Republic Day Parade

I saw the Indian Republic Day Parade after a couple of decades today. I had nothing else to watch this morning on TV, and it seemed to be the best of the rest. I was surprised by the quality of the presentation; I'm impressed, maybe, because I'm comparing with what used to happen 20 years back, or maybe I've very little expectation from an Indian presentation. 

But honestly, the amount of effort and hard work that has gone into it is commendable. It must be made compulsory viewing in school, because it is educative, besides being one of the things that could stoke your passion for your country. 

In terms of structure and content, it has enough diversity and depth. There are the different contingents and battalions of our armed forces, there are ministries, states, and institutions. When the armed forces' contingents are introduced with how many awards they've been given, how many generals they've given to the country, what's their motto, tagline, music band. And each state and ministry presents a certain theme highlighting their features and strengths. You can't but help feel proud of India, and we being Indians. 

Boys don't cry, but speakers do!

IBNLive reports that the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani broke down and cried in the House on Wednesday after learning that Congress MLAs had allegedly taunted a BJP woman MLA.

Congress MLAs allegedly told the woman MLA she was late because she must have been busy at a beauty parlour.

Rohani was so moved to tears after learning about the incident, he refused to give any ruling on the Congress’ boycott of the Assembly. He said that he considers the Congress’ protest unconstitutional, but the party had a right to express its opinion. The Speaker said he will not recognise their protest, but he will not give any ruling on the issue either.

I consider it incredibly silly. Both, the Congress MLAs alleging that the lady was at a beauty parlour and that the speaker cried! Was it so serious a remark that warranted such a wet response? I'm sure there are a whole lot of other important and pertinent issues relating to working of the government. Was he moved enough to cry when the innocent were murdered or the poor died of hunger?

And to top it all, the Congress is holding a parallel session since last evening by organising a Symposium to corner the government on the issue of corruption, power and water crisis and to highlight the problems of the people!!!!