Politics: Views about Manmohan Singh and Congress on the Net

The internet (Facebook / Tweets / e-mail fowards); SMS’ and exchanges on WhatsApp are a great indicator of what the public opinion is – irrespective of media silence or publicity. It is really the pulse, voice and experience of the people based on their experience. Here is an aggregation of some of the messages going around: 

Jawaharlal Nehru proved that a rich man can become the country’s Prime Minister;

Lal Bahadur Shastri proved that a poor man can become the Prime Minister;

Indira Gandhi proved that a woman can become the Prime Minister;

Morarji Desai proved that an old man can become the Prime Minister;

Rajiv Gandhi proved that a young man can become the Prime Minister;

I.K. Gujral proved that a gentleman can become the Prime Minister;

Deve Gowda proved just about anybody can become the Prime Minister;

Manmohan Singh has proved that India does not need a Prime Minister.

"If Congress gets another 5 years in office, even Google won't be able to find India"

On August 30, 2013, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed the nation in a time of crisis when the rupee is nosediving towards nothingness. His brilliant, astute and intelligent observation: ,"It cannot be denıed that the country ıs faced wıth a dıffıcult economıc sıtuatıon."

Conversation on FB after that:

“Why does thıs man always talk ın passıve voıce?”

“Because nothing about him is active!!”

“Ha true! I really pıty the sub edıtors who have to edıt copıes wıth hıs quotes. Must be so borıng!”

“What quotes?????”

Society: Inflation In India – Just how High Will it Go?

As the Indian rupee deep dives against the dollar the prices of every day foods are sky-rocketing. Rs. 70/- per dollar is the new milestone that is being watched out for. Almost everyone remembers when India was trying to hold Rs.50/- per dollar steady – believing that too will reduce. What with the potential “big leap” just around the corner? But not only did that not happen, the dropping rate has made India a poorer country. 

Accompanying the sharp fall of the Indian rupee against the dollar is the steep rise in the cost of living. “Aloo pyaaz ka bhav jaante ho?” Who hasn’t heard this (it’s even been used in some movies) phrase to indicate the expense of living. Sadly, the rise in the cost pyaaz or onion is keeping pace with the fall in the value of rupee. In all likelihood, onions will probably become the new yardstick (so far it is the prices of gold) to know the value of the rupee.

A further blow to the common man has been the rise in the prices of home loans. During the boom time, many bought houses (first houses and even second homes) when the interest rates fell to hover around 9 point somethings. This has changed. Interest rates have shot up and the effect will be felt even by those who have already taken loans when the banks unilaterally send out messages to them informing them about higher EMIs. Add to this the tight job market. Employers are showing poor Q1 results and will tighten their belts. This can mean that there won’t be salary revisions or bonuses – in fact, there may be salary cuts. And folks will have to be happy that they still have a job.

People who had planned their lives and finances with a particular amount (offsetting incomes with EMIs) in mind, will have to quickly rework their budgets and find that they really have to start keeping track of the rate of onions. It won’t be a surprise if in the near future India becomes one of the most expensive countries to live in.