R-Day today!

Now, 26 January cannot go unnoticed. It's not just another day, and to most known extents, it's Republic Day. Although most events today did bear a resemblance to the 26 January last year, there were some things that made it more special than the 26 January last year.

There was the usual Republic Day parade, and thus there was a guest invited to watch it, too. King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - the hereditary ruler of Saudi Arabia - paid a visit that India won't soon forget.
He not only came and saw, but also promised to "fight terrorism and extremism regardless of faith". There's a new deal coming in sight. India and Saudi Arabia also signed agreements to protect and promote investments, avoid double taxation and boost greater interaction in sports among youth. Saudis also offer business deals in the *expected* oil sector, along with infotech, biotech and medical sectors.
Now there stands a partner through the eyes of India.

And there's this best piece of information that I was saving for last. This is, perhaps, the greatest cause for celebration ever!

>>> Sania may have packed her bags early in the Australian Open, but she won't have anything to be sad about. That's right folks, Sania Mirza will become the youngest person in the whole history of forever, to receive the honourable Padma Shri award. Now I'd like to tell you all that the Padma Shri is the highest civilian award, second only to the Bharat Ratna. And she'll get that next year...heh...
A salute, and hats off to the girl who made her parents proud.

Can you see the confetti in the air?

The ghost of Quảng Ðức

Remember Thích Quảng Ðức ?
A similar protest was seen within the boundaries of Patiala, Punjab. The leader of a push-cart vendors' association - Gopal Krishnan Kashyap - went out to an act of self-immolation, to protest against the alleged failure of the Municipal Corporation to provide them a site to operate their dhabas.

As he set himself on fire, people gathered around him. They crossed their arms, and some didn't find the time to wipe the smile off their faces.
Pity. Nobody dared to stop him. No one person tried to say a word, and press, the media came following like a swarm of flies. The only effort they tried to make was to switch on their cameras and record the scene. Rewind and play, again and again on their channels.

Only when Kashyap was unable to bear the heat and fell, did I hear screams that left me disturbed. A light of hope shined though, when a few people brought in blankets to put an end to the oxygen-fed flame.
Kashyap, though alive, suffers from 85% burns, and is in a critical state. And now a case is being filed against Kashyap, for attempting suicide.

I have nothing left to say.

Mondays don't suck!

Well, I have a reason to be happy about, sort of. Pre-Boards are finally over, and now I can start biting my nails off, worrying for the Boards.
Quite a thing, eh? But I still have a month to go before the apocalypse.

Anyway, to all of you who don't have a reason to smile, here's a litte rhyme to help you enjoy your time!

Monday Mornings by abhas1

Every monday morning,
I wake up to an alarm,
look outside the window,
just gaze at the farm.
Every monday morning,
is not so bad,
after all I believe,
it's a saying of Dad.

Cause for celebration #4

Ah yes, the Sports page. The one page that most of the world wakes up to. The one segment of the newspaper, that many people enjoy with a cup of coffee. The very page, that can enrage civilians, get them fired, or make them happy. And it's the same page I open up, to celebrate Sania Mirza's victory.

For those of you who don't already know, Sania's been playing here and there, and she's reached the Australian Open. She is seeded 32, and she's already started playing, and not to forget - winning. She has already succeeded in defeating her first opponent - Viktoria Azarenga - and that too by an awesome 7-6, 6-2!
Next on her list is Michaella Krajicek (how am I spelling all this?!). Sooo, like always, best of luck to her!

And I guarantee you, there are going to be more days like this...