Finally justice prevails

Just when it looked like people will lose their faith in the judicial system in the country, the Best Bakery case verdict has come as a ray of hope for the numerous people who are fighting various legal battles. And the fact that show-cause notice has been issued to the hostile witness Zahira Sheikh and her family has also given some hope and proved that justice can prevail. And that too this verdict coming after the much criticized Jessica Lal murder case. The verdict in the Jessica Lal case had disappointed not only her friends and family, but people who are fighting their own legal battles.
Utter the word court and all that will come to peoples mind is cases that don’t seem to end, hostile witnesses and tampered evidences. So this verdict comes as a shot in the arm. The case has had its share of controversies. Zahira Sheikh, the key witness has twisted her statements every now and then. Lawyers have been maligned. But inspite of all this, today the case has finally seen the light of the day. Unlike other cases which never seem to be moving anywhere, this was a speedy trail. Take the example of the other mentioned case. The Jessica Lal case. It went on for years. Witnesses there too turned hostile. And in the end, the verdict, though not a surprise, was a disappointment.
The judiciary, which is one of the pillars of democracy, can sure do with more verdicts like the Bakery case verdict. It will not only restore the faith of people in the system, but will also make people think twice before committing a crime. No matter who they are or what their connections are.

A'war'd for or aganist the awardees?

I have never really given much of a thought to the Padma awards or any other awards that the government or state announce. All I have managed to do is read the names in the newspapers and leave it at that. Never have I gone beyond that. Inspite of the controversies that surround the awards year after year. Numerous awardees have refused the award and numerous have questioned the selection process. It never really bothered me much. But since the past couple of years my brain refused to accept the names in the list. The names there made me wonder what these awards are for. Are they for popularity or for excellence in a field? Then again how is excellence defined? Looking at the names it sure looks like they are for popularity. How else can one explain the inclusion of Sania Mirza or Shah Rukh Khan in the list of awardees? No doubt what Sania has achieved is a great feat. She has taken women’s tennis in India to a new high and has been an inspiring factor for the youth. But does that entitle such a high honour? She may have played against top players on the circuit and in a couple of tournaments reached the quarter finals. But is that enough? After all she still has no Grand Slam title to her credit. She has won a WTA tournament, but then doesn’t she need to be a little more consistent and get to the winning ways more often?
Similarly does Shah Rukh Khan deserve the Padma award? Am sure all those King Khan fans would consider the award as a just one. And argue that he has excelled very well in his field and deserves the honour. But is that the basis on which these awards are given? Apart from a Swades, how many of his films gave a social message? Still his inclusion is a little justifiable considering his popularity, which is reaching new highs with each passing year and for the fact that his films provide wholesome entertainment to the Indians. But then, why did it take so long to honour AK Hangal?
Then again there are times when people like Anil Kumble are considered for the award, years after consistently performing well. Shouldn’t people like him have been bestowed with the award years back? Why does it take the government so many years to recognise such people? Just because they have no fan following and popularity like a Sania!
Also how does one explain the fact that veterans are placed on same pedestal with new-comers? No wonder these awards are offending some of the awardees and them refusing it.
The selection process needs to be more logical and explanatory than now is.

In the right direction?

I had never imagined that I will start a blog. Not in my dreams. I never wanted to probably share my thoughts and feelings so publicly. But then my passion for news and media and more so for writing made me rethink. Though working in a profession closely related to writing, the creative urge for freedom, the urge to pen down thoughts without any restrictions made me start this blog. Every person who feels clobbered down by the restrictions of a company or an organisation will understand what it is to work as a free bird. A bird not in a cage of policies, rules and regulations. Of course, that doesn’t give one the privilege to take this freedom for granted. A line will always be drawn and my thought process will not cross this self-drawn lakshman rekha.
So what exactly am I going to address in this blog? Your guess is as good as mine. Makes me sound like a lost person, with no direction whatsoever. But even then, this directionless soul will try putting some soul in writings and the topics that will be dealt with in this blog. This blog's aim is not merely to criticize. It will be a look at things from my perspective and more so try to look at things in a complete perspective. All in all this blog will address current issues and happenings in the country and abroad and will also feature some personal anecdotes and memories once in a while. To put it simply whatever direction my brain and mind take.