American consumerism

The rhetoric grips no more”(TNIE9th sep) is a wonderful article by Gurumurty reflecting the grim realities of America. The American consumerist life style is mainly responsible for the economic crisis that had it’s seeds In US and later infected the rest of the world. Glamour without substance does not deliver the results while substance without show may not win the elections. It will be a prize if the nation gets both. When the expectations run high, the subsequent fall also will be steep. Huge euphoria is bound to be followed by sickness and fever as evidenced in the case of Obama now . Rajiv Gandhi was prey to same syndrome. Though honeymoon period is over Obama has still time to produce results by changing his style and that of his people.

American consumerism

The rhetoric grips no more”(TNIE9th sep) is a wonderful article by Gurumurty reflecting the grim realities of America. The American consumerist life style is mainly responsible for the economic crisis that had it’s seeds In US and later infected the rest of the world. Glamour without substance does not deliver the results while substance without show may not win the elections. It will be a prize if the nation gets both. When the expectations run high, the subsequent fall also will be steep. Huge euphoria is bound to be followed by sickness and fever as evidenced in the case of Obama now . Rajiv Gandhi was prey to same syndrome. Though honeymoon period is over Obama has still time to produce results by changing his style and that of his people.

SUCCESSION-ysr

The speculation is rife that there are good number of contenders for the chief minister’s post that had fallen vacant following the death of YSR. The names in circulation are that of jaipal Reddy,D Srinivas, Keshava Rao and V Hanumantha Rao. Though Jaipal Reddy is a powerful orator and matured person with clean track record, he does not enjoy any public support. It will be uphill task for him to do justice to the post even with the support of party high command. The rest do not seem to have neither the caliber nor the public appeal to occupy the coveted post. The future of congress party depends upon Sonia Gandhi in selecting a suitable boy to step into the shoes of YSR who had acquired a larger than life image. The incumbent has to contain the factions within the party besides facing a strong and spirited opposition headed by formidable Chandra babu Naidu. Let’s hope that the state will not be thrown into throes of uncertainty.

SUCCESSION-ysr

The speculation is rife that there are good number of contenders for the chief minister’s post that had fallen vacant following the death of YSR. The names in circulation are that of jaipal Reddy,D Srinivas, Keshava Rao and V Hanumantha Rao. Though Jaipal Reddy is a powerful orator and matured person with clean track record, he does not enjoy any public support. It will be uphill task for him to do justice to the post even with the support of party high command. The rest do not seem to have neither the caliber nor the public appeal to occupy the coveted post. The future of congress party depends upon Sonia Gandhi in selecting a suitable boy to step into the shoes of YSR who had acquired a larger than life image. The incumbent has to contain the factions within the party besides facing a strong and spirited opposition headed by formidable Chandra babu Naidu. Let’s hope that the state will not be thrown into throes of uncertainty.

austerity and ministers

The finance minister has done well to ask his ministerial colleagues, S M Krishna and Sashi Tharoor to shift out from the five star hotels where they have been staying since assuming the ministerial berths. Of course, both have complied with the suggestion of the senior colleague immediately. They seem to have checked out with a sense of embarrassment and not with any qualms or guilt. While S M Krishna had tried to justify his action by saying that the house allotted to him was under some repairs and he had made some private arrangement, the junior minister said that he was not spending people’s money and he was spending his savings. No doubt, as a former UN diplomat he can well afford the luxury. The point is that if ministers stay in 5 star hotels and indulge in luxuries, it sends wrong signals, even if they burn their own money or private money. Imagine what kind of impression it would create if Prime minister moves out and starts staying in a star hotel. If the minister for external affairs had not resorted to 5 star hotel, his deputy too would not have ventured to do it. He simply followed the style of his boss. Star hotels are for stars and cricketers, not the ministers, whether paid by exchequer or self cheque. Both are excellent individuals with sparkling background and it will be a tragedy if they are to at the receiving end because of these small frills.

austerity and ministers

The finance minister has done well to ask his ministerial colleagues, S M Krishna and Sashi Tharoor to shift out from the five star hotels where they have been staying since assuming the ministerial berths. Of course, both have complied with the suggestion of the senior colleague immediately. They seem to have checked out with a sense of embarrassment and not with any qualms or guilt. While S M Krishna had tried to justify his action by saying that the house allotted to him was under some repairs and he had made some private arrangement, the junior minister said that he was not spending people’s money and he was spending his savings. No doubt, as a former UN diplomat he can well afford the luxury. The point is that if ministers stay in 5 star hotels and indulge in luxuries, it sends wrong signals, even if they burn their own money or private money. Imagine what kind of impression it would create if Prime minister moves out and starts staying in a star hotel. If the minister for external affairs had not resorted to 5 star hotel, his deputy too would not have ventured to do it. He simply followed the style of his boss. Star hotels are for stars and cricketers, not the ministers, whether paid by exchequer or self cheque. Both are excellent individuals with sparkling background and it will be a tragedy if they are to at the receiving end because of these small frills.

Obama on Gandhi

US president Barack Obama paid handsome tributes to our FATHER OF THE NATION- mahatma Gandhi. Obama is a cult figure of the present generation and his eulogy on Gandhi will make the younger generation curious and enthusiastic to know about the legendary man. It is worth remembering what S Radha Krishnan said on 2nd October 1939, honouring the Mahatma on his 70 th birthday. Quote the greatness of Gandhi is more in his holy living than in his heroic struggles, in his insistence on the creative power of the soul and it’s life-giving quality at a time when the destructive forces seem to be in the ascendant- unquote . Gandhiji impacted the lives of many great people. His life gave courage and inspiration to so many world leaders to launch agitations and struggles with the gun of non violence. It is ironical that when the rest of the world is paying glowing tributes to Mahatma, we have some leaders like Mayawaty amidst us who have the gumption to decry him. After all it requires a measure of greatness to recognize and appreciate greatness.