The Deccan Herald quotes our “Mannina maga” (Deve Gowda) today lashing out at farmers who were committing suicide and saying something to the effect “If they want to commit suicide, let them“. This was in reaction to an incident where a farmer attempted to kill himself at the Big D’s residence.
Wow !! I dont think theres any election coming up yet. If there was, he’d be talking about how he’d be willing to sacrifice his life instead of the farmers.
All this was at former cricketer Dodda Ganesh’s coming out party where he joined the JD(S). Hopefully he gets more votes than he did wickets.
Talking about Dodda Ganesh, apparently Azhar (Azzu Bhai) talked him into joining the JD(S). Azzu also has committed Rs. 10 Crores to him to contest the elections.
Where did Azhar get that kind of money? Tennis Ball Cricket?
Prediction: Both Gowda and Ganesh will claim they were “misquoted”.
June 28, 2007 at 11:29 am |
Offcourse, every politicians of all colours and hues are misquoted!!!
If mayawathi can have 52 crores from party workers why cant ganesh get a paltry 10 crores for an election? Party name is not much different but end game is still the same.
You are obviously right – there is no election. Gowda has gone one yard forward and said that vidarba region also has suicides – doesnt mean PM has to resign. So 2 wrongs mean – you can do more wrongs and get away!!!
June 28, 2007 at 1:22 pm |
“Where did Azhar get that kind of money?”
someone in his household is probably a poet!
- s.b.
June 28, 2007 at 5:16 pm |
When I saw this this morning I felt really bad. Can you imagine an ex-pm and somebody having a lot of say in today’s matters here saying what he did? I have a feeling he did say it. When his son said he would step down because of the suicides, DeveGowda said ‘you are a lion’s son and defeat is not for you’ or some such! Whatever!
Empathy cannot be taught. It can only be experienced!
June 28, 2007 at 11:08 pm |
There is an ounce of wisdom in what Gowda said… Commiting suicide is like giving up in life, and if the farmers don’t have that much zeal in life, then they are better off killing themselves.
I understand that they have a very harsh life.. but there are many other options other than suicide. There is a reason why suicide is a crime…
June 29, 2007 at 1:50 am |
Munim… agreed… but the situation needs to be dealt with tact… Making statements like what DG did shows lack of Empathy as Chitra mentions above…
Its not easy for us (in the city) to comprehend the total helplessness of these people…
June 29, 2007 at 4:58 am |
Aren’t the farmers not being counselled by some NGO ?
Also isn’t it time subsidies started being rolled back?
What about habitual waiving off loans ..has it had any effect on the farmer’s pscyche’?
I wish to know more about these things.
June 29, 2007 at 4:58 am |
Vijay,
Your title reminded me one incident(reported in TOI day before) where the ICICI recovery guys murdered a person in the recovery process. Not too sure which one is harsh. Corporate way or the political way… ??
wonder how that guy DG have earned so much position in indian politics, he is just another serior citizen alve ?!
June 29, 2007 at 5:02 am |
@Chitra: Unfortunately come election time, the same guys will vote for him… I dont think they read newspapers for comments he makes
@Neel: Dont think so.. if you take the case of this guy who attempted to kill himself at DG’s house, he was taking one loan to pay off another…
@Veena: Your guess is as good as mine.. I have no idea…
June 29, 2007 at 5:08 am |
Vijay,
Some 6-7 years back, there was a spate of suicides similar to now…..I have worked closely with Dr Veeresh who was appointed by the then Govt to look into this, and his findings are simply shocking…it seems many of the farmers who resort to commiting suicide have huge gambling or booze debts and find that this is an easy way to clear them off and also make a quick buck…
Of course, there would be a few genuine cases too which deserve some hearing and dealing with tact and help has to be extended to them at all costs.
June 29, 2007 at 5:10 am |
Look at the losers involved in the story:
- A former PM whose relevance in today’s political scenario is any body’s guess.
- A former Karnataka cricketer who frittered away the chances to shine in the national team.
- A former cricket captain whose exit was disgraceful to say the least.
Is the farmer who tried to commit suicide the bigger loser?!!
June 29, 2007 at 6:41 am |
it’s just disgusting,Vijay.
June 29, 2007 at 6:47 am |
Ramesh: All made for each other
jarvarm: Welcome back in your new Avatar…
June 29, 2007 at 6:59 am |
To hell with these guys. But there must be at least some NGO or something that will talk to the farmers, make them understand that DEATH is a no solution.
June 29, 2007 at 9:22 am |
Vijay
Congratulations! 50,000 visitors since you started tracking…
June 29, 2007 at 10:14 am |
Vani, wow that is some issue they have there. Who knew! Either way, it all calls for a collective intervention.
June 29, 2007 at 11:00 am |
@Vani: That is indeed scary…
@Srik: I hope so.. I hope so
@MP.. thank you.. for noticing…
July 1, 2007 at 2:33 am |
DG bagge bareebedi saar. Commentu hodeyona andre … bayalli bare bayguLane barutte.
July 1, 2007 at 3:05 am |
a segue, but … this is interesting.
there is no such thing as a good politician. or, let me rephrase, good politicians go nowhere, i.e., they will remain mannina magas all life long (with due apologies to those who go about toting that moniker)!
- s.b.
July 1, 2007 at 7:15 am |
the gowdas have mastered the art of making a mockery of media
July 2, 2007 at 6:32 am |
i second Bach. DG is no worth a space here!!
July 2, 2007 at 6:44 am |
Srik, Bach: DG provides a lot of fodder…
Ankur: Isn’t every politician?