Mediocre Perspectives

The last two months in Tamil Nadu has witnessed widespread protests calling for closing the shutter on Tamil Nadu Marketing Corporation – TASMAC, the State run institution which controls the distribution of liquor in the State. The protests were triggered following the death of Mr.Sasi Perumal during his protest calling for closing a wine shop. In the aftermath of such incidents it is worthwhile to analyze the impact which TASMAC had had on the State especially in the last decade and the feasibility of its closure. Implications: The society has been at the receiving end of  TASMAC's success. TASMAC has influenced the psychology of the population and has made drinking an ‘acceptable’ part of our lives which is very well reflected in our movies. The act of drinking which was done on rare occasions far outside the premises of residential limits have completely changed with wine shops being found near all residential areas including schools and temples. There have been many ins...

Their opponents were standing on the other side of the ground. The score line of their last match reverberated in his mind. His team had lost that match 0-1. But lot has changed in the last two years. When he packed his uniform in his bag, he knew that his team would beat them today. His participation in next year’s zonal was not assured since he will be in his 10 th standard and his parents will definitely ask him to stop playing. The team which had made the final on other part of the draw was not formidable. The zonal title was assured for them if they manage to beat their opponents today – ‘Government boys higher secondary school’. Only one of his team mates had a full grown moustache while for the others it was just blossoming. His team was through their warm up when his coach called him. “Sathya, give these sheets to the referee and call the boys along”. “Yes sir”. He loved his coach. Kindness is a rare trait in football coaches. Coaches call their student...

“India is Indira. Indira is India”. -A congress leader after India won the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. India has a pluralistic society with no dearth of gods and religions. The world came to know of religious tolerance by observing Indian culture where people worship different and so many gods yet could survive as a nation. But in spite of this fact, a significant element of hero worship is evolving in India and has strengthened well in the last five decades. The World versus India- Then: More than two thousand years ago, hero worship was common in human civilization. The Egyptian Pharaohs were considered to be heavenly which lead to the construction of one of the greatest marvels of ancient civilization the pyramids to house the mummies of their ‘gods’.   The Romans were not an exception with most emperors coveting the title of ‘Caesar’. In the Indian context, Asoka who ruled in the third century BCE was probably the first person to consider hi...

Today Though he had a lengthy discussion last night, Vignesh was still finding it difficult to do it. It was in his hands, with the underside facing him. He could see the delicate stream of hooks all along the border. The mask had openings for sight, smell and taste. It was so delicate and he wondered once again how it could perform something which his friend has guaranteed him. He closed his eyes and slapped it on his face to avoid anymore second thoughts. He felt a slight tinge of pain on contact but then it felt normal. He looked at himself in the mirror. He didn’t find any difference in his face. He headed out to know for himself whether this invention really does what his friend meant. On reaching his office, he again made sure that there aren’t any signs on his face that he is wearing the mask. A sense of hate usually pricks him when he enters the cabin. Because on his way, he has to cross two of his team mates cabins that he has always detested. Nevertheless, a false...

The door was opened on the third knock. He entered as soon as possible and the door was shut behind. It was important that the air doesn’t get in. His dad was relieved to see him. He tried to smile, but he couldn’t. He has been finding it difficult to smile at the elders since his teenage, since the days he realized what the elders done to his world. Removing the mask from his face he stepped in into the house. He walked straight to the bedroom where his mother was lying, under medical support. She was asleep. He dropped the kit of medicines which he has brought for her on the table beside him. She has been under medical support for nearly six months now. Years of inhaling polluted air has terribly weakened her lungs. He realized that he was at least lucky enough to at least earn much to buy sophisticated masks which could reduce the effects of pollutants. His dad brought him a glass of recycled water. He took a sip. He knew that his mother can’t survive longer and his d...

With 24 th May IPL would have completed 8 years. It is widely accepted that even BCCI would not have dreamt that IPL would become an insurmountable giant in 8 years when it was launched against the rebel Indian Cricket League which, has lost its relevance today. The T20 championship has brought a lot of opportunities and threats not just on the cricket field but off field too. Gainers and losers: The IPL has helped many sectors which revolve around cricket. The media has grown a lot due to the IPL, since they gain a lot by the advertisement revenue and some channels in television and FM conduct special programs on IPL. It has definitely boosted the revenue for the cricket grounds which do not earn much by conducting first class cricket matches. Hawkers who usually struggle to make ends meet cash in on this opportunity to make a decent living in these two months by selling sports merchandise of the franchises. Even musicians and dancers have a greater audience t...

We want everyone’s progress and development but it is as important that we take everybody along with us. This election symbolized new hope, I have such able colleagues with me and with guidance from my senior leaders, I have full faith that the responsibility which was given to me on September 13, 2013 and which was completed on May 16, 2014 and with the new responsibility given to me today, I assure you that when we meet in 2019, I will place before you my report card. I will try and achieve the pinnacle of perseverance and hard work. - PM Narendra Modi in his speech in the Central hall of Parliament on May 19,2014. It has been a year since the NDA government assumed office. It is agreed that one year is short for analyzing the performance of a government since the first year is mostly a continuation of policies of the previous government and at least three years are necessary for a concrete outcome. Nevertheless, the last year has been quite eventful to guess where the gover...