As we bear witness to a SAD turn of events for the seemingly (and this is not a pun on physical apperance) unshakeable Captain Amrinder Singh, we are once again reminded of the stubborn pattern created by the coming-and-then-going of promising and pig-headed leaderships. Here was a man with an incredible opportunity. A democratically elected Maharaja who could not rise above the smallness of power politics to make a real difference in Punjab. It isn’t party interests at stake here but the risk of a people being nearly forced to condone an ideology of fanatical regionalism. Disturbing.

Apparently, the sensex unexpectedly dropped a 100+ points yesterday. And as a friend deeply committed to studing Asian Markets for no tangible personal benefit pointed out, China’s stock market took a 9 per cent dip. I am very disappointed that Shri Nitish Kumar wasn’t asked to explain this distrubing turn of events. Now we’ll never know if the true Socialist conscience would pin natural blame on the Railway Budget. I imagine Mr V.K Malhotra thinks all this is really reflective of the world’s overall lack of confidence in the incumbent Indian Government. But unfortuantely, they’ve stopped quoting Mr Malhotra on important world events. Sad really, considering his pertinent views on all things worldy.

In other news of deep signifincance, Ms Rabri Devi is now convinced beyond all doubt that Lalu ji is the best Railway Minister India has ever had. This piece of information is certainly very relevant in terms of the Indian Media’s undying quest for unbiased and educative sound bytes.

Mort - and this one’s just for you mon. Captain Lumberjack thinks we have a real chance of lifting the world cup. Not sure if he means he can just sort of ‘lift’ it. But very reassuring considering we’ve been in super form the last three games and only been in pathetic form for like a dozen games before that.