May Day

Today is May day, the international labour day.Holiday in many parts of the world.Here too it is a holiday. A world where the rich are getting richer. Two professions which make you millionaire in India at present are in cinema and politics.Industries especially manufacturing are getting hit by the policies of the government.Services and Retail are perfoming quite well but the money involved in politics is huge.And with the elections in the fray it is unbelievably high. Cinema is a revived industry now after the control of sale of pirated VCD's. Theatres are brimming and there are much more hits in the box office than 2 years back. Actors in lead roles earn sums of 6 figures but the technicians are not highly paid. Software is another Industry that is doing good in India. High salaries but long working hours. For the manufacturing industry to survive there should be reforms in the policies of the government.

Akshya Trithi

Today is one of the most auspicious day in India....today is akshya trithi ... the third day after the new moon day of the month chitra...Akshya means never reducing and trithi is the third day....On this day bringing home Gold is bringing the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity home.... The crowds and queues in Jewellery shops is a sight to see...People trying to get how much they can...And Gold prices hitting an all time high has not seen any reduction in buying....and the shops are wooing customers with special offers the whole week...newspapers pages are filled with advertisements ...and this year has seen the banks jump into the bandwagon....many private sector banks have started selling gold coins to customers on this day....Bigger Jewel houses are opening special counters for a day...and NRI's around the world don't want to miss the bus....Never mind the shooting up of gold prices just take your wallet and go shopping...bring home wealth and prosperity for a year

Election campaign

This election campaign is a bit dull. No posters...No scriblings in the wall....No cut-outs of party leaders....No arches and flags all the roadside. The only thing usual is the accusations of the leaders on the others and roping in film stars for the campaign. Madurai last two weeks was chaotic ...had all the major political leaders addressing the people...I did see Ms Sonia Gandhi and Mr. Vijayakanth addressing the people... promises were flying at an all time high...the political parties are desperate for power....The two major parties have private television channels and telecast news favourable to them...and on top of all this a chaos sorrounding the Central ministers from the state... there are 12 of them... the congress promising a hand to hand governance if the DMK led alliance gets to form the state government...the AIADMK accusing the central government of treating the state in a step-motherly way...all voters are confused....pre-election estimates are very close....many are expecting a hung assembly...May 11th will show the results...

Election fever

Five states will elect thier leaders in these two months in India. The second phase of polls is underway in Assam today. Tamil nadu is seeing an election like never before. Mixed- up leaders, Unbelievable manifestos, contemplating parties, last minute alliances, hushed-up meetings and extensive campaigns are the order of the day.

Ms.Jayalalita, the current Chief Minister, of the Democratic People's Alliance marks the achievement in the last five years by her government in her manifesto. Highlights include the post-tsunami and flood relief, elimination of forest brigand Veerappan, Free text books and bicycles for school students and non-increase of bus fare even though prices of diesel had gone up 20%.

The United Progressive Alliance Leader Mr.Karunanidhi in his manifesto has promised free colour television to all those house holds which do not have one. There is also the promise of 1 Kg of rice for Rs 2 in all Public Distribution shops and reservation for the minorities and two acres of land and all this without increasing the burden of the taxpayers.

The third party in the fray headed by actor Mr.Vijayakanth has not yet relased its mainfesto but in his campaign he has promised old age home in every district, Business loans for all graduates and sufficient representation of women in the government.

The Marketing of the parties have started with the freebies. Next we can expect Samples, Discounts and Extras.