Cacophony

What a year ?! Election years have always been 'politically violent' in India. All of the top liars descend upon the masses, making up imaginary claims and promising even loftier ones in future. But lately the focus has shifted from development and progress to the nation's security and religion. And the poor citizens are receptive. It seems people would rather practise their religion , than worry about the next day's income.

This year , there is a third party in the political game. Apart from the two main contenders, the third party is the Election Commission. They too have now been affected by the virulent strain. Double standards galore. On one hand, they have been disqualifying independent candidates , but they also let major parties lie blatantly, and have failed to take action more than once.

And into this politically charged nation , comes nature's fury. Cyclone Phani ravaged parts of the country, killing some  and turning thousands homeless. Loss of life and property was minimal this time, but more details are sure to emerge.

The media is still actively churning out articles highlighting the incumbent party's multiple failures, the top two being demonitisation and GST. But this narrative is drowned by fake news running on social media. And the economy, is clearly slowing down.

We still have to wait till the end of the month to end this cacophony.

Please end. Soon.

Holiday Hangover

Oh gosh. Returning from a long holiday is really difficult. Horrible. Sucks all your energy out.

But on the bright (?) side, won't have to do to this very often. Gonna hibernate all through the winter.

Heres to the chilly weather.

Why Sri Lanka ?

Sri Lanka was a soft target.

An in-depth opinion-piece (not news) article on why Sri Lanka was probably chosen for the Easter attacks.

Marvellous Nonsense

Ill be very glad when this is over. The new Marvel movie is hitting theatres this week. Endgame. Fans are going crazy around the world. Fans are speculating non-stop. Fans are frustrated. Because fans cannot get enough tickets.

But I have never been a fan. Of these superhero movies.

For me , there is something weird seeing grown men wearing spandex and capes and cosplaying. And I am talking of the fans here. Its even worse seeing the actors playing these 'comics' on screen. Sure, they are getting paid hundreds of milllions for standing in front of green screens. But it is still weird seeing all this hype about superhero movies.

And now I see people discussing scenes and dialogues from the movies as if they were the classic movies from the fifties. Makes me puke, when I see them discuss charachter arcs and emotional vulnerabilites.

Its also amazing seeing the marvellous marketting machinery of hollywood at work. They are able to get crazy fans pay through their noses for first day tickets for these CGI-action movies, when movies with real stories, inspiring and memorable characters lie in the dust. They just don't make those kind of fun movies anymore.

Its also amazing when you realize that real superheroes don't really wear capes. I see them everyday. They were uniforms, and hats, and are always around to protect and serve.

Just get this over with. Until they think of the next superhero movie they can write up.

Unhealthy country

I have been binge watching the second season of 'Laakhon mein Ek' on Prime over the long weekend. Never knew about it. Don't care about the first season. Its one of those new millenial online docu-drama series. This one places a young, extremely positive, and a little out-of-touch young student of medicine in the middle of a political imbroglio. I was hoping for a happy ending. Alas, like anything else Indian , this one too does not have any.

The sad reality is that the story in this series can never be tagged historic. It will be contemporary , even about 50 years from now. By the way things are going, hardly anything is going to improve. Therefore one can't say that the timing of such a story is relevant. Any Indian will be able to relate to this story, anytime.

Students of medicine in India have to undergo what is called 'rural service'. After 5 years of theory, and 1 year of internship, they have to serve 1 or 2 years working at remote hospitals or health centres deep inside Indian villages. Sometimes these places are in or near reserved forests, or up in the hilss, with no easy access or communication with the outside world. It is the exact opposite of a plush seat job, in an air conditioned clinic. The education is considered complete only after completion of this service, and is required to secure the degree. And this way, the system ensures that there is always a steady stream of young healthy energetic young doctors standing by to serve the section of population who are in most need of dependable health care.

The students hate it. The administration struggles with it. But milllions depend on it.

I have met my share of shady quacks and doctors deep in Indian villages. Have been very fortunate to escape the system. With the government providing the medicine, and them providing the hospitals and doctors, one would think it would all go along swimmingly. One could not be more wrong. The system corrupts everyone involved. And the patients are most affected.

Its pathetic. And there are thousands of stories of people trying to fight the system. Legally and otherwise.

And this is one of those attempts.