Thanks to Sanjeev for alerting me to this thought-provoking interview of Arvind Kejriwal (at JaagoRe.com). Excerpt from a response by Arvind (emphasis mine):
Last year in July, when a large number of MPs, during no confidence motion against Manmohan Singh government, crossed sides after taking bribes…I thought that was one of the darkest days for Indian democracy. If such large number of MPs could be sold and purchased, that means we are not an independent country.
Tomorrow any country can purchase any number of MPs and get …

Please share your thoughts on the Bandh AND what would have been your preferred strategy of protest and channelising public discontent.

<br /> <a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/3432260/” mce_href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/3432260/”>Was “Bharat Bandh” good for India?</a><span style=”font-size:9px;” mce_style=”font-size:9px;”><a href=”http://polldaddy.com/features-surveys/” mce_href=”http://polldaddy.com/features-surveys/”>customer surveys</a></span><br />
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And what would have been your…

<br /> <a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/3432315/” mce_href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/3432315/”>Preferred strategy of “protest” and channelising public discontent</a><span style=”font-size:9px;” mce_style=”font-size:9px;”><a href=”http://polldaddy.com/features-surveys/” mce_href=”http://polldaddy.com/features-surveys/”>online surveys</a></span><br />
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Comment and thoughts welcome.

Other Polls on || Satyameva Jayate ||
Should there be certain “selection criteria” for MPs?

What’s stopping you from joining active politics?

What should be India’s top developmental priority?
http://satyameva-jayate.org/2009/01/18/selection-criteria-for-mps/

Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, Vice President, All-India Muslim Personal Law Board on reservations for Muslims:

‘‘Koi bhi qaum baisakhion ke sahare hamesha nahin chal sakti…usme jaan paida karni hogi*..”
*Translation: No community can move forward on crutches…we need to instil life into it.

He further said:
Muslim quota will not prove beneficial in the long run. The Muslim leadership is responsible for illiteracy and backwardness of the community…
Muslim leaders should now atone for their sins by promoting literacy, creating better avenues for jobs and improving their lot instead of harping on issues …

This weekend, three excerpts – on three very different topics – sent to me by three friends.
The first is an excerpt from a keynote speech delivered by Sh Sam Pitroda on “India in a globalized world” at Nehru Centre, Mumbai (Thanks Prashant):
…Today, education is definitely on the national agenda. I believe that this is a great window of opportunity because we have a very large young population. We are prepared to invest on education. Our economy is growing at 8 to 10%. But, at the same time, don’t have big …

Dear All: It is my pleasure to invite you to a Live Chat on CoverItLive on 4th July, Sunday between 430pm – 630pm IST (11am – 1pm GMT; 7am – 9am EST). The chat will be a relatively free-flowing discussion covering news-reports, Mainstream Media (mainly English MSM) and perceived biases and prejudices in news-stories. We will also discuss ways in which we can help raise awareness about this offline and help improve standards in reporting.

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Mainstream Media and Prejudices
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Two recent examples of worrying news-coverage (or …