This-N-That 23rd July 2016

This-N-That

And for another week-end, a few stray thoughts and a few general observations and a few points of view (some of it my own work and some as reported by media):

The verdict is finally out and the Timeless Test (http://lazybee-thefirst.blogspot.in/2016/02/timeless-test.html) that the nation has been  witnessing is showing signs of coming to an end. Supreme Court has come out with its decision on BCCI's appeal for review of Justice Lodha Panel Recommendations and asked BCCI to play rather than procrastinate endlessly. Banishing all old fogeys and bureaucrats and netas in one fell swoop, Supreme Court has cleared the decks for a new beginning in BCCI. I am sure a number of great minds are busy at the moment, trying to work out a solution which will allow politicians and bureaucrats and others who have benefited immensely in the earlier regime, to make a back-door entry into the new order or at least retain some semblance of control by having their proxies in the new team but this round has clearly gone to the righteous.  Let’s hope it stays that way.

Little Master SRT was caught on the wrong foot when the news of his meeting with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was flashed across the media. In the background was a dispute between DRDO and a developer, Sanjay Narang, about some properties in Landour, Mussourie. Sanjay Narang is reported to be a partner of SRT. Although SRT was quick to state that he attended the meeting with Defence Minister only as a friend of Sanjay Narang, the reports in media also highlighted that SRT had cut short his visit to Australia to attend the meeting. While all the cricket lovers will surely want to give a benefit of doubt to the Little Master, I feel it is high time that the Little Master applies discretion in choosing which pitch to play on. Some pitches are notoriously tricky to bat on and they do not exactly respect any batsmen’s pedigree or record. His 100 centuries in international cricket surely have taught him which ball to play at and which to leave alone. He will need to apply that learning to his innings in public life too.

A month after Britain decided to shoot itself in the foot, the new British PM, Theresa Mary May, has decided to delay pulling the trigger for the time being. Thus leaving EU in a quandary as to whether and when she may or may not do so. Britain very frankly has had what can best be described as a “contract marriage” with EU, refusing a full integration and at the same time enjoying all the benefits arising out of such a liaison. A large section of population has now perhaps realized the mistake that has been thrown by referendum.  Boris Johnson who was at the forefront of Brexit movement has been put in charge of negotiating with EU and not-so-surprisingly received a hostile reception in Brussels. In a show of bravado Johnson vowed to play a major role in Europe and make Britain a great power again. Beats me why EU should be so accommodating to a deserter. Looks the Brits have learnt a thing or two from politicians from the Indian sub-continent about populist rhetoric. Time we charged them “technology transfer fees”.  Frankly the only way Britain can hope to regain any of its past glory, will be to jockey to become the 51^st state of US of A.

That brings us to the soap-opera which is unfolding on the other side of the Atlantic. Donald Trump has finally received the GOP nomination for the biggest winner-take-all contest in the world. We can all expect to have a ring-side seat in the slanging match which will run its course over the next three and a half months. And when I call it winner-take-all contest, at least as far as this contest is concerned, whoever is the winner, rest of the world will be the ultimate loser. Just to get a correct Indian perspective, it is like having an election contest between Subrato Roy of Sahara (a real estate developer with dubious credentials) versus Sonia Gandhi (a politician with question marks against her name) for the top spot in the country. Vote either way if you must or abstain if you so desire, you are surely the loser in short, medium and long term.       

My friend Guy Wise says that the world is looking more and more like India;  petty politicians trying to carve out little fiefdoms for themselves without a thought to the outcome of their moves, chaos and demonstrations during election meetings,  intra-party rebellions, criminal cases against candidates  and  of course money power.  This is real globalization.

LazyBee

24^th July 2016