The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : No self goals this time!

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Tuesday, May 06, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

No self goals this time!

M. Satyanarayana Rao

When it comes to politicians, who are most sought after by mediapersons for quotes, senior Congress leader M. Satyanarayana Rao would top the list. And this was even acknowledged by Mr. Rao himself.

This came to light recently, when Mr. Rao visited Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station on an official visit. Soon after he arrived at the station, a mediaperson thronged him and started questioning him seeking his opinion on the forthcoming byelections and the reasons for increasing prices of essential commodities.

In his reply, Mr. Rao said that he visited the station as the Chairman of APSRTC and journalists can question anything pertaining to APSRTC and its performance.

Further in his typical style, he said: Mediapersons always come to me for comments on an issue which I am no where concerned and somehow I become the scapegoat.

Always respect time. Time is of great essence. Life is small and time is swift. Make use of it judiciously. These and many more virtues of ‘time’ are drilled into our subconscious since childhood. Elders never tire from waxing eloquent about managing time. Scores of proverbs, poems and idioms extol its virtues.

Despite knowing the merits of respecting time, everyone in Hyderabad seems to have a laidback attitude towards it. It’s not just businessmen; even politicians are afflicted by this attitude.

The public meeting organised by Talasani Srinivas Yadav on Sunday at Chilkalguda was supposed to start at 6 p.m. Much to the dismay, it started at 8 p.m., as they made it sure to show-up at the event only after the seats were filled.

When will everyone learn to show some respect to the precious time?

With increased traffic, crossing the road is nothing short of a challenge. Motorists seem to derive pleasure in not giving any room for the poor pedestrians to cross.

How one wish a foot-over-bridge appears out of the blue so that one walks over coolly.

But at several places in the city where FOBs are built, there are not many takers. For youngsters especially crossing through the mind-boggling traffic appears to be fun.

This has put the traffic cops in a spot. Should they take action against such persons crossing the road ignoring the FOB at hand?

If so under what section. Should they be challaned for jay walking or any other offence?

But will the police be right in taking action in the first place when crossing the road near a FOB is not prohibited.

While most of us hate to venture out in the hot summer afternoons, the scorching heat is no deterrent for those staging protests at the Indira Park.

What keeps them shouting those slogans while onlookers seem weary eyed looking for a quick sip of water?

Thanks to the coconut vendors and ice cream sellers who come in handy for the political leaders in luring the activists by helping them beat the heat with ice creams and coconut water.

Talk about resource management, the political leaders seem to have got the knack of doing it.

Censure of the Maoist violence remained the privilege of the political circles till recently. However, after the elimination of many Maoist leaders in the State, the scenario seems to be changing now.

It is obvious in the way commercial movie makers are venturing to make their comment on the movement.

After the recent movie ‘Gamyam’ which indirectly persuaded ‘annalu’ to chuck the arms, it is now the turn of Pawan Kalyan in his movie ‘Jalsa’ to make a statement.

The role of the ‘surrendered naxalite’ which the star donned in the movie takes law into his hands and sheds bucket loads of blood at the drop of a hat, but only to rough up ‘baddies’, mind you!

However, he steps out of the movement condemning violence that might harm ordinary people. He has no compunction even to befriend the policeman who kills all his comrades in an encounter.

And he makes demeaning remarks against women, finds a dumb one for himself, and flirts with one to gain the love of another.

So much for ‘Annalu’!

S. SANDEEP KUMAR,

M. SAI GOPAL,

J.S. IFTHEKHAR,

ABHIJIT DEV KUMAR & SWATHI. V

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