The D-Day for Bangalore is just around the corner – Thursday, 23^rd April is the day when we go to the polls and guess who’s competing from Bangalore’s most prestigious constituency?

Captain Gopinath

Known for enabling the dream of the common man to fly, this entrepreneur, who’s now turned as an independent had a very interesting blog on IBN Live. Explaining his rationale for going it alone, he made it amply clear that he didn’t have a fascination to compete the elections for power or money. With assets to the tune of nearly 50 odd crores, Gopi’s clear that he is not in this for the money. Detailing his vision for the country, he’s got the educated elite of Bangalore rooting for him.

Leading the charge is Mohandas Pai, the HR head of Infosys.

Pitted as the “battle” for South Bangalore, this independent takes on the big wigs – BJP’s Ananth Kumar, a traditional winner from this place and a rising young Congressman, Krishna Byre Gowda. It’s certainly going to be an interesting battle and I really look forward to this outcome.

As someone who will vote day after for this constituency, here are a few thoughts that come to my mind:

1. Being an election for the Parliament, the key outcome to my mind is who is going to be the Prime Minister. Choosing to vote for the BJP or the Congress will mean that I have a clear choice as the final outcome with the PM candidate. While I personally believe that one is better than the other (now don’t ask me who), how does voting for Gopinath make a difference to the big picture?
2. I’ve seen the state of several independent candidates in the past – while they somehow manage to make it, they get bought out. But knowing Gopi, I’m assuming he won’t, or will he eventually?
3. I love the value proposition that he brings to the table – India needs a change and some responsible politicians. Mindful of the fact that change is never an overnight thing, should I just kick start that change and vote for him?

The campaign trail has been a very interesting one though. I’ve not had a chance to catch much of this as I have been on the road myself. That said, I have been reading a lot about it on the internet. The big three ( BJP, Congress & JD(S) just love the dirty game of mud slinging. Having a bitter rival in the current CM of the state to come and campaign for him, Ananth tried to cover up the huge divide that exists in the party’s leadership. Not wanting to lose an opportunity, the grand old man of Karnataka, Mr. Deve Gowda used this opportunity to say what a mess that BJP was in, revealing a snippet or two about how some of the BJP top brass wanted to quit and join him! Not wanting to be left behind, the Congress caught on to the “young” India campaign, bashing the idea of having an 81 year old as PM. Interesting to say the least!

Elsewhere, someone has been going about the campaign with ease and class – drawing the educated class into closed rooms, Gopi’s campaign is a fact based & non emotional. Driving into work this morning, I heard this first time voter from an engineering college come on the radio to campaign for Gopinath. His message was very simple – we need change and we know what Gopinath can do – give him a chance! Even before I could get up to work, my phone goes off with an SMS from Gopinath. It goes like this – “The BJP is not winning!, Captain Gopinath”.

Thursday is a real test. Bangalore has sworn to vote and vote in large numbers. Will they vote for a change? I’m not guessing the outcome of this one, but know for a fact that I will vote!

Popularity: 36%

“Prediction, especially about the future, is quite hard” said the famous physicist Niels Bohr.

I am not sure if he referred to the kind of predictions the astrologers ilk make. Maybe he was referring to providing an insight into what tomorrow has in store for us in terms of advancements in science and technology, or just its general impact on day to day events. When people form opinions on events after they have taken place, there is always a tag attached – it is the oft used phrase in such circumstances: “in hindsight”.

Opinions in hindsight have the benefit of repeatedly analyzing the event that just happened, from various angles, and then putting forth an opinion that is based on logic which therefore can be explained away. Future events or predictions are just that – mere hypotheses about what is likely; maybe the odds are improved depending on the probability of certain events happening more than the other, or some sequence of events from the past guiding the future event in a specific direction.

Putting all the jargon around probability and its basis on prediction aside, for a moment, I am wondering how much attention the exit polls (that various news love to put out around elections) are getting. Would these exit polls or predictions, as to the results of the elections, end up biasing the common man that is the voter? The media is looking for an avenue to analyze and even over-analyze at times, each and every aspect of a particular event. The polls and the drama surrounding the predictions provides more than enough fodder for the media to have a field day around all the data that is thrown up. Whether there is any worthwhile benefit to these polls is beyond my mere comprehension.

It is amazing to note that without any data or useful inputs, there is nothing to debate upon. Where there is a plethora of data, the analysis surrounding the combinations of the very same data isn’t too far behind. This is applicable to every single aspect of our lives – if we take a moment to look at our everyday life, every logical action of ours is based upon weighing pros and cons, or in other words a very analytical approach to analyzing data.

So, in my opinion, the poll predictions are just that – a bunch of data that overzealous political analysts love to debate on live television in the fervor that everyday lives depend on it. It would be that much more beneficial to the common voter if these esteemed political analysts would instead pick up and analyze the past performance (yes, a performance review) of each and every meaningful politician that is worth his / her salt – this would at least help the voter make a judicious decision rather than be biased by the opinions of polls that already determine the winner or loser before the first vote is even cast.

Image Credit: Theresa Thomson

Popularity: 27%

After the terrorist attacks on Mumbai, pressure is building up on Pakistan to take action against the terror camps operating from its land. Investigations carried out by Indian, US, British and Israeli officials proved that the attacks were planned by the Lashkar-e-Taiba   supported by ISI .

In spite of Pakistani denials (just for giving the impression that Pakistani Government doesn’t give in under pressure), United States, and other countries have applied a lot of pressure, and have urged Pak to take action failing which they will act.

Now what should be the course of action?  How should we respond?  Can we trust Pak when it says it will take action against any terror outfits operating from its land.

What should be done ?

Our politicians are highly gullible.  Even after it was proved that the terrorists are Pakistanis, what did they do? They spoke to Mr Zardari and asked the ISI chief to come to India.

For what?

If at all we want to call anyone we could have called the CIA, a few investigators from Britain and Israel who can give us credible evidence that this was masterminded by terrorists from Pakistan. They would have substantiated it as an act of war (they are very good at it and we all know that).  Mr Zardari promised to send ISI Chief to India to help investigation but took an about turn overnight.

Can we trust such a man?

Time has come for India to take strict action.  Resignation of Shivraj Patil or others is meaningless and a political stunt.  It’s the Government and Prime Minister’s actions that will speak on India’s position and strength in the International community.  Since we have proof that this was sponsored by Pakistan,  the Ambassadors of USA, UK and Israel should be summoned and presented with these.

India should make it clear that we take this as an act of war by Pakistan against India and we would deal with it in a similar way US or UK has dealt with.  As far as US, UK and Israel are concerned their citizens were specifically picked up by the terrorists and they should take it as an act of terrorism against them.  This would have forced them to declare Pakistan as a Terrorist State and deal with it accordingly.

“Give thousand chances to your enemy to become your friend, but don’t give a single chance to your friend to become your enemy”. This doesn’t hold well with Pakistan.

In 1974 Israeli athletes were killed by Palestinian terrorists during Munich Olympics.

What did Israel do?

It hunted down each and every one of them.  It showed the world that nobody can escape by attacking Israel.

Now look at what have we done – engage in a dialogue with our neighbor!  Discussions will not provide any solution with Pakistan. If it did, it would have provided long ago.  Pak has neither neighbors nor friends; they just use the situation and time to act.

They are one of the best friends of America and in another way they are the biggest threat as well. They are damn smart. Remember they have used Americans to act against America.

So with such a country how long will you keep discussing?  How many more blood baths will we have to face to learn?  Indian politicians and media have to change their mindset. Media is getting worse than the politicians.  Every news channel / paper seems to be backed up by one or the other political party.

In Pakistan democracy is nothing but a proxy of the military.  Military always holds the reins of that country and it is not possible to delink both.  It was born after a bloodbath, it is continuing the same way even now.  Army, Islamic Radical Groups,  ISI,  Elected Government,  Taliban – every group is a power centre. No one is responsible for anyone.

Everyone has their own beliefs, system, and agenda.  Terrorism is a business for them.  Look at the amount of aid they got from US for fighting against terrorism which was created by them.

We must step up pressure on Mr. Zardari until the following things are done by Pakistan;

1. Handover the terror suspects to India including Dawood Ibrahim,  Masood Azhar who was left free in exchange of Kandahar  passengers.

2. Stop financial and moral support to radical fundamentalists who propagate hatred against non Muslims.

3. Change the think tank of ISI

4. Stop training Islamic militants

5. Stop inducing venom into Muslims in India.

Pakistan knows for sure that in an open offensive against India they will be wiped off. Hence they continue this proxy war. They will never stop till we wipe out terror camps that are running in POK and in Afghan borders.  Time has come to say “Enough is Enough”.

Mr Prime Minister – Don’t just give statements.  Let’s get on with this war and finish off before this proxy war finishes us.  At least let our future generations live in a peaceful India.

Image Credit: Sameer5678in

Popularity: 21%

I read this article on CNN IBN yesterday and I was shocked to say the least. 

Dog’s got more pride than wanting to be in your lines, Mr. Achuthanandan !        

Honestly, how else can you react at these politicians ? What the hell is wrong with the Kerala CM Mr.Achutanandan ?

Mr. CM, the family was better off without your condolence visit, if that was what it really was. How could he have said

“If not for Sandeep Unnikrishnan even a dog wouldn’t have seen that way (their house in Bangalore) ?”

Sometimes you wonder where these regardless people come from and leave alone their sorry existence we elect them into government. What a shame!! And he doesn’t even feel sorry for what he said. So much for communism and communist party ways! His leader at least had the decency to regret the comments made.

Someone gave his life for our well being. A brave soldier, worship his parents if you can. For he was who he was because of them.

What audacity to insult them?

A grieving father might have felt ignored and I’m not surprised that he did with the way you behaved, Mr. Achuthanandan.

Let me remind you Sandeep Unnikrishnan and his family are role models to the entire nation, but you Mr. CM are a disgrace we wouldn’t want to own.

The same MNS chief who once called Hemant Karkare a traitor of Marathas has no words today. Why don’t they ever think before they open their lean mean mouths? The sacrifices made by these great men will never go in vain. But when leaders for their own selfish needs try and demean the sacrifices made, we as citizens with a social conscience must let them know where to draw the line.

So to all those leaders who think mouth lashing is an indulging hobby, let’s see you walk on the roads without your top class security, without those bullet proof cars and without a fear in your eyes when you see a stranger approach. I’m sure I’m asking for too much of these men and women.

At least stop lashing out like mmm sorry which living being can we compare this act to ???

None I guess, exclusive to immoral politicians you see

Image Credit: Safvan Mohammed

Popularity: 13%

Image Credit: Ahin Sajain

This is a season of “change”.

People across the world seem to have embraced the idea that “Change is the only thing that does not change”.  Barack Obama campaigned and won on the plank of “Change”. His opponent John McCain also was forced to change his campaign slogan to “Real Change”. Now someone in our country is chanting the mantra of “Change”. Guess who? It is Mr. L K Advani.

Let us pause for a flashback. On July 11,2008, the US newspaper Washington Post published an article titled “India’s Unlikely Obama“. The story in Washington Post started like this “An 81-year-old Hindu nationalist who wants to become India’s next prime minister has chosen an unlikely model for his election efforts, the Internet-based campaign of Sen. Obama.

For a few months, a small team of political strategists, computer specialists and management graduates in New Delhi has been studying Obama’s speeches and slogans, Web site, campus outreach and rhetoric of change “.

The article went on to say that Mr. Advani’s campaign plans to use modern technology tools exactly the way Obama did.(“Replication, No; Inspiration, Yes” says one of his aides).The campaign team is planning to use text messaging, social networks, emailing, and a website to start mobilizing young people to bring to their fold. They wanted to create a bottom up participatory movement just like Obama did.

Mr. Ramachandra Guha, political historian, had this to say

That particular campaign style worked for Obama because he is a young, fresh-faced, charming man who promises change. But Advani has too much baggage, both good and bad, attached to him. It strains one’s credulity to imagine the austere, unsmiling Advani being rebranded like Obama.

Now, back to the present.

Today (Nov 8, 2008), IBNLive had this news item “Advani follows Obama, launches a website.”". I was curious about how L K Advani is executing this “Change” strategy and hence I took a look at his website. It has both Hindi and English versions.

The viewer is welcomed by a message from L.K.Advani himself. He talks about his “dreams” of the country, “aspirations” of the Indians and, the usual suspect, “change”. In his welcome speech of a little less than 2 minutes, he used the word “Change” 4 times.

The website then provides the viewer information about Advani’s vision of India, videos of some of his speeches, stance on issues, details about his memoirs, press releases and links to his party. It also has interactive features like forum and options for netizens to provide suggestions and ideas for NDA’s governance.

People who like to participate in the campaign can enroll for Volunteering or join his party. You can compare Advani’s website with Obama’s website at BarrackObama.com

This “Change”strategy worked in US. But will it work in India?

It could work because

1. Like Advani says, India has a lot of young population with around 100 million new voters. This voter segment is more technology savy and can make a difference in the election.
2. The party with the most strong cadre base usually has a good advantage. Technology allows wider reach, speed of execution and enhanced fundraising capabilities.

It might not work because

1. Just like the “India Shining” campaign, the reach of this campaign might be restricted to the urban areas where the party is already strong. The election campaign in rural areas which are untouched by these advancement in technologies will continue the old-fashioned way.
2. Obama’s support was broad based – white, black, Hispanic, Asian, native American, male, female, etc. Will Advani be able to bring voters of all castes and religions to his fold?
3. L.K.Advani’s age.

Now what about Indian National Congress and Rahul Gandhi? According to the article” Rahul’s office said that while it, too, has “flooded” the YouTube and Flickr Web sites with images of Gandhi, such campaigns cannot go far in India, where Web reach is limited and a quarter of the population lives in poverty, ..”.

I found this very ironic considering the fact that INC’s young leaders like Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sachin Pilot and others who are educated abroad do not have confidence in technology. Particularly at a time when INC’s hold on the urban and more educated voters is waning.

A more relevant question for INC is, who can first time voters better relate to – 80 year old Advani or 38 year Rahul Gandhi? Perhaps, INC is not realizing their strengths.

It will be interesting to see how this “Change” strategy plays out.

What to do you think?

Popularity: 16%

Barrack Obama has been elected the President of United States of America. John McCain called Obama earlier and conceded defeat.

While I watched Obama win today, I recollect some of the points that were being discussed about Obama in the media. Here are some excerpts…

• Obama is about transcending beyond race, gender, geography etc. Business community may not favour him but the fact is the business community respect him for the way he ran the campaign like a  true champion – totally professional !
• Obama is the man. He has united the whole of the United States of America.
• Obama made more people become citizens. He is expected to change the tone of the country – economics, politics etc.
• The healing touch, education has just begun. There is a long way to go through now. The amount of pigment in your skin does not decide who you are or your greatness.
• In his biography he had said he is a blank screen where people stared and gave in their opinions. Now he has proven again to the world the audacity of hope.
• The parents now can say to their children – “If he can, so can you. ” This is the rise and fulfillment of an uncommon dream.

Now as he finished Presidential speech in Chicago, Barrack Obama conveyed that he is the President of those who voted for him and those who did not. He is here to bring about a change.

We hope he indeed brings a change to the United States of America which in turn will trigger positive changes for India.

Obama’s election is not just America’s moment of glory but also a defining moment for the world. The world watches for him to deliver and so is India.

We, at IndiaSpecial, wish him all the very best.

Popularity: 10%