Lage Raho Munna Bhai aka Rang De Basanti

Watched "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" yesterday. Although, I do not write film reviews but this movie made me write one.

Like most others in the country, I had adored Munna Bhai MBBS. The Movie - was not an original idea. It was inspired by one similar hollywood movie. But the inspiration was well developed and suitably indianised. In fact one cannot use the word copy in this context. It was brilliant execution, in my view.

I had also appreciated the genius of thought in the Aamir khan starrer - Rang De Basanti (RDB). The idea of gelling martyrs of the yesteryears with generation-x of today was brilliant. The entire movie was executed with great finnese, as well.

So when I sat through the sequel of munna bhai - it did not take great intelligence to understand that the inspiration for this movie was RDB. Like the first time the inspiration was worked upon very well and so one does not feel bad at all shelling out a fortune to sit through this simple yet touching movie, however it remains an inspired movie to say the least.(Spoilers ahead if you haven't watched the movie already).

Its a neat copy of an idea - simple too. What did RDB do? It took some heroes from our freedom movement and weaved an artful story of how their passion and depth of thought can influence our so called spoilt brats of generation-x. It was a successful idea and worth copying. So what do you do? You dig out another freedom fighter as your protagonist. Now when the original had already picked up the more aggressive heroes of the freedom movement - who should be your obvious next pick - who else but Gandhiji - the one and only who represents the other philosophy.

What else can make it unique? RDB was a serious movie - so you keep the brand Munna Bhai alive by weaving it with a funny (really) theme. You can ofcourse not make a comedy of Gandhiji in this country and so the movie is with a serious message - and I must say, the movie succeeds in sending that message bang into your head. The simpilicity with which it makes Honesty still the best policy - is touching, inspiring, commendable and what does one say....... eye opening.

Some of the sequences are just too good - one cannot but associate oneself with the characters quite closely. Some of my favourite - the one where Munna Bhai offers an apology to Circuit - excellent dialogues, super delivery. Another one when the Munna Bhai's crush invites him to deliver a lecture on Gandhiji at her old age home and Circuit tries to avoid it finally losing the battle - excellent sense of timing by Arshad. Then the impossible sequence when Munna Bhai directs a depressed young man to share truth with his father - through the medium of (yes believe it) radio (do you again remember RDB - see I told you so) - the sequence ended up becoming quite believable - thats a huge achievement. Even the sequence when Munna Bhai goes on a satyagrah was carried out well.

Of the cast - Sanjay Dutt is better than he was in the original Munna Bhai, Boman Irani makes his mark yet again - fluent, flawless and with ease he carries some of the toughest characters that bollywood has to churn out. He deserves another series of awards for this role. Vidya Balan is like a gust of fresh air - charming and very authentic in her role - also effortless, she is a good actress. However the best of the lot is - Arshad Varsi. An actor whom bollywood has not yet utilised. The character of Munna Bhai will be simply devoid of any attraction without this yet another spectacular performance by Arshad. He has that sense of timing and expression which makes him a natural at comedy.

The editing is great - you are rivetted to your seat from the word go. The pace is fast enough to gloss over some obvious loopholes and before I talk about them let me commend a very well written script which makes the this movie very very effective.

Talking of loopholes I was rather amused that, circuit who generally would find a great funny way of cheating his way out of any situation for Munna bhai, could not think of a creative solution to Munna Bhai's problem of delivering a lecture on Gandhiji at an old age home. Remember the way he helped Munna Bhai top the PMT exam, or the way he helped him get an exclusive "body" for his practicals at the medical college, or the way he helped generate immediate logistic support to the whims of Munna Bhai - in the first version. In this one what idea does he come up with - a Library carrying literature on Gandhiji - for Munna Bhai to read. Somehow it simply does not go with the theme or the overall plot. Also the sequence in which Munna shares the truth about himself with her love - the reaction and the instant breakup should have been developed a lot better. The music is better than the last time but not outstanding. However the picturisation of "Lage Raho ..." was marvellous.

All in all - very good value for money. A surprisingly good sequel. Go ahead and watch it.

PS. Photograph Courtesy http://www.apunkachoice.com

Musings from a Pilgrimage - II

This is a continuation of a post that I wrote several weeks back. Read the first part here for the context.

The yatra continues. First signs of tiredness visible and the prospects ahead look scary. An arduous return journey of 25+ km on foot of which we might have covered maybe 20% by now.

But then the hill is beautiful, view awesome and spirits high. We go on and so does my musings.




A crash course in effective selling
"Identify a need, have a prouct to satisfy the need and then sell patiently but persistently". Thats what we learnt at the B-School. You learn this free on a pilgrimage to "Shikharji" from the Doliwalas. When starting for the Yatra we had booked one "doli" (More about Dolis and Doliwalas in my earlier post) and one person to carry my kid. My parents had assured me that they would cover the entire distance on foot. They were angry when I booked another person for the kid as they thought the lone doliwala was to take care of the kid.

As we started with the yatra however, another couple of doliwals joined us on the journey - just like that. We tried to ignore them, my dad anticipating what they wanted, even warned them that they might not get anything from us. They agreed but continued to give company.

Every time mom and/or dad stopped for a breath and they will softly mutter "Baith Jaiye Saheb - Thoda Aaram Hoga" (Please sit in the Doli, you will feel better). Mom first brushes them aside bravely. But as the "Yatra" progresses and she develops signs of tiring - she becomes more patient of them - muttering "baba, agar jaroorat hogi to bata denge - magar hamare bharose mat raho."(we shall tell you if needed, but don't depend on us). The first signs of tiring shown about three kms from the start.

They go on - but look at the face of my dad now. With the strength of a man knocking at the retiring age and the courage of a man who never needed any such support in the past, coming to terms with the fact that he might have grown old after all. The same hills that he conquered easily 25 years ago when they were more daunting - looked close but out of reach. He goes on - none the less.

And then the last nail in the coffin, a particularly steep strectch which also brings some stairs to climb and around 9:00 am in the morning - sun glows with its glorious bright rays - the first time since we started. We would call the weather pleasent had we not been sweating already because of the walk and now the heat was both pulpable and sapping.

I, my wife and my sister ensure that one of us is always beside each of my parents. We start suggesting gently - a saviour - the doliwalas. They also smelled the business and more importantly their real customer. They must have realised that the people who sit in the 'doli' eventually are not the ones who make the purchase decision. (How many times in our case studies at the B-School would this fact face us - I am not sure all of us remember that). So, they now mutter under my breath - "Babuji thak gaye hai. Unhe baitha dijiye - aaram ho jayega" (Your father is tired. Ask him to sit in the doli - he will feel better). I am also more tolerant of them now - realising fully well that we might need them soon enough. In fact, I signaled to my wife and she immediately discussed the possible charges in case they are needed.

Everything is ready - they do not haggle much on the price - they easily accept my offer of Rs. 100 to carry my dad to the nearest peak. So finally after travelling close to 7 kms my parents give in and both sat on different dolis and my mom as if to share the guilt takes along her grandson in the doli.

They took us to the nearest peak where the first of the temples (they are called "toonk"). Thats half way through - approx. 8 kms from the starting point. Now to visit as many toonk as is possible we were supposed to walk another 7 odd kms in various directions and then finally the descent back which will complete the near 27 kms journey. The doliwalas has been excellent marketers and they have won their trophy. They are almost confident that we will book them for the rest of the journey as well and I am not in a position to bet my money to prove them wrong.

Sure enough after our immediate stop I talk to them about the rest of the jorney. Once again without much negotiations I offer a rational model - half the price of regular and they do not take any chances lest I change my mind. Its smooth - perfect selling, even if driven by compulsions of roji- roti (daily bread).

Well my musings are not over but I am taking too much time to put them up - so I will write them one at a time. Wait for the next in the series.

Ciao

Eject-ucation

A couple of highly respected professor in a reputed college of Ujjain are beaten and humiliated.
One dies of the shock
The other feels so humiliated that makes an abortive attempt to commit suicide and then gets a heart attack.
A retired principal of the college also gets a heart attack after watching this on his TV screen through the local channels.
Whats more all this happened in the presence of Police who according to the eye witnesses did not take timely action to stop the excesses.
Practically everybody in the staff present was weeping due to the insult heaped upon them by Student leaders and shocked by the untimely death of the professor.

What do you think was happening? - some riot because of a scam in the college. Nah..... These were scenes from the student body elections in a college of a relatively peaceful city of MP . The only crime of the professor's, in question, was that they were discussing whether to call off the election on the demand of ABVP functionaries and they took some time in deciding either ways. Things became worse because hearing of the incidence the functionaries of NSUI who were agitating closeby on a completely unrelated issue joind in to attract their pound of attention on the issue. Read more here and here

The politicisation of student union elections is nothing new however each year the new depths it manages to find is - now getting dangerous. The unions are a tool in the hands of major political parties and their big men in the cities. It is ridiculous to see old guns in local politics taking part in the on-campus electioneering - trying to influence the official machinary one way or the other. And this is not just happening in Ujjain.

What happened further is frustrating. Almost anybody who has any political ambitions in the city or state jumps up to provide a statement that will help them get some newsprint wasted on them.

Some people in the administration get suspended.
An obviously shocked city protests in the form one of the most complete "Bandhs" ever thankfully not being incited by politicians.

Now what....? All the hype hides the fact that cleverly the administration has hidden the news that they have not been able to pinpoint the person responsible for the death of the professor. (It was confirmed later that he died because of the impact of one of the punches he recieved). Which means no one might get punished for the incidence.

Further update - The state CID has been asked to investigate and submit a report. Two key functionaries of ABVP have been arrested. But..... where is the evidence. Will key people be punished. The college has been reopened four days afetr the incidence. The staff is tight lipped (read frightened). It seems the transitory nature of public memory might finally bury the matter or will it - a couple of them have come out in the media and said what was to be said.

My thought - with such incidences MP has taken an ugly turn into becoming another UP/Bihar. One expects the current CM to stand up to the challenge and ensure that the guily be punished. If the perpetrators of such brazen crime will remain protected our democracy will have taken a body blow.

I leave you with a sad heart and a suggestion from resident editor of Dainik Bhaskar "Write on the hands of the guilty - Maine Apne Professor ko mara hai (I have killed my professor)"

Picture curtsey www.naidunia.com

Bloggers blocked - a temporory solution

Hi ! If you are accessing the internet using one of the Indian ISPs, the chances are that you cannot see this and any other blog on the blogger.com

It seems that a selective ban on some blogs has enveloped the entire domain as the story here explains.

Till then you can use www.pkblogs.com to access any of the blogs (you will need to remember the name of the blog for that however).

For example to access this blog
1. just type in the browers addres field www.pkblogs.com/cool-discussions
{{I know it is foolish to publish a URL on a site which will need the same URL to acess but........ uhem ...... May be you are not in India and may be you will pass on the url to someone who wants to access it in India)}}
2. You can also subscribe to this blog by entering your email address in the box on the right column under the head subscribe t
3. You can also use www.bloglines.com to subscribe to any blog and keep track of new posts on the blog. If you find emails to your inbox intrusive this could be the solution.
4. As for my blog - you can also access its replica at wordpress the url is http://aks1208.wordpress.com/

One hopes that this horrible ban is removed soon enough - as of now it seems to be an error.

Happy Freedom of Expression to all fellow humans.

Bollywood in B-Schools

Bollywood has been an attraction to the young budding business managers at India's best B-Schools for years now. One fondly remembers a couple of special shows of Govinda flicks that the entire institute was treated to, as a part of fresher welcome ritual at the IIM Lucknow. The singing and dancing with Govinda in the Balcony of theatres was immensely charged and hugely funny.

However, oflate even the professor's at the IIMs seem to get inspirations from the movies. Prof. Prashant Salwan of IIM-Indore is writing a case study on krissh which he intends use in teaching International business and Marketing. Earlier the Amir Khan hit and oscar nominee from India Lagaan was used by Prof. Patnayak at IIM Indore as a case study.

While prof. patnayak used the content of the movie as a case to demonstrate leadership and team skills, Prof. Salwan seems to be more interested in the professional-commercials aspects of movies production, marketing and profitability.

Three things come to mind
1. The idea of using bollywood movies as case studies itself is a great marketing idea. Immediately media attention is available to such an unlikely marriage as entertainment and B-Schools. IIM-Indore has used the idea to get prominent and visible coverage in the media. This is positively a great brnading exercise for a budding IIM in its journey to become a matured and well entranched name in the minds of the target market.

2. I am not sure, but may be this idea could also find another utility - to get the B-School students interested in the class room discussions again. Increasingly I get a feeling talking to students on cmpus that they felt detached with the classrooms. Whats better then an idea that without doubt will appeal to students across the board.

3. Last these are sure signs of the Bollywood organising, operating and succeeding with a mindset of a professional industry. Beware Hollywood - here's your biggest challenge shaping itself up for the task.

Picture courtsey http://www.indiafm.com/news/2006/07/13/7436/

Why oh!! Why

Last night was a a very difficult one. Sitting in Indore, watching frame by frame coverage of the gory act of terror that unleashed in Mumbai and Srinagar was a traumatic and moving experience. Everyone was visibly shocked - benumbed. What could one say or react to when something so irrational happens.

Who is making a point and to whom by killing those who were killed last night??

If actually there is someone for whom this message was actually - Will it reach them??

What does India do? My angry suggestion - teach them a lesson. Its time we responded - may be in a George Bush - manner, wrong/irrational it may be but some action is needed that will deter the next generation of terrorists from attacking an Indian traget.

My suggestion seems to be something coming from the minds of the likes of Thackery, Togadia or Modi. But no, I am no fan of any of them. This is a cold blooded thought. We need to demonstrate that we will not be silent spectators to such dastardly crimes. If there is no action now - it can only encourage more such crimes and more importantly there remains a danger of Indians feeling. So prime minister (your home minister is not even someone who can respond to this) - don't sit back till the time you have hounded the brains behind this act. Identify them, chase them, book them, kill them if needed. Lead from he front - backdoor negotiations are all right - its time for some affirmative action.

Back into action

Well I was off again. This time to a vacation (yeah ! not to a pilgrimage in the name of a vacation). Come to think of it in an earlier post I said - "what the heck - lets go on a pilgrimage. As it is I need a long due and well earned vacation". Just the kind of thing my mom need to know I said.

Because had she known these lines of mine she would say - see your pilgrimage brought you the truly well deserved and long due vacation....

Well I was in Darjeeling for 10 heavenly days. Will put of a post soon. I still have to complete the second part of the "Tirth Yatra". So stay tuned.....

Rahul Mahajan - Trial by Media??

TOI edit on 6th june notes a fact in the ongoing case of Rahul Mahajan that instead of giving their story to the police the four young men involved in the case presented it to the media, first. The edit says

"While there is some justification for their act, it is a disturbing trend,
one that could lead to all kinds of distortions. Bypassing normal, well-laid-out
procedures cannot be encouraged."

Ha Ha..... a police that has lost all its credibility and hence trust of the country's people can only hide behind the fig leaf of well-laid-out procedures. No, I am not saying that their performace at cracking the cases is bad (that it is) but I am saying that their performace in conniving with the perpetrators of the crime is legendry. So what does the insecure do? They try and inform as many people as is possible. Thats the individual's best bet. And in the case in question the later developments proved them - ahem.... astute - if not right.

Do we think that Apollo hospitals did not try to help mahajan get out of this?
Do we think that police was trying hard when they did not arrest Rahul long after drugs were talked about?
Do we think police would do the same had I, a hardly popular and surely not political figure, been involved in the case?

Frankly - I might be wrong with those questions, but media is ensuring at least that police will have to follow due process.

TOI in the same edit says

It could also muddy the waters or prejudge the case. More importantly, it
has the potential of trial by media — a dangerous trend.

Yep.. possible and yes it is dangerous. But, lets take this risk. Let some high and mighty be victimised by the sheer incompetence and corrupt behaviours of our policing system. May be then that will improve the police forces.

TOI says further

Media must not give into sensationalism and not do anything that could help
the accused. They need to cooperate with the investigating agencies and
intervene only when absolutely necessary to help the cause of justice. This is a
test case. The media must live up to the role of watchdog if they are to
continue enjoying public credibility.

Noble words those - hey but the credibility or the balance comes from the fact that there is severe competition in the media and its cut throat - so one major error and TRPs could nosedive.

No, I am not worried that they will go over the top - they might be derailed, carried away some times, even get corrupted occassionaly but they will check themseleves just in time - if they have to survive.

Why, the TOI edit itself is an example - who is it cautioning - the media channels who are getting attaraction of people. So tomorrow if someone there actually slips the credibility test - another TOI edit will mention "See we told you". The powers that be in the channel will then act - a few heads may roll or a few at least get the rap. So the next story is done better.

Similarly let another high profile case come and the police will follow procedures better and Doctors would learn to stick to facts better rather than try to drop some distortions. Free markets at its best.......

PS. Lookout for the police and Doctors also learn fast.

Funny Fanna

"When celebrities speak they must take a prepared punchline from those whom they seek to represent" sounds ridiculous to you ?? me too. But thats exactly what one of our rather intellectually bent media persons would want us to believe.

I am refering to a talk show we the people telecaseted on NDTV on 4th June. Brakha dutt as always was good and could collect a variety of interesting and informed panelists on the discussions. The context was celebrities involvement in issues of public interest. Obviously it erupts out the reaction in Gujarat on Aamir's film Fanna. Thankfully she also kept the discussion on course by discussing neither the film "Fanna" nor the "Narmad Bachoo Andolan" and kept the discussion squarely on the issue of celebrity endorsing issues and implications thereof.

Apart from the usual points about the fact that in a democracy everyone has a right to say what he or she feels about, and that the reaction to aamir's statements in Gujarat are obviously wrong. Almost all in the group seemed to agree with that. However two voices had some interesting points to make. The two voices were none other than Tavleen singh and Nalini Singh.
Nalini made the point that - celebrities need to appreciate that they carry great influence over the public and so they should be cautious about what they say on issues on which they know little about. Not much to disagree here but then to my surprise she ended up suggesting this - "see when Amitabh and Sharukh were given the line - Do boond Jindagi Ke (Two drops of life) - it worked just great for the polio campaign. Thats because - they did not need to know much about polio virus or the disease. Someone worked for weeks - may be a month and came up with lines that they could communicate well to people. Thats an effective way to take a informed and right thing to people." The message - Don't just go out there and speak soemthing that can affect such a large number of people, just like that.

Thankfully someone in the audience was moved enough to ask her point blank - "Does Nalini mean that what celebrities should do is utter prepared lines but never say what they feel in their own words? I am really confused is this waht she means".

Nalini - a professional as she is, remained composed and yet fiddled with words suggesting that this is like distorting what she said and went on to unconvincingly explain that what she meant was that there are so many crores of people out there who might feel and get affected by what the celbrities say and what I am saying is...........blah!!

And then there was the inimitable tavleen singh, columnist - who points out that celebrities need to be responsible for their statements. Sure, not many would disagree with her on that but then what do you mean by responsibility? she says something to the effect - if you have stuck your neck out stick with it. Specifically, in the context of Fanna controvesy - she is unhappy that aamir and company visited for half a day and made those, now historical, statements. According to her celebrities should own it up for long and be consistent about it. She took example of Shabana accepting an award from the world Economic forum when she had already raised her voice against them in a different context.

Well - what does one say. A good TV anchor has to find conflicting voices to bring to her show a variety of opinions. And some in media carve their presence by ensuring that they write or say which is different if not exactly opposite to what media is printing reams on. Both Nalini and Tavleen belong to that brand, whom I admire because they do bring some genuine nuances of the issue. But frankly sometimes this effort stretches into either trivialities or sometimes simply nowhere. Tavleen's issue though right are at the wrong time and hence belong to the former category while nalini belongs to the latter. An entire hour of time wasted on explaining to those two the simple irrelevance of their ideas in the current context - is a huge waste.

Musings from a Pilgrimage - I

Sorry for this hiatus – was really occupied with personal, professional and the spiritual. Yes ! I was out for a week on a pilgrimage (tour)

“Pilgrimage – now that sounds boring. And since when did you start paying visits to the deities?” Comments that I received when I announced my trip.

OK !! I have never been over the top with religion or any thing that remotely smells of the meta physicals. But, what the heck - I am OK with the idea of faith. So when my parents issued an emotional appeal (Well fine!! emotional blackmail) – I just said yes. Here was a long sought vacation which I was unable to plan somehow. And – it turned out to be quite a bit more than a pilgrimage – so this post promises to be much more then just a travelogue.

I might have never mentioned that I belong to a jain family – it seems so trivial but one realizes that one’s religion is very much a part of one’s identity. A visit to shikharjee - the place in question – thus is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to wash off all the sins that we might have committed in our lifetime. (some made me believe that actually it also takes care of sins that you are going to commit in our future…… I told you it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity). Eevry one was convinced that my kid is really lucky to go on such a “yatra” at such a tender age (four years).

I did not realize that we were off to such an important “yatra” of my life until I occupied my birth in the train. We were dropped by my uncle and family – sheepishly they took out a couple of garlands (the typical yellow genda – variety which one sees hanging at all flower shops) and we (I, my wife and the kid) were felicitated complete with the red “tilak” on our forehead. I felt like the sacrificial lamb being readied for the final kill. I recalled Haj yatris on railway stations being similarly treated and the fun I had watching all the drama – but never did I imagine that I will become the reasons for amusement of fellow passengers – Oh! God was it embarrassing.

I : Civil Sense ??
Anyways we left for an almost 36 hour journey in a train which will travel through so many corners of MP, UP, Bihar and Jharkhand that I never knew existed. After a long time I was on a long journey by Indian railways and that too sleeper class. I grew increasingly conscious of the fact that in brightly “shining” India – lack of civil sense remains a burning problem – a train coach which starts spanking clean from the origin station (no pun intended) becomes a mess with spits, wrappers, peels, dust, newspapers, water spills from water bottles to wash basins to even toilets. By the time our journey ends we just want a clean wash and sound sleep for the next day.

Another 25 km of taxi ride took us to Madhuban – a small town at the foot of shikharjee hills was to be our abode for the next three days. I was immediately attracted to the green hills that we were to travel the next day.

“Yatra Begins”
Well the D-day started at 4:00 AM – and how? Of course with a wish for a successful yatra in front of a deity named Bhomyaji – considered the paheradar (Guard) at the doors of the shikharjee. It is amazing to note that almost every God worth his salt (or his temple) in India follows the business/corporate culture of establishing a trusted guard notionally outside his abode taking care of his boss’s business and like every other office reaching the boss passes through their tables necessarily (Remember Hanumanji for Ram Temples, or _________ for Lord Shiva etc.)

I was told this incredible news that we are supposed to walk approx. 27 km (yes twenty seven) by the evening. The only destination that we could see was a one white temple on top of one of the highest peaks and gosh!! It looked far and high. I was ready to bet my money that this 27 km bit was an exaggeration by some over zealous “bhakt” and we started on an unending serpentine concrete road approx. 6-feet wide on a hill covered with thick green forest seemingly leading us to – well nowhere. I must say I really enjoyed the first km. Through the lush green dense forest at around 4:30 hrs. Not just me, to our delight even our four year kid was so full of energy and enthusiasm that he traveled almost the first km on foot.

II : Children of my country
Early on in our “yatra” I noted these young girls in their early school going age carrying something in nylon sacks on their heads, on those steep concrete roads. While I clicked a few snaps I asked one of them as to what is it that they were carrying. She replied simply "Itta" (bricks). I was taken aback, as if hit by those bricks she was carrying, by the casual manner she answered it – a look at the bag would reveal that each bag must have contained 6 or 8 bricks. I could not think of carrying a travel bag for long with me and here is a small girl almost one-third my age carrying brickload on her head climbing this strenuous mountains.

I was aware that we would be traveling on concrete roads - which they said has made the yatra much easier. My parents who visited the place about 25years ago remembers that it was once just a "kaccha" path through the dense forest – where even the mighty sun would rarely reach them. I was suddenly conscious of the fact that this concrete road that we were walking on was laid down on a bed of bricks carried by these tender shoulders at an age when the Indian government promises them compulsory primary education. Thats India for all of us.

III : Fellow Human Beings
Did you notice those “dolis” moving along with us – a strong thick wooden beam carried on their shoulders by two men with a swing like arrangement for one person to sit while they are carried by these two people through their yatras.

This is the only help available to carry out your journey if you are unable to complete the fete on foot. There are hundreds of such doliwalas swarming the place. They obviously cater to the peak time demand when this small town is full of “yatris”. At this time you just look around for a “doliwala” and at least 10 will approach you. If you have the courage and will to negotiate they will agree to half the price that they are entitled to. You would easily realize the sheer manual effort that is required in carrying a human being (50-70 Kgs on average) on these steep hills for 20 plus kms. And then it would dawn upon you, how inhuman it would be to negotiate a better price for their manual labour.

I was once in Calcutta (in the days when this was the name of the city) and saw human beings carrying richer fellow human beings on a hand pulled trolly (like a horse cart with a human being in place of the horse). If you feel that’s awful – this one is worse. I have always wondered how would one feel sitting in one of those carts (or one of these dolis) with the other human beings carrying you. At least I could not make myself sit even to try out this feeling.

IV : Faith
Faith is an amazing thing. It can move mountains – or it can make you climb mountains – literally. Here is my mother – she suffers from chronic troubles with all joints in her body and she generally avoids walking for long because the pain becomes unbearable specially the outsized bones of her toes. Any number of doctors could not convince her to go for a regular morning walk which they claim will keep her joints more functional. And here was she all energized and determined to complete a 25plus km journey through steep mountains in a single day and by now she has traveled about 8 km. She keeps saying no to our suggestions, requests, emotional blackmails to sit on a doli. How else can one define this seemingly unexplainable contradiction.

Here is another picture of faith – look at the frail beauty of this old lady whom I don’t know. Its hot summer of may and she travels all the way up here with her family (may be with the help of doliwalas) looking for what – God, Peace, Sense of conquer or just a need to tell herself that I am up and kicking.

The “yatra” continues and so does my musings. The post is turning out to be bulkier then I thought when I started. So More to come – wait for the next post – stay tuned.

Coaching Classes or Poaching Classes

I was attracted to this rather loud advertisement in my morning newspaper which claimed stupendous success at the CAT / IIM - 2006 by a leading National Tutorial in the business of MBA Entrance training. Very soon I was to realise that I am faced with a bitter truth of today's education business. Results - is what sells in the coaching class markets and so results is what they will show

- come what may. But in this blind race to show results how far will they go. Thsis ad is a burning example:

In the middle of this full page ad were the hindi words “phir se phod diya” (Cracked Again). On the left side was presented an array of photographs of students selected to the IIMs – the reverse headline said – “from Indore to IIMs – grand success story since 13 years”. On the right side another array of photographs which carried the title “Super Stars of PT Indore Centre – Year 2005”

The fine print is interesting and is full of insight on how masses are fooled by the concerned tutorial into believing that it has been a grand success at CAT/IIMs. Here are some observations

The IIM Selections claimed are of 13 years
The photographs on the left side are not IIM selections of this year alone. They are all the selections that has happened over the last 13 (yes Thirteen) years including the current year. The ad is cleverly planned by writing that vague line “Grand success story of last 13 years” to mean that that the following photographs are of all those students who were selected over the last 13 years.
Obviously for the casual reader this would look like a stupendous result for a place like Indore. I took a quick snap poll to confirm my instinct. The result : 10 out of 10 parents (of under graduate students) had to closely look at the ad three times to figure out that – even the ad is claiming just 10 IIM Selections for the current year.

Lots of these students were not even assisted by them
One of the most defaced photograph – of one “Girish Pahadia” dates back to the year 94-95. Check the year written on the photogrph in that red color – it is poorer than that in clarity in the actual print ad.
I am a close friend of Girish. He told me that he had approached this class for help when he had received a GD/PI call way back in 1995. He was offered to start practicing immediately without paying anything. After attending one session he never returned back & has never paid a single paisa to the tutorial in question. His fault – he filled up a form (he swears that he did not give any photograph then).



Girish is not a stand alone case.
From the students selected this year one - Aditya Gupta – attened exactly two GK lectures (paid Rs. 500 for that). That was their contribution to Aditya’s success. Aditya says that their marketing of GK lectures looked attractive and so I went for a couple of seminars – that’s all. "In fact" He says “I was approached by them many times – being offered freebies to get registered with them. In fact after my admission was confirmed – I was again called to ask for my photograph and signatures. I had refused to them on phone and also told them I do not want to talk to any body from their administration.”

Of course aditya was a regular student with another coaching class in the city. Aditya is furious and for a change he is contemplating action against the tutorial in question. However scores of others who are claimed as proud success by them either do not know (as they might not be in town anymore) or they don’t care to look into the fine print.)

And then there is the case of Saurabh Laddha. Another one who made it to all the five IIMs except Ahmedabad this year. He was a student of this tutorial in the year 2002 (yes – 2002 – do notice the registration number quoted by the ad. It starts with 02 – the year in which he joined – It is 05 for Aditya). He did not get a single call in that year. He started working for a company called CSC at Indore and kept taking CAT every year. He had joined a test series with another coaching institute (not PT Education) and then joined a second coaching class (not PT Education) for his Group Discussion and Interview preparation this year.

He says “it is not just misuse but also misinformation. I do not give a single paisa credit to them for what I achieved this year. Of course they did not talk to me before putting my name and photograph in the ad”





Supriya Gupte appears to be another case similar to that of Saurabh’s. She is among current years selections claimed by this ad. Although I do not have a direct contact with her – but her registration number with PT (published in this ad) reveals her to be student of 2003.

Even if we give the benefit of doubt in this case to the tutorial (for want of concrete first hand information) – others are glaring cases of misrepresentation, at best, and simply fraud - practically speaking. Go on to read more such cases.

History of such results
May be this year they have poor results and they might have done such a thing in desperation?? Unlikely, becuase similar cases exist in this ad which dates back to the time of Girish. Here are some more.

Maulshri Rathi –
joined PT in the year 1998. Did not make it to any B-School in that year. Joined another training institute in the next year. Again failed to make it to any B-School. Took up a job with WebDunia - an Indore based software company – appeared for GMAT, applied for the first batch of ISB Hyderabad. When she received a call from ISB for an interview, she went back to the later institute (not PT) for help and made it to ISB. Possibly one of the youngest to join that B-School. Now even PT did not use her name and photographs in earlier communications that it made during her year of selection – but puts her as a proud achievement now.

Pratik Maru -
Was a student of PT in 98. Did not make it to any of the B-Schools. Took up a job and went out of Indore. Appeared for CAT again later – finally got calls for GD-PI and approached another coaching class (not PT Education) in Indore to prepare himself for the final assault. He finally achieved admission in the year 2001. However he is happily claimed as a PT success story now.


Shireen Date -
Joined for a three month elementary course (then called beginners) with PT in 2001. Then she joined a year long course with another institute in the city and was a student of this institute (not PT Education) when she was selected. But as in all other cases she is one of the grand success stories of PT.


The ad is probably full of such cases – I am presenting those for which I have authentic first hand info. All these cases have been confirmed with the persons themselves and the facts are verifiable by anybody.


That’s not all – 3 out of 10 are waitlisted
No, that’s not all. Look closely at that ad. You will then discover that out of the 10 IIM selections claimed for the current year THREE are (by their own admission in the ad) waitlisted. For example the case of Nikhil Paranjape. But wait the admission of that is in the fine print only – the heading at the top happily claims “All final selections after GD-PIs”

In the copy they claim 95% of top B-School selections from Indore – now anybody even on the gut feel will reject such a claim. But who is there to question whatever a copy says.



About the photographs presented to the right side of “Phod Diya” the lesser said the better. Selections to any Tom, Dick and Harry institute has been listed – so that the photographs appear to be as many in number as is possible. Obviously the masses at large do not notice that spending thousands of rupees to seek admission to such institutes is sheer waste of money. However, if these are genuine selections of this year of their own students – they are entitled to make them noticed in the way they deem it fit. The point is only that the ad is hyping up lies and half truths to unacceptably high levels.
Am I reading too much in one ad ?
One can ask a genuine question at this juncture – despite the acts of commission or omission of information in above cases being glaring – is it possible that I am trying to interpret too much in a single communication?

The answer friends, is an emphatic NO. This kind of misrepresentation, half truths, and hyperbole has been a consistent strategy with the tutorial under the scanner – here are a few more campaigns that PT has taken up in the earlier years. Here are past examples

Hype on “Changes in CAT”
Following is a copy of ad that was published by PT in January 2004. The readers would be aware that this was the time when the HRD ministry was working at reducing the number of exams for MBA admissions.



The copy of this reads

“The complete process of MBA entrance will undergo a change soon. All individual institute specific exams are being scrapped and replaced by a central All India test. Syllabus is undergoing a dramatic change. GD-PI may be removed from the selection process.”

It goes on to say
“In such uncertain and turbulent times, you can still sit back and relax. After all, PT is by your side.

PT presents – a completely upgraded pinnacle course ready to support you crack the new challenge of CAT 2004. Created by our large nationwide R & D cell, the all new Pinnacle is the ultimate weapon for you to crack the new CAT. No matter what the pattern finally turns out to be, we will cover it in totality”

This ad was supplemented by seminars and counseling rounds where it was openly said that CAT is changing & PT knows what to do? I am in touch with a student who attended one of those seminars where it was claimed that CAT-2004 will have an essay to write.

All these was publicised whe this discussion was at best a rumor with almost no confirmation either in media or otherwise by authorities that be.

In nut shell a hype was created that CAT is changing and it was blatantly suggested that PT knows about it and has upgraded the course to take care of the changes – much before the changes were even announced by the competent authorities. Of course the ad had a harmless footnote suggesting all information compiled from standard news papers and media sources.

Hype on CAT 2004 Results
Following is a copy of an ad PT indore center published in March 2005 in all leading vernaculars of MP. This is another example of half truths and most probably lies

The fine print here is actually more interesting. Here are some verified observations.

95% of all IIM Calls from Indore?
Below that equation in red (which claims IIMite = PTite) the copy reads – “PT Indore center has 95% of all IIM calls from Indore.”. A blatant lie, because that percentage would be close to 50% in that year and surely nowhere near 95%.

Which Calls?
The headline says “clean sweep of results” . Now the detail - there are 25 photographs with their names. The other information that was provided in the ad was - hold your breath - the name of the course that each student joined with PT. What was cleverly omitted was the information on the institutes from which this students received those calls. Think about it – why was the information on their calls not given when the rest of the ad screams out results and IIM call and what is the logic of putting in the name of the course they joined with the tutorial. Knowing fully well that few people read what is written below the photograph (as long as something is written) and it is assumed that information about their selection is present.

Obviously people were made to believe that there were as many as 25 people with IIM calls in that year alone. All trials to verify that fact failed. My research confirmed about 15 people out of them with genuine IIM calls. Two questions went unanswered till date – Did all these 25 people had GD/PI calls from one or more of the IIMS in that year?? Were all these 25 people from Indore?? The tutorial in question was completely quiet on this account despite pamphlets being distributed in Indore on similar themes by competition.

That’s not all. At least one student – Nitisha Laddha - in this set of photographs was a case of misrepresentation again. She was pursued by PT into attending their GD/PI training free and she attended just one session due to consistent pestering of their counselor. The next day she was in their ad.

The Toppers Campaign
In June 2005 PT came with another campaign both in the news papers and also on the hoardings at Indore. The campaign was named – “Toppers Unlimited”. It claimed that PT had 10 toppers in a row. Toppers meaning their students reaching the first rank of the exam.
Now, a closer look in the ad will reveal 4 CAT toppers for that year (100 percentile), One MAT topper followed by a few names who topped their MBA course or their branch at their respective institute. Examples – There was a photograph of one Neha Taleja – the fine print said she is a topper (a gold medalist) at M.I.C.A. and then there was a Prashant Dinodiya – Topper (gold medalist) for best overall performance at IIM Kozhikhode.

(I will soon post the ad and the hoarding photograph of this campaign too)

When an institute who trains students for MBA entrance claims credit for their success at the respective B-School, isn’t it blatantly stretching things a bit too far. Moreover, clubbing them with successful students of CAT and other MBA entrance exams is a glaring case of misguiding.

Why PT be singled out
In a world full of cut throat competition, why single out PT? Aren’t their more players, brands in the market who might be following similar practices?

The answer to this question is manifolds –
First, I write about PT because I know more about what they do & how in Indore.

Second, because I believe that most other players in the market are not so blatantly unethical. Yes, in a commercial/professional world of business, promoters of most such businesses (including me) might have, in their weak times, resorted to a half truth here or a creative interpretation there. But the consistency and the brazenness of PT is truly unmatched.

Third, Campaigns like those above, tend to brainwash students into believing loudness to be the truth. This post on the blog is just my way of reaching out to a larger mass.

There must be more names in the industry who are involved in such misrepresentation – but I have seen only this one as the most blatant by far. Moreover, there are smaller players who get into such practices more out of desperation to get business but one expects more ethical behaviour from a national player.

I am sure that none would disagree when I say that Mainstream Media would not like to take this issue as that would mean targeting someone who is a big source of ad revenue

The way forward
Education has already attained the status of a booming industry in India. Increasing awareness of merits of education and the high flying lucrative careers being talked about in media has made it an exciting business preposition. Burgeoning numbers of students compete for ridiculously low number of seats. For instance, for a less than 1500 seats at the IIMs more than 1,75,000 people appeared for CAT last year. This numbers are growing faster then ever before and the news. As a result professional/commercial coaching classes have gradually replaced the erstwhile tutors or conventional coaching classes run by teachers. The business is now conducted by managers who play with the psyche of people and are masters in the art of influencing through communication.

Something needs to be done to check all such practices – before it becomes a menace to the society in general. Government, Laws, autonomous regulating agencies – may be yes. A more alert, watchful, unbiased and honest media – surely if that happens half the battle is won. A common association of larger players in the industry who would work towards fair competition – desirable, but I do not think that such a thing will work in the current environment. But something needs to be done pretty soon. Till then “Grand Success Story of PT” continues. This blog-post is my submission to a larger goal.
All images are scanned images of Newspapers (Nai Dunia or Dainik Bhaskar).

1000 and now growing

Just wanted to indulge in some retrospection. Today my blog received its 1000th hit.

I wrote my first post on 15th November. Since then - 31 posts and almost six months later the counter on my blog crosses 1000 mark.

This isn't a great show, if I go by the performances of some veteren bloggers (like rashmi, amit, Gautam Ghosh etc.) whom I have picked up the habit of reading regularly. Of course I also know of bloggers (like madhukar, anuradha) who deserve better readership then they currently get.

However I never started off with the idea of attracting traffic in the first place. Neither did I anticipate that I will reach that count (traffic) so soon specially because I did not circulate my blog even among my friends from the real world. I just wanted to create a space where I say my thing and then I learnt that blogging is really interactive media that can reach out to people everywhere. And then I learnt about tracking traffic to one's blog and then ..........
Today blogging is a part of my routine and it provides me satisfaction, space, immense learning and more importantly connectivity.

Yes!! In this less than six months I connected to a few friends who are now regular visitors (no names here for I do not know whether they want this shared) and they leave a comment off and on. I never thought people can connect in such a productive manner beyond a mail-list which often turned into a chain mail circulation forums. Moreover, these are people whom I have never met or known - they are their becuae they read what I write and interact on what I write. Thats a lovely concept.

So here is to my new hobby .......... Thanks to all who communicated with me. I look forward to more in the days to come........May be I will write a deeper introspective post at the completion of first year of blogging.

Reliance Losing Money - we must lose sleep

Even Reliance can lose money.

Reading this note I wonder - for how long will government be able to hold on to these subsidies specially when private sector companies like Reliance has made aggressive forays into an industry which has been historically in the PSU domain.

Given the abilities of Reliance to influence Government policies - one can expect market parity soon for petrol, Diesel and Cooking Gas. If that happens will we celebrate it as win for the free economy champions or will it be yet another challenge for a belegaured house wife in a typical middle class Indian household trying its best to make ends meet.

Or will this be the start of the end of the dream run of shinning India and its growth story?

Travesty or Social Justice

The HRD ministry has issued a notification mandating 27% additional quota for Other Backward Castes (OBCs) in higher education. This will take the overall reservation to institutes like IITs and IIMs to almost 50%. Now in an increasingly competitive scenario (Typically for 1300+ seats at the IIMs more than 1,75,000 people appear) this is obviously a shock for students from the general categories. On a gut feel a very small percentage of people appearing for CAT would come from the OBCs.

Reservations in Perspective
The fundamental concept of reservation is seemingly to bring the oppressed or exploited communities to the mainstream. For decades, we have reservations varying between 20% and 50% depending on which state one belongs. We need to examine the result of reservations of these decades for a better perspective of the concept.

For want of any organised study on this subject (at least none that I know of) lets make some informed gut feel guesses. I am sure one can feel the all so palpable presence of people belonging to these communities (SC/ST and OBCs) in almost every walk of life. These communities who were once considered to be at the services of the higher castes have learnt to assert their rights and to stand up to upper caste “exploitation”. One may feel their assertion is rather crude, but it is very much present. One can mock at the styles of Laloo Yadavs and Uma bhartis of the world but they can no more be ignored – far less be expoited.

It is to be accepted that reservation has been one of the enablers of this revolution. Reservations created role models to communities from within oneself. It also helped develop confidence in these communities – some might argue that to be over confidence. I am remembered of my college days when some of my fellow students belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories used to sincerely study for days and nights asking for help from fellow students like me and would still find it difficult to pass – but they would try and would eventually make it.

The point is – reservations has made a difference to the lives of these people. Their aspirations and confidence has grown. They have started to stand up to their convictions which is often seen as opposing the other (intellectual high caste perspective).

The Merit Angle
The strongest argument against reservation is that of punishing merit.
On a rational ground this argument is impeccable. A quota system by its definition is unfair. But the logic is we are trying to compensate for another unfair act of society. It is difficult to digest but is the truth. There is really no answer to the question why am I the victim?? Someone always is – these communities have been a victim for decades. We react very strongly to such unfairness in the system – but our system is unfair in many other ways to most people – may be we did not feel that so much because it affected our lives the least. There is increased acceptability of women reservation – why??
And if that’s OK whats wrong with reservations of OBCs.

Now don’t get me wrong – I am not saying these wrongs justify another. The point is this – “Reservations is one of the ways we can and do address the problem of uplifting classes”

There is increasingly a problem of classes not being same as castes any more – that needs to be addressed.

The Extent of Reservation
Another problem with reservations is the extent to which it is offered in our country – thanks to a supreme court directive – it does not cross the half way mark. Yet 50% is incredibly high a figure to be reserved. Sure, no arguments here – we go unnecessarily high on reservations. If the idea is to help the communities we need to provide incentives to the initiated not to provide them crutches. Invariably what is happening is we are unable to find enough deserving candidates to fill the reserved seats. We then make a mockery of the system by relaxing the rules of admissions further for these reserved categories – making the system not just unfair but unjust.

The Political Angle
The problem, as always, lies in the politics of reservations. Vote banks and not rational economic sense governs decision making in Governments across the world. By offering specific castes sops of these kinds politicians aim at the next elections. It’s the same for all parties – check the return of BJP/Advani to the hindutava chant. Politics is also the reason why reservations will stick with us far beyond the time of its need or relevance.

Obviously in our country we do not need caste based reservations any more. We must switch to class based on economic criteria for reservation. Alas that will not happen till the time we as a country will keep voting along caste lines.

We are responsible for the mess?
How can we balance the need for upliftment of socially backward classes and that of fair play. In a democracy the only solution is voting. Till the time the educated, the middle class, the semi urban and urban population and the intelligentsia comes out to vote – reservations in its current form, like other anomalies in our system, is a reality we have to live with. We do not need revolution or a revolt to handle it – we need close to 100% voting percentages in elections.

Make the politicians feel that you will respond to their decision making and they will learn to take care of your thoughts and feelings as well. On a hot summer day, in the convenience of your cosy room if the thought that “how does it matter if I don’t vote” crossed your mind then you are crying over spilt milk – when politicians make such decisions as caste based reservations.

The Way Forward
In the current context, I feel there is no point fighting for a roll back – that can only increase tensions and further division among caste lines. We must work towards achieving clear definitions of deserving candidates under various categories. We must also aim to achieve a firm commitment from the Government that the criteria cannot be relaxed in case the seats are not filled. Further, such seats then can be filled by deserving candidates of general category. This will ensure an effective rate of reservation which is much lesser then the current proposed and also would have enough cushion for the deserving candidates from the backward castes.

What say you??

The power of being a Sonia

Sonia does it once again.

Yes ! Sonia resigns as an MP and as chairperson of NAC. Time for Congress to take the moral high ground and yet again for the opposition to cool its heels as the sonia team take away issues from them one after another.

While this was a case of congress getting cornered in one of its own trap. However Sonia does have the courage and the wisdom to keep her moral image upright, clean and even appealing in the perception of those who matter - the masses. Something that Mulayams, Amar Singhs of the modern political era will have to grudgingly accept and even learn.

One can debate the motives, compulsions and strategies of Sonia, however it must be conceded that she has brought high standrads to public life. No one in India other than the incumbent President and the Prime minister comes close to the clean image she has upheld in her actions as a public figure. She has provided a big challenge to politicians of this country to stand tall like her and then rule.

I am remembered of an earlier debate with my friends in a different forum when Sonia was close to the prime minister's post. One of my friends wrote a mail which made me respond. Here are excerpts from that debate. The current scenerio just firms up the trend that I mentioned at that time (name of my friend deleted from the copy for obvious reasons)

*********** Start of the exchange*****************
Dear friend

I could not stop replying to your mail. Just wanted to share my view on the issue with the group

friend> I'm sure most of us are still in a state of shock and sadness at the results of the recent elections. (refers to the last Lok Sabha election in which UPA won)
me> I don't see what should shock or make us feel sad about the elections result. Please realise that the arithmetic that BJP had used to its advantage in the last election was more effectively used by congress this time.

BJP on its own was not a National party & hence through alliances & pre poll arrangements it cornered a good number of seats. Its spin doctors hyped up the notion that it is in a great position to increase its numbers and that its acceptance cut across communities & regions of India. This notion is what was belied by this election and hence has shocked those who believed the shining India or Feel Good campaigns.

friend> > It is further more disturbing to see Sonia Gandhi being made the PM with support from a bunch of incompetent ( to say the least ) congress allies.

If you do agree with me and many other Indians worldwide I have drafted a petition to Sonia Gandhi asking her not seek the post of PM. Please go to this URL and sign the petition to show your support
me> In fact, if those people were so incompetent - how did a very competent set of people (the NDA campaign managers) failed to ensure victory in an election the fairness of which even the BJP does not doubt and when there chances were really bright.

Here are the three reasons in your petition that forms the basis of claim that Sonia should not be the PM

From petition
1.We believe that a individual who has not been bought up and been through the struggles that a native born citizen of any country goes through but instead only been a naturalized citizen for the past two decades can not truly understand and appreciate what it really means to feel patriotic about one’s nation in the purest of its forms deep within one’s heart. While we all proudly accept you as one among us and will never forget the service and sacrifices made by your family in building India it is very demeaning and shameful for us to see a individual of foreign origin lead a country like ours. It is simply unpatriotic and betraying the sacrifices of our glorious freedom fighters.

ME > Very well worded but think - whats the Logic or rationale here - its an emotion thats being appealed to.
According to a recent survey by NDTV the passed out bunch of MPs in India (the last Lok Sabha) had following features
1. A Majority (I have forgotten the percentage) are stinkingly rich & slowly but surely the Loksabha has lost all representation from classes whose real life is to be felt by those in power.
2. An increasing numbers of them are those who have been educated abroad since childhood and are Graduates of Foreign universities.
3. All most all stalwarts (Cabinet Ministers included) who might be Bhartiya (patriot or not is your take) have lost in this election.

Very soon you will have PMs, the only thing Indian about whom will be their origin. Talk of patriotism then. In her two decades as a Naturalised citizen she has done nothing to shame the country - sadly this cannot be said of a very large number of our "competent, patriotic, Bhartiya" politicians who claim prime ministership & to whom you would have no troubles in offering the seat.

from the petition
2.We also believe that a nation like ours in these times of globalization needs a much more qualified and experienced individual to lead and represent the nation than what you personally bring to the table. While there is no denying the fact that you were part of a family that governed India for decade’s one need a lot more competency and past leadership experience to lead a nation of one billion.

ME > I would want to know from you what is required to lead a nation?

Let me try and define it - to lead a nation no qualification is required - what is required is to have a vision for it & to be able to generate a belief in the nation that the nation can do it, grow and meet great ambitions as a nation.

Like many other leaders - she has painstakingly collected certificates to that effect she has gradually collected the shambles that Congress was in and has been able to revive it in parts. She has handled vilification campaigns, election losses, oppposition within & outside party, in her stride & has gone ahead methodically with her job. She has a very competent team supporting her (I do hope that you do not consider the likes of Manmohan Singh, Jairam Ramesh, Rahul Gandhi & Salman Khurshid as incompetent - all of whom incidentally are also Foreign educated). I do not see her qualification as an impediment as a leader. It is possible that she might fail but so did great knowledgable leaders like V P Singh, Chandrashekhar or the latest of them Atalji at various fronts.

As for Qualification - one of the most qualified in the band wagon - Mr. Murli Manohar Joshi - ended up messing up with the education so much that no educated person would ever vote for him again.

from the petition
3.We should all be proud of being the largest democracy the world has ever seen and probably will ever see. In this context we all have an obligation to respect the mandate of the electorate. While the congress and your allies may have chosen you for the post of Prime Minister it would be much more prudent on your part to decline this opportunity based on the reasons above. This would represent a much bigger service and sacrifice to the nation on your personal behalf besides standing you in high esteem and morality among the huge community of Indians the world over as well as within India.

ME> While I agree that the mandate is not necessarily in favour of Sonia as a PM but it would be foolhardy to interpret it as against her either. No the electorate has not been against her also (If that were true - every one in favour of Atalji & against Sonia - where would Congress be).

There is no basis for asking for a sacrifice from her because none of us (least of all the Hindutava Brigade) has the moral, ethical or technical ground to ask for such a sacrifice. She & her family has sacrificed enough - the latest of which was Sonia's Husband to silent her critics looking for sacrifice as a credential of her authenticity.

While I am equally unhappy about India's state of affairs but I would want all well meaning people of my country to stop making this a war of personal vandetta. If you have to change things in the country - it must happen living within the system. The fact is the system has generated her to be the PM of our country and we must accept it. Your difference of opinion are welcome (thats what makes India a great nation) but lets accept when we are defeated.

******** End of exchange**************

Soon after this exchange Dr. Manmohan singh was made the PM after Sonia declined the PM post with a dignified and proud aura around her.

Yet again by doing what she has done, Sonia has reaffirmed the faith of people like me (not in her family) in the power of dignity. She has just manifested that real power will come from ensuring dignity of action not just blind political manipulation. I hope that politicians of our country including congressmen take lessons from her.