Not Slumdogs…SlumLions!!!

While I will try to restrain myself from sounding like a boast about my country in this blog but this seems to be a hard task considering how proud I feel about my
country and her recent achievements on the world stage.

While it’s a big day today with India winning its Oscar and that too in a grand fashion by winning 8 out of the 10 nominations, I would want to step back a little and recount other events of the recent past.

-India through Bindra wins it’s a first individual Olympic gold medal
-India becomes the seventh country to launch a successful moon mission
-India remains strong and isolated in the global economic downturn

The thing that I observe from above is the strides that India is making is not restricted to a single field and instead the variety from sport to space amazes me.

It’s not a singular India that’s growing but its pluralism in growth is. It’s evident that people of India are making it happen.

There have been set-backs with recent terrorist attacks, Satyam scam, erosion of wealth in sensex downrun which has all about brought a sad and recessionary feeling in the society.

But I think I write today to dispel just these feelings and put down my beliefs that these things are only dark lining to a silver cloud named India and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the whole team of Slumdog Millionaire on their achievement.

The slum dwellers should not be called Slumdogs, they should be called Slum Lions

Regards,
Sanjay Nirupam
“Indians Take Heart in 'Slumdog Success'”

Democracy Means Debate, Not Violence

“Rampaging MLAs bring Uttar Pradesh Assembly down”

“46 MLAs in Andhra Pradesh assembly were suspended for a day for disrupting house proceedings.”

We witnessed two such incidents in a line. The MLAs were seen throwing microphones and paper balls, waving black flags and shouting at the Governor in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. And the Andhra Assembly wasn’t a pretty sight either.
It is indeed disheartening to see this. We the Law Makers should not break the law. I thoroughly condemn the act.
Assemblies are a forum for discussions meant for the betterment of all. It doesn’t matter to which party one belongs, whether it’s the opposition or the ruling party. The house, the Speaker and all the members of the assembly cannot and should not be disrespected in any manner.
The plain simple meaning of democracy is that WE AGREE TO DISAGREE. But that does not allow us to show ‘through extreme means’ that we disagree.
I want your opinion. What should be done to improve or make democracy more meaningful and serious?

Regards,
Sanjay Nirupam.