4:30 am - Wake-up alarm
5:30 am - 7:30 am - Coaching / study at home
8:30 am - 6:30 pm - College
8:30 pm - at least 10:00 pm  - Study at home

This is typical of a majority of teenagers (read 11th and 12th standard students) in Andhra Pradesh; I am totally ignorant of the situation in other states. You can find hundreds of such students in your locality, hanging in city buses, and coaching centers.

Greedy / worried parents (I am sorry!) along with corporate colleges are creating havoc in the name of competition and competitive world. The struggle starts as the students enter their teenage. The targets for any seventh or eight standard student are IIT, BITS, AIEEE, IISC, AIMS, our very own EAMCET, etc. Non-engineering and non-medicine courses are considered inferior and students who fail to clear the entrances are either forced to try again the next year or shown sympathy and admitted to a degree course.

During this age, leave alone games and sports, poor students are denied any physical activity. Like robots they follow their tutors. Everything goes according to the timetable. They don't read newspaper or magazines / journals and have minimal knowledge of the happenings around them. Textbooks, of the size of a telephone directory, are their source of entertainment. Homework would come even before Sundays and holidays. Fo(dder)od is served to their rooms err... to their mouths, making them forget of their abilities and capabilities. For neighbors, the existence of such students is a big mystery.

Daily exams, revision hours, study hours, doubts classes, mock tests, blah blah blah...along with peer comparisons put relentless pressure on tender minds. The situation is even worse in boarding schools where students are punished if they fare poorly - don't ask me how much is poor - prompting weaker minds to take extreme steps.

Parents are to be blamed for this trend which is most commonly seen among the middle-class. They believe their children will lead a better life, unlike them, if they study well in their teenage. But what they fail to realize is that it is during this teenage that tender minds start to mature, will like to think independently, explore and experiment. It is also the time to uncover latent talents, counsel and guide young, exuberant minds, and allow them to create a future of their choice; a future where they feel they belong to; and a future they believe is built by them.

I am not advocating anything against forcing children to study hard. While there are students who perform exceptionally well with little guidance and some with little more persuasion, there are others who cannot handle the mental burden. So, it's up to parents to analyze, understand, and gauge their children's strengths and ensure children cherish their student life.

The whole episode was akin to a reality show where producers try to project scripted shows as real.

It started with huge hype and hoopla that would preceed any reality show, followed by a few unexpected turns and twists to keep the audience hooked, and finally ended on predicted lines.

I am referring to the drama enacted by TRS supremo K. Chandrashekhar Rao in the name of indefinite hunger strike for separate Telangana state.

He started his drama with huge publicity as though he was testing a nuclear bomb. On the D-Day, he smartly relocated himself to a jail, while his supporters, mostly students in University campuses in Telangana districts, bore the brunt of police lathicharge. Of course, the policemen used force only after the students resorted to some mindless violence.

More drama followed as the already depleted KCR adamantly refused saline infusion and pushed the doctors around away. He, however, allowed the doctors to give saline after a brief parody, and later took some fruit juice, officially terminating his 24-hour drama. His party termed this as an act of repression by the state government.

What followed was really heartning. The same students who even went on to burn themselves began lamblasting KCR after he called off his fast unto death act, just after 24 hours.

They all, at least now, have realized that KCR and Telangana movement are two separate issues.

Huh! It's Congress again. Both at the Centre and State. We already had enough of it during the last five years, and the election results remind me of an old Telugu adage which upon translation says, "The Goat Always Believes The Butcher."

We were literally robbed by the Congress at both the levels and we have voted them back to power. Ppch! expect a few more bomb blasts and scams in the coming years.

I expected a serious outfit like Lok Satta to gain a few seats, but alas it didn't win many. Chiranjeevi was a big flop, but the biggest loser was Chandrababu Naidu, who partnered with awful left parties and TRS.

I am back to watching IPL and I am now more worried about the Deccan Chargers. Then we have the ICC T20 World CUP.

Before you jump to form your own conclusions, let me inform you that R.A.P.E here is not exactly what a dictionary reveals, but quite near to it.

R.A.P.E stands for Ruling Against Public Expectations. And that's what has happened in Andhra Pradesh and India, at least over the last five years.

Without going into details of the unfinished projects, money siphoned to centre, high-level corruption, Satyam scandal, faulty government schemes and bomb blasts, I urge all the people in the state to vote for Lok Satta, led by former IAS officer Jaya Prakash Narayan and avoid getting R.A.P.E(d).

My sincere appeal to all educated young people across Andhra Pradesh:

Don't skip voting to enjoy the holiday on the election day, please cast your vote to enjoy for the next five years.

The following cartoon was published in Eenadu, a popular Telugu daily on 9th January, 2009, after Sakshi, a popular Telugu daily owned by Y S Jagan, son of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhar Reddy, had increased its price by 50 paise. Incidentally, the hike came just after Satyam's scam broke out.

Ironically, it is the same newspaper that launched a violent campaign against other veteran Telugu dailies (Eenadu and Andhra Jyoti) nine months earlier, just after its launch, to reduce the price of their newspapers to rupees two; they were selling for rupees three. The two newspapers ran editorials justifying their pricing strategy and vehemently criticized YS Jagan and Sakshi for their undue aggression. The War of Words is still going on.

Coming back to the cartoon, it is one of the best cartoons I have seen. It sums up the relation between YS Rajshekhar Reddy and Satyam, and also depicts how Rajshekhar Reddy has been milking corporates in AP for funds to run Sakshi.

For non-Telugus, the jaded cow represents Satyam, Maytas and other corporates, the pot in YSR's hand is his son Jagan's Telugu newspaper Sakshi and the milk in it is funds. Here Rajashekhar Reddy is seen saying to Y S Jagan, "No further milking is possible. Increase the price of Sakshi."

Cartoonist Sridhar has been a great asset for Eenadu over the years, and time and again he comes up with some great satarical and decisive sketches.

It's been a hectic schedule since Diwali. Finished the sundry works at my new home and handed it to my new tenant. Watched a few movies and here are the brief reviews.

Chintakayala Ravi (Rating 2.5/5)
A typical Venkatesh movie worth skipping. A Karan Johar story laced with some scintillating music and America backdrop is what CR is all about.

Blade Baabji (Rating 3/5)
Leave your brains at home or forget that you have one for 2 hours. Blade Baabji is fun all the way with a number of regular comedians featuring in it. A Hollywood plot told in a typical Telugu masala style.

Nenu Meeku Telusaa (3.25/5)
Worth watching once at least for the out-of-the-box story-line and superb technical stuff. Manoj, who I used to hate to the core, has done a fantastic job both as the hero and producer. Scintillating music, fights and camerawork help in elevating the movie.

Meanwhile, it's Andhra Pradesh formation day and Telugu language has been awarded classical language status along with Kannada. The two languages now join the big league of Tamil and Sanskrit. It's clearly a political game by the Congress just before the elections.

That's it for now and bye bye.

Ram Gopal Varma seems to continue his honeymoon with social organizations in Hyderabad. While his previous Telugu film "Madhyannam Hatya" (Murder at Noon) attracted the wrath of women organizations, his recent film on black magic, Raksha, has come under fire from Jana Vignana Vedika (JVV). Ramu directed the former, but only presented Raksha. Raksha, the Telugu version of Phoonk, is directed by Vamsikrishna Akella, who had approached Varma with the basic plot.

JVV, which strives to eliminate superstitions and promote the use of science and technology among people, contends that such movies give unnecessary glorification to social evils like black magic which will have a negative impact on people, especially living in remote villages. Incidentally, there have been reports about people being killed on the suspicion that they were practicing black magic in remote villages of Andhra Pradesh.

JVV found fault with the film's promotional caption "Meeku Eppudyna Chetabadi Jarigindaa?" which upon loose translation reads, "Have you ever been a victim of Black Magic?" The hoardings of Madhyannam Hatya too were on the same lines. The wall posters bore the tagline "Meekeppudynaa Mee Bhaarya Chachipothe Baagundanipinchindaa?" ("Did you ever wish your wife were dead?).

I don't know how this was offensive advertising, but women activists were furious about the tag line and howled that Varma was publicly glamorizing crime against women. Coming back to Raksha, a member of JVV criticized Varma for considering an evil theme for making a film and magnifying its impact. He vehemently opposed casting a small girl and throwing her up and down from the bed in one of the shots. He felt that censor board had lost its senses and called for imposing ban on such movies. He openly challenged that he would give 10 lakh rupees if Varma or his crew members proved that black magic exists.

I don't know how such hoardings and films impact common audience, but it is sheer waste of time debating on such issues. If you want to ban such movies then you should also ban newspapers and channels reporting crime news. As part of marketing, I believe, you can use such means to arouse curiosity. Moreover, if people are really influenced by movies, why don't we get inspired and do everything that is showed in a movie. Commenting on the same, Varma asked why small families didn’t unite after watching Hum Apke Hain Kaun or a hell lot of family dramas that followed. If a person can get influenced by a movie then he can be influenced by anything and everything. You are right Mr.Varma, I fully endorse you.

Just imagine how it would be if such a public forum existed in America.

Finally, JVV, if you hate or fear such movies, better stay away from them, but don't spoil our entertainment.

RTA Office, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad



To whomsoever it may concern

This is to certify that Vinaya Kumar Mylavarapu, S/o Sri M V Ramana Murthy fell from his Pulsar 150 dts i for the 8th time in 5 years, the tenth time in his life.


RTA, RR District

Date: 28th July, 2008
Hyderabad.

This is a computer generated receipt and requires no signature.

This is continuation of my earlier post on Chiru and his entry into politics. It will be a mistake to say that Chiru will change Andhra Pradesh in a jiffy, if he wins the next elections.

I only say that we need some one who has a clean image (leave alone his family matters) and has been involved in giving something for the society which has given him the status, money and power to come to power. Couple of reasons and extended thoughts on why Chiru's entry is important

1. As said a good human being with a penchant for service. He already has enough money and so I think (but not sure) money is not the motivating factor for him to enter politics.

But not sure how will he be after joining the politics.

2. Through his loyal fans, who made his blood and eye banks huge success, he can achieve his ambition or take his initiatives closer to people better than normal political parties.

As to some comments on my friend's blog, the future of Chiru's son is more secured than Akshayee Khanna, Bobby Deol, Ranbir Kapoor, Farhadeen Khan, etc. His daughter episode is history now. As far as Chiru is concerned, it is too early for him to call it a day.

This said, it is important for Chiru not to follow the footsteps of late NTR who started with a bang and over a period of time became one among the many filthy politicians.

However, it would be better if Chiru decides to partner with a meaningful party like Lok Satta.

This is a good news for millions of people, include the write too.

Personally, I have been waiting for someone with a macho image to enter the world of dirty politics, atleast in Andhra Pradesh which has been under the clutches of two caste-based selfish political parties during the last two decades.

The signals from our Megastar camp indicating the floating a new political party has
certainly created ripples across entire Andhra Pradesh. Padmabhusan Megastar Chiranjeevi's larger than life image on screen, massisive fan following (I presume more than half of AP which is around 5 crores along with his fellow caste members) and the command he has over the Telugu film industry, will definitely attract the votes of masses.

Closely observing the mood of people across Andhra Pradesh, it is clear that they are vexed with the current govt for obvious reasons. In this situation, Chiranjeevi, who already has shown his inclination to do something for the society (for whatever reasons), has given a fresh lease of life to the boring and mundane politics.

If everything goes well, he might well become the next CM. Already, there are some politicians from the TDP and Congress willing to join Chiru's party. Rajashekar Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu are under tremendous pressure as they are sure the Chiru wave will certainly throw them to distant shores.

However, this said, I would love him to guide the party and continue to mesmerize us
through his screen presence.

Vote for Chiru

Jai Chiranjeeva!

Here comes another announcement to appease the minorities. The Andhra Pradesh government has recently decided to provide 4% reservation to Muslims in jobs and education. The announcement comes some eight months after the Supreme Court and the AP High court rejected an application filed by the AP government seeking directions to provide 5% reservation to Muslims in educational institutions during 2006-07. The AP govt also has the reputation of asking private companies to have the reservation system deployed. Though currently private companies are against this, the govt. by force might make them implement the reservation system.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister knows that his party will not win the next elections as all his projects and programs have been big duds and money spinners to congressmen and Congress party contractors. So, the best way to gain some public support is through acts that will appeal to minorities. You may have a doubt here - Isn't he losing the support of Hindus. Not much, as this issue will be forgotten in no time.

We say Hindus are the majority community in India but it is the minority communities (Muslims, Christians, etc) who are enjoying the fruits. Governments give subsidies to Haj piligrims but charge heavily from the Hindu devotees for Amarnath Yatra. The money donated by Hindu pilgrims at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) is used for building Churches and other activities that are not related to Hinduism. If anyone tries to raise his/her voice against this, he is termed Hindu fundamentalist. While members of the BJP and the VHP are described chauvinists, Christian Pastors and Missionaries who are happily engaged in conversions and Muslim fundamentalists who are a constant threat to India are happily ignored. In fact, the newspapers too play it safe while dealing with minority communities.

Nobody will oppose if govt spends on providing quality education to all BCs SCs and STs at the schooling level and prepare them to compete on equal basis with the so called general category in the higher education. But this will not happen. On our part, we cannot do anything but to shout on blogs.

I may be a bit harsh but truth is always bitter.