Today is 26/11/2011, it was the same day when Mumbai was attacked by terrorists trained by Pakistan. As 3 years went and we back at the indecent  we had much more information than we had then. The indecent which shocked the nation was planned by the ISI using their front organization Laskhar e Taiba. I don’t see much difference between ISI and the militant organizations.  We all know that it was Pakistan’s state policy to “Bleed India through thousand cuts”. Also, would like to remind the readers what former Pakistani prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto said that He would fight a thousand years battle with India to take Kashmir. It is of their convenience to create such front organizations through which they get their dirty works done and if anyone questions the Pakistani government then say it is a handiwork of some non state actor. But don’t we know who created this non state actors and who handles them.

The work for Mumbai 26/11 might have started as early as 2003-2004. David Coleman Headley a half Pakistani and half American breed who was a drug smuggler was hired by the US DAE and FBI to spy on their behalf in Pakistan on terrorism.  But Headley  born as Dawood Gilani was already radicalized by then had become a partner of Laskar e taiba and ISI. He became a double agent and started working for both US and Pakistan ISI. He did surveillance of the Mumbai targets. His deeds and what he was upto has been reported couple of time by his wifes from time to time but the American establishment could not act nor did it pass enough information to India. If the US would have interrogated him then he would have spill the beans. View the complete video of the recent investigation of Frontline and Propublica done by Sebastian Rotella.

Watch A Perfect Terrorist on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.

Also read how the US botched up the investigation otherwise Mumbai might not have happened.

10 years after 9/11 the US has already eliminated Al Qaeda head Osama Bin Laden from Abottabad which is near the Pakistani garrison town of Rawanpindi. Was the location of Osama Bin Laden not enough to the US that the Pakistani establishment is hand in gloves with the extremists. 3 years after 26/11 Ajmal Kasab the lone surviving terrorists is still alive and it seems the Maharashtra government has spent over Rs 16 crore on his security. So it means he is the most secured and guarded person in India. Leave alone the masterminds who are still thriving in Pakistan. Today the Pakistanis are taking of peace not because they have realized their mistakes but they have very little option. With US turning their back on Pakistan, the Pakistani establishment do not want to open too many fronts. This peace talks are nothing but a ploy to buy time. Pakistan today is in a very precarious situation with internal conflicts in Baluchistan, Pakistani Taliban, Shia – Sunni conflict, conflict between military and civilian governments etc.

In the world of economy we say China is a manufacturing based economy, India a service based economy, same way we can tell Pakistan is a terrorism based economy. How Pakistan is running terrorism these days is nothing short of business. They raise funds in the name of Islam and Jehad from Gulf countries and collect money from the US on the name of fighting terrorism. So we can clearly see what a double game Pakistan is playing. The issue is Pakistan has hardly ever been a part of the solution rather it itself creates problem. Pakistan has been declared a failed state by the international community as the thought of a homogenous never existed in different regions of the country. Pakistan’s racial discrimination has already created a new country in the name of Bangladesh in 1971.  Further racial discrimination continues in Baluchistan where people are fighting for an independent country. The Muslims who migrated from India during partition are still known as Mohajir (refugee). Like Pakistani Nuclear scientist Abdul Qaader Khan said in an interview that he still feels he is a Mohajir as the way he was treated. Watch the video below:

The burning issue with Pakistan is that people in different region of Pakistan has a a different meaning of the state and interprets in its own way. So the rulers has always blown passionate views like anti India sentiments, extremist views etc to keep the country together. The NWFP area is a Phustun area and which have more affinity towards Afghanistan. The Baluchistan has the Balouchs and so on. All this entities are drifting in their own ways. Only time will tell how long Pakistan can hold on!. So will Pakistan mend its ways? The answer is most probably no and not anytime soon in future. Many people, countries, think tanks etc talk of Pakistan’s disintegration soon and one person seems to have the map of division as well. Disintegration of Pakistan might bring down terrorism but to completely finish it there must be concrete military and political actions. Pakistan in its existence of over 64 years has achieved nothing but globalized terrorism.

The first space flight was done by the then Soviet (USSR) (now Russia) cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in 1961. No, I dont want you to tell the story of the first flight. But I want to show you the magnificent video of that first space flight. How many of you might have seen that? This video is created by the team of http://www.firstorbit.org/ mixing the original voice of Yuri Gagarin from that flight and the original music by Philip Sheppard. The video was shot from ISS (International Space Station).

Watch the video its just amazing — a flight of fantasy!

Durga puja the biggest festival of Bengalis and probably of eastern India. Hopefully this year the number of Durga puja pandel will increase further and the festival becoming more glittering. For the year 2011 lets check where we can go to see Durga puja in Bangalore.

1. Bengalee Association Durga Puja Gaytri Vihar, Palace grounds (near Mekhri circle)

Official website: http://www.bengaleeassociation.org

2. Jayamahal Sarbojanin Durga puja Organized by Jayamahal Ladies Club

3. RT Nagar Durga Puja Organized by RT Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti Patel’s Inn

Venue : VINAYAK MANDIR (1ST Floor),
Opp. F.M. Silk/Odyssy
(Beside R. T. Nagar Post Office)
R. T. Nagar Main Road
Website: http://www.rtnagardurgapuja.org/

4. Sarjapur Durga Puja Organized by Sarjapur Outer Ring Road Bengalee Association Total Mall, Outer Ring Road

Website: http://www.sorrba.org/durga-puja-2011

5. Socio-Cultural Association Indiranagar, Defence Colony Playground, 6th Main, between Indiranagar 100ft Rd and 80 ft Rd.

5. Sarathi Forum, Koramangala, Munureddy Kalayan Mantap, 80 ft Rd, 6th Block, Koramangala

6. Probashi Association, Malleswaram Canara Union Hall 8th Main, 13th Cross, Malleshwaram

6. South Bangalore Cultural Association, J.P.Nagar Puja, opp.to Bannerghata Road Shopper’s Stop.

7. Whitefield Cultural Association, Chetan Building Besides Whitefield police station, close to Nilgiris.

8. Antaranga Bengali Cultural Association, Sanjay Nagar puja. Its Sanay Nagar Main Rd through Ganganahalli, close to Food World.

9. Banaswadi Bengali Cultural Union, Sitaram Kalan Mantap, Banaswadi Main Road, Near Uttam Sagar

10. Murugeshpalya (Air Force) Wind Tunnel Road

11. Air Force Command Hospital, Near Ulsoor

12. Munekolal Marathahalli Durga Puja. Near Marathahalli Bridge.

13. Kagadaspura Durga Puja, 29th Cross, Janajeeva Nest, near SCT College

14. Mangala Kalyana Mantapa. 80 ft Road (opp. Ganesha Temple) 8th Block. Koramangala. Bangalore. 560095

15. Bengali in Bangalore
Aicoboo Residents Welfare Association Ground
Opp to Udupi garden (BTM) behind Bharat Petroleum Pump
Btm Layout 2nd Stage
Bangalore – 560076.
Website: http://bengaliinbangalore.org/durga-puja-2011

Check an account of my visit to Bengalee Association Durga Puja at Palace grounds in 2010.

Yesterday 18th September 2011 a strong earthquake of 6.9 Richter scale hit northern and eastern part of India. The epicenter of the earthquake was around 60 km from Gangtok, capital of Sikkim. The tremors struck at 6.10 pm on that day left many building broken and people fearful. Many buildings in Assam, West Bengal, Bihar etc has developed vivid cracks on the walls. In Sikkim it has triggered many landslides. There were three aftershocks within a span of 30 minutes measuring in the range of 4 – 5.5 in Richter scale. As of now already 50 people are believed to be dead in India. The reason of this earthquake as in most cases was tectonic plate movement. The entire north east and the Himalayan region is high seismic zone. These region has already experienced high intensity earthquakes in the past of 8.7 in Richter scale. The strongest earthquake recorded in history was in Chile in 1960 of around 9.5 in Richter scale.

Phone connection the earthquake prone areas was completely lost. My father was trying to contact people in our native town but was unable to do so that evening and night. I heard on news that Indian PM was able to speak to Sikkim CM using the highly secure hotline. The PM has been proactive in ordering relief for the affected areas. The government which is battered many corruption scandals, if they have slumbered on this disaster then they would have invited nails for themselves. It is a good opportunity to show that they care and they work.

Government has declared compensation for the deceased and injured. But the concern is will the compensations will reach in time and will they get the exact amount. As in all government dealings there is a commission for all work. Lets hope that after Anna affect this changes. May god take care of the people of Eastern India.

West Bengal helpline # is 033-22143230

The first ever formula one Grand Prix is here. Yes, the Indian Grand Prix will be held in Delhi from 28th – 30th October, 2011. The event is organized by Jaypee group under a group company called JPSI. They have created an international standard circuit called Buddh International Circuit at Greater Noida. Forumla one has always been an expensive sports and Indian Grand Prix is no different. So to be there and experience it you will have open your wallet – simple.

Date: 28th – 30th October, 2011
Venue: Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida (near Delhi)
Ticket cost: Various denominations starting from Rs 2500 to Rs 35000. To buy tickets visit Bookmyshow.com.

Tickets are also available at:

MERCEDES BENZ SHOWROOM
107, Kasturba Road, Bangalore

Parking: parking is available but at a premium. For car Rs 1500 and for two wheelers Rs 150. Also, one can buy shuttle tickets at Rs 600 for all three days from various parts of Delhi.

This is billed as one of the biggest sporting event in India. The recently concluded Common Wealth games might have been the biggest. But formula one Indian Grand Prix is definitely would be the most in terms of glamour.

The effort to bring formula one to India is quite old. In 1997 there has been an effort to organize the event in Kolkata. Since then many contenders came like Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai.

Check some more resources on Formula one Indian Grand Prix:

1. http://indiangrandprix.net/
2. http://www.indian-grand-prix.com/

For last two weeks I am noticing that Bangalore Metro is making numerous trail runs through out the reach 1 that is Byapannahalli depot to Chinnaswamy stadium. The public inauguration was on card for quite sometime. Ex Karnataka CM Yedurappa declared that Namma Metro will run on Ugadi (April 4th) this year which never happened. But I think as of now, Namma Metro will run only upto MG road as there seems to be no station for cricket stadium. These days you can see the pink shaded coaches of Namma Metro running regularly. I see that MG road, Ulsoor, CMH road, Swami Vivekananda road (old Madras road) stations along with the main depot at Byapannahalli is almost complete. All I see now the finishing touches to be done and office furnitures to be set in. But further work still remains. KH Muniyappa, Union minister of state for railways who also hails from Karnataka said that Bangalore Metro has got all clearences and it is ready for public run by the month end of September. But the Commissioner of Rail Safety (CRS) has asked BMRCL to make some changes and re-apply for permission. However, the Railway board has already approved the start of Namma Metro of Bangalore. This just shows lack of co-ordination between the various government agencies and the general public suffers due to the restrictions put for Namma Metro.

There is a talk that BMRCL will try to get prime minister Manmohan Singh to inaugurate Bangalore Metro. But there is still no clarity on that. Given the state of the work I dont think that Bangalore Metro train will have public run in September. Also, our politicians look for some big or auspicious day for inaugurations. So my hunch is that the inauguration for Bangalore Metro will take place in October and on the day of Dashera or Vijaya Dashami.

But you will encounter the real picture of Bangalore metro only after its inauguration. The toilets have not be installed only on select stations and not all. They will be pay and use. No sitting facility either. Furthermore you will be fined if you overstay at the station.

On fares – you will have to shell out more. Ordinary BMTC bus ticket cost from CMH road to MG road is Rs 8. Wheres on Namma Metro from CMH road (Indiranagar) to MG road you will to pay Rs 12. So they have kept fare of Metro at 1.5 times to the BMTC ordinary bus fare. However if you have Varshik (annual fare card) you will have to pay Rs 10.20 for the same distance. They will also offer smart cards and tokens for the purpose of tickets. Their fare scheme seems to be ok but short distance travel will be little costly. As minimum fare is of Rs 10 (one station to next station).

Bangalore Namma Metro’s toll-free helpline number – 1800 425 12345

What is La Tomatina Festival?

La Tomatina is a festival that is held in the Valencian town of Buñol, Spain – in which participants throw tomatoes at each other. It is held the last Wednesday in August, during the week of festivities of Buñol.

Origin of La Tomatina:

In 1945, during a parade of gigantes y cabezudos, young men who wanted to participate in the event staged a brawl. Since there was a vegetable stand nearby, they picked up tomatoes and used them as weapons. The police had to intervene to break up the fight, and forced those responsible to pay the damages incurred.

The following year the young people repeated the fight, only this time they brought their own tomatoes from home. They were again dispersed by the police. After repeating this in subsequent years, the party was, albeit unofficially, established.

Many other cities have replicated this festival like Colombian town of Sutamarchán since 2004, Costa Rica the town of San José de Trojas, City of Reno, Nevada in the United States etc. India the idea to held a tomato festival might have come from the song Ik Junoon from the movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara which recreated the the La Tomatina festival for that song.

Source: Wikipedia

La Tomatina website for Spain: http://www.latomatina.org/

The first La Tomatina festival in India is taking place in Bangalore.

Date: 18th September, 2011
Time: 11 am onwards
Venue: palace Grounds, Bangalore

Cost:

Student – Rs. 899(Under Graduates)
Single – Rs. 1199(Free Complimentary Drink)
Couple – Rs. 1999(Free Complimentary Drink Each)

To buy tickets online click here.

It will feature ran dance, tomato flush in a swimming pool among other things featuring best DJs like DJ Ivan in the country.

La Tomatina Bangalore website: http://latomatina.co.in/