Man falls into hidden drain, washed away

A couple of days back, when it was raining heavily in Bangalore, and
the roads were flooded, an elderly gentleman had to rush back early
home from his office as his wife had taken ill.

As bad luck would have it, near Fraser Town, he steered his motorcycle
to an area on the road where there was water. Little did he realise
that there was a huge drain left open by careless civic officials.

Before he could realise, he plunged into the big drain in which water
was gushing. Some people who saw it, tried looking for him. But the
force of water was such, he and his motorcycle had been swept away.

The next day, the motorcycle showed up a few metres away. A search led
to the unfortunate man's body as well.

When I read this news in the paper, I was so moved. Still no one in
Bangalore has heard a word of apology or regret from any civic
official. No effort to find out how that drain was left open, or who
could be responsible for that.

If Mr Yeddyurappa and his BJP wants to make Bangalore a
well-administered model city, and if they want to score well in the
upcoming civic polls, then he must make sure that there is
accountability in city's administration. Remember, monsoon is
approaching and a number of roads in Bangalore are going to get
flooded.

Bangalore, Karnataka vote for BJP

I am glad that BJP won in the three urban seats in Bangalore. No wonder, actually. The two other parties -- Congress and JDS -- are in a mess. Both, especially JDS, ruined the good city during the past 5 years. BJP during the past one year has been trying its best to develop the city.

It must now treat this verdict as one of confidence vote and deliver on the trust reposed in its MPs. It should put Bangalore and suburbs on the fast track to progress. It should also guard against anti-BJP forces, who are out to make life difficult for it.

BBMP elections are around the corner. Winning elections is one part. But Bangalore, being a global city, needs to look like one. And BJP should take it upon itself this comtment to the people of the city in particular and nation in general.

UPA wins; Manmohan Singh remains as PM

Manmohan Singh will continue to be the Prime Minister of India. All
the results aren't out, but the ruling UPA and friends have
comfortably romped home, in India's first past the post electoral
system.

Result is not a surprise since exit polls predicted this. But I
thought, since there was no wave in favour of any group, NDA, headed
by BJP may just inch ahead. But that was not to be.

Advani's hopes of being a PM have also crashed. He would have been
better than Singh. BJP has a number of bright leaders. UPA has got the
benefit of doubt. NDA's campaign also wasn't effective enough to
counter the Sonia-Priyanka-Rahul onslaught.

Anyway, I am happy that there will be a stable govt. The results have
left no room for wheeling and dealing. Now let's hope, Congress will
infuse fresh blood and govern India efficiently.