The Gujjar saga- This is how our democracy works!

The Gujjars have been maligned for the violent methods they adopted to voice their demands for a quota. But one cannot fault the principles on which their agitation was based.

The original list of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes prepared in 1950 has expanded over the years. So there is no reason why groups such as Gujjars, who feel that they deserve quotas, can't agitate for ST status.

In any case, the BJP before it won the elections in Rajasthan had promised ST status to the Gujjars.

The Gujjars have a pretty strong case for being included in the ST list. Besides the Gujjars themselves, there are many who believe that they've been hard done by when compared to the Meenas.

The Meenas, who have a similar socio-economic background as the Gujjars, are classified as STs and have cornered most of the central government jobs in Rajasthan.

The Gujjars, by virtue of being a nomadic group, have always found it difficult to mobilise and articulate their demands.

This year's agitation, as well as the one last year, is an illustration of the political maturity and clout of the Gujjars.

There are some who have pointed out that the Rajasthan government's move to grant a 5 per cent quota for Gujjars flouts the existing 50 per cent limit fixed by the Supreme Court.

But we shouldn't forget that the Constitution does not limit the quantity of reservations. There are many sociologists who believe that scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes together make up more than three quarters of India's population.

So why should there be a 50 per cent limit to reservation?

It's no use bemoaning the fact that groups like Gujjars are demanding and getting quotas and opening the door for more such agitations. So long as there is reservation on the basis of caste and tribe, we can expect groups to mobilise along identity.

Only when the system of reservation is changed, can we expect movements such as the one in Rajasthan to cease.

(Views of TOI correspondent-Prodosh Mitra. Endorsed by BM)

Realty Prices to go up?

Mumbai, BM press:

Considering the latest announcements that have been made with regards to the construction sector and given the increase in steel and cement prices, a price rise in the realty industry seems inevitable.

Last week it was announced that VAT i.e Value Added Tax @ 5% will be levied on all constructions after june 2006. A day later came an announcement of builders being able to charge a 4.5% service tax. Obviously, no builder is going to pay the VAT from his own pocket and the burden will be ultimately transferred to the final buyers.

Also adding to this is the Inflation rate of India which is close to 8% making basic necessities more expensive than ever. And the RBI increasing the Repo rates are adding tho the woes as getting loans has just got a lil more burdening.

So buying a dream home is proving to be a costly dream now.. Watch out for the growth in Tier II and Tier III cities. And if any plans to invest in the realty sector/lands or plots do take these cities into consideration.

"Mere desh ki dharti sona ugle, ugle heere moti... ..mere desh ki dharti.."
Apparently, nothing comes for free in this world... so what if u grow diamond and gold in your backyard.. all hypothetical!!

New Logo Unveiled!!

Hi guys,
After putting in hours and days into it, i have finally arrived at the final logo of my blog.
Also note that the blog will now on be called not as "Renaissance", but as "BM BLOG". Though the essence will somewhat be similar.
Thanks a million for being at the logo launch ceremony..
(pls comment and criticize the logo; valuable inputs if incorporated shall be rewarded in some way.. friends i need ur support and interaction to continue with the same enthusiasm and develop my general skills. thanks a lottt for ur motivation.)

Regards,
BM

Announcement!!

Hi dear friends,
Thanks a million for visiting my blog...
In the process of making my blog better, i gives me immense pleasure 2 announce that i am about to unveil a new logo for my blog..
So just stay tuned..
Event: Inauguration of the blog logo.
Venue: Ur desktop.
Date: 28th May 2008
Time: Between 23.00- 00.00hrs

Be there. Be a part of Renaissance!

Thanks n Regards,
BM

Songs you MUST listen to before you die!!

(Apologies if they are completely unfamiliar to you. But cant help)

Ruk Ja Raat ke Theher ja re Chanda, beete na milan ki reina.. - Lata Mangeshkar.
"Everything comes to a standstill, once the song is over. One of my favorites."


Dheere Dheere chal, chand gagan me - Rafi (Love Marriage).
"Slow down and enjoy the journey of life."


Aa ja sanam madhur chandni mein hum - Raj Kapoor.
"A great melody."


Bhuli hui yaadon mein, mujhe itna na satao.. Mukesh.
"A substitute for cigarettes and alcohol."


Chingaari koi bhadke... Kishore Kumar (Amar Prem).
"Takes you away from everything, literally. Another good substitute."


Suhana safar aur yeh mausam hasin... Mukesh (Madhumati).
"You smile atleast thrice during the song if you listen to it carefully."


Yeh dil tum bin kahin lagta nahin hum kya kare.. Rafi-Lata.
"One can be sure to hit the previous track button of the media player as soon as the next track starts."


Kisi ki muskurahaton pe ho nissar... Mukesh (Anari).
"You begin to prepare a balance sheet of your life."


Yeh hai bambai, yeh hai bambai.. meri jaan - Rafi- Geeta Dutt.
"Nicely portrayed picture of Mumbai thats applicable even today, but more importantly a wonderful waltz song from that era."


(Above selection from the oldies... Another post on new and not so old ones..
Coming soon,
Regards,
BM)

PJ Time

Three men- Vrateek, Yinit and Pash visit a doctor for a memory test.

Doctor to Vrateek: "what is four times four?"

Vrateek thinks for a while and says, "291".

Disappointed doctor turns to Yinit and asks him the same question,

"so Yinit, u tell me what is four times four?"

Yinit pretends to think a lot and finally says.. "Tuesday."

Doctor with a grin on his face, with no expectations asks Pash,

"Hey Pash, what is four times four?"

This time, without wasting any second Pash suddenly answers,

"I know, 16".

The delighted doctor congratulates Pash,

"Well done Pash, thats the right answer!!!!", "So now can you tell your friends how did you arrive at it?"

Answers Pash, "Simple, just subtract Tuesday from 291.."

I feel Scared!!

The recent terror strikes at jaipur and the previous incidences of violent terrorist attacks on Mumbai and other places all over the country has suddenly made me ponder and think that "We are NOT Safe"."At all"
Don't know why, but i am feeling more scared than ever after these serial blasts.
They might have taken place far away from us but it is an eye opener that the terrorists network is already reaching out to the tier II and III cities like Jaipur and metros and the heaven J&K are not the only ones affected by it.
After every blast the government comes up with some schemes for the victims and their families and an assurance of fighting the terrorists with more stringent policies and aggression. But whats the state of affair? The strikes are still on.
Also i feel that not much can the government do as most of the times a new organization openly undertakes the responsibility of the blasts or the act. This time it was another new organization some *** al**hindi* which claimed the act and not only did they do it successfully, but they also had the guts to release the video of their plan and mail a news channel using words"*fida*yin* wait Modi" indicating some unaccomplished mission.
One might also think why Jaipur as the spot. The reason could be to announce their prescence to international people as Jaipur/ Rajasthan is the most visited place by the foreign tourists after Goa and Kerela in india. or may be some other reasons..

But the bottomline remains that India is not a terror free state at all and i seriously don't feel that any one can be safe any time here. U cant be safe while traveling in the trains or the buses that go to your home, the crowded stadiums of cricket matches can be their next target, u can never be sure to send your family members to the market place alone...

What has to be done? Do we give up to these attacks? What is it thats going wrong?
We only have two options:
1. Let the things be as they are and live with them, and
2. Take up the responsibility of changing the situation and promise our kids a better and a safe future.

The choice is yours...

I have no intentions of scaring any one of you. But all that we need to do is be ALERT citizens and co operate with the system. Encourage education, general as well as moral in the backward areas so unemployed youths are not dragged into these things. Not only do we have to be alert, but we also need to keep others alert about the situations. Do some self Policing. Your one moment of presence of mind can save hundreds of lives and families.. I hope we can contribute something to our motherland.

God let there be peace in this world....

(Please send in your ways to tackle terrorism in the comments section. If satisfactory solutions are generated, I PROMISE to put my efforts in conveying them to the masses and the Government authorities. Lets Join Hands for a free world!!)


Regards,
BM

BM Quotes

"Slow down and enjoy Life...
It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast,
- you also miss the sense of where you are going and why."

PJ Time

Sardar had twins. He named them Tin and Martin.

Again had twins and named them Peter and Repeater.

Again twins and named them Max and Climax.

Again the same. Disgusted Sardar named them Tired & Retired.

BM Quotes

"A dream is not what you see while you are asleep...
...A dream is that thing which does not let you sleep!!"