Congress wins big – Congratulations!!

Last updated on: May 16, 2009 at 9:36 pm By Desh Kapoor

In these days of coalition, getting over 200 seats singlehandedly should be considered a "land-slide"! It also underscores the fact that Congress does have the pulse of the land in its strategy. BJP lost at least 18 seats that it had won last time and Left went down by 36. So, if BJP didn't "get it", then Left DOUBLY doesn't "get it"! Between the "Left" and the "Right" of the Indian polity is the "Center". The country basically said resoundingly.. that it is Centrist. Not that hisory bears it out - because I truly feel that Congress has played its cards with either Leftists and also been communal in its own right (1984 massacres proved that decisively) - but at least they are able to carry that perception through. Another factor that is important is the image of the leader. Dr. Manmohan Singh has an image of a wise and deliberate personality. He is a serious person with great achievements and someone who, I feel made modern business-oriented and progressive India, what it is today. I surely do not agree with many of his policies but no one can take away the fact that he is a serious guy who has the good of the country at his heart. Advani, although one of the best Home Ministers in recent decades, cannot seem to get away from image of being a "hawk". So, if I was BJP's head, I would concede this election gracefully.. congratulate Dr. Singh and Rahul Gandhi and prepare to do a better job next time. There is a time for "fight" and there is a time for "graceful acceptance". After the elections, this is the time for the latter! One thing that I find VERY good in this result is that at the very least, Congress would not have to "compromise" much on its agenda. With the loss of Left - actually a complete wipe-out! - it is a great situation for Congress... and specifically Dr. Manmohan Singh to take off from where he left his Financial and economic reforms that he started in 1992. Read more

Free Viagara, Lipitor and 70 drugs by Pfizer to jobless

Last updated on: May 15, 2009 at 7:26 pm By Desh Kapoor

"Riding through the Recession" suddenly took a new meaning! Read more

Post election alliances and possible formations

Last updated on: May 15, 2009 at 5:47 pm By Desh Kapoor

The electoral equations may be changing a bit as Telangana Rashtriya Samiti - which fought the elections as part of the Third Front suddenly decided to join NDA. An election rally before the final phase showcased some unlikely partners on the NDA stage in Ludhiana.[1] Besides TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao, those who attended a rally convened by Shiromani Akali Dal chief and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here, were BJP leaders L K Advani and Rajnath Singh, JD (U)'s Sharad Yadav and Nitish Kumar, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and RLD chief Ajit Singh. The move of TRS will surely open up the post poll numbers as more constituents of Third Front may join NDA. JD(S) may also follow TRS, feel some analyst. Although TDP, BJD and Mamata Banerjee may not feel close to BJP and may not automatically come to NDA, but then they aren't great friends of Congress either. Specifically TDP. Naidu is a tough opponent for Congress in Andhra Pradesh. NCP and its boss Sharad Pawar are another dark horse. Sharad Pawar is said to be close to Shiv Sena - BJP's partner. So, if the numbers from alliances start to favor NDA, then maybe Pawar may come along and also garner in TDP and BJD. Of course, then he would also want his spoils - i.e.; the PM seat. There is strong view forming now that if non-BJP guy - not just Pawar - becomes the PM, then TDP and some other parties may be more than willing to join in the alliance. But then, BJP is adamant on having LK Advani as the PM. Moreover, BJP may well end up winning 160+ seats. So, for it to give away all the most prized post to some party with just 20 or 30 seats doesn't make any sense. Read more

Dhyaan by Desh Kapoor

Last updated on: May 15, 2009 at 7:35 am By Desh Kapoor

What is Meditation? Is it moving from one object of attention to another - even the recitation of "Om"? Or is it just "attention"? We just pretend to "empty our mind".. in reality we need to fill our mind with something. Holy, religious and God seems like a worth-while alternative. But it is just a product of mind nevertheless. Read more

Fantasy world

Last updated on: May 15, 2009 at 6:46 am By Desh Kapoor

Men live in a fantasy world. I know this because I am one, and I actually receive my mail there. Read more

Teaching how to fish

Last updated on: May 15, 2009 at 6:45 am By Desh Kapoor

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. Teach a man to create an artificial shortage of fish and he will eat steak. Read more

"I became more Indian while I lived in Australia"

Last updated on: May 15, 2009 at 6:01 am By Desh Kapoor

Interesting discussion by Dr. Sardool Singh, from Department of Zoology at the University of Sydney. He went to Australia in June 1954 from Amritsar. Says he become more "Indian" and more "Sikh" while in Australia. Interesting poing of view. Read more

Indian Bhel-purri

Last updated on: May 15, 2009 at 5:49 am By Desh Kapoor

HDFC chairman, Mr Deepak Parekh says that former RBI governor Dr Y.V. Reddy saved the Indian banking industry from collapse by insisting on adoption of risk weightages by the Financial institutions. A second grader, Sameer Miglani from West Salem Elementary and his friends in class got a lesson in working Skype as well as talked to his grandparents in India and asked question in an interesting culture-cum-technology lesson. Nandan Nilekani, visionary CEO of outsourcing pioneer Infosys, explains four brands of ideas that will determine whether India can continue its recent breakneck progress. Consumers in India, Brazil and China are the 'Greenest', and US least green: Greendex Survey (survey in pdf). Indian consumers are the "Greenest".. why? Because they feel the most guilt about the impact on the environment ("I feel guilty about the impact I have on the environment.").... guilt yes.. but devastation knows no end! 🙂 Read more

Husband-Hunting Bra from Japan

Last updated on: May 15, 2009 at 1:01 am By Desh Kapoor

As the marriage age rises in Japan and marriage incidence falls, newer and newer ways are being created to improve that. A Japanese lingerie firm, Triumph International has come up with a rather intriguing idea of a "Husban Hunting Bra". The concept is simple and actually something like a musical stuffed toy of your kid. This is how it works: The bra has a clock on it that counts down until a desired marriage date. When a lady inserts an engagement ring in the heart-shaped slot above the clock, the clock stops and plays a wedding song. Look at the picture of this lady.. this thing looks like a pain to have on a daily basis! Who would put ones ownself to pain to be reminded just twice a day about an impending marriage! From the look of it, women may start hating marriage more than looking forward to it! 🙂 Read more

Credit Card Reform: CHARGE you can believe in!

Last updated on: May 15, 2009 at 12:36 am By Desh Kapoor

Obama is pushing credit card reform legislation that will hit at the predatory practices of the credit card companies. Not so say that all are bad, but there are enough companies which lure people in with low initial rates and then raise the rate even on past purchases and without knowledge of the people who owe the money. People have obviously been taken in as the interest rates can go up to the vicinity of 30%. Obama argued for reform and transparency in the credit card workings. “Enough’s enough. It’s time for strong reliable protections for our consumers. It’s time for reform that’s built on transparency and accountability and mutual responsibility, values fundamental to the new foundation we seek to build for our economy.” Its time for change.. to world where one can charge that you can "believe" in! Read more