Obituary : Gayatri Devi

Maharani Gayatri Devi is a personality that attracted me since childhood. Recognized as one of the ten leading beauties of the world by the fashion magazine Vogue, the Maharani of Jaipur breather her last today at a Jaipur hospital at the age of 90.

She was a successful politician and known for her philanthropic activities. She was a strong activist for the right for education of the girl child. She started schools for girls’ education in Jaipur, most prominent of which is the Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls’ Public School. She also promoted the dying art of blue pottery. Read the rest of this entry »

How will budget affect your shopping list?

Pranab Mukherjee as Finance Minister presented the first budget of the new Congress government.The stock market tanked by almost 850 points as expectations were more than what was delivered in the 100 minute budget speech. However, the main concerns were addressed by the 73 year old minister -  stimulus on growth, focus on infrastructure development, simplicity in taxes, job creation and modernization of the police and army. Read the rest of this entry »

Full Text of Budget Speech – 2009

Madam Speaker,

I rise to present the Budget for 2009-10.

2. Just 140 days back, I had the privilege to present the Interim Budget for 2009-10. It is a rare honour that I have been called upon to present the regular budget after the new government assumed office.

3. The Congress-led UPA government has come back to power with a renewed mandate. As Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, said recently “It is a mandate for continuity, stability and prosperity. It is a mandate for inclusive growth and equitable development.” It is a mandate that we accept with humility and a firm resolve to do all that we can for the welfare of this nation.

4. I am deeply conscious of the faith reposed by the people in our government and the responsibilities that come with it. I am sensitive to the great challenge of rising expectations of a young India. It reflects a population that is restless, yet engaged and is ready to seize the opportunities that it is presented with. There are new and powerful reasons for us to create, facilitate and sustain those opportunities. Read the rest of this entry »

Country obsessed with religion duped again!

Even in the twenty-first century, ours is a country obsessed with religion. We refuse to learn from our mistakes.

From time to time. this obsession has been taken advantage of in different ways. To politicians using religion and issues relating to religion is still probably the surest way to win power.

This time it was the turn of a doctor turned fraudster Ashok Didwalia who claimed he could triple investments in a fortnight by the blessings of a local deity. Read the rest of this entry »

Amusing DemoCRAZY called India!

1) Cricket is a religion in India. IPL is a sucess. India is a strange country. We are a democracy. And we are crazy!

One proof for all the above statements - Kolkata prisoners on hunger strike to watch IPL. What is this!! Just FEEL the audacity of these thugs to demand being entertained by IPL. Or is it more for the cheerleaders!

By the way – remember that the freedom fighters resorted to the same method to fight for our independence!

2) Prabhakaran is a terrorist. Even Wikipedia says that! Leave alone governments of almost all civilized countries on earth. He is currently wanted by the Interpol for terrorism, murde, organized crime and more.

Our very own Karunanidhi, chief minister of Tamil Nadu says in an TV interview that Prabhakaran is a good friend of his. Then comes the shocker. He says that he doesnt think that Prabhakaran is a terrorist! So who is a terrorist? Dalai Lama?

A section of the Tamils sympathize with those in our island neighbor. But calling the chief of an organization held responsible for the assassination of our Prime Minister is shocking! Is this due to the upcoming elections! If there is any doubt, it is cleared by eerie silence from the Congress Party and its leader Sonia Gandhi who happens to be the widow of Rajiv Gandhi! What can she do? Karunanidhi’s party is an important ally of the Congress in this election. Election time!!

By the time I drafted and saved this post yesterday night and was ready to publish it today, our chief minister has already taken some corrective action. He now says he will never forgive the LTTE for murdering Rajiv Gandhi!

3) Son kills father for not casting vote for Chiranjeevi’s party

Take that! No comments!

4) And yes! Tata Tea has a commercial on TV asking people to drink their cup of tea to wake up for the election! Not to forget that the same group launched its senational people’s car just in time before the elections. Now, CPI-M has NANO on billboards across the city with the question ” Why in Sanand?” God knows.

5) Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the Mumbai terror attacks is amused by the proceedings at his trial (his lawyer is fired on the first day) and starts laughing! He tries his luck, claims to be a juvenile! The court did not accept. A billion breathed a sigh of relief under the 42 C sun.