Can credit cards buy everything?

I was using my credit card today to buy something and was reminded of this incident that happend some years back in my family. My parents had been on a tour, down south. They were taking a stroll at a nearby market when my father was boastfully describing the power of his credit card that could buy anything in this world with that piece of plastic.

Quick at her wits, mom said "okay now, buy me that balloon from that pedlar". I have never seen my dad flash his credit card before mom since then.

Execution before celebration

I read that China executes those sentenced to death before their festive seasons. They carry out the sentence before other convicts are taken on a public procession! Today's news is that 16 convicts were executed in China and there is no hue or cry about those found dead for their deed.

And here in India... one execution of a rapist sparks debates, news items, articles in the magazines, discussions on the television and political point-fingers. Where are we?

Embarrassment or ignominy?

I read in today's news paper about how the person at the mic in a meeting forgot the second line while rendering the Indian National Anthem. The highlight is that this event happened in a meeting convened by the BJP with all its big wigs on the dias. The best or the worst part of it, in that sense of the word, is that the objective of the meeting was to address patriotism and mark respect to national symbols!

With the drama and hype created around the arrest of their leader and former chief minister of Madhyapradesh Sri Uma Bharathi. I think those who arranged for this rendering of National Anthem at such an important meeting should have considered a few rudimentary yet crucial aspects of organising.

A few of the following tasks could've helped save the embarrassment.

1. Selecting a team of 3 to 5 singers at the stage to sing the Anthem so that even if one really forgot a few words or lines (may be out of nervousness) the others continue.

2. Asking the singer to practice prior to rendering the Anthem on the stage.

3. Ensuring that the same set of singers are allowed to render the Anthem at all their meetings.

But why am I trying to give them all these precautions when we know that knowing the National Anthem is mandatory for an Indian. Such mistakes in public gatherings are not just embarrassing to read but an ignominy to the nation.