Kerala Health Minister's embarassing English

If you do a survey to find the country with the most boring leaders, then India would win hands down. Our PM Manmohan Singh always has this sleepy grin on his face, while Sonia's speeches can drive even the faithful into a coma. The less said about our President, the better.

It took the likes of Raj Thackeray, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Amar Singh and Rahul Gandhi to inject some life into Indian politics and this is why the media adore them. Kerala has its share of popular leaders and Shashi Tharoor leads from the front, albeit for the wrong reasons. He presents himself as highly sophisticated and wordly(he really is) but gets himself into unpleasant situations, thanks to his 'tweets'.

I believe his mannerisms and penchant for speaking in English has rubbed on to some other Kerala leaders as well. Foremost among them is P.K. Sreemathi, who delivered a speech in English with highly embarrassing results.

Is it necessary for a politician to know English to do his job well? Does a regional leader have to give a speech in English to prove his caliber? Since our politicians rarely do anything for the common man, it will be difficult to form opinions on the matter.

The bottom line is that India's politicians should do good for the people who voted them to power. Knowing the local language and being confident and authoritative are what is mainly required.

A tearful farewell...

A lot of questions have risen about the actual number of casualties in the recent Mumbai terror strikes. We do know that we have lost 16 brave police personnel in this mindless act. Do we know these martyrs?

Here is a list of these men. India salutes Mumbai Police!

1. Hemant Karkare, Joint Commissioner of Police, ATS
2. Ashok Kamte, Addtnl Commissioner of Police
3. Vijay Salaskar, Police Inspector, Anti-Extortion Cell
4. Shashank Shinde, Police Inspector, CST Railway
5. Prakash P. More, Police Sub Inspector
6. Shri. Bapusaheb Durugade, Police Sub Inspector
7. Shri. Tukaram G. Omble, Asst. Police Sub Inspector
8. Shri. Balasaheb Bhosale, Asst. Police Sub Inspector
9. Shri. Arun Chitte, Police Constable
10. Shri. Jaywant Patil, Police Constable
11. Shri. Yogesh Patil, Police Constable
12. Shri. Ambadas Pawar, Police Constable
13. Shri. Vijay Khandekar, Police Constable
14. Shri. M. Choudhary, Police Head Constable, R.P.F.
15. Shri. Rahul S. Shinde, Police Constable, S.R.P.F. Group X, Solapur
16. Shri. Mukesh B. Jadhav, Home Guard Constable

India will remain forever in debt...

Hemant Karkare, India salutes you!

A lot has been said about the cold-blooded murder of Mr. Hemant Karkare, the ATS Chief. I only wish that the Indian Govt. is more strict and vigilant in matters of terrorism. India witnesses several attacks by coward terrorists each year but nothing is done to stop such mindless bloodshed.

The US has miraculously warded off attacks on its soil after 9/11 and probably the Indian politicos can learn a thing or two on how they handled such situations.

India salutes the bravery of Karkare, Salaskar and Kamte. You will always be etched in our minds.

The Indian public also condemns the way the Govt. functions and also the buffonery that Mr. Shivraj Patil has showcased in times of distress and terrorism.

The President Race..

A lot of events happening in the US nowadays. And they all revolve around electing the new President. Clinton and Obama both seem very genuine. McCain is also a very dedicated fighter. I had read about his Vietnam experiences. He probably is the most worthy suitor to the throne.

The onus is on the voter. Bush has done his job and people have mixes views. The American public will soon decide who their new fighter is. Lets hope the follies committed by the previous government are forgotten soon. Lots of unhappy faces around the world. Faces that can only smile if the new government takes counter measures. All the best!