Dear Mr Prime Minister

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

Hello. Please understand that i am at my politest best. Considering the present scenario (incase you dont understand what i am talking about - let me be clear - i am talking about how India was caught napping when Pakistan came and blew us out), i would like to get straight to the point.

You ofcourse (i believe) know what has happened in Mumbai. Its a kind request not to procrastinate any further and get a national defence policy in place. Like as soon as possible. And i have the right to tell you this. We elected you and our lives are being sacrificed as you go around with your ultra-sophisticated security. God knows whats taking you so long to make up your mind. First it was Jaipur, then Bangalore, then Ahmedabad, then Delhi, then Assam... and Mumbai was the final nail in the coffin. If losing a 1000 lives in the recent attacks is not enough, i would like to know, what will motivate you to take some action.

I read this on your official website. And i would like to politely quote your own website as to what your duties are:

"Some of the important matters that require the Prime Minister's personal attention include the following:

(a) Important defence-related issues;
(b) Decorations, both civilian and defence, where Presidential approval is required;
(c) All important policy issues;
(d) Proposals for appointment of Indian Heads of Missions abroad and requests for grant of agreement for foreign Heads of Missions posted to India;
(e) All important decisions relating to the Cabinet Secretariat;
(f) Appointments to State Administrative Tribunals and the Central Administrative Tribunal, UPSC, Election Commission, Appointment of members of statutory/constitutional Committees, Commissions attached to various Ministries;
(g) All policy matters relating to the administration of the Civil Services and administrative reforms;
(h) Special Packages announced by the Prime Minister for States are monitored in the PMO and periodical reports submitted to Prime Minister; and
(i) All judicial appointments for which Presidential approval is required.

So, to get to the point directly, your foremost duty, in the most simplest terms, is to protect India. And i must add that you have failed miserably at doing that. Had you spent even half of the energy you spent on acquiring that nuclear deal, behind securing our land and sea borders, we wouldnt have been in such a vulnerable position today. Had you spent even half of the time you spent discussing the alliances with the LEFT, behind listening and talking to our army, navy and air force chiefs, our safety wouldnt have been compromised to such degrees today. Had you spent even half of your time, addressing the important defense related meetings, instead of meeting the business honchos of this country, our financial capital wouldnt have been attacked.

Its high time you and your cabinet, give in your 100% to secure this country. We would like to see some action. We would like you to put your speeches into practise. We would like you to raise your voice and show Pakistan where it belongs to. We would like to see some of the promises you made come true.

And please dont cite budget or financial problems. It would be fair to pool in all your resources and invest them in securing our borders. Infact i have a brilliant idea. The donations that you will gather for the Congress party for the coming elections, why dont you divert all that funds into equipping our army with the best weapons, paying our soldiers enough money that the career in the armed forces is attractive, behind building such a huge army that any nation will think twice even before raising their sight towards us??? Believe me, the votes will follow automatically.

And the nation is with you. If you promise honest disbursement of money, the indians are ready to contribute their bit for the security of this nation. We will carry out a nationwide donation campaign to strengthen our army. And we already have The National Defense Fund in this regard. Though its sad to see, that inspite of the contribution from the public, the funds have been grossly underutilised.

Here are the details:

The National Defence Fund was set up to take charge of voluntary donations in cash and kind received for promotion of the national defence effort, and to decide on their utilisation. The Fund is used for the welfare of the members of the Armed Forces (including Para Military Forces) and their dependents. The Fund is administered by an Executive Committee, with PM as Chairperson, and Defence, Finance and Home Ministers as Members. Finance Minister is the Treasurer of the Fund and the Joint Secretary, PMO dealing with the subject is Secretary of the Executive Committee. Accounts of the Fund are kept with the Reserve Bank of India. The fund is entirely dependent on voluntary contributions from the public and does not get any budgetary support.

The Income and Expenditure Statement of the NDF for last five years is follows:-
B/F (Rs. in crore)

So its time to take some action, Mr Prime Minister. We have enough threats on our heads and we are sure that none of the leaders of the political parties will die. It will be those innocent civilians again. Do your bit and the votes will follow. Take some step and we will back you. Its time to leave apprehensions behind and take that one bold step that is the need of the moment. Do whatever in your means to secure this nation. Some dozen men cant just enter India, shoot some 150 people on a fine wednesday night at some of the poshest hotels in India. We cant let them to continue laughing at us. Go prove, we are not some jokers.

Promise us, that you will do something and you will do something good, something concrete. You have few months left in office and this is your time to transform your words into action. This is the time to show Pakistan that we wont take their droppings on our heads at the cost of humiliating us. This is the time to show to the world that we wont only be an economic superpower of the world but also the most secure place in the word. This is the time to show everyone that we cannot only produce the best engineers, doctors and scientists of this world but also the best army of this world. This is the time to show your fellow Indians that behind the soft spoken demeanour, there's a determined man who will stand by them in their trying times.

This is the time Mr. Prime Minister. And your time starts now.

Why didnt you tell me?? Part II

Thank you all for reading the blog and sharing some "experiences" with me.... I got some amazing responses for the previous post and some of them have actually committed a crime (in my eyes) for some of the most important things they forgot to share with their partner...

I once asked Amul to meet me at 7am at ATIRA for a morning walk. I conveniently forgot. I just didnt wake up. He went, walked around, returned home, slept off... only to see me.. all apologetic at 9am. :)

And as i have discovered... many around me have committed some amazing blunders in life... All of them requested to remain anonymous...

Some of their confessions... OFF THE RECORD ofcourse..

1) "I forgot to tell my girlfriend that i went to see this cricket match. She thought i was in office all the time. And i was so excited that i completely forgot to tell her or take her along. You can imagine how much explaining i had to do."

2) "I didnt tell my husband that i had joined a diet program.. I wanted to prove that i lost weight naturally without making any efforts. He finally discovered when he saw their leaflet addressed to me. He was upset."

3) "My ex boyfriend started gambling and betting on cricket matches. I never got to know of it till one day i caught him red handed stealing a 50 rupee note from my wallet. I was first taken aback as to why was he borrowing money without telling me. I wouldnt have bothered with a 50 rupee note. But he panicked and even before i asked, he blurted out everything. He couldnt leave gambling. So i left him."

4) "My boyfriend use to watch porn. He somehow never shared this with me. When i came to know... i was very upset."

5) "My wife convinced me into buying a second hand car instead of a brand new car. She said we will save money that way. The next day she went and got herself gold earrings. Without telling me. I was furious. I thought she was selfish."

6) "I forgot to pick up my child from school one day. I was tired and went off to sleep. When i woke up, my child had come home. The Principal dropped him home. I have never revealed this to my husband. He will be angry if he comes to know this."

7) "My boyfriend and i went for this long drive on the bike without telling my parents. We met with an accident and there was no one on the highway to help us. We somehow managed to reach Ahmedabad. It was nice of my parents to not scold me of having a boyfriend and driving off far without their knowledge. All they said was 'Why didnt you tell us?"

8) "Once after the fight, i went on this long drive by myself. Then watched a movie alone. Then had this huge thickshake. Ordered Dominoes. Watched a cricket match. Had good fun. Thought will upset my girlfriend by doing all this. On the other hand, she went on this shopping spree with her friends, then for pedicure, then for dinner and drinks with her friends, winding up at a pub dancing till 1am in the morning. The next day we patched up. Not wanting to hurt each other, none of us revealed what we did the previous day. One fine day, she discovered the single movie ticket from my dashboard. I spilled the beans. Another fine day, her friends returned the money that she had paid for the dinner and drinks. She too had to spill the beans. Both the times, spilling beans led to fights."

9) "Long years back when i was dating my wife.. i was to meet her brother for the first time. I completely forgot about the appointment. My wife and her brother kept waiting for me at a restaurant for 1 hour, before she called to remind me of the appointment. I was however on my way to meet a client in the opposite direction. Not only did i forget that appointment, i fixed up another meeting... only to forget it again. I finally met my brother in law in the third appointment. Its still a family joke."

Hope all of you learnt your lessons from this... :)

Got more??? Hit the comment section... i would love to hear more.

Why didnt you tell me??

Many a times, when two people grow close.. they end up sharing thoughts, dreams and sometimes even day dreams with each other. But while sharing the most intimate of your dreams and fears with each other, i have observed that individuals often forget to share the most obvious things with each other.. things which are so neccesary to share or are very important for the other one to know.

In past, i have made such mistakes. But not with the motive of hiding. But due to sheer lack of misjudgement. "Ohhh... i didnt know it was so important for you to know." I have often used this line, when i unknowingly have not shared my decision, my plan or even thoughts with Amul. And i have suffered. But i have learnt my lessons. Many dont.

Some people forget whats important for your partner to know. Some of them have no clue that something is best left unsaid and something is extremely important to be shared. And over a period of time, i have not only learnt from my experience but also from other people.

I learnt one today. Overheard a co-professional (cant call him colleague because we dont work together but we work in the same field) talking to his wife over the phone.

HE: I am not coming to Rajkot.
Silence.... perhaps his wife was talking.
HE: I didnt get leave and therefore there's no way i can come to pick you up. You please manage.
Silence....
HE: Why do i have to tell you every little thing? If i cant come, i cant come. Whats such a big deal? I have always come to see your parents after Diwali. If i cant come this one time. Whats the big deal?
Silence....
HE: So what if i forgot to tell you? You should understand... And why do i have to inform you about every little thing? You can very well travel by yourself. And its no emergency to see your family right now. Dont make a big deal out of it.
Silence...
HE: Why i forgot???..... I forgot.. so i forgot. I dont report to you. If i wish to convey something i will. If i dont wish to convey something... i wont.

The phone disconnects....

Cribs to the other men around how nowadays women demand account of every minute spent out of home...

Today's lesson: Always tell your partner if you cannot make it somewhere.

I completely sympathize with the wife who was bearing the brunt of her truant husband.

But i think both the sexes need to understand that communication is one of the most important tool in your 'FIX IT ALL' box required in dire straits. When you want a hassle-free, smooth and peaceful relationship, it helps if you SHARE the most basic aspects of your life with your partner. And by sharing i dont mean sharing time together. 'Oh.. we spend whole day together" "We always have dinner together" "We make it a point to spend 15 minutes a day just with each other everyday".

And inspite of spending so much time "together"... how many of you have heard or said these lines to your parnter. "Sorry.. i forgot to tell you." "I didnt know you would like to know." "I thought it wasnt important enough to tell you." "I was thinking of telling you... but then i forgot."

Go by the golden rule guys: "COMMUNICATE".

• Never forget to say if you cant make it.
• Never forget to mention that you met your old friend, friend, ex-colleague, new friend.
• Never forget an appointment. (ITS BLASPHEMOUS)
• If you are generally a forgetful person, write down what needs to be communicated in your mobile phone. In Notes section, in drafts... wherever possible. Set a reminder to it.
• If you have planned something in your life... even if its shopping or meeting relatives... let your partner know. You never know when it becomes a big issue.
• If you planned something more significant - like changing jobs, buying new vehicle, investing in FDs, gifting holidays to parents or just simply spending huge amount, let your partner know.
• If you have already taken the plunge... like quit your job in a jiffy, fought with your in-laws, smashed the car, broken your leg, squandered money or just simply have cheated... still let your partner know immediately... as soon as possible.

And they always say.. its not the big things but always the small things that cause big issues...

For girls...

• Dont forget to mention if you have met your old boyfriend or an old school friend. Especially if its a boy.


• Dont forget to mention if you have had a haircut. Especially an expensive one.


• Dont forget to say that you have had panipuri in the evening and therefore are not hungry anymore. Especially if he's planning to take you out for dinner at a really nice place.


• Dont forget to mention if you have used up all your salary in shopping and its only 10th day of the month. Especially if you have a planned holiday in the last week of the same month.


• Dont forget to convey or pass on the message of your parents to your partner. That will be a double whammy... both the sides will fume at you, later if not sooner.

For Boys...

• Dont forget to tell your girl if the movie that you are planning to watch is an action thriller. Especially if it does not have a good looking hero.


• Dont forget to tell your girl if she's looking pretty. Especially if she's had a bad day.


• Dont forget to convey your mom's message to your girl. Even is its a compliment.


• Dont forget to tell your girlfriend if dont plan to /wish to go along with her to her friend's place or relatives' place.


• Never forget to turn up on time. Even if she makes you wait. And especially if she's coming along with you for your friend's gathering.


• Never forget to tell her who called? Say it right after you put down the phone. Its simple. Just say, "Darling, he/she called."


• Never forget the golden rule. A good guy never recalls/re-enacts/reminds the most embarassing moments of his girl's life. She didnt share it with you to make it an anecdote.

So its quite simple... And yeah... when something like this reminds you of a personal experience or an incident of someone else's life... DONT FORGET TO SHARE IT WITH ME.

I will post the comments (keeping the names anonymous) in my next blog.