IPL-INFLUENCED, PROTESTING LALAS...........
Now that the poll fever has passed, Surtis are finding new ways to keep the topic alive till the results are out.
Pollsters are quoting what percentage of votes might have gone to the present ruling party, the opposition and the new entrants; as well as the important ‘others’ who will mingle in with either of the former parties later on, at their own whims and fancies.

If you are as confused as I am as to how on earth do they come to such exact conclusions about what the results will look like, percentage and all, here is what I think they do-
First of all, they select 8 different people from different walks of life to represent vote banks of various parties.

Like a rich businessman would vote for his benefit, while a mill labourer would vote for who benefited him [in official and unofficial ways].

Like a young first time voter, all set to practice his right for the very first time at the impressionable age of 18 ,on the other hand would be the ‘wise old man ‘a senior citizen who has seen many sarkars come and go.

Like a modern woman of the 21st century who would vote for the party that has promised more rights and equal benefits to all, while the distressed homemaker who is depressed with ever soaring prices would represent the other side of Women’s votes.

Like the rich religious leader whom followers treat like God who just has to whisper a word of whom to vote for, to represent the majority, as opposed to a poor, exploited under paid artisan who would represent a minority.

Then, the opinions of all these people would be taken by the polling agencies and fed into a computer along with the population that represents each; to come to a conclusion of the percentage of seats that will be won and also in which territories, so simple.

The other reason that has kept poll talks in charcha is the fact that despite the netas, newspapers and abhinetas having respectively made it important, simple and fashionable to vote this year, half of Tapi town failed to do so.

At social gatherings, citizens who do not have a tell tale mark on their finger are being asked why they did not vote.

Surtis are confused what to answer, I mean everyone now knows how to vote, so what do they say about why they did not press the blue button this year?

Luckily for them, they have now found an excuse. A small place called Velavi Faliyagam has come to their rescue. The villagers of this place stated that they boycotted the elections as a form of protest against absence of development.

Lalas now say since the IPL was shifted out of the country and their Indian idols, all cricketers have also not voted this year, they followed suit, as protest.

Sad that this influenced educated, intelligent Surtis more than the failing state of our neighbouring country’s democracy, to abstain from performing their democratic duty this year.

Tapi town tattle-What have Manmohanji and Advaniji requested Gujaratis?’Humey mut dijiye!”

BLASTS FROM THE PAST
In an age where change is the only constant, it’s a season of shifts. The IPL’s shift to South Africa is not the only change in T20 that has turned out to be one big surprise package, its miserable start and consequent matches have upset the apple cart of all trade pundits and punters not to mention starry team owners as well.
Even as the usual favourites and past winners are yet to put up a score up there, it’s the oldies that are making everyone sit up and watch what was otherwise turning out to be a damp squib ,literally.
The Sultans of swing and spin have been Matthew Hayden and Anil Kumble, both deservedly earning the orange and purple caps, respectively to separate the best from the rest.
The prince of Kolkata who is king no more -Dada and the wall Dravid have given a lesson or two to the young guns that have separated the boys from men; not to forget Gilchrist who has left even the Aussies wondering if he retired a tad too soon and the presence of iconic Tendulkar that has raised the spirits of his team tenfold.
If there is anything that can give the IPL 2009 hope of reviving its poor TRP and bringing back the lost charm to some extent, it seems the entire burden lies on the shoulders of the golden oldies.
Back in India, the biggest gamble for the 15th Loksabha elections is on, predictions are abound as to who will be the next PM.In a battle that has now waged into ‘young and old’ politicians and parties, it seems the ‘build young India’ agenda suddenly seems to be high on everyone’s to-do manifesto list, which otherwise generally had old wine in a new bottle.
Old favourites are out and leading political parties have younger blood posing as their poster boys. Young voters are wooed via blogs, sms and websites. The youngistaanis are euphoric and excited about their individual importance as they are set to vote for a better future.
But ,with a dearth of young blood on the scene, there is not much for them to choose from and looks like it will a blast from the past [a.k.a. a golden oldie] scoring once more, for India’s political league as well.