UPA's trust vote

I am thoroughly enjoying the political activities going on right now. It seems like the UPA will scrape through in the trust vote.

I have been a supporter of the deal since 2005 when it first came into public domain. And have hence been thoroughly disappointed with the stance BJP has taken.

I think the BJP also realizes that it shouldn't have played its cards in such a narrow-minded manner with just a single point agenda of opposing everything the government does. In my perception, a number of staunch BJP supporters are also thoroughly disappointed and feel betrayed by a party that fancies itself as the most patriotic.

No wonder then the BJP is so luke-warm to pulling down the government. It might face a back-lash from its own vote-bank if it is seen as actively sabotaging the deal.

So, ironically, the principal opposition party led by the Leader of the Opposition will ensure enough of their flock will abstain and ensure that Lok Sabha reposes faith in its Council of Ministers headed by Dr. Manmohan Singh.

I am ready to even believe in the theory that the Congress and the BJP had some conversation about their floor strategy in view of the Mayawati factor. What else explains the exuberant confidence of the PM that he will win the vote? Why would he call the whole session as avoidable? Did he imply that the opposition being put up was just a farce? And why would Advani dwell so long on how this session is not a distraction?

In this whole game, Dr. Manmohan Singh is the biggest winner. And if he wins, India wins.

Let's just hope I have not spoken too soon about the outcome!

Shame on you Prakash Karat

Shame on you Prakash Karat for placing your personal ego in front of national interest.

Prakash Karat has become a prisoner of his own words and worse, he is upping the ante.

All the while though I didn't agree with the ideas of leftists, I respected their intelligence and grasp on grassroot issues. Now I understand the dangers of their blind ideology.

Prakash Karat has successfully killed any interest an urban Indian would have had in his party.

If the govt. falls, Congress can rest assured of a sympathy wave among urban fence-sitters.

This generation and spirituality

I just read a very interesting article in 'The Week' about how young Indians are perceiving religion today. The article made some interesting observations.

- While the previous generation was tied up in making enough money for a decent living, the present generation takes a deeper look at religion and its relevance in our lives.

-The pressures of globalisation and cut-throat competition and associated dysfunctions of modernity create the necessary push to explore spirituality.

-The present generation has access to adequate avenues to find answers to the questions that rise. If yoga, meditation, Buddhism form one set of avenues, atheism and self-reliance too has become a religion of its own.

This totally explains why a large number of urban Indians today describe themselves as spiritual. And I am bullish that Indians would continue to nurture spirituality in all its dimensions.

Among those who will not try the spiritual path are those who think that it is a crutch for the insecure. The 'work hard, party hard', happy-go-lucky yuppies too come under this category.

And then there are liberals who will not explore spirituality in all its dimensions (including rituals and congregations) because spirituality to them is a private affair. They thus deny one of the most fundamental aspects of a religion - its social character.

Then there are those to whom the dogma of modern science has taught the word 'why'. The 'why' demands an instant answer, disallowing the possibility of a dispassionate observation.

Ci Na Re

I have become a fan of C. Narayana Reddy. And am glad he has already been felicitated with the Gyanpith award.

I haven't read much of his literature as such, but the lyrics he penned for songs in the 60s are enough to give a idea of his prowess.

Most poets use a lot of sanskritised samasas in Telugu, but CNR seems to be able to express himself in 'accha' Telugu. And as I think about it now, most Telugu lyricists also use an excess of alankarams. CNR's lyrics are not ornate at all. Just simple and straight.


Sample these:

From 'Telisindile, Telisindile'

sogasaina kanulemo naakunnavi
churukaina manasemo neekunnadi

kanulemiTo! ee kadha emiTo!
sruti minchi raagana paDanunnadi, paDutunnadi!

From 'Gaali ki kulamedi'

paalaku okaTE telvarNam
edi? pratibaku kaladaa kalabhEdam?
veerulakenduku kulabhEdam?
adi manasula cheelchedu matabhEdam


From 'Uhalu gusa-gusa laaDe'

nanu kori cherina bela
dooraana niliche vela?

nee aanati lekunnacho
viDa lenu oopiri kuda!