ExpertDabbler

Well, that is what i felt when i got this link.
Lok Paritran, the party which had several part-timers campaigning with all the good intentions has split.
I dont know WTF is going on. But one thing… the leadership seems to have shown exemplary vision and maturity in managing to split a party when they had nothing to fight for. I mean what on earth have they got to fight and split now?

By this these idiots have also stabbed in the back of several well-wishers like me and countless others who have spent days off their office time to campaign for these jokers…

Yep. Lessons learnt. Life goes on….

Captain Vijaykanth Vazhga!!!

Middle-class or “Madhyamar” form the backbone of the urban Indian landscape. I am sure most of the readers and me included would fall under the category. Though the term is used to refer one’s economic levels which is neither high nor low, a middle-class person comes with a value system entirely of its own. This value system derived due to one’s economic status at a point in time hardly changes with change in income levels. Thus, he is a middle-class in his thinking right from his cradle to his graveyard. The best example one can see is our own parents.

This weekend, I took my mom and my friend’s parents to Coimbatore, though I have a few friends there, some circumstances made me go take them to Hotel Annapoorna in RS Puram for stay.

As soon as I reached the hotel (and this is not even a 3 star hotel), my mother’s only question was “Room vadagai evlo?”

It cost me 950 bucks per day. But hey, I can afford it. I could’ve easily got a lower priced hotel but this is fine. Since three of them (my mom, friends parents) were elders I wanted to make them feel comfortable in a decent hotel. Staying in Annapoorna also gives an opportunity to experience Annapoorna’s famous dishes.

” Evlo va irundha enna ma, rombo ellam illai. Enniko oru naal dhaane varey?”.

All I got was a stern stare!!

We reached there on Saturday morning and the return train for my mom and my friend’s parents was on Sunday night while I decided to return on Saturday night.

Since 24 hours comes to an end on Sunday morning for them, I told “Sunday morning oda 24 hours aydum ma, unakku night dhaan train so nee room inoru naal extend panniko”

Man, I can never describe the kind of look I got from all the three of them!

“Adellam onnum vendaam, naanga Sunday morning rooma kaali panniduvom, engana velila koilukku poitu night station vandhukarom, idhukosaram yaravadhu 1000 rupees kudupangala?”

12 hours in frying sun when their average age as 55. Where will they go for rest room?

Sigh!!

Saturday evening, they wanted me to take them to Marudamalai. Since the straight bus from RS Puram to Marudhamalai was too few and far in between and since we had to attend a reception after coming from Marudhamalai, I suggested a cab. Needles to say, that was vetoed down too.

It’s hard to believe but they opted for a bus from RS Puram to Gandhipark and from Gandhipark to Vadavalli and from Vadavalli to Marudhamalai. They think this is simplicity but what I am more concerned about is, two of the ladies cannot get into a city bus easily. Their health does not permit them to. They cannot stretch their legs fluently. What if either of them trips and falls? After all I am the one who is spending. What is their problem? My friend is a GC holder in the US and her brother is an IT pro in the US too. For whom are the parents saving money?

The problem is, this middle-class has lived a life of “Budget Padmanaban” during their younger days. My salutes to them, they had a govt. job and some kids to provide for with meager resources. If not for my parents, I would’ve been a zero. But when I am doing good, why the hell they maintain this same old stinginess when it comes to providing for some basic comforts for themselves that too when out of town?

Some other instances of Budget Padmanaban middle class mentality

AC 3 tier is a strict no-no. They would rather get their Sleeper Class tickets wait-listed, enjoy the happiness of seeing it move from waiting list to RAC and then experience the thrill of getting their tickets confirmed than, say, the chore of buying a confirmed AC class ticket. Don’t even talk about Air Deccan.

They would take a bus when an auto would be ideal and an auto when they should be taking a cab. They don’t realize in Chennai, unless you are a hardnosed bargainer, you pay almost the same to the auto driver as you pay to the call taxi guy.

Preventive health checkups are another strict no-no. They would bring forth all the virtues of patience and forbearance and wait till their body starts giving some symptoms rather than go for health checkups beforehand.

Any kind of risk-taking in financial or career issues by the kids is a strict no-no. The kids better stick to their 9 to 5 job for their entire life-time. Also, the child is expected to not to turn head towards the opposite sex and then they should readily agree to marry anyone their parents point their fingers at. I know this is changing slowly but still this is largely restricted to intra-community love marriages. More importantly, he or she should be a parent within 2 years of marriage. Because the so-called society expects them to met their SLAs.

All this stinginess is not to be construed that they don’t spend at all. The mothers would be like attending 100 weddings in their entire lifetime but they still manage to own 50 Silk Sarees on an average.

Every Akshaya Thrithiyai, there is a virtual stampede in all the shops in Pondy Bazaar to buy gold even when the gold prices are at an all-time high. No prizes for guessing who that is.

They want to make their daughter’s wedding a grand occasion for all by inviting several hundreds, if not thousands even by pledging or selling all their property.

All in all, they have their own value system, a concept of living for the so-called “society” and getting the society’s approval for every goddamn thing. The society dictates them what to talk, what to eat, what to study, whom to marry, when to bear a child, when to spend, what not to spend for, etc.

The high-class and the low-class live with less pretensions and live more for themselves. But the middle-class invariably suffer from budget padmanabhan syndrome all their lives and inflict suffering on themselves more than any external source. No matter how many millions their sons make in the US, they are always and will always be middle-class.

As someone who had done my humble bit for the Lok paritran and who voted for DMDK in my constituency, I think I need to write a few things which caught my attention.

The DMDK has got as much as 20 lakh votes inTamil Nadu from 13 districts alone. Tamil Nadu has much more than 13 districts so the final tally of votes DMDK has got has is nothing short of phenomenal. They’ve been a crucial factor in making the verdict go in DMK’s favour in as many as 43 seats. Let’s not get into if that was a desired effect or not.

If only DMDK can strengthen its cadres and promotes some capable, top rung leaders and if they remain committed to active politics, it will give the the biggies a run for their money in the forthcoming electons.

I also wanted to talk about the number of votes Lok Paritran has got. The following is the number of votes LP has polled in each area…

Mylapore (Santhanagopalan Vasudev) - 9436
T Nagar (Aravind. S) - 6323
Thousand Lights (SHRI ISHRAYEL MAHESWAR. A.) - 2459
Villivakkam (Prema K) - 6473
Anna nagar(RAJAMANY K) - 11665

It’s refreshing to find 36 thousand fellow citizens of Chennai who thought Lok paritran was the party to look forward to. This inspite of the hurdles like, low visibility, lack of manpower, very short duration from decision to contest and the election and lack of financial resources.

Most of the campaigning was done by students, and working professionals who otherwise would not have ventured into an election meeting. My hats off to all of those who worked for this performance. It’s a fantastic achievement in my opinion. My hearty congratulations to every Lok Paritran volunteer. A friend of mine, a DMK party worker in Vadapalani was mighty impressed by this considering almost nobody outside the blogging community and email accessibility circles had any clue about them.

I don’t know about others but as far as Santhanagopalan is concerned, I heard from reliable sources that he had spent around 1.2 lakhs for this election. This is way below the ceiling fixed by the election commission.

I was reading Gyani’s column in Vikatan today and it was very thought provoking to say the least.

A member of the legislative assembly can legally earn as much as 8 lakhs for all the 5 years. Now consider the fact that the legal permissible limit imposed by the Election Comission for spending in a constituency is around 12 lakhs. It is common knowledge how much the established parties spend for each election for a constituency. It’s several times above the limit.

I leave it to the readers imagination to conclude who has more incentive and necessity to be corrupt, the established political parties or someone like who has spent 1.2 lakhs.

This election also introduced me to another interesting set of people. They are the cribbers of the society. They will crib about anything and everything. They will go on and on about why things are wrong but will not take responsibility to do anything to improve it in the first place. It’s basically like they will crib not because they want a change but just that they love cribbing.

It’s even more crucial in politics because it’s not like we are sitting in an ivory tower and some lowly parties are contesting in a different world. We are as much part and parcel of the political process. If we cast our vote knowing very well that some X is corrupt, it’s more likely that we are going to get what we deserve for the next five years.

And sadly, this wonderful country of ours has more than a lion’s share of these cribbers. No wonder our political parties are more like predators than parties. No wonder our administration sucks.

I can write bad about Lara or Sachin or Ponting. It’s my prerogative. But unless I have any value addition to make, the world will read my harsh comments but still remember where Sachin or Lara or Ponting is compared to me and give a chuckle here, a nod there and go about its work. For the world, I am nothing but a clown who just provides some cheap fun. After all they know that anybody and everybody can be a Lara critic but only a genius can be a Lara.

This happens even in politics. Many critics but few who can actively stand for something and do what they believe in. And even those few who contribute something positive will be ridiculed by some cribbers.

I request those who are positive and who can contribute too to ignore this onslought by such cribbers. Ignore all the ridicule. This world can be harsh but in the long run, this world will one day recognise you. Keep that in mind and carry on your great work.

Gilli madhiri solli adichu PMK kudithangi ayya ku alwah kudutha Virudhachala Vengai, Karuppu MGR, Varungala mudhalvar, Tamizh Naatin vidivelli “Captain” Vijayanth ku oru O podungappa

Hmm. its not as if i did not have anything to write for the past 3 days. But i was wondering to what extent my arasiyal arulvaaku will go wrong. It has indeed gone wrong in the numbers front. Full marks to IBN-Live for getting their exit poll results spot on.

Full marks to DMK chief for hitting the buls eye in terms of seat and constituency allocation to his coalition partner. The alliance power had pulled him through…

Having said that, this election has also shown some new dimensions in TN politics. The coalition leads as much as 66 seats at the time of this writing. With no clear majority to a single party, i am reminded of the Narasimha Rao government of 1991-1996 at the centre. i think we are in for some interesting situations.

One should also keep in mind that theoretically, Amma can again bounce back to power if she happens to have a truck with all the coalition partners of DMK a year or two down the line.

You never know with our politicans.

In about 3 days time, Tamil Nadu will be taken for lease for 5 years by either of the following..

a) Democratically elected lady dictator
b) Democratically elected media moghul family..

In this scenario, i would like my own arasiyal arulvakku be known to all..
This arulvakku is based on the whims of the most unscientific mind ever to have walked on the earth, me:) There is no statistics, no history nor geography for the validity of the prediction..Nor do i give a damn about any such rationale tools:)

My arudam is this,

DMK alliance - 130+ seats
of this, only about 90 seats will go to DMK.

ADMK alliance - 100+ seats

Vijaykanth will somehow scrape through in Virudhachalam.

This deficiency of about 25 seats for getting a clear simple majority will hurt DMK very dear in hindsight.

There will be a rift between the Congress and DMK on the TATA issue, one can always expect “maruthuvar ayya” to give some thrilling moments anyway and mildly tilt towards his long forgotten “sagodhari”. I woud not be too surprised if both PMK and Congress come out of the kootani soon after the elections..

MDMK is a much more stable partner than PMK.

All this will lead to a very hilarious situation unheard of in the history of Tamil Nadu..In other words, neither the Lesse nor the Lessor would enjoy this lease period.

Fasten your seat belts..Get ready for one of the best comedy shows ever, all at the expense of the often forgotten Mr. Podhu Janam.

ஒரு முக்கிய அறிவிப்பு.
தமிழகத்தில் சட்ட மன்ற தேர்தல் நடைபெறவிருக்கும் இந்த பரபரப்பான சூழலில், ஒரு அதிர்ச்சி தகவல்…

வழக்கமாக திருவிழா நேரங்களில், குழந்தைகள் காணாமல் போவது உண்டு. சில சமயங்களில் பெரியவர்கள் கூட காணாமல் போவது உண்டு.

ஆனால் இந்த முறை ஒரு கட்சியே காணாமல் போய் உள்ளது.
அந்த கட்சியின் பெயர் BJP எனப்படும் பாரதிய ஜனதா கட்சி ஆகும்.

சமீபத்தில் அந்த கட்சியின் தேசிய தலைவர் கூட இறந்து போனார்.
இந்த கட்சி 2004 வரை நாட்டையே ஆண்டு வந்தது என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

காணாமல் போவதற்கு சற்று முன் இந்த கட்சி India Shining என்று எல்லாம் Scene போட்டுள்ளது.

தமிழகத்தில் அந்த கட்சியை பற்றிய தகவல் தெரிந்தால் தெரிவிக்க வேண்டிய முகவரி

காவல் துறை கண்காணிப்பாளர்,
420, துப்பறியும் சாம்பு சாலை
எழும்பூர்
சென்னை - 007

Yeah, read the title once again.
And beware, if you happen to use any of the above mentioned words in a way which would faintly suggest my title, you will be charged with plagiarism.

Ok. let me get serious about this. Kavya Vishwanathan, a young Harvard student, writes something which is more a collage than a novel and then faces the embarrasment of being charged with plagiarising somebody’s works.

OK, my point is this. What is the distinction between “inspiration” and “plagiarism”? And if plagiarism applies to intellectual property, what are the yardsticks when it comes to other forms of creative expression, be it music or films.

My point is not to defend Kavya.

Let’s face it. She was as original as music director Deva could possibly be.
But i also heard the storyline she has is different and original.

Let’s for a moment stretch this other popular ares where charges of imitation is more rampant, the film industry.

Now, if a Mani Ratnam uses a shot or scene or character which is identical or very similiar to that of, say Akiro Kurasawa, does that come under the purview of plagiarism? If not, why not? Obviously Mani Ratnam does not put a number (1,2 etc) on the top right corner of the screen and say that he has lifted that particular shot from a foreign film, along with the director’s name.

Does anyone crib? Nope.

Let me cite one more example. It is common knowledge that Chandramukhi was based on a Malayalam film Manichithrathaazh. I would like to know if the story credit in Chandramukhi was given to the original author of Manichithrathaazh? If not why not?
After all there is more money involved in the film industry than the publishing deal of a debutant’s novel.

My hunch is that the original creator of Manichithrathaazh would have made some meagre thousands while our thalaivar and P Vasu made a small matter of few crores (minimum).

If what Kavya has done constitutes something terribly wrong, then my submission is that we are turning a blind eye to more serious forms of plagiarism when it comes to other forms of creative expression where there is lot more money involved.

I am planning to write a new series called Galeej Times. The topic of course will be politics. What else can be more Galeej than that?

And to those of you who are expecting some scholarly, bland Hindu editorial page kinda stuff, my sincere apologies. It may take the form of satire. And I will decide to continue or not based on the feeback…

Just like all soaps, nalla illena na adutha episode niruthapadam
Oh! what’s life without a tag line? Here it comes..

GALEEJ TIMES - idhu sema gabbu machi!!

TASMAC NAGAR(TN) therdhal 2006

Mudalle kadhai situation parpom…

TASMAC nagar vandhu rombo prasidhi petra sthalam. Indha nagar association ukku adutha masam therdhal..
Ippo TASMAC nagar association president vandhu namba ellarukkum annai “Munimma” avargal (namma blogger munimma illai)… TASMAC nagar la motham 4 road, 120 veedugal irukkudhu. oru veetuku oru member association election la vote podalaam…so motha vote 120 dhaan.

Indha situation la dhideernu Munusamy varaan. Munusamy yaarunna namba TN association oda pazhaya thalaivar Meesai Kuppuswamy peran.
Indha association election la Meesai Kuppuswamy um pottiyadaraar. 5th time..

Avarai inime surukama MK nu koopidivom…

Indha munusamy periya vyabaara gaandham. Ella thozhilum thaan mattum dhaan pannanumnu nenapaan.

Oru naal, munusamy sogama utkarndhu irukaradhai parthu MK feel agidaraaru (thaatha na paasam irukadha pinne?)

MK: “ennada munuswamy enachu?”

Munuswamy: “Naanum anbe sivam la kamal solra madhiri Vyabara gandham aganumnu parkaren mudiyadhu pola irukku thaatha”

MK: “yen ipdi manasu odinchu poitte? naan pona dhadavai association president a irundhu podhu poi kanakku eludhi surutnadhu ellam unakku dhaaney raja? neeye ipadi manasu udanchu poirukaradhai ninacha enakku manasu kashtama irukku pa kashtama irukku” (shivaji ganesan dialogue delivery style la padikavum)

Munusamy: “adhu theriyume thaatha”

MK: “aprom enna prachnai”

Munusamy: “namba theru la Muniyandi Vilas nadakudhu la thaatha, sema business theriyuma? namba area iyer pasangaloda favorite spot ayduchu theriyuma”

MK: “irundhutu pogudhu. namadhaan samathuvapuram arambicha parambarai la?”

Munusamy: “Enna thaatha apdi sollita? Ella laabamum andha kadai mudhalaalike pogudhu”

MK: “” (thaatha does not understand. Laabam avanuku pona dhaaney avan mudalaali?)

Munusamy: “Naan nethikku andha modhalaaii kitte poi enakkum 33% share venumnu peram pesinen”

MK: “Aaha, nee apdi variya? indha thaathaku puriyama poche pa puriyama pochey!!”

Munusamy: “Seri rombo feel pannadhey. Andha Muniyandi Vilas owner enakku share thara mudiyadhu nu sollitaan thaatha”

MK: “Ah, enna kodumai idhu? idhai thatti keka yaarume illaya?”

Munusamy: “Naanum evlovo merati dhaan parthen thaatha, adanga maatran”

MK: “Nee enna nu meratiney?”

Munusamy: “Nee ennai pagachutta unakku aatu kari supply panravangalai enakku theriyum, unnoda meat supply ennale nirutha mudiyum, aprom nee kaaka briyani dhaan poda mudiyum nu sonen”

MK: “Avan ena sonaan?”

Munusamy: “aduku avan, ‘naanga thalaimurai thalaimuraya briyani podaravanga enakke alwa thara parkariya? olunga irundhukko ilai unnaye adichu special briyani potuduvomnu merataaraan‘!!!”

MK: “enna kodumai idhu peraandi! naan vena idhai edhirthu unna viradham irukatuma?”

Munusamy: “adellam vendaam. neeye ippovo appavo nu irukka, ippo poi unna viradham irundha apdiye paralogam poiduve,”

silently says “un kitte irundhu inum neraya uyil document la kai eluthu vera vanganum”

Munusamy: “Neeyum koncham yosi thaatha… naama vera plan poduvom…”

Gabbu thodarum……

When myself and my friend and colleague Karthik Shankaran decided to go for a walk in Elliots beach on saturday evening, never did we imagine that we would be campaigning for a political party from the next day. But that was precisely what we ended up doing.

That saturday evening, we came face to face with Santhanagopalan Vasudev, one of Lok Paritran’s founder members and one who is contesting this assembly elections from Mylapore constituency and Mr. Srikanth, a Bangalore based legal adviser to the party.

We got to read Santhanagopalan’s election manifesto leaflets and this was so different from the ‘free everything except wife and children’ offered by other political bigwigs. For the first time, somebody was talking about quality healthcare to those living below poverty line through group insurance schemes.

We just got curious and wanted to talk to him about his expectations in this elections and his long term ideas for Tamil Nadu and this country vis-à-vis Lok Paritran.

Santhanagopalan had a few visitors (while he was canvassing in the beach) and so Srikanth came forward to answer our queries.

The following are some of the points emerged.

• The party is expremely positive about its prospects in Mylapore, T Nagar and Mudugulathur(Ramnad District). And this was well beyond their wildest expectations when they decided to contest in this elections sometime back.
• This is not a group which would pack its bags and return back to the United States after this election. They are well aware of the hardships involved in starting a political party and contesting elections. If they just wante to flirt with politics, they would’ve rather contested as independent candidates
• They are eyeing the Gujarat elections in 2007 and the Delhi assembly polls in 2008. This TN election is to gain visibility and acceptance among the electorate by virtue of their policies.
• They are very clear and prepared on what to expect and the obstacles they may have to face from other well established political parties.
• They realize that they may not have solutions to all the problems faced by the people but are determined to find out the solutions and are keen to implement them sincerely.

Srikanth, when questioned about how he encounters people who have doubts about their long term plans has this to say, “Sure when we go for donations, there are people who say ‘How do i know you will be around?’ and i always respond, ‘Fine, i will come to you after the elections’.

Srikanth requested us to take up some volunteer work. Since the following day was a Sunday, myself and Karthik decided to do some door-to-door campaigning.

We were asked to come to Besant Nagar terminus at around 10:15 in the morning. I was really curious to find out the kind of volunteers who would accompany us.

(A bunch of Lok Paritran workers)

But the kind of people who turned up made me feel optimistic about India’s prospects.
Now it’s not often that you find software engineers working for a political party for free not to mention young college girls involved in door-to-door campaign in that soaring heat. We, along with our customary white Lok Paritran T-shirts, were the cynosure of all eyes.

The group of yellow T Shirt clad folks who were doing election work for DMK were no match for our spirits and enthusiasm. There is a world of difference between a bunch of crowd who do it for money and people who do it for a cause.

There was about 12 of us at the beginning. We’d splitted into 2 of six each. We started with CPWD quarters and covered areas like BENCO Colony etc in about an hour and half. We knocked in almost each and every door in those two areas.

The response varied from mildly amused to overwhelmingly positive. Many of them had read about Lok Paritran (thanks to Sudhish)

One maami countered me like this

“Yaaru indha IIT pasanga ellam arambichurukele, andha katchiya?”

Me, thinking she would appreciate us, nodded eagerly “Ama maami”

“Ungalukku ellam vera velaye illaya?”

Now, I did not expect this question.

Maami continued, “Padikara vayasile padikama, ipdi suthindu irundha enna artham?Unga appa amma ellam onnum solla maataala?”

“Ellam padichu mudichavaa dhaan maami!”

Maami did not let me continue

“Nee enna panrey ?”

“Naan software la irukken”

“Katchi arambichurukaale? Ava ellam”

“Ellam padichuttu america ellam poittu, thirumba vandhirukka maami”

Now, Maami was relieved.

“App seri. Naan neenga ellam padikumbodhey idhellam pan relo nu nenachen”

Ahaa!.

There were quite a few instances where people visibly let out their frustrations with the two main parties who have been ruling and ruining Tamil Nadu for the past 30 years.

“Koncham munadiye arambichuruka koodadha pa?” was another common refrain from the voters.

Another encounter I will remember was one former Vice-chancellor of some university who has written a leaflet about whom to vote for. He handed me that as soon as I handed Lok Paritran’s leaflet.

All in all, I would say, a very interesting experience. Karthik was much more active than me, in that I had to return home that noon to meet another friend and fellow blogger who also happens to be a close friend of my once close friend (I’ll give the link after I get his permission:D)

Santhanam has visited some slums around Mylapore and the response, I hear, has been overwhelmingly positive.

The message is loud and clear. Lok Partitran is here with some seriously good intentions and a beginning has been made in Tamil Nadu. If they continue and if we encourage them and support them, Tamil Nadu and India can look up for some visible change for the better in 10-15 years time. It is in our hands as much as it is in Lok Paritran’s.

I belong to Tambaram constituency, where Lok Paritran does not contest. Here I am planning to cast my vote on “Murasu” next Monday. This is not because I am a great fan of Vijaykanth. But I am tired of seeing these two principal parties who have ruined Tamil nadu for the past 30 years. I don’t have the patience to put up with this bunch of jokers anymore.

IMPORTANT
In another note, Lok Paritran is looking for volunteers. They have plans to take up a small rally in two-wheelers in and around some parts of Chennai where it will not be feasible to go door-to door campaigning. Folks, who are in Chennai and who can come along in their bikes can please contact Karthik at 98405 25103 right away.