LK Advani resigns from all the posts he held in the BJP. The news comes as a shocker for the BJP leaders and workers who were celebrating Modi elevation as the chief of poll committee. The decision taken at the Goa meet was being considered historic and many believed that it was the beginning of a new era. A day after ‘the historic decision’ an era ended in the history of the saffron party when LK Advani’s resignation reached the BJP headquarters. 

Advani, who has been the part of the BJP since its inception, was member of the national executive, parliamentary board and the election committee. He, who had been instrumental in making the BJP powerful in the nineties, felt short off supporters within his own party and had no option left but to resign to avoid denting his image further. 

In an emotional letter to the BJP chief Rajnath Singh, he said that he had been finding it difficult to reconcile either with the current functioning of the party, or the direction in which it is going.  He complained that most leaders of the party are concerned just with their personal agendas. His resignation indicates that the BJP is party with differences and is unable to handle its affairs. 

It is ironical that his resignation came a day after Modi was elevated. As political pundits are saying the resignation is his way of expressing dissent over the elevation of Narendra Modi. Modi met him first in 1975. Advani supported him climbed the political ladder in Gujarat. But he did not have a faint idea that Modi will become ‘indispensible’ for the party and party workers will choose Modi over him. 

The resignation sends a message across clearly that Advani’s voice of dissent did not matter in the party. Advani, who always had major say in party affairs, even during the Vajpayee reign, felt his hold on the party affairs insignificant. He had never criticised the party functioning in open as he was the sole authority to take big decisions and he was whose voice always matter. His harsh words about the party affairs shows he became really upset and weak within the party.  

He had always been the number two and he was hopeful that after the retirement of Atal Bihari Vajpayee he could become the number one in the party. Undoubtedly, he was the senior most and the powerful leader after Vajpayee. He tried his luck in 2009 elections but failed miserably. His resignation expresses that his hopes of becoming the PM or say number one in the BJP was dashed by the popularity of NaMo among party workers and others those are BJP fans. 

Advani must have thought that he can be the prime minister of the NDA if the alliance wins enough seats to come to the power after 2014 general elections. He knew NDA allies would have never supported the nomination of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. His chances were bright but ‘the historic decision’ taken at the party meet in Goa humiliated him to the core. Perhaps, it was evident that NaMo would be elevated that’s why he preferred to stay away from the meet on health grounds. 

However, his resignation letter has been rejected by the BJP chief Rajnath Singh and it is uncertain what would be the next move of the former deputy prime minister.

His resignation indicates that the BJP is party with differences and is unable to handle its affairs. 

It is the high time that party get over its inner conflicts as it will not gain even if Congress loses at centre owing to incumbency factor, poor governance and failed economic policies. They should always keep in mind: people are watching.

|

By Abhishek Pandey

Tourism ministry of India may think to change its punch line from Incredible India to Horrible India after watching Slum dog millionaire, a famous movie directed by Danny Boyle. The movie’s story is based on a boy from one of the Mumbai slums, a slum dog, who becomes a millionaire after winning a game show of Indian version of “who wants to be a millionaire”. The story idea has been taken from the novel ‘Q&A’ written by Vikas Swarup, an Indian diplomat from Allahabad. Story moves around a boy Jamaal who enters and luckily won the game show for getting his lover back in his life.

Slum dig millionaire which has won four Golden globe awards and also been nominated in 10 categories for the Oscar awards this year, is based on a story, which is a mockery on India for the entertainment and enjoyment of first world countries and their populace. India has been shown in a bad line in this film. The movie shows the abusive police, filthy conditions of Indian slums and sub-human conditions of Mumbai slum dwellers, communal violence, beggary, exploiting orphan children by maiming them and forcing them into beggary, flesh market of minor girls, underworld, and conman cheating tourists and very big-hearted white people and above all copying of TV shows’ concept shows from the west. Declining moral values of Indians has also been shown in the movie when an elder brother rapes the lover of his younger brother in a movie scene.

I am not saying that Mr Boyle has shown all the lies to the world. I am not saying that we can deny the child beggary, prostitution, stealing of concepts from the west and our filthy slums. Yes, I accept that these things exist and prevailing in few parts of the country, not in every nook and corner of the country. Don’t you think Mr. Boyle it is the exaggeration of the facts for your vested interests and for satisfying your ‘we are superior’ attitude. You need not to be as objective as a news producer is, while making news reports but you could have selected few things which could show the real idea of India even in those conditions, which you selected to show in the movie.

I have watched the ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ several times but not even on a single show I found that Amitabh or for that matter, Shahrukh Khan mock any of the contestants in their shows as Anil Kapoor did in the movie by making fun of Jamaal, a tea seller in the game show in the movie. India is not only what has been shown in your movie but far beyond that. We are the largest democracy, oldest civilisation, homeland of most of the scientist, engineers and doctors, having rich cultural and moral values and one of the fastest growing economies of the world. India is the country which has the largest number of billionaires in the world, even more than America, according to a report published in Forbes magazine. But Mr Boyle you did not give a damn to it. Mr Boyle said in a interview that the movie meant to capture Mumbai zest. I think that he must research well to know about Mumbai and India.

Amitabh Bachchan, a famous Bollywood actor said in his blog, “If Slumdog Millionaire projects India as a third-world, dirty, underbelly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots, let it be known that a murky underbelly exists and thrives even in the most developed nations.” Mr Bachhan’s statements are absolutely right and raise the question why they (west audience) don’t love to watch their existing murky underbelly. It is very nice to see porn movies of others but dirt start hitting the roof when you got to see some one you know. The Times rightly reported in one of the articles written by famous columnist Alice Milles, Slum dog Millionaire is poverty porn.

India has been the leader in making maximum number of movies annually, but its record in Oscar is disappointing. I don’t understand the reason why movie depicting our poverty and backwardness attract the attention of the International audience and award givers. This trend is not new. We have won nominations in academy awards for three films – Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan. All of these movies are based on our backwardness and our struggle with the life. Only one Indian director, Satyajeet Ray had been given the honorary Oscar award for life-achievement in 1991. The most of his films project poverty of India and its populace. Whatever, he was a brilliant filmmaker. If we look at these facts then it is very hard to believe any justification. It can not be mere coincidence. It is because of preconceived stereotype idea of the west about Indians.

We, Indians, may be happy about the movie for few reasons because it is getting international recognition, and awards. We may be happy because India is being discussed on such big platforms. But it is valueless for me when my country is being maligned and misrepresented with exaggerated facts. There is only one thing good for us to be happy about that some handful Indians including AR Rahman and Gulzar are winning international awards and recognition for their good work in the movie. But don’t forget this is not a Bollywood film at all. It is a purely Hollywood movie and story idea is based somewhere in Mumbai slums. I doubt that if the same movie would have been made by an Indian it could win such big international awards. Indians should not be demoralised from this but should wake up from the slumber and let the world know that India does not live only in slums or we are not becoming rich by chance. Let the world know that All ‘rags to-riches’ stories are not about winning the ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ or any other show. We have the talent and the attitude to prove them wrong. Let’s do it.

And Say Jai ho for real India, not for Slumdog Millionaire!!!

|

HI guys, it is very exciting that I am starting a blog for putting my takes on the crucial happenings. About me, well I am a journo based in Delhi. My name is Abhishek Pandey and I hail from Kanpur, a medium-sized city of northern India. This is all about me in brief. I wanted to start blogging because this is the best medium now to express the views to the larger section of the people. I believe that most creative idea has no value if it does not reach the right people on right time. And technology has showed the way.

Blogging is becoming trend in India and like always film stars are trend-setters. Aamir Khan started it followed by Big B, Amitabh Bachhan and later others also jumped in. Lalu Prasad Yadav, the infamous politician for scandals and now famous for his business acumen, has also started writing his blog. I don’t say that I have great eloquence to influence the attitudes of the people like these big guns. But yes, I have the determination and desire to use the power of media in forceful manner for public interest. I will try me best to renew my promises in the months and years ahead to undrstand the nedd of the time and the reders. This is the main purpose to be served.

I would like to dedicate this blog to my family, especially my mumma, papa and to my some one special, who gave me their unyielding support in all spheres of my life. While she is no longer with me, I know my grandmother is blessing me somewhere from heaven. I miss her today and know my debt to her is beyond measure. Sorry I took you to my family business which may not serve the purpose for you.

Ah well…. for introduction round its enough. Keep visiting the blog. And, I would love to read your comments, especially when we disagree. Enjoy reading!!!

|