The official blog is now active. The team will post activities and event updates as and when they occur. Also, we will be posting new site features when they are introduced. Right now, we are prepping ourselves for the upcoming elections which will probably take place around the month of April. Cheers, and keep watching this space for more.
TORCH
For a penny less
My heart I have sold
I burn my friend
and call myself bold
I say I have faith
but still I do not believe
Bcoz all around I find
God has become blind
Yet I walked with a torch
as my eyes begged,
a bit of happiness to see.
My torch was extinguished
peace wasn’t meant to be
And all this time I wondered,
In the light…
How much i craved to be,
Now,
For an hour in the dark,
I wish, would be forever for me.
Religion is a way of LIFE, not of DEATH.
We are literate, its time we learnt.
Shridhar – Indian by religion.
15th April 2002
“See you in an hour”
She said smiling.
Anticipation her
new love gifted.
“Will you marry me?”
He said. Sipping
wine she was
from her glass
“Let’s not let
this moment pass”
And it did not.
The hour never ended.
It was a Wednesday.
Shridhar – 28-11-2008
The question of God’s justice involves certain problems, such as the existence of disasters, loss and evil in the natural order, and inequalities in the social order. This question arouses, in fact, a whole storm of questions and objections in the minds of many people. The problems they face are so fundamental that what start out as doubts and hesitations, ultimately become an indissoluble complex.
Such people ask how it is possible that in a world created on the basis of intelligence and wisdom, so much suffering, pain and evil should prevail; that the world should be subjected constantly to the successive blows of hardship and misfortune, with loss and deficiency always in the ascendant.
Untrammeled self-indulgence, love of the word, unrestricted pleasure seeking, heedlessness of higher goals all these are intications of misguid ance and lack of awareness. In fact, the most wretchet of men
are those who have grown up in the midst of luxury and comfort, who have never experienced the hardships of life or tasted its bitter days along with the sweet the sun of their lives rises and sets within, unnoticed by anyone else.
Following one’s inclinations and adhering to one’s desires is incompatible with firmness and elevation of spirit, with purposeful effort and striving. Pleasure-seeking and corruption, on the one hand, and strength of will and purposiveness, on the other, represent two contrary inclinations in man. Since neither can be negated or affirmed to the exclusion of the other, one must strive constantly to reduce the desire for pleasure and strengthen the opposing force within one.
Those who have been raised in luxury, who have never tasted the bitter and sweet days of the world, who have always enjoyed prosperity and never endur ed hunger they can never appreciate the taste of delicious food nor the joy of life as a whole and they are incapable of truly appreciating beauty. The pleasures of life can be truly enjoyed only by those who have experienced hardship and failure in their lives, who have the capacity to absorb diffi culty and to endure those hardships that lie in wait along every step of man’s path.
Material and spiritual ease become precious to man only after experiencing the ups and downs of life and the pressure of its unpleasant incidents.
Once man is preoccupied with his material life, all dimensions of his existence are enchained, and he loses aspiration and motion.
Inevitably, he will also neglect his etemal life and inward purification. As long as desire casts its shadow on his being and his soul is ensnared by darkness, he will be like a speck tossed around on the waves of matter. He will seek refuge in anything but God. He therefore needs something to awaken him and induce maturity in his thoughts, to rernind him of the transitoriness of this ephemeral world and help him attain the ultirnate aim of all heavenly teachings, the freedom fo the soul from all the obstacles and carriers that prevent man from attaining lofty perfection.
The training and refinement of the self is not to be had cheaply; it requires the renunciation of various pleasures and enjoyrnents, and the process of cutting loose from them is bitter and difficult.
It is true that such exertions will be for the sake of purifying man’s inner being and allowing his latent capacities to appear.
Nonetheless, patient abstention from sin and pleasure-seeking is always bitter to man’s taste and it is only through obstinate resistance to lower impulses that he can fulfill his mission of breaking down the barriers that confront him and thus ascend to the realm of higher values.
South India does not follow any trend. With regional parties at helm, It will be interesting to see possible breakups and marriages. Read detailed analysis.
Andhra Pradesh (42): Andhra politics is in state of constant turmoil. TDP is trying to gain its lost ground. BJP is trying to make inroads by supporting telangana demand. TRS is in disarray. Congress is facing a strong anti-incumbency and opposition in telangana region. Most likely situation is TDP and Congress getting 18 each, TRS and BJP both getting 3-3. Newly formed Chiranjeevi’s party can disturb all equation. We should remember great performance by NTR in his first election. History can repeat itself. If Chiranjeevi get votes then it will be on cost of congress and TDP.
Karnataka (28): Karnataka BJP is looking to make this state a BJP clean sweep, but new developments between JDS and Congress can make road difficult for BJP and can reverse the mandate in this three party state. If situation continue as of now and all three major parties fight election alone, BJP is likely to win 18 seats, Congress grabbing 7 and JDS 3 seats. But nobody can rely on Mr. Devegauda. He can change any stance any time. So let us watch.
Kerala (20): Kerala was a shock to Congress in 2004 election, as they end up getting nothing out of this state. Though BJP is trying hard to win some votes in this southernmost state by relying on RSS, but still it is a two way fight between UPA and Left. This election is most likely to be split between the two. As the time passes, congress is gradually gaining ground. If election happens at scheduled time Congress can secure 8, and left 12 seats.
Tamil Nadu (40): Tamil Nadu is politically most interesting state in south India right now. Congress and BJP can win 1 seat each. If BJP allies with Jayalalita, then they have chance to win 1 more seat. As MDMK gone and now PMK ready to Mr. oldman is in big danger to loosing it to Amma. AIDMK is likely to win 20 seats this time, leaving 18 seats for DMK, MDMK, PMK. These three party are going to lose big time by fighting among each other. DMK could end up with 12 seats, PMK, MDMK 3 seats each. It will be interesting to see, whether any of PMK, MDMK joins ranks with Jayalalita or BJP. BJP and AIDMK will most likely form a pre poll alliance.
This completes our south India analysis and final tally will be:
Total seats: 130
BJP: 22
AIDMK: 20
This gives NDA total as 42
INC: 34
DMK: 12
This gives UPA total as 46
TDP: 18
TRS: 03
JDS: 03
Left: 12
MDMK: 03
PMK: 03
When I think of this country, I feel proud to be an Indian; but when I think of Indians, including myself, I feel unsure of their indianness. Unless we become nationalistic by character, we cannot tackle the problems which are arising now and then. Some deadly deeds of a group of murderers awake ourselves but we actually love to sleep soundly in our houses cosiness.
We don’t ask questions often! We should regularly question the Leaders and the Public about their ideas and we always ask to everyone—
What is INDIA?
Who is an Indian?
-Neeraj
We Indians stand united whenever there is a crisis or calamity. The response to recent Mumbai attacks is one such example where millions of Indians around stood in solidarity with the victims and pressurized the Government to act to prevent such heinous crimes in the future.
The common thread that weaves in and out of the any crisis is that the citizens of India have always stood up with or without the government support. But we need able, upright and visionary leaders to steer the country to a developed nation free of hunger, disease ignorance and lack of opportunity. Unfortunately we cannot custom create our leaders but we as citizens of India through the power of voting have the ability to make or break these leaders.
For us, the proud citizens of India, 2009 is going to be a crucial election year. As you are aware, many of us (such as NRI’s and people on temporary move) , being registered voters of India are not able to caste votes due to geographical reasons. As per The Representation of the People Act-1950, voter can only cast his/her ballot in a constituency only if, he/she is “ordinarily residing” in the corresponding area for at least six months prior to the polling date. We are being denied our constitutional right to vote and the right to participate in Indian polity due to our temporary residence. We feel that this needs amendments to allow ‘absentee voting’ in the largest democracy of the world. Non-resident Indians feel a strong urge to exercise vote and be a part of the democratic setup. We say “My Vote, My Voice”.
As a first step towards achieving this goal, an online petition has been prepared addressing concerned ministry. Please take sometime to read and sign the petition. Link to Petition http://www.PetitionOnline.com/abvindia/
Please spread the word and send it across concerned friends/organizations/mailing-lists or through networking sites like orkut and facebook. Questions, if any, contact us. we will be glad to answer. We sincerely look forward to a very eager and enthusiastic response. Let us say “Voting is my might birth right, I shall definitely have it!”
Voters without Borders
India now demands LTTE chief Prabhakaran be extradited if caught. What use would that be? Even if he’s tried, the case will drag on and on until the guy gets old and dies of natural causes. India got Abu Salem extradited from Portugal. It’s been 3 years since and his trial is still being dragged on endlessly. Our justice system is a mockery, and anyone pretending otherwise are just fooling themselves. A testament to this fact is that Afzal Guru, the terrorist who attacked parliament was convicted and sentenced to death, still lives on. Now even some political parties support his clemency plea. What a bunch of rats!!!
26/11 saw 10 people create a bloody mess in Mumbai as if they were playing a game, with cheatcodes on. It took 3 whole days for our forces to control that situation. A lone terrorist was captured, but woe is me! We don’t have a defence lawyer for the poor guy, who found it quite entertaining to rain bullets on unarmed people, even a 6 month old child. Instead of fighting over the appointment of a defence lawyer for Kasab (who by the way was caught on camera brandishing his AK-47 and killing people at CST), the correct way would have been to appoint a committee or a special fast-track court, declare the punishment and carry it out, all within a week of capturing him.
India recently condemned Israeli attack on Gaza. At least Israel had the balls and the conviction to act against those who attacked their country. We are a sovereign nation, so can’t we make decisions on our own? Why do we have to keep running to other countries and seek their permission? By not taking firm action, we are sending a message to these terrorists and nations that no matter how heinous a crime you commit in our country, you will probably be let off quite easily. The US, NATO would obviously call for peace, as an Indo-Pak war would affect their own in Afghanistan. All that these nations and organizations care about is their own interests. It’s time we took care of ours.
More than enough has been discussed about terror and the discussion, I feel, now going nowhere. Perhaps we are very practical and know what we cannot do. But we do not know what we are capable of. Mr. Amitabh Bachchan is now sleeping with his firearms in the drawer. We are busy minding our own business. And sound sleeping in our sweet home until one new blast will wake us up.
Parliament is forwarding some instruments to fight against terror and we think that everything will be alright soon. No, certainly not. we have to demand full transparency in the legal and procedural activities of GoI. We should demand action in the stipulated time and zero failure of the Investigating agencies.
Pakistan is rightly denying every charges against Pakistan and Pakistani nationals. After all, it is shameful to accept the blames of Indian Govt. They have to answer their people. But what hurts me is the mindset of Pakistani people. Actually, it seems, the general public of Pakistan has no hate towards the terrorists and they never demanded wiping out of terrorisn from their land. We have nothing to do in this matters. Really, if the so called Jehadis make hell of Pakistan, we don’t care but they should not enter into our life.
Very soon we are going to vote in our parliamentarians and we should make sure not a tainted person should be elected. And I request and propose to choose and vote for only the two main parties so that the Government will have not to compromise on its policy and particulars for the sake of regional small parties.
And if we select young dynamic people and send them to form Government, it will be much better. After all, senior veterans of politics will find place in the Upper House who can rein in the excess youthful adventure of the Young Government.
hi ,
this is ajay , an indian citizen and a resident of mumbai who is also fed to the teeth with the nonsense going on in the media with respect to CM election and the no-action or inaction on our part to any nonsense that goes on in our land whether it is bad roads , terrorist attacks , flooding etc
common man is bearing the brunt of everything and we are also ensuring that this thing continues on live tv.
we need to put an end to this and look ahead and hence i suggest a 7 point program which should be taken up asap – as initial steps for a better india.
action points which should be done asap
(1) reelection of entire parliament – based on entrance exams , qualification , gd – discussion of issues , at least 5 years of social service record and retirement age of 60 . everyone who is currently above 60 should be sent on permanant tirth-yatra.
(2) free and compulsory education for all upto ssc – if someone does not educate his/her child – the bread winner will have to pay a fine – maybe 1000rs a year – so some such value.
(3) police should be given min salary of 30 for new joinees and 50k after 2 years of service , senior officers should get min 1 lakh as salary and free insurance policy , free housing and education for kids and latest equipment – along the lines of isreali police and vehicle for travel. they must get 3 paid leaves a year with family of 1 week each. in case anyone is caught taking a bribe he should be hanged in public or be in jail for life.
(4) armed forces – should be given min salary of 50k- entry level and going upto 2 lakhs for a senior officer who has completed 2 years service apart from benifits mentioned above. same punishment if caught in any offence. latest equipment should be made available along the lines of isreali armed forces.
(5) election should be made online or by sms and in case of villages it should be done by officers who will go house to house to take votes – this elimitaes booth capturing as there are no booths
and anyone caught doing anything wrong should be put in jail for min 10 years plus 5 lakh fine.
(6) every city should have a rapid action force ready in air , land and sea – who have shoot to kill order ready.
all armed forces , police and rapid action force will not be controlled by policians. they will be independant bodies who will have their own CEO type structure as we have in multinational organisations- who will be accountable for every damn thing they do .
so a police can shoot a politician if he finds him a threat !!!.
(7) citizens need to talk to the new policians – face to face - every 2-3 months and take stock of the situation – like a team meeting. if any politician is found to be not ok should be changed asap – then and there.
and the most important thing is for the media to understand that they should not give forum to terrorists like musharraf – who is responsible for killing 2000+ indian lives in kargil and still …. to this day indian media is giving him the forum to talk against our country .
