As the Gujarat elections nears and as the parliamentary elections looms large, thanks to the nuclear deal, I came across some interesting puzzles related to elections. Many of these puzzles were devised by kids – as kiddy as 8th standard. I found it interesting. Have a look below.
Why is that the symbols like donkey are not used in elections
Ans : Because the candidates cannot present themselves as symbols
If Iran has hidden nuclear arms underground, where should India hide?
Ans : In fair price (PDS) shops
In India politics those who were divided yesterday are united today, those united today will be divided tomorrow? What do you understand from this?
Ans : Unity is the root of division
Most apt election speech
Ans : My dear voters. For your safety, security, peace of mind and peace all around, I appeal to vote for me and send to parliament ASAP.
In Hollywood, there is an aware for the worst film. What about India?
And : The only difference is that in India it is given by government of India in ‘best film’ category
If the political leaders go on a hunger strike?
Ans : Export of food grains
Why do the ministers cut ribbon even in literacy camps?
Ans : Because any other type of inauguration will start with writing an alphabet
“Only Congress can save India” Who said this?
Ans : India, because only India can save Congress
Ans : What is the reason for political instability at the center?
Janta Dull
October 29, 2007
October 12, 2007
Christians and Gujarat elections
Gujarat is best known for its violence against minorities more than the founder of the non-violent movement – Mahatma Gandhi. It started with Christians and went on to Muslims and now both are at the gunpoint of the right wing BJP government. Stories from this region have focused almost around this aspect. BJP seems to be unassailable in Gujarat and as long as BJP remains in power, this aspect will remain the focal point and stories generated are likely to follow threadbare portions of this angle. The ongoing rebellion within the BJP, I believe, is just a farce because no one has grown bigger than any right wing party in any part of the world(hey there are exceptions everywhere). Right wing politicking is based on ideologies and individuals do not matter here.
Once upon a time, Christians were the target and many believed they bore the brunt for political reason. It may be true because the attention post 9/11 turned to Muslims. Unlike in other parts of the country, clergy in Gujarat have not been able to focus on anything other than the usual offensive against the community. Bishops in Gujarat have seldom issued a press statement and even if they have, it has been through priests well connected with journalists.
Church in Gujarat is dormant and very boring. Unless provoked, it has no action. And ‘unfortunately’ there are enough provocations for them only to react. There are many reasons for that. Take for example constructing a Church in a piece of land owned by you. You will never get a permit for this. And so are the cases of many events where the Church may have plans to implement but walk out fearing repercussions. This can be best illustrated in a couple of charismatic conventions, which was one of the most low profile programmes conducted. Church in Gujarat is hundred years young. And it is still in its infancy having all sorts of troubles that all churches universally had – especially power struggles and clergy-laity differences. But these struggles are not new and so it is not newsworthy and so goes unreported. But dormancy by no way means the church is inactive. The Church executes some of the best social and educational responsibilities in the state. Their presence in some of the remote areas is commendable. But it is not vibrant as it is in some of the Indian states. With elections dates close to Christmas, Christians will hope their celebrations are not spoiled.
Once upon a time, Christians were the target and many believed they bore the brunt for political reason. It may be true because the attention post 9/11 turned to Muslims. Unlike in other parts of the country, clergy in Gujarat have not been able to focus on anything other than the usual offensive against the community. Bishops in Gujarat have seldom issued a press statement and even if they have, it has been through priests well connected with journalists.
Church in Gujarat is dormant and very boring. Unless provoked, it has no action. And ‘unfortunately’ there are enough provocations for them only to react. There are many reasons for that. Take for example constructing a Church in a piece of land owned by you. You will never get a permit for this. And so are the cases of many events where the Church may have plans to implement but walk out fearing repercussions. This can be best illustrated in a couple of charismatic conventions, which was one of the most low profile programmes conducted. Church in Gujarat is hundred years young. And it is still in its infancy having all sorts of troubles that all churches universally had – especially power struggles and clergy-laity differences. But these struggles are not new and so it is not newsworthy and so goes unreported. But dormancy by no way means the church is inactive. The Church executes some of the best social and educational responsibilities in the state. Their presence in some of the remote areas is commendable. But it is not vibrant as it is in some of the Indian states. With elections dates close to Christmas, Christians will hope their celebrations are not spoiled.
Technology and religious reporting
Three years ago, Executive Editor of the religious news agency I worked for asked a common question during one of our annual seminars. His question was simple. Have you heard of 3G? Most of us knew. He went on to explain how the agency could upgrade technologically by adopting the latest technology in future – may be to provide news headlines by sms or present WAP versions of the site for mobile users. I was thrilled then because I am a technology and gizmo freak. And since I was also working with audio features, I suggested we start audio stories along with print.
Three years and a few hundred stories later I found the same agency more primitive than it was ever. The photos were discontinued citing poor response from the clients. But how can you sell a photo if haven’t shown it to your client? From a paid site, the agency realized its folly and became a free one. But it has not been able to even drag itself with technology. So all the 3G dreams went to drain. As a punch line of an ad goes - first dream, then believe and create. The agency celebrated its silver jubilee by merely dreaming. It never learnt to believe and create. What it created became archives much before it became news. That is the reason the best stories ever told by countless reporters remained only in archives.
To tell the story of the people of God in India more effectively first we need to find people who will be using those stories. There may be a sizeable number of clients who uses this agency stories but I don’t think numerically that is enough. The agency produced the best stories from Asia and if only the Almighty is expected to read those stories, it is of no use. Technology helping those stories to reach to a wider audience was never taken seriously.
During two decades of reporting stories from Asia, one feature of this agency was accuracy. People trusted the agency for its truthful reporting. But imagine the crime of keeping those stories under the wraps just because you don’t have technological expertise. The agency could not progress in terms of technology, speed and innovation. It remained buried under quality and accuracy.
Three years and a few hundred stories later I found the same agency more primitive than it was ever. The photos were discontinued citing poor response from the clients. But how can you sell a photo if haven’t shown it to your client? From a paid site, the agency realized its folly and became a free one. But it has not been able to even drag itself with technology. So all the 3G dreams went to drain. As a punch line of an ad goes - first dream, then believe and create. The agency celebrated its silver jubilee by merely dreaming. It never learnt to believe and create. What it created became archives much before it became news. That is the reason the best stories ever told by countless reporters remained only in archives.
To tell the story of the people of God in India more effectively first we need to find people who will be using those stories. There may be a sizeable number of clients who uses this agency stories but I don’t think numerically that is enough. The agency produced the best stories from Asia and if only the Almighty is expected to read those stories, it is of no use. Technology helping those stories to reach to a wider audience was never taken seriously.
During two decades of reporting stories from Asia, one feature of this agency was accuracy. People trusted the agency for its truthful reporting. But imagine the crime of keeping those stories under the wraps just because you don’t have technological expertise. The agency could not progress in terms of technology, speed and innovation. It remained buried under quality and accuracy.
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