VIP Security :: Saving life or taking life

A FB post shared by my friend Srikanth K left me baffled today. Lemme quote the same :

"It's a pity when the cop's give way for the bloody politicians rather than giving way and clearing the signal for an ambulance .

This happened yesterday evening between Rajbhavan road and Golf course stretch when an ambulance was stuck in the traffic for almost 45 mins , and the cop on duty was busy clearing the traffi

c for some idiotic politician against the wails and cries of the woman in the ambulance who pleaded others to give way so that her beloved can be treated on time .
The cop's blatant reply was " WAIT MAADI , MINISTER BARTHAAIDARE ( HOLD ON THE MINISTER IS ARRIVING ) " Aren't we supposed to give way to an ambulance irrespective of who is coming or not ?? Is there no humanitarian support around to help the ones in need ??
Don't the politicians have a life too ??? Getting all the privileges doesn't mean that they can travel in luxury , for once they need to travel amongst the common man to see how it is in reality rather than painting a nice pic .

Ashamed to be a bangalorean for once !!!! # I feel this every time :@".

This was the reason which let me into a shock. The VIP culture in India is now a days becoming more and more a status icon. I agree that the security cover which is provided to all the VIP's is acceptable and is necessary. But it should not be done at the cost of others life. 

I would like recollect a recent such incident. It was when the congress president Ms. Sonia Gandhi made a visit to the low profile city of Mangalore. I had come out to the city and I had no idea about such a event that day. Just walking down the usual busy street near Bharath Mall, I was taken aback. What I noticed is that there was not a single vehicle moving on the road. Pedestrians were not even allowed to cross the street. And this went on for atleast half an hour. The funniest part was there was pin drop silence, reminding me of my school days where we had to stand in assembly shutting the mouth for no reason. What came later was a series of patrolling cars doing nothing. Local policemen sitting in and chewing chana/kadlekai. Is this what the patrolling car supposed to do? Next comes a series of such vehicles. Time ticks by and there is no sign of the VIP. I was wondering what a common man is supposed to do? There may be people for whom that half an hour could be a question of life and death. 

As far as the ambulances are concerned, that was a pathetic attitude on the part of the traffic police. A similar incident happened with the PM's convoy a year back or two. Someone lost his life as he couldn't reach hospital in time. Heartening fact indeed. These security covers are essential but there should also be a relaxation for the emergencies. It is not the VIP's whom are to be blamed. But the traffic policemen who handle such traffic diversions/pauses need to check upon. It is all together another debate on whether all the elected representatives or politicians need to be given such security. However, the ministry of home is cutting out these Z and Z+ security from many people. After all there is a lot of money and manpower which is involved. 

007 -- Concept Changing Longtime.??

Well thanks Rohan for asking me to write this blog. The entire week our TV channels were all over the new movie SKYFALL. A lot of expectations prevailed for this version of the Mr. perfect. The TV channels was all zooming with the trailers. It was Daniel Craig who was all around B'lore, almost everywhere. But most of my friends including myself feel that it was Pierce Brosnan who revolutionaized the entire concept of 007. I still remember during my school days it was Brosnan who was the ultimate secret spy. The extravagant gadgets, guns, cars , action and the beautiful ladieesss ;). That was what a bond movie was all about.

    Corollary to my FB status - " Concept of traditional 007 movie going through a gradual change :) ", I would like to add on what I felt about the gradual changes. Frankly, I liked the movie Skyfall, which my friends would have a different opinion. There has been a shift from the only fierce action to a story based play. The series after Casino Royale have seen these changes. Although there have pinches of the action and gadgets in the movie, but the concentration doesn't remain the same. The cinematography, screenplay, story has shifted more off to reality. It doesn't remain entirely with unrealistic action.Many of us wouldn't like to see this change. But this had to happen.

Anyways, there will always be people with different opinion. As far as the 007 is concerned, my best bet is Pierce Bronsan. However, I would not like to take any credit form Daniel. He has done a great job. Hope with the replacement of M and 007 with a new mission, I'm looking forward to a action packed traditional BOND movie with a fusion of the changes. 

The other way around in India..??

Boasted as the largest democracy in the world, India is considered the people' nation. Allusive definition of a democracy means it is the people who run the country. The people here elect their representatives to have their part of say in the govt. But practically is it what that really happens in the ground reality? I have an opinion which is other way around.

The so called netas, believed to be public servants don't even realize that they have been elected to put forth the view of the people who voted for them. The entire concept of netagiri has changed. Or even is perceived in a wrong sense. The netas should be scared of the people. But instead, it is the public which is scared. The people are the masters and netas are the workers. But in reality it doesn't seem so. Do the netas ever even think about these things?

Here is a simple observation of mine which is debatable. If there is any bill which is to be passed in parliament and the bill opens up for a vote(trust vote), has any of the elected representative taken opinion of the people of his/her constituency? They just do what their party says. The party would issue a whip to vote for/against the bill. The guy do so. What about the people then? Is it not the duty of the elected representative to consult or have atleast some means of getting a view of the people what they want and act up to his/her choice? Is it that he/she be loyal to their party? Is this what is democracy?

Several instances are seen where the public office is used for private purposes. MP's/MLA's threatning public, using public money for private purposes, laundering money and countless other egregious instances.
Speaking of netas, the opinion that people have now a days is more of negative than positive. I don't think it no where close to positive. Scams opening up one by one (that too huge ones), corruption issues etc. Some factions opening up to fight out corruption, but I dono till what extent they would succeed.

I have a lot of hope in coming year or two that the way of governance gets changed. We don't need a Mahatma to do this. But anyone who could lead us and make the public feel that elected representative is elected by the people and people are most powerful.  

Do we really have Goals/Aims/dreams in life.?

Follow up of my first blog on Dreams to live, I had written on chasing the dreams to be successful. The first step on achieving something is to know what I want to do. I have come across many people (including me) who are often confused. Really strange that we don't even bother to think of what we want to do. The common mistake we make is to start thinking of the end result (even before thinking of what we need to do). In my case, I say that for the first time in my life I firmly have decided to do something on my own. Now I can say that I have a aim in life. The aim or the goal could be very small thing. But it is very important to have one. A person living just on hope without knowing what he wants to do will never know what his future will be.

As far as the younger generation is concerned, they should start setting up the goals at a early stage. The schools should be more practical in deciding their teaching methodologies. The teachers should support and make the kids realise that getting marks and getting a Bachelors degree is not the ultimate aim in life. We should always do and aim things which we like. If a person realises that, then the person will never complain of the job he is doing in future.

Childhood... Its not same for everyone :(

Childhood is considered to be the golden period of life. It is time when most of us would often wish to be back. Playing under the hot sun with other kids in neighborhood, enjoying the summer vacations,  studying and struggling do the homework and all sorts of things. I personally cherished my childhood days travelling various cities, learning different cultures and getting to know people. But how many of the real kids have and enjoy the life that I described. India is considered to be a fast growing country, developing at a rapid pace. The so called IT hub of world as a matter of fact has so many children who struggle for basic needs. Kids are forced to work when they are supposed to learn and play. 


Our govt always projects these incidents as silly. But as a matter of fact, its very serious. Its very common in cities to find kids washing utensils,cleaning plates etc in hotels. Every individual opposes child labor. But practically does anyone care about it.? I have not seen anyone objecting practically. Being responsible doesn't always mean that we speak about it and forget it. Its always on what we implement than what we follow. As individuals, there are a lot of things that we can do. The first and foremost thing is to stop employing kids for any work. Be it be as a domestic help or as a car cleaner. Stop your friends or relatives in doing the same. Encourage the parents of such children to send them to schools. The govt schools now a days are far better than they used to be. Contribute in any way that will promote education for kids. Education is the only way by which we can conquer all other social problems too.

Career guidance :: Why so late...??

The 1999 Aamir Khan starrer 3 Idiots was an enjoyable movie. It not only brought out the ugly picture of so called RACE OF LIFE but also illustrated the reality. Its in India where usually parents decide what the kids are gonna become :) . Its my personal experience where my parents never forced on anything to me. But I never was in an environment where in I could see something other than opting out courses that has brought me to cruel life of IT. I guess the same is with many of us.

Proper career guidance is very much essential right from high school. Its very important for students to know initially what they want to become. There is very little emphasis on career guidance. In a general sense students take up science stream if they score up so called high marks in 10th irrespective of what they want to do taking up science. Or they move into courses just beacuse all others are opting for it. Everyone will have some ot other interest during childhood days. It could be anything right from geography to math or some form of sport or travelling or some creativity. Its very important for the parents to identify and nurture their kids.  As far as I have noticed, in India, people lack exposure to what they want to become. Career guidance could be from anyone - right from parents, friends, seniors, family members,newspaper,school authorities etc. But making sure that this guidance comes at right time is really essential. Converting a hobby or interest into your job is much satisfactory than doing things which are forced(as I 'm doing now).

As I have seen  career guidance here is given for people who opt for higher education(PG) or selecting  colleges once the stream is decided. Rather it should be at a much earlier level where as students one could start developing PASSION towards what he wants to become.