From Sons of the Soil to Sons of bitches

MACABRE, BIZZARE (adjectives galore) just about sumsup my feeling when I saw a motley crew of eunuchs ( can't think of a better word) attack these women in a Managalore Pub.


I was shocked to watch the clips on Times Now last sunday......Sons of bitches sure they were when they decided to strutt their stuff on a group of women who gathered to have a fun-filled sunday.


What followed thereafter was a series of sermons from the political class and leaders of the organization who accepted their role behind this tragic act. What's even more tragic is that the Chief Minister of Karnataka has chosen to echo the philosophy of this wanted criminal-Muthalik. Shameful that govt policy direction needs inspiration from rogues and thugs. What more would one expect from a party who have an agenda to divide this country on religious lines.Certainly we seemed to have elected a set of morons and all the more a completely incompetent idiot as the Chief Minister.


So what's this story all about:

• a disgruntled leader of the sangh parivar decides to start his own outfit as he was being sidelined
• conceptualizes a plot which will get him/them all the publicity and increase their visbility across the sangh spectrum including the Govt ( read stooge of the RSS and VHP)
• a plot that borders around Indian Culture. Let me repharse Indian Culture as seemed fit by these uncouth elements.
• this act sure fetches him all that he was looking for...visibility on primetime and leading national dailies
• Suddenly Pramod Muthalik is a wanted and respected man in the Sangh parivar. And the reverse of it Maharastra ATS behind his back.

And the nation starts discussions and forums to chat about Indian culture and whether it is appropriate to have women visit PUBs? What i simply dont seem to understand is the fact that visiting a pub and having a drink( men or women) do not constitute an action that is not part of Indian Culture.

And the irony of it all, when china is preparing to send people into Moon, we are grappling with non issues. I sincerely wish the Chief Minister and his lot, could be more pragmatic and forward thinking.

My gut says we have a Govt in Karnataka to lead us into this century steeped with stone-age thinking. Such a shame.

MY AAKANKSHA

Yes! Aakanksha was born on 24th March 2006,and she brought with her "HOPE". A name I chose with great care. A name that I wanted to be truly Indian.

My name search led me to Sanskrit our long forgotten language. Rich in meaning and an arsenal to choose from. My personal choice was Aakanksha.


Aakanksha is on the threshold of celeberating her third birthday. And as a father I could'nt have looked forward to a more rewarding gift from the almighty. True to her name she brought me a new found hope. She brought me luck and prosperity and most importantly she set me right. Set me on the path of being responsible (read calm, understanding), moderate ( read drinking) and add to it a lot more positive attributes. Above all she started the process of repair.


As I look forward to celebrating her third birthday, I can recount the many joyous moments I have spent with her. From the heady days of partying, I now rush home to be with her. I have often found myself thinking of naughty Aakanksha during my rarely available spare time at work. Infact there have been numerous instances when I have played the perfect daddy and left for home with the "HOPE" of spending some time with her. I have always envied my wife on this count for she gets to spend all the time with her :(. I wish advertising was a more relaxed profession and even better if they had "Daddy leaves" for spending time with your daughter. I wish.


Today, Aakanksha has enrolled into a play school and she seems to like it. I fondly remember her first day in school. I have been fascinated with her process of "Learning". She is well versed with colors, animals, and importantly most nursery rhymes. Thanks to the play school stint she sure has imporved on her diction and language and I can see a marked improvement in her group dynamics. As a matter of fact I spend my evenings with her chatting on what she did in school. It's good to hear her recount the days activities in all childish innocence. I must point out that she has a growing fan club at home, in school and in the neighbourhood.


Aakanksha has today become the focal point of my entire family. Her grandparents seem to consider her as the "Be all and End All" of their lives. Everything that they do is Aakanksha-Centric. She sure has perfected the art of getting around people :)


I must point out that she has a growing fan club at home, in school and in the neighbourhood.


As I eagerly await 24th March 2009, I submit my prayers to the lord. A prayer filled with "HOPE" to bless Aakanksha with good health, Compassion and above all with Wisdom.


Love you Aakanksha!