Tax, Votes and TOI

I religiously hate anything to do with The Times of India, and the group does well to reinforce this feeling by hitting stunning new lows of journalism with amazing frequency, both in print and on TV. I make an exception for the Mumbai Mirror though - it is cheap and sensational and makes no pretense to be anything else. So when I found myself waiting at the reception with time on hand, I noticed with some disappointment that the only newspaper at hand was the TOI. I devoured the Mirror first, and as expected, it contained a healthy dose of daily nonsense. I was still waiting, so I offered a prayer and opened the main paper straight to the editorial page, which I thought that would be the section least prone to rubbish. What a mistake! As I learnt, that is birthplace of trash.

The piece was on income tax rates for women, and going by the title of the section, it appeared a pathetic attempt to simplify economic concepts. The article lauded the effort of the Minister of Child and Women's Development to seek lower income tax rates for women. Apparently, lower tax rates not only empower women but the society at large! What more, it will also encourage more women to start working!! Had it been my own copy, I would have ripped it to shreds. Other than attracting the women vote, which the Minister is clearly after, I dont think lower IT rates for women will make any difference to either women's development or the economy. I mean, if women making enough to pay taxes are considered oppressed, what about the millions that dont even earn enough to afford three square meals a day?

Shah Rukh, Chidambaram, Tendulkar

A day of interesting events and statements...

SRK says he doesnt look at the script before signing on a film. Well, I am glad he realizes that because we movie-watching public knew a long time ago that there doesnt exist a thing called script in his movies.

Then PC mentions that he is proud that Kasab is getting a fair trial. I had mentioned in a previous post that we accuse Pak of going slow on 26/11 suspects even as we are fiddling with Kasab's evidence and trial. How ironic that our honorable home minister should make this statement!

And finally, India is humiliated at Nagpur. With Dravid and Laxman out, the middle order simply evaporated. But, as always, Sachin rose to the challenge. As always, he played resolutely, with remarkable dedication, focus, hard work and commitment to get to his 46th century! And, as always, he decided that was enough!! I realize I am being really mean, but I would be surprised if I am the only one that thinks Sachin just played for the record today. Its just too much of a coincidence to labor to reach the century and then get out without adding a single run. I wonder what general reaction would be if he were dismissed at 99. Certainly, he would have attracted huge sympathy for putting up a fight and missing a landmark, being unlucky because had he reached the century he might just go on to make a double, triple, do a Laxman, and maybe win us the test! Alas, that was not the case. He reached the century alright. We love to see successful people fail so we can offer them our sympathies. But when they succeed and collect the reward, we are left to choose between either patronizing or criticizing them.