Let this be a precedent my dear country!

She had everything going for her. The most powerful person in the state of Tamil Nadu. In fact one of the more powerful chief ministers of the country. There was no opposition in sight. She almost had the pulse of the people by her hand. A lot of her schemes were liked by the people. Another sure shot victory was in the offing. And then yesterday happened!

What a tragedy yesterday was! What a tragedy! A life,which could have so easily been celebrated as a doyen of modern day Indian democracy, had to end up behind prison bars.

May be she was too naive a politician then, to have got caught red handed. May be it was only 60 crores and that is pittance when compared to the usual political scams; Yes, she is definitely one of the better cheif ministers of this country and was doing a pretty decent job in her last inning; But all these can't come to her defense. The court found her guilty of courrpution and she is punished. Simple as that.

A punishment which I think was very much deserved, though delayed

So, for once a chief minister, because of a criminal conviction in a court of law is jailed. And if, and only if, she is aquited by a higher court can she be a member of the legislative assembly (MLA) within the next ten years. Again a first for this country. And I really don't think supreme court will overturn such a magnum opus decision.

Let this set a precedent my dear country. A precedent for the big ticket politicans; that if you end up doing a small mistake in the 24*7 public gaze you will be punished. Let the corrupt minister look at her and think for a second that they cannot just run ruf shod over everything, and law may catch up some time. Let the youngsters who wanted to earn quick bucks the ugly way in politics realize, it is not always easy and if you get caught you will be behind bars, whoever you may be. Let this be the start of many more political convictions who are hiding behind power.

Let this be the start of something new. Something good.

Wiser, Older and getting married!

When your father in law is reading your blogs, you tend to be intelligent! Or atleast pretend so. I surely am the latter. No, I'm not pulling his legs. Believe me:)

So when I was 22, just out of college, full of energy and Ideas, I wanted to change the world. Change the face of this country. Wanted to lead a change that will reduce poverty, shut off corruption and etc etc....I really thought I can! Then, I became old. And may be, 'wise' too.

I'm no longer the brash, carefree youngster who did not mind telling his teacher that he is partial. No longer I'm the arrogant guy who thought information techcnology in India is a lot of rubbish and quit a high paying job. No, I don't think I'm anymore the guy who was not afraid one bit about going to an interior forest in Assam, not knowing what I will do there.

And I'm getting married. I heard, men can't even change TV channels these days; Leave alone changing the world. See, I'm learning my lessons pretty fast! And in three months time, I understand the last strand of my independence will also be taken away, and with that my so called youth and brashness.

I'm sad! Sad that I'm becoming older. Sad that I'm suppose to become wiser too!

Why can't I be the same passionate, sometimes foolish, bold, sometimes arrogant individual I was, and get married too? Are they incompatible sutffs?

I can hear you say, "Go ask your father in law"!

P.S - No, No, this blog does not say anything. Don't search for meaning here.

That word 'modern'!

Have been mulling over this word in my mind for some time now. It all started as usual when the 'bride searching' started; It should have. That is one predominant thing which had been happening in my life for quite some time.

So every time, some proposal would come, the question the extended family would discuss is "Is she very modern?" So they will look at the photographs and the biodata which had the parental background, and the girls educational qualifications and will debate on whether that girl is 'Modern', or worse still 'modern enough' for the family

So, wearing Jeans, speaking in fluent english, putting on sneakers and coolers came under the 'modern' category and wearing kurta's and chuddidhar's and talking in tamil became the traditional category

I was literally confused! Should she be modern? Or traditional? A friend suggested marrying modern girls looks good, while one suggested marrying them is not easy!

Am I getting sleazy? Should we be at all talking about all these on blogs? I don't know! For all I know, modernity has to be in the mind. Thinking beyond caste and dowry; beyond discriminating women; beyond untouchability and other stupid cultural and traditional evils and thinking about the betterment or welfare of the society is modern for me.

Right, I understand I'm getting preachy here. Cannot help it; When I see people think wearing clothes, shoes and glasses can make you modern, without having simple social awareness, the society has just lost it!

You see, I am considered modern because I have a french beard! And that explains our society:)

Ma, remembered you on your bday!

So ma, I remembered you today. In fact, every passing day I have some remembrances of you. You played such a huge part in our lives for us to move on in life so easily. In fact, so many things have happened in the last month, yet you are a constant presence in our thoughts. You really are!

I remembered those early morning calls I make every single day, and those beautiful "Sam di chellam" you answer those calls with! I remembered those late night calls I make, when after slogging for nearly 12-14 hours you always had the time and energy to talk about everything that happened through the day.

Ma, do you know chithi got transfered? I remembered you, when she got that news. I know how badly you wanted her to get that transfer. I just thought for a moment how happy you would have been, had you been around when she got that news.

Ma, I went to an empty lifeless home last week! No, it had a lot of people as usual. There was a lot of love and affection. But, the emptiness of that house was palpable. Everybody was excited that I'm home, yet nobody could just be as excited as you were during those times I came home. At least a week before I came home your excitement started. I remembered how you used to call me just to tell what all you planned to cook when I am home. Ma, I missed those good bye's filled with kisses whenever I start back from home.

Ma, I really don't know why I should write all this here! I wish, I could just call you and tell all these.

Anyways, happy birthday! Love you so much.