Tomichan Matheikal's blog

Baba Ramdev, Anna Hazare, thousands of their supporters (i.e., thousands of Indians) are demanding a corruption-free India, corruption-free politics in the country. How many of these thousands of Indians trying to save the country from corruption have paid bribes to get their job done?  Is paying bribe an act of helplessness?  Or is it an act of convenience? The above cartoon is from The Hindu [11 June 2011]. The Sunday Magazine of the same issue of The Hindu carries an article by Harsh Mander on the cover. Mander tells the story of a young DM who tried to rid his district of corruption.  He faced staunch opposition from the politicians of all levels including the local sarpanches.  Finally when he was about to win his war, he was transferred and all his efforts were scuttled. You can read Mander's article here: http://www.thehindu.com/arts/magazine/article2090149.ece Corruption is deeply rooted in the Indian psyche, in the collective unconscious of the country. That's why

When we climbed back to the top of the hill we were met by a young boy who offered us a peep at the Kanchenjunga Peak through his telescope.   The charge was Rs10 per peep.   I must add that his telescope was indeed of good quality; the glory of the Kanchenjunga came alive through its lenses.   For the full text please log on to http://matheikal.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/mamata-in-action/

The Kanchenjunga as seen from the top of a tea garden in Darjeeling For the text on this: Please log on to http://matheikal.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/mamata-in-action/

This is a view from the Darjeeling Railway Station The people of Darjeeling have been fighting for a separate state because the West Bengal government had been neglecting the Gorkha-populated regions for too long.  Finally Mamata Banerjee, the new Chief Minister of the state, has signed a pact with the Gorkha leaders for some autonomy to the Gorkha regions. I hope to take a better picture of Darjeeling during my next visit. For the full text on this issue, please log on to: http://matheikal.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/mamata-in-action/

The Darjeeling Railway Station For the full text on this: please log on to http://matheikal.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/mamata-in-action/

Ha!

Cycles save energy - they don't use fossil fuels or any other fuel, except human energy.  Cycling is a good exercise too.  It builds up your energy. But these cycles belong to people who use them for travelling to their workplaces every day and back home.  And then once a week they come to a place of worship riding the same cycles.  Even if the religious service is in the dead of the night, after their whole day's tiresome work.  Were the cyclists building up their muscles/energy? Cycles are toys for some!