Is it a New Year or the Old Habits in a new way?

The unthinkable attack on humanity that held the city Mumbai and kept hostage the entire Nation left me numb. More than 30 days have passed by…
Where we and what are we doing?
Did the flicker of the candle get blown away in the snow storm of verbose thoughts? Here we are today standing with fear in our mind and head bowed down, quite contrary to Rabindranath Tagore’s ode of "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high…”

As you, I and all around us except the families who have lost their dearest and nearest ones will again usher in the New Year with renewed hope, zest and vigor, but this time punctuated with horripilate eeriness.

They did what they wanted to do. Killed many mercilessly, Orphaned many more and shaken the very existence of one’s being only to prove their Jihad.

But, what did we do? Arrange for debates, talk shows and salute the brave heroes…
Get a better TPR for the channels and promote products striking the emotional chord and selling words, encashing on the tragedy-This is what the Fourth Estate had to do!!!
And our inept, clumsy, slugabed politicians donate 5 lakhs for the lives we salute, quite contrary to crores that you shower on a boy born with a golden spoon to bring home gold in the Olympics… What is the principle and where is the logic?
An answer that I dare not expect from a bunch of clumsy, careless and corrupt people who live like parasites and have silently shaken the roots of our Nation.

We are going door to door seeking international unison to put to justice the perpetrators…Why?
Are we not liable and capable to protect our own people?
No, just because we don’t owe our Nation. We do not owe our people. It’s just the loss of individual families and you react only when it hurts your bum.
It’s just a Reaction with no Action because killing 400 odd lives in the land of billion populations cannot create an upheaval to change the Nation that is dominated by Politicians worse than Terrorists.
I say this because Mumbai incident brought in a terror face while our Netas are faceless terror that engulfs our existence and shrouds our being like a cobweb.

35 days… and still the identification parade is being held for the lone surviving terrorist. With evidences in our hand, we are diverting attention to different issues just because we are involved in our selfish motives.

It’s hurting but it’s true… if your mom knew you from fetus; terrorists know you till your corpse!

So it’s not this New Year but each day that you need to celebrate being alive amidst fear n insecurity, hoping and praying silently for A Wednesday to happen in reality!!!

Barack Obama : US President and its effect on India

Celebrations started in the United States of America as it has its new president; Barack Obama became United States' 44th President but the first African-American man to win the race to the White House. The 47-year-old gentleman is not only an inspirational leader with a vision to CHANGE, but is also a great writer, philosopher and a thinker. A journey from slavery through White House has thus recreated history in its own way.
Barack Obama name will be inscribed in Gold in the history of America and the Americans voted him seeking a new beginning in the changing demographic status of America- a change that Obama vouches to bring about in the United States and that will eventually spill its impact through the entire world; India not to be an exception to receive it.

Most Indians in US voted consciously and subconsciously this man and are obviously happy as his win marks an end to the racially fanatic society. The effect on India seems manifold from the nuclear non-proliferation deal to the never-ending war for the soil of Kashmir; from influx of foreign aid to terrorism; the concerns are many and every Indian will follow his moves in the White House.

On the nuclear front, India might be forced to sign the CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty), but India should be prepared for a diplomatic debate to sustain a strategic relation with US.

Second, the growing concern especially in the IT sector is Barack Obama's viewpoint on outsourcing- he had been categorical in his campaign that he would provide with tax-breaks to companies that will create jobs for its own people. India, here, needs to wait again to react to the changes that might evolve with Obama gracing the White House.

Each President of America, in his own way wants to be the peacemaker. Thus, with Barack Obama at the helm of US affairs, might like to play as an interventionist player in the war over Kashmir between India and Pakistan. However, on this issue, India needs to have a stronger viewpoint as Kashmir tension has essentially been a truffle between countries, India and Pakistan, and none other but they themselves can sort it out between them.

That apart, there exist other worries especially on foreign aid, as Obama hinted already that if not the aid is going to be trimmed, the foreign aid influx to India might get delayed.

To strike and ensure continuing dialogue, there are amicable grounds for discussion on issues concerning global warming, fuel and energy crisis, and most important, the fight against international terrorism.

And, as an Indian, I am joining my friends in US to rejoicing (but with caution) Barack Obama's win. More importantly, I am as curious to follow the changes that can augur a beginning of new era.

Obama or McCain : Wait n Watch !!!

As the world superpower goes to voting its 44th President amidst fear of economic crisis, financial crash with bankruptcy and bail out package being the buzz word, the entire world is keenly following the debate, the policies, the issues and the areas of improvement talked about, by the Democratic leader Barack Hussein Obama and the 72 years old, Republican Senator McCain.

Many might ask that it is America going on election, so what is there on the other side of midnight? The truth is, there is no denying the fact that even with a reflection in reality of a failed leadership of Bush regime, America still dictates the world economy. Everywhere, people will follow the proceedings as Americans go voting before or after their working hours to give shape to America's future. America's Presidential election holds importance everywhere, be it Korea's Kospi, Japan's Nikkei or Indian Sensex. The need of the hour is Wait n Watch.

US Presidential Election has a manifold interest for people to flip on news channels, read through media reports as well post comments on debates. The year 2008, race to Whitehouse got hotter initially with the entry of Hillary Clinton, who raised the bar for American Women. The heat generated continued to refract enthusiasm and gather momentum as the 47 year old Law graduate from Harvard, Barack Obama stepped in with its contrasting reform measures and policies on outsourcing, nuclear proliferation, fighting terrorism and deadline to withdraw troops from Iraq. On the other hand, McCain, still promises to carry on the legacy of Bush administration with regressive thoughts and beliefs of Sarah Palin. So here again it’s the Wait n Watch once more.

The bleeding American economy still has a critical global influence. Hence, it’s President and policies will cause differences even to the common man in the streets of the entire world. The final bell of the world's most robust American Presidential election campaign is about to ring and the rest of the world is waiting to hear its consequences.

Smile....the curve that sets everything right !

Before you read this post, just ask when was it last that you have laughed your heart out? Did you smile today? Well, the answer in most cases is not spontaneous. You really need to think hard to recollect when is it that you really laughed with all your 32 teeth (if you still have them intact) out.

In today's modern pace of life, don't you think that we are just slaves of Time chasing a mirage to realize and achieve the Unknown ? Are we conscious enough to realize that in the process we might have stampede the little moments of life that nurtures a bond, a relation? Yet we move on and on adding to our worries and anxieties increasing the stress levels, thereby increasing the release of hormone called Cortisol. In extreme cases, it often lead to memory impairment. Stress also adds to hypertension, has a negative effect on your metabolism and reflect early signs of hair greying and hair falling.

So, why add to these worries to your otherwise hectic life ? Why foot medicine bills? Thus, one can avoid frequent visit to doctors by simply laughing and smiling for a better physical and mental well being.

Simply laugh your way to a better cardiovascular system, respiratory system and metabolic system. The word of advice is, please stop suffering from the syndrome of Seriousness! Life is short, so live it fully to relive each moment for a meaningful existence.

Do you know there is again a release of hormones when you laugh or smile?
Yes, it is the happy hormones called Endorphins that does the trick and tickle and giggle its way to fight stress hormones cortisol.

So, if you are not spontaneous and lacks humor bone, please develop it cautiously and genuinely. There are Laughing Clubs mushrooming in the neighborhood where people of all ages exercise with laughter to continue their day energetically. If you can join one, good enough or else, pass a smile to one and all as you meet and greet on your way to workplace or at home. If you can crack a smile, and strike a conversation, the battle is half won. It decreases your level of anxiety and helps put things things Straight by one Curved Line... yes a true genuine smile.

You can check for yourself... If you are too worried, just stand in-front of a mirror and see your smiling face for few seconds, you are bound to feel better and with continuous practice you master the art of healthy and perfect living. Look through each thing with smiling eyes, soon you will find multiple opportunities from a tiny spark. Look at the funny aspects of life and laugh watching a comedy film or read a funny joke.

So, just take a lil' effort... giggle, chuckle and laugh at work to lift your spirits to greater height!!!!

Big issue for Small car in West Bengal

It’s been long ... and I was out of blogging. But it’s a sudden freak of thought like a thunderbolt that I decided to keep it updated... read on

It was Tata's Nano launch that I wrote and it was Mr. Ratan Tata's promise to make the cheapest car in the world hit the road by November 2008...and being a strong Kolkatan felt proud that this world's popular auto project will be associated with Kolkata, to be precise with Singur.

Yes, it is in Singur, 40 kms from Kolkata that Tatas have invested worth Rs 1500 cr to build the automobile factory. The land acquired by the West Bengal Government was given in lease to the Tatas. The controversy spiraled with the West Bengal Government and the opposition party on this 1000 acres of land given as domestic investment to the Tata Group.

The opposition party proposes to ‘gherao the Singur Tata plant’ to protest against the injustice meted out to the farmers. They are of the opinion that out of 1000 acres of land, 400 acres need to be given back to the farmers. Thus the seed of industrialization sown in the soil of West Bengal met with strong protests from the opposition party members.

Who are at loss at this political crisis? The opposition leader will shout slogans saying through the blood of farmers industrialization of cultural Bengal cannot be achieved. But is this true? Is it not through investment in manufacturing industries that generation of employment is possible? Is it not through successful
implementation of this factory that we can attract further investments through channels of either domestic investment or foreign institutional investments ? Are we not closing doors for future growth of Bengal?

In the hands of opposition are the instruments of bandhs and strikes.. Be it upgradation of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport or the growth of IT hub in Rajarhat, Kolkata. Are we conscious enough to know what lies behind this veil of controversies?

With project in Singur, which are the lands that they want back? Those that are meant for ancillary investment and moreover that 400 acres is not available together. These are pockets of lands spread all over.

Thus before the Tata really bid Ta-Ta to Bengal, its high time that we delve deep into this crisis to find an amicable solution through negotiation, re-negotiation and dialogues for a prosperous Bengal.