Regular Breaker Rahul

I grew up hearing stories about Rahul's dad Rajiv how he wanted to change India and how he is to lead the country into a super-power. However I also heard stories that how he is interested more in technology than in politics and as a matter of fact not interested at all in entering into politics. But the Congress Chamchas' had to have someone with blue-blood to keep their interests secure. So Rajiv was made and sadly missed. Today 'they' understand the nuance that with Power comes more Responsibility (as Spiderman says...). How to be in power and limelight, but shrug responsibilities.

One section of media has a regular section on security breaker Rahul Gandhi. I don't understand what he is doing up there. I am told he strengthens grass roots and he plays wisely. btw why do we always paint politics as a game of chess and a matter of high canniness?

I was quite annoyed about the recent security breaker in UP and a second-class sleeper travel with 10 commandos. I was searching in google for such news in the past two years and actually he has been consistently doing this for the last 2-3 years.

Exam question: If one aspires to be a 'leader' of the nation (he will not be a direct PM but a remote PM), is it actually sensible to belittle your security teams by giving them a run?

What is the purpose of this hide and seek?

What if you actually stumble upon a situation that the 10 commandos around you couldn't help?

Let me analyse it purely from a security perspective:
I am about to play naive and assume that Rahul's intention is to break away from hassles of security and VVIP, that he doesn't fear life - that's easy: Write to the government and break free! No more security, no more news and you go free, wherever you like...

or let us assume that Rahul understands the need for security, but would like to mingle with crowd and understand the grass-root issues: This could also be done by arranging for spot Q&A with very little time for chamchas to massage the news - that is ask the local cong leader on the spot to assemble pockets of people who could be checked by security and allowed to interact, so the 'leader' could understand local issues. - in my defense, he has actually done this a few times where he meets students in locked up auditorium (why a locked up session?) and in Mar 2010 with a very short notice, he arrived at a wedding where the minimum security was given.

Over to Alternate thoughts...
or let us assume Rahul is interested in media-management: Hence break free especially when kids are around or in second class sleeper trains where 10 commandos are with you to protect etc.

or let us assume Rahul is actually dumb and doesn't understand the challenges of security and breaks once in a while. - if this be the case, then can't help an argument.

I can think of a few worthless scenarios, anyway not for today.

In the grand scheme of politics, one can only assume its media-management. Unfortunately the power of media and information is too great, so the alternate scenarios of his stunts come out very well. I can think of only one proverb in tamil 'Puli varadu, Puli varadhu ngra kadai oru naal unmaiyya puli varapohuthu' - (one day the tiger might actually come and get its prey). On a serious note, if he seriously aspires for the future of Indian premiership, this is quite worrisome as these acts highlight his IQ & EQ and what might be in store, if he becomes one.

News in 2030:

• Rahul gives a miss to Cabinet meeting!
  
• Parliament Finds Rahul sitting with Backbenchers
• Today Rahul lands a suprise, dressed as a security guard and standing next to speaker!
• Rahul does it again, his ministers complain to Sonia-Ji...
• Young (just 60+) Rahul's journey to Parliament was a surprise...
• Rahul breaking protocol leaves UN fuming
• Chinese delegation searches Rahul as he travels by world's fastest train (slept under the seat and missed the stop)
  

His chamchas will continue to say, what a rebel he is... Unfortunately gone are those days! (Hopefully, or we will find similar headlines about India)

Jog, Run and Kashmir...

Last week I started getting back to good health. I am on my sixth day of running. I couldn't believe myself as i struggled to run just few hundred yards, indicating my stamina. Today after a bad sinus headache, I decided to lay down for a good sleep. I was cranky after that nap and dull, but i decided not be a broke!

I hit the roads again and today i ran well and i was quite comfortable and completed probably a mile. A shame for regular runners but not for me. I was proud of myself. I overcame my sluggishness and procrastinations! I have been through a tough year mentally and physically. First 3-4 months of 2010 was a lot of flu and then later guests, travel etc. On top, I had my office chores and MBA. A lot to take on. I feel 2010 is almost over; mainly because at office, the plans for next 2-3 have been in progress for a while and it feels 2011 already.

Things have started looking better! My friend just called me over the weekend to say, he might buy his family home near mine which is great news to us. October feels a lot chilly comparatively for this time of an English year and weather. My in-laws are here and its some family time too.

These days not many things bother me, but a few things still do. Especially what i read in the paper (especially political sections). Having said that, Ms. Roy's comments are certainly not welcome. I acknowledge freedom of speech, but everything depends on comments and circumstances. If you drink grape juice in a vineyard, with very little or no doubt, one would say that you are tasting a wine not a grape juice. Same here, if Ms. Roy had aired those comments a few days back or later, or even when there was a lot of chaos (a few weeks back), it would have been okay. Sharing the dias, Ms. Roy shared her thoughts with a separatist. In this circumstance I pronounce her irresponsible and attention-seeker, limelight-grabber etc. She goes on to say that many people in Kashmir say that, yes many in Pakistan say that; however a lot more in India think otherwise. It is not about the number of people. Pakistan, India + Kashmir, Bangladesh share some cultural roots. It is a delicate issue, if you are a responsible journalist, why not do things in-camera with an outcome in mind? Why grab limelight?

Gandhi (I mean Mahatma) just did not talk! He had an action plan and delivered it. I am so frustrated with her as i see this as her trend. She did a similar thing with the naxal problem. She spent a day with them, narrated a dramatic story to the media and poof! Disappeared into ether? What was your value add? what was your contribution? at a time, where media is just momentary in its news and value, I see her sharing the same 'momentary' basics. No strategy, no action, plain talk! If you intend to play just a journalist, then so be it, but if you aspire for Suu Kyi, then play big. Don't just talk and aspire to play big.

Reminds me of a proverb - "Empty vessels make more noise" !!