Quatrain CXVIII -- SO WHAT ROLE ARE YOU PLAYING TODAY?

They use a mop
As a patriotic prop*
Life is a stage, where
Actors improve with age

Aamir Khan arrives as an Indian citizen
http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/columns/world/10043547.html

Quatrain CXVII -- TABLOID TEARS

Aamir Khan isn’t wrong
But his truth reeks strong.
Somewhere beneath Narmada’s torrent
Lies his murky under current

Controversy is cool for films
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/controversy-is-cool-for-films/11757-8.html
Amid protests and ban, the show goes on
http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/27/stories/2006052719511600.htm

Quatrain CXVI -- BITS AND PIECES AND OTHERS EASY DIETS

Yet again, they break the bread*
Smaller the bits, more easily had
Once done, coarse political chums
Brush their sleeves off the crumbs

* Reservation bill to be passed in monsoon session
http://news.moneycontrol.com/india/news/currentaffairs/
humanresourcedevelopmentministerarjunsingh/reservationbillto
bepassedmonsoonsession/market/stocks/article/216509

Quatrain CXV -- POPE SWINGS THE BRANDING ROPE

Come to the cross
Orders the mob boss
And unleashes Dias*
At whatever the price

* Refer CXIV

Quatrain CXIV -- THE FIREWATER POPE

The ravenous Pope
Swings his long rope
Yells, ‘convert them all’
Bout time, a fresh haul*

* A parallel development in the Vatican, which the media appears to have missed out on, is the appointment of an Indian Cardinal Ivan Dias as head of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, a wing in charge of conversions. Dias has his work cut out. The Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, founded in 1622, is the Vatican's department entrusted with the coordination of programmes aimed at spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ in territories where Christianity is ‘young’.

Anti-conversion attempts interfere in God’s competence: Cardinal Ivan
http://www.theindiancatholic.com/news_read.asp?nid=1774
Pope asks India not to ban religious conversions
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1701967,0008.htm
Pope condemns India conversion
lawshttp://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Pope+condemns+India+
conversion+laws&id=88134&category=National
Pope condemns India's ban on religious conversion
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1701313,0005.htm
Cardinal Ivan Dias to Head Crucial Vatican Office
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=21632&n_tit=Cardinal+Ivan+Dias+
to+Head+Crucial+Vatican+Office

Quatrain CXIII -- A NICE MAN WHO FARTS IN THE CLOSET

When vision
Suffers a lesion
Knowledge,*
Dulls its edge

2 knowledge panel members quit
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/two-knowledge-panel-members-quit-over-quota/11136-3.html
Quota: 2 Knowledge Commission members quit
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1030628&CatID=2

Quatrain CXII -- FACEPACK JUSTICE II

Law heeded Lal
Pricked by that elitist squall
Now Bhargava's killer is shot*
And Mattoo forgot**

* Main accused in Mehar Bhargava case shot dead
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1030272&CatID=2
** (pls read quatrain LXV)

Quatrain CXI -- SEX AND THE VATICAN CITY III

Where was Ram's birth?
What exactly was Muhommad's girth?
Did Christ biologically spawn?
Does it really matter... yawn

Quatrain CX -- SEX AND THE VATICAN CITY II

Now, Goa bans the film.
Such is the power of the Church's whim
That even a priest of homosexual taint
Is a convenient secular saint*

*Thousands of Indian Catholics bid farewell to slain priest, suspects admit to crime
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=19139
Catholic Priest Murdered in Goa State, India
http://www.opendoorsusa.org/ArchiveDisplay.asp?ID=C4DE3B9F-F768-42C4-B553-98A608A54134&
Category=News
Murdered: Goa parish priest who spoke out against inter-faith violence
http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=5680

Quatrain CIX -- SEX AND THE VATICAN CITY I

These are signs of India going secular
From the fringe, Christianity goes regular
'Da Vinci Code' is in flight over Rome, across
But in India, it wears an albatross

Goa says no to Da Vinci Code
http://web.mid-day.com/news/nation/2006/may/137419.htm
'The Da Vinci Code' India release in trouble
http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=59956
I&B Minister to watch Da Vinci Code
http://www.ndtv.com/topstories/showtopstory.asp?category=National
&slug=I%26B+Minister+to+watch+Da+Vinci+Code&id=19410

Quatrain CVIII -- THE GREAT HUMAN RESOURCE ORGY

The lust to be great
Young millions, bait
Arjun, who once pierced the fish in the eye**
Now simply torches the seas, for his catch*

** I do not leave things half way: Arjun Singh
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14201517
* Mythological tales Arjun
http://www.urday.com/arjun.htm

Quatrain CVII -- 36 garh

Father to a murderer son
Forgery too, he's ordered done
Jogi now jangles his balls
Sends Madam his mating call*

* Jogic postures
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/4276.html
Ajit Jogi leads 25 MPS in asking Sonia to takeover as PM
http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=57631
Is Manmohan to blame for poll performance?
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14204730
Letter appeal to be PM, Sonia cool
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060512/asp/nation/story_6213940.asp

Quatrain CVI -- PHATA POSTER NIKLA HERO

The media pees in pleasure
Watches the slimy womb fissure
Momma…she’s ready with political candy
Even as India litters yet another Gandhi*

* Rahul Gandhi may come up as General Secretary
http://internationalreporter.com/news/read.php?id=1416
Coming soon: Rahul Gandhi as gen secy
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1528041.cms
Rahul Gandhi an `upcoming star`: Jaiswal
http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=294762&sid=NAT
Mother's win pushes Rahul closer to Gandhi throne
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/05/
13/wgandhi13.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/05/13/ixnews.html
‘Was it just Rahul?’
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=4&articleid=
512200622447437512200622432687
'Upcoming star Rahul Gandhi a ray of hope'
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=67586

Quatrain CV -- YOU WANT LAW...? SORRY, SHE'S BEING LAID III

Parliamentarians make law
The way dogs romp in heat
Rubbings their noses and drooling jaws
Against some rich bitch’s seat

Office-of-profit: Govt ready with Bill
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1522938.cms
Politicians save self in office of profit controversy
http://www.financialexpress.com/latest_full_story.php?content_id=126580
Office of profit: Govt approves amendment
http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?fromtimeline=true&id=19360&callid=0&template=profitbill
Bill to halt Delhi demolition drive
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/05/13/stories/2006051303520100.htm
Bill on Delhi demolitions passed
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4765277.stm
LS passes bill to halt Delhi demolition
http://web.mid-day.com/news/nation/2006/may/137146.htm
Broken structures or political foundations?
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/broken-structures-or-political-foundations/10284-3.html
Both Congress, BJP join hands to stop bulldozer in the Capital
http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=58224
Parliament halts demolition drive
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1029057&CatID=2

Quatrain CIV -- GUNS AND DEAD ROSES

The gun and now, sex*
Must have Kashmiris vexed
As both militants and the state each by turn
Get a load off their gun

* Sex racket rocks Srinagar
http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/apr/29sex.htm
Sex scandal cripples Valley
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=6_5_2006&ItemID=31&cat=1
Sex scandal: ‘patronage strong, rot deeper’
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=5_5_2006&ItemID=16&cat=1
Are the guilty being shielded in J&K?
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1028281&CatID=2
‘Statements tampered, names of many accused dropped’, No homework before inviting CBI to probe
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=7_5_2006&ItemID=28&cat=1
Reports of politicans involved in sex scandal 'exaggerated'
http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=51432
Protests over Kashmir sex racket continue
http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?category=National&slug=Protests+over+Kashmir+sex+racket+continue&id=87806

Quatrain CIII -- TO HAVE AND TO HAVE MORE

Once we have, how can we have not?
See how we wriggled out of this tight spot
We will make a buck as we see fit
You see… we are in office, to profit*

Bill reflects will to profit from office
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1694719,0015002500000000.htm
To save MPs, office-of-profit list to be expanded
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/4127.html
Centre sweats to save MPs
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060510/asp/frontpage/story_6205343.asp
India to amend law on MPs' posts
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4757295.stm
An exercise of mutual profit
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1028717&catid=19

Quatrain C II -- 'A'SARDAR?*

This will tell
Whether our PM** has balls or an old brass bell
Once the Sardar Sarovar scales higher and sits pretty ***
You'll see Manmohan's conscience dump him and perform sati

* Asardar -- Effective
** PM -- Prime MInister
*** SC okays construction on Narmada dam
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=4&
articleid=582006224447312582006224445562
SC lets dam work go on, says wait for PM on rehab
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/4065.html
Dam displaced at mercy of two Ms
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060509/asp/nation/story_6200871.asp
Patkar, Arundhati protest SC Narmada verdict
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14201234

Quatrain CI -- RUN - STUN - DONE

When Budhia does run
Is he a mother’s dutiful son?
A coach’s guinea pig?
Or is there more to his jig?*

* Several facets of reportage which followed Budhia's run, which has thrown up some of the most outlandish reactions in a country starved for heroes in some parts and for food in most others. Links for more.

Marathon kid Budhia creates world record
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2006/May/
subcontinent_May79.xml§ion=subcontinent&col=
Budhia taken for medical check-up
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/nhrc-issues-notice-on-budhia-case/9555-3.html
Budhia, stop!
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/
mmpaper.asp?sectid=4&articleid=582006224339625582006224221703
Budhia's story goes unheard
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/budhias-story-goes-unheard/9786-3.html
Orissa govt considering stopping Budhia from running marathons
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1693517,000900030010.htm
Orissa stops Budhia's runs
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1521423.cms
Budhia may jog into Hollywood
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1693955,0015002500000000.htm

Quatrain C -- SAB TEL HAI

The Indian Express wants the Iran oil
NDTV too wants the pipeline’s greasy spoils
Reliance has successfully sunk its shaft
Deep down their sticky holes

Quatrain LXXXXIX -- CIA'O'

All that hue and cry
Over one fallen spy?
After decades of deposing ideologies and rulers pagan
Rejoice… finally there's a regime-change at the Pentagon*

Goss: CIA resignation 'one of those mysteries'
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/06/goss.resignation
CIA Chief Goss Resigns
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-goss6may06,0,1856063.story?coll=la-home-headlines
C.I.A. Director Goss Resigns
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/05/washington/05cnd-cia.html?ex=1146974400&en=843e1fe644ce27af&ei=5087%0A

LXXXXVIII -- SPIN AND THE RIOT QUEEN

What is it with Barkha* and a riot
What stays hidden, what comes to light
Sure there’s panic, fear, gore and fright
But when drama comes in, truth takes flight

* Barkha Dutt

Quatrain LXXXXVII -- SEX, SONIA AND THE SECULAR VOTE

Gandhi dynasty and mass
Congress' moral morass
Rae Bareilly knows Sonia's show is a royal bore
So they spruce it up, with a dancing whore

Rahul seeks to play down dance by girls at Cong rally
http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=382664
Ribald show starts off Sonia rally
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14198203

Quatrain LXXXXVI -- PRAMOD MAHAJAN JI TUM AAGE BADHO YAM* TUMHARE SAATH HAI

Yeh desh hai dalalon ka
Bofors, hawala daron ka
Dekhi nari, turant zhapta
Mara, to tirange mein lipta**

* God of Death
** Who who deserves a state funeral more? The 22 odd shepherds from Doda in Kashmir, who were killed to send a harsh signal to the Indian state against peace talks? Or a man who was killed by a kin over the most flimsy and suspiscious motive ever conjured by the cops? Someone who has been in the eye of controversy after controversy, scandal after scandal for facilitating deals and even murder.

State funeral for BJP politician
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4971410.stm
Mahajan gets state funeral in Mumbai
http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=mahajandead&slug=
Mahajan+gets+state+funeral+in+Mumbai&id=19323&callid=0&category=National

Quatrain LXXXXV -- RETURN TO SENDER

Perhaps it was Pandit Jasraj’s voice*
Left Life with the only choice
To step out of that putrid form
And leave Mahajan a little less warm

Pandit Jasraj prays for Mahajan's well-being

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/pt-jasraj-sings-for-mahajans-wellbeing/9261-4.html

Quatrain LXXXXIV -- MARA HAI TO BEHTAR HAI

Clamouring over the dead
Is a quintessential political fad
While Sonia's 'pain' over Muslims slain is in perfect order*
22 dead Hindus in Doda isn't enough electoral fodder**

*Sonia ‘pained’ to hear of Baroda killings
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=66983
**22 gunned down in Doda village
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/22-gunned-down-in-doda-village/9152-3.html

Quatrain LXXXXIII -- MOH PURUSH***

Advaniji, rather than sit and rue
Recount all the things that you didn't do
"At Kandahar* and Babri** it wasnt me!!!"
Perhaps the 'Loh Purush' had stepped out to pee

* I opposed release of Kandahar terrorists, says Advani
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=123467
** Advani discharged; Joshi, 6 others to face trial
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/sep20/i1.asp
*** Moh = Greed
'Loh Purush' -- 'Iron Man' a title bestowed upon Advani by former party president Venkaiah Naidu.