Day 300

Today I’m writing the 300^th post on my blog. Another landmark achieved. I’m really happy today. Not only because of the 300^th post but next Monday, I’ll be flying back to India. I don't have the direct flight to New Delhi from Columbia. But first stop from Columbia is Dallas in Texas. From Dallas, I’ll be flying to London. From London to New Delhi. I have a gap of eight hours at London between my flights. I wish I could have the UK visa, so that I could have seen a part of the ongoing Olympic Games.

The Indian athletics are doing pretty well in the ongoing London Olympics. Gagan Narang won the bronze medal in shooting and he won the first medal for India. In badminton, Saina Nehwal in her first game in Olympics by defeating her Belgium opponent Lianne Tan. Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta have Wen Hsing Cheng and Yu Chin Chien in the doubles match in badminton. Leander Paes and Vishnu Vardhan have gone in to the second round in tennis. Only sad news is that the Indian hockey team lost their match to Netherlands. But they have put their best effort and gave tough competition to the Netherlands. Overall, the Indian athletes are making the entire nation hopeful of getting more medals this time.

On the home front, the fast of Team Anna has reached its sixth day. There are many supporters of this ongoing fast and they are supporting it to have an honest Lokpal. Families are joining the protest with their children, students bunked their colleges to join the movement and many people have taken leave from their works to express solidarity with Team Anna. This is the prove that people are feed up with the way of the government is working and the corrupt practices of the politicians. A daily wage worker, who earns Rs 300 per day, joined the fast movement of Team Anna because he thinks that the government has become stubborn and it doesn’t thinks about the problem of the common man. Even businessmen and managers are joining this movement. A manager in a MNC has stated that everyone is facing problem in getting every government departments for small things like getting driving licence and birth certificates due to corruption. Many people are joining the Team Anna’s movement because they are rid of the corruption in the government offices. They want to see a corruption free India for their children. 

Day 299

I know I was supposed to write the blog yesterday itself. But I couldn’t do that. I began my day after having breakfast at the hotel and went to have the trip of Washington. I went to the Capital building in the starting. Its American Parliament. In other words its senate house where all the representatives of people make amendments and laws. I had many photographs of that place. The entire are is known as Capitol which includes many museums and government offices. Actually it took three hours to just have the glimpse of every museum there. There was a McDonald’s outlet there in that area where I had my lunch. The interesting part was that there were many small birds and a squirrel. Whenever I threw a piece of French Fries towards the squirrel and it caught. Then the squirrel was having the French Fries with its front legs. It was really amazing. I immediately took a snap of the squirrel from my camera. Then I went to White House. But due to the security reasons there were a lot of restrictions on the movement of the vehicles and public. This restriction has been imposed after September 11, 2001. But there is a place on the street where you can have a glimpse of the White House. There were many visitors there, who were taking snaps of each other. After having the snaps, I went to the Lincoln Memorial. It’s a building where there is a huge statue of Abraham Lincoln sitting on a chair. From there the Washington Memorial was visible. As a matter of fact, the Washington Memorial is visible form the Capital also. It’s a 3 miles stretch from Capital to the Washington Memorial. After Lincoln Memorial, I went to hotel Double Tree owned by Hilton group.

After having some rest, I went to have a bath. I don't know but I was very much feeling hot. In India, I used to have hotter temperature and more sweat but yesterday I really felt hot. After having the bath, I felt refreshed. This is the thing which I never did in the last one year. No matter how much I sweated but I never took bath in the evening. After having bath, I dressed up and went out to have a walk on the streets. Before walking my friend took snaps of mine in the front of the hotel. Then we walked about a mile when we found a restaurant. It was having the all Indian food in the Indian style. The restaurant was a self service hotel where I had to pay first. We ordered chicken biryani. My friend proffered to have cheek peas curry along with the chicken biryani and I took lamb curry. The biryani was really delicious. But unfortunately, I got seven seeds of imli in my biryani. The biryani consisted of long grain rice and four to five medium chicken pieces. I really enjoyed every grain of the biryani. Then we walked back to the hotel. When we were on the streets, we came across people of approximately every nationality. Something quiet different from Orangeburg in South Carolina. Here people don’t greet each other like in Orangeburg but who cares. Everyone is happy in his or her private space. I think it is because of that everyone in the Washington is having a busy life. Actually I was told that Washington is having the total area of just 11 square miles. The majority of the staffs working in various government departs are living in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond is just 100 miles from Washington. At one side, Washington is surrounded by Arlington, Virginia. I don't remember the city at the side of Washington.

In short I would only say that trip to Washington was the best part of the American visit of mine. I really enjoyed the every moments I have lived here in Washington. 

Day 298

I know that I didn’t write any post yesterday. Actually yesterday, I was having a presentation at Claflin University. When I came back to my apartment, it was in my mind to write something but I was very tired and I dropped the idea of writing anything. Well right now, I’m in Washington D.C. Yes, my friends, it’s true. I’m in the capital of United States of America. Well I came here by car. Its about 500 miles from Orangeburg to Washington. But due to the good roadways, I covered this distance in 8 hours and 40 minutes with two small breaks of 15 minutes each for breakfast and lunch. In the evening, the Dean took us just for a ride of the important buildings in the Washington and dropped us back at the hotel. After getting fresh, I went to an Indian restaurant in Washington to have Indian food. The entire staff there was Indian and the food was totally Indian. After having the delicious dinner, I’m back on the bed of the hotel and writing this blog. Tomorrow I’m going for the tour of Washington. 

Day 297

Couple of days back, I logged in to my Facebook account. There was a link on which it was stated to share it. Many of my friends have shared it. It contained a clip about Mr Ratan Tata’s denial of selling 308 Tata Tempos to Pakistan. The reason given by Mr Ratan Tata about this denial was that his company doesn’t want to have any kind of business and business transaction with the country which is a safe house of terrorists. The country which gives shelter and training to terrorists and send them to India for destruction. At the last of the clip, it was stated that the business isn’t done merely for the profit or loss. Business should have some ethics and morals also.

I agree with Mr Ratan Tata and salute him for his decision. In my view, Mr Tata has done extremely right. With his single message, he has made two statements. First statement that there should be no business deals and transaction with Pakistan, who always sends terrorists for destruction in India. Second statement that there should be some ethics and morals in the business. Profit making isn’t the only aim in the business. We should ignore the morals and ethics in the business.

I have written a lot of posts regarding Pakistan and its menace against India. But again and again this issue crops up in some way or another. Some people still believe that we should have friendly nature with Pakistan. But who says that Pakistan should have the same relation with us? I think no one. There had been a lot of cultural programmes to develop the friendship between the two nations. But at the end of the day, India has been betrayed by Pakistan. In 1999, the then Indian Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, went on a bus to Pakistan for friendship and in return we witnessed Kargil war. If this is the return then why should we expect Pakistan to change its stand? India should take some military action against Pakistan. There should an end to terrorists coming to India from Pakistan and killing innocent Indians.

I remember there has been a programme named ‘Aman ki Aasha’ where two major media houses come together to have a series of mutual cultural programmes to enhance the friendship between the two countries. I think there hasn’t been honesty from Pakistani side. So what’s the use of such programmes when the Pakistan‘s army and ISI are planning, giving training to terrorists to India for killing innocent Indians? 

Day 296

Again the petrol price has been increased by 70 paise per litre from the midnight last night. In the last month, the prise was cut by Rs 2 as an average. But now the state owned oil companies like Indian Oil Corporation are saying that they are forced to increase the price due to hike in the price of oil in the international market. It is also been said that the oil companies in India has already suffered loss of Rs 2300 crore on the sale of petrol in April and May this year. Out of this amount, Indian Oil Corporation has lost Rs 1050 crore. The statement issued by the Indian Oil Corporation hinted that there will be another price hike in the recent future if the price of oil in international market will continue to rise.

If we compare the prices of petrol in the four metros then we will find that Delhi has the minimum increment of 70 paise per litre. The current price of petrol in Delhi is Rs 67.78 and revise rate is Rs 68.48. The difference is 70 paise per litre. But in Mumbai, the current price is Rs 73.35 and the revise rate is Rs 74.23. The difference is 88 paise per litre. In Kolkata the current price is Rs 72.74 and the revised rate is Rs 73.61. The difference is of 87 paise per litre. In Chennai, the current price is Rs 72.27 and the revised rate is Rs 73.16. The difference is 89 paise per litre. Similarly different states have different increments. These differences are due to taxes in different states.

I wonder that when the prices will go down so that it will be less painful for the middle class of India. It’s the middle class only which gets affected by the hike of the prices of oil and oil products. But we can’t blame the government entirely. It’s true that even I’m affected by the price rise. The general reaction of the people of India is against the government. But if we go in the economic details then we will find that the state owned oil companies are suffering loss of Rs 1,60,000 crore from the loss of sensitive petroleum products under market price. Still the oil firms are selling the diesel at the loss of Rs 10 per litre, Rs 27 per litre on the sale of kerosene and Rs 319 per cylinder of the cooking gas.

Even sometimes the government is helpless to hike the price even after giving huge subsidies on the petroleum products. The second reason of the hike in the petrol price given by the Indian Oil Corporation is that the exchange rate of Dollars and Indian Rupees. The price of oil is in Dollars and these days the exchange rate is high as Rs 55.36. Now the time has come to move towards the alternate source of fuel. We have to switch over to hybrid cars and bikes or automobiles moving on solar energy. 

Day 295

Finally the presidential election in India is over. The new President elect, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, secured 7,13,763 votes out of 10,29,750 votes being casted. In terms of percentage, Mr Pranab Mukherjee secured 69.3 percent of the total votes. In his statement, Mr Mukherjee has thanked the people of the country in electing him to the highest office in the country. This can be said as the one sided election for the President. As Mr Mukherjee was UPA’s nomination for the President’s post, he got the huge support from all the factions of the UPA. Although it’s not a surprise to see the ruling party’s candidate winning the Presidential election because it has become a trend in the history of the Presidential election in India that the candidate of the ruling party has won. One thing which is different from the last two Presidents, Mr Mukherjee is a true politician. I’m hoping that Mr Mukherjee doesn’t become just a rubber stamp. At least, he has got a good sense of constitution and politics. Of course, we can’t ignore the fact that he has got a strong grasp of governance. That’s why he was the trouble shooter of the UPA government in both the innings. Whenever and wherever there was any problem, Mr Mukherjee was present there to solve that. I hope that he will be an active President too. 

Day 294

These days I’m just counting the days. I have just two weeks to return back to India. My country, my home. For me, the days are passing very slowly. I know time passes in its own pace but for me the time has slowed its pace. Maybe I’m expecting my return date to come soon but that’s not happening.  Every morning, I’m wishing that today is the last day and tomorrow I’m going back to my home. But I get dishearten after seeing the calendar. Really, now, I just want to go back to my home. In the past, I have stayed six months away from my home but now even after two months, I’m feeling that it has been a long time since I have left my home. When I came then I was happy but now I’m really eager to go back to my home. But very soon, I’ll be at my home. I know my returning date will come soon. 

Day 293

Life is full of uncertainties. Few days back I wrote an obituary for Mr Dara Singh. That time, I wasn’t aware that with in a week I have to write another obituary for probably first superstar of Bollyhood,  Mr Rajesh Khanna. Rajesh Khanna was a legend and he was truly a superstar. He was country’s heart throb from 1969 to 1975. The era when all the younger ladies of the nation were just crazy for him. Kaka, as Rajesh Khanna was fondly called off, was the style icon of that era. In my view, Bollywood has lost one of its gems. He spends his life behind the arc lights in the same way as he did in front of the lights. He led a life of the real superstar in front of the camera and a simple life behind the camera. In one of his movies, Anand, he played his role very brilliantly. His portrait a man diagnosed with cancer in the last stage but still he never lost his sense of humour. I think that character depicted Kaka’s real nature. One dialogue of that film is ringing in my ear which is like “Hum sab to rang manch ki katputlia hai jahapana jiski dor upar wale ki haath me hai. Kab kaun uthega yeh koi nahi jaanta.” Really this dialogue depicts the real meaning of the life. May Kaka’s soul rest in peace. 

Day 292

Today I’m feeling sad. This sadness is due to loneliness. `I don't have any work to do which can make me occupied. I’m sitting here, in America, far away from my home. Now it seems that the time is also moving very slowly. I just have three weeks left to go back to India. But it seems that these three weeks would be very long. I do have some important works lined up in the last week of July but that will be in the last phase. I don't know how I’ll spend the remaining two weeks. I know that the last week of July is going to be hectic one for me. I hope I don't get this sense of loneliness tomorrow. I’m really missing my family and friends back in India. 

Day 291

I’m back again after having a break of five days. In these five days, I admit that I haven’t done anything. I wanted to write but due to lack of concentration and lack of enthusiasm to write, I was just spending my time in other works. But I can’t divert myself from writing totally. It’s like that whether you love me or you hate me, I’ll be writing again and again.

I would like to pay tribute to the veteran Bollywood actor Late Dara Singh. He was really a fine actor who has entertained us since1952. But I want to remember him not only as an actor but he was one of the best wrestlers India has ever seen. He went to Singapore in 1947 and become the champion of Malaysia in Indian style wrestling. In 1952, he returned to India and won the title of Indian champion and n 1954, he become Rustam-e-Hind. Dara Singh was an active wrestler till 1983 when he announced his retirement. He was an active wrestler for the 36 years. With wrestling, he was active in the film industry also. And how can one forget his character as Hanuman in the television version of Indian epic, Ramayana. He played the legendary character in such a nice way that people have said that they haven’t seen the Lord Hanuman but he would be looked like the Hanuman played by Dara Singh.

It would be very less to say something about him. It’s like the Hindi proverb that more and more you say for him the less it is for him. This is really true for a person like Dara Singh. I would simply pray that may God rest his soul in peace.

Day 290

I know that for the past four days I was absent in my writing. I do have strong reason for this. First and foremost reason is that for whom I should write. After loosing the readers, I don't feel that I’m answerable to anyone. Second reason is that this is my blog. I’ll write whenever I’ll wish to write.

Since Thursday, I’m having off. So I was in my apartment since Thursday. Here I want to make clarification. Thursday means Thursday in America. By that time, it may be Friday in India. Anyway right now, I’m at my boss’s house. I’m having good time here. He needed my assistance in some work. I helped him and now I’m having drinks with him. He has restricted himself to beer only but has given free hand to me to make my drink from whiskey and wine. His bar is stocked with various varieties of both. I asked for his advice and he suggested me to have Canadian whiskey. Really this one is very nice. I think there is some difference between Indian and foreign whiskeys. Here in America, I’m finding that the wines are a bit smooth and soft than in India. Well, I think I won’t be spared after having just couple of drinks. Now its time for me to go and enjoy the drink. 

Day 289

Today, I was going through the internet edition of the daily English newspaper in India. One of the articles was about Abu Jundal. It was clearly stated that Abu Zundal was given high state immunity in Pakistan. His home address mentioned in his passport was near the Lashkar headquarter in Pakistan. Abu Zundal was having close relations with the top Lashkar masterminds as well as the Pakistani army and ISI. According to the report, Zundal was sent to Saudi Arabia to brainwash Indian citizens going for Haj or working in Saudi Arabia. But as usual, the Pakistani administration has denied this. Of course, the Pakistani administration has reason for this. Their reason is that they don't want to accept those facts which will clearly prove that Pakistan is the heaven for all those persons who want to spread terrorism again India. Actually according to me, Pakistani administration is playing dual game.

On the one hand, Pakistani administration is sending terrorists to India after giving training to them and one the other hand, as usual they deny it. Now the Indians are not surprised after the Pakistani denial. On the contrary, some sections in Pakistan are blaming India that India isn’t focusing on the peace talk. India is just focusing on the terrorism issue. According to me, the second part of the Pakistani dual game is that they are recruiting Indian Muslims and targeting them to work against India. Pakistani officers are luring poor Indian Muslims to come to Pakistan either by giving huge amount of money or by promising them high social status in Pakistan. After cracking Indian Muslims, Pakistani officers are making them terrorists after giving training to those Indian Muslims.

It’s a long term plan of Pakistan. In worst case, when the entire world fingers towards Pakistan as the safe ground of terrorists then at that time, Pakistan could say that all the terrorists were Indians not Pakistani. Here few things are bothering me. For example, how much proofs do the UN requires declaring Pakistan as a terrorist country? Why can’t India invade Pakistan in name of search of the terrorists camps in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir?

We have sufficient proofs against Pakistan. When America can invade Iraq and Afghanistan to stop terrorism then why can’t India? Until some military action is being taken by India, Pakistan is not going to stop all the terrorist activities. The other option for India is to seek the help of UN. India has enough proofs to prove its point. I don't know what’s wrong in the high level at UN. Is it waiting for more innocent Indians to die?

Day 288

I know that for the last three days I haven’t written anything. This is because I was extremely busy on three days. Since Friday evening, I was busy in series of party with my boss and his friends. I know that you people will think that I have written my last post on Friday and I’m saying now that I was busy since Friday evening. Actually this is because of the time difference between America and India. I usually writ my blog in evening just like I’m doing now. But it’s evening in America and its morning time in India. So, due to this time difference the confusion is there. Well, today is Monday evening in America and Tuesday morning in India. Well, the time difference isn’t the topic for today’s post. I just wanted to make a clarification.

Today I don't want to write any repeated things. I know it’s of no use now. If my repeated requests would have made an impact on my readers then I would have got many comments. But there are no comments on my previous posts. I know I don't have any reader any more. So the topic will be on my mood and in my style. I’ll write as I wish. There are many things on which I wanted to have feedbacks but now I’m totally heart broken. Now I won’t complaint also. It will be easier on both sides. You people won’t have the tension of writing comments and all. I know you people haven’t taken any tension for writing any comments. I’ll also be relieved from the expectation of having the feedbacks.

Actually when one has some expectation then he or she hopes that his expectation will be fulfilled. My expectation was to have comments to improve my writing. But now I don't have any expectation. It’s all broken. It’s true that when an expectation is broken then it really hurts. Anyway, I don't want to get emotional. There is no use of that. With whom I’m sharing my emotions when there is no one to read this post? Now I’m also free like you to write anything which I want without having any expectation of feedbacks.