Monthly Archives: December 2013

The failed opposition

: Domestic : Written by NitinMishra : 12-31-2013

Recent assembly election results threw up an anomaly. An aberration in what was supposed to be a 4-0 clean sweep for BJP. The anomaly was Delhi. The result was surprising in many ways. The BJP which won 2/3rd majority in Rajasthan and M.P stopped just 4 short of majority. Congress was decimated and went down from 43 to 8. AAP the underdog rose from Nil to 28. Result was interpreted in a million different ways. The group generally termed as LIMP (liberal, intellectual, media and politicians) used it to dismiss the Modi wave. AAP on the other hand viewed it …continue reading

The Manchurian Candidates

: Domestic : Written by NitinMishra : 12-30-2013

This 1960 Novel by Richard Condon was a political thriller masterpiece. The plot revolved around a US presidential nominee. He had unknowingly been subjected to an extensive mind control program which in effect turned him into a puppet in the hands of his controller. He was propped up as a war veteran of impeccable character who also held a Medal of Honor from Iraq war. A combination the US public really loves to elect before things go haywire. Of course, this article is not a review of this old classic but i thought it would be prudent to give the …continue reading

Held guilty until proven innocent

: Domestic : Written by NitinMishra : 12-28-2013

For more than a decade congress and its allies used Narendra Modi scare to build up a vote bank. The scare tactic worked better than Hitler’s propaganda and effectively demonized Modi. The thought behind this propaganda was congress’s policy of divide and rule. The congress seemed to have built on its legacy of dividing India into groups and communities along ethnic, sectarian, religious,linguistic and caste lines each group scared of other. If one looks at India’s electoral politics you’d notice a gradual decline in political discourse and participation. Barring late 70′s congress enjoyed uninterrupted power and the country continued its …continue reading

The sensational stories of Indian Media

: Society : Written by NitinMishra : 12-23-2013

Media is often hailed as the fourth pillar of democracy. The pillar expected to play a constructive role in strengthening democratic values. If you’re a student of Indian history, you’d know a lot of Indian publications played a great role in social upliftment and freedom struggle. However, long gone are the days of reformers, thinkers and idealists heading publications with social welfare and awareness as guiding principals. Now a days media is owned by big businesses, corporate houses, politicians and shady characters. It’s the only pillar of democracy that is mostly run by private businesses and yet expected to adhere …continue reading

Why India’s aggressive posturing on Devyani isn’t impressing US

: International : Written by NitinMishra : 12-20-2013

Amid the raging controversy around Devyani issue, India today cleared a defence purchase agreement with US worth 4000 crores. This despite, the unwarranted humiliation of the diplomat and snub from US state department to demands of apology and dropping of charges. They went a step further and denied claims of Indian foreign minister Salman Khusheed of a proposed meeting with John Kerry to sort the issue. The question i’m forced to ask is, is this how a self respecting country registers its protest? That India has been prone to external manipulation is a known fact but starting 90′s, they actually …continue reading

It’s time to hang your boots Advaniji !

: Society : Written by NitinMishra : 12-19-2013

That, most of us don’t know when to stop, is a known fact. We work hard, struggle, survive, succeed and then relax hoping to reap the well deserved benefits of our struggle. Time flies and we remain cocooned refusing to sense the changing winds. The resulting conflict leads to a lot of emotional turbulence and gives birth to a sobbing and sore old man living in his past. Pictures of a weeping Advani at recent book launch function is an example of this conflict. Frankly, Advani has wept too often in public for it to be a news anymore. For …continue reading

How Anna outfoxed Kejriwal in his own game

: Domestic : Written by NitinMishra : 12-18-2013

So we finally saw a rare consensus among parties in parliament. After a decade of commotion, squabbling and stalled work, what the Indian parliament did on Lokpal bill was refreshing and a welcome sight. A Bill envisaged 46 years ago and deliberately allowed to gather dust by successive governments finally got life. It’s one of those occasions when the MP’s deserve accolades and i’m glad Anna thanked them. The struggle for this bill isn’t without its share of controversies. The Janlokpal movement that exploded on national scene spearheaded by an unlikely octogenarian Gandhian Anna seemed fizzled out once Arvind Kejriwal …continue reading

Election travels: The Modi wave, Nitish painfully denies, exists !

: Domestic : Written by Hashmi Shams Tabreed : 12-16-2013

Fig: Representative photo, not actual photo from Muzaffarpur Travelling in the Bihar bound Vaishali express, i couldn’t help but overhear the conversation among groups of passengers. Participants were the usual suspects, migrant workers from Delhi and suburbs, traders, government servants, students, people in private jobs and others. Bored of the lengthy journey, i was strolling across the coaches. over the next eight hours, the dominant theme that emerged was politics. Contrary to perception, people of the cow belt are politically very aware. The recent debacle of congress and drubbing of it’s Yuvraj is a hot topic. People think this is …continue reading

He was just another soldier

: Poems : Written by NitinMishra : 12-14-2013

This poem is a tribute to the brave Indian soldiers who were killed in a cowardly attack on LOC by Pakistani army and Jehadi fanatics. The cowards mutilated their bodies and took away the severed head of an Indian soldier. Pakistan subsequently denied any part in this attack. In the world’s heaviest guarded border it is impossible for irregulars to attack the enemy without the knowledge and active support of army on their side. Following this incident Politicians and academics in India made some extremely irresponsible statements which further demoralized the Indian army and showed the level of appreciation Indians …continue reading

Chinese Dragon: Enemy at the gates

: Defence, International : Written by NitinMishra :

Earlier this year an interesting article was published in a staunchly pro government news blog in China. This article predicted six wars that china is sure to fight in coming years to resolve the border dispute and reclaim those territories. For those who’re unaware of Chinese system a lot of the news agencies are directly or indirectly controlled by PLA (People’s Liberation Army) and articles of such nature are penned by Generals or strategists.This quasi official document shows the prevalent thinking within Chinese security establishment, however the most interesting part is not the prediction of wars but how they’re fought. …continue reading

Implications of Indian Deputy Consul General’s arrest in US!

: International : Written by NitinMishra : 12-13-2013

Diplomatic circles in India were sent into a tizzy after the arrest of Indian Deputy Consul General, Devyani Khobragade in New York. She was charged with one count of visa fraud and one count of making false statements. The issue is related to the A-3 visa application that she submitted for an Indian national who served as a babysitter and housekeeper at her residence in New York. According to the allegations the worker ended up working more hours and getting paid less than what was mentioned in the visa application. She was produced before a magistrate and later released on …continue reading

What’s all the fuss about Supreme Court verdict on homosexuality

: Society : Written by NitinMishra : 12-12-2013

Most of you would have already seen the vociferous reactions to the SC ruling on Media. There is almost unanimous condemnation of the ruling in print, main stream and social media. Headlines ranged from why all Indians should despair to India is enraged. Is India enraged? Frankly No! Most of the Indians either remain opposed to the idea or are plainly indifferent. Before i’m labelled homophobic, let me make it clear, that’s not the case. I’m the indifferent one. To me, what transpires between two persons consensually within confines of four walls is none of my business. However, the question …continue reading

AAP The road ahead

: Domestic : Written by NitinMishra : 12-11-2013

This article was submitted by Rakam Singh Bhati, an AAP volunteer from Trilokpuri Delhi. Published after minor semantic changes approved by the author. The underdog has performed. David Kejriwal has slayed the mighty Goliath Sheila. The work that started under Anna three years back, blossomed into a political movement last year. The blood and sweat of thousands of volunteers over last one year has paid off. Based on the reactions we got from public, we knew AAP has a chance but to see it trump the congress and stop the BJP is a real achievement. For the first time people have a …continue reading

Burning with Jealousy, the sad case of Nitish Kumar

: Domestic : Written by NitinMishra : 12-10-2013

“Ye sirf blower ki hawa hai (blower’s wind), koi leher nahi hai (not a [Modi] wave)” screamed the headlines of national dailies, quoting Bihar’s Chief Minister and JDU Chief Nitish Kumar taking a jibe at Mr. Modi after results of Delhi elections were out. These days his only claim to media space is a comment on Modi. He conveniently missed out the fact that despite his massive rallies, only one of his 27 candidates won in Delhi. The one who won had joined JDU just before elections and had earlier won on JD, JDS and LJP tickets. It is a …continue reading

The obsession with dismissing the Modi wave

: Domestic : Written by NitinMishra : 12-09-2013

By Sunday evening, the results of elections in the states of Rajasthan, MP, Chattisgarh and Delhi were out. The results were nothing short of spectacular for BJP. Yet, predictably the Indian media was churning out stories by dozens as to how the so called Modi effect failed. Political pundits, journalists, even congress spokespersons were at pains trying to prove how a Modi wave did not exist. Newspapers the next day were littered with same stories. Media space was mostly shared between singing paeans on AAP and Kejriwal and disproving a Modi effect. While this partiality is baffling, it is not …continue reading

The 2013 Delhi election stalemate

: Domestic : Written by NitinMishra :

So the final tally in Delhi stands at BJP 32, AAP 28, Congress 8, Others 2. What are the options for government formation in Delhi. Two clear messages that have come out do not elicit any hopes. AAP has, understandably, denied either taking or offering support to either congress or BJP. AAP has recieved the mandate based on Anti Congress BJP plank and it would be political harakiri if they attempted that. AAP also hopes that the current results will help it gain more votes in case of a reelection. The non BJP votes and those who have voted for …continue reading

Why AAP’s brinkmanship maybe it’s Achilles heel

: Domestic : Written by NitinMishra :

“Sheila gone, Modi next”, screamed headlines of a national daily quoting AAP leaders. Buoyed by their unexpected success, the exuberance of AAP leaders is understandable, however going by their utterances on news channels, seems they’re taking this seriously. AAP’s debut in Delhi is spectacular given that they’re just a year old party. A party made up entirely of volunteers, although a sting earlier by media-sarkar showed this may not be true, campaign driven by nukkad sabhas, concerts and massive social media propaganda seems to have conveyed the message to their targeted audience. They need to be congratulated for this performance. …continue reading

The Magnificent failure of Rahul Gandhi

: Domestic : Written by NitinMishra : 12-08-2013

To an external observer, the obscene amount of time, money and effort spent by the massive congress propaganda machinery in propping up, praising and defending Rahul Gandhi was more than enough to turn your street corner paanwallah into Tom Cruise. Yet, the Shahzada, as lovingly called by Modi, appears as dry, as lame as ever. There is absolutely nothing in his personality that appeals to the common Indian. The only claim to fame Rahul has is increasing congress tally in 2009 elections in UP to 21, however with the benefit of hindsight it can very well be called a fluke. …continue reading

Narendra Modi magic works wonders for BJP in elections 2013

: Domestic : Written by NitinMishra :

While the results of the provincial elections in 4 states of Delhi, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are still coming in, the trend that is clearly evident is that congress is getting routed everywhere. Narendra Modi’s message of “congress mukt” Bharat is getting realized. BJP has got more than 2/3rd majority in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Way beyond anyone’s predictions. There were voices both within and outside BJP that Modi’s elevation as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate will hurt party’s prospects in assembly elections. Political pundits, media and political parties were unanimous is stating how this would tun into a referendum …continue reading

Narendra Modi undercurrent in the Uttar Pradesh

: Domestic : Written by Hashmi Shams Tabreed : 12-07-2013

A silent wave is sweeping the Hindi heartland. Despite the brave face, an uneasiness is brewing in dominant regional parties SP and BSP in UP. No one could have predicted that Narendra Modi, the man almost entire political class of the country dismissed as a small regional leader would throw such a challenge in their own backyard. In my extensive travel across the Hind heartland over past few months and in speaking to people there, the Modi factor is evident. What is surprising is that in the state where traditionally people have voted based on caste equations, they’ve have started …continue reading

Narendra Modi and a billion aspirations

: Domestic : Written by NitinMishra : 12-05-2013

What is it about Narendra Modi that makes him invincible against seemingly impossible odds? Never before in the history of independent India has a man, let alone a politician, been attacked, slandered, maligned, abused and insulted the way he has been. An extremely hostile central government with all its might, so called secular parties, a largely biased mainstream media, civil society members and NGOs with vested interests and ulterior motives colluded to unleash decade long Gobblesian propaganda full of hatred, misinformation and disinformation to discredit the beleaguered man. The hate campaign wasn’t just limited to India but had international reach. …continue reading

Mirror mirror, Kejriwal!

: Poems : Written by NitinMishra : 12-03-2013

Mirror Mirror on the wall, who is the honest of them all Dare not say Modi honest among all, name our leader Kejriwal He is so honest, he is so smart He is topping all the chart He is so cunning, he is so clever Even Anna got fooled when they were together He led an agitation, asked for donation When the time came, used it for election He is an IITian, He was a commissioner Never got transferred in all those year He is a visionary, he is fun His only philosophy, accuse and run He is the leader …continue reading

Sting for hire !

: Science and Technology : Written by NitinMishra : 12-02-2013

Last week an interesting sting titled #operationbluevirus was presented before Indian media by an investigative portal named cobrapost in an elaborate press conference covered live by few channels. The sting through a series of secretly filmed discussions tried to build up a case that social media in India was being controlled and manipulated by select IT firms and it wasn’t really as independent as it seemed. From fake followers, fake likes to running online propaganda in favor of or against political parties or their candidates, IT firms seem to do all that for a fixed sum as per the sting. …continue reading