Fingers crossed

The results of the general elections are out today, and I am happy that the people of India have been decisive in their mandate this time.

The people of this country have given the present government much more power this time to govern. I hope the allies of the main political party, do not start to act in a self-centered childish manner as they are known to do, say an year from now. These regional parties must rise above their regional level of politics to play a more sensible and matured role at the national level.

It was nice to see the leader of the main opposition, accept the defeat humbly and congratulate his adversary. We have once again proved, the power of our democracy, amid the "crumbling democracies" around us.

The verdict is loud and clear: "We have given you a clear mandate, please please please give us a clean and decisive governance" -- people of India, General Elections 2009.

Achcha hai

Well, was just going through the tracks on my hard-disk, till my ears struck on this one by Ghalib:

देखिए पाते हैं उशाक़ बुतों से क्या फ़ैज़,
इक बराहमन ने कहा है के ये साल अच्छा है.

Though it is never a good thought to provide an "implementation" of such a great poetic work, it turns out to be something like this: "Let us see what abundance the lovers will get by praying to the idols, One brahmin has said that this year is good."

I have heard and read this couplet so many times, but it never struck me so deep before today.