PRG's Thoughts

Shouldn't there be a law that traitors are not allowed to run for public office? I certainly think so. We do have laws that criminals are not allowed to run, of course most criminals manage to find their way around that law, so I guess then why not traitors. Former Indian Cricket Captain Mohammed Azharuddin is going to be running on a Congress ticket from Moradabad . This is a man who had sold out India time and time again and he is running to be part of our Government. Not only is he running but he is also going to be traveling the country to ask for votes for his party. This is like Benedict Arnold running for President of the United States. Yes yes, I know, there are plenty of questionable characters already in the political world who have been involved in corruption, inciting violence and sometimes even alleged murders. Parties however see a guaranteed seat victory and so overlook these crimes and field these candidates who eventually do get elected. Let me be clear here (befor...

With BJP losing the South Mumbai seat to Shiv Sena most pundits believed that Milind Deora had locked up his second election. Not so fast though, the South Mumbai race is getting interesting. The Shiv Sena has fielded Mohan Rawale a sitting MP from the South Central Mumbai constituency, part of which has been relocated to be part of South Mumbai. The BSP is also apparently fielding a candidate in South Mumbai who is supposed to eat in to the votes of the sitting MP. Seems like a regular election right? Well all that changed these past few days. Meera Sanyal, the head of ABN Amro Bank, announced her candidacy for the South Mumbai seat. In addition to this Dr. Mona Patel Shah announced her intention to run and she is supported by the Professionals Party of India , a relatively new party that is gaining some momentum with the political unrest in the city post the Mumbai attacks of last November. Few thoughts. Firstly, congratulations to both Mrs. Sanyal and Dr. Shah. A lot of people we...

With the all-important issues of the IPL sorted out in South Africa the Government can now focus on other important venue changes. As mentioned in the Joke of the day in today's Times of India the elections are being moved as well.In fact this may not be a joke at all. Apparently venues being considered to host the elections include Nepal and Iraq. These choices are not without reason, Nepal because of its proximity to India and Iraq because it is easy to guarantee safety. Iraq has no Cricket, Football or any other sport being played at the moment and so things should be serene and ideal for the election of the world's largest democracy. Our politicians and voters may have to dodge a bullet or two while in Iraq, but lets be honest, that is at least safer than a T20 Cricket match. Other events that will require attention in the coming year also have alternate venues selected. Indian Idol auditions are going to be held in Bahrain, the Kala Ghoda festival has been moved to Times S...

Five days ago some friends and I were in a car in Mumbai listening to a song called "Yes We Can". It s a song that consists of excerpts from Barrack Obama's speeches remixed with a catchy beat. The five of us in the car were ten thousand miles away from the man who spoke the words being used, we are probably not going to be directly impacted by 95% of the things he does during his term and yet we were all pretty inspired. As I understand, this new phenomenon is called Obamania . It is a feel good drug that inspires hopes, a need for change and a better futures. You can find it for free on YouTube, CNN or pretty much anywhere you look these days. It has had a remarkable impact worldwide and is ready to reveal its true power I must confess, I too am a little addicted to Obamania . I mean, how could you not be? Everybody is doing it, the Americans, the Europeans ; even our Prime Minister had a taste of it. And when you have had a taste, you can't wait for your next fi...