The eventful year?

An year has ended!! So many things have happened in 2008 and most people would like to forget it, because it wasn’t good according to them or for them. A lot of has been written about it, with such varied opinion that it is all muddled up now.

Most people say 2008 was an extra-ordinary year. But when I checked the TOI’s January 1, 2008, Delhi edition I saw they had mentioned about how some one died due to road rage. And on January 1, 2009 started as usual, TOI, the worlds largest circulating English daily had screamed on its first page how some driver had killed few people. Well that doesn’t sound extra-ordinary to me.

Any ways, I did try and think about the big things of 2008; be it good, bad or the ugly.
Jan, The Sensex was at its high and some people thought we will become the richest nation in the world. And that we were untouchables. Not the untouchables in a demeaning way but in the sense of not attainable, beyond criticism. I wonder what they would say now?

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated; it was tragic for the pakistanis. She died a violent death as her brother and father. The case is just as absurd at times as her brother’s death. There was a report on CNN according to which many people believe that Benazir (she was in power) was involved in his death. It was ironic that both were shot in the neck.

February IPL came into existence, well these people thought they can make money in any time of the year and were more powerful than the ICC. They did make shit load of money and the gentleman’s game became a general mistress. All players were bought and then were treated by some of the owners as private property. Many would know all of this better than me so I would not comment much.

April Bhajji slapped Shreesanth, the lion of Punjab slapped a cub or was it a monkey? Either way every one had a laugh on the episode, especially during the press conference that followed. And many of the people with whom I had a chat said it was coming. Sreesanth was crossing his limits, so it’s not surprising.

August, I think Abhinav Bindra got a gold medal for India. This was the 1st individual gold medal representing one fifth of the world's population. That really seems like an achievement. The way press went berserk on it, the question to be asked was were they making fun or were they being proud? What was the point, should we be happy with our medal tally when competing with our neighbour (china please, Bangaladesh is also our neighbour, don’t get confused)? Ok I will buy the argument that they don’t treat humans as human, they are famous with Human Right Organisation for it but then we are not near to the other big democracy either (USA)! Its good to get medal and represent a country but why the frenzy?

September was a started in comic way; when raj thakery went ballistic on bhaiyas' and they were targeted for a political mileage. All sorts of messages came against him, and everybody took his case. Poor man, uncles old recipe didn’t work in 2008. Then bombs went off in Delhi, a tragedy had struck again. For those who saw it from close range were affected. Some arrests were made, an encounter was done and the whole police theory had many holes. Apart from that nothing much happened, since it were common people and they all have short memory so it was forgotten after few months. And the story seemed something like this – “The politicians lived happily ever after.”

The Indo-US nuclear deal, many people call it historic and consider this as a step that recognizes us (the Indians) as a world power. I don’t know how. Though there is only one Chernobyl incident in this world but I guess we will be adding a few more to the list considering the big plans and the rampant corruption. Or maybe we will avoid it all as most of the plans in India remain on paper. At least some good will happen to us because of it; if we won’t succeed then, at least we won’t die either.

Oct 2 ban on smoking in public places. Gandhiji was a good human being but that doesn’t mean we should punish the smokers from that day itself. Many of my friends complain every year that 2nd oct is a trouble they can’t celebrate Gandhi’s birthday properly with drinks on the table and now smoking also! This month saw the blood bath on stock markets all over. Peace be on all those struck by it.

Nov - Will Obama turnout to be the greatest president in American history? Most believe so or would like to believe so. It is said they elected a president form a suppressed segment and proved they were great; what, after 200 years or something. Look at us a little over 60 years; we have a sikh prime minister, beat that. We know what had happened with Sikhs when Indra Gandhi was killed in late 1970s.

Now in how many counties will the temple be used to exchange gun bullets (akshardham), have mosques destructed (babri masjid), kill the church’s Father and burn the church (orissa) etc. But then rise above everything in politics and get a Muslim president, Sikh prime- minister and the most powerful personality in politics would be a Christian lady. (This was the situation when UPA came to power and Mr Singh became the PM)

Nov 26 – “Mumbai at war” this was what the headlines were communicating on 27th and till the time all the thugs (terrorist) were killed. I call them thugs because usually terrorists have political ambition, but looking at these kids, the understanding is they were brainwashed. Our politicians did their item number in front of the TV. The truly sad part was that even the bosses of the commandos were happy to do item numbers in front of the media (circus). This was unexpected. It was like no one with authority knew what to do. The most simple things like cording off area was not done till late. Electricity wasn’t cut; mobiles and satellite phones were not jammed or tracked!! The whole system was working as a 3rd grade rusted machine bought from a road side shop with no guarantee for function. Not that i am not crediting them for putting the 60 hour siege to an end. But every min lost in these circumstances costs a civilian death, this is not what I say but its standard understanding. Its good that they brought the situation under control in 60 hours but considering the type of claims that is made every now and then, this should have been wrapped up in under 36 hours.

December was eventful in many ways. Ganguly saw retirement after being the most successful test captain or that is what people claim; Australia lost a home series after 16 years – the media covered it as if they committed the seven sins mentioned in the bible in one go.

Bush found the WMD in his press conference; it was “size 10”. Looking at that video I will admit he is quick in reaction, guess he has mastered something in his 8 year tenure of ruling the world (how to dodge –from questions to shoes)

Stocks buffoons were happy especially the real estate ones considering they were the biggest gainers of 2008 and on the whole humans were quite optimistic in the trading community. Although the soothsayers who believe in doomsday are saying to hold you breath and practice yoga for anti-depression cause you might need it.

Let’s see if 2009 will bring in the good news as many are expecting.....