concern.

Ideally any person would have thought that such a situation as this, in the name of freedom and justice would garner an international (mainly US, UK and France) intervention in light of the help given to the rebels of Libyan Rebels against Gaddafi. However the international world has hesitated to help. There is no denying that there has been outside pressure on the Syrian establishment to deal with the demands of the public in a peaceful manner, instead of the traditional method of force and violence. In fact the Saudi Royal Family as denounced Al Bashar’s Syrian government and they have even walked out of the Arab Council in protest of the violent reaction of the Syrian Government.

The latest failed attempt of UN is to send an envoy, the former head of UN Kofi Annan to Syria. However after two months of trying to achieve peace through a peace plan, Kofi Annan has given up and quit his position.

For those who are reading this, I just wish to bring out two matters.

No doubt the Olympic is of a great importance, it is an international achievement of pushing competition between countries and individuals to a new level. However a international crisis such as Syria is a more important event, and needs to garner more attention.

Also a question needs to be drawn on why the international world is hesitant to intervene in Syria, when it seemingly rushed and was very much willing to intervene in Libya. Is it because of the oil that Libya offered to the international world? Is it because the rebels have not agreed to certain backdrop deals by the international world? 

DISGRACE

An intergral part of any democracy is for society and individuals to express their views, though some may not accepted it and even a few may get offended. And this is bound to happen, it never happens so that a single particular view is accepted by all. In today’s day and age it is the duty of the Government to protect such freedoms.

The death of M F Hussian bought up the question of the freedom, of a painter who was hounded away just because he expressed his ideas differently. Many mourned the loss of the painter who had put himself in self-exile due to threats from fanatical groups and who eventually gave up his Indian citizenship. The controversy surrounding the arrival of Salman Rushide is a disgrace to the Indian Government and the people have been against him.

In today’s day and age, I would have not thought it possible for such a thing to happen, but a large number of people are still in the dark ages, where freedom of expression seems to be denied and yet in the name of stability and communal harmony the Government bows down to these pressure groups.

And though is physical presence was denied by the Congress led government of Rajasthan, the organizers tried to get his virtual presence and even this was denied. This is a direct violation of anyone’s freedom of expression.

The Government cannot point towards concerns of stability and communal harmony, when it is the one who is supposed to the safe guard the them; and by denying Salman Rushide’s presence they have admitted that they are agreeing to their inability to keep stability and communal harmony.

And yet it is not just so simple. The Congress led Government is playing a vote banks politics for the Muslims as the election were about to take place in neighboring States with significant Musilm population and as it were a large number of Muslim groups that objected to the presence of Salman Rushide in the first place.

One of my greatest fear is that the Indian society is growing more intolerant and even as open minded as it seems, that much underlining intolerance is present. 

Where is it Going at Delhi??

Heck... Personally I have no idea how to react to the way the state Parliament is in. The fact of the matter all the political parties are doing it.

The BJP seems be doing it just to show that it is with the people. 

The SP and RJD are scared that if an effective Lokpal Bill is enacted then people like Lalu Prasad Yadav would actually be behind bars. 

The TMC which is always positioning itself as the people's hero is afraid that the Lokayutta will be an instrument of the Center to control West Bengal State. 

The Left has just been crying out that that it wants corporate sector to come under the Lokpal ambit, just to say that we are marxist and we are against corporatism.

Every party different demands. Its not getting anyway.

What a waste. 

Perhaps there is a need for Indian Democracy to evolve to today's need. There is a need for the legislative and executive powers to be separated. In such a way which ever government is running should have more flexible is running laws and policies. A fractures multi-party system at the legislative level seems to be hindering a lot of the exective powers and working of the government. 

"That's Occupy Wall Street and Capitalism is going to Bow to It"

They are angry, young, unemployed and yeah they are not happy.
Though such a protest originated in Spain, it began to be called as Occupy Wall Street when the media took notice of similar protest in New York, Wall Street and hence the name. And now we have across the globe similar movements. This movement is demanding for large corporations not be greedy and corrupt. The protest brings social and economic inequality, unemployment to the forefront in this post rescission world. The protest has even got an anti-capitalist   tone about it which has been embraced by the movement.
This movement... this movement is just amazing to see. In today's world use of the internet it is amazing to see people all with one single attitude gathering across vast space of land and sea in a common cause and common goal just because of their extremely similar experiences.
However whether such a movement is going to be successful, of that I am doubtful.
The movement is frankly almost look like a mob, a mob which is likely angry. They walk... not walk, they walk and crowd the financial districts of the cities and countries. They hold banner, scream slogan. Do a lot of social media stuff. All this is very effective. It has caught the eye of the globe. It is effectively spreading information on the movement, their demands, what they want to be changed. People are aware of Occupy Wall Street. Some politicians have even given comments and some foreign countries have even commented on this.
BUT... is this going to change anything. From what I know of movements, revolutions I am skeptical. This movement has no leader for the governments and corporate organizations to look to. There is no person or group of persons who the government or corporate organizations can talk, communicate or discuss with. The demands are there, but they are not targeting any corporate and it is within the clubbing of all the corporates together that many of the corporate organizations feel save. And lastly there is still a view that this movement is just a large number of people on the street as a effect of recession and this is just an angry mob on the street which will disperse once the economy picks up.

Ruben & Keenan... Another Lost Movement?

Like so many movements, the murder of Ruben & Keenan has sparked of anger among citizens of India and Mumbai. This anger has been channeled by the family, the media and whole host of netizens into a movement of anti-teasing. The movement began on social network sites and now has spread across to signature campaigns and cries for strong laws against eve-teasing. The media has played a strong role in this on-going event, by first expressing shock over the incident and now seemingly putting its support behind this movement.
However I would like to point out a few things.
The people who are signing anti-eve teasing petitions and joining this movement whether on the web or in life... are people who are educated Indians who are similarly shocked and more importantly are people who in no way conduct eve teasing themselves. By all means let this movement demand strong laws against eve teasing.
Still in all this shock, anger, media glare the public... the netizens, the outspoken voices of this movement in the media have failed to dwell into the deeper issue of eve teasing.
I am not claiming to be an expert on such a topic... however it is of my strong opinion that the problem of eve-teasing lies in Indian tradition... and to be more specific I am talking about repressed sexual freedoms. Sex has a topic is not open India. Many individual not only in rural areas but in urban areas are closed minded on the topic of sex. To dwell deeper when I write sex I want to signify not only the topic, but the clothes one is allowed to wear, the media one is exposed to and the taboo put on certain sexualised objects. People are bought up from childhood with such connotation.
And then to be exposed in this world, to be more precise an urban setting... where things are open. Couples now kiss in the open, girls who have the freedom to wish what they want to wear, media that is no more careful about just a kissing scene. To be bought up in a manner which is contrary to what is taught within the confines of a family and what is shown by society will come as a shock to such individuals.
And this shock will cause a social failure among such individuals as how to act in this open minded society.   

Anna Hazare Face of India

I Think Not.

“Anna Anna Anna”, that’s all you me, I and everybody else has been hearing in the last man. What a waste?

He stands behind Gandhi’s statues and symbols. He claims that it is the second freedom struggle. The media overplays the role of the public claiming everyone is with and supporting Anna.

For one I am not everyone, and hence ‘everyone supporting Anna’ is just a load of crap, from the media of course.

Second Anna should become a person to be studied in marketing and adverting schools, spin doctor/ activist Arjun Kerjewal has done a brilliant job.

Third Anna is not even close to Ghandi. Only a significant number of India’s population has emerged in support and protest for Anna, but the real bulk lie dominate, the target audience that real made the Independence movement a real chance of success; the rural populace.

Fourth, this movement is not secular. Throughout Ganpati newspapers were filled with pictures of the Anna Camp that performed puja at Ganpati Mandals. Sure, you may say its their religion and all, then a question arise what other members are there. Still don’t believe, Anna complimented Narandra Modi for the management of Gujarat. Yeah right, Modi managed the State sponsored riots very well.

Do not trust him. Question this patriotism that he is spreading around.

Buck Stops Here?

The 33^rd President of America was Harry Truman and in his presidential office in his table he has a sign which was written, “The Buck Stops Here”- taking responsibility for his country.

A month ago, A. Raja former telecom minister and main accused in the 2G Scam, named and incriminated the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

A question has arisen whether the Prime Minister should be implicated and held accountable for the Scam as he is the head of the cabinet.

The action and conduct of the Cabinet members is held accountable by the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister and his Cabinet is held accountable by the Parliament. The responsibilities of every Cabinet portfolio is looked over by the Parliament. Considering the actions of the A. Raja as a Telecom Minister was not questioned or found suspicious of the PM is question is being asked by many. In reply to this the Prime Minister and his office (PMO) has denied knowing of the A. Raja’s action and that he had also managed to deceive them.

Whatever it may be, the Prime Minister is responsible for every Cabinet member’s action and has the power to review their actions. The questions to be asked is whether he should be not be charged for accountability of his Cabinet. Whether he should be forgiven for his ignorance?

In my personal opinion whatever it may be the Prime Minister should not be implicated, because simply before anyone can realize he will become a scapegoat for Indian society and every form of corruption will be blamed on him.

India?

What is India? A country, which is truly a country that has unity within diversity?

The people of South India, believe that they are related to the people of Central India. The people of North-East India believe that the people of North India are their brothers. A country where all the States celebrate Independence Day together. A country where across the State, the national flag is raised up on Independence Day and all the national heroes that are learnt in the school books are remembered. A country where all the people unite to see the Indian cricket team win.

Is this India?

The South Indian States one will find that when you try to communicate to them in Hindi or English they refuse to help and do not reply inspite of maybe... knowing either of the languages. Kashmir is a State where over half the Indian army is present there with arbitrary rights and they are there to protect the rights of the citizens of India. A country where minority communities are killed by State sponsored violence.

Could this also be India?

A greater thinker once said that countries are imaginary.

Perhaps imaginary lines that are needed. Where a number of the people just imagine, they just believe they are truly all related, they are all brothers and sisters, while some do not feel the spirit.

Could this also be what India is?

Is India just imagined?

What, if States had a chance to separate today? What would happen?

There is a possibility of Kashmir and the States of North-East grasping their freedom. But there is also the real threat of Pakistan, occupying Kashmir and the real threat of China occupying the States of North-East. It is a real threat, because that is what is happening in this present world, they are slowly encouraging and encroached upon these States.

In my personal opinion, India is imagined, but very, very much necessary inspite of its flaws.

Rahul Gandhi, the Future

On Sunday, 19^th June Rahul Gandhi turned 41 years old. It won’t be long before he will take over the reins of Congress. Already a section of the Congress is rumbling for Rahul Gandhi to take over PM Manmohan Singh. TOI quotedCongress general secretary Digvijay Singh saying, “It’s time Rahul becomes PM”. However one must question this persons leadership ability.

On Sunday I visited the Church for my morning mass. After that finished I left to Church only to see a group of people distributing chocolates at the gate of my Church in celebration of Rahul Gandhi’s birthday. The problem I had with this was that they were not the only people at the gate. There was a group of beggars at the gate to. Ironic, isn’t it? I would rather have them celebrate his birthday by helping those beggars. Do I want this man to become the Prime Minister in near future?

Rahul Gandhi also needs to learn to be honest, the public is getting smarter every year. His stunt at Bhatta Parsaul village in Uttar Pradesh, where he made a shocking statement that women were being raped and farmers being killed for protesting against an acquisition of land for an Expressway. He even showed a site which was supposed to be a graveyard of bodies. However soon enough after a forensic team was bought in, these claims were found to be false. Media persons went to the village and found that Rahul’s Gandhi’s claims were false.

It is possible that Rahul Gandhi tried what his grandmother, Indira Gandhi pulled off in the late 1970 when she rode into a Blechi village on an elephant and highlighted the Central Government’s insensitivities to the atrocities on the Dalits and was a major reason for a victory as the next PM again. However the public is smarter that it was in 1970s and such tatics will not work.

There is no doubt that that the Gandhi family has made great contributions to the country of India and it has produced great leaders such as Nehru and Indira Gandhi. However Rahul lacks the experience to make a change in the current political scenario.

The Chinese Aggression

The recent news of the proposed dam to be built in China which will affect the river Brahmaputra in India is a cause of concern to Indians. China’s aggression has been there for a long time and it has been relentless. It’s most evident aggression is as it slowly as it encroaches upon the Indian land.

The proposed dam is a cause of concern because it involves a lot of fertile delta’s which are used a farmland and depend on the River Brahmaputra for irrigation. However the question arises on what can the Indian government do about it?

The Red Dragon has grown very powerful economically and militarily. What cards do they hold against the Chinese?

The Indian Foreign ministry can lodge a formal protest against the Chinese Government on issue of their aggression. The second possibility is that it can take direct action, hang the diplomacy lines on a line to dry and go to war.

However there are problems with these two options. One is that a formal complaint has and continues to be a wash over with no action taken place and the complaints being ignored. Another is the Red Dragon power. The Chinese military is a force to be reckoned with and because of its modernization it may even be stronger than the Indian military force.

So what can India do?

Well, it can try with as much persuasion and evidence reveal the Chinese aggression to international world. Other than that the Indian Government has reached a stale mate.

Election

Mamata Banerjee has finally taken down the Left bastion in West Bengal. She has given up her Minister post at the Centre level and has become the Chief Minister. Mamata Banerjee’s victory does lift my eye brows a little to give a cause of concern. While West Bengal may not have been able to give the public everything that it wanted, many people do not realize the development that Left government has done. The Left government had managed to take the political development of villages to the third phase, which most States cannot boast of. This means that the villages have reached the highest level where autonomy and decision making has been given to them. However communication and transfer of funds to the villages have failed. Mamata Banerjee is a cause of concern to me because of she seems to be one who is all talk but will not deliver. For one, she is willing to give the Singur land back to the Tatas. This is the same land that she fought tooth and nail to take back from the Government, and now that she is no longer the opposition.

In Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalitha has become Chief Minister for the third time. Her party AIDMK has taken over from the DMK who has lost because of the 2G scam at the Centre which is leading back to them. J. Jayalalitha has been a long time activist and will be a boon for Tamil Nadu, and it is a break from the patriarchal control of the dynastical M Karunanidhi.

Osama's Death and my belief

The death of Osama Bin Ladin does not definitely mean the death of an idea and death of an organization. Ideas as such as Jihad and organizations such as Taliban and Al-Quida will live on.

There a certain confusion surrounding the death of Osama and on this I have certain beliefs.

For one I believe that Osama was killed some time ago. It just seemed politically, military and strategically right to announce it now. Strategically when the US has pulled out of Iraq and is pushing to come out of Afghanistan. Politically the time seen right and Obama’s ratings are up above 50%.

Second was the strike it self. There is no doubt that Osama was living in Pakistan. With Afghanistan over run with western soldiers and continuous strike on top Al-Quida and Taliban leaders, Pakistan was a better option with a corrupt ISI and a major part of the country under Taliban. The strike itself was the usual drone bombing. US navy seals were sent in. I believe that Osama was not killed in a firefight and was captured and killed in an execution style with a bullet in the head. For obvious reasons that man could not be allowed to live and could not be given a trail.

If given a trail this man will inspire so many bombing and bloodshed throughout the world. Hence he needed to die.

However with the announcement of his death one thing is for sure, the Al-Quida are at deaths door.