BigB Sent Me A Birthday Present!

Friends did you hear? BigB sent me a birthday present today, 8 April 2009. Unbelievable? I know. Let me tell you this story and pass on to you the baton – the hope and the wisdom.

I was feeling very low on my birthday today. So when the Day 349 unfolded on BigB’s blog, I wrote a short note in the comments. The tone said all, although the words did not. And then the God intervened. In no time, in a matter of minutes, BigB posted his second post on this great day, 8 April 2009. And there was my birthday present! The God, through BigB, sent a beautiful message for me!

I will reproduce here the thanks I wrote to BigB in the comments. To read the other part, namely the wisdom of BigB, please refer to his blog, bigb.bigadda.com, day 350, “The fern and the Bamboo”.

Amit ji,

I wrote today in the earlier edition (7-8 April), that it’s my birthday! Since there is now this edition, 8 April – I again mention, today it’s my birthday!

I was feeling very low, the tone can be seen in the earlier short note of mine. The God, all-knowing, omnipresent and omnipotent, has His ways. As you mention here, He won’t give up on me. That is why you posted for the second time today and sent me this beautiful birthday gift – the best so far in my 45 years – “The Fern and The Bamboo”!

From now on – never to regret a day in life, especially 8 April. There’s not a challenge I could not handle. I understand that the roots, the foundations have grown strong, all along. I will not compare myself with others, for I have a different purpose, and a higher one at that. My time will come, and I will rise high. Very high, very very high, very very very high…….

“Give me glory by rising as high as you can”, God and You urge me to move on and beyond. I have my share of happiness and experience.

Thank you very much for such a beautiful gift, an eternal gift on my birthday.

Why Not NSA against Laalu?

And now Laalu Prasad Yadav? The Cabinet Minister of India?

Yesterday he was bragging at a public meeting that had he been the Home Minister, he would have crushed Varun Gandhi under a road roller!

A responsible Cabinet Minister of UPA Government? This is the true face of the present government. No surprises, when the criminals and the corrupt like Laalus occupy the highest positions in this land of Mahatama Gandhi, the wisdom and governance will be at their nadir.

Now the million dollar question - will NSA be invoked against Laalu? What is the difference between what Varun Gandhi and Laalu spoke in public? They both spoke foul, both are inciting voilence, both have shown their criminal intentions. The Laalu's words are more disturbing because he is part of the present government, his duty is very opposite to what he is doing.

Look at the property and assets of Laalu and Rabri and their children? Where has all this money come from? Laalu is a corrupt man. He needs to be put behind bars.

Is anyone listening? The government? The Home Minister? The Voters of India?

Make your choice?!

Mera Bharat Mahaan. Bharat Mata Ki Jai.

Transform India 360 Degrees

Friends,

The General Elections are here. Believe me, this election is not 'General'. It's special, very special. This election will decide where the country is headed for, and in turn where you are headed for.

Today, India has the foundations. Be it the economy, scientific endevour, IT, cricket, movies..... Herein lies the dilemma. Do we want the status-quo? Stagnation? Or do we want to move on and beyond? The change for the good is and always is desirable. Today you decide your future. 

For me, it has to be Lal Krishan Advani leading my country. I say this, because I'm impressed with what  Advani ji and his team have - they have a DREAM. It sure is my dream for my country and my dream for me. Advani ji has a positive agenda for governance, for taking the country forward.

Consider this:

Information Technology document, IT Vision, put forward by the BJP is by far the best blueprint for the development of the country and for ensuring that the development reaches the poor, the villages, the farms, the women, the rural schools, the defence personnel, the retired citizen and the middle class. I am amazed at the idea of IT being utilized in practically every field and creating jobs, 1.2 crore rural jobs! This will modernise our Nation, empower the common man, lessen the corruption and reduce the inequitable distribution of wealth.

The Advani team is committed to give our country a strong administration. Tougher laws to tackle law and order and terrorism. It is high time somebody did something about Terror. 

The status-quo will keep the things as they are! If you do not want things to improve in your country, please do not support and vote Advani.

For the farmers and students, loans at 4% interest rate! Loan waivers for the  farmers. No more farmer suicides in India. Debts off and cheapest credit, nothing more a farmer can dream of. 

Then the poor will get support and reservation and social security - the economic poor and not the caste based system of today. The IT to create 1.2 crore jobs. Cheap food.

A connectivity revolution is promised, broadband to every village with unlimited download at cable prices. The students are promised one crore laptops for Rs. 10,000. And interest free loans for a laptop. All schools to have internet enabled education.

For the girl child, Ladli Lakshmi Yojana. Every school going girl will have a balance of upwards of Rs. 1 lakh by the time she turns 18 years of age. No more infanticides, school drop-outs and dowry deaths.

Income Tax exemption till Rs. 3 lakhs. No Income Tax for retired employees and armed forces and para military forces. A seperate Pay Commission for the Armed Forces.

The BPL families to get smart mobile phones free.

Health insurance for all, cashless hospitalisation. Every PHC to be linked to National Telemedicine Service Network.

"E-Gram, Vishwa Gram" to computerise every govt. office right upto panchayat level. National 'Digital' Highways to revolutionalise connectivity.

 A toll free number to contact your MP anytime.

 "BJP Ka Vaada : Sabhi Ka IT Se Naata

  Har Hindustani Ka Bank Khata,

  Har BPL Parivar Ko Mobile Phone,

  Har Gaon Mein Broadband Suvidha,

  Har School Mein Internet Suvidha"

The IT is envisioned to Transform India 360 Degrees. India will move forward. You will move forward. Life will be better for you. Corruption will abate. More accounable leadership.

What do you want?

Make a choice.

The right choice.

Mera Bharat Mahaan. Bharat Mata Ki Jai.

Get Aside Shahrukh Khan

This is not cricket!

The darling of yesteryears, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar 'Sunny', certainly does not deserve the tongue lashing meted out to him by Shahrukh Khan. Sunil Gavaskar had some valid remarks against Shahrukh's team coach Buchanan. Gavaskar is justified to do that, that's his observation. But look, what Shahrukh did. He questioned the very legend, negating Gavaskar's achievements, knowledge and experience. Shahruk Apne Paise Ke Zor Par Gavaskar Ko Neecha Dikhana Chahta Hai.

I ask of Shahrukh Khan, who are you? Does throwing in money,  make you the boss of Indian cricket? That's what you were bragging about in your silly press conference. People love you as an actor, that's the end of the story. We love cricket and we love our cricketers. How dare you challenge Sunil Gavaskar to put up a team? Money has really gone to your head. Money brings ego, and one's downfall. That's what happening to you. Learn a lesson or two in humility from the more famous and the legend Amitabh Bachchan.

Having money, does not qualify Shahrukh Khan to abuse the cricketing legends - they are National Heroes and National Wealth. They have toiled for the country and they have made us proud as Indians. I am totally against this system of cricket and sports where money matters more than the sportsmen themselves. The BCCI should look into this dangerous trend emerging from the IPL format. Tommorow another silly, moneyed, egoistic can challenge the Sachins and Dhonis!? I know cricket is driven by money and cricket brings in still more money. But why should people like Shahrukh rule over the Indian cricket? Why not people like Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and the other greats?

I'm going to hoot against your team Shahrukh. I have lost respect for you. The people of India are not going to forget this insult of their hero, Sunil Gavaskar, the greatest of all cricketers India has produced.

Mera Bharat Mahaan. Bharat Mata Ki Jai.

Silent Eloquence

    A Picture Says More Than A Thousand Words! 

The Chopper - Ghasigaon Helipad

Sai Anant - The Paradise - my farmhouse in Kotkhai

The Family

Saviours Who? - 3

The Varun Gandhi controversy won't die down! Mayawati slapping the NSA against Varun Gandhi for his infamous utterings. Why the NSA? Are we in a democratic and free India? Will NSA be invoked against me for writing this?

This is a thumbs down for Mayawati. To speak the truth, Mayawati has spoken dirtier things. Her brand of politics thrives on the foundation of hate and divisiveness. She has overtaken the corrupt among the political leaders. And now she has overtaken the criminals and the like who have no respect for the law of the land.

India needs a mechanism to check such misuse of powers by the powers that be. The Saviours of the Constitution turn villains, in pursuit of  their selfish ends. What message is Mayawati sending to the Nation? Has she enacted NSA against her Ministers, MPs and MLAs with criminal background?

It is not a question of  Varun Gandhi, the disturbing part is that of the saviours turning tormentors. Omar Abdullah spoke from the heart when he said that Mayawati was wrong in imposing NSA. Other laws were sufficient in this case. This is the kind of morality and convictions we need in the political land scape. Three cheers for Omar Abdullah. 

Are others listening? Omar's new found friends - the congress party - were irresponsible and stupid in keeping silent and then saying that the NSA has been invoked by the State government. It is not the question of what suits the Congress but the question is what suits India? And do they have a view on AR Antulay? On Mohd. Azharudin (Azhar)?

Wrong doings in the Indian democracy, the assaults on the Constitution and on the other foundations of the Indian conscience, have never been tolerated by the countrymen. Not even Indira Gandhi was spared after the Emergency. This wrongful invoking of NSA in Varun Gandhi's case will only make a hero out of him, generate sympathy for him.

In prison, may Varun realise his folly and understand the Indian ethos - unity in diversity, tolerance, sarva dharma sambhav - coexistence of different religions, and above all the great Indian Constitution with all the attendant freedoms and responsibilities.

Till then may god help Maneka Gandhi, the mother.

Mera Bharat Mahaan. Bharat Mata Ki Jai.