My indecision is final

Left right? Right left?

No, this is no march-past command. Still thinking what is being written about? Well this thought was ignited in my mind when I was listening to the news. Still in the dark? Ok, this is about 'The Presidential Elections' to be held in a fortnight's time. I should agree at this point that I'm just riding the wave that's taken over the entire nations' news channels. Though this piece of writing is not entirely dedicated to 'The Presidential Elections' we shall try to squeeze it in somewhere.

Before we go further let's look into a few definitions.
1. Communism - A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members.
2. Secularism - a. Lasting from century to century. b. Worldly rather than spiritual.
3. Republic a. A political order whose head of state is not a monarch and in modern times is usually a president. b. A nation that has such a political order.

Now with this preview, what I see is Red. Be it the scarlet red or the Khaki shorts & white shirts or the saffron army. By whom is the country run? Where is the meaning to words like Republic, Secular? Somewhere down the line these words seem to have lost their meanings. Really?

We shall be back to this point in a while, but before that, my views on the current presidential polls. So is India all set to take a woman president? or even her opponent? Are they more deserving than the man donning the mantle now? What has been his "misdoings" that he's not getting the "required" support? Maybe passing a few bills that hurt some "king makers"? Maybe not passing some bills that would actually help their "interests"? After all "they" are the ones who call the shots! Or was he too well educated & intelligent enough to understand every move made keeping "nation's" interest in mind? I'm not claiming at any point that whosoever is his successor will/will not be able to perform his/her duties. But what happened remains the question? Don't worry, even if they can't, the "decision makers" will help them. Does it work that way? Well it does for the second top job of the country! Doesn't it?

A notable author, an Englishman once said, "Politics is the last resort of a rouge". Is it true, in a global sense? Well, I see a long tunnel. Well as long as it is a tunnel, there's light at the end of the tunnel. Hope so! Aw. Don't be such a pessimist (this is written by a software guy who doesn't care about warnings). It's just a saying.

So in a more Indian perspective what are we looking at? How is the situation?

Where so I start? Ah let's start with annual phenomenon first. Best day of the year for all those in love. Yes, Valentines' day. What has valentines' day got to do in this column? If you follow the buildup to this day, no need to explain. Just for the aid of those who don't here goes. The day is most awaited by the lovely hearts across the country with zest. Not only these people, companies whose products see a rise in sales too. Now all of a sudden there are moral police who stand up against it. This is not an Indian tradition after all! The Indian needs to be protected against the western influence. He can't stand up for himself. He can't think for himself. Can't allow such a thing to happen. They go on a rampage damaging property, creating havoc, and ruining the flavor of the day. Now comes the interesting part. All of a sudden political parties (who funded the plundering) come out voluntarily and say we have no connection to what happened. Don't worry you won't fall short of votes in the next elections. Half the nation never votes & rest who want to, never find their name in any voter's list despite having a voter's ID card! My vote is always with you. But somehow parties find a way to win with majority in their constituency. Whom are they trying to reason out to? Do I stand up & fight? Fight whom?

Now let's focus on pecuniary aspect. The start of the current financial year saw an increase in Inflation rate. It zoomed, it boomed. Prices of essentials skyrocketed. Created a perplexity. The opposition took it in their stride to affront the ruling party. The media coverage just added fuel to the fire. The ruling party came under immense pressure. Not only this, even the elections in some parts of the country like Delhi, Punjab felt the aftermath. Now within a quarter the same inflation rate has gone down like Shewag's batting average! The prices of some essentials still remain the same. The price of international crude oil is steadily rising. The Rupee value is continuously falling against the dollar. Most IT companies are feeling the pinch. Especially the smaller firms trying to make a foothold. So how come the inflation rate came down? Or really did it? Are these actual facts & figures being put out? Financial experts give guidelines that the prices of commodities aren't even looking in the downward trend anywhere in the near future. Isn't the second top job man a financial expert? So what? The "decision makers" need to take a call.

Hey don't worry as long as you are getting a fat pay cheque & paying all those taxes, you are contributing to the country in a big way! Thinking how? Don't be naive. Remember all those "Important people" need to visit (rather do I say take a vacation) places to "understand & implement" the same back here. Well, I don't see any improvement till now. Maybe as the saying goes 'better late than never'. Never???

So it is evident that I'm not pleased with the direction things are headed. Great. How about some union strikes with strong slogans. Option 1. All we need is to hire some brawny, some frail & some jobless people. Give them a minuscule sum of money, slogans & job is done. We can rest for couple of months; these people will take care of the rest. Option 2. We have a red army in our country too! Not just a saffron one! These guys have dogmas & swear by it. Ok so what if it is just skin deep? So what if it all comes down to vote bank politics? As long as they are at the helm of things we have nothing to fear. Do we?

One does get the impression the red army feels that every Indian must always be protected, his job secured from the wicked forces of finance capital, his cultural self is always in danger and must always be protected, his sovereignty must also be protected. From Wal-Mart, to media, to private investment in higher education, to FDI, they abominate everything the people of India seem to adore. Oh! Hold on not only the red army feel so even the saffron does feel very much in the same way!

So the question remains, are political parties today devoid of new ideas? Are they only mouthing the views of their political great-grandfathers? Will we be able to break the cliché? Has our own revolutionary war almost died aborning through lack of popular support? What could be the cause of such an abysmal performance from an unfathomable national talent pool? Is there not a need for us to think who is to be didactical? Are we correct in actually associating the terms (definitions that we saw in the beginning) with our country?

You think if you thought so deeply there will be a 180 degree turn & we will out perform & all? Give me a break! Haven’t you heard of India Shining? Haven’t you felt it every time the Sensex hits a new high? You really feel we are looking at the dark end of a tunnel? Remember the tunnel always has two ends & there’s light at end of tunnel.