What Else Can You Say?

Not everyone

Who fights for his or her Nation

Has a Gun in hand.

Some have Bat, Some have Music,

Some have Pen and Some have Mike too.

Courage and Will to Live is all that matters...

1993 नंतर भारतात झालेले मोठे दहशतवादी हल्ले

मुंबई, भारताची आर्थिक राजधानी, पुन्हा एकदा अतिरेकी हल्ल्याची बळी ठरलीय. यावेळी मुंबईवर झालेला हल्ला हा भारताच्या इतिहासातला आजवरचा सर्वात मोठा हल्ला ठरलाय. पण याआधीही अनेकदा भारताला दहशतवादाची झळ बसलीय. आणि गेल्या पंधरा वर्षात तर अतिरेक्यांच्या हल्ल्यांमध्ये मोठ्या प्रमाणात वाढ झालीय.

1. 12 मार्च 1993, मुंबई
दुपारी १.३० ते ३.४० या कालात मुंबईत 12 ठिकाणी 13 बॉम्बस्फोट. बॉम्बस्फोटांच्या या मालिकेत 257 जणांनी जीव गमावला तर 700 जण जखमी झाले. या हल्ल्यांमागे अंडरवर्ल्ड डॉन दाऊद इब्राहीम चा हात होता.

2. 14 फेब्रुवारी 1998, कोईंबतूर
कोईंबतूरमध्ये ११ ठिकाणी झालेल्या १३ बॉम्बस्फोटांत ४६ मृत्यृमुखी आणि २०० जखमी

3. 1 ऑक्टोबर 2001, श्रीनगर
जम्मू आणि काश्मीर विधानसभा परिसरात सशस्त्र अतिरेक्यांचा हल्ला. ३५ जण मृत्युमुखी. हल्ल्यामागे इस्लामिक दहशतवादी संघटना जैश-ए-मोहम्मदचा हात.

4. 13 डिसेंबर 2001, नवी दिल्ली
भारतीय लोकशाहीचं प्रतिक असलेल्या संसदभवनावर सशस्त्र अतिरेक्यांचा हल्ला. 12 जण मृत्युमुखी तर १८ जण जखमी. जगभरातून हल्ल्याचा मोठ्या प्रमाणावर निषेध. हल्ल्यामागे पाकिस्तानी दहशतवादी संघटनांचा हात असल्याचं स्पष्ट झालं, दोन्ही देशांमधील संबंधांत तणाव वाढला.

5. 24 सप्टेंबर 2002, गांधीनगर
अक्षरधाम मंदिरावरील हल्ल्यात 31 जणांचा मृत्यू तर 79 जण जखमी.

6. १४ मे 2002
जम्मूजवळ सैन्यदलाच्या तळावर सशस्त्र अतिरेक्यांचा हल्ला, 30हून अधिक जणांचा मृत्यू.

7. डिसेंबर 2002 ते मे 2003, मुंबई
या आठ महिन्यांच्या काळात मुंबई चार वेळा बॉम्बस्फोटांनी हादरली. मुंबईला हादरवणा-या या स्फोटांमागे स्टुडंट्स इस्लामिक मुव्हमेंट ऑफ इंडिया अर्थात सिमीचा हात असल्याचा आरोप.

2 डिसेंबर 2002 - घाटकोपर रेल्वे स्टेशनबाहेर बेस्ट बसमध्ये झालेल्या बॉम्बस्फोटात दोन जणांचा मृत्यू झाला तर 31 जण जखमी.
6 डिसेंबर 2002 - मुंबई सेंट्रल रेल्वे स्थानकावर मॅकडोनाल्ड्सच्या रेस्टॉरंटमध्ये बॉम्बस्फोट. 25जणांना जखमी करणारा हा बॉम्ब रेस्ट़ॉरंटच्या एऱकंडिशनिंग सिस्टिममध्ये ठेवण्यात आला होता.
27 जानेवारी 2003 - विलेपार्ले स्टेशनबाहेर संध्याकाळी गर्दीच्या वेळी सायकल बॉम्बचा स्फोट, एका महिलेचा मृत्यू तर 30जण जखमी.
13 मार्च 2003 - मुलुंड रेल्वेस्थानकात कर्जत लोकलमध्ये बॉम्बस्फोट. संध्याकाळी साडेआठच्या सुमारास अत्यंत गर्दीच्या वेळी झालेल्या या स्फोटानं ११ प्रवाशांनी आपला जीव गमावला. मुंबईची जीवनवाहिनी असणा-या लोकल ट्रेनला पहिल्यांदाच लक्ष्य करण्यात आलं.

8. २५ ऑगस्ट 2003, मुंबई
दुपारच्या वेळी गेट वे ऑफ इंडिया आणि झवेरी बाजार इथं टॅक्सीत बॉम्बस्फोट. किमान 52 जण मृत्युमुखी तर 150 जण जखमी. पहिला बॉम्बस्फोट गेट वे ऑफ इंडिया समोरील ताज महाल हॉटेलच्या बाहेर पार्क केलेल्या टॅक्सीत झाला. तर दुसरा बॉम्बस्फोट झवेरी बाजारात मुंबादेवी मंदिर परिसरात झाला.

9. 15 ऑगस्ट 2004, आसाम
स्वातंत्र्यदिनाच्या दिवशी धेमाजी इथं झालेल्या बॉम्बस्फोटांमध्ये 16 जम मृत्युमुखी. जखमी आणि मरण पावलेल्यांमध्ये लहान मुलांचा मोठा समावेश.

10. 5 जुलै 2005, अयोध्या
रामजन्मभूमी परिसरात सशस्त्र अतिरेक्यांचा हल्ला.

11. 29 ऑक्टोबर 2005, दिल्ली
दक्षिण दिल्लीमध्ये बाजार परिसरात तीन बॉम्बस्फोट. दिवाळीच्या दिवशी झालेल्या या बॉम्बस्फोटांमध्ये 59 जण मृत्युमुखी तर 200 जखमी. पाकिस्तानस्थित इस्लामिक इन्कलाब माहेझ या अतिरेकी संघटनेनं हल्ल्यांची जबाबदारी स्वीकारली.

12. 7 मार्च 2006
उत्तर प्रदेशातील वाराणसी या तीर्थक्षेत्री बॉम्बस्फोट, 28 मृत्युमुखी तर 101 जखमी. हल्ल्यामागे पाकिस्तानशी निगडीत दहशतवादी संघटनांचा हात असल्याचा भारतीय पोलिसांचा दावा.

13. 11 जुलै 2006, मुंबई
पश्चिम रेल्वेच्या लोकल ट्रेन्समध्ये सात बॉम्बस्फोट. संध्याकाळी गर्दीच्या वेळी झालेल्या या स्फोटांमध्ये 200 जणांनी आपला जीव गमावला. हाही हल्ला म्हणजे पाकिस्तानस्थित दहशतवादी संघटनांचं कारस्थान असल्याचं तपासात उघड.

14. 8 सप्टेंबर 2006, मालेगाव
मालेगावमध्ये मस्जिद परिसरात बॉम्बस्फोटांची मालिका. 37 मृत्युमुखी तर 125 जखमी. जखमींमध्ये अनेक मुस्लिम यात्रेकरूंचा समावेश.

15. 18 मे 2007, हैदराबाद
मक्का मस्जिद इथं शुक्रवारच्या नमाजच्या वेळी बॉम्बस्फोट. १३ जण मृत्युमुखी. बॉम्बस्फोटांनंतर झालेल्या दंगलींमध्ये पोलिसांच्या कारवाईत 4 जणांचा मृत्यू.

16. 26 मे 2007, आसाम
गुवाहाटीमध्ये झालेल्या बॉम्बस्फोटात सहा जणांचा मृत्यू तर 30 जण जखमी.

17. 10 जून 2007, मणिपूर
म्यानमारच्या सीमेजवळील मोरेह इथं सशस्त्र अतिरेक्यांचा गोळीबार, ११ जण मृत्युमुखी.

18. 25 ऑगस्ट 2007, हैदराबाद
लुंबिनी पार्क आणि गोकुळ चाट भवन इथं बॉम्बस्फोट, 42 जणांचा मृत्यू तर 50 जण जखमी. या दोन्ही बॉम्बस्फोटांमागे हरकत-उल-जिहाद-इ-इस्लामी अर्थात हुजीचा हात होता.

19. 23 नोव्हेंबर 2007
उत्तर प्रदेशात सहा बॉम्बस्फोटांची मालिका. वाराणसी, फैजाबाद आणि लखनौ या तीन शहरांना लक्ष्य बनवण्यात आलं. वाराणसीत तीन ठिकाणी, फैजाबादमध्ये दोन तर लखनौमध्ये एक बॉ़म्बस्फोट, 13 जणांनी जीव गमावला तर 60 जण

20. 13 मे 2008, जयपूर
परदेशी पर्यटकांचं आकर्षण असलेल्या या शहरात सहा बॉम्बस्फोट झाले. या बॉम्बस्फोटांच्या मालिकेत 63 जणांचा मृत्यू आणि 150हून अधिक जण जखमी.

21. 25 जुलै 2008, बंगळूर
भारतीय आयटी उद्योगाचं मोठं केंद्र असलेलं बंगळूर एरवी शांत शहर म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहे. पण चार महिन्यांपूर्वी इथं झालेल्या सात बॉम्बस्फोटांच्या मालिकेनंतर भारतात कोणतही शहर सुरक्षित नसल्याचंच दिसून आलं. या बॉम्बस्फोटांमध्ये एकाचा मृत्यू झाला तर 150 हून अधिक जण जखमी झाले.

22. 26 जुलै 2008, अहमदाबाद
बंगळूरनंतर अवघ्या एका दिवसात आणखी एक भारतीय शहर दहशतवाद्यांच्या हल्ल्याची शिकार बनलं. या हल्ल्यात 45 जण जखमी झाले तर 150हून अधिक जण जखमी झाले. इंडियन मुजाहिद्दीन या अतिरेकी संघटनेनं अहमदाबादमधील या हल्ल्याची जबाबदारी स्वीकारली.

23. 13 सप्टेंबर 2008, नवी दिल्ली
बाजार परिसरात पाच ठिकाणी झालेल्या बॉम्बस्फोटांमध्ये 21 जणांचा मृत्यू झाला तर 100 जण जखमी झाले. इंडियन मुजाहिदीन संघटनेनं याही हल्ल्याची जबाबदारी स्वीकारली.

24. 27 सप्टेंबर 2008, नवी दिल्ली
बाजार परिसरात झालेल्या बॉम्बस्फोटात एकाचा मृत्यू.

25. 30 ऑक्टोबर 2008, आसाम
भाऊबीजेच्या दिवशी पश्चिम आसाममध्ये गुवाहाटी आणि आसपासच्या परिसरात 13 बॉम्बस्फोट. 61 जणांचा मृत्यू तर 300 जण जखमी.

26. 26 नोव्हेंबर 2008, मुंबई
देशाची आर्थिक राजधानी पुन्हा एकदा अतिरेक्यांच्या हिटलिस्टवर. एके 47 रायफल्स आणि ग्रेनेड्सनं सज्ज सशस्त्र अतिरेक्यांचा मुंबईवर हल्ला. दक्षिण मुंबईत विविध ठिकाणी अंदाधुंद गोळीबार, ताज महाल आणि ओबेरॉय (ट्राय़डेन्ट) या फाईव्ह स्टार हॉटेल्समध्ये अतिरेक्यांनी परदेशी नागरिकांना ओलीस धरलं.

“Your city is an organized chaos… But we liked it, it’s so lively!”

A Few months back, my Canadian Friend Emil had said this of Mumbai. I had never thought that it will come true in such a manner … Mumbai is “Total Chaos” since last evening, and there is no sign of 'liveliness’ around…

I went to CST station in the morning, and noticed that life is getting back on track, but tracks are changed, ofcourse…

An Old Dream and New Challanges

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

- Barack Obama in his victory address.

Yes, This might be THE answer... To all the questions that time has put in front of mankind. At least we can hope it to be so. Because, the world's only Superpower has got a new leader. Because, as expected, Obama is the New President Elect of The United States of America.

This is one of those rarest of the rare moments when not just a Nation, but whole of the world stretches its arms to welcome the future, when everyone is filled with immense hope, when everyone is reminded of the responsibilities that lie ahead... This is one of those moments when a person's victory stands for the victory of a community, for the victory of a Nation and for the victory of the ideals of Democracy, Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood.

Today, USA- a country marred by history of violence over the colour of skin, a community with deep socio-religious differences, has chosen a new leader- someone who perhaps best signifies what the spirit of their nation stands for. The World's most powerful nation has now elected a President who comes from a biracial background, was raised by a single mother, grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia. Obama has won his first battle without great family connections, without a trust fund. He started out with intellect, talent and ambition and to fulfill that ambition, he built up a great coalition. He made a clever use of the power of new media, i.e. Internet to reachout to people and gather their support. A lot of young Americans left their apathy for politics and joined him on the campaign trail. And today they are all celebrating. They are all singing for a new dawn.

And this can happen only in America- a place where in a way of speaking, most of the people are outsiders. Most of the people of America have their roots in the early residents who immigrated in search of a better life or were imported as slaves. Over the Years, The USA has been a symbol of liberation. The land has been a beacon of hope and dream. Its founders hold a dream and today, that dream has taken a step forward towards reality.

The world has just witnessed a great history in the making. America has shown that they are ready for THE change. No, I shall say, THE Change has begun.

And Obama's speech, can be a signal of this change. The thing I liked about it is that he didn't described it as a victory of the suppressed race or those who fought for Civil Rights, but as a Victory of the People of America. He thanked those who voted for him and showed respect to those who didn't. and by that tone of his, he has surely won the hearts of many of his enemies as well.

For Obama, the race to the White House has ended but a long journey will officially start on the 20th January next year, when he'll be sworn in as The 44th President of The USA. And then, he has got a legacy of problems. Obama has to deal with " two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century " as he describes himself.

Whatever... I liked this CHANGE.

In his first address as the new leader of the United States, Obama has shown a great promise. Whether he keeps up to it, time will show.

But for now, Obama's speech for me is the accomplishment of An Old Dream and an insight of the New Challenges that lie ahead.

Stage set for The Big American Drama - This time in Search of A Dream

Finally, the time has come… In a few hours time, The United States of America are going to vote for their new President. Whether it will be Barack Obama or John Mc Cain, it’s very early to say, although the opinion polls have suggested it will be Obama.

In all corners of the world, people are eager to know who the next President of America will be? So I am.

But really, Obama or Mc cain - how far does it matter? Or does it really matters? To some extent, yes. But in a greater context, not much. Because, as any Foreign Policy Expert would tell you, in today’s world, policies are more or less constant and personalities can influence them but they cannot turn the upside down.

Still, for next several hours (and may be for next several days or even for months, if another scandal leaps up) the whole world will be desperate to know who steps into the White House.

Because, The Man (yes, the MAN, not WOMAN as I had dreamt a year ago) will have the power to write the destinies of thousands of people around the world, whether or not he uses it for better, is a different issue. Whoever wins this battle, will have the power to change the World, the power that he can use to create a better world or to take us all down.

As a citizen of the World’s largest Democracy, I’m excited to know who leads the eldest Democracy of Modern World. I’m excited to know what plans he has for his country that has an upshot on the world economy, which is virtually in a crisis. So I want to know if Obama or Mc Cain have a plan and a will to act on that plan to improve the condition of US Markets and thereby perk up the Economy of the world.

Personally for me, I wish to see Obama winning in this race. coz, that gives for a chance of a Dream coming to reality.

A Dream that Martin Luther King Jr. held in his heart...

A Dream that also flourished in hearts of thousands of Americans and millions around the globe...

A Dream that inspires people like Operah Winfrey or Michael Jackson or Mohammed Ali or Arthur Ashe or Williams Sisters...

A Dream of Enduring Hope that America can give to the World...

A lot of Expectations… As they are always!

A great Battle… As it is every four years!

And A lot of Excitement… As it was Never Before!

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go..........

Withered reality of neighbourhood

A quiet Saturday Evening of Ramadan… Islamabad’s Hotel Marriot was getting ready for an Iftar party… a truck full of explosives crashed through the gates and once again fear echoed through the streets of Pakistan’s Capital…

Fear that has been a part of their thoughts, fear that has occupied the air, once again came alive. few days back, it was in Delhi, tonight it was in Islamabad..

Seems like violence has become a routine in the subcontinent. And now Pakistan is also facing the brunt of it. In recent times, the Terror attacks on Pakistan have gone up. I just found out a list of some of the major ones since January 2008.

January 10: Twenty people, mostly policemen, killed in suicide bomb attack outside Lahore High Court.

January 14: Bomb kills 10 people at a market in Karachi.

February 9: Suicide bomber kills 25 people at an opposition election rally in the northwestern town of Charsadda.

February 11 : Nine killed in suicide bombing at an election meeting of an independent candidate in North Waziristan.

February 16 : Suicide car bomber strikes a rally of Pakistan People's Party in the northwestern town of Parachinar, killing 37.

February 22: Roadside bomb hits wedding party in Swat, killing at least 14.

February 25: Suicide bomber kills army surgeon Lieutenant General Mushtaq Baig and seven others in Rawalpindi.

February 29 : Forty-four killed in a suicide blast in Mingora in northwest Swat valley during the funeral of three policemen killed by a roadside bomb earlier in the day.

March 2: Suicide bomber kills 43 at tribal elders convention in the northwestern district of Darra Adam Khel.

March 4: Two suicide bombers attack Pakistan Naval War College in Lahore, killing five people.

March 10 : Suicide truck bombings target Federal Investigation Agency building in Lahore; 26 killed.

March 15: Bomb blast at a restaurant in Islamabad kills a woman and wounds 10 others, including four FBI men.

July 2: Suicide car bomb outside the Danish embassy in Islamabad kills eight.

July 6: Fifteen killed in suicide attack on policemen during a rally to mark the anniversary of Lal Masjid raid.

August 12: Roadside bomb attack targets Pakistan Air Force bus in Peshawar, killing 13.

August 19 : Twenty-three killed in suicide attack on a hospital in northwestern Dera Ismail Khan town.

August 21: At least 78 killed in twin suicide attacks outside Pakistan's main ordnance factory in Wah.

August 28: Nine persons, mostly policemen, killed in roadside bombing in North West Frontier Province.

September 6: Thirty people were killed and 70 injured in suicide bombing near a police check post in Peshawar.

This list is enough to show the trouble people are facing in Pakistan. It doesn't matter where terrorism originated. What matters is innocence is being killed, let it be in Delhi or in Islamabad and we need to stop this.

... All this on The International Peace Day...

NSG Clearance for the N-Deal

Finally, another step taken. After a lot of speculations, and excitement, THE NEWS- Nuclear Security Group has given its clearance to the Indo-US Nuclear Deal. I don't know what my immediate reaction is. But I'm feeling this is all going in a right direction. This deal is a need of time. But one shall not forget that there are a lot of other things are yet to be done, in many aspects of life, if we really wish for a better world.

Good Bye, General!

Finally, another dictatorial regim comes to and end. Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has resigned. He has done it to avoid the impending impeachment motion. But, as he said in his speach, he's doing it to keep the nation's interests.

It's not yet clear whether Musharraf will remain in Pakistan or he'll be forced to leave the country. but his resignation marks the end of an era. It also sets the alarms for India coz I doubt the next persons standing in queue would really want take the talks furhter

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A Brief Bio of General's Rule: (Sourced from agencies)

Musharraf was born in Delhi, in August 1943. During the partition of India, his family emigrated to Pakistan.

1964: Musharraf started a career with the Pakistan Army.

1998: Became Pakistan's powerful Army Chief.

1999: Kargil war. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered the withdrawal of insurgent troops from Indian territories. Tensions mounted between Musharraf and Nawaz Sharif over the decision. Sharif tried to fire Musharraf. In October, Musharraf overthrew the elected Sharif Government and seized the power in a bloodless military coup. World Communities condemned the coup. However the reactions were not much serious considering the fact that democracy rarely prevailed in Pakistan.

July 2001: In the first summit meeting in Agra, India, Musharraf and the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee failed to make any headway on the Kashmir issue. Musharraf's storming out of India became a big news.

Septemner 11 2001: This day marked a defining moment in Musharraf's political career. His support to Washington in the plans to attack Afghanistan became crucial. Pakistan became an ally in the US led "War on Terror", in return, US promised more than $1bn in aid to Pakistan. Musharraf not only backed the American military action in Afghanistha, but also arrested more than 500 al-Qaida suspects in its own territory. This move made him wisely unpopular in his own country.

Since his precarious alliance with Washington, Musharraf has waged a campaign against Islamic extremists, banning several militant groups - a stance that has made him many enemies at home.

December 2001: Terrorists attacked the Indian parliament. India blamed the attack on Pakistan backed Kashmiri militants, Pakistan categorically denied the charge.

2002: Tensions continued between India and Pakistan. Steady shelling was reported accross the LOC.

India continued to accuse Pakistan of backing Islamic militant groups and supporting insurgency in Jammu and kashmir. Musharraf continued to deny the charge. In a televised speech to the nation at the peak of the crisis, Musharraf vowed not to initiate war with India, but continued to test medium and a short-range ballistic missiles - capable of carrying conventional and nuclear warheads.

late 2002: General elections were held in Pakistan and Parliament was reconvened, but Musharraf remained the most powerful figure in Pakistan, though he handed over day-to-day handling of the country to a prime minister, a political ally. But the business in parliament was in deadlock for months as secular and religious opposition parties refused to accept a raft of constitutional amendments Musharraf had pushed through without parliamentary approval.

The amendments, known as the Legal Framework Order (LFO), gave the general the power to sack the prime minister, dissolve parliament and also recognise him as both head of the army and head of state.

December 2003: as part of a deal to end the stand-off, Gen Musharraf said he would step down as military head of the country by January 2005 - a pledge he did not fulfil.

Musharraf survived two assassination attempts

early 2004: Since peace talks began with India, tensions have reduced between the two countries.

March 2004: The hunt for al Qaida militants in the southern Waziristan tribal area in March 2004 by the Pakistani army - the largest since Musharraf threw his support behind the US war on terror - disenchanted many in Pakistan an Islamic country of 150 (m) million people. Pakistani troops attacked hundreds of possible al-Qaida suspects and tribesmen holed up in heavily fortified mud fortresses in South Waziristan - a forbidding tribal region near the border with Afghanistan.

April 2004: A veneer of democracy was given to Musharraf's rule, when he won a five-year presidential mandate in a highly controversial referendum, in which he was the only candidate.

October 2004: areas of Pakistan-administered Kashmir were struck by a massive earthquake that killed tens of thousands of people. Musharraf visited people left homeless in the disaster.

July 2005: The suicide bombings in London, investigations revealed that the bombers had visited religious schools in Pakistan.

March 2006 : US President George Bush visited the country. Days of anti US Protests erupted across Pakistan with crowds of thousands burning US flags and chanting death to America.

In 2006: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikar Choudhari embarrassed the government with a ruling that blocked plans to privatise a huge state-run steel company.

July 2007: shots were fired after Musharraf's plane took off from a military base in what one official described as a failed assassination attempt. Pakistani army investigators were busy at work on a rooftop in Rawalpindi where three officials told AP that two anti-aircraft guns and a light machine gun were found.

Musharraf's move to suspend Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry as chief justice of the Supreme Court, triggered a row over the independence of the judiciary and accusations of political meddling, and proved to be an ill-judged move. Chaudhry irked the government in several high-profile cases. He had pressed the government hard to provide information on the whereabouts of dozens of people said by relatives to be secretly held by Pakistani intelligence agencies.

Chaudhry's suspension provoked a series of demonstrations across Pakistan and Musharraf's worst political crisis since he seized power in 1999.

October 2007: Musharraf was re-elected by Parliament, but his confirmation was held up by the Supreme Court following complaints that a military man could not constitutionally serve as an elected head-of-state.

November 2007: Musharraf reacted by proclaiming a state of emergency on November 3, sacking the chief justice and other independent judges and replacing them with his appointees. The reconstituted top court then approved his election.

Musharraf said confidence in his government would soon return.

Musharraf eventually stepped down from his powerful post as Pakistan's military commander in November, a day before he was to be sworn in as a civilian president as part of his long-delayed pledge not to hold both jobs. During a change of command in the garrison town of Rawalpindi near the capital, Islamabad, Musharraf relinquished his post by handing over his ceremonial baton to his successor, General Ashfaq Kayani. Musharraf's retirement from the military was a key opposition demand. He had promised to give up his army role at the end of 2004 but reneged on that pledge, saying the country still needed strong leadership in the face of Islamic extremism.

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif returned from exile to stand in the poll.

December 2007: Benazir Bhutto was assassinated at an election campaign. Musharraf furiously ejected intelligence services complicity and was at pains to defend what security had been in place at the rally.

February 2008: Musharraf's rivals Asif Ali Zardari and ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif won the parliamentary elections and had since sought his ouster.

August 2008: Coalition party leader Asif Ali Zardari called for his impeachment after he failed to get a vote of confidence from the newly elected assembly.

19 August 2008: Musharraf resigned in order to avoind the impeachment.

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In his fairwell speech to the nation, Musharraf tried his best to defend his tenure and refuted criticism. At the End, an emotional Musharraf said that he leaves office knowing whatever he has done "was for the people and for the country." "I leave my future in the hand of nation and the people. Let them be the judge and let them do justice,"

He said his fate was in the hands of the Pakistani people. And well, it's going to be interesting to see in whose hands Pakistan's fate is to go..

I hope it doesn't happen that we find the coming rulers much more difficult to handle...

Happy Independence Day!

Now, what next?

It's been a really happening day, but at the end of it, I find nowhere to go. (Sorry for this pessimism, but, tell me, what positive do you take out from the things that have happened in these two days, or for that matter, these many years ?) As I was coming back home, I've been wondering, what have actually happened? and more than that, what's going to happen henceforth?

The first thing that struck to me, is that, now Congress is free of schackles of the Left parties. ( surprisingly, the Left were not as agressive today. or have I missed their speeches? )

Now that the UPA Government is in power even without the support from the Left Front. So that means, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh can now take a few bold decisions quite freely. Also we might see a stability in the SENSEX.

Then of course, the Nuclear Deal, which in first place is the need of the hour.

But it was not just the Deal that was discussed in this session, infact, the focus of discussion was also on the performance of this government. now before the elections, Congress has got a chance to win some votes back.

For Left, it was a golden chance that they've missed. I feel, they've definitely lost votes from some youngsters. and also they've lost the sort of "veto" over the UPA Government.

The BJP, main opposition to the UPA, has failed to hatch the opportunity as well. they seem to have lost their direction,in a way- They didn't seem powerful enough to argue.

Meanwhile, The Third Front- they too, jumped to seek an opportunity, but could not managed to do it, third time, I guess.

However, the allegations made by three NDA MPs about the bribing and "Horse-trading" are going to make a big news in coming days ( and CNN-IBN is going to get more TRPs.)

And hey, this is also a case of media's active involvement in active politics, isn't it?that also brings out an entire debate, whether the sting operation actually took place? If yes, then what really happened there? The Allegations made by the three MPs, may or may not hold true, but either way, the investigation is going to bring results that will demine the status of some parties as well as the whole structure of Indian Democracy. (and media, if in case it is provened to be a fabricated story- I don't think, it is though)

In short, the mayhem called Indian Democracy continues...

And that reminds me of Yeats again:

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity...

Yeats spoke of a "Second Coming" but sadly, there is no one to come and save us...

The D-Day: As It happens

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11.43

The Second day of the Special Session of Lok Sabha has ended. It was not much different than the first one. amidst the lot commotion The Government has secured the confidence of the house.

But the way things went on today, have made me more depressed than I was earlier about Politics. Even The Speaker of the House, Mr. Somnath Chaterji too got frustrated. He has said "Parliament of India has reached the lowest position."

Falling down, falling down, and how much bellow to go??

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20.26

The Government is safe( for now)

Just a few moments ago, The Speaker announced the results, And the Manmohan Singh Government has won the vote of confidence by 19 votes.

And it's time to leave for me, Have to catch the train. (No matter what happens in the Capital, I can't aford to miss my train. See you again after 11.30pm when I'll be home, (hopefully!)

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20.20

No News Yet

but I just remembered these famous lines from W B Yeats' "second Coming":

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the center cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity...

somehow these lines explain the condition of India, isn't it?

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20.04

The chaos has calmed down for the time being and The Speaker has found his voice again. He has asked everyone to keep quiet. just like a teacher with some wonderful patience.

Well, I'm not a Congress Person, but Ireally really want this government to stay till the end, I don't want them to loose this. ( well, they don't seem to loose it. ) I actually want the N-deal to come to reality...

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20.01

Still waiting for the results....

Oh! I can hardly stand the suspense. and this one is really irritating! So much time to count just 51 votes???

Finish it fast, I've to catch the train.

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19.47

I just wonder how it were in the olden days, when Senators in Rome used to vote using fable stones. It was supposed to be a sacred ritual.

And today, what we are seeing is pathetic! (just imagine how our MPs would have made use of those tiny marbles! They would have thrown it allover the house.)

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19.43

This is getting chaotic. and really funny! :)

I've not seen News Room people getting so excited, Not even for a Cricket Match. Everyone is anxcious, everyone is clueless, and everyone is laughing- gags!

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19.35

Oh Dear! Somebody flashed the news that Government has got the vote! Well, 54 vots are not yet counted. Why such hurry????

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19.32

Electronic Votes-

For - 253

Against - 232

abstain votes- 2 (refrain to vote)

Total - 487

54 Votes by Forms are to be counted yet. but Congressmen are congratulating each othe...

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19.29

Poor little buttons on the Electronic voting system! Poor red lights of voting system! Poor pieces of paper! They are to decide the fate of our nation. :(

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19.22

Okey, PM is not going to answer. He finished with his speech and has submitted his reply in writting to the speaker.

The Speaker has announced- that The Voting process is soon to begin (Finally). Lobies are being closed- chaos continues

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19.20 PM is finally speaking

But I can't get a word of what he's saying. All chaos!

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19.14 Waiting For Prime Minister to speak

Just got a call from home. There is load-shedding in my place and my family is eager to know what's happening in Delhi. sadly I don't have any good thing to tell them.

Oh! This should get over soon!

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19.04 Latest standings-

For The Government............. 269

Against The Government...... 265

will Not vote............................... 6

Not Yet Decided......................... 3

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18.58

One after another, MPs are speaking about their take on deal, and government. some are in support, some are against. all the issues, right from Telangana, Inflation, Horse-trading, are too brought in the discussion.

I'm feeling a bit sorry for the North-Eastern states, their MPs got comparatively little time to speak.

Meanwhile, Amar Singh has said- he'll take Sanyas if he's found guilty of any wrongdoing.

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18.50

Okey, Ms. Mufti has said that BJP is opposing the deal only to support it later. quite right, I feel.

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18.44 National Conference will support the Government

NC PresidentMr. Omar Abdullah just spoke in the House. He said, as a Muslim, he has no problem to have the deal with the US.

as he says it, The ruling party MPs are knocking on the benches to appreciate.

shortly before Mr. abdullah, President of the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party was speaking, but I have no idea what she said.

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18.00

The Speaker, Mr. Somanath Chatterji, has described the day as a Sad day for democracy in India. and yes, it's a very sad day.

Now, the House will vote at 7.15pm and shortly before that, the PM will speak, ofcourse if the chaos ends.

I've to check an edited story so for a while, I'm away from the blog.

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17.45 Another deep dig in the dark- Indian politics to it's newest low

Can't really stay away from this all. Who would have imagined that they day will turn out to be like this? And well, whole world is interested in what's happening in Lok sabha.

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17.28

Yes, it's CNN IBN, they're claiming they have the tapes, but won't out it on air yet. they're saying, they'll first show it to the speaker.

Meanwhile, Mulayam Singh has come out to speak with press. he's claiming it's BJP's conspiracy to delay the vote.

Oh! I'm going out of Newsroom for some time with my colleague and friend Mugdha.

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17.25 No further Discussions

The Speaker has just announced that there won't be any more debate on the NO Trust Vote. The PM will give his reaction at 6 pm, when the house will meet again. and straight after that, LokSabha will vote at 6.30pm.

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17.20

Okey, Now this is turning out to be a real black day. Desaster Day as I had feared it to be.

The latest report from Delhi says that all this bribe incidence is recorded on by cameras. A TV channel has got the tapes of this sting operation- I guess it's CNN-IBN (If so, Rajdeep will soon be on air, bet on it.) Are we going to see the horse-trading in action?

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17.02 Discussion begins again...

MPs are back in the House, and it's all chaos everywhere.

What I just got to know is three BJP MPs Ashok Argal, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagor have alleged that they were approached by a Samajwadi Party MP.

Ok, latest update, Three of them said that they were offered Rs. 3 crore each by the Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh. They're claiming that Mr. Ahmed Patel was also present there. what's happening over here! Everyone is getting crazy un the office

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16.30

Lok Sabha channel has stopped the live Broadcast for a while. (Obiviously, they don't want to show the tamasha going on there. Money Bundles in Lok sabha!) House is adjourned again. NDA MP Argal got stacks of money in the parliament. Everyone is shocked!

Oh my my! This is turning out to be a high drama

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16.07 Hangaama! MPs say they were being bribed

It's all chaos in the house, there is so much noise on TV, I can't understand what's actually going on. what I've come to know is that some BJP MPs are claiming that they were offered money. and wait! they've got stacks of notes with them.

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16.00

Ram Naik is in our studio. It's just two hours to the voting. I've almost finished with my work, and now I can keep a closer eye on things around.

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15.57 Dharamji returns

Another unwell MP- actor Dharmendra just returned to India. He was in US to have his knee surgery done. See, nobody can bunk this lecture- even if you are on stretcher, even if you are suffering hard, you have to be present.

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15.10 Lalu steals the show

This man, whenever he gets up to speak, everyone in the newsroom turns to listen. :D This man is so hillarious!

Look at his comment on Mr. L. K. Advani- the jist of what he said is- "Advaniji has no problem with nuclear deal, it's just that he thinks his signature is better than that of the PM. So he wants to be the one to sign the pact with America."

(But Lalu himself too wants to be the prime minister one day. )

well, I've just finished with my story and now I'm off for lunch.

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14.35 Rahul Gandhi speaks

The Young Congressman is up again. now let's see what he's got to say...

Hmm, He's professing the nuclear deal. Mr. Gandhi spoke of Kalavati. A poor woman he met in Vidarbha. he says nuclear power will help remove her poverty. He gave this example to explain how we can overcome our Energy problems.

sounds like he's giving a presentation to a MNC. I'm not sure if he's completed his education, but he's style is that of a management studant.

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12.57 Adjourned till 2 PM

Rahul gandhi was speaking in favour of the nuclear deal ofcourse. But could not conclude his speech. A BSP MP Brajesh Pathak is complaining that four of his party colleagues had been kidnapped. there is a total chaos in the Huose. and House is adjourned!

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee is forced to adjourn the Lok Sabha till 2 p.m. "You can continue after lunch," He just said the troublemakers.

Oh! These MPs should be taught how the should behave.

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12.50 Rahul Gandhi speakes up

Okey, The Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, spoke about his trip to Vidarbha. he has linked energy security to maintaining 9 per cent growth.

The opposition is repeatedly interrupting his speech, don't understand what's actually going on.

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12.21 Wrong alert!

well, there is no big change as yet. The six MPs has asked the permission to be absent for last session.

hmm, I need to work on my story. so good bye till I finish it!

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12.07 Calculations change

The Speaker, Mr. somnath Chatterji has granted leave application of Six MPs. The names are not yet confirmed, but this means all the calculations might change now. Congress is to gain by this.

Oh! lots of maths going on again! See, if you want to be a reporter, you must be thorough with your history, geography, science - and maths as well.

(and physiology, bio-mechanics, statastics and many more if you are covering sports and do stories on cricket- well economics is a must if your job also includes stories about IPL. But for now, I'm finishing with my script on Umpire referral system. and keeping an eye on debate in Lok Sabha to start again)

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12.03 The FM angle

Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said- with the end of its nuclear isolation, India can fast attain the status of Economic Superpower. He also suggested that he'd like to see that the Nation emulates China for faster growth.

Another blow to the Left.

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10.50 The office- environment

Just reached Office a few minuites before. You know, it looks like we are having a parallel session of ours going on. So many people here together!

well, that was supposed to be the case- it's a big day for Indian Government, The opposition, The Left , The Share Markets, the SENSEX (which have opened up at 13837.64 ) and more so for News Channels.

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(7.40 am ) Three hours of suspense

In a few minuites, I'll be leaving for Office and so for next two to three hours, I'm totally away from all news from Delhi. Well, since it's very early in the morning, chances are less that anything big will happen.

But, It's India, so you never know... See you again when I'm in the office!
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(6.40 am ) Will it? Won't it?

In a few hours time, the lawmakers will gather again in Lok Sabha to decide on the future of the UPA Government. I think I'll be able to keep a track of each happening. Ofcourse, only if I get time from my work. I've to do a story on ICC's New Third Umpire Referral System.

Hey, wait a minuit! What if we use a referral system for our parliamentarians as well???

The D-Day has come

It's almost 10. 45 pm. The first day of special session of Lok Sabha has just ended- in chaos as expected. But this is just the beginning of the Great Indian Circus.

By this time tomorrow, we will come to know (hopefully!) what is the climax ( or anti-climax) of this ongoing drama in New Delhi.

I've decided to cover it live for my blog, I don't want to forget this day. So I'll try to put all my experiences here. It's really going to be a lot of words.

(Just forgot to mention one thing. D-day in this title can mean anything from the Deciding Day, Dooms Day, or Democracy Day or may be Disaster Day. Let's see what it turns out to be:) )

Three Mistakes of Three Parties

I've found some strange behaviour patterns in the manner our political parties are working. I'm too much jumbled up to put it in right words. but I'll try to fo it.

1. Congress forgot to consult NDA over the issue of Nuclear Deal. afterall, it was during NDA's rule that seeds of Indo-American Friendship flourished.

The government did not made the draft, at least the points, public and created an aura of suspicious.

Also, Why they had waited for this long to seek confidence, is beyond my comprehension.

2. BJP could have got the occasion if they had shown a little more keenness towards the deal. Their focus seems to be lost. BJP is forgetting, that although they are the opposition party, the no-trust motion is asked by Left.

3. Left had made a mistake a decade ago when Jyoti Basu didn't became the prime minister of India. This time, the Left parties had a chance to get into the government, but they chose to enjoy power without responsibility and finally might have to pay for it soon. Over the issue of the Nuclear Deal, they are taking a stand that's suitable only to the cold war days. Already, very few youngsters are inclined to the CPI or CPI(M) and now they've lost a few potential supporters because of their rigid stance over the N-Deal.

Left Over

When you go down the hill, you just can't stop yourself going down..

seems like the left parties have made a habit of ruinning there chances of getting in to the "main-stream" of powerhouse in India. So many times they have missed the chances of doing something out of the box, so many times they have failed to earn the confidence of the people. Oh, yes, the one that needs to be proven in the parliament as well as the one that is called the Political Goodwill. Now what will happen this time? I don't know. or rather I don't want to know. it's been a lot of politics on my mind. I need a break...

Green Rovolution?

After the President, it's the Minister. The talk of a second Green Revolution is in these days. Not many days back President Mrs. Pratibha Patil spoke of Country's agrivcultural 'success' and now the Union Agriculture minister Mr. Sharad Pawar has appricited the 'success' in his colum as a Guest Editor of maharashtra Times.

It is a fact that our wheat produce has risen to a great extent in recent times. It's the case with not just wheat but Soya, cotton, ground nut and almost everything.

It is a fact that The Growth Rate of Agriculture has crossed the 4.5 % mark which is a record.

It is a reality that these efforts are recognized worldwide- India has even recieved a Gold Medal from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). All this is happening at a time when, the world is facing Food crisis. India has got an opportunity to be the supplier to the rest of the countries.

But all this is not enough to feed the Indians. Somehow, there are hungry people still fighting hard for a meal everyday. Somehow, the inflation is rising higher. Despite the huge food production, a drought like situation is not so far. Despite all the glorious numbers of success, farmer's suisides have not stopped.

The only good thing I find in this is that people have started going back to agriculture. They are ready to take the risk of Monsoons, they are ready to apply new technologies, they are also taking an account of environment in doing this. I just hope all this marks a new beginning.

The earlier green revolution left over the polluted land and water resuorces. Hope this new revolution turns out to be really green.