Obituaries

Two sad events have occurred back to back within a short span. Over 70 CRPF Jawans have been massacred by the Naxals. The disaster is news all over today and everyone is discussing this. Even the Opposition parties (namely, the BJP) have expressed their solidarity with the government in fighting the Naxal menace. Soon this daring – the worst ever too – attack would be history. Politicians and public alike would get busy with other events and easily forget this – after committees, conversations (nay, debates) and much coffee. But the grieving families will forever be haunted by the departed members’ memories. And the morale of the CRPF has been damaged beyond immediate repair. The only way the government (and the Nation) can bring solace to the departed souls would be to train the paramilitary forces and provide them with everything they need to fight the well-entrenched enemy. It is now evident that the Naxals are no more poor tribals who are fighting the government apathy. May those who succumbed to the inhuman attack soon rest in peace!

Prof Ramachandra Siras, Reader at the AMU was found dead this evening. Even though the Media states that it’s a possible suicide there could be other angles to his death. He was in the public limelight for all the wrong reasons (for no fault of his). He was caught having sex on camera (with another man) – televised possibly at the behest of the University authorities - and was hence suspended from/by the AMU. For a man who wanted a normal life away from the public glare this sure must have been the worst ever nightmare. India – the biggest democracy – still lags behind when it comes to individual freedoms. Prof. Siras’s trial and tribulations that have culminated in his death are proof to this. The man might have succumbed to the pressure and the public gaze he had to live under – even after having won the first round of the legal battle (by getting a stay to the University’s orders from the Delhi High Court). Here’s wishing that his death may be the last due to discrimination.

A Nation Without Grace

No, it's not Pakistan I'm accusing of being graceless. It's India and us Indians who have proved to be absolutely disgraceful in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Mumbai.

It took Shivraj Patil 47 terror attacks and stern orders from Sonia to put in his papers - and he continued to say he did his duty! Manmohan Singh struggled to read from even a prepared text during his address to the nation that was telecast live. Pratibha Patil thought it was more important to tour the South East Asian nations while the nation fought the terrorists.

A Chief Minister made the most disparaging remarks in decades at a house of death and thereafter too. Achutanandan even dug in his heels to say that he said nothing wrong. Public rallies, ultra-political pressure was needed to make him say, "I'm sorry IF I've hurt his feelings". A conditional apology! Muqtar Abbas Naqvi was equally (if not more) sick. I really wish the media had played the video often enough so that the 'pseudo-leader' would've been made to eat crow. Alas, other events were more pressing for the press! RR Patil too made his exit after his infamous belittling of the enormity of the attack.

Vilasrao Deshmukh thought it made great photo-op to be seen with son and Ram Gopal Verma at the Taj recce - the first after the clean-up process. And, he said there was nothing wrong in taking his son to the Taj. To top it all he added that RGV was there near the Taj and just joined along! Callousness never knew these heights earlier. RGV was equally shameless in his interview to the NDTV.

Modi and Advani and the rest of the BJP is trying very hard to prove their 'deshbhakti' credentials and showing what turncoats they really are! The same police officer who was castigated and criticised by them no end, Shri Kirkire, now is a martyr!

Every security agency - the police, the Navy, the IB et al - is busy playing the blame-game. None wants to admits to one's lapses. 'We want actionable input' the Navy Chief asserted. What in the world does he mean?

The icing on the cake has been Narayana Rane. All that he could think of during the current crisis was himself and his right to become the CM of Maharashtra!

The entire nation is making an ass of itself by pointing fingers - as usual - at Pakistan. Retrieving a list of 20 most wanted from 2002, it has demanded action and their deportation from Pakistan to India. Who in the right senses will listen to the cliched talk?

Most of the citizens are busy asking for action against almost everyone and everything. Not one is willing to see what role each of us has played in bringing the nation to the state it's in today. The only saving grace I could find was the honesty with which Mr Chidambaram spoke and admitted to lapses. The lone courageous person in a billion? Sure a proud moment for the Country. India's truly shining!!