Some...

Americans: Ohh, they want democracy lets support them; poor things, they don't have rights, lets give them some..

Islamic Extremists: Too many humans...Jihaadddd..lets kill some!!

Hindu Fundamentalists: They don't have culture, let's teach them some.

Chinese:Screw the world, we are awesome.

Indians: They don't know corruption, let's teach them some

Arabs: I want to get some.. errr..dunno wat!?

Africans: They really need some !!

The Vegetable of the Year

Onion (Kaanda) for making producers and consumers equally miserable!

From K to C...

Most newspapers these days scream with headlines of corruption, laundering and fraud. Frankly, its a very disturbing sight when the first thing you see after waking up is some criminal's face grinning at you as he's led by the "protectors" of law. I had almost given up on reading newspapers because of this, but that would be tantamount to me acting like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand. Corruption has become the most frequently used word in newspapers and discussions anywhere.We seem to have a newfound infatuation for the C word after Ektaa Kapoor's last decade K-approved reign.

Ask a kindergarten kid and he might spell C for Corruption instead of the usual Cat word.

Corruption seems to have become the pet peeve for the ever frustrated and disgruntled middle-class.Even B-school group discussions eventually stray to this topic. The recent spate of controversies have served more than one purpose. While it has successfully in some cases exposed corrupt politicians, it has also made us realize that we are very good at pointing fingers at others. Political bashing is probably the favorite time-pass in this country.No wonder, media houses keep unearthing, manufacturing and printing such news. When there is demand, there is supply!

I don't have any qualms about exposing corruption but making a melodrama out of it is a new low for a country which aspires to be a super-power and takes pride in the "India Shining" banner. It would do us a lot of good if we allow room for optimism. Lauding our heroes at home for commendable work should also be a priority. A policeman dies while chasing a thief and the news is probably buried in some corner of the inner pages. A hero is only a hero as long as he is recognized and commended for what he is.26th January and 15th August are probably the only excuses for remembering our heroes.

We crib about policy failures at grass-root levels. How many of us are actually willing to spend some of our leisure time towards activities which require attention?! We crib about not getting our rights but don't care two hoots towards fulfilling our duties. This nation needs and deserves more than our sympathies and complaints. Its time we start recognizing people who matter.Otherwise, we are just a saas-bahu saga for the rest of the world. Noisy, but not to be taken seriously.

Kahe ko duniya banaayi

As the world outside celebrated Valentine's day, I sat in my room reading about the latest developments in Egypt and the Arab world, there was a knock on the door.

A thin, gaunt face stood there, narrow eyes and high cheek bones protruding out. He had a thin frame and could have passed as any average IT guy in full-sleeve shirt, a half sweater and a pair of jeans. A dejected look gave him away, I was sure that he was a migrant from some screwed up middle-east country trying to make a living here. He gave me a folder which he held in his hand, silently, and asked me to read it. I didn't realize; reading what was written in there would send a chill through my spines .

I asked him ,'' tum kahaan se ho?".

He replied,''saab, Kashmir se";

"Kashmir mein kahaan se?";

"Baramullah mein ghar tha saab, militants ne udaa diya.";

" Abhi kahaan rehte ho?" ;

"Pune-Bhonsari mein camp hai saab, waheen rehte hain"

He was one of the hundreds of migrants who were forced to flee their homes and stay in camps. I was dumbstruck . I didn't know how to react; no matter what I said, this guy was probably never going back home! Here I was discussing the Jasmine Revolution with my friends on social networking sites; even finding humor in some of the incidents, but seriously do we have to go that far to witness a crisis.It is right here at home, that too for the past 50 years.The guy was reluctant to vouch for himself, as if even justifying collecting alms and money for sustaining himself and his family was a shameful act. There was this air of awkwardness, as if he were saying, "I don't want to do this, but I am helpless."

I gave him 20 bucks at first, since that was the only amount left in my wallet. He was not very keen on taking cash, but asked if I could give away some old, used clothes, warm clothes and foot-wear.

He said,'' saab, agar pehen ne ko bhi kuch mil jaye toh chalega, raat mein bahut thand lagti hai camp mein".

I gave him a helpless look, being bachelors we didn't keep much of old or unusable clothes; most of it was either thrown away or given to the domestic help. I rushed in to my room and asked my room-mate to give me a 50 rupee note. I told him "If you have some old clothes, which you are planning to discard, then give it". He fished out a pair of pyjamas from the pile of clothes dumped in the laundry net for washing.

The guy was glad that he got a pair of pyjamas. I told him that this was the only thing which we didn't use and wished I could have given him something more. He then proceeded to the next door.

"Duniya bananewale, kahe ko duniya banaayi" -(monologue).