NEW DELHI: BHARATH RATNA & 2nd HAND CARS
In the last week of May 2025, there was this print media report “ANANT NAG RECIEVES PADMA BHUSHAN” with photograph of President Draupadi Murmu handing over the citation to Kannada actor Anant Nag and to actor dancer Shobana, besides Padmashree to musician Ricky Gyan Kej.
There were many in public life congratulating the Kannada actor for the award. Ostensibly these awards were given to them for their contribution to the films they were involved in for many years.
We all know that those who are in the films, are in the film industry only to promote themselves. It brought them name, fame and fortune. Now this award, a national recognition, the third highest civilian award.
Quite frankly it baffles logic. They apparently gave their best performance so that they become acceptable to the audience and in turn to the producers of the films. Every time they do well on the screen their price goes up and up. They end up making fortune. Towards the fag end of their filmy career they get nationally honored, so they go home happy and contented.
But my question is what is their contribution to the national good? What is their contribution to the social good? Answers to these questions are lost in transit. And we all know what it is.
These national awards, which are truly national recognitions should be for those who spent their years, as they tried to look after themselves, they also tried to look after some others too. They made difference to the life of people around them. They made difference to the society around them. They saw their happiness in the happiness and wellbeing of people around them. There are many working beyond public gaze in the larger interest of society around them. Such people should be recognized for their selfless contribution to the welfare of less fortunate ones, for the promotion of environmental initiatives leading to protection and promotion of environment. There could be many who are unseen and unsung beyond the media glare, or the glitzy celluloid world. Such personalities should be found and awarded with national recognition. Such awards or recognition can positively impact the society. There should be portals where details of deserving personalities can be uploaded for the authorities to select the right person for national honor. Will this happen!
We all know, how Bharath Ratna, the highest national honor was wasted on likes of Sachin Tendulkar, a mere cricketer. It was the political machinations of Sharad Pawar, a Maharashtra strong man who forced the hands of then UPA government to award Bharath Ratna to Tendulkar. He was even made a Rajya Sabha member, which Bal Thackaray had termed ‘joke’. It was a complete waste of public money. One can go on writing about him being a crass commercial man, only after money, despite being the richest cricketer with thousands of crores worth. Recently Indians were witness to see this Bharat Ratna moving under SPINNY’S brand promoting second hand cars being marketed by SPINNY’S. What a fall for Bharat Ratna! There will be none among Rajya Members who could be selling their time marketing second hand cars. Wish somebody writes about this in main stream media for a larger audience, so that this fall from grace of Tendulkar is publicly exposed. After all it was the same God of Cricket who gave a slum address in Navi Mumbai to register one of his new cars just save a few thousands in registration fees. What can be more disgraceful than this!?
UTTAR PRADESH: POLICE IN MESS
Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency is the most high profile constituency in whole of India since it is represented by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath giving priority for law and order in Uttar Pradesh, the police, specially in Varanasi, was expected to be the best in all parameters. However a print media report datelined Varanasi “PM Modi’s Varanasi fails Policing Test”, has comprehensively exposed the very low standard of police competence in Varanasi.
According to the report, Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal had conducted the police performance audit recently, had confirmed that over 50 inspectors were not even capable of drafting an FIR. More alarming was the fact that none of the inspectors managed to pass with the first divison marks in the 100-points review, including the so-called ‘star performers’ couldn’t even cross the 60% threshold. Of the 589 sub-inspectors assessed, 107 scored zero across all criteria and 345 couldn’t manage even double digit marks, some scoring as low as 1, 2 and 5 marks. A glaring exposure of the review was the systemic apathy of inspectors and sub-inspectors with 100% of sub-inspectors failing to act on public complaints uploaded on the Chief Ministers dashboard – the Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS) of the state. Out of 589 sub-inspectors assessed, not a single one showed the initiative in disposing of citizens complaints. Reportedly all of them scored zero in the crucial IGRS disposal metric, indicating they ignored complaints received by the CM’s IGRS window.
Evaluation also revealed glaring deficiencies not only in complaint redressal but also in professionalism. Reportedly at least 100 sub-inspectors were found lacking in punctuality, discipline and organizational skills and adherence to rules and orders. The performance review exercise also revealed that over 400 inspectors had no notable achievements during their tenure no major cases cracked, no commendations or award, no visible public service efforts were seen. Reportedly more than 300 inspectors failed to make a single arrest under Non-Bailable Warrants (NRW) and 350 did not take action on even one illegal loudspeaker in their jurisdiction. A staggering 550 were flagged for negligence in urgent police actions and over 200 did not close a single pending investigation.
Reportedly, the assessment report by the Police Commissioner has raised serious questions about the state of policing in the entire state. The question was, if the state of policing in a very high profile area like Varanasi is like this, what could be the state of policing in other parts of Uttar Pradesh, where CM Yogi Adityanath has set a high governance benchmark?! Its indeed a matter of serious public concern. Political leadership at higher level should take note of it to order similar performance audit all over the country, not just in Uttar Pradesh!
As a matter of follow up on the review report, disciplinary action is reportedly being considered against the 107 sub-inspectors who scored zero marks. Authorities are also drawing up the list of underperforming officers, who can be sent to police academies for retraining with future posting to depend upon month long performance evaluation.
JAMMU & KASHMIR:- EID-UL-ADHA
Eid came and went into the past, but Srinagar, a Muslim majority city lived to feel bitter on the most auspicious day for them by a government, who appears uncertain of handling evolving situation in Kashmir.
“Jama Masjid locked on Eid, the Mirawaiz placed under house arrest” was a print media news datelined Srinagar. Reportedly it was the 7th straight year that Juma Masjid in Srinagar was locked for Eid Prayers. There was no official response, on the mosque locking, in the media from the office of the Lt. Governor.
We are all aware that, it was just over a month ago that Pahalgam happened and the Indian defense forces decisively responded. Like all else even Kashmiris have condemned the attack in Pahalgam. Of course all of India and some of the foreign governments came out fully in support India’s retaliatory action. However its not clear, if Kasmiris have supported Indian action against Pakistani based terror outfits, while the government of Omar Abdulla has joined the national chorus.
Now that the matter was over a month ago, things were cooling down everywhere, although Indian defense forces remained alert, life could have been better for Kashmiris on the Eid day, keeping the Jama Masjid open at least for the people to pray on their festival day. Of course Mirwaiz Umar Farooki could have been taken into confidence that Mosque will remain open but he will not lead the prayer for any fear of any public call or he could have been given a scripted message duly cleared by the Lt. Governor’s office for him to deliver after the traditional prayer. Chances were that Mirwaiz would have fallen in line in the larger interest of Kashmir in particular.
But the clearly heavy handed approach of Lt. Governor has put paid to a process of thaw in relation between centre and the state. That is sad. Was it as usual Union Home Minister Amith Shah who called the shot!? What was rather bad was residents of Srinagar did not know of the closure until they reached the masjid on Eid day. That was simply not the way to start an Eid-Day. Hope the Union government understands their evolving role.
KARNATAKA: JANAUSHADI KENDRAS
The Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadi Kendras have been a boon to general public, many of whom cannot afford private pharmacy medicines. We all know that medicines marketed by pharmacies all over India are manufactured by private pharmaceutical companies. Although the pharma products come under drug price control of the government, they are generally costly. To help aam aadmi NDA government had initiated the Jan Aushadi Kendras to market generic medicines, which are of same composition manufactured without any brand name and quite inexpensive and affordable to all sections of Indian society. These Kendras have been very well received by general public and many enterprising young persons have opted to start these Kendras whenever and wherever it was possible. Thus these Kendras have served two purposes of providing affordable medicines to the needy as well as self-employment opportunities to enterprising young educated to be on their own.
Now with the decision of Karnataka Health Minister to shut these Jan Aushadi Kendras within the precincts of government hospitals across the state has effected over 200 such Kendras. This is a decision that can directly affect poor patients who could buy medicines from these Kendras. Why this decision was taken is not clear, economics, social or political!
Of course as expected BJP has gone to the town to cry hoarse, since it is an important and popular scheme of NDA government led by PM Modi.
While both Congress and BJP may have political points to score, the general public should not suffer due to this denial of Jan Aushadi Kendras’ services in government hospitals.
Expectedly the Jan Aushadi Kendra Owners’ Association has written to the minister requesting to cancel the government order to suspend these Kendras in government hospitals. Here the central point is the availability of affordable medicines to economically poorer section of Indians. Therefore Karnataka government should seriously consider withdrawing the suspension order of these Kendras in Government Hospitals, for the larger good, since this is the only state government in whole of India who took the decision to suspend Jan Aushadi Kendras in government hospitals. There may be legal remedy by way of Public Interest Litigation to knock the door of Karnataka High Court (KHC). Hope Karnataka Health Minster acts before KHC acts. This can only win public appreciation for the government.
KERALA: SISTER ANUPAMA
Sister Anupama Kelamangalathuveliyil from Pallipuram in Alapuzha district of Kerala was an inmate of St. Francis Mission Home Kuvilangad in Kottayam. She was part of a six sisters team in the convent functioned under the Latin Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar. The Diocese had a bishop as head and he was Bishop Franco Mulakkal. It was in June 2018, a nun at the St Francis Mission Home convent at Kuvalingad accused the bishop of raping her some 13 times between 2014 and 2016 during his visits to the convent and a complaint was filed with Kerala police.
Being a senior Sister at the convent Sister Anupama took the lead and braved all odds to lead the protest against Bishop Mulakkal. She was strong willed in her protest against Bishop Mulakkal despite pressure from different quarters to withdraw. On September 8, 2018, five nuns with Anupama leading them staged a sit-in protest in Kochi demanding Mulakkal's arrest and succeeded in getting him arrested on 18th September 2018 by the Kerala police. They even threatened to protest separately over government’s delaying tactics in posting a public prosecutor forcing the government to appoint a public prosecutor. On July 28, 2019, she alleged that forensic evidence had been tampered with. Nuns led by Anupama thwarted the attempt of congregation to transfer them to different places. They managed to get a stay for transfer until the Mulakkal trial was concluded.
Sadly, for varieties of reasons in Jan 2022, court acquitted Mulakkal for lack of evidence. However he has the credit of being the first bishop of Indian Catholics to have been arrested on charges of rape. Despite 39 witnesses court did not see him guilty. But Vatican, in an attempt to be just and fair, forced Mulakkal to resign as Jallandar Bishop in June 2023.
Kerala public did not take the court verdict of Mullakal being not guilty kindly and there have been widespread objection in public space. Nuns received public support through social media. However, a section of Catholic clergy including laity were non-commital in speaking against the church and its higher echelon. That is a sad truth not just in Kerala but all over India. They have, kind of, accepted the exploitation of nuns by the clergy as part of professional hazard. No wonder two sisters left the convent, one in 2020, and the other in 2022. Sister Anupama however continued to stay in the convent to continue her fight for justice, but decided to quit the congregation and renounced her nunhood sometime in March 2025 to return home. She took up a job with a private firm in her native place.
It is sad that she has been left to fend for herself and justice was denied to a lady fighter against female exploitation in the church order in Kerala, the most literate state of India. What a travesty of justice?!
MAHARASHTRA: MONSOON MESS
We Indians, at least, authorities responsible for managing public infrastructure were always found wanting anywhere in India. Reports appearing in the media presents disturbing scenes from different parts of the country. Heavy rain during monsoon is an ever present challenge. But somehow, either it is a newer problem or failure of personnel responsible to keep the public space safe despite being aware of the likely issues due to heavy downpour.
One of the important location providing service to general public KEM Hospital in Central Mumbai was found inundated with rain water inside the hospital premises. Reportedly the Bombay High Court (BHC) took a suo motu cognizance of the media reports highlighting patients sitting in ankle deep water inside the hospital premises. BHC had appointed advocate Mohit Khanna as amicus curie to assist in the matter.
According to Khanna KEM Hospital’s pediatric department was inundated with rain water which had even entered MRI rooms. With heavy rain, situation is worsening, he reports.
Argument of the government pleader P Kakade that hospital is in a low lying area due to which water entered hospital corridor. But then KEM Hospital has always been there for donkey years, what is the preventive measures hospital administration has taken or the Greater Bombay Municipal Corporation, (BMC) which is managing civic affairs of the metropolis of Mumbai?!
Issuing notice to BMC court asked authorities to immediately asses the situation to address the waterlogging and what measures are being put in place to make the life of patients visiting the hospital better! Besides asked BMC to file an affidavit detailing the steps planned and taken to prvevnt recurrence of such situations. After all it is hundred years since KEM or King Edward Memorial Hospital was founded in 1926 and we are in 2025!
While we are about it, it’s important to note that the recurring problems during monsoon has a long history of ill preparedness. Whether its New Delhi, the national capital Mumbai, the mega polis of Pune and Bengalooru the emerging mega polis or other cities have all experienced heavy showers. All of them experienced same stories of inundation, flooding, deaths, disruption of transport system etc. Question why these mishaps keep happening year after year. We learn no lesson. As a paper puts it “its simply because cities are not prepared for monsoon. Monsoon preparedness should be the basic element of urban governance but like the paper put it “it has become an annual joke”. A sad reflection on civic authorities all over India.
UTTAR PRADESH: BRIJ BUSHAN SINGH
Six time Member of Parliament belonging to BJP became infamous among Indians, especially after complaints by young female wrestlers of India. He was the kind of, uncrowned king of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and hence tried to use it for his nefarious activities of getting physical with female inmates of wrestling venues where these young wrestlers were getting trained and were practicing their craft.
Recently he was in the news, “India’s ex-wrestling chief cleared of sexually harassing girl”. It was a case filed in 2023. Seven female wrestlers including a minor, had registered complaints with the police accusing Brij Bhushan Singh of molesting and groping them at training camps and tournaments. Police had invoked the stringent POCSO Act.
In the aftermath of the row, Brij Bhushan had stepped down as the Wrestling Federation Chief. However his proxy took over the presidency leaving the rein of WFI with Brij Bhushan. That was the level of his influence. Sadly, his party, BJP didn’t do anything to make him accountable. That’s rather sad and bad. Only Union Home Ministry suspended the WFI in December 2023. He was replaced by his son as MP candidate in 2024 Loksabha election, effectively leaving the power to call shots by Brij Bhushan himself. This is the clean politics of BJP.
In the meanwhile, with the power at his disposal, he influenced the minor wrestler to withdraw the complaint stating it was a false complaint. Probably even police, pressured by politics of BJP joined hands in the minor witdrawing the complaint. That led to the police to give a complaint closure report which made the work of Patiyala House Court to clear the case against Brij Bhushan. It was entirely a politics and criminal nexus that led to this notorious former president of WFI going scot free despite apparently an ‘open and shut case’. ‘Fittingly’, Brij Bhushan held a victory parade at Ayodhya with some 100 SUVs and thousands of supporters in the signaling the victory of injustice over justice.
It was indeed a shocking set back to the cause of women battling sexual harassment at work place. This shouldn’t have happened, but happened due to the machinations of vested interest players. However what is distressing is this so called ‘clean chit’ by the police and court was received by womens groups and most media members both in Print and electronic with silence. None seem to have reacted except a few print media members. There should have been extensive debate in TV channels. Strangely the most vocal Republic TV also has remained silent. Besides even those women’s groups have not come out in open criticizing this ‘clean chit’ including the “Me too” movement of 2018-19 who succeeded then to fix some powerful people. That is rather sad.
Karnataka: Kamala Haassan
The controversy surrounding the Tamil actor politician Kamala Hassan is a completely avoidable development, we all could have lived without.
An apparently stray comment on the origin of Kannada by the actor has expectedly snowballed into a kind of linguistic tempest in and around Karnataka. His claim that ‘Kannada was born from Tamil’ drew near unanimous condemnation from across the political divide within the state. The ruling Congress, opposition BJP, Kannada Sahitya Parishad, Kannada Rakshana Vedike all went to market to slam the actor for his impudent and uncalled for remark.
He was in Bengalooru promoting his film THUG LIFE, where the actor politician casually mentioned that ‘Tamil gave birth to Kannada’ that triggered outrage almost instantly. Realizing the enormity of the situation he reportedly reacted “What I said was out of love. Love will never apologize”. And to-date even after over 15 days he has remained defiant without apology for having made the irresponsible remark . He apparently thought he has enormous goodwill in Bengalooru and would therefore would sail through without apology. Clearly events that followed indicated that Karnataka was united in condemning him for his high handed response after his senseless barb.
Kannada groups have filed a police complaint against him while a film association discussed the possible ban of his film THUG LIFE from being released in Bengalooru and other parts of Karnataka. BJPs R Ashok called Haassan a ‘mental patient’ and demanded the ban of both himself and his films. BJP President Vijayendra called him uncultured and disrespectful”. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that ‘Kamala Hassan lacked basic knowledge of Kannada’s rich heritage. Mahesh Joshi, President of Kannada Sahitya Parishad said “such statements are provocative and cannot be tolerated”. Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce has called for a meeting with all stake holders of Kannada film industry to discuss possible ban on Haassan.
As of now the matter is in court and has asked the actor politician to apologize which is yet to happen. In the meanwhile the ban on the film THUG LIFE is on. Hope the issue is sorted out to the satisfaction of all.
However, vested interest knocked the apex court door. Strangely however the highest court of the land did not consider the insult by Kamala Haassan hurtful and castigated Karnataka High Court for asking Haassan to apologize. It cleared the film THUG LIFE to be released in Bengalooru and that state should ensure its safety. But as the luck would have it, there is nobody in Bengalooru or Karnataka wants to distribute the film to theatres and therefore the film THUG LIFE of Kamala Hassan is in limbo in Karnataka for varieties of reason including the silly barb by actor Kamala Haassan. So THUG LIFE is not being shown in theatres in Bengalooru. That’s victory for aam aadmi Kannada sentiment.
NEW DELHI- CONTRASTING INDIA STORY
There was this print media report some weeks ago, “Undeclared Emergency @ 11 : Congress takes swipe at Modi government”.
We all know 26th May 2014, NDA Government led by Prime Minister Modi took its reins at the centre after the 10 years of UPA government before that, led by PM Manmohan Singh.
Taking a dig at the NDA government of Narendra Modi on completion of 11 years Congress went to the market to cry hoarse. Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge claimed that ‘every section of 140 crore people remained troubled during the last 11 years. Modi government has ruined the country in such a way that the promise of acchey din has proven to be a nightmare. Promise of 2 crore jobs annually in reality crores of jobs have vanished. Farmers income did not double, on the top of that farmers had to face bullets. Women’s security in tatters. Horrible atrocities on SC/ST/OBC/Minorities. On the economy, Kharge claimed that inflation is at its peak there is flood of unemployment. Make in India has flopped and inequality is also at its peak. Due to foreign policy, relation with every country is spoiled. Kharge’s General Secretary Jairam Ramesh wasn’t far behind with his superlative barbs. In a post in Hindi on X, Congress General Secretary in charge of communications said “To-day is 26th May 2025. To-day is Undeclared Emergency @ 11”.
If the above certificate was given by the main opposition party in the parliament, here are some observations by foreigners, who have no axe to grind.
Taking part in the Global Economic Summit held in New Delhi by Economic Times, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Chief Economist Alvaro Pereira was reported to have remarked “Future of the world is in India”. According to Pereira, from being a sleeping giant in the global economic ecosystem till a few decades back India is definitely the future of the world led by both reforms and development of infrastructure and education. “I have no doubt India is a rising economic power to be the next big power”, he added to good measure. And OECD is an organization of 38 developed countries.
Another big gun Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary was reported to have remarked “Some government only talk, but India is already a solar giant”. According to him, India one of only four countries to have installed over 100 gigawatts of solar capacity, is already a Solar Super Power.
Also addressing the summit was Swedish telecom giant Ericson’s CEO Borje Ekholm was reported to have remarked “India has seen the fastest scale up of 5G globally”.
Then there were others as well echoing similar positive remarks of the emerging India.
But compare the negatives ruled out by Congress and the positives observed by rank outside opinion makers who have no wested interest in praising India’s growth. Congress is trying hard to comeback to power at the centre with kinds of negative stories on NDAs 11 years. This is Yeh Mera India.
KARNATAKA: VICTORY TO STAMPADE
IPL 2025 came and went into history, but left in its trail death trap to many in Bengalooru, which was completely avoidable. But India is a happening place of all kinds.
As we all know RCB or Royal Challengers Bengalooru has won the IPL 2025 trophy by almost a whisker, which in all fairness belonged to PBKS or Punjab Kings. But cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties.
We have also seen PBKS meekly going down to RCB in their first elimination meet. But in the encounter that followed, the way PBKS won against mighty Mumbai Indians deserved to be recounted in gold, very memorable indeed, especially for the PBKS captain Shreyas Aiyar. That match gave a clear glimpse of PBKS prowess.
Anyway what had to happen has happened and the curtain was down for IPL 2025.
Having won the first IPL trophy RCB had to celebrate their victory. And the celebration had to be in Bengalooru for obvious reasons. After all RCB is the child of Vijay Mallya, the man who made Royal Challengers Whisky a household name in India. Its another matter that he is not in Bengalooru or in India to celebrate the maiden triumph of his child RCB, that is rather sad. He should be a deeply disappointed man that he could not enjoy those glorious moments of RCB victory in the finals of IPL 2025. But strangely none in the media mentioned him or his disappointment.
Now coming to the RCB team, on the face of it except Vijay Mallya connection there is hardly any connection to the team composition of the 25 players involved with the team. Reportedly only 2 were Kannadigas or from Karnataka. Therefore for it to celebrate the victory in Begalooru, the B in RCB was probably the greatest reason for Bengaloreans to feel one with the team.
While it is true that RCB had to celebrate their maiden IPL victory, it was not planned to be an organized event. With state government in Bengalooru making a common cause with RCB, it was expected that government machinery would take the call to see that crowd management to such an event could be better managed. In the event as a paper puts it “Poor planning, infrastructure gaps and fan frenzy resulted in the loss of 11 lives with hundreds having been injured. A moment of joy spiraled into chaos as Bengalooru came out in full force to celebrate RCB’s first ever IPL title. What was meant to be a victory parade quickly turned into a deadly crush. The organizers were totally unprepared for the kind of crowd that descended on the streets of Bengalooru. Blame game sadly stopped at police.
With state government punishing police left right and centre with politicians who played all kinds of role in the confusion, going scot free. Now it’s a merry go round with courts having come into the scene, only to fix who should be held responsible.
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