Utterly Butterly Useless: Rahul Gandhi

You remember how I absolutely loved Rahul Gandhi and I couldn’t get enough of him? Yeah, that’s not the case anymore. I’m just appalled by how Rahul Baba has been behaving and reacting in the last few days what with all the Anna Hazare hoopla. Good manners and tezheeb all the sewers. Everyone knows that Manmohan Singh is capable of zilch without his master’s (Sonia and Rahul) guidance (read: orders). And so in times like this, where a man of prominence and age is fasting unto death until his demands are not made or at least negotiated with, you would expect the Prime Minister to come out and lead. But nope. That isn’t going to happen because his puppeteers were not around what with Sonia being ill and Rahul attending to mommy while the country goes up in chaos.

I honestly found myself comparing Rahul Baba to the Shiv Sena. When the 26/11 attacks were being carried out in Mumbai, Raj Thackeray was MIA. This time round, it’s Rahul Gandhi who has fled the scene of action. It was only after the dust settled did they appear to scream and shout inept chants. All we heard was “falana falana”. So in reality, how are Gandhi and his party any different from the Shiv Sena? In times of need and leadership, they both hide from taking charge. Scared much?

And then there is the other angle. I have a feeling that one of the reasons Rahul Baba is really upset is because Anna is getting a lot of attention. In fact, he has very quickly become a renowned youth icon. And considering Rahul was all about targeting the youth of the country, perhaps he feels slightly threatened. That too by a man who is seventy-plus and not as hot. How dare Anna do that? Win the popularity contest! It is probably for this very reason that he finally crawled out of his Italian hole and decided he needed to say erm, something. Basically, he spoke nonsense. And while he claims he is “concerned” for Anna’s life and health, you can’t help but wonder exactly how much he really cares.

But in reality, Rahul Baba really needs to watch out. See, the country has come together to fight against corruption; a deep-rooted predicament in India. So right now, they don’t give two hoots about Rahul Gandhi or any Gandhi for that matter. To them, the Gandhi’s initially tried to stop a protest vis-à-vis arresting Anna on day 1 of the fast. Democracy, tu hai kahan? A totally utterly-butterly undemocratic move by the Amul Baby and his band of boys - That said, if something does happen to Anna considering his health is deteriorating by the hour, who will be blamed?

Look, I don’t really completely understand the Jan Lokpal Bill which is ultimately the problem I think – but that’s another blog post. However, I do feel that the manner in which the government is running currently is just plain undemocratic. Check it out. If the bill does pass, word for word, then perhaps the MMSs' government is scared of how many of its own corrupt people will be exposed.

Let’s be honest, Rahul Gandhi has not contributed anything of significance to the country. Unless you consider his dashing good looks (can't deny him of it) and suave ways somewhat of a contribution. However, at the end of the day, he is still India’s Amul Baby. Moral of the story: herowala looks and an eminent last name do not maketh a political leader. Off you go now. Crawl back to mommy’s lap.

** This was written before Anna’s fast came to its end. Just forgot to hit publish. Me is a duffer. 

Bollywood Time!

I've been so caught up in "Bleeding Blue" and more recently, following Anna Hazare's mission to ending corruption in India, that I feel like I've forgotten all about one of my other favorite loves: Bollywood! It would be a sad day in my life if I ever did. But no, my dearest Bollywood, I have not forgotten you. In fact, I've missed you heaps. So to myself back in filmy mode, I decided to countdown the top 10 pieces of Bollywood information (read: gossip), that is making the rounds this week. And considering that I've been out of it for a bit, this may actually enlighten me as much as you!

10. IPL Nights!: Well, of course I had to bring something cricket related into this post. Alright so it's pretty indirect but word has it that this year's IPL after parties will be filled with heaps of glamour as usual. However, this time, it will be Bollywood babes that will be rocking the parties. Man, all I want is to attend one! Just to see what all the hype is all about. Of course, you'll see the familiars, Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty, but expect more pretty Bollywood babes to be present.

9. Bips' Text Mess Up!: Bipasha Basu can sit on her pretty butt neither denying or accepting her break up with hottie John Abraham but hello, we aren't fools. So the actress apparently sent out an SMS to friends claiming that not only was she single but "being single was great!" And when the press got a hold of this information, her publicist came out with a boring reason claiming her phone was stolen blah, blah. Sure Bips.

8. Mallika in Vienna: So check this out. For the Romy Awards in Vienna (who and what are those?), no other actor from the industry was invited EXCEPT apni Mallika Sherawat. Needless to say, she's over the moon creating quite the fuss about it. She is apparently excited to meet European designers and filmmakers. And what will she do with them? Make dal? Ciao Mallika.

7. Saif's Tattoo Disappears: The dude swore he'd never remove the tattoo. "Yeh tune kya kiya Saifu?" I'm pretty sure OTT Kareena Kapoor asked her beau Saif Ali Khan that very question especially since the grapevines are abuzz with news of Saifu's tattoo mysteriously disappearing. Where and why it has gone, well, we'll have to wait to find out. Is this a sign of trouble brewing in Saifeena land?

6. Ranveer and Anushka Drama: I wish she would pick up a darned flower and pluck the petals off them saying, "He loves me, he loves me not." Maybe, just maybe, Anushka Sharma would figure out her feelings for Ranveer Singh. Uske baad, can they admit it, get a room and be done with it? Yet again, the duo are out talking about their admiration for one another. When young Singh was questioned as to whether he blew flying kisses at Priyanka Chopra during an event (totally different story we'll save for another time), he was saved by his ladylove who went on to defend him. Like I said, get a room guys.

5. Hazare Gets Support from Btown: Please crawl out from under your rock if you don't know Anna Hazare. The man who is fasting in order to pass a bill which will control corruption in India is receiving heaps of support from Bollywood stars. From Anupam Kher, who even turned up to speak publicly in Delhi, to Diya Mirza, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra and Sonakshi Sinha, each of the stars have decided they will support his cause in order to better India. Kudos celebs, it's always great to get out and use your star power for the greater good.

4. Bad Boy Shiney: So Shiney Ahuja has been put away for seven years and now, co-star Sayali Bhagat has come out to claim that apparently, he tried very hard to get too close for comfort with her during a shoot. While there are some odd claims of Ahuja apparently disappearing with a 17-year-old extra from the film one night, this sure does shed some light to his rather tacky imbecile behavior. You've been a bad boy Shiney!

3. Sush on a Break: I love Sushmita Sen. But her claim that she is, "on a break from films" is rather sad because erm...we haven't seen her in anything substantial in a while anyway. Wasn't she already on a break phir? Right now, she claims, she isn't working on anything but her I AM foundation which she plans to expand and of course, she has her hands busy playing mom to two pretty girls. Sigh. I miss her already.

2. Ricky Bahl is John Tucker: Okay what are these people talking about? Of course, Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl is a copy of John Tucker Must Die. Not only does the premise sound like a ditto copy but hello, it gives off the same vibe too. The cast and crew are hell bent on telling us that it really isn't but we know better. If it smells and look like it, it is.

1. Ranbir, Ranbir: Apparently, he has called it off with Katrina Kaif and Nargis, his alleged newer link up, has moved on to one Shayan Munshi. Ranbir Kapoor is all about breaking hearts but Katrina has found herself mending her dil in London. The poor lass found herself falling into some serious depression after Kapoor let her know that uh, yeah, marriage isn't happening. Drats! And with that her parents said, "Come to London!" So off she went. Friends claim she is simply miserable that despite being so beautiful, two of India's biggest stars, Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, have refused to marry her. Aw, Kats!

Okay, it's a wrap! Believe me, I have been Bollywood-Enlightened. Found myself sitting and feeling very satisfied with my rendezvous with Bollywood for tonight. Can't take the Bollywood outta me, that's for sure!

Anna Hazare: New Age Gandhi

Corruption is a part of India's DNA.
India's Corruption Curse.
Corruption: Threat to India's Economic Development.

I don't even live in India and I cringe every time I read headlines in the news regarding India's corruption. In 2011, India is considered a future superpower. "Watch out for India!" people are always saying. And for the most part, I smile, seena taan ke, proud to be Indian. But who am I kidding? No one but myself. Corruption in India is hardly a matter that can be swept under the carpet. It exists and there is no denying. But when it starts to affect the future and the growth of the country, then you seriously have a problem. While the Middle East is looking to change the way their nations operate within their governments, we hardly have that issue. India is one the most democratic countries in the world. And yet, we are one of the most corrupt.

It has taken the likes of a 72 year-old Anna Hazare to come out and fast-unto-death, he says, in order for the country to stand up and take notice of this issue. At first, much like the rest of the country, I too thought to myself, "Yet another publicity stunt." But today, I look at myself as nothing but as an ignorant fool. Ignorant because I allowed myself to look down on a man who is out to make the biggest change that will hopefully come to India in last decade. An activist, Social Worker, an soldier for the Indian Army and man who is out to change the face of India forever, Hazare has done what only Gandhi could have done perhaps. While the former is out to rid the country of a "bacteria" better known as corruption, the latter is the Father of Nation and gained India freedom from the British. Anna's accomplishments thus far, and we're talking about a 72-year-old man here, are immense. It all began with a small initiative: to eradicate alcoholism from his village. From then on, he went on to make bigger and better changes including building the first secondary school in the area. And all this not by force. Anna educated his village and encouraged to volunteer to partake in modernizing their village. His dedication to social work and to the country is beyond words.

This isn't the first time Anna has gone on a fasting strike. Back in 1991, the social worker fasted until corrupt forest officers, who were duping the country of Crores, weren't bought to justice. The otherwise sleeping government was forced to wake up and take action, which they did.

"So what does he want this time," I asked. The answer: to fully eliminate corruption from the country altogether. While it does sound farfetched and impossible, it is possible to lower corruption rates with his bill better known as the Jan Lokpal Bill. And when you read what the bill has to offer, you are immediately excited at what it could do for the country. For starters, institutions all over the country, known as LOKPAL, will be set up in every state. This ultimately becomes the hub for citizens who can bring all their issues regarding corruption to. There will be no ministers or beaureacratics involved in any investigations and all cases will be dealt with over the course of a year. But the best part of this bill is what it offers to the people of India. Irrespective of how big or small your corruption issue is, LOKPAL will take care of it. Passport or ration card isn't being processed in time, head to your local LOKPAL center, file a complaint and they basically take care of it. The accused will be handled quickly and punished swiftly. And to ensure that no members of the LOKPAL themselves are involved in any corruption, all transactions will be kept "transparent". In addition, as an Indian citizen, you need not worry about being victimized because you have chosen to be brave and stand up for corruption. LOKPAL will take care of you and provide protection to all those to speak out over corruption.

The bill has been presented numerous times to a number of regimes only to be sidelined and ignored every single time. Realizing that the situation had hit the roof, Anna decided it was now or never. So here he is giving up his life for the country in the most peaceful of ways.

The benefits are immense and will only help India grow into a country that is truly ready then to become a superpower. What's most interesting is how the yuva (youth) of India are standing up for Anna.Just over the internet itself, Indians from all over the world are standing up to support the activist virtually. One only hopes India's big brother, Anna's fast breaks to a new dawn in India; one that is free of dirty corrupt politicians, one that allows the country to grow and one that will change the face of revolutions. Are we headed for our very own Egyptian revolution? It sure smells like it. Jantar Mantar is now officially India's answer to Tahrir Square. The face of the youth and corruption is about to change in India. All this courtesy of one brave bachelor whose life has been to change India. Irrespective of which part of the world you're in, if you're Indian, it is your ultimate duty to back this man because if we lose him, we'll not only lose a man who could have done heaps for the country, but will tell our youth that there is no hope for India. Is this the lesson we want to give to the youth of India? This is your moment to shine young India. Stand up now and show them you care and will not allow them to ruin your future. Wake up India. Wake up.