Android is king of operating systems, overtakes Windows for first time

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Many knew one day this would happen, that Android would be the undisputed king among all operating systems. That has finally happened.

StatCounter, the well-known company that tracks how people access Internet, reports that Android has overtaken Windows as the world's most popular operating system, in terms of total internet usage across desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile combined.

In March, Android had 37.93% market share; Windows 37.91%.

Not quite surprising actually; because the use of mobiles to access internet has been growing at a very rapid pace. Also, the Windows operating system for mobile was way behind Android.

State assembly election results: Is it Modi wave or anti-incumbency wave?

The huge victory of BJP in the Uttar Pradesh assembly election indicates a massive affirmation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy of having development as the central agenda of governance.

This is a state that is very polarized in terms of religion and caste. But the results show that BJP has had an overarching influence on people across region and caste. So it would be difficult to say that polarization has had an effect.

My guess is that people were tired of Mulayam Singh and the infighting in Samajwadi Party. Mayawati and her BSP didn't have much to offer. People chose change. BJP agenda looked good enough with less talk of religion and more emphasis on welfare of people. Modi government's performance also served as a good indication of that.

Crucial numbers in Rajya Sabha for BJP

The huge win will also mean that Modi will have enough numbers in the Rajya Sabha and his government will be able to push through crucial legislations pertaining to reforms.

BJP has done well in Uttarakhand overthrowing Congress. Manipur too is a big consolation for BJP. Obviously they were not hoping to overthrow Okram Ibobi Singh, who has been the chief minister since 2002. But BJP's success is in making a mark in a state where it had virtually negligible presence.

Gandhi family hold slipping?

The pathetic show of Congress in UP and Uttarakhand clearly indicates that India's first political family has lost its touch and hold over the masses. Rahul's Lok Sabha constituency of Amethi has gone the BJP way. He fiercely but poorly campaigned in UP. He lacked ideas, and merely made fun of what Modi was saying. He didn't have anything original and substantial to offer.

The one state where Congress has put up a good show, Punjab, it has been a victory of Amarinder Singh. And not of Sonia or Rahul. So it's a clear cue that Sonia and Rahul should give way to a non-family leadership of the party. Hopefully the party will learn the lesson at least now and make amends before the next round of state elections.

Impact of local issues

The Modi magic, if at all there is one like that, hasn't worked in two out of five states. In Punjab and Goa, BJP lost power.

While we speak of the effect of Modi, we must bear in mind that these are state assembly elections, where many local issues matter a lot. Remember, ruling parties have lost in UP, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Goa. Only in Manipur the incumbent party has retained power.

So, while we are tempted by sheer numbers, and we speak of today's big story as affirmation of Modi mantra and rejection of Gandhi family, isn't it more of an anti-incumbency wave than Modi wave?

Book Review - One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat

​Generally, you get to hear people saying they don't like Chetan Bhagat's books but I didn't find any reason why I should dislike his latest book One Indian Girl. This is one typical Chetan Bhagat book, with a simple story line, easy to read. Period.

One comment I have heard is that the protagonist, Radhika, stereotypes Indian women. She is just one Indian girl and there are many such young women in this vast country, and Chetan Bhagat has chosen to write about one such woman.

Another comment that I have heard is that she exemplifies the new Indian feminist. That's a term I am not comfortable with simply because I haven't really understood what that means, in spite of the best of my efforts.

Instead, I would say Radhika is typical of the new generation young Indian woman in a big city who has benefited from the comforts and advantages of these modern times to be independent, confident, devoid of inhibitions, determined and persevering to realise her goals in life.

The story is not just about Radhika as a successful banker, but also about Radhika as a woman.

Be it for a man or a woman, the pulls of the mind and the heart can be in the same direction or in different directions. When it is the latter, there is conflict, and life becomes complicated. Radhika summons the strength of her mind to settle a serious dilemma staring at her.

This is the first book where Chetan Bhagat writes as a woman. He said at the Bengaluru Lit Fest that he wasn't confident, and ended up showing the script to about 20 women before publication, and went on to incorporate some of their suggestions. At the end of it all, I don't think it is a bad job at all.

One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

View all my reviews