Will Prime Minister's Outburst Pacify Cow-Vigilantes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again warned those involved in cow vigilantism. Speaking during the all-party meeting ahead of the monsoon session of parliament beginning tomorrow, the Prime Minister said no violence in the name of gau raksha will be tolerated. He said that states have been asked to take strict action against those involved such violence.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said that the Prime Minister underlined the belief of many Hindus that cow is like mother, but said that this should not let people take law in their own hands and every state government should act against violation of the law.
In a Hindi tweet later, the PM said that Hindus see a cow as mother and it is alright. But we must understand that there were laws to protect cows and one does not need take law into one's hand.
The prime minister also thanked all the parties for the cooperation extended in the implementation of GST.
The issue of north east flood also came up for discussion during the meeting. Government said it has taken all measures required to provide assistance to flood hit states.
The Prime Minister said that strict action must be taken against political leaders indulging in corruption.
Meanwhile, BJP Parliamentary party executive also met in parliament today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the meeting. Currently leaders of ruling NDA are meeting to chalk out their strategy ahead of the Parliament session.
In the evening, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has also convened a meeting of leaders of political parties. The meeting has been called to ensure smooth transaction of business.

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'Angry' Hindus Take to Street Protesting Amarnath Attack

Hundreds of workers belonging to Hindu organizations today came on the street in Mumbai protesting against attack on pilgrims in Amarnath in Kashmir.

"Despite providing foolproof security for Shri Amarnath yatra, jihadi terrorists attacked Amarnath pilgrims killing 7 and injuring 19. This incident is serious and worrying. Earlier too, the terrorists had attacked Amarnath yatra and set fire to Langar (Free food service centre) injuring 24. It is getting clear that all these activities are sponsored by Pakistan. Therefore, Pakistan and terrorist should be taught a lesson so that nobody would dare to attack Amarnath pilgrims again, and the status of 'Most Favoured Nation' allotted to Pakistan should be withdrawn," appealed the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and other Hindu organisations to the Central Government.

 The march commenced from Shri Hanuman Temple, Dadar (West) and proceeded via Veer Kotwal park-Shiv Sena Bhavan concluding at Shivaji Park. Several Hindu organisations such as Shri Shiv Pratishthan,  Bajrang Dal, Hindu Govansh Raksha Samiti, Shivkarya Pratishthan Vikhroli, Raigad Sanvardhan Pratishthan, Vajradal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shivputra Pratishthan, Hindu Rashtra Sena, Swarajya Yuwa Pratishthan, Yoga Vedant Samiti, Sanatan Sanstha etc. along with the activists of Shiv Sena participated in the march.

The protesters also condemned violence being perpetrated on Hindus in West Bengal.

"Jihadi fanatics have created havoc in Bengal for last few days because of a controversial post on Facebook. Thousands of religious fanatics attacked Hindus in Bashirahat and Baduria areas of North 24 Parganas District, demolished hundreds of Hindu homes and temples; 35 Hindus were injured and Hindu women were raped. Even so, the Bengal Government has remained idle for appeasing Muslims. Now, the Modi government should dissolve the Bengal Government, which is trampling the law and order, without waiting for the Bengal to become another Bangladesh. The central Government should promulgate 'President's Rule' in Bengal and protect Hindus there," the protesters urged.

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People are enjoying religion as never before

Twice within last ten days, I travelled to Nashik, that old city in North Maharashtra which, it is said, Lord Ram, Seeta and Lakshman visited while in their exile to forest. The city reverberates with the same ancient spirit of holiness and faith. And this time, the spirit is especially evident as millions of devotees throng to the banks of river Godavari to have a dip in its specially-made clean stream during the auspicious period of Sinhastha.

Kumbh Mela, the grandest of all festivals is currently on in the city. Kumbh is the 12-yearly gathering of almost all important saints and holy men in Hindu faith. But my trips to Nashik were not connected in any way to it and I was not there at the shahi snaan, the extravagant holy bath done by sadhus and devotees. However, once after putting my feet on this land of pious worshippers, I couldn't keep myself off from the enchanting glimpses offered at the ghats.

The main ghat of the Panchvati area glittered with all kinds of lightings. Men, women and children, in all kinds of attires and with varying ages, filled themselves and their kin with happiness of having attained one of the most relieving satisfaction ordained by the culture. Innumerable ascetics, with almost everyone in his unique dressing and hairstyle, walked past the frenzied crowds with ease, with barely any concern or disdain for the scene around them. They were just a fraction of the sadhus camping around this city and tens, if not hundred, times more than them station in specially created colony.

The pantheon of godmen keeps enlarging, not only in Hindu but probably every religion of the world. It may not particularly point towards the increasing piety of the faith but it doesn't show any diminishing of its hold either. True, people are not bound by the religious dogmas the way they used to be, say, a hundred years ago. But they are not letting it go out of their conscience either.

Speaking more accurately, the people are enjoying the religion as they never did in the past. This holds true especially in case of Hindu faith where all leashes are open in an already disorganized fold and everyone is free to follow his own path.

For centuries, Hindus were infected with caste system with its strict hierarchical demarcations and very few individuals, if any, took joy in adhering to his or her rituals. This was true for the castes at lower rung of social ladder and even more for the so called upper castes. The members of some of the outcast castes were not even allowed to walk side by side with those ruling them.

After independence in 1947 and introduction of the Constitution of India, these socially deprived people attained the freedom and equality, howsoever compromised they might be at times. However, the members of these communities were still languishing in economic deprivation as centuries of slavery and exploitation left them in penury. They struggled for existence while ruling castes jostled with each other to capture modern means of progress.

Add to this that elusive emancipation of women which was on debating table for two centuries. That is realized, again, in a limited manner. But whatever is realized is enough to bring about a new uprising in the hitherto repressed expressions of emotions.  Female were no longer weaker sex. All shackles binding them were free.

All this changed in 1991-92 when India, having forced by the abject restrictions, mended its path - from Nahruvian economy of deprivation to liberal economy of post-Cold War era. Coupled with reservation in jobs and education, the backward classes came closer to their former masters while forward castes, due to their advantageous position, accumulated fortunes in greater proportion where once even shadows of their forefathers was forbidden.

These developments manifested in the form of frolicking women in Ram Ghat at Panchwati in Nashik where Lakshman said to have marked a line for Seeta warning her not to cross it. They came to fore in the form of groups of villagers, clearly showing their rural origins and caste markings, freely offering aartis to the river Godavari.

These all are signs that gone are the days when religion used to be a force to be feared of, an all pervasive power which curtailed individual’s freedom. Now, individual is bending his faith at his comfort and relishing the offerings as just another recipe to be savored.

In Nashik, the traders and businessmen complained that their business was hit by low numbers of devotees who did not turn up on the auspicious day because of heavy deployment of security personnel. The merit of this complaint is another thing. But the very fact that these businessmen looked at this event as an opportunity to make money because of large number of devotees itself proved that this was not just a spiritual and sacred occasion, but a chance of wealth creation and this because devotees were prepared to shed their money for earthly pleasures.

The self-professed progressives pride themselves in deriding the religion and rituals. They don’t feel any need to separate grain and chaff. Last month, in a program organized by weekly Sadhana, veteran journalist warned the intellectuals of the pitfall. “You are right in denouncing religious dogmas and taboos. But I tell you, please look at the religion seriously,” he said. If the ongoing Kumbh has any message to give, it is this.

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A Division To Unite India

The decision by the Allahabad High Court to divide the disputed site at Ayodhya into three parts is rightly contested on the legal ground by experts. The legal pundits have pointed out the brazen attempt by the court to arrive at a consensus through dividing the land, trying in the process not to offend anybody even remotely associated with the issue.

Since 1986, when then union government under Rajiv Gandhi allowed pooja to be performed in the disputed structure at Ayodhya, the issue has taken so many turns, many a times with disastrous consequences, that the court tried to do what the political mandarins in New Delhi should have done long ago. It is highly possible that what the three justice bench delivered was, in fact, a magical concoction exquisitely made by the political parties in the countries. The nature of verdict and a not so hidden ploy to doling out something to all involved parties gives away enough hints of how the rival political parties put their formula to their audiences through the mouth of High Court, which has not yet eroded its credibility compared to other pillars of governance in country.

If that is so, let us think who could have played big role in shaping the formula and to what length. Whenever the word Babri mosque is uttered, the party which develops coldest feet is Congress. After all, it was during its regime that the lock to the disputed structure was opened. It was Congress ruling the country when the structure was razed to ground by the thousands of karsevaks in 1992 with exceptional exhibitionism. The plank handed out unknowingly by Congress was held by Bharatiya Janata Party nicely and the party built a career out of it. Hence, it was hardly surprising that Congress would held the wrath of Lord Rama as chief reason why it was sent to eight years of vavaas (living in jungles away from comforts) when BJP ruled the country.

Therefore, it was only obvious that Congress was extra careful not to give a slight impression that the verdict went against a community. Its nationwide presence made it hard to alienate Hindus; and it could ill-afford to anger Muslims, who helped it regain power decades after decade and showed what their displeasure meant for the party during 1993-2004 when Congress was left in shambles. The assembly elections in Bihar and next year's elections in Uttar Pradesh put it in a compromising position.

When Congress had a windfall of seats after last year's parliamentary elections in UP, Rahul Gandhi was touted as the heir apparent. Had the result alienated any of the community and it would wreck the party's possibility of regaining lost fortune there, Rahul's leadership would have been in jeopardy. Party's fight in UP, from where majority of parliamentarians come, is with Bahujan Samaj Party and not with BJP. Hence, it was easily possible for Congress to tacitly join hands with BJP for a compromise. Within hours after the judgment, chief minister of UP Mayawati came out before media and tactfully tried to put union government in a tight corner, indicating the larger fights in UP. Today, Mulayam Singh Yadav, leader of Samajawadi Party is also crying against the order because of the same equations.

On the government front, Congress is facing harsh problems like Kashmir, Telangana, the Commonwealth Games fiasco and many more. To add an inflaming issue like this would have made the tasks infinitely difficult for the party and government to handle.

Meanwhile, BJP had also many points to score here. After fall of Babri Mosque on Dec. 6, 1992, the party was brandished as a militant party. Six years of governance that it enjoyed did little to improve its image in polity. On the contrary, the riots in 2002 in Gujarat further damaged its reputation. Even though the legal battle for Ram Janmabhoomi was fought by many parties at many levels, it was BJP under Lal Krishna Advani which brought the issue to centre of national debates. The court's judgment allowed the party not only to portray itself as a law abiding and constitution loving party, but also gives elbow room to reach out to Muslims.

BJP's attempts in the past to salvage its image, like Jinnah episode, had immense repercussions. These attempts even alienated the 35 years old party from its patron organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. For the BJP, accepting the court's verdict was a chance to raise its image into national politics, and it did not miss that. The statements by BJP leaders and RSS chief and Congress leaders sounded same for ears. That was hardly a coincidence.

For the Muslims, the verdict had little consequence. The mosque in the past belonged to Shia sect. The case was being fought by Sunni Wakf Board. That itself lent less credibility to the party. After the court order, it retained 1/3 of the land, which was enough for it. Also, it has option to go to Supreme Court and stretch the issue for years. Had the court favoured its arguments and gave the land to it, still it was not in a position to build new mosque there. 

Though the court has divided the land at Ayodhya and it is sort of a political settlement, the nation has and must welcome it. The court has appreciated the reality and it is time we must do so.

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Ignorant Lot Make Insensitive Statements

Where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise. And where ignorant lot is given celebrity status, it is more so. Movie stars and Bollywood artists, who has become dear to media across the sub-continent were never famous for informed pronouncements. So it was hardly surprising when Salman Khan, least of all the uninformed and put-your-foot-in-mouth brigade went public with his completely misplace statements. Salman's statement is politically incorrect to the core, but what adds gravity of the situation is the fact is he spoke to a Pakistani channel.

It did not required a pundit to predict the uproar from all political quarters after the actor spoke what he should not have. Salman is notorious for being in soup many times on earlier occasions. A man who was accused of creating nuisance at his lover's house, making scene with colleagues at pub and most of all alleged to have killed deers while shooting for a film-is not expected to study the situation prior and after to 26/11 in Mumbai. The Pakistani media persons did their job skillfully. Now asking for an apology will do little good to Salman's image, adding one more embarrassment to his already overflowing repertoire.

During an interview to a Pakistani channel, Salman said that the 26/11 attacks were hyped up because "elite people" were targeted.

"It was the elite that was targeted this time. Five-star hotels and all. So, they panicked. Then, they got up and spoke about it. My question is why not before. Attacks have happened in trains and small towns too, but no one talked about it so much," Salman reportedly told Pakistan's Express 24/7 channel in an interview.

Salman's comments have been described as "anti-national" by parties like the Shiv Sena. Maharashtra's Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Chagan Bhujbal, who will usually avoid making any comments where a Muslim actor is involved, spoke this time explicitly. According to Chavan,

“It doesn't matter whether a big or small person has died. It's very serious matter for the country when somebody loses his life in a militant attack. We need to work together to root out terrorism.”

Bhujbal, who called the statement "uninformed", was more to the point. He said:

"He is an actor. He does not have the information to make a comment on whether the Pakistani govt was involved or not. People travelling in taxis, constables, waiters, hotel workers, all lost their lives in the attacks."

Shiv Sena was more vociferous in its reaction, being a flag bearer of Hindu ideology. Party leader Sanjay Raut said,

The 26/11 attacks were a war against the nation. Salman should apologise for his remarks. Ambani was not staying at the CST, nor was Tata or Birla staying in Cama Lane

The Bharatiya Janata Party also criticised Khan for his unwanted comments. Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP spokesperson, said:

26/11 attack was an attack on India. We cannot forget that Indian citizens were killed. This was not a small issue for Salman Khan to comment. This was an attack meticulously planned by Pakistan.

Special Prosecutor in 26/11 trial, Ujwal Nikam, described Khan's statement as naive.

It appears that without knowing the details of the terror attack, the actor made such statements," said Nikam, adding, "I shall say these are childish remarks. They (terrorists) don't make any distinction between rich and poor. It is judicially established that the outcome was a deep routed criminal conspiracy hatched in Pakistan and the targets were deliberately selected to wage war against India.

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Thanks Raj Thackeray, you spoke it well

Caste Politics Deserved a Beating

Raj Thackeray, leader of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has finally spoke on behalf of Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare. He has warned of retalitory action if any attempt is made to a harm Purandare physically.

An open letter written by Raj points to the controversy over Purandare's induction as chairman of the committee set by state government. The committe will look into issues for erecting a huge memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji in the Arab sea, off the coast of Mumbai. The total project will cost Rs 300 Crores.

Organisations like Sambhaji Brigade and Maratha Mahasangh has opposed to the name of Purandare as chairman saying that he does not deserve it. These organisations are fighting for the Maratha caste, to which Shivaji belonged. They have an old grudge against Purandare, suspecting that he had guided the US writer James Laine for writing his book, 'Shivaji: A Hindu King in Muslim India'. The book had attracted severe criticism five years ago because it had certain comments in the form of rumours deriding Shahaji, Shivaji's father. The issue was snowballed into a huge controversy then leading to an attack on Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. Since then, Purandare is a prime target of Maratha organisations.

As is there way, the leaders of the Maratha organisations, Vianayk Mete and Purushottam Khedekar, went overboard in opposing Purandare's appointment saying that he will be physically attacked if the appointment is not cancelled. This prompted Raj Thackrey, fresh from the success of recent parliamentary elections where his party's candidates pulled in more than nine lakh votes, to issue an open letter. Raj is known to be close to Purandare and it was Purandare who attempted unsuccessfuly but vigorously to mend fences between Raj and Balasaheb Thackeray. He is one of the closest persons to Thackeray family. Given the penchant of Thackerays to the history of Marathas and in particular Chhatrapati Shivaji, it was obvious that they share a bond between them.

This also marks a good step in the politics of Maharashtra where the casteism is taking bigger and bigger roles. Raj has pointed the casteist approach of Maratha organisation and rightfully also pointed the connection of Congress and Nationalist Congress leaders with them. Both these parties claim to have a monopoly over the secularism in the state. But their role in all this drama is clearly visible. In fact, it was NCP's overstress on Maratha card that lead to its defeat in the Vidharbha and Marathwada region since these two parts have the maximum polarisation of castes in terms of voting. Purandare is a Brahmin, that also has become a disadvantage for him.

"Maratha leaders like Purushottam Khedekar and Vinayak Mete should remember that their opposition to Purandare, who is well-known across the state for popularising the Shivaji's legend among masses, will not go unopposed. Maratha leaders are trying to divide Maharashtra on caste basis and that is why they oppose appointment of Purandare, a Brahmin. Is it Purandare's crime that he belongs to Brahmin community? He has spent his entire life researching on Shivaji's life" Raj said in a statement here.

The MNS chief's comments came in the wake Khedekar, a former state government employee, announced of strong reprisal across the state if Purandare was not removed from the panel. This is not the first time that such an issue has arisen in Maharashtra. But no leader has expressed explicit support for any side like Raj except for his uncle, Balasaheb Thackeray. Shiv Sena chief is famous for his non-partisan policies as regards castes. By pronouncing his support for Purandare, Raj has taken a big risk as most of his party workers, young one that for that, come from Maratha caste. He has shown readiness to set aside this consideration for the sake of an old and reverred historian. This is a welcome move by any political leader in India.

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BJP Confused in Maharashtra

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in a fix now as it is confused in chosing an alliance partner for the coming Lok Sabha elections, especially in Maharashtra. In the backdrop of a meeing between Sharad Pawar, president of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Uddhav Thackerey, executive president of Shiv Sena, it is ready now to go on the backfoot for seat sharing formula.

 

BJP has a two decade long alliance in Maharashtra with Shiv Sena that has faced many a storms. The chief architect of this alliance were Pramod Mahajan of BJP, who was killed by his own brother two years ago and Bal Thackeray, Shiv Sena supremo who is confined to solitarity owing to old age. In the changing political scenario, Shiv Sena is cosying up with NCP or vice versa. That has ruffled BJP’s feathers.

 

Speking in Pune on Thursday, BJP leader Gopinath Mundhe said is ready to take one foot backwards while arriving at a satisfactory seat-sharing arrangement. Mundhe said he was confident that a solution could be found through negotiations. Mundhe harped on the Hindutva ideology while expressing his faith for an alliance with Shiv sena.

 

Sharad Pawar had reportedly a meeting with Uddhav on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in New Delhi. A day later he hinted at new alliances saying in Sangli said that NCP can ally with any party except BJP. That sent shockwaves in BJP camp. BJP knows that Shiv Sena is tired of the saffron alliance which was formed in 1984. It is perceived that BJP tries to wrestle more seats in each election. Also, caste factor plays a big role in all the understandings. While NCP and Shiv Sena share a common voter base comprising Maratha community, BJP is seen as a Brahminical party.

Technorati Tags     India,Elections,News,Pune,Maharashtra,Gopinath,Mundhe,Sharad,Pawar,Uddhav,Thackeray,BJP,NCP,Lok,Sabha

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Clashes on Shivneri Fort

12 policemen, 20 activists injured

Fort Shivneri, where Chhatrapati Shivaji was born Image Courtesy WikiMedia

The fort of Shivneri witnessed yet another battlelike situation on Thursday as thousands of activists clashed with police. The activists of Sambhaji Bridage were demanding reservation Demonstrators demanding reservation for Maratha community. They pelted stones in the direction of helicopter carrying Maharashtra's finance minister Dilip Walse-Patil at Shivneri.

Three activists of Maratha outfit Sambhaji Brigade and a policeman are reported injured in the clashes. The orgnisation had warned the state government if the quota for their community was not announced, they would not allowed the chief minister Ashok Chavan to step his foot on the fort. When Chavan was to arrive there, the acivists turned unruly and hurled stones at the helicopter. Police lathi-charged the protesters.

Maharashtra government has declared Feb. 19th as the Shiv Jayanti, birth day of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Though organisations and parties like Shiv Sena differ on the matter and they celebrate the day as per Hindu calendar. A ceremony took place on this fort where Shivaji was born in 1627. Walse-Patil's chopper was landing when the trouble began. Officials said, Chavan's helicopter arrived there around half an hour later.

PTI has quoted Pune rural police superintendent Ravindra Kadam that although stones were thrown, they did not hit the helicopter and by the time Chavan landed, the situation had been brought under control.

Earlier, three activists of Maratha outfit Sambhaji Brigade and a policeman were injured when the police indulged in lathi charge as the protesters turned unruly and hurled stones at a government helicopter that landed before the Chief Minister's chopper in the fort.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chavan said that an all party meet would be convened next week to take a decision on this contentious issue. A meeting in this regard took place in Mumbai on Wednesday night and it was reported that the said agitation was called off after a promise given by Chavan.

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The Tiger Turns 83

Even though the name Bal Thackeraydoes not arouse same level of fear, awe or appreciation from the general public as it commanded say a decade ago, he is still the formidable force in Maharashtra. His party is nothing compared to his own personal charm. In Shiv Sena, only Thackeray Senior’s word is final and carried some word. Owing to his declined health condition, his word does not come to the public directly now. Either it is an editorial in Saamana, the party organ or a message through his son Uddhav Thackeray that common people get to know what he wants.

It is this kind of monopoly by Uddhav and his cotery over Thackeray that led Raj Thackeray to break away from his uncle, his original mentor in politics. It is an adage in Shiv Sena that Thackeray Sr. can not do any wrong. But it is a fact that he wronged in judging the potential of his nephew. Now Raj, carrying anti-north Indians and pro-Marathi agenda through Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken much ground below Shiv Sena's feet and at times SS is found to be dragging behind Raj. The agenda orginally brought in by SS in 1960s was later put on back burner in 1980s when Shiv Sena opted for an alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The alliance adopted an agenda of Hinduist ideology.

Bal Thackeray stands out in many Hinduist parties for his frankness and open headed approach. He is probably the only leader in India who denounces Hindu priests and traditions followed in the temples. He was also the only leader in 1992, after the Babri mosque demolition, to accept the responsibility of the incident. "If the persons (those who brought down the structure) were Shiv Sainiks, I am proud of them," he said publicly at that time. The catch was nobody was and is sure whether it was true. But Thackerey managed to impress public with his boldness and public started to look down upon BJP. More recently does not one saw him welcoming 'Hindu Terrorists? On could mark he was saying that Hindu terrorists are all welcome but they should hit the bull's eye.

In one such instances, he showed to what extent he can go. When the Shirdi's Sai Sansthan decided to install a gold throne for Sai Baba, Thackeray decried the decision. Lokmat, a prominent Marathi daily took offence and criticized Thackeray Sr. sighting his own style of sitting on a throne in his bunglow. Next day itself, Thackeray Sr. sent his own throne to the Lokmat office, saying that the throne was given by his own 'people with love and devotion' and he is satisfied with public's love alone. The incidence created an amusing scene for the media in Maharashtra. Only when the top management officers of Lokamt came and apologised could the throne be taken back to Thackerey's bunglow.

For better or for worse, Maharashtra loves Thackerey Sr. No other leader has managed to draw people's love, affection, anger, frustration, devotion and that too for more than four decades! Even those who have left him for good, like deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal or ex-chief minister Narayan Rane do not shy away from praising or adoring him. It is not easy for outsiders and people with preconceived notions to understand how this man of relatively frail body and no logical reasoning manage to stir up passions in millions of people.

For an unpassioned and detached viewer like me, who has not attended a single rally addressed by him even in my home town but who has immense admiration for the power he holds, it is a sort of unhappy thing that he no more draws cartoon. Given that the cartoon-like politics of today and caricature-like personalities, perhaps he does not require to do so. Whatever old samples of his art I get to see, I enjoy it immensely.

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HAL employees to get Fifth Pay Commission

The Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers Ramvilas Paswan announced on Saturday that revised pay scales according to Justice Mohan Commiittee recommendations on 5th Pay Commission would be applicable to Hindustan Antibiotics employees from 17 Jan 2009.The arrears from 1997 would be given in instalments in due course of time and the timetable for arrears distribution would be discussed with the HAL Employees Unions. Every employee will also get Rs 1000 as bonus in the new year.

Paswan was speaking at the inauguration of the new Cephalosporin plant of HAL in Pimpri today. The HAL Union General Secretary Shri Pataskar said that employees were working on the same salary since 1992 and badly needed the pay hike. Mahatma's wife Smt Kasturba Gandhi died in Pune after she could not get the required medicines after which Nehru in 1954 had announced setting up of Hindustan Antibiotics. Selling such cos and not turning them around was wrong as was done during Arun Shourie's time. 

The plant has been set up at a cost of Rs 20.17 crores  in a record 9 months time and will enable the company to manufacture the new generation antibiotic for the domestic & international market. The immediate application of new pay scales would increase the salaries of employees by roughly 25 percent and the benefits would be in the range of Rs 1500-8000 depending on the level of the employees.

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x ‘Setusamudram’ project which will ‘demolish’ the Ramsetu should be cancelled and Ramsetu should be declared as a National historic property.

x Makbul Fida Hussain should be arrested for painting nude and blasphemous paintings of Hindu deities.

x Anti-faith Bill and Temple Bill, proposed by Maharashtra government which can bring threat to the Hindu Dharma should be abolished.

x Those who denigrate Hindu deities through the medium of advertisements, dramas, pictures, publications, products etc, they should be acted against.

x The temples under Government custody should be handed over to the devotees and stop political interference in them.

x Terrorist Mohammed Afzal who was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court should be hanged immediately.

x To give the Kashmiri Hindus their due respect and rehabitalize them back to Kashmir.

x Pollution increasing project of ‘Dow Chemicals’ should be cancelled and Saint Tukaram Maharaj’s Tapobhumi ‘Bhamchandra Hill’ should be declared as a place of Hindu pilgrimage.

These were some of the resolutions passed on Thursday in a public rally in Pune. The meet organised by Hindu Dharmajagriti Samiti took place at Historic Shaniwar Wada. The recent incidences of Malegaon investigations, Mumbai attack seemed to have no impact on the congregation. Speaking on the occasion, Himani Savarkar, national president of Hindu Mahasabha in her speech, added that, ‘Anyone in this country just wakes up, speaks against The Hindus, does atrocities against them, and we Hindus , we take no action against them. This Government, which keeps on appeasing the muslim community, also does not raise any voice against the atrocities done against Hindus. But henceforth, Hindus will not remain quiet. For this reason, the Kshatratej in Hindus should wake up now.'

‘Jeevan Gaurav’, the lifetime achievement award was bestowed upon Shahir Yogesh for his services towards Hindutva. Bharatacharya S. G. Shevade presented the award. The award comprised of a shawl, sriphal, garland and a certificate

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It is a War, not just an attack

This is the first of its kind attack in India. Strategic and defence experts in Pune say that this is the assymetrical war in the guise of terrorist attack. They also vouch that defence forces can not help each time and police force themselves have to brace themselves for fighting with these attacks.

Dr. Vijay Khare, reader in the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Pune recently spent one month in Paris for his research work on ‘comparative study of Counter terrorism mechanism system of India and France.’ In his work Khare has visited to various universities and strategic think tanks. He said, “This is first direct asymmetric war on Indian Territory with external help and first time Indian Army, police force and paramilitary forces are working together. Terrorism issue is not between Hindu and Muslims, it is a asymmetric war against India. There is need to Unified single counter-terrorism mechanism for tackling this issue. There is also eed to understand psychology of minority community while conducting and operating counterterrorism operations.”

Us versus They

Khare also said that there is need to coordinatie various intelligence agency and paramilitary forces , police forces while conducting counterterrorism issue. If there was proper coordination among forces and anti terrorist squad then Hemant Karkare and other officers could have been saved. There is also need political consensus to tackling this terrorism issue. He said, “Unfortunately in India, common masses do not understand the roots of terrorism and it seems that there is conflict between majority vs minority. This real question among policy makers to how tacle terrorism issue.”

There is needed to get modern small arms in police forces and equipped

modern counterterrorism police force. Mumbai incidents are one tip of iceberg there is possibility of another attack on Indian Territory with weapons of mass destruction. 

Series of Strikes

Vice Admiral (Retd.) Om Bansal replied in an emailed message, “Terror attacks such as the one in Mumbai now and even earlier, the train blasts and ones in Delhi, Ahmedabad etc. is declaration of war. Only it is an unconventional war, where the target is a peace loving civilians and the actors are non state. Here the enemy is a terrorist who does not belong to any state so whom do we fight with, negotiate for peace with, destroy? Just because all wings of armed forces are involved in the present case can not be the reason for calling it a war, its a war anyways. Did not the US declared that they were at war after 9/11? But you will now see, as does the US, that their response of attacking Iraq and even Afganistan is not the answer. I think the answer lies in resolving the underlying reason for terror,  factors well known to every one.”

He says, “I do not really think it is a failure of any one a

gency and there are too many of them. So, its a systemic failure. it is impossible to search each and every boat at sea/ near coast. Above all suicide attacks are very difficult to eliminate, if attacker wants to die, how can one  stop him. Any agency which coordinates intelligence inputs, analyse

s these to make it usable input and then take follow up action will surely help. For such an agency to work, it should have legal sanction from parliament to have total control, so guarding own turf and trying to gain brownie points by keeping information or their assets to themselves. We need to have a single point responsibilities, with total cooperation from all agencies.”

Col. Ajay Mudholkar said, "The action in Mumbai can at best be categorised into 'Low Intensity Conflict". It is definitely not a war since it is an action against a faceless group of people. It can involve all the three services wings depending on the nature of operation. There is definitely a need to improve our maritime reconnaisance efforts. With a very long sea-coast with not exactly friendly neighbour we need to intensify the patrolling along sea routes. This is also essential from our economic interests such as oil wells in this region.  But with a lack of specific policy in this regard and the large mnumber of govt. agencies having a stake in the water it can not be termed as a failure but as as a lapse on part of concerned agency. The law-makers have to now wake to reality in this regard to formulate a formidable policy. All the sage politicians have been propagating these policies; but unfortunately, for the reasons unknown, no one has shown determination to bring these in existance. The necessity for the unified federal agency is a definite requirement of the day; especially in view of the technological advances which also give a diifferent advantage to the terrorist organizations also."

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a retird lieutenant general said, “These are the series of Fidayeen style terrorist strikes. A detailed analysis of the attack could be done only after knowing the motive of the attackers. Strenghthening of police forcem providing them the capacity of intelligence and capability to penetrate is necessary to prevent future incidents.”

(With Inputs from Nitin Brahme and Siddharth Gadkari)

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The Trip To kolhapur

Just last month I, together with my family visited the city of Kolhapur. Kolhapur is known for the Mahalaxmi temple which is centuries old. It was also the city where one of the seat of Maratha empire was situated. I was very eager to visit this place and happy this time that I could eventually realize my dream.

The history of Kolhapur stresses to many centuries. In the ancient times, it was known as Karvirnagari. The Mahalaxmi temple, which houses the idol of Godess Laxmi is at least seven centuris old. It is built in the old Hemadpanti style of archtitecture. This temple showcases the most intrinsic style of designing as well as decoration. Surprisingly, even though Mahalaxmi is considered to be godess of money, her temple is bereft of the money extracting methods emloyed by most of the Hindu religious shrines all over India.

The city stands on the bank of river Panchaganga. It is known as "Dakshin Kashi" on account of the deity "Mahalaxmi" or "Ambabai". Kolhapur is archaeologically an important place in India due to the ancient temple of "Goddess Shri Mahalaxmi ". The place of "Jyotiba" is about 15Kms towards north of the city. The famous hill station "Panhala" is about 18 Kms towards North West of the town.

This city is also home to the palace belonging to Shahu Maharaj, who was a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Shahu Maharaj was a great administrator himself and he carried out various reforms in his tenure which paved the way for Dalits and backward classes to stake claim to the education as well as other opportunities. It is a well known fact that it was Shahu Maharaj who helped Dr. Babasaheb Amberdkar for his education.

Kolhapur has many places which stand witnesses to its glorious past. There are palaces built by Maratha kings. Panhala fort, a major tourist attraction is very near to the city. Also, Kolhapur is home to the Marathi films and shootings are still done at various places in and around the city.

The city is also famous for its wrestling tradition. Kolhapur city and its surrounding regions prominently come under the sugarcane belt where the sugarcane is main cash crop.

We could visit the temple and also see the Rankala lake which has become an icon for the city. The lake was built in the last leg of 18^th century. Its sorrounding as also nearness with Shalini Palace makes it a beautiful place. Many a romantic couple can be spotted here at any time in the day. We did the trip in a day. With the travel between Pune and Kolhapur only three and half hour, it was one of the most convenient trips that I have done.

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Sivaji-the spoiled status

Thank God, 'Sivaji the boss' is here. The total success of this film has lost its relevance for me and now, one has to resign himself to the fact that the movie has hit the halls. Till now we were only treated to the news of various hurdles coming in the way of this magnum opus of Tamil cinema. In the way, there was so much hype built up by media and Rajini fans that it was hard to forget the film for even a moment. So much so that some news channels had gone overboard to portray this film as the only offering from down south.
Now that the `Sivaji the boss' has just started to make waves in theatres, is it not time to ponder whether this film should have been given a fair treatment in terms of the publicity? First of all, the thing that played all over in the hype-trail of Sivaji was the amount Rajini fetched for this film. Some have quoted this amount to the tune of 16 Crores (160 million) Indian Rupees while others have went ahead to predict the amount to be some 20 Crores. Not dwelling much on this subject, one can only say that how can an actor’s remuneration be an attraction of the film. The expense occurred in the making of a film is not a sure guarantee of the quality for the film. This fact was more than evident in the case of Devdas (2002) starring Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai. That Sanjay Leela Bhansali, director of the film managed to get away with a success was a case apart. But the fact remains as it is.
As many ardent fans of Tamil movies and Rajinikant himself know, this is not the first time that Rajini has got this much big amount for his presence in film. He has constantly seen his price soaring to sky after the `once-in-a-lifetime’ success of his `Baasha’ in Tamil. The movie catapulted him to the new heights of superstardom and since then he has never looked back. He is since long been the numero uno of the Tamil movie industry. He commands and receives such prices, because distributors and producers believe in him alike. But that amount created ripples in North and people were awestruck with it. How can someone other than Amitabh Bachchan or Shahrukh Khan get this much money? Surely, Director Shankar and AVM Studios, the producers of the `Sivaji the Boss’ must have gone mad, was the common refrain. But that refrain gave way to a remote curiosity, by which the angle of viewing has got twisted.
A Rajini film is a complete entertainer. We have seen this in films like Muthu, Baasha, Padaiyappa and many more. One has to keep in mind while waiting or watching Sivaji. But now people throng and muse themselves, “Hey, let’s see this film. Come, let’s see why this guy has been paid so much for this film?” The reputation of director Shankar, a man known for his extravagant but socially relevant films like Gentleman, Indian (Hindustani), Kadhalan (Hum se Hai Mukabala) and Mudhalvan (Nayak), have been washed away by a wave named Rajinikant, whose own reputation as an actor has been faded away by the new image of highest paid actor in India.
With this background, can one expect a helthy discussion on Rajini’s performance, storyline of the film or music or any other aspect. Rarely one sees a hoopla hijacking a film’s credentials so overwhelmingly. With this background, one only hopes that Rajini’s status as an actor, and not as a highest paid actor be established through Shivaji.
(At the moment this post is written, Sivaji has arrived with a bang and with some rave reviews. In Pune, from where I am writing, the film is scheduled to arrive on 22nd June 2007. It means one has to wait one more week to see Rajini in action. Till then, we have to be satisfied with reading the reviews of the film.)

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Germany Toying With Bollywood

It seems that popularity of Bollywod in Germany is to stay for a long and for better. I have already dedicated three posts on this subject and this is one more. This article appeared in Deutsche Welle; I was promted to bring it here as it is one of my favorite subject.
The Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany is targetting adults this year with puzzles and jigsaws based on Bollywood.
The world's largest toy expo, the Nuremberg Fair, is strictly for adults only this year. The adults-only rule has sparked a whole range of new play products which industry observers say is all part of a trend toward stepping up marketing to "aging children": people over 40 who play games to relax.

And Bollywood -- India's most popular cultural export -- it seems, is a grown-up's playground.

The country's trademark hip-gyrating song-and-dance films with its formulaic mix of Indian family values, kitsch and sexual titillation have apparently proved an inspiration for several toymakers. Jigsaws and puzzles depicting Bollywood scenes are all set to feature large at the toy fair. Parents have been warned to keep their kids from sneaking a peek.

"Bollywood is a big topic here, especially among our adult customers," said Bettina Brogsitter, sales representative for the puzzle-maker Lupu.

Some are going in for a more chaste version of India's ubiquitous images.

One German manufacturer of puzzles aims to entice European women who love all things Indian by launching a 1,000-piece puzzle, which would take days to solve, depicting Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom with four arms and the head of a one-tusked elephant.

Other jigsaws on show in Nuremberg are more serene, depicting yoga positions and mandalas-designs symbolizing the universe.
"People are in search of inner calm," Brogsitter added.

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Shahrukh Ban Gaya Joker

It is official now. However Shahrukh might try to ape Big B, he alwasys turns out to be a damp squib. First he tried to step in the Bachchan's shoe was when he acted in the remake of Don. His pubilcity machinery worked overtime and managed to proclaim that film as a hit, but the truth is that the film failed totally. Not satisfied with that misadventure, he jumped on the hot seat as anchor of the popular show Kaun Banega Crorepati on Star Plus. This time also he has got a bitting and in the attempt to crown himself as the new ruler of Bollywood, he has proved himself a joker. Even figures substantiate these observations.
A recent report in Hindustan Times tells how Khan has failed in recreating the magic that Bachchan created six years ago. There is a sheer absence in the overhyped performance of Shahrukh khan of the aura weaved by Bachchan. His popularity as host of KBC is no match for his predecessor Amitabh Bachchan, the report says. The data compiled by India's Television Audience Measurement for the first four days showed a television viewership rating, or TVR, of 12.33. Bachchan, 61, had a bigger four-day audience in August 2005 with a 19.75 rating, the daily said. The paper did not provide the margin of error, and the show remains India's most popular.
Originally based on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" from the USA, "Kaun Banega Crorepati" was started year 2000 as the main attraction og the relaunch of the Star Plus. The grandesque image and persona of Bachchan catapulated it to the heights unknown to the Satellite TV shows till then. It soon caught imagination of the millions of viewers across India. SO much so that this show played a big role in reviving Big B's film career. The show ran in two parts, but was halted abruptly following Bachchan's illness.
It was resurected last week with 41-year-old Khan at the helm. As with his filmy image, Khan brought with him a lot of hoopla in the form of songs and dances in this show, which was not the part of the show in its prior run. The Show started on Jan. 22, and a random survey shows that audiences have given Khan, one of the biggest Bollywood heartthrobs of the past decade, the thumbs down, the Hindustan Times has said.
Expectedly enough, Star Entertainment India doesn't agree with the findings. The number of people "reached " on Khan's first day was 23 million compared to Bachchan's 18 million, Paritosh Joshi, the network's president in charge of advertising and distribution said, according to the Hindustan Times.
Joshi's figures are based on those who watched the gameshow for at least a minute. The TVR, on the other hand, gives the number of people who sat through the hour-long program. If that does convince the anyone, here is some figures given by a portal moneycontrol.com.
TAM numbers for the opening week of Kaun Banega Crorepati with SRK are in. It looks like Shahrukh Khan has lost out in round one, reports CNBC-TV18. While Shahrukh's KBC debuted with a 12.3 rating the first episode of Amitabh Bachchan’s KBC had garnered 19.75.
But there's good news for Star Plus as well. The channel's relative shares in the general entertainment category is up from 37.7 to 55.9 percent in the primetime in the 9-10 pm band in the KBC launch week.
A closer look at the TAM data for all four episodes last week, however, shows a dipping interest in the show after the opening episode. Especially so on day three which was the 24th of January when KBC went head-to-head with the India-West Indies ODI in Cuttack. The show seems to have borne the brunt then, losing viewers to cricket.
That settles the matter for once. The reality is that Shahrukh is no match for BigB.

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Spiritual Pull of the Hinduism

Eventhough world, especially English speaking literate class taked pride in deriding Hindu ethos. But the Hindu tradition and spirituality continues to overhelm people all over the world. This fact is corborated by a story that I chanced upon recenly. I reproduce the story as it is.

Allahabad : It was 38 years ago that Baba Rampuri, as this once Beverly Hills resident is now called, set out from Los Angeles in search of truth and peace. He was just 18 then. He has been at each Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh since 1971, and the son of an American dental surgeon turned Hindu ascetic says the English dictionary 'does not have a word to describe the bliss I experience each time I am here'.
His first halt was an ashram in Rajasthan, from where his guru took him to Haridwar, one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage centres on the bank of the Ganga, where he found his new home. By the time he was 20, he made up his mind to give up all worldly pleasures, including the company of the rich and the famous, to step into a contrasting world where abstinence was the buzzword.
The saffron clad 56-year-old - who refuses to give his original American name - is now camping on the banks of the holy river here, taking part in the 42-day-long Ardh Kumbh - the every six-year religious cornucopia during which millions take dip in the Sangam, the confluence of three rivers sacred to Hindus, in the hope of gaining salvation from what the faithful believe the unending cycle of births and deaths.
'A dip at the Sangam during the Kumbh Mela gives me more pleasure that one could get in a football match,' Baba Rampuri told IANS, taking a few puffs of the 'chillam' which he describes as 'part of the tradition'.
'I did go back to LA after my first visit here in 1968 but decided to return to India in 1971 once and for all ... and that too with just $20 in my pocket.'
Baba Rampuri was formally initiated into the world of Hindu ascetic life 36 years ago on these very banks of the Sangam. He was among the first few whites to find a privileged place in the Juna Akhara, which is considered the oldest of India's nine Hindu akharas, or religious orders.
There are many foreigners like Baba Rampuri, including women, who have left their homes in far away continents and have become Hindu sadhus. Most of them prefer not to reveal their original names.
Says Jasraj Puri, an Australian who became a sadhu: 'My original name was washed down in the waters of the Ganga and got immersed in the Bay of Bengal 15 years ago when I joined the ashram of Swami Maheshwaranand, who went from India decades ago to set up base in Vienna.' The 35-year-old former physiotherapist has picked up reasonably good Hindi as well and currently heads an ashram-cum-school run by his guru Maheshwaranand in Rajasthan. The polluted waters of the Ganga don't discourage him from a daily dip. 'The Ganga is spiritually so pure that pollution and even visible dirt becomes secondary and immaterial,' explains Puri to IANS.
Similarly, Ganga, 45, arrived here from her home in Britain nearly 10 years ago. 'I propose to spend the rest of my life in the Maha Nirvani Akhara,' she said. While camping at the Ardh Kumbh, Ganga makes it a point to take a dip in the Sangam every morning. 'But it was a different experience on Mauni Amavasya (Jan 19), the holiest of the holy bathing days,' she said after stepping out of the water in which an estimated ten million took a hallowed dip that day.
Hindu spirituality continues to attract youth from various countries. Verena, 25, is a first-time visitor to the Kumbh from Germany and is so overwhelmed by the spiritual rituals here that she wouldn't mind settling down as a disciple in the Juna Akhara. And 24-year-old Dase, another Kumbh first-timer from Latvia, is only too keen to give her company. Susan, who has come from the US, is still debating whether she should abandon her filmmaking career in California and settle down to a saffron life of Hindu renunciates.
'I will go back at the end of the Kumbh Mela but I might be back soon. The divinity I have tasted here has been an unparalleled experience, which I cannot describe in words,' said Susan. The list is endless. Besides the over 450 foreigners in the Maheshwaranand camp, the Juna and Maha Nirvani Akharas too boast of nearly 250 people belonging from 17 countries who have chosen to embrace the Hindu spiritual path.
By Sharat Pradhan/Indo-Asian News Service

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I had written before about the growing popularity of Indian films and India thereof in Germany. At that time, I had mentioned about the show, Bharati, to be held there. That mention remained albeit passingly and now I chanced upon some details of this show.
FRIEDRICH-KARL PRAETORIUS is a name to be reckoned with in Germany and the man is playing Sutradhar, the Narrator in the show. I read a couple of interviews which appeared just before this show and are especially related to it. In these interviews, he talks about playing his part in the show, how he landed in the role, his fascination for the India and what’s surprising, at least I was surprised, his knowledge about the India. I so longingly wish to see his portrayal and the show, but alas...While reading these interviews, I thought I should translate them so that my countrymen could also know how far this actor, director and paintor go. These translations are very loose to be sure but it sure brings out the frankness and magnamity of FRIEDRICH-KARL PRAETORIUS

Interview by Irmgard Berner.

Mr. Praetorius, You are famous as a stage actor, have worked with Peter Zadek and Hans Neuenfels, written books and Theater pieces and paint. From January 2nd you are venturing into the world of Showbiz as the narrator of “Bharati-Das Wunder von Indien.” How have you traveled so far?

FRIEDRICH-KARL PRAETORIUS: It is a coincidence. I am a tourist in India and search for the unreached areas there. That can be very adventurous. Sometimes that means going where one can not find the water to drink, where one can’t find descent hotels. But Mr. Mark Lieberberg, the concert agent, did not know it all as he knew me as a theater person of all, and asked me almost shyly what to do with musical. Lieberberg himself takes interest in so many subjects, rising above the typical German classification mania to describe Musical as dubious and theater on the other side as intellectual.
What role the Narrator is playing in the spectacle?
FRIEDRICH-KARL PRAETORIUS: The show consist of 17 brilliant numbers, which consist of 101 singers, dancers, acrobats and artists from various ethnic groups from the subcontinent are taking part in the show-and they are of only best quality. They bring with them the religious elements of their motherland. The producer of the show Ghashadh Deshe was searching farmost corners of the India last five years-for the balance act between show and religion, which consists of 350,000 Gods.
And is the Narrator your dear Marshal uncle?
FRIEDRICH-KARL PRAETORIUS: No, the figure is rather disrespectful of the Gods and makes jokes with the public-and that as a Hindu.
How do you look?
FRIEDRICH-KARL PRAETORIUS:I asked myself: Am I not too thick? But that is too crazy, in India to be thic is taken as rich and beautiful. I have no make-up, have an Indian costume, am barefoot and have a pole. Imagine: 100 performers in a masterly choreography, bombardment of music instruments and bits of Sitar-sounds. This constant change needs a quiet point, to give it the rhythm, it the single speaking figure. His speech is written very tactfully. The spectator gets this love story between Sidharta and Bharati in a manner, that goes with the pure dances. So a sensual magic unfolds, that can not be explained to uninitiated.
You stand with very beautiful person on the stage. How much Eroticism they have?
FRIEDRICH-KARL PRAETORIUS:Their beauty is incredible! Few Europeans know India, but many know the Kamasutra. The eroticisms of this was chiseled and represented in stone already before over 3,000 years are so beatiful, they can be said in no manner unsavory or pornographic. For me, they connect the sacred with the sexual in an ideal manner, especially the femaleness. That is not only my perception, women also admire how the Indians controlled the form, long before the Romans. Look at the sex of the Middle Ages in pictures of Hieronymus Bosch: these pale women with its deadly renouncing faces. In India also, that old ideal has been lost in part. Today many women are seen doing laborus work, they carry stones. They live in poverty. In the show, one does not naturally see that, but rather dancer in more absolute, lustful harmony.
With humour as well?
FRIEDRICH-KARL PRAETORIUS:Yes, it comes in various elements of the music. It is very similar to the Jewish humor. Indians do not pose that much problems as much we do. Indians are so joyful, bringing with them certain innocence. Nevertheless one senses this enormous power in the music and one recognizes the country that constructs atom bombs. It is a sensual Storytelling.
What does that mean to you personally?
FRIEDRICH-KARL PRAETORIUS:India came to me! In cultural concentration, in thinking, it is a gift.
What do you wish for to take from the show?
FRIEDRICH-KARL PRAETORIUS:The equanimity of the indian - as of April I will work again with Zadek.

The original story in German appeared in

http://www.berlinonline.de/berliner-zeitung/print/feuilleton/615549.html

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Tell of Two Woods

The Telugu film industry, that was rocking for last so many years is now seems to face music. The Tollywood seems to have been entangled in the time wrap of its own heydays. This biggest industry of Andhra Pradesh has been facing hard days for some time now and going by its present performance, it will be futile to hope that Telugu films prove to be a treat for our eyes in the year 2007.
There are a number of films slated for release in coming months and they are worth Rs. 100 crores. There have been many upsets in the second half of the 2006, which include Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna starrers. These films have benn marred by the same storylines, inimaginative presentations. One senses as if the makers and performers of these flicks were taking audiences for a ride. This nullity or void on the part of makers has been aptly translated on the Box Office collections with only a handful of films making it in the hits category.
Traditionally Christmas time is considered as auspicious for the film releases as Diwali and in case of Telugu films, that period extends upto Sankranthi. Accordingly, this year from the December 14th, several films will try their luck. NTR Junior's ‘Rakhi’ has been released and it has been received well, if one goes by the initial reviews. Pawan Kalyan has been serching for a hit for last few years and he is throwing his hat with `Annavaram', joining them will be Allu Arjun's `Desamudhuru', Prabhas' `Yogi' which is a remake of Kananda blockbuster ‘Jogi’. Some reports cliam that ‘Yogi’ is to be dubbed in Hindi and one satellite channel has bought rights for the same. Also testing waters will be Balakrishna's `Maharadhi' whose release has been curiously postponed a couple of times now.
These films were bought for staggering prices, all put together are about Rs. 90 crores to Rs. 100 crores. But, given the penchant of formulas and clichés in Telugu films, it is feared that half of these films might bomb miserably unless they have something substantial to offer to the discerning viewers. Already distributors have burned their fingers with Chiranjeevi's `Stalin', Nagarjuna's `Boss' and Mahesh Babu's `Sainikudu', all of which failed to reach the expectations of viewers, though they have garnered good openings. On the other hand, it was the small budget films that made waves bringing happiness to distributors and viewers. Sunil's `Andala Ramudu' is said to have collected four times the investment. Jagapathi Babu's `Samanyudu', which started on a low key, has picked up considerably given its good content.

Says a report in the newspaper ‘Hindu’:

In the year 2006, only a handful of Telugu films hit the bull's eye and about hundred films bit the dust. Mahesh Babu's `Pokiri', Nagarjuna's `Sri Ramadasu', Siddharth's `Bommarillu', Sunil's `Andala Ramudu' and Venkatesh's `Lakshmi' were the only genuine hits this year while several big heroes, including Chiranjeevi and Balakrishna, were down in the dumps.

The biggest duds that incurred huge losses shattering all expectations include Pawan Kalyan's `Bangaram', Balakrishna's `Veerabhadra', NTR Junior's `Ashok', Nagarjuna's `Boss', Chiranjeevi's `Stalin', and Mahesh Babu's `Sainikudu'. Raviteja's `Khatarnak', Prabhas's `Pournami' that halted the juggernaut of producer M.S. Raju, Siddharth's `Chukkallo Chandrudu' were also on the flop list.
To make the matters worse, dubbed films from Kollywood and Hollywood rubbed salt on Telugu films’ wounds when they made a more money than these films. That prompted Telugu films producer’s association to take a drastic step. They decided to impose a ban on the dubbed Tamil films. This move also drew flank from some quarters, since it is many small producers, who use to dub and release the films. Many producers even went ahead as to question the rational behind this move and their argument was unambiguous: if big budget films can be remade and if they can have non-Telugu speaking artists, why can’t we have dubbed films in the first place.

While this year might end with a low note for Telugu films, in stark contrast stands the Tamil movie industry. Kollywood witnessed heightened activity and zeal this year, with many films turning out be profitable ventures. Especially pleasing thing for the industry is that many newcomers and dark horses proved to be winner. Kamal Haasan starrer 'Vettayadu Vilaiyadu' was the first success of the year. This film is still going strong in many parts of Tamil Nadu. On many centers, it has already completed 100 days. It is considered to be a blockbuster.Director K.S. Ravikumar, who had in past delivered hits like Muthu and Padayappa, give yet another hit film with ‘Varlaaru.’ This film initially was delayed much, so much so that nobody thought it would be released at all. But it was released and is running successfully. Its success might be gauged from the fact that after the packed houses run of the films in first few weeks, Superstar Rajnikanth called Ajith, the hero of the film and his wife Shalini on dinner and heaped praises on him. The film is now reckoned as the second coming of Ajith. Varlaaru got such a opening that it is considered to be the best opening a non-Rajini starrer can get.
One such film which kept cash registers ticking was ‘Imsai Arsan 23rd Pulikesi’. Though the film has comedian Vadivelu in the lead role, it enjoyed a good run at the box office. Besides these there are many films like Thimiru, Em magan and now Rendu, which were profitable and had an envious stint on the box office. That made the producers from AP to dub them in Telugu and various other films from Kollywood found themselves to be remade in Kannada. The reason for the success of these films, as I se it, is that they had some original storylines, some out of box presentation and above all, these movies brimmed with novelties. Indeed in the first half of the year, Tamil movie marked was flooded with underworld flick with the successive successes of Thalainagaram, Kokki and other movies. But fortunately enough the trend was averted in time and now industry is reaping bonuses. It is high time Tollywood take a leaf out of Kollywood and enjoy the gains that it truly deserve.

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Maestro’s sublime act

Kudos to Illayaraja. The maestro has done again what people in film industry are seldom expected to do. The man who has mesmerized generatios with his sweet voice has shown that he can stand for his convictions when it matters.
Music director Ilayaraja and director Gnanarajasekaran shared an excellent rapport. Ilayaraja’s works in Moga Mul and Bharathy, both directed by Gnanarajasekaran, won several accolades.
Obviously Gnanarajasekaran approached Ilayaraja for his current directorial venture Periyar, a movie based on the life of the revolutionary thinker in Tamilnadu. Actor Satyaraj and Khushboo are expected to act in the film. But the news is that Ilayaraja has declined to work in the movie. Eventually the baton has been passed to Vidyasagar.
According to Ilayaraja, he has a great respect for Periyar. "Certain ideas of Periyar still holds relevant. However he was a known atheist. But my life is total contrast to the ideas and thoughts of Periyar. Hence I thought it would not be appropriate for me to work in the movie and more over I though I cannot do justice to my job," he has been quoted as saying.
Fotr the non starters, E.V. Ramasami Naicker, also known as E.V. Ramaswami, EVR, Thanthai Periyar, or just Periyar, was an atheist, social reformer, an activist, and the founder of Dravidar Kazhagam and the Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu, India.
EVR’s given name was Ramaswami. He was from a prominent Kannada Naidu caste, a community that is descended from the Nayak rulers of Tamil Nadu. Hence he is called E. V. Ramaswami Naicker. "Periyar" means ‘respected one’ or an ‘elder’ in Tamil.
EVR was an atheist. He is well known for his antitheistic statement, "He who created god was a fool, he who spreads his name is a scoundrel, and he who worships him is a barbarian." He created a cult of hatred against Brahmins. In fact the most important legacy of EVR in Tamil Nadu is his Anti-Brahmanism and the effect it had on individual Brahmins. He never made any attempt to distinguish between good or bad Brahmins. He used Ganesha Chathurthi (a Hindu festival celebrating Ganesha, one of the popular forms of God in Hinduism), to desecrate and publicly destroy statues of the Gods. Though he was an atheist, he was criticized as a minority appeaser, since he choose to criticise only Hinduism and was soft on minority religions like Christianity and Islam.
Ilaiyaraaja, on the other hand is known for his spiritual leanings. A deeply person, he has composed for over 800 film in various languages like Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi. His Thiruvasagam - A Symphonic Oratorio has made history in sales, in Tamil Nadu. The audio distributors Well Gate say they have sold 35000 CDs and 25000 cassettes of the album.

http://www.raaja.com/biography.html

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