Random Thought

This has hardly come as a surprise...AVATAR story being played out in India....
1) Vedanta in Orissa - Niyamgiri Hills
2) Bellary Brothers in Karnataka - Bellary steel mines
How else do you think Maoists are born? When the poorest of the poor have nothing else left to lose but their lives, they take up arms!!! (I'm with Arundhati on this one)
Footnote: Bolivia has Lithium deposits in the same amount that Saudi Arabia has oil...Lithium is a core component of batteries that are being touted as the future of "green-technology"...should be interesting to see which superpower gets there for exploitation first!

Random Thought

If a society is judged by the way it treats its weakest subjects, then we are a shameful society for trying to forcefully remove low-wage and hardworking immigrants from the fields and farms of Arizona - on the premise of illegal immigration, national security and economic stability. Why don't we go after the investment bankers of Bears, Lehman, Freddie, and Sachs? They were rewarded with bonuses and severance packages despite committing heinous crimes against the US economy & legal citizens....

ONE MORE PIECE OF STUPID LEGISLATION!!!

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/26/travel.promotion.act/index.html?hpt=T2

A $10 fee charged to visitors from countries included in the Visa Waiver Program who don't have to apply and pay for visas will partially fund the public-private organization. These visitors will pay the fee every two years when they register online using the Department of Homeland Security's Electronic System for Travel Authorization

Comments:

1) Visitors on tourist visas are not happy with the restrictions and security checks

2) Visa Waiver Program users are not happy with the service offered on flights and the quality of airports

3) Adding more fees (even if it is $10) is going to be more of a deterrent than an enabler

4) Spending the $$ on actually beautifying, restoring and improving accessibility to the Tourist Locations will probably be a better idea. For Example: State of NY didn't have enough $$ on its budget to work on maintenance of Statue of Liberty - it ran a mass donations campaign to collect funds!

Mast Nazaron se Allah Bachaye....

Here is a qawalli & prelude by the great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan....I'm in love with this right now!!!
Umra Jalwon mein basar ho, Yeh Zaroori To Nahi
Har Shab-e-Gham ki Saher ho, Yeh Zaroori To Nahi

Chashm-e-Saki se Piyo, Ya Allah-Besaagar se Piyo
Bekhudi Aanthhon Paher ho, Yeh Zaroori To Nahi

Neend to Pathhar ke Bister pe bhi Aaa sakti hai
Unki bahosh mein Sar ho, Yeh Zaroori To Nahi

Sheikh karta hai Masjid mein Khuda ko Sajdey
Uske Sajdo mein Asar ho, Yeh Zaroori To Nahi

Sab ki Nazaron mein ho Saki, Yeh Zaroori hai magar
Sab peh Saki ki Nazar ho, Yeh Zaroori To Nahi

Video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9lt-JI86k4
Pay attention to the lyrics!!!! They are SURREAL!!!

This is SIMPLE & BEAUTIFUL

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Affair-to-remember/H1-Article1-466290.aspx

It reminded me of my post about Chai/Coffee - http://puntersa.blogspot.com/2007/03/india-coffee-battlefield.html

Silicon valley or Death Valley?

Bangalore baby falls into open drain, rescue team gives up hope

http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/18-month-old_falls_into_open_drain_in_bangalore.php

Home is where the brain is

http://www.sanfranmag.com/story/home-where-brain
EXCELLENT and VERY TOUCHING article....
I was almost in tears after reading this!