Trump - Modi conversation

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi had a fruitful telephonic conversation for 30 minutes between 1800 hours and 1803 hours (IST). During the conversation Trump spoke for 45 minutes.

NM: Trumpji, thanks for calling me. Am I the first leader you are calling after you became POTUS?

T: Yea, I told Nawaz Sharif also the same. I do not change my statement, you know.

NM: We are willing to promote our mutual cooperation. You want more IT professionals from us?

T: I am delighted by your policies. 'Make in India' - fantastic. Please help your professionals make more in India. Don't send them here. Your demonetisation - absolutely fantastic. Demonetise all rupee currency notes and have $ instead. I like your Hideutvaa policy very much.

NM: What? Are you referring to Hindutva?

T: Yea, Hideutvaa. You are successfully hiding people's suffering as sacrifice (yagna)! When you want to hide real issues, you are able to whip up patriotism. I am learning from you. Fantastic! I am sending Barron Trump as our ambassador to your great nation. Please show him Taj Mahal and other tourist spots.

NM: What? Barron Trump as your ambassador in India? He is only 10 years old.

T: Doesn't matter. India is a great country and you are a fantastic leader.

NM: Are you really serious? (NM suddenly remembers Robert Vadra)

T: Yea, I will come up with even more serious proposals to strengthen our relationship. Nawaz Sharif is a fantastic guy.

When Modiji wanted to discuss other issues, Trump hung up.

Universal truth

World over, there is growing scepticism about politicians. Donald Trump in his inaugural address said,

"We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action -- constantly complaining but never doing anything about it.

The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action."

This applies to jallikattu, corruption, black money or any other problem. Trump has echoed everyone's angst. Will he deliver or join other politicians?

Brexit plus, plus

Donald Trump has achieved an unexpected victory over Hillary Clinton to become the 45th POTUS. This proves the media predictions totally wrong and is a jolt to stock markets.

How did this come about? Media's constant belligerence towards him has earned him public sympathy. People are vexed with political culture and have voted for a rank outsider. Paranoia among workers is very strong and they have caused what Trump calls a Brexit plus, plus.

Trump as President is likely to be different from the cantankerous candidate that he has been. Republican majority in both Houses will make it unnecessary for him to be bellicose. His deputy, Mike Pence is said to be a seasoned politician and therefore there may not be too many faux pas. Given Trump's freakish behaviour, it is also possible that he may voluntarily step down after a couple of years and enable Pence to be President.

His election was unpredictable. His possible contribution as President as of now may also be unpredictable. It is unlikely though that he will fare worse than his predecessors.

Added on November 10th: It is noteworthy that markets recovered fast after a brief crash. People have realised that President Trump is a different animal from candidate Trump. Competition sometimes vulgarises and degenerates a person whereas a position of authority may ennoble a person. Power may corrupt, but it may also elevate one. 'Crooked Hillary' must be feeling terribly let down. Domestic differences with Bill Clinton are likely to manifest.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Donald Trump

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's vituperative comments on Donald Trump only proves that even evolved minds like those of supreme court judges are not free from overpowering prejudices which make them forget the role of their office. The learned judge's observations have attracted disdain from all quarters.

In allowing emotions to overwhelm her rational self, she has even downgraded the majesty of the highest court. She has since realised her folly but has stopped short of apologising to Donald Trump. Strangely, Trump's response has been measured and unemotional. An apology to the likely presidential candidate will be in order.

Ginsburg has fatally shot down the assumption that judges will be unbiased in disposal of matters before them. She has lost the right to sit in judgement over possible petitions in the supreme court involving Trump. It is remarkable that even decades of experience as a judge do not elevate the human mind into an objective faculty.