Some things we will never forget… Youth Inc takes a peek at the happenings of 2011 that hit the headlines
(Baba Ramdev’s Salwar)
Baba Ramdev, yoga teacher to the masses, got in touch with his feminine side earlier this year in an attempt to escape the police in Delhi during a political rally gone awry. The baba attempted escape amidst the turmoil by getting into a salwar and hiding his beard under the pallu. Maybe he should have tried shaving his heavy beard and wearing a padded bra to better fool the police? The cross dressing Yoga guru attracted considerable media attention when caught, and consequently, the affections of item girl Rakhi Sawant. Rakhi announced to the media that she is very interested in breaking his vow of brahmacharya and introducing him to carnal pleasures. Rakhi, we don’t see this swayamvara happening anytime soon!
(Anna Hazare and the Lokpal Bill)
Social activist Anna Hazare sparked a nationwide anticorruption movement based on the principles followed by Gandhi during independence. Campaigning to pass the Lokpal bill, which would call greater scrutiny and accountability with members of parliament, he went on a hunger strike that gathered support from millions on an unprecedented scale. Who in Mumbai can forget the “I am Anna” stickers sported by the dabba-wallas during the hunger strike? Or the lakhs of people who filled the streets in protest?
But a number of prominent media personalities have joined the bandwagon, most notably yoga guru Baba Ramdev, to support the anti-corruption drive. Hazare said of Ramdev that he was “not mature enough to lead a social movement as he does not have expertise other than yoga” and was “in the habit of taking decisions unilaterally”. Well we think Ramdev has a few skills other than yoga, but those are best left out of politics!
(News of the world)
The News of the World phone-hacking scandal was the likes of the greatest and most unbelievable of Bollywood thrillers, involving politicians, the police, journalists and corporate henchmen. News of the World was an English paper nicknamed Screws of the World by many for its reporting on celebrities’ relationships, drug use and illicit behaviour. At one point, it was the world’s largest selling English daily.
The phone-hacking scandal caused the 168-year-old newspaper to shut down earlier this year, and its owner Murdoch was left wringing his hands in denial of any knowledge of the phone-hacking crimes. In the truest of British traditions, the 200-odd people who lost their jobs said, “We’re going to the pub.” We’ll drink to that!!
Revolution in the Arab world
Following the peaceful overthrow of autocratic leader Ben Ali in Tunisia, the people of Egypt began to agitate for change against the 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak. In February this year, the Arab nation awakened to cheers from Tahrir Square in Cairo after 17 days of relentless protests and civil agitation. Reportedly, about a million people had gathered at the square demanding for a change in the regime. Social media helped to plan and spread information about the protests and was a major factor in the revolution.
Egypt has long been a prosperous and stable nation, but popular anger was stirred by deaths dealt at the hands of the secret police, poverty and rising prices, the corruption of Egypt’s wealthy elite and unemployed youth. The army pledged not to use violence against the largely peaceful protests, giving it further momentum. Similar protests have since sprung up elsewhere in the Arab world by those agitating for change against autocratic rulers, also called the Arab Spring. Dictators worldwide, beware of Facebook and Twitter – these posts may eventually lead to votes!
Mayawati’s Sandals!
In the latest files released by Wikileaks, it emerged that Mayawati sent an empty private jet to Mumbai to pick up a pair of sandals for her for a political rally.
The cables dated 23 October 2008 say, “When she needed new sandals, her private jet flew empty to Mumbai to retrieve her preferred brand.” All hail a new Imelda Marcos for India. (Imelda shot to fame for her extravagance when her husband was cruelly presiding over the Philippines – including well over 2700 pairs of shoes).
Mayawati attacked Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, inviting him to come to India and join a mental asylum for treatment. Assange, being held under house arrest in London for sex crimes in Sweden, invited Mayawati to send her private jet for him, saying he would be happy to accept asylum – political asylum – in India, and bring her a range of the finest British sandals!
Harry: King of Canada!
The head of the state was disappointing the Canadian monarchists byjust visiting for two to three times in the year. But this year, Canadian royalists have asked Prince Harry, third in line to the throne, to set up home in the capital of Ottawa, giving the royal family a permanent presence and silencing those who believe the country should have an elected head of state.
Etienne Boisvert, the Quebec provincial spokesman for the Monarchist League of Canada, said the royal family was “an institution that knows how to reinvent itself” and believes now might be the time for change. Before Prince Harry virtually had no chance of becoming a king, but now he could set himself here and found a Canadian branch of royal family as said by Boisvert. He even reports that their future king can rotate – six months in Canada, six in Australia, six in London. Visiting monarchy anyone?
The victorious Bleed Blue soldiers
It was a crazy and jubilant Indian mob that greeted the coveted Cricket World Cup on the most thrilling Saturday night of 2011, won on home ground when Dhoni’s men ended the 28-year wait to bring home the trophy in a nervewrecking final against Sri Lanka.
The fans didn’t wait one minute to show their joy. The euphoria set in even before the match ended, and no sooner than Dhoni hit winning six did the streets fill up with scenes such as we’ve never seen before. Crowds of people were dancing on the streets with Indian flags, and A R Rahman’s Jai Ho was blasting from loudspeakers on terraces.
There is no forgetting the crazy things that Indian fans did, be at the venue, at home and on the streets. But what is going to be written down in golden letters in history is youth sensation Virat Kohli’s statement about master blaster Sachin Tendulkar: “Sachin Tendulkar has carried Indian cricket on his shoulders for 21 years. So it was fitting that we carried him on our shoulders after this win,” said Kohli, who carried Tendulkar on his shoulders for an emotional lap of honour.
Population Explosion
The world celebrated the birth of its 7th billion child this year. The world’s population has been steadily rising since the 1350s by some estimates, but in the past half century, it has more than doubled. The exponential rise is worrying for the strain it puts on natural resources, especially water, fossil fuels and food. Well, we say, enjoy life while you still can! We might be doubling flatmate problems very soon!
Volume 1 Issue 6
