SABINA SEHGAL SAIKIA

The war’s shifted from sweaty trains and crowded streets
To gilt-edged porcelain and clean, white perfumed sheets
The crimson rain has curdled the cream with its warm, sticky drizzle
Somethings changed; now even food reviewers have begun to sizzle

To Sebastian Rodrigues aka NAXAL (sic)

Between his lovers Cavrem, Pissurlem and Colamb
Each, a mineralized, ravaged, toxic tomb
He seemingly flits, with neurotic delight
This amorous home grown ‘Naxalite

Another morsel of flesh

Finally, in a moment random,
The boy without a condom, erred
And spurred the media to write
A story of pornographic delight

CLVII

After EC officials discovered Rs 2.5 million in her hotel room in Meghalaya

Rs 2.5 million stashed in a Shillong suite

Booked by Alva and her Congress pets

Maybe we're wrong, maybe we just fret

But then, why does money always dog Margaret?

CLVI

On Scarlett Keeling's mysterious death

The dead don't talkA crime is conveniently blocked

But an officer's quiet has a stated price

His depravity, raised to the power of avarice

CLV

On British teenager Scarlette Keeling's suspicious death
A 15-year-old's dead
Washed ashore with a bruised head
Another rape? Another khaki sham?
It's the Goa Police, that needs a post-mortem

CLIV

ON OIL-SEEPAGE INTO WELLS OF MORMUGAO
'If you dont have bread, eat cake'

Saw the France's conscience shake

It's time the State takes stock, dwells

Why has oil replaced water in our wells?

CLXIII

Reading between the lines, one can rarely grasp
While chasing a languid puff of grass
Goa's always played host to a very sorry Governor creed*
But, it's good to see this zeal now, for governors on Speed**!!!

* Barring a couple of glorious exceptions
** Amphetamine sulphate, a high inducing drug

CLXII

Goa presents the only cavity

In Newton's theory of gravity

While, a ripe red apple may still pop

It takes forever for a minister to drop

CLXI

It's ironic, that the Cosa Nostra will meet once more

That's the Mafia which deals in land, not ore.

Who, after almost pillaging Goa, have now been called

To follow the 'natural justice' principle

CLX

Fact is always stranger than fiction
Life allows no retakes, nor scripted diction
As Munnabhai, he charmed us all with his moral sway
As Sanjay, it's the same old story of lies and dismay

FINGERING

Bucknor and Benson
Index fingers taut with tension
Sydney was a test of lies
These ass-holes in an umpire's guise

Bucknor-Benson effigies burnt
Umpire gaffes hurt as India tries to push for victory

Quatrain CLIX -- ESCORT SERVICE

Bypass can now be tackled without
A preoperative anesthetic span
Did you not see how Escorts bypassed
A clot called Naresh Trehan

Fortis eases out Naresh Trehan from Escorts
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Fortis_eases_out_Naresh_Trehan_from_Escorts/articleshow/2060592.cms

Quatrain CLVIII -- ITALY TO NEPALI

Foreign, isn't always a smiling white
Often, it is
Brown
With a coarse frown

Supreme Court Gives Cong MP Six Weeks to Prove Indian Citizenship
http://www.indiadaily.org/entry/supreme-court-to-cong-mp-prove-you-are-indian-within-6-weeks/
Cong MP born 4 times at 3 places!
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/born-4-times-at-3-places-is-subba-faking-identity/35342-4.html
Is Cong MP Subba not a citizen of India?
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1946826,000600010001.htm

Quatrain CLVII -- THE HAND THAT SCRUBS THE BUM

You just can’t pin the Left down
Even their toilet paper’s never brown
The only way you can tell
Is that nauseating smell

Stung by SC judgements, MPs to discuss judicial ‘over-activism'
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061208/main5.htm
Judicial activism does not augur well for system: Gurudas
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Judicial_activism_does_not_augur_well_for_system_Gurudas/articleshow/739034.cms Lok Sabha to debate on powers division between judiciary and legislature
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/90524.php/Lok-Sabha-to-debate-on-powers-division-between-judiciary-and-legislature

Quatrain CLVI -- WHEN THE LARDER REEKS

A dead rat in any Cabinet
Will smell
But mice will be mice
And never tell

JMM to claim berth vacated by Soren in Cabinet
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1860049,000600010001.htm
Soren, first ex-Cabinet Minister to get life imprisonment(lead: Soren) http://www.dailyindia.com/show/89669.php/Soren-first-ex-Cabinet-Minister-to-get-life-imprisonment
No, minister
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/690403.cms

Quatrain CLV -- MOONING

We are going to the moon
But is it too soon?
Remember its crust is broken, dry
Wonder why Vidharba’s farmers die?

BJP to meet Prez over farmer suicide
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/bjp-to-meet-prez-over-farmer-suicide/23637-4.html
Govindacharya lashes at govt for farmer suicides
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1839657,000900040001.htm
Destination Moon: ISRO to draw blueprint today
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=106253
ISRO Plans for Manned Space Mission - Is the Price Tag Justified ?
http://www.bloggernews.net/11896

Quatrain CLIV -- THIS BYTE IS SPONSORED BY...

On matters trivial, trite
The Hero breaks his quiet
Sycophancy is certainly as Indian
As Sachin

Sachin, former cricketers slam Aussies for nudging Sharad Pawar
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1062491
Aussies' behaviour irks Tendulkar
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200611061740.htm
Who is Shobhan Mehta?
http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/jun/03spec.htm
Bookie Shobhan Mehta had links with Azhar, Jadeja, Mongia
http://www.indiaexpress.com/news/sports/cricket/20050611-2.html
Sachin felt let down by Dravid's declaration
http://cricket.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1832688.cms
Tendulkar examined by Madhavan over 1999 Ahmedabad Test
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/101037.html
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1001212/sports.htm#head2
http://www.publicintegrity.org/report.aspx?aid=448

Quatrain CLIII -- 'RAM'BLING ON

When an aged sage
Bursts into a rage
There’s no call for outrage or pity
Just give him a while to comprehend senility

Manu will walk free: Jethmalani
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/manu-will-walk-free-jethmalani/25389-3.html
Manu Sharma is a Innocent boy:Ram Jethmalani
http://www.newasiatimes.com/news/reports/?report=11901
Jessica murder: Jethmalani firm on defending prime accused
http://www.newasiatimes.com/news/reports/?report=11901

Quatrain CLII -- EMBEDDED EXCLUSIVES

NDTV, take a bow
For coaxing the Holy Cow
To crap,
Then broadcasting it, gift-wrapped

Sonia's exclusive interview to Vir Sanghvi on NDTV
http://www.ndtv.com/topstories/showtopstory.asp?category=National&slug=Manmohan+Singh+a+man+of+integrity%3A+Sonia&id=20598

Quatrain CLI -- BARMY ARMY

Who's whipping up this fear?
Of a mole in every army tier
Why should the ISI plant spies galore, when
Defence Ministers' make-do with a couple of crore

Pranab: No decision yet to blacklist Barak
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=143240
Probe on to unravel spy network in Army: Pranab
http://www.kashmirobserver.com/index.php?id=896
Two Armymen in spy net, Pak driver in it too
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=206263
ISI trying to subvert forces, says Pranab
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061024/main1.htm
Armed forces in a tizzy over Pak moles
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2236118.cms

Quatrain CL -- WHEN A NOOSE BECOMES A CLIMBING ROPE

He’s back
Clean from crack
Now he even has a vision, whose
Root stems from Afzal's noose

Rahul Mahajan to join BJP's anti-clemency dharna
http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.p
hp?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=16440
Rahul Mahajan wants Afzal hanged, to sit on dharna
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=2&a
rticleid=1016200623405157810162006234042562
Rahul Mahajan to join BJP's anti-clemency dharna
http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=16440
Rahul Mahjan to sit on dharna to press for death sentence to Afzal
http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=329869&sid=REG

Quatrain CXXXXIX -- DRDO... DODO

A five-year old tot
Mailed Kalam, a Viagra dot
He'd heard that the missile man's gun
Took more than two decades to come

Buy or make: Can the forces bank on DRDO
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2172733.cms
Govt. plans to close down Trishul anti-missile programme
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200610162135.htm
Govt drives final nail to 'Trishul' coffin
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1822196,0008.htm\
R&D work on Trishul missile to be stopped
http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/15/stories/2006101502771000.htm

Quatrain CXXXXVIII -- FAROOQ FAR OFTEN

The playboy prince of flesh
Can afford to be rash
Let India burn
And pack the ashes, in an electoral urn

Farooq trying to create communal wedge
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2172309.cms
Hang Afzal, and some crook may kill judges
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/hang-afzal-and-some-crook-may-kill-judges/23963-3.html
India will burn if rebel hanged says Kashmiri leader
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/hang-afzal-and-some-crook-may-kill-judges/23963-3.html
If Afzal is hanged Kashmir, India will go up in flames: Farooq
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=15_10_2006&ItemID=26&cat=1

Quatrain CXXXXVII -- BLUE BILLION BUCKS

The match-fixing sharks
Stride back into the park
Somewhere, someone’s held the door held ajar
For Kapil, Chopra, Jadeja, Mongia, Akram, Azhar

Suddenly, all those accused and prima facie fishy players in the match fixing scandal have returned and are back to playing roles, suspisciously aligned with the sport. Kapil (25 lakh to throw away a match against Pakistan) as chairman of the National Cricket Academy. Ajay Jadeja (betting on matches he was involved in and underperforming) as commentator. Nikhil Chopra (for match fixing and proximity to bookie Sanjeev Chawla) as a commentator and member of the Delhi state selection committee. Azhar (matchfixing and underperformance) is also on the verge of being embraced by the BCCI. Nayan Mongia coaches the Thailand cricket team. The BCCI has “cleared” these cricketers through its seedy “internal enquiries”. The Delhi Police have also ruled out the involvement of Indian players in the matchfixing scandal after probing Gibbs. Was match-fixing only a bad dream then?
Nayan Mongia to coach Thailand
content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/141024.html
Azhar, Ajay Sharma may be prosecuted
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001102/main1.htm
New committee fails to decide on shortlist (Nikhil Chopra)
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=201942
Nikhil Chopra deposes before CBI
in.rediff.com/sports/2000/jun/29chopra.htm
Kapil becomes new NCA Chief
http://cricket.expressindia.com/fulleistory.php?content_id=74572
Match-fixing judge surprised at Mushtaq's (Mushtaq Ahmad) appointment
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/259929.html
Match-fixing judge reveals 'soft corner' for Akram
content-usa.cricinfo.com/pakvind/content/story/232548.html
BCCI to honour ex-skipper Azhar
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1058262

Quatrain CXXXXVII -- DISPATCHED

A Russian journalist’s slain
The West is confused, pained
Poor Politkovskaya wouldn’t have been killed
If she'd embedded herself, on her own will

Journalist's Murder Seen as Indictment of Putin
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/worldopinionroundup/2006/10/journalists_murder_seen_as_ind_1.html
'Independent journalism has been killed in Russia'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/russia/article/0,,1896806,00.html
Putin criticised over journalist remarks
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CF400CC1-71A9-4BA1-B99C-E98FE44586EE.htm
Putin decries journalist's slaying and reporting
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003298640_russia11.html
Embedded journalist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embedded_journalist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_invasion_of_Iraq_media_coverage#.22Embedded.22_reporters
http://www.democracynow.org/static/IMIATOW.shtml
US media acts as a cover for power, says leading reporter
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_060928media.shtml
Colbert Roasts President Bush - 2006 White House Correspondents
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-869183917758574879

Quatrain CXXXXVI -- POOR VAJPAYEE... DIDN'T THEY GIVE HIM A PENNY?

Coffins, missiles, subs and ships
Did we just hear India’s underpants rip?
The last line of her defence, one would wonder
Must be some Swiss bank account number

Fernandes in CBI cross-hairs for Barak missile deal
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=142995
Quiz Kalam, not me: Fernandes
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/quiz-kalam-not-me-fernandes/23691-3.html
George Fernandes in Israel arms deal probe
http://in.today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=
2006-10-10T221040Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-271696-1.xml
CBI alleges Rs two crore bribe to Jaya Jaitley
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2141131.cms
CBI names George Fernandes in arms scandal
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2139787.cms

Quatrain CXXXXV -- CAST'E' IRON

Kanshi Ram, V P Singh
Sinister masters of chess
Where shameless political moves
Are disguised as a caress

Kanshi Ram's family to sue Mayawati
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/kanshi-rams-family-to-sue-mayawati/23547-4.html
Master strategist, towering leader
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1057692
Founder of India's most powerful lower caste party, Kanshi Ram, dies
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/09/asia/AS_GEN_India_Obit_Kanshi_Ram.php
VP Singh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V._P._Singh

Quatrain CXXXXIV -- LETS HANG OUT TOGETHER

The jury is out
Ooh, isn't Afzal is haute
That end of the rope from which he hangs
Propels the ends of Haksar and her publicity gang

PUCL for clemency for Afzal
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200610071925.htm
Protests on Afzal death sentence continue
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200610061840.htm
Death of Afzal Guru will not solve anything
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/2344
Pakistan watching Afzal case
http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/06/stories/2006100618831700.htm
Kashmir body urges EU intervention to save life of Kashmiri in India
http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0610057185162914.htm

Quatrain CXXXXIII -- NEWS SENSE

Two bums from two ends of Fleet-street
Finally meet.
On their face there’s a frown
A rival bum's coming from the other edge of town

HT Media signs MoU with Times of India Group
http://www.myiris.com/newsCentre/newsPopup.php?fileR=20061003113149043&dir=2006/10/03&secID=livenews
India Rivals Join to Publish a Daily
http://online.wsj.com/google_login.html?url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB115990364283681463.html%3Fmod%3Dgooglenews_wsj
Delhi's media giants join hands to launch paper
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/india/article_1207834.php/Delhis_media_giants_join_hands_to_launch_paper
HT Media Ltd, TOI Group shake hands on 50:50 joint venture
http://www.agencyfaqs.com/news/stories/2006/10/04/16100.html
TOI, HT join hands to publish Delhi paper
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2076288.cms
HT Media, Times Group forge JV
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1811687,00020009.htm

Quatrain CXXXXII -- SMOKING GUN

Terror is in the mind
Often a mess, the state leaves behind
To fester the sore
Terror’s a militant, even a mosquito

Dengue cases in Delhi cross 500; not an epidemic yet
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200610032101.htm
AIIMS ill-equipped for dengue rush
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/aiims-illequipped-for-dengue-rush/23121-3.html
Dengue situation continues to be grim
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/dengue-situation-continues-to-be-grim/23128-3.html
33 dengue cases confirmed in Haryana
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1811907,0009.htm
One more dengue case reported in Jammu and Kashmir
http://www.kashmirobserver.com/index.php?id=697

Quatrain CXXXXI -- WHO SEZ ITS A SCAM?

Grubby land grabbing is past
Now corporates want land sans fuss, fast
Trust governments to be reliably sleazy
Rustling up SEZ after SEZ

Corporate India's take on SEZ
http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/sezadigodrej/corporateindiastakesez/market/stocks/article/243149
There'll be no real estate scam: Kamal Nath
http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/29/stories/2006092904111200.htm
PM to look into SEZ issue: Nath
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=13&articleid=92820062230192969282006222947515
Gram sabha nod must for SEZs: Medha
http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/28/stories/2006092820981400.htm

Quatrain CXXXX -- THE SURREAL CEREAL

In love
Rice
In Iraq
Avarice

Rice-MacKay romantic rumours heating up
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=2e1f8858-752e-4e1b-8741-617180e1cdf8&k=13661
Rice laughed off love report
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2030285.cms
Rice laughs off romance rumours
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060913.wRice13/BNStory/International/home

Quatrain CXXXIX -- TERROR SONG II

Terror isn’t all about hate
There’s passion too
And a love,
For dismembering doves

Quatrain CXXXVIII -- TERROR SONG I

Terror is a bard
Trying very hard
To sing...
Unrelenting

Quatrain CXXXVII -- WHAM BAM MATARAM

Designer tri-colour tilaks on the head
Politics, a buttered loaf of garlic bread
Patriotism is fine refuge for scum
Why fuss over ‘One-Day Mataram’

Sporting a 'tilak' in the form of Vande Mataram written on his forehead....
BJP for Vande Mataram singing to be a fundamental duty

Quatrain CXXXVI -- KALA PATTHAR

Sometimes she behaves queer
Or perhaps conceals her tear, when
she swallows poor flesh in soiled vests
And then allows 81 ogres* to rake her chest

54 coal miners feared dead in Dhanbad
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1051611
Search on for over 50 trapped Dhanbad miners
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=320784&sid=NAT&ssid=
*Jharkhand MLAs want to be kings
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/jharkhand-mlas-want-to-be-kings/20826-4.html
*Munda gets a week to prove majority
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/12160.html

Quatrain CXXXV -- KKIS 'ORE' LE JAYEGI MUNDA KKO KIISMET?

They’ve dug her flesh, found rich ore
She’s still young… now they want more
One gang’s done… they’ve had their swill
Now the Congress homes in with their drill

Soren demands Arjun Munda’s resignation
http://internationalreporter.com/news/read.php?id=2202
Cong trying to destabilise Munda govt, says BJP
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060906/nation.htm
Munda Govt. should go: Left
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200609061503.htm
Crisis in Jharkhand, NDA garnering support
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1960031.cms
Will Mittal Steel India's Jharkhand project take off?http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/sanakmishramittalsteelindia/willmittalsteelindiasjharkhandprojecttakeoff/market/stocks/article/234159
Jharkhand project alive: Mittal Steel
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1886040.cms

Quatrain CXXXIV -- JINHE NAAZ HAI HIND PAR VOH KAHAN HAIN?

From Nehru’s tryst
To Sadhu’s Yadav’s fist
Our Parliament when aroused
Shames a decadent whore-house

Lok Sabha witnesses new low in MPs' behaviour
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200608241762.htm
MPs come to blows (well, almost)
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=4&articleid=82420062146309218242006213838625
Showdown in Lok Sabha
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060825/main1.htm
Indian MPs almost come to blows
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5282522.stm