Sunday Musings !

Komrade Karat and The Third Reich .....errr.... Front !!

The rounding up of disparate forces into what is termed by Karat as the third front, should be be trashed with the contempt it deserves. A motley bunch of self seekers, with nothing but brazen aggrandisement in the forefront of their agenda, seek to lead the country as Prime Minister - sorry, charlatans, the electorate is much to wise to put you in power. You may continue to play satrap in Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore or Lucknow, but to reach the capital, you will have to wash your sins seven times over. Thankfully, Delhi still remains the destination of the pure, and our Democracy has a knack of throwing up the right person for the top job. For the time being, Dr. Manmohan Singh remains the man to lead the country, despite the machinations of comrade Karat, and the drooling satraps - continue your shameless wanton greed filled agenda, you are not going to make it !!

Lal, peela, or any colour salam !!

Ali , Mind Your Language !

Nafisa Ali, may look charming in her vegetable dyed sarees, but that's the beginning and end of her appeal in the electoral arena. Not content at having lost to Mamata in the 2004 elections, Nafisa once again has brazenly jumped the election band wagon without the slightest qualification to be a servant of society. Oh come now Nafisa, don't say' I do', those ribbon cutting functions you so often grace are tea and cookie parties, far removed from the hurdy gurdy of politics and responsible parliamentary activities. One should know one's own limitations, but the greed for power is all pervasive, sweeping all and sundry in its wake,therefore why not you Nafisa ? You join the august ranks of aya ram's, gaya ram's, symbolic of Indian politics, bereft of ideology, commitment and expertise. Welcome Nafisa, to the bankruptcy of Indian politics, so well symbolized by you, your mentor,and and the party you represent this election.

The Weekender (Nothing original about it !)

Yes , you read the title right - nothing original about it !! Its the weekend, and wev'e all been through 6 days, good, bad, indifferent, pleased the week is over, and look forward to our Saturday evening and Sunday !!

The weekend is a time to read, write, watch movies, listen to music, eat good food, drink good wine, connect with friends and so on.....so, this blog is called the Weekender, and wants to just do that - bring out book reviews, movie reviews, receipes on good food, places to eat, places to travel to, and all the good things of life ! This post is not the repositry of all thats happening, so hey, friends, contribute to the Blog, with any thing you'd associate with a good weekend, and like others to know - it could be a good receiple, a good book, a video clip, a restaurant etc... you are the critic !! and you are doing the review !! So join in sent your articles, pictures reviews etc ..

The Book Review Of The Week 

A unique, entertaining graphic novel

Samini Philip (Indo-Asian News Service)

April 15, 2009

Book: "Indian by Choice" Author: Amit Dasgupta Publisher: Wisdom Tree Price: Rs.395 "Indian by Choice" is a unique graphic novel about Mandeep - a young Indian born in the US who has a penchant for all things American, including baseball, hot-dogs and blondes. Mandy, as he would rather be called, reluctantly visits India to attend a family wedding despite being horrified at the prospect of spending a month in his native country. Upon his arrival in India, Mandy's worst fears - over-population, poverty, squalor, lack of privacy and chaos - are confirmed. "You need to be blind if you have to visit India. The poverty hits you, the number of people hit you." India is as alien to Mandy as it would be to a fellow Australian tourist visiting the country for the first time. His instinct is to board the first flight back to Chicago but his excursion fare ticket forces him to stay the entire four weeks. Rather than keeping an open mind about an alien culture, he vents his frustration by writing lengthy emails to his parents and sister about his plight. "I truly do not know what you wanted for me from this experience. As of now, it has been upsetting and horrifying and I quite frankly want to come home." In this graphic novel, Amit Dasgupta successfully explores the theme of identity and what it means to be an Indian. At first, Mandy is confident of who he is - a US citizen born and raised in Chicago. Like many NRIs, he adopts the American culture and assimilates himself completely. But the rare opportunity of being in India allows Mandy to spend time with his extended family, including his grandparents and cousins, and provokes him to re-think his identity. By spending time with other young Indians, Mandy's stereotypes about India begin to disappear and he begins to see the other side of not only India but the US as well. For example, he learns that a young Indian Institute of Management (IIM) graduate rejects a chance to work in the US because he is conscious that he will face subtle racism while trying to climb the corporate ladder. Or that a Sikh was gunned down in a retaliatory attack four days post 9/11. Gradually, Mandy begins to wonder whether he can identify with his host country. "Indian by Choice" cleverly reveals the differences between Indian Americans and their counterparts in India. Dasgupta keeps the reader engaged at all times and will often leave you laughing out loud. The keen sense of observation, wit, the graphics and the style make this a truly unique novel that both NRI's and Indians will be able to identity with. In fact, renowned author Shashi Tharoor writes that "this graphic novel is a gift every urban Indian should give to an NRI relative". Towards the end of the novel, when it is time for Mandy to leave India, ironically he is overwhelmed by a feeling of sadness. There is no doubt that he will miss his larger family and his friends. The interactions which were strained at first develop into strong bonds of mutual affection. On his flight back to Chicago, rather than introducing himself as Mandy as he usually would, he tells his fellow passenger that his name is Mandeep. He identifies himself as an Indian, not by force, but by choice.

The Receipies Of The Week : Chinese at home

Schezuan paneer Makes: 4 servings Ingredients: 200gm paneer, cut into pieces 2tbsp cornflour 1 capsicum, diced 1tsp garlic paste 1 onion, diced 3 cups water 1 packet schezuan mixor 1tbsp soy sauce 1tbsp red chilli sauce 1tsp sugar 1tsp cornflour 2 spring onions, finely chopped Oil to fry Method: 1. Coat the paneer pieces in 2tbsp cornflour and fry. Transfer to a kitchen towel to drain off excess oil. Keep aside. 2. In a pan, heat 2tbsp oil and add the onions. Once the onions are translucent, add the capsicum and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. 3. Add 3 cups of water and the schezuan mix; or mix the soy and chilli sauce, sugar and cornflour in 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil; simmer till sauce thickens a little. 4. Tip in the paneer and cook for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with spring onions, chopped finely. Serve hot. A light cucumber and dhania soup Makes: 4 servings Ingredients: 11/2 cups vegetable stock or water 1tsp soy sauce 1 small cucumber (about 6 inches long),peeled and cut into thin slices 1 egg, beaten 1tbsp dhania patta, chopped 1/2tsp sesame oil Salt to taste Method: 1. Put soya sauce, sesame oil and salt in the stock and bring it to a boil. 2. Reduce heat and pour the beaten egg in a circular motion, stirring constantly. The egg will start cooking as it falls in the hot stock. 3. Add sliced cucumber and dhania patta. Remove from fire. Cover and keep aside for 3-4 minutes; serve. Mixed braised vegetables Makes: 4-6 servings Ingredients: 1/2kg mixed, cut vegetables (carrots, beans, cauliflower, baby corn, broccoli, leeks, cabbage and spring onions) 1tbsp oil 1tsp sesame oil 1 large clove garlic, crushed 1tsp fresh ginger, grated 1/2 cup vegetable stock (you can use stock cubes) 2tbsp soy sauce Salt to taste 2tsp cornflour 1tbsp cold water Method: 1. Heat oil in a frying pan or wok. Add garlic, ginger and the vegetables. Fry for 2-3 minutes. 2. Add hot stock, soy sauce and salt. Cover and simmer for 4-5 minutes. 3. Tip in cornflour mixed with cold water and stir till the sauce thickens. Serve immediately. Oriental fruit basket Makes: 5-6 servings Ingredients: 1 medium-sized watermelon 1 large can of lychees Method: 1. Cut off the top third of the watermelon and with a spoon scoop out the flesh, discarding the seeds. 2. In a bowl, combine the scooped melon and the canned lychees, adding some of the syrup from the can. Cover the bowl and chill for 3-4 hours in the fridge. 3. Arrange the fruits in the watermelon shell and spoon some more of the syrup from the can over the fruits. Serve chilled. Movie Review Of The week : Inglourious Basterds Release: 2009 Country: USA Directors: Quentin Tarantino Cast: Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Mike Myers, Samuel L Jackson I've just read a review, and seen a video clip so, I'd like to share that with you. I can't bring the clip on the blog, as there are some copyright issues, but here's a link - I hope we can all get to see it, with Brad Pitt and a name like 'Ingloruious Basterds - one can expect humour packed movie ! http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/video/2009/feb/24/trailer-inglourious-basterds

Rajeev's Blog: Fakes of the week !

Rajeev's Blog: Fakes of the week !

Fakes of the week !

Out Of Africa :

'Two down, two more to go', I said, almost to myself, but within earshot of my buddy Bhatsing.

'You mean eight more to go', he said, with his eyes glued to the TV.

'No two more' I said,

'Hey, whats the matter, aren't you watching the match ?' This time he looked me straight in the face, a major concession, nothing could divert his attention from the match with KKR on the batting side.

Oh, so that's it, I was talking about the elections, two rounds of polling over, and two more to go, and Bhatsing was talking cricket !

That's how inexorably the two are mixed up !

And talking about cricket and elections, did you know South Africa too is in the midst of elections?  - Our brave cricketers, in the interest of the game, and not wanting to jeopardise Indian Democracy, are  braving the wilds of Africa  instead !!  And not a peek about security ! How about that !! Three Cheers for Zintas and Zebras,  Shah Rukhs   Shilpas and sheetas, Kingfishers' birds' and Mallyas, and not to forget the BCCI and Lalit Modi ! Hip Hip Hooray ! 

Maya memsahib and Sanju baba :

Grapevine has it that Mayawati is real mad at Sanjay Dutt. 

'Quite rightly so', I said to my buddy Bhatsing,  whilst we downed our second cup of Robusta, 'the cheek of the guy, saying he'll give her a jhappi and a pappi' ( a hug and a kiss ). 

'Now he says he's sorry', said Bhatsing, 'but that wont do for Maya memsahib, she wants her pound of flesh'.

 I'd do the same' I said, 'I'd file a police complaint too' 

No, no, she's really mad because he hasn't kept his word.

'What word' ? I asked quizzically ?

'Well she wanted him to deliver on the jappi and pappi promise, but Sanju baba, the turncoat that he is, reneged on his promise'. 'Called it an election campaign promise' !!

Earth Day April 22nd 2009

Commuters were given a shock when they were confronted by people in 'nude' body suits 

on the Millennium Bridge, London. It was a stunt to launch the 308 Peugeot Coupe Cabriolet

Enough of visual shock and humor ! ( nice way to start the blog though ! )

EarthDay 2009

Today is earth day, and numerous articles are being published and posted with action plans from corporates to individuals. Lets see a few perspectives, one of the Indian Government and Corporate Sector to climate change , and another,  simple ways we as individuals can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint.

Earth and the Indian Scenario, an overall perspective  ::

In a country that has much else on its mind now, political uncertainty and a slowing economy in tow, Earth Day may not make its mark this year. But that won’t stall the march of climate change. If anything, this is the time, politically and economically, to appreciate that the solution to global warming lies not in slamming the brakes but in stepping on the gas.

Today, with some of the biggest cash injections in history, the global market can be steered towards a low-carbon economy; India is no exception. Its business and social interests are well served in increasing the energy efficiency and decreasing the carbon footprint of products and services originating from here. After all, the cost of inaction is much higher than that of timely action.

From the 1930s, when the signs of global warming started becoming evident, to the present day, climate debate has moved from the margins to the mainstream but businesses, particularly in India, are yet to comprehend that it’s no longer an either-or question. Economic growth and environment protection must go hand in hand. Why this understanding is important is because businesses in the past, owing to their power of scale and persuasiveness, have brought about ground-breaking changes in human behaviour (most recently India’s telecom revolution) and experts believe they can do so again, in averting a climate catastrophe.

Internationally, emission calculation has to do more with politics than mathematics; but locally, businesses need to do their math right—measure their environmental footprint, implement action plans and monitor them periodically for their own benefit. It is feared that after the Copenhagen conference in December, other countries may consider trade-based sanctions on Indian businesses if the country doesn’t commit to an emission target.

Indian companies want to be leaders in their response to climate change but they expect the government to lead by example, both in education and technology adoption. This isn’t surprising as even globally regulation is proving to be the primary driver of change.

In its National Action Plan on Climate Change, India has outlined “expanded action” in eight areas including solar energy, water, and sustainable agriculture, but, it turns out, the nation of mere guidelines that we are, nothing in these “missions” is legally binding, except, of course, the commitment that India’s per capita greenhouse gas emission will “at no point exceed that of developed countries”.

But investment is only one part of the problem; the other, no less significant though, is figuring out how to quickly limit the emission of heat-trapping gases by changing some of the ways we work and live. It could well be moving towards smart power grids or better handling of waste— electronic, municipal or industrial; avoiding deforestation or promoting cleaner biomass burning; adopting renewable energy sources or low power consuming devices, operating an efficient carbon market, encouraging next generation of biofuels or turning to carbon capture and storage. No grand scheme would work; it has to be a mix of smaller, decentralized programmes since our urban and rural divide continues even in the deteriorating environment.

In fact, green activists moan that urban centres will face the gravest challenges. The Rockefeller Foundation is spearheading a major international initiative (Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network) to build resilience in cities to the challenging natural environment. Out of 17 cities in South Asia covered under the initiative, six are tier II cities from India. But India’s own response to urban vulnerability arising out of climate change, the massive Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, seems to be a knee-jerk reaction to a gigantic problem.

Five Ways to Help Save the Planet in 30 Minutes or Less

 You may not be able to reduce global warming, end pollution and save endangered species single-handedly, but by choosing to live an earth-friendly lifestyle you can do a lot every day to help achieve those goals.

by making wise choices about how you live, and the amount of energy and natural resources you consume, you send a clear message to businesses, politicians and government agencies that value you as a customer, constituent and citizen.

Here are five simple things you can do—in 30 minutes or less—to help protect the environment and save Planet Earth.

1. Drive Less, Drive Smart

Every time you leave your car at home you reduce air pollution, lower , improve your health and save money.

Walk or ride a bicycle for short trips, or take public transportation longer ones. In 30 minutes, most people can easily walk a mile or more, and you can cover even more ground on a bicycle, bus or Metro. Research has shown that people who use public transportation are healthier than those who don’t. Families that use public transportation can save enough money annually to cover their food costs for the year.

When you do drive, take the few minutes needed to make sure your engine is well maintained and your tires properly inflated.

2.Eat Your Vegetables

Eating less meat and more fruits, grains and vegetables can help the environment more than you may realize. Eating meat, eggs and dairy products contributes heavily to global warming because raising animals for food produces many more greenhouse gas emissions than growing plants. A 2006 report by the University of Chicago found that adopting a vegan diet does more to reduce global warming than switching to a hybrid car.

Raising animals for food also uses enormous amounts of land, water, grain and fuel. Every year in the United States alone, 80 percent of all agricultural land, half of all water resources, 70 percent of all grain, and one-third of all fossil fuels are used to raise animals for food.

Making a salad doesn’t take any more time than cooking a hamburger and it’s better for you—and for the environment.

3.Switch to Reusable Shopping Bags

 Producing plastic bags uses a lot of natural resources, and most end up as litter, non bio degradeable, that fouls landscapes, clogs waterways, and kills thousands of marine mammals that mistake the ubiquitous bags for food. Worldwide, up to a trillion plastic bags are used and discarded every year—more than a million per minute. The count for paper bags is lower, but the cost in natural resources is still unacceptably high—especially when there is a better alternative.

Reuseable plastic bags, made of materials that don’t harm the environment during production and don’t need to be discarded after each use, reduce pollution and save resources that could be put to better uses than making plastic and paper bags. Reusable bags are convenient and come in a variety of sizes and styles. Some reusable bags can even be rolled or folded small enough to fit into a purse or pocket.

4.Change Your Light Bulbs

Compact Fluroscent Light Bulbs (CFL) are more energy efficient and less expensive to use than the traditional incandescent bulbs invented by Thomas Edison. For example, compact fluorescent light bulbs use at least two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light, and they last up to 10 times longer. Compact fluorescent light bulbs also generate 70 percent less heat, so they are safer to operate and can reduce energy costs associated with cooling homes and offices.

 5. Transact  Online

Many banks, utilities and other businesses now offer their customers the option of paying bills online, eliminating the need to write and mail paper checks or to keep paper records. By paying your bills online you can save time and money, lower the administrative costs of companies with which you do business, and reduce global warming by helping to prevent deforestation.

Signing up for online bill paying is easy and doesn’t take much time. You can either choose to have certain bills paid automatically each month or elect to review and pay each bill yourself. Either way, you will receive outstanding returns on your small investment of time.

Ciao !

The Winner Stands Alone !

By Paulo Coelho

To manage to face this new moment and allow room for new ideas and for energy to be renewed, it is necessary to have courage. Courage to face prejudices. Courage to be fair. Courage to understand that everything we do affects the history of the world. Courage to take steps in the direction of the unknown, even knowing that from time to time we are going to make mistakes.

God has done his part by creating us and putting us in the world. Now He looks down on us with love and asks us to do our part.

Read the book !

Change of Guard !

Amidst the cacophony of  shrill electioneering, news of great importance related to the elections, almost went unnoticed. Chief Election Commissioner ( CEC )  Gopalaswami  retired from the Election Commission a few days ago, in the thick of the Lok Sabha 2009  general elections.

How such important news went unnoticed is baffling. The more visible EC's of the past like TN Sheshan and Lyndoh went out in a wave of public attention and excitement, almost like  flamboyant Generals just having won  glorious wars.

What never ceases to amaze us is the dispensability of individuals. That the institution is supreme, and the role of the individual is subservient to the institution, is a well established fact. Clearly, the goverment did not consider it expedient to grant Gopalaswami an extention of a mere one month, points out to the goverment not wanting him to continue, thereby paving the way for Navin Chawla to become CEC.

Would you have the courage to loose the key functionary of your organisation during your most, say, important marketing canpaign, or, during your most important production run ??? Can we say that the government is so efficent, the loss of a Gopalaswami during the most critical period of the 2009 election is of no relevance ???

 

PONDER !!!!

Shoot the breeze !

My Sunday mornings comprise of reading many newspapers and their magazine sections, over cups and cups of tea, interspersed by phone calls from family and friends. The magazine sections with their weekly horoscope are of  particular interest, would my next week better than the one just gone past ?? As I  skimmed over what each forecast said, all seemed to speak with the same forked tongue : a mix of some good, some bad, leaving you more confused than you were before you began reading.  Print media being a disappointment, I switched to the Internet, hoping for some better  tidings there, and chanced upon a great reading in the Washington Post, on my wife's forecast,( seemed  more applicable to me !!) which I'd like to share with you :

Your bank statement may not be as healthy as it used to be, but that doesn't mean that you can't be as happy as you used to be! You need to stop letting money control your mood and start realizing that you are so lucky to have the life you have. To help you get back into a sunnier mood, why not call up some friends and make a date for some casual group fun? Play some games together or' just shoot the breeze'. You all don't have to spend money to have a wonderful time.

So, I've decided to do just that this Sunday, 'shoot the breeze'! I hope you decide to do the same, and have a wonderful Sunday !

Ciao !!

The Lies of the day

The top two lies of the day !!

Ajmal Kasab says he's a juvenile, and should be tried by a juvenile court. Poor little dear, lost his way ( 700 kms over land, and 500 kms over sea ) and landed in Mumbai, with just this little AK 56 assault rifle and a bag full of RDX ( toys from Mommy ), and guess what ?? people fall dead with just these harmless bullets and explosives ! Now Mommy in Pakistan is real angry that the Indians think her poor little baby could do something bad, and wants to come to India to fix that !!

And the second lie :

Rabri Devi says she's had enough of politics and wants to retire. Now what happens to poor Lallu ? who's going to keep the seat warm for him during the next fodder scam ? Sorry Rabri darling, you may want to retire, but your husband has other plans to keep you out of the kitchen ( though he swears he loves your cooking, lying ba.....d !) You're doomed to keep that right thumb of yours in ink, to stamp all the government ordinances and freebies ! ( what as that ? she learnt how to sign ? sorry correction, keep that right hand free to sign all the freebies etc )

And such is the Dance of Democracy !!  Till the next lot of lies - Ciao !!

So its finally begun !

So it's finally begun ! you know what I'm talking about, yes you guessed right; the 2009 general elections in India. What a party, the world's largest functioning democracy, 780 million voters, 300 million first time voters and etc etc , one could go on rattling stats being churned out by all and sundry ; the spin doctors, the media, the psephologist's and of course you and me ! what better way to spend an evening - a tall chilled beer, and an animated discussion on where the country is headed politically !

Besides all the drawing room discussions( 'this country will never change' or, 'these guys are beyond repair') the political parties and their leaders seem to be operating in a vacuum of their own. Oblivious of the voter, they have segmented the electorate in to every conceivable denomination, caste creed religion being the least of it, and are at pains to discover further fissures in our hetrogenous society, which could be converted into vote banks. Each party is also at pains to align itself with what could emerge as a post election winning combination, and are at pains to form third, fourth and fifth fronts. For the likes of us, we can only view it as a bad play which one has been taken to, bad script, bad actors, poorly choreographed, and a very poor production, and as the audience we don have the option of walking out of the show ! Thats how trapped the Indian voter is !

The worrisome trend does not end here - to get attention the likes of Varun Gandhi and Sanjay Dutt single out communities for hatred, the respective parties they represent, bereft of ideology, back them to the hilt in their hate agenda, political non entities like Nafisa Ali are fielded in mature political arenas like Lucknow and so on .... The Naxalities in order to disrupt election resort to surgical attacks and explosions in the states going to election ...

And how could we forget cricket ? a nation which would give up its left arm to watch a match moves to South Africa, and team owner in Sharukh Khan feel that he knows better than cricket doyen Sunil Gavaskar !! The arrogance of money !

With so much happening, the undercurrent of excitement of change is palpable in this Indian summer of 2009, with temperatures crossing the 40 degree mark, the heat is far from reaching its peak - a lot more heated debates, tempers, mud slinging promises to make the mercury shoot up even further !