Random thoughts on a Monday morning

Some Indian experts have been fuming at Nepal King Gyanendra's crackdown on a privately-owned radio station. Radio Sagarmatha was ordered to shut down after it broadcast an interview with Maoist leader Prachanda.

While it must be said that the King's gagging of the media in Nepal is deplorable, we Indians do not have the moral right to question Nepal.

India has not allowed private radio stations to broadcast news even in the age of satellite revolution. News on radio continues to be the government monopoly and only the All India Radio, the government's mouthpiece, is allowed to broadcast news.

Indians, including the Indian government, are also angry that the King is not restoring democracy in the country as he promised when he took over the executive powers.

India, US and UK have joined hands in pushing the King to the wall, and that wall is the Great Wall of China. Imagine Maoist China helping the King in his war against the Maoists! Ok you don't need to imagine it... the first large consignment of arms arrived in Nepal last week.

While it should be natural for India, who is battling a Maoist insurgence in large parts of her land, to help Nepal.

India has to realise the fact that free-for-all democracy will lead Nepal to be overwhelmed by the Moists. Democracy is imortant but if democracy leads to democracy's death, what use is that democracy?

Nepal is on the brink. It needs India's help in crushing the rebellion. Democracy can come later.

BHAR DE JOLIE MERI...

Angelina Jolie has been touring the quake-affected areas of Pakistan. And millions of hearts in the not-affected are trembling with a wicked wish: God give us an earthquake too.

POLITICS VER. 2.0 Beta
Raj Thackeray has brought Shiv Sena to the breaking point. He, who has modelled himself on Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, is distraught that Bal chose his baalak Uddhav over him to lead the party. Raj looks like Thackeray, wears Thackeray style glasses, dresses like him, talks like him, draws cartoons like him, believes in non-violent politics like him... Still uncle chooses his own son. That has pissed him.

Rising sons have set many a father's sun in our country.

Devi Lal's boat was rocked by his son Chautala, whose sons sank Chautala's boat.

Natwar Singh is drowning in oil because his son has dragged him into the mess.

Sanjay Gandhi brought Indira Gandhi to the ground. She had to go to jail because he took the country for a rough ride.