Reading for the upcoming Tests/Interviews is the only time that I can brush up on my poor general knowledge. As I read on, I realize that there are so many interesting events going on.

1. AfPak situation: Obama is sending about 17, 000 troops to Afghanistan (in the next month, I guess.) And then about 4k later, for the elections. But what propels the Afghan crisis into a larger issue, which will be addressed at the NATO summit this weekend, is the Taliban-Pakistan relationship. The Taliban in Pakistan has already taken over the SWAT valley (NWFP region) and the tribal regions (FATA) as well.
But Pakistan has been brewing with internal conflicts as well. Its shaky government, threatening army and growing corruption have made it vulnerable to attacks.
Read more on it: http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13382077

2. Economic Recession: I know zilch about it, but I know that it is important cause It is affecting us and blah blah. What I fail to understand is that how knowing the name of the RBI chairperson or the Fed Reserve person is going to help us. (at least in interviews!)
I cant understand why nobody took notice of Roubini and Krugman. Roubini, in a recent interview, said that we should make sure that the recession is U-shaped and not L-shaped like Japan's. Japan is also facing gloom; its finance minister resigned and now it is registering huge losses, more than States.

3. Indian Elections: I cant fathom that every few years these politicians rise and fall, and have the nerves to get up again. The third front, the UPA and the NDA!..I think there should be another option as "not worth it."
These days the wrong people are making the headlines for the wrong reasons:
-Varun Gandhi, for his extremely communal speech.
-Sanjay Dutt, for being unable to stand for elections from Lucknow.
-I also noticed that George Fernandes is standing as an independent candidate from Muzzafarpur, cause he has been chucked out of JD (u)...(there are so many political parties!..its hard to remember where they began and where they have ended up.)

A political Memory

Listening to : OLDER by George Michael
Waiting for: LOST!

Just browsing through the 1991 edition of Frontline, I came across the life of Rajeev Gandhi. Mostly pictures about his life, which were sadly preceded by the pictures of his death in the bomb blast.

Looking at the blast pictures, I was reminded of the very day. I reckon it was Sunday and very early morning. Woken up by loud shouts and the newspaper thrusted in my face, I saw the bold headlines (of Hindustan Times, I think) and bloody pictures of a body. I also remember a strong rush of feeling that passed me, even though I can't place the reason of it. I was about 6, I think. I can't imagine why such an event would trigger a feeling of any kind. Maybe I could conceptualize how important a Prime Minister was, or what it meant to be part of a country that lost its leader.

Even now when I looked at the gory and violent stricken pictures, I could feel the travesty and injustice. But that all changed when I saw the pictures that followed this story.

Rajeev Gandhi as a Prime Minister I can accept; but the fact that he is being remembered as a family man.. amidst a family, surrounded by his kids..makes him seem angelic and blameless. It will not make people forget that he was involved in Bofors. Or that his mother some years age had ordered the great emergency. Or what his brother did during the emergency... What benevolent images we create of our leaders when they pass.. A tainted memory, and a clean picture..people wish to colour the bad things that take place and remove it from their memory...escapism or putting it behind...its just distortion.

Cricket and Inflation broadcast

Mood : Bored, Pensive, Irritated, Frustrated..awaiting.

Today is the big semifinal. Delhi Daredevils vs. Rajasthan Royals.

I was keeping my fingers crossed for Delhi. They played well in their earlier matches, but were very shabby in the latter. Wondering how they even managed! But now they are facing the Royals who have lost just 2 to 3 matches in total. With the likes of Warne, Pathan and "the younger boys" that they have, they might total Delhi out. I'm not sure what chances Delhi has of going to the finals. Seems like today its sudden death! Many are hoping that Delhi and Chennai make it to the finals like Morkel and me, but that looks to be seen.

In other more important news, seems like price of petrol and diesel may escalate but not to rupees 10....no....its just between rs.2 to 5. Well, isn't that a relief...five bucks...which is now being called a moderate hike ! All this results from what I call the spiralling effect, when our dear Finance minister decided to forgo the farmers loans and did not think of any other way to earn that money...! Then Mr. Gandhi decided to increase that loan further, without thinking about substituting any other means of earning that....this along with the increase in the salaries of the IAS... SUPER..

WELCOME TO THE 8.1% inflation!