Manmohan Singh's secret for succes

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is taking a lot of flak from the public for being the most inefficient/blundering/incompetent PM in UK history. Apparently, he is foul mouthed, forgetful, poor diplomat, indecisive, and a hundred other things. This triggered a debate in British media whether the public today expects their leaders to be someone from the same species as the electorate or they want a superhero!
We want the PM/President to be decisive, courageous, have impeccable manners, be steelwilled and flexible, be emotionally intelligent, an astute diplomat, have a good grasp of politics, have a good strategy for any situation and be a good bloke to top it all. The job requirements are definitely not for a mere mortal. This can only be met by a super human being. Obviously then any ordinary chap will fall short of expectations. Gordon Brown doesnt have much choice, does he?
On the other hand I think Manmohan Singh has been fairly successful as a leader because he has Sonia Gandhi to share his responsibilities to a large extent and take the flak too when inevitable. I believe that's his secret to a second term in office!

Sena goons belong in jail

I've always been a fan of SRK. I dont grudge him his stardom and his money and fame. I think despite everything he still is a nice guy. The fact that he should be allowed to be harassed by the Sena goons really drives me crazy. Anybody making such inflammatory statements like the Thakerays should be locked up and the keys thrown away in the Arabian sea. The Congress is playing its shady game again. Didnt they learn a lesson during Indira's regime? Divisive politics for vote gains never work. The public is too smart. You and I dont care who Mumbai and Delhi belongs to. We just want a peaceful life and to get on with it.

Egg on Obama's face

Michelle and Barrack Obama went to Denmark to woo the IOC members to get the 2016 Olympics in Chicago. Apparently, the games venue in Chicago is just behind the Obamas' window and they felt personal campaigning would convince the 116 or so delegates that Chicago was a better bet than Rio, Madrid and Tokyo. If Obama could win the US presidential election and convince millions of voters, how hard would a hundred odd people be? They'd be bowled over anyway with his clever sound bites and Michelle's smart wardrobe and charm. BLah Blah. Surprise Surprise. The hundred odd folks turned out to be smarter than the millions. They asked uncomfortable questions like- how easy would it be for people of all communities to get a visa to enter the US, and why do you think America needs to host another Olympics when Latin America hasnt held even one? We all know how the voting went. Chicago was the first to be voted out. Rio won hands down. The Obamas must have been cringeing in their seats. Their egos must've taken a beating. Well. PErhaps they needed it. As I see the US stance in the world climate change meet i cant help feel a sense of outrage at how the Americans think they can get away with anything. They need to be pulled down a notch or two and face a reality check.

custard pie

A campaigner hurled green custard at a British Minister to protest the building of a new runway at the Heathrow. The Minister walked away (to get a towel presumably and lick the smudges). The chap who hurled a shoe at Bush is still languishing in an Iraqi jail. I suppose a custard is sweeter and gentler than a shoe. Zor ka jhatka dheere se lage?
I would have loved to hurl something nasty at Musharraf for telling a pack of lies and showing attitude at the India Today Conclave yesterday. I wonder why none of the esteemed guests did. Perhaps they were wondering what would be a suitable object that would send the message. Anything is too good for a scum like him.