APRIL 14, 2011: BRICS LEADERS MEETING IN CHINA

Delhi Digest April 10-Two Strangers helped me in Ghaziadabad, UP

Today I went to Indirapuram, Ghaziabad to see a friend. He had an operation. After leaving his home, I found there's a Big Bazaare nearby. I dropped in and bought some fresh fruits. Unfortunately when I tried to turn on my car, the engine did not work. It's 6pm and it will got dark soon. I was quite afraid of getting lost driving at night. I saw a man in his fifties making a phone call. I approached him asking for help. He himself was not a driver but he was very warm and kind. After a while he brought one person also in his fifties who seemed good at spotting car problems. The second man found out my battery encountered a problem. The first gentleman then volenteered to help me find a motors workshop. We found it. He spoken Hindi to the technicians there and I was told to pay 150 Rupees to bring one technician to my car 400 meters far. If he was not there, I didn't know how could I express myself. The technicians spoke only Hindi. Within 10 minutes the engine started working. I paid the technician with thanks. And the two gentlemen stayed with me till I was ready to leave. The second gentlemen told me not to turn on the air conditioning to ensure my battery would be fully charged when I drove back to Chanakyapuri which is 23 Km far. They were so nice and helpful. But I even forgot to ask their names. I only know they also live in that neighborhood. I'll remember them forever.

Delhi Digest April 9, 2011, Foreign Tourists Arrivals

March 2011: 507000 foreign tourists visited India.

Delhi Digest-April 8: 3 Years in India

I came to India shortly after mid-night on early April 8, 2008. When I turned on TV, all cable chanels were reporting on the Arushi murder case. They made it a ditective story. Trivial was my impression upon India media when I first came to Delhi.

Today I find cable channels seem changed to another person. It's Anna Hazare. This 72 year old was nobody in the eyes of many ministers when he started fast-unto-death in Jantar Mantar near Inida's parliament house on April 5. Today he was called another "Gandhi". He has spearheaded the anti-corruption campaign. Many underestimated this short fragile old man. While the youth, the white collars, doctors and even coolies took to streets to express their uttermost anger agains corruption. Enogh is enough,they said. They say even a school child knows who A.Raja is. Spiritual gurus, yoga masters, bollywood actors also join. The cricketers could have possibly joined if they didn't have the IPL in Chennai. One sparkle has turned into nationalwide anti-corruption blaze overnight. It's the first mass movement I've seen with my own eyes. Indian people stands up today. Many regard this as another Independence movement.

Delhi Digest March 30- Cricket Diwali in India

The World Cup, not football, started shortly after lunch at 14:30. I turned on TV again to see the results at 17:30, but its still on. The Doordashan is still busy inserting ads like 3 hours before. I had supper then. I thought it might finished. But I still draged on and on. I had no idea when this Commonwhealth world event would finish. All the 24*7 cable channels are busy reporting anything but the mathch itself. They did not have the right to do so. But they did manage to bag dozens of ex-captins, commentators, Indian and Pakistani. This was undoubtedly a high voltage event. What's more, the two prime ministers from the two neighbors were also there. They were not there for nothing. Bollywood stars, top business tycoons, and of course Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were necessary to appeal to the tens of crores of fans. It's time to go to bed. Fireworks and cheers from the street made me check the callendar. It's like Diwali night. Not a holiday. I went to my sitting room and switched on TV again. I see. Times Now are shouting. Crowds are dancing and singing.India smashed Pakistan 260-231 by 29 runs. It's 22:45. One match lasts for more than 8 hours. It's even longer than a Marathon. If it's in China, I don't know if the spectators, if any, are still there. The 9 idle players must be busy eating and drinking except for watching with their eagle eyes while their 2 teammates were beating their 11 rivals on the ground. I heard each team also has the 12th player, normally a dormant one.

Delhi Digest Mar.25-Inflation Looms Large Again This Time Pilots Lead

I have been fed up with various prices rises and various hikes. It has become a daily phenomenon. I Always bring extra money in my purse to fight inflation.But some Indian pilots fight inflation by inflating their flying hours. They deserve well to be put on record in the Guinnes Book. It's unbelievable although it did happen. I've decided not to fly the carriers which used fake pilots.

Delhi Digest March 22 "Misery Tax"

The Union Government of India plans to levy 5 percent health care tax starting this year. It means you even have to give the government money except for paying the hospital if you are to have an operation. The severe your health is, the more money you have to contribute to the state coffer.It's dubbed "misery tax". Fortunately India's system of self-correction plays an important role. The government faces strong opposition from opposition parties. The Union budget for 2011-2012 tabled by its finance minister might hit an impasse. So its government has to relinquish its plan. "Misery Tax" is annouced abolished today.