Roaring dragon, freaked out tiger

The recent incident of China denying visa to a senior Army official, who commanded forces in J&K, because of the "disputed" nature of the territory smacks of arrogance of a bully.
India has always been meek in its response to political, economical and military rebuke by the giant neighbour.

China has beaten India in every department be it sports, economy, standard of living, defence and social spending. This is despite we having a 'vibrant democracy' for the last 6 decades.

India decided to let go of the socialistic economy and adopt open market policy under the stewardship of Manmohan Singh in the 90s. However, what was and is missing is political will power and the courage to execute policies to serve national interests.

Even today we find the policies in every sector being framed to suit the interests of a few leading private players in that sector.
In mid 1950s and early 60s, when People's Liberation Army was occupying vast swathes of Indian territory, a pussy-whipped Nehru kept ignoring the advice of field officials and held on to his lofty ideals where he expected the Soviet friends to deter a Chinese invasion.

As usual, the idealist's ideas went for a toss and India was put through a humiliating military defeat. China dictated terms of peace and territory from a position of strength and the tiger was reduced to a whimpering kitten.

India learned its military lesson and upgraded weapons and increased the number of troops. However, the country's leadership again failed to match China in the massive infrastructure in place.

Chinese continue to claim Arunachal Pradesh as their territory and keep insulting India by denying visa to people from the region. Those who travel to China get their visa stapled to passport and not stamped on the passport itself.

India, always on the idealistic high pedestal, keep "summoning the Chinese envoy and registering protest".

When an economically resurgent India began exploring overseas business options, the Chinese have beaten us in all continents in every field of business.
C
hina has been arming a belligerent Pakistan and supplying them with expertise and equipment to build a nuclear bomb — true exponents of Tsun Tsu.

On the economic front, China has been the hub of production of spurious goods with 'Made in India' label so as to discredit India in foreign markets. In UN, China has been blocking India's entry to the Security Council using every possible resource.

So where are we lacking?
1. Lack of a powerful political leadership which is ready to put national interest as a top priority
2 Mismanagement of national resources and allowing private players to reap its benefits
3 Outdated foreign policy approaches
4 Lack of infrastructure and long-term vision and development objectives
5 Excess bureaucratic flab bogging down growth and innovation in every sector
6 Overbearing corruption, which ensures sabotage of national interests
7 Inability to aggressively pursue national interests and take out enemies of the state

Unless we pull ourselves out of this quagmire, stop shadow boxing and face the real issues, we will be reduced to the status of a mutt living off the crumbs that fall of the grand Chinese buffet.

Does Mumbai need its tiger family?

The rise of Bal Thackeray and Shiv Sena in Bombay (oops... Mumbai) marked a turning point for a city that was built on the sweat of migrant population from all over the country.

Bombay, once the most favoured destination for those who wanted to realise the Indian Dream, acquired a character that was alien to it.

An average Mumbaikar, whose life goes on at hectic pace on crowded local trains, wouldn't notice any difference. However, the venom on ‘Them against us’ propaganda unleashed by the Sena has had its effect on the psyche of the city.

A state — which has given birth to great freedom fighters, social reformers, revolutionaries, legal luminaries and industrialists — has given in to the diktats of a few parochial bigots who hold the people to ransom for their whims and fancies.

It has come to a state of affairs where the 'local' mob bosses dictate the way of life that is 'culturally acceptable' and the dos and don'ts for those who want to live in peace among the Marathi manoos.

It goes to disgusting lows where the elected government tries to outdo these goons in placating the mob mentality by championing their cause.

The recent tirade of Dr Raj Thackeray — contagious diseases specialist — on how migrants are responsible for the spread of Malaria defies every logic; actually even beats his uncle Balasaheb.

I don't know if Dr Raj is aware of a certain insect called mosquito — he can do a Google search during is breaks between migrant-bashing sessions — which is a nationalist in its approach.

And of course we have outfits which are self-employed defenders of Maharashtra culture and its heroes. The attack on a foreign author for 'unacceptable' references to Shivaji shows how fragile and insecure these thugs in their ideology (do they have one other than 'slash and burn').

The Senas (both uncle and nephew versions) are averse to firangi way of life which involves celebration. Their goons go around bashing up couples whom they come across.

If they are so averse to West they should stop wearing western clothes, using vehicles and using electronic gadgets — all which have been developed in the West.

They should create rural enclaves where they can capture the spirit of real India and stay there rather than become a pain in the wrong place for every fun-loving Mumbaikar.

It is really a mystery why the angresi-hating Raj Thackeray's children study in Christian missionary school which has Mumbai in its name. Of course, the ignorant cadre cannot comprehend the vision (or the lack of it) of the their masters lest alone question the personal motives.

Let us says Bal-Uddhav-Raj cartel gets its way. How do they expect to run a city sans cheap labour provided by the migrants. Who is going to drive all those taxis and autos currently driven by the North Indians.

May be Reliance should shut shop in Maharashtra and move to Gujarat. Shah Rukh Khan and Bachchan should leave the state and so should every luminary who has made a name for themselves living in Mumbai.

Oye tiger clan... Don't you realise how messed up you guys are in your heads. Take a break. Visit a shrink. Do some Yoga.. Get laid — might help get rid of that frustration. Or just go jump into the sea.

Oh no don't do that. The sea can't take any more pollution after the recent oil spill.

Guys.. go get a life.