The Gift of the Jab

The ruckus in the Karnataka Assembly is neither surprising nor shocking. It's become routine today be it in Bihar or U.P, or even the LokSabha (remember the wads of notes bandied around during the Nuclear Deal!)
There was, indeed, a time when the assemblies were inhabited by people with the gift of the gab. But today, it seems, these assemblies are manned by people with little or no gift of the gab, but with a great gift of the 'jab!' They can very well pack a punch or two when needed.
Democracy is just a way of forming a Government. It has nothing to do with people's behaviour. Let's have no illusions about it.

Assam's Somdev!

The News Live ticker says, Assam's Somdev wins gold at CWG. From all accounts Somdev is from Tripura. The connection seems to be far-fetched at best. May be it's in keeping with the age old maxim 'sucess has many fathers, but failure is an orphan!'
But the 'Success' itself is suspect. No Leyton Hewitt or Andy Murray, perhaps in these games, though they belong to the Common Wealth.

Much Ado about 'NAACthing!'

Times of India, Oct 08, 2010, carried a 'scary' news item-'now Naac Will grade teachers too.' It's the brain child of the V.C, University of Rajasthan.
Teachers will be graded on a plethora of aspects like research, impact of research, contribution to forming curriculum, conducting examination and attending conferences etc.
Great idea! But where are the classes in this scheme of things? The more things change, the more they are the same. it will still remain a 'class less society' under the weight of vacations, examinations, bandhs, tuitions,and, not to mention, truant teachers.Things will go from bad to worse as now there will be a madder rush for attending conferences, extension activities etc leaving the students in the lurch or at the mercy of the tutors!
'NAAC garden' has become a cliche in our part of the world with flower gardens coming up on campus overnight to impress the NAAC 'peers'!
God knows what's in store if the teacher grading materialises.