The Shift

There has always been a shift of power. The medieval times saw India contributing 50% of the worlds GDP. The power then shifted to Europe and then USA. What people predict isn't always true. The USSR was a major force to reckon with in the 1980's when suddenly it collapsed and was done with. It was then that the world started predicting a Japanese regime in the 21st century. At that same time, who would have thought a country marred by a communist regime would be the most likely candidate to be ruling the 21st century.

Yes, I'm talking about China. If China goes on to win the medals race in the ongoing Beijing Olympics, it will be a symbolic shift of the global power. Just like the "Fall of the Berlin wall" was a symbolic beginning of the world of globalization, this medals race may well be a symbol of sorts.

You may ask where India lies in the scheme of things. Well. I'm unsure as of now. There are things which India needs to sort out. I would love to see India in the thick of things in the 21st century. Great nations are built on great ambitions. Its for the people to know what their ambitions are. The poor are in no position to dream big. Until and unless, the poor get to see with their eyes what real development looks like, there will not be a passion for growth that is required.

But who knows, the shifting of power has always been uncertain. Nobody knew a company called Microsoft could overtake giants like IBM in the 1980's. After that certainly nobody thought Google will think of doing the same. India may well do it too. This independence day lets set our ambitions high and great. In line with the country's goals in this globalized world.

Wishing you a great future.

The N-Deal

I am currently studying in Allahabad. A place where there is minimum 3 hours of power cut everyday (remember I said minimum). And I'm told other places in Uttar Pradesh are worse. I am originally from West Bengal where certain villages haven't seen electricity (thank God I come from the capital Kolkata). The governments of these states know the importance of power (I'm sure they do). Yet they are marred so much in their political acts and turmoil that they (BSP and CPM) are the principle oppositions of the Nuclear Deal. That is why the Lok Sabha (our lower house of parliament) continues to hog more limelight than anything important in our country.

Its a shame how the opposition (left and right) have vituperated our PM. Dr Manmohan Singh lets not forget is a master economist. His economic reforms in the year 1991 is as big a landmark in Indian history as was the fall of the Berlin Wall. His decisions along with India's chief missile scientist APJ Abdul Kalam would surely be in the interests of the country. Atleast more so than people like Prakash Karat whose achievements include only indulging in cheap politics.

The government winning the trust vote has been really gratifying. Not just due to the fact that India is saved from a political turmoil but also because its been such a slap to CPM's ideology. No nation can be powerful without uninterrupted power. Even if there is a risk involved with the deal, I'll go by what our PM and former President have to claim and not by what CPM and other opposition parties claim.

Here come the scorching summers

The time to dread afternoons has come. The G-Talk status messages are already telling about the trend with stuff like "Feelin like a fish in a fryin pan . . .", "The heats killlinnn mee. . . Somebody help" and more.

The 2:30 class is something that has become a 'once in a blue moon' thing. And when you have to go, literally all the body parts fail to respond. Walking 10 minutes to the class with the blazing sun pricking your skin certainly seem more than an hour. And the problem is 'its just april'.

I didn't mention anything about the power cuts as yet. Living without even a fan from 10 - 1 is like living in a casting enclosure with heat penetrating into your body.

The best part however is the pallette of fruits and beverages that come with the summer. Having tarbooj and lemon water, grapes, sugarcane juice, banana n chocolate shakes, lassi n dunno what more.

But yes, as yet another status message correctly stated "Sleepy days are here again !!!".

Lovliest Trip

The so called 'off season' wasn't really one when we sneaked a cameo trip to Nainital this January. All one could think in the end was "How could this be an off season ?". But people follow people (read sheep follow sheep). That is why people end up flocking these places in summer.

Among the many, I'll list the 3 best memories of this wonderful trip.

1. Deciding 2 hours before departure that maybe I can chill (literally, coz the temperatures dipped to as low as -5 degrees) at Nainital.
2. Sleeping in every possible stance in a string of busses through a string of small towns.
3. Horse riding @ 5000 feet on the mountains on the worst and thinnest roads. And yes, with a lot of faith on the horse coz one wrong step would have taken us 5000 ft in 5 seconds.
4. The best ever . . . Playing and tumbling for hours like a kid with snow everywhere.

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