Another Soviet in Making???

With declaration of date for Presidential elections on 2nd December media and blogosphere is full of news related to who will lead the largest country in world. Opinions are multifarious ranging from suppression of free speech to voice of liberal electorate and hailing Putin as most successful leader post Soviet breakdown. Well you can easily predict the media speculation depending on your media source. While US and western commentators have severely criticized the way elections are handled in Russia, reports coming from 'Mother Russia' are mostly favorable possibly due to state control of media. But the real perspective is confusing to people outside. Whatever be Putin's approval rating, whatever be the Russian economic progress the signs given by Russia surely decreases its credibility on International front instead of improving.

More and more Anti-Kremlin activists are attacked and arrested in Russia. Russian police broke up an opposition rally and detained about 150 people in St Petersburg, including opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. This happens after former chess champion Garry Kasparov, was arrested at a rally in Moscow on Saturday. Both protests were organised by opposition group The Other Russia. It accuses the government of crushing dissent ahead of elections. TOR has been accusing the government of crushing dissent ahead of elections.Since the last election there has also been a series of significant changes to electoral laws which opposition parties say aims to push them out of the political system. Major points are increasing the minimum percentage of votes required for a party to enter parliament, increasing the minimum number of members a party must have in order to be officially registered by the authorities and banning independent candidates from running for parliament. In face of these and no scope for independent financing, no access to independent media and no access to independent justice there's no possibility to become an opposition.

However pro-Putin supporters ( United Russia) are also not devoid of logic. They see Putin as provider of regional stability and a force against Unipolar World. Supporters of the Kremlin dismiss all allegations of opposition parties as the complaints of losers. Russia was falling apart when Mr Putin came to power. The country needed a strong leader, and it's to Mr Putin's credit that Russia survives as a geographic entity. He has also achieved another important victory. Russians are now proud to be living in their country, which few people could say in the 1990s. GDP growth has been exponential backing on oil and gas prices. These have helped Putin to leverage Russia's position on erstwhile soviet countries and World scene.

However even Kremlin supporters cannot negate the growing menace of corruption in Russian society and there increasing isolation in World community. The only achievement of Vladimir Putin is that some of the money brought to the county by high oil prices hasn't been stolen. There is some investment and it seems to be paying off. Business tycoons who defy Moscow are sent on Siberian Holiday and there is always a threat of nationalization.

Now Putin is bringing one Viktor Zubkov from obscurity to become Russian President and he being in control of strings from behind. Planning is probably done that Zubkov will resign in some time paving way for Putin to again become President. What will transpire, we will come to know in a month or so. Till then "Hail Mother Russia"

C2D in Working…

‘Centre would deal with Naxalism in a “holistic” manner.’ – Shivraj Patil (HM)

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee - “They were paid back with their own coin” while training his guns at Trinamool Congress workers.

Look within the two lines, its clear as a crystal. Bagging front lines in all National Dailies nowadays is the News of recent spate of violence in Nandigram and adjoin areas. These happenings in CPM’s own citadel reflects the results of there idealistic approach towards present world scenario. They remain cocooned in the Ideals of Bolsheviks when everyone including there forefathers (read Russia) and fathers (China) are giving up communism and fostering capitalism. But the picture is much murkier here. Not that CPM solely is responsible for killing, as it appears that Trinamool Congress supporters were also involved in the incident. But the scale of violence and the duration for which it has extended surprises us all. Why could so powerful CPM could not quell violence it its own adobe?? Further why was center so silent about the happenings?? It could have easily sent Army to Nandigram where it could have easily brought the onslaught under control. But No, Centre did not respond and the goons & mafia hired by political forces virtually rampaged entire area. Nandigram was almost cut from the country and no news, death toll or pictures were made available so as to give free hand to CPMs goons in the area.


Prakash Karat justified cadre action and blamed the Maoists and Trinamul for the violence while the Bengal CM argued that his government didn’t do anything in wrong politically cleansing Nandigram. What a shame! CPM cadres celebrating there victory over a small village is truly shocking. But much more unnerving was the quietness of centre and the U-Turn by CPM on its stance on Nuclear Deal. While CPM earlier was vehemently opposed to even discuss the deal now its supportive of the Central governments stance. This all gives us a view of bigger machinations running undercover where nor the violence nor the killing of innocent have any significance when political power comes into question. Cooperate to Dominate is the mantra of our truly headless chicken politicians and we paltry citizens can only watch.

Undemocratic Democracy

"This is not just a journey for me, but the beginning of a journey for the people of Pakistan for a better future" - Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister, on returning to Pakistan on September 18th after an eight-year self-imposed exile.

But what followed was a bloody massacre killing over 150. Over the last few weeks media, newspapers and blogosphere are filled with news of homecoming of erstwhile Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. There has been a mixed response to this home coming of PPL leader. Most are happy as they believe that this will see an end to long dictatorial regime of Gen Mussharaf as Bhutto comes waving the flag of democracy. But these trails for democracy have been too common and Army Generals have wiped them off easily as seen with Nawaz Sharif, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto etc. Main point to stress here is that army is way to powerful in Pakistan and is actively involved in day to day working of Pakistani State machinery. So its interference cannot be easily derided and so each and every so called democratic government is in fact only an enterprise serving Army rather than Nation.

Many do not recognize BB as a deserving candidate for leading the country. The reason was the way in which she left the country. Bhutto comes as a failed former prime minister, accused of grand-scale thieving who ran away to save her conviction (in fact she is granted amnesty by Mush). Ulterior motive is the face saving act by Mush to salvage something for his next stint as President. BB is just a vassal in this scheme of things and will just provide a face to connect with people and give right messages to international community. Rest will remain the same as before if one
go according to the deal between the two.

However strength of Musharraf itself is doubted by pundits as he is surrounded on all sides which are ready to pounce for his head. On one side are Al Quida people who are upset with Mush's American fling, then there is political opposition from other parties, there is Army who are not getting to many incentives (and wars), troubled regions of Balochistan and world pressure. So how effective and lasting this deal will be is questionable.

Another point is what should we Indians think about this development. Return of democracy can be a welcome thought for Indians but that of Bhutto is surely not. She was the first one to fuel terrorists in the region by arms, aids and money against India. Her provoking rhetoric against Kashmiri pandits cannot be easily forgotten. Many feel that she is herself responsible for Karachi bombings and this may again be a scheme to gather public sympathy and support.

Whatever happens will be eagerly watched but its foolish to think that India may gain anything from this. Pakistan is going towards destruction. It is already an International terror hub, biggest arms market and these things should be addressed by India on its own front. Mr. Mush will surely be either going to seek political asylum outside Pakistan or going to be hanged or killed( ok this is a bit extreme but Musharraf also knows this). But that will spell further disaster for Indians...

It all comes down to Nukes and Sensex

This has been a pretty long hiatus for me which was because of my system being down, me going home etc... So this post is not about any specific issue but gives a glimpse of happenings around the same time. Most important of all...Arsenal are still at top on league table despite ManU closing in. But young guns are showing real class and they do not seem faltering in near future...Stupid India-Aus cricket series continues which I just cant understand why is taking place without giving any rest to players after T20 WC....and the results are quite obvious with India down 1-4.

On political front major news was Congress mending ways with Left against the nuke deal giving up its 6 months long stand on the issue. As far as I am concerned this is one of the most backwards step taken by Indian Gov in recent years and will cause problems both nationally and internationally. On International front this will definetely lower India's position on globle platform and nations wll be vary of formulating any proposals with India. Nuke deal was more important for India than opposite way and Americans will sure be frustrated and vary of Indians. On national front also this mending ways with left will furthur give air to those out of age self made idealists and they will step up protests also on other issues opposed to them. This will further weaken the government as left realizes that Congress will easily breakup on applying pressure. So only people happy are Leftists and those sitting in Beijing and Islamabad...

Sensex as usual is breaking records after records and continues to surge ahead on account of heavy foreign inflows..however market is very risky and far from stable. Lets see how far this Bull run continues....

V(W)enger Vindicated

' It is still very early in the season, but when you see your players all dancing around the pitch and showing so much spirit, it fills you with hope' - Professor Wenger

First it was Spuds...now its Sevilla, the story is same. Team derided by all at season's start, even said to be relegated is now the eye of European football with soccer pundits coming out with new predictions about Arsenal's season. We're being treated to football with a smile, a deep-seated commitment to pure attacking at a pace most teams can only dream about. So long as Arsene Wenger is manager of Arsenal, and that should be for a considerable period of time after his signing the new 3 year deal, his team will only play beautiful football and even though their determination to impress their adoring public occasionally costs them, they will not be changing for anyone.

Arsene Wenger could content himself with another night of triumph in what is already becoming a season of vindication for the Arsenal boss. His move to off-load Thierry Henry and put all his faith in the youngsters he has been promoting for many a year was more than a little bold during the summer, but it looks set to pay off in the grand manner. The boring functional football displayed by sides such as AC Milan, Chelsea and FC Porto has brought success in Europe's premier competition in the last few years but now it appears that Arsenal's angelic football not only impresses one and all but also has started giving result with young guns maturing to their fullest this season.

What's more pleasing to see is people also learing the difference between the two schools of football thought.On first Champions league night. Emirates Stadium was packed out for the game just a day after Stamford Bridge was left half-full for the Blues first Champions League game of the campaign, Wenger also commented later on...

'The support at this club amazes me and maybe we will need to add some seats onto this stadium sometime,' he added. 'Maybe the football we play attracts more people than other clubs.'  - Wenger

While it's still early in the current campaign, it is easy to question - can any side in European football match Arsenal for aptitude and entertainment at the moment? Arsenal's Premier League win over Tottenham & Champions League meeting with a very capable Sevilla was mesmerizing 

Perhaps, it's too early to make judgements. After all, the resources of Wenger's squad have yet to be properly tested. But every season we're introduced to a new name or two and new names like Bacary Sagna, Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure and the brilliantly gifted Cesc Fabregas have shone brilliantly this summer and future appears bright for young guns...

Another Apple blockbuster...

As Apple released its new generation of iPod's comprising of 6th generation Video iPod's, Nano, and iPhone inspired Touch Internet world is all buzz with there various features. However being a n iPod 5th generation user i was left with some questions...The redesigned split-screen user interface of the third-generation iPod nano, also available on the sixth-generation iPod classic enhances the visual and listening experience. Also attractive is the coverflow design. But can't Apple release a software update so that these things also work on earlier generations of iPod Video and Nano???
One may point that Apple may be attempting to boost its sales by making users shift from 5th generation to 6th and thats why it will not do so...but for me the company of the league of Apple will not do so. So i just want to know that is there a hardware shift from earlier generation of iPod's which prevents earlier ones from having a software update enabling such improvements.....I think this can provide some solace to 5th generation owners who yet can't afford to have another iPod...

Kerry Packer revisited...

With the advent of T20 on world stage and ICL aka Indian Cricket League promoted by Subhash Chandra's Essel Group both international as well as domestic cricket are undergoing rapid transformation.
In mid 1970s people looked towards 50-50 format with contempt but eventually it became harbinger of the world cricket and test took the back stage. This was obvious as 50-50 format was accordant with the fast moving generation. Now since the world is much more different place than 70s change in cricketing format is much needed. People don't have time for a single day forget about 5 day affair. So it is ostensible that in present scenario T20 is the right step for the cricketing world. Whatever the experts may say about the format, I am totally in favor of it. Look at any sport...soccer, football, baseball and you will find that all these are high intensity games with not only huge fan base but also short time duration.People just can't afford to sit all day waiting for the result which they can easily get within couple of hours with other sports. This is the fundamental flaw with cricket in this fast moving world scenario and I feel that ICC is pragmatic in its approach of promoting the same at international level. Lots of critics have said about the end of bowlers and especially spinners in this form of cricket but the latest trends suggest just the opposite.

I not only feel that T20n world cup will be more successful than ICC Cricket world cup at West Indies, in years to come it will surpass 50-50 cricket in fan base. Any cricket board which does not pays heed to these considerations will eventually suffer at the hands of both fans as well as commercial enterprises to whom T20 is much more profitable venture. So brace up for the T20 world cup as it will not only be more important for future of world cricket it also appears to be much more interesting and well contested as compared to trite and boring World cup 2007.