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.