The King is dead.  The King of Pop that is.  None perhaps had dreamt during his heyday that MJ would die the way he did – embattled and embittered.  Least of all Michael Jackson himself. 

 The man arguably created some of the best music the pop world has ever seen.  His work also saw him catapulted to stardom that wasn’t probably heard ever before (ah, barring a certain Elvis of course).  Records were broken with impunity by the Jackson numbers.  His album ‘Thriller’ to this day perhaps holds the record for the highest sales ever.  Dangerous and Black or White succeeded Thriller with super sales, albeit criticism that they weren’t as good.  I remember all my classmates waiting eagerly for the release of ‘Dangerous’ in the late 80s with such infectious keenness, when I’d not even heard of him! 

 Michael Jackson’s personal life made more news than his music in the 90s.  Or perhaps, his popularity resulted in so much media hoopla about his life.  The accusations of pedophilia, the umpteen numbers of legal tangles, the loss of money and almost-bankruptcy filled the pages.  While it was only his obsession with his skin-tone (and the hushed multiple plastic surgeries) and the rifts in the family were the only talk of the gossip mills earlier.  A make-believe marriage to the King’s daughter, Lisa Mary, didn’t help things much.  Lisa went on to reveal later that the couple never had sex (wasn’t that obvious?). 

 MJ’s death doesn’t come to me as a surprise.  Possibly it’s a welcome relief for the wonder who created some of the best foot-tapping music coupled with equally mind-numbing dance moves.  Hope his soul has found the solace it never had in its mortal life.  And, hope the world would ideally remember him for all the right reasons - his music and his dance - than all the wrong ones!

 About to finish half of 2009 in another fortnight and I'm for a change not exactly cribbing about how the year has gone by.  Especially since I had not particularly thought of any resolutions that I wanted to keep.  :)

I'm thinking if I should update (for keeps) how the first half was for me, what I did and accomplished, read, heard, saw.  And, what I didn't do too!  Still contemplating.  If I end up writing it all, I know it'd only interest me and none else.  Self-indulgence? 

Expectation turns to trepidation
The prospect of presents
Doesn't excite either
The eyes squint to see more lines
Only to cause further furrows.
"Party!" I hear the screams
"NO!" I scream within
Petrified by not  the hangover
But the clock thats ticking by
Announcing my entry into the New Decade

 .. with the turnout in elections - particularly in the Urban Areas across the country.  

All the awareness campaigns run by the media and the corporate houses ultimately meant nothing to the electorate.  In fact the turn-outs were MUCH lower than what was seen in even 2004.   To make a most depressing comparison the electoral turn-out in Bengaluru South was lower than even in the terrorism-affected J&K (44% vs 49%).  Take that!  

What then would really make people vote?  

Kab Jaagoge re?  

 Scene 1

Kumar came to me and said, "Sudhir I need to talk to you.  It's important".  "Fine.  Right now?"  "NOOO!  Somewhere else!" he had a bewildered, "HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT" expression on his face.  So we walked out of the college, sat in the park, away from any snooping ears or eyes.  "So, what's it that bothers you?"  I asked Kumar.

He looked away, fidgeted and then sharply turned toward me and said, "You know my father has three children".  It was a statement rather than a question.  Of course I knew both his sisters.  One elder and the other younger.  "To make all the three children, did my father have to have sex three times or was once enough?"

Scene 2

Kempegowda Medical College canteen.  A group of girls are having this chat over their snacks.  
"What does your sister do Madhavi?"
"She's doing her engineering.  She's in the second year at the BMS"
"How come she's in the second year?  She's younger to you right?"
"Yeah she's younger.  But we are twins"
"Oh!"
"Yeah, she's just 6 months younger to me"

The two incidents narrated above happened in reality.  Beyond the bafflment and the humour, I see the necessity of sex education that otherwise is being denied by our prudish society.

"Sir an auto driver is here to see you" My PA came in and announced.  I assumed it to be BS's auto-driver who comes everyday to pick him up and drop him at his work place.  But BS did leave with him in the morning, what's it that he wants I wondered as I asked him to be shown in.  The guy who walked in wasn't the same driver.  I didn't recall seeing him earlier.  "Sir, do you remember you came by my auto with another lady three days back?" he asked me.  I couldn't recollect.  I gave him a blank look.  "Is this another ploy to swindle money?" was my first thought.  What plan it was I couldn't fathom though.  "You got down first sir and the lady got down near your house", he continued.  'Ah, yeah, I remember" I exclaimed, "It was my sister with me"!  "Yes Sir, but madam forgot a book in my auto".  But Kumi hadn't even mentioned having left behind or lost anything.  She'd even left for the UK the previous day!  "This book Sir", he showed.  It was surely what Kumi and I had bought at the Gangaram's.  A book on infant dermatology.  "Yes I remember that book" and I gleefully accepted the book. 

"If it were a cheap book Sir I'd have probably sold it off.  But I saw that it was expensive.  I even came twice to your place while on this side but there was none at your place.  And, the servant couldn't speak either Kannada or Hindi.  Then today she said, 'saar's aafice is opposite'.  I could understand that much telugu of hers and came here".  I really was touched by what he said.  I was lmoved by his act of honesty and his integrity.  I asked him his name.  'Chaand sir, Chaand Pasha'.  Two preconceived notions that one can have about people were crumbling right in front of my eyes. 

I offered him money.  He refused all that and said, "Sir just give me the auto fare as I'd to specifically come here this time and it'd be 20Rs" he said.  I paid him as he asked, took a snap of his along with his auto.  I was left speechless for quite a long time after...

Later in the day, Kumi called to say, 'Su I think the bokstore people did NOT give me the book I'd bought the other day".  "No Kumi, they'd given it.  You'd left it behind in the auto.  The driver brought it to the office today".  "WHAT???" she screamed.

I was at my friend's office in CV Raman Nagar.  It was lunch time and we walked to Bagmane Park to grab a quick bite.  "What do you wanna eat?" I asked Sirish.  As his wont he said "Anything Sudhir".  I responded as always with an irritated glare at him.  Anyways, the place was teeming with people. And, odours from various joints in the food court were appealing and nauseating at the same time.  I thumbed down the idea of eating from the Paramount.  It was McDonalds at last - Sirish reluctantly agreed to eat a burger, as he hates bread for lunch or dinner.  A sardar smiled sweetly - the contrast of his pearly whites against a jet black beard - at me as I tried to push my way through the serpantine queue.  "Oh! I didn't notice there was a queue" I said sheepishly and stood behind him.  15 minutes and we were greeted by a still-chirpy girl.  "One chicken happy meal, one medium fries, one mcveggie.  Give me a coffee in place of coke" I told her.  "That'd be Rs.182 Sir".  I handed her a Rs.500 note and waited for the change and the food plate.  She returned Rs. 218.  "Is that 282?" I asked her.  "Ah Sir..." and a pause later "It's 182 and I have given you 318 as change". "You've given me only 2 100-rupee notes lady".  "Oh".  I couldn't read her expression.  I asked her again.  My food arrived in the meanwhile and the change was still coming even as the girl went on attending to other customers' requests.  After three repetitions with a resigned "here you're Sir" she gave me my correct change. 

I gave her a benefit-of-doubt that it was NOT deliberate and it's possible that she thought that it was I who was trying to trick her!  I normally would've given a mouthful and screamed at the counter-staff in such situations.  It was a different experience today.  Surely something that did NOT leave me all worked up!  :)

No, it's not Pakistan I'm accusing of being graceless.  It's India and us Indians who have proved to be absolutely disgraceful in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Mumbai. 

It took Shivraj Patil 47 terror attacks and stern orders from Sonia to put in his papers - and he continued to say he did his duty!  Manmohan Singh struggled to read from even a prepared text during his address to the nation that was telecast live.  Pratibha Patil thought it was more important to tour the South East Asian nations while the nation fought the terrorists. 

A Chief Minister made the most disparaging remarks in decades at a house of death and thereafter too.  Achutanandan  even dug in his heels to say that he said nothing wrong.  Public rallies, ultra-political pressure was needed to make him say, "I'm sorry IF I've hurt his feelings".  A conditional apology!  Muqtar Abbas Naqvi was equally (if not more) sick.  I really wish the media had played the video often enough so that the 'pseudo-leader' would've been made to eat crow.  Alas, other events were more pressing for the press!  RR Patil too made his exit after his infamous belittling of the enormity of the attack.

Vilasrao Deshmukh thought it made great photo-op to be seen with son and Ram Gopal Verma at the Taj recce - the first after the clean-up process.  And, he said there was nothing wrong in taking his son to the Taj.  To top it all he added that RGV was there near the Taj and just joined along!  Callousness never knew these heights earlier.  RGV was equally shameless in his interview to the NDTV. 

Modi and Advani and the rest of the BJP is trying very hard to prove their 'deshbhakti' credentials and showing what turncoats they really are!  The same police officer who was castigated and criticised by them no end, Shri Kirkire, now is a martyr!

Every security agency - the police, the Navy, the IB et al - is busy playing the blame-game.  None wants to admits to one's lapses.  'We want actionable input' the Navy Chief asserted.  What in the world does he mean?

The icing on the cake has been Narayana Rane.  All that he could think of during the current crisis was himself and his right to become the CM of Maharashtra! 

The entire nation is making an ass of itself by pointing fingers - as usual - at Pakistan.  Retrieving a list of 20 most wanted from 2002, it has demanded action and their deportation from Pakistan to India.  Who in the right senses will listen to the cliched talk? 

Most of the citizens are busy asking for action against almost everyone and everything.  Not one is willing to see what role each of us has played in bringing the nation to the state it's in today.  The only saving grace I could find was the honesty with which Mr Chidambaram spoke and admitted to lapses.  The lone courageous person in a billion? Sure a proud moment for the Country.  India's truly shining!!

"Hey! We'll soon have a new house!  My dad's making plans" I had shreiked to my friend in delight.  I was in Class IV or V then.  "Will you be in the same school or will you join Seventh Day" he had asked in turn.  Soon he and I both forgot about the house.  Again in Class VI, we started looking for a house.  We even visited one.  I saw dad talking to the owner and later in the evening, to all our relatives.  "He's agreed for Rs. XXX.  I think it's reasonable".  I exchanged notes with my sis.  "There is more space in front of the house.  We can have a garden".  "I want a swing" she responded.  The house never became ours though.  

Many such moments came and went by.  With each such episode my mom went a little down.  A little sad at first and a lot cynical later.  Both mom and Kumi (my sister) always yearned and pined for the house.  Being the women they were it was probably only natural.  Dad had built one before he was married to mom but he sold it and gave away the proceeds to his sister and brother.  Mom hadn't cribbed, I remember.  

Even after my education was over, the plans were still being made, none materializing.  Many thousands went down the drain in the form of payments to brokers, advances to the house-owners and travel.  We'd be close to owning our own home.  But never close enough to call it our own.  I'd become stoical about the whole thing and hardly paid any heed when mom would bemoan about not having a roof that we could call our very own, very often.  

Most of the money parents had earned was spent not just on our education but also on our relatives' wellbeing.  Both my father's and my mother's siblings grew up at our place, were educated by my parents and helped in settling their lives.  They all had gone on to do well.  Including having their own homes.  In Bangalore, Mysore and elsewhere.  Some even multiple properties.  We'd stayed where we had started from.  In the same rented house status - the houses changed, so did the rentals though.  

My sister used to get very bitter about the house we stayed in.  She used to feel embarassed to bring her friends into the place.  "I hate it" she would say vehemently.  I had no problems though.  There were times my mom would quarrel with dad, "Because of you we haven't even been able to have the security of the house".  Dad would go off on a different tangent, "IF only my children had listened to me".  "I'll die without seeing our home" mom.  "Why can't you be responsible for anything?" sis. Sometimes it hurt, sometimes it didn't matter.  

When I returned to Bangalore after 10 years, building a house was the priority.  However, ever since September 2007 nothing had been done.  Even after mom transferred the site to my name so we could get loan easily from a bank.  Kumi sent money too.  All of her hard-earned money in the UK.  Despite the opposition from her in-laws (that almost threatened her marriage) and despite her own jobless situation.  Mom once flew off her handle at me.  Dad and I blamed each other for the non-starter now.  First it was plan approvals, next it was change of the site account.  Then it was inauspicious days.  Non-availability of a contractor.  Phew!  There was no end to our excuses.

Something that had NOT happened for 30 years wasn't wiling to happen in a hurry now.  Relatives in Bangalore tried dissuading parents to construct the house NOW in hometown (Kolar).  They said, "Sudhir would settle anyways in Bangalore.  Why waste money building a house that none would later live in?"  Parents were horrified to hear.  They almost believed that I didn't want to get back to Kolar.  My granny offered her own property to us.  It was like adding fuel to fire for mom.  She hated the gesture and threw a tantrum at us all.  For a woman who's self-reliance personified, it was shameful to hear those words of offer.  

All sob stories largely have a good end in movies.  It happened here too.  I, who was least concerned until now, suddenly transformed.  I set first a deadline by which the house would be ready.  I declared, "We will conduct the house-warming ceremony in May 2009".  Dad continued to read his newspaper.  Mom looked at me with blank eyes.  "Kumi, I'm committed to build the house before May" I called sis to tell her and she changed the topic.  None trusted that I'd do anything.  

After having been everything - shirker, liar, lazy, irresponsible - I've begun a new beginning now.  We broke the jinx.  On 5 November, we did the Bhumi Puja.  Despite the hiccups before the D-day (father's tantrums, mother's doubts, Kumi's cold vibes, relatives' rues over contractor et al) we had a smooth take-off.  

Yes, mom and dad now believe that the house-warming could happen in May!  I smile.  Even as I worry about handling Kumi's mails of accusations and anger over the construction.  

 He's not the greatest of all times.  Nor is he the most flamboyant.  Even in his own country he's not the most popular champion.  He's not known for his quotable quotes, tantrums or a wild personal life either.  However none would disagree if one called him graceful or a gentleman.  Even his detractors would concur with that.  

He could Blitz for sure.  All the aficionados agreed he was Rapid without doubt.  He could even deliver Knock-Out punches.  But he a Classic champion?  There never was even a word about it.  Even his ardent supporters couldn't vociferously support him on that count.  

Proving everyone wrong and making his greatest fans wishes come true 'Vishy' Viswanathan Anand has become the World Chess Champion in the Classic Format beating Vladimir Kramnik 6.5-4.5 after 11 games.  And he becomes the first Chess player to become a Champion in all formats of the game.  It's more than a creditable achievement for a man who began over two decades ago.  It also is a reflection of the Champion's determination, mental strength and hard work.  

Anand was not the favourite to win this time against Kramnik.  His record against Kramnik is not great.  And his form before the start of the championship was suspect.  He had come into the World Championship with losses elsewhere.  Not many would have placed any bets on him.  The odds were thus certainly against him.  On top of that there were statements after statements from Kramnik and his camp too - of their confidence and their strategies.  As ever, you hardly heard any retorts or comments from the gentleman.  

Kramnik and his camp must have been taken off-guard with the openings and defence strategies (or even the attacks engineered) adopted by Anand.  They were novel, innovative and so un-Anand!  The results they produced?  Even before anybody could gasp or say 'wow', Vishy had established an almost unassailable lead.  Despite a hiccup just before closing out on the World title, Vishy emerged a comfortable winner.  Kramnik never had been trounced thus before.  His wish was fulfilled when he returned to the FIDE fold in 2006.  However his wish to become the undisputed champion met a hitherto unaccustomed hurdle in Vishy.  This sure is no wishy-washy win!  Barring Gary Kasparov now Anand has defeated everyone convincingly.  Unfortunate that Gary and Vishy wouldn't play again though!

Anand's story continues to inspire.  He is a true champion.  His success in the international arena has given a new fillip to Indian chess over the last decade and a half.  His example has produced many champions in the making.  His contribution thus is immeasurable.  He may not have been felicitated as much as many other less-achieved Cricketers.  But his army of admirers only grows steadily.  Congratulations Vishy!  May you always be the Champion you are!

It was April 2008.  
"I'm sure the market is close to a collapse.  I believe it'll go sub-10K" I'd said to my ex-bf and economist SB.  He'd bristled at my naivete.  "You don't understand econmics or market.  Don't make statements like that.  If markets plummet like that, the entire economy's going to crumble".  I had felt sufficiently chastised.  

Swaminathan Anklesariya Iyer in TOI and Economic Times had written an article about crude at sub-100 prices.  Everyone (including yours truly, regardless of the hope it inspired) had guffawed at it as a good joke.  All of us wanted to believe some Indian who in the meantime was making predictions about crude at $200+ per barrel.  

And it's October 2008 now.  In six months my 'irresponsible' statement has come true.  The markets across the globe have tumbled.  And, SSA Iyer too wouldn't have dreamt that crude would be sub70 dollars!  People have lost lives (some have killed themselves, some have succumbed to heart attacks) as they have watched their investments sublimate without a trace.  

Nobody sees the market bottoming out yet.  The fears of recession grips everyone.  Jobs are disappearing faster than you could say, 'fired'!  Of course the governments aren't helping anybody's cause either with doublespeak, volte-faces,  window-dressing measures, et al.   Nothing seems to be rational.  Including the news of a sacked high-ranking executive of a Korean company for saying 'it's extreme greed that's caused this situation'.  The company fired him because he 'spoke against the policy of the company'!

The most irrational happenings can be seen in the currency markets.  People I believe are hoarding dollars and yens.  (More yens than dollars I guess as yen is seen appreciating even against the dollar).  India's fundamentals surely appear to be stronger than that of the US'.  However, the rupee is taking such a severe drubbing that it's crossed the 50Rs/$ mark today.  

Media and the markets are trying to find hope in small events like the coming down of inflation and gold prices, and even vegetables.  

It had to happen - the meltdown.  So, it's happened.  The markets and the men will be brought to mother earth.  The prices of real estate that had touched the Moon should be coming down along with the Chandrayaan.  The dreams of many have been shattered.  Someone else will build his very dreams on these ruins.  

 The Times of India today talked about the Cabinet meeting.  Notihng unusual except that the meeting is to discuss the view the Government will take in front of the Court of Law (Delhi High Court) with regard to homosexuality and Section 377.  

Most people (gay or otherwise) who have been actively involved with the case since 2001 may not be hoping or expecting for any earth-shattering change in the Government stand.  However, the views of one Minister has invited the meeting and that really is something to cheer (of course in 2006 too the Ministry of Family and Children Welfare was in favour of scrapping Sec.377).  Dr. Ramdoss not only stood by his words in the Indian media (after having uttered momentously at Mexico that criminalisation of homosexuality must go) but also seems to exude confidence about convincing his colleagues in the Cabinet.  Here's wishing him success.  Else of course the courts are always there to play 'knock knock'.  

I also have been following the hearings of the Court through the updates posted by Siddharth Narayan of ALF and others.  I marvel at the kind of evidences the ASG (Additional Solicitor General) is using to support the Government's stand that homosexuality should stand criminalised - evangelical stuff and all kind of junk that is available on the Web!  

Here's waiting for a brighter, sunnier tomorrow on a cloudy day!

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 I believe it was a calculated move by Jaya.  To speak about her UP and Hindi.. She was well aware of the backlash caused by Amitabh's utterances earlier.  And, I for one moment do NOT believe that her comment was spontaneous.  No Sir.

She surely was baiting Raj Thackeray (what's the spelling anyways?).  She knew he would react.  And, react he did.  This was PRECISELY the result the Bachhans (and the media, oh yes, who does NOT love a controversy when each moment is dedicated to BREAKING NEWS) and the Samajwadi Party wanted.  More nuisance followed by Raj's hooligans.  Great publicity for the Bachhans.  

Neither the Bachhans nor the movie's producers (or the theatre owners) will suffer any losses.  All their losses would be covered up by the insurance firms.  Sure all of us debate the high-handedness of Raj Thackeray and his goons.  The 'Bihar'-isation of Mumbai.  Its lawlessness.  How UNSAFE it's for the Hindi-speaking people.  And, how the POOR Bachhans are being targeted time and again.  

A pretty high-stakes but dangerous game played by the vote sluts (yeah, I'm calling even Ms Bacchan one).  Elections round the corner.  The first round goes to the SP.  

Regardless of the hopes that everyone had pinned on our Olympics team - everyone includes media in particular and aam janta in general - nobody I believe gave a REAL chance to any of our team members to win a medal.  It's possible that most media (and bloggers too) had already thought of catchy lines panning our team post-Olympics!  (Something like, "Hope, Hype and Hapless").  

But today when IT - a feat shattering everything that we have seen until now - happened, I guess the entire nation is yet to come to terms with it. 

And, then came Abhinav Bindra, the bad boy of Indian shooting.  One who has shot his mouth off too in the past.  The rebel.  And someone who wasn't exactly in the limelight of media coverage of our Olympic team.  He was being mentioned more like, "Ah he too is there".  Abhinav today  is THE man of the moment.  

I believe this is the GREATEST moment of Indian sporting history.  Probably it'd be the BEST moment EVER.  Truly an amazing moment of unbridled pride.

This of course doesn't belittle the achievements of either Leander Paes OR RS Rathore.  It enhances them.  

I feel like copying the lines of the possible first lady of the US, Mrs. Obama.  "For the first time I'm proud of being an Indian".  :)   I'm at work now.  And, all I want to do is scream, holler and shout , running all around the place. "We've done it"!!!

Tuestday, 22 July

"Chalo let's go for a movie" JS nudged.  He was on leave - more out of boredom than backache.  
"I don't know.  I've not taken leave".  I teased.  I head a sub-office while JS sits under the BOSS in Bangalore.  So, it's possible for me to just walk out of the office unnoticed, without leave etc for a while.  "Let's watch the Dark Knight".  Yeah, there'd been rave reviews.  

The net declared the tickets weren't available for the show.  We thought we'd go to the theatre and try our luck.  Fame Lido had a house-full board.  We returned.  JS looked disappointed.  His leave was going waste!  "Let's go to Blossoms!  We could buy some books".  He nodded vigorously.  Anything but heading back to (my) office (or home)!  We had just reached the Brigade Road-MG Road junction and his mobile rang.  It was ADG, JS's junior at his office.  "Sir your transfer orders have come.  You are posted to Chaanda".  That sounded like a prank.  But JS didn't think so.  He'd already served for over a year at that god-forsaken place.  Why was he being sent back again?  Even before we could digest this news the phone rang again.  ADG.  "Sir I have received orders from the HQ to seize and seal your room".  JS was visibly rattled.  What the fuck was happening?  I'm coming there rightaway A".  He repeated the conversation and we sped as fast as we could.  

JS has just completed a year of service in Bangalore.  This is his 11th year in the Government.  He is widely known to be extremely honest, intelligent and knowledgeable.  All the bosses he has worked with have similar things to say.  His outstanding career record also had got him a stint to be in the United Nations.  His posting to Bangalore had come immediately after he returned from the UN stint. 

ADG broke down the moment she saw us.  "What's happening here Sir?  I'm really upset." ADG is in the family way (a common euphemism for 'pregnancy' but I learnt it rather late).  "SK from HQ and Boss called from Delhi and gave me these instructions" she continued.  JS was composed now.  "Okay A if you want to seal and seize, I won't accept oral orders.  Give them to me in writing".  He also made his efforts to reach the officers in Delhi - the seniors who either were party to the orders or who were in the know.  No response.  Not one officer returned the calls.  Despite repeated efforts.   

5.55 PM.  The letter to seize and seal the room was served on JS.  
5.57 PM.  Relieving letter was produced.  JS refused to accept.  "There is no way you can take the inventory of the entire room now.  I won't stay here and I'm on leave too."  He left the office.  I followed.  

"S, shall we call SB?"  I ventured.  SB is another senior officer in Bangalore.  Heading another office but a good friend.  He has a law degree to boot too.  JS agreed.  I immediately called his mobile.  "Sir may we come and see you at your residence?" He agreed.  We started off immediately.  

After listening to the entire story SB recommended that we go to CAT (Central Administrative Tribunal).  "I have someone who's been troubling the office and I've been requesting the HQ to take action but they haven't moved a thing.  But here, for no valid reason they shunt you out?"   Just as we were leaving his house SB said, "Don't tell anyone that we had this conversation".  Ominous.

I made a flurry of calls to my friends so that JS and I could see an advocate who might help us file the writ.  Madhu helped.  My deputies at the office too chipped in.  But we bungled and chose to meet a lawyer who didn't seem to know a thing about CAT's ways or RTI (Right to Information) Act.    We surely were losing in the race against time.  Something we would learn and regret later.

Despite all our efforts we had not yet known the grounds on which JS was meted out with such treatment.  Sridhar, my deputy in the meanwhile had contacted people who had earlier handled legal cases at the office.  "Sir without your permission I've asked them to meet you at your residence tomorrow at 8" he said over phone.  

I spoke to BS, my house partner.  He is Kautilya-like in his dealings with people.  Bosses eat out of his palms.  You either love him or hate him.  No middle ground in his case.  "Use political influence" was the only thing he said.  Where to bring that from?

Assuming that tomorrow would bring better news I crashed.  JS disappeared. 

The terror turkey has come home to roost.  The myth of a secure Bangalore was long shattered when the blasts had occurred in IISC a few years ago.  However, those blasts today are hazy memory to most Bangaloreans.  

Today 6 low intensity blasts have taken place at multiple locations - Adugodi, Nayandahalli, Madivala among others.  Placement of bombs at widely scattered locations and the precision of timing indicates meticulous planning and extremely devious (BUT/& intelligent) minds.  The city is yet to groan to a grinding halt.  People surely have been thrown out of their comfortable rocking chair existence today.  The blasts establish the laxity in security and lack of concern regarding safety provisions within the city.  We still can not however make comments about intelligence network and its success or failure.  Any negative comment at this juncture would not only be hasty but also flippant.  

Will the Governments wake up?  Will also the common man wake up to the new reality?  That there is NOTHING called a safe place anymore.  

Bangalore, it's not just Mumbai (and Delhi and Hyderabad) that rocks.. Is it just the beginning or is it the beginning of an end?