Recent arrest of Himayat Baig, a Muslim youth in connection with the German Bakery blast has again put the Muslim community in city under scanner. Muslims in Pune have hitherto been living peacefully without any type of scrutiny. The past record of the community also served as a substantial reason for it to mingle with others just as any other community lives. But all this changes two years ago, when Mansoor Peerbhoy, a software engineer was picked up by the Anti-Terrorist Squad in connection with bomb blast in July 2008.Since then, three young...
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Democracy- A Forgotten Procedure
Sometimes, I am tempted to say that not many people truly like the idea that India is a democratic country. India may have a constitution proclaiming the virtues of the democratic system, but the general tendency of the populace is directly opposing to the spirit of the democracy. Chief among them are the coteries within political parties who benefit most from such a system. Take for instance recent developments in the Maharashtra congress. A new head of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee is to be chosen by the partymen as Manikrao Thakare,...
Monday, September 13, 2010
Less Sympathy For Chandrababu This Time Around
Not many days have passed since Chandrababu Naidu staged a brilliant political drama in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. He brought an entire entourage of his party, Telugu Desam, legislators and workers first in Nanded district. He was arrested and later shifted to Aurangabad where he continued his theatrics in true blood AP politics style. What Naidu did at that point of time, just days ahead to by-elections for 12 seats in Telangana area of Andhra Pradesh, was widely perceived as his bid to regain foothold in the border line area adjacent to...
Sunday, September 12, 2010
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....
Friday, September 10, 2010
The Shocking Announcement …In More Sense Than One
On the eve of the Ganesh festival in Maharashtra, the police, Chief Minister and media all have come with this 'shocking' announcement…that two terrorists are roaming in the street and cause havoc. Now in a state where a history-sheeter with two criminal cases against his name and known links with banned outfit Students Islamic of India can roam freely for two years, it is not a news that two terrorists have arrived in Mumbai in a bid to carry out their violent plans.Joint Police Commissioner Himanshu Roy told reporters that intelligence reports...
Inducing Them For Sycophancy
As he is a scion of the Gandhi family which has inherited a vast political legacy in the country, Rahul Gandhi was all in his right when he appealed the 1200-odd students gathered in front of him to join politics. Probably he was putting forth his own model as the one who has stepped in the widely perceived murkier field, when he could have easily chased brighter avenues. Add to this two most cruel sacrifices coming from his nearest ones. However,...
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Sorry Plight of Marathi Schools
Two separate agitations in two different cities in Maharashtra have brought to fore the sorry state of Marathi schools in the state. In an year when the state is celebrating 50 years of its formation, the government apathy is killing the language schools in favour of the English schools. The action of the government is in stark contrast to the numerous promises it has offered to public, both before and after the elections last year. Thousands...
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Politics of Settlement
Settlement has become the catchword of the Maharashtra politics nowadays. The thing was part of the political manners for a long period, probably dating back to pre-independence era. However, the personalities involved in the process always tried to avoid the utterances which might give any clue to this thing. On this backdrop, it was surprising when Sharad Pawar, a veteran of settlementalsim went public with his displeasure over how 'some opposition members are blackmailing builders, threatening them with raising questions in legislature and...
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Festivals Are Among Our Few Healthy Signs
The mood in Pune is festive. With Krishna Ashtami tomorrow and arrival of Ganesh less than two weeks away, the rush of Ganesh Mandal workers has begun. However, as usual voices of protest against the 'pollution through jubilation' has begun already. Citizens of Pune have tradition of raising their voices against the unnecessary noise pollution in tha name of the celebrating Ganeshotsav, which is arguably the biggest festival in the city. This tradition...
