KARNATAKA MEIN NATAK

A Mockery of Indian Politics

I am not well versed in politics, but the state of affairs in Karnataka–the tamasha created by H.D. Devegowda and his party members–is sheer mockery of Indian politics. Imposition of President's Rule, formation of a BJP-led government, and once again President's rule, hypocrisy, backstabbing, and greed continues in politics.

"Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

"Greed for power corrupts and if that power has been tasted once, it corrupts absolutely."

Is there no retirement age for politicians?

When the youth of the nation try to take active part in politics, does the common man even care to vote for them?

The mentality-"A known devil is better than an unknown friend." is applied here.

The drama unfolding in Karnataka, the wary coalition at the centre, the massacre taking place in West Bengal, all these incidents will be brushed under the carpet and life will go on as usual. The common man will have to bear the brunt of these political tactics.

God alone can save this country.

To conclude-

"The people should not be afraid of the Government, the Government should be afraid of the people."-[taken from "V for Vendetta"]

AMERICAN GANGSTER

Name of movie-American Gangster.

Cast-Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington and others.

Director-Ridley Scott.

I saw American Gangster on Saturday night. This is a movie set in the 1960s and 70s and shows how heroin was sourced from Vietnam and China and how a whole generation of America degenerated.

The movie is shot in a style reminiscent of the fifties with a foggy effect on screen. Lot of hard work has gone into the creation of authentic sets, vehicles, billboards, fashion style etc.. Denzel Washington plays the role of Frank Lucas the 'collector' of a big crime lord. When his boss dies of a heart attack, Frank consolidates his position by sourcing heroin form Vietnam using the U.S. Army as a courier. He distributes cocaine throughout the country marketing it as "Blue Magic."

He fights the Italian Mafia, corrupt police officials, enforcement operatives, and other Black gangs. He becomes the undisputed king of Harlem.

He brings in his younger brothers to the city to help him with his business. He also falls in love with a Puerto Rican beauty and marries on her.

On the other side of the law we have police detective Richie Roberts played by Russell Crowe. Richie is struggling to cope up with his failing marriage, he also pursues a course in law by going to night-school.

The story is pretty interesting and I am not going to reveal all of the story. The cat and mouse game between the cops and the criminals is pretty well brought out. There is not lots of explosions on screen and the narrative is gripping. The movie is going to get nominated for a decent number of Academy Awards and I won't be surprised if Ridley Scott gets the coveted golden statuette for 'Best Direction.'

My rating 4/5.

Gilchrist plays like a Gilli

Adam Gilchrist became the first player in test cricket to hit 100 sixes. He clobbered two sixes of on over by Muralitharan on Saturday. As Australia posted a mammoth total 542/5 and declared their innings. Sri Lanka were once again bowled out for 200 odd runs and Australia are batting again.

Team India face their toughest trip Down Under when they visit Australia for the test and one-day series in December. India won the ODI series against Pakistan, but are staring at sure defeat in the inconsequential final ODI today. The three test series that starts soon will be crucial. I really do not understand the logic applied by the OLD WISE MEN in selecting the team. Sehwag is going through the lousiest patch of his career, but he loves playing against Pakistan and he should have been tried for the first test at least. Dropping Irfan Pathan is again nothing short of ridiculousness. Uthappa is not justifying his selection. Today he had a fine opportunity to play a good knock and he squandered it. I hope Dinesh Karthik gets some good knocks in the Test series.

Let us hope Jumbo does justice to his new avatar of captain, which he deserved long back. Kaif needs to be selected and play for India.

Let us hope Sachin's batting magic continues.

Cheers guys.

TEAM INDIA ON SONG

Sachin was out on 97, but that did not matter as his solid start paved the way for Dhoni and Yuvraj to finish the proceedings in style. Chasing 256 for victory, India scored 260 with three overs to spare.

Earlier Shoaib Malik won the toss and elected to bat. Salman Butt was trapped lbw by R.P. Singh and somehow the Pakistan innings never took off. Then Mohammed Yousuf and Misbah provided some fireworks with 77 runs coming of the last ten overs. Yousuf was stranded on 99 not out. Ganguly got Afridi's wicket and became the third player after Jayasurya and Sachin to score 10,000 runs and also take 100 wickets in ODIs.

Ganguly and Gambhir left as quickly as they came in, Sachin and Sehwag got quick runs Sehwag was run out for 43. Then Sachin produced the best selection of shots magnificent square drives, superb flicks and a powerful straight drive. It was a treat to watch him play. I am waiting to see him battle Lee and Co. in Australia.

A success for India with this series win, it will be nice if the team wins the test series too. It will infuse confidence before the long trip to Australia.

Good work Team India.

Keep making us smile with your victories.

Musings..

Life goes on, five months into the new job-everything is fine. Feels a bit strange to come home and sleep when the rest of the world is starting their day. Food habits have changed drastically. For a person who hates Venn Pongal, well almost thrice a day I get pongal for early morning breakfast.

A really fabulous set of colleagues always ready to answer my doubts and questions. Work is good and I have learnt lots of new stuff.

Let us see what the future has in store.

Cheers folks take care.

DIWALI REPORT CARD

The big Diwali is turning out to be a damp squib at the box office.

KOLLYWOOD

Azhaghiya Tamizh Maghan-Is Vijay's biggest flop after Aathi. Even skimpily clad Namitha and Shriya cannot save the movie from disaster.

Machakaran-Is a flop. Really expected Jeevan to choose a better script.

Agra-Interesting story, good photography, nice story, but no chemistry between the lead pair. A good effort any way. Film might break even as it was produced on a tight budget.

Kanna Moochi Ennada-Family subject, decent comedy, the women seem to like it. Will only work in the city centres.

Vel-The only movie that is going to make a clear profit, old plot but nice presentation, songs are pathetic, but the movie is a hit. Director Hari boosts Surya's image.

Polladhavan-Ranked number two after Vel, right amount of sleaze, action and emotion, for the front-benchers.

BOLLYWOOD

No two opinions, Shahrukh's Om Shanti Om is the winner. A mix of "Karz" a little bit of "Hamlet" lots of songs shot in Broadway musical style, Deepika Padukone, and lots of gags. Made in true Manmohan Desai style, the movie is a hit worldwide.

Saawariya-All hype and no substance. Sony's first Indian production-a lavish self indulgence by Sanjay Leela Bhansali-a fantasy like world where there is too much melodrama. I somehow liked the songs more. Wait for the dvd.

Bitter Truths on November 14, 2007

November 14, 2007 is celebrated as Children's Day across the country, in memory of the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru. Children get chocolates in most schools, they are allowed to come in casual dress and receive some gifts.

The sad brutality of life is that close to 5 million children are employed in various industries in India. Small factories, garages, restaurants, fire-crackers production units, brick manufacturing units, the list goes on..

Is it fair to deprive a child of its basic right to education and freedom to enjoy their childhood?

Child abuse is another ugly demon that is causing lot of insecurity. The Nithari case that created ripples in the media and brought out the horrors perpetrated by two perverted men is almost forgotten. All the hue and cry, police investigations, CBI enquiries, everything in vain. Should not the two perverts and the policemen in cahoots with them be hanged to death?

Try to support an underprivileged child. Today there are lots of genuine organizations that help children.

Do your bit to create a better tomorrow for them.

Will Mush Survive?

Things are really hotting up in Islamabad and rest of Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto has been placed under high security house arrest. Imran Khan managed to escape to London and has found solace in ex-wife Jemima Khan and has asked for a students-revolution in Pakistan. The areas surrounding the North West Frontier Province have been taken over by pro-Taliban forces.

Mush has promised free and fair elections by February 15, 2008, Bush and Rice have demanded the General to relinquish his post of Supreme Commander. Will Pakistan end up in a mess like Afghanistan, I think it might.

Let us see what happens?

Musings

Diwali's come and gone. I believe it is the most lacklustre Diwali that I have ever been through. No crackers, no midnight celebrations, no all evening carrom and chess tournaments. Above all after seven years for the first time I did not see a movie in a cinema hall on its Diwali release date. Well we have to make some sacrifices when one works for a foreign B.P.O., let bygones be bygones.

Well we did get some sweets from office, but nowadays every office gives sweets on most festive occasions.

Saw some movies on DVD this weekend-I saw "Citizen Kane" and I was spellbound by the awesome power and charm of Orson Welles. It would be great if the movie is made in Tamil with Parthiban or Raj Kiran playing the role of Kane.

By folks take care.

CRIC-NEWS

India defeated Pakistan by 46 runs in the third ODI at Kanpur.

South Africa defeated New Zealand in the first test match.

Australia defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and a huge margin in the Brisbane test.

HAPPY DIWALI

Hi folks wishing all of you a Happy Diwali.

Sorry for the delay in wishing everyone.

May the spirit of light bring joy, prosperity and peace to everyone.

Five Star Treatment

Got a chance to have dinner at the Taj Connemara tonight, courtesy of a client visit. The food was normal as usual, nothing fascinating or different from the food served at other official gettogethers. Those of you have been reading my blog regularly would be aware of the Ooty affair and the food misadventures we had there. I felt that the food was on par with the dishes we sampled at Sterling Resorts.

Dessert was good, rasgullas and vanilla icecream topped with chocolate sauce and nuts.

Took some snaps of the woodwork and the stone idols in the hotel.

A fine experience indeed.

Sachin's 99 goes in vain..

Sachin hit a blistering knock of 99, and aided by Gambhir's 57, Harbhajan's 38 and lots of extras, India scored 321 /9 in 50 overs. Pakistan in a must-win situation aided by a brilliant century by Younis and good knocks by Misbah and Afridi Pakistan won the match with one ball to spare.

Anil Kumble has been named India's Test captain for the series against Pakistan and hopefully we will get to see some fascinating cricket as the series progresses. Dhoni, Uthappa, Ganguly and Yuvraj's failure with the bat is a bit of a worry and the overall performance has to improve. Sehwag's inclusion at the expense of Murali Karthik cost India the match.

Let us wait for the Kanpur match. Will Dravid or Kaif get a chance?

Pakistan continues to burn.....

Janaab Pervez Musharraf, continues the legacy of despotic dictators, he declared a state of emergency in Pakistan. All private T.V. channels, the internet and telephone lines have been blocked. All protesting political parties, the lawyers, everyone has been arrested, prominent politician and cricketer Imran Khan escaped captivity in true filmi style and is currrently in hiding. The Constitution stands dismissed and martial law has been imposed.

The Bush administration is embarassed and Condoleeza Rice says Pervez must shed his uniform [that would be a ghastly sight.:)]. I prefer Salman Khan any day. A civil war may erupt any time and democracy is a long way away for Pakistan. Perhaps the U.S. marines or the Navy Seals will launch a blitzkrieg-like operation and pull General Mush out of Islamabad, put him on a plane and take him to the CIA headquarters at Langley. I guess I am reading lots of Robert Ludlum novels.

Lets see what happens.

Praying for sanity to be restored in Pakistan as well as the rest of the world.

INDIA DRAWS FIRST BLOOD

The battle has begun, the first ODI between India and Pakistan, tamed out to a tame game as India restricted Pakistan to 239/7, and then notched up the target with three overs to spare. Special praise should be showered on Murali Kartik, Harbhajan Singh, and Sachin Tendulkar who bottled up the Pakistani's flow of runs.

Sachin took two precious wickets and the fielding was surprisingly OK, in fact as Ajay Jadeja put it in an interview "Finally a fielding side worser than India." SHoaib Akhtar trapped Sachin and reduced the scorecard to 14/1. Then Ganguly and Gambhir batted sensibly and the elegance of the Prince was visible in shades. When they got out Yuvi and Dhoni played sensibly and India reached the target comfortably with three overs to spare. Dhoni won the man-of-the-match award.

Let us see what happens at Mohali.

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS FOR CINEMA

It is celebration time as Diwali is here. Lots of movies are geting released, it is going to be the biggest Diwali ever in Chennai. On the Bollywood front there is Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Saawariya" and Farah Khan's reincarnation twist "Om Shanti Om." Kollywood has Vijay's first double role venture "Azhagiya Tamizhmagan," Surya's "Vel," Vikram's much delayed "Bheema," Dhanush's "Polladhavan," Prithviraj's "Kannamoochi Ennada" and some other movies also.

The Indo-Pak in full swing might show stiff competition to all these releases, and I would personally prefer to watch the matches than go to the theatres.

Waiting for the first reviews to come out.