They have succeeded..

Yes they have succeeded..I, a common man now fears to go out of home, board a train or bus, witness the legendary Ganpati visarjan processions of mumbai, go to some famous temple or any crowded place. Not that we stopped our daily chores, but there is a fear somewhere inside, a queer feeling that I may not come back home in one piece. I was few kms away from the bomb site in Banglore and that time it struck me that what if they planted there ill intentions 3-4 kms away from where they actually did. I have never feared death, but still I am apprehensive, would I see my roommates when I reach home..is my friend and family all right..these are some things which we always take for granted, but not anymore..and that is what these hardliner or more aptly known as terrorists want. Killing is not agenda, I guess more people die in accidents rather than terror attacks, the agenda is terror, fear.. I know you may be very brave and don't feel on the same lines as I do...congratulations , but make sure you are fearless not ignorant cause both the feelings will give same end result.. As far as I am concerned I can't ignore the fact that our intelligence has failed totally to stop these unfortunate events, the bastards are exploding lives whenever and wherever they want..Our lives are literally at the mercy of these terrorists..
Fearless as you are, but can you claim that you are cent percent assured that something like that will not occur to you or your loved ones???????????
Anyways I have to board the local to thane tomorrow just like I did today for others parts of aamchi (hope MNS agrees) Mumbai..hope to see you soon
Thanks for your patient reading..
Tinu...

Interesting debate (which hasn't ended by the way)

Following is the debate between me and some people in a particular news flash of rediff.com. I really indulged in these "practically no meaning and addabaaj" types of debate afterall a long time, thanks to the ample of free time b4 joining my new job, and the fact that I am Bengali(born debaters )... thought to store it. The debate raised over my reaction to the news by rediff, depicting a letter by former army chief and kargil war hero, General N.C.Vij to the PM Manmohan singh raising concerns over the alleged misappropriate compensation of armed forces in the latest Pay commission report.The news link is below and the posts are below it

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/apr/27letter.htm

Posts--
Shame UPA govt.
by saurabh roy on Apr 28, 2008 12:09 AM | Hide replies

A govt which has no control over rising costs, has done nothing significant for the infrastructural growth of the nation, rather closed or curbed the steps taken by previous govt., has now lost control over its bureaucrats too. Th proof is this biased pay commission report which fails to recognize the profession which often requires the highest sacrifice of life , that is the life itself. Our honorable govt. is busy with other issues of vote bank and caste based politics, its ministers are busy licking asses of a particular clan. They don't give a damn to the poor jawans who are bravely guarding the frontiers of this country, without any proper motivation from the govt side.The sane people of this nation should wake up and overthrow this government in next elections

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RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Loan Shark on Apr 28, 2008 12:17 AM | Hide message
Dude, the govt. cannot make everyone happy ... even govt. dept. and employees want more ... whether it is BJP/NDA or UPA, you have to undertsand the limitations that they have. Higher salaries mean more recovery from taxes or deficit financing or less money for developmental projects.

These guys were expecting more money for themselves, but the govt. has not given what they were expecting. UPA govt. is being fair.

RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Magnum Opus on Apr 28, 2008 12:27 AM
You obviously have any exposure to the defence forces. As a soldier wit 28 years of service (and three gallantry awards) let me assure you that we are not merely 'expecting' more money. If you think soldiers can be equated with 'everyone' then all the best!

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RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Loan Shark on Apr 28, 2008 12:35 AM | Hide message
First, thanks for your great service to our nation. I mean it.

Yes, soldiers are like anyone else. They (soldiers) have chosen to be in military, there is no forcible draft in India. No one put a gun to their head to join the military. They have chosen to fight for their motherland for which they deserve our gratitude. But, when you are in it just for the money, you are like everyone else.

Similarly, police officers put their life on line. Is there contribution less than that of soldiers? Now, teachers are also building this nation. Aren't they? so is their contribution any less? how about engineers and doctors? the list is long.

RE:Shame UPA govt.
by rushil noronha on Apr 28, 2008 12:46 AM
The UPA government is being fair?????try telling that to a jawan who risks his life everyday (so that you have enough time and peace of mind to sit and write nonsense here)for a partly Rs7000 a month.And even after that if you feel that the 6th pay commision is justified, perhaps you should consider hanging yourself because clearly, you lack all shame requiste in a human being.

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RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Loan Shark on Apr 28, 2008 12:51 AM
LOL .. you haven't seen those queues of people lining up in front of army recruitment offices everyday ... if pay in army were lower than what people can conveniently make otherwise, those lines would be missing.

7,000 is not a small amount when most of your living expenses are borne by the govt. If the soldiers are in the army for money, they are in the wrong place. They better stay away and work in farm or factories ... but then most like the cushy army lifestyle.

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RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Loan Shark on Apr 28, 2008 12:18 AM
costs are rising all over the world ... In India salaries are rising too. People are reposting salary increases of 20-30% every year in India, so why complain when inflation is at 7%

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RE:Shame UPA govt.
by saurabh roy on Apr 28, 2008 12:36 AM
Dude, the prise are rising all over the world but in case u haven't noticed hoarding is creating artificial price as well, (it was in news recently)and also there is something known as subsidy, and before u start crying foul over taxes or deficit financing or less money for developmental projects, lemme tell you, national security is of supreme importance and no compromise should be made on that account, especially in a country like ours which has so hostile neighborhood. What if a massive insurgency operation is launched in kashmir valley rt now, do u expect the jawans to fight with this level of motivation. Things like tax, burden on Reserve bank etc do not pacify the person who goes out on a job without knowing that he would return home or not, I don't see anything wrong if they expected more from the govt. Justify ur tax and capital crap to a jawan posted in siachin where the temperature goes as horrible as -40 degrees

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RE:RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Loan Shark on Apr 28, 2008 12:43 AM | Hide message
LOL ... national security will not improve just because soldiers are being paid more. The soldiers will still to their best of abilities at the current pay levels .... if the soldiers are in the army for the money and perks, then they are in the wrong place.

already, Indian army officers and jawans get a lot of perks ... like tax free purchases, orderlies for their kitchen and yard work, flexible working hours ... all this with no real schedules or deadlines to meet.

don't be under the impression that national security is under threat because jawans/officers will not give their best because they are under paid.

This message has been reported for abuse. The moderator's final decision is awaited.

RE:Shame UPA govt.
by saurabh roy on Apr 28, 2008 12:52 AM
You don't get it, do you?? Its not merely about getting paid or money or perks,human life is beyond any compensation...its about motivation, the report has given an impression as if that we don't respect the work done by them, and consider them non important. A soldier risk his life not only because he has a flare or the profession but because he thinks that he command respect in the nation for the job he is doing. The report has taken away tht impression from them, and the recent downfall in the army intake as well as rising VRS application only highlight the disappointment and de-motivation for the forces

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RE:RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Loan Shark on Apr 28, 2008 12:57 AM
there is risk in every job ... you work in electricity department on power grids, there is risk to life. you work as cop, there is risk to life. you work as a vigilance officer in govt., there is risk to life. you work as forest ranger, there is risk to life. you go out to work in your car or mobike, there is risk to life.

rising VRS application is because the govt. is liberal on the VRS payout and these officers think that they can move to private sector, as administrative officers, security incharge or something else and make more money ... these people are looking for way out so they can make more money ... not because they are disappointed with the system.

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RE:Shame UPA govt.
by saurabh roy on Apr 28, 2008 01:08 AM
What u say would look good in a school debate, but kindly be logical, our concern is not the reason for the current downward scenario in terms of affinity and attraction in armed forces, but its about its consequences. Say that "risk is everywhere" (so we don't give u a damn) thing to a army officer, what if he says "ok Mr I leave this job for better private offers, its bad ethicaly , but my life and I need money"?? who will guard the frontiers then, offcourse ppl will still join army, and make long queues, (owing to our mighty unemployed population )but that would be compromised and substandard personnel, who is here just becoz he has nowhere else to go

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An evening in wonderland......'Sanjha safar'

It was the evening of 6'th November 2007 when we three friends were returning from the much hyped and important event of our b-school, the national summit 07.It was blah blah blah...and blah. For more details contact the other saurabh....saurabh kapoor the student body president. I am not writing about it , its about something much much more enticing and enchanting then that.
The phrase, 'blessing in disguise' came into life for us when we failed to find an auto rickshaw to back home and were too properly dressed to board a bus(suit shuit and all). Oh by we, I mean me , santosh and girdhari by the way.
I called for a walk to India gate nearby and three of us settled for that, santy bit reluctantly though. Little did we knew that we were up for a very pleasant surprise. In the lush green lawns of India gate a awesome experience was waiting for us. It was the 4th International Conference on Federalism being held in the capital, the five-day parallel 'Sanjha Safar'. It seemed that we have entered a different land , a dreamland, a land where a diverse and culturally rich nation was exhibiting all its colors under the sky. The event was hosting delicacies from various nook and corner of India, art and artifacts from places as interior as bastar of chattisgarh, uttranchal, karnatka etc. Every footstep was a harbinger of a enthralling experience. Various stalls from different states exhibiting their native crafts. Food stalls where one could savor everything famous in India. To name a few, parathas from parathe wali gali, chicken from karim's of jama masjid, sondesh from streets of bengal, jhangora ki kheer & mandua ki roti from the hills of uttranchal, what else a food junkie like me asks for.
As if this was not enough, there was musical and dance performance at practically every step, honestly it was hard to decide where to stop. The odisi nitya by kids of orissa, the astounding folk song performance by kids of rajasthan, the awesome folk dance by teenagers from Gujarat, the baul gaan from bengal and not to forget the fakir who was just loitering around everywhere singing praise for allah-o-akbar.
We three then decided to board a ride in the giant wheel, honestly I was bit nervous, but it also proved to be a extension of the mood of the evening. On the top of it I could see the national capital, the giant India gate and below my feet was the conglomeration of art, culture and history. It felt as if the fair was saluting the epitome of national pride, India Gate, reaching out to the world and shouting the best way it could saying that India is not merely a land of snake charmers and beggars, it is the land of strength, of art, of culture, of people with hearts, a nation which was, is and will be a paradigm of civilization.
The mood after we came out can neatly be summed in words of my friends. Santosh said,"abe sapne sa lag raha hai be" and Girdhari lal commented, "If national summits are meant to end like this I am ready to pay for the summit and tolerate it once more "

P.S -The fee for two day national summit-07 at le meridian was Rs 4000 per head :(

The other side

A couple of months ago I came across a orkut community of pakistan 2010. Its a forum which is supposedly made to discuss about a dream of pakistan of 2010. There one can find many interesting characters across the border ,basically school kids who dedicate their precious time and surfing hours discussing about Pakistan.
One thing I found was, between them the hottest topic of discussion is India,and the subtopics are bal thakrey ,RSS,RAW, etc.I bet Bal thakrey and his like minds are given more importance in Pakistan than India. Instead of talking about Pakistan and its development these people spend much time and resources on talking about India.One incident of violence in India and the community is vibrant with forums and threads,lashing and maligning India.Talk to them ,except for few sensible people, all are of the view that every night shiv sena and rss are out hunting for killing Muslims. As if Indians have no other work in there life.One person said that sikh are being tormented in India,and when a Indian sikh himself said that there is no such thing,the person refuted him.So pakistani's know about us more than we do...funny eh...I don't claim that we are a trouble free nation,and also admit that hindu and muslim communities have stupidly been in conflict since decades.But the view presented by them are extreme and definitely not true.Both the communities have equal number of sad stories to tell. If Gujarat was unfortunate,Godhra was inappropriate too,if operation blue star was wrong, jarnail singh bhindranwale was not justified too.
But I must say there are many misperceptions about Pakistan too.They are a very normal nation and something more than a backward burka cladded bunch. They too hate the fact that much is being spent on defense rather than education and health.But one thing, most of us Indian live in a fantasy that a normal pakistani has nothing to do with kashmir and they want peace,that is totally wrong.They give top priority to Kashmir and for them India is an intruder in kashmiri land.They strongly hold the view that their cannot be any economic or other tie ups between pakistan and hegemonic India(yes we are stupid big hegemons according to them) ,untill unless kashmir dispute is solved.
Now some interesting facts,In 1971 war it was them who won, we are a muslim nation from ages and we must be annexed by them, christian ,muslims and other non-hindus are living a life full of danger,Kargil we lost heavily and it was our mistake we tried to take our mountains back.The Hyderabad bombing was an act of Indian intelligence , sikh killing of chhitisingpura when Bill clinton visited India was planned and executed by Indian military,(Bill Clinton himself believes so),and whenever we stupid people blame ISI for any mishap in India we are wrong(offcourse we are,remember we are stupid) and many of the mishaps in Pakistan are planned by RAW. Infact RAW is a terrorist organization just like other dangerous militant outfits like shiv sena ,RSS etc..Bal thakrey must be mightily pleased when he knows that(bala saheb and shivsena plz don't ban me when u read this,I don't want your help in gaining popularity, do that to M.F.Hussain)
So Indo -pak peace I seriously doubt that its gonna happen so soon..But still
"mann mein hai vishwas pura hai vishwas hum honge kamyaab ek din,
hogi shanti charo or hogi shanti charo or ek din,ohoo
mann mein hai vishwas pura hai vishwas hum honge kamyaab ek din..

thanks for ur patient reading..
Saurabh Roy aka Tinu..