India - The tour of Mr Obama

Title of this post should be "Mr Obama - The tour of India". At least that was what Indian media seemed to have established.

Obamania gripped terror-struck Mumbai.

Media talked non-stop about his visit from publishing pictures of Air Force One on Mumbai skies to landing to receiving the presidential brigade. All with running commentary. Thanks to internet and jobless journalists.

Once landed President Obama's charisma indeed won the hearts of billions. We should thank him. His visit created a chance to know about the families of those who lost their lives on 26/11. The extent of which could be seen in dedicated articles on family members who shook hands with him, who are otherwise invisible to the eyes of alert journalists. Sad to note that neither Indian politicians nor media got them to limelight. It is understandable. Politicians were busy planning their corruption tactics for the next scandal and media were busy with their next season of Bigg Boss. What a shame?

Had President Obama stayed a bit longer, the pronoun that represents him would have been capitalized despite where it appears in the sentence.

India celebrated PM Cameron more than President Obama. Mainly because the PM didn't possess diplomacy. He was very casual. He was also the first British premier to openly seek help from India. Kashmir and her problem creators were a major part of his speech. On the other hand, President Obama blurred the issue by not emphasizing it. Still he secured 50,000+ jobs for Americans. History indeed goes around in circles. Now Indians can proudly say, Americans steal our jobs.

President Obama: You have always been on the line that separates failure and success. Having known for our 'strict' grading system we give you a 'barely' passed grade although Americans have failed you. Congratulations. You must be proud of your achievement now. But, with this grade you may not even be able to secure a job in Indian call centers in two years. We often raise the IQ levels for jobs in India. Your Nobel will certainly not help. Work harder. India need a change in American perspective on economy, trade, security, and terrorism, together with a tiny backbone.

Change we can believe in, Can we?

The Goddess of Small Things!

None other than Arundhati Roy.

Taking things for granted and assuming that you are always right even without facts are the two qualities that grip you when you become an acclaimed writer. There is no escape. Ms Roy is no exception.

Since last week Ms Roy has become an unofficial spokesperson of Kashmir militants. Spreading 'peace' across Kashmir by criticizing India and standing up for the independence of Kashmir. However I failed to understand her point. Independence from whom?

Of late Ms Roy travels across the 'divided' state and interviews local people in an attempt to understand their miserable lives. Of course with a secretive intention to collect fictitious data for her next book "My baseless assumptions" (on India's atrocities in Kashmir).

Two things that caught my attention from her recent article defending her "independence for Kashmir" comment. Obviously, she unsuccessfully tries to project herself as a savior of:

Muslims in Kashmir. All her recent writings or interviews on Kashmir had at least one story of a tormented Muslim family. Without clear facts I find it difficult to be for or against anything here. For the same reason, blaming Indian government and demanding independence of Kashmir is incomprehensible. I did read in history that there are Hindus too who live in Kashmir. Have you seen and interviewed any of them, Ms Roy? Probably not. Because they are almost extinct today in that part of the world. Are you aware of ethnic cleansing? Maybe not. After all it is a fact.

Lives of Dalit soldiers. By the way, the word Dalit is now a valid adjective. Can be used in front of anything and everything. Even soldiers!

In her own words,

I spoke about justice for the people of Kashmir who live under one of the most brutal military occupations in the world; for Kashmiri Pandits who live out the tragedy of having been driven out of their homeland; for Dalit soldiers killed in Kashmir whose graves I visited on garbage heaps in their villages in Cuddalore...

Ms Roy: your comments do successfully project you in a third way. As a publicity seeker. Realize the gravity. There is a difference between politicians and writers. Writers certainly need facts, even the fiction ones. Hope you understand. Get out of your fantasies. Otherwise,


You are the Goddess of NOT small BUT cheap things!