One, a Chartered Accountant. Another, a Scientist. One, privileged to have been born in Bombay, India's financial capital. Another, born in a fisherman cove, somewhere on the Southern tip of India. One, professional-turned-convict. Another, scientist-turned-President. One, terror. Another, glee and cheer. One, inventor of the bomb that kills. Another, inventor of the bomb that protects. Date, 30 July 2015. One, sentenced to hang-till-death by State. Another, to be accorded a State funeral with honors. One, Memon. Another, Kalam. Two lives, two journeys. One funeral. So real.

Rest, in peace. India's "misaal" men, at work. 2015 A.D. And ever after. Kalaam Sahab aur Gurdaspur ke Baljit Singh Sahab, hamari dua mein aapka naam, desh ki badhayi aapne shaan, hazaaron ki bachayi aapne jaan, aatankvaad ko kiya naakam, aapko hamara koti koti pranaam, aapko hamare lakhon salaam.

Investors, if you'd like to get the real tense, er, sense of doing business in India, you need not attend expensive 7-star conferences hosted by 15 ministers and 150 bureaurats (!) at taxpayer expense, instead please tune into Doordarshan (Hindi for video-conferencing) to view proceedings in the Indian Parliament, the world's largest democracy, where opposition and rulers (?) shout in unison, make an allegation, counter it with another allegation, damn the nation, while the electorate is lost in translation and millions starve for their daily ration! Bole toh, agar haath ka panja hamari taraf Modi, toh hum bhi Kamal ka phool khilane ka Vadra karte hain!

It’s the time of the year, when all Bombayites are requested to remain extremely careful while walking on roads and pavements, if any. This request hasn’t got to do with cars running on footpaths or negotiating potholes, an art that we have completely mastered, but more to do with upcoming “banner wars” that can be distracting what with faces and personalities (?) that can put the most (un)fair and ugly to shame! These self-anointed leaders will reincarnate, yet again this year, on gargantuan posters, welcoming one and all on behalf of God (!), striking a pose and pointing in a direction that appears completely directionless, adorning fancy clothing, hair styles, make-up and expensive jewels that will be worth Lakhme! Raghupati Raghav, dekho Ram, aapse bhi bada ho gaya insaan!

Hey Greece, why Euro? Mat Ro. Lack Money? India's got Black Money. Just ask your PM to visit India and schedule a meet with an Indian Mantriji, who can put the entire EU to shame, by extending a massive rehab package worth zillions, a fraction of her/his wealth, and repayment options exceeding 100 years! What's more, the rehab package can be customized in a variety of currencies, viz, the USD, Euro, Yen, etc....Commonwealth, you see? Though, of course, if the Greek PM wishes to save on travel time to India, he can also dial-in a number; just say, "Hello Namo, er, LaMo..."

Yes Minister, empowerment of women is an imperative. Though, as one who claims to lead by example, would you qualify Vasundhara's (Dholpur palatial) Smriti and Pankaja's (chikki?!) Swaraj as the epitome of women leadership? Come on, tell more about their "dhan ki baat". On a related note, any "Middle East" plans for those who click-and-post selfiewithdaughters, while prying for another's daughter? Sister. Wife. Mother. Aunt. Girl child. Yes? SAU(rab)DI?