The horrible accidents

Last few days there is spate of accidents quite coincidentally, these long distance buses, commencing from Bangalore. It gets shocking as you read details and see the pictures. I have travelled on these routes many times. As far as possible one must choose State buses they are safer, since they don’t have much concern for travelling time nor number of passengers, it works in the advantage of travelers. They generally don’t overspeed nor would they stack up passengers along the aisle. The private buses are horrible experience. As a rule never ever travel in private ac buses, they are dirty, stink and claustrophobic hell.  The ordinary private buses are another sort of hell, they delay the start as they haggle for more passengers, then to cover up the time lost they ply fast. Some of these private operators drive so horrendously fast that reaching the destination is nothing short of miracle. If there are horrible accidents there are many horrible near accidents that doesn’t make news. If the authorities follow and impose the rules strictly these wouldn’t happen. But then it is part of our tradition to create rules and make it optional to follow while those responsible queue up at religious sites to thank their luck and seek redemption. I am told they are also generous in their monetary contributions to the lord.

Making rules and keeping it ambiguous is a strategy of the elite section to make people take rules lightly, i.e. breaking rules is no big deal. This give them the leverage in breaking rules for bigger stakes, in the meanwhile the people are expected to take it as ordinary happening. As you don’t follow traffic rules and smoke in public places, we cut and mine away mountains and coal fields. There is a tacit understanding: You would do the same thing if you are in our place.  Indeed most Indians would!! The morass is deeper and grievous; rules are a joke meant to add to general gaiety of Indian life. Creating a lawless society or individuals who don’t give a damn about rules help in creating a society that is tolerant to corruption, it helps to create the ground for elite in its nefarious acts. It also emboldens the compelling idea of India that these are pre ordained and part of fate. Those who are able to loot are lucky people.     

  

I recall on the same route, Bangalore to Hyderabad, where the accidents happened, a fellow who probably was the cleaner took over the driving very late into the night, the driver gave him few instructions and then went to sleep. To the fellow’s credit he did handle it fairly well and drove slowly, (maybe he will try his tricks as he gets into comfort zone) all the while I had my heart in my mouth. Maybe I should have put up a complaint, then you have to worry about the procedure so on…so thank god for small mercies and carry on with your chore. In another instance the driver stopped the bus on the side of dark alley and went to sleep, while everyone was asleep I got up few times and found the bus at the same spot!! Then I ambled my way to the driver and saw him snoring. I shouted, awaking others too, some even suggested let him sleep you wouldn’t know he might take out his anger by driving rashly!! I have been in near fatal accidents, jumped out in nick of time. The closest one being on Goa-Pune highway, it was touch and go scene. It wouldn’t be right to criticize and brush all private operators with the same brush. SRS travels are run relatively efficiently.

Since I rarely travel on assignments (nobody’s slave nor contributing for GDP any of my immediate concerns) and mostly travel for fun, sometimes if I find the bus uncomfortable I drop out in middle somewhere and chalk out a new plan. Traveling in short distance buses through the day is an amazing experience, it’s always great fun through Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu during winter.    

   

The morons at Doordarshan (DD)

Originally I had titled this piece as “Donkeys at Doordarshan”, it does rhyme, but I realize I have nothing against donkeys and comparing with subhumans at DD is an injustice to donkeys. The way the officials and technicians have handled the telecast of prestigious chess championship is appalling to say the least. I am sickened by the sheer lack of even basic skills, competence is matter that comes much later. I am told that India is some kind of IT power and then you look at DD at such crucial juncture they fail so miserably.

I couldn’t watch the first day, I gather it was seriously messed up but even on the second day quarter of chess board was missing, importantly the chess board was on the corner as if it is not important as the players. I guess DD official have been bred with daily feed of importance to VIP than the event, you cannot change them in short notice. Such gross incompetence is amazing. Nobody watches DD, maybe that is the problem it is been controlled by manipulators who have no connection with competence or responsibility, the officials are generally chosen for the sycophantic abilities. When powerful manipulators get into the system it grievously compromises the competence. When I&B Minister also moonwalks as spokesperson of the party then you know how degraded this government is. It is also not surprising that these spokespersons (as also TV presenters) are adept in art of tongue twisting and brings out words that form amazing sentences. When you give a closer look they turn out to be Mishras, Sitaramans, Natrajans, Chaturvedis, Shuklas, Sharmas, Aiyers, Swamys, Sardesais...it’s like we are back to sanctum sanctorum vaadhvivaadh parampara at the expense of common sense or reality. Inbreeding ka kamaal!! The tongue has got connected to eye, ear and stomach while the brain shrank to grain size.  These are unique homo sapiens. It is in the cauldron of Aiyers and Aiyengars unique arguments and counter arguments that Kasthuri & sons (daughters maybe included) found the firmament for higher and higher moral grounds for the family values in business.    

  

Talking of manipulators I would like to know who recommended Crude woman for Padma awards, as also on what basis mediocre ZK chosen to RS. It seems pseudo secularism has more than its share of returns. I was watching some program on Sholay movie, it is amazing that even after 40 years the movie has such a charm in popular imagination. Salim Khan did some magic with the script, ZK was only an assistant which is a euphemism for arranging chai-pani as also massage when told. Now it is this kind heartedness that is taken advantage by ZK, not only he claims that he wrote everything on his own, you will also think ZK played the role of Gabbar. Script is only one aspect, the movie was a grand success because of so many other critical factors. ZK is only a minor speck, whatever positioning he may do. They are good at pulling the fast one and adept in using much talented/popular people to promote themselves (his gene too is catching up on this talent).  ZK calls it Zuhu Zyndrome. Whenever this fellow start screaming in TV, one need to be cautious, something ominous is underway, some nomination is pending (apart from of course gene’s movie release). These people have the capacity to severely undermine and degrade the system for their immediate gains. The degradation of DD or even the police force falls into the same pattern. I will not be surprised that mediocre ZK was recruited to work on Mister Gandhi’s nonsense speech. I guess Congress need to understand this fellow is only a small time manipulator and talented Salim Khans of the world don’t promote themselves too much. Needless to say the emotional nonsense of a speech was ripped apart, and we are so happy for it.      

Art is a huge term and encompasses much nuanced and subtle expressions, movies are only minor part. In this hindi movies are only one part. An explanation is needed as to on what basis a mediocre lyricist gets nominated to RS. 

Modi gains and looses credibility at an alarming rate

Mr. Modi is because of the amazing lacunae in Manmohan Singh and irresponsible Mr.Gandhi. Without them Modi is at loss, indeed he shines when he attacks them, he comes out as credible and decisive. The more he works from this framework more he stands to gain. He shreds them so precisely that it is a sort of catharsis for people. It is suggested though that he avoid Ms Sonia Gandhi, she probably the only Congress leader around who can command some respect. It is amazing that despite lack of communication in Hindi she has achieved so much and remains a genuine and respected leader. Glib talkers can learn a lesson or two. Precisely the problem when Mr. Modi tries to play statesman, he fails miserably and comes lacking. It is shocking that he has not much awareness on basic facts about India and gives an impression of insincere speaker, lacks credibility (but much credible and effective than Rahul Gandhi on any platform). Further he comes out as a man who seems to be lacking in qualities of introspection, with these he maybe able to connect to the generation next but more thought into speaking is expected. He seems to be the product of visceral reactions of people against an ineffective blundering government that he is very effectively able to tap. Bad times are good for manipulators and with jugglery of words it sometimes throws insincere but effective leaders. By Indian standards that is quite an achievement. 

Lastly why is the highest sporting award in India named after Rajiv Gandhi?? It should be Dhyan Chand award. By usurping names for political gains it undermines the talents of people and recognition they deserve, also it degrades the sanctity of these awards and allows manipulators to work in. It stands on flawed foundation. Hopefully these will be re named. Crude woman has a different take on these matters, she says, “baap ka branding bache nahi karenge tho kya padosi karenge …ye eda hai kya?” . She should know she has baap ke naam pe train. ZK Bazz calls it “reverze brandingz” “bohuth kamaal ki cheez hai mere bhai”.