VVS

Born as Sathyanaraya Raju on 23rd Nov.1926, Sathya Sai Baba attained heavenly abode at 7.40 a.m. today(24/4/2011). For nearly 50 years Baba held sway over millions and millions of people all over the world through his miracles, teachings and services.  Many considered him as God. An avatar of Shridi Sai Baba.  His ashram at Puttaparthi in AP and another at Whitefield in Karnataka became a hub of activity for lakhs of his devotees. For the ardent ones each act in their lives were His blessings. For the non believers he was a trickster.  Whenever he vomitted Siva Lingam on Mahasivarathri day or when he produced sacred ash from thin air sceptics like Dr. Kovoor challenged him to produce pumpkin from thin air.  Magicians like PC Sorcar also imitated him and produced sacred ash from thin air dispelling people's beliefs.  Despite all this even his critics would grudgingly admit to his signal service of  bringing drinking water to the parched 750 village...

A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 9.2 in the Ritcher scale rocked Japan.  It was followed by a Tsunami.  It was distressing sight to see.  Then the radiation threat.  Despite all these disasters the people of Japan maintained  calm.  Recently I read in the newspaper the interviews of two of the Indians who are working in Japan and who had come to Indian.  Both of them said the people of Japan were unperturbed.  When the Japanese Govt. distributed food packets, the people were orderly and took the food packets that were just enough for their family so that others can also get their share.  No grabbing.  No storing.  They came in queue.  No queue jumping.  No breast beating weals.  One restaurat where one of the Indians was staying gave food for free on that day.  When will this self discipline come to our country? Hope we will also learn.

In my earlier post I had mentioned about money playing a major part in the TN polls. Despite skepticism the polls went off peacefully.  It was surprising to have a huge turn out.  78.12% was the final percentage.  This is the highest electoral turnout since 1967.  Money dole outs have been curbed to a great extent by the vigilant Election Commission.  Kudos to the Chief Electoral Officer Shri Praveen Kumar and the Chief Election Commissioner of India Shri S.Y. Quireshi.  It was good to see no electioneering, no graffiti no big banners, no fleet of cars.  It was a quiet and well conducted election and refreshing one too. It is surprising how the Congress party has given a free hand to the CEC?  May be the Congress wants to teach Karunanidhi a lesson for using it to further his family interests and also bring a bad name to it. May be the Congress was given a less share in the Cake. Psephologists say that whenever there is a huge turnout in...

A few days back Anna Hazare went on a fast for including the PM and Judges in the Jan Lok Pal bill.  This triggerred a wave of support from all parts of the country. With News Channels giving a running commentary and with people with lit candles in their hands the whole country had suddenly woken up for an anti corruption crusade.  Seeing the support the Govt. bent and invited his representatives for talks.  Anna's team could extract an assurance from the Govt. to have a new draft committee on Lokpal. The Govt. formed a committee on Lok pal with representatives both from the Govt. and Anna Hazare's representatives. Personally speaking I have my own doubts about the outcome of the Committee.  Already the Congress satraps are making noises that Anna Hazare is pro BJP. They have questioned his praise for Narendra Modi. In this rhetoric the real issue will be lost. Both the Govt. and Anna Hazare's representatives may not see eye to eye and nothing would be the outcome ...

A few days back Anna Hazare went on a fast

India has won the World Cup after a gap of 28 years.  After the initial hiccups a tie against England and a defeat against South Africa it recovered to lift the Cup.  Our team's performance against Australia at Motera and against Pakistan at Mohali was commendable. Victories at Motera and Mohali culminated in the Cup win at Mumbai. It was heartening to see Dhoni click with the bat at last. Was it a coincidence that  for the years 1983 and 2011 the calender is the same? Victory in Cricket was good. Do we really need the pre match hype and post match "gifts typhoon" if I may call it so.?