Politics of International Economics: Educating the Masses

Growning inflation... recession... economic slowdown... credit crunch...

We are all aware of these headlines. The world economy seems to be melting and the rising oil and food prices are not helping.

Today I was watching Madam Sonia Gandhi addressing the masses (in Hindi no less!).

She was explaining how international economic meltdown is driving the inflation up. She went on to state how the government had tried to absorb the impact and is protecting the common man.

A funny thought came to my head as I was watching her speak. I thought that how come people listening to her speech manage to keep a straight and serious expression when her Hindi pronunciation is so funny. It is like watching a tourist talking in Hindi.

Seeing the other people on the stage with such serious expression made me realise that fear and power work well to kill laughter.

It was also amazing to see India's politicians working overtime to save their asses especially since the general elections are coming up next year (2009). Trying to explain to the people why things are getting expensive and how it is not the fault of the Government.

Maybe she should have given the people a presentation on international financial markets and macroeconomics to drive home her point that IT IS NOT the Government's fault!

Adding to this the looming threat of BJP (which seems to be back with a bang - without a leader!). BJP has won in the recent elections in South India.

Congress (which currently controls the Central Government) is worried.

I think the Government is responsible. The main reason is corruption and re-routing of funds meant for development. They make the classic mistake of treating the symptoms and ignoring the disease. Wiping away farmer loans but not doing anything to bring development to the villages.

And so are we.

We operate more on opinion than information. The Indian public looks at the local picture and ignores what is happening in the world. We have been complaining about the infrastructure ever since I can remember. But nothing has happened yet. Why? Because we don't educate ourselves.

We go out and drive like idiots. Spit/throw garbage on the roads. Have about zero patience and of course want to get our work done first!

Maybe there is a need to educate the masses. Educate them in macro-economics as well as civic sense.

Clifton on a sunny day!

The Clifton Bridge.



The Christ-church in Clifton.



Arch of water.



The sun-shines down.



Another view of the span.



The cliff with the Observatory and balcony.



Aircraft high above.



Pink cloud-streams.



Sunrise from my window.

"If no one is going to read me in one hundred years, why should I write at all"

A few days ago I slept. I slept like a dead man. I slept because I was exhausted.
Emotions were trying to crowd into my head. So I went off to sleep.

I got up few hours later with my mind absolutely blank.

It felt as if I was floating.
I forgot that it was dinner time and that I was hungry.
I forgot I had work to do. I was floating somewhere between worlds.

Then thoughts started entering my mind. I was returning to Earth. I was falling back to Earth.
I could see my whole life ahead. I had questions. Was anything worth it? We all have to die one day then why struggel.

As I continued falling towards Earth the view became more localised. Now I was asking questions about the weeks ahead. How, what, when?

As I was about to crash into the ground I realised where I was and the things I had lined up ahead. The work that I had to do in the night. Things pending.

Suddenly I was back on Earth. Focus on what was immediately in front.

That is when I realised my body was broken and shattered from the fall. I could see the grass in front of my face, I could see the flowers. The focus was back. But I was unable to do anything with it.

I was a dying man. I could feel it. I was happy. The struggle was over.

Then I saw standing above me a figure full of light. I realised it was me. It was my essence. Slowly I felt the light seep into me. My broken body healed. I could move. I could stand and then I could fight again.

As an actor once said in some movie..
"If no one is going to read me in one hundred years, why should I write at all"

Floating is amazing.
There is only reason why one might want to come back to Earth - to do something that leaves a lasting impression on humanity.

Flowers again!

A few summer flowers!

Water Diamond

Some pictures taken at a fountain by me. No lengthy words.. just enjoy the necklace of diamond like water-drops and the reflection of the late evening sun

About women...

Story 1
Yesterday I was watching some random movie on TV.

In the movie the guy and gal are having a discussion. Suddenly the girl says 'I am getting fat, I need to start going to the gym'

The guy looks confused for a second, not sure of what to reply.

Before the guy can think of what to say the girl says 'Do we have any left over pizza from the dinner, I am feeling hungry'

Story 2
I was chatting with a lady-friend the other day and the conversation turned towards skin creams (I don't know how). She happened to remark that if she were to carry all the creams that a woman can use she would need a small suitcase along with her handbag.

That made me curious so I asked her to list out a few and here they are:
- Hand cream
- Under-eye cream
- Night cream
- Body lotion
- Cuticle oil
- Anti-aging cream