Obama Chale St. Xaviers!

For the most part, I'm not too concerned about American politics. I find it a tad bit boring if anything. Politics ho toh India jaisa; mazedaar! But when "The" President of the United States of America visits the motherland, then you know I'm on it covering every moment, every comment, every step. And amidst the fancy dinners with the best of India ala Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Aamir Khan and Manmohan Singh, the rock stars of entire trip had to be the student of St. Xavier College, Mumbai. In what is easily the most democratic events in India and mind you has never been organized in the history of Indian politics, was an open "town hall" debate where the students had the unique chance of asking Obama questions during a question answer session. The students were treated to a quick intro by Michelle Obama who encouraged the students to ask her husband, some toughies in the form of questions.

While I'm not an avid Obama fan, he did make some valid and other controversial remarks which had me both smiling and then debating. His opening speech highlighted some interesting areas which most students would be able to connect and resonate with. The rhetorical questions geared toward generating more verve in India today really had me going. Obama asked the 300 odd students,"What do you want India to look like in 20 years?" And then he quickly informed them that ultimately this was a question they needed to answer themselves. Despite the terrorism and poverty in the country, Obama recognized the country had progressed and how.

A friend of mine made a valid point. "Obama will go away from India a happy man believing the country is one of the most hospitable. And India played fab host to the President. They ensured his security and made sure their was no reason to complain during his time in India. Now if the government could do the same for its citizens," she said. Baat mein dum hai bhai.

Getting back to his question-answer session with the Xavier students, only five lucky ones were allowed this chance courtesy of the short time. However, those five managed to ask some of the most rock star questions ever. They quizzed him on his opinion of Jihadi's, how to encourage brotherhood in the country, his admiration for Gandhi, his real understanding of his favorite word "Change" and what was really going on on the Afghanistan front. But it was a young girl in glasses who was given the microphone and asked the ultimate question, "Why is Pakistan so important an ally to America that so far America has never called it a terrorist state?" Silence. And then a stuttering Obama answered something that is considered a answer but really just deviated from the question if you ask me. He went on to make a point that I completely and utterly disagree with. "May be surprising to some of you, but I think India has the biggest stake in the success of Pakistan. If Pakistan is unstable, that's bad for India. If it's good and prosperous, that's good," he said. And almost immediately, I found myself in a debate with my father over this. Economy-wise India does not rely on Pakistan. However, in order to keep the peace with a neighboring country that is as volatile as Pakistan and whose government is so unstable. So I guess in that aspect, yes, it is important for Pakistan to be successful. However, how it benefits India ultimately is simply on a safety level.

And with that, the town hall debate came to an end. Ultimately, it wasn't Obama who came out looking like a rock star but the students who shed all inhibitions and asked away. Great to see such honesty and zeal. Now if only our own politicians would come out and talk to the youth like Obama really encouraging true democracy in the country. Until then, power to the students of Xavier; you have officially been bestowed with rock star status...from me anyway!

The Mayhem that is May

May was beyond chaotic. It may have something to do with me taking on too much for my own good BUT, its always good to be busy - an idle mind is the devil's mind and I for one, know that too damn well. But more importantly so much has been going on in the world and my maddness has only added to the mayhem which is May. Ready to read? Off we go!

IPL and IPL

It was literally the Indian Premiere Cricket League versus the Indian Political League this year. While the Congress party took the take and won majority, which was quite expected, it seems that the favorites on the cricket end were unable to live up to their lineage. Manmohan Singh was reappointed as the Prime Minister, after Rahul Gandhi politely declined (how disappointed am I?), Sachin and Saurav are headed back home from South Africa after their teams, Mumbai Indians and Kolkatta Knight Riders both were booted out of the IPL. And I was favoring M.I. big time, counting on the little maestro to pull a rabbit out of his magicians hat. It's not fair to expect that much from him I suppose. Oh well - next year, Mumbai will kick butt. I'm sure of it. After all, I intend on being there to support my team all the way. Now I'm stuck finding a new team to support 'till the end... hmph.

Advani: No Support From the Ani's

I didn't think L.K. Advani would win but I did expect the Sindhi population to support him in India. Get this, Ulhasnagar whose Sindhi population is over 40%, only had a 26% voter turn out. Not only did the decide not to vote for him, they didn't even bother turning up on voting day. In fact, the day before voting, a campaign titled "Jago Sindhi Jago" was in full force all in hopes to encourage the Sindhi population to get up and vote for Advani but to no avail obviously.

Crushing Over Rahul Gandhi

All it took was one press conference where he smiled and flaunted his dimples everso cutely. I was floored. For many years now, I never understood why the girls oggled over Rahul Gandhi. But I was so wrong - and had never paid close enough attention. Rahul Gandhi is not only HOT, but uber cute. And what he did was so commendable - promising a journalist that he would definitely get to his question next. Which he did of course. But his mannerism and courtesy with which he responded was adorably regal. Clearly, he is his fathers son. Only Rajiv Gandhi's son could be so perfect.

Discrimination in Delhi

I was told such an interesting fact the other day which not only stomped me but made me realize how little I knew about my country. Did you know that Chandni Chowk, yes yes, Delhi 6, is divided into a Hindu and Muslim area? And whats more, if by chance, you walk into the Hindu area asking for a meat-filled paratha, they will laugh and tell you, you are in the wrong area. Who would have known? Who knew the capital city would still have so much discrimination. I need to witness it to believe it honestly, but something tells me I would get quite a beating.

100 Days

Obama completed 100 days of his regime. What is his claim to fame thus far? Ordered the closure of Guantamo Bay, lessened pressure on Stem Cell bans etc. I guess he is still working on the recession and job issues that are still a part of America. I haven't quite made up my mind on him yet.

Misc May

And besides all this, my publication will be up and going by the end of the week. Watch this space for more on that!

Photo Credit: lifeway.com

Ugh Ugh Ugh

"Aggravation" is the word for today. All day I seem to be reading about the horrors of being human and I am now trying to understand how it is considered the highest state of living. It is said that you must work yourself up the chain from ant to human. In fact, believe it or not, according to Indian Vedas, a stone is the lowest form of life. That whole concept makes me question the existence of some people on this planet. How on earth did they manage to climb up the ladder from stone to human and yet be as stone-hearted or as ignorant as an ant? Okay, so why am I ranting and raving, screaming and shouting, venting and vocalizing. There are many reasons for my outburst.

First of all, I am an Obama-ian. Like the rest of the world, I think its fabulous that we have finally been able to move away from the usual White-folk and give the colored people to run a 'superpower.' Like the rest of the world, I too think, "Hey! Maybe he knows what to do with the current economic problems, terrorism issues, rotten medical and faltering education." So when I wake up on the morning of February 26th, 2009 morning and read the following headline, "US lines up billions for Pak, ignoring terror links" (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Billions-of-US-aid-to-Pak-despite-terror-links/articleshow/4196591.cms) on Timesofindia.com, all I wanted to do was scream. I cannot believe that America is literally turning a blind eye to all the terror links that Pakistan is no doubt associated with, and giving them five billion dollars in aid. It's not as though America has the extra money anyway, so why on earth would they donate in "aid" tax-payer money to a country who will take the money and infiltrate it back into terror aka the Taliban. I'm sure the government, ISI and its terror counterparts are probably ecstatic at their new win and waiting to receive the aid so they can get down to planning some more attacks against the rest of the world.

And then I was even more disgusted when I read that more women in South India are being harassed by the same fanatical group, the Sri Ram Sena, that was previously torturing them in local pubs. They just don't get it. After all the humiliation, the Pink Chaddi campaign and the media literally lashing them out, you would think this group would finally close shop and go into hiding. But they just don't get it. And now, they are all about suing the Pink Chaddi Campaigners. Sue them for what? For exposing you? Oh get a life!

Talking about low lives, why is it that these people get to be humans when they should be a pebble on the ground? How is it, they seem to gain power and money only to misuse it? I've heard it all before. We need evil and hate in this world so we can understand love and peace. Then why is it that no one seems to get it? I'll probably keep pondering over these aspects of life and until them keep ughing and looking for ways to get it out of my system.

Photo Credit: mutiny.in