WTF

Lemme start by saying that I hate anything astrology. Mainly because its plain crap (9 out of 10 times) and also because it sort of changes our mindset. Okay there's another reason, there was this astrologer (there still is actually) and he had said to me that I wouldnt be able to clear any medical entrance exams in West Bengal and that I was more suited for engineering studies than for medicine. Well, I did exactly the opposite (of course I cleared the state medical entrance exam and now I'm a med student in one of the most reputed colleges in the state!) So maybe thats another reason why I hate these folks.

Anyway, the reason why I'm writing all this? Well its the new year season and all newspapers are concentrating on what the 'oracles' are saying. For example, today in The Telegraph's Graphiti section, there was this huge cover story of 'The Oracles Speak' (click on it to read the article), and apparently the most 'respected' astrologer Bejan Daruwalla predicts that Mr. Rahul Gandhi will become PM in 2011. His exact words (which can be found in that link) are as follows:

Ganesha also says that Rahul Gandhi will become prime minister in 2011. But he will pay a huge price for it emotionally.

Now, what do you think? In all probability I think this time Mr. Daruwalla might have got it wrong. Coz the next in line doe the PM's post after Mr. Manmohan Singh's tenure is over is Mr. Pranab Mukherjee who narrowly missed the PM's slot this time around. (And thats of course considering the fact that BJP will be in the same mess in 2011 that they are in right now)

Mr. Daruwalla goes on to say:

Our only real rival on the global stage is China but China has been unfair to Tibet. And by the law of nature, sooner or later, what we do to others boomerangs on us.

I mean WTF! Who on earth set the law of nature? Now dont blame this on Darwin, he merely talked about natural selection and stuff.

This is the Age of Aquarius. This means that in about four years, there will be a compromise between the terrorists and the rest of the world. But over the next one year, terrorists will be very active.

Mr. Daruwalla, I'm no astrologer and I dont need my oracles and shit to tell me that the terrorists will be active over the next year. Lemme predict and say this, unless the root of all terrorist activity is demolished, there wont be any significant reduction in terrorism throughout the world. And by the look of things, terrorism will still be a problem our country has to deal with for at least another decade. And as far as compromise is concerned, well we are always compromising with the terrorists. What our politicians call "bouncing back" etc. (eg. Mumbai bounces back/fights back) is merely a show of the sheer helplessness of us citizens. Anyway, point is one need not be an astrologer to predict what Mr. Daruwalla said.

I'm a Scorpio and this is what Mr. Daruwalla says about us: (prediction for 2010 that is)

Scorpio: Scorpios love to love. But women are expensive creatures, so husbands beware and lovers, take care.

Seriously, is that a prediction? I wont get abusive so, no comments here.


Says Nilaanjana Chakraborty, another astrologer,

Marriage is on the cards for Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in 2010

Hehe, people just need to keep in touch will celeb gossips to predict that!

Says Marjorie Orr, yea she's again one of those hallowed people:

I think Iran looks right in the firing line to pick up the worst of this aspect. At the very least, it will face an internal revolution of a major variety. Israel too looks to be in for a panicky, failure- ridden two years.

I can imagine Christiane Amanpour saying that, not an astrologer!

Anyway, the more instances I mention the longer this post will get and the more irritated I'll become. Go read the article for yourself and let me know what you think of it.

And here's wishing you all a very Happy and prosperous New Year. (And dont blame me if you dont have a prosperous year, I just wished you, that was no prediction!)

26/11 one year on...

Image by Anand Krishnamoorthi via FlickrIs it really one year since those attacks? Seems like just days ago!

Of course newspapers and tv channels are talking loads about this 'anniversary'. But I'm a bit concerned about something else. Lets face it, our relations with Pakistan are at an all time low. Pakistan is a hot bed of terrorism, its a proven fact. The army chief reports that around 2000 terrorists are waiting on the other side of the border waiting for an opportune moment to sneak in to our land. Pakistan lets go of the terrorists responsible for the attacks. The US simply refuses to take stern action and President Obama is, as always, going about pleasing all country heads. Add to that the economic slowdown of the developed countries. And what you get is the perfect 'climate' for terrorists in our neighbouring countries to spawn.

Now many are asking a question. Isnt it time we took things in our own hands? In other words, isnt it time to take military action against Pakistan? The answer to this question varies from person to person but here's my take.

The Mumbai attacks have been one of the worst episodes of our country. I guess to some extent it reaffirmed the fact that our Union Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram confirmed on a documentary of National Geographic on the issue, 'no country is safe'. Let us not mince words in saying that the attacks were horrific and merciless attacks of terrorism.

But even having accepted all these facts, I wouldnt want India to go on an 'anti-terrorism' spree taking military action against neighbouring countries. The US has had a terrible impact on the world thanks to their so called 'war against terror'. Afghanistan is far from normal even after 8 years of anti terror actions. Iraq is another country which has had a similar effect thanks to the US response. Hundreds of lives lost, children killed, injured, seriously wounded, and thats just the human damage. Then there's of course the material and cultural damage. All in the name of anti terror actions.

The world hated the US action and so did I. And I dont want my country to commit the same mistake the US did. First of all, not all the people in Pakistan support terrorism. And not all of them are terrorists. Even if a very carefully planned military action is undertaken, there's no guarantee that it wouldnt kill innocent victims. And perhaps more importantly there's no guarantee that terrorists would be eliminated in totality! Also, India's image would take a beating. We cannot be an irresponsible nation at this juncture. Let the UN take action, or at least suggest proper action. Without the consent of the world, it wouldnt be very sensible to engage in a war with a neighbour. We dont want to be seen as another US-like superpower in the making, but as a responsible nation.

Cant we be just a little more far-sighted?

Image via Wikipedia

I'm seriously stunned at how myopic our politicians are! Our country is going through one of its worst phases with uncontrolled food prices, terrorism, inflation, economic slowdown, etc. and all we are worried about is something which happened more than 10 years back? Yes, I'm talking about one of the darkest days in the history of this country. The Babri Masjid demolition.

When we finally seemed to have buried the past and moved on, all of sudden comes a report leak and the opposition starts shouting and disrupting the Parliament session and development and other vital issues take a back seat. Largest democracy in the world eh?

Anyway, I somehow feel our political parties need to come to terms with the changing political scenario of this country. Most of these disruptions nowadays are telecast live on news channels, and it really makes me sad. These are the people we send to the Parliament for voicing our needs and here they are doing everything else apart from that!

Hope some sense prevails.