Indian Speaks - The Rulers of India

Most youths in the metros don't have an opinion when it comes to these supposed 'Leaders' of our nation who are actually more like rulers.  They don't really lead - they just feed! Unless there's some personal gain the youth don't  involve themselves much - I hate politics and I'm not interested is what they say.  Even I said that! Its not because we find it boring but its because we feel its hopeless to even express it (though there might be few who are genuinely incapable of thinking about things beyond themselves) I know some people who don't even vote - What's the point they say. Even the news seems the same, a new scam - another added to the pile of scams. Murders / criminal cases that are not solved unless the media person or politicians are involved in.  There is a 'chalta hai' attitude among the public - not because they are alright with the things as they are but they don't think it will ever change.

After the politician slapping incident quiet a few people I know had updated status messages on the social networking and micro-blogging sites commending and appreciating Harvinder Singh (Sher da puttar) - The man who slapped and attacked the veteran politician.  Most 'normal' people feel Harvinder has acted on behalf of all the frustrated and angry Indians including me! When we saw the video clip of a sikh man slapping and attacking the Indian King of Corruption a little bit of our mind felt calm almost as if to say atta-boy! The reason I said most normal people is because there were people belonging to his political party who seemed to have taken it personally and stirred up a little riot in some parts of this state.  I really pity those who took to the streets for their so-called beloved Minister.  They are poor people who do not fully understand  the service he has been doing to this country (he's excellent at self service!).

For those of you who  don't know Sharad Pawar - he is the current Agriculture minister he is also the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.  He also served as the chairman of BCCI.  He is infamous as the most corrupt politician in the country.  You can read a lot of detail on his profile on this Wiki link which I think is still a quiet modest description. Here's a look at him.

Doesn't he look eternally slapped?

His entire family has been initiated into the political business. Politics for the likes of these is not a job but a family business.  What is India after all? A country which is free for all except for its citizens.  Its free for the rulers because they make the rules and they don't pay.  They get paid for making thsse rules for just 'turning up' in office. They don't pay their full taxes, some of them don't pay their electricity bills, phone bills, water bills anything! The public - the aam junta pays for it - we pay taxes on our income, road tax, house tax and all other types of taxes.  Sales tax which even the beggar pays! 

Did you know that in history India has never waged war against any other country? India is called the tolerant country.  Before its alleged freedom it was attacked and ravaged by many raiders and thieves from different countries.  They looted and plundered and left us a reduced, destitute and in a pitiable state.  They left this country in the hands of the then looked upon the first political party - the Indian National congress.  It's been 62 years and the country is 'Still' developing! Really.. Does it take that long?! After the old rulers left these new 'rulers' took up the vacant seats.  The laws and constitution were lifted from the left overs instead of creating new laws for their own people.  Nothing has changed except the rulers.  Today its the politicians filling their pockets and looting the country. 

All that is said above is what all the citizens know but still nothing is happening.  The slapping and booting incidents are just small ripples in the ocean but it sends out the message - we are angry. Majority of our people live in rural areas but the rulers live in the most urban places.  Did you see the new update of what Rahul Gandhi said when he went to UP for his election campaign? - Vote for Congress and we will change the state in 10 years! Yeah right! The country is still developing and he goes there and tells them 10 years? Even in a city like Mumbai the Bandra-Worli sea link which was planned and budgeted to be completed in 5 years took 10 years (amazingly well planned huh!) he says he will build a better state.. an entire state in 10 years? Really Rahul go back to the uncle who wrote your speech and tell him it needs to be more realistic. I pity the poor people of Amethi - who think about The Mahatma Gandhi and cast votes for these new age pseudo Gandhis. 

The Rupee is getting devalued, inflation and food prices rising, farmers committing suicide ... People are getting angry and frustrated and its only a matter of time till another Harvinder Singh will not just slap but may be even do much greater harm to the corrupt clan of India .  And if these numbers keep going up we could even be heading for a civil war - I think its a possibility.  Where is the Jan Lokpal bill? Even though it does not guarantee the end of corruption till the lowest of levels but at least for starters we have hope that these bigwigs will be going down first.  There's a reason they are afraid.  There's a reason why the millions of Indians came together for it... Its time the bill is passed, change does not just happen it is 'Brought In'. Lets go Anna!

Rupee Devaluation - Size Matters

I usually avoid writing about politics and politicians because the subject is so vast and there is no end to how much the common people can crib.  I have been observing - what I think is the deterioration of the rupee.  A subject which has been playing on my mind a lot lately.  The Rupee seems to have lost so much weight owing to the diet of the politicians. While the Aana and Paisa has gone out of circulation the Rupee coin has become lighter and smaller. Wonder what is the reason? I recently happened to have a lot of change in my purse and found some old and the very recent rupee. See for your self (click on the images to view the larger than life version :P).

I noticed the latest one rupee coin is the same size as the 50 Paisa coin or slightly smaller! They have incorporated the new Rupee symbol on the coin alright but why make it smaller and lighter? The design I most hated was the one with a thumb on it...Thenga!! Its like they are mocking the person holding a rupee! What was that designed for, the illiterates? Are they acknowledging the illiterate population of the country!?

Here's a look at 2 Rupee coins.

The second coin seems like its bigger in size but its thinner and lighter.  Also again I'm glad they stopped the one with the two finger impression on it!

The latest  2 Rupee coin is the same size as the old 1 Rupee coin. I have got confused at times and handed out 2 rupee coins instead of one rupee. 

Wonder how the blind catch up with all these changes.  Earlier the coins used to be distinct and even the blind could tell the value.

Do you remember the days when you saw fresh and crisp five Rupee notes? They introduced five Rupee coins, again it started with a heavy fat coin that lost weight over the years. (I just gave away a latest shiny five rupee coin and could not include it) After seeing the illiteracy-special coins I thought the five Rupee coin might have a palm (also the symbol of the ruling party) on it.  

Heck! They even created 10 Rupee coins! People who got their hands on the coins first decided to keep it.  I have one too.  The minting factory tried to make it look like a Euro with dual metal thing but look at the size when I compared it with a Two Rupee coin made in 1999.

Utterly Shameful! I don't think any other country in the world has ever devalued their own currency at this rate and this low! The Government might blame it on the ever rising inflation (which they are suppose to manage) the Rupee strength reduced to almost like a leaf in the wind.  I don't understand the economics but as a commoner / part of the Aam Junta I feel the slap as inflation rises.  I am assuming the govt needs the extra metal to satiate the corrupt and hence trying to lighten our currency.  

Imagine how this will ease them in continuing their corruption - If there are notes / coins for higher denominations its easier to fill up bags and carry them around.  Do you know one Crore Rupees easily be packed in a duffel bag thanks to the thousand Rupee notes.

Another thing I would like to talk about is the picture of Gandhiji on notes of all denominations.  Now I understand he is the father of the nation and all that.. but he was not the only man responsible for the independence our country.  We have so many brave freedom fighters who gave up their lives fighting for this nation and all that they have to their name are few pages in the school history text books.  Again I think ours is the only country that has just one man on our money.  Why not Bhagat Singh, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel - The Iron man of India, Veer Savarkar, Chandra Shekar Aazad, Subhas Chandra Bose or our scientists even?  I think that is because of the way the ruling party wants to use the Gandhi name to their advantage. Do they think - Show Gandhi and people will vote for Gandhi? Digressing a bit away from currencies even the bridges, universities and roads are named after the current Gandhis who are in no way related to the original Gandhi. There's nothing personal against them but really aren't we paying for their Z security and for what? What have these new age, so called youth icon Gandhis done actually other than walk among the people around elections and try to show they understand what ails the common Indian.

Other countries who have fought for their freedom have the names and pictures of the martyrs on the different denominations, streets, universities, etc. Those who were always free have their scientists / politicians (good ones!) or Royals printed.  Ours I have to say is a very poor and sad state of affairs.

Just FYI on some know foreign currencies.

• The highest denomination note printed in the US is the 100 Dollar bill. (Imagine packing a million dollars in a duffel bag)
• The hundred Dollar bill has the US President Franklin on it while the one Dollar bill has George Washington on it.
• One Euro weighs 7.5 grams and the design hasn't changed since it was introduced in 1999 (I think so).
• The Arab Emirates Dirham notes have different motifs as per the denomination.

There's a lot more information out there.. but I guess you get the point.